A/N: One Tree Hill was created by the mastermind Mark Schwann….not me :-(
That's What Friends Are For
Chapter 5
Brooke was pacing up and down in her small apartment. It was the first time that she wanted to jump in her car and go home to the comfort of her friends. Brooke rubbed her stomach, a habit that she had gotten into the last couple of months. As her hands moved over the soft material of her maternity dress, she felt a pounding against her hand. OMG, Brooke thought. The baby's kicked! Brooke felt an instant sense of loneliness. She had no one to tell, no one to share the excitement with….maybe it was a sign that she needed to have the courage to let her friends know she was ok.
Brooke picked up the cordless phone and dialled Haley's number. Haley seemed like the logical choice, Brooke knew that Peyton was going to get angry and overreact. It wasn't what Brooke needed, particularly since she barely had the nerves to call in the first place.
"Hello?" Haley said in a hurried voice
" Haley??" Brooke said in small voice, waiting for Haley to realise who it was.
" Brooke??" Haley cried
"Yahuh" is all Brooke to say. She was already getting emotional, and she hadn't even said a complete sentence.
" Brooke…it's been so long…" is all Haley could say
" I know, Haley, I'm so sorry for that…I wanted to call, I really did" Brooke said
"Why didn't you" Haley said, a hint of annoyance in her voice.
"There's something I need to tell you…but I don't think I can do it over the phone. Can you come to New York..with Peyton??" Brooke said, not quite believing what she was saying.
"Of course, we'll be there as soon as we can. I'll leave James with Nate" Haley said, not asking any questions.
"Thanks, Tutor Mom, call me with the details" Brooke said, breathing a sigh of relief that Haley wasn't probing her with questions.
"No problem, I'll see you soon, k?" Haley said gently, knowing something wasn't right with Brooke, and she was going to leave as soon as she explained to Peyton what was going on.
"As you sure we are doing the right thing, Haley?" Peyton said as the seat belt sign flashed on, as the plane descended.
"Something is wrong with Brooke, Peyton. We knew that 6 months ago, and I could tell on the phone yesterday. There is something Brooke isn't telling us, and I'm going to find out what it is." Haley said with such conviction Peyton knew not to argue with her.
"Anyway, is Brooke meeting us at the airport?" Peyton said trying not to upset Haley, her pregnancy hormones were running rampant.
"No, she gave me her address though; we are going to meet her there"
"Ok" Peyton said, knowing something definitely was wrong if Brooke wasn't taking the first chance to see her best friends.
"Brooke??" Haley said as she and Peyton pulled their luggage up the stairs to her apartment. They were both a little surprised at the building the taxi had pulled up to. It was run down, and in a neighbourhood that neither Haley nor Peyton had expected Brooke to live in.
Brooke poked her head around the door.
"Hey gal pals, come in!!" Brooke said looking nervous
"Brooke. What on earth are yo- " Peyton started to say as they made their way to her apartment, until she saw Brooke in full view.
"Brooke, you're pregnant!" is all Haley could say.
"Well, no duh!" Brooke said trying to make light of the situation
Peyton was staring at Brooke in disbelief. Peyton had thought about Brooke everyday the last 6 months, and there was a part of her who thought Brooke wouldn't keep the baby.
"Come and sit down…" Brooke said, thinking it was best to get this over and done with before she chickened out.
Peyton and Haley sat down on the lone couch Brooke had in the living room. Brooke sat across from them on rocking chair that she found at a garage sale.
"Brooke, how did this happen?" Haley asked, and after getting a sideways look from Peyton, said, "I know how it happens! But when?"
"Nearly 7 months ago. I don't want to freak you out, Tutor Mum, and well I couldn't really deal with the reality of it all…" is all Brooke could say.
"You have to tell Haley who the father is, Brooke" Peyton said abruptly.
"Who is it, guys?" Haley said, witnessing a knowing look between her 2 best friends.
"Haley, you have to promise to not tell Nate…or anyone else" Brooke pleaded.
"Of course, Tigger. Am I glad I am sitting down for this?" Haley said
Brooke took a deep breath. She knew it was going to be hard telling Haley this piece of information, but now it was about to happen, she wasn't fully prepared.
