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Peyton smiled as she closed the door. She and Lucas were together. They were together right? She ran her finger over her slightly swollen lips; it sure felt like they were together. After that one initial kiss they separated and stared at each other. Neither believing it had actually happen. Once the shock wore off they kissed again, then again and again. But Peyton had made it clear that she wanted to take it slow. They also needed to tell Keith.
She walked up to her bedroom with a grin on her face. She was going to have the family she always wanted for her son. Finally! She stopped mid-step and thought. Her son hadn't had an actual father because of one person. She marched back down the stairs and grabbed her phone.
"Hello", spoke the groggy voice.
"You're something else", she whispered loudly.
"Peyton", the voice questioned.
"Yes it's Peyton. The woman you once called a best friend. Well best friends don't do what you did to me Brooke", she was on a roll now.
"Peyton, it's 3 o'clock", Brooke pointed out.
"I don't care. You kept my son from his father for his entire life. You can deal with an early wake up call. You're something else Brooke. Really I mean, you and Lucas weren't even in love but you couldn't suck up your pride and tell him. Think of how much easier it all would have been. Lucas would be involved in this life. In my son's life. In my life. God Brooke I hate you so damn much for this", Peyton was physically shaking she was so angry.
"I'm sorry Peyton", Brooke said sincerely.
"Sorry isn't going to cut it this time Brooke", Peyton said sadly.
"I know", she replied. There friendship was broken beyond repair. Everything they had built up since they were eight was gone. Brooke had no one to blame but herself.
"Bye Brooke", Peyton said after a moment of silence.
"Thanks for calling Peyton. The calm P. Sawyer scared the hell out of me before but this…I can deal with this", she said with a small laugh.
"Glad I could help", Peyton laughed too.
"Goodbye P. Sawyer", Brooke said through a sob.
"Goodbye B. Davis", Peyton said as she wiped at a tear.
Peyton hung up and collapsed on the couch. A lifelong friendship was over. As much as she didn't want to admit it, she would miss Brooke. Her B. Davis. But it was what had to be done. It was for the best.
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"So you guys kissed", Haley asked her long time friend. She sent her husband a knowing glance.
"Yup", she could feel Peyton's smile.
"Well what does this all mean", she asked excitedly.
"He's coming over for dinner tonight. We're going to talk to Keith and see how that goes", she sounded apprehensive.
"Peyton please, you know he'll be thrilled", Haley assured her.
"I know but I just want everything to go well."
"Well, what did you do last night after the kiss", Haley mocked her friend.
"Well first I calmed my nerves", Peyton laughed before taking a breath, "and then I called Brooke", she finished quietly.
"What", Haley yelled into the phone. Nathan came rushing back in and Haley mouthed what Peyton told her.
"You did what Sawyer", Nathan asked from his phone in his office.
"Gees guys calm down", Peyton laughed, "I called and yelled at her. It wasn't anything peachy. Our friendship is over; we both know that for sure now", they could all hear the sadness in her voice.
"I'm sorry", they both said at the same time.
"It's okay. I'm just glad things are the way they are now. I have my son's father in his life, that's the best thing that can happen", she said happily.
"That and a wedding", Haley offered.
"Ha Ha", Peyton said deadpanned, "we're working things out", she said defiantly.
"You now what that means Nate", Haley pretended to ask.
"Yup, by tomorrow they'll be completely blissed out and will have everything worked out", he mocked his best friend.
"Shut up", Peyton said while smiling. She didn't want to admit how they were more then likely right.
"Good comeback Sawyer, really", Nathan teased her. Peyton stuck her tongue out in response, "That's mature", Nathan chastised. Peyton sat there in awe.
"I have a five year…I can sense those things. That and I know you like the back of my hand", he said proudly.
"Well I bet you don't know what I'm cooking for dinner", she challenged.
"You're cooking", Haley questioned. She visited Peyton in Savannah and some of her dishes weren't something Haley would wish on her worst enemy.
"Yup", Peyton said excitedly.
"Haley pack our bags", Nathan said seriously.
"Why", she asked with a laugh.
"Cause I don't wanna be here when Peyton burns down the neighborhood", he heard her gasp on the other end.
"Seriously guys, Jake taught me a lot. And you haven't had my cooking in like nearly two years", she pointed out.
"What are you making", Haley humored her.
"Lemon chicken", Haley smiled, Lucas's favorite.
"Well then you better got start cooking. Try not to burn down the house", Nathan teased.
"Thanks", she responded, "We'll see you guy's tomorrow right", she asked.
"Yup bright and early so don't stay up too late tonight", Nathan said suggestively.
"Nathan Scott", both Haley and Peyton exclaimed.
"I'm hanging up now goodbye", she said. With only the married couple left Haley spoke.
"You so owe me twenty bucks", she said victoriously.
"What", he said disbelievingly.
"The bet we made. I won", she said matter-of-factly.
"Hales, we made that months ago", he tried to shoot her down.
"Doesn't matter I won, I want my money", she demanded.
"How about I give you something else", he said huskily.
