I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and got everything they wished for...I'm still waiting for a little LP loving in the future ;) Anyways thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. This one is a bit long and took me a while to get up, especially since our company left pretty late. But here it is...hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4

She continued to toss and turn, trying to get back to sleep but her mind couldn't stop wondering about everything she had seen that night. Question, doubts and curiosity clouded her mind. She was so troubled by them she had forgotten that Scrooge was visited by three ghosts- she had only seen two so far.

She let out a tired yawn as she made herself comfortable. She was tired and desperately let sleep take over her body. Peyton soon began to drift off until…

"Peyton," a soft angelic voice whispered, "Peyt, wake up honey,"

Her eyes angrily flew open and she groggily moaned. She sat up once again, expecting to face her other self, "I thought you said you were going to leave m….mom?"

The young woman across the room smiled, "Hi honey,"

Peyton ripped the covers off of her and jumped out of be. She ran across the room and into the waiting arms of her mother. They both held on tight as a few tears slipped from both eyes. Peyton took in a deep breath and took in that scent she had desperately tried to find for the past 9 years.

"It's really you, right?" questioned Peyton.

Anna smiled, "Yes,"

"Mom, I miss you so much,"

"I miss you too, Peyt,"

Peyton closed her eyes and held on to her mother tightly, never wanting to let go ever again. She could feel her mother stroking her hair.

"Your curls…" Anna cried.

Peyton laughed and touched the ends of her straightened hair, "I know…I miss them too,"

Anna laughed. "You're still beautiful. You've really grown up," she said as she took another look at her daughter. Then she gave her daughter another hug before reluctantly pulling away, "I know you have a lot of questions, but we don't have much time,"

Peyton nodded sadly, "What is it?"

"Come on," she took her daughter by her hand, "I have to show you something,"

They made their way down the stairs. As they drew closer, Peyton heard the sounds of laughter and running children screaming. She looked at her mother questioningly who continued down the stairs. When Peyton went to sleep that night at Ellie's cottage, she was there with Ellie, Lucas, Haley, Nathan and Rachel.

The sounds of little footsteps neared them and snapped her out of thought. Suddenly, a small little boy, about seven in age appeared from around the corner and scampered up the stairs. Peyton paused as another child, a brunette girl, came chasing after the first boy. Standing in their way, Peyton tried to move out of their way but she was too late. She closed her eyes, anticipating an impact but strangely, she felt nothing.

Her eye peeked open, just in time to see the little girl run right through her. Frozen in place, Peyton began to process what had just happened. Two strange kids had appeared from nowhere and were now running through her.

"Am I dead?" Peyton wondered.

Anna let out a laugh, "No. They just can't see you. Come on, I'll explain,"

As they made their way down the rest of the stairs and to the living room of Ellie's cottage, Anna filled her daughter in, "Ellie left the cottage to you after she passed on. And every Christmas you get everyone together here. This is a part of your future, Peyton. You can see everyone here, but nobody can see you…"

It was strange, but Peyton after the night she had, she understood.

The living room was decorated with Christmas stocking and lights. A decorated Christmas tree stood in the corner by a large window. Carefully wrapped presents were placed neatly under the tree. People were also scattered through out the room, talking and laughing.

Peyton took a closer look at the people in the room. Although they did look older, she could still recognize them. She saw Haley standing beside Nathan who was holding a toddler.

"That's Tyler, he's Nathan and Haley's. Oh and those two kids we saw earlier, Jacob and Mackenzie, are also theirs. And over there are Rachel, Mouth and Skills. Over by the food table are Junk and Fergie,"

"Wait, you know all my friends?"

Anna smiled and nodded. She didn't have to say it aloud but Peyton knew that Anna had been watching over her. A part of Peyton felt good, knowing that her mother had always been with her, but a part of her also cringed at the thought of knowing that her mother knew of something things that she had done.

"There's Jake and Jenny," Anna pointed out by the tree.

Peyton looked and saw a brunette standing closely beside Jake. As the girl turned around Peyton saw a bump around her midsection. She smiled happily for her friend who lovingly put his arm around the girl.

"That's Lauren," Anna introduced Jake's wife, "They got married two years ago and are expecting their first child together in three months,"

"And there, on the couch, is your father," Anna smiled brightly as she stared at her husband.

Larry now had grey hair and had aged quite a bit, but none the less, he looked happy. As Peyton got a better look at her father, who was sitting with Karen and Keith, she noticed that he was holding a baby.

