A/N: Sorry this took so long. I kind of got obsessed with Twilight and have been working on a Jacob/Bella oneshot around the clock...but I didn't forget you guys. With a little help from youtube and all it's fantastic Leyton videos, I was able to regain my inspiration. This chapter isn't beta'ed because I'm too impatient to get it done.

Next chapter will be out in 1-2 weeks. Enjoy and as always, review if you can :)

Disclaimer: I don't own OTH.

Chapter Twelve: Pearl

When asked to choose between a pearl and a diamond, the obvious answer should be to choose a pearl. It's not a matter of taste. Pearls are born. Diamonds are found. Diamonds can be chipped out of caves. True, genuine pearls cannot be synthesized. They must be found in a living shelled mollusk. They are, in a sense, alive.

Mollusks work to form pearls over decades. Not all will be successful. In the past, pearl hunters would have to manually check every mollusk for a pearl. If they found a pearl, it was considered great luck. Pearls are special and unique and ones that haven't been tampered by humans are a rare commodity.

So you see, diamonds show wealth. Pearls show victory.

--

5 years later

They say adjusting to being a parent doesn't happen over night. It's a gradual process, like going to college or falling in love. For Peyton, though, nothing was ever gradual. The first time she fell in love it was love at first sight, and she never really went to college. She took a few night courses as an intern but nothing that really needed adjusting. It had always been easy for Peyton to adjust and becoming a mother was no different.

It hadn't been perfect, nor had it been easy. She spent countless nights on the phone with Karen or Haley in tears wondering if coughs were actually coughs and not signs of a deadly viral infection or if she was starting Maggie on solid foods too early or maybe too late. Every move she made had to be weighed carefully. Her fear of losing another person sometimes overshadowed her enjoyment in watching her daughter grow. It was as if the pain Drew's death had caused was lurking in corners of her heart.

Maggie was now five, and she had entered that stage where she was curious about her family. It had started with harmless questions, ones about why they lived with Auntie Brooke or how she got here without a daddy. Peyton had treaded carefully around the subject, until Maggie had finally asked her straight out…

Why don't I have a daddy?

Peyton had bought book after book on the subject. This was one of those crucial moments for any parent, like the sex talk or breaking the news that there's no such thing as Santa Claus. If done incorrectly, it could ruin Maggie for life.

However, what Peyton didn't count on was her daughter's intuition. Maggie was special, and not just in the way that every parent thinks their kid is. Maggie knew what people were thinking before they even opened their mouth to say anything. She had the ability to make connections, no matter how abstract the evidence in front of her was. She was just keen to her surroundings.

When Peyton told Maggie that her father had died just after she had been born, she had absorbed the information. Peyton waited for the question that should follow; the one that every parenting book prepared you for. What is death?

"Like the leaves?"

Not exactly what Peyton was expecting and the question threw her off guard.

"What do you mean, sweetie?" she had asked.

"Leaves die. And then you put them in a big pile in a corner, but they fly away and don't come back, but new ones take their place on the trees."

"Oh."

"So daddy was like an old leaf, and I was the new leaf?"

"Huh…" Peyton had said absolutely flabbergasted. "Yeah I guess."

"Do you think we'll ever see him again?"

"No, sweetie," Peyton had whispered, "Not until we become old leaves too."

"That's not soon, is it?"

"No."

It had been easy for Maggie to accept her family situation after that. For others, it proved difficult. The other mothers at Maggie's school found it odd that Peyton still lived with Brooke. It wasn't like Peyton didn't have the money for her own house. Peyton was getting more and more successful as the days went, and that wasn't counting the 2 million dollar settlement she had been awarded after Drew's death. She hadn't known it was even in the works, but apparently before he died, Drew had started it in the hopes of securing Maggie's future.

The point was it wasn't about the money. Brooke had become a second parent to Maggie. Every time that Peyton even mentioned the idea of her and Maggie moving out, Brooke's lip would quiver at the thought. Still, Peyton knew that some day soon Owen and Brooke were going to want to settle down and start their own family, and Peyton and Maggie would need to leave. Brooke and Peyton had been both been using each other as crutches. Peyton was afraid to parent alone, and Brooke was afraid to make a commitment.

However, it seemed that Owen was ready to take that step. He basically lived with them in the beach house now. He and Brooke spent most of their nights babysitting Maggie while Peyton worked late. He never once complained. Instead, he let it slip to Peyton one day while Brooke and Maggie were out grocery shopping that being around Maggie reminded him why he had always wanted kids. And when Peyton had pressed whether he was ready for that plunge, he made it clear he only saw the possibility for a family with Brooke Davis.

