'Mummy I don't want you too' Erin whined, her head in a pillow, her legs dangling off the side of the bed. She'd been moping around for the last half an hour as Peyton tried to get ready to leave but this was the first time she'd said a word.

Peyton stopped riffling through her clothes and walked over to the bed clad in just her tights and bra. 'Erin' She touched the little girls back and the six year old lifted her head, a perfected Peyton Sawyer pout on her lips. 'Hey, what's that face for?'

'I don't want you too' She mumbled again.

'You don't want me to what?' Peyton knelt on the floor and held Erin's hands.

'I don't want you and Daddy to go' She frowned, looking at the floor.

Peyton smiled softly. 'Baby we'll be back by this evening'

'But what if you're not?' She asked theoretically.

'We will be. I promise. We'll be back to tuck you up in bed'

Erin didn't look at all convinced. 'Where're you going? Why can't I come?'

Peyton exhaled heavily and tugged the child onto her lap. 'We're going to court'

'What's court?' Erin fiddled contemplatively with Peyton's necklace.

'It's where you go to sort out all sorts of things. Like if a married couple wants a divorce or if someone does something bad and they break the law they have to go to court and the judge decides what their punishment should be' Peyton attempted to describe it in a way that Erin could understand.

'I didn't have to go to court when I drew on the wall when I was little'

Peyton smiled and threaded her fingers through Erin's wispy curls. 'No because that's not serious darling'

'Did you and Daddy do something really bad?'

'No baby-'

'Are you getting a divorce?' Her eyes grew big and Peyton quickly shook her head before tears arose.

'Of course not. Erin me and your Daddy will never, ever get a divorce' Peyton promised.

'Never' Lucas' voice echoed from the doorway, he crossed the room and sat down on the floor next to his wife and child and smiled. 'Do you know that I've loved your Mum since the first day I saw her? I was fourteen'

Erin's eyebrows went skyward. 'That's a long time'

'Uhuh' Lucas nodded, winking at the little girl.

'Fourteen?' Peyton kinked her own brow. 'You didn't even know me'

'Oh I knew you' He smirked and she rolled her eyes.

'Why do you have to go to court then?' Erin interrupted, still confused.

'Well' Lucas' eyes trailed back to the inquisitive green pair looking up at him. 'Because someone that did something bad has to go to jail and me and Mummy have to go and tell the judge what we know'

'The nasty man that hurt Mummy?'

'That's right.' They'd tried to keep Erin in the dark but she was far from naive. 'We want him to go to jail'

'I want him to go to jail forever and ever'

'And I'm going to make sure that happens' Lucas promised.

'And we'll be back this evening and you can spend the day with Nana. Wouldn't you like that?' Peyton coaxed. Erin nodded hesitantly.

'You promise?'

'I promise we'll be back' Peyton vowed, leaving a lingering kiss on her daughter's small head. 'Now go on downstairs and check that your sister isn't driving Nanny Karen mad'

Erin nodded more surely this time and scrambled from Peyton's lap.

'Hey, where's my kiss?' Lucas stuck his lip out and gestured to his cheek and a wide smile formed on Erin's face and she laughed.

'Sorry Daddy' She kissed him quickly. 'I love you' she announced before hurrying out of the room, suddenly more eager to be in her Nana's company.

'You think she'll be okay?'

'Of course' Lucas said positively.

Peyton nodded 'I better get some clothes on' She shifted to get up.

'Hey' Lucas complained and poked his cheek as he'd done with Erin.

She rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically but slouched over and pressed her lips to where his finger had just been.

'And here' He gestured to his mouth this time and he tugged her down onto his lap.

'Lucas Scott' She chided but her smiling eyes told him she was quite happy.

'Peyton Scott' He whispered right back, sliding his feet along the floor so she could rest back against his knees, his thumbs running over her cheekbones. 'How're you holding up?' He asked seriously.

