Holding Brooke while he listed to the crickets chirping, Lucas felt s soul-deep peace that he hadn't experienced in a long time.

As Brooke grew limp in his arms and her breathing became light and shallow, he realized she might be dozing off. That was the other thing Haley had mentioned when they'd talked about dinner. She'd said pregnant ladies needed more sleep than usual.

He sure as hell wasn't letting Brooke drive herself back to Haley's if she might fall asleep at the wheel. Really, he'd suspected all along that he'd be taking her in his truck. Trying to navigate the wet roads in her little car made no sense. He'd figured out a way to get her car to her tomorrow morning.

But he couldn't take her wrapped in a blanket. Could he? He hated to wake her up and he had a key for Haley and Nathan's front door. And they'd be in bed by now.

Slowly he eased her onto the blanket where it lay on the steps. Then he wrapped the loose ends around her. She made a cute snuffling sound but stayed asleep.

After getting his clothes back together, he peered down. She hadn't stirred. This might work.

He went inside to grab her clothes, purse and his keys, then pulled her keys out of her purse and laid them on the counter so he'd have them tomorrow morning. When he arrived back on the porch, she didn't look as if she'd moved at all.

A wave of tenderness took him by surprise. She still hadn't moved after he stashed he stuff in the small back seat of the cab. He decided on another quick trip into the house for a pillow and arranged that in the passenger seat.

Finally he scooped her up and carried her to the truck. Getting her in was difficult, but getting her out would be easier. He'd never seen anyone sleep so soundly. He wondered if Henley was sleeping, too. He didn't know how that worked. He belted in both mother and baby.

Navigating the wet road from his house across town to Haley's made him glad he'd done this. Not long afterward, he parked in front of Haley and Nathan's place. The house was dark. When he opened the passenger door, Brooke was still dead to the world. Leaving the truck door open, he moved as quietly as possible up the front steps. He opened the door wide and went back for Brooke.

Getting her out was way easier than putting her in. As he cradled her in his arms and started up the steps, she murmured something and wrapped her arms around his neck.

He paused. "Brooke?"

No answer.

Okay, she was still mostly asleep. The trusting way she clung to him when she was so vulnerable made his chest ache. The sensation was unfamiliar, but he kind of liked it.

Good thing he knew this house so well. Haley had a night light in the hall, which filtered into the living room and helped guide him. Turning sideways, he maneuverer Brooke through the doorway of her room and walked over to the bed.

Whoops. He didn't realize that the bed would be made and couldn't easily tuck her under the cover.

He came up with the next best thing. Laying her on top of the bedspread on one side, he reached over and pulled the far side of the spread over her. That plus the blanket should keep her warm.

She mumbled his name and snuggled into the cocoon he'd created for her. Crouching, he kissed her lightly on the cheek.

Her soft sigh tickled his face.

"I'll be right back with your things," he murmured.

"Mmm." She was clearly still dreamland but might be vaguely aware of him.

He made the trip to the truck and back as quickly and quietly as possible. Leaving her stuff on the top of the dresser, he backed out of the room and closed the door.

When he turned around, Haley was coming down the hallway from her bedroom. She motioned him toward the living room and he followed. He should have known she'd be listening for Brooke. Haley and Brooke had a special relationship, Haley was always looking out for her.

In the darkened living room, Haley turned and laid a hand on his arm. "Is she okay?"

"She's fine. She fell asleep. I didn't want to wake her so I just brought her back in my truck."

Haley squeezed his arm. "Good decision. She shouldn't be driving tired, on the wet roads."

He nodded.

"How'd dinner turn out?"

He'd expected a question or two but not that one.

"We lost power partway through the cooking so we had to ditch it. I made eggs on the camp stove."

"In the kitchen?" She sounded alarmed.

"No, outside after the storm passed."

"Sounds like you had an adventure."

She had no idea. He was grateful the darkness hid his face. "We did. During the storm a branch came through the window in the master bedroom."

Haley gasped. "Were you two in there?"

Okay, so maybe she had a better idea then he gave her credit for. "No."

"I used my truck to pull the branch out and duct-taped some plastic over the window. It should hold until morning."

"No wonder she fell asleep. Thank you for getting her back here safe and sound. I'd better let you leave so you can get some rest." She stood on tiptoe and gave him a peck on the cheek. "Come for breakfast in the morning and bring Brooke's car. Nathan can drive you back."

He breathed in the flowery scent that he always associated with his best friend. "Thanks, Hales. I'll be here."

As he drove back, he thought about the crazy stunt he'd just pulled off. The morning's proposal had been a perfect example. In his imagination, she'd enthusiastically accepted, which led to some early morning sex at the river court.

He arrived home to ace the mess he'd made cooking her dinner, but the power was back on. He scrubbed the burned food from the frying pans, ran the dishwasher and put away the lantern and the camp stove.

The bedroom was a different kind of challenge. Even though he remade the bed with dry sheets, he felt Brooke's presence everywhere, which made him restless. Damn it, he missed her.

Pacing the room, he argued with himself. He wasn't the type of guy who missed people when they weren't around. He enjoyed their company when he could and otherwise he was fine on his own.

Taking the barbell out of the closet, he did a few reps. He thought about her leaving him to go back to New York. It would happen all too soon. Wouldn't it be better if she was here with him?

Okay, that much was settled in his mid. Tomorrow when he delivered her car he'd ask her to move over here. She'd probably only stay another night or two, anyway, and he couldn't see the point in having her continue staying with Haley. Not when they had things to discuss and a middle name to choose.

