-1Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
Peyton was trying to wait patiently for Lauren to get home. She was a bundle of nerves as she sat at the table sipping her tea. She hadn't been sleeping well. Her nightmares were coming more frequently now that Lucas was back in Tree Hill. Since Lauren's birth Peyton had occasionally dreamt that Lucas found out about her and pulled a total Nikki, by running off with her. As Lauren had gotten older the dreams changed. Either he took her to court for custody and won and Lauren was terrified of living with a stranger or even worse, she was happy to be away from the mother who had lied to her for her whole life. Peyton shivered at the thought.
Just then Lauren came bounding up the steps shrieking.
"Mom, Mom! I made captain! Well, co-captain actually but still. Oh my gosh I can hardly believe it!" Lauren squealed excitedly.
Peyton's face broke into a big smile. She was ecstatic for Lauren but even happier to see her home and in one piece.
"I want to hear everything." Peyton said smiling as she invited Lauren to sit down with her.
"Well, there were about 10 girls trying out. We taught them the welcome cheer and then they performed with us. There was this one girl, she was so good. She's actually my co-captain, which is weird since she's new, but if only you had seen how good she was." Lauren babbled on enthusiastically.
Peyton's smile faltered slightly when Lauren mentioned a new girl. Nah it couldn't be, Peyton told herself. But she would be Brooke Davis's, well, Brooke Scott's daughter.
"What's her name?" Peyton asked.
"Charity Scott, oh and her mom said that you guys were friends in high school and that you should come by some time." Lauren said brightly, not realizing she had just spoken the words her mother feared most.
Peyton fought to keep her voice steady.
"You spoke to Brooke?" She asked.
"Yeah, I guess, I didn't catch her name. She knew Karen though." Lauren added.
Peyton's eyes widened in disbelief. She was fighting to breathe normally and not hyperventilate. She absolutely couldn't believe that Brooke had seen her daughter and somehow managed to find a connection to Lucas.
"Uh, I'm gonna go out for a little bit. Go ahead and get your homework done. I'll bring something home for dinner." Peyton told Lauren as she bolted out the door. She and Jake had spoken at length about what they would do if this very thing were ever to happen. She had never planned to take him up on it but now she needed to know if he was still willing.
She made the drive quickly. She could get there in her sleep if she had to. She breathed a sigh of relief to see Jake's car in the driveway and Jenny's gone. This was not a conversation she wanted to have in front of his 17 year old daughter.
Peyton parked her car and headed inside. She had never been so nervous about speaking with Jake. That was part of their charm. They could say any and everything to each other.
"Hey Peyton. I didn't know you were coming over today. Where's Lauren?" Jake asked as he held the door open for her.
"We need to talk. Lauren spoke with Brooke today. Their daughter is Lauren's co-captain. Lucas is going to meet her. I can't stop it." Peyton ranted as she paced the floor in Jake's living room.
"I need to know if your offer still stands. And if you've really thought about the repercussions of it. With Jenny and Lauren." Peyton asked her eyes filling with tears. She hated that she had to ask so much of him. Granted, it had been his idea, but that was years ago.
Jake took a deep breathe and reached out to take her hands in his.
He nodded slowly before answering her questions.
"Yes Peyton. If I hadn't meant it, I never would have said it. And again, yes. I have thought about what would happen if we did it. Jenny would probably be ecstatic. Lauren might be upset that she wasn't told sooner but I'm sure she'd come around and you know I love that kid right?" Jake said with a smile.
"There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you or her. This included." Jake finished pulling her to him.
Peyton collapsed into his shoulder, the tears that had been threatening to fall all afternoon finally did. When she could cry no more she wiped her eyes and pulled away to look at him. She knew he'd been wanting to ask her something for quite some time and suddenly none of the reasons she had for saying no mattered.
"Well, since we are going to tell Lauren that you're her father, why don't we make it official. Jake, will you marry me?"