With her mind racing, Peyton parked the car and ran inside the hospital, quickly locating the emergency room waiting area. She scanned the handful of people there, quickly locating her father. "Dad", Peyton started as she briskly walked towards him. Stacy jumped to meet her as Peyton got closer, "Now Peyton he's fine, calm down ... it was a false alarm, no harm done", she said as she attempted to smooth things over. Peyton hesitated a second, wondering should she knock this lady out right now and save her Dad from making a huge mistake or not. Opting out of it, she side stepped her and kneeled in front of Larry. "Dad, what happened ... are you okay, is everything okay ... just tell me what's going on." Larry smiled endearingly at Peyton, placing his hand on her cheek, "Now honey I'm fine ... it was just a little scare. The doctor just wants to run a few more tests before he clears me to go home. You don't have to worry ... Stacy is taking good care of me." Peyton looked at Stacy who was now standing by Larry, with her hand upon his shoulder. Rolling her eyes, Peyton turned back to her father, "Well, how about I stay here with you ... we can give Stacy a break ... and then I can drive you home and stay with you. I'm sure Stacy has some shopping to do.". Stacy jumped in, "No, no ... I want nothing more than to be with my Larry baby. I need to know he is going to be okay!". Wondering if she could be anymore fake Peyton turned back to her dad, "Are you sure you don't need me to stay with you", she asked hopefully. "No hun ... I'll be fine. You aren't going to be in town much longer and I'm sure there's more things you'd rather be doing than staying home with your old father. Just go have a good day ... and maybe we'll eat dinner around 7? Stacy can cook a great roast!", Larry said with slight strain ... obviously showing exhaustion, and a need for rest. Not to argue or be difficult, seeing as she could tell her dad was really tired, Peyton conceded. "Alright ... just keep the phone by the bed and I'll give you a call when I'm on my way home. Call me if you need anything Dad." Peyton stood, leaned down to kiss her father's cheek, turned and left, not once acknowledging Stacy.

It was obvious that Peyton refused to give Stacy a chance. She  couldn't understand what her father saw in her, and why he even needed to start a relationship at his age, and in his condition. Her dad met Stacy about 5 months ago, around the time he was diagnosed with cancer, and their relationship has moved at the speed of light. It was just a week ago they were actually discussing moving in together. Stacy was at least 15 years younger than her father, and Peyton just felt her he was being completely unreasonable in getting involved with her so quickly. Despite her utter disgust for this ditzy, blonde bombshell, Peyton loved her father, and she could see how happy he was with her, and how much he truly loved her, so Peyton tried her best to not be difficult. It didn't mean she had to be nice to her ... it just took everything to just ignore her, and Peyton was trying her hardest! She did everything just to see her father happy, that's all that mattered to Peyton now. The doctors were unsure of how long treatments would be necessary, and if they would even be able to cure the cancer with treatment. Luckily, the cancer was pretty stagnant for now, not spreading rapidly, or even slowly for that matter. For some reason, it was going at a crawl, if going at all, and that was one thing Peyton was thankful for. She just felt that if she could hold on till he was okay, and treatment was over, he wouldn't need Stacy anymore, and everything would be back to normal ... back to just the two of them.

Reaching for her keys, Peyton felt her phone vibrating in her back pocket. She stopped walking, grabbing her phone to check who was calling her. Smiling she recognized the "mystery man" who had replied to her ad to buy her car, "Well yes Mr. Scott, how may I help you", she said, holding the phone to her ear. The voice on the other end was not the one she was expecting, "PEYTON! So it is true ... Nathan told me, but I just didn't believe him, well b/c you know how he loves surprises and tricking people, but yeah ... how are you? Where are you!? Weren't you here???". "Haley! Hey ... yeah, I was there, I just had .... something to do that couldn't wait. Sorry I had to split so soon", Peyton said dodging the truth. She just hadn't told anyone about her father's condition, and didn't feel now was the best time. Reunion's with long lost friends aren't meant for catching up on family health history. Haley excitedly rambled on, while Peyton began to zone out. Quickly she forced herself to focus, turning Haley's mumbles into words, "...so, I really think you should come back over. Eveyone is still here, and it would just be so great to catch up!", Haley finished. "You know", Peyton began ... hesitating, b/c lieing just came far to easy for her, "...can I take a rain check? I am just really tired from the drive...and I would really like to just rest a little. Maybe I'll give you a call later ... we can have dinner or something?". She could hear the disappointment in Haley's voice, but knew it was unlike her to hold it against her, "Yeah ... that's fine. We will be here for awhile, so just give us a call when you get up. Hope to talk to you soon!". Peyton agreed, and with quick goodbyes they hung up. Peyton looked at her phone as she slipped it back into her back pocket, grabbed her keys, and jumped in her car. She wasn't tired ... and she didn't want to go back to her house and rest ... that would involve seeing Stacy. She just needed a place to go ... where she could think ... starting the car, she knew just the spot.

