Title: Defining Happiness on Our Own Terms
Summary: A look into the future. Haley&Nathan want another addition to their family & Peyton&Lucas have just begun expanding there's.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own One Tree Hill.
Author: Maygen Lauren
Chapter Nine: At Times We Are
My loves this time around are: Annie's OTH love, ReeseHolden (new best friend #1 I love your long reviews. They make my day every time), Reddevil6394 , leyton4ever35, aracely6, A Amanda A, Juzzy88, taylor, LadyB25, HJS-NS-23, jamyj30& SocietyGirl (You're awesome)
What was that? Nathan Scott wondered unconsciously. His head pressed further into a feather pillow, his wife's, if the smell hadn't mistaken him. Something hard hit the floor and he sat up quickly and stood next to the bed, struggling to move over to closet. Piles' of shoes had been made in the door way making it hard for him to maneuver.
"Haley, what are you doing in the closet?" He asked with a yawn and moved to sit next to his wife who was busy digging through a pile of clothes.
"Unlike you, I have to be at work in twenty minutes and I have nothing to wear again."
"Where's all the maternity clothes you had from when you were pregnant with Jamie?" She laughed and punched him hard in the arm. "Uh…ow!"
"I had Jamie when I was in High School and now I'm teaching High School. Get the picture? Like hell if I'd keep all those clothes."
He shook his head. "Go and see if Peyton has any maternity clothes you can borrow" She hit him again even harder. "Seriously Haley I'm going to bite off your hands if you hit me again. I thought I was being helpful."
"Helpful, my ass, did you see what Peyton lived in when she was pregnant? Lucas sweatpants and a band t-shirt, but if that's what you think I should wear when I stand in front of a bunch of horny undiagnosed high school boys, that's fine with me." She tried to stand up but Nathan snatched her hand and pulled her down into his lap.
"Let me see" He lifted the hem of her shirt to expose her stomach. "Are you serious Haley? You are barely showing! Are you sure you're even three months pregnant?"
She slapped his chest. He lifted his hand to his mouth and bit her finger. "Ow!" She yelped and held her hand against her chest.
"I said stop hitting me!" He laughed and captured her lips. "Now stand up, I guarantee we can find something that fits you, just for today" He pushed her onto her feet and began to rummage through the clothes on her side of the closet. He held up the waist band of a long brown skirt and then through it her way. "That should fit, now cool your jets and stop the water works."
She laughed. "You're such an idiot" She picked out a shirt to go with the skirt and left the closet but not before he lightly smacked her behind.
"That's for hitting me." She flashed a smile over her shoulder and entered the bathroom.
--
Same time at the senior Scott brother's house hold, Peyton had just entered the nursery answering the calls of her daughter's cries. Her heart skipped a beat in her chest as her daughter's blue eyes met her green ones.
"L-lucas" She found her voice. "LUCAS" She yelled louder this time. She kneeled down in front of the crib as a smile worked its way ear to ear.
"What?" He entered the nursery, hair sticking out in every direction, and ran a hand over his face. He looked down at his wife and child and soon their smiles matched. "Look at that"
"All that crying so she can say "Mommy, look I can roll over on my tummy"" Peyton stood up and leaned over the bars to lift Elizabeth into her arms, carefully resting her amongst her hip.
"She's holding her head up too" Elle's head bobbled around on her neck, trying to steadily hold it up, but failed, and leaned it against her mother's chest. "I guess they weren't wrong when they said things happen overnight."
"My baby girl's all grown up" Peyton sighed and kissed her blonde head.
"Not just yet." Luke pointed out. "She's still needs to be fed, so feed her and then get to work so I can have her all to myself."
Peyton lowered her eyes. "Ass" She pushed past him in the doorway, taking just a moment to look over his naked torso. She reentered their bedroom and laid Elle back on the bed while she lowered her shirt. "You think you'd be used to this by now" She said, eyeing Lucas, who was leaning against the doorframe, staring back at her.
"No, thank god. I missed a whole week of this, never again." She positioned Elle, who was more than anxious, to her chest.
