*Warning this FF is more tame than the previous chapter, though it does involve lots of emotion and dialog Leading up to more story to come. Reader's discretion is advised*
Chapter 4
Nathan opens the door, and looks at Haley who is sitting the passenger's seat.
"Uhm they will just be a minute." Nathan shrugs to Haley.
Haley glares at Nathan, silent but very perturbed.
Haley stares out the window, finally she breaks the silence.
"Really!? I mean really!" she glares at Nathan. Nathan looks dumbfounded at her, shrugging his shoulders.
"I mean we came all the way out here after Brooke called us in a panic, that they were both missing, and they are doing IT in the road?!"
"What are you looking at me for Hales, it wasn't my idea. I didn't say (deep voice) 'Hey Luke, get busy with Peyton in the backseat of the car' ...Though Peyton does love cars."
Haley shoots Nathan an evil look for even mentioning his past with Peyton, and cars.
"No," she shrugged "We ruined our evening to come out her and save them,"
"Haley listen. We didn't have to come, and we can leave, they are obviously fine. But you wanted to come and save Luke. Always want to feel needed and that is what this is about, Luke and Jamie don't need you anymore and that is why you want another baby..."
Haley looks shocked at Nathan.
"No, that is what this is about, you want another baby to feel like you matter to someone, well I am sorry Haley but you do matter, and the sooner you focus on us, instead of your students, and Luke and Peyton the better off we will be!" Nathan rests his hands roughly on the steering wheel. As Haley continues to stew over her anger at Nathan, staring the other way.
"They better hurry," she mumbled.
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"Luke where is my bra?" Peyton rummaged around in the back seat, smiling and trying not to fall all over him.
"I don't know it must be around here somewhere, God Peyt clean out your car!"
Luke holds up an old Doritos bag.
"Give me that," she grabs it..."it has to be around..."
"Here.."Luke holds her bra up, it was hanging off the rear-view mirror.
"Thank you baby," she pecks him on the mouth.
"I thought you were good in backseats Peyt, shouldn't you know..."
Peyton gently slaps Luke on the arm. "Hey!"
"I am, just saying the stories I heard,...well, and done, you should be an exper..."
"Watch it mister! besides most of those stories were with Brooke."
"WITH Brooke, Peyton I didn't know...hmmmm"
"Pig! no about Brooke, shut up get your mind out of the gutter..."
"Hmmm I don't know you Brooke a backseat, kinky!"
Peyton glares at Luke, and smiles "How would you like to walk home?"
They both sneer smile at each other.
"Ha"
"Well we better get going, and relieve Nate or Haley is gonna eat him."
"Yeah, but it was fun, you know maybe when the car gets back from the shop we can get stranded again."
Luke looks at Peyton smiling from ear to ear,
"What" she exclaimed.
"Who knew Peyton Sawyer had a fetish for CARS, I am so hot for you right now."
"Watch it, we better get going." He pulls her into a kiss, wet and sensual slowly pulling away.
"Hmmm later." she whispers.
Peyton and Luke gather there stuff and head to Luke's car, Peyton looking like someone had fun with her hair, walked over to the car. Putting her stuff in. Luke walked over to Nate's car, as he rolled down the window.
"Hey"
"Hey" Luke smiled. "Hey Hales?"
Haley looked away, not making eye contact with him. Luke looked confused at Nathan.
"Don't ask man." Nathan shrugged.
"Uhum OK, thanks for coming out guys, but we were fine...we will see you tomorrow and.."
"You know," Haley chimed up. "Luke, it is really a wonder Peyton is pregnant BEFORE the wedding!"
"Haley!" Luke looked confused at Haley, wondered what her problem was. Hoping she would solve it herself. Luke shook his head and walked off towards his car as Nathan and Haley sped off leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.
"What is up with them?" Peyton asked shaking her head at Luke.
"Nothing I guess," shrugging his shoulders.
"Married people!" Peyton giggled, smiling at Luke.
"We better get going," Luke smiled as he kissed Peyton, they broke apart as Peyton said
"Yeah" frowning her face. "Guess we have two spots now"
"Oh we have more than two, well I know you have more than two."
