Let's hope this installment helps us all as we say goodbye to our beloved show. It was a fantastic run. But, as the old adage goes….All good things must come to an end.
But don't fret. I decided "Epilogue Part II" would work better as a prologue….for our sequel!
Enjoy and write one last review…and thank you, thank you, THANK YOU…for everything.
Epilogue
Music flowed through Luke's ears as he jogged down the streets of Tree Hill. It was a beautiful day, the sky was burning blue and there wasn't a cloud in sight. His white running sneakers hit the pavement in a rhythm as he passed down Main Street. He missed his little town when he was away in Chicago. Along with his editor, Lucas had worked hours on end to complete a preliminary draft of his fourth novel.
Once the basketball season had started, it was all a blur. The holiday season came and went. The months passed and Brooke gave birth to beautiful twin boys, Andrew and Jude Davis Baker, on the 18th day of April.
Lucas and his team brought home a fourth State Championship. Lucas had said a few words at yet another Tree Hill High School Graduation. Ella had finished off another school year with flying colors. Michael Grubbs and his band were almost ready to release their first studio album. Mia Catalano was about to release her fifth. Lucas and Jamie had just celebrated their birthdays.
The weeks were flying by, and Lucas couldn't believe it was July again. It seemed like last summer was just upon them. It still remained behind the tree leaves like a silent shadow. But Lucas knew deep down that this summer was going to be different. Not necessarily better, since there had been wonderful moments snuck in between the pain, but different.
Lucas jogged to the beat of the music in his ears and eventually made his way just outside of downtown. He could see TRIC in the distance; he passed by what used to be Dan Scott Motors, and eventually made way towards Keith's old auto shop. Caught up in a bittersweet flashback, Lucas nearly missed a familiar face trying to get his attention.
"Lucas!"
Luke's blue eyes flickered in recognition and he pulled his earphones from his ears. The music ceased and he was faced with sweet summer noise. He watched as a middle-aged man made his way from behind a run down car. He still held the same slow sway when he walked, and his grey shirt was stained with motor oil. Some things never changed.
"Gus," Lucas greeted. He shook the man's hand; his skin calloused from years of hard work and no break. "Good to see you."
"I nearly missed you there," Gus replied, his voice deep and baritone. "How've you been?" He looked Lucas over with disapproving eyes- his shirt was slick with sweat and he still hadn't caught his breath. "Let me get you some water. You look like you're going to pass out."
The two men first met at Keith's wake. Gus gave Lucas a sympathetic pat on the shoulder and told him he was the one that bought the auto shop out from Keith. Gus had told Lucas that he knew Keith was a good man immediately, and he knew how close they had been. Soon after, Gus gave Lucas a key to the auto shop so he could stop by whenever he wanted.
After Lucas graduated from high school and went to college, he'd lost touch with Gus for a while but managed to pay a few visits whenever he was in town. They caught up over a beer and the conversations always came to a close in the same fashion: Gus promised to look over the shop and do it well.
Lucas breathed in a thin film of dust and motor oil and leather. The nostalgia almost knocked him off his feet. Gus looked older, worn, and Lucas realized how long it really had been since he stepped foot in the shop- too long. Lucas wrapped his headphones to rest on his neck and watched as Gus filled a plastic cup to the brim with cold water.
"So you're closed today, huh? How's business anyhow?"
Gus scoffed, handing Lucas the water. "Right now? Slow, because I'm taking my wife and what's left of my bank account, getting the hell out of here and selling."
Lucas raised his brows in surprise after draining the paper cup in one gulp. "You're selling the shop?"
"Yeah." Gus smirked, looking Lucas over. He had transformed from a brooding teenager to a confident, successful, and grounded man before his very eyes. "You want it?"
Lucas actually laughed, and then became quiet when he saw that Gus' gaze did not falter. "Me?"
Gus chuckled. His uninspired disposition got lifted in a matter of a few spontaneous seconds. It was perfect. It was fate. "Yeah, you. I'll sell it to you, on discount. I'm not talking a free ride, but something reasonable."
"What about Johnny, or Ben?" Lucas asked, referring to Gus' adult sons.
"Oh please. Those two could care less about this place. And I love them to death, but they can't run a business. You can."
Lucas sighed and looked to his right. He could see Peyton's office window in TRIC. No matter that the club was doing well, there was no way he could afford buying the auto shop. Discount or not. But still, looking around and knowing that an old photograph of he and Keith was probably lying around somewhere, Lucas felt a pull and couldn't get free. "This is awfully sudden. I need to think."
"So take a few days," Gus bargained. "A week. Two weeks. But I'm not kidding, I'd like to sell it to you. I know how much this place meant to you. You've spent more time here than my kids and me. Just think about it."
Lucas breathed out a sigh, and before he could stop himself, he said, "I'll think about it." He looked Gus in the eye and told himself over and over that the older man in front of him was not a cheat, or a swine, or a scumbag. A scumbag wouldn't go to Keith's funeral after buying his business.
Gus smiled a true, genuine smile. "Good. Call me, ok? Take it easy. Say hi to the lovely wife and kid."
"I will." Lucas turned on his feet, and a sudden rush of adrenaline swept through his body.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Lucas stepped through the front door of his home, placing his I-Pod on the little table that held all the mail and was adjacent to the coat rack. Amazing smells came from the kitchen, and as he was about to take a closer look, Lucas heard his sneakers squeaking against just-mopped floors. He quickly took off the sneakers before Peyton caught him and made him re-mop. Guests would be here in the near evening, and when Peyton was under the pressure as hostess, she did not mess around.
"Peyton?" Lucas called through the house. He entered the kitchen and saw the counter tops littered with cooking tools, used bowls, and recipe magazines. Lucas nearly missed Ella sitting at the table, holding a wooden spoon that was double the size of her face.
"Hi Daddy!" she greeted happily, her blonde hair back neatly in a braid. "Happy Fourth of July!"
Lucas chuckled. Ella usually woke him up at the crack of dawn to announce holidays, but since he got up extra early for a run, he missed that chance. "Happy Fourth of July to you too, pumpkin pie." Luke's warm gaze turned into a cautious one as he walked closer to the table. "What're you doing?"
"Mixing the vegetable dip," Ella explained, lightly and nonchalantly. She continued to stir the glass bowl, and it nearly slipped off the table.
"Hold on," Lucas said with a smile, putting a firm hold on the bowl. "You're going to start a hurricane." He put his big hand over Ella's on the wooden spoon, and showed her the proper way to stir the dip. "Nice and easy." They continued to mix together until it wasn't needed, and Lucas covered the dip with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. "Where's your Mom?"
"In the library, cleaning," Ella recited. "What should I do now, Dad?"
It took Lucas a moment to realize what she meant. "Uhm…" Lucas sent one look around the kitchen. "Why don't you just stay out of Mommy's way, and go play in your room?"
Ella's eyes brightened. "Okay!" She hopped off the chair without another word and made her way to the staircase.
Lucas shook his head and made his way towards his beloved library- by far the best birthday present he'd ever gotten.
-x-
Less than a month ago….
