I´M STILL WITHOUT A BETA, THE PERSON THAT OFFERED WHEN I GAVE HER THE STUFF SHE WENT AWOLK AND THIS TOOK MORE TIME THAT I THOUGH COMBINED TO THE FACT THAT I DON´T HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO WRITE AND THAT I HAD TO BETA THE CHAPTER ALL OVER AGAIN THANKS TO THE WINDOWS WORD CRASHING.
I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PEOPLE THAT GAVE ME REVIEWS, ALERT MY STORY, ME AS AN AUTHOR AND OF COURSE PLACED THIS PROJECT AS FAVORITE, ALSO MY ANONYMOUS READERS. SO THANK YOU: JENNY14, DIANEHERMANS, NEVERLAST690, BRITTANY08FOREVER, B, STEFF, TANYA2YOUR21, BUBBLEGIRL171, ARUBAGIRL0926, PUPPYDGGRL, LOVEFAN1123, , CASKETT050712, WICCANGRRL13, SENIOR2011, ITSSHANNON, XxDARKNESSXx, KINGS, ELLEN7LOVESLIFE.
DISCLAIMER: I DON´T OWN ANYTHING ABOUT OTH. IT ALL BELONGS TO MARK SCHWAHNN, THE CW, WARNER AND TOLLINS - ROBBINS.
I DON´T EVEN OWN THE SONG THAT BELONGS TO NICK LACHEY, AND HIS RECORD COMPANY.
HERE IT IS... ENJOY AND PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW, THAT IS THE BEST GIFT YOU CAN GIVE ME.
BY THE WAY I INVITE YOU ALL TO CHECK MY OTHER STORY NAMED TAKING CHANCES, HERE IS THE LINK: s/7133371/1/TAKING_CHANCES
Chapter 27
The night was starting to fall in Tree Hill, Brooke decided to return early and leave Millicent to close up since there wasn't a busy day.
She was there sitting in the breakfast isle, having a coffee lost in her own thoughts when she heard a voice calling for her…
"Mom, mom… where are you?" Ben asked.
"I'm here Ben, in the breakfast isle." Brooke answered snapping back from dreamland.
"Hi mom" Ben greeted reaching there and going around to hug and kiss her cheek.
"Hi Ben. Sit down and drink something with me." Brooke said returning the hug.
"Ok." Ben said sitting down.
"What do you want?" Brooke asked.
"Give me a glass of coke." Ben responded.
"Coming right up". Brooke said going to the refrigerator.
"I thought that when I came I would have to wait for you. You are never this early." Ben said.
"I know but today the business was slow so I decided to come back early and leave Millicent to close up." Brooke said while she sat down and gave the coke to Ben.
"Ahh ok". Ben said opening a can of coke.
"I'm glad that you are ok with that". Brooke said while laughing.
"Where is aunt Rachel?." Ben asked.
"She went to New York to spend some time with Jason plus to see how the company is running there." Brooke stated.
"Ok. I love Aunt Rachel and Uncle Jason to pieces; I wonder when are they going to get married?." Ben asked aloud.
"I wonder the same thing kiddo." Brooke said laughing.
"When is she coming back?" He asked while he sipped from his can of coke.
"I'm a couple of days. Wait what do you want?" Brooke answered and at the same time asked.
"What are you talking about?". Ben said pretending to not know what she was talking about.
"Ben, you are my son, I know you like the back of my hand and when you start asking a lot of questions is because you want to ask me something and you don't know how to do it." Brooke stated.
"Fine, you win…" Ben proclaimed defeated.
"What do you want to ask me?" Brooke asked.
"Since dad left, I have being doing a lot of thinking and I came to the conclusion that I want to live with him so I need your permission to do it." Ben said.
"You want to live with him? In England?" Brooke asked shocked.
"Yes." Ben responded.
"But I thought that we were better, our relationship." Brooke said still shocked and a bit hurt too.
"We are mom but I need to do this. This time showed me that I have such a great time with him that I want to spend more time by his side." Ben said while he grabbed his mother's hand.
"You love him more than me?". Brooke said trying to fake jealousy and at the same time faking a pout.
"No, mom I love you more then life itself even though I'm still mad at you for you know what but I need to spend time with him and learn to love him the way that I feel for you." Ben said laughing a bit.
"But what about high school?" Brooke asked.
"I will do it there just like my dad did." Ben stated.
"Where would you live?" Brooke asked again.
"Duh with my father". Ben stated again and left a laugh escape.
"You need to talk to him first." Brooke told him.
