A/N: Hey guys, I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful reviews so far. I also wanted to take a moment to tell you that I'm really grateful you want more from my story, but this is the first fic I have started to write in a really long time and I started writing again because I've recently been through something quite traumatic and the writing helps, that being said, please be patient with me. I will continue to update in my own time J
It had been thirty minutes since Lucas had returned home. He stood in the doorway, slanting his back as Peyton stood washing the dishes, her back facing him. Neither of them had uttered a word.
"You changed your hair", Lucas finally spoke.
"I wanted a change", Peyton replied shortly.
"It's nice. I like it", Lucas smiled softly. Peyton stood sternly as she continued to wash the dishes.
"Well, I know they say blondes have more fun but I beg to differ", she told him. Lucas stood awkwardly for a moment.
"I- I missed you", he dared to speak.
"Are we actually going to talk about why you walked out on me or are you just gonna stand there and talk about everything but that?" Peyton asked as she finished washing her final dish.
"I didn't walk out on you. I just- I just needed some time to myself", Lucas said quietly.
"No, Luke. If someone needs time to themselves they go to a bar, or they go for a walk, or they find a room in their house where they can be alone, they do not hop on a plane to Tree Hill without calling or texting their wife for a month!" Peyton told him angrily. Lucas looked down at himself before walking towards her.
"I'm sorry. I just- I just didn't know how else to handle it", he admitted.
"By talking, Luke. That's how we're supposed to handle it", Peyton sighed as she sat down at the dining room table. Lucas sat down opposite her.
"Where's Sawyer?" he asked.
"She's with my Dad. She kept asking where you were and I didn't know what to tell her, because I didn't even know where you were", she told him, fighting back her own tears. The pair sat in a deafening silence for a moment, neither one of them making eye contact.
"I know you don't want to hear it; but, we can't go through this again, Peyton", Lucas finally spoke. He sighed, shaking his head as he tried to find his next words to speak. "What if fate isn't on our side this time? We were lucky with Sawyer" he asked.
"Do you think I don't know that?" Peyton asked as she got up from her seat and began to wander around the room. "Every time I hear Sawyer laugh. Every time I hear you reading to her. Every time I hold her in my arms when she's tired; do you think I don't know that I got lucky? Of course I know that, Luke! But, that's also why I want to do this. That's why I know that it's going to be okay". Lucas suddenly shot up out of his seat, his hands flat out on the dining room table.
"You can't survive giving birth once and a life-threatening condition just goes away, Peyton!" he yelled woefully at her. "What if it isn't okay? What if I lose you? What would I tell our daughter? I can't even bear to think about it", he shook the thought, beginning to wander the room himself.
"You tried to guilt me out of this once before, Lucas Scott. It didn't work then and it won't work now", she fought.
"Okay. Then answer me this; back in High School, when I had my heart attack and it wasn't a certainty that I was gonna pull through. How did you feel?" he asked.
"Luke-"
"Just answer the question, Peyton", he cut her off. Peyton sighed.
"I- I felt empty. Like my whole world would come crashing down around me if you didn't make it", she admitted. Lucas nodded slightly as he ruffled his hair. "I get that, Luke. I know you're scared. I'm scared too. But, look at us! Look at everything we've been through. Look at the beautiful little girl we made. No matter what happens; we will get our happily ever after", she said, cupping his jaw in the palm of her hand. Peyton began to cry feely as she scanned every inch of Lucas's face. "We stood in a kitchen, not all that different from this one, six and a half years ago and said and felt similar things. Now? We have a smart, funny, beautiful daughter and I'm still here! I'm here with you and our Sawyer, and that's not going to change. And even if it does, like I said to you all those years ago; you're gonna be okay. I know you are. You trusted me on that day, Luke. All I need is for you to trust me again". A few stray tears began to leave Lucas's eyes as he held Peyton's face in his hands.
"But, the doctors-"
"The doctors know about my condition. And trust me- I'm holding on to the fact that the doctor has not yet said there is a good chance of anything bad happening", she smiled softly at him. "They're confident, Lucas. Let's be confident too". Lucas stared deep into Peyton's eyes, they were red and rimmed with tears. He gently wiped his thumb underneath her eye line as he continued to admire her eyes. "Trust me, Luke. Please", she begged. Lucas planted the softest of kisses against her forehead.
"I trust you", he said softly. Peyton began to sob uncontrollably as she allowed herself to fall into Lucas's embrace. "I love you, Peyton Scott", he told her.
"I love you too, Lucas Scott", she replied.
X
"-Uh-huh- Okay, I'll see you tomorrow- bye, Dad", Peyton spoke as she hung up her cell phone. It had been two hours since Lucas had agreed to Peyton's second pregnancy. Peyton curled up next to Lucas on the couch. "My Dads gonna be here with Sawyer at 9am tomorrow", she smiled as she sighed contently.
"I can't wait", Lucas grinned. "I missed you both so much, but, it was nice seeing Nathan and Haley for a while".
"We missed you too. How are they?" Peyton asked.
"They're good. Jamie's started the lazy faze of being a kid", he chuckled to himself. "And Lydia, well, she's just like Haley". Peyton smiled to herself as she gently rubbed her stomach.
"It was good seeing Brooke today too. I miss them", she sighed. Lucas sighed with her, tightening his embrace. The pair sat in a comfortable silence, Peyton lost deep in her thoughts as she thought about Tree Hill and the people she loved that lived there. "What are we doing, Luke?" she suddenly spoke.
"Well, right now we're sitting on the couch and-"
"Not right now", Peyton laughed as she playfully slapped his thigh. "I mean, what are we doing here? Why are we still here? I know we wanted a new start, and travelling with your Mom and Andy was great. I know Sawyer really loved it. But, why are we settling here?" she asked.
"Well, this place has been good to us", Lucas answered.
"I know. I know it has. I just- this place will never really be our home, Luke. I miss going into Tric every day, running the label with Haley and trying to find new talent. And I know you miss the river court and hanging out with Nathan and Skills. And don't you think Sawyer might like to get to know her cousins a little better?" Peyton pondered as she bit her bottom lip. Lucas sighed.
"Well, what do you wanna do, Peyton?" he asked.
"I wanna go home, Luke", she looked up at him, smiling vaguely. "I wanna go back to Tree Hill".