The sound of the car pulling in woke Lucas up from his nap. He stirred, finally opening his eyes and stretching his long arms as he yawned. He pried himself away from the couch and slipped his bare feet into his handy pair of flip flops conveniently located nearby. Peeking out the window that provided a view of the backyard, he watched her for a few moments. She lay on her back, trying to soak in as many of the sun's natural rays as possible. Frown on her pretty face, she perched her sunglasses atop her head and reached for more tanning lotion, spreading another even coat over her svelte body. She loosened the straps from her bikini top and rolled onto her stomach. Lucas could have watched her forever but the closing of the car door outside of the front yard, gathered his attention yet again. He poked his head around the corner and smiled.

"What are you doing home so early?" he asked, walking outside.

Karen shrugged.

"It's a beautiful day and business was kind of slow at the café. I didn't feel much like being cooped inside anymore and Lynn said she would close for me. I'll call and check on her later."

"Good deal," he said, noting all the brown paper bags. "Did you leave anything in the grocery store for any of the other customers, Mom?"

Each grabbed two as they began unloading the car and taking things inside the house.

"It was time to restock the house, we were running low on some things."

"Mom, I appreciate it but I already told you not to go through so much trouble for Caylan and me. We're fine. Whatever you and Keith normally eat, we can eat it too."

Karen shot her son a knowing "yeah right" look.

"Your friend, is uh, shall I say a choosy eater."

"Mom, she's my fiancée and she's not that picky."

"The coffee? She doesn't like red meat, the chicken must be broiled and God forbid the other day I dared to make homemade lemonade and used tap water."

Lucas took one look at the half smile on her face and chuckled.

"Okay. So she's a little on the fussy side."

Mother and son traveled to the kitchen and began putting away the groceries.

"I hope tenderloins and garlic potatoes are okay for dinner tonight."

Lucas bit his lip.

"Um, Cay doesn't eat pork."

"Lucas…" she raised one eyebrow, her patience growing thin.

"But she absolutely loved your grilled chicken tips and asparagus the other night. It was great, Mom. You should make that again, if it's not too much trouble."

"Grilled chicken and asparagus it is, then," she sighed.

"Thanks, you're the best," he kissed her forehead.

"I've heard that one before."

"Oh do you have a bottle of white wine? Caylan loves it."

"Caylan can enjoy soda or tea with her meal."

"Mom, come on," he laughed. "You can't be serious."

"Oh yes I am. I never served minors at Tric and I won't do it in my own house either. Now, am I still the best?"

"Actually, you are. Look, I know we haven't talked about everything much but I just wanted to say thanks."

"What for?" Karen stocked the cupboards with canned goods.

"For being so cool about this, about me and Caylan. I know it isn't easy for you and Keith."

"No, Lucas it hasn't been easy for us but we're not the ones I'm worried about."

"What are you saying?"

"Oh sweet boy," Karen stroked his face. "What have you gotten yourself into? What are you doing?"

"Mom, don't start," he closed his eyes. "Please."

"I am concerned. I'm worried."

"Why?"

"Because I'm a mother and that's what we do."

"It's okay."

"Is it?"

"Well, Caylan thinks you and Keith don't like her."

"And what did you say to that?"

"I told her it wasn't true. I told her that I have wonderful, understanding parents who love everyone and even though we might have taken them off guard, they were being positive and dealing with everything."

Karen sighed.

"It's not that we don't like her."

"Good."

"We don't know her."

"Well get to know her. Mom she's right here in your house living here for the rest of the summer. It's a perfect time as any to spend time with your future daughter in law."

"I already have a daughter in law," Karen blurted out.

"Mom!"

"I'm sorry. I, I didn't mean…"

"Is this about Peyton?"

Karen turned and looked at her son.

"Some of it."

"We've been over this already," an exasperated Lucas threw his hands in the air. "Peyton and I split up. Things happen. We were getting the divorce that she wanted."

"Lucas…"

"Mom, people don't always stay together. Yeah, that's the plan but it doesn't always work out like that. I mean, when you were in high school in love with Dan Scott, did you ever imagine things would turn out like they did?"

Karen recoiled at the comment. She had come to terms with her painful past and was enjoying a beautiful life with Keith but Dan Scott and everything about him was still a sore subject.

"No. No, I, I guess I didn't."

Instantly he felt bad. He was annoyed but the last thing he wanted was to hurt her.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It was rude."

"Lucas, I don't want to argue with you or put you on the defensive. You are a grown man more than capable of making your own life decisions. I raised you the best way I could and you turned out to be an intelligent, caring, stand up young man. I am very proud of that. As your mother, I won't always understand and agree with every choice you make but I do support you and love you always."

"Thanks. That means a lot."

