Brooke stopped by the next day, just in time for Peyton to change to go to her appointment. Lucas had gone out for groceries and would be back in an hour, so Peyton tried on all three items - two tops and a dress - before he returned. Brooke was laying on the bed, perched on her elbow as she watched Peyton model her newest items of clothing.

"Seriously Brooke, you're saving my life," Peyton said quickly, looking at herself in the mirror in her new empire waist black top with satin detail.

"It's the least I can do. You're giving me a Godchild," she said with a smile. Peyton winced, knowing that she and Lucas hadn't yet talked about the Godparent scenario, and she wasn't sure what the outcome would be.

"Brooke, I can't promise anything. I mean, I don't know what Lucas has to say about any of that. And we have almost 6 months to go," Peyton explained quickly, hoping not to hurt her best friend's feelings.

"It's OK," Brooke said sincerely. "I was joking anyway. Not that I'd say no if you asked me. I just mean I understand the situation. It's kind of hard to compete with his brother and his best friend."

"It's not a competition!" Peyton said with a laugh.

"It could be! Kind of like on Friends with the maid of honour challenge," Brooke said, flashing her dimples.

"Brooke..."

"I know, I know," the brunette conceded. "Oh! I have something else for you."

She reached into a bag and produced what looked like a short black tube top, handing it to Peyton, who looked at her like she was crazy.

"What the hell do you expect me to do with this?" Peyton asked with a raised brow.

"It's called a belly band. You just slip it over your jeans and you can wear them with the buttons or the fly undone, and that will hold them in place. That way you don't have to buy a bunch of new pants," Brooke explained.

"That's genius!"

"I know, right? I wish I'd come up with that," Brooke laughed, watching as Peyton applied a little makeup - waterproof mascara, she noticed. "So today's the big day, huh? First ultrasound."

"Yeah. I know I'm going to lose it," Peyton said with a laugh. "I mean, I think today is just going to make it all real, you know?"

"Um, honey, it's already real. I'm making you maternity tops and you're eating like a horse," Brooke said with a laugh, shrugging her shoulders when her friend looked at her with her mouth agape.

"I just mean that...I mean, hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time is going to be..."

"Scary? Amazing? Beautiful?" Brooke supplied.

"Yeah. Exactly," Peyton said as she fastened her necklace. "OK. I'm ready."

"You look amazing," Brooke said, smiling as she looked at her best friend in one of her creations. "Maybe lip gloss. Pink. But light pink, not like, Cyndi Lauper pink."

Peyton had just finished laughing and applying the cosmetic when Lucas walked through the door, stopping in his tracks when he saw his wife. She looked beautiful with her hair pulled into a wavy ponytail and just the perfect amount of makeup.

"Hi," he managed despite his staring. Brooke took note of his attention and sent Peyton a wink.

"I'm gonna go. I expect to see the sonogram photos within two days, or I'm going to hunt you down," Brooke warned as she grabbed her purse and made her way to the door.

"I promise," Peyton laughed.

Once Brooke had left and closed the door behind her, Peyton noticed the smile on Lucas' face as he gazed at her.

"OK, I know I haven't worn real clothes for a couple days..."

"You look amazing," he insisted, walking towards her so he could rest his hands on her hips as he'd always loved to do.

"You can thank Brooke," she said softly. Suddenly she felt like a teenaged girl again, self conscious and nervous in the presence of the boy she liked.

"It has nothing to do with Brooke," he said with a smile. "You're beautiful."

He kissed her, and she let him because she wanted it. She felt his hands move to her face and caress her cheeks like the always did, and she snaked her arms around him before they broke apart.

"Now I need to put more lip gloss on," she complained jokingly.

"I don't understand lip gloss," he said, pulling away from her before he laid on the bed and propped himself up on his elbow.

"What do you mean you don't understand it?" she asked with a laugh.

"I mean, you put it on, right? Trying to make yourselves look all irresistible so we'll want to kiss you. But then you don't actually let us kiss you because it'll mess up your lip gloss. It's totally hypocritical," he explained seriously.

"Have I ever told you that you think too much?" she asked, turning to him before grabbing her jacket. "And that's called a catch-22, babe."

