Things went relatively smoothly for the next few weeks; it was into Brooke's eighteenth week of pregnancy when things began to get complicated.

She had taken to staying at Jake's apartment, partially to get acquainted with 'family life' and partially because of the comfort it provided her to have Jake and Jenny near her. She insisted they sleep in the same bed, which wasn't a problem until the complaining started. She wasn't comfortable... She had to pee... It was too hot... Jake hogged the covers... It was beginning to drive him crazy.

Lucas smirked at the brunette every time he heard Brooke complain at school. That stopped when Jake started relaying all the complaints to him. Lucas was also in charge of buying the protein powder Dr. Hopewell insisted Brooke eat with every meal.

Peyton did her part to contribute, but she was beginning to feel less and less needed as time went by. She and Jake were hanging out less, Brooke didn't like anyone to go shopping with her now that she had to buy maternity clothes, and Lucas was spending most of his free time with Skills now that he was temporarily living with him.

Skills had been Lucas' saving grace given the rift he had with his mom. His most recent ploy was to suggest ridiculous baby names at the most inopportune times. His favorite name so far was definitely Baby Skills; Brooke was not in favor.

"Hey," Brooke called out "Peyton, come here!"

"What's up Brooke?" The blonde asked listlessly.

Brooke smirked at her friend and struck a pose, "Do I look fat in this?"

Peyton laughed "Honestly?"

Brooke hit her friend lightly. "No, not honestly. I know I look like a freaking cow!" She said the last part loudly enough for a passing Lucas to hear. He smiled and blew her a kiss. Brooke returned the gesture by giving him the finger. "What I really wanted to know was what's going on with you lately."

"What do you mean?" Peyton asked staring at the ground. "I-"

"Cut the crap Peyton." Brooke snapped, slamming her locker shut. "You and I are spending the day together."

"Brooke, class hasn't even started yet-"

"Screw it!" Brooke declared, grabbing Peyton's arm and pulling her toward the parking lot. "I don't fit in the fucking desk anyway."

Peyton laughed and threw her books into the trunk of her car. "So what are we gonna do?"

Brooke grunted as she struggled to get comfortable in her seat. "Why do they make nothing that fits pregnant people?" Peyton grinned at Brooke's rhetorical question. "Take me to Jake's place first." She demanded. "I have to fucking pee, again."

Peyton laughed and put her car into gear. "To Jake's we go. Then where?"

Brooke raised an eyebrow at her friend. "Surprise."

"Alright Ms. Sawyer." Brooke said coming back into Jake's living room carrying a red scarf.

"What's that for?" Peyton asked wearily.

"It's time for you to finally let me drive your car."

"Um, no." Peyton said dancing away from Brooke.

"Peyton." Brooke whined in a sing song-y voice. "It can't be a surprise if you know where we're going."

"Brooke-"

"Come on Peyton, please? For the pregnant girl?"

Peyton shook her head. "Just be careful with my car. I know how you drive."

"Excuse me." Brooke said as she tied on the blindfold. "You are possibly the worst driver in the world."

"Not true."

"It is too." Brooke defended as she led Peyton to the car.

"Where are we going Brooke?" Peyton asked for about the twentieth time since Brooke had started driving.

"Peyton. If you don't stop asking me that right now... So help me-"

"Brooke, honestly this scarf is itchy."

"Bitch, bitch, bitch..."

"You have got to be kidding me." Peyton deadpanned. "You have been bitching and moaning for the last month, at least."

"I have a reason." Brooke argued.

"Whatever."

"We're here anyway."

"Finally." Peyton said, ripping off the blindfold.

"Peyton! You weren't supposed to take it off yet."

"Brooke, why are we at Jake's apartment building?"

"Just follow me." Brooke huffed impatiently.

Peyton sighed and followed her best friend up to the third floor. "Um, Brooke?"

"What?"

"Jake's apartment is across the hall."

"I know that." She said fitting a key into the door. "This is my apartment."

"What?"

"It's mine." Brooke repeated giddily as they entered the empty space.

"You bought an apartment."

Brooke nodded. "Yep. Here's your key by the way."

Peyton just stared at the red head as she dropped a key into her palm. "My key?"

"Of course." Brooke said as if Peyton were stupid. "Now come with me. I need your opinion on something." Peyton nodded wordlessly and followed her best friend. "This," Brooke said grandly "Is going to be the twins' room. My room is across the hall and your room is the one across from the washroom."

"My room?"

"Yes, now pay attention. The doctor said that we should be able to tell the sex of the babies any day now, so when we do I need you to design their room, okay?"

"What?"

"You're the artistic one, everyone knows that."

"Brooke."

"What?" Brooke was surprised to see that the usually stoic Peyton had tears in her eyes. "Peyton?"

The blonde shook her head and gave her friend a tight hug. "Brooke, you're my best friend..."

"Of course I am." Brooke gave her friend a look. "Anyway... hey!"

"What?"

"I think... Jesus, well, the babies are moving."

"What? Really?" Peyton asked excitedly getting down on her knees and pressing a hand to Brooke's belly. They waited for a few minutes. "I can't feel anything."

"Really?" Brooke asked. "Cause it's annoying as hell."