Chapter 10: We're going to Disneyland!

(Jamie, Ellie, Haley and Peyton are dancing around on the dance mat having a great time. They are laughing and giggling. Lucas smiles at how much fun they are having. He also smiles because Ellie hasn't put the doll down since she opened it. Nathan just shots daggers at his brother and Lucas notices. He tries to ignore them because he doesn't want anything to take away the feeling he has right now! Peyton crashes on the couch next to Nathan and Haley crashes next to her. They are out of breath but are still laughing)

Peyton: Ok 2 more minutes and I'm serious this time!
Nathan: You've been saying that for an hour and ½ now

Peyton: I know but it's her birthday!

Nathan: And we have an hour drive to Disneyland tomorrow

Peyton: Ok, ok Ellie Uncle Nathan says it's time to go to bed

Nathan: Hey don't make me the bad guy!

Ellie: (going over and jumping on his lap) Uncle Nate, you're not a bad guy! You're a great guy and I love you! (kissing him on the cheek)
Nathan: (giving her a big hug) I love you too princess

Ellie: I'm ready to go to bed mommy. I want to be wide awake to meet Belle and Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty, and the Little Mermaid, and Jasmine, and Tinkerbelle, and Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse, and Aladdin, and…

(Brooke walks in as the little girl is listing off all the people she wants to meet at Disneyland)

Brooke: (with a smile on her face) Well that's great princess because while we're at Disneyland we are going to have breakfast with the princesses!
Ellie: (jumping off Nathan's lap and running into Brooke's arms) really?
Brooke: really! It's one of the things I booked!

Jamie: Can't we have breakfast with Jack Sparrow instead?
Brooke: I booked the Pirates of the Caribbean dinner package too!

Jamie: You did not?
Brooke: Did too. This trip is just as much for you and it is for Ellie!
Jamie: (running over and hugging Brooke too) Thanks, Aunt Brooke
Ellie: You're the best!
Jamie: Yeah, this trip to LA is going to rock!

Haley: Well I'm glad you think so but if our little pirate and princess don't get to sleep we won't get to Disneyland until late and we won't have as much time to spend there!
Ellie: Ok, ok. Mommy put me to bed please!

Peyton: What do you tell everyone for coming to your party today?
Ellie: Thank you for coming to my princess party and thank you for the lovely gifts. I loved them all

Nathan: get over here you knuckle head!

(Ellie walks over to Nathan and he grabs her and tickles her. She laughs and laughs. Then she gives him a big hug and kiss)

Ellie: I sure do love you Uncle Nate!

Nathan: I love you too Ellie!

Brooke: I'd like to feel the love!

Ellie: (hoping off Nathan's lap and onto Brooke's who is now sitting next to Nathan) Ok, ok

(Brooke gives her a big hug and a kiss and tickles her tummy. She laughs again. Lucas watching her with intense eye and he can't believe he was such an ass and that this could be his house and his family… Or even better yet, they could all be in Tree Hill together. Ellie pulls him out of his thoughts when she walks over to him and holds out her arms to give him a hug. Lucas picks the small child up and hugs her. Everyone looks at this and smiles, even Peyton)

Ellie: Thank you so much Uncle Lucas for the doll. I've always wanted a baby doll. How'd you know?
Lucas: I just guessed

Ellie: Well it's perfect and it was really nice to meet you. I hope you're coming to Disneyland with us. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Lucas: Well I think I'll probably just stay here

Ellie: That's crazy! No one's going to be here. We're all going to be at Disneyland and Uncle Julian's going to be in Hollywood so you'll be all by yourself and that's not fair! You should come with us

Jamie: Yeah, Uncle Lucas, come to Disneyland with us

(Brooke looks at Peyton and Peyton looks at Brooke. Peyton's eyes aren't telling Brooke to intervene. They almost look like they're begging her to invite him along)

Lucas: I think I better talk with the grown-up before I make any decisions plus I have to find a place to stay

