A/N: Hey guys! So once again, I got so excited about your reviews that it inspired me to write this chapter in like an hour again! And I noticed that I've finally gotten 100 reviews! I was so excited! Anyways, I hope you like this chapter! I wasn't too fond of it. Let me know what you think! And Morgan, thanks for always helping me out when I need it!
"Brooke, come on, don't pull away from me. We need to talk," Nathan said quietly, reaching his hand out for her
"No, Nathan, we don't. Just get out," she whispered, walking into her bathroom and slamming the door.
Hearing the bathroom door slam shut, Nathan didn't know what else to do. He wanted to march into that bathroom and comfort Brooke but he knew he couldn't. She didn't want him to. He turned around and left the room feeling defeated. Walking outside, he realized that school would be over soon. Since there was no practice today, he knew Tim and Peyton would be arriving shortly. He decided to take a seat on the front porch and wait for them to show up.
One Hour Later:
"Nate? What are you doing here?" Peyton asked as her and Tim were dropped off by Lucas. Seeing Nathan on the porch, Lucas chose not to say.
"Dan was home today, I couldn't go home. I came here. I didn't know Brooke was coming home, I swear!" he told them, raising his hands in defense. He definitely didn't want to be slapped by Peyton again.
"Did you two fight again?" Tim asked as they walked into the entryway.
"Sort of. It's a long story. Look, I know she doesn't want me here so I'm gonna go. I'll see you guys tomorrow," he mumbled, walking to his car and heading home. Peyton and Tim dropped their bags off in her room before making their way over to Brooke's, knocking lightly on the door. Hearing nothing, they quietly opened the door and peeked in. Brooke was laying on top of her covers in a deep sleep. Knowing she probably needed the sleep, Peyton gently covered her with the throw blanket on her bed before leaving the room again.
"I hope she's okay," Tim muttered, lying down on Peyton's bed, her lying next to him.
"Brooke's strong, she'll be okay! I, on the other hand, need your help right now!" Peyton said in a mischievous tone. Tim turned towards her with eyebrows raised.
"Oh really? What can I do for you?" he asked with a grin, turning on his side and wrapping one arm around her waist.
"See, I have a problem! I have this great boyfriend. But lately, he's been so concerned about our other two friends that I have hardly even gotten a kiss from him. And I really need more than that right now!" she said, trying to keep her serious face on.
"What a horrible boyfriend! I should kick his ass!" he joked, earning a giggle from Peyton, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Oh, I'm sure there's lots you can do for me!" Peyton laughed, leaning forward to capture his lips with her own.
Two Days Later:
"Tim, are you ever going to go back to your own house?" Brooke asked jokingly, walking into Peyton's room that morning to see him sprawled out on her bed. She made her way into Peyton's closet to look for a shirt to borrow, saying, "I mean, you even have your own drawer in Peyton's dresser and space in her closet! Are you sure you didn't move in and not tell me?"
"Very funny Davis! Now can you get out so I can get dressed?" he asked with a laugh.
"Ew, you're naked? Peyton, yall gross me out!" Brooke jested, leaving the room in a hurry so she wouldn't see one of her best friends naked.
She finished getting ready and decided to try to eat some breakfast while she waited for Peyton and Tim to get ready. Finding a box of Froot Loops in the cabinet, she poured herself a bowl and sat down at the table. However, her stomach had another agenda. After the first bite, she could feel her stomach start turning. Before she knew it, she was jumping up and running to the bathroom just in time.
Peyton walked into the kitchen to find a full bowl of Froot Loops and no Brooke. Hearing something coming from the downstairs bathroom, she walked over and put her ear to the door.
"B. You alright?" she asked through the door, hearing the sound of vomiting answer her. Eyes wide, she burst into the bathroom, taking a seat behind Brooke to hold her hair back.
"Baby doesn't like Froot loops!" Brooke mumbled, wiping her mouth with a wad of toilet paper and leaning back into Peyton.
