A/N: Sorry it's been a while since the last update. I've just been really busy. Updates will definitely slow down, as school starts tomorrow and I simply won't have as much time to write. But I defnitely want to finish this story. So I'm going to keep going!!
Also, for those of you who didn't catch this last chapter... Karen knows about the babies already. She was one of the first. And she's fine with it. They just have to tell her about the engagement.
Disclaimer: One Tree Hill. To put it simply, it's just not mine. But Caitlin's ALL mine. :)
"Mmm, smells good." Lucas mumbled as he walked into the kitchen.
"Thanks," Caitlin smiled, "It's almost done."
Lucas checked his watch, his mom and sister should be arriving in about 5 minutes, so that was good.
"Okay." He grinned, "Peyton's set the table, I cleaned the living room, you've cooked dinner. Looks like we're set."
"Almost, can you just watch this to make sure it doesn't burn while I go fix my hair?" She asked.
"Your hair looks fine," Lucas said raising his eyebrows, but when Caitlin gave him an angry look, he gave in, "Yeah, I'll watch it, just hurry up."
"Yes sir," Caitlin said, pretending to salute him. "Thanks."
Lucas rolled his eyes and laughed as she rushed out of the kitchen and upstairs.
"Hey Cait-" Peyton began as she walked in, but seeing Lucas she stopped, "Oh. Luke. Where's Caitlin?"
Lucas turned, looking at the beautiful blonde woman that stood before him, looking gorgeous as always.
"Well hello to you too," Lucas smiled as she walked up to him and he kissed her softly, "I must say you look absolutely stunning this evening."
"Thanks." Peyton said sincerely, "Now where is she?"
"She just went upstairs to fix her hair, why?" Lucas asked, turning his attention back to the food.
"I just, wanted to talk to her." Peyton said quickly.
"Oh, okay then. Well she's probably in her bathroom."
Peyton nodded, "Thanks."
xxx
"Caitlin."
"Oh, hi Peyton." Caitlin smiled as she saw Peyton enter the bathroom, "Something wrong? Did Lucas burn my food?"
Peyton laughed, thinking about how much that sounded like something Lucas would do. "No, he didn't. The food's fine. I just wanted to talk."
"Oh." Caitlin said slowly, she hadn't expected that, "Why don't we go into my bedroom then?"
"Sure." Peyton nodded eagerly.
"So what's up?" Caitlin asked as they sat side by side on her bed.
"I just want to thank you." Peyton said simply.
"Thank me? For what?" Caitlin asked, wondering what she had done that deserved gratitude.
"For being so good about all this. I know what it's like to lose the guy you love, it's happened to me one time too many."
Caitlin shrugged, "It happens. I can't say I'm happy about it, but I knew one of these days you'd come back. Just like Lucas told me, people always leave, but sometimes they come back."
Peyton smiled, remembering that drawing about people leaving.
"I just don't want us to hate each other. I mean we're both going through this together, so why not do it as friends?" Peyton asked hopefully.
Caitlin raised her eyebrows in surprise, "Friends? Really?"
Peyton nodded, "Yeah."
"I'd love to." Caitlin grinned, hugging Peyton.
"Me too," Peyton whispered.
xxx
The doorbell rang, and Lucas rushed to the front hall to answer it.
"Mom!" He exclaimed at the sight of his mother, and then looking downwards, he saw his four year old sister, clinging to Karen's leg, "Lil' Bear!"
"Hi Lukey." Lily grinned, releasing her mom's leg at the sight of her older brother, who had bent down and opened his arms, which she ran into. He picked her up into a one armed hug, while hugging his mom with the other arm.
"Where are Caitlin and Peyton?" Karen asked as Lucas let go of her.
"They're...right there." Lucas said as he saw the women coming down the stairs.
"Hey Karen!" Peyton smiled.
"Hi Ms. Roe." Caitlin waved.
"Caitlin, call me Karen." Karen grinned goofily.
"Right, sorry Karen." Caitlin said as she reached the bottom, giving Karen a hug.
"How's it going?" Karen asked her, pointing at Caitlin's stomach.
"It's... different. But I'm holding up." Caitlin laughed.
"That's good." Karen smiled, "And Peyton."
Peyton smiled shyly, even though she was far from it. Peyton was anything but shy. She reached out to hug Karen.
"And how it's going for you?" Karen asked again.
"Couldn't be better." Peyton smiled, and she meant it. She was the happiest she had been in a really long time.
"Lukey," Lily suddenly said, "I'm hungry."
"Lily says it's time to eat." Lucas announced.
"I agree." Karen laughed.
And so they did.
It's kinda short, but I wanted to end it where I did. Chapter 13 might be up today, might be tomorrow, might be later this week. We'll just have to see how it goes. For now, leave a review and let me know how much (or how little) you liked this chapter.
Speaking of reviews, I want to thank you. Because this story has received the most reviews per chapter of any story I've ever written. And it's ALMOST my most reviewed story. So thank you guys soooo much for your helpful and kind reviews. :)
