A/N: Thank you all for the awesome reviews. And thanks to my beta: Leeese!
Disclaimer: Don't own OTH
Chapter Twenty Seven
Peyton was just relaxing when she heard the doorbell ringing. She got up from the couch and walked to the front door. She pulled it open and was surprised to see Brooke. "Can I come in? I think we need to talk," Brooke said.
Peyton nodded and let her walk into the apartment before she closed the door. At first, she didn't know what to say. She then decided to be a good hostess. "Can I get you anything?" she offered as they walked into the living room.
Brooke shook her head. "No, thank you," she replied as they sat down on the couch. There was an awkward silence before she spoke again. "Peyton, I never got to thank you for your help in rescuing me. If it wasn't for you, the police probably wouldn't have found the location as quick as they did. I probably would have lost the other baby, not to mention my own life."
"I don't deserve your forgiveness," Peyton said. "I sold my new friend out for money."
"But you tried to make it right," Brooke pointed out. "That's a plus in my book. Besides, it's better to forgive than hold a grudge."
Peyton sighed. "I wish that everyone felt the same way as you do," she said as she got up from the couch and walked to the front window. "Jake hates me. Although, I can't say that I blame him. I was a backstabbing two faced bitch."
"Well, maybe you need to prove that you aren't that girl anymore," Brooke suggested. There was a short pause before she spoke. "Once Haley has safely returned, Lucas and I are planning to get married again. This time, it will be in front of our family and friends. I would love it if you would be one of my bridesmaids."
Peyton sighed. "I don't know. I think I need some time to think about it."
Brooke nodded understandingly. She then felt a sudden urge and made a face. "Do you mind if I use your bathroom?" she asked her as she got up from her place on the couch. Peyton shook her head before directing her to the bathroom. "Thanks. I'll be right back," she told her as she hurried down the hall.
Peyton couldn't help but smile in amusement. She waited patiently until Brooke came back in. "So did you and Lucas find out whether you're having a boy or girl?" she asked her anxiously.
Brooke gave her a wide smile. "We're going to find that out this week. Lucas and I are so excited. We really hope that it's a boy. Especially since I'm dying to start getting the nursery ready. But I didn't want to start working on the colors for it until we were absolutely positive that it was a boy," she replied.
"What about a middle name?" Peyton asked. "Did you guys ever decide on that?"
"Actually, we have. We just don't want to tell anybody just yet. We want to wait until Haley is back safe and sound. After all, we're going to have a lot to celebrate."
Peyton nodded understandingly. "I'm sure you will. I'm just not sure if I should be part of the celebration."
"Well, we want you to," Brooke gently replied. "And I'm sure Jake would too. Lucas and I made up. And Naley did. So there is no reason why you and Jake can't make up."
"The only problem is that we haven't seen each other since I moved out," Peyton replied. "Look, can we just change the subject? I really don't want to discuss it anymore."
Brooke then knew the conversation was closed. She then looked around the place. "You know, I really like your new apartment. Lucas and I are planning to save up for a house in a couple of years. An apartment is nice, but we want to make sure that our family is going to have plenty of room, space and privacy."
Peyton raised her eyebrows in surprise. "How many kids are you and Lucas planning to have?" Brooke didn't have a chance to respond as Peyton went on. "I'm sorry. That's none of my business. Neither was your sex life. I don't know why I was so interested in your sex life with Lucas. I guess it was because I never thought that Lucas would jump into a relationship like that."
Brooke gave her a reassuring smile. "It's ok, Peyton. I didn't think that I would fall for Lucas as fast as I did either," she replied. "But I'm glad that I did." She then looked at the time. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. I have a dinner date with Lucas. And it takes me forever to find a dress. I don't know what I'm going to do when I start to really show."
"It's ok. I understand," Peyton said as she led her to the door. "Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it."
Brooke then thought for a moment before speaking again. "Do you think you can come over and help me pick the right outfit? Normally, I would ask Haley." She didn't finish her explanation. She didn't have to.
Peyton nodded. "Yeah, I would be happy to help. I'll be over there in a little bit." Before Brooke could respond, Peyton spoke up first. "No thanks necessary. And I will think about being in the wedding," Peyton promised her. They then exchanged good-byes before Brooke headed back to her car. Peyton then closed the door after her.
