Brooke stared out the beautiful French doors onto the tennis court and sprawling Olympic sized pool. The house, the property, everything was perfect. It was exactly the kind of home she longed for. As much as she loved New York and thought it was the greatest city in the world, more than anything she yearned for a big home in Connecticut with a yard and a pool and plenty of room. Her dream was so close to coming true that she could almost feel it. Lucas had loved the property in Greenwich as much as she had and they were close to finalizing a deal with the real estate broker. Until then, it was back to business as usual. Brooke had been summoned to Los Angeles for a designer fashion show at the same time the Knicks were scheduled to play the Clippers. At least they'd get to spend a few extra days together and instead of a hotel, they had opted to stay with Nathan and Haley.

"Brooke…is everything okay?"

Brooke was brought back to reality at the sound of her sister in law's voice.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I was just admiring your house. I absolutely love it."

"Thanks. Are you and Luke still looking to get out of the city?"

"Soon. We found a great place in Connecticut that we're thinking about closing on. 7000 square feet of five bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, an indoor pool, gourmet kitchen and guest cottage all for the bargain price of 3.7 million dollars."

"Wow", Haley shuddered. "That's a lot for a house. That's a lot for anything."

"Jesus Christ, you sound like Lucas. And hello, look at this place…you can't find a house around here for under eight mil!"

"And you're sounding just like Nathan", Haley smiled. "I will be the first to admit that I think it is absolutely ridiculous that we live in a house that costs nine and a half million dollars. It's too much…it's all too much. The nanny and the housekeepers and the cars…"

"But you deserve it", Brooke smiled. "Hell we both do. We are law abiding, tax paying, charity donating good women who not only established successful careers for ourselves, we were smart enough to marry very rich. And speaking of careers, how is everything with you?"

While Nathan Scott was a star on the basketball court, it was the love of music that had been his wife's claim to fame. She had trained as a classical musician and done well for herself, even releasing a CD.

"It's good. I am performing for the President and First Lady next week and after that I signed a deal to compose a song for a new Disney film. After that, I think I'm gonna slow it down at least until after the baby is born", she said, rubbing her five months pregnant belly.

"Well good for you. Who would have thought our Tutor Girl would be playing piano at the White House? Oh Hales, you are such a diva. I think you dig the champagne, caviar and private jets more than I do."

"Okay, okay", Haley rolled her eyes with a shy grin. "I admit it. Having lots of money is fun…sometimes. I mean, I do like the trips and the boat and the clothes but…I don't know. I never had money growing up, you know? This is all so different from me. And it's so easy to get caught up in this lifestyle. I feel like Cinderella at the ball because deep down, I'm still the thrift store shopping Tutor Girl you knew back in high school. And I want more for my son, Brooke. Nathan is a great dad and he loves Aidan but he spoils him to death! I don't want my children to grow up spoiled brats with silver spoons in their mouth."

Brooke laughed and shook her head. Still the same responsible, rational, sensible Tutor Girl. Brooke on the other hand loved the money and the parties and the private planes. As far as she was concerned, only one thing would make life more perfect…

"Mommy!"

Brooke turned to see her two and a half year old nephew running into the kitchen as naked as the day he was born.

"I see somebody's up from their nap. How's Mommy's big boy?" Haley grinned as she scooped her son up.

"Cookie!"

"No, honey. No cookie before dinner. Now let's get you a bath."

"Noooooo", the little boy wailed at the mere notion.

"Sorry. He's in this phase now where only Nathan can bathe and dress him. You should see the time I have when Nate's away on the road…Nathan?"

Dressed in khakis and a dark green collared shirt, within seconds the younger Scott brother had joined the women in the kitchen.

"Let me guess, somebody needs a bath right? Come on, Spud", he grinned taking the little boy into his arms and giving him a cookie as they headed upstairs.

"Nathan! No sweets before dinner….aaagghhh! See what I mean, Brooke?" Haley laughed even in her frustration. "Spoiled rotten!"

Brooke closed her eyes and tried to imagine the day when she and Lucas could experience the terrible twos with their own child.

"He's beautiful", she whispered. "Maybe I should bless your belly now so this one can be a girl."

"No such luck", Haley sighed. "We had a doctor's appointment last week. Looks like it's another boy."

"Another little Nate", Brooke laughed.

"Yeah. I mean, we're happy but we were really looking forward to a girl this time, Nathan even more than me. So after this one I guess the Scott baby making train will keep rolling. I know Nathan is not gonna stop until we have a daughter so I'll probably be barefoot and pregnant for the next ten years. He calls me his fertile turtle."

