Here it is all, Chapter ONE of In Every Second of Everyday.

For those of you who followed Defining Happiness, thank you for sticking with me. I can promise you won't be disappointed. And to those you just happened upon this story, please give it a chance. And also, check out my other story which is named above.

This story is not for the faint of heart. It will be very traumatic, but at the same time has all of the Leyton fluff you need to survive. When I came up with the idea, and main plot for this story, the only thing I struggled with was trying to find away to get you all to read with out giving away that main purpose. BECAUSE there is only ONE plot line in this fanfiction. So we are going to leave the tag line as…

What happens when the most valuable person in your life, gets pulled out? Will you seek revenge? Or will you turn on the one you love? Will you isolate yourself from the world?

This first chapter is just a preparation. It introduces you to new characters that have a vital importance in my story. But also pay close attention to the details…they may be foreshadowing something larger?

Hold on tight.

Broken laugher admitted from the small girl kneeling on her chair at the kitchen table. A sheet of white paper spread out in front of her and an assortment of colored crayons lay scattered around the flat surface. Her sandy blonde curly hair fell in a curtain around her face, the ends just touching the table. Her hand moved in swift executive movements, educated for a five year old. Lucas Scott at work in front of the stove, turned to look at his daughter, who, as always, reminded him so much of her mother.

"What's so funny Sawyer Ana Scott?" He asked, ignoring the bacon sizzling in the pan.

The girl's green eyes moved up to meet her father's and a smile worked its way across her cheeks. "I'm not very good at this Daddy" She pushed the crayons off the sheet and held it up for him to examinant.

"And why would you think that?" He turned off the burner and squatted down in front of the girl, taking the drawing in his hand.

"Cause Mommy's pictures look better than mine." She explained. "And I use more colors."

"Well I think yours is much better than Mommy's drawings. I'm even going to hang it up on the fridge." He went to walk away but Sawyer shot out of her seat.

"Wait Daddy; I need to write my name on it" Luke handed her the picture and she climbed back into the wooden chair. She picked up her favorite blue crayon and spoke out loud while writing. "S-A-W-Y-E-R-S-C-O-T-T." She jumped back down at attention and handed back her master piece for him to stick up with a magnet. "I'm going to be all ready for kindergarten, Aunt Brooke says, cause I can already spell my name and color in the lines in a coloring book."

"You just have to learn to stay asleep during nap time. No stalling, do you understand? No, I need a drink of water or my tummy feels funny." He tickled her sides gently and she giggled in response.

"I know Mommy already told me not to be an instigator, especially because me and Michael are going to be in the same class. But Mike is always the instigator, not me."

"Not you, huh?" He raised his eye brows at her and lifted her tiny body up into his arms while he dished out breakfast on the counter. "Now whose idea was it to go outside on the swing set last weekend without Aunt Haley's permission."

"The door was wide open!" She yelled in defense. "And besides, I didn't think she would mind."

Lucas set her tiny feet back on the linoleum. "Whatever smarty pants, go get your mom and tell her it's almost time to eat."

She crossed her arms and backed down the hallway, opening up her parent's bedroom door without a knock. The room was illuminated from the sun's rays, entering through the open window besides the bathroom door. Sawyer climbed up onto the empty side of the bed and lifted her father's pillow off the mattress before swinging it in her arms and smacking her mother upside the head.

"Hey" The woman whined, covering her head with her arms. "That's not nice"

The five year old, dropped the pillow back in its original spot and positioned her legs parallel against her mother's side. "Daddy said that my picture is better than all of yours put together and he even hung it up on the fridge." Sawyer bragged as Peyton rolled on her back to look up at her daughter, an arm wrapping around Sawyer's knees.

"Is that so?" She asked, pushing the hair out of the child's face. The girl nodded with a gleaming and satisfied look upon her innocent face. "Well that's because you're better than me"

Her tiny face scrunched up in confusion. "I don't think so. You don't have to lie to me, I'm five you know and I'm going to be in kindergarten. I'm practically all grown up."

