I own nothing—thanks for the reviews.

Seriously, you are all amazing for the amount of reviews I've gotten. I love you all for it lol.


I've come to accept

The things that I see

I've read every word

every line

everything

Just say what you will

Just tell me I'm scared

I won't let you down for the moment I'm in...

The two teens took a deep breath. Larry Sawyer had returned home. He called Peyton and told her to meet him for dinner at Karen's Café. This small café marked many memories for the Sawyers.

She walked in; holding her fathers rough hand and smiled faintly at the tender voice of the dark haired woman behind the counter. Peyton watched the interaction between his father and the woman and knew the lady was familiar with her family. When she was eight, the food for her mother's funeral reception was ordered from here.

They sat at a table near the window and waited for the older woman to take their orders. Brooke talked about how it wasn't fair that she wasn't allowed to wear makeup and Peyton smiled while she nodded her head understandingly. Breakfast continued and Brooke's eyes lit up as she thought of a master plan. When they were done they were going to go to the mall and then since nobody was home they would go to Peyton's house to put on the ridiculous shades of makeup Brooke bought and listen to a new depressing record that Peyton bought. They were ten and it was a Tuesday morning.

She wasn't usually home when he got in. She was either out with Brooke or Nathan. Eventually, timing got the best of them. He would set back out before they even had a chance to see each other. When he came home one weekend he sat her down and told her that they were going to have dinner together at the little known café. It was the first night Peyton had spent with her father in quite a while; she was thirteen.

She was sitting with Haley on the rooftop. They had tried to get their friendship back on track and this seemed to catapult it. Lucas had gotten into a car accident and was in pretty bad condition. It hit home for the curly blonde. She listened as his best friend talked about how she wanted him to him she loved him. That's when Peyton finally admitted it. To herself, to her sixteen year old heart, and to his best friend. She wanted him to wake up to tell him she was in love with him.

This past summer she sat in the same spot and thought. She thought back on every memory she had with that blonde and sighed. That boy had made her do things she certainly wasn't proud of. She had cheated and lost her best friend. But she had also fallen in love and that was something she was grateful she got to experience. Too bad it was all a mistake. She ripped the drawing of him and her and threw it into the wind. She was fully prepared to let go of it all.

Now at seventeen years old she and said blonde boy walked to the small café to make another memory.

"I can't do this", she whispered as she faced the café. She had been mentally preparing herself for anything that might happen, but now as she stared at the building that meant so much to her all she felt was fear.

His hand slipped easily into hers and he gave it a squeeze.

"You're not doing this alone", he whispered. She turned her head to face him and smiled gratefully.

"Thanks", she pulled her hand from his and shoved it into her jacket pocket. His face fell for a moment, but he quickly recovered.

"Come on", he said as he nodded to his mother's store.

"Chicken", her father yelled out as he walked over to her with outstretched arms.

"Hey dad", she whispered as her arms latched around his neck.

Lucas scanned the café as the father and daughter shared their moment. It was unusually empty. The only other people in the café were an elderly man that was paying for the cup of coffee and a family of five that were heading to the door. His eyes locked with his mother's and she walked over.

"Rakeboy", Larry brought him back to reality and Lucas shook his outstretched hand.

"Hey Mr. Sawyer", Lucas smiled at his nickname. Peyton had walked over to his mother and the two were exchanging hugs.

"I want to thank you for being there for her this summer. It was a rough one and I–"

"Mr. Sawyer that's not–"

"I was glad that she had you", Larry spoke sincerely. Lucas couldn't help but to think that he would be recanting those words very soon.

"Thank you", he said sincerely.

"Lucas lets leave these two, it's their time together", Karen teased as she and Peyton joined them.

"Actually, why don't you both join us?" Peyton questioned, "the place is empty and I'm sure you haven't eaten all day", she looked at Karen accusingly. The older woman simply laughed.

"So, what was so important that Nathan had to call me home", Larry asked as he looked at Peyton with a raised brow. They four of them were at a table near the window, plates of food were in front of them and Peyton had almost forgotten the reason she and Luke were there; almost.

"Umm, well actually I need to tell you something."

"We need to tell you something", Lucas corrected and Peyton smiled faintly.

"What are you guys getting married?" Larry joked; neither teen laughed.

"I'm pregnant", Peyton said quickly.

"You're what?" Larry questioned in anger. Karen sat there with her mouth opened.

"I'm pregnant", she whispered lower then before.

"I heard you, I just don't believe it."

"Daddy I'm sorry."

"How could you be so stupid?" he questioned in anger. Peyton put her head down.

"Mr. Sawyer–"

"Don't you dare speak, sperm boy."

"Let's just clam down", Karen spoke calmly.

Larry looked at her incredulously, "Calm down? She's having a baby. My baby is having a baby", he looked at Peyton with sad eyes.

"I'm sorry", she whispered again.

"Mr. Sawyer, I want you to know that I'm going to be there for her one hundred percent of the way."

