"Thank you so much Deb. I really - you have no idea how much this means to me," I said to her as we sat at Karen's cafe.
"Of course Brooke. I could really use the help and you would be doing me a favour. I do have to ask though, now that you're getting an actual paycheck, how about working part time and returning to school? We could talk to Principal Turner and persuade him," Deb asked me. Lucas had obviously filled them up on my situation at the hospital. I had been put to rest for a week with all my friends literally on my side at the slightest snivel and now that the Doctor had officially said that my airways were clear of all the toxins, I was back on a job hunt. Apparently Haley and Deb had already worked it out, especially since one of her previous waitresses had given her notice to quit. To say I was relieved was an understatement.
"It's either two part time jobs or this full time, Deb," I said, not budging. I was really tired of their repeated persuasion. Hey, at least I had saved up enough in those two months that I was able to pay back for my tickets back from London. They had said no, that they didn't want the money back, but I insisted that they take it as is or I would return it with interest.
"I never liked your stubbornity, even when you were a child," Deb rolled her eyes at me.
"So what would you like me to do, Boss?" I asked her enthusiastically.
"Go sit in that booth comfortably and fill the salt shakers. It's a slow day," she smiled at me. I knew that she was deliberately giving me menial jobs that didn't really require me on my feet much, and honestly, I was just grateful. Although, I would ensure that I was legitimately working and not getting a free paycheck.
"I thought Haley had a shift today," I asked her as I walked behind to the kitchen to get the box of salt and the empty shakers.
"Yeah, but she really wanted to go with Lucas to the airport to receive Karen," Deb replied. She couldn't help but sound happy about the arrival of the infamous Karen Scott.
"You think it's a good idea for her to come back? I mean, I know just how much Luke was ready to endure if it meant keeping his mother safe. I just feel so terrible that he called her for me. I went ahead and got poisoned and now he is doubting my fitness to carry his children and hoping that his mom can teach me," I wailed begrudgingly.
"Brooke, come on! He doesn't think that," Deb tried to reason with me.
"Besides, is it even safe for her to come back? Dan is still here, hello!" I was almost hysterical.
"Brooke, that is for the adults to worry about. You can be a kid for this one. However, to ease your stress and anxiety, our lawyer already drew up a restraining order in the state of Savannah for her so she got it fairly easily. They work interstate so she will be safe. We have drawn up divorce papers and are pleading with a judge to grant her an ex parte because we are all aware just how difficult Dan is going to make this for her. But we have made it so that she never has to even see that scum's face again," Deb said to me, relieving me out of so many of my worries simultaneously that I exhaled out deeply.
"Great, so all I have left to worry about is Lucas' mother to completely hate me!" I sighed as I perched atop a barstool and began filling the shakers. Deb rolled her eyes at me yet again. I knew you were always a dramatic child, but this is just funny now.
"Deb, I literally trapped his kid. He has to be a dad at 16!" I explained.
"From what I see, you saved that sixteen year old from a very toxic and very harmful environment. You saved his life. If this were Nathan in his shoes, I would have been very grateful to you," Deb said calmly.
"When you put it that way…" I began but never got to finish my sentence because in walked the infamous Karen Scott!
"Oh my God! Karen, you look lovely!" Deb greeted her partner and sister in law as she ran up to her to give her a hug.
"Oh, it's just so good to see you Deb! I love what you have done with the place," Karen smiled as she too embraced the blonde lady and looked around the room. I was so terrified at that moment that all I wanted to do was run and hide, yet it would look terrible, especially on my first day on the job, so I busied myself with the shakers, focusing all my attention on them.
"Go, meet her," Haley coaxed me, leaning against the counter. I just pretended that I could not hear her, hoping that if I was extremely silent, it would just turn me invisible, even though I was the fattest I would ever be.
"Karen I have something for you," Deb said, handing her a ring of keys once they had settled at the counter a couple of stools away from me. I saw her look towards me intently, but I continued to feign ignorance and look straight ahead, concentrating on filling those salt shakers as if they were beakers in a science lab and the salt was explosive material. "It's the keys to the beach house. You and Lucas can stay there for as long as you like. At least until you manage to get a place of your own."
