A/N: I don't own anything to do with OTH except the DVD's of course!
First of all thanks to all the people those read, review and added the story and author alerts for this story! This is my little baby, and I appreciate everyone for taking the time to read it. Although I can't spend as much time writing as I would like because of a hectic university schedule, it is the one thing that de-stresses me. So, THANK YOU everyone you are awesome. I had such a strong response from the last chapter, I hope this one doesn't disappoint, now go Read and Review!!! Lydia xoxo
"Rachel?" Brooke said weakly
"Surprise…" Rachel stood at the doorway, in a loose fitting black Prada dress and red Manolo Blonik pumps.
"What are you doing here?" Lucas said from Brooke's bedside
"Well considering I haven't heard from you in 4 days, I was worried, boyfriend" Rachel said as she came over to Lucas and practically started sucking the life out of him with a welcome kiss.
Brooke watched the interaction, unable to mask the pain on her face.
Lucas and Rachel finally came up for air and Rachel sat on the edge of Brooke's bed
"So, Ho, what's new with you?" Rachel asked like everything was normal
"Besides you finding out that your boyfriend knocked me up, nothing much" Brooke said dryly
"How did you find out?" Lucas asked curiously
"Through the grapevine" she mysteriously said
"Come of it, Rach, tell me how you found out" Brooke said angrily
"Through Nathan" she said, trying to avoid who she had heard it from directly.
Rachel walked into the lounge room, and saw Cooper in deep conversation on the phone.
"Bye, Nate" he concluded and sat the phone back on the hook.
"Nathan?" Rachel asked
Cooper turned around, shocked to see Rachel in the room
"How long have you been there?"
"Long enough" she said
"Rachel about what you heard, Nathan was just letting me know that Brooke..."
"What about Brooke?" Rachel asked looking at her lover
"Look Rachel I should really stay out of this" he said apprehensively
"Stay out of exactly what, Cooper?" Rachel said getting angry at his avoidance
Cooper stared at Rachel; he wasn't sure whether he should tell her. If he didn't tell her, she would probably find out through someone else. Although recent history may say otherwise, Brooke was one her best friends in high school. But if he told her now, then they would hopefully be able to get everything out in the open, which is what really needed to happen.
"Brooke is in hospital, Rachel" Cooper stated, and he saw her face immediately change from angry to concern.
"Brooke…" she sat down on the couch
"There's more Rachel" Cooper said as he sat next to her and cover his hand with hers.
"Rach, Brooke's pregnant with Lucas' baby" he simply stated
For once in her life, Rachel was speechless. Cooper took the opportunity to speak his mind.
"Rach, maybe this is a sign. Brooke and Lucas are meant to be, you and I both know that, otherwise she wouldn't be pregnant and you and I wouldn't be sneaking around like we have for the past year."
"I have to go" Rachel grabbed her coat and walked out the door.
Cooper groaned with his head in his hands.
"Look, boyfriend, I think we need to have a chat" Rachel said carefully
"Sure, Rach, let's go to the cafeteria" Lucas said looking helplessly at Brooke
"I'll come by later, ok?" Lucas said to Brooke
"Don't bother, I'm tired anyway" Brooke said
"Oh, ok" Lucas said looking disappointed
Rachel watched the exchange, unsure what to do. Despite having feelings for Lucas, her love for Cooper was paramount. She had been living a lie for the past year, and in the process, her one true friend from high school got caught up in the mess. Cooper's words came back to her "sooner or later the truth is going to come out"
Lucas and Rachel walked out of Brooke's room, and closed the door behind them. Brooke took a deep breath inward and curled up into the foetal position. A single tear slipped down her cheek. For a brief moment, she thought that everything was in its right place.
Stupid stupid Brooke!She thought, Once again I'm not pretty, smart or good enough for him
Her body shook as the tears kept falling, until her pillow was drenched with her salty tears. Brooke started to hyperventilate until she felt the baby kick. It was only one single kick, but Brooke knew it was her baby girl telling her everything was ok, even if it was them against the world.
