A/N: Hey guys sorry this update took longer than I thought it would. It's also kinda lengthy so if its a little much for you i suggest reading half today and the other half tomorrow. Hopefully it'll be so good you won't realize how long it is. Also thanks for the phenomenal reviews they make my day sooo much better.
ENJOY!
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Two weeks later
He sat in her office waiting for her to arrive for the morning. The young secretary was far too impressed that 'Mr. Lucas Scott himself' wanted to discuss the soundtrack and scores for his new movie to consider he shouldn't wait in her office. The fact that he had whipped out the old Scott charm and his award-winning smile just for her gained him entrance into a sacred domain he was thoroughly enjoying. Her office reminded him of a cathedral in a way. The walls were a mixture of large glass windows and brick walls. On those brick walls were plaques and awards of hers. She's pretty successful in the music industry and he didn't deny he hadn't kept up with her over the years. It was simply she also had been private. While everyone else's life had been splashed across the tabs hers was sacred considering she was after all an executive and didn't party as much as everyone else. It completely explained why he hadn't known about Dylan at all. If he considered how involved Dan and his mom and Deb were, he pretty much would have never known if he hadn't decided to show up that day. He wondered how many invitations Nathan had extended to him that he had missed. How many proddings he'd ignored for the sake of a good high. His musings were interrupted as she sailed into her office with her earphones on sipping a cup of coffee. He shifted in his chair and she caught the motion in the corner of her eyes. She jumped back at least a foot spilling coffee all over. If he weren't so upset with her he would've rushed to her side to help her but hell not today.
'What the hell Luc,' she snapped.
'No see that's definitely my line Peyton. What the mother-fucking hell,' he replied matching her tone.
'You never returned any of my phone calls so I stopped calling,' she said with a shrug,' After a while I didn't want to call. Now get the fuck out my office.'
He knew she wasn't lying but that didn't mean he wasn't in the least bit upset.
'I want partial custody of my son,' he demanded.
'That's nice. Druggy dad wants to hang out with his kid,' she said tartly.
'Peyton I'm not Dan. I would have never abandoned him,' he said forcefully standing to his feet. He began to pace his blood boiling with every step. How could she even consider saying no to his request?
'As far as he knows Dan never abandoned him,' Peyton said stonily.
'Shit Peyton seriously,' he exploded,' you withheld him from me for all these years. I've got enough money to get full custody and you know that as much as I do.'
'Lucas you pop pills like candy, you wreak of smoke and stale vodka and your job requires you out of town way too often to provide a stable household environment. Not to mention you just had a murder outside your home. My lawyers would have a field day,' Peyton retorted but the fear was evident in her voice. He would fight her to see his baby even if Dylan grew to hate him.
'So are you really going to stop me from seeing him, Peyt,' His eyes were pleading with her,' I mean what can I do or say to get it done. I'll do it.'
'I don't know Luc. You just threatened to take him away from me,' she said quietly.
'I'm… Shit I… Fuck! Look I'm s-sorry. I'm just not used to having to ask for anything,' he said a little ashamed of his unruly behavior.
'I don't know. I have to check my schedule,' she muttered trying to stall. She honestly didn't want Dylan around him picking up bad habits.
'I'll take you two out to dinner tonight and we can talk about it then,' he said rather forcefully gaining his confidence back. He could tell she was going to bully her way out of it is she could.
It caught her off guard but she recognized that tone. It wasn't a negotiable one.
'I'll clear my schedule then. I guess I do you owe you that much,' she sighed consenting to his demands.
'Yeah, amongst other things,' he snapped irritably. His high was starting to wear thin.
'If you say it like that then we aren't going anywhere,' she snapped. She was in no mood to deal with his abusive temper today.
'I'll pick you guys up here at eight,' he said not changing his tone. He rolled his eyes as she slammed her cup down and called her assistant into the office. Poor girl probably was going to lose her job for this one. He smiled at the cute little thing as she switched into her bosses office. Yeah she was definitely going to lose her job over this.
