A/N: Thank you all for your wonderful reviews, they are always inspiring. I hope you enjoy the next part of the story... thank you for reading.

Sometimes Love's Rose Is Covered In Thorns

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(Love is much like a wild rose. ~Mark Overby)


Brooke sat in the wicker chair by the living room window, looking out at the sky; her mind lost in deep thought. She pulled the blanket up around her shoulders as she felt a chill run through her, a symptom that occurred whenever an image of that night assaulted her thoughts. Even though it was getting easier, she was still haunted by his grey eyes and the feeling of helplessness.

She'd woken up out of a deep slumber by the nightmares when it was still dark outside and soon found herself downstairs, watching the sun come up from this very spot, thinking of all that had happened since she returned to Tree Hill.

"Hey," Rachel said as she came downstairs. "Have you been down here all night?" She took a seat on the couch.

Brooke nodded. "Couldn't really sleep," she got up and took a seat next to her friend, sharing her blanket. "You're up early."

"Yeah," as if on cue, she yawned. "Was it the store? It must have been difficult being back there again."

"It was," she let out a deep breath. "There were times when it would just hit me and for a second, I was back there." She shook her head. "I feel like I should be over it already, like I'm taking too long to let it go."

"Are you kidding me?" Rachel looked at her incredulously. "When it happened to me, I sought out drugs to numb it along with the rest of my issues and I OD'ed a year and a half later. I couldn't even remember most of it from whatever was in my drink but I couldn't even face that." She shook her head as her eyes began to water. "You, Brooke Davis are doing great. You have faced this head on and you haven't let it stop you. Look, there's no time table on how long it affects you." She wiped away a stray tear and shrugged heavily. "I think it changes you but it doesn't have to be for the worse or that SOB wins. You make it change you for the better so you're no longer his or anyone's victim. That's what I'm trying to do."

The brunette nodded, suddenly feeling better. She wouldn't wish this on any woman, or any person for that matter, but she found comfort knowing she wasn't alone in this; that Rachel understood what she was feeling. "I guess those counselors at Promises were pretty good."

"The best money can buy," she smiled. "Your first therapy session is today right, with the shrink Haley recommended?

"Yeah," she answered. "And believe me; I just got something else to talk about in therapy."

"What?" the red head asked.

"Well," she took a deep breath before she began. "Lucas just sprung on me that he went to see Dr. Caspian."

Rachel looked perplexed. "Am I supposed to know who we're talking about here?"

"He's a fertility specialist I was working with about possibly getting in vitro," she explained.

"Why would Lucas go to…" Rachel stopped mid-sentence. "You can't be saying what I think you are."

"Lucas left a sample with him to use when I'm ready," she looked at her friend to say something but was met by silence. "Rachel, are you going to say something?"

The red head looked upwards before her gaze finally returned to the brunette. "I think for the first time ever, I have no idea what to say." She paused briefly. "Wait… no, still nothing."

"Rach," she pleaded. "It's not like I can talk about this to my other best friend, especially when I'm not sure what I'm going to do. What he's offering me is amazing but it's so complicated."

"No I guess you can't say, Hey Peyton, Lucas offered to be my baby's daddy. What's up with you?" Rachel laughed.

"He's not going to be the daddy or father," she shook her head. "He'll just be the donor and stop laughing." She shot her a stern look.

Rachel's look and continued laughter showed she really didn't believe her. "Okay," she took a deep breath as her laughter subsided. "You and Lucas are pretty close, you run in the same circle of friends. There is no way he won't be in your child's life."

"Well he can be an uncle just like Nathan will be," Brooke said it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "You know, like I'm Jamie's aunt."

"Only Nathan will actually be your child's uncle," Rachel pointed out. "Although I guess it's no weirder than The Scott Family is already. I mean when you think about it, Luke's sister is actually his first cousin too. I wonder what that'll make her to your baby."

"Confused," Brooke placed her head in her hands wearily. "I suddenly have a headache."

Rachel nodded. "I can see why."

Peyton awoke to the sunlight filtering through the blinds, causing the warm light to bathe her face. She rolled away from the window, blinking a few times as the fuzzy images before her became clearer and she suddenly remembered where she was.

