HJS-NS-23- Hey guys I am going to be posting once a week for this story unless I have time and can write faster. I didn't want to forget to post this and I know the rest of this week is going to be crazy for me. Thank you to annabelle18, AfricanChieftess, julianafun, cayt326, FMistral, Biddy429, and bendecida82 for reviewing the last chapter. I hope you all like this chapter and please review.
Disclaimer: I do not own OTH unfortunately.
Quote: Beware the fury of a patient man. - John Dryden
"Peyton," he yelled hoping for a response and getting nothing back. Rushing back to his room he notices a folded paper on the night stand his name sprawled on the front of it in Peyton's hand.
Picking up the folded piece of paper Lucas slowly opened it his heart thumping wildly against his chest. He loved Peyton and maybe Haley was right maybe it was something else and now that he's jumped to conclusions, which could or could not be true Lucas wanted to talk to her about this. He didn't want to find out in some letter if his wife was having an affair, especially with his brother and what he walked in on earlier.
Lucas,
I want you to know that I love you with all of my heart! I never meant to hurt you by any of this. Don't worry about Sawyer. She and I have decided to visit Brooke for a while. We'll be home in time for Sawyer's birthday. Please Lucas don't come after me, I need this time to think and to figure out where we are going to go from here. If you want to talk to Sawyer call Brooke's cell, and I will have Brooke go on her webcam with Sawyer to talk to you so you won't miss seeing her.
Love Always,
Peyton
Lucas stared at the letter not quite believing that Peyton just took their child and left leaving just a note in her wake. To say he was mad was an understatement, she had no right just taking Sawyer away from him, especially without telling him exactly when she would be coming home. Did she not trust him with Sawyer is that why she took her with, he wondered a pang of hurt in his heart that she didn't even trust him with his own daughter. If anyone shouldn't be trusted it was her. After all he wasn't the one sneaking around her back screwing another woman. Feeling his blood boil at the idea of his brother continuously screwing Peyton seeing her hair laying like a halo around her head, her voice egging his brother on Lucas curled his hand into a fist and punched the wall not feeling his skin break or the blood running down his hand before sitting down on the bed and putting his head in his hands. The feeling of absolute failure overwhelming him. He couldn't even keep his wife happy.
I'm going to go get Sawyer and bring her back with me, Lucas thought standing up and moving to the closet throwing clothes on the bed. Since all his toiletries were already packed all he needed was fresh clothes in his duffel bag. I'll show Peyton I can take care of my daughter, he added stubbornly to himself. But what if she isn't your daughter? His conscience asked making Lucas' heart hurt at the very thought of Peyton cheating on him so soon after they had gotten together and Sawyer not being his daughter.
As soon as Nathan finished telling Haley the whole story he looked at her and he felt a pang in his heart as he saw how broken she was. Haley looked at her husband her face covered with tear tracks. She couldn't believe he had been keeping a secret this big for two months. She deserved to know, especially since it was concerning Peyton.
"I can't believe you've been hiding this from me," Haley said the hurt dripping her words as she looked at Nathan who had guilt shining in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Hales," Nathan said his voice sincere. He never meant to hurt her, he was just trying to protect her from the truth.
Looking at the clock Haley sighed seeing it was already 1 am and she knew Jamie would be waking her up early to make pancakes with smiley faces before going to the zoo with Andre and his mom. "I need to think about everything," Haley told him sadly the betrayal of her husband's secret seared in her heart. "I thought we were done with keeping secrets after the whole Carrie thing?" She asked rhetorically. "Why don't you sleep in the guest room tonight and we can talk about everything after Jamie and I get back from the zoo tomorrow," Haley said before walking up the stairs and going to their room laying on the bed and letting out gut wrenching sobs, muffling the sound of them by Nathan's pillow, the smell of his cologne filling her nostrils making her cry even harder.
Nathan watched her walk up the stairs. He never meant for any of this to happen. Slowly making his way up the stairs he wondered to himself how everything had gotten to this point. He hoped he was making the right choice letting Peyton leave for awhile while everything settled. He was going to miss her and his niece, but he would call her tomorrow and make sure Brooke was taking good care of her. Turning on his phone after turning it off so he wouldn't get interrupted when talking to Haley his phone beeped indicating he had a message, pulling it out he smiled seeing it was Peyton. Switched planes. Call you tomorrow. U tell hales?
Yes ttys be careful, he responded the weight off his shoulders at telling Haley the truth and knowing that Brooke would be picking up Peyton at the airport.
