'Grandpa!' Isabel threw her arms around Larry's waist before he'd even managed to fully open the door.

'How's my favourite grand daughter?' He chuckled, bending over to kiss her head of golden curls.

'I'm your only grand daughter Grandpa!' Isabel gleamed.

'And my favourite' Larry winked. 'Look how much you've grown.' He exclaimed, taking her all in. 'You look just like your mum did when she was your age'

'Mumma say's I'm gonna be tall'

'I think she's right.' He smiled.

'Where's Barney?' She widened her eyes in excitement at the prospect of seeing her furry friend.

'He's in the garden, probably digging up my lawn. Want to go find him and check his behaving for me? It's nearly his dinner time, you can help me feed him if you want?'

'Can I mumma?'

'Ok'

The two adults watched as the little girl raced from the room as fast as her little legs would allow her, eager to find the loving animal that she'd doted on since she'd been old enough to walk. Larry diverted his gaze to his daughter, eying her with concern.

'Hi sweetheart' He greeted softly, opening his arms to her, giving her a brief embrace. 'How was your flight?'

'Ok'

'Good.' He smiled awkwardly. 'So you wanna tell me why I suddenly get a visit after six years of only seeing you during the Christmas holidays?' He questioned sceptically, desperate to know the true purpose of her surprise visit.

'Isabel wanted to see her Grandpa'

'Darling, you sounded a wreck on the phone' He argued.

'I just wanted to come visit' The sudden hand on her arm and his soothing eyes made her break in an instant. As much as she despised it, he'd always be the only person that could break down her walls with a single look. 'Lucas and I are having problems' She blurted, immediately regretting her honesty at Larry's expression. She could tell he'd already derived his own story on what had happened. 'We, we just need some space' She added.

'Peyton' He sighed. 'You've had two years of space.' He rubbed a hand over his forehead in exasperation.

'It's different' She turned away from his stare. 'He's been through a lot, it's going to take time.'

'When are you going to wake up and realise you deserve better'

'Don't say that. I love him' She folded her arms guardedly.

'What aren't you telling me?'

'Nothing' He watched her staring idely at a picture of Anna Sawyer on the mantel shelf, her back hunched.

'Peyton you're my baby girl, I know when you're hiding something from me' She kept her lips firmly glued together, her index finger reaching out to trace the outline of her mother's beautiful face. 'Peyton?' He urged.

She took a shaky breath 'I'm...I'm pregnant' She muttered nervously.

'What?'

'Pregnant, I'm pregnant' She bravely turned to face him.

'What?' His tone was displeased, immediately making the twenty five year old tense.

'I'm pregnant' She repeated.

He turned away from her. 'Peyton-'

'Don't say my name like that'

'I just...you were barely twenty one when you had Isabel, you had your whole life ahead of you. You had the rest of your life to settle down and have children, I wanted you to see the world, to get a head start with your career'

'I wasn't a kid dad-'

'Are you telling me she was planned?'

'You know she wasn't' Peyton snapped. 'I don't regret having her, not for a second. She's my world.'

'I don't want you to be on your own with two children Peyton'

'I'm not-'

'Lucas left you, he left you with a two year old little girl and now he's turned his back on you again. I don't think I'll ever understand why you waited for him-'

'Because I love him' She cried indignantly.

'I know you do darling but you gave away your heart to a teenage boy, are you sure he loves you as much as you say you do him?' Peyton closed her eyes. 'And now he's left you again?' Larry added fuel to the already burning fire in the pitt of her stomach.

'No' She snapped. 'I left him'

'Darling' His brow creased in confusion.

'I just, things have been difficult lately and...and I just think it's best if we're apart'

'Does he know about the baby'

'Of course he does'

'And he was pleased?'

'I don't know, but-'

'Peyton when has he ever been there for you or Izzy? What kind of father is he?' Her whole body turned rigid. 'These two children are probably better off without him. Maybe you can finally move on with your life, find someone who will look after you-'

'Just stop it' She interrupted. 'Don't you ever, ever criticize Lucas' ability as a father' She growled.

