"Good morning Madison" Brooke chirped, picking up Madison and setting her down on the changing table. "How are you today? Good? Good. What do you wanna do today? Shopping? Finding hot boys…shh don't tell daddy" Brooke laughed.
"Daddy already heard" Lucas laughed, walking in with a cup of coffee and kissing Brooke and Madison good morning. "And Daddy says no hot boys…ever"
"Me and Maddie are having a mommy and me day and we're gonna go shopping!"
"Really? Sounds fun" Lucas said. "I'll miss you. Actually maybe I won't miss my crazy wife over here"
"Broody!"
"I love you Cheery"
"Yah, yah" Brooke laughed. "I bet you do…at least Madison loves me" Brooke sighed, tickling Madison, who giggled.
"Where you guys planning on going?"
"Target…Madison loves Target"
"Ok, well as long as I have money when you get back"
"Don't count on it" Brooke giggled, rummaging for Madison's bottle and filling it with her milk. She sat down with Madison in her lap and put the bottle in her mouth. "Drink babe or we'll be late for Target" Brooke laughed, kissing Madison's nose, making her giggle and grab Brooke's shirt.
"Aw I love you too" Brooke laughed, looking at Lucas. "She's so big now"
"I know…my baby girl is growing up" Lucas said sadly.
"She'll be one in 3 months!"
"Don't talk about that" Lucas said dramatically, flopping down on the couch and hugging Brooke, who laid her head down on Lucas's shoulder and sighed.
"Ok Maddie hurry up" Brooke said, coaxing the baby. Maddie whined and pushed the bottle away, and Brooke shrugged and put the bottle in the diaper bag. "No ba-ba Maddie?" Brooke asked. "Guess not…come on, lets get you dressed hot"
"No boys Brooke" Lucas laughed.
"No boys Broods" Brooke giggled, kissing Lucas. "But Maddie can look hot anyway, right?"
"Uh huh"
"Ok Maddie today you can wear a purple shirt and skirt…how cute, Madison! Jeez you really are my child aren't you?" Brooke laughed, dressing Maddie and combing her thin brunette hair. "And look at those eyes…the boys will be all over you" Brooke laughed.
"Brooke…"
"No boys, Madison" Brooke laughed, putting Maddie in her carrier and walking out the door. "Bye Lucas!" she yelled.
"Bye Brooke, bye Madison…make good choices!" he called. Brooke laughed and strapped Madison in her car seat.
"Your daddy is so silly Maddie!" Brooke said, buckling her seatbelt and starting the car. They drove to Target and parked to get out. "Ok Maddie, mommy wants shoes…hmm, shoes. And Maddie needs toys!" Brooke laughed walking into the store. "God I love this place…hmm these are cute" Brooke said, trying on a pair of shoes. "Cute…I'll get them" she told Maddie, who nodded. Brooke and Madison spent a whole lot of time at Target and then headed home.
"So Maddie, do you like your new teddy bear?" Brooke asked Madison, turning into the garage. "It's pink, Maddie's favorite color! Hey Broody we're home!" she yelled.
"Hey Brooke…hey Maddie" Lucas said, hugging Brooke and kissing Madison. "How was bonding time?"
"Fun…Madison was spoiled rotten by me"
"Haha" Lucas said, kissing Brooke. "Did you get me anything?"
"Shoes! I got you new shoes…they're awesome" Brooke giggled, sitting Maddie down on the couch and throwing the bags on the floor. She pulled out Lucas's flip flops and giggled. "Like them?"
"Brooke, they look exactly like my last pair that I can't find"
"Uh…I threw those out" Brooke said nervously.
"Brooke!"
"I love you…these are better- they're newer!" Brooke said.
"Ok…I like them" Lucas admitted.
"See, you just needed to get acquainted with them!"
"Acquainted? With my flip flops?" Lucas laughed.
"Yes, Broody, with your flip flops"
"You're so cute, Cheery"
"I know"
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"Hello?" Jake answered the phone.