She tilted her head to the side and shrugged a shoulder. 'I'm okay. It's just weird, seeing all of those pictures in the papers'

Of all the days, today was the day that the images of Ian Banks' fortress, Peyton's prison had been printed. Police had found the location with the help of Michael Smith. Peyton had already looked at the investigators photographs to confirm. She also knew that they'd found Grace's body buried in the woodland backing off of the plot of land. Seeing the bold, unsparing black and white images of the grave staring off of the news sheets did nothing to quench her turning stomach. She felt relief. She did. She felt that she could let go, to be at peace with the knowledge that Grace had now had a proper funeral with her immediate family, in her home town.

'You know you don't have to go?'

'I do have to' She stated absolutely.

He understood and he kind of loved the determination that was qucik to fill her eyes.

'I, I'm scared though' She suddenly confided. 'Janice says I should tell you when I'm scared'

Lucas' hand tentatively twirled a blonde lock between his fingers before tucking it behind her ear.

She'd been seeing someone, Janice Gladwell, a therapist, for coming on two months now. It had been her decision completely. Yes, Lucas had mentioned it several times but one day she just announced out of no where that she was going to see a therapist, or shrink (as Peyton so fondly referred to her as). She was the best there was, Lucas thought so anyhow, he so frequently thought of her as god sent, he was constantly noticing Peyton doing and saying things that just twelve weeks ago he'd never have been able to comprehend her doing again.

'I know' He held her hands in his. 'But you don't need to be. After today it's over and you're not going to be alone Peyt. I'm not going anywhere and Nate and Haley and Brooke, they'll all be there too'

'I'm not sure I want them there'

'I know you think that now, but, they're your family, they're supporting you. You need them there'

She knew he was right.

'I just want today to be over'

'It will be soon'

'I should get dressed'

His hands lightly held her hips. 'I didn't get my kiss yet' His childish pout returned, putting a little amused smile on her face. She indulged him, thankful for his sneaky distraction. She was no longer thinking about what would happen today, even if it was for just a moment. She pressed her lips to his. They'd been doing this more lately. It was natural, it was slowly returning to how it use to be. It wasn't awkward and she was constantly amazed by how much she enjoyed doing these things, she craved it, she craved him.

'Now can I get dressed?' She murmured, her brow kinked.

'I don't know, I'm kinda liking this look' He ran his hands up her sides and she looked down at herself judgmentally.

'You do?' She challenged insecurely.

'I do' He blatantly let his gaze run down her. Her ribs no longer jutted out, she'd returned to a normal healthy weight and she was glowing, she really was. He swallowed thickly 'You're so beautiful' He muttered adoringly and she smiled because she felt it when he looked at her like that.

She kissed him again, kissed him until he pulled away panting.

'Okay, you, you have to get dressed, otherwise I'm not going to be able to stop'

She bit her lip, blushing. 'Okay' She used his shoulders to lever herself up and he groaned when her white underwear came directly into his line of vision, taunting him through her black tights. She ruffled his hair. 'We'll finish this later' She whispered hesitantly. His head jerked up in surprise and he was quick to note her smiling face.

Happy definitely looked good on her.

She looked right back for a lingering moment, observing his grin.

Happy definitely looked good on him.

Haley persistently ran her hand down the length of her skirt, ensuring there were no creases. She was restless. All three of them were. Nathan actively took her unsettled fingers in his hand. 'Stop fussing Hales' He knew she didn't care what she looked like. He knew she wasn't being vain, that she was simply anxious but her movements were only working in agitating Brooke.

'Do you think I should call them?' The brunette asked in concern.

'They'll be here in a second.'

Indeed, a moment later there was a commotion out front of the court house.

All three heads peered down the steps to the grand foyer.

Flashes from the unrelenting cameras blinked furiously and then the doors opened and there was a hum of shouting voices.

Lucas and Peyton emerged through the sea of people and then the doors were closed once more, the merciless media locked out.

The married couple took a moment to recover from the onslaught before progressing up the steps to be greeted by three familiar faces.

