Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
Peyton woke up disoriented. The room she was in was definitely not her living room. She turned her head and saw Lucas snoring beside her. She smiled slowly, as the previous nights events replayed in her mind. She dropped her head to snuggle into his shoulder when she heard a loud gasp. Her head snapped up and she saw Brooke standing in the doorway.
Correction, not Brooke, Brooke's daughter. Charity was staring at her in utter disbelief. Peyton was sure she had the 'deer in headlights' look on her face. She quickly nudged Lucas to wake him up. He looked at her questioningly and she nodded in Charity's direction. She was not about to start explaining herself to Lucas's daughter. She had her own daughter at home that Peyton was sure was awaiting her own explanation.
"Oh shit." Lucas muttered, finally seeing Charity. Charity gave him a look that plainly said 'drop dead' and whirled around and stalked up the stairs. Peyton bit her lip nervously. This was definitely not good. In fact, the more awake she became, the more she realized how not good this situation was. Brooke's daughter had caught her in bed with Lucas. She was probably already on the phone to Brooke.
"Well that was awkward." Lucas said, getting untangled from Peyton and putting his clothes back on.
"Awkward and absolutely terrible. Lucas, she probably has Brooke on the next flight home!" Peyton exclaimed, throwing her own clothes on.
"I doubt it. Charity and Brooke aren't like you and Lauren. Brooke's never going to win any mother of the year awards, that's for sure." Lucas said dryly. He kissed Peyton lightly on the lips, before heading for the stairs.
"I'm going to talk to her. If you need to call Lauren, go ahead." He told her as he hurried upstairs. Peyton sighed, dreading the conversation to come. Lauren would be livid. Peyton considered telling her she had gone to Jake's after meeting Lucas. In fact, that sounded like a brilliant idea to Peyton just then. She made sure to block the number, just in case Lauren checked the ID and dialed home.
"Hello?" Lauren answered on the first ring. She sounded agitated. Peyton felt sorry for causing Lauren to worry.
"Hey Laur, listen I'm at Jake's house. I'll be home in a little bit okay? I'm sorry for not calling earlier." Peyton lied.
"Try again mother." Lauren replied shortly. Peyton furrowed her brow in confusion. How could Lauren know she was lying?
"I called Jake's this morning when I woke up and found out you hadn't bothered to come home last night. He was interested to know that you were having dinner with Lucas before you no showed. So like I said, try again." Lauren informed her coldly. Peyton's breath caught in her throat. So Jake knew, and if Brooke didn't know yet, she probably would soon. Peyton massaged her forehead, tiredly. This was not how she had wanted them to find out.
"Look, I'll be home in a little while and we'll talk then." Peyton said softly.
"Oh you mean you'll lie to me some more?" Lauren replied sarcastically. Peyton was tired and stressed and she'd had about enough of Lauren's attitude.
"You listen to me Lauren. I may have made some mistakes lately, but I'm only human. I'm still your mother and even though you aren't happy with me right now, you can still speak to me with some respect." Peyton told her frankly.
"I could, if I thought you deserved any." Lauren replied softly before hanging up on Peyton.
Peyton wiped away a tear. All she had wanted was to be with Lucas, for them to be a real family with Lauren. And all she and Lucas had succeeded in doing was hurting everyone around them. She couldn't believe they had been so selfish. She felt the tears she had been fighting, start to fall. She cried for the pain she had caused Jake and Lauren, for the absolute betrayal of Brooke, for herself, or the self she had been before Lucas had come back into her life. Mostly though, she cried for the relationship that she now knew could never be. She glanced up when she heard someone coming down the stairs. Her eyes met Lucas's and he rushed over to her. He tried to pull her into his arms, but she jerked away.
"Peyton, what's wrong?" Lucas asked her. She could tell he didn't understand what was going on.
"We can't do this Luke. We're being selfish." Peyton said stubbornly. She knew he would try to change her mind but she was standing firm.
"What are you talking about? We both want this. We've given up so much, Peyton. We can have this. I spoke with Charity and she agreed not to say anything to Brooke. I'm going to tell her Peyton. I'm not sneaking around this time." Lucas said, fixing her with his gaze.
"You don't get it Lucas. Yes, we want this. What about Lauren and Jenny and Jake and Charity and Brooke? What about what they want?" Peyton asked, counting them off on her fingers.
"Why is what we want so much more important than everyone else we love?" She asked softly.
"I don't know Peyton. Okay? All I know is that I'm not happy with Brooke and you may have been content with Jake, but he's not who you're meant for and you know it. I want to be with you. I'm willing to make sacrifices for that to happen. Charity loves me and she wants me to be happy. Sure, she's not thrilled right now, but she'll come around. Lauren will too. It'll just take time Peyton. Please, just give us some time. " Lucas pleaded.
Peyton nodded slowly. He was right. They did deserve this. They had both given up so much, for so long.