Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or any of it characters places or such. I am simply borrowing them.
AN/ Here is the next chapter! Thanks for all the reviews and all of the encouragement. I am so sorry that it took so long to update. Hope you all like it. Please don't forget to review for this chapter.
As always suggestions are welcome!
When Mouth returned, most of the others were awake and moving around the house all except for Lucas and Brooke.
"Hey, there you are" Haley said as Mouth opened the back door. "We were looking for you"
"I took Meredith to school" Mouth replied
"Thanks, man" Nathan said from his spot at the kitchen table, "It was Lucas's turn"
"I was already up and you guys looked so cute" Mouth said smiled as he refilled his coffee cup from earlier and walked to sit at the table with Nathan and Haley
"Nate, did we have any of those crackers left?" Skills asked as he walked into the kitchen, "I am starving"
"Karen said for all of us to come down to the café when we got up" Mouth said
"I guess that means we should wake the sleepy heads," Skills said with a smile
"Uh-oh. I don' t like that smile" Haley said
"I am not going to do anything to them, but tradition" Skills said as he walked towards the sink and grabbed a pitcher
"Skills, please don't do that," Mouth said
"Theresa, come get him before he does something insane" Nathan yelled back towards the living room where everyone else was sitting
"Skills" Theresa said as she walked towards the kitchen, "What are you doing?"
"What?" Skills said with an innocent look as Theresa entered the kitchen
"I know that look. What are you up too?"
Skills sighed, "Karen said for us to all come down to the café when we got up and I am hungry. So, I was going to wake up the sleepy heads."
"With a pitcher of water?" Theresa asked pointing to the now full pitcher
"It's tradition"
"Okay, but when Brooke is in a mood all day, you can deal with her" Theresa said
"Oh, Man, but I am hungry"
"Skills, what the heck are you whining about?" Lucas asked stumbling into the kitchen
"Man, you are up. Where's Brooke?"
"She is coming. What is going on?"
"You were about to get dumped with a pitcher full of water because Skills is hungry" Nathan told his brother
"Only Skills would risk waking Brooke by dumping water on her" Lucas said laughing
"Good Morning, Everyone" Brooke said coming into the kitchen, "What did I miss?"
"Oh, Nothing. We were just talking about going to the café for breakfast" Haley said
"Oh, let's go" Brooke said turning back toward the living room
Everyone laughed before following.
"She would have yelled at me all day," Skills said passing by Lucas still in the day way
"Yea, she would have" Lucas said smiling "come on let's go get dressed"
30 minutes later, the group of nine best friends was walking from the Scott house towards the café.
"So, you and Nathan looked quite cozy this morning," Peyton said to Haley as they walked in front of the group
"Peyton" Haley said blushing
"Haley, it is okay to be comfortable with him"
"Yea, but most couples don't sleep together on the floor their first night as a couple"
"Yea, well you and Nathan aren't a typical couple. It is not like you just met him"
"I know"
"Haley, is something bothering you?"
"I was just thinking, what if we take this to fast. I mean we are already starting off on shaky ground as it is"
"Hales, you need to stop worrying. Just sit back and relax" Peyton said putting her arm around her friend as they continued on.
"I am not sure what you said to her last night, man, but I guess it was the right thing," Lucas said to Nathan as the two acted as the caboose for the train of friends
"I am not sure either man. I just told her how I felt and told her what dad's letter said"
"What was that?"
"He told me not to let things get in the way of what I want, obstacles that sort of thing. So, I told Haley that I would do whatever it took to make her see that I wanted to be with her"
"And she fell for that? Man, I thought I taught her better than that" Lucas said smiling, "Seriously, I am glad to see you happy. Haley is a one of a kind girl"
"Yea, she is. I am just glad that she gave me another chance," Nathan said as the group reached the café and walked in. Karen had pulled together two tables for them and they sat before Karen walked over.
"Well, here are my sleeping children. I was wondering if you guys were going to show up before noon"
"We had two stragglers," Theresa said
"Let me guess, Brooke and Lucas"
"You know me too well, Mom"
"Yea. What can I get you guys?"
"Usual" Peyton said
"Peyton, are sure you are okay? All you have been eating lately is toast," Jake said
"Yea, I am fine. I told you that I haven't been feeling well lately"
"Are you sure, P. Sawyer?" Brooke asked
"Yea, guys I am fine"
"Karen, give me the special" Skills said, "With some extra bacon and extra toast" Everyone stopped and looked at him, "What? I am hungry"
"Yea, sure. Karen, can I have some scrambled eggs and orange juice?" Theresa asked
"Sure, Theresa. Everyone else the usual?"
