Two: Excitement

"This is dumb," Lucas scoffed. "Why do we need a whole entire party to reveal the kid's gender?" He stood in the middle of the room and put air into the balloon he was holding- it was black and said "he or she- pop to see" on it, and when popped, pink or blue confetti would fall from it. Peyton had decided to leave Brooke in charge of filling it with the confetti, she wanted her and Lucas to be surprised right along with the party guests. And Brooke had taken her duty as the keeper of the gender very seriously, being the one to receive the call from the doctor and keep guard of the information. She would be first to arrive at the party, carrying the all important balloon.

"Oh hush," Peyton scoffed at him. "Do we need to do this? Not necessarily. But it's fun. They never had this when we were having Sawyer, and I feel like we can truly have fun and enjoy this pregnancy because the doctor's said it's going well. Let me have my fun!"

Lucas was about to make a smart-mouthed comment, but that train of thought was interrupted by a tiny voice yelling to them from upstairs… Sawyer, of course. "Mommy!" The girl shouted.

"Well, she's up," Peyton laughed. "I'll go get her. She's been waiting for this day foe weeks,"

Peyton pushed open the door to her daughters room, and Sawyer smiled upon seeing her. "Mommy! Today's the day that I find out whether I'm having a baby brother or baby sister!"

Peyton laughed. Sawyer never forgot anything. When they had told her they were expecting, they feared her reaction as she was the spoiled miracle baby, doted on by her many aunts and uncles. They figured that she would be jealous or upset by the major change, but to their delight, she was over the moon about it, and every morning asked Peyton to tell her how the baby was doing, and Peyton would read from the pregnancy app she had on her phone that compared the size of them to fun items like fruits.

"That's right, honey," Peyton helped her daughter out of the bed and together they chose clothes and began getting her ready for the day and party. Sawyer had a special sash to wear for the party that said "big sister". Aunt Brooke had bought it for her, and she loved it, running around the house wearing it even before the party. It was important to her parents that she would feel included in waiting for the baby, and so far, that had been a success. She put it on as soon as she was dressed, and she chose to wear a pink dress as her prediction was that there was a sister growing in Mommy's belly.

Sawyer then sat crossed legged on her bedroom floor and Peyton was braiding her hair. Hair braiding was their special thing because it was something that Peyton's mother did for her when she was young, and she treasured the memories of that still today. She wanted to give that experience to her own daughter as well.

"So," Peyton remarked as she was finishing up the last braid. "You're still sticking with baby sister? That's your final guess?"

"Yup!" Sawyer said, triumphant, as if she already knew the answer. "It's a baby sister in there," she pressed the side of her face to Peyton's now-noticeable bump. "Hi, baby," she said cheerily. "I'm your big sister, Sawyer Brooke."

"Aw, honey." Peyton smiled down at her. "The baby likes it when you talk to them! They can hear you, and look," she lifted her daughter's hand to the baby bump. "They're kicking, do you feel that?"

"Wow," Sawyer sighed in wonderment. This was the first time that the baby's kicks were noticeable to anyone on the outside. 'That's so cool!"

Feeling the baby's kicks was always such a reassurance for Peyton. It helped remind her that they were active and growing well.

"Knock knock!" came a voice from the door a little while later. Sawyer ran to answer it after Peyton told her it was alright. It took much of her five-year-old strength, but she managed to pull the door open. "Aunt Brooke!" She shrieked with joy. Brooke was Sawyer's favorite person other than Lucas, and they were thick as thieves. Brooke loved her nieces and nephew all equally, but even she could admit. There was something special about her relationship with Sawyer.

"Hey, Sawyer Girl!" Brooke set down the bag she was holding, and lifted her goddaughter in a hug. "Are you ready for the party?"

"Yeah! See my fancy outfit? I'm wearing the sash you got me!" Sawyer did a model pose and twirled, making Brooke burst out laughing. She wasn't her child, but she sure acted like her.

"I love it!" Brooke clapped. "You look so pretty."

Sawyer thanked her and they played together for a while until Peyton entered the room. She gave Brooke a hug in greeting and then turned to the bag she was holding. "I'm assuming that's the prized confetti?"

"Yup," Brooke said dutifully. "It's here whenever you're ready,"

Peyton laughed. "Brooke, honey, the party's not for another thirty minutes. "

Sawyer suddenly interjected. "Yeah, where is everybody? I'm ready to know!"

"Honey, I promise it will be soon, just be patient."

Eventually, Sawyer's patience payed off, and now the party was in full swing. Guests laughed, mingled, and chatted easily, snacking on blue and pink food. Karen, Andy, and Lily had made the trip out for the party. They hadn't been to Tree Hill since Sawyer was born, and though they communicated often- letters, FaceTime calls, sending gifts- there really wasn't anything like being all together. Karen came up to where Lucas was sitting with Sawyer watching her play, and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Hey, son, can I steal you for a moment?" Karen gestured to a shaded, unoccupied part of the yard, where they could talk.

"Of course Ma. Sawyer, I'll be right back," Lucas told his daughter and then followed his mother over to the corner of the yard. "What's up?"

Karen welled up a bit. "Luke, I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you. You're an amazing father and I can see in the way you play with Sawyer how much you love her and how much she loves you. It's beautiful,"

Lucas pulled his mother into a hug. "Thanks, Mom. That little girl is the best thing that ever happened to me other than falling in love with Peyton. And being a great father comes easy to me because Keith taught me what that looks like. He wasn't my biological father, but at the end of the day, he was so much more than an uncle to me, he was my dad."

"I know, honey," Karen looked skyward, silently wishing and hoping that Keith was watching over them, today and always. "He would be so proud of you, remember that,'

"Thanks, Mom."

"OK, guys!" Lucas called everyone over to the front of the yard. They had the balloon hung up on a stick and three pins, one for him, one for Peyton, one for Sawyer. They would pop the balloon all together. Sawyer was already bouncing up and down with excitement, but Peyton motioned for her to calm down and wait.

"Hey, guys," Peyton addressed the crowd. "Thanks so much for coming today, to celebrate our newest little Scott." She patted her bump. "Are you ready to find out who is in here?"

The crowd of guests cheered wildly. In unison, Peyton, Lucas, and Sawyer popped the balloon and a handful of pink confetti rained down on them. Baby Scott #2 was a girl!

Peyton and Lucas kissed and laughed. Another daughter to spoil. Sawyer, meanwhile, was so overwhelmed with joy that she began running around the yard, shouting "I'm getting a sister!"

Peyton and Lucas stood in front of the scene and soaked up the moment. They felt so lucky to have this group of people around them to raise their family with.