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Dylan arrived to his mom's office promptly at 7:45 pm. He was overjoyed that the plan his Aunt Haley had enforced had worked. She told him during the funeral if he shot his father dirty looks he would beg his mom to take him to dinner. Dylan couldn't have thought of anything better. He was definitely curious as to who this man was. As it turns out he wrote a lot of books and made a lot of films. It made him feel good to know that he wasn't anyone Dylan would be embarrassed of. He was on a little bit of a sugar high today. His Grandpa Larry had allowed him and Jamie to light into a package of double stuff Oreos while he set up his room in the house. Of course Dylan missed his Grandpa Dan but with Grandpa Larry there it wasn't nearly as hard as it may have been.
'Hey Dylly-bear,' his mom said looking at him as he entered her office.
'Mom stop it. It's sooo not cool,' Dylan said irritably.
'So do you know what awfully fattening foods you're subjecting your mother to tonight,' she said while he clambered into her chair.
She was nervous her son was going to meet him tonight, again. Lucas was clearly not thinking about quitting his drug usage anytime soon and he didn't care that she knew either. The thing she hated the most is the way her heart fluttered after he had left her offices this morning. He had made the attempt to shave and he looked like he had rested a little as well. She could barely make the connection between him and the man that she'd argued with after the gala. It was terrifying because she could still feel their deep connection coursing inside of her.
'I don't know mom I wanted like hot wings or French fries or something,' Dylan said shrugging. Mother and son began to joke around quickly forgetting their dinner plans.
Lucas strolled into the building and punched in the fifth floor on the elevator door. She was back to her regular bitchy ways she took up when he wasn't present in her life. It had taken him running several red lights at a high speed to get into her heart the first time. The next it took Jake's presence and it cost him his relationship with Brooke to become close to her again. He had no idea what he could do short of lighting himself on fire to get into her heart this time. He neared the office and he saw his son, their son, sitting in her lap. She was focused solely on him. They were bopping their heads to a tune that didn't sound completely lost. He was telling her what he didn't like about it and she was listening intently as if his was the only opinion that mattered. Lucas leaned up against the door watching them for a moment. Here goes nothing.
'Hey,' he said sorry to break the moment.
They both looked up at him. Her face was trying to turn to stone but he could see there was more there. Dylan's face on the other hand was far more excitable. He seemed ready to run into his arms but thought the better of it.
'Hello,' Dylan said politely.
Lucas raked a hand through his hair. Now what do you do he thought. None of those stupid how to be a dad books told you what to do in this situation. Not that he'd bought any.
'Um I just wanted to know if it was okay if you went to dinner with me,' Lucas stuttered nervously to Dylan. Peyton's mouth dropped before realizing exactly what she was putting him through. Lucas had spent years hating the very existence of Dan. He probably thought Dylan felt the same way. He had no idea that on the rare occasion that she did speak of him it was with the utmost respect.
'It's okay,' Dylan said picking up on his father's nervousness.
'You got to bare with me. I'm not really sure what to do,' he continued to ramble nervously.
'It's okay I guess,' Dylan said shyly.
'You guys ready, Mommy has a ton of stuff she needs to get done tonight,' Peyton asked growing impatient under the heavy tension.
They both looked at her uncertainly before gathering their outer garments and preparing for dinner. The private car that was waiting for them as they exited the building threw Lucas for a loop. He never thought that Peyton would be the one to enjoy car service. He always thought she would enjoy a walk somewhere. Dylan climbed in as if it was a normal thing and Lucas followed.
'Where to Mr. Scott,' the driver asked clearly speaking to Dylan. Lucas looked at Peyton but she was looking out the window avoiding him.
'Um I can't decide between BRGR or The Jimmy Shack,' Dylan responded with a reasonable confusion. Lucas watched as he opened a small compartment and turned on the TV. ESPN immediately flashed on.
'Am I to decide little one,' the man asked a twinkle in his eye.
'I guess. I have no idea what to eat tonight,' the little guy shrugged.
' The Jimmy Shack it is then,' the driver said before pulling into New York City traffic.