"I hate that you're smarter than me!" he said as he pulled the door closed behind them.

The drive to the doctor's office was mostly silent, with each of them quietly contemplating the significance of this day. This was one of the days they'd always remember - the first time they saw their first child. He knew that when she rested her hand on his on the gearshift, and he looked over at her and smiled, that she'd see just how happy he was.

She changed into a gown while he waited, and then positioned herself on the exam table as they waited for their doctor to come in.

"OK, honestly, this is pretty much the most comfortable way to sit ever," she said with a laugh, resting her head back on the table.

He was just about to respond, but their doctor walked into the room with a pleasant smile, greeting them with handshakes as she took her spot on the stool.

"Mr. and Mrs. Scott, it's great to see you again," Dr. Heymans said. "You're looking great. Just starting to show!"

"Yeah. I've had some trouble finding clothes," Peyton said. It was an understatement that made Lucas smile at her in that way that let her know that he was on to her.

"I've been there. Trust me. I've got three kids, and still, every time you put on that shirt and it doesn't button, you feel like you want to cry," Dr. Heymans said with a laugh, eliciting the same response from the couple before her. "So anything strange? Weird feelings? Any concerns?"

"No. Nothing out of the ordinary. I mean, I think Luke could do without the mood swings," Peyton laughed. "But the morning sickness is gone and I'm eating well."

"Good," the doctor said, pulling the machine she'd need to perform the ultrasound towards her. "I'm sure you know this gel will be cold."

"Yeah," Peyton said, but that didn't stop her from wincing when the substance hit her stomach.

"And Mr. Scott? How are you?" the doctor asked.

"I'm moody and constantly hungry. I think I've gained 5 pounds. And I cried watching CSI the other day," he said, making both women laugh.

"Sympathy," the doctor nodded. "It's completely normal for you to experience some of the things your partner is. And the weight gain is probably because every time she snacks, you do, right?"

Lucas just nodded and laughed as he watched Dr. Heymans place the instrument on Peyton's stomach.

"OK. So it looks like you're at 13 weeks right now, Mrs. Scott." She paused to click a few buttons on her keypad as both Lucas and Peyton waited for her to speak again. "Everything looks great so far. Here is your baby's head. And here....This is your baby's heartbeat."

A soft and rapid thumping echoed throughout the room, and Lucas squeezed Peyton's hand for no other reason than he just had to. He leaned in to kiss her forehead, and she looked up at him, eyes glistening with unshed tears. She noticed his eyes were sparking as well, and she couldn't be sure if he was about to cry, or if he was just happy. He whispered an I love you in her ear, and she heard the break in his voice. He let out a short sigh when she rested her hand on his stubbled cheek.

"So your official due date is June 8," the doctor said happily. "I'll have sonogram photos printed and waiting at reception when you're ready. You can schedule your next ultrasound for around 21 weeks."

"Alright," Peyton nodded, wiping the last of her tears.

"And I'd suggest you put on a little more weight, but there's nothing to be alarmed about right now. The nausea pretty much counteracts how much you were eating, and since you're so tiny - not that I'm bitter," Dr. Heymans laughed, "I'd like to see you bulk up a bit. I assume you've read all about nutrition, but here's some information about healthy fats and all the vitamins you need."

Lucas took the pamphlet from their doctor and thanked her before she congratulated them once again and said she'd see them in a couple months. Dr. Heymans told them to update her with any concerns, and to tell Haley and Nathan she'd see them in a couple weeks for their first sonogram.

Yes, they shared a doctor. Dr. Heymans had been Haley's OB-GYN when she was pregnant with Jamie, and had insisted she was wonderful, explaining to Peyton that she should call her.

"I told you not to cry," Peyton said with a smile as she swung her legs around and set them on the floor.

"Sorry," Lucas said sheepishly. "I just...it's...wow."

"I know," she admitted softly. "I think I would have cried either way. I kind of love you for that reaction." She watched as a wide smile spread on his lips, and kissed him quickly before hopping off the exam table. "Now let's get out of here."

"So, should we go show everyone the sonogram photos?" he asked before she slipped into the bathroom to change.