"Oh God Deb, this is way too much. I mean you paid for the lawyer and my flight tickets back here. You literally put in my share of the profits into my bank account every month for me to live comfortably in Savannah even when I left you with all the work," she listed.
"Karen, you are my sister in law! We are family and frankly you're my only friend. I insist. For all the times you helped Keith and I out when we were young, please," Deb insisted.
"Thank you so much!" Karen accepted the generous offer.
"Maa, meet Brooke," I heard Lucas say suddenly. Adrenalin gushed through my veins as I grew alert as if somebody had ricocheted high voltage electric shocks down my spine. I was more afraid of meeting Karen than Dan because I really didn't want to let down this incredible and tough woman. I just looked down, afraid and shivering.
"It's so good to finally meet you, Brooke. I've heard so much about you," she said to me warmly. I had no choice but to look up.
"Uhh… lovely to meet you too," I replied awkwardly.
"I can't believe my boy is about to have two babies!" she exclaimed, looking at Lucas and hitting his shoulders.
"Ahh! Mom, no need to be violent. It still baffles me sometimes. I'm about to become a father! Gosh I don't think I have ever said that sentence out loud. It feels so bizarre," he contemplated. That is when I realised, I too had never said that sentence. I was about to be a mother. The mere thought of it made my belly flutter! WHo in their right mind would ever allow me to take a baby home from the hospital!
"I'm so sorry that you have to go through this at a time when both of you are just so young. But having children is such a beautiful journey. Motherhood is the best job I ever took," Karen said to the two of us. There was just something about her that was so warm and compassionate and simply lovely. It was as if, if she told me everything would turn out to be okay, I would actually believe her! She was just so motherly! Oh my God, yes she was motherly! That was the feeling! Was that how having a parent was supposed to feel?
My heart instantly dropped. What did I know about parents, I had none growing up. Yes, Lucas had it tough, but at least he had a mom. At least he knew what it was like to have a parental figure. What was I going to do?
"I hope I can even be half the mom you were to Lucas. Mine never wanted anything to do with , when the hospital called them last week with the black mould, they said that they never had a daughter," I looked down at my belly with guilt. Was I doing the right thing by keeping them or was I being too stupid and too selfish? I knew I did not want them to ever question my love for them. I loved them and I knew that giving them up would be exactly like what my parents did to me in a way and they would feel unloved. But, what if I messed up all the same? I could not meet Karen's gaze when I said that to her.
"Brooke, you're already a good mother. The way you're taking care of them already and you're worried about them shows just how much you love and care for those two," she acknowledged.
"No, I am not," I interjected so strongly that it even surprised me. "I made so many terrible choices that put them in jeopardy already. I spent the first month and a half drinking excessively! I didn't know that I was pregnant then but god… it can affect them so much later. And then with the black mould that I inhaled, that could be fatal or lead to respiratory issues and lung damage and bleeding and miscarriage. I am already failing, Karen. I am so sorry!" Both Karen and Deb were at my side instantly with Haley running to get me some tissues as I cried.
"I drank the first month too because I didn't know that I was pregnant with Nathan either and he turned out fine, Brooke. Also, believe what your doctor says and he said that the babies were okay and their heartbeats were strong. Everything will turn out just fine," Deb tried to appease me.
"So Brooke, what are your pregnancy cravings lately?" Karen asked in an attempt to divert my mind.I saw lucas' ears perk up. He didn't know whether I had any pregnancy cravings and I hadn't even told him.
"God ice cream!" I said, falling right into her trap. "I just wake up feeling so hot at night and my insides feel like they are burning up so I can go through tubs of ice cream with chocolate fudge! It's quite surprising for me since I never had much of a sweet tooth."
"I will get you a bowl right away honey," Deb said entering the kitchen to get me a bowl.
"Where are you currently living, Brooke?" Karen asked, continuing her interrogation.
"Uhh… at my friend Peyton's. I don't have enough savings yet, but as soon as I do I will move into an apartment and hopefully get a car eventually," I said, hoping that I could impress her that I at least had a plan, even though I was far away from achieving it.
Karen simply nodded her head making me wonder whether she felt sorry for me or admired my bravery. Deb comes back momentarily with the ice cream making my face light up. She had got a tray with five bowls and I couldn't help but eye them hungrily. They watched as I ate the chilled ice cream in record time while they were still eating their second or third bite. Then I stealthily snatched Lucas' bowl and finished it up as well. I licked my lips and smiled while he rolled his eyes at me and the rest of them laughed.
