AN: I'm really sorry about the wait; my computer's been acting up and I had a scorching case of Writer's Block. But I'm back, have no fear. I wanted to say thank you for all the reviews and that I don't own the song Sooner or Later by Michael Tolcher. It's a really good song the theme song for the show Life As We Know It, an awesome show. I highly recommend it. Oh, and I have nothing against the name Xavion, I know someone named that. The Xavion I know is a weirdo though, that's why I used the name.
"You guys bet on my children?" Brooke asked angrily.
"Um, no?" Skills answered, stuffing Nathan's proffered twenty-dollar bill into his pocket. Peyton and Luke smirked as Brooke sent them each a murderous glare.
"Is anybody else in on this?" She almost laughed when Tim raised his hand and Mouth quickly lowered it for him.
"We'll just finish up now..." Dr. Hopewell said, trying to contain his own laughter. He dealt with pregnant women for a living; these boys had no idea what they were in for.
"Everything looks good Brooke." Dr. Hopewell said, flipping his folder closed. "You're still a little underweight though. Have you been eating the protein powder that I suggested?"
"I'm making sure she does." Jake answered.
"Very good. Now I suggest that you look into some childbirth classes."
"Childbirth classes?"
"Yes," The doctor answered pulling several pamphlets from a drawer in the desk, which Nathan and Haley were currently leaning against. "It's common for women at the halfway point in their pregnancy to join Lamaze or similar groups." Brooke just nodded as the doctor handed her the pamphlets. "I also suggest thinking about names at this point."
"Thanks." Brooke gave him a strained smile before practically running out of the room.
"Thanks Dr. Hopewell." Jake said shaking the doctor's hand. "Thanks for coming guys, but I gotta-"
"Go, man." Lucas said.
"See ya." Jake nodded to the rest of his friends before hurrying after his girlfriend.
The ride to Jenny's daycare was a silent one. Neither Brooke nor Jake could come up with words to express themselves. Even after Jenny had been strapped into her car seat the only sounds that could be heard were the eight month old's giggling and the rattling of her toys.
When they finally pulled into Jake's assigned parking space Brooke got out of the car quickly. "I'm, um, I'm just going to go look at the twins' room."
"Brooke-" Jake called, but she didn't turn around as she entered the building. Jake shook his head and unstrapped his daughter. "Come on, baby. You and daddy are going to spend some time together." Jenny giggled excitedly and waved a set of colorful plastic keys in his face. Jake laughed and nuzzled his nose against hers, "I love you."
Brooke had been sitting in Nathan's old rocking chair, her arms wrapped tightly around her stomach, for close to an hour. She was trying hard not to cry, but looking around the room... She had the best friends. She wasn't entirely sure why she had freaked out in the doctor's office, something inside her had snapped when Dr. Hopewell had told her to start thinking about names. Names made everything so much more... Real. She was sitting in the chair, rocking slowly back and forth when she heard someone enter the room.
"Hey."
"Hi." She said not turning around. "How'd you get in here?"
"Peyton lent me her key." Lucas said kneeling beside her. "What's going on, Brooke?" He asked laying a hand on her arm.
"Do you think we'll be good parents Luke?"
"I don't know." He said honestly "Why?"
"Look at our parents. I mean, usually your mom's pretty good, but she won't even acknowledge you right now. Your dad's an asshole. And here I am, five months pregnant, moved out of my house, and my parents don't even know."
"We'll have help."
"I guess you're right." Brooke smiled at him.
"So, a boy and a girl." Luke said awkwardly after a few minutes of silence.
"Yeah." Brooke smiled faintly, staring into space.
"I want you to name them." Luke said suddenly.
"What?"
"You're doing most of the work-"
"Most?" Brooke asked arching an eyebrow at him.
"Hey, that protein powder doesn't come cheap and the way you've been eating lately..."
"Hey!"
"As long as it's not something too weird..."
"Like?"
"I don't know." Lucas shrugged "In my kindergarten class there was this one kid named Xavion."
"Xavion? What the hell kind of a name is that? Were his parents on drugs or something?"
Lucas scratched his chin and looked into her eyes "Wouldn't surprise me." Brooke laughed and looked away. "Can I just ask one favor?"
"Sure."
"Don't name him Dan."
Luke was halfway out the door before he heard Brooke's soft reply. "I promise."
Several minutes after Lucas left Brooke made her way into Jake's apartment. She stood quietly in the doorway of Jenny's bedroom and listened as Jake sang quietly to her.
Pull the hair back from your eyes
Let the people see your pretty face
Try not to say anything weird-
Save your questions without answers,
'Til you're old enough to know
That things ain't as they appear
Before you go out in the sun
Cover your skin and don't get burned
Beware the cancer; it might kill you when you're old
Be first in line, raise your hand
Remember everything you hear
And playing in the rain is worth catching cold
Sooner or later- we'll be looking back on everything
And we'll laugh about it like we knew what all was happening
And someday you might listen to what people have to say
Now you learn the hard way
We only want what's best for you
That's why we tell you what to do
And never mind if nothing makes sense
Cause it all works out in the end
You're just like us, without a friend
But you can build a privacy fence, yeah
Sooner or later- we'll be looking back on everything
And we'll laugh about it like we knew what all was happening
And someday you might listen to what people have to say
Now you learn the hard way
Some things, you have to learn them all on your own
You can't rely on anybody else
Or the point of view of a source unknown
If it feels good and it sounds nice, then it's your choice
Don't doubt yourself, don't even think twice
Pull the hair back from your eyes,
Let the people see your pretty face
You know they like it when you smile
Find a reason to smile
Try not to focus on yourself
Share that love with someone else
Don't let the bitters bring you down, down
Don't let anything bring you down
Sooner or later- we'll be looking back on everything
And we'll laugh about it like we knew what all was happening
And someday you might listen to what people have to say
Now you learn the hard way
Brooke smiled when Jake set down his guitar and kissed his daughter on the forehead. "I love you, princess." He grabbed his guitar and started out of the room, he jumped when he saw Brooke standing in the doorway. "Hi."
"Hi." He was startled when she pulled his head down and kissed him fiercely. "Let's go to bed."