She slowly got out of bed and made her way down the stairs, following the smell of coffee and the laughter coming from downstairs. She ran her fingers through her hair to smooth it before walking into the kitchen.

"Good morning sleepy head," Jake flashed her a smile as he poured some coffee into a mug.

"Peyton," Jenny jumped into her arms.

"Good morning sweetheart," the older blonde said before giving the younger one a kiss on the cheek and putting her back down. "Morning Jake," she smiled at him brightly.

"Here," he handed her the mug.

"Mmm," she said after taking a sip. "It's perfect, just like I like it." Peyton sat down at the already set table, smiling as Jenny stole a piece of bacon off the plate in the middle of the table.

"I remember," Jake said as he walked back to the stove, placing the remaining pancakes on the plate. "Here we are," he said as he placed the platter in the middle of the table and fixed Jenny's plate, before making his own.

"My dad makes the best blueberry pancakes ever," Jenny bragged before taking a bite.

"I remember," Peyton's eyes met Jakes briefly before settling on her own plate and taking a bite.

"Do you cook Peyton?" the young girl asked with a syrupy smile.

"I hope better than you did," Jake laughed as Peyton feigned insult. "You remember that time with the French toast."

"What happened?" Jenny looked at her father.

"Morning," Peyton smiled as Jake entered the kitchen.

"Good morning," he wrapped his arms around her from behind and waited for her to turn in his arms so he could kiss her. "Jenny's still asllep."

"I know," she picked up the baby monitor on the counter and shook it. "I've been listening out."

"And cooking breakfast?" he pulled back to look at her. "You're amazing." He reached up to stroke her hair.

She could feel the blood rsh to her cheek as a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "So are you," she placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back playfully. "Now go sit down, I made you breakfast."

Jake did as he was told, watching from his seat as she arranged the triangles on the plate and placed the sliced strawberries on top.

"Its cinnamon-sugar French toast," she announced happily as she sat the plate down in front of him. "I just wanted to do something nice for you for once. When you showed up the other night, you don't know what that did for me." She shook her head. "Anyway, eat up."

Jake smiled as he cut off a piece with his fork before taking a bite. His eyes went wide as he forced himself to swallow.

"Good right?" her green eyes looked up at him. "My mom used to make it when I was little and it was my favorite."

"Really?" he nodded as he made himself take another bite. "I've never tasted anything like it." Jake took a long drink from the glass in front of him.

"I'm so glad you like it," Peyton said happily as she watched him eat.

"Mmm," he managed to say in between bites.

"Well you look like you're enjoying it so much," she grabbed an extra fork. "Why don't I just take a bite?"

"Peyton, wait!" Jake tried to stop her but it was already in her mouth.

She ran to the sink and spit it out. "Oh god, that's awful! Why didn't you tell me?"

He cleared his throat. "You just seemed so happy; I didn't want to hurt your feelings." They both turned as they heard Jenny said "Dada" over the monitor. "I'll be right back."

Within a few minutes Peyton watched Jake returned with Jenny in his arms. "You hungry baby girl?" she smile at him apologetically. "I'm so sorry." She held up two bottle both filled with a grainy white substance. "It seems I used salt instead of sugar."

"Peyton, it's fine." Jake laughed as he fixed Jenny some cheerios. "Believe me, it's a breakfast I'll never forget."

"Great," she huffed before giving a short laugh.

"Hey," Jake waited for her to look at him. "It one of the best breakfasts I've had in a long time," he paused as he glanced down at the baby in his arms before looking back at her, "because I'm with my two favorite girls."

Peyton smiled to herself as she looked at the man and child in front of her, sure that if this was what her future held, she would be happy.

"It was still one of the best breakfasts I've ever had," Jake's voice brought her back to the present.

Peyton once again smiled at Jake and Jenny. "Me too," she said softly as his eyes met hers. "And so is this." As she sat there, she wondered again if this could be her future or if her future was wih Lucas.