No peeking!" Ella exclaimed, her voice drifting away.
"I'm not," Lucas insisted, his arms straight out in front of him as he tried to navigate the wide open space. All he could feel was Peyton's soft hands over his eyelids, and he prayed she wouldn't bump him into a wall. "Where are you taking me?" he asked with a laugh.
"Hold on," Peyton said back. She led Lucas through a door and into the middle of the room and removed her hands from his face. "Okay, open your eyes."
Lucas' eyes opened and he almost couldn't believe what he saw. What used to be a room filled with old boxes had been emptied out. The floors were re- finished to an American walnut, and the walls had been re-painted a subtle, soothing green. Every inch of the back walls was just bookshelves. Rows and rows of built-in bookshelves were surrounded by tasteful furniture and a working fireplace. Luke had been saying for months that he would get the fireplace working again, and that the room would be re-done and made into his own library, he just never got around to it. But here it was, just like he dreamed. Lucas stood in the centre of it all and breathed it all in, truly at a loss for words.
"Surprise!" Ella said, her smile wide.
"Happy Birthday Luke," Peyton said with a soft smile. "Now you have the library you've always wanted."
Luke shook his head, his eyes sparkling. "Peyton…" He gazed around almost like he was dreaming. He saw the grand armchair by the fireplace and laughed to himself. He always told Peyton he wanted his own library that had a fireplace. Just a place where the hours could melt way and Lucas could escape, like when he was younger and his love for literature had first blossomed. "This is…I don't know what to say," he admitted sheepishly.
"It's got ladders too, Daddy," Ella said, excitedly walking over to a far corner of the library and pulling onto a ladder that was attached to the shelves.
"No way," Lucas said, walking over to where Ella stood. She was right, Peyton even had ladders installed so that Lucas could reach the shelves at the very top. He gently pulled the mahogany ladder and it slid smoothly after him. "Wow…" Lucas couldn't hide the grin on his face. "How did you manage to do this without me knowing?"
Peyton smiled, her eyes a mischievous dark green. "You were in Utah."
"At Jullian's movie premiere? The one you convinced me to go to? I was only there for a week!"
"Oh, I've been planning this forever. While you were gone I cleaned out the room with Mouth, and then the next day the guys I hired installed the shelves. Then Millie and I painted before all your River Court boys moved the furniture in." Peyton smiled, so relieved and proud that she pulled it all off without Lucas having a clue.
"I can't believe you did that." Lucas walked over and wrapped his arms around Peyton's waist.
"What do you mean?" Peyton asked softly so only he could hear. "You're my husband, and you deserve this."
Lucas took a deep breath, suddenly overwhelmed. Most days he felt like he still didn't deserve Peyton, or their daughter, or just this life… but he never told her that. He was just so grateful. "This is amazing," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind Peyton's ear. "You're amazing."
Peyton smiled, leaning towards Lucas so their foreheads touched and they shared a kiss.
"Thank you," Lucas told her in a whisper, and Peyton heard Ella in his voice. In those two words, he really said, I love you. "Thank you so much."
"You're welcome," Peyton whispered back with a wink. Lucas grabbed her around the waist and spun her around in a tight hug, and she laughed like she always did when she was over the moon.
The two adults were locked in another kiss more passionate than the first, before Ella ran to hug their legs. Lucas was certain that it was his best birthday ever, after thirty years in the game.
-x-
"Baby?" Lucas called, stepping into the threshold of his library and seeing Peyton wipe off one of his shelves. "Why are you cleaning in here? It's already clean." Lucas stepped further into the room and saw Peyton's frantic movements. She turned as soon as she heard him walk in, and hid her arm behind her waist. But she was too slow. "What's that in your hand?" he asked, as gently as he could.
Peyton tried not to meet his gaze directly, and Lucas knew right away that she was nervous. Her eyes were a little watery, too. "It's a pregnancy test."
-x-
Lucas walked through the front door of his home gratefully. He breathed in the cozy air that smelled only faintly of cinnamon, and was sure to step softly up the stairs, shaded partly in darkness. He walked past Ella's room, where she was sleeping soundly. He thought he heard the sounds of a record playing down the hall, and the music drew him closer. He walked through his own bedroom, something he hadn't done in a week. He smiled seeing Peyton on her side of the bed, reading Hemmingway. "Hi baby," he said, a wide smile on his face.
Peyton turned and her eyes shined brightly. She abandoned the book and sat up. "I didn't even hear you come up!" she exclaimed. She kneeled on the bedside, Lucas' old shirt clinging to her waist. She pulled Lucas by his leather jacket to kiss him. "I missed you," she mumbled against his lips. She missed all the little things: the way he would rub her feet after a day at work, after he'd send her text messages during the day telling her he loved her- just because. The way he held her at night. "How was your last day in Chicago?"
"It was alright," Lucas answered, his hands traveling down Peyton's waist. "I can only stand Frank for so long. But, we got a lot done."
"I'm glad." Peyton ran a hand down Luke's cheek. "You look tired." She watched somewhat impatiently as Lucas took off his leather jacket and hung it in the closet. She watched as he took off his shirt and pants and hung those up, too. It was then that she realized after being away from one another, that she had never missed him more than when he was within her reach.
Lucas crawled underneath the warm covers of their bed and into Peyton's embrace. He watched silently as she removed her shirt and went back to him, just so they could be skin to skin for a little while. He breathed her in and let her skin touch his. Nothing, absolutely nothing, was like the real thing. His right hand traveled lightly down the soft skin of her arm, and he felt her sink into his chest.
"I'm happy you're here with me," Peyton said, leaning against him. The bed felt so empty without him next to her, and she realized she couldn't fall asleep right away without feeling his warm, loving touch.
Luke's lips drifted to her bare shoulder, and he kissed her there. "Me too." Lucas missed just holding her. He kept her warm, and he silently said to himself how much he adored moments like these. If only they were endless. Lucas lay on his pillow and watched the ceiling fan above his head. Soon he was listening to the pure voice that floated from the record player, and filled every corner of the quiet room. "Is this Ella playing?" He recognized the chorus line, 'these foolish things...remind me of you...'
Peyton's smile was soft and shy. "Yeah."
Lucas' blue eyes flickered, and he took a deep breath. "I remember the last time Ella was playing and we were laying like this."
Peyton grabbed Lucas' hand. "I'm not pregnant Luke," she promised. "But…" she took a breath and was suddenly so nervous. "I think we should start trying for another baby."
Luke raised his brows and he felt his heart starting to pound in his chest. "Really?"
"Well, before Ella gets older. Dr. Farrell says we have maybe two years until her next surgery."
"Are you sure?"
Peyton nodded, and her eyes got watery. "I just got off the pill. So we can…if you want to."
"Of course I want to." Luke smiled and softly ran a finger down Peyton's cheek. She was so beautiful, especially when she was so vulnerable. Lucas adored that the most.
Peyton leaned in and kissed him, heavily, pulling him as close as she could. However close he was, it wasn't enough. When they could both breathe again, Luke couldn't help but chuckle a little bit. He moved a strand of hair behind Peyton's ear. "Oh. You meant right now. I could definitely do that."
