TUESDAY

"Rise and shine Peyton. I hope you're ready for today," Haley exclaimed as she opened the curtains to let the light in. "Now we are going to be at the spa by 11:30 for brunch and then all the services will be after."

Haley maneuvered through the guest room placing a pair of custom pajamas on the bed. "Brooke made us all customized Clothes over Bros pajamas with our names on it. They're silk and so comfy! It's what we are wearing today. See you downstairs!"

After yesterdays outburst, she retreated to the Naley guest bedroom for the night claiming she wasn't feeling the best and wanted to be better for today. Matching pajamas she thought looking down. How pathetic. Haley was so excited and Peyton couldn't even be bothered. She was supposed to be moving into the Brucas guest bedroom tonight and she truly didn't know how she was going to survive. Maybe she could jump off the gaudy banister and put herself out of her misery if needed.

"Aunt Peyton, mommy sent me up here to make sure you're awake!" Jamie jumped up on the bed. Peyton rolled over with a sigh. She couldn't be mean to him. He didn't understand what was going on. "Aunt Peyton you are so lucky." She pushed herself up so she was in the sitting position. "And why is that Jamie Scott?" He bounced up and down, "Its James Lucas Scott, Aunt Peyton! You're lucky because you get to hang out with Aunt Brooke today. It's not fair she's so busy this week." "Yup I'm sooooooo lucky," Peyton said condescendingly knowing Jamie wouldn't understand or hear it. "Aunt Peyton do you know a regular week Aunt Brooke would pick me up from school twice a week. Then she takes me for ice cream, but don't tell mama and uncle Lucas because that's our secret. Then we go visit Uncle Lucas at the Rivercourt. Then we get pizza, then Uncle Lucas takes us for ice cream because he doesn't know she already bought me some. It's so funny Aunt Peyton when Uncle Lucas says we are on a sugar high and he cant figure out why." God he was rambling like her Peyton thought. "Aunt Peyton, whats a sugar high?"

Haley popped in the door, "Peyton we are leaving in 20 hurry up!" Jamie ran out of the room grabbing his mom's extended hand. Peyton took the pillow and covered her face screaming into it. God this was going to be a long day.


Haley handed the valet her car keys. Peyton stepped out of the car adjusting her sun glasses. She turned towards Haley, "Tree Hill Country Club? Seriously Haley?" Haley walked over grabbing Peyton's shoulders, "Oh Peyton I missed your melodramatic attitude."

Peyton shook her head. "No Haley, how are we here right now?"

Haley sighed. "Peyton, I told you a lot has changed. Victoria and Ted are very well respected in this town. I told you, they are making up for things. All of us have passes to the country club and we are on their account. They wanted to treat all of us to the spa here. It wouldn't hurt for you to be just a little on board for everything this week. Brooke is still your biggest supporter. It wouldn't kill you to support her." Haley walked away, Peyton hearing the disappointment in her voice. Peyton had to make it seem like it was ok if she wanted to make it through this week.

"Haley stop. Haley stop please," Peyton grabbed her arm turning her around. "This is just hard ya know." Oh god here she had to go and play the doting friend. The one who was just struggling being back. Not the angry one who felt all but betrayed by every single person she had come into contact with. Lie. I need to lie to not admit the truth.

"Whats hard Peyton?"

"Just being back ya know? I haven't been here in 7 years. I feel so out of the loop. I had to hear about Brooke's attack years later. We were supposed to be best friends and it just feels like we are so far apart."

"Oh Peyton, Brooke feels no different about you. Everyday she spoke about how much she missed you and how much you meant and still mean to her." Of course Peyton thought, Brooke didn't even think about Peyton when she got with Lucas. Why would she think about anyone, but herself?

"Thanks Haley, I'll try harder. I'm sorry." Peyton says giving a small smile. Of course gullible Haley will believe.

"I'm so glad you're here Peyton. Brooke deserves this with the people who love her most."