"Well I'm here to pick up some clunker that's way over priced if you ask me", he said after taking off his helmet. Peyton could hardly hide her excitement, "Nathan Scott! How long has it been?", she asked as she ran to give him a hug. "Oh too long Miss Sawyer!", he exclaimed after lifting her from the ground in a huge hug, "how have you been?". "Oh, you know, just gettin' by ... and Hales and Brian? How are they? Actually where are they ...", Peyton said laughing to herself for just now noticing they weren't there. "Well, Haley is doing good, she's at the house with mom right now, letting the kids visit their Grandma", Nathan said, with obvious strain on "kids". She didn't even notice, "Awe, the kids ... I can't wait to see the-themmm ... Nathan KIDS! As in not just one!? You have got to be kidding me ...". Nathan laughed, "I was wondering if you were going to notice. Yes, I have KIDS. Brian now has a little brother, Joseph, and today's actually your lucky day Miss Sawyer, because it's Joseph's 2nd birthday, and all he asked for was for you to be his special guest!" Peyton laughed aloud, then it slowly faded out, "Wait, you're serious ... oh no no no, Nathan, no. These kids ... your kids don't know me! I haven't seen Brian since he was born, and Joseph, Joseph doesn't even know I exist!". "Well, that's where you're wrong", he said as he put his arms around Peyton's shoulders and led her back to her car. He reached to open her door as she jumped back in front of him holding her hands up, "Okay, okay ... I give. I'll go, but just to say hi. Deal?". Grinning because he knew he had won, he opened Peyton's car door, "Well then follow me ... if you can keep up!". "Ha ha .. funny. I'm not the father of two here!", she said as she climbed in, closing the door behind her. Laughing to herself she reached to start her car, wondering what other surprises this trip back to Tree Hill was going to bestowe on her.

She had come back to visit her father, picking up some final belongings, and meeting who she thought was a potential buyer of her car. She had to admit, she was a little relieved that she wasn't getting rid of her baby just yet. It held so many memories. As she followed Nathan out of the parking lot she started to think back on the night of graduation ... The day had been crazy, hectic to say the least. It was a total mayhem at school, the teachers struggling to keep everyones attention throughout each of their final classes. Luke, Nathan, Skillz, and some of the boys had ditched, and were out at the Rivercourt, playing a game for old times sake. Haley was at home, on bedrest, ordered by the doctor's since she was nearing her final two weeks, and Rachel had skipped out of town early for a photoshoot. Brooke had managed to get her grades up with Haley's help, but she still couldn't afford to miss any classes. So there we were, going class to class managing to stay somewhat calm, despite the events that the day would bring. Why was I there ... well, I was soaking in all of what was left. Remembering the school with a new peace of mind. Part of my steps towards letting go of the bad that the past held. Brooke and I were on good terms, still not like the old days, but we had somehow been able to build a newfound friendship, and I cherished it greatly. We seemed closer than before in a sense. I remember we left school that day together, and then we went to the Rivercourt's. I remember we sat on my hood, just like we had done many times before, watching the boys play like it was the last game of their lives. Skillz had managed to land a scholarship at the state university, and Nathan of course was going to Duke, and Lucas ... well Lucas just played for the love of the game. That was the day that we got the call ... Haley was having the baby. She was giving birth to Brian Lucas Scott. As I smiled to myself at how happy Nathan was that day, I noticed Nathan pulling into a gorgeous 2-story house. Man, Deb sure was doing well these days, I thought to myself. I took a deep breath as I turned off my car, obviously too nervous to notice the multitude of cars parked at the house. Climbing out of the car I looked around, admiring the house, the lawn, the flowers, the cars ... wait, the CARS! Peyton turned to Nathan, "I thought this was Joseph's birthday party, just you, Hales, Deb, Brian ... what's with the parade of cars?". Nathan gave his famous smirk and shrug, "I guess my mom is having a few more guests than I thought", he said and turned to walk in the house. Not wanting to be left out there alone Peyton stayed close on his tail, "Nathan ... Nathan ... who ...", and she could barely finish her sentence as two kids bombarded her as soon as Nathan opened the door. Picking the little boy up, and placing his other hand on the little girl's head that stood by his side he turned to Peyton, "Now, I know you remember Brian ... but do you remember Kayla?", he said looking at the little girl. Kaley looked up shyly at Peyton, then with a huge smile held out her hand, "My name is Kayla Marie Roe-Scott", she said in a small but steady voice. Peyton laughed, "Well, it's a pleasure to meet you, my name is Peyton Sawyer." Kayla's eyes doubled in size and her smile stretched further across her face, "My mommy has told me all about you. Let me go get my brother, he's been waiting to see you!", and with that she turned and disappeared around the corner. Peyton looked at Nathan, a look of confusion on her face, "Her brother? Who did Karen have another kid with?". As she was thinking about anything that she could've remembered ... was it possible she had twins? No. As I started to ask Nathan again I felt my phone vibrate in my jacket pocket. Reaching in, I pulled my phone out and glanced at the screen. Looking at Nathan I said, "Sorry, but I really have to take this", as I quietly stepped out the front door. What I was about to hear brought my world crashing down. I frantically pulled my keys out, jumped in my car, slamming the door, as I fumbled to put the keys in the ignition. This couldn't be happening ... not now ... not here. All these thoughts raced through my head as I pulled out and headed towards the hospital.