"I already did and he has no problem if you are ok with it." Ben stated.
"You have all figure it out, don't you?". Brooke asked while a little tear was running down her cheeks.
"Yes but don't cry mom". Ben said while he brushed the tear from her cheeks.
"If don't have any option… what if I refuse?" Brooke asked trying to give his son a little fight.
"Well if you refuse, we will be going back to a couple of months ago. Do you want that?." Ben stated.
"No. I don't want to lose this new beginning that we have now." Brooke stated.
Ben: "Me neither." Ben also said.
"Ok I will give you permission but please don't go and never come back." Brooke pleaded.
"Don't worry mom, it will only be for a period of time." Ben stated.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nathan and Haley were lying in bed, hugging each other and talking of different subjects especially how excited he was on being an assistant coach for the ravens.
But what resonated the most with Haley was the whole subject about Ben so Nate asked…
"What about that?" Nathan asked.
"It just that surprises me…" Haley confessed.
"How?." He asked.
"It just surprises me because since Ben found out the way he did about Lucas being his father… He was so closed minded about forgiving Brooke about not telling him.
You talked to him several times for the past five months and nothing…" Haley explained.
"Yes." He said.
"I talked to him and nothing." Haley stated.
"Brooke tried to talking to him and he walked away." Nathan reminisced.
"Karen tried to talk to him and nothing…" Haley further elaborated.
"Jason and Rachel tried to talk to him and zilch." Nathan contributed.
"Then comes Lucas who only was around him twice, talks to him and in a few days he gets Ben to talk to Brooke and now they are trying to compose the mother – son relationship." Haley finished.
"I know and seriously I'm a bit surprise too". Nathan confessed while a laugh escaped his body.
"How did he do it? What did he say to him?" Haley asked.
"Don´t know but one thing I do know that my brother when he has this profound talk, he speaks from the heart." Nathan said.
"Yes you are right." She said.
"Only him and Ben know what they talk about." Nathan said.
"Yes that is true." Haley agreed with her husband.
"Plus like Karen always says blood is thicker than anything else so maybe Ben was more receptive to whatever Lucas had to say to him than what we told him so far." Nathan stated.
"Yeah probably." Haley said.
"Are you jealous?". Nathan asked looking at Haley and laughing a bit.
"Just a bit". Haley confessed with a laugh of her own.
"I love you Hales." Nathan said while laughing.
"But it will pass". She said again laughing.
"I know…". He said not being able to stop laughing.
"When I see Lucas again, I will ask him what did he tell Ben?". Haley said laughing after seeing her husband not being able to stop.
"I know you will." Nathan said with certainty.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A few days later, the morning came and found Brooke already on her office at the Clothes Over Bro Store, she was checking some papers when she saw Rachel coming in with two cups of coffee.
Rachel approached the desk and handed one to Brooke, she grabbed it and said…
"Thanks, I needed this…". Brooke said taking a sip.
"Rough night?" Rachel asked.
"Rough couple of days I will say." Brooke stated.
"What happened?." Rachel asked.
"You know". Brooke said clueless at the moment to the fact that Rachel just got back to Tree Hill
"Remember I just got here this morning…". Rachel remembered Brooke while she laughed.
"Oh right. I forgot." Brooke said.
"So are you going to tell me or not?." Rachel asked.
"Ok… a couple of days ago Ben came to the house to talk to me." Brooke said.
"About?" Rachel asked again.
"Well he told me that since Lucas left he did a lot of thinking and he came to the conclusion that he wanted to live with him." Brooke said.
"WHAT?!." Rachel asked practically shouting with a surprised and shocked tone of voice.
"That was my reaction." Brooke said.
"What did you do?" Rachel asked.
"I asked him if I heard right." Brooke said.
"What did he answer?" Rachel asked again.
"He said yes." Brooke said.
"Wha… How… I'm speechless." Rachel stated.
"I told him that I thought we were better in the relationship we have." Brooke said.
"I thought so too." Rachel said.
"He grabbed my hand and said to me that we were but that he needed to do this because the time that Lucas spent here the last time, he had so much fun, that he wants to spend more time by his side." Brooke explained to Rachel.
"Look at that. They have a great relationship without Lucas knowing that it is son." Rachel said surprised again.
"Yeah to the point that faking jealousy I told him if he loved him more then me". Brooke said while he laughed.
"You guilt tripping your son that is a first from you". Rachel said laughing not stop.
"But what he said next melted my heart." Brooke stated.
"What did he say?" Rachel asked.