"Practically" Peyton emphasized. Sawyer laid down besides her mother, stomach pressed against the mattress while resting her chin in her palms.

"Are we going school shopping today Mommy?"

Peyton shrugged. "Maybe; I'm kind of tired and I feel a headache coming on from being beat with a pillow. Why, did you want to?"

"I thought we were going with Aunty Haley and Michael to pick out a backpack around lunch time. And Aunt Brooke said that she would come if she didn't have to work. That's what they old me and we can't ditch them Mommy that's not nice and-"

"Sawyer, relax kid." She rubbed the bangs that lay above her child's forehead. "We are meeting Aunt Haley and Michael at the mall at eleven."

"What about Aunty Brooke?" The curly blonde moaned.

"Why don't you call her after breakfast and see what she's got going on?"

"Oh yeah, that's why I came in here. Daddy said to tell you that it's almost time to eat and he made bacon and waffles, so come on." She pulled lightly on her mother's arm and then jumped to the floor. "Will you carry me?"

Peyton sat up and raised her eye brows playfully. "First you smack me over the head and then you want me to carry you? No way kiddo"

"Please Mommy?" She bat her long eye lashes, and upturned her tiny nose.

The mother stepped out from the covers and held her arms out towards Sawyer, rolling her eyes. The child jumped up into her arms, sitting upon Peyton's hip. "Ugh, so heavy!" She groaned and carried her out into the hallway. When entering the kitchen she stood by Lucas who was holding a plate of food in his hands. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek softly before taking the plate from him.

"I can't believe you're carrying her." He commented. "She's a beast now!" She was placed down onto her booster seat at the kitchen table.

"Am not!" The five year old whined, but smiled as Peyton set the plate in front of her.

Lucas joined them with two more plates and sat down. He passed one to Peyton and lifted his fork off the table to start his food.

"So I was thinking." Sawyer started, her mouth filled waffle. "I finally decided what I want for my birthday."

"Finally!" Peyton had gasped in surprise. "It only took you two weeks."

"I told you I needed more time to think." She clarified.

"So what did you decided on? A new bike like Michael?" Luke asked, giving his daughter his full attention.

"Well it's something that Mike has and I don't, but not a bike."

"What is it Sawyer?" Peyton placed her fork down, her eyes lining with Luke's in a curious grin.

"Well Michael has Jamie and Emily"

Peyton went pale. "Oh" She whispered.

"And I kind of want one of those. You know, a brother or sister."

How do you downsize a situation or fall lost to what's already happened? You can't explain it to a four year old that God just won't let it be, or that it's far too complicate. This will arise questions.

She'll ask, "But why mom? It's so easy for other people. How can it be complicated?"

This'll bring tears to the mother's eyes as she looks to her husband for help. He raises his shoulders, like a man, and stares down at his plate.

"We'll go look at the bikes today. I'm sure you can find one just like Michael's. Except green with pink ribbons."

Sawyer, bewildered, started at her mother, confusion stricken across her face. Had she not heard what she was asking for? "No Ma, I already have a bike. I don't care if it's not like Mike's. I want a brother or sister"

"Baby," Peyton swooned. "Not this time around."

"Not for my birthday?"

Peyton shook her head as Sawyer looked to her father. "You can have anything else." Lucas inquired.

Sawyer's eyes enlarged. "But this is what I really want. Even Aunt Brooke can-"

"No Sawyer" Peyton yelled firmly, her hands slamming down beside her plate.

Without a sound, Sawyer stood up from her seat and walked to her room. Peyton and Lucas stared at each other, pained for themselves and their daughter.

"We can adopt" Luke suggested, pulling Peyton into his lap.

She nodded and rested her head against his chest. "We can try again"

He pulled her chin and pressed their lips together. He shook his head against her and after they pulled apart said, "No"

"But-"

"No Peyton. I don't care what happened last time. She was a miracle, what happened defied all odds, but I don't have the will to test fate again. You probably could pull through a second time but I'm just too damn selfish to let you try. If I lost you, I'd, I wouldn't be much help to anyone. I don't think I could recover. You and Sawyer are my everything Peyt, so no"

"I know, but-"

"No Peyton. Please!" His voice trailed off.