Lucas sat in front of his laptop, staring at the blank screen. He hadn't been able to write a thing. As much as he wanted to and as much as he had to say, he was afraid that anything he would write would reveal what he was feeling subconsciously, the way it had with The Comet. Only it hadn't been Peyton he longed for. After all, why would you long for something you already knew was yours? It isn't that he doesn't love Peyton, because he sure that he does. He just has never longed for Peyton the way he longed for her. He wanted to be the guy for her and she had forced him to see that he wasn't; she'd come into his life like a shooting star and faded away suddenly. It had happened to him twice and that was a miracle. The odds that his comet would return a third time were basically nonexistent.

Lucas reached for the cell phone on the table as it started buzzing. "Hello."

"Hi Lucas," Lindsay spoke in a business tone. "I wanted to make sure you got my email with the book tour dates."

"I'm in front of my computer right now; give me a minute." He said as he began typing. "Lindsay."

"Yes Lucas?" she answered.

"I just wanted to say I'm sorry," Lucas paused briefly. "I'm sorry about the way I told you about me and…"

"That's not what I called about," Lindsay interrupted. "This is about business and business only. Do you see the schedule I sent you or not?"

"Yeah," he answered, unable to stop the guilt ridden feeling that washed over him. "Yeah, I see it here. So this is over the course of eight weeks then?"

"Starting Monday," Lindsay said firmly. "I hope it's not too little notice but the publicists think we should move on this while the buzz is fresh." She paused briefly. "Is that a problem?"

"No," Lucas answered. "I think that sounds fine."

"Good," her voice never lost it's formal tone. "So the dates are all there and we will kick off in Seattle. Matt and I will meet you there and I'll have my secretary email you your flight information later today. If you have any questions, call Matt. See you then."

"See you…" Lucas stopped as her heard the line click. "Then," he whispered as he put the phone down.

Haley walked inside her house, dropping her cache case on the table in the kitchen. The house was dark except for an amber light glowing down the hall. She looked around but walked forwards despite her reservations, and realized the light was coming from two rows of candles lined against the wall, white and red rose petals strewn down the middle as she walked on them like a carpet. When she got to the end, she saw a red envelop taped to the banister by the stairs. Haley rose an eyebrow as she took the note out:

Welcome home Mrs. Scott,

Jamie's at a sleepover and my mother is out

for the night. Meet me upstairs in the bedroom.

~Nathan

Haley smiled to herself as she followed the rose petals up the stairs and to her bedroom door where there was another note tapped to the door saying wear this. Haley picked up the bag and changed right in the hallway. She smiled as she read the Clothes Ova Bros label as she slipped on a tasteful but sexy white and turquoise baby doll teddy set.

She opened the door and stepped inside slowly, noticing how the room seemed drenched in the amber glow from the candlelight; the scented aroma of honeysuckle they seemed to be emitting. The bed as well as the table was covered in red and white rose petals, and in the middle of the table sat champagne and two flutes. She stepped completely inside and found Nathan standing in the doorway of the bathroom, his deep blue eyes an ocean of love as he looked at her.

"Oh Nathan," she walked over to him and stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. "This is amazing… I don't know what to say."

"I know things have been crazy lately with my dad's passing and everything else. And it'll probably only get crazier with me starting practice next week so I wanted to do something, for us." He smiled at her. "You take care of me and Jamie and Lucas and you've been helping Brooke with the store. Tonight is about taking care of you." He stroked her cheek lovingly, "My beautiful, amazing, hot wife." He flashed her his famous grin as he took her hand and lead her to the bed. "Lay on your stomach."

"What are you up to Nathan Scott?" she asked but did as she was told.

Nathan reached for the body oil on the night stand and poured some in his hands, rubbing it into her shoulders. He smiled as she let out a satisfied moan. "Nice?"

"Very," she said as she closed her eyes. "Maybe you should do this as a living instead."

"I don't think you want me to," he said as pulled up her top, rubbing her lower back. He bent down and placed a kiss on the number 23 on her back before kissing her neck. "Your tattoo still drives me crazy."

Haley flipped underneath him and looked up into his eyes. "You drive me crazy; come here" she winked at him before pulling his head back down to capture his lips with her own in a sensual kiss.