"That he loved me more than life itself …" Brooke got emotional a bit remembering that.
"Awww that is my sweet nephew." Rachel got a bit emotional too.
"But that he was still mad at me for keeping the true to myself…" Brooke said.
"Well at least he was sincere." Rachel expressed.
"He finished saying that he need to spend time with him and to learn to love him the way he does with me." Brooke said.
"Again that is sweet but what about highschool?" Rachel asked concerned.
"I asked him the same thing." Brooke said.
"What did he say?" Rachel asked again.
"He said that he will go there and having a blonde moment I asked him where would he live". Brooke explained while laughing.
"Well everyone is entitled to a dumb moment once a day". Rachel stated not avoiding the laugh to escape.
"I know he said and I quote Duh with my father." Brooke said laughing some more.
"Yeah that makes sense". Rachel continue saying, the laughing non stopping.
"I told him to talk him and he confessed that he already did". Brooke said and at this moment was like a competition of who laughed more.
"He had everything figured out". Rachel said still laughing.
"That is what I said to him." Brooke said.
"This kid…" Rachel said the laughing slowly stopping.
"I said what if I refuse and he said that he won't talk to me anymore." Brooke said.
"So what did you do at the end?" Rachel asked.
"I gave him permission to go." Brooke said.
"How long he will be away?" Rachel asked again.
"He said that it will only be for a period of time." Brooke explained what his son told her.
"I hope he keeps his word." Rachel stated.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A few months had passed and the end of the summer was here but that also marked the time of Ben's departure to London.
He said goodbye to all his loves ones at Tree Hill airport, leaving a crying Brooke behind and took the flight that now left him in England soil.
He was happy about this because it meant spending time with his father, so he got off the plane, went to immigrations and picked up his luggage.
All the trajectory between picking his luggage and the exit door was consumed thinking of the possibility that his dad was behind the glass door but he also understand that he might also not be there so when he passed thru that doors, he stopped, scanned the room for a bit but he didn't see his father.
Minutes later he performed another scan to the crowed reception hall of the airport and in that time he noticed a tall man with a black suit holding a big sign that said Ben Davis. He thought it was him because how many Ben Davis would be in England.
He approached the men and said…
"I'm Ben Davis." Ben said.
"You are Ben Davis?" Men in suit asked.
"Last time I check yes." Ben said again.
"Ok. Lucas Scott sent me to pick you up." Men in suit said.
"Awesome." Ben stated.
"He couldn't come." Men in suit explained.
"That is ok, it was in the possibility that he couldn't come." Ben said.
"Alright. Let me get your luggage so we can head to the car." Men in suit said.
"What are you from Lucas Scott?" Ben asked.
"I'm his choffer, Marco." Men in suit answered.
"Choffer? Nice!." Ben said.
"Wait just to be on the sure side of things… who is your mother?" Marco asked.
"My mother name is Brooke Davis. Want more data?". Ben answered and asked laughing a bit.
"That wouldn't hurt because if I mess this up, Mr. Lucas will kill me." Marco said.
"Ok ok don't… my aunt's name is Rachel Gatina. My mom is best friend to his sister in law Haley Scott and the first one created a brand called Clothes Over Bros. Enough information to confirm that I am the person that you are expecting?". Ben explained laughing finally asking if it was enough.
"Yes, everything checks out with what Mr. Lucas told me. Please hand me your luggage so we can go to the car." Marco said stopping to think for a minute.
"Here you go". Ben said handling him the cart with all his luggage.
"Let's go. This way." Marco said grabbing the cart and walking towards one of Heathrow exit gates.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
It has passed only a few hours since Ben left but she was already feeling the loss and missing him like crazy so she went to the only person that could help her now.
She knocked on Karen's house and waited for the door to be answered and when it did, she said…
"Hi Karen". Brooke said with a sad voice.
"Hi Brooke, come on in.". Karen said seeing how sad she was.
"Thanks." She said entering the house.
"Do you prefer we sit in the living room or in the kitchen?" Karen asked.
"How…" Brooke said wondering how she knew.
"I assume you are here to talk so I was asking where do you feel more comfortable to do that." Karen stated.
"How do you know me so well?" Brooke asked.
"It's the years darling plus you are like a daughter to me so you do the math". Karen said laughing.
"The kitchen." Brooke responded.
"The kitchen it is." Karen said.
A few minutes later, both of them where sitting in opposite sides of the table drinking a coffee in silence until Karen said…
"Brooke, what seems to be the problem?" Karen asked.
