EPILOGUE
7 1/2 year from where we last saw them… Lucas, Peyton, Jake, Nathan and Haley all live in up state New York.
Nathan is an engineer that works for a large business in the city. Haley runs a café down the street from the house called "Haley's". They live in a three floor house… they need the room for their seven children. Nathan got his basketball team. They have Logan Scott now nine who's biological mother is Brooke, Hannah Elizabeth Scott eight, who Haley was pregnant with when they found out that Nathan was Logans father. Cassidy Faith six was born two years later. Soon thereafter was Rebecca Charity, who is now five, followed by Kylie Rhea four, and then twins only two months ago Gabriel Nathan, and Jacob Lucas. Haley and Nathan planned for a football team, but they never planned for the chaos that came with it.
Peyton and Lucas barely live down the street. They wanted to keep the kids close to one another. Peyton has an art studio in the house from which she sells her work, which has become quite a hot item in the city. Lucas works at an auto shop following in the footsteps of Keith. Even after all of his college education. The couple was now married with four children, Spencer included. Spencer is 12 now. All that he does is play basketball and draw. Now he uses more than just black, although he favors it. 8 year old Cody Alexandra was a result of the night of Peyton and Lucas's make-up sex after he broke up with Marcy. They all find it strange that the first two times that they slept together Peyton got pregnant. They held off on more children for the next 3 years, and then had Tessa Katherine, now five years old. Tessa was really close with her little brother Gunner Paige, four. Gunner was small for his age, but just as fierce as a bulldog.
Jake and Jenny live in an apartment close to everyone. Jenny just turned 13, and she and Spencer are still close. Jake works at a computer management company in the city, where he gets paid a VERY impressive salary.
Nathan turned over in bed. He and Haley could hear a small rumbling coming from the hallway.
"The beast's are awake." Haley said turning over pulling the pillow over her head.
"God help us." Nathan said.
"MOM DAD!" Cassidy said jumping on the bed.
"Yeah! Wake up! It's Christmas!" Kylie Rhea said.
"Quiet or you will wake up the babies!" Nathan said… and then they heard a high pitched cry "Nevermind." He said picking up Kylie and then following a drowsy Haley to Gabe and Jacobs room.
Peyton and Lucas sat on the couch.
"Ever think that they will wake up?" Lucas asked glancing at his watch that read 9:00...
"Our children are strange." Peyton said. Then four year old Gunner appeared in the hallway holding hands with Cody who was eight. The two running down the hall. They jumped on their parents.
"Merry Christmas." Peyton said to the children.
"Can I open' 'em now?" Gunner asked looking under the tree.
Peyton and Lucas looked at one another.
"Why not." Lucas said.
Right then five year old Tess came out yawning, dragging a blanket behind her. She had strong dimples, regardless of what face she was making.
"Morning." Lucas said picking up the little girl who held her head on his shoulder. "Want to open presents?" He asked.
She nodded getting down.
"Where's Spence?" She asked looking around.
Lucas looked at Peyton.
"I'll get him." She said
Christmas morning was a little less hectic with Jake and Jenny.
"Morning dad." Jenny said as Jake entered the kitchen.
"Hey sweetie. Breakfast smells good." She was making breakfast for them on the stove.
"Thank you. Now sit down!" Jenny ordered smiling.
"Yes mam." Jake said sitting.
"Merry Christmas." Jenny said putting the plate in front of him.
"Merry Christmas honey."
That night they all met at Nathan and Haleys for Christmas dinner. Karen and Keith could not get into New York because of a huge snow storm. After they ate all of the kids played out side, besides Jacob, Gabe, and Tessa. Nathan held Gabe, while Haley had Jacob. Tessa watched the other children sadly out of the window. She could not go and play. The doctors did not know what was wrong with her. All they could figure was that it was a sever immune deficiency. She was particularly susceptible to every illeness, and extreme cold or heat only increased the likelihood of her becoming ill. Spencer and Jenny came back inside to the sad little girl.
"Come on." Jenny said holding out her hand to Tessa…
"Yeah." Spencer said.
"We're going to go watch Shrek 2." Jenny said.
"Aw man. That movie came out before I was born!" Tessa said as they dragged her down the hallway. Inside she was secretly happy because she didn't have to be alone…
Back at the table
"Hey Nathan, where's your litter?" Peyton asked
"Out in the snow. Hopefully not back for awhile." He said looking at Haley who rolled his eyes.
"You wanted the football team!" She blamed him laughing
"You did too!" Nathan argued back.
"I am good with the four that I have. Two boys two girls. What more could I ask for?" Lucas said kissing Peytons head.
Jake smiled at his friend.
"You could ask for anything more." Jake said. "Because in this moment we have all that we need." He said holding up his wine glass.
The others followed in suit silently as a fire blazed and the dim light from the tree illuminated the room. They all knew no matter how sad or chaotic things could be, this was all that they needed… now and forever…