This is a future fic. Leyton and Naley. Brook and Mouth.
These first few sections are just kind of the intro. I don't know how far I'll take it but it's fun for now. Also, Karen will be alive and well in this. I named her daughter Keaton because hey, it kind of sounds like Keith.
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Lucas Scott dropped his keys on the entry table with a noisy clink. The loft was strangely dark. He looked at his watch again. Just past six o'clock. His wife was usually home by now, ready to greet him with a kiss and a beer. Not that he expected anything overwhemlmingly domesticated from her. He wasn't one of those guys who wanted a woman barefoot and in the kitchen. And more often than not it was him that got dinner ready. But tonight he had hoped she would be home. He had big news.
A sharp noise from the direction of the bedroom caught his attention. Squinting through the dimness, he called out curiosly, "Peyton, you home?"
He heard her voice call back, "I'm in the bedroom, baby."
Smiling, he dropped his coat on the back of the couch and made his way toward her. They'd been married eight months ago on a trip to Spain.
It had all come up very suddenly, Lucas suggesting it almost on a whim. To his surprise, Peyton had agreed and three hours later they'd found a minister willing to make a visit to a remote hilltop in the Catalan.
It had been the best decision of his life. Cumulatively, they had been together somewhere around five years already so while the marriage had seemed sudden, those who knew them best realized it would have happened eventually.
Lucas had just celebrated his twenty fifth birthday and Peyton's was coming up in a few months. They'd been living in New York for two years and both had stellar jobs. Peyton ran a division of a popular recording company and Lucas was a published author and freelance columnist with the Times.
Reaching the bedroom, Lucas was about to speak when he felt the breath rush out of him.
Peyton was on the bed, her blonde hair pulled back to reveal her stunning green eyes. She was clad in a lacy black bra and panty set that left almost nothing to the imagination.
Lucas could only stare. Their sex life was anything but boring but it still floored him to see her in various states of undress. He thought she liked to do it just to see him look a complete fool.
Grinning, cheshire like, she only said, "Don't leave me hanging here."
Lucas laughed happily, and with a speed that surprised them both, began to shed his clothes. They landed haphazardly across the floor and he stepped over them without a care for their well-being.
Slipping his hands around his wife's waist, he quickly placed his lips over hers and her hands caressed his chest.
"You are so hot."
Peyton laughed as her husband's hands slid down her back to cover her ass, jerking their bodies together at the hips.
He edged them back toward the bed and as he landed, she quickly straddled him, rocking her hips against his groin relentlessly.
Lucas groaned loudly, his hands coming up to cover her chest through the lace of her bra. Peyton gasped at the sensation and Lucas watched her hungrily.
His breath was coming out of him quickly as he said, "Oh God. Oh, Peyton. Not that I don't appreciate. But what's the occasion?"
Grinding against his pelvis, Peyton breathed huskily, "I can't. Surprise. My husband every once in a while?"
Lucas began thrusting upward as he pushed her bra out of the way to get at her bare breasts.
He tweaked the nipple of one mischievously, saying, "Honey, you can surprise me like this whenever you want. All the time, in fact."
She covered his hands with hers, rubbing them over her breasts insistently.
They continued to rock together until she finally broke away to his moan of disapproval.
Grinning wickedly, she rose up over him, sliding her underwear the rest of the way off and saying, "I'm coming back."
He reached out smoothly, his hand gliding up her slender thighs to brush against her.
-
After they'd cleaned up, Peyton threw on one of Luke's black t-shirts and they went into the kitchen to grab some wine and a leftover pizza from the fridge.
Luke had been unable to hide his news anymore. His new novel was about to be published and he wanted to see the look of pride and surprise on Peyton's face.
She'd practically leapt across the table at him to envelop him in her arms. Laughing, he'd tossed a piece of pizza onto the paper plate and pulled her into his lap.
She was settled snugly against him, leaning her back against his chest and her head against his. Her legs were stretched out across the table top, leaving long lengths of thigh exposed to his gaze and his fingertips.
He felt Peyton still against him and when she didn't speak for a moment he craned his face to look at her. She had a guilty smile on her lips and she was watching him from the corner of her eye with something like apprehension.
Luke was immediately suspicious.
"What?"
