Sorry I've been MIA. Here's what is going on. In the last chapter Lucas left to talk about his new book. He's now been gone for about a month and will be returning to a very different Tree Hill. He has given up on his writing career after his failed book tour. He is now becoming a full time staff member at the high school. He will be teaching current events and creative writing. He will also remain the head coach of the basketball team. Upon his return he knew that Sam wasn't living with them anymore and now lives with her mom. She still sees most of the Scotts and friends but is slowly starting to be with her mom more. Brooke has learned devastating news and now must comfort Lucas with it. The most change has come from Lily. Lily has spent the entire month with Brooke as her main caretaker. While Lily has done mainly okay with Brooke, she has started to develop an attitude.
Sam walked into her English class where Haley was on sitting at her desk. As Sam set down her things the bell rang. Haley stood up and started to teach her class about a 19th century poet. As she was finishing her lesson the bell rang. Sam watched as everyone left the room and she slowly walked up to Haley's desk.
"Mrs. J Scott, mind if I eat in here?" Sam asked.
"Of course!" Haley said with a smile. "How are things going with your mom?"
"Everything's been going great actually." Sam said and then looked down. "I miss Brooke and Lily and Lucas, but it's my mom."
"Sam, they miss you and always will but they are so happy you are with your mom." Haley said.
"Have you been by to see Brooke lately?" Sam asked.
"We had dinner together on Monday but that was the last time." Haley said. "What about you?" She asked.
"I was over last night." Sam said.
"Oh, how was Brooke doing?" Haley asked. "Nathan was with Lily the other day and he said that she has developed a little bit of an attitude problem. He almost lost it with her."
"Uh…she wasn't doing the hottest." Sam said. "Lily was very much a brat all night." She said as Lucas walked into the classroom. He had caught the very end of the conversation.
"Lily's being a brat?" Lucas asked instead of saying hello.
"No." Sam said quickly as Lucas hugged both of them.
"I didn't know you were coming back!" Haley said as she let go of him.
"I missed being home." He said with a smile.
"That's new." Haley said as Lucas smiled.
"Yeah well you know. I have reasons to come home." He said with a huge smile. "So….how was Lily? You did say she was a brat." He stated.
"Lily wasn't the best I've seen her…" Sam said as she looked down. "Actually Lily was really bad. She got in a lot of fights with Brooke."
"How did Brooke handle it?" He asked.
"She called her uncle." Sam said.
"Oh Nathan handled it? Good." He said.
"No, not Nate." Haley said.
"Yeah it wasn't Nate. It was Mouth that came over." Sam said.
"Lily's favorite person." He laughed.
"Yeah, Mouth definitely wasn't Lily's favorite person this week." Sam said. She looked at both adults who were waiting for a story. "Mouth came over for dinner last night and Lily was being very stubborn and Mouth got onto her." She said as the late bell rang. Haley went to her desk and wrote a note for Sam to get to her next class. Sam thanked her, said goodbye to Lucas and then left. Haley watched her leave and then turned to Lucas.
"What are you gonna do?" Haley asked.
"I don't even know." He groaned. "This isn't going to swept under the rug. Lily never acts like this. Never. I know my daughter and this is not who she is. A part of me just wants to punish the bad behavior and end it now, but the other part of me wants to sit down with her and talk about why she is acting like this. Is it just a phase? Did something happen that upset her. I know she is four. But that doesn't mean she is just being a kid. A lot has changed this year for both our kids. Maybe she doesn't know how to control her emotions."
"True. Very true." She said. "But from what I've heard…Lily is just testing to see how far she can push her dad's new girlfriend." She said as Lucas looked down. He knew she was right and that hurt him even more. "She did it with Lindsay."
"She did?" He asked.
"Yes. When it was just Lindsay and Lily they fought all the time. It stressed them both out." She said as he nodded. "Are you gonna go see Brooke now?' She asked.
"No. I'm meeting Peyton for coffee." He said as she shook her head. "It's not like that. I'm engaged." He said as he hugged her and walked out. He walked to his car and drove to the diner. As he pulled up he saw the comet and smiled. He got out and walked inside. He saw Peyton sitting at a booth with two cups of coffee. He walked over to her and sat down across from her.
