Chapter 49: Treat You like A Princess

Peyton sat up in Jake's bed. He was next to her asleep, but she couldn't. Too much was on her mind. Should she spill it or not. She'd regret it forever if she never asked, but what if Jake was completely against it and they broke up. That was too horrible to even think of. She kept reminding herself that he loved her and respected her. He would listen to her point even if he didn't agree. Peyton sighed utterly confused. Next to her Jake stirred and his eyes opened slowly. He looked at her and sat up too.

"Hey what's up?" he asked a little sleepy.

Moment of truth. Peyton remembered Lucas's advice. Follow your heart. This is what she wanted so it was what she was going to do. "Jake I need to talk to you about something."

"Ok," he said rubbing his eyes so he felt more awake. He knew from her tone that this was serious.

"Well, since we've been dating awhile now, I really feel like I've gotten so close to you and Jenny. And you know I love both of you." Peyton paused hoping she was phrasing it right.

"We love you too," Jake said with a smile.

"Good," Peyton smiled back. "So I was thinking that I really feel like a mom to Jenny, and I was thinking that maybe I could adopt her." Her voice dropped on the last few words.

Jake's face turned white then red. "Whoa," he sputtered out.

Peyton's heart sank. She knew she should have just kept quiet. "I, I'm sorry Jake," she whispered.

He let out a large breath of air, and looked her up and down. "You're serious, aren't you?"

"I was."

"Just it's really sudden. And we're only in high school and what if we don't stay together."

Peyton had thought the same thing, but they sounded even worse when Jake said them. He must have noticed her expression because he gently laid his hand on her arm. "Not that I'd want to," he added.

"I don't know. I guess I was just being a selfish idiot. I thought that's what you might want too. I'll go now," Peyton said untangling herself from his grasp and gathering her clothes.

"No Peyton, I don't want you to leave. I'm just shocked and a little scared."

"I thought you loved me and were ready for a commitment but I guess I was wrong," she said tearfully making no move to stop collecting her things.

"I am!" he insisted, "I'm just scared too. Peyton you know I love you. I just don't know what to think or what to say now."

"Well find me when you do," she cried and quickly left.

"Peyton wait!" he called but she was already gone. Stupid, he thought to himself as he slapped his forehead.

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Brooke and Lucas woke up early, not able to get much sleep after 'rescuing" Rachel. They went downstairs to the kitchen tiptoeing so they wouldn't wake Rachel who was on the couch in the living room. Lucas made coffee for them, while Brooke found some bread in the pantry and started to make toast. She also grabbed a bottle of aspirin and took two capsules out. These and a glass of water are what she put on the coffee table in front of the couch. She and Lucas drank and ate silently while her head rested on his shoulder. He stroked her hair occasionally. They were both pretty tired from the night before. They heard gurgles from the other room and Brooke got up quietly with Lucas following her to check on Rachel.

Rachel was swallowing the pills as they entered the room. She put the now empty glass back down on the table. "Thanks," she muttered embarrassed.

Brooke nodded and grabbed the glass to return it to the kitchen before coming back and settling into the loveseat with Lucas across from Rachel's sprawled form on the couch.

"You feeling ok?" she asked concerned.

"Yeah, why do you care though?" Rachel asked trying not to sound so rude. After all they had taken care of her.

"Well I figured you had a rough night. You don't strike me as the type to get drunk without some guy to rescue you and take you home."

"Forgot the guy," Rachel said sarcastically and stood up to leave. "I'll leave you alone now."

"Probably not the best idea for you to walk or drive home with a hangover," Lucas pointed out."

"I'll call someone," she muttered but she knew that she really didn't have anyone.

"I took care of it," Brooke said.

At that moment the door opened and Mouth's form appeared. "I can drive you home," he offered.

"Oh you," Rachel moaned.

"Yeah me. Now let's go."

"Fine." She turned to Brooke and Lucas but mostly Brooke. "Thanks and sorry for before." She wasn't that good at apologies or thanks for that matter, but she meant it now.

"Whatever," Brooke said, but Rachel knew she was forgiven.

As they walked out Brooke sighed and leaned back into Lucas.

"You're a good person Brooke," he said kissing her temple.

"A good exhausted person," Brooke said with a wink before closing her eyes.

xxxx

"So I guess you thought about what I said last night." They had been sitting in the car for a few minutes and neither had spoken up. Finally Mouth said something.

"I guess," Rachel shrugged.

"You really are pretty closeted," Mouth said laughing.

"Why shouldn't I be?" Rachel asked defensively.

"No reason. It's just like I said. You could probably have more friends if you didn't act like a bitch."

"Are you calling me a bitch?"

"No, I mean not really, I mean I don't know."

Rachel sat back and laughed. This guy was too cute and funny. "Who are you anyway?" she asked.

"I'm everyone's friend."

"Just friend?' she asked.

"Yep."

"You don't seem bitter," she observed.

"I figure my time will come."

Their silence resumed until Mouth pulled in front of Rachel's house. "Wow," he marveled at the size.

"Whatever." She smiled suddenly. "Thanks for the ride Mouth."

"Sure, you're welcome."

She quickly brushed her lips against his in a soft sweet kiss. "Bye," she said softly.

Mouth touched his lips. Had Rachel really just kissed him? Wow. Even though, he knew it was mostly a thank you gesture, and that there was no chance that it would go further than that. He couldn't help but think that it had been, well nice.

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After dropping an exhausted Brooke off at her house later in the morning, Lucas swung over to the River Court. They had fallen back asleep together and shared a quick nap so now he was refreshed and felt like putting in some fun work-out time. As he approached, he saw a dejected looking Nathan sitting twirling a ball in his hands.

"Hey man," he called.

"Hey," Nathan mumbled.

"Dude you look pretty miserable for someone who got laid last night," Lucas teased.

Nathan smiled a little at that comment but he didn't look much happier.

"Ok tell your older brother what's wrong," Lucas said sitting down next to Nathan.

"I really love Haley. And we've been through so much together. I just want to do something for her. And I just can't figure it out."

"You're upset about that?" Lucas said holding back a laugh.

"Well yeah, it's important to me for her to know how much I love her. I can't picture myself with anyone else. Without her."

"So tell her that. Problem solved."

"No," Nathan said shaking his head annoyed, "It's not that easy. I have to show her not tell her."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I don't know. That's why I feel so upset."

"Nathan if you ask me, you should stop beating yourself up about this. Something will come to you. And that will be even better than slaving over the right something, that if feels all wrong in the end."

"I guess you're right," Nathan said but still didn't sound convinced.

"I am. Now come one, let's play."

"Ok you're on," Nathan said finally cracking a smile.

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Jake had spent the whole day thinking. He was so scared of what would happen in the future between them. He didn't want Jenny to lose another mother. And then he realized that more than anything, he wanted to be with Peyton for the long run. And he knew Peyton would never be like Nikki. He knew what he had to do.

Jake thundered up Peyton's stairs. He wasn't about to make the mistake of leaving Peyton again. He wanted her for good. "Peyton I'm an idiot," he called as he rushed up the stairs, "You already are Jenny's mom. Why not make it official? I love you and I want us to be a family."

As he came to the entrance of her door, he peered in and saw no one was there. Where the hell was she? He was about to go in and search for a clue when he felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned but before he was able to identify the person, he felt a pair of lips on his. He instinctly wrapped his arms around the person's waist and felt the familiar feel of Peyton's thin stomach.

"Thank you," she said when she finally broke away, "I love you too."

Jake smiled and rested his forehead against hers. Then he gently tilted her chin up and met her lips again. He wasn't letting go for anything.