2013

Atlanta, Georgia

Peyton breathed in and out slowly. Somehow it was different the second time around. Physically, it had been an easier pregnancy carrying one baby instead of two at the same time. That made for an easier delivery, too. She didn't have to be induced weeks early and go through the apprehension that came with a cesarean section. In fact, the day after her projected due date, she had begun experiencing mild contractions. She and Jake and gone to the hospital as soon as her water had broken hours later. Knowing what to expect, they were less nervous but Peyton's nerves were clearly on edge for other reasons.

In a little over a year, everything had changed for the Jagielski family. Tree Hill and North Carolina had always been their home. It was the place where they had planned to raise their children and live happily ever after. But life had been anything but a fairytale for them. Soon they grew to resent the town they had once loved. There were simply too many bad memories. Anna Sawyer's death by automobile accident, little Jenny's death by drowning, Ellie's death by cancer. The couple and their two children needed a change of scenery. If the marriage was ever going to work, if they were ever going to move on and have more children, they'd have to do it far, far away from the very place they had started. So without much ado, they moved to a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia.

It was a new beginning and a nice one at that. For the first time, the couple were free of financial stresses and woes. They moved into a spacious two story home in an upper class neighborhood. They drove nice cars. After years of working full time manual labor jobs and attending school, Jake Jagielski had finally earned his college degree. He accepted a well paying job with plenty of room for advancement while Peyton concentrated on her art. And after a time, they had grown closer. It was reminiscent of the good old days when they had first gotten together. And just when life was falling into place, more good news arrived. Jake and Peyton were expecting another child.

It was a pregnancy most women dreamt about. No nagging morning sickness, fatigue or any of the other normal nuisances often grieved about. Peyton was healthy and so was the baby inside of her. Her anxious and ecstatic husband had been the perfect partner, loyal, loving and supportive. And their families and friends had been thrilled. On the outside Peyton Jagielski wore a beaming, carefree smile but on the inside her tormented and confused heart and soul were anything but. She carried with her child a secret. A painful, worrisome secret that could destroy so many lives forever.

"Mrs. Jagielski, you're doing great", the nurse smiled. "Give us another big push."

"You okay, babe?" Jake asked nervously.

Peyton nodded.

"It's not so bad. The epidural was a miracle. I can't even tell when I'm having a contraction."

"That's a good thing", he grinned, kissing her sweat beaded forehead. "I love you, Peyton. Just a few more pushes."

She nodded and continued to breathe and push.

"Mr. and Mrs. Jagielski, the head is out."

One more push and the tiny, screaming, wet baby emerged.

"Oh my God", Peyton whispered upon hearing the cries of a newborn.

"It's a girl."

They placed the infant on her mother's chest as her parents simply marveled at her.

"She's so perfect", Jake wiped the tears from his eyes.

Peyton touched her little face.

"Does she look like Jen did when she was born?"

Jake kissed their daughter.

"No but she's still beautiful."

The new mother's heart sank with the news as the nurses took the baby away to clean and get her processed in the nursery. After a brief stint in recovery, Peyton was wheeled back to her private room on the maternity ward. As always, her husband was right by her side.

"Jake", she began carefully. "Um, we have to talk. There is something I have to tell you…"

"Me too", he interrupted her. "Listen, Pey. I know things between us haven't always been easy. The road got pretty rough sometimes. We lost a lot and we learned a lot but through it all, we still loved a lot. There were times right after we lost Jenny and Ellie and we weren't getting along and honestly I didn't know if we'd make it or if I even wanted us to. But we did. We did and I am glad. Right now, right here, I love you so much, Peyton. You and those boys and now our little girl are my whole world. Whatever has happened, whatever will happen, I know we can make it through anything. As long as I have you and we have each other and our family, it's going to be okay."

He looked right in her eyes and kissed her. A single tear slid down her cheek.

"Jake, I love you, too. I love you more than you'll ever know."

"What is it that you wanted to tell me?"

She stared at him and no words came.

"Just…just that I am incredibly happy right now. Our family is complete again."

The telephone by the bed rang and Jake answered it.

"Hello?"

"Should we send you a pink cigar or a blue one, Dad?" a giddy Haley asked from the other end of the line.

Jake grinned.

"Pink. It's a girl. Seven pounds, five ounces and she is beautiful and healthy."

"And Peyton?"

Jake winked at his wife.

"Beautiful and healthy…and exhausted."

"Congratulations! Nathan and I are so happy for you both. The Nuggets are playing The Hawks in two weeks so Nathan, Landon and I will see you and Peyton and the boys and the new baby very soon."

"Can't wait."

"Us either. Give Pey and all the kids a big hug and a kiss for us."

Jake smiled as he hung up the phone.

"Nathan and Haley?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Yeah. They will be here in a couple of weeks. Haley sounded really excited."

"You think everything is okay with her and Nathan?"

Jake shrugged.

"She sounded better than she has in a real long time. I don't know. They're supposed to be working it out."

"I hope so."

"Me too but I have a good feeling about it. Nathan and Haley were always meant to be. Just like you and me and Lucas and Brooke. It's destiny, babe. So was our friendship. It's like the six of us are bonded forever. So what if there are fights or disagreements or one of us does something maybe we shouldn't have? It might cause problems at the time but in the end it will never break us apart. We'll always find our way back to one another. Always."

