"Tired?" Quinn asked as Brooke drug her feet through the front door of her small apartment at almost four that morning.

"Exhausted. After having to do…well after I had to work the bar the rest of the night," Brooke said grabbing a water from her fridge before falling down on her couch. She hated discussing what she did, she knew what her job was; the definition of it but she didn't like addressing it, she didn't even like calling it dancing, or she was a dancer. She just chose not to name it.

"I'm sorry B," she apologized feeling so bad for her friend. This wasn't her life plan; she knew that. They both had dreams, plans to get out of their small town and make it big in New York City. Well they made it to New York City, Quinn made it not big but ok and Brooke slowly started to disappear in the side lines.

Brooke was better at what they did then Quinn. Quinn had no problem admitting that Brooke was just a better designer then she would ever be yet it didn't matter because Quinn had a degree on her wall and experience under her belt. Brooke had a college dropout and child on hers.

"Was East good tonight?" Brooke asked but knowing that answer, Easton was always good.

"Yeah he was wonderful. We had some dinner, he took a bubble bath, and then he colored you a picture," she nodded her head towards the coffee table and Brooke reached over picking it up.

"I love it," Brooke swallowed the lump in her throat looking at the picture. It was her, it was her and him and though the figures were stick and everything was blue the words were clear.

'World's Best Mommy'

"I'm far from the best mom," she sighed wiping the small tear that danced in the corner of her eye.

"I think Easton would say differently," Quinn sat up patting her friend on the leg as she studied the picture, "He doesn't know what you do at night or anything. All he knows is his mom protects him, makes things right, fixes his knee when it's bleeding and never once does he wake up without you here like you promise. Yeah at night he misses you but that little boy loves you so much B."

"I know," she nodded with a sniffle. "It's not going to be like this long," she said for about the millionth time since her life became her life, "One day we are going to have it all, everything we ever wanted."

"Just like we planned," Quinn smiled pulling her friend into a hug. "But I have to get home. I told Clay I would be home soon."

"Tell him I'm sorry you got home so late."

"Oh he doesn't mind," she waved her hand at it standing up. Clay doesn't know exactly what her best friend does. He knows she doesn't have much money; that she struggles a lot and refuses to take any money Quinn offers but other than that he just knows some nights his fiancé goes over to babysit and comes home sometimes the next morning and sometimes just heads from there straight to work. He doesn't push; he doesn't ask questions, he just lets it be, "I'll call you tomorrow?"

"Yeah sounds good," Brooke stood up walking her friend to the door, "Thanks again for watching him Quinn."

"Anytime," she smiled before walking into the dark night to her car.

Brooke shut the door looking around the empty apartment. It was crammed, it was dirty and not needing to clean dirty it just looked permanently dirty; apparently the owners before just didn't care letting the carpet stain and punched holes in the walls. Her cabinet was falling off and she needed to call Clay to come fix it but she really hated when anyone but Quinn came over. Yes of course Clay has come by; helped fix a leaky faucet or messed up toilet but she never let it become a regular occurrence.

Truth was she was embarrassed. Her best friend lived in the richer part of town as she lived in the part she questioned even if rats would come visit. They had nice china and big leather sofas that went with their huge living room and even bigger kitchen. Brooke had an old worn love seat that smelt like weed from the previous owners, her kitchen was in her living room and her oven had days of not working and fridge had moments of making a weird noise. Her best friend could hire a maid if she chose and Brooke couldn't even order pizza at night. They lived different lives and even if Brooke prayed for that life style, prayed to one day have what her best friend did she knew it was not going to happen. It just wouldn't.

"Night baby," she whispered in the room only light coming from his dinosaur night light, "I love you," she kissed the top of his head, pulling his blanket over his small frame before tip toeing out to her bedroom.

She knew sleep was pointless. In three hours she will be up again and more exhausted then if she just stayed up but she couldn't help it. Her eye lids were begging to be closed and as they slowly did she chose not to fight them.

"Mommy!" The squeal and heavy weight dropping on her stomach made her eyes fly open at the curly haired boy on her stomach. "We wake up now," he giggled making his whole face light up.

"We do huh?" Brooke rubbed the sleep from her eyes, stretching her arms over her head, "Can't we just stay in bed all day?"

"No," Easton laughed shaking his head. "We go to park."

"Did I promise that?" She raised an eyebrow at him with a smile.

"Mhmm," he nodded crossing his arms over his chest, "You said we could slide."

"Oh right. How could I forget the slide?" She teased slapping her hand to her forehead.

"You so silly mommy," Easton laughed making everything better for her. Even when he goes to bed upset with her, begging her to be home, when the morning rolls around he is always there with a smile. He is her only constant in life.

