Okay. I've taken a few deep breaths and I'm not makin' any promises, but I am continuing on with my stories. Not as frequently as some of you would like, but I will be moving forward. Thanks to all the understanding responses to my previous rant. I'm continuing for you all.
"God, what a day," Haley huffed as the dark haired Scott family entered their house, Jamie walking in after his mother, followed by Deb carrying Amalia and then Nathan.
"Tell me about it," Nathan mumbled sinking onto the couch, while the kids ran upstairs. "What I don't understand is how the parole board could have messed up that bad and there isn't anything we can do about it expect file a stupid appeal," he grumbled.
He had gotten the call from Haley on his way home from the high school. Coach Turner had offered him a coaching position at the high school that he was seriously considering taking. He wanted to run it past Lucas to see if he might considered being an assistant coach but after hearing about Dan he hadn't even mentioned the job opportunity to Haley. As soon as he had pulled into the drive way she had hopped into the passenger's side and they'd driven to Lucas and Peyton's.
"I can't believe he showed up at the park," Haley muttered, shaking off the creepy feeling she got and then gasped.
"What?"
"He was at Tric last night," she cried. Nathan raised his eyebrows at her.
"Are you sure, Hales?"
"Yes, I actually physically ran into him and I remember because he was wearing a baseball cap and had a creepy beard. Exactly the way Deb described him looking at the park."
"So…he has been-"
"Following us," Haley finished. She sat back and groaned. "Fantastic."
Deb put a calming hand up and said, "Lets not get too crazy-"
"This coming from the woman who tried to set him on fire," Nathan rolled his eyes at his mother.
"Shut up," Deb huffed, smirking a bit, despite the subject matter. "As creepy as it sounds, we know he's been around. He knew we'd be at the park. Lucas takes Anna and William there at the same time everyday. We're just aware now that he's out there and in a way I guess that's better. He can only take us by surprise once."
"Oh God this is a nightmare," Haley sighed, leaning her head on Nathan's shoulder.
"I won't argue with you about that," Deb nodded. "But, this is the reality of the situation."
"Mom, you can stay here tonight if you like," Nathan said.
"Oh honey, thank you for the offer, but Karen was right. We can't change our lives around for him. If we do, he wins."
"Okay lemme rephrase that," Nathan sighed. "Mom, you're staying here tonight. I know what Karen said, but if its all the same to you, I'd rather you not be alone with him out there. You plus him equals attempted murder. It would be nice to keep at least one of Jamie and Amalia's grandparents around for awhile longer."
Deb rolled her eyes and smiled at her son. "Only because spending time with my grandchildren is time well spent," she said, getting up. "I'm going upstairs to see what Amalia is into."
"She's right you know?" Haley said. "Deb and Karen. It's just like waiting for a bomb to drop though. It's probably just a matter of time before he shows up on one of our doorsteps."
Nathan twined his fingers with Haley's and nodded. "Yeah. Probably."
"What'll you do?" Haley asked, looking up at him.
"I don't know, Hales," he shrugged, quietly. "He's my dad who murdered my uncle. His brother. He didn't just take Uncle Keith away from me and Lucas and Karen and God Lily, but he also took my dad away,"
"Sweetie," Haley sighed.
"You only get one dad. He couldn't do it for Lucas. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that he couldn't do it for me," Nathan finished sadly.
"Oh baby," Haley whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Honey, it'll be okay. We're all gonna get through this."
"It's just amazing how one man can just-suck away happiness. You know I got offered a job at Tree Hill High today? Whitey's old job as coach."
Haley's mouth dropped open and she stared at him. "Nathan that's amazing," she laughed, hugging him. "You wouldn't have to drive so far everyday to the University. Shorter days and I know the kids would love having you around more often."
"I know. And I wanted to talk it over with Lucas too, because I'd like him to consider being an assistant coach. Between the two of us, the Ravens would be unstoppable. Now this. Dan's like a vacuum. That's what he is. He is a vacuum for happiness. And here comes the rain," he sighs, thinking back on his conversation with Lucas the night before.
"Hey Dad," Haley and Nathan looked up to find Jamie standing in front of them.
"What's up bud?"
"You wanna shoot around?" Haley grinned and looked at a beaming Nathan. She knew he'd be thrilled. He still dreamed that Jamie came to him with a basketball in his hand and said, "Dad, I wanna be a baller."
"I would love that, kiddo." He turned to Haley and raised his eyebrows and she laughed indulgently.
"Go play basketball with your soccer loving son," she said.
"Thanks, babe," he replied, leaning in to kiss her before getting up.
"Nate," Haley called. He turned around. "You're gonna do great. I'm proud of you."
