Chapter 3: My time is now.

" I thought I told you not to lay a finger on that dish." Peyton accused, narrowing her eyes at her beautiful daughter who gazed back at her with a tint of amusement swimming around in her oceanic orbs that seemed to have completely disposed of the electrifying sting of sadness it had been forced to carry on those three years ago.

"Since when do I listen?" Summer shot back.

"You always listen."

"Well maybe it's time that I start not to then."

"Maybe I'll just have to kill you then. Whadda ya think, Sneaky?" Peyton growled playfully, snapping her eyes towards her daughter who had been listening in on the conversation with interest, positioned securely in her booster chair.

Sawyer's waves of curly ringlets bounced upwards and back down as she responded with a cute toothy grin, giggling as she clapped her hands in excitement, happy to be included in the mother-daughter playful argument panning out in front of her beautiful green eyes.

"Traitor." Summer scowled, although there was a soft smile on her face and Sawyer could only giggle in response.

"Don't blame the kid. She's just doing her job. One that you seem to do succesfuly every single day just by being yourself." Peyton pointed out, wiping her filthy hands onto the napkin filled with horizantal and vertical lines before bending down to Summmer's height. " I'm proud of you, birthday girl."

"I haven't done much.." Summer blushed, not able to receive a compliment regarding herself and Peyton fought to laugh at the urge at how much the girl refused to acknowledge the precious qualities she has developed over the years.

"Oh but you have and you know it." Peyton argued sternly, making the red tint on Summer's cheek to grow. " I couldn't think of anyone that's managed to capture my heart and inspire it as much as you have."

"Not even Hilarie Burton?"

"Well the girl does have great legs!" Peyton jibed, making both of them tumble into laughter, laughing harder as Sawyer who had been off in her own world, secluded herself away from it enough to hear the women around her laughing and decided to join in.

"Happy Birthday, little bug." Peyton said affectionately after their laughter had trailed out, feeling sentiments tug at her heart as she captured her daughter into a tight embrace.

"Thanks mommy." Summer said softly, fluttering her eyes shut as she fell into the embrace. She lived for these special moments with her parents.

Most people her age would tire out of that stage but she, she figured because she hadn't been brought out to linger on parent-daughter moments like these, held on to it for as long as she could.

"Me too." Sawyer exclaimed loudly, her bottom lip jutting out making her adorable little face look if possible, even more adorable and opening her arms out wide to be included into the affectionate embrace.

"I guess that's where I come in." Lucas chimes in, attracting the women in the room to land their eyes on him, as he picked up his daughter with a loud smooch on the cheek before moving on to the duo waiting for him.

His smile largened if possible, having heard the interaction between his three favourite girls and couldn't help but jump into the embrace, ruffling his daughter's blonde waves in the process.

She punched him in the chest and he laughed.

"Mommy, he's making fun of me." Summer pouted.

"I don't think he'll be laughing for long. He's got an appointment with a very familiar suit waiting to be placed on." Peyton hinted, both she and Summer watching as a mortified look spread on to Lucas's face.

"Bozo!" Sawyer screeched, pinching his cheeks affectionately and he hung his head in exasperation and groaned.

"Oh c'mon. You wouldn't want to upset the birthday girl, would you?"

"Yeah, you wouldn't like to see me cry would you, daddy?" Summer added in, coming in to Peyton's rescue as she chimed in a nod.

"That's not fair!" Lucas protested childishly. " You're all ganging up on me."

"All's fair in love and war, Dad."

"Go get dressed, you." He growled, Summer smirked as she backed up slowly, removing herself from the embrace as she prepared herself to use her legs as fast as she could.

"After you, bozo."

Summer's loud giggles could be heard all throughout the house as Lucas chased her out of the kitchen, no longer frustrated with his position but just plain amused at the lengths he could go to make his daughter smile.

Peyton laughed as she scooped up Sawyer who was looking out the kitchen door with interest before pressing her lips to the tangled mess of curly ringlets that she knew had been inherited from her.

She was glad that her husband was enjoying himself for the moment, coversing in childish acts with the birthday girl because he certainly wouldn't be all smiles and energetic in the next few hours.

Lucas Scott loved kids, loved his family and looked forward to this event every year but when it came to transforming himself into Bozo the kicking clown and handling a dozen kids trying to harm him all at the same time, well… that's when they suddenly weren't his favorite anymore.

----

"You think they'll show up, Grandma?" Summer asked, her beautiful mixture of blue eyes looking straight out the door, as she grew uncomfortable at the thought of having her parents go through all the trouble of planning and organizing this enormous celebration, only to result in slapping her and them in the face.

"If you keep up that atitude then no and I will personally make sure they stay locked in the outdoors."

"Grandma!" Summer drawled, after seeing the joking look that had spread out on her grandmother's face before frowning. " That's not funny."

