A/N: I do not own One Tree Hill

Sorry it took so long, enjoy!

Peyton walked into the house that she had called home for the first 19 years of her life; the house that had become home again. Her father had kept it for all these years, it being the last place he saw his late wife alive, but his job still kept him away from it more than it should. She unloaded the groceries into the kitchen where Lucas used to make her breakfast, where they made cookies. She had left New York exactly three weeks ago, but the pain of her husband's indiscretions was no less painful.

Walking into the hallway, she pressed the play button on the answering machine. "You have 4 missed calls" beep "Peyton, hunny, I haven't heard from you today, I just wanted to see how you were feeling…I know the morning sickness has been pretty bad. Call me and let me know how you are, or just come on by the café. Love you." When Peyton first returned to Tree Hill, she hadn't wanted to let anyone know what had happened. She quietly returned to her childhood home, not alerting any of her friends to her return. Karen had been the first to discover her return. Lucas of course had told her of the fight, but not the details of his affair. It had been one of the most embarrassing things for her to hear when Peyton had stated what really happened. She had raised an adulterer. She soon cut her conversations with Lucas to a minimal time, just to make sure he was not injured every now and then, but she didn't really care about his emotional state. She spent her energy making sure her daughter-in-law and grandchild were okay.

Beep "Peyton, call me sometime tonight. It has been a busy day at the shop, but I am trying to get some loose ends tied up so I can get back to Tree Hill sooner. I have missed you so much. I know I tell you that everyday, but it's the truth. Sorry, I am rambling. Anyway, just remember I will be back in Tree Hill soon, and remember to breathe. Tell everyone I said hi. Love you, P." Brooke had been her best friend since she could remember, and during this hard time things did not change. Peyton and Brooke spoke everyday, and anytime Peyton needed to vent. Peyton always perked up knowing that Brooke would be there for her.

Beep. "Ms. Scott, this is Tommy at Thud magazine, about the sketches you submitted last week. Now I know you have done work with us before, and while we are not necessarily sure that the sketches submitted are right for the magazine, we have faith from your previous work that you would make a great addition to our family here at the magazine. We would like to see how you would fit in as our editor of the "Local Talent" section. So just give me a call back whenever you get a chance."

Beep "Peyt, baby" and there it was, the voice that she dreaded most in the world, it could send chills down her spine at the sound, but those chills subsided and pain replaced them the moment he announced his discrepancies. "I know you haven't answered for the last three weeks, I guess I just keeping hoping that I can hear your voice again. That one day I won't sicken you. I know I hurt you, please forgive me." She could hear his voice breaking the same way it had for the last 100 times he had called. She couldn't hold the water in her eyes any longer. He had called every morning, afternoon, and night, everyday since the split. She had sent updates about the baby through Karen, but didn't want any direct contact with Lucas until she was ready. "Peyt, please pick up. I need you." his voice quivering more violently with every additional word. She allowed her body to slump down beside the wall while she buried her face hoping she could push back the tears. The pain of Lucas's betrayal was still too much for her to bear. "I love you…" "Message deleted" and then a pair of strong arms enveloped her trembling, crying form, and she allowed herself to breakdown in the arms.

Almost an hour passed before words were spoken, but the release was much needed and long awaited.

"Nate, thanks for being here."

"I'm always here for you, Sawyer, and so are Haley, and Brooke, and Karen. You are more family to us than he is. Just don't forget that you can count on us. Do you want to talk?"

"Not really, I think I should probably go see Karen, she called and has been worried"

"Okay, well why don't you come home with me, and then you, me, Haley, and Jamie can all head over to the café."

"Sure" Peyton grabbed her jacket, and before they knew it Haley was enveloping her in a hug, much like the one Nathan had just done.

"Hey, Haley, how are you doing today?"

"Good, better than I have been in a while. I wish you could say the same. Did he call again?"

"Yeah, you would think the pain would have disappeared by now, but it still feels like yesterday."

Haley unsure of what she could tell her simply hugged her again. She didn't think it was much, but to Peyton the support of her friends and Karen meant the world to her, and helped her survive each day.

"Aunt Peyton" came from the small boy's mouth who had entered the room when his mother and Peyton were embraced. "I want a hug too." He said before wrapping his short arms around as much of Peyton as he could.

"Jamie that was a big hug for such a small boy."

"I am not that small, I will be 6 next month, and besides I love you this much." He said while spreading his hands as far apart as possible. It was moments like this that made Peyton very excited for the birth of her child. Jamie had a way of making the world seem happy again, like only children can.

"Well, I love you this much" she said mimicking his actions and then wrapping him in another hug.

"Hey, hey, watch the hair." He said smiling in a way reminiscent of a sixteen year old Nathan.

"You have been around your father way too much." Peyton laughed, and the three adults and Jamie headed to Karen's café.

At the café, it had been busy, so Peyton took Jamie to a booth in the corner and began showing him how to draw little trees and people. Spending her time with Jamie was a good way to forget about the rest of the world. Nathan and Haley opted to give them as much time alone together as possible knowing that they could slowly see improvements in Peyton's spirits after each visit and Jamie absolutely adored Peyton, so everything worked out. They proceeded to the counter instead to be greeted by Karen.

"Hey guys, Haley you look well today, are you feeling better?" Karen asked while refilling the cups of others along the bar.

"Much, thanks. You look like you've been busy."

"Yeah, it is dying down now though. So how is she doing today?" her eyes directed towards the blonde in the corner.

It was Nathan who spoke up this time. "He left another message on the machine today. She was crying in the floor when I walked in and pressed delete. I hate seeing her like this. I never thought Lucas could be so stupid."

"I know, I am so disappointed in him. There is something I need to tell you guys though."

"What is it?"

"Peyton is really going to need you guys, all of us really. He is going to Paris to finish up a business deal with his company. That will take about a week. And then…" she paused once again glancing towards the corner. "He is coming home to Tree Hill."

Haley, Nathan, and Karen all looked in the direction of the blonde now, knowing that the smile Jamie was causing would soon fade when she heard this news.