Authors Note: Long time no see! Sorry for the long, long wait for this chapter but I lost my inspiration for this story. I've finally got it back though and have another chapter ready to upload tomorrow if y'all want it so just let me know with lots of reviews ;) I'm also working on the next chapter for WGHWY, for those of you that read it. Thanks to those that reviewed last chapter, you are great! Hope you like this update :') xo
P.S Lydia's song is sung by Jana Kramer
April 2025
Red Bedroom Records had been Peyton's saving grace for over eighteen years. She still loved the excitement that filled her whenever a new artist began recording and today was no different. Lydia had set herself up in the studio to play a song for her mom and Peyton. Peyton wouldn't allow her to record until she had heard the song acoustic.
"So this one's called 'Let's Just Be'," Lydia started as she sat on the stool in front of her mom and aunt. "I wrote it for my mom and dad. Can I start?"
"Sure girly, go ahead," Peyton confirmed. She sat back on the couch relaxed, Haley did the same.
Lydia repositioned her guitar and began to strum an upbeat tune. Her cowboy shoe clad foot tapped on the stool and then she sang.
"Nine till five, daily grind, really takes it's toll on me. Can't wait till I get home. And I know that you'll be there with the warmest smile for me," she flashed the Scott smile that Haley loved so much. "And some dinner on the stove. We can get away, to our own place."
When it came to music, there was no denying that Lydia was a country girl. Dressed in a checked red, blue and White button down shirt, jeans and tanned cowboy boots, she was the epitome of country and her voice truly represented that.
"Turn the tv off, put some Johnny Cash on. Power down the cell phone and oh let's just be. We can take a break and take our time. Kick back have a glas of wine and oh let's just be...you and me."
Haley smiled at the song that was exactly how she felt after a day of work. Her and Nathan had always managed to find time together even after a long, hard day at work or looking after the kids when they were younger, they would crack open the wine and relax in a place where it was just them two.
"Ain't it strange how we can make time for everybody else. Not make none for ourselves. Now we should stop and take a breath, let the world just fade away. Pull that sick day off the shelf. We can get away, to our own place."
The lyrics were beautiful Peyton thought, and it was exactly why she had chosen Lydia to record at RBR. She had heart in her music, something that just came naturally to Lydia. After another chorus, she sang another verse
"Leave the dishes baby and let's show us what we've been missing."
The rest of the song was the chorus repeated two times before she finished the song with a final strum.
"What did you think?" Lydia asked but she was aiming it more at her mom.
"It was perfect Lyds. I couldn't have wrote it better myself," Haley told her after giving her a hug.
"I have to agree with your mom Lydia. That's going on your first album, 'I Won't Give Up'." Peyton beamed.
"That's what we're calling it?" Lydia grinned excitedly.
"I think it's only right, don't you? So how do you feel about getting straight into that recording studio and getting this track done?"
"Yes." Was all Lydia could say.
"Why don't you go get yourself some coffee and some food and then we'll get you in the studio. It's gonna be a long day. Are you staying Hales?"
"I can't. I have a billion other things to do today. Have fun with Peyton though baby." Haley said as she hugged her daughter goodbye. Lydia then left for food.
"So Haley Scott, what are your billions of plans for today?" Peyton asked as she planted her bum on the stool.
"I've got to grade my junior classes papers, head to the film set and tutor Jonny and Sawyer. But I'm so tired. I don't even know why."
"You're doing a lot in a short space of time Haley. You're bound to be tired," Peyton explained.
"But you're pregnant and still full of energy."
"Honey, it's 11am. You should see me by two, I'm practically asleep on that pool table out there. Plus, Lucas does so much for me. I don't think he likes me working so much though. We haven't even done the baby's nursery yet," she sighed.
"He's not arriving till June Peyton. You've got plenty of time to do the nursery."
"That's what I keep telling Luke, but you know how organised he likes to be. Brooke's asked me to paint Freddie's room once they get more settled so i'll do that before the baby's room."
"Everything seems to be going great for them doesn't it?"
"Yeah and it's about time too. Have you spoke to them about the surrogacy?"
Haley shook her head. "Ive been meaning to. I don't know know if things have changed now that they've got Freddie."
"Do you want to try it again?"
"I said I'd try twice and if it still didn't work then that would be it. So if they want me to try again, I will. I best go and grade those papers."
Jonny and Sawyer were stood in her old bedroom back in her first ever home. Lucas couldn't find it in him to sell it and thought it would be great for one of the kids when they wanted to move out. They were currently using it as one of the locations for the movie because of it's authenticity.