Peyton giggled throwing back her head. "Lucas, you really are the love of my life."
"Awwww" Luke said sarcastically laughing. "Get into the car beautiful, we will come get the Comet in the morning, think anyone will steal it?"
"Well, if they do" Peyton shuts the door. "They will have a hell of a time getting it home."
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Chapter 5
Luke enters the kitchen throwing his keys onto the counter. Peyton following behind him.
"Man!" he exclaims "Been a long day" holding his head in his hands walking to drop down on the couch.
"Yeah" Peyton responds. "But at least we had some fun" she shoots him a wink and a smile.
"Yeah" he smiles back, "Though I kinda feel like a hypocrite"
"Why"
"Oh, because I blew up at Dixon about the movie, and then I go and bang you in the backseat of your car. It's all very ass backwards."
"What does Dixon have to do with our 'bang'" Peyton air quotes in front of Luke "in my car. Nice term by the way"
"Sorry...He, well, I didn't want to tell you.."
"Tell me what?" she smiles.
"He wants to put your character in a nude scene."
"What!" Peyton smiles in disbelief. Pulling back from Lucas' side.
"Yeah, he thinks instead of not sleeping together in the motel in South Carolina, like in the book, in the movie we should. Then Brooke's character would have more of a reason to be furious with us."
"Well" Peyton sighed. "Umm, that is tricky. I mean I guess it could work, but won't that open up old wounds with Brooke?"
"I don't know, what should I do. Julian thinks I should at least cave on some things, but I don't want to be un-true, and it doesn't paint you in a flattering light."
Peyton slumps down on the couch as he raps his arm around her shoulder.
"Well, I mean we did lose Brooke anyway, but that just seems like re-writing history."
Luke readjusts to look at Peyton.
"Well, I mean it is up to you, hun, if you say no, it is done. But did you?"
"Did I what?"
"Want me that day?"
"Luke come on, past is past" Peyton gets up walking towards the kitchen, Luke following after.
"No really, I mean my mind wandered back to that day more than once over the years, was it about sex? or did you really just want me?"
Peyton looked disappointedly at Luke turning around leaning on the kitchen counter.
"You know I did." She sat facing him, as he moved into her space placing his hands on her thighs.
"I know, but I was never sure with the drama with your Dad, if you were just lost and scared...and.."
Peyton reaches her hands up to Luke's mouth, stopping him from talking, Looking at him adoringly.
"Even if I loved Brooke, and was confused. I was NEVER confused about how I felt about you. I wanted you so bad, just to hold on, to feel you, to let you know how much you meant to me... mean to me. I loved you from the first moment, and will love you to my last."
"Peyt.."
"So if Dixon wants to make this Peyton give herself to you in that scene, the actor you, not you...then I have no problem with that. As long as she is cute, and it is tasteful." Peyton cocks and eyebrow.
Luke smiles and blushes bowing his head, "Yes, and yes. But are you sure. I mean you just got Brooke back, you don't think she is gonna be a tad annoyed by this? and it kinda changes history, especially about prom."
"Well I mean it is up to you, but if you are worried about me, don't be. As long it is ok with you, it is ok with me. Besides, I am pretty sure Brooke thought we had gone all the way that day, or another day. And she has read the book, and loved it...though I might keep her from the premiere." Peyton cocks her head upwards.
"Ok, deal. I will make sure it is tasteful, and if not...it's over."
"Good"
"Good" They both nodded in agreement.
"So" he rubs up her thigh, "What's for dinner? Hmmm I am starving."
"Well" Peyton leans in, "What do you want?"
He leans in closer to her mouth, breathing in her lips, "Kind feel like some chicken!"
"Hmmmmm" Peyton gives into his kiss with a smile, knowing full well what that implied.
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Chapter 6
"Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer! what is this?!" a voice yelled out of the distance. Full frame to a young Peyton. Blond, curly hair, paint brush in hand standing outside the bathroom door covered in red paint, dripping off her brush.
"Uh oh," Peyton goes to run and is stopped by a large hand scooping her up.