"Hi, its Nikki…we need to talk- Rivercourt at 4, and I don't have the police with me or anything, seeing as you have full custody of my daughter"
"Uh, our daughter, and why the hell would you wanna meet with me?"
"Because I want to…I wanna talk, Jake, and see if we can't work something out where I can see Jenny once or twice a month…I just wanna know my daughter"
"Whatever, you need to stop calling the house- I'll meet you there, but that is the last time I'm giving you a chance, Nikki" Jake said, and hung up.
"Who was that?" Peyton asked.
"Uh…Mike, from the team"
"Oh what'd he say?"
"He's having a party, so he wanted to know if we could make it"
"Oh, I see…that sounds cool" Peyton said, hugging Jake and resting her head on his chest. Jake wrapped his arms around her and they stood like that for a while. Jake didn't know why he didn't tell Peyton about Nikki, but he couldn't bring himself to see her upset.
"So what are you doing later today?" Peyton asked.
"Well, I have to run some errands, but that's about it" Jake said, hoping Peyton didn't have anything planned. Jake glanced at the clock. 3:15. "Speaking of errands, I should go run them…tell Jenny and kitty cat I love them, ok?" Jake said, and Peyton nodded, kissing him goodbye and straightening his collar. "And later today, we'll go out to dinner with the kids, ok?" he called over his shoulder. Seeing Peyton's face light up at the idea was worth everything, he told himself as he got into his jaguar. She was so happy and trusting…and here he was, going to go meet Nikki…the devil herself. He arrived at the Rivercourt in 10 minutes, and parked his car. Nikki was standing there, alone, staring out at the river.
"Nikki?"
"Jake…hi"
"Lets make this quick, I have a family to get back to- me, Peyton, Jenny, and Catherine are going out to dinner later, so make it quick" Jake snapped.
"Catherine?"
"Me and Peyton's daughter"
"Oh…look, Jake, I just wanna see Jenny once a month or more, if that's ok with you…I want to know my daughter a little bit"
"But why? For the first 2 years of her life you didn't give a damn about her"
"I did, Jake, I was young and confused"
"Uh, not as young as me…I was with her day and night and I was 17, so you're no one to talk"
"Well I just wanna see her…you can be there, I promise…we'll do it in a public place, like right here"
"I don't know, I'll have to run it through Peyton"
"Why Peyton?"
"Because she's Jenny's mother, just like I'm Jenny's father" Jake snapped, and walked back to his car. "And don't count on it Nikki, you did nothing in your life to deserve any custody of my daughter" Jake drove off, fuming.
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"Haley, can we talk?" Nathan asked, looking serious.
"Yah, what's up?"
"Well I was on the laptop and there was an email from Chris in your folder…why are you still talking to him?"
"Why are you breaking into my folders and checking on me?" Haley asked angrily. "Do you not trust me or something?"
"No I was just clearing files and I wanted to clear junk email and I saw an email from Chris and it wasn't from 10 years ago"
"But Nathan, you're not supposed to be in my file that makes me think you don't trust me!" Haley yelled. "Why on earth are you checking up on your wife!"
"I'm not checking up on you, I stumbled across it and I'm asking why you're still talking to him"
"He emailed ME, Nathan, not the other way around, and why do you care if I'm talking to him? How many times do I have to explain to you that the reason I left wasn't Chris, it was music!"
"Oh that's bullshit, Haley, you left to be with Chris, and pardon me if I don't want that ass destroying our relationship again. I love you Haley, and I don't wanna lose you again!" Nathan yelled.
"Nathan, you're not gonna lose me to Chris, you need to get that notion out of your head, I don't know why you don't trust me! I can't believe being married to you means I can't communicate with anyone of the opposite sex!" Haley yelled back.