Smiling, Nathan winked at her before going out back with Jamie. Haley chuckled a little bit before letting out a long sigh. She was about to stand when the front door opened and shut.
"Brooke?" She called out. The brunette appeared in the doorway looking tired and a bit beaten down.
"Hey tutor mom," she greeted, walking into the room and dropping down beside Haley.
"God, you look the way most of us feel."
"Thank you," Brooke rolled her eyes at her and Haley laughed.
"Sorry. Where have you been all day, anyway? Luke said you were by their house earlier."
"Yeah. Did he tell you anything else?"
"Well, no, but we were all sort of distracted. Dan is out on parole. He showed up at the park while Karen, Deb, and the kids were there."
"Yeah, I know. Peyton told me this morning. Look, um- I have to talk to you about something."
"Sure, what is it Brooke?"
"I'm gonna head back to New York with Rachel for awhile."
"What? Why," Haley demanded.
"Remember at the barbeque when I saw Lucas for the first time and you asked me if it was going to be a problem?"
"Yeah," Haley said slowly, furrowing her eyebrows.
"It's going to be a problem."
Haley groaned. "Oh geez, Brooke."
She wasn't sure if she should be relieved that Brooke finally admitted it or not. She new the past few days had to be terrible for the brunette ex-girlfriend of her best friend. Lucas and Peyton were affectionate and very obviously in love. At times they did have a tendency to block everything else out when they were looking at each other.
"I suspected as much," Haley admitted, looking at her friend sympathetically.
"It isn't obvious is it?" Brooke asked in a panic.
"Brooke you always managed to find a way to not be in the same place as both Lucas and Peyton. You weren't very subtle."
"Yeah, well it's kind of hard to watch when he practically mounts her in front of everyone," Brooke grumbled making Haley turn pink and chuckle a bit.
"It's not funny," Brooke snapped, irritably.
Haley put her hands up in surrender. "Sorry. I got a mental picture and it was a little bit funny."
"Haley!"
"….Sorry."
"I mean are they trying to prove a point or something?"
"They're in love, Brooke," Haley said, quietly. She placed a comforting hand on hers and squeezed it. "They love each other and I know it's hard for you to see because you just broke up with Chase and…well how you still feel about Lucas."
"You know I pass by his editor's office building everyday to go to work? We must have been moments away from seeing each other again so many times. Things could have turned out so differently."
Haley stared at her, baffled. "How?"
"I don't know. I don't know, Haley. I just know things didn't turn out the way they were supposed to."
"How can you say that Brooke? You have an amazing clothing line, a magazine, you're a household name for goodness sakes."
"But I have no one, Haley. I have no one and Peyton got the storybook ending. They were the love story that was not supposed to happen."
Haley's eyes widened. "Brooke."
"No, don't give those judgmental eyes Haley. Everyone was rooting for Lucas and I and you know it because you were one of them."
"Things change Brooke. And what I wanted from the moment Lucas entered you and Peyton's lives was for him to be happy. And he is…with Peyton and their children. William and Anna. She really loves you ya'know. And you can't tell me you don't love that child."
"How do you not love Anna Scott," Brooke smiled, thinking of the wide-eyed little blonde with the big voice and enormous personality.
"Then how can you sit here and tell me that her and her brother were not meant to be here, Brooke."
Brooke threw her head into her hands. "I'm this horrible jealous person that I don't even recognize. I wasn't like this before I came here, Haley. I have to get out of here."
"Is running away supposed to help that? I mean you have been in New York and the way you feel about Lucas followed you there for all these years."
"What else would you have me do Haley? Stay here and watch her make out with him in front of me? No way. I can't do that."
Haley shook her head and gingerly asked, "Brooke, do you think that she took him from you?"
"Yeah, sometimes. Most times," she amended. "But the rest of the time when I see the four of them together or I see him…look at her….I know things turned out just as they should," she cried, quietly.
Haley drew her into her arms. Loving Lucas Scott was….hard. He should come with a sign, she thought wearily. Lindsey had learned the same hard lesson several years ago. Haley liked her and admired the fact that the woman continued to edit book after book that was some way or other a love note to his wife.
"I know. I know you have to leave and it's for the best, but I just hope you'll come back to us."
Brooke pulled back and smiled, her eyes shining. She drew the other woman into another hug. "Yeah, me too."
They separated and Haley wiped at her eyes. "Are you at least going to say goodbye to Peyton?"
"I think it's best that I don't."
"Come on Brooke. You can't leave things like this with her. It would be like repeating history. Leave on a good note."
