Are you Happy out there in the Great Wide World?

by jrs328

It's been years since Peyton left Tree Hill to pursue her dreams in LA. Peyton had moved on with her life. She is truly happy and can't imagine her life another way… Will that change when a certain blonde pays a visit to LA? Better summary inside!

35. Chapter 35

Chapter 35: Teacher's Lesson

(Lucas was relieved that it was going to take his mother a week to get to LA. Maybe he could get Peyton to move by then and his mother wouldn't be able to find them. He can't worry about it today though because today he was going to spend the day with Ellie at school. He was excited because he wasn't room parent but just Ellie's dad there for daddy/ child day. Peyton was going to drop her off because dads couldn't show up until 9:15 and school started at 8:30. The kids needed time to get ready for their fathers. Lucas walks into the kitchen where he finds Ellie and Peyton making breakfast. He walks over and wraps his arms about Peyton and kisses her on the neck)

Ellie: Daddy you weren't supposed to come down! Didn't you see my note?
Lucas: (letting go of Peyton) No, I'm sorry I didn't. Why wasn't I supposed to come down?
Ellie: I was going to bring you breakfast in bed

Lucas: Don't you have to get to school pretty soon?
Ellie: Yes, but mommy and I made you French toast and I was going to bring it up to you

Lucas: Well I had to get up and get ready because I have to be somewhere today… Um, Peyton I have to meet you right?
Peyton: No, I don't think so

Lucas: Oh that's right I have a meeting with Julian today

Ellie: No, daddy that's not it!
Lucas: Then what is it?
Ellie: Daddy, you are silly! You have to come to school today for daddy/child day!
Lucas: That's right! How could I forget that?
Ellie: I don't know daddy. Do you like my new outfit?
Lucas: Yes, you look beautiful today

Ellie: Thank you. Molly had an outfit just like this but it's purple

Peyton: ok, you two you better eat your breakfast so I can take Ellie to school
Lucas: What does your day look like Peyt?

Peyton: Hell! I have a meeting with the label I used to work with

Lucas: why?
Peyton: Because once a month they schedule a meeting and try to get me to let them buy into my company

Lucas: It's because you're that good baby!
Ellie: Mommy is very good and they want her bands but she tells them hell no!

(Peyton and Lucas both look at their daughter in shock)

Peyton: Elizabeth Anna, what did you just say?
Ellie: Oops… I forgot but that's what Meg always says that you tell them that

Peyton: Well even if I do you are not to ever say that word again!

Ellie: Yes, m'am

Peyton: now finish your breakfast!
Ellie: ok, mommy

Lucas: You're not eating this morning, Peyton?
Peyton: No, I'm not very hungry. Plus whenever John from the label is coming for his monthly meeting Meg puts out all this food like we have a lot of appointment throughout the day and we end up eating it all!

Lucas: but you are doing ok right?

Peyton: Huh?
Lucas: You're business is doing ok right?
Peyton: Heavens yes… I am making tons of money! It's great.

Lucas: Ok, just checking

Peyton: Thanks, for that…

Lucas: So I see Brooke isn't here

Ellie: She was
Peyton: (looking surprised) When?
Ellie: before you got up. She went into her room and changed her clothes and left again

Peyton: How do you know that?
Ellie: I saw her and she told me to go back to bed

Lucas: Where was she going?
Ellie: To Jackson's… She took her overnight bag too. Is she having a sleepover there?
Peyton: Maybe, I don't know. I'll call her and have lunch with her to figure this out

Lucas: I think it's great!
Peyton: Me too if she's happy

Lucas: I'm sure she is

Peyton: Ok, El finish up. I'm going to run upstairs and pull my hair up. It's bugging me today then we have to go

Ellie: Ok, ok

(Peyton walks out of the room and Lucas smiles at Ellie. She takes a big bite of her French Toast. They sit and eat, both enjoying the parent/child time they are having… Lucas loves his little girl and can see in her eyes she loves him!)

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(Daddies are waiting in the hallway to enter their child's classroom for daddy/child day. Jackson notices that Lucas is standing right next to the door and walks over to join him)

Jackson: Have to be the first one in there?

