hesfadedme Glad you agree. Hope you enjoy this chapter.
catc20 aka Cathy Yes Nathan has definitely been going through a rough time lately. Everytime he thinks there's nothing more that could possibly have happened he seems to get hit with another shock. Hope this chapter lives up to expectations.
hilaryhilary Thought it was time to show a bit of how Nathan is feeling about things. I'm glad you think I wrote it ok.
pinkpony So taking it you enjoy a bit of anger in young Nathan. Well I can't say I don't enjoy writing him that way because I do. Yes Deb doesn't exactly know how to take no for an answer does she? LOL. I'm glad you think the story is still improving.
kaos2405 My favourite reviewer has returned. Thanx for the comments on this chapter. It meant a lot to hear that you thought I was actually giving a bit more depth and complexity to the story.
famousindafuture Apparently I've succeeded in my attempts to show a bit more about how the characters are feeling and give them a bit more depth. Sometimes think my characters are a bit too cardboard in the way I write them.
RoseRows Glad you felt that I was able to show the characters emotions. I often think that is one of the main things I struggle with in my writing so any positive comments on that aspect of my writing are always welcome. Email me some time and tell me your theory on Deb and Haley. Thanx for the review. I've fulfilled my part of the deal so now its your turn.
Britt Glad you enjoyed it. Poor Naley I have so much in store for them. If only they knew.
cherrymfzb Sounds like I'd better write something about Poor Haley soon. Everyone seems to be only concerned about Nathan at this stage. LOL. Good to hear I can still surprise you. Hope you have fun at your sisters. Looking forward to your new chapter.
nathenlover Glad that you enjoyed that chapter. One small warning though. There are going to be no quick fixes in this story. It's going to be a long story and I have a lot planned for it. But I can promise that Haley will not stay away for too long.
Nathan4Haley Hey Nats well I must have done something right in that last chapter because everyone seeems to be commenting on Poor Nathan. Guess I did a good job of making his case for him hey. Hope you enjoy this chapter too.
A.N Well guys things are a bit stressful here at the moment with the terrorist bombings. (I live in London) Has hit a bit too close to home so am giving you a new chapter while I seem to be cut off by phone from everyone at the moment. Hope you enjoy it. My thoughts are with anyone affected by this mornings explosions.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Hearing a knock at the door Brooke got up from the couch where she had been sitting contemplating everything Lucas had told her and headed to the door. Opening it up she started in surprise to see the tall, blonde woman standing on the step balancing a baby on her hip.
"Peyton what the hell? I mean what are you doing here I haven't heard from you in months."
"Not quite the greeting I was hoping for," Peyton said with a smile "but it's good to see you too."
"I'm sorry I just really didn't expect to see you here. So what brings you to Tree Hill?"
"Jake had some time off work so we thought we should come and visit his parents, we arrived last night."
Brooke stood there staring at her for a moment still unable to believe that the girl who had been her best friend for so many years was standing at her door. Peyton shifted uncomfortably under her scrutiny.
"Uh Brooke are we going to stand at the door all day or can I come in."
"What? Oh of course. Come in."
Brooke stood back allowing Peyton to walk past her into the house. She looked around her in admiration, taking in the spacious lounge area and catching a glimpse of the extremely modern kitchen through a doorway to her left.
"Wow Brooke this is some house."
Turning back to her she looked at her friend more closely looking to see what changes had occurred in the two years since she had last seen her. Brooke's long brown hair still fell past her shoulders and her face was as always perfectly made up. Her clothes reflected her innate sense of style and as usual were the height of the current fashion trends. Her gaze paused as it came to rest on the slightly rounded bump of her stomach.
"Oh my God are you?…"
Brooke smiled unable to hide her joy at the impending birth of her child.
"Um yeah Lucas and I are having a baby in a few months time." She said her pride obvious for all to see. "But you still haven't introduced me to this gorgeous little girl?" she asked focusing her attention onto the baby in Peyton's arms.
"This is Madison," Peyton said proudly.