"Ben…" Brooke responded.
"What happened to my grandchild?" Karen asked with concern.
"Nothing, relax. He was fine when he left." Brooke answered trying to reassure the distressed grandma.
"So?" Karen asked.
"It is only a few hours since he left but I already miss him like crazy." Brooke stated.
"He is your son; it's perfectly fine to feel that way." Karen reasurred her.
"He hasn't even call to tell me that he got there fine." Brooke said.
"Give him time; it's only matter of hours until he call." Karen said again trying to ease the impacient mother.
"But we never being apart this long…" Brooke said showing signs of anxiety.
"And when he was 5 months angry with you?" Karen asked and at the same time remembering that for Brooke.
"That was different." Brooke stated.
"How?". Karen asked.
"Because I knew he was just a couple of blocks away but now he is in a different country with a sea that separates us." Brooke stated.
"Separation is separation no matters the distance." Karen said matter of factly.
"I need some advice on how to cope with this…" Brooke said.
"And you came to me right?" Karen asked.
"You are the only one who I know that went thru this." Brooke stated.
"Ok, I can't give you an advice like do this or that because every person has its way to deal with the problems or situations like that." Karen said in a very motherly tone.
"But tell how you did it…" Brooke kind begged.
"Of course I felt like you the first time but later I came to think that if it was better for him or making him feel better, I had to be ok with it even if it hurts like hell." Karen said being sincere with her.
"How do you manage to know if it will be better for him?" Brooke asked.
"Brooke, he is with his father so it's the best for him. In my case he was alone, he had literally nobody there and in way that was because you two broke up." Karen said trying to make Brooke see the difference.
"Yes you are right on that." Brooke stated.
"I wanted to hate you for taking my son away but I couldn't. Want to know why?". Karen opened up to her about what she felt when Lucas left.
"Because you love me like a daughter". Brooke said with a hint of doubt in her voice.
"Exactly and sometimes your kids will do things you will not like but sometimes you just had to suck it up, put a brave face and deal with it the best you can. So I had to do that and hope that one day he will return here." Karen stated.
"You say that I should do the same?" Brooke asked.
"Yes but in your case Ben told you he was going to come back so be patient, comfort you in the fact that he is with his dad and they will have a great time together." Karen said trying that Brooke find the comfort in this words.
"Yes you are right." Brooke said.
"I'm always right because I don't have the years that I have for nothing". Karen said laughing a bit.
"That is probably true". Brooke said bursting into laughs too.
"Do you want to stay for dinner?". Karen asked.
"What did you make?" Brooke asked.
"Mac & Cheese." Karen responded.
"Ummmm I love those." Brooke said.
"So I guess you are staying…" Karen guessed.
"Yes and like Haley would say… I need some comfort food." Brooke said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Ben travelled what it feel like half an hour but according to the watch in the car it was only fifteen minutes. Where he was he didn't see much houses or the street crowded with houses and department building like it would in a city like New York.
It was obviously a place far away from what it could be considers downtown London or the city itself but it was kind of nice.
Suddenly, the limousine entered a mini trail and stopped in front of this huge house that made Ben's jaw drop practically to the floor. In the few minutes that followed while he tried to regain his composure, Marco the choffer opened the door and at the same time another tall man this one much older than the driver opened the door to the house and invites him in.
He stood there for mere seconds when he heard the voice of the choffer that passed by his side with the luggage telling him what he was waiting for so he entered the house and the man by the door said…
"Good Morning Sir." Alfred said.
Ben was about to reply when he saw a happy Lucas coming out of a room, rapidly walking towards him and embracing him in a big hug.
"Hi Ben, so good to finally have you here!". Lucas said with a happy voice while he hugged Ben.
"So happy to be here." Ben said returning the hug.
"Alfred is ok, you can close the door now." Lucas said detaching from Ben.
"Very well Sir." Alfred responded.
"Sorry I couldn't be there to pick you up." Lucas apologized.
"No that is ok." Ben said.
"In here I'm so famous that if I was going to pick you up, you and me would not be left alone by all the people and the paparazzi." Lucas explained.
"You are that famous?" Ben asked.
"Yes… The ranking goes The Queen of England, Lady Diane god rest her soul and me and David Beckham tied in the third place but who is counting". Lucas stated while he laughed.
"Woow". Ben said surprised.
"I will not get tired of saying how good it is to have you here, how was the flight?" Lucas said hugging Ben again and at the time of detaching from him, he asked.
"The flight was good." Ben answered.
