A/N: Chapter is shorter than normal, but I wanted something to update so deal with it.

As for the order in which the new stories I will be starting, I'm giving it another week before I tell you. Votes in my profile are really low, but votes from reviews are huge…I have to do some tallies and then I have to plan the story…

I'll be working on one of the new stories after I finish writing You Found Me, the sequel to How to Save a Life, which is currently being written as we speak. I want to be almost finished with writing that story until I post it so you have to wait a little bit longer on that.

Enjoy the Chapter.

Chapter Fourteen: Reaffirm

Ingrid Bergman once said: "A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."

"How could he do this to you?" Brooke questions softly as she looks at the paper that Peyton had handed to her. "What kind of father does that?"

"Lucas, apparently. Our marriage is over, I know that, but Sawyer is his kid. He's just going to leave her. I don't understand that," Peyton says as she runs her hand over her face.

"At least he has to pay child support for the next 15 years or so, that's something right?"

Peyton grins at Brooke.

"I guess. I don't think it makes a difference whether Sawyer sees Lucas or not. When we were in New York, he was never home anyway."

Brooke sets the paper down on Peyton's table and grabs her hand.

"Look, Peyton. I know we have our stuff to work out, but I'm here for you and Sawyer, always. I love you guys."

Peyton leans her head on her best friend's shoulder.

"We love you, too. Is Sam home from the hospital yet?"

"Yeah, she's at home taking it easy. Aria is there with her so I'm not worried."

"Yes, you are."

Brooke chuckles.

"Okay, so maybe I am a little worried, but I know those two won't do anything. Aria wouldn't push Sam like that."

"Aria's a good kid."

"Yeah, she is."

-Complications of the Heart-

Sam and Aria were resting on the couch in the Davis household. Sam had her head resting in Aria's lap while Aria played with her hair. They were watching an older movie on television.

"I like this," Sam comments with a smile. "I like being like this. I like having you here with me. It's nice."

"I agree," Aria says as she smiles down at her girlfriend. "I've been alone for awhile and it's just nice to have someone there with me and I'm glad it's you."

"I feel bad though," Sam admits. "I'm keeping you from your friends. I don't want that at all."

"Sam, you don't have to feel like that. You are my girlfriend and you are my friend. I'm not going anywhere so don't try and guilt trip me. It's not going to work. I swear to you on that."

"You're a great person, Aria. I don't deserve you."

"Yes, you do. Stop thinking you don't Sam, please, stop," Aria pleads.

-Complications of the Heart-

Nathan walked into the kitchen where his wife was cooking dinner for the family. Nathan had a look of disbelief. He had just spoken to his brother and Lucas had filled him in on what he was doing. Nathan hung up on him.

Haley looked up when she heard footsteps enter the kitchen. Haley grew concerned when she saw her husband's face.

"Nathan, what is it?"

"Lucas is dead to me," Nathan announces as he takes a seat at the kitchen table.

"What did he do now?"

"He gave up his parental rights."

"Lucas wouldn't do that. That's not who he is."

"Yeah and Lucas also isn't the type of guy to cheat on his wife and impregnate his mistress, but he did. Face it Haley, the Lucas we all once knew is gone."

"I wonder how Peyton is handling it," Haley comments as she sits down next to her husband.

Lucas may have been her best friend, but Peyton was her friend also.

"I place all my bets on Brooke. That's who she is probably talking to."

"Nathan, do you think good things come out of tough situations?"

Nathan nods his head.

"Yeah, I do. I hope that through this Brooke and Peyton can find their way again. I truly believe that they belong together."

Haley smiles slightly.

"I believe that, too."

-Complications of the Heart-

Sam and Aria had moved from the living room to the kitchen. Watching TV was getting boring and Sam needed to take her meds. Sam sat on the stool as Aria handed her a glass of water and her pain pills.

"You need to take them. You haven't taken them all day. You looked in pain earlier anyway."

"I wasn't in pain," Sam retorts back.

"Yes, you were, stop denying it."

Sam relented and rolled her eyes.

"Fine, I was, but you don't have to baby me either."

Aria capped the pill bottle.

"Sam, I care about you. I cared about you before you were attacked and I care about you now. Just let me do this for you. I really like you Sam and you deserve someone that would treat you with the respect you deserve."

Sam had tears in her eyes as she shook her head.

"You don't want to be with me. I'm ugly," Sam whispers as she grips the edge of her shirt.

Aria walks around the counter and is instantly in front of Sam.

"Baby, I don't think like that at all. You're beautiful."

Sam shakes her head and lifts up her shirt to just below her bra covered breasts. There were fading bruises on Sam's skin, but to Aria, what stood out the most was what was carved into her girlfriend's skin.

Aria grabs Sam's hand and pulls her shirt down.

"I don't care about that. I care about you and you are beautiful. Samantha, you have to believe that and if I have to tell you that every single day for the rest of my life then I'll do at as long as at some point, you finally believe me."

Sam sniffles as Aria brushes away her girlfriend's tears.

"You're too good to me."

Aria shakes her head.

"You're perfect for me."

-Complications of the Heart-

"Let's not worry about this Lucas thing right now. I think with Sawyer taking her nap, we should take some time to think about us and what we're going to do."

Peyton turns to Brooke, ready to pay attention.

"Obviously, Lucas gave up his rights leaving you in full custody of Sawyer. I get that, but what about this house?"

"It was sold last month. Someone bought it and they are going to be moving in next month meaning Sawyer and I need to find a place to live."

"Okay, this is going to sound really crazy, but I think it's our best option considering everything that has been going on. Why don't you and Sawyer move into my house. It can be temporary or it can be permanent it doesn't matter. Sam is going to need more support than I think I can give her and she trusts you. Besides," Brooke says with a smile. "I think it would be good us being in the same house again."

"Brooke, are you sure about that? I mean we really aren't on the best of terms right now and I don't want to screw anything up."

"I'm serious Peyton. We need to let go of the past and start over. This can be our chance. Sam would love having Sawyer around. I would too. I miss that little girl and I miss you. I'm sure Sam wouldn't mind bunking with Sawyer for a little bit so you can have the other guest room and then later if something were to happen between the two of us. Rooms would be switched."

Brooke grabs a hold of Peyton's hand and squeezes.

"I love you Peyton Sawyer, that's not going to change, but we aren't kids anymore and we need to do this right. Move in with me, you and Sawyer and we'll work out the rest later."

"Can I do something right now?" Peyton asks nervously.

Brooke leans closer to Peyton. She couldn't help how Peyton made her feel.

Brooke doesn't answer. She just connects her lips to Peyton's. Peyton places her hands on Brooke's face while their tongues collided. They were both in heaven until a voice from a little girl broke it apart.

"Momma, why you kissing Aunt Brooke?"