A/N: A lot of you are starting to get annoyed with how passive and understanding Peyton is being with Brooke back. That's okay, as long as you keep reading. But honestly, when in the show has Peyton truly given Brooke a dressing down when she deserved it? When has Peyton not allowed Brooke to walk all over her? I always felt that Peyton bent over backwards for Brooke's friendship- so worried about losing it all the time that she sacrificed things she wanted because of what she thought Brooke wanted( at least until season 4 when the sex tape came out).

As for the accusation Brooke had, Peyton's not upset about it for 2 reasons.

1. She (well, Lucas) had the very same fear about having boys by different mothers that Brooke raised, so it wasn't insulting to her, because it was a valid concern that Brooke didn't know they had already addressed.

2. In a way, Peyton was happy that Brooke showed some concern about Brody, even though it was misplaced. It shows Peyton that somewhere in Brooke is a caring person, and that caring person is concerned about Brody. There is no need for Peyton to be mad about an accusation that isn't true by a person who doesn't know the family, which is what Brooke essentially is.

Also when I write Peyton, her reactions to Brooke are based on my reactions when similar situations have happened to me. I have had a family member disappear for years and then come back; I have 3 godchildren, so I have been accused of favoritism by outsiders, so while u might not like Peyton not blowing up about these things, understand that it is a plausible reaction from a 27 year old adult whose life is too good to let anger get the best of her.

Responses to specific questions next chapter. I have a headache, and this AN was prewritten, so its all I can do to post right now.

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Chapter 6: Bedtime at the Scott's

Friday, July 6th, 7:45 pm

"Einstein, telephone!" Peyton said, calling down the stairs. Brody, who was battling William at Wii Sports bowl, excused himself and picked up the playroom phone. "Hello?"

"Einstein, this is Leo."

"Hey Leo, what's the business?"

"I've got to talk to you about something. Can Rocket take us to the Rivercourt tomorrow morning?"

Brody glanced back at William as he danced around the room in excitement from bowling a strike, doing his best to ignore Brooke, who was watching from the couch. "I think so. It'll be good to get away from the house for a while. Not that I'm complaining, but what's so important it can't wait 'til I come over tomorrow night?"

"Well, it's about your Aunt Brooke."

"I probably should have guessed you were gonna say that." Brody sighed. "Alright, let me go ask Rocket. Hold on."

"Ask me what?" Lucas said, having made his way down the stairs, with Anna in his arms, freshly clad in a babydoll nightgown, leaning against his chest sleepily.

Brooke watched it all, doing her best not to be caught staring, but it was all so strange. This was what she imagined families to be like, what she and Peyton talked about but never personally experienced, what existed before to her only in movies and magazine ads.

"Hey Rocket," Brody said, a quick grin crossing his face at the inside joke. "Can you pick up Leo tomorrow morning after breakfast and take us to the Rivercourt?"

"Sure, Einstein." Lucas said, ruffling Brody's hair.

"Ha ha, Im 'bout to take a shower, it doesn't bother me." Brody said, making a face at Anna, who giggled at her father's antics.

"Of course it does." Lucas said waiting. Sure enough, not even a minute passed before Brody ran his fingers through his hair, smoothing it back into place.

"No fair! Exploiting weakness is not cool, Dad!"

"No, it's not," Lucas agreed, "but it is fun." Lucas said, chuckling. Turning to more serious matters, he changed the subject. "Do I need to pick up Quincy and the girls too?"

"I don't know. Let me ask." Brody picked the phone back up. "Hey Leo."

"Yo!"

"You've been hangin' with Uncles Skills too much, dawg." Brody laughed, causing Jamie to chuckle.

"Whatever, you said, 'What's the business,' first."

"Ok, ok, truce. Rocket said does he need to pick up Quincy and the girls too?" Brody asked

"Good question. Its up to you. This is your adventure." Jamie said after a moment.

"Well, you called for Einstein, so I guess we should gather the crew. Can you call? Tink is ready for bed, so I gotta go." Brody said, glancing back at Anna, who had laid her head on Lucas' shoulder.

"Oh, yeah, okay, sure. Kiss Tink for me."

"Whatever, get your own sister."

"Why, when yours likes me better?"

Lucas cleared his throat behind him. "Truce again. I gotta go. See you tomorrow." Brody said, and after hearing the same, hung up the phone.