She stood up off his lap. "Can you go tell Sawyer to get dressed and to be ready to leave by ten thirty?"

"Where are you going?" Luke asked as he watched her walk down the hall.

"Shower" And she shut the bedroom door behind her.

Luke waited until he had cleaned the unfinished breakfast mess before knocking on Sawyer's bedroom door.

"If it's mom, go away" Her little voice responded.

"It's me" Luke whispered and the door was opened for him.

"You can come in but I am not in a happy mood" She crossed her arms and sat on the edge of her full sized bed.

"Mom says to be ready to leave by ten thirty"

Sawyer laid across the sheets, burying her face. "I don't want to go anymore. The thought of being with her makes me cringe"

Lucas rolled his eyes at his brilliant, and sometimes over dramatic, five year old. "Well you have to get new school supplies."

She rubbed her chin, thinking carefully. "You can give me money and I'll go with Aunt Haley. You have to drop me off too"

"Mommy has all the money, so you'll just have to talk to her" He instructed.

"Fine, I'll go with mom, but I won't talk to her ever." She stomped over to her closet and stood cross armed in front of her clothes. "Will you help me pick?"

Luke joined her by the door and peered inside. This was normally Peyton's job. "Put on your Beatles Submarine T shirt and whatever pants you want."

"Will you do my hair?" She asked, her green eyes glowed.

He scratched his head and sighed. "You know that's more of your moms deal and not mine."

She huffed, aggravated. "Fine. Leave so I can change" Lucas kissed his daughter's cheek and left the room, waiting for his wife to get out of the shower.

-X--X-

The car ride to the mall was silent as death. Peyton looked into her rear view mirror at Sawyer, hair a mess, in her car seat, arms crossed, and angered facial features stricken across her skin.

"I wanted daddy to come" She mumbled to herself and Peyton looked back at the roads.

"Did you call Brooke?" Peyton asked, trying to start conversation with her stubborn five year old.

Humff. "If I was talking to you I would say no and that I need to use your cell phone. " Peyton reached her hand into the back seat and dropped her cell in Sawyer's lap.

Being the genius that the girl was, she dialed Brooke's number in three short clicks and was quickly connected.

"Hey Slut" Brooke's voice rang and Sawyer giggled into the speaker.

"It's not who you think it is Aunt Brooke."

"Oh Sh-" She took a deep breath. "Crap, sorry kiddo; I thought it was your mommy."

"No, It's Sawyer Scott Aunt Brooke."

The brunette laughed into her phone. "How can I help you Cookie Monster?"

Sawyer giggled again at the use of her frequently used nickname. "Are you coming shopping with me and Jamie and Aunt Haley and Mike today?" She asked.

"What about your mom? She's not going?"

"No she's going, we're just not speaking at the moment."

"Utoh kid, spill your guts"

"I'll tell you later, when she's not listening to us"

"Be nice SoSo, your mommy's the only one you've got and she loves you so be thankful. And I am going to the mall; I'm on my way right now."

Sawyer kicked her legs, aggravated that her Aunt Brooke didn't know the situation and was still picking her mother's side. "I will tell you later and then we'll see whose side you're on." She shut the phone and leaned forward to place it on the center console to her mother's right.

"Did you hang up on Brooke!?" Peyton half yelled. Glaring at Sawyer from the rear view mirror. "What have I told you about that? It's not nice."

The girl's arms recrossed and she turned her head towards the window, silencing whatever else she had to say.

Upon arriving at the mall in downtown Wilmington, Peyton forced Sawyer to hold her hand while crossing the parking lot.

"If you don't hold my hand then we are getting back in the car and you can forget about new school supplies."

