Lucas stood staring at the lake in Central Park, completely lost in his thoughts. He was not sure why he was there and honestly, if someone asked him what he was thinking about, he probably couldn't articulate that either. He was just standing by the waters in Central Park like a zombie. He couldn't tell whether his mind was racing with so many thoughts at such a fast pace that he couldn't keep up with them or whether my mind was drawing a blank. So he just stood at the edge of the water and stared at the ducks quacking and swimming in the lake. His mind went to his son. Wow, he had a son! It felt so bizarre to him. The image of that little boy brought a trace smile to his lips, but his heart also ached for he had not had the opportunity to know him. He was angry, upset and hurt by Brooke's behaviour. How could she do that to him and her son? The son she claimed to love! Suddenly, he felt someone tug his coat.

"Hi! Didn't I meet you at momma's office?" a soft voice asked him. Lucas whirred around and almost fainted at who had found him. There he was, thinking of ways to find his son, and he found him instead. He could not believe his luck or fate or destiny, whatever he believed in. But, it didn't matter. His child had found him and it was taking everything from him to mask the emotions he felt at that moment.

Lucas' face broke into a smile and he knelt to be at eye level with the toddler. "Why yes! Yes, you did. Is your mom around?" he asked, his eyes scanning the park for the gorgeous brunette.

"No, I'm with Sammy. Mom is working," Jamie shrugged.

"Jamie! Whom are you talking to? You cannot run away like that and you know it!" A girl yelled as she heaved to catch her breath, walking towards where Lucas stood with Jamie.

"Oops! I don't even know your name. I'm not really allowed to talk to strangers, but you know my mom, right?" he asked him.

"Yeah. Your mom and I used to be friends and my name is Lucas Scott," he introduced himself.

Jamie's eyes widened upon hearing that. "No way! That is my name! My name is James Lucas Scott too!" he remarked gleefully.

"Sammy! We have the same name!" Jamie screamed, jumping up and down while he pointed towards Lucas.

"Huh? Sorry, about him! Jamie, what have we repeatedly told you about talking to strangers?" Sam admonished once she had finally caught up with them.

"But Sammy, he isn't a stranger! He is Mom's friend and guess what! We have the same name! His name is Lucas Scott!" Jamie explained excitedly. Nobody in his family had the same last name. He was a Scott while his mother was a Davis and Sam went by Walker.

"What! Wait, are you Lucas Lucas? Like Brooke's Lucas?" the teenager asked Lucas. She looked scared yet excited.

"Uhh… yeah. I guess I am," Lucas replied. He hadn't anticipated any of this and was thus, confused. Who was this girl? He remembered Brooke mentioning a sitter while she worked but seemed to want to keep her past under wraps at the club, yet she had spilled the beans to her babysitter. He reconciled with the fact that nothing in his current world would make sense and he did not know who was a part of Brooke's recent world.

"Oh god! Really! When did this happen? I go for what, a day and her life turns upside down! But you know what! This is great actually!" she spoke aloud to herself. The girl looked bewildered like she knew more than Lucas did at that moment and that could maybe be good for him as he would get more answers and maybe get closer to his son.

"I'm Sam, by the way," she said, extending her arm for Lucas to shake. He took her hand in his and gave her a gentle shake. "Did the two of you talk? Do you know?" She asked cryptically not wanting to spill the beans regarding Jamie's paternity.

"She told me about James and then she ran away," Lucas answered dejectedly. Sam could hear the pain in his voice and she understood it.

"Typical. Wait, why don't you come to the house? Brooke will be back from her shift at the diner soon. You two can… catch up!" she said casually and patted herself for her genius idea.

"That doesn't sound bad at all. Show me the way?" Lucas asked. He couldn't believe his luck. He'd get to meet Brooke without having to deal with the club and its bouncers. "So are you Jamie's sitter?"

"No, I'm sort of his sister. It's complicated. Where and how did you meet Brooke? She has been avoiding any questions about her past like the plague," Sam remarked as she took Jamie's hand in hers and began escorting him and Lucas out of the park.

"I met her at the club….where she, err, works," he answered truthfully.

"Oh, so you know. Good. You know a lot more than I thought she would ever tell anyone," Sam observed.

"Let's just say it's been an eventful 12 hours," Lucas attempted to joke despite it sounding bleak, like a foghorn.

