Chapter 8

Old Flames and Baby Fever

She hated to sound too shallow, Brooke hated shallow people, but Brooke loved shopping. She loved the fact that by changing your clothes people would change their opinions of you. Since no one in Wake Forest knew her, she started dressing unlike the way she dressed in Tree Hill. No tight clothes. No short skirts. She was a mother now you know. But lets just say she was using her new "mother" breasts to her advantage.

Peyton was the one who asked if she wanted to go. Brooke was not one to turn down a shopping experience, especially around Christmas time. She had some last minute gift to buy, including Lucas'. What was there to buy him? As well as Brooke knew Lucas, she had no idea what to get him for Christmas.

Sitting in the car on the way to Peyton was thinking. She took a sharp turn and said, "I wish I had left on a good note." She put her fingers in her messy blonde hair and turned to Brooke.

Her arms were across her chest, her breasts spilling out of her V-Neck sweater. She looked at her nails, "I was just ready to leave. I didn't care what kind of note it was."

"Yeah, well I just regret a lot I guess..." She looked back to Brooke, "And your boobs look huge."

Brooke shrugged her shoulders, "They are, they whole mother thing does it to you." She thought about what Peyton had said, about regretting a lot. "Yeah there are plenty of things I regret."

"Like what?"

She leaned back and crossed her legs. She shook her leg until her favorite pair of Stuart Weitzman pump slipped of her foot. "Being a bitch, being a cheerleader, being a mom."

"You don't regret being a mom, Brooke, you don't mean that."

"No, I don't regret having Lilia. She is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I just, I wish I hadn't gotten myself in that situation. Things might be a lot easier."

Peyton pulled into the mall parking lot, turned off the car and looked at Brooke, "A lot of things would be easier had we just changed our tune a little."

"Yeah," Brooke opened the door and climbed out. A small amount of snow covered her shoe. "Damn." She shook her foot and said, "Guess that what I get for wearing high heals in the dead of winter."

As soon as they duo walk in the doors, they saw a familiar face. Brooke never forgot a face, especially when it looked like that. His James Dean good looks sent her into a swoon and she questioned why she left him in the first place. Lucas, she reminded herself.

"Daniel. Daniel Howard. I didn't expect to see you here." Brooke ran her long fingers through her dark hair and crossed her arms. The cashmere sweater felt so good on her hands she wished everything she owned was this material.

He looked so good, she thought. Freshman year had done no wrong to him. He finally spoke with his southern twang that Brooke loved so much. "I did expect to you here." He winked at her. "Peyton Sawyer. Long time no see."

"Yeah, where are you at these days?"

"Chapel Hill. I play ball with Nate."

"No kidding, what a small world." Brooke said sorting through a stack of purses, lifting on up and giving it a good look. She sat it back down; it made her arm look short.

"Yeah, I think maybe I am coming over for dinner tomorrow night." Daniel ran his fingers through his dark hair and ran his eyes over Brooke then Peyton. Why had he never noticed Peyton before? Maybe because he was too busy noticing Brooke.

Peyton shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know. Maybe, possibly."

"Wait," Brooke said, remembering something Daniel had told her, "I thought you were going to Wake Forest. I just remembered that. That's where Lucas and I go but I..."

"Yeah," He put his hands deep into his pockets, "Well I found out my ex- girlfriend went there, the one I was dating a couple years back, and lets just say I was less than honest with her."

Brooke squinted her eyes at him and said, "Why am I not surprised?"

"Maybe because I am the male version of you Brooke my dear and you have definitely been less than honest in your day."

"That is a definite possibility."

Peyton took Brooke's hand, "Well Daniel it was nice seeing you..."

"The pleasures all mine." He winked at the girls and watched them slowly walk away.

Brooke turned around, "Maybe we will see you tomorrow night or sometime."

"Maybe." He had such confidence. Brooke always loved that in a man. She closed her eyes remembering what she had at home. Lucas, Lilia. She rubbed her abdomen and thought about the new addition that may be coming into their life.

"Hey," Peyton said turning around and walking in Daniel's direction. She gave him a slip of paper, leaned close to him, and whispered into his ear, "Call me sometime if you want."

He nodded and said, "For you beautiful," He put his hands on her lower back, "Anything."

Peyton bit her lower lip, trying not to smile but her eyes said it all. She liked him and Brooke caught on. "My Miss Sawyer you were all on him like a fat kid on cake."

She gave Brooke a disgusted look, "No I wasn't."

"Yes you were."

"Okay fine, I was." She melted. "He is very attractive. I will give him that. But he is not my type, in anyway."

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Who cares what type he is. Look at him. He is the best looking guy I have ever seen in my life. If I hadn't..." Brooke caught herself and stopped.

"Don't say it. I would hate to get mad at you right now especially for saying something that you didn't."

Nodding her head, Brooke said, "I know." She walked into Toys R US and Peyton followed behind. "Okay something for Lilia and something for Reed."

They went through toy after toy. Peyton hadn't been in a toy store in so long that she couldn't believe some of the toys. After looking at the things for toddlers and infants she said, "I want one."

A clueless Brooke pulled out a breast pump, "One of these?" She gave it a good look and actually contemplated buying thinking that it might be a good investment especially with the condition she might be in.

"No," Peyton rapidly shook her head, "A baby." She took the pump from Brooke and put it back on the shelf. "That is disturbing."

Brooke let out a sigh and laughed, "You wanting a baby is disturbing." She took the pump back off the shelf and showed it to Peyton, "This is functional." She threw it into the cart. She was buying it. Peyton might not appreciate a good breast pump but a new baby sure would.

"No, seeing you and Lucas with Lilia and then you having another one..."

"Maybe having another one. Not sure yet."

"Why the hell don't you go to the doctor?"

"Because."

"Wow, what an adult answer. No really Brooke I think it would be a good idea."

"Stop changing the subject. We are not talking about me having a baby here."

"Yes we are."

"Oh yeah, we were."

Peyton laughed and say down on a PlaySkool child's chair. "No, you are just so happy and I want that."

"Ya know I bet Daniel will have..." Brooke said, giving Peyton a knowing look. Peyton was attracted to Daniel and Brooke knew it. Peyton might as well have had a sign on her forehead that said, "I think you are damn hott".

"Shut up. I am being serious..."

"I was too." Brooke gave her a serious look.

Peyton looked around the toy store, "Come on. Get what you want. I am ready to get out of here."

"You are just having baby fever."

"I think you are too." Peyton said putting her hand on top of Brooke's stomach. "No, I think you are having a baby, not just fever."

Brooke hit her on the arm. Maybe she was. Brooke was scared to take the test. Everything would change again, but maybe it didn't have to. Maybe the second child was easier than the first. Guess she was going to have to find out.

Author Note: I know this chapter was pretty boring, but it is setting up some very interesting things to come. So, what do you think? Do you like: That Daniel Howard is back? That Brooke might be pregnant again? That Peyton wants to be pregnant?

Tell me what you think. I always take advice.