Dylan was sitting between his parents leaning forward to the television. They were both staring hard out the window with respective snarls etched on their faces. He sighed a little. He had been told over the years that he had his father and his mother's temper combined. He wasn't sure what exactly that meant but he didn't like the unnecessary comparisons. Dylan turned up the volume to his television. Pardon the Interruption was on and it was the only thing he could think of that was going to relieve the uncomfortable silence.
Lucas watched the small child that had his eyes, soak in whatever the opinion was that ESPN had to offer. Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon immediately fell into their usual banter discussing new NFL developments and Lucas found himself grateful for the distraction. His eyes strayed as Peyton's hand absently ran through Dylan's head. The little boy became a little riled as he began to disagree with Tony and his precious giggle erupted as Michael Wilbon pretended to be Robinson Canoe after a catching error that cost the Yankees their game. The giggling grew to genuine laughter as Tony Kornheiser's turban appeared. Lucas couldn't help but laugh as the sarcastic snarky predictions were made concerning the upcoming NCAA tournaments.
'I've got Duke over UNC in the finals by nine points,' Kornheiser announced.
'Please they are both going to choke in the first round,' Dylan said irritably.
'Wow no faith in the North Carolina teams huh,' Lucas said.
'No it's all about UCLA,' Dylan aid frowning weirdly at him,' everyone knows the Carolina teams choke in the first round anyways.'
'Is that so,' Lucas asked intrigued,' You know I went to UNC and as a diehard Tar Heel I'm not exactly feeling the animosity you're holding.'
'So mommy went to UCLA and that's where I was born so you're officially outnumbered,' Dylan bantered back easily.
Lucas tried to smile and continue the conversation with the same stamina that it had started but he felt clearly disconnected from the two. UCLA had offered him an assistant coaching position and he had turned it down to stay close to his mom and Nathan. At least that's what he told them. Then the publishers picked up his book and he had another excuse to stay away from California. His editor was on the east coast and the truth was running into Peyton after the way they left things was terrifying. What would've been he thought bitterly.
The car pulled up to the restaurant and Peyton gritted her teeth bracing herself. The restaurant was definitely one of her and Dylan's favorite. However it was a college establishment and college establishments meant raving college fans. She suddenly regretted posing for Maxim with Brooke and Haley last month. Dylan and Lucas continued to bicker about the upcoming playoffs as Peyton held the door open. She held her tongue noticing how Lucas seemed to sail past her only realizing at the last minute that she was holding the door for him.
'I'm sorry Peyton,' he said trying to salvage the lost cause.
'No ladies first,' she said with an icy smile.
Dylan giggled, ' Oooh you so got burned and by a girl too.'
Lucas's eyes narrowed a little before he forced himself to laugh. Peyton's insult was anything but friendly. His son skipped ahead of him unnoticing the glares his parents exchanged.
The dark sports bar was fuzzy in his eye and the crayola lights that hung from the ceiling spun a little. He loved the fact that his child was into sports but the talk was growing tiresome considering his mother kept sending him awful glares. The hostess led them to their seats upstairs and Lucas openly watched her despite the fact that she was barely of drinking age. Peyton's heart dropped. He had told her not two weeks ago he was still not over her but this was the second girl he hit on in front of her in less than a 24-hour span. She sailed upstairs ahead of him wondering if it was simply some ploy to make her jealous but his body language and his crooked smile told her it was anything but. Oddly enough, as they sat, he offered to take her jacket looking at her puzzled as she refused. She stared deeply into his eyes searching the dilated pupils for answers. She didn't even notice that fate had seated them next to a table full of twenty somethings gaping at her. Lucas did a double take between the table and the beautiful woman who sat across from him. He tried to concentrate on the menu but suddenly Dylan's excitable rambling of sports got the better of him.
'Peyton do you want me to sit next to you,' his voice betrayed his irritation in the situation.
He missed the crestfallen face of Dylan as he leaned across the table eager to take the male attention off of Peyton.
