Authors note: Thanks to everyone who has reviewed so far! I really appreciate it. Also about updates, I'm in my last semester of college and work a full time job so I know they won't be every day. I will update at least once a week though. Thanks also to my beta Priscilla. And if anyone has an idea for the title suggestions are open and welcome. Thanks again and please read and review.

PS: this just came up but my internet is not working right now So updates might be a little more infrequent for a while. Sorry. Hopefully it'll start working again soon.

Chapter 2

"She's too young, I don't like her." Lucas Scott declared as he and his mother sat in the living room that night. Brooke had gone home for the night. She was going to move in later in the week. Karen rolled her eyes and shook her head.

"I think she's lovely. Jason and Francis seemed to like her."

"Jason and Francis like everybody. She's what, 23? And you want her to watch my kids while I'm gone and I'm supposed to be okay with that" Ever since his wife had left him Lucas was a different man. He was more sullen and angry than ever before. He was extremely protective of his kids and had yet to leave them with anyone but his mother.

" Luke I really think she'll be just what they need. She's young and full of energy. She really seemed to like them as well. She comes very highly recommended. I don't know what's not to like about her. Would you rather have some grumpy old woman watch them? Who's bittered with life and everyone in it? Brooke seems eager to learn and wants to be here. I think she'll take excellent care of Francis and Jason. I called her references over the weekend and all of them only had positive things to say about her."

"Well if she's so great why did she quit" Karen groaned, this was going to be a struggle. She had to convince Lucas that Brooke was the one for his kids. She had dropped her life to come out here and help him when Lisa left, but now she was ready to get back. She loved her son and grandchildren, but she had a life back in Tree Hill that she needed to get back to.

"Well one job was only temporary, their nanny had to leave for a little while to take care of her sick mother. Another family the mother decided to quit her job and take care of the kids. Apparently she still sits for them from time to time. All of the other families I called were much of the same. They all said she took care of the kids like they were her own. I happened to like her a lot. She was polite and knowledgeable. Besides you gave me the job of picking out a nanny for you. And this is my choice. Other applicants I talked to, there was just something off about them, but not Brooke. I really think it'll work out. And if not, I'll come back out and we can find you a new one. "

Lucas furrowed his brow. As much as he hated to admit it, his mom was right. Brooke was probably better than anyone they were going to find. He had met some of his teammates' nannies and had never been particularly impressed with any of them; maybe he just had a thing against nannies. As much as he wanted his mom to stay, he knew she had to go back to her café and life in Tree Hill. Just then they heard the sounds of Francis waking up for her nightly bottle. Luke told his mom he'd get her. He cherished the times he got to spend with his little girl. She was his heart.

He walked into the nursery with a bottle in hand and picked up his little girl. He thought she was the prettiest baby ever, but he was probably biased. "Hey baby, Daddy's here" he told her as he picked her up and placed her in his arms. He walked over to the rocking chair and began to feed her the bottle. "So you met Brooke today? Grandma, said you like her. That's good, I trust your judgment; Grandma, said you sat giggled and smiled at Brooke all day today. I guess I'll just have to learn to like her like you do."

Karen smiled as she listened to her son talk to his daughter over the baby monitor. She should have turned it off, but when he started talking she had to listen. It warmed her heart to hear him talk to his baby like that. Even though she was only a few months old, Karen knew that her granddaughter was already looking out for her daddy.

"Hales, they have a gym. Like a full out gym. And full size basketball and tennis courts, AND, get this, this is INSANE, two pools. One indoor and one outdoor. Man and I thought my house was nice growing up."

"Enough about the house Tigger, how are the kids? What are they like"

"Well Jason is five and is in kindergarten. He's one little ball of energy. Today he dragged me around the house showing me all his favorite toys and movies. You should see him with little Francis, it's too cute. He'll go up to her baby seat and start talking to her like it's normal. Like today, he started to tell her about his day in kindergarten." Haley continued to listen to Brooke while she rambled on and on about the kids. She was almost jealous, Brooke got to baby-sit while she worked her ass off on her thesis. But she was happy, and Brooke deserved to be happy. She just wished that she would find what she was looking for.

"Sounds cool. How's the dad"

"I only met him briefly. He seemed kind of angry and mean, but Karen says he's only been like this since his wife left him. Yeah apparently one day she just up and decided she didn't want to be married or have kids anymore. She told him she was going shopping and then never showed back up. A few days later she called and told him it was over. Can you believe that? Imagine just leaving your family"

"Brooke you did that. Or are you forgetting"

"Well it wasn't exactly like that. I didn't have kids. I would never abandon my kids. I just ditched my parents who had forgotten about me long ago. I'm sure I did them a favor." It was true; growing up Brooke's parents had never really been there at all. They gave her money instead of love and Brooke had always resented that. When she was 18 she pretty much renounced them and took off on her great adventure. "Anyways, how goes the thesis"

"Ugh, don't get me started. You know I love what I'm doing, but I'll be glad when this is over. Speaking of which I have some more research to do. And you have to pack."

"True dat, later Hales."

"See ya." Brooke hung up the phone and looked around. She didn't have much to pack. Since she moved around a lot she had learned to make do with the bare essentials. She had a laptop computer, a couple CDs, a TV, and suitcases upon suitcases of clothes. If there was one thing to be said about Brooke Davis it's that she is a clotheshorse. Shopping was her passion and it showed. The first thing she did when looking at apartments was to check out the closet space. If it didn't have enough she wouldn't take it, regardless of price or size.

As she started packing up her CD's the same feeling of doubt crept into her. Ever since she had taken the job she had been second-guessing her decision. It was a major responsibility and she knew she could do it, but she still had doubts. She was scared of moving into the house with just the kids and Lucas. She prayed that she and Lucas would get along or it was going to be hell.

Her boyfriend wasn't too thrilled about the idea either. He was somewhat insecure with the idea of Brooke moving into a house with a very eligible bachelor and his kids. She told him he had nothing to worry about, but there was still that fear she was going to leave him in the back of his head. Brooke tried to get rid of the thoughts as she turned up her favorite CD and sang along, packing up her world.