Authors Note: I've had this chapter written for a week now but it's taken me forever to type on to my laptop so sorry for the wait. I appreciate everyone's reviews from last chapter; they blow me away everytime. Right on to Chapter 5...


February 2029

"Wakey wakey! Rise and shine, sleeping grouchy," Brooke called out to the heap of bed sheets where a grumble managed to escape from the person within them. Brooke flung open the drapes so that a shower of dazzling sunlight filled up the room. Chase flinched at the sudden outburst of light and squinted his deep brown eyes to try and focus on Brooke.

"Brooke what are you doing?" he grumpily groaned.

"Good morning to you too grumpy! Come on, up and at'em." Brooke made her way across the guest bedroom in which Chase currently inhabited, in the house that Brooke and Julian had lived in for 17 years. They had plenty of opportunities to move house over the years and get someplace bigger, but the truth was that they were happy there and a bigger house would only remind them that they couldn't have children to fill the empty rooms.

"Brooke it's a Saturday, people stay in bed on Saturdays," Chase complained rubbing his messy out of place black hair. He looked awful. Chase was usually the type of person who prided himself on his appearance but since he broke up with Alex, he had let himself go. He still had a perfectly formed torso for a man of his age but he hadn't shaved or showered in days.

"That's where you're wrong mister," Brooke turned to face Chase, who had sat up in bed, with a slightly angry glint in her eyes. "Single bachelors stay in bed on a Saturday!"

"If you hadn't noticed, as of recent, I am single!" he shouted.

"For now, yes you are single. But you are also the dad of two really great kids and the love of Alex's life so you should be doing all you can to win them back."

Brooke had clearly hit a nerve as Chase's frown dropped from his face and in its place was disappointment; disappointment in himself for turning into the worst possible version of himself. "Now get up and take a shower." Brooke stormed out of the guest bedroom, slamming the door shut behind her.

Chase came out of the bathroom clean, freshly shaven and dressed in ironed clothes. It was surprising what a good shower could do to someone. He entered the kitchen area and sat on a stool by the counter adjacent to Brooke who was brewing some coffee. As he sat down she put a cup of coffee in front of him and smiled at his tanned, slightly red face. She knew that she had been harsh on him but she was really worried about him.

"I'm sorry Brooke, I've been a jerk and you and Julian don't deserve it," he apologised.

"Yeah you have been but I'm sorry too. I was a complete bitch to you back then."

"But I deserved it Brooke. Look what I've turned into and it's only been a few days."

"You don't look so bad now that you've had a shower and shaved. And that's coming from a fashion designer and honey if you looked awful, don't worry I'd tell you." Brooke winked at Chase as he took a sip of his coffee.

"I really do appreciate what you're doing for me Brooke."

Brooke reached out and held Chase's hand that was on the counter top. "Chase, you and Alex are two of my best friends and I want you both to sort things out but you have to show her that you want the same thing. Believe me, I've had a lot of experience when it comes to wanting guys to love and need you the same way that I did them. She loves you, you know that right?"

"Yeah I know."

"And it is killing her being away from you like this. You're the one person who makes her feel safe and takes away all of her insecurities but without you there, they just come right back again," Brooke tried to explain to Chase but he already knew exactly how he made Alex feel.

"I just want her back Brooke. I miss her and the kids!"

"Then do something about it buddy cause nobody's gonna do it for you. When was the last time you saw Caleb and Avery?"

"Thursday, I picked them up from school."

"They must be missing you like crazy. Those kids adore you Chase so please for their sake, make an effort and take them out today or just spend some time with them because that's all they're gonna want."

"Ava, will you come and help me please?" shouted Alex to her daughter who was cooped up in her bedroom, like she had been for the last few days. Alex was trying to convince Caleb to wear his jeans and Elmo t-shirt but he was determined to stay in his footie pyjamas. "Come on beautiful, work with me here. We're going to do something fun today," Alex whispered lovingly to her son yet there was obvious strain in her voice.

"With daddy?" Caleb asked.

"I wish Cale. Daddy's just been working real hard lately." Tears emerged in Alex's eyes. She hated lying to her children and telling them that everything was going to be okay when she didn't even know for sure. She continued to dress Caleb placing his t-shirt over his head and putting his legs into his jeans.

"We wouldn't be having this problem if dad was here," Avery said from the living room doorway. She was still in her pyjamas and her eyes were puffy and red from crying. "You didn't have to kick him out you know, he's still our dad."

"Ave don't be like that okay? Me and your dad are just going through some stuff right now. It's just easier this way."

