Title: The Life You Never Expected
Author: leytonunit930
Disclaimer: If I owned OTH, I'd make sure that Peyton and Lucas were together.
Summary: Peyton and Lucas finally got married and are living their happily ever after ending, or are they? After eleven months of being married, Peyton suddenly leaves Lucas leaving Lucas and the whole OTH gang stunned. Fourteen years later, Peyton meets up with Lucas again and he realizes that she's not alone. (Leyton)
Chapter 2: Breakaway
Peyton ran into her office breathlessly and sitting in her desk would be Michael, her boss.
"Look, Michael, I can explain-"
"Explain what?"
"Um, nothing, actually, I can explain why my desk is so messy."
"It's not messy. Actually Peyton, I'm not here to yell at you. I need you to do something."
"Oh, yeah sure, what is it?"
"There's a young man in my office who is CEO of a major company in North Carolina. They want us to run their ads in our magazine. You're going to have to work with him about what he wants to do and make sure that the terms are okay. You're going to have to go to North Carolina to seal the deal."
"WHAT? Michael, I have a daughter, in case you forgot. Where do you expect I leave my daughter and with whom?"
"She can go with you. It'll be in the summer. He's in my office, and we don't want to keep him waiting do we Peyton?"
"No, we don't Michael. What's his name?"
"I think it's Marcus..no..Wait its Larry, I think."
Peyton followed Michael out of the room. She got a feeling in her stomach, similar to the butterflies. She knew that this job she was doing might even lead to that promotion she had her eye on. North Carolina, she thought. Tree Hill, maybe I could even take Emily down there this summer; just so she could see where I grew up. She straightened her skirt, and fixed her hair; it was always a good impression if you looked good.
"He's in there Peyton. Oh, and Peyton, this deal is huge and could even lead to that promotion, you've been eyeing."
Ha, she thought, I was right.
"Just make him feel at home. Take him wherever he wants to go. This deal could do wonders for the company."
No pressure, Peyton thought.
Peyton opened the door to the office. "Hi, I'm-"
"Hello Peyton." Lucas swiveled the chair to face her. "What do you think that I don't remember who you are? Of course I do."
"What are you doing here?"
"Looks like we'll be working together for a few months, doesn't it?"
"No way."
"Yeah, that's what I thought your reaction would be. What are you going to do Peyton? Run away again?"
Before Peyton could respond to his comment, Michael walked in.
"Well, Lucas meet Peyton. Peyton, Lucas."
"Oh, well Michael; I already know who she is."
"Oh wonderful. Peyton, are you okay?"
"Yeah."
"Well, Peyton why don't you take Mr. Scott here to lunch?"
"Lunch? Oh yeah. Let's go. I'll meet you outside I just have to get my bag."
"Oh, that's okay Peyton, I can go with you."
"Sure."
Why is he here? In New York, in my office, Peyton thought. This can't be happening. It's been what fourteen years. As if it was a sign, her office phone started to ring.
"Hello, Peyton Sawyer, chief editor," Peyton stuttered.
"Mom, are you okay?"
"Oh, hi honey. What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing. You told me to call when I got to school."
"Oh, yes I did, didn't I? Are you okay?"
"Yes, mother. However the question is, are you okay?"
"Yes, just a little stressed," Peyton said while sneaking a glance at Lucas.
Lucas's cell phone decided to ring at the same time.
"Hello."
"Luke! You forgot to call me."
"Sorry Brooke. Just a little busy."
As soon as he said the word: Brooke, all the blood drained from Peyton's face.
"Do you mind if I take my call outside your office?"
"Not at all."
Lucas left and as soon as he did Peyton began talking again, "Oh dear god."
"Mom, what's wrong? Who was that?"
"That was your father, that's all"
"WHAT?"
"Yes, he decided to show up."
"WHY?"
"He's evidently my new business partner-"
"WHY?"
"I'm not quite sure, Em. I just met the guy."
"WHY?"
"Huh?"
"MOM, WHY DID HE DECIDE JUST TO SHOW UP ALL OF A SUDDEN? AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS?"
"I don't know, Em. I'm just as confused. I'm freaking out here. Am I fat?"
"What kind of question is that? Mom, you're not fat, and you don't look old."
"What do I do?"
"You're the mother here."
"Oh yeah. Look, Em, I don't want you to worry about me. I'll figure this out. Just promise me you'll pay attention in school." Peyton hung up the phone and ran her hands over her face and got her bag and walked out of her office. Thinking, she ran into Rachel Gatina, an old Tree Hill classmate.
"Rachel, do you know who's here?"
"Yeah, that new CEO associate person you have to work with. Oh my god! Is he ugly? If he's ugly I pity you so-"
"It's Lucas."
"Oh dear god! Lucas Scott. The one who married and have a kid with that he doesn't know about."
"RACHEL! Lower your voice. What if he hears you?"
"Oh well. Where is he?"
"Talking on the phone with Brooke Davis."
"Ewwww. I hate her. They're dating. Backstabber."
"Nearly all the blood drained from my face."
"Oh wow! He really is a jerk. I can't believe Brooke did that. What happened?"
"He picked up the phone and was like, hey Brooke, can't talk, kinda busy AND THEN DO YOU KNOW WHAT HE DID?"
