DISCLAIMER: I do not own Lucas, Brooke, Nathan, Hailey, Peyton, Keith, Karen, Deb, Whitey or that SOB Dan. I do however own Bella and Xander and whoever else I decide to invent for the sheer fun of it.

SUMMARY: Ok, like I said in the final chapter of What We Were, everyone is in their fourth year of University.

Nathan and Hailey live next door to Peyton and Xander and Lucas, Brooke, and Bella live on the floor above. Bella just turned five and Xander will be turning five in July.

When Xander was two, Jake came down with Jenny to visit Peyton and Xander, but he had to go home because his dad was really sick with cancer. He left Jenny with Peyton and Xander so Xander and Jenny could bond. One his way home, a drunk driver hit Jake's car and Jake was killed instantly. His dad died one month later. Right now Jenny lives with her grandmother and comes down to New York a few times a year.

Ok, so I guess it's ok to tell you that this story is Naley (duh, that's a given), and a Leyton [ I had a temporary laps of insanity where I was all like YEAH! Lucas and Peyton FOREVER! (Believe me it's gone) but I've written way too much to want to change anything. ] FYI Brooke's new boyfriend if James Evans.

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N POV

'Hey Luke! Where's Bella?" I asked when I opened the door and found Lucas standing there. "Peyton's. You wanna go play some basketball?" Lucas asked.

"Yeah, just let me go change." I said walking towards my room.

"Where is Hailey at?"

"She went shopping with Brooke."

"Oh."

"Okay, I'm ready lets go." I said.

We walked down to the park. "Luke, I am majorly kicking your ass. I never ever win by this much, what's your problem man?"

"Nothing."
"Luke you have your 'I'm Lucas Scott and I'm worried' look. Come on, seriously you didn't think I wouldn't notice."

"Fine, I'm having a bit of trouble taking care of Bella, going to school, working, and trying to budget all by my self. Ever since Brooke left, I don't know, we just had everything so perfect, and now there's never any money with just me, and that isn't fair to Bella ya know?"
"If you ever need to pick up more shifts or something Hailey and I are always here to help you Luke. I mean Bella is my niece and all."

"Thanks Nate."

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P POV

"Hey Luke, come on in." I said opening the door.

"Was she any trouble?" Luke asked.

"Nope, she was a perfect angel. Xander on the other hand..."

"Thanks for taking her Peyton. I really appreciate it."

"No problem Luke. Now are we going to assume that nothing is wrong with you or are you just going to save me the trouble of prying it out of you and tell me?" Lucas sighed. "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" I asked.

"Go to school, work, take care of Xander, and pay the bills all by yourself?"
"Trouble with the single parent thing?"
"That's the understatement of the year."
"Money is tight around her too Luke."

"I know, just how do you do it?" How DO I do it? I thought.

'Tell you what Luke, you and Bella can move in here with Xander and i."

"Are you sure that is a good idea?"

"Sure. It'll be just like we are roommates. We could split all the bills and the groceries and stuff."
"umm... what about sleeping arrangements and stuff?"

"hmm... I do only have a three bedroom... but I also have an office, my art stuff can be moved from my office and into my room, then it'll be your room. I'm so brilliant!"

"Are you sure?"
"Positive. We'll move in at the end of the month."

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Short but sweet. Next chapter they'll have been living together for a few months. And there will be more of them with their kids. In case you haven't noticed, Xander and Peyton are REALLY close. And Bella is a daddy's little girl. Anyway please read and review!! I love you all!!
Oo Blair oO MUAH!!