Peyton, making her Thud deadline with literally five minutes to spare, dashed out of the office located in downtown Tree Hill. On the corner was Karen's Café. Peyton could see the lights on and she could tell it wasn't very busy. That was just the way she liked it and she couldn't remember a time when she'd actually had a few minutes to sit down and relax. She checked her watch. She actually had time to kill before picking up Jenny and Karen's food was practically calling her name. Shrugging, she bypassed her car and crossed the street. Opening the door, she saw only a few patrons and Karen, who was wiping down the counter.

"Peyton", she smiled. "What a surprise. Long time no see."

"Hey Karen", Peyton hugged her.

"Did you bring my baby?"

"Haven't picked her up yet. I was across the street and I felt like having one of your infamous cheeseburgers."

"Coming right up", Karen winked. "And I will have your favorite waiter serve it to you."

Peyton smiled. Karen, pretty and petite enough to pass for a college student herself, had served as surrogate mom as well as world class chef to the Tree Hill kids for years. She was more than Luke's mom, she was a friend. And Jake and Peyton had been eternally grateful that she had offered Jake a job. The added income and extra shifts were their lifeline.

And speaking of her favorite waiter…

"Hey you", Jake grinned, kissing her cheek. "Make the deadline?"

"It was close", she shook her head.

"I'm sorry. I know it's been tough on you. With school and Jenny and everything…"

"Hey, it's okay."

"Yeah but you've got so much going on and I know she's been keeping you up late and…"

"Jake, stop it. Really. I have a choice and I choose you and Jenny. You guys are my whole world and I wouldn't give that up for anything."

"I love you. You know that?" he asked with an awe filled smile. "You're pretty terrific."

"And you're pretty terrific yourself, Mr. Jagielski."

"How about I make things up to you tonight? I shouldn't be here too much longer. I'll put Jenny down for bed so you can get a hot bath and afterwards I'll give you a hot oil massage and uh…you know the rest", he winked. "How does that sound?"

"Perfect and I can't wait…but for now, I'd settle for a cheeseburger."

"Lettuce, extra mayo, hold the tomatoes?"

"And a side of fries with Coke."

"Coming right up", he said.

Peyton smiled and shivered in anticipation of what was to come later in the night. Out of the corner of her eye, she first noticed Anna Garcia. Anna along with her older brother, Felix, and their parents had moved to Tree Hill in the second semester of their junior year of high school. They were fraternal twins, Felix, ten minutes older with a cocky, over the top boisterous personality. Anna on the other hand came across softer, quieter and nicer. It hadn't taken long but before anyone knew what hit them, the Garcia's had worked their way into Tree Hill's most popular clique. At first Peyton and Anna had been the closest but the friendship had cooled over the years mainly due to busy and conflicting schedules. It was nice to see a familiar face and Peyton didn't know when there would be another chance for catching up on girl talk.

"Hey you", she said, Coke in hand. "Mind if I have a seat?"

Anna looked up and smiled.

"Peyton. Hey. How are you?"

"Tired. Busy. Hating my college major but what else is new right?"

"How's Jenny?"

"Great", Peyton smiled proudly. "She's a little bad ass sometimes but I love her."

"She's beautiful. Jake showed me pictures. She's getting so big."

"Yeah. They do grow up fast, I guess. But what about you? How are you doing? Gosh, we haven't talked in like forever."

"I'm okay. Just needed some time away from my crazy family. Things have been nuts at the house. I don't know if you heard or not, but Felix is getting married."

"Married? Felix? Oh God, to who?"

"Take one guess…"

"Uh uh. No way! Dude, you better not say Teresa."

"Who else?"

"Are you kidding me?"

Teresa and Peyton had been close during the high school days when both girls cheered for the Ravens. But time and different interests had practically rendered them strangers. The few times Jake and Peyton had been able to steal a night to themselves, they'd all hung out in a big group like the old days. As far as Peyton could tell, Felix was still the same arrogant, loud pretty boy and Teresa, the same shallow, stuck up cheerleading queen. Peyton still couldn't believe they were getting married.

"Married? Seriously? Wait…is she pregnant?"

"No. And trust me, I thought the same thing. I mean, we're 21 and who gets married in like college? But anyway. That's the plan and Mom and Dad are driving me crazy trying to plan the wedding. It's in a few months at the country club."

"Wow. It'll take me a while to get over the shock from that one but how are you doing?"

"I'm okay", she shrugged with a sigh. "Thank God, I have my own apartment now. Dorm life just isn't for me. Other than that, school is going okay. I'm really excited about going into teaching and all."

"And how is Mike?"

Anna rolled her eyes.

"Mike and I…well, let's just say we parted ways.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We're just not right for each other, you know? I really liked him at first but the more we hung out, the more I lost interest. He was really into me and it wasn't fair because I was giving him mixed signals. Anyway, it's been over for a few weeks now."

"Well, I know you're busy with school and your social life I'm sure is a lot more interesting than Sponge Bob and Pullups but if you ever want to hang out…I don't know, like we used to, you should drop by."

Anna smiled.

"Really? Thanks, I'd like that."

"And so would I. Jake and I have opposite schedules so a lot of time at night it's just Jenny and me. I would kill for some adult company."

"Okay. I'll have to take you up on that sometime. In the meantime, why don't you take a listen to this?" Anna said, pulling a CD out of her bag.

"The new Jimmy Eat World? Rock on. I see your excellent tastes still remain in tact."

Anna grinned.

"Borrow it as long as you want. Peyton, I'm really glad we had the chance to talk tonight. I've missed you."

"Yeah…me too."

"One cheeseburger and fries, one grilled chicken sandwich with a side of coleslaw for the two prettiest ladies in the house", Jake winked as he arrived with their food.

She felt good as her teeth sank into the burger. It had been a good day. She had survived school, made her deadline, got reacquainted with an old friend and was having her favorite food for dinner. When it was all over, she'd go home to her daughter with her man. As much as sometimes she wandered what she was missing out on, for a few minutes Peyton Sawyer could just take the time to be grateful for what she did have.