FIRST OFF! Can I start by saying the feedback for chapter six was AMAZING. I love each and everyone of you and to prove it, I've dedicated this chapter to Annie's OTH love, Tweetiebird86, leyton4ever35, lizzy1234, ReeseHolden, bendecida82, SocietyGirl, Reddevil6394, LadyB25, Taylor ()&artmatters
Authors Note: Why you ask, why have I been spelling the baby's name differently each time?? Well, I HAVEN'T BEEN. Ellie is Peyton's birthmother. Elle is Peyton's daughter. Ana is Peyton's adoptive mother. Anna is Elle's middle name. Elisabeth is Peyton's middle name and Elizabeth is the baby… WOW. I needed to differentiate between each character so I just altered the spelling of the parent's names for the baby.
INSPERATION- You Found Me- The Fray. Come on, did you not weep in the last episode when Peyton thought she was going to be in the doctor's appointment alone!? I did. And the Brooke/ Julian Fluff
A knock broke the silence.
Another followed.
And another.
…And another.
"Brooke get the effin door" Something hard hit the wall waking Brooke Davis from sleep and another knock followed.
"Shit" She said jumping up from the bed, pulling from Julian's tight arms. She threw on the first thing she could find. Her feet, cold on the tile, ran through the kitchen. She fell against the door pulling it open. "Peyton, oh my god, I'm so sorry" She apologized, standing aside to let her best friend in.
"I'm assuming you forgot."
The brunette shook her head franticly. "No no, not at all, I just forgot to set an alarm to actually get me out of bed"
"I did call your cell phone"
She ran her fingers through her hair. "Would you mind waiting while I got dressed really quick?"
"Yes please do, this is so much more of grown up Brooke Davis than I ever wanted to see"
Brooke looked down at her long naked legs and pulled Julian's sleeved shirt tighter around her chest. "I'll be out in two minutes; top" She quickly left the room to change into jeans and a tight purple sweatshirt. Her short brown hair was thrown up into a tiny pony tail as she came back into the kitchen where Peyton was seated; having stole a bottle of water from the refrigerator. "Let me grab one of those and then we can head out to the dinner."
She reached into the fridge and grabbed herself water, reeling back quickly to look at the calendar. "It's your birthday!"
Peyton blinked at her. "Yeah B. Davis, hints the reason we're going out for breakfast"
"I knew, I just I forgot!" She ran and embraced her friend in a firm hug. "Happy twenty fourth birthday Momma Scott"
"Thanks Brooke, now can we get something to eat because I'm starving and there is no food in my house"
"Of course" She whispered with her signature raspy voice. "My treat" She winked and took her friends hand to pull her towards the front door.
"Bring me back chocolate chip pancakes!" Sam yelled from her bedroom.
Brooke stopped short and called toward the direction of her adoptive daughter's room. "If there's a dent in the wall, you're paying for it."
"Bite me" She screamed back and Peyton gently pulled Brooke out of her house and to the Comet.
Later, Peyton and Brooke were seated at a booth in the dinner; they had just ordered and were waiting for their food to be brought to them.
"How's Daddy Scott?" She asked grasping her coffee cup with two hands and took a sip of the steaming liquid.
The blonde's lips up turned in her signature "new mother" smile. "He's good, great actually. He was so excited to take Elizabeth shopping to pick up my birthday gift. He's disappointed because I always hog her"
"Did he do anything special yet, for your birthday of course?"
Her smile continued. "Well, Luke took care of the baby's early morning wake up call, so I got to sleep in until she needed to be fed and the kitchen table was set with pretty roses' and a card which Elle got to stamp her hand in. But other than that, I don't think he's had much time to plan, not that I'd expect anything."
"Is Luke going to the movie premier next week?"
Peyton shrugged. "I know he wants to, I mean this is his dream come true. Everyone in the country seeing his movie, the story he needed to tell"
"Us, on big screen"
"Scary thought, isn't it?"
Brooke nodded. "Worse than the audition process that's for sure"
"Missy never rubbed off on you?"
A hand reached for her mouth as she coughed. "Rub off on, no. Rub up on, yes, multiple times. Let's just say, if there's a sequel, I'm casting myself."