"Ahh hahaha" she laughs as the figure blows raspberries on her tummy. Setting her down, we see it is a woman. Dressed in white, hair in a loose bun with a smock on.
"Now what did I tell you about paint in the house?" Anna instructed.
Peyton gleefully responded as did Anna at the same time.
"Always tell me when you are, so I can help." They both laugh, just then the door bell rings.
"Now don't go away my little Monet, Mommy be right back to finish the door."
"K" Peyton continued to paint on the wall.
Anna walked downstairs, wiping her dress clean, taking off her smock. "Larry did you forget your keys again?"
She opens the door only to see a tall lengthy blond standing before her, with painful, familiar eyes she would not soon forget.
"Ellie, uhum what are you doing here?" Anna quickly goes outside and closes the door behind her, bracing herself against the door.
"I don't know, I don't know Anna, I thought I could do it, but I can't. I need to see her. Please."
"Ellie please we agreed it wasn't right for Peyton, she will just get confused, and scared."
"I know, but I just...I miss her you know, it has been 5 years. I just can't, I can't..."
Ellie sat down on the swinging bench from outside the house, Anna sitting next to her.
Peyton hearing a faint cry, ran to the window, pushing aside the curtains with her paint stained hands.
She could see her Mom with a lady, but she didn't know who it was, so off she went to paint the door, "red...red, red." she hummed.
"Anna please, I won't tell her who I am, can I just see her...and you two together. Just for today? Please" Ellie looked at Anna with tears pouring out of her eyes. Anna got up, looking at her feet shying away.
"You agreed," she mumbled "you agreed you would stay away for Peyton's sake."
"I know, I know, but I just need a family today, just for today...is Larry home?"
"No, he is off on a job. but..."
"Please" Ellie looked so lost and scared at Anna, Anna could feel herself giving in.
"Alright, but as far as Peyton is concerned you are just a friend helping out, ok?"
"Ok got it, friend." Ellie wiped the tears from her face.
"Ok, well we are painting the upstairs..and Peyton is good but she is small so she takes a long time to do one area, I could use an adult to even it out some, think you can handle a little paint?"
Ellie smiled in her joy, "Yeah I think I can."
Anna and Ellie head upstairs where a very eager Peyton is waiting by the door, as her paint is hardening on her brush. "Mommy, you are lat---" she pauses seeing the new person with her mom.
"Honey this is Elizabeth, she is gonna help us paint today, is that ok with you?" Anna leaned down on Peyton's side as Peyton stared at this new stranger.
Ellie smiled as Peyton looked at her, her little girl. She had hoped so much for her, to find peace, be happy, fall in love. But knew she could never give her those things, things that came like second nature to most, like Anna.
"Hi" Ellie said lightly, holding out her hand to Peyton. "My name is Elizabeth." Peyton grabbed her hand "Like me!" she said with spunk....Ellie smiled, "Yes like you, just like you." Anna smiled and handed Ellie a cloth and a paint brush, seeing the trail of red paint Peyton had left on Ellie's her right hand.
Anna grabbed Peyton placing her in the middle as Ellie, Peyton, and Anna painted the hall red.
Time went on, and Peyton couldn't help but stare at this stranger. She was warm, and her smile was so bright, but so sad. She wondered where her Mommy knew this lady from, but she was too coy to ask.
"Mommy, did I do a good side red?" Peyton blurted out staring up at her.
"Yes, very good, you are very gifted, the next famous artist of our time."
Anna gleamed from ear to ear at her little girl, and was amazed at herself and Ellie for being so comfortable with each other. It was like they really were family, she could feel it. She was also amazed that this young girl, could be so loving to her own little girl without saying a word. She could see the light beaming out of Ellie, like someone had turned on a switch, released her, and let the sad wounded girl she knew so briefly in that hospital that day, free.
"Hey Elizabeth? didn't she do well?"
"Oh yes, the best Peyton?" Ellie leans down to Peyton's face. "You are the best"
"Thank you." Peyton blurted out. "Mommy I am hungry. Can Elizabeth have lunch with us?"
Anna looked puzzled for a moment, and then looked over at Ellie, she looked so lost like she should say something or leave them with their alone time. Conflicted she spoke.