"Did they treat you well?" Lucas asked.
"As well as anyone who travels in first class". Ben responded while he laughed.
"Well I'm happy for that." Lucas stated.
"Thanks." Ben said.
"How did you leave everyone in Tree Hill?" Lucas asked.
"Everyone was fine except for mom that was crying a bit." Ben answered.
"Brooke is a bit of crier sometimes". Lucas stated while a laugh escaped.
"Yes". Ben said laughing.
"Could you locate the driver well?" Lucas asked.
"Yes, it took me a few minutes to find it but once I saw the sign that was it." Ben answered.
"Good." Lucas said.
"Although he did ask a lot of questions and wasn't pretty sure that it was me who he had to pick up." Ben said.
"Poor Marco." Lucas said laughing a bit.
"He said that if he messed this up, you will kill him". Ben stated while he laughed too.
"I wouldn't kill him but I would totally tell off what he did wrong." Lucas stated and laughed at Ben response.
"Well then I'm glad he double checked". Ben said still laughing.
"Yes, what you think of the house?". Lucas said laughing and asked.
"So far from the outside looks huge, astonishing and impressive." Ben said impressed by the house.
"Wait until you see it from the inside." Lucas stated.
"Talking about that can you show me my room so I can put the luggage and settle" Ben requested.
"Yes but wait … I will call the employees this house has so you can know them and they can know you." Lucas said.
Ben: "Ok." Ben said.
"Alfred…" Lucas yelled.
A couple of minutes later Alfred appeared on the foyer and said…
"Were you calling Sir?" Alfred asked.
"Yes, Alfred. Can you tell the entire staff to come here please?" Lucas said and asked.
"Of course Sir, right away." Alfred responded.
"Thanks." Lucas said.
More minutes pass and suddenly the foyer started to fill with people so once everyone that should be there was there, Lucas said…
Lucas: "Ben, this house doesn't run itself so in here are all the people that helps me run this house.
Alfred is the Butler, he is my second in command if you want, you already met Marco the choffer, he will take you to school every day or wherever you want to go if I'm in the house.
Over there you have Anita, Christine and Paula, this three lovely ladies are in charge of the kitchen so whenever you want to eat something you ask them or Alfred." Lucas explained, introducing every member of the staff with a laugh escaping here and there.
"Even if it's three in the morning." Ben asked.
"Yes, even if it's three in the morning that is why I put a bell on the kitchen for when this kind of cases occur". Lucas stated laughing again.
"Can they make anything I want?" Ben asked.
"Anything you want and If they don't know how to do it, you can teach them." Lucas said.
"Cool." Ben said.
"Next to them, you have Marian and Patrice, this girls are in charge of cleaning every room of the house so you better have you room organize and clean if you don't want them to nag you for giving them extra work". Lucas continued introducing people of the staff and laughing didn't stop.
"I will try to do that." Ben said.
"I know I got scolded a few time". Lucas stated again a laugh coming out of his mouth.
"And?" Ben asked.
"Not pretty I can tell you". Lucas stated, still laughing.
"Thanks for the advice." Ben said.
"You are welcome. Now last but not least those two men over there are Anthony and Peter, they take care of the garden and all things garden like including the pools." Lucas finished introducing the last two people of the staff, the laughing didn't seem to subside.
"We have pools?" Ben asked.
"Yes, we have two pools, outdoor and indoor one." Lucas stated.
"Awesome." Ben said surprised.
"And I was forgetting an indoor and outdoor basketball court". Lucas said still laughing.
"I love you already". Ben said laughing too.
"I know you are. Well Ben that is it, if you have any problem and I'm not in the house, you can come to them." Lucas said hugging him, laughing and playing with his hair.
"Awesome." Ben said.
"And I want to say to you to all, my staff, my family that you should treat Ben like he was part of my family because in a way he is since it's the son of a friend that I care deeply for her and that my mother considers like a daughter. Is that ok?". Lucas said and asked.
"I can speak in behalf of everyone here and tell you Sir that Ben will be treat it like he was your son." Alfred said.
"Thanks, I could not expect anything more from you all. You can all be excuse except for Marco." Lucas said.
Everyone left the room except Marco that approached Lucas and said…
"What do you need from me Sir?" Marco asked.
"Can you take the luggage to Ben's room?" Lucas asked.
"Yes Sir." Marco said.
"Thanks. C'mon Ben, let's get you settle." Lucas said.
All of them left the foyer towards the stairs and the upstairs floor where all the bedrooms where.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nathan and Haley just got to the house from the doctor, the two of them were happy because finally he was given the all clear.
