Chapter 6: A Step Closer To You

AN: Thank you so much for the support as always! You guys are great! Please review!

~ C & B ~

It was a new day. It was the day. Brooke had spent the night before lying in bed and thinking over how everything was going to be planned out today. She was going to visit the Lucas Scott residence for the last time as Brooke Davis: Forgotten Girlfriend of Lucas Scott.

But of course the second her hand knocked on the door, her epic speech totally dissipated from her mind and she was left having to wing it. She didn't even have to say anything, the blonde stepping aside and letting the brunette in. "See everything's the same."

Lucas nodded his head, both of them knowing she was just trying to ease the awkwardness. It wasn't going to work. "Yeah."

"We never finished our talk yesterday," Brooke whispered after a long moment of silence between the two. Hazels met blues and both of them could tell what was coming. It was now or never. Like Brooke said, they were both different people and they were just holding each other back. "That kinda seems daily with us; having unfinished talks."

"Daily as in whenever we do talk," Lucas added in softly, leaning back against the wall as he looked over the brunette. He squinted slightly and took in her features. When did she get that haircut? And when did she start tucking her phone away instead of holding it and constantly looking at messages from co-workers.

You really are a stranger.

"I guess I always knew… about your love for Peyton. Even during her relationship with Chris. I just always thought that it would go away with time; that I'd be good enough to make you forget those feelings because the feelings you had for me would be way bigger," Brooke said, swallowing hard as she searched Lucas's face slowly.

"Brooke, don't blame yourself for this," Lucas whispered, closing his eyes and shaking his head.

"I'm not," she said, taking a step forward, "I mean, I'm not anymore."

His eyes opened up again and met hers, the brunette's heels clanking against the wooden floor slowly as she made her way over to him. She took his hand in hers softly and looked down at them, "This is the end of our story, Luke. We're not meant to have a happy ending. Go finish your story with Peyton. Go have a happy ending. It's okay."

"I'm sorry," Lucas said, shrugging helplessly, "I never realized how bad of a boyfriend I was to you. I just figured that the feelings with us would come back one day. But with Peyton's divorce, I have a chance again."

Brooke nodded her head. There was nothing she could do about Lucas's feelings. And if she was being frank, there was nothing she could do about her own. So slowly she reached up and kissed his forehead before stepping back and making her way towards the door. "It's okay to fall in love with your best friend's ex."

"It's okay to fall in love with your best friend's ex," Lucas said back softly, both of them sharing a look that he knew and he was okay with it just as much as Peyton was.

~ C & B ~

Peyton walked past Brooke who was on her way leaving Lucas's house, the blonde slowly sliding her phone into the back pocket of her skinny jeans.

"He's all yours, P.," Brooke said, both of them making eye contact at the use of her old nickname for when they were best friends. "Take care of him, okay?"

"As long as you take care of.." Peyton trailed off, both girls nodding their heads as they went their separate ways.

"Knock, knock," Peyton said softly, opening the door and stepping inside the house as she smiled at Lucas. "How you holdin' up?"

"Wow, news travels pretty fast around here, huh," Lucas teased as he led Peyton over to his living room, the two of them plopping down on the couch together.

"Well, duh, it's Tree Hill," Peyton teased back, grabbing a pillow and setting it in her lap. "I'm sorry it ended."

Lucas nodded his head. There was a silence but when he spoke, their eyes met and he meant every word of it. "I'm sorry it ended because I hurt her, but I'm not sorry it ended because of the basic fact that we're both meant for other people."

Peyton tried to hide back her smile and she bit her lip, "What do you mean?"

You know what I mean, chicken legs.

Both blondes smiled, Peyton able to read his eyes perfectly as she leaned in. "Nice shot."

Lucas laughed his famous Lucas Scott laugh and leaned in along with her. "Nice legs." His eyes trailed her legs before meeting her eyes and then went down to her lips. "I don't know how horrible it would be to kiss a girl two minutes into a break-up. And your best friend ex territory."

Peyton chewed on her lip, her breath hitting his face lightly as she searched his eyes, "Falling for your best friend's ex is pretty common these days. It's fair game."

"I was thinking that, too," Lucas said back, his hand slowly rising to tuck a curl behind her ear. The touch caused electricity to spur between the two, their eyes remaining locked. Slowly, his hand slid from her ear to her cheek, cupping it lightly as he closed the gap between the two.

The kiss was soft but full of every type of love that was tucked away years ago. But now, here they were, finally starting up the flame. It all felt right. They were right. With trial and error, Lucas and Peyton found their way back to each other in the end.

