BRIEF NOTES:

Again and again, thank you very much for the heartwarming reviews.

I hadn't realized that I put 109 in the previous chapter. Thankfully, I was still able to edit it. Sorry, sorry. I am human, after all.

Thanks and Enjoy.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own One Tree Hill.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Lucas paced like an imprisoned tiger around the waiting area hallway. If in about five seconds nobody still bothered to tell them what was wrong with his son, heads were going to roll.

"You're wearing a hole on the floor."

He froze mid-step and looked at Peyton. He knew she was anxious, only he could predict her signature lip and nail biting. But something was different about her this time - She was nervous, but she was calmer at the same time. It unnerved him.

"Our son is delirious from high-grade fever… why are you so calm about this?"

She looked at him as if he had just slapped her, but she made a conscious effort to compose herself. "Because I've been around fevers like this long enough to know that walking like a caged animal threatening to bite everyone's heads off isn't the way to do it." Her green eyes turned hazel at the fire he lit. She walked away to grab some coffee.

You wanna get into her good graces and you hit her in the face with an insult? Smart move, Lucas. He thought as he mentally kicked himself. This wasn't going well at all.

"Who's here for Robert Lucas?"

He stiffened at the mention of his little boy's name, but rushed immediately to the doctor's side. Out of nowhere, Peyton appeared beside him. He automatically reached for her hands and intertwined them, secretly thankful she didn't retreat at his touch.

"We are." His voice had managed to choke out.

"Parents?" The doctor asked.

"Yes. What's wrong with my son?" It was Peyton who answered this time, the palpable worry thickening her voice… an indication that she was about to shed tears. He squeezed her hand tighter.

"First off, there's no need to be worried. The fever peaked but it's tempered down. Your son is fine. What we do have here, though, is the first onset of chicken pox." The doctor announced.

They both released a breath as Lucas reached to embrace Peyton, she collapsed in his arms with the relief that their boy didn't have anything serious. Nevertheless, he was still going through something which they could consider difficult.

The pediatrician continued. "This isn't going to be pretty, Mrs. Scott --"

"Sawyer." She interrupted. The doctor was baffled.

"It's… It's Ms. Sawyer." She explained as she released herself from Lucas's hold. She knew it must've hurt him to hear her correction; then again, could he have really blamed her if it came so automatically every time she took Robby for a checkup?

"Right. As I was saying, this isn't going to be pretty – nor will it be easy for both of you or for him. The blisters are going to cover his body, some have already taken residence in his back, and they're going to itch. Don't let him scratch it unless you want him to get an infection. Stock up on calamine lotion. Here's a prescription for Zovirax, make him take it as soon as he wakes up – it's one dose 4 times a day for 5 days. Wash it down with juice so that he doesn't reject it. It should heal within a maximum of 3 weeks, but keep him away from anyone who hasn't had this in a span of a month because the week following the healing period is the most contagious one. Other than that, you can fill up the necessary discharge papers and take him home." Both of them were silent for a minute as the doctor moved on to his next case.

Lucas held his hand out to touch her. "Let's get you home, Peyt."

It was a little after 2 when they got to her house. She searched for her keys while Lucas held a sleeping Robby to his chest.

When she finished the task at hand, Lucas immediately went inside and upstairs to set his son down in the bedroom. She waited for him downstairs.

"He's out like a light. Hopefully he won't be too fussy when he wakes up from the itchiness." He commented. Sensing her exhaustion, he went for the door. "Well, I'll head home. I'll just see you tomorrow."

She spoke before he could make a full exit. "Luc, about a while--"

He smiled at her. "I deserved it, Peyton. And I'm sorry too." He turned and walked again. She hesitated for all of one second and called his name.

He looked over his shoulder again. "Yeah?"

"Take my car. Just bring it back when you come tomorrow morning." She offered and tossed him the keys. He caught them just in time. "Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow."

A smile turned up on both their faces – along with a secret hope harbored in each of their hearts.

A wail from the upstairs bedroom sent Peyton running. Once she reached her destination, her heart upturned at the sight of her precious little boy's frustrated tears.

"Baby… you have to try not to scratch them, okay? I know they're annoying but you're gonna get worse if you keep scratching."

Robby stuck out his tongue and shot her a dark look while the tears that hadn't fallen glistened in his eyes. "I don't want this anymore mommy! I want it to come off!"

