Just a little warning, this story is un-beta so all mistakes are mine, sorry.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill….someone else does.
Going home, again.
They finally got their happily ever after and decided to leave Tree Hill and all the drama behind. Four years later, they find themselves retuning to the one place that caused them so much pain hoping this time around things would be different.
Photo's and Dreams...
Peyton let out a sigh as she flip through the photo album. By the time she woke up this morning, she discovered they had docked the boat and everyone had gone ashore. The night before she had told Lucas she hadn't been sleeping well lately, not that he didn't already know, so it really wasn't a surprise to discover no one was 'home' when she woke up this morning. He's always been extremely protective when it came to her and that just increased by a hundred with everything they had gone through when she was pregnant with Sawyer. So he sent her to bed early the night before, telling not asking, Andy, Karen, Lilly and Sawyer that they either had to be extremely quiet or they had to go to bed too so Peyton could get some sleep. She laughed to herself as she closed the photo album and pushed it to the side before reaching for another.
It's been four years since Sawyer was born and just under four years since the Scott family packed everything up, sold the house, putting most of their stuff in storage before heading out to join Karen, Andy and Lilly on their boat. When Lucas and Peyton announced they were leaving Tree Hill, most of their friends thought they were joking. After all, it had only been a little over two years since Peyton returned home. They soon realized it wasn't as Lucas explained that they didn't want Karen to miss Sawyer growing up and with everything that happen, the hard pregnancy, Dan lurking around and all the other drama that made Tree Hill, well Tree Hill, they just wanted to escape and be happy. It was Haley who pointed out that, once again, they seem to be running away from their problems. Peyton let out a little laugh before saying 'At least this time we're running away together.'
A few day's later, Peyton, Lucas and Sawyer drove off into the sunset leaving everything behind. Well not really, they drove to around Tree Hill for a while. Revisiting all their special places, showing Sawyer were her mommy and daddy met and later got engaged, officially, where mommy almost ran daddy over with her car, the river court, to the grave yard so Sawyer could meet Grandma Anna and Grandpa Keith and to say good-bye. Not to long after that they drove to Haley and Nathan's house so they could drive them to the dock where they were meeting Andy, Karen and Lilly.
It shocked the hell out of them when they pulled up to the dock to see Skills, Lauren (Jamie's teacher), Mouth, Millie, Brooke and Derek. Nathan got out of the car and shrugged his shoulders saying everyone wanted to say a proper good-bye. Peyton ran towards her bother and jumped into his arms, asking how he knew. Derek laughed a little nodding his head towards Lucas saying 'Once again, he showed up at the base demanding that I come see my niece before you left.' Peyton looked over her shoulder just in time to catch Lucas's eye and he sent her a half smirk before turning back to the conversation he was having with everyone else. After a long good-bye, many promises to keep in touch, threaten Nathan with bodily harm if anything happen to the 'Comet' or the Mustang he was storing for them, they board the boat and sailed off into the sunset.
Life didn't stop in Tree Hill after the Scott's left. Not that anyone thought it would. Lucas, Peyton and Sawyer returned a couple of times: Mouth and Millie wedding, twice for Christmas and the birth of Liz but they never stayed for more then a week and it had been over a year since they stepped foot in Tree Hill.
Brooke and Julian got together and it was a rough first year, with him living in LA and her in Tree Hill but they found a way to make it work. Finally he popped the question and a little over six months ago they got married on the beach in LA. It was just the two of them, much to the dismay of their friends. She swore Peyton damaged her ear drum from the phone call she received after Peyton got the e-mail with the wedding photo's.
Nathan finally made it to the NBA and Haley took over Red Bedroom Records. Well, not really took over. Peyton keep in touch through e-mails and web cam but Haley handled most of the office work. Haley continued to work on her music career but instead of singing and going on tour, she started writing more and selling her songs. Her and Jamie stayed in Tree Hill, so they wouldn't have to pull Jamie out of school and way from the life he knew and Nathan spent his time traveling back an fourth. It was about three years after they left that Haley gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Elizabeth Penelope Scott, Liz for short.
