A/N: So how amazing was OTH on Monday? The ending Leyton scene was so sweet! We all heard baby Leyton's heartbeat! Everything was just so awe..and how about Skillz? Man did he make me laugh with the whole junk story!! Haha.

Chapter Fourteen:

After the quick lunch Elliot seemed to find his way back outside standing by the pool looking at his reflection in the water. His wasn't the only reflection starring back noticing his inherited familiarized blue eyes.

"Hey, mom." He rocked back and forth on the heels of his feet finally looking up at his mother the light shades of a bruise forming along her cheekbone and right eye. "Are you alright? Does it hurt?"

He began going into full panic mode his fingers lightly tracing the circular bruise, but quickly retracted his hands away when his mother flinched.

"I'm fine, sweetheart. You don't have to worry about me."

He didn't believe her. He would always worry about her no matter what.

"Why did SHE hit you?"

He refused to say the name only addressing her as she or her or that woman. Elliot couldn't understand why she was staying at his mother and father's home. Sure his father had illegitimate children with her, but the lady was rich enough to at least stay at a hotel.

"Eli, don't worry yourself silly about it. It's nothing."

"How can you say that? This is more than nothing! Tell me why she hit you and why my dad didn't do anything, but kick you out like it was your entire fault."

The silence overcame the mother and son and it killed him that she wouldn't tell him why.

"It's not Lucas' fault. It's Peyton. She's brain washing him with all of her lies. Your father was always weak when it came to her. When she says jump he says how high."

"You make it sound like she treats him like a dog."

"Its worse she treats him like a mongrel and he doesn't care. Elliott, you have to help me get through to him."

"How can I help?"

And the young boy thought he was helping his mother get through to his father when in fact Lindsay was scheming and planning to get rid of Peyton Sawyer hopefully forever.

***

Speaking of Peyton she made her way over towards the young man who was being honored today.

"Look at you baby James." She hadn't seen him since he was a boy. "Guess I'm going to have to come up with a new nickname, huh?"

"Yeah. Hopefully it'll be something cooler than Baby James."

He laughed bringing his aunt into a hug.

"I'm so sorry."

"Well it's understandable that you'd still call me…"

He was confused about her apologize. She didn't have to apologizing for still calling him by the name she had gaven to him when he was born. And she laughed.

"Not for that. For almost knocking out your aunt and making your party awkward. I'm setting a horrible example for you and everyone else here."

"Don't get me wrong I love Aunt Lindsay, but what she said about you and Uncle Luke was out of line, but I guess she crossed that line when she almost smacked Elle." He tried to reassure her. "You're my Aunt too, Peyton and it was kind of cool what you did. You had to protect your kid. I get that, plus they made us read Uncle Luke's book in school and well if I could find someone who had half the connection that you and my uncle have or had than I would be lucky."

"You're a smart kid, James."

"That's why I got into Yale early."

He stated while she ruffled his hair as if he was a little kid before standing and making her way to her other friend.

"I'm sorry, Hales. I know you and Lindsay are really close, but she just…"

"Peyton." Haley had spoken her name about three other times before catching her attention. "Your right; me and Lindsay are close, but Elle is my niece my family and Lindsay's actions are inexcusable. I would have done the same thing if someone laid a hand on either of my kids."

Peyton didn't know what to do. She really expected that everyone would take Lindsay's side, but it felt good that they were on hers.

"C'mere." Haley's arms wrapped around Peyton giving her a tight squeeze. "Even though the circumstances weren't the best we're still glad that you're here. Every single one of us. It's good to have you home; it kind of feels like old times."

"Thanks Haley. It does feel good to be back."

He watched from afar the good ol' Lucas Scott smile forming on his lips.

"So I really wanted to kick your wife's ass, Broody."

The familiar rasped voice of Brooke was all his ears could hear as he turned to face her.

"Brooke, hey."

"Hey. So enjoying getting stolen glances at Peyton?" she didn't wait for him to respond. "You do know what the definition to stocker is, right, Luke?"

"To stock?"

He wasn't about to play her little games.

"Yeah and they just updated Webster's Dictionary to include your picture underneath with an inscription of 'also see clueless, noticeable, and he's-no-Sherlock Holmes.'

"I forgot how funny you were, Brooke. Ha. Ha."

"And I forgot how much you suck at sarcasm, Luke."

It wasn't meant to hurt their feelings; it was meant to make them laugh because even though they did date in high school they both knew they were never meant for one another. Not the way that Peyton and Lucas are. They are meant to be friends and as friends they laughed together.

"Touché."

"Don't mess with the Queen of Sarcasm."

Brooke informed Lucas.

"I know for a face that that crown belongs to Peyton."

"Touché."

"It's good to have you back Brooke." He glanced towards Peyton. "The both of you."

