Brooke sat in the front of the classroom, amazed that she was finally here. She was a statistic starting off her first few weeks of college, but no one knew her. She had debated going to community college with Lucas, but in the end she decided on Duke. It was hard because between back and forth the commute was two hours, but her mother and father decided to move back and help out with Alex while the two of them attended school. It wasn't the only thing her parents had done for her and Lucas. Her parents knew it was rough for them in the apartment and only having one car that was starting to have problems between the two of them. For Brooke's graduation they got both her and Lucas brand new cars and rented a small house for them.

"Brooke what are you doing in there? You're going to be late for your own graduation," Lucas joked from the other side of the bathroom door. "And our baby wants to give mommy a kiss to show her how proud he is of her."

Brooke looked at herself in the mirror in her graduation gown and wiped the sole tear that slid from her eye away. She was so happy with her life, but part of her was disappointed that her parents weren't here for her. In fact she hadn't even received a call. "I'll be right out Luke. I just need a minute, okay?"

"You okay, pretty girl," Lucas asked. He could hear in her voice that she sounded like she was about to cry. He gave her the time she needed when he heard her mumble yeah.

Brooke composed herself and fixed her make-up. She glanced one last time in the mirror and then headed into the living room to see Luke and Alex. She was beaming with pride when she saw Alex trying to walk to her and falling a few times. When he was starting to get frustrated Lucas took his tiny hands in his and assisted Alex to his mommy. Alex left out a happy giggle and let his mommy envelope him in a big hug when he reached her. Brooke loved being a mother and she had a beautiful family. Lucas leaned down and kissed her in the top of her head.

"I love you Brooke and I want you to know how proud I am of you," Lucas said as he squatted down in front of his son and beautiful girlfriend. He tucked a piece of her hair behind her ear and looked at her eyes glazing over. He could see doubt clouded in her eyes and he wasn't sure if it was because of him. "You know that right?"

She let one of her hands leave Alex and placed it on Lucas's cheek. "I know baby. I love you too and I'm just as proud of you Luke. I need you to promise me something Luke," Brooke said and waited for Lucas to respond. "I need you to promise me that even if we aren't together at some point in the future that we will always be supportive of Alex and attend all of his big events. I never want him to feel like we aren't proud of him."

She watched Lucas stand up and move behind her. He sat behind her and pulled her to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the side of her head. "Brooke, I never want to think of a day when we aren't together. I always want to be with you. As far as Alex goes, we will be there for him through everything. There won't be a day when Alex does not know that we love him and are proud of him. I now understand what this is about Brooke and I'm sorry your parents aren't here. They are proud of you though. Please never question my love for you though baby. You guys are my world.

When Brooke received her diploma she cried like a baby. She cried because it was over, her parents weren't there, she loved her family, and now she was approaching the next step in her life. When the ceremony was over she immediately went to Lucas, Alex and the Scott family. They took lots of pictures of Brooke and Peyton. They had planned to go back to to the Scott residence for a small gathering and when Lucas grabbed her hand and started leading her away she head her name being called. She looked up to see her parents exiting the gym doors and the tears immediately sprung to her eyes. She rushed to her parents and they gathered her into a warm embrace. They told her how proud they were of her and asked if they could bring her out for a little while. She apologized to the Scott's and Lucas encouraged her to go so she went and spent some time with her family.

"Earth to Brooke, where were you just now," Peyton said snapping her fingers in front of her best friends face. Brooke looked up and smiled at her best friend. Peyton had decided to attend Duke with Brooke, although she had moved there and gotten a dorm. Brooke and her registered for all of the same classes and were glad to have an ally at a whole new place.

"Sorry Peyt, was just thinking about graduation. For someone who lives on campus it took you long enough to get here," Brooke joked.

"Sorry, I ran into this incredibly good looking guy and I just had to flirt."

"Peyt, it's been a week since you and Jake broke up. Are you sure you want to start this early?"

"I love you Brooke, but me and Jake broke up on agreement. He's in Georgia and I'm here. We both decided we would enjoy college life and see what is out there. We just flirted anyways. It's not like we had sex or anything."

