HEY EVERYONE! New chapter is up! I love all the reviews I am getting on this story...let me just say this much...there will be a happy ending...dun dun dun...lol

Enjoy!

Chapter 11: A Day in Tree Hill

"No regrets, just love

We can dance until we die

You and I, will be young forever"

-Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

I couldn't stop laughing. I honestly don't think I have ever laughed this hard in my life.

"This is not funny! I truly don't understand how I got into this situation in the first place!" He was whispering through the phone.

I squirmed as the pain in my back intensified from all the laughing.

"Just describe the scene to me."

"Okay I am looking at all different descriptions. What brand first of all?"

"I prefer Tampax pearls if you see them? Sky blue box." I balled up in the fetal position on my back to help ease the pain.

"It has been detected…good lord there are so many different types! Size?"

I could tell he was in total shock at the realization that there were so many different types to choose from. I could also hear him shuffling around from what I would assume is him trying to hide his identity.

"Lucas focus! I prefer regulars at this point."

"Whoa…what does scented mean? Why would you want a scented plug?"

I laughed again.

"Did you just call it a plug?" That sounded grotesque.

"Well yeah…scented or unscented…" He said through gritted teeth.

"Unscented preferred."

"Okay slowly walking away now."

"Did you get the Advil as well? And my chocolate ice cream?" I hurried out.

"Yes! Can I go and embarrass myself at the register now?" He pleaded.

"Okay, you did well Trooper!"

"Thanks I'm out!"

"Bye Luke." I lay back in his bed and tried taking deep breaths and relaxing.

Karen was eight months pregnant and I offered to cook dinner to save her some trouble. Of course halfway through cooking I realized I started my period. Lucky for me, Lucas was already at the store for Karen, so I called him and was relieved that he was still at there. He was not too happy about it but knowing that he was willing to do it for me was something special right?

About twenty minutes later, I was able to make it back into the kitchen to finish cooking. Keith arrived shortly before Luke did and not after Keith went to check in on Karen did the front door slam shut and Lucas was leaning up against it letting out a breath of relief. I giggled at him.

"You know I am pretty sure you will be the death of me woman." He said and I smiled.

It has only been about a week since we started seeing each other but Karen and Keith weren't aware just yet. He looked around and snuck a quick kiss before handing over my special bag.

"I am not ever doing that again. Do you understand?" He said giving me another kiss.

"Thank you!" I chirped.

He rolled his eyes and took off his jacket.

"Do you need any help pretty girl?" Now that we were sleeping together when he called me that it sounded different, better.

"No, but Keith just got home if you want to check on those two." I winked at him and he kissed the side of my face before leaving the kitchen.

"What's going on Lucas?"

I finished wiping down the last table and started placing the chairs on the tables.

"Mom, nothing." I started getting nervous and scared and I really wished I hadn't sent Brooke away.

She walked past me to the front door, locked it, pulled the curtains and walked over to me.

"Lucas, I haven't seen you since Christmas which was a couple of months ago and then you show up with Brooke of all people? Last time I checked you two weren't even talking to each other." She crossed her arms and I started to shake.

"Lucas, what is going on?"

When I looked down at the scared look on her face, I grabbed her hands in mine and brought her to sit down with me.

"I moved to Durham about a month ago, I've started taking classes at Duke, and I'm living with Nathan, Haley, and Brooke."

A look of shock came across her face and she pulled back from me.

"Wow, that's a surprise. And you being here with Brooke?" She questioned.

"Brooke and I have been working on our relationship, friendship, whatever it is." I said and I began to shake again.

"Lucas what are you not telling me?" She reached across the table and grabbed one of my hands.

"It's my heart, Ma. It's pretty bad."

She gripped my hand tighter with her small ones and looked up at me.

"Lucas I know about the HCM, I mean it is bad, but you are taking your medication aren't you?" She was getting scared and I didn't want to do this.

"Yes mom, but my heart it is just too fragile. I've been going to see one of the best doctors in the country about my heart. Mom…" I looked into her eyes as we both began to cry.

"They are giving me six months unless I can get a new heart."

She dropped my hand and brought hers over her mouth.

"No! You are healthy, strong, and you are so young, Luke." She got up from her chair and rushed over to me and pulled me into her arms.

"It's going to be okay." I said as I held her and she cried.

"I can't lose you too. I just…I just can't." Her grip around me got tighter.

"I am going to pull through this just like I do everything else." I said trying to stop crying myself but I couldn't especially when I'm with my mom.

