A/N: Thank you for the awesome reviews! And thanks to my beta: Leeese

Chapter Two

Settling In

"Where are we going? I thought we were going back to my house," Brooke asked Haley in a confused tone as she drove them in a different direction home than they normally took.

Haley just gave her a smile as she said, "I know where we can find the perfect place to have an afternoon snack."

Brooke gave her a confused look. "What's a better place than my house? I have plenty of snacks there."

Haley knew that she had a point. "Yeah, but none of them are home-cooked meals," she replied. Before Brooke could say a word, Haley went on. "Home-cooked meals aren't just for lunch and dinner. You can have one at snack time too."

"You're crazy," Brooke replied as her confusion increased.

"No, I'm not. You need to start stepping out of your comfort zone if you want to date Lucas," Haley said as they pulled up in front of an empty building. Brooke frowned and looked at her best friend. The confused expression was still on her face. "This place might look empty, but it won't be for long."

Brooke raised her eyebrows. "This is the place where we are going to get our home cooked meals? Why would we do that?"

Haley gave her a look. "Because it's going to be Karen's Café." Brooke was surprised. "Didn't Lucas tell you? Or were you too busy talking about basketball and cheerleading to ask?"

"We didn't talk about our personal lives, remember?" Brooke reminded her before she turned back to the empty place. "So is Lucas here?" she asked hopefully.

"Actually, both Nathan and Lucas have to help their parents unpack boxes for the next few days, but that doesn't mean we can't bring them a 'Welcome to Tree Hill' present," Haley replied before Brooke could get too disappointed.

Brooke gave her a wide smile. "Tutor Girl, you are a genius."

Haley smiled proudly. "I know."

Brooke had a thoughtful look on her face as she spoke. "Now what exactly are we looking for? I really don't think clothes are the perfect gift this time."

"Well, most of the neighbors will probably bring food," Haley told her.

"We'll have to be more creative than that. After all, I don't do food," Brooke replied as she made a face.

Haley laughed. "I know you don't which is why I didn't suggest it," she said. "So why don't we give the Scotts a grand tour of Tree Hill?" she suggested. "Of course, I'm sure the guys already have found the River Court by now. It's hard to miss."

"So are we going to sit here all day or are we going to find Lucas and Nathan?" Brooke asked anxiously.

"I think we'll go and stop by their house," Haley replied. She smiled as she added, "You're lucky that I have their address."

It didn't take long for the two to arrive at the Scott house. Haley pulled up into the driveway and Brooke looked at the house surprised. "It looks so small compared to yours," she told Haley as they got out of the car.

Haley gave her a look. "You're kidding, right?"

Brooke didn't have a chance to reply as the front door opened. Karen walked out onto the front porch and across the lawn over to the two. They noticed that she wasn't alone. A little girl with brunette hair was with her. However, she was hiding behind her mother.

Karen gave them a welcoming smile as she greeted them. "Hello girls. This is certainly a surprise. I didn't expect you two to come by until after we've unpacked. So I hope you don't mind the mess." She then changed the subject as she turned to her daughter. "I'd like you to meet Lily, my daughter. Lily, this is Brooke and Haley. They are friends of your brothers." Both Brooke and Haley gave gentle smiles to the little girl. Lily smiled in return before they followed her and Karen into the house. "Did you two enjoy your first day of school?" Karen asked them.

Brooke rolled her eyes. "It was boring as usual," she replied as they walked in the front door and made their way through the boxes into the kitchen. "I really wish that teachers would pick something on the agenda other than reading the syllabus. It's not like the rules have changed since last year."

"I love school," Lily piped up. "My teacher is really nice."

"What grade are you in?" Brooke asked her. She was surprised how young Lily looked especially since her brothers were juniors in high school.

"First grade," Lily replied.

"Lily, why don't you go and get your brothers and tell them that their friends are here?" Karen suggested. Lily then quickly dashed out of the kitchen. "Can I offer you girls anything to eat or drink?"

"No, thank you. I'm fine," Brooke replied.

"Me too," Haley added as Lucas and Nathan came into the kitchen. They all exchanged greetings before Haley spoke again. "Speaking of food, I showed Brooke where you are going to have your café. It's definitely in the perfect location. I don't know about Brooke, but I can't wait until the grand opening."