Lucas was right. She did need them here.

Brooke slid her hand into her best friend's. 'You ready to do this P Sawyer?'

'P Scott' Peyton corrected with a little smile.

'That smile looks good on you, P Scott' Brooke amended.

'It feels good. I'm glad you're here B Davis'

'I wouldn't be anywhere else.'

'None of us would' Nathan assured her while Haley affectionately kissed the blonde's cheek. 'We're going to get you through this, both of you' Nathan patted his brothers arm. It was an apology. It didn't need to be said aloud. Lucas understood. They'd not really been on talking terms since that day at Jamie's party but Lucas new he'd suffered enough. He could see the regret and remorse in his eyes. He'd put a lot of blame on Nathan, perhaps rightly so for some things but Lucas wouldn't live in the past. That was one thing he'd learnt pretty quickly. What was done was done and couldn't be changed, but the future, the future was theirs.

'Er, excuse me' Another man's presence suddenly harvested all of their attention. 'I'm, I-'

'No, we're not interested' Lucas cut off shortly, flinging a protective arm in front of Peyton .

'But-'

'I said-'

'Lucas' Peyton rested her hand on his chest, stopping him from shouting. They'd been approached more than a few times outside being asked most personal questions by the media and Lucas had had enough. But this man was different, Peyton could see that.

'I'm sorry, I know today's difficult but I-I'

'Who're you?' Lucas asked with a sigh.

'My name's Rick. You're, you're Peyton Scott right? You, you were the last person to see my mother?'

Lucas' hardened eyes filled with sympathy and Peyton just nodded glumly.

This man had Grace's eyes, Grace's kind eyes and Peyton's fingers unconsciously clutched at Lucas suit.

Lucas rubbed her back, his eyes not leaving the man. 'I'm sorry, we've been hassled since we got here. I, I didn't mean to snap'

'I completely understand'

'I'm so, so sorry' Peyton blurted suddenly.

Rick shook his head kindly. 'Please don't apologise, I know none of this is your fault. I'm so sorry for everything you've been through'

'I wouldn't be here if it weren't for your mum. She, she delivered our daughter, she looked after me and...' Peyton trailed off. 'She was wonderful and I' Lucas held her tighter as her voice became more hoarse.

'Peyton you don't have to talk about this, not here' He said gently. They would have to go into the court room in a minute and he'd hoped she'd enter confident and composed not crying and this is exactly where this conversation was headed.

'You don't' Rick agreed.

'I want too. She, she promised me she'd get me out of there and she did. She gave me Sawyer Grace Scott and she gave me strength.'

Rick smiled tearfully, sincerely touched that they'd given their child his mother's name. 'I, I didn't want to upset you, I know you've been through so much I just, I wanted to know, I need to know- Was, was it quick? Did she suffer?' It was something that had plagued him.

Peyton swallowed. 'She didn't suffer' She'd been so thankful that it had been quick. It had been perhaps more traumatic for her, to loose her so quickly but she was thankful that Grace hadn't suffered.

Peyton slipped from Lucas' arms and stepped forward, abruptly hugging the man. 'I'm sorry'

Startled, he didn't immediately respond, but slowly let his arms slide round her slight frame.

'Thank you. I, I'm glad she had someone with her'

Peyton pulled back and awkwardly reached around her neck, unfastening her necklace and holding out the locket. 'This was Grace's'

Rick studied the silver pendent and smiled at the familiar object. 'She wore this all the time' He noted, fingering the shiny surface. 'You should keep it' He said suddenly, forcing it back into her hand.

'No' Peyton shook her head adamantly. 'It's yours'

'She would've wanted you to have it. Wear it. Please'

Peyton smiled, a small appreciative smile. 'Thank you'

'She's with us today. I know it. She'll be in there with you. We're going to win this' Rick stated positively. 'I'm going to go in' Lucas shook his hand and he gave Peyton a reassuring squeeze of the hand and then he was walking away.

