Disclaimer: All I own of One Tree Hill are the box sets of the seasons, and nothing more
Last time:
He hesitated, thinking of just ignoring it, but he knew that for her to call this late, especially after everything that happened six months ago, it had to be important. It would hurt, hearing her voice after she rejected him would be like a stab through the heart, but he just could not help himself. It looks like the choice was taken out of his hands after all. He took a deep breath and answered the phone.
"Hello."
Chapter 3 - Wishes Come True
Peyton walked into the hospital the next morning with a new spring in her step. Her conversation with Lucas the night before had been better than she could have hoped it would. They didn't discuss themselves, it was all about Jessie. Everything was set for the trip. All that was left was to tell Jessie, and that wasn't anything she had to do. The Make a Wish Foundation was coming tomorrow to tell Jessie that she was getting her wish to see the River Court. She was excited to share that world with her friend. She realized that anyone could catch a flight to Tree Hill and turn up at the River Court, or any of the other Tree Hill spots that Luke wrote about, but for Peyton to be able to show her that world was something that not everyone would get, and something that she found herself inexplicably joyful about.
The two girls spent their day laughing and drawing. If Jessie noticed any change in Peyton, she didn't mention it, for which Peyton was thankful. Peyton was readying to leave for the evening thinking she got off with a Ravens free afternoon, until Jessie spoke up.
"Hey Peyton, guess what! Lucas Scott's book tour schedule was just released yesterday, and he's coming to L.A. next month. It's too bad I didn't know that before I submitted my wish form," she said. She had started off excited, but had trailed off sadly by the time she finished. Peyton had a hard time looking at her miserable expression and not blurting out their trip to North Carolina.
"Hey, what's with the long face? You only just submitted your wish list. Who knows, maybe yours will come true.
"It's impossible Peyton. There are too many outlying factors, including my parents. I'm just gonna stay here for the rest of my life."
"Hey! That is not the Jessica Thompson that I have come to know and love. The Jessie I know loves art, and music, and a book that is all about impossible things that can happen. So, I don't want to hear you be anything but positive. Now, I have to go, but I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow," Jessie replied a little more cheerfully than before, but not much.
By the time Peyton returned the next day, Jessie's parents and another gentleman were standing outside her door, seemingly waiting for her. She was introduced to Mr. Sorenson, the head of the Make a Wish Foundation, and he explained how everything was going to work on his end. When the doctor came out of Jessie's room after doing a routine check on her, he pronounced her fit enough to travel. As Mr. and Mrs. Thompson walked into their daughter's room, Mr. Sorenson turned to Peyton.
"Are you ready for this?"
"Yeah."
"Do you still wish to remain a secret and proceed as we discussed on the phone?"
"Absolutely."
"Okay, let's do this. And by the way, thank you for helping us do this."
"Trust me, it's my pleasure," Peyton said with a watery smile as they walked in together. "Hey Jess, I found this guy out in the hall looking for you. Any idea who he might be?"
"Uh...no," Jessie replied flatly making Peyton chuckle.
"Miss Thompson I presume? My name is James Sorenson and I am the head of the Make a Wish foundation. I am here to make your wish come true," he said looking straight at Jessie with a smile.
Jessie's eyes flicked from Mr. Sorenson, to Peyton, to her parents, and back to Mr. Sorenson. Her face was a look of pure shock, with her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. For a moment she was absolutely speechless as her eyes moved from face to smiling face within the room.
"Wha...What does that mean?" she finally asked with bated breath.
"That means that you and your parents will be taking a private plane to Tree Hill, North Carolina to see the River Court and other sights from Lucas Scott's An Unkindness of Ravens." Everyone in the room looked at him, absolutely shocked, while he just smiled. He was glad that he still had some surprises up his sleeve, even if he didn't arrange this.
The silence was broken as Peyton's cell phone beeped, alerting her to a waiting text message. She blinked a few times before checking it quickly. As she did, Jessie finally came out of her daze.
"Can't Peyton come with me?"
"Unfortunately, while we made arrangements for your family, we were unable to include Peyton in them," Mr. Sorenson said
Peyton looked back down to the text message and reread it. Hey P, I'll be in L.A. tonight and we are road tripping this weekend! 3 B
"But she has to come," Jessie continued to plead.
"Um, that's okay, it looks like I can't anyway. I have a friend coming in tonight, and apparently we are road tripping this weekend, or so I've just been told," Peyton commented as she waved her phone indicating that this is what the text was pertaining to, "and it must be really important, because she cannot usually sit still long enough for a road trip."