Peyton turned to face him more directly and her nervous grin was enough to assure her husband that she had something on her mind.
"I had a doctor's appointment today." The reflexive glint of fear in Lucas' eyes made Peyton rush on, "Nothing's wrong. I just wanted to check something out."
Luke had felt his heart twitter nervously at Peyton's admission and he was soothed by her hearty assurance.
Still, the expectation he felt was quite unnerving.
Brushing a hand through Luke's hair, Peyton continued somewhat hurriedly, "It's what I thought. And it's big, Luke."
Luke felt as though he should be catching on but that he was a step behind. What could be big that wasn't a bad thing?
Dully, he began to comprehend. A slow smile stretched his lips as he said, "Big?"
Nodding, she watched him as if expecting a bomb might go off. "And getting bigger. Over say, nine months."
Luke felt stunned. He knew he was smiling but he couldn't be sure of much else. He felt dazed.
Peyton's own smile was beginning to falter. She seemed quite concerned that Luke might have permanently lost his powers of speech.
"Honey, what do you think? Are you okay?"
Luke grasped Peyton's face in his hands, wanting to erase any doubt that he wasn't on board. It was definitely unexpected but it wasn't something they'd never talked about. They both wanted kids.
He kissed her soundly, pulling back to find tears in her eyes. He wiped the trails away gently, saying, "This is amazing. Amazing."
Peyton laughed softly, enjoying the thrilled look in her husband's eyes.
"I love you, Luke."
-
Lucas woke early, squinting at the sunlight that was seeping into the bedroom through the slats in the Venetian blinds. Peyton always said they needed to invest in curtains but Luke knew it didn't really bother her. She could sleep until noon, oblivious to the creeping sun.
Looking down, he saw a curly blonde head resting against his bare chest and he smiled. One of the things he loved most in the world was to wake with her wrapped around him, smelling like sleep and lavender shampoo. He spent a lot of time just after he'd woken up staying motionless, exactly like they were now, enjoying the feel of her. He felt inspired by his wife. He never wrote better than when she was with him, somewhere in the house, painting or listening to music and he could feel her presence.
Now he had a whole slew of new thoughts to wonder about. He was going to be a father, and though it was unexpected, he couldn't imagine being more happy about anything. His first instinct was to call everyone he knew. Peyton had laughed happily as he reached for his phone, her face alight with joy at his reaction. She had convinced him to save the calls for the morning but now he wondered if they should just tell everyone in person. Especially his mom. He wanted her to be the first to know. And then Nate and Haley, who would smile and hug them and laugh and laugh over the bet they had made. Luke grinned, thinking of what Nathan's expression would be when he found out he won. Peyton had gotten pregnant within eight months of the wedding. Nate would be insufferable.
He knew Peyton would want to call Brooke and Mouth but they were honeymooning in France and might be the hardest to reach.
Carefully he shifted, reaching toward the bedside table to get his laptop. Switching it on, he waited until the signal existed and he logged onto the internet.
He hardly knew where to start so he Googled pregnancy and was completely overwhelmed when the results showed up in the millions.
Grimmacing, he refined his search and he was thoroughly engrossed by the time Peyton began to stir beside him.
Blinking awake, his wife murmured a sleepy, "Morning, honey," before burrowing closer against him, her breath warm against his chest.
Kissing the top of her head affectionately he said wryly, "Hey, baby mama."
Peyton lifted her head and gave him a withering look. "Not cool. That is one thing you're not allowed to call me."
Lucas laughed at the stern expression she was giving him and he questioned her further, "So, if we're at say, a wedding or a birthday party, and we meet new people, I can't say you're my baby's mama?"
Peyton gave him a hard look, though her lips began to quirk, and said, "Not if you want to be around when the baby comes."
Looking chastened, Lucas held up three fingers in what he hoped was the Scouting sign. "I swear"
-
They had a lazy breakfast that consisted of waffles topped with chocolate syrup and chocolate milk before they decided to pack up the car and head back to Tree Hill for the weekend.
Peyton had her seat leaned back and her feet propped on the dash of Luke's Tahoe as they drove, her body angled toward his and her face cradled in her palm.
Luke felt her eyes on him and he glanced at her askance, saying, "Okay, what are you looking at."
