Chapter Two: And Life Goes On…
A/N: Okay so this chapter has a quite a bit of Leyton in it. But Leyton really is necessary in this fic and it will set up thing nicely for next chapter where we'll be skipping ahead another ten years. Just a warning.
Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill. If I did, I'd be Mark. What a scary thought!
Six Years Later
"Luke, I'm leaving," Peyton called, her hand resting on the door knob of their front door. She said "their" because she had been living with Lucas Scott for five and a half years now. They weren't a couple. She made that clear to everyone who had the audacity to ask. She was there to help him take care of Evelyn or so they both told themselves. In the beginning, that might have been the case, but now was a different story. They were just too attached to each other to let go. She could still remember the day she decided to come back to Tree Hill.
Flashback
Peyton wandered around her house, stumbling slightly as the alcohol began to cloud her vision. She had just broken up with Jake for what she promised would be the last time. She was tired of the useless arguments and his constant complaints about her inability to open up. He was just tired of her. Whatever the case was, they had both decided that it was over. Now Peyton looked around her and realized she had nothing left in Savannah.
So she drank because drinking made the questions go away for a little bit. She could sort out her life tomorrow, right? She decided that she better get to bed before she did anything stupid, like call one of her ex-boyfriends up out of desperation. She laid down, still completely dressed and clamped her eyes shut. Not more than two seconds later, the sharp ringing of the telephone cut through the silence.
"Fuck," she muttered as she reached over to answer it. She was not in the mood for a conversation. Who the hell would be calling her at two in the morning anyway?
"Hello?" she said as sweetly as possible.
"Peyt," Lucas whispered, the fear evident in his voice, a shrill cry echoing in the background.
Peyton immediately sat up. "Lucas? What's wrong?"
"I can't do this, Peyt."
"Can't do what?"
"I can't take care of her. I don't have any idea what I'm doing."
"Just calm down, Lucas," Peyton said, her drunkenness ebbing away at the sound of his panic. "I'm sure you're doing fine."
"She won't stop crying and I've tried everything. I gave her a bottle, changed her diaper, rocked her. Nothing's working."
"Okay." Peyton bit her lip, trying to think of something. Finally an idea popped in her head. "Lay down."
"What?"
"Lay down on the couch."
"Okay, hold on," Lucas said as he set the phone down and slid down on the couch. He picked the phone back up with one hand as pressing it against his shoulder and ear so he could hold Evelyn properly. "Now what?"
"Lay Evelyn on your chest close to your heart."
Lucas's eyebrows furrowed at the suggestion, but at this point he didn't care what he had to do to, no matter how ridiculous any of it sounded. He gently placed Evelyn on her stomach over his heart. She continued to cry, thrashing a little. His hands held her back, rubbing it gently. Eventually she stopped thrashing and her cries died down and before Luke knew it she was asleep. All the while, Peyton listened through the phone in silence.
"She's asleep," Lucas whispered in disbelief. "That actually worked."
"Well contrary to popular belie, I do have a purpose," Peyton said sarcastically. "The steady rhythm of your heartbeat calmed her down."
"How'd you know to do that?"
"My dad."
"Thanks, Peyton."
"You're welcome," she said softy., "Are you done panicking now?"
"No," he said seriously. "I can't do this. I'm in way over my head. I don't know how Brooke does it on her own."
"Brooke, try as she may to deny it, always did have a maternal instinct."
"Yeah well I'm lacking that."
"You'll get used to it."
"Peyt, I can't do this on my own."
Peyton sighed and looked up at the picture on her nightstand. It was of her, Lucas and Brooke taken a few weeks before Brooke found out she was pregnant. He really needed someone right now to help him through this.
"I'm coming home," she said.
"What?" Lucas asked in disbelief.
"You need help Lucas and all I'm doing in Savannah is brooding and waiting to flunk out of college. I hate it here."
"Yeah, but Peyton you have a life there. You shouldn't have to leave all that behind because I'm an incompetent father."
"I'm not just doing this for you. I'm doing it for Brooke. She's trusted you with the most important thing in her world and I intend to make sure you return Evelyn in one piece."
"I'm not that bad," Lucas said defiantly.
"Just let me help you get through the first month, Lucas."
"Fine, I could use a little guidance just so I know what the hell I'm doing."
"I'll leave tomorrow morning and until then, just think WWBD. What would Brooke do?"
"I never thought I'd be following those guidelines," Lucas joked. Peyton caught a glimpse of the other picture on her nightstand, one of her and Brooke at age seven. Brooke was placing her doll in the crib, a soft smile on her face.