"What you got there?" a soft voice asked from behind Peyton bringing her out of her thoughts.
She looked over her shoulder to see Karen standing there. She gave her a half smile before turning her attention back to the photo album in front of her, saying "A photo album. Just looking back."
Karen let out a little laugh as she took a seat next to Peyton, setting a cup of tea in front of her before saying "Looking back at what?"
"The past four years." Peyton said pushing the photo album over a little so Karen could see "God Karen, I can't believe Sawyer's four."
"I still can't believe that my baby got married and had a baby." Karen replied
"Yeah, you would think you would have gotten use to that by now." Peyton said with a soft laugh, looking down at the pictures in front of her.
"You would think so." Karen replied as she study Peyton.
She couldn't believe the women that sat beside her was the same teenager she met almost ten years ago. When they first met, Karen knew there was something special about Peyton 'People always leave' Sawyer. Even if it took her son years to finally come to grips with the truth, Karen always believe they would end up together. In those years she watched as Payton transformed from the dark, moody, teenager into the blissfully happy women that sat beside her. But lately, it seemed Peyton was transforming back to that dark places.
Lucas was the first to notice it. About a month ago, they docked the boat and everyone left to explore so Lucas could have some quiet to work on his book. He accidentally came across some of Peyton's art work. It was then that he saw the picture. On one side it was a house, looking very similar to the one Peyton grew up in with what looked like a family sitting on the couch watching tv. On the other side it was boat sailing off into the sunset and Home? was written across the top of it. He didn't say anything about it, not wanting to get yelled at for, once again, going through her drawings without permission but that didn't stop him from keeping an even more watchful eye on her.
Two week's later the nightmares started. Peyton never said what they were about but every night she would jolt awake, waking Lucas up in the process. She would mumble something about her being fine and for him to go back to sleep before she disappeared from their bed. He would lay there with his eyes closed, acting like he was asleep and waited for her to come back to bed. Some nights it would take hours for her to come back and then it got to the point that she didn't came back at all but by the time morning came around, Peyton was back to her happy self. Goofing off with Sawyer and Lilly, cooking with Karen but she never mention the nightmares. He was trying to give her space and wait until she came to him but he was really starting to get worried.
Karen came to Lucas with a drawing she found underneath the couch a couple of day's later. A little girl, who looked very similar to Sawyer, was struggling to swim in the ocean and Can you save her? was written across the top. It was then that Karen asked him what was going on with Peyton. At first he tried to brush it off say it was nothing but one look from Karen and he told her about the first picture and the nightmares. He was surprised when Karen said she knew something was going on and it was then that she pointed out they lived on a boat and could hear pretty much everything.
"Is everything alright, Peyton?"
"Huh?" Peyton said looking over at Karen, giving her a smile "Yeah, everything's fine."
"Ah huh." Karen said raising an eyebrow. Peyton looked over a Karen and knew there was no point of lying, Karen could always tell when something was up.
Letting out a breath Peyton said "I've just been thinking about ho- Tree Hill-"
"Home." Karen corrected softly "Tree Hill will always be your home. Don't be afraid to call it that."
Peyton gave Karen a smile before saying "Yeah, home. And I don't know what's going on in my head. Don't get me wrong. I've loved traveling the world with you guys, giving Sawyer a chance to see so many things even if she's to young to remember but lately it just seems like something's missing."
"Like what?" Karen asked softly.
"That's just it. I don't know what's missing." Peyton said getting angry with herself "I mean I have this wonderful life. A damn near perfect husband, a beautiful, smart, healthy little girl and I've gotten to see thing's I never in a million years would have dreamed of seeing. But lately something just seems off."
"Have you talked to Lucas about this?"
