I need to apologises for not updating for...well I don't even want to look to see how long it's been. I know U have been a bad BAD writer. I kinda gave up because I was struggling to write this chapter for a number of reasons. But I got some really nice messages and emails asking me to continue so I forced myself to finally sit down and just write...no matter how crap I thought t was. So this may not be the best written chapter but I did try.

Will I continue after this chapter? Yeah I think there are a few more chapters of this story to be told.

I hope you like this and it was worth the wait. All errors are mine...no beta as usual. Hopefully they don;t distract from the story too much.

Chapter 21

The picnic basket and blanket had been dumped in the living room floor, as Brooke led Peyton by the hand up the staircase and along the corridor leading to Peyton's bedroom.

Once in the room, Brooke started to discard her shoes and the grey cardigan. Peyton was rooted to the spot, scared to move, scared to speak, scared of the reality of the situation. If she had read the situation right, this was it, they were about to have sex . And she wanted to so badly, had longed for this moment for years, and yet now faced with it, she felt hesitant. She knew what this meant for both of them; the final barrier to be broken down. She had spent the last few weeks worried that she was moving too fast for Brooke, she wanted this to be on her terms.

Brooke had now perched herself on the foot of the bed and softly patted the space next to her inviting Peyton to join her. Peyton kicked of her shoes, before joining her on the bed, and sucked in a large breath when she felt Brooke's hand caress her jean clad thigh.

"Pey, look at me," Brooke commanded.

The blonde turned to face the beauty next to her. Brooke brushed the loose blonde curls behind her ear, her thumb caressing her cheek, then her hand was holding Peyton's chin, her thumb now running over Peyton's pouting lower lip, causing in it to quiver.

"Are you sure? I mean, are you ready because you, I mean we don't have to, I..." Peyton stuttered over her words, which caused a low chuckle from Brooke.

"Pey, I know what I want, and it's you, let's just relax and enjoy okay?"

Peyton just nodded her head, and then hesitantly moved in closer to Brooke, taking one more tentative look into the brown eyes in front of her, but when she saw that there was no sign of faltering on the brunette's part, she let go of her fears and dived into the warmth of Brooke's mouth.

As the kisses deepened and hands wandered under garments, Peyton's mind flashed back to the first time they made love when they were teenagers. Brooke has been the more experienced of the pair, the more confident one. It was Brooke who pinned her to the bed, Brooke who undressed her, who took her small pert breast into her mouth. It was Brooke who had tease her opening before entering her over and over again, until a wave of passion caused her to arch into Brooke's open arms, before they collapsed into a sweaty entanglement of bodies.

Her minded was snapped into the present when Brooke pulled apart from the kiss tugging at Peyton's t-shirt.

"We need this off," she growled, as Peyton raised her arms allowing Brooke to pull the shirt off. Brooke's lips dropped to Peyton's collarbone, alternating between kisses and licks to the skin. Peyton's head fell back as she soaked in the sensations. Fingers ran up her spine, halting when they reach her bra clasp. Without fault, the clasp was undone, and her bra was quickly discarded onto the floor, as the brunettes' warm mouth sucked with vigour on her breast. Peyton moaned deeply when Brooke's tongue flicked over her harden nipple. She savoured the attention Brooke lavished on her breast, before she found the strength to push Brooke back slightly, grabbing at her shirt in the process.

"You need to catch up with me," she said grinning as she forcefully undid the buttons as she kisses Brooke deeply. The shirt was soon on the floor next to Peyton's, and Peyton pulled back to stare at the semi naked woman in her arms.

" I like the sexy bra, are there panties to match?" she teased as she running her hands over the red lace, and pinching at the hard nipples through the material.

"Maybe," Brooke whispered huskily, as Peyton unclasped her bra.

Peyton climbed back further onto the bed, pulling Brooke with her, arms and legs entangled as they continued to kiss passionately. Peyton won the fight for dominance, as she rolled Brooke on to her back, kissing her hard in the process.

Peyton dipped her head to lavish the full and pert breasts. "hmmmmm," she groaned as she sucked greedily on one of Brooke's nipples, while massaging the other with her hand, enjoying the groans emitted from Brooke's swollen lips. Peyton removed her lips from round the breast and moved to kiss between the valley between the two supple mounds, moving slowly down, trailing a stream of kisses over the tight abdomen, until she reached the top of the low riding jeans. Her hands moved to start unbuttoning them, when a soft tug of her hair, pulled Peyton back up to meet Brooke. Eyes interlocked, smiles were shared, "You are as beautiful and as perfect as I remember," Peyton whispered sweetly, "Let me show you how much."

