A/N: hey guys! I am so sorry for being MIA. I got busy with exams and couldn't write. I got back to writing as soon as I was done with my exams. Thank you for being so patient with me. Hope you like this chapter.

Lucas looked into those hazel eyes in shock. It felt like the clocks had stopped ticking, the earth had stopped spinning and everything around him had frozen. He knew those doe eyes, they held the same intensity as ever, they had the same power of rendering him speechless as ever.

Lucas had played this moment repeatedly in the past and after seeing her a couple of weeks ago he had again wondered about this moment, but when she ran off that night from the gala, he had planned to never see her or try to find her ever again. But here she was, standing in front of him when he had expected the least.

"Mommy!"

Abby squealed and hugged Brooke's leg, breaking his haze. He looked at the little girl and looked at Brooke again and realization dawned on him and hit him hard on his face.

Abby's voice had broken Brooke's trance too. She looked at her little girl and quickly kneeled down and took her in her arms.

"Baby are you alright!?"

Abby nodded and had guilt clearly written all over her face. Once Brooke was sure her little girl was alright, her concerns were replaced by disappointment .

"God, you gave mommy a scare. Where did you go? Haven't I told you enough never ever to leave the house alone. What if some bad man kidnapped you? What would have happened then?"

"No mommy this is a good man, he is my friend." said Abby with a dimpled smile.

As the scene played in front of him, Lucas watched with utter shock and disbelief. He had always felt there was something familiar about Abby but could never put a finger on it. Now he knew what was so familiar, it was Brooke. She had Brooke's looks, Brooke's smile, Brooke's nose, Brooke's personality.

Brooke had forgotten for a moment that Lucas was standing on her door. She looked up and a panic ran through her body.

"Abby go to you room." she commanded as she stood up.

"But mommy!" Abby whined a little.

Brooke glared at her daughter.

"Abigail Davis go to your room." she commanded in a calm tone.

The glare was enough to tell the little girl she was in trouble. Brooke never raised her voice at Abby and her eyes were always filled with love and care. But when on rare occasions she glared, Abby knew not to argue.

"come Abby I'll take you up." Jessi came running to her side.

Brooke glared at the babysitter.

"Not you Jessi, you'll stay here." said Brooke, her tone cold.

Abby looked at her babysitter apologetically.

"sorry muma" she sniffled and started walking towards the stairs.

"and Abby, we will talk about this later. I am very disappointed at you." Brooke said, trying to hide all the fear and pain in her voice, trying to sound strict and commanding. Abby hung her head low and walked up the stairs.

Once Brooke was sure Abby was back in her room, she glared at Jessi.

"cash is on the coffee table. Pick it up and leave. We won't need your services anymore." he said in a stone cold voice.

"Brooke, I.. I am sorry… Please…. This… this won't happen again…" Jessi pleaded.

"You lied to me! She has done this before and you never informed me? I would have never known if I wasn't home early today. I trusted you with Abby when you had no fucking experience no reference nothing!" Brooke's voice raised with every syllable.

"What If something happened to her? I would have made your life miserable, I swear!... Thank your stars my girl is fine or else trust me when I say this… you wouldn't find a job in this country…fuck… You wouldn't find a job on this planet…. I would have made sure of it." she hissed.

"I-I'm… Brooke really, I… I'm… really sorry." Jessi whispered through her tears.

"Just leave before I change my mind." commanded Brooke looking away from her.

Jessi picked up the envelope from the coffee and walked towards the door. Lucas stood there as the scene played in front of him, still shocked to his core. Brooke looked at him and gave him one of her fake smiles.

"Hi Lucas" she said softly.

"Brooke" he breathed out.

"thanks for bringing my girl home. I would have invited you in, but you see I have a kid to discipline." she said with a fake chuckle.

Lucas stood there dumbfounded.

"it was nice seeing you. Have a good day…. And yeah thanks again." she said while closing the door, her heart racing faster wit every moment.

Lucas finally reacted and held the door and looked at her intensely. Brooke knew what was coming next. She had avoided this for years, now when she had expected this the least, it came back to haunt her.

"Abby" he whispered holding his intense gaze at Brooke.

"Abby is m-my… My..." he stammered and saw fear flash through her eyes.

"oh god! She is mine!" he said, this time more confidently.

"No! She is not. Why would you even think that?" she let out a bitter chuckle.

"are you kidding me Brooke? Damnit! Abby is my daughter"

He trembled a little when the words left his mouth. A shiver ran down Brooke's spine hearing him call Abby his daughter.

"No Lucas… She is my daughter. Only mine." she hissed.

