A/N: Hello readers. As promised here is the next chapter of the story. I'll keep this short and sweet, just wanted to thank all of you who are still interested in this fic and special S/O to those who left reviews/messaged me: RHatch89, Callison, bjq, dianehermans, squaredplanet, Long Live BRUCAS, and arubagirl0926. Hope you all enjoy this next chapter.

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The Secret to Choosing Your Own Path

~The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work… (Oprah Winfrey)

Brooke sat in the rocking chair of her nursery, rocking Keith gently as he nuzzled against her, sucking from her breast greedily. She'd thought breast feeding would be weird before she actually experienced it but now she marveled at its simplistic beauty. For so long her babies had been carried inside of her and depending on her for everything and now even out of the womb, they still depended on her for not only love but the food that would sustain them and help them grow. She sighed heavily, at least Keith did. Though she was ecstatic about bringing her baby boy home she still longed for the day her baby girl would join them.

"Hi," Karen said softly from the doorway. "I didn't realize you were feeding him; Lucas let me in. I'll just come back."

"No," Brooke said louder than she intended, watching as Keith stiffened and then his eyes darted around. "I'm sorry honey," she said soothingly as she looked down at the small child cradled against her before looking up at her mother in law who still lingered in the doorway. "Come in please, we both know I've never been shy."

Karen laughed as she came inside, taking a seat on the footstool. "He gets more handsome every time I see him."

"Yeah he's pretty incredible," Brooke gazed down at her son, adjusting the blanket around him. "He's already so much like Luke, you know. I can tall by the way his eyes look around that he's just taking everything in. He's already my Little Broody." She smiled.

"It's amazing how many characteristics they take on almost immediately from their parents," Karen agreed. "There were things Lucas did, faces he made, that reminded me of the man, the boy Dan once was." She shook her head sadly. "And then there were things, mannerisms he picked up from Keith."

"Keith was a great man," Brooke said with a smile. "Lucas had two wonderful parents who made him the man I love." She looked up at Karen. "Thank you, for giving me Lucas…"

"Thank you for loving my son," she smiled, "and for naming your son after the man I loved." She watched as Brooke smiled and adjusted her son on her shoulder to burp him. "I think he'll live up to the name."

"I think he will too," she rocked her son gently, patting his back before he let out a loud burp, causing both women to laugh. "He's so perfect; I don't want to mess him up."

"You won't," Karen replied reassuringly. "You Brooke Davis-Scott are one of the strongest, most resilient, most resourceful young women I've ever met. Look at all you've accomplished with your company alone." She reached over to hold her daughter in law's hand. "You'll be an even better mother; I know it."

"Was it ever too much for you?" Brooke asked. "Were you ever worried about running your business and being a good mother to Luke? I mean I know you had to run yours to provide for you and Luke but financially I'd be okay."

"Are you thinking about selling your company honey?" the older brunette looked at the younger one inquisitively.

"I don't know," she shook her head. "I want it to succeed but not being there or having anyone I really trust running it…"she trailed off. "I was thinking about going to New York once the babies were strong enough and I just offered Rachel this job but now it seems impossible."

"Nothing is impossible," Karen said in her motherly tone. "You know when Lucas and Keith went to North Carolina I always knew he'd come back but he needed to make that move if only for a little while to find his own way." She paused briefly. "Lucas will have to go to New York soon to edit his book and rather than flying back and forth you both could stay for a little while, until you were sure your company was in great hands."

Brooke nodded. "I'll have to talk about it with Lucas but you may be right; once Kayla is out of the hospital and both the twins are strong enough it may be a good idea." Her eyes looked at up Karen in apprehension. "You won't hate me for taking them away so soon?"

"Of course not," she shook her head. "I had to leave with Lily for my own reasons because it was best at the time for us and you and Lucas will have to do what's best for your family. I just want you to remember something I told Lucas when he was leaving as well."

"What's that?" Brooke asked.

"That you can always come back when you're ready," she smiled. "There's only one Tree Hill and it's your home."