"Yes" Anna smiled at Ellie and Peyton, "Yes baby girl she sure can."
Anna, Ellie, and Peyton headed downstairs. Red mess and all. They talked and laughed over the little things. The fact that Peyton had to have peanut butter on the left side of the bread, not the right. What she was learning in her first year of school, and how much they all loved art class.
It really was a great afternoon. As the day grew dimmer Anna could feel Peyton getting tired, and could see Ellie distracted by the clock, and that her time was fading. Anna wanted so bad to just let Ellie stay, let her be a part of Peyton's life, to not let her light die out as the day grew on and she had to once again say goodbye to her little girl. She couldn't imagine ever saying goodbye to Peyton.
"uhm Hey baby girl, it's time for bed." Anna reluctantly brought up.
"Ok, I poze you are right. Elizabeth! you should come tomorrow, Momma has the whole house to herself while I go to school again!"
Ellie looked forlorn and placed a smile on her face. "Maybe" she responded smiling at her daughter, wanting so badly just to hold her.
"Ok, night night." Peyton waved to Ellie as she walked by with Anna towards her room upstairs. Anna looked back and could see Ellie slump down in her chair.
"Hey baby girl," she pulled Peyton aside.
"Do me a big favor."
"What Mommy?"
"Can you give Elizabeth a hug and kiss goodnight for me?"
"Sure Mommy." Peyton broke away from Anna slowly and made her way back to Ellie, Ellie seeing this brightened up, and looked at Peyton.
"Good night Lizabeth" Peyton hugged Ellie around her neck, giving her a big kiss on her cheek.
A tear rolled down Ellie's face,
"Good night Peyton." She smiled.
Anna watched from behind, feeling the love the two shared, and feeling just maybe, someday they could see each other again.
"Mommy" Peyton ran over to Anna.
"I did good right?"
"Yes, baby you did very good." Anna smiled at Peyton leading her up the stairs.
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Anna walked down the stairs, to see Ellie standing aloofly by the door. She turned around seeing Anna she smiled. Anna could see she had been crying again.
Ellie smiled through her pain,
"She is great Anna, I am so happy for you."
"Thank you" Anna nodded.
"Well I better get going, it's getting late."
"Yeah" there was an awkward silence. But Anna knew what Ellie really wanted to say.
"Well Goodnight." Anna opened the door, Ellie turning around facing her in the doorway.
Ellie nodded her head looking back at Anna, the two shared a mutual smile as Ellie turned around to walk towards her car.
"You know," Anna spoke. "She's going to know about you someday, when she is older...." Anna welded up as she stared at Ellie, feeling what she felt.
"I promise she will"
Ellie slowly turned around walking back to the doorway reaching out to Anna, and hugging her around the neck.
"Thank you" she whispered as a tear rolled down her face.
"No" Anna replied pulling back to look at Ellie, staring at her. "Thank you."
Anna let Ellie go, and watched from her door as she drove off. Hoping in some way, she would find peace.
The next morning, Larry was back. And both Anna and Peyton were thrilled to see him. Larry brought in the morning paper, and set it on the kitchen counter. Anna grabbed it, looking for her daily funnies to read to Peyton over Breakfast before school.
She turned the page, and there in small print she saw it.
"Audrey Harp died at the age of forty two on Sunday" she whispered, "survived by her only daughter Elizabeth Lynn Harp"
"What's that Honey?" Larry piped in.
"Oh nothing" Anna said lightly. But she knew it was more than nothing, it meant everything. It really did.
Fade into Present day Peyton-----------------
"Peyton, we are always with you." A voice rang out into the middle of Lucas and Peyton's bedroom.
Peyton woke with a jerk, looking around.
"What is it Honey" Luke asked half asleep "you ok?"
"yeah yeah yeah... I am fine." Peyton settled back down, feeling as if her dream was really a memory, giving back to her.
"Thanks Moms" she whispered into the darkness. "Thanks for everything." Peyton settled down next to Luke as he wrapped his arm around her, again slowly drifting off to sleep.
Will continue