Well everyone I am soo sorry that this took so long. So much has been going on in my life its crazy. But things are starting to calm down and writing is my distraction so I hope this turned out okay.

Here is chapter 15.

I hope you all like it.

Chapter 15: What makes a family?

Tammy walked into the living room and saw Brooke watching television. Sam was at Haley's babysitting Jamie so it was just Tammy and Brooke for the night. Tammy was kind of happy about that because she liked spending time with Brooke and lately it had been hard. With everything going on from her not taking her medicine right to Sam still being kind of defiant towards Brooke the house had been really hectic. It was nice to get some quiet time.

"Hey Brooke can I talk to you?" asked Tammy causing Brooke to look away from the TV and up at her.

"Sure kiddo take a seat." said Brooke sitting up and patting the seat beside her.

Tammy sat smiled and sat beside Brooke. She starred at her hands. Brooke could see that something was bothering Tammy. She looked like a nervous wreck and all Brooke could think was that she had had another nightmare or something else bad had happened. With everything being crazy she hadn't had much time to spend time with Tammy like she had wanted too. It had been a month since Tammy had began to stay with her and there was still so much that she didn't know about the girl.

Brooke placed her hand on Tammy's knee. Tammy flinched slightly causing Brooke to pull her hand back confused. Now she knew that something wasn't right. Did Tammy honestly think that Brooke could hurt her?

"Hun whats going on? Are you okay?" asked Brooke concerned.

Tammy shrugged.

"I just..." stammered Tammy, "I wanted to know whats going to happen now."

Brooke was confused at Tammy's statement but soon she understood what Tammy was talking about. She was still doubting whether or not Brooke was going to keep her or not. Brooke merely shook her head and shifted herself so she was sitting with her legs crossed on the sofa and facing Tammy.

"Tammy..." started Brooke.

Tammy quickly interrupted Brooke. She had a tendency to ramble when she was nervous and at that particular moment she was driving herself crazy.

"I mean I'll understand if you can't keep me or you don't want to. It's okay because Sam's back and I know that you too have a lot to work out and I don't want to be a distraction. I'll still love you it doesn't matter but..." rambled Tammy.

She was stopped by Brooke covering her mouth with her hand in an attempt to stop her from talking which was successful. Tammy sat there quietly just starring at Brooke. Brooke could have sworn that Tammy was thinking so much she could practically hear her thoughts.

"Tammy I need you to listen to me and listen good. Okay?" asked Brooke

Brooke looked at Tammy questionably. She was still starring at her but she couldn't tell if she was actually listening to any word that she was saying.

"Tammy." said Brooke waiving her hand in front of her face.

Tammy snapped out of her daze and looked at Brooke confused. She hadn't been paying attention so she wasn't sure why Brooke was starring at her like she was crazy.

"Did you hear what I just said?" asked Brooke

"Yeah. Okay." she answered hesitantly.

Brooke sighed and began to talk again.

"I don't know how many times I am going to have to tell you this but you are not leaving. I am never going to give you away and I wish you would stop thinking that I am. Sweetie this is your home. Your whole family is here and we all love you so much. There is no way in the world that you are going to get taken away from me. No matter how much you talk back, make mistakes, or slam doors. Nothing could ever make me give you back. Sam is your sister and she loves you just as much as I or anyone else does and she would never let that happen." explained Brooke.

"She has a weird way of showing it." said Tammy.

"Is that what this is really about Tammy?" questioned Brooke.

Tammy was quiet. That wasn't the whole reason she had questioned whether or not she should be staying with Brooke but it was a definite part. She felt like Sam was mad at her for some reason. They hadn't talked about what had happened with Rebecca sine they got home. Tammy couldn't help but think that she was mad at her for telling Brooke what had been going on. She didn't think that Sam had wanted Brooke to come and get her like she had.

"She hates me." stated Tammy.

"What? No she doesn't. Sam loves you so much you don't even know. Things are just complicated now. She going through a lot and she still blames herself for Rebecca hurting her and she blames me. She's not talking because she doesn't want to take her anger out on you."

"But if she doesn't talk to us then who is she going to talk to. She can't go on the way she is. Sam is horrible under pressure. She's going to drive herself crazy."

"Don't worry I have that all under control. Haley is going to talk to her tonight and she may go to a therapist which I wanted to talk to you about also."

Brooke knew that what she was going to say next was probably going to make Tammy mad but she had to make sure that she was okay. She wouldn't talk to her about her foster dad and Brooke knew that she was still having issues. She couldn't sit by and let her hurt. She had to at least try to get her to get help. Even if she did end up saying that she wasn't going to go. She had to try.

