Chapter Two: Some Days Are Better Than Others
Nighttime had arrived in Tree Hill as Lucas, Peyton and Lily arrived home from their day in the sun. They went to the beach after their time on the pier, and after Peyton revealed that she was staying in Tree Hill, there seemed to be a weight lifted off of both of their shoulders. Although Lucas was disappointed for her, he couldn't help but feel a bit calmed with the knowledge of Peyton's indefinite presence in his life. He even allowed himself to admire Peyton's legs while they were on the beach, a throwback to his younger days of unsophisticated innocence.
Lucas had successfully put Lily to sleep for the night (or so he hoped) and he was ready to retire to the couch with one of his books. However when he stepped out of the nursery, he noticed a long-legged obstacle blocking him from his intended book/couch destination.
"We need to talk," Peyton said sternly.
"That doesn't sound good," Lucas mumbled as he sat down next to her on the couch.
"Since I'm living here for the time being, I think you should really go back to sleeping in your room," she stated.
"Peyton I'm not going to let you sleep on my couch like some estranged visitor."
"I was thinking we could sleep in the same bed together," she said pointedly. "I mean we've done it before, plenty of times actually."
"Yeah but that was because you were afraid of psychos attacking you in your sleep," Lucas joked. "I just thought that you would be more comfortable with the room to yourself. I know you've spent a couple nights in my room as a guest, but you've never shared a room with a guy right?"
"I shared a room with Jake."
"But you were also dating him, right?"
"Not at first."
"Oh," Lucas said dryly. Why was the thought of Peyton in bed with Jake making him queasy?
"Lucas, you sleeping in your room would make me feel more comfortable with living here because then I won't feel like I'm putting you out. I know you're going to say that I'm not, but I can't help but feel that way. If it makes you uncomfortable to sleep in the same bed with me, then I'll drop it."
"No it's not that Peyton."
"What is it?
Yeah Lucas, what is it? "Lately I've been kind of a wild sleeper and I've been having nightmares," Lucas countered. That was actually true. His nightmares about his mom had caused him to wake up abruptly and break out in cold sweats during the night.
"That won't be a problem Lucas," Peyton responded. "So what do you say?"
"Okay. Just make sure you keep those legs on your side," he smirked.
"I make no promises," Peyton declared, holding her hands up. "Well now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'm heading to bed."
"I'll be there in a bit," Lucas added as Peyton disappeared into the darkness. He pulled out his phone and started typing a text to Haley. It read: Can we meet tomorrow? Need advice on something. To which Haley responded: It's Peyton isn't it? To which Lucas responded: How did you know? To which Haley responded: It's always about your precious Peyton.
Lucas could only smile at Haley's response.
-----
Morning came for Peyton Sawyer at 5:30 am. She set the alarm on her phone instead of using the clock. She looked over her shoulder and saw that Lucas was positioned perfectly on the other side of the bed with his back facing her. So much for him being a wild sleeper. He didn't even snore.
Morning came for Lucas Scott at 6:30 am. He rolled over to find the other side of the bed empty. He slowly came to awareness, stretching across the sheets, inhaling the scent of the linens. They smelled entirely of Peyton.
He walked into the kitchen to find breakfast on the table and Peyton sitting at the table holding a sleeping Lily. They looked perfect together. "Good morning."
"Hey Luke, sleep well?"
"Very well," Lucas confirmed. "Thanks for making breakfast, it looks great."
"So what time is your interview?"
"It's at 8:30. I should be back home around noon."
Peyton nodded and glanced at Lily, "Looks like we're having a girl's day aren't we Lils?"
"So have you decided what you're going to do this summer? Are there any other internships in LA or NY you could apply for-" Lucas asked.
"Actually I just want to stay in Tree Hill," Peyton said quickly. "Besides it's too late to apply for summer internships. I talked to my dad this morning and he suggested that I take some summer classes. He transferred some money into my account so we'll have more of a cushion financially in addition to the 10 grand your mom left you."
"We?!" He cut her off. "Peyton, whatever money your dad sends you is yours. And I'm not accepting any rent so don't even think about it," Lucas snapped.
"I'm not thinking about it. I already wrote the check, it's on your desk."
"Peyton—"
"You should get going, you don't want to be late," Peyton interrupted, not intimidated by his aggressive insistence. "Lily and I are going to take a nap on the couch."
Lucas finished his breakfast, showered, dressed and placed two kisses on the forehead of a sleeping Lily and Peyton before heading out the door.
-----
Haley looked through the peephole of her apartment door and opened the door, pleased to see a familiar face.
"Hey Luke," Haley hugged him before moving aside to let him in. "How have you been," she mumbled, a bit of sympathy lacing her tone.
"Some days are better than others," Lucas responded. "How's my nephew?"
"He's just fine, sleeping as usual."
"Lily's the same way. Before I left to meet with Whitey, Peyton and Lily were both knocked out on the couch."
"Speaking of Peyton……" Haley gave Lucas an anticipatory glance. "What's going on with you two?
"I guess I should start with the fact that Peyton's internship fell through and now she's going to be living with Lily and I…..indefinitely."
Haley's eyes got larger at Lucas' reveal, "So is that a good thing?"
"I don't know Hales. There's a part of me that's happy that Lily has a female presence around in Peyton, there's the good friend part of me that doesn't want Peyton stuck in Tree Hill away from her dreams and then there's the selfish part of me that loves having Peyton around because she makes me happy."
"Are you in love with Peyton?" Haley asked bluntly.
"I don't know," Lucas stated. "I'm not even sure if it matters."
"Of course it matters," Haley pointed out.
"What I mean is that even if I'm in love with Peyton, and by some outside chance she's in love with me too, I don't know if I would be happy with Peyton placing herself in the position of pseudo wife and mother for me and Lily."