"So Haley, are going to find out if you're having a boy or girl?" Peyton asked eying her friend's growing stomach
"I want to find out, but that one over there doesn't" nodding towards her husband who was helping James draw in a Finding Nemo colouring book
"So secretly do you want a Tutor Boy or Tutor Girl?" Peyton whispered out of ear shot of Nathan.
"Well…" Haley started until her face went a ghostly shade of white
"Haley?" Peyton asked concerned
All Haley could do was point at the couple entering the cafeteria. Rachel and Lucas were walking towards the buffet, arms around each other
"That bitch" Peyton said angrily
Haley was already out of her seat, charging towards the pair
"What the hell, Lucas?" she said as she shoved him, "are you trying to kill Brooke?!!" Haley said as pushed him again
"Look Haley..." Rachel said
"Don't get me started on you, missy! You are the same manipulative bitch you were in high school "Haley said scathingly
"Are you still angry that Nathan gave it up to me in high school, Hales?" she said condescendingly
Haley's jaw dropped in shock. All of a sudden, Haley's hand met Rachel's face, putting as much force behind it as she could.
"You're lucky that your pregnant, bitch!" Rachel said advancing on the pregnant women, ready to strike
"No your glad I'm pregnant you-"
"Hey Hey!" Nathan said having heard the commotion came over and separated the two.
"Haley why don't you go check on Brooke?" Peyton said, smiling slightly
"Ok" she said smoothing her hair down and walking out of the cafeteria.
"What the hell are you doing here, Rachel?" Peyton asked
"It's none of your business Peyton, but I'm here for Lucas" Rachel stated
"Here for Lucas?" Peyton repeated using air quotes
Rachel just stared back at her
"Don't you mean, here to rub Brooke's face in the fact you have him and she doesn't?" Peyton said, fire blazing in her eyes
"It's not even like that Peyton" Lucas spoke up
"He speaks! Coming to the defence to his woman! But doesn't that include someone else? Namely the mother of your other baby?!" Peyton yelled at Lucas
"Peyton, go check on Haley and Brooke" Nathan said, "and take Jamie with you" he continued quietly.
Peyton rarely heard that tone from Nathan anyone. This means there were going to be punches thrown, and she understood why he wanted his son to leave too.
Peyton walked over to James, who was still at their table.
"Hey Jamie, do you want to see Mommy and Auntie Brooke?" she asked while crouching down to his level
"Ok, Pey" Jamie said as Peyton helped him off the seat
"Let's go little man" Peyton said, while giving death stares to Lucas and Rachel on the way out.
Nathan watched Peyton walk out with his son, and just as they were out of sight, he punched Lucas squarely in the jaw
"Hey!" Lucas yelled clutching his mouth
"What the hell, man! Why are you parading Rach around like a prize? This has to be killing Brooke on the inside! Didn't you hear what the doctor said, Lucas? She doesn't need anymore stress otherwise you might not even become a father!" Nathan shoved Lucas, much like his wife had, but with much more force.
"I'm not trying to hurt her, man! Rachel is apart of my life now! After 3 years, why can't everyone accept that?!" Lucas said
Rachel stood idly by, watching the brothers fight for another woman's honour. She felt guilty that Luke was defending her against his family and friends, while she was still sleeping with another man.
"Excuse me" Rachel said and walked toward the outdoor area.
She dialled a number that she had not done in years, and was apprehensive doing so
"Marvin McFadden speaking"
"Mouth?"
"Who is this?" Mouth asked. He had not been called that in years. only his high school friends called him that anymore, and he doubted that he would be hearing from them anyway, considering they were all involved in the whole "Lucas is Brooke's baby's daddy" drama in New York.
"Mouth, its Rachel"
"Rachel" he said in shock. They had lost contact over the last couple of years, mostly because of Lucas. Although Mouth had been in love with her in high school, a feeling of dislike replaced it when he found out that Lucas and Rachel were dating. He was still loyal to Brooke, and would always stay that way. He still believed after all these years Lucas and Brooke belonged together.
"Mouth, are you still there?" she asked apprehensively
"What do you want, Rachel?" he asked wearily
"I really need your advice, Mouth"
"Unless you need to advice on children's diseases, give me a call, but considering you don't have kids, I don't think there is anything you could say to me"
Rachel took a deep breath, this part was going to be hard, but she needed someone to talk to.