"Oh Peyton she's gorgeous. How old is she?"
"She's just turned 5 months." Focusing her attention on the blonde, blue eyed babe in her arms she continued speaking. "Isn't that right sweetie?"
"Peyton you're so lucky, you have Jake and a gorgeous little baby."
"Yeah not to mention Jenny who is like another little mother to Maddy. I swear sometimes she thinks she is her mother. More often than not Jen has run off to get Maddy's bottle before I've even heard her cry. I'm sure she spends most of her time just listening for the slightest little whimper. You would not believe the effort it took just to convince Jen to go and play with her cousins today and leave Maddy with me. I don't think she trusts me with my own child." she finished with a laugh.
Walking through to the living room Peyton settled herself into a chair with Madison in her lap and Brooke perched on a chair opposite Peyton and the baby. Both women were quiet for a moment as they searched for something to fill the awkward silence that had fallen between them. Suddenly the silence was broken by Peyton's laughter as a thought occurred to her and Brooke looked up at her curiously.
"What's so funny?" she asked.
"Nothing really," Peyton replied "It's just eight years ago who would have predicted this. Here I am step mom to Jenny and with a baby of my own and you and Lucas are married with a baby on the way and Haley the only one of us who showed any inclination towards settling down hasn't even come close."
Brooke had been laughing along with Peyton until the conversation turned to Haley and at the first mention of her name the laugh died in her throat and the smile instantly faded from her lips. Peyton looked up in surprise at her sudden silence and studied her curiously.
"Brooke is something wrong? You went so quiet all of a sudden."
"Peyton I've got something I really need to talk to you about but you have got to keep it strictly between us."
"Um sure ok." Peyton responded regarding her strangely.
"I'm serious Peyt you can't tell anyone what I'm about to tell you, not even Jake."
"Brooke its fine you can trust me. Gee what's the big deal anyway?"
Brooke stood up and began pacing nervously around unsure how to begin the story.
"Well you remember when Haley left Tree Hill right?"
"Yeah of course," Peyton responded "who could forget. Ooh are you saying the big mystery has finally come out." She sat forward in her seat slightly all of her attention now focused on Brooke waiting for her to begin the story. It was only when the baby in her lap emitted a squawk of protest that she sat back and loosened her hold on the infant. "So tell me. What was the big scandal?"
As Brooke launched into her story Peyton sat there in stunned silence until Brooke came to the end of her tale. Peyton remained silent for several moments after Brooke had finished speaking trying to digest everything that she had been told.
"Wow," she said finally, "wow that was so not what I expected. So this happened a week ago. Have you spoken to Haley since?"
"Only once briefly. I have no idea where she is or what she is going to do but she has gone and Nathan is refusing to talk to anyone. He's kicked Deb out and from what Lucas has said he isn't going to work and he won't even answer his phone. Lucas is really worried about him but we don't know what we should do. He's just closed himself off from all of us."
Both women sank into silence as they contemplated everything that had happened. It was a completely messed up situation and neither of them was sure what they should do.
"They were just so perfect for each other," Peyton said with an almost wistful tone.
"I know," Brooke said sadly "that's probably what bothers me the most about this whole situation. If Nathan and Haley can't make a life together then who the hell can?"
"So what do you think we should do?" Peyton asked. "Do you think we should try and get involved and see if we can bring the two of them back together or should we sit back and do nothing and just hope that they can sort it out for themselves this time?"
"I really don't know Pey, I've been tossing up whether I should go and visit Nathan and try to talk to him but at this stage I really don't know whether it would do any good."
Peyton considered the suggestion for a moment and then turned back to Brooke. "Well it couldn't make things any worse. Come on I'll go with you."
"What now?" Brooke asked clearly having intended to spend some more time planning her method of attack.
"Yep," Peyton replied "There's no time like the present. Come on grab your bag. I'll drive."
Brooke sat looking uncertainly at Peyton for a moment and then that familiar Brooke Davis-Scott resolve came in to play and she stood up. "You're right Peyton let's go."