"Neither is that frown you're holding, my dear." Karen shot back, gathering the girl into her lap who curled into her with ease. " A birthday girl as beautiful as you shouldn't be worrying her pretty head off so much, you know." She added in matter of factly.

"It's your fault." Summer pouted, making Karen laugh.

This was the reason why she never once held an ounce of regret for that positive decision she had made to move back home.

Sure, traveling was thrilling and it always gave her a rush to experience the new cultures that she'd be faced off with and seeing the sights of some of the world's beauty that most people didn't even get the chance to see was overwhelming for her but it was nice to just come back home.

To Tree Hill.

She'd missed a lot being in different countries every week, and so did Lilly and once in a while, she'd get tired of not staying in the same place whenever she got accustomed to it.

Besides, this moment right here, she figured, was what made a big portion of her decision be all that much greater.

She could've missed out on being a grandmother.

Not just to this remarkable girl in her arms but to the other remarkable child running around somewhere.

Moving back home was the best decision she's ever made in a while.

"Is it my fault that I'm trying to entertain my grandbaby?"

"No. It's your fault that you didn't bring Lilly with you aswell." Summer argued. Lilly had chosen to stick with Andy at Jamie's house, obviously having an alterior motive to conjure something up with Jamie regarding her birthday leaving Summer to anticipate what the duo could possibly come up with and her reaction towards it.

She hated being out of the loop.

"Well then, maybe seeing me might help that frown turn upside down." A new voice spoke, attracting attention towards them and Karen felt a smile touch her lips as she took in the man standing in front of her.

"Grandpa!" Summer yelled, scrambling off Karen's lap as she leapt into her grandfather's arms.

Larry, who had stumbled backwards a bit at the sudden weight in his arms, affectionately brought out a hand to affectionately caress his grandaughter's cheek. " Happy Birthday, Sum bug."

Summer pulled back, eyes swimming with mirth. " You came!"

Larry felt his smile grow at the look on her face. He flew down to meet her on her first official birthday party when she had turned five and the child had taken a great liking to him, fascinated with him and his involvement with boats and the outdoors and what he did for a living.

He hadn't been able to make it down last year, but it was clear he was welcomed with a positive attitude with his sudden decision to make it for this one.

" I couldn't miss out on my granddaughter's birthday this time around." He spoke.

"Well you didn't and you're early!" She commented happily, her expression softening as she rested her little head on her grandfather's broad shoulders. " I'm glad you're here grandpa. I missed you."

"I missed you too, birthday girl. I couldn't miss this night for the world." He said, just as softly, his eyes looking down at his grandaughter with a look of love and adoration that he had only been familiar using with Anna and Peyton.

"Well it's a good thing you didn't. I have a feeling it's going to be great this time around." Karen chimed in, presenting herself into the conversation and Larry smiled as he set sights on the woman that had birthed the son that has managed to change his daughter for the greater good.

"Karen Roe. Still as lovely as ever, I see."

"I have to if I want to keep up with that one over there." She kidded back, making Summer blush at her words before welcoming the arm that included her into the hug.

"I think you're overdoing it just a little, grandma." Summer stated, making both Larry and Karen laugh. "C'mon, Grandma. Let's show Grandpa what he's been missing!" She insisted, both grandparents sharing a look before following the girl's orders.

Larry Sawyer couldn't contain the sentiments in him as his grand-daughter conversed animatedly with him, telling him all her desires and her accomplishments.

He couldn't contain them when he met Sawyer for the first time since that one day 18 months ago where he dropped everything to be fly out to Tree Hill and be there for the event and couldn't contain it when he saw how happy his daughter and her husband looked.

His daughter, Peyton Sawyer ( Scott, now.) had made quite a living for herself.

He found himself thinking…. Maybe it was time to come home.

---

"Nice job there, P-Scott . I don't know how you pulled it off, but this party is really living up to it's standards." Brooke rasped, slipping on to the chair next to her best friend, her voice drowning out the sound of kids giggling around her.

Peyton allowed herself to locate her daughter amist the throng of people surrounding her taking the chance to smile at her appearance. Her waves were curled to perfection, tumbling down her shoulders and meeting at the small of her back.

Her eyes were bright and sparkling as she ran around the backyard, and her dress, a strapped cream colored dress styled with a designers touch, swayed back and forth as it fell to her thighs, a bright white bow at the waist adding spunk to the whole outfit, topping it all of with cream flats.

She looked so happy.

"I had some help." Peyton shrugged dismissively. "I'm still in shock of how popular she's gotten. I think it was safer when she was quiet and reserved."

"That's what you get when you loosen up, Peyton. You should try it some time."

"Ha ha." Peyton retorted dryly, Brooke sending her a toothy dimpled grin. " Hilarious."

"Pretty hilarious. "

"We'll see who's laughing when it's your turn to plan a birthday party." Peyton shot back with a knowing glance.

Brooke abruptly halted her laughter, narrowing her eyes. " That was a low blow, P." She pouted.