"I know. Sorry my motherly instincts kicking in," Brooke laughed. "So tell me about that guy you were flirting with."

"His name is Chris. And here he comes with his friend. Keep it cool, please."

"Hey legs. I see you liked me so much you took classes with me," Chris said and took a seat next to Peyton. "Who is your hot friend?"

"Chris this is Brooke, Brooke this is Chris," Peyton said as they shook hands. She noticed Chris's friend eyeing Brooke and taking the seat next to her.

"Hey Brooke I'm Julian. You mind if I sit here?"

"Brooke smiled politely and shook her head. "Not a problem."

"So I know this is forward, but you're really pretty and I was wondering if I could take you on a date," Julian asked nervously.

"Ummm," Brooke said and looked at her best friend eyeing her questioningly. She turned back to Julian and gave him a polite smile. "I'm sorry, but I have to decline. I have a boyfriend."

"Does he go here," he asked and watched her shake her head. "Are you engaged or married," he pushed and again she shook her head. He leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Well if he's not here he doesn't need to know. It's not like you are married so we could have a fun time. I like you Brooke," he said and leaned back in his chair. Brooke shifted uncomfortably in her seat and shook her head again. She was thankful for the rest of the students filing in, followed by the professor.

By the end of class Brooke was annoyed and frustrated by the nearly three hours of lecture. She was glad when the teacher said there was a group project, but not once she learned she would be paired up with Julian. He had been hitting on her all period and was refusing to take no for an answer. Sure she thought he was good looking but she had Lucas and Alex. She was here for an education, not for guys and parties. Her best friend on the other hand was already lining up dates and parties.

Friday night and Lucas Scott was sitting at the dinner table feeding his son and and enjoying dinner with his brother and a very pregnant Haley. Brooke had to stay at schhol until late tonight to work on a project with a classmate. Lucas missed her and he knew she was upset that they couldn't just spend time together as much anymore. All week long Lucas had to stay at school and work with his group to finish his project due the following week and Brooke needed to do the same. He just kept having this nagging feeling because he knew how college guys were. Brooke was intelligent, witty, and beautiful. Any young blooded guy could easily fall in love with her. He wishes he knew how she felt about marriage because Lucas knew that she was it for him and he wanted the world to know they were together always and forever.

He put Alex to bed after reading him a story and rocking him to sleep and went back to the living room. He checked the clock and when he saw that it was 9 he sent Brooke a quick text.

I know you're busy. Just wanted to tell u I love u & I miss u -Luke

Within a minute his phone vibrated and he smiled when he picked it up. He knew it was from her.

Miss u 2 Broody. I love u & I can't wait 2 come home to u & our baby. –B

"So Luke, Haley and I wanted to talk to you about something," Nathan said. "Haley and I wanted to know if you and Brooke would be godparents for the baby. We've seen you guys with Alex and we want to have you guys, if you want."

Lucas smiled. "Of course. I'd love to and I'm pretty sure Brooke would be ecstatic over the idea. I'll run it by her when she comes home."

"Thanks Luke. That means a lot to me and Nate. It must be hard for you guys with your schedules. How are things going," Haley asked while she rubbed her hand over her belly.

"It's hard, but we are dealing. We both spend as much time with Alex as possible and we try to take advantage of the time we get together. It's just hard. I don't know. I just don't like that we are at different schools. I wish I could be with her," Lucas said and shrugged his shoulders.

"What are you getting at Luke," Nathan asked.

"I trust Brooke, but not the college guys. I just want to marry her Nate."

"Have you told her that," Haley asked and when Luke shook his head she proceeded. "Maybe you should just ask her if you are sure."

Brooke sat perched on Julian's bed finishing the graph for the project. She had grown to like Julian. He was funny and cocky and would come back at her like no one else. They had a playful banter and had accomplished almost the entire project in a week. She knew that he was trying to prolong the project so that she would have to come back the next day, but that was family day in the Davis-Scott household. She put the finishing touches on the graph at 10:15 and that meant the project was complete.

