Chapter 8: Haunting in LA

Last Chapter:

(The doorbell rings again and Ellie walks over and answer it. A man she's seen only once before is standing there. She turns and looks at Jamie and she smiles)

Ellie: Jamie, it's Uncle Lucas!

(All the adults turn to the doorway that Ellie has now pulled wide open. They can all see Lucas standing there. No one says a word just stands there and looks at him. Then all their eyes shift to Peyton and the look on her face is piercing because she is full of anger. Lucas grabs Peyton's stare with his eyes and they just stand there looking at each other. No one says anything.)

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(Julian's face drops at the sight of Lucas. He didn't think he would ever show his face in LA or around Peyton. Lucas is going to recognize him and he's going to tell Peyton. If he tells Peyton then any hopes of them together will be ruined. Peyton won't stand for being "omitted" from the facts. She'll be pissed and then he'll lose everything… He should have told her… Damnit! Julian ducks out of the room before Lucas can see him. One surprise for Peyton is enough. He'll have to get her alone and tell her the truth before Lucas sees him. Peyton and Lucas are standing there staring at each other. Peyton didn't realize that Ellie has made her way across the room and placed her hand on her lap. She taps her lightly)

Ellie: Mommy, why do you have that look on your face?
Peyton: No reason honey. No reason at all.

(Peyton plastered a fake smile on her face and she walks over to the doorway where Lucas is still standing)

Peyton: (as nicely as possible because she doesn't want to ruin her daughter's birthday) Well this is quite a surprise. Please come in

(Brooke looks at Haley and Haley just shrugs her shoulder. If looks could kill Nathan would have killed Lucas in that moment. Lucas walks in with his bag and Peyton closes the door. Jamie runs over and hugs him)

Jamie: Hey Uncle Lucas! What are you doing here?
Lucas: I didn't want to spend Christmas by myself

Haley: So you flew out to LA?
Lucas: Sure did

Jamie: Ellie come here!

(Ellie and her two little friends run over to Jamie)

Jamie: Ellie, this is my Uncle Lucas

(Brooke gasps and Jamie notices. Peyton just smiles at her to let her know its ok for Jamie to introduce them. Ellie looks at the man standing in front of him. She extends her hand to him. He takes it. They shake)

Ellie: Nice to meet you Uncle Lucas. I'm Ellie but I bet you remember that from the webcam last night (smiling at him)

Lucas: (God, that's Peyton's smile. She looks so much like Peyton except for those piercing blue eyes those are all his) Yes, I do but it's nice to finally meet you

Ellie: these are my friends, Molly and Katie. We go to school together.

Lucas: (shaking the little girls' hands) Nice to meet you

(Molly and Katie just smile at Lucas)

Ellie: do you know all of the other people here?
Lucas: I think so (man, she's not shy at all. She's outgoing like her mom too)
Ellie: Ok, well since they all live in Tree Hill I'm sure you know them but (pointing to the man sitting next to Brooke) that's Molly's dad his name is Jackson but I call him Mr. Jack.

(Lucas walks over and shakes the man's hand)

Lucas: Nice to meet you

Jackson: Same here

(Haley and Brooke just stare at Peyton who hasn't moved or done anything since she invited Lucas into her home. Nathan notices that Peyton is shaking and he walks over and stands next to her. She grabs his hand and squeezes it then let's go.)

Peyton: (looking at her daughter and putting a huge smile on her face) who's done eating?

Jamie/Molly/Katie/Ellie: I am!

Peyton: Ok great! Let's clean this room up and then we can open presents!
Ellie: Yeah!

(Peyton turns some High School Musical Music on and the girls start dancing around singing. Peyton picks up some of the plates and walks into the kitchen. Lucas wants to follow her but Nathan grabs his arm. In the kitchen Julian is coming down the stairs with a suitcase. Peyton has a look of terror on her face.)

Peyton: Where are you going?
Julian: I'm so sorry babe. Hollywood just called and if I don't go and hand the situation they are going to shut down production until after the new year and then I'll lose a whole week of filming and that will cost me 100s of thousands of dollars and I can't afford that.

