Sadly I still don't own OTH or Chad but I'll keep wishing
Thanks for everyone's replies love em.
Chapter 3 It's Been Awhile
Brooke and Peyton decided to talk after the reunion so Peyton gave her a ride back to the hotel. "Brooke are you really ok? You were quiet tonight." Peyton asked
"Yeah. Its just weird being back here."
"I bet…but you seemed tense tonight like you didn't want to talk about your life in LA."
Brooke shrugged. "Guess I don't really want to brag about my new life."
"Oh yeah…who are you and what did you do with Brooke?" Peyton joked.
"People change Peyton." Brooke said opening the door.
"Can I meet her?"
"Leila yeah." They went into the room. "Oh Mrs. McFadden (Mouth's Mom) thank you so much for watching her."
"You're welcome sweetie. She was an angel. Did you have fun tonight?" she asked
"Yeah. But I didn't see Mouth or Erica." Brooke said
"Oh they didn't come back for the reunion. He's busy with the polotics and she's hot on his tails plus they are expecting and she didn't feel like flying. They are living in California not to far from you."
"I know I talked to Erica a few weeks ago…we just didn't discuss the reunion." Brooke said
"Ok well I better go." Mrs. McFadden left.
"Well you aren't alone in LA after all."
"No. they moved out there a few years ago. Let me go get Leila." Brooke went into the bedroom and came back with Leila a few minutes later.
"Oh Brooke she's beautiful. She looks just like you."
Brooke smiled. "Everyone says that, but I don't see it all I see is Travis and Ryan."
"Who are they?" Peyton asked
Brooke grasped the ring around her neck. "Travis is…was my husband and Ryan is Leila's twin brother."
"Oh twins. How come you didn't bring Ryan with you? Is he with Travis?" Peyton asked
Brooke's eyes filled with tears. "Umm they died a few months ago."
"Oh Brooke I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have bugged you about it." Brooke shook her head.
"It's ok. Leila is a constant reminder of the two of them."
"Its late I should really get home. But listen if you're staying for a couple days we could get together."
"Yeah I'm staying the weekend." Brooke said
Peyton nodded "Ok then. I'll call you." Peyton hugged her and headed toward the door but she stopped.
"Brooke for what its worth I regret what I said back then about Lucas." Brooke shrugged
"Don't worry about it." Peyton nodded and left.
Brooke hugged Leila. "Oh baby girl its just you and me." She rocked Leila back to sleep and tears started to fall down her cheeks. "Why Travis? Why did you have to leave me? Why did you have to take Ryan with you?" she began to sob while still holding her daughter.
Lucas walked into the café and saw his mom talking to a familiar brunette. He walked over to the counter.
"Hi son." Karen said
"Hi mom."
"Do you want your usual?"
"Yeah."
"Ok. I'll get it. Why don't you go talk to Brooke." Karen said pointing to Brooke who was in the corner with Leila. Lucas nodded. He walked over to Brooke and Leila.
"Hey Brooke." She looked up and smiled
"Hey Luke."
"This must be Leila."
"Yeah. Do you want to sit?" she asked
"Um sure." He sat down across from her. "So how have you been?"
"Good. Didn't we have this awkward conversation last night?" Brooke asked
"Yeah I think we did. I don't really know what to say to you. I have a million things I want to say…but I don't know where to start."
"I understand. Try the beginning." Brooke said
"It seems too late for that." He s said looking at Leila.
"Leila won't mind. She lets me talk all the time." Brooke teased.
"What about your husband?"
"He's dead." Brooke said
"Oh Brooke I'm sorry."
She nodded. "Thanks... So when can I expect your next book?"
"Um probably by Christmas." Brooke nodded. "Do you want to go for a walk?" he asked
"Sure."
"God this place hasn't changed one bit in ten years." Brooke said
"No I don't think it ever will." Lucas said laughing a little.
"Probably not…but it's kind of nice to have something that is always here." Brooke said
"Yeah I guess. But you seem to have a pretty nice life in LA."
"Things are getting better." She said
"Brooke I know that a lot has happened over the years."
She nodded. "A lot happened with us Luke." She added
"Yeah and I regret the way things were. I wish that I could change the way I acted back then."
"Its old news Lucas. Don't let it bog you down." He nodded.
"You're right I just wish I wouldn't have said anything that I didn't mean."
"Oh I think you meant it." She said
"Only for a split second. But the minute it left my mouth I wanted to take it back."
"Really?" she asked
"Yeah Brooke I didn't want to hurt you. I was in a weird place back then I don't know what I was thinking. I didn't want to hurt you I had planned on spending my life with you and in one stupid moment I messed it all up." Chad said
"Yeah you could say that…no Lucas truthfully we both did. We were young and stupid what did we know about love then?"
"Not much more then I know now." He said which made Brooke laugh.
"Can't say I know much more." Brooke said
"You were married and have a kid you know so much more then I do." Lucas said
"Travis changed me he showed me that people aren't out to hurt me and that love is a good thing. I let my guard down."
"That's good." he said
"Well thanks for walking us home." Brooke said
"You're welcome. Um how long are you here for?"
"I leave tomorrow night."
"Oh well maybe we can get together tomorrow before you go?" Lucas suggested
"Yeah as long as you don't mind a baby tagging a long."
"No she's great."
"Ok I'll call you tomorrow." Brooke said Lucas nodded and watched them go inside