Chapter 17

During the six months Haley was gone, things have gone back to normal. Tyler and Kylie had even flown out to meet Haley on one of her stops, the two in the process of working things out.

One night, Joanne and Maureen were lying in bed together, curled into one another, giving each other soft kisses.

Maureen smiled, relaxing into her, "Finally some quiet time."

Joanne nodded with a smile, running her fingers up the back of her shirt, "It's really nice."

"Mmmhmm." Maureen smiled, leaning back in, kissing her softly the kiss quickly deepening.

Just as things were getting more heated, Joanne pulled back, hearing the front door open.

"Shhh it's nothing." Maureen said, leaning back in for more kisses.

"It must be something if you heard it too." Joanne said.

"Mommy!" Kylie's voice could be heard from downstairs.

Maureen and Joanne shared a look, the two springing up racing downstairs.

Haley looked up, Kylie in her arms, smiling, "I'm back."

Maureen and Joanne both sprang forward, wrapping their arms around her.

Haley smirked, lightly laughing, "Can't. Breathe."

"Don't. Care." Maureen said.

Brooke and Leah came up the stairs, Brooke joining the hug, Leah staying back.

"Come in." Joanne said stepping back, smiling, "Relax."

Haley smiled, finally able to catch a breath, until Tessa leaped at her, "Haley!"

Haley smiled playfully rolling her eyes, "Hey Tess."

After everyone finally pulled away, Haley looked up, her eyes landing on Leah, the one person who hadn't hugged her yet.

"Leah?" Haley questioned.

Leah shrugged turning and heading downstairs.

Haley sighed, looking at everyone.

Joanne nodded, "Catch up with us later, go talk to your sister. "

Haley nodded, heading downstairs, knocking on Leah's door, "Leah?"

"What?" Leah asked, sitting on her bed hugging a pillow.

Haley slowly pushed the door open. "What's wrong? I'm home, aren't you happy?"

Leah sighed, looking up at her, "I'm happy you're home Hales... I'm just...mad you left."

"Mad?" She asked, "But this was-"

"An opportunity of a life time." Leah said, "I know I know. But you weren't here."

"I am now." Haley said.

Leah rolled her eyes, "You weren't here for me. I was here for Brooke...and I know we have our fights, but... I wish you were here..." She whispered.

Haley crawled on the bed, "I'm sorry Leah." She moved to sit next to her, "I'm sorry that all happened while I was gone, but I'm here now."

Leah sighed, leaning into her, "I actually really missed you." She paused, "Don't let Mama or Mom know that."

Haley lightly laughed, wrapping an arm around her. "Okay. Secret stays with us. "

Leah smirked, "Good."

"Now come on. I have stories to share." She said getting out of bed, tugging her sister with her, the two heading upstairs.

The next day everyone gathered at the loft, welcoming Haley home, and of course wanting to hear her touring stories.

While Haley was repeating some stories that Brooke had heard from the night before, she tugged Leah out of the room, and up to the rooftop.

"Had enough?" Leah smirked, "Haley stealing all your attention?" She teased.

Brooke playfully rolled her eyes, "Yeah, that's it."

Leah smirked heading to the edge, looking over at the buildings. She smiled wider when Brooke came up behind her, wrapping her arms around her, leaning back.

"It is nice to get away though, when we're all cramped in the loft." Leah softly said.

Brooke smirked, pressing a kiss to her temple. "Mmmhm."

The two stood in a comfortable silence, a nice flutter of snow beginning to float down around them.

Brook reached into her pocket, pulling out a black box, bringing it around to show Leah, and popping it open, a ring inside, "Marry me?" She whispered.

Leah looked down, her eyes going wide, "Brooke!"

Brooke smiled, "Marry me? I know we still live at home with your parents, but...we don't have to get married right away."

Leah smiled turning around, resting her hands on either side of her face, "Yes. Of course!" She smiled, leaning in pressing their lips together. "Yes." She smiled, pulling back slipping the ring on her finger. She looked up at her, grinning widely. "I fucking love you."

Brooke lightly laughed, "I fucking love you too."

...

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