Ellie: Mommy already said you could sleep in my princess room because when Aunt Brooke's here we all sleep in mommy's big bed and watch movies and eat popcorn. Sometimes Aunt Haley and Jamie come in there too. That's how big mommy's bed is. So you don't need a place to stay. You can stay with us. You're family and family sticks together! Right mommy, Uncle Lucas can stay with us?
Peyton: (looking at her daughter with those big eyes. Damn those eyes!) Yes, babe he can stay if he wants too

Ellie: See mommy says you can stay! And can Uncle Lucas go to Disneyland with us?
Jamie: Please come on he came all the way from Tree Hill we can't leave him in LA by himself!
Ellie: Yeah mommy that's mean! It's Christmas and you always tell me that Christmas is a time for family and if he's our uncle then he's family and he should go with us.

Peyton: Aunt Brooke bought the tickets and made the arrangements so you have to talk to her

(Both sets of little eyes turn to look at Brooke)

Brooke: Thanks a lot Peyton!

(Peyton just smiles at her. She didn't want to make the decision. She honestly didn't care if Lucas goes or doesn't go she just didn't want to seem too eager by saying he could go. Plus she was still furious with him but also thought he should spend some time with his daughter)

Brooke: well with Julian gone for the week I do have an extra ticket but it make sleeping arrangements a little hard

Peyton: Why's that?
Brooke: Well I don't know if there will be enough beds. I booked a room with five beds because I figured couples, me, and then one for each of the kids.
Ellie: I can sleep with mommy! I do it all the time
Peyton: That she does.

Brooke: Ok then it's settled I guess we're all going to Disneyland!

Ellie: yeah!
Jamie: Let's go to bed so we can leave super early!
Brooke: Not before 9 you guys

Nathan: Yeah right they'll be up at 5 if they even ever go to sleep

(The grown-ups laugh and the kids go running up the stairs.)

Peyton: Lucas, follow me and I'll show you where you can stay

Lucas: (getting up) Ok, thanks

(All the adults head up the stairs to tug the kids in. They stop at Ellie's room where Ellie and Jamie are jumping on the bed)

Peyton: Elizabeth Anna Sawyer you know better than to jump on the bed!

Ellie: But mommy!
Peyton: No butts. Get your little behind off that bed and get a pair of pajamas!
Ellie: Yes mommy

Haley: Jamie you too!
Jamie: Yes momma

Brooke: They're just excited!
Peyton: I don't care. They don't jump on the beds! Lucas you can stay in here. Sorry about all the pink but it's a four year old princess room

Lucas: No, it's great. Thanks Peyton

Peyton: You're welcome. Come on Ellie

(Ellie has her doll and her pajamas in her hands. She stops at Lucas again and tugs on his shirt. He bends down. She grabs him around the neck and hugs him. He hugs her back)

Ellie: Thanks again for the doll, Uncle Lucas. I know you and I are going to be great friends because Jamie talks about you and you sound like a really nice guy.

(She kisses him on the cheek and walks out of the room. Peyton turns to leave and he grabs her arm. Shocked by this she whips around and glares at him)

Lucas: You know we need to talk

Peyton: I know I just don't have the energy tonight

Lucas: I understand…

(Peyton turns to leave again)

Lucas: Peyton….

Peyton: (Turning back around) yeah…
Lucas: she's amazing

Peyton: I think so

Lucas: You have done an amazing job with her. She's perfect

Peyton: (Smiling because of the compliment Lucas just gave her) Thanks

Lucas: Can I ask you one more thing?
Peyton: I guess…

Lucas: why isn't her last name Scott?

(Lucas had noticed that when Peyton said Ellie's full name she called her Sawyer. That killed him to hear because she was his daughter and deserved his last name. He needed to know why she hadn't given it to her)

Peyton: because her father walked out on her and I didn't want her to live with anything that reminder her of that!

