Brooke's pulse reacted when she noticed her car parked in the driveway. She'd been expecting Lucas, but expecting him and knowing he'd arrived were two different things.

She hadn't mentioned to Haley or Nathan that the baby had a name. she was excited, but thought Lucas should be there.

When she walked into the kitchen with Jamie and saw Lucas standing next to the store handing Haley plates, she had to admit she'd missed him, even for the few short hours they were apart.

He flashed her a smile. "Morning, Brooke. Sleep well?"

"Like a log. You?"

"Not bad." He held her gaze and Haley had to clear her throat twice to get his attention. He handed over the last plate. "Sorry."

"You've forgiven. Brooke that little silver carafe next to the big pot has decaf in it."

"Hey, thank you, Haley." Brooke hadn't committed to completely eliminating caffeine from her diet, but after discussing it with Haley yesterday she'd decided to cut back. It was so like Haley to act on that conversation.

"I thought this breakfast might be a good opportunity to get together and toast my new niece." Haley glanced around at them. "Not with champagne, of course. The sun's barely up. But we need to celebrate the impending arrival of another member of this family."

"I need a mug." Nathan said entering the kitchen. "We need to do this before this fancy breakfast gets cold."

Haley raised her mug. "Okay. Here's to….wait. Do we have a name? A toast like this is always more effective with a name?

Lucas looked at Brooke. "Okay with you?"

"Sure." She decided Haley was right.

"Her name's Henley," Lucas said. "We decided that last night."

Haley sent them a glance of approval. "It's beautiful. I love it. Let's raise a mug to Henley, the unexpected blessing of Brooke Davis and Lucas Eugen Scott."

Lucas groaned. "Did you have to say my full name?"

"You know I did." She laughed.

Brooke found herself getting choked up. Fortunately the next five minutes involved everyone taking seats and digging into breakfast. She didn't think anyone noticed her wiping her eyes until Lucas, who'd sat next to her, took her hand under the table.

"You okay?"

She nodded, still not trusting herself to speak.

He lowered his voice. "Were you crying just now."

"A little bit. Lucas, your family is incredible."

"Our family."

After breakfast everyone pitched in to clean up the kitchen. She'd gathered from the conversation that Haley had offered to Lucas back home. But when Haley seemed ready to leave. Lucas asked for a moment to speak with Brooke alone.

She did her best not to laugh as Nathan and Haley exchanged glances. Apparently an invitation to talk was a significant event. She hoped it wasn't another marriage proposal. Surely he wouldn't try that again on the strength of some excellent lovemaking the night before.

"This won't take long, but I didn't want to ask you in front of everyone."

"Okay." She turned to him and mentally crossed her fingers that he wouldn't make the proposal mistake twice.

"What so you think about staying with me for the rest of your time here?"

"Oh!" he'd caught her by surprise. "I'm… I'm not sure. That would certainly announce to everyone that we're…"

"Haley knows what's going on. I think everyone's figured it out, to be honest." He adjusted the fit of his shirt. "I thought this would simplify things."

"You mean concerning sex?"

"Well, that, and we still have stuff to talk about, lots of stuff." He cleared his throat. "You can think about it."

"Good. I need to. And just so you know, I'll only be here another night or two. It might not be worth moving my things over there for such a short time."

"Haley said you might not want to."

She blinked. "You told her you planned to ask me?"

"I thought I should. I'd be taking her houseguest and I know she enjoys having you around."

"I enjoy being here."

"I admit my house isn't as nice. There's not much furniture to speak of. I will probably have to board up that window until I can get a new on ordered."

"Lucas, that's not why I'm hesitating." She stepped closer and ran her palm up his chest. His uncertainty touched her. "You'd be there, and I hope you know how much I love spending time with you."

He captured her hand in both of his. "I do too."

"But moving over there is like saying we're a couple and we're not."

"What are we then?"

She gazed up at him and saw confusion in his eyes that probably matched hers. "We're Henley's parents and we…we get along great in bed. Beyond that, I don't know."

"Maybe if you stay with me we'll have a better chance of figuring it out."

"It's a valid point. I'll think about it and let you know this afternoon."

"Fair enough. I just need one more thing." He wrapped both arms around her and pulled her close.

"Should we be doing this in broad daylight?"

"Yes." Cupping the back of her head he leaned down, covered her mouth with his and took charge.

Whenever he did that, she was lost. Rational thought disappeared as elemental need took over. She moaned and clutched his shoulders as the seductive movement of his tongue reminded her of the pleasure waiting for her if she agreed to his plan. When he finally released her, she was breathing hard.

So was he. Backing up a step, he braced his hands on his hips. "Maybe…. I should've done that first."

She held her arms close to her sides so she wouldn't reach for him. "Maybe."

"Brooke, please say you'll …."

"I'll tell Haley you're ready to leave." She wrenched open the door and ducked inside before she committed herself on the basis of one hot kiss. Everyone was still in the kitchen, laughing and talking. "Lucas' is ready to go!" she called out and dashed for the bathroom to splash cold water on her face.