"Oh god no. The last thing he needs is dark and moody Peyton Sawyer to come back. God I must seem so ungrateful." Peyton paused and brushed a tear away that started to fall down her cheek "You and Andy have been great these past four years. And Lucas finally got to really know Lilly. And Sawyer and Lilly are best friends despite the age difference. And I'm happy. I really am happy and I know if we stay here everything would be fine. But Sawyer could start school this year, not saying Andy wouldn't be able to teach her I mean look at Lilly, she's advance for her age and no offense because you did a wonderful job with Luke but I know a lot of that has to do with Andy teaching her. But still" she once again paused to gather her thoughts before saying "I don't know I guess I want to sort of normalcy for Sawyer. You have to admit that traveling on a boat, flying all over the world really isn't normal."
Karen reach out an took one of Peyton's hands in hers before saying "First off, you need to remember you're Peyton Scott now, not Payton Sawyer and the day my son married you, he vowed to love you forever even when you're feeling dark and moody. Second, you guys never said this was forever. You two just did what you did best and ran away."
"God you sound like Haley." Peyton laughed, wiping her cheek again as the tears poured out of her eyes.
Karen let out a little laugh giving Peyton's hand a little squeeze before continuing "Ok, you guys didn't run away. You chose to leave and be happy. Happiness is a choice, Peyton and whether it's here on this boat, on the plane flying to our next destination or home in Tree Hill, if you choose to be happy, you will be. Third, you're right. This" she paused as she motioned around them "This is not normal. Not many people live like this. Not many people can afford to live like this and I understand where you're coming from when you say that you want a normal child hood Sawyer. God knows you went from being an eight year old kid to being an adult over night. I guess my point is if that's what you want, to have a happy, normal life back in Tree Hill for you and your family then choose it. Life's all about choices, Peyton."
Peyton gave Karen a smile before asking "Do you miss it?"
"Tree Hill?" Karen questioned. Peyton nodded her head and Karen let out a little laugh before saying "Everyday. You guys seem to forget that I grew up in Tree Hill also. I had an entire life in Tree Hill. I have friends there and all of your guys friends Skills, Nathan, Haley, Mouth, Brooke all of them are like kids to me and I miss it everyday." She paused and looked over at Peyton who was looking out over the water before she said "Have I ever told you why i decided to leave Tree Hill?"
Peyton gave Karen a look before shaking her head "No."
"Now don't get mad and listen to the entire story before you judge, alright?"
Peyton let out a little laugh and said "Ok."
"I went to the grave yard one day with Lilly, right after she was born. I introduced Keith and Lilly and sat there for a while just talking to a head stone. I got up to leave and when I was about to reach my car, I turned and saw you talking to your mom. You sat there for forty-five minutes before you go up to leave. You started to walk away but then turn around and walked towards Keith's grave. You didn't stay to long but I could tell you were talking to him. As I watched, your face seem to transform into Lilly's and I couldn't, I didn't want her to be like that. I know life was hard on you back then. I know you had a lot to adjust to from your Mom dieing and a Dad that was never around but I couldn't see Lilly going to Keith's grave everyday. I didn't want that for her. Not saying that you going to talk to your Mom is wrong because it's not. But you don't have to go to the grave yard to talk to her. I strongly believe that Keith, Anna and Ellie are watching over us. All of us. And if you feel like talking to her, then talk to her. Now don't get me wrong, whenever I'm in Tree Hill, Lilly and I go to see Keith but I've made sure she knows that he not there. That's just where his body is."
"So you left for Lilly?"
"I guess so. Later that night I was talking to Andy on the phone and I told him the story I just told you and the next thing I know he said there was a plane waiting at the airport for Lilly and I. I would never be able to love Andy like I love Keith and he knows that. He's told me that but I do love Andy and he's great with Lilly. That night I made a choice to be happy. To be happy with Lilly and Andy whether it be on a boat or on a plane."
"Have you ever regretted it?"
"Not once." Karen replied honestly "I regret that Lucas and Lilly don't see each other much and that I missed out on so many important event's such as my son's wedding, seeing Jamie grow up and now Liz. But not once have I regretted leaving Tree Hill. It was time for me to move on and that's what I did. Tree Hill will always be home but this is my home away from home."