"Oh, Brooke! It's okay, we'll find something that Baby will like!" she told her, Brooke groaning at the suggestion.
"I don't know if I can eat anything right now. Maybe at lunch," she suggested as they stood, Brooke going back upstairs to brush her teeth again. A few minutes later, they all headed to school.
Later That Day:
The day had gone by smoothly so far for Brooke. She had successfully avoided Nathan. Even during the classes they had together, he could tell she didn't want to talk to him so he didn't even bother. Unfortunately, it was now lunchtime and it would be harder to avoid one another. Walking into the cafeteria, Brooke noticed her friends at their regular table, minus a few people. Nathan was still sitting at the table across the cafeteria from them with Peyton and Tim. Peyton saw her and smiled before returning her attention to the guys.
Settling down at the table with everyone, she pulled her lunch from her bag that consisted of dry saltines and ginger ale.
"Morning sickness?" Haley guessed, seeing her lunch of choice. Brooke rolled her eyes and nodded.
"Don't worry; it'll be over in your second trimester!" Haley cheered as Brooke started nibbling on her crackers. Everyone continued their conversations while Brooke tried to do the calculations in her head. She would start her second trimester in about two more months. Two more months of morning sickness? Brooke wasn't sure she could handle that!
"Hey Brooke, can I talk to you for a second?" Lucas asked, standing behind Brooke. She looked up at him, nodding her head yes before following him to an empty table about ten feet away. It was also at that moment that Nathan was leaving the cafeteria, about to pass their friends, and noticed this.
"So what's up?" Brooke asked as they sat down.
"Listen, I know things ended really badly between us. And I know things aren't very good between you and Nathan right now either. But, if you'll let me, I'd still like to be there for my niece or nephew!" Lucas said as her eyes went wide.
"What is Lucas doing with Brooke?" Nathan asked Haley, not even bothering to say hi.
"Nathan, it's nothing. They're just talking!" Peyton said from behind him as she sat down next to Haley.
"Yeah, Lucas is just letting Brooke know he's there for her and the baby if she needs anything. We both are!" Haley told him. She saw his jaw clench as she said that before he stalked off towards the gym.
"Luke, thank you. You're right, things did end very badly! And yes, Nathan and I are, well, I don't really know what's going on with us. But I appreciate the offer! I would love for this baby to have a great uncle like you had Keith!" Brooke said as she gave him a quick hug. They joined their friends after a few moments. The day then went on uneventfully for Brooke.
After school, she would normally head over to the gym for cheerleading practice. But after finding out she was pregnant, she decided to quit the team and hand over captain to Peyton and Bevin. So instead of going to the gym, she took Peyton's car home, knowing she would get a ride home from someone else.
Meanwhile, in the gym, things were starting to heat up. The cheerleaders were all gathered along the sidelines waiting for something to happen. The basketball team was split between the two boys, holding each back. Coach Whitey was still in his office and had no idea this was going on.
"What the hell is your problem?" Lucas shouted at Nathan as Skills held him back.
"My problem? My problem is that you feel the need to be there for the girl you left! Brooke is my girlfriend so leave her alone!" Nathan yelled back at him as Tim held him away from Lucas. The team decided to hold them back from fighting but let them yell at each other and get it all out.
"Maybe if you were there for her, I wouldn't have to be!" Lucas sneered, trying to get out of Skills' grasp.
"It's none of your business whether I'm there or not! In fact, it's none of your business to be there for the baby either!" Nathan shot back, earning a few gasps from the people that didn't know Brooke was pregnant.
"Why not? It's not like you want anything to do with her! Or the baby for that matter. So I'm going to step up! I'll be a dad to my child and a great uncle to Brooke's child!" Lucas shouted, seeing the fury in Nathan's eyes.