"Speaking of sequels; Dixon's expressed interest in Luke's second book"
"Really now?" Peyton nodded firmly, her own coffee cup pressed against her lips. "But the book did terrible, no offence" Peyton shrugged and brought the glass back down to the table. "And his new one?"
"He won't tell me anything about it" She spoke clearly aggravated. "I think it's about the baby, but he just sits up late at night in front of computer typing away."
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but who's going to be editing this third book of his?"
A sigh escaped her formed lips. "He's still signed on with Lindsay. He talks to her like once a month via video chat thing and he always tries to hide it from me. But I don't think he understands that it doesn't bother me. I just feel incredibly bad that, well, I've got him and she doesn't."
"Again, no offence, but she never had him Peyt, we all knew that from the start, and so did she."
"No offence or anything" She teased. "But I don't want to talk about Lindsay; I want to enjoy my breakfast with my best friend on my birthday"
"Are you doing anything special tonight?"
A waitress walked towards them, balancing a round tray on her hip. "Breakfast platter?" She asked and Peyton nodded towards her as she slid the plate her way. "Combo" She spoke softly and set the plate in front of Brooke and clicked her heels as she retreated back to the kitchen. They broke into their food within seconds as eggs were pulled off forks and bacon was ripped into bits.
"You'd think we hadn't eaten in days" Peyton said as she washed down a bite of her eggs with a sip of coffee. "So you were asking me something?"
"Oh, I was just wondering what the big plans were for tonight?!" Brooke's eyes gleamed as she leaned forward in her seat.
A small laugh escaped the woman's lips. "No big plans; I'm a mother now and my kid's gotta be fed and put to bed every two hours. So that pretty much eliminates anything 'big'."
"How about I babysit? It doesn't have to be over night; I know you and Papa Scott aren't ready for that, but I'll watch Ell so you and Luke could have sometime for your selves." She suggested casually and Peyton considered.
"I don't see why not; I'll talk it over with Luke when I see him"
"It'll give me some quality time with my girl" Brooke cooed as she raised her shoulders playfully.
"Your girl, yeah, okay" Peyton titled her head back as she drained the rest of her coffee. "You're funny"
"I am the god 'mother'"
Luke entered his house of twenty four years, carrying his child in her car seat and a small gift bag. He gently shut the door behind him, setting Elizabeth and the bag on the floor as he bent onto his knees to unbuckle the baby. Tiny arms wrapped their way wound his back and he felt a head peer over his shoulder.
"I have the best cousin in the world." Lily announced proudly. "But she's not really my cousin, she's my niece."
The much older brother laughed and stood with Elizabeth in his arms. "Peyton home yet?"
The girl shook her head. "Nope, but I made her a nice birthday card"
A pride filled smile brightened over his face. "You're the best Lil. She's going to be so happy you thought of her"
"Good, because mom took me to buy new crayons yesterday and instead a got bright smelly markers and they were awesome to draw with" She pulled a folded sheet of construction paper from her back pocket and handed it out to her brother.
"Peyton'll love it" He placed it back in her hands and leaned down to softly kiss the top of her head. "Where's your mom and dad?"
"Mom's in the kitchen, I think" She tickled the baby's foot and bound off to the living room to continue watching TV while Luke closed in on the kitchen, hearing the clatter of glass dishes.
"Hey" She said, and turned at the sound of his heavy footsteps. "Let me see that baby." Karen dried her hands with a towel and smiled as her son put Elle into her arms. "You owe Peyton everything for this. And even though I hate to say it sometimes, I'm so thankful for Dan, because he gave me you"
Lucas gave his half brooding smile and rested his hand on his daughter's arm. "I don't know how it happened, but we definitely did make a cute kid"
Karen looked up at her son, eyes shining as she said. "It happens" They fell into a comfortable silence, admiring the small baby in her arms. "How's Peyton enjoying her birthday so far?"
A soft sigh escaped his lips. "I tried to make it as special as I could. We've kind of been lacking time these last few weeks. And I didn't make any plans because I didn't know if Peyton would want leave the baby with someone for an extended period of time, or even have her out of the house for long"
"I can tell Deb that I need to reschedule our dinner tonight, if you want. I wouldn't mind babysitting. Or maybe Andy and Lily can go see that movie tomorrow?"