Grinning, Peyton shifted in her seat and said, "Nothin' much."
Reaching across the center console to grasp her hand in his, he arched his brows and said, "That so? Nothing? That's not a very nice thing to say about the father of your child."
Peyton squeezed his hand and glanced at the road momentarily before looking back at him, her smile wide and excited. "I was just thinking, what a phenomenally attractive kid we're going to have."
Lucas feigned a quick glance in the rearview mirror before he turned back to her, his ckeeks sucked in and his mouth puckered provactively.
"Blue Steel!"
Peyton burst out laughing, the joke tired and passe, but Luke's face enough to send her into giggles.
Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed the top of it tenderly before bringing it to the side of his face to rest against his cheek for a moment.
She could see the gravity in his sparkling eyes as he looked at her with a rush of emotion and said, "You're right. We are going to have a gorgeous baby."
-
Peyton leaned back after adjusting the radio station and tapped her fingernails on the windowill of the car. They were about an hour out of New York and she was starting to get a little antsy.
She was surprised when Luke asked suddenly, "You started thinking of names yet?"
Peyton turned toward him and said in mild disbelief, "We've got a while before we have to pick one, Luke."
He grinned at her slyly and she couldn't help but be infused by his enthusiasm.
Catching his eye she said mock seriously, "How about Leopold."
Luke pretended to play along. "Perfect. And for a girl how do you like Agnes?"
Smiling, Peyton said emphatically, "Love it."
With a charming grin, Luke said with a tone of finality, "Okay, we're settled. Agnes and Leopold Scott."
Giving his shoulder a playful knock, she said with a smile, "Absolutely not. They'd never forgive us."
Luke nodded his agreement and said thoughtfully, "Seriously, Peyton. You've never thought of any you liked? I thought all girls had names they liked. I thought you fought your best friends over it until one of you agreed to back down."
Peyton smiled at his generalist description and she said, "Brooke and I never really sat around naming our unborn children."
Luke continued to look as though he didn't believe she was being completely truthful until Peyton relented with a dramatic sigh.
"Okay. Yes. I may have given it some thought. But the names I used to like don't sound so good to me anymore. And I used to imagine that Nick Lachey was the father of my children, so I want to come up with new ones. With you."
He grinned at her, clearly amused that Nick Lachey had once been the hypothetical father of her children.
"Fair enough", he said. "We'll come up with new ones. Together"
Peyton woke when Luke gently shook her shoulder. He said quietly, "We're here."
She didn't ask him where exactly here was. Their home base in Tree Hill was Lucas' mother's home. Peyton saw the late afternoon sun baking the streets and she opened the door and climbed out of the car.
She raised her arms above her head and stretched powerfully, a yawn escaping her as she twisted her body around satisfyingly.
Luke went to the back of the car and pulled out their suitcases, following her up the steps to the front porch.
Peyton rang the doorbell as Luke rested the suitcases on the porch and he pulled her back against him to rest against his body while they waited.
Several moments passed before they heard footsteps and Karen's voice calling out, "Just a second!"
Lucas smiled at ths sound of his mother's voice. They spoke by phone several times a week, Peyton included. The trip had been a surprise though and Lucas was genuinely glad to see her, and tell her that she was going to be a grandmother.
The door swept open and Karen's face clearly showed surprise and pleasure at the arrival of her unexpected visitors.
Pulling them both into a hug, she said, "Guys, what are you doing? Why didn't you let me know you were coming?"
Luke said wryly, "You got big plans?"
Karen pulled back, giving him a look, and she said, "Of course not. But I would've gotten the place cleared up and changed the sheets in your room."
Luke scoffed and said, "Mom. I'm sure the sheets are fine. You probably washed them last time we were home and nobody's slept there since, right?"
Karen ignored him as she glanced over Peyton. For a wild moment, Peyton wondered if Karen could already tell. She had put on a little bit of weight already, and her boobs were bigger.
Karen looked as though she waa about to say something before Lucas ushered them inside, his hands on the suitcases as he said, "We're letting the a/c out."
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Inside, Lucas ushered Peyton to the couch and helped her onto it. Peyton raised her eyebrows in a good natured challenge, and her husband was instantly aware that he'd taken it too far. He winked to let her know he was backing off and looked back at his mother to see if she'd noticed any more of the exchange.