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Okay Rocket, it's the entire crew. Leo's calling the troops for me since it's Tink's bedtime." Brody said, answering the unspoken question.

At the word bedtime, Anna began to smile, bouncing in Lucas' arms and clapping her hands.

"Is Leo another one of your friends?" Brooke asked, coming over hesitantly, avoiding Lucas' gaze and directing her question to Brody. At his glance, she hurried to explain. "I couldn't help but overhear; I didn't mean to intrude."

"Don't worry about it," Brody said dismissively. "Leo is Jamie." At Brooke's look of confusion, Brody tried to explain. "Okay its like this. When we were little, maybe a little younger than Scooter, me and Jamie loved to watch the Little Einsteins, which is a tv show for kids, and one day we decided to be them. Since I was already Einstein, Jamie became Leo, the leader. Andre is Quincy, Lily is June, and Jenny is Annie." Brody began to chuckle. "And since Dad would drive us around on all our 'adventures,' he became 'Rocket' the spaceship."

"So when the crew wants to get together, he calls me Rocket." Lucas interjected, causing Brooke eyes to fly up and meet his, stunned he was actually speaking civilly to her.

It was the first piece of information he volunteered since she had been there. Apparently the freeze out was over.

Brooke offered him a tentative smile. "I see. I guess I'll have to watch one of the episodes to understand some more. This sounds like a cool show."

"Yeah," Brody agreed. "its pretty cool. I still watch it with Tink and Scooter, though Im a little old for it. But it still teaches me new things, so maybe Im not too old yet."

"Don't worry. I learn something watching that show." Lucas said. Turning to Brody, he nodded his head towards the door. "Alright. Scooter, turn off the game, and you two head up and meet me in Tink's room."

As Brody and William thundered up the stairs, Brooke began to speak. "Luke…"

Lucas held up a hand. "Truce, Brooke. Everyone deserves the benefit of the doubt. After all, I even gave Dan a second chance to be a dad after 17 years, and you've done no worse than him. So while you're here, I'll do my best to get along with you. Because even though we don't like each other, we both love Peyton, right?"

Brooke smiled tremulously. "Right."

"Right." Lucas said, letting out a deep breath. He began to walk towards the stairs, then turned back around. "We have a family ritual where we all say goodnight to Tink. Would you like to join us?"

Brooke allowed her smile to spread across her face. "I'd love to."

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The room was dark, the only light coming from the Tinkerbell nightlights strategically placed around the room. Peyton was sitting in a large rocker, Brody and William talking quietly to her, leaning on either side of the chair. At the sound of the Lucas entering the room, Peyton stood, her gaze immediately landing on Brooke, who had come up behind him. Peyton smiled widely, before walking over to Lucas and planting a kiss on his lips in thanks. She knew what a concession it was for him to allow Brooke to enter into what was their special time with their children. Turning her attention to Anna, she gently lifted the sleepy child into her arms and cuddled her close.

"Goodnight baby girl." Peyton placed a kiss on Anna's forehead, smiling as Anna wrapped her tiny arms tightly around her neck.

"Mama lo'," Anna said sleepily and Peyton nodded against her blond hair. "That's right, my love, Momma loves you, and I'll see you in the morning."

Peyton squeezed her gently once more before handing her to William, who had taken her place in the rocking chair. Anna patted William's chest as he hugged her to him, his torso almost dwarfed by her tiny frame. Lucas joined Brody on the other side of the chair, as Peyton moved to stand beside Brooke.

Brooke could only stare as William began to sing softly.

"You and I must make a pact,

we must bring salvation back,
where there is love, I'll be there."

Brody reached out and gently gathered Anna in his arms, rocking her as he began to pace and sing.

"I'll reach out my hand to you,

I'll have faith in all you do,
Just call my name and I'll be there."

He passed Anna to Lucas, who took his place pacing and singing, Anna staring up at him, just as she had done with William, then Brody.

"I'll be there to comfort you,
Build my world of dreams around you,

I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength,

I'll keep holding on."

Lucas passed Anna back to William, who kissed her forehead and began rocking again as Anna snuggled up against him and closed her eyes. William began to sing more quietly.

"Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter
togetherness, well that's all I'm after
whenever you need me, I'll be there."