"That's my child! Not yours! Leave her and the baby the hell alone! It's not your job to take care of them, it's mine!" Nathan screamed, his eyes going wide as he realized what he said. Everyone else that knew the situation between Brooke and Nathan were just as surprised.
"It's about time you admitted it! Maybe you should tell Brooke that too!" Lucas said just as Whitey walked into the gym.
"What the hell is going on? I thought I told you two to quit fighting! Suicides! Now!" he yelled, his face red with anger. He was so tired of breaking up fights between the Scott brothers. Practice went on without any interaction between Lucas and Nathan. They stayed clear of each other, not wanting to anger Whitey anymore than he was.
The Next Day:
Brooke walked down the hall with Peyton and Haley on their way to English. She couldn't help but notice everyone pointing at her and whispering.
"Okay, what the hell is going on? Why is everyone looking at me like I have three eyes?" Brooke demanded from the two girls beside her. They both tried to feign innocence, looking at her with curious looks on their faces.
"I have no idea. Brooke, it's high school, you know how it is! People talk. I'm sure it's just another stupid rumor!" Haley said, trying not to let Brooke find out about the fight between Nathan and Lucas yesterday. Haley, Tim, and Peyton had decided it was best to not tell Brooke what Nathan had said. He could tell her when he was ready.
"Oh God, I hope not! I hate rumors!" Brooke exclaimed, taking her seat in class, Peyton, Tim, Haley, and Lucas filling in around her. Nathan took his normal seat across the room from them that he had been assigned earlier this year.
"So, your first appointment is today right?" Haley asked her after the teacher told them they could have a free period to do anything. Peyton was drawing, with Tim trying to see what she was doing. Lucas, Haley, and Brooke were huddled together talking, not noticing Nathan pretending not to care.
"Yeah! I'm kind of nervous! What are they going to do?" Brooke questioned her, knowing she had already gone through this.
"Not much. They'll do the first exam to tell you exactly how far along you are. Probably prescribe you some vitamins and talk to you about how things are going. And you might get to hear the heartbeat if it's not too early to hear it yet!" Haley told her with a smile. Brooke's eyes brightened hearing that.
"Really? That would be so awesome!" Brooke squealed.
"It really is! I was with Haley when we heard it the first time. I literally cried! It's one of the most amazing things I've ever heard! There's no way to describe it!" Lucas gushed with a grin. Haley's eyes moistened at hearing him become so sensitive about their baby.
"Hey, Luke, I have a favor to ask of you. Both of you really. Remember how you said you wanted to be there for me and the baby?" Brooke asked as Lucas nodded his head, "Well, I was wondering if you would go with me to the appointment. I'm really nervous about it and having one of you with me would really help. I would ask Peyton or Tim but they both have practice and can't miss it."
"I'd love to Brooke, but I have to work right after school at the café!" Haley told her, looking at Lucas, waiting for him to respond.
"Yeah, I'll go!" he cheered.
"Really? You don't mind Haley?" Brooke asked her to be sure.
"Of course not Brookie! I mean, we will be the baby's aunt and uncle! So I would love for one of us to be there for you!" she replied.
Brooke's smile widened at this, happy to have someone there with her. She hesitated, glancing over at Nathan, but he wasn't looking at her. She had really hoped he would decide to be a part of the baby's life and surprise her. But that was obviously not happening.
Oh, how she missed him! Granted, she was still mad at him for the way he acted. But it was Nathan! Her best friend and boyfriend. And now the father of her child. She needed him to be there with her; to hold her hand as they heard the heartbeat and realize that she was carrying a real human being that would be all theirs in eight months.
Nathan couldn't believe what he had just heard. Not only did Lucas say he wanted to be there for Brooke and the baby, but now he was going to her first doctor appointment with her! He was furious now. He had really hoped that he and Brooke would have made up at this point and made a real decision on the baby. But that obviously wasn't going to happen.