Peyton: But it's Ellie's birthday and um… (looking down at her hands) Lucas just showed up!
Julian: He did?
Peyton: Yeah

Julian: Holy shit Peyton. I'm so sorry but honey…
Peyton: I know I understand you can afford to lose that money especially because it's already invested in my club

Julian: (grabbing Peyton and kissing her) I love you

Peyton: I love you too. Let me go get Ellie so you can say good bye

Julian: I'd like that

(Peyton walks back into the living room. Only Jackson and Brooke are talking. Lucas, Nathan, and Haley are just standing in the corner. Peyton can tell that they were arguing before she walked in. She goes over and grabs her daughter's hand)

Peyton: come here babe.

Ellie: Ok, mommy

(Peyton and Ellie walk into the kitchen. Julian is standing at the door. He knows that running like this isn't cool and Peyton will find out but he needs to get away right now until he can figure out how he's going to tell her.)

Ellie: Where are you going Uncle Julian?

Julian: Honey I have to go to Hollywood for my movie but I'll be back in a few days maybe even tomorrow.

(Julian thinks: hopefully Peyton will kick Lucas out and I can come home tomorrow. I can't believe this is happening. I should have told her.)

Ellie: Ok well go make a great movie and I'll see you when you get home

Julian: I love you baby girl, Happy Birthday

Ellie: thanks I love you too

Julian: I left you a present!

Ellie: (with a big smile on her face) Thank you!

Julian: You're welcome

(Ellie hugs Julian and gives him a kiss then she runs back to join her friends. Hey grabs Peyton around the waist and hugs her tight. He kisses her deeply and she almost loses her balance)

Peyton: Wow, what is that for?
Julian: Just to tell you I love you

Peyton: Love you too babe

(Julian kisses Peyton again and walks out of the room. Haley walks into the kitchen carrying a bunch of plates and cups for the other room)

Haley: I wanted to help
Peyton: Did you know he was coming?
Haley: No, I'm sorry

Peyton: What does he want?
Haley: I don't know

Peyton: What am I going to do?

Haley: I don't know

(Brooke walks into the kitchen carrying the rest of the plates and stuff)

Brooke: How dare that jackass show up here on Ellie's birthday! I'm going to kick his ass! Can I please, Peyton?
Peyton: (laughing) No, you can't.
Brooke: What nerve he has! What is he thinking?! Does he think that he can just waltz in here after 4 years and be super dad! He's got to be kidding! I can't believe him! What a jackass! (looking at Peyton) Why aren't you yelling?!
Peyton: because I have a 4 year old out there that doesn't know anything about any of this and all she cares about is the fact that it's her birthday so that's all we're going to worry about. We'll deal with Lucas later!
Brooke: Ok, whatever. Hey where's Julian?
Peyton: On he's way to Hollywood. He got a call and something went wrong on his movie and if he doesn't go and take care of it they're going to shut the production down until after the New Year and he can't afford that
Brooke: Great so we're left here to deal with Lucas on our own!
Haley: If he causes any problems Nathan will take care of him

(Ellie walks into the kitchen)

Ellie: Mommy, can we open presents now?
Peyton: Of course baby. I'm sorry

(Peyton picks Ellie up and walks into the living room followed by her two best friends in the world. Brooke gives Lucas a dirty look and Haley gives him a look of concern. This is going to be an interesting evening.)

Molly: Ellie, will you open my present first?
Ellie: Sure

(Molly gets up and walks over and grabs her present off the top. She walks back over and hands Ellie her gift. Ellie's eyes get really big. She has a huge smile on her face)

Ellie: thanks Molly
Molly: Open it silly

Ellie: Ok

(Ellie very carefully pulls the wrapping paper off the present to reveal a princess doll making kit. Her smile gets even bigger. She jumps off the couch and gives Molly a big hug)

Ellie: I love it, Molly. Thank you so much!
Molly: (Smiling shyly) I'm glad you like it

Katie: will you open mind next?
Ellie: Sure

(Katie walks over and grabs a present off the pile. She hands it to Ellie)

Ellie: thanks Katie

(Ellie slowly tears the wrapping paper from the present. She revels a my little sandbox princess)

Ellie: I love it. I love to play in the sand and this is purple sand with a castle. Thank you so much!

