'Isabel for christ sake.' Peyton shouted. 'Look at you, what have you done?' The curly haired child looked down at her mud coated dress and her dirt covered hands. 'Well?' Peyton questioned again, glancing at the muddy footprints on the cream carpet. 'Can't you just do as your told for once?' She groaned in exasperation.
A loud thump in the living room doorway startled them both. Peyton's eyes jolted to the door. She protectively grabbed the four year old, lifting her into her arms, no longer bothered about her child's mucky form. Peyton swallowed thickly as she looked at the heavy kaki rucksack. Her eyes slowly moved to the pair of black military boots standing beside the luggage and she apprehensively eyed up the rest of the figure until she finally met his eyes. She swiftly let Isabel down and stared at him unsurely before a large smile graced her lips and she lurched herself into his stiff arms, hugging him fiercely.
His strong hands slowly moved to her back, pulling her tight against him. His stubbly chin grazed against the soft skin of her cheek as he heavily inhaled the scent of her hair. She gripped the camouflage material of his jacket, in an attempt to steady her sudden wobbly legs. He held her firmly as he felt her shake in his grasp and slowly lifted his hand to touch her lips. She smiled, that smile that she only had for him.
'It's really you' She whispered, her fingers tracing the outline of his face. Her smile faltered as she stared into his disconnected, serious, blue eyes. But before she could comprehend his stern features he was kissing her intensely.
Isabel stared at her dad confusedly, she recognised him from all the photos and videos her mother showed her constantly. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she watched him kiss her mother. .
Peyton eventually pulled away due to lack of oxygen She followed his gaze to the little girl standing behind them. 'Izzy' She breathed, abruptly walking away from him and kneeling down before the child. 'Baby' she held her hand out to her but she defiantly pulled away. Peyton grasped her hand and lifted her up, taking her over to Lucas. 'Give Daddy a hug'
Lucas watched his child, she'd changed so much and she certainly couldn't remember him at all. She clung to Peyton shyly, laying her head on her mother's shoulder.
'Don't be silly Izzy, give daddy a hug-'
'It's alright' Lucas shook his head not wanting to force her to do anything she didn't want to. 'Hi Isabel' He gently stroked the child's blonde curls away from her face so he could look at her properly. Her blue eyes stared widely back at him. 'She's changed so much' He glanced up at Peyton, 'She looks just like you'.
He kissed Isabel's forehead. 'Have you been making mud pies?' He asked, brushing away a bit of dried mud on her cheek and eying the brown marks on the carpet and her dirty attire. She lifted her head, a slight smile on her perfect lips.
'I made lotsa mud pies' her eyes widened, excitedly. Lucas smiled. Her grin suddenly vanished. 'Mummy's angry with me'.
Peyton put her down. 'Yes I need to get you cleaned up' she glanced at Lucas nervously. 'I won't be long and then I'll get you something to eat' She awkwardly guided the youngster out of the room.
Lucas swallowed, looking around the room. It hadn't changed much in the two years he'd been away, which was very unlike Peyton; In the eight years he'd been with her she'd decorated at least twice a year. He wandered further into the room, the only apparent change was the additional photos of Peyton and Isabel. He studied the photos of his daughter; memories he'd missed: Birthday parties, days at the park, pictures of her with her cousin James, pictures of her with Brooke and Haley and Nathan. He picked up one of Peyton holding Isabel- both of them soaking wet, laying in the grass, laughing hysterically.
'It was James's birthday, We all had a huge water fight' Peyton's voice sounded from behind him. He spun around, startled by her voice. 'Sorry I didn't mean to make you jump.'
Lucas placed the frame back on the mantle piece. 'Where's Isabel'.
'She'll be down in a minute- she's tidying her toys up….Are you hungry?'
'Er….I can get myself something it's-'
'Don't be stupid' She shook her head and went into the kitchen. Lucas hesitantly followed. 'Why didn't you call I would have made something nice' Peyton shot him a smile as she opened the cupboard and searched for something edible. Lucas walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. She smiled, falling back into his chest as he placed a delicate kiss on her shoulder.
'I thought I'd surprise you…I missed you so much' she turned around in his embrace, smiling shyly. 'Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are?' She stared into his serious eyes.
'Not recently' She leant forward kissing him but their moment was soon interrupted when an energetic Isabel came bounding into the kitchen, juggling four bottles of paints. Peyton immediately withdrew, peering over Lucas' shoulder to their daughter. 'Isabel no painting now, it's nearly bed time' Peyton sighed.
'It's early, I'm not going bed'
'Yes you are madam, you've got ten minutes' Peyton said dismissively.
She pouted, attempting to cross her arms angrily but instead just wrapping her them around her small body.
Lucas smiled at her comical expression. 'I'm going to take a quick shower' He announced awkwardly, exiting the room.
'Mummy why has Daddy come home'
'Because he's not needed at the minute' .
'Is he living with us now?' She asked curiously, standing on her tip toes and reaching up onto the side board for a chocolate biscuit.
'Yes- Izzie this is Daddy's home too' Peyton took the biscuit away from her. 'It's to late for chocolate'
Peyton took her hand leading her upstairs.
'Will he play with me?'
'If you're a good little girl' Peyton smiled, guiding her into the bathroom and pulling out a small stool for her to stand on to brush her teeth.
'Does…Do-es---D--Dad-a--re--mem--ber--me?' Isabel queried while chewing on her toothbrush and spitting every few seconds. Peyton sighed, taking the brush from her small hands and doing it for her.
'Of course he remembers you, you're his baby girl. He used to read you a story every night'
The little girl scrunched up her nose and spat into the sink, jumping off the stool and racing into her bedroom. Peyton turned the tap off and followed her. 'Into bed' She instructed, stopping Isabel from emptying a box of lego over the floor.
'I wana play'
'Nope, not tonight it's late'
'Is not- it's….half past one' She frowned, looking at the wall clock confusedly.
'Five past seven'
'That's early- my bedtimes eight o'clock' She stomped her foot.
'Isabel please don't make a fuss. Daddy's been away a long time and I want to spend some time with him'
'I wana spend time too' She pouted.
'And you can, tomorrow'
'Can't he read me a story?' She huffed, reluctantly letting Peyton lift her into bed.
'Not tonight Izzie, he's tired. Tomorrow night ok?'
'Ok' She mumbled crossly.
'Night night' Peyton kissed her cheek. 'I love you'
'Love you' She responded sleepily, smiling as her mother rubbed her nose against hers.
'Now sleep' Peyton smiled.
---
'Something smells good'
'I'm afraid it's nothing impressive, just pasta, I haven't got much food.'
'Believe me that sounds great'. He watched her return her attention back to the saucepans. 'Did she go to bed alright?' He hesitantly broke the awkward silence that bestowed them.
'Yeah after a little persuasion' Peyton nodded.
'I…I can't get over how,…how big she's gotten' His voice broke. Peyton looked at him sadly, concern evident in her green eyes. She approached him unsurely, she'd never seen him look so lost and broken. She gently sat him down and sat herself on his lap, engulfing his muscular body in a hug.
'You're back now, we can be a family again everything will be fine' She kissed his forehead repeatedly, rocking him slightly. 'Everything's going to be ok Luke, everything's ok'.
