Author's note: It's been a month and a half, I know… and believe me, I'm SO sorry. There are several reasons to why this update is so severely delayed but I'm not going to bore you with them (and most of you guys that know me already heard me whine about it without end LOL) Special thank you's go out to Casey for being the greatest test-reader ever and for finding me the chapter-song. To Cami for not giving up on me during this long hiatus, to my little Hannah and to Tiffany Rae for their amazing reviews. And to Cheyenne for the inspiration her stories give me. A huge thank you to everybody that's reviewed the last chapter and welcome to all you new readers.
The title of this chapter is from a song by the same name from Backstreet Boys. Now, let's just get on with the story, right? That is if you still remember what has happened? ;)
-
CHAPTER 28 – What makes you different, makes you beautiful
You don't run with the crowd
You go your own way
You don't play after dark
You light up my day
Got your own kind of style
That sets you apart
Baby, that's why you captured my heart
The day of Tree Hill high school's senior-prom comes with bright blue skies and a temperature of about 70 degrees. Brooke is out of bed even before the alarm-clock sounds and when Lucas awakes he hears her and his mother in the kitchen, excitedly discussing the pros and cons of curling-irons and straightners and whether or not Brooke should wear high heals.
'My mom must be ecstatic' he thinks and turns over in bed. He knows that his mom has always wanted a daughter and helping Brooke get ready for her prom-night must be like a dream come true.
Right then Brooke comes rushing through the door and she practically jumps on top of him in the bed. He laughs and wrestles her down so that he is on top before kissing her.
"Morning baby…" she murmurs and sucks in his bottom lip between her teeth. "Did you miss me?"
"Mmm-hmm." He nods, not being able to answer properly since she still has his lip caught, and he lets his hands slip in under her t-shirt. She makes a content sound as he roams her body and then kisses him deeply once more before pulling away.
"As strange as it may sound, I didn't come in her to make out with you, gorgeous" she says and sits up. "I just came to tell you that Rachel and I are leaving soon to go to the mall and then the hair-salon. …Oh, and just so that you know… We're bringing your mom along. I'm treating her to a haircut, a manicure and a pedicure. Who knows when she'll have time for it after the baby comes?"
He smiles and tucks a strand of her hair behind her ear. "That's great Pretty girl. But are you sure you can't stay and make out some more first?"
He makes his best puppy-dog expression and pulls her down towards him again but Brooke just quirks her eyebrow at him.
"No Lucas, no can do. You know I have a busy day today… Places to see and people to do…"
Now it's his time to raise his eyebrow but she just winks and gets out of the bed.
"Don't forget your mission today boyfriend" she says before disappearing back out to the kitchen. "New Brunswick Airport at one o'clock. The flight is AA675 in case you forgot…"
The door closes behind her and he rolls over and buries his head in the pillow. Why did she have to come in and tease him like this? Now he would have to start his day by taking a cold shower…
----
Three hours, a long shopping-spree and a lunch later, Brooke and Rachel sit next to each other in the hair-salon. Brooke's hair is up on curlers and Rachel flips through a magazine while getting a pedicure.
Brooke looks around making sure that Karen is out of ears reach before saying in a low voice;
"You know what I think?"
Her redheaded friend looks up from her copy of 'In Touch'. "No, but I'm pretty sure you're going to tell me…"
Ignoring the sarcasm Brooke keeps going. "I think we should throw a huge baby-shower. I mean, including this baby" she says and points at her midsection, "four babies are about to be born. I think that's a good enough reason to arrange a party. Don't you?"
Rachel shrugs. "Why not, but how fun would it be really? No alcohol, no making out and probably no dancing either…"
"Don't be so pessimistic Rach! It could totally be fun, especially if you and I threw it."
Rachel shrugs a second time before going back to her magazine. "Sure hoe, whatever you say…"
Brooke's phone beeps in her bag and she picks it up to read the text that proves to be from Lucas.