-x-
Lucas' eyes immediately fell to the pregnancy test in Peyton's left hand. It appeared as though she was still waiting for the result. Without warning, Lucas' heart began to race. "And?"
Peyton glanced at the test after a minute or two. "It's negative."
Lucas felt a sudden punch in the gut as his stomach doubled. He put a soft hand on Peyton's shoulder, even though he just wanted to hug her. "That's ok. I mean, it's not…but we'll try again." He tried to give Peyton a warm glance to cheer her up, but he could easily tell that she was heartbroken.
Peyton was about to reply when she heard the faint ring of a doorbell. "Are you kidding, it's still early!" She wrapped the used pregnancy test in a napkin and went to toss it.
"I'll take care of the kitchen, you just answer the door," Lucas called, walking quickly in the other direction.
Peyton opened the door without another thought, and she was almost knocked off her feet. And then she cried a tear or two. "Dad!"
Larry Sawyer laughed. He dropped his blue duffle bag to the ground by his feet and swept his only daughter in for a hug. "Hi, honey!"
"I thought your flight landed tonight!"
Larry shrugged. "I took an earlier one. I wanted to spend as much time with you as I could."
Peyton couldn't hide her smile. Her father was tan- he was always tan now that he lived in Florida. He wore a simple red t-shirt, light jacket, jeans and white sneakers, with his favorite plain red baseball cap. They spent so much time talking over the phone and on Skype that it was hard to believe he was really standing in front of her. Peyton grabbed her father's hand before he could slip away, watched as he picked up his suitcase, and led him into the house.
Lucas had just finished loading the dishwasher and wiping down the counter when he heard his father-in-law's voice. He walked through the kitchen and leaned against the frame of the wide doorway. He smiled seeing Peyton light up around her father, like she always did. "I promise, I don't have a rake this time," Lucas said loudly, smiling in Larry's direction.
Larry laughed heartily and moved to give Lucas a hug. "Yeah, you better not. Good to see you, son."
Lucas ignored the feeling in the pit of his stomach. "You too!"
Larry's eyes were filled with a sudden sympathy. "How've you been? Listen, I'm so sorry about Dan."
Lucas nodded and his jaw tightened. "I appreciate that." He almost couldn't believe that in a few weeks it would mark ten months since Dan's death. It felt like just yesterday that everyone was huddled in that room at the beach house.
"Mama?" Ella's little voice floated from the top of the stairs. She had decided to descend to see what all the fuss was about.
"Ella," Peyton called sweetly. She led her father closer to the staircase and gestured to him. "Look who's here!"
Ella turned her attention towards the guest and a grin spread across her face. She happily hopped up and down on her tippy toes. "Grandpa!"
Larry raised his arms up in celebration. "My sweetheart!" He quickly climbed the wooden, curved stairwell two steps at a time and brought his only grandchild into his arms. She was getting so big but still felt as light as a feather-sort of. He peppered her cheek in kisses. "I missed you!" He jovially took off his baseball cap and plopped it on Ella's head. The rim nearly covered her eyes, but she was just as adorable.
"Grandpa, our birthday is soon!" Larry laughed and bounced Ella in his arms. Not too long ago he decided to make the trip to see his family and to spend his birthday with his baby girl- in part to make up for missing last year's.
"I know! Let's see, I'm turning six, and you're turning…"
"…Old?"
"I guess you're right," Larry admitted. He hugged Ella close to his body and she wrapped her little arms around his waist in jest.
"What time is it? We have to get going soon," Peyton wondered. She still had to get ready, Lucas needed a quick shower, Ella needed to be changed and everything needed to be packed up.
"Do you need my help?" Larry asked, carefully setting Ella down on her feet.
"No, you're fine. Did you bring your bathing suit? We're going to the beach."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
It hadn't yet hit 10 in the morning and Wrightsville Beach was thriving. Blankets were scattered, people were lounging on beach towels or hiding under umbrellas…it was a picturesque July day. It didn't take long for Lucas to track down his brother, who got there early enough to set up camp at a decent spot not too far from the water and near the shade by the lifeguard post- away from the crowd, too. Whenever Nathan was seen in public, he had to sign many, many autographs. He didn't mind it most days- he loved his fans. But today was not the day- besides; afterwards his hand was always cramped.
"You made it!" Nathan called, his eyes hidden by sunglasses. He grinned when he saw a familiar face. "Mr. Sawyer!"
Larry laughed. "Hello Nathan," he gave Nathan a hearty handshake. "This might be the first time you're truly happy to see me." Back when Nathan and Peyton dated, Larry Sawyer disapproved of the young basketball star.
"Third time," Nathan bargained. "Make yourself comfortable. Have a beer."
Nathan hugged his brother and sister-in-law and gave a great big hug to his favorite niece. Jamie waved from the shoreline as he and Skills were tackling the waves. Almost everyone made it out to the big 4th of July celebration- the only pair missing was Brooke and Jullian, who didn't want to risk taking the twins out in the heat. But they promised to meet up with the gang later.
"Ella!" Haley called, making her way over. She hugged her niece and gave her a big kiss. "Come, we set up a chair for you right over here," Haley took Ella by the hand and slowly led her to a large blue and white striped beach chair, which was a few inches off the sand to make it easier for Ella to get up and sit. "Do you want something to drink? Uncle Nathan is going to make some food soon."
"Okay!"
"What do you say?" Peyton prompted, running a finger down Ella's cheek.
"Thank you Auntie Haley!"
Haley grinned. "You're welcome, sweetie."
Once Ella finished off the juice box, Peyton had her sit on her lap. Peyton wrapped her arms around her and pouted. She nearly didn't fit on her lap anymore. Peyton remembered vividly when Ella was just the length of Luke's arm. "My baby is getting so big. Stop growing."
Ella smiled and leaned into Peyton's chest. "I wish I could stay small."
Peyton kissed the top of her head. "Me too." Peyton reached for the sunscreen in her beach bag and flipped open the top with her thumb. "Stay still; I have to put sunscreen on you."
Ella cringed and began to wiggle impatiently. "But you already put some on at home!"
"I'm putting more, the sun is really strong today. It's not even noon yet and you know that's when the sun is strongest." Peyton squeezed the sunscreen into her palm, spread it, and then gently started applying it to Ella's shoulders and shoulder blades. Ella flinched because it was so cold, but eventually eased into her mother's touch.
Ella stayed on her mother's lap for a little while, holding her hand and listened to the scattered conversations her mother was having with all their good friends. Before long, Haley took out all kinds of beach toys to keep Matthew occupied, and Ella felt very eager to play along.
Peyton felt Ella wiggling in her lap- something she rarely ever did, except when there were toys involved. "Okay, fine," Peyton conceded, her voice playfully disappointed. "Go play."
Ella happily slid down to the warm sand and crawled on all fours towards the beach toys. Her cousin Matthew was already there, donned in a blue striped outfit and a white sunhat. A small plastic shovel caught his attention and he was content.
