Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or its characters...I own nothing but this story's plot!!!

Chapter 2:

You Still Pull Me Home

Two weeks later Brooke was getting herself and Olivia ready for their "date" with Nate. She had herself all dresses in a pair of white shorts and a flowy teal tank with white wedge sandals to complete her look. Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, tendrils of hair flying out to frame her face. Now it was time to move on to her daughter.

"How about this yellow dress, Liv?" Brooke asked, pulling a yellow gingham sundress from the little girl's closet. "Look it even has pretty bows on the straps," she tried to persuade her.

Olivia just stared at her like she was insane. "I want wear that," she said, pointing at one of her princess costumes hanging on the rack.

"Well Sweetie, you have to wear actual clothes while we go see Nate, then you can put that on when we get back here," she explained to her. "We don't wear costumes out every day."

Olivia folded her arms over her chest and went to what Brooke had deemed her pouting chair. Whenever she didn't get her way she would run to the chair, located in the corner of her room and sit and pout, just waiting for someone to come find her.

"Baby, don't be upset," Brooke tried to urge her out of her mood. "Look how about you wear this little pink dress. It is the same color as your princess dress. And then Mommy can fix your hair anyway you like."

Olivia lifted her eyes to meet Brooke, considering the deal. Then she looked back down and kept on pouting.

"Okay, I guess I will just have to go see Nate by myself. I can call Aunt Rachel to watch you," Brooke warned her. "I'm going to go put on some lip gloss, and if you haven't picked one of the two dresses when I get back I'm calling her."

Olivia jumped up out of her chair at her mother's words. She may be young, but she knew enough to know when Brooke meant business. "I wear this one, Mommy," she told her, pointing to the pink Ralph Lauren number.

"I think that one will be perfect," Brooke answered, coming over to where she had laid the dress on Olivia's bed and getting her dressed in it. "There, you look beautiful," she told her, squatting down to her level and giving her daughter a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks Mommy. You look so pretty too," Olivia told her, giving her mom a hug. "Can I have some lips too, Mommy?" She asked her mother.

Brooke laughed; her daughter was definitely all girl. She stood up with Olivia still latched on to her neck. "Sure, Baby," she answered her. "I think that would be fine."

After a cozy lunch at a pizzeria of Olivia's choosing, the three headed down to the beach so Olivia could play and Nate hoped he and Brooke would have some time to talk.

"Olivia, stay right here in front of Mommy," Brooke instructed as the little girl ran ahead of her down in the sand. "Don't get in the water!" She added cautiously.

"You're so good with her," Nate observed as he spread out a towel for the two of them to sit on.

"Well thank you," Brooke smiled earnestly at him as she took a seat. "I try. It's not always easy being a single parent, but I have people who support me."

"That's good," Nate offered. "I know this might be crossing a line with me asking this," he started knocking his golden hair out of his green eyes, "But is her father still in the picture?"

Brooke was kind of taken aback by the question. She didn't know why, she got it all the time when people started inquiring about her situation with Olivia. "No," she quickly nodded, and waved her hand dismissively. "He never was and probably never will be."

Nate face turned apologetic mixed with sympathetic. "I'm sorry Brooke. He doesn't know what he's missing," he said patting her on the knee.

"Thanks Nate," Brooke tried to smile, grabbing his hand and squeezing it. She needed to hear something like that right now. And she needed a distraction, something to pull her from the inevitable funk the mention of Lucas was about to pull her into.

Nate leaned over to her and kissed her ever so gently on the cheek. "I think you're amazing, Brooke Davis," he told her. "And any guy would be crazy not to fight like hell to stay in your life," he added almost in a whisper as he turned his face slightly to capture her lips in a kiss.

Hello perfect distraction! Brooke felt a tingling sensation run through her body. He pulled away from her and her long black eyelashes fluttered like a baby doll as opened her eyes. "Nate," she breathlessly said.

"I'm sorry, did I cross a line?" Nate asked, quickly apologizing for his actions. The last thing he wanted to do was scared her off or ruin his chances with her.

"No, no, it's fine," Brooke said waving her hands around frantically. "Just I need to go check on Liv. But maybe we can finish this later, like sometime I can get Rachel to watch Liv," she offered him.

"I'd like that," he said, standing up from his spot on the towel and offering Brooke his hand. "Shall we? It looks like Olivia hasn't quite mastered the art of sandcastle building yet," he laughed.

Brooke smile, a giggle escaping her lips and took his hand. "Yeah, I guess we better teach her that before she turns three, I mean we wouldn't want her to be behind," she played along and the two walked over to where her daughter was contently digging in the sand.

"Hey Liv, What are you doing?" She asked her, squatting down beside her little girl in the sand.

"Building a castle, Mommy," she told her, her eyes squinting in the sun as she looked up at her. "You want help me, Natie?" she asked, now looking at the man who stood beside her mother.

