AN: Well this was a SUPER fast update. I'm kind of thinking this is going to be a fic that get's updated quickly because... I dunno it's just easy for me to get this all out.
This is a BRUCAS fic, so please keep that in mind as you proceed. I'm not sure how you guys will feel about this chapter… I don't even know how I feel about this chapter.
So the timing in this chapter is going to be a little bit weird and let me explain why:
I was doing the math for season 3 and 4 and realized that it doesn't match up properly, so Haley's going to be pregnant a little bit sooner than on the show, and everyone's magically better in like 2 weeks because… Well because I say so. I'm also making Brachel's friendship pre-established in this fic, but they will get closer and closer as it goes on.
ENJOY!
It had been over 2 weeks since Nathan and Haley renewed their vows, and both Brooke and Lucas had been walking on eggshells around each other. They didn't talk much, and when they did speak to each other, it was either about Lily or some awkward forced conversation about how nice the weather was.
Rachel had spent more time over at their house, and Lucas was fairly certain it was because of what happened at the wedding. Brooke had insisted that the redhead stay with them during her recovery from the accident on the bridge, and over time, Lucas had grown to like her. Not the same way he liked Brooke, never. But he now considered Rachel to be a friend, over an acquaintance or enemy. They could both tell she was getting tired of seeing them act so uncomfortably around each other, and then she finally decided to take action.
"You," she put her hands on Brooke's shoulders and pushed her onto the couch, "And you." She pushed Lucas down next to her. "I'm exhausted. No, not from being in an accident and having my boyfriend dump me. I'm exhausted because you two have taken this too far. It's been a week," she hissed, crossing her arms. "It's high time you two worked your crap out. Don't worry about Lily, she's going to spend some time with her amazing Aunt Rachel. I don't want to see either of you until you stop acting like strangers."
With that, she left the room, and they waited until they could no longer hear her footsteps before Brooke finally spoke up.
"So…" She started, rubbing her hands on her jeans. He stared at his hands for a moment before looking at her.
"Do you still wanna live with us?" Lucas asked, "Because, it's okay if you don't. If you think this has gotten too awkward and you want out-"
"You really think I'm going to run away just because you said something stupid?" She scoffed, shaking her head.
"Exactly, well not exactly but, I messed up. I was an idiot and I said the wrong things, and I'm so incredibly sorry for it…" She nodded and began to stand up. "Wait, no, I have one more thing to say."
"Okay, go right ahead."
"You've been so helpful these past 4 months, and you were able to pull me out of my funk to be able to properly take care of Lily. I have you to thank for everything amazing that's happened in this time, and at first, I told myself it was because you were a good friend, and that was it. But I realized… About a month ago I realized that I like you, and I might even love you. And that's scary for me, I don't want to ruin what we have right now, I don't want to lose you either." He let out a deep breath and waited for her to respond.
"I like you too Luke. But, I don't think I can be in a relationship with you right now. It has nothing to do with what you said at the wedding, it's just… I want what's best for Lily, and I'm afraid if this doesn't work out, I won't end up being her mom. And I want more than anything else to be her mother. As much as I want to try this with you, I can't do it right now. She's still so young. I'm so sorry Luke." He nodded and she wiped her eyes. "Please don't think this should change anything."
"It doesn't… But I think I'm gonna go out for a little. I'll be back in time for dinner, I promise. I just need to clear my head." She nodded, and watched him leave before slumping back on the couch and putting her head in her hands. Rachel reappeared with Lily in her arms, sighing as she saw her friend sitting on the couch.
"Oh sweetie…" She sighed, adjusting Lily in her arms before using one hand to rub her friends back. "It's going to be okay. You two will figure it out, I know it."
"I think I really hurt him Rachel. He wants to be with me but I just… I want her to get a little older before I try a relationship with anyone. Last week, I thought I wanted to be with him above all else. But now, Lily is just the most important person and I realized I don't want her caught in the middle of this." Her friend nodded and handed the baby over.
"Make your mommy happy Lily pad." Brooke sniffled and kissed the baby's chubby cheek. "B, if he really likes you, he'll wait however long he needs to. If you need me around for any longer than next week, you let me know and I'll fake an injury." Rachel winked at her friend, trying to get her to laugh.
"Oh Lily, isn't Aunty Rachel so silly! She's so silly!" Brooke cooed, kissing the baby on the nose. "It's all going to be okay…"
xXx
"So, she said she likes you, but that she doesn't want to be with you?" Nathan asked, scratching the top of his head in confusion. "I'm kind of lost."
"Not that she doesn't want to, but that she can't be with me. Lily's still too young in her opinion, she doesn't want to risk the chance of us not working out." Lucas sighed, making Haley roll her eyes from her spot at the table.
"I'll never understand men," She mumbled, before taking a breath and putting her pencil down to look at her best friend. "Luke, she likes you, but it's too soon. She just needs time to adjust to being a mom, and then she wants to be with you. Don't take it personally, but she knows she has big shoes to fill with your mom gone. Besides, she and I are planning on reopening Karen's Café soon, and we both need to put our full focus on that." Haley said, giving her best friend a sympathetic smile.
"You're pregnant Hales, you should be focusing on having a healthy baby." Lucas countered, raising his eyebrows at her.
"We worked everything out stress wise before I found out I was pregnant Luke. I'll have a healthy baby, but I want to help your mom's legacy live on." He smiled at her comment, and he made his way over to her papers.
"If there's anything I can do to help…" He started, causing both Nathan and Haley to laugh at him.
"Dude, worrying about that is the least of your problems. Just focus on working things out with Brooke and making sure Lily gets the life she deserves with the two of you. Rachel, Hales and I might have a bet going, but it's just important that Lily stays happy." Lucas blinked at the wise words that just left his brother's mouth.
"Wow Nathan… I guess Haley tutoring you did help." Turning, he looked at Haley, "But seriously, it's my mom's place, if you think of anything, let me know."
"It's all squared away, just focus on taking care of your kid and finishing school. Brooke and I have this all under control." Glancing at the clock, she used her pencil to point at it. "You better get going soon if you want to meet your promise of being home in time for dinner."
"Yeah, I should probably get going. Congratulations on the baby!" He quickly made his way out of the apartment and to the car, smiling at his newfound confidence.
Haley helped him realize it had nothing to do with him specifically, she just needed time for Lily to get older. And if time is what Brooke needed, he would gladly give it to her. He would wait for an eternity to be with Brooke Davis, and if he had to wait that long… He'd do it without question.
xXx
Brooke and Lucas had a specific routine with Lily, and they always put her to bed together, reading her a story together and then making sure she fell asleep alright. Their bedtime routine went a lot smoother tonight after Lucas got back. As Lily was drifting off, Lucas leaned over to speak to Brooke.
"You know; I'll wait forever if I have to. I'll wait as long as it needs to be, whether it's only a couple more months, another year, or even until Lily goes off to college. I will wait forever to be with you." The brunette grinned, the reassurance from him that he was willing to wait was exactly what she needed from him.
I know I'm getting these up super-fast… I'm not even sure if they're even good to be honest, or how I'm getting them up this fast. There's been some light drama, but there's going to be a TINY time jump in the next chapter (only a couple months) because I'm trying to speed things up a little.