Oops, Chapter 7
A/N: To those that like the story…I'm glad. Better use this time I have left at my job to finish it up…or something. Right? Heh.
A/N 2: This takes place the night of prom. Back in the day of prom-going, for me, girls wore garters. If this wasn't part of your prom tradition, umm, sorry. It will be in this story...cause...it's fun.
A/N 3: I'm sorry Lucas and Peyton tend to be out of character sometimes. Caring for the feelings of others, being nice and what not. I try to keep it within the bounds of reality.
Month Six
Peyton
Sure, it took some semi-creative measures, but each of the girls managed to wear an evening dress without making it obvious they were each expecting a child in four months or so.
And that issue became almost the least of their problems as she had to deal with Nathan's whining about not wanting to go in a limo with Haley and Jake, the newly named demon-spawn.
Peyton found it rather amusing that he had seemingly no problem with riding with Lucas, just didn't want to be around Jake.
He had wanted to go with Tim and Theresa instead.
But one pregnancy-card play later and here they all were, awkwardly sitting around a limo…not talking.
"So…" Nathan finally broke the silence, "How's that nose, Jake?"
It would take someone that knew Nathan well to hear the slight satisfaction in his voice…and Peyton noticed Haley's eyes narrow at his words.
Jake, however, merely laughed, "It's healed up okay, thanks for asking. How's the elbow?"
"Pretty good," Nathan nodded, "I could take out a large man or a few small children."
The girls rolled their eyes.
"If you could avoid doing that tonight, it would be great, Nate," Peyton patted his arm.
Nathan winced, "No promises. I'll do what I can."
"As always," Lucas muttered.
Haley shot him a glare.
To Peyton's extreme shock, Nathan ignored his brother and she grinned at him. Was he growing up?
"So, Brooke," Nathan smiled at the brunette, "You're looking exceptional this evening. Save me a dance?"
Spoke too soon. How did he do it? Did he just innately know which question would piss off the most people at any given time?
Brooke, however, was not one of them and glowed under the compliment. "Nathan, darling, you know I've always got a dance for you."
Little slut. She already had Lucas wrapped around her little finger.
This was the problem with pregnant women, they were so damn needy.
Jake whispered something in Haley's ear and she giggled.
Nathan's face lost color as he stared at them, "So Haley, what did you end up deciding about school?"
She frowned, "What about school?"
"Weren't you sifting through acceptance letters awhile back? Princeton, Stanford?"
"Oh…yeah. I'm not totally sure yet, what about you?"
Nathan shrugged, "I don't know either. I'm thinking of taking a year off."
"What?" Peyton gaped at him. Was he serious?
Lucas looked horrified, "What about basketball?"
"God, you sound just like my dad," Nathan rolled his eyes as everyone else in the car stiffened.
"Hey, we're here," Brooke pointed to the restaurant excitedly as though she wasn't busting through the awkwardness of the situation with a jack hammer.
Haley
Haley let Jake go into the restaurant and waited for Nathan and Peyton to get out of the limo.
"Nathan," she tugged his hand to get his attention and fire leapt through her body.
He looked as stunned as she did and motioned quickly for Peyton to keep going without him.
"Would you really give up school? Basketball?"
"If I have to," he shrugged, "Probably be able to tell better once the baby comes."
Her hand slid unconsciously to her stomach, but she moved it quickly.
"You'd be giving up everything you worked for."
"If Peyton has to give it up, it's only fair I do too."
Her heart beat quickly at his statement and she smiled, "You're a good guy, Nate."
"Good enough?" he asked, catching her eyes.
"Always."
He offered her his arm with a smile and she took it, but as the doors came closer she just wanted to run, to keep him to herself and tell him. For them to be together and raise their baby without Peyton and her child.
But he wasn't his father. He would never do that.
Which was exactly why she wished he would.
***
When the conversation faltered, they brought up basketball. They couldn't really talk about any of the things they usually talked about because Nathan was there.
He didn't know that Brooke was pregnant with Lucas's kid. He certainly didn't know Haley was pregnant with HIS kid. And he didn't know that the paternity of the only child he was aware of had ever been in doubt.
So pregnancy, children and future plans were pretty much out the window as far as subject matter.
So it all fell back to that annoying sport, basketball.