Lucas: I just want Ellie to see me so she doesn't worry

Jackson: Good man

Lucas: Not that it's any of my business but my four year old saw her aunt taking an over night bag out of our house early this morning

Jackson: Yeah, she brought some things over

Lucas: You really like her?
Jackson: I do. She's an awesome woman. She's hanging out with us today when we leave here

Lucas: Oh, I guess she won't be having lunch with Peyton today

Jackson: She can if she wants too
Lucas: She isn't going to want too. She's going to want to go with you and Molly. Peyton will understand that!

(The door opens and Mrs. Jennings appears)

Mrs. Jennings: Ok, the children have worked very hard preparing for this day. Please find your child and they will tell you what you need to do. Please come in

(The fathers walk into the room and find their child. Ellie is sitting next to Molly with big smiles on their faces. They hug their daddies)

Ellie: Daddy, I made you a tie that you need to wear

Molly: I did too daddy

(Lucas and Jackson look at the paper ties and then put them on)

Ellie: You look handsome daddy

Molly: I think my daddy looks nice too

Lucas: Thank you
Jackson: Mol, what do we do next?
Molly: We have to find a spot on the carpet so we can take turns sitting in the magic chair and introduce our daddies

Ellie: You guys have to sit in the chairs around the edges and we have to sit on your laps or on the floor in front of you

Lucas: ok, let's go find a seat

(Lucas, holding Ellie's hand, and Jackson, holding Molly's hand, walk to the carpet and sit down. The other daddies start to file in and do the same thing. The kids are overjoyed with excitement to have someone special at school with them)

Ellie: We have to wait our turn. Mrs. Jennings is going to call us

Lucas: Ok, sweetheart

Ellie: I'm glad you're here daddy
Lucas: Me too princess

(Mrs. Jennings starts to call kids up. Each child is telling the class their father's name and job. They are telling very little about their fathers. Everyone listens. Mrs. Jennings finally calls Ellie. Ellie grabs Lucas' hand and leads him to the magic chair. He sits down and she stands next to him)

Ellie: Good Morning. I'm Elizabeth Anna Sawyer and this is my daddy Lucas Scott. My daddy is an author. He writes books. (holding up a book) This is my daddy's first book. It's called the Unkindness of Ravens. Last night I found a CD with the book on it and I listened to it. The book is about my daddy's life. He had two great loves: one my Aunt Brooke and the other my mommy. My daddy was gone for a long time from LA. He was living in a place called Tree Hill. Everything I know about my daddy my cousin Jamie told me. My daddy was a great basketball player but he has a heart condition called HCM which prevents him from playing basketball anymore. Now he just coaches it. I am very proud of my daddy because he is a hard worker and he cares about other people! My daddy and my Uncle Julian are going to make his book into a movie. When they do that he has to go back to Tree Hill. That's going to make me very sad because I love my daddy and I will miss him. I asked Santa to bring me my daddy for Christmas and he did. This was the best Christmas ever. My daddy is amazing…. He helps me with everything I ask and he plays with me. He takes care of my when I'm sick. He takes care of my mommy when she's sick too. One day I hope that my daddy marries my mommy and we can all move to Tree Hill so I can live with my cousin Jamie. I am the luckiest little girl because I have a very special daddy who loves me and who is great! Thank you!

(Ellie bows a little and everyone smiles. The smile on Lucas' face is huge. His little girl truly does love him and she's proud of him. She was the most talkative four year old in the group. She was the only one who went on and on about her father. He knew it was because of the joy she felt for finally having a father in her life. He feels a little guilty because he has missed out on so much of her live. He would never let that happen again)

Mrs. Jennings: Thank you Ellie. Now that all of our fathers have been introduced we are going to move to the activity part of the morning… At all the tables there is a craft. You are going to make a frame with your child and then I'll come around and take your pictures. Once I have a picture I will print it off for you and we will put it in the frame before you leave. There are all sorts of objects to glue and decorate your frames with. I'm going to let all the girls and their daddies leave the carpet and then boys you can follow

(Ellie grabs Lucas' hand and they head to a table in the corner where only she and Lucas can sit with one other daddy and child. Molly quickly walks over and sits down with her)

Molly: Hey Lucas
Lucas: Hi honey

Jackson: So what are we supposed to do?
Lucas: Decorate this frame

Jackson: Gottcha! This coming to school stuff is hard

(Lucas just smiles at Jackson. He looks at his daughter and couldn't imagine being anywhere else today. He loved every minute of being there with her.)