"No? I'm not sure I want to know."
"He asked if he could take the call outside."
"Ugh, they're together. I'm sorry Peyton. Did you call Emily?"
"Yeah, I did. We basically were freaking out. Why is he here? He can't be here. If he finds out that I gave birth to Emily and we have a kid, he'll try to take her away from me. I can't afford that. It's always been Emily and me against the world. I can't lose her, Rach."
"You won't. There's no judge that will award him custody. We'll figure something out. Maybe he won't do that, maybe he'll still have a heart."
Lucas walked back into the hallway and both girls became silent. Lucas looked basically the same except instead of that spiky hair cut; he had a more mature hair do. His blue eyes as deep as they were before. Peyton felt like he still could read her just like he had been able to before.
"Are you ready to go Peyton? Oh, hi Rachel."
"Lucas. How long are you going to be in town for?"
"Two or three months, at the very least," Lucas replied with a smirk looking at Peyton. He started walking out the door.
Rachel whispered in Peyton's ear, "Paybacks a B!"
Peyton groaned and banged her head on the wall and ran after Lucas.
In Peyton's car
"So Peyton, how's the last fourteen years been?"
"Must you ask, Lucas? How's my ex best friend?"
"Great, she actually just called."
"Goodie, tell here I said hi."
"You know what I don't get Peyton. I don't understand how you left me when you hated when people left you."
"Great just change topics on me. I had reasons Lucas."
"Fine, Peyton, be that way. You know what; I wished I never married you. After you left, I couldn't stand it, I did everything for you, and that's how you repay me. Did OUR MARRIAGE NOT MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?"
"DID YOU EVER TRY TO FIND ME? AFTER WE GOT MARRIED AND YOU GOT THAT BASKETBALL OFFER, DID YOU EVER TALK TO ME ANYMORE?"
Lucas was silent and he just stared at her.
"I didn't want to leave you. I didn't do it to hurt you, I couldn't stand it anymore. All the nights alone, all my insecurities, all my fears, everything Lucas. You never were there. You promised you would be there, but you never were."
"PEYTON, STOP THE CAR! We have to talk."
"Its too late Lucas, you're about fourteen years too late."
During lunch, they made small chat, but never looked at each other straight in the eye. He felt terrible after witnessing her in the car. She looked so hurt and betrayed by him. He hated seeing her cry. All the nights alone, all my insecurities, all my fears, everything Lucas; you were never there, rang through his head.
Peyton asked for the check and she and Lucas attempted to actually have a conversation while waiting for it.
"So Lucas how's your mom?"
"Good, she opened up another café."
"That's good for her. Do you work for Dan?"
"No, I work in the city for an advertising company."
Peyton smiled, but Lucas knew it wasn't a sincere smile. She merely was there because she had to, because it was her job.
"New York's nice."
The bell in the restaurant rang as another person came in. It just happened to be Colby, Peyton's assistant picking up lunch for the other people in the office.
"Oh hi Peyton."
"Hey Colby. Oh yeah, Colby this is Lucas Scott the CEO from North Carolina. Lucas this is Colby Stewart, my office assistant."
Lucas excused himself and went to the restroom while Colby took his seat.
"Oh my god! Is that him?"
"If by him, you mean Emily's dad, you're right."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't really know, Colby. I don't really know."
After dropping Lucas off at his hotel and making arrangements about dinner, she headed home to her flat. 3 o'clock, she thought. Ellie should be bringing Emily home. Putting her key in the door, she heard laughter. Walking in, she saw Emily and Ellie laughing at something on TV.
"Hey Em, hey Ellie."
"MOM!" Emily hugged her mom. "Are you okay? You look tired."
"I am exhausted, and emotionally drained. It was like being punched in the face. But how was your day. Your head feels warm, are you sick?"
"A little."
"I'm going to cancel my dinner plans." Emily arched her eyebrows, just like her mother had done at the same age. "Business dinner, ugh."
"You don't have to cancel Mom."
"No way, Emily, don't even try."
Peyton called Lucas and left a message. Within five minutes, her phone rang again.
"Hello?"
"Hey Peyton, I got your message. I'm sorry that it conflicts with your schedule. However, I have to submit these papers back to Tree Hill, and I need you to read them."
"Oh, can you fax them?"
"I would, but it has to be on the original document." Peyton didn't know what to do.
"Um, how about you meet me here at the hotel?" She didn't want Ellie to have to stay because Ellie was going to meet some of her old friends.
"Lucas, I kinda have to be home."
"How about, I go to your house, it won't take a while, I promise. I can get a cab."
"Um…Can you hold on?"
"Yeah." She was on speakerphone so both Ellie and Emily heard. Ellie motioned that she could stay, but Peyton would feel too guilty; she knew how excited Ellie was. Emily looked at her mom sympathetically. Peyton knew she had to face her fears and she said, "Sure. That would be okay, if it isn't a problem with you."
"Its fine, I'll be there in about 20 minutes. See ya."
"Bye." And with that, Peyton hung up; Emily moved over and wrapped her arms around her mother, her best friend.
"I love you mom." Four words, but they meant the world to Peyton. It showed her that Emily and she were going to face this together.