Annie's OTH love, Juzzy88, xoxotaylor, aracely6, jamyj30, ReeseHolden, Reddevil6394!!!

Chapter Fifteen: All Kinds of Stuff

A MUST READ AUTHOURS NOTE:

So this was supposed to be a surprise and be published during the Monday 9 to 10 eastern break of One Tree Hill Tonight. I wanted you guys to have something to do during the block where we would normally be watching One Tree Hill. And I've had this planned for a long time. BUT FF was down during that block (FML right?) So I'm sorry it seems like it took me forever to get this chapter out, I was honestly putting it off for the break before the season 6 finale.

This chapter is short, because I broke it down into two. It was ridiculously long as one. But I want to tell you guys something about this chapter. This is the chapter that started it all. I just, from the beginning I've wanted to see Elle grow up. That's been my goal. And now that I have the inside scope on the season finale, I'm just in AWE. You guys, Mark is totally stealing my ideas!!

SO ENJOY!!!!!

New life, sprung from creation.

"So Jamie" The seven year old sat on the edge of his living room couch cradling his new baby sister. "Is being a big brother as bad as you thought it would be?" Peyton asked, rubbing the sleeping infant's stomach.

"Eh, it gets better as time goes on." Jamie explored. "At least she sleeps now, and I don't have to spend every night at your house, no offence"

"None taken kid. Babies do get better as they get older. Look at Elle Belly, she's already pulling herself up and standing. "

"Yeah but Elle is 10 months old and Caroline is like a month old." Jamie kissed the top of his baby sister's head.

"Let me take Carrie back up stairs to your mother." Jamie nodded and let his Aunt carefully take the baby out of his arms. "Will you watch Elle for me?" Jamie nodded. "I mean it Jamie; watch her like a hawk and do not let her put anything in her mouth, do you understand."

"I promise Aunt Peyton."

The woman carried her sleeping god child upstairs and into Haley and Nathan's master bedroom, where her sister in law was folding clothes out of a plastic hamper. "She's out" Peyton announced and set the infant down in the bassinet.

"Ugh, thank you so much for the help Peyton, I really appreciate it."

"No problem. I have a new found soft spot for kids"

"Luke already told me that Carrie makes him want another baby, what about you?"

"Of course I do. We've actually been talking about it for a while. We're waiting for Elle start talking. Or walking, whichever comes second. But Caroline definitely makes me jealous. And Jamie seems to love her, even if he won't admit it because he's too much of a big boy!"

Haley laughed. "I woke up one night, because I heard talking coming from the baby monitor, and I listened as Jamie whispered to Carrie. It was the sweetest thing I ever heard."

"Aw, that's my boy. I told him he'd warm up to being a big brother." Peyton walked over and began helping her fold laundry.

"So I heard you're on your way to Los Angeles in two days!" Haley cooed to her sister in law. "Ryden let it slip when I went in to visit the class yesterday."

"Yup, the band she found turned out to be pretty spectacular. Thirteen Lives to Change is going on tour and I'm going to help them start out before I decided to sign them. But I have a feeling I will."

"How long will you be gone?"

Peyton shrugged. "Only three days, but Luke is still angry that it's so close to our anniversary."

"God!" Haley moaned. "Your first year anniversary. That is incredible, I'm so happy for the both of you."

"Thanks, I think we're both still in awe." Peyton fell back onto the bed after the pile had disappeared and Haley joined her. "We've got a baby who's so close to turning 1 and I don't know how it all happened so fast!"

"And you've got a successful business." She reached over and squeezed Peyton's hand. "Have fun in LA and bring me back something exciting."

"Hm, I think I can swing that." Caroline's infant sized snores filled the room and both women smiled. "Can I tell you something that only you could understand?"

Haley turned her head towards her sister in law. "Of course Peyton."

The blonde exhaled, wringing her hands against the fabric of her shirt. "I'm afraid of Elle growing up when I'm gone."

She smiled, a bright glow reappearing on the brunettes face. "That is so normal you couldn't possibly make sense of it. And you want to hear the down side to the whole situation?"

Peyton rolled her eyes. "Give it to me"

"It never stops. That ache, the longing for a pause button or an anti aging cream. Everything is going to fly by and there's nothing you can do about it, but that's the beauty of being a mother." Soon they were wearing identical smiles and clasped hands in the center once again.

---

"You have the keys?"

"Yes."

"My cell number?"

"Yes."

"The address of—"

"YES!" The stressed out blonde teen huffed into the phone. "We've gone over this a thousand times."

"I know, I know;" Peyton replied, running a hand through her curls. "I just want to make sure you can handle the office by yourself"

"You're going to be gone two days. I'm sure I'll be fine."