Brody took her out of William's arms for the last time, his voice almost a whisper as he placed his kiss on the little girl's forehead.

"I'll be there to protect you,

with an unselfish love that respects you,
just call my name and I'll be there."

Lucas took Anna out of Brody's arms and held her close, kissing her forehead as he sang softly.

"I'll be there to comfort you,
Build my world of dreams around you,

I'm so glad that I found you
I'll be there with a love that's strong
I'll be your strength,

I'll keep holding on,

If you should ever find someone new, I know he'd better be good to you
'Cause if he doesn't, I'll be there
Don't you know, baby, yeah yeah."

A drowsy Anna was placed in her crib as the three Scott men hovered over her, softly singing the rest of the chorus.

I'll be there,

I'll be there,

just call my name,

I'll be there."

"I'll be there,

I'll be there,

whenever you need me,

I'll be there."

Brooke started as she felt Peyton gently touch her arm, motioning her to leave the room quietly. Quickly, she wiped her eyes as she followed Peyton out into the hall.

"That was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen." Brooke said quietly.

"Yeah, even if none of them can carry a tune." Peyton said, eyes softening as she thought of her men.

"It doesn't matter." Brooke said, shaking her head.

"No, it doesn't." Peyton said, understanding and agreeing with what Brooke was trying to say. They were joined by the three boys, who had tiptoed out of the room and joined them in the hall.

"Alright Scooter, time for your bath," Lucas said affectionately as he ruffled the little boy's curls before leading him across the hall and into his room.

"So, Einstein. What's on tap for tonight?" Peyton said to Brody, hands on her hips.

"I don't know." Brody put his finger to his lips and thought for a moment. "Is Brooke joining us?"

"If you want her to." Peyton said patiently.

"I don't mind." Brody said, not wanting to be rude, before turning to Brooke. "Are you joining us?"

"I don't know what you guys are doing."

"It depends on if you are joining us." Brody said, with a 'duh' look on his face.

"Ok, seeing as how this could go on all night, let me step in here. Brody, you pick something as if Brooke wasn't here. Brooke can watch and rotate in if she wants. And that's how we do that."

"Ok. Then 'I Declare War,' kemo sabe!" Brody said, pumping his fist in the air.

"Are you sure you want to do that? I am undefeated, o spiky one." Peyton said, grinning.

"As am I, o curly one!" Brody returned, giggling.

"Very well, let us begin." Brooke looked on as they bowed to each other, before Brody raced down the stairs. Peyton began to follow him at a more sedate pace, tossing over her shoulder at Brooke, "Don't look so confused. It'll all become clear eventually."

But as she watched them play, Brody having pulled out the cards and dealt the hands by the time they got downstairs, Brooke was more confused than ever.

"Not to be slow or anything, but this seems like a game of luck." She said slowly, after about 5 minutes of watching them go back and forth.

"Pretty much, yea." Peyton murmured, focused as she counted out her cards. "I. De. Clare. War." She crowed triumphantly as she turned over a Queen. "Beat that, buster!"

"Its basically the best game ever! You can play with lots of people, and it can go on forever, 'cause nobody ever wins. I. De. Clare. War." Brody explained.

"Except for mini- victories." Peyton said as Brody got up and did a quick shuffle, having turned over an Ace. "This isn't over child o' mine." She said to Brody as he sat back down and collected his winnings.

And sure enough, not even a minute later, it was Peyton who was racking in the winnings of the mini-war. Brody turned to Brooke. "You ready to join?"

Hesitantly, she agreed, and they dealt her in, explaining how to flip over the card, and how the highest card won, and if you tied for the highest card, you had to do I De-clare war until there was a higher card, and that the object of the game was to get all the cards.

They had been playing for about 15 minutes before Brooke really began to see how the game was never ending, as Peyton would seem to be winning, when a series of hands would bring her or Brody to the winner's circle.

At about 8:30 Peyton called a halt to the game, shooing Brody off to the shower. She began gathering up the cards, putting them back into the box.

"I think its great that you give Brody his own time to be with you." Brooke said quietly, not wanting to start another fight, but unable to stop herself from commenting.