"Sorry, I really really crave these," I said once I deposited the empty bowls back on the counter.
"Don't worry, I could never have enough grilled cheese sandwiches when I was pregnant with this oaf right here. Once, I had four together!" Karen said to me.
"No wonder Karen's cafe is famous for its grilled cheeses!" I commented.
"I'm sorry to bring it up like this but, what is my boy telling me about you dropping out of school?" Karen said with a serious face this time. It was the 'I'm not angry. I am just disappointed' face that until today I had only heard about and never been on the receiving end of.
"Yeah Karen, knock some sense into her," Deb chimed in. That's when I knew that I was fighting a losing battle. "This girl has always been a stubborn one!"
"God, please can we just let this go," I tried.
"No brooke, school is important," Karen reprimanded me.
"Yeah, well so is sustenance and now two lives depend on me for it," I said. My hand instantaneously went and rubbed my belly.
"Brooke, why quit though? We can work something out," Karen continued. Apparently, she was just as stubborn as I was.
Why? Umm… because I have already quit and I have explained this to everyone over and over. Somebody is going to have to take care of them so why not sooner than later! Also I need money and a full time job earns me almost double of a part time one!" I said another time. I hated being a broken record but the people around me simply refused to let it go!
"Sorry for the harshness but that is a damn stupid thing to do! You are going to get an education!" Karen did not budge! I was so surprised to hear her say that. Was that how a mother laid down the rules for her child? I was learning so much in just twenty moments with this lady. Also, it made my heart warm. Nobody in my life had really cared so much about my grades or whether I was smart or not or whether I went to school or not. I was just so surprised that this woman who had never so much as seen me before was literally being my mother for me! All I wanted to do was hug her and say thank you. Yet, my defences were high.
"Karen, trust me I would love nothing better than to complete high school. But, I need the money. I have been let down by my family so badly that I am determined to do it alone. The only person that I can really trust at this point is myself. Though, if I am really being honest, I'm losing faith in myself as well. Everything else seems so trivial, giving them the best life, the life that they deserve, the life that they should have is all that I care for now. They should have everything and more," I said.
"Exactly, they should have everything and more and the only way to do it is if you have a good future. Not them, you! So Brooke, I will help the two of you. Whatever you need, I have savings from the cafe, I can look after them when you are in school. You can continue to work at the cafe part time for your personal expenses and for the children. Lucas is already working at the Auto shop. I am sure that Deb and Keith and all your friends will help out too but Brooke, without overstepping my bounds, I urge you to accept. I know that your parents hurt you badly, but Brooke, this is not an easy feat. I know it because I had to raise Lucas alone until Dan came back into the picture and even then I was alone, but let me tell you this. The only way I could do it was with help, lots and lots of help from Deb and Keith, and I wasn't even in High School at that time. I was young, but we were in college when we got pregnant. We helped each other with Nathan and Lucas. You are not alone, Brooke. You can trust us, we are here for you," she said.
This did it for me. I got out of the stool and ran up to her flinging my arms around her. "Thank you so much," I cried. She was shocked at first, not expecting me to react this way, but soon her hand reached my back rubbing soothing circles around it.
"It's alright, Brooke. We are all there for you," she said, not letting go as I continued to sob in the nape of her neck.
"I'm gonna go get more ice cream!" Haley said, finding the whole scene too intense and emotional.
— — –
"Hey! Are you ready for your first day back?" Peyton asked me, entering my room, already dressed for school while I was still lying in bed looking miserably at my belly.
"No, they kept tossing and turning inside all night, I just could not get comfortable. Then I felt hot, so I took my top off but then that just made me feel cold so I pulled up the duvet and no, I had a terrible night! Maybe I'll start tomorrow," I moped before pulling up the covers over my eyes.
"Haley already has her work cut out for her! Come on! Haley and Karen already worked a miracle with Principal Turner for you to catch up to us, let's not get him mad," Peyton said as she sat on the bed to help me up.
"Are you feeling any kicks yet?" she asked, touching my belly.
