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Lucas drove aimlessly around town. It was stange, but he had felt relieved when Peyton had said he was Lauren's father. At least that meant that Brooke had been wrong for all these years. Peyton hadn't cheated on him.
He sighed wondering why that even still mattered to him. That was a lifetime ago. His daughter's lifetime. Lucas was furious with Peyton for not telling him. Yes he was happy with Brooke and Charity. Well happy with Charity. But he could have been happy with Peyton. He had been happy with Peyton. Until she crushed him. The pain he felt on that day would stay with him always.
"We need to talk." Peyton had said. Luke knew she was nervous. She was twirling a stray curl around her finger.
He sat down on his bed beside her.
"What is it?" He asked, his voice full of concern.
"I don't want to be with you anymore. I don't love you. In fact, I'm not sure I really ever did. Maybe it was just fun because it was forbidden." Peyton said without emotion.
At first Lucas thought she was kidding, but the longer they sat in silence the more he realized she was serious.
"What the hell? Where did this come from? I know you love me Peyton, I see it in your eyes every day. Why are you doing this?" He had cried out as he jumped up from the bed. He was pacing the length of his room in about two strides. He felt like punching the wall.
"I'm sorry Lucas. it's the truth. I've known for awhile now. I just didn't know how to tell you." She finished coldly.
"Get out. Just get out of my house. I don't even want to look at you!" He had screamed.
She had calmly walked out of the room and out of his life. He had ran straight into Brooke's arms. Brooke wound up pregnant and while they were in Raleigh he had asked her to marry him.
"If only I had known the truth Peyton." He muttered under his breath.
When he pulled up at the River court he saw that someone else had beaten him to his favorite thinking spot.
"Lauren." He said in greeting as he plopped down beside her on the picnic table. She wiped her eyes and took a long look at Lucas before speaking.
"She didn't tell you either?" Lauren asked flatly. Luke shook his head no. For a long time they both just sat, watching the river flow, each lost in thought. Finally Luke glanced at his watch. He was sure Brooke was furious by now. He'd left his phone at the café. He was sure she'd left more than a few messages.
"C'mon, I'll give you a ride home. I bet your mom is getting worried." He offered Lauren as he held his hand out to help her down. Lauren hopped down, shaking her head.
"I'm not going back there right now, but you could take me to Jenny's." Lauren said as the walked to Lucas's car. Luke started to shake his head no when Lauren stopped walking. Luke turned to her.
"Look, I know this just got sprung on you too. I'm sure you didn't wake up this morning and plan to have a daughter dumped in your lap. I've never had a dad and I'm cool with it. Don't feel like you have to be all parental on my account." Lauren said.
"I'm not saying this to be brave or to protect myself from heartbreak. I'm just saying it because its true. I'm glad to know who my father is. I'm really happy that Karen is my grandma, but Jake is my dad. He's been the only dad I've ever known and he's great. So don't feel like you have to step up because you feel sorry for me. I'm good." She added, looking him in the eyes.
Luke could admit that he was intimidated by Lauren, right? Frankly, she scared the hell out of him. Here she was a mini-Peyton and he didn't know how to respond. She was so mature and self-confident. Charity was the total opposite. She was very much a daddy's girl and he could only imagine how crushed she would be if in Lauren's situation and thought she was going to be rejected by her father.
He felt awkward but he pulled her in for a hug anyway. He felt her stiffen and was sure he'd made the wrong move when she finally wrapped her arms around him. He felt her start to sob. They stood there for what felt like hours before she finally let go and pulled back.
"I'm sorry. I feel so stupid for crying. I didn't mean to freak you out or anything." She said wiping her tears.
"I'm used to it. I have a daughter, another daughter actually, about your age. Look, I want to be a part of your life now Lauren. I would have been from day one if your mom had told me. I loved your mother very much. I would have given up everything for you and her and she obviously knew that. So instead she gave up everything for me. Your mom really is amazing Lauren. Don't be too hard on her." Luke said. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and walked her to his car.
"Still want to go to Jenny's?" He asked.
"Yeah, besides her dad is mom's boyfriend, he'll call and let her know I'm okay." Lauren replied.
"Jake you said? Last name wouldn't be Jagelski would it?" Lucas asked in amusement. Looked like he would get to see two old friends today.