Tommy managed to bite his tongue through the viewing and the funeral by focusing on the fact that Peyton was leaning on him. They got through the ceremony at the cemetery and got to the parking lot before Tommy finally had enough making nice

"Aunt Jessica…" he said as he saw her in the parking lot. She had done a good job of avoiding him up until then.

Matthew watched as his cousin turned to his mother. He had no clue what his mom had done, but given her history he was pretty sure Tommy was entitled to his rage. Tommy wasn't usually one to go flying off the handle without a very good reason, but this wasn't the time or place for this kind of scene to play out.

"Tommy," Matthew tried to redirect his cousin by getting between him and Jessica but to no avail.

"Matthew don't try to stop me you don't know what she did!"

"Then tell me."

"She was supposed to watch Peyton until I could get to her but she left her alone!" Tommy said in rage.

"What… mom is that true?" Matthew said turning to his mother now understanding his cousin's anger.

"Yeah… so what, it wasn't like I left her someplace unsafe."

Matthew was reeling by this time. The whole family was aware that Peyton was Tommy's daughter and we're helping him gather her belongings to move to California.

"Mom, she's seven… she is his daughter for God's sake. I should move out of the way right now and let Tommy deal with you!" Matthew said

Nathan Oliver, Daniel and Jessica's older brother had overheard this.

"Matt let him go, you know he won't lay a hand on her, he doesn't have to." Nathan said.

Tommy walked up to Jessica his expression frighteningly calm.

"Once I get back to California don't be surprised if you never hear another word from or about me or my daughter again. We trusted you and you blew it… you put MY child at risk, and that is something I don't easily forgive." Tommy said coolly.

Jessica could only watch silently as Tommy and Peyton walked away.

Tommy and Peyton got on the flight that Saturday morning, first class, again. Tommy was trying to hide his confusion. The rangers had been asking a lot of questions about Peyton. Her likes, favorite toys, color, thinks she liked to watch on television, but when he would ask why they were so interested they would dodge the question. He had asked Hayley but she claimed not to know anything.

Peyton held tightly to his hand as they walked through San Francisco International Airport. There were too many strangers and she didn't want to risk getting separated.

Hayley met them at the airport and drove them to the house in silence. It was clear they were jet lagged, Peyton more so than Tommy. Hayley remembered him throwing away a coffee cup at the airport so she figured he was running on caffeine alone at that point.

They got into the house and found the rangers sitting in the living room looking a little too innocent for Tommy's liking.

"What did I miss?" he asked dubiously.

"Not much… you know… fought some monsters… caused a couple explosions…" Ethan shrugged.

Tommy glared at Ethan.

"I just flew cross country after dealing with an aunt that if I never see again it would be too soon, cut the jokes, Ethan."

"Follow us, Dr. Oliver," Trent said as Kira elbowed Ethan in the ribs muttering something Tommy swore sounded like 'Smooth…' but Tommy wouldn't have sworn to it.

They went up the stairs and stopped at the door across from Tommy's room. Tommy remembered that when he'd left this particular room had just contained a basic bed and dresser. He planned on changing them out when he had the time but things had happened so suddenly he hadn't gotten to it yet.

Trent opened the door and Tommy was flabbergasted. The entire room had changed since he left. The bed had a sort of frame over it that came to a point at the top. The center spar was wrapped with a single strand of tiny twinkle lights. The bed had pastel pink and white sheets and on the pillow was a teddy bear with a green ribbon around it's neck. There was a matching dresser and desk in the room along with a toy box and suspended indoor swing that he'd want to check before he let her use.

"Did you four…" Tommy could barely form words.

"Yes…" Trent replied as Tommy noticed the floral themed mural along the wall opposite the door encompassing Peyton's name that he knew Trent made.

"You mentioned she's afraid of the dark that's why I put the lights on her bed." Trent explained " Thought it looked better than a traditional night light."

Peyton entered the room as Tommy sat on her bed still trying to digest what he was seeing.

"Is this my room?"

"Yes… and you have these four to thank for it." He said "Trent, Ethan, Conner and Kira."

Each teen gestures as their name was said.

"By the way, dad said you don't owe us a thing… it was my welcome home gift for Peyton." Trent said "Along with Conner, Ethan and Kira."

"Its beautiful, thank you!" Peyton said excitedly.

Trent smiled as Peyton hugged him then went to hug the other three teenagers. Tommy had called Anton to thank him only to have Anton claim it was all Trent's idea. He also said he wanted no recognition for this good deed except for the fact that he somehow ended up with a really generous son.

That evening the rangers went home and finally Kira, Peyton and Tommy could settle in as a family.

Tommy put Peyton to bed in her new room then turned to Kira.

"This doesn't seem real." Kira commented.

"It is, and we need to figure out how we are going to keep her safe from Mesogog." Tommy sighed. "Its only a matter of time before they learn that she exists."

"We'll find a way." Kira assured him "Sure it's never been done before but that doesn't mean it can't be done."

"You're right, we'll just take this one day at a time."

Meanwhile Peyton was laying in her bed looking up at the lights Trent had put on her bed. He was right they worked so much better than her old night light. She them looked at the picture of her mom that Tommy had given her. He had done his best to give her some idea of what her mother was like but it had been hard for him.

"Why mom?" she asked the framed black and white picture "Why did you leave me? Didn't you love me?"

Peyton wiped the tears from her eyes as Tommy came in

"Are you okay?" he asked then realized what he'd asked "I'm sorry, that was a bad question."

"Dad… I don't understand… why did she leave me like that?"

"Peyton, you have to remember your mother, Kimberly, she… we were just teenagers when you were born. All I can figure is she didn't think she could give you what you needed. She also knew I couldn't either so she gave you to someone who could."

He hugged her gently

" Hopefully one day you'll get to meet her."

" I'd like that." She said as she returned the hug.

"You get some sleep." He said tucking her in again before placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I love you"

"I love you too, dad."

THE END

a/n: if you want a picture of what her room looks like pm me and I'll send you a link to a picture i used for inspiration