Rachel took the whistling tea pot off of the stove, filling up the large burgundy mug and stirring in the honey before walking back to the living room with it. She sat on the couch quietly next to Owen, offering him the warm beverage.

"Brooke used to make it for me," she offered him a small smile. "The sun's up now."

He took a slow sip. "Thank you," he lifted up the mug, "for this and for staying up with me."

"It's not a problem," she said as she leaned back into the couch. "Everything you told me last night…"

And Owen had shared so much with her last night; how he and his brother had started trying drugs together. That Stephen had started dealing for extra money after their grandmother died. How it had started as just experimenting and ended up spiraling out of control and how during one of Stephen's smaller transports, he'd gone down while Stephen had gotten off scot-free; that Owen had spent almost a year in jail and how he'd gone back to drugs only weeks within being released before finally making the decision to be clean a few short months later. And now the brother who'd betrayed him had come back to tell him the father that abandoned them all wanted to make amends on his deathbed.

"I should've told you all of this before Gattina," he said as he placed the mug on the table. "I'm sorry. You must feel like you're living with a stranger."

"Hey we were separated for a lot of years," Rachel took his hand in hers. "Things were bound to happen, major things. I never really share with you how I got sucked into drugs and what happened when I left here the last time."

"I'd be willing to listen Rach," he replied.

"I know but I think we have other things to deal with right now," she squeezed his hand reassuringly. "I think you should go Owen."

"Rachel," he shook his head adamantly.

"Look this is your chance to put all your demons with him to rest," the red head paused briefly. "Morello, you know I'm right. You want to do this, you're just scared and that's okay but you have another family now, one that will stick by you."

"You and Orianna," he smiled at the thought.

"Not just us but Brooke and Lucas and Peyton and Jake and Naley," she bumped his shoulder gently, "even Deb and Skills. Whether you like it or not you're part of a family now. It can be annoying at times when everyone wants you to stay clean and have a good life but the intentions are good."

"Funny," he bumped her shoulder back.

"Come on," she stood up and held out her hand.

"Where are we going?" he said as he stood up, taking the hand she was offering him.

"To sleep on it," she laughed at the raise of his eyebrows. "Calm down there Casanova, we're just going to take a nap before you have to take Ori to school."

"I love you Rachel," he said as he followed her up the stairs.

She smiled back at him. "I know."

Lucas sat in the office of Tric, going over the movie footage. He was using a non linear digital editing system to go through the movie shot by shot, making minor cuts and fine-tuning as necessary though Suzanne had made most of the adjustments towards the finished product.

Just as he was starting the movie over, his cell phone vibrated next to him. "Hello," he answered as he put the movie on pause.

"Hi Luke," Lindsay's voice carried through the receiver. "How are you?"

"Good," he answered. "Great actually; Keith and Brooke came home yesterday and Kayla's getting stronger everyday."

"I'm glad everything is working out Lucas," she paused briefly. "I really mean that."

"I know you do," he replied, "thank you." A few beats passed before he spoke again. "So, what's up?"

"Right, the reason I called." She gave a slight laugh. "I'm calling for a couple of reasons. First I wanted to see how Brooke and the babies were but we've already covered that."

"And the other reasons?" he inquired.

"I wanted to congratulate you on the movie buzz," Lindsay added, "Julian told me about it; he's pretty excited. And seeing as you'll be done with editing soon and you just emailed saying you were finishing up the second half of your new novel…"

"You want to know when I can be in New York for the editing process," he surmised.

"You know me well Luke," you could hear the smile in her voice. "The company obviously wants to meet to go over a few things and then it will be much like it was before; long hours, fights…"

"It'll feel like we're married," he finished for her. "Great, just what I need: two wives." He laughed boisterously.

Lindsay laughed as well. "Seriously Luke," she paused momentarily, "unless you'd prefer another editor with our history."

"I think we've both moved passed that," he said. "And besides, you're right, I do know you well and you know me too Linds and my work. I trust you with it."

"That's good to hear," she replied. "So discuss it with Brooke and once she's okay with it, we'll set up a date for you to fly up."

"Sounds good," he paused. "And Lindsay, you sound really happy."