Ellie: Daddy, what is your favorite color?
Lucas: Raven Blue

Ellie: Ok, then let's make our frame pink and blue… our two favorite colors

Lucas: That sounds like a great idea, El. What do you want to put on the frame?

Ellie: (picking up a foam basketball) I think we need to glue this on there daddy because you love basketball…

(Lucas smiles at the little girl's gesture.)

Ellie: (picking up a foam crown) We should put this on there because you call me your princess

Lucas: Those are both great ideas Ellie

(Ellie looks through all of the foam objects on the table and pulls out all the blue and pink dots she can find. Then she pulls out a foam book and a big foam red heart. Lucas looks at all the objects she has)

Lucas: So you want to decorate the whole edge in the dots, princess?
Ellie: Yes, because they aren't to girly so when you go back to Tree Hill you can take it with you and think about me. But I don't want people to make fun of you because you have a frame full of hearts and flowers so the dots are much better
Lucas: (smiling) that's a great plan, sweetheart

(On the top of the frame it says Daddy and Me so they start gluing the dots around the edge and when they get to the bottom Ellie stops)

Lucas: Why are you stopping?
Ellie: We have to glue our objects on now and then we'll fill the rest in with the dots

Lucas: Great plan

Ellie: Here's the basketball

(Lucas glues it on)

Ellie: Here is the crown

(Lucas glues it on and grabs the heart to glue on)

Ellie: Wait daddy that has to go in the middle and it has to go on last!

Lucas: Oh ok. Well if you want it in the middle then you need 5 things not 4

Ellie: ok

(She digs trough all of the objects and finds a music note. She smiles and hands it to her daddy. Lucas glues the music note and book onto the frame. Ellie has the red heart in her hand.)

Ellie: daddy, I want you to put this heart on because it makes me think of the day I found out you were my daddy… My heart was so happy that day because I hoped the whole time you were here that you were my daddy. I knew you were the minute you walked into the door. I could tell. You were so nice to me and kept me safe and I just knew you were my daddy. The day Aunt Brooke told me I was right was the happiest day of my life and my heart was so happy. It had never felt that happy before… We were finally all together so I want to put this heart on our frame so every time you look at it you can remember that my heart was so happy when I found out you were my daddy. I couldn't imagine having a better daddy than you. You are the best and I hope that someday you and mommy get married so we can be a real family. Daddy, I love you so much. I love you as much as the whole wide world and I hope that we stay together forever

Lucas: (trying to hide the tear in his eye) I love you too, princess and I promise that I will be here for you for the rest of my life and honey, even if mommy and I never get married we are a real family, I promise that too
Ellie: (hugging him) Thank you daddy!

Mrs. Jennings: Ellie, I need to take a picture of you and your daddy now

Ellie: Ok

(Ellie gets up and sits on Lucas' lap. She wraps her arms around his neck and smiles at Mrs. Jennings. Lucas wraps his arms around her waist. They both smile and Mrs. Jennings snaps the photo.)

Mrs. Jennings: I always thought Ellie was a spitting image of Peyton but when I see her with you I can't believe how much she looks like you.
Lucas: We have the same eyes

Mrs. Jennings: You have a lot more than that!

(Lucas smiles and Mrs. Jennings walks away. She rings the bell and all the kids look at her)

Mrs. Jennings: If you are finished with your frames it is snack time. Actually it's almost time to go home so please have some cookies and punch so they don't go to waste and then once you've had your treat and get your photo you are free to take your child home. Thank you so much for coming and spending the morning with your child. It means so much to them!

(Ellie starts cleaning up the table she is sitting at and Lucas helps her. She quickly moves around the room organizing the tables and putting everything back in it's place. Mrs. Jennings walks over while Lucas is standing watching his daughter in awe.)

Mrs. Jennings: She does that every day.

