Life Happens
Chapter 7
The New Norm
It had been almost three months since Landen was born and for the two young parents it had been difficult. Caring for a newborn was a lot more work especially for two 17-year-old highschoolers. Brooke had start working at the café on and off during the summer before leaving to visit her parents for a few weeks before school started back, and they started their senior year. Lucas had been working on his game while Brooke and Landon were gone since basketball season would starting back up soon. He'll be back on the court with his brother who is at highflyers and on the outs with Haley after the whole Chris situation. Haley left to go on tour with Chris and the Wreckers which was an opportunity of a lifetime for her to show her musical talents but towards the end of the tour she decided to come back home to work things out with Nathan which didn't go so well for her. Also, Peyton's biological mom that she didn't know anything about just showed up out of the blue. Lucas had been trying to be there for Peyton without making Brooke feel indifferent about it especially with her and his son being cross country in California.
Brooke had been in deep thought when her plane landed as she and Landen had arrived at Tree Hill Airport. It had been a long few weeks caring for a newborn without Luke there, her parents help sometimes but it wasn't the same as having Lucas there to help with different baby duties. Brooke had also been distant lately and she knew Lucas could feel the distance that was growing since their few weeks apart. Brooke was wondering if they should be tied down to each other so young even with a baby together especially with him reconnecting with Peyton with everything that has happened with her mother popping up. Lucas had been talking about forever and they are so young, and she just don't want her or their son to get hurt.
Lucas stood in the airport with flowers in his hand waiting for his son and his young mother to come out into the airport lobby. When Lucas spotted them, he gave a Lucas smile and Brooke offered him a tired smile because she was exhausted from traveling with their newborn. Lucas rush to get the baby carrier with their sleeping son and their carry-on luggage. He hugged Brooke and inhale the scent of her hair that he loves so much. She hugged him back and felt herself indulging a little so she pulled back first.
"I missed you Pretty girl" Lucas said as they pulled out of their embrace.
"I missed you too Broody" Brooke said giggling in that way that drove Lucas to insane every time she gave him that sexy giggle. After Lucas got the rest of their things they headed towards the exit of the airport.
The car ride to Karen's was full of awkward silences and side glances as '23 by Jimmy Eat World' played on the radio. Landen was in the back seat in a deep dreamy sleep. Brooke kept feeling Lucas eyes on her as she stared out of the window catching his glances periodically. When they arrive to the house, Lucas parked and turned off the car as he stopped Brooke from exiting his truck.
"Brooke, what's up? You have been distant lately and I don't know what changed from the time you left for California until now. I'm so confused Brooke" Lucas expressed.
"Nothing has changed Lucas, I'm just tired and just been thinking about senior year and the future" Brooke said trying to convince him, but she could tell Lucas wasn't buying it.
"I know it's hard being a teen mom going into your last year of high school, but we have each other always" Lucas respond "I miss you two so much, and I hope you know you can talk to me about anything you have on your mind"
"I'm fine, Luke, let's just get Landen to bed then we can talk if you want" Brooke said as Lucas nodded in agreement.
Brooke put Landen in his crib in the nursery, then went in the room with Lucas who was changing into some sweats and a tee shirt, he knows she couldn't resist him in sweats and t-shirt or basketball shorts and a t-shirt, but she tried her best to ignore him as he tried to get something out of her bag to wear after her shower.
"How about that talk?" Lucas said as he came up behind Brooke and whispered in her ear. Brooke inhaled deeply as she nodded in agreement. They sat on the bed beside each other.
"Ok, first question, I see you haven't unpacked, are you planning on staying here with me and my mom?" Lucas asked.
"So, here's the thing, I decided to rent Nathan and Haley's old apartment for the year because if I stay here, we may end up with another baby and I don't want to interrupt your mom's life with a newborn especially when she already volunteered to watch him when we'll at school and basketball games" Brooke explained.
"I understand Brooke, but don't you think that you having your own place is more opportunity for us to be, well us" Lucas said with a knowing smile as he unconsciously got closer to Brooke.
"No, its not. Besides I want us to start over; just date and get to know each for real this time like we should've the first time we were dating. No commitment, just dating and co-parenting our son together" Brooke said trying to not think of how close Lucas was to her now. It was going be a long senior year she thought.
