Riley looks out the window, "Am I in trouble?" she asked watching the people pass her looking like blurs. Getting out of the house feels good, the nine year old really needed a break from all those people.
"No" Brooke keeps her eyes on the road and continues driving.
When Davis and Jude are in a mood, driving always helps sooth their problems. At the house, Riley looked overwhelmed and ready to hide in her room forever. Brooke hadn't meant for that to happen. She only wanted Riley to meet everyone at once because it was easier. This will let Riley integrate into the family and for everyone to meet the newest addition without any unnecessary awkwardness later.
"Why are we driving?" Riley asked; confused. She didn't even know what was going on, until Brooke practically dragged her out of the house.
Brooke smiles, "you're not driving. I am" the foster mother winks playfully. Riley waits for Brooke to continue. "We're driving because I thought you needed a break" she finished.
Riley licks her lips, unsurely. "I didn't need a break. I'm okay" she said wanting to convince herself more than Brooke.
Brooke stops at a red light and glances at the child. "Riley, its okay, I get it; my family can be a bit much sometimes and they aren't even related to me" the older woman chuckled.
Riley turns and looks at Brooke; confused. Those people weren't her family? Then who the hell were they? This doesn't make any sense, the nine year old chews on her lower lip feeling apprehensive. Families in Riley's opinion are strange; they have this secret language. "Who the hell were they, then?" Riley asked squinting.
Brooke freezes, unsure whether or not to scold Riley on her extensive language. This is all new to her. If Sam had said something like that five years ago, then she would have. But, Riley is different. Riley is a little kid, they hardly know. Sam, well it was easy to get to know Sam, Brooke had to establish rules fairly quickly. Riley is so secretive and guarded, she has her walls up.
Haley would've scolded Jamie. Quinn probably would've scolded Logan. Even, Bevin who is very relaxed with her parental techniques would've reprimanded Nate. Although, Brooke seriously doubts Logan or Nate would know words like that.
"Language" Brooke tried causing Riley to giggle. "What?" she demanded pushing down on the pedal and going through the green light.
"You said it weird" Riley giggled again, Brooke rolls her eyes feeling self-conscious. How should she have said it? Julian probably would have said it just fine. With Sam it was easier, why is this so hard?
"What do you mean?" Brooke asked wanting to know how exactly she said 'language' weird.
"I don't know. You just said it weird" she doesn't want to sound stupid. "Like you didn't mean it, you just said it to say it" Riley added shrugging her shoulders.
Brooke blinks wondering if that's what she did. No, it couldn't have been like that. She meant it. She did, she hadn't liked hearing that word come out of Riley's mouth or how well it seemed to fit
"I meant it" Brooke insisted, Riley looks over at her. Brooke is alright in her opinion. She knew whoever she got placed with would be; Natalie's great like that. The foster mother sighs wishing she knew how to do this.
"I know a million swear words" Brooke looks over trying not to look amused. "Do you wanna here them?" Riley asked attempting to brighten her mood.
"No, sweetie I don't" Brooke answered calmly causing Riley to look down feeling embarrassed. It's not her fault, she knows a lot of swear words; the big kids used to say them at the home, whoever knew the worst received the most praise. Riley could tell which ones were bad due to how quiet the kids would say them.
She was too talkative that was dumb of her. If Austin ever hears about this, he'd laugh till his ribs hurt. He'd think she was being babyish. Austin tends to be a bit critical of others who have families; it's a foster kid thing. Most of the time its cause foster kids are jealous of what regular kids have; parents. It's a silly and slightly obvious feeling, but even so, it hurts for foster children to think about forever being alone.
"Grams used to lemme say anything, I wanted" the nine year old announced honestly with a proud smirk.
Brooke frowns at this. The more Riley talks about her grandmother, the more Brooke wonders how this woman got custody of her to begin with. It must have been because she was immediate family.
"Why did you want me?" Riley plays with her fingers, blatantly avoiding eye contact.
