An- Hola! How've you been? Me, not so great, I got involved in a huge tailspin involving coughing, fevers and loss of vocal chords so that didn't really go on tell hence the reason why this chapter is so late. That and, well, I had serious writer's block but as you can see my muse has decided to come back; Enjoy!
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Previously:
"Daddy." She croaks out, her voice rough and raspy as she lets out a slight cough yet he thinks he's never seen anything more beautiful or heard anything more significant than the words she let herself murmur.
With that, Lucas feels the emotions take a wild turn on him, his cheeks colliding with the incredulous tears, mind replaying the incroyable day that was called his life. The father reaches out and grasps the four year old, cradling her as if she were some fragile little thing that could disappear beneath his wing, tears running a mile a minute as he gasps with joy.
"Don't ever leave me again."
Chapter 41: Showers of praise.
Relief was automatically proven to be a powerful word, one that could embrace any human individual in the world at any unexpected time given a peculiar situation. When inquired about it, Peyton Sawyer, pregnant mommy for child number two would probably define the word as a momentary fetish in her life that would lapse into her life for a fleeting moment before odds crossed her pathway once again and she was suddenly back to the tailspin of destruction she had been winded along to so many times.
At this moment, it was safe to say that she disagreed.
She still remembered, detail by detail, how relief had instantly settled into her body, that and a lot of emotions displayed, destruction and sorrow instantly being removed as she concentrated mainly one the one thing that had eased her day and caused her eyes to lighten up immensely.
Kaylee Anne Scott.
She remembered vaguely seeing her fiancé dripping with tears before he cradled the four year old in his arms, forgetting to abide to the doctor's rules and press the large button beneath the bed that indicated something had happened regarding her daughter.
She had watched with shocked wide eyes, tears gathering beneath her eyelashes as she blinked rapidly, in attempts to gather fact to her mind that she hadn't woken up in dream land and that the one string that would free them into the land of bliss had woken up, thus enticing them a possible way to escape the tailspin they had found themselves in.
Once her eyes flurried open once again, the scene once again jumping out at her, a relieved smile toyed with her lips before the tears collided with her cheeks and she did what any sane woman in that position would be welcomed to do.
She leapt at the scene, joining in on the commotion as she nuzzled the four year old into her arms, heart leaping with joy.
The scene had gone by in a blur, her simply murmuring her daughter's name as she showered the girl with large, dramatic kisses, telling the child she had missed her greatly and that she were to remain strapped into her room until she was old and grey and that she were partially convinced that there were less hazardous dangers consuming the world and that her daughter wouldn't be corrupted by one.
In amidst the anxiety and their swooped up happiness, her eyes tilted sideways, green emerald pupils meeting up with imploring blue ones before their lips united, breaking the last barrier that prevented them from glorifying this moment, forehead leaning on forehead before their eyes fluttered open, sharing a secret relieved smile towards the other before the family simply held each other; joyful that they were once again intact and alive and had survived the quarrel of death that had barreled into their life.
--
The soft tranquil little intakes of breath surrounded Peyton as her demulcent fingers once again managed to easen the peaceful aura that filled the air by threading itself in the mane of blonde tresses that belonged to the four year old that currently lay in her bed, nuzzled under the covers as she slept with ease and contentment.
The child had gone back to sleep shortly after she had woken, alarming both her and Luke to opposing questions which declared some vulgar thoughts into their heads, both sure that their daughter had yet again fallen back into the dangerous state of destruction when the Doctor had rushed in ( due to the heavy screaming that filled the air) and had checked all over the petite child, instantly relieving their stressed nature by informing them that the girl was simply exhausted having her body working up such a sweat just to wake up and needed some sleep in order to fully awaken the sleeping muscles in her body.
The information had gotten both inclining of the head from both parents, embracing tightly with relief as they murmured sweet words of affection towards each other regarding their infant before simply burying themselves in their powerful embrace, simply letting the moment play out, the sole sound of their daughter's puff of air comforting the moment before Peyton kicked Lucas out, telling him that the gang would have their head if they weren't notified about Kaylee, no matter how late at night it was which caused Lucas to huff childishly, reluctantly agreeing before he pressed his lips to the forehead of both his girls and marched out the door.
Peyton breathed with contentment, humming an idle song that seemed to awaken the fetus that wormed around in her stomach, twitching once or twice as the baby inside of her kicked way too hard for comfort.