Peyton paused at the sound of her voice, then continued to put the cards away. "Yea, well, Luke and I never had siblings growing up, so we got all of our parent's attention. When they were there at least." Peyton added. "And Brody had us for almost 4 years by himself, well, almost by himself," Peyton said, thinking of Jamie, "and he got all of our attention. So when Scooter came along, we wanted to make sure we still gave him special time that was just his."

"I'm sorry about earlier." Brooke blurted out, interrupting Peyton's explanation.

"I know." Peyton nodded. "It's a concern we had too, so why should I be mad that you thought the same? Though you probably should stop jumping to conclusions." Peyton added seriously. "We're not in high school, and you're not in New York anymore. Around here, we give family the benefit of the doubt." She looked pointedly at Brooke.

"I know, and I'm sorry. It's just…"

"The idea of parents who love their kids is such a foreign concept?" Peyton finished. "Lucas had pretty bad experiences with Dan, so he knew that having kids wasn't an automatic pass to loving them the way a parent should. And because of it, we've been extra careful that all our children feel loved."

Peyton laughed at a thought. "I mean, forget Einstein and Scooter, the real challenge came when Tink came along. The first girl in 7 years with all these Scott males? Talk about spoil potential! But it hasn't been a problem at all."

She shrugged. "It works because we make it work. I guess we put so much effort into making sure the kids have a better childhood than ours, and feel our love like some of us never got from our parents; now its just commonplace. Even if we do treat one child differently at times, it's for legitimate reasons, and they are secure enough in our love to never feel the sting of some imagined slight."

At Brooke's look of confusion, Peyton patted her on the shoulder. "Stop trying to figure it all out right now. You just got here. Trust me, you'll see."

They were interrupted by Lucas calling for Peyton. She looked at Brooke. "Had enough, or do you want to see more?" Peyton went up the stairs, and after a short hesitation, Brooke followed.

William was on the bottom bunk of one of his beds, his room much more organized than when Brooke had seen it before during her snooping adventure. She took a seat on the other bunkbed, and watched quietly.

"Daddy made me clean before we read, Mommy." William said grumpily. Peyton smoothed his curls back from his forehead and commiserated warmly.

"I know baby. He makes me clean before we do things too. Did you have a good day today?" Peyton said.

"Uh-huh. Me and Daddy went for a ride, and he let me drive! And we got ice cream, and played at the park- it was fun Momma!"

"I bet it was, Scoot." Peyton said, smiling down at him as he relayed his story excitedly.

"And I took a nap today, so I can stay up a little later. I'm not tired, I promise." He said, nodding his head so hard his curls flopped back into his face. His activity sparked a yawn, contradicting everything he just said.

"I know you aren't tired. That's why Momma loves you. You're my little energizer bunny. You keep going and going…" she said, tickling him and making him giggle.

"But you had a big day today, so how can we prove that you're not tired?" she said thoughtfully.

William thought about it. "We could try the song again!"

Peyton stared at him, pretending to think it over. "You drive a hard bargain, but I think we can make a deal, just like always. If you can stay awake til the end of the song, you can have 15 more minutes before bedtime. Deal?" Peyton said, holding out her hand.

William shook her hand sleepily. "Deal."

"Okay, now get ready." William snuggled eagerly down into the covers. "Eye wide?" William widened his eyes as much as they would go, making Brooke cover up a smile. "Okay, here we go." Peyton began to sing.

"Stay awake, don't rest your head
Don't lie down upon your bed
While the moon drifts in the skies
Stay awake, don't close your eyes

Though the world is fast asleep
Though your pillow's soft and deep
You're not sleepy as you seem
Stay awake, don't nod and dream
Stay awake, don't nod and dream."

Brooke watched as William's eyes drooped after the first stanza, the trouble to keep his eyes so far open too much for him. As Peyton sang the song through a second time, William's eyes stayed closed, and his breath evened out as he gave into slumber.

Peyton gently kissed his forehead, whispering "I love you, baby boy," before smoothing out the covers and standing up, walking out of the room and into Brody's. "2 down, one to go!" Peyton joked.

Brody looked up from where he and Lucas were playing battleship. "Scooter falls for that every night! I wonder when he'll figure it out." Brody said, shaking his head, before focusing back on the board. "E7!" He said, crowing triumphantly when the board said electronically. "Hit. Battleship sunk."

"Let's hope no time soon." Peyton chuckled, kissing his freshly washed, gel free head. "I'll leave you two to your warfare. See you in a bit."

