Chapter 12

Peyton just had get out of the hospital she needed to breath needed alone time. Bryce was ok Haley and Nathan would make sure of that. She could not believe Brooke and Lucas, she will always be grateful to Lucas for saving Bryce's life. But she could not go there with them. It still hurt too much. Today was Christmas Eve she already got her gifted she needed to get that robot that Bryce wanted so it would be there for him on Christmas morning. But where was she going to find one this late and could she afford it. Peyton went to the diner and pick up her pay check and there was just enough time to go the bank. She looked at the amount but it did not matter she would spend it all to get that robot for Bryce.

Peyton did not know she was being followed. Peyton went into store after store and still no robot. The man went into the last store Peyton had gone into to see what she was looking for. The sales clerk told him about the robot which they no longer had they sold out. Peyton was discouraged this was the last store she could go into; she wanted to get back to the hospital.

"I am sorry Ms. but we are sold out of the robots." the clerk told her.

"You have one in the window could I buy that one?" "My son is sick and in the hospital and it is all he wants." Peyton told her.

"We are not allowed to sell display models." she told Peyton.

There it was she had tried her best but could not get the robot. What would she tell Bryce tomorrow morning. She went back to the hospital. She was tired. After Peyton was gone the man went into the store and told him he wanted that robot and the clerk told him what she had told Peyton. He told her he would pay any amount it did not matter.

"Sir I am sorry I cannot sell that to you and we are closing the store now, you have to leave." the clerk told him.

"I want to see a supervisor right now." he demanded.

"I am going to call security if you do not leave now." she said.

"Call them but I am not leaving without a robot." he said.

The supervisor came and the man explained everything about Bryce and how his mother came looking for this robot. It is the only thing he wants and I am going to get it for him. The supervisor asked why this little boy was so important to him and he told him. The supervisor went in back and came back a few minutes later with a box wrapped in Christmas paper. And two more bags of wrapped gifts. The supervisor told him that the big one was the robot and the smaller gifts were other toys for the little boy. The man thank him and left.

Peyton got back to the hospital where everyone had been in and out of Bryce's room. Karen went over to her.

"Peyton you ok?" Karen asked.

"I just went looking for Bryce's Christmas gift all he wants is this robot that walks, talks and plays with him." I went everywhere I could and still they were all sold out." "What am I going to tell him tomorrow morning that Santa forgot about him." "Oh God Karen what am I going to do?" Peyton asked.

"Peyton sweetie I wish I could help you." "I wish there is something I could tell you and make it better but I can't." Karen told her.

"I can't help but wonder what would have happened if I would have stayed in Tree Hill." Peyton said.

Jeremy saw Peyton talking to Karen and he went over to them.

"I was looking for you Peyton." "I just wanted to let you know that Bryce's latest test results are great." "He is getting stronger." "Sorry he can't be home for Christmas but I am sure Santa will find him." Jeremy told her.

"Not too sure about that Jeremy." "I was just out looking for the robot Bryce wants and every store is sold out." "I guess that was the big thing this year." Peyton told him.

Peyton went to go see Bryce. Nathan, Haley, Brooke and Lucas were in there.

"Hi Mama." Bryce said.

Peyton walked over to the bed and said. "Hi baby how are you feeling?"

"I feel better Mama." Bryce told her.

Brooke walked over to Peyton and handed her an envelope. Peyton looked at her. Brooke urged her to open it. Peyton did.

Peyton,

"I know none of this has been easy and we did not make it easy for you. This letter is to let you know that Lucas and I have talked about the many times even before we knew where you were. There will be a no strings divorce form him immediately. This was decided long ago. I am not mad or angry. Peyton you need to open up to Lucas talk to him it is not going to be easy at first but it will get better and it will be best for Bryce. Peyton you need to let Lucas inside talk to him tell him how you really feel. Bryce needs a father you need a man that can be that for him and a man for you. It is ok to love him Peyton a love like yours and Lucas's never goes away. It is always there no matter how hard you fight it. It is time to stop fighting Lucas and let him be there for you and Bryce."

"Peyton I love you and always will we were best friends once I do not know if we will ever get any of that back. I just want you to know that I am here in any way you need me to be."

Brooke

Peyton reread the letter again and looked over at Brooke. Who walked to her.

"I mean every word in that letter Peyton." "Look at me and tell me you still do not have feelings for Lucas." she told her.

Peyton tired but could not.

"It's ok Peyton." "You and Bryce need him." Brooke said.

Everyone said good night to Bryce tomorrow would be Christmas Day. Peyton and Lucas were staying the night. They tucked Bryce in and told him his favorite story. After he was a sleep they went and sat on the couch to talk.

"Peyton I am not going to pretend to know what you have been through." "There is no excuse for the way I acted." "I hope in time we can find a way to tell Bryce who I am and that he and I will have a father son relationship I did not have with my father." Lucas told her.

"Lucas I am thankful and grateful that you saved Bryce's life." "I really am not sure how I feel I am confused and hurt and sad." "I can't give my son what he really wants for Christmas this year a robot that can interact with him that is all he asked for." "The stores were all sold out." "I have no idea what I am going to tell him in the morning." Peyton said.

Bryce woke up and it woke them up they had fallen asleep on the couch. They went to him and sat one on each side of the bed. They held his hands and he went back to sleep so did they. All was quite in the room the door opened and a figure walked toward the bed. He was dressed in red from his head till his toes. He started to put the presents at the bottom of the bed. Bryce woke up because he heard something.

"Santa Claus." yelled Bryce.

Both Peyton and Lucas flew out of their chairs. Looked and there was Santa Claus. Peyton eyes locked on to his eyes.

"Daddy." Peyton yelled and she ran into her father's waiting arms.

"How did you know?" she asked him.

"I have known all along where you have been Peyton I have just been waiting for you." he told her.

"I am sorry I did not tell you." Peyton told him.

"It is ok." Larry told her and hugged her.

"Santa thank you for my gifts." Bryce said.

"You are very welcome Bryce." "But you have one more present coming but your Mama has to give you that one." Larry said.

Larry looked a Lucas and then at Peyton and nodded his head. Peyton walked back to Bryce's bed and stood next to Lucas. They looked at each and knew the moment of truth was here.

"Bryce I have to tell you something and I don't want to upset you." Peyton told him.

"Bryce Lucas is your daddy." Peyton said.

"I know Mama the angel told me." Bryce said.

"What angel Bryce?" Lucas asked.

"The angel that looks like Mama." Bryce told him.

"Ellie he saw Ellie." Peyton said.

"That was her name Mama." he told her.

"Mama she told me to tell you that, "The song always end but there is no reason not do enjoy the music." "It is time for you to start to live Mama." "That is what she told me." Bryce said.

Lucas and Peyton looked at each other and then they looked at their son for the first time together.

Author's Note: Hope all of you enjoyed this story I know I enjoyed writing it. There will be a sequel. Title: A New Year Is Here.

Thanks for all of the reviews.