"I am," Lindsay said. "I'll talk to you later."

"Bye Lindsay," Lucas replied before hanging up the phone and returning to the work in front of him.

"I still can't believe my mom had a baby," Nathan said as he and his wife strolled through the airport towards the security area. "It's crazy."

"Yeah Jamie refuses to believe she's his aunt," Haley said with a laugh. "She is beautiful though."

"Yeah she is," he replied. "I have a feeling I'm going to be very protective of my little sister."

"You wouldn't be you if you weren't," she smiled as they made their way to the line. "So you'll be back the day before Tree Hill's graduation."

"Yeah," he nodded. "I still can't believe they asked me to be a speaker at this thing."

"You're going to be great," she said before leaning up on her tiptoes to kiss him as they came closer to the metal scanner. "I'm going to miss you Mr. Scott."

"I'm going to miss you Mrs. Scott," he held her close, leaning his head down to rest his forehead against hers. "I'll be back before you know it."

"You better be," she said slyly before their lips met again in another ardent kiss. "I love you."

"I love you," he murmured against her lips before brushing them once more in a subtle kiss before releasing her.

"Give 'em hell," she shouted as he walked through the metal detector. She watched him collect his things from the conveyor belt and turn to wave at her, offering him a wave of her own before turning away and making a trek to the other end of the airport.

"Haley Bob!" she heard a familiar voice yell just as she came around the corner.

"Quinn!" She smiled widely as she embraced her sister in a big hug. "You're early."

"I hopped an earlier flight," she said happily as they made their way outside, taking in the quiet bustle of the sleepy town's airport. "It's good to be home."

"I'm glad you… whoa," steadied herself against a pillar.

"You okay Hales?" Quinn looked at her sister with concerned eyes.

"Yeah, just a little tired and over excited about my sister coming home," she wrapped an arm around the taller honey haired brunette. "I'm so happy you're here."

"Me too," she said as she adjusted the bag on her shoulder before hugging her sister closer with the other arm. "But if you're tired, maybe I should drive."

"Absolutely," Haley said as she handed her sister the keys. "Welcome back."

Jake sat in his hospital bed flipping through the book of drawing his daughter made for him. "These are great Jenny, thank you."

"I made it for you so you'd get better soon," the young girl smiled up at her father from the spot next to him.

"And I am," he replied before kissing her on the forehead, "Isn't that right Peyton?"

"It is," she said when the young blonde turned inquisitive eyes her way. "I spoke to the doctor myself and he says you dad is recovering remarkably."

"Remarkably huh?" Jake said with a laugh. "You know what else is remarkable?"

"Huh?" Jenny asked.

"That when I get out of here I get to go home with the two best girls in the world," he replied.

"Flattery will get you everywhere," Peyton leaned over from her seat to give him a kiss.

"Aww guys," Jenny feigned being grossed out but really she was happy. She always wanted parents that hugged and kissed just like other kids.

"You better get used to it now Jenny-bear," Peyton said before reaching over to tickle the child, laughing when Jenny began to giggle.

"This sounds like too much fun for a hospital room," Angela spoke from the doorway. "The doctor said it was safe to come in now without all the gear."

"It's safe Mom," Jake motioned for her to come in. "how's dad doing?"

"Great," she replied. "They think he'll be released fairly soon." She went over to kiss her son on the forehead. "You did a really good thing for him and I am so happy that both my boys are going to be alright."

"Me too," he replied. "As soon as I'm able I'm going to go see him."

"He just told me the same thing," she smiled kindly. "I just came to give you and Peyton some time. I thought I'd take Jenny to school and then come sit with you later."

"Thank you," Peyton said with her own smile. "How's that sound Jenny?"

"Good but I wish I could stay here with you guys," she gave a small pout.

"One of us will bring you back after school," Angela paused briefly. "I promise."

"Okay," Jenny nodded before engulfing her dad in a big hug and then jumping on Peyton's lap to hug her as well.

"I'll see you soon baby," Jake replied as his mother took his daughter's hand. "Bye Mom."

