Karen rubbed her burgeoning belly with both hands and a smile. In less than a month, her new baby would be due and she was ecstatic. The newest addition to their family hopefully would bring joy to a family desperately and eagerly trying to forget all the sadness that had happened to them. Particularly Karen hoped it would be a source of cheer for her son. God knows he needed some happiness in his life. He was a good person and he had been through a lot. He deserved a break but deep in her heart the mother knew only one thing could erase the darkness seeming to loom over him. Sighing, she warmed the first pot of coffee, as the morning sun peeked in. Soon the breakfast rush would be filling the small café. Arranging the condiments and floral arrangements neatly placed on each table, she jumped a bit when a knock at the window scared her. Turning around, she saw the familiar face of Larry Sawyer.

"Hey," he managed a smile as she let him. "Sorry I scared you. I figured you would be open by now."

"It's fine," she said, flipping the "closed" sign on the door to "open". "You're just in time. What can I get you?"

"Just coffee for now, thanks."

She nodded, pouring him a mug of the first fresh brew. He gratefully accepted it, taking a slow sip of the piping hot liquid.

"How are you?" Karen asked quietly, handing him a napkin.

Larry shrugged. He had definitely been better.

"Hanging in there," he sighed.

As a friend and especially as a parent, she couldn't help but empathize. It was a tough, unimaginable situation for everyone involved.

"Would you like to talk about it?" she tried to lend a sympathetic ear.

Before Larry could respond, the front door opened and in trickled the first small batch of customers. He nodded knowingly as Karen politely excused herself. Sipping on his coffee, he stared out into space, as Karen moved about taking orders. A few minutes later, the doors opened again, this time with more familiar faces.

"Hey, kids," Larry waved as Nathan and Haley took a seat at the counter.

"What brings you guys by so early?" Karen asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

"Breakfast," Nathan sighed.

Haley rolled her eyes.

"Oh yeah. And the fact that this kid was due like yesterday."

Karen glanced up at the calendar. Her own bundle of joy had been scheduled to follow Nathan and Haley's but as Karen already knew, babies liked to make their debut into the world at their own pace.

"You two must be so excited."

"Excited and ready to get it over with," Haley agreed. "I was so uncomfortable last night I didn't sleep at all. We were starving this morning and I read that walking a lot can help induce labor. So we thought we'd give it a shot."

Karen grinned as she prepared to take their food orders.

"As long as you don't have your baby here," she joked with a wink.

She took their order and they turned their attention to Larry, who understandably had been quiet the whole time.

"How are you?" Haley asked softly.

Larry nodded. It wasn't easy by any means. His whole world had been turned upside down.

"Hanging in there, taking it one day at a time."

"How's Peyton?" Nathan treaded carefully.

Larry bit his lip.

"I really don't know, son. I haven't heard from her."

The pain was etched all over his worried face.

"We're so sorry," Haley said in a quiet voice. "If there is anything at all we can do…"

"I know. I appreciate it."

She turned back to her husband, neither of them quite sure what to say or do next. Instead they chatted casually amongst themselves until the pancake, omelet, and sausage platters were delivered. Seconds later the door opened again and in breezed Brooke Davis.

"Hey, soon to be Tutor Parents, Papa Sawyer," she said, leaning over and helping herself to a generous bite from Haley's plate.

"Get your own," she smacked her hand, much to Brooke's dismay.

"Brooke," Karen smiled, surprised when she saw her. "What brings you by so early?"

Brooke shrugged.

"I don't know. I guess I had trouble sleeping. Then I had the strangest craving for waffles."

Haley grinned.

"Craving, huh? Sure you're not joining Tree Hill's growing mommy to be club?"

"Puh-leeze," Brooke rolled her eyes. "Unless we're talking about immaculate conception here. Trust me, it's been a while."

The others giggled while Larry made a face. He couldn't help but manage a small smile. Brooke was so…Brooke.

"Parent in the listening area," he warned. "No details, please."

"Sorry," she showed both dimples and taking a seat between everyone. "So this is kind of nice, everybody just showing up here for breakfast. Feels like the gang is all here…"

She stopped short as the solemn looks began to spread.

"Well almost everybody," Nathan pointed out.

Brooke immediately realized she had put her foot in her mouth.

