Chapter 3: Coffee and TV

General POV

Jake got to his house at night, after closing the Café. Peyton was on the couch, watching some TV. The usual ritual: Jenny already asleep and Peyton waiting for him.

He smiled softly to her… He went to kiss his daughter goodnight and then got two cups of coffee from the kitchen.

"Coffee?" he asked handing her a cup

"Sure, thanks" said Peyton softly "But come sit, Jake, you've been working all day. You must be tired"

"Exhausted" he said as he sat next to her, a little closer this time. It was almost unconscious… "Something good on TV?" he asked

"Same old shows with same old stories" sighed Peyton, getting a little closer… and smiling shyly at him.

So give me coffee and TV
Peacefully
I've seen so much, I'm going blind
And I'm brain-dead virtually

They watched TV for a while, but they were paying more attention to the other than to the movie. When it finally finished, Peyton spoke

"I guess I should be leaving… It's late and you're tired…"

"Yeah" sighed Jake, wanting to reach out to her and not daring to.

"You need me to watch Jenny tomorrow so you can play some ball with the guys?" offered Peyton, wanting an excuse to see him again tomorrow.

"I can't ask you that, you've done so much already. You should go out and have fun"

"I don't mind" replied Peyton "I love Jenny. She's great" some of her curly hair fell in her face…

Jake just took it and slowly put it back in place. He could feel so many things. Peyton felt the touch and just closed her eyes for a second. It felt so good. When she opened her eyes, Jake was looking at her and Peyton saw that she wasn't alone in her feelings

Jake saw Peyton's eyes and realized that maybe, just maybe…

"Thanks for everything" he said softly

"You're welcome" she whispered softly

"You're amazing…" said Jake slowly and he was really close to her right now.

Peyton leaned a little and whispered back "So are you"

Her lips touched his and the world took a whole new meaning. They kissed slowly, taking their time, savoring the moment.

Then he started to caress her lips slowly, asking for entrance and Peyton gave it. Not just the entrance to her mouth, but to her soul. She got her arms around his neck and he pulled her to him, gripping her waist.

They went on kissing… and when they finally came up for air, Jake looked at her smiling broadly

"I've been wanting to do that for so long…" he said

"Me too" said Peyton

"Peyton, I have nothing to offer to you… you deserve better than a teenage father and a kid"

"No, it's me the one who's not worthy of this. And it's not a father and a kid. It's Jenny, the sweetest baby in the world. And it's you…" she smiled at him…

"I love you Peyton, simple as that" he said, finally getting the courage to let his heart do the talking

"And I love you Jake, simple as that" she replied; feeling, for the first time, like she was completely at ease…

Sociability
is hard enough for me
take me away from this big bad world
and agree to marry me
so we can start over again.

All she wanted, all he wanted… was right there.