"I think maybe you should go to a therapist too." said Brooke.

"No." said Tammy simply.

Tammy wasn't angry at Brooke for suggesting that she go to a therapist but she wasn't going to go to no therapist. She was okay. Just because she had a few nightmares didn't mean that she had problems. She was dealing in her own way and she had been for a while now. She wasn't going to change it now. She could work things out by herself and if she ever really needed help she knew that she could talk to Brooke or Sam or someone.

Brooke didn't know what to say. She wanted to push the therapist issue a little more but the look on Tammy's face told her not to. She wasn't angry or hostile. Brooke could tell that she was open t talking but it had to be at her own time and in her own terms.

"Okay." said Brooke

After that it was quiet. Neither Brooke or Tammy said a word.

"I need a bed." said Tammy breaking the silence and lightening the mood.

Brooke was confused at Tammy's statement.

"You said that I was going to stay. I need a bed. The couch is awesome but I mean social services does that checkup thing and I don't think that it will be suitable for me to be sleeping on the couch. Plus the couch was only a temporary thing. A bed is permanent. It means I'm here to stay. Here to stay with my crazy, wild, awesome family." informed Tammy.

Brooke laughed at how Tammy described their makeshift family. It was true. They were anything but normal but they made not normal work. They were always there for each other and they were happy, most of the time. With each new member they grew closer. Brooke loved her life and wouldn't change it for anything in the world.

"Well how about me and you go shopping. It's only five so we could go to the mall and try and find you a bed. And maybe go and get some ice cream." suggested Brooke.

Sam shook her head and smiled.

"Good get dressed and we will leave in five minutes." said Brooke.

Tammy stood up and was about to go and get ready when Brooke pulled her into a hug. She settled into the embrace after a few seconds.

"I love you Tammy don't forget that or ever doubt it." said Brooke.

"I love you too." said Tammy.

Tammy went and got ready. Brooke called Haley and told her that if she needed her she would be at the mall and to tell Sam to behave and not throw any wild parties at Haley's house. When both of them were ready they got their coats and headed out the door.

"Can I have my own room?" asked Tammy.

"Of course." said Brooke with a smile.

"And paint my walls black?" asked Tammy.

"Don't push it." said Brooke gaining a laugh from Tammy.

An hour later Brooke and Tammy were scouring the mall for a bed and other things for Tammy's room. So far they had been distracted by the clothes store and had inevitability practically gotten Tammy a whole new wardrobe. Tammy didn't really like shopping but with Brooke it was fun and technically she only never liked it because no one cared enough to take her or rather she didn't have anyone who meant enough to go with.

"Hey Brooke what about this one?" asked Tammy sitting on one of the beds.

Brooke walked over and sat on the bed jumping a little to test it out.

"Seems pretty good." said Brooke, "But its your bed. What do you think? Will you be able to sleep on it"?

"I can sleep on anything." said Tammy.

Brooke knew that it was a joke but Tammy's words made her sad. She and Sam had both been homeless before they met her. They had slept in cars, shelters, hallways, anywhere that they could keep warm and as safe as possible. They hadn't had their own bed or room it was just whatever they could find. Brooke hated that they had had to go through so much at such young ages. They were kids and deserved to have someone who loved them because they were both amazing. She didn't understand why other people hadn't been able to see that.

"It's okay you know. It's not your fault and it doesn't bother me. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger right." said Tammy.

"But you shouldn't have had to deal with all of that." said Brooke.

Tammy just shrugged as if it was nothing at all.

"I take it like this. Everyone has things that they have to overcome to get to where they are supposed to be. This has all just added to experience. Now when I have to go out into the big bad world I will know what to expect." explained Tammy.

"You're too smart for your own good." said Brooke wrapping her arm around Tammy's shoulder.

Tammy smiled and felt the bed.

"I think this bed is perfect." said Tammy.

Brooke paid for the bed and it was going to be delivered the next morning. They also picked out a dresser, television, desk, and nightstand. Next they had to pick out the paint because Tammy had her mind set on painting her room. Brooke was not letting it be black though.

"So you do know that you are not painting your room black right?" said Brooke as they looked at all the different colors.

Tammy laughed.

"I was kidding."

"Good."

Tammy picked up a light blue colored paint. She thought that it was nice and it went well with the light Brown room set that she had.

"This one." said Tammy.

Brooke looked at it and approved. Her room was complete. Almost.

