Chapter 24

Secret No. 24: Most people lock away their hearts to love. Unfortunately, the same thing doesn't apply to doors.

"So what do you want for Christmas?" Peyton asked as she and Jake snuggled up on her bed.

"My daughter," Jake said solemnly. Almost two months had passed and it was now December. Everyone was stressed since midterms were coming up—not to mention finding the perfect Christmas gifts for their significant others. Haley, especially, was freaking out. As for Jake, the court date was in three days. In a little more than 72 hours the fate of Jenny's custody would be decided.

"You'll get her. You're an amazing father, Jake. The judge would be crazy to side with Nicki."

"I know but you don't know her, Peyton. She can BS her way through almost anything."

"Are you kidding? After all the crap she's pulled, she doesn't stand a chance. The psycho bitch has no job, no college education, and a history of abandoning her child. This is a no brainer," Peyton assured him.

"I'll fight like hell for her. I just don't want to get my hopes up." At seeing the sad look on his face, Peyton brought Jake in for a tender kiss.

"Thank you, Peyton, for helping me through this. I don't know what I would have done without you." Instead of answering him, Peyton brought Jake in for another kiss. This time, however, it was much more heated. As the intensity grew, Peyton started to lean back on the bed as Jake climbed on top of her. Needing more physical contact, Peyton slid her hands under his shirt feeling the strong muscles of his back. Even then it still wasn't enough. As soon as Jake's lips starting kissing and sucking their way down her neck, Peyton felt like she was going to burst. She wanted more. It was then that she moved away from him a little bit. Immediately, Jake stopped kissing her and gave her a questioning look. Peyton didn't say anything either. She just simply kissed him tenderly before completely unbuttoning her shirt and slipping it off.

"Peyton..."

"It's ok," she reassured him. "I want this."

"You're sure? I don't want to push you…"

"I'm positive," Peyton stated. She then took a deep breath before saying, "I love you." Neither one had admitted their true feelings yet. But they were definitely there.

"I love you, too," Jake replied smiling. At his words, she could feel her heart beating faster and the smile on her face expanding. Peyton had never felt this way about any guy before. And now, she wanted to show him.

"Then what are we waiting for?"

"Wow," was all Peyton could manage to say afterward. She was now comfortably wrapped in the blankets as she rested her head on Jake's bare chest.

"Yeah, that was…"

"Amazing," she finished smiling up at him.

"Definitely," Jake replied as he kissed the top of her head. Peyton felt as if she was glowing. She couldn't remember any other time in her life that she had been happier. "What are you thinking in that curly, blonde head of yours?"

"Just about how much my life has changed since Charleston," she answered as she drew invisible circles on his abdomen.

"Good change or bad change?"

"Definitely good. After my parents got divorced, I didn't think that I would ever be ok again. They were always so loving and kind towards each other. Somewhere down the line they lost it. But I knew that they would one day get back together. That was until my dad died. Any hope I had for a reconciliation was immediately shot down. I was in a dark place after that. I didn't trust anyone--except for my mom and sisters."

"What about now?" Jake asked as he stroked her hair. Peyton shifted so that she could be face to face with him.

"Now I'm completely content," she answered as she kissed Jake softly. "Thank you for not being a jerk."

"You're welcome," he laughed. "Anything else I can do for you?"

"Actually..." Peyton trailed off with a mischievous smile. "You ready for round two?" Jake nodded eagerly as Peyton crashed her lips onto his. They were so into what they were doing that they didn't even hear the sound of the bedroom door opening.

"Peyton, Sweetie, do you think you could make some flyers for the…" Lydia trailed off as she finally looked up from the papers she was reading.

"Mom!" Peyton exclaimed as she and Jake jumped apart and desperately tried to cover themselves. Oh my God, I thought I locked the door! Lydia stood there shocked. She then shook her head and seemed to come back to reality. Meanwhile, Peyton wanted nothing more than to crawl up into a ball and die. This is so embarrassing!

I'm sorry, I didn't know you had company," she stated evenly. Uh oh, not good. All three James sisters knew that when their mother spoke like that, it was just the calm before the storm. Somebody please kill me before she does.

"Mom, do you mind?" Peyton urged. This was like a nightmare. Ok, let's look at the facts. My boyfriend—aka the love of my life—and I have just had mind blowing sex. And now, my mother has just walked in on us and is staring at me like I'm…well…a slut. Damn it, why can't things ever go right just for once?