Lucas: I notice she did that yesterday but I just thought it was because I was the room helper

Mrs. Jennings: No, she's just a great little helper. A lot of days Peyton has to take her snack home with her because she's so busy straightening up. She's a sweet little girl

Lucas: That she is

Mrs. Jennings: So are you staying in LA for a while Mr. Scott?
Lucas: Please, it's Lucas and I'm here until March. Then like Ellie said I am making a movie with Julian and I have to go back to Tree Hill
Mrs. Jennings: I don't mean to be nosy but Peyton and Julian broke up over vacation?
Lucas: Yes they did

Mrs. Jennings: And Peyton's sick?
Lucas: She had a cancer scare but it was just that a scare… She's doing great now

Mrs. Jennings: Great! I just want to warn you to be careful with her little heart. She is one of the most sensitive caring children I have every worked with. She's special and she gets hurt easily but never shows it. Peyton is a wonderful mother. She's probably the best mother I have in this program. She listens to Ellie like she's a person not just a whining child. Peyton also makes sure that Ellie is enriched in literature, music and art. Ellie is very well rounded and I think sometimes because she has grown up in the adult world we forget she's a child. When you go back to Tree Hill it's going to be hard on her and you better prepare her for that… I'd hate to see her pull away from the group because she's too emotional!

Lucas: Ok, thank you. We will make sure to protect her little heart as much as possible.
Mrs. Jennings: I can tell by what she said today that she has high expectations for you and Peyton and if you don't feel your life is heading down that path you'll probably want to set Ellie straight on that. I'm not trying to tell you how to parent I'm just very concerned about Ellie because I've never seen her like this. It's not bad but if she gets hurt I am afraid for her….
Lucas: I would never hurt my daughter.

Mrs. Jennings: I didn't think you would but people get hurt in the middle of things that you don't even realize is happening. Please just be careful because I know Peyton and I know Ellie and they are both very very sensitive people who are easily hurt!

(With that Mrs. Jennings walked away. Lucas didn't know weather to be pissed or happy that this elderly woman was looking out for his family. He could tell that she had a soft spot for Peyton and Ellie. It's almost like she has taken them under her wing. Lucas smiled at that thought. Ellie walks over and the collect their things to leave. He would never hurt her again. He also didn't plan on hurt her mother either)

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(Peyton had just finished her monthly meeting with John. She was so sick of him! She wasn't going to let him buy into her company! After all she worked her ass off to get this dream and he was a dick to her! She didn't need his help and he sure wasn't getting his hands on her talent. Peyton looked at the clock and realized it was lunch time. She was kind of hungry. Just as she was about to buzz Meg, Meg buzzed her)

Meg: (through the intercom) You have someone here to see you

Peyton: (picking up the phone to call her assistant) Who is it?
Meg: (into the phone) They need to see you right away!
Peyton: Fine send them in and will you order me something to eat?
Meg: Sure, Peyton. I'll get right on that

(Peyton smiled because she knows her young assistant was rolling her eyes at her. She was sitting at her desk looking out her window when the door opened.)

Peyton: (without turning around) Just leave the demo on the desk with your number and I'll take a listen to it

Lucas: Ok, but I'm a writer so I'm not sure if you can produce a story

(Peyton spins around to see her boyfriend and her daughter standing in the doorway)

Peyton: What are you guys doing here? I thought you were having daddy/Ellie day?
Ellie: (walking over and crawling up on Peyton's lap) I just missed you mommy. I'm not used to being away from you this much
Peyton: I know its weird baby girl!

Ellie: We brought lunch mommy and thought we could hang out here for a little while

Peyton: Lunch sounds great but you can't hang out here all day

Ellie: (looking sad) Why not?
Peyton: Because I'm going to take the rest of the day off to hang out with my baby girl and her daddy!

Ellie: Really mommy?!
Peyton: Really. Now go and wash up so we can eat lunch

Ellie: Ok mommy

(Ellie turns and walks out of the room. Peyton walks over to the other side of the desk and Lucas walks up to her. He sets the food on the desk and wraps his arms around her. They kiss deeply. Lucas quickly pulls away then sneaks one more little peck on the lips.)

