A/N: Please don't hate me for being so behind on updating I have just been ridiculously busy and you wouldn't believe how awful I feel. I promise to try to be more frequent with my updates! And thank you so much for your reviews; I appreciate them to no end!
Ch. 3
Brooke was enthralled by the beauty of the campus as she was walking to class. It didn't matter how many times she saw it – the effect was still the same.
"Hey sexy." came a deep voice whispering into her ear.
"Hi Nick." Brooke responded turning around fully to face her boyfriend of 3 months.
Nick and Brooke met in the library while researching for a term paper. He was smart and good looking with a great heart. Unfortunately no one's perfect and even Nick had his flaws – such as conveniently forgetting that Brooke was a mother. He was famous for coming over to Brooke's apartment at 3 in the morning to "hang out". As much as she hated that Nick had those pesky habits he was very attentive and always treated her well. Besides the way she saw it was that she didn't need her boyfriend to be a father figure n her child's life – he already had an excellent father figure in Nathan.
"What are you doing over here?" Brooke asked
"Oh, I was looking to recruit a new lead singer for the Band." He said, "Nancy quit last week and have a gig coming up."
"Nick for the last time I am not singing for your band." Brooke said with a frown.
"Come on! You have a great voice – and you would look incredibly sexy doing so to – I'm sure." He said with a smirk.
Brooke rolled her eyes at him and shook her heard.
"All of your gigs are at night – I can never find a babysitter for James then!"
"Alright, alright...I get it. I got to go, I will see you later!" Nick said looking at his watch. He gave her a quick kiss and then ran off in the opposite direction. Brooke frowned at his retreating figure. Sometimes she wished he would just be a little more understanding.
xxx
Haley James was walking across campus with an extra bounce in her step just dreaming about all the little things she would get to do for her wedding. She could almost see her and Nathan dancing to their song. Haley couldn't wait to become Nathan's wife – but the idea of telling Dan brought a frown to her face. "Is there a reason you are marring the face that I love?" came a voice.
Haley broke into a grin and launched herself into her handsome fiancée's arms. Nathan chuckled as he embraced Haley inhaling the sweet smell of roses from her hair.
"Can I join this party? Or do I need an invitation?" came Brooke's sultry voice.
Nathan and Haley both laughed and shot scowls in Brooke's direction.
"I'm engaged!" Haley shouted.
"You're engaged!" Brooke shouted back. Both girls screamed and ran to engulf one another in huge hugs. Such a ruckus had never before been heard on the usually serene Duke campus.
"You two might want to chill – people are beginning to stare." Nathan said with the trademark Scott smirk.
"Shut up!" Brooke and Haley said simultaneously. While the girls continued to gush about possible wedding themes and dates Nathan mentioned the one topic to could lead to potential disaster.
"Did anyone else get a call from Peyton today?"
Brooke groaned," I did- and James answered the phone! Thank god she thought I was babysitting else I would be screwed!"
"What are you going to do?" Haley asked.
"Well I was going to go to Karen's for thanksgiving but Lucas is coming back – and I can't stay at my apartment because Peyton's coming and wants to hang out!"
"You could try to get someone to baby-sit for you." Haley offered.
"Ordinarily I would, but its Thanksgiving and I would rather James and I be together. Plus I still wouldn't be able to explain my presence at Lucas's dinner table."
"I see." Haley nodded, "Why don't you visit your aunt in Florida – she'd probably love to have you."
"That's not a bad idea Hales." Brooke said thoughtfully.
"Typical." Nathan muttered.
Both girls turned towards Nathan who had an incredibly pissed off look on his face – his eyes were flashing and he was gritting his teeth. "Oh god." Haley prayed silently. "Please let Brooke just leave this alone."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Brooke exclaimed.
"You heard me – this is just like you, packing off and running at the first sign of trouble!"
Haley and Brooke just stared at him.
"You can't hide James from Lucas forever Brooke- it's not fair – he deserves to have a father!"
"My god Nathan what the hell do want me to do? Call Lucas and say guess what I forgot to mention you have a little boy!"
"Sarcasm doesn't suit you Brooke – are you ever planning on letting Lucas into James's life or are you going to hide him forever?"
"Nathan, I am going to tell him...Besides it's not like James doesn't have a father figure in his life – he does!" Brooke insisted.
"Who Nick?" Nathan scoffed. "He isn't a father figure – he's an idiot!"
Brooke rolled her eyes at Nathan.