"Done," Brooke said happily tossing the graph to Julian. "Now I can go home to my baby."

"Which one? The boyfriend or the kid," Julian said with a cocky grin.

Brooke looked at him and plastered on a fake smile for his benefit. "Both," she said as she grabbed her coat.

"Wait Brooke. Don't go yet. Can we just talk for a little bit. I like you and I'd like to know more about you," Julian asked while his hand still gently held onto her arm.

Brooke debated. She knew they should be friends since they would be partners for any future project, but she didn't want to stay and get in a sticky situation. "Ummmm."

"Just for a few minutes, please."

She tossed her coat back on the bed and sat on the floor with him sitting next to her. They sat comfortably and got to know eachother. They didn't put up barriers and lie. They talked about their childhood, high school, and the new venture to college.

"How long have you and Lucas been together," Julian asked out of curiosity.

"Four years. We had a break for a little while, but realized we both loved eachother. He's a great dad and really supportive of me. As corny as it sounds we are it for eachother."

"Okay, maybe it's not my business, but are you sure he feels the same way?" He looked at Brooke giving him a glare and elaborated on his statement. "I'm not trying to imply anything. It's just if you were my girlfriend for four years and I knew you were it for me, I'd propose. If I had a girlfriend that was as great as you I'd want the world to know you were mine."

Brooke broke her gaze on him. Something about Julian brought out her insecurities about Lucas. She knew that Lucas loved her, but what Julian just said made sense to her. She and Lucas had talked about being it for eachother many times, but if that was the case why didn't he want to marry her? She knew she wanted to marry him, but it was a touchy subject and she never got enough courage to ask him he hadn't asked her. Did he really want to be with her or was it just because of Alex? She knew her face was giving away her insecurities and she snapped out of it when she heard Julian whisper her name.

"Brooke." He waited for her to look at him and when she wouldn't he gently put his hand under her chin and shifted her face to look at him. "You know you're amazing right?" He watched her slowly nod and her insecurities made her even more beautiful. She had such an intense, sad glaze over her perfect green and brown-specked eyes. "Your so beautiful," he said as he slowly moved his face towards hers. He waited to see if she would back up, but she didn't. She almost looked as if she was thinking of something else. He gently brushed his lips against hers. For a moment he put gentle, whispery kisses on her mouth and when she didn't stop him he deepened the kiss. For a moment she kissed him back and then just as quickly pulled away. At about the same time her phone went off.

She looked at the screen and saw that it was Lucas. For a moment she debated on picking it up because she felt guilty for kissing Julian. She knew it was wrong, but she allowed her insecurities to get the best of her. She grabbed her jacket and purse off the bed and walked out of the room without a glance back and answered her phone.

"Hey."

"Hey pretty girl. I missed you and I wanted to know if I should wait up for you," Lucas said softly into the phone.

She felt her throat tighten with the guilt burning deep in her. She breathed in a deep breath to steady her voice before answering him. "I miss you too. I'm on my way home, but you don't have to wait up if you're tired."

"It's okay. I'd wait all night for you. I love you."

She felt the tears escape her eyes as she shut her car door and started her car. She wouldn't let her voice betray her. "I love you too. I'll be home soon."

"I'll see you soon. Drive safely," Lucas said as he hung up with her.

The car ride home seemed like an eternity. Maybe it was the guilt eating away at her, but when she pulled up in the driveway she suddenly didn't want to go inside. She had to tell Lucas what happened, but she knew he'd be disappointed in her. She couldn't lie about it and she didn't want to anyway. Lie ruined a relationship and she didn't want that.

She unlocked the door and stepped inside the house. She quietly shut and locked the door and leaned against it. She closed her eyes and stood frozen when she heard Lucas approaching.

Sorry for the delay. I had finals and a ton of papers due. I promise the next chapter will be up before Saturday! I appreciate those of you who reviewed last chapter—you guys are great!! Review and let me know what you think. I'm not sure if I am happy with this chapter, but I was having a bit of writers block and I didn't want to take forever to update again. Let me know what you think! Thank you all again!