Author's note:Thank you all for your amazing reviews! You have no idea how much it means! That's what is keeping me writing. I know I haven't updated in a long time, but I got inspiration for those other stories, check them out too! And one more thing. I warn you, many, many Leyton in this chapter! Hope you enjoy it anyway! Don't forget to review!

Reasons that reason cannot know

Chapter 11

Brooke, Peyton and Anna were at the rivercourt, talking about random stuff.

"Momma, I want ice cream."

Peyton laughed.

"She is definitely your daughter, B. Davis."

Brooke was hugging her little girl.

"Ok, honey, we'll have some when we get home."

Anna smiled and clapped with her little hands. Brooke was so happy when Anna was laughing. Seeing her smile was all Brooke lived for.

Peyton was looking at her best friend and her daughter. She knew what Brooke told her about the father, but there was still something bothering her.

"Brooke, can I ask you something?"

"Yeah, of course, P. Sawyer. What is it?"

"Tell me the whole story about him."

Brooke knew what Peyton meant but she just didn't want to talk about it, cause she had to lie again and she hated doing it.

"I already told you."

"Yeah, but I wanna know the truth, B. Davis. I know you're not telling me everything."
"Peyton… I"

"Brooke, please!"

Brooke closed her eyes and her heart started aching.

"Well, he's an awesome guy: smart, handsome, nice, kind. But what we had was a mistake for him. He was drunk and I know he didn't have any feelings for me. We just had that night and after that, he went back to his life. Actually, he was in love with some other girl. What happened between us… It's something that wasn't supposed to happen. But I don't regret it, because it gave me Anna."

"But Brooke, why didn't you think for yourself and the baby? It's as much his responsibility as yours. You don't have to be so selfless, you have to be selfish sometimes. And did you think about Anna? One day she is going to ask you about her daddy. What are you going to tell her?"

"I don't know. I'm so afraid of that day. I'm afraid she's going to hate me because he's not around. But I though about it so much, Peyton, and that was the right thing to do. Because I know that if he knew, he'd stay with me, he'd never abandon his daughter and her mother. . And what would that bring us? He would never be happy, so all the three of us would be miserable. And don't tell me it wouldn't be like that. He had his whole life that I was not a part of. Think about Nathan, how the relationship between Dan and Deb affected him. He was so cold, miserable and he turned into the biggest jackass in the whole school."

"But he's changed."

"Yeah, cause he found Haley. But how could I be sure it would be the same with Anna? I didn't want her to feel like her parents have given up their happiness for her."

"Have you even thought about telling him?"

"I think about it every single day since I saw two lines on the test. I ask myself how horrible I am for keeping a father and a daughter away from each other, you know? And sometimes I hate myself when I picture them together. But then, I remembered how excited he was about all those things in his life, the pure love in his eyes when he talked about the girl he loved and I know I couldn't take his dreams away from him. For everybody's sake."

"I'm sorry it's so messed up, best friend."

"It's ok, Peyton."

"You seem to really care about this guy."

"He is an amazing person. He deserves to be happy."

Brooke's eyes were tearing, but she was not gonna cry. She saw that Peyton understand what Brooke meant by her words, but there was so much she couldn't even imagine. Peyton could never know how much Brooke wanted Lucas to know that Anna was his daughter, how hard was it for her to keep this a secret and to lie to him, how painful was to let him go again, how much she still loved him. They had to change the subject, because otherwise, Brooke would break down.

"Ok, let's talk about something else. Have you talked to Lucas?"

Talking about Lucas and the new triangle around him wasn't a very appropriate change, but Brooke knew Peyton needed that.

"Since we met the other day when he came to pick you girls up, no. But last nigh I met Lindsey."

"What? Where?"

"Well, you remember I told you I was going for a walk? I ended up at Tric and there I saw Haley. She was with Lindsey and that's how we met. She seems really nice."
"Yeah, she does. How did it go?"

"Quite well. I hope she and Lucas are happy."

There was pain in Peyton's voice as she said that. Brooke felt it and knew just how Peyton felt, because she was there, knowing that the person she loved was happy with someone else.

"I know you're hurting. You came back for him, didn't you?"

Peyton was looking at their names, written on the ground, her right next to Lucas'.

