Thanks to everyone who has responded to this story so far. The feedback has been amazing and I hope I can continue doing it justice. This one is L/P light as many of the past chapters have been, but there's a lot of LP to come so, hang in there.
To all those who are enjoying the angst, I'm glad I've been able to ablige you to a point. I wish I was that angst writer who was gutsy enough to kill somebody, but I'm more of a happily ever after sorta girl...Well...a the ending doesn't leave you in agonizing tears sorta girl. ;)
Who knows what stories will pop into our heads with season 6. I'm going to watch, but Mark Lets make everybody happy no matter how little sense it makes Schwann makes me very nervous. He just seems like the type to screw us over at the very last moment. But I am excited for the new season. I really hope Mark does right by us OH so patient Leyton fans and just lets them be together. Lets cross our fingers.
"Dada?" The child looked back at Haley inquiringly and Haley finally broke. Keith had been cooing the words since Peyton had entered Lucas's room thirty minutes ago.
"Okay, Nathan I think I'm going to take him up to Peyton, and let her know I'm calling Jake," Haley said, getting to her feet. She hiked the baby up in her arms and looked caringly into his eyes. "This must be hard for you. You must be missing Dad huh? You miss Jake?"
"Jae'?" Keith peered around her and then looked back up at Haley who was as confused by the child as she was enchanted. It tore her up to know the Keith was only feet away from his father yet he still called for Jake. Everything about this situation was messed up.
"That's right," Haley cooed pressing a kiss to her nephew's forehead making the baby snuffle happily into her chest. Haley looked back at Nathan with big eyes that said "I want another baby."
"One thing at a time Hales," Nathan smirked as they stood to go to Lucas's room. His smile vanished when he saw who was getting off the elevator to their right.
"Karen," Haley yelped without thinking. She looked down at the baby in her arms and then up at the older woman. Karen, who had been lost in her own thoughts, stopped and turned towards the couple and did a sharp double take. Her mouth opened soundlessly and she approached them slowly, never taking her eyes off the baby.
"Haley," Karen said lowly, staring at the sweetly-smiling baby with the frighteningly familiar eyes. "Who-whose child is this?"
Haley exchanged a glance with Nathan who just shrugged and replied for her.
"He belongs to Peyton."
Karen slowly shut her eyes and kept her next words measured.
"And who is his father?"
Haley knew Karen already knew the answer to that. It was amazing, all the things the eyes can give away.
"It's Lucas," Haley replied with a sigh of resignation. Maybe she should have talked to Peyton before divulging this information, but considering what happened the last time she'd deferred to Peyton, she decided this had to be better. "His name is Keith and he's fourteen months old."
"Keith." Karen tentatively reached out a hand to stroke the child's face. "He couldn't even tell me I had a grandson? Did he really feel that alienated from me?"
"No- Well, I mean, yes he did, but Lucas didn't tell you about Keith because he doesn't know Keith exists," Haley explained.
Karen's eyes flashed at Haley. "Peyton kept his paternity a secret?" she asked, angrily.
"Before you go blaming Peyton," Nathan cut in "You should know there is a lot that happened between them that you obviously aren't aware of. Stuff Haley and I weren't even aware of. She was hurt and scared when she made that decision and I know she regrets it, otherwise she wouldn't be here."
"Being hurt isn't an excuse to keep a child from his father," Karen cried, shaking her head.
"You're right," Nathan consented. "What Peyton did was wrong. But we all do stupid things when we're hurt." He looked meaningfully at Karen. "You know?"
Haley watched the words sink in for the older woman and added,
"Besides, we knew about Keith too and we didn't say anything to Lucas either. It was a group effort and seeing him now in the flesh I can't even remember my reasons for keeping something like this from him."
"We all hurt him," Karen said quietly, swallowing to keep her tears in check she looked back up at the couple. "So I take it Peyton is here then?"
Haley nodded. "She's in there with him now. We thought we'd give them a moment. I was just going in to let Peyton know I was taking Keith to call Jake."
"Jake Jagielski?"
"Yeah. He's the only dad Keith knows he's been asking for him so-It's strange to say when Lucas is just down the hall."
