No one in the room said anything. Everyone stared at Dan with either a look of shock or horror on their faces. Finally Lucas broke the silence saying, "Haley I think you need to take Jamie and Lily upstairs. They do not need to be here for this." Haley could see the hatred in his eyes and turned her head to look at Nathan. Nathan only nodded in agreement and gave her a reassuring squeeze on her arm.
"Come on sweetie you have had a long day lets go upstairs and get you out of this tux. Lily why don't you come a play the playstation with Jamie", Haley said softly towards Jamie and Lily. The two walked upstairs, leaving a fuming Lucas to have it out with Dan.
"What the hell do you think you are doing here?", Lucas yelled. "I brought Jamie back. Some brunette had taken him to a hotel. I think Jamie said she was his nanny", Dan said. Nathan cringed and soon was filled with anger at the thought of the bitch Carrie touching his son.
"Oh so Dan you do one honorable thing in your life and that makes everything okay. Does that bring Keith back? Huh? Look around you Dan. In one way or another you have destroyed a piece of everyone of these peoples lives", Lucas said with fire in his eyes.
"I know you don't believe me son, but I have changed. I have paid for my sins", Dan pleaded. "Don't you dare ever call me son, ever!", Lucas screamed, "You have never been my father, and you will never change. You always say you will but you are an evil son of a bitch and nothing can change that."
"Nathan please. I just want to know my grandson", Dan said. "You are never going to be welcome around my house Dan. You will never see Jamie again if I have anything to do with it. Get out know before I do something I might regret", Nathan said coldly. Dan gave everyone a final look, and with shame in his eyes he left.
Lucas stood looking at the door breathing heavily and a look of pure hatred burned into his eyes. Peyton had never seen Lucas like this. She wanted nothing more than to hold him and take his pain away.
Karen went over to Lucas and put her hand on his shoulder. "You did good Luke. Keith would be proud", she said. Lucas tried to give her a small smile, but the pain was too deep. Tears started to form in his eyes and he said, "I can't be here right now. I need to go." Lucas ran out of the door.
Peyton had the urge to run after him, but she knew better. She knew Lucas needed his space. He was like her. When times were hard he always resorted to dealing with things on his own. Brooke put her arm around her best friends arm knowing that she needed comfort right now.
Five days had gone by, and Peyton was going crazy. All she wanted to do was to go and check on Lucas. She had heard from others that he was barely functioning. He hadn't been to a practice since the wedding, and the only time he left the house was to go to the river court. Peyton had tried to keep herself busy with work, but she couldn't get the image of Lucas breaking down at Nathan's out of her mind.
Brooke walked in the house and said, "Boy you will not believe the day I had." "Yeah Brooke", Peyton said obviously oblivious to anything Brooke just said. Brooke gave a small smile and said, "I mean we had a lot of customers coming in for our new spring looks. I had a conference call with Macy's. Oh and I had hot sex with Owen on the rug in the store, while the store was still open."
"That is nice Brooke", Peyton said. Brooke could only laugh. "Wait you did what?", Peyton asked astonished. "You are obviously in a total Lucas daze right now. Babe I love you, but why don't you just go see him?", Brooke asked. Brooke went over and sat down beside Peyton.
"Is it too soon? I mean it has been five days since my ex-boyfriend who I am in love with was left at the alter because his fiancée thought he still loved me. Plus he said I do. When is the right time for the desperate ex-girlfriend to go comfort the broken groom? I mean they don't make rule books for stuff like this", Peyton said.
"Yeah they do and they are called soap operas", Brooke said which made Peyton smile, "There is no rule book for stuff like this. You feel like you need to see him then go see him."
Peyton gave Brooke a hug, "Okay I will…tomorrow. By the way have you heard anything from the adoption lady yet?" "Actually I have a meeting with her tomorrow. I don't know Peyton this just feels right. I am really nervous though", Brooke replied.
"You are going to be the best mom b. davis. You are one of the most loving and caring people I know", Peyton said. Brooke smiled and said, "Plus he or she will have one hell of an aunt, who will only introduce them to best music out there." "Yeah with your fashion sense and my music, this kid already has it made", Peyton said laughing.