"No, you guys go do your thing. I don't even know if Peyton's up for anything." Luke left his mother's side to pull a can of coke out of the fridge. He lifted the cap and the cracked the soda open before taking a long sip. He exhaled deeply and took a seat at the table while Karen remained standing above him while rocking Elizabeth. "Did you get her anything?"
"Crap" He gasped, and quickly stood up to run back to the front door, where he had placed the small bag. He took it back into the kitchen where he placed it securely on the table. "Knowing Peyton she'd peek right inside"
Karen laughed. "What is it?"
"One of those new fancy charm bracelets, a card, and some pictures I had taken of her and Elle the other day. They were cute and I thought Peyton could hang them up at work"
"You're a good kid Luke. And I'm so proud of everything you've done…speaking of which… are you going to the movie premier?"
"Ugh" Luke ran a hand through his hair and leaned back into his seat. "I don't know. I'd have to book my flight soon and talk to Dixon and talk to Peyton. I know she's willing to support every decision I have to make, but I have a feeling she wouldn't want me to be gone for a week."
"I know this might not make all the since in the world, but why don't all of you go. And by all of you, I mean Brooke, Peyton, You, the baby, Haley ext. It's a big deal, all of your lives are about to be put on display for the whole world"
"Including yours"
"Including mine, But I think everyone, especially you, would regret not seeing it firsthand"
He gulped down more of his soda and shook his head. "It's easy for everyone else to just get on a plane to go to LA, but we have the baby and she's too young to fly. We'd have to drive down and leave like next Wednesday. It's too much to think about."
Karen shrugged. "Just a suggestion; consider it. Maybe it'll work out." She leaned down and kissed Luke's forehead. "Here, take your daughter" Elle was replaced in his arms. "I'm going to go see what time Andy was planning on leaving later. Him and Lily were going to go get food before there movie."
She left the room glancing at Lily while passing the living room. Luke looked down at his girl, admiring her white blonde hair and blue eyes, hungry, staring back at him. She was beautiful. His heart fluttered as she gave him her new signature smile before reaching up to grasp onto his shirt. Her lips fussed and her body wiggled, which only ever mean one thing. He stood up, holding her with one arm as he opened the fridge with the other. He pulled out a bottle and popped it into the microwave for ten seconds, testing the liquid on his skin before holding it upside down for the baby to suck on. Her perfect lips formed around it and her hands curled tighter around her father's shirt. She He continued to stand, turning to lean up against the sink.
She was such a good baby, she rarely ever cried for him and had a signature attitude for everything. When she needed to be changed, her arms flail in the air and her face gets really red. When hungry, her body would shake and she would admit tiny whines. She only cried when she felt cold, unprotected, hurt or tired. She had become really easy to figure out.
His baby cradled in his arms, taking down her nourishment. He smiled and his smile grew as he heard the front door open.
"Peyton!" A small voice cheered and footsteps were heared rapidly approaching the front door.
"Hey Lil"
"Come watch a movie with me!" She begged. "You can pick"
"I will in a second, just let me go check in with Luke and I'll be right in" Her heels snapped on the tile as her body came into view from the kitchen. "Hey" She smiled, seeing her family in front of her. "How's my girl?"
"Hungry" Luke deadpanned and gladly received her lips as she came to stand in front of him.
"Is that mine?" She asked curiously, pointing towards the bag on the table.
He leaned forward for her lips again and she obliged. "Nosey"
"When can I open it?" She peered down at Elizabeth and then back up to him, her eyes shining.
Luke shook his head. "You could open it now, but then you'd have nothing to open later."
"What's later?" She questioned and then took a seat on the table, her feet resting in a chair.
"We have the house to our selves. Mom's going over to spend some time with Deb and Andy and Lil are going to see a movie"
"Fun, fun"
"The movie or the having the house to ourselves?"
