Ok a couple of things.

1) This is just a filler chapter but it is one I felt was needed especially to show how life had changed for Peyton and Lucas there will be more to come with them to show the ripple effect of Karen's depression on her family and friends. but for now I wanted to set them up for things to come later on. Also I didn't like the feel of how I set up the lunch at Nathan and Haley's last time so I changed it up a bit more.

2) Maddie thank you for pointing out my total gaff with the Anagram in chapter 10 it was meant to spell out Nathan Scott Haley James but I missed a couple of letters while creating the names :Face Palm:

3)Thanks to all who reviewed the last couple of chapters and went with me while I had to do quick uploads I LOVE you all!

4) Because this chapter is so short I'm going to go through and read through the next chapter now and upload it in about an hour or two. because all my AN ramblings makes it look bigger than it actually is.

Ok enough of my rambling get on and read the story!

Chapter 11

Peyton Scott sat in her kitchen with coffee in hand; it had been a long twenty four hours; and as of yet the excitement for her hadn't even started. Having her best friends and in laws back in town was one thing. Being told why they left by her husband was something else entirely. She had always loved Nathan and Haley and she knew now without a doubt that they loved her. They had sacrificed their lives here to keep their friends and family safe, from the somewhat over bearing and troublesome Dan Scott who unfortunately was the Mayor. Although Peyton was sure that once the rest of the town found out, just what he had done, he wouldn't hold that title for long.

Even though Nathan and Haley had left for the safety of those they loved, it wouldn't stop some people from expressing their disapproval, there were sure to be questions about why they had to do it that way. As well intentioned as it was, people still got hurt, and maybe that had been Dan's plan all along.
Peyton however had always been more confused, sure she wanted answers as to why they had left, and now she had a basic one and in time, she was sure there would be a longer more detailed explanation in the future. For the moment however all she knew was that it took a lot of guts and a lot of heart on their part, to do what they had at such a young age. Peyton wasn't stupid; she knew it wouldn't have all been sunshine and smiles. There would have been hard days and days where Nathan and Haley fought nonstop. That however made their love story; at least in her eyes all the more special.

She looked up as Lucas walked out of their bedroom dressed, showered, and ready for the day ahead. He smiled at her as he walked over to their waiting coffee pot, grabbing his mug he poured himself a cup before turning and leaning against the counter.

"I know that look Peyton, I know you want to see them again, hell I'm sure most of Tree Hill will have that feeling when they learn that they are back, well the people who know them anyway. But just remember they are not the same people we once knew that version of Nathan and Haley are long gone, thanks to mostly to Dan. I'm sure there have been other people who have contributed to the fact that they are not as carefree as they once were but who they are now is mostly thanks to my sick and twisted uncle."

"I'm not that naive, I know that they won't be the same people I went through middle school and started High school with. Even I'm not the person they knew back then, people change and yes I do get your point that, they have changed more than most. But Luke I don't really care about that. I just want to see them with my own eyes so I know it's real, because as much as I know Nathan hasn't stayed that baby faced teenager, my brain has trouble believing it."

"I know what you mean; trust me I know; I've seen him and my brain is still playing tricks on me, it's going to take some time for my mind to wrap it's self around the fact that baby faced Nathan now only exists in pictures. I also have a feeling today is going to be equally as long as the last two and this trend of long exhausting days will continue for a while. Which I am not looking forward to at all; but my little brother is finally home, my mother can hopefully finally, put the depression behind her and get off those meds, once she realizes they aren't going anywhere. I know that is going to take some time. But for my sisters sake I hope it's not too long. Also one of my closest friends is now my sister in law and I have a five year old nephew that I really want to get to know. So if I have to deal with a few long days as payment for that, then give me the long days." he said Peyton nodded and smiled, it seemed their family well his side, was finally going to settle down, all the craziness of the last seven years behind them. Well for now at least, but who knows how long that would last, a quiet understanding of just what was could happen next settled over both of them only to be disturbed by the shrill ring of the telephone. Reaching over to where their home phone sat Lucas answered, not really expecting it to be anyone other than his mother, father or sister. So when he heard Haley's voice he jumped slightly.

"Hey Hales, um how did you get this number? Not that I'm not grateful for the early morning call, because I am, but-

"Oh Lil gave it to you, ok I was just wondering that's all so what do I owe the pleasure of this phone call too?" Peyton watched as Lucas's face lit up while talking to Haley, she hadn't seen him this happy or entertained by a phone call in a long time. Generally because most phone calls at the time of the morning, had meant Karen had, had another episode and the call was for him to either come over and help or, to get Lilly out of the house for a while. So she was more than happy to see that for once that, this wasn't one of those calls. She listened in to what was being said as she puttered around the kitchen cleaning up from their morning breakfast, which wasn't all that much as neither of them were really breakfast people; or more to the point, they had given up on trying to be breakfast people as it always seemed to get thrown out due to one emergency or another.

Peyton looked over at him again when he went to say her name but stopped she frowned till she saw him laugh. Not long after that he hung up the phone.

"What was that about?" She asked Lucas grinned and kissed her cheek before walking out of the kitchen.

"LUKE WHAT WAS-

"Don't worry about lunch we're going to Nathan and Haley's for lunch. Also Haley didn't want to know who I was married to; she wanted to see when we got there." Peyton's face went from slightly annoyed to amused, well now this should be interesting, although she was still confused as to why Haley didn't want to know who he had married. Looking up as Lucas walked back into the kitchen she frowned as he laughed at the look on her face.

"I can guarantee you one thing hasn't changed about Nathan and Haley, and that is that they want to see which one of them is right. Did Lucas marry Peyton or Brooke?" He said Peyton laughed and nodded that was something she knew for sure wouldn't have changed about her friends, the constant guessing who Lucas would finally choose.

"My bet is Haley got it right"

"For sure, Nathan sucks at guessing games, always has"