(Ellie gets up and hugs Katie. The little girls smile at each other. Ellie sits back down)

Jamie: Open mine next. I picked it out all by myself

(Jamie hands Ellie the present and Ellie smiles)

Ellie: What is it Jamie?
Jamie: Open and see

Ellie: (excitedly) Ok

(Ellie opens it to see a High School Musical 3: Senior Year Dance game for the Nintendo Wii. Ellie runs over and hugs Jamie)

Ellie: Thank you Jamie this is the best. Will you play it with me later?
Jamie: Of course I will

Ellie: Thanks

(Ellie opens her gifts that Haley and Nathan had gotten her. It was a monkey in the middle game and some clothes. She hugged them and thanked them for the gift. Then she looks at Brooke who has a devilish smile on her face)

Brooke: Honey, my present is that purple envelope over there

Ellie: An envelope?

Brooke: Just open it!
Ellie: Ok

(Jamie walks over and grabs the envelope and hands it to Ellie. He is more excited than Ellie because he knows what it is)

Peyton: make sure to open it carefully baby
Ellie: I will mommy

(Ellie carefully pulls the corner of the envelope and takes out the paper inside. She can see there is a picture of Mickey Mouse but she can't read what the paper says)

Ellie: Aunt Brooke, I can't read!

Brooke: I thought you could!
Ellie: Well I can't. What does this say?
Jamie: give it here I'll read it.

Ellie: Ok

Jamie: (taking the paper and reading it) Dear Princess Ellie, its fitting that a princess spends her birthday with all the other princesses, so I hope you don't mind but we're going to Disneyland!

Peyton: what?
Ellie: Mommy you said we couldn't go there until I was 5

Peyton: I know!

Ellie: Can I go with Aunt Brooke, please mommy?
Peyton: I don't know Brooke that's a pretty expensive gift!
Haley: I tried to talk her out of it

Brooke: Listen we come out here ever four months and every four months Jamie and Ellie talk about how much they want to go to Disneyland and we always say oh we'll take them next time or oh it costs to much and we can't afford it so I'm taking us all. I booked us a hotel room

Peyton: It's only 40 minutes away

Brooke: I know but this way we can just get up and go. We leave in the morning and we come back Christmas Eve day. I guess it's beautiful right now all decorated for Christmas.

Ellie: So can we go mommy? (Batting her beautiful blue eyes at Peyton)
Peyton: How can I refuse those eyes? I guess we're going! But I hope Aunt Brooke realized that she doesn't have to get you anything for Christmas because this is a wonderful gift!

Ellie: Yeah, no Christmas presents!
Brooke: We'll see about that!

(Ellie runs over and gives Brooke and big hug and kiss. She looks at her mommy for reassurance that its ok to take this gift.)

Peyton: Well that was really nice of Aunt Brooke.

Ellie: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Brooke: You're welcome baby. We are going to have so much fun

Peyton: Well Uncle Julian and I can't compete with that but we do have a gift for you in the backyard

Ellie: What is it?

Peyton: Let's go out back and check it out!

Ellie: Ok

(Ellie gets up and runs out of the room. Everyone one follows. Although their backyard is small and there isn't a lot of room, Peyton had it tastefully covered with children's toys. The newest was Ellie's present. Ellie stepped out on the back deck to see a wooden castle tree house sitting in the corner. She got a huge smile on her face. She couldn't believe her eyes)

Ellie: My very own castle!

Peyton: All princesses need a castle
Ellie: thank you mommy

Peyton :You're welcome baby

Ellie: this has been the best birthday ever!
Brooke: Well I'm glad it has been great but I'm ready for some cake and then I want to play on that huge blow castle in the front yard!

Ellie/Molly/Katie/Jamie: Me too!

(Everyone one laughs and heads back into the house. Peyton is serving cake and everyone is talking. The kids are having a great time. Lucas is standing in the corner not talking to anyone. Peyton avoids eye contact with him. Damnit what is he doing here? Why after all this time did he come back and what am I going to do about it? Lucas is just watching his daughter and kicking himself for all the time he wasted!)

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Reviews please…

What is Julian keeping from Peyton and how does it involve Lucas? The next chapter will reveal that and there is going to be some kind of Leyton moment. Don't know how it's going to go yet because I haven't written it yet. I've been a writing fool today so I hope you enjoyed all the updates!