I own nothing—thanks for the reviews.


I'm finding my way back to sanity again

Though I don't really know what

I'm gonna do when I get there

Take a breath and hold on tight

Spin around one more time

And gracefully fall back to the arms of grace

"Big game tonight!" Nathan's voice boomed through the quad.

"Last one before the Championship", Lucas continued his brother's excitement.

"And your favorite cheerleaders will be there rooting you all on", Brooke smirked.

"Actually, I'll be cheering from the stands", Haley spoke as she placed her hands on her growing stomach.

"As long as you're there baby", Nathan whispered into his wife's ear. She giggled and leaned over to kiss him.

"What about you P. Sawyer? First game back, are you excited?'

"Oh thrilled", she said sarcastically. Before Brooke could respond with a comment of her own, Lucas stepped in.

"Peyton, my mom is gonna watch him. He'll be fine." He placed his hands on her shoulders and massaged them gently.

She relaxed at his actions and spoke softly; letting the moment sink in. "I know that; we've left him with her for the entire week. It's getting into that damn cheer uniform", she grumbled.

"Are you kidding me?" Brooke asked incredulously, "If anything, it'll fit you better now", she assured her blonde friend.

"Brooke, I highly doubt that."

"We'll, see."

As the five sat at their usual table a red head approached.

"Hi boys", she smiled flirtatiously. Her expression changed as she addressed the girls, "Hey."

"What do you want, Gatina?" Brooke spat out.

"Tonight after we win, party at my place", she winked at Nathan and turned to Lucas.

"You too, that is if your baby's momma will let you go", she glared at Peyton.

Peyton stood from her place and looked Rachel in the eyes. "Listen, bitch, I suggest you get your fake ass out of here before this baby momma, makes you buy a new nose", the table sat in silence at Peyton's outburst.

"Feisty, I see why you keep her around."

"Get lost, Rachel."

"Whatever tubby, I'll see you later Nathan", she whispered seductively and slinked off. Nathan wrapped his arm around Haley to pull her closer. She may have ignored the comment Rachel threw at her, but he knew she was affected by it.

"I really hate that girl", Brooke glared at her from across the quad.

"Shoot, I forgot I had to talk to Turner", Haley ran her hand through her hair.

"I'll walk you", Nathan stood and grabbed her bag.

"We'll see you guys tonight", Haley said as she took Nathan's free hand in hers.

"I'm gonna get books for my next class. I think if I sit here any longer I'll end up punching her."

Lucas smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'll be there in a bit." She nodded and waved before disappearing.

As soon as she was out of earshot Lucas spoke. "You let out her uniform right?" he asked in a panic.

"Of course, I wouldn't want anyone to have to deal with her if I didn't."

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

He walked down the stairs and shook his hair off in the process. The hot shower was exactly what he needed. His muscles were relaxed and he felt rejuvenated. He froze when he stepped into the kitchen.

Peyton had a tight tank top on and a loose pair of boxers. She was putting away some dry dishes and the skin between her shirt and shorts was perfectly exposed. He licked his lips and took a deep breath. They had been patient when it came to sleeping together. He never pushed her to do something and he was perfectly fine with not doing that. Seeing her like this made it difficult though.

His male impulses took over and before she could turn around his arms were on either sides of the counter, keeping her in place. She smirked and lowered herself from the tips of her toes; making sure to innocently brush her back against his front. She spun around and smiled at him.

"Hey you"

"Hello", he spoke gruffly and it sent shivers down her body. She leaned forward and kissed him quickly, but tenderly.

"You did really well out there tonight", she congratulated him again.

"Thanks, I cannot believe we're going to States", he shook his head at his own statement.

"I'm really happy for you", she whispered. He brought his head to rest on her shoulder and kissed the juncture where her neck met it. She tilted her head to the side to give him better access. He smiled into her neck when she moaned in pleasure. Once he was sure he had left a hickey he pulled back and stared at her.

"You sure you don't wanna go to that party?" she asked with a furrowed brow.

"There is no place else I'd rather be", he whispered. "I'm serious", he spoke again when he saw her unchanged expression.

"Rachel's words just keep playing in my mind."

"But she's wrong; you're not keeping me here on lockdown."

"I know, but I still feel bad. I mean we weren't even together when I told you, actually you were dating my best friend."

"Peyton, can we please not do this tonight", he begged, having her this close, in that outfit was making his mind wander; there was no way he could handle a serious conversation.

"I'm sorry, I just . . . I guess I'm just insecure", she looked down as she whispered the words.

"You're insane, you know that?"