"Why didn't you tell me this any sooner?" She was on the verge of angry.

"Because I was hoping I could get it taken care of before I got the worst news and I didn't want to worry you because I don't like seeing you this way, Ma, I mean after Uncle Keith's death…"

She began to shake her head and pulled out of my arms.

"Yes, Luke, I went through a lot after Keith died, but you are my son! You and Lily are my life! I can not lose you…I mean your children are supposed to outlive you." She grabbed my face in between her hands and pulled me back into a hug.

"I promise mom, I am going to survive this. I am going to do this for you, Lily, Brooke, Nathan, and Haley…I am not leaving any of you, I promise!" I tightened my arms around her.

"I know you will because you are my son; you are the strongest person I know." She said into my chest.

After we both controlled our emotions, we finished closing the café and headed towards the house. As I drove, my mom held my hand the entire way.

The moment I unlocked the front door, Lily ran into the kitchen and put her finger over her mouth. Mom and I looked at each other and I tiptoed over to Lily and picked her up in my arms.

"Brooke is sleeping, be quiet!" She whispered and I smiled at her.

"Lily how about we get you ready for bed?" My mom said and Lily and I gave her a pouty look.

"Oh that look from the both of you will not work on me." She walked towards me and pulled Lily from my arms.

She looked at me and kissed my cheek.

"I love you." She said to me.

"I love you both." I kissed my mom then Lily.

They disappeared down the hallway towards Lily's room quietly trying not to disturb Brooke who was sleeping on the couch as the Toy Story credits started rolling. She was balled up near one end of the couch and I could tell she was dreaming. I cut the TV off and kneeled down to pick her up. Her arms instinctually went around my neck. I started down the hall and opened the door to my room. I lay her down on the bed and she turns on her side and lets out a little whimper. I smiled and started for the door.

"I had a dream."

I turned around to face her.

"What?"

"I was dreaming about that night you went and got me tampons." She sat up on her elbows with sleepy eyes.

I laughed.

"Yeah that will never happen again that one is a definite!" I pointed at her, she smiled and yawned.

"How did things go with your mom?" She asked quietly.

I leaned against the door frame and crossed my arms.

"Better than I expected. She of course cried and freaked out, but she loves me and she believes I will pull through this." I look at her and she lies back in the bed.

"Nothing has changed in here." She looks around the room and I furrow my brow.

"I haven't been in here since the last time we were together." She looks at me and blushes.

"Wow. I'm sorry."

"No it's fine Lucas, trust me I've been tempted but it helped me not think about you or remember the pain I went through."

I hated hearing her speak that way. Speak of the way I hurt her and to think of me…

"It's okay, Lucas really, things are so much different between us now."

I smiled at her, rubbed my hand on the back of my neck, and took a deep breath.

"Okay, well if you need anything, well, you know where everything is," I smiled again.

"I know. Goodnight Lucas."

"Goodnight Brooke." I walked back down the hallway and got the couch set up for me to sleep on. I cut the TV on and made myself comfortable on the sofa. I fell asleep instantly after a tiring day.

I had a dream again last night. Well they aren't dreams; they are memories that replay in my mind. This one was actually a bad memory.

Lucas and I were at Haley's doing a History assignment, the least favorite subject of all of us. Lucas's cell phone rang.

"Mom?"

I looked over at him and all the color in his face drained.

"Lucas what is it?" I rested my hand on his thigh and tears dared to leave his eyes.

He dropped the phone and looked over at me.

"You're scaring me." I felt my heart stop beating.

"Keith, he's, he's dead." Lucas just stared past me not really revealing any emotion.

"What?" Haley gasped and looked over at me.

"Lucas, what happened?" I placed my hands on his face gently to make him turn towards me, he was like a zombie.

"He, he was working at the shop and he had a stroke, he, they said it was probably painless, and he went quickly." Lucas got up from the table and walked out the door.

Haley and I hurried to our feet and when I got to the door, Lucas was nowhere in sight but the mustang was still sitting outside.

"Where did he go?" Haley asked in a panic.

I started looking around and Lucas was nowhere.

"BOOOKIE!"

I snapped out of my memory and saw Lily running into the room in her pajamas and she jumps on the bed.

"Hey Queen Lily." I brushed the hair from my face.

"It's just me and you!" She said with a huge smile on her face.

I was about to ask her what she meant but Lily pointed to the nightstand and I saw a note scribbled in Lucas's handwriting.

