"Why did we agree to watch six little kids again?" Jamie laughed as we flopped onto the couch after the fifty-millionth game of high and seek.

"Because we're awesome," I laughed. "Seriously, I forgot how much energy these kids had when they're all together." I glanced down at the playpen where Mikey and Keith were playing. The two toddlers loved each other's company.

"At least Sawyer managed to get Lydia, Jude and Davis calmed down," Jamie laughed. "How are you? I missed you in English today."

"You mean aside from tired and sore?" I laughed. "I'm okay, what about you? I feel like I haven't seen you in forever."

"I know. This summer was crazy. Mom has a new record coming out soon," he said brightly. I smiled, already aware of the album. Peyton was producing it, after all.

"I know, I can't wait to hear it," I nodded. "Are you going out for basketball this year?" I asked even though I already knew the answer.

"Uh-huh. Do you really have to ask?" he laughed. "Going out for Track still?"

"Maybe," I said softly. "I don't know. I ran today, and it's not as easy as I hoped, you know?"

"Hey, look at me, Lily, you can do anything you set your mind to, never forget that, okay?" he said softly, placing his hand on my shoulder. "You're a Scott, and Scotts don't give up."

"Thanks Jamie," I said sincerely. Like I said, Jamie always knew how to cheer me up.

"So, what time did Brooke say she was getting the twins?" he laughed.

"Eventually," I chuckled. "I think she needed a break. Peyton promised to send Luke over as soon as the show was over though, so we won't be stuck trying to get everyone to sleep."

"Thank god," he sighed with relief. "I can't imagine trying to get four kids to bed on time!"

"It's not as hard as you think," I said, motioning for him to follow me. I led the way upstairs, where we found all four of the kids sprawled out on my bed, fast asleep. "See?"

"If only they were always this easy!" he laughed. "What are they doing in here anyway?"

"Sawyer sometimes comes in here to think. Since Luke put in the window seat that overlooked the yard, she's had a thing for my room ever since," I explained. "I don't mind, really. Seeing how it used to be Peyton's art studio, it's the least I could do."

"Speaking of that," Jamie said, shifting awkwardly. "Can I ask you something without you getting mad?"

"Of course, Jamie," I nodded.

"What's it like? Not having your mom around anymore?" he asked softly. I looked at the floor, not entirely sure how to answer. I motioned for him to follow me, and soon we found ourselves in the room Lucas and Peyton shared.

I pulled the old photo album out of the closet, along with the little journal that was left behind by my mother.

"When my mom died, Lucas and Peyton went back to the house in Florida and picked these up for me," I explained. "Andy sent the rest of mom's photos and stuff up the next month," I went on. I pulled the old guitar case out of the closet, flipping the clasps open before taking a deep breath. I used to look at the old photos on a daily basis, but it'd been months. I pushed the lid open, showing the hundreds of photographs, ranging from the time Lucas was a little kid, right up to the year of my mother's death.

"Wow," Jamie said, pulling out the piles of photos carefully. "Your mom had a picture from everything, didn't she?"

"She loved scrapbooking," I smiled. "She'd spend hours putting pictures in just the right places." I pulled out the blue and black scrapbook with a big 'R' on it. "These are from when Nathan and Lucas were in high school," I smiled. I opened the book, showing him the countless photos from the games, from prom, from graduation.

"Can you believe we're Ravens now?" Jamie said, a smile crossing his face. I smiled back at him, as excited as he was.

"Well, you are," I said slyly. "I'm still just a normal Tree Hill student."

"You're anything but normal," Jamie joked, earning him a playful swat.

"It's sad though," I sighed, leaning back on my brother's bed. "I wish my dad was here to see us now."

"You can borrow mine," Jamie offered kindly. I threw a look at him before laughing whole heartedly.

"You know, it's still crazy to think my brother is the same age as your dad," I laughed. "It's like some twisted little world we live in."

"I know," Jamie agreed, lying down beside me. "You know, Lydia adores you."

"I know. Sawyer does too. I think I get the best aunt in the world award this year," I laughed.

"Yeah, you do," he laughed. "Do you ever think of having kids?"

"Jesus, Jamie, I'm only 15," I laughed.

"I know, but do you?" he asked, his tone serious.

"One day, I hope to," I admitted. "What about you?"

"I haven't even had a girlfriend yet," he laughed. "But yeah. Someday. Do you think we'll be as good of parents as our own?"

I didn't respond right away. I was watching the fan do it's rotations on the ceiling, pondering my best friend's words.

"One day, I hope to be half the woman my mother was," I said sadly. I rolled over onto my stomach, looking Jamie in the eye.

"You know, I can barely remember what her voice sounded like?" I said, tears welling in my eyes.

"Hey, no crying," he said softly, wiping the tears from my eyes. "Lily Roe Scott is too pretty to cry," he said softly.

"Thanks, Jamie," I whispered.

"Don't mention it," he said with a smile. "C'mon, Luke should be home any minute."

Together, after checking in on the sleeping children, we filed downstairs, thrilled to find Mikey and Keith fast asleep in the playpen, seeing how we'd forgotten about them while we were upstairs.

"It's a good thing those two are good kids," Jamie chuckled, scooping his baby brother into his arms.

"Right?" I laughed, picking Keith up. "You know, I look at this little boy and see my dad in him in so many ways," I sighed, rocking the toddler in my arms.

"Really?" Jamie asked, his eyes shining in the dim light.

"Yeah. He's going to be an amazing young man someday," I smiled down at my nephew. "As good as the man he was named after."