Even Jake was getting into it.
Brooke knew more about the sport than she really ought to admit in public, so Haley and Peyton exchanged a lot of bored glances.
"Well, are YOU going to play college ball, Jake?" Nathan wanted to know.
Jake shrugged, "They're giving me a scholarship so they'd probably be pretty pissed if I didn't play. Isn't Duke giving you a full ride?"
Nathan shrugged, "That's what they say."
"And you're not taking it?" Lucas's eyebrows shot up.
"Seriously, are you doing that just to irritate me?"
Lucas shook his head, "That's just a perk."
"Boys," Haley laid one hand on Lucas's shoulder and her other on Nathan's thigh.
Nathan's breath hissed from his lips and he removed her hand like it was burned him…but didn't let go of it.
Haley's eyes flew to Jake immediately, feeling a bit guilty for enjoying Nathan's attention in the presence of her date for the night, but he only gave her an amused smile and shrugged.
She grinned back at him. His presence was so nice and comforting. He was like a brother to her after all this time and she appreciated his company.
Nathan dropped her hand and turned to converse with Peyton.
***
Brooke
He kept looking at Peyton.
Sure, he held her hand and they played footsie, but his eyes seemed to be constantly drawn to her best friend.
It was a new phenomenon, something she'd been picking up on in the last month that made her want to tear her hair out and choke him to death with it.
Bastard.
"You guys are coming to the after party, right?" Peyton looked at them expectantly.
"I'm not-"
"Of course," Lucas nodded.
Brooke kicked him and he yelped, turning to her in surprise.
"Aren't we?" he asked in confusion.
"Sure," she shrugged, "I don't know how late I'd want to stay, though."
"Are you tired?" he asked in concern, squeezing her hand.
Brooke smiled, "No, I'm fine, baby."
Nathan made a vague hacking sound.
"Control your man, Peyton," Brooke glared playfully.
"Oh, I'm not claiming that!" the blonde shook her head.
"Ouch!" Nathan winced.
"He's up for grabs, then?" Brooke raised her eyebrows.
"No," Lucas said quickly, shooting her a glare that made her heart dance with pleasure.
That's right, Lucas Scott, appreciate your goddess.
She smirked, "That mean you want him? I think that's illegal."
Nathan choked on his food and Lucas looked at her in horror.
"I may never be able to forgive you for that image," her boyfriend grimaced.
***
"I believe this is my dance?" Nathan winked at her as Lucas led Peyton out on the dance floor.
Brooke beamed at him and offered her hand.
"Hmm, I don't think your boyfriend is too happy about this," he grinned, not seemingly the least bit repentant, if the way he pulled her closer was any indication.
A quick glance in Lucas's direction proved that sure enough, he was glaring at the back of his brother's head.
"Don't suppose I could convince you to make out?" Nathan grinned.
"I wouldn't want your death on my conscience, sorry."
"Please," Nate rolled his eyes, "I could take him."
"Then I wouldn't want his death on my conscience. Either way, bad for Brooke," she shrugged helplessly.
Nathan chuckled and then frowned, "So what's up with this couple over here?"
He nodded toward Jake and Haley.
"Just friends," Brooke smiled, "And don't be an idiot about it."
"You know me," he smirked.
"Only too well."
"You know what's up with Peyton and me, then, I guess?"
Brooke nodded, "We're best friends, of course I know."
"Ever since I told Haley, everything's been different," he shrugged.
"Oh, no," Brooke shook her head, "You were acting like an idiot way before you told Haley."
Nathan grimaced, "OK, yeah, but I was just, I don't know, I thought we had time to make it right, slow things down and stuff."
"You're a good guy, Nate, you're just in a really weird situation."
"Common assessment," he shrugged, "I guess I should have broken it off with Peyton years ago, but I didn't know until that night how I felt about Haley."
"That night?" Brooke raised her eyebrows.
Nathan blanched, "Uhh…just the night I noticed her, we were just hanging out, wasn't a big deal."
"The skirt night, right?"
"I don't-"
"Remember?" Brooke laughed, "You air-balled in warm ups, even I remember that. Oh, and you should thank me, by the way, I gave her that skirt."