Her eyes gleamed but he couldn't decide if it was because she was onto them or that she was simply glad to see them.
Suddenly, Lucas became aware that it was far too silent.
"Where's Keaton?"
Karen's eyes lit up at the mention of her daughter. The seven year old was wildly rambunctious, sometimes even giving James a run for his money.
His mother took the seat beside Peyton, draping her arm over her daughter in law's shoulders lightly, and said, "She's terrorizing your brother and his wife as we speak."
Peyton an Lucas shared a grin. Perhaps the only person Keaton adored more than her big brother was Peyton. They'd shared a unique bond ever since the first time Peyton had held her in the hospital.
Speaking up, Peyton asked curiously, "How are Nate and Haley?"
Lucas could tell his wife felt a little guilty that they had spoken so little with them in the last few weeks. But his book deal had been in the final stages and Peyton was negotiating a contract with a band on the brink.
Normally, they spoke with his brother and his wife at least a couple of times a week. They liked to hear about life in Tree Hill and the antics of seven year old James. Haley was six months pregnant with their second child and Luke knew Peyton couldn't wait to share her own news with her.
Karen said happily, "They're doing just fine. They'll want to see you." Glancing at the clock, she added, "They told me they'd have her home around five."
Luke was disappointed to have to wait so long but he supposed that if Peyton was tired she could use the time to nap and they could both get showered. Luke's lips turned up at that thought and he caught Peyton eyeing him rather suspiciously.
Turning to his mother he said quickly, "Let me help Peyton get this stuff into our room and then you can make me a sandwich."
His mother slapped him playfully and he saw Peyton roll her eyes as she accepted his hand and let him pull her up from the couch.
Karen said, "Can I make something for you, Peyton? You look pretty bushed."
Peyton glanced at Karen quickly, wondering again if Karen was onto them, before she said, "Whatever Luke's fixing, he can make one for me."
Lucas looked between his mother and his wife and rolled his eyes before following the latter into the bedroom, the suitcases rolling along behind him.
-
Karen Roe pulled fresh lettuce from the crisper and went to the sink to rinse it. Despite Lucas' attempts to make lunch, Karen had sent him to help his wife unpack while she finished. She knew Peyton loved her BLT's and she wanted a moment to herself to think anyway.
Something was definitely up. Luke and Peyton were as in love as ever, she knew nothing was wrong in that respect. However, she couldn't shake a feeling that Peyton and Lucas were interacting almost imperceptibly different.
Luke was always tender, but there was something exceptionally gentle about the way he held her hand and guided her with his hand against her back.
And Peyton was positively glowing. Her skin was smooth and clear and Karen could have sworn the girl looked as though she'd gained a few pounds. And not in a way that suggested she's suddenly fallen in love with cheesecake.
Karen's hands began to shake and she couldn't contain the smile that was stretching her lips.
That had to be it!
Peyton was pregnant. -
Luke blotted shaving cream on his face and tapped the razor against the sink. The shower was running behind him and he could hear Peyton humming to herself under the steady drizzle.
"You think she suspects anything?"
Luke laughed as Peyton stuck her wet, dripping head out of the shower curtain.
Turning to face her, he said," No. I do not think she knows anything."
Peyton frowned. "I didn't say that she knows. I said she might suspect."
Lucas shrugged, seeing the distinction but realizing it was unimportant. "What's it matter, honey? We're going to tell her anyway."
Peyton bit her lip and watched him for a moment before she continued, "I know. I just didn't think I'd be this nervous."
Lucas walked toward her, the razor forgotten on the sink as he said, "You have nothing to be nervous about. She is going to be so excited."
Peyton smiled at the sincerity in his voice. She knew that he was right. Karen loved them both so much and she had hinted before how fun it would be to be a young grandmother. Peyton only wondered if she could be as good a mother. With Haley and Karen around, there was plenty of inspiration, and plenty that she might fall short of.
Lucas seemed to read the momentary flash of insecurity in her eyes because he stepped forward until he was partially in the shower himself and he could take her head in his hands softly.
"Listen. You are going to be a wonderful mom. I know that's true."
To her embarassment, Peyton felt tears stinging her eyes and she laughed. Luke was always saying things that made her cry and she out to have damned well been used to it already.