Ella decided on making a sand castle, and she already began filling a bucket up with sand. Soon Matthew caught on and began filling the bucket with his little hands. Peyton joined her not too long after that, and Quinn was right there to take plenty of photographs with her beloved camera.
"Hold on," Clay interrupted. He unfolded a comically large pair of pink sunglasses and gently put them over Ella's eyes. Ella grinned as the sunglasses nearly fell off her nose. "Stylin!"
Quinn laughed and snapped another picture- another one of many on this beautiful day.
Lucas, Nathan, Skills, and Jamie were playing toss with a football by the shore and had been for quite a while, when Lucas saw his mother, Andy, and Lily approaching. "Hey! Happy Fourth of July!" Lucas gave his mother and Andy a warm hug. He noticed Lily looked irritated and had shades over her eyes and earphones in her ears- a clear sign she didn't want to be there. "Hey Lils," Luke tried.
"Hi," Lily muttered, before marching past him and toward the group.
"She's a little moody today," Karen explained, handing their beach bag to Andy so he could carry it.
"A little?" Luke asked, and Andy chuckled.
"Her best friend Keira is having a party," Andy recited, having heard that phrase a million and one times for the past week.
"And I told her she couldn't go," Karen added. "I knew there wasn't going to be supervision no matter how many times Lily told me otherwise. 'No boys.' Yeah right. She's getting to be a fan of white lies."
"Oh God," Lucas paled. Every time he looked at Lily he imagined his baby sister that liked to play dress up. "Boys?"
Andy patted Lucas on the shoulder. "My reaction exactly."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Lily had set up her own beach towel ways away from the group, earphones still glued in her ears. She was perfectly content brooding all by her lonesome, until it got too hot. She slowly made her way to the shore, letting her toes get wet by the water and jumping back because it was too cold.
"Hey Lily," James greeted, holding something behind his back. "Want to see something cool?"
Lily rolled her eyes. "Whatever."
Jamie smirked and hid his laughter. "Check it out." Jamie brought his right arm out from behind his back and wiggled a black thing in front of Lily's face.
Lily let out a high pitch squeal and covered her face as though the animal would attack her, even though it was completely lifeless. "Oh my god, what is that!"
"A dead crab. Cool, right?"
"Ew! Get that away from me!" Lily backed away but Jamie kept advancing in laughter, and soon she was running away in full speed down the ocean shore. Jamie was right on her heels with the dead animal, laughing hysterically.
Haley and Peyton sat next to one another as Peyton was handling the music on the portable boom box. Both women watched their husbands toss the football to one another as the ocean water went up to their shins. "I feel like I'm in a beer commercial," Haley announced to Peyton's laughter. Neither friend could deny it. Their guys were insanely sexy, especially when they were shirtless and tan and damp with ocean. They both watched as women younger than them in bikini's approached Lucas and Nathan. "Oh, God here we go." Haley said, opening a bag of chips. "It's like everywhere we go."
Peyton laughed and looked away. "I can't watch."
"Peyton, look at them!" Haley exclaimed. "It's like they're swarming!" She had to laugh at the women and their obvious body language, and soon Lucas and Nathan were surrounded by the over eager opposite sex. She nudged her good friend's shoulder. "Look, look at Nathan. He's like, 'Yeah, this is my life. I'm famous so really hot women hit on me.' And Luke, watch, he'll say-"
" '- I wasn't flirting, I was responding,' " Peyton imitated, rolling her eyes.
"Yes! Exactly." Haley shook her head, laughed, and offered Peyton the bag of chips. "Why do we love them so much again?"
Lucas and Nathan stood together as the women (whose names they already forgot) had dispersed. They continued to toss the football. "Dude, our wives are watching us," Luke motioned with a laugh. "I almost can't tell if they're happy or mad."
Nathan looked over to Haley and shook his head. "They think we were flirting."
Lucas followed Nathan's gaze over to Peyton. She looked amused. "What? I wasn't flirting. You definitely were."
Nathan scoffed as he threw the football. "Me? That wasn't even my A game. That was humor flirting. I was being friendly. You were the one flirting, it was pitiful."
Lucas threw the football a little harder as a soft wave crashed against him. "No I wasn't! That girl was all over me. I was just responding. I was responding platonically."
Nathan rolled his eyes and laughed. "Ok Luke."
Lucas was going to refute further until he heard Lily screaming and running towards him, Jamie not far behind.
"Jamie, stop!" Lily yelled, running full speed towards her big brother.
"Whoa, whoa," Lucas interjected as Lily ran behind him and clung to his waist. "What's going on?"
"Jamie has been chasing me with that dead crab!" Lily exclaimed.
Nathan and Lucas had to hide their laughter. "Jamie come on, get rid of that." Nathan commanded, even though he thought the whole thing was pretty funny.
Jamie reluctantly went off to bury the crab, while Lily still shivered. "Lily, why are you freaking out? It's dead. The crab can't hurt you." Lucas playfully ruffled her hair.
"Because it was gross!" Lily insisted. She caught the football that Nathan tossed at her.
"Now, what's this I hear about boys at a party?" Lucas inquired, standing tall in jest.
Nathan raised his brows. "Boys? Uh-oh."
Lily blushed. She said nothing and tossed the football, and suddenly wanted to run away again.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Ella was sitting back in her chair and was watching Nathan, Jamie, Skills, and Clay riding the waves. The sun was starting to burn, and Ella hid her green eyes under a large sun hat. She had been building the castle until Matthew accidentally destroyed it, and then she had read her Curious George book three times. After that she had eaten, yet still one thing remained that she so badly wanted to do. But she knew there would be red tape she had to cut through.
"What about this one? What does this one say?" Peyton encouraged. They had come up with a game where either person would write a word or phrase in the sand with their fingers and then the other person had to guess what it said. Peyton noticed that Ella had gotten a little somber.
Ella's eyes had traveled to the sand to read what her mother had written and smiled softly. "It says, 'Mommy Loves You'. "
Peyton smiled, reached up and gently pulled Ella off the chair to sit against her chest on the sand. "Good job," she whispered in her ear. She cradled her baby girl in her arms to see a smile. "Why do you look so sad? I don't like to see you sad."
"Me either," Larry added, as he finished off a water bottle. He watched his two favorite girls together, and he suddenly felt so very thankful that his daughter finally found such immense happiness.
"I want to go in the water," Ella revealed in a whisper, as if the very thought of her venturing out into the ocean was taboo.
"You will," Peyton replied, kissing Ella's temple. "I told you that when Daddy was finished eating he would take you."
"Can't I go where Jamie is?" Ella pleaded, seeing the way her cousin and Uncle Nathan had bravely ventured to where the waves broke, nearly eight feet deep.
"That's too deep baby," Peyton told her gently. "You know that."
Ella sighed. She was sick of all the boundaries whenever she even approached water. She was sick of the floaties, of the parental supervision, and just sick of the limitation. She had learned to walk again, why couldn't she do this? Why was it so hard in the water? "I want to learn to swim."
