A/N: I'm back! As I was watching season seven, all these little ideas of awesome times for L/P to appear popped into my head. It won't be too long and as much as it uses some of the stuff from season seven, I'll be playing around with them and paraphrasing etc. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or anything to do with it. Title comes from Gavin DeGraw - kinda random but it fits ;)
Nathan sat opposite Clay, with his head in his hands.
"I'm not paying her, man. It makes me look guilty and I did not do this."
"I know that, Nate. But this is going to get worse before it gets better."
A tall, slim woman with dark blonde curls that hung about her shoulders strolled into the Scott's living room with a little girl on her hip.
"Big fat payouts, huh?' she quipped, raising an eyebrow. "Well if that's the case, I got a Scott kid right here," she inclined her head towards the little girl.
Both Nathan and Clay's eyes shot in the direction of the woman. Clay stood before Nathan could speak.
"Look, miss, this is private property, you have no business here. If you'd like to jump on the Nathan-Scott-impregnated-me bandwagon, I suggest you contact me by phone-"
"Clay, shut up!" Nathan laughed as he walked over. The woman laughed and then smiled at him. "That little girl IS a Scott kid. But she's not my daughter, she's my niece. Sawyer," he pulled Peyton into a tight hug. "What are you doing here? When I called I didn't mean for you feel like you had to come back."
"Huh? Who's Sawyer?" Clay asked.
"I am!" the little girl in Peyton's voice yelled.
Nathan laughed. "I forgot that your nickname would get confusing. Clay, this is Peyton Scott and her daughter Sawyer."
"Peyton? As in best friend Peyton?"
"Been name-dropping me as your best friend have you, Scott?" Peyton winked. "Yes, I am best friend Peyton. You must be Clay right? It's great to meet you!" She extended her hand to Clay who stepped forward, shook Peyton's hand and smiled at her.
"Seriously, I didn't mean for you to come back here just for me. Is Lucas with you?" Nathan asked.
"He went to the house first to drop off our stuff. He'll be around later. And, as much as I love you, we're not just back for you. Mia called me and told me about the label." Nathan looked to the floor. "Hey it's okay. I know why Haley decided not to tell me yet, but it's time I came back and told it to Miranda. And we decided it was time to come back and bring the kids up where we grew up."
Nathan nodded his head but then stopped. "What do you mean kids? Are you-?" he stopped himself as he looked down and noticed the small protruding bump that Peyton's hand rested on, wondering how he hadn't noticed before. Peyton just smiled at him.
"I am," she beamed.
"But, how? I mean with what happened with Sawyer and everything why would you risk it? Why would Luke let you risk it?" Nathan got angry quite quickly, feeling the same feelings he had the last time he thought he would lose Peyton.
"Hey, calm down!" Peyton wasn't annoyed but she was firm. "We're not risking anything. It was actually an accident but I've been for a ton of check ups and it looks like I'm going to be okay this time and have something resembling a normal pregnancy. It's not going to be like last time, I promise," she smiled as she rubbed Nathan's arm.
"In that case, I'm so happy for you guys!" He pulled Peyton into another hug. "Luke must be ecstatic," he questioned.
"Well, that little tantrum you just threw? That lasted about three days with him while we were waiting for test results. But once we got the all clear he was thrilled. But you can talk to him about that later. I'm gonna head to the studio. Haley doesn't know I'm coming so I'm guessing she'll squeal a lot and then demand we have dinner tonight, so I'm sure I'll see you this evening," she kissed Nathan on the cheek and Nathan bent down to kiss Sawyer's head and headed back out to the car.
"Peyt?" Nathan called after her. She turned back.
"Yeah?"
"You know I didn't do it, right?"
"Of course I do. Not for one second did I think you'd do something like that."
"And Luke?"
"I know he can jump to conclusions sometimes Nate, but he knows you. We've never had any doubt you're telling the truth," she smiled.
Nathan let out a breath and smiled. "Thanks, see you later."
He turned back to Clay who was watching Peyton walk away.
"Dude, if I ever see you looking at her like that again, I will hurt you."
"What is it with you and having hot sister-in-laws?" Clay teased.
