Sorry about the lateness of this update! I wanted to make it longer for you guys. Hopefully it'll hold you out until I can think of where this story's going. If you have any ideas please let me know because I'm running out. If I don't get any suggestions than this is the last chapter. So if you want more you better leave a review full of suggestions!
Thanks for everyone who reviewed in the last chapter. Please continue to review!
"God it's hot." Brooke said sifting Bella's weight to the other side of her body to allow some ventilation, "For the first time in my life I wish summer would just be over."
"This is a pivotal point in Brooke Davis' life." Peyton said sarcastically from the lawn chair Shane and her had been sharing, "Quick someone get a video camera. We need to capture this moment for late blackmail."
"Sorry I let my camera at home." Nathan joked along.
"Laugh now you guys but I will be the one with the last laugh." Brooke said just as Bella spit up all over her shoulder.
"She has perfect timing just like her mommy." Lucas said lifting Bella out of Brooke's arms to clean the baby up.
"Watch it Scott," Brooke warned, "I know where you sleep."
"Watch out man," Jake said bouncing Jenny on his knee, "I think she means business."
"At least someone's on my side." Brooke said wiping her shirt off with a paper towel.
"Us outcasts have to stick together." Jake beamed up at Brooke.
"Speak for yourself, outcast." Brooke said walking back inside the house to change her shirt.
Brooke as always was the life of the party. Once she was gone no one spoke. Haley and Nathan pulled off to a corner of the yard, doing whatever the love-sick couple did. Jake and Lucas gravitated towards the grill with Jenny and Bella in their arms. Shane and Peyton began talking quietly between themselves with Braden in Peyton's lap.
"Maybe this little get together was a bad idea." Lucas said checking the burgers and hot dogs.
"Nah, man, it just needs some livening up." Jake shrugged his shoulders in reassurance.
"How much livening up can we do with three babies in the house?" Lucas hadn't really been to any parties since Braden was born; there was no time, reason or point anymore.
"We can put them to sleep early and crack out some beers." Jake set Jenny down by his feet and as soon as he did she ran straight to Peyton.
"I don't think Brooke'll like that idea." Lucas was more careful around Brooke lately. Having the babies made her soften up a bit, almost like she was fragile all of a sudden.
"She doesn't have to drink." Jake watched as Peyton and Jenny were involved with a tickle fight. He realized how much he missed making her laugh, "Plus I could really use a few drinks right now."
"I would need 'em too if I were you right now." Lucas felt Jake's pain. He knew what it was like to see the woman he loved with another guy. It just so happened they shared the same love.
"You are so helpful and reassuring sometimes." Jake punched Lucas in the arm.
"Hey, hey, I've got a baby in my hands. Don't push me." Lucas held Bella out in front of him.
"You know you can't always hide behind you're kids." Jake laughed tickling Bella's tiny sides. He was satisfied with the wide toothless smile and tiny giggle he got in return.
"I'm back!" Brooke jumped out in front of Bella causing Bella to erupted into giggles, "Did you miss me?"
"I missed you." Jake said giving her a peck on the cheek.
"Hey, get your own girl." Lucas said pulling Brooke to his side, "And find some other way to make you-know-who jealous."
"I don't need to make her jealous." Jake glanced quickly over in Peyton's direction. Shane saw the glance and sweetly kissed Peyton's cheek knowing it would bug Jake, "I just need to kill him."
"No killing in front of the children." Brooke said in her baby voice.
"I'm getting a beer." Jake said trudging back towards the house, "Anyone else want one?"
Haley and Nathan came back from their corner, "Yeah I'll take one."
"Me too," Haley said wrapping her arms around Nathan's waist.
"Us too." Peyton yelled over to Jake.
"How about you two?" Jake asked before retreating back into the house to drown his sorrows.
"I'm fine." Brooke said while making faces at Bella. She was content with not drinking anymore. Plus drinking was a thing of her past and she was a new person.
"Me too." Lucas decided to agree with his wife.
"You can have one if you want." Brooke knew Lucas better than that.
"No I'm fine." Lucas understood the fact that he had responsibilities now and he didn't' want alcohol to cloud his mind.
"Get Luke one Jake." Brooke yelled just before Jake disappeared back into the house.
"I just said-"Lucas almost blew up with the pent up rage.
"Don't argue with me Lucas Scott." Brooke said warningly as if she was talking to one of her kids.
"Yes Mom." Lucas mocked a little kid because that's what she made him feel like sometimes.
"Man, she's got you whipped." Nathan said pulling Haley into his lap.
"Haha, shut up Nathan." Lucas sneered behind his gritted teeth.
"Here comes the party!" Jake yelled coming out with six bottle of beer.
One after another Jake downed many beers and various other alcoholic beverages. Nathan was close behind with Shane on his tail. What a party.
