Sorry for the delay. I wasn't sure where this chapter was going to go.

Chapter Three: Kings and Queens

"Your brother is an ass," Brooke announced as she walked into Karen's Café shortly after leaving Nathan's apartment.

"Nice to see you too," Lucas said turning around and kissing his fiancée on the cheek. "What happened?"

"Not much, except I don't think he wants to be your best man because he thinks marriage is a joke. Boy, Haley really messed him up, didn't she?" Brooke sighed as she sat down.

"Was Haley there?" Lucas questioned. Brooke shook her head.

"She moved out this morning. I can see why because that place is a mess. Rubbish everywhere and Nathan looks like he hasn't showered for days, let alone left the house."

"Haley moved out? Do you know where she went?" Brooke frowned as she tried to remember.

"I think he said something about going to Taylor's, I can't remember. I'm too mad at him," Brooke ordered a coffee. "Where are you going?" Brooke asked as Lucas jumped off his stool and put his coat on.

"I'm going to check on Haley," he told her.

"You think that's a good idea? I mean, won't she want to be alone?"

"I don't know but she's my best friend, Brooke. I have to make sure she's okay," Lucas reasoned.

"She has a sister for that. Besides, I thought we were going to meet Karen and Andy and announce the news before heading over to Dan's," Brooke said.

"We could always go a little later. It's still early," Lucas glanced at his watch.

"We're not even married and you've already left me for another woman," Brooke joked.

"You know it's not like that," Lucas planted a reassuring kiss on her forehead.

"I know, I know. If it was Peyton, I'd do the same. Just… give her some space. And send her my love." Brooke told him. Lucas gave her a grin and kissed her again.

"I'll be back soon," he promised.

"You'd better. I don't want to face your ass of a father on my own," she grumbled as he fled out of the door.

Lucas knocked on the door tentatively. He had only gone to Taylor's apartment once and that was to ask for Haley's number. He hadn't spoken to his best friend for a while, even after she returned a month previously.

Taylor answered the door, "Lucas," she said with a small grin, "It's been a while."

"I'm looking for Haley. I heard she was here," Lucas explained.

"Did her husband tell you she was here?" Taylor asked.

"Not exactly. Brooke did," Lucas said, "Can I see her?"

Taylor crossed her arms, "She doesn't really want to see anyone, Lucas."

"But I'm her best friend," Lucas argued.

Taylor scoffed, "Yeah, you were. It's not like you dragged her back kicking and screaming. She's been in Tree Hill for almost a month you hardly spoke two words to her. Not to mention that for the two and a half years she was away, you only spoken to her a handful of times. Why would she want to see you?" she challenged.

Lucas hung his head in shame, realizing that he had been a terrible friend and what Taylor was saying was correct. There was a time where Lucas would have been by Haley's side no matter what, but her leaving had forged Nathan and Lucas to have a stronger bond.

"I know that, Taylor, but I want to make sure she's okay," he told her.

"Well, since she left the tour, none of her friends – let alone her husband – bothered to talk to her more than once. Your brother has been an ass to her, by the way."

"Yeah, so I've heard," Lucas muttered, "Look, I'm really sorry. If she doesn't want to see me, can you at least tell her that I'm here and if she wants to talk…" Taylor nodded.

"Okay, I will," she said before closing the door. Lucas looked at the closed door for a moment before heading back to the café.

He knew that over the past few years his friendship with Haley had almost dissolved into nothing but he hadn't known the full impact of the state of their relationship. Lucas had constantly thought about her while she was gone, it was easy to remember but hard to pick up the phone or write an email or do something about it.

Over the years he'd told himself that Haley was okay and that she'd be back soon, all the while forgetting that while he was in Tree Hill with his family and friends; she was touring all over the place on her own.

He had just let her slip away.

His cellphone beeped as a message came through.

Broody! Where are you? Your mom is waiting for us. Love Broody-to-be xxxx

Lucas couldn't help but smile at the message. After one last glace at Taylor and Haley's apartment, he left to join the one relationship he hadn't messed up.