"But-"Peyton held her hand out for her daughter and she took it unwillingly. "You are so mean" She whispered but Peyton had heard it.

How had this all started in the first place? Sawyer had a temper, Peyton knew that, the whole god damn world knew that. They entered through the front entrance and met the other half of the Scott family that had already arrived.

"Aunt Brooke!" Sawyer cheered and jumped up into her arms.

"Sweetie careful" Peyton reminded her and gently nudged her own stomach. The girl's face fell and she locked her eyes on Brooke's.

"I'm sorry, I forgot." She tried to wiggle out of Brooke's arms but her hold on the girl was too tight.

Brooke shook her head. "It's not a problem." She looked up at Peyton and half smiled. "We're okay" She kissed Sawyer's forehead and then set her back down on the ground.

"What no love for boring Aunt Haley?" Haley asked, holding her arm's out to her favorite niece.

"You're not boring Aunt Haley" Sawyer said, embracing her aunt's waist with her arms and then moving over to hug her favorite cousin Jamie. "Jamie why are you here?"

"I need new school supplies too short stuff." Her eleven year old cousin gave her a high five. "And I need to make sure Mike doesn't pick out anything too girly"

"I would not pick out anything girly!" Michael yelled defensively. "You're just-"

"Alright, alright" Haley held her hand up. "Can we just make it through today with no more arguments, no nothing, just nice mall behavior?"

"I wish I had a brother to at least argue with." Sawyer looked over her shoulder at her mother, who had pulled her sunglasses back on over her eyes. "But that's too much to ask."

Haley and Brooke shared a confused glance as Peyton bit her lip. "Why don't we check out the shoe store first?" Haley suggested as they all followed her down the hall and into Pay Less. The kid's roamed free, all looking at kicks that tickled their fancy. Jamie ran right to the basketball sneakers in the back, and Michael followed, knowing the only way to make any friends at school would be to follow his big brother's lead. Sawyer stayed towards the front of the store, parking herself in front of the rack of colored converse.

"So what's going on P. Scott?" Brooke asked, facing her best friend. Haley joined their pow wow and raised her eyes when Peyton removed her sunglasses from her bloodshot eyes. "Woah, Peyton, I mean she's only five years old, what happened?"

Peyton shook her head, taking a deep breath as she willed her tears to stop. "She finally figured out what she wanted for her birthday." She rubbed her forehead to distract her emotions. "And I don't know if I can give it to her."

"Sweetie, I don't understand." Brooke ran her fingers up and down Peyton's arm.

"She wants what Michael has" Her eyes locked on Haley's. "A brother and sister"

"Oh" Knowing the key facts of Peyton's first pregnancy, they knew that the situation dug deep. She had experienced a lot of difficulties and was convinced that she would lose that baby or her life. Luckily, they'd both made it out okay. Both had also heard from Lucas that trying again could lead to a similar situation that would more than likely end Peyton's life. Her body was put through so much trauma the first time, it might not be able to pull through a second.

"And when I mentioned trying again Lucas shot it down so fast."

"Honey, he almost lost the two most important people in his life in one foul swoop." Haley commented. "Letting you get back into that may be the hardest thing he'll ever have to do."

"I know, I know, and I fully understand, but I can't explain that to Sawyer. I can't! It's already breaking her heart. We give her everything she wants, mainly because she never asks for anything and I can't give her this. I want to, but I can't and she's so angry!"

Haley and Brooke embraced the gangly blonde in their arms, holding her securely. "What about adoption?"

"We've considered it" Peyton admitted. "But I know that we both want it for real. If it comes down to it, that'll be the way we go. She just makes me feel so horrible, like I'm doing this to her out of spite."

"Honey she's a five year old girl with an adapted bitchy attitude. What can you except? And she's smarter than you give her credit for. Explain to her the situation and I'm positive she'll understand and apologize."

"I'm not looking for an apology. I just feel horrible for myself, and for Lucas. And this whole thing is a mess."

