Three weeks. It had been three weeks since that fateful day when the love of her life was taken from her. Autumn Scott had never felt emptier in her life than she did right now. She didn't let anyone see it though, well not since her breakdown in the hospital room when she cried her heart out in her mother's arms. Autumn hid herself away in her room, she would be out into all hours of the night, partying, drinking, and trying to make the pain go away. Although her parents didn't know of her new drinking habit, they were noticing a drastic change in their daughter. Grades slipped, rules broken, attitude changes, yes, she was grieving, but Lucas and Peyton did not know what to do anymore, they didn't want anything to get anymore out of hand then they already were.

--x--

"Autumn, come on, it's time to get up and ready for school." Lucas' voice bellowed from the other side of her bedroom door as he knocked on it gently. Autumn groaned, she definitely should not have drunk as much as she did last night. But who was she kidding, it helped her for a while, it made her forget about Adam. Adam. The mere thought of his name made her heart break all over again, and a tear streamed down her face. Rolling out of bed, she grumpily headed off into her bathroom for a quick shower before she had to make her way to school.

--x- -

Meanwhile, downstairs in the kitchen Lucas was making coffee for him and his wife, Ella was happily coloring in her Dora the Explorer coloring book, while Noah was enjoying smushing his fingers in his banana chunks. "Morning, munchkins." Peyton contently said as she kissed the top of Ella's head, as well as Noah's. "Mornin' Mommy!" Ella Scott giddily chirped. "Look at my page Momma! Errythin is in the lines!" Ella pointed at her page. "Wow very good job baby, now hurry up and eat your breakfast before we leave and I take you to school." Peyton said as she made her way across the kitchen to her husband. "Morning, Blondie." Lucas spoke as he wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and kissed her. "Morning." Peyton smiled. Lucas handed Peyton the coffee he so generously made her and watched her close her eyes as she swallowed with a smile of content on her face. God, he loved that smile. "Hey where's Autumn, she not up yet?" Peyton asked as she turned to her husband. "She should be down any minute; the shower was running not to long ago." Lucas told his wife just as Autumn made an appearance into the kitchen.

"Speak of the devil." Lucas joked with his wife. "Okay, bye." Autumn spoke as she finished tying up her Chuck Taylors. "Hey wait, I can drive you." Peyton spoke up just as her daughter was about to walk out the front door. "I'd rather walk thanks." Autumn said as she pulled the door shut behind her.

Peyton and Luke shared a glance with each other after the front door had been shut. "Wow, somebody's the Grinch this morning!" Ella chirped from her seat as Noah giggled. "Okay munchkin, go clean up before we leave, and take Noah with you sweet pea." Peyton said as she helped her two youngest out of their chairs. Lucas and Peyton watched as their babies held hands and rounded the corner into the bathroom to clean up their breakfast faces.

"Luke we need to have a talk with Autumn tonight." Peyton said as she looked up to her husband. "I mean, yes she is grieving and acting out in her own way, and it's normal of course it is, but she keeps coming in at early hours of the morning breaking her curfew, she's failing two of her classes, and I hate seeing her this upset and I just, I want to make sure everything is going to be okay with her, I don't want her to end up like me and-

"Peyt." Lucas spoke as he brought his wife into his chest, arms wrapped tightly around her. "She's going to make it through this, she's going to be okay, and I will make sure of it. She's strong like her Mom, who I love dearly, and what do you mean by 'end up like me?' Baby you are the strongest person I know, you are so loving, and so caring, and I wish I could be as strong as you." Lucas calmly explained to her as he looked down deep into her eyes.

Peyton smiled tearfully, and gave him a kiss. "You always know what to say, and thank you, I love you too, so much." Peyton said as she brought him back down for another kiss, one with more passion and ardor.

"Ewwwwwa." Ella yelled as she covered her eyes with both hands at the sight of her parents kissing each other in the kitchen. They sprang apart chuckling at the sight of their children, Ella and her dramatics. They laughed once again as they also saw Noah look at Ella and mimic her actions and putting his hands to cover his eyes.

"Daddy, you should really stop kissing Mommy, cooties are gross." Ella explained seriously with her hands on her hips, Noah still standing with his hands covering his face, his eyes peeking through the gaps between his fingers. Peyton just let out a laugh, which Lucas loved. "I will never stop kissing your Mommy baby." Lucas smiled as he looked at Peyton, who was smiling in return, and they shared a quick peck on the lips.

"Paywents these days." Ella said as she shook her head and put on her knapsack. "Okay, let's hit the road." Peyton said as Ella and Noah toddled out the front door.

"Love you!" Lucas called out after them as Peyton turned around and winked at him before she shut the door. He heard a course of "love you's" from the other side of the door.

He was glad he could still put a smile on his families face. He always wanted to make things better for them, he just wished he could do the same for Autumn.

Hey guys. Sorry for the lack of updates lately, its just been really hectic around here with school ending & such .

R & R :)