Calmed by the idea that she'd be with him tomorrow night, he thought he might be able to get some sleep. But when he took off his jeans, something crinkled in his pocket. It turned out to be the reading list she'd giving him.

If he had one of those books, he could read it until he dozed off. Then tomorrow he'd be able to discuss what he'd read, which might help convince her he was serious about being dedicated to their little girl. But he didn't have a book.

Come to think of it, with the way things were going, he might not have time to look for any in town tomorrow, either. Even if he managed a quick shopping trip he wouldn't spend tomorrow night reading. Not with Brooke around.

Thinking about her lying naked in his bed erased all the clam feelings he'd had a moment ago. If only he had one of those damn books. Reading about pregnancy and childbirth would get his mind off sex real quick.

Then he remembered that he had an app oh his phone that allowed him to read books. The concept of digital books had always seemed so wrong to him. But maybe some of the books Brooke had recommended could be bought and downloaded.

Once he had the right app, the process was fairly simple. He chose a book that took him through the stages of pregnancy and explained the mechanics of giving birth.

The subject wasn't completely unfamiliar. He did have a sister and nephew born during his senior year. In high school he'd taken the required heath course that had covered pregnancy and birth. He'd never paid much attention after finding out how to keep a girl from getting pregnant. Which, being Tree Hill High, he assumed was the goal of the lesson.

Now here he was, devouring info about a topic he would have had no interest in two days ago. Reading on the phone took some getting used to, though. He kept wishing he could underline stuff or dog-ear a page.

He suspected there were ways to make notes on the book itself, but he didn't want to get comfortable with the digital book.

Instead he got a pad of paper and a pen from the kitchen and started a list of things he needed to ask Brooke. It turned into a really long list.

Eventually he couldn't keep his eyes open. Then he spent the rest of the night battling nightmares about losing either Brooke or Henley or both. He woke up early in a cold sweat.

He'd though giving birth would be a straightforward process. Women had been doing it for centuries. What could possibly go wrong?" now he knew. Anything and everything could fall apart, sometimes without warning. And he was terrified.

He shaved and showered in record time. Stuffing his list into his pocket, he grabbed the keys to her car and headed out. No telling how long it would take for Brooke to answer his questions.

Climbing into her car felt strange after all the year he'd been driving his truck. He had to put the seat back quite a ways to accommodate his long legs. Once he pulled out onto the road, which fortunately had dried up a bit, he hated sitting so low to the ground. How did she get a good look at what was coming? He'd have to suggest she trade this in for something more like Haley's car. He couldn't have her and his daughter traveling around in this death trap.

The confronting aroma of coffee and bacon greeted him as he opened the front door and headed toward the kitchen. "Hales, it's me," he called out.

"Morning, Luke," she called back. "Coffee's ready."

He walked in and she handed him a mug of black coffee. She was alone in the kitchen.

"Can I help?"

"You can set the table, please. I have things under control except for that."

"Should I set a place for Brooke?"

"Definitely. She's getting Jamie dressed. That little boy just loves his Aunt Brooke."

"That's nice to hear." He hesitated. "Haley. I plan to ask her if she'll spend the rest of her time here over at my place." He set out silverware and napkins for four people.

She chuckled. "You'd rather not have to cart her back and forth while she's sound asleep?"

"Something like that."

"Well I was always kinda team Brooke. I always hopped you two would work it out."

"So I can steal your houseguest then?"

"You can try. She is very independent. She might not go for it."

"I hope she does."

Haley gave him a knowing smile. "I'll bet you do."

"And not just because of that! I read a book last night about pregnancy and childbirth last night and I have some questions."

"You have a pregnancy book?" Haley had the egg poacher going so it seemed they were having eggs Benedict. She took a package of English muffins from the fridge and began loading up the toaster.

"Downloaded one to my phone."

She turned toward him, eyes wide. "You Lucas Scott. 'Mr. Reading is an experience', downloaded an eBook?"

"Brook gave me a list of books and I wanted to start on it last night."

Haley gazed at him and nodded. "I see. What sort of questions did you come up with?"

"A lot." He pulled the list out of his pocket. "I need to know if she's aware of all the conditions that can affect the birth."

"Like what?"

He started listing them.

"Lucas, hang on." She shoved down the leaver on the toaster and turned back to him. "Most of those things are extremely rare."

"But not impossible! Maybe she knows about them because I guess she'd read the books she recommended, but I wonder if she'd mentioned any of them to her doctor. And if the doctor has ever treated patients with…"

"Lucas, buddy." Haley walked over and laid a hand on his chest. "You need to dial it back."

"How can I? I thought having babies was a snap, but it's not. So many things can go wrong. A good doctor has to be prepared for anything and I want to make sure hers is."

"You're scared."

He sighed. "Yeah."

"You are a grown man and free to do what you please, but I think you're letting a bit of knowledge spook you. If I were you, I'd hold off on that list for now, because you're coming across as paranoid, and you don't want that."

"No, I don't, but I want answers."

"Let's discuss this some more when I give you a ride back home. Until then I'd keep quiet on the subject if I were you. Just my opinion, but I think you won't do your cause any good by trotting out that list of questions."

"Paranoid, huh?"

"Yes. Now, I hear her coming down with Jamie, so put your best smile so she'll know you're glad to see her."

"That's easy. I am glad."

Haley gave him a fond look. 'I know you are, Luke. I'm happy for you."