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Chapter Five: Believe

Nathan looked down at Brooke, sound asleep in his bed and snuggling under his blankets. She was all alone in the world, except for him, he cared about her.

Brooke opened her eyes and looked around her, memories assailed her. Her knocking on Nathan's door, remembering meeting Maria and then needing Nathan, not wanting to be alone anymore.

Having packed up her house, she was ready to move to the beach house, but it was so lonely out there. Looking at the alarm clock by his bed, Brooke saw it was 9:40p.m.. Wondering where Nathan was, she climbed out of bed. Stretching, she walked over to the door, opening it slowly. She heard nothing but silence.

Slowly, padding down the stairs, moving into the kitchen. She saw Nathan sitting in the living room watching a basketball game. Tiptoeing, she crept up behind him, covering his eyes, she whispered, "Guess who?"

Nathan's hands covered hers, "I don't know," pulling her into his lap, he kept his eyes closed and slowly traced her face. "Who could it be?" his fingers traced the features of her face slowly and lightly.

His thumb traced her chin, a delicate finger moved into the hollows of her cheek, tracing her eyes, memorizing the shape of her lips and the soft curve of her nose.

"Beautiful," his lips echoed softly into the silent air that floated through the room. Brooke sat in his lap, her guard down, her eyes wide open for him to see her naked emotions.

Nathan slowly opened his eyes and looked at her, lifting his hand from her cheek. He felt her shift slightly in his lap.

"Why didn't you go out? Don't you have a party to get to?" Brooke looked at her feet as she waited for his answer.

"I was invited to Theresa's party and Tim's weekly binge of course," rolling his eyes. Tipping her head up to look into her soft mocha eyes, "The constant drinking and hangovers are no fun anymore, so I'm retiring from the party scene for a while. What about you?"

"Me, please, I'm apparently pregnant, according to Theresa," Brooke spat sarcastically.

"Of course," Nathan rolled his eyes, the doorbell rang then. "I wonder who that could be?" A frown creased Nathan's brow.

Brooke moved off his lap, missing the warmth of him, she followed Nathan to the door. Clad in gray sweatpants that said "Ravens 23" on the back of them and a pink tank that creased with every movement. Her glossy hair tied back in a ponytail.

Nathan moved forward in black sweatpants and a blue tank that emphasized his muscles. He opened the door to find Peyton and Luke standing there, hand in hand.

"What's up?" Nathan asked, keeping the door shut, so the heat wouldn't get out.

"We came by to see if you wanted to hang out," Lucas said.

"Ok," Nathan opened the door, Brooke stood by the staircase, her eyes soft, her stance relaxed.

"Hey guys," she smiled at them.

Nathan closed the door behind Peyton and Luke, moving over to Brooke, he put his arm around her waist walking back to the living room with her.

Peyton hugged Brooke, "I'm so sorry about your dad."

"Thanks, I'm doing okay, though," her gaze slid over to Nathan.

"So what shall we do?" Nathan sat back on the couch.

"How about hide and seek?" Brooke proposed, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

"Okay," the others agreed.

"Who's going to be it and count?" Peyton asked.

"Nathan." Brooke smiled at him. Grabbing Peyton and Luke, she moved out of the room.

"Count to 100 and then come look for us, we aren't allowed to go outside," Brooke's voice rang back to him.

Smiling to himself, Nathan sat on the couch and closed his eyes and started counting.

More soon.