Haley and Nathan's house

"You're flying to Paris?"

I had to smile at Haley's surprised expression and only nodded. Peyton and I had been invited by Haley for brunch and now we were sitting together in the kitchen, chatting and eating. For some time the morning meetings had become a fixed ritual once a month, and we enjoyed spending time with each other.

"I can't remember the last time I went on vacation," Peyton sighed, reaching for a croissant from the bread basket.

"Same with me," Haley agreed.

"It's our wedding anniversary," I told them. "Julian and I got married in Las Vegas 18 years ago."

"Oh yes, I remember." Haley also took a croissant and buttered it. "That was a scandal back then." She rolled her eyes.

"Why are you flying to Paris and not to Las Vegas?" Peyton asked.

"I think Julian has something else in mind than playing at the casino all night long," I said, raising my eyebrows meaningfully. "Besides, I always wanted to go to Paris. This is the last chance for me before I turn 40."

"40," Peyton repeated, rolling her eyes. "I can't believe we'll all turn 40 next year."

Haley raised her hand and smirked. "Not true, I'm only 39."

"Could we talk about something else than our age?" I asked, glancing at Haley. "How is Nathan? Does he like his new job?"

"He's quite content with it," she said, taking a sip from her coffee cup. "Car salesman may not be his dream job, but he earns good money. And that's all that matters."

"Especially since you earn a lot of money as a teacher," Peyton interjected, then sighed softly. "Lucas's last book didn't go down well with the critics. He is already working on a new one. Some days I don't see him at all because he only is in his office typing."

"I can empathize with you. Julian had been more in L.A. than at home in the last few weeks. So we really deserve this trip to Paris."

"Let's change the topic," Peyton said. "I'm really worried about Sawyer. She's been so quiet and secretive lately." She looked at Haley. "She's friends with Lydia. Did she say something?"

"No." Haley shrugged. "Lydia isn't talking to me much too. It's probably just puberty."

"I can relate to that," I nodded. "That's why I was in doubt whether we can leave the kids alone for a week. But Julian is convinced that they are old enough."

"Everybody is talking about Justin and his heroic act to save Davis," Peyton started a new topic. "Sawyer didn't tell me much except that Davis almost drowned."

"And Lydia had a nervous breakdown because of him," Haley added and sighed. "I have no idea what's going on between the two, but I don't feel good about it," she admitted.

I looked at her in surprise. Usually I wasn't interested in gossip. But when it was about my kids, I wanted to know what was going on. "You're talking about Davis and Lydia?" I asked.

Haley nodded. "The whole school is talking about them now. It's not easy to ignore it when you are not only a teacher but also a parent. They were seen together in the cafeteria and in the hallway in front of the restrooms."

"I had no idea," I stammered. "I thought she was with Jude, and that she was happy with him."

"Apparently it's over between them." Sighing, Haley stroked a strand of hair from her forehead. "I've already tried to talk to Lydia about it, but she remained silent. Maybe you can talk to Davis?"

I frowned, not wanting to get involved in my children's relationships. In the past, I had constantly changing relationships too and I wouldn't have liked it if my parents had interfered in my business. "Aren't they old enough to make their own decisions?" I asked cautiously. "Think back to us how we were at that age. How old were you when you and Nathan met and got married?"

"I already told Lydia that I wasn't proud to get pregnant and marry at such a young age. And I certainly don't want her to do the same."

"The young people of today are much more reasonable," I said. "They already know a lot more than we did before and they certainly know more about birth control." I noticed how shocked she looked at me.

"Are you implying that my 16-year-old daughter already had sexual experiences?" she gasped.

"Sawyer is still a virgin," Peyton tossed in. "I'm absolutely sure of this."

The conversation gradually began to drift in a direction that made me feel very uncomfortable. Maybe I really should talk to my son. Or better, should ask Julian to talk to Davis. Just a one-to-one. But first our trip to Paris was next up on the agenda. "I'm talking to Davis," I promised. Even though we brought the conversation back to another topic afterwards, a certain tension remained in the room. An hour later, I got up and said goodbye to my friends. "I'll call you as soon as we're back from Paris."

"Have a good trip!" Peyton wished.

"Send me a card!" Haley asked.

I hugged them both one last time and then left Haley's house to drive home.

House of the Bakers

A few days later

Hard to believe that we would be in Paris in a few hours! All the time I had been worried that Brooke would back down. Davis's tragic accident nearly had ruined everything. But even though she finally had agreed, I knew that it still wasn't easy for her to leave the children alone. But now the last bags were packed and we were ready to leave. Everyone had gathered in the living room to say goodbye to us. And although I would never admit it, the parting was hard for me too. I looked at Brooke who could barely hold back her tears as she hugged our daughter.

"Oh Mom! No need to worry," Izzy said, rolling her eyes. "You're back in a week."

I knew it wasn't easy for Brooke to let go. She was such a mother hen, even if she didn't want to admit that. Maybe it was because we had lost our first baby and the pregnancies with the twins and Izzy hadn't been without complications either, that she wanted to protect them. I looked at Justin.

"You are the man of the house now, so to speak," I said to him and then turned to my other children. "Listen to Justin and behave. Is that clear? And when Grandma is coming later, the same applies to her. I won't hear a complaint." I approached Davis and patted him slightly on the shoulder. "That's especially for you, son. No risky dives in the sea." A knock on the door interrupted me. "That's Grandma," I said and opened the door. It was indeed my mother who entered and was greeted by everyone.

"I'm sorry! I'm a little late," she said apologetically. "But the plane had a delay, and then I couldn't find a taxi right away."

"I could have picked you up from the airport," Justin said.

"I didn't want to trouble you." She looked around. "Where can I take my bag?"

I watched as Brooke went to Davis and whispered something in his ear, whereupon he suddenly turned very pale and hurriedly picked up the bag and headed for the stairs.

"Up the stairs, down the hall, the second door on the left," he explained to his grandmother. "Come on, I'll show you where it is."

I looked after him, frowning. "Hey! Didn't you forget something?"

He turned hesitantly. "Oh yeah... Mom... Dad... have a nice trip!" He said and ran quickly upstairs.

Before my mother followed him, she turned to us.

"Julian, Brooke... a safe journey and take good care! Justin and I will look after the kids and the household." She winked at him. "Now let me take a look at the guest room."

I looked at the clock and hugged my mother and then turned to Izzy and Jude. "And you listen to what your grandma says."

"Sure." Izzy nodded.

I hugged both of my children. "Call or text us if needed."

"It's time to go!" Justin urged, grabbing his car key.

Brooke took her suitcase and we followed Justin outside.

"Then let's drive to the airport." He started the engine and drove off.