Even Maggie seemed to think that Owen and Brooke would be getting married soon. It seemed that every Disney princess movie they watched, Maggie would turn to her mother after the prince and princess got married and go "just like Auntie Brooke and Uncle Owen." It seemed the only person who was blissfully unaware of this change was Brooke.

Even when Owen scheduled fancy dinner reservations and showed up with flowers (something he never did), Brooke didn't even realize where the night would be heading. As Peyton and Maggie waved goodbye to them on the front porch, Peyton was brought back to Lucas's proposal. The amazing dinner of which she missed half of, and the hotel room where she watched his heart break in two. The stubborn side of her cursed that if he had just realized she wasn't saying no…the bigger part of her, the one that loved that man with all her heart, just wished she had said yes.

But then she looked down next to her at the head full of blonde curls waving frantically and giggling as if she was sharing an inside joke with herself, and she realized she wouldn't trade this for anything.

"What's so funny?"

"He's gonna ask her to marry him, just like in the movies."

Peyton's eyes widened. "You think so?"

"Mhm," Maggie nodded.

"Well if only Brooke was as observant as you."

"What does observant mean?"

"Margaret Drew Sawyer," Peyton smirked, causing Maggie to furrow her eyebrows.

"My name means observant?"

"No, I was just kidding," Peyton laughed, "Observant means someone who pays close attention to things."

"Like a detective does?"

"Exactly."

Peyton went into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Maggie followed her closely, seemingly mulling over something still. Peyton spared her a glance and frowned.

"What's up kid?"

"Mommy, if my name doesn't mean observant than what does it mean?"

"Margaret?"

"Yeah."

"It means pearl."

"Why'd you name me Margaret?"

"Cause you're my little pearl."

"Why'd did your parents name you Peyton?"

"It was my mother's last name before she married my dad."

"Oh."

"Any more questions?"

"Can we go to the park?"

Peyton laughed, "Yeah, I think that's a good idea."

--

Karen Roe had seen a lot of things which made her believe history repeated itself, and sitting at Tree Hill's local park, she saw the same eyes staring back at her that she did twenty years ago. They were the eyes of an overworked and yet overjoyed single mother. Peyton Sawyer had come a long way, and no one was prouder of that than Karen. When she looked at Peyton, she saw a grown woman who had her life together, who had managed to twine work and motherhood together seamlessly. But like Karen, it had come at a price: no romantic love.

Every day she spoke on the phone to Lucas, and every day she held back telling him about Peyton Sawyer, about the child she had bared and the love she had lost and most importantly about the secret smile she held for any time Karen divulged information on how Lucas was doing. Peyton loved her son, probably more than he deserved, but then how could one ever deserve love?

"Aunt Karen!" Maggie shouted as she took off full speed towards her, enveloping her in a hug.

"Hey kiddo," Karen said.

"Where's Lily?"

"With Jamie and Natalie on the basketball court."

Maggie's eyes lit up, "Basketball!" She turned to find her mother approaching them. "Mommy, can I go play basketball with them?"

"Sure," Peyton chuckled, "Just make sure you stay where I can see you, all right?"

"Okay," Maggie said, hugging at Peyton's legs before taking off to find the others.

Peyton let out a long sigh, collapsing on the bench next to Karen. "I swear to God that kid's on speed."

Karen laughed, "No, all kids are like that."

"Really?" Peyton said, "Well that makes me feel a little better. I just wonder how I'm going to be able to keep up with her."

"You will, and you'll always have help too. Brooke and Haley and Nathan and I, we're all here for you whenever you need a break."

"I just don't know how you did it," Peyton sighed, "How you continue to do it…"

"I had Keith," Karen said simply, "And now I have Andy."

"Don't kid yourself, Ms. Roe," Peyton said politely, "It was all you."

Karen smiled, and they both took the silence pause to glance at their children.

"So where's Brooke tonight?" Karen asked, unused to seeing one here without the other.

"Owen took her out to dinner at Le Vanielle."

"Is he proposing?" Karen blurted out.

"Yeah I think we've all come to that conclusion," Peyton chuckled.

"Oh wow…"

"I know. I mean he practically lives at the house at it is. I'm super happy for her," Peyton's face told there was something more to it.

"But?" Karen prodded.

