A/N: I do not own One Tree Hill

Peyton had accepted the job with Thud, and was very pleased to find she fit the job perfectly. Local talent included artists, musicians, and writers. She was able to work at home part of the week, and in her office a couple of days. She was sitting on a chair in her living room picking out art for next month's issue now.

She looked down at the sleeping form lying on her couch. He was so cute. He had spiked blonde hair, gorgeous dimples, and the Scott eyes. She wandered if her child would look like Jamie. As much as she hated to admit it, the child was part Lucas, as much as it was hers. She knew if he or she did turn out looking like their father, they would have the world wrapped around their finger, and hearts would be broken.

Lucas had come home last week. He had taken up residence in his childhood room, so going to Karen's house had become something she simply didn't do. He had arrived in Tree Hill earlier than expected, and Peyton was shocked when she walked into her mother-in-laws house to find her estranged husband at the kitchen table. She did find solace in the fact that Karen offered to make him leave when she was there. Her words were cold when she addressed him, but his were filled with regret.

"Lucas, I thought you weren't coming here until Saturday." She said while avoiding his face.

"I finished early, all I could think about was seeing you again, and hearing your voice." She turned to look out the kitchen window, focusing on anything but the room she was in. "I missed you so much" He approached her figure, and began to touch her shoulders. She jumped at the contact and flinched thinking about where his hands had been.

She immediately backed away. "You can't make this go away. I can't forgive you. When you touched me, the only thing I could think about was where your hands touched her. And if you missed me so much, why did it take you a whole month to come to Tree Hill, you know I've been here the whole time. I don't need this. You should just go back to New York, I'll send you pictures when the baby comes. Tell Karen I'll talk to her later, but I can't wait in here with you." She walked out the door, and she hadn't seen him since.

"Aunt Peyton, can you hear me?" She was brought from her memories to find the little boy waving his hand in front of her face.

"Jamie, what are you doing awake, you just went to sleep?" She said allowing him to sit on her knee.

"I know, but I wasn't tired. I too excited. Skills is supposed to bring me Chester, remember?"

"Of course, how could I forget about Chester? Why don't we go into the kitchen and get some lettuce out to feed him. Skills should be here any minute." She said thinking about how fat the rabbit was.

There was a knock at the door, and Jamie could barely contain his excitement. "He's here." He said with his face beaming.

"Uncle Skills, thanks for bring Chester."

"Yeah, can you take him now, you know I ain't never had no pet, and he is kind of scary." He said making a scared face while looking at the furry pet.

"Uncle Skillz, you are silly."

"I ain't joking."

"I am going to go feed him now, okay Aunt Peyton"

"Sure buddy, go ahead."

"So how you doin' girl?" He said while hugging the blonde.

"Good, I was just working a little when Jamie woke up. It is so good to have a job I like, and that actually pays enough for me to live on."

"You know I can help you out if you need anything, right? I spent a few years in the NBA, I got some money stashed for rainy days."

"Thanks, Skills, that's sweet, but I am okay for once."

"Okay, but you know money and work wasn't what I was askin' about when I asked how you were doing, right?"

"Yeah, I know, I saw him last week when he came home, he has come by every day, but I can't bring myself to let him in. So I just let him stand on the porch until he gets the hint. I don't know if I can ever forgive him for this. I will be nicer when the baby comes, but for now I don't really care if I am mean to him. He doesn't deserve anything from me."

"No one will blame you if you don't forgive him. I still can't believe he would do that to you. Shows what I know about him. You got good friends here for you, though. And if you don't forgive him, there will be someone out there to make you happy again. I know it."

"Thanks. It means a lot to me. I know what you went through with Bevin was difficult, but I saw you come out stronger. And I have never seen you happier than when you are with Theresa. I still can't believe you two are eloping instead of having a wedding in front of your friends."

"It will be more fun this way, though."

"I am happy for you."

"I know you are, because you are great like that. Things will get better for you, just know that. Well, I got to be going. You take care of that monster rabbit now okay. I don't want him back." He said shaking the shiver down his back.

"Thanks, I'll talk to you when you get back from Vegas."

"Later."

"Jamie, have you finished feeding Chester yet?"

"Of course, he eats fast, and a lot, have you seen him, he is a big bunny."

"Alright, well we need to get you home. I have to get ready for Aunt Brooke, she is coming back to town tonight. Do you remember her?"

"No"

"That's okay, you will love her."

"Like I love you, and Uncle Skills, and Uncle Lucas?"

"Yeah, just like that." She said, pausing while thinking of how much Luke and Jamie get along.

"Aunt Peyton, why don't you and Uncle Lucas talk to each other, I thought you loved each other like Mommy and Daddy do?" He said finally questioning why Peyton and Lucas hadn't been in a room together since coming home. He looked sad, Peyton and Lucas had always spoiled him when he visited them in New York.

"Aw, Jamie, don't be sad. We both still love you very very much. We just don't get along like we used to. Do you remember when Angela from school stole your cookie, and you didn't talk to her again for a whole month?"

"Yeah"

"Well, it is kind of like that."

"But I forgave Angela, and she is my bestest friend now, besides Chester. Are you going to forgive Uncle Lucas?"

"I don't know, Jamie, I really don't know." She said staring at a picture of them that was hanging on the wall. Peyton was surprised at how much Jamie could comprehend about life, and a little startled by the bluntness of his questions. She definitely hadn't expected these questions to be coming from a child.