3 Months later

Lucas opened his eye to a sea of blonde curls. He smiled to himself as he took in her scent and pulled her small body closer to him. She moaned slightly as she pushed herself further into his chest. Lucas had been out of the hospital for three weeks now and h and Peyton had made sure to spend as much time as possible together. He was doing everything he could to make her feel safe and secure while she was with him and she was finally starting to open up.

Peyton would cry herself to sleep some nights and he would always just be there to hold her. She talked to him about how much she missed her mom but over the last few days she had been able to do it with a smile. She remembered as much of the good things as she could. Guilt still settled over her but she was finally learning to handle it.

Lucas buried his face into her neck, trailing kisses along her skin. A smile played on Peyton's lips as she slowly came to. Her eyes remained closed and she turned in his arms and joined their lips. Lucas positioned himself on his back as Peyton laid on his chest, their lips never breaking apart. Happiness spread through her entire body as his hands roamed around her back. "Morning" she said lazily when they finally broke the kiss.

"Good morning to you too" he replied as she rested her head on his chest. She listened contently to his steady heartbeat as her head rose and fell with his chest.

"Lucas…." The blonde took a deep breath before she continued. "Do you think we'll really stay together forever?" Her mind was racing with thoughts and she suddenly wanted to take the question back. She wasn't sure how he was going to response and she wasn't sure if she really wanted a response.

"I think we'll be together for forever and a day" All her doubts disappeared as those simple words rang through her ears. He always knew how to make her feel okay and for the first time she was sound in her decision.
"Good…because I think so too" She smiled brightly before leaning up to kiss him. She was surprised that it was so easy for her to say those words but it made her happy knowing that her heart was finally beginning to heel. "I love you" she whispered as their faces stood inches apart.

"I love you too" He wrapped his arms around her as she carefully tucked herself into the nook of his arm. She was soon sleeping again and he just watched her. He loved seeing her so calm and peaceful. His only wish was that she could always be this way. They had not a care in the world at the moment but soon reality would come knocking and all their problems would return. But he knew they could get through it as long as they stayed together. He didn't know why he was so sure they would survive, but he just knew and no one would ever convince him otherwise.

It wasn't until a few hours later that the couple decided to get out of bed. They were now watching TV in the living room. Lucas kept his arm wrapped tightly around Peyton's shoulders as they both remained smiling. They were enjoying being lazy for the day, they were also enjoying just being together. It gave them a pleasant feeling to know that they had someone there with them, someone that they could depend on. The sudden knock on the door tore them both from their thoughts. Peyton looked towards Lucas and pouted.

"Do you think they'll just go away if we don't answer it?" She looked at him with hopeful eyes as he laughed down at her.
"Blondie… I know that you and broody are in there so will you just open the door already" Peyton shook her head as her best friends voice sounded through the door.

"I was gunna say yes but now that I know its Brooke… I know that she'll just come in anyway." Lucas leaned in and kissed the blonde lightly before removing his arm and sighing.

"Your right…I was going to just come in. I figured I'd give the polite thing a try first but pregnant lady's stomach says its time to sit down." The brunette found comfort on a nearby couch as she smirked at the two blondes. Brooke was enjoying every part of her pregnancy except for the huge bulge resting in front of her. It was obvious that she was eight months along and the entire group was glad that she hadn't been y throughout the last few months. Brooke complained but no one minded because they had gotten used to it.

"And how is our godchild?" Lucas asked as he wrapped his arm around Peyton again. She had stopped getting tense when Brooke came around them but he could still see that it bothered her. It still bothered him sometimes.

"She's just fine, I'm tired as hell, but yeah…" The brunette shook her head and leaned back against the couch. She was glad to be off her feet for the moment. She had remained small during her first two months but had gained almost 45 pounds throughout the last 6. She was always asking the doctor if he was sure she wasn't having twins and everyone just laughed at her. She couldn't see her feet anymore and she had to stay in sneakers because her boots were uncomfortable. If it wasn't so cold she would have gone barefoot all day.

"Ohh so your learning the joys of pregnancy" Peyton laughed lightly as she watched the brunette roll her eyes. She was doing her best to be happy for Brooke and to play the roll of best friend, but sometimes it was just too hard. Right now though, things were okay. Now was one of the times when she could joke with Brooke and act like everything was normal, like life was perfect.

"Funny…I've been learning these of so wonderful joys." She gave a fake smile before scowling slightly. "anyway…" she continued. "I need to go shopping. I need clothes and my child needs clothes and you and Haley could use some clothes to. Hales went home to get something and then she's coming back to pick us up." The brunette informed them nonchalantly.

"Brooke I really don't wanna go shopping. I'm kind of enjoying the whole staying home thing." Peyton leaned against Lucas's shoulder.

