Chapter 10 – A Little Help

It was almost ten o'clock in the morning. Peyton had fed the boys breakfast, gotten them ready for school, and dropped them off. She had come back finished the rest of the cleaning, and now she was ready to tackle Brooke Davis. She grabbed a bagel, and headed upstairs.

When she opened the door she was surprise to see Brooke awake and sitting up. "Oh, you really are here. I thought that I dreamt that." She said seeing Peyton.

Peyton sat down next to her and handed her the bagel. It was quiet for a moment. "Brooke Davis what the hell are you doing?" Peyton asked, breaking the silence.

Brooke immediately started sobbing. "I don't know." She choked out in between sobs. "I'm just a horrible person. I'm a horrible mother and a horrible wife." Peyton held her friend, and rubbed her back.

"Shhhh, it's going to be alright. You are not a horrible person. You are a wonderful wife and mother." Peyton comforted her. "Brooke, this is so not like you. What happened? The last I knew you and Josh were working things out."

"He chose her over me and the boys. He chose that home wrecking bitch instead. So I told him to get out, and then he did." Her crying intensified.

"Well, you know what Brooke, then let him go off and be with her. You have way too much going for you to let that jerk off ruin you." Brooke sniffled. "Brooke, I know what you're going through sucks, but you have to be strong. You have to be strong for yourself, and more importantly for your boys."

They sat in silence each in their own thoughts. Finally Broke spoke in almost a whisper, "Will you help me P. Sawyer?"

Peyton laughed and rubbed her friend's arm, "Of course B. Davis. Of course, but first you need to shower. You seriously smell like ass."

While Brooke showered, Peyton started cleaning up the room. "Hey," Brooke walked out of bathroom with her hair in a towel, "I started picking up this mess that used to be your bedroom." Peyton laughed, but Brooke sat down, upset.

"Peyton, I'm so sorry that you had to come here and do this. You really didn't have to."

Peyton looked surprised. "Brooke, you are my best friends, and I love you. I am always going to be here for you. Now cheer up."

Brooke smiled, "Thanks Peyton."

The two of them spent the rest of the day talking, laughing, and healing Brooke's heart. Peyton didn't mention the whole Lucas thing. First of all, she wasn't even sure what it was exactly, and secondly she 

didn't think it was appropriate with Brooke's pending divorce. It was almost time for the boys to arrive home. "I'm kind of nervous." Brooke admitted as they sat on the couch waiting for the boys' arrival.

Peyton laughed, "You'll be fine." She promised.

The door opened, and Brooke jumped up to greet them. "Hey guys."

"Mommy!" Alex yelled excitedly as Brooke scooped him up in her arms. She kissed his cheek.

"Oh, I love you buddy." She told him as she put him back down.

"Hey mom." Sean hugged her, but Ollie wouldn't even look at her.

"Hi Ollie." She said, but he just walked to his bedroom and slammed the door.

Brooke looked at Peyton. "Guys why don't we go get a snack, and let your Mom and Ollie talk." She suggested to the two younger boys.

Brooke knocked on her oldest son's door. She opened the door to see her oldest son sitting on his bed reading a skateboard magazine. "I think we need to talk." She said taking a seat next to him on the bed.

"About what?" He didn't look up from his magazine.

"Look, Ollie," she began, "what I did to you and your brothers was unacceptable and selfish and horrible, and I am so sorry. I promise you that I will never do that to you guys again. I love you all very much, but when your father left I just lost it." Ollie was looking at her now. "But, you have to believe me when I say that I am sorry, and that it will never happen again."

It was quiet for a moment. "It's okay Mom. I forgive you."

She smiled. "I love you, honey" She said hugging him.

"I love you too."

That night Brooke and the boys went out to dinner; Peyton declined, she knew that they needed some time together. Instead, she decided to call Luke. He had called her when he landed in New York as she had asked, but she hadn't had the time to answer.

He looked at his ringing cell phone, and was happy to see it was Peyton. "Hello beautiful."

Peyton laughed before saying hello. "Sorry I didn't get a chance to answer your call the other night."

"That's alright. I was kind of worried about you though. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm good, it's actually Brooke. I guess her and Josh are having problems, so I had to come here to help her out."

"Wait, so you're here?"



Peyton smiled, "Yeah."

"Is Brooke okay?"

"Yeah, she's going to be fine now. She's out with the boys."

"So you're there all alone?" He asked mischievously.

Peyton laughed, "Yes, but—"

"Kay, I'll be right there." And, with that he hung up the phone.

The knock came in less than an hour. When she opened the door he greeted her with a kiss. "Look, Luke I didn't tell Brooke about us, and I don't really know how to so I think maybe you shouldn't be here." But it was too late; Brooke was pulling up as she spoke.

"Luke, hi." Brooke said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, Peyton called me; told me you were going through a difficult time, and I just wanted to check up on you."

Brooke looked at Peyton, and in an instant Peyton knew Brooke knew. "Well, thanks." She said smiling, and everyone went inside. The boys were in bed, and the three old friends sat around talking and reminiscing. They were all having the best time. "So you're both back in Tree Hill?" Brooke asked looking at the two of them.

"Yep." Peyton answered avoiding Brooke's eyes.

"I see." Brooke said. "Well, I think I'm going to head up to bed. It was good seeing you Lucas."

"I think she knows." Peyton said once she had gone.

"Ya think?" he asked sarcastically. He kissed her, and things started heating up pretty quickly.

"Wait." Peyton pulled away. "Luke, I really want to do this again, but I can't. Not tonight. It's my last night here, and I need to talk to Brooke."

"Ok," Lucas smiled, "But you owe me." He smiled and kissed her. "Tell Brooke I said bye, and if she needs anything I'm here.

"I will." She promised, as he walked out the door.

Peyton walked upstairs. Brooke's door was open, and the light was on. She knocked lightly, and walked in. Brooke squealed when she saw her. "Tell me everything." She said patting the bed. Peyton laid down next to her friend, and the two went into girl mode.

After Peyton had told Brooke all the details they laid there in silence for a moment. "Peyton, I think that its time for me to come home too." Brooke said quietly.



"Are you serious?" Peyton turned towards her friend.

"Yeah, I mean I've never really been happy here. Tree Hill has always been my home, and now that Joshua is gone I think it's time for me to move on and be happy."

"What about Clothes Over Bros?" Brooke had carried her company for over 15 years now, and she was a really successful designer.

"Well, I think maybe it's time to take a break. Focus on what matters. I mean I'll still design and play a role in the company, but it won't be my main priority." Brooke smiled.

"Being happy is what matters most." Peyton told her.

"And for the first time in a long time I am happy."