"Huh?" Brooke hadn't expected that question from Riley.
Riley doesn't say anything for a few seconds. "Why did you pick me? Nat said she placed me with you guys, but why did you agree?" the fourth grader asked looking at her shoes.
Brooke pulls the car over. "Julian and I picked you because we wanted you. We didn't and we still don't want anyone else. We wanted you to become apart of our family. Do you understand?" the foster mother asked parking the car.
Riley shrugs. "No, I want you to hear you say it, so I know you understand that Julian and I care about you" the mother ordered her tone becoming firm.
"Yes" Riley looks at Brooke who raises an eyebrow in warning. "Yes…I understand, okay?" the nine year old replied sighing.
"Thank-you" Brooke answered putting the car back in drive. "You know, I remember you in my sewing class. You were really good; if you want maybe tomorrow we could go to my store and get some material for you."
"Okay" the child answered grinning from ear to ear. She's always wanted to sew her own clothes, or at least sew a sock.
Brooke turns and asked, "You ready to go home?" which one? Riley wondered. Tree Hill or Charlotte?
"Yeah" Riley nodded trying to imagine being in Charlotte and hanging out with Austin. They always had so much fun together. Now, she has nobody; well maybe Brooke, Julian, Davis, and Jude.
Nathan and Haley were the last to leave Brooke's house. Haley insisted they help pick up everything, the Scott men both know and wouldn't dare saying no to Haley James Scott. It wasn't like the Bakers threw a major party, with the additional help; everything got picked up quickly. Madison was picked up fifteen minutes ago and Jamie is now safely tucked in bed courtesy of his mother.
Nathan takes a seat on his son's bed. "Jimmy-Jam, what did you think of, Riley?" he asked smoothing out the boy's dark blonde hair.
"I think she seems nice. I didn't talk to her much."
"You were upstairs with her" Nathan reminded his son who shrugs his shoulders wondering where his parents plan on going with this.
"Yeah, but after that I hung out with Madison and Riley went off with Aunt Brooke" Jamie runs his tongue along his braces.
Nathan and Haley share a knowing look. They know Jamie isn't being exactly honest with them, but he's not exactly lying either. It's all part of parenting a soon to be pre-teen, trying to decide how to handle situations like this one.
Haley sits on the other side of his bed. "Jamie, why did you exclude Riley?" she asked sounding curious, Lucas was really her only friend. Until tenth grade, Haley didn't have any girl friends.
Jamie sits upright. "I didn't" he answered sounding hurt and confused. At least, he didn't think he did. Riley didn't seem interested in hanging out with him and Madison. It wasn't like he purposely tried to exclude her.
"Yes, you did. You went off with Madison and ignored Riley. That's why she and Aunt Brooke went out" Haley insisted trying to get her son to fess up.
Jamie shrugged. "I didn't mean to. Madison wanted to hang out with me" the nine year old replied his green eyes suddenly becoming clouded with sadness.
Nathan looks at Haley and shrugs. How can a guy say no to their own girlfriend? That's suicide. Haley gives her husband a warning look to watch what he plans on saying. She's had enough of this macho crap to last her a lifetime.
"The party was for Riley. We were there to welcome her into our family" Haley shakes her head angrily. "I knew we shouldn't have let you bring a friend. Jimmy-Jam, you might not have meant to exclude Riley, but you did" the mother explained kindly.
"Madison wanted to come" Jamie answered giving his father a pleading look to help his case. "I couldn't say no."
"You could have and you know it" Haley argued raising her voice, slightly. The mother sighs, when she sees the look that flashes through Jamie's eyes; she hadn't meant to upset him, all Haley wanted was for Jamie to explain why he and Madison ditched Riley.
"Madison's my girlfriend, Momma" Nathan smiles and tries not to laugh at his nine year old son's statement.
Haley resists the urge to roll her eyes. "Next time, try to include everyone, okay? I love you, night Jamie" she kisses the top of his head.