"Bye Jake; see you later Peyton," Angela waved.

"Bye," the blonde waved back as they exited the hospital room before looking over to her fiancé. "What are you smiling about over there?"

"You, us, our family," he answered. "I don't waste any more time Peyton."

Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"I heard you, you know. I heard you when you said our song had been on pause too long," Jake paused briefly. "You were right but I came back here for you and by some miracle we found our way back to each other and we got through this and I…" he sighed deeply. "I don't want to wait anymore. I want to get married."

"I know that," her green eyes lit up as she laughed. "In case you've forgotten you already asked me and I said yes."

"I know but I want to get married as soon as I get out of here," he replied. "I love you Peyton and I don't want to waste another moment before I make you my wife."

"Neither do I," she agreed with a nod, "so yes, again, I will marry you as soon as you get out of here whether that's next week or tomorrow."

"That sounds good to me," he reached for her hand, pulling her towards him. "I think I'd like to kiss my bride now."

"Wow you just racked up so many cool points," she said against his lips before hers began to glide over his in a deep and sultry kiss.

Owen sat near the window, staring out at the road. He wanted to get up and run out of this house as fast as he could but he knew he had to stay. His eyes flitted to the closed bedroom door right at the beginning of the hallway. His brother Stephen was in there with their father now. Apparently everything that could be done for Angelo Morello had been done and he'd opted to return to his home to pass in peace.

"You okay?" Sophia asked as she sat next to him.

"Its weird being here," Owen shook his head. "For most of my adult life I either wanted to forget he ever existed or I wanted to confront him by now he's dying and I, I don't know how to feel about it. I'm sad; he's our father you know but…"

"I understand," she reached for his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "It's a little different for me though. Dad and I made our peace a few years ago." She sighed. "I should've sought you out then."

"Why didn't you?" he asked.

"I don't really know O," she shrugged. "Our family was never the most cohesive in the first place. I mean I thought about it but then I heard from Uncle Sal that you'd gotten clean but you never tried to contact me so I thought I'd just leave it alone."

"Is Uncle Sal how Stephen found me?" Owen questioned.

"Yeah," Sophia nodded. "Since he's the only family member you've kept in contact with I asked him and then I told Stephen where to find you." Her chocolate eyes looked up at his hue of the same color. "I hope that's okay."

"It's okay," he nodded before they both looked up to see Stephen exit the room.

"He's asking for you now Owen," Stephen's voice sounded hoarse from the tears he was trying to keep at bay.

Owen received one more reassuring hand squeeze from his sister before making his way to the room. He stepped inside quietly, noticing the dim lighting right away. He stood still for a moment, silently observing how frail his father looked lying in bed.

"Owen," Angelo's voice racked slightly. "Come here boy."

"Father," Owen said with a nod as he made his way to the seat next to the head of the bed.

"It's been a long time," he said quietly. "You look good."

"I am good," he replied, unsure of hat to say. "I-I'm sorry you're not."

"I've lived my life," he gave a small laugh that turned into a cough, "perhaps more than I should have." He paused briefly. "Can you…" he motioned towards the cup by the bed.

"Sure," Owen retrieved it before helping his father tilt his head upwards so he could drink from the straw.

"Thank you son," Angelo said as he lay back again. "I should have found you before all this."

"If you had I may not have come," he replied honestly.

"I understand that but I should have tried," Angelo shook his head, "with you and your brother. I'm sorry I wasn't a better father."

"I'm sure there were times I could have been a better son," Owen said as his eyes meet his father's, seeing they looked so much like his daughter's. "But I'm trying to be a better father; I have a daughter, Orianna."

"I heard," he smiled softly. "You have a picture?"

"Yeah," he quickly took out his wallet and retrieved a picture of Rachel and Orianna together and held it for his father to see.

"She's… she's beautiful," he paused briefly. "So is her mother."

"They're both pretty amazing," Owen said with a smile before his face turned somber. "Is it… is there no hope?"

Angelo let out a heavy breath. "It's just a matter of time." He coughed again, holding up his hand when Owen went for the water again. "I know it may be too late but I wanted to make amends with you, all of you. I was a lousy father; I cut out and ran after we lost your mother."