"Okay, so we don't live in Manhattan. We're gonna have to take the subway to Queens," Sam informed him as she walked towards the subway.

"Lead the way," he answered following her out.

"So what did you mean by you're his sister?" he inquired once they were on the train.

Sam inhaled and exhaled deeply before looking at Lucas, trying to figure out whether she could trust him. When she saw his eyes free from malice and genuine inquisitiveness, she finally mustered up the courage to tell him. "So my mom decided she didn't want me when I was born. I was put in foster care. I bumped around from home to home and it was terrible. I am not going to get into details but I finally decided to run from the system.

"I was on the streets, pickpocketing. I got hooked on drugs and then decided to make money by well… doing what Brooke does. So I went to the club. Nobody cared about my age. The guy hired me because I lied to him and said that I was 21. He believed me.

"Brooke saw through me, well because she wasn't 21 herself. She is stubborn. She put her foot down. She was lying on the job too, but it was obvious that I was much younger than her. I still remember her going like what I'd assume a parent would be. She said absolutely not. I was a child. I argued. She said that she would not let me go through with it. I said that I had no home and no money and she decided on the spot, just like that she would take me in," Sam said, snapping her fingers. "When it hurt my pride, she said that it was a bargain. I go to school and help her with Jamie. She gives me food and shelter in return like foster care. I hated the idea of foster care. I had just managed to run and escape the system. Brooke promise me that it would be on my terms and I had the choice to say no, but her conscious would not let her see me strip on stage. I agreed to the arrangement she offered. I was absolutely horrible to her in the beginning. I acted out. I would sneak out at night, I relapsed and relapsed with my drug use. I was testing her limits, trying to push her. Everyone had given up on me. I expected her to too. But she didn't kick me to the street. She grounded me instead. She needed to trust me to take care of jamie and absolutely no way would he ever be around drugs. I love that little boy. So I got clean for him and started behaving responsibly. Brooke wouldn't leave him alone with him otherwise. It was when I scared jamie with the fight I once had that I realised. Brooke didn't have to keep me. She could throw me back out. At least for her own son's safety. Yet she didn't and she was adamant that she wasn't going to. That got me to actually put in the effort to become well… not a delinquent. It was brutal, withdrawal is a horrible thing. But I got through with Brooke's help. She cannot formally foster me given her source of income… so I have to formally be a part of a foster home but there are so many kids they don't even realise that I'm gone. It's easy to just sneak. Nobody comes looking as long as you are present when the social worker is going to come for a house check. That's where I was yesterday and today. She must have had Squirt with her at the club. I guess that is when she told you?"

"You're quite smart you know?" Lucas remarked.

"Yeah, Brooke tells me every day. She also told me you wouldn't be caught dead in a strip club," She said, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yeah, I got the green light for my book to get published with a major publishing house. That's what I came to New York for. My editor wanted to celebrate the deal. He said that I had to see the work of the most talented stripper there ever was," Lucas replied, shaking his head. He still couldn't believe this was the life of a girl whom he loved so much a long time ago.

"So where was Jamie right now since you were with the fosters and Brooke was working?" Lucas asked. He was full of questions and wanted to know everything he could about the life of his son and the people he called family.

"Brooke wants me to live a teenage life. She keeps saying that she is the parent, not me. So I'm supposed to enjoy myself and not have to worry about Jamie all the time. There is an old lady in the apartment building. She is in a wheelchair so she doesn't get out at all. Brooke runs her errands, gets her groceries and medicines, does her laundry, those kinds of things, whatever that lady needs. So when Brooke needs help, she watches Jamie during the day. Nights are obviously too difficult for her. She is ancient. So if I'm not available, she has to take him with her to the club and she just puts him to sleep in the dressing room at the back. The girls care for him. It isn't as bad as it sounds. Everyone is just trying to make ends meet," Sam too defended Brooke for her situation.

A silence fell upon them. Jamie was enticed by the views outside the window and he kept swinging his feet watching the train run through the city. Eventually, they got to the place the three called home. The door to the apartment was jammed.

"Sorry, this door always acts out," Sam said as she tried to shimmy it open. Eventually, she got it open and then struggled again to secure the lock. Lucas looked around the bare, cold apartment. A lumpy couch sat in the centre, extremely close to the tiny kitchen. Toys lay strewn on the floor. Two doors existed on the side, one to a small bedroom and another to the bathroom. The apartment was so minimalistic to Brooke's standard of living.