"When I came home, I guess I was looking for that inspiration I felt when we wrote our names here, you know. I was fearless then, Brooke. And then, I went to LA and I became assistant to the assistant and lost the man I loved. And I lost the girl who wrote her name on that court. I think I just wanted to come home and things would be the same again, just like they were that night. And yeah, that included Lucas too. But even if things didn't turn out the way I wanted them to, I'm glad I came back. I'm glad I'm with you again, and with everyone else."

Brooke could see how broken Peyton was, what a mess her best friend has turned into. She had to help her.

"I'm here for you, P. Sawyer. I'm here if you wanna cry on my shoulder, if you wanna have a talk, and I'm here helping you with your new label. Have you thought about it?"

"Yeah. Brooke, thank you so much for that. And for believing in me. I promise I'll give you all the money back."

"Don't be ridiculous, Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer!"

The two friends were looking at each other when something interrupted them.

"Momma, I wanna sleep."

Brooke turned back to her daughter. The beautiful little blue-eyed brunette was almost asleep. She had such an angel face that Brooke just once again felt so grateful for having her.

"We're going home, baby girl. Peyton, are you coming too?"

"No, I wanna stay a bit longer. See you later, B. and A. Davis."

Brooke smiled at Peyton and started walking away. Then, she saw Lucas, holding a ball in his hand. He was obviously going to the Rivercourt, probably to clean his head. That's what he has always been doing.

"Hey, broody!"

Lucas now saw Brooke and Anna. He smiled. He hasn't talked to them since the day they spent together and he missed both of them.

"Hi! Hey, Anna, you remember me, little princess?"

The little sleepy girl in Brooke's arms looked at him and said:

"You Lucas. You got me ice cream."

He smiled and touched her cheek. This little girl had him wrapped around her little finger.

"Yeah, that's right. If you want, we can grab some again sometimes. You want to?"

Anna nodded and then rested her head on Brooke's shoulder, almost asleep. Brooke and Lucas were both looking at her and smiling. Then, he moved his look from Anna's face to Brooke's.

"Hey, how are you doing?"

"Great. Just heading home to put that little girl in bed."

Lucas smiled. Brooke and Anna were so adorable together and he saw what amazing job Brooke was doing with her.

"Yeah. So, how's the new house?."

"Great. You should come over sometime."

"Count on that."

They smiled and stood there a few more seconds in comfortable silence. Lucas was the one who spoke.

"I'd love the three of us to hang out again. It was great."

"Yeah, it sure was."

Brooke was looking at him and smiled. God, it was really great to have him back in her life, even with all the crazy things that brought too.

"Hey, Peyton is on the Rivercourt. I think you guys have some things to talk about. Oh, and ask her about a record label."

"I will. See you, girls."

"Bye, Luke."

They smiled at each other one last time and Brooke left. She was doing it again. Trying to set Lucas and Peyton together. And it still hurt so much. Even more actually. But that was the right thing to do, right?

Lucas walked towards the rivercourt. He saw Peyton, sitting on a bench and remembered the night of graduation, when they stood at the exact same rivercourt and they both thought that night was the beginning of their happy life together. A lot has changed since then. But one thing was the same. Peyton Sawyer was destined for greatness and Lucas felt that special connection with her, even if it was not in that romantic way it used to be.

"I'm supposed to ask about a record label."

They looked at each other. There was awkwardness and tension, but Lucas hoped it would pass.

"Yeah, Brooke wants me to start my own label here."

Lucas sat next to her. He was surprised from what she said, but it felt somehow right to him.

"Are you gonna do it?"

Peyton just looked at him and didn't say anything for a while.

"I met Lindsey last night."

It was so crazy for the two of them to talk about Lucas' new girlfriend. But now when she brought it…

"Yeah, she told me. She was very impressed of you. Her exact words were 'She seems even greater that you described her in the book.' And believe me, that means a lot, because she loves your character so much. When we were editing, I thought she was falling for you, not for me."

They both smiled, but Peyton's smile was fake and Lucas knew it.

"She seems wonderful, Luke. How long have you two been together?"

Lucas stood up. Even thou it was over for years, he needed to know.

"Why didn't you come to the book signing? In LA, two years ago."

Peyton's look changed. She remembered that they. She went there, but she saw Lucas and this other woman she realized there was something, so she left. How damn right was she, right?

"Lucas, I…"

"Just tell me, Peyton."

Peyton hesitated what to say. She knew that it wouldn't be right to lie, but would it be fair to tell him the truth? To him, to Lindsey, to her? For a few more moments, Peyton stood there in silence. Then, she had finally decided what to say.