"I still remember the night you left," Owen said sadly. "Stephen and Sophia were upstairs; we were supposed to be in bed and I came downstairs and you were in the kitchen. I still remember the color tie you wore; burgundy. You told me that our family meant everything to you and that no matter what happened your love was unwavering and undying for us." His eyes were hard this time when they meet his father's. "And then you left."

"I meant what I said that night Owen," he replied before taking a few labored breaths. "I just didn't know how to be the father the three of you needed and I'm sorry. It's the only regret I have in this life…leaving…my family."

"Then how could you," Owen stood up and walked to the window, staring out of it. "I could never, never turn my back on my child. You… you left so easily."

"Not easy," Angelo breathed out deeply. "I am proud," he took another labored breath, "that you've become… the man," he wheezed, "that I couldn't be. I wish you could forgive me." He took a sharp breath in before settling further into the mattress.

"Just like that," he ran a hand through his hair, still unable to look back at his father. "I don't know if I can. How do I after all this time? Do you know how much that messed me up? How much I wanted you to come back and tell me I was worth something? Every damned decision I made in my life until recently was because of how unworthy I felt. And even now," he shook his head wearily. "I run all the time because I am afraid of being left because I've been left behind so many times; first by mom and then by you and I know the timing is bad but I just don't know if I can forgive you dad." He was silent for a few minutes. "What, nothing else to say dad?" He turned around and stumbled back as he saw his father's eyes wide and blank. "Dad? Dad!" He rushed towards his bed to shake the man but found no movement. "Oh God!" he bellowed as he fell back against the wall.

"What happening?" Stephen rushed in the door with Sophia on his heels.

"Daddy!" she screamed as she fell to the floor and the tears streamed down her face.

"He's gone," Owen said in shock as he slid to the floor. "Dad's gone."

Haley finished packing the last of the outfits she wanted to take on tour in her suitcase. It had been a long time since she'd felt this exhilarated about something. She supposed that was part of the reason she had felt woozy earlier today. She was unable to contain the excitement she felt about being about to return to the road and sing for all her fans.

"What are you doing Momma?" Jamie asked as he skipped into her room.

"Just packing for our trip Jimmy-Jam," she said before tousling his hair with her hand. "You and Aunt Quinn finish playing your game?"

"Yeah," he nodded happily. "I won again." he smiled widely. "I can't wait till we go on your tour Momma. I told everyone at school and everyone thinks it's so cool my mom is a rock star!"

"Yeah well you've got a pretty cool dad too," she laughed.

He nodded in agreement. "And when we get back from your tour we'll get to go to all the games and I can visit Aunt Brooke's company and Aunt Lindsay still lives there and..."

"Slow down there Lil' Man," she laughed at his enthusiasm. "Why don't you get washed up for dinner?"

"Okay," he smiled before he went bounding out of the room.

"Hey watch out," Quinn's voice carried from the hallway before she entered her sister's bedroom. "I still can't believe my little sister in a famous pop star."

"I wouldn't go that far," Haley shook her head.

"I would," Quinn said as leaned against the door jamb. "You've done really well for yourself. It's not the path I thought you'd be on..."

"Oh and what did you think I'd be doing?" she interrupted with a quirked brow before zipping up her suitcase.

"Well the teaching definitely and the packing a week ahead of time," Quinn laughed.

"Shut up!" Haley tossed a loose t-shirt at her older sister.

She blocked it, knocking it to the floor. "You know when I first heard you were going to get married in high school I don't know what I thought but you and Nathan have done really well for yourselves. You took an unconventional path but... I don't know what I'm trying to say," she shook her head. "I'm just really proud of you."

"Thanks Quinn," Haley smiled warmly. "That really means allot to me. Come here," she said as she embraced her. "I'm really glad you're here."

Quinn squeezed her sister in return. "So am I."