Just rip of the band aid Brooke thought
"Haley, its Lucas. Lucas is the father" Brooke said staring at a stain in the carpet, unable to look Haley in the eye.
"He doesn't know does he?" Haley said quietly, realising the enormity of what Brooke just shared.
"He doesn't know, Haley, and I want to keep it that way. He's starting his own family now, and I can't bear to be the third wheel in that relationship" Brooke said, finally looking at Haley, a single tear slipping down her cheek.
"Well we will be here for you all the way, B. Davis" Peyton said confidently "When's your next OBYN appointment?"
"I haven't been to any" Brooke said sheepishly
"Brooke!! What the hell?? You can't risk yourself or your baby like that!!" Haley blurted out
"I'm just scared you know? I'm not ready to be a mother. I'm not like you, Tutor Mum. It's comes easy to you. But me? I thought I'd be older when I had kids, and I would be…" Brooke hesitated
"Married to Lucas" Peyton quietly finished
"Well, yeah. Now look at me. I am broke, pregnant and alone." Brooke said bitterly.
"But your not alone, Brooke. You have us." Haley said, her heart aching for her friend.
"And I love you for that. But you have husbands and children to get back to."
"Well Jake can handle Jenny for a week or 2…." Peyton said
"And the same for Nate and James" Haley agreed.
"Well you guys, I don't have any room for you to stay here…" Brooke admitted, ashamed of her humble apartment.
"Well I think a couple of nights at the Ritz is just what the doctor ordered" Haley proclaimed waving her credit card in the air
"Haley…you don't have to do that, plus what would Nathan think" Brooke asked
"We are looking after our family" Haley simply stated, while rubbing Brooke's stomach.
"Thanks you guys!" Brooke said as the tears started falling
"Now, let's go pack!" Peyton said, linking arms with Haley and Brooke, and stomping towards Brooke's bedroom.
"Maybe this is a bad idea" Brooke said fidgeting with her necklace.
"Are you kidding me? You haven't seen a doctor your whole entire pregnancy, Brooke. What if your kid has a defect? Or might be underdeveloped?" said Haley, ever the worrywart.
"I'm sure everything is fine" Peyton said, shooting Haley a glare while patting Brooke reassuringly on the hand.
"Brooke Davis??" the nurse called
"Yeah, she's here" Peyton said as she and Haley pulled Brooke up from her seated position.
All three walked into the doctor's office, Brooke's hands were visibly shaking. Going to the OBGYN made the pregnancy more real if possible. Brooke had chosen to live in denial since she found out. She hadn't bought any nursery equipment, not one soft toy or piece of clothing for the baby.
"Now which one of you am I examining today?" Dr Reed, a doctor with long blonde hair and gentle brown eyes enquired, seeing two pregnant ladies in front of her.
"That would be her" the blonde said pointing at the heavily pregnant brunette
"No, no it's fine. Maybe you want to have an examination, Hales?" Brooke said
"Brooke!" Peyton and Haley said in unison.
"Ok, ok" resigning to the fact they were not going anywhere until Brooke got checked out.
"Ok, Miss Davis I have a few questions to ask"
"Go ahead" Brooke said, wishing she was anywhere else but here.
"Who was your last doctor?"
"I didn't have one"
"Okay…"as the doctor scribbled something in Brooke's file
"Does your family have any known inherited conditions?"
"Only if greed and vanity, count" Brooke said trying to make light of the situation
"And the baby's father…any known genetic conditions in his family?"
"Yeah one…HCM" Haley said looking briefly at Brooke to make sure she was ok.
The doctor, sensing the obvious tension when she asked the paternity question, got up.
"Ok Brooke, now we are going to have a look at that baby of yours"
Brooke changed into a gown and got up onto the table as Dr Reed set up the sonogram machine.
"Now this gel might feel a bit cold"
"Hmm" is all Brooke said. She held her breath in anticipation of what was about to happen.
A strong beating sound engulfed the room. All the women breathed a sigh of relief as Dr Reed pointed to the different parts of the baby's anatomy.
"Everything seems to be coming along fine, Brooke. Would you like to know the sex of your baby?" Dr Reed asked
Brooke looked questionably at Peyton and Haley. They both had tears in their eyes, and nodding their heads profusely.