"No, they just press on my bladder and tumble and turn. I swear, they are already fighting inside about who can jump harder on my bladder," I grumbled.
Karen and Haley had truly managed the impossible. Turner had said that there was no way that I was going to catch up on the school that I had missed for months and make enough credits to graduate the year on time. He had suggested that I take the year off and repeat it again. Karen had firmly rejected his contention. So instead they came up with a plan. I was to go to school and Haley, who was a tutor affiliated with the school, was to come to the cafe during my shifts which were everyday post school and catch me up on the months of assignments and tests that I had lost. She had the permission to take my tests and get them corrected by the respective professors who would add them to my grades. The teachers had more or less been quite sweet and helpful, given my situation and so besides the awkward stares I was about to receive, as hard as it was going to be, I was going to make it!
"Hey Pretty Girl, it is so good to see you back here. How are you?" Lucas asked me as I got out of Peyton's comet.
"My feet are swollen! I cannot see my feet or the ground in front of me! My back hurts from all the extra weight! I'm sore all over! I am hot and cold at the same time! These kids think my bladder is a freaking trampoline needing me to go pee every five minutes! I haven't slept even a wink at night! None of my clothes fit me and now I have to do school and more school with work! How the heck do you think I am!" I screamed.
"Yaa, she is not in a good mood today," Peyton joked, pulling Lucas away from my arm's length.
"I want to kill you for doing this to me Lucas Scott!" I yelled at him, ready to gorge his eyes out.
"She's just so sweet, isn't she?" Lucas laughed before putting his arms around my shoulders like he used to when we were dating.
"No, don't do that. We aren't dating!" I retaliated. "Did you not hear me say that I hate you and want to kill you?" Lucas made no attempt to move his hand. Instead he just pulled me closer.
"I know that this is scary for you, facing everyone at school being pregnant. I'm there for you every step of the way to support you. It does not mean that I am dating you. But I do care about you," he whispered in my ear. This sent shivers down my spine as I looked at him with surprise. I thought that I was doing a good job at hiding my fears. "I still know everything about you Brooke Davis."
With that, he moved his other hand behind us to curl his fingers through mine and walk me through the doors to my lockers and to our first class. He held my books for me and helped me into my seat, moving the desk for me as it was a little snug for my engorged belly.
"Glad to have you in class, Ms. Davis. I wanted to let you know that I am here to help you, whatever you need. Now who can recap what we have done so far in Catch 22 to bring Ms. Davis up to speed?" asked Mr. Greer.
I smiled as Haley raised her hand and began the synopsis.
"Ouch!" I suddenly screamed half way through the revision.
"Brooke! What's wrong?" Lucas asked, flying to my side in a second.
It took me a minute to recuperate from the sharp pain until it changed to a wide smile. I looked around to see that the entire class had surrounded me, phones ready to dial 911.
"The babies kicked!" I said to Lucas and the class by extension. I grabbed his hand and placed it where I felt the flutter. Within moments I felt another strong kick on my side and Lucas felt it too!
"Oh my God," he laughed and cried at the same time, unable to contain his bewilderment. We just looked at each other and laughed, feeling a strangeness and deep love for the two souls that we were bringing into the world.
"Okay kids, let's settle down. Ms. Davis is going to be okay," Mr. Greer said, but he was smiling too.
Lucas still sat there crouched near my desk, his hands going into my shirt to make direct contact with my belly. "That must be our son. Squirt, we are a basketball family, not Soccer!"
"A. What kind of name is Squirt, B. He can choose whatever sport he wants, or no sport and C. What makes you think this isn't our daughter? Girls can be athletic too, you know?" I yelled at him.
"It's Princess, Squirt and Pretty Girl," he said with such a straight face that I burst out laughing. "I earlier thought about going all P's and calling him Peanut, but Squirt was simply more fitting."
"Lucas Scott, did you put thought and effort into nicknames?" I asked him, completely ignoring Mr. Greer who was trying so hard to get the class to focus on Catch 22.
"Yeah and Princess, if it's you then Good Job! I will teach you all you want to know about Soccer, okay?" He spoke to my belly.
Just then Mr. Greer cleared his throat for the umpteenth time making Lucas finally go back to his seat but all he did for the rest of the class was stare at me while I continued to feel the flutters of the babies' strong kicks.