"Hi Luke!" Peyton said.
"Hi, how are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm great…" He said as she shook her head.
"You get back in town and you haven't seen Brooke. Something is wrong." She stated. He nodded and then looked at her. He sighed and then looked down at his coffee. He shook his head and groaned. He looked down at his tapping foot and then back at Peyton.
"I love Brooke." He said. "I do. I want to spend my entire life with her."
"Then why are you here?" She asked. "Why are you drinking coffee with me instead of being with Brooke?" She looked at him and he said nothing. He took a sip of his coffee and then looked at her. As he opened his mouth to talk a tear fell from his eye.
"What if I'm not enough?" He asked.
"What are you talking about?" She asked. "You are good enough for her. She loves you." She looked at him and he was still looking down.
"What if all I am going to be is the high school basketball coach?" He asked. "Brooke deserves the world. What if I can only give her Tree Hill?" He stated and then she grabbed his hand that was resting on the table. He looked up at her and she had this smile that he couldn't look away from.
"I think there is something you should know." She said as he continued to look at her. "Everyone asked why we came back. Brooke's headquarters are in New York. I had a job in LA that was actually a really great job. I lied and told everyone that it wasn't. But it was a great job. Brooke called me one night and we talked. Hearing her voice I knew she needed to go home, back to Tree Hill. But I also knew that she couldn't come alone. So I came back with her. We said it was because my job failed and I couldn't make it. I do want my own label but that's not why I came back. I came back for my best friend. Brooke was there for me when my mom died, when my dad left for his job. She was always there for me. So when she told me she wasn't happy with her life and the one thing that would make her happy was returning home, I quit my job and came with her." She said as he looked at her.
"What did she say that made this decision for you?" He asked. She smiled and took a deep breath.
"She said she would give it all up." She said. "She would give up her money, her line, her houses across the world, everything for one person. You." She said as he smiled. "Brooke came back to Tree Hill for you." She said as he got up.
"I have to go talk to Brooke." He said as she smiled. He walked out to his car and drove to the store. He parked and walked up to the door. He smiled because Brooke was dancing in her store like a teenager in their room. He opened the door and she didn't notice him. He smiled as she twirled in a circle and then noticed him.
"Luke!" Brooke said with utter excitement. She quickly pulled him in for a tight hug. She smiled as he kissed her.
"I missed you pretty girl." He said as he kissed her again. She looked at him and then let go.
"What are you doing home?" She asked. "Last night you said you didn't know when you were coming. That your book tour was starting, today." She asked as he sighed. She watched as he walked to the counter.
"Its not going well." He said. "They put my book in the sci-fi section. The sci-fi section. My new editor didn't even read my book. He just got assigned to handle the tour." He sighed as she walked over to him and hugged him. He looked at her and hugged her back. She took his hand and walked to the purple couch in the store. They both sat down and he looked at her. She smiled and he felt at peace.
"What's going on in that wonderful mind?" She asked as he smiled.
"I've been in town since this morning." He said as he looked at her. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"It's okay Luke." She said. "But why didn't you tell me?" She asked.
"I had a lot on my mind." He said and then looked at her. "I just didn't feel good enough for you. I know that sounds awful. I was worried that me being a high school basketball coach and teacher wouldn't be enough. You deserve the world and I was afraid that the world of Tree Hill wouldn't compare." He finished as she looked at him.
"My world is where you are, always." She said and then kissed his cheek. He smiled and then looked at her.
"I heard you had problems with Lily?" He questioned.
"Just a little." She said. "I was reading earlier that at Lily's age her personality is changing and really taking its forum. I think Lily is also getting used to having me as a parental role." She said as he nodded.
"I think I'm going to talk to her tonight." He said as she nodded. The two sat there and talked. Lucas looked at her and smiled. "I completely forgot to ask how your doctors appointment went. I'm so sorry. How was it?" He asked. She looked down and then at him. She couldn't smile and then looked down. He lifted her chin up and she moved her face away from him. "Brooke…" He said.
