Karen Roe-Scott tied a robe around her petite body and took a seat on the swing of her front porch. It was getting late, well after 11 p.m. Normally she was in bed or at least getting ready for bed by that hour, especially the night before she had to open her café in the morning. But she had been unable to sleep and had instead stepped outside for some fresh summer air. She and that porch swing went way back. In fact, that was what had sold her on that house 18 years before. Lucas had been eight years old and she a hard working 27 year old single mom struggling to make ends meet. Through a small business loan she had been able to realize her dream and open her very own café four months before her only son's second birthday. It had been a struggle at first. Business had been slow and hard. It hadn't been the easiest thing to do, serving a bunch of hungry, grumpy customers with an equally grumpy toddler attached to her hip. But Karen had stuck it out and the power of a dream had eventually paid off. Business had picked up and known as having some of the best food in all the county, had become a small town success. Karen had eventually saved up enough money for a down payment on a house and when she saw the fixer upper with the big, creaking swing located not too far from downtown, she had not been able to resist. With time and effort she had turned it into a cozy little home. Through it all, there had been two constants in her life…Keith and Lucas Scott.

She had known Keith all her life and for as long as she could remember, they had been friends, although Keith seemed to be every one's friend. That was just the kind of guy he was. He was also the big brother of the man she had loved when she was just a young girl. Dan Scott and Karen Roe had been the quintessential cute Ken and Barbie couple of Tree Hill High but no one could have predicted the tragic and unexpected early demise of what some thought would be a life lasting relationship. Dan had created a scandal by impregnating his pretty young girlfriend, further adding to the fiasco by skipping town and conceiving a child with another young woman. The Dan/Karen/Deb triangle had been legend in the small town. Karen and Deb had become friends and so had their respective offspring, Lucas and Nathan. But the happy makeshift family had come to a bitter end when gunshots were fired on a bright, sunny Carolina day.

Keith had always been there. He had helped her with the café and with the house. More importantly, he had been a surrogate father to her child. They had been best friends and for years she had been painfully oblivious to the fact that he had been in love with her the whole time. When she finally did realize it, they had quickly married and resumed a happy, simple and normal life in small town America. The other man in her life had been her son. Lucas was Karen's pride and joy, her greatest accomplishment. She had raised a kind, loyal, intelligent considerate young man. He would always be one of her best friends. He had been through so much and had always been wise beyond his years. Despite the ups and downs, they were a close and loving family who counted their blessings every single day.

"Hey you. What are you doing out here? It's late."

The screen door opened and her husband joined her, giving her a quick peck on the lips before taking a seat on the swing.

"Did I wake you? Sorry, I couldn't sleep."

"I just missed you that's all," he slipped his arm around her. "What's up?"

"Nothing."

"Babe, you know I know you better than that. You're worrying and that's why you can't sleep. About what I don't know but you are worrying. You're always worrying. You worry enough for everyone. Come on. Talk to me. Tell me what's going on."

Karen let out a sigh.

"Peyton came by the café this afternoon."

Keith smiled. He had always been fond of the pretty blonde.

"How is she? I haven't seen her since she came over for dinner last week."

"She's fine…or at least that's what she says. I don't know if I'm convinced."

"Let me guess. She still hasn't heard from our boy."

Karen sadly shook her head.

"I just don't get it. I mean, what is going on? This is so irresponsible and down right rude. It certainly isn't like Lucas. I'm worried, Keith."

"I know," he held her close. "Look, I don't want to jump the gun so fast. Maybe he's just in a rough spot right now. Maybe he just needs time."

"We all have given him time and space…plenty of it. What if something is wrong? What if something terrible has happened? We haven't heard from him in so long."

The panic and sheer emotion bean to rise in her voice.

"Just calm down, Karen. I know that's easier said than done. I'm concerned about how he is doing myself but I think everything is okay. I just think Luke is going through a lot and he is taking a time out to get some stuff figured out. As hard as it is, maybe we should let him."

"I still don't get it. They're such a good couple. Lucas and Peyton were always a good couple. This whole divorce thing…it's so sudden. I know they're adults and technically it isn't our business but I can't help but wonder if they didn't give it enough thought. I mean, they could work it out."

"Lucas and Peyt have good heads on their shoulders, babe. They love each other very much and I'm they have agonized over this split. It was a shock and it's painful for everyone but it is their lives and their decision."

"I know. I'm just worried. You know how I get, Keith. Don't mind me. I worry about everything. I'm a mother, I think it's one of my job descriptions," she quipped. "And poor Peyton. As if the divorce and settling the house isn't enough. Jake asked her to pick up Jenny from dance class the other day and she had her first run in with Brooke."

"Ouch," Keith cringed, remembering the drama of the Lucas/Brooke/Peyton love triangle from ten years before. "How did that one turn out?"