'Package' is here safely. We're meeting Nathan now but I'll see you later at home. I miss you…
She smiles sheepishly and Rachel gives her a questioning look but she just waves the redhead off dismissingly.
"It's none of you're business tramp. Just go back to your gossip. I have stuff to take care of."
And as Rachel mumbles some grumpy comment back Brooke sends an answer to Lucas;
You miss me huh? Be sure to have the package at prom by 11PM. I'll reward you later…
-----
I know sometimes you feel like you don't fit in
And this world doesn't know what you have within
When I look at you, I see something rare
A rose that can grow anywhere
And there's no one I know that can compare
It's a quarter to six and Lucas paces back and forth in the kitchen. They've promised to swing by Haley at the hospital before meeting up the others and in order to make it there on time they need to leave pretty much right now. The rented car, complete with chauffeur, is waiting outside but the door to their bedroom is still closed and there is no sign of Brooke being finished anytime soon.
"Mom!" he yells, "tell her to hurry, we're gonna be late!"
His mother peaks her head out through the door for a quick second saying; "Five minutes…" and then he's back to pacing. Of course he's expecting the five minutes to become thirty but exactly seven minutes later his mom steps in to the kitchen smiling widely. And when she steps aside his jaw almost hits the floor.
"God Brooke…" he stutters. "You… I… you look… uhh…wow!"
For once his girlfriend actually blushes and he means wishes he could express himself better than just standing there with his mouth open like a complete idiot. His pretty girl looks like a fairy princess, a sexy fairy princess at that, and she's so perfect that he's almost scared to touch her.
"Did you actually make this dress baby?" he says and slowly lets his fingertips glide down the side of her body. She nods and he kisses her forehead, careful not to destroy her perfectly applied make-up.
"You Brooke Davis, are amazing. You know that right?"
She smiles proudly and fixes his tie. "So I've been told Lucas Scott, and you're not that bad yourself…"
-
The drive to the hospital is short and as they walk into the lobby and up to the second floor he still hasn't taken his eyes of her once. Haley and Nathan are waiting for them and as soon as they enter the room, Haley bursts out in a series of loud shrieks and compliments of Brooke's appearance.
Nathan just smiles crookedly and gives Lucas' shoulder a squeeze. "It's a good thing that you already got Davis knocked up…" he mocks. "Without that obvious belly every guy in town would be after her tonight."
And to that comment Lucas just smiles proudly. "Beautiful, huh?"
"Yeah, if that's even okay to say about my future sister-in-law…"
"You can say whatever you like Nate, just as long as you keep your hands off her."
The last comment is a joke of course but Lucas is still watching Brooke when he says it and because of that he doesn't see the embarrassed blush that creeps over Nathan's face or the way he clenches his jaw when he answers;
"Sure big brother, I'll keep that in mind.
-
"I'm so bummed that you both are going to miss our prom" Brooke whines to Haley a while later. "Me and Luke fixed this great surprise for Peyton and I wanted you to see her face…"
Haley looks confused. "For Peyton? I mean I knew you two have been trying to work things out but…"
Brooke rolls her eyes and looks a little embarrassed. "Yeah I know… She doesn't really deserve it. But you know what Hales? I'm happy. Really happy… And I guess this pregnancy is making me a little weak. I just want Peyton to be happy too, you know? I mean without kissing my boyfriend…"
She shrugs and Haley laughs. Nathan and Lucas step back into the room with some champagne-glasses and Haley pats Brooke's arm. "You're a great friend Brooke Davis, you know that right?"
"So are you tutor-girl, so are you…"
Lucas looks from Haley to Brooke and back again to Haley. The girls look almost teary-eyed and he figures that they had some kind of moment. So instead of making them even more emotional, he pops open the alcohol-free cider and pour some into four flutes.
He hands Nathan and Haley theirs and then hands the third one to Brooke.
"Here you go sexy" he says and winks at her and her eyebrow shoots up in that irresistible way when she answers;
"You do realize that you're prom-date looks like a fat blob, right?"
