"Jake". Peyton said in a rush of confusion, excitement, and passion. She jumped out of her chair and hugged him. The emotion was amazing. She in tears rested her head on his shoulder as Jake caressed her hair.
"It's alright Peyton. Everything is gonna be ok, it's all gonna be ok now".
Peyton couldn't speak. She was overcome with emotion. Jake over Peyton's shoulder mouthed thank you to Whitey. Whitey grinned in happiness and mouthed your welcome back. The look on Jake's face was almost indescribable. It was a look of joy, relief, forgiveness, and hope.
After a while Jake said he would drive Peyton home. Peyton had calmed down, but was still scared, was still shaky, and was still caught up in the emotion. In the car she began to try and piece everything together as did Jake.
"How did you know?" asked Peyton.
Jake looked over to her and smirked. "How did I know what happened, or how did I know to come?"
"Both I guess".
"Whitey called and told me everything about what happened and it made me the angriest I have ever been in my life. In so far as coming here, that was my decision. I gave Nikki Jenny for the week and flew down here. I wasn't gonna let you go through this alone, and when Whitey told me that the lunatic is still out there, there was no way I was gonna be on the other side of the country while he is".
Peyton still had a million thoughts running through her head. She barely even knew what to say. She was still scared but something else was coming over her. She still loved Jake. She was trying to deny it for whatever reason, but she couldn't. She realized when she saw him in that door way that this was the real thing.
Jake looked over at her from the wheel as she seemed very distant for the last few moments. "Peyton, everything alright?"
Peyton looked over at him, and starred into his eyes for a moment. "I love you".