The Truth

Ten

3 weeks later

Nicholas finally was able to go home, Brooke took him home but she still didn't want Lucas around. She called her parents and told them what had happened. Ted said he would be down there shortly. Brooke wasn't mad at Lucas, she just didn't want Nicholas around him for a while. Brooke decided to take the day off and spend it with Nicholas at home. She cleaned her whole house and when she was finally done, she went to Nicholas room to see him playing on the floor with his toys. "Hey, how you feeling bud?" She asked.

"Better, my legs still hurt." He said.

"Yeah, the doctor said it could be like that for a little bit."

"Mom, is dad coming over today?" He asked.

Brooke looked at him, she didn't want to tell him that Lucas wouldn't be around for a while. "No not today."

"Momma I know you're mad at daddy, but I dont blame him for what happened to me, I feel better, so don't be mad at daddy."

"Its not about that Nick, it's more complicated." Nicholas said nothing and continued to play while Brooke continued to fold laundry. Later that night, Brooke set a movie up on her TV for Nicholas, they sat on her bed, while Brooke read her magazine and Nicholas watched his movie. Finally he asked her "Mom can I call dad?"

Brooke looked at him, she knew that Nicholas loved being with Lucas, but she didn't want Nicholas to get hurt again "Not tonight. Maybe tomorrow."

They both fell asleep on Brooke's bed. The next morning, Haley took Nicholas and Jamie to a park. Brooke was meeting up with her dad today, he came into town to see them. "How's my favorite daughter?" He asked.

Brooke chuckled "Good. We are good, we love it here."

"How is he doing?"

"Ever since the accident, he has been wanting to spend more time with Lucas, but--"

"I'm proud of you, Brooke, you have done this all by yourself let the weight go. Let him be around his dad, he needs it."

Brooke said nothing "If it helps, I think you are a great mom, Nick loves you, but he also loves his dad. I'm proud of you and I love you Brooke."

Brooke still said nothing, but smiled at her dad.

Weeks had passed, Brooke would let Lucas and Nicholas talk on the phone, but they hadn't seen each other in a month. Brooke met a guy in Tree Hill, and they started dating, Nicholas loved hanging out with him. His name was Julian and him and Brooke had gotten very close. Today he was coming over and they were all going to the rivercourt. Nicholas was excited because he hadn't played basketball in forever.

Once they got there, Nicholas and Julian were playing basketball, Brooke sat on the bleachers watching. "So I go like this?" Julian asked him, shooting the ball.

"Almost, it's like this!" Nicholas said shooting making it in. Brooke and Julian clapped and cheered. "What now Julian?" He asked.

"How about we play, get your mom!!" They said chasing Brooke.

"No! No!" Brooke said running.

They both ran to her and Julian grabbed her and Nicholas hugged both of them. Then they heard Nicholas yell "Daddy!"

He ran towards Lucas and they hugged "Hey Daddy!"

"Hey bud what are you doing here!"

"Mom and me were teaching Julian how to shoot!"

"Really who's Julian?"

"Mommas boyfriend." Nicholas said in a different tone. Julian and Brooke walked over to them.

"Hey I'm Julian nice to meet you." Julian said shaking Lucas hand. "You too." He said.

"Dad you wanna shoot with me?"

Lucas quickly looked at Brooke, she nodded. Then they ran on the court. Brooke let him play for 10 minutes "Hey Nicholas we gotta go."

"Ah come on momma he just got here, and you never let me see him anymore!"

"You can call him tonight! Let's go!!" Brooke said. Nicholas ran to her and Julian took him to the car so Brooke could talk to Lucas.

"How have you been?" She asked, walking out on the court.

"Good. I mean other than you keeping my son away from me!" He said.

"Luke-"

"No, I dont understand it Brooke. I know that I made a mistake, but he forgave me, and you know that he is better so don't keep hurting me!"

"I'm sorry! I just..I don't want him to get hurt again, we almost lost him Lucas, he almost died." Lucas moved closer to her "But he didn't."

Brooke nodded her head "So you have a boyfriend now?" She nodded again.

"What's he like?"

"He's great, Nicholas loves him, he is a good guy."

"That's good Brooke I'm happy for you. But I'm always his dad first."

"Of course. I gotta go, you can call him tonight." She started to walk away.

"Hey Brooke!" He called from a distance "Tell him I love him."

Brooke gave him a nod and walked to her car, Lucas continued to shoot the ball. Brooke got to her car and Nicholas asked "What did you and dad talk about?"

"A lot of things." She said. Julian started to drive, Brooke grabbed his hand and they went back to her house. She knew things would never be the same, but for the first time she was okay with it.