Ten Years Later
"Hello, Jesse, Lucas, can one of you answer the door!" Peyton called through the house. She was wrapped in a towel and walking from the bathroom to her bedroom and someone was knocking on the door. It must have been locked, because the only one she was expecting was Layton, and she always came right in.
There was no answer, so, carefully holding the towel around herself, Peyton made her way to the front door. She found that it was locked, which meant her son and husband must have left, because she always left the door unlocked.
She carefully pulled the door open and saw her daughter standing there. "Why didn't you use your key? That is why you have it you know," she complained as she walked to her room to put some clothes on.
Layton couldn't wait. Peyton hadn't moved five feet before she exclaimed, "I'm getting married!"
Peyton stopped in her tracks and turned around, forgetting the fact that she was still naked under the towel. "What?" she asked.
Layton started squealing and jumping up and down. "Jeremy finally asked me to marry him," she said, showing her mom the ring on the third finger of her left hand.
Peyton broke out of her shocked state and tried to pull her daughter in for a hug. Layton realized her mother's state of undress and stepped back. "Maybe you should put clothes on and then we'll talk," she said.
Lucas had just walked up to the front door, which Layton had left open, and heard the comment. "I don't mind if you stay like that," he said to his wife as he hugged his daughter.
Both Layton and Jesse, who had come up behind Lucas, groaned in disgust. "Okay, guys, don't be gross," Jesse said to his parents. He had grown up around it, so he was used to it, but Layton still didn't mind it as much as he did. He was also a nine year old, so he still thought girls had cooties.
Peyton turned and walked to her bedroom and came out not five minutes later, wearing a pair of worn jeans and a black Dashboard Confessional tee-shirt. She found Layton in the living room, sitting on the couch, with Lucas next to her and Jesse sitting on the loveseat.
Peyton sat on Lucas's lap. She could tell that Layton had already told him and he was trying to let it sink it. "Angel, I know you love him and he loves you, but are you sure he didn't just ask you because you're pregnant?" Peyton asked hesitantly. Layton had just found out a couple of days ago that she was pregnant.
Layton seemed a little hurt by her mother's question, but quickly shook that emotion off. "No, Mom, he didn't. He asked me today, before I even let him know that I'm pregnant. We went out to lunch today because we're going to dinner at Aunt Haley's, and I wanted to tell him before I let everyone else know. I was just about to tell him when he asked me to marry him, so of course I told him after that," she said with a smile.
Peyton smiled at her daughter. "That's great, Angel. I'm really happy for you. So, have you got an idea for a date of the wedding?" she asked.
Layton shrugged. "He just asked today, Mom. I want to do it soon, though, before I get fat," she answered.
Lucas spoke up for the first time. "It sure took him long enough to ask you," he said gruffly. He didn't want his little girl to be growing up so fast.
Peyton raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure my dad would have said the same thing to you, rake boy," she chided. "Actually, if I remember correctly, I asked you. So let's just thank God he isn't as bad as you were," she teased.
Lucas just smirked the Scott smirk right back at her. "Hey, I asked you twice before that. I think I deserve some credit," he teased her back.
Layton looked over at her brother, who rolled his eyes. "I think this is going to be one of those moments where Mom and Dad need time alone. So, do you want to ride over to Aunt Haley's with me?" she asked him.
Jesse thought about it. Then he looked over at his parents, who had started kissing on the couch. He jumped up. "Yeah, do you think Katie will be there yet?" he asked.
Jesse and Katie were the best of friends and even though they were still young, everyone could tell that they would probably be a couple one day. Layton laughed and ruffled her brother's blonde hair. "She just might be," she said. The boy was a spitting image of their father, except his eye color. His eyes were the same vivid green that belonged to their mother.
They didn't even bother saying bye to their parents. Not that Peyton and Lucas noticed that their kids left. They were too wrapped up in each other. A few minutes later Peyton pushed away and remembered that she had been mad at him. "Don't you have anything to say to me?" she asked.
Lucas feigned ignorance. "What are you talking about?" he asked. Peyton thought he really didn't know so she stood up, angry, and started to walk toward her room. Lucas stood and grabbed her arm before she could get anywhere. "Hey, wait, did you really think I forgot our anniversary? I'm not that stupid, Blondie," he said.
Peyton turned slowly to face him. "Do you really want me to comment on that, Scott?" she asked, one eyebrow raised.
Lucas held one hand over his heart and pretended to be wounded. "Ouch, you sure know how to hit where it hurts, Peyt," he replied.
Peyton held up her fists playfully. "You bet I do," she said, sticking her tongue out at him.
Lucas pulled her close to him. "You better put that tongue away unless you plan on using it," he said, jokingly. Peyton kept sticking her tongue out at him. "Promises, promises," he said before leaning in to kiss her.
Peyton broke away before his lips could reach hers. "Nope, we've got to get to Nathan and Haley's house," she said, pulling out of his arms and walking to the door. He followed her, trying to give her a puppy dog look.
Peyton knew what he was doing, but she just kept walking to the car. "Come on, we can just skip dinner," he said as she unlocked her car. Peyton just scrunched up her nose, shook her head and got in the car.
Lucas pulled the door to the house shut behind him and followed her to the car. When he got to the house he grabbed her wrist before she could get out of the car. "One last chance to get out of here," he offered with raised eyebrows.
Peyton leaned over and pretended that she was going to kiss him on the lips, but at the last second her lips changed route and she kissed him on the nose. "You are too cute, but no," she said before getting out of the car.
Lucas groaned as he got out of the car and followed her. "You are such a tease," he said playfully. Peyton stuck her tongue out at him again, but didn't say anything as she walked into the house. She went to the kitchen and Lucas went to the living room.
Haley, Karen, Deb and Brooke were in the kitchen, though Brooke was only there to talk. Peyton immediately jumped into the conversation. Layton, Kaycee, who had gotten married to Jamie and was pregnant with their third child, and Kyle's current girlfriend, Marissa soon joined them in the kitchen. They claimed they had to get away from all the men and little children in the living room, but they really just wanted to get in on the gossip.
In the living room Lucas, Nathan, Andy, Brian, Jamie and Jeremy were talking basketball. Kyle was talking about med school with Ethan. Lissa and Beth were talking about their latest crushes. Katie and Jesse were playing some kind of game while Kayla and Shawn, Jamie and Kaycee's children, followed them around.
It was hectic in the house, but they were all used to it, and wouldn't have it any other way. A lot had changed over the years, but the fact that they were a family, admittedly a growing family, would never change.
A/N: It's over. Wow. I had so much fun writing this fic, and I hope you all had just as much fun reading it. I enjoyed all of the reviews I got, every single one of them. I already have a few other story ideas in mind, but I'm not sure how fast I'll get them up. Thanks again for reading my fic, I never really expected it to be this long, but it was. I dunno what else to say, except thanks again to all the reviewers, that's what kept it going.
B/N: The Author forgot 'The End'.
Disclaimer: I don't, in any way, own any part of One Tree Hill. I don't even own my plot or characters, really, so I own nothing. I just enjoy playing with characters that don't belong to me.