"Shut up. Peyton's different to Quinn. Don't get me wrong, I love Quinn, but she's Haley's sister. Peyton, on the other hand, is my brother's wife. Actually, what am I saying? Look at her all you want, it wouldn't make any difference. There isn't anyone getting between Peyton and my brother."
"I'm sorry Haley-"
"No, Miranda, you're not." Haley stood facing Miranda who sat behind the desk that had once been Peyton's.
"Look, if we thought Mia wasn't bluffing or if Peyton was here it would be different-"
"Well, that's good. 'Cos Peyton is here."
Miranda looked up and Haley span round in surprise.
"Peyton?" she threw her hands to her mouth and ran to hug her.
"Hey Foxy. I gave you this label in good faith you know?" she teased.
"I'm sorry. Hey Sawyer, I'm your Aunt Haley. Can I take her?"
"Sure. You deal with her and I'll deal with Miranda. And hey, don't apologise. It's not your fault." Peyton moved past Haley and stood in front on Miranda. Haley kept back slightly, eagerly anticipating the showdown that was going to come and cooing over her niece.
"Peyton, it's good to see you again," Miranda spoke curtly,
"Cut the crap. I'm back now. Haley, sign this piece of paper making me majority owner again." She held a piece of paper in the air over her shoulder. Haley took it with her free hand and bent down to sign the dotted line indicated by a cross before passing them back to Peyton who was standing with her hand still over her shoulder.
"Now let me tell you, Mia was never bluffing. If you'd have continued to take advantage of Haley like this, you would have lost your best-selling artist. You know we don't tick the way other labels do. I suggest you stop manipulating Haley and using the fact she doesn't know the business as well as I do. This label is mine and you are not closing it down. If you want Haley's second album and a single second of another song from Mia, I suggest you stop fighting against us and join my team."
"What?"
"You heard me? Work for me, with me, whatever. You've got talent Miranda. You've got an ear for good music and deep down I know you love what this label stands for. So be a part of it. Make the difference we both want to make. You in?"
Miranda stood from the desk and walked round to face Peyton. She extended her hand. "I'm in." She remained cool and stiff but Peyton knew it was all just a front. Haley threw her free arm around Peyton and looked up at her face. Haley's smile was replaced with a look combining confusion and clarity all at once. She stepped back, glanced down to Peyton's stomach and gasped.
"Wait, are you-"
"Yes! I am!"
Miranda sighed and walked out of the office to get away from the squealing.
Peyton walked into Clothes over Bros holding Sawyer's hand as she padded along beside her. When Peyton realised how many people were milling around, she bent down and picked Sawyer up and placed her back on her hip.
"Sorry baby, but it's busy in here and you might get hurt," Peyton said gently. Sawyer giggled softly and snuggled against her mother, resting her head in the crook of Peyton's neck. Peyton scanned the room looking for Brooke. A young, beautiful woman with brown hair caught her eye and made her way over.
"Peyton isn't it?"
"Uh, yeah. Sorry do I know you?"
"I'm Quinn, Haley's sister."
"Oh right, hi! Wait, are you like Haley, or Taylor?" Peyton teased.
"Way cooler than Haley, and no where near as bitchy as Taylor," Quinn winked and Peyton laughed.
"Is Brooke around? This little one is quite looking forward to seeing her godmother?"
"She's out the back, I'll go get her. So this is Lucas' little girl huh?"
"She sure is. And boy is she her father's daughter," Peyton chuckled.
"I can't believe it," Quinn mused.
"Believe what?"
"That you and Lucas got married. When Haley told me I was seriously shocked. It's great, don't get me wrong, Haley and Nathan told me about it, it's just he had the biggest crush on you growing up," Quinn laughed and Peyton joined her.
"I know. But he grew up to be a writer, he can be pretty persuasive when he wants to be," she joked. "Actually Haley told me to look out for you or at least get someone to point you out, to tell you that we're all having dinner at Nate and Haley's tonight."
"Cool, thanks. Well I'll go get Brooke and I'll see you later," she waved as she walked off towards the back of the shock.
Peyton heard a scream and then Brooke appear at the back of the shop looking slightly dishevelled.
"P. Sawyer?" she squealed as she ran towards her best friend.
