Author's Note: Thanks for all the reviews I got! TiggerluvsBroody07, buffybabe42, xsmile, othbaby08, Amanda, my Hales, and photobooth romance to name a few. Here's a new chapter, with some Brucas in it. Hope you enjoy it :-) Also- I just wanted to say that I don't think the last chapter rushed Naley at all. They've wanted each other for so long, they just finally acted on it. Hopefully this chapter makes sense to you all.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Sunday Mornings

Isabella flopped down on her mothers bed, a normal ritual for the 10 year old. Her mother was dressing in the bathroom and she knew that it was time to tell her about Lucas the night before. He had come to their house, to beg for a second chance and had accidentally overheard her mother claiming to have loved her uncle. She knew that if her father had waited, he would have understood. But he left faster than she could stop him.

"Mom, I have something to tell you," Isabelle said as Brooke walked out from the bathroom. Her hair was wet and she had no makeup on her face but to Isabella, she had never seen her mom look more alive. More refreshed. She was dressed simply in jeans and a white tee shirt but still, Isabella couldn't help but notice how beautiful her mother was.

Brooke raised an eyebrow. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Isabella laughed. She had gotten an earful the day she had returned from school and had to hear about setting her father up. Her mother still hadn't dropped the fact that she had tried to set them up earlier that week. "You know how uncle Nate came over?"

Brooke stepped into one of her heels and strapped it around her foot. She nodded her head but didn't look up, causing Isabella to call out her name. "Mom, this is serious okay?" Isabella demanded. A laugh escaped out of Brooke's mouth and she blushed. It wasn't everyday a ten year old put her in her place. Let alone her mother.

"Iz, what's this about?"

Isabella pulled her mothers hand so that she would follow her into her bedroom. Once inside her room, Isabella grabbed the flowers from her father and handed them to her mother. "What are these?" Brooke asked.

"They're from dad. I didn't tell you last night because uncle Nate was here and I didn't want to upset you two," Isabella explained. She watched as her mother ran her fingers over the wilting flowers and sighed. "When dad left out of here, he seemed really sad. What happened?"

Brooke shrugged her shoulders. What had happened? Had Lucas overheard her conversation with Nathan and that was why he left? Seeing Nathan again had calmed Brooke's insecurities about a lot of things, including Lucas. Why hadn't he just said something to her?

"Baby I don't know what happened," Brooke said sadly. She placed the flowers back down on her daughters desk and turned for the door. "But I'm going to find out."

Isabella grabbed a hold of her mothers wrist and squeezed it. "Mom, wait. Do you love him?"

Brooke nodded her head gently. "With all of my heart," she whispered.

……

"How do you think Brooke's going to take it?" Jake asked as he dished Peyton her eggs. Peyton shrugged her shoulders but before she could answer him, the doorbell rang.

"I'll get it," she smiled at her husband.

He nodded his head and turned back to the stove. "Jenny, get downstairs!" He screamed as he began to cook his daughter her breakfast. It seemed like such a simple thing, but waking up every Sunday morning and making his wife and daughter breakfast made him so happy. This was his life and he loved everything to do with it.

Peyton headed towards her door but was stopped by Jenny bouncing down the stairs. "Your dad wants you in the kitchen," Peyton laughed at their daughter. She nodded her head before continuing her way towards the kitchen. Peyton laughed as she opened the door.

"Hey Haley. Come on in, did you have breakfast already?"

Haley shook her head no and pulled her jacket around her tightly. She looked up at Peyton and tears entered her eyes. "I think I made a mistake Peyton."

Peyton looked down at Haley and brought her into a hug. "What's going on?" She asked as she pulled the door closed. Haley leaned against it and shut her eyes. The night before had been so perfect. At least until she woke up, only to find Nathan gone. He hadn't even left her a note.

"Nathan and I…"

Peyton shook her head. "Please tell me the two of you didn't have sex," she said as she crossed her arms over her chest. She knew that Brooke was in love with Lucas but she wasn't sure how her other best friend would handle the new developments between Nathan and Haley.

Haley shook her head softly. "It wasn't like that. Last night we kissed and we danced on the balcony and we even fell asleep together. But no, we didn't have sex." For a moment, she felt angry at Peyton for even insinuating that she would sleep with him. But she knew that if the timing had been different and her friends feelings hadn't been involved…

"So you didn't have sex?" Peyton asked again.

Haley rolled her eyes. "No. I wouldn't do that to Brooke. Or to Nathan," she answered honestly. "I need to talk to her but I am not sure what I am going to say."

"I'm in love with your boyfriend doesn't exactly sound good does it?" Peyton laughed. Haley sent her a dirty look and she quickly backed off of the situation. "Okay well… you just have to tell her the truth. This is Brooke we're talking about. If anyone understands, it is going to be her."

Haley nodded her head slowly. "She's going to hate me."

"What did Nathan say?" Peyton asked, avoiding Haley's last comment. It wasn't that she thought Brooke would hate Haley, she just wasn't sure if Brooke was going to accept their relationship.