Larry sighed. 'Darling he left you with a two year old child-'

Peyton sniveled, shaking her head, anger bubbling within her green eyes. 'You're one to talk. You were never around. Never. Mum died and I needed you but you pushed me away, you left me' She spat. She couldn't prevent the unmistakable bitterness rising within her. There were days, as she made breakfast for Isabel, when she could remember making herself a sandwich for dinner and putting herself to bed and in an instant she'd be reminded of that terrible loneliness. She could remember so clearly how he'd sat at her ill mothers bedside day in, day out, catering for her every need. She'd watched from the doorway, astounded by the love her parents shared. She'd believed in that love, her beautiful innocence had led her to believe that love could conquer all. She'd been deceived.

Peyton gripped her head, pain suddenly flooded her as she was blinded from past memories. Her tormented childhood dominating her mind. It had all been a lie. 'You never loved me' She verbalised the one thought that had terrorised her since the age of nine. Larry's eyes widened, tears of remorse blurring his vision. 'Lucas might not have been there. He might not be with us right now but I know...I know in my heart that if I died, he would be there for Izzy' She had to believe that. Despite everything that had happened in the recent weeks, regardless of everything he said, she still believed in her husband's overwhelming ability to love. As a child to have suddenly gone from being the centre of her father's universe to being the last thing on his mind was confusing and heart breaking to say the least, for the first couple of months she'd struggled to come to terms with her mother's disappearance. She'd lost both her parents. Her father's sudden departure for a job out with a dredging company had left her distraught. There were times when she'd pretended she was ill, so much so that she'd convinced herself she really was unwell. But still her father didn't come home. Instead she was left with Mrs McCullen from across the road, trying to care for the broken little girl. 'You never loved me. Lucas showed me what love is. So don't you dare. Don't you dare question his right as parent' Her voice was teetering on the edge, her eyes wide and brimming with hurt. Larry's mouth dropped, stunned into silence by her venomous tone.

'Grandpa I gots Barney' The back door creaked open as Isabel skipped in, followed by the excited golden retriever, his tail wagging furiously as he noticed yet another person to greet. Peyton obliged to his nose rubbing against her leg, stroking him affectionately 'He's real happy to see me' Isabel informed them both, patting his head, oblivious to the tension in the room. Peyton looked at her little girl, taken aback by the wide smile painting her little lips. She'd not seen that smile in a long time.

'He sure is' Larry forced a bright smile. 'Your his best friend. Come on over here then and you can fill his bowl with biscuits'

'Come on Barns, this way' Isabel patted her leg, urging the dog to follow her. 'Dinner Time'

Nathan groaned inwardly as he walked into Tric, his eyes immediately fixating on Lucas sat at the bar, surrounded by empty beer bottles. He strode through the dancing party goers. 'I've been looking for you everywhere, Haley and Brooke are going out of their minds worrying about you' He snapped impatiently. He was trying to be calm but Lucas wasn't being as cooperative as he'd have liked. 'Lucas what're you doing?'

'What does it look like?' The brooding blonde responded without looking up.

'Don't do this. Believe me this isn't going to help. Don't do this to yourself, to Peyton, to Isabel.' Nathan pleaded.

'Do you see her anywhere?' Lucas seethed. 'She's gone. They're both gone'

'And you think drinking away your sorrows is going to win her back? You need help Lucas'

'I'm not crazy'

'No-'

'Tell me where she is Nathan. I have a right to know. She's my fucking wife'

'Yes but she's not going to be for much longer if you don't get your act together. Let me take you home and then tomorrow I'll take you to go see someone. You can talk to someone. They could help you'

'No Nate. You could help me by telling me where the hell she's gone.' Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. 'Fine' Lucas spat through gritted teeth when it became more than clear that the younger Scott sibling wasn't going to divulge Peyton's whereabouts. 'Just fucking go Nate. You're no longer my brother'