Lucas made his way in the airport checking for the next available flight to L.A. and finding out it would be in two hours. Buying a ticket he went through security without batting an eye. He had been flying on planes so much lately going to New York and L.A. for his latest book it didn't faze him. He went and sat in the waiting area by his terminal his leg jiggling in anticipation. He would call Haley tomorrow and tell her he was in L.A. and ask how she was holding up after the betrayal. He couldn't believe after everything they had survived together this was how it ended with her choosing his brother.
Picking up his duffel he made his way to a starbucks and ordered a coffee needing some caffeine to keep him awake while he waited for the plane before going to sit back down in the waiting area pulling out his latest novel that was about Sawyer and how having a child makes you see the innocence in the world all over again. He was supposed to show Peyton the book and ask her to make the artwork for the cover, two of their loves coming together just like the two of them coming together had created Sawyer.
Won't have her do the artwork now, he told himself before shoving the book back in his bag and taking out his laptop, opening a new word document as he tried to write. Watching the cursor blink in front of him Lucas struggled to get his fingers to move over the keyboard, his head a jumble of thoughts as he tried to decide what to write. He chose to write about a man who after coming home had caught his wife in bed with his best friend and the man's journey to death after having his heart ripped out.
3:30 am L.A time
Peyton smiled after reading the text from Nathan that she had gotten while on the plane. Turning her phone back off she slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans before picking up Sawyer again, her body weak as she struggled to carry the carrier. It had been a 7 and a half hour flight and she was exhausted, considering she hadn't been able to sleep on the plane, her mind constantly wondering if she was making the right choice by running away.
Making her way to the luggage carousel Peyton couldn't help but smile as she saw her best friend and Julian waiting for her, tears threatening to fall down her face at seeing the bubbly brunette.
Seeing the blonde Brooke quickened her steps and made it to the blonde taking the carrier out of her hand before pulling her into a hug. Julian walked over and took Sawyer from the girls as Brooke wrappeed both arms around Peyton and giving her a hug. The tears that were threatening to fall at just seeing her best friend come swift and fast as she feels the walls she built around her heart after everything Lucas had said to her fall down.
"Shh," Brooke whispered trying to soothe the broken blonde. "It will be okay," Brooke told her as Peyton pulled back trying to compose herself.
"How about we get to your house before I completely fall apart?" Peyton asked looking at the brunette.
"Okay which ones are yours?" Brooke asked wrapping an arm around her friend and leading her toward the luggage carousel.
Peyton pointed at two red suitcases and Julian grabbed them after handing Brooke Sawyer.
"This little girl is getting so big," Brooke told her friend in awe.
"Yeah I know I can barely carry her now," Peyton said watching as Sawyers eyes slowly started to open, a gurgle coming out of her mouth. Peyton grabbed the pacifier that was clipped to the seat and placed it in the little girls mouth as she sucked it happily her lids falling shut as slumber took over her body once more.
"You guys ready to go?" He asked gently seeing the tear tracks on Peytons face.
"Yeah let's go," Peyton agreed reaching for Sawyer and getting a glare in return. "No let Julian carry her," Brooke told the blonde grabbing one of the suitcases and wheeling it behind her, her arm never leaving her friends waist as they walked out of the airport, Julian carrying Sawyer and wheeling the other suitcase.
"I'm so sorry you had to be here so early," Peyton told her the diaper bag hung on her shoulder.
"Hey you're my P. Sawyer it doesn't matter what time it is I'm here for you," Brooke scolded.
Peyton meekly nodded before going to try and help Julian fasten Sawyer in the backseat of his SUV.
"I got it Peyton," Julian told her softly.
"Okay," Peyton conceded going to the other side of the car and slipping in the backseat, her heart aching as she thought of all the pain she was causing everyone.
Brooke sat in the passenger seat after putting Peyton's suitcase by the car for Julian to put in the trunk. After fastening Sawyers car seat Julian moved to the trunk and put all Sawyer's and Peyton's luggage in before moving to the drivers seat. Peyton reached over and shook the seatbelt making sure it was tight before moving back to her own side of the car and buckling her own seat belt, laying her head against the window as the world sped by.
Brooke watched in the rearview mirror her heart breaking for the pain she was going through. When Nathan had called asking her to pick Peyton up she never expected to see Peyton like this. Julian looked over at Brooke before seeing she was looking at Peyton. Taking one hand off the wheel Julian reached over and grabbed Brooke's intertwining their fingers before giving her a half smile, letting her know he was here for her.