"Yea" Nathan said answering for the rest
"I will be back"
"Thanks, Mom" Lucas said
After breakfast had been consumed, the conversation took at turn towards memory lane.
"Do you guys realize what day it is?" Mouth asked
"What day is it?" Haley asked laughing, "I can't remember anymore"
"Guys, it is Wednesday" Mouth said
"So?" Jake asked
"So, Don't you remember what happened on Wednesdays?"
"We got the river court and watch the sunrise" Haley said
"Man, I forgot about that" Lucas said
"We missed the sunrise, but how about some b-ball" Nathan said
"Yea, let's go. I need to burn off some of these calories that I have just consumed" Skills said
"You are going to need more than just a few games of basketball to burn those calories off" Theresa said
"Hey Mom" Lucas said as Karen passed by the table with a pot of coffee
"Yea"
"We are going to go down to the river court for some basketball. Thanks for breakfast"
"Your welcome. Have fun" Karen said
"Do you need us to pick up Meredith?" Nathan asked before she walked away
"No, Meg is going to bring her here after school. Go on and have fun"
"Okay. Bye Mom"
"Bye mom" Came a chorus as the group left the café
"Bye guys" Karen called after them before the door closed
"Are those all your children?" A traveler asked as Karen refilled his coffee cup
"Two of them are mine. The rest are their friends that have kind of adopted me over the years" Karen said looking out at the group walking towards the river court
"Well, you are lucky"
"Yea, I guess I am" Karen said before walking back towards the counter
Haley, Peyton, Brooke, Theresa and Mouth sat on the bleachers watching the guys play their second game. Jake and Nathan won the first one and as always Lucas and Skills wanted a rematch.
"Come on, Lucas. I know you can shoot better than that," Brooke said as Lucas missed a shot from the right side
"Thanks for the encouragement, Brooke"
"Not a problem" Brooke said smiling
"Why don't you ask Mouth about his date today" Lucas said drawing the spotlight from the game to Mouth.
"Mouth, you have a date?" Peyton said from her seat behind Mouth
"It is not a date. Just lunch with an old friend"
"Lunch with an old friend who happens to be Erica Marsh" Skills said
"Erica. Mouth, why didn't you say something? When did you see her?" Haley asked
"Last night at Tric"
"Yea, he was quite cozy with her too," Lucas said
"Just play your game guys." Mouth said
"So, you have a date with Erica Marsh and you didn't tell us" Brooke said
"It is not a date, Brooke. Just lunch"
"Mouth, have I not taught you anything? Lunch with a girl is a date when you are single"
"So, If you and I went out to lunch by ourselves then it would be a date?" Mouth asked
"No, because we are friends"
"So are Erica and I"
"Mouth…" Brooke started
"Let me try this Brooke" Peyton said, "Mouth, do you like Erica?"
"Yea" Mouth said hesitating
"So, why can't this be a date?"
"I don't know. What if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"Mouth, I know Erica and I think she feels the same way," Theresa said smiling
"What do you know?" Haley asked Theresa
"Oh, nothing" Theresa said, "Just that Erica called me this morning to tell me that she had a lunch date today with someone that she would really enjoy getting to know better"
"She really said that?" Mouth said smiling
"See it will all work out" Brooke said, "Now, what are you going to wear?"
"Oh lord. Hurricane Brooke is on the loose" Peyton said drawing a laugh from the rest of the group
"Yes, game point" Lucas said making the winning shot and drawing the group's attention
"Best two out of the three?" Jake asked
"You guys play some more, Theresa and I are going to get Mouth ready for his date" Brooke said walking about to Lucas and giving him a kiss
"Thanks, guys. Thanks a lot. You have given me to the date queens" Mouth said
Haley and Peyton laughed as Mouth was dragged away by Brooke and Theresa muttering something about getting the guys back.
"Same teams. New game" Nathan said as the guys began their next game
"Is everything really okay, Peyt?" Haley asked once the guys were in full playing mode
"Yea"
"Peyton, you can tell me. We have been best friends since diapers."
"Well, there is something. Something that I didn't think anyone could tell"
"What going on?"
