It had been seven months exactly since she'd been gone and today Lucas was stood in court.

'Lucas Scott the jury finds you...'

He took a sharp intake of breath. His eyes were on Erin and he saw Peyton Scott's eyes gazing back at him. She was a clone of her mother, that was for certain. He wondered if she understood what was going on, if she could really grasp the concept that the following words to leave this mans mouth would define their future, her future, whether or not she'd have her father in her life or not.

'Guilty of murder'

The words resounded in his head, over and over like a broken record.

Erin's face was tilting from Haley to her father in silent questioning.

Guards were quick to come and take him away.

He couldn't look at his distraught family any longer. He was innocent and all of these strangers, the jury, everyone all thought he was capable of killing his own wife. They were all giving up on her and what was worse, was the doubt and lack of faith, the people closest to him were showing. Nathan had reassured him that he was in search of Ian Banks but everytime Lucas met his eyes he was met with scepticism, he was pretty sure his younger brother thought he was crazy.

They'd nearly reached the door when two small arms wrapped themselves around his leg.

He knew who it was and he yanked his forearms free and turned around.

Erin fell into his chest, her hands joing behind his neck like a vice. Given the handcuffs, hugging was difficult. He hated that he couldn't open his arms and pull her into his body.

He hated that she was the only person in the world right now that seemed to love and believe in him. He hated that he'd not heard her beautiful little voice in so long, he hated that she wouldn't speak. She was the only one that new what had really happened, the only one that could save him from this but he'd rather spend the rest of his life in prison than make her relive any of it.

'Sweetie we have to go' Brooke's voice broke through the haze of tears that were streaming down Erin's face.

She understood, she definitely understood what the verdict meant.

The guards had been generous in giving him a moment but were growing impatient and he didn't want her to be pried from his arms, he didn't want to hear her screams.

'Erin, you have to go live with your aunt Brooke for a little while'

Her sobs escalated.

'Just for a little while' He promised, he choked back the lump in his throat. 'Daddy needs you to be a brave girl'

She shook her head and her curls covered her face. He pushed them away with both his hands.

'I love you baby girl, so, so much' He kissed her forehead twice and then the guards were pulling him up.

Erin sniffled loudly and he forced a encouraging smile just for her.

'You look after her' He demanded of Brooke.

The brunette didn't speak, just nodded, her vision blurred with her own tears. She lifted Erin into her arms as he was led away. 'We're going to be alright Erin, I promise, we're going to be just fine'

'Please I need to go to the hospital' Peyton had been awake all night with twinges in her stomach. She wasn't in the dark like last time, this was her second pregnancy, she knew that these were definitely the beginning of contractions. She'd been ok for the first few hours but her calmness had been quick to dissipate. She wanted a hospital, she wanted to be in the hands of someone who could help her. She screamed at Ian but he just shook his head, telling her it would be alright, that he could do this. But when her waters had broke he'd looked somewhat panicked.

Days had past, slow and tediously for Peyton.

Ian had fussed over her twenty four seven for the duration of her pregnancy and with every passing day, his attentiveness had become more irritating. He was certain she was having a boy and he was delighted at the prospect. She supposed she should be thankful that she was at least being kept in good health, that she hadn't been locked up or been mistreated but she'd wished that upon herself on more than one occasion and then immediately thought herself crazy.

It wasn't crazy.

It would have been a whole lot easier for her to fight or keep up her hatred toward him if he were cruel. She hated that there had now been times when she'd allowed herself to have a simple every day conversation with him. She was lonely and it was inevitable but afterward her self hate and guilt had her quiet and depressed.

Her hormones hadn't been cooperative either, they'd been more than one time when she'd broken down, hysterically crying, pleading him to let her go. She'd tried telling him she'd need to go to the hospital, that she needed to have regular check ups to make sure everything was going fine. He'd told her everything would be fine and not to worry because stress wasn't good for the baby. How could she possibly not be stressed though?

In the beginning she'd made many attempts to threaten his life. She'd spent a vast amount of time concocting plans on how to make her move and weapons she'd use. She'd plan it to the very second but only on one incident had she actually came close. It had been a hot night and like most evenings when he harassed her for more than a kiss, when he was overly promiscuous, she found herself giving him a realm of excuses as to why she couldn't sleep with him. To begin with he'd taken a step back, when he'd first found out she was pregnant he'd nodded his head when she didn't feel well or said she was exhausted but tonight he was persistent in his need for her. When he'd fallen asleep she'd laid awake for some time. If she slept in his room he always made sure to lock them both in and then he usually kept the key around his neck like a medal. Tonight it had appeared to have slipped his mind. The door was wide open. She wondered if it was a test. Either way she wouldn't allow such a chance to escape her, she crept from the bed and made her way quietly downstairs. She returned ten minutes later, a carving knife in hand. He woke up when she was hovering anxiously over him. She managed to stab him in the shoulder but the wound she caused was too high up to be potentially life threatening. He was strong and had control of the situation before she had a chance to strike again.

He hit her for the first time that night.

She'd not made any more attempts since then, she'd not had any opportunity, let alone had the strength.

Her face crumpled as the contractions got a little stronger.

Her calculations said that this shouldn't be happening yet, she had a couple of weeks to go. She wasn't ready for this to happen yet.

Ian had proceeded to pace back and forth, cursing under his breath while she'd laid on the bed and attempted to mentally prepare herself for what was yet to come.

Somewhere between night and morning he'd left and suddenly she was more scared than ever.

