Never Let Me Go

Chapter Eighteen: 17

We were on top of the world

Back when I was your girl

We were living so wild and free

Acting stupid for fun

All we needed was love

That's the way it's supposed to be

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"What the hell are you doing here?" Brooke asked Nicki, looking her up and down with judgement. "Didn't you get the memo? No baby-snatching sluts allowed."

Nicki stepped forward, getting in Brooke's face. "Maybe you should tell your best friend Peyton to leave then, since she's playing house with a baby that isn't even hers and a boyfriend that will never love her the way he loved me." Nicki's gaze averted to the curly-haired blonde, and she smirked at her.

Angrily, Peyton began to charge at Nicki, but Jake held her back. "You're an evil bitch, Nicki. Everybody knows it, and Jenny will grow up happier without someone toxic like you ruining her life," she screamed.

Nicki laughed off Peyton's comments, and her attention turned to her ex-boyfriend, Jake. "So, you're out partying while our daughter's at home? Not very responsible of you, Jakey."

"My daughter is at home with her grandparents," Jake retorted, placing his beer bottle on a nearby table. "And who the hell are you to be talking about responsibility anyway? You walked out on Jenny the minute she was born, and left me picking up the pieces. Why can't you just stay out of our lives?"

"I will be a part of Jenny's life, and I will get you back Jake. Take my word for it." Nicki turned around and started heading towards the front door. She stopped abruptly, and turned back, a smug smile on her face. "Oh, and just so you know, I called the cops about a noise complaint to this address. Just thought I'd give you a heads up. Thanks for the hospitality, Brooke." Then, she walked out.

"Shit," Brooke murmured. "Okay, party's over. Everybody out! Make sure you all walk down the road and call cabs, we don't want any drunk drivers!" Brooke started ushering people towards the door, hoping to get everyone out before the cops arrived. Soon, it was just her, Lucas, Haley, Nathan, Peyton and Jake.

"I'll help you clean up quickly," Nathan assured Brooke, running over to the kitchen to grab a bin-bag.

"Yeah, me too," Lucas said, grabbing one himself. Nathan, Brooke and Lucas hurried around the apartment, dumping empty bottles into the plastic bags, while Haley sat in an armchair, holding her stomach. Peyton sat on the couch, hugging Jake, who was visibly upset. Brooke piled trash bags into a small cupboard, while Lucas dragged the keg into the bathroom to hide it. It was pretty much clean in here now.

Everyone sat down, quietly, expecting the police to arrive any minute. Jake broke the silence, "I am so sorry about her guys. I don't know what to do to get her off my case." Peyton gripped his hand tightly.

"Hey," Haley replied, "do not apologise on behalf of that evil bimbo. It isn't your fault she's crazy. Jenny is lucky to have a father like you, and to not be associated with her."

"Hales is right, Jake," Lucas chimed in. "None of this is your fault, you're just doing what's best for your daughter. We'll figure out a way to put an end to this, whatever means necessary."

"I really appreciate that guys, but I don't want to get all of you involved in my drama," Jake said, sadly.

"She's the one that brought us into it, not you," Peyton assured him, "and we will stay by your side until she's gone. Right?" Everybody nodded and mumbled in agreement.

Jake looked up momentarily, and smiled sheepishly at his friends. "Thanks guys, you're the best. I'm gonna head off now, though. I wanna get home and see Jenny."

"I'll come with you," Peyton said, and they stood up together, said their goodbyes and exited Brooke's apartment.

Brooke stood up, looking out of the window. "The cops aren't even coming, are they? She just said that to ruin the party!" She threw herself back onto the sofa, crossing her arms in anger.

"Well, it kinda worked," Nathan replied, shrugging his shoulders.

"Everything gets ruined when that bitch shows up," Brooke complained, sipping leftover vodka from her red, plastic cup. "I just hope she doesn't get the chance to ruin Jenny's life."

Haley leaned forward and began sobbing into the palms of her hands. Nathan immediately started comforting her, as Brooke and Lucas shot each other knowing glances.

"You ok, Hales?" Lucas asked, kneeling down on the floor next to her seat.

"I-I'm preg-pregnant," Haley managed to confess, through a constant stream of hot tears.

Lucas looked up at Nathan, and then back at his best friend, gripping her hand. "Hey, you don't need to cry, Hales. You'll be a fantastic mom!"

Haley looked up at Lucas, taking sharp breaths. "You really think so?" Nathan wiped away some of her tears.

"Tutor girl," Brooke interrupted, "if you can turn Nathan into a caring husband, after 17 years of being raised by Dan Scott, you can raise an amazing kid, trust me." Brooke smiled over at her, vibrantly.

Haley began to laugh. "You do have a point there, Brooke."

Brooke looked over at Nathan. "How are you dealing with the news, Nate?"

Nathan took a deep breath. "At first I was panicked, scared, pretty much every negative emotion you can think of. Then, I spoke to Lucas..."

Haley shot him an angry glance. "Nathan! We weren't supposed to tell anyone!"

"Well, you just told both of them, so we're even," Nathan quickly responded. "Anyway, then I spoke to Lucas, and he helped me work out some things mentally." Nathan looked directly at Haley, grabbing both of her hands. "Haley James Scott, when I married you, I made a commitment to you. I wanted to start a family with you. Granted, I didn't think we would be starting the family this early, but we can do it. I know we can. I want to keep this baby. I want to start our family, 9 months from now. And, think about it, they'll have the best family, as long as we keep our friends around. I love you, Hales. I believe in us."

Haley started crying again. Happy tears. She flung her arms around Nathan's neck, hugging him tightly. "I love you so much, Nathan. You're right. We can do this." Brooke and Lucas smiled at their friends, who were incredibly happy. Brooke had a couple of tears rolling down her face. She was a sucker for a good love story.

"I think it's time we head back to our place," Nathan suggested to Haley, "too much partying for you." When they got back together, after Haley's tour, they found a decent-sized apartment on the other side of Tree Hill - Haley paid using royalties from her singles, and Nathan was doing part-time work at the mall.

Once they had left, Brooke and Lucas sat together on the sofa, entwined in each other's arms. "I'm so happy for them," Brooke said, leaning her head on Lucas's chest.

"So am I," Lucas replied honestly, stroking Brooke's hair softly.

"Do you think we'll ever be like them?" Brooke asked her boyfriend.

"I'm already as happy as they are," Lucas responded.

"Me too," Brooke admitted, looking up into his eyes.

Lucas put his hand on her cheek. "Brooke, everything Nathan and Haley have, is what I want for our future. I know that I'm the guy for you, Brooke Davis. Give me time, and I will prove that. I want to marry you, start a family with you. You're the love of my life."

Tears rolled down Brooke's cheeks, but she didn't even realise. She was lost in Lucas's eyes, in his words. "I want all of that too, Luke. I want it with you. I love you so much."

"I love you too, pretty girl."

They wrapped themselves up in a blanket on the sofa, holding each other tightly, until they finally drifted off to sleep.