Peyton had put Ella in swimming lessons- the same ones that Jamie and Lily had taken, and they had all proved to be amazing swimmers at the end of the program. But then Peyton and Lucas noticed that Ella wasn't passing the preliminary class, and was being left behind- the only class she'd ever be "left back" in. In a horrifying moment when Ella nearly drowned because the teacher wasn't paying attention, Peyton immediately pulled her out of the group classes and requested Ella be put in independent, one-on-one instruction. Unfortunately, there was a long waiting list for such services. Finally, Lucas said, if Ella wasn't learning within a month or two, he would be her teacher.
"You're going to learn to swim," Peyton said firmly, although it hurt her to see Ella upset. She didn't tell Ella that swimming would probably be harder for her to do than anyone else-Ella probably already knew. "Of course you will." Peyton kissed her temple again for reassurance.
Larry watched the whole thing and decided to take a picture with his own camera. "Cheer up, sweetheart. Smile!"
"What's the matter baby?" Lucas asked Ella as he approached from tossing away some trash.
"She wants to go in the water," Peyton recited.
Lucas held out his palms for Ella to take. "Come on," he urged.
Ella immediately brightened and left her mother's warm embrace. She adjusted her feet to a wider base to feel stable on her two legs. She took her father's right hand and was going to make a straight, triumphant trail towards the water.
Peyton felt her nerves building already. God, she hated the water. "Luke, watch her." She was serious, and her green eyes were pleading with him.
Lucas' gaze was calming and firm. Peyton suddenly remembered when he told her in that Brooklyn brownstone last summer…something along the lines of, you can't be paranoid, or else Ella won't be able to do anything. "It'll be fine."
Larry cleared his throat and stood up from a low beach chair. "You know what? I'll come too."
Ella happily took her Grandfather's hand in hers, and they began to trek along the sand. For Ella, walking on this terrain was easy and difficult simultaneously. While the sand was soft, it did feel lumpy against the bottom of her feet, and endless. She couldn't let the beauty deceive her- it was rough, and she did struggle, even nearly a year after her operation.
"Sweetheart, walking on the sand is so great for you," Larry commended as he watched her.
Lucas was also watching Ella's movements intently as they trudged along. "Ella, try not to drag your feet like that," he told her. She was putting nearly all her weight on him and Larry. His eyes filled in worry when he heard her whimper in pain repeatedly. "Do your legs hurt?"
"The sand is really hot!" Ella cried; her face contorted in pain. The sand felt like burning needles at the bottom of her feet, and she tried to lift them in relief but her knees knocked together and she felt off balance. The normal cure was to just make a run for it, but that was something she couldn't do without risking a fall flat on her face.
Lucas glanced quickly at the burning North Carolina sun, relentless and unforgiving. He met Larry's gaze. "Hold on," Lucas said. Lucas grabbed Ella's arm on one side, and Larry the other. One three, the men lifted Ella into the air and ran into the ocean, Ella squealing in delight as the wind hit her face.
Ella felt a cool, delicious rush. The salt water was bubbly and not that cold. "Can we go farther?" she asked in her cutest voice. She saw Jamie and Skills in the distance, almost like a tease.
"Just a little bit," Lucas bargained. He took Ella's little hands and they slowly advanced against the (thankfully) gentle current- even though Lucas was scared to death of Ella in the ocean. But he never wanted to hinder her in any way. Lucas looked to the distance and saw the threatening roll of another wave, this one slightly stronger. "We've got another wave coming! Get ready."
Ella widened the base of her feet for support and stood tall. The wave looked menacing- but thrilling, too. "Ready!"
Lucas watched the wave and gripped Ella's arms firmly. He mentally counted one two three, and at the last second lifted Ella slightly into the air so the wave wouldn't knock her over- and it would've had he not acted on instinct.
But Ella wasn't scared. She laughed.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Peyton had been watching from afar and her heart skipped four beats every time a wave was headed Ella's way. She was focused and didn't notice Nathan hand her his half empty beer can-the tranquilizer- from over her shoulder. She laughed and playfully nudged her brother-in-law at what became an inside joke. "I let her go in the big open sea, Nate. That's progress."
Nathan scoffed with a smile. "Sawyer, you haven't moved from this spot since Ella went in. Why don't you and I go in the water?"
Peyton saw how Nate was still dripping with water from his last venture. "You were just there."
"And? The sand is too hot, and I might get burned."
"You do realize that you're more likely to get sun when you're in the water, right? The sun's rays reflect off the water and onto you."
Nathan paused and Peyton began laughing. "I knew that. Now, come on. Take off that wrap thing and go in the water with me."
"I don't want Lucas to think I'm undermining him or something. Like I don't trust him with Ella in the water."
Nathan saw her vulnerability right away and was humbled that she trusted him enough to share with him after all these years. He saw Ella and Lucas laughing and playing in the distance. "I'm sure that's not what he's thinking right now. And even if he was, he'll get over it."
Peyton laughed. She removed the white and black cover up she was wearing, tossed it to the beach chair, and followed Nathan into the water.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Lucas had turned his eyes to the sand just in time. Peyton was approaching, wearing an emerald string bikini that fit her strikingly. She stood out amongst a countless number of people along the sand, her golden hair moving against the wind, her skin perfectly tan. Lucas decided, she was, without contest, the most beautiful woman on Wrightsville Beach. She was perfect, and Lucas was mesmerized.
"Mama!" Ella called happily, holding onto her Grandpa Larry. "Look!"
"I see!"
Another wave hit. This one was strong and did knock Ella off her feet. Peyton gasped and Lucas heart began to pound harshly, but Larry was quick and grabbed Ella right away. She was officially soaked in the salty ocean water head to toe, and she laughed. "I want to do that again!"
Larry chuckled and shook his head. "Take it easy, you."
Peyton's hand was planted on her chest and she took deep breaths. She felt Lucas put a comforting hand on her back and she glanced towards him. "I just get so nervous," she whispered, leaning into his touch.
"Me too," Lucas admitted. He watched Ella play with Larry and he calmed down again. "But she's got it." He took Peyton's hand and rubbed the top of it with his finger. Here he was, yet again, being surrounded by the people he loved the most in the profound, beautiful stillness. And it just felt right. "Hey," Lucas called, and suddenly his voice was soft and quiet. Peyton looked at him, and his blue eyes sparkled at one distinct memory. "Remember last summer at the hospital? We had just met Sebastian and Vivienne and Elise. You were upset and I told you it would all be over soon. And then I promised you all three of us would be at Wrightsville Beach."
"It'll be all over soon," Lucas had said. "When it is, we'll go and spend a day together. At Wrightsville Beach, just like we used to do. All three of us." He had spoken so faintly that his words almost got lost in the noise of the big city. But Peyton heard him. She heard the sound of the ocean crashing into the shore. She heard the flock of seagulls flying up above. She heard the sound of a rock hitting water as stones were skipped. She heard the sound of sand being pressed under their feet, being smashed in between their fingers.
But most of all, she heard their laughs as they let the sea beneath their toes wash away the pain and heartache they had to endure as a family, and with open arms let it make way for new beginnings and new journeys to a happier time.
