Ok, this is it--my first story, done! Let me know what you think of the final product. I'm pretty sure I've got "the bug" now so I'll probably write again. I already have a story half drafted for the West Wing section but I'm sure I'll always come back to Leyton/OTH.

Clearly I was in the Christmas spirit while writing this last chapter...

Chpt. 10--God Bless the Child

Five Years Later…

As she unfolded her extended belly out of her old Comet, Peyton could see the Christmas tree lights shining brightly through the front window to her home. After a tiring day, coming home to that happy sight immediately relaxed Peyton. She loved to watch Haley James Scott, Tree Hill's resident rock star and her sister-in-law, headline the Christmas Eve USO show that had become their tradition. But anyone who's ever been seven months pregnant can tell you, a 12 hour work day is just too long. She was ready to put her feet up, ASAP. And she wanted her family.

Walking up the drive, Peyton saw her front door open just in time to catch the curly blond bullet flying into her arms. At 3 and ½ years old, Sawyer Elizabeth Scott knew only one speed--fast. Lifting her daughter up until their eyes were level Peyton leaned her forehead against the little girl's. This was a habit Peyton shared with her husband that had become their daughter's favorite way of saying hello. She called it her "mommy-and-daddy kiss."

"It's Christmas Eve, Mommy!"

"I know baby. Is that why Daddy let you stay up so late?'

"Santa can't come till you come home. Daddy said so. We were waiting for you and you never came!"

"I'm sorry baby. Aunt Haley wanted to sing all night long."

"All night long?" Sawyer's eyes widened. "But then Santa can never come to Jamie and Whitey's house." Sawyer's frown was worried as she considered the possibility that her cousins wouldn't get any presents this year.

"I know. That's why I stopped her, don't worry. Now let's go see your daddy." Seeing her husband in the doorway, Peyton put Sawyer down and laughed as she started to dart away, full speed. But the little girl stopped suddenly and turned back around.

"Oh! I forgot!" She put her little hands around Peyton's waist and lightly placed her lips on her mother's stomach. "Merry Christmas, baby Keith," Sawyer whispered. Sawyer loved to talk to her baby brother so it was inexplicable that Peyton's eyes welled up as one hand covered her daughter's curls and the other rested lightly on her still stomach. Must be the holiday and the hormones, Peyton thought and she started up the driveway to her home.

Much later, Lucas and Peyton curled together on the coach to enjoy the last quiet moments of Christmas. Tomorrow they would gladly join the insanity--Christmas morning with Sawyer and Santa, Christmas dinner at Nathan and Haley's with all its loud and crazy crowd, Christmas evening with Aunt Brooke who every year insisted Sam babysit the sleeping kids while the parents head out for some decompressing, but not-for-pregnant-women, cocktails--but for now Luke and Peyton enjoyed the silence. Peyton sat with her back leaning against Luke's chest and their hands joined over her stomach. Lucas ran a finger lightly over her wedding band, as was his habit for the last five years. The Christmas tree lights sparkled in the fire and Peyton sighed with contentment. "She's going to flip when she sees that life-sized replica of Aunt Brooke's favorite doll house. I don't think we'll ever get her out of that tree."

"You either, since you insisted the light was perfect for her first easel. She's going to look so cute scrawling away on a sketch pad up there, lost in the art like her mom."

"Ha. Lost in her clouds, like her dad. She may like to color but it's got nothing on her daydreams," Peyton smiled at Luke.

"Maybe," Luke shrugged. "I was right all those years ago, you know. Happy looks good on you." Luke kissed the top of Peyton's head.

"Oh yeah? Well you're looking pretty hot yourself," Peyton smirked. "You know, Haley sang 'This Very Day' at the show tonight. I still can't believe that song was her first number 1 hit. Remember when she and Mia sang it for our wedding?'

"You mean my surprise party?" Peyton giggled at Luke's dry question. "Of course I remember. God, what a great day, huh?'

"One of the best. If you had asked me then, I would have told you it would never get better than that day."

"And now?"

"Now, look what we have. Babies and Christmas and happy. I have everything with you, Luke." Turning she cupped her hands around his face as the clock struck midnight.

"Our own personal Air Supply song, huh?" Peyton laughed. Leaning his head on her forehead Luke continued, "I want more of everything with you, Peyton. True love always. Merry Christmas baby." His lips captured hers in a soft kiss, the kind made for late Christmas Eves. "Now, how 'bout a little Christmas wild and crazy in our bedroom?"

"How 'bout a little Christmas wild and crazy right here?" Peyton rolled till she and Luke squeezed side by side on the couch, smiling at his groan when she ran her nails down his torso.

"Ok. But first." Luke scooted down on the couch till he was eye level with Peyton's stomach. And then he did what he had done every night for the last seven months. Laying a light kiss on the top of her belly he whispered, "Goodnight Keith Roe Scott. We'll be seeing you."