"Aunt Brooke!" Sawyer's young voice called out as she ran over to her aunt carrying a pair of purple low top converse. "Aren't these awesome!? You think I should get these for my new school shoes?"

Brooke laughed and rested her hand on the girl's shoulder. "I think you already have a pair just like that. Why don't we go see what else is over there?"Brooke and Sawyer left the women to take inventory of the other shoes.

Haley gave Peyton an apologetic smile. "Is Emily with Nathan?"

The curly brunette nodded. "Yup, she finally got more than five hours of sleep, so Nathan was going to take her over to visit Uncle Lucas later"

Peyton half smiled. "That's nice. Emily is his favorite niece."

"Hey Peyt," Haley touched the back of her friend's hand. "I think you can do it. I'm not telling you to do anything that could possibly harm you, but you are strong and have overcome every horrible thing that has ever happened to you. I think you could have another baby with no problems. But you have to talk about it with Lucas, and maybe get the doctor's insight before trying. It may not be as bad as the two of you have come to believe."

"I would do anything. You know me; the rebel." She laughed at her sad excuse of a joke. "I'll do anything, risk everything, for myself and what I want."

"Think about it Peyton, plan it out." She smiled at her friend while pulling out a tissue for her friend to blot her eyes. "You have fate on your side." She took a deep breath, trying to rid herself of the horrible feelings that had been bestowed upon her. "I'm going to go check on my boys." She left Peyton's side, leaving her alone only momentarily. Brooke approached her carrying a pair of tiny black ballet flats with white music notes etched into the fabric.

"Very nice!" Peyton exclaimed, reaching out to take the shoes. "Did they fit all right?" She looked down to Sawyer, whose arms were still crossed. She remained unresponsive.

"They fit nice, right kiddo?" Brooke asked. Sawyer nodded.

After everyone had paid for their respective new shoes, they met in the front of the store and decided to do some clothes shopping in one of the department stores. So they made their way to Sears, kids out in front, Jamie holding Sawyer's hand, and Mike walking dazedly besides them.

They paired off into teams after entering the store. Haley was torn towards the men's department with her two boys while Brooke supplied Peyton her support while shopping with Sawyer in the women's.

"Aunt Brooke!" Sawyer jumped excitedly. "Look at these cool shirts. They have funny faces on them don't they."

"Little Miss Sunshine" Brooke read off the shirt. "Well that's definitely for you, isn't it?"

"No, I'm not sunshine. What does that one say Aunt Brooke?" She pointed to the purple T next to the first.

"Little Miss Naughty." Brooke laughed.

Sawyer glanced over her shoulder at her mother. "Well I know who that one is for"

Ouch, Peyton breathed. Maybe I should have just explained it.

Brooke squeezed Peyton's arm, and they continued to make their rounds. Both groups ended at the changing rooms.

"Will you go in with me Aunt Brooke?"

Brooke sighed. "I think that's more of a job for your mother, dontcha think?"

The little girl shook her head and pouted. "No, I want you to go in with me!"

Peyton shrugged, giving Brooke a small smile, telling her that it was fine. As she was left alone, standing willingly, by the entrance to the changing stations, she pulled out her cell phone. Tapping her foot, begging her fingers to do the work. After the numbers had been pressed, she pulled the phone against her ear and listened to the dial tone.

"Hey Blondie" His voice answered, and brought a respective smile to her face. "How can I help you?"

She sighed. "I think I'm going to tell her the truth."

"Now?" He asked semi alarmed.

"I don't know, but she's so angry! And I don't know what's killing me more, her anger or the situation."

Lucas, feeling her troubles, slumped against the living room entrance. "She's only five."

"I know, I know Luke, but I think she can handle it. It would help her to understand our take on it better. Right now she just thinks I'm a horrible person who yells at her and doesn't give her what she really wants."

"Peyton, she's just being stubborn. She's just like her mother in that way. Her attitude will blow over and she'll be back in your arms."

"She is not like me in that way!" Peyton defended her self.