Lucas gestured to their little girl, and their family and their friends making new memories on the beach sand. His eyes were sparkling just as much, if not more, than they had that night last summer- despite all going on around them. "I promised. And here we are."
Peyton felt a rush of emotion and she teared up. She adored that smile on Lucas' face, and she pulled him and kissed him fervently, her hand on his neck. He was surprised but responded well, holding her against him and kissing her back with just as much passion- everyone else melted away, and it was just them.
"Walk with me later?" Lucas asked softly, planting a softer kiss on her lips when they caught their breath. Peyton nodded and leaned into him.
"Whoa, hey." Larry commanded playfully, "Don't mind us or anything. Lucas, that's still my baby girl you know."
Lucas laughed, holding Peyton close as she shyly leaned against him. "I don't think I can make any apologies."
"Yeah, whatever, Rake Boy."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
By the time Ella left the water, she was shivering. "Let me grab you a towel," Haley said, and she gently wrapped Ella's yellow towel around her body, rubbing it dry. She ushered Ella to sit on her lap under the umbrella. She gently ran a hand over Ella's small legs. "How are your legs feeling?"
Ella shrugged. The pain had faded away, and finally it felt like Ella's legs were hers again. "Good."
"Good." Haley sweetly brought an arm around Ella so she could cuddle against her chest. "Do you know how proud I am of you? You're going to do big things, I can tell."
Ella smiled and held her Aunt's hand. "I love you, Auntie Haley."
"I love you too, sweetie pie," Haley said. When Ella closed her eyes and fell asleep, Haley rocked her niece back and forth to the gentle breeze.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
As time passed, more and more people left the beach, and it wasn't as crowded as when the group arrived that morning. Lucas was engrossed in a Paul Auster novel when he saw a shadow cover him from the sun. He peeled his eyes away from the book for only a second to see Peyton standing over him. "You ready for our walk?"
Lucas gulped loudly as his eyes traveled over Peyton's curves. He nonchalantly tossed the book to the side as if it never existed and grabbed Peyton's hand. They walked side by side away from the crowds, and away from their friends. The sand under their feet was pleasantly cool, and the waves crashed rhythmically against them as they walked along the shore. Along the way Lucas bought a vanilla ice cream cone to share. During their walk, the morning entered Lucas' mind. "I wanted to talk to you about something," he began, his fingers lightly touching Peyton's hand.
Peyton got nervous. She hated conversations that started like that. "Ok."
"This morning, I ran into Gus. You know, my friend who runs the auto shop? He wants to sell the shop to me."
Peyton stopped mid stride. "Luke, don't tell me you bought it without speaking to me."
"Of course I didn't. I said I'd think about it. Gus said he would sell it to me on discount."
Peyton scoffed and shook her head. "Oh, yeah right! Lucas, don't let him fool you."
"Nobody's fooling anyone. I just…I don't know. When he was talking about it, and I was standing there…I thought about what it would be like to run it again."
Peyton watched him carefully. "Is this because you genuinely want to run that business, or do you feel running the shop will somehow bring you closer to Keith?"
Her suspicions were not necessarily far-fetched. When Dan was sick and re-entered their lives, albeit briefly, all those feelings for Lucas came rushing back like a crushing tidal wave- from beginning to end. It hadn't even been a year since Dan's passing so it was possible for some residual feelings to still remain. And let's face it: Lucas never fully recovered from Keith's death.
"I think it has a lot to do with Keith," Lucas admitted. "I still feel him there, Peyton."
"Let's say you do buy the shop. What about your coaching job for the Ravens? What about us?"
This time it was Lucas who stopped walking entirely. "What are you talking about?"
"Hypothetically, you're going to have to run two businesses to run and a full-time job at the high school…"
"….You're afraid I won't be able to spend time with my family," Lucas finished with a breath. He grabbed Peyton's hand. "That's a complete non-issue."
"No it isn't."
"Peyton! The thought of that ever happening in itself is ridiculous." He looked at her gently. "You know how important you and Ella are to me. I have everything. I would never do anything to screw up what I've got." He watched her carefully and decided these concerns were out of her character. He gazed at her until their eyes met. "Are you still upset about the test?"
Peyton huffed in frustration and looked away from him, before nodding. "Of course I'm still upset."
Lucas sighed and gently brought Peyton into his arms. "Baby," he spoke softly. "We are going to try again. It will happen." He playfully nudged her side. "Haven't you had fun trying with me?"
Peyton couldn't help but laugh a little, and Lucas grinned. He leaned the ice cream cone towards her. "Maybe this will cheer you up." He watched as Peyton finished off the ice cream, and he swore she could make anything look sexy. "Here, wait." His voice turned into a smolder and Peyton's heart started to flutter. He leaned in and she could feel his body heat. "You've got a little ice cream left here," he whispered, his voice sultry. He leaned in and pressed his lips to the side of her mouth, licking away the ice cream that remained. She laughed softly and it fueled him. "And right here," Lucas murmured, tracing lines along her waist and kissing the other side of her mouth. He felt her tug at his waist and that meant she was getting impatient. He finally kissed her lips softly, and then more urgently as she pulled him closer. Soon he could taste the vanilla ice cream on her tongue. "You taste good," he whispered against her lips, as they stood there kissing un-surrounded. Lucas ran his hand along the smooth curve of her back, and she his waist.
Peyton laughed and placed a small kiss on Luke's dimple. "I love this smile."
They leaned in farther so their foreheads could touch. "You make me so happy." They held one another tightly before Lucas picked Peyton up tightly and led her toward the water. She laughed and tried to escape when in fact she didn't want to go anywhere. They fell in the water together and continued their heated embrace, kissing against the crashing North Carolina beach waves.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Back at the house, everyone had showered and freshened up while Lucas and Peyton were putting the finishing touches on dinner in the kitchen- they were still expecting two more guests.
"Mama?" Ella asked softly, when she saw her mother had a break in the action. "I'm bored."
"Well, why don't you do some math pages?" Peyton suggested, finding Ella's workbook on the bookshelf.
"Nevermind, I'm not bored," Ella said quickly, mentally kicking herself.
"No, too late. Come sit down," Peyton gestured to the desk in the living room. She held a glance that told Ella not to mess around, so Ella dragged her feet to the desk. Peyton opened the math book and flipped to a new page. "Work to page…125."
Ella's mouth fell, agape. "Ten pages! That's so much!"
"No it's not," Peyton replied firmly. "Stop complaining and just do it. And make sure you do it correctly because I'll be checking when you're finished."
Ella groaned. There was no use pleading to her father- he'd tell her the same thing. So, she turned to her grandfather instead. Larry raised his hands in surrender. "Can't help you, kiddo." When Larry saw that Peyton was about to drape a table cloth over the dining room table, he moved to the other side to help her. He smiled softly and watched her. His little girl was all grown up. "Hey, Peyton," he said. The nerves built up with him and he was excited. "What're you doing tomorrow?"
Peyton chuckled. "I don't know yet, why?"
Larry grinned. "Want to go apartment hunting with me?"
