Peyton, knocked rapidly on the door in front of her. She could hear foot steps approaching, and a woman, calling for her to just hold on.

"Peyton, well this is a surprise!" Elie said, stepping back, so Peyton could enter.

"I just needed to talk to you. I've been thinking a lot lately, about some things I just haven't been able to get off my mind. And it's all been driving me crazy. I just had to come see you and get some question answered. I hope you don't mind." Peyton said, following Elie into the living room.

"Oh," Elie sat down on the couch and motioned to the spot next to her.

"No, I think I'm better standing."

"All right. What do you need to know?"

"Are you really in remission?"

"Yes," Peyton was slightly shacking so she didn't notice Elie's hesitation when she answered.

"Why did you come see me?"

"I need to. After going through having cancer, I just could go another day with out meeting you."

"Why did you put me up for adoption?"

"Aw, there is the million dollar question. I was young when I got pregnant with you. I was into a lot of drugs and alcohol. When I found out I was pregnant I got so scared. I had no idea to do, doing anything to a..abort you was never even an option. But, I couldn't keep you, I couldn't even think farther then my next fix most time. Then, I found this adoption agency, that was a really nice set up, and I meet the Sawyers. They wasn't able to have children, and they seemed like such nice people. And I was right. You grow up in a loving home, surrounded by people whom love you, with a lot of friends. It was the best life you could have. I knew if I keep you, and tried to raise you, then I'd be a very bad mother, and you wouldn't be safe, or have a good life. But I thought maybe, if I gave you up and aloud you to be raised by the Sawyers, a good family, where you wouldn't have to worry about anything other then being a kid. Then, maybe in some sad way that would make me a good mother to you, in the only way I could, by not being in your life growing up, and allowing someone else to raise you."

By the time Elie finished, Peyton was crying, and had wrapped her arms around her stomach. "And, my fa..my father? Who is he?"

"Well, honestly I'm not sure. As horrible as that sounds, there are a few different guys that I was seeing at the time, so I'm not sure which one is your father."

Peyton gasped, and stepped back quickly.

"Peyton, I'm sorry.." Before Elie could say anything more, Peyton was running for the door. She quickly jerked it open and ran. She could hear Elie, hollering her name, behind her. But she didn't stop, she was blinded be her tears. Yet she keep running as hard as fast as she could.

When she finally came to a stop, it was only because her lungs felt like they we're going to burst. She feel to her knees and cried heavily into her hands. Her body shock heavily from both her sobs, and the cold air. Being how she had left int the middle of the night, only think about what she needed to do, and forgot her jacket. Though at the moment, she was thinking about the cold, though she could feel it strongly.

She jumped when she felt, denim being draped over her shoulders, and strong arms embrace her.

"Shh, it's all right. It's only me." Chris whispered into her ear. With a strangled gasp, sniff and another sob she buried her face into the front of Chris' shirt, crying heavily into his chest. When, her sobs finally claimed to shacking gasps she made no move to leave Chris' arms. Just leaned more into his chest.

"How, about we go get something to eat? I know where to get the best pizza, in like the all county. And the up side is it's just a few blocks away." Chris offered up, not pushing her on anything evolving Elie.

She sniffed, then nodded into his chest. He pulled himself to his feet, taking Peyton up with him. He stilled her hands when she reach to take his jacket off. "You're freezing. Tell you what you hold onto that one, I've got other ones at Alex's. So I'll use one of them."

"So, are we going back to her house before get the pizza?" she sniffed, as he helped her into it.

"No, I'll get it later. Hey, you know I think that jacket might look better on you anyway." Peyton help the weak smile from spreading her face, as she looped her arm with his, leaned into his side, ad they started walking.

"I just feel so drained right now. Do you mind?"

"Not at all."

"Well, I'll be if it isn't trouble himself. Accompanied by a gorgeous young lady." Said a smiling man in his mid-forties, approaching them as they entered the pizza parlor.

"Hey, Chip. How are you, and Maggie and the kids?" Chris asked smiling as the man embraced him.

"Oh, I'm good, Mag's is great. She's going to be thrilled to see you. Oh, and I have grand kids now. You wouldn't believe. Matt complains says me and Mag's spoils 'em rotten, but that's our right as grandparents. And you are my dear?" He asked turning his attention to Peyton.

"I'm Peyton." She offered as cheerfully as she could.

"Well, Peyton it's quiet nice to meet you. I'm Chip, I own this place. Tell, ya what you guys give me your order, and I'll go place while you get a seat. I believe you're table is available."

"You're chose Peyton." He answered smiling.

"Ham, bell peppers, and extra cheese?" She asked him.

"Sounds good to me. Chip bring the lady, a extra cheese pizza with ham, and bell peppers. While, you come with me." Taking Peyton's hand he lead her to the back of the parlor, to a booth. He slipped into the seat across from her, and motioned to the table. "This was Alex and me's table. We always ate here, at this table." With a smile he motioned down at the table.

Peyton couldn't help the huge real smile that spread across her face at what she saw. There carved into the table was 'Chris Alex' and under Alex's name was '+ Tristan'.

"We did that when we was 15, though after they was married we added the plus."

"And Chip didn't mind?"

"Naw. Hell, his wife adored me and Alex, and later on Tristan. Alex and I use to work here. Chip never said a thing when we did that."

"He seems like a pretty cool guy. Heck, seems to me you had it pretty great here."

"Oh, that I did."

They ate their pizza, while laughing and joking. Chris never asked about how seeing Elie went, he figured if she wanted to talk to him about it, she would. He settled for making her feel comfortable, and getting her to laugh at every chance he got.

By the time they left she couldn't help but smile jubilantly. She didn't even need to lean on him, thought that didn't stop her from looping her arm through his and cling gleefully to him."How about, we swing by Alex's grab on of those other jackets of yours and you can show me alll around this town, which you seem to know so well."

"All right, sounds like a plan."