Brooke pulled up to the house, double checking the address Haley had given her.
A short women with a brown ponytail came through the front door and stood on the porch as Brooke climbed out of her car.
"Brooke?" she called as she walked down the steps and embraced her.
"Hey Tutor mom. Wow have I missed you."
"Welcome home, Tigger." Haley said finally pulling back from the embrace.
"Is Lucas here?" All the way from New York she had wondered if he would be waiting for her.
"Not yet, but I've invited him for dinner."
"Did you tell him I was coming?"
"No"
Brooke's stomach churned with anxiety. "I appreciate what you're trying to do here Hales, but I don't want to ambush him. Something happened and we didn't leave off so well."
"Brooke he has done nothing but mope around since he got back from New York. You two need to work out whatever the issue is and I intend to make sure you get an opportunity to talk."
After depositing her bag in the guest room, she sat at the kitchen table, enjoying her snack while Haley filled her in on Jamie and Nathan and Lucas starting as the new coach of the Tree Hill Ravens.
Brooke hung on every word. Haley and Nathan were the closest thing she had to family and she had missed so much.
"I can't believe how big Jamie is already." She gushed at the smiling toddler in her lap.
"He's so smart Brooke and just the happiest kid. He loves to play with Lucas, actually Lucas is probable his favourite person in the world, next to Nathan of course."
"I wish I could spend more time with him. "Brooke ticked Jamie's tummy and he giggled in return.
"I bet he would love some Aunt Brooke time, and you know there is always room for you here."
Brooke pushed back her chair, moving to place Jamie back in his play pen, "I'm going to take you up on that offer to rest before dinner, long drive you know. Unless you need help?"
"Thank you, but I have it covered. I've got meat loaf and scalloped potatoes ready to go in the over."
Brooke's mouth watered. Food was one of her obsessions these days, and she hadn't had a home cooked meal like that since she had lived with Karen during high school. "That sounds delicious."
"I'll come tap on the door when he gets here."
"Okay." A surge of anxiety cancelled her hunger. "Thanks Hales."
After what seemed like only five minutes, Haley tapped on her door. "Brooke, he's here."
Heart pounding and palms sweeting, Brooke brushed her hair, refreshed her makeup and smoothed the wrinkles from her blouse and slacks. As she was about to open the door, she heard Lucas' deep laugh. She hadn't thought she's remember it, but the sound awakened feelings she'd hoped she'd buried. She didn't want to be attracted to him – not anymore – but her heart seemed to have other ideas.
She heard another man chuckle. That must be Nathan, Haley had mentioned he'd be home for dinner.
When she walked into the living room, Lucas was sitting on one end of the sofa, holding a bottle of beer, Nathan had taken the other end and Haley was in a comfy-looking armchair with Jamie on her lap. Both men popped up immediately.
Nathan moved quickly pulling her in for a hug. "Brooke Davis, it is good to see you girl. Haley didn't tell me you were coming."
"It's great to see you too, Nate." She said, pulling back from the hug to see Lucas's face.
What she could see of it anyway, since he apparently now had a beard, was brick-red with either anger or embarrassment. Maybe both.
He gave Haley a quick what-the-hell glance before turning back to her. "Hey, Brooke." He cleared his throat. "Wasn't expecting you."
"I invited her." Haley said standing up. "She is Jamie's Godmother after all and hasn't seen him since his birthday. And I missed her. " She gave Brooke a nudge with her hip.
"Yeah, it's great to get out of the city."
Haley all but rolled her eyes. "Dinner will be ready in about fifteen minutes, but I can keep it warm if you two need more time to talk. Nathan lets go make a salad."
"I'm on it." Nathan mumbled, practically running from the room.
Brooke wished she could follow them. She'd rather do almost anything than stay there under the intense gaze of Lucas Scott. But Haley was right. Telling him in person was the way to go, no matter how awkward it might turn out to be.
"Subtle, isn't she?" he asked trying to lighten the mood.
Brooke took a deep breath and through about the conversation she had practiced on her drive, the well throughout words, how she was going to be calm and collected and grown up about this. And then she open her mouth.
"I'm pregnant."
Well that just happened, she thought as the color drained from his face.
He stared at her. Then shook his head. "But how? We used a… I know we were drinking, but I'm sure I used a…" He looked at her again, mouth gapping.
"I can't answer that for sure. The doctor said it could be for any number of reasons, but she said it happens."
"So much for modern science." He grimaced. "Look I need to ask, just considering our history, are you sure it's mine?"
She knew it was coming but didn't realize that it would actually feel like being punched in the stomach. "That's a fair question. But you are the only person I have been with in over a year. I don't have any proof, though, so you'll have to take my word for it."
"I will."
"Thank you." That was one ugly discussing they could skip. "Look, I know this is a shock, but let me out your mind to rest. I'm here to inform you because after everything we have been through I would never keep this from you. That being said, I'm completely prepared to do this by myself and you can be involved if you want, but I won't hold it against you if you don't."
"But you're pregnant with my baby!"
She shrugged. "So what? You didn't intend for this to happen and I know I'm not this person you wanted to do this with, so I'll handle everything. I absolve you of any responsibility."
"That's crazy. You can't just…."
"Sure I can. I'll have a lawyer draw up something legal for us to sign if you'd prefer that. I know you don't want her, but the thing is, I do. I love children, I was told I had about a five percent chance of ever conceiving. This is a miracle baby and I can't wait to be a mother."
"You said her"
"Yes. I'm having a girl."
"I thought you couldn't tell at three months."
"They have a blood test now. It's very accurate."
He rubbed a hand over his face. "A girl. Wow." Then he glanced towards the kitchen. "Did you tell Haley? Is that why she set this up?"
"No, you're the only person I've told."
"Really? What about you parents? What about Rachel or…. Or Peyton?"
"Nobody knows. I wanted a plan before I broke the news. But I think Haley suspects. When I called a second time and told her it was very important, she probable guessed why."
"I should have called. Sorry for that. I thought – well, it doesn't matter. I still should've called."
She hated to admit it but the longer they talked the more she wanted to touch him. She found herself staring at his beard. She wondered if it would be prickly or soft.
"You don't like it."
"It makes you look different."
"You don't look different." His gaze drifted to her stomach. "It's so hard to believe. I feel like this is a dream, and any minute I'll wake up."
"Trust me, I felt the same when I got the news. The difference is, I was thrilled. I don't expect you to be."
"I don't know what I'm feeling, Brooke." He looked into her eyes. "I'm pretty disoriented right now."
"That's understandable."
Haley appeared in the doorway. "Dinner's ready. But you don't have to come right away if you need more time."
"I do need some time." Lucas glanced her way. "I think I'm gonna take a rain check on dinner."
Crossing the room in three long strides, he kissed Haley on the cheek and ruffled Jamie's hair. He turned back to Brooke. "Can you do me a favour?"
"What's that?"
"I'd appreciate it if you'd stick around for another day or so. Give me a chance to get my bearings before you go back to the city."
"I don't want to impose on Haley and Nate."
"It's no imposition. " Haley said. "Stay as long as you like."
Lucas nodded. "Good, then its settled." And without another look he walked out the front door.