It felt strange to wake up feeling exhausted even though she had slept more soundly. Exhaustion took over both women, quickly after the highs they had achieved through passion. Peyton had lay still except for weaving her fingers through Brooke's soft hair as the beauty slept peacefully, her head resting on Peyton's bare chest. The last thought running through her head before sleep consumed her was, 'this is my heaven'.

A laboured yawn escaped from her as she awoke, stretching her body to help ease the dull ache of her muscles, but by doing so inadvertently awoke her sleeping partner.

"Still tired," moaned Brooke into Peyton's chest.

"Sorry babe, I didn't mean to wake you," she whispered.

"Hmm, what time is it?"

Peyton looked around the room before realising that she didn't have a clock in the room yet. Moving the sleepyhead carefully onto the pillows she leaned over the side of the bed grabbing at her discarded jeans, fumbling to pull out her cell from its pocket.

"It's almost eleven," she sighed as she dropped her body heavily back into the soft mattress, the brunette moving an arm to pull her closer.

"I can't remember the last time I slept this late," Brooke mumbled, "Certainly had to be before Elizabeth arrived. Pey are you even listening to me?"

"Sorry I have lots of missed calls, I had my phone on silence. Let me just check the messages."

"It's Sunday. Who of any importance needs you on a Sunday morning. Come on Blondie, lets …" but before she could finish she was cut off by an alarmed Peyton.

"Brooke they are all from Haley and Nathan."

Brooke bolted up straight in the bed, "Where's my phone?" she cried.

"I don't know. Wait just let me listen to these," she said grabbing Brooke back onto the bed as she tried to escape.

Accessing her voicemail Peyton went to the last voicemail received from Haley, little over fifteen minutes ago, and pushed the speaker button so they could both listen.

"Hey Peyton. This is like the umpteenth call I've made to you and Brooke. I don't know what you guys are up to but we just pulled up to Brooke's house and no one is here. We are heading over to your now to try and find you. Elizabeth is a bit upset. You guys better be there."

"What the hell" Brooke exclaimed, "What are they doing back now. They were not meant to be home until this evening. Oh god Elizabeth….Pey what is something is wrong with her."

While Brooke was panicking, Peyton was sifting through her voicemails back to the first one.

"Brooke, babe just calm for one second we need to listen to this ok," she said before pressing play.

"Hey Peyton. I can't get hold of Brooke. Jamie fell and broke his arm. We've been at ER all night. The kids are both cranky so we are cutting the trip short and heading home. We will be back in Tree Hill by 11 at the latest. Call me when you get this"

"She's okay Brooke, she's okay," Peyton said as she pulled the shell shocked woman into her arms. She could feel the racing beat of Brooke's heart thudding deep in her chest. She gently rubbed her hand soothingly down her back, trying to sedate her. "She's okay, Jamie is okay, everything is fine, so just breath slowly baby."

They stayed there together on the bed holding one another until Brooke's pulse returned to a normal state. Removing herself from Peyton's tight yet comforting hold, she pulled the blonde into a searing kiss. "Thank you, I just worry about her so much you know," she said as a tear drop escaped and trailed slowly down her cheek, which Peyton gently wiped away with the caress of her thumb. "We are okay," she whispered as she leant into place her soft lips over the tracks the teardrop had left. "The three of us. I'm going to be here now for you and Elizabeth. I promise."

Before Brooke could show Peyton how much she appreciated the heart felt declaration with a kiss, the door bell rang.

"Oh shit!" she exclaimed before darting out of Peyton's hold and grasping desperately for something to wear.

"My gown is on the back of the door take that."

"Thanks P," she said wrapping the garment around her as she dashed out the bedroom and downstairs to answer the door.

"There you are," Nathan exclaimed as Brooke swung open the front door, "Look Lizzie-beth I told you mommy would be here."

"Mama," the little girl cried as she ran into her mother's outstretched arms, "I missed you. You no home."

"I'm missed you too baby. Mommy is sorry she wasn't home," Brooke said peppering kisses on her daughters' chubby cheeks, "Mommy is so sorry."