"For you maybe but not for me and Caleb. Do you think it's easy for us not being able to see our dad everyday because our mom's going through some crisis?"

The hurtful and harsh comment made Alex stand up in shock. "Enough of the teenage attitude, you don't know what you're talking about." Looking at Avery, Alex could see that she was a mess. She had been hiding out in her room and hadn't dressed herself up. This was completely unlike Avery as she was usually very beauty and fashion focused. But she had changed because of Alex and Chase.

"So tell me mom, tell me why my parents are the only ones who are unhappy right now?" Avery's voice was getting more aggressive and she was struggling to hold back the tears. Her mother was now standing in front of her, holding her daughters arms. "He hasn't even visited mom."

"He's probably been busy with work. He'll come, I promise you. None of this is your fault. This is to do with me and your dad." Alex squeezed Avery's arm comfortingly.

"Do you love him?"

"Of course I do."

"Then what is there to work out mom because if you love him and he loves you then it all seems simple to me," Avery tried to wipe away her never ending flow of tears.

"I wish it was as simple as that baby girl." Alex pulled Avery into a hug, trying her best to comfort her daughter and protect her from the pain. She released her from the hug and stroked her daughters ebony black hair. "Come on lets go get you ready. I'll do your hair for you?"

Before Avery could answer, there was a knock at the door. Alex made her way to the door and opened it to find Chase standing with his hand in his pockets. She couldn't help but think how amazing he looking standing in front of her. He was only wearing a black t-shirt and jeans but they were Alex's favourite. She had bought them for him 4 years ago. They were tight in all the right places and the perfect dark blue to match his skin colour; she loved the way they looked on him. Her heart was raising and she could feel herself getting hotter. What she would give to be in his strong, masculine arms again.

Chase stared back at Alex, taking in every little detail; from her chocolate coloured waves, that were tucked behind her ears to the bunny slippers on her feet. Even in those she looked sexy! His breathing was getting heavier, it was amazing the effect that she had on him. He hoped that she couldn't see how flustered he was getting.

They locked eyes and in that tender moment they searched each other's souls to try and find the words that would make everything right between them. All it took was for one of them to confess the thoughts that were running through their head. But they were too stubborn to tell anyone these thoughts, least of all each other. Chase said the only thing that he could think of to break the intense atmosphere between them, which was like a thick fog that neither could break through.

"Hi," he stammered not taking his eyes of her once.

"Hi," she breathed back.

"Daddy!" Caleb shouted running into his father's arms as Chase had bent down to his son's level. Chase pulled him close into a tight hug. It felt warm having his son with him again.

"God I've missed you son." He kissed Caleb's forehead and stoop up still holding him. Alex smiled at the resemblance between the two favourite boys in her life. Caleb was looking more like Chase everyday and becoming his mini-version.

"Dad you're back," Avery called out, appearing from being Alex to give Chase a hug.

"Do you want to let your dad come through the door guys? I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to be standing outside in the hallway," suggested Alex. The children let go of their dad long enough to let him get through the door of the apartment.

"So what are you doing her dad?" Avery questioned, though she wasn't complaining.

"I realised that I haven't been the best dad this week so I thought that I'd take you and CJ here out for the day."

"Oh, we were going to go out with mom today," Avery replied, clearly saddened by the clash in time table.

"Don't be silly Ava; you two spend some time with your dad. I'll be fine." Alex tried to reassure her daughter even though she did want to spend some time with the children.

"You could come with us Lex, we're still a family despite how dysfunctional we may be right now." Chase didn't want Alex to be on her own all day especially if he was going to win her back.

"Please come mom," begged Avery.

"Yeah come momma," added Caleb.

"Sure why not," Alex smiled.

Jamie Scott was sat in his bedroom at his parents' house trying to send an email to his boss when he realised that it was impossible. The house was too quiet for him to even concentrate. Growing up, the Scott household had always been hectic and loud, even before the twins arrived. Jamie didn't understand why everyone was so quiet. Did they not spend any time together anymore? He thought to himself. But he had an idea, one that always worked when he was younger.

When he was 6 years old, Jamie's uncle Luke had given him walkie talkies to play with and he loved it. When the twins got older, Lucas bought some walkie talkies for them too. Jamie had never had so much fun with his younger brother and sister. They would hide in obscure places of the house like the laundry chute or in the closet near the stairs and then pretend that they were secret agents, the FBI looking for a criminal. They could never bump into each other on their mission to find the criminal; only use the walkie talkies as forms of communication. Jamie took the walkie talkies to Duke with him but they didn't work that far away from Tree Hill though he still kept it, just in case. He wondered if Lydia and Quinley had done the same thing.