"Can I hold him?" Karen asked, reaching out for him. Haley didn't hesitate and smiled as the child went willingly to his grandmother. Karen bounced him a little and slowly a genuine smile spread across her face. "Hi there," she cooed. "Hi."
"Dada," Keith persisted.
"I know. You'll talk to him soon," Karen soothed, falling easily into her role as grandmother. A sudden thought occurred to her a moment later as they approached Lucas's room. "Does Brooke know about any of this?"
"She's the one that called Peyton," Haley replied, ruefully, before she knocked softly on the door. She opened it and tentatively stepped in, sympathetically taking in Peyton's tearstained face pressed against Lucas's hand.
"Hey Peyton," Haley said "Is it okay if I take Keith downstairs to call Jake? He was calling for him out in the hall, so I figured he must miss him."
"What did he say?" Peyton asked, shrinking back slightly when Karen appeared behind her holding her son, who was suddenly wriggling to get down.
Haley looked back and forth between the women before answering Peyton.
"Um, he's been asking for his dada, since you came in here."
"Dada!" Keith echoed, opening and closing his fists in Peyton's direction.
Peyton nodded, feeling choked up her eyes went back to Lucas.
"That isn't what he calls Jake," she said, finally when she was sure she could speak. "Bring him over here."
Haley exchanged a glance with Nathan and Karen before, Karen walked forward to hand the child over, unsure of what all this meant. She stepped back to look at the small family together. They all watched in amazement as Keith reached his little hand out for Lucas's and grasped his index finger.
"Dada," he cooed, tugging gently on his finger.
Haley pressed a hand to her mouth at the sight. "Oh my God, Nathan."
"That's right," Peyton whispered, placing her hand on top of Lucas's. "There's your daddy Keith. And you knew all along didn't you."
"I don't understand," Haley said, quietly. "Peyton did-did you show him pictures?"
"No," Peyton replied finally chancing a peek at Karen. "I never even mentioned his name," she finished sadly, turning back to watch intently as Keith patted his father's hand. "It was a mistake."
"Yes it was," Karen finally spoke up. The three adults turned to look at her, Peyton with shame in her eyes.
"I know you don't like me for him Karen. I know you wish it was Brooke, but I love him. I love him so much. It took me a really long time to get here and I'm not leaving, until he wakes up and tells me to himself."
"That's unlikely," Nathan muttered under his breath, earning himself a light elbow in the ribs.
"I know you love him, sweetie," Karen replied stepping closer to them. "You love him like I loved Keith."
"I'm sorry," Peyton whispered, swiping away a tear, furtively.
"Peyton, I should be apologizing to you," Karen said, looking at the woman with heartfelt eyes. "Grief is a strong demon to fight and I know you understand what I mean when I say that. It won me, Peyton and I took his joy from him, I made him feel wrong for loving you and I made you feel the same way and for that you'll never know how sorry I am."
"Karen, this thing with Dan isn't your fault, you know."
"I know…And maybe one day I'll be able to believe it. Just like one day I'll be able to forgive myself for the pain I have put him through."
Karen took Lucas's other hand, holding it for as long as should before woke. As much as it pained her she knew he wouldn't want her here when he awoke.
"But Peyton, there's only one person who you need to apologize to about this little boy. And hopefully he'll wake up soon so he can see that he's created something wonderful and that his life is worth living."
"I hope so Karen," Peyton replied, looking down at her son and his father. This shouldn't have been how they finally met. This wasn't how it should have been. "God I hope so."
"This is the last of it," Mouth said to Rachel, as he dropped the last box of Brooke's items in Rachel's living room. He sat down on the arm of the couch just as Brooke appeared from upstairs. She looked quickly through the box and sighed.
"Thanks Mouth. I really appreciate this," Brooke smiled, turning away from him. "You want something to drink?"
"Sorry Mouth," Rachel rolled her eyes at herself. "You're here so much I just figured you'd go get something yourself if you were thirsty."
"No problem Rachel. We all know you're no hostess," Mouth smirked, before turning to the brunette. "Sure Brooke, I'll have a beer if you've got it."
"Whose house do you think this is?" Rachel smiled.
"I almost forgot," Mouth chuckled, before becoming serious again. "So, has there been any updates on him?"
