Hey everybody! Here we are again with a new story! Not just any new story, though: this is the final installment in the Ella, Lucas and Peyton saga.

Because this prologue isn't so long (don't worry, things still happen in it), I'm going to post the prologue, and then post chapter 1 24 hours later! Yes, you read that correctly. I've never done that before, so please show some love with a review. Share what you liked, disliked, your questions, your predictions, suggestions, anything! Let's see how much love we can gather in a 24 hour window.

It begins in Ella's POV. Yes, the result of the poll stated that you wanted to keep Ella's perspective in. So it's in. Pay attention to the timeline: things jump back, then forward.

As in Alone, Ella's POV will be noted by "-x-x-x-EGS-x-x-x-" in the break line, to make for an easy read.

This prologue doesn't waste any time in getting things started, so hang on tight.

I Shall Believe

Prologue

OK. So. I have news. First, my aunt Lisa gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Aaron Richard Sommers, on the 22nd of May, 2028. Which means that Aaron's already almost a year old now. I figure Aunt Lisa and Uncle Derek are gonna go all out for this kid's first birthday, which is coming up so soon!

Second, even more wonderful news. On May 16th, my mother gave birth to another amazing little boy, Miles Lawrence Scott, (whom they named after Miles Davis). So now I have two little brothers. Blessed doesn't even begin to describe how I feel. My parents are over the moon. Stressed with two little ones, yes, but over the moon. It's a miracle that they've managed to not pull each others' hair out by now.

I try to help out as best I can, but it's really tough for me to keep up with Riley, who's almost a year and a half old already. He doesn't see my cerebral palsy yet, obviously. He doesn't make me feel different for having a physical disability, because he can't understand it yet. When he does, he'll probably just see me as his big sister and not think anything of it, just like my cousin Jamie does, and Matthew, and Olivia, and the Baker twins, and Natalie, and so on and so forth.

After Riley was born, Dad had an an epiphany of sorts. He decided to pursue a PhD in English Literature, so he was now commuting to the University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill and taking night classes. Mom was nothing short of supportive, and together they somehow manage to make it all work. Grandpa Larry and Grandma Karen help out often.

Jamie was also continuing his undergraduate education at UNC-Chapel Hill. Not all of his credits transferred from William & Mary, though, so he had an extra year than everybody else. He was majoring in history, and was completely in love with his new girlfriend Bridget "Brigi" Anderson, whom he met at the university. They got along spectacularly well most of the time, though they still had the occasional spat.

That's all you need to know for right now. Flash forward a couple weeks...and here we go!

-x-x-x-EGS-x-x-x-

Thursday, May 31st, 2029 3:30pm

At 18 years old, Adrian landed a job as a waiter at Karen's Cafe, thanks to Aunt Haley. I had mentioned offhandedly that he was in desperate need of a summer job, and Aunt Haley had him trained at the cafe a few days after that. He took to the position quickly, seeing as he's a people person, was charismatic and personable… but y'all know that by now.

His shift started at 4pm. As we approached the cafe, he turned to me and said, "So I landed the job at the community pool as a lifeguard."

Adrian happens to be one of the best swimmers I know, and was now a certified lifeguard. He had the body for it, too. "You did?! That's awesome, Lion. How are you gonna juggle both jobs, though?"

"I'll figure it out. I told Haley already. The lifeguard job doesn't start until June 25th, anyway." Adrian moved ahead to open the door to the cafe, and I followed him inside. He turned to me. "You gonna get something to eat?"

"I was thinking that, yeah."

"Sounds good. So, I'll meet you back at your house when I get off?"

"Mhm." I kissed him, and he winked at me, before settling in to start his shift. I sat at the counter, somewhat sloppily. Adrian's high school graduation was coming up. I was feeling pretty emotional about it.

"Ella!" Aunt Haley waltzed over to me. "How's it going, honey?" She squeezed my shoulder in greeting.

"Pretty well. My house is pure insanity."

Aunt Haley laughed; her laugh had a graham-crackery sound. "Two children under the age of two will do that."

"Yeah. I wouldn't trade it for anything, though."

"I know the feeling. Can I get you something to eat? What are you having?"