Peyton looked out over the water for a moment before saying "I told him how proud he would be." Karen looked over at her confused and she continued "Keith. That day in the cemetery, I told Keith how proud he would be to see the man Lucas was become and how strong you were and how beautiful Lilly was."
Karen gave Peyton a smile before saying "He is and he knows."
They sat there for a while both lost in their own thoughts when Peyton finally said "Happiness is a choice."
"That's right." Karen said patting Peyton on the leg before she stood up "Just talk to your damn near perfect husband. He'll understand."
Peyton laughed, saying "Oh god, please don't tell him I said that."
"And inflate his ego even more, I wouldn't dream of it." Karen said as she started to walk back into the boat. She stopped and turned to look back a Peyton, saying "And you might want to talk to him about these nightmares you've been having. You have him worried sick."
Peyton turned a nodded her head, seeing Andy, Lucas, Lilly walking towards the boat as Sawyer ran as fast as her little legs would move in front of them. "Thanks Karen."
"Don't mention it." She said with a wink.
"Mommy!" Sawyer exclaimed once she got closer to the boat.
Karen didn't miss Peyton inhale a breath as Sawyer jumped from the dock to the boat. Laughing a little she pointed at Peyton, saying "You should be use to that by now."
"I don't think I'm ever going to get use to that." Peyton said shaking her head "I mean why can't she just walk on to the boat. Why does she have to jump on to it? She almost gives my a heart attack every time."
"Get use to it. You're a mom."
Peyton laughed as Karen dissappeared into the Boat. Sawyer ran full speed twoards her and jumped into her arms as soon as she was close enough.
"Feeling better, Mommy?" the four year old curly hair girl asked as she wrapped her arms around her mothers neck.
"Much better now."
"Good. Daddy was worried about you." Sawyer said, pulling away just enough to look her mom in the eye.
"He was, was he?" Peyton asked, eyeing Luke as he approached them "Well, I think Daddy need's to stop worrying so much."
"Never." Luke said as he bent down, placing a soft kiss on Peyton's forehead "You sure you're feeling better?"
"I'm fine." Lucas turned his head and squinted his eyes, a tall tale sign that he was trying to read her which caused her to laugh and say "I'm fine babe. I promise."
He finally nodded his head as Lilly came out of the boat, saying "Sawyer, Mom and Andy are going to take us to see a movie. Come on, we have to get ready."
Sawyer blue eyes light up with excitement as she jumped off Peyton's lap, grabbing Lilly hand before running back into the boat.
"No make-up." Lucas called after them as he grabbed Peyton's hand to pull her up from the chair "I'm not joking I don't even want to see lip-gloss on her lips, Lilly."
Peyton let out a laugh as he pulled her back down so she was sitting on his lap.
"She reminds me of Brooke." Luke said as he wrapped his arms around his wife's slim waist.
"Sawyer?"
"No, Lilly."
"Oh that's a scary thought."
"Yeah, I know." Luke said with a scowl "Good thing she's trapped on a boat, getting home school by Andy."
"Aww, keep telling yourself that if it help's you sleep at night."
"More than you know." he said before looking her in the eye "Are you sure you're feeling better?"
"I'm perfect." Peyton said as she wrapped her arms around his neck giving him a kiss. When she finally pulled away, she ran her fingertips gently down the front of his shirt as she said, in a low whisper "Well, Mr. Scott. It seems that we're going to have this big old boat to ourselves for a couple of hours. What do you think we should do?"
"Well, Mrs. Scott" he said in a low voice, brushing her hair away from her neck as he leaned in, leaving a trail of light feathered kiss along her jaw line. "I can think of a few things."
"Oh yeah," she whispered as he approached the one spot they both knew would be her undoing. The one spot, she told him before in the dark of the night as they laid on the front of the boat, watching the stars twinkling above, no other man had found "Like what?"
"Like this," he said as pressed a kiss on said spot causing a soft whimper to cross her lips as her hand found it's way into his hair on the back of his head "or this." he said nibbling on her skin before sucking on it, running his tongue across it.