"I think we should use somewhere else. In fact, I don't think we should even do this at all," Sawyer rambled.
"Nobody's gonna come over here Sawyer. There's no filming being done here today. I checked Julian's schedule," Jonny told her.
"Even if no one comes, I don't want to do this with you."
"You couldn't lie to me if you tried princess. You've wanted this ever since we kissed."
"You couldn't be further from the truth," she scoffed and tightened her arms around herself.
"We've got to get this scene perfect, so practicing will help."
She still wasn't convinced.
"Right let's pretend you've found the bracelet and we'll start just before the hug," he directed and he was surprised when she did what he said.
Sawyer stood just in front of the double bed in her old room whilst Jonny stood in front of her. They weren't in costume yet but Sawyer's normal clothes were similar enough to Peyton's anyway.
Julian and Lucas walked along the streets of Tree Hill, they were heading to location to check it out for a scene later the next day. The April showers hadn't started yet, but the air was crisp and fresh with dew.
"So the long awaited motel scene is coming up. Nervous?" Julian grinned as he saw Lucas wince next to him.
"Do you like annoying me or something?" Lucas asked with a wave of his hand.
"It's just too easy," the dark haired man chuckled.
"Can we not just leave that scene out?"
"No Lucas. It's one of the most crucial scenes in Lucas and Peyton's story; the lust, passion and temptation. You shouldn't have cheated on Brooke in High School."
"No you're right because if I hadn't have fallen in love with Peyton then I'd still be with Brooke and you wouldn't be here," Lucas joked.
"In your dreams buddy," Julian shaked it off.
"Seriously though, it's not right. She's practically your niece."
"I know that Luke, and I love her like a niece. That's why I want to direct this scene, to ensure that it's done right. Plus there's no nudity."
"Thank God for Brooke's dog collar," Lucas sighed.
The two friends walked up the stairs of the porch to Lucas' old house and made their way inside.
On the other side of town, Brooke had taken Freddie to the park in her lunch hour along with Alex and Caleb. Caleb enjoyed coming in to work with his mom now because he finally had a friend in Freddie to play with.
Brooke and Alex were sat on a green bench in Tree Hill memorial park watching their sons play on the jungle gym.
"I can't get over how adorable he is Brooke," Alex gushed.
"He's great right?" Brooke beamed like a proud parent would. Her and Julian were still only fostering Freddie but after spending the past few weeks with him, they knew that in the near future, they wanted to adopt him.
Alex nodded, "Is he talking more now?"
"Not really but he seems happy. Elaine is actually coming over tonight to check on him and we want to ask her about buying a new house."
"It's about time. How long have you been in there now?" Alex laughed.
"Far too long," Brooke joined in. Then her attention focused on the curly haired boy heading her way, dressed in jeans and a grey sweater that matched Julian's. "What's up little man?" Freddie looked puzzled by something.
"I'm gonna check on Cale," Alex mumbled before jogging to her son.
"Whews Julian?" he asked.
"He's working today Freddie."
"Why I no see him?"
"Because he's working."
"But me go with him yestewday."
"I know, but you're with me today. Are you not having fun?"
"I miss Julian."
Brooke sighed as she watched Freddie wander to the sand pit. It had been like this ever since they got Freddie. He loved spending time with Julian and followed him wherever he went. He only ever wanted Julian to wash him or read him a bedtime story and Brooke tried to be sympathetic and understood that moving in with a new family was hard but she thought that Freddie would be comfortable around her now. All she wanted was to be a mom.
Things were getting heated between Sawyer and Jonny in the bedroom. She had never been in such a position with a boy before. She had never had a boyfriend, only guys that she had randomly made out with at a party but there had never been such strong feelings involved, like now. She was willing to let herself go at his touch. It was new to her and she oddly liked it.
His mouth moved passionately against her neck, sucking and biting one of her most sensitive areas. One of his hands in place at her hip where her tshirt had raised slightly so that pale skin was showing.
She let his hands and mouth roam her body until she could hear voices from further in the house.
"What is that?" she jumped up, kneeing Jonny in the crotch.
"What the fuck Sawyer!" he yelled at the pain.
"Someone's in the house," she whispered as she walked to the closed door and put her ear to it to hear the voices better. "Shit! It's my dad and Uncle Julian."
He was in pain but still managed to smirk. He tried to hide it but Sawyer noticed before he could.
"You knew that they were gonna be here, didn't you?" She was angry now! She barged past him to pick up her leather jacket that had fell to the floor.
"Oh come on. There's a door right there, we can get out without them noticing." He was so sure of himself.