He rummaged through his suitcase, trying to find the walkie talkie which he always left in his suitcase. Once he found it, he quickly turned it on and spoke into the speakers.

"Lydia? Quinley? Are you there? Over?" He felt like a child again and he got an odd buzz from playing again. "Hey Q, Lydia, are you there?"

"Jamie? Is this you?" It was Quinley. Jamie was happy that his brother had kept the small piece of technology.

"Sure is little brother."

"Why have you still got this thing? I'm surprised it still works."

"I could never throw it away. Where's Lydia? Hasn't she kept hers?"

"I don't know. We haven't used these things in over two years, though we said that we would keep them on at all times, you know just in case Mr Grinson came back and tried to take over the world," Quinley joked, reminiscing an old fictional criminal from their childhood. Mr Grinson was an evil clown that wanted to turn the entire human population into face painted, big footed, crazy dressed freaks. All three of the Scott children had inherited their mom's fear of clowns.

"Are you honestly talking about Mr Grinson? I'm sorry to say it brothers but you two are weird." Lydia announced, finally using her walkie talkie.

"Don't lie Lyd, we know that you still have nightmares just like me and J-Luke," Q laughed down the speaker.

"Of course, I have nightmares about imaginary clowns." Lydia said sarcastically. But the truth was Lydia's dreams did sometimes get haunted by Mr Grinson, often causing her to wake up sweating. Man that clown was scary she thought to herself.

"How long have you been listening Lydia," asked Jamie.

"Since you said my name, I just didn't want to seem too eager like Quinley here. You're such a dork Q." She meant this in the nicest possible way and Quinley knew it. They often called each other silly names, her favourite for him being 'dork' and his for her being 'geek'. "Any who, what are you walkie talkie-ing us for Jamie?"

"Well you know that mom and dad are going out to night to Brooke and Julian's so I thought we could have a Scott family fun night minus the grumpy parents. I say we order a pizza, large extra cheese...rent some movies, no chick flicks obviously and play on the playstation all night."

"Sounds great Jamie, don't forget the popcorn though. You can't have movies without popcorn, it's like Mac without cheese, piano without keys, mom without dad..."

"Basketball without the hoop," Quinley cut in.

"Exactly. It just isn't right."

"Okay we get your point Lydia, lots of popcorn. I say we meet in the kitchen at 19 hundred hours."

"Yes sir."

"Roger that," said Lydia joining in with her brothers games.

"Over and out little brother and sister."

Chase had decided to do something special with his family so they were going for a walk along the river. Alex was walking ahead with Caleb since he had a tendency to chase the birds that landed near him. Alex was great with him. She had matured a lot in the time that Chase had known her but her childish and playful side always came out when she was around the children.

Chase was walking behind with Avery. He was glad because it gave him a chance to talk to his daughter about what was going on. He knew that she would be going through a hard time without him at home because she had always been a daddy's girl since the day she was born.

"So how're you doing Ave?"

"I'm okay," Avery replied with a lack of enthusiasm in her voice. She continued to stare at the floor as they carried on walking.

"I know that that's a lie but thanks for lying. It reassures me that you and Caleb will be okay with what's going on."

"Dad I'm never going to be okay with whatever you and mom are going through right now but I know that you will get through it."

"Let's hope so eh. How's your mom holding up?"

"Honestly? Not great. She puts on her make-up and holds her head high but she's changed. It's all for show you know. I think she wants you to think that she is doing fine and she doesn't need you but the truth is she'll always need you. Promise me that you will try and sort this mess out dad." Avery stopped walking to wait for Chase's answer to her question.

Chase looked at his daughter and replied, "I'm going to try baby girl." He put his arm around her shoulder to reassure her and they continued to walk along the river.

"Did I ever tell you just how sexy you look in an apron," Brooke huskily whispered in Julian's ear whilst he was chopping vegetables for dinner.

"You might have said it a few times," Julian flashed his killer grin at Brooke which made her stomach do somersaults. All it took was for Julian to smile and Brooke would give him anything he wanted. She leant in to his neck and kissed his already hot skin, nibbling the place that she knew would turn him on.

"How about we see how you look with only the apron on," Brooke suggested in between kisses.