"You have my undying gratitude," Nathan grinned, "Now if you could work your magic on her again now…"
"Oh, no," Brooke shook her head, "It's your turn."
"Come on," Nathan whined, "She ignores me all the time."
"So get her attention. Honestly, Nathan."
"But isn't that wrong, with Peyton…" he cast his ex a guilty glance.
"No," Brooke told him firmly, though whether she would still have the same answer if she didn't happen to know Haley was pregnant, she wasn't sure. "You and Peyton are over as a couple, right? Does she have a problem with you being with Haley?"
"No," he muttered.
"So don't be a dumbass!"
The song came to an end.
"And go dance with her," she grinned, "I'm going to go kick Lucas's ass."
"Really," Nathan perked up, "Can I come?"
***
Nathan
Just ask her.
Sure. Push Jake out of the way and pull her onto the dance floor. If he should fall on his oh-so-healed nose, then all the better.
"Haley," Nathan slipped into the seat beside her, "Care to dance?"
"Umm, sure," she looked at Jake uncomfortably, but allowed Nathan to lead her onto the dance floor.
He wanted to pull her closer, but she held him at arms length.
"Are you having a good time?" He hadn't the foggiest idea what to say.
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah."
Damn, he was a fucking moron.
"You look really nice," he blurted out.
"Thanks. You too."
"Thanks."
Silence.
A million things where in his head and not a single one of them appropriate.
Looks like you put on a little weight, but it looks good! Right. He wasn't a total dumbass.
I really, really love your breasts. May I please play with them? Trouble was, he had no idea where to go with the conversation after she smacked the shit out of him.
I'm sorry I knocked up Peyton, I wish it was you. Women never got tired of hearing stuff like that.
"So…" they both started talking.
Haley smiled, "You go first."
"Oh, no, ladies first, I insist."
"Right," she frowned, "Umm…how about those Cubs?"
"Wrong state, wrong season."
"Indians?"
"Getting warmer…"
"Dodgers?"
"Freezing."
"I suck at this," she pouted.
"You have other skills to make up for it," he winked.
Haley raised her eyebrows, "Is that so?"
"Yeah, I think I'd know," he smirked and Haley blushed.
He'd give his third toe to know what she was thinking, or better yet, experience it.
"Is it hot in here or is it just you?"
She smacked him. "Shut up, Nathan."
"You love it."
"I do n-" Haley trailed off into a yawn.
"Sleepy?"
She shrugged, "I've been tired a lot lately."
"Peyton has too, but I guess that's to be expected."
Haley bit her lip, "Nathan-"
"Hey, what up, Baller?" Tim interrupted them, "You headed to the beach house soon?"
Nathan shrugged, "You ready to go, Hales?"
"Whenever," she mumbled.
"Well, hurry up, you guys, we gotta break open the keg!"
"You can go ahead, it's open," Nathan shook his head as Tim pulled his date out the door. "Were you saying something?"
Haley shook her head, "Let's get the others."
***
"Anyone want a drink?" Nathan offered as they entered the beach house.
"Sure," Jake nodded.
"Whatever," Lucas shrugged.
"Ladies?" Nate turned his question to Brooke and Haley, who exchanged glances with Peyton and shook their heads quickly. "You sure? Haley?"
"I'm already sorta tired," she shrugged, but didn't meet his gaze.
He shook his head, "Come on, Brooke, it's prom…you know you want to."
"You trying to peer pressure me, Scott?" Brooke grinned.
"Is it working?"
"Nope, nice try."
Nate shrugged, "Gentleman, drinks are this way."
The girls hung back, to his disappointment. Nothing more fun than playing nice with the boys that Haley hung out with 24/7. It wasn't as though he didn't know they were trying to get in her pants. He sure was, what man in their right mind wouldn't?
Lucas could fake it pretty good, but Nate felt it was just a matter of time.
Whereas Jake was already closing in.
Stopping suddenly, he felt Jake run into him and Luke sandwich him between them.
"Oh, sorry," Nate muttered, moving forward again.
"Hey, playa," Tim grinned from the keg, filling up.
"Hey, Tim, how's it going?"
"Better now," he winked, as though his fondness for alcohol was some type of inside joke.
"Well, grab some glasses, boys," Nate took Tim's glass.
Tim stared at the beer in Nathan's hand as though it betrayed him.
