"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.