Peyton wandered the halls of the hospital. She'd practically lived here since Jake's procedure but wanting to give him and his mother some time alone she took to walking around and found herself right outside the nursery. She knew that Kayla was only supposed to be visited by family but she was hoping she could get Teresa to bend the rules for her. Poking her head in one of the rooms where parents and other family members could visit with their babies, she was greeted by the sight of her best friend holding her daughter.

"B. Davis," she spoke quietly from the doorway.

"P. Sawyer," she turned around with a smile. "Get in here and meet your niece."

The blonde closed the door behind her quietly. "I was actually coming to see if Teresa would let me sneak in to see her." She stepped closer to the mother and daughter. "Oh gosh Brooke, she's beautiful." She bumped her gently with her hip. "You and Lucas do good work."

"Thanks," she said, looking down at her daughter as she cooed. "This is mommy's best friend in the entire world and your Aunt Peyton who is going to spoil you rotten by drawing murals all over your walls whenever you want."

"Really," she let out a small chortle. "She's right though you know," Peyton looked down at the tiny baby. "I am going to spoil you and teach you about all the good music your mom doesn't bother to listen to."

"That's called unpopular music sweetie," Brooke laughed before her hazel orbs meet her friend's bright green. "Do you want to hold her?"

"Yeah," Peyton nodded as she reached her arms out to receive the baby girl wrapped in a white receiving blanket.

"Remember to support her head," Brooke cautioned.

"I got it," Peyton laughed at her friend's over-protectiveness. "If you remember I was helping Jake take care of his daughter in high school."

"Point taken," the brunette replied as she watched her friend jiggled her daughter around whose eye lids were becoming heavy. "You're a natural Peyt."

"Thanks," she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Oh my gosh Peyton I'm sorry," Brooke said sadly.

"It's okay Brooke," Peyton replied. "I just… I'm sad I'll never get to have this but that doesn't mean I'm not happy for you."

"I know," Brooke nodded. "There are other ways Peyton to have this though Peyton. There's adoption or surrogacy. You just have to find the path that's right for you." She paused briefly. "I was talking about that with Karen earlier when she came to see Keith."

"Speaking of my handsome nephew," Peyton attempted to change the subject. "Where is he?"

"Lucas is spending some Daddy and son time with him," she answered. "We dressed him in the cutest little basketball outfit, by Baby Brooke of course and I'll definitely show you the pictures we took but don't try to use that I'm a new mom against me to change the subject." She quirked her eyebrow in her no-nonsense fashion, "I'm serious Peyton; there are options."

"And you and Karen just happened to be talking about this today?" she raised an eyebrow as well.

"Not about you in particular but about choosing our own paths," Brooke answered, "and finding our own way." She paused briefly. "Just think about it okay, because I want you to be happy."

"Remember when I called you that night before we decided to come home," Peyton said.

"Yeah, how could I forget?" she shrugged. "I asked you what was going to make you happy because I had so much but still I wasn't happy."

"And you told me love would make me happy and asked me where I was going to find it," she smiled in remembrance. "I found it in you, in your friendship, and in Tree Hill and then in Jake. I am happy Brooke, I promise. I'm happy for me and I'm happy for you." She paused briefly. "Thank you for coming back with me."

"Thank you for letting me," Brooke replied as she slung an arm around her friend just as Kayla began to whimper slightly.

Peyton smiled down at the small bundle. "I think she wants her momma."

"Hey there beautiful girl," Brooke said as she gently took her daughter in her arms. "I'm right here baby girl and I love you," her raspy voice seemed to soothe the child as her eyes began to close once again. "I love you too you know," she looked up at the blonde across from her.

"I love you," Peyton replied with a soft smile. "I should go."

"Okay," the brunette nodded. "Give Jake my best; I'll stop by before I leave."

"Thanks," Peyton said as she made her way to the door. "And I will think about it Brooke."

"Good girl," Brooke said with a smile and a nod before she watched her friend leave as quietly as she came.

Oprah Winfrey said, "Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility… The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work… What I know for sure is that your life is a multipart series of all your experiences- and each experience is created by your thoughts, intentions, and actions to teach you what you need to know. Your life is a journey of learning to love yourself first and then extending that love to others in every encounter."