"Why do you assume she would do that?"
"Because she's practically doing it already and we're not even having sex," Lucas joked. "But seriously sometimes I can't help but wonder what she's getting out of the deal. Her dad is sending her money so she could easily get an apartment if she wanted to. And then she wouldn't have to deal with a crying newborn and a brooding squinter. "
"Lucas I know you're convinced that no woman could ever be happy as a pseudo mom and wife to you and Lily, but maybe….you're wrong. Maybe you're ignoring the possibility that Peyton is happy. Maybe this is actually what she wants, even more than being in LA. I know it probably seems weird that an 18 year old girl would want to live this life, but Peyton is different and I think you know that."
Lucas sighed and scratched his head, knowing that Haley was right. "You make some valid points Haley, but even if Peyton is happy with Lily and I, who's to say that this life is what's best for her? I know I'm not her dad or anything and I can't tell her how to live her life, but I still think it's my place as a friend to look out for her. Sometimes what makes someone happy isn't always what's best for them."
"You make some valid points as well," Haley conceded.
"So what should I do Hales? How should I handle this?"
"Ultimately you should do what you think is best for you, Peyton and Lily."
Lucas looked at her as if to say, "not helping".
"Lucas if I were you, I would just let everything fall into place instead of forcing yourself to feel a certain way or make assumptions about how you think Peyton should feel. If you let the situation take its course you'll be able to answer the question of whether or not you're in love with Peyton."
"But why don't I know now?"
"Because you've obviously been holding back and that's not fair to you or her."
Lucas took a second to let her words sink in. "I knew you were good for something Haley," Lucas teased.
"So have you found someone to rent out the space for your mom's café?"
"I met with someone today, but it didn't pan out. I know I was freaking out earlier about my money situation but I've decided to live off of the $10,000 my mom left me until I start working for Whitey in the fall. I'll be able to take care of Lily full time while Peyton takes summer classes."
"Sounds like you've thought this through Luke," Haley smiled proudly.
"I have. Well I better get home to my girls," he joked. "See you later Hales."
------
"Brooke you did not have to send me any dresses," Peyton said with slight exasperation. She was trying to feed Lily but the little baby kept grabbing at her shirt and burying her face in her chest. "It's not like I'm going to need any formal wear."
"You never know Lucas might ask you out on a date," Brooke informed.
"I doubt it," Peyton said resolutely. "I don't think he sees me that way anymore. He seems kind of closed off with me at times, which is understandable since he's grieving the loss of his mother, but it still doesn't bode well for any potential romance. Besides, I didn't stay in Tree Hill to try and pressure Lucas into dating me. I'm here because I don't want to leave them behind and because he needs me."
"But what about your wants and needs?" Brooke acknowledged. "I mean, when was the last time you had sex?"
"Brooke!"
"Wow it's been that long?"
"Yeah it's been quite awhile," Peyton admitted with a slight chuckle. "But I don't need sex Brooke."
"Maybe not, but everyone wants affection or at least some one to admire them."
"What are you trying to say Brooke?"
"I'm trying to say that maybe…..you should consider opening yourself up to the possibility of dating someone other than Lucas."
"Brooke—"
Brooke interrupted, "Clearly Lucas isn't ready for you, so I'm saying that you shouldn't ignore the option of dating someone else, or at least having a little fun. It's not like you can't be there for Lucas and Lily and still have a life of your own. And it might help Lucas realize his feelings for you a little quicker. "
"Brooke I'm not going to try and make Lucas jealous, if my dating another guy would even make Lucas jealous."
"I'm not saying you should try to make him jealous, I'm just saying that it would be a bonus."
"I get what you're saying, but I still don't know if that's what I want. If Lucas wants to be with me, then I want it to be on his own terms. But you're right about me opening up to meeting more people. I just enrolled in classes at UNCW for the summer so it's probably inevitable anyway."
"That's all I'm saying Peyton."
Just as Brooke responded, Lucas walked through the front door with a large pizza in his hands.
"Lunchtime!" Lucas exclaimed as he opened the front door.
"Alright Brooke, I'll talk to you later. Thanks again for the dresses."
"No problem, call me if you need me P. Sawyer."
"Hey you," Lucas greeted the active Lily wriggling in Peyton's arms. "And you," Lucas added tilting his head up to look at Peyton.
"Oooh you brought pizza," Peyton exclaimed. "My hero," she mumbled her mouth full of chicken, pineapple and mozzarella cheese.
Lucas laughed and grabbed a slice for himself.
"So how was your day Luke?"
"It was pretty good. It was nice to see Whitey again and talk about old times. I couldn't sell my mom's café, but it's not really a big deal…Oh and I went to see Haley."
"How was your day with Lily?"
"It was pretty great. I could get used to spending a lot of time with her."
"I think Lily could get used to it as well," Lucas pointed out. Lily had fallen asleep nestled securely against Peyton's chest.
"I'll go put her down for a nap."
When Peyton came back Lucas took the opportunity to talk about what happened that morning. "Peyton I'm sorry for snapping at you about the rent check."
"Don't be. I'm starting to realize that you don't really want my help, and I can't force you to take it."
"That's not it Peyton. I just don't feel right accepting money from my friends. Especially you. Lily and I are fine financially and I want you to save your money if you're going to school this summer."
"Speaking of…. I already enrolled in a couple summer classes at UNCW. I start in a week."
"That's great Peyton. What kind of classes are they?"
"One of them is an intermediate art class and the other one is an art history class."
"You'll do great."
They spent the rest of the day talking and laughing until they fell asleep side by side, slightly closer in proximity to each other than they were the night before.