"Sure doll," Nate answered, and he sat down beside her on the warm sand. "First we need some water so the sand will stick. Maybe your mom can get that for us," he suggested, looking over at Brooke who kinked and eyebrow at him.

"Yeah, go gets water, Mommy," Olivia agreed, handing her mom one of her buckets.

Brooke wanted to laugh but held it in. "Fine, I'm getting the water. But when I get back I am going to show you how to build the best sandcastle you've ever seen," she said.

"Okay Mommy," Olivia rolled her little eyes causing both Brooke and Nate to erupt in laughter.

"Well, well, if it isn't a carbon-copy of Miss Brooke Davis," Nate laughed, looking at Brooke once more.

She shrugged her shoulders as if she couldn't help it and went to the edge of the sand to gather some water.

"This castle is so so so so BIG!" Olivia screamed, jumping up from where she had been seated in the sand. As she did, sand went flying all over Brooke and Nate.

"Well I'm glad you approve," Nate told her, a smile spreading across his features.

"You are the bestest at sandcastle making, Natie," she said, giving the man a hug.

"Hey, what about me?" Brooke interjected before either had a chance to speak. "I have helped build too!"

"Brooke you are the best water-getter that I know," Nate smirked at her, and Olivia nodded her head in agreement.

"Well thanks," Brooke sarcastically responded, tipping her head from side to side as her phone began to ring. Upon seeing the name that accompanied the number she stood up and excused herself saying, "Can you watch her for a minute? I have to take this call." After seeing Nate's nod of approval, she walked off, hitting the answer button as she did.

"Hello," she said into the phone, not really sure how the caller on the other end of the line was going to greet her.

"Brooke!" Haley screamed, exuberantly. "I cannot believe this number still worked, I mean you gave it to be right before graduation and, well, I just can't believe you answered."

"Well I couldn't pass up talking to you," she smiled at the sound of her old friend's voice. "How's Jamie?" She asked, "I wish I could see the little guy. The pictures you send just aren't enough."

Haley smiled as she thought of her son. "He's sitting right behind me actually. We are headed to meet Peyton to try on outfits for the wedding," she said.

And there it was—another reference to the always unavoidable Lucas Scott. "Wow, ummm, that sounds like fun," Brooke commented, trying her best to sound excited. "I bet Lucas and Peyton can't wait," she Added.

She felt strange talking about them. She hadn't really talked to either one of them in years, and as far as she was concerned she and Peyton weren't even friends. Not that they were enemies—they had just grown apart, gone down separate paths and were two totally different people than they once were.

"Yeah, Peyton is like stressing over every detail. And Lucas, well you know how he is. He doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve; he's more reserved about the whole thing. But I still think he is excited," Haley told her.

"Yeah, that sounds exactly like Lucas," Brooke said, letting her mind drift to the broody blonde. "But hey, if you are about to meet her, I'll let you go. Liv and I are here at the beach and I don't want her to wander off," she said, using her daughter as an excuse—just one of the perks of being a mom.

"Oh Olivia," Haley squealed. "I bet she is huge now. The last picture you sent me was so precious. I can't wait to finally meet her at the wedding."

"Yeah," Brooke spoke, not really paying attention since she was watching her daughter and Nate put the finishing touches on their sandcastle. "Wait what?" She asked, letting Haley's words replay in her mind.

"The wedding, you are coming, aren't you?" Haley asked her point blank. When Brooke didn't immediately respond she started in on her. "Brooke, I know you and Peyton aren't exactly friends, but Lucas would be crushed if you weren't there. Ever since Peyton decided to invite you he keeps asking me, like every day, if I think you'll come. I really think he wants you there," she explained to her.

The thought of upsetting Lucas made her seriously consider going, but then she thought of how much Lucas had disappointed her—with Olivia, and Peyton, and everything else. "Haley, I think Lucas will be just fine without me," she snapped, not realizing how angry she sounded until the words had already left her mouth. "I haven't talked to him or Peyton since I moved to Hansonville and I really don't think they want me there."

Haley sighed on the other end of the phone. She knew how badly her brunette friend had been hurt by the two blondes. "Alright Brooke, if that is how you feel," she said slowly. "I just think it would mean a lot for you and Olivia to be there, especially to Lucas."

Brooke thought about her words and hung her head in defeat. It would finally give her a chance to confront Lucas about what he did to her…and to Liv. See what a mistake he made by never trying to contact her. But why give him the satisfaction of seeing her? That was one thing she didn't want to do.

"Please Brooke," Haley added, "It would mean a lot to me too. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too, Hales," Brooke almost whispered. "I'll think about it," she finally told her. She couldn't hear Haley's heart break if she flat out told her she wasn't coming, or worse, risk listening to another one of her lectures.

"Great," Haley said, her voice instantly lightening at Brooke's words. "Now I'm at the dress shop so I've got to go, but seriously, keep in touch this time."

Brooke laughed, "I will. And remember, the phone works two ways. Bye Haley," she said and she ended the call.

