Thank you guys so much for the reviews! They mean a lot to me and motivate me to keep writing. So here's chapter 6..hope you like it!

Chapter 6- What Could've Been

Karen left a short while later. Cameron looked after his younger siblings while Lucas took a shower and a much needed nap. He hadn't slept all night and was exhausted, which wasn't good for his HCM condition. Outside, the weather was horrible. The rainstorm that had Brooke stranded in New York had approached Tree Hill. Lucas lay in bed listening to the rain pounding hard on the roof and the furious wind blowing against the window.

A few hours later he went back downstairs to check on the children. Cameron was being a good sport and a major help to his father. He was playing with Landon when Lucas walked in.

"Thanks for taking care of your brothers and sister Cam. Where are Preston and Mercedes?" Lucas looked around.

"Watching TV. Hey when is mom coming home?"

"As soon as she can get a flight back." Lucas replied staring out the window at the rain. "This storm is insane".

The doorbell rang. "Who's out in this crazy weather?" Lucas asked. He opened the door. It was Peyton! She was soaked from head to toe and was breathing heavily.

"Hi Luke, can I come in?"

"Of course. What's wrong? What are you doing outside?"

"I was driving back to the hotel from the store when my car started giving me problems. Now it won't start at all. I'm really tired and boy, is this little one kicking a lot today" Peyton held her stomach and sat on the couch.

"Cam, go get a towel" Lucas instructed. While Cameron did that, Lucas studied Peyton. "Wait, you're not in labor, are you?"

Peyton chuckled. "No. At least, I don't think so. I should call Jake and tell him to come pick me up". She took her phone out but Lucas stopped her.

"There's no point. He's not going to come get you in this rain. Just wait till it lets up a little"

"Okay. I can do that. But he's –"Peyton's phone went off. "Oh, what do you know? It's Jake" She answered the call and began talking. "Hi honey. Yeah, my car broke down! I was by Lucas' home so I came here. No, I'm fine baby, don't worry about me. You can come get me when the storm calms down a little. It's too unsafe right now. Love you too. Bye"

After she hung up, Lucas and Peyton talked about Braydin's condition. Lucas got all emotional again just thinking about him. Peyton put her hand on Lucas shoulder and got close to him. "I'm sorry you're hurting. It's all so uncertain, isn't it? You never know what's going to happen" she whispered leaning over, about to kiss Lucas, but he quickly stood up.

"Peyton. We can't"

"I- I know. I'm sorry. Okay, I'm so embarrassed." Peyton blushed.

"It's fine. Look, you're married, I'm married. My life is going good and Brooke and I have never been happier. I can't mess that up. Not after surviving all the stuff we've been through in our relationship.''

"Of course. I don't know why I did that."

"Just forget it. Can I can get you anything?" Lucas asked nervously.

"No thanks. Just stay here with me."

Lucas sat back down. Suddenly he felt intensely uncomfortable. Peyton and Jake seemed so happy together, so why was Peyton still into him? WAS she really into him? The thought of it made Lucas tremble. Brooke didn't even know of Peyton's company, what would she think if she found out Peyton had tried to kiss Lucas again? That'd be the end of Lucas' marriage and it would completely destroy Brooke. That was not something he wanted for the woman he loved with all his heart.

"Um Peyton, can I ask you a question?"

"Sure."

"Do you still have feelings for me?"

"What? No!"

"Are you sure? Because I feel like you're trying to get something across to me, like you've been hanging on"

"I'm not. I love Jake! And I know you love Brooke, you don't need to tell me again"

"If I wasn't with Brooke, would you dump Jake for me?"

"I – I don't know. I'm having his baby Lucas."

"That doesn't mean anything."

"I missed you while I was away. Everything's just so different now. We're both married to other people and we have families. If things were different, I'd take you back in a minute"

Lucas looked down and it was then that Peyton knew what he was thinking. She sighed in disappointment.

"But you wouldn't take me back in a moment, now would you?"

Lucas shook his head. "I'm sorry; I couldn't do that to Brooke or to Braydin. Even if Brooke and I weren't together, she'd still be the mother of my son and us being together would kill her"

She nodded. "I get it. It's cool, really. I'm here to make things better, not worse. I still hope there's a small space for me in Brooke's heart"

Lucas put his hand over Peyton's hand. "You never know. If we're honest with her about your visit, you guys might be able to fix this. I hope you do, you two were the best entertainment in all of Tree Hill as a team! I miss that"

Peyton smiled. "Thanks Lucas. There's no reason to think of what could've been. Thanks for understanding though. You're a great friend" Peyton appreciated.

'That's right Peyton. A good friend. Not boyfriend or lover or husband' Lucas thought to himself. 'Friend'

Preston and Mercedes came downstairs to find their dad and Peyton sitting close on the couch.

"Hi!" Mercedes greeted.

"Hi sweetie! How are you?" Peyton asked.

"Fine. Do you want to color with us?" Preston offered opening his coloring book.

"Guys, don't bother my guest" Lucas said to his kids.

Peyton laughed. "It's alright. I love coloring. That's how I came to love drawing, after all"

'Daddy you color too" Mercedes said tossing a coloring book and crayon box to her father. The four of them started a coloring contest and were having a good time. It almost looked like they were a family – like Preston and Mercedes were the children of Lucas and Peyton. That was, until the front door slammed shut and an angry Brooke stood in the doorway watching what was going on.

Finally she spoke. "PEYTON SAWYER, get the hell away from my children!"