"Remember we tried that, and it lasted all of a week before we were giving into our teen desires" Lucas said with a raised eyebrow getting a playful slap on the shoulder from Brooke.
"I'm serious, Lucas Scott we need to do better and get to know each other from the inside out" Brooke laughed when she got another raised eyebrow from Lucas "You know what I mean, Luke, if this is going to work, we need to have something in common outside the physical" Brooke explained.
"You're right Brooke we do need to do more stuff together that helps us get to know each other's interest and wants for the future" Lucas said "But I also think we should just pick up where we left off before you left and incorporate weekly dates and conversations about whatever you want to talk about; I just don't think going back is the answer we need to build on what we already started to build over the past nine months" He explained "I know you're scared Pretty girl, there is a lot of unknowns when it comes to our future but together we can get through whatever life has for us" He said as Brooke lain her head on his shoulder and they cuddled each other.
Brooke and Lucas fall asleep together in Lucas's bed after Brooke showered and they ate lunch. While they were sleeping, Karen came home and saw the teens asleep, so she went to check on her grandson. As she approached the crib, she noticed that the newborn was cooing to himself but when he seen Karen he started to whine a little for her to pick him up. She immediately picked him up and check him to see if he needed a diaper change. She changed his diaper and then went in the kitchen to warm him up a bottle.
"Hey Mom" Lucas said as he came into the kitchen rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
"Hey Son, I see Brooke must've been tired after that long flight" Karen said as she feed Landen.
"Yeah, both she and Landen was exhausted" Lucas answered"When did he wake up? I didn't hear him on the baby monitor"
"He's only been up for a few minutes, and I had got him before he got fussy" Karen said as she cooed at the baby boy.
"Thank you, Mom, for getting him for us" Lucas said as he reached out to take over with his son, but his mother simply ignored him and continued to coo at the baby as she started to burp him "Mom, Brooke got her own place where Nathan and Haley stayed"
"Did she? Why did she do that? There's plenty of room here for her and the baby, but I understand" Karen started as she watched her grandson drifted back to dream land as she gently rocked him to sleep "Landen looks just like your baby pictures. He's your twin"
"I know. it's amazing how much of a miracle he is in our lives" Lucas said.
"Yes, He is amazing" Karen said before a brief silence "So, Brooke's going to have her own place" Karen stated giving him a look.
"Mom, I know what you are thinking but we are going to date and if we take it back to the next level, we will be very careful" Lucas explained.
"Ok, you two date, but no more babies until you two finish college and get married" Karen said "so condoms and birth control please. Is Brooke already on birth control again?"
"I don't know yet. We haven't had a chance to discuss it yet" Lucas explained.
"Lucas, I'm seriously son" Karen started "I know you and Brooke are falling love and you all have this beautiful baby together and it's all very confusing, I know how she feels but you all still have a full year of high school left plus college coming up soon; anything can happen in that time frame" Karen explained.
"Mom, I know, and we are being careful more than you know" Lucas explained.
"It about more than being careful with the chemistry but being careful with your hearts too" Karen said before going to put the baby in his crib.
"Luke, your mom is right" Brooke said as she came in the dining area wearing his hoodie and boxers "we need to be careful with this we got going on between us, we have to take it slow and to answer your mom question I am on birth control but that doesn't mean we going to have sex anytime soon"
"I know, babe, we will take our time" Lucas agreed "How about we go on a date tomorrow night anywhere you want to go"
"How about we go out for dinner and a movie or maybe dinner and a walk on the beach" Brooke said as she sat on Lucas' lap excited about their plans. "Do you think your mom will babysit?"
"I will babysit for you all but remember what we talked about you two" Karen said seriously.
"Yes, Mom" they said collectively as Brooke said as she got up to give Karen a hug.
"I missed you" Brooke said in her sweetest voice.
"I missed you too, sweetheart" Karen said hugging her back "It does even look like you had a baby a few months ago "You look great Brookie"
"Yea, everything just kind of snapped back and my mom had me working out or walking daily" Brooke said rolling her eyes "She said it was for us to bond but I think she just didn't want me to keep off my baby weight"
"Well, sweetheart you look good before and now" Karen said hugging her again "I will surely watch my grandson so you two can go on a proper date, but hands to yourself son" Karen said eyeing her son with a knowing look.