Peyton nervously walked up to Lucas' door. She was actually shaking a little. She had already walked up and down to his door like three times. Plus, she had changed her outfit about five times this morning. She had settled on the jeans with the hole in them that he once said he liked and a white tee shirt. She didn't want to give off the vibe that she actually planned what she was wearing for him.
She calmed herself and finally rang the doorbell. She heard no movement around and thought he might be asleep. She could hear the television playing. His car was in the driveway so he must be here she thought.
Peyton came all this way to check up on Lucas and hell if his stubbornness was going to stop her. She went to the side of the porch and started to pull the window up. She knew breaking and entering was wrong, but she was a woman on a mission. She turned around a crawled in the open window that led to the living room. She got herself in and pulled in the basket she brought. She turned around and started screaming. Lucas was standing there with a bat ready to strike at any second.
"God Peyton I am sorry", Lucas said throwing the bat on the ground, "I thought you were Dan. I heard someone coming in the window and I just…" "Lucas no, no, I am sorry. This looks really bad me coming in through the window. Obviously you didn't want any visitors. I have just been really worried about you Lucas. I mean with the wedding, Jamie missing, and then Dan. Plus I heard you haven't been back to work yet", Peyton rambled on.
"Peyton, jeez it is okay. I know you are just worried. I would have answered the door, but I was in the bathroom. You need to learn to have some patience", Lucas said giving her a small smile. "Oh", Peyton said stupidly, "I brought cookies." She tried to give him a smile, but her embarrassment was overwhelming right now.
"No offense Peyton, but you didn't bake them did you?", Lucas asked. "God no Luke. I mean everyone knows how bad my cooking is. Plus you remember how well that turned out last time", Peyton said. They both laughed at the memory of the cookie dough fight in Peyton's kitchen. They looked at each other lost in the past for a moment. Lucas quickly changed the subject and said, "Thanks Peyton it means a lot. Do you want to sit down?"
Peyton nodded and they both moved to the couch. Peyton broke the awkward silence by saying, "Lucas honestly, how are you?" "I am fine Peyton. I have actually never been better", Lucas said lying.
"Lucas Scott I know we haven't been exactly on good terms since we left, but you don't need to lie to me. No offense your place is a wreck, and you look like you haven't showered in a week", Peyton responded. "She won't call me back Peyt. I have tried at least four times a day since the wedding. I have sent her countless emails. Nothing has worked. I don't know what to do", Lucas sighed.
"Lucas she needs time. You can't overwhelm her right now. She left you for a reason. She needs space to sort things out", Peyton said encouragingly. "I just want her back", Lucas said. Peyton put her arm around Lucas. On the inside she was tearing apart, but on the outside she was giving him the best encouraging smile she could think of.
"Lucas when is the last time you have had a decent meal?", Peyton asked. "Um do hot pockets and frozen pizzas count as decent?" Lucas replied. "Well the first thing we are going to do is get a good meal in you. Then we or I mean you can get in the shower, and from the looks of it you need to be in there a long time", Peyton said.
"I thought we went over how awful your cooking is earlier. I think I am safer sticking to the frozen pizzas", Lucas laughed. "I meant I am going to order something. What are you in the mood for deli style or Chinese?" Peyton asked. "Lets do Chinese", replied Lucas. "Alright how about this why don't I order the food and you jump in the shower. By the time you come out the food should be here", Peyton said. Lucas agreed and went to the bathroom.
Three hours later the two were sitting down in front of the tv with empty Chinese boxes around them, both sipping on beers. Lucas was laughing at something Peyton just said. "Are you actually laughing Lucas Scott?", Peyton said smiling. "I think I am, but don't tell anyone just yet", he said giving her a grin back.
"Well it is getting pretty late and I have to get up early tomorrow. I think I am going to go okay? If you need anything give me a call. I will always be here for you Luke", Peyton said. Lucas nodded and Peyton started to leave. "Peyton, thank you", Lucas said, "Oh and don't be a stranger. Tonight was good. I miss the way we use to be as friends you know." Peyton only smiled and said, "I'll be seeing you Luke." She turned around and walked out of his house with the biggest smile on her face. He actually wants to hang out with me she thought. Maybe this friendship thing wasn't going to be that bad at all.