Brooke gave him a smile back the drive to their house quiet, each lost in their own thoughts.
Peyton felt the exhaustion creep in her bones, her eyes fluttering shut as the sheer exhaustion of keeping them open, before sleep claimed her and took her away from everything that had happened earlier.
As Julian maneuvered the car into the driveway of their home Brooke glanced into the backseat again to see her best friend sound asleep. Brooke's heart falls at the broken sight of her usually strong best friend, tear tracks dried on her cheeks.
Shaking her head, "Julian can you carry Peyton into the house? She's worn out and I just don't think she needs to be woken up. I'll get Sawyer." she said as he nods his head.
Julian quickly and quietly goes to Peyton's door and lifts her out of the car. She's in such a deep sleep that she doesn't even acknowledge that she's being carried into the house.
Brooke gets Sawyer out of the car and carried her to the room that is set up especially for when she visits laying her down in her crib. Her heart breaking for the little girl and her best friend.
"Good night mini Brooke," Brooke whispered before walking out the door and making her way to the guest bedroom she knows Julian put Peyton in.
Watching Julian tuck the covers around Peyton, Brooke moves to do the job as Julian backs away. Sitting on the side of the bed Brooke watched her friend sleep. Peyton opened her eyes watching Brooke. "Go back to sleep P. Sawyer," Brooke gently told her.
"Will you stay with me?" Peyton asked vulnerably needing her best friend.
"Of course," Brooke answered without hesitation as the blonde maneuvered so her head was in her best friend's lap. Brooke ran her fingers idly through Peyton's hair.
"What am I going to do now?" Peyton asked voicing the same words she spoke when Lucas had proposed to Lindsey and her life had been in shambles then.
"Right now you are going to go to sleep and tomorrow we will talk all about this and figure out a plan," Brooke said knowing the blonde hadn't been sleeping very well with all the secrecy from Lucas and Haley. "Everything is going to be okay," Brooke cooed.
"How do you know?" Peyton's broken voice spoke.
"Because it has to," Brooke told the blonde fighting the urge to cry with her best friend. Brooke continued to sit with her best friend listening as the harsh sobs broke her best friends body, her heart aching with all the pain she was going through. Brooke knew she never meant to hurt Haley and Lucas but wanted to protect them.
As soon as Brooke heard the labored breaths alerting her Peyton was sleeping the brunette slipped off the bed and walked out of the room searching for her boyfriend. Finding him in the living room she sat next to him his arm coming to wrap around her and pull her closer. "Is Peyton going to be okay?" Julian asked worriedly.
Brooke let out a deep thought before snuggling closer into her boyfriend's arms. "I hope so," She finally answered the tears pricking her eyes at the mention of her broken friend.
"Well she has an amazing best friend to help her out," Julian answered making Brooke give a sad smile as she looked up into his brown eyes. "I love you," She told him honestly.
"I love you too Brooke and don't worry about Peyton." He said as Brooke nodded before letting herself feel safe in his arms and the tiredness wash over as she fell asleep in his arms.
Lucas made his way up the steps. He had been to this place once every two months since a couple weeks after Sawyer was born. I can't believe she just ran, she doesn't have the right to be angry and hurt I do. I wasn't the one cheating on her. I can't believe she thought I would be okay just seeing Sawyer on a webcam. She's my daughter I should have a right to be in her life instead of in a computer...or is she my daughter? Lucas asked himself again. He had been continuously asking himself that question ever since he had walked in on his brother and soon to be ex-wife. He wasn't going to stay with someone if they cheated on him, even if he did still love her. Sawyer had blue eyes, but she could've got them from his brother...after all it was in both of their genes.
He hoped Brooke didn't kill him after all it was about 6:30 in the morning but at the same point he didn't care she was hiding his adulterous wife and if he woke up Peyton that would be even better. Making his hand in a fist he rapped on the door a couple times. Brooke heard a knock and snuggled deeper in Julian not wanting to wake up. Lucas knocked again a little louder than this time. Brooke groaned her eyes opening slowly as the person at the door knocked again. Glaring at the door she slid off the blanket Julian must of wrapped around them and walked to the door lightly not wanting to wake either of the blonde girls up, knowing they both needed their sleep. Lucas raised his fist again to knock on the door but just as he was about to hit the wood the door was jerked open stopping him as he looked at the brunette that was his wife or soon to be ex-wife's best friend.