Before Lucas could say any further the elevator opened. Neal came out of it. He was confused looking by the sight in front of him. As soon as Brooke saw him, she was a little relieved to see the friendly face. She walked to him and hugged him. Neal looked at both of them, confused by what was going on, confused why Lucas Scott was here and confused why Brooke was distressed by this. He felt the tension between the two.

"Hey! What happened? Are you alright?... Brooke?" said Neal, petting her hair.

Brooke pulled from the hug and looked at him.

"what are you doing here?" she asked in confusion. They weren't supposed to meet today, so why was he here? She was relieved at first, but then she didn't want anyone to know her connection with Lucas.

"Millie called me. She said you were distressed and she has a meeting so couldn't stay with you but told me that I need to come here. Said you'll need me or something? I was just nearby so I came as soon as possible.. But What's going on?" he asked still so very confused about what was happening.

"Nothing… but do me a favor please." Brooke requested in a crocked voice.

"Anything...tell me"

"can you please take Abby out… Somewhere… Anywhere….please."

"yeah sure… But what's wrong?"

Brooke shook her head "please…don't ask me anything right now…just take her somewhere…. Please Neal" she begged him.

"okay… Okay.. Where is she?"

"Brooke" Lucas interrupted.

"No Lucas. Please.. I am not doing this… Not in front of my daughter." she said sternly and Lucas fell silent.

Brooke called out Abby and the little girl came down running.

"Hey buttercup!" Neal smiled at her.

"Neal!" Abby squealed in joy at the sight of her favorite person.

Neal picked her up in his arms. Lucas watched Abby interacting with Neal, but saw she had no similarities with him. She looked just like Brooke,but had his eyes. She was his little girl. His heart clenched at how she was happily squealing in the other man's arms.

"hey partner! I was going to our favorite ice-cream shop. You wanna give me company?" Neal jovially asked Abby.

Abby nervously looked at her mother. Abby knew she had done wrong today and mommy won't allow ice-cream. She gave Brooke the sad puppy dog eyes.

"Mommy can I… Please? I'll be good I promise"

Brooke smiled at her little girl.

"okay, but we will talk about this sneaking out business you have been up to when you come back home."

Abby frowned a little but then smiled as at least she would get some ice-cream before the scolding that was due. Her mommy and her favorite writer friend forgotten, she went away with her favorite person.

Lucas saw his little girl leaving and felt helpless as he couldn't stop her. He wanted to hug her and tell her that she had a daddy.. He was her daddy.

When Neal and Abby left Lucas pulled Brooke by her arm, forced her to look into his eyes.

"she has my eyes." he whispered and Brooke shut her eyes.

"look into my eyes Brooke… Look into my eyes and tell me she isn't mine." he challenged her.

Brooke shoved him, freed herself and turned around.

"A lot of people have blue eyes Lucas. That doesn't make her your.. Your daughter." she crossed her arms.

Lucas laughed humorlessly.

"seriously! You are still going to do this? Brooke please… I-I feel it, I know it… She is mine. Whenever I met Abby I felt a connection. Now I know why… Please don't do this.." he begged.

Brooke laughed bitterly "why? Don't you think now, that she could be Chris Keller's daughter?"

"what?" Lucas was confused. Where did Chris Keller come from?

"yeah… When I was pregnant with her, you asked me if she was Chris Keller's. So yes, she could be Chris Keller's or anyone else's for that matter, but she isn't yours." said Brooke, quickly knocking a tear away.

"Fuck Brooke that was once, six fucking years ago. Are you going to hold that on me?" she yelled at her. He couldn't believe Brooke had kept his daughter away because of that stupid reason.

"You said that to me in junior year too, when I had a pregnancy scare." she chuckled but her voice crocked with impending tears.

"Junior year? Oh god! Are you insane or what?" Lucas yelled.

Brooke didn't answer him. Lucas raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself. He knew he couldn't get angry. He knew he has to keep calm to go through this conversation. He toned Brooke around and cupped her cheeks. Brooke felt a shiver run down her body at his touch and closed her eyes to stop her tears but the tears came running down nonetheless.

"Brooke please don't do this. She is my daughter, you know this. She is our daughter." he said as calmly as he could in this situation.

Brooke jerk ed his hands away and stepped back. She had to be away from him, she couldn't be that close to him. She cursed herself internally for still being affected by his touch.

"don't touch me Lucas. Just don't! She is my daughter. Not yours just mine. This conversation is over. Now get out before I call the security." she hissed.

Lucas felt his anger boiling over.

"This conversation is not over Brooke. I don't give a fuck about what you think and what you say. If I have to, I will take you to the courts to get my daughter back." he warned and walked away leaving Brooke in tears.

-x-

Nathan sat in the locker room after the practice. Drenched in sweat with patted his face with a towel when his phone rang.

