Archways and Endings

A/N: How I've missed you all! I'm still a sucky updater and school isn't the best. But this is my attempt at trying to get some really good writing in and get you guys a much needed update. I've been forever inspired lately, thanks to a stupid boy who gave me a broken heart. So thank him if you like this chapter.

Right now where I live (costal Virginia) we are having a nor'easter. It's raining non-stop. And tonight it's going to get worse. Lucky for me, there wasn't any school. So I finished this chapter up and got to work on some other pieces. Pray that my house doesn't get swept away with all this rain. Haha. ;)

Maggie: You are an angel! Thanks for the nudge:)

In case you guys forgot, the last flashback took place on Chapter Seven. It was Halloween night (October 31, 2001) and Brooke told Lucas she was pregnant. You might want to re-read the chapter just to refresh your memory.

Also the time stamp on this chapter is November 1st. It takes place in the wee hours of the morning.

-Kelsey

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Thirteen: This is Going to Bring Me Close to You

November 1, 2001

Tree Hill, North Carolina

Lucas

I never knew that you could change your dreams so fast. I always thought that the only thing I'd ever want was basketball, and Brooke. I really didn't want to change my dream. But sometimes change is thrust upon you. Sometimes change is good. Sometimes you have to change. Dreams do change. Sometimes you have to do things you really don't want to do. Especially if it's no longer about you. It's all about change.

I peer over to the other side of my bed to find Brooke sleeping restlessly beside me. Her hair is sprawled out, her face flushed, crusted eye make up running down her face, breathing unsteady. I love this girl. I haven't always loved her, but I love her now. I do. As she breathes in and out, I see a life that is now mine to own.

Me and Her.

"Lucas," She whispers, stirring beside me.

"Hey Pretty Girl," I soothe. "Go back to bed."

She shakes her head, her messy sleepy locks flip around on the pillow, and attempts to sit up.

I pull her arm up and she sits up propping her head up against the headboard.

"I'm sorry," She tells me finally.

"I won't become him, Brooke."

"I know you won't." She exhales softly. "I know."

"How long have you known?" I ask her.

"A week in a half," She bites out. "I mean I took the test then."

"You haven't been to the doctor yet?"

"No, I wanted to…. I wanted to wait until I finally got the nerve to tell you."

I run my hand though my hair and shake my head. "So, it could be like before."

Before as when she thought she was pregnant but wasn't. When the at home test bared those same two blue lines.

"It's not. I can feel it."

"Feel it?" I ask.

"Lucas," She breathes. She looks up to the ceiling and then turns her face back at me.

"This baby is you and me. I feel it. I know it."

"Damn it Brooke!"

"Don't get fucking mad at me! I didn't get myself pregnant. I told you, I told you that night I didn't have protection but you just couldn't fucking help yourself."

"So now it's my fault? You told me you just had your period, so we'd be fine!"

"I know," She says fighting back tears. "I'm seventeen years old Lucas! Did you think I wanted this now? Did you think I wanted this at all?"

"What do you want to do Brooke? If what you really want is to go…."

"STOP IT! No, god no, that's not what I want Lucas. I love this baby. I've never loved anything this much in my life."

"Then I'll support you," And I mean it. I will not be Dan, I will not be.

I plant a soft kiss on her lips and hold her close to me. "I love you so much,"

"I love you too," She leans into me.

I know what I have to do now. It's the right thing. I'll be a father to my child.

"Marry me,"

"What?" She asks and looks up to me bewildered.

"I love you. I was going to wait until after graduation anyway. Marry me."

"Really, it's not just because…" Her eyes lock and I hold her glance with mine.

"Brooke Penelope Davis will you marry me?"

"Yes," And our lips lock passionately

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She's finally fallen asleep. I get out of bed and search for my clothes that lay in a messy pile on the floor.

Once I'm finished dressing, I look at her. Really, really look at her. She's Brooke Davis and I love her. But I never thought I'd be one of those people to repeat history that I'd get somebody pregnant and have to make all those hard life changing decisions. I just wanted basketball and to be happy. Is this baby apart of my happiness? Is this apart of my master plan?

The fact of the matter is I made that little life with Brooke. That group of cells that mixed together to form a baby, probably an inch or two long. But I'm still seventeen and this isn't the right time for this. Maybe there will never be a perfect time for Brooke and me. But it's here whether I like it or not.

I dig into my back pocket for my cell phone and dial a familiar phone number.

"Hello?" The sleeping voice answers at the third ring.

"Hey, it's me."

"Luke? Hey…" She says her voice chalk full of sleep.

"Do you think you could meet me? At the river court. I really need to talk to you,"

"Lucas, It's freaking…3:15 in the morning. What… She told you didn't she?"

I exhale. "I can't do this, I can't, I can't."

"Can't do what? Be a father? You don't have a choice Luke."

"Marry her." I choke out. This is going to hurt her. This is going to break her.

"Oh, god Lucas. It's going to be okay."

"Will you please meet me? Please?" I ask.

"Yeah, give me like ten minutes. I'm putting on some clothes now."

"Thank you."

"Anytime, I'll see you soon."

I hear her voice dropping. What have I done?

"Peyton?"

"Yeah Luke?"

"I'm sorry."

"I know you are." She says after a few moments of silence.

And with that, she hangs up the phone. I gather myself, jam my phone in my pocket, and walk out the door.

-TBC-

A/N: I'd say the story is finally starting to come together. What did you guys think? Let me know.