~ C & B ~

The lanky musician slid down into the chair slowly. Today was the big day. Today he'd find out if he made it one step closer to being Michael's adopted father or if it was game over. He tapped his fingers nervously against the edge of the desk, his file sitting right there in the center just begging him to look inside. He shoved his hands beneath his legs to fight the urge, bouncing one foot against the ground as the door behind him finally opened.

The agent, a different woman than he was used to, took her seat and flipped through his file immediately. The name tag on her desk read Carrie Russell, and Chris spoke up, smiling nervously as he pointed, "Are you as good an actress?"

Miss Russell let out an annoyed breath and glanced up at him, "I've gotten that same joke 100 times, Mr. Keller. We really don't need to make small talk."

Chris sank into his seat silently, an uncomfortable pit forming in his stomach as he waited. He closed his eyes as the woman scanned the pages, praying silently as the wait continued.

Dear lord, it's um, it's Chris Keller. I know I haven't been the best at praying and being a good dude and all that, but if you could let this work out for me, I'd really appreciate it. I love Michael. Please don't take him away from me. I'll be a better guy if you just do this for me, God. I promise.

"Well, Mr. Keller, it looks like the interviews went well for the most part."

Baby blues shot open and the woman slowly lowered the file, "There was a bit of confusion when a Clay Evans began talking about himself and his prowess with women. And your boss could not be reached. But other than that, it all went very well."

He breathed a sigh of relief, glancing up and whispering a quiet 'thank you'. He sat up a little straighter, confidence brimming in him, "So everyone had good things to say?"

The agent nodded her head slowly, looking back through the interviews slowly, "All the people we interviewed had great things to say. Brooke Davis in particular."

His interest was piqued. The boy leaned forward, smile growing, "What did she say about me?"

She almost looked amused. Almost. The file rose and her crisp voice filled the room, the boy hearing the words from the voice that said them originally, "She said, and I quote, 'Chris Keller isn't like anyone else you'd ever meet. He's sweet and funny. But he's genuine. He may not always say the right thing or do what people want him to do, but he's kind. He does things because he loves and trusts people. The tabloids call him names and talk about his past like he can't be redeemed. He has redeemed himself! By loving people the way that he does, he redeems himself every day.'"

His breath fell shaky from his lips and he looked down at the ground, "She really said all that?"

"There's more," Carrie tilted her head at him, "She goes on for the next two pages about what an amazing father you'll be. How kind hearted you are. About the time you saved a kitten from a tree for her nephew."

Chris laughed quietly and shook his head, heart pumping fast in his chest. He licked his lips, surprised to find them so dry, "So um, what does this mean as far as the adoption goes?"

The woman stared at him long and hard for a moment, "It means that I am recommending that the adoption goes through. Your next hearing, you will meet with a judge and he'll make the final decision. Good luck, Mr. Keller."

"Thank you," he said honestly, shaking the woman's hand before making his way out. He stood out on the sidewalk for a moment, completely still. And then his arms were in the air and he let out a happy sound, hugging a random stranger, "I'm gonna be a dad!"

He pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number immediately, "Call me as soon as you're out of work. I need to see you."

~ C & B ~

"Argh, gonna getcha!" Chris swooped down and pulled Michael off the ground, tickling the boy mercilessly. The tiny boy kicked and giggled, his voice echoing throughout the mostly empty park.

Chris had been coming to get Michael for play dates the last couple months; their schedule was three times a week, and they never missed a day. But here they were on their fifth day in a row, the musician taking his meeting with the adoption agency to heart and spending every available second with his boy. He kept shooting glances to the park gates, waiting for Brooke to arrive.

He lowered the boy to the ground and smiled at the boy's suddenly shy look, "Is she pwetty?"

"Who, Brooke?"

Michael nodded, eyes shining and innocent. Chris smiled wide and nodded right back, "She's insanely pretty. She's like a princess. Oh, there she is now," he pointed behind the boy, both pairs of eyes lighting up as they gazed at the girl.

Brooke looked around but it didn't take long for her to spot the tall musician and the little boy, her eyes widening in absolute awe. "Oh my gosh, you're the cutest boy I have ever seen!" She scurried over as fast as her heels would let her and shot Chris a greeting smile before averting her attention to Michael.

She knelt down and her smile only widened, noting the shyness of the little boy, "Hi, I'm Brooke! You must be Michael. You look like a Michael."

"You looks like a pwincess," the boy said back shyly, his fingers digging into the material of Chris's jeans as he smiled up at her. The little boy hesitantly held out his hand to her, "Wanna pway with us?"