She shrugged. "Both?" He rolled his eyes and took the bottle from Elle, once she had finished drinking. He gently pat her back, releasing the tiny air bubbles from her chest and stomach. "Can I take her?" Luke's eye brows rose as he handed Elle to her mother. "Hi baby" She smiled as her daughter's face imminently brightened. "Oh, by the way, in case you actually wanted to do anything tonight, Brooke said she'd baby sit"
He sat beside her, surprised. "You want to go out?"
"Maybe, why? We haven't really done anything, just the two of us in a over month or so, not that I'm complaining." She said kissing Elle's hands as they were shoved into her face. "But we could go get some ice cream, maybe take a walk? I'm not saying we disappear for the whole night; just an hour or so."
"For your birthday?"
She nodded."For my birthday. And then we can come back and" She leaned down and pretended to eat Elle's fingers. "Kiss our little girl" Her voice sang of key and Elle smiled. "Oh, I love that! My baby's got the most beautiful, toothless smile"
"You can give Brooke a call and tell her we'll drop El off around 5 and won't be out long" He took her cheeks in his hands, lifting her head up to meet his. He pressed his lips against hers and felt her smile.
"You guys are disgusting. Do you ever, not kiss?" Lily said jumping up beside them. "Elle's going to agree with me one day." Luke and Peyton pulled apart, gleaming into each other's eyes. "Peyton will you watch a movie with me now!?"
"Sure" She said, handing Elle back to Luke. "I'll text Brooke to let her know what time we'll be by"
Lily took Peyton's hand and pulled her off to the living room. "I have to show you the card I made you. It's lovely."
Luke laughed at the girls and turned his attention back toward his daughter.
"Now put her down gently." Lucas lowered Elle down into the bassinet in their bedroom very carefully, like his wife instructed. Her tiny body remained motionless as she continued to sleep. "She's beautiful Luke."
He turned his attention towards Peyton who was still staring intently at the baby. "Yes she is" He took a step, his arms working their way around her torso. She hugged back, continuing to look at the baby from over his shoulder.
"I'm still huge" She whispered with an ending sigh.
He hugged her tighter to his body. "You were pregnant, up until" He looked at his watch."Fourteen hours ago"
She smiled into his shoulder, but refused to look away from her daughter. She yawned and pulled away from Lucas. "Sorry" She mumbled. "I'm exhausted"
"And you have every right to be. Why don't you go change or whatever; I'll stay here and keep an eye on her." She kissed his lips and glanced at Elle's tiny body once more before heading over toward the closet. Luke took a seat on the edge of the bed and rested one of his hands on the bar of the bassinet. He pulled the large gray sweatshirt over his head and threw it to the floor. Then his shirt followed.
He was surprised how much his daughter looked like Peyton from the start. The second she's been placed in his arms and he had gotten a good look at her; all he could see was his wife and her dark, uncolored baby eyes.
"They'll be blue" Peyton had assured him at first. And lucky for him, she'd been right.
The tall blonde came back in the bedroom, a tooth brush shoved into her mouth. "You couldn't finish doing that in the bathroom?" He asked and she simply shook her head.
Her legs came to a stop in front of the baby and she reached her left hand out to hold Luke's. She squeezed it briefly before releasing it and retreating back to the bathroom. Luke rolled his eyes and stood following her to the bathroom to brush his own teeth. Peyton was rinsing her mouth with a Dixie cup of water when he came to stand beside her. "You know" She said, after she'd spit into the sink. "I think that's what got me pregnant in the first place." Her finger came in contact with his bare chest and she kissed his cheek, walking past him.
Luke continued to get ready for bed; changing out of his jeans and into sweat pants and washing his face with warm water and soap. When he'd finally came back into the bedroom, Peyton was passed out, her head asleep against his pillow. He turned off the light and joined her, keeping her head tucked under his chin securely.
When he awoke close to an hour later, Peyton was out of his arms. He sat up and found her sitting at the edge of the bed still glancing into the bassinet. "Do you plan on getting sleep ever again?"
She laughed at the sound of his voice and turned to bring their eyes together. "Eventually. I had a weird dream and I had to check on her"
He got out from under the covers and traced her forehead briefly before backing away. "I'll be right back."