Sam caught Lucas eye the apartment with sympathy in his eyes. "Yeah, it's not much but it's better than the streets and every home that I have ever been in. You should see Jamie and my room, she really goes all out for us. Sam walked him inside the bedroom and yes, it was very different that the living room. The bedroom was well-painted. It had a car bed and a basketball hoop above it. There was another single cot in the other corner for Sam with a decent comforter. There weren't many toys, but there wasn't a lack of them either and there was a neat bookshelf in the corner with a large collection of books for both, Jamie and Sam.

"I'm sorry if you feel too cold, the apartment's heating is pretty non-existent. Keep your jacket on," Sam advised.

"Where does Brooke sleep?" Lucas asked, remembering Sam saying the words 'her and Jamie's room.'

"Couch. Do you want water or anything?" she replied nonchalantly.

"No, I'm fine," Lucas replied, still taking in his surroundings. The apartment provided so much insight into their lives and Lucas wasn't quite prepared for it. Brooke had always been the girl behind the red door for him. This was beyond his wildest imagination.

"Jamie, you need to get into your shower before Mom arrives. So, why don't you get your things ready and I'll get your water out," Lucas heard Sam instruct the toddler. "Sorry, Brooke is a Nazi if he is dirty from the park. Are you good on your own for a bit?"

"Yeah," Lucas replied, although he sounded unsure. He felt like a fish out of water out there.

"Okay," Sam said and walked into the bathroom, closing the bathroom door behind her. Lucas could hear Jamie and her laughing from behind the door. He felt like he wanted to be there and watch his son giggle, but he didn't want to scare the child. Jamie had been so welcoming of him, he didn't want to ruin a good thing so he stayed put.

Ten minutes later, the main door to the apartment opened. "Hey Sam, are you home? Mrs. Garcia said that you picked Jamie up from her place. How was it at the fosters? You texted you were fine but did they hurt you or did anything happen?" Lucas heard Brooke's voice. She was so in her world as she tried to close the jammed door that she still hasn't faced the tiny living room. "Sam?" she asked again upon receiving no reply. Then she turned around and came face to face with Lucas. Another time, the wind got completely knocked out of her as her eyes bulged.

"Huh! How?" she stuttered.

Just then Sam and Jamie walked out of the bathroom.

"Momma!" Jamie squealed happily and ran to hug his mother.

"Hey, little man! How was your day?" Brooke asked, instantly perking up. Her entire face lit up like fireworks on a dark night upon laying eyes upon her son. There was no doubt that she loved him and adored him and that nothing else mattered to her than her child. She could so easily ignore her problems and focus all her attention on her child. She really loved him selflessly.

"Look whom we picked up at the park," Sam said, smirking at Brooke.

"Mommy, did you know your friend and I have the same name?" Jamie asked excitedly. "He said that his name was Lucas Scott too!"

"Oh, yes I do in fact know that. Jimmy Jam, here why don't you take this to the table? I got chilli from the diner for you and Sammy to eat and if you behave well, there might be a surprise in there for you," Brooke said, crouching down to be at eye level with Jamie and handing him a takeout bag.

He crossed his fingers and closed his eyes as if praying and mustering all the luck in the world, "Oh, I hope that it is chocolate pie!"

"How did I not know about you meeting Lucas?" Sam asked Brooke angrily but kept her voice to a whisper for Jamie's sake.

"Before that, are you okay honey? How were Mike and Norma this time? Did anyone out there haze you? Are you hurt?" Brooke asked Sam. Worry was so evident in her eyes as she literally scanned every bit of Sam's exposed skin.

"Geez Brooke, I am fine. I promise. I kept to the corners and only spoke when I was spoken to. Nancy in fact said that I looked happier and healthier here than in any home she had put me in before. If only she knew! Anyway, I didn't try to pry in anyone's business and I avoided partaking in meals… there is such less to go around and I wasn't a part of the pecking order. Anyway, so they left me alone," Sam replied.

"Wait! You haven't eaten!" Brooke screeched. "Come on, let's get you fed right now. Then it's homework and bed. I know you must not have slept a wink out there in that home. Did you even have a bed?"