Peyton: How was daddy/child day?
Lucas: You should have heard what Ellie was saying about me. (beaming with pride and joy) Most of the kids talked for maybe 30 seconds but not our El. She told them all about our life story

Peyton: Was she appropriate?!

Lucas: Besides the fact she told the class that you were a hooker yeah she was totally appropriate.

Peyton: Well since I've serviced half the guys there it wasn't that big of a surprise to them!
Lucas: Too far, Sawyer!
Peyton: You started it… Anyway what did she say about you?
Lucas: That I'm an author and Santa brought me and she told them about how I was in love with two women and how we are going to get married… You know Ellie

Peyton: Yes, I do! I'm surprised she only talked for 2 minutes

Lucas: She was cute

Peyton: I'm sure she was

Lucas: I got in trouble with the teacher

Peyton: You did?
Lucas: Not really but she is very concerned about our relationship's impact on Ellie

Peyton: Oh really why?

Lucas: She told me that you're an amazing mother and that Ellie is a very sensitive little girl who hides her feelings. She said that Ellie has high expectations for you and me and if we aren't headed down that path we should explain that to her. She also told me I better not hurt the two of you!

Peyton: That's Mrs. Jennings

Lucas: I thought I was getting the third degree. She's so protective of you two

Peyton: She a good woman and she's right. Ellie is very attached to the idea of having her mommy and daddy together and we should talk to her about it. I mean if for some reason…

Lucas: (cutting her off) I'm not ending this Peyton so if it doesn't work out it's not going to be because of me! I told you I'm in this for the long haul and I meant it. If you don't want this then you have to tell her it's you because it's sure in the hell isn't going to be me! Mrs. Jennings said she's never seen Ellie so happy and overjoyed before and I knew what she meant because I feel the same way every day that I wake up next to you and go to bed with you.

Peyton: I feel the same way… You know I love you, Lucas

Lucas: And I love you

Ellie: (walking in with Mia) Mommy look who I found!
Peyton: Mia, what are you going here?
Mia: (holding up some song sheets) I did it!
Peyton: Did what?
Mia: wrote a new song. I just sang it for Ellie and she loved it. I was hoping to use the studio today
Peyton: It's all yours. I'm having lunch with these guys then we're taking off for the day. Meg's her until whenever and I'm sure she'll want to stick around and listen to you

Mia: She's already in the studio

Peyton: Figured she was

Mia: I'll burn the track and bring it over tonight

Peyton: Perfect

Ellie: When you come over tonight can you stay and play with me?
Mia: Sure I can because your mom's going to love this song so much she's going to stop yelling at me for not writing one in a while
Peyton: We'll see about that!
Mia: It's good I promise!
Peyton: Then go get to work

(Mia walks out of the room and Peyton walks and sits back in her chair. Lucas pulls the two chairs on the other side of the desk closer and Ellie sits in one. Peyton quickly clears off the top of her desk so they have a place to put their food. Ellie opens her takeout container and starts eating her chicken strips. She takes a few bites and then stares at her mom. She smiles then gets out of her chair and walks over to Peyton)

Ellie: Mommy?
Peyton: (with a bite of hamburger in her mouth) What honey?
Ellie: Mommy you shouldn't talk with food in your mouth

Peyton: Then you should ask me questions while I'm eating

Ellie: Sorry

Peyton: What do you want sweetheart?
Ellie: When you have my baby brother will you show me where it will grow?
Peyton: I'm not having a baby, Ellie!
Ellie: Not today mommy. Aunt Brooke said it takes nine months to have a baby so I know you can't have one today. Daddy's only been here for month but you could start trying…

Lucas: Ellie, do you know what that means?!
Ellie: No daddy but Michael said that his mommy and daddy are trying to have a baby and they spend a lot of time in their room and his mommy lies on the bed with her feet in the air! Does mommy have to do that?
Lucas: (looking at Peyton) what kind of school do we send our daughter to?
Peyton: The best money can buy so chill!
Ellie: So mommy where does the baby grow?

