Chapter Two:

Megan POV

The game is about twenty minutes away from starting as I am just finishing up getting warmed up with the rest of my cheerleading squad. The basketball team is loosening up too. I see Dad and Uncle Skills standing on the side lines and decide to wish them good luck.

"If it isn't my beautiful niece", my Uncle Skills cheers as I walk up to him. He throws his arms around me and swings me around. "Happy birthday Meg".

"Thanks Uncle Skills", I smile back and kiss his cheek.

My Dad is looking at us smiling and I can't help but wink his way.

"Hey you look handsome tonight", I say and walk over to fix his tie so it's tighter on his collar.

"Well thank you very much", Dad says and leans down to kiss my forehead.

"Good luck tonight Dad. I'll be cheering for you", I smile and start to head off.

"Hey Meg wait", my Dad yells and I turn around to look at him.

"Yeah Dad", I question him as he just stares at me, unable to talk.

"There's something you should know", he starts to say but is cut off when I hear my name being yelled. I turn around to see Aunt Peyton and Uncle Jake start walking towards us.

"Aunt Peyton", I start screaming and run towards my Aunt. She opens her arms wide open as I grab onto her. She squeezes tight and kisses my cheek.

"Happy Birthday Meg", Aunt Peyton cheers. I smile even wider than before and try not to cry because of how excited I am to see her.

"Thanks Aunt Peyton", I say and hug her once more. "I've missed you so much".

"And what am I chopped liver", Uncle Jake laughs which makes me turn to throw my arms around him.

"I've missed you too Uncle Jake. I'm so happy you guys are here", I say lean up to kiss his cheek.

"Hey Peyt, Hey Jake", my Dad suddenly cheers and hugs my Uncle and Aunt.

"Hey Coach. You excited for the game tonight", Aunt Peyton says and pulls me over so one of her arms are over my shoulder. I lean my head on hers and sigh. My Aunt Peyton means the world to me. I remember being little and she would babysit all the time. I always wanted an Aunt Peyton as my best friend to, because I was taught there wasn't anything stronger than my Mom and hers friendship. She visits every holiday and has taught me so much about music and life. She's one of my biggest role models and I completely admire her.

"Yeah of course, the first one of the season is always a big deal. I didn't know you guys were coming though", Lucas says and gives Aunt Peyton a questioning look.

"I told Megan earlier this week. I figured she told you", Aunt Peyton answers and looks at me worried.

"Sorry I must have forgotten", I shrug and look at my Dad.

"No big deal. It's like a family reunion", he says excitingly and I notice he keeps staring at the doors of the gym.

"Wait, who else is coming", Aunt Peyton says and Dad looks at her with a stern look.

"Oh my gosh, is Grandma Karen and Grandpa Andy coming", I scream. My Dad's eyes go big as he sees how thrilled I am. He then looks towards the doors and can't look at me.

"No they aren't coming", he says but stops talking when he sees who walks in.

I turn around, starting to get nervous, and see my Mother walk in with Uncle Nathan and Aunt Haley. My mouth drops and I completely freeze. I look at my Dad who has a small smile on his face and is looking straight at my Mom, who is looking straight at him with the same look on her face.

"Mom", I scream and every eye is now on me as the three of them walk up to the four of us.

It's the most awkward situation I've ever been in. My Mom is staring at me and I could almost swear she was sending death glares towards Aunt Peyton until she let her arm off of me. I look at her, still dumfounded that she is even here, and start clearing my throat.

"What are you doing here", I whisper and try to control my voice. To say I am shocked would be an understatement. But this is a typical Mom move, barging into my life any time that she wants.

"Jake lets go get our seats", Aunt Peyton suddenly says and starts to walk away with Uncle Jake.

"Wait are you guys going to come to the café later for my party", I scream and grab my Aunt's hand.

"Of course we are. I'll see you later", Aunt Peyton whispers and kisses my cheek goodbye as the couple walks over to the bleachers.

I turn around and see my Mom look at my Dad with a sad look, he had to of known she was coming. And she must have made him keep it a secret. I can't believe this.

Brooke POV

This was a mistake. Why the hell was Peyton here? And why was she acting like she and my daughter were so close? I know I told her three months ago to not talk to my daughter or me again. Obviously she didn't get the hint the first time. That will be on the list of things I have to do before I leave.

Megan is just standing there staring at me and I can't find words to answer her question. It breaks my heart that she is asking me why I am here, on her birthday, to watch her cheer. The only question I have been asking myself since I got here is why did I ever leave? And looking at her now, I can't believe I could even leave. She gets more beautiful every time I see her. Her beauty is actually startling. Her hair is long brown and gorgeous and has a great little body. She's not too tiny but not too thick and is petite. The one thing I can't help but stare at is her piercing blue eyes which are the exact color of her fathers. And that's when I look at him, which eyes I knew were on me the moment I walked into the gym, and almost felt like I could melt. He is staring at me with his brooding look and has his small grin on his face. My heart skips a beat for a second and I take a deep breath to try and answer.

"Happy birthday Meg", Nathan suddenly says and walks over to hug and kiss her. She smiles at him, hugs him back, and takes her attention towards Haley.

I turn and look at Lucas and release my breath.