We settled in on the couch, the toddlers spread across our laps as we turned on a movie and waited for the adults to return. It wasn't until well after midnight that I heard the familiar roar of the comet pulling into the drive way. Jamie had fallen asleep next to me, Mikey slumped over on his chest. Keith was fast asleep in my arms, his tiny hands gripping at the front of my shirt. I stood up carefully, my body aching from the long day I'd just had. For once, I was grateful it was the weekend, just because it meant I could sleep in. Unless Peyton forced me to go down to Tric and help her sort through the mountain of unplayed records she'd yet to listen to.

I tried not to limp as I opened the door for Peyton, who had her arms full of bags. I didn't question her as she hurried into the kitchen. Lucas gave me a knowing look before glancing at the couch.

"Why are you still up?" he asked me, giving me a sideways smile.

"Because I kind of let the kids take my bed," I laughed. "And Jamie's got the couch. So I figured I'd wait till everyone got back before blowing up the air mattresses."

"Planning a sleep over?" he teased.

"Why not? We haven't had one since before…." I cut myself off. "Was Blake at Tric?"

"He's on his way over with Mel now," he nodded. "I suppose it's okay if everyone crashes here," he added. "We'll let Nathan and Haley take the far bedroom and Brooke and Julian can have the spare room," he suggested.

"And I'll pull out the fold away and the air mattresses," I nodded. "Jamie and Mikey are kind of comfy on the couch," I motioned over to the pair. "But you know how Mikey is. I'll bring out the old fold away crib."

"Sounds like you've got this all figured out," he laughed.

"I need to be around family right now," I said truthfully. "Besides, you know how Haley and Brooke are on Saturday mornings. Big breakfasts and lounging around till noon."

"Good point," he nodded. "Want me to take Keith for a while? You look exhausted."

"Naw, I've got him," I said, pulling the child closer to my chest. "Besides, you remember what the doctor said. I need to get back into lifting a little extra weight if I want to be able to run the 1600metre this year," I reminded him.

"And if you can't, that's not the end of the world either," he said softly.

"Coming from the man that refused to give up basketball just because of a heart condition," I scoffed. "I'm going to try, Lucas, even if it kills me."

He nodded knowingly and left me to set up for the night ahead. Once the fold away crib was set up, I finally let Keith go to sleep in his own bed before moving Mikey into the crib, smiling as the little boy reached for me in his sleep.

"Sleep tight, monkey man," I chuckled, kissing his tiny hand. He cooed in his sleep before lulling back into a deep, blissful slumber. I smiled as I carefully walked up the stairs, leaning heavily on the railing.

"You okay, Lil?" Blake's voice chimed. I turned back to see him standing at the base of the stairs.

"Yeah," I nodded, though my tone gave him enough to know that I wasn't.

"How bad does it hurt tonight?" he asked, hurrying up the stairs to wrap his arm around my waist.

"If I lie and say it doesn't hurt at all, would you believe me?" I teased.

"Not for a second," he said, his tone serious. "Really, Lily, how bad does it hurt?"

"Eight," I said, forcing myself to reach the top of the stairs. "Would you hate me if I took off my…you know…" I looked at him with pleading eyes. It was rare for me to take off my prosthetic when other people were around, especially Blake, but that night, I leg hurt way too much. I knew the second I was up on crutches, the pain would reside enough to finish the night.

"Lily, how many times do I have to tell you, that I love you for you, not your leg," he said softly. He planted a kiss on my forehead before leading me into the bathroom. I flipped on the light and nodded to the linen closet across the hall.

"I need the other ones tonight," I explained. I had three sets of crutches. One in my bedroom, one in the linen closet and one in Lucas's car. My forearm crutches were only ever used when I needed to give my legs and back a break. I'd used them all the time in the early months but had since stopped, only to bring them out when I really needed them.

"Maybe you shouldn't have been carrying Keith around so much," Blake said. Normally, a statement like that would have annoyed me, but that night was different.

"It's from running," I sighed sadly. "The doctor said it'd hurt."

"I know," he said, returning with the crutches. "Do you want me to turn away or leave or…?"

"Stay," I whispered. "Please."

He nodded and leaned against the wall as I unbuttoned my pants. I wasn't afraid of my brother finding out – he knew Blake and I weren't your typical couple. I pulled my jeans off, revealing the hard, plastic leg. I took a deep breath. Blake had only seen the fake leg a number of times. With the exception to the one I wore when I wore skirts or shorts. This leg, this ugly, horrible leg, wasn't the one I wanted him to see. I struggled with the strap, my hands shaking as I tried to loosen the nylon.

"Can I…?" he said carefully. I looked up at him, my heart racing in my chest. I nodded once and allowed him to unstrap my leg, carefully moving it away from my stump. As soon as the leg was off, I quickly pulled my sweatpants off the back of the toilet seat and pulled them on, tying the right leg up so it wouldn't drag. I reached for the crutches, securing them to my forearms before allowing Blake to help me to my feet. Or foot, I guess.

"Better?" he asked as I leaned on the crutches, rolling my shoulders to get used to the shift of my weight.

"Yeah," I nodded. "You could say that."

He nodded and helped me down the stairs, but first, we stopped to check on the kids. They were sprawled across my bed, their little bodies tangled around one another's. It brought a sad smile to my face as I watched them sleep.

"Someday," Blake said softly, leaning so he was right in my ear. "We'll be watching our kids sleep like this."

I smiled up at him, kissing him softly before turning to head down the hall.

"Hopefully," I whispered to myself. "Hopefully it works out like that."