"Nope. Nancy questioned where I slept. I just pointed to some random one. Then, I slept on the floor. At least I had the blanket you made me carry with me this time. But sorry, that is gone. Some guys stole it and I was looking at a black eye if I fought them for it," Same said, making Lucas choke and feel his heart in his throat. What even were these realities? Surely, he was dreaming. This all had to be a dream. He pinched himself hard, and except for the skin on his arm turning bright red, nothing else changed.

"I am so sorry you have to go through this but girl, good job on the choices! You wouldn't have thought about the consequences a while ago and tried to get a stupid piece of cloth back. Now, Come on you and Jamie need to eat," said Brooke as she guided Sam to the table.

"I'll heat it for us but you are totally ignoring the bigger elephant in the room!" Sam said, raising her hands and pointing at Lucas. "Lucas is here, remember?"

"Yes, but your well-being takes precedence," Brooke said curtly, ending the topic.

"Brooke, aren't you going to eat?" Sam asked her.

"I ate at the diner," she lied. Both Brooke and Sam knew that it was a lie. Yet, it was what it was.

"One day you are going to stop lying. Hope it is before I have to be the one to take you to the ER," Sam mumbled.

"Sam! I take care of myself. You don't have to worry about any of that. Besides, the ER would be more expensive than chilli, given the lack of healthcare. Still paying medical bills from 3 years ago. I know when to go all in and when to hold back," she whispered back to her. Yet, Lucas heard everything given the small space and gulped hard.

"Brooke, we can share," Sam tried to get her foster mom to eat.

"If you're hungry even after, I can make you something more okay? I love you!" said Brooke, shushing Sam instantly

"Brooke, what have I told you about this?" Sam continued to argue. "You cannot starve yourself to feed us more."

"Who is supposed to do the parenting?" Brooke asked, raising a single eyebrow at her. She was trying really hard to get Sam to stop the discussion because it was clear that Lucas could hear them. However, Sam had always been too stubborn to back down from an argument.

"Then be the responsible parent and feed yourself, Princess who can burn chilli reheating it. Come on, split with me," she said.

Lucas stared at the two. This was definitely not healthy. He wondered how Brooke had adapted to this life. She had grown up in a mansion in the richest neighbourhood of Tree Hill with her father's limitless credit cards. Now, she couldn't afford food for three. Jamie had found some crayons and paper on the dining table and was keeping himself busy, not caring about the conversation Sam and Brooke were having.

"Luke, ignore Sam. Can I make you a sandwich? I'm sorry… I only got enough chilli for the two of them," Brooke asked and without waiting for a response, she walked to the fridge and opened it. Lucas was standing behind her and looked over her shoulder at the contents inside. It was meagre, yet sufficient to feed her children.

"No, I'm good," he answered, worried about partaking in her supplies. But she didn't listen and began to spread peanut butter and jelly onto a slice of bread she got out. She put it on a plate and handed it to Lucas without another word. Lucas mumbled a quick thanks unsure whether or not to offer her a slice.

"We have never had guests home before, momma? This feels nice. Thanks for coming Lucas!" Jamie said between spoonfuls of chilli that Sam had placed before him in a bowl.

"It feels nice for me too," he smiled at the innocent little kid…. His kid.

"Okay, uhh… let's go to the room and talk," Brooke said, afraid of Jamie and Lucas talking. They entered the room and Brooke closed the door behind them.

"So you found us?" she asked the obvious.

"More like Jamie found me. I was sitting in the park…" Lucas began to narrate.

"Brooding I'm sure," Brooke cut in. She couldn't help but add that remark. However, she bit her tongue instantly. Things were not friendly anymore between them. She could not call him her Broody.

"Yeah," Lucas replied, rolling his eyes. "I was sitting in the park brooding and Jamie ran up to me. He recognised me from last night. Sam got to know who I was and invited me over."

"Okay. So you're here…. What now? What do you want?" Brooke asked him, not knowing what else to say. She wanted to hear what she knew from his mouth. She needed to hear him say the words.

"I don't know. This is all so much. I want questions and answers to them. I want to get to know my son!" Lucas said, feeling a surge of emotions.

"Okay," Brooke said understandingly. "I agree. You should be able to ask me questions and get answers and be able to get to know your son. What do you really want to say to me though?"

"It's all so overwhelming, I'm in awe that I have a son and yet I'm angry that you kept him from me. Still, I can't say anything to you because I am so hurt that this is your life and I feel like some of it is my fault," Lucas bore his heart and truth out to the girl as he tried to make sense of the tsunami within him.