"I don't know if Lucas would let me within ten feet of their door even if I wanted to."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Brooke shook her head and waved her off. "He heard me fighting with Peyton and played his husband role," she shrugged.
"Played his husband role?"
"He told me to stay away from her. I guess I don't blame him though. And you shouldn't either Haley," she added seeing the look on Haley's face.
"God I don't know what it is with Lucas and Nathan both, they're so over protective."
"Must be nice."
"Brooke-"
"No…Don't feel bad for having a husband that loves you, Haley."
"Maybe Peyton would like to hear that from you before you go," Haley ventured.
Brooke pursed her lips and looked away, blinking tears from her eyes. "I hate when you're right. But I don't know that I'm there yet."
"Fine." Haley swallowed her impatience. "But try and get there."
"That's all anyone can do Hales."
"William get out of there, right now!"
The baby, looked up at his mother, and cooed a soft, "Uh oh," before scampering out of her garden, but not before yanking up a bundle of forget-me-nots by the roots.
Peyton was silenced, staring in wonder as the baby plopped himself down in the grass and began shaking the blue flowers like pompoms.
With a shake of her head, Peyton went back to her gardening, keeping one eye on the children, even though the backyard was fenced.
Karen and Lily had left awhile ago. Peyton could tell from the look on Karen's face that she was going to sit Lily down and tell her the truth about her father and why he wasn't there.
She had hugged the older women and insisted that she call if she needed anything at all.
"I'll be fine," Karen assured. "You just take care of him," she nodded towards Lucas who had been hanging a squealing, Lily upside down by her ankles. Despite the goofing around, Peyton nodded, knowing as his mother did, that the blonde man tended to internalize his emotions, often to his own detriment.
"Willy has your flowers Momma," Anna cried, looking up from the hole she was digging in her sandbox.
"I know," Peyton sighed, looking back at her boy, who was now trying to stuff the handful of mangled flowers into the front of his overall pockets. She chuckled at his crossed eyed concentration.
"He can have them."
"But not mine!" Anna countered, looking proudly over at the little square of earth that Lucas had given her, complete with a multicolored sign that Peyton helped Anna make, which read, Anna's Garden in childish lettering.
"Nope. Not yours, sweetie. That garden is all for you. Maybe one day we can make a garden for William, huh?" Then he can kill his own flowers, she mentally added.
"Yeah," Anna nodded, dropping her shovel and climbing out of the sandbox. Bored of digging holes she decided she wanted to color, and went to the porch to collect her crayons and paper.
"Momma, where's Daddy?"
"He's in his office writing a book, sweetheart, remember?"
"Oh…I keep forgetting," she giggled, before sitting down on the steps to draw. William toddled over to her with flowers hanging out of the front of his denim overalls and sat down at her feet.
"You wanna draw, Willy?" The baby stared up at her, with a string of drool hanging from his open mouth, before exclaiming, "Ah!"
"Look I'll show you."
Peyton wished she had her camera with her, as she watched Anna kneel down beside him, and put a crayon in his chubby little hand. Taking his hand she tried to help him color on her paper.
Smiling, she was about to turn her attention back to her gardening when a movement out of the corner of her eye, made her look up. She stood immediately.
"What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious?" He had shaved the beard off and cut his hair, and there was no denying who stood in front of her. He always looked like he was on the verge of a sinister smile. "I've come to see my grandkids."
Lucas clicked the save button on his computer screen and sat back to crack his neck and survey his work. He was pleased with himself for finishing it, despite the events of the day. But then again, writing had always been his therapy. That and Peyton.
He was staring off into space daydreaming about his wife with a mooney smile when his monitor blipped at him. Clicking the accept button he sat back and smiled as his editor's face popped up on the screen.
"Hey Linds. Boy are you going to be proud of me," he simpered.
Lindsey's eyebrow piqued teasingly. "Am I? I usually save my feelings of pride for clients who finish a book for me."
"Ah, Lindsey, I've finished three books for you. I should be your favorite already. But if a book is what you need to show me some affection, then, heads up."
"Did you finish the book?" Lindsey asked, sitting up straighter in her seat. Lucas grinned. Her enthusiasm for his work was what made working with her such a pleasure.
"Five minutes ago. I'm sending it to you right now."
"Ah! I love you!" She caught herself with a light blush and cocked her head. "I'll start reading it right now."
Lucas smiled gently. She was a sweet woman and incredibly beautiful. Lucas knew he could probably fall for her if Peyton wasn't in the picture, but he never entertained such thoughts. He couldn't imagine a picture without Peyton in it. He was vaguely aware that Lindsey had harbored a crush on him for a short while. Whether she still did or not, he wasn't sure, but Lindsey knew where his heart lay after editing three books she knew where essentially love letters to his curly haired wife.