"Brooke where are we going?" asked Tammy.

Brooke and Tammy had left the mall twenty minutes ago and Brooke had started to drive without a word. Tammy knew that they were not driving in the direction of the house but she had no idea where they were going. She hated surprises.

"It's a surprise." said Brooke, "Now shush."

"But Brooke I hate surprises!" whined Tammy.

Brooke shook her head.

"You're worse then a five year old. Its a good surprise so sit back, turn on the radio, and be patient." said Brooke.

They pulled up to a building. They got out of the car and walked up to the window. A small brown chihuahua scratched at the window and tried to get their attention.

"Surprise." said Brooke.

Tammy put her hand by the small puppy paw and smiled as the puppy licked the glass in front of her hand.

"I get a puppy." said Tammy not looking at Brooke.

"Yup as long as you take care of him or her. That includes cleaning, feeding, walking..." said Brooke.

She stopped as Tammy turned and gave her a big hug which made her smile widely. She had never seen Tammy so happy.

"I promise I won't let you down. I'm going to take great care of him. Thank you so much." said Tammy, "Best Surprise ever."

"You're welcome. Now go and get your puppy. I'm pretty sure I know which one you are going to get." said Brooke.

Tammy shook her head and went inside. She picked the Chihuahua that had been in the window. She and Brooke picked out a bed and a few toys and got him a bowl and food. Tammy decided that she was going to name him Ace.

"So how do you think Sam is going to feel about Ace here?" asked Brooke.

"She's allergic to dogs." said Tammy.

"Tammy!" said Brooke hysterical.

Tammy burst out laughing. Brooke noticed that she had been kidding.

"Oh my god don't do that Tammy. You freaking gave me a heart attack and I'm driving." said Brooke.

"Sorry I just couldn't resist. Sam loves dogs even though we have never been able to have one. We used to play with the neighbors dog. His name was killer but unless you can be licked to death he was harmless." said Tammy.

"Was that when you lived with the bad people?" asked Brooke.

"Yeah." said Tammy as she petted Ace and held him close.

Brooke knew that Tammy didn't want to talk about it but she had to try. She wanted Tammy to know that she loved her and was going to be there no matter what. She wanted to help her get over this. She knew that it would never go away but she could help make the pain a little less.

"So um have you talked to Alex and Layden lately?" asked Brooke changing the subject.

"Not really. Their birthday is tomorrow and they are throwing a party." informed Tammy.

Brooke could tell that Tammy wanted to go. She thought back to the last party Tammy had gone to but she knew that it was different now. Alex and Layden wouldn't let Tammy do anything reckless and she was taking a lot better care of herself now. Brooke monitored her medicine and she her diabetes was under control. Sam had told Brooke that when Tammy was depressed she used to stop taking her meds and would end up in the hospital for weeks.

"I will let you go but I want to talk to their parents." said Brooke.

"Okay." said Tammy, "There's one more thing."

"Yeah." said Brooke with a slight hesitation.

"I was wondering if I could try out for the basketball team. The tryouts are in two and I really like playing and I have never played on a team before. I think it would be cool."

"Yes you can tryout and I think that Nathan can help you train.

Tammy was glad that Brooke had said she could try out. Brooke was cool and Tammy knew that she cared bout her. She felt really lucky to have her as a foster mom.

When they got home Tammy set up Ace's bed. It was already almost nine and she was tired. It had been a long and eventful day.

"Hey I am going to take a shower then we should get some sleep." said Brooke.

"Can I stay with you for the night?" asked Tammy.

"Yeah." said Brooke.

Brooke got her things and walked into the bathroom. Tammy changed into her pajamas and walked into Brooke's room. She put Ace's bed in the corner and kissed him goodnight. She laid on Brooke's bed.

"I hope this works out Ace." said Tammy.

Tammy yawned. She was exhausted and didn't fight the sleep that was pulling her in. She closed her eyes and slowly drifted of to slumber. A half hour later Brooke came into her room and put her dirty clothes in the laundry. She saw Tammy curled up asleep on her bed. She smiled at how innocent she looked.

Brooke walked over to her bed and pulled the covers over Tammy and herself. She kissed Tammy on the forehead before turning over to her nightstand and turned off the lamp. She fell asleep quickly with a smile on her face. Things were going to get better and she was pretty sure about that. One day Brooke was going to adopt Tammy and then her, Tammy, and Sam and even Ace would officially be a family. No one could tear them apart. Brooke wouldn't let them.

Well there you go.

Hope you enjoyed it.

Review. :)