"Mouth, I'm in love with Cooper" she declared
"Please let it be another Cooper that we both know, because if it is the Cooper I think it is, you're in big trouble"
"It's Cooper Lee, Mouth, we have been seeing each other for a year" she added guiltily
"Please say that you broke up with Lucas, Rachel, and no one told me about it?" Mouth asked hopefully, but knew the answer, nevertheless.
"I'm still with Lucas" she muttered
"You're still with Lucas??" he yelled into the phone. "Rachel, are you crazy? You are messing with people's hearts and lives here!" he lectured
"I know, I know, but Mouth, you need to tell me what to do" Rachel asked, needing help from her morally conscious friend.
"Isn't it obvious, Rachel? You need to choose, and by the sounds of things you have already made your choice. You just don't want to stop double dipping!" he fumed
"That's not fair, Mouth! I love Lucas!" she exclaimed
"Do you love him as much as Cooper? Do you see the love shared between Nathan and Haley and think; I hope Cooper and I have that one day?" Mouth asked
"Of course" she said immediately
"Well there's your answers, Rachel, are you happy now?" he asked
"Look Mouth, I am sorry about everything.."
Haley walked into Brooke's room, as quietly as possible. Brooke's back was facing her, her body still in the foetal position. To anyone else, Brooke looked like she was asleep, but to her friend; she knew something more was going on.
"Brooke?" Haley said quietly
"Tutor Mom?" Brooke answered sniffling
"Brooke, what's wrong, honey?" Haley asked, but already partially knowing the answer.
"I can't do this anymore, Haley" she said faintly
Haley sat down on the bed, and stayed silent. She knew more than anyone the hurt Lucas had inflicted upon her over the years.
"I am always going to feel like he's going to walk away. For someone else, someone better, and someone worthy" she stated
"Worthy of what?" Haley asked
"Worthy of his love" Brooke stated plainly
Haley looked at her broken friend. Haley grabbed Brooke's hands for emphasis.
"Brooke! Do you really believe that?" Haley asked. Brooke slowly nodded.
"You've got it all wrong, Tigger. Lucas isn't worthy of your love. Haley thought back to the cafeteria scene before continuing. "You have the biggest heart of anyone I know, and all this love to give. Lucas may be an ass, but think of all the people who love you, Brooke. Peyton, Mouth, Nathan, James and I, we all love you. Our lives would be empty without you Brooke. And think of all the love you are going to give to this beautiful baby of yours" Haley said placing a hand on Brooke's stomach.
Brooke sniffled again
"That was hell of a pep talk, Tutor Mom" she said as the friends hugged
"Ok, I think a movie is in order" Haley said trying to change the mood in the room.
"We're in!" Peyton said, walking in with James
"How about 13 going on 30?" Brooke said hopefully
"OK, whatever you want, Tigger" Haley said as the 3 girls and James huddled on Brooke's bed.
"Look, Rachel, I want you to know Brooke is my friend and this is hurting her more then anyone in this bizarro love triangle. She has a baby to consider now" Mouth said pointedly
"I know that, Mouth she's my friend too!" Rachel cried out
Mouth exhaled loudly, wording what he said next carefully.
"Rachel, if you were any sort of friend to Brooke, you would let Lucas go to be with her"
"Thanks, Mouth. You've been a real help" she said sincerely
"Your better love Cooper a lot Rachel, because when everyone finds out, the shit will hit the fan" he said frankly
"I love Cooper, Mouth, I really do" she said, giving a last ditch effort to convince him. Mouth hesitated, wanting to say something but decided against it. He assumed when his friends found out about her deception that would be punishment enough.
"Bye Rachel"
"Nice talking to you, Mouth"
"You love Cooper?" A voice behind her asked in dismay
She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping this was all a dream. She turned around, and slowly opened her eyes. A pair of hurt crystal blue eyes stared back at her.
"Lucas"
Uh oh…Rachel got caught!! What will happen now? Has Brooke lost all faith in Lucas? Will Cooper face the music and come to Rachel's rescue? Review to find out. BTW, I was trying to write Rach in a likeable sort of way, while still being a bitch; I hope it got conveyed in that way.