'You okay?' Lucas questioned.

'Uhuh. Can, can we go in now too?'

Brooke nodded assertively, leading the way.

Peyton wasn't scared, not anymore.

Ian stood before a full court.

He was beyond outraged. He couldn't believe things had gone this far. He couldn't believe that these people were all so delusional, that they couldn't see his perspective.

It had been a long day. She'd been on the stand. She'd spoken. She'd vowed to tell the truth and nothing but the truth but he was certain she'd done nothing of the sort. He'd let her know so at one point. He'd gone bilisitc from his spot. He'd shouted vile things at her. She'd shuddered in her seat but looked him dead in the eye, unblinking and he immediately stopped shouting, stunned into silence because she wasn't the submissive girl he'd turned her into, she was strong, she was a warrior.

When it had come to his turn he had told the truth, every bit of it. He'd told them how she'd come away with him. That she loved him. That he'd never ever hurt her or forced her to do anything she didn't want to.

His gaze drifted to her for the millionth time, his heart aching in his chest. She was currently sitting on the far right with him next to her side. He'd taken in every bit of her the second she'd stepped into the grand room. She was smartly dressed in a black dress like she was attending a funeral. He supposed she was in a way because his confidence had dwindled in the last few weeks and he was pretty sure things weren't going to work out in his favour.

'Please all rise'

His hand cuffs clanked against each other as he rose from his seat, his eyes didn't leave her, not once.

'Ian Banks, The court has found you guilty of all the charges concerning deception, sexual assault and murder'

She met his eyes. He could almost feel the heavy breath leaving her lips. Feel the relief seeping through her.

'I sentence you to a life inprisonment'

There were no gasps of surprise. Instead, a buzz drifted through the stalls as people whispered in satisfaction.

Her eyes fluttered away from him and that would be the last time he ever had the privilege of seeing those powerful green orbs again. She was gone. She was wrapped up in the man beside her. The man hugging her.

Lucas hadn't heard anything so wonderful. He'd known in his head, he'd known logically that he could expect a conviction such as this. Given all the evidence. Given everything the police had established over the last months, this trial had had a sure outcome but he'd not allowed himself, neither of them had allowed themselves to think that Ian Banks would be sentenced to a life in prison, there was this little fear niggling constantly at the back of their minds, fearing that he'd be able to talk himself out of everything he'd done, that he'd have someone get him out of there.

He didn't.

It was over.

They'd won.

Peyton had won. She'd stood before this room and answered question after question. They'd been hard, especially when Ian's Lawyer started to verbally attack her, when he'd gone crazy and the guards had, had to hold him back, but she stood strong and Lucas had never been so proud.

'You did it' He whispered.

'We did it'

'One more potato Erin Penelope Scott' Karen urged while feeding another spoonful of dinner into Sawyer's open mouth.

Erin's eyes trailed away from the back door to her plate. 'Do I have to?'

Karen nodded and Erin reluctantly stabbed her fork into one of the many remaining potatoes. Karen knew why she wasn't interested in her dinner, she knew the infant was eager to see her parents and although she'd managed to keep the two children entertained for the day, the six year old was getting anxious about her mum and dad's whereabouts regardless of the amount of times she'd reassured her that they'd be home soon.

'Erin' Karen said softly. Her grand-daughter looked up with a pout with the expectation that she was going to be instructed to eat some more. 'Look whose here'

Erin's head swiveled. 'You're home!' She grinned in surprise.

'Didn't we promise we'd be back for bedtime' Peyton laughed.

Erin scrambled from her chair, her little arms going round both her parents. 'Me and Nanny made cup cakes and they're so yummy and then me and Sawyer decorated them' She informed them excitedly.

Lucas effortlessly lifted her up while Peyton greeted Karen and fussed over a jabbering Sawyer.

'Did the nasty man have to go to jail'

Lucas smiled. 'Yes honey. It's over now'

'There you are' Lucas walked onto the porch two glasses of wine in hand.