Haley looked down at the floor. "We were caught up in the moment. It wasn't like we were trying to hurt Brooke but it's like… everything that we'd been feeling since high school just came back to us. And when he kissed me… I felt…"

"Loved?"

She smiled sheepishly. "Better than that. I felt like I was complete Peyton. I know this doesn't make any sense and that I could lose one of my best friends for it. But when he kisses me… I just don't want it to end."

"You just have to be honest with her," Peyton reasoned.

Haley nodded her head again. "I know. I was hoping… you'd come with me?"

Peyton turned towards the kitchen and could hear Jake talking to Jenny. She thought a moment and knew that Brooke would feel hurt that neither of them had told her but still, Peyton couldn't turn her back on Haley. "Jake, I'm going to go to Brooke's with Haley. I'll be back in a little while," Peyton yelled as she grabbed her purse and car keys.

Jake yelled his I love you and the two girls headed for Peyton's car. "We'll get through this," Peyton said as she shut Haley's door. Haley nodded her head sadly and stared at the street in front of her. They would get through this. The six of them had been friends for more than 14 years. Nothing was going to come between that.

Nothing.

……

Nathan knocked on Isabella's bedroom door and opened it slightly. "Hey Izzy?" He called. Isabella walked out from her closet and ran towards the door, throwing her arms around her uncle. She knew she had seen him the night before, but seeing him in the morning meant that things were going to be okay between him and her mother.

"What are you doing here?" She beamed.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I was just about to make some chocolate chip pancakes. You up for it?" He asked. She nodded her head enthusiastically and grabbed a hair band from her dresser.

"I'll help."

He nodded his head and in less than fifteen minutes, they were in the kitchen once again making their favorite meal. Nathan watched as Isabella stirred in the chocolate chips and smiled down at her. Isabella had taken a bigger part of his heart than in some ways Brooke had.

"Hey uncle Nate?" Isabella asked.

Nathan turned towards her and listened.

"I was just wondering… you know I love you."

Nathan laughed. "I hope you love me."

"I do love you. And I know you love my mom. So I have to ask you," Isabella thought for a moment. "Is it wrong that I want my parents together? That I want mom to forgive dad for everything?"

Nathan looked down at the bowl of batter. What could he say? He didn't know a child that didn't want their parents together. That was a typical thought for every child. Finally he shook his head no. "Babe- that's just normal."

"Do you think it's possible?" She wondered out loud.

Nathan nodded his head yes. Brooke had called him only thirty minutes ago, begging him to come over and baby sit Isabella. She briefly explained that Lucas had come over the night before and had left after hearing Nathan and her conversation. He had supposed that he should have seemed more jealous, but more than anything he wanted to be able to help Brooke. And seeing Isabella was something he'd never turn down.

"Your mom and dad have a history together Izzy," Nathan reminded his young niece. She shrugged her shoulders and smiled up at him. "What?" He asked, wondering why she was giving him that look.

Isabella jumped down from the stool and grinned. "Like you and Aunt Haley?"

Nathan felt a blush spread over his cheeks and he shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe," he said with a laugh. He wasn't sure. Did him and Haley have a history? The night before seemed more like a present than a history. But, whatever it was he was eager to relive it.

"Maybe?" Isabella bounced up and down excitedly.

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Whatever happens between us Isabella, we'll always be there for you."

"All of you?"

He nodded his head. "All of us."

……

Brooke slammed her front door in frustration. She had been looking for Lucas the entire morning and still couldn't find him. He wasn't at home, at the river court, at Jake's or at the café. When 11:30 had came, Brooke decided it was time to let Nathan go home. "I'm home," Brooke called out. She had noticed that Nathan's car wasn't in the driveway but in its place was Peyton's.

"Hey Brooke. We're in the living room," Peyton yelled.

Brooke pulled off her shoes as she walked down the hall and into the living room. She was assuming her daughter was with Peyton but when she entered the room she saw only Haley and her best friend. "Where's Izzy?"

"She went to the movies with Nathan," Haley explained.

Brooke nodded her head sadly and sat down in the oversized chair. She brought her legs up under her and turned towards her friends. "So what's going on?" Peyton looked to Haley who looked to Peyton and finally they both turned back to Brooke. Peyton had a small smile on her face, while Haley looked as if something was bothering her. "Is everything okay?"

"There's something I have to tell you Brooke," Haley said finally. Peyton squeezed her friends arm and listened as the girl continued. "You know in high school, how I always had feelings for Nathan…"

Brooke smirked. "And he always had feelings for you."

Haley's cheeks darkened and she nodded her head slowly. "I've never stopped."

Her words were simple. Brooke sat up hesitantly and turned towards Peyton. Her best friend had been in love with Nathan for so many years and yet no one had told her? She wondered what time of friend wouldn't have noticed and she felt guilty. A brief feeling of jealousy ran through her, knowing that her feelings were reciprocated from Nathan. He might not be willing to admit it to her, but the feelings were there.

"Brooke I know it's a lot to accept but Haley…" Peyton began.