"I did," Peyton said quietly.
End flashback
"Hey," Lucas said, tugging on her sleeve to awake her from her musings. Peyton's eyes snapped up to meet his and she blinked rapidly before shaking her head.
"Sorry. I zoned out."
"That's okay. You said you're leaving now?"
"Yeah, my flight is all booked so it'll be crowded, especially this time of year."
"Thanks for doing this again."
"It's no problem, Luke," she said softly. "It's what friends are for."
The word friends tore into his heart. "Peyton, are we ever gonna talk about it?"
"There's nothing to talk about."
"I meant it, Peyton. Every word of it."
"Luke, stop it! I'm gonna go," she said quickly opening the door. "I'll see you tonight okay?"
"Yeah," Lucas trailed off as she shut the door. Things between them had been awkward since that night.
---------
"Evelyn Peyton Scott! Get over here!" Brooke yelled down the halls of their small apartment.
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" The small brunette stomped her feet down the hall, her pigtails flipping with each step. She crossed her arms over her chest, her blue eyes set in a deep glare directed at her mother. Brooke cringed at how much like her father Evelyn looked when she was brooding.
"Eve, do not look at me like that! That was the fifth time I called you! What were you doing?"
"Well, I was trying to pack!"
"Honey, I already packed for you."
"Yeah, but you forgot Mr. Snuffles."
"Mr. Snuffles wouldn't fit," Brooke said, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm making him fit," Evelyn grinned.
"Oh dear," Brooke mumbled before she took off down the hall and peaked into Evelyn's room. The once neatly packed suitcase was almost empty, a pile of clothes and small toys next to it. The only thing left in the case was Mr. Snuffles, the purple stuffed hippo, smiling up at Brooke almost mockingly. Brooke groaned loudly as she sank to her knees before the suitcase.
"Mommy?" Evelyn asked timidly.
"Go wait in the living room." Brooke sighed.
"I'm sorry." Evelyn wrapped her little arms around Brooke. "I love you."
"I love you too." Brooke watched as the little girl tottered away, a big smile on her small face. Brooke couldn't help but roll here eyes.
"Just like her father. Thinks 'I love you' solves everything," Brooke muttered under her breath.
As Brooke began to repack, the phone rang, and she reached over to answer it. Seeing the number, she smiled softly. "Hello?"
"What the hell is Princess Dazzles?"
"Nate," Brooke said, trying to hold back her laughter.
"Abby insists on having a Princess Dazzles Halloween costume and I have no idea what she's talking about."
"It's a cartoon. Don't you watch cartoons with her?"
"No. When I get home I make her play outside with me."
"Ah." Brooke nodded. "Still trying to get her to like basketball?"
"Yeah," Nathan sighed. "I just don't get it, Brooke."
"Well if it makes you feel any better Eve's obsessed with basketball. God forbid we miss a Knicks game. She throws a fit. I try to take her dress shopping and play tea party with her, but she'd much rather be out climbing trees and playing in the mud and all that gross stuff boys should be doing."
"Well, I have a solution. How about we switch kids?" They shared a laugh. "So what are you up to?"
"Packing for Eve. She leaves today."
"Oh that's right. Is Peyton picking her up?"
"Yep, which is great because I haven't seen P. Sawyer in months. I mean I love Karen and all, but I really miss my best friend."
"Yeah I know…" Nathan trailed off, "Hey, how come Luke never picks her up?"
"Because he works all the time and the two of us can barely handle a phone conversation without bickering."
"I'm sorry. I thought you said things were better between you two."
"It was until about three months ago when he turned back into Captain Ass."
"Maybe you should talk to Peyt about that."
"Ooh, good idea," Brooke said. "I don't get how she stands living with him, let alone being his friend."
"She loves him," Nathan said plainly.
Brooke stopped folding Evelyn's T-shirt. "Really?" Her voice sounded so timid and shocked even to herself. Maybe it was because Peyton never mentioned Lucas when they talked, giving her no indication of her feelings. Or maybe it was her fear of letting him go.
"She never stopped, Brooke. You and I both know that. The real question we should be asking is how long until they both realize it. I mean-"
"Nate, I gotta go," Brooke said quickly, her voice shaking and tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"Brooke," Nathan said softly.
"I'll call you later." She hung up the phone and continued to pack, trying to pretend that nothing was wrong. She let the tears roll down her cheeks, not understanding why she was crying. She and Lucas had been broken up for six years now. Lucas was fair game and yet she felt as if Peyton was betraying her. Why was her best friend hiding these feelings again? Was there something going on she didn't know about?
