Chapter 1
Leyton's House
He woke up to the sun shining through the plaid curtains of the bedroom and smiled. Today would be a good day, as was everyday because he had gotten everything he had ever wanted. He married the girl of his dreams, Peyton Sawyer, and they were enjoying life with their four month old daughter, Sawyer Scott. He was finally happy, and nothing was going to change that.
"Good morning." He said as he wrapped his arms around the green eyed blond who had her back towards him playing with the sparkling baby.
"Hey, how'd you sleep?" She kissed him and handed him their little girl.
"Great. I didn't hear you get up." He added with curiosity while they both take a seat.
"I didn't want to wake you. You've been doing a lot around here, and I thought you should have a break." She smiled which signified her thankfulness.
"Well I don't mind, but thank you." He leaned in and kissed her on her forehead.
She got up to get him a plate of waffles that she had made while he was asleep. "I thought I would drop in to see Brooke today. She was supposed to get back from LA last night and I want to know how everything went."
"Yeah she has been gone for a while. I was going to see if Nathan wanted to go to the River Court today, but I can stay home and watch Sawyer." He suggested as he put Sawyer into her high chair.
"That's okay you go have fun. I'll just take her with me. Besides, Brooke would be mad if I didn't bring her by." She handed him a full plate of waffles.
"Okay, I'll call Nathan when I am done with this unbelievably large breakfast." He said in shock at the amount of food she expected him to eat.
"I thought you'd be hungry." She said sarcastically with a light chuckle. "I'm gonna go get ready." She kissed his cheek and tuned to smile at her jubilant daughter.
Brooke's House
"Yes, the flight was good but I wish I could have stayed in LA with you longer." Brooke sighed with disappointment.
"I know, me too, but the movie is almost done here and then I will have some time to visit you in Tree Hill."
"Well I guess I am just going to have to settle for that then aren't I?" She says picking her head up from her doodling to smile.
"I can't wait. Besides, you have some company running to do."
"I sure do now that Victoria has decided to sign over the company. I think it is time for a fresh start for Clothes Over Bros." She is interrupted by a knock at the door. "Hey, Julian, I have to go, there is someone at the door. I'll talk to you later, I love you."
"I'm so glad you finally came around on that one. I love you to." He added with a loving laugh.
Brooke quickly walked over to the door to find Peyton and the newest little Scott on her hip anxiously waiting on the other side.
"Peyton! I missed you so much!" She exclaimed, instantly embracing her best friend for a hug. She pulled away in awe after realizing that it wasn't just Peyton there to see her. "And you too Sawyer Brooke Scott. You have gotten so big."
She put her arms out implying that she wanted to hold the much missed little baby girl. Peyton caught on to this and happily handed her over not just because Brooke happened to be her best friend, but because it would also give her a break as well.
"Soooo….?" Peyton urged Brooke, but she just looked back at her as if she had no idea what she wanted to know. "How was LA?" Peyton finally let out because she just couldn't take the waiting any longer.
"It was really good." Brooke replied with smile and a squint.
"I am so happy for you Brooke. You deserve to be happy."
"Thanks. It feels really good to know what that feels like again. I mean my mom signed over the company, and things with Julian are really good." She paused. She had actually referred to Victoria as her mom and not in a condescending way.
"So things are good with Victoria now?" Peyton asked with concern for her friend. She still felt it necessary to call her Victoria because although she and Brooke had mended their relationship, she had yet to prove any change of heart to Peyton.
"Yeah, I think she finally realized that you can't find all your happiness in a company. Not to mention it wasn't really hers to begin with."
"I guess at some point she had to wake up and see that she was missing out on her daughter's life. You can't get those moments back." She said with a light smile directed to her daughter who was happily sitting in Brooke's lap.
Brooke smiled at Peyton. She was glad that Peyton didn't argue with her about how her mother had treated her for 23 years of her life. "So how's it been, you know with Lucas and baby Brooke?" She asked with a smile ear to ear.
"Good. Things have been pretty good." She replied, barely convincing herself.
Brooke ignored Peyton's half smile."I can only imagine." She looked down at Sawyer. "I feel bad for you little girl. I don't even like imagining those two snuggle bunnies hopping around, let alone being in the next room." She laughed and looked over to Peyton in a joking manor.
Peyton didn't say anything. Her eyes squinted to the floor and she bit her lip. She couldn't think of the words, she just sat in silence, while Brooke looked on very confused.
The River Court
"What do you mean since before Sawyer was born?" Nathan was amazed. "She is over four months old."
"I know, it was fine for a while, but lately I have been sensing the frustration in both of us. I don't want to push her, but I get the feeling that there is more to it." Lucas tilted his head towards the ground, he knew the real reason why him and Peyton hadn't been getting too close.
"What do you think it is? But I still don't get it. You guys haven't talked about this at all?"
"I'm afraid of the possibility of her getting pregnant again. Who knows if we will be as lucky as we were with Sawyer?" He started getting defensive but had to pause to calm himself, he had been holding this in for a while. "I just don't want to rush her or me for that matter. I don't know what to do."
Nathan looked to his brother in sympathy. What was he supposed to say? "I think you should talk to her. She is probably having the same thoughts on the subject. You'd be surprised how much you two think alike. I know I am."
Lucas laughs. Despite all him and Nathan have been through, he cherishes the talks he has with his brother. Who knew they would grow to be best friends? "Thanks Nathan. How are you and Haley now that you are a big NBA star?" He asks sarcastically.
"It's been tough. She's been at home taking care of everything and I'm gone most of the time. She doesn't say it but I can tell she's getting all stressed. I just wish I could be there more."
"That's a tough one. Have you guys considered moving to Charlotte?"
"I have, but I don't want to ask her to leave her life here. Plus she and Peyton have been getting a lot done at the studio."
"Peyton said her record is coming out pretty well."
"She won't show it to me until it is finished, something about making it perfect." Nathan turns from Lucas to take a shot and it goes in. "I just go along with it."
"Well I can understand wanting to have it your work done before showing anyone. I wouldn't let Peyton read Ravens for two months. She didn't take it as well as you are though. I was afraid she was going to wake to her searching my laptop. I had to put a lock on the file."
Nathan chuckled. "Good thing to. I remember her pouting to Haley about how you wouldn't let her read it until it was done. Then she said something about you securing it on the laptop so that she couldn't get to."
"See what I mean. She was so excited and I was afraid that she was getting her hopes to high. That's why I wanted to wait until I was sure everything was the way I wanted it."
"But it's easier for me to wait. Your book was like a love letter to Peyton."
"You may not realize it, but when Haley is writing music, she has you and Jamie at heart. Some of her feelings probably come out subconsciously."
Nathan just stands there with a ball at his side nodding his head. He had seen Haley's music in a new light. "I don't know about you, but I came here to play some basketball. Check the ball." He says tossing the ball to Lucas, both having small grins upon their faces.
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So there you have it, Chapter 1. It is just little lead in before starting the rest of the chapters. Please let me know what you think.
