Chapter 11

"What are you doing here" Peyton asked ast his handsome figure stood in the doorway.

"Isn't it obvious. I came to see you" there was an awkward pause "Aren't you happy to see me?" he asked

"Of course I am Jake, I'm just in shock that's all" and she reached out and gave him another hug. Then she remembered "Where's Jenny?"

"Here I am" the little girl answered as she rounded the corner. Peyton put her hand over her mouth. The little baby she used to cradle to sleep was now a walking and talking toddler.

"Oh my gosh. You're so cute" she said as she picked her up in her arms. She couldn't imagine a place she'd rather be. "Why are you here, I mean I know why, but I thought..." she didnt know what to say.

"I missed you Peyton, and so did Jenny. I did all I could to put you out of my life, but it didnt work. I love you, and I'm here to fight for your heart."

"You always had my heart" Peyton said. "I may love Lucas, I may always love him, but my heart belongs to you."

"Oh Peyton. I'm so sorry I sent you away."

"I'm not" and Jake looked at her with confusion. "Because then we wouldnt be where we are right now." and he smiled at her. They moved closer and kissed each other. This reunion they both waited for had finally arrived.

---------------

"Haley" Nathan yelled as he walked in the door. "Haley"

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Geez, it's so hard to get any work done when you're always beckoning me" she looked up as if she just saw him "Oh did I just say that out loud?"

"Cute" he said and kissed his wife

"What's in the box?" she asked noticing the big package he was carrying.

"A present for my lovely wife. You see, she recently went through this awful ecperience and now needs some cheering up." he smiled and handed her the box. She gently laid it on the ground and opened it up. Inside was a boxer puppy. She immediately formed tears. "What's the matter? I thought you would like it."

"No Nathan, I love it." and she scooped the puppy up in her arms. "Is it a girl or a boy?"

"Girl"

"Does it have a name?"

"No I left that for you." he said happily

"How bout..." she began as she stared at the tiny life in her arms "...Sophie" the puppy then licked Haley's chin. "I guess she likes it" she said as she smiled and kissed the wrinkled face. "Thanks Nathan" and she kissed him too.

"No problem, Sophie it is" and he patted the puppy's head.

------------------

"Brooke" Lucas called out at lunch

"Hey Luke. I was just heading to..." and she pointed in a direction acting like she had somewhere to be

"Brooke we really need to talk."

"Not now Luke"

"Please" he begged, he wanted so badly to talk to her.

"Can we do it later?" she asked

"Whenever, just please talk to me"

"Fine...meet me at my house at 8:30"

"Great" and she headed off inot the mass of people. No matter how bad she was feeling on the inside, she would not let it show on the outside. She was perceived as strong, and wasn't going to let anyone think otherwise.

---------------------

The state championship game was tomorrow night, so the guys had a light practice after school. However, Nathan, feeling they could always use more practice, told all the guys to be at the Rivercourt at 6 for a 2-hour practice. Haley was left alone to bond with Sophie. Realizing she didn't know what she was doing, she thought of calling someone. She immediately thought of Brooke, but figured she didn't need to be bothered with this with all that she was going through. Then she thought, maybe that's exactly what she needed. She called Brooke and invited her over. Brooke immediately fell in love with the puppy.

"She's adorable" she laughed as she played with it. Haley was right, this was exactly what Brooke needed right now.

---------------------

Jake and Peyton had spent the whole day out by the river. Jenny was left with Whitey so the two could bond. It seemed they had picked up exactly where they had left off. Everything seemed perfect. That evening, they went back to Peyton's to watch a movie and they fell asleep in each other's arms.

-------------------

"Come on in Luke" Brooke said as she passed the open screen door. She had seen his car pull up the driveway.

"Thanks" he said as he closed the door behind him

"So I'm guessing you want to get right to it, no romantic bittering, no awkward silences. Cause I mean lets face it, we've been getting good at those."

"Yeah I guess so" he managed to get out

"So what can I do for you?" she asked coldly. Yes she wanted to be with him, but not yet. She still wanted him to know what it was like to hurt.

"Um...well...you see the thing is...Haley told me to talk to you."

"Now did she?" how could Haley betray her like that. Well technically Haley didn't say anything so she didn't really betray her. But anger still rose inside Brooke. She didn't know why, but the outcome wasn't looking pretty for the person in close proximatey, which just happened to be Lucas. "Well then, I'm afraid Haley's made a mistake." she continued "I dont need to talk to you"

"Brooke I dont know what has happened, but you have definetly changed."

"And how so?" she barked back

"Because although we weren't officially back together, we decided to be civil. We kissed twice and you even spent the night. You were making progress with giving me another chance Brooke, so again I ask, what happened?"

"I dont know what to say Lucas. Maybe my feelings have changed."

"I dont believe that"

"Lucas, we dont always get a say with how others feel. I of all people should know that" and she gave him an ugly look

"Brooke please tell me what is going on" he was begging and getting a little emotional; knowing that the person he loved sat in front of him, and all of a sudden wanted nothing to do with him was killing him.

"I cant Lucas" she began to cry

"Why?" he shouted

"Because it would kill you" she bursted, crying and yelling at the same time. Lucas was taken aback. He now wondered what this news was; that was so bad Brooke couldnt tell him because she was afraid of hurting him. "I cant" she repeated between sobs. He walked over to her and put his hand on her lower back.

"Please just tell me" he said calmly

She shook her head as she continued to cry. Why couldnt she just let him in. She loved him and he obviously loved her. So why couldnt she let them be together.

"Please" be begged "let me in"

"I...I...I'm pregnant"

----------------------