My Fairytale Ending

Chapter 4 Father/Children Relationships

As parents we try to do the best by our children, but sometimes we fall short.

Riley Scott was busy studying for her next calculus test. She had been working extra hard and with the help of David she was hoping to at least get a C on the test. She knew that she was a much better student than a C, but calculus didn't come easy to her like most things.

She heard a knock at the door. She ran to get it because Darcy was napping, and she didn't want to wake her. "Preston," she wasn't too happy to see him. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here to take Darcy to the park."

"No," she was not letting him take her anywhere.

"What?" He was confused. "I always take her to the park on the weekends."

"I can't let you take my daughter anywhere."

"Why the hell not?" He was pissed. He loved spending time with Darcy.

"Keep your voice down," she pushed him outside. "My daughter is trying to sleep."

"I don't understand why I can't see my niece. She loves me."

"Yeah she does, and that is exactly why you can't see her. My daughter looks up to you, but you aren't a very good role model to look up too right now. I don't want her treating me the way that you are treating mom and dad right now, and one day I don't want her asking me if she can drop out of school because you did." She yelled at him.

"So I can't see my niece?"

"Not until you change your act. I'm sorry."

"I can't believe you." He was disgusted with her. "My life is my problem."

"Then keep your problem, but I'm not going to let you influence my very impressionable daughter."

"Whatever," he started to walk off, but she grabbed his shirt.

"I'm here to help you. I love you Preston, but I don't know who you are anymore."

He shook his head, "I don't know who I am anymore either. I lost the person I used to be the moment Julie walked out of my life."

"You're the one that set that into motion Preston."

He sat down on the bench that was on the porch and put his face into his hands. "I thought I was doing the right thing. It was what she needed, but now she's back."

"She's back. She hasn't stopped by."

"Yeah I saw her yesterday. She looked amazing, and I look like shit."

"That's your fault. I think you should move back home."

He shook his head, "I can't. I'm gonna prove to you guys that I can do this." He looks at his watch. "I guess I should go since you aren't going to let me see my niece."

"Turn your life around and you can be apart of her life again. I miss the old Preston. You were the one that always kept me grounded when we were younger, and I still need you to do that now."

Preston didn't say anything.

"And as for Julie maybe you should finally tell her the truth."

Preston didn't know. Too much time had passed, and she might not believe him anyway.

…………………………………………………………………………………………….

Peyton found herself at school on Saturday. She had decided to decorate her classroom with different quotes from different authors and poets. Saturday was the only day that she could find time to do it.

She figured she would be the only one there, but she was wrong. Julian was working on Saturday too.

"Peyton Scott," he smiled as he stepped into her classroom.

"Julian Baker," she wasn't very fond of him. He was way too flirty for his own good. "What are you doing here on a Saturday?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing."

"I'm decorating the classroom. Today was the only day that I had time."

"Where's your husband?"

"He's at home. That really isn't any of your business."

"Sorry," he smiled and walked over to where she was. "I was just trying to make small talk."

"Well you can stop."

"You don't like me do you?"

"Not really," she tried to ignore him.

"Here let me help," he grabbed one of the decorations. "I really don't mind."

She pointed to the wall giving him permission to help without actually talking to him.

"You know I think you do like me, and that is why you don't like me."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She was confused by his comments.

"You like me and that scares you because you are married."

"I am in love with my husband, and someone like you could never make me stray."

Before she knew it he pulled her into a kiss. It was a simple kiss that meant nothing to her. Once they broke apart she slapped him as hard as she possibly good. "Get the hell out of my classroom," she yelled at him.

"Did you feel anything?"

"No," she yelled again.

"Well at least you know that you love your husband because if you didn't feel anything when you kissed me then you have to love him."

She went to hit him again, but he backed out. "Okay, okay fine I'm leaving. I really wish you weren't married because we could have a lot of fun."

She could not believe that ass had kissed her. It didn't mean anything so maybe she wouldn't have to tell Lucas. There was no need to upset him over nothing.

……………………………………………………………………………………

Riley was still studying. Darcy had finally gotten up from her nap, and Brooke had come over to take her shopping. Brooke loved spoiling her rotten. Riley didn't mind most of the time.

"Riley," Lucas walked into the living room.

"Oh hey dad, I'm just trying to get some studying in."

"Do you have time to talk?"

"Yeah, what's on your mind? Oh wait where's Sawyer?"

"He's with Dan." Lucas sat down on the couch. She was sitting on the floor with her books laid out in front of her and beside her.

"Oh okay. You know I'm so glad that you guys made up."

"Yeah me too," he never thought he and Dan would ever have relationship again. "So how's the studying coming?"

"I hate calculus, but I have a great tutor." Thinking about David did make her smile. He was a great guy.

"Yeah I heard about him."

"How….Oh wait Peyton told you."

"She said that he asked you out on a date, and you said no."

"She is too nosy for her own good."

"Why did you say no?"

"Dad," she was so tired of everyone getting in her business. "I said no because I am way too busy for dating. It just doesn't fit into my life right now."

"That's bull and you know it. Riley you have got to stop hiding your heart."

"Dad," she really didn't want to talk about her love life to her father.

"You are so lucky to have had a wonderful, beautiful relationship with Owen, but you can't let that keep you from moving on. And you can't use Darcy as an excuse."

"I'm not using Darcy as an excuse."

"Yes you are."

"Okay so maybe I am. But guys don't usually take well to Darcy. I mean I'm a single mom. Guys don't want that kind of baggage."

"Has tutor guy told you that?"

"No… because he doesn't know about Darcy."

