My Saving Grace
Chapter 2 Mornings, Runs, Meetings, and Breakfast
The people who love you and the people you love usually matter the most.
It had been a few days since Lucas had gone on Ellen and confessed his undying love for Peyton. She was convinced that he had changed, but Brooke was till a little skeptical. She had gone back to New York but would be back soon. She was planning on being there for Peyton every step of the way during the wedding preparations.
Lucas and Peyton still hadn't decided where they were going to live. Lucas really loved living in his mom's home, but he wasn't sure when she would come back, and it would be a lot more crowded with Peyton and Preston living there. Needless to say, he couldn't wait until they were all living together like a real family. Lucas never thought he wanted a real family, but that is all he wanted when he was with Peyton, Preston, and Riley. They were his future, and in his eyes his future was pretty bright.
Although they hadn't decided which house they were going to live in, Lucas and Riley had been staying most of their nights with Peyton and Preston.
Peyton woke up before Lucas and decided to make him breakfast. She wasn't the best cook in the world, but she knew how to make toast and eggs, or so she thought. The kids had left early. Preston went to the library. He had a big report due in a few days, and he had always been the studious one. Riley went to the beach. She missed California and always liked getting up and running in the sand.
Lucas walked downstairs. His nose was hit with the smell of almost burnt toast. He had to admit that he didn't love Peyton because she could cook. He actually was the cook of the relationship, but he didn't mind. He loved cooking.
He walked into the kitchen, and he smiled when he saw Peyton and her messy, curly hair, and her silk red robe. Her back was turned from the door, and he slowly eased up behind her, and started to nibble at her neck. She smiled and breathed in as she felt his touch against her skin. It was such an amazing feeling that sent chills up and down her back.
"Good morning," she smiled as she turned around to face him. "I never thought you were going to wake up, Mr. Sleepyhead."
"Well we didn't get much sleep last night," he laughed as he slowly kissed her lips. "I was hoping to wake up next to you."
"I wanted to make you breakfast." She turned around and handed him a plate of toast and eggs.
He tried to hide his disgust. The toast was somewhat burned and the eggs didn't look edible.
"What? What's wrong?" Peyton asked worriedly. "I thought you liked toast and eggs."
He took a bite of the eggs hoping they would be better than they looked, but he was wrong. They were worse than they looked. He spit them out in the garbage can. Peyton looked hurt. "They couldn't possibly be that bad. Thanks for the dramatics." She put her hands on her hips.
"They were worse. How much salt did you put in them?"
"Just a little," she said innocently.
"Well your just a little is a whole hell of a lot." He laughed.
"I can cook something else."
"No, no that's okay. We can go out for breakfast, or we can go to my house. I have some stuff in the freezer." He smiled. "How did you and Preston ever get by with your cooking?"
"I'm not that bad of a cook. I can cook certain things. I've just never been that good with breakfast."
He gave her a look of disbelief. "Okay, okay alright I always cooked a lot of frozen dinners, and we ordered take out."
"That's what I thought. It is a good thing you are marrying me. I'm pretty good cook."
She smiles and then kisses him.
………………………………………………..
Preston was at the library. He loved the library. When he was younger he used it as an escape from the pain he felt when he was at home. He knew that his mom was getting beat by his father, and he hated being around the house to see it.
He not only went to the library to read or study but to draw. He loved drawing just like Peyton did. His art was never as tortured or sad as Peyton. He liked to draw animals, buildings, and mostly happy people. His art was able to make him feel what he was never able to feel when was younger.
He continued to sketch a picture of his happy family. He had drawn Lucas, Peyton, Riley, and himself. He noticed a woman staring at him from afar. He assumed that she was older than him. She was beautiful, but she didn't seem like a high school student. She kept smiling at him.
She finally came over and sat beside him. "Hi," she said simply.
"Hi," Preston was a little confused to why a woman like that was approaching him.
"I'm Chloe Henderson."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Preston."
"I know this is strange, but I was looking at your drawings from afar, and you are incredible. You have a real talent."
"Thanks," he should have known that she was only looking at his drawings and not him.
"I teach an art class twice a week down at the community center. You should definitely be apart of that class."
"I don't know," he shook his head.
"Come on it'll be fun. I would love to have someone as talented as you in my class." She dug through her bag. "Here is my card, and the class schedule. I hope you will try it out. I know it will be worth it." She smiles and stands up from her seat. "I hope to see you there Preston."
She walked off, and Preston looked at the papers she had handed him.
……………………………………
Riley had finished her run on the beach and grabbed a bottle of water from one of the refreshment stands.