She was having slight change of mind about it being another girl and was slowly drifting towards the thought that this time around would be a boy like Lucas had suggested. She was pretty damn sure, this one, would be different, coming out of her womb with a soccer ball in his hands.
Might as well be. She thought with a smile. It feels like he's kicking one.
She was brought out of her insane jumbling of thoughts by the sound of immense, dry coughs, her eyes automatically fixing themselves onto Kaylee's sleeping form which was currently tossing and turning, fluttering her eyes open with alarm as her blue pupils desperately itched to get focus of her surroundings.
Blue specs met glue, the four year old coughing dryly before bringing her hand unto her throat in surprise.
"Mama.." She coughed, propping herself upwards to rush into her mother's embrace, fear instantly splattered across her innocent features.
"I'm right here, baby." Retorted Peyton, southern twang rustling out as she waddled over to her daughter's side, hand filling the cup of water in her hands with water before she softly brang the cup towards the child and poured some into the awaiting mouth.
She watched with inspecting eyes as Kaylee closed her eyes, gulping the cold liquid drink down her throat before she blinked, fluttering her eyes open, regarding her mother with teary eyes as she peeked at her beneath her long lashes.
"Oh, baby." She sighed, carefully crawling unto the bed before she gathered the four year old infant into her arms, rocking the sobbing child. " It's okay."
"I- I'm sorry." Sobbed Kaylee, grasping her mother tightly as she buried her head into the soft curly tendrils on top of her head.
"You have nothing to be sorry for, bumblebee." She said back. " All that matters is that your safe and your back in our arms, like it should be."
"I missed you." Admitted Kaylee, blue eyes shining with love and adoration as she fluttered her eyes shut, hands toying with the soft blonde tresses that belonged to her mother. " You and Daddy."
"We missed you too, bifle." Peyton said, emotion laced with her tone as her hand extended to rub the small infant's back. It felt so good to have her back in her arms.
Her head lifted, a quiet chuckle escaping her mouth as Kaylee's eyes strayed from place to place in the hospital in order to catch sight of the blonde-headed man she had kicked out previously.
"He wouldn't leave you, baby." She told her, watching as Kaylee blinked at her, blue eyes holding on to every word. " He went to go tell everyone that your alive and well and that your back to put a smile on their face."
Kaylee blinked in surprise, mouth left agape as her eyes widened in disbelief. " Everyone?"
"Well you didn't think just us were worried about you, did you?" She chuckled. " Everyone was here just waiting for you to wake up.. Aunt Brooke, Uncle Nathan, Aunt Haley, Jamie, Grandma Karen, Lilly, Andy-"
"Grandpa Dan!" She interrupted, voice thick with gruffness, looking at her mother with wild eyes filled with wild concern. " Is he okay?"
Peyton's mouth went dry, inclining her head in order to provoke happiness to fulfill the needs of the four year old that belonged to her. " He's perfectly fine, baby. He was very torn about you."
"I'm glad he's okay, Mama." She sighed, nestling her head on her mother's shoulder as her hand drifted lower until it reached her mother's abdomen, softly setting itself on the abdomen that concealed the baby that kicked with delight, smile appearing on her face. " He saved me, Mama. I'm glad he saved himself too."
"Saved you?" Mused Peyton, looking downwards to propel her daughter with a peculiar expression filled with questionement. He after all was one of the main reasons she could've departed from the world, it was an understatement to think that the man she had always hated was one of the very people she wasn't fond of as of now.
Kaylee nodded in response, responding with a soft Mhmm before she enchanted her mother with another cough. " When I was looking for you and daddy, he told me to hide in his arms so he could keep me away from all the big things that were falling. He didn't care about himself, he just wanted to protect me. He saved me, Mama. Just like Uncle Keith saved the baby… he's my hero."
A beat of silence was formed, the silence deafening the aura that replenished itself around them as Peyton let the words her daughter had just uttered circle through her mind, registering the information that had been given to her. It was only when she had repeated the words through her mind again did she succeed in noticing the hidden message her daughter had uttered. " Uncle Keith saved the baby?"
Kaylee inclined her head once again, smiling upwards at her mother before lifting up her mother's shirt and kissing the middle of her tummy, exactly where the baby had been kicking. " I saw him, Mama. When I was sleeping, he told me that he made sure that you and the baby were okay so that I could come back to the whole family and I could be the best big sister ever. He said Keith loves me and I love him too."