He wasn't sure if he still wanted Brooke to get an abortion. The adoption idea sounded like a good thought. After seeing how upset and emotional Brooke was the other day, he now just wanted what was best for her. That was what he wanted all along. But instead of sitting down and rationally talking it out, he let his mouth run. Now he had no idea if Brooke would ever take him back.
Oh, how he missed her! He had to find a way back into her heart. If there was anyone in this town that could understand where he was coming from, besides his idiotic father, it would be Lucas' mom. Karen had been pregnant at 18 and came out of it just fine. He decided he would go see her after school for advice on what to do.
After school:
Brooke was heading to the parking lot with Haley and Lucas. They decided they would drop Haley off at work, grab a quick bite to eat, and then drive over to the doctor's office. They didn't have much time though; school got out at three and her appointment was at four.
"Brooke! It's so good to see you!" Karen hollered from the counter as she walked into the café. Brooke had become like a second daughter to Karen so she had missed seeing her around the house all the time.
"Hey Karen! It's good to see you too!" Brooke cheered.
"How are you feeling?" Karen asked, glancing down at her stomach.
"Oh, so I guess you know. I'm okay. Still have morning sickness but other than that, I'm doing good!" Brooke told her.
"And Nathan? How's he doing?" Karen asked as they took a seat at the counter while Haley went to the back to get them some food.
"Nathan? I honestly don't know. He freaked out when we found out and demanded I get an abortion. I refused and we haven't really talked since then," Brooke explained sadly.
"You're kidding! That sounds so unlike Nathan! More like Dan!" Karen replied with a nervous laugh, "Don't worry, everything will work out! It did for me and it will for you!"
"Thanks. It's good to hear some encouraging words from someone that was in my position once!" Brooke said as her and Lucas began to eat. Thankfully, Brooke's morning sickness was truly only in the morning. The rest of the day, she could eat whatever she pleased.
"Hey, Brooke, it's 3:30. We better start heading over there. I'm sure you're going to have to fill out a bunch of paperwork!" Lucas told her as they finished up their food, said their goodbyes, and left. Not even a minute after they had left, Nathan walked in.
"Haley, is Karen here?" Nathan asked, seeing Haley wiping down the countertop.
"Yeah, in the back. You can go back there," she replied. He nodded his thanks and walked into the back where the office was located. Knocking on the door lightly, he saw Karen look up and smile at him. She waved him in.
"Hey Karen. I need your help," he said softly as he sat down in a chair next to hers.
"This is about Brooke and the way you reacted last weekend isn't it?" she guessed.
"How'd you know?" he asked surprised.
"Her and Lucas were just here. She told me what happened. Now, the important thing is, what are you going to do now?" she asked him, resting her elbows on her knees.
"I have no idea. That's kind of why I'm here. Dan did the same thing with you right?" he questioned, Karen silently agreeing, "Well, what if he had changed his mind? Would you have forgiven him?"
"Instantly. He was the father of my child and I loved him. But Nathan, I can tell your love for Brooke is stronger than mine was for Dan, or even Dan's love for me. And it may seem confusing, or hard to comprehend, but Brooke is hell bent on having this baby and keeping it. If she forgave you, would you be able to accept that and raise the child with her?" Karen asked him in all seriousness.
"I'd like to think so. Karen, I'm scared out of my mind. And I know I said some things I shouldn't have. But I didn't really mean them. I was just terrified! I mean, I could lose basketball. Brooke could lose her fashion line. And basketball is the only way I'm getting into college. I just didn't want to have to make a rash decision like Dan did, so I thought by getting an abortion, we could steer clear of all of that!" Nathan explained with tears in his eyes, "But the thing I'm scared of the most right now is losing Brooke. Besides basketball, she has been the one constant in my life. She's been there for me more than anyone has. I love her more than anything. So I guess, yeah, I would be willing to accept the baby and raise it with her. If it meant I get to be with her, I would do anything!"
