Chapter 4 – Back to New York

It's early evening when Peyton arrives at Brooke's penthouse. She looks thin and tired, hair a light brown, slightly curled below the shoulders, distressed blue jeans tucked in black boots, a plain white wifebeater below a gorgeous vintage leather jacket. She has a jeans backpack and a small wheeled suitcase. Brooke, had just arrived from work, was still in a grey two-piece of her own design, with a purple silk blouse, but in her stockings, with a glass of red wine in her hand. She looks at Peyton with a warm smile "Hey P. Sawyer, how was your trip?"

Peyton looks at her with a small, soft smile. "Hi! Long and boring, mostly."

Without asking, Brooke pours a glass of wine, and gives it to Peyton. They sit on the white leather sofa. "I've set up a guest room for you, and you can go there and rest, if you want. I haven't eaten yet, and I was planning on ordering some chinese. You game?

"I can wait for dinner. Why don't you place the order, while I drop this stuff in my room, and freshen up a bit?"

"That's fine. Third door on the left, there is a bathroom en suite. It's so good to see you. Damn, girl. You still carry this rocker style of yours very well. Love the jacket."

"You also rock the high fashion C.E.O. thing, Brooke. The design is yours?"

"Sure. Business attire by Clothes over Bros. Gotta promote the goods, baby girl."

Peyton leaves her wine glass at the center table and goes to her room. Five minutes later she is back, and Brooke is finishing her call to the chinese place. Peyton picks up her wine and sits back in the couch, stretching her legs. She dropped the boots and the jacket. "It's good to see you too. I've missed you."

Brooke sits next to her and they hug. It's been about four months since they met, during one of Brooke's business trips to LA. "We have a lot to talk about, P. Sawyer, but there is one thing I'd like to clear first. Luke should be spending a couple of nights in New York this week. He can stay at a hotel, if that would make you more confortable, but I would like to invite him to stay here. "

Peyton green eyes widen at his piece of news, looking a little scared, and a little happy. She replies in a near whisper. "It's OK, I guess. He can stay here".

"I will suggest no heavy stuff this time. Just keep it light. In fact, I have an idea. Would you mind if I ask him to bring Jamie for a visit? I haven't seen my godson since christmas, and I don't think you have seen him since you left Tree Hill after graduation, no?"

"I'd love to see Jamie. Would Nate and Hales just let Lucas borrow Jamie like that?"

"Sure. Lucas is more a third parent than an uncle at this stage. There is one little twist. I have to go to work, and Lucas has to spend some time with his editor, Lindsay, so you might have to do a little daytime babysitting. Do you mind? I know you're good with babies, at least you were very good with one specific baby girl..."

"I don't mind babysitting at all. What can you tell me about Jamie? Is he easygoing?"

Brooke's eyes sparkle, and she giggles. "You are in for a treat. JLuke is the most amusing baby I have ever met. He is good tempered, smart and funny. He crawls and climbs everywhere, so one's gotta keep an eye on him. One detail. He looks exacly like a mini Lucas. It's uncanny. There is all kinds of rumors of hanky-panky between Luke and Hales..." Brooke giggles even more with the crazy notion. "So, how long can you stay?"

"I actually had two weeks of vacation coming, so I can stay that long, if you will have me. My dad might actually come by for a couple of days, and I might go with Luke at some point, to visit with Naley and Jamie."

"That's perfect! I have a proposal. We will not talk about rings, or about you and Lucas, for now, OK? We will get to that eventually, and I hope you and Luke work it out, somehow. But for now, I think we should let the dust settle a bit on that, OK?"

"That's fine. You know, Brooke, I've been thinking hard after our talk. I can't move on, and I can't even think of sorting out my stuff with Lucas before I settle my own life a bit."

"Do you have any plans?"