(Peyton sighs. It's times like these that she hates herself for teaching Ellie to be so independent and talk about what is on her mind. She backs away from the desk and pulls Ellie onto her lap)

Peyton: Where did Mrs. Winchester's baby grow?
Ellie: (rubbing her own belly) right here
Peyton: (taking Ellie's hand and putting it on her own stomach) Well when I was pregnant with you this is where you grew. In a special little home that mommies have for their babies

Ellie: How do they come out mommy?
Peyton: (lifting her shirt and rubbing Ellie's hand over her scare) the doctor had to cut mommy open a little bit and then he took you out

Ellie: Do all mommies have to be cut open to have a baby

Peyton: No, but sometimes. I had to with you

Ellie: I'm sorry mommy. Did it hurt?
Peyton: Not at all and the best part about it was when I got to hold you.

Ellie: I know I was so tiny and you just loved to hug and kiss me

Peyton: That's right!

Ellie: Will I be able to talk to the baby?
Peyton: Yes, I used to read to you every night and then I'd play you my favorite albums

Ellie: Will he be able to talk to me?
Peyton: Not for a long time

Ellie: So mommy do you think I can have a little brother?
Peyton: Not right now, Ellie
Ellie: Well you only have 11 months before Christmas so could you start working on it and if you have to lie on the bed with your feet in the air and if you need to spend a lot of time in your bedroom I can just play downstairs. I won't bug you I promise! (looking at Lucas who is laughing at this whole conversation) Daddy, do you think maybe just maybe you could help mommy get my baby brother?
Lucas: Honey, we aren't going to have another baby right now.

Ellie: (looking sad) Why not?
Peyton: Because we're not married and we shouldn't have another baby without being married

Ellie: Ok, so when you and daddy get married can Aunt Brooke make Molly and I beautiful dresses so we can walk down the aisle?

Lucas: Honey, it's going to be a long time before mommy and daddy get married. We just started dating sweetheart

Ellie: How long do you have to date before you can get married?
Peyton: I don't know honey. It's different for everyone
Ellie: You were with Julian for a long time and you never married him, so does that mean you're going to be with daddy for a long time and never marry him? That would mean I'll never have a baby brother? (tears streaming down her face at this point)
Peyton: (hugging her daughter closer) Honey, that's not it at all. Daddy and I will get married someday and you'll have your baby sister or brother but right now we're just going to have lunch!
Ellie: Sister? I never said anything about a sister, mommy!

(Lucas and Peyton start laughing. That was a whole different conversation for another day!)

Lucas: get over her princess and eat. You're lunch is getting cold!
Ellie: (putting her head down by Peyton's stomach) Hello little baby house! I hope someday you keep a baby brother for me until he's ready to come out and play with me!

(Ellie hugs Peyton and walks over to sit next to Lucas. She has a smile on her face and both of her parents look a little perplexed. Neither of them was expecting the conversation they had just had with their daughter. They needed to talk to Brooke about her honest answers. At least she didn't tell the whole facts about the birds and the bees. Lucas was also stuck on the fact that Peyton told their daughter that some day they would be married and have another baby… She wanted it too! This was the best day of his life!)

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(Peyton and Lucas walk into their house. It was late and they were both dressed really nice. Mia was asleep on the couch. Peyton had a funny look on her face and so did Lucas)

Peyton: (Shaking Mia) Mia….

Mia: (waking up) Oh, hey Peyton

Lucas: Where is our babysitter?
Mia: She was mean to Ellie so I sent her home!
Peyton: She was?
Mia: Yeah I came over to drop off the demo and she was yelling at Ellie to pick up her toys and go to bed.

Peyton: Ok, so?
Mia: It was like 6: 45

Peyton: Oh, so I told her you sent me over to watch Ellie and she could go home
Lucas: I knew we shouldn't have left that girl with Ellie!
Peyton: She's babysat for me before… Ellie's never said anything about her being mean

Mia: Well she is! I paid her for her time and sent her packing! Then El and I ordered pizza and hung out! She told me she goes to bed at 9 but I thought she might be trying to fool me so I mad her go to be at 8:30 but after I read her a story and sang her a song because she said you always sing to her which I also thought she was fooling me but I thought what the hell. So anyway by the time all that was done it was closer to 9 but she did fall right to sleep

Peyton: Well thank you so much Mia. How much do I owe you?
Mia: You have got to be kidding me! After all you've done for me this was on the house but don't get that twit of a sitter again!
Lucas: Oh we won't

Mia: I gotta go. I have a date tonight

Peyton: It's 10:30
Mia: I know we're going clubbing
Peyton: Be careful
Mia: Always am. Listen to my song and see if you like it!

