It took about three months to get all the details worked out for Mandy to move to Tree Hill. Lucas graduated high school and Mandy was there on the front row grinning at him. He did the same for her at her Nursing school graduation during that time. When she arrives in Tree Hill; Mandy gets a job at the local hospital as a pediatric nurse. Keith opens up an automotive repair shop with Lucas as his assistant and Lucas and Mandy move into a townhouse. Lucas is working hard to learn the trade that he hopes will be second nature for him eventually.
Nathan and Haley had reunited during this time and they were the first to have Lucas and Mandy over for dinner. Haley was a great supporter of Mandy’s and was a lot of help getting things set up for the move. She and Mandy were already great friends.
“Well, you two look at bit tired; have a seat, while Haley sets the table,” Nathan says offering drinks.
Haley calls from the kitchen, “I’ll be right out.”
After dinner they all sit in the living room and talk.
“So far everyone I’ve met have been really welcoming,” Mandy says.
“Mom has been teaching Mandy to cook,” Lucas interjects.
“That’s been interesting,” Mandy says laughing.
Lucas clarifies, “Mandy has very little experience cooking.”
“But the meal was great, Haley, hopefully soon I will be able to return the favor;” Mandy adds.
“Don’t worry about it’s been fun, we have been trying to save money by eating at home so Nathan has had to grin and bear a lot of my mistakes,” Haley says laughing.
Nathan nods with a grin.
After a couple weeks of living together Lucas gives Mandy a promise ring; until he can save money for an engagement ring.
“I know it’s cheesy but I want you to know that I want to marry you when we can afford to get a house,” he says sincerely.
Mandy smiles at him and gives him a kiss.
“So it is a promise to get engaged or to get married,” she asks teasing him.
“Both,” he says with a grin.
“Then I accept, but don’t worry about saving for a ring; you are all I need.”
“I hope saving for a down payment on a house doesn't take forever,” he says.
“Slow and steady,” she says pulling him to her on the bed.
When Andy had returned to Tree Hill he and Karen had married; but he is out of town often and Karen gets really lonely. She is spending an extreme amount of time at the café and Lucas is worried about her. Peyton is supposed to be helping part time but had only worked two weeks in the last month. Lucas comes by to talk to his Mom during lunch.
“Hey so when is Andy coming back this time?”
“Oh he should be here tomorrow night,” she says grinning.
“So is Peyton finally going to get some hours in this month?” he says lightly.
“Oh, has she been complaining, I thought I was helping since she has been taking classes at the college.”
“Mom, you could spend more time with me and Mandy, you don’t have to be alone.”
“I know but you are just starting out I feel I am in the way.”
“No, Mandy loves you teaching her to cook and just hanging out when she is not working; she says that all the time, I promise,” he says.
Karen finally agrees and Lucas goes back to work.
Andy stays around for a couple months before he as to go out of town again; during that time Karen founds out she is pregnant but hesitates to tell Andy. They are getting ready for bed on the night before he is leaving.
“Andy, I am pregnant,” she says as he is brushing his teeth.
“Oh, that is great Karen,” he holds her close and kisses her.
“So when did you find out?”
“Just today, I took a home test; It will be almost eight months, if you want to keep it.”
“Of course I do, why wouldn’t we want to keep our baby?” he asks.
“Well, I am getting older and what if the baby has downs syndrome or something?”
“Are you serious? Why would that matter? This is our child? I am surprised that you’re thinking that way,” he says looking curiously at her.
“They were just thoughts, I do want a baby with you and if you are sure than I am fine with it,” she hugs him again.
Lucas is excited to hear he will finally have a sibling.
Brooke and Peyton are only nice to Mandy when Haley is around, but she doesn’t let Lucas know because she does want to seem like a baby. Brooke comes by one day after Mandy has been there for about six months and wants to have a chat. She saunters up to the door and Mandy is sitting in the living room reading a book; it is a Saturday and Lucas is at work for a few hours.
The screen is open so Mandy sees her and meets her at the door.
“Can I come in for a minute?” Brooke says.
“Why?”
“We need to talk,” she says.
Mandy lets her in not wanting to be rude, outright. She even offers her a drink which she refuses.
“So, you think that he is all yours now?” she asks.
Mandy just looks at her. Brooke sees the ring on her finger.
“What is this?”
“What does it look like?” Mandy says.
“A promise ring,” Brooke says surprised,
“He says it is until he gets my engagement ring; if it is any of your business,” Mandy says.
“So he asked you to marry him?”
“Yes.”
Brooke seems to have lost her momentum after that. She sits down on the sofa and stares off into space. Lucas drives in the driveway and Brooke hears the car, she looks out of the window. Mandy goes to the door to meet him with a nice juicy kiss.
“Brooke, what are you doing here?” he says a bit irritated since she has said little to him since Mandy moved in.
“I was just talking to Mandy, but I will be going now,” she says leaving.
“What did she say?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Tell me please,” he asks sincerely.
“She implied that you did not really want to be with me, satisfied?”
“But she is wrong, I do want you, I love you,” he says pulling her into his arms.
She put her arms around his neck and his hands go around her waist as they began kissing she stops him.
“I love you, Lucas, no matter what.”
Lovemaking on a Saturday afternoon is slow and easy for them. They are careful but they take their time enjoying one another like when they first began to have sex. Over the last few months things have been hectic and at times their love life has been missing the spark of new love. Lucas has noticed it but it does not make him love Mandy any less. He actually loves her more because she is focused on making their life together work by making the meals and doing the laundry and shopping. She is also working long hours to earn money for the wedding and the house they want to buy. He was also very busy but he does his share around the townhouse plus working long hours. At times she is asleep when he arrives home; essentially they are already married without the piece of paper.
Brooke is heart sick and a bit guilty about they wait she has treated Mandy; when she arrives at Peyton’s house she hears noises when she gets to Peyton room and looks into see Jake and Peyton in the bed. She runs out of the house before they can see her.
She is feeling all alone so she goes over to Felix’s house and runs in to Hanna.
“You okay?”
“I’m fine, is Felix here?”
“No he is still away at school.”
She thanks her and heads back to her car. She is unable to find anyone to talk to that night she cries herself to sleep.
Remember Mandy looks similiar to Thandie but with wavy auburn hair.
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