Hey all! Thanks for continuing with the great reviews. I'll try to stay on top of updating, but I do have school and it is coming down to the second half of the semester so I have a lot of projects and papers to start writing. Stay patient and thanks again for sticking with me!

After checking on William briefly, Lucas made his way downstairs, with Anna's little hand tucked in his to find Brooke and Peyton arguing. He heard them before he saw them, cringing when he heard Brooke drop the f-bomb. Anna's mouth dropped open and she gaped up at her father as she hopped along trying to keep up with her father's long strides.

"….Funny, it's usually you whining about everything you've lost."

When he heard this, he had to fight to keep his temper in check, especially when he saw the look of hurt on his wife's face. Anna had heard more than enough curse words that day so instead adding a few choice words, he simply told Brooke to get out through clenched teeth.

He didn't wait for her to say anything, as he made his way to Peyton's side to wrap a protective arm around her waist. Anna was holding onto his leg, staring between the adults in confusion, the words "What a day," floating through her mind.

"Lucas-"

"Now, Brooke!" Lucas all but bellowed, making Anna scurry to her mother's legs. She next to never heard her father raise his voice. "Get. Out. Now."

Brooke's eyes darted to Peyton, who refused to look at her. She had gone too far and had completely messed everything up. There was no softness or forgiveness in Lucas's eyes as they glared at her coldly.

"I'm sorry," she rasped, shocked and appalled at her own blunder. Grabbing her purse, Brooke left quickly.

Once the door shut Lucas turned to Peyton, his eyes going from frigid to tender in a matter of seconds.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked once the door shut. Peyton nodded quickly, a sure sign she was far from alright.

"Momma, Brooke said a bad word!" Anna stage-whispered, tugging on Peyton's pant leg. The four year old's unnecessary dramatics made a smile tug at Lucas's lips.

"You heard all that?" Peyton asked turning her eyes to Lucas.

"Just the tail-end," he replied, furrowing his brows.

"Mommy!" Anna went back to tugging on Peyton's pants. "Momma, Brooke said a bad-"

"Word," Peyton finished swinging the little girl up into her arms, giving her a squeeze. "I know, baby. That was very naughty of her."

Anna pouted at her mother and began playing with her curls. "You look sad too, Momma," she decided, looking between her parents. Lucas and Peyton exchanged a look, amazed that their daughter could pick up on their mood so well.

"Momma will be fine," Peyton replied. "I have you and Daddy to keep me happy huh?"

"Yeah you do, Momma coz I love you so, so much and so does Daddy and even William," Anna said, putting her head on Peyton's shoulder.

"Yeah Momma, we love you so, so much," Lucas chimed in, pressing a kiss her cheek and temple. He leaned in and kissed her behind her ear. "Stay here," he whispered after a moment.

"Luke where are you going?" She asked turning towards him.

"Grocery store," he replied.

"The grocery store only?" She asked narrowing her eyes at him.

"No."

"Luke, leave it alone," Peyton sighed. "Please? Just leave it."

"Peyton do you remember senior year the morning after Brooke and Nathan's tape came out and I went to see Brooke first? You asked me if I ever stick up for the person I'm with. Well, the answer is yes."

"Luke I appreciate that, but can't you just let it go? I'm sure she didn't mean it."

"Not if she has hurt you Peyt," he replied seriously. "She hurt you. I'll be right back and I'll bring bread so our baby bird can have sandwiches for lunch." He kissed them both and went out the door.

"Daddy is mad," Anna said seriously, looking up at her mother.

"Yes he is," Peyton sighed.

"Did Brooke make you sad?"

Peyton looked down into big green eyes that were her match and smiled gently.

"Yeah she made me a little bit sad, baby."

"Daddy is sad about his real Daddy. He said so."

Peyton tucked her head down to hide the hurt for her husband in her eyes. "I know, baby. We're gonna do what we can to make him feel better right?"

"And you too," Anna added, wrapping her arms around her mother's neck and giving her a hug.

"You make me feel better, baby," Peyton cooed. "You and Daddy and Will are Mommy's medicine."

"Like rob-tussen?" Anna asked popping her head up and making a face at her mother.

"That's Robitussin and yes, but much, much, much yummier," Peyton smiled giving her daughter a cuddle and a tickle when the little girl giggled, "Yummier!?"

"Yummier," Peyton confirmed. Anna continued to giggle and Peyton sighed thoughtfully, thinking back to her early morning conversation with Lucas about having another baby, a conversation that seemed unreal considering the craziness of the morning. When Anna came she had not been ready for the overwhelming feelings of love she felt for this tiny person she had created. Anna was nothing short of wondrous to her and to Lucas. She was afraid when she became pregnant with William that she wouldn't be able to love him the same way she loved Anna, her first born, but as soon as she laid eyes on her baby boy she was once again surprised by her heart.