"I was thinking a BLT. Something simple."

"You got it!" Aunt Haley relayed the order to Jeff the Chef. She then took a seat next to me. "How are my handsome nephews?"

"They're adorable," I answered. "I'm in love."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

"I can't believe my beautiful Riley is almost a year and a half," Peyton said, holding her oldest son and kissing his cheek. She rocked him back and forth, back and forth in her arms. Her and Karen sat in the living room, just chatting before starting dinner later. "Are you ready for your nap, baby?"

Riley didn't answer. Instead he rested his head on Peyton's bosom. His hair was a very light blonde and wavy, soft and thick. His eyes were a brilliant blue like those of his father.

"He's tired," Karen noted. "I can take him."

"Thanks so much for your help, Karen," Peyton replied, handing Riley to his grandmother, immediately missing his warmth.

"Oh honey," Karen said. "You don't have to thank me. After all this time?" she joked. Riley settled easily against her, breathing in her comforting cinnamon scent. He saw his Grammy Karen all the time, and was more than familiar with her–he adored her. That was how Peyton and Lucas wanted it from the start, especially since Karen and Andy were no longer traveling and had thus settled in Tree Hill indefinitely. "Be right back," Karen said, and brought Riley to his room, which was themed after The Jungle Book, with a sweet mural that Peyton had painted on one wall of the room by Riley's bed. When Karen returned, she asked, "So, Larry's coming over for dinner?"

Peyton nodded. "Mhm. Should be a nice evening. You and Andy should join us! It's the least I can do."

"I would love that," Karen responded, smiling a gentle smile. "I'm sure Andy would, too. He loves your cooking."

"I was thinking of making eggplant Parmesan."

"That sounds perfect. I'll help! And don't say, 'you don't have to.' I want to."

A familiar set of footsteps echoed through the house, accompanied by a jovial whistling. Lucas whistled a lot these days: his marriage was stronger and healthier than ever, Ella was thriving, and he had not just one, but two gorgeous and amazing baby boys.

"Hey!" he greeted, arriving home from another successful day at the auto shop. His hair was a little longer now, but he still maintained his fit physique and took care of himself, exercising regularly and eating healthy. The HCM provided no other lifestyle alternative, really. The truth is, though, and Lucas would attest to this: sure, he was being healthy for himself, but much more so for his wonderful family–that he swore he'd never take for granted again. "Hi Ma," he said, kissing Karen on the cheek and giving her a hug.

"Oh, no," Peyton said, rummaging rather frantically through the pantry. "Don't tell me I don't have any breadcrumbs..." Peyton peered over the items stacked on the shelf. "I don't. Great."

"Want me to go to the store?" Lucas asked, placing one hand on the white marble counter top.

"But you just got here," Peyton said. She edged into his embrace, pecking his lips. "And hi."

"Hi." Lucas brushed hair from her eyes. It was still blonde and wavy, past her shoulders. Over the past year and a half it had gone back to being curly, but now her hair was wavy again. "And that's OK," Lucas said. "No big deal; if you need the breadcrumbs, I'll go get them for you."

Peyton sent him a private look that only he understood, where she basically just told him how much she loved him with one glance. "You're a lifesaver."

"Be right back," he said, kissing Peyton's forehead.

-x-x-x-EGS-x-x-x-

I took a nice stroll home from the cafe, only to find my grandma Karen helping Mom in the kitchen, some jazz tunes soothing the room. "Hellooo?"

"There's my girl," Mom said, opening her arms for me to walk into them. She kissed the top of my head. "How was your day?"

"Can't complain," I answered. "Hi Grandma."

"Hi honey," Grandma Karen returned, looking over her shoulder as she was peeling carrots. I kissed her cheek. "Hey, how does Adrian like working at the cafe?"

"He loves it! He definitely has what it takes to be an awesome waiter. Where are the boys?"

"Sleeping," Mom and Grandma echoed.

"And Lily?"

Lily had finished up her senior year at Columbia University School of Nursing, and we had all (including Andre) been invited to her graduation. Mom and Dad couldn't go because of the babies, but I went. Grandpa Larry had stayed with my parents to help them out. Now she was just studying like crazy for her board exams, which she had to fly back to New York City to actually take. She was looking at getting a job in New York City and living there permanently.

