Hope you all are having a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Here is the next installment to the story. I hope you are all sticking with me and trust me as to where this is going :-)
Peyton pulled up outside Brooke's house with a sigh. It took her a while to work up the courage to walk up to the door. Almost as though this decision would make everything of the past 48 hours too real.
Pulling on a brave face, she turned around to the back seat and addressed her daughter "So Sawyer, want to have a sleep-over at Aunt Brooke's?"
"Are we going to eat lots of candy and play games?" Sawyer asked, weighing up her options.
"We can if you want to"
"Sure! Aunt Brooke is always so much fun!" Sawyer said as she tried to unbuckle herself and hop out of the car.
A few minutes later, Peyton was at the front door of her best friends house and she hesitated a few seconds before she knocked. It took a while before Brooke came to the door and answered it.
Brooke looked at her best friend standing there with her daughter and a quizzical look came upon her face.
"Fancy some company for a few days?" Peyton asked chokingly.
Her face full of sympathy, Brooke instantly pulled her friend into a hug and welcomed her into her home.
Peyton walked back down the stairs to Brooke's living room after putting Sawyer to bed some time later. The three girls had all played numerous games and messed up the kitchen at Sawyer's insistence. Neither Brooke nor Peyton had a chance to talk about the matters at hand, and Brooke observed that for the moment, that was exactly what Peyton wanted. Looking up as her friend descended the stairs she smiled sympathetically to her.
"She asleep?" Brooke asked.
"Finally. Miss 20 questions doesn't miss a beat. She knows something is up. Poor mite, I guess it's been a hard day for her too."
Sympathetically, Brooke pulled her friend into an embrace. Desperately she wanted to know exactly what was going on. Wanted to know the rest of the story other than what she had heard earlier that day in the studio. Yet, she knew that Peyton would tell her when the time was right.
"Men suck Brooke!" Peyton exclaimed after some time.
"Yes, they sure do!" Brooke said, thinking of Luke, who she never thought would do this to her best friend, and also thinking of her own twisted love life that was Ben and Julian.
"You know what the worst part is Brooke?" Brooke had a few things run through her mind, but chose to keep silent.
"Usually this is the time that you and I would go and paint the town red and drown our sorrows in alcohol… only now we can't because we are both fat and pregnant!" Peyton exclaimed.
"Well I'm fat and pregnant… you are just pregnant" Peyton commented after some consideration.
At this Brooke couldn't help but laugh. "Don't worry sweetie, I'm sure I'll catch up to you!"
The two girls collapsed on the couch giggling, before silence filled the room.
"You know what Brooke. Never did I think this would happen to me. To us! I never thought Julian would leave, never thought that anything would ever happen between Lucas and me… and yeah, if you want to go that far back, never would have dreamed of Nate and Haley hooking up. Only, now I can't imagine them with anybody else!"
The girls continued to talk, but dance around the subject at hand. Finally Brooke could no longer take it
"Hun, I know you don't want to talk about it and that's fine, I respect that. But what the hell happened? How is it that you ended up here? I mean, this is one relationship that I never expected to come to this at all? Has anything else happened other than what you told us today?"
"Nothing more happened. I just…. needed to get out. I needed time to breathe. Get my thoughts around things."
"Do you think he's telling the truth? That it was just the one kiss?"
Peyton pondered the question for a while. "Do you know, yeah, I do actually think that it was just the one kiss. Maybe he didn't even mean to kiss her. But it doesn't change the fact that it happened. I guess that's why I needed to get out for a while… clear my head".
"Well hun, you are welcome to stay here as long as you need" Brooke said, hugging her best friend.
Luke was sitting on the sofa dumbfounded with Peyton's note in his hand. He couldn't believe the recent turn of events of the last 48 hours. How could his life turn so topsy turvy? Why on earth did he decide to start working on this project with Maddi anyway? How did he not see the dangers? And now… Peyton was gone… Was this the beginning of the end for them? No, he couldn't believe that… wouldn't believe that. Lost in his own thoughts he was brought back to the present by the sound of someone opening his door. Thinking it was Peyton he jumped up to meet her.
"Lucas Eugine Scott! You better tell me that things aren't as bad as they seem… because at the moment they seem pretty bad!"
Haley marched right up to Lucas and he immediately felt like a school boy. Wow, that mum card really does suit Haley, he thought.
"So you know?"
"So I know? That's the only defence you have? Of course I know Luke! Peyton is one of my best friends, I found out from her. Nathan is my husband, I found out from him. And you… my oldest and dearest friend, I am so cross at you now I barely know what to say to you!"
