Author's Note: Thank you to all who have reviewed. I do apologize for how long it's taken to get this chapter done, but unfortunately for me that seems to be what happens right now for me. Between RL work and college studies as well as other RL obligations, writing takes a back seat till I can get to it. And sometimes when I want to get to it the muses don't cooperate. So I do hope you all enjoy this chapter. Reviews are love!

Chapter 2:

She only intended to stop by to grab some more clothes, maybe even her sketch pads to work on some new designs. Though, truth be told, since Peyton went into labor, she hadn't felt much like coming up with a new anything. Victoria would start screaming, she knew that, but she also knew that her mother was pretty much heartless.

Though she took to Sam and understood my grief then... she may not have liked Peyton, but it's still a loss of someone I cared about, Brooke thought to herself. Only time would tell. Turning her key in the door, Brooke stepped into her house. She glanced over to where Julian stood, akimbo, watching her as she entered.

"Finally home?" Julian asked, a bit more snidely then he intended.

Brooke's eyebrow arched as she walked further into the house and placed her purse and keys onto the island counter in her kitchen. "I have some things I need to grab," she said.

"You've been at Lucas' for a week," Julian said. "Don't you think that's enough?"

Brooke's motions slowed as she pressed the tip of her tongue to her top lip. She slowly turned, pursing her lips which simply caused the dimples in her cheeks to deepen. Resting her hand on her hip, she looked at Julian.

"You know the promise I made," she said.

"Did that promise include... comforting Lucas?" Julian asked.

Brooke's eyebrows rose and her stance shifted, her arms folding over her chest as shock washed over her face. She was speechless for a moment before anger began to build in the pit of her belly.

"Excuse me?" she finally said. "Are you implying what I think you are?"

"Brooke, you--," Julian started.

"I what?" Brooke snapped. "Huh? I have a reputation for jumping into the bed of grieving men? I have a reputation for sleeping with anyone that walks? Maybe high school Brooke did at one time, but I do not. I thought we established that? Oh not to mention that I am seeing you, but you think I would just jump into Lucas' bed with him when he can barely function since losing his WIFE!"

Julian shifted uneasily, his head lowering some as he realized his mistake. Perhaps too late, however. The fire in Brooke's eyes didn't bode well for their future together. The words had simply slipped out before he could stop them.

"Brooke, I didn't mean that how it--," Julian started.

"Sounded?" Brooke interrupted. "Funny since there is no other way that could have sounded, Julian. Do you really think that little of me?"

"No! Of course I think more of you than that," Julian said. "It was just..." He ran his fingers through his hair. "It was just jealousy coming out."

She turned again, this time disbelief on her face. "Jealousy over what?!" she demanded. "My best friend is dead, Julian. Another of my best friends is grieving the loss of his wife and has a newborn daughter to care for. A newborn daughter who is also my goddaughter! Yes, that's something to be jealous of."

"I'm your boyfriend and I've barely seen you!" Julian finally snapped.

"This isn't about YOU, Julian!" Brooke said. "It's not even about me! In a way it's not even about Lucas, it's about little Peyton and the fact that before she was a week old she lost her mother!"

"I was there, Brooke, I know what happened," Julian said. "Wait, little Peyton?"

"Her name. Peyton Anna Ellie Scott. Lucas and I named her last night," Brooke said.

"You and Lucas named her?" Julian asked.

"Don't change the subject," Brooke said, walking over to the refrigerator, pulling out a bottle of orange juice. She opened it and took a drink.

"I'm NOT changing the subject," Julian said. "It's things like that that I mean. You and Lucas named the baby. You and Lucas are basically living together. You and Lucas are taking care of the baby. You and Lucas. It's all it is."

"What is it you really want to ask, Julian?" Brooke asked.

Julian licked his lips before crossing his arms and giving a small shrug. "Where do I fit into this little family picture?" he asked.

"Julian, your my boyfriend," Brooke said. "What kind of question is that?"

"A pretty valid one," Julian said. "Otherwise I wouldn't be asking."