"Alright, psycho bitchy boss shpeal over." She shook out her hands and arms. "Woo! So, are you really considering taking on my summer internship idea?"

Ryden shrugged. "It'll look good when I apply to NCSU."

"That and I write one hell of a recommendation." She folded her clothes into a backpack while holding her cell against her shoulder. "And what are you worried about college for? You've still got one month left of being freshman"

"I'm thinking about graduating early so I can get out of the shelter." Peyton simply nodded, though unseen by Ryden. "When does your flight depart?"

"I'll probably leave the house in about an hour. I just wanted to check in with you before I left the state, make sure you're all set."

"I'm good."

"Okay then Kid, I'll give you a call I land in L.A."

"Have I told you how jealous I am of you?"

"Many times… 21 and over babe"

Ryden crossed her arms and fell back onto her bed. "Well I'll talk to you later Peyton"

"Yea Ry," The teen had already hung up her phone. She lifted her northface bag over her shoulders and grabbed the pillow off her side of the bed before carrying them out into the kitchen and setting them on the floor. Luke was feeding Elle who sat up in her high chair kicking her legs wildly with every spoonful of Gerber peaches that was pushed into her mouth.

"Say it Elle" He held back the full spoon teasingly. "Da-da" Elle leaned forward to close her mouth over the spoon, but it was pulled out of her reach. "Da-da" He repeated.

"banagodo" Elle babbled, stomping angrily.

"Just give her the food Luke" Peyton swooped in and took the spoon out of his hand to feed the food to Elizabeth. The child swallowed down her peaches and reached out towards Peyton. "Now say momma, baby girl!"

Elle blinked up at both of her parents before taking the spoon from her mother's hand and throwing it down on her tray.

"Tease" Luke said pulling her down onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her waist. "Besides, try as hard as you want; a daughters first word is always dad."

"Is not."Peyton picked up the spoon and continued to feed Elle.

"What was yours?"

She remained silent and pressed back further into Luke's chest. "Dad"

"Told you so" He kissed the spot on her neck just below her ear lobe. "Looks like I'm going to be picking baby number two's name…whenever that happens."

"It's not fair; you've got two whole days to work on her when I'm not here."

"Tough luck wife." He ran his hands over her bare arms. "We'll miss you"

"I'll miss you too, while I'm out on the road, partying it up with hot single band members."

"Partying it up…huh?"

"Yes, that is the plan."

"Well big shot" He teased. "We should probably get you to the airport sometime soon? Any objections?"

"You just want me out of the house so you can start brain washing our kid."

He laughed softly in her ear. "Who says I haven't started already?"

She stood up taking Elle with her towards the nursery. "Let me have my last few minutes with her and then you can take over Daddy."

He moved from the chair only to do the dishes in the sink while Peyton changed Elle and shared some last minute time together.

---

The April air was cool. Even in North Carolina.

There was the occasional breeze that wavered around the open store. Brooke Baker sat at the front desk, hands clasped and legs crossed, wearing, why of course a B. Davis original. Her short hair fell against her shoulders and the new diamond encrested wedding band tapped against the marble.

The bell over the door chimed and Brooke's head rose to attention.

But it was just Sam, bearing lunch. She held the bag out to her and dropped it on the counter. "I am so happy you can drive!" The woman cheered.

"Pregnant yet?" Sam asked cheekily.

"Excuse me?" Brooke pulled her hands from the bag and crossed her arms.

"Hey, whether I can hear it or not, I know you guys are trying" She took a bite of her bacon cheeseburger.

"Ugh" Her hands imminently rose to cover her ears. The metal of her ring a friendly reminder against her skin. "Too much information. I don't want to talk about this with you ever!"

"Hey, it doesn't bother me in the slightest. These Tree Hill babies are adorable."

Brooke blushed, inertly overjoyed that Sam approved of her having a baby. She pulled herself together and began to eat. "So you'd be okay with it?"

"Are you serious?" Sam dropped her burger onto the spread out bag. "Of course I'd be okay with it are you crazy?"

She reached out and gripped Sam's hand. "Thank you Sam. And I just want you to know-"

"-That having a baby doesn't mean you don't love me any less and all that jazz… I know, but thanks for keeping me in the back of your head"

"You are the best person who ever wriggled their way into my life Sam, you know that?"

Sam blushed and picked up her burger.

___

It was early still.

The second night on tour had made its way easily with minimal drama. Peyton, being a new mother, had forgotten all the wants and needs of being on tour. There were show girls and booze and drugs. Yea drugs. The band was going on at nine and being only six, Peyton Scott sat in her crapy L.A. motel room, bored and slightly jet lagged. The TV blared the local weather while she aimlessly sketched baby Caroline on a piece of lined paper.

Her phone rang.

