-1A/N: I just wanted to say another quick thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed this story. I really love reading what you guys have to say! Keep them coming!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
Lucas couldn't sleep. He had been tossing and turning for hours. He was mad at himself for calling Brooke the way he had. He just couldn't deal with her and the fallout from this right now. He knew he would have to tell her sooner or later but right now later was sounding good. Finally Lucas admitted to himself that he wasn't going to get any sleep that night. He got up and put his clothes back on. Quietly he made his way out of the house. Starting his car he decided to head home. He figured Brooke would be asleep and he could just slip in and get some rest.
His hopes of a quiet return were dashed when he saw lights on in his house. Sighing he tried to figure out what he was going to say to Brooke. When nothing immediately came to mind he decided to just wing it. He was greeted by the sight of Brooke sitting on the couch surrounded by her luggage.
"Brooke, what?" He started, gesturing at the suitcases sitting at her feet.
"I've got a show to do in Paris. I wasn't going to go but after tonight I've changed my mind. I'm waiting for the taxi now." She said to him without emotion. He could see that she had been crying at some point. Lucas rubbed his forehead. He should have known. Whenever things got the tiniest bit difficult she ran. Well, she'd have a lot to think about on her trip after he told her about Lauren.
"Fine. We need to talk first though." Lucas conceded. Brooke started to shake her head no, when he continued.
"You may not have anything to say to me but I have to tell you something. I know you're mad as hell right now. I know I messed up by not coming home but I've been dealing with a lot tonight. I saw Peyton at the café and.." He trailed off. Brooke's expression had gone from indifference to a death stare at Peyton's name. He knew she was assuming the worst.
"It's nothing like that Brooke. I saw her at the café with her daughter, Lauren. Peyton told me, uh, she told me that Lauren is my daughter." Lucas finally managed to say.
Just then he heard faint honking and realized that Brooke's taxi was outside. Brooke heard it too and started to gather her things and leave. He followed her out waiting for her to give him some sort of reply.
"Brooke!" He yelled as she kept walking. Suddenly she whirled around.
"And you just had to believe her didn't you Lucas? Never once did you question it? You know I've always thought that Peyton and Jake were together behind your back and you just assume the kid is yours because she says so? How damn foolish can you be Lucas?" Brooke screamed. She was right. The thought had never crossed Lucas's mind. He knew that Peyton wouldn't lie to him about this. Keep it from him, yes, but outright lie? Never, not to him.
"I know she's telling the truth Brooke, I've seen Lauren. She looks exactly like me." Lucas said, defending Peyton.
"I've seen her too and she looks like Peyton." Brooke said angrily as she threw her suitcases in the trunk of the cab.
"Brooke, you have to stay. We have to talk about this." Lucas ordered her angrily.
"The hell I do. I'll be back in two weeks. You deal with this Lucas." Brooke said, her implications clear. Lucas just stared as she got into cab and told the cab driver to take her to the airport.
Lucas watched her drive away with feeling of dread rising in the pit of his stomach. Brooke was furious with him. He was sure Charity probably wasn't happy with him either. She hated when there was discord amongst them.
Lucas made his way into the house. He needed to sleep. To forget that this night existed for at least a little while. He was tempted to stop when he heard Charity's alarm going off but exhaustion was finally catching up to him. He fell into bed and was asleep almost before his head hit the pillow.
He was rudely awakened by the sound of the phone ringing. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was well after noon. He lay in bed listening to the ringing. He had no desire to talk to anyone just then. He heard the machine pick up in the living room. He heard Brooke's bubbly voice stating that the caller had reached the Scott's house followed by instructions to leave a message. After the beep he heard a very different sounding Brooke tell them that she had made it to Paris safely and that she would call when she had more time. She sounded hollow and Lucas wasn't sure if it were her or the fact that she was calling from another continent.
Luke sighed and decided that he might as well get up for the day. Charity would be home soon and he had a lot to explain to her. He wondered if she had met Lauren. He vaguely remembered someone mentioning something about a captain's spot but he had no idea what sport she played. He heard Charity coming in the front door and he hurried down to meet her.
"Hey sweetie." He greeted her with a smile. She looked as tired as he felt.
"How was practice?" He asked.
"Hey dad. It was good, hard, but good. This squad, well my squad I guess, is really good. Especially Lauren, my co-captain." Charity said.
Lucas let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"What's Lauren's last name?" He asked.
"Sawyer, I guess mom was friends with her mom, Peyton I think she said." Charity explained.
"Yeah, I know. Uh, listen, there's something I need to tell you and it involves Lauren and Peyton actually." He began, sitting down on the couch and patting a spot beside him for Charity.
Charity gave him a confused look and sat down. Lucas sat for a few minutes trying to collect his thoughts. This was looking to be a lot harder than he thought.