"Thanks, man."
"No problem," he pouted, pouring another.
"So what's up with your woman, not drinking?" Nate turned to Lucas.
Lucas swallowed, but shrugged off the question, "None of the girls wanted to drink tonight, who knows?"
Probably some kind of sisterhood solidarity for Peyton or some such feminine bull shit. It was actually sort of a relief they were doing it, cause the alternative was him, and after the evening he'd had, he really, really wanted a drink.
***
Lucas
It was tricky keeping all this pregnancy a secret.
The main core knew Brooke and Haley were pregnant, but Nathan didn't know.
Nathan knew that Peyton was pregnant, but Lucas wasn't supposed to know.
And everyone knew that Nathan was the father of Peyton's baby, but Lucas wasn't completely sure that was even true.
But Peyton was. And shouldn't that be all that mattered?
His heart said no. If he was going to be having another child, he wanted to be aware of it. Wanted to be part of its life as the father and certainly didn't want Nathan to be in on it.
What would Nathan do when he found out Haley would also be having his child? Possibly, his only child.
Would he react the same way Dan did? Did he even want to know?
Lucas didn't want to risk Haley getting hurt. He'd spent his life trying to protect her and the idea Nathan breaking her heart tortured him.
But what if he could spare her the anguish of sharing the father of her child?
Then he'd be inflicting the same thing on Brooke, the mother of his.
He sighed. It was impossible.
"Hey, isn't it garter time?"
Leave it to Tim to remember the event.
"Sure," Theresa shrugged, digging her garter out of her purse and flicking it at his head.
"Did I hear something about garters?" Brooke blew on the back of his neck behind him and he shuddered. "I put mine really, really high," she whispered in his ear, wrapping a long leg around his waist.
"Really," he smiled as his hands explored her leg.
"Mmmm-hmmm," her voice vibrated into his ear and down his spine.
And she wasn't lying when she said it was high.
***
He managed to pull himself away from smiling at the lace garter to look for its previous owner.
When he found her, she was talking to Nathan, much to his great irritation.
Fine, he thought childishly, what did he care?
"Having a good time?" Peyton appeared next to him.
"Marvelous," he nodded, "How is it for you?"
"A lot less entertaining from the sober perspective," she sighed.
"Really? Even Tim's table dance?"
"You're right, that's funny in any state of mind. But without the alcohol, the traumatic aspect hits a lot harder."
Lucas nodded in understanding, he hadn't had THAT much to drink.
"Listen, I know you have been trying to talk about...you know," she gestured, looking around for anyone who might be listening in on them, "But I called the hospital, okay? Just to make sure."
Swallowing his drink quickly, he waited.
"They apologized for the typo, but it is still you. I know you have an overactive conscience, but please don't worry about it anymore."
He exhaled, "Fine, I just-"
"I know," she lay a hand on his arm and caught his eye.
"Yeah," he muttered, wanting nothing more than to get away from her and the reminder of their time together. The last thing he needed was to be dragged back into Peyton drama, yet here he was, wondering if a stupid typo could make him the father of her child. "Sorry."
"It's not-oh!" her eyes widened her hand went immediately to her stomach.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know," she bit her lip, "It's gone, I just-"
"Should I get Nathan?"
"I don't think it was the baby, just this weird shooting pain. Probably the food."
"Peyton, that's not something you want to mess with..."
"I just want to sit down, Lucas," she pleaded.
"OK, come on," he led her to a side room and she sat down on the bed.
"Are you sure I shouldn't get someone?"
"Just stay with me," her eyes shut wearily.
"Whoa, stay awake," he sat down next to her.
"You're so sweet," she smiled. "What was I thinking?"
Lucas shifted uncomfortably, "Don't worry about it-"
"Forgive me?"
"I- Sure...I-"
Their eyes caught and she gave him that little smile that drove him so crazy, so many times and his heart sped.
She leaned closer and his eyes widened.
"Nnnmm," he started to object when their lips met and everything he loved about her was shoved to the forefront and he couldn't move.
Her lips moved and he snapped to reality, pulling away from her softly. "Peyton, we can't-"
"Oh no, don't stop on my account."
His eyes snapped to the doorway, where his girlfriend stood, watching them.
TBC