Peyton stared at him, puzzled for a second. And then at all the possibilities, she smiled. "What?"
"I'm moving back home," Larry revealed with a big smile.
"You are?" Peyton asked gently. After so many years, her father would be close to her-permanently.
"Yeah, I am. I missed you too much."
When Larry saw Peyton might cry, he gave his only girl a hug, and didn't want to let go.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
"You're not nervous, are you?" he asked as he walked stride in stride with her up to his sister's house.
The woman patted his left arm. "No, Derek I'm not nervous."
"Good. I think you guys will really get along." Derek Sommers took a breath before ringing the doorbell to his sister Peyton's house. A breeze had picked up and he breathed in the southern summer air. It'd been a while since he stepped in this town, but he missed it.
When the door opened and Peyton stood on the other side, Derek grinned. "My little sister!" He opened his arms for a hug and Peyton ran into them. "Man, I missed you!"
"I missed you," Peyton replied. Her older brother looked almost exactly the same. He still kept the same neat and muscular physique. But his eyes weren't as cold and sterile. "You look good," she complimented as he put his arm around his shoulder.
Derek's eyes fell upon Peyton's wedding ring that hadn't moved since Lucas slipped it on her finger. "You too." It's about time. Derek gestured to his companion. "Lisa this is my sister, Peyton. Peyton this is my girlfriend, Lisa."
Peyton raised her brows and a smile grew on her face. Her lone wolf brother finally found someone, her father was moving home. It really had been a good day. "Nice to meet you," Peyton greeted. Lisa had a beautiful smile, smooth, dark skin, and long dark hair.
"Nice to meet you," Lisa returned. "Derek always tells me about how much he loves you."
Peyton smiled and said, "Yeah, he's alright," she playfully took Derek's hand and led both guests inside the house.
Ella was the first to greet her Uncle. "Hi Uncle Derek," she called, running and hugging his legs.
"Hey kid! Wow, you look great!" Derek laughed and picked Ella up from the ground and into his strong arms.
All those years ago, when Ella was diagnosed with her CP, Derek had been on tour with his army unit. In the dark hours of the night, as he took a break from playing x-box with his buddies, he called his little sister. Peyton sounded distressed and in the midst of tears, told him about Ella. Derek's moment of peace had fallen apart, and he was on the phone with Peyton for hours trying to calm her down. All he wanted to do was hug her, hold her, but he could not. It was one of the few moments in his life where he felt powerless.
Derek playfully held Ella in his arms and began a little gimmick of theirs. Derek swung her towards the couch as if to let her go, and caught her at the last second. Then he gently swung her over his shoulder, and always called her his favorite potato sack. He spoiled his only niece rotten, too.
As suspected, Peyton and Lisa hit it off right away and were laughing over the dinner table, soft music in the background.
"How did you guys meet?" Larry asked as he finished off his desert plate.
Derek and Lisa sighed and began laughing together. Derek saw to his right that Ella had abandoned the adults long ago, off to finish her math pages and play with her toys. "It's a funny story," Lisa admitted. She looked to Derek with a private smile. "Go ahead, you tell it this time."
Derek laughed in spite of himself. "One weekend I decide to go see my best friend Jermaine. We've been best buds since we were kids. He lives in Chicago now, so I figure I take a weekend to go see him. We were just hanging out with old and new friends, and Jermaine gets really hammered," Derek admitted. "I mean, he was so wasted he couldn't see straight. So this idiot falls down the stairs. Of course I'm the one who has to take him to the nearest emergency room." Derek pauses and laughs. "And you guys know Lisa is a nurse…"
Peyton laughed. "Oh, no!"
Lisa laughed too. "I was working the night shift and got assigned an adult male with a dislocated shoulder," Lisa took a breath. "And then I met those two clowns." She gave Derek a playful stare.
"Lisa, I apologized over and over!" Derek said with a smile.
"Jermaine was acting like a moron, I almost sedated him," Lisa added. "The next morning, Derek did come back with flowers and apologized to me," Lisa revealed. She sweetly leaned into Derek's shoulder. "And now, we're here…figuring it out," she decided. "Right?"
Derek held Lisa's hand under the table and smiled at her. "Right." Lisa entered his life in a whirlwind and had fit in it so seamlessly since then. After they had been dating for over six months, after telling Lisa about the father who abandoned him and his only sister who lived in a small North Carolina town, Derek told Lisa all about Ella. Since she was a nurse, it seemed like she knew more about the Cerebral Palsy than Derek did, and she hugged him and told him it sounded like everything was going to be just fine. And it was then that Derek knew: this girl was the real deal.
"Wow," Lucas said. "I guess you can thank your friend Jermaine for this."
Lisa rolled her eyes. "We did eventually."
"Mama!" All the adults turned to see Ella standing in the doorway. Jamie's blue hand-me-down coat was half on one shoulder. "We're going to miss the fireworks!"
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
When Lucas and Peyton walked up to the River Court along with Ella, Larry, and Lisa and Derek, they joined all their friends that had been with them at the beach hours earlier- with the addition of new faces, namely: Lydia James, and Junk and Fergie- all the River Court pals. The night brought along a breeze but it was clear, and downtown Tree Hill lit up like a fairy tale across the Cape Fear River. There was music playing, and laughter, and just plain joy surrounding them all.
Derek had his arms around Lisa's shoulder. "See? That wasn't so bad."
"Pretty soon Peyton and I are going to gang up on you, hon." Lisa replied. She looked around at all the friends together and thought two things: first, that she still had a lot of people to meet, and second, that all of these friends really loved one another- they were real friends: loyal, supportive, kind. It was rare and something she wasn't really used to- yet. "I like it here."
Derek smiled and kissed Lisa's cheek. "Me too."
Lisa motioned to Peyton, who was zipping up Ella's jacket so she wouldn't be cold. "You wanted to tell her alone," she said, telling him one or two things between the lines.
Derek nodded. "Yeah."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Lucas was sitting on the bench off the River Court, watching all his friends. It was times like these that he was thankful they were still close, after all this time. He almost felt like high school never ended- they were all still on the River Court, their home. He set his beer on the bench in between his feet and looked on. It had taken them years to get to this place of stability and fulfillment- and the rewards were unprecedented.
Lucas' thoughts disappeared when he felt Peyton sit next to him and pull him into a kiss without giving him a chance to greet her first. His hands blindly rested on her thigh, as hers rested on his neck. She pulled away too soon, and his lips felt cold. "Hi." She still took his breath away.
"Hey," she whispered back. She gestured to the River Court with a sly look in her eyes. "How about a pick-up game?"
Nathan stood in the center, bouncing the basketball in rhythm. "Come on, Luke. I'll make it easy on you!"
Lucas laughed and hung his head back. He saw a few stars in the sky- just like there were all those years ago, when Lucas and Nathan squared off on the court as strangers. They started off as strangers, and ended up as brothers.
Peyton looked at him hopefully. "Please?" she asked, and sent him a pout he couldn't resist.
-x-
Ella Fitzgerald's voice had diminished and been replaced by the scratching of a record. Lucas had decided to leave the warmth of Peyton's arms, just because if he didn't then, he never would.
