Chapter Two: Hearts Burst Into Fire
Walt Disney once said that "A man should never neglect his family for business." It's hard to disagree with his sentiment but sometimes it's too easy to agree with the opposite. George Bernard Shaw once wrote that "Happiness is a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city."
On balance, both men are right. Having a family is the greatest blessing that any man can ask for, though perhaps, you could argue, in moderation.
They had stayed on the pier to watch the sun set. Just one happy family united at the edge of the world, staring out at the vast, wild ocean. As the light faded, the warm afternoon sunshine turned into a mild summer night and it was time for the family to head home. As they all climbed back into the car, it was time to discover the true meaning of family. Finding the house was easy - the benefit of Peyton's lost years in LA was that she had some local knowledge - and they pulled up to the house shortly after nine.
"Oh my God!" said Peyton, upon seeing the house, "You never told me it was a mansion!"
"That's Andy for ya. Modesty was never his strong point."
"Yeah but… would you look at this place? It's practically a palace! I gotta show Brooke!"
With that, Peyton took out her phone, snapped a picture and sent it to everyone. She was in shock and she knew they would be too. It was at that moment that the door opened and the welcoming party emerged; Karen and Andy smiling happily as Lily ran to the car to hug her big brother as he stepped out.
"Damn, Andy," Lucas exclaimed, "When you said you were going to take charge of finding us a house in L.A. I thought you meant, you know, a house. I'm pretty sure this place has enough bedrooms that we could invite everyone we've ever met over for a sleepover and still rent out a wing or two!"
"You don't like it?"
"I love it. I can't afford it, but I love it."
"Consider it a late wedding present."
"Thank you"
As they shared a man hug, Karen spotted her baby granddaughter.
"There's my little girl!"
She almost snatched Sawyer from Peyton's arms, cradling her like she had with Lucas all those years ago.
"She's been looking forward to seeing her grandma," Said Peyton, "talking of which, how is grandma?"
"Feeling older every time she hears the word 'grandma' and really happy to be back on dry land. C'mon, leave all that stuff in the car and come inside, we'll get it later."
The girls and Andy went inside, leaving Luc to grab the essentials. It was at that moment that he heard a familiar voice…
"Hey neighbour, welcome to my town!"
"Hey, if it isn't Reese Dixon! How you doing, man?"
"I'm good, I'm good. What brings you to town?"
"Me and the family needed a change, thought we'd head west. So you live around here, huh?"
"Right across the street. You should stop by, actually. I've got a couple of projects that could use a writer's eye."
"You got it. First thing in the morning?"
"Done. Welcome to LA, Lucas Scott."
"It's feeling like home already."
As Luc made it inside the house, he found himself in the middle of an amazing family scene as Karen, Andy and Peyton sat drinking coffee in what could only be described as the most stylish designer kitchen he'd ever laid eyes on, everything in the house was the best that money could buy. He may not be any kind of replacement for Lucas' uncle Keith, but ever since he came back into Karen's life he'd done his best by Lucas and Lily, and it was hard not to respect him for that.
"So… who was that?" asked Andy, as Karen got up to pour Lucas a cup.
"Reese is an old friend of mine from Tree Hill; he was the director on the 'Unkindness Of Ravens' movie."
"An old friend?" laughed Peyton, "You can't stand that guy. What was it that you said about him? That watching him snorting cocaine reminded you of the drill instructor from Full Metal Jacket? Something about a golf ball and a garden hose?"
"Okay, he has his problems but who knows? Maybe he'll be a useful guy to know around here. He asked me to go see him in the morning about a project he's working on."
"Sounds like fun, Luc." said Karen, handing him his coffee, "talking of which, we kind of have another surprise for you."
He took a long sip. If there was anything he'd missed as much as having his mom around, it was her legendary coffee.
"Your mother and I were thinking," Andy continued, "that you guys have driven half the night, probably haven't stopped to eat in hours. We know it's late, but if you leave now we've got a table booked for the two of you at this wonderful little Italian we found."
Andy handed Luc a card, it was finely engraved with the name "Gino's" - clearly a classy restaurant.
"What about Sawyer?" Peyton asked, "She's pretty tired from all that travelling."
"I think we can handle her," Karen assured her, "besides, how much time have the two of you had to yourselves since she was born?"
"You know," Peyton said, sidling up to Luc, "it would be nice if it were just the two of us for a night."
"I dunno, I'm kinda tired from all that driving…"
"Please?"
She was making those begging, puppy dog eyes. Luc was powerless to refuse.
"Are you guys sure you'll be okay with Sawyer?"
"We just went sailing around the world with a toddler," Karen smiled, "I think we can handle baby Sawyer just fine."
"Thanks guys," said Luc, grabbing his coat, "we'll be back as soon as we can."
"Take your time," said Andy, "we can handle it. And make sure they know this one's on me."
"You don't need to do that."
"I want to. Go have some fun!"
"C'mon, Luc," said Peyton, "let's get out of here before they change their minds!"
"Oh, Luc?" said Karen.
"Yeah, Mom?"
"Leave the car keys here. We already called you a cab."
Luc dropped the keys on the counter and gave his mother a hug; a night just to themselves was exactly what he and Peyton needed.
"We really appreciate this." said Luc.
"Call us if you need us to come back." Said Peyton.
Lucas dragged her out the door, giggling in that way that always made him smile. He couldn't remember the last time it had just been about the two of them out on the town, being themselves.