She shook her head no as if his question was ludicrous. She followed his eyes to the college boys and fought the urge to smack him. So now he was jealous after he just eye-fucked the hostess. She looked into Dylan's shattered face and realized this was not going to go well at all tonight. She chose to roll her eyes in agitated disgust at Lucas. He had no right acting this way concerning her.
'Um so I was wondering what exactly do I call you,' the little boy asked his feelings utterly demolished from Lucas's apparent mood swing.
Lucas looked to Peyton stunned by his question but she was too absorbed in the menu to give him any inclination as to the pitfalls of the trap he was falling into. Dylan's patience grew thin, as his father seemed more tongue-tied than ever. Did he not want him to call him Dad? It was a simple question so why was he stalling?
'May I take your order please,' the waitress came up to the table completely flustered.
'Lemonade,' Dylan replied flatly. Peyton looked over her menu to her son immediately alert to the change in his tone.
'Um, hard Lemonade for me,' Lucas spoke quickly. He was already floating on air but the higher he went the better. He had no real answers for this child that sat beside him. What could he offer to him that he didn't already have?
'Your not allowed to drink around me. That's the rules,' Dylan said his personality introverting quicker by the minute.
'No honey those are family rules. Your father can do whatever he pleases,' Peyton spoke cuttingly. She couldn't believe how insensitive Lucas was toward Dylan.
'Oh,' Dylan said thankful his mother had finally said something. Her silence was making him uncomfortable. She had explained to him that it was good to get know his father but she was doing nothing to encourage it and neither was his father. He claimed he didn't know what to do but he really didn't even bother to try.
'Peyton it's not like I'm not family okay. Gees I'm trying so hard but it's kinda hard when you won't give me anything to work with,' Lucas snapped just wanting her to make it easy for him.
'Um I'll come back,' the waitress said.
'No honey it's ok. Two regular lemonades and a giant pitcher of hard lemonade. Thank you,' she said in a voice that dripped of syrup.
Dylan and Lucas recognized that voice anywhere. Peyton was livid but she was in public so there wouldn't be a scene. It was a crisis awaiting their entrance to the car.
'Peyton what's the deal? What's your fucking problem? If you don't want me to drink around Dylan than I won't. Don't act like it's okay if it's not,' he snapped at her again.
So this is it he thought.
This was how they were going to be. Constant fighting and bickering until one of them decided to shoot the other. He didn't want to fight with her but she was so damn annoying tonight that he couldn't stop it at all. She was looking at him in mock confusion and his body visibly bristled, irritated she was so openly goading him in public. Little did she know that she was stirring the temper that only a morning dosage of oxycodine and an afternoon dosage of valium could create. Lucas pinched his nose trying to calm his erratic nerves. His eyes flew open angrily as he felt Dylan kick him. He looked to his side ready to light into him but was met with an empty seat. He looked up to see the young boy sitting closely to his mother his eyes filled with desperate tears. There was a wary distrust for him that Lucas picked up immediately. One moment Dylan and he seemed to be bonding, talking about sports and the next he was looking at Lucas as if he'd slapped him.
Peyton leaned down to him talking softly while Dylan stared off into space his eyes almost lifeless. It suddenly occurred to him that the young boy sitting across from him had his mother's sensitivity. He recalled being that sensitive once and it suddenly occurred to him that he had clearly been ignoring him. Lucas wrestled internally with the new revelation as the awkward silence at the table made its occupants squirm somewhat. Laughter erupted from the table nearby and the group of young men began to chant. Lucas knew his face was contorting to a dark menacing glare but he couldn't help it. This was who he was now; there wasn't much that could change it. The waitress returned distributing the drinks for them. He greedily imbibed his thankful for the distraction.
'Um excuse me Ms. Sawyer.'
Lucas robotically turned to the young man who was offering Peyton a pen and a magazine to sign.
'I know your busy with your family but I'm a huge...huge fan of the label and I...I...,' the young man stammered nervously.
He watched jealously as she smiled and gracefully grasped the pen. She opened the pages of the magazine to find her photo. Lucas openly leaned across the table to see and she began to sign her name.