Just then Chris walked up towards the two former lovers and now friends as he smiled.

"Awe, Luke. I didn't know you felt that way about me. It's good to be back."

Brooke couldn't help the laugh that escaped her lips and Lucas turned to look at Chris almost annoyed.

"I meant Peyton."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Luke. The Keller won't tell a soul."

Brooke's laughter grew louder earning her looks from everyone that was currently in the house. She tried muttering an apology for her outburst; nothing but giggles came out.

After Brooke had calmed down Preston made his way towards Leighton taking a seat next to her on the fourth step that led up the stairs.

"So how are you holding up?"

That question earned him a broken laugh.

"Didn't I just ask you that question like an hour ago?"

"Yeah. But now it's my turn. So how are you holding up?"

"I almost got bitched slapped by step monster. How do you think I'm holding up?"

Leighton wrapped her arms around her legs resting her chin on her knees.

"I don't think you're doing to great."

"Thanks Captain Obvious."

"You're welcome." He smiled the inherited smirk and his sister punched his arm playfully. "So it was kind of awesome seeing mom in action."

"Yeah. Maybe next time we can get away with that move and when she says 'Violence isn't the answer' we can say…"

"That's not what you said to Lindsay's face." Preston read his sister's mind as he finished Leighton's sentence. They high-fived each other because they now have a get out of jail free card the next time a fight might break out. "Isn't it weird having mom and Lucas around at the same time?"

"Duh. They keep looking at each other like love sick puppies. It's freaky. Do you think they're still in love?"

"I don't know. I think things would be different if Julian was here."

"Not knowing really sucks."

***

Looking out the window Lucas noticed that Lindsay was back. He excused himself away from the now bickering godparents making his way towards the backyard.

"Eli, why don't you go inside and give me and your mom a second to sort some things out?"

The young boy looked from father to his mother and when she nodded her made his way inside, but quickly jumped behind a bush as soon as both his parent's backs were turned.

"I don't even know what to say to you, Lindsay." He thought of every possibility of what he could say, but everything that crossed his mind would end up with him yelling at her. "I guess I could start with asking what the hell you wore thinking."

"Lucas, you did not hear what your daughter said to me. She's very disrespectful and you don't do a thing about it."

"Well maybe if you would have told me what she said then I would have been able to speak with her, but you decided to take matters into your own hands."

"Well maybe a little slap would have set her straight."

"You said it yourself Leighton's not your daughter so you have no right to discipline her especially in a way that could traumatize her."

"What about Peyton then? You just let her attack me."

"The damage was done before I could stop it. What you did was wrong and I hope somewhere deep down in you, you know that." Lucas spoke and Lindsay stood quiet. "Instead of talking to either Peyton or me you ATTACKED our daughter and do you truly think that Peyton was going to let you get away with that?"

"Probably not, but I thought you would at least be on my side and back me up. I'm your wife for god sakes."

"And Leighton is my daughter. I love you Lindsay, I do, but you can't make me choose you over my girl. It's not ever going to happen and I'm not really sorry for that. You of all people should know when you agreed to marry me."

"But you would gladly choose Peyton's son over ours." Lucas just stood there. "Your silence says it all."

"It's not that. I wouldn't be able to choose." Was he lying to himself? "It's just that your lying finally makes sense."

"What?"

"You had to lie that Eli had HCM because of your insecurities."

"What?"

This time it was Karen who asked the question. She had wanted to make sure her daughter-in-law was fine by bringing her a plastic bag of ice to put over the swelling, but it slipped out of her hands and splattered to the ground when she heard the words that were coming out of her son's mouth.

"Karen it's not what you…"

"So you didn't lie that Elliot had HCM?" Karen's voice was cold and bitter. "What is wrong with you? Do you have any idea how torturous that would be to this whole family if we believed that?"

"Mom, please."

"Don't you defend her, Lucas? I thought you were a better person, Lindsay. I thought my son made a good choice in making you his wife; not the perfect choice but almost there. I just can't believe you'd do something to malicious."

She walked away not being able to look at the woman any longer.

"Great. Now your mom hates me."

"Whose fault is that?"

"Are you blaming me for this?"

"If the shoe fits."

It was Lucas who left her in the dust as his son came from behind the bushes where he hid.

"Now you got to see firsthand on what kind of things Peyton's putting into our family's minds. She's ruining everything and needs to be stopped."

A/N: I know this chapter is quite short compared to the others, but I was really stumped on this one. I usually just center my fics around Lucas and Peyton and in this one Pres and Elle, but I wanted to show more of Lindsay and Elliot and I guess you can tell I don't really like to write them (even tho Eli is my own character lol) but anyway hope y'all enjoyed it.

-PLEASE REVIEW :D