It had been 1 year and 3 months since the Scott family's wonderful trip to California. Now there was a new addition to the family, baby Dayna Elizabeth- a 6 month old, blonde haired, blue eyed beauty. Born in early February, this baby was enjoying August being spoiled by her mother, father, and sister alike.
However, happy as the family was, stress levels were never higher. Brooke, being Brooke, had her hands full with a curious 4 year old and a demanding 6 month old. Her and Haley's new fashion line In Bright Lights was due to be released in a week with some of the hottest upcoming fashions and she had to be ready for its release. Lucas's practices were longer and more intense than before and he came home tired, though he felt guilty for not helping out more and not playing with Dayna and Emily as much.
"Dayna, baby girl please don't eat the powder" Brooke sighed, picking up her daughter and sitting her on the floor with a couple of spoons. "Bang on these while mommy finishes the orders…Dayna…don't eat the spoon baby"
"Dayna you are such an active 6 month old" Lucas laughed, walking in and swooping down to pick her up. Dayna shrieked with delight and banged Lucas's head with the spoon. "Thanks, that's exactly what I needed"
"Hey, where've you been all day?" Brooke asked.
"At basketball…you look tired"
"Well, I am" Brooke said a little snappishly.
"I'm sorry, can I do anything?"
"Well you could've, Lucas, but since you were at basketball and then out with boys all day…"
"I'm sorry, Brooke, but I'm here to help now"
"Only 5 hours too late"
"Brooke! This is so not fair!"
"What's not fair? You don't have to take care of a 6 month old and a 4 year old AND market your fashion line all at the same time, you just have to bounce a couple of goddamn balls and run up and down a court!" Brooke yelled, storming down the kitchen and into their bedroom.
Lucas sat Dayna down in her playpen. "Stay here sunshine I'll be back, ok? Emily, watch your sister!" Lucas ran after Brooke into the room. "Brooke, what's the matter, you're never like this"
"Ok well I AM like this now, ok?" Brooke said, her voice trembling. "You haven't been at home for the past 2 weeks and I've been trying to juggle the release and Dayna and Emily without your help and I'm stressed out!"
"Brooke I'm so sorry, I know I haven't been at home but-"
"But what, Lucas? That gives you a reason to not help at ALL?"
"No that's not the point, Brooke, I-"
"See, Lucas? You're defending the fact that you come home at 9, eat dinner, and go to sleep, leaving me to feed OUR daughter and play with OUR daughter when I'm just as, if not more, tired than you!"
"Brooke I'm not defending my actions, I'm just apologizing for them" Lucas sighed.
"Whatever" Brooke said, walking out the room and heading towards the door. "I'm going to Vanessa's"
"When will you be back?"
"When I feel like it" Brooke snapped.
Over at Nathan and Haley's…
"Hey gorgeous" Nathan said, coming up behind Haley and kissing her. "How's the line coming along?"
"Pretty good, but Brooke and I have been under a lot of stress and Brooke called me and looks like Lucas has been way too busy with basketball and he hasn't been helping at all" Haley said.
"Oh that's bad" Nathan winced. "Brooke must be pretty angry"
"Yeah she stormed down the street to Vanessa's, I watched her go"
"Oh it must be really bad" Nathan said.
"Yeah I don't understand Brooke and Lucas. They constantly fight and argue and they're so different it's not even funny but yet they're like madly in love with each other"
"It's the mystery of Brooke and Lucas, isn't it?" Nathan laughed.
"Yep…" Haley chuckled. "Hey can you do me a favor and get Tristan some juice? He's been whining for like the past 10 minutes"
"Sure…Tristan, dude, we gotta get you a juice dispenser, its all you drink" Nathan laughed, pouring Tristan some apple juice. "Make sure you don't spill it on the carpet, ok?"
"Dad, I'm 6" Tristan said, holding up 6 fingers. "I'm good at this"
"Good" Nathan laughed. "Juice monster"
"Better that he drink juice than coke, right?" Haley said. "All Emily and Dayna want is coke…it amuses Brooke, really, to see them so caffeinated"
"Yeah…hey Luke and I have an away game in 2 weeks in Ohio…are you and Brooke planning to come?"
"Probably not…even though we're gonna hand over the responsibility for the line to the manager after tomorrow, I think Brooke and I are really gonna need a break"
"Yeah…well just think about it, ok?"
"Ok"
Over at Brooke and Lucas's…
Brooke walked down the street after a long talk with her friend, Vanessa. She entered the house quietly, though, careful to shut the door softly. It didn't work.
"MOMMY!" Emily came toddling in, pushing Dayna in her baby stroller with Lucas following closely behind.
"Emmy…baby…how's my fairy princess?" Brooke asked.
"Good…I made daddy fairy king and yous fairy queen" Emily said. "And Dayna's fairy duchess"
"Really?"
"Mhmm!" Emily said enthusiastically.
"Hey baby how about you run along with Dayna and I'll meet you there in 5 minutes? Be careful, ok?"
"Okays mommy"
"So…hi" Brooke said, looking up at Lucas.
"Hi…look, Brooke, I'm sorry I-"
"No I should be the sorry one, I was totally out of line yelling and accusing like that. Lucas, I understand basketball seasons coming up and you guys need to practice, I totally do…its just" Brooke said, tears spilling over. "I've missed you and I know the girls have and I've just been under stress. I shouldn't have exploded like that, I'm sorry"
"I've missed you too, Brooke. I'm sorry, I should at least try to help out at home" Lucas said, pulling Brooke into a hug. "I love you and you do so much for me and the girls I could never repay you…and Brooke your line is amazing its gonna be a hit"
"You think?"
"I know"
"I'm sorry for exploding like that, Lucas"
"It's ok" Lucas said, kissing her. "Come on, let's go do something alone"
"Ok…who's gonna watch the kids?"
"The 10 nannies you hired" Lucas asked.
"Touché, Lucas Scott, touché" Brooke giggled. "Race you to the park!"
A/N: Another fluffy chapter. Don't worry, I'm stirring up drama, don't you worryyyy. Review!