"Or Mrs. Scott could go grab her purse and jacket and you could go get something to eat and talk. Have a night out as Lucas and Peyton not Mom and Dad." Karen said walking up behind them.
Peyton's eyes went wide as all action on her neck stop and Luke let out a groan. This wasn't the first time something like this has happen. In fact, living in such small quarters it's happens far to often but that didn't make it any less embarrassing or annoying.
"I'll be right back." Peyton said as she removed herself from his lap and made her way into the boa,t avoiding Karen glaze the entire time.
"Where's my girl's?" Luke said standing up also refusing to meet his mom's eyes causing Karen to laugh.
"Right here." Andy said walking out of the boat with Sawyer and Lilly behind him. He stood next to Luke and they simultaneously crossed their arms over their chest, giving the young girls the once over.
Luke turned to Andy, raising an eyebrow asking "What do you think?" before turning his attention back to the girls.
Andy reached out and gently ran his thumb across Lilly cheek before saying "Well, no cover-up this time."
"Ah huh," Luke said as he squatted down in front of his daughter "What do we have here?"
"But Dadd-"
"Wipe it off." Luke said taking the napkin Andy was holding out in front of him.
"Come on Luke, it's clear." Lilly protested
"I don't care, she doesn't need to be wearing make-up."
"It's only lip-gloss."
"She's four." Luke said giving Lilly a look letting her know to drop it. He gently wiped the lip-gloss off Sawyer's lips while she glared at him. "Okay, I think they're good to go."
Andy nodded his head as they heard Peyton laughing as she walking out of the boat. She slid the door closed before kneeling down behind the girls. She took one look at Sawyer's face and already knew that had transpired before hand.
"Mommy, Daddy made me wipe it off." Sawyer exclaimed like the world was come to an end.
"Did he?" Peyton question like she couldn't believe Luke would do such a thing.
"And it was clear, Peyton. You couldn't even tell she had lip-gloss on." Lilly said, ignoring the glare Luke was sending her.
"Do this baby." Peyton said to Sawyer as she puckered up her lips. Sawyer mimicked her mom and Peyton gave her a kiss before saying "There now you have lip-gloss on and Daddy can't tell you to wipe it off because it was a kiss from me and he can't tell you to wipe off a kiss from Mommy."
Karen and Andy tried to cover up their laughter and Lilly gave Luke a smile while he squinted at his wife and child trying to figure out what was worse the fact that his daughter ratted him out to her mom or the fact that his wife just over-ruled him knowing damn well that he would never tell Sawyer to wipe one of Peyton kiss off. Sawyer saw the look he was giving them and mimicked him. Luke's eyes went wide as he looked at Peyton.
"That's your fault." he said pointing his finger at her.
Peyton laughed as she stood up straight remembering the conversation when she told him she wanted their child to have his 'stupid little squint.' It was true, Sawyer started to squint her eyes before she was one and perfected the face be the time she was two, using it to her full advantages ever since.
"Enough," Karen said, stepping in before Peyton and Luke started acting like their four year old "we have to get going or we'll miss the movie."
*One Tree Hill*
Peyton and Luke walked side by side down the beach. His arm hung loosely around her shoulders and in the other hand he held their shoes as they walked close enough to the shore to have the waves crash around their feet. It had been a little over an hour since they parted way's with Karen, Andy and the girl's. They found a nice little restaurant and had dinner. As they walked out of the restaurant, Peyton told Luke she wanted to talk to him about something and pulled him towards the beach. They've been walking along the shore line for fifteen minutes now and she had yet to say anything.
"Mom was right. It's nice to go out as Luke and Peyton once in a while." he said getting fed up with the silence.
"Yeah" she said softly giving him a sideways look before looking out towards the water.
