Chapter 12

Nathan and Brooke were dating for 2 months now and everything was going great. She started to break the news to Patrick slowly, giving him time to adjust to the situation. They were still not sleeping over at each other's place.

One day, Nathan phoned her. He wanted to take Brooke and Patrick to the zoo. Jake, Peyton and Jenny were also gonna be there, so Patrick wouldn't feel too weird…

Nathan went to pick them up and Patrick answered the door.

"Hey, kid. Ready for the zoo?" asked Nathan

"Yeah, I guess. Mom's still changing…" said Patrick reluctantly

"Patrick…" started Nathan, deciding that the truth was always the best way "I know that this must be a little weird for you, but I really like your mom"

"I know…" said Patrick "But it used to be me and her and now…"

"And now I'm in the middle…" said Nathan smiling "Listen, I have no intention of messing with you and your mom. I thought maybe you guys could make some space for me in your life…"

Patrick looked at him "But what if later you leave?"

"Why would I?"

"People leave…" stated Patrick

"I'm not leaving. Even if things don't go as I hope they do, I'm always gonna be here for you both…" said Nathan, understanding Patrick's fears.

They all had an amazing time on the zoo. Jenny and Patrick wondered around looking at everything and Jake, Peyton, Nathan and Brooke enjoyed a nice double date. While Nathan and Brooke went to get drinks for all, Peyton watched them

"What is it?" asked Jake softly, holding his wife's hand

"I don't think I've even seen him happier" said Peyton.

"I know… he can't stop talking about her. And you should see how he brushes off the girls that are always throwing their selves at him. Nathan is so taken…"

"And so is Brooke. She's crazy about him… Who would've thought back then?" said Peyton "They were so different…"

"Yeah, and who would've thought about us at the beginning?" replied Jake "and we surprised them all"

"Yeah, I know" smiled Peyton kissing him slowly

Later, Peyton approached Nathan. He was looking at Patrick and Brooke playing next to the lions. He turned around and smiled at her

"So this is it, isn't it?" he asked her

"What?"

"A family life" he replied

"Pretty much…"

"I really like it…" he looked at Peyton in the eyes… she had tears of emotion in her face but she was trying to smile

"I'm glad you found what you were looking for" she said hugging him

"Me too" Nathan hugged her back

Brooke just watched them. When Nathan turned around and smiled at her, she smiled back… feeling like she couldn't be happier than now.

When they all came back from the zoo, Nathan carried Patrick to bed, since he was asleep. He came back and collapsed next to Brooke on the couch.

"I'm exhausted…" he said

Brooke moved next to him and he pulled her to him, trapping her in his arms…

"That's the way it is when you've got a kid" she said slowly

Nathan sighed "So, this is it from now on…"

"Yeah…"

"Well, good" smiled Nathan

"What?" Brooke looked at him surprised

"I said good… because I've never felt better in my life…" Nathan looked at her "I don't know if it is too soon or late, or whatever… but I love you, Brooke. With you, I'm finally at ease"

She looked at him with tears in her eyes "I love you too, Nathan" she replied

Nathan kissed her softly, not wanting to leave, but knowing about the rules. Brooke broke the kiss and smiled at him

"Stay here tonight" she said

"Are you sure?" he asked

She nodded smiling "It's OK" she said and lead him to the bedroom.