"One, none of this is your fault. I made the choices I made and I made them without your input. Yet, I don't regret them. I did the best I could for my family and I will continue doing so with the resources that I have. My - my job gives me enough tips that I can send Jamie to a good school and Sam - she doesn't tell me but she wants to study at NYU. Ironically, she wants to study literature and writing, just like you did and I'm nowhere there yet, but I have a fund for her and for Jamie. Do I wish I could provide a better living situation? Sure, but I'd much rather give them a better education so that their life doesn't end up in shambles like mine. Two, you have every right to be angry with me. I'd be surprised if you weren't," Brooke responded.

"Brooke! I'm… I don't know what to think or do or act like. I mean, I have a son! What! How do I wrap my head around that? Why are you being calm?" he yelled emotionally.

"Luke, I have had three years to freak out. I have thought about this day every day in my head, that one day you will know. I have played it over and over and over again. I have had the script down pat, but now that it has happened… boy I can't. Im freaking out too okay, a part of me is expecting you to hit me and the sad part is, I get it. It's a lot but it is also where we are. Look, he is your son and now that the two of you have met, I am not going to keep you away from him. You can choose how hands-on you want to be. Just don't give him any false expectations. You cannot break his heart or make false promises to him. I will not let you break his heart. Otherwise, you can head back out that door and Jamie forgets all about you in a week," Brooke warned him.

"Brooke! How can you say that?" he asked angrily.

"I don't know, Lucas. You tell me! How many instances do I need to remind you of, of you stomping all over my heart? How many times did you prioritise Peyton over me? I was your then girlfriend? I will not have Jamie come second in your life and second guess your love for him. I am not going to allow you to make plans with him and then cancel on him because Peyton calls with a new tragedy and I really don't mean ill about her. I get it, she lost 2 moms and she was shot and there was psycho Derek or Ian or whatever but Jamie is a child, he doesn't understand that and he shouldn't have to. I love Peyton, she is my best friend and she always will be even if I haven't spoken to her since graduation but Jamie is everything to me. If you decide to have a relationship with him, he has to come before Peyton," Brooke explained as tears accumulated in her eyes.

"Brooke, it was you who ran away! I would never put my son second. But I am sorry. I am so sorry about the past. But you knew where I stood on this matter, Brooke. We had that pregnancy scare the first time we began dating, you knew I was willing to support you, no matter what. So, why didn't you ever tell me even though you knew that I would be there for you!?" he asked, tears threatening their way down his eyes too. They were both so raw with emotions.

"I don't know, Lucas! Maybe because you said you would be there for me when we were dating and still. Where did I always find you? Huh? I know my place in your life and your heart and I have made my peace with it. I was done coming between you and your precious Peyton and the perfect life the two of you were destined to build together. Even at that time, you chose Peyton, every single time. Yes, you were willing to support me, but you always wanted Peyton even that time and why wouldn't you? She is great, she used to be my best friend! You deserve that life, Luke! Also, I didn't want you to know that I failed by epic proportions in New York and I didn't want you to take Jamie away from me because I am a bad mom. I was scared that you wouldn't want us. That it would be like Dan where you pick Peyton and it's just Jamie and I with the added rejection and knowledge that you didn't want us. The oblivion was easier." she replied.

Lucas stared at her, not prepared to hear what he just did. He stared at Brooke whose eyes were watering. "How could you? I hate Dan for what he did. How could you even think I would act like him? I came to New York because my book is getting published. But, did you know what I did just before I found out my book was gonna get published?"

"I don't know. Go visit Peyton? She is still in LA, right?" Brooked asked, shrugging her shoulders as she put on her imaginary armour.

"Yes, I went to see Peyton. In fact, I proposed to her. I asked her to marry me and guess what, she said no," Lucas informed her.

Brooke froze for a moment and all the colour drained from her face. Then she shook the shock away and chuckled to herself. "Gosh, that girl can be so dim sometimes. It makes me think that she should've landed with Tim instead. She can literally miss seeing what is good for her and in front of her face. Let me guess, it was with Keith's ring to Karen, right? But good for reiterating that I wasn't wrong. You and Peyton deserve each other. Don't worry. I know my best friend. She always regrets telling you no. Exhibit A and B from high school when the two of you cheated behind my back not once but twice! She loves it when you are hard to get. She will be swooping in to collect that ring from you in no time. I'd give it a month maximum," Brooke said, her voice cold.