"Was mommy getting so action?" Nathan enquired as he eyed up Brooke's dishevelled appearance. Brooke felt the heat rise in her face and knew that she had gone an embarrassingly shade of red.

"Hey don't sweat it Davis, it's about damn time," he winked, "Here is her bag. We've got to get home. We are all beat,"

"How is Jamie?"

"He's fine. He was showing off for Elizabeth, as usual. He's been told a hundred times about jumping on the bed and now hopefully he has learnt his lesson. It's a small fracture. The doc says it will be fine within a few weeks. You know kids though – they give you a hell of a fright."

"Yeah they do," she said smiling clutching Elizabeth, who had her head buried into her neck, that bit tighter to her, "tell Hale's to call me later."

"Will do. Tell Sawyer I said congrats on the hot catch," he laughed as he bounded down the steps back to the car. Brooke waved to the Scott family as they pulled away before entering back into the house, where met Peyton as she came down the stairs.

"Hey Lizzie-beth," she said cheerfully, "Did you have fun with the Scott's." A small nod of the head was the only acknowledgment she got before the girl turned back to her mom hugging her closely.

"I think maybe I need to go make some breakfast or something. You two can go upstairs and get dressed or something," she suggested unsure of the action to take.

Brooke placed a soft peck on the blonde's cheek, "Cheers babe. I think she's a bit tired, but I'm sure some pancakes would help."

"Pancakes it is," Peyton grinned before setting off for the kitchen.

Back in the bedroom, Brooke noticed that Peyton had haphazardly attempted to make the bed and her clothes were folded and sitting in a small pile on the window seat. With a small amount of force she unwrapped her daughter from her and placed her in the end of the bed.

"Mommy needs to get dressed okay sweetie?"

She nodded silently and watched intently as her mom picked up her clothes and headed towards the en-suite door.

"Don't go mama!" she shouted jumping off the bed after Brooke.

"I'm not going anywhere, look it's just the bathroom. You can come in with mommy but it's just like at home…mommy will keep the door open."

"I want to go home."

"But Peyton is making you pancakes honey."

"I wanna go home," she cried a little louder, her face starting to contort and redden, and Brooke knew tears were not far behind.

"Ok ok, let mommy get dressed," she said as she quickly put on her clothes, splashed some cold water on her face and ran a brush through her hair. Once dressed she grabbed the now whimpering girl into her arms.

"We are going home now baby. No tears, mommy doesn't like it when you cry sweetie."

Once downstairs she quickly searched for her handbag and car keys.

"Hey Brooke that was quick," Peyton said wandering out from the kitchen, looking all cute with her hair still tousled from last night, with a kitchen apron on. Her smile dropped when she saw the keys in Brooke's free hand.

"I'm sorry Pey, she really wants to go home. I think it's for the best."

"Oh uhm okay. I can come with you guys and…"

"No" Elizabeth interrupted loudly. "Just mommy."

Peyton tried not to show her disappointment. Just 10 minutes earlier she'd been basking in morning bliss with plans of feeding her lover in bed. Now she was left with dumping the bowl of pancake batter down the sink, and a day alone. She pushed the thoughts aside though and offered a weak smile. "I'll see you both tomorrow then?" she uttered bravely trying not to let the frustration show through in her voice.

"I'll call you. I'm so sorry."

"Nothing to be sorry about. This is life with kid's right?" she said acceptingly. "Get you girl home."

Brooke lay in the comfort of her own bed in silence, watching the rise and fall of her daughter's chest and as she fell in to the land of nod. She tried to put her down for an early nap in her own bed but she had inherited the stubborn trait from her mother and insisted she sleep in mommy's bed. Brooke could never really resist giving her daughter anything, and so it was that they retreated to her room. They lay in one another's embrace. "Mommy I no go away," the girl stated simply. "Mama's not letting you go anywhere sweetie."

Now watching her daughter sleep that last sentence from her baby raced through her head. It had been a relative emotional rollercoaster. She'd gone from being ecstatically happy to sheer panic of harm of her daughter, then relief of holding her in her arms once more. Then she was blindsided by Elizabeth's behaviour, which was completely out of character for her baby girl, and felt a rip of guilt through her body when she had to leave Peyton so suddenly. Her brain told her Peyton understood, but it still hurt and left her with regret.

Sighing heavily she reached for her cell and hit speed dial. Haley answered on the third ring.