"Must you still bring that up? It was forever ago Luke" He came and sat next to her on the bed. "Seriously, Elle Belly's gonna be four months old this Saturday. If you left now you'd miss more than you did when you went to the premier."
Luke brushed Peyton's face with his thumb.
The past week had been hell. Peyton lay in the darkness of her and Lucas' bedroom. Elizabeth was cradled in the crib at the end of the bed, tired out from spending the day at her aunt and uncles. She doubted that Elle even realized that Lucas had been gone a whole week. At one point Luke called to let his daughter hear him talk over the phone, just to make sure she still knew his voice. The separation had definitely been harder on him then the two girls. They had each other, while Luke was left with Julian and Brooke in Los Angeles, "partying it up like big celebrities", Peyton encourage beforehand.
Peyton turned her head to glance at the clock it was a quarter to two in the morning. Her beautiful daughter decided to wake her up close to an hour ago with demands to be fed and changed. She settled back into the mattress, comforted by the reminder that Lucas would be home tomorrow night. Her heart swelled knowing that he was probably more excited to come home to see their daughter then her, and oddly enough, she was more than okay with that. Her eyes shut, and she drifted to sleep.
What time is it? Peyton asked herself, sitting up in bed. It was still dark out; the clock on the night stand read 5:47. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, stretching her arms. Her body told her to sleep, but her mind was confused. Where was the early morning "Feed me again" cry? Curiosity breached her thoughts and she crawled down the bed and peered into the crib.
It was empty.
She didn't have time to jump to conclusions. Instead, she jumped to the floor and darted for the light. She flicked the switched and looked around. Had she fallen asleep with Elle in her arms? No, the room was empty. Her heart raced and she opened the bedroom door and walked out into the dark hall. Did I put her in the crib last night? Why would I do that? I don't know, just go find your damn kid? Holy shit, what if she was kidnapped. She wasn't kidnapped you idiot, you would have heard someone break into the house. Would I have?
She pulled back the nursery door and her thoughts ceased. "Are you serious?" She whispered.
Luke lifted his head and their eyes met. He had Elizabeth cradled in his arms and a bottle to her lips. "Hey, mommy" Luke laughed as her arms crossed and she slumped against the door frame.
"Are you aware that I just had the biggest freak out of my life since her accident?" Peyton walked forward and stood over him, placing a hand on Elle's hair as she quietly drank her milk. "I hate you so much right now"
"Missed you too honey, how was your flight? And the movie premier went great, that's good to hear. Elle did something really funny while you were away. But I mostly just missed you." She sat down in on his knees and positioned her head toward him.
"Sorry I'm still trying to cope with the fact that I slept through my daughter's abduction."
"Did you wear mommy out?" Luke asked his daughter. She simply blinked up at him as if to say. "Of course I did. That's my job in'nit"
"No, she was good. She's been turning her head a lot lately, trying to see everything that's around her."
"What did the doctor say at her follow up appointment yesterday?"
Peyton shrugged. "She looks good and healthy, same old same old. We should invest in some sort of aerial play thing. You know those mats that you lay the baby on and then watch them kick the dangling shapes? Yeah, it helps with growth in gross motor skills. Haley said she'd bring something over later so long as she can have it back later for the new baby."
"Anything else?"
She lost his eyes to look down at the baby shyly. "Nope"
He laughed quietly and shook his head. "Are you sure because I talked to Haley before getting on my plane, by the way I never got a thank you for my surprise trip home." She stuck her tongue out at him. He rolled his eyes. "Anyway, she said that you had a hysterical break down at her house after the appointment."
"Come on, hysterical break down, are you serious?" He raised his eyebrows. "I was upset; I cried for like two minutes."
"You cried?" He asked. "I thought the over hormonal new mother stage was long gone."
"Jerk" The baby turned her head from the bottle and begged to be lifted into her father's arms. He obliged and gently rubbed circles into her back. Peyton placed a baby dribble pad carefully under her daughter's head. "The doctor said that we should move her into the nursery"
"Oh"
She stood up from the chair and walked over to the changing table. "The longer she stays in our room, the more she'll cry at night after she's been switched." He stood up from the chair and handed Peyton the half empty bottle. He returned Elle back to her infant cradle position as he followed his wife out to the kitchen where she placed the bottle in the sink. "You tired?" She turned and rested her back up against the counter.