'Luke-'

'Go'

Peyton hovered in the doorway to the kitchen, watching as Larry cleaned away the rest of dinner. They'd not spoken to each other while they ate, Isabel being the only one to prompt conversation that mostly consisted of Barney the dog. 'Dad?' She gingerly took a step into the room. He placed the last plate back in it's cupboard before turning to face her. 'Dad I'm sorry...I'm sorry about earlier' She blurted. 'I just, I came here to escape and I really don't need you lecturing me. I didn't mean what I said though'

'Yes. Yes you did' He sighed heavily.

'Dad-'

'But you were right. I've been useless and selfish. I'm sorry darling. You have to know that a day hasn't gone by without me loving you' She opened and closed her mouth. 'You know that right?' He asked desperately.

'I know' She whispered a little bewildered.

'It was hard after your mother past away and you're right- I did run away. I did neglect you and you didn't deserve it. I know I've failed you in more ways than one but I'm here for you right now and I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me.' He avoided her eyes. 'It wasn't because I didn't love you Peyton, it was because I couldn't look at you without thinking about your mother.' He rambled. 'I know that doesn't justify anything I put you through'

'Dad it's fine. I get it' Peyton mumbled. It had been a tough forty eight hours and she wanted nothing more than to just enjoy being with her family not to rehash her messy childhood.

'It's not fine. I want to make it up to you though...I want you to stay here. I don't want this to be temporary, move to Seattle'

'What?' Her eyes narrowed. 'My life's in Tree Hill. I just need some time to get my head together. I wouldn't dream of bringing up Izzy or this child' She settled her hand on her stomach. 'Anywhere else.' She shook her head.

'I don't want you having to do all this by yourself.' Larry argued.

'I won't be, I have people I love in Tree Hill. Besides regardless of whatever happens with me and Luke I can't, wouldn't ever dream of taking them away from their father'

'Darling if you have so much belief in Lucas why did you find the need to come out here to escape him?' she tensed.

'It's complicated' She trailed her hand over her creased brow, shutting herself off from her father's gaze. 'I better check on Isabel' Larry sighed as he watched her wander from the room. He wondered how different things would've been if his beloved wife hadn't died all those years ago, how different Peyton would be if she'd had a mother's guidance through her teenage years. He could only hope he was wrong in his judgement of Lucas, he could only hope that the two young parents did share the same love he had had with his wife and that he'd see her happy and content in life again.

Nathan had settled himself in the corner of the bar. He'd not been able to leave. He couldn't leave his own brother here drinking himself to his death. He'd given the pretense that he'd indeed gone but instead had taken up refugee a good distance away. He'd reassured Haley he'd get him home in one piece but at this moment in time, he wasn't all that hopeful that he'd be going anywhere. He grimaced, shaking his head in disgust as he watched Lucas turn to a girl beside him, his intentions obvious by the way his blue eyes crudely drifted down her body. Despised by the thought of him hooking up with anyone, Nathan quickly abandoned his spot, making his way back to the bar.

'I thought I'd told you to leave' Lucas chortled.

'I can't just leave you here. Luke come on, let's get you home' A concerned Nathan insisted. 'Please'

'I don't need you babysitting me'

'That's not what I'm doing'

'That's exactly what you're doing.' He fired back.

'Can you blame me' He sighed in agitation, leaning in closer and hissing into Lucas' ear. 'What're you doing? You're married. Lucas I won't let you do this to Peyton or yourself. You're in love with her' Nathan's eyes stared, unforgiving as they passed judgment upon him, heightening Lucas' current anger.

'She's moved on. Why can't I? She doesn't love me, she's not here' He snapped in irritation, swigging down the last of his drink. 'I'll do what the hell I want Nathan' He slurred, clumsily pushing himself from the stool, turning back to the girl. 'You want to get out of here?'