Grinning at her, his eyes full of the tenderness she loved, he leaned forward, pressing his lips to hers authoritatively.
The sound of the bathroom door crashing open caused them to break apart violently.
"Hey Uncle Luke! Hey Aunt Peyton!"
The voice of the brown haired little boy, who was grinning maniacally, was quickly followed by the deep, exasperated voice of his father.
It all happened so quickly that neither Luke or Peyton could move.
Coming into the room at a near jog, Nathan Scott took in the scene in front of him.
His son was standing in the middle of the room, almost between Luke, whose t-shirt was wet and his hair sticking up at odd angles, and Peyton, whose cheek was smeared in the shaving cream half missing from his brother's face.
Picking up Jamie, Nate covered his eyes with the palm of his hand and he said casually, "Luke. Peyton. Good to see you."
Peyton's face was a mask of humiliation. Luke was trying unsuccessfully to stifle a smile.
Before he turned, Nathan said as nonchalantly as he could, "Um, Peyton, you've got something on your cheek."
Peyton smothered a reluctant guffaw and disappeared behind the shower curtain as Luke closed the door behind his brother.
He could hear Nathan explaining something to Jamie outside and Luke suddenly couldn't fight a grin.
He could hear a mortified Peyton laughing almost hysterically and he said aloud, "Honey, I should have handed you a towel."
Peyton poked her head out of the curtains again to look at him quizzically. Then her gaze followed the length of the shower curtain and her blush spread all the way down her body and Lucas could see it plain as day.
See through shower curtains.
Outside the door he heard Nathan laughing and he wondered idly if Nathan had heard, then his doubts were erased as he heard Nate call out, "I've seen it before, buddy"
-
Nathan was unable to control a mirthful chuckle as he carried Jamie into the kitchen under his arm. Haley was sitting at the table, Keaton comfortably ensconced on her lap as Karen finished lunch.
His wife looked up at him suspisciously and he said, "Jamie here interrupted bathtime for the Scott family."
Haley's face was torn between shock and the uncontrollable urge to laugh. Karen turned sharply from the stove and Nathan felt the urge to reassure her. His mother wouldn't want that image either.
"Nothing crazy. PG all the way."
Karen turned back to the stove, trying unsuccessfully to cover her own giggling.
Keaton looked around at the adults and then climbed down from her aunt's lap to drag Jamie on another adventure.
She was already impatient waiting for her brother and sister in law.
Nathan watched them go, a look of wariness on his face, and Haley had to laugh.
"I hope you didn't embarass Peyton too much."
Nathan leaned forward and said in a whisper, "Like I told Luke, I've seen it before. No big deal."
Haley goggled at her husband, hoping like hell that he hadn't actually used those words.
He seemed slightly abashed and she shook her head at him.
"You have such a way with words, dear."
Grinning, he grabbed an apple from the bowl on the table and sank his teeth into it wolfishly.
Peyton pulled her hair into a loose ponytail and cast another glance at her husband in the mirrior.
He shrugged and said, "It's not that bad. Nate won't mention it."
Peyton sighed and said dejectedly, "Well, hopefully when he does mention it, your mother won't be in the room."
Luke came up behind her and slid his arms around her waist, resting his chin in the crook of her neck. "Come on, honey. It was completely innocent. Just a kiss. We're married. If we wanna grope each other it's our business."
Groaning in embarassment, Peyton leaned back against him, covering his arms with hers, and saying, "Until we grope in full view of the children."
Lucas laughed, the memory still fresh but already amusing. "And my brother."
Throwing in the towel, Peyton said in a devil-may-care voice, "Well don't worry. He's already seen it."
Luke frowned.
Peyton shot him a look over her shoulder and said wryly, "Not as funny when you think of it that way, huh, baby daddy"
-
Luke pushed his chair back and draped his arm over the back of Peyton's chair, clearing his throat to get everyone's attention. Nate pulled Keaton into his lap and whispered in her ear that she should pay attention because her big brother had something important to say.
Haley's hand was interwtined with her son's and Karen looked half as if she had expected this.
Lucas glanced again at his wife, kissing her hand and letting her know that the announcement was hers to make if she wanted. Her eyes sparkled as she squeezed his hand and looked out to address his family. Their family.