Just 15 months ago, after she and Skills had finally tied the knot and gotten married after two years, she had given birth to a screaming, red face appearance of perfection ( a girl, which she and Peyton had been glad about.)

Ava Peyton Taylor had grown up to look a perfect mixture of her and her father. She had light skin that was accompanied by long flowing hair which also was a perfect mix between both Brooke and Skills.

She had chocolate brown eyes that always held a certain twinkle in them and Brooke's appearance but inherited Skill's sense of adventure. She was always on her toes, jumping from one place to another and was often at times named as her father's shadow from the amount of time she took in following him around.

The only thing that she had inherited from her mother ( aside her appearance) is her love of chatter, which had started awfully early, her love of attention, her toothy dimpled grin and her dislike for basketball.

Brooke was convinced her daughter would follow into her footsteps and change the world by becoming a cheerleader, possibly class president and marvel the world by becoming a fashion designer.

Peyton grimaced, laughing at the look on her best friend's face as she flashed back in time at Ava's first birthday party and how stressed out her best friend had been.

"Shut up, Peyton. It's not funny." Brooke hissed, her eyes blazing with anger.

"Pretty funny." Peyton mocked. " I had a great time watching you turn into mom-zilla."

"It's not all fun and games, you know? Atleast your daughters are happy to please." Brooke responded. 16 months old and Ava had already possessed the nature of charming others to get what she wanted with her looks. She was like her mother in that department.

"I warned you, didn't I?" She teased. "About being a mom?"

"Oh shut up you, bitch." Brooke said, making her friend escape into breathless laughter. " It was worth it."

"It is worth it, isn't it? Seeing that smile on their face?"

Brooke nodded, grinning as she looked out at her own daughter who was playing with Sawyer before following her best friends eyes which were once again, focused on her daughter.

"Something like that." Brooke smirked. "You'd know a few things or two on that wouldn't you, considering you keep staring at your daughter. Might wanna stop P. , it's getting a little creepy and we've already dealt with enough stalkers than necessary."

"Funny." Peyton said plainly, punching Brooke in the shoulder who in return, grinned.

"I've been told but thanks for reminding me." She rasped with a shoulder shrug making Peyton laugh. "We've done good, haven't we Scott. E.P?"

Peyton nodded with assurance. " Surprisingly, yeah.,Taylor P.B. A major stretch from being the girl who used to cut her Barbie's head off and scowl at the other girl flirting with her mom's guest."

"He was hot!"

"You were 14 and he was like, 25!"

"He was much younger."

"Past eighteen, Brooke." Peyton tossed back, rolling her eyes.

Brooke shrugged. " I needed an excuse to piss of Victoria and he just happened to be willing to do the job."

"I'll bet." Peyton murmured sarcastically, Brooke shoving her shoulder forcefully to dismiss the subject.

"Well it's a good thing I changed just a bit, haven't I?"

Peyton nodded. " Aside the craziness of it all, past, present, future. I love you just the way you are, Brooke. I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to tease and insult you for the rest of my life for anything."

"As long as I get to slap you in the face for every whiny depressing thing that shoots out of your mouth, then I'm good." Brooke joked, making Peyton laugh. " I love you too, P-Scott ."

The best friends smiled at each other, curling up in each other's arms before melting into the sight that was spread around them.

That specific moment in time was also the precise moment where water started to splash around the whole place.

----

Dan Scott's shadow lingered over the habitat in front of him as he prepared himself for the events to come. He'd gotten a heart transplant, survived another good three years and has managed to stay clear of any obstacles that might steer him back to isolation and despair.

He wiped a hand over his suit, his knucles rapping against the door as he waited upon entrance and straightened as the door opened.

And with that, he smiled.

Dan Scott was crashing his granddaughter's birthday party.

----

Woo! Well okay, I know I'm not the most constant writer. For some reasons, I always manage to get these out in long periods of time away from each other but I apologize for that. There is no excuse, I simply got busy with the productive life away from fan fiction and while I've had this written for a while now, I just couldn't post it up.

As for the reviews, thank you so much. I love checking my inbox only to see it flowing with reviews that are so positive and kind. It even turns one of my darkest days into a transformation of mirthful and I cannot thank you enough for that. Your reviews are like my drug, I can't get enough of them, I'm addicted and I will work hard to make sure that I continue to please you whichever way best I can.

So this is just the first part of Summer's birthday party, I know it's not much yet but there's more to come and you get to see everyone's reaction on Dan coming to the party soon enough. Anyone want to guess how they will react?

Anywho, Halloween is tomorrow so for all of you fan fiction readers and reviewers who are celebrating this festive event. Happy Halloween, I do not celebrate it but I wish that you all have a good one and that you have the pleasure of eating as many treats as you desire.

Thanks for reading, and if you would feed to my good day today and review that would be great!

Love, Aundrea.

(Ps. Virtual cookies will be sent to every single person who reviews, lol.)