Chapter 2

Peyton had to catch her breath at Nathan's remark about possibly being her baby's father. She pulled back slightly meeting his gaze.

"What? We were together during my team's Christmas party," Nathan shrugged. "It stands to reason."

"I know" Peyton said. She felt so flustered. The details were blurry, but she remembered bits of being with Nathan's teammates at the party. Then going to the hotel afterwards. Drinking out of the mini bar. Laughing like they were fifteen again. Nathan taking off his shirt, climbing into bed, and waking up next to him in the hotel suite.

"Then what makes you think Luke is the father?" Nathan asked her.

"Nothing. I wasn't sure, but Brooke knew I was with Lucas and she just assumed that it is his baby. How was I going to explain otherwise? Brooke was too busy with Julian and the twins over Christmas to even know I went to that party with you."

"I can't believe this," Nathan commented, although Peyton could see he wasn't angry with her.

"I'm shocked too. I wasn't planning to be with either one of you and the timing makes it impossible to know who this baby belongs to. I was planning to say it was a one-night-stand since you're both taken, but Brooke keeps telling me I should tell Luke."

"I'm not taken. Those other women I dated during basketball, they didn't mean anything. That's why I asked you to be my date to that party. I can be myself with you and you're smoking hot," he grinned and winked at her.

"Then you and Hailey will work things out since you have James together."

"Believe me, I've gone back and forth on that, but Hailey and I haven't been together since high school. I could never live up to her expectations." Nathan felt it had been a tough road trying to impress Hailey. She didn't accept him just the way he was. She never liked his friends and when she got pregnant, it had been all about her. She didn't want him to go away to college and broke up with him when he left to Duke.

"I haven't talked to Hailey in three years, since we had a big fight when Luke and Lindsay were getting married," Peyton told him. "She was mad I was rude to Lindsay and didn't go to their wedding."

"Typical Peyton," Nathan joked. "I haven't heard much from her either. I've been paying child support and I thought she was here taking care of James, but clearly, I was delusional. She's now living in Memphis with some guy named Chris according to my parents. Does Brooke still talk to Hailey?" he asked, trying to get some clarity to explain Hailey's actions.

"She moved out there about the time Brooke was having the twins. I don't even think Brooke kept in touch with Hailey after marrying Julian. Brooke was already busy working at her Mom's clothing line and then they were busy with all that IVF stuff trying to get pregnant," Peyton explained.

"I can't believe we're all parents now," Nathan commented. "This is wild. It feels like just yesterday you and I were hiding out at my parent's beach house. Remember that was the first time I told you 'I love you', when we snuck out there together for the first time? You were the hottest girl in our class and all mine."

Peyton felt herself blush. Nathan was her first love. He could have chosen from any of the flirtatious, beauty queens who wanted him but he chose her. She remembered being fifteen and Nathan telling her she was meant for him and, until Lucas came along, they had something special.

"Not anymore," Peyton said, glancing at her baby bump.

"Now, more than ever," Nathan said. "You could have told me," Nathan wrapped his arm around Peyton's shoulders and she rested her head against his chest. It felt surreal.

"Well now you know," Peyton whispered, feeling a tear slip down her cheek, overwhelmed by the moment.

"I might be a dad again. That's a big deal," Nathan let out a big sigh.

"Yeah," Peyton agreed letting the words hang in the air. She didn't know what to hope for anymore.

Nathan placed a hand on her stomach. "What are the chances?

Peyton do you want to get back together?" he asked.

Before she could respond, her phone rang. It was Brooke.

"That's weird she usually texts," Peyton said. "I did sort of say I might come over earlier before I got sick," Peyton added, accepting the call.

"Hey, sorry I didn't come over -" Peyton began but was interrupted by Brooke crying into the phone.

"Peyton, I need you to come over asap. I have to go to the hospital."

"Now? Are you okay?" Peyton asked, hearing the urgency in her best friend's voice.

"It's not me. It's Julian. Please come over and watch the boys until my parents get here," Brooke pleaded in a desperate voice Peyton barely recognized.

"Of course. I'll be on my way. What happened?"

"Julian never came home. He was in a terrible car accident and they called me from the hospital. They have him in surgery. Peyton, they told me it could take hours to stabilize him. He has a head injury and he's already lost a lot of blood. I thought he was just working late and he's been fighting for his life," Brooke wept hysterically.

"Brooke, I'm coming. I'm sure he's in good hands," Peyton tried to reassure her, but could hear her own voice shaking.

"I'll take you," Nathan insisted, overhearing their call.

"Thanks, maybe you can drive Brooke to the hospital. She's too messed up to drive in her condition," Peyton suggested.

"Good idea," Nathan agreed, guiding Peyton to his truck.

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By the time they got to the ICU at the hospital, Brooke had completely dissolved into sobs. She was grateful Nathan had offered to bring her and too distraught to even wonder how he ended up at Peyton's apartment.

After an hour of sitting in a freezing waiting room, with a muted tv playing on the wall and a few other families that appeared exhausted and worried, Brooke still had no answers. She was beside herself with racing thoughts. She hadn't even been permitted to see Julian, she wondered if she'd ever hear his voice or hold his hand again. Brooke looked down at her sparkling diamond ring and wedding band and began shaking as tears fell uncontrollably. She could hear medical equipment beeping ominous sounds in every direction.

Suddenly, a doctor approached, "Mrs. Julian Baker, will you please come with me?" Brooke could hear the concern in his voice betraying his calm demeanor. Nathan gave her a sympathetic hug, though Brooke could see he looked pale and unsure what was coming.

"Is Julian okay?" Brooke cried. Completely distraught, she got to her feet and followed the doctor.

"Please right this way," the doctor said, leading her down a corridor through a doorway that opened as the doctor swiped his badge and closed behind them. Brooke could see deep creases in his forehead when he spoke to her.

He guided her into a small nursing area. "I'm so sorry," was all Brooke heard before collapsing.