"The two of you get dressed. Afterward, Peyton, I want to see you downstairs in the kitchen," Lydia declared. "And Jake, I think it's best that you go home now."

"Ok, Mrs. James," he replied timidly. Lydia stared at them one more time, shook her head, and closed the door as she left. I am so dead.

"Take a seat," Lydia instructed as Peyton entered the kitchen—fully clothed.

"Mom, it's not what it looked like," Peyton tried to explain. Yeah right. She's totally going to believe that one. Peyton, you are such a dumb ass.

"Oh no, it definitely appeared like my daughter just had sex with her boyfriend. What were you thinking, Peyton?

"I love him, Mom. What do you expect?"

"I expect my eldest daughter to be more responsible. I know that you have strong feelings for him, Peyton, but you can't be that reckless."

"We weren't. It's not like I haven't done it before. You know that. I'm always careful," Peyton declared.

"Peyton, it's more than that. You know that I really like Jake. He's a good guy. But for Pete's sake, Peyton, he has a child. I don't want the same thing to happen to you."

"Mom, it won't. And Jenny is great," Peyton defended.

"I'm not saying that she isn't. But I'm not ready to be a grandma and you sure as hell aren't ready for motherhood—no matter how many times you've helped take care of that little girl. Things can happen. I'm living proof of that. I had the three of you girls one after the other. I didn't plan on that."

"So, what are you saying? You're not going to let me be with him anymore?" Peyton asked angrily. There is no way that I'm giving up Jake and Jenny.

"That's not what I'm saying. I just want you to be more responsible and think about these things. Look, I know that I can't stop you. However, there will be no fooling around under my roof. From now on, no more boys allowed in the bedrooms or in the house when I'm not home."

"But Mom…"

"No. I'm not as strict as most mothers but on this matter I will be. And I don't think Brooke would appreciate you and Jake having sex in her room."

"Oh please, she and Lucas go at it like freaking monkeys!" Peyton blurted out. She quickly put her hand over her mouth as she realized what she just said. Uh oh. Brooke's going to kill me. Just keep digging that hole, Peyton. Before you know it you'll be joining Dad.

"That was not an image I needed to envision. Anyway, tell your sisters that we'll be having a little family talk tonight. I have to go to the club and help Karen and Deb finish some last minute things for the all ages night."

"And I need you to make the flyers by this Friday," she added. After Lydia left, Peyton let her head drop onto the countertop. This totally sucks.

"You suck!" Brooke declared. The whole gang—excluding Jake—was at Karen's Café. Peyton had just got done telling them about their family meeting later.

"Wait, let me get this straight. Mom caught you and Jake making out in your room and now the rest of us are getting punished for it?" Haley asked. Peyton felt bad about lying to her sisters but it's not like she wanted to advertise her Jake's little sexcapade—especially since Nathan and Lucas were sitting right there.

"Pretty much," Peyton replied as she stared at her plate. She was sure that if her sisters could see her guilty expression, then they'd know something else was up. Brooke was usually pretty good at spotting a lie like this a mile away.

"This is so unfair."

"Brooke, it'll be ok," Lucas reassured her.

"No, it won't. There's more," Peyton added with another guilty look on her face. I am so screwed.

"What do you mean more?" Haley questioned while throwing a look to Brooke.

"Well, I kinda…sorta…accidentally told Mom that you and Lucas often go at it," Peyton rushed out.

"WHAT?!" both Brooke and Lucas yelled out. Yup, this is bad.

"Ew!" Haley exclaimed as she covered her ears and shut her eyes. Nathan, on the other hand, busted out laughing.

"This is not funny," Lucas scolded him.

"Hell yes it is," Nathan smirked. "You know it's true."

"Well at least I'm getting some," Lucas challenged.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Nathan fired back angry.

"Yeah, Lucas. Is there something else you'd like to add? Because the last time we spoke you told me to take things slow," Haley said while crossing her arms and giving him her best death glare.

"No," he gulped. "I'm sorry. I had a blonde moment. I forgot that you were his girlfriend…I'm an idiot."

"No shit, Sherlock," Haley replied. "You know, you really have to watch what comes out of that mouth. I'm getting sick of these comments, Luke."

"I know. I'm an ass. It won't happen again." Haley just sat back in her chair with her arms folded.

"Anyway, we have to meet Mom at home in about an hour," Peyton cut in trying to dissolve the tension.

Brooke let out an exasperated sigh. "This is so not going to be fun. What are we supposed to do?"