"That's not true, you're exaggerating! I don't care, I just don't want you talking to Chris- that hateful scumbag took you away from me and I don't want that to happen again"
"Nathan, he emailed ME, I haven't even responded…and no, he didn't take me away from you, music did, and in the end I realized what was more important, didn't I? So why should this matter at all?"
"Because it does! I know Chris can help you chase your dreams, and I know he did, but didn't you end up realizing it's not what you wanted? So why is he emailing you again? Is he trying to get you to sing a duet and go on tour again?" Nathan yelled.
"This is unbelievable Nathan- these accusations make me think that you don't trust me and that you check up on me regularly and that you're still insecure about our relationship. I can't believe you would have the audacity to accuse me or yell at me about something that I haven't even considered yet, which is emailing him back. I can talk to whoever the hell I want whenever the hell I want because when we got married we promised to trust each other and I don't do the whole controlling husband thing, ok? I am an independent woman and I intend to stay that way, so DON'T pull shit like this on me!" Haley screamed back, getting up from the couch and walking to the door. "And if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go take a walk to Brooke's house and I wont be back till late- do you trust me enough, or do you think I'm going to go meet my boyfriend Chris?" Haley snapped, walking out the door. "And watch Anthony" she yelled over her shoulder.
Haley stormed down the driveway across the paved street that led to Brooke and Lucas's house, tears streaming down her face and the chilling September air blowing her straightened hair back as she marched. She couldn't believe Nathan was checking up on her, why on earth would he do something like that? And she could talk to Chris if she wanted to he wasn't a threat to their relationship, he never was. Nathan was making him a threat! She couldn't believe that Nathan would consider doing something as untrusting as check up on her. She saw Brooke and Lucas's circular driveway a quarter mile off and Anthony flashed through her mind. Nathan better be watching him like a hawk she thought to herself. Or Mindy better be with him she added to herself.
Watching Haley walk out that door sent sudden shivers down his back and reminded him of high school when he stomped out and returned to find her gone. Nathan checked that Mindy was with Anthony and ran out the door, seeing Haley's small frame way down near Brooke and Lucas's driveway. Nathan watched as Lucas looked up from cleaning the Mercedes to see Haley walking slowly. Haley ran when she saw Lucas and he enveloped her in a huge hug and Nathan could see Haley's body shaking from sobs as Lucas stroked her hair with a confused look on his face. Brooke came outside and upon seeing Haley gave her a huge hug and shared a confused look with Lucas. Nathan felt his throat constrict and a tear slip down his cheek as he watched Haley wipe her eyes and walk into Brooke and Lucas's house. Had he just seriously damaged his relationship with Haley?
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"Haley, sweetheart, what happened?" Brooke asked, sitting down on the couch and putting her arms around Haley.
"Nathan…Chris…email" Haley sobbed.
"Oh…I get it" Brooke said softly, and hugged Haley tightly. Madison crawled over to Haley and grabbed her jeans and giggled.
"Hey Maddie" Haley said, picking the little girl up and hugging her tightly. Maddie sat quietly as Haley cried and Brooke nodded at all the incoherent explanations.
"Haley, sweetie, its ok" Brooke said, hugging her. "You're happy tutor girl, you can't cry"
"I'm sorry Brooke I'm probably being rude I'll go"
"No don't go! Talk to me, what's bothering you?" Haley told Brooke the story and Brooke was wide eyed by the end of it.
"I'm sorry Haley…I can't conjure up anything to say"
"Ok I'm gonna go, Brooke. Thanks for everything" Haley sniffed, hugging Brooke and kissing Madison. "I'll call you later tonight"
"Ok…bye Hales"
"Bye" Haley said, and walked out of their house. She was about a quarter mile from her driveway when she saw Nathan running towards her. He ran towards her and without thinking, she ran to give him a hug. Nathan hugged Haley tightly. "I was afraid you'd left for good" Nathan said.
"No…Nathan, never…I was just mad…look can we talk this out?"