"Amd what if I hadn't heard them? Look, just stay away from me. No more rehearsing. I can't even trust you." She pushed him out of the way of the door and ran as far away from him as possible.
He sighed and wanted to kick himself. He was not doing good at winning her over.
"One week until D-Day," Lanny exclaimed as he and Ella lay on her bed. She was trying to write up some of her history notes whilst he aimlessly flicked through her iPod, interrupting her thought processes whenever he got bored or wanted to speak.
"I'm trying to study Lan. If you want to talk, go see Lydia," she ordered, not once taking her eyes from her notes.
"Me and Lydia don't really talk when we're together, if you know what I mean?"
"Eww, perv!"
"Arghh! I was kidding," he screamed after she kicked his leg forcefully. For a skinny girl, she was strong.
She rolled her eyes and went back to her notes whilst he carried on jabbering on.
"I was trying to talk about your birthday before you so rudely almost kicked me off the bed."
He said it with a smile that made Ella warm inside. She couldn't ever stay mad at him for long.
"What about my birthday?"
"Well I was just wondering what the plans were for the event?"
"I'm only gonna be fifteen, it's nothing special."
"Hey, I'll have you know that being fifteen is kinda awesome you know."
"Oh really? Well usually my dad cooks dinner and we have my family round but your welcome to come this year," she proposed.
"No party with friends? My mom could cook you something?"
"I don't have any friends that I'd want to invite other than you, so no party."
"Okay so just food at your place and presents it is."
"No, Lan. I don't want presents, just your company will do."
"Too late because I've already bought you something," he smirked.
As Brooke made herself busy with cleaning the kitchen, Freddie played with his building blocks on the living room floor. She couldn't wait to get a new house and buy Freddie new toys and decorate the house how she and Julian wanted it. She could hear Julian in the shower and hoped that he would hurry up because Elaine was going to be there any minute. They had already ate dinner; Julian had cooked lasagne.
A cheery knock sounded against the door and Brooke noticed that Freddie didn't even stir, he was lost in his own little world. Brooke opened the door to Elaine and welcomed her into their home, offering her a drink as she sat at the dining room table. Once handing Elaine a glass of orange, she excused herself from the room to get Julian.
Luckily he was showered and dressed already, about to come out. The couple made their way into the kitchen/dining area and sat in the empty seats. Freddie was still playing with his building blocks out of ear shot and Elaine sat waiting with a notepad, smiling. She was always smiling.
"So,how are you both?" she asked.
"Great," Brooke responded with a large smile.
Julian reached for her hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
"Actually Elaine," Brooke tried again. "I've got a problem, although problem is a big word. It's more like a small issue."
Elaine shifted in her seat and tightened her grip on her pen.
"It's just Freddie seems to be bonding great with Julian, which I love but he just doesn't seem to like being around me or if I'm there, he won't talk to me. Whereas he follows Julian around. I even had to persuade him to not go in the shower with Julian before."
"Brooke, this is not an uncommon problem for foster parents. Often a child will favour one person, but things get better. Freddie is an extremely complicated child, despite his age and it might take him a little longer to adjust to you. But he will don't worry. From what you were saying, I'd guess that he admires Julian and therefore follows him. Just carry on doing what you're doing, showing him love and caring and eventually he will warm to you."
"Good because we're seriously considering adoption," Brooke said and saw Elaine's face light up.
"I'm glad to hear but don't think that this is something you have to rush into because it's not. It's all about adjusting and finding who you are as a family."
"Speaking of adjusting," Julian started. "We'd like your advice on whether it's a suitable time to move house?"
"Usually, I'd say no. Freddie hasn't been in your care long and he's not great with change. That being said, he seems content. Can I just ask why you want to move?"
"We've been in this house for a really long time now and we've loved every minute of it. It holds memories that another house wouldn't have but we just thing it's time to make new memories. We want a big house with a yard where Freddie can run around and play, and enough rooms in the house so that working from home will be more accessible for me," Brooke explained.
"We know that Freddie is going through a big change, but we just think that a happy home would be good for him," Julian added.
"I can definitely see where you are coming from. Have you been looking for houses?"
"Actually, we've already found one. It's close to our friend's house and there is a good school a few streets away for when Freddie is ready for school. And it's just everything we're looking for."
"Sounds like you've really thought this through."
"We have, but we'll only go through with it if you think it would be in Freddie's best interest."
"You both definitely seem to have Freddie's best interests at heart. I'm going to say go ahead with it and if we have any problems, we can face them then, but make sure to tell me of any problems straight away."
Brooke and Julian grinned like two children on Christmas morning. Everything was going wonderfully. New child, new house, new memories.