A/N: I should write. I know I should but what do I want to write. My roommate wants to watch scary movies and I just can't handle them so we will have to wait and see if she lets me out of this. I'll get something done eventually. Finals are over and I can move past this semester now. Also I don't want to deal with a huge fight until I have no choice so this will be minor. It may blow up for them later though.
"I don't think you understand the severity of this." Brooke crossed her arms over her chest.
"I don't think you understand the fact that I can't just turn her away." Lucas stood across from Brooke. This fight had been going on for a week straight. The exact same conversation every time. "I think you need to think about Callie right now. Recognize that she is to me what Amber is to you."
"It is not the same." Brooke raised her voice.
"Except it is Brooke. I have a daughter. A daughter who needs me and I haven't been there for her at all." Lucas groaned inwardly. I can't do this anymore. They weren't even yelling at each other because in all honestly neither of us really cared anymore. "I'm tired of this Brooke."
"Of what?"
"Of arguing. We don't even spend time together anymore. I don't think I should stay here anymore." Lucas sighed. "I don't think it's good for any of us and right now I need to focus on Callie and work on co-parenting with Peyton."
"You should've picked her instead of me. She's the reason we never got married or had children together. It's always been Peyton." Brooke was upset but she had spent plenty of time crying and she's always known why things were the way they are.
"I chose you because I loved you." Lucas wasn't sure why Brooke was making this about Peyton. This was supposed to be about them.
"Maybe but never like you love Peyton. And I say love because I can see it in your face when you talk about her and about Callie. It's not there for us anymore." Brooke sighed. "It never was meant to be for us. That's just how it is. I'm tired of being angry all the time. Don't get me wrong I'm mad at you and I want to yell but Amber is upstairs and I will not do that to her."
Lucas nodded. "I don't agree about most things but I don't want to argue either so I am going to grab some of my things and go stay at my mom's place."
Brooke nodded. "Okay."
Lucas left Brooke where she was standing and gathered some of his things.
Amber stood in her doorway. She had heard the entire fight this time. Usually she only got a piece or two. She knew that Lucas' ex was in town. "So…" Amber got Lucas to turn around.
"What's up kid?" Lucas asked softly. He might be frustrated with Brooke but it's not Amber's fault.
"You got a kid?" Amber was hurt. Lucas had spent most of his life taking care of her and now he was leaving them for someone else. For his own blood.
Lucas nodded. "I do."
"Is she nice?" Amber asked softly. "How old is she?"
"She's nice. She's 15." Lucas replied. He could see that Amber was hurting. "I'm still going to be here for you."
Amber nodded. Sure… "I'll be fine. I can handle mom on my own."
Unfortunately, Lucas knew that dealing with Brooke was a two-person job. She had never intended to turn into her mother and she tried but sometimes she acted like Victoria. "If you call I'll be here."
-Callie and Peyton-
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" Peyton asked Callie. They were sitting together on Haley's back deck.
"Yeah, I think so. I mean it should be pretty easy to get the judge to agree to you guys annulling the adoption. My adoptive parents already signed yesterday." Callie was nervous. She was talking big but inside she knew the judge could still turn them down and she would have to return to her adoptive parents.
"I'm sorry if I made you feel like I didn't want this." Peyton was trying to be an adult. Apologizing is the first step to forgiveness. "I'm trying to make things right but I'm not sure of the best way to go about it."
Callie chuckled. "I know you are trying. This is new for all of us. I didn't expect to come here and uproot everyone's lives. I didn't even know if you'd be here. But I'm happy right now and we just have to take baby steps."
Peyton laughed. "Are you sure you aren't the parent?"
Callie grinned. A grin that matched Lucas'. "Maybe. I'm a little smart for my age."
"That you got from your father that's for sure." Peyton took a deep breath and realized what she had said. It made her feel good inside but also broke her heart at the same time. They lost all this time because she left and gave Callie up. This was her fault.