They left the boys to it, heading down the stairs and to the kitchen, as Peyton began to wash the dishes from dinner. "Do you sing to Brody too?" Brooke asked as she settled into a kitchen chair.

"Hmmm?" Peyton said, distracted. "Oh, yeah, it actually started with Brody. And so far, he hasn't asked me to stop, so he still gets sung to too. Matter of fact, that's how they got the idea to sing to Tink. I've been singing to the boys since they were babies, so when Tink came along, they wanted to do the same for her."

"But that means you don't get to sing to her." Brooke said, frowning.

"But somebody who loves her does." Peyton said, turning around to face Brooke. "It's not a competition, Brooke. Do I love Tink any less because I don't sing to her? Do I love the boys more because I sing to them?" She tried to explain. "There is nothing that warms my heart more than to realize that the way I love my boys allows them to love their sister like that."

"And I thought she was a daddy's girl." Brooke said jokingly.

Peyton shook her head. "Nope, she's a Scott's girl. Wait 'til all the cousins are over, they almost fight to be the ones to spoil her. The Scott men sure do love their girls."

"Who would've thought that people would wish they could be a Scott kid?" Brooke thought to herself later that evening as she watched Peyton and Lucas stand by Brody's loft bed, his face almost level with theirs due to the height of the loft.

Peyton: "The world could fall apart
But you're my heart, my dear
I will sing this song
'Til we are gone, my dear"

Lucas: "How do I keep you from losing your way
Hope you'll go out and you'll come back some day
But love is letting go
And this I'll know

Peyton: "Cause you were mine
For a time."

Peyton laid a hand on Brody's head, and this time, Brody didn't bother to push it away.

Lucas: "I could shape your mind
But why waste time, my dear
There's so much more to know
And I can show you dear."

Peyton: "How do I keep you from losing your way
Hope you'll go out and you'll come back some day
But love is letting go
And this I'll know

Lucas placed his hand on Brody's back and began to rub it gently, back and forth, as he sung his line.

Lucas: Cause you were mine
For a time

Peyton: "I have held you close
And breathed your name, my dear
I was with you then
And will remain, my dear."

Lucas: "How do I keep you from losing your way
Hope you will find love like I did some day"

He slowed, sharing a glance with Peyton. Brooke looked away, the moment so private she felt like she was intruding. Peyton slid her free arm around his back, and they picked up the song, ending softly together.

"But love is letting go
And this I'll know

Cause you were mine
For a time."

"Goodnight my first-loved. I love you." Peyton kissed his forehead, leaning back and allowing Lucas to do the same.

"G'night, mom, dad, love you too." Brody turned over, snuggling deep under the sheet, as Peyton and Lucas let themselves out of the room, joining Brooke in the hall.

"I know I don't have to say it, and I don't know if I ever did, but thank you, for loving him the way you do." Brooke said, tearfully, glancing first at Peyton, then Lucas.

"We didn't do it for you. We did it for him." Lucas said evenly. At Peyton's elbow in his ribs, he grunted. More cordially, he added. "And you're welcome."

Peyton nodded, "See you in the morning."

They parted ways, Lucas and Peyton walking to their room, while Brooke started her trek down the stairs back to hers. It had been a long emotional day, with a lot to take in. She couldn't remember a time she'd cried so much, but since she had come to Tree Hill, she had become a regular waterworks. As Brooke settled in her bed and looked at the clock, she also realized that here she was, in bed before 11. Oh how her world had changed.

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A/N: I don't know why, I just always see Peyton singing to her kids, even though I don't think she has a good voice. What do you guys think? Can Peyton sing? You guys already told me in WS that Lucas can't.

Also, anybody have an idea when Peyton's b-day is? Im thinking she's a Cancer, so her bday's in the summer, but if anybody has an idea, Id love to hear it.

Tink's song- Ill be There by the Jackson 5

Scooter's song- Stay awake by Julie Andrews from the Mary Poppin's Movie

Einstein's song- Lullaby for Wyatt by Sheryl Crow

For everyone who read Anything for Brody, yes, Einstein's song is different. Both Einstein and Scooter's song changed when they got older and left the baby years.

Feel free to use Leyton techniques of parenting on your kids! And don't forget to review!