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Chapter 40

It was a long 4 minutes, but I managed to keep Brooke's mind off it. Or at least I tried. As soon as I told her it was time she ran in to look at it. "Well?" I asked as she came out, a blank look on her face. She burst into tears. "Oh, Brooke, what is it? Tell me!" She handed it to me. I had to look at the box to know what it meant. I looked at her with realization. "You're not pregnant," I said. "Brooke, that's a good thing!"

She shook her head. "What if I really wanted this baby," she whispered.

I put a soothing hand on her back. "Sweetie, you'll probably want to be married to Lucas before having a baby," I said.

She scoffed. "Kind of like you and Nathan?" she spat. Immediately she apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

I shook my head. "No worries, sweetie. We just did it in the wrong order," I replied softly.

She gave me a teary smile and then looked at Emily who was in my arms. "I see you with her and I'm jealous," she admitted. "I wish I had a child that needed me that much. Hell, I was a child that needed her mother and father but they were never around! Maybe that's why I'm like this, but I really wanted to be pregnant, Haley. More than anything."

I sighed and looked at my watch. I had 10 minutes left of break. I stood up and placed Emily in her crib. "Honestly, Brooke, I'm not the one you need to be telling all this," I said. I placed both hands on her shoulders. "You need to tell Lucas how you feel, how you want a family with him. Maybe he does too! Maybe it's too soon before he wants to start a family. You never know until you ask."

She nodded and gave a genuine smile. "You're right," she said. "I'm gonna talk with him tonight. Thanks, Tutormom. I appreciate you always being here for me."

I grinned. "Always, tigger, always," I replied and winked before she left. I looked at Emily. "Well, looks like it's just you and me, toots."

"And Uncle Lucas!"

I sighed as he entered the back. He sat beside me. "Where's Brooke?"

I shrugged. "She must of left," I replied. "I don't really know."

He nodded. "I'll just have to call her later," he said and I nodded. "You look so tired, Hales!"

I gave him a small smile. "I'm okay, Luke. Everything is just getting to me, you know? School, work, planning, Nathan, Emily… I'm just taking everything in stride."

He grinned. "You're doing a great job, Haley. You have nothing to worry about. Emily's going to be a great kid. As for Nathan, well-"

The door that connected from the café opened to reveal Nathan who was grinning. "Hey, baby," he said and pulled me to my feet, kissing me deeply.

"Couldn't you have asked me to leave the room?" Lucas exclaimed and ran out.

I was surprised at his actions but didn't stop him for a few minutes. "What has gotten into you?" I asked, still dazed from his kiss.

His smile grew. "What is it I always wanted to do with my life?" he asked, sitting down and pulling me onto his lap.

"Marry me and have a baby?" I suggested.

He rolled his eyes but nodded. "And what else?"

I shrugged. "What else, baby?"

He pulled me closer. "I got a job. Something I always wanted to do," he said.

I frowned. "You dropped out of school?" I asked. Nathan nodded and I stood up. "What the hell is wrong with you, Nathan? You have to go back and tell them it was a mistake! I don't care how much this dream job pays!"

He stood and grasped my hands. "Even if it's millions of dollars a year?" he asked.

I frowned deeper. "What the hell kind of job do you have, Nathan? Tell me! No more beating around the bush!" I exclaimed.

He smiled. "You are looking at the newest member of the Los Angeles Lakers!" he yelled and held out his arms.

I sighed and crossed them. "Let me get this straight. You dropped out of school where you were playing basketball to play basketball professionally."

He nodded. "Do you love me or do you love me?" he asked.

I gave a short laugh and walked closer. I reached out and slapped the back of his head. "What the hell is wrong with you?" I screamed. "What happens if you get hurt, huh? What happens when half that money, if not more, is taken because of taxes leaving us with close to nothing? What happens when you don't have another job to fall back on because you dropped out of school?"

He sighed. "Well, honey, it seems like you're upset I took this job," he said sarcastically. "Sorry, but I already signed at 6 year contract to make $14 million a year."

My breath caught in my throat. "$14… million? A year?" I asked.

He smiled again. "Yes! $14 million!" he exclaimed.

I sighed. "Nathan, I'm not happy that you dropped out of school and I'm not happy that you didn't talk about this with me first," I said.

He nodded. "But?" he urged.

I shook my head. "But? No buts, that's all I had to say," I replied.

He rolled his eyes. "Don't I get a hug? Something? Anything! I mean, I am the bread winner now!"

I laughed and jumped into his arms. "I'm gonna marry a basketball star!" I exclaimed.

He laughed and spun me around before placing me back on the ground. "Can you believe it? All my dreams are coming true!" he said. "And we can buy a house!"

I squealed and jumped back into his arms. "Oh, I love you, Nathan Scott!" I cried.

He pulled back and smiled at me. "I love you, too, baby," he said and leaned down to kiss me.

Deb came back to see what all the commotion was all about. She reacted the same way I did; anger at first then pure happiness. Mom came back and congratulated Nathan, Lucas as well. After everything we've been through we've finally been cut some slack. It was one of the happiest days of our lives.

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