For the hundredth time since she came out of their bedroom wearing her prom-dress he just wants to turn around and go back home and undress her again.
"Yes I do" he mumbles "and I love it…" He's already pulling her in for a kiss, but she swats him away.
"Hey mister! Watch my make-up! It took some effort to look like this you know… and since I can't control this enormous belly I at least want to keep my lip-gloss!"
He pouts jokingly and instead places a couple of wet kisses along her bare neck and collarbone. A small sigh slips from her and Haley laughs tiredly.
"Newsflash; there are people in the room with you… God, you two are hopeless!"
She makes room next to her on the bed and Brooke sits down. Nathan pats Lucas' back and with a great interpretation of Tim, he jokingly says;
"So you think you'll hit that tonight?" He points at Brooke who in turn raises her eyebrow and answers in Lucas' place.
"By the looks of things Natey, I think he already did…"
--
They leave the hospital a little earlier than planned since Haley is tired, but they are still late to meet up with Rachel, Mouth, Bevin and Skills outside of the school. Lucas helps Brooke out of the car and she watches him from the corner of her eye. He looks stunning and she laughs to herself. 'Who would have thought…' she thinks. 'Who would have thought that we'd still be here together, back when he gave me that Steinbeck-book…'
He smiles back, even though he probably doesn't have a clue what she's thinking and she lets him guide her over to the entrance. It's warm outside but she shivers and he wraps his arm around her. It's as if he can feel that she is nervous, because just as they walk through the portal into the make-shift ballroom he stops her. And while slowly rubbing her arms up and down, he says;
"You look beautiful Brooke. There isn't a guy in here that wouldn't want to be me tonight."
The feeling of looking like a stranded whale lessens when he looks at her like that and her tense shoulders drop a little. Still she can't help but ask.
"But don't you feel like we're a total cliché tonight Luke? The popular basketball-jock and his pregnant cheerleader girlfriend at prom together… What if Haley is right and we win Prom-king and queen? People are going to laugh."
"No they're not." Lucas shakes his head and looks at her seriously. "No one is going to laugh Brooke. And of course you'll win prom-queen. You've earned it. Hopefully you'll save me a dance…"
His hands find their way from her rounded belly up to her face and she smiles.
"Come on Pretty girl, let's go inside…" he whispers. And as he carefully holds her face, rubbing his nose against hers, she feels almost amazingly safe. Like nothing in the world could ever go wrong. She leans up and kisses him, all thoughts about ruining her make-up gone, and then she laughs. She doesn't even know why, maybe she's just really happy, but the laugh comes spontaneously and after a moment he joins her. And then she hears the photographer;
"Look this way lovers!"
They both turn just in time for the flash and she knows that the picture is perfect.
Somewhere from the side she hears Rachel shout; "Hey hoe, you know that picture is so going into the yearbook!"
What makes you different, makes you beautiful
What's there inside you, shines through to me
In your eyes I see, all the love I'll ever need
What makes you different, makes you beautiful to me
Peyton watches Lucas and Brooke step in through the ice-portal. They look amazing together, like flawless opposites. The blond and the brunette, the calm and the bubbly, the handsome boy with his beautiful girlfriend. She sees them laugh at something, probably at Rachel and Mouth that walked in just before them, and Lucas has his arm draped securely around Brooke's waist as if he wants to protect her but at the same time just wants to keep her close for egocentric reasons. When the photographer takes his picture they both smile widely into the lens, and the smiles are far away from the other couples nervous posing.
The dress Brooke wears is gorgeous. Tight around the chest but then flowing freely over the baby-bump. It's in a light green color that brings out her eyes and makes them shine even more than usual and aware that Brooke made the dress herself Peyton feels proud. Her former best friend sure does have a talent when it comes to fashion.
Then the couple moves onward into the decorated hall and Brooke laughs so loud that her pearly laughter is heard even over the music. Brooke had always had a contagious laugh, bubbly and genuine. And feeling herself smile Peyton remembers all the times when that exact laugh had been the only thing that could bring out her own giggle.
They had been attached at the hip since kindergarten, herself and Brooke, and after her mother passed away their friendship had only gotten stronger. Brooke had always understood her, and right now when she looks into the brunette girl's green eyes she thinks that maybe she still will. Or at least she hopes so. Because tonight she needs to tell Brooke something and she is more than aware that it won't really be appreciated.
She sighs as she watches Lucas lead Brooke in front of him with his hand on the small of her back and the couple joins their friends over by the tables. Their friends. Her own friends.
She takes a couple of deep breaths and follows them.
---
"There's one thing that really sucks with high school parties…" Rachel says grumpily and spins her plastic cup of punch in her hand. They've been at prom for merely an hour and the redhead already seems bored.
Brooke makes a face as if saying; 'what now?' and Rachel shrugs with an annoyed look.
"You know what I mean Brooke. If you didn't have Luke then you'd feel the exact same way…"
They're both silent for a moment and in the same breath they both sigh and say;
"No cute boys…"
A couple of guys standing next to them clear their throats to get attention but Brooke and Rachel both give them their signature look of death and the boys scamper off quicker then one could think possible. Brooke doesn't even look at them long enough to see them go, instead she scouts the room for a possible hook-up for Rachel.
"Maybe you should try out the boyfriend-thing?" she says and winks cutely to a boy in their parallel class that at least looks half decent. "It's not as boring as you think…"
"Advise from the pregnant cheerleader?" Rachel mocks. "Nuh, I'm not girlfriend-material. I get bored easily."
Brooke nods knowingly but then she suddenly sees something and she points not so discretely at a guy standing over by the punch-bowl.
"He is totally hot, Rach!" she says in a theatre-whisper. "Is he even from our school?"
Rachel follows her gaze and Brooke can see a slight interest flash across her face. It's just a quick change in the redhead's nonchalant facial expression but it's enough to tell Brooke that Rachel agrees on the cuteness-factor.
"Maybe he's new?"
He's vaguely familiar. Dark-brown messy hair, jeans that are a little baggy and a black suit-jacket over a t-shirt. It's not really prom-attire, kind of more of a skater-boy look. Brooke watches him laugh with some guys from her calculus-class, trying to figure out were she's seen him before, and then Bevin and Theresa comes up beside them.
"Chase Adams…" Bevin says and rolls her eyes. "I can't believe he's a Clean Teen."
Finally it falls into place and Brooke laughs. So that's where she'd seen him? With Shelley and the others when Rachel spread her pregnancy-news to the Clean Teen-squad.
"Rachel, you should totally grab that boy and corrupt him" she says and claps her hands with newfound excitement, but before Rachel can answer, they get interrupted. Principal Turner has walked up on stage and as the music fades the crowd in the hall goes silent.
"Ladies and gentlemen… it's time to announce this year's Prom-king and queen."
Out of the corner of her eye she sees the Chase-guy watching them. She smirks back at him and sees Rachel do the same. 'Clean Teen, huh?' she thinks. What a joke. And more importantly, what a waste of a cute ass.
She looks back up towards the stage and as scattered applause start sounding, Bevin nudges Brooke in the side.
"Where's Lucas? You two need to get up on stage!"
"Cut it out Bev, I'm not getting the prom-queen title. I'm pregnant, remember?"
But Bevin and Rachel both just roll their eyes and Teresa sighs; "Sure Brookie… Whatever you say…"
And then the spotlight hits them as Principal Turner's voice echoes in the hall.
"Prom king and queen of class -07 are… Lucas Scott… and… Brooke Davis!"
As Lucas comes up behind her and puts his arm around her to guide her up to the stage, she suddenly remembers when Nathan played that videotape of Dan and Karen to mock Lucas at the post-game party their junior year. And she distinctly remembers sitting on the stairs in Nathan's parents' house with Peyton talking about it. Now, when thinking back on what they said, it almost makes her blush.
Brooke slumped down next to Peyton, drunk and a little slurry.
"What are you doing?" she asked and tried to sneak a peak at what it was Peyton was reading.
Her curly blonde friend looked up from the old yearbook and sighed;
"I'm just wondering if we're all gonna end up like Karen…"
"Who's Karen again?"
"It's Lucas' mom."
Brooke quirked her eyebrow and nudged Peyton playfully. "Not with proper birth-control we won't." But Peyton had just rolled her eyes.
"That's not what I meant… She was our age when that tape was made Brooke. In a lot of ways we're just like her… Don't you think it's awful how she just let Nathan's dad treat her like crap?"
Brooke sighed and looked annoyed. "Yeah Peyton, it is awful. But that doesn't mean that we're like her… Maybe that just means that you're like her…"
If she had known that she would stand here on her own prom-night, over seven months pregnant, then maybe she wouldn't have been so cocky.
Principal Turner places the tiara on her head and Lucas beams proudly beside her. 'Wow…' she thinks and almost bursts out in laughter. 'The irony of this is almost ridiculous… I'm knocked up by Dan's and Karen's son…'
------
After the 'crowning-ceremony' Brooke walks into the empty girls bathroom and puts her purse down on the counter. And looking at herself in the mirror she's content. It's been an amazing night so far. And apart from the fact that she never thought she'd be pregnant on her high school prom it is all like she had imagined it, maybe even better.
She hums to the distant music while reapplying her make-up and then she picks up her cell and calls the number to Haley's room in the hospital. It's late but she's sure Haley won't mind. She spends all her days resting anyway and Brooke wants to tell her about becoming prom-queen and about Mouth being hammered and kissing Rachel.
But the signals just keep sounding on the other end and finally she snaps the phone shut, thinking that both Haley and Nathan are asleep.
She is on her way back out into the party when Peyton comes into the bathroom and Brooke smiles widely. A night like this the past months of arguing seems really distant.
"Hi Peyt. I was looking for you a little while ago. Where have you been? Kissing boys?"
She thinks about how surprised Peyton is going to get once she sees what Lucas and herself has done but then she realizes that Peyton looks kind of nervous and she starts thinking that maybe Peyton accidentally found her 'gift' by herself. She's just about to ask the blonde girl what she thought about it when Peyton says;
"Brooke, I need to talk to you…"
Peyton's voice doesn't hold the expected happiness and Brooke frowns.
"Sure Peyton… I'm just surprised that you're hiding in the bathroom. I thought you two would be glued to each other by now…"
Now it's Peyton's turn to look confused. "What? Who? I've been looking for you too because I really need to tell you something, but if this is a bad time…"
Brooke shakes her head laughing. "Not at all goldilocks. We'll talk and then we'll go find you're surprise. Just promise me that you won't tell me that you've kissed Lucas."
In the back of her head she is aware that Peyton seems serious but her mood is way too good and she won't let her self be pulled down to the blonde's broody level.
Peyton clears her throat, not even picking up on the joke Brooke just handed her and then she looks down on the marble floor.
"So I've been thinking a lot lately… uhm… Do you remember that morning of Nathan and Haley's wedding day, when you came over to my house and got your things? When you ended our friendship?"
Feeling confused, Brooke thinks back;
"Brooke… Don't go. Please…" Peyton begged from the door and as Brooke kept stuffing things in her bag she hissed;
"I don't want to, but I have to..."
The curly blonde girl she'd known most of her life seemed almost desperate. "Okay, alright… Just stop! …What do I have to do to fix this? Brooke, I'll do anything! …I don't want you to go…"
Putting the last piece of clothing in the bag and zipping it up, Brooke slowly looked up.
"You know… you asked me earlier today it I loved Lucas… And I have your answer. But you don't deserve to hear it…"
Her heart felt like ice. In her purse she carried the pregnancy-test she'd taken earlier, the one that told her that her life was now officially a fucking mess, and the only person that she would have wanted to lean on in this moment was standing five feet away, completely breaking her heart. And there was no way in hell she would ever let her know just how deeply she had hurt her.
"Brooke…" Peyton's voice was cracking up but Brooke squinted and took another step towards the door.
"No! I want you to understand something… As far as I'm concerned, this friendship is over… And if we never speak again for the rest of our lives, that'll be fine!"
When she reached the door she stopped and turned and she saw that the blonde girl's eyes were filled with tears. She tried to feel sad, tried to find the slightest bit of empathy for Peyton, but inside of her there was just black anger and emptiness. She took a better grip of her bag and bore her eyes into Peyton one last time.
"I gave you a second chance Peyton… And you blew it."
Then she left without looking back.
Of course she remembers, she remembers it like if it was yesterday. It would be weird if she didn't, because it wasn't like as if losing her BFF was something she did every day. But on the other hand, as she stands here in the bathroom at prom-night, slowly stroking her pregnant belly, she can't help but to feel like that day had been so long ago. Nathan's and Haley's wedding-day was only a little more than six months ago but it felt like an eternity.
"I didn't end our friendship Peyton…" she says calmly. "You did that the night before when you decided that your need to explore your 'feelings' was more important than the bond you and I had."
Something in Peyton's face falls. "I know I fucked it up Brooke… And I know that you have no reason to believe anything I say, but you don't know how screwed up I was back then… I've talked to my brother a lot lately and I realized a lot of things…"
"Like what?"
"Like the fact that I can't really stand being alone. And that my fear of people leaving makes me do strange things…"
With a sigh Brooke nods. "I know this Peyton. None of this is news to me and I could have told you this a long time ago… But what's your point?"
"My point is that I lied. Lucas is a great guy… a great friend… but I've never loved him like you did. Like you do…"
"What?" Brooke frowns. Had she heard Peyton correctly?
The blonde girl in front of her seems hesitant and nervous. And for a second she really wishes the plastic cup of alcohol-free punch that she's holding would instead contain pure tequila.
"Yeah… You know, the first time I really grasped how you felt about him was that night at the beach when he had just moved to Charlotte. You and I spent the entire day on your dad's boat and then we made that bond-fire and we burnt his letter, remember?"
Brooke nods, feeling like she is having a weird out of body experience, and Peyton continues.
"Well, when the letter caught fire I laughed. But you just looked so sad. So lonely… You still wanted him back so much, even after what me and him did to you…"
The anger pools in Brooke's chest, almost making it hard for her to breathe. "Then why the hell did you KISS him in that library Peyton?! And WHY would you tell me you had feelings for him? I mean, you must have KNOWN that it would ruin my relationship with him!"
Her pulse is speeding and unconsciously she puts a hand on her rounded belly as if to shield her daughter from her rising stress-level. Peyton frowns and her cheeks turn the shade of rosy embarrassment as she looks down into the table.
"I… uhm… We had so much fun that night, you and I… and then suddenly he just stood there. And it all stopped. We went back to the stiffness and awkwardness, back to the trust-issues and insecurities… and I couldn't take it. During all the months you were with him your second time I felt so left out. We used to be the perfect opposites Brooke, you and me. But it all changed. Suddenly he was the one that you made laugh and he was the one that kept you grounded… He became your best friend…"
Brooke just stands there silently, trying to understand. Because in truth she wants nothing more than to actually find a reason for all the months of tears and heartbreak that had been the result of Peyton's doings.
"I loved Jake, Brooke… but he just kept leaving me. And I was so lost without you… Lucas always saved me and I figured that if I broke the two of you up, then I'd have both you and him. And to my defense, I kind of had the 'ball' first… I mean, you and I, we've conquered worse things with all our parent-issues and stuff, and I thought you'd get over him… I thought we could go back to hoes over bros…"
Then the curly blonde that Brooke used to feel so close to, starts crying and Brooke just stands there feeling more confused then ever before. And in between Peyton's sobs she can hear her saying;
"I kissed him because of you Brooke… because I was so scared of losing your friendship again… I know I was wrong… and I'm sorry…"
Brooke realizes that she has backed herself up against the counter in an unconscious effort to create space between herself and the blonde, and now she lets out the breath she's been holding and takes a step forward again.
"You're right," she says silently. "You were wrong. If you wanted to protect our friendship, then kissing my boyfriend was probably the last thing you should have done. And actually, do you know what else you were wrong about Peyton? You didn't have him first. The 'ball' as you so eloquently refer to him as, actually has his own free will. And even so, I asked you several times whether or not you had feelings for him before I went for him and you assured me that you didn't. So I'd say that leaves you without right to claim."
Suddenly feeling more tired than angry Brooke lifts her purse off of the bathroom counter.
"And for all that other stuff you just told me… I loved you like a sister P… maybe I still do, and that's why it hurts so much to know that you did all this on purpose… You can't expect me to fall into your arms and cry happy tears when you've just stated that my heart got broken twice and I almost lost the guy I love because you felt a little left out! You could have told me Peyton! You could have just fucking told me…"
Peyton sobs heavily and tries to break in but Brooke just raises her hand.
"No. You know what Peyton? I actually thought that we were getting somewhere. But you just landed us back at square one… I need to think about this."
She turns and heads for the door. But then she stops.
"Oh, and by the way… Jake is at the entrance waiting for you. Me and Lucas brought him here
because I thought it would make you happy. But I guess he isn't your 'ball'… I suggest you go out and try and explain this to him…"
---
After her run-in with Peyton, Brooke went back out to find Lucas and the other, and she forced herself to push the anger she was feeling to the back of her head. Now the night is drawing towards its end and Brooke sways slowly to the music, wrapped in Lucas' arms. She's tired but she wants the night to last as long as possible. And when Lucas kisses her temple and whispers; "Do you wanna go home?" she just shakes her head.
Her big belly makes it rather hard to be close but at least she's not as big as Haley. If she were, then slow-dancing this way with her boyfriend would be impossible.
Over by the tables beside them she can see Rachel, Bevin and Skills laughing at something and she figures that Mouth and Fergie must be over at the bar. A little further away she recognizes a blond curly head and next to that a brown one. And even though she is still upset at Peyton she's secretly happy that they seem to be talking things out, especially for Jake's sake. Which ever way it ended tonight between him and Peyton this talk had definitely been needed.
"You're watching them, aren't you?" Lucas murmurs and she can feel him smiling against her cheek.
"No I'm not."
Her boyfriend ignores her answer and hugs her a little tighter. "Whatever happens, you did good Brooke" he says.
And she really hopes that he's right.
You don't know how you touched my life
Oh in so many ways I just can't describe
You taught me what love is supposed to be
You saw the little things and you believed in me
When Brooke thinks about it, she has known Jake for most of her life. They hadn't been close but he had in a way always been there, and during their sophomore and junior year he had become a real friend. So when he called out of the blue one day a little over a month ago she had been almost as excited as Lucas.
The first couple of times he called he had just talked to Lucas but then she happened to be the one to pick up the phone, and before she knew it, she and Jake were having long phone-conversations catching up on missed time.
She found out that he still lived in Savannah and that he had gone back to taking high school classes. He and Niki had finally made peace and they now had joint custody which pretty much meant that they had Jenny every other week. Herself and Lucas had in turn told Jake about the baby and to that news he simply laughed, said congratulations and then admitted that he was surprised that it hadn't happened sooner.
And then one day, about two weeks ago when she sat at the back-porch and talked to him while Lucas finished up some garden-work for Karen, the question she had waited for all along finally came.
"So… How's Peyton doing?"
Jake's voice sounded casual on the other end but Brooke knew that it was hard for him. If it weren't, then he wouldn't have waited this long to ask.
"Well, we don't really talk that much to be honest… I mean up until a couple of weeks ago we didn't talk at all. But she seems okay. And we're working on being friends again…"
Brooke shifted on the back-porch hammock and took a sip of her ice tea. The cordless phone was pinned between her chin and shoulder and she could hear him sigh on the other end.
