Brooke was standing at the counter in Baker Man. Her brown hair was pulled into a low chignon, and she was dressed in a lace, cream colored maxi dress. Slowly, I started to walk up to her, my subconscious telling me to turn around with every step. If I go through with this, it means that my suspicions could turn out to be true. That my mom might not really be my mom, and this stranger before me is.
"Brooke?" I breathed.
"Oh, hey Gem," She said, looking up from her sketchpad, "what's up?"
"I-I need to talk to you."
She gave me a quizzical look. "Alright," she smiled, "here just let me lock up, and we'll go get a coffee at Karen's café."
When we were finally seated in a booth across the street, I took a deep breath and prepared for the worst. "So I have something I need to ask you," my voice shook.
"Okay?" She laughed, "What's wrong? You're acting funny? Do you need help with a cyber-stalker? Because I've had experience with them, and Peyton and I can kick some cyber ass so all you have to do is tell us and-"
"No, no it's not a cyber-stalker." I assured her, my heart cracked a little with the thought of Peyton.
"Then what is it kid?" She said, softer now. "You're freaking me out."
I looked into her eyes and for a moment all I wanted to do was turn around and run out of Karen's Café. What if she denied it? What if she didn't want to be my mother? I didn't want to leave here feeling like an idiot, so I decided to take a different route, and see if I could get it out of her without me having to admit it.
"I know." I said simply, trying to put on a stern face.
Brooke's smile dropped, and she paled. "Know what?" She whispered.
"About you," I pushed, not sure of what to say next, "and Lucas… and me."
"He told you?" She asked, her eyes were starting to water.
"No," I looked down, "I figured it out on my own."
"I don't know what to say." She whimpered, putting her face in her hands. "I've wanted to tell you for so long Gemma, really I have. But you have to understand, your mother was ready for you, I- I was just a kid, and so was Lucas. I mean, we were all the same age, but your mother wanted a family, and she was prepared to give that to you. She was a really good friend to me, your mom."
"So it's true!" I hissed, pushing myself up, I tore for the exit.
"Gemma wait!" Brooke cried, running after me. I stumbled onto the street, and ran. It was true, and now I couldn't go back. "Gemma, please!" Brooke caught up to me, and grabbed my hand, forcing me to stop.
"Just hear me out, ok?" She said, placing both of her hands on my shoulders. I was shaking, and I couldn't look at her without bursting into tears. "I was going to tell you, but I was waiting for your father to tell Peyton. And I realize now, that wasn't fair to you, if anyone had the right to know first it was you. I know I said I wasn't ready then Gemma, but…," tears started to run down her cheeks, "but I am now."
"Ready for what?" I wailed, "Ready to tell the entire town who I really am?"
"No, not just that. I'm ready to be your mom, Gemma, the mom you deserve. I mean it, you could move in with me, if you want. I'll give you anything you want Gemma, just say yes."
"You," I said, pointing my finger in her face, "are not my mom, and never will be."
Peyton cried. Brooke must have called Lucas and demanded he tell Peyton. It was midnight, when I felt something tugging the covers on my bed. Groggily I pushed myself up and rubbed my eyes.
"Emma?" Came a small whimper.
"Sawyer? What are you doing up?" I pulled the little blonde up onto my bed, and set her down next to me.
She wrapped her tiny arms around me. "Why is mommy so sad?"
"I – I'm not sure," I said slowly. I felt so guilty, Peyton wouldn't be crying right now if it weren't for me freaking out at Brooke.
"I don't like it when mommy cries." Sawyer whispered.
"Neither do I." I said softly, I hugged Sawyer closer to me. This whole situation might thoroughly suck, but at least I got a baby sister out of it, and, well, I've got Mather too. "Why don't you just sit tight," I told her as I slid out of bed, "I'll be right back."
I marched into the living room where Lucas was asleep on the couch. "Get up," I said, pushing him.
"Gemma?" He asked, sleepily. "What's wrong?" He reached out for me and I stepped away.
"Don't," I said sternly, "I'm not just mad at Brooke, ok? You're just as much to blame. But I care about Peyton, and Sawyer, and I don't want them to be miserable because of me."
"What are you talking about? This isn't your fault."
"I want you to call Brooke in the morning and tell her that I want to move in with her, and then I want you to fix things with Peyton." I started to head back to my bedroom.
"Gemma, no. This is your home, you don't have to leave." He said to my back.
"You're right," I replied, "I don't have to, I want to."