A/N: Okay, so I know the wait has been insanely long, especially for a chapter that's so short, but as I've said already with school and what not, I just don't have the time. Plus I've started a new story called Handcuffs. It's a Raley friendship fic, with Naley and Routh romance. So if you like that kind of thing, check it out, R&R, and I'll be happy.
Disclaimer: One Tree Hill belongs to Mark and the CW. That means, not me.
She found him sitting at the foot of their bed.
"Lucas." She said softly.
He didn't even look up, no glance into her eyes, nothing. She reached out slowly to touch his arm and at her touch, he flinched, pulling away.
"Luke, what's wrong?" Peyton asked quietly.
Luke frowned, shaking his head and trying to erase the thoughts he was having.
"You can't shut me out, Luke. We're in this together now." She reminded him, pointing at her ring.
He finally looked up, her green eyes searching his blue.
"Just let me in," She pleaded.
He said nothing for a few moments, as if he was looking for words that would end all of this. The words that would explain exactly how he was feeling, but it was clear that there weren't any.
"I'm Dan." He finally said quietly, almost hoping Peyton hadn't heard him.
"Lucas, how could you think that? You're not Dan." Peyton objected, although even she had to admit, she could see the resemblances.
"Peyton, don't lie to yourself. You can see it just as well as I can. Two women, three babies, and I'm the father. And now I'm marrying one of them! How is that not like Dan?" Lucas said, raising his voice as he went along.
"It isn't like Dan, because you didn't leave Caitlin. You're still here, and you're going to raise that kid. And you're going to be a great father. That's how you're not like Dan." Peyton whispered, grabbing his hand and this time, he didn't flinch, he held her hand and squeezed it gently.
"Have I mentioned how great you are lately?" Lucas asked, leaning towards her.
"Maybe," She smiled, "But I don't mind hearing it again..."
"You're great." Lucas laughed, before capturing her lips in his. She leaned into him as he wrapped his arms around her. They pulled away quickly as they heard a knock on the door.
"Come in," He said quickly and moved away from Peyton.
The door opened slowly, and Lucas saw Karen standing hesitantly on the other side.
"Mom." Lucas whispered softly, standing up. He didn't move towards the door, just stood there in front of the bed.
"Hi Luke." Karen said quietly, moving just enough so that she was no longer standing in the door frame.
Peyton looked back and forth between mother and son for a few moments, noticing the awkwardness between the two. She stood up quickly, and walked towards the door.
"I'm going to leave you two alone to talk, I'll go check on Lily and Caitlin." She said, smiling weakly. She just wanted to get out of there, it was too...tense, and weird.
Lucas nodded, not taking his eyes of Karen.
Peyton left, shutting the door behind her before breathing a sigh of relief. She quickly made her way downstairs, not wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"I'm sorry." Lucas and Karen said in unison.
"You first," Lucas said, his face relaxing as he sat back down. His mother came closer, and sat on a chair beside the bed.
"I want you to know, I'm not angry about you marrying Peyton. Anger wasn't even the first thing that came to mind. It was more...shock. I felt bad for Caitlin, because in a sense she was in my place. But I feel terrible thinking like that, because that made you Dan. And I want you to know you're nothing like him. You're a better man. I'm just sorry that I maybe overreacted."
Lucas shook his head, "If anyone's sorry it should be me. I shouldn't have stormed out on you like that. I think I was just scared of your reaction, I didn't want to know what you thought."
Karen frowned, "You know I'll always support whatever decision you make, even if I think it's the wrong one. But to be honest Luke, I really think you're making the right decision here. Marrying Peyton, but not letting Caitlin do this on her own. In a sense I'm almost glad Dan wasn't around to raise you, because you wouldn't be the person you are today."
"Thanks Mom." Lucas smiled, "For everything."
"I would do it again in a heartbeat." Karen laughed, getting up and wrapping her arms around her no longer so little boy and hugging him tightly, "And congratulations on the engagement. Now let's go back downstairs and see everyone."
Leave a review, check out my other story, and...no wait, that's it.
I can practically promise the next chapter will be up soon, 'cause I'm real excited to write it, but I have a lot to do tomorrow, so we'll just see how it goes.