"Don't tell Brooke I said this, but," Peyton paused, "I love Owen and I think that he and Brooke are going to have a beautiful life. I just don't think I fit into that. I think it's time for me to move out."

"Oh Peyton…"

"I've been depending on Brooke since I was nine years old. We've both been leaning on each other, and I just feel like I owe her this. I need to start looking for a new place."

"You don't have to look anywhere," Karen said immediately.

"What?" Peyton asked confused.

"Andy and I have decided to make Australia our permanent residence once Lily starts school again in the fall. She misses her friends there and we just think it's for the best. We'd still come home in the summer, but I want to sell the house, and just invest in a beach condo like the one Brooke has for summers."

Karen paused to take a sip of her coffee, "I've been delaying selling because I don't want to let it go. It's a part of me, you know? Like the café was, only this…this was the first place that truly felt like my home after Lucas was born, and I want it to go to someone who would appreciate it just as much as I do. I want you to have it."

"I don't know what to say," Peyton whispered, the word 'yes' on the tip of her tongue but something held her back, and Karen could see the problem clearly.

"I understand if maybe the memories are too much but—"

"No," Peyton said cutting her off, "It's fine. I just…never imagined living there without…"

"Lucas," Karen said, the words gravely falling from her lips.

"Yeah," Peyton said, forcing a smile, "It's stupid I know. I need to let go."

"Some people can't be let go of. Some people you'll take with you everywhere you go."

"He's happy, right?" Peyton said suddenly, "Cause all I've ever wanted was for him to be happy…"

"Happy is a relative term," Karen said simply, shrugging her shoulders, "He's not miserable, but he could be better. His heart is just not in it anymore."

"In what?"

"Life," Karen smiled, "You were the only person who really made him appreciate it."

"I screwed up so bad," Peyton murmured, her eyes filling with tears she hadn't shed in ages, tears for Lucas Scott.

"No you didn't, Peyton. Your life happened just as it should have. You got to experience more than most people ever did. And you found love again, even if you lost it as quick as it came, it still happened again for you. And that love created something precious."

"Margaret."

"You and Lucas didn't get a happily ever after, but you got something just as good, and that will be enough for you two," Karen said before adding in a quiet whisper, "For now."

"Karen!" Peyton gasped, trying to keep the smile off her face.

"I know as well as everyone else that you and Lucas can only ignore each other's existence for so long. When you two meet again, it'll happen."

"What will?"

"Fireworks."

Karen's grin was contagious.

--

Maggie was currently curled up at one end of the couch while she and Peyton watched the end of Cinderella for the fifth time in two weeks. By this point, Peyton had memorized the words, whispering along with Cinderella as every plot twist, and singing along with the mice.

There was a shift on the couch and suddenly Maggie perked up.

"Auntie Brooke's home," Maggie yawned.

"How do you know?" Peyton asked. Maggie only responded with a shrug.

Sure enough the front door swung open, and Brooke came barreling through resembling a ball of high pitches squees and chants of "oh my God." Peyton resisted the urge to giggle when Brooke launched herself onto the couch in between Peyton and Margaret.

"You okay, B. Davis?" Peyton laughed casually.

"Look at this!" She held her hand out, flashing the large ring in front of them. It was a pearl clustered by diamonds on a beautiful white gold band.

Margaret let out a loud gasp crowding into Brooke's lap so she could see the ring better.

"Oh my God," Peyton exclaimed throwing her arms around Brooke, "Congratulations!"

"You're a princess now, aren't you?" Maggie gaped.

"Oh honey, I was always a princess," Brooke said flipping her hand casually causing Peyton and Margaret to giggle.

"But uncle Owen's your prince charming now, right? He gave you a ring."

"Mhm," Brooke nodded.

"Does that mean you get to have a wedding? With a big poofy dress and flowers and music and confetti…and birds!"

"Birds?" Peyton asked.

"Cinderella had birds."

"Well I'm not planning on having birds," Brooke said, "But I will have a carriage."

"Seriously?" Peyton quirked.

"Oh hell yes," Brooke said, "In fact, I need to call Haley pronto to see where she rented hers."

Peyton watched as Brooke jumped up from the couch and headed to the phone in the kitchen, Margaret close at her heels. It was only then that she noticed Owen still standing at the door, his face beaming with amusement.

"Mr. Brooke Davis," Peyton smirked, "I didn't see you there."

"Oh that with of yours," Owen replied taking a seat next to her.

"Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Brooke seems super excited."

"I noticed," Owen chuckled, "You know she didn't even actually say yes? Actually I never even got to ask the question. She saw me open the ring box and freaked out."

"You're kidding?"

"Nope. She jumped into my lap and started screaming 'I love you' over and over. Then she pulled me back to the car so she could come home and tell you."

"Oh wow."

"Well we both know you're her first spouse."

"How true," Peyton quirked, "But luckily for you, that'll no longer be the case."

"Huh?"

"Karen wants me to buy her house from her. Maggie and I will have our own place."

"Brooke's going to kill you," Owen said simply.

"So will Maggie. I don't think either of them will speak to me for a while."

"I understand why you're doing it, but you should know that this proposal isn't meant to force you out of here or anything…"

"I know that. I'm doing this for me."

"Turning a page."

"Exactly."

--

Two Weeks Later

"Why am I doing this?" Owen asked, as he carefully placed a seal on the next invitation in his pile.

"These invitations needed to be out by yesterday so we're playing catch up."

"No I meant, why am I here? Why isn't Peyton doing this?"

"Because I'm still mad at Peyton."

"Brooke…"

"Don't 'Brooke' me, Owen! I have every right to pout about this."

"You have to understand this from her perspective."

"Yeah well it feels like she's taking away my daughter."

"Brooke," Owen said gently, placing his hand on top of hers to stop her from busying herself with calligraphy.

"I know it's silly, but she's a part of me. I watched her come into this world. I was the first to hold her, first to see her smile. Hell, I was her first word!"

"Her first word was shit."

"Yeah but I'm the one who accidentally taught her that."

"Brooke, she's only moving a few blocks. She's literally a five minute drive away. And we'll still be babysitting her every night."

"I know."

"Peyton's not going anywhere, Brooke," Owen whispered, "And neither is Margaret."

"Ugh," Brooke groaned, "I know!"

"So then call her up and get her in here to help you finish."

"Nice try Owen Nichols. We're finishing these together."

"Fine," Owen sighed, giving up and picking up the next invitation, "Who's this one being made out to?"

"Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Scott."

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me right," Brooke said as if it was nothing.

"So we're inviting exes? Then I got quite a couple to add to the list."

"Umm, your best man dated me all of senior year, so don't even go there," Brooke said.

"Okay, I'll humor you. Why are we inviting Lucas?"

"Because I want him there."

"No you don't. You hate Lucas."

"I don't hate Lucas. I just dislike him greatly."

"But he's coming to our wedding because…"

"Payback's a bitch. Nothing is more entertaining than watching Broody and P. Sawyer squirm. And plus, I'm doing Peyton a favor. She needs a good lay and if you put her and Lucas in the same room that's guaranteed."

"You know that if you invite Lucas back here he's going to find out about Margaret, and who knows how bad that could be for them. Our wedding could turn into a battle royal."

"Trust me, Owen, no matter what silly things come between them, people who are meant to be always find their way in the end," Brooke said, a smile gracing her face.

--

You are cordially invited to celebrate the wedding of

Brooke Penelope Davis & Owen Robert Nichols

on June 12th at 12:00 PM at St. Peter's Chapel

Reception to follow at River Park.

Black tie only.

Lucas's eyes traced the letters on the invitation. It was from another word, the black and white paper announcing Brooke's wedding shouldn't be perched in his hands. He had long ago assumed that he'd never hear from Brooke Davis again, and along with her, that meant never hearing from Peyton Sawyer.

Brooke was the door that led directly to Peyton. Without Brooke's blessing or encouragement, Peyton and Lucas never seemed to get anywhere. She was their signal fire and guiding light, a guardian angel in their twisted love story. And now seeing this invitation in his hands, Lucas felt as though Brooke was opening a door, letting him back into her life and subsequently Peyton's. He wasn't sure he was ready for that.

"We should go," Lindsey said simply, eyeing the invitation over his shoulder. Lucas turned to look at her, confusion settling on his face for only a moment before it slid right off, masked by indifference.

"We haven't been to Tree Hill in eight years."

"So?"

It means everything, Lucas wanted to say, but he didn't, just nodded and smiled, "I guess we could go."

His heart picked up, skipped a beat, and he sat down at the table while Lindsey went back to her work. He could feel the anticipation and fear intertwining and pumping through his system.

This wedding could make or break him, and knowing his history with Peyton, there was no way to predict which way it would go.