I am wrapping up thisstory for now. I hope everyone enjoyed it. If you did, don't worry, there will be sequels. I already have another story posted that visits them thirteen years beyond this point, but I may write stories about the inbetween times. Please, let me know if you enjoyed this story. Thanks so much to everyone who was so wonderful to review! It really meant a lot and kept me writing, even when I hit an obstacle. So, enjoy, and watch for more stories to come. Hope everyone has a lovely summer!

"I swear to God, Lucas Scott, if you ever lay another hand on me, I'll chop it off," Peyton warned with an icy glare. Lucas stepped away from his slightly intimidating wife and, in the process, almost toppled over his best friend who was just coming up behind him.

"Going that well?" Haley asked with an amused smile. Lucas simply gave her a confused look and shrugged his shoulders. She laughed and scooted around him, walking toward the hospital bed with a stuffed bear in her hands. "Hey Sweetie," she cooed to Peyton as she leaned down to carefully hug the blond. "How's it going?"

"I just want to go home," Peyton said sadly.

"You will, Pey. As soon as we meet this beautiful baby girl we keep hearing about. Have you guys decided on any names?"

"IhateLucas."

"That might scar a kid."

"I think we're going with Winifred," Lucas said as non-invasively as possible. He stuck close to the door, shifting constantly under the scrutiny of Peyton's glare.

"That's pretty. We'll have our own little Winnie—"

"Fred," Peyton interrupted just before her face distorted in pain. Haley grabbed her hand while Lucas raced to her other side and helpfully reminded his wife to breathe. That earned him a smack to the back of the head as soon as Peyton was able to concentrate on something other than excruciating pain. Nathan and Larry both entered the room at one point or another, but in the end it was only Haley and Lucas that were brave enough to remain with the woman for more than a few minutes.

Almost twenty hours after the labor had begun; Lucas and Peyton welcomed their first daughter into the world. Karen and Haley were both in the room with them and were the first to meet the beautiful, perfect baby. After Peyton was moved to a private room her father, Nathan, and Brooke also met the tiny little joy. Brooke looked absolutely petrified when Haley came walking toward her with the newborn. Nathan and Larry both took turns holding her but Brooke was content at just observing her from over someone else's shoulder. Eventually she sat down next to Peyton, who was a little spaced out from the drugs and a lack of sleep.

"So, you really did it."

"Did what?"

"Started your own family. You deserve this, Peyton. I'm so happy for you." The words were some of the most sincere she had ever heard from her friend and they caused tears to rush to her eyes. She was still teary-eyed when she was handed back her sleepy daughter. The newborn was yawning and waving her little firsts but calmed down as soon as she was in her mother's arms. Peyton realized, in a moment of complete loss of emotional control, how far she had come in one short year. She had never expected that she would be married and have her own baby before finishing college. Although she was a bit overwhelmed, she was also extremely happy; happier than she'd ever been before. If life had taught her anything thus far, it was that love had incredible power. It could unlock doors and open windows that hadn't even existed before.