Hailey's house was huge. However, unlike most mansions, it was comfortable, lived in. The walls were painted warm, neutral colors, of tan and light green. The same went for the furniture, it was cozy. I found myself marveling at a family photo of the Scott's together on a basketball court. They were all grinning, in matching red Christmas jumpers.
"Don't let the smiles fool you, those sweaters were hell," I whirled around to find a guy behind me. No, not any guy, he was familiar. With light brown hair, and light green eyes.
"Jamie?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"In the flesh." He grinned. So this was him, my older cousin. I could see why Lennie liked him, he was handsome, and older. If I remembered correctly, he was in his first year of college in Charleston. "And you must be Gemma, how are you liking Tree Hill?"
"It's nice," I smiled politely.
"You'll learn to love it," he said, "We're a family here in Tree Hill."
"So I've heard." I replied, suddenly I felt someone's small hands wrap around my wrist.
"Hey you two," Lennie beamed, she moved away from me and kissed Jamie on the cheek. She looked stunning, her red hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail and she had on a navy blue sweater dress, with black tights and booties. I looked down at my burgundy colored peasant top, and True Religion jeans, self-consciously wrapping my arms around myself. I was going to have to do some research on southern belle style.
"Lennie, what are you," I stopped, "right, family dinner almost forgot." She chuckled and gave me a warm smile. "You're catching on." Excusing myself, I made my way over to my father, who was standing by the kitchen counter with Brooke. They must have not noticed me, because their heads were bent, and their voices hushed.
"I-I almost lost it today," Brooke said, she sounded like she was crying.
"I know, every day I get closer and closer to slipping up." Lucas sighed, "I want to tell her Brooke, but I just don't know where that will leave me and Peyton. I have Sawyer to think about, too."
"Well what do you think this is doing to me?" Brooke gasped, "Seeing her today in my shop, I've dreamed of that moment every night for sixteen years."
A loud bang broke up the conversation, and both of their heads whipped around. "Shit," I whispered, as I stepped away from the potted plant I'd almost knocked over. When Brooke noticed me her eyes widened for a second, but she composed herself and gave me a grin. Shaking off the grim expression he had before, Lucas walked over to me and threw an arm around my shoulder.
"There she is," he said warmly, "the guest of honor." They must have thought I hadn't heard anything, and for the moment I was thankful. That conversation was odd, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to know the whole story behind it. Or if I really wanted to.
During dinner, I couldn't help glancing back and forth between Brooke and Lucas. What did she mean about the girl in her shop? It couldn't have been me, Lucas hadn't even known I'd existed until a month ago, my mother never told him. She couldn't have meant Lennie, Delia, or Piper, she'd known them their whole lives. So if it was me, then why? What was I to her, other than her good friend's daughter? Then I remembered something Lennie had said earlier in Baker Man.
"Lennie," I whispered, she was seated next to me. "What did you mean when you said that Brooke and Lucas were close friends?"
"You don't know?" She giggled, "They used to date in high school, and it was like a big love triangle between them and Peyton. It's in his book." I looked away, feeling a bit uneasy.
The next day I found myself sitting on a park bench on the river court. Lucas had showed it to me the day I arrived, and I figured I might as well check it out. I had spent all of last night reading Lucas's book, trying to figure things out. The river court almost felt like a part of me, my history, I guess.
"Oh, fancy seeing you here," I turned to see Mather walking towards me, a basketball in hand. He looked adorable in a light blue tee, and basketball shorts. "Likewise," I smiled.
"You play?" He said, gesturing to the ball.
"A little," I smiled, pushing myself up, "first person to get ten wins."
"You're on," he grinned.
One hour, and three games later, Mather and laid back on the cold cement. Breathing heavy, and smiling. "Two out of three," He laughed, "you are your father's daughter."Something inside me twisted with those words. I felt tears starting to well up in my eyes.
"Hey, Archer, what's wrong?" Mather asked, pushing himself up with his elbow and leaning towards me. He placed his warm hand on my arm.
"I just," I sputtered, "I just don't know whose daughter I am anymore."
"What do you mean?"
"Never mind, I didn't mean to ruin you day with me crying like a basket case." I tried to laugh, as I pushed myself up but it came out as more of a choked whimper. Mather grabbed my arm, and pulled me to him. I tried to squirm away, but he didn't let go.
"You can tell me," he said, "I know what it's like to have no one to talk to, and I'm telling you that I'll be your one. I will listen." I looked up into his brown eyes, they were so sincere. So I broke down, right there on the river court in Mather's arms. I told him about how much I missed France, about how scared I was about having a new family. About the conversation I overheard between Brooke and Lucas. He didn't stop me, he just nodded, and hugged me when I started to cry.
"I mean, I guess it could be possible," he finally said, after I had finished. "Brooke and Lucas had been together after high school, she could have had you then."
"So you don't think I'm crazy?" I asked, "For thinking Brooke Davis might be my birth mother?"
"Of course not, honestly, I couldn't see why not. You look just like Lucas and Brooke, you're like the perfect mix."
Pulling my knees to my chest, I heaved a sigh. "So do you think I should talk to her?"
"Yeah, you owe it to yourself, Gemma. And as soon as you do, I'm taking you out to dinner."
"What?" I said, turning to look at him. Mather was grinning, "you heard me, I'm taking you out to dinner, Archer."
"You called me Gemma," I laughed.
"C'mon, Archer, you need a ride home?" Mather asked, pushing himself up and offering his hand.
"Yeah," I said, taking his hand, "but can you drop me off at town square, there is someone I need to talk to."