"Thanks, Linds. How is…Mark is it?"
"Yes," Lindsey smiled. "It's still new, but I think we could have something. I don't wanna jump the gun, though. It's hard the have a relationship when you're constantly striving for something as epic as what a certain client of mine has."
Lucas glanced lovingly down at the picture of Peyton on his desk. "Aim for epic, Linds. It is totally worth it."
Peyton stared at Dan, her gaze unwavering as she spoke.
"Baby, can you take your brother inside and go find Daddy please?"
"Momma, who is that?"
"Anna now," Peyton said sternly. Pouting, the little girl took her brother's hand and tried to lead him up the stairs, but the baby wanted his mother.
"Mommy, Willy won come wiff me!" Peyton turned finally to her children, and reached a hand out to William, who toddled towards her.
"Okay. It's okay, you go inside and get Daddy-" Peyton's tone was soothing, but no nonsense. She was aware of Dan behind her and she could feel him staring at the children.
"Peyton-"
"Dan, I want you off my property," Peyton growled, scooping her boy up and cradling his head on her shoulder. Her body was turned slightly away, shielding her son slightly.
"That's a fine looking boy you've got there, Peyton. And a beautiful little girl."
"Look, I appreciate you shaving your beard off and crazying it down for my children's benefits, but you need to go before Lucas comes out here. We have nothing to say to you and right now you are trespassing."
"You know I'd always thought Lucas would end up with that brunette. Whats her name? Brooke wasn't it? Hot little body on that one. Lucas really dropped the ball there didn't he."
"Get out!"
"You seem to be under the impression that you live in a bubble, Ms. Sawyer. Pardon me-Mrs. Scott. One day you are going to wake up and find the world you constructed has flaws."
"Get off my property," Peyton turned and began ascending the stairs.
"Kind of like your husband's heart."
At that, Peyton stopped and turned, rigidly. William had begun to fuss. "Shut up. His heart is fine."
"For now," Dan shrugged. His teasing tone dropped and his face turned serious. "What about your mother. Died of cancer, right? You ever wonder which one of your children inherited which disease?"
"You shut up right now! I mean it," Peyton cried, her arms beginning to shake. Tear began stinging her eyes. Of course she thought of Lucas's HCM and Ellie's cancer. She didn't even know who her birth father was or what he could have passed down.
Her hold on William tightened and the baby, sensing his mother's distress, burst into tears.
Dan's expression softened at the child's cries. "His name is William?"
"I mean it Dan," Peyton's voice shook. "Get the hell out."
"I'd listen to her," Lucas's voice rumble from behind her and Peyton spun around with a sigh. Lucas's eyes shifted to Peyton's, silently asking if she was okay. He pressed a comforting hand to his crying boy's head and whispered to his wife. "Go inside Peyton."
"Luke-"
"I'll be in soon. Keep the kids away from the windows." He was looking at Dan now and Peyton shivered walking inside. Lucas waited for the door to shut and paused a few moments before he went down the stairs.
"I don't know what they were thinking, letting a killer walk free. Or how it was that we didn't get contacted when your parole hearing came up-"
At the look of surprise on Dan's face Lucas laughed. "What you didn't think that our not showing up meant we forgave you did it? That we somehow forgot you and what you did? Wrong. You better believe if we had known, we'd have been there to make sure you never got out. You don't deserve to breath free air, Dan."
"Lucas, you may not believe this and I don't expect you to, but I cha-"
His words were cut off by Lucas's fist connecting solidly with his jaw.
"Get off my property, Dan. Do not come back. Do NOT go near my mother or Lily and if I ever see you anywhere near my wife or children again I will kill you."
"Apple doesn't fall far from the tree huh?"
Lucas tackled him, not caring where his swinging fist connected. The men tumbled for awhile. But Dan had always been bigger and managed to get the upper hand, before scrambling to his feet.
Both men glared at each other, heaving. "I am not like you Dan!"
"Aren't you? I'm dying Lucas."
"I don't believe you."
"It's true. It's my HCM, Lucas. I have six months to live unless I get a heart transplant."
Lucas stared at him. "That's the first time you've ever given me good news Dan. I'm calling the police if you aren't gone in ten seconds."
Lucas turned and walked back into his house, slamming the door behind him.
Sorry for the lack of Leyton loving in there. I'm still trying to talk myself out of writing a scene where Peyton has reason to knee him in the testicles. But only because Peyton won't do it on the show. ;p
Come on. You know you want to see Peyton lay that bastard out. Uh oh...deep breaths. I swear I can get over it.