Brooke's eyes softened and she nodded her head, gladly joining hands with Michael and standing up straight. "What kinda games are you two playing?"

"Daddy Chris is a monster and I's a hero." His eyes lit up and he tugged on both of the adults as he got an idea, "I can saves you!"

Michael looked up at Chris seriously, "You gots to kidnaps her, but only for pretend!"

Chris held back his laugh at the serious tone and nodded his head, "Okay, okay, you go do superhero things while I'll steal the damsel in distress."

"Break one of my nails and I'll break your face," Brooke mumbled, smiling sweetly at Chris as she wailed her arms in the air, giving Chris a look, "Oh nooo, the big, UGLY monster thingie is gonna get me because he's lonely and has no friends! Ohhh the horror!"

The musician smirked at her before suddenly hoisting her over his shoulder, her squeals real now. He laughed and spun around her hands clutching to his shirt, "You better hope I don't drop you before he comes to the rescue, Dimples."

"Michael!" Brooke exclaimed, wailing lightly in Chris's hold as she huffed stubbornly. "Kick Daddy Chris where it hurts!"

Michael came running out from behind a tree, aiming mini punches at Chris's legs. Chris made exaggerated sounds of pain and acted like he was going to drop Brooke, not actually letting go until her feet were on the ground. He let the boy knock him down, laying flat on the ground dramatically.

The boy wiped at his forehead like he'd just done something insanely hard and looked at Brooke. He took her hand in his tiny one and kissed her knuckles, "My wady, you haves beed saved!"

Brooke's heart melted and she couldn't help but giggle and nod her head, keeping her hand in his small grasp, "Why thank you! I think my hero deserves a kiss." The brunette leaned in and pressed a light kiss to the little boy's now blushing cheek.

"Hey, I want a kiss," Chris pouted, sitting up, "Where's mine?"

"Monsters don't gets kisses, Daddy," Michael giggled. He ran over and plopped down on the musician's stomach, eyes wide and excited, "Can we gets ice cweam? Can we? Pwease!"

Chris narrowed his eyes at the little boy's pleading look, "Okay okay, only one scoop!"

"One?" Brooke scoffed and raised her brow a little, crossing her arms over her chest. "I think my prince charming deserves two. Isn't that right, Mikey?"

Michael nodded rapidly, bouncing a little. He giggled as Chris stood, swooping him up and kissing his forehead, "Fine, two. But only because your pout and her attitude are hard to say no to."

The boy glanced at Brooke and grinned, "I like you!"

The three of them sat down at a bench a while later, Michael in Brooke's lap as he licked away on his ice cream of exactly two scoops, offering Brooke a lick as she giggled. "No thank you, I have some strawberry ice cream for myself. It's pink. My favorite color. What's your favorite color?"

"Blue and purple," he frowned a little, "Sam, the boy who lives withs me, he says purple is only fors girls. Is that the truf?"

Chris shook his head immediately, "No way, little man. I love purple. I have like… 4 purple shirts. You can like whatever you want. No one else is allowed to tell you what to like. Except for my music," he teased, the boy giggling because he already knew what was about to be said, "you have to like my music or you're grounded."

"Oh golly, now Brookie's grounded for the rest of her life," Brooke teased, shooting Chris a wink before licking her ice cream. She caught him in the corner of her eye staring and she turned to him, "What? Don't tell me I have a strawberry stain on my cheek like the movies."

"No you don't, it's just," he paused biting the inside of his bottom lip and speaking softly, the distracted boy not hearing, "you're so good with him. You're really, really good at this."

Brooke smiled back just as softly and nodded her head, hazel eyes searching through caring blues. "You're really good with him, too. He's gonna have the best daddy ever and you're gonna make him the happiest little boy ever; more than what you already have made him."

He smiled wide and took a big bite of his ice cream, "I had a meeting with the agency today. She told me some of what you said. You alone pushed her to recommend me, she said. Thank you."

"That is confidential!" Brooke exclaimed, her eyes widening as she continued to lick her ice cream with a fake annoyance. "Psh." She sent him a wink and turned away, letting out a breath as the wind picked up and calmed the brunette from any nerves that were sent to her that day. "So you talked to Peyton?"

Chris nodded and shrugged one shoulder, "Yeah she stopped by yesterday to ask about the adoption. And look, I wasn't going to say anything, but you deserve to know, she's into Lucas. I don't think he's doing anything with it, but just be careful, okay? I'd hate for you to get hurt because of them again."

Brooke couldn't help but laugh lightly. Chris was definitely out of the loop. Who could blame him? Why get caught up in a love rectangle (or square, whatever) when in the middle of adopting probably the most perfect child ever.

