Chapter 21

Jake debated whether calling Peyton when he had arrived at his destination. She needed to know the truth, but he didn't want to hurt her, again. The truth was he had to go back to take care of some more legal problems with Jenny and Nikki. The thing was Nikki got tired of the half-time mother thing and still wanted Jenny all to herself. When Jake came back to Tree Hill to find Peyton, it had been the one chance she needed to make another case. He didn't want to tell Peyton because he knew that she would want to come with, and that couldn't happen, not again. He loved Peyton, this was true, but he didn't know if he could be with her. Because every time it seemed that things were going to be okay, Nikki always got in the way.

As he sat at the courthouse, waiting for the trial to begin, he decided to call Peyton.

"Hello" she said into the phone

"Hey Peyt"

"Jake, where are you? I've been worried sick"

"Please don't worry. I'm fine"

"Where are you? Why did you leave?" she had so many questions and it seemed like so little time.

"I had to leave Peyton."

"Why?"

"Because Nikki made another case"

"What?"

"She wants Jenny to herself Peyton, and me leaving caused her to form another trial. I had to go back"

"Why didn't you tell me. I would have come with you"

"That's why I didn't tell you. You see, you couldn't have come with me. Your life is in Tree Hill, whether you like it or not. All your friends and family are there. You'll be graduating in a month, you need to stay there. And that's why I didn't tell you."

"Jake?"

"I'm sorry Peyton, but I knew it was for the best"

"So when are you coming back"

"That's the other thing. Depending on what happens today will depict my future. I might have to stay here Peyton, which means I wont be coming back." she began to cry "please don't cry Peyton. My heart couldn't take that right now"

"Jake I love you and I want to be with you"

"I know Peyton but things happen, and we have to go with the flow. If it's meant to be, we'll see each other again." she didn't know how to react. It was as if he was giving up on their relationship just because he wasn't in Tree Hill. She couldn't understand how two people who loved each other couldn't be with each other. It was just stupid.

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Brooke awoke in Lucas' arms. They had fallen asleep together. She stayed wrapped in his arms, loving the way she was feeling. It was as if time had stopped, and none of the bull shit they had gone through, and are going through, was going on. It was just the two of them against the world. She kissed his chest. How could one person love someone else this much? He began to stir and she looked up at him. He smiled at her and she leaned up and gave him a kiss. Just then Karen walked in.

"What is going on in here?"

Startled Luke "Mom, It's not what you think"

"It better not be, not in my house"

"Karen, we just fell asleep, that's all." Brooke tried to defend herself.

"Lucas, kitchen, now." she barked before exiting the room. He quickly got up and followed her. Brooke continued to lie in the bed, she didn't want to go home. Mostly because this house was more of a home than any other house she had been in.

"Mom honestly, nothing happened. We just fell asleep"

"Luke I don't want that in my house."

"Mom, I have some news"

"Oh this cant be good"

"Brooke's pregnant"

"See, this is exactly what I'm talking about Luke, don't you see?"

"Mom"

"I mean you're only in high school with your whole future ahead of you, and Brooke and…"

"Mom"

"Why weren't you guys thinking?"

"She has cancer" he finally spit out which caused Karen to stop talking and look at her son.

"What?"

"She has Leukemia and has decided not to take the Chemo so she could keep the baby."

"Oh my God" she just stared at him wondering how this poor girl had all this going on, and she couldn't even tell. "Is she okay?"

"She's stronger than she'll ever know"

"Have you talked about what you guys are going to do?"

"We want to be together. Mom, I love her with all my heart and I would do anything for her, to make her happy"

"I'm so glad to hear that" she smiled at him. Yes they may have bumpy roads ahead, but Karen was so proud of her mature son. "Go back into her son, she needs you"

"Thanks mom" and he kissed the top of her head and walked back into the bedroom to find that Brooke had fallen back asleep. It seemed she had been getting more and more tired lately. He covered her back up and then curled up beside her.

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"Okay so she gets fed around 6 or 7 and then take her out at least two more times tonight."

"Okay Hales, its not like I don't know how to take care of dog. I mean how hard can it be?"

"I know, I've just grown to love her, and this is our first night without her"

"She's a dog Haley, not a kid"

"I know but…"

"I get it. I'm just giving you a hard time."

"Haha" she handed Peyton the bag of dog food "thanks again for doing this"

"Yeah no problem. So where are you guys going?"

"We've decided to go to Charlotte and spend the night there"

"Oooo, sounds fun"

"I hope so" Haley smiled "Alright Sophie, you're going with Aunty Peyton. Mommy and Daddy will be back soon" she kissed her furry companion "I love you"

"Haley it's a dog, and it's one night"

"I know but I cant help but love her, look at her"

"Yeah yeah. Let's go Sophie" she picked up the dog and headed out of the apartment. "Have fun Hales"

"Thanks again"

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"So what do you have planned for us tonight?" Brooke asked as Lucas led her down the street. She had gone home some time and he told her to be ready to go by 9 and that it was a surprise.

"Cant say yet"

"Oh come on Luke"

"We're almost there"

"Fine" she said finally giving in. They walked a little farther until he began to turn down a path that led into the woods. "Are you planning on killing me or …."

"No, you'll see"

There was a clearing up ahead, and as they walked into it, the moon provided them with light.

"Oh my God Lucas, it's beautiful."

He sat down on a blanket he had brought and she sat down next to him. "I hope you like it. I called in some special favors"

"Like what?" she asked with confusion "did you have to pay the moon and the stars or something"

"You're cute, but no"

"Than what are you talking about"

"You'll see" just then a deer ran by

"A deer"

"No, that's just an added bonus"

"Then what is it?" she was getting very impatient.

"This" he said and pulled out a box.

"What is this?" she stared confusedly

"A present. Open it" he begged. She took the box from his hand and opened it. It was a beautiful while gold ring. "Do you like it?" he asked

"I love it, but what is it for?" she asked

"It's a promise ring. I want to be with you Brooke. I love you and no one else. This ring is just a material representation of those feelings for you."

"Luke, this is….beautiful." she said

"I told you, I'm here for you and will always be"

"I know Luke" and she leaned over and kissed him. They sat there in the beautiful clearing, completely in love with each other. The world as they knew it was almost perfect.

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