She watched her daughter and Nate for a minute more before walking over to rejoin them. So much of her decision was pinned on that little girl. She was so happy here, in this life. And if she was sure nothing would change she would fly down to Tree Hill in an instant. But she wasn't sure, all she could feel was uncertainty. And strange draws, pulling her back to the place she once called home.

It was nearly dinner time when Brooke carried a sleeping Olivia into their apartment. She carefully closed the door and let her bag slide off her arm onto the counter. She flipped on the light and was shocked to find Rachel lying on her couch.

"What are you doing here, Rach?" Brooke hissed through clenched teeth. She was trying to be quiet because of Olivia but the shock of unexpectedly seeing someone lying on her couch nearly caused her to jump out of her skin.

Rachel groggily opened her eyes and it was obvious to Brooke that she had been asleep. The red head yawned, and let her head fall down on the cushion once more.

Brooke would have a word with her in a moment. For now she was going to lay Liv down and let her sleep for a little bit longer. The little girl might be up all night tonight, but she had totally missed her nap time.

She laid Olivia on her bed and covered her with a fluffy purple blanket that was lying on the end of the bed. She bent down and kissed the little girl on the temple. "Mommy loves you," she told her. And she closed the door almost completely as she made her way out.

Once back in the living room she leaned over Rachel and shook her friend's shoulder. "What are you doing here?" She asked her impatiently. Not that she minded Rachel coming over, she just wished she would have known. She might have tried to get home faster.

The time between Brooke first waking her up and now had given her a little time to readjust to being awake. She slowly sat up and turned her face to look up at her friend. "You were gone forever you slut," she said. "I came over to see how your date went but I guess it was great because, I mean…What time is it?" she ended up asking.

"Rachel, its only 6:45," Brooke told her. "It's not even late. What time did you come over here?" She asked her, taking a seat on the chaise lounge.

"I got over here at like 5:30," she answered. "I guess I didn't realize how sleepy I actually was," she said sliding her feet off of the couch and onto the floor. "But stop trying to change the subject, how was the date? Did Nate look gorgeous? What did you do? How was he with Liv?" She asked her friend.

Brooke actually interrupted her spew of questions before she could get anymore out. "Enough with the fifth degree," she laughed to her friend. "It was nice. We went and ate and went to the beach. Olivia had a great time," she said.

"And what about you?" Rachel asked, raising her eyebrows suspiciously at her friend.

"I guess I had fun too," Brooke smiled back at her. "I just had a little distraction mid-way through."

"What was it? Did you start your period and not have a tampon?" Rachel asked her in all seriousness.

"What? No," Brooke asked, shocked her friend would even guess that. She figured she had to be kidding. "I am serious, Rach. Haley called me," she said.

"Haley? Haley James Scott, Haley?" Rachel asked her in disbelief as she sat up a little straighter on the sofa.

"Of course. What other Haley do we know?" She asked, not believing all the questions Rachel was feeding her. But then she remembered she had just woken the poor girl up so she decided to cut her some slack.

"No, I know we don't know any other Haleys, at least none that would be calling you. I was just surprised because you haven't talked to her in forever. How long has it been?" She asked her friend.

"Too long," Brooke answered her, leaning over and resting her elbows on her knees. Head in her hands she added, "She was talking about the wedding."

"What about it?" Rachel asked her, eager to hear whatever details Brooke had while her friend was willing to spill them.

"Just about how she and Jamie were in it and how I should come," Brooke told her. "She actually told me Lucas keeps asking her if I will come. And that Liv and I should really be there. That it would mean a lot to her and to Lucas."

"Seriously?" Rachel questioned in disbelief. "Are you buying it? Do you think Lucas is actually asking about you when he is getting married? Are you sure they invited you and Haley just didn't slip the invite in the mail herself?" She asked her friend.

"Well it was either Lucas or Haley is trying to get me to play wedding crasher so she can see Liv, because I sure as hell know Peyton didn't invite me," Brooke explained to her. "I just think it would be awkward."

Rachel laughed at Brooke's attitude to the situation. "You're damn right it would be awkward," she commented. "I mean, you're not thinking of going, are you?"

The contemplative look in Brooke's eye said it all; she didn't even have to open her mouth for Rachel to know that she was already getting drawn back in.

"Brooke, no," Rachel told her. "It's just going to turn into one big mess if you go back there," she urged her friend to change her mind.

Brooke just looked at her and tried to give her a reassuring smile. "If I do go, it will be fine. Especially because I will have you there with me," she said to her.

Rachel just looked at Brooke and moved her head from side to side in disbelief. She could not believe what she was hearing. Something had definitely changed her friend's outlook on the whole situation. And she was hoping she knew what, or who, it was.

Okay, hope you all enjoyed this chapter!! All the good stuff is to come so hang in there! ;) Thank you to everyone who has been following the story and to all those who have been reviewing! I hope you are all still enjoying it! Let me know! Oh and as I always forget to say the title was taken from a song by A Fine Frenzy! Gotta love it!

Audra