Not in a million years had she ever wanted Ian to be the man standing by her while she gave birth but anyone was better than no one and the prospect of being alone, the potential for things to go wrong seemed ever so likely at that moment. She'd sobbed, even attempted to go after him, begging for him to stay.

He said he'd be back, he said he wouldn't be long.

But time stretched beyond her reckoning.

She'd bravely gotten herself a glass of water and a bowl of ice cubes. She'd bravely settled herself in the living room.

This was the first time she'd been left free to roam the house, only she wasn't in any position to really be roaming anywhere.

She turned the television on, hoping to find a distraction, just the background noise was comforting enough in itself.

She reminded herself of the birth classes that she'd attended with Lucas during her first pregnancy, tried to remind herself of the breathing exercises. All of that went out the window when Lucas' face filled the TV screen. The news had come on and they were talking about a court case, not just any court case. Lucas Scott's court case, her disappearance. She let out a strangled scream when he was shown being led out, cuffed and ready to take away.

The Guilty verdict resonated in her head.

She rocked her body, trying to dispel the stabbing pain that were coming in fast intervals now.

She was so consumed by the torment her body was under that she didn't hear the car arrive back outside. She heard the front door though and she didn't think she'd ever been so pleased.

'Oh my god' Someone's voice, not Ian's, sounded, a distinctly female voice.

Tremendous relief seeped through her; the sight of the woman, the stranger before her, an actual person, was beyond comforting. And for a moment, albeit just a split second, she couldn't feel the excruciating pain.

And then another contraction hit and the unbearable feeling had her screaming, but this time she wasn't alone. The woman was by her side, her innate caring ability allowing her to ignore the fact that she'd just been taken hostage, that she'd spent the last two hours in a car with a gun being wavered in her face and countless threats made, concerning her life. This young pregnant lady needed her and it was her responsibility to help all she could.

'What's your name Sweetie?'

If she hadn't been a little preoccupied with the tedious strain of giving birth, Peyton would have laughed. She was certain she'd never heard anything more glorious than this woman's kind voice.

'Her name's Peyton' Ian snapped impatiently, the situation was beyond his control and if there was one thing he didn't like, it was not being in control.

'Peyton, sweetie, I'm Grace and I'm a midwife'

'Jesus, enough with the fucking introductions'

'Go get me a bowl of water, some clean towels and ice' Grace glowered at him, she was a professional after all, authority was her middle name.

He had to stop himself from throttling her, he wouldn't be told what to do. But then Peyton's face contorted and he was hurrying out the room.

'Pl-please he-hel-p- m-me'

Grace nodded. 'It's going to be ok' She lifted Peyton's dress above her bump and pressed against her womb, trying to establish the baby's position. 'Do you know how long you've been in labour Peyton?'

'Toooo- Lonnn-g' She screeched, digging her fingers into Grace's hand. She had no concept of how much time had past but the night had come and gone and that was long enough in her eyes 'It wasn't...wasn't like th-this with Er-Erin' She panted as the contraction past.

Grace looked concerned as she examined between the tired blonde's legs.

'What's wrong?' Peyton cried.

'Your baby's breech Peyton and very distressed' Grace answered softly, her mind trying to figure out the best thing to do. She had no medical equipment, she had no one to advise her, she had no assistants. 'We're going to move you into a different position'

Peyton wailed, throwing her head back in defeat. She was exhausted. 'I can't do it'

'Yes you can' The experienced midwife countered. 'You've got to' She encouraged.

'I, I can't. I can't'

'Yes you can'

Ian then appeared, towels over one arm, a bowl of water in one hand, a cup of ice in the other.

'Help me' Grace ordered of the anxious man.

They both helped Peyton onto the floor and the midwife propped some cushions behind her.

'I can't do th-this'

'Yes you can' Grace insisted firmly. 'I'm going to deliver your baby'

An hour past.

And despite the midwife's concerns she stayed positive and unrelenting in her encouragement. She was concerned that the baby's head would become stuck but luck was on their side because at four forty pm, wailing echoed in the spacious room.

Peyton slumped back against the pillows, her hair glued to her face, her whole body numb.

'You did it Peyton' Grace cooed. 'You have one beautiful baby girl'

A lazy smile touched her lips. Another girl, a sister for Erin, another daughter for Lucas.

'Hold her' Grace instructed Ian, he awkwardly took the fragile newborn in his arms. Peyton watched displeased through half open lids.

She didn't want this man anywhere near her little, innocent child but she was too weary, to physically exhausted to do anything. A tear escaped her bloodshot eyes.

'It's alright' Ian sighed heavily, looking down, crestfallen. 'We can try again for a boy'

Grace cut the umbilical cord.

'Give her to me' Peyton muttered the order. She didn't care what sex this baby was, as long as it was in good health and judging by her set of lungs, she seemed to be doing just fine.

'What's her name?' Grace asked.

'Mary, after my mother' Ian answered.

'No, her name's Sawyer, her name's Sawyer' He'd already taken so much from her, she wouldn't loose this too. She wanted to yell- she's not even your child, but dreaded to know the repercussions that would result in.

He didn't argue, she was certain he would have done if it had been the precious boy he'd been so dearly hoping for.

'Sawyer?' Grace rolled the name off her tongue. 'That's beautiful'

Peyton smiled, trailing her forefinger over the baby's dear little cheek. When they'd talked about having more children, Lucas had told her they would call him or her, Sawyer. He'd said it was perfect. Sawyer Scott. Him and her. She stared at the sleeping angel, it really was perfect.