"Probably with Andre," Grandma replied. "Those two are attached at the hip."

I laughed. "For sure."

"I wonder where my dad is," Mom said aloud. "He should be here by now."

Just then, my phone went off in a text. I read it aloud: "'Picking up dessert at the bakery. Be there soon. Hugs, Grandpa.'" I laughed, "I love how he signs his name on the message, as if I don't know it's him." I tapped my hands on the white marble counter. "Mom, can Adrian come over after his shift?"

"What time will that be?"

"Well, he gets off at 10." I sent her a cheeky smile.

"That's so late."

"Please? He's going to college soon..." Lately, that had been my go-to whenever I wanted something that had to do with my boyfriend.

Mom sighed, and looked at me. "Fine. He can stay till midnight at the latest, and he's not sleeping over. Deal?"

"Deal. Can I help you both out?"

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

The market was bustling with people that Thursday evening. Lucas had picked up the breadcrumbs rather quickly, and was weaving his way through the aisles after picking up some pretty flowers that he knew Peyton would love. He stopped, seeing a familiar face.

"Larry!" Sure enough, his father-in-law turned around. He was easy to spot in his favorite red baseball cap, and he carried a box in his hand–presumably tonight's dessert. He smiled at seeing his son-in-law.

"Hey!"

Lucas clapped Larry on the arm in greeting. "Apple pie, I see. Excellent choice. Funny running into you in the frozen food aisle."

"Was just picking up some vanilla ice cream. What are you doing here?"

"Peyton needed breadcrumbs," Lucas explained.

Larry chuckled, and then suddenly his face morphed into a frown. The color faded from his brown eyes. He looked at Lucas, but really it was like he was looking through him.

"...Larry?" Lucas asked, watching as Larry brushed his thumb along the left side of his face. "Are you alright?"

Larry tried to smile, but his smile was uneven. The sight made goosebumps rise at the back of Lucas' neck. Something was wrong. "Larry," Lucas said again. "Are you OK?"

The pie box fell out of Larry's left hand, and he dropped to his knees.

"Larry!" Lucas shouted, and then he watched his father-in-law completely collapse onto his stomach, on the tile floor. Lucas reached for his cell phone, but his pocket was empty–he'd left his phone in the car. "SOMEBODY HELP!" Lucas saw that people began to congregate at the end of the aisle. A woman and man began running towards them. "SOMEBODY CALL 911!"

The woman knelt by Larry's side. "What happened?!"

"I don't...he just collapsed. He touched the left side of his face and when he smiled, his smile was uneven." The man's expression was a grave one. "...What?" Lucas asked, terrified of what the answer might be.

"I'm a paramedic. Those are signs of a stroke!"

-x-x-x-EGS-x-x-x-

"I wonder where Luke is with the breadcrumbs," Mom said. "He's taking forever."

My phone started ringing, from a number not saved in my contact list. "….Hello?"

"Ella. It's Dad."

"Oh hey, we were just wondering what the heck happened to you. Did you get lost?"

"Ella, honey, listen to me. Your mother isn't answering her phone. I'm at the hospital. It's not me, it's Grandpa Larry."

My face drained of its color and my stomach began to churn. "What happened?"

Mom and Grandma turned to me, and I stared right into my mother's beautiful eyes.

"What's the matter!" Mom shouted, her eyes wide. Grandma put a hand on her arm to steady her.

I thrust the phone in Mom's direction, and she grabbed it from me. "Luke, babe, what is going on!? You're scaring me!" Mom's reaction to Grandpa being in the hospital was a train wreck I couldn't stop watching. Her face changed, and she covered her mouth with her hands. "What do you mean! Is that what they said?!...Well is he conscious? Oh, God..."

"What's going on?!" Grandma asked. Mom hung up the phone, and covered her eyes with her palm. Grandma moved Mom's hand from her face. "Peyton, what's happened?"

Mom was too distraught to speak, so I spoke for her. "Grandpa Larry is in the hospital. They think he had a stroke."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x