"Brooke, we can't, I've got to cook dinner. Nathan and Haley will be here in an hour." But he still kissed her lips, placing both of his hands on her face, caressing her cheeks with his thumbs. He brought her in closer whilst Brooke worked on getting his shirt off his back. She could feel his perfectly toned body harden as their kisses became more passionate.

"Brooke," Julian tried to protest but Brooke was persistent. He gently pulled his lips away from hers and moved his hands to her waist. "Babe, we really can't."

"Okay fine but I have your shirt and you're just going to have to come and get it," Brooke smirked, waving Julian's shirt in the air.

"Oh it's on." Julian chased Brooke around the kitchen and living room until they came to their bedroom where they collapsed on the bed. Julian's shirt and other pieces of clothing were being thrown onto the floor along with Brooke's. Brooke fell into the fluffy pillows, not once breaking away from Julian's lips that she had now claimed for her own. One of her hands was on his neck and the other on his back, guiding him towards her. His hands were already venturing around Brooke's body.

"I love you Brooke Baker," Julian said to Brooke amongst heavy breaths.

Brooke looked deeply into her husband's eyes and said, "I love you too Julian!"

They continued to make love unaware of the fish that was burning in the oven.

"I thought Julian was cooking," Haley asked as she ate the pasta on her plate. She was sat at the dinner table next to Nathan with Brooke and Julian opposite them. The meal that Julian had prepared burnt due to his and Brooke's spontaneity. So instead they got take-out from Brooke's new favourite restaurant; the Bistro in town.

"Something um...came up," Julian grinned looking at Brooke.

"That's what she said," Brooke whispered under her breath but not quiet enough as Nathan and Haley were now looking at each other, slightly puzzled.

"Oh don't tell me that you didn't prepare dinner because you were having sex?" questioned Haley with slight disgust in her voice.

"No."

"Good I was..."

Brooke cut in before Haley could finish her sentence. "We prepared dinner, it just kind of burnt whilst we were having sex," Brooke confessed, blushing slightly.

"Brooke!" Haley exclaimed.

"What? You asked."

"I know but I didn't think it was true." Julian and Nathan laughed.

"I'm just glad that we're not eating the fish," Nathan stated. The two couples continued to laugh and eat their dinner.

"Hey Lyd, will you get some glasses from the cupboard please?" Lydia grabbed the glasses and placed them on the tray that Quinley had loaded with food and drink.

"We're not going to eat all this."

"Sure we are little sis, prepare to be amazed." Quinley grinned the grin that he got from his father. He looked exactly like Nathan; the same jet black hair, the defined jaw and the glistening dark blue eyes. There was not a part of his mother that he seemed to have received unlike his siblings. Jamie looked more like his mom than his dad and Lydia was a mixture, though at first glance she looked like Nathan. Everyone could tell that Lydia and Quinley were twins due to their appearance.

"Little sis? I wasn't aware that you were the one born first. I've always thought that I was the first born twin."

"By like 10 minutes and it was only because you were the bossy one. I let you out first. But that doesn't matter now because I'm the biggest and strongest and let's face it Lydia, you don't stand a chance against the Q-man."

Lydia laughed at Quinley's statement.

"What, you think that's funny? We'll see who will be laughing when I...when I put you in a headlock." Quinley chased Lydia around the kitchen.

"Quinley cut it out...Q!" There was no point in Lydia running away from Quinley as she was not the athletic type and he could out run her any day. When Lydia finally gave up, Quinley wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her into a headlock laughing.

"Quin let go, please!" Lydia begged.

"Not until you say who the greater twin is."

"Fine, you're the greater twin." Lydia gave up; she knew that she wouldn't be able to win against Quinley. In verbal arguments, she always came out on top as she was the more educated of the two but he was a lot stronger than here so always won the physical fights. Quinley released Lydia's head. "Just wait till your asleep Quinley Brian Scott."

The siblings made their way back into the living room to wait for Jamie who had gone to rent some movies.

"It's great Jamie being back isn't it?" Quinley asked Lydia as they sat on the sofa.

"Yeah it is," Lydia smiled. The whole family loved having Jamie back.

"We used to have fun didn't we, the three of us?"

"We still have fun though right, even when James isn't here?"

"Yeah but we don't get to spend as much time together and just goof around you know; playing in the pool, harassing kids with water balloons. We're always doing our own thing."

"That's cause we like different things now Q, we're growing up."

"I know, I guess I just miss hanging with my twin sister. We used to do everything together."

"Me too, little brother." Lydia nudged Quinley's arm playfully.