He was now finally walking by himself like the accident never happened, he can wave goodbye for good to the crutches and the wheelchair.
He entered the house, sat on the couch just enjoying the little thing in life like the fact of not needing help to sit down or get up from it.
He was called out from the day dream by Haley talking to him…
"Nathan… Nate…" Haley called out to him.
"Umm what Haley?" Nathan asked.
"Are you happy that the doctor give you the all clear?" Haley asked.
"Very much." He stated.
"Yeah me too." She said.
"Because you don´t have to take care of me like baby?" Nathan asked.
"No you dumbass, I'm happy because I got back my Nathan!." Haley said hitting slightly Nathan´s arm.
"Your Nathan?" He asked.
"Yes my Nathan…". Haley said kissing his lips.
"I like this happy Haley". Nathan said returning the kiss and trying to grab Haley´s hips.
"Ummm no mister…You can't do that yet." Haley said hitting his hand and laughing.
"Can't do what?" He asked.
"You know what…" She stated.
"I seriously don't know." Nathan said putting an ignorant face on.
"Do you want to spell it out for you?" Haley asked.
"Yes please". He said excited.
"You are lucky that the kids are not in the house." Haley said.
"I still don't know what I'm suppose not to do." He said with the same face of fake ignorance.
"Nathan Royal Scott… we can't have sex yet…" Haley stated full naming him.
"By who's order?" He asked.
"That tall guy with a white robe, that gave you the all clear just moments ago." Haley said.
"I didn't hear him say that." Nathan said.
"You don't hear what you don't want." Haley said laughing.
"Well sometimes I can have selective hear loss". Nathan stated laughing too.
"Yes, you do." Haley said.
"C'mon Hales". He said trying to grab her again.
"Nate no!." Haley stated.
"Till when?" Nathan said pouting.
"The doctor said nothing of exhausting activities or any activity that involve heavy lifting for a couple of months." Haley said.
"But Hales… it's a long time since you and I are intimate." Nathan said.
"I know, I know." She recognized.
"I'm horny and I miss you." Nathan said being sincere.
"Wow I think I just saw teenage Nathan again. I miss you too honey but we waited this long, we can wait a couple of more months." She said laughing.
"If we have too." He said pouting again.
"Yes we do." Haley said.
"Ok." He said still pouting.
"You are so cute when you pout." Haley said.
"That would get me anywhere?" He asked.
"No." Haley said laughing again.
"Well I had to try it." He stated.
"It wouldn't be you if you didn't and the prohibition extends to lifting Sophia up." Haley stated.
"This is no fun." Nathan said.
"No it isn't". Haley said laughing.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lucas stopped in front of an open door that leads to a bedroom, both of them waiting and watching how Marco the driver left Ben's luggage inside.
When he left, Lucas with Ben in a tow entered the room.
"Ben, this will be your room." Lucas said.
"Wow!. This is a huge room." Ben said surprised.
"Yeah, well all the room in the house are big". Lucas said laughing.
"Seriously this is bigger than any room I had even in NY where we live in a freaking penthouse." Ben stated.
"Well in England houses tend to be big." Lucas said laughing again.
"I see." Ben stated.
"That is your bed. I thought you would prefer a big bed instead of a small one." Lucas said pointing to the king size bed.
"Totally." He said.
"Over there you have your desk with the latest in computer technology." He showed to Ben.
"But I brought my computer." Ben said.
"Well never hurts to have two". He said laughing.
"Yes that is true." Ben stated.
"Next to that you have a big window that allows you to look to a part of the garden and you also have a big couch so you can sit on." Lucas continued showing the room to Ben.
"Awesome." He said surprised.
"To the left you have a library that I took the advantage of filling it with books that I think you may enjoy." Lucas said showing him the library.
"How did you know what I like?" Ben asked.
"I tried to remember all the conversations about books we had so once I did it, I fill it with authors that I think you could enjoy plus my books in case you want to read them." Lucas stated.
"Awww, thanks." Ben said surprised.
"Next to the door you have everything set it up in case you want to connect a TV." Lucas said.
"Why don't you have a TV in the room?" Ben asked.
"I don't like it but on the other rooms I leave that decision to the people that is going to use it." Lucas said.
"And if I want a TV where can I get it?" Ben asked again.
"You ask Alfred and he will buy one for you." Lucas stated.
"But you do have a TV in this house right?". Ben asked concerned.
