"Hey man," Skills said dribbling a worn, orange basketball. "Isn't that your phone?"

Lucas jogged over to the side of the court and fished his phone out of his backpack. "Yep," He said, flipping the phone open, "It's me. Hello?"

Skills wandered over to the free throw line and started sinking baskets while Lucas had his conversation. When he heard Lucas hang up he turned back to him, surprised to find the blonde looking awestruck. "What's up, man?"

"That was Haley." Luke responded, staring into space. "Brooke's parents are in town."

"And?"

"And Brooke went to talk to them."

"And what?" Skills joked, "Her dad wants to castrate you?"

"Not so much," Lucas shook his head, "They disowned her."

"What?"

Luke nodded absently. "They disowned her, cut her off... everything."

"What's she going to do?"

"I don't know." Luke said honestly, "But I think I have to talk to my mom. I need to go back to work... they're not just her kids."

"You can't just throw money at her Lucas." Skills said angrily.

"Relax, man." Lucas soothed "You know I care about these kids."

"Yeah, I know. It just kind of hits close to home..."

Lucas slung an arm around his friend's shoulders. "Come on, man, let's go home."

"I thought you were going to talk to your mom."

"I'll talk to her tomorrow."

"No you won't... Go talk to her now." Skills pushed his friend away.

"But-"

"Seriously Luke, go talk to your mom."

"I-"

"Go."

Lucas hesitated as he stood out front of the café. To go in or not to go in... He was standing uncertainly in front of the door when his mom walked over to flip the open sign over. She looked in shock at her son and opened the door. "Lucas..."

"Hi mom."

"What are you- come in."

Lucas walked into the café; careful not to touch his mother on the way in. "We need to talk."

Karen nodded and made her way behind the counter. "Do you want some coffee? Something to eat?"

"No."

"Where have you been staying?" She asked shakily pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"With Skills." Karen nodded. "Look mom, I came here to talk about Brooke."

She nodded and looked up at him blankly. "Okay."

"Her parents came into town yesterday." Karen nodded. "They found out that all her stuff was gone and freaked out."

"All her stuff was gone?" Lucas nodded at her. "Why? Where did she go?"

"She moved out."

"What?"

Lucas nodded, "She has an apartment in Jake's building."

"I see."

"Anyway," Lucas said glancing reproachfully at his mother. "She went to talk to them."

"And what happened?"

"When they found out she was pregnant they disowned her."

"They what?"

"They disowned her. Cut her off, if she hadn't already moved out they would have kicked her out."

"But she-"

Lucas nodded. "She's never worked a day in her life... I don't know how she's going to deal with this. Jake's going to help her out, but he really doesn't work that much anymore... So, basically, what it comes down to is that I came here to ask you for my job back. I have to help her out. They're my kids too."

Karen looked at her son and saw the sincerity in his face when he told her all this. She nodded "I would be more than willing to take you back." Luke smiled hesitatingly at her.

"Thanks mom."

Karen nodded again. "As for Brooke though, I don't need anymore help at the café. We're overstaffed as it is." Luke just looked at his mom as she continued. "But I'm sure Peyton could use some help at Tric."

"Really?"

Karen smiled at him. "I don't exactly know what she could do in her present state, but I'm sure we'll find something."

Luke returned the smile with a genuine smile of his own. "Thanks mom."

Karen watched as he got up. "Where are you going?"

"To Skills'."

"But I thought you'd come home..."

"I can't come home yet mom. I will, but I'm not ready yet."

Karen looked on wordlessly as Lucas exited the café. Then ran after him. "Luke!" Lucas turned around as his mom caught up to him. "I just- I love you, you know that, right?"

"I know." Lucas nodded.

"I'm sorry for before... I was in shock." Luke nodded again. "How- how is the baby? How's Brooke?"

"Brooke's good. Dr. Hopewell said she's a little underweight, but other than that she's fine. The babies," He emphasized the word, "Are doing well too. I have an ultrasound, if you want to see."

Karen nodded and took the ultrasound picture Lucas offered her. "Twins..."

Lucas nodded "A boy and a girl."

"Oh, Lucas," Karen shook her head, smiling slightly, "You have no idea what you're in for."