Chapter Eighteen

It was close to eight when Lucas finally got home, he was exhausted and starving. He was glad to see that Brooke's BMW was in the driveway, just seeing her would make his day better. In a hurry to see her, he flung the front door open and stopped in the foyer when he was hit with a delightful aroma. With a smile he followed his nose into the kitchen where he found Brooke stirring something on the stove.

"I don't know what's for dinner but it smells heavenly," Lucas said walking up behind her and wrapping his arms around her small waist. Brooke jumped causing him to take a step back. "Is everything alright?" he asked, concern lacing his voice. It wasn't like her to pull away from him, unless he did something to tick her off, which he was pretty sure he hadn't.

"Yea, yea everything's fine. You just surprised me, that's all," she said standing on the tips of her toes to kiss him. Lucas took full advantage and pulled her against his body. Before he could take the kiss much further Brooke put her hand on his chest and lightly pushed him back. "Easy Broody, I don't want to burn dinner," she laughed turning away from him to tend to the food cooking on the stove.

"Fine," he sighed loudly making her laugh, "what's for dinner?"

"Roast, baby potatoes, baby carrots, salad, and pudding for dessert."

"Sounds amazing, how was your day?" he asked leaning against the counter.

"Oh, usual. Woke up late, had a freezing cold shower, almost killed Haley, went to the store, then came home," she said taking the pot off the stove and pouring the pudding into a bowl to put in the fridge to cool.

Taking a moment to sort through what she just told him, he stood up right when what she said sunk in. "What do you mean you almost killed Haley?"

"I fell asleep after I opened the store, she woke me up and told me she had an important date tonight. I assumed it was with someone other than Nathan so I was kinda a little bitchy," Brooke explained shrugging her shoulders.

Lucas laughed shaking his head. "The two of them have a long road ahead. I hope they figure it out, they deserve to be as happy as we are."

"Speaking of being happy, there's something I have to tell you. Dinners going to be a while longer so do you mind talking now? Or we could wait, it's up to you," Brooke rushed to say.

"Now's fine, but I thought you said everything was okay."

Brooke grabbed his hand and pulled him into the living room. She gently pushed him down on to the sofa and sat in front of him on the ottoman. She reached out and took ahold of his hands then looked him in the eyes, she wanted to see his reaction as she told him her news. "Brooke, you're starting to scare me here, what's going on?"

"I'm pregnant," she said simply, waiting to see his reaction. He didn't disappoint her, he drug her up with him and into a hug. His eyes were dancing with happiness and he had a grin a mile wide on his face.

"We're gonna have a baby!" He shouted setting her on her feet and kissing her. "How do you feel?" he asked pulling her down onto the sofa next to him.

"I feel good, just tired," she replied snuggling into him. This was their bliss, she hoped Nathan and Haley's night was going as well theirs.

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Nathan and Haley, unfortunately, weren't that lucky.

"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" a waiter asked Haley after spilling a hot bowl of soup on her.

"I'm okay, it's just soup, it's not a big deal," she told the poor guy. Her stomach and legs felt like they were on fire, and she was pretty sure after this her night with Nathan would be over, but it was an honest accident.

"Can we just get the bill please?" Nathan asked the waiter with a grimace. Once he walked away he turned his attention to Haley who was trying to wipe what she could off of her dress and legs. "Are you really okay, or were you just being nice?" he asked her.

"It was kinda hot," she laughed, "but I'm fine, really."

"As soon as I settle the bill we'll get you taken care of," Nathan said.

Taken care of? What did that even mean she thought waiting for the waiter to come back. After a few minutes the waiter returned but he wasn't alone.

"I'd like to give you my deepest apologizes, I'm Albert Kinderman, I'm the owner. I'm going to take care of your bill, I don't take this lightly," he said looking at Haley, not even acknowledging Nathan. It was then that it hit her. Had it been any other patron it wouldn't be this big of a deal, but it wasn't any normal patron it was her, a big rock star. Haley chanced a look at Nathan and it was clear he figured out what was going on to.

"I really appreciate that but it was really no big deal, just an accident. We'd just like our bill so we could get going," Haley said not giving any room for argument.

"I'll go get that for you myself," the owner nodded then was on his way.

After paying for what they had gotten the chance to actually eat they made their way out to Nathan's SUV. He hadn't said a word to her since he had asked her how she was and it was killing her. Her biggest worry was something reminding him of why she left, and just her luck, it happened.

Once they were settled inside she turned in her seat before he turned the ignition on. "Nathan? Are you upset with me?" she asked, her voice barley a whisper.

"Why don't we get you some clean clothes then we can talk," was all he said as he started the car and drove out of the parking lot.

Haley rested her head against the window, up until that moment everything had been going so well. They were talking about mostly small things but it was a start. She prayed this didn't affect the progress they had made, no matter how miniscule it was. She was so lost in thought it took her a little before she realized they weren't headed back to her house as she thought they would be.

"Nathan where are we going?"

"You'll see, don't worry. It won't take much longer to get there," he said then turned his full attention back to the road ahead.