"Stop whining and get your coat on because you're coming with us. Broody can go have a guys day with Nate and Charlie. They can all play video games and do…whatever else it is that you guys do when you do you guy thing." Brooke threw her hands up in mock confusion before she turned back to Peyton.

"Brooke I would really just rather stay home. Maybe another day, sorry" Brooke watched as Peyton sat there quietly, her apology showing in her hazel eyes. Brooke knew that the blonde wasn't whining and she knew why she didn't want to go…she couldn't' blame her, but that didn't make her feel any better.

"Fine…another day" Peyton could see the disappointment that was written all over her best friend's face. They turned towards the window as they heard a car horn beep outside. "That's Hales…" the brunette mumbled. "Are you sure you don't wanna go?" Brooke was hoping that Peyton would change her mind but the blonde shook her head sympathetically. "Alright…I'll see you guys later"

"Bye…" Peyton whispered as Brooke closed the door quietly behind her and made her way to the car.

"Where's Peyton?" Haley asked when she saw Brooke exit the house alone.

"She said she'd come another day" Brooke put a fake smile on her face as she looked at the other brunette. Haley looked at Brooke oddly but shrugged the strange feeling off and headed towards the mall.

"You okay" Lucas asked the blonde sitting next to him.

"I don't know." She answered truthfully "I feel bad about not going to the mall with Brooke, but I just…" She shook her head and looked down towards the carpet, letting her eyes trace the design.

"Its alright…I know its hard and I'm sure Brooke understands Peyt" He kissed the top of her head gently but she got up and walked towards the bathroom.

"I don't feel good" she mumbled as she closed the door behind her. Lucas tried to go in after her but she locked the door. He could hear her throw up and flush the toilet. Peyton rinsed her mouth with the cold water hoping her stomach would soon settle and she was glad when it did. Guilt had always done horrible things to her and she now knew that some things never changed. As she opened the bathroom door she looked up into her favorite pair of blue eyes and she could feel the tears overwhelming her.

"It's okay" Lucas said quietly as he pulled her into his chest, holding her tightly as she let the tears fall one by one. Peyton closed her eyes as she let Lucas comfort her.

Haley and Brooke were walking through the mall. They had been to a lot of stores but Brooke didn't want to buy anything, she just kept saying that she wasn't in the mood. "Hey, why don't we go in here" Haley said gesturing to a new store selling baby clothes. Brooke just smiled sadly and nodded as they walked into the store. They skimmed through the racks, but Brooke's heart just wasn't in it at the moment.

"Brooke…" Haley began, but she didn't know what to say, she didn't even know where to begin so she just stood there.

"Haley I'm sorry, this was a waste of time. You are a really great friend and all, but its just…" she shook her head as she lost the battle to hold back the tears. "I've known Peyton for years and we've been best friends for the longest and I just always thought id be doing this with her. I always pictured her here with me, helping me through everything. I know it's not fair of me to ask all of that from her because of everything that's happen but I still wish she was here."

"I'm sorry Brooke…" Haley knew there was nothing she could say to make Brooke feel any better. She needed her best friend and no matter how hard she tired, Haley would never fill that position. They were all great friends but Brooke and Peyton had a bond that couldn't be broken and that no body could understand and that's what kept them so close. No one knew why they were friends, they couldn't have been more different, but they were the best of friends and always would be.

"I just miss her Hales. We always said we would get pregnant together and we would do all our shopping together and everything. But none of that's happening and it feels like I'm losing my best friend now…" Brooke looked down at the ground as the tears continued to fall.

"Brooke why don't we do this another time. Its not late yet, I could drop you off at Peyton and I'll bring Luke over to my house and then you two could just spend some time together. She might not be able to come shopping with you but I'm sure she'd love to spend the rest of the day with you. You're not losing your best friend and you never will." Haley tired to reassure her and she was glad when Brooke gave a small smile in her direction.

"Isn't this adorable…" Brooke looked up to find a small blue t-shirt with the words "Mommy's little girl" written in pink hanging in front of her. The brunette quickly spun around and was instantly wearing a huge smile. She through her arms around the blonde and buried her face in the array of curls.

"You didn't have to come Peyt" Brooke said as she lead back and looked up at her best friend. She still had tears steaming down her face but this time it was because she was happy.

"I know" Peyton said with a smile playing on her lips. "But I wanted to" She informed the smiling brunette.

"Thank you soo much Peyt…" Brooke wrapped her arms around the thin blonde again as happiness flooded her veins.

"Hey what are best friends for…" Peyton said returning the hug. Haley too was smiling. Peyton pulled away form Brooke and moved towards Haley. The blonde wrapped her arms around the other brunette's shoulders as she pulled them both into another hug. They all just laughed.

"And now that we've done the sentimental thing…" Haley started as she stared at the two girls.

"Let's shop!" The two best friends squealed together as they broke apart and started down the aisle with Haley standing between them. They all stayed together picking out clothes and enjoying themselves for the rest of the afternoon.