(She turns and leaves the room. Lucas' head drops. Once again he feels like shit. He inspects his daughter's room trying to get a feel for her. There is princess stuff everything and toys galore. She doesn't want for anything. He spots a princess photo album book on her nightstand and walks over to look at it. He sits on the little girls' bed and starts thumbing through the pages. He sees a picture of Ellie and Peyton at her record company and one of them on the beach and some of them around the house and then he freezes when he see a picture of a man with Peyton and Ellie. A man he met just weeks ago in Tree Hill. The man he just sold his book rights too. Haley walks in and sits on the bed next to him. She pulls him from her thoughts)

Haley: Luke, what's up?
Lucas: Who's this man? (knowing that it's Julian Baker but wanting to know what he's doing with Peyton and his daughter)
Haley: (looking at the picture): Oh that Julian. He's Peyton's boyfriend. He's the one that took off to Hollywood before you got here

Lucas: Really? What does he do for a living?
Haley: He's an Indie film producer

Lucas: How long have he and Peyton been together?

Haley: I'm not really sure. He was with her when Ellie was born he was the one who called us from the hospital. He helped her deliver Ellie and stayed with Peyton the whole time Ellie was in the hospital but Peyton said they were just friends. I think she had feelings for him but she was just scared. When Peyton bought the brownstone he moved in with them. Peyton told us when we came to help her settle in that they were together. She was so happy. She's still so happy. His good to her and Ellie and he takes great care of them.

Lucas: (getting angry) and he's a lying bastard!

Haley: What are you talking about?! You don't even know him!
Lucas: Yes, I do.

Haley: How? You didn't meet him today

Lucas: I met him a few weeks ago in Tree Hill

Haley: Julian was in Tree Hill?
Lucas: Yes, to take a meeting with me. He wanted to buy the rights to my book to make it into a movie

Haley: That's great Lucas. Peyton didn't say anything about that!
Lucas: I have a feeling that Peyton doesn't know

Brooke: (from the doorway) you're feeling is right!

Haley: How do you know?
Brooke: I figured it'd be a matter of time before you figured this all out Lucas

Haley: What's going on here?
Brooke: That phone call I got early was Julian. He freaked out when he saw Lucas standing at the door and took off. He didn't want Lucas to tell Peyton about their little movie deal.
Haley: What? Julian is making a movie about Ravens and didn't tell Peyton?!
Brooke: Apparently. I guess he read the book the other day and just loved it. He decided to convince Lucas to sell him the rights. He figured Lucas would never show up here so he figured he didn't need to tell Peyton

Haley: You have got to be kidding me. She's going to flip.

Brooke: She's going to be hurt… Once again someone she loves and trusts is going to hurt her and we're going to have to stay and help her pick up the pieces

Haley: Of course I'll call and get a sub and we'll send Jamie and Nathan back to Tree Hill. Maybe Ellie could go for a visit for a while so Peyton can be by herself

Brooke: Ok teacher mom chill out. I think we have to give Peyton more credit than that!

Haley: She's going to be devastated. When is Julian coming back?
Brooke: He was hoping that Peyton would kick Lucas out and he'd come back right away. He said he'd tell her after Christmas… He didn't want to ruin the holiday for her and Ellie

Haley: But she didn't kick Lucas out! In fact, he's staying and going to Disney with us.
Lucas: Yeah about that… I don't think I should go to Disney with you guys…

Peyton: (from the door way) Why not?
Brooke: (startled at her friend's voice) Peyton?! How long have you been standing there?
Peyton: I just walked up. I was going to put these (holding up the towels) in Ellie's bathroom for Lucas.

Lucas: Oh, ok thank you.

(Peyton walks into the room and puts the towels in the bathroom off the little girl's room. Everyone stares at her)

Peyton: Well I didn't think you'd like to use the pink princess towels that Ellie has in there.

Lucas: She sure loves pink.

Peyton: I know and I hate that color! I cringed as I painted this room

Lucas: I can only imagine!