"Do you want more kids?" She asked.
"Of course." He said not taking in the context. "I can't wait for Lily to have siblings and for us to have more kids." He said as he noticed her playing with her engagement ring. She then slid it off her finger and put it in his palm.
"Then I think you should find someone else to be with." She said as a tear fell. She started to get up and he stopped her.
"What are you talking about?" He asked.
"I can't have children Lucas." She said as she pulled her hand away from him and started to walk to the back. He quickly got up and followed her.
"Brooke." He called out to her and then turned the corner. He saw her leaning against the wall crying. He walked over to her and wrapped her in a hug.
"Lucas, I want you to be happy." She said. "You just said that you wanted children. Siblings for Lily."
"Brooke I want those with you." He said as he let go of her.
"Didn't you hear me?" She cried. "I can not have children Lucas. Lily is it for us. She won't have siblings and I won't ever give birth to kids."
"I love you and want a family with you." He said. "If Lily is it, then we have one child and spoil her like crazy. But we have a big house that we can still fill. There are options." He said as she looked at him. He looked at her and put the ring on her finger. "This ring means I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Brooke I want a life with you and everything that is included in your life"
"I love you Lucas Scott." She said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. He hugged her tight and could hear her talking into his chest.
"What was that?" He asked.
"You said options." She said as he pulled away and looked at her.
"Yeah, we could adopt." He said. "They take a long time but we might get lucky or we could be on a list and just wait."
"I want to tell Lily before we even get on the list." She said. "I'm not ready to tell everyone that I can't have kids…I haven't even told Peyton or Haley. And Luke, please don't tell them." She said.
"Never. It's yours to tell." He said. "And I agree I think we should talk to Lily about it." He smiled as he kissed her forehead. He looked at the clock and then at Brooke. "Is Haley's nanny picking up Lily today?" He asked.
"No, Millie went to pick up Lily before you got here. She's been picking up Lily in the afternoon." She said as he nodded.
"What about…" He started to say as she shook her head.
"I do not like that woman." She said. "Nanny Carrie is just not a nice lady. I tried to tell Haley but she doesn't see it. Lily does not like being around her at all." She said as he shook his head. Lily likes everyone. "While you were gone, I'm not gonna lie, I was struggling. I was trying to figure out what to do with work, meetings, and caring for Lily. Haley and Nathan offered for Carrie to pick up Lily and watch her for a little during the day and then drop her off here. Well I took them up on it and Lily would come in crying, or upset, or just very unhappy. So I asked Millie to pick up Lily the next week and she came in normal and happy. Millie loved it so its just become a normal thing." She said as the door chimed. "That should be them." She said as they heard Millie talking and then a tiny sweet voice.
"Brooke?" Millie said as Brooke walked around the corner and saw a very messy little girl. Before school Brooke had braided Lily's hair in two french braids and put her in a pair of jeans with a red and white clothes over bros kids baseball tee. Now she was looking at a little girl covered in dirt and ice cream smeared on her face. Brooke smiled and walked over to Lily.
"Someone looks like she had a fun day." Brooke said as she got down on Lily's level.
"Yeah we played outside and then Aunt Millie picked me up and took me for ice cream and we played at the park." Lily said as she smiled.
"Wow that sounds like a really big day…" Brooke said with a smile. She looked back at her office and then back at the little girl. "There's a surprise in the back office if you wanna go take a look." She said as she got up. Millie was a little confused as Brooke smiled at her. Lily walked to the back and then saw Lucas.
"Daddy!" Lily screamed with excitement. She ran up to him and greeted her on her level and then picked her up.
"Hi princess." He said as he kissed her cheek. He could feel her arms wrap around his neck. He smiled and then walked around the corner. "So I hope this isn't how she looked all day." He laughed as he set Lily down and looked at her.
"She just had a really fun day at school." Millie said as Brooke pulled a baby wipe out of her purse. She then wiped off Lily's face. Lucas smiled and then reached for Lily's hand.
