A/N So usually I skip reading author's notes, but what the hell? This is my story. It's pretty cool getting an email saying someone has followed or commented on my story. Thank you. And I threw in a shameless plug for a severely underrated band. Now on with the show :)
Chapter 1-
"Hey, I'm Peyton and this is Lucas. Feel free to call us by our first names, everyone else does. Come in, sit down, we have a really comfortable couch. I don't know how much Ms. Bartowski has told you so I'll give you a quick run down. Luke, here, is a writer, but in his considerable down time he works at the high school where you'll go."
"Oh really? What subject do you teach? I really like English, but math is good, too. With english there are so many different worlds to escape to and there is always a new story to be heard. On the other hand math is a very logical and steadfast. There's no 'Surprise! Two plus four now equals eleven.' You gotta appreciate that." Haley said, all in one breath.
"Actually I coach the basketball team, but at least you'll know one person when you go to school," Lucas reassured her.
"What do you do Mrs. Scott?"
"I own my own record label, Red Bedroom Records. And please call me Peyton. The only person who calls me Mrs. Scott is the check out clerk at the grocery store and she only does it because her boss yelled at her when she called me Peyton. But anyways. I have a massive music collection, if you're in any kinda mood and need a good 'shut out the world' session let me know. I also have an art studio set up in the back of the house. I kind of left your room white. Consider it a blank canvas; we can decorate it however you want. I figured we can stick your stuff in the guest bedroom or as we like to call it 'Nathan's Dungeon'. Then spend this weekend painting and picking out furniture and stuff. When I was in high school my room was this always-changing thing. It kind of had it's own life."
"That sounds great. I consider myself a music kind of person. I used to take piano lessons when I was little. Right now I'm really into this band called Lord Huron, they're a bit under the radar, but really chill and good. They work to balance out my mile a minute brain," Haley said humorously. "But who is this Nathan guy? Do you have another foster kid? Ms. Bartowski told me that I was the only person under 18 living here. I'm sure he's fine and all, but I would like to meet him before the final decision is made on if I stay here or not. Nothing personal, but I prefer to make that decision myself."
"No, don't worry about Nathan. He's my half-brother. He only comes into town when he's on break from college and he only stays the night here when his parents are driving him crazy. He's a freshman at Duke so that makes him only a year older than you." At Haley's confused look Peyton picked up the back story where Lucas had left off. "Okay here's the Cliff Notes version. Luke's dad left his mom and him when he was little. Karen, Luke's mom, opened her own café and ended up spending a lot of time with Dan's older brother, Keith. Keith ended up adopting Lucas when he was in high school. Dan, in the meantime, met Nate's mom, Deb, they got pregnant then married. Now there's a Nathan Scott in the world. Deb and Dan get along about as well as fire and water. When Nathan's home he usually spends the time with them, but when the house reaches critical mass, he comes and avoids any figurative bullets exchanged, or literal now that I'm thinking about it, by staying here. We had the extra room so we figured why not. Clear up the confusion?" Peyton finally asked Haley.
Lucas coughed. "What? Did I leave anything important out? Half brothers, childish parents, college aged." Peyton ticked them off on her fingers. "Nope I covered all of the basics. She was going to find out anyways, I'm just being upfront about it. Oh and one more thing. He's on Duke's basketball team. He can be a little bit… How can I put this? Full of himself." Peyton finished with a nod.
"Well now that she knows my whole family story, how about we let Haley unpack while we finish up with all the paperwork. I'm sure there's more. Right, Ms. Bartowski? Go on Haley, it's upstairs. Just go back by the front door you'll see the stairs off to the left. It's down the hall, first door on the left. The bathroom is the second door on the right. It shouldn't be too hard to find. It's the one that stands out because it hasn't been touched by my wife's art," Lucas told Haley with a teasing smirk for Peyton. "So are there any forms we need to fill out or any last papers we need to sign? I mean even with UPS we have to sign for the package." Peyton rolled her eye's at Lucas's lame attempt at a joke.
"Mr. and Mrs. Scott, I have to do one final inspection of the home space to make sure everything is in the condition required. After the final inspection we will have to have you sign that Ms. James is now in your custody and you understand that as such you are responsible for any actions or trouble she may find herself in. After all of the papers have been signed our business will be finished for the time being. I was concerned about this Nathan you have mentioned. I'm required to ask if he will be a problem or a threat to Ms. James," Greta Bartowski droned on giving the impression to the young couple that she would rather be doing just about anything than giving a child to them.