'And what's your name,' she asked the guy whose chest was puffed proudly at her gesture. She was curling her hair flirtatiously as she spoke not caring that Lucas was watching, his mouth agape. He cursed tearing his eyes away as she chatted with her fan. So this must be payback for him trying to be nice to the hostess. She was so suffocating at times. The catcalls from the table beside him erupted raucously and he tapped his fingers impatiently. He looked to Dylan and they realized they were doing the same thing. Peyton scrawled a message to the boy and then kissed the page she signed. Everyone's mouth including Dylan's fell open.
'Oh wow thank you soo much,' the fan said ducking his head a little.
'Sure thing in fact do your friends want me to take a picture,' she offered trying to get away from the tension Lucas seemed to be emitting.
Dylan's head swiveled sharply in her direction giving away her small act. In the back of his head he knew there was something strange with her current behavior. His mother was uncharacteristically silent and she rarely signed autographs for people when he was around. Then again his dad was staring holes into her head completely ignoring him. Her faux good mood and his dad's clouded face only depressed him further.
Peyton leaned down to her son,' Sweetie mommy's going to take some photos. Just stay here with your father. When the lady comes to take our orders just get me a veggie burger okay.'
'What can I order,' Dylan asked regretfully.
'Whatever you like baby,' she said gently before kissing him on the forehead.
'Okay mom,' he answered quietly looking at his dad again.
Lucas frowned his jealousy unhidden from the pair as she waltzed away to the crowd of salivating boys. They had to be no more than twenty-five and despite his age of twenty-eight Lucas couldn't help but be jealous. Perfectly chiseled arms and smiles touching her boldly turned his stomach. He needed air and a cigar, which, while being the worst type of joke, seemed to be the best solution. He turned to go but then remembered that he was under the observation of a crisp set of blue eyes.
'What,' he demanded causing Dylan's temper to sour.
'You never answered my question,' Dylan said coldly.
'Dad's fine,' Lucas mumbled. He wasn't Dan. He wanted his child. He had always wanted his children even if he didn't know they existed he would have wanted them.
'I don't know if I want to call you that anymore,' Dylan answered bitterly.
'Um listen I know I'm not the best company but I am still trying to wrap my head around this. I just I was ....I didn't know my father very well either and he wasn't very nice to me so I just don't ....I want you Dylan I do. I want to be your dad and I want to do dad stuff with you. I just don't know you and that scares me,' Lucas explained gently.
He had no idea where all the honesty was coming from but he figured the best thing he could do is always be honest with his kid. Dan had always been honest with him and Dylan deserved that. He looked at his son whose arms were crossed contemplating his father's words.
' I guess I should call you Dad. That's who you are,' Dylan said despondently.
'Wow thanks for your approval,' Lucas's sarcasm bit into the conversation.
'I didn't say I approved. I just said I guess. If I approved then that would mean I was okay with it,' Dylan said back just as sarcastically.
'You've been around your mother and your Aunt Brooke entirely way too long. Why wouldn't you be okay with calling me Dad,' Lucas said with a small smile.
'Well for one Uncle Nate cares about what Jamie says or does all the time. Even if he is away at a game, he cares. He cares about me too the same way keep on looking at mom the way her last boyfriend did and that's definitely not okay,' Dylan spoke bluntly.
Lucas swallowed nervously, 'What was wrong with your mom's last boyfriend?'
'He used to yell and break things. She didn't like him much and he always tried to make her choose between him and me. He would like, try to buy me expensive stuff but Grandpa Dan would make him return it. When grandpa wasn't over he would like, try to make her let him stay over for sleepovers. He hated me and always made mom find a babysitter so they could go out,' Dylan said. For some reason it made him feel better telling his father all this stuff. He could see his face softening into the cool anger Uncle Nate's did when he first told him.
'Did he ever hurt your mom,' Lucas asked quietly.
'No he just made her cry…alot. He would tell me he was going to be my dad,' Dylan confessed.
Their faces fell into mirroring grave solemnity. Lucas reached across the table and took his hand.
