Don't peak! Nathan said to Peyton. He'd told Peyton earlier he had a surprise for her and he had blindfolded her after she got into the passenger seat.
"Okay, I promise," Peyton smiled. She had no clue where Nathan was driving to.
A few minutes later, they arrived at their destination. "We're here."
"Can I take this blindfold off now?" Peyton asked.
"Not yet," Nathan leaned over and kissed her before helping to take it off. "Surprise babe! Okay what do you think?"
Peyton looked out and saw a white colonial house with black trim standing in front of them. She recognized the house as one from Brooke's neighborhood. Then she saw Jake Jagielski standing on the front walk up, wearing a suit.
"I'm confused, Jake is my surprise?" Peyton asked.
"What? No!" Nathan laughed, good naturedly pointing at a For Sale sign. "He's showing us the house. Maybe our house for me, you, and James."
Peyton was speechless for a moment. "Are you serious?"
"Completely. I've been looking for something and this just came on the market. Brooke lives about two minutes away, if that's any incentive."
Peyton felt a wave of pregnancy hormones take over, she couldn't believe Nathan was doing something so sweet for her.
"Should we take a look?" Nathan asked.
Peyton nodded.
"Hey, check out his Maserati. He must be doing pretty well if he's driving that and I think he's single. If you're interested…" Nathan teased.
"Don't go there," Peyton smirked. "We are going to have to work on your sense of humor."
"What? You know you love it," Nathan said, coming around to help her out.
"How are you?" Jake nodded a greeting to them. "Just like old times, Nathan and Peyton back together."
"Yeah, I got really lucky," Nathan said, wrapping his arm around Peyton's shoulders.
"Let me show you around," Jake said, getting straight to business. "This one is priced to sell and it won't be on the market long." Jake started explaining the home highlights three bedrooms, three bathrooms, fenced in back yard, eat in kitchen with an island, and a safe neighborhood.
Nathan winked at Peyton. "This might be the one," he said.
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Lindsay was livid at Lucas for not caring about her feelings at all. After landing, she'd gotten a rental car driving straight to Tree Hill in record time. It didn't take a genius to figure out Brooke's address
She told herself she had to approach this carefully as she was probably only going to get one opportunity. She checked her purse for the plastic disposable gloves.
Brooke was tidying up the kitchen after lunch. The boys were making cute noises as they played with their cars, racetrack, and blocks on the floor. She was just loading the dishwasher as she heard the doorbell.
Lindsay grinned as Brooke answered the door.
"Lindsay?" Brooke looked confused.
"Brooke. I think we should have a chat woman to woman. Can I come in?" Lindsay asked, what she'd rehearsed as the best way to trick Brooke.
"Now? I don't think so," Brooke was very reluctant.
"I wanted to tell you how Lucas is lying to you," Lindsay said emphatically.
"What?" Brooke asked, looking more uncomfortable by the second.
"Lucas and I are getting a lawyer to get full custody of his sons. I have to go along with his choice. He is my husband after all, but I thought you may do what's best for the boys and just relinquish your rights to them."
"I thought he said he was getting a divorce," Brooke said warily.
"I told you, he's lying to you! We're legally married. Do you think he wants his sons growing up in a going nowhere small town with a single mother?" Lindsay demanded.
"Luke wouldn't do that," Brooke cried.
"Lucas and I can give the boys a much better life," Lindsay smirked. "He's going to make a case for full custody."
"I don't believe you," Brooke felt terrified, her heart pounding.
"Think about it he wants better for his kids than he had," Lindsay said with smugness, enjoying Brooke's pain.
"Leave me alone," Brooke said, trying to shut the door.
"No, you leave us alone," Lindsay said. She shoved the door open, knocking Brooke over. Brooke fell and hit her head on the stairway banister.
Lindsay went through the house looking for the boys. She could hear Brooke sobbing and pleading in the background. She found the boys in the kitchen, they looked scared seeing as she wasn't their mom and immediately started crying out 'momma'.
"Shut-up," Lindsay yelled at them, opening cabinet drawers until she came across a suitable object. First, she slipped on the gloves. She could hear Brooke's footsteps approaching and crying for her to go. Too late, Lindsay thought, she gripped the steak knife in her right hand.
"Stay away from my babies!" Brook screamed, feeling a bit woozy from hitting her head.
"They belong to my husband, they're mine," Lindsay shrieked, brandishing the knife at Brooke.
Brooke screamed again.
"Shut up bitch or I'll stab them. You're a homewrecker," she accused Brooke.
"What do you want?" Brooke pleaded.
"I was the best thing that ever happened to Lucas. Lucas was supposed to fight for me. If it hadn't been for you, Lucas would have never let me go!" Lindsay screamed in Brooke's face.
"I didn't do anything to you," Brooke said, trying to shield the boys from the Lindsay's wrath.
"That innocent routine doesn't fool me," Lindsay snapped, waving the knife crazily. It was amusing for her to see how the role's reversed. Now she was in charge and Brooke could see everything that mattered to her go up in smoke.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Brooke begged. "I didn't try to get Lucas here if that's what you think."
"Soon enough, Lucas and I will be back in New York with our sons. After we attend your funeral. What a terrible shame you were so devasted over Julian, you couldn't go on anymore without him."
"No one will believe you," Brooke said, getting in front of the twins.
"You'd be surprised. I'm very convincing," Lindsay stepped forward with the blade raised. She took another moment to enjoy the horror in Brooke's hazel eyes. This is a fitting punishment she told herself.
She brought the blade down roughly, but Brooke kicked her knocking her off balance. Lindsay lunged again, this time going for Brooke's pretty face. Brooke blocked her with her hands, but the knife cut deep into Brooke's palm. She screamed. The twins cried unconsolably. There was blood everywhere. Lindsay attempted to cut her again.
Brooke shoved her back as hard as she could, causing Lindsay stumble over the high chair.
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"I think we want to make an offer," Nathan told Jake.
"Great choice," Jake clapped his hands together, "I'll just go get the paperwork from my car and we'll write up the offer."
"I can't wait to make this place our own," Nathan said, walking into the first floor laundry room. Peyton followed him in disbelief. "We'll have plenty of time to move in before the baby gets here," Nathan said, wrapping his arms around her waist and kissing her cheek.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait for the paternity test results after the baby gets here?" Peyton asked, hoping Nathan would not be heartbroken if the baby turned out to be Lucas's or worse hate her.
"I want to be with you no matter what," he assured her, meeting her green eyes. "No matter what our house will be filled with love. That's what I want for us," Nathan said.
Peyton leaned into his chest happily. She didn't want to picture a future without Nathan. There had been so many times, she thought she could never hope for a happy ending like this.
An hour later, they'd finished signing the papers. The offer was ready to go on to the sellers for review.
"I think you're going to be very happy here," Jake said, packing his briefcase and heading on his way to submit their offer to the selling agent. "I'll be sure to get in touch with you as soon as I hear anything. I have a feeling they are going to accept your offer."
Jake got into his car, waving to them.
"Since we're so close to Brooke why don't we stop and tell her the news?" Peyton suggested as they got into Nathan's truck.
"You read my mind," Nathan smiled at her. "If she's up for it, I'll pick up James and get stuff to grill out to celebrate our new house. Maybe we can even track Luke down and he can help grill to get his mind off the divorce."
"You're already calling it our new house," Peyton smiled at him.
"Why not? I've got my good luck charm with me," he said, holding her hand as they drove to Brooke's house.