Summary: While Brooke is away for the weekend at a fashion show in NY, Lucas is looking after their kids. Braydin sneaks out at night and gets himself in trouble, ending up in the hospital. An old friend happens to be town during this hard time, so will Lucas turn to her since his wife is not there?

Lucas Scott - writer, works at home and is Mr. Mom to his and Brooke's 5 children.

Brooke Davis Scott - a very well known fashion designer.

Braydin Keith Scott - 16 years old, junior at Tree Hill High. Popular and good looking, looks a lot like Lucas.

Cameron Tyler Scott - 14 years old, freshman at Tree Hill High.

Preston James Scott - 6 years old, 1st grader

Mercedes Karen Scott - 4 years old, daddy's girl. She looks exactly like Brooke and has the same upbeat, cheery personality as her.

Landon Zachary Scott - 6 month old, the youngest Scott. Lucas looks after him during the day.

Chapter 1 – The Call

"Okay kids I'm leaving! See you guys on Monday evening, be good for daddy okay? " Brooke Davis hurriedly hugged and kissed her 5 children goodbye.

"Bye mom!" the kids said in unison

Brooke wheeled her carry on luggage and headed out the door

"Don't I get a kiss?" Lucas asked.

Brooke turned around. "Sorry baby" she kissed her husband.

"I love you. Have fun in NY" Lucas said opening the door for his wife.

"I will. Love you!"

The Scott family watched Brooke's cab leave until it was out of sight. Already, 6 yr old Preston and 4 yr old Mercedes were sad. Lucas tried cheering them up.

"Okay what do you kids wanna do? Who's up for a movie and popcorn?" Lucas asked.

"Not me" Mercedes said looking down.

Lucas scooped his daughter up. "Come on. Mommy's only gone for 3 days. We're going to have a great weekend!"

"Can we go to the carnival tomorrow?" asked Preston.

"Sure, that sounds fun. What do you say boys?" Lucas asked his two older sons, Braydin and Cameron.

"Sorry. I have plans." Braydin rejected.

"Me too. I'm going to Aaron's remember?" Cameron reminded his father.

"Okay, so I'll take Preston, Mercedes and Landon" Lucas commented.

Preston and Mercedes cheered and talked excitedly about what they would see and do at the carnival. Lucas was glad the kids were happy. Travelling was a big part of Brooke's job and their children often missed her when she was gone. Lucas did his best to keep their kids occupied while their mother was away.

Lucas served dinner. He had prepared the kids favorite dish, pasta.

"How was everyone's day?" he asked once they were all seated.

"Fun. We painted pictures then Ms. Honey hung them up on the wall. She said mine's was pretty!" Mercedes eyes sparkled.

"She probably just said that to make you happy" Cameron reflected.

"She did not!" Mercedes fought back, putting her hands on her hips.

'She looks exactly like Brooke when she does that' Lucas thought to himself, smiling.

"Cameron" Lucas said in a warning tone.

"Sorry"

"Preston? Anything interesting happen in school today?" Lucas asked.

"I got a free homework pass" Preston informed.

"Great! You can use that this weekend!"

'I know'

"Cam?" Lucas prompted.

"A really hot girl asked me out." Cameron grinned.

"I see. Who is this hot girl?"

"Kristen Michaels."

"She's a senior" Braydin blurted out.

"Braydin!" Cameron yelled.

Lucas couldn't believe his ears. "A senior?! You are not going out a senior!"

Cameron groaned. "Aw dad come on. We're supposed to go out on Sunday!"

Lucas shook his head. "Your mother will kill me. I'm sure there are plenty of pretty girls in 9th grade for you"

"There are. But they all wanna date Braydin, not me" Cameron slumped in his seat.

Braydin snickered. "What can I say? I got the looks. Your two feet shorter than me. No one dates short people"

"Braydin Keith Scott" Lucas had that fatherly tone again.

"It's true dad. Cam's too short. I'm shocked Kristen asked him out. You should let him go out with her"

"Not a chance. Sorry kiddo. Call and cancel" Lucas said tossing the phone to his son.

Cameron sighed and excused himself to make the call.

Upstairs, baby Landon was up from his nap. Lucas grabbed the baby monitor, shut if off and went to check on his son.

"Hey buddy. You hungry?" Lucas lifted his baby up from his crib, carried him back downstairs and warmed a bottle of milk.

The phone rang. "Someone grab that!" Lucas called.

Cameron and Preston both reached for it, but Cameron got to it first.

"Hello? No, this is Cameron. Yeah, he's right here" this time Cameron tossed the phone to Lucas.

"Hello, Lucas speaking."

A familiar voice was on the other end. "Hi Lucas. It's me"

"I'm sorry, who?" Lucas could barely hear anything, with the baby crying in his arms and the other kids arguing behind him.

"It's Peyton"

Lucas' jaw dropped to the floor. He couldn't believe what he had just heard!