"I agree," she sat up with him in her lap. "How about mommy makes you some breakfast, take a shower and we head to the park?"

"That sounds grrrrreat!" He gave her a thumbs up making her laugh, kissing his head as she climbed out of bed, picking him up in her arms.

"You're silly," she laughed as they walked into the kitchen, sitting him on the counter. "Ok let's see what we are having," she pulled the fridge opening finding two bottles of water, a carton of milk that expired the day before and an a few eggs. She had a few things that she could eat but she couldn't give to Easton and her heart broke. "You know," she spun around blinking away her tears to look at her smiling baby swinging his feet against the wooden cabinet, "Why don't we go to breakfast?"

"Really?" Easton's eyes got big excited.

"Yup," she nodded with a smile as he clapped his hands excited. "Watch some TV for me and I am going to go shower, get dressed, get you dressed and we will go," she said picking him off the counter and putting him in front of the TV.

"Ok," he sung out bouncing his head side to side as she walked back into the bathroom. She shut the door sliding against it until she hit the floor and cried.

Why was it like this? Why couldn't she just give her son everything he deserved? She would give up everything, live in this shit hole she called a home just for him to have an easy life. She wished she didn't have to count her bills from the night before to take him to breakfast, that she didn't have to count how much her groceries will cost before walking over to pay and not pray as it ticked up that she might have calculated wrong and it be more. Her life was her life because of her, it was her choice to be here but it wasn't Easton's. He never picked this, he never picked her and it wasn't fair to him. And that killed her a little more inside.

Pulling herself off the floor like she had done so many times before she climbed into her shower to get ready for the day. The water would transfer from cold to hot, from ice to burning and all she could do was shake her head at that.

Just one more reminder of everything.

"Waffles, waffles, waffles," Easton cheered excited as Brooke sat him in a high chair in front of her.

"Ok baby I'll get you waffles," she laughed laying some paper and a crayon in front of him as he started to scribble.

"Hi, I'm Mary I will be your waitress this morning," a tall dark headed girl with glasses smiled, "Do you know what ya'll would like or do you need more time?" She questioned pulling out her notepad and pencil from behind her ear.

"We are ready," Brooke brushed her curl behind her ear, "Could we get a waffle with strawberries, a chocolate milk for him and some coffee for me please?" She folded up her menu handing it over.

"Yes ma'am I will have it right out," Mary flashed a smile spinning on her heels walking towards the kitchen.

"Momma look what I did," Easton held up his picture with a perfect grin making Brooke's heart melt.

"It's great baby," she smiled at the paper scribbled with blue, green and red.

"I made it for you," he handed it over as he rested his elbows on the table and his face in his hands; the perfect picture of innocence.

"Well I am going to keep it forever," she promised folding it up and putting it in her purse knowing it was going to add to the fridge full with Easton's drawings. She was sure he got drawing from her. Though she was never once to take something away from her child, take credit for a talent of theirs she has always been one to draw; probably because since she was little she wanted to be designer but that was just a hopeless dream now.

"Here is your coffee," Mary sat Brooke's coffee down with a few containers of milk, "And here is your chocolate milk gorgeous," she sat the Styrofoam cup with the straw in front of a smiling Easton.

"Easton what do you say?"

"Tank you," he thanked, well his way of thanking as he put the straw in his mouth sucking his milk.

"Thank you," Brooke smiled at her as she said she would be back with their food in just a few minutes.

"I love choc milk mommy," Easton said between sips, "It my favorite."

"I know it is," she shook her head laughing as she added cream and sugar to her coffee and taking a sip; hearing her phone go off in her purse, "Who could that be?" She questioned pulling out her phone seeing it was Quinn, "Hey."

"Hey honey what you doing?" Quinn asked as she read over a few papers she was getting ready to send out.

"East and I are getting breakfast," she said, 'thank you' she mouthed to Mary as she sat her waffle down giving a nod and walking away, "What you doing?" She buttered the waffle grabbing the maple syrup pouring it over the waffle.

"Just finishing a project that is driving me nuts," she said tucking a dark strand of hair behind her ear, "But what do you have going on tonight?" She asked knowing her brunette friend wasn't working since she wasn't babysitting.

"Just hanging out with East tonight," Brooke trapped her phone between her shoulder cutting some of the waffle and putting it in front of Easton. "Chew baby," she told him, noticing Easton shove piece after piece in his mouth not even swallowing.

"Otay," $he nodded, slowing down his eating and taking a sip of his milk.

