A/N: So there is no confusion, my penname is now NALEYAAF23. Thank you for the awesome reviews. And I like to thank my awesome beta: Leeese. There's a poll in my profile to vote for the next Naley story.


Chapter Twenty Nine

All That You Can't Leave Behind

Lucas was staring off into space when he heard a car pull up in front of the house. He looked out the window and recognized the vehicle. He wasn't surprised when he saw that it was Peyton. He had asked her to come over so they could talk. Even though Peyton was letting Maddie stay with him, he still wanted an explanation.

He waited until she was on the front porch before opening the door. He let her into the front hall and led her to the kitchen. There was an awkward silence before Peyton spoke. "What do you want now, Lucas? Because I gave you what you wanted: full custody of Maddie with visitation rights for me."

Lucas stopped her right there. "See, this is what I'm talking about. You once again made a decision that I never had a say in. You never used to do that. What happened to the Peyton that I knew back in college? What happened to the Peyton who I fell in love with and thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with?"

Peyton tried not to laugh. "I haven't been that Peyton in over five years. And to be fair, you started making decisions without my consent first." Lucas was about to protest when she continued. "Don't try to deny it, Lucas. You know that you did."

Lucas sighed. "I didn't get you pregnant on purpose," he exclaimed. "How many times I do have to tell you that? And in case you forgot about my confession in court, I didn't want Maddie in the first place. I was just as scared as you were to be a new parent."

"I'm not talking about that," Peyton said. "I'm talking about when we moved to Tree Hill. I knew that you were close to your family, but I didn't want to move back here." Lucas looked at her shocked. "I had too many painful memories of my mother here. My dad was always away on business. So why would I come back to this town?" Lucas again was about to speak when Peyton cut him off. "Yes, I could have spoken up back then. But I thought I could handle it. We would take things slow. We would see the world and perhaps fall in love with another city. But then I found out that I was pregnant with Maddie."

Lucas already knew the next part. "You knew that your dreams would disappear so you decided to abort the baby. Why didn't you? Did you really decide not to because of Haley? Or did you not do it because you knew that I would be hurt if I found out about it?"

Peyton scoffed at him. "Haley has a completely different version of the events than I do. I didn't abort the baby because of her or you. I wanted that mother-daughter relationship that I missed out on. But it was a hard pregnancy. And as soon as Maddie came out, she was Daddy's little girl."

Lucas raised his eyebrows in surprise. "So you left because you were jealous of my close relationship with our daughter?"

"No, I left because I wasn't ready to be a full-time parent," Peyton replied.

Lucas was tired of her excuses. "Neither was I, but I was willing to accept responsibility to raise Maddie. I don't understand why you couldn't do the same. Or tell me how you were feeling. We could have worked it out."

"Well, we'll never find out now, will we?" Peyton replied. "So we might as well forget about it."

"I still don't understand why you are still requesting visitation rights or why you are giving permission to my future wife to adopt Maddie," Lucas said confused.

"Because I have finally realized that I will never become the mother that I wanted to be to Maddie," Peyton replied. "So I might as well take the backseat and let someone else like Brooke do it."

Lucas tried not to laugh. "Why the hell is everyone trying to get me and Brooke together?"

"Because I know you. And you give her the same look that you gave me when you were in love with me," Peyton replied. "You can try to deny it, but you know it's true."

Lucas sighed. "Even if I did like her in that way, I wouldn't ask her out until after the divorce is final."

Peyton rolled her eyes. "You sound like Sylvia," she said. "She hates me and would love for Brooke and Julian to get back together. Nobody can seem to get through to her; not even her own son. Julian finally told her that if she can't accept me, then she can't be in our lives. So I'm not sure what she is going to do now."

"Thanks for the warning," Lucas replied. There was then an awkward silence before he spoke again. "So you're serious about this? You're not going to try and take Maddie away from me again?"

"I won't as long as you allow me to see her when I come back to visit," Peyton replied. "In case you didn't hear, Julian and I are moving to Los Angeles." Lucas couldn't believe his ears. "Like I said before, I was only here for Maddie."

"What about the café?" Lucas demanded. "What the hell was that all about? Was that just to drive me and my family up the wall, thinking that we had competition?"