"You know what baby bird?"

Anna reached up to finger one of her mother's curls. "What Mommy?"

"Momma loves you," Peyton whispered, kissing her forehead.

"Me too, Momma!" Anna cried, with an endearing smile.

She also hadn't been prepared to fall even more in love with Lucas. She hadn't thought it was possible to love him anymore than she did, but watching him fall in love with and interact with Anna and William made her fall in love with him all over again. As she sat quietly with her daughter holding onto her, she knew she was ready to bring more love into the house.

"Momma?"

"Yeah baby?"

"Don't leave me kay?" Peyton's mouth fell open and she stared at the seriousness in Anna's eyes.

"Baby, why would you ask me that?"

"Well Daddy's real daddy left him and coz your mommy left to go to heaven, when you were little," Anna sniffed, her bottom lip beginning to tremble a bit. "Don't go to Heaven Momma! I don't want you or daddy to leave me!"

"Oh baby," Peyton cried, gathering her up in her arms. Appalled, her mind tried to recall every talk she had with her daughter and everything she might have said in her presence. Anna knew that Peyton had two mothers and both had gone up to Heaven with her daddy's Uncle Keith. She was appalled with herself that her little girl had a complex about being abandoned already. Maybe Anna was too much like her 16 year old self after all.

Lucas hopped into his Mustang and backed out of the driveway, then headed towards Haley's house. His eyes scanned the sidewalk from left to right. He wasn't sure which way she went, but figured wherever she was, she was on foot. He honestly didn't know what he was going to say to her when he found her. In fact he wasn't sure that talking to her was such a good idea, considering how angry he was.

Now was not the time to have it out with Brooke, he had other things to worry about, certainly. Haley and Nathan would probably be at the house soon. His family needed him.

He caught sight of her walking past the playground and pulled over with a screech of his tires that made everyone outside look up.

Brooke stopped, recognizing his car and winced as he stepped out of the Mustang and slammed the door with purpose. He marched towards her, his eyes stern and she braved a smile as he stormed up to her.

"Luke-"

"Don't talk," he snapped, coldly. "I thought we had gone through this last night Brooke. I thought you said you weren't here to hurt her. Well she's hurt, Brooke. I can see it and Anna can see it. Now, I don't know who the hell you think you are-"

"Luke! I don't know what got into me! I'm sorry alright?-I-"

"Sorry? God Brooke this morning has been a nightmare with Dan showing up! And you come into our home and treat her like shit! You say that shit to her!? She whines about everything she's lost?! Seriously Brooke? Who the fuck do you think you are saying shit like that to her in her house!?"

Brooke shook her head, wiping away the tears that were racing down her cheeks. Lucas had never yelled at her like this before. She hated that he was angry with her and hated that she'd let him down.

"This isn't me Luke," she cried. "This isn't me! You know me!"

Lucas took a deep breath and let himself really look at the brunette in front of him. "I used to know you," he said in a gentler voice. "I used to know a girl who was a loyal friend, an amazing person, I fell in love with that girl, Brooke. Where the hell did that girl go and when did she get replaced with…you?"

"I don't know, Luke. But I'll get her back. I swear I'll find her for you."

Lucas's eyebrows furrowed and he shook of the feeling her words brought. He knew she was going through a hard time, but he wasn't going to let this person she'd become continue leeching away his wife's happiness. He wouldn't allow it.

"Don't do it for me Brooke. Not for me or even Peyton or Haley or Nathan. Do it for yourself. I know that girl is still in there somewhere. But until you find her….Don't come near Peyton again. Because if you do you'll hurt her and….I told you not to hurt her. I won't have it."

"It…It hurt you too didn't it?"

Lucas sighed and glanced up at her. "What are you talking about?"

"You've never yelled at me like that before Luke. I know this can't all be about what I said to Peyton."

"You can believe whatever you want Brooke," Lucas murmured in annoyance.

"I Peyton told me you've been up most of the night and now you're saying this morning has been a nightmare, what am I supposed to believe?"

"Dan is out of prison. Did Peyton tell you that before you sunk your claws into her? That's the nightmare I'm talking about Brooke. We found out about Dan after Peyton and I spent most of the night making love."

Brooke swallowed down the feeling of retching at the thought of Lucas and Peyton having sex all night long. She noticed the dark purple bruise on his neck

"I'm sorry if I hurt you," she said in a raspy voice that once drove Lucas wild with lust. Now the only thing that drove Lucas wild with lust was the sight of his wife's long legs in a pair of heels.

"I hurt when she hurts, Brooke. Stay away from her," he said again, turning to walk away. "I mean it."

Brooke watched him walk away and burst into tears. So much for Lucas being unable to resist her, she thought. But then again she hadn't really tried, she thought in the next moment. She shook her head and began walking towards Haley's house, unaware that her and Lucas's exchange had been watched.

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