Nathan waits until Haley is out of the room. "I get that you wanted to hang out with Madison, but at school try to include Riley in your group or something" Nathan offered meaningfully. "She's new, Jamie and probably wants a friend" his father added.
"I will, but…I really didn't think I wasn't excluding her" Jamie sighs. "Madison just wanted to hang out with me. I couldn't say no" he answered sadly.
"Us Scott men and their women, hu?" he remarked jokingly. Jamie shrugs and watches his father exit his bedroom.
"Why can't I stay?" Chuck whined as Chase pulls up at his house. Alex looks in the rearview mirror briefly remembering moments like this when she still resided in Tree Hill.
Chase taps his fingers against the steering wheel. "Because your mother wants you home" the older man answered sighing in annoyance. As much as he loves Chuck, the kid could give God a head-ache.
"My mother is probably passed out drunk somewhere" Chuck corrected causing both adults to whirl in shock.
Chuck doesn't say anything for a moment. A few months after his Dad got arrested for domestic abuse. Mom went back to work, but the stress of working and being a single parent is weighing down are her and she drinks to relieve the stress.
"What are you talking about, Chuck?" Chase demanded locking the doors and turning to stare at his 'little' brother.
"Mom drinks, okay? You know that…after Dad got sent to jail, she just started drinking more and it sucks" the fourth grader answered feeling guilty.
Alex turns to look at the boy in concern. "Chuck, I have a few friends that could help your mom" she offered remembering the AA programs she attended. They really did help and she's been sober for almost three years.
"No, it's okay. She just gets stressed" Chuck grins crookedly. "Where have you been? Getting naughty" the boy teased wanting to change the subject.
"Chuck" Chase warned.
"What? That's what the tabloids said" the blonde boy looks up with an innocent smirk.
"Tabloids aren't all true" Alex answered calmly. "Chuck, I'm serious. If you need help, just call. I still have the same number as I did, before."
Chuck nods and rolls his eyes. He's heard this speech about a million times and he doesn't need help. If he did, he wouldn't ask for it, that's what sissies do. Chase gets out and opens the car door for Chuck. The nine year old quickly exits the vehicle. "Chuck, if something's going on at home, you know you can tell me" Chase said ruffling his short blonde hair.
"I know and if there was, I'd tell you" Chuck lied; if he tells Chase what's going on, then it'll most likely end badly for his Mom. She's doing the best she can; it's just hard being a single parent.
Chase watches the boy head inside, honestly worried about Chuck's well-being. Chuck's mother isn't exactly a stable person. She hasn't been in a long time. He figured that out when she tried to defend his father.
"Is Chuck okay?" Alex asked looking concerned. She hasn't seen Chuck in quite some time, but that kid has always worried her whether it be his home or school life.
"I don't know" Chase shakes his head. "What are you doing back, Alex? What do you want?" he demanded softly.
"For us to become friends again" Alex takes a deep breath trying to conceal her tears. "I've missed you Chase" she admitted honestly.
"I've missed you too, but I learned to get over you. I get why you left, you had an album and tour, but you could've at least had the guts to tell me in person" Chase remarked not meaning to sound as cruel.
Alex nods, he has a point. "I know I'm so sorry" she said feeling hot tears press against the walls of her eyes.
Chase pinches the bridge of his nose. "You know what, I've learned that sometimes friends make mistakes and the only way we can be friends is if I forgive you" Chase answered wanting to let go of everything that's happened over the past few years.
"Thanks, you don't know what this means to me" Alex smiles gratefully; she hadn't expected Chase to be so agreeable.
"I'm not saying I want to go back to how things were" Chase replied. "I just want us to be friends again."
"I get it" Alex murmured. "Chase, some of the tabloids were true. My newest album is tanking and…I just couldn't do it anymore. I had to come back home."