"Mommy!" Evelyn yelled, "Someone's at the door."
Brooke immediately broke out of her trance. She snapped Eve's suitcase shut and wiped the tears from her face.
"Coming," she called back. She took a deep breath before she snuck out of Eve's room to answer the door. There waiting behind it was Peyton complete with leather jacket and oversized sunglasses, her blonde curls tied up in a ponytail.
"B. Davis," Peyton said, a real smile cracking on her normally tough face.
Brooke pulled her into a tight hug. "P. Sawyer."
"Where's the little munchkin?" Peyton asked as they drew apart.
"Here!" Evelyn called as she ran up to Peyton who scooped her up with ease.
"Hey kiddo."
"So…how's daddy?" Evelyn asked, trying to sound grown up. Peyton and Brooke both shared a chuckle.
"Your daddy is fine," Peyton said and Brooke couldn't ignore the glint that appeared in her best friend's eye at the mention of Lucas. "He misses you."
"How long before your flight?" Brooke asked.
"Umm an hour or so. We don't have to leave just yet."
"Good. Let me make you a cup of coffee and we can catch up."
Peyton nodded and let Evelyn down so she could go play while the two old friends headed to the kitchen. Peyton sat at the counter as Brooke busied herself making coffee.
"Do you need any help?' Peyton asked.
"No. It's fine."
"Okay," Peyton said, taking a deep breath, "So, how've you been?"
"Not bad. Lots of work. How about you?"
"Good. It's slow at Tric this time of year."
"And the love life?" Brooke asked.
She saw Peyton bite her lip before responding. "Umm just as slow. You?"
"Peyton, don't lie to me. There's a boy on your mind. You've got that look."
"What look?"
"That look you get when you're hiding something from me." Brooke turned so that her back was facing Peyton.
"Okay, there is a guy."
"Really?" Brooke played along, "How serious?"
"I'm in love with him," Peyton said in one breath.
Brooke took a deep breath and spun around. "In love? P. Sawyer! Spill!"
"Not much to talk about. He loves me. I love him. We just can't be together."
"Why?" Brooke asked, furrowing her eyebrows.
"Because the circumstances are just all screwed up. It would just complicate things."
"Dating Lucas wouldn't complicate anything."
"Yeah it would. I mean-" Peyton stopped in her tracks, "Wait, how did you know that?"
"Just do. It's a gift," Brooke said. Peyton quirked an eyebrow at her. "Okay fine, so maybe Nathan mentioned it and seeing as Nathan knows all, I figured he must be right."
"Brooke," Peyton said slowly. "I don't want another silly love triangle like we had junior year. I-"
"It's not a love triangle if the third person isn't interested. I'm over Luke." Lie.
"Are you sure? I mean you always talked about moving back and trying again with him."
"That was a long time ago and besides Peyton, it's not like I have dibs on him."
"I think Eve counts as your dibs." They both shared a soft chuckle.
"Seriously Peyt, I have to worry all the time about who Luke's gonna wind up with. If I had to pick someone, I'd want you. You love him. You love Eve. You've been taking care of both of them for six years. Go for it!"
"Are you absolutely positive, B?"
"Yeah, I don't even understand why you hid it from me in the first place."
"I felt like I was betraying you. I mean 6 billion people in the world and I had to fall for the one I shouldn't."
"Just stop worrying. You have my blessing," Brooke handed Peyton her coffee. "Now want to tell me why Captain Ass has returned?"
"Who? Luke?" Peyton chuckled.
"Yeah! He's been a jerk to me these past few months."
"Oh."
"Oh? What do you know, Sawyer?"
"Well, this is just a theory, but Lucas kissed me three months ago."
"Your kiss turns him into a jackass?"
"Ha, ha," Peyton said dryly. "After he kissed me I told him I couldn't be with him because you two were unfinished."
"And like always, he takes his frustrations out on me."
"He's still mad that you left, I guess. For a long time, he couldn't even hear your name without going into brood mode."
"I had to go, Peyt."
"I know, Brooke. I know. People always leave, right? We all just left him in Tree Hill."
"You came back though."
"Yeah well…sometimes they come back."
------
"Lucas! We're home!" Peyton called as she opened the door to their house. That all too familiar scent of home cooking hitting her suddenly.
"Ooh, daddy cooked!" Evelyn cheered.
"Is that my little girl, I hear?" Lucas asked as he exited the kitchen, a hand towel draped over his shoulder.
Evelyn ran up to him and hugged him tightly. "I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, baby girl," he sighed as he bent down so that he was eye level with her.