The surprised look on Peyton's face made Anna laugh. "That's Samantha…Nathan and Haley's newborn.

"Oh," Peyton uttered, somewhat disappointed.

"You're father was good with kids, teenagers, on the other hand…" Anna joked.

Peyton continued to scan the large room. She stopped suddenly when she noticed the curly blonde hair of the woman standing in front of the fireplace. It was her, standing next to a dark haired man Peyton didn't recognize.

"That's Barry," Anna said.

Although he was an attractive man, he just didn't seem like Peyton's type. His demeanor seemed to give off a stuck up, high-roller vibe.

"Another one of Brooke's set up," whispered Anna.

Peyton rolled her eyes. Then curiously walked towards the two to listen to their conversation.

"That painting is hideous," Barry commented at the painting hanging over the mantel.

Peyton gave him a dirty look and then drank the rest of her wine as if it were a shot of vodka. She then looked up at the painting and sighed. It was her favorite piece of work – the sun hanging over the horizon. The rich colours of the reds and oranges blended perfectly, the way nature had intended it to be and the way she remembered seeing it on the beach that day.

"I think it's a work of art," said a voice from behind.

Peyton's stomach fluttered when she heard the voice. She and Barry turned around to see Lucas looking up at the painting. She shyly smiled as their eyes met for a brief moment.

"Oh yeah?" Barry huffed, "What's so great about it?"

"Well, just look at the colours. They mix so perfectly and it's as if you're on the beach, watching the sun set…but at the same time, it's not just a sun setting over the ocean," Lucas explained his thoughts, "It's more than that…I mean as the sun sets, it's not just the end of the day…it's the end of a summer –I think the sunset is symbolic for a fading summer,"

Barry thought for a moment, "Well how do you know it's not a sunrise?"

Lucas shrugged, "That's the beauty of art…it means something different to everyone,"

Barry looked back up at the painting. He mumbled something but neither Lucas nor Peyton heard. Lucas's eyes were fixed on her as she mouthed, "Thank you,"

A smile formed on his face as he nodded, "Where'd you find the painting? I really love it,"

Peyton began to blush and was about to answer when they heard Brooke calling his name.

Peyton watched on disappointedly as she watched Brooke briskly usher Lucas away to the other side of the room. She then turned her attention back just in time to see her future self pick up her jacket and head outside with a full glass of wine. Meanwhile, Barry remained standing in front of the painting alone.

"Peyton,"

The invisible blonde looked up to see her mother standing next to Brooke and Lucas. She was waving her daughter over.

Lucas and Brooke were standing off to the side of the room, having what appeared to be an argument. Their voices, however, were kept in a whisper so not to disrupted everyone else's Christmas spirits.

"Well why do you keep setting her up with these losers?" Lucas asked in a hushed tone.

"They're not losers…they're rich,"

"So? Not everything is about money, Brooke. Peyton doesn't care about money. Peyton deserves someone who will treat her with respect and just…just love her,"

"Yeah, so I noticed,"

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Every time I turn around, there she is with you. All she has to do is break a nail and there you are, right beside her,"

"You're being ridiculous," he hissed.

"You know, it's been like this since high school. But it's going to stop now. WE," Brooke pointed to Lucas and then to herself, "are married. You are supposed to be there for me,"

"I am there for you Brooke…Every time YOU break a nail, I'm on the phone with the beauty salon…" Lucas sarcastically said.

Brooke glared at him, "I don't even know why I agreed to marry you," She then turned and walked away from him.

"I don't even know why I asked," Lucas yelled after her as everyone else in the room stopped their conversations and stared at Lucas. But no one seemed to be surprised, however. Lucas and Brooke having arguments was nothing new to them.

"It's time to go," Anna said as she began to lead Peyton back towards the stairs.

Peyton sighed as she followed. She took one last look around the room. Everyone seemed to be happy; Nathan and Haley were back together and had a small family to prove it; Jake had found someone who loved him and Jenny; even Rachel, Fergie, Skills and Mouth were content with their respective dates. But there were three who didn't have a have a bright future in store.

Peyton looked out the front window and saw her future self standing outside alone. Her back was to the house but there wasn't any doubt in Peyton's mind that some tears were shed that night. Then there was Brooke, who had left the room, angry at her husband who was never really there for her - the same husband who was now standing by the large front window and was captivated by something outside.

