Summery: Different take on life in Tree Hill. Peyton is a 16 year old in love with a guy who will never be good enough for her in the eyes of her father. Lucas has done a lot of bad things, living the life of a thug but is trying to change for love. Leyton all the way.

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from One Tree Hill, just the situations they are in

Chapter 10:

So tonight was the night. Even Karen was nervous, as silly as that may be. She hadn't spoken to Larry in months and she was nervous for her son who was currently fighting with his shirt, attempting to get any creases out. Karen laughed, 'You know Lucas I don't think Peyton will care what you're wearing.' Lucas just rolled his eyes, 'It's not Peyton I'm worried about. Mom this is probably the only chance I'm going to get to give Peyt's dad a reason to accept us. He's made the first chance by inviting us over and I'm not screwing it up because I look like a scruffy kid that you found on the street.' Karen couldn't help but laugh, he was getting himself so frustrated over dinner. She understood it was important but anyone who witnessed this would have to laugh. Lucas Scott, the self confessed bad boy getting frustrated over what shirt and tie to wear in order to meet his girlfriend's father. It was strange to say the least.

As it got closer he got more nervous, he wouldn't know what to say. He would also have to control himself. No touching, no hugging, no kissing, nothing. That was going to be difficult, not being able to kiss your own girlfriend. If it meant that Larry would accept them as a couple he didn't really mind. He could wait, besides they'd probably get some time alone anyway, then again he could be sending him warning looks at all times. I'll just cross that bridge when I come to it.

'Honey, really you look good, not too over the top and not too casual. If he can't see how great you are Lucas then he isn't worth the trouble because I'm pretty sure Peyton doesn't really care if he doesn't like you. But anyway, he will.' Lucas just smiled at his mom's gesture, she was trying to calm him, sure it wasn't working but knowing he had her and Peyton on his side was reassuring enough.

Across town a similar situation was going on in the Sawyer residence. Peyton was so nervous, she wanted her dad to see what she saw, to know he can be a lovely person when he wants to be. She knew her father would try not to like him but Lucas was polite, nice and he loves her, what else could her father ask for? Maybe that he wasn't a criminal? No. Don't think that, stop worrying yourself. Oh god I'm having a conversation with myself in my head. Ok calm down. It had been like this for the past hour, she was too nervous and excited to think straight. Pull it together, you're not a little kid anymore.

'Here's your tie' said Peyton as she began to help him tie it. 'Daddy promise me you'll at least give him a chance, he's not who you think he is, he's caring and considerate and...Daddy I love him.' Larry just looked down upon his daughter rambling away about this boy. Her green eyes sparkling as she talked about him. He loved his daughter, everything about her made him smile and if this boy was the reason she was so happy then how could he honestly fault him? 'Peyt I'll be on my best behavior for you I promise.' Peyton smiled at her father and gave him a hug. 'Thank you for doing this' 'Anything to make you smile.'

Peyton walked upstairs to finish getting ready and started thinking of how good it would be if everything went well tonight. Her and Lucas would be free to be together whenever they wanted, they wouldn't have to sneek around, and she wouldn't have to climb out of that damn window anymore. As she was deep in thought she heard the doorbell ring. They're here. Peyton ran down the stairs to answer the door, Lucas was probably nervous so she wanted her to be the first thing he saw when the door opened.

Peyton opened the door to see a very nervous looking Lucas standing in front of her. God he looks great. Peyton grinned at him and gave him a hug, 'Hey, come in' she then moved around him to embrace Karen who was standing directly behind him. She let them in and walked through to the kitchen to get her father. He walked through and said his hello's to them both, while getting a nudge from Peyton as if to say 'try harder'. Larry had always liked Karen but they hadn't spoken in a while and Lucas, well he was just a little worried about his daughter, was that so wrong? 'So Lucas I hear you're good at basketball, have you ever considered playing varsity?' Peyton just smiled, that was good enough and she decided to do something to push along their talk and decided to take Karen into the kitchen for 'advice' on her cooking, leaving Lucas and Larry alone.

