No Happy Ending or Maybe So

Ch. 16- Father/Daughter Bonding Time

After leaving Peyton's hospital room Lucas had taken a few minutes to collect himself. It was hard for him to hear what Peyton considered to be the truth. He finally felt like he was presentable again, and went back to the waiting room.

"Hey how is she?" Brooke greeted him.

Before he would answer he looked around to see Julie sitting with her little brother and Jamie. They were playing, and it looked like Julie was the boss. He stared at her a little more before he finally answered Brooke, "She's fine, but she's on strict orders to rest so no visitors."

"I told her to rest, but she wouldn't listen to me," Brooke told him. She was somewhat frustrated with her best friend. Peyton had always been stuborn, but Brooke thought things would change now that she had lost Julian. Brooke sighed, "I guess I need to get Julie and Brody home."

"Oh no I'm taking Julie for the night," Lucas told a shocked Brooke. She gave him the what the hell face, and then he decided he needed to explain. "Peyton asked me to bond with my daughter with my night," he said and then looked at Haley, "And she was hoping you would take Brody."

Haley nodded, "Sure we'd love to have the little guy."

Brooke still looked confused, "Does she not think I'm capable of watching her kids?"

Lucas shook his head, "No, she wants you to have sometime alone Brooke. She knows that you are exhausted besides this will be a good time for me to get to know my daughter."

Brooke nodded, "Yeah I guess you are right." She looked over at the three little kids, "Julie, Brody it's time to go." Julie and Brody both ran to their Aunt Brooke. Brody was a lot slower than Julie, but he finally made it to her.

"Where's Mommy?" Julie asked with her hands on her hips.

Brooke bent down on her knees, "Well guys mommy has to stay over night to rest, but she gets to come home tomorrow."

"I want her to come home now," Julie said pouting.

"Well Mini Peyton you are going to have so much fun without your mommy tonight," Brooke said trying to be really excited and cheerful for the little girl.

"How?" Julie said in a tone that reminded all the adults of Peyton.

Brooke smiled, "Because you get to hang out with Uncle Lucas!"

Julie had a look of disatisfaction feel her face, "Yay!" she said sarcastically. Lucas was a little hurt by her remark, but he knew that it was partially his fault that things were the way they were.

He got down on his knees, "Oh come on Julie we're gonna have a lot of fun together just the two of us," Lucas said in excitement.

"Okay fine, but if I get tired can you take me back to Aunt Brooke?" she asked with a dull expression.

"Of course," Lucas stated, but he was hoping that he wouldn't have to. "Alright then I guess it is time for us to hit the road." Lucas stuck out his hand for Julie, but she shook her head no.

"I'm a big girl I don't have to hold your hand," she told him.

"Okay I understand, but I'm not a big boy, and I really need someone to protect me so will you hold my hand and be brave for me?" He told her hoping to get some response other than hate or discomfort.

"Fine but only cause you're a scaredy cat," she told him as she took his hand. They walked off down the hall, and Brooke and Haley watched them.

"Do you think he can handle her?" Haley asked.

"Oh hell no," Brooke said quietly so the boys wouldn't hear her. "She is after all Peyton's daughter." They both smiled although they were both worried about Lucas and how he would handle his daughter for the first time.

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Lucas had buckled Julie into his back seat, and then proceeded to get into the front seat. "I'm supposed to be in a car seat," Julie informed him.

"I know, but you're mommy gave me permission to buckle you into the back seat," Lucas told her. He reminded himself to put car seat on the list of things he needed to get so he would be prepared if he ever had to be responsible for his little girl.

"Okay," she said. She didn't look very happy about the whole situation, but she was four and couldn't do much about it.

"So sweet girl what do you want to do?" Lucas asked looking back at the beautiful blonde girl.

Julie sat there for a moment thinking of things she could trick Lucas into doing. She figured he was trying to get her to like him and knew that he would do anything she asked him to do. She happened to be a very intelligent four year old. "Can we go to the toy store and then to the park to play?"

Lucas thought for a moment and didn't see any harm in doing those things, "Sure," he agreed. "After we do those things would you like to go out for pizza?"

Julie smiled, "Yeah that would be fun."

After he saw her smile he realized that being a father might not be as hard as he thought.

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He had taken her to the toy store and bought her a new barbie, basketball, and bicycle. He knew that Peyton would say that he was trying to buy her love, but he felt like he was doing the right thing. He wanted to do nice things for his daughter, and she had begged for the bicycle with Dora the Explorer on it. She had said that she had wanted one like that for a long time, but her daddy never would get it for her. Julie really knew how to get to Lucas.

