Author's Note: This is the third installment in the "Rain" series. You'll probably want to read the other two stories first; each one is only 5 chapters, so it's not too much reading.
This chapter is less dialogue, more text. I apologize for that. I just wanted to explain where we were in time, and all that junk.
The story title is from a Rihanna song.
Brooke could no longer sleep. She was uncomfortable, carrying around twenty extra pounds of weight, she needed to use the bathroom every ten minutes, and her unborn child was kicking and moving all of the time. Often instead of sleeping, she'd sit in the gliding rocking chair in the guest room of Lucas' house that has been turned into the nursery.
On this night, thirty weeks into her pregnancy, Brooke couldn't sleep again so she crept silently into the nursery to survey the scene. She flicked on the lights and inhaled a deep breath. Lucas, Nathan, and Keith had painted the room a light shade of pink and brought in all of the furniture. Karen had surprised Lucas and Brooke with a snow-white crib and matching dresser and changing table. Keith pitched in and bought the couple a glider for Brooke to sit in while rocking or feeding the baby.
Brooke reached into the crib and pulled out the teddy bear that sat alone among the blankets and sheets. The teenage girl slowly walked to the glider and lowered herself carefully into a seated position. Rocking back and forth, she puts her hand on her large stomach. She was almost eight months along and definitely looked pregnant. Senior year of high school had started three weeks ago, but only Lucas was physically attending school. Karen had arranged with Principal Turner that a tutor would come over and help Brooke keep up, so that when she went back to school after the baby is born, she won't be too far behind. Brooke didn't love this arrangement, but knew it was for the best.
After a few minutes of rocking peacefully to try to coax her child into sleep, Brooke notices a groggy Lucas standing in the doorway, his eyes heavy with the desire for sleep.
"I'm sorry. Did I wake you?" Brooke asks in a whisper.
"No", Lucas replies, "the bed felt empty so I woke up to find you. I should've known you'd be here." Lucas walks into the room now and leans down in front of Brooke.
"Don't touch my stomach, Lucas Scott. She's finally stopped kicking", Brooke says, glaring at the blond boy.
"Alright then. Come back to bed?"
"In a minute."
Lucas stands up, dejected, "You really like it in here, don't you?" he asks.
Brooke attempts to stand and grabs Lucas' hand when he offers it, "Yes, I love it, Luke. It's beautiful", she says, finally standing, "Too bad we're co-sleeping."
"Co-what?"
"Co-sleeping", Brooke repeats, "I want her to sleep in our bed with us."
"What if we roll over and crush her?"
"We won't, Broody. Come on", Brooke says, leading them back to bed.
Every school day was difficult for Lucas. He would wake up before Brooke would, he's kiss her cheek, then her belly, and then he'd leave the house to go to school. He didn't like being away from his girlfriend and their daughter. Sitting in each class, Lucas' mind would wander to his future plans, his life with Brooke and Baby Girl Scott. For Brooke, it was very much the same. Her school day was shorter than Lucas' and she would spend much of the day bored out of her skull. The nesting part of her pregnancy had begun, though, so she had rearranged and cleaned nearly every room in the Roe residence.
Basketball season had begun at THHS and neither Brooke nor Lucas was happy about this. For Lucas, it meant even less time with Brooke. And for Brooke, it meant no cheerleading, an activity she has loved since middle school. Today was the first game of the season and the first time Brooke would enter Tree Hill High in four months. Lucas told her she didn't have to go, but Brooke wanted to support him, plus the baby would kick happily every time her father mentioned basketball.
The gym was crowded, but Brooke hadn't even made it inside yet. Karen stood next to the teen as they slowly made their way from the parking lot to the school.
"Are you feeling okay?" Karen asks Brooke for the third time in as many minutes.
Brooke looks at the woman lovingly and says, "Yes, Karen. I'm fine. Nervous, but it's fine."
Brooke was very nervous about stepping foot into that gym again. Not even in the building yet, Brooke already felt a little exposed. She looked far different from the Brooke Davis of last basketball season. In place of the cheerleading uniform, Brooke wore a blue Ravens hoodie and black yoga pants, and in place of her small, taut tummy, there was a large, ominous bump. She didn't just look different, though. She was different. All of her. She wasn't ashamed anymore. She was proud, and she would stand tall, no matter what…
"Alright, honey", Karen says as the pair reaches the gym doors, "You ready?"
Brooke smiles widely, dimples pressed deeply into each cheek, "You bet."
Brooke pulled the gym doors open and was met with a wave of noise and nostalgia. She walked inside and towards the bleachers. Brooke spots Haley and Peyton first, stretching her with her former squad. The two cheerleaders see Brooke and smile and wave. Brooke smiles and waves back and then her eyes scan the court for Lucas. She walks with Karen to seats right behind the bench, and sits down, finally spotting her boyfriend. He smiles widely and begins to jog over to Brooke.
"Hey you", Lucas says once he reaches Brooke, placing a kiss on her lips softly.
"You should keep warming up, Luke", replies Brooke.
Lucas places his hand on Brooke's belly and then looks up at her and says, "But I wanted to say hi to my girls."
The baby kicks under his hand and Brooke laughs, "We say hello back. Now, go win your first game. For us."
Please review and let me know what you think about the start of the end of this trilogy. Oh, and I know my tense switches are really bad. I'm trying to work on that.