"Where are you going?" she asked gently, playfully tugging at his bare torso.
Lucas laughed. "I want to show you something." Still covered by their white bed sheets, Lucas got onto his stomach and leaned over the edge of the bed for his duffle bag. He easily unzipped it and reached in the very top, pulling out a bound complete draft of his fourth book. He held it in his hands gingerly as he crawled back next to Peyton. "It's my novel."
Peyton gasped and smiled. "Luke, that's so great. Can I read it?"
Lucas sighed. That was the question he was afraid of. But he loved it at the same time. "I don't know…"
"What! You're the one who got if out of your bag! Come on," Peyton pleaded softly, pulling him to her for a little kiss. "Please?" Peyton grabbed it from his grasp.
"Hey!" Lucas laughed, and he failed to grab it back. Peyton wrestled with him onto her stomach and opened the red, blank page. It was no use. "It's just a draft," he insisted, feeling nervous.
"Stop, I'm sure it's amazing."
Luke shook his head. "Are you really gonna read it with me right here?"
"Yes. What's it about?"
Luke trailed his hand along the curve of Peyton's bare back and felt her shiver. He kissed her bare shoulder before whispering in her ear, "Ella."
Peyton looked at him and almost wanted to cry. So that's what he had been doing last summer in those old notebooks late at night and early in the morning…writing about their baby girl. She kissed him earnestly, and he moaned and breathed deeply at the feel of her. "Really?"
Lucas nodded, his blue eyes shining brightly. "Really. Why wouldn't I want to write about her?" He let go of his reservations and reached over Peyton's shoulder and flipped to the first page. Peyton and Lucas lay on their bed, skin to skin, and read the book together.
-x-
Lucas sighed dramatically and got up on his feet. "Fine," he conceded. "Be my cheerleader?" he asked Peyton with a goofy smile.
"Of course I will."
Lucas removed his jacket and threw it to Peyton to hold. "Even if I don't win?"
Peyton glanced at him and her heart felt so damn full. "Especially then."
Lucas winked at her and walked backwards towards his brother. Everyone formed a circle, sitting on the hoods of their cars, and cheered. Brooke, Jullian, Sam, and the twins (along with their grandmothers Sylvia and Victoria) joined the circle.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another historic night in basketball!" Mouth began from the bleachers, Millicent cheering next to him.
Nathan smirked, dribbling the ball to the cheers of their friends and family. "You sure you're up for this?"
Luke rolled his eyes. "Are you?" They laughed and the game began under the night sky.
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Derek approached and sat next to Peyton on the bench, right where Lucas had been. "So, what's the verdict?" His eyes rotated from the game to his sister.
Peyton laughed and noticed how Lisa was already so into the game and had already befriended Haley and Brooke. It was like she belonged there without even trying. "I really like her. She seems great." Peyton threw her arms around Derek's shoulders. "Good job, Der."
"Thank you," Derek answered with a grin on his face. "You did good, too."
Peyton watched Lucas immersed in his element and she smiled. Ella was happy as ever, rooting for her Daddy on Grandma Karen's lap. "I guess I did."
Derek nodded and took a deep breath. "So I guess this means you'd have no problem having us around more," he began. At Peyton's confused glance, he went on. He smiled. "My tour last August was my last one as a Marine. I'm out."
Peyton didn't say anything, and her eyes filled with tears. "Are you serious? Derek, that's not funny." Peyton couldn't explain the terrors she felt whenever Derek was deployed, and she couldn't tear herself away from her front door, petrified that she would receive devastating news. She couldn't tear herself away or go anywhere near it, either. Losing him was too much to even consider.
"I'm serious Peyton. I'm done. I can finally move on with my life- and it's better with you in it." He softened when he saw his sister's tears. "Don't cry," he pleaded.
Peyton laughed and cried at the same time as she brought her big brother in for a fierce hug. "Well when you tell me stuff like that!" she exclaimed, and kissed Derek's cheek. "I am so happy for you."
Derek grinned and hugged Peyton tightly. "I'm happy for us."
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Ella held her father's basketball in her hands after Jamie gently tossed it to her. She felt the bumps in her fingers and bounced the ball against the concrete. She tried to focus the force in her wrist, just like Lucas had taught her. Ella stood as long as she could without feeling pain or loss of balance, and when she did, she took a deep breath, widened her base of support and started all over. She didn't notice her mother come up from behind her until her feet were lifted off the ground. Peyton laughed and twirled her around once or twice, kissing her little cheek.
"I dropped the ball," Ella squealed, watching the ball roll away off the tarmac and onto the lush green grass surrounding it. She made no moves to retrieve it, instead laughed as her mother brought her to the ground and on her lap.
Peyton wordlessly removed her red converse and braces (she got new ones) and rubbed her free legs, knowing she must've been tired after playing a little basketball. "You're tense," Peyton noticed, seeing how Ella's legs would go abnormally rigid underneath her touch. "Just relax."
"Look at my big toe," Ella said, observing how when she flexed her foot, all her smaller toes would follow except her big toe, which would stay rigid. Ella's CP prevented her from isolating specific muscles and commanding them-like flexing the big toe as only as opposed to her toes as one unit.
Peyton playfully pushed it down with her finger, but it went up again. "Big toe," she sang. "It won't stay." Peyton brought Ella even closer on her lap so she could lie against her chest, and she kissed her little feet. "Come here, my spastic baby."
"What's that mean?" Ella asked with a smile.
"It means your muscles are really stiff," Peyton explained. "Remember when Emilie took your cast off and you told me you couldn't relax?"
Ella nodded.
"Well, you're especially stiff when you get nervous."
"Oh." The wheels were spinning in Ella's mind. "How about now?"
"No. Well…maybe a little," Peyton conceded, which was her way of saying that Ella's spasticity was constant.
Ella tried to adjust her position. "Now?"
Peyton sighed and looked at her. "Are you going to ask me that every five seconds?"
Ella smiled a sly, wry smile. "Maybe."
"Well guess what? None of that matters, because you are my beautiful baby and I love you more than anything, ever."
"I love you too," Ella replied. "With all my heart."
Peyton grinned, and soon she gasped. "Look!" she pointed across the river, where the first batch of fireworks had finally went off in a plethora of colors and patterns.
Ella's eyes lit up in awe and she was mesmerized. She didn't notice when Lucas joined them on the blanket, wrapping his arms around them both. Here was the place where he'd met all of these wonderful people, and where he'd grown up, fell in love- reached for his dreams.
Lucas saw his only daughter, and knew that this was also both her place of struggle and place of triumph. Her defining moment would arrive and it would arrive soon- but there would be no worries. She was surrounded by people who loved her to death, and their love was real. It was true. It was there.
Their love would help combat one simple fact: Ella's Cerebral Palsy could not and would not define her. She would realize that soon enough- and it would be her ultimate resolution. Even if there had to be bumps along the way, that wouldn't matter. Because that was life, and even in its hardships, even in all its pain and disappointment, it was beautiful.
The End