Peyton then heard her cell-phone ringing and checked the caller I.D. She frowned when she saw that it was an unknown number. She decided to just ignore it and get ready to go to Brooke's house instead.
A half hour later, she was finally ready. She headed out of the bathroom and to the kitchen. She frowned when she saw that her car keys weren't on the counter. She knew that she had left them there. She started looking around for them when she heard a familiar voice. "Are you looking for these?"
Peyton turned to see Julian standing in the doorway of the living room, holding up her car keys. "What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded. "The last time I saw you, you were being taken to the jail."
"I'll be asking the questions," Julian replied, avoiding her question. "Why don't you sit down and stay awhile?"
"I'm sorry, but I already made plans. So why don't you give me my keys so I can be on my way?" Peyton asked him. "Or better yet, I can call the cops and tell them where you are." She was about to grab her phone when Julian pulled out his gun and pointed it at her. That stopped her dead in her tracks. She looked at him surprised. "Are you really going to shoot me?"
"I will if I have to," Julian replied. "Now I advise you to put down your phone and come in the living room so we can talk."
Peyton stood there for a moment before putting her phone down on the counter. She then walked past Julian and into the living room. She was barely in the room when another man grabbed her arms and forced them behind her back. The man then tied her wrists with rope, before he roughly pulled her to the couch and pushed her onto it.
"Ok, now where is my money?" Julian demanded as he put his gun away. However, the other man then pointed his gun at her. Peyton gave Julian a confused look. He couldn't tell if she was faking or not. "The money that I gave you that was supposed to be used for your wedding. I assume that you didn't get married. After all, I didn't see a wedding ring on your finger."
"That's none of your business," Peyton snapped. "But if you want your money, then you aren't getting it back."
Julian gave her a look. "Don't tell me that you spent it. Because you are going to pay me back if you did."
"No, I didn't spend it. I gave it to a person who really deserved the money," Peyton replied. "I certainly didn't want it."
Julian glared at her, but he didn't say anything else about it. "So how is the Scott family getting along without Haley?"
Peyton looked at him surprised. "How do you know about that?"
"I have my sources," Julian replied. "Now I know that you don't want to betray them again. But it's very important for me and Ian here to get our revenge on the Scott family. So you are going to help us get them together."
"Never," Peyton exclaimed. "And you won't be able to buy me this time. Nothing would make me help you." They then jumped as they heard Peyton's cell-phone ringing. "That would be Brooke. She is probably wondering where I am."
"Well, let's not keep her waiting then," Julian replied as he brought Peyton to her feet. "Show us the way."
"You do know Lucas will be there right?" Peyton asked.
Julian just smirked at her. "That's good then. All we need then will be Deb and we can get started on our revenge."
"You do realize that you're going to be outnumbered right?" Peyton asked him.
"Why do you think we're bringing Haley with us?" Julian said. "That way, we can get revenge on both Dan and Nathan for betraying us." He then forced Peyton towards the front door and outside to the awaiting car.
Brooke frowned as she hung up the phone. Lucas noticed the look on her face. "What's wrong?" he asked her.
"Nothing. I just thought that Peyton would be here by now," Brooke told him. "I called her cell-phone, but she didn't answer. It finally went to voicemail before I hung up." She then let out a sigh. "Maybe I scared her off with our conversation."
Lucas frowned this time. "I thought that the conversation went well." Brooke knew that he had a point. However, he could see that she was still worried. "Look, I'm sure she's just running late." He then gave her a smile. "While you wait for her, I can keep you company," he said as he gave her a kiss. "Or I can even help you out with deciding what to wear tonight."
Brooke returned the smile. "That's sweet, but I want another woman's opinion." She then looked down at her belly before turning back to her husband. "Will you still love me when I'm fat?"
Lucas gave her a comforting smile as he said, "Of course I will."
Brooke gave him a look. Lucas looked at her confused. He didn't know what he did wrong. "You just admitted that I'm going to become fat," she exclaimed angrily. "How could you say that?"
Lucas was about to protest when he remembered that her hormones were out of whack. "I'm sorry, ok? I will love you, no matter what," he said in a reassuring tone. "And becoming big is just part of being pregnant. It means that you have our healthy baby boy growing inside you."