Brooke- Ma and I went to the store to buy food for dinner this evening. Take care of my Lily pad for me. –Always, Lucas

"Mommy left me a note too saying I should be extra good for you." She giggled.

I picked her up in my arms and crawled out of the bed. She was giggling the entire time I carried her into the kitchen and I even started to bite her playfully along her neck and another fit of giggles filled the room. I sat her in the seat at the table and started looking around the kitchen.

"I'm hungry, Brookie!"

"Oh yeah? I am too." I looked in the fridge and the cabinets and was relieved that there was enough ingredients to make pancakes.

"Would you like the famous Brooke Davis pancakes?" I asked her and she nodded.

"Do you want to help?" I asked and she got this goofy grin on her face.

"Okay, well come on." I walked over to her, grabbed the chair she was sitting in and placed it against the counter so she could see what I was doing.

I rushed to Lucas's room quickly, grabbed his stereo, and hurried back into the kitchen. I turned on the music and a catchy pop song started to play in the background.

"What can I do?" She asked.

"Well, let's roll up your sleeves." I helped Lily roll her sleeves up and I braided her beautiful chestnut curls to stay out of her face and it fell along her back.

"Have you ever cracked an egg?" I asked her and she shook her head.

"Well this is what you do."

I instructed Lily how to do it and she did it perfectly. She helped me pour the milk, sugar, flour, and the rest of the ingredients.

"OH! I love this song." Lily squeaked as I started hearing what the song was and I looked at her appalled.

"Lily, how do you know this song?" I asked her and should have already known the answer.

"Whenever Rachel visits, she plays this song and we dance to it."

I shook my head because I am sure Karen would not approve. Lily started dancing in her chair and I laughed at her. In the beginning, Rachel was Karen's least favorite people. Of course hearing her story and how her parents were just as absent as mine, she took pity on her and actually saw where most of the behavior came from. Rachel began to work in the café shortly after we became friends and they both grew a respect for each other and Karen always invited Rachel to holiday dinners.

"I'm burning up and up, I'm burning up and up, so won't you sexy people burn it up." Lily sang and I burst out laughing.

Then as I got the frying pan heated up, Lily helped me pour the mix in the pan and she started dancing around the kitchen. Of course, I never really cared for this song but as it continued playing, I started to shake my hips a little and when I would catch Lily in the corner of my eye, she was shaking her hips side to side and she was absolutely adorable. I turned the heat to medium and started dancing with her. We started shaking our butts and I grabbed her hands and started twirling her and then she did a move only Rachel could have taught her. She started rolling her shoulders and then fist pumping and I was almost embarrassed and ashamed that I was letting Lily do this, but it was cute and it was intoxicating as I began to do the same thing.

I started humming the song and then doing my white girl dance and Lily was laughing at me and when I turned towards the kitchen door flopping my limbs and bopping my head all over the place, I was greeted with a sly grin on Lucas's face as he leaned against the door frame with Karen standing behind him with her mouth hanging open. I immediately stopped dancing and cut the radio off and Lily was giggling in the background and went back to her chair and flipped the second batch of pancakes.

"Hi, Karen, sorry." I said turning all shades of red and Lucas chuckled.

"No, it's fine, I was just more interested in where my six year old daughter learned how to dance that way." She said then winked at me and I let out a sigh of relief.

Lucas had his mouth by my ear and I shivered at his closeness.

"I thought it was extremely sexy…I sure do miss that ass of yours." He lightly caressed my lower back and winked at me as well.

He followed his mom further into the kitchen and helped her unload the bags of food. I blushed again and went to help Lily with the pancakes. We were able to cook six of them. Everyone got two except Lily because she couldn't even finish her first one.

Lucas insisted that he clean up the mess that Lily and I had created and I took this opportunity to take a shower. Once I was done, I pulled the curtain back and just like his first day in Durham, there he was shaving in front of the mirror, but this time he didn't turn to look at me. He kept his eyes forward and handed me my towel. I was appalled and disappointed at the same time. I was appalled because he was being a gentleman but disappointed because I wanted him to look at me and smirk at me. I wrapped the towel around me and even though I was the one who wanted to take things slow and work on our friendship I found myself flirting and aggravating the situation. I reached around him and got my toothbrush. He scooted to the side and arched an eyebrow at me. I didn't acknowledge him as I put the toothpaste on my brush and started brushing my teeth.