"Hey," Owen said as he jogged up behind her.
"Hey you," she smiled. "You're all sweaty."
"So are you," he laughed. "I guess we both had the same idea this morning."
"Yeah I think long runs on the beach are very important to starting off the day."
"Yeah I totally agree with you. Where are you headed?"
"I thought I'd just jog home."
"Why don't you let me take you to get some breakfast?"
She made a face, "I smell so bad."
"You don't smell that bad." He laughed. "At least we both are kind of sweaty."
She rolled her eyes and smiled. "Okay fine we can go get something to eat."
"Cool," he smiled. "I'll race you to my car."
"You're on," she laughed. "Go." She ran ahead of him.
"Oh dang," he ran to catch up with her.
………………………………………………..
Lucas and Peyton were holding hands when they walked into his house. They had decided to rummage through his refrigerator for something to eat.
Lucas found some ham and canned biscuits. "That sounds good to me Luke."
"Me too," he smiled as he put the ham and biscuits on the counter, and walked over to where his beautiful fiancé was standing. "You know what sounds even better?"
"What?" She giggled.
"You," he kissed her neck.
"I'm hungry Lucas." She complained as he continued to kiss her.
"Me too," he laughed. "For you," as she protested, he lead her to the couch.
"Luke someone could walk in on us."
He shook his head and laid her on the couch. "No on is going to walk in because no one knows that we are here."
He started kissing her more passionately, and she began to unbutton his shirt. He started from her lips and worked his way down to her stomach. She rubbed her hands in his hair. They were both so focused on each other they didn't even here the door opened.
"What is going on here?"
Lucas sat up to see his mother standing in front of him. She was not alone though. There was a man standing beside her.
"Who is that?"
"I asked first." Karen had her arms crossed. She was a little embarrassed.
Peyton closed her eyes. This was not the way that she wanted to meet her fiancé's mother.
"We'll be in the kitchen while you get dressed." Karen pointed to Lucas' shirt as she and her beau walked into the kitchen.
"Great," Peyton buttoned her shirt. "You're mom has a really great opinion of me now."
He grabbed his shirt and took her face into his hands. "We're about to be married. It really isn't that big of deal."
"You didn't tell me she was coming back so soon."
"I didn't know."
"Maybe she came because we're getting married soon."
Lucas turned around when she said something about the marriage. "You did tell your mom that we are getting married, didn't you?"
Lucas bit his bottom lip, "I was going too."
Peyton was upset. Her mouth opened in disappointment. "When were you planning on telling her? After we got married," she yelled at him.
"I was going to tell her." He tried to explain.
"Well now's your chance because she's in the kitchen waiting on you." Peyton grabbed her purse.
"Where are you going?"
"Home," she yelled as she walked out of the house. She was disappointed in him.
…………………………………………….
Lucas walked into the kitchen. "Hey mom," he walked over and gave her a hug. "It is really good to see you."
"Where's Peyton?" She asked.
Lucas was a little confused. "How did you know her name?"
"I was lucky enough to hear about my son's engagement on the internet." Karen wasn't happy with him.
"I'm sorry. I was going to tell you."
"You should have told me Lucas. I didn't even know you were dating anyone."
Lucas pointed at the man standing behind his mother. "I didn't know you were dating anyone either."
Karen looked at the man behind her. "This is Andy Hardgrave. I met him in New Zealand."
"Oh," Lucas shook his head. "It's nice to meet you Andy."
"You too Lucas," they shook hands. "I'm gonna go get the rest of our things out of the car while the two of you talk." Andy gave Karen a kiss on the forehead and made his way out of the kitchen.
"He seems nice." He remarked.
"He is a wonderful man."
"I didn't know you were coming home."
"Obviously," she smiled. "I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Are you here to stay?"
"Yes, we are. Andy got a job here at the college, and I realized that I missed you and your brother and my grandkids. "
"We missed you too. I'm glad you're home."
"So tell me about Peyton."
"She's amazing mom. I can't wait for you guys to actually meet."
"You really love her?"
"I love her more than I ever thought possible. She changed me mom and made me a better man and a better father."
"I can tell." Karen could already see the change in her son. "I'm glad that you found someone that makes you happy. To be honest with you I never thought that you would ever be able to find someone."
"Me either," Lucas agreed. "But Peyton is the most amazing woman I have ever met." They both sat silent for a minute, "So are you in love with Andy?" He had to ask.
"Yes," she smiled. "I love him so much."
"It looks like we both found people that make us happy."
