Love, Lies, and Loss
Disclaimer: I own no rights to One Tree Hill or any of its characters.
A/N: Now I know you all are reading this so leave me some lovin!
The morning was a quiet one at the Scott household. Everyone gathered around the table for pancakes, but didn't speak much to each other. They all knew it was going to be a painful day. Even Tegan didn't speak, which was quite odd for him. After breakfast the two children ran to Zach's room. The two were getting alone very well and Zachary was actually speaking to Tegan.
Brooke was drying the dishes that Haley was washing. They still didn't speak. Neither one knew what to say to the other.
"Brooke," Nathan startled her.
"Yeh?" She responded.
"Why don't you come with me over to Luke's? I need to go see how he's doing and I'll probably have to get him to the funeral."
"I don't know. I don't see what good I would do there."
"Go on," Haley cut in, "I can keep an eye on Tegan for you. It might help him Brooke."
Brooke took a deep breath, "Okay, just let me get ready."
"No problem. I'll wait for you," Nathan took over Brookes spot drying dishes.
"Do you really think she can help him?" Nathan asked his wife.
"I don't know, but anything is worth a try. I know its only been a few days and he's still coming to terms with her death, but if we don't pull him out of it now who knows how long he'll be like this," Haley hugged her husband.
"I guess it is worth a try, but she might make it worse rather than better."
"What do you mean?"
"She's been gone for five years Hails. At one time Lucas was in love with her and she just left him."
"Lucas was already with Peyton before Brooke even left."
"I know, but it doesn't mean he isn't upset that she left and never contacted him or anything. They were friends at one point in their lives."
"We don't have any other choice."
"I know, I know. Let's just hope for the best."
"It's all we can do now," Haley kissed Nathan and they continued on the dishes.
Brooke looked at herself in the mirror. Five years didn't do her features much harm. She still looked the same as she did the day she left Tree Hill. She let out a few tears and applied her extra-waterproof eye make-up. She glanced at herself once more, shut off the light, and walked to the kitchen.
"Okay, let's do this before I chicken out," she told Nathan.
"I'm ready. Let's go," Nathan escorted Brooke to the car.
The car was moving and Brooke was feeling sick, "Nathan, I don't know what to say to him. I can't do this."
Nathan pulled the car over and looked at Brooke, "You CAN do this. Say what you feel, but be gentle. Don't push him."
"I am the worst friend ever. I don't know how I am supposed to help. He's probably madder at me than I think he is."
"You're here and that will matter to him. Don't let what he says get you down. He's hurting really bad right now and he's taking it out on everyone around him."
"I'm just afraid that seeing him that way is going to make Peyton's death reality for me. I'm afraid it will bring back so much for me and I won't be able to handle it."
"You might not have seen her for five years, but you were best friends your whole childhood and that matters too. She knew you loved her, even if you weren't here. Just remember that she never forgot about you and she knew you didn't forget about her. She knew that you gave her Lucas so she could be happy and for that, you are a great friend."
"Thanks Nathan. I feel a little better for about a minute."
"Everything is going to be okay," Nathan got the car back on the road and the rest of the trip was silent.
They pulled up outside of Luke's. It was quiet and seemed peaceful, but Brooke knew that was false.
"Why isn't Karen with Lucas?" Brooke asked.
"She's mad that Lucas won't see Anna. She told him it wasn't fair that he was taking out his pain on her because he would always have her to remind him of Peyton. He told her that's why he didn't want to be around her. He's not remembering her Brooke, he's trying to forget her," Nathan told her as they walked up the steps.
"Everything is going to be okay," Brooke said out loud as they entered the house.
"Luke?" Nathan searched for his brother. He found him lying in bed, awake, but unnoticing their presence.
"Hey," Nathan pulled the covers off from his brother, "I brought someone with me."
Brooke approached the bed. Lucas looked at her with empty eyes and rolled over.
"Get up," Nathan pulled on his brother's arm.
"Fuck off," Lucas rudely replied.
"Lucas Scott, get you ass out of bed and get ready for your wife's funeral."
"Why? She's not going to know if I go or not."
"Of course she's going to know. Just because she isn't here doesn't mean she doesn't know what you do."
"Whatever Nathan, just leave me alone."
Nathan nudged Brooke.
"Luke, it's good to see you," Brooke told him.
"Why? You haven't seen me in five years. Why is it good to see me now?"
"I'm sorry I haven't talked to you Luke. It would have been worse that way."
"Sure. Why are you even here?"
"Because Peyton was my friend and I want to say goodbye to her."
"Maybe you should have done that when she was alive," Lucas looked at her, this time with fire in his eyes.
A tear slid down Brookes face, "Nathan, I can't do this."
"Yes you can. Remember what I said," Nathan placed his hand on Brooke's back.
"Come on Lucas. Get out of bed and get ready to see your wife. Do you really want to look back on this day and remember that you never went to your wife's funeral? How do you think she would feel if she knew someone who hasn't seen her in five years went to her funeral over her own husband?" Brooke grabbed him.
"Fine, I'll go, but it doesn't change anything with us Brooke. I don't think you have a right to go, but I'm not going to stop you," Lucas got out of bed and shoved the two out of his room.
"Thank you," Nathan said to Brooke.
"I might seem nicer, but deep down, I'm still the bitch I used to be," Brooke sat down.
"Maybe that's what he need."
"I don't know, but he's worse than I thought. This is going to be rough. It's doesn't help with him making those comments about me not being around. I guess if helping him heal means I have to bring myself down, I will."
"He doesn't really hate you. He just hates everyone right now. Give him time, he'll come around."
Lucas came out of his room. Even in dressy clothes, he still looked like hell.
"Come on before I get back in bed," Lucas told the two.
The three got in the car and headed to the funeral parlor.
A/N: Sorry this chapter is short. I'm kinda in a rush and I wanted to get a little bit posted for those of you who don't like to wait around. Don't forget to leave me some lovin!