Lucas Scott has always been able to tell when Peyton Sawyer had something on her mind. People have always told him they had this unexplainable connection. And after known her since they were sixteen and being married to her for four years, there was no way he could deny it. He's known something been bothering her. Hell, he's known something's been on her mind for a month now. When she pulled him towards the beach, he thought she was finally ready to let him in. Not that she keeps things from him, she always ends up tell him, it just takes a while sometimes. She likes to process everything and get thing's clear in her head before she comes to him and by now, he's learned to accepted that. But he also knew that sometimes she needed a little jump start, especially if she was afraid of how he would react and judging from the way she's been acting, he knew she was worried about his opinion.
"Come here." he said, guiding her away from the shore line. He sat down in the sand before pulling her down to sit in between his legs. He waited for her to get comfortable before wrapping his arms tightly around her waist. "So… are you going to tell me what's going on in that head of your's?"
Peyton laughed a little before cuddling more into his embrace. She's been trying to find the right words to explain to him how she's feeling. Finally, deciding the direct approach would be best and blurted out "I want to go home."
"Okay," he said wondering what the big deal was "We can go home for a visit. When do you want to go?"
"No Luke, I don't want to go home to visit." she said turning her head to look at him "I want to go home."
Luke looked at her for a second before looking back towards the water. He always knew this day would come. When he first brought the idea up of traveling with his mom, it was only suppose to be for a year and then they were suppose to return to Tree Hill. That's why they stored most of their stuff and had Nathan store their cars in his garage instead of selling them. It's also why Peyton didn't sell the label. They were always suppose to go back. It was a week before they were suppose to go home when he got the call from Nathan and it seemed like his world came crashing down around him. Dan got a transplant.
He feels guilty sometimes about the way he felt when those words left Nathan mouth. He figured a normal person would feel some type of relief or joy when they found out a family member got the transplant they needed. Whether the relationship was strong, on shaky ground or non-existent, that didn't change the fact that, that person was blood. And this was his 'father'. His blood ran through Luke's veins, so the last thing he should be feeling was anger. But that's what he felt.
Luke had come to grips with the fact that Dan was going to die. He feel's like an evil person every time he think's about that day in the hospital when he saw Dan getting ready for a transplant because it brings a smile to his face. Honestly, he thought it was Keith way of trying to bring some relief to the pregnancy situation. How else could you explain that out of all the people in Tree Hill that would have paid to see it, he had a front row seat to watch a dog eat the heart of a man that had no heart and sure as hell didn't deserve a second chance at life.
Dan was part of the reason Peyton agree to leave. She knew Lucas would never say the words out loud but part of the reason he wanted to 'see the world' was because Dan was only given six months and would be dead by the time they returned home. She knew he didn't want Dan to have any part in Sawyer's life. She was honestly scared when she saw the anger flash in his eyes the night she told him Dan held Sawyer. A blank look crossed his face and he just stared at her but it wasn't like he was looking at her. It was almost like his was look through her and then suddenly he snap back to reality and left the house, without saying a word, slamming the door behind him. She gave him two hours to cool off before she tried his cell. When he didn't answer, she call Nathan who answer his phone by whispering 'Everything's fine, we're at the river court, he'll be home soon' and hung up.
By the time he got home that night, the house was dark. Sawyer was in the bassinet that stood at the end of the bed and Peyton was laying on her side. There was no indication Peyton was awake but he started talking anyway. Not loud enough to wake up Sawyer but loud enough for Peyton to hear if she was awake. He said he understood and respected the decision Haley and Nathan made about letting Dan into Jamie's life but he still didn't want Dan to have any part of Sawyer's life. Dan abandon him and Karen and by the time Lucas got to know him, he turned out to be an evil man. And even if he's changed for the better that would never change the fact that he killed Keith. Lucas went to say he knew Dan had done his time and 'paid' his debt to society but that didn't change how he felt. At some point Peyton turned over to face him and he made his way to the bed. When he was finished with his speech she simply looked up and asked 'When do we leave?'
After that phone call, it was Peyton that suggested they stay a little longer and Karen immediately agreed. Day's turned into weeks which quickly turned into months and suddenly, here they were, nearly four years later. Peyton promised to give him time and he in returned promised the day she said she wanted to go home, they would go.
