Author's Note: "Lonely World" performed on One Tree Hill, Season 1, Episode 10, "You Gotta Go There To Come Back", by Bryan Greenberg. I am not sure of the original composer and/or lyricist...

It was a warm, starry night in southern Florida. The mood was lighthearted at the Jagielski house. Nathan and Haley shared a drink while Lucas and Brooke cuddled by the pool. Jenny watched TV in the living room. Peyton peered outside, her eyes searching for her husband. Sure enough Jake was stretched out on the hammock. In hand was his trusty guitar.

Such a Lonely boy

Couldn't find the joy within

Such a lonely girl

Such a lonely world we're living in

I watch it all go by

I can't find a tear to cry

Such a lonely boy

Such a lonely girl

It's such a lonely world

Peyton smiled. She remembered that song well. Just like it was yesterday. It had been open mic night at Karen's Café and Jake had boldly come in with a guitar in one hand and a baby carrier in the other. It was a moment of truth for him. It was the first time he would share two things with the world…his talent and his daughter. She hadn't known it then but looking back, that was probably the night she had first fallen in love with him. With both of them.

When he was done, she applauded. Jake put the guitar down and blushed, looking up at his wife.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough", she grinned. "I was just enjoying listening to you. I love that song. I love to hear you play…and sing. The night I first heard you play that was the first night I ever met Jenny."

"Yeah."

"I'll never forget you walking in with her. She was so beautiful and tiny and just sweet."

"That was a long time ago, wasn't it?" he pulled her on top of him for a quick hug and kiss.

"Yeah", she buried her face in his chest. "Sometimes it seems like forever and sometimes it's like it just happened yesterday. Those were the good old days."

"These are the good old days", Jake corrected. "And there are plenty more to come. I promise you, Pey."

"I know."

"The season will be over soon and I'll have more time to spend with you and Jen. It'll be nice to be together without me having to work or go on the road all the time. And I was thinking…what about a nice family vacation? It would be just the three of us. What do you think?"

Peyton smiled just imagining it.

"I think that's a perfect idea. I can't wait, babe."

"Where do you want to go? Anywhere in the world. Just tell me what you want to do."

"I don't know", Peyton shrugged. "It's a lot to think about. I mean, Italy sounds nice. But what about you? Where would you like to go?"

"It might sound stupid but I was thinking of a wilderness camping expedition out somewhere like Montana where we can fish and just rough it. How does that sound?"

Peyton smiled at him.

"I don't know. We'll see. I mean, I'm a tough chick. I totally think I could rough it. It wouldn't be too bad. But let's talk it over with Jenny at first. What do you think she will want to do?"

Jake shrugged.

"I don't know. I'll ask her. We'll figure something out. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be fun as long as we get to do it as a family."

A family. And that's exactly what they were. It sounded nice. It was nice.

"I love you", she kissed him again. "I might not say it often enough but I do. You…this life we've built together means everything to me. And now that Jen and I are bonding and really getting along, it just makes things perfect, you know what I mean?"

"I do. Life is pretty close to perfect. I'm a lucky guy. I have the best family in the whole wide world."

They hugged but felt a wad of paper hit them. They smiled and looked up. Lucas was the culprit.

"Enough of that, you two. There is a ball and a hoop with our names on it. Every man for himself. What do you say?"

Jake grinned. He had never been one to duck a friendly challenge. Besides, it was fun.

"You're on, dude", Jake scrambled to get up.

The men took off their shirts and began shooting around. They weren't playing for points. It was just another night like so many other nights they had shared on the River Court back in Tree Hill.

From across the way, Peyton watched with a smile on her face.

"Mind if I join you, Friend?" Brooke asked.

The two women stood together.

"Let me guess", Jenny joined the women. "Dad, Luke and Nate trying to relive their youth?"

"Something like that", Peyton shrugged.

She put one arm around Jenny and used the other to play with her stepdaughter's hair. Haley walked up to them.

"And Tutor Wife makes four", Brooke laughed.

The three older women were suddenly transported back to that night watching the guys play after Gavin DeGraw had performed at the Café. In Brooke's hand was a digital camera. She began taking random pictures. The ball rolled out of bounds and Peyton stopped it with her Converse clad foot. She picked it up and threw it back to her husband and they smiled at each other. Brooke captured the familiar moment perfectly.

"We lucked out", Haley laughed. "Our men got better with age."

"I'll say", Brooke squealed, taking another photo. "Check out Broody's abs! I can't wait to jump his bones tonight."

Jenny pretended to gag.

"Hel-lo! Kid in the room on the verge of vomiting here."

"Give me this", Haley took the camera. "You guys are crazy. Now everybody lean in real close and give me your best smile."

They did. As always, Brooke looked the million dollar supermodel. Peyton was more relaxed and sincere. And in the middle right between them was Jenny. She looked happy and her smile was big and bright. She hadn't been that bubbly since she was a tiny infant. Everybody was happy and calm. They had survived the storm and with it came a peace they hadn't felt in a long time. The black cloud had been lifted. Everything was going to be alright.

"Feels like we've come a long way since those days down by the river", Brooke observed.

Peyton nodded. Those warm nights years ago, she, they all had wondered where they were headed. Now they all knew. They were all there. And they were all still together. It was déjà vu at its finest.

They were all more than ready to begin the journey of moving on with life but for Peyton there was one more thing left. She had long ago decided to battle her many demons head on. And there was one more left. It was something she had to do alone and in secret. When it was over, only then could her soul be truly free.