Don't Rock the Boat

Chapter 2

The next day at school, the trio was as chipper as ever. As always, they met up with "the gang" at their usual lunch table.

Luke speaks first, "You're all rather cheery this morning. Have fun last night?"

"Tons", Brooke says, "I'm exhausted, but I think I still have a sugar high."

Peyton smiles, "True that, sista!"

"You girls are insane," Jake states bluntly.

Brooke giggles, "But hey, you still love us, right Jagielski?"

"Guilty as charged."

"Brooke, is the party at your place this weekend?" Nathan asks as he changes the subject.

"Definitely. But I can't get the keg this time. Or the hard shit."

Nathan makes a puppy dog face, "Why not?"

"I'm taking a break from drinking for a bit. I don't mind if you guys drink, but I threw out all the hard liquor I had."

Lucas smiles, "Bummer".

Brooke playfully punches him, "Booze isn't the only thing that makes me happy. I just need my girls! Well, and boys every now and then", Brooke flashes her smile and then laughs.

After school, the three girls headed to the clinic in the city. Brooke had a five o'clock appointment that afternoon.

The girls sat in the lobby, waiting for Brooke's name to be called.

Haley noticed how jittery Brooke was, "You okay, Tigger?"

"Uh, just nervous, I guess."

"If you're definitely pregnant, do you have any idea what you want to do?"

"You're such a little busybody, tutorwife!" Haley shrugs and Brooke continues, "I will not have another abortion. Never again. I think I'm going to keep it", Brooke smiles although she still looks nervous.

A nurse steps away from the desk, "Brooke Davis? We're ready for you."

Brooke stands up in response, "Okay, but you guys are coming, right?"

Peyton joins Haley as they stand on either side of Brooke, "We're here for the whole ride. Starting right now."

The doctor's office was white and looked completely sterile. All three girls were slightly uncomfortable as they walked in.

"I've never liked doctor's offices", Brooke said bluntly.

"Who does?" Peyton asks.

Haley smiles and chimes in, "Hypochondriacs?" All three girls laugh.

The doctor walks in as Haley and Peyton sit in chairs and Brooke sits at the edge of the patient's "bed".

"Hi, Brooke Davis, I presume?", Brooke nods in response and the doctor continues, "it's nice to meet you".

"You too."

"You're here for a prenatal check-up, I see", the doctor jumps right in.

"Yeah", Brooke answers meekly, totally unlike her 'normal' self.

The doctor continues, "Do you know how far along you are?"

"Um, I'm not positive. Maybe ten weeks?"

"Well, I'll find out for sure today."

The doctor does all the necessary procedures and proceeds to fill in Brooke on his findings.

"The baby is fine, quite healthy. Just make sure to eat right and avoid stress. Your estimated gestation date was nearly correct. You're just about twelve weeks pregnant. Now, I know that you're still quite young, and we have a counselor on staff if you feel conflicted about your options. On your way out today, stop at our receptionist's desk. She'll give you a prescription for some vitamins and she'll be able to schedule your next appointment. Do you have any questions, Brooke?"

"Um, none right now. Thanks for all the info. Am I done here?"

"Yes, yes. Go ahead. Be sure to call our office if you need anything."

Both smile to each other, as Brooke walks out with Peyton and Haley in tow, who wave goodbye awkwardly to the doctor.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The girls sat at a back table at Karen's Café after coming back from Brooke's appointment.

Brooke sipped her milkshake, "So, I'm really having a baby, huh?"

"Who knew that Tree Hill's famous Brooke Davis would end up pregnant?"

"Ha, thanks Peyton. I'm actually optimistic about this. I still have to tell my parents…"

Haley interrupts Brooke, "And Lucas."

"Ugh, don't remind me, tutorwife."

Lucas walks in and spots the girls from afar.

Peyton laughs, "Speak of the devil- I mean, daddy."

Lucas gets to their table and Peyton and Haley turn to get up and sit at the counter area.

"What's with them?" Lucas asks.

"Sit."

"What?"

"Lucas, just sit your skinny ass down. We need to talk."

"Oh boy", Lucas sits reluctantly.

"There's no reason not to come right out and tell you. Lucas, I'm pregnant."

Lucas is silent for a couple of seconds, "Again? It's not a scare this time?"

Brooke shakes her head 'no'.

"Shit, Brooke. What now?"

"I've made my decision. I'm keeping the baby. No doubt in my mind."

"Have you told your parents?"

"Not yet. My father had a business trip to Canada and you know my mother just had to go with him. But they should be home in a few weeks. I have a whole plan worked out", Brooke spoke confidently.

"Oh, really? What would this plan entail?"

"I transferred all the money I could without looking suspicious to a new account under my name. Whatever I couldn't transfer, I withdrew in cash. I'm almost positive that my parents will kick me out. Now I have back-up."

"Wow, Brooke. Who knew you were so good at banking?" Lucas smiled.

Brooke playfully hit him, "There's a lot you might not know about me, Broody."

Lucas smiles, "Have Peyton and Haley known all along?"

"Well, since that girls' night we had on Monday. They came with me to my doctor's appointment today."

"Is everything okay?" Lucas asks worryingly.

"Yeah. I'm not very far along, just a bit over three months. But the doc said that everything was peachy. Except he didn't say it in those words", Brooke smiled, "Are you okay with this, Lucas?"

"I have to be. This is my kid, too, and I'll be there as much as you'll let me."

Brooke gazed over at the counter where Karen was working, "Should we tell your mother now?"

"Not now. Why don't you come over for dinner tonight? Mom would be happy to have you."

"Until she finds out that I've ruined your life", Brooke begins to look uncomfortable.

"I expect to see you around 8 o'clock."

"Yes, sir", Brooke gestures for Haley and Peyton to come back to the table, "I'll see you tonight, Broody." Luke waves to Brooke and the girls and then goes to the counter to greet his mother.

Haley starts, "How'd that go?"

Brooke lets out a small, dimpled smile, "Better than I had imagined. He invited me over for dinner tonight so we could tell Karen. The jury's still out on when or if I should tell my parents."

Both girls look slightly confused, but Peyton speaks first, "If? Don't you think they'd get suspicious if they came home to find you…well, rounder than usual?"

"Peeeyton! Not fair. Oh well, I'm entitled to my trust fund. I went to the bank, opened my own account, and I can buy at least a good-sized apartment."

"How do you know they won't be supportive?", Haley asks naively.

"Oh, tutorwife. You obviously don't know my parents", Brooke smiles, "Chances are slim to none that they'll let me stay in the house. They'd probably kidnap me and take me to get an abortion. I'm not a minor anymore. I can live on my own without having to get emancipated like Nathan did."

"You've obviously thought a lot about this", Peyton observes.

Brooke sighs, "It's the only thing keeping me sane. This is my life now. No turning back time to erase this."

Peyton puts her arm around Brooke's shoulder, "I'm glad that you're so positive about this. Everything will work out and Haley and I will be there for you."

"Hell yes. For anything you need, and I'll definitely offer my babysitting skills. I don't know about Peyton, though.", Haley smiles and the girls all laugh.

"Thanks, guys. Really. I'll never be able to repay you. I should get going. I'm sure I'll need all the time possible to find the perfect outfit for tonight", and everyone laughs again. The three say their goodbyes as they get into different cars.

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

End chapter 2.

Thanks for the reviews, guys! I'll probably be updating fairly frequently since most of this story is completed, just not typed. Keep reviewing! It makes me giggle.