"What did I get from you?" Callie knew she was asking a loaded question. She wanted to find out more about her parents and about herself.
Peyton cleared her throat. "Where do you want me to start? You ask a question and I'll answer how's that? 20 questions. We can even go back and forth."
"Okay. Sounds good. I'll go first." Callie was thrilled she was finally getting somewhere with Peyton they were actually talking about things. Lucas hadn't been around much. He only told Callie but he was moving out of Brooke's and into his mother's house and getting his old room set up for Callie. No one was supposed to know so she kept it to herself like he asked. I got to talk to my grandma Karen and my aunt. Who knew? I wonder if my mom has any family for me to meet. Maybe I shouldn't start there though. "Well… hmm… what is your favorite color?"
Peyton thought for a second. She already knew this answer but watching Callie's anticipation made her smile. "Red. My room used to be painted red in high school. What is your favorite place to go?"
Callie grinned. "I loved the San Francisco bridge. It's beautiful." Callie was thrilled the first time she finally got to see it. "Where is your favorite place to go?"
"Here in tree hill?" Peyton asked. Callie nodded and Peyton thought about the answer. Another answer she knew the answer to immediately but it could lead to questions she wasn't sure she could answer right away. "I'd have to say where my car broke down in high school. It's next to a lake and it's a gorgeous sight. I can always think in peace when I'm there." Peyton smiled at her memories.
"I know it's your turn but I really have to know something. It might be a tough subject but I'd really like to know." Callie asked cautiously.
Peyton took in the request. "Okay. Go for it but no promises."
Callie smiled. The one thing Peyton had down when it came to parenting was not giving false hope. She made it clear what she wanted and when she may not be able to answer or provide what someone else wanted. "Where did you meet Lucas?"
Peyton froze for a second but quickly thawed. She could feel Lucas' presence behind her. Lucas had just exited onto the deck. She turned and looked at him in wonder. "I'll take this one." He said.
"Okay." Callie agreed. "Where did you meet? Like really meet?"
Lucas laughed. "We went to school together but she almost ran me over with her car and then the next day her car broke down by the lake and I went to tow it and that's when we had our first conversation."
"You almost hit him with your car?" Callie shrieked. "Wait that's why where your car broke down is your favorite spot."
Peyton covered her mouth. "No." She shook her head. "I didn't say that."
"You did though." Callie added.
Lucas leaned down to Peyton's ear. "It's okay. It's my favorite spot too."
"Lucas do you want to join in? I'll ask you and Peyton questions." Callie asked excitedly.
"Sure." Lucas sat down next to Callie and waited for the next question.
"Where is the location of your guys' first kiss?" Callie grinned. She had them stuck. They agreed.
Peyton chuckled. "At your uncle Nathan's dads' old house."
Lucas laughed with Peyton. "Oh that was a horrible party."
"No kidding." Peyton smiled at Lucas. "Next question Callie."
"Right." Callie was so happy right now. She placed her finger against her chin and tapped it. "I got it. Where was I conceived?"
"Why would you want to know that?" Peyton looked at her in confusion and shock.
"Every kid knows. Parents always let it slip. Please tell me." Callie begged. "I told you. I want to know everything."
Lucas cleared his throat. This was not a subject he had been prepared for. "In your mom's high school bedroom."
Peyton laughed. "Oh god. That sounds terrible."
Lucas chuckled. "Yeah. It definitely does. I've got a question for you Callie."
"Okay." Callie sat up straight. "I'm ready."
"Are you ready for us to be your parents tomorrow?" Lucas was worried she'd say no. He had missed the beginning of Peyton and Callie's conversation.
Callie smiled and pulled Lucas and Peyton out of their chairs. "Of course." Callie pulled them into a hug and both obliged.
Peyton would never tell anyone her thoughts at this moment. Neither would Lucas. Turns out they were the same just then. I couldn't ask for a better family in my life. Finally a family, tomorrow that is. What happens next?