"Well Clay and I are going to this thing tonight for his work. It's one of those big fancy party things for a few new clients," Quinn explained standing up and walking out of her office to make some copies, "Well anyway we were wondering if you wanted to come; you know get out and hang out with grownups for once,"she teased knowing all her friend did was work and hang with Easton and then even some occasions take care of the couple's two kids next door.

"Quinn I'm sorry I can't," Brooke sighed taking a bite of her food before giving another bite to Easton.

"B you never do anything anymore. What is one night out?"

"Quinn once you have a child you don't just have one night out," a frown incased her lips knowing that wasn't what her friend wanted to hear but it was true. Once you have kids you come second, your baby comes first and no matter how much you want a night out they are rare.

"I know but Clay and I already took care of someone watching East, we asked his sister and she said she would love too."

"I don't know Clay's sister," Brooke shook her head knowing she never left Easton with anyone but Quinn; plus she knew Clay's family. They came from wealth and she was definitely not letting his sister come to her apartment.

"But I do and so does Clay and she is great B I promise. I wouldn't even think of her watching him if she wasn't and plus I figured since you are working Saturday you and East could come over tonight and just spend the night. That way after the party tonight you just come back to my place and wake up whenever you need in the morning," she suggested knowing her best friend all too well and knowing the whole apartment look was a major thing for her. Quinn didn't think it was that bad, she didn't find a problem with the apartment she spends many nights at yet she knew Brooke had many problems with it.

"Quinn…I don't know."

"Well I do. You are coming tonight and that is the final decision no changing you mind."

"Well looks like someone is just being demanding," Brooke laughed taking a sip on her coffee, "What if I didn't want to go?"

"Well I don't care. Clay spends most the time at these things talking business with these people and I get bored and need a friend to talk to."

"Sounds like I can't really say no," she groaned fakely giving more waffle to Easton after he finished what he ate.

"You're right; you can't so I'll see you tonight at 8," Quinn smiled triumphant.

"Alright Quinn I guess I'll go," Brooke caved really wanting a night out with grownups and people not trying to shove money at her. "I'll call you when I leave," she told her. "Bye," she heard Quinn smile with a bye before hanging up the phone and sitting it on the table.

"This is the best Momma," Easton grinned as he chewed his food and drank his milk making Brooke smile. This was marked in her book a perfect moment, with Easton having a good time, smiling innocent at her as he ate and colored and when life got hard all she had to do was look at him and it made things, even if it was for split second better.

"I don't know Quinn," Brooke looked at herself in the full length mirror in some way to expensive black dress her friend let her wear. "I don't look right."

"Are you kidding me?" Quinn asked in disbelief sliding her earring in her ear, "B you can wear a trash bag and look good. This dress on you is perfect; fits you like a glove."

"Yeah but still. Maybe I should just stay in and watch movies with East and eat popcorn," she wavered, going back on the plan as she spun around looking at herself in the dress. It was tight, clung to her body like it was skin and hitting just below her knee she felt almost like a fraud; like she was trying to be something she wasn't.

"Brooke…" Quinn frowned walking over placing her hands on her friend's shoulders as they looked in the mirror, "You deserve a night out ok? Since Easton has been born you haven't had a night out just for yourself and you deserve it. Now I know this may not be the night out you wanted but it will be fun I promise."

"I know I just feel guilty going out," she admitted walking over and looking at a picture of Quinn, Easton and her from Quinn's last birthday, "I feel like I am supposed to spend every second I am not working with him."

"Brooke you are still only 21 years old; barely 21 and you have a gorgeous little boy that I love and I know you love but you just forget that your still young and Easton loves you and understands if you go out a night. Plus its after 8, you will put him to bed before we leave and he won't even notice you are gone. Alex is just here in case he has a bad dream or wakes up or something."

"But I should be here when he wakes up with a bad dream," Brooke spun around too look at her. "If he has a nightmare he needs me."

"Brooke…" Quinn placed her hands on her shoulders and giving her a small shake. "We are going out, you will have fun and Easton will be fine," she felt like she repeated about the millionth time. "If something happens you are a phone call and a taxi cab away."

"Ok," Brooke once again agreed, running her hand through her hair. "You're right this will be fun. And we all need-"

Crash!

"What was that?" Quinn's and Brooke's head jerk towards the living room where a loud crash came from.

"Easton!" Brooke freaked taking off out of the room and down the lengthy hall towards the living room, Quinn right behind her. "What happened?" she asked seeing both Clay and Easton sitting on the couch staring start at the TV.

"Nothing," the both said at the same time, their eyes staying focused.

"It didn't sound like nothing," Quinn placed her hands on her hips, but again all they got was a shrug.