"Where is Lucas?" she cleared her throat.

"Probably still sleeping," Karen answered. "He hasn't been getting out much lately. He's still pretty upset."

"I know," Brooke nodded. "I know that he misses Peyton. I mean, we all miss Peyton. I feel bad everything that happened to her and especially how we left it. Does anybody even know how she's doing?"

"We haven't heard anything," Larry spoke up.

"But it's been over a month already. I don't get it. Can't they tell us anything?"

"It's a process," an uncertain Larry tried to explain. "When Peyton is ready, they will release her. And when she's ready to talk to us again, she'll come around. As hard as it is, it's just one big waiting game. But the whole point is for my little girl to get better. I don't know about you, but I'm willing to wait forever for that."

"She was so angry last time we saw her," Haley shook her head. "I don't know, guys. I'm scared. What if she never wants to see or talk to any of us again?"

"No way," Brooke spoke in a strong voice. "We did the right thing. Peyton was going through a really rough time and we couldn't help her and she was too out of it to try to help herself. I think that place is the best thing that could have happened to her and I know no matter what, we'll have the old P. Sawyer back in no time."

"How can you be so sure?" Nathan looked right at her.

"Because I prayed about it. I mean, I don't ask God for a lot. You know, the occasional awesome pair of Jimmy Choo shoes and maybe the latest handbag to match but other than that. It's not like I've used up a lot of my favors. So I asked the Big Man upstairs to look out for our girl and I have faith that He will."

The others looked stunned. Brooke Davis was the last person any of them expected to have a religious epiphany of any sort.

"Wow," Haley could only mouth.

"Oh shut up and don't look so surprised," Brooke scoffed and quickly swiped some more food from their plates. "I'm not the she devil you all think I am."

They smiled and Larry could only cling to her bit of comfort. Hope was all he had left. He thought about his daughter all the time and wished for her homecoming. But what would happen on that fateful day? What would she say? How would she react? The apprehension consumed him but little did he know he wouldn't have to wait much longer. Apparently Brooke hadn't used up all her favors with God after all…

The car slowly approached the curb and stopped. The passenger let out a deep and anxious sigh.

"You okay, Peyton?"

She nodded.

"I'm good."

"Are you sure he will be here? Wouldn't you rather just wait at home?"

The day had finally come. After weeks of intensive therapy and lots of improvement, Dr. Pelsinger had agreed to release Peyton on the contingency of continued outpatient treatment. It was a day she had looked forward to but once it had arrived, happiness and excitement had been mixed with fear. The drive home was long but when they arrived at her house, no one had been home. Dropping her things off, Peyton had instructed the good doctor to drop her off at Karen's Café. She figured he would probably be there. If not, she knew she was still bound to run into one of her loved ones. After all, it was a small town and there was a lot of love around. Peyton Sawyer was finally home.

"I'll be fine. Dr. Pelsinger?"

"Yes, Peyton?"

She awkwardly reached over and gave him a warm hug. It was a true testament to just how far she had come in such a short amount of time. Physically she was able to be close to a man without feeling dirty and seeing Derek's face. And she was finally learning to open up and trust.

"Thank you," she whispered.

He gave her a smile.

"I just did my job. The hard part was on you and you came through it with flying colors. I'm proud of you, Peyton."

"Thanks."

"Now go see your family and friends. I know they will be thrilled and surprised."

"I hope so."

"I'll see you next Thursday for our appointment."

"One o'clock sharp," she winked, opening the door and stepping out.

It was a new day. The minute her feet touched down on the concrete sidewalk, a feeling of pure goodness rushed over. It felt so nice to be back. She turned and gave her doctor a final wave, watching him drive off and disappear into traffic. Then hands in her pockets, she carefully approached the café's doors. Peering inside brought a smile to her lips. Sure enough her father was there. He was joined by Nathan, a very pregnant Haley, Brooke and of course Karen.

"Karen, your waffles are absolutely to die for," Brooke's eyes rolled back in her head as she chewed the last bites. "I remember Peyton's mom, Anna, made good waffles, too. Whenever I would spend the night, Peyt would serve them for breakfast and claim they were the original recipe but I was so on to her and the Eggo box."

"You never complained before," a voice came from the front of the café.

Brooke playfully rolled her eyes.