"Yes we have a huge one in TV/Movie room downstairs." Lucas said laughing.
"How huge?" Ben asked.
"Like from the roof to floor huge!." Lucas stated.
"Really?" Ben asked again.
"Really. It occupy the entire wall." Lucas stated.
"Awesome." Ben said.
"We also have that movie theatre seats for all that comes to this house to enjoy." Lucas said.
"Beyond awesome." Ben said again.
"In the other side of the room you have your own bathroom and a walk in wardrobe with a full mirror on the back of it so you can check your look before you are out of this house." Lucas continued showing the room.
"Wowwww this is big. How did you manage to do it this big?" Ben asked as he entered in the walk in wardrobe.
"I took a bit of space from the bathroom". Lucas stated laughing.
"My mom would love one of this in Tree Hill." Ben said.
"I know she would." Lucas said again laughing.
"We had one like this in NY." Ben stated.
"Well that is it." Lucas said finishing the tour of the room.
"Thanks for the tour of the room." Ben said.
"You are welcome; anything you need let me remind you that my room is at the end of the hall." Lucas said.
"Thanks." Ben said.
"I will go now so you can settle and relax". He said closing the door.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nathan and Haley were just chatting in the kitchen when they heard the doorbell ringing so this last one got up and went to answer the door.
Few minutes later seeing that she wasn't returning, Nathan said…
"Hales, who was it?" Nathan asked.
"It is Karen." Haley said.
"What are you doing there?… come to the kitchen." Nathan asked.
Few seconds later…both of the women where entering the room.
"Hi Karen, what are you doing here?." Nathan greeted and asked.
"I heard thru the grapevine that someone was given the all clear and walking like nothing ever happened so I wanted to see it by myself." Karen said.
"Well check it out". Nathan said standing up and walking.
"Wow I still can't believe it." Karen said surprised.
"Pretty amazing huh?" Nathan asked.
"Yes, pretty amazing and I'm so happy for you." Karen stated.
"I know you are." He said.
"I'm also happy for you Haley". Karen said turning around and grabbing Haley's hands
"Thanks Karen." Haley said.
"When are you going to tell your brother about it?." Karen asked.
"As soon as I can but I don't know the schedule of my brother this days". Nathan said laughing.
"I think neither of us knows"). Haley stated laughing alongside her husband.
"Yeah that is true but I will bet that today he is probably at home." Karen said.
"Probably and that has me wondering if Ben gotten there fine." He said.
"We are wondering the same thing." Karen and Haley said.
"All I can think is poor Brooke. She must be feeling so sad." Nathan said.
"She was at my house the other day and she was sad, missing him." Karen said.
"That kid in the months he was here…we all fell in love with him." Haley stated.
"Yes." Nathan said.
"Yes." Karen said.
"Now there is like a void." He said.
"Yes honey". Haley said caressing his arm.
"My house feels empty without him." Karen stated.
"But Lilly must be happy that she got her room back." Nathan said.
"Part of her is but the other part wished that Ben was at home bothering her". Karen said laughing.
"I know what you mean, Jamie is happy that his cousin is spending time his father but he miss him terribly." Haley stated.
"Even the café feels empty without him helping around … joking with the cooking guy." Karen said.
"I have to say that the town feels pretty… let's just said it EMPTY." Nathan said.
"Well let's just change the subject before we get all depressed… so what was the doctor's order?" Karen asked.
"Doctor said that he can't do any heavy lifting or exhausting activities." Haley stated.
"Ohhh, for how long?" Karen asked.
"For a couple of months." Haley stated.
"Well you just have to wait but the good thing is that you can walk." Karen said.
"It's like I told him." Haley said.
"But he isn't too please right?" Karen asked.
"No." Haley stated.
"I'm not." He said.
"Why?" Karen asked again.
"Because I want to get back in the swings of things I do in my normal life before the accident." Nathan said.
"You will get to do that but you waited so much time for this why don't you wait a bit more?." Karen said and finally asked him.
"That is what I told him." Haley said.
"I understand you but understand me." Nathan said.
"We do honey but what is more important being able to walk or just do your normal stuff like hitting the gym?" Haley said trying for him to see her point, eventually she ended up ask him.
"I agree with Haley." Karen said.
"Being able to walk." Nathan said.
"Now do you see our point?" Haley asked.
"Yes." Nathan said.
"Do what your wife tells you and in a couple of months you will do that and more." Karen said.
"Ok." Nathan said.
They continued chatting for a bit more before Karen left.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Lucas was walking down the stairs towards his study when he was stopped by Alfred …
"Sir…" Alfred said.