It was a harmless joke but as soon as the words escaped Haley's mouth, she realized the colossal mistake she had made. The look on Brooke's face only confirmed it.

"Oh Brooke. Oh my God. I totally just put my foot in my mouth. I'm really sorry…"

"It's okay", Brooke shrugged with that classic quick smile she always assumed when she was pretending everything was okay. "It's not a big deal. The doctors say we're both fine, it's just taking a little longer than expecting."

Haley nervously nodded still embarrassed by her comment.

"It will happen and when it does you and Lucas are going to make terrific parents."

When it would happen, Brooke thought. If it would happen.

Brooke's behavior was border-lining neurotic as she was becoming more and more obsessed with getting pregnant. It was all she thought about 24 hours a day, seven days a week, especially since they had arrived in California.

"Haley! Hales!" Brooke yelled as she bounded down the steps the last morning of the visit.

"In the living room. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. Have you seen Lucas?"

"Outside", Haley rolled her eyes.

Lucas and Nathan were outside washing the Lamborghini Nathan had recently splurged on. It was the latest addition to a growing fleet that included a Cadillac Escalade, an Infinity convertible, a BMW, two Mercedes, a classically restored 65 Mustang and four motorcycles. It was clearly the younger brother's pride and joy. Lucas couldn't help but to admire the beauty of it and all the cars. Cars were Luke's passion and living smack dab in the middle of New York City made it quite impractical to own one. Instead, a driver and Lincoln Navigator were on hand 24 hours a day for he and Brooke.

"Luke!" Brooke yelled.

"What's going on?"

"Hon, come inside. It's time."

"Time for what?" Lucas shrugged.

"Time for…you know, you know."

"Huh?"

Men could be so dense sometimes. Exasperated, Brooke stomped her foot and let out a dramatic breath.

"It's time to get busy, Broody. I just took my temperature on that special thermometer thingy the doctor gave us and it looks like I'm ovulating."

Lucas sighed as he looked down at the car and then at his smirking brother.

"Um, hon do you we have to? I mean, like… right now?"

"Yes!", Brooke yelled as she grabbed his hand and practically dragged him into the guest bedroom upstairs.

She shut the door and went to work immediately, hastily pulling off his wife beater tee shirt and khaki shorts. Before he could even reciprocate, Brooke was out of her own tank top and skirt, greedily kissing her husband's neck and chest. She frowned when he didn't seem aroused so she pulled the Ace card and dropped to her knees in a sure fire way to get her man all hot and bothered. As expected, Lucas came to life, so to speak, in a matter of seconds. Brooke smirked as she gently pushed him down onto the king sized waterbed. Straddling him, she guided him inside of her, both moaning at the sweet familiar sensation. Brooke let out a little groan as she rolled over to allow her husband the top position. Just as she was digging her nails into his back, he stopped.

"What's wrong?" Brooke breathed.

"I lost it", Lucas replied with a hint of embarrassment.

"Well…get it back!" she demanded.

Flustered, Lucas kissed her again roughly and as hands and mouths began to explore, he was up for the task again in no time. They made love with a newfound sense of urgency and Brooke could feel her release nearing. She was there, so close, almost there when she felt Lucas "losing it" once again.

"Luke…"

They attempted the foreplay again but it was no use. He (it) was completely limp.

"Luke, what's wrong? That's never happened before."

"I don't know", he said, taking a deep breath as he got dressed.

"Great! Just fucking great! This could have been the one time it would have worked", Brooke muttered.

"Well Jesus Brooke, maybe if you didn't have me on a goddamn schedule..."

"What did you just say to me?"

"You heard me. It's fucking ridiculous. I have to wait for a thermometer to tell me when I can make love to my own wife!"

"Lucas, quit trying to pick a fight. You know this is the only way."

"But baby, sex isn't even fun anymore. It's becoming a chore. I've been thinking maybe we should halt on all this crap we're doing and just go back to the way it used to be. It's stressing us out way too much and who knows, if we quit trying so hard, maybe it'll just happen."

Brooke's face grew hot with anger.

"What are you saying, Lucas Scott? I thought you wanted this, too."

"I did...I still do but not like this. Brooke, we need to regroup. Make a little time for ourselves because this is honestly taking over our lives."

"I cannot believe you!" she snapped.

"Babe, please don't be mad. Please. Just understand this."

But Brooke didn't understand. All she knew was that the man she loved more than anything was denying her the opportunity for something she wanted more than anything.