Luke shook his head to try and clear his thoughts and glance down. He wasn't sure how long he'd spaced out for but Peyton had turned her attention back to the water.
"So tell me about these dreams you've been having."
"Luke, don't you think we shou-"
"Not now Peyt." he said cutting her off, pleading with his eyes for her to drop it for now "Please, we'll talk I promise. Just not right now."
She slowly nodded her head before saying "In the morning."
"In the morning."
"Before we leave our room."
He laugh lightly, saying "I promise, before we leave the room."
Satisfied with his answer, she turned her attention back to the water. He waited a few minutes for her to tell him about the dreams. Finally he asked again.
"So these dreams…"
"It's nothing, Luke."
"Come on, Peyton. Something's been going on for a while now and you haven't gotten a decent night sleep since you started having these dreams. I don't call that nothing."
"Hey, I agreed to give you until morning." she protested, turning her head to look at him.
"Yeah, and I've given you a month." he pointed out "And the dreams started two week's ago."
She looked back to the water, laying her head back against his shoulder, saying in a soft voice "It's Sawyer. In the dream, I'm trapped under water and by the time I reach the surface, I hear Sawyer screaming for me. I look around and there she is just out of arms reach but nothing else around. No boat, no land, no you." she paused for a second when she felt him tighten his arms around her waist "It's just Sawyer and I, alone in the middle of the ocean, in the middle of the night and I can't reach her. No matter how hard I swim I can't reach her. She just keep's struggling to swim and screaming, in this terrified voice, for me to save her and I can't."
"Peyton."
"No, that's not the worst part. When I wake up, it's not that haziness you usually have when you wake up from a dream. I remember everything so clearly. Sometimes I can feel the burn in my muscle like I really was swimming that hard or I can still hear her screaming for me. I have to get up and check on her and lately I haven't been able to go back to sleep. It's like there's this force not allowing me to sleep. I sit up by the door just to ensure myself that she can't get out."
Luke looked down at his sobbing wife and swore he felt his heart break because he had no idea what to say to her to make her feel better. Suddenly, the pictures she drew, made sense and he felt like he owed Nathan a free shot at him for not realizing it sooner.
"I'm sorry. We were having a great night and I -"
"Don't do that." he said cutting her off "Don't apologize for telling me what was going one. That dream, that's horrible. I should have talked to you about it sooner. God Peyt, I'm so sorry. No wonder you haven't been sleeping well."
"Luke come on. You tell me not to apologize and then you turn around and apologize for not forcing me to talk."
Luke cupped her face with both hand wiping any remaining tears, saying "No Peyt, I knew something was up when I saw those drawings but I didn't say anything-"
"Wait. What?" Peyton said pulling out of his embrace "What did you just say?"
"I knew something was up." he asked more then state. He knew he slipped but he was hoping she wouldn't catch it.
"No, after that." the look on his face gave him a way and she reached out and punched him in the arm, exclaiming "Asshole, you went through my drawings again."
"No, I didn't." he said trying to defend himself. One look at Peyton's face and he knew she wasn't buying it. "Alright, when I saw the picture of the house and the boat, I was looking through your drawings."
"Lucas."
"But" he said cutting her off "My mom found the one of the little girl under the couch."
Peyton let out a breath as she lean back into him. Right now she really didn't care how he saw them. The only thing that mattered was she told him what was going on and as usual, she felt a million times better. They sat there in silence until he felt her shiver when a cool breeze hit them.
"Come on, let's get back to the boat." he said, stand up brushing off any remaining sand before reaching out to help her up. Picking up their shoe's, he wrapped his free arm around her shoulders bring her closer to him. Peyton laid her head against his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist as they started walking back towards the dock.
"Thanks Luke."
He wasn't sure what she was thank him for. If anything, he felt like he only seem to make thing worse. Still, he kissed the top of her head before saying "Anytime."
*One Tree Hill*
"Mommy!"
"I'm coming baby girl. Just keep swimming." Peyton said kicking her legs as fast as she could.
"Mommy, save me."