She didn't want to be a sap. She didn't know how to tell them that she loved them all so much it hurt and that they were here favorite people in the world. Her family. Sending pleading eyes at Luke, he got the message and kissed her forehead gently.
He straightened his tie absently and said, "Peyton and I have some big news, and you're the first people we want to share it with. You're the most important people in our lives and you're the people we want around this new life we've created."
Luke saw his mother's face with tears glistening on it. Nate was looking between his brother and Peyton with an incredulous, wide grin. Haley was also crying, James wondering what was the matter with her.
Luke looked back at his wife and he saw that she wanted to say something too.
Peyton looked out at all the faces knowing that the secret was out. They all knew. The only thing was to outright, flat out, full on say it.
Grinning, she said enthusiastically, "We're having a baby!"
Haley's shrill squeal caught the attention of several nearby tables, some of whom seemed to be waiting for an explanation. Gleefully, James stood up on a chair and said, "She's having a baby!"
The other tables broke into spontaneous applause and Peyton found herself waving and blushing and not caring how much a fool she looked. Luke's face was gleeful and when a bottle of Dom Perignon arrived at the table he grew puzzled.
The maitre'd said happily, "Compliments of a Mr. Taylor, and his wife."
Luke looked up sharply at the name and he clarified, "Skills Taylor?"
The older man grinned, "The very one."
Luke craned his neck to catch a glimpse of his old friend but found that he couldn't see him. "Is he still here?"
The waiter said, "Yes sir."
Nathan said, "Well see if you can't get him over here, my good man. I'm going to be an uncle."
Leaning over, Jamie kept his eyes trained on Peyton, who also had tears flowing freely down her face. "Daddy, why are the girls all crying."
Nathan said seriously, "Son, this is very important. For the rest of your life, I want you to remember this."
The little boy watched his father carefully, as if the secret of life was about to be imparted to him.
Nate said softly, "Girls cry when they're happy. When they're sad. When they're mad. Usually they yell first but then they cry."
Haley all but snorted but the tears on her face seemed to disprove whatever opposite claim she was about to make.
James looked more confused than ever. "Well how do you know which is which?"
Lucas said quickly, "Luck."
But Nathan continued, questioning his son, "How do you feel right now? Are you excited about getting a new cousin? Happy?"
James answered enthusiastically, "Yeah!"
Nathan swept a hand across the table and said, "They are too, sport."
Peyton said, "Whaddya think, James? Keat? DO you want a boy or a girl?"
The children answered oppositely at the exact same time and Peyton had to smile. "I'll see what I can do, okay?"
Peyton barely had time to smile at their enthusiasm before she was trapped in a hug between her mother in law and her sister in law. -
Peyton rolled over sleepily, her eyes struggling to adjust to the dim light. Beside her Lucas groaned.
"Who's calling you?"
"Is that my cell phone?"
Peyton rummaged beside her bed until she found her cell phone.
It read: 1 Missed Call, 1 New Voicemail
Peyton flipped it open and blinked at the harsh light. It was a number she didn't recognize. Flipping the speakerphone on she collapsed onto the pillows and waited for the message to start.
Peyton hadn't read Harry Potter in a few years but she felt as if she'd just opened up a Howler.
Brooke Davis McFadden, her verybestfriendinthewholeworldever was practically shrieking. Her voice caught between anger and surprise and tears and delight.
"I JUST HEARD THE NEWS! Mouth woke me up telling me he had a call from Nathan spilling all the beans that you're pregnant! Oh my God! How could you not call me? I'm coming home! No-hang on, Mouth. Yes! We're coming home a day early. Yes- because I said so. My Peyton is having a baby and I need to be there for her. And Lucas! Oh My God we have so much shopping to do. And baby name books! Listen, honey, we were in Florence the other day and what do you think about the name Giorgio? Huh? Anyway! We'll be home soon. We love you. Say I love you. " Peyton heard a slight burst of static then Mouth's voice saying truthfully, but not altogether passionately, "I love you."
All of the above had been said with hardly a breath taken between words.
Peyton sat up, feeling wide awake.
Sighing, she said to Lucas, who was leaning against the headboard with a shellshocked look, "Do you think she knows I'm not having the baby, like, tomorrow?"