Ten minutes later they pulled up in front of the beach house and sat there looking at it their confidence slightly evaporating at the sight of the house. Nathan's car was parked haphazardly in the drive giving the impression that he had not been entirely sober when he had parked it and the house itself looked almost deserted. The windows had all the blinds pulled down and the whole house appeared to be locked up.
Peyton glanced at Brooke and noticed that she too was regarding the house with a certain sense of foreboding. "Maybe this wasn't such a great idea," Peyton said.
Brooke looked as if she was about to agree and then her hand drifted down to her stomach and her resolve strengthened once again. "No damn it we are going to talk to him. He is going to be godfather to my baby and there is no way in hell my baby is going to be subjected to a drunken hermit as its godfather. Plus we have to get Haley back here somehow and the only way I can see that happening is to sort out my jackass of a brother-in-law."
"Ok," Peyton said agreeably "you're the boss."
"You're damn right I am," Brooke said "now grab that baby and let's go confront the beast."
Peyton walked around to the back of the car undoing the straps on Maddy's car seat and removing the child from the car before following Brooke up the path. Brooke strode purposefully to the door and immediately knocked firmly. Waiting barely a minute for a response she started pounding more forcefully on the door. When there was once again no response she began beating both of her fists against the door hollering to Nathan inside.
"Nathan Scott you had better open up this door right now. You and I have got to talk."
Brooke heard scuffling behind the door and knew that Nathan was standing on the other side of the door. She continued beating her fists against the door.
"I know you're in there Scott now open up this door right now."
She paused for a moment as she heard Nathan's voice shouting a response.
"Why don't you just fuck off Brooke I have nothing I want to say to you."
The look of pure unadulterated rage on Brooke's face as she heard this comment was almost enough to have Peyton in fits of laughter but seeing the menacing glare being turned in her direction she somehow managed to hold it in.
"No way Scott I'm not going anywhere until you open this damn door. I don't care how long I have to stand out here you are going to open this door."
"Brooke just go," Nathan said wearily. "I really don't want to talk about it."
"Well that would be fine Nathan if I was giving you that option but I'm not so just open the damn door and let's get it over with."
Brooke and Peyton heard a sigh of resignation before the sound of the deadbolt being pulled back and the door slowly moving inwards.
Nathan stood there looking at the two women his face barely registering surprise at seeing Peyton on his front doorstep. He looked a mess, his clothes obviously hadn't been changed for days and it was also more than obvious that he hadn't bothered to shave in the last week or so. In his hand he held a bottle of beer and he used his other hand to hold himself up with the doorframe.
"What do you want Brooke?" he asked his words slightly slurred together.
"Godparents for my baby who can stand to be in the same room as each other," she said without preamble, Brooke had never exactly been known for beating around the bush. When she had something to say she just came right out and said it and worried about the consequences later.
Nathan sighed "well in that case Brooke I think you had better look into getting someone else to fill the roles. Peyton's here now why don't you just get her and Jake to do the honours. I'm sure they'd be much more suited to it than Haley and I anyway. Lets face it the kid might actually stand a chance with those two."
"I'm sure you're right Peyton and Jake would make wonderful godparents but that's not the point Lucas and I asked you and Haley because that's who we want and that's the way it's going to stay. You both agreed so there is no way in hell I'm going to let either one of you back out now. It's Boy Toy and Tutor Girl or it's no-one and you wouldn't really want Junior here to grow up with no other adult influence bar me and Broody now would you?"
"Brooke do not try and guilt me into this." Nathan said hardly.
"Who me?" Brooke answered innocently "I'm just telling the truth if you're feeling guilty then that must be all down to you. It must be your conscience sending you messages about what a shit you're being to your poor little niece or nephew here. Remember Nate this is your niece or nephew that we're talking about here not just some street urchin although who knows if something were to happen to me or Lucas without Godparents that could be exactly what this poor little baby could become."
"Oh brother," Nathan muttered under his breath. "You're not going to let up about this until I agree are you?" he asked even though he already knew the answer.