"I wondered when you would call? Is Elizabeth okay. Peyton said she was rather clingy and upset."

"You spoke to Peyton?"

"She called to speak to Jamie and make sure he okay. I heard him bragging about how cool his cast is and how he didn't cry at all. Lies I tell you all lies" she giggled softly.

"Oh I bet he is loving the drama of it all."

"Yeah a bit too much. I tried to get him to go to sleep but he's having none of it. How's Elizabeth?"

"She lying next to me out for the count after a little stubborn fit."

"Poor thing must be shattered. She fought to keep her eyes open in the hospital until she saw that Jamie was okay. I wished I'd caught it on camera the look on her face when Jamie came out with Nathan. She jumped out my lap and gave Jamie a big hug and kissed his 'owie'. She's fiercely protective of him at times."

Brooke struggled to hold back the pride she felt, a smile breaking through on her lips, eyes welling with tears.

"Anyway why don't you give me the details of last night because Peyton wouldn't give anything away," Haley teased.

"Hello beautiful" Peyton grinned into her phone.

"Hey P. I'm so sorry about earlier, running off like that."

"Whoa stop right there missy, don't be apologising about that."

"But .."

"No but's Brooke. You did what you needed to. If you reacted any other way you wouldn't be the woman I fell in love with."

"You are so amazing . Cheesy but still amazing."

"Why thank you ma'am. How's your mini-me?"

"Fast asleep and on you side of the bed."

"Why that little madam," Peyton teased, "She's okay though?"

"Clingy but fine."

"Glad to hear it."

A silence fell over the conversation, but it lacked the awkward tension most phone conversations have.

"Maybe you should nap too," Peyton finally stated, "I mean I think I really tired you out last night."

"Ha ha, so full of yourself aren't you blondie," Brooke laughed into the receiver, before the conversation fell into yet another stated silence.

"Peyton can Elizabeth and I come over for dinner?"

Elizabeth had woken up in much better mood and back to her exuberant self. Brooke cautiously suggested the idea of dinner at Peyton's which gained a big screech of happiness from the toddler. She was so excited that she begged to go earlier so they could play at the beach. Brooke packed up the necessary bags and drove on over to the house, but was surprised to see the blonde's car no where in sight. Using her newly acquired key, Brooke let them into the house.

"Where Pey-ton mama?"

"I don't know sweetie but she'll be back soon. Let's go out back. Peyton left you a surprise out there."

The little girl gleefully followed her mom out on to the back porch where she found a pink bucket with her name painted on to it, with a plastic spade in it.

"Mama I play?"

"Yeah baby that's yours for when we visit." Brooke smile happily, thinking of the how much she loved the curly blonde, and all the little things she had done in preparation for any potential "Elizabeth" visits at her new home. They spent a little over an hour on the sand, building sandcastles, collecting shells and splashing about in the small lapping waves. Elizabeth was screaming with sheer delight at each of the ripples rushing around her ankles, when Brooke noticed Peyton approaching them from the house. She smiled brightly at sight in front of her, blonde hair glimmering in the low afternoon sunshine, kissing her rosy cheeks that illuminated her whole face.

"Are my Davis girls having fun?" Peyton shouted down the beach as she slowly drew nearer to them.

"Pey-ton, come in water," Elizabeth squealed dashing towards her in delight. When she got to Peyton she swung her arms open and upwards. Taking the hint Peyton lifted the little girl up into her arms, and found herself slightly surprised as she held on to you tightly and buried her head into her chest and rested. Peyton savoured the warmth of the hug and the swell of her heart that ached slightly at the deep affection Elizabeth was showing her. She wrapped an arm around Elizabeth hugged her back tightly and gazed up Brooke to share a relieved smile. Then just when Peyton thought her heart could not feel any fuller Elizabeth uttered a few simple words that made her burst.

"I missed you too Peyton."

Lying beside you, here in the dark

Feeling your heart beat with mine

Softly you whisper, you're so sincere

How could our live be so blind

We sailed on together

We drifted apart

And here you are by my side

So now I come to you, with open arms

Nothing to hide, believe what I say

So here I am with open arms

Hoping you'll see what your love means to me

Open arms

Living without you, living alone

This empty house seems so cold

Wanting to hold you, wanting you near

How much I wanted you home

But now that you've come back

Turned night into day

I need you to stay.