Brooke shook her head and stood up. She took a few steps towards the two friends and Haley sent Peyton a nervous glance. Was Brooke angry? Before she had time to react, Brooke was kneeling in front of Haley with her head in Haley's lap. She had tears in her eyes and she looked up at her friend sadly. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"You and him were…" Haley began.

Brooke nodded her head.

"I just didn't want to come between the two of you."

Brooke wiped the tears from her eyes and sighed. "What happens now? Are you two together?" She asked. Haley shrugged her shoulders. She didn't think they were together. She wasn't even sure if they would ever be together. If Brooke didn't accept it and Nathan didn't want it… there was nothing Haley could do.

"I don't know… when I woke up this morning- Nathan was gone," Haley said. Brooke raised an eyebrow and chuckled to herself. Haley shook her head and went on to explain the situation to Brooke. "It's just now… I don't know what to do. Was it a mistake? Does he not want me?"

Peyton smiled. "Oh Hales, Nathan isn't going to change his mind over night."

Brooke nodded her head in agreement and smiled at her friend. "Peyton's right. There's no way that Nathan is going to change his mind. He just needs a little time to come up with the rest of his answers."

"How are you sure? He's lived with you for ten years. He's loved Isabella like…"

Peyton cut her off. "Like an uncle. Hales- Nathan knew it was only a matter of time before Lucas came back into the picture. For some reason, he was okay with that. He didn't have to go find someone else. That person could come find him."

"And she did," Brooke added.

Haley smiled softly. "Are you sure?" she asked.

"Hoe's over bro's," Brooke smiled as she reached out her fist.

Haley brought her fist to Brooke's and nodded her head. "Buds over studs."

Peyton laughed. "What are we in high school?"

……

"Hey," Brooke said as she opened the door to Lucas' bedroom. Karen had let her in and after a twenty minute conversation, had finally let her slip into his room. He had his back turned and was working on his computer but still she noticed as his body tensed in front of her. "I need to talk to you."

Lucas laughed but turned slightly. "I know what you're going to say okay?"

"No you don't," Brooke said angrily. She sat down on the bed and looked into his blue eyes. The two of them had always been so bad at communication that they never managed to get out what they were trying to say. "I want you to know that I know about the flowers. And the ring for that matter."

Lucas looked down at her hand and noticed the ring was missing. He shook his head and laughed bitterly. "So you took it off. That's great. I'm really happy for Nathan and you."

"Shut up Lucas."

Her words had surprised him. Had she told him to shut up? No one had talked to him like that in over ten years. "Brooke…" he said as he stood up. He made his way over to the door and held it open. "It's okay. You don't need to explain any of this to me."

"You're right. I don't. But here's the thing," Brooke lowered her voice. "I want to. I don't want there to be unanswered questions ten years from now. So here's the deal. Yes- I do love Nathan. He's been like a best friend to me for the last ten years and I don't know what I would have done without him."

Lucas nodded his head, already knowing what she was going to tell him. "Brooke- stop," he begged her. He didn't want to hear her confess her love over Nathan. Hell he didn't even want to hear her tell him she loved him. He just wanted the conversation to stop.

"No."

Brooke wasn't good at standing her ground. In high school, Peyton had somehow managed to drag her to concert after concert… all of which Brooke had no interest in going to see. In college, Haley had coerced her into taking a music class with her, even though Brooke couldn't hold a note to save her life. Her daughter had gotten out of trouble more often than not, simply because Brooke couldn't be the bad guy. But now… standing in front of the man who had taken away her happiness all those years ago, she stayed firm in her beliefs. She needed him to understand. She deserved it.

"I may love him Lucas, but there hasn't been one day where my heart hasn't been yours. I've loved you more than I've ever loved anyone else, except maybe our daughter," she smiled briefly. "I don't know why you didn't fight for us all those years ago and I can't say that I don't care. Because I do. But I love you Lucas. I'd be lying if I told you I didn't."

Lucas smiled. She loved him and was wanted to be with him. He couldn't believe it and his emotions got the better of him. In a moment of weakness, or perhaps a moment of sanity, he walked towards her and pulled her into a firm embrace. "I don't know what to say," he whispered.

She hesitated for a moment. "Lucas wait."

Lucas shook his head. Whatever she was about to tell him, could wait. All he wanted was to be able to wrap his arms around her and bring his lips down to hers. As he went to kiss her, she held her hand out to cover his lips. "It's too soon Lucas."

"I want to be with you Brooke."

Brooke nodded her head and sighed. "I know you do. That's why I came to talk to you. The two of us have a lot to think about. We may love each other but we're still different people than we were back then. We need to take this slow. Because this is it Lucas. If this doesn't work…"

"If it does work," he corrected her.

She smiled briefly and nodded her head. "If it does work, it's the three of us from now on. We have to think about Isabella. We're not teenagers who can just get together without a care in the world."

He brought his arms around her and held her tight. "We're going to work this out Brooke. I promise you," he said firmly. And as she shut her eyes, she knew he wasn't lying.

TBC.
Okay, so there are four more chapters of this story. Hopefully I am not dissapointing any of you and as always, I love to hear your thoughts. Keep 'em coming! R&R