"I am pregnant"
"Really! Oh, congrats Peyton" Haley said throwing her arms around Peyton
"Shh, Haley. I haven't told Jake"
"Oh, Sorry" Haley said as she looked towards the court, "I don't think they heard me"
"I am not sure how to tell him"
"Just tell him"
"I am kind of scared about how he is going to feel about this"
"Excited. Peyton, you guys have been together since high school. You both have good jobs and you are getting married"
"Do you really think we are ready for this?"
"The question here is, do you?"
"Yea, I guess. I have always dreamed of being a mom and it is not like we are still in high school or anything."
"Exactly. You guys have a place of your own and I think that you are going to make great parents. And, I get to spoil my little niece or nephew"
Peyton laughed, "Yea, I guess you are right. I would have to move up the wedding though. I don't want to be fat on my wedding day"
"You just tell me when and I will be there" Haley said hugging her friend again, "I am so happy for you Peyton"
"Thanks, Hales" Peyton said hugging her back, "Now, I just have to tell Jake"
"Tell him soon. I know he is worried about you." Haley said releasing the hug, "I feel so honored being the first one to know, well besides you of course"
"Actually some one else knew"
"Who?"
"Keith"
"What?"
"It is his letter" Peyton said pulling the letter from her pocket and opening it. "Halfway down the page" handing the letter to Haley
Being a father gives me fatherly instinct, Peyton. Ones that I never thought would come for someone that isn't my own child. So, before I say what I am about to say, let me just say that you are glowing and that is how I know that you are carrying a child. Don't worry though I won't tell anyone. I know that you will make a wonderful mother and that Jake will be a great father. I am very happy for you two. Tell him soon though. Don't wait till you are showing, like your mom. The look on your father's face was priceless and I will never forget it.
"He must have written this recently," Haley said
"Yea, because I am only about 9 weeks along"
"Yea, and you are glowing" Haley said smiling at Peyton
"GAME!" Skills shouted as he made the winning shot.
"Good game guys" Nathan said as the four walked towards Peyton and Haley.
"Now is your chance, Peyt" Haley whispered
"So, you two didn't want to participate in getting Mouth ready for his date?" Lucas asked as the guys sat down
"Yea, like we could get a suggestion in edgewise." Haley said
"True" Nathan said
"I can't believe you guys released the date queens on him though. With no warning" Peyton said
"Hey, I had nothing to do with that" Jake said
"The other three did though," Peyton said
"What can we say, we want to see him happy" Lucas said
"Yea, sure. You just wanted to get Brooke off your game" Haley said
"Well, that too" Lucas said laughing
"Jake, can I talk to you a sec?" Peyton asked finally getting up enough nerve to tell Jake about the baby
"Yea sure. We will be back guys," Jake said as he and Peyton walked towards the docks
"I hope everything is okay," Nathan said looking after the two
"I am sure that it is" Haley said smiling.
"How about another game?" Skills said, "Nate, you can take your girlfriend"
"Skills, you know I don't play."
"Haley, I know that after all these years of being around the court that you have picked up some kind of skills"
"Yea, I have watched, but I have never played"
"Well, time to change that." Lucas said grabbing the reluctant Haley's hand and pulling her on to the court.
"It will be fun, Hales" Nathan said as he handed her the ball. Haley laughed she throw the ball in and the game began
"Mouth, I seriously need to take you shopping" Brooke said from inside Mouth's closet
"Brooke, most of my clothes are in New York. I only brought hang out clothes"
"You should always be prepared though"
"Sorry, but I only brought one suitcase, not three" Mouth replied making reference to the three suitcases that he had helped Brooke with at the airport.
"I will have you know that one of them was for souvenirs to take back"
"Why do you need souvenirs from the place that you grew up in?" Theresa asked from her spot on Mouth's bed
"Things to remind me of home" Brooke said, "Oh, this polo shirt might work" emerging from the closet
"Hand it here and I will go change" Mouth said taking the shirt and walking towards the bathroom
"Brooke, do you really need a whole suitcase for things that remind you of home?"
"Yea, well actually it is for things that I left in my room. Photo albums, photos"
"Okay, how does this look?" Mouth said
"Perfect, now let's go do your hair" Brooke said pushing Mouth back toward the bathroom. "Theresa, I am going to need your assistance"
"Oh lord. I am really going to hurt them," Mouth said before being pushed into the bathroom and the door shut.