"Well I think me and this little girl are going to head home and get some things straight." He said as Brooke smiled. "I'll have dinner ready for you when you get home." He said as he kissed her goodbye.
"Bye!" Brooke said as she hugged both of them.
"Bye Millie." Lucas said as Millie looked up from her books.
"Bye Lucas." Millie said as she watched them leave. Lucas held onto Lily's hand as they walked to the car. He helped Lily into the car and then got in the driver's seat. He started driving home and Lily talked to him the whole way home about everything he missed and how much she missed him. He pulled up to their house and parked in the driveway. He got out and then helped Lily out. They walked inside and Lily ran upstairs to her room. Lucas watched this and then heard Lily's door close. He walked upstairs and opened her door.
"Excuse me." He said as he opened the door.
"Hi daddy!" Lily said with a smile. She went back to playing with her toys while Lucas stood there looking at her.
"Why was your door shut?" He asked.
"Cause I did it." She said back to him. He was shocked by this answer.
"Lily Roe Scott!" He said as she looked at him. "Get up." He said sternly. She listened and stood up. He walked over to her bed and sat down. He then patted the spot next to him. She walked over to him and sat down. "I am not a fan of this attitude you have. I've heard that you had a really bad attitude while I was gone. I am very disappointed in you. You know you are not allowed to have your door closed. This is your last warning. Do you understand?" He asked.
"Yes." She said, as she got really quiet. He looked at her and sighed. It was his first time seeing her in a month and he got mad at her. It really hurt him. He stood up and walked to the door. He looked back at her and she was still sitting on her bed.
"Honey, I am going to be downstairs in the kitchen making dinner. You wanna come downstairs and play while I cook?" He asked.
"No." She said quietly. He sighed and then walked out. He then walked downstairs and into the kitchen. He started looking around trying to figure out where everything was. He was so surprised how moved in the girls got in the month he was gone. He found everything he needed and started making dinner. He decided to make fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn. As he started to prepare dinner he saw Lily walk downstairs with a box of crayons and a coloring book. She sat down at the table and started to color.
"What are you coloring?" He asked as he continued to cook. He looked at her when five minutes had gone by and she hadn't responded. He sighed. She continued to color as he went to the fridge and pulled out the grape juice. He made her a cup and sat it down in front of her. "So Lily, how do you like school?" He asked with no reply. He sighed again and then walked over to where she was sitting. He sat down and looked at her. She looked up at him and he smiled. "I missed you." He said as she smiled. He went to hug her and she had a complete melt down. She started crying as he hugged her. He picked her up and set her down on his lap. "Honey what's wrong?" He asked.
"I missed you." She cried and then wrapped her arms around his neck. He now knew why she had such a sour attitude. This was the longest Lily had ever spent away from her dad. He always took her with him.
"Sweetheart, I missed you too." He said as he rubbed her back. He continued to calm her as he got up and walked into the kitchen. He checked on everything and then walked back to the table. By this point Lily was very calm. He placed her back in her seat and turned to a new coloring page. They both started to color and then he got up and started cleaning up the kitchen. He was almost done cooking when he heard Brooke pull up. He finished the final touches on dinner. He walked over to Lily at the table. Lily looked at him and then climbed into his lap. He wrapped his arm around her and continued to watch her.
"I'm home." Brooke said as she walked through the front door.
"In the kitchen." He called out as Lily finished coloring. He then looked at Lily and moved her to the seat next to him. "I'm going to put this up and we can color more after we eat."
"Brooke said we can watch a movie." Lily said as he nodded.
"Well, then we can watch a movie after we eat." He said as he got up.
"It smells great in here." Brooke said as she walked into the kitchen. She smiled as she looked over at Lily. "Hi honey." She said as Lily smiled. Brooke looked at Lily's face and could tell she had been crying. Brooke looked over at Lucas who was making plates for the three of them. "Is she okay?" She asked as she walked over to him.
"I got mad at her earlier." He said as she nodded.
"Attitude?" Brooke asked as he nodded. He then walked with his plate and Lily's plate over to the table. Brooke followed with her plate. Lucas walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer for him and Brooke. He walked back to the table and they all started eating. Brooke looked at Lucas and they both had the same idea.