Peyton: Will do

Lucas: Thanks again
Mia: Any time

(Mia gets up and walks out of the house. Peyton collapses on the couch. Lucas walks out of the room and returns with two glasses of wine. He sits next to Peyton)

Lucas: That was an interesting evening

Peyton: Sure was

Lucas: That guy was pretty interesting
Peyton: Yeah he was

Lucas: You knew him?
Peyton: Yeah, he's invested in a few of Julian's other movies

Lucas: He seems like a nice guy
Peyton: He is

Lucas: He must have been around a lot since he talked so much about Ellie
Peyton: He was. Every time Julian made a film Mark has been his investor so he was around
Lucas: I see

Peyton: Mark's Julian's best friend and he's been in the film business for years. He made some smart investments early in his life and made a lot of money. Also when he's dad dies he left him almost a billion dollars. Julian helped Mark through a lot of shit so Mark helps him reach his dreams

Lucas: So you really know Mark?
Peyton: I do.

Lucas: So that's why he was shooting me draggers all night?
Peyton: I guess so. I didn't really notice. I shouldn't have gone tonight. I should have known that Mark was his investor and I should have stayed home

Lucas: Is there more to the story, Peyton?
Peyton: No, I just know that Mark was judging the two of us tonight…

Lucas: I felt it too

Peyton: Oh well! It's over. You're movie will be made and Mark will still be Mark!
Lucas: (smiling) Ok, I think we can just leave it at that

Peyton: fair enough

Lucas: So what was up with our daughter this afternoon?
Peyton: I have no idea! I'm going to kill Brooke though! Why would she even talk to Ellie about babies?
Lucas: I don't know. I'm just glad we didn't have to explain too much
Peyton: We?! If I recall you were sitting in your chair eating your lunch laughing at me trying to answer her questions

Lucas: She wasn't asking me!
Peyton: Oh, I know!
Lucas: You told her something today that kind of surprised me

Peyton: What was that?
Lucas: You told our daughter that we would get married someday and have a baby brother or sister for her
Peyton: I did not!
Lucas: You did

Peyton: well I guess that was a subconscious slip!
Lucas: but you've thought about it?
Peyton: I guess I have…
Lucas: Good to know

Peyton: And you?
Lucas: Every day

Peyton: Then I guess we are on the same page

Lucas: that we are. It was so sweet how Ellie was talking to your stomach today and telling it to be a good home for her brother or sister

Peyton: oh no she didn't say sister she said Brother
Lucas: How do you make that happen?
Peyton: I have no idea!
Lucas: Me either

Peyton: We don't need to figure it out right now Lucas. We're dating right now. Let's just take it slow and see what our future brings

Lucas: Ok! Hey did you really read to Ellie and play music for her when you were pregnant?
Peyton: I sure did. I'd read to her every morning when I was sick and I couldn't get out of bed and then I'd play her music ever night before I feel asleep
Lucas: You were a great mother even before she was born

Peyton: (blushing) Thanks

Lucas: I'd really like to experience my wife being pregnant

Peyton: Well you need a wife first! And I'm not offering… right now… We're taking it slow!
Lucas: Slow it is baby but can we take it fast up to the bedroom?
Peyton: I think we could handle that

(Lucas and Peyton stand up and head up the stairs. They get to their room only to find a little blonde haired blue eyes little girl sitting there staring back at them)

Peyton: Ellie, what are you doing in here?
Ellie: I couldn't sleep mommy

Lucas: What's the matter honey?
Ellie: I don't know. Can I sleep in here tonight?
Peyton: No

Lucas: Yes

Peyton: ok, I guess you can

Ellie: (pulling the covers down and scooting into the middle of the bed) Thanks mommy!