'I can't say me and your mom aren't going to fight because we have a lot of things we have to work out. I can just say that I will do my best not to make her cry. Its the last thing I want. I don't feel like a very good person when she's upset with me or she doesn't want me around,' Lucas said patting his head.
It was an awkward exchange feeling the smallish fingers in his. It jolted him into a new perspective causing him to see things completely differently. It was one thing to feel the touch of the woman you love. A brush from the soul you were destined to be with could be earth shattering. It quite was another thing to experience the touch of the fruit of that love. It sent shivers down his spine causing him to freeze all motions and savor the moment. Dylan must of felt it too because he was looking at Lucas searching for something.
'Oh Dylan honey I wasn't gone that long,' Peyton said returned to the table.
She could still sense a broken elation in her son. His aloofness in the situation had her alarmed. He was normally an outgoing boy when he was with her but his shyness was overwhelming. Her heart fluttered as they both turned to her bearing the same accusatory look in their eyes. She sat abruptly, almost floored by the similarities in their behavior. The three ate their food cautiously, Dylan discussing loose ESPN news with his father. Peyton finished quite quickly while Dylan picked his way through his food. Lucas who was barely hungry but quite drunk continued the conversation with a disturbing level of coherence. The dull room continued to blur around him and he was suddenly very ashamed that he wouldn't remember the first dinner with his son because he had chosen to drink it away. Shit he was a total ass. Damn Dan and his crappy example. Damn Peyton too. If she loved him he wouldn't have needed to numb years of pain away. Dylan studied his sluggish movements curiously deciding that his father was indeed a sad man like his Aunt Haley explained. Peyton excused herself while the waitress brought them the tab. He stood to pay her trying to gain his balance so he could walk out the restaurant without looking as drunk as he actually was. He could here the guy from earlier clearly in a drunken ramble talking to his friends.
'Duuude he's like the luckiesth man I know. Peythan Thawyer is sooo hot,' he slurred about drunkenly. One of his buddies nodded and they clinked their beer glasses together. Lucas stood there momentarily stunned.
'I'd be lucky if Peyton and my son were going home with me tonight,' Lucas muttered to himself.
The revelers heads bobbled in fragmented reverence,' Duuude he's got it in the bag.'
Lucas sank back into his seat wondering how it wasn't so obvious to these strangers that his life wasn't perfect. He knew there were rumors about his drug abuse flying around in the press and he knew despite their nonchalance everyone knew who he was. How could anyone view him as lucky or on top of the world? His thoughts swirled in his head while his son studied him grinning at the comment he overheard. Dylan peered at his father curiously. The sense of want rose in him high and he smiled brightly. It suddenly didn't matter if his father was trashed or if their first conversation was horrible. His mom returned to the table her eyes a little tired from her day's work.
'Mom when can we have dinner with Dad again,' Dylan asked not so quietly.
Lucas missed the question as he stared in amazement at the remnants of his burger. The flecks in the meat were always astounding no matter how much he tried to get over it. And those lettuce veins, were they actually still pulsing? Peyton's heart was tugging under the iron grasp of fear Lucas had instilled in it. He had left them once and he could do it again. Hell in all technicality he wasn't even there at the moment.
'Um maybe some time next week, Dyls,' she said softly.
'How about tomorrow,' he asked hopefully slightly kicking his dad under the table.
Lucas head shot up and he looked at the little one curiously before realizing he was supposed to be listening to the conversation.
'I have to go to a work dinner tomorrow, you know that,' she said becoming a little more frustrated that her son was actually grilling her.
'Can't I go by myself. I go to school by myself with Jamie and Grandpa Larry most days,' Dylan said refusing to let her worm her way out of this.
'Oh honey I know you're a big boy,' she said looking squarely at Lucas who was staring back at her earnestly trying to grasp the meaning of the conversation,' But you father needs to be supervised.'
His face darkened as the impending rant broke forth.
' God Peyton I'm a grown man,' he nearly yelled.
'You are a drunk, prescription pill popping addict and I am not leaving my son around you,' she bit back ready for his outburst.
