Hey Guys! I know it has been almost two years since I finished this story and I know you have been waiting those two years for this extra chapter. I am sorry, but here it is. These are the letters that Peyton wrote to everybody before she died. I thought about writing a whole chapter with the characters and these letters, but I was not sure how to work it since the last chapter was 15 years in the future. So, I just decided to write the letters. I hope the turned out okay and I am really sorry for the long wait. This however the finally chapter of this story.
The Letters
Karen
Dear Mom,
Yes, I know you are not my actual mother, but you have been the mother in my life for so many years. I don't feel right calling you anything other than mom. I still remember the first day I walked into your café and asked for a cup of coffee. You smiled at me and told me it was going to stunt my growth, but you gave it to me anyway. That day was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that blossomed from friends to mother and daughter. Thank you for all you have done for me. Thank you for standing beside me through my decisions, for being my mom on my wedding and a grandma to my girls. We are truly lucky to have you in our lives. I know that this has to be very difficult for you. Your children are not suppose to die before you and I know that you have always thought of me as your daughter just as you have with all of Lucas's friends. We are your children mom and I am proud of that. Please remember that you have been a light in my life. I am not sure how I would have made it through the hard times without you. I am sorry I will not be there to help you through the hard times to come. Please take care of my girls and Jake. I know you will, but I had to ask. The girls will need you in the days after I am gone and many times in the following years. And I know that you will always stand beside them just as you have done me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally. I love you, mom. I will always be with you.
Your Daughter,
Peyton
KarenMom,
I wrote this second letter for you. Just a little note of encouragement that I know you might need from time to time. I know I was always the "dark" child, but I can make you laugh when you need it. Remember the good times we had together. The late night talks in the café. The shopping trips when you felt like you were being dragged around by Brooke. The movie nights on the weekends as Jake and Andy groaned because we made them watch a sappy movie or a chick flick. Remember the good times, Mom and know that I am with you. Watch a chick flick for me and make the guys watch it with you. Don't forget the tub of Cookie Dough ice cream though! I will always be with you mom. I love you!
Love,
Peyt
AndyAndy,
I can't even begin to thank you for all that you have done for me though the years. Thank you for being my second dad. You put up with a lot and I know it was never easy. Thank you for always understanding and always being there when I needed someone to go to for advice, fatherly advice. You will never know how much I actually appreciated it. Do me a favor, please, take care of mom for me. I know this is not going to be easy for her. She is losing one of her children and I know she is trying not to let me see how hard this is for her. I can see it though. Take care of her for me. Take care of Jake and the girls also. They love having you as grandpa and I am honored that you would take them as your grandchildren. They are truly lucky to have grandparents like you and mom. Thank you for everything. I love you
Love,
Peyton
HaleyHaley,
My dear friend and sister. I know we didn't start off our relationship as friends, but we have grown to be so much more than that. You have always been the person I can count on when things are going haywire in my life. You have always been my leaning post as I have been yours. I am sorry that I will not be here for you to lean on much longer. I know you have taken the burden since I got sick of taking care of my children and my husband and I thank you for that. Please take care of them when I am gone. I know Jake will do a good job of raise our daughters, but I also know they are going to have the questions that only a woman can answer. Trust me on this one, Dads are never a good person to ask about birth control or a period. I should know. I am glad that they will have you for these types of questions, I wish I had. I know that you will take care of everyone before you take care of yourself. Just remember to give yourself time to grieve also. Thank you for taking care of me. You got me through more years and things than you will ever know. I am proud to call you my sister. I love you Tutor Girl!
Your Sister,
Peyton
NathanNathan,
What can I say about you, boy toy? I have watched you grow from a complete jackass to some one that I admire greatly. I am so proud of you. You have become the man that I always knew you could be. Thank you for always been there for me. I know there were times that you wished you could take away the pain and in some ways you did just that with your hug or encouraging word. I am blessed to have you in my life. In these last few years, I have grown to think of you as a brother. I know sounds weird given our history, but that it is the truth. Take of Haley for me. She is going to be the strong one when I am gone, but she is going to need someone to lean on when she breaks down. Take care of Jake and the girls for me. The girls both love having an uncle in the NBA and they also love the Uncle Nate that they get to see in person. I know one day you will make a wonderful father yourself. Remember Nate, I am always with you. I love you boy toy
Peyton
LucasLucas,
Where do I begin? I am so happy that you came back home to see me. I can not tell how good it was to see your face, your smile, hear you talk and laugh. It has been way too long. I am sorry though that you had to come back for this. When I found out I was not going to be here much longer, I knew that I needed to see you and talk to you one last time. I needed to tell you that I wasn't mad at you anymore. I am sorry that I won't be around for the years to come. I know there is going to be many times when you wish I was here, but I will always be with you in spirit, in the memories we shared. Take care of mom for me. Thank you for sharing her with the rest of us. Take care of Brooke for me and that precious little boy of yours. I always knew you would make a wonderful dad. Don't forget to tell him about me and the times that we shared might want to leave out that whole love triangle thing though. Remember the good times, Luke. Not the bad. You are my brother and I love you.
Your Sister,
Peyton
Brooke
Brooke,
Well, this has to be one of the hardest letters to write next to the girls and Jake's. I know you feel guilty for being away all of those years, but don't. What matters is that you are here now. What matters is that we got to spend time together. I missed you B. Davis and I will always miss you. Remember those good times we had growing up, makeup, gossiping, boys, hours on the phone talking. Remember all of those times and never forget them. Do something for me, go to the mall and shop till you drop. Take one of the girls with you to nag you about their feet hurting or being hungry and think of me. Don't turn my daughters into shopping queens like you! Be there for them, will you, when they have boy problems or Jake is just being an overprotective dad. I love you B. Davis, well B. Scott. You have always been my best friend and my sister. The one I can count on to pick me up when I fall telling me that it could be worse. Thank you for being there in those times. I am not sure I would have made it through my younger years without you. Since it doesn't look like I am going to be around when Jason gets a sibling. I want to name your children. I know, I know, you would like to be able to name at least one of our children, but that is just too bad. If you have a boy name him Charlie, not Charles, but Charlie. You know I loved Charlie and the chocolate factory and if you have a girl name her Emily. That was the name that I had originally picked to name Danielle. I will always be with you, remember that. . I love you
Love forever,
Peyton
JasonJason,
I was just able to hold you for the very first time. I know you will never remember it, but I was able to see you before I was taken from this world. You are such a cute, happy and joyful baby, don't lose that happiness, cuteness or joyfulness. Make sure to make your life what you want it to be. I am sorry I will not be around for you to get to know, but will hear stories. Make sure to listen to the advice of your parents, grandparents, aunt and uncles. That same advice has gotten me through some hard times. And always know that no matter what you do or where you go, you will always have them to support you and love you. I am watching over you too. I love you little boy
Love,
Aunt Peyton
Unborn Niece or NephewTo my unborn Niece or Nephew,
I guess I should introduce myself. I am Peyton, your aunt. I am sorry that I will not be here when you are brought into the world. I am sure that you will hear about me though stories that your parents, aunt, uncles and grandparents tell you. Not all of it is true. Well, I guess most of it is. Even though I will never actually know you, I will always love you. I wanted to leave you a few words. First, love your family. These are some of the greatest people in the world. They love you no matter what you do and they will always stand by you. Second, take chances in life. You never know what may happen. If your parents had not taken a chance on love, you might not be here. And Third, Live life to the fullest. Make sure to make each day worth it. Do things you never thought you would do. I am always looking over you.
Love,
Aunt Peyton