"Yes, I was sad to see your marriage come to an end. I was there when you first began dating, I was there when you said your vows. At one time you two were very much in love and it's always sad to see something that special not work out. I respect you and Peyton's decision and I respect you moving on but yes I do have some reservations."

"Like?"

"Like I'm afraid you moved on a little too fast. I'm sure the loneliness and pain was unbearable but I want to make sure you're with someone because you want to be, because you really love them, not just because you're afraid to be alone. And proposing right away?"

"It isn't like that. I do love Caylan, I do want to be with her. Did I expect to find love again soon? No way. At times, I didn't think I'd ever love again. Then there she was. She just kind of popped up from nowhere and made everything better. She changed my life, Mom. We want to be together, we want to get married. Giving her a ring just felt right."

"What about her age? She's so young."

"Age is just a number. I'm getting tired of defending it. Besides, six years isn't that big of a difference when you really look at it and she's really mature for her age."

"I have one more question."

"Fire away."

"Why did you bring her here? I mean, did she have to come for the whole summer? This will take getting used to and you knew that. Is flaunting her around for an entire three months, including practically throwing her in your wife's face, really the best move?"

"I'm not throwing Caylan in anyone's face but she is my fiancée. We live together and we're together all the time. There's no way I'd be away from her for that long. Would you go off somewhere without Keith for three months?"

"No but that's different…"

"How so?" he asked.

"Peyton is a good person. When you were with her, she treated you well and it was so clear that you were happy. The same thing with Brooke Davis all those years ago and even Anna Tagarro. I'm sorry, I just don't see that with Caylan."

"What do you see?"

"Honestly? A spoiled, immature brat interested in furthering her career and enjoying all the finer things you can provide for her."

"I can't believe you said that. Mom, that really hurts. And if that's the way you and Keith feel, Cay and I can be packed and out of here tonight."

"That's not what I want."

"You could have fooled me. Now I see what Caylan is talking about. You may feel the way you do and maybe I can't change that but the girl I love has the right to stay somewhere and actually feel comfortable."

"Lucas, you know Keith and I would never do anything to offend Caylan or anyone else. We have gone out of our way to make her feel welcomed in this house and you know that."

He couldn't argue there.

"She's not going anywhere and you and everybody else is just gonna have to start dealing with that. I love her."

"And I love you," Karen stepped closer to him. "All those things I just said, I didn't say them to be mean or pick a fight or hurt your feelings. I said them because you are my only child and I love you more than life itself. Your happiness and well being and peace of mind mean the world to me."

"I am happy, okay? Look, I appreciate the concern but the sooner you and everyone else start realizing it, the better off we'll all be."

"Okay. I got everything off my chest and I will leave it alone. You're an adult."

"Thank you. Now can we please drop this and try to have a nice dinner when Keith gets back from the shop tonight?"

Karen nodded and opened her arms.

"Truce?"

He could never stay mad at her. She was one of his best friends and the best mother anyone could have asked for.

"Truce," he hugged her.

"Just promise me one more thing."

"Mom…"

"Don't rush the wedding. I beg you. You made your statement of commitment with the ring. Enjoy a long engagement but please. Please don't go running off as soon as your divorce is final."

"We're not in a rush, Mom. I know what I'm doing."

"Thank you," she mouthed.

They heard small footsteps coming towards them. Lucas smiled as Caylan approached.

"Hey babe," he pecked her lips.

"Hi. Hi, Karen."

"Hello, Caylan."

"How was your tan?" Lucas asked.

She pouted.

"I look all blotchy. I think I need to lie in a tanning bed."

"I think you look great but maybe tomorrow we can go together."

"Awesome," she grinned, throwing her arms around him. "What's for dinner?"

"Grilled chicken with asparagus tips."

Caylan frowned.

"We just had that…but okay. It was good."

Karen's lips were pursed tonight but her son gave a shrug and a pleading look.

"I was just about to get started," Karen cleared her throat. "Would you like to help, Caylan?"

"Sure," the young blonde volunteered.

"Um, okay. I usually start by marinating the meat. Can you hand me that big bowl over there?"

"That one?"

"Yes, thanks," Karen accepted it. "So… Lucas says you're from South Dakota. What is that like?"

"Oh it really sucks. It's small and there's nothing to do but I did compete in a lot of pageants there. I always wanted to move to New York…"

Lucas smiled as he watched from afar. His mother was making an effort and that was all he could ask for. But he couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling simmering in his gut. It had been the same old argument with family, friends and Peyton when it came to defending his relationship with Caylan but it touched him a little deeper coming from Karen. She'd been pretty blunt with her feelings and it bothered him. For most of his life, her advice had always been sound and a lot of her warnings and predictions had come true. He could only hope and pray she was wrong this time. She had to be.