"I was there, Luke. At your book signing in LA. I was there, Lucas. I was so proud of you. But we hadn't talked in a long time. I saw you with Lindsey and I figured you guys were together, which clearly you are."

Lucas couldn't believe it. That day was when he realized he and Peyton were over for good and decided to start moving on and went to his first day with Lindsey.

"We weren't together then Peyton. We were just friends at the time. But after I didn't see you there, I realized what we had was really over and I invited Lindsey on a dinner. That night was our first date."

Peyton didn't believe what Lucas just said. How could that be?

"Lucas, I…."

"Just don't say anything, Peyton. You just proved me again something I already knew: that you gave up on us. You did it junior year, when you told me we couldn't be together, you did it three years ago when you said no, and you did it two years ago when you ran away. I called you! I wanted to see you so bad. I missed you every minute of every day. Peyton. And I was still in love with you, damn it! But you just ran away, didn't you?"

"I gave up on us, Lucas?! I gave up on us? You were the one who left me in that hotel room. God, I loved you so much, Lucas! I said someday, not no! But then, you ran away. So do you think I gave up on us?"
"Yes, Peyton, you did! You know, when I proposed to you that night, I was so sure that you were the one I was meant to be with. Just as sure as I was the night we won the state championship. That's why I came and asked you to marry me. Because as I said, I wanted us to be together forever. How was I supposed to react on your answer, Peyton? To say that it was ok and we could just forget about that night? Well, I couldn't. Because I realized you didn't love me like I did loved you. And what you told me tonight is another prove that I was wrong. We aren't meant to be, Peyton. We never were."

It was painful to hear her blaming him for what happened between them. It was hard saying it out loud that the girl he loved so much and he thought was the right for him was not meant to be with him. God, it was hard, even if he didn't felt the same way about her as he used to, it was so damn hard.

Peyton was crying. She couldn't believe Lucas was saying that: that she ran away from him. She loved him so much, she still did.

"I never ran away, Lucas. I wanted you so bad, I loved you more than life itself. I wanted us to be together and to be happy."

"Well, I guess we both made mistakes. We can't take what happened back.. I hate the way everything between us ended. But now, I am with Lindsey and I love her. I'm in love with her. It's the first time I say it out loud, Peyton, and it's hard, but you and me, we are over and this time it is for good. Actually, it has been for three years. I will always care about you, Peyton. I need you in my life. I want us to get through this and be friends."

They were looking at each other's eyes the whole time. Now, Peyton was even more crushed than ever. Because now, for the first time in her life, Lucas Scott was telling her they were not meant to be and that he didn't love her.

"I gotta get going. It's late."

Lucas watching Peyton as she was walking away. And for the first time in his life, he realized that they were not meant to be.

*-*-*

Brooke had just put Anna to sleep and now she sat on the couch of her new house she bought the previous day and took a glass of red wine. She was thinking about the conversation she had with Peyton. She knew her best friend thought Brooke should have told the father about Anna. Funny thing is what she would say if she knew that the said father is Lucas Scott. But Peyton didn't know. And she never would. That's why she'd never understand Brooke's actions. She'd never understand why she was so concerned about the father's happiness, why she was so sure she couldn't make him happy, why was it so hard for her, why she thought about telling him every single day. Nobody could understand. Then, Brooke thought about Lucas and Peyton. She was doing it again. Throwing Lucas in Peyton's open arms. Just like the night of the state championship. But there were some differences. First, Brooke though about Lindsey too, knowing just how she would feel if slash when Lucas realized he still loved Peyton. And the second, main difference, as heartbreaking it was then, now it was even harder. Because as the time passed, Brooke's love for Lucas hasn't faded. It has become even stronger. Now she had a daughter with him, a daughter that she was connecting her to Lucas stronger than anything else. So yeah, Brooke's heart was shattered in million peaces once again, but she would get through it, just like she always did. Why? Because she had to be strong for everyone, mostly for the sleeping little girl in the next room. But there was another why. Why was she doing it at all? Because she loved both Lucas and Peyton very much. And she saw how terribly in love with him she was, and Lucas has loved Peyton since 8th grade. Was it possible for a love like this to fade away in two years? Well, Brooke's love hasn't faded in 6 years. So from her own experience, the answer was no. Brooke closed her eyes and all the memories she shared with Lucas came to her mind. She loved him. She always had. She always would. And that's why she has let him go.

A single tear fell from the beautiful hazel eyes.