"Okay, mom, we got it" Lucas said "I promise no funny business"
The next day, Brooke, Peyton, and Haley went shopping for Brooke's date outfit and to catch up. Brooke only had her maternity clothing that were too big now and her clothes from before her pregnancy now fit a little snuggle.
"So, Brookie, a date night for you and baby daddy" Peyton said with a raised eyebrow.
"It's not like that Peyton, we just trying things the right way this time by going on dates and waiting to get physical" Brooke said as she looked in the mirror in the dressing room at the curves hugging black dress before walking out to show her friends.
"Brookie, the only thing that dress is saying is put another baby in me" Peyton said and Haley started giggling.
"Don't entertain her Haley" Brooke said frustrated with her luck at finding something that wouldn't want to make Lucas jump her before they left the house "you guys are not helping"
"Brooke, just wear some jeans, crop top and jacket or blazer that way it's not too revealing and not too casual for your outing" Haley chimed in.
"That's not a bad idea tutor girl" Brooke responds getting an eyeroll from Haley.
"Peyton, How's the situation with your new mom going?"
"She trying to build a bond with me now, but she had seventeen years to do that and I just don't want to forget my real mom just because Ellie pops up in my life" Peyton explained.
"I understand how you feel, it's a tough situation" Haley responds.
"What about you and Nathan, Hales?" Brooke asked
"Well, he came from highflyers and didn't tell me he was back, which I understand what I did was the wrong way to handle things, but he didn't make it any easier for me to live my dreams" Haley started "By the way, thank you for letting me stay with you while we are figuring all this out".
"Of course, Haley, you are family now and Naley will be together again" Brooke said hopeful that Haley and Nathan will work things out.
"I don't like what you did, but you are family, and we got your back too" Peyton said.
Later that night, Brooke was finishing getting dress at her new place as she was waiting for Luke to come back to pick her up. He had already taken Landen to Karen's to spend time with her.
There was a knock on the door as Brooke finished the last touches and as she opened the door Lucas breath hinged in his throat at the sight of her in her tight fitted jeans that outlined her curves and a dressy white top with thigh high boots but not too much with a light cardigan sweater for the cool end of summer night breeze.
"You look amazing, pretty girl" Lucas said as he handed her the flowers he had picked up for her.
"Thanks, Luke, you look pretty handsome yourself" she said blushing a little as she eyed Lucas's attire of Jeans and a dressy button-down shirt that complimented his low cut hair. Brooke put the flowers in water and quickly returned to leave with her date. Lucas led her to his truck and opened the door for her.
"So, do you want to go to dinner first or the movie" Lucas asked.
"Well, there really wasn't any good movies to go see, so we can go eat and walk on the beach and talk" Brooke responded.
"Ok, sounds like a plan" he said.
Lucas had made reservations at a restaurant near the beach, and they ate and talked about her time away with Landen as well as spending time with her parents.
"Hey, pretty girl, what happened with us before you left?" Lucas started "we were kind of hot and heavy then you just were kind of distant before you went to California and while you were gone, what happened and don't say nothing because I know you well enough now to know something was wrong"
"Well, the truth is I had found the things you kept of yours and Peyton cheating relationship together" Brooke explained "I was just in shocked that you would keep that stuff unless you were still into her and just settled for me"
"Brooke honestly I had forgot I had that stuff from when me and Peyton was whatever we were, I was so into you and what we were developing that I forgot to throw that stuff out" Lucas explained. "Babe, I'm sorry about that and you will now and forever be that one that I want, I love you, Brooke"
"Oh gosh, I love you too, Broody and I know I'm too far gone so please don't hurt me again because my heart can't take it" Brooke said emotionally.
"I'm also too far gone, and I was afraid you would break my heart too and I can't take it either" Lucas said emotional too as they touched foreheads as they took a deep breath with their eyes closed before Lucas went in for a kiss that was short and sweet confirming their growing young love.
"Brooke, can you officially be my girlfriend again?" Lucas said as he took out a necklace with his initials on it.
"Yes, Lucas Scott, I will be your girlfriend again officially" Brooke said as she held back the tears.
"Let me put this on you" Lucas asked, and Brooke turned around and lifted her hair "Now, all the guys will know that you're mine"
"I thought our matching tattoos told them that I was yours" Brooke whispered in Lucas's ear seductively.