Peyton: Ok well if you don't mind I need to pack some stuff for Ellie for Disney but if you're tired I can do it in the morning

Haley: Oh shit! I have to go pack up too. Brooke, I wish you would have told me so I wouldn't have unpacked all of our suitcases.

Brooke: (Smiling devilishly) Sorry
Haley: I'll talk to you guys in the morning

Peyton: Night Hales

Lucas: Night Hales

Haley: Night

(Haley walks out of the room and Peyton pulls a suitcase out of the closet. She and Brooke are walking around the room grabbing things for Ellie. Brooke feels like she should leave but her friend hasn't asked her too so she stays and helps but doesn't say anything)

Peyton: So Lucas why don't you want to go to Hell… I mean Disneyland with us?
Lucas: (laughing at her) because I'm intruding

Peyton: It's kind of late to worry about that. Showing up at the door was an intrusion. You've been invited by two very sweet little kids to go to Disneyland and I don't think you should disappoint them

Lucas: Are you ok with me going?

Peyton: doesn't matter to me either way. It's up to you

Lucas: Would you be mad if I went

Peyton: Nope the kids are excited about it so go if you want too or don't go.
Brooke: Oh my gosh! Lucas she isn't going to invite you and Peyton he isn't going to say he wants to go and spend that time with you and Ellie so guess what he's flipping going because he told the kids he would! End of story! Now are we done packing little miss princess because I'd like to go to bed?
Peyton: Yeah, I think so. We just need her blanket and she's sleeping with it right now. In fact, she looks so cute she has her baby wrapped in her blanket and she's cuddling up with them both. She has her knees pulled up to her tummy and she has a smile on her face. It's angelic.

Brooke: My goddaughter is so cute

Peyton: that she is

Lucas: Can I go peek in on her?
Peyton: (looking surprised but smiling. Not wanting to act excited that Lucas is taking an interest in his daughter) Sure, it's a free country!

Lucas: Ok, thank you Miss Attitude!

(Lucas walks out of the room. Brooke grabs Peyton and gives her a hug.)

Peyton: what's that for?
Brooke: I'm just worried about you

Peyton: I'm fine. I'm not going to be when we hash it all out but I'm not going to do that right now. I just need time to wrap my head around all of this. Lucas and I will have time later to deal with the past

Brooke: Ellie's really taken to him fast.
Peyton: I know it think it helps that Jamie loves him so much

Brooke: Yeah, it going to be quite a week isn't it?
Peyton: It sure is

Brooke: Ok, I'm going to go get a cup of coffee. Want me to bring you some?
Peyton: Sure

(Brooke walks out of the room and sees Lucas standing in Peyton's doorway staring at his daughter. He has a smile on his face. She walks up to him and he looks at her)

Brooke: If you mess this up I will literally kick you ass! Do not hurt these two again. Julian's secret is going to kill her enough but she'll be able to recover from that… You leaving again, I don't think she can!
Lucas: I promise Brooke I'll stay as long as she'll let me. How can I leave this little girl now?
Brooke: It's too bad it took you four years to realize that

Lucas: I know

(Brooke turns to walk away)

Lucas: Hey Brooke

Brooke: (turning back around) Yeah

Lucas: She already hates me I could tell her about the movie and maybe put it on me so Julian doesn't look like the bad guy
Brooke: That's the first nice thing you've offered to do in 4 years but she'll just get mad at you when the truth comes out and the truth always comes out. You better just let Julian handle it. She's going to be heartbroken

Lucas: I know and I wish I could do something to help her

Brooke: You did when you showed up at the door. She doesn't know it yet but this is going to be ok

Lucas: I hope so…

(Lucas smiles at Brooke and she walks away. He stands there and watches his daughter sleep. He could stand there forever… He'd stay their for the rest of his life if Peyton would let him)

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A/N: Ok review, review, review! I hope you like it. Let me know!