"Yah, definitely…Haley, I'm sorry, I should have trusted you"
"I'm sorry for overreacting…I know your intentions were good"
"They were?" Nathan asked, laughing.
"Nathan!"
"Of course they were, Haley…I love you more than you'll ever know, and I couldn't imagine losing you for even a second"
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"I feel so bad for Haley but her and Nathan will work it out…they love each too much" Brooke consoled herself, talking to Lucas. "Right?"
"Right, Cheery" Lucas laughed, kissing Brooke. "Hey look, Maddie can grab things and stand and like walk holding them"
"I know! Our child is so smart!" Brooke laughed.
"I know…that's because she's my baby" Lucas said.
"Uh huh…hey, who loves Madison?" Brooke asked Madison. Madison giggled and grabbed Lucas and Brooke's jeans. "Aw…yah, mommy and daddy love Maddie" Brooke said, picking the baby up and sitting her down on her and Lucas's lap. "Maddie, where's daddy?" Madison grabbed Lucas's shirt and giggled. "Wow Lucas look she knows who you are!"
"Maddie, where's mommy?" Lucas asked. Madison grabbed Brooke's shirt and bounced up and down. "This child is a baby genius!"
"I know…she'll be the next Andrew Einstein" Brooke said proudly.
"Uh…Albert Einstein, you mean?" Lucas said, trying to control his laughter.
"Albert, Andrew, potato, potahto" Brooke said, pouting. "Maddie are you gonna be super smart?" Madison ignored Brooke and continued eating her block. "Hey Madison, sweetheart, blocks aren't for eating baby" Brooke laughed, taking the block from Madison.
"Someone's at the door" Lucas said. Brooke and Lucas got up to answer the door, and there was Felix standing at the door with roses dressed in a suit and tie.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Brooke asked.
"I'm here to pick you up for our date" Felix said.
"What date are you talking about, Felix? We don't have a date. Incase you didn't notice, I'm married" she said holding up her ring and pointing at Lucas. "I don't go on dates"
"But I love you, Brooke" Felix said.
"Felix, it would be in your best interest to get out of my house right now" Lucas yelled. "Before I pound your face into the wall" Lucas shouted. Madison started crying and Lucas immediately looked like he regretted his loud voice. He took Madison from Brooke. "Baby don't cry" Lucas said, hugging Madison, who rested her head on Lucas's chest.
"Leave, Felix" Brooke snapped. "I hate you"
"But you said when Madison wasn't sick you would go out to dinner with me" Felix said indignantly. Seeing the look on Brooke and Lucas's face, he turned around to walk down the steps. Brooke and Lucas walked back into the house. "I had no idea he was coming" Brooke said.
"Whatever, Brooke" Lucas snapped.
"What, are you mad at me?"
"Yah, Brooke, you met him, did you tell him where we lived?"
"No, I didn't, Lucas, I don't get why you're making such a big deal out of this!"
"Because he's Felix, Brooke, the scum of the earth!"
"I can't believe this, Lucas, you're mad at ME for him showing up at the door?"
"Didn't you tell him you were married, with a DAUGHTER? And you agreed to go out to dinner with him? Were you planning on telling me this!" Lucas yelled.
"You're being completely unreasonable, Lucas, I had no idea he was gonna show up"
"Whatever, Brooke"
"Don't whatever me, this is serious, you're being stupid about the whole situation!"
"I'm being stupid? I think you're being stupid about it! I can't believe you would even for a second consider having anything to do with that bastard! If I didn't know any better, I'd say you still had feelings for him!" Lucas immediately regretted his words, seeing a tear fall down Brooke's cheek. She turned around and walked out the door slowly.
I can't believe he would say something like that Brooke thought to herself. I never had real feelings for Felix, never! Why is Lucas doing this? Brooke sobbed harder as she walked to the backyard to her swing where she went when she needed to think alone. I don't know why he's making such a big deal out of this, he better apologize the minute I get back in that house Brooke thought. And he better be watching Madison.