"Not good. Peyton tried to act like everything was okay but Brooke was very cold to her and you can tell it bothers her. With all that's going on…"

"It will be alright. You'll be alright. Luke will be alright. Peyton will be alright. Brooke will be alright. In fact, we'll all be alright."

"You promise?" she asked softly.

He planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

"I promise. Now let's go inside and get some sleep. We both have long, busy days ahead of us. We'll try Lucas again tomorrow evening after work."

Conceding with a nod, Karen went to stand but was distracted by headlights turning down the street and heading in the direction of their house. An unfamiliar dark SUV slowly pulled up to the curb and stopped.

"Who could that be at this hour?"

Instinctively and protectively, Keith positioned himself in front of his wife urging her to stay close to the front door as he went to inspect. The passenger door opened and out stepped a thin and pretty blonde.

"Miss, may I help you?" he asked.

A door slammed and a lone figure emerged from the driver's side.

"You haven't seen me in months and that's all you can say?"

Karen's mouth fell wide open. She'd know that voice anywhere.

"Lucas! Oh my God!"

She ran off the porch pushing past Keith and into the waiting arms of her son.

"Now that's more like it," Lucas joked.

Keith just shook his head.

"Speak of the damned devil. We were just talking about you, boy. Ever heard of answering the telephone?" the two men embraced.

"Sorry. I had some stuff going on. Besides, I thought a visit would be better."

"Well, it's good to see you, son. Welcome home. We're glad to have you back."

Lucas looked around at the place he had grown up.

"It's good to be back."

Karen shook her head, wrapping her slender arm around his waist.

"I don't know whether to hug you to death or strangle you. I have been worried sick."

"Sorry Mom. I didn't mean to worry you. I'm okay."

"You know who else is worried? Your wife."

Lucas visibly tensed.

"Mom…"

"Peyton has been trying to get ahold of you for who knows how long. She's upset and worried and my God, Lucas there is the business of the house."

He squirmed uncomfortably.

"He just got in, Karen," Keith interjected. "Let's go inside, let him get some rest, maybe something to eat. We can talk about all this other stuff later."

"That's fine but you should give Peyton a call. Lucas…"

"Luke," came a small slightly exasperated voice from the ignored woman standing just a few feet away.

He cleared his throat.

"Sorry."

Karen frowned.

"I, I didn't realize you had a friend with you. Everything has been so hectic around here and this is such a surprise. Please forgive me and husband's bad manners. I'm Karen and that's Keith."

"Caylan Hughes."

"Nice to meet you, Caylan," Keith nodded.

Lucas let out a deep breath. It was time for the first of a series of moments of truth. He had been mentally preparing for the moment for days but no amount of preparation could really make him ready for the time at hand.

"Mom, Keith, we have to talk. I, um, I…I have something to tell you guys. I, we have some news."

"What's going on?"

"I've been really busy the last couple of weeks. I needed some major r and r. I took some time off and went to hang out in the Virgin Islands."

Karen's eyes widened.

"The Virign Islands? Really? I had no idea you were going on vacation."

"It was kind of on a whim. Anyway, Caylan went with me. She, um, Caylan and I…well, Mom, Keith, Caylan is very special to me," Lucas pulled her close. "We have been seeing each other."

Karen swallowed hard in sheer disbelief.

"Seeing each other?"

"Yeah," Lucas nervously and reluctantly continued. "I, uh…we…"

A bright grin spread across Caylan's face as she flashed her left hand.

"We're engaged!" she happily announced.

Shining brighter than the moon was a huge pear shaped diamond that practically glistened from her ring finger.

"Engaged?" Keith and Karen repeated in a state of shock.

Lucas turned red.

"Yeah. Um…"

Karen felt her stomach drop. Her knees went weak, her head and heart began to pound as her throat got all dry before it tightened up. She squeezed her husband's hand for support.

"Engaged?" she managed, stating the obvious. "But…but Luke, you're already married."

"Not for long, right babe?" Caylan giddily replied.

"Luke…" Keith began.

"Can we talk about this inside?" Caylan asked, swatting at her bare arms. "There are all kinds of mosquitoes and creepy crawly things flying around out here."

Without further invitation, she headed towards the house.

"Lucas Eugene Scott," Karen tersely whispered through angry pursed lips.

"I know, I know, Mom. Look guys, I'll explain everything I promise."

"I'm exhausted," Caylan called out from ahead. "Baby, which one is our room?"

Keith exhaled. It was going to be a long night and his poor wife looked like she was ready to blow a gasket.

"Our room?" Karen mouthed.

"I'll explain," Lucas sheepishly offered again.

Karen looked at her husband, then her son, then at her soon to be daughter in law despite the fact that she already had a daughter in law.

"You bet your ass you will."