The Bitter Taste

When You Say Nothing

Love is when you miss him even before

he leaves, when you could listen to him talk

all night and never get tired of hearing his voice when the

sound of his name sends chills down your spine and

you see his smile the second you close your eyes.

xxx

"Hey," Eric said as he walked into Peyton's room. Tissues were sprawled onto the floor and Peyton's music was set at a low, dark tone.

Peyton wiped her nose and looked up at Eric," Hey," she said softly. She had been in bed since Brooke had stopped by to visit.

"I know that everything is really screwed up right now," he began, "But I just want you to know that I love you…"

Peyton sighed as her bottom lip quivered, "Eric," she said sternly, "I really, really don't want this…"

"What?" Eric asked as he sat on the edge of Peyton's bed, "I thought we were together?"

Peyton shook her head slightly, "Eric, you are a great, great guy. You might be even too great for me, but the thing is," she stopped and regained her composure, "I don't think I love you as much as you love me."

Eric's jaw dropped; he got up from the bed and started to pace, "So what do you want me to do? Just leave you here and let you have the pregnancy all by yourself?" He questioned, "I don't want this baby to grow up without a father!"

"I don't want this baby!" Peyton exclaimed, "I want to give it up for adoption," she said softly, "I am not ready for this…"

Eric slammed his fist down on Peyton's desk; Peyton jumped out of the bed and leaned against the wall, "Was I ever going to have a say in this?"

"I'm the one that's going to have the baby," Peyton pointed out, "I know this might be selfish and inconsiderate, but we're not ready for a baby!"

Eric stopped pacing and looked at her in disbelief, "Oh so now I get it…I was just a rebound guy?"

"It's not fucking like that and you know that!" Peyton said angrily, "You know what? You should just leave!"

Eric stormed over to Peyton and grabbed her wrist; hard, "Don't think that you can just order me around," he growled, "I'm not Lucas!"

"Exactly," Peyton screamed and then shoved him away.

They both heard a cough from the doorway and saw Lucas standing there; he glared at Eric and grabbed him by the throat, "What the hell are you doing?" Lucas asked angrily as he slammed Eric up against a wall.

"Nothing," Eric choked out and then pushed Lucas away, "I'm out," he said and then glared at Peyton, "I. Am. Out!" He said once more and then left the room.

Peyton flinched as the front door slammed and she finally felt at ease when she heard Eric's wheels squeal out of the driveway. She sat down on her bed and bit her bottom lip, "Good timing," she said sarcastically.

"So what's up?" Lucas asked looking unpleased.

Peyton shrugged and wiped her eyes, "Nothing really, I've been sketching a lot lately…What about you?"

"That's not what I meant Peyton," Lucas said, "What's up with you and Eric?"

Peyton sighed, "Oh…That," she said and then shrugged, "We're just going through some troubles…And I don't think I'm ever going to see him again," she said and then muttered, "And that's not really a bad thing…"

"If you want to talk about anything Peyton," Lucas began, "You know…I'm always here for you."

Peyton nodded, "I know," she said and then teared up, "I'm, uh, pregnant Luke…"

xxx

Brooke walked into her house and walked into the kitchen; she looked around the living room and made a note to herself to call a maid. She smiled to herself as she picked up a pair of Nathan's boxers that were hung over the couch. Blankets, pillows, flowers, and lingerie were everywhere; she picked up the empty wine glasses and put them in the dishwasher.

Her wedding ring sparkled as the sun hit it; Brooke couldn't help but tearfully smile down at her left hand. She was never the commitment type girl while she was in high school, and if anybody would've asked her if she thought she'd get married, Brooke would've said no. Brooke got a soft blanket and laid down on the couch; the last couple of weeks had been fun, but very exhausting.

Nathan walked into the house and saw Brooke sleeping peacefully on the couch; he smiled to himself and sat on the couch so that Brooke's head was resting on his lap. He gently pushed a piece of auburn hair out of his wife's eyes. All Nathan wanted to do was kiss those red lips of hers, but he held back knowing that each of them had had an eventful week.

He looked around the living room and noticed Brooke had cleaned up a bit; he had to chuckle to himself as he recalled the endless nights they had shared after the wedding. Being with Brooke was different than being with Haley; with Haley it was just about that one night of passion they had shared, Haley's first time…And then it was done. With Brooke…It was something so much more than just sharing the experience together. Sure, they had sex before their wedding, but the night of their wedding was such an experience, especially for Nathan.

The connection they shared was more powerful than any connection that Nathan had ever had with any girlfriend. It wasn't just about the sex; it never was about the sex. It was always something more between the two of them.

"Nathan," Brooke sighed in her sleep.

