Chapter 10

She opened the door to find the familiar green duffel bag sitting in the foyer. It was stuffed full and it meant only one thing.

"Dad?" she called out as she set her bag down.

Larry appeared from the kitchen, "Hey, I didn't think I'd have the chance to see you before I left,"

"You're leaving again? Dad, you just got home,"

"I know, I'm sorry. But one of the boats broke down out at sea. They need a..."

"I don't care what they need! What about me dad?" she yelled. Peyton was angry to hear that her father was leaving her once again.

"Peyton..."

"Every time I need you, you always leave,"

"I...I'm sorry,"

"Well, sorry isn't good enough anymore. I'm sick and tired of you leaving me. You promised me that you were only going to get jobs closer to home. But you lied,"

Larry sighed, "That job doesn't start till next month. You know that,"

"Whatever,"

"Peyton, what is this about?"

"Just forget it,"

"No I won't just forget it. Peyton, maybe I haven't been around before...and I'm sorry about that. And things will change,"

After a few seconds of hesitation, Peyton finally admitted, "I went to see her," His daughter looked away for him with tears forming in her eyes, "I went to see Elizabeth,"

"You did what?" Larry angrily asked. "Peyton. I told you to stay away from her,"

"I know, but I just wanted answers,"

"Answers? What answers?"

"Dad, she told me why she left...But I don't care about that anymore. What I wanted...I wanted to know who my mother was. What she was like when she was growing up...I wanted to hear stories about her life...things I thought I never would never get to hear,"

Larry shut his eyes tights, holding in his emotions.

"She wrote her letters, dad," Peyton softly continued as she tried to maintain her composure, "Ever since she showed up at your doorstep, she wrote Elizabeth letters. They were all about me, dad," Peyton walked over to her messenger bag and pulled out a stack of folded letters and envelopes.

Larry's eyes opened as he heard the paper unfolding. He had no idea that Anna kept contact with Elizabeth, let alone that she knew where her sister was.

She picked a letter at random and began to read...

Dear Lizzie,

your daughter is beautiful. I saw her for the first time today and I held her. She's an absolute angel...

Together they read each letter and each letter brought up a memory or two about the wife and mother that they both loved and dearly missed. Larry and Peyton took turns telling their stories about Anna that made the father and daughter laugh and cry.

...Larry doesn't know it yet, but he's going to be a great father, but can you believe that he wanted to name her Stevie? Lucky for her I was there to say no.

Peyton crinkled her nose at her father, who was laughing to himself, "Stevie?"

His daughter's facial expression caught his eye. He stopped laughing and smiled, "You know, your mother did the same exact thing when I said that name,"

Flashback

"So what are you going to name her?"

"I don't know yet, I haven't thought about that, yet," Larry said as he sat down on his couch.

Anna gently laid the baby down into the brown wooden crib, "When we were kids, Lizzie used to say that a child should be named after a parent. That way every time the child would hear their name being called, they would always remember their parent,"

"Lawrence Sawyer, Junior...has a nice ring to it," Larry joked.

Anna sat down on the couch and sarcastically commented, "and I always said that children should be given a nice strong name,"

"Alright, alright," Larry got the hint, "How about...Stevie?"

Anna's nose crinkled at Larry, "Stevie?"

"What's wrong with Stevie?"

"How about Elise?" she offered.

This time his nose crinkled, "Elise? You said a strong name,"

"I said a 'nice' strong name,"

Larry thought for a moment, thinking of a name, "You know, before we knew it was a girl, I was thinking of boys names,"

It was typical for a male to want to sire a son, but Anna hid her rolling eyes, "So what'd you come up with?"

"Peyton,"

"Peyton...I like that name?"

Larry smiled, "Yeah?"

She nodded slowly, "Peyton Sawyer,"

Larry got up from the couch and excitedly went to his daughter. He carried her back to the couch and sat down beside Anna. His eyes never left his baby girl's face, "Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer,"

End Flashback

Peyton smiled as she heard her father tell her the story of her name.

Larry wiped his eyes. Anna had the biggest heart that never gave up on anyone. She always had hope for others and that's what he fell in love with. He was compelled by the letters his wife had written and wanted to read the rest, "What else did she say?"

It was getting late and Larry had missed his ride back to the docks, but he didn't care. He was where he wanted to be. Boats were always coming and going, but moments like this were rare.

At last, there was only one letter left in her hand...it was also Anna's last letter to her sister.

Dear Lizzie,

Not much has happened since I last wrote. Peyton just started the fourth grade and has become friends with a girl who just moved to Tree Hill. I think her name is Brooke. She's got quite the personality - always cheerful and into boys. She's the complete opposite of Peyton, but Peyton says they'll be friends for ever.

Larry was promoted to captain. I'm so proud of him, but it also means that he won't be home as much. He's away right now and I miss him so much. Peyton misses him too. She doesn't really say much, but I know it hurts her when she has to say goodbye to him.

I know you haven't seen her since you left, but there's so much in her that reminds me of you. The strength and independence that she has, she got that from you. But I also see apart of me in her. The passion that she has for art, the sarcasm and my God-awful loud laugh - but sometimes I think she only does it to mock me...

I'm lucky to have her in my life. I've watched Peyton grow up for nine years and I can't wait to see who she'll become and the things that she'll accomplish. I know that biologically she isn't mine. But that's not how I feel and I'm not sorry for that. I thank God everyday that I have her in my life. I'm proud to call her my daughter.

Even though I want to be selfish and ask you not to come home, it just wouldn't be right. I love Peyton so much but you're still my sister and I still love you. You need to get better. Peyton deserves to know the truth about where she came from and when that time comes, the choice will be hers to make.

Liz, I'm not writing this to hurt you. I'm writing this because I want you to see what you gave up and because I want you to get better. Nobody blames you for leaving. You did what you had to do. Be strong for her Lizzie. People always leave, but sometimes they come back. So find that strength inside you and come back home to meet your daughter.

Love,

Anna

When Larry finished reading the letter, Peyton couldn't help herself. She wrapper her arms around her father and he hugged her just as tightly. Nothing had prepared them for those letters. They had brought up wonderful memories of the past that would never be forgotten. They had also given them a sort of understanding about the choices that they would have to make about the future - choices that they would have to make on their own, but no matter what, they also knew that they would always have each other and a part of Anna right there beside them.

A/N: I think this is going to wrap up the Peyton/mother storyline. I'll make references to what Peyton decides or have a scene here and there, but that's about it. I'm going to focuse more on L/P and B/N/H. I haven't decided on B/N or N/H...so if you have a preference, just let me know...if not, I think I'm leaning towards a B/N.