Deb sat on a rock overlooking the ocean. She had promised Nathan she'd be out all night, giving him and Haley some much needed alone time. She watched as the waves crashed higher and higher, her mind drifting back to Nathan's words about that wrestler and the scene she'd seen at the park today. Skills was there with Mouth, Millicent, and Fergie. A part of her wanted to go over there but something stopped her. As she watched from a distance, she saw Cassie approach and she noticed how natural she looked with him, with all of them. Deb felt she'd never look like she'd fit in with them; they were all young enough to be her children. As she stared off into the deep recesses of the moonlit ocean, she couldn't shake the fact that she'd always be an outsider from Skills' life.

"Hey baby," Skills sat down next to her. "What are you thinking about?"

"You," she was still looking at the water. "Us."

"Hey," he reached over to grab her hand. "I haven't heard from you in a couple days; what's going on?"

"How did you know I was here?" she ignored his question.

"I saw Nate earlier and he mentioned he was planning something for Haley and you and Jamie weren't going to be home tonight," he turned to look at her. "I took a gamble; figured you'd show up here before you went to wherever." He took a breath. "Why didn't you call me?"

"I'm just going to stay at the beach house," she glanced at him.

"That's not what I'm talking about," he replied. "Ever since Cassandra showed up, it seems like you've been avoiding me."

"I was just trying to give you some time to sort out your feelings," Deb shrugged. "Decide what you wanted to do."

"I don't need to decide anything," Skills said firmly as he reached up, turning her face towards his. "I'm happy with you."

"She's more your age and she's beautiful," Deb explained. "We have so much working against us; it may be easier for you to be with someone like Cassandra."

"I don't want her, I want you." Skills looked deeply into her eyes. "I want you." He leaned towards her and pressed his lips to her in a deep kiss.

Deb smiled softly as he pulled away. "Take me back to the beach house."

Skills nodded, standing up and reaching his hand out to Deb to help her up. She held onto his arm as they strolled along the beach to their destination. Deb knew that there was a big chance this could never work, but she'd worry about that tomorrow. Tonight, she was going to be in the arms of the man she just realized she loves.

Peyton got out of her car and strolled up to the house she'd come to think of as her own. She'd just finished seeing her brother Derrick and got him to agree to meet with Mick tomorrow. She knew that maybe it was unrealistic to think they could all bury the hatchet and become this happy family but she was going to try. Ellie had taught her what it meant to let someone in you didn't want to at first and that her biological family didn't take away from her adoptive family and what they meant to her. There was room enough in Peyton's life for both and she hoped the same in Derrick's life concerning Mick.

Peyton entered the house with her key, staying quiet as she heard someone finishing up on the phone.

"Yes, I'll be there first thing Wednesday morning. Thank you." Brooke said before hanging up the phone.

"Brooke," Peyton called out to the woman who'd been her best friend for most of her life.

"Peyton," the brunette turned around."Hi." She looked a bit taken back.

"I hope you don't mind, I used the key you gave me." Peyton held the item up.

"No, it's fine." She shook her head. "It startled me for a minute."

"I'm sorry," Peyton replied. "I should've called first."

"It's fine Peyt, really." Brooke said. "I think I'll be sort of jumpy for a while."

"That's understandable." Peyton shook her head. "Maybe, I should just… you know what, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come."

"Peyton wait," Brooke paused briefly. "You look upset. What's wrong?"

"This probably isn't the right time," the blonde exhaled. "But… it's Lucas and you and me; this never ending triangle. I just, I need to ask you something?"

"I'm sorry if I've leaned on him too much," Brooke replied. "But there is no triangle Peyton. There is nothing going on between me and Luke, I swear."

"I believe that. I know you Brooke and I know you'd never do that," Peyton shook her head. "But that's not the question I had to ask you."

"Oh, okay." Brooke nodded. "What is it?"

"I just want you to answer me honestly and whatever the answer is, it won't change the fact that you are my best friend, okay." Peyton exhaled deeply, unsure now if she even wanted to ask it. "Brooke, are you still in love with Lucas?"

Mark Overby wrote, "Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense."