A/N: Here is the new chapter and since How to Save a Life is completed this story will be taking up its updating spot so until next week, Wednesday, I'll see you soon.
Chapter Five: Moving In
"I like your office," Sam says as soon as she walks into the room.
Peyton's eyes look over her computer at the familiar voice. She smiles and walks over to her.
"Sammy," Peyton says as she opens her arms.
Sam smiles and walks into Peyton's arms.
"It's good to see you Peyton."
"Same here, kiddo."
Sam takes a seat and Peyton follows.
"Not that I don't love having you here, but why are you here?"
"Dad's working and mom's having some one on one time with Brooke."
Peyton laughs, "I remember that one on one."
Sam nods her head.
"I've kept everyone informed on your e-mails. They are all happy for you Peyton."
"But what about you, Sam, how do you feel about it?"
Sam bites her bottom lip in hesitation.
"I really wanted you and my dad to work out, but as long as you're happy and my dad is happy then that's all that matters."
"Have you met Brooke yet?"
Sam nods her head.
"She's different, I have to say."
"I know that, but I've known Brooke since I was eight. She has a good heart. This is also the first time I've seen her like this."
Sam looks at Peyton and nods her head.
"Do you mean in love?"
Peyton nods her head.
"I see it on my dad's face as well. It's just different this time Peyton."
Peyton sits further up into her chair.
"What do you mean by that sweetie?"
"I feel like Brooke will be around forever and I don't know how to deal with that. I've never even been close to having a step mother. I just don't want to get close to her and then have her disappear on me."
"Sam you haven't lost me and you won't lose Brooke either. If anything, you'll get a great friend if Brooke and your dad don't work out."
-WLOM-
Brooke sits down in front of Sara. She had received a call last night from Sara about getting together for lunch before she had to leave. Brooke knew it wasn't about lunch.
"Let's just get right into it shall we?"
Sara looks up from her menu with a raised eyebrow. She sets the menu down with a smile.
"If you would like?"
"I like."
Sara nods her head.
"You are not Samantha's mother. You will never be Samantha's mother. I feel threatened. I had Sam when I was fifteen Brooke. I was just a child, but she's everything to me. You and Sam could have a really good relationship, but I can't lose my little girl. I won't."
"Sara, you don't have to worry about that. I could never replace you nor do I want to. I see the way you are with Sam and I'm the one that's jealous. My mother and I don't see eye to eye on things. My mom never wanted me, and my dad wanted a boy, so I would never want to take that away from you or Sam because I know how it feels is not to have it."
Sara bites the bottom of her lip.
"Thanks for saying all that. I feel less threatened, but I don't think that feeling is ever going to change. Did Julian tell you that I'll be gone for a year?"
"Sam did."
"Have you ever parented before?"
Brooke could only shake her head. Sara smiles.
"Good luck, you may not be her mother, but you are dating her father," Sara looks down at the ring on Brooke's finger on her left hand. "Or rather marrying Sam's father, so that will make you stepmom, parenthood is included."
"Do you think I'm crazy?" Brooke says as she looks down at the ring on her finger. "I've only known him for a short time."
Sara grabs Brooke's hand causing her to look up.
"Love comes at us blind, but if your with Julian and he makes your heart flutter a little more each day then you grab onto it and hold on tight because you don't know when it will come again, if ever."
Brooke squeezes Sara's hand and let's go.
"I really like you," Brooke says with a smile.
"I really like you, too," Sara responds. "Now let's eat."
-WLOFM-
"What's going on with you?" Peyton asks before she takes a drink of her coffee while walking down the street.
"I was in a fight on the last day of school," Sam says before taking a drink of her soda. Peyton had told her no coffee.
"Samantha!" Peyton scolds.
"Peyton, those kids were saying the crap again. I couldn't stand it. I was tired of walking down those hallways hearing about my mom be called a whore. Peyton it wasn't like that."
"I know sweetie, but you can't let that get you down."
Peyton and Sam sit down at a nearby bench.
"You should really talk to Brooke I think. Before Brooke found love she was lack for a better word a slut. It's all a mixture of things really, which is why you should sit down and talk to her sometime."
Sam nods her head before finishing her soda.
"Do you think Brooke is good for my dad?"
Peyton smiles, "Yeah, I do."
-WLOM-
"How was your day with Peyton?" Sara asks as Sam walks into the hotel room.
"It was good. You'll be happy to know that Peyton still has the motherly side on her," at Sara's raised eyebrow Sam explains further. "She scolded me for fighting."
Sara starts laughing causing Sam to roll her eyes.
"It's oh so funny," Sam sighs as she lies down on the bed. Sara lies down next to her daughter. Sam curls up next to her mother.
"I'm going to miss this," Sam says with a sigh as Sara runs her fingers through her daughter's hair.
"I'm going to miss these mother daughter cuddles for a year."
"Yeah, a year."
When Sam starts to feel tears form in her eyes she tightens her hold on her mother. Sara just holds tighter.
-WLOM-
"I haven't told Sam yet," Julian confesses to Brooke when he enters her store.
"Sara knows," Brooke confesses.
"Yeah, but she won't tell Sam, that's my job."
Julian walks closer to Brooke and kisses her on the lips.
"I also have a solution to your living situation."
"What is that" Julian asks.
"You and Sam should move in with me. You spent most of your time at my house before Sam came and I have an extra room, but you have to tell Sam about the engagement."
Julian nods his head.
"I will after I drop Sara off at the airport. She's leaving tonight."
"Do I have to prepare myself for any lash outs from Sam?"
"That's fifty-fifty at this point."
Brooke raises an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Sam hates change. She hates it even more when it's fast changes."
"She won't hate me will she?" Brooke asks worriedly.
Julian shakes his head.
"She doesn't hate anyone. She just dislikes them…a lot."
"Well that's very reassuring," Brooke says sarcastically.
Julian shrugs his shoulders.
"She's a teenager, that's all I can say."
Brooke frowns at her fiancé.
"That doesn't help either."
Julian laughs and wraps his arms around Brooke.
"Sorry," he whispers into her hair.
-WLOM-
Sam pulls away from Sara and wipes at her eyes.
"I'm going to miss you."
Sara pushes her daughter's hair away from her face.
"I'll miss you, too, sweetheart. You be good for your dad and by extension Brooke, do you hear me?"
"Yes, ma'am," Sam says with a smile. "Call me please."
"I will," Sara says before walking over to Julian and bringing him into a hug. "Take care of our daughter, do you hear me?"
Julian places a kiss on Sara's forehead.
"With my life," Julian responds.
Sara's plane was announced a few seconds later. Sara grabs her bag from Julian and turns back to her daughter.
"Be good sweetie and I'll pop in for a visit in a month."
"You better," Sam says with a grin.
Sam and Julian watch as Sara leaves. When Sara's figure disappears in the crows Sam turns to her father.
"Do you want to explain the ring?"
Julian's eyes widen in surprise.
"I found it while I was looking for your phone. Did you ask her yet?" Julian nods his head. "Did she say yes?" Again Julian nods and Sam smiles. "Congratulations dad. I'm happy for you."
Julian flings his arm around his daughter's shoulders as they walked out of the airport.
"I'm glad you said that because we're moving."
-WLOM-
Brooke flips on a light as Sam walks through the doorway.
"This is your room."
Sam sets her bag on the bed as Julian stands in the doorway next to Brooke.
"How do you like it?" Julian asks his daughter.
"It will do."
Julian grabs Brooke's hand.
"No boys," Julian and Brooke say in unison.
Sam nods her head and smiles.