Brooke's palms were all sweaty and she kept fidgeting. She was used to seeing Karen and Andy all the time and had no problem making small talk. In fact, she was so comfortable with them that she sometimes over-shared and regarded the two as the closest things to parents.

Except now, she was struggling to choose a topic to talk about and nervously biting her lip every five seconds.

"So, how was school?" Karen asked as she brewed the tea, "Anything interesting happen?"

We got engaged!

Brooke wanted to shout it out but the words wouldn't come.

"Uh, not really. I passed my math test. Broody?" Brooke looked at Lucas, who was also in the same position.

"Um… we got new basketballs," he offered. Andy and Karen both frowned and looked at one another.

"Is everything alright?" Karen asked, "Because usually when I ask that question, Brooke tells me the latest gossip and fashion news," she said. Brooke bit her lip again and gestured to Lucas to do something.

"Uh, mom? Andy? Can we go in the living room for a minute?" Lucas said as he and Brooke led Karen and her new husband into the living room.

"Is there any special reason why we're here?" Andy asked.

"Uh, we just thought you might need to sit down for this," Lucas said.

"Brooke isn't pregnant is she?" Karen questioned, her eyes narrowed as she studied their faces.

Brooke and Lucas looked at each other.

"No!" Brooke said, a wave of relief rushing over their faces. "That is so not it," she laughed nervously.

"Well, what is going on?" Andy questioned.

"I asked Brooke to marry me… and she agreed," Lucas blurted out. "Sorry."

It took a moment for the news to register but when it did the two lit up.

"Sorry? What do you have to be sorry for? I'm getting a daughter!" Karen beamed.

"When did this happen?" Andy asked as he hugged his future-step-daughter-in-law and his step-son.

"This morning. Lucas got up on stage and serenaded me in front of the whole school. I'm still trying to get over it," Brooke said with a huge grin.

"You sang?" Karen questioned. Lucas nodded, "But you hate singing."

"I love Brooke though," he said planting a kiss on her head. "That sounded really cheesy, didn't it?" he asked.

"Yeah, it did," Brooke agreed. "But are you sure you guys aren't mad?" she asked both Karen and Andy.

"Well it is a surprise since you're both younger than I would have thought you'd be before you did get engaged. But then again you are both 18 and can make your own decisions. As long as you know what you're doing and you both still go to college, then I guess there's nothing to complain about." Karen said with a sigh.

"So, have you set a date yet or is it too early?" Andy questioned.

"We're hoping for something in the sprummer. Before we go to college, maybe just after graduation," Brooke explained.

"Spummer…" Andy began.

"That's spring and summer, apparently," Lucas told Andy who simply nodded.

"Well, we need to start on the plans then," Karen said turning to Brooke who promptly pulled out the hordes of magazines she'd collected earlier, "My, you're prepared," she said in awe.

"Uh, Brooke, we have to go break the news to Dan," Lucas reminded her, "You can do more planning later," he said.

"Yeah, if we're not six feet under. He had a heart attack around the time Nathan and Tutor Girl got hitched – who's to say he won't have an aneurysm or something this time around?" Brooke said.

"If he gives you any trouble, just ignore it," Andy told the couple, "You're both consenting adults. He can't do anything about it."

Brooke and Lucas both smiled, but by the way they were clutching each other's hand, they knew it was not nearly as simple.

"What a delight it is to see my eldest son," Dan Scott said proudly as Lucas and Brooke entered the house, "Deb and I were just about to sit down for an early dinner. We'd love it if you could join us," Dan said leading them through the big house.

"Uh, actually, we just wanted to speak to you both," Lucas said.

"Hello, Lucas." Deb said as she entered from the kitchen, "Brooke, how nice to see you both."

"They want to tell us something, Deb," Dan said. Lucas wasn't sure if that was worry he could sense in his father's voice or not.