"I'm sorry you two have been arguing. You two used to be so close…"
"It's not your fault Jake. And Peyton is old enough to own up to her own actions. She should have known that betraying my trust a second time would do this…"
"Yeah…" Jake hesitated. "Talking about Peyton… is she dating anyone?"
Brooke smiled to herself. "No, not since she went to visit you last fall. She came home from Savannah, told me she thought that she loved Lucas… and after that; nothing."
Jake laughed dryly into the receiver and Brooke felt so sorry for him. In a way he was the only one that could really understand how she had felt when she broke up with Lucas, and even why she had done it. The complete heartbreak of letting the one you loved go because you were sure the person loved someone else.
She squinted against the sunlight and watched as Lucas watered the garden plants under Karen's strict supervision. Her Lucas. The father of her baby, and lately she had even thought; the love of her life.
Now she had the one that she wanted, but Jake hadn't been that lucky…
It was a hot day, one of the first predicting a very hot summer, and while thinking, she admired Lucas' naked upper body, already tanned in the early summer sun. Right then he looked up and smiled at her. A bright smile that was reserved only for her, and suddenly it hit her.
"For what ever it's worth, I think she still loves you Jake" she said and smiled back at Lucas. "I know that you don't believe me… but I've seen how she looks at you and I've never seen her look at Lucas that way."
"Brooke…"
Jake sounded tired but she sat up straight in the hammock and interrupted him again, excited about her own realization.
"No seriously. When I finally started trusting Lucas for real again and actually let him back into my heart, it wasn't because of all his longwinded love-speeches… even though they were kind of cute and all, but that's not the point. It was more because when I looked into his eyes I could see that he loved me and that he really meant it when he said that he would never hurt me on purpose again…"
She followed Lucas with her eyes while he watered the rosebushes and put down her empty glass before continuing.
"Peyton looks at you the same way Jake… She might have thought that she loved Lucas, and maybe she did in the beginning, but I still think that she loves you more."
Lucas murmuring sweet nothings into her ear brings her back to reality. He places little butterfly kisses along her jaw line and she closes her eyes and relaxes even more against him. Every little kiss send tingles through her body but for once it doesn't make her want to drag him into the nearest janitors-closet and rip off his clothes. It just makes her want to stay in this moment with him.
"I wish my feet didn't hurt so much" she whispers as his kisses start creeping their way down her neck. "I want to keep dancing like this all night…"
"Don't worry Pretty girl. I'll carry you to the car. That way you can keep dancing a little longer."
His hand caresses her lower back and she leans her head against his chest.
"Have I told you that I love you lately Broody?" she asks and slides her fingers into his hair, once again looking over at the couple in the corner. "Because if I haven't, then I want you to know that I really do. Very much…"
He backs half a step and she looks up at him, seeing exactly that look in his eyes that she had tried to explain to Jake. And for a second there's just the two of them. Caught in their own Kodak-moment.
What makes you different, makes you beautiful
What's there inside you, shines through to me
In your eyes I see, all the love I'll ever need
What makes you different, makes you beautiful to me
Then there's a loud crash and they look over in time to see Mouth falling off the table. Rachel excitedly holds up a disposable camera and shouts;
"Mouth did riverdance on the table and I've got picture-proof! I swear, this is SO going into the yearbook!"
And after that they all break out in hysterical laughter.
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Lucas and Brooke sneak into the silent house at 3AM in the morning and they both have their hands over their mouths to silent their giggling. They tip-toe through the hallway not to wake up Karen, but then they see that the kitchen light is on and Lucas stops.
"Mom?" he tries in a hushed voice but the house is still as silent as when they came in so he calls a little louder before opening the door to his moms bedroom and finding it empty he starts to get a little worried. Where would she go in the middle of the night? He freezes when he thinks that something might have happened with the baby and right then Brooke calls him from the kitchen.
"Lucas! She left a note… It says that she's gone to the hospital!"
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Author's note: Pretty long, huh? Please tell me what you think. ;) Love /Lynn