"Haley…."
"Don't 'Haley' me Luke! Ugh – I'm SO cross at you! What the hell were you thinking? Had you completely forgotten what we talked about earlier the other day?"
"No, it just happened. It was nothing Hales. I promise. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I swear. There is nothing going between Maddi and I. There is only one person I love, and right now, she's not talking to me."
"Can you blame her Luke? I mean she found out from your daughter. Not from the person she needed to hear it from."
"Of course I don't blame her. I was coming home to tell her, to talk to her…"
"Still Luke, it doesn't excuse what has happened. You should have known how she felt about this Maddi in your life. I mean, never, in my wildest dreams had I imagined you would cheat on Peyton…."
"I didn't cheat on her Hales.."
"Oh don't get technical with me Luke! You kissed another woman! That's the bottom line. I mean I thought your mother had raised you well. But maybe that Dan Scott blood runs deeper than we all knew? Is that what it is?"
Luke looked up at his friend, hurt. Instantly Haley knew she had cut a nerve and instantly regretted what she said. She knew that what Luke did had nothing to do with Dan. If she wasn't so angry and her friend, she would also know that deep down this was not as bad as her brain was making it out to be also.
"I think you've said enough Hales. Look I'm sorry about what happened ok. I never meant for this to happen. But I would never… never… intentionally cheat on my wife." Lucas turned to walk away from his friend. What Haley said cut him to the bone. Surely she knew him better than that. To accuse him of such a thing?
"Luke… I'm sorry… I was angry… I…Look – I'll talk to you later ok?"
Silently Luke simply walked out of the room, leaving Haley standing in his kitchen wondering if she had just made matters worse.
"You know what I think we need P Scott?" Brooke asked a week later as Peyton and Sawyer descended the stairs into the kitchen.
"Pancakes!" Sawyer offered running to the bar stools and climbed up to take a seat.
"Well little Sawyer-Brooke, I must have read your mind, because that's exactly what we have on the menu this morning" Brooke said smiling. "But I think your mummy and I could do with some therapy don't you little one?"
"Therapy?" Peyton asked quizzically. "Look I know things are bad Brooke but…"
"Oh c'mon – why wouldn't you want a little bit of retail therapy? It always made us feel better in the past?" Brooke said, looking up at her friend with innocent eyes.
Peyton smiled at her friend. "Now that therapy I can do! What do you say Sawyer? Want to have some retail therapy today?"
"Yup!" Sawyer exclaimed.
Sawyer, Brooke and Peyton had spent the day wondering around the stores until their feet felt they could carry them no further.
"Ugh! I need to sit down!" Peyton finally exclaimed.
"So pregnant P Scott doesn't have the shopping stamina anymore?" Brooke teased half heartedly. She had been feeling unwell for part of their expedition, yet didn't want to end the trip lest it actually be having a positive effect on Peyton.
"Haha – very funny. You're not looking that sprightly yourself there B Davis. What's up?"
"Oh it's nothing, just a bit of back pain."
"Are you sure that's it?"
"Yeah – I'm sure, it's nothing." Brooke lied. In actual fact, Brooke had not been feeling well for days, but she was not going to burden her problems onto her best friend when she needed her most. Peyton watched her friend for a few moments more, not convinced.
"Well maybe we should book you in to see the doctor… you know… just in case."
"Don't worry about me Peyton, I'm fine. Plus, I'm not going to be running to the doctor for every little thing. I'm sure it's just stress – you know, from the Ben things and stuff like that." Brooke said in a sprightly voice, smiling at her friend trying her best to convince her.
"Look Peyt, I promise, as soon as it starts to get worse, I will go to the doctors and get checked out ok. I promise, I'm fine!"
"OK… but if you're not better in a few days, I'm taking you whether you like it or not" Peyton reluctantly agreed, still unconvinced.
Brooke smiled at her friend, and then excused herself, leaving Sawyer and Peyton resting on the bench together.
"Mama, when are we going to see Daddy again?" Sawyer asked her mother
Peyton was taken aback by the question. It wasn't until then that she had given any thought into her daughter's well being and how much she might be missing her father. Immediately, Peyton began to feel a little guilty over taking Sawyer away from Luke. It had never been her intention to separate the two of them deliberately.
"Whenever you want to see your Daddy sweetie." Peyton responded.