"Oh," the concern in Deb's voice was more evident, "I guess we'll go to the living room then. Lemonade?" she hurried back into the kitchen to fix up some beverages while Brooke and Lucas followed a silent Dan into the living room.

As Dan settled into his leather armchair, Brooke and Lucas chose to sit on the couch opposite, and they waited for Deb to arrive.

"Uh, nice house, Mr. Scott," Brooke said to try and break the tension.

"Yes, you told me that last time you came to the house," Dan said.

"Oh," Brooke grabbed hold of Lucas' hand, "Well, it's still a nice house."

Deb arrived with four tall glasses of lemonade and they thanked her, each taking one just so they had something to do.

"So," Deb began, "What did you want to tell us?"

"Well," Brooke decided to take the lead on this one since Lucas had broken the news to his mother and Andy. "Since you're Lucas' father and, uh, step-mom, I guess… we thought that we should come and tell you the news in person."

Deb blanched, "You're pregnant?"

"No!" Brooke said quickly, "We covered that one before. No, uh, actually Lucas and I have been dating for a while now and seeing as we're both now adults and capable of making our own decisions," Brooke emphasized the last part, "We decided that it was time to get married."

Deb cast a glance to Dan who remained stoic.

"Married?" Deb asked, "Oh, look at that. You have a ring," Deb said pointing to the glistening rock placed on Brooke's left hand. "When did this happen?"

"This morning," Lucas replied, concerned about Dan's reaction.

"So, you're engaged?" Deb asked, a little relieved they hadn't eloped like her own son had.

Brooke and Lucas nodded, "We're not asking for your approval. We just wanted to tell you what was happening and that we hope you'll come and be a part of our wedding." Lucas said.

"Well, of course," Deb said. "I'd love to help with anything I can." She smiled at her step-son and his fiancée. "Dan?"

All eyes looked at Dan, who remained silent throughout the whole exchange.

Suddenly he burst into loud laughter, confusing his wife, son and future-daughter-in-law.

"This is a joke, right?" he asked, "You're trying to give me another heart attack or something."

"We're not kidding," Lucas said, "We know what happened with Nathan and Haley but that won't happen with us."

"You not even out of high school yet. Lucas, you only turned eighteen last month and Brooke…"

"Brooke turned eighteen last week," Lucas finished. "We're doing this whether you like it or not."

"I assume Karen and Andy already know?" Dan asked.

"We told them a few hours ago. They support our decision."

"And you both will be going to college?" They nodded. "I'm not happy with this."

"Nobody is asking you to be." Brooke replied, "We just wanted to tell you. Quite frankly, Mr. Scott, we don't need your input unless you want to give it."

Dan sighed, "I've always liked the way you think, Miss. Davis," he complimented, "You're level-headed, sharp and sassy," Brooke wasn't sure what to think about Dan Scott's use of the word 'sassy' so she just nodded.

"Thank you," she forced a small smile.

"I can see neither of you are going to care what I think, and I appreciate you coming to tell us instead of running off and doing it behind everybody's backs," he continued. "That said, I think you're making a mistake."

"It's our mistake to make," Lucas told his father. "Anyway, I think we're taken enough of your time. Thank you for seeing us."

Brooke and Lucas got up out of their seats, and Deb did too, following them to the front door.

"Thank you for being supportive," Brooke told Deb, "Uh, Karen and I are going to be going over ideas tomorrow at the café if you want to join us."

"Sure," Deb said, "I'll be there." Brooke nodded and hugged her. Lucas also hugged Deb. "He'll be okay," Deb told Lucas. "He's just not a fan or teenage marriages," she explained.

Lucas just nodded and Deb waved at the two as they walked out of the house and towards their car.

"Well, that went better than I thought it would," Brooke said holding Lucas' hand; "At least he didn't yell or break stuff."

Lucas chuckled.

"Yeah," he said pulling his fiancée close and kissing the top of her head. "Let's go plan this wedding."

To Be Continued…