"How did you know it was Keith's ring that I used?" Lucas asked, surprised by Brooke's remark.

"Because I know you, Lucas. I know the kind of guy you are and the guy you could be. It is a beautiful ring," Brooke said.

"Yeah, Peyton didn't even see the ring. She just saw the box and said no. She couldn't even bring herself to open it. I remember when you saw it. You came to Tric and you hadn't even seen my mom for all of what 3 seconds before clocking the ring," he chuckled remembering Brooke's excitement and how she had blabbed to Karen about her engagement.

"Yeah, I asked her if she was pregnant out of marriage for a second time and then realised I was babbling without thinking again. Then, I begged her until she agreed to let me make her wedding dress and the jokes on me because she did get pregnant out of marriage twice and I'm saying things I shouldn't again. How are Karen and Lilly by the way?" she asked, her voice growing gentle as she spoke about Lucas' mom and sister.

"Amazing. She was as worried as the rest of us that nobody could get in touch with you. She married Andy and they lived on a boat for a while to tour the world. Mom homeschooled Lilly and she got to see The Colosseum and Renaissance Architecture instead of reading about it. Now, they live in New Zealand with Andy's family. She is happy, they come here every six months to visit," Lucas filled her in.

"Whoa, wow! I'm glad. She deserves that joy," Brooke smiled, grateful that her pseudo-mom had a good life. "Anyway, I'm sorry to cut this short but I need to go get ready for work. But tell me, where do you stand on Jamie? Do you want in? Just remember, there is no turning back then. You can take your time to think."

"Oh, I know I am in. There is no way that I am not in," Lucas said in a jiffy.

"Okay, then come on, if I lose my nerves now… I will never be ready again," Brooke said and with that, she walked out of the room. They both knew that they still had a lot to fight about, but Lucas was waiting to meet his son.

"Hey Jimmy Jam, do you remember when you asked me about moms and dads?" Brooke asked the little boy as she took a seat beside him on the couch.

"Yeah. You told me that some people have both a mom and a dad and some people have only one… either a mom or dad and that sometimes - people have two moms or two dads!" Jamie said to her.

"Have I ever told you how smart you are?" she said in a squishy voice as she tickled his sides.

"Yes!" He giggled. "Every day!"

"Remember whom I told you you got your smarts from?" Brooke continued to ask him.

"My dad," Jamie responded. His face fell as he said that.

"Yes… what else do you remember about what I have told you about your dad?" Brooke coaxed.

"You said that he loves me very much but you don't want to share me so I was with you alone but he does love me very very much," He listed on his little fingers.

"Yes. But I think that he deserves to get to know the wonderfully gorgeous and super smart boy that you are. Would you like to meet him?" Brooke asked Jamie with bright shining eyes to excite him.

Jamie's eyes widened. "Can I?"

"Yeah. Lucas here… he is your dad," Brooke broke the news to him.

"Oh," Jamie got scared suddenly and he grew sullen.

"Hi Jamie, it was so lovely to meet you," Lucas said, trying to get his son to look at him.

"Uh huh," Jamie said quietly, not meeting Lucas' eyes.

"What's wrong baby? I thought you would be excited," Brooke asked him while trying to hide her worry.

"Mom, does this mean that you have to share me with him and he will take me away from you and Sammy?" He asked and began wailing.

Brooke was at his side in seconds as she placed the toddler on her lap. "No, my silly boy. Mom is never leaving you remember? You are stuck with me forever." She made a monster voice and began to kiss his skin as if she was biting into it like a monster. Jamie burst into peals of laughter. His tears from moments ago were forgotten.

"Promise me?" he asked.

"Yes. I pinky promise," she said, holding her littlest finger out. "I think you did a great job today. You were so good with me and Sammy, you deserve a special surprise." Brooke opened a styrofoam box with a piece of chocolate pie in it. "Remember to share okay?"

Jamie nodded his head as his eyes were still glued to the small piece. "Sammy, Dad… will you share this pie with me?"

Lucas looked like he was about to faint from the burst of an aneurysm as he registered the word, dad. Even Brooke was surprised by how well Jamie had taken the news and how effortless it was for him to accept Lucas as his dad. I guess that's what they call innocence.

"Wait why wasn't I offered any?" Brooke asked, while still processing the ease with which Jamie had said, Dad.