"What'd you make?"
"Spaghetti and meatballs."
"My favorite!"
"I know. Why don't you go put your stuff away upstairs and then we can sit down to eat."
The little girl nodded at her daddy's words and ran up the stairs.
"Evelyn, don't forget to wash your hands," Peyton called. Peyton's voice alerted Lucas to the fact that she was next to him. For awhile, it was just him and his daughter and he was free from the awkwardness that now plagued him and Peyton.
"Hey Peyt," Luke said, shoving his hands in his pockets.
Peyton didn't say a word. She simply stepped forward and played with his collar trying to fix it properly. "Brooke gave us her blessing," she said finally. She peaked up at him trying to see his reaction. He was smiling from ear to ear.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"So does that mean I get to kiss you now without having to worry about you slapping me?"
"I wouldn't go that far." Peyton smirked before standing on her toes and placing a small soft kiss on Lucas's lips. Just as he pushed forward to deepen the kiss, Peyton pulled back completely.
"Sorry. I need to go get changed before dinner. We'll continue this later." Peyton walked up the stairs quickly leaving Lucas with a goofy grin on his face. He immediately ran to the kitchen and picked up the phone to dial Brooke.
------
I ain't missing you
I ain't missing you
I keep lying to myself
And there's a storm that's raging
Through my frozen heart tonight
I ain't missing you at all
Since you've been gone
Away
I ain't missing you
No matter
What my friends say
The song echoed through Brooke's apartment. She hadn't planned on listening to cheesy 80's music, but whenever Evelyn left to visit Lucas Brooke found herself incredibly bored. VH1 just happened to be counting down the top 100 breakup songs of the 80s and 90s and she just couldn't resist plopping down in front of the TV with a bowl of ice cream and losing herself in her own sorrow.
"This is pathetic," she mumbled, before she shoved another spoon of cookie dough ice cream into her mouth. She watched as clips of the music video played over the screen and she couldn't help furrowing her eyebrows, "I wonder what happened to John Waite though." She suddenly realized she was talking to herself. Her embarrassment was quickly forgotten when the phone rang. She abruptly muted the TV and languidly reached over to answer the phone.
"Hello?"
"Brooke."
"Ah, Captain Ass, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Brooke muttered, turning the volume back up on the TV.
"I wanted to let you know that Peyton and Evelyn got in safely. Are you listening to John Waite?"
"First of all, I'm not listening to John Waite. It's a countdown of 80's and 90s songs. Secondly, Peyton already called to tell me that they had gotten in, just like she always does so that you and I get to avoid talking to each other more than necessary."
"Okay, well, maybe I didn't call for that."
"Then why did you call?"
"To thank you."
"For what?"
"For telling Peyton it was okay to go out with me. I know that had to be hard after everything that went on junior year."
"I'm over it Lucas," Brooke said, trying to hide the shakiness of her voice. "You and I have been over for awhile. It's time we all move on and in a way, I'm glad it's Peyton."
"I love her, Brooke. I promise you that I wouldn't have a relationship with Peyton unless I was sure that they would be in it for the long run. I wouldn't want to hurt Evelyn or Peyton like that."
"I know."
"Okay, well listen, I need to finish cooking dinner. I'll have Evelyn call you before bed, okay?"
"Yeah," Brooke nodded, holding back tears. "Bye Lucas." She hung up the phone and let out a deep breath. She felt as if the walls were closing in around her. For the first time, it felt like it was really over between her and Lucas. She always had some deep down hope that he'd come running to New York and try to win her back. Or that he'd wait for her in Tree Hill. Clearly, she had been mistaken. A fresh set of tears emerged and she quickly picked up the phone to dial Nathan.
"Hello?" he answered.
"It's over, Nathan," Brooke croaked quietly.
"Brooke? What's wrong? What happened?" He turned off his TV and tiptoed out of Abigail's bedroom.
"Lucas is really over me. He's with Peyton now."
"Brooke, I'm sorry. I never knew that you still had feelings for him."
"I didn't think I did either. I mean I knew I loved him, but I thought I was over him."
"We never get over our first love," Nathan said painfully.
"I gave Peyton my blessing," Brooke whispered. "I didn't want to, but I knew that was the only way that Peyton would ever accept him."
"I'm proud of you for that. It was the right thing to do."
"Yeah well as good of a thing as it was it doesn't make it any easier."
"Nothing will, Brooke."
"I'm never setting foot in Tree Hill again," Brooke said bitterly.
"Welcome to the club," Nathan whispered.