"Lucas, I finally have something to wear that I love. You are taking me to dinner," she insisted, making him laugh and nod his head.

Who was she to deny her what she wanted? And besides, she looked really damn sexy in that shirt and her favourite pair of jeans.

----

After a lovely dinner at their favourite restaurant, Peyton and Lucas stopped by Nathan and Haley's place, not knowing that Brooke and Skills were there already. They thought it perfect that everyone was in the same place to share the joy of seeing their baby's first photos.

Haley cooed and cried and called the baby cute, which was met with glances from Nathan and Brooke, who questioned how she could tell, and she replied that she just knew. Nathan and Skills offered congratulations, and Brooke teared up as the three women hugged.

They went home around 9:00 after a long day out, and Peyton immediately snuggled into bed with book Lucas had recommended she read. She'd complained days before that she needed a break from pregnancy books, so he'd pulled on of his old favourites off the shelf and handed it to her.

Lucas stayed at his desk and wrote for about an hour and a half, typing away and stealing glances at his wife as she had her nose buried in his old hardcover. When he finally pulled off his jeans and tee shirt and climbed into bed next to her, he grabbed the book he was trying to get through, and the two of them lay in silence.

Every once in a while, she'd pull his attention away to read her favourite lines and passages, and he loved that she did that. When it happened four times in 20 minutes, he had to hide his irritation. But then he noticed her smile as she read, and he had to wonder how he could ever be irritated with her.

"Luke," she said, pulling him once again from the book he'd been trying so hard to focus on.

"Hmm?" he replied, trying to finish the paragraph he'd been reading before turning to her.

"I'd really love some ice cream. Vanilla. The really good kind, you know? When you can see the little brown flecks of the vanilla beans?" she rambled. She looked at him with what she hoped was a really cute and innocent expression.

"And you're asking me to go get it," he stated, closing his book finally and looking at her. If he didn't love her so damn much, he would have groaned at the request.

"No!" she exclaimed. "I just said I wanted some."

She knew he'd go.

He sighed and smiled at her, kissing her forehead before checking the clock. 11:30. He got out of bed and pulled on the clothes he'd taken off only an hour earlier.

"I'll be back in a bit," he said, shooting her one last loving glance before slipping out the door.

He drove his car down the relatively empty streets of his hometown and parked in the lot of the only grocery store he knew to be open at this hour. Meandering down the frozen foods aisle, he picked out the best, most expensive, rich-looking vanilla ice cream and chuckled to himself. She really did have him wrapped around her finger. And he wouldn't have it any other way.

"Well, well," a voice called out.

Lucas turned and tipped his head back, laughing again when he saw his brother walking towards him.

"Ice cream, huh?" he asked, pointing to the carton in Lucas' hands.

"Yup," Lucas said as they walked through the store together.

"Haley sent me for Cool Ranch Doritos," Nathan laughed. They rounded the corner to the pick up the chips, both of them shaking their heads.

"You think these are actually cravings, or just a test to see how much we'll do for them?" Lucas asked. "I mean, it's pretty odd that we're both here at the same time."

"I don't know, Luke. I just know that even when Haley says she's 'not asking' for something, she's still asking," Nathan said with a laugh, using finger quotes to emphasize his point.

"They're probably on the phone with each other right now, talking about us," Lucas laughed.

"Does it really matter?" Nathan asked with a grin. "I mean, I'm pretty much going to do whatever she asks anyway, right?"

They each paid for their respective items, said their goodbyes, and got back in their cars with the promise that they'd try to play ball at the River Court the following day. Lucas had a feeling that when he went back home, Peyton would be fast asleep, so he was surprised to see her still sitting in the same position on their bed. She smiled when he came back in, and he went straight to the kitchen to dole out a bowl of ice cream for her.

"Thank you," she sang, and grinned when he placed the dish in her waiting, outstretched hands.

He slipped out of his jeans once again, hoping she wouldn't send him out for anything else. Settling back onto his side of the bed, he reached for his book and opened to the page he had marked, searching for the sentence he'd last read. A chorus of delighted moans, distracted him even more than her incessant chatter from earlier. But for an entirely different reason.

"Good?" he asked, trying not to show the effects she was having on him.

"So good. Want some?" she asked, holding out her spoon.