Nathan kissed Brooke softly on the lips and smiled, "I'm right here baby…"

xxx

Lucas looked at Peyton in shock and disbelief, "What?"

"I'm pregnant Luke," Peyton said again.

Lucas put his hands on his head and started to pace the room, "How…How? Oh my fucking god," he sighed, "How did this happen?"

"I don't know Lucas," she began, "I mean, we used a condom we did everything…I don't know what to tell you…"

Lucas sat down beside Peyton and grabbed her hand, "I'm here for you okay?" Peyton nodded slightly, "Just…Let me help you through this."

Peyton went to say something but her phone rang; she rolled her eyes but picked up the phone, "Hello," she said, "Oh my god," Peyton gasped, "Yeah…Okay, I'll be there soon," she said and then hung up. Peyton quickly got her coat on went to go out the door.

"Where are you going?" Lucas asked as he followed her.

Peyton turned towards him and wiped her eyes, "Eric totaled his car…"

xxx

Peyton and Lucas both ran into the hospital; Peyton ran up the desk, "An Eric Washington was put in here at least half an hour ago…"

The nurse looked and Peyton and Lucas and sighed, "He's not in very good shape, but one of you can go in and see him…"

Lucas nodded to Peyton and she gave him a quick hug, "I'll be right out," she said and then walked into the room that the nurse had told her to go into.

Peyton stood beside the hospital bed and looked down at Eric' bruised face, "Hey," she said softly as she gently stroked his cheek, "Look…I know that everything that's gone on between us has been pretty fucked up, but I want you to know that I care about you…I just…I don't love you."

Eric opened his eyes slightly and looked up at Peyton, "I'm sorry," he said softly.

"Shh," Peyton said with a comforting smile, "It's okay…I forgive you…"

Eric closed his eyes, "I know you love him," he said and then coughed, "I know you love Lucas…"

"I'm sorry for everything Eric," Peyton tearfully began, "I never meant to hurt you or anything."

Eric opened his eyes and smiled slightly, "I'm lucky I met you Peyton," he said truthfully, "Goodbye…"

"What?" Peyton said frantically, "What do you mean goodbye?"

Eric's eyes watered and he looked over to his heart monitor, "I'm dying Peyton," he said and then closed his eyes.

His heart monitor beeped and tears came down Peyton's face, "Eric," she said, "Eric," she said louder, "Nurse! Nurse!"

The nurse came running in and checked Eric's pulse; the doctor came in and also checked Eric's pulse. He looked at the nurse and shook his head, "I'm sorry," he said to Peyton, "He's dead."

Peyton walked out of the room; everything around her seemed to be going in slow motion. Lucas looked at her and he knew…He knew that Eric was gone. Peyton fell into Lucas's arms and cried. Lucas kissed the top of Peyton's forehead and rocked her in his arms.

xxx

Brooke and Peyton sat on the beach together; the only noise was the crashing of the waves. Brooke didn't know what to say to her best friend; the father of Peyton's baby was dead.

"I can't believe he's gone," Peyton said as she looked down at the sand, "I mean, I was just talking to him a couple of hours ago…And now…Now he's gone."

Brooke put her arm around Peyton, "I'm so sorry P. Sawyer," she said sincerely.

"It seems like nothing has been going good for me lately," Peyton said as she wiped her nose.

Brooke frowned and pulled her best friend closer to her, "I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better."

"You've done so much for me Brooke," Peyton said thankfully and then kissed her best friend's forehead, "Thank you…"

Brooke smiled, "That's what I'm here for…"

"It's almost two in the morning," Peyton said as she looked at her watch, "You can go up to bed, I need some time to think…"

Brooke looked at her, "Are you sure?" She asked.

"Yeah," Peyton said with a reassuring, but fake smile, "I'm sure…"

Brooke gave Peyton one last hug and got up, "Call me if you need anything," she said.

"Will do," Peyton said and then watched as Brooke left. She sighed and laid on her back looking up at the sky.

Lucas sat down beside Peyton and let out a deep breath, "Hey," he said.

"Thanks for everything," Peyton began, "You've done so much for me, and I didn't deserve any of it."

"Yes you did" Lucas said sincerely and then cleared his Peyton, "Look Peyton," he began, but was cut off by a figure walking towards them down the beach.

Peyton's eyes got wide, "Jake," she said in almost a whisper. As Jake got closer Peyton shot up and jumped into his arms, "Jake," she said once more.

Lucas got up and dusted himself off; he looked at Peyton once more and then walked away. Jake looked at Peyton and they kissed passionately; he smiled and so did she, "I heard about everything…"

"Did Brooke call you?" Peyton asked and Jake smiled and nodded, "I'm glad she did…"

Jake kissed Peyton's cheek and sighed, "I am too…"

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