"Let's play a game." Jake's words were slurred together.
"Spin the bottle!" Nathan yelled excitedly.
"I'll give you spin the bottle." Haley said before kissing Nathan deeply, hopefully leaving him satisfied.
"Truth or dare sounds pretty good to me." Shane spoke up after keeping to himself for most of the night.
"Let me just put the kids down and then we'll play." Brooke said enthusiastically as if she was a fifteen year old girl at a slumber party.
"You in Luke?" Haley sat down on the lawn joining the forming circle.
"Uh, how old are we again?" Lucas asked not really wanting to join the games.
"You used to be fun." Haley pouted obviously a little intoxicated herself.
"Well nowadays fun to me is watching Blues Clues or Mickey Mouse." Lucas said leaning comfortably in his chair.
"Haley's right Lucas, you used to be so much fun to hang with." Jake flopped backwards looking up at the sky.
"Well I guess I've aged with parenthood." Lucas gazed up at the cloudless sky too trying to remember the last time he'd seen some many stars.
"You're playing if it kills me Mr. Scott." Brooke said trying to pull him off his chair. The element of surprise almost worked for her but he was still too big and strong for her.
"No or else, Mrs. Scott?" Lucas waited for her to answer before he moved in either direction.
"No sex." Brooke sat cross-legged in the circle. She knew she had won the battle.
"You win." Lucas said quickly sitting next to her, then he realized the circle was short one person, "Hey how come Peyton doesn't have to play?"
"Peyton's playing alright." Nathan said giving her a death glare.
"Sorry guys I'm not into this whole teenage game scene." Peyton laid out on the lawn chair even though the moon was rising in the sky.
"Peyton Sawyer get you're sulking butt down here." Brooke pointed to the open spot between Shane and Jake. That was another thing that Brooke had changed; she never cursed anymore. She wanted to set a good example for her children.
"I don't care if I get the no sex rule from you." Peyton laughed at Brooke's previous maneuver.
"Just do it." Haley coaxed, "It's not like it's going to kill you."
"Whatever." Peyton finally gave in taking her place in the circle.
"Who wants to go first?" Haley asked cheerily. She couldn't remember the last time the whole gang had been together and happy, well at least mostly happy.
"I will." Brooke clapped her hands together and spun the bottle that was in the middle of their circle. It landed on Haley.
"Truth or dare, Hales?" Brooke asked trying to pick out something good that could be revealed.
"Truth." Haley might be a little drunk but she still played it safe.
"Party pooper." Nathan leaned over and whispered.
"Is it true," Brooke grinned widely coming up with a good one, "that Nathan's not the only Scott brother you've loved?"
"Of course I love Luke!" Haley didn't really get what she meant, "He's my bestest friend!"
"I don't mean love like a friend." Brooke said as if she were saying 'duh', "I mean love love."
"Oh," Haley's smile faded and she said quietly, "yeah that's true."
Nathan and Lucas were shocked. Neither of them had ever known that.
"Okay Haley's turn." Brooke said satisfied she dug up some good dirt. Haley spun the bottle waiting it to land on someone. It landed right back on Brooke.
"Revenge is sweet!" Haley grinned, "Brooke, truth or dare?"
"Truth." Brooke wanted to see if Haley had balls to get the good stuff out of her.
"Hm, who was the first guy you ever loved?" Haley tried to undress her thoughts with her eyes.
"Lucas Scott of course." Brooke wrapped her arms around his.
"So there was no one before Lucas?" Haley lifted her eyes knowing there was someone else.
"Alright," Brooke looked up to the sky remembering this guy like the she saw him just yesterday, "There was this guy when I went to Italy with my parents. His name was Stefano."
"Stefano?" Lucas eyed her curiously. He had never heard of this Stefano.
"But I found someone better." She patted Lucas' arm reassuringly.
"That right." Lucas held her hand, "Spin it already. This game is really boring."
Brooke obeyed Lucas' command and spun the bottle again. It landed on Peyton.
"Peyt, truth or dare?" Brooke already had good ones for her lined up.
"I'll stick with the trend," Peyton paused, "Truth."
"Who is the person that you're in love with and will always be in love with until the day you die?" Brooke already knew the answer but Jake needed to hear Peyton say it.
"Can I change to a dare?" Peyton glanced quickly over at Jake. Even when he was drunk he was cute.
"Nope." Brooke crossed her arms over her chest. "That's the rule of the game."
"Jake okay?" Peyton got up to storm inside, "But that doesn't mean we're meant to be together."
Jake looked stunned. Though the alcohol had the best of him he still heard and comprehended everything Peyton had said before she retreated into the house.
"I'll go talk to her." Brooke moved to get up.
"No, let me." Shane spoke again for like the second time the entire evening.