'I play mostly just for fun, I guess I just think that playing for varsity might take the fun away from it.' Larry just listened, he wanted to move into other questions but promised Peyton he would be on his best behavior. He needed to be clear on a few things though before he could even attempt to build a relationship with this boy. 'Lucas do you love my daughter?' Lucas was a little caught off guard by the sudden change of subject but he knew that sooner or later it would come up. He decided to just speak from the heart, if he knew how he felt about Peyton, maybe he'd give them a chance. 'Mr. Sawyer, I love your daughter more than anything. I know I'm young and most people think that someone my age couldn't grasp the idea of being in love but I know what I feel. Peyton is everything to me and I guess I just wanted you to know that.' Larry couldn't believe what he was hearing, a boy so young speaking like that? This was different.

His eyes softened, he knew that he was being truthful. Love at such a young age is a special thing, he understood that. Maybe he had misjudged this boy, he could at least give him a chance, after all he had never gotten Peyton into trouble. He loved her and he cared about her. 'Well I'm glad that you do Luke because my daughter loves you, she does. I can try to be understanding about the two of you, just promise me that you won't hurt her. I don't want my daughter ever coming home in tears.' Lucas understood this, he didn't want that for Peyton either. 'She won't, I've changed for Peyton, I won't go back and lose her.' Larry just smiled. He knew his daughter was special and this just proved it even more considering she could take something so bad and turn it good. He was proud of her in so many ways.

Peyton walked in with the food, she had heard their entire conversation and so knew that now was about the right time to serve dinner. She had the biggest grin spread across her pretty face, something that didn't go unnoticed by either Lucas or Larry. Karen had heard also and had a smile on her face almost a big as Peyton's, she was happy for her son, she was happy for the both of them.

The rest of the evening went relatively well, they all had a lot to say and Peyton and Lucas couldn't be taken down from the high they were on. Her father had basically accepted them together and he was even seeing Lucas in a new light. He had seen the way Lucas looked at his daughter, he had listened to the intelligent way he discussed his wishes for the future. Sure he had made mistakes in the past but the person sitting before Larry Sawyer at this moment in time seemed to be just a good kid with a good heart. A heart that so obviously belonged to his daughter. Maybe it was time he allowed Peyton to make her own choices, she was intelligent enough to know if Lucas was sincere. Anyone within a 50 mile radius could see that he was. Larry would just have to swallow his pride and let his little girl go.

The time finally came for Lucas and Karen to go and obviously Lucas and Peyton went outside first. They hadn't had a chance to just be alone all night and now was the perfect time. 'So I think my dad actually likes you.' She nudged Lucas gently and he just smirked. 'I guess he does, I wanted him too anyway and so I was just straight with him.' 'Oh I know you were, I was listening, so I'm everything to you huh?' He just laughed and kissed her, something he had waited to do all night. His hands gently found their way to her waist as she in turn wrapped her arms around him, one hand moving to his hair. 'Uh hum' Karen and Larry looked walked out and the two just blushed. Even Larry had to laugh at the pure embarrassment on their faces. It's always going to be embarrassing having your parents see you kiss someone.

Lucas decided to walk over to Larry and shook his hand. 'Thank you for having us.' Larry was pleased by his gesture and replied 'it was nice to have the two of you here.' Lucas smiled and walked down to Peyton, he gently kissed her cheek and whispered 'I love you' before saying more loudly, 'I'll call you tomorrow.' Peyton smiled and said 'I love you too' before Karen and Lucas walked away. Peyton was happy, truly happy, her father finally understood, well sort of. She just smiled on as they disappeared from sight and she walked inside. 'Thanks dad.' He walked over and kissed her forehead before saying, 'Anything for you Peyt'. She smiled and walked upstairs to her room. Everything was working out.

AN: I know where I want this story to go so please bear with me while I get there. PS thanks for reviewing, glad you all like it.