"I know, but sometimes I can't help it. I am your baby's momma"

"You have nothing to be insecure about. I love you; I want to be with you. You and Keith are my life. And you're my girlfriend, the woman I'm in love with. Do you need anymore reassuring now?" he slightly teased. She smiled and shook her head. A comfortable silence lingered between them.

She was still pressed between his body and the counter as she raised her hand to trace the outline of his jaw. "What're you thinking?"

She yawned and her chest pressed up against his. His eyes visibly darkened and he spun them around, placing her on top of the kitchen table. "I'm thinking you should have let my mom watch Keith like she offered", his hot deep breath tickled her ear and caused goose bumps to form along her body.

"Well, he's sleeping now", she whispered into his ear before bringing her lips to the spot that drives him wild.

"Peyton Sawyer, are you trying to seduce me?" he barley breathed out. Instead of responding her hands traveled to the hem of his shirt. He smirked and skimmed his hand along one of her elongated legs. She pulled back only for a moment to peel his wifebeater from his toned body.

He cupped her face and kissed her lips. It was soft at first, but quickly became heated. Peyton moaned into his mouth and Lucas was sure he was going to lose it right then. Carefully, he lowered them onto the table, making sure to support his own weight so that he didn't crush her.

His kissed her anywhere he could. Her cheeks, her ears, her closed eyelids, he couldn't get enough of her. Her long fingers raked along his back and she could feel his muscles tense at her actions.

"Wait." She gasped out as he sucked on her collar bone. She closed her eyes and ran her fingers through his hair. He either didn't hear her or he chose not to. His hand reached the inside of her thigh and she knew she had to gain some control.

"I—I'm not cleared yet", she finally spoke. Lucas stopped his actions and panted into her curls.

"Thanks for the notice", he mumbled.

"I'm sorry, I was just so caught up that I didn't think about it—"

He cut off her apology with a kiss. "It's not a big deal", he did his best to assure her, but their bodies were still touching and Peyton could feel that it was a very big deal.

"Three more weeks, I promise", she whispered.

He inhaled her scent and groaned in aggravation. "I'm holding you to it."

She glanced at his naked torso and let out a breath. "You won't have to remind me."

He pulled himself up from the table and reached for her hand in the process. When they were both standing he turned to leave the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" she reached for his forearm.

"I need another shower . . . slightly colder then before."

She bit her lip to hide her smirk. She grabbed his shirt from the floor and headed up the stairs behind him.

Ten minutes later he was walking back into her bedroom with a pout.

"That sucked", he acknowledged as he pulled back the covers.

"I'm sorry", she tiredly laughed out, "You're just too damn hot for me to resist." He rolled his eyes and climbed in next to her.

"I thought I was the sweet talker", she flashed him a lazy smile and scooted closer to him. He instinctively wrapped his arms around her waist.

"I love you, Lucas Eugene Scott", her words were barley audible and he knew sleep was taking over her more then tired body. Placing a kiss to the crown of her head he whispered.

"I love you, Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer."

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

"Nathan Scott, I am so proud of you", Haley said with excitement in her voice.

She was in the bedroom changing into her sleeping shirt and Nathan was in the bathroom brushing his teeth.

He grinned a toothpaste filled smile. "I cannot believe we did it. I mean, next week we're playing in the State Championship."

"And you'll kick some serious butt", she said with determination in her voice. Nathan came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her expanded stomach.

"I hope so."

"You will. You, Lucas, and Skills are unstoppable. A triple threat."

He chuckled and her body shook with his movements. "You were hanging out with Mouth tonight weren't you?"

She placed her hands over his and laced their fingers. "Guilty."

"Hey, what did Turner want to talk to you about, you never told me?"

She felt the blood rush to her cheeks. "You are currently holding hands with Tree Hill Highs Valedictorian."

"That's amazing, congratulations."

"Thanks."

He lowered his head and pressed a kiss to her neck; she moaned and blindly reached for the back of his head to run her fingers through his shaggy, dark hair. His hand traveled from her stomach to her breast when his cell phone went off.

"Who the hell is that?" Haley said in aggravation.

"Someone with a death wish", Nathan muttered. He flipped the cell phone open and read the text. He sighed and typed something back before shutting the phone; throwing it on the chair he turned to face Haley with a devilish grin.

"Where were we?" he asked as he walked toward her.

"What was that?"

"Nothing. I think I was just about to . . ." he left his sentence open and placed on hand at the small of her back to bring her closer while his other hand skimmed the material of her shirt. She stepped back before he could complete the task.

"Nathan, what was that?" she asked with more force. He rolled his eyes.

"A text from Tim. Hales, can we please continue this", he pleaded.