She picked it up off the night stand and glanced at the caller ID.

"Why hello baby daddy. Just the guy I was thinking about"

"Hey babe" He scratched the back of his neck and leaned into the rocker.

"What's going on?" She asked, knowing it was nine there and after Elle's, and his, bedtime.

"I have some bad news"

Her heart stopped.

"Not bad" He rephrased. "But definitely upsetting."

"What?"

He was silent and admitted a soft sigh. "So I know you're going to cry, but I want you to know it was bound to happen eventually. And I'm so sorry you have to hear this over the phone."

"Hear what Luke? Just tell me."

"Okay… So I was putting Elle down to bed and doing the whole rehearsal bit the doctor told us about and I started talking about you. You know "Mama loves you. She's went bye bye for a few days" And I backed away towards the door and as I was turning off the light, next thing I know" Movement was heard on the other line as Luke moved in front of the crib. "Elle where's Mommy?" There was silence "Where's Mama?" He repeated.

"Bye!" It's heard in LA as Peyton heart stops again.

"Who's Bye Bye?" Luke continues. There was more silence. "Say Mama Elle"

No. Peyton's mind was screaming.

"Ma!" Elle stomped her feet as she stood holding onto the rails of her crib. "Ma"

Luke brrought the phone back up to his ear. "You win"

"I didn't want to win!" Peyton sobbed.

The sandy blonde haired man laughed. "I know you're upset honey, but how do you think I feel? I've been bribing her with cheerios to say Dada since you left."

"Will you record it for me?"

Luke rolled his eyes playfully. "Sure, I'll send it to your cell phone so you can play it over and over again."

"Does she sound adorable? It sounds beautiful over the phone, but how about in person?"

"Honestly, it sounds like a baby coo more than anything."

She was silent as she mulled things over in her mind. "Luke" She whispered.

"Yea Peyt"

A smile spread over her cheeks. "She called me Ma. She knows I'm her mother"

"She misses you wifey."

"Hey hubby you know what's in twelve days?"

"I'd be an idiot and the worst husband in the whole world if I didn't."

"One year"

He smiled. "I love you."

---

Something was arousing her from sleep. A light tap on her arm, soft at first, and then gradually getting more vigorous.

"What" She moaned. Flailing her arm out at the other bed occupant.

"Hales" Nathan pulled her into a sitting position. "Come see this."

"What time is it?" She questioned, yawning with exhaustion.

"3:00am" Haley huffed angrily, but allowed herself to be lifted onto her feet. He pulled her into Jamie's room where the seven year old blonde boy had fallen asleep, his back pressed against the backboard a rather tiny baby in his arms.

Her mouth dropped open. "What if-"

"Haley hush, it's adorable.

"But what if he had turned over and dumped Carrie on the ground?"

"Haley relax; I saw him come and take her out of the crib and secretly watched him from the doorway until he fell asleep."

"But then you came to get me, Nate-" He threw his hand over her mouth and pointed towards their kids. She silently moved into his embrace as his arms worked their way around her body and rested on her hip. She laid her head against his chest and kept her eyes on her two children.

"Everything you hoped for?" He asked.

She turned and leaned up to press her lips against his. "And so much more."

---

Stepping off the plane, Peyton Scott wanted nothing more than to break out into a sprint. Damn long hallways, damn bladder that was ready to burst. She wanted to get to her daughter so she could FINALLY hear her first words in person. She'd sent the sound message; Lucas had recorded for her, to her email and ripped it to her iPod. It had been on repeat for a good portion of the 5 hour flight home, every time bringing a smile to her face.

She could picture it now, the way her daughter's lips formed when she spoke. How did it happen? Had Elle been trying to say it for so long that it finally slipped out?

All she had to do was take her first steps, which she was already so close to, and she and Lucas could start trying for their second child.

Where did that time go? Moving so quickly.

How could she have had so much good fortune in the last ten months? There were scares, but for the most part, life was good.

Ryden's pending illness still prodded in the back of her mind, but life had been particularly pleasant lately, and Peyton loved the way it felt.

Before she knew it, she was standing in the waiting area of the airport where family and friends bustled to great their loved ones. But it wasn't her family and friends, no, her eyes scanned the room. No tall sandy haired blonde and definitely no curly haired 10 month old waddling for dear life.

But,

A tiny voice, new to the world reached out.

"Ma" She spun around quickly a mop of curls being hoisted into her arms. "Mama" Elle repeated, her chubby arms working their way around Peyton's neck. Lucas lips firmly planted themselves on her forehead softly. She smiled showing only her top teeth as she held Elle between them.

So what did you think?

Do you think I should continue Monday 9 to 10 updates? That way you can read during the time OTH would usually be on? Let me know what you think about that.

MAYGEN!!!