"Maybe. I would like to look for some alternatives for myself here in New York. I know people who run a couple of record labels here, nothing like Sia, but places where I could contribute something. I also want to look at art galleries, maybe try to arrange a showing. I will probably check out a couple of colleges and I want to think about finding space to set up a small recording studio. I have some college money my dad had saved up, which I haven't touched. I could use it to start my own business."

"Wow. You've really put a lot of thought in this. You know, I have a couple of contacts in the art circuit, and I am pretty sure a show could be arranged. Do you have any new material? I would also be very happy to invest in any music venture you cook up."

"I certainly could use the help. To be honest, I haven't drawn or painted in six months, but there is some earlier material from LA, as well as my high school pieces, which are in storage in Tree Hill.

I want to make a real attempt in moving my life to New York. Would you mind having an extra housemate for an extended period of time? I would try to find my own place eventually, but this might take some time."

Brooke's tigger makes an appearance. She screams, jumps up and down and ends up giving Peyton a big hug. Apparently CEO Brooke hadn't completely wiped out tigger. "I would totally love to have you around, P. Sawyer. Full disclosure, though. Victoria lives here too, and I was intending to have Lucas stay here when he comes to New York for his book. There is plenty of space for everybody"

At that, Peyton gulps. Victoria is hard enough, but sharing an apartment with Lucas? Peyton looks down and shakes her head. "Thank you, Brooke. I would like to try".

"OK., Goldilocks. This is gonna be fun!"

Peyton looks at her best friend and gives her her best crooked smile. After a bit she says

"When can we go shopping?" Peyton was rewarded with another appearance of the tigger, and another big hug.

"I love you, P. Sawyer."

"I love you too, B. Davis."

oooooooooooooooooo

Late at night, Brooke calls Lucas from her bed. They have been talking on the phone almost every day, usually just a brief exchanging of events from their day. "Hi Luke, Brooke here."

"Hi, cheerie. Did Peyton arrive today? How's she?"

"Yeah, she arrived a couple of hours ago. She looks sad and tired, but we had dinner and a long nice chat. The good news is that she has a two week break from LA, and she has serious plans to try and transfer her life to New York."

"That's really good."

"I told her you would be coming this week, to spend a couple of days. I promised no talks about Leyton or rings. We should let that settle a bit."

Lucas laughs at that. "Leyton... hm. I had forgotten how much fun was having you around Brooke Davis. I completely agree with the ban on Leyton and rings for now. Is there a couple name for you and Peyton? Breyton?"

Brooke giggles. "Never mind that, you perv. Hm. I actually like Breyton. Why did I never think of that? I have two favors to ask. Can you borrow our godson and bring him with you this week? I haven't seen him in a while and Peyton basically hasn't seen him since she left for LA. She agreed to do the babysitting so we can get some work done. What do you think?"

"That's a great idea. I have to talk to, hm, Naley, I guess, but they would probably be very happy to have some Naley-time this week. Let me get back to you on that tomorrow. If they agree, I would try to extend my trip for another day and do a picnic in Central Park with Breyton and JLuke. Can you take the Saturday off?"

"Sure. Just let me know. The second favor is a bit more delicate, given the presence of my house guest here. Friday night there is a gala event, sponsored by Vogue, honoring some fashion personalities. I should make an appearance, and I would like to ask you to be my plus one. It will probably be a couple of hours, at a fancy hotel a near here. I will find you a very nice tux."

"Hm. I see the catch. However, I would love to do it, and I think my publisher would love for me to do it also. Can you smooth it out with Peyton?"

"I think so. I understand that Lindsay and her father are on the guest list."

"All right." There is a brief pause and Lucas speaks with a soft voice. "It will be a pleasure to escort you, Brooke."

"Thank you. Good night, broody."

"Good night cheerie. Sweet dreams."

ooooooooooooooooooooo

When Lucas gets back from his run, it is still nearly dark outside. He woke up early because he has a very full day at work, and he needs to talk with Haley and Nathan before they get going with their day. Haley has an early class, and she is supposed to drop Jamie at daycare. Nathan will ride with him, and they will have a staff meeting, to organize training for the days Lucas will be in New York. When he enters the house, the lights are on, and Haley is in the kitchen, looking sleepy.