"I guess I have never been one for surprises" Brooke said, once again afraid of what was going to happen next.
After a few moments of concentrating, Dr Reed broke into a smile.
"Congratulations, Brooke, your having a girl."
"Oh, Brooke!" Peyton and Haley were off their chairs and the three were entangled in a group hug
"Well, I think that is all for now, Brooke, just make an appointment at the front desk for 2 weeks time"
"Ok, thanks" as Brooke, Haley and Peyton exited her office.
Brooke had made her next appointment, and they decided on having lunch at a little café close to the medical centre.
"So have you thought of any names yet, Brookie?"
"Ahh, not really" Brooke said, looking distracted
"Everything alright, hon?" Haley said gently.
"Yeah I guess finding out I'm having a girl just makes me wonder what sort of father Lucas would be" Brooke quietly stated.
"Brooke, I know you don't want to talk about this but maybe you should tell Lucas" Peyton said carefully
"He left without even saying goodbye" Brooke whispered
"Brooke?" Haley said
"After we had sex. When I woke up he was gone. All he wanted was a quickie with an ex. He left me" Brooke said looking so defeated Peyton wanted to go rip Lucas' gonads right off
"Well, I talked to Jake and I can stay an extra couple of weeks. We completely understand you not wanting to tell Lucas" Peyton said, and shot Haley a glare knowing she was about to say something.
Peyton and Haley both knew that Brooke and Lucas belonged together. If it had not been for that skank Rachel, they probably would already be. Haley had to return to Tree Hill the following week, as Nate couldn't take anymore time off to look after James. Haley wanted Brooke to come back with her, but she knew Brooke better. Brooke would rather be independent and alone then potentially wreck another person's relationship.
"Well we will have to get some serious shopping done before I leave" is all Haley said
"Good idea, I think your baby Boo needs some new clothes" Brooke said, glad for the change of topic.
Shopping took up most of the following days, with baby clothes galore bought by all 3 women. Brooke had finally become excited about having this baby, it was probably the support from her 2 best friends that had got her there, and she was grateful for their support.
"So Tutor Wife, what did you tell Nathan you were doing in New York?" Brooke enquired, curious how much the younger Scott knew about her situation?
"I just mentioned that I was visiting an old friend" Haley said looking guilty for lying to her husband
"Thanks, I don't think I am ready for the Tree Hill world to find out about another Scott love child" Brooke said dryly
"Well let's hope none of Nathan's come out of the mix!" Peyton said jokingly, only to be greeted by a whack in the arm by Haley.
Brooke had gotten bored with the conversation and was flicking through TV channels when she heard Haley's name mentioned.
Haley James Scott, wife of Bobcats Nathan, has been seen in New York this week with her close friend from high school, Peyton Sawyer, an acclaimed artist and an unknown pregnant women.A picture of Brooke, Peyton and Haley having lunch in Greenwich Village flashed before the screen Does this mean trouble in paradise for the glamorous couple? Scott has remained in their Tree Hill, NC home looking after their 4 year old son, James. A candid photo of father and son at the river court was displayed. We will keep you posted on Haley's NYC holiday as details come to light
"OMG, OMG, OMG" Brooke said in disbelief, as she slowly sank to the couch. Her face was clearly shown. Anyone from Tree Hill could put the name to her face
"I'm sure no one saw it, Brooke" Peyton said, always the rational one
"Damn those paparazzi!!" was all Haley could say.
"Ok, let's go get something to eat!" Peyton said, turning off the television and pushing Haley and Brooke towards the door
"Is that who I think it is?" Nathan said, seeing a picture of his wife and her friends.
"What do you know, the fiiinnne Miss Davis finally settled down" said Skillz
"I wonder if Lucas knows" Nathan said, knowing full well that even though his brother was engaged to another woman, he was still in love with his first love
"Knows what??" Lucas said as he walked into Nathan's living room, having heard his name
Both looked at each other, unsure what to say.
"Brooke. She's pregnant"
DaDaDm…….so there you go. There was a lot in that chapter but I thought it was important to show the significance of the Brooke, Peyton, and Haley friendship. Please review!