His wails turned into a full-blown sob; it almost made her want to cry. "Robby, I know this is a bad time for you. But you have to understand that this doesn't go away just like that. Mommy's trying very hard to make you feel okay, but you have to help yourself too, okay? Don't worry, it's been one week already. I'm sure it'll be gone by next week." She comforted and held him close.

His sniffles turned softer as he snuggled up against Peyton. "Do you want me to stay home tonight and look after you?"

"S'okay, you can work. Daddy's coming, right?" He asked as the last of his sniffles faded.

She stroked his hair and smiled. The little boy opened his heart to Lucas, and it turned out perfect for both of them. "Yeah, sweety. I think he's on his way."

He turned in her arms and cupped her face, making her look at those eyes that were as intense as the ones they took shape from. "Do you love him, mom?"

The question caught her off-guard. It was an inquiry she always knew the answer to but, given the light of recent history, was too afraid to openly admit. For Robby's sake, however, she decided to supply an answer. "Yes, Rob, I do." And she meant it.

"Mmmkay. He loves you too, I can tell." He said plainly as he relaxed in her embrace. Little did he know that his comment had slightly appeased his mother's fears.

Just then, the man of the hour stepped in.

"Hey, sport." The greeting came with a kiss on the little boy's forehead and a touch on her shoulder. "Hi."

He looked at her warmly; it made her melt inside. "Hey." She was blushing. She couldn't for the life of her, understand why he still made him blush. "So, are you really okay with this? I mean, Karen told me the publishers called and they need you to speed up your work."

Lucas picked Robby up from Peyton's lap and held him, the little boy rested his head against Lucas's shoulder. "My son is more important than a book deal." He simply explained. "Plus, I can work when he's asleep. We'll be fine, Peyt. I'll try to keep the scratched blisters to a minimum."

"Thanks. I'm gonna go now but I'll be home as early as I can." She kissed the back of Robby's head. "Bye, baby. Be okay. I love you." Her son smiled and returned her declaration.

She hadn't realized it, but Peyton Sawyer sported the widest smile she had in years. If fate kept things at this pace, maybe the hopes she harbored for her family could finally come to life.

Maybe.

"Daaaaaad it's iiiitchy…" That was the last of the little boy's complaints; it was barely one second after when he threw the first tantrum his father witnessed.

Lucas was dumbfounded; never in his life did he deal with tantrums from a sick child, his mom dealt with Kaitlyn during a tanrtum's rare occurrence.

Nevertheless, he tried to approach the situation. "I know, buddy, I know. Where does it itch?"

Robby wailed and pointed to what could be summarized as his entire body. Lucas grabbed the calamine lotion from the top of the bureau, and a lightbulb sparked in his head.

"Alright, Rob. Tonight, no clothes for you."

Robby looked at him with mischievous delight. His mommy never allowed him to run around the house naked. To the little boy, this was a golden opportunity. Lucas started stripping the confining articles of cloth from his son; once done, the entire content of the medium-sized bottle was generously spread all over the boy. Robby squealed at the coolness of the lotion, his father relieved at the temporary comfort he felt.

A few chases and six popsicles later, father and son were sprawled on the living room couch. In a matter of minutes, Lucas realized, his precious boy would be fast asleep. He arranged Robby on top of him, making certain the child would be comfortable lying down on his upper torso.

"Goodnight, Robby." He said as he stroked the boy's bare back.

Somewhere between the living room and dreamland, Robby stirred and looked up at his father with sleepy eyes. He smiled.

"I love you, Daddy."

He dozed off in less than ten seconds after.

Lucas, however, felt like he had just been awakened. It was the first time Robby had ever said it. His son had finally let him all the way in.

It was then that he allowed the tears of joy to flow freely.

The feeling of something fluffy draping over him stirred his sleep.

Lucas opened his eyes, which were met with the perfect greens that expressed a warmth that had him shaken. "Hey." He said softly with a smile.

"Hi." She returned the tone. "I just got home. Things got busy at Tric."

He was about to rise from where he and Robby were laying, taking care not to budge his son's solemn slumber; Peyton's hand, which was now on his shoulder, froze him mid-motion.

"You can stay, Luc."

Tonight was definitely his night, he thought as he laid back. "Thank you, Peyton." His eyes glazed, quietly expressing what he restrained himself from saying.

"You deserve it. Goodnight." She turned and headed for her own bedroom.

"Goodnight." He said. As he watched her disappear from where he was, he spoke in a tone too soft to hear.

"I love you."