He continued shaving and when he was done, he rinsed his razor, and wiped his face down as I continued to brush. It was a nice silence and I loved it. We were having a lot of those moments lately and I couldn't get enough of them. Lucky for me, I noticed that some of his shaving cream fell against his naked stomach. I finished brushing my teeth, took my hand and slowly wiped it from his stomach. I felt him shiver under my touch and I looked up at him as his eyes were closed.

"What are you doing, Brooke?" He let out huskily.

"You just had a spot on your stomach from shaving…" I looked back down to my hand still lingering on his ripped abs.

"It's gone now." He choked out and then I noticed his bulge increasing in size.

"Brooke, stop." He grabbed my hand away from him.

"I'm, I'm sorry." I yanked my hand down to my side and started gathering my make up.

"Brooke, you have no idea how much I want you…I've been wanting you since the day I fucked things up, but you said you wanted to take things slow and work on our friendship and when you touch me that way…it makes it very hard for me to not be that guy you want me to be."

It almost pained me to hear him speak this way.

"I'm sorry." I walked out of the bathroom, dropped my stuff on the bed and just when I was about to turn back to say something to him, Lucas was pulling me against him and his lips were on mine. My hands snaked up his naked shoulders and reached the hair around the nape of his neck pulling him closer to me. The towel started to loosen around my body, but he held it in place as his lips devoured mine in a vigorous kiss leaving us both wanting more.

We pulled back from each other and he rested his forehead against mine and I still had my eyes closed.

"One day, Brooke…but I am trying my damnedest to do right by you…and I can't keep just kissing you like this…so for now…just remember it." He kissed the tip of my nose and walked away.

I was left speechless and breathless. My towel no longer covered my backside as I held it against my front side. He went back into the bathroom to get dressed and I got dressed quickly and left the room.

Karen was sitting at the kitchen table staring off into space as Lily was in her room getting dressed as well.

"Karen?" I sat down across from her and she gave me a kind hearted smile.

"Brooke, darling, how are you?"

I haven't really spoken to Karen since we got here and I figured this would be the perfect time for us to speak alone.

"I am doing okay…I have to admit I was a little shocked when I discovered Lucas was moving in with us…of course, Haley and Nathan would wait until the day of to tell me." I chuckled slightly and she smiled.

"Well I can see that you two have come a long way." She smiled as she took a sip of her coffee.

"Yeah, I guess, you know I am not even really sure we've dealt with the past just yet. I just know that the first week he was the usual charming ass hole and then with time he got a little better and then he dropped the heavy news on me a few days ago." I clasped my hands together and I saw tears surface behind her eyes.

"Well it is so good to see you around my son again. I think about you as the kids you once were. You were all so innocent." She grinned and I smiled.

"How are you doing with everything that is happening?" I reached out and touched her hand.

"I just keep thinking about Keith and how sudden he went. We didn't have any notice and just like that he was gone. I mean we were barely together when I got pregnant and we worked the whole nine months working on a relationship and then he was taken away from me." Tears started to stream down her face and I tried my best to not let mine fall as well.

"Although there is a slight possibility that Lucas may not make it, I believe strongly that he will pull through this. Lucas is the strongest, willing, driven person I know. I mean when he has his eyes set on something he will succeed no matter what the cost." I said with all the strength and assurance I had in me.

She smiled and clutched my hand in hers.

"I am so blessed that you are in our lives, Brooke. I always wanted a daughter and although I was finally graced with my precious Lily, you were always considered my own Brooke and you still are." She smiled and I got up and walked over to pull her in a hug.

My parents are still very much absent in my life. They pay for my tuition and majority of my bills, but they are never there like how Karen has always been. We were interrupted by Lucas holding Lily and flying her around as if she were a plane.

"Wow, why is everyone crying?" Lucas asked very well knowing why but nobody wanted to worry the young six year old.

"They are happy tears my son." Karen stood up and kissed Lucas's face and pulled Lily from his arms.

"So…what's the plan for today?" I asked as I shoved my hands in my pockets.

"You know I am not too sure. Now that we're here I think I just want to spend time with my mom and Lily. So whatever they want to do." He crossed his arms and smiled at me.

We spent majority of the day at the River Court while Karen and I were both concerned about Lucas running around with Lily playing basketball but he reassured us he was fine. It was so sweet and wonderful to see Lucas as playful and happy as he was being around the little bundle of joy that was Lily. Karen asked me about the future and where I see myself and honestly I wasn't sure. With everything that has happened in the past few weeks I couldn't lie to myself and not say that Lucas was not involved in my future because he was.