"Of course you are", Larry's voice was eerily calm, and "you're getting married." Peyton's head shot up and met her father's eyes.

"No we're not."

"There is no discussing this. You two are having a child, you're getting married", he said simply.

"Dad, that won't change anything", she spoke reasonably.

"I don't care. I'm your father and what I say goes", he said in finality.

Peyton rolled her eyes. "You're never home dad. You barely have a say in my life", she spat at him.

"I know I'm gone a lot, but that doesn't mean I don't love you."

"I know dad, but that doesn't help. I miss you when you're gone", she whispered.

"God, you're having a baby", he whispered back as tears formed in his eyes.

"I know, and I'm so sorry dad", tears fell from her face. Larry leaned over and comforted his daughter.

"It's okay, we'll work this out", he soothed his seventeen year old daughter.

Lucas looked over at his mother with a questioning glance.

"I'm not thrilled Lucas", she spoke quietly. "I specifically remember a scene like this before only it ended with my hand on your cheek", she looked at him accusingly.

"Mom, I'm sorry", he spoke quietly. Karen nodded.

"I know you are", she spoke understandingly. She turned her attention to Peyton.

"You'll move in with us sweetie. I don't want you home alone", her motherly words caused a new set of tears to flow from Peyton's eyes.

"I'm not leaving", Larry spoke boldly. Peyton stared at him.

"Dad, I don't want this to stop you from working."

"Peyton, I'm not leaving you alone again. I obviously can't leave this one to take care of you", he looked at Lucas angrily.

"Dad, really I'll be fine. It's not like it can get much worse", she attempted to joke, but stopped laughing when nobody else did.

"I'm serious; I'll call Mike when I get home. As of today, I'm back in Tree Hill", Peyton nodded.

"Umm, would you mind if Lucas and I left? We have some things we need to take care of."

"I want you home by eleven", Larry said sternly. Peyton smiled.

"I really did miss you dad", she whispered as she hugged him tightly.

"I missed you too."

"Well, that wasn't so bad", Lucas mused as they walked out the door. Peyton stared at him disbelievingly.

"At least the worst is over", he argued. She laughed bitterly before speaking.

"We still have to tell Brooke."

------------------------------

Nathan and Haley were currently in the bedroom of the apartment she shared with Brooke. They both knew what their friends were doing today and in order to keep their minds off of them, they talked about everything. Chris, the tour, when Nathan went to visit her, his accident, and High Flyers. Things were finally starting to work out for the married couple.

"I'm proud of you Nathan", Haley mused as she sat beside him. He looked at her with a raised brow.

"For what?"

"Going to High Flyers and going after your dream", he nodded understandingly.

A moment of silence went by before he spoke.

"I'm proud of you too Hales", he whispered. She closed her eyes as he said her nickname.

"Nathan, don't say that just because I did", he laughed at her bluntness.

"I'm serious. I know I was mad that you left, but there wasn't a moment that I wasn't proud of what you were doing. You followed your dream and that's the Haley James I fell in love with", each word got softer and softer as he leaned over to her.

"Haley James Scott", she replied with a smirk.

Their faces leaned closer and Nathan could feel her hot breath on his lips. Haley closed her eyes in anticipation and Nathan smirked as he cupped her cheek. Before they had any contact, their moment was broken.

"Are you kidding me!" echoed from the living room.

Nathan furrowed his brows and Haley spoke. "I guess Lucas and Peyton are here."

"You're pregnant", Brooke yelled again. Peyton nodded.

"Wow, who's is it?" she asked with a kinked brow, "you do know the father right?" she asked when she saw Peyton put her head down, "is it Jake's? No, you haven't seen him all summer that wouldn't make sense", she answered her own question, "Is it Nathan's? It must be. You never told me about any boy, so that leaves some random guy or Nathan and since your not exactly a slut", she smirked, "that leaves Nathan."

"It's not Nathan's", Lucas yelled. He was tired of everyone assuming Nathan and Peyton had slept together. He was tired of Peyton having to take the blame for everything.

"It's mine", and he was tired of beating around the bush. They both watched as Brooke lurched back.

"What?" she asked in a horrified voice.

"It was an accident", Lucas defended lamely.

"Oh an accident", Brooke mocked understanding, "so, what you guys were just talking and BAM all your clothes fell off?!?" she questioned angrily.

"No, it was . . . we, Brooke", Lucas fumbled over his words and Brooke only grew more furious.

"I cannot believe this is happening again!"

"It's not", Peyton finally spoke, "Brooke I wouldn't do that to you."

The brunette scoffed, "I never thought you'd sleep with my boyfriend either", she and Peyton locked eyes; they could both see the pain the others held. "Slut", she added as an afterthought.

"You know, he wasn't even your boyfriend then", Peyton spoke angrily.

"But you knew what he said to me before I left. You knew how I felt about him", she argued.

"Brooke we hardly even talked this summer. The only time we did was when it was convenient to you! I had a lot going on this summer and I really needed to talk to my best friend, but you never called me back", she said sadly.