"Well you will never know how he feels if you don't give him a chance. And don't think that I'm trying to force you to date this guy because I'm not, but I think you should get out there again or else you are going to regret it. And if you start to regret it on down the line you may start to resent your daughter."

"That will never happen."

"You never know what can happen Riley especially when regrets start to catch up with you."

Riley sighed. She knew that he was right.

"I'm scared."

"Don't be scared Riley. I know it is hard to get back on the horse after you haven't ridden in a while…." He realizes how that sounds and he stops. "Okay so no more analogies."

She laughs, "Most definitely not. I think you might have scarred me for life."

"Sorry," he smiles and hugs his daughter. "Everything is going to be okay. I don't want you to put your life on hold because you think you have too. You have a whole lot of life left to live, and you shouldn't take that for granted."

"I know."

Riley knew that she couldn't continue to hide her heart or hide behind her child. She had to live life no matter how hard it might be.

……………………………………………………………………………………

Later that day Preston was looking at all the bills he was going to have to pay. It sucked, but that was life.

He heard a knock at the door. He wasn't surprised to see his father. "Dad," he motioned for him to come in.

"Wow," Lucas couldn't believe how messy the place was. "This place looks great." He was being sarcastic.

"I know. That's what I thought too." Preston played along. "What are you doing here?"

"I haven't seen you in a while. I was worried about you."

"Well now that you see that I'm fine you can go."

"Not gonna happen. We need to talk, and you know it."

"There is nothing left to say."

"I'm worried about you Preston and so is your mom. I want you to come home."

"I'm a grown man I'm not coming home so I have to abide by your rules. That's not going to happen."

"You wouldn't be in this mess if you actually acted like a man." Lucas snapped back. "You have been acting more like a five year old lately. If you come home we can help you."

"I don't need your help."

"That's your first mistake. You always need help. This world is a messy place. You can't do everything by yourself."

"I can."

"You know your mom is scared that you are going to turn into Jason."

Preston shook his head. He started to speak, but Lucas stopped him.

"You aren't going to turn into Jason because he was a monster, but you have turned into me. I mean you've turned into the person I was before I met your mother, and let me tell you that is not a person you want to be." Lucas was being honest with him. "I was so lucky when I met your mom. She saved me Preston. So please let me save you."

"I don't need saving, and I am nothing like you."

"Yeah you are nothing like me now, but you are the same exact person I used to be son, and it is a pretty lonely place. It is not a place I would wish on anyone."

Preston dropped his head. He knew what he was saying right.

"I made a lot mistakes, but I was able to come back from them. I don't want you to have as many regrets as I have. I want you to be able to say hey I made the right decisions and I was always the man I was supposed to be."

Lucas hugged Preston. "I love you Preston. Adopting you was one of the best decisions that I ever made. I see the path that you are taking, and I see disaster ahead if you don't take a turn in the right direction."

Preston didn't say anything. He didn't want to give him the benefit of the doubt of knowing that he was making an impression on him.

"If you come home things will get better. We won't say one word about anything Preston. We'll get you back into school, give you your phone and your car back."

"And if I don't."

"Then you don't, but that's the decision you have to make. We'll help you if you are willing to help yourself."

Lucas finally left. He hoped that Preston had heard him and that he would come home because they really missed him and were really worried about him.

………………………………………………………………………………….

Monday after Riley's Calculus exam she ran into the tutor center. "David, David…." She didn't see him. She turned around and rammed right into him. She laughed. He helped her once again.

"I think you like falling on the ground so I can pick you up. You like heroes."

Riley froze when he said that. Owen had always been her hero. His remarks threw her off guard, but she found her composure and handed him her Calculus test. "Look at this baby."

"Holy cow, how the mess did that happen?" He was shocked by her grade.

"I had a really amazing tutor. Mrs. Conrad said that she has never in her life seen someone improve as much as I have. I gave you all the credit."

"It was all you Riley. You are a terrific student."

"And you're a terrific teacher. I really couldn't have done this without you." She gave him a hug. "So um I was wondering if you would like to get a cup of coffee with me. You know to celebrate my victorious B." This was her living like everyone had told her to do. She was taking a chance.

He smiled, "I would…."

"Hey David you ready?" A beautiful brunette asked as she entered the tutor center.

"Yeah I'm coming. I'm sorry Riley I already have plans, but maybe another time."

"Yeah," she was highly disappointed.

"Sorry, but great job on your test. I always knew you could do it." He left with the girl.

She couldn't believe that she had taken everyone's advice and come up short. She really thought that he liked her. She had no idea that he was already taken.

…………………………………………………………………………………

Okay so I'm gonna start by saying this was probably my favorite chapter. I hope you guys liked it too. I liked the whole Riley/Lucas and Preston/Lucas. And I left you with a lot of things to think about. The very last part popped into my head while I was writing it. I love when that happens because I love to keep you guys guessing because I hope he leaves you wanting more.

Second I want to make sure you guys are liking this part. Those of you who have reviewed you guys are so amazing, and you are always saying nice things that makes me so happy. I don't want to disappoint you guys. I think that the third part has been my favorite so far. I just want to see if you guys agree.

Third last nights episode was sooooo good. I love Hilarie Burton. She is so awesome. She played pregnant, bored Peyton to a tee. It was great. I laughed so much. (The wig was not so great but who cares as long as I get to see Leyton.)

And last but not least thanks again for all the reviews. You guys really are great motivators. Even when you just say great update. At least you take the time. So thanks again.

Oh yeah and I'm so excited this is my last week of school and I'm out for the summer. Yay! I love college but I love breaks even more.

Okay I'm going to stop so you guys can hit the little button and review :)