Meanwhile, Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were trying to figure out how they were going to be able to take that much time off of work. They wanted to spend anytime that they could with their daughter, but they just could not afford it at the moment. That is why they had agreed to Peyton taking her.
"Mr. Sorenson...ummm..." Mrs. Thompson began, but stopped when she did not know how to continue. She didn't what to dash her daughter's hopes completely.
"Oh yes, I forgot. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, it gives me great pleasure to tell you that all of Jessie's medical bills are paid off, with a promise of payment for any more she may accrue in the next year. We have spoken with your bosses at all of your various jobs who have agreed to suspend your contract with them for as much time as you would like, effectively giving you all the time off you may require, should you even decide to return to those positions at some point. This also applies to your full time teaching positions. We have assurances from both the teacher's union, and your school district, that you have job security until that time in which you choose to return. You have every right to decide that you wish to stay and continue working, but all of those in charge that we spoke to were only too happy to grant you as much time with Jessie as possible."
The Thompson's were momentarily struck dumb, unable to believe what they were being told. Jessie had a hopeful smile on her face as she realized what this could mean.
"Wait…so…you mean…" Jessie began, too afraid to express her entire thought for fear she had heard incorrectly.
"Yes, your parents can take the next year or two off to be with you, and still be able to get their jobs back at the end of that time. With your bills paid, it gives them a bit more freedom to be able to do just that, should they want to," Mr. Sorenson finished with a smile.
"Are you serious?" Mr. Thompson asked.
"As can be."
"I thought the purpose of your organization was to grant the wishes of children, not the wildest hopes and dreams of their parents," a teary eyed Mrs. Thompson replied. She just could not believe what was happening.
"Well to be perfectly honest, our office had very little to do with this particular wish," Mr. Sorenson said to a confused family, "but I will say more about that when we get to North Carolina. Are there any other questions about the trip?"
"How long will we be gone, and where will we be staying?" Mr. Thompson, ever the practical one, asked.
"A local has offered up his home for your use for as long as you want. He is away for months at a time on business, and his daughter no longer lives at home, so you will have full run of the house."
The Thompsons were speechless.
"Was there anything else?"
"Is this for real?" Jessie finally asked.
"Absolutely."
"When do we leave?" she asked eagerly, causing everyone else in the room laughed.
"Well, since it is a private jet we have some leeway in that, however, being that you all need to pack, as well as get things here in order, let's say five days? Wheels up at noon?" Mr. Sorenson replied looking to the Thompsons for conformation. All was agreed upon and Mr. Sorenson left.
Jessie let out an uncharacteristic squeal as soon as the door closed, and those remaining in the room chuckled.
"Peyton, do you believe it? I'm going to Tree Hill!"
"I know, it's amazing. You got your wish!"
"The only thing that could make it better would be if you could come with us. I mean, it is your favorite book too."
"I know. I'm really sorry, and I wish that I could go with you, but for my friend to fly here just to road trip with me, it must be really important. Trust me, I would not leave one of my best friends to experience such a treat as Tree Hill if it was anything less. You have to promise to tell me everything about it."
"I will."
They sat and drew in silence for a while, just enjoying each other's company. They were both thinking about Jessie's visit to Tree Hill, and what it might mean for their friendship. Sooner than either realized, visiting hours were over, and it was time for Peyton to leave. As she gathered her things and readied herself to go, she looked at Jessie to say goodnight only to find one of her closest friends close to tears.
"Hey, hey, hey what is this? What's with the waterworks?" Peyton said with a teasing smile.
"I just wish you were coming with me. I don't know when I'll see you next since I'm not sure when I'm coming back. Will I see you before…" she trailed off.
Peyton closed her eyes at Jessie's question. It pained her every time she brought up the inevitable.
"Hey don't talk like that. Of course I will see you soon. Maybe after I find out what this sudden road trip is all about I'll come visit you in Tree Hill and you can show me all of your favorite hangouts, as well as some of the sights. How does that sound?" When Jessie didn't respond Peyton's smile fell, and she continued more seriously, "Jess, I will come and meet you in North Carolina. You are one of my best friends, and I am just not ready to say goodbye to you yet, so I will say 'see you later,' and I will. Okay?"
"Okay," Jessie finally said with a glimmer of a smile.
"That's my girl," Peyton said as she waved once more and headed out the door.
A/N: Two updates in one week! I know, I'm shocked myself. See, I told you that this chapter would be longer. I know that the bit about the Thompsons getting off work for that long is probably unrealistic, but just go with it please. Anyway, I hope you liked it. The next chapter is written, but not typed, so I hope to get that out to you soon. It is annother short one, but the one after that will be much longer. Please let me know what you thought!
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