"Hey babe!" he answered with a smile.

"Hey husband, what you doing?"

"just got free from practice."

"Awwh I thought I'll see your sexy ass on the court. It's been too long." Haley bit her lips.

"mmh..I miss your sexy ass too baby.. So much… hey wait… What did you just say? Are you here?" his voice lit up. He quickly went out of the locker room and saw his son and wife walking towards him.

"Daddy!" Jamie squealed and came running towards him. Nathan picked him up in his arms and hugged him tightly.

"champ!" He laughed as Jamie wiggled away from him because of how sweaty he was.

"are you surprised to see us dad?" Jamie asked as Nathan put him down.

"Yes! Very surprised. I am soo happy to see you son. I missed you."

"I missed you too daddy" Jamie hugged his leg melting his heart.

"ey little man!"

"uncle skills!" Jamie squealed and happily ran to his daddies friend and team-mate.

"hey handsome" Haley swayed towards Nathan.

Nathan pulled her by her waist and planted his lips on her. She ram her fingers through his damp hair and sighed into the kiss. It had been so long. Nathan had been living in New York with his team as he had regular practices and with the upcoming game, travelling back and forth was tiring. Haley and Jamie lived in their house in New Jersey as they had work and school. Now being in his arms felt like she was being held after ages. Nathan kissed her hungrily, he had missed her so much, you'd think seven years of marriage would somewhat fade their passion but it seemed like with every passing day they just loved each other more, they needed each other more.

They pulled away from their kiss laughing when some team members hooted at them. Nathan kissed her forehead.

"Baby, I missed you so much" he said.

"mmmh… me too. I just couldn't stay away anymore. I had to see you, so Jamie and I took a day off." she smiled.

"shit! We have a meeting today" he frowned.

"it's okay honey, we just wanted to see you. And anyways we will be busy too. You son has planned out the whole day." she rolled her eyes and chuckled. He laughed and shook his head and pulled her into his chest. They both sighed contentedly happy to close to each other for whatever time they have.

-x-

Brooke fiddled with a mannequin in her 5th avenue c/b store. Since Lucas' visit last evening, she had been fidgety and could hardly concentrate on her work. She replayed the conversation again and again in her head. She recalled the threat he gave her before leaving and every time she did so, she felt a chill down her spine.

Last night when Neal was back with Abby, they put her sleep and then she talked to him. She told Neal everything.

{Flash-back starts}

"now will you tell me what was that? Why was Lucas Scott here? I mean, I didn't even know that you knew him?" asked Neal.

Brooke sighed sadly and took a sip of her wine which she had been drinking since Lucas left."You know I told you about Abby's father." she gnawed her lower lip.

"Yeah… That asshole who cheated on you with your best friend and that idiot left you for her when you were pregnant." he huffed, he didn't know that guy, but still didn't like him.

Brooke shook her head, "no, I told you he didn't leave me, I left him and he didn't know I was pregnant."

"yeah, whatever! He let you go. Must be a fool. But why are we talking about him?"

She smiled a little at how partial her friend was to her.

"Well that high school boyfriend is Lucas Scott" Neal almost choked on this wine and Brooke bit her lips.

"what? Fuck! Really?" his eyes widened in shock.Brooke nodded guiltily.

"I have tried to keep Abby away from him as much as possible,but I don't know how they just met. And now he has guessed that she is his daughter. I tried to convince him otherwise, but he won't listen. He has threatened to take me to court. It's so messed up Neal, I don't know what to do." she frowned.

Neal put his arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder."Babes, whatever you do I'm always at your side you know that right?" he said and Brooke nodded. She knew whatsoever Neal was a person she could always count on, he was her person.

"But I think you'll have to let him into Abby's life." he said and Brooke's head snapped up. She sat away from him and she looked at him angrily, crossing her arms defensively.

"hey! Come on, just listen to me." he held her hand and pulled her close.

"See, if he goes to the court, things can get worse. He can hold a lot of things against you. You didn't tell him about the pregnancy, you kept him away from his daughter for six years,in fact he had no fucking idea that he had a daughter until today and there is nothing you have against him. He is successful, I don't think he does drugs or anything, he has a good reputation as far as I know. So there isn't much you'd be able to do. What if he demands a full custody?" he reasoned and saw fear flashing in her eyes.

Brooke knew everything what he just said,but hearing it just made it more clear. She had to let him into Abby's life, or else she might lose her. She couldn't lose Abby, she would die if she lost her. Everything was so messed up. She buried her face in Neal's chest and sobbed.