"I'm coming baby."
"I can't swim anymore, Mommy. My arms are tired."
"Sawyer you got to keep swimming" Peyton yell "Mommy's coming."
"Why didn't you save me?" Sawyer ask in a clam voice before disappearing under the water.
"Sawyer?!" Peyton exclaimed as her eye's bounce wildly across the oceans surface looking of any sign of her daughter "SAWYER!"
Peyton jolted awake, breathing heavily, her body drenched in a cold sweat. She jumped a little when she felt Luke's arms circle around her waist.
"It's just a dream." he whispered softly into her ear trying to comfort her "It was just a dream, babe."
She knew Luke was right but this time had been different from all the other dreams. This time Sawyer had asked her why she didn't save her before disappearing. Not being able to shake the feeling that something was wrong, she pulled out of the death grip Lucas had on her, heading towards the door.
"Peyt." he said softly not wanting to wake anyone else up.
He's pleas fell on deaf ears as Peyton walked out of their room, heading towards the room Lilly and Sawyer shared. A quiet as possible, she opened the bedroom door and felt her heart stop when she saw the bottom bunk bed empty. Her eyes immediately flew to the top bunk and was relieved to see Lilly sleeping peacefully. She tip-toed over to the bed to look to see if Sawyer was on the other side of Lilly and felt her heart stop when she saw that she wasn't.
"Peyton." Luke whispered as he walked into the room.
"She's not there." Peyton said pushing her way past him, heading out to the deck.
Luke quickly examined the room before rushing out after her. "Peyt- ouch damn it" he said as he foot made contact with the door frame. He stumbled out on to the deck to see Peyton searching around franticly.
"Peyton, you've got to calm down. I'm sure she just crawled into bed with my-"
"Daddy?"
Lucas and Peyton peaked around the side of the boat to see Sawyer stand one the dock, with a blanket in her hand.
"Sawyer." Peyton breathed out before jumping off the boat and scooping the young girl up in her arms.
"Lucas, what's going on?" Karen's tired voice came from behind him.
"I'm sorry Mom, we didn't mean to wake you up. Peyt had a bad dream and then couldn't find Sawyer-"
"Sawyer?" Karen question before looking past Lucas, noticing Sawyer in Peyton's arms "What's Sawyer doing out here?"
"I wanted to watch the stars Grandma." Sawyer said in a soft voice, refusing to look anyone in the face, knowing she was going to get a talking to in the morning about leaving the boat.
Karen laughed lightly as she patted Lucas shoulder, saying "I'm going to head back to bed. I'll see you in the morning."
"I'm really sorry Mom. We didn't wake up Lilly or Andy, did we?"
"No, everyone else is sleeping." Karen said as she raised an eyebrow "And Peyton didn't wake me up. It was the ouch-damn it, that woke me up."
"Night Mom." Lucas said before turning his attention back to Peyton, who was still standing on the dock, holding Sawyer in her arms. He reached out his hand to help her back on to the boat and pulled them into a tight hug, Sawyer stuck in between them. He kissed the back of Sawyer's head before placing a kiss on Peyton's forehead, rubbing his hand against her back.
"Lilly's birthday's tomorrow."
Peyton raised an eyebrow, wondering why he said that at a time like this. He squinted his eyes before saying "Jaime is two day's later. How about we surprise them?"
"Really, Luke?"
"Yeah Blondie, let's go home."
A/N: Okay, first off just let me say, I know this is a really long chapter but I wanted to give you guys my version of what's happened in the last four year but I also wanted to keep the story in the present so the next chapter the Scott family could be back in Tree Hill. I don't plan to make all the chapter this long but I don't plan on having them short either. This chapter was over 7000 word I usually like to stay in between 4000 and 5000. Sometimes less, sometimes more. Also, everything that's happen in the show all the way to the final episode in season 6 has happened and then some. I will tell you now that I don't plan to follow the show into season 7. I guess you could say, this is kind of my own little version of season 7 it just takes place four years after season 6 ends. So what did you think….do you want more?