At the mention of Lucas, the smile vanished from Rachel's face. Brooke came back with three beers and a frown of her own. Dropping down to the couch next to Mouth, she handed him and Rachel one.
"I talked to Haley a few hours ago," Brooke replied. "They're weaning him off the ventilator. Seeing if he'll breath on his own."
"That's good news, right? It-uh-sounds like something his girlfriend should be at the hospital for don't you think? You've been moving your stuff all day long and you haven't been to the hospital once, Brooke."
"I was there this morning," Brooke said defensively. "I can't-I just can't be there right now okay?"
"Because of Peyton being there?"
Rachel bit her lip and looked to the sky, wishing she was anywhere else but in the middle of this conversation.
"Mouth she is not only there, but she's there with the child that she had with him. The child that was born after he cheated on me with her for the umpteenth time," Brooke cried, heatedly. Being noble about this whole thing seemed so easy days ago. Now it was just complicated by the physical reminder of the child and reading the evidence of Lucas's devotion to Peyton.
"Oh…Woah. Brooke, that really sucks. I'm sorry. This can't possibly be easy for you. But um-and I know I already said this but, moving out while Lucas is still unconscious still seems like a huge don't on the list of ways to break up with a guy."
"Mouth, it's just better this way, okay. Trust me."
"Whatever you say," he mumbled, opening his beer and taking a swig. "But I thought you were the one who called her," Mouth said, confused.
"She did," Rachel replied into her bottle. At the look Brooke gave her she shrugged. "What? You did."
"Yes I did! That doesn't mean I'm some kind of saint! God! This is hard, Mouth. It's really, really hard! You don't think I want to be the one he wants next to him? I do! But I'm not and that kid is like a constant fucking reminder. Hell, him even being in the hospital is a reminder."
"Then why'd you call her, Brooke?"
"Yeah, why did you call her?"
The three adults turned to the doorway to find Haley standing in it, arms crossed looking at Brooke with an unreadable expression on her face. She unfolded her arms to gesture briefly behind her.
"You're door was open."
"Haley," Brooke stood. "What are you doing here? Is-is Lucas okay?"
"As well as can be expected. He's holding his own. He's breathing on his own, which the doctor says is really good news. He says it's up to him when he wakes up now."
Brooke breathed a true sigh of relief. "Good," she said. "Thank God."
"I just wanted to come check on you," Haley said by way of explanation. "I um, used my key to get into the apartment and all your stuff was gone. I figured the next logical place to look was here."
Brooke sighed. "How much of that did you hear?"
"Enough to know that this is really, really upsetting you and understandably so. What I can't wrap my mind around, though…" Haley suddenly realized she had an audience. "Can you guys excuse us for a minute?"
"Sure! Come on Mouth. Lets go get some more alcohol," Rachel said, happy to remove herself from what she could tell would be a bad conversation. "Brooke is going to need it later," she muttered under her breath.
When the front door shut Haley turned back towards Brooke. Peyton had meekly asked where the brunette was and if she was staying away because of her. Haley didn't know how to answer that.
It had been a long day for all of them. Peyton had left the hospital only once to call Jake, letting him know they'd gotten in safely and to check in. She and Nathan could only coax her into hospital cafeteria food and the meal had been a quiet affair. It was as though they were all taking a deep breath before everything came at them again. Haley knew there was more trouble on the horizon. The hits were just going to keep on coming.
Haley had also been plagued by the discussion she and Nathan had had that morning. The only other person in the equation that they hadn't known about after all these years was Brooke. And looking at the brunette now, Haley knew why she had stayed with Lucas through all the bad. She had something to hide.
"Why did you do it? Why did you call her Brooke?"
"He's in love with her. He's there because he loves her so damn much he can't live without her. Screw everyone else."
"That's not it, though. Brooke I know you have this amazing heart, but calling the woman who has broken your heart more than once to be at the bedside of your boyfriend….That's a lot of heart Brooke. And it's painful for you because you still love him."
Brooke stayed silent and Haley with a sigh decided to throw it all out there. "Do you remember the last party of senior year? A couple nights before we graduated?"
She could tell by the tensing of Brooke's shoulders she knew exactly what party she was taking about.