{flash-back ends}

Brooke shook her head, she had to talk to Lucas. She remembered the night of the fundraiser ball, when his editor had said Lucas was staying in that hotel, maybe she could call the reception desk of the Empire and ask to speak to him. She sighed and pulled out her phone from the back pocket for her jeans. She was looking for the number of the hotel when her shop's door opened. She looked up to find Lucas standing in front of her.

"Brooke just hear me out, please." he begged.

"how did you know I was here?" her eyes widened and shoulders tensed.

"I went to you headquarter, you P.A...umm..Millicent said you'd be here." he explained.

She kept looking at him in shock but her shoulders relaxed. Seeing her relaxing a little, he continued.

"Look, I'm really sorry for last evening. I shouldn't have threatened you."

Brooke looked around, there were customers and her employees all around.

"let's discuss this in my office." she said in a low tone, not wanting anyone to hear them. He nodded and followed her into her office.

Brooke closed the door and turned towards him. Lucas sighed.

"I was angry, hell I still am angry you kept my daughter away from me,but I shouldn't have threatened you, I am really sorry about that. Brooke, I would never take Abby away from you, I can never do that. I know how much it hurts, I'll never do that to you." he said in a voice laced with pain.

Brooke looked down and twisted her fingers.

"I wasn't expecting you, and was shocked to see you and reacted badly. I am sorry."

Brooke sighed and looked up at him. For the first time she noticed his face properly. He was still as handsome as he was in high school, maybe more. He had matured and looked more rugged but still had the boyish charm that she had fallen for. She noticed he had grown a little taller in these past years and had become more muscular, and more sexy. She shook her head slightly to concentrate on the conversation and not on him.

"it's okay, I understand Brooke. I don't blame you for anything. But please don't say that she isn't mine please. Please let me be in her life…. I beg of you" he said in a croacked voice.

She saw the pain in his eyes and sighed defeatedly.

"Okay yes, she is your daughter, Lucas" she whispered and relief washed over his features.

"You can be in her life if want to,but she stays with me. You don't take her away."

"God! yes,absolutely! Thank you…Thank you so much" he smiled and pulled her into a hug with thinking.

She closed her eyes and stiffened into his arms and he pulled back.

"Auntie Brooke!" a voice called out and Brooke lit up. She ran out of her office to find her favorite godson standing there.

"hey champ! What a surprise" she kneeled down and hugged him tightly and he hugged her back just as tightly.

"we are surprising everyone today. First daddy and now you" he giggled and she giggled with him.

"Look who I found lurking in the alley!" announced Haley as she stepped in tagging two people along with her.

Brooke looked up and squeaked.

"Bitch you are back!"

Brooke stood up and hugged her redhead best friend.

"Yeah can't leave New York in the hands of a slut can I now?" Rachel joked and Haley swatted both her friends on their heads for using bad words in front of Jamie.

"sorry mom!" both the girls said in unison and giggled.

Brooke smiled at the tall strong man in front of her and pulled him into her tiny arms. He laughed and hugged her back encasing her in his huge arms.

"big O!" she squealed .

"I am happy to see you too" Owen chuckled.

"when did you guys get back? Oh.. Oh.. How was your honeymoon?" Brooke asked excitedly.

"Uncle Luke!" Jamie squealed in surprise to see his uncle coming out of the office and ran to him.

"shit!" Brooke cursed under her breath. She had heard Jamie's voice and ran out of her office and then she saw Haley, Rachel and Owen and totally forgot about the blonde in her office.

"Hey J. Luke! How are you man?" he said as he hugged him. He stared coldly at his best friend.

Haley was shocked to see him here. It had been more than a month they had spoken and more than two years that they had met. Nathan had sent him his game tickets as he always did but they were sure he wouldn't make it to the game, as always. In fact Haley had no idea he was back from London and was in New York. And then it suddenly struck her. Fear crossed her eyes and she looked at Brooke and Rachel was looking at Brooke too with the same expressions on her face. Owen looked confused by all that was going on. Brooke pulled a deep breath and spoke up breaking the silence.

"O, this is Lucas,.. Umm.. Abby's father… and Lucas his is Owen, Rachel's husband, they just got married." Owen looked at him in surprise. This is the first time he had heard of him. He had always wondered, but never asked about it as he didn't want to pry.

Haley and Rachel shared a knowing look. They knew this was Brooke's way to subtlety inform them that Lucas knows.

"Hey man!" Owen extended his hand.

"Hi, and congratulations" he smiled politely.

"thank you" Owen smiled and looked at his bride lovingly.

Lucas glared at Haley.

"hey Luke… How are you? When did you get back." she said nervously.

He scoffed and looked at Brooke.

"Brooke I'll see you later. Call me whenever you are ready." he slid his business card in her hand and walked out of the store giving Haley a final glare and leaving them staring at each other.

-xx-