Ok first of all I'm SO sorry for the delay in this story! While it's not finished or anywhere near yet, I've been struggling a little of late. I seem to be finding it difficult to capture the characters, even though I know where I want them to end up. Anyway - here's an update. I hope you like it. Please R&R, let me know what you think and I hope that I can continue the story with the same flare for all of you!
"So guess who's cooking a healthy little baby in the oven" Peyton called out as she entered the Clothes over Bro's store. A few women looked up from their shopping and smiled, while a few more looked up blankly. Peyton blushed. She wasn't expecting anybody else other than Brooke to be in the store. Laughing nervously and half speaking to herself, Peyton pointed to the back of the store and muttered "I'm just uh… going to go over here."
"Hey – B. Davis do you realise you have shoppers in your store?" Peyton teased. "Made a royal fool of myself, exclaiming to the world that Lucas and I are having a healthy baby!"
Brooke looked up from her sketches and half laughed. "What else do you expect when you enter a clothing store! But really? Everything's going well? No problems?"
"Problem free and stress free" Peyton said grinning. "Well so far anyway…. Whoa Brooke, hug me any harder and you might pop the baby out!" Peyton half joked. "What's up?"
"Nothing! I'm just so happy that everything is going well this time!" Brooke said with tears in her eyes.
"Wow – those pregnancy hormones must really be playing with you Brooke! You didn't actually think that something was wrong did you?"
"Well I don't know… yeah – a little. I mean you had problems with Sawyer, and Ben was telling me how his wife died of PP and they didn't find out till later… much later. She died Peyton! And all I could think of throughout his whole story was 'that could have been Peyton'. So just…. Promise me that you're not going to leave us ok. I mean not only will Lucas be a mess, but me, I can't lose my best friend ok?"
"Wow – hold up there girl! I didn't realise you were so worried. I mean Lucas and I knew the risks and we were anxious about the scan, but everything was going so well I guess we were a little calmer. Poor Brooke, worrying about all this by herself! We're going to be fine Brooke… Ok? I'm not going anywhere!" Peyton reassured her friend pulling her into a hug.
"I'm going to hold you to that!" Brooke said returning the embrace.
Lucas was rummaging through his pile of mail and other things that lay forgotten on the bench from the many months he had been away touring. Looking at all the mail was frankly a little daunting. Not to mention, it wasn't exactly where his mind was given the news he and Peyton had received earlier in the day. He couldn't believe how well things were going this time. It really did seem too good to be true. If nothing else, Lucas was just as excited that he was home 'for good' now… or at least until after the baby was born or until the next book tour. He still couldn't believe how much the book tour had taken out of him. He was happy just to be home and enjoying Tree Hill life once more. Looking at his pile of mail and 'things to do' lists again, Lucas shrugged and decided to go out for a walk instead. He could attack all of this stuff later.
As always the walk ended up at the river court. Unusually, the court wasn't empty and as Lucas approached, he saw a group of young teens enjoying a friendly game of basketball. The sight made Lucas smile, remembering that this is where it all started for him. As a kid, playing basketball right here with Keith, having a play-off with Nathan all of those years ago and later, coming to find the words to "lovesong" by The Cure inscripted all over the court by none other than Peyton. This river court itself had been such a big part of Lucas' life, and he helped that he could find something as meaningful for his own children as they grew.
When Lucas returned to the house, he was surprised to find it still empty. Peyton must be having a good catch up with Brooke. It never amazed him how much those girls could talk given they still saw each other almost every day. Still deep in thought, Lucas began to walk around his childhood home. All of a sudden a thought came into his mind that this house which was big enough for his mum and himself and later Keith had things gone to plan. This house was big enough for himself and Peyton after they moved in together and later when Sawyer came along. But, this house wasn't big enough to include another baby. How were they going to make it fit? Wondering around the house, Lucas could see that Peyton had already set up Sawyer's old crib in the other half of her room, and had started making provisions for the myriad of nik naks that babies require. Suddenly, it dawned on Lucas that they had outgrown this house. When Peyton came home, he needed to run the idea past her. They should begin looking for a new place to set up their family.
"You're quiet today Brooke" Ben commented as they strolled around the park together, Preston running ahead of them.
"Hmm?" Brooke asked, evidently being pulled out of a world of her own.
Ben laughed before saying once more "You're distracted today. What's on your mind?" He had to admit, he loved Brooke's company. It had been a long time before he had felt this way about anyone before. He just wasn't sure if he was ready to open up his heart again to someone. Not sure if he was ready for that sort of commitment. Heck, he wasn't even sure if Brooke shared the same sentiments as he did.
"Oh – I was just thinking" Brooke responded with a smile. "Thinking of my friend Peyton and how lucky she is. To have this amazing, understanding husband in her life to help her with all of this" Brooke said gesticulating to her slowly growing stomach.
"Oh – those guys actually exist?" Ben teased
Brooke playfully hit him as their banter continued. If she was honest with herself, she really did enjoy Ben's company. His kind, caring nature, and even she had to admit to herself, it was nice to have a guy looking after you while you were pregnant with another man's child.
"You know you can always call on me don't you Brooke?" Ben asked full of concern.
Brooke smiled and replied "of course! You've been the best throughout this whole…. ordeal." Silently, she slipped her hand into his as they continued to walk along.
"You're quiet tonight Mrs Scott" Lucas commented as he crawled into bed next to his wife.
"I'm just thinking" Peyton responded with her hand resting gently on her belly.
"Brooke told me today how Ben's wife died" Peyton began, filling Lucas in on the whole story. "It could have been me Luke. I could have been the one to not make it, and I would have missed all of this" She exclaimed gesticulating around the room.
"I grew up without a mother Luke. I never want our kids to grow up without a mother. I want to be there for every moment of their lives, and I'm worried sick that something may still go wrong and Sawyer and this baby will grow up without knowing me. Knowing how much they mean to me"
Lucas snuggled in closer to Peyton and tried to comfort her. He hated her talking like this. He didn't even want to think about any potential risks of her going anywhere without him. "Peyton, nothing is going to happen. Remember that Dr Williamson said this is one of the healthiest pregnancies he's seen for a long time. So just relax and enjoy it. I will do everything in my power to prevent anything happening to you Peyton. Because not only will our kids have to grow up without you, but I will have to learn how to survive without you too" Lucas said huskily as he bend to kiss the nape of her neck.
In response, Peyton just pulled his arms tighter around her and snuggled into Lucas' strong embrace.
Peyton awoke the next morning to find the house empty. Walking into the kitchen, Peyton found a note on the bench saying "Sawyer and I have gone to do some investigative work. Will explain all later. Love you"
Smiling, Peyton gently crumpled the paper and threw it into the bin. This was one of her rare moments of quiet that she intended to enjoy to the full extent. After a nice, lazy breakfast, Peyton then cleaned the house and later lazed on the couch in complete solace with the world. Just when Peyton was thinking an afternoon nap might be on order, the doorbell rang. Groggily, Peyton got up from the couch and walked to the door.
Standing on the door was an unfamiliar woman. She had stunning, silky dark red-brown hair with a gentle curl, a perfect complexion, and piercing blue eyes.
"Can I help you?" Peyton asked, immediately embarrassed about her appearance next to this well dressed, leggy, super-model style woman on her doorstep.
"Yeah, I'm wondering if this is Lucas' Scott's residence? I'm here to see him?"