The two moved into the restaurant of the country club. Haley looked around the room on tippy toes scanning the crowd. Her hand went up waving and grabbed Peyton's hand moving towards the group. They came into view of Karen and Victoria. Victoria had reserved a little room to the side that had a table with 5 seats. The table was decorated for an intimate lunch date with flowers and golds and sea foam greens everywhere.

"Karen, Victoria this is amazing!" Haley said hugging the 2 women. Karen grabbed onto Peyton, "Oh Peyton its so nice that you've come back for Brooke and Lucas. I know how excited Brooke was getting a reply from you." Peyton was weirded out by the hug. Karen was a kind woman. She always had been. But Peyton wasn't stupid. She knew she always loved Brooke more than her. Peyton let go and was face to face with Victoria.

"Victoria."

"Peyton." They both stood glaring at each other. There was no point whatsoever to pretend they even liked each other. Peyton wasn't going to allow Victoria to make her back down. And Victoria was going to have words with Peyton, just not here in public.

"Brooke you're here!" Haley yelled taking both of them out of their stare down. In walked Brooke in her white silk pajamas. Embroidered with gems it said "Mrs. Scott." Brooke was beaming. Peyton didn't know how her cheeks didn't hurt. She hadn't seen Brooke's smile falter at all since she had gotten back to Tree Hill. Did she start to feel guilty wanted to rip this wedding apart? Nope!

They all sat down at the table for the pre-fixed meal. Brunch went well. Peyton did not speak much. Haley, Brooke, and Karen didn't notice the tension, but if looks could kill Victoria would have murdered Peyton over and over. A server came over with a tray, "Ms. Davis," he said placing a tray of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries down. "Mr. Scott asked me to send this over to you." He handed her a note and walked away. Brooke read the note to herself her smile getting bigger and bigger. Haley looked on, "Tell me what did my best friend say!"

Brooke laughed. "Well I cant tell you everything Broody wrote, but he said he can't wait to see me walk down that aisle and become Mrs. Scott," Brooke gushed screeching saying the last part. Karen shed a tear and hugged on to Victoria who also was beaming. Peyton sat there in disgust. She really didn't think things could get worse. And then hands went over Brooke's eye and she yelped. She turned around, "LUCAS!" she yelled jumping up and wrapping her arms around him. "Hi ladies, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to bring these for my wife to be." Lucas moved his arm presenting her with a bouquet of roses. "Oh Broody you're so good to me." First he kissed her forehead, then her nose, and then left the softest kiss on her lips. "I love you Brooke." He looked into her eyes as if she was the only one there.

"Oh Brooke, before we go for the massages, let me take a picture of you guys in front of the flower wall over there!" Haley said pointing. Karen jumped up, "Oh I want one with my son too!" And the 4 of them ran off leaving Victoria and Peyton at the table. Victoria started to move her fingers up and down. Peyton thought she saw her eye twitching.

Victoria put her hands together, "Well Ms. Sawyer."

Peyton cut her off, "Get it over with and say what you've been wanting to say." Taking her arms across her chest.

"Well then since you asked," Victoria started. "I don't know what your agenda is being here, but I know its not to let my daughter have the happiness she deserves."

Peyton scoffed, "Oh like you were the best mother growing up. Zebra's never change their stripes."

Victoria stood up a little taller in her seat. "Go ahead, talk all you want about who I used to be, but I've changed. And I apologize daily to Brooke for our past. But you?" Victoria paused, "You are still the self centered back stabbing two faced bitch who my daughter somehow still has pity for. Oh poor little Peyton Sawyer."

"You shut your mouth Victoria," Peyton hissed.

"No you shut yours. The love of your life was never in love with you do you understand? You were a rebound. You were a placement holder until Lucas could prove to my daughter that you were a mistake that he will always regret. I love my daughter. And she will get the happiness she deserves. Now, I don't know why she wanted you here, but it just goes to show you how good of a person she is. The least you could do is put a smile on and pretend your happy for her. You better practice for Saturday." Victoria got up and walked towards the group who was taking pictures.