Brooke gave him another annoyed look. "We haven't had confirmation that our son is growing in here yet," she gently reminded him.
Lucas gave her a smile. "But we will soon," he replied as they shared a passionate kiss. "Then we can start decorating the nursery with everything blue. And we can start buying all the baby stuff like the crib and changing table."
"I can't wait," Brooke told him as she returned the kiss. They then heard a knock at the door. Lucas groaned as Brooke giggled. "That's probably Peyton now. I'll get it." She walked to the front door and opened it. She gave a smile to Peyton. However, her smile quickly vanished as she saw who was with her.
Julian pushed Peyton into the apartment and gestured the girls to sit on the couch. Peyton and Brooke immediately did as they were told. Ian and Xavier then came in as Lucas walked into the room. Lucas didn't even have to ask who they were since he knew Julian. He was about to react when Julian suddenly pointed his gun at him. "Get on the couch and I'll explain everything," he told him.
"I'll do anything you want. Just don't hurt Peyton and Brooke," Lucas replied as he walked over to the couch. He sat down next to his wife and held her protectively. He wasn't going to let her go. "What do you want with us?" Lucas demanded.
"We want revenge on Dan and your brother for betraying us," Julian replied as they heard a struggle coming from outside. The three captives were surprised, but relieved when Owen brought an obviously pregnant Haley into the room.
Owen finally let her go and Haley rushed over to her friends. None of the men object as the hostages stood up and embraced her in a tight hug. "Are you ok?" Lucas asked her. "Those bastards didn't hurt you, did they?"
Haley shook her head. "No, they treated me well. Carrie made sure of that."
Julian then spoke up again. "Now that you're all reunited, why don't you sit back down?" he asked them. "And this will be the first and last time I'm going to ask nicely." The four glared at him, but did what he said. "Now here is how it is going to work. You do what we say. And nobody gets hurt."
"Gee, that worked so well the last time," Haley snapped. Julian gave her a look. "Hey, I can say anything I want. You can't hurt me because I'm still pregnant," she reminded him. "And so is Brooke."
Julian didn't believe her. "What the hell are you talking about?" he asked her. "The last time I heard, she had a miscarriage."
"Not that it's any of your business, but she only lost one of the babies," Lucas replied. "She's still pregnant with the other one."
Ian groaned. "You have to be fucking kidding me," he exclaimed angrily.
Julian ignored him. He thought for a moment before speaking. "Owen, take Haley and Brooke to the master bedroom. You'll be staying there from now on."
Lucas was about to protest when Brooke stopped him. She knew what would happen if he would make any trouble. "I'll be fine," she assured him before giving him a kiss. She then got up from her seat and led Haley and Owen to the master bedroom.
She and Haley were in the room for only a moment before Owen closed the door. Brooke and Haley embraced in another hug before Brooke spoke. "Why did you tell them that I was still pregnant?"
"Because Ian was planning to finish his playtime with you," Haley said. "I heard him bragging about it on the way over here."
"No wonder he was pissed off," Brooke replied as she shuddered. She didn't even want to think about what would have happened if she wasn't pregnant. "What about their revenge on Deb and Lucas? Any idea what they are going to do to them?" she asked, now worried about her husband. "Because it sounds like he will do what he was planning to do with me: have their reward before killing them."
Haley sighed. "I don't know, but whatever it is, it won't be good. Look what they did to you."
Brooke groaned. "Please don't remind me. I was just getting over my kidnapping ordeal. Now I'm dragged right back into it." She decided not to feel sorry for herself. "We have to get word out to my parents, Agent Hargrove and Dan somehow."
Haley frowned. "Dan? Why Dan?"
Brooke gave her a confused look. "Didn't you hear? Dan escaped from prison a couple of weeks ago. We think that he might be on the hunt to help rescue you from Carrie." Haley raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Yeah, I know it might sound crazy. But why else would he escape from jail? He's certainly not to going to help that psycho with killing you. Or his men in killing his family. He loves his family too much for that."
"What about you? He sent his men to kill you," Haley pointed out as she suddenly felt a sharp pain. She groaned out loudly in pain as her hand went to her stomach. Brooke immediately became alarmed. She was about to ask Haley when she answered for her. "I think something's wrong with the baby."