"Hey Luke", I shrug and give him a friendly hug. He hugs me back and I can hear him release a breath as well. It's so awkward between us lately, and I just wish it could go back to the way it was. But it will never be that way, I ruined it.

"It's good to see you Brooke. Thanks for coming", Lucas says and let's go of me.

"So you knew she was coming", Megan suddenly questions and is now standing in front of us.

Lucas rolls his eyes and pinches the bridge in between his nose.

"I made him promise not to tell you I was coming. I wanted to surprise you", I spit out, trying to help Lucas out in this war that I created. "So surprise", I shout and open my arms out wide.

Megan just stares completely astonished that I would even say those words and rolls her eyes.

"Well thanks for coming, Mom. Bye", Megan says and starts to walk away.

"Not so fast", I shout and grab her arm so she can look at me. "You can be mad at me all you want. But I just flew from New York to come see my only daughter. Now just let me hug you and see you cheer. That's all I ask".

Megan looks away from me, towards the ground, and takes a steady breath. Suddenly she throws her arms around me and I quickly hug her.

Our embrace is sweet and loving as I turn my face to kiss her head. "I missed you", I whisper in her ear and squeeze her one last time. She looks at me with a small smile on her face and nods her head. She looks uncomfortable now and I can't help feel a stab at my heart because of it.

"I have to go now. I'll see you guys later", Megan announces and looks at everyone else except for me when she leaves.

I turn to look at Lucas who shakes his head at the retreating image of our daughter.

"I swear she is just as dramatic as you were back in the day", Lucas whispers and walks over to the ravens bench. I don't know if I should feel insulted or happy to know Megan is a lot like me. But I just roll my eyes and walk with Haley and Nathan to get good seats to watch the game, which are nowhere near Peyton and Jakes seats.

I see Megan send a look my way as she is standing in her cheer formation as the game is starting. I send her a smile and try not to take it badly when she just looks away from me.

It's then that I know I didn't just hurt my daughter with my decision three months ago, I broke her. And I can't help but have a feeling in my heart that this isn't the way life should have gone. But maybe, I'm supposed to fix this. I have to fix this. My eyes find Lucas's, like they have since the game started, and I can't help but feel my heart drop just by looking at him. The answer to all my problems all revolves around him.

Lucas POV

The ravens win 70-42 tonight and I couldn't be more proud. We have a really good team this year and I'm hoping to lead them to a state championship. Coaching the Ravens has been one of the biggest thrills of my life and I can't help but be thankful for this. I'm hoping to follow in Whitey's footsteps and be some way legendary like he was in my life.

The gym is semi-empty with people just sitting on the bleachers. I'm sitting on the side lines, waiting for Megan to get changed in the girl's locker rooms. Instead of Megan walking towards me though, I can't help but swallow the lump in my throat when Brooke comes over to me.

"Good game tonight", she says and it makes me smile. I nod my head, trying to hide the smile on my face, and look up to see her sit next to me.

"Doesn't it feel like yesterday we were cheering and playing basketball? Not watching our daughter cheer from the sidelines or our god son play", Brooke says sweetly. I take a deep breath, letting those memories flood through my mind and nod my head. It did feel like yesterday, but that's not what life is like anymore.

"Lucas, I don't know how to say this. But you know I am sorry", Brooke whispers and reaches her hand to touch mine. "I never meant to hurt you".

I sigh and try not to notice that her hand on me is so warm and feels so right. "Yeah well someone once told me that it all hurts just the same", I whisper and lift her hand off of mine.

"Lucas please, you of all people should know it's not easy for me to come back here. But Megan and you barely take my phone calls. The only way I can hear what's been up with my family is from Haley", Brooke protests and I can't help but roll my eyes.

"What family", I hiss at her and suddenly wish I could take it back. She looks like she just got punched in the stomach and holds her hand to her chest.

"Megan is my family. You were once too", she responds but I just shake my head.

"Julian is your family Brooke. Your life is in New York. This isn't anymore", I answer and stand up to walk away.

"That's not fair Luke. You know I care about you so much", Brooke says and reaches for my arm and turns me to look at her.

I smile sadly at her and take a deep breath. I lift my hand to touch her face and push her bangs out of her eyes.

"I know Brooke", I nod my head and trace her cheek one last time. "Just not enough", I whisper and drop my hand away.

"Lucas please, can you just meet me later tonight at my hotel room. We really need to talk", Brooke says and I can see it in her eyes she is begging me. One of my many weaknesses is telling the Brooke Davis no, so I nod my head lightly.

"Dad", I hear Megan shout and I turn around to see her look at us strangely.

"Hey birthday girl, ready to go", I smile and try to act like everything is normal. I walk over and grab her book bag to throw over my shoulder.

I start to walk away when I look behind to see Megan is staring at Brooke.

"Meg, come on", I laugh but see Megan look at me with a small smile.

"Mom, aren't you coming", Megan shyly says and my chin almost drops to the floor. So does Brooke's but she smiles at Megan, with what I think are tears in her eyes.

"If it's alright with your Dad, of course", Brooke answers and looks at me shrugging.

Megan looks at me, nodding her head for me to know it's what she wants and I smile.

"Sure", I say and turn around to walk towards the car with the two girls I love the most in tow.