Peyton heard the sound of clatter coming from within the living room and she pretended not to be curious. Scrapping on the wooden floor, echoed in the hall and Luke reentered the bedroom pushing the love seat that had once been in front of the TV. He set it up in front of the baby and pulled the comforter off the bed. He sat down and motioned for Peyton to join him, allowing her to rest her head against his chest. They still had a clear view of their daughter and were comfortable enough they could potentialy sleep, god willing.
"Thanks Luke" He kissed the top of her head and pulled the blanket around her shoulders.
"You sure you want to sleep with that on?" He asked referring to the locket he had given her the night before.
She shook her head. "It's not coming off"
A smiled crossed his face. "I love you"
"I love you too" Her heart sung. "And our baby"
"It's been an interesting first night home, huh?"
"Yea, but it can only get better"
--
"Hey Sam" Brooke yelled from the kitchen. "We got baby duty in ten; you better be ready."
"Alright, alright" She shrieked from her bedroom. "I can't believe she actually gave us permission."
"Who, Peyton? Why is that surprising?"
Her brown head entered the kitchen. "No offence or anything but she is the most anal mother I've ever met, and honestly, I've had quite a few" She admitted a small laugh. "I mean she slept in front of the crib for two weeks.
"Samantha, don't be rude. It's her first kid and I remember how freaked out I was when Angie was here, and she wasn't even mine. And it's not like Peyton's had a lot of experience."
"I was just saying" She protested and reached into the fridge for a can of seltzer. "Besides, I love that little girl. I'd be just as protective of her."
"Good, because it's going to be our turn soon, and I need Peyton to trust us if we're ever going to be able to take her on vacations with us"
"Disney here we come; kids under two and mothers get in free" Sam cheered and high fived Brooke.
"Right you are kid; so tonight has to go smooth as hell, or I'm never letting you take the car again."
Sam sat down at the counter and flipped through a magazine. "Jeez mommy, don't be so bossy."
"Watch yourself" Brooke said leaning over the counter to drink some of Sam's seltzer.
"Heyy, get your own!" Sam stole the can back and held it firmly in her grasp.
Brooke sat down besides her and held her hands together. "You think it's going to go okay? I mean it'll be my first time alone with my best friend's baby. It's gotta go okay right"
"It's a baby Brooke; you've had one before. You've watched Jamie loads of times. I mean, come on. Call Julian and ask him to come home if you're really that freaked."
"You think that'll help?"
Sam shrugged. "I don't see why not"
Brooke nodded and ran a hand through her dark hair. "Call him for me? And ask him to pick up coffees."
The sixteen year old hopped down off the stole, walked back into her bedroom and came back to the kitchen with the phone in her hands, the speaker pressed against her pierced ear.
"Heyy Jules"
"Heyy Sampson, Brooke getting on your nerves; want me to come pick you up? We can go out and get some food to bring home?" Julian asked his soon to be adoptive daughter.
"My nerves are fine, It's Brooke's over here that are shot" The short haired brunette frowned at her from over at the counter.
"Why, what's up?"
Sam huffed, aggravated. "She promised Peyton she would babysit tonight and now she's nervous and wants you to come home "to make everything better"" Her voice cooed.
"Tell her to suck it up" Julian retorted.
Sam laughed and pulled the phone away from her face. "Julian says to suck it up"
Brooke held her hand out for the phone and Sam obliged. "Ass" She spoke with disgust. "I ask for your help and you say suck it up? This engagement is over."
"I was kidding;" He laughed. "I'm on my way home now anyway"
"Wait, pick us up two coffees; you know how we like 'em"
"I do; see you soon"
"Bye" Her voice wavered and she hung up the phone, placing it on the counter. She looked at Sam and winked. "You love me so don't give me those shruggy freaking eyes of yours."
"Brooke?" A voice called out from the front of the house and feet pitter pattered on wood floors. "Hey" Peyton said with a smile, coming into view. "Any particular spot you want me to put her bag?" She held it up for her to see as Luke came in behind her carrying Elizabeth.