Tears welled up into Peyton's eyes as she realized just who Keith was referring to when he was talking about the repeated Keith. She brang Kaylee snuggly into her embrace, sobbing with emotion as the thought circled around her mind. Keith, the name of their baby, their name of their son.
"Uncle Keith's a hero huh, mama?" She yawned, frowning as she caught sight of the glistening tears that collided with the cheeks of her mother before wiping them off. Peyton nodded, shutting her eyes momentarily before speaking.
"That's right baby." She murmured, lips edging forward to kiss Kaylee's forehead. " He's mine."
---
Lucas marched through the sea of people that passed by him, never-ending smile plastered against his face widely as he continued to walk towards his unknown destination before plopping down into the cafeteria Tree Hill hospital owned and plopping down into a chair, whipping out his cell phone as he dialed the number he was sure would be all too pleased to hear the current notice as to his child.
His leg skittered with excitement, eyes momentarily gluing upwards in order to send a sudden shower of praise to the God that reigned the heavens up in the sky for answering his prayers as he awaited for the tune that would inform him that the person had finally picked up the receiver.
His thoughts jumbled from nothing to everything yet one highlight of the evening embezzling itself into his brain.
His daughter is awake.
As a father, the sole motive you would have in the world when it came to a human life that loved, adored and depended on you would be to guard it with every ounce of will power that you have in your flesh. With that being said, it was one of the reasons why he had reacted horribly towards the knowledge of his daughter being in a hospital, fighting the sever battle of life and death.
In result, the joy that leaped into his heart was one that he was sure he would remember till the end of time, perhaps teasing Kaylee in the future how she had scared him endlessly and had made him behave like a total git just to have her blink back at him with those golden specs of blue eyes that she held. Once again, there were no words to express how relieved he was that his little girl was back and he concluded that there was none to express.
The sentiment was just to overwhelming to be discovered.
He was captivated out of his thoughts by the grumbling sound of a raspy voice rumbling through his ear buds.
" I don't know who you are or what the hell you want but you better have a good excuse as to why your waking me up at-" There was a pregnant pause as the sound of reluctant shuffling was heard. " 3:00 in the damn morning! There better be a good explanation for this." She grumbled, causing Lucas to fight an inner battle with himself containing his urge to chuckle at her behaviour.
"What if I were to say Kaylee's awake?" He suggested.
"Don't toy with me ,buddy." Brooke rasped warningly although Lucas could practically see the gigantic smile coming to her face.
"I'm serious cheery." He chirped mirthfully. " My little girl's awake."
There was a deafening squeal of excitement on the phone, Lucas hearing Brooke curse in delight before a loud thud pounded through his ears causing him to disconnect the phone from his ear.
"Brooke?" He questioned apprehensively, eyes wide with concern and fear.
"Hello? - yeah, sorry Broody, that was Chase. I maybe, kinda made him fall off the bed due to all the happiness."
" I can hear that." He teased, chuckling as Brooke apologized to her baby Daddy before dramatically telling him the news. " Look, Brooke- I kind of have a lot of people to call so I'm gonna have to ditch the dial on this -"
"Say no more, Broody. I'll see you in a couple of hours."
"Brooke, as much as we love the offer and I'm sure Kaylee would be excited to see you, she's a bit drained for the moment and I'm pretty sure security won't let you in at this time of night-"
"When have I ever gave a damn about Security? We all know that I won't be able to sleep after this and frankly I don't want to. They can call security all they want even though they're messing with their time considering I'm not backing down. She's my god-daughter and I have every right to be there, whether they want to or not."
"What Brooke Davis wants, Brooke Davis gets, right?" He retorted lazily, smile appearing on his face.
"I've taught you well, Broody." Lucas laughed as he envisioned her smirk, dimples flashing brightly as she smirked cockily. " I won't keep you waiting, do what you need and report back to my girls. Tell P-Sawyer, I say hi and give a hu-uge kissto K-Scott for me will you?"
"Will do, Brooke. Night."
"Later, Broody."
---
The vibrating sound of the phone ringing awakened the slumbering pair that lay nestled in their bed, providing comfort for each other by slumbering tightly in their embrace in order to drown out the heavy thick unresolved problems of the day.