"I can't Nathan; this is my baby's very life we're talking about here."
"Brooke why did you go into fashion business it's obvious you would have made a great actress." Nathan said sarcastically.
"Do you really think so?" Brooke asked brightening instantly at the idea, her child's plight forgotten for the moment as delusions of grandeur flashed through her mind. Realising that Nathan had effectively distracted her from her rant she glared at him for a moment before once again continuing. "Nathan I just want to know that Lucas and I can count on you if anything ever happens to either of us. I understand that things between you and Haley are difficult right now but this really isn't about the two of you. This is about your niece or nephew and knowing that they can rely on their uncle Nate."
Nathan sighed he knew there was no way he could really refuse such a request from his brother and sister-in-law. Throwing up his hands he conceded defeat. "Alright, alright I'll do it but just don't expect things to be ok between me and Haley. There's nothing I can do about that even for my future god child."
"Well," Brooke said sounding momentarily deflated "if you really don't think there's anything you can do about that then I guess I'll just have to accept that."
Nathan regarded her warily "Brooke you better not be planning anything."
"What are you talking about Nathan I'm not planning anything," she said doing her best to appear as if butter would not melt in her mouth.
Nathan's deep blue eyes pierced through her for a moment as he looked for a flicker of any devious intent. As he continued to stare at her she squirmed uncomfortably feeling as if those blue eyes could see all the way through her to very soul. Eventually he turned his gaze away and she sighed in relief.
"Although now that you mention it," Nathan looked at her askance as she immediately launched back into her offensive. "Peyton and I have been talking," Nathan glanced at Peyton who had been virtually silent since they had arrived, she shrugged as she met his gaze, "and we both agree that the last I need is some drunken unemployed bum as godfather of my child so you need to get your ass back to work. Tomorrow preferably, while you still have a job to go to." She finished with a flourish. "Now Peyton and I really need to get going but we'll talk soon."
Standing up she walked to the door turning back and tapping her foot impatiently as she waited for Peyton and Madison to join her.
"It was good seeing you again Nate," Peyton told him. "Jake and I will try to come and see you again before we leave."
"Yeah that would be great. I'll see you guys soon." Nathan responded.
"Why don't you come around for dinner after work tomorrow night," Brooke offered, turning to Peyton she extended the invitation further. "You and Jake should come with the girls too I'm sure Broody would love to see you guys."
"I'll expect all you guys at my place at six. Now I'm going to go down the beach for a while so I'll call Broody when I'm ready to go home. See you both tomorrow night. Bye sweetie," she said ducking her head to give Maddy a quick kiss on the cheek.
As soon as she knew she was alone she pulled her cell phone from her bag and quickly punched a number on the speed dial. Listening to it ring she muttered to herself "come on answer damn it,"
Finally hearing a response at the other end she launched into speech once more. "Tutor Girl where the hell are you?"
"Brooke please I just need some space for a while."
"Sorry Tutor Girl that just isn't good enough you're going to be my baby's godmother and that means you need to be here. So I'm giving you five days to get your ass back to town. I'll see you then." She said then hung up before Haley could form a comeback. She opened the phone again and quickly typed in Lucas' number. "Hey Broody, I'm at Nathan's can you come get me?"
"Why are you at Nate's?" Lucas asked warily.
"He and I just needed to have a little chat and get a few things straight. Now can you come and get me or what?"
"Yeah honey of course I can. I'll be there soon."
Brooke hung up and turned to walk back to where Lucas would collect her from. She didn't know how she was going to do it but somehow she was going to bring Nathan and Haley back together if it killed her. She looked back up at the house for a moment. There was no movement at any of the windows and no sign that Nathan intended to open the closed blinds, she could only hope that her chat with Nathan had had the desired effect. There was no way she was going to bring Haley back to be subjected to him in this mood. She would bide her time and wait until he had managed to get his shit together and then whether she liked it or not Haley would be returning to Tree Hill.
Spoilers:- Time to find out what is happening with Haley.