"No one else can see that on you" Lucas said smirking back seductively.
"Yea, it's for your eyes only" Brooke said winking at him seductively.
"Brooke, if you keep doing that, I don't think I'm gone to be able to keep my promise to my mom or myself to not make love to you right now" Lucas said seducing her back.
"Okay, Luke, I think we better stop teasing each other before we really can't control ourselves" Brooke said trying to keep her composure.
"Okay, let's just finish eating dinner and take a walk on the beach" Lucas said getting himself together too.
They finished their dinner and headed out to the beach for a walk. It was a beautiful night, and waves were softly roaring as the two teens walk along the shore holding hands. After their walk, Lucas laid out a blanket for them to sit on and cuddle. Brooke sat between Lucas' legs as he wrapped his arms around her. Brooke felt so safe in his arms and never wanted the night to end.
"I missed this while I was in California, I love just being here in the moment with you" Brooke said as she snuggled closer to Lucas as they watched the waves crashing onto the shore.
"I missed you, too. I just love being with you" Lucas said snuggling her closer "I miss our family"
"I miss our family together too" Brooke expressed "Are you ready to return to planet Tree Hill High? Back to popularity and backstabbing, I'm so over high school"
"I'm over it too, I'm just ready to start our lives together with our son and maybe one day we can add a daughter to the equation" Lucas expressed "We should just enjoy our last year as kids and make the best of it"
"Are we really able to be kids anymore with a baby to care for?" Brooke said.
"We can still be young adults, I mean we still got basketball and cheerleading, senior year activities" Lucas started "My mom and Deb already volunteered to babysit during our games and senior activities"
"Peyton and Haley also volunteered to help out so we can have our date nights" Brooke said "I think they want me to have another baby now but that's not happening until I'm older" Brooke chuckled a little.
"You never know what will happen. Maybe we'll have our little girl in college when we're more settle and married" Lucas said hopeful.
"We'll see boyfriend, maybe" Brooke said as she kissed Lucas.
Lucas took Brooke back home and he went back to his moms to tend to their son. Karen told them that Brooke should come back to get Landen later because he was sleeping and settled for the night.
The first day school was hard for Brooke especially since she had to be away from Landen all day. She missed her baby boy and would call whenever she got free time, she was driving Karen crazy.
"Hey, pretty girl" Lucas greeted Brooke as she was hanging up the phone checking on their son right before lunch period "Babe, my mom got this, she has already raised a son, I think she knows how to take care of a baby"
"I know Luke, I just haven't left him for this long before" Brooke explained.
"I know, babe" Lucas said comforting her "Let's give my mom a break from the check in call and let's go to lunch" Lucas said as he took her hand, and they went to eat with their friends.
Brooke ate Lunch with Peyton and Haley before going to join the guys who were hanging out with the basketball team. Haley and Nathan just was exchanging awkward side glances at each other for the rest of the lunch; while Brooke and Lucas were making out at the lunch table until Whitey came to break it up.
At the end of the school day, everyone had cheerleading or basketball practice. As practice was beginning, a new girl walked into the gym, slim build with curves, long legs, red hair, and a fierce attitude perfect for a Tree Hill cheerleader. The basketball team easily got distracted by her presence. She walked up to the cheerleaders and introduced herself.
"I'm Rachel Gartina, just moved here to Tree Hill" Rachel said.
"Rachel, is it? You're late, give me 25 burpees for your tardiness" Brooke said annoyed by Rachel as she remembered her from tryouts with that inappropriate routine.
"Whatever you say, captain Brooke" Rachel responds rolling her eyes.
After practice, Bevin introduce herself to Rachel and give her a quick rundown on everyone on the team and within their popularity circle. Rachel saw Brooke and Lucas talking and sitting on the bleachers cuddled up together.
"He is so hot, what is the deal with those two?" Rachel asked eyeing Lucas' physique.
"He's off limits, Brooke is written all over him" Bevin said "and you don't wanna get on Brooke's bad side. She can be a bitch at times"
"I don't see any rings on anyone's fingers, so he is fair game" Rachel said.
"Well, Brooke is Queen B around here and Lucas is her King. Both are off limits" Bevin explained.
"We will see about that" Rachel said sarcastically.