"You could try the backseat of a car," Haley suggested dryly.

"Speaking from experience?" Peyton joined in.

"Just yours," Haley quipped back.

"Alright, that's enough. Let's just go and get this over with. I'll see you later, Broody," Brooke said as she kissed Lucas goodbye. "Assuming there is a later."

"We still having our study session tomorrow?" Nathan asked Haley as she got up.

"If you mean you trying to teach me how to shoot a free shot so I don't fail P.E., then yes," she replied while giving his a quick kiss on the lips.

"Ok, but Haley? It's called a free throw," he smirked playfully at her. Haley just rolled her eyes and mumbled a "whatever."

"Come on, Girlies, Judgment Day awaits," Peyton said with fake enthusiasm. They then headed towards Peyton's car and prepared themselves for the worst.

"She did not say that," Nathan laughed. As he tried to help Haley with her lack of athletic abilities, she was telling him all about the family meeting last night.

"Yup, I believe she referred to our feelings of love as 'hormonal urges.' I was so embarrassed," Haley recounted. They had all gotten the safe sex talk on top of that. She had wanted to melt right into the sofa when her mom had brought out visual aids.

"So what's going to happen now? I'm assuming we're not allowed to have anymore study sessions in your room."

"Well, you assumed correct. No boys in the rooms at all. Brooke took that one pretty hard," she affirmed as she tried to shoot the ball once again. And like before, she horribly missed. "Damn it! I hate gym. There really is no use for it in life."

"I'm good at it."

"Uh, duh. You're an athlete. It's like second nature to you. For nerds like me, it's a nightmare."

"You're not a nerd. A geek sometimes, maybe, but not a nerd," he laughed as he handed her the ball.

"Gee, thanks for that inspirational speech."

"What can I say? I'm just full of charm."

"Oh, you're full of something alright," she replied as she shot the ball. This time it actually hit the board above the basket. Hey, that's some progress.

"Well, at least it didn't go in the river this time," Nathan stated. "Now, just put a little more elbow into it—and you might want to try aiming."

"I can aim," she pouted. Haley then got a brilliant idea. It wouldn't necessarily help her free throw but it would allow Nathan to get close to her.

"Actually, I do suck at that. Maybe you can come over here and show me?" she innocently asked. Nathan smiled to himself and walked over to stand behind Haley. He placed is hands on both sides of her hips. He then softly told her how to shoot the ball the correct way. I could totally get used to this. Haley threw that ball and it still didn't go in. She let out a frustrated growl.

"I can't do this! I'm never going to pass," she exclaimed defeated.

"Hey, I am the star of the basketball team and there is no way I'm letting my girlfriend fail. Especially when I can help her. Besides, there is one more thing you can try."

"Assassinate Whitey?" she joked.

"No, granny style." Nathan then showed Haley how to do it. And by some miracle, this technique actually worked.

"It went in!" Haley exclaimed as she jumped into Nathan's proud arms and kissed him.

"Can you say déjà vu?" Nathan said as he pulled away.

"What?"

"This is where we first got together. I was teaching you how to play. You're a girl. You're supposed to remember these things," he playfully scolded.

"I do remember. I was just confused. I can't really pay attention to anything else when you're kissing me."

"Is that so?" he smirked sexily as he leaned in to kiss her once again. After a few minutes, the two finally broke apart.

"So, what am I getting for Christmas?" Haley beamed.

"Oh, so you were just trying to butter me up, huh? I feel so used," he mocked. Haley gave him a look to let him know that she was being serious. "I honestly don't know yet. What do you want?"

"Anything shiny is good," she suggested.

"New hubcaps it is," he declared. Haley's face fell. "I'm just joking. You want jewelry."

"Maybe. How about you Mr. Basketball Big Shot?" she questioned. Haley had never had a boyfriend before. She and Lucas would exchange gifts every year but with Nathan it was even more personal.
She didn't want to look like an idiot by getting him something lame.

"I'm not sure either. But I'll tell you this, as long as you don't get me socks, it'll be great."

"Have you been talking to Lucas?" she questioned skeptically.

"Maybe."

"Hey, his were totally gross. He needed new ones so I bought them for him," she defended with her hands on her hips.

"Whatever," Nathan laughed. "You're hott when you're all riled up."

"Well thank you, Kris Kringle. Now let's get back to practicing. I'm gonna need every spare minute I can get if I'm going to make that shot."

"I'm forced to agree."

"Shut up!"