AN/ Hello Darling (anyone who watches Little Britain will understand)! I can't say thank you enough to everyone who reviews and helps with my bad grammar. I apologize in advance.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with One Tree Hill or any of the characters associated with the show. The characters you don't recognise are of my imagination. I also don't own Dashboard Confessional or their song The Sharp Hint Of New Tears either.
"Keith, your back… but why?" A confused Karen asked
I laughed and followed her into the kitchen. "I've been away long enough. Aren't you happy to see me?" She quickly put the coffee pot on the counter and hugged me tightly. I have been in and out of Tree Hill for seven years but I was away for a whole year in search of my ex-fiancée and just to get away from everything.
"Of course I am. I've missed you too" It felt good to be hugged by Karen again. I pulled her closer to me for a moment, taking her in before pulling her away and smiling at her. I have missed her and Lucas every day I was away. They are the main reason I came back. They are my family.
"How is Lucas?" I asked. It still annoys me that they are not talking but I hope that in my year of absence they have been able to work things out. Karen let go off me and walked over to coffee pot, obviously stalling.
"He moved to New Jersey to look after Izzie"
"He what?" I replied shocked. Since when did Amy let Lucas look after Izzie? I thought. The last I heard Lucas, Amy and Jack had a fight and he decided to stay away after Izzie got very distraught. I remember how upset he had been for weeks on end.
"Amy has lung cancer and asked Lucas took take care of Izzie so he did. He moved up to New Jersey with her and Peyton but that's all I know" I watched as Karen walked out of the kitchen at the sound of the bell tingling. I followed and came face to face with Dan Scott. I have no idea what has got into the man but the whole "supportive, loving" Dan is just plain weird and I don't believe it for a second.
"Keith!" Dan exclaimed when he noticed me leaning against the counter. He walked over to me with a friendly smile that gave me the creeps and gave me a bear hug.
"Good to see you too, Danny" I said trying to get him off me. He patted my back which reminded me a lot of Dad and let go.
"What can I get you Dan?" Karen asked. I watched Dan turn to Karen and smiled a genuine smile, nothing like the creepy one he flashed me. I see Dan still has a soft spot for Karen I though to myself.
"The usual please" She nodded and walked over to the fridge. "So big brother come talk to me. How have you been?" I sighed and pushed myself off the counter and took a seat beside him.
"I've been good little brother" He nodded and returned his attention to Karen.
"You'll have to come by and see Jamie he is growing up so fast" Dan explained and smiled that creepy smile again. I started to wonder how long it took him to learn how to do it. Karen returned and gave Dan a bottle of Orange Juice.
"Thank you" She smiled at him and walked away again. Dan's eyes never let her and it started to annoy me.
"You had your chance Danny boy" I whispered. He tensed and looked over at me. For a split second I saw the old, selfish Dan Scott in his eyes but it went as quickly as it came and that creepy smile returned.
"Here you go Dan" Karen said placing a take-out bag in front of him. She looked over at me and smiled before turning back to Dan. I smiled back as Dan paid her. She quickly looked over the money and shook her head.
"Every time Dan" She said, giving him back 5. Dan faked being embarrassed and stood up, picking up his drink and bag.
"Well it was nice seeing you Karen" He smiled at Karen then turned to me. "And you Keith. It's good to have you back" I nodded my head at him not believing he meant it at all. "Bye" He turned on his heel and walked over to the door.
"Izzie get up!" I shouted as I left the bathroom. It is her first day back at school and if she doesn't get up right now she will be late. It doesn't help that I have to take her and I have no idea where her school is.
"Izzie!" I heard Peyton shout. My heart leapt and a smile came to my face. I walked over to the stairs to see her standing on the bottom step. She smirked at me when she saw me standing there.
"I'm up!" An annoyed Izzie shouted from her room. I looked away from Peyton to see her walk out of her bedroom slowly, growling at me as she did and walked into the bathroom. I laughed and walked down the stairs, my eyes never leaving Peyton's. When I got to the bottom step we both stared at each other for a second before crashing our lips together. She giggled and pulled me into the Living room.
"Morning" I said in between kisses.
"Morning" I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her closer.
"Couldn't keep away I see" I teased.
"I come to drop Izzie off at school before I go work actually"
"So your not here to see me?" I asked, pretending to be hurt.
"Nope" I started pouting and kissed her neck. "That won't work on me"
"No? How abut this?" I started nibbling on her ear a little, watching her reaction. I laughed when her eyes closed and she bit down on her bottom lip.
"Wouldn't work huh?" I teased taking a step back. She opened her eyes and once she realised what I had done she playfully slapped me. I laughed harder and was about to kiss her when I heard Izzie storm down the stairs. I took a few steps back and tried to hide the smirk I have on my face. Peyton looked over at me and wiped my lip a little. I took hold of hand and pulled her closer to me, placing a soft kiss on her lips before letting go and walking into the kitchen. Izzie stood by the island eating what looks like porridge and mumbled something to me.
"Huh?" She rolled her eyes and swallowed her mouthful.
