Story: When You're Gone

Chapter: 6

Chapter Title: Dinner Plans

Disclaimer: I don't own OTH

Sorry for the wait. Writers block along with other storys 's major procrastination. Sorry. Another update might not come soon either so I hope you enjoy it.

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Brooke walked into the small house and looked around. All the walls were white but pictures covered most of them. Brown leather furniture filled the living room. The kitchen was small but inviting with a big window that opened up the room. The whole place gave her a feeling of a home. Lucas led her to the guest room and set down her luggage.

"The bathroom is just down the hall. Heather's room is that one, and mine is right there. Umm… I'll leave you to get situated."

"Lucas, thank you so much again."

"No problem, I'm gonna go start dinner." Lucas said, then closed the door.

Brooke set her suitcase on the ground and opened it. She got out a tee shirt and a sweater and put it on then walked out into the hall.

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Lucas walked into the living room and saw Heather on the couch watching TV. "Hey baby girl, what you up too."

"Nothing much, just relaxing, waiting for you to cook dinner."

"Well, while you're waiting you might want to call your grandma, she called when we were at your Aunt Haley's. she wanted to talk to you. "

"Ok sure, I'll do it in a little bit."

"Ok well I'm gonna go start dinner. What should I make?"

"well, with Brooke here, maybe something fancy, like meatloaf or chicken."

"Chicken it is, with rice and salad. Sounds good."

"Ok dad."

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Brooke walked into the kitchen and saw Lucas cutting vegetables. "I never thought I would see the day when I saw Lucas Scott cooking."

"A lot has changed."

"Say that again. I mean we've been out of Tree Hill for like 19 years. 19 years Lucas. Seeing you guys brought it all back."

" Yeah sometimes I miss it, the Rivercourt and the Café. The last time I was over there was 10 years ago. I know Nate and Hales go up every couple years to see Deb."

"I haven't been back since high school."

"So Brooke, how have you been?"

"The truth? Lost, confused. I mean I love my career but I haven't found something stable yet. I thought I had found it with the cheerleading but then I got to old. Now my clothes line is doing good and I guess I'm trying to find something stable. You should know what stable is, look at this life."

"Stable isn't the word I would use. I mean I graduated; then got married, then had a baby. Stable was there for a couple years but then Em got sick. Everything was crazy then, and then she died. About 5 years after that is when everything was semi-stable but then Heather started growing up so that was a whole other adventure so stable isn't the greatest word."

"I can see. What was she like, your wife. I mean I've heard a little but not the whole story."

Lucas sighed, continued cooking, then began to talk. "Emily and I met the summer before our sophomore year. I had had a class with her freshman year and that summer I got the nerve to ask her out. We started dating. She became good friends with Haley and Nate because Nate was my roommate. Winter of sophomore year Haley and Nate got married again. At the end of sophomore year Nathan and Haley bought an apartment so I was out of a roommate. Em and I had been dating for a year so I asked her to get an apartment. She said yes and we got an apartment near Stanford. We lived together junior and senior year. I knew I was in real love so at graduation I proposed. We planned the wedding then got married. Emily had gotten a job here in the city so we decided to move here. We bought this house and started working. Haley had Brad so we where busy. 2 years later Emily told me that she was pregnant. I have to tell you Brooke that was the happiest day in my life next to Heather being born. Emily had to stop working so I had to get a higher paying job. That's when I got the job at the Warriors. Heather was born and life changed, diapers, bottles, no sleep. But over all I was happy. Life was good until Em got sick. It was scary but she kept fighting. Then one day she go so sick, she couldn't do it anymore." Lucas paused and breathed heavily. "Everything for about 2 months after that was a blurr. I know Heather stayed with Haley for a couple weeks when I wouldn't be around people. Then Heather came back and we tried to take care of ourselves but it was so hard. So we moved up with Haley and Nate for a year. I finally had enough strength to go on and move back to the house. And we've been this way ever since."

It was quiet for a moment. "It sounds like a movie."

"Its just life. I've learned to accept it and embrace it. If that hadn't happed to me I wouldn't have Heather, or have the great memories I have. So all in all, I'm happy with my life."

"That's good Luke. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, now lets eat!" Lucas said. "Heather, dinner."

"Coming!" Heather yelled, a couple minutes later she was in the kitchen.

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"So, Brooke what are you gonna do in the city?" Heather asked.

"Well, I guess just getting the store organized. A lot of customer relations, most people on the west coast don't know about us, we're gonna try to change that."

"That will be nice." Lucas said.

"I'm done. Thanks dad. I'll be in my room."

"Hold on a second Heath. What time is your practice tomorrow?"

"Noon till 4."

"So Brooke, I'm gonna have to drop Heather off at her school at noon. Do you want me to drop you off before that."

"Oh no! I have movers coming at 10 then I have to be somewhere at noon anyway. No I'll just call a cab in the morning."

"Don't be silly. I'll drive you to your apartment. Save you some money."

"Ok I guess."

"Ok, now I'm going to my room." Heather said then walked down the hall.

"Well Lucas, thank you. Dinner was wonderful. I'm gonna go and look over some things. I'll see you in the morning."

"See ya." Lucas smiled and Brooke walked away.

Lucas then picked up all the dishes, washed them. Then turned on the tv and fell asleep watching ESPN classics.

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Cynthia