"I didn't even here you guys come in; you can just drop her bag on the counter." Peyton walked forward and set it down, motioning for Luke to follow her. "So, we won't be out long; two hours tops. She's already been fed but if she gets fussy, ten seconds in the microwave"
"Test it on my arm, I gotcha" Brooke said walking over to Luke" She caressed the baby's cheeks with her fingertips and turned back to the mother.
"She's a really easy baby to take care of; So I've heard from Karen and Andy, so I'm assuming she'll be no trouble at all, but if you do need us please call; promise I won't be angry."
"Funny" The brunette said with a smirk. "Don't worry, I'm positive I've got this down" Sam let out a small laugh and turned her attention towards her seltzer, trying to muffle her thoughts. Brooke sent her a death glare and then placed a hand on Peyton's shoulder. "Go, have fun; and I promise to give your kid back when you come to pick her up!"
"Okay, okay" Peyton said taking Elle from Lucas. "Everything you're going to need is in the bag, I'm sure you know all of this already."
"Yup, I do." She cooed, playing with the baby's feet. "Where are you guys going anyway?" Peyton handed Elizabeth to Brooke. Her child's life was now in the hands of her best friend; her most trustworthy and loyal friend she'd ever had.
Peyton shrugged and pointed towards Luke. "Ask the man with a plan"
"Yea Broody, where you going?"
He scoffed and crossed his arms. "Who wants to know?"
"I do; seeing how if you ruin this girls birthday, I'll never get to babysit again"
Peyton linked arms with her husband. "He won't screw it up. It's not like there's anything to screw up; it was all last minute anyway"
He caressed her hip bone. "Okay, so we'll get out of your hair." He said, trying not to sound forceful as he attempted to pull his wife towards the door. "She'll be easy as hell I promise"
Peyton moved out of Luke's arms and bent down to kiss her baby's forehead. "Bye girly; mama will be back soon" She played with her tiny fringes of hair and moved back to Lucas.
"Bye kid" He said affectionately. "Thanks Brooke; Sam" He nodded towards the girl at the counter who gave him a small wave. "We appreciate it."
They said their goodbyes and the married couple left the way they came, moving to get back in Peyton's car with Luke in the driver's seat. He pulled out of the driveway, half expecting her to start ranting. Instead she sat there with her arms crossed, staring out the glass window and into the darkness. "Let me hear it." He spoke, fully aware of what he was getting himself into.
"Hear what?"
He laughed reaching out to place a hand on her knee. "We are not starting that again. Just lay it on me"
"She didn't even cry." Peyton spoke plainly throwing her hands into the air.
"There it is"
"I mean it was like I could hand her off to any old stranger and it'd be fine…"
"Brooke is hardly a stranger"
"…just fine, so long as she's got hand's in her mouth and someone to feed her what does it matter if her mother disappears for a few hours. Nah no big, she's only been there every day of your bloody life so far…"
"She's a month old, Peyt. I don't think she had any clue what was going on. Plus you've left before"
"…And I just handed her off. I knew this was a bad idea Luke. I thought I could do it and I can't, I just can't. Maybe the truth is I need my kid more than she needs me, which is great, just great. I mean I'm going through withdrawal here. Aren't I supposed to be thrilled that I get the evening off to spend with my husband on my birthday? I would think so, but my…"
"Hor-"
"…don't even say hormones….mind say's otherwise and it's bad. It's real bad what happens when she's in preschool and someone tries to take her and she lets them. I mean she probably wouldn't even throw a fit to let someone know what was happening. It all starts here Luke" She initiated, making sure she still had his attention. "The decisions she make's now set the rest of her future. And I thought I taught her well, but I handed her to Brooke and I walked away and she was fine, just fine. Which is great and everything because it's Brooke, and I want our daughter to trust Brooke. But jeez, I left and she was fine!!"
There was a long silence and she sunk into the leather of the seat. "Are you done?"
"Yes" She huffed, recrossing her arms. "Did I sound silly?"
He squeezed her knee. "Just a little"
"Sorry; you're such a great guy for putting up with me and listening."
"Anytime" She leaned across the seats to kiss his cheek.
When Peyton was back on her side of the car, she looked around, noticing that the road was surrounded by trees. "Where are we going anyway?"