"You could always do it, Alex" the former boyfriend said. "Come by Tric tonight, free drinks on me; friends only."
"What are we a club?" Alex joked half-hoping he considers her a friend.
"Yeah, you, me and Chuck" Chase answered wondering how the hell he's going to tell Chris about this.
"Not a bad club. I'll see you tonight. Don't worry; I won't try to seduce you or anything" Alex giggled getting out of the vehicle and entering the hotel.
Chase rolls his eyes and puts his car in drive. He can't help secretly wondering what in the hell he's going to wear tonight. Damn, that stupid actress, singer Alex Dupre has that affect on him.
Brooke reaches over to tuck the child in. She hesitates, wondering if it's too early to tuck her in. Shaking away her doubts, the foster parent tucks her daughter in. Julian watches with a smile, he knew they'd be okay. They always are; Julian wonders what it's going to be like having a daughter. He hadn't thought about the stress girls bring until right about now; boys, weird hormones, boys...Julian rubs his temple and turns his attention onto the nine year old.
Riley tries not to look stunned. "Did you have fun today?" Julian asked trying to forget his up-coming worries and focus on the present.
The little girl nods kindly, not wanting to answer him. Saying goodbye to Grams, Austin, and Nat was the worst. Actually, the child realizes she didn't say goodbye to Grams or Natalie. Grams might not even know she's gone. Honestly, the party was kind of uncomfortable. It felt like she got dropped in a new planet where everyone speaks a different language, she hasn't learned. The only fun part of her day was playing with Brooke, Julian, Jude and Davis. Riley didn't mind hanging out with Jamie for awhile, but being with the Bakers was nice. It felt extremely Hallmark.
"Good" Julian lets out a breath of relief. "What do you want to do tomorrow?" he asked curiously.
"I don't know" Riley answered, she was thinking about exploring Tree Hill and getting a feel for the area; maybe, checking out local train stations or something. Not to skip out, just to go exploring and stuff.
"I could take you to Baker Man" Brooke offered causing Riley to grin at the thought.
"Do you own a bakery?" the nine year old looks excited. Eating cookies and other treats all day sounds like a great plan.
Brooke grins and shakes her head. "No, I own a clothing store. We can find something for you if you want" the foster parent said her smile widening.
Riley glances at the cluster of suitcases by her bed. "I have clothes" she reminded both parents who share a look; they don't want to say it, but Riley's clothes look like handy-me-downs from a thrift shop. She needs new clothes and maybe a hair-cut as well.
"There's nothing wrong with having more clothes, right?" Brooke asked with an excited smile; Riley will defidently look amazing in any of her designs.
"Don't waste your money on me" Riley shakes her head not wanting anything from them. When they start to figure out how much trouble she is, they're just going to give her up and after, Riley doesn't want to remember them.
"You aren't a waste" Brooke stated firmly as Julian nods in full agreement. Julian wonders if maybe, they should try putting her in therapy or something. Julian shakes it off hoping she's just nervous about the move.
"But, it's your money."
Julian smiles down at her. "Riley, it's very thoughtful for you to think about our expenses, but how about we worry about money and you just be a kid" he offered as the little girl chews on her lower lip.
"You'd look totally amazing and adorable. Trust me; you'd be doing me a big favor by wearing one of my designs" Brooke explained smoothing out the little girl's hair.
"Okay" she sounds unsure.
Brooke grins looking pleased with this answer. "Night Riley" both parents ruffle the top of her head and exit the bedroom.
Riley pushes the covers off and glances out of the window. She lifts the window open and feels the wind kiss her cheek. She climbs onto the roof, swinging her feet back and forth.
The fourth grader closes her eyes and stares up at the sky. "Hi Grams, I know you didn't believe in heaven, but you had to go someplace. I'm probably not gonna start going to church, but still…it sucks. I miss you a lot. I betcha Mum does too…I'll talk to you tomorrow. Love you, Grammy" Riley promised crawling back into the bedroom.