It had been deemed to be a long day for both of them. Not only did they have to cater to providing hope to both Lucas and Peyton regarding Kaylee, they also had to go round doing the usual things both engaged parents couldn't do due to the fact they were too busy pondering their daughters current status, that and having the responsibility to be the strength cycle for the rest of the group, especially the younger ones which contained their four year old son as well.
On top of that, Jamie had gone in to visit Kaylee today at the hospital due to his daily incessant whining and constant worrying regarding the blonde which had caused the parents to eventually agree, having had not enough energy to argue with the situation any longer and fulfill his wish. Neither to say, the trip hadn't gone well with Jamie breaking down as soon as they left the hospital room and them having to spend the remainder of the day trying to cheer him up.
Needless to say, if inquired about their current mood.. The word exasperated was far from an understatement.
Nathan sighed, one eye fluttering open with pure exhaustion before he rolled over thus entitling him to prevent his arms to circle around his wife's waist like it had previously been doing and gripping the phone.
He groaned immensely as his brothers voice floated through the air before interrupting the man and plucking the phone away from his ear.
"Haley, its for you." With that, he chucked the phone into her hand, watching as she sighed fatigueless before clearing her throat and proceeding to talk.
"Lucas, it is three- thirty in the morning."
"I'm well aware of that, Haley. I just thought you should know that Kaylee, you know, your niece is awake."
"Shut up!" Haley yelped gleefully, bouncing upwards as she eagerly nudged Nathan on her side before sternly glaring at the phone. " Lucas Eugene, this better not be some sick joke."
"What- what's going on?" Groaned Nathan, rubbing the slumber out of his eyes with a curl of his fist as he neared his wife in order to better hear the commotion that was folding out in front of him.
Haley shushed him, dismissing him with a wave of a hand, distractedly murmuring that she he was not to disturb her while she was on the phone.
"You of all people should know that this isn't a joking matter, Hales. " Haley heard an irritated Lucas voice out causing a wide smile to appear on her gorgeous fatigued figure.
"Oh thank the heavens, Luke this is great!"
'What's great?" Inquired Nathan, only huffing childishly as he failed yet again, to be led on into this shower of praise his wife and his brother had currently displayed for themselves.
"Glad you think so, that's the first thing that popped to mind when I found out about it too."
"That really is great, Luke. I knew everything would work out for the lot of you." She retorted smugly, smiling as Lucas chuckled on the other line. It was nice to see him so carefree once again.
"Well glad to know we have our own personal psychic to tend to." He joked causing her to rumble with laughter.
"Would be much better if she could get some recognition for it too, you know." She teased with a smile before turning serious. " Well, I'd Mosley on down there if it weren't the fact that I have a four year old boy with no babysitter to take care of him due to the fact Deb is somewhere along the shadows-"
Lucas chuckled, her being able to envision his dopey ecstatic look plastered on his face. " No worries, Hales. I understandand don't worry, I will make sure to shower Kaylee with kisses and give Peyton my greetings, courtesy of you."
"You rock, dude." She enunciated, referring to the fact that he had worded exactly what she were about to order him to do.
"I've been told."
Haley chuckled incredulously before responding. " Okay I'll let the up-bringing of your egotistical side slide due to the fact that I am way too happy to care, buddy. Take care, Luke. I'll see you in the morning."
"I'll be seeing ya." He told her, before halting. "Oh and Hales?"
"Yeah?" She questioned, confusion spread out across her face.
"Thanks for not saying I told you so."
Haley laughed mirthfully. "I figured it was way too good of a moment to be spoiled, consider yourself lucky Scott."
"Night Haley." He retorted with a laugh before the dial ended and Haley was left with a bubbly feeling settling in her stomach, joyfully smiling before placing the phone back to its settled place.
She whipped around, meeting the inquisitive eyes of her husband and had to chuckle at the splitting image she suddenly found of Jamie being tossed back at her.
"I honestly don't know how you could be so happy when Kaylee is in a hospital, fighting for her precious life." He huffed causing Haley to giggle as she threw herself in his embrace, practically jumping off the walls with joy.
"Well if you had stayed on the phone when Lucas was rambling you would've figured out that Kaylee isn't in that situation anymore."
A pregnant pause was made before a smile started tugging the corners of Nathan's mouth, him excitedly looking down at his wife. " You mean?"
Haley nodded with a squeal. " She's awake, Nathan. All 100% of pure child restored."
"Oh happy day." He aired out smoothly, reeling Haley in closer to him as she lay securely in his embrace.