"No there is nothing to worry about with Nathan. He's a good kid and really he doesn't even spend that much time here. I just wanted to make him feel welcome here so I gave him his own bedroom. That's all. Plus it was like a bonding thing with my 7 years younger brother," Lucas explained to the woman hoping this wouldn't affect their opportunity to take in Haley. "Is that going to be a problem? We can call him, if you like, and schedule an interview."
"That won't be necessary. Family visits are allowed. Now for the home inspection, I need to look at the kitchen, bathroom, and her bedroom. I'm just going to look for any health threats and any signs of physical issues and to make sure you are well enough stocked to feed her. So if you can lead me to the kitchen? The sooner we start the sooner I can get out of here."
The trio filed into the kitchen silently. Greta Bartowski said nothing to either Lucas or Peyton, just walked around the spacious area with a clipboard and a pen poised to take note of any problems. When she finally opened the refrigerator, Peyton couldn't take it anymore and quickly excused herself to go check on Haley to see if she found everything alright.
"Knock, knock," Peyton announced herself to Haley. "Can I help you settle in or anything?"
"No. I'm okay. Do you mind me asking why you aren't down with the robot? Oh sorry… I wasn't thinking. I have this unbelievable ability of talking with either too much sarcasm or speaking without thinking at all. And on rare occasions I do both at the same time." Peyton started laughing at her young charge's honesty.
"No. Don't worry about it. She really is a robot, isn't she? But she's kind of like a robot whose batteries are dying. She can't quite bring herself to full capacity. Has she been like the whole time you've been with her?" Peyton was finally starting to relax and joke around with Haley. It felt great to Peyton, natural even. Like something was falling into place.
"Oh my god, yes. She has." Haley said when she finally caught her breath after laughing at Peyton's assessment of her unenthusiastic case worker. "Since I met her it's been the same monotoned personality. No wonder you left them. Wait why did you leave them?"
Peyton stepped into the room and sat down on the bed, her expression suddenly becoming serious. "Honestly? I was too anxious and having her walk around my house judging whether or not I'm fit to take care of anyone else was getting to be too much. Lucas is really good in crises and in high pressure situations. So am I for that matter, but I've been getting ready and cleaning for so long that my mind keeps going over a mental checklist to make sure I did everything I was supposed to."
At this revelation Haley sat down on the bed next to Peyton. "Thank you. You're my first foster home and from the horror stories I've been told, I got lucky. You and Mr. Scott seem really nice," Haley tried comforting Peyton.
"Okay seriously you have got to stop calling us Mr. and Mrs. Scott. It's Lucas or Luke. I answer to both, even at school. The boys all call me Coach Scott, but the students can call me Lucas or Luke," Lucas corrected Haley from outside the bedroom. "We just finished the kitchen and bathroom inspections. Is it cool if we come in here and start to 'inspect'?"
"Yeah we were just having a girly bonding moment. I don't have a lot of my stuff unpacked but all embarrassing items are safely out of sight. So 'inspect' away," Haley threw her arms out wide, granting them access. "How did the rest of the house go?"
"Passed, so far. May I ask why this carpet is damp? You don't have a leaky pipe do you? That's not good if you do," Ms. Greta Bartowski bluntly asked the Scotts.
"Oh no that's my fault. I made Lucas shampoo and wash the carpets this morning. They haven't had a chance to dry all of the way yet. I wasn't sure if Haley was allergic to any animals and I wanted to air on the side of caution. We don't own any animals, but you never know. I'm sorry I'm not always this neurotic. I'm just anxious."
"Well you've passed the last inspection. Now to the forms. I need you to sign these three forms. Initial these other papers. And finally sign and date on the last page of this packet. Do you have a pen up here or do we need to go downstairs?" Haley quickly produced a pen from her desk.
"I love school supplies. I don't feel like I live anywhere until my desk is unpacked," Haley quickly explained with a light blush.
"Okay after you finish I will be on my way." The papers were quickly passed around by the three adults. First Lucas straightened up and handed his papers to Greta. Then Peyton followed suit. "That does it. I will file these with my office and then we will send you copies in the mail for your own files."
Everyone was making their way down to the front door. Peyton opened the door to the woman and on her way out Greta Bartowski looked back and said "There aren't many happy endings with my job, but with you two I'm hopeful."