"I thought you understood..." Brooke started, walking out of the kitchen. "I made a promise to Peyton and I intend on keeping it. Lucas is one of my closest friends and he needs me right now. My goddaughter needs me too."

"And I don't need you?" Julian asked.

"I don't know, do you?" Brooke shot back. "Because right now, I had hoped that maybe you would have been a bit more understanding."

"I'm trying to be!" Julian snapped at her. "I am trying damn hard to be understanding that my girlfriend is spending more time with her ex and his new baby than she is with me!"

Brooke slammed her bottle of juice onto the counter, not caring that some sloshed over the edge. "Not everything is about you, Julian!"

"And not everything is about Lucas and Peyton!" Julian snapped.

"Right now, it is," Brooke said. "Peyton's dead, Lucas is devastated and little Peyton needs more stability of those around her." Her eyes narrowed. "And why does it matter, Julian? You are going to be jet-setting back to LA any day now."

Julian's gaze hardened as he watched her. "Sooner than you think," he said. "Maybe I'm not the perfect man cause I don't understand any of this or why you have to be so wrapped up in it, but I'm sure as hell not going to just stick around and watch you get in deeper."

"Oh go ahead," Brooke said. "Typical Julian fashion. Walk away because it's not about you and you can't stand having to take a back seat to something while things get sorted out."

Julian whirled on her, trying to ignore the pain that was slicing through his chest. "I came back for you," he said.

"Only because your little Brooke wannabe didn't work out!" Brooke snapped. She felt the hot sting of tears in her eyes before shaking her head. She gave him a sad smile. "I can't do this, Julian."

Surprised at the sudden change of direction, Julian blinked before frowning. "What?"

"This," Brooke said, indicating the two of them. "I can't be a good friend and a good godmother if my boyfriend thinks I am cheating on him. And I can't be a good girlfriend if I have to constantly defend myself. I shouldn't have to defend myself, either. I should be relying on you to be supportive after losing my best friend." She lifted a slender shoulder. "I can't do it. I can't put myself through that."

Julian swallowed hard a couple times before he spoke. "What are you saying, Brooke?"

She smiled sadly, willing the tears not to fall. "I'm saying good-bye."

­­--

Lucas studied his daughter's face, looking for Peyton's features as he did. She was peacefully sleeping in his arms after having her bottle and her diaper changed. Lifting his head, Lucas glanced towards the door. He thought he heard the soft click of the front door closing. He got to his feet and walked over to the crib, laying his sleeping daughter down. Once he'd tugged the blanket over her, he left the nursery.

"Hey," he said, seeing Brooke standing just inside the door. He frowned a little when he noticed she seemed mildly upset and distracted as she stared at her purse.

Taking a breath, Brooke lifted her head and smiled shakily at Lucas. "Hey," she said, moving further into the room, crossing her arms. She nodded her head towards the hallway. "How's P. Scott doing?"

Lucas' mouth quirked at the nickname. He glanced backwards before looking at Brooke. "Good. She's napping after a bottle." He ducked his knees down, trying to gain a better look at Brooke's face. "You okay, Brooke?"

Brooke waved her hand a little, trying to put on a brave front. Lucas saw right through it, however. He knew her too well to not do so. But you did fall for it once. After her attack when she claimed she fell down the stairs. Too caught up in yourself and Peyton to notice how much she was hurting.

"I'm fine," Brooke said. "Really." She turned to head into the kitchen.

"Did you get to see Ju--," Lucas started to ask as he followed but a yawn cut off his response.

"Why don't you go nap, Luke?" Brooke suggested. "You look beat."

"Brooke--," he started.

"Lucas, go," Brooke said, smiling. "You need the rest if you are going to keep up with that daughter of yours."

He sighed, but nodded. He was tired. "For a little bit. Then we'll talk," he said. She said a silent "kay" before Lucas turned to leave the kitchen and head down to his room to collapse.

"Not about that, we won't," Brooke whispered to herself once he was gone.