"Hey B. Davis. I missed you. And so did this one," she smiled and Brooke took Sawyer from her arms.
"Hi, S. B. Scott," she rasped and her eyes washed over her godchild.
"S. B. Scott? Seriously?" Peyton laughed causing Brooke to fake a glare.
"I'm so glad you're home P. I need you here," she looked to Peyton sincerely.
"Everything okay, sweetie?" Peyton rubbed Brooke's arm.
"Brooke! These don't fit!" They were cut off by Alex who stamped towards Brooke with a pair of shorts in her hand.
"Well they should do, they were made to measure."
"Well then you measured wrong. Who's the kid?" Alex asked looking at Sawyer.
"My godchild Sawyer. This," she inclined her head in Peyton's direction, "is my best friend Peyton Scott."
"You related to Nathan?"
"He's my brother-in-law."
"Oh so you married the hot writer?" Alex smirked. "Did you bring him back with you?"
Peyton looked over at Brooke with a 'are you kidding me' look on her face and Brooke shooed Alex away.
"She's my newest model. I can't stand her. Seriously, P, she's nothing like you think she's going to be."
"Tell me about it. She's Alex Dupre right?" Brooke just nodded and sighed."Right, well I'm going to home and find my husband, but Haley's tonight, right?"
"Sure, I'll see you tonight. I love you P. Sawyer, and I'm glad you're home," Brooke hugged her friend as she passed Sawyer back to her arms. "And Peyton? How's baby number two coming?" she asked as she rubbed Peyton's tummy. Peyton looked down smiling.
"We're good. I can't believe you actually kept it a secret! Nathan and Haley really didn't know," she laughed.
"Yeah, well, I was revelling in being the only one who knew! See you tonight!" she turned back to the store and braced herself for round six hundred with Alex.
"Bye, B. Davis" Peyton sang as she left the store.
Lucas stood in the doorway of his daughter's new bedroom and watched his wife dressing her with nothing but adoration in his eyes. He'd spent the last year being selfish, keeping Peyton and Sawyer to himself, but he came so close to losing them both that he wanted to spend time cherishing them alone. Peyton sensed him and looked over, smiling. She stood and walked over to him, leaving Sawyer to her own devices in her play-pen. She put her arms around his waist and he pulled her towards him, gently resting his chin on her head.
"You pleased to be home, babe?"
Peyton smiled. "I am. But I'd be happy anywhere so long as I was with you and that baby girl of ours. And Baby Scott number 2," she grinned, looking down at her belly and Lucas' hand moved to rest upon it. "Are you?"
"Yeah. I'm going to miss having you all to myself. But I figured at least back here, we have a good handful of baby sitters to palm her off on to and then I really will get you all to myself," he whispered and he nuzzled Peyton's neck.
Peyton blushed and giggled, before turning to kiss Lucas. She leaned up to his ear. "Well in that case, I'll see if Brooke fancies having a weekend with her favourite god-daughter this weekend," she whispered before giving him another lust filled kiss. Lucas groaned and Peyton laughed at him.
"The weekend? That's like-"
"All of two days away?" Peyton winked as she went back to pick up Sawyer. As they got closer to Lucas, Sawyer threw her arms out towards him. Lucas chuckled and took her from his wife's arms.
"Come on you, let's go see all your new friends," he spoke to her causing her to cheer.
All three of them stepped out of their Tree Hill home and faced both the Comet and the Mustang.
Peyton turned to her. "Which car, baby girl?"
"Mama's!" she squealed.
Lucas sighed in frustration. "She always chooses your car." He passed Sawyer to Peyton to be put in her car seat as he took his keys back into the house. Peyton laughed as she buckled Sawyer in. She stepped back and turned to face Lucas as he made his way back outside.
"Face it baby, my car's cooler," she teased, kissing him quickly.
"Whatever," he mumbled as he got in the passenger side. "Car sucks." Peyton howled with laughter.
"Luke, you love this car almost as much as I do. You even named a book after it so shut up with your whining," she teased. As hard as he tried Lucas couldn't help but laugh. Peyton winked at him and she put the car into reverse and set off for Nathan and Haley's new home.
Let me know what you think and you'd like another couple of chapters using some of the storylines from season seven! :)