Peyton bit her lip and was about to follow her mother up the stairs when she noticed something…or rather someone. Standing in the middle of the room was Brooke. Not the future Brooke, who was no longer in the room, but a Brooke who was dressed in pink pajamas and looked very much like the high school Brooke from the present. Peyton couldn't believe her eyes.

She felt her mother nudge her arm. Peyton looked up at her mom. It was time to go. She took a glanced back to where she had seen her brunette friend but she was nowhere to be seen. Peyton shook her head. It wasn't possible…was it?

"Well that didn't seem so bad," Peyton put on a smile as they stood outside the bedroom door.

Her mother cocked an eyebrow and in a stern voice said, "I know that smile Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer. You can't hide everything…especially from your mother,"

Peyton shifted uncomfortably in her place, like a small child who was being scolded, "I just don't know what to do, mom. If Lucas is the one I'm supposed to be with then why is he with Brooke now and in the future?"

"Because you never told him how you really felt," Anna answered, "Ever since I left…you've never let anyone in, Peyt. You were always scared to because you were always scared that they would leave. But what you didn't realize was that there was always one who kept coming back for you,"

The confused teenager looked sullen as she listened to her mother.

"It's time to let him in, Peyton,"

Peyton looked up at her mother with tears in her eyes, "But how do I do that without hurting Brooke?"

Anna smiled at her daughter's unselfishness. That was one thing that never changed in Peyton – her always sacrificing her own happiness for others. "It won't be easy at first. Brooke is just as confused as you are. She just deals with things differently. Brooke is a good friend. She may not always show it, but you always knew she was and she'll prove it,"

A weak smile of hope formed on Peyton's face. "And Lucas…what if he doesn't feel the same? What if all he really is…is just a friend?"

Anna shrugged. There was only so much she could tell her daughter and Anna knew you couldn't force a stubborn Peyton to do anything, "Then at least you'll know…and then you can stop having these crazy conversations in your head," The mother and daughter shared a laugh.

They finally entered the room but Peyton stopped suddenly. Sitting next to the bed in a chair was a sleeping Lucas. She recognized the pajamas he was wearing.

"Are we back in the present?" Peyton asked.

"Yes," her mother smiled as she stood beside Peyton, looking at Lucas. "He's been there all night long, you know,"

"Why?"

"Why don't you ask him when you wake up?" she nudged her daughter, "Come on, let's get you to bed. I have to get going,"

The fact that her mother was only there temporarily hadn't crossed Peyton's mind. Tears began to form in her eyes. She didn't want to say goodbye to her mother. There were still so many questions and conversations Peyton wanted to have with her mom.

"What's wrong, honey?"

"I don't want you to leave me again," Peyton choked out.

Anna walked over to her teenage daughter and pulled her into a hug, "I never left you, Peyt. I've always been watching over you,"

"But it's not the same," Tears flowed down her cheeks, "It's not fair. I need you, mom,"

"Shhh…it's ok,"

"It's not ok. It was never ok…I can't do this again," she cried.

Anna looked down at Peyton. She gently wiped her tears as she softly spoke, "I know. I know it's not fair, but Peyt, honey, that's just the way it is. If I could stay, you know I would…but at least now we get to say goodbye,"

She was reluctant to agree, but Peyton did understand.

"I'm proud of you, Peyt…even though there were some decisions that had me turning in my grave…" her mother lightly hinted at Peyton's experiment with drugs.

"I'm sorry,"

"I know you are… I always knew that you were strong and would make the right choices in the end…I never doubted you. You had it tough growing up, but look at you now…so beautiful, so strong…No matter what you do, I'll always be proud of you Peyton, remember that,"

Peyton nodded, "I will, mom. I love you,"

"I love you too,"

They hugged one last time before Anna tucked Peyton into bed. She pushed the bangs out of Peyton's face like she did when Peyton was little. It was then followed by a kiss on the forehead.

"Goodnight, honey,"

"Goodnight, mom," Peyton choked out.

Anna gave one last smile. Peyton bit on her bottom lip to keep it from quivering as she watched her mom stand up.

"Wait," Peyton said as she grabbed her mom by the hand, "Can you…can you stay with me until I fall asleep?"

With a smile and a nod, Anna sat back down.

"I love you," Peyton said as she closed her eyes, drifting off to sleep.

"I love you, Peyt," Anna placed another kiss on her forehead and then whispered in her ear, "Be happy, Peyton - don't regret the past, you'll only forfeit the future,"

'To regret the past is to forfeit the future' is a Chinese Proverb