Disclaimer: I do not, as much as I wish I did, own OTH or any of the songs in this story. All I own is the plot of the story, and I barely own that.

AN: I've got the next 7 chapters planned but not written. I promise lots of drama, and both Brucas and Brulian fans will have some things to look forward to.

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Chapter 13: Better Days

"Daddy, can I ask you a question?" Jamie asked softly, his eyes aglow as he thought of all the fun he would have with his aunt and his new friend Jenny.

Nathan smiled, rubbing his son's head affectionately, "Sure, buddy. What's up?"

"Do you think that Aunt Brooke and Uncle Lucas will get married someday?"

Nate's lips turned down into a frown, "Well, I suppose that's up to them, little man…Why do you ask?"

Jamie looked down sheepishly, "I think they love each other, and I want to help them be together…" He looked up at his father expectantly, "I have a plan to get them together, but I can't do it alone."

Nathan looked down at his son with confusion and surprise, "You came up with a plan? Are you sure you're my kid?"

Jamie tilted his head, confused, "Why wouldn't I be your kid?"

Nathan chuckled, "Never mind…So, what's this plan of yours, JimmiJam?"

The little boy's brow furrowed, "It's sort of a secret," Nathan nodded, "Can you take me to the River Court Saturday morning?"

The older man nodded, "Sure, son…" He looked at his son thoughtfully, "If your mother asks…I had nothing to do with this. Deal?"

"Deal."

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"So," the small blonde said quietly, "What's your favorite color?"

Brooke laughed at the random question, glancing up just in time to see Sam and Jenny get on another ride; she smiled thoughtfully, thinking of what an amazing sister Sam would be. "Um, green, no blue…no, red. Definitely red."

Jamie smiled and nodded thoughtfully, "What about your favorite flower?"

Brooke raised her eyebrow, "What's with the third degree?" Jamie looked at her innocently, "What are you up to?"

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Peyton sighed as she stared into the mirror, all morning she'd been thinking about Brooke and the silly fight they'd had. It had been days since the two friends had last talked, and though she was still upset with Brooke for belittling her relationship with Lucas, Peyton knew that it was time to bury the hatchet and move on. Besides, if their friendship could handle three guys and two psychos, then it could most certainly survive a few means words.

"Lucas!"

Luke ran in the room, a worried look on his face, "What's wrong? Is it the baby?"

She smiled, "Nothing's wrong…I just, I wanna see Brooke."

Luke smiled, his eyes filled with love, "Sure. Let's go."

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Jake sighed as he sat down on the couch in Brooke's living room. He'd been up half the night, tossing and turning in bed because of the storm outside; he'd been unable to get his mind off of Peyton. The storm had clouded his mind with images of the night Lucas had called him and he'd come home to take care of her. That night everything changed for him; that night he fell in love for the first time.

His head shot up at the sound of a knock on the door; he figured, having found flowers in the trashcan this morning, that it probably wasn't Julian, speaking of, he made a note to himself to make sure that he tells Brooke about them later.

He opened the door, a small smile on his face, "Hey…" His face fell, as did the face of the person standing before him, "Peyton…"

"Jake?" Peyton and Lucas both said loudly, shocked to see their old friend was in town…and in Brooke's house.

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Brooke laughed and shook her head, having been questioned for over an hour by her lovely godson, "I'm done. No moreeeeeee."

Jamie pouted, "Pleaseee, Aunt Brooke? I need to know this stuff."

"Why would you possibly need to know where your uncle and I had our first date, and how did you even know about that?" She raised her eyebrow at him and began walking toward the tables where Sam and Jenny were currently sitting.

Jamie rolled his eyes, "I have my sources," Brooke shook her head at him and he pouted.

"Sorry, buddy. How about we go and get some ice cream, guys? What do you say?" She looked down at the two children and the teenager, watching as all three of them broke into broad smiles, "Come on munchkins." She put her arm around Sam as they walked, and Jamie did the same with Jenny, putting a smile on the two older brunettes' faces.

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Peyton still looked shocked, ten minutes later, "What are you doing here, Jake?"

He shrugged, avoiding her gaze, "I just missed home, and Brooke offered me a place to stay for a few days. It's really not a big deal."

Luke smiled, though he was as confused as Peyton by why Jake was staying with Brooke of all people, "Well, it's good to see you, man."

They all sat on the couch, an uncomfortable silence falling over them.

Peyton stood up, clearing her throat, "Well, I think we should go. I'm getting tired."

Lucas and Jake both looked at her confused and Lucas sighed, "We just got here, Peyt…"

"Luke…"

Luke nodded and shrugged at Jake, "I guess we'll see you later, man."

The other man nodded, a slight frown on his face, "Sure."

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Nathan smiled down at Haley, "You do realize that we have the whole house to ourselves right?"

She smirked and pulled him down on top of her in the bed, "Well, I do now."

She tilted her head up toward him and placed little kisses along his jaw, grinning when he began running his hands along her legs.

"I love you, Nathan…"

His lips met hers in a passionate torrent, both of them losing themselves in the kiss. He broke away for a moment, attempting to catch his breath, "No one will ever love anyone as much as I love you, Haley James."

"Scott." She smiled, "Haley James Scott."

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Jake sat back down on the couch, his mood completely ruined by the appearance of his blonde ex-girlfriend; Brooke had told him the night before of her pregnancy and engagement, and even though he most certainly did not come back for her, he couldn't help but feel a little saddened by it. There was a part of him that had always believed that he and Peyton would get their "someday."

A few seconds later, there was another knock at the door, and Jake sighed loudly as he stood up. He rolled his eyes as he opened the door and was rewarded with a fist in his face. Jake hit the ground hard, a bruise already forming over the left portion of his face.

"Don't ever touch my girlfriend again…or I'll really make you regret it…"

Jake looked up just in time to see Julian striding away to his car, and he sighed as he held his eye, painfully, "This is really not my day!"

TBC…

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AN: Next chapter Brulian talk. Jamie moves onto step two of his plan. Something surprising happens at the end.

Thanks for reading and reviewing guys! You are amazing!!