"Easton," Brooke gave her warning tone, watching him take a sip of his milk. "What happened?"

"Uhh…" his little blue eyes wondered over to Clay's whose widen and gave him a quick shake. "Nothing momma, you so silly."

"Damn it Clay!" They heard the growl of Alex from the kitchen.

"Ya'll ready to go?" Clay jumped up from the couch quickly. "Bye dude see ya later," he gave Easton a knuckle touch that he taught him to do. "Let's go," he moved towards his front door but the two women stood their ground.

"Clay there is broken glass everywhere!" Alex's voice again traveled in making Clay's head snap over at Easton giving him the same look.

"It was an accident, he did it!" he threw his hand at the innocent looking boy on the couch.

"Momma I didn't!" Easton jumped up, his little feet flying towards her. "Clay threw da ball."

"You are throwing balls in my house?" Quinn's temper flared as her recoiled back from her.

"He didn't catch it," he defended himself.

"He is two!" she reminded him making him toss his glance at the little boy next to him, his little head reaching just passed his knees. "That doesn't seem like a fair excuse."

"Clayton Evans!" Quinn growled, her hands gripping by her side.

"Am I going to have to take your playing with each other time away until ya'll start to listen?" Brooke crossed her arms and raised her brow.

"Mom," both whined in unison.

"That's not fair," Easton spoke alone this time, copying his mom's move and crossing his baby arms.

"You're grounded," Quinn looked at Clay whose shoulders dropped.

"And you are losing your trucks for the night," Brooke told her son and tried not to laugh at his reaction that matched Clay's to a T.

"Fine," the both groan together.

"Clay the car is waiting outside, go get in while I go make sure Alex is ok," Quinn ordered closing her purse and walking towards her kitchen, not at all sure of what she was going to fine.

"It was your fault you didn't catch it," Clay looked down at Easton who just shrugged. "Be good hold down the fort," he ruffled Easton's hair who nodded.

"Alright," Brooke knelt down in front of her little boy. "Mommy won't be gone long," she told him and he nodded. "I'm going to put you to bed-"

"I not tired," he shook his head, the dark circles under his eyes telling her a different story but she chose to ignore it being as she told Alex to put him in bed by seven thirty and he did have his nap earlier.

"Be good for Alex," she ordered in her motherly tone making him nod. "I love you," she told him pulling him into a hug, his little arms wrapping tight around her neck.

"I love you too mommy," she felt him yawn but didn't make a comment about it.

"You ready?" Quinn came back into the room after finding that Clay and Easton had just broken and old vase that she didn't like anyway. It was a gift from a old neighbor that she didn't like anyway but kept it around because the woman was old and rich and would randomly pop in to see how there were doing. Yet she was also completely snobby and turned her nose down at everything Clay and Quinn did, informed her she was living in sin and it was disrespectful but figured since she was old and did it with a sweet voice and smile it was alright.

"Yeah," Brooke stood up. "If you have any problems you have my number," she said to Alex who gave her a smile.

"Everything will be fine," she promised picking Easton up in her arms. "We are just going to watch a movie for a bit then head off to bed. What you say East you thinking Cars, maybe Finding Nemo?"

"Yes!" His little fist pumped in the air clearly thrilled with the idea.

"That sounds good," Brooke leaned in kissing Easton's head. "When he falls asleep let him, I know I said seven thirty but he had a late nap and I'm sure he will be out soon so whenever," she shrugged figuring that he could just sleep in anyway, not like she had anything to do in the morning.

"We can do that," Alex bounced Easton on her hip as she followed Quinn and Brooke to the front door.

"Bye gorgeous," Quinn kissed her godson's head. "Love you."

"Love you too Aunt Quinn," he gave her a sleepy smile and Brooke knew he wouldn't last a full movie let alone two. "Bye mommy."

"Bye my precious baby," she gave a smile, and a kiss.

"Ya'll have a good night," Alex waved as the stepped out the door and shut it.

"It will be a good night," Quinn looped her arm through Brooke's.

"I still think I should stay," Quinn saw her friend start to wavier as they entered the elevator.

"Nope," she hit the ground floor quick. "You are going out and you will enjoy your night. Who knows maybe you will meet some sports stud."

"Yeah," Brooke laughed shaking her head as the doors started to close. "Like that would ever happen."

So all the feedback for the first chapter was AMAZING! I had so many alerts and favorites and reviews I wanted to cartwheel! But you all know I can't do a cartwheel so I didn't…But here is the new chapter, I know not much happened but next we will have the party and some Brucas! Well please enjoy and please give as much feedback as before if not more!

Review!