"Dinner money"
"Oh" I went into my jean pockets in search of the change I had in there yesterday.
"Here. Your Dad isn't on the ball is he?" Peyton teased as she gave Izzie a 5 dollar bill. Izzie smiled at her and pocketed it quickly. I looked over at Peyton and frowned at her playfully. She stuck her tongue out me before looking at the clock.
"We gotta go" She said to Izzie. Izzie nodded and put her bowl in the sink then hugged me goodbye.
"Have a good day at school" I told her. She nodded and let go and walked out of the kitchen leaving me and Peyton alone. I looked over at her with a mischievous grin but she shook her head at me and left.
"Ok you're freaking me out. What are you so happy about?" Izzie asked from her seat at the kitchen table. She has just returned from school.
"What? Can't I be happy?"
"Yeah you can but you've had that giddy smirk on you face since this morning so what's going on?" I turned back to the paper I was reading to try and avoid the question but Izzie continued anyway.
"Oi! Don't avoid me!" I laughed and raised the paper higher so it covered my face. She laughed with me and stood up so she can see my face again. "Fine I give up! I've got stuff to do anyway" She stuck her tongue out at me and left the kitchen. I looked at the clock and got up to get the frozen pizza out of the freezer.
"Frozen! No we gotta make your own!" I looked over at the door to see Peyton standing in the doorway. I smirked at her and turned around fully.
"You want me to make a pizza from scratch?" I asked. She pulled off her coat and dropped it on the chair then walked over to me slowly. I fought with myself to not just jump her here and now.
"Not from scratch like kneading the dough and so on but… look I'll help Ok"
I stood up straight and took a step towards her. "Ok" I lent forward to kiss her but she quickly moved to the right. "That's not nice!" She giggled and kissed my cheek.
"I'll go and get some ingredients" I watched her leave the kitchen, the smile never leaving my face. I looked at the frozen pizza in my hand and put it back in the freezer then searched the fridge for ingredients too.
"We can have a cheese and tomato pizza with bacon, sausage and peppers… or my favourite with pickles or baloney" She announced when she returned. I laughed when I saw her arms full. It looked like she raided her fridge.
"That is wrong!" I exclaimed remembering that she said pickles on her pizza is her favourite.
"Hey, don't knock it till you try it!" I laughed and stayed quiet. "I also found a pizza base which is good but I couldn't find any tomato puree"
"Oh… I can go get some" I volunteered.
"Aww! Your sweet but Amy might have some. We were always making pizza together" She walked over to me and put the ingredients on the counter before searching the cupboards. I looked over the items again and pulled a face at the pickles.
"Ah! Found it!"
"Good. Let's start then" We both walked over to the sink and washed our hands. I flicked her with water a few times which resulted in her soaking me and I had to go and change my shirt. When I returned she had already started to spread the tomato puree on the base.
"Looking good" I complimented over her shoulder. The base is completely covered now.
"Why thank you. The pizza is looking tasty too" I laughed and wrapped my arms around her waist then started to place light kisses on her neck.
"Lucas" She started to complain as she put down the cheese.
"Peyton" I replied. She shook her head at me and turned around. "You know you love it!" Her eyes met mine and chills started to run up and down my spine. She smiled at me as I lent forward. The next thing I know there is cheese in my mouth and Peyton is laughing her head off at me.
"Thanks!" I said eating the huge slice of cheese she put in my mouth.
"Your welcome" She replied as she stood up straight and kissed me lightly. I cupped her cheek and deepened the kiss. Her hands wrapped around my neck and she started to play with the hairs on the back of my neck. The phone rung in the distance but I couldn't care less because I am relishing in the feelings that Peyton brings out of me, the strong connection between us that is telling me that I am falling hard for her.
"D-D-Dad!" We both jumped apart at the desperate cries of Izzie. She entered the room moments later and fell to the floor in a state. Tears streaming down her face as she cried hysterically. We were both at her side in moments and I pulled her into a hug. She sobbed loudly and buried her head in my chest. I held onto her tightly wondering what could possibly make her so upset.
"Omigod Izzie what's wrong?" Peyton asked rubbing her back. She didn't answer she just held onto my polo shirt tighter. Peyton looked at me with fearful eyes and continued to rub her back slowly before she noticed the discarded phone lying by Izzie feet. She looked back at me before picking it up and putting it to her ear gingerly. I regarded her hoping that it would hold the answers to my daughter's distress.
"Hello?" Peyton said. She went silent as she listened to who ever was on the other end but her face suddenly drop and she put her hand over her mouth in shock as tears come to her eyes. My heart thumped faster as her eyes met mine.
"…Amy… passed on" Peyton whispered as she burst out in tears too. It felt like someone smashed something into my chest, winding me instantly because I couldn't quite catch my breath. I watched Peyton for a moment before pulling her into a hug too. She wrapped her arms around my neck and cried on my shoulder and it wasn't long before I broke down in tears too.
AN/ Two updates in one day :O I told you the good times wouldn't last. Next chapter is the funeral and should be up… Monday-ish, hopefully sooner.
Reviews and Suggestions are always welcome
Deanie