It had been a few days since she had spoken to Luke. He had come by the next day after she had left him the note, but all they did was argue. She hoped that Luke understood that all she wanted was a little bit of time. As the days had gone on, Peyton's anger had subsided and now all she felt was numbness. A constant ache every time she thought of what had come between them. And yet, all Peyton really wanted was for things to go back to the way they were. Could it be that the reason "people always leave" was because of her?
"Can we see Daddy tonight Mama?" Sawyer asked.
With tears brimming in her eyes, Peyton silently nodded and pulled her daughter into her lap for a hug. Only Peyton didn't know whether she was hugging her daughter for her comfort or for Sawyer's.
Peyton walked up the porch steps into her own home and rang the doorbell. It felt odd to ring the doorbell to her own home, and yet she hadn't called Lucas and didn't want to just waltz on through. She could hear the distant footsteps as Lucas drew closer to the door.
"Daddy!" Sawyer screamed as she jumped into her father's arms the second he opened the door. Pleasant shock was etched on Lucas' face. He looked tired Peyton noted instantly. Distant, tired and as emotionally drained as she felt. Offering her husband a weak smile she said
"Sawyer missed you. I thought I would drop her off to spend some time with her Daddy."
"Hey pretty girl!" Lucas said hugging his daughter, all the while looking directly at Peyton. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too daddy! I missed you a whole heap!" Sawyer replied, about to prattle off and continue her mindless chatter. Lucas, not wanting to miss this opportunity to speak to Peyton quickly hushed her.
"Hey Monkey, how about you run inside and get settled. I want to talk to your Mama first ok?"
"Mama, you're not staying?" Sawyer asked confused.
Peyton paused, looking from Lucas to Sawyer. "No sweetie. I thought you might like some special time with your Daddy."
The answer seemed to satisfy Sawyer as she jumped down from her fathers arms, ran over to her mother and gave her a hug, before planting a kiss on her cheek.
"Ok Mama. I'll see you tomorrow." And with that Sawyer ran into the house.
There was an awkward silence between Lucas and Peyton as they stood on their porch. There was so much to say, and yet, neither could start. Peyton felt a sudden urge to rush over into her husbands arms. And yet, something prevented her from doing it.
"Thanks. Peyton… I…"
"I know…" Peyton replied before Lucas could put his thoughts into word.
"But you're not staying…" Inside, Lucas let himself hope. Peyton didn't seem so cross anymore, and yet, he could still see the hurt in her eyes.
"Not yet… I can't…" Peyton tried to explain to him how she was feeling and yet she couldn't put what was going through her mind into words.
Lucas looked at Peyton again, searched the face that he knew so well and could read her mind as well as his own. Yet, this was all foreign territory for him. He couldn't see what she was thinking, how she was feeling. Only that she wasn't angry anymore. Maybe at last she understood… she believed what he had been telling her. He wanted so much to just take her into his arms. To kiss her and let his emotion tell her what he couldn't put into words.
"What do you want me to say? What can I do?" Lucas asked
Peyton met his gaze once more. She could see he was trying so hard. She wanted so much for everything to be ok between them again. And yet, she still looked at him, and all she could feel was that the bond between them was broken. She could only think of Maddi's lips on her husbands. On lips that should have touched nobody's but hers.
"I just need time Lucas. I'm sorry, I can't give you a better answer. I want to come back, I want to be ok with this… but I need time ok?"
Silently Lucas agreed. Peyton smiled weakly at him once more and turned to leave. Hardly able to believe that her visit was so short. His wife, who he hadn't seen for a week was leaving already. Lucas wanted to hold onto this, hold onto the moment they were sharing together.
"You're leaving?" He asked.
"Yeah… I think I should… People always leave right?" Peyton said weakly as she walked to her car. She looked down as she unlocked the car door. Without thinking, Lucas leaped off the porch and ran to his wife until he was inches from her. Slowly Peyton looked up. You could cut the tension between them with a knife. Peyton could smell Lucas' own unique scent. One that she had missed so much, and tried so hard to remember on those sleepless nights in Brooke's spare room. She looked up to him, wondering what he had to say.
"Not me Peyton. People may always leave, but not me. Never me. Remember? I'll never leave." Before he knew what he was doing, Lucas lent down, and gently kissed Peyton on the lips. He wanted to show her how much he still loved her. It only lasted a few moments, before they broke apart and Lucas watched his wife climb into her car. She smiled gently at him again as she drove off.
Somehow, the storm inside Peyton began to calm slowly. Hearing those words, feeling his lips once more on hers. Somehow, that seemed to be just what Peyton needed.