"Shut up, P. Sawyer. Who asked you?"

Everyone fell wide eyed and open mouthed as it took Brooke only seconds to register what was happening. They all did double takes but it wasn't a dream or an imaginary product of their wishful thinking. Standing there was Peyton Sawyer in the flesh.

"Hi, guys," she flashed them a nervous, heart pounding smile.

Brooke was the first to rush her, hugging her best friend so hard both girls nearly toppled over.

"Oh my God! It's you! Peyton, it…it's really you."

"It's me."

"You look beautiful," tears filled Brooke's eyes.

She felt beautiful.

"So do you guys."

"You're back," Karen gasped. "Does that mean…"

Peyton nodded.

"I finished my treatment. Dr. Pelsinger signed my discharge forms today."

"Peyton…"

"Don't worry. He dropped me off. I didn't run away or anything. It sucked at first and I was pretty pissed off but once I pulled my head out of my ass and realized I needed help, I started cooperating."

"And?"

She shrugged.

"And it works. I know I have a long way to go and I plan on keeping up with the therapy and stuff but I am a lot better now."

"Get over here," Haley squealed through tears.

Peyton closed her eyes as she shared a group hug with Nathan, Haley and Karen. Then she turned her attention over to the other table. The look on his face touched her deeply inside. She had never seen that look on her father's face. He stood, visibly trembling.

"Daddy," she practically ran over to him.

She threw her arms around his neck just like she used to when she was a little girl. For a few seconds he just stood like a statue before he finally let his shaking arms return her embrace.

"Peyt…" he croaked.

"I'm sorry," she looked in his eyes.

He swallowed hard.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, angel. I feel like I'm the one who should be sorry. We didn't mean to ambush you like that but I knew you were hurting so bad. I just wanted to make the pain stop for you. I'd do anything for you. You're my baby. It killed me because I thought I'd lost you. I thought you'd never want to have anything to do with me again…"

"I love you, Dad," she interrupted him. "I know why you did what you did. I didn't get it at the time but now I do. You just wanted to protect me. That's what fathers do and you're the best father in the world."

They hugged tearfully and happily.

"One heck of a reunion, huh?" Brooke glanced towards the ceiling. "Thank You."

Smiling, Haley reached over and grabbed her husband's hand. Nathan's smile quickly disappeared at the sudden force. It felt like his wife was trying to crack walnuts.

"Hales?"

She gasped and smiled, touching her stomach.

"Nathan, I think it's time."

"Time for what?" he made a face.

She giggled and shook her head.

"Time for your child to be born," she reminded him.

"Oh my God!" Brooke shouted.

"What?" Nathan stood abruptly. "You mean…how do you know?"

"I have a tiny confession to make. I've kind of been having contractions since last night."

"Hales!"

"I knew if we went to the hospital they'd just send us back so I figured I'd try to walk myself into full labor and I felt the baby moving down but I was so hungry I really just wanted to eat first."

"Alright," the scared young man tried to breathe. "Alright. It's cool. We know what to do. We're prepared. We practiced this, right, babe?"

Haley grinned.

"Right babe."

"Okay. Let's get to the hospital. Brooke, go over to our place and get Haley's bag. It's already packed and at the bedroom door. Larry, we walked over here. Can we get a ride?"

"Sure thing," he was already reaching for his keys.

"I'm so happy you're back," Haley hugged Peyton again. "I really wanted to catch up. Sorry about this."

Peyton laughed.

"Dude, are you kidding? Go have your baby. I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

They all helped her to the door, noticing Nathan, trying not to hyperventilate, already in Larry's car.

"Nate, you forgetting something?" Karen teased.

"I don't think so," he looked around.

"Your wife, maybe?"

"Holy shit," he shook his head, jumping out of the car. "Hales, I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she stroked his face as he helped her inside.

They all stood waving as Larry took off and Brooke headed to retrieve the hospital bag. Karen didn't even hear the footsteps approaching behind her.

"What's going on, Mom?"

"Haley's having the baby."

"What?" his face broke out into a broad grin. "That's awesome!"

Karen stopped dead in her tracks, before moving to let her son get a clear view of the woman in front of her.

"There is something else that's pretty awesome."

Green and blue eyes met as their hearts caught in their throats. It was a moment they had both been waiting for.

"Peyton…"