"I can't wait either," Brooke added. "And if you need any help with that, I know the perfect person for the job."

Karen smiled gratefully. "Thank you, Brooke. I'll definitely think about it."

Brooke smiled in return before she turned to Lucas and Nathan and said, "We actually came to give you guys the grand tour of Tree Hill."

"Can you show us the River Court?" Lucas asked eagerly. "Jake Jagielski told us about it, but we haven't had a chance to see it yet."

A new voice spoke up as the person joined the group into the kitchen. "You'll have plenty of time to see it after your rooms are unpacked," said a stern voice. The person came into view and immediately turned to Brooke and Haley. "Hello, I'm Keith Scott. You must be Brooke and Haley. Nathan and Lucas couldn't stop talking about you two earlier."

Haley and Brooke exchanged smiles as Lucas and Nathan tried not to look too embarrassed. Karen looked at her husband. "Come on, Keith. Let the boys take a break and go off with their friends. After all, we've been unpacking for a few days now."

"And we won't be able to do it once we start to have homework and the café is up and running," Lucas added.

Keith knew that he had a point. Everyone gave him pleading looks and he finally gave in. "Alright, you two can go. Just make sure you're home by dinnertime," he warned them.

"We're planning on ordering pizza and soda. You girls are welcomed to join us," Karen told Brooke and Haley.

Brooke and Haley exchanged looks before turning back to Karen. "We'd love to," Brooke replied, speaking for both her and Haley. "I usually go to Haley's house for dinner, but we were going to my house tonight. So it works out."

"Do either of you need to call your parents and make sure it's ok?" Karen asked them.

Haley shook her head. "No, they won't mind since I'm sleeping at Brooke's house tonight anyway."

Karen turned to Brooke. "And your parents don't mind either?"

Brooke didn't know how to answer so she decided to just agree with Karen's question. "Yeah, they don't mind either," she replied. However, Lucas could tell that she was lying, but he didn't say anything in front of his family. He reminded himself to ask her about it later.

"Can I go with you?" Lily asked them hopefully.

"Maybe next time," Lucas promised as Nathan left the room. "We'll meet you in the car," he called to his brother. Haley led Brooke and Lucas back outside to the car. Keith, Karen and Lily followed them.

"Have fun and we'll see you in a few hours," Karen told them.

"We will," Lucas replied as Haley and Brooke climbed into the car. The only difference was Brooke moved to the backseat so that she could sit with Lucas. They waited patiently for Nathan to come back outside. He soon arrived with a basketball in hand. He headed towards the car and slid into the front next to Haley. They all waved to Keith, Karen and Lily as Haley backed out of the driveway and onto the street.

The four talked quietly until they reached their destination. Neither Haley nor Brooke was surprised when they saw Mouth and his friends already there. They always seemed like they were hanging out at the River Court. Haley parked the car near the bleachers before everyone piled out.

They exchanged greetings with each other as they walked up to the court. After some introductions, Brooke and Haley joined Mouth on the bleachers while Nathan and Lucas went onto the court to play against Skills and Jake.

"So how is it going with Lucas and Nathan?" Mouth asked Brooke and Haley.

"It was going fine until Peyton told me all of my faults that will make Lucas run away from me," Brooke told him with a sigh.

"In other words, Lucas doesn't know about Brooke's past," Haley explained. She then had a thoughtful look on her face. "At least, that is what Peyton thinks you'll keep from him." Brooke gave her a confused look. "You told me that you were going to try and have an actual boyfriend this year instead of sleeping around. You were going to pick Felix before you saw Lucas."

Mouth was shocked. "Felix Taggaro? Are you crazy?"

"That's what I said," Haley replied. "Thank god that you changed your mind. I don't think I would be able to hang out with you if you did."

Brooke then changed the subject. "So what about you, Tutor Girl? That same day, I asked you if you were going to have your first boyfriend this year and you never answered my question."

"That's because I don't know if I want a boyfriend," Haley replied. "After all, I don't want to compete for Nathan like he is a trophy. And you shouldn't do that to Lucas either."

Brooke gave her a look. "You know I won't," she assured her.

The three then turned as they heard Lucas's voice. "Hey, are you two going to play with us?" he asked them.