She giggled in response, "Bedroom in ten", she said seductively, "oh and Nathan, make sure you have my money", she laughed as she hung up.
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Peyton smoothed out her dress for the tenth time that night. Keith was still upstairs, not wanting to leave his beloved video game. She rolled her eyes as she remembered the fight that ensued when she asked him to get in the bath.
It was nearing six o'clock and she knew he would be here soon. She tried to imagine what he would be wearing. Maybe something blue? But not a light blue, it would have to be dark. The ringing doorbell brought her from her thoughts.
"Hey you", he said as she opened the door. He looked her up and down. She had on a deep blue dress. It was so dark it almost looked black but you could see the navy-ish shimmer in the light.
"Hey yourself", she said as he took a step closer. She was right. Dark blue pants with a navy and light blue stripped sports jacket, a white button down shirt underneath.
"You look beautiful", he said adoringly.
"Your not so bad yourself", she teased as she looked into his eyes.
They both heard Keith leave his room and come running down the stairs. Lucas swooped in and kissed her before Keith came to the door.
She smiled at him questioningly.
"I've been waiting to do that all day", he whispered. She blushed profusely.
"Hey dad", Keith said as he finally greeted them at the door.
"Hey champ", Lucas said as he picked Keith up in one arm.
"Who are those for", he asked knowingly while pointing to the lilies in his fathers other hand.
"Oh um, they're for your mother", Lucas blushed as he handed them to her. Truth be told after the kiss he kind of blocked everything out.
"Thank you. They're beautiful", Peyton smiled brightly.
Keith watched the exchange between his parents and smiled too. He had missed those looks.
"Go sit", she told them both, "I'll be right out", with that she disappeared into the kitchen.
"Did she cook", Lucas whispered to his son.
Keith scrunched his nose, "I hope not". His mother was many things but a cook she was not.
"Okay now I know what your thinking…but I swear it's going to be delicious", she said as she watched them stare at the food. Keith shook his head disbelievingly.
"I'll try some first" she said exasperatedly. She took a forkful and chewed thoroughly, she smiled at just how good it was.
"See, no food poisoning", she joked.
"That's because it takes twenty four hours to set in", Lucas teased. He and Keith laughed until they noticed the glare Peyton was giving them; all was quiet at the dining room table.
"I know Jake was the cook but please try some Keith", Peyton pleaded. Keith smiled at his mother. He took his fork and braved himself for the worst.
"Wow. This is great", he exclaimed. Lucas skeptically looked at his son, "Really dad, try some", he persuaded the older Scott.
"Peyt this is great", he said between forkfuls. She smiled at his nickname for her.
After it had been established that Peyton could actually cook, they enjoyed some regular conversation and felt like the real deal.
"Are we a family now", Keith asked suddenly. Lucas choked on the water he was drinking. Peyton smirked before she turned to Keith.
"What makes you ask that", she said softly.
"I saw you guys kissing", he said as he shrugged his shoulders.
"What were you doing up that late", Peyton asked sternly.
Keith held his hands up in defense. "I heard a truck go by. You know how much I love trucks. I wanted to see what it looked like so I got up and went to the window. The truck was huge mom", Keith spread his arms apart for a demonstration, "Seriously it was that big", he exclaimed. "So anyways that's when I saw you and dad", he watched as his mother nodded understandingly.
"So…are we", he asked. Peyton looked between her son and the man she loved; hope was evident in both their eyes
"Yea", she said as she smoothed his hair, "we always have been", she said as she smiled at Lucas.
"Cool", Keith said aloud. Inside, he was thinking he was the luckiest kid on the planet.
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Peyton stood at the sink washing the dinner dishes. Lucas was upstairs reading Keith a bedtime story. She smiled. She was glad that Keith was getting to experience this. He had missed out on so much for so long. Sure, Jake was there and he was great but that could never take the place of his father.
"Keith's out like a light", Lucas whispered as he put his arms around her waist. She put down the wet dish and turned in his embrace.
"It was an eventful night for him", she said as she interlocked her fingers behind his neck.
"Those chocolate chip cookies were great", he said as he nuzzled her neck.
"I'm glad you thought so", she giggled as he reached her tender spot; right behind her ear.
"I kind of liked the ones in high school better", he whispered huskily in between kisses. Peyton felt a shiver all the way down her back.
"Did you mean it Peyton", he asked timidly, "What you said earlier. About us being a family", he tightened his grip; praying for the best.
"Of course", she answered without hesitation. Lucas smiled as he leaned down to kiss her.
"This feels right", she whispered as she placed her head on his shoulder. Lucas took a deep breath, needed it for what he was about to ask and because she was playing with the hair at the nape of his neck.
"Can I stay tonight", he asked cautiously with his eyes closed and his forehead placed on hers.
"No", Peyton said as she broke from the embrace and walked away. Lucas snapped his eyes opened and was momentarily stunned but then gently grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"But, I thought that with what happened earlier–"
He was silenced by a kiss. And then a loving smile.
"Stay every night"