"Here you go, Mom!" He giggled and held his spoon to her lips. Brooke ate the piece and moaned as her stomach belched loudly. She was hungry. "That was so yum but mom is super late for work. Do you want to play with your dad before bedtime?"

Jamie looked at Lucas who gave him a woozy smile. He was shy and scared which made sense. Lucas was quite a stranger to him despite him being his father. Brooke began to whisper something in the little boy's ears which made him perk up.

"Really? He likes basketball and books!" Jamie exclaimed.

Brooke nodded her head. "And Sammy will be there with you too."

"Okay, I'll play with him!" Jamie agreed.

"If you need anything, just ask Sam and she will call me okay? Be a good boy when she tells you that it is time for bed okay? You get only one story. I mean it. Just one." Brooke instructed. "Sam, You okay with this?"

"Yeah, more than. This is the most interesting thing that has happened since that guy followed you home and broke down the door in order to sleep with you," Sam said casually.

"Samathaaa!" Brooke yelled at her, shocked by her statement.

"What! It happened," Sam laughed, enjoying Brooke's reaction.

Brooke rolled her eyes at the teen, "Okay. I want you in bed by 10 today. You need to catch up on sleep before school tomorrow."

"Brooke. I am 15. I don't get a bedtime," Sam argued.

"Sure. Jamie gets one story and is in bed by 8. Thanks for putting him in his PJs already. Leave the vessels for me. I will return and wash them. Lights out at 10. I will be home when I am. Call me if you need anything or Dana in case I'm working and can't answer. She is managing the bar today so she will have her phone on her. She will signal me in case you call," Brooke said, not giving Sam a leeway.

"Yeah, we know the drill," Sam said, having heard the instructions every day.

"Don't do anything you don't want us to do!" She said sarcastically.

"Sorry, Luke. I really need to get ready. My boss is a tyrant about punctuality," Brooke said. She didn't wait for a response but picked up some underwear and entered the bathroom. She was acting like she did a regular job in front of Lucas but she was so embarrassed. Once she had finished her make-up and changed into the skimpy stripper outfit, she put on some jeans and a sweater over it. Her makeup was a little excessive but besides that, she looked fairly ordinary. She got out, grabbed her coat and things, kissed the two children good night, gave Lucas an awkward wave and walked out of the house.

Lucas wanted to say stop! No! This is not who you are! Dont, go! You deserve better! But he said no such thing and simply stared as he watched her go.

"She wouldn't stop even if you tried," Sam told him enigmatically.

"How is it that you can read all my thoughts?" Lucas asked, surprised by Sam's ability to read his face.

"It's a gift. When you bounce around from foster home to foster home, you learn quickly that body language is the only thing you can trust. The words people say are all lies. You become good at reading people," she replied.

"I cannot believe this is what it has come down to," Lucas told her, still staring at the door Brooke had just walked out of.

"She is doing the best she can. She has had to do it all alone. She saved my life. Im deeply grateful to her," Sam said.

"I have to do something. I can't let her live like this. I need to take her back home," Lucas said determinedly.

Sam gulped. "You can take care of the kid, right? Have you ever done it?" She asked in a very cold manner.

"Uhh, yeah. My friend Jake had a daughter in high school and my mom had my little sister my senior year," Lucas told Sam.

"Great. Don't kill him," she said and with that, she grabbed her earphones and slammed the bedroom door.

"Uh oh. What did you say to get Sam upset? She is so scary when she is upset,' Jamie remarked, looking up from the drawing that he was making.

"I-I don't know. So what do you want to do right now? " Lucas asked him.

"Play cars or maybe draw," Jamie shrugged shyly.

"Should I go check on Sam?"

Oh no! That would be bad. Mom says we need to give her time to cool down when she is in a bad mood.

Suddenly Sam emerged out of the door and walked towards the main door.

"Hey, where are you going?" Lucas asked her.

"Out," she replied simply, not looking at him.

"Where? Didn't Brooke tell you to be in bed by 10?" Lucas asked, surprised to see such a change in the teen.

"It's 7:30! Besides, you might be Jamie's dad, but you're not mine. Wait, why am I even entertaining you? You're here to look after the dweeb, right? So I am relieved from my duties. Read him his book and put him to bed at 8 as Brooke asked. Don't wait up for me," she said and with that, she left the house with a door slam.