(Peyton and Lucas walk into the bathroom to get ready for bed)

Peyton: (taking off her earrings) I can't believe you fell for that!
Lucas: What?
Peyton: She just wants to sleep in here because you're here

Lucas: So! The novelty of me being here will wear off and we'll get her back in her bed soon. She only sleeps in here when we've been gone and didn't tuck her in

Peyton: (smiling) I love you

Lucas: (taken back) what?
Peyton: You're a great dad! I'm a sucker for that little girl and I'd let her sleep with me every night that Julian was gone. I just don't want her to get used to sleeping with the two of us…

Lucas: It's one night

Peyton: Well when she's been in here every night for the next month you'll be rethinking that statement!
Lucas: Ok, tonight's the last night! Tomorrow night we'll be home and we'll tuck her little self in and if she gets up we'll put her back in her bed!
Peyton: Sure we will!

Lucas: I can't help it. She my baby!
Peyton: Oh, you don't have to explain anything to me! I know exactly how you feel. I am a sucker for that little girl. I just don't want you to get upset if it takes us a while to get her back into her own room!

Lucas: I won't be.
Peyton: Ok, then! You do realize that this is a relationship killer!
Lucas: With Brooke playing house wife with Jackson we can use the spare bedroom!
Peyton: Ok then!

Lucas: Thank you Peyton

Peyton: (with a confused look on hr face) for what?
Lucas: For giving me a chance to get to know my daughter…

Peyton: I never wanted to keep her from you Lucas

Lucas: I know but you could have made this hard and you didn't

Peyton: This is all I have every wanted…. You, Ellie and me…

Lucas: Well you got it babe!
Peyton: (pulling her hair up) Thank you for coming back!
Lucas: I'm just so sorry it took me so long… I will never be able to get rid of the guilt I feel for that….

Peyton: Baby, you're here now and soon Ellie won't even remember that you weren't here! All she's going to remember is that her daddy and mommy love her

Lucas: She may forget that I was a total jackass but you'll never forget!
Peyton: What you don't realize is that I already have!

(Lucas smiles at Peyton and leans over to kiss her. The bathroom door flies up)

Ellie: Um… I'm waiting for you two to come tuck me in and read me a story!
Peyton: Excuse me! You know better than to talk to your daddy and me like that

Ellie: (looking down) I'm sorry mommy. Please will you come read me a story and tuck me in?
Peyton: We're coming

Lucas: (swooping her up) Come on Princess

(They all walk out of the bathroom and into the bedroom. Lucas plops Ellie on the bed and she laughs. Peyton walks around and gets into bed and Ellie snuggles into to her. Lucas gets into bed next to them.)

Peyton: Ok, what do you want to hear?
Ellie: (pulling a book out from under the covers) this one mommy!

(Peyton and Lucas look. She has the Unkindness of Ravens in her hand)

Lucas: That's not a bedtime story!
Ellie: But it's about my mommy and daddy and I want to hear it

Lucas: You told the class today that you listened to it on the CD

Ellie: Only part of it daddy… Plus I want you to read it to me.

(Lucas looks at Peyton)

Peyton: It's ok. She can hear it…

Lucas: but the school (spelling the word) S-H-O-O-T-I-N-G

Peyton: You won't get there tonight

Lucas: Ok… Why don't you read it?
Peyton: because I want to listen to the man who wrote those words read them to his baby girl!
Lucas: (Smiling at her) Ok

(Ellie and Peyton snuggling into the bed and Lucas begin to read the book. Peyton smiles at him the whole time… That book was what kept her going and she loved that Lucas was sitting there reading it to them. Soon Ellie was asleep and so was Peyton. Lucas sat for a few minutes watching the two of them thinking how perfect his life was now. He was so excited that Peyton was planning on someday marrying him and that they would continue their family. He loved her so much and he never thought he could love another person and much as he loved Peyton but he was wrong. He loved Ellie that much too. He looked at the two blondes lying next to him and he knew that no matter what he would spend the rest of his life loving these two girls. He just regretted taking so long to get there! He snuggled in next to them putting his arms around them. Peyton felt this and half woke up. She looked at him and grabbed his hand. They entwined their fingers before she fall back to sleep. This was the life. Lucas drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face. He was finally content!)

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A/N: Please review… They make me write faster!! :)