He rolled his eyes in dramatic fashion and set down his book again, leaning closer to her, but she recoiled the spoon and put its contents in her own mouth, laughing as she saw the expression on his face.

"You tease!" he said with wide eyes.

She leaned forward and kissed him, immediately pressing their tongues together to share the taste of the cold treat. When she finally pulled away, she wore a devilish smirk.

"That's some good ice cream," he admitted, his voice husky with lust.

"You want some more?" she growled, running her hand along the inside of his thigh.

"Hell yes," he said, lunging at her and making her laugh.

----

Peyton and Lucas spent all of the next morning on the phone with his mother, and her father, and Derek, and then Lily called and wanted to talk to them both. By 1:00, both their ears hurt and when Peyton stifled a yawn, Lucas suggested they take a nap.

She thought it was adorable how caring and gentle and protective he was being. She always knew he'd do anything for her, and he'd told her as much, but now it felt as though he was going above and beyond. He was attentive and seemed to know how she was feeling even before she did. She really did love him more than she ever thought she would, and every time she thought about having his child - their child - she felt like she had to pinch herself to prove it was true.

But the way his hand rest on her stomach when they lay down to sleep proved it all was real. It was all happening. And fast. He must have noticed her breathing speed up as her worries increased.

"What's wrong?" he asked, propping himself up on his elbow and looking down at her as she lay on her side with her back to him.

"We are going to have a baby in less than 6 months," she explained.

"I know," he said, smiling at the thought.

"No, Luke. 6 months. Not even. That isn't much time," she said worriedly. "We don't have anything picked out, no furniture or anything. We haven't talked about a car or a nursery or who his Godparents are going to be..."

"Slow down," he said reassuringly. "We have time to talk about that all. I know you're this hyper-organized business woman, but 6 months is a long time."

"What if we don't get everything done in time?" she asked quietly, showing her vulnerability.

"We will. I promise, OK?" he said with a smile, kissing her temple before laying down again.

She'd just rolled back over and closed her eyes when his phone rang.

"Seriously, Luke? You couldn't turn that thing off?" she asked curtly. "Trying to sleep, here."

"Sorry. It's Nathan. I'll go out there," he said, gesturing to the hallway.

He opened his phone and closed the door at the same time, and Nathan's voice in his ear told him to meet him at the River Court. When Lucas crept back into the bedroom, he sat on the bed looking down at her and told her he was going out for a bit, asked if it was alright with her, and when she smiled and said he didn't need permission, he just laughed and bent down to kiss her again.

Lucas got to the River Court before Nathan did, and pulled the ball from his trunk, making his way to the blacktop where he'd always felt at home. His brother showed up a few minutes later, getting out of his car as Lucas sank a three-pointer.

"Needed to escape?" Lucas Laughed as he saw Nathan approaching.

They both knew that the River Court was their safe place, and over the course of the last couple months, they'd find themselves there, trading stories and assuring each other that they weren't the evil men their wives occasionally made them out to be.

"More like pushed out the door," Nathan explained, smirking despite himself. "I was playing X-Box with Jamie, and she said I was hogging her baby boy."

Lucas laughed again at the situation they were both in.

"What the hell were we thinking getting them both pregnant at the same time?" Lucas asked as he shook his head.

"We weren't," Nathan said seriously, clapping his hands together asking for a pass.

"Apparently not," Lucas added, watching as his brother sank his shot.

"She made me watch The Wedding Date the other night on some crappy women's network," Nathan said after a while, grabbing a bottle of water and downing a bit of it.

"Oh, God. Me too," Lucas said, rolling his eyes in obvious disdain.

"Haley cried. She said she doesn't get why you and I don't make declarations to each other like the girls in the movie," Nathan explained with a furrowed brow, wincing at just how ridiculous his wife's statement was.

"Peyton, too," Lucas laughed. "She begged me to use that line with you the next time I saw you."

"You're my half brother, but I whole love you," they said in unison, laughing as soon as the words were out.

"We could humour them," Nathan offered.

"Dude, all I do is humour her," Lucas laughed.

"Yeah," Nathan said with a nod. "Just think of what it'd be like if you didn't."