"If ANYONE'S an idiot here Nathan if would HAVE to be you!" Brooke yelled, "Call me later Hales."
Brooke stalked away angrily having Nathan and Haley staring at her retreating back.
"Nathan..."Haley began softly, "you really are an idiot."
"Haley I didn't meant to be rude, but I'm frustrated – every time I talk to Luke I feel guilty that I'm keeping this from him!" Nathan interrupted.
"That's not what I am talking about Nathan", Haley scolded, "But I feel the same guilt you do – Brooke will tell him eventually but you can't force it out of her."
"Nathan sighed, "I know – I just can't believe she thinks Nick's a father figure for James – That is just plain stupid!"
"You are right Nathan that is stupid, because she doesn't consider Nick as a father figure – she thinks of you as one." Haley responded.
Nathan stared open mouthed as Haley gave him a quick peck on the cheek and walked towards her first class of the day.
A few days later
Brooke perused her closet trying to figure out what to wear to work – it was business casual which meant no jeans for her. Finally deciding on a knee length pin striped skirt with a slit up the side and a white button down blouse the phone began to ring. Brooke tossed her outfit on the bed and ran for the phone.
"Hello?" Oh hi Jillian – I was just getting ready for work.
"Brooke - My mom got into a car accident so I cannot watch James today." I am really sorry!
"No, Jill – It's perfectly fine, go be with your mom!"
Brooke hung up with only one thought on her mind; she needed a sitter for James and fast! Since she and Nathan had made up the day before she could have called him but he had basketball practice and Haley was in class.
"Karen!" Brooke thought. Without hesitating Brooke dialed her cell phone number.
"Hello?" Karen said as she picked up her phone.
"Karen! It's Brooke."
"Hi Brooke! How are you?"
"I'm fine – but I'm in a bit of a jam – is there any way that you could watch James today?"
"Of course! Let me call Deb and tell her that I am sick so she's on her own today."
"Thank you so much I will bring James around right now!" Brooke exclaimed.
Brooke quickly got dressed and ran into the living room – "James! Honey I have a surprise for you – you get to spend the day with Grammy today!"
"Yay!" James shouted.
"Now grab a few toys that you want to take with you and I'll take you there ok?"
"Ok mommy!"
After Brooke dropped James off she gave a Karen a huge hug and ran back to her car – if she wasn't careful she would be late!
Karen and James were having a blast playing hid and go seek and it was James's turn to hide. But before Karen could begin looking for her precious grandson the doorbell rang. Karen ran to the door and swung it open. Karen gasped at the sight in front of her.
"Did I surprise you mom?" came an amused voice framed in the doorway.
"Lucas!" Karen exclaimed engulfing he son in her arms, "what are you doing here?"
Before Lucas could respond a high pitched voice came from behind him.
"Aren't you going to introduce us?"
"Sorry Kelly, Mom this is my girlfriend Kelly and Kelly this is my mom Karen."
Karen smiled at the two and ushered them in.
"Are you sure you are feeling ok mom – Deb said that you were sick." Lucas asked with concern.
Karen's face fell and her mind went into overdrive.
"Oh yeah, well" – but before Karen could even make up a lie James came toddling out of the bedroom.
"You couldn't find me! I win Grammy!" he exclaimed.
"Mom?" Lucas asked dumbfounded, "who is that?"
"I can explain Lucas" Came a voice from behind.
"Mommy!" James shouted.
"Hey baby!" Brooke said scooping her son into her arms, "Did you have fun?"
"Yep! I even beat Grammy at hide and go seek!"
"Good Job! I want you to go into the kitchen and get a cookie – we have to meet Uncle Nathan and Aunt Haley."
"Ok mommy!" James replied as Brooke set him down.
"Lucas, that's my son, Karen offered to watch him today," Brooke said careful not to give away too much.
"How old is he Brooke?" Lucas asked sharply.
"4." Brooke replied softly," He turns four in December."
Brooke could see the wheels turning in Lucas's head. He glared at both his mother and Brook before storming out past them.
"Luke!" Karen shouted running after him.
"Karen! Wait! Let me – I guess it's time he knew the truth."
Karen nodded at Brooke and turned to go back into the house. Brooke took a deep breath before walking off towards her car she knew exactly where Lucas was going and she was going to beat him there.
A/N: Ok well that's the 3rd chapter I hope you all enjoyed it! Let me know by reviews.
Kat