After spending a breezy day at the River Court, we met up with Mouth and Skills at the ice cream shop and it turned out to be a fantastic day. Once we were back at the house, Lucas and I both cooked dinner. We glided around the kitchen in sync. If I forgot to add the hint of cayenne pepper to the vegetables, Lucas read my mind and added a pinch for me. If Lucas forgot to flip the chicken in the sauté pan, I would beat him to it as he finished chopping up the bell peppers. It was blissful being able to work this way with someone besides Haley. Karen even noticed it and it made me blush and roll my eyes at the same time.

Lucas read Lily a bed time story while I got ready for bed. Once I was settled under the sheets I started reading a worn out copy of The Winter of Our Discontent.

"I knew you always loved that book."

I looked up to see Lucas standing in the doorway leaning casually against it like he always does.

"Well once upon a time someone begged me to read it and I never wanted to give him the satisfaction that I enjoyed it." I never once looked up from my reading as I could feel his smirk from across the room.

"Yeah, well I guess I have to admit that I actually enjoyed those dance classes you made me take with you."

My head shot up quickly from the book and I eyeballed him. I zeroed in on him.

"You lie."

"I am dead serious, Brooke. I really did enjoy them and what made it even better was being there with you."

"Please, I bet you don't remember anything about those dance classes." I said burying my face back into the book as I flipped the page.

I heard Lucas move around the room. I watched as he pulled out a CD I wasn't familiar by its cover and he placed it into his stereo. The melody started to play and I instantly recognized it. He held his hand out to me and it was like I was sucked in his trance. I dropped the book delicately on the bed and placed my petite, soft hand into his callous, large one and he gently pulled me to my feet.

His right arm went around my waist as I let my left hand rest on his shoulder. He began to lead us around the room in the basic steps of the waltz we learned together. I have never seen him be so graceful in his movements. Lucas has always been rigid, rough, jagged with his movements and actions, but this was soft, delicate, and elegant. I let him glide us across the small space between his patio door and his bed.

We were interrupted by Karen clearing her throat.

"I don't mean to interrupt, I just wanted to say goodnight to my son before I go to bed." She said and the moment Lucas released me from his arms, I desperately wanted him back.

I watched as Lucas embraced his mother with all the love he had in him and she held onto him for dear life.

"I love you my son."

"I love you too, mom."

I flinched inwardly and outwardly as I heard him speak those three little words I have longed to hear him say to me ever since I was thirteen. It killed me to hear him say those words to anyone knowing that it's not ever been to me. I quickly got myself together and got back into the bed.

Karen waved bye to me and left the room. When Lucas turned around he became confused.

"I am tired Lucas, I think I am going to read a little bit more and then just go to sleep. I'll see you in the morning." I quickly looked back down and started reading again.

Lucas let out a long, frustrated sigh. I think he knew what was bothering me, just by his posture and the lines crinkling across his forehead.

"Goodnight Brooke. We'll head back to Durham tomorrow after we eat breakfast."

I nodded and he closed the door behind him. I dropped the book to the bed and let my head fall back onto the pillow.

What the hell is wrong with me? I initiate something inappropriate earlier that led to some heavy kissing…then we are in an intimate embrace dancing a casual waltz and the minute I hear him say those small three words, I shut down and my heart breaks all over again. Was he ever going to say those words to me? Was I ever going to hear, I love you Brooke? Maybe it is just best that we remain friends and don't let it go any further because I am not sure if I will ever be able to give him what I desperately want if I can't believe that he'll ever say those words to me.

"I am trying my damnedest to do right by you..."

Could it be possible that he could say those words to me someday? I pulled the vacant pillow beside me and covered my face as if I was going to suffocate myself and screamed into the pillow.

Just let him be the one to make the first move…who knows maybe someday soon he'll say those three little words…those three little words you have whispered in his ear to him before.

"I love you, Lucas." I breathed.

The song Lily was singing..."Burning Up" by Nick Carter...GOD I thought that song was terrible and stupid when I first heard it, and then the more I heard it...the more it turned into a guilty pleasure of mine...it's the song I do my white girl dance in my underwear...oh yeah I said it and I do it! lol

But anyways...Thoughts on this chapters? I loved writing it...I love the overwhelming, confused feelings going through Brooke as I have done this over and over from time and time again...lol

Up next: BL returns to Durham...and Brooke runs into a familiar person again...stay tuned!