'Sorry' Peyton pulled the blanket draped over her shoulders, tighter around herself. 'Are they asleep?'

'Sawyer is, Erin's fighting sleep' Lucas chuckled, sitting down on the swing seat. She shifted close to him as he set the two glasses down on the small table.

'Thank you'

'You ok?'

'I'm perfect' She smiled.

'Yes you are' He agreed sincerely and she swatted him playfully. 'I, I've got something I wanted to give you' Lucas said bashfully and Peyton stilled, looking up at him questioningly.

'What?' She urged.

He laced his hand over hers. 'I love you'

'I love you' she husked back, the anxiety built in her green eyes as she stared into his nervous face. 'Luke you're scaring me, what's wrong?'

'Don't be scared' He smiled, shaking his head vigorously. She rubbed his closed fist, her thumb running over his knuckles.

'What's wrong?'

'Nothing's wrong' He uncurled his fingers and she looked down into his palm, she looked down at the small glint of a ring, her ring, her wedding ring. 'Don't freak out. The police gave me this the other day. You don't have to wear it but I thought you should have it, I mean you don't have to, I just-'

'Lucas' She looked up at him through her long lashes and her eyes sparkled with tears. 'Of course I want it' She held her hand out and he hesitantly, carefully slid the ring over her wedding finger back into it's rightful place. 'Thank you'

He cupped her face and kissed her slowly, tentatively, lovingly. 'I love you so much'

'Mumma Dadda'

Their heads slowly drifted apart at the little squeal, their eyes averting to the little girl. Sawyer tottered forward in her pink all in one pyjamas, a dummy in her mouth and her hair a wild mess.

'How did you get out of your cot missy?' Peyton asked in surprise as Lucas lifted her onto his lap. Erin's head peered round the door, silently answering her question. 'Oh, I see' Peyton raised her brow.

'We couldn't sleep' Erin announced in defense.

'We or you?' Lucas questioned.

'We' The six year old tip toed across the porch and gleefully sat herself down on the swing seat.

Lucas and Peyton exchanged a look, they both knew they should probably scold their oldest daughter for waking her little sister and setting her free from her cot but they couldn't find it within themselves.

'Seeing as today's a special day' Lucas paused and Peyton naturally finished.

'You can stay down here for a little while, just this once'

Erin grinned toothily, tucking her feet beneath her and snuggling down next to her mother.

Sawyer was already back asleep in her Daddy's arms and it took not even ten minutes for the older Scott girl to join her in slumber. They didn't take their children back to bed though, they sat, basking in the warmth of their small bodies against them and their small shallow breaths.

'I think I might want to go back to work'

Lucas held her hand. 'Yeah?'

'Is that okay?'

'Peyton it's more than okay, you don't need to ask permission. Whatever you want'

She smiled at him. 'What do you want Luke?'

'I've got everything I want, right here'

Peyton smiled. 'This is nice' She sipped her wine and lent her head on his shoulder, contentment alleviating all the pain and heartache they'd endured. 'I dreamt of nights like this. Just the four of us' She muttered absently.

'You don't have to dream it anymore'

'No' She agreed softly. 'I'm living it'

end.

A/N I'm so sorry that I didn't get this to you all sooner, school has been crazy, I know how annoying it is when a story is seemingly forgotten. I hadn't forgotten!- I didn't want to feed you all something I wasn't happy with, I'm still not a hundred percent on it, I wanted them to have a happy ending, they're Peyton and Lucas after all but after the last twenty something chapters I've struggled to write happy! Anyway, I'm rambling rubbish now! Big thank you to every one whose read and not given up on this! I've become very precious over it and judgemental seeing as it's my first story, but all the kind words and support have really encouraged me to keep going! So thank you so much.

Emera.

If anyone is interested you can find a rather lengthy one shot follow up to this on my profile under the title of- In the Face of Adversity