Peyton gave him a look. "Why is it that everything I do has an ulterior motive around it?"

"Why else would you put your café across the street from my mom's cafe?" Lucas pointed out. Peyton didn't answer. "You know what? I'm glad that we divorced. I can see that it really wouldn't have worked out between us. You're too dishonest, selfish and untrustworthy. The only selfless thing you did was letting me have full custody of Maddie. And I'll be grateful for that for the rest of my life. But you've changed into a person I don't recognize anymore. So I hope that you and Julian are happy together."

Peyton didn't say anything as they heard the front door open. They were quiet as Rachel came bursting in the room. "Where the hell is my best friend?" she asked excitedly before she suddenly stopped. She turned red as a man who Lucas assumed to be Owen came in right behind her. "I'm sorry. Did I interrupt something?" she asked.

Lucas didn't even have a chance to answer as Peyton spoke up. "No, I was just leaving," she said before she headed towards the door. She didn't even say good-bye to Lucas as she walked past Rachel and Owen. They then heard the door slam shut.

"I assume that was Peyton," Rachel said. Lucas nodded. She then frowned. "I thought that you two worked everything out."

Lucas sighed. "There were a few loose ends to tie up," he replied. "If you're looking for Brooke, she is apartment hunting in Wilmington with Haley. She should be back soon." He then decided to introduce himself to Rachel's fiancé. "Hi, I'm Lucas Scott. Congratulations on your engagement."

Owen smiled proudly. "Thanks. I know it was sudden, but neither of us like to take things slow."

"I'm not one who you should worry about impressing," Lucas replied as they heard the door open again.

Brooke didn't have a chance to speak as Rachel embraced her best friend in a tight hug. "I'm sorry that I didn't call, but I wanted to surprise you," she told her. She didn't let her answer as she grabbed Owen's hand. "Owen, this is my best friend Brooke Davis and her friend Haley James-Scott," she said as she did introductions. "Guys, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Owen Morello."

Owen gave them a friendly smile. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you, especially you, Brooke. I've heard a lot about you."

Brooke put on a fake smile. "I've heard a lot about you too. Rachel has been raving about you for days. It's funny how you're a recovering alcoholic. Yet, you met Rachel in a bar, right?"

Rachel laughed nervously. She knew it was best to change the subject. "So where's Maddie?" she asked.

"She is spending the day with my parents," Lucas replied. He could see that Rachel was a little disappointed. He wasn't surprised. Everybody always hated when Maddie wasn't around. "Why don't Haley and I leave you guys alone so you two can catch up?" he suggested. Haley happily followed him outside.

"So how did it go with Peyton?" Haley asked him.

Lucas gave her a look. "Don't ask. All we did was fight the whole time. We didn't really get anything accomplished." He then let out a sigh. "It made me realize that divorcing was for the best. We wouldn't have made it otherwise." He then gave Haley a smile. "I really admire you and Nathan sometimes. Even though you two married early, you guys really have made it work."

Haley laughed. "It's funny because I admire you." Lucas looked at her surprised. "For the last five years, you have been taking care of Maddie by yourself. Yes, you've had help from us. But most of it was all you. And I think you are doing a wonderful job with Maddie so far."

Lucas smiled proudly. "Thanks Hales. I needed to hear that."

Haley smiled in return. "It's no problem. Now if you would excuse me, I have to go pee," she replied before she left him.

That evening, Lucas and Brooke took Rachel and Owen out to dinner. Lucas knew that he had to keep Brooke in line. He didn't want to admit it, but he did think that it had been rude of Brooke to insult Owen like that in front of Rachel. He couldn't help but mention it on the drive over to the restaurant. "I have never seen you act like that," Lucas told her.

Brooke sighed. "I guess I'm still upset about her choosing to marry Owen without really getting to know him first."

"No offense, but you aren't giving him a chance either," Lucas pointed out. Brooke didn't want to admit that he was right. "Why don't we see how dinner goes before you break Rachel and Owen up?"

Brooke was quiet and didn't say anything more until they reached the restaurant. They were led to their seats where Rachel and Owen were waiting for them. They greeted them as Lucas pulled out Brooke's seat for her. Brooke was surprised, but pleased that he was willing to do that for her. She then cleared her throat before she spoke. "So tell us about yourself, Owen."

