A/N: Thank you soooo so so much to all those who took time and reviewed the first chapter. This chapter is dedicated to you all.
Kylielink and TrueLoveAlwaysLP: This chapter will answer your question about Lucas.
Bendecida82 and LEYTONALWAYS: I'm super flattered you guys read my fic, I totally love your fics.
Little Green Bird: Thanks for the encouragement.
Leytonislove22, , Juzzy88: Your reviews made my day.
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill or any of the characters.
Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash
Lucas braced himself for the next words. Saying them to another person would make this more real and he hopped it would be a step to something new.
"Nathan's former coach in Charlotte called me last week and offered me a position as a junior coach." He said in quickly in one breath.
"What?" Skills who had been looking down turned his head so fast, he was sure he had hurt his neck.
Lucas knew that his friend had heard him alright and the question was rhetorical so he didn't repeat. He had reacted the same way when he received the call from the Coach and there were so many reasons why he did. Firstly, Nathan had been kicked out of the team just a few months ago when he attended Luke's wedding without excusing himself from practice. He had not attempted to join another team despite encouragement from Haley or the other friends. He seemed to have given up on his dream and was on the brink of going back to the post-accident Nathan. If he agreed to take the job, he would've hurt his brother's feelings and even then, it just didn't feel right.
Secondly, he wanted Sawyer to grow up in Tree Hill the town that meant so much to her parents. Thirdly, Although Peyton had taken a break from managing Red Bedroom records; she still helped Haley and went in once in a while. She was hoping to return fully to work when Sawyer was at least a year old. Fourthly, all their friends who offered a great support system were in Tree Hill. Fifth amongst many more others, he just couldn't envision himself living away from this place. There were just too many memories embedded everywhere he turned.
Skills stood from his place on the bleacher and stood in front of Lucas. "What did you tell him?"
"I told him that that was a very difficult decision for me to make and I needed sometime before I could give him an answer. He gave me two weeks to call him back."
"Have you decided yet?"
"Actually no, I don't know Skills. There's just too much at stake here and so much to think about."
Both men were silent for a while, Skills looking out to the waters while Lucas just stared at the rivercourt's surface. Skills was the first to break the silence. "What does Peyton have to say about all this?"
Lucas scoffed and stood up heading over to pick a ball. "I have not told her yet because I kind of know how she will react. Her martyr complex will kick-in and we will be on our way to Charlotte the next day."
"You are one to talk, I'm sure you'd do the same for . Hell, have you forgotten that you have a freaking hero complex when it comes to her?"
Lucas shook his head breaking into a soft smile. "Shut up." He said jokingly although he knew that it was the truth. He would absolutely do anything for his family. "Seriously, I wanted to ask you if you will be willing to take over as Head Coach to the Ravens if I decided to take the Charlotte job? We have coached those boys side by side and I wouldn't have anyone else replacing me."
Skills was shocked, he had not seen that one coming. "I think Nathan would make a better replacement." He said after a few moments. "Think about it Luke, he is more experienced and his ass needs something to do before he starts drinking himself stupid."
"I have thought long and hard about it. Nathan might be more experienced but you know the boys better than him. I was thinking of asking him if he could assist you. Just think about it and let me know."
"I will." Skills started bouncing his ball in silent thoughts. "I still can't picture you not living in Tree Hill. But you've got to do what you think is right for you."
"Trust me, neither can I."
"Alright man, I've got to get going, call me up when you make your mind up and make sure you tell P. Scott about all this or the next time you call me out here, it will be because she'd be on your ass." Skills said holding out his hand to bump fists with Luke.
Lucas looked on as his friend walked away from the rivercourt. He was at a place of stability right now and he didn't want to burst that bubble yet. Life was more than normal after the whirlwind pregnancy, the tears, sleepless nights, fights, anger, worry that went along with it like his daughter's birth, almost losing Peyton, finding out that Dan was after all going to be around a longer time. That had been a journey he had courageously taken and it lead him where he was at. At the moment, everything was just right, the universe was like it should be.
He unconsciously smiled remembering the first day he had brought Sawyer out to the rivercourt for the first time ever in her life.
Sawyer was three weeks old and Peyton was almost completely healed from the surgery. The day had been beautiful and the air was warm even though it was almost sunset. So, they had piled into the comet and headed out to the rivercourt. Lucas gladly pointed out favorite places like Clothes over Bros to Sawyer not caring if she understood or not. Peyton sat admiring him with tears in her eyes thinking that she had almost missed out on this. On reaching the rivercourt, Sawyer was unbuckled out of her seat and Luke went on to give the grand tour of the rivercourt and it's history.
Peyton sat on the bleachers looking on proudly as father shared his life with his daughter. Lucas had donned on both her and Sawyer every minute since returning from hospital. Before, she would have been frustrated from his hovering but she understood where he came from, life had given him a second chance and he was not about to waste it.
As he turned to walk home, he wondered what it would feel like living in a new town. Peyton had once told him that Tree Hill to her was two dead moms and a psycho stalker. She had been forced to come home to find love, to find him. Home to him would always be where Peyton and Sawyer were and he was damn sure Peyton felt the same way too. Moving to Charlotte might not be so bad after all, now all he had to do was tell her.
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Title of the next chapter: Tell Her About It.
