A/N: I meant to get this up way sooner, but the season/series finale of Life Unexpected got in the way. All I have to say though is that Life Unexpected was freaking awesome whether or not they get picked up for season 3 even though it looks like it won't considering the two year flash forward to Lux's graduation…Awesome, I won't give any details.
Anyway, here is the next chapter…Enjoy!
Chapter Nineteen: Surprise
Peyton smiles brightly when she walks into her daughter's hospital room. It had been a few weeks since Grace had opened her eyes and all of Peyton's time was with her daughter. She even got a lot of things done as well. She and Grace planned her entire wedding so everything was set in stone. They just had to wait a few months for it to actually happen.
"When can I go home?" is the first thing that Peyton hears as she steps into her daughter's room.
"The doctor said tomorrow and you know it," Peyton comments as she takes a seat next to her daughter's bed.
"I know that mom. I was just wondering if I can go home early is all."
Peyton ignores her daughter's comment.
"Have you talked to the therapist that they sent in here?"
After the shooting, Grace's doctor suggested that Grace talk to someone to help with her healing process because she wasn't hurt just physically, but emotionally as well.
Grace nods her head.
"Yeah, I did, but I don't need to see anybody anymore. I knew the shooter, he didn't kill anybody and now he's dead. I'm not going to dwell on it because I have everything I want right here. I've got you and dad and Sam and Brooke, Derek and Bradley. I've got people."
"I'm glad," Peyton comments, "How is Bradley doing?"
"He left earlier this morning. He actually got released unlike me."
"I'm glad he's doing well. I think he's good for you."
Grace just smirks. "Dad doesn't think so though."
"He'll come around sweetie, just wait."
"Yeah, we'll see."
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
Brooke walks into her daughter's room to see her lying on her bed looking at the ceiling. She had been doing that a lot lately and Sam hasn't been talking. It worried Brooke to no end.
"Honey, are you okay?"
"Yeah mom, I'm fine."
"I don't think you are."
"Yeah, well, whatever."
Brooke takes a seat on her daughter's bed when Sam sits up.
"I couldn't do anything," Sam starts. "I couldn't do anything to stop him. I couldn't save my best friend."
"Sam, Grace is okay. Peyton says she is being released tomorrow."
"It doesn't change the fact that she was shot and I did nothing to save her or protect her."
"Baby, come here," Brooke says as she opens her arms for her daughter.
"I didn't do anything for her," Sam cries out as tears start to fall.
Brooke couldn't do anything except rock her daughter in her arms.
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
"How is my grandchild?" Karen asks as she sets her coffee down on the table.
"She's doing great ma. It was touch and go for awhile, but Grace pulled through it," Lucas says with a tight smile.
"It wasn't your fault son," Karen states with a calming voice. "Your daughter is just fine."
Lucas puts his head in her hands.
"I'm just tired of people shooting my damn family. I almost lost my daughter like I lost Keith. I don't think I can handle that again mom. I really can't."
~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~/~~~
"Mom, can I ask you a question?"
Peyton looks up from her book and nods her head.
"Sure sweetie."
"Do you believe in ghosts or spirits?"
Peyton bites the bottom of her lip and eventually nods her head.
"I have these moments where I feel like I can sense my mom around me, why do you ask?"
Grace shrugs her shoulders carefully.
"I think I have those moments as well."
Peyton smiles slightly and places her book on the table.
"So, tell me about Bradley."
Grace blushes and rolls her eyes.
"There's really nothing to tell I mean our first date and we both get shot. I don't know how to top the next one."
"So, there is going to be a next one?"
Grace smiles.
"Yeah, he came to see me this morning and told me that he wanted to take me out on a proper date, one that didn't involve a shooting or a school dance. I like him mom."
"I'm glad that you do. I just want you to be careful with your heart because it can break easily."
"Have you had many broken hearts mom?"
"Just your dad, but I broke his heart first."
"Speaking of dad, are you sure all the wedding plans are intact?"
Peyton nods her head.
"Yes, the location was found. The flowers are in place. Now all I really have to do is get the wedding dresses and the bridesmaids' dresses into place and I have a feeling that Brooke will be the one to do that."
"Well that's great mom. Are you sure you still want me to be your maid of honor?"
"Of course baby," Peyton says with a smile. "I'm just glad that you woke up."
"Are you planning on staying here all night then?"
Peyton nods her head.
"As long as I can, I can't leave you alone."
Grace grabs her mother's hand.
"It's not your fault mom."
"She's right."
Both Grace and Peyton turn their heads to see an older looking man leaning against the wall. Peyton's eyes widen in surprise.
"Dad, what are you doing here?"
Larry Sawyer walks further into the room.
"I came to see my granddaughter. How are you Grace?"
"I'm doing alright."
"You two know each other?" Peyton asks in surprise.
Larry turns his attention to his daughter.
"Yes, she called me, but my question is why didn't you, my daughter, tell me this herself?"