A/N: I really do appreciate you guys sending me ideas for this story and somehow I will try and use all of them if it fits within my story. This chapter is going to be heavy Lucas and Gracyn based…because AffinityFrequency wants some more of that. Hope I don't disappoint.
Chapter Thirteen: An In Depth Look at Gracyn Scott
It's been a few weeks since the punishment and Grace and Peyton are slowly starting to come around. For Grace it's starting to feel like a family and Lucas and Peyton feel the same way.
Peyton walks into her daughter's room and watches as Grace moves about her room trying to gather up everything for school.
"You know, you probably wouldn't have to rush if you had everything ready last night," Peyton says with a small smirk.
Grace turns around with a sheepish smile.
"Yeah, well, I was kind of busy last night."
Peyton chuckles and walks further into Grace's room. Last night, she, Lucas and Grace sat down and watched a few movies well until one in the morning.
"Sorry about that, but you could have said no. What are you looking for?"
"My English paper for Haley's class. If I don't have it by today I will totally fail."
"Honey, I'm sure Haley wouldn't fail her niece."
"Not on purpose, but this would be a legitimate reason, Peyton."
Peyton walks over to Grace's desk and holds up some papers.
"Found it."
Grace runs over to Peyton and picks up the papers.
"Thank you and now I have to go."
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
Grace walks up to Sam who was waiting by the bike racks for her.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to find my essay."
Sam nods her head with a smile.
"Its okay, Brooke told me to get it all ready last night."
Grace laughs as she and Sam start heading into the school.
"Yeah, well, I chose to do it this morning so it's my own entire fault."
"So, what are we going to do afterschool?"
Grace bites the bottom of her lip.
"Actually I'm going to spend some time with Lucas."
Sam smiles at her best friend.
"That's good Grace. I'm happy for you."
"I'm happy too."
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
"Okay class since time is almost up I want to say thank-you for the insight into your life. I know for some the short essay was hard to write, but I am really proud of you guys. So congrats."
The bell rings and Haley excuses her students except for Grace. It was the end of the day anyway so Grace was waiting for Lucas.
"Grace, you have your father's talent, you know?"
Grace smiles and nods her head.
"I've read some of his books even before I knew who he was. If I can be half as good as that then I accomplished something."
Haley walks over to her niece and takes a seat on a desk in front of Grace.
"I didn't know that you and Sam knew each other way back then."
Grace smiles at a memory of an 8 year old Samantha.
"Yeah, she became my best friend."
"I think you should tell your parents this stuff."
"I plan to. I'm spending the weekend with Lucas. Just father daughter time, apparently I'm going camping."
Haley laughs and nods her head.
"I remember those camping trips. You're going to have a good time."
Lucas walks into Haley's classroom and smiles at his daughter.
"Are you ready to go?"
Grace stands up from her desk and nods her head.
"Yeah."
"Have fun," Haley says with a smile.
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
The day before Lucas and Grace had packed for their trip. Lucas wanted to spend some more time with his daughter and figured getting away from everything was going to be a good idea. He was hoping that Grace would talk more about her life before.
It took them about an hour to where they needed to go and once Lucas parked the car. Grace and Lucas started unpacking everything. After about an hour the tent was set up and everything was great. Grace had switched into a pair of sweats because it was starting to get a little cooler.
Grace took a seat on a log as she watched her father build a fire.
"So, how did you meet Peyton?" Grace asks with interest.
Lucas wipes his hands on his jeans and takes a seat next to his daughter.
"I know of her because we went to the same school, but the first time I talked to her was when I went to fix her car. My uncle Keith had an auto shop and I worked with him afterschool."
Grace nods her head and Lucas continues.
"She was kind of mean. She was dating Nathan at the time."
"She dated your brother?"
Lucas chuckles and nods his head.
"Yeah, after that we just started talking and after she and Nathan broke up we started something. I didn't last for very long, but it was enough for both of us to fall in love. I always wondered why she would just up and leave and now I know."
"It was because of me wasn't it?"
Lucas turns to Grace with a sad look.
"Yeah, it was, but you have to know that we love you Gracyn Scott and nothing will change."
Grace smiles and nods her head.
"I've known Sam since I was 8."
"Wow, I just thought you guys just met."
Grace shakes her head.
"We were placed in the same foster home. They were nice enough. They wore a younger couple who couldn't conceive, so they wanted adoption. Sam and I were going to be sisters. The adoption was started. I was eight and I was happy."
Lucas continues to watch as emotions travel on his daughter's face.
"I remember when someone sat Sam and I down and told us what happened to them. They were in an accident and they didn't make it so Sam and I had to go back to the group home. Sam and I were never placed in the same home again. She met Brooke and I was happy for her because the other homes before her weren't very nice, mine weren't either, but I was still happy for her. I've known Brooke for a few years. Then I met you."
"I'm glad you told me that Grace. I appreciate it."
Grace smiles and leans her head on her father's shoulder. They continued to stare at the fire in silence until they were hungry.
A/N-The banner link is now posted on my profile for those who still haven't seen it.