"Do you mind keeping Andy company? I want to go meet Peyton."
"I can take you mom."
"No, you can give me her address. I want to do this alone."
Lucas was a little nervous. He wanted them to really like each other.
…………………………………..
Owen and Riley are now at the river court eating breakfast on the bleachers. "This was a really good idea." She said as she took a bite of her biscuit.
"I know I keep telling you that I'm brilliant."
"I might believe you one day. This biscuit is delicious."
"One day I'll make you a homemade biscuit." He smiled.
"You cook?"
"Yeah I happen to be a very good cook."
"I didn't know that about you."
"I'll have to show you one day."
She smiled. "That's a date."
"A date," he questioned.
She soon realizes what she said. "I mean you know we'll set a date when you can cook for me." She said nervously.
"Oh because I was kind of hoping maybe we could make it a date." He said nervously.
"You're asking me out?"
"Only if you're saying yes."
"I never thought about us before, but what the hell. I'd love to go on a date with you Owen." They both smiled.
Riley had never thought about dating Owen, but she had to admit that he was very cute.
…………………………………….
Peyton was now at home cleaning. Whenever she got upset she always would clean.
Preston walked in, "Uh oh, what happened?"
"Nothing," Peyton continued to clean.
"You're cleaning so I know something happened."
Peyton stopped. "Nothing is wrong okay. I'm fine. How was the library?"
"Actually I wanted to ask you something."
"Okay shoot," she smiled and sat down her rag.
He reached in his bag and pulled out the paper that Chloe had given him. "I want to take an art class at the community center."
"Oh," Peyton looked at the paper. "I don't know about this Preston."
"Come on mom, I love to draw."
"I know that, but I don't want you neglecting your school work."
"Mom I won't. I am the most studious kid you know. I make great grades."
"Yeah but if I let you do this then your grades could drop."
"They won't."
Peyton looked at the paper again. "Okay fine you can do it, but if your grades drop just a little bit you have to stop going."
"Thank you so much mom," he gave her a hug. "You won't regret this." He took the papers and went to his room.
Peyton smiled. She loved that Preston liked art like she did. It made them closer even if he wasn't her biological son.
Peyton continued cleaning thinking of how Lucas didn't even tell his mom that they were getting married. She heard a knock at the door. "I'm coming." She opened the door and saw Karen standing in front of her.
Peyton didn't say anything. Karen didn't say anything either, but she leaned in and hugged Peyton as tight as she could. Peyton was taken by surprise.
"I know this is strange, but you have done to my son what I have tried to do his entire life."
Karen broke the hug and smiled. "It is so nice to finally meet you."
"It's nice to meet you too. I'm sorry about earlier."
"It's okay. You are both adults. I'm just happy that I'm going to get a chance to get to know you."
"So you're staying?"
"Yeah I think so. Can I tell you something?"
"Sure," Peyton smiled. She already liked Karen.
"The only reason I left Tree Hill in the first place is because I knew Lucas would never step up and be the father that he should be with me here. I knew I had to leave so he would be responsible for his and Riley's life."
"It worked."
"I think it worked because he had someone like you. I don't know very much about you. Well except for what I've read or heard on the TV, but I think it is all true. You really have changed him."
Karen hugged her again. "Welcome to the family."
Peyton had longed to hear that for so long. She had always wanted to be apart of family, and now she finally would be.
Okay so there is the second chapter. I'm sorry that it took me a while to get this posted. I went home this weekend, and I didn't get a chance to write any. I liked this chapter at first, but then I kind of lost interest. I hope that didn't happen to you guys. I hope you liked the little meeting between Karen and Peyton.
Okay so I need to know what you thought of Riley and Owen? What you thought about Preston and the teacher? Oh and I had to bring Andy into this story. I love him. He was always so cute, and I'm glad if Karen couldn't have Keith she could have Andy. She deserves happiness.
I wanted to let you guys know because some of you asked. This is not going to be just Leyton. It is going to have a lot to do with Riley and Preston and their struggles. They are all going to have a storyline. I may bring Brooke in from time to time, and Haley and Nathan, but mainly it is about Leyton and family. That is my main focus because that was my main focus in the other fic.
I know this chapter didn't have a lot of drama, but the drama is coming. I think all fics need a little mushy gushy stuff.
I wanted to thanks for all the reviews. You guys rock! I was so excited. I don't think I have ever had that many reviews for the first chapter of any of my fics. So please keep up the motivation. It makes my heart extremely happy.
Let me know what you thought, and I am sorry for the long AN.