After the toy store they went to the park. "This is fun," she said as she threw the basketball to Lucas.

"I'm glad you like it," Lucas said. It was a great feeling to see his little girl so happy.

"I like the park a whole lot. We have a park by our house. Mommy and daddy always take us there," she told him. She then sat down on the blanket Lucas had provided. He could tell something was bothering her.

"Is something wrong sweet girl?" he asked as he sat down beside her.

"I miss my daddy," she said sadly.

Lucas' heart fell a little. He was her father, but he couldn't tell her that. It hurt him more than anyone could ever know that his daughter had grown up without him. He was supposed to be that person in her life that made her happy, but he wasn't. Julian had been that person for her, and he didn't know how he could ever get that back.

"I know sweet girl," Lucas told her rubbing her small back.

"He was special. That's what mommy said. She said he was her hero. He was mine too," Lucas hated hearing her talk about her wonderful father. He was the one that was supposed to be their hero, but he wasnt.

He cleared his throat, "You know it is getting late out here, why don't we go get a pizza?"

"Okay let's go I'll beat you to the car," she said running as fast as she could.

"Whoa wait up speedy I've got to get all of these toys first," Lucas said laughing.

She turned back around, "I guess that means I win."

"Yeah I guess so," he yelled back at her. "What does it mean if you win?" he asked playfully.

"I get ice cream," she smiled, "I love ice cream." She turned back around and headed to the car. Lucas just watched and then finished gathering the things. He had only spent a little time with the little girl, but he already knew that he loved her with all of his heart.

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The day was almost over. Julie and Lucas had finally made it home. She had fallen asleep in the car, and he carried her up to his apartment. He laid her on the bed and covered her up. He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, and then turned the light out. He thought it might be too dark for her so he turned on the small lamp by the window. He didn't want her to be scared. Before he ever left the room though she started screaming for her mommy.

The screams were loud and painful for Lucas. He tried to get her to stop, but she wouldn't listen to reason. She wanted her mommy. She didn't want to be without her mommy. Lucas didn't know what to do. He was very knew to the father role and had no idea how to handle a screaming child. He then realized that Peyton was the only one that could heal the child's aching heart.

"Come on sweet girl I'll take you to mommy," he wrapped the little girl in one of his blankets and headed out the door.

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They arrived at the hospital about eight minutes later. Lucas had driven as fast as he could. He hated hearind his daughter cry for her mother. It took him a few minutes to persuade the nurses to let him back to see Peyton, but after Julie let out a few screams for her mother the nurses gave in.

He knocked on the door and walked in, "Peyton."

She opened her eyes. She was a little groggy from the medicine she had been taking. "Lucas," she wasn't sure if she was dreaming or not. Then she saw Julie and imagined something was wrong. She sat up in the bed like any worried mother would do, "What happened?"

"Mommy," Julie screamed. She kicked Lucas and wanted down. He let her down and she ran to her mommy.

"What did you do to her?" Peyton said harshly.

Lucas went to answer but was interrupted by the sweetest voice he had ever heard, "Uncle Lucas didn't do anything mommy. He is great. We're best friends. I just missed you," Julie smiled at Lucas and hugged her mom.

Peyton smiled. She was relieved to hear her daughter speak those kind words about Lucas. "I missed you too, and I'm glad you're here now," Peyton kissed her daughter.

"I should go," Lucas said.

"No," Julie screamed, "Don't go please Uncle Lucas. There is a couch you can sleep on," Julie told him pointing to the couch.

Lucas looked at Peyton. She nodded her head in agreement with Julie, "You should stay. I'm sure that couch will be comfortable for one night." she smiled at him.

"Okay," he said. He would do anything to be closer to both of them.

He took his place on the couch as he watched Julie and Peyton snuggle up together. It was a beautiful sight to his eyes. After about thirty minutes they were all asleep, and the nurse entered the room to tell them they should leave, but once she saw them all sleeping she couldn't bring herself to ruin a good thing. She just let them sleep.

Thanks for all the reviews from the last chapter. You guys really are awesome. I'm sorry I haven't updated in a few days, but I should be able to update a lot more now that I'm done with school for three and a half weeks.

I was really happy with this chapter and I hope you guys are too.

Please Let Me Know What You Think And If You Have Any Ideas What I Should Do Next.