"Yes Alfred…" Lucas said.
"Mr. Gavin called and I told him that you were busy attending person. That you will call him back." Alfred said.
"Thanks Alfred." Lucas thanked him.
"You are welcome Sir." Alfred said.
"Alfred…" Lucas said.
"Yes?" Alfred asked.
"Did he tell you what he wanted?" Lucas asked.
"No, Sir." Alfred said.
"I will call him the second I reach the study." Lucas stated.
"Very well Sir." Alfred said.
When he reached the study, he sat on his chairs behind his desk and grabbed the phone and dialled Gavin's cell phone.
After the first ring, Gavin answered…
"Hi Mate!." Gavin said.
"Hey Gav. How are you?" Lucas said and asked.
"I'm good Mate." Gavin said.
Lucas: "Good to know. The kids?" Lucas said and asked.
"The kids are fine." Gavin stated.
"Miranda?" Lucas asked.
"She is fine too." Gavin stated.
"Alfred told me that you called me." Lucas said.
"Yeah I did." Gavin said.
"Sorry I couldn't come to the phone." Lucas apologized.
"That is ok mate." Gavin said.
"Thanks." Lucas thanked him.
"With who were you talking?" Gavin asked.
"Ben just got here and I was settling him into his room." Lucas stated.
"Wait… Ben as in Brooke's son?" Gavin asked.
"Yes." Lucas said.
"So he did finally come to live here…" Gavin said.
"Yes he did." Lucas said.
"Mate I thought you were joking when you told me all those months ago." Gavin said.
"I wasn't joking. I thought you knew me well to know when I joke and when I do not". Lucas said laughing.
"Well I thought so too. So how is the kid?" Gavin stated laughing and ultimately asked.
"He is fine, he was blown away by how big his room were". Lucas stated while laughing a bit.
"Really?" Gavin asked.
"Really." Lucas stated.
"Don't tell me that the houses in America are small?" Gavin asked laughing.
"Well not all are big as the English ones." Lucas stated.
"Then thank god I convinced you to buy a house as big as yours". Gavin said laughing.
"Thank God. You have a good idea for once…" Lucas said joking.
"Mate! I'm offended by that". Gavin said laughing.
"I said that because back in that time you were hitting the bars heavily". Lucas said laughing.
"Like you weren't"… Gavin said continuing laughing.
"Well I was but in a minor scale". Lucas stated continuing laughing.
"Sometimes I miss those days." Gavin stated.
"What the booze or the sleeping around?". Lucas asked laughing.
"Nahhh just us having fun. Us against the world remember?". Gavin said laughing a bit and asking.
"Yeah I do. But we see each other often…" Lucas said.
"Yes but it not the same." Gavin stated.
Lucas: "Ahhh my mate Gav is getting sad…I will tell Miranda to extra cuddle you tonight." Lucas said.
"Yes please!.". Gavin said his voice suddenly perking up.
"You are one of a kind". Lucas said laughing.
"Indeed I am." Gavin said.
"And I'm happy to have found you." Lucas said grateful.
"So mate did you introduce Ben to all your staff?" Gavin asked.
"Yes I did and I told them to treat him like he was my son." Lucas said.
"Well you know that he could totally be your son right?" Lucas asked.
"Gav, knock it off with that subject, he is not my son and he could never be my son because Brooke would never do that to me." Lucas stated.
"Ok Ok mate, don't get angry." Gavin said.
"So why did you call me mate?." Lucas asked.
"I called you to invite you to eat at my house this weekend, we can chat, you can see the kids. What do you say?." Gavin said and asked.
"I can't mate, Ben is here." Lucas said.
"Bring him along. You know that Miranda cooks for an army always." Gavin said.
"Yeah I know." Lucas said.
"So what do you say? Are you and Ben coming or not?" Gavin asked.
"Ok. We are going." Lucas asked.
"Great. I will let Miranda know to put an extra set of plates in the table." Gavin said.
"What time mate?" Lucas asked.
"Noon as always." Gavin said.
"Is the rest of family going to be there?" Lucas asked.
"No. Mom and Dad took a trip to Madrid, James travelled to NY with his girlfriend because I think she had a photo shoot and the little one is off vacationing with her lady friends." Gavin said.
"So it's your family and us right?" Lucas asked.
"Yeap mate." Gavin stated.
"Well see you this weekend mate." He said.
"Looking forward too…" Gavin said.
"Bye". Lucas said hanging up the phone.