"Yeah, let me go put her down and I'll meet you in bed." His feet were quick as the retreated back into the nursery. Her mouth dropped open in shock and her heart fell somewhere in her stomach. He poked his head back into the kitchen, Elle still in his arms. "Let's go Mommy" He left the nursery and crossed the hall into their bedroom. She picked up her pride and followed him.
"I really hate you today, you know that?" When she entered the bedroom Luke was placing the baby, back down, into the bassinet at the foot of their bed. "You suck" She hopped back onto the bed, pulling the covers over her body. He stared down at Elizabeth for a moment before walking to the wall to turn the light off. He stripped to his boxers and then joined her. She had her back to him when he turned to prop his head up with his hand.
"You still angry?" She didn't respond. He quickly reached out and snagged her hips, yanking her towards him. He rolled on top of her, a knee on each side of her waist. His hand plastered besides each of her shoulders. Her eyes, wide, seared into his heart and he leaned down to capture her lips. Her hands, shook as her fingers worked their way into his blonde hair. He dropped his weight to lie between her legs. He pulled away to rest his forehead against hers.
"We missed you" She arched her mouth to meet his once again, using her hands to pull his head down.
He pushed against her hands with the back of his head, not allowing their lips to touch. "I missed you guys too. I don't think you have any idea how much."
"I have an idea; but not to bruise your ego, I don't think Elle Belly even noticed."
He laughed into her hair, flattening her body under his. "Is that your new nickname for her? I've heard you use it once before."
"It rhymed; I'll stop if you don't like it"
"Hey, she's your kid too. I can come up with my own crazy nickname later."
He then lowered his head to hers.
"Wait, wait, how was the premier?" She had pulled away from his lips and placed her hands against his chest. "How did the world like Peyton Sawyer?"
"Sadly, they loved her. I'm afraid a little too much. The group of prescreening teenage boys behind me wanted to know if the real one was just as hot; I hope you don't mind, but I said no"
"What?!" Her eyes enlarged and glazed over as he grinded his hips into hers.
"Yeah, that was my first selfish Hollywood moment. I'm sorry, but I'm keeping you all to myself."
"You don't want to share?" Luke hungrily devoured her lips and pulled the sheets over his head.
"Missed you."
--
A school bell rang and students ran from the surrounding classrooms, in thrill that the first day of school was over and they could return to the deep ends of their swimming pools or there bean bag chairs placed center in front of the television. No one paid particular attention to the tall man awkwardly maneuvering his way down the hall. Lucas held Elle securely in her car seat, stepping out of the way of running teens, swinging lanyards. He entered a classroom on the far left corner and shut the door quickly behind him.
"Hey man" Haley's ever cheery voice rang out from her seat at the desk in the front of the class. "Come to visit your favorite aunt?" She stood up and reached out to take the baby from the car seat.
"I was bored. Four more weeks until the Raven's tryouts and I'm assuming it's just going to be me and Skill's this time around, while Nathan's touring with the chiefs." Haley nodded and cradled the baby in her arms. "And all I do all day, while Peyton's at work, is write. I've got enough material for two new books"
"But…" She could sense it coming. "You don't want to send it to Lindsay because you feel bad about how far you've come."
"Yea I mean I get her weekly updates asking how far are you along in the next book? And I keep saying, I've got another chapter, I'll be done soon, but the truth is I've been done with my third novel for over a month."
"Just send it to her." Haley encouraged. "Who cares if it's about the unfathomable love for family and how you've never been happier; who cares what she thinks about it"
"I don't want to rub it in her face"
Haley laughed as Elle swung her head at her. "You know what they call this?" She asked as the baby's head wobbled around on her neck, trying to keep it up straight. Lucas shook his head taking a step forward to rest his hand on her tiny back. "The baby bobble head stage. You've got to watch out because she'll try and get closer to your face and end up head butting you"
"Peyton got bashed in the face this morning with the back of her head and she was so worried about Elle's soft spot she didn't even realize she cut into her lip with her teeth."