"Well, I grew up in Queens, New York," Owen told her. He then went on to tell Lucas about his childhood. Brooke soon grew uninterested and started a conversation with Rachel. However, Lucas continued to listen to Owen and occasionally added his own story into the conversation.

Lucas then decided that it was safe to ask about their weekend plans. "So are you two still planning to get married in Las Vegas this weekend?"

Owen and Rachel exchanged looks before turning back to Lucas and Brooke. "Actually, we have talked about it some more and decided that it wouldn't be right to elope there," Rachel said. "After all, we live in New York. So we might as well get married there. We're planning to get married sometime this summer." She then turned to Brooke. "Are you still willing to be my maid of honor?"

Brooke gave her a wide smile. "Of course I will," she replied as Rachel embraced her best friend in a hug. "I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world. And I'm sure Maddie would love to be your flower girl."

Lucas nodded in agreement. "And I understand if you don't want me to be your best man."

"Well, I don't really have any other guy friends," Owen replied. "So you're welcome to the job."

Lucas gave him a smile. "I'll take it. Just make sure that it's not during Father's Day weekend or Fourth of July weekend. I'm going camping with my family then." Brooke turned to him surprised. "And Maddie's birthday is on Fourth of July."

"I didn't know you liked camping," Brooke said.

Lucas nodded. "Yeah, it now has become an annual tradition. You girls take off for your spa weekend for Mother's Day. And me, Keith and Nathan take care of the café for you. Then it is vice versa when the guys go camping and you girls stay behind. That includes Maddie. We tried taking her camping once when she was three. Unlike Jamie, she hated it. So she has stayed behind with Aunt Haley or Aunt Lily."

Rachel suddenly spoke up. "Well, the spa weekend sounds like fun. But I already have plans. We're going to visit Owen's parents that weekend. But we should definitely do a spa weekend sometime, just the two of us." Brooke nodded in agreement. Rachel then turned back to Lucas. "So you don't want us to get married during the summer holiday, huh? We weren't planning to anyway. Everybody would be too busy to go. So how old is Maddie going to be again?"

Lucas smiled proudly. "She is going to be five," he told her.

Rachel was surprised. "Wow, she is definitely not going to a little girl anymore, is she? I would love to have a little kid like her." She then excused herself and got up from her seat. Brooke knew where she was going and followed her to the restroom. They waited until they were alone before Rachel spoke. "So what is going on between you and Lucas?"

Brooke frowned as she started to fix up her make-up. "What do you mean?" she asked innocently. She knew exactly what Rachel meant, but she wanted to hear it from her.

"It looks like you and Lucas are really getting close. You're even being included in the family traditions. That's big. So what is with the apartment hunting in Wilmington?" she asked. She didn't have a chance to ask her earlier.

Brooke sighed. "I told you already. I need some space from Lucas and the Scott family. I know that they have all apologized especially Lucas and Nathan, but it's time for me to move on from Tree Hill."

"So you are going to run again?" Rachel asked. "Same old Brooke."

Brooke gave her a look. "I'm not running away."

Rachel wasn't convinced. "Brooke, you moved to Charlotte to get away from your parents. Then when Julian cheated on you with Peyton, you ran away again to Tree Hill. Now you're moving again to get away from Lucas and the Scott family. Trust me, Brooke. You're running again." She didn't say anything more before she left the restroom.

Lucas couldn't help but notice how quiet Brooke was after she came back to the table. He tried to include her into the conversation, but it wasn't working. The silence continued during the drive home. He could tell something was bothering her, but he was afraid to ask. However, his curiosity got the better of him. "Are you ok?" he asked her.

Brooke was quiet for a moment before answering. "Do you believe that I'm running away from my problems again by moving to Wilmington?"

"Considering your past history, I do," Lucas admitted. "I understand that you need some space from us, but that doesn't mean that you should move out of town to do it. Maybe you could do something with the Tree Hill Café since Julian and Peyton are going to sell it."

"What could I do with a place like that?" Brooke asked.

Lucas shrugged. "I don't know, but I'm sure that you'll think of something." He gave her a comforting smile. "After all, Scotts aren't the only ones who are smart. You are too." Brooke just smiled in return. It was definitely something to think about.