She listened intently as there was a soft knock on the door.

"Hello, hello, hello!"

They heard Brooke's excited voice but they could barely see her small frame for the oversized stuffed teddy bear she was carrying.

"Brooke, you made it", Jake smiled, kissing her cheek as he relieved her of the gift.

"Of course. Like I'd miss this", she hopped right on the bed, hugging Peyton. "Greetings, Friend. You look amazing for just going through six hours of labor."

Peyton bit her lip and tried to smile.

"I feel pretty amazing, too."

"Boy or girl?"

"Girl."

"Yes! I knew it."

"She's something else", Jake shook his head as the door opened again.

In walked Lucas. He shook Jake's hand.

"I guess congratulations are in order."

"Yeah. Thanks. And thanks for coming."

"It's a little girl, Luke", Brooke informed her husband who just nodded. "Did you guys pick out a name yet?"

Jake and Peyton looked at each other.

"Dominique Anna Elizabeth Jagielski. We're going to call her Minnie."

Jake was in his own world of excited new father bliss while Brooke was happy for her best friends. Neither seemed to notice the uncomfortable look on the new mother's face or the way Lucas had been staring at her since he had entered the room.

"When do we get to see her?" Brooke squealed. "I can't wait."

"I'll go down to the nursery and bring her in. Then I'll go and get the boys from the sitter. Micah and Mason should meet their baby sister."

"I'll go with you."

Brooke stood and merrily followed Jake out the door and down the hall, pausing to give a non responsive Lucas a quick kiss. Then they were alone.

"What are you doing here?" Peyton finally asked after a few awkward seconds of silence.

"Brooke insisted on coming. I couldn't keep her away."

"This isn't right. You shouldn't be here."

Lucas walked over to the bed.

"Should I be? You tell me, Peyton."

She looked away, fighting back tears.

"Don't. Don't do this. Not here, not right now."

"We have to talk about this", he reached for her arm.

"Talk about what? Dammitt, Lucas, there is nothing to talk about. Besides, it's over between us. It's been over for months."

"Has it? Has it really ever been over between us, Pey?"

"You are married to Brooke, one of my best friends, and you love her. I am married, to Jake, one of your best friends and I love him. We have a family together. I can't just walk away from all that."

Lucas shook his head.

"You walked away from your family a long time ago, Peyton. The sad part is, you don't even know it."

"Please leave", she advised sternly.

"No. Not until we…"

She jerked away from his grip, tears falling down her face just as Jake and Brooke entered the room wheeling in little Minnie. Both quickly regained their composure.

"Hey, you", Jake cooed as he gingerly lifted the child. "You have visitors, Baby Girl. It's your Uncle Luke and Aunt Brooke. Minnie, open your eyes for Daddy."

The baby did as soon as Lucas walked over. Her eyes were a distinct shade of blue.

"She is so pretty", Brooke played with the baby's tiny fingers. "She looks a lot like Landon did when he was born, don't you think, babe?"

"I don't know", Lucas shrugged.

"Well, I'm going to relieve the sitter and bring the twins over", Jake announced.

"I'll ride with you", Brooke volunteered. "Broody, you coming?"

He never took his eyes off Peyton.

"Nah. I'm good."

"Okay. Suit yourself. We'll be right back."

And then they were alone again, except for the child. Lucas walked over to the bassinette.

"Don't", Peyton warned him when he tried to pick her up.

Her pleas were ignored as they fell on deaf ears. Lucas cradled the bay close to his body.

"She's so beautiful", he whispered.

Peyton closed her eyes.

"You can't do this. You have to walk away. You have to leave us alone."

"I can't do that."

"You have to. If you don't, everything will be messed up for everybody. Do you know how many people we will hurt?"

"What about how much I'm gonna hurt if I walk away like you ask me to?"

"I'm begging you…if you love me, Lucas, if you ever loved me at all. If you love her…"

He placed a kiss on Minnie's soft forehead as they took a seat on Peyton's bed. He handed the small bundle over to her tearful mother. Together they sat there in silence for what seemed like forever. Finally Peyton had the courage to look in his blue eyes. Lucas leaned in and gave her a sweet kiss.

"Of course I love you", he whispered.

It was another one of those shared, sacred, special moments meant only for them. But it wasn't…

Down the hall walked a smiling, chatty Jake and Brooke, each holding the hand of a twin. As they rounded the corner, they both peered into the small window on the door. Looking inside, they both saw it. His wife, her husband, a baby in their arms. Had one not known better it looked like the intimate portrait of a happy young couple so in love with each other and their newborn. Neither Jake or Brooke could move. They could only look at each other, their hurt and confusion stunned by silence.

"Mama! Mama!" Micah and Mason broke away when they caught a glimpse of their beloved mother.

Lucas immediately stood and Peyton flinched. Both caught the bewildered stares of their respective spouses. Tension filled the air.

"Luke…" Brooke whispered.

He brushed right past her.

"I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?"

"I need some air. I said I'll be right back."

Brooke cut her eyes over to Peyton whose expression spoke volumes without her mouth ever uttering words. Both looked at Jake who avoided the gazes and instead helped his sons on the bed.

"Come on guys", he sighed. "Meet your new baby sister."