Disclaimer: I do not own ONE TREE HILL. I so wish I did, but I don't.

I want to thank all 35 of you who have alerted this story, all 16 of you who have favorited this story and the people who have gotten me to 40 reviews! Over 4,000 hits to this story makes me so proud. I really hope you enjoy this chapter, and please, review. It was reading the reviews that prompted me to do this chapter! It's kind of a filler but cookies to the person who can spot the part that branches off into a major arc in the next section of the story!

Peyton sat in the closet of Lucas's bedroom throwing clothes everywhere sighing in frustration.

"Peyton what is going on?" Lucas shielded his head from a flying skirt and shook his head in his shock.

"Lucas, I'm fat. I'm six months pregnant. Nothing I own fits me! And I have to be in school in less than an hour." She felt tears prick her eyes as she stepped out of the closet and Lucas pulled her into his arms. Things had drastically changed in the time that had passed since finding out she was pregnant with a girl and the accident. Since then, they had been inseparable, calling themselves a couple in public and in private.

"How about you wear some of my sweats today and then after school we'll go shopping." Lucas offered and Peyton hung her head.

"I guess since I don't really have a choice. I can't skip school again and I can't wear any of my clothes." A knock on the bedroom door caught the attention of the two teens. Karen Roe's eyes widened at the sight of the bedroom. She held up two colorful bags.

"Peyton, I realized you don't have any maternity clothes and I hardly think you can fit in those skinny jeans you have. So I took the liberty of picking up a couple shirts, a skirt and some maternity jeans." Peyton threw herself into Karen's arms and almost cried.

"Thank you so much Karen, you have no idea how much you just saved me." Peyton squealed a little bit as she disappeared into the bathroom with the bags.

"Thanks Mom, you just averted a major meltdown." Lucas looked gratefully at Karen who just smiled.

"When I was Peyton's age and pregnant with you I went through the same thing. The only difference is I had nobody to buy me clothes. And up until Peyton, I never thought I'd have a daughter to buy clothes for." It wasn't long before Peyton shyly stepped out of the bathroom with a plain black t-shirt on, with her maternity jeans.

"Thank goodness pregnancy doesn't affect shoe size." She slipped on a pair of her well worn high tops and winked at Lucas.

"You look great Peyt, but I think we should get going before we're late. Your car or mine?" Peyton rolled her eyes at him.

"The Comet of course. Don't be an idiot." She grabbed her back pack and headed out the door. Lucas gave his mom a kiss on the cheek before walking out the door.

"Do I at least get to drive?" Peyton shook her head and Lucas slid into the passenger's seat. These were the times Lucas treasured most. Peyton's cheeks were slightly flushed, her hair blowing in the wind. This was when she looked most alive. He loved being able to look at her stomach and know that his child was growing inside her. He just hoped Brooke continued to stay on her best behavior. Things had changed since the accident, but he knew Brooke would never fully accept the pregnancy. She no longer openly attacked Peyton, but they were not on speaking terms.


As they pulled into the school, they saw Brooke standing with a redheaded girl they had never seen. Peyton saw the dark look pass across Brooke's face and the red head stare at them.

As Lucas got out of the car, he reached for Peyton's hand and she gladly took it, using Lucas as a life line. The bigger her stomach got, the more self conscious she felt. As they approached Brooke and the red head Peyton felt herself tense up and Lucas squeezed her hand.

"Lucas. Peyton. I want to introduce you to Rachel Gatina. New student to Tree Hill, and your replacement on the cheer squad now that you are no longer able to physically able to handle the stress." Brooke looked purposefully at Peyton's stomach and Peyton nodded.

"That's fine." She said tightly, not liking the look she was getting from the red head.

"Yeah, she's being nice about why you're off the squad. Apparently you F'ed her BF and got yourself preggo. What, can't get your own man?" The redhead asked and Peyton immediately felt her hackles rise.

"Excuse me? This coming from someone who looks like you'd take the whole foot ball team on at once? You're in school dressed like someone we'd see working the street." Rachel's face took on a look of surprise at the biting tone Peyton took.

"Listen bitch, you are messing with the wrong person. I can make your life a living hell." Rachel hissed and Brooke pulled her away.

"She's pregnant, leave her alone. It's not worth it." The bell signaled the end of the verbal cat fight that left Peyton seething.

"Who does she think she is? Just walking in here like she owns the place. Of course Brooke would tell her about what's going on." Peyton fumed as they walked towards her class.

"What the hell are you staring at?" She snapped at a kid she caught gawking at her stomach. The poor kid scurried away, scared away.

"Peyton, take it easy. That kid wasn't doing anything wrong. You just turned that poor guy off women forever." He couldn't help but laugh.

"You know what Lucas, shove it." Peyton stormed into her first period class without looking back.


Lunchtime came, and Peyton was glad for the warm weather that allowed her to sit outside and eat. As she picked at her peanut butter sandwich waiting for Lucas to get there, she couldn't help but look over at Brooke's table. She had genuinely thought their friendship could get back on track after the accident, but it hadn't. She frowned to see Rachel start a conversation with Nathan, leaning in close to him.

"It's disgusting, isn't it? Watching women drool all over him?" Haley had snuck up behind Peyton, making her jump and drop her sandwich.

"Haley that was my lunch. But yes, it is disgusting." She grabbed a fry off Haley's tray and eyed the brunette.

"Not that I mind the lunch time company, but what gives Tutor Girl? You don't talk to me for months and now I find you at my table." Peyton eyed Haley warily, and the girl blushed.

"Actually, I came over to apologize. It's not my place to judge you for anything. And Lucas is my best friend, so I should be happy he's having a baby. Plus, I wanted someone to tell something to, and it's definitely not going to be Brooke. It has to be someone who can keep a secret." Peyton leaned in, intrigued.

"Nathan and I have decided to get married." Unbeknownst to the two girls, Lucas was watching his best girl and his best friend talk, heads close together. It was as if all was falling into place in his world, and there was no better feeling.