"I'm more of a cheerleader, remember?" Brooke reminded him as she smiled.

"So you're saying that cheerleaders don't do anything but cheer their asses off?" Lucas asked. He gave her a playful grin in return.

"Cheerleaders do more than just cheer for sport teams. We have our own competitions, you know," Brooke replied. "Especially one called the Sparkle Classic competition we have every year." There was a short pause before she spoke again. "Of course, we've never won it yet. But this year will be different. We don't only just have a new cheerleader, but also a new choreographer," Brooke told him as she gestured to Haley and Mouth.

"You're a cheerleader?" Nathan teased Mouth. Everyone laughed as Nathan turned to Haley. "I didn't think you were the cheerleading type."

Brooke gave him a wide smile. "Are you kidding? She is a great cheerleader."

"We can't wait to see you perform in the Sparkle Classic competition then," Lucas replied.

After a few hours of playing basketball, the four headed back to the Scott house for pizza and soda. Once they were done, Lucas and Brooke decided to go on a walk around the neighborhood. "Your little sister is so adorable. I'm surprised that she's so much younger than you and Nathan," Brooke told him as she gave him a smile.

"After Nathan and I were born, my parents concentrated on taking care of us for awhile. But Mom really wanted a daughter. So they started to try again. It didn't seem to work, but they kept trying. Just after they gave up, they got a surprise," Lucas explained. He then smiled fondly as he said, "And Lily was born."

"Well, that certainly explains it," Brooke replied. She smiled widely at him as she said, "I can see that she really looks up to you and Nathan."

Lucas smiled in return. "Well, maybe your parents will miraculously have another baby like my parents did."

Brooke laughed. "I wish." There was a short pause before she continued. "Actually, they are going through a trial separation right now."

Lucas suddenly felt sorry for her. "I'm sorry, Brooke."

Brooke shrugged. "It's ok. They are always fighting anyway. Or they are never home." Lucas was interested to hear more. "My dad is always off on business trips or golf all weekend. And my mom is always off working or something like that. So I basically have the house to myself. So that usually means that I do whatever I want including throwing the best parties that you could ever imagine. I'm lucky that I can afford it." Lucas looked at her with curiosity in his eyes. "My parents are rich."

Lucas looked at her surprised. "Wow, I had no idea."

"Yeah, it's nice to have a big house and a pool." There was a short pause. "Most of the time, it is pretty lonely though. And that's why Haley always comes over to my house. She wants to keep me company and escape from her big family."

Lucas nodded understandingly. "Yeah, Nathan told me about that. I can't imagine having six brothers and sisters."

Brooke had to agree. "I know. I want kids someday. I just don't think I want that many kids." She then thought for a moment before she continued. "Actually, I think I want two boys and a girl, just like your parents did."

Lucas gave her a smile. "You know what? So do I. I would just have to be careful. Twins run in my family, you know."

Brooke raised her eyebrows. "Really?"

Lucas nodded proudly. "Yeah, Nathan and I are the third generation to be twins. So I'm pretty sure that I'm going to have twins too."

"You never know. Nathan could be the one who has twins," Brooke pointed out. "If you had twins, would you want boys, girls or one of each?" she asked.

Lucas didn't even have to think for a moment before he answered. "I want one of each. That way, there's no trouble with telling them apart."

Brooke laughed as she said, "Yeah, I could see that. Of course, you and Nathan aren't identical twins. You two are fraternal."

Lucas knew that she had a point. "I still would prefer a son and daughter at the same time." He then looked at his watch and sighed as he said, "We should probably get back." Brooke nodded and they headed back towards the house.

It wasn't long before Haley and Brooke had to leave. Both girls were disappointed as was the Scott family. But they all knew that they would see each other soon. They said their good-byes before Haley and Brooke headed to the car.

"So what did he say when you told him about your past relationships?" Haley asked her as she drove them back to the Davis mansion.

There was silence for a few moments before Brooke spoke. "I didn't tell him." Haley gave her a look. "It didn't seem like the right time. It was hard enough explaining about my social status to him. I didn't want to scare him even more. Besides, he shouldn't know everything about me on the first day we meet." Haley knew that she had a point. She didn't say anything more about the subject as she turned her eyes back on the road.