He pointed to the top of the hill with a bright smile. "There"
--
"This isn't so bad" Brooke said, sitting on the love seat next to Sam, rocking the baby carefully.
"Yeah, I mean it's been a whole eight minutes. You're doing great, keep up the good work." Sam deadpanned.
"I don't know why you're still living here, honestly."
"It's because without me, your life'id be boring."
"Oh yes, because your high school drama entertains me endlessly." Elle reached up and rested a hand on Brooke's cheek for support. She drew her attention back down to the little girl. "Hi beautiful, are you happy you're spending the night at your auntie's house? I'm so happy you're here. And so is Sam, because you are so pretty. Look at your pretty eyes and your pretty face"
"Oh please" The teen said dryly.
"Psh girl, don't deny."
"Oh, I ain't. I just don't say it out loud like you do and frankly, I come across as ages more mature than you are. Someone might think, your, the foster daughter. " She pointed with her finger and Julian entered the room bearing coffee.
--
"Luke, you really are a softy" She cuddled into her husband's chest as they lie on the top of her blanket covered car.
"Well there's no way you could celebrate your birthday without visiting the notorious make out spot in Tree Hill"
"You're right; I just wish that I had someone to make out with" She tried to pull away, looking around playfully, as he held her fast and tight, forcing his lips onto hers.
--
A cry broke out shattering the silence that had since become signature.
"Samantha" Brooke yelled, her feet quickly running into the living room, Julian in tow. "What did you do?!"
The baby continued to wail from her small portable bed. "Nothing. I didn't touch her" Brooke lowered her eyes. "Honest, she just started crying."
"Baby's just don't start crying."
Julian laughed. "Actually, I think that's pretty common, but they normally have a reason to…so"
Brooke bent over the floor and lifted the child into her arms. Her screams only became more frantic. "I got it, I got it" She paused. "I don't got it. What do I do?"
Sam shrugged, standing to move next to her. "Before she started crying she got all fussy and whiney. Maybe she's hungry?" She suggested.
"It couldn't hurt" Julian added as he began to rummage through the diaper bag on the counter. He pulled out a bottle filled with white liquid from the cooler section and placed it in the microwave. "How many seconds?"
"Ten" Sam yelled over the baby's now labored cries. She gently ran her fingers over the Elle's head, silently begging her to stop crying.
Julian came back over with the bottle as Brooke sat down. "Did you test it?" She asked franticly. He nodded and she took it in her hands, turning it over and pressing in softly to the baby's lips. Elle didn't take it. She turned her head away from the tip, increasing the volume of her cries only more so.
"She's not hungry?" Sam questioned.
"I don't know" Brooke spat back. "She's obviously upset."
Julian smoothed his thumb over the baby's cheek. "Maybe she needs to be changed?"
Brooke shook her head and let the baby lay secure in her arms. "I checked while you were getting the bottle."
"Well then what's wrong?" Sam asked again.
Brooke let out a deep moan. "I don't know Sam" She kissed the baby's head. "Huh kiddo, what's wrong. How can I make you better?"
"She's not gonna answer you" Julian said with a small laugh.
"I know" She snapped, the loud bawls coming from the small baby now taking g toll on her normally chipper attitude. "I just need to let her know I'm here and then she's fine"
"Maybe she's finally figured out Peyton's gone." Sam retorted.
"Maybe" The older woman sighed.
"Well then shouldn't we call Peyton and she can come deal with this?"
"No. I told Peyton I could handle this. I can handle this. It's only been an hour. She can't cry the whole time. She's gotta stop eventually. Everybody find some toys. Make her laugh"
--
"Are you ready for your present?" Luke asked, pulling the gift bag out from his jacket pocket.
Peyton sat up on the car's hood and pressed her back into Luca's chest. "Yes I am; hand it over" He placed the bag in her hand and she tore into it.
"Careful, there are pictures" Luke instructed.
First she pulled out the two glossy photos and a huge smile came to play on her face. "I remember you taking these pictures. This was Elle's one month birthday!" He nodded as she positioned the photo towards him. Peyton was holding the baby tight against her chest, kissing the top of her blonde head. The second was of just the baby, reaching up at the camera. "These are so going up in my office at work."