"Hi Hales, what are you doing up, girl? You should have, at least, another forty-five minutes of sleep."

Haley sighs. "Jamie awoke about half an hour ago. He was hungry and fussy, I gave him a little formula and held him for a while. I just put him back in his crib. I was thinking of fixing breakfast now."

"Go back to bed, sis. I'll take a quick shower and fix breakfast. I'll call you when it's ready. I need to talk to you and Nate this morning, nothing big, and it can wait."

Haley squints at him a bit annoyed. Lucas is too chipper for this ungodly hour. "All right, brother-in-law, thanks. I'll go back to bed for a bit."

A few minutes later, Lucas is showered and breakfast is ready. Coffee, scrambled eggs and toast for the grown-ups, a bowl of cherrios with banana and a bottle of formula for Jamie. He knocks on Nathan and Haley's door to say breakfast is served, and grabs a sleeping Jamie from his crib. The diaper is wet, so he changes it and sets Jamie on the high chair with his breakfast in front of him. At ten months, Jamie is already pretty good at feeding himself, and he rather enjoys it. He is smiling, playing with his food and making happy baby noises, oblivious to the grown ups. Nathan and Haley sit in at the table, both entranced by Jamie's antics.

Haley unglues her eyes from her son and sips from her mug. "Thanks, Luke. This is very nice. What's up?"

"Well, first, good morning little brother." Nathan squints at Lucas and grunts. He is not really human until after some food and a cup of coffee. "I'm going to New York tomorrow night, and I am planning to come back Sunday morning. I wanted to ask you if I could take Jamie with me."

Both Nathan and Haley wake up at that point and stare at Lucas.

"I'm staying at Brooke's, and she asked if I could bring him. She misses her godson. Peyton is also staying at Brooke's for a couple of weeks, and she would like to see him as well"

Hales stares at him, surprised and worried. "You, Brooke and Peyton under the same roof, hmpf. You guys are crazy. What are you and Brooke trying to pull?" Haley stops, and stares at Lucas, a broad smile slowly forming. Haley is really very, very sharp. "I see. You guys want to begin to get away from the failed proposal into safer ground. You and Peyton need to spend some time together, and you don't want to confront your issues head on yet. Jamie is a very nice, very sweet, very safe distraction. Brilliant. Whose idea is this?" A pause. "Brooke, of course." Another pause. "I am sure she also wants to spend some time with her godson."

Nathan and Lucas just stare at Haley with their mouths open. Haley continues. "Of course you can take him, right Nate?" Nathan nods and adds. "We will certainly enjoy having some time to ourselves. Take good care of him, Luke. It would be nice to get him back in one piece."

"Both myself and Brooke have to work all day Thursday and Friday, and we are attending some gala event on Friday night. Peyton will babysit. Jamie doesn't really know her, but she is very good with babies, and he is pretty easy to please, so I think that should work. I'm staying on Saturday for some fun time the four of us. Weather permitting, we will do a picnic in Central Park."

Haley laughs softly. "You are actually going on a date with Brooke, while Peyton babysits. Nice."

"It's work for both of us. Being seen together helps promotes both my book and her fashion line. The tabloid coverage is high impact, free advertising. Of course, the gossip columns will start to see us as an item, and the plan is neither to confirm nor deny it."

"This is going to be hard on Peyton."

"We will talk to her and try to explain. We might actually change plans if it begins to look like a bad idea."

Haley sighs and gives Lucas a worried look. She knows how watching Lucas happy interaction with Jamie will pull at both girls hearts. And the jealousy, and their complicated history... she grabs his harm and stands on tiptoes, to speak softly in his ear "This is all very nice, Luke baby, but I think you and Brooke are playing with fire."