Chapter 10: Finding a Way to You

Brooke found herself too depressed to do anything when she got home. She can't believe Jake dumped her just like that. Tears would flow from her eyes from time to time. She decided to take a warm shower.

As she did, she couldn't help but reminisce the times she and Jake had spent together. Jake was the perfect man for Brooke. He knows how to make a girl laugh, but he also has a mature side. Brooke found this combination wonderful. She also loved the fact that Jake had always loved her for who she is. She let some tears stream down her cheeks as she showered. She felt so miserable and wished this was nothing but a bad dream.

She was already in her robe when she heard a knock on her door. When she opened it, Jake's tear-stained face was staring at her. He held a bouquet of lilies in his hand. "Can I come in?" he asked softly.

Brooke had imagined a couple of times how she would act should this moment come. She would shout at him and let him know how hurt she is. Then, she would shut the door and cry herself to sleep. For some reason, she didn't know what to say so she just nodded as she opened the door further to let him in.

Once inside, the two just stood facing each other. None of them wanted to say anything and tension immediately filled the air. "Brooke, I..." Jake wanted to explain himself when Brooke suddenly interrupted.

"No Jake," she smiled while trying to fight the tears in her eyes, "You don't have to explain. You're doing this for Jenny and I totally respect you for it. You're right, Jenny's better off with her real mother. I just can't pretend that you didn't hurt me though..." She paused for awhile to wipe the tears from her eyes. "Because you did..." With this, she started to sob lightly. "Jake, I don't know what I ever did to deserve this. I've always been faithful in this relationship. I gave it my all, I gave you my all. Isn't that enough?" she asked him with so much hurt in her face.

At this point, Jake was crying himself. "Brooke, it was more than enough. I'm so happy to have you in our lives. I'm sorry for what I did to you. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, Brooke...but I didn't think I was the same for you. I didn't want you to make a mistake by being with me. You deserve someone better."

Brooke just looked at him as he continued to express himself, "I can't live without you, Brooke. I have never wanted any woman as much as I want you now. Yet, I tried to push you away... I lied to you about Jenny's mom. I thought letting you go was the best thing to do. "

Brooke's eye's widened while the hurt expression on her face still remained, "How could you say that? How do you know what's best for me? Jake, I never asked you to make that decision for me!"

The tears in Jake's eyes were enough to blur his sight of Brooke. Nevertheless, he was sure that the expression on Brooke's face has not changed...she was still hurting. He knew it was time to right his wrong, "That is why, I 'wanna make things right. Tonight, I stand before you to ask you only one thing, Brooke." He took a deep breath and looked deeply into Brooke's eyes, "Will you have me back?"

Brooke just gave him a serious look, "How do I know you won't do this to me again?"

By this time, Jake's tears were already streaming on his face. Sighing heavily, he chokingly answered, "Because the moment I do baby, I would die of a broken heart."

Brooke just cried as she smiled, "I actually felt like I would today...until you showed up at my door."

Jake smiled too as tears rolled down his cheeks, he grabbed Brooke by the waist and kissed her with the passion of a man who has longed to have a certain woman in his life. After the kiss, Brooke's tear-stained eyes looked at him as she jokingly whispered, "Did you know that a man with a baby turns me on?"

Jake just laughed as he held her hand in his, "In that case Ms. Davis, I'm your man." With that, he leaned towards Brooke to give her another long kiss.

They hurriedly left the café and within minutes, they were pulling into Haley's driveway. Nathan briefly looked at his watch and realized it was pretty late, "Hales, won't your parents mind?"

Haley just laughed at him, "They would...if they were here. They're gone for two weeks so I have the house to myself."

Nathan just smiles as they walked into her house. Once they were inside, Haley briefly turned around to Nathan before she headed to the kitchen. "Just hang your jacket there and make yourself at home. I'll get something cooking, "she explained. With that, she went to the kitchen.

Nathan could hear the cabinet doors opening as Haley searched for things she can cook with. He was alone in the James' living room and he took the opportunity to look at Haley's pictures that were displayed all over the place. "She looks so cute here," he thought as he held up a picture of Haley when she was around eight years old.

Suddenly, Haley's head emerged from the kitchen entrance, "Hey Nate, spaghetti and meatballs sound good to you?"

Nathan smiled at the sound of something he loves so much, "Are you kidding me? I can live on that all my life!"

Haley just laughs as she went back to her cooking. "I'll be done with this in a minute," she called out as she cooked her pasta sauce.

It didn't take long before Haley emerged from the kitchen and into the living room with two generous steaming hot plates of spaghetti and meatballs. The fireplace in the living room was on and Haley set the two plates nearby. "I'll just go get us some drinks."

Nathan suddenly stood up, "Oh no, let me get that." He went to the kitchen and found two wine glasses on the table beside a bottle of sparkling grape juice. He emerged from the kitchen, holding them up to Haley. "I suppose these are for us," he asked as he held them up for Haley to see.

Haley nodded and smiled, "Yeah, you found it right."

Nathan sat down beside her on the carpet and their knees brushed each other. He smiled as he opened the bottle for both of them. Haley just looked at him. "I figured out we shouldn't have wine since you'd be driving later," she explained as he poured the sparkling grape drink into their glasses.

Nathan just laughed, "Yeah, I figured the last thing I need tonight is a road accident. I might forget everything you taught me today."

Haley laughed at the comment. She took another forkful of her spaghetti. She was enjoying the pasta so much that she didn't realize that Nathan was already staring at her. Finally, she looked up. "What?" she asked Nathan as she placed the plate on her lap.

Nathan just smiled, "Nothing. You just look pretty cute when you're hungry."

Haley lets out another laugh, "And you look cute when you got tomato sauce on you lips! Here, let me get that." She took a piece of tissue and dabbed it lightly on his lips.

Once Haley was done, Nathan just smiled at him, "Thanks."

They continued to eat silently for awhile when Nathan decided to say something, "You know? I'm really having a good time. Maybe we can do this again?"

Haley smiled at him, "I don't see why not. It's great to have you here too."

They continued to eat when suddenly, Haley felt the need to say something, "Hey Nate, thank you.. for keeping me company tonight."

Nathan just smiled as he took a sip from his glass, "No problem Hales, especially when you cook this good!"

Haley and Nathan both just laughed. The fireplace kept the living room warm as they ate and laughed the night away...