Lucas swallowed hard as he remembered Brooke's straight brunette hair fling around her shoulder and her brown eyes shiny with tears. He couldn't believe he had hurt her like that. Where was she, anyway? Lucas walked to the guest bedroom and saw Brooke sitting on her swing, pushing it lightly with her foot and sobbing into her pillow. He saw a raindrop fall on Brooke's bare shoulder but she didn't seem to notice. The rain sped up and fell harder, but Brooke kept crying, her tears mixing with the rain. He couldn't stand to see her crying like that, he hated it when she cried. Lucas ran out the front door and around the back to her swing.
"Brooke" Lucas said, sitting down on the swing and hugging her. "I'm so sorry, I can't stand to watch you cry, its tears me up…don't cry Brooke" Lucas said, feeling his own throat constrict and tears threatening to spill over. "I hate it when you cry, you're supposed to be Cheery, not teary" he said.
"Lucas, how could you say that I still had feelings for him, we've been married for like 2 and a half years now…I never had real feelings for him, never!" Brooke sobbed. "It hurts me that you could even think that I ever truly loved anyone but you!"
"I'm an idiot, Brooke, I really am…I didn't get what I was saying and I wasn't paying attention…look, to me, any guy you hug or talk to is a threat, and not because I'm controlling, but because I cant ever imagine losing you…ever. I would die if you ever really left. I need you with me, Brooke; I always will…I'm nothing without you"
Brooke smiled through her tears, her hair and clothes wet with the pouring rain. "Its ok, Lucas…I'm an idiot, too"
"No, you're not, this is entirely my fault…and can I kiss you? You look really hot wet" Lucas said. Brooke answered by kissing him and Lucas laughed when they broke apart. "I love you Brooke…don't ever forget that? I love you more than you'll ever know"
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"Ugh do you remember high school elections? I won!" Brooke giggled.
"Yah…you did a good job babe" Lucas said, kissing Brooke and sharing an amused look with Haley. "That safe rides program was killer"
"Well Mouth ended up using it to hang out with me" Brooke laughed. "He still has a thing for me, doesn't he?"
"Oh yah" Erica laughed.
"I do not!" Mouth defended vehemently, accidentally breaking Amelia's cracker in half, causing her to whine and throw it at Mouth and then giggle. "Sorry sweetie" Mouth laughed, handing her the broken cracker.
"He almost named Amelia Brooke after you" Erica laughed.
"And it doesn't bother you?" Haley asked, amused.
"Nah…I like Brooke" Erica said winking at Brooke. "She's cool"
"You too, miss Erica" Brooke smiled. "You're pretty cool too"
"Cheesiness…" Peyton groaned.
"Oh like you and Jake aren't cheesy enough for all of us" Brooke said.
"Not fair" Peyton defended. "I think you and Lucas get the cheesy prize"
"I agree" Haley said. "Completely- Lucas is the cheesiest guy I've ever met"
"Yah…I definitely agree with that" Nathan said. "You too are like a walking love story"
"Shut up…we love being that way" Brooke laughed, kissing Lucas. "Cheesy is what we are, right babe?"
"Right…" Lucas said. "We love being cheesy"
"Totally…hey, you guys should spend the night!" Brooke suggested, and Lucas nodded. "That would be so much fun!"
"We should…we haven't had a sleepover in like SO long" Peyton said.
"Yes!" Haley giggled. "And the guys can do macho things"
"Uh…macho?" Lucas asked.
"Yah!" Haley said. "Macho!"
"Ok…"
Everyone went back to get their clothes and stuff, and at the end of the night, according to Brooke, it ended up being one of the best sleepovers she'd ever had.
Well…I'm not gonna comment on my writing ability this chapter but will leave it at the fact that its not one of my best moments…so review, please, and I would love ideas! Review! ;-) Thanks to everyone who's been reviewing…you guys are actually like my saviors lol!