Chapter Thirty Three

Just Watch the Fireworks

For their first date, Lucas treated Brooke to a private dinner on the top of Karen's Café. They played a round of miniature golf before Brooke found the water balloons that were in a bucket. She threw one at Lucas when he wasn't looking and it took him by complete surprise. "Oh you are so going to get it," he declared and reached for the bucket of water balloons. She managed to hit her target a few more times before he finally managed to grab some. He aimed for her and she managed to dodge it just in time.

"Wow, it sounds like a party up here," a familiar voice said. Brooke and Lucas turned to see who it was. Brooke was surprised but happy to see her best friend. She rushed to Rachel and embraced her in a tight hug. She was about to ask when Rachel gave her an explanation. "After the visit from Nathan and Alex, I realized how much I don't want to spend my senior year without my friends. So I talked to Julian and I have transferred back to Tree Hill."

"Where are you staying?" Brooke asked her. "With Deb? Forget her. You're staying with me and Haley at my house. You know I have plenty of room."

"Shouldn't you ask Haley first?" Lucas suggested, knowing how much she didn't like her.

"Haley will understand," Brooke assured him before turning back to her best friend. "I'm sure you're starving. Let's see if we can find something for you to eat in the café. I can make you anything you want. Just don't ask me to make you coffee. I'm still not sure how to use that machine."

"I want to know about that little baby sister of yours," Rachel told her. "I can't wait to see that cute face again."

Brooke raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Really? I thought you hated children. In fact, I thought your focus was all on your husband."

"It is, but Julian eventually wants to have kids," Rachel explained. "I might as well practice with your little sister and Lucas's little sister. What was her name again?"

"Her name is Lily and she is a handful for a seven year old," Brooke replied. "She's now in that stage where she feels she is too old for tea parties and now she wants to do more grown up things like wear makeup and earrings. Karen doesn't want her to wear either of those things until she's in junior high."

Rachel shook her head in amusement. "That sounds like someone else I know."

"What are you talking about? We didn't even know each other when we were seven."

Brooke had a point, but Rachel knew how to respond. "No, but I know you. And you always have been one who was into makeup and jewelry. It looks like you certainly have changed. I barely recognize you now."

Brooke knew her friend was teasing her. "Well, I really don't have time to put make up on and wear jewelry. This is the first time I've had the chance to wear makeup since Mackenzie has been born. I wouldn't be even wearing makeup if it wasn't for the fact I was out with Lucas."

Brooke didn't even have to admit she was on a date. Rachel already knew what was going on. "Was I interrupting your first date? It's about time you and Lucas started a relationship. What took you so long?"

Brooke shrugged. "I don't know. I guess I was afraid we weren't prepared to take that next step. We both tried to do that before with other relationships and it didn't work out. And I really want this relationship to work."

"Well, don't let me stop you. Go and be with your man. I can find my own way to your house," Rachel replied. "We have plenty of time to catch up. Besides, I want to see that little sister of yours. She is at the house with Haley, right?" Brooke nodded. "Great. I'll see you later then." She said goodbye before she left the two lovebirds alone.

"You do realize Haley will let you have it when you come home, right?" Lucas asked Brooke as soon as Rachel had left the café.

"I know, but Rachel is my best friend. She doesn't have anybody else to stay with. Julian's mom and Paul are living in Los Angeles. Your house is full enough. And she doesn't know Deb and Millie that well. So I'm the only one who is left. Hopefully, Hales will understand that. Now let's not talk about Haley. Let's get back to our date." Lucas just smiled as she led him back on the rooftop.

When Brooke arrived back to the house, Haley was waiting up for her. They exchanged smiles as Brooke came into the room and joined her. "I take it you and Lucas are officially a couple?" Haley guessed. "Congratulations. I'm very happy for you."

Brooke gave her a return smile. "Thanks. What about you? When is Naley going to get back together?" Haley frowned. "Nathan and Haley: together they make Naley. You two were perfect together and I wish you two would settle your differences."

"There's nothing to settle. Nathan and I just grew apart," Haley told her. "By the way, why didn't you warn me about our new roommate? Did you really think I would be okay with sharing a house with Rachel?"

"Come on, Hales. Rachel doesn't really have any other place to go," Brooke defended. "She's not close to Julian's family. She's more comfortable rooming with me. Just give her a chance. Do you really want to spend our senior year fighting with her?"

Haley knew she had a point. "Alright, but I don't trust her with the baby alone. I know Mackenzie is your sister, but Rachel has no experience with babies. I don't care if she wants to practice or not. I don't want her around Mackenzie without supervision."

"Where is she now?" Brooke asked curiously.

"I think she's settling in her new bedroom. Then she was going to call Julian," Haley replied. "I'm surprised Julian didn't come with her. Or is he coming later?"

"I don't know. Rachel didn't really mention whether he was coming or not," Brooke said. "I think if he was coming, he would have come with her. You know how they are attached to the hip. I'll go check on her and the baby." She went upstairs to the nursery where her sister was sleeping peacefully. Brooke then checked on Rachel who was talking on the phone with Julian. She didn't want to bother her so she left her alone.

She returned to the living room where Haley was hard at work. Brooke looked over her shoulder, glancing at the many lists she had on the paper. "What are you doing? It looks like you're planning a party or something."