"Oh happy day, indeed." She agreed, as she lay her head on his chest finally being able to fall asleep in peace.
--
The door jostled open causing Peyton's head to lift, smiling as the view of her fiancé marching in the room caught her green orbs. She shifted cautiously, careful not to awaken the slumbering four year old who had resumed her actions after chatting somewhat animatedly about things that suddenly came to mind and cautious of not harming Keith.
She watched with a smile as Lucas climbed into bed beside her, wrapping a protective arm around both her and Kaylee before he swiftly pressed a kiss to her temple.
"Calls all done?" She asked, eyes glistening with happiness causing him to mirror her actions.
"All many of them." He answered. "Skills, the guys, Nathan and Haley and Ma insist they will be over in the crack of morn and Brooke- well.- let's just say that she'll be here earlier than them."
Peyton giggled, shaking her head with incredulity as she already concluded up an answer regarding her best friend. " She's on her way, isn't she?"
"Should be here in 10' " He responded causing her to cackle with laughter.
Peyton's eyes widened before she craned her neck to face him, smile brightly adorning her face. " You will never guess what your little girl told me, today?"
"Do tell, Peyton." He responded eagerly causing her to giggle shortly before continuing.
"Well- firstly, she told me that Dan as crazy it seems is the reason why she's back with us. We exaggerated Luke, he was only trying to protect her and I think deep down we knew that yet we were a little too ticked off and emotionally conflicted to care less, that and well, we needed to put the blame on someone and we chose him."
"We need to apologize, don't we?" He breathed intensely.
"Nuh-uh, correction you, mister." She smirked. "I'm not the one that went all crazy and decided to punk him out with my fist alright?"
"You say it like you wouldn't have done the same thing." He pouted, eyes bugging out with mock-sadness. " You know if push comes to shove and you were in the same position you would've done the same thing, maybe even worse."
"Probably is the key word there, Luke. No need jumbling what if's now, the past has already happened. " She told him with a quirk of her lips before continuing. " You on the other hand have some serious apologizing to do."
" Good thing I have the rest of the night to ponder the situation, eh?"
"Mhmm." She sang before smiling brightly. "Speaking of, I found out what we should call the baby."
"Oh really? And what do you propose that be?" He asked, eyes squinting as he desperately tried to gain focus of her thoughts causing her to smirk happily.
"Keith Nathaniel Scott." She aired out, watching as Lucas's eyes swarmed with emotions before he shook his head, mouth clamming up like a fish for a moment before the tears welled in his eyes, protesting instantly.
"Peyt, we don't have to-"
"He was like a father, hell was a father to you, Luke which means he practically was mine too, he deserves to be remembered for the many reasons why he was brought unto the face of the earth and what better way to be remembered by having his own official namesake. That and well, judging by him telling Kaylee he adored the name it works out perfectly, don't you think?"
"She spoke to Keith?" He squeaked out causing Peyton to incline her head gleefully.
"It seems Keith likes to work with all Scott's." She started. " Kaylee told me that he made sure that both mini Keith and I were safe so that she could return back to us and that he were to take care of Keith because he loved her very much just like he to her."
Lucas struggled to talk, emotions taking a toll on him as he simply shook his head in disbelief before reeling his family closer into his embrace. He had a lot to thank Keith for and the endless list continued to play out in front of his eyes.
"We're gonna be okay right, Peyt?"
"We're gonna be fine, Luke." She assured him with a smile. " Just fine."
Just fine. The words echoed through the room and Lucas let his eyes shutter closed as a windy presence filled the room informing him that someone else, someone they couldn't quite see was in the room, fulfilling his role that he had promised to fill out for the room.
With that bit of knowledge he sent out a prayer of condolences to Keith, thanking him for all that he has done for his family, he had let them live and for that.. He couldn't be any prouder.
And as the harsh kicks of mini Keith vibrated against his hand, Kaylee rolling over softly to snuggle into his side and the soft feel of Peyton's demulcent lips colliding with his forehead enveloped him, he came up with the conclusion that the deceased man had gotten the message loud and clear.
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Whoo! Finally done, I hope you liked the chapter. I felt there was a need to pencil in a Peyton/Kaylee moment in there due to we haven't seen one in forever so there you have it. By the way, who here is excited for One Tree Hill tomorrow, I for one am. I've been awaiting on it forever and for one I am so glad its back.
Make a smile appear on my face and review, review, review.
Peace. Love. Leyton.