"Nathan, I'm so glad to hear you say that. But you need to go to Brooke right now and tell her exactly what you just told me! Explain to her your fears and concerns. She'll understand, I promise!" Karen told him. He just nodded his head with a slight smile before walking back to the front of the café.
"Haley, do you know where Brooke's doctor is?" Nathan asked frantically as Haley gave him the directions.
At the Doctor:
"Brooke, good afternoon! I'm Dr. Thomas. We're going to just do a quick exam privately, and then your friend can come back in the room, okay?" the doctor asked after all introductions had been made. Lucas exited the room to give Brooke some privacy. A few minutes later, the nurse told him he could join them again. He walked into the room and took a seat next to Brooke as the doctor began asking her questions about her morning sickness. He was secretly hoping Nathan would have been here instead of him.
"So, Brooke, is this the father?" Dr. Thomas asked, glancing at Lucas. His eyes went wide as he shook his head.
"No, sorry, I'm the uncle!" he told her.
"Oh, okay! I apologize! Will the father be joining us today? We're about to see if we can hear the heartbeat, fathers always love that!" the doctor chuckled as Brooke and Lucas both started shaking their heads again.
"No, um, the father, he isn't, I mean, he's…" Brooke stammered as the door burst open. Everyone looked up to see Nathan in the doorway. Brooke gasped as he started talking.
"The father was running late. I'm sorry. Hi, I'm Nathan Scott!" he introduced himself to the doctor. Dr. Thomas smiled and shook his hand.
"Here, Nate, take my seat! Brooke, I'm just gonna go," Lucas said, smiling at Nathan before he stepped outside.
"What are you doing here?" Brooke asked, still in shock. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Nathan was actually here!
"We'll talk later! Now, I think I heard something about listening for a heartbeat?" Nathan asked the doctor.
"Yes, I was telling Brooke and Lucas that we normally try to hear a heartbeat around this time. We can't always hear it, sometimes it's too early. But we can try. Brooke, if you will just lie back again, we can get started!" the doctor told them. Brooke didn't take her eyes off Nathan's as she lay back onto the table and lifted her shirt slightly. Dr. Thomas placed the heartbeat detector against her stomach, moving it around to try to find the baby.
Suddenly, they could all hear a very faint thumping sound. Brooke once again gasped at the sound.
"Is that it?" she asked, tears brimming her eyes. She still didn't take her eyes off Nathan's in fear of realizing she was hallucinating.
"That's it. That is Baby Scott!" Dr. Thomas congratulated them.
Nathan couldn't help the tears from falling from his eyes. That was his baby. His child. His flesh and blood. Right then and there, he knew his life was forever going to be different. From that moment on, it was him and Brooke together, with their child.
"Okay, I'm going to give you a few minutes alone. Stop by the front desk when you're ready to make your next appointment!" Dr. Thomas said as she left the room. Brooke sat up slowly, pulling her shirt down, eyes still locked with Nathan's.
"Nathan," Brooke started before he cut her off.
"No, Brooke, listen, I'm sorry. There is so much we need to talk about, but I want you to know how sorry I am. You were right, I'm an ass! I never should have given you an ultimatum. I never should have treated you the way I did. I stopped by the café before coming here and talked with Karen. She made me realize a lot. And after hearing the heartbeat, I realized even more. I love you so much Brooke. I can't imagine my life without you in it. So if basketball and the fashion line doesn't happen, then fine. As long as I have you and this baby with me, I don't care what I'm doing. Just please, say you'll forgive me!" Nathan said, a stray tear rolling down his cheek.
Brooke reached up and wiped the tear from his face with a grin.
"Took you long enough Scott!" she laughed through her tears. He smirked before leaning forward and pressing his lips to hers. Brooke was the first to pull back from the kiss, grabbing one of his hands and pressing it to her stomach, whispering,
"Say hi to Daddy, Baby Scott!"
So? What'd you think? Let me know!!