'Grandma Deb could take me and Jamie to hang out with him,' Dylan spoke up before either could continue their verbal sparring.
The two adults looked at him quietly. Peyton could see that her little boy was ready to quietly wage a war with her over it and the last thing she wanted was to seem like the bad guy. Dylan quietly pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed Deb's number then handed it to her. Peyton bit her lip unsure of whether or not to discipline him or to cave to his demands. She decided to give in and then ground him later when she decided what was a legitimate excuse to ground him for. Penalizing him for wanting to see his dad was cruel. After a shaky explanation, she handed Lucas the phone. He grunted, nodded and agreed and then gave it back to Dylan smiling. The boy was clearly a leader of sorts. Dylan's smile crept across his face as his mother shakily smiled at him in awe of his determination in the situation. Lucas decided now was as good as any of a time to try to stand and leave. He stood with the support of the table and tried to take a step but the blurry room started to spin and he felt like he wasn't stepping on anything at all. Peyton sprang forward quickly catching him. They exchanged looks and that's when Dylan finally saw it, his glimmer of hope. He wasn't sure why he had been so calm tonight or why he didn't give in to yell and scream at his father for ignoring him. He knew there was something serious between his parents because he had witnessed his aunts and uncles fight before. However the intensity he felt when his parents stared into each other's eyes was inexplicable. It was the way Aunt Haley looked at Uncle Nathan after one of them had been away after a very long time. The only difference was that the look that passed between his parents made him blush something serious. He turned a little as if he were watching an adult movie and a scene he wasn't supposed to see was about to happen.
'Okay D-money, let's try to get your father to the car,' his mother called down to him barely looking in his direction.
He nodded obediently as his father leaned on his mother for support and they cautiously made their way to the first floor of the restaurant. His father's eyes never left her as they gingerly made their way outside into the warm spring air. The car was pulled around and he crawled in followed by his parents. It just fit for some reason despite the fact that his dad looked like he was going to hurl at anytime. His mom gave their driver an address he wasn't aware of and he suddenly was very antsy. Maybe he could help his mom walk his dad up to his place and get to see where he lived tonight. He knew Jamie had been there a couple of times and it seemed a little unfair. Jamie told him that Aunt Haley told him not to say anything because that was what his mother wanted. He snuck another glance at his dad. His arms had encircled his mom's waist and his head was nodding on her shoulder. His mother's eyes were glassy and sad.
'Mom don't cry,' Dylan patted her knee gently.
Peyton turned a little trying to hide her tears from her son. He was too young to understand the implications of opening up his heart to someone as noncommittal as his father. She had barely cracked the doors to hers and already she was hurting.
'Dad said he hates it when you cry. He wants to get better you'll see,' Dylan said trying to raise her spirits.
'He said that,' she asked quietly. When on earth had he had time to say that to him she thought to herself.
'Yeah and Aunt Haley says he wants to get better it's just going to take some time,' he said not knowing not to trust his father.
'I know baby I just hope he can. That its not too late,' she answered reaching over to smooth down his hair.
Silence blanketed them. Dylan watched the city lights change as the car made its way to a different part of the city.
'Mommy,' he ventured.
'Yeah,' she answered in a choked whisper.
'If he doesn't and he's still nice and he tries can we still go home with him anyways,' Dylan asked still looking out the window. He wanted his father to feel lucky. Everyone should be able to feel lucky sometimes.
Peyton looked at her innocent little boy and his hopeful words. How could she tell him the truth when he thought this way? At his age, she was trying to deal with losing her mom but this boy was going have to learn how to possibly deal with a dad that really wasn't all there.
'It depends honey. If daddy is still trying to hurt himself then it may hurt too much to go home with him,' she said honestly. She couldn't lie not in this situation. The stakes were far too high considering she was not only putting her heart in Lucas's hand but her son's too.
'What if he came home with us,' Dylan asked determined to make his dad lucky.
Tears continued to pour down her face as she could see his little brain working to find a solution to some problem he saw.
'Let's just try to help daddy out the car tonight,' she whispered hoarsely.
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