'Rise and shine girlfriend' Brooke grinned, scrambling into Peyton's bed.

'Urgh. Is it morning already?'

'Uhuh'

Peyton grumbled.

'Mark rang a while ago, he got back early this morning. He said he was having dinner at his parents and that you should go' Brooke informed her cheerily.

Peyton pouted. 'Great, an afternoon of being ridiculed'

'Are they really that bad?'

'They hate me'

'They do not'

'Yes they dooo' Peyton argued. 'I've been with Mark for over two years now and am yet to be married to their precious son and I haven't given them any adorable grandchildren to dote on'

Brooke laughed. 'Well maybe they won't have to wait much longer'

'I'm not having kids' Peyton retorted seriously. 'Not yet anyway'

'I wasn't talking about you.' Even though she said it gently it still felt like a slap in the face to Peyton. She swallowed thickly, averting her eyes to the ceiling, involuntarily imagining the possible children of Lucas and Lindsey.

'Hey you' Mark greeted as he pulled open his parents front door. Peyton jumped into his arms.

'Hi yourself' She mumbled before urgently pressing her lips to his. He'd only been gone a couple of days and she was feeling quite ashamed of her sudden neediness for him to always be in the same time zone as her.

'Hm, if this is the welcome home I get, I might start going away more often' Mark chuckled, gently setting her back on the ground. She pouted.

'No don't do that, I've missed you' She smiled, linking her hands around his neck and leaning in for another kiss. An interrupting cough from behind them caused her to hastily pull away.

'Jean'

'Peyton' The elderly woman nodded curtly. 'If your both done canoodling in my hallway, everyone is waiting to eat' She gave the anxious blonde a look of disgust before walking back into the dining room.

'God she hates me. Am I really late?'

'She doesn't hate you darling, that's just mum for you. And you're not late, everyone's only just sat down.'

'Everyone?'

'Oh, Luke and Linds are here with Lily too' He smiled.

'What?' Peyton mumbled lamely, her retort falling on deaf ears as she was pulled into the dining room.

'Hey Peyt' Lindsey greeted.

'Hi.' She smiled. 'Luke' She received a brief nod in response. 'Hi George' She finally trailed her eyes to the man sat impatiently next to his wife.

'Would you two hurry up and sit' He sighed.

'Peyton' Lily grinned from her spot as Peyton walked round the table to sit beside her, holding her hand up and high fiving the youngster as she past, only earning her more disapproving looks from the parentals. The rest of the dinner past in dull conversation, the main focus on how wonderful a couple Lucas and Lindsey were, only further infuriating Peyton's sombre mood and feeling of unworthiness.

'Anyway' Lucas diverted the attention from him for what felt like the hundredth time. His heart went out to Peyton, Lindsey and Mark's parents definitely didn't approve of her relationship with their son, that much was clear and the praise he was getting probably wasn't doing wonders for her ego but then again, she seemed to be keeping Lily entertain which he was grateful for. 'How was your work trip Mark?'

'It was good thanks, that reminds me. I have a surprise for you three' He quirked an eyebrow. 'I've booked a long weekend away, just the four of us- San Diego'

'What:?' Both Peyton and Lucas asked in unison.

'Did I ever tell you I love you?' Lindsey got up from the table, hugging her brother.

'California?'

'The four of us?'

'God a little enthusiasm wouldn't go amiss you two' Lindsey smiled, amused by their anxious faces.

'Sorry, I mean it sounds great' Peyton murmured, although her face said differently.

'Yeah thanks man' Lucas nodded, patting Mark on the back. 'I was just thinking about all the work I've got to do'

'Well most of you have been working really hard, I think you deserve a break' George justified, his eyes narrowing as they focused on Peyton.

'You're right' Lindsey nodded in agreement, not picking up on her father's obvious jab at her curly haired friend, instead her eyes sparkling with excitement. 'We all need a break'

Peyton sighed to herself, this day seemed to be getting progressively worse by the second. First she'd had to endure the meal and now she was helping Lindsey and Jean wash up. She walked back down the hall to go collect the last of the dirty glasses for her boyfriends wicked witch of a mother.

'I'm going to ask Peyton to marry me' Mark blurted.

Peyton's eyes widened and her hand immediately snapped back from the dining room door handle as if it were scolding hot, straining her ears and swallowing thickly. Had she just heard right? Mark was going to propose to her? Apparently, Lucas was just as surprised because there was a lengthy pause before he responded with a flabbergast mumble of 'Wow'

'I've had the ring for a while now- I've just been waiting for the right time, I'm going to do it while we're away'

'You sure you two are ready to make the big step?'

'I've been with her longer than you've been with Linds. She's the one Lucas, I know it' He confirmed confidently.

'Peyton will you come play with me in the garden?' Lily's voice hollered. Peyton stumbled back from the closed door, her heart thumping in her chest, Yes that's just what she needed, she needed to get some air.

'What does your dad think about it?' Lucas questioned nonchalantly.

'He doesn't know' Mark confessed. 'Between you and me, I don't think my mum and dad will be exactly over the moon but this is what I want so they'll just have to accept it and quit being snobs about it...anyway I was thinking, maybe you could be my best man?'

Lucas smiled uneasily, this whole topic had sent his mind in to turmoil and to be honest he felt a little nauseous at the thought of Peyton Sawyer getting married, in his mind he'd only ever seen her being his wife and now here he was discussing being best man at her wedding. 'Why don't you ask her first' He forced a small laugh. 'You're a little sure of yourself, you don't even know if she'll say yes' he teased.

'She'll say yes'

Brooke giggled.

'This is not in the slightest bit funny Brooke Penelope Davis' Peyton snapped. 'Four days with Lucas, Four days'

Brooke continued to laugh at her friends expense.

'Brooke'

'I'm, I'm sorry' The brunette exhaled breathlessly, recovering from her fit.

'I can't go'

'You can't not go'

'He knows I don't exactly like the guy, why'd he organise a trip which involves me having to see him?!' Peyton exclaimed angrily.

'Maybe because he wants you two to get along' Brooke suggested. 'Plus you've got to go, the hotels well pricey'

'Urgh…wait, how do you know what the hotels like?' Peyton's eyes narrowed accusingly.

'Um, it's Mark of course it's going to be nice, he isn't exactly cheap'

'Brooke'

'Ok, ok. Don't kill me but he may of... might have ran the idea past me?' Brooke shrugged.

'What?' Peyton gritted her teeth. 'Brooke what exactly did you say?'

'I might have told him it sounded like a great plan'

'What? Jesus Brooke, what's wrong with you? I thought you were on my side. We hate Luke, remember?'

'Exactly Peyton' Brooke sighed, 'I'm sick of this guy having an influence on everything in your life, even when he's not a part of it. You don't even know you're doing it but Lucas Scott is the root of your every insecurity. Now that he's marrying Lindsey you're going to have to see him from time to time and I'm not going to allow you to let him walk all over you. You're going to go on this long weekend and you're going to show him you've moved on, you understand?' Brooke demanded. Peyton's anger seemed to have evaporated during her best friends speech, she sunk onto the sofa, slightly defeated. 'Sweetie you know I'm right, you've got to do this'

'I can't' She whimpered, throwing her head into her hands.

'He's asking you to go away with him, his sister and her fiancee, he's not freaking proposing P. Sawyer'

Peyton's head darted up, her eyes glazed over with tears. 'But he is Brooke, he is proposing'