"I think I know her better." Brooke sneered at him. She had hated him the second she found out he was Madison's brother because what she put her through those two years ago, "Plus don't you have your own nutcase to attend to?"
"Don't you ever call her that again!" Shane pointed his finger right in Brooke's face.
"I think you better cool down or leave." Lucas pushed him out of Brooke's face.
"You guys are the best friends any person could have or want." Shane stood up and pointed to the pissed off group.
"I think it's time for you to leave." Lucas kept his cool but he was second from turning around and punching this guy in the face.
"Hear me out first." Shane motioned for Lucas to cool off using his hands, "Let's start with the love sick couple."
"Lucas and I may be brothers but we're different." Nathan said clenching a fist.
"Easy boy." Shane took a step backwards, "You know high school romances never last. Why don't you just call it quits so you can both get on with your lives."
"And you two," He turned to Lucas and Brooke, "Two kids already and you only eighteen? Are you popping another one out anytime soon?"
"It's time for you to go." Lucas stood up to escort him to the door.
"Wait there's just one more person." Shane mocked pleading for mercy, "Just let me finish and then I'll leave, and I'm sure Peyton would love to come with me."
"Leave her alone." Jake's ears had perked up at the sound of her name.
"You have to be the most pathetic one of the this motley crew." Shane crouched down so he was eye level with Jake, "A single father who drinks a lot and is in love with a girl who will never love you back."
"Were you not listening before?" Jake got to his feet, swaying a bit, "She said she loved me and will always love me."
"But that doesn't mean you can be together." Shane used air quotes and mocked Peyton's answer, "But I must say you do have good taste. She must be a nice lay."
That was all he needed to say to set Jake off. Shane had learned his tactics from the best; Madison. She taught him how to con people and manipulate situations. People thought she was crazy but really she was the best damn con artist in the business, always getting what she wanted. That was until the whole Tree Hill blow up.
Jake race towards him throwing wild punches everywhere. No one talked like that about Peyton and got away with it. Lucas and Nathan tried to pull them apart but secretly they let Jake punch the crap out of Shane. He had turned out just like Madison; crazy.
"That's enough!" Peyton yelled from the doorway.
"Peyt, he was saying some pretty bad things." Brooke jumped to Jake's defense.
"I hate this!" Peyton yelled and dropped to her knees sobbing.
"Peyt," Haley and Brooke went to comfort her but they were rejected.
"Why does my life have to be so complicated?" Peyton said through her sobs.
"It wouldn't be if you let people in." Haley tried again in comforting her and this time Peyton allowed Haley's arms to wrap around her shoulders.
"It's just so hard." Peyton's face was tear-stained and blotchy but she didn't care anymore.
"I know what that's like Peyton." Brooke slipped in to make it a group hug.
"No you don't Brooke." Peyton sneered behind her gritted teeth, "You'll never know what it's like."
They watched as Nathan and Lucas restrained Shane and Jake. Nathan shoved Shane towards the gate, a signal to leave. Shane took one last looked at the group and wished for a second he was part of them but the moment passed and he tasted the blood in his mouth; he could never be like them.
"Peyton, I love you." Jake said as Lucas let him go. He was out of breath from his physical excursion but she needed to hear him say it, "I love you with all my heart."
"Don't do this Jake." Peyton lifted her head from her hug.
"We're going to do this. You need to tell me you love me or you don't. It's that simple." Jake said kneeling in front of her. Brooke and Haley had gravitated towards Nathan and Lucas to watch from afar.
"It's not simple Jake. It never was and never will be." Peyton looked right into his eyes. His eyes seemed to make her melt, like they were meant to be together but then she remembered her reasons and pushed her heart away.
"How is it not simple Peyton? I don't understand!" Jake paused, "Make me understand."
"I don't want to screw up." Peyton sobbed.
"Relationships are screwed up to begin with." Jake coaxed. He was not going to let her get away again.
"No that's not what I meant." Peyton looked down at the grass, "I don't want to mess up for Jenny."
"You could never do that." Jake lifted her chin.
"I never had a mother. I don't know how to do it." Peyton's tears glided down her cheeks and down her shirt. Little droplets were visible on her chest.
"You're already more of a mother to her than anyone has or will be. She loves you Peyt! I love you!" Jake was on his last straw.
"You know I love you Jake. I'm just not ready for that responsibility. I need to learn how to take care of myself first." Peyton wiped the last of her tears away.
"Why learn to take care of yourself if that's what I'm here for?" Jake cracked a smile.
"Where do you come up with this stuff?" Peyton smiled back. He had done. Jake broke down her walls and was finally let in.
"It comes from my heart." Jake beamed back.
"What a cheese ball." Peyton smiled and leaned in for a kiss, "But you're my cheese ball."