"I have the whole roll developed. Those were just my favorite. You can see the rest later." She placed the photos on his thigh and pulled out the brown gift box. "It's all the rage and Brooke picked out the charms so you can't yell at me"
"A charm bracelet; really Luke? I thought you knew me!"
He shook his head and held her closer to him. "Just open it and stop your whining."
"Pandora?" She questioned. "Spiffy."
"Yeah well, yell at Brooke if you don't like it, but my charms are the best." The chain had been centered with the letters T.L.&A. She fingered each one lovingly. The letters were sided by a bikini top and a margarita glass.
"I love it. True love always."
"Yeah, always. You're stuck with me."
She kissed his jaw. "Good, cause if I haven't told you lately. I kind of like you"
--
"God Brooke I can't not take it anymore. She's been screaming for almost two hours. Something is definitely wrong. I think you should call Peyton."
"She's right Brooke, you should call Peyton" Brooke nodded sadly and placed her shared godchild in the arms of her fiancé. She left the room and closed herself in the office, hushing the sounds of the baby's tears, her own coming to life on her pale cheeks. Her slender fingers grasped the phone as she dialed Peyton's cell.
Her answer was immediate. "Brooke?" Her voice wavered anxiously.
"Peyton, I couldn't do it" She choked. "She won't stop crying. You need to come and help her"
"She's crying?" Peyton asked again for confirmation.
A sob escaped the woman's lips. "She hasn't stopped. I'm so sorry Peyton."
"No, no, it's fine Brooke. We're on our way" Brooke hung up the phone and clutched it to her chest.
"What's wrong with the baby?" Luke asked as she quickly hopped of the car, carrying her things with her.
"My baby misses me" Her heart soared as they situated themselves and left the sight of the city behind them.
--
"BROOKE!" A voice yelled frantically. The dark haired woman stood up from the office desk, having composed herself for a good ten minutes, hurriedly running back into the living room. The first thing her mind identified was the silence. Stone cold and lifeless. "Brooke" Sam yelled again, seeing her come into view. "Call the police or hospital, just, NOW!" Sam beat out, her face a frantic mess.
"H-hospital?" She asked, moving in besides them, her fingers finding the numbers on the phone subconsciously. The sight of her godchild lying back down on the ottoman would haunt her for years to come. A sight so young and so confusing she couldn't help but burst into tears. "W-wha?" She forced herself not to reach out, while Julian tested the infants pulse with his fingers.
"Nine one one, state your emergency."
"M-my god child, she's unconscious and I think in pain. Please send someone quick. I need help."
"Yes Ms. Now I need you to tell me how old your god child is."
"She's so small" Brooke sobbed. "A little over a month"
"And the parents?"
"The parents?" She questioned, heartbroken.
Sam took the phone from her, loving the distraction. "The parent's are unaware of the situation."
"Notify them and instruct them to go to the hospital, but stay on the line with me." Sam clapped, barely gaining Brooke's attention.
"Cell phone" She yelled harsher than intended.
Brooke pulled it from her pocket and tossed it to Sam who searched for Peyton's cell number.
"Brooke?" Peyton once again questioned.
"Peyton" Sam spoke, fearing the task ahead.
"Sam?" Peyton's voice, worried and confused, trailed off.
"Peyton, put Lucas on the phone."
"Why, why do you need Luke?"
"Put Luke on the phone, please."
Peyton handed the phone to Luke who looked at her pale face with worry. "Sam? We're almost there, is everything okay?"
"No" Her heart sank. "Don't come here. I need you to meet us at the hospital"
"The hospital?" He couldn't help but repeat and he felt Peyton's hand tightly grasp his leg.
I don't know what you guys were thinking. But I hate to tell you, I have no particular devotion to baby Elle… I guess you'll have to review to see what I have up my sleeve.
Have Peyton and Lucas really lost all that much?
Can they handle losing their child?
It happens daily.
I think they're strong enough, but do you?
WHAT DO YOU WANT!?
I WANT: REVIEWS!!!
THE NEXT CHAPTER: Will obviously will take place at the hospital. & We'll find out Elle Bellys fate. ;)