Brooke bore holes into him. She had been having a really good dream and Lucas Scott just had to interrupt it. Crossing her arms against her chest she stood waiting for him to speak. She hoped he was here for his wife. Nathan hadn't said what happened when he called just given her the information about the flight. Taking a deep breath she looked at the man in front of her. He looked rough with blood shot eyes and his blonde hair messed up. Figuring he wasn't going to talk first she decided to figure out what happened. "Lucas what happened?" Brooke asked gently wanting to know why her best friend came to her in tears.
"Peyton fucked my brother," Lucas spit out bitterly.
"Wait what?" Brooke asked the shock evident in her voice as she looked at Lucas with surprise on her face.
"I walked in and the room was lit with candles and soft jazz was playing and there was Peyton and Nathan sitting on the bed. And I heard Nathan tell her she needs to tell me the truth. I'm not dumb Brooke I know she's been fucking my brother behind my back." Running a hand through his short blonde hair he spoke again before Brooke had a chance to speak. "After all how do I even know if Sawyer's mine?"
Brooke looked at him before bringing her perfectly manicured hand connecting and dragging it across the side of his face, a loud smack echoing across the hall.
Lucas cupped his cheek his eyes in shock as they met with Brooke's hazel eyes blazing with fire. "Don't you dare...don't you dare say that Sawyer might not even be your daughter...you know just by looking into her blue eyes that she is yours." Brooke told him harshly the anger boiling in her blood.
"Nathan has blue eyes too," Lucas refuted glaring back at the brunette.
"I can't believe you..." Brooke told him shaking her head. "After everything you and Peyton have been through, you would just assume so much without giving her a chance to explain." she said angrily. "Why don't you come back when you want to see your wife. I'm not giving you Sawyer ESPECIALLY when your this upset," Brooke said not waiting for Lucas to answer before shutting the door and locking it. What have you done Peyton? Brooke asked herself before going to sit back down on the couch.
Lucas was fuming as the door shut in his face. He never wanted to see Peyton again, not after she cheated on him with his brother, but Brooke was right Sawyer was his. He knew that as soon as he held her in his arms for the first time. He rubbed his cheek, he couldn't believe Brooke slapped him. I'll go check in a hotel and then come back later maybe she wont be so bitchy if I don't wake her up he thought walking down the hall and out of the apartment building.
Brooke went back to the couch and curled into Julian's side her mind racing with what Lucas had said, just as she felt her eyelids droop a shrill cry popped them back opening. Are you kidding me she thought groaning as she got up knowing it was her mini Brooke and that Peyton needed her rest.
As soon as she opened the door she couldn't help the smile on her face. Her best friend was already in there talking to the little girl in hushed whispers as she got her out of the crib.
"Hi baby," Peyton whispered lovingly. "How's my little girl? Are you ready to see Aunt Brooke and Uncle Julian huh? Peyton asked trying to make her voice cheery, her heart aching as Sawyer looked up at her with her light blue eyes like her fathers. "Should we change your diaper? Get you all cleaned up before we go out there?" Peyton asked moving to the changing table her back facing the door as she smiled. She loved how Brooke had made a nursery for when Sawyer came to visit. Grabbing a diaper and wipes from the diaper bag Peyton changed her daughter's diaper making faces at the little girl to get her to smile.
Brooke watched on with a heavy heart before turning around and walking out to the kitchen knowing they would be out soon. Getting the eggs out of the refrigerator she moved to get out a pan and started cooking breakfast.
"B. Davis your up early," Peyton told the brunette, her daughter on her hip as she walked into the kitchen.
"Yeah well I heard my mini Brooke up and was going to get her until I walked in and someone was changing her diaper," Brooke smiled at the little girl her dimples popping out. "We also need to talk P. Sawyer," Brooke rasped out.
"About what?" Peyton asked her eyes traveling around the kitchen looking anywhere but at Brooke.
"Lucas is in L.A," Brooke told her, just like ripping off a band-aid she thought.
Peyton's eyes jumped to Brooke as she stared at her the shock and nervousness apparent as she held her daughter tighter.
"What did he want?" Peyton asked vulnerably.
"Sawyer," Brooke answered honestly. "What happened Peyton?" Brooke asked dying to know what Lucas was talking about.
"Nothing," Peyton lied her long fingers stroking her daughters cheeks.
"You haven't told him yet have you?" Brooke questioned her arms crossing against her chest.
"He doesn't need to know..." Peyton told her best friend leaning against the counter.
"Yes he does. Peyton you need to tell Lucas the truth. it's not right for him to think that you're sleeping with his brother when you're not." Brooke told her adamantly.