"Yeah, Lucas's and Nathan's birthday is coming up and I want to do something special for them," Haley explained. Brooke frowned. Why couldn't she remember celebrating their birthdays? "Last year, their birthday was in the middle of the move and Lucas and Nathan didn't really know anybody then. So they just had a quiet family dinner."

"Well, we are going to change that this year," Brooke declared. She hated Lucas and Nathan didn't feel comfortable celebrating with friends because they didn't know anybody. So she was going to help Haley plan the best birthday party they ever had. "What do you have so far?"

Haley showed her the lists she had already began creating. Brooke was impressed with what she came up with already. Her best friend knew what she was thinking. "Now remember we're on a budget. Just because we're living in your house doesn't mean we should go big. I don't think Lucas and Nathan want a huge birthday party. Knowing them, they will probably want to keep it small. I'm sure Karen wouldn't mind if we take over the café for a night."

Brooke made a face. "I miss the days where I could have a big blowout party. Is there any chance we can still have my traditional Halloween costume party? I promise there won't be any uninvited guests. I want to make up for the disaster last year."

Haley gave her a smile. "Of course we can. I suppose you already have decided what costume you are going to wear. Although, I don't know how you are going to top last year. I loved your Dorothy costume."

Brooke smiled proudly. "Yeah, it will be really hard to outdo myself. But I love a challenge. I have plenty of time to figure it out though. I want to focus on Lucas's and Nathan's birthday party." She turned her focus to Haley's lists and the conversation was dropped.

Even though it was last minute, Brooke and Haley managed to pull the party off. They were able to get permission from Karen to have the café closed for the party. The invite list included Rachel while Deb took care of Mackenzie for the night.

Brooke wanted to get Lucas a present along with the party, but she couldn't come up with anything he would have liked. She felt disappointed since Lucas was her first serious boyfriend and she didn't have anything for him to open. When she told Lucas about not being able to find something for him, he gave her a reassuring smile. "It's okay, Pretty Girl." Brooke smiled in return as she heard her special nickname he used for her. "It's my fault. I didn't tell you about my birthday because I didn't want to make it a big deal."

Brooke gave him a look. "How could you not make a big deal about it? It's your eighteenth birthday. It's your last birthday to celebrate with your family and friends before we go our separate ways to college."

Lucas knew she had a point. "I've already got the best birthday present I could get: I asked for you to be my girlfriend and I got my wish. Now if Nathan and Haley could get back together, I would be happy."

Brooke nodded. "Yeah, I know what you mean. Don't worry. We'll get that double date with them soon."

Lucas raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really? You have a plan to get them back together?"

"No, but I believe people who are meant to be together always find their way in the end," Brooke told him.

Lucas gave her a smile. "That's a great quote. Who came up with it?" he asked. She gestured to herself. "I didn't know you liked quotes."

"I don't, but I always believed if people were truly in love, they would find each other again," Brooke said. "So I'm not going to give up on Naley, but I'm going try and not push it either."

Lucas nodded in agreement. "Okay, let's not talk about my brother and Haley anymore. I want to dance with my favorite girl."

Brooke smiled in return. "I would be delighted to dance with the birthday boy." He took her hand and pulled her out to the dance floor. Mouth and Millie, Jake and Peyton, Skills and Bevin, and Alex and Chase joined them. Lily felt disappointed she didn't have anyone to dance with until Nathan came along and asked her out to the dance floor.

Everyone was having such a great time that they didn't realize an uninvited guest walked into the café until Lucas spotted her. He frowned as he let go of Brooke and turned his attention on the woman. "Lindsey, what are you doing here?" he demanded as everyone else stopped dancing. Brooke looked at the woman. So this was Lindsey – the ex-wife. Brooke didn't know why, but she felt she couldn't trust her.

"Lucas, is that any way to treat a customer?" Karen snapped. "Lindsay, what a lovely surprise. As you can see, we're in the middle of celebrating Lucas's and Nathan's birthdays. Pleas-."

Lindsey interrupted her. "I know. That's why I came," she replied. "My parents were visiting Wilmington. I thought I could tag along so I could come to Tree Hill and see Lucas. I knew it was his birthday and I wanted to give him a present." She held up the small bag she had in her hand. "I also have something for Nathan."

"That's very nice of you," Karen said as Lindsey handed her the bag. "Are you planning to stay? There's plenty of cake and ice cream."

"Thank you. I would love some," Lindsey replied and Karen led her to where the desserts table was.

Lucas waited until his mother left Lindsey alone before he approached her. He wasn't willing to be warm and inviting as Karen was. "What are you really doing here?" he hissed. "Because I know it's not just for my birthday. Are you still wanting me back? Because I've moved on from you. And I'm really happy with her. I don't want you to ruin it."

Lindsey rolled her eyes. "I know all about your new girlfriend. That's why I drove here. I wanted to make sure she's treating you right." Lucas gave her a look. He wasn't falling for her act. "Does she know about me?" Lucas didn't answer. "So you did finally tell her about your ex-wife."

"You're not my ex-wife," Lucas protested. "My girlfriend wouldn't have lied about being pregnant just so she could make sure she wasn't going to lose her boyfriend. I may have fallen for your act then, but I'm not doing it now. You're welcome to have dessert, but I want you to leave after that. I don't want you near me, my family or my girlfriend or you'll regret it," he warned her before he went back to Brooke.