Many days, weeks, and months passed for Brooke and Lucas monotonously. They were both hard at work at their degrees and Lucas was being seriously considered by the Cleveland Cavaliers coach.
Before they knew it, it was March of their third year of college. Audrina was a bubbling, happy, energetic 2 and a half year old, and Brooke and Lucas were both pushing 21.
"Daddy" Audrina giggled, climbing all over Lucas as he pored over his English assignment.
"Audrina, baby, you're messing up my poetry papers" Lucas laughed, prying her loose and tickling her.
"Lucas Eugene Scott!"
"Uh oh" Lucas laughed.
"Did you use my shampoo again?" Brooke said, coming in hurriedly. Motherhood and stress had done absolutely nothing to her stunning figure and flawless face. She was as pretty, if not prettier, than when Lucas had first fallen head over heels in love with her.
"No, babe, why would I use a shampoo called Fruit Passion?"
"I don't know, Lucas, maybe because you're a little gay?" Brooke suggested, giggling.
"Hey-!" Lucas didn't have time to protest because Audrina started giggling loudly. "What's so funny missy?"
"I's used it on Sasha!" Audrina giggled. "For her bath!"
"Audrina…" Brooke giggled. She couldn't help laughing as the little yorkie pranced her way into the room smelling like Brooke's Fruit Passion.
"She smells good now" Audrina giggled, hiding under a pillow.
"You little minion…you get tickled for being such a bad girl" Brooke said, laughing. She grabbed Audrina and started tickling her, causing the little girl to squeal with delight.
"Daddy…saves me…"
"Brooke don't torture my princess" Lucas said, not even looking up from his papers.
"Come on baby Daddy's being responsible and studying" Brooke giggled, sticking her tongue out at Lucas.
"Brooke" Lucas laughed and shook his head.
Meanwhile…
"Hey beautiful" Nathan whispered as Haley walked into their room after her early morning cardio. Haley was strong and healthy now, after lots of eating right, exercising, and taking it easy. It had been a long road, but she had recovered nicely. One thing had been devastating for her- she couldn't have children anymore. Nathan knew how much that upset her. He wished every day he could do something to end her unhappiness. It wasn't like Haley was depressed- she was chirpy and happy Haley as usual. She was just sad she couldn't have kids.
"Hi handsome" Haley said, plopping down on the bed with her nutrition bar. "So Brooke called me, they want us to come over later. She says Audrina hasn't seen her favorite aunt in forever and she's sad"
"Brooke really has changed, hasn't she?" Nathan said.
"Yeah" Haley said. "In a good way, though. Audrina had a lot to do with it"
"Yeah" Nathan said. "Look, Hales, I wanted to talk to you"
"About?"
"The kids situation…I wish everyday I could change it" Nathan said. "I know I can't-"
"Nathan, sweetheart, don't worry about it" Haley said a little sadly. "I'm fine"
"But Hales, I know you really want kids and I…I don't know what to say to you to make it better"
"Nathan" Haley said. "I love you for saying that, but we both know we can't do anything about it"
"I know" Nathan wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry"
"Don't be" Haley said. "Life goes on"
"I miss my mommy" Haley whined as she sat on Brooke's couch with Audrina in her lap.
"I don't really miss my mommy" Brooke laughed.
"Yeah I can't believe she just showed up like that…super weird" Haley said.
"She's psycho, she keeps calling" Brooke said, rolling her eyes.
"Maybe you should give her a chance, Brooke" Nathan said. "She is your mother"
"I know" Brooke sighed. "She seems to have changed but that woman will do anything to break me and Lucas apart and get Audrina sent away so she can marry me to one of her rich boys"
"But you love me better, right?" Lucas pouted.
"Of course" Brooke laughed, rolling her eyes.
"Mommy…" Audrina whined. "I's hungry"
"What do you want baby?"
"Ice cream!"
"Audrina…" Brooke said.
"Mommy I want ice cream!" Audrina whined.
"Audrina Lindsey I don't wanna fight with you again. No ice cream!"
"But mommy…"
"N-O NO Audrina" Brooke said.
"Fine" Audrina pouted. "Pasa?"
"You may have pasta" Brooke said. "Come with me to the kitchen"
"Aunt Haley comes too?"
"Sure" Haley laughed, getting up and following the little brunette into the kitchen.
"I's gonna have pasa!"
"It's her favorite thing to eat" Brooke laughed, heating it up.
"Ice cream betters"
"You can have that for desert munchkin" Brooke said. "Do you want me to feed you?"
"Yeah" Audrina giggled.
Lucas and Nathan were sitting in the living room. Nathan noticed Lucas was watching Brooke intently. As soon as her back turned, he motioned for Nathan to follow him outside.
"Where are you going, Broody?" Brooke asked.
"Oh…I'm gonna show Nathan the new…thing" Lucas said hurrying out the door. Haley and Brooke exchanged a glance.
"What is it dude?" Nathan asked.
"Ok, the Cavalier's coach called me" Lucas breathed in. "He wants me to be on the team"
"DUDE! That's freaking AWESOME" Nathan said.
"SHHH…I'd have to move to OHIO" Lucas said.
"When?"
"End of June"
"Dude…they're the CLEVELEND CAVALIERS"
"I know"
"What would your starting pay be?"
"4 million for the contract alone, additional depending on how I play"
"Dude…"
"I know and the coach really, really wants me" Lucas said. "He's been leaving messages"
"Damn, Luke, I'd be an idiot if I told you not to take this opportunity and run"
"I know…but what about Brooke? And Audrina? I mean Brooke is doing SO GOOD here and I know how badly she wants to be an interior designer and I just…"
"I know…have you talked to her yet? I mean she can go to college in Ohio"
"No I haven't talked to her" Lucas shook his head. "I don't know what to say…it would devastate her. Ohio is far and she's got everything to loose"
"She'll just have to decide what matters to her more" Nathan said. "Dude this is such a good opportunity"
"I know" Lucas sighed. "It's been keeping me up"
"You have to tell her"
"I know"
"LUCAS!" Brooke yelled. "Dinner!" she looked so happy and motherly in her apron with apples on it, it broke Lucas's heart. Whatever happens, we wont break up he vowed.
"Coming babe" Lucas said. Nathan eyed him and they went into the house.
"Hey, you ok?" Brooke stopped Lucas as Nathan went ahead into the dining room.
"Yeah…you know I love you, right?"
"Of course"
A/N: Review, please. I've gotten hardly any for the last few chapters.