"I don't know if you know this, but that night Peyton decided she was going to try and make things right with Lucas." She forged on through Brooke's soft gasp.
"But that obviously didn't happen. She flew out of the party in tears and ended up passed out on the side of the road and has barely been the same since. Brooke, she said she saw you with him. That you two were…you know. Did you?"
Brooke sunk to the couch and placed her head in her hands. "Oh God," she moaned.
"She also said you saw her. Is that what happened, Brooke? You two got drunk and had sex and you saw Peyton there and-you were mad-I remember you being really mad still, so you just rubbed it in her face or something. Right?"
Brooke looked ashamedly up at Haley, who was desperate to try and think of logical explanations to this situation. Brooke had been pretty drunk when she'd seen her….Maybe she just forgot that she'd had sex with Lucas too.
"I didn't have sex with him," Brooke mumbled., looking at her shoes. She couldn't bare to look at Haley when this all came out.
Haley scrunched her brows in confusion. "But, Peyton said she saw you."
"She saw us about to have sex," Brooke whispered. "But it didn't happen. Not after he saw Peyton at the door."
"I'm still confused, then, exactly how much alcohol did Lucas consume because he doesn't remember anything Brooke. Not a single thing and if you can remember what happened, why did you tell us that you hadn't seen him later on when we asked you?"
"Because, God Haley don't hate me okay. I was hurt-I was really hurt and drunk"
"Brooke, you're scaring me. What the hell happened."
"Lucas can't remember anything because he was drugged," Brooke blurted in one breath.
Haley paused, waited for Brooke to start laughing and explain this strange new sense of humor she'd acquired. The laughter never came.
"Wait. Wait, what?" she exclaimed, shaking her head. "How Brooke? Who did that to him?"
"Rachel slipped it in his drink." Haley was ready to go find Rachel to tear her a new one, but from the look on Brooke's face there was much more.
"Please tell me you found this out after the party," she whispered.
Brooke shook her head, slowly. "When I went up there he was lying on the bed. He-he thought I was Peyton. He was so far gone he thought I was her the entire time and I didn't tell him differently. It stopped when he saw the real Peyton. He got confused. He tried to go after her but he couldn't stand."
Haley began to shake in barely suppressed fury. "And you just left him there."
"I he-doubled over like he was in pain," Brooke, sniffed, re-living that night for the first time since it happened. "I thought he was having a heart attack. He said his heart hurt, then he just went limp."
"And you didn't think to call an ambulance," Haley cried. "what with his heart condition and all."
Brooke finally turned tear-filled eyes to Haley. "How was I supposed to explain what happened to him. Rachel and I would have been in trouble. He was fine when I left hi-" SLAP
Haley had taken five large steps away from the other woman after her hand flew across her face. She did trust herself to be any closer to her. She was so angry she was shaking.
Brooke just held her cheek in shock. She never once thought Haley would strike her. "Haley-"
"What is wrong with you," Haley screamed, tears falling down her face. "Do you even know what you drugged him with? He could have died! He could have died Brooke because of your malice! God, I can't even look at you right now Brooke. I'm-I don't know you! The Brooke I know would never have hurt her friends the way you've hurt them."
"He didn't know what he did, Brooke. He didn't know what he did to hurt her. And-God, he agonized over that for years. Years, Brooke!"
"I was going to tell him," Brooke cried, flying to her feet. "I swear I was going to tell both of them before Lucas's heart attack. The guilt was eating me alive!"
"Pardon me if I don't feel sorry for you," Haley muttered, stilling her pacing.
"Please don't tell Peyton."
Haley laughed mirthlessly. "I don't believe you. I really don't believe you Brooke. If it wasn't for you, Lucas and Peyton would be together right now. All these years those two suffered could have been prevented if you had come clean and now when Lucas's life is hanging in the balance you-NO!"
Haley spun and marched towards the door. She stopped and turned on Brooke, jabbing a finger in her direction.
"They deserve the truth. Peyton deserves the truth! She thinks he doesn't love her because he's with you. This ends Brooke. I swear to God, If you don't do it, I will."
With that she turned around and left, the slamming of the door reverberating through the entire house.
Reviews are my reward.