"Not to freak you guys out but as soon as Jamie learned to hold his head up is right around where he became Mr. Adventurous. If you remember we'd lie him on the living room floor and he'd just go. He'd roll and try to crawl… yeah, good luck"
"Woahh, don't let Peyton hear that. She'd freak out if she found out her kid was ready to crawl. All I'm concerned about is that hair, or lack of it."
'Jamie's hair didn't actually start to grow until after his first birthday." She said fingering the baby's tiny curls. "But I'm sure you're very excited to see that long curly hair. Just like a certain wife of yours?" He kicked at an invisible rock on the floor and crossed his arms. "Ut oh Sam's got her baby sensor going." Haley announced as the long haired brunette poked her head in the door, a smile spreading across her generally pale cheeks.
"Hey Sam, how goes the first day of senior year?"
She laughed and shut the door behind her, approaching the baby quickly, her hands out in front of her. Haley looked up at Luke for permission, and he of course, agreed. Elle was placed in Sam's waiting hands and she gently rocked her. The baby wiggled excitedly and reached out to grab onto Sam's shirt. ''The first day of senior year; I'll put it in perspective for you. This" She held up Elizabeth. "Is much better."
"What time are you getting dropped off tonight?" Luke raised his eye brows. "Julian and Brooke are headed to New York and Jamie wanted Sam to come stay with us, so she is. So Sam, time?"
"Seven, Seven thirty. Hey Luke, any chance you can bring the kid by later?"
"Depends on what time Peyton gets home from work." He said knowing fully that when his wife got home she'd eat and then crash on the couch with Elle in her arms. "By the way Hales, lookin good" He eyed her expanding stomach. "How long's it been now?"
She placed her hands on her stomach and rolled her eyes. "Three torturous months and six to go"
"You look good Hales" He shot her a friendly smirk and she shook her head playfully.
"Thanks Luke, I appreciate it." Her voice was dry, but somehow, she meant it, like he had.
"I really hate to do this Sam" Luke said, hands outstretched, arms waiting. Elle began to wiggle in Sam's arms, trying to get back in Luke's.
"Wow, that's new" She pointed out, while sticking her hands in her sweatshirt.
"Well girls" Luke winked holding up his daughter ever so slightly. "Let me get this one home so she can be fed and changed before Peyton gets home. Thanks for the company"
Haley rested a hand on his large arm. "No problem Luke, come visit anytime"
"Yea and bring the kid" Sam said crossing her arms, leaving the room in front of him.
--
At the office, Peyton had her work cut out for her. She had only just returned to work a week ago and was feeling completely over whelmed. She'd listened to over 300 demo tapes, wrote checks out to the power, plumbing, and Management Company. She'd made several hour long phone calls and was finally "relaxing" with a demo tape wavering from the stereo while typing out a rejection letter. If it were up to her, she'd sign them all, but the "label friends" would cut her business if she wasn't making payment deadlines and sending them three hundred records a week to mass produce. She stood up from the chair, stretching her back as she did. She walked around her office, feeling ever so bored, and looking for some environment change. A smiled worked its way over her face as she eyed the area in the large room made especially for Elizabeth. It was carpeted and was fully penned in. There was a small bassinet, a few baby toys and hundreds of stuffed animals, all donated by Brooke. Elle hadn't spent more than two hours at the office yet, and Peyton doubted she ever would. The only time Luke would ever be away from the house would be during basketball practice or a game. She ran her fingers over the bookshelves of records and was standing in front of the door to the studio when the phone rang.
Peyton's head snapped up in attention. Her feet clacked against the floor as she walked to answer the phone on her desk. "Red Bedroom Records, this is Peyton"
"Hi-uh" A voice whispered into the phone. "I got your phone number in the back of my book" A girl's voice deadpanned. "Mrs. Scott gave it to me today."