"I broke up with Lucas… Today. And talked to Peyton yesterday." She held up a hand at his confused look, "She came to see me. We actually talked in a civil-like manner. She didn't say it but I could tell she was falling for Luke all over again. This was after the fight me and Luke had about being different people. So, I gave them what they wanted and that was each other."

His eyes went wide, "Whoa, whoa, what? You broke up? Where the h-e-l-l have I been?"

"That's spells Hell!"

"Don't say Hell," Michael shrugged and went back to his ice cream, Chris looking at Brooke in surprise still, "Are you okay? Do I need to kick his a-s-s? I'm weak, but I totally would try!"

Brooke smiled and shook her head, giving off a soft shrug, "They love each other. Who am I to get in the way of true love taking its course?" She leaned over and put a hand on his shoulder, her finger lightly drawing circles on his shirt, "Are you okay? Not only is it my ex best friend with my ex but it's your ex slash semi-current best friend with your ex."

Chris nodded and laid his hand on her knee, giving her a genuine smile, "I'm fine. I've been over her for a really long time. I was just worried about you."

His eyes softened, "You've been through a lot with them, I just want you to be happy."

"Chris Keller isn't getting soft on me, is he?" Brooke teased, looking down at Michael who was falling asleep against her. She smiled and ruffled his hair, tossing whatever was left of her ice cream in the trash a few feet away. "Well, looks like we're both single and with a child. We sound like a Lifetime movie."

"He loves you already," Chris smiled, reaching over and collecting Michael to his chest. He slid over and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, nudging her, "He definitely likes you more than me now."

"Hmmm, doesn't take much liking then," Brooke said, rolling her eyes and looking at the little boy in awe. "He's gonna be a heartbreaker."

"He already is," he shook his head in amusement. "He managed to get a kiss out of you in 20 minutes, I've been trying that since high school."

"What can I say, I have something for princes," Brooke teased, her eyes meeting his once again. She studied him over before scoffing suddenly and shaking her head, "I think it's funny how I'm probably the only girl that has never given you the satisfaction of a kiss in this town. There should definitely be an award for that."

He scooted closer, giving her an innocent smile, "You could just give me one now. Come on. Peeeeeeeeer pressure."

"As if," Brooke scoffed and put a hand on her mouth. "No one gets these lips that easily."

"Mikey did," he pouted, leaning forward and kissing the back of her hand, "Kiss me."

Brooke shook her head and kept her hand in his grasp, feeling her stomach flutter in all sorts of butterflies at the feel of his lip on any part of her skin. She didn't show it though and still played it off like it didn't faze her one bit. "I'm sure you can go walk up to any random girl on the street and get her to kiss you by just telling her your name."

"I could," he agreed, shaking his a little, "but I'm asking you. Brooke Davis isn't just anyone, you know. She's kinda one of a kind. And Chris Keller wants her to kiss him."

"Well," Brooke flipped her hair before she let out a breath and shook her head. Biting her lip, her eyes trailed over his.

He's asking for you to kiss him, why can't you just say yes? Who cares about playing hard to get? You like him. Hell, you might even love him if you looked deep enough.

"Why do you want me to kiss you so badly? Your list of girls to kiss is that important?"

Chris licked his lips and slowly shook his head, eyes meeting hers. Blue locked on green and for a second all he could hear was his heart. He licked his lips again, voice soft, "It's not about a list. It's just about-"

It's about you.

"I want to kiss you."

"Why do you want me to kiss you so badly?" Brooke repeated, her voice soft as she leaned in a little, her eyes slowly falling to his lips.

Chris leaned in so that their foreheads touched, glancing down at her lips before back up. Michael curled himself into the musician's chest and he swallowed hard, "You're Brooke. You're amazing. I've wanted to kiss you for such a long time."

I've wanted to kiss you for such a long time, too. But mine comes with feelings and that will complicate things. And this is why I'm going to pull away now.

"I guess you're just gonna have to wait a little bit longer," the brunette rasped out quietly, her eyes averting to her hands as she leaned back into the bench.

He frowned but nodded, securing Michael more tightly in his embrace, "You wanna come with me to drop him off? It's just a couple blocks over."

What just happened? Did I just imagine that all?

Brooke cleared her throat and plastered a quick smile over her face, "I um, I actually have to be somewhere. Give the little man hugs and kisses from me next time you see him, okay?"

He didn't believe her for a second but he nodded, leaning over and kissing her forehead, "I guess I'll see you around."

With one last smile and glance back, they headed in opposite directions, both wondering what the other was thinking about this situation.