"What did Tim want?" Right now Haley couldn't have cared less about sex.

"The party at Rachel's he wanted to know why I'm not there", he knew this was going to cause a fight and that was the last thing he wanted to tonight.

"Well, what did you say?" she crossed her arms over her chest, but they basically rested on her belly.

"Hales—"

"Nathan, we both know the moment is gone, so you might as well talk to me about it."

"Fine. I told him that I was at home with my pregnant wife", he watched as her eyes grew.

"Nathan, they're all gonna think that I don't want you going out", her expression was a mixture or being horrified and truly upset.

"Yeah, but that's not the case", he told her slowly.

"Did you want to go to the party?" she asked suddenly. Nathan opened his mouth and closed it again. Haley scoffed. "You did, didn't you?"

Nathan groaned at her pointed forefinger. "Haley, I'm here with you aren't I?"

He knew he was blatantly skirting around the question. "That wasn't what I asked you", and apparently so did she.

"Look, I'm not gonna lie, going out tonight would have been fun", she opened her mouth, but he pressed his finger to her lips before she could speak, "but being here with you beats any keg stand or watching Tim try to get with a girl. Being with you and our son is way funner."

Haley felt her pregnancy hormones take over as her eyes watered. "It's more fun", she muttered with a smile.

"See, that's why I married you."

"That's the only reason?" she asked with a coy smile. Nathan shook his head vigorously.

"There's like fifty more reasons", he sat on the bed and gently pulled her onto his lap.

"A whole fifty", she teased.

"We're okay, right?" he ignored her jab.

She rested her head against his shoulder and sighed. "I'm sorry. Sometimes I just feel like I'm holding you back from enjoying your senior year", she admitted softly.

"What?"

"If I hadn't gotten pregnant you'd be at that party right now, we both would."

"Hales, are you seriously talking about this right now?"

"Don't you ever think about it?"

He wasn't sure if this was a setup, but he figured being honest was the best route. He sighed. "Sometimes, but I also remember that if you hadn't gotten pregnant, we might not have gotten back together as quickly as we did."

"See that's another thing, we weren't even fully together when I told you. I feel like I trapped you", she whispered.

Nathan's eyes widened and he placed a finger under her chin; making her look at him. "Haley James Scott, you did not trap me. It was my choice to be with you and it wasn't even a choice to make. You're it, this baby is it. Always and Forever."

Haley's chin quivered and she gave him a watery smile. "Just when I think I'm perfectly content with not getting any, you change my mind", she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Is that so?'

"Mmhmm", she leaned forward and kissed him quickly. "You're quite a charmer."

"Baby, that's not even my best stuff", she giggled and he took the opportunity. His tongue probed her mouth and she moaned instantly. He smirked and they continued with Nathan's celebratory hopes.

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

"So, why exactly aren't you at the raging party?"

Brooke was currently in her room. After the game she, Peyton, Lucas and baby Keith rode home together. She retreated to her room and barley heard the sounds of the couple downstairs.

They walked past her bedroom door and she smiled at the teenager antics she knew they were up to. She brought her thoughts back to her own conversation.

"Because, the devil is hosting it."

"She can't be that bad", he said incredulously.

Brooke scoffed. "You don't know her. She tried to seduce Nathan and she constantly flirts with Lucas. Today Peyton almost kicked her ass."

Brooke could feel his smile over the phone. "That would have been quite a show."

"Oh I know, I almost wish she had", Brooke spoke through a yawn.

"Are you tired?"

"No", she all but shouted. "Besides, I'm not at Rachel's because I'm not really that girl anymore", she said softly.

"No, your really not", he said honestly.

She smiled at his words. "Thanks", she yawned out again.

"You've had a big night, get some sleep", he whispered.

"No", she whined, "just stay on the phone a little longer."

He couldn't argue with her raspy voice. "Fine, are you excited for school to be over next week?"

"Mmhmm."

He softly chuckled at her want to stay on the phone, but inability to stay awake. "Brooke, you there?"

Her shallow breaths told him she was sleeping, but he couldn't find it in him to hang up. In his own room he placed his phone between the pillow and his ear.

"Goodnight, Brooke Davis."

Soon after that his own eyes were closed.

'Cause I am hanging on every word you say

And even if you don't want to speak tonight

That's alright, alright with me

'Cause I want nothing more than to

Sit outside Heaven's door and listen to you breathing

Is where I want to be, yeah...

Where I wanna be...


Okay, so this chapter was pretty long lol. I skipped over the basketball game just because I don't know how I would really do it lol. I'll probably have a scene for the State Championship because that'll be most of the chapter; its next chapter btw. Let me know what you think!