"So you slept with him to get even?"

"No, Brooke", Peyton said as she sighed.

Brooke knew Peyton had a point. They hadn't spoken almost all summer and whenever they did Brooke talked about the crazy partied or the gorgeous boys. But honestly, it was all a front.

"You wanna know how I really spent my time this summer?" she questioned as she walked to the closet. They were under her bed, but Haley had seen them one day and Brooke moved them; telling her she had thrown them out.

"You spent your summer screwing my best friend and this is how I spent mine", she said angrily as she handed him the box, "wanting you", tears clouded her eyes, but she held them back.

Lucas looked at the box in his hands and sighed. "Brooke, I didn't spend my summer", Lucas thought about his choice of words; he would never call what he and Peyton had done 'screwing', but his better judgment won out, "screwing her", he assured her. Brooke scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"Its true", Peyton spoke up, "Brooke it happened one time and it was an accident. If I could take it back I would", Lucas winced inwardly, "I need you to believe me Brooke", she pleaded desperately.

"I can't believe either of you. You've both been lying to me for months", she said as her voice quivered.

"I didn't want to hurt you", Peyton said as her own voice shook. Brooke scoffed.

"Good job", she retorted sarcastically.

Lucas couldn't continue to watch Peyton get berated for something they both did. He didn't want to take this step but he needed to.

He swallowed hard, "You are the only one who means everything to me", he said firmly, "I love you Pretty girl", he took a brave step and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Peyton looked down. She hadn't felt sick all day, but right now she wanted nothing more then to run into the bathroom.

Brooke looked between the two blondes. She could not believe this had happened. Her best friend was pregnant with her boyfriend's baby. She couldn't let Lucas go, she wasn't ready to. She looked over at Peyton.

"This really meant nothing?" she asked in a small voice. Peyton closed her eyes.

It was well into the night and Peyton was curled up against his chest; his arm protectively wrapped around her. She lazily drew circles on his bare chest.

"Lucas", she whispered. She got no response and assumed he had fallen asleep.

"I love you Lucas Scott", she whispered into the dark of her room. She felt him take a deep breath and closed her eyes tightly. She opened her mouth to take it back, but he cut her off.

"I love you too Peyt."

She opened them and gave Brooke a fake smile. "Really Brooke, it meant nothing and I wouldn't do that to you", she assured her best friend.

Brooke sighed. She knew there was more to this situation. There was more then they were letting on.

"You should both go", she whispered dejectedly.

"Brooke", Peyton said pleadingly.

"I just . . . I can't think about this all right now. It's too much."

"Brooke, please", Lucas begged next.

"Not now Broody", she warned quietly, "I want to believe you I really do, but there's just too much history and everything that happened in the past–"

"Is in the past", Lucas cut her off.

"Just leave, please", she requested. They both nodded sadly before walking to the door.

"I'm sorry for everything Brooke", Peyton said before she walked out the door and headed to Lucas's car.

Lucas watched her walk away before speaking. "I'm sorry that we hurt you Brooke, we never meant to and I want you to know that I do love you", he spoke sincerely as he cupped the side of her face.

She nodded her head before gently pushing him out the door. Once it was closed she let the tears fall freely.

It sucked to be lied to.

------------------------------

They pulled up outside of Peyton's house; each lost in their own thoughts. Peyton kept her gaze out the window. She pretended not to notice his eyes on her for nearly the entire car ride and she refused to acknowledge it now. She took a deep breath before talking.

"So, today was–", her yawn cut of her sentence.

"Tired?" Lucas teased.

"It's been a long day", she countered. Lucas nodded and stared at her.

"Do you think I could come in and we could talk some more?" he asked in a soft voice.

"My dad's home Luke, I'm pretty sure you're the last boy he wants to see right now", she finished with a laugh.

"Well then how about tomorrow we can get breakfast and–"

"I don't think that's a good idea", he opened his mouth to argue, but she stopped him, "I don't think we should hang out, like just the two of us at least for a while."

"Peyton, don't cut me out", he begged.

"I'm not", she promised, "I just don't wanna come between you and Brooke, anymore then I already have", she added bitterly.

"Peyton, she'll come around", he hoped.

"It's just that, you fought so hard to get her and I don't want you to lose her because of all of this. It's obvious that you love her", Peyton hoped the pain in her voice went unnoticed.

"So what, I'll always be the third wheel?"

She sighed, "Luke, it's not like that, I just can't lose her and I know you don't wanna lose her. It's for the best", she spoke with affirmation.

He nodded his head dejectedly. He didn't want to have supervised visits with her and he didn't want to act like he didn't care, but he would because it's what she wanted.

And he'd do anything for her.

If it happens, it happens

And I'll feel the same

Can't hold back on the choices I made...

If it happens, it happens

And I'll be the same

Can't hold back on the choices I made...


Let me know what you think. And I know the parent's reaction most likely isn't one that would happen, but there might be other arguments later on. And as far as Brooke goes, I know she most likely would have been madder, but she's kind of a necessity.