"Lily do you want a brother or sister?" Lucas asked.
"Like a baby?" Lily asked.
"Yeah like a baby." Brooke said. "Would you like that?" She asked.
"Mhm." Lily said as she ate.
"Honey." He said as she looked at him. "You know how Sam was going to be apart of the family but she wasn't a baby?" He asked.
"Yeah." Lily replied as she finished eating.
"Well what if that is how a new baby came into our family?" Brooke asked.
"Can we choose?" Lily asked as Brooke and Lucas looked at each other.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"Well my teacher is having a baby." Lily said. "She wants a girl but she can't choose." She said as Lucas was a little shock.
"Well we wouldn't really choose if we foster but if we adopt we could have the choice. We could say we want a boy or a girl but we could also just be happy with whatever life throws at us." He said.
"I want a brother." Lily said as they both laughed.
"Okay princess." He said as he picked up her plate. The family then started to get ready for the rest of the evening. While Lucas unpacked, Brooke gave Lily a bath. Once she was finished she put pjs on Lily. Both girls walked downstairs and sat down on the couch. Lucas walked in and saw Brooke brushing Lily's hair. He smiled as he watched them bond. He then walked into the living room and sat down on the couch next to Brooke. He reached for Lily's blanket on the other side of Brooke and put it next to him. He was planning on sitting in the middle but Lily had other plans.
"I wanna sit by Brooke!" Lily said as she looked at Lucas.
"You always sit by me sweetheart." He said.
"But I wanna sit with Brooke." Lily argued.
"What if you sit in the middle?" Brooke suggested as Lily nodded. Lily then moved between them. They watched a movie together and once it finished Lucas turned the TV off.
"I think its time for bed little one." He said as he felt Lily lean more into his side. He stood up and then picked her up. She laid her head on his shoulders as he walked up the stairs. Brooke followed behind and then walked into Lily's room. Lucas laid Lily down on her bed and then tucked her in. He kissed her cheek and she smiled. "Good night Lily. I love you." He said as he finished tucking her in.
"Night daddy. I love you too." Lily said. Brooke then walked over to her and kissed her cheek.
"Good night honey." Brooke said. "Sweet dreams. I love you." She said as they walked to the door.
"Good night!" Lily said. "I love you mommy." She said as Brooke stopped in her tracks. This was the first time that Lily had called her mom. She walked out of the room and looked at Lucas with tears in her eyes.
"She called me mommy." Brooke said as he smiled. He wiped her tears away and gave her a huge hug.
"Its because you proved to her that you are her mom." He said with a smile. They then walked down the stairs together and through the living room to their room. He sat down on the bed with a smile and looked at her. "Do you want to fill out an application for adoption?" He asked.
"Can we? Please!" She asked as he nodded. They kissed as they started to get closer the doorbell rang and Brooke's phone started ringing. She picked it up and saw it was Haley. "Its Haley." She said as she walked out of her room and to the front door where Lucas was.
"Nathan is at the door." Lucas said. Brooke then answered her phone and walked into a different room. Lucas walked to the door and opened it. He was about to make a joke and then saw the look on hi little brother's face. "Nate…?" He said.
"She kicked me out." Nathan said as Lucas moved aside to let him in.
"What happened?" Lucas asked as Brooke walked back into the room.
"Nathan!" Brooke yelled. "The nanny?" She asked. Lucas looked at Brooke and then at Nathan.
"It isn't like that." Nathan said. "I pushed her away so many times. She came into my shower. I didn't ask her too." He said as both Lucas and Brooke both sighed.
"Do you need a place to stay?" Lucas asked.
"Do y'all mind?" Nathan asked.
"We have a guest room." Brooke said as she motioned upstairs. The three of them walked upstairs. Brooke opened the door to the guest room and Nathan walked in. He put his stuff down and then sat on the bed. He put his head in his hands and started to cry. Lucas then walked into the room and sat down next to him. Brooke shut the door and went to check on Lily.
-Let me know what y'all think! -M