"Ryden?" Peyton asked, shocked by the phone call. "Yea, I put it there so you would call me."
"Well, I called."
There was silence and Peyton dragged in a deep breath. "So how was the first day of school?"
There was no response at first. Ryden sighed. "I know you know I don't have parents."
"Yea" She coughed. "Haley, um, Mrs. Scott, filled me in."
"Oh, well, yea then"
More silence filtered the phone lines. "So uh, can I help you with something?"
"Well, I was wondering if you still needed help with the label? I can't get a parents signature, but I have guardians and I'll work hard. I just, I need the money right now. I can work every day after school, and on weekends."
"Woah kid relax, not even I work on weekends." She admitted a small laugh. "Why don't you come by after school next Monday and we can talk."
"Alright, deal, I can do that."
"So I'll see you next week?"
"Sure" The phone line clicked and Peyton stared down at the phone in her hand.
"Oh well."
--
Her feet dug into the concrete with each step, leading into the living room. The house was dark, although the setting sun still lit up the front rooms. Peyton kicked off her heels in the door way and stretched her hands into her back pockets, walking forward on the tile. She entered the hallway and carefully pushed opened the door to the nursery, seeing the light on. The first thing she saw was Luke setting cross legged on the carpet, Elle in his arms.
"Baby, watch" He whispered, winking up at Peyton. She squatted down in the door way as Luke laid Elle on her back. "Now watch it in action" He paused when Elle didn't do anything. "Maybe she didn't see you. Say something"
"Uhh, Elle Belly, mommy's home" The baby's legs began to kick outward eccentrically. She carefully rolled onto her stomach and tried with every small muscle in her body to prop up on her elbows. Her head wobbled as her blue eyes met her mother's green ones. Peyton's mouth dropped as Elle cooed excitedly. Her movements became that of an inch worm as she tried to move forward, but failed dismally. Her neck got tired and her head was placed back on the floor. She used her arms to roll back onto her back and began to kick her legs more ferociously. Her coos turned to cries as aggravation took over her body. Peyton crawled and positioned herself over her daughter, remaining on her hands and knees. Elle reached up with her hands, attempting to latch onto her mother. Peyton lowered her head down and let Elle touch her face and hair; just touching and feeling with her tiny fingers. Elle was scooped up into the air and fell into a cradle in her mother's arms.
"She's been wiggling all day today. Even Sam thought so." Luke pointed out.
"Sam, she was here?"
"Nope, I went to visit Haley on the first day of school. Nathan called and said she had a rough start."
"Pregnancy?" He nodded. "I'd go and offer her tips if she hadn't already done it once herself." Elle cooed once again, begging for her mother's attention. "So talkative today, aren't we" She kissed her chubby cheeks. "Aren't we?" When Peyton pulled back, Elle reached her head forward, grasping onto the black jacket on Peyton's chest. Unable to control her speed, she drove her skull into her mother's chin. Worried for Elle's well being, Peyton pulled her away from her chest and admired her head. She seemed unharmed, not even a cry escaped her tiny lungs.
"Haley said that'll happen. Apparently babies get really physical right before they start to crawl."
Peyton's heart stopped. "Crawl? She's gonna crawl soon?"
Luke smiled. "Yea babe, did you not see that worm movement just a minute ago. She was trying her hardest to make it over to you. "
"Oh boy, we're going to have to start watching you very carefully. Good thing the house has been baby proofed." She stood up with the baby in her arms.
Luke stepped up beside her and held her waist with his hands. "You're not upset?"
She laughed. "No!" Lucas leaned forward and kissed her. She reached forward and pressed against her hand against his chest to deepen her hold on his lips. They both pulled apart when they felt a soft hand on each of their cheeks. They turned to look at Elle who was disappointed when the attention had drawn away from her.
"Jealous?" Luke asked his daughter. She blinked at him in surprise and cooed softly in response.
So.. yea, an easy chapter. No drama, just a filler.
BUT THE NEXT CHAPTER, oh boy, that's a stressful one. And I'm positive you're going to want to see it, SO REVIEW!!!!!!
Please.