Chase, Alex, Avery and Caleb arrived back at the apartment after spending the whole day together. Chase was carrying a snoring Caleb who had fallen asleep in his dad's arms on the way back home.

"Avery, do you mind putting Caleb to bed?" asked Alex.

"No that's fine," Avery took her little brother from her dad's arms. "Thanks for today, both of you. Night."

"Night Ave."

"Goodnight baby."

"Well I best be getting back to Brooke and Julian's. I need to stop by Tric first so I should really go."

"Yeah of course. I had a good time today." Alex said to Chase.

"You did?"

"Yeah it felt good to be a family again, even if it was for just one day."

"It doesn't have to be for one day Al, we can be a family forever, just let me come home and we can start being happy again."

"I can't do that right now though Chase, I'm confused and hurt. You don't know how it feels to be disconnected from the one person that you love more than anyone else in the world. Maybe now you will."

"So what, this is you punishing me?"

"No I didn't mean it like that." Alex said shaking her head.

"Maybe you're right Alex, maybe we need some time apart." Chase said bitterly as he left the apartment, slamming the door behind him.

"And that is how it's done," said Lydia as she won the NBA Live game that they were playing on the playstation.

"Lydia, have you been practising?" posed Jamie.

"No."

"Then how did you get so good?"

"I've always been that good."

"Nu-uh you haven't," Quinley exclaimed in shock.

"Come on let's play again," Lydia proposed.

"Nah, let's play something else," Quinley preferred.

"Scared that you're going to lose again?

"No that was just a fluke, there's no way that you could beat us again."

"Oh really?"

"Really! Aint that right Jamie?" Quinley turned to his brother.

"She's going down!"

"Oh it's on," Lydia said determinedly as they restarted the game.

"It was a great game yesterday Nate, the team played well," said Julian as he cleared the table.

"Thanks but Julian you don't even like basketball. Do you even know the rules?" asked Nathan.

"No but I know that winning by 20 points has got to be good right?" Nathan laughed at Julian's comment.

"Well that was really great thanks," said Nathan, passing his plate to Julian.

"Well you know my culinary skills; they're restaurant worthy," replied Brooke collecting the plates off the table and placing them on the kitchen counter with Julian.

"Shut up you goof. Anymore wine anyone?" offered Julian.

"Why not, Nathan's driving so one more glass won't hurt," said Haley handing her glass to Julian.

"I'll have some too please babe," asked Brooke as she sat back down at the table. Julian followed, putting Haley and Brooke's wine in front of them.

"There we go ladies," he took his seat next to Brooke.

After a sip of her wine, Brooke said, "There's kind of a reason why we invited you tonight."

"Here's me thinking that it was because we are such great company," Nathan smiled.

"You are but we also wanted to ask you something."

"Sure what's up?" asked Haley slightly worried.

"Erm I don't really know where to start. Julian?" Brooke insisted that Julian try to explain.

"Well me and Brooke have been focusing on our careers and marriage for 15 years now and we want to start dedicating our time to a family of our own now. But the only thing is, we have tried everything we can think of to have a child naturally but as you know we've had no luck. So we've decided to try something else."

"You're finally going to adopt?" asked Haley.

"Not exactly, it involves you two."

"You want to adopt our children?" questioned Nathan confused.

"No of course not. Brooke care to take over?" said Julian turning to Brooke.

"Right I'm just going to go ahead and ask you. You are the only people that we would trust with this, not including Luke and Peyton as they have their own issues at the moment and I know that it's a big thing to ask of you but we really want this and it's our last shot and I don't know what else we could try and I don't want you to hate us for asking this."

"Brooke! You're rambling and you only ramble when you're nervous," said Haley, knowing Brooke too well.

"Tell me about it. Did you notice how many 'ands' were in that sentence, she didn't take one breath." Nathan said amazed at Brooke's odd skills.

"Just tell us Brooke," Haley suggested.

"Might as well tell them babe," said Julian reaching out to hold Brooke's hand that was resting on the table.

"I can't, it really is too much to ask and..."

"BROOKE!" Haley shouted, making Brooke jump slightly and causing her to blurt out what she wanted to say.

"We want you to have our baby!"

Authors Note: I hope you all enjoyed this Chapter, I know that it focuses on particular characters and we havent seen a lot of Leyton's family this chapter but I felt like they were unnecessary. Well I hope you enjoyed it and reviews will be appreciated as always. Plus what do you think about Brulian's request? Let me know!

Next Chapter: Ella/Lanny scenes, Annie/Avery scenes, Brooke/Haley scenes & much more!