He laughed in response, shaking his head playfully. "You remember last weekend when you were piss drunk and you thought I had seduced you, and I spent the whole night convincing you that you had asked for it. And you ignored me all night and made me sleep on the floor, and then remembered the next morning and apologized. Yea, she's nothing like her mother at all."

"Fine, I'll admit that at times she acts similar to the ways I do, but I wouldn't call that a bad thing. She could be taking after you!" Peyton teased.

"And what's so wrong with that?" He asked.

"Lets just say I saved her from an annoying squinting habit and a broody disposition."

"You secretly want a kid that does all of those things and you know it!" He paused and mentally smacked himself. She sighed heavily into the phone. "You talk to her if you want to. I'm sure she'll understand."

"Okay, talk to you later."

"I love you" He whispered.

"Love you too Luke" And hung up her cell, shoving it back into her back pocket.

In the changing room, Brooke was helping Sawyer pull one of her new shirts over her head. They admired her view in the mirror as a smile gleamed over the little girls face.

"I like this one!" She exclaimed.

"You like them all" Brooke laughed and ran a hand through Sawyer's sandy blonde hair.

"But I really like this one!" Brooke helped her take that shirt off as they continued on down through the pile.

"Hey SoSo, can I ask you something?" Sawyer shrugged, turning to face her aunt, as she pulled off another pair of new pants. "Who's your best friend in the whole world?"

Sawyer tapped her chin like she did every time when she had something important to think about. "Well, I have TWO best friends, but I love everybody the same, so don't worry Aunt Brooke, I love you just as much as I love my best friends."

Brooke smiled sweetly at the girl. "But who are your best friends?" She pressed on.

The girl shrugged again, wondering why it was so important. "My mom and Dad"

"So if you're mom's one of your best friends, why are you so angry at her?"

Sawyer huffed and started to pull back on the clothes she had come in. "Cause she yelled at me and slammed her hands down on the table. Cause it didn't make any sense. You can have a baby,"
Sawyer pointed towards her aunt's stomach. "And Aunt Haley can have three babies, but Mommy and Daddy only want one, and it's getting kind of lonely. Cause when mommy and daddy are busy, it's just me."

"I think you need to ask your mom about it first before you get angry at her. The truth is you're making her feel really bad and she doesn't need that from you, because you are the most important person in her life and she loves you."

The five year old nodded and gathered her clothes in her arms. "I'll think about it."

They all met back in the front of the store after purchasing their new school clothes. Sawyer's hand was clasped in Brooke's while Peyton held her daughter's two bags.

"Mom!" Michael whined. "I'm hungry. Can we get lunch before we pick out our backpacks and get school supplies?"

The adults looked at each other, silently agreeing that that would be best. So they took off towards the food court. Sawyer had dropped Brooke's hand and was now holding on tightly to Jamie's. Michael had stopped to kneel at the edge of a giant fountain.

"Mommy can I have a penny to throw into the fountain?"

Haley reached into her pocket dividing her change between the three kids, Jamie only participating to humor the younger children. "Are you guys gonna make a wish?" She asked.

"Yeah!" Sawyer exclaimed. "For good things." She ran over towards the fountain, her hair flowing behind her. She held the penny in her clasped hands, close to her heart, her eyes shut tightly. She opened her eyes quickly, locking her eyes on her mother's before tossing the penny over her head and into the fountain. A smile grew over her face and she bound back over towards her family, skipping slightly. They all continued back towards the food court, Sawyer walking behind the group, playfully stalling as she looked in all the shop entrances. Everyone walked on, Michael gripping Haley's hand tightly and Jamie falling into conversations with Peyton and Brooke.

"Where should we eat?" Haley asked, standing center of the large plaza. The adults looked around at the various signs, shrugging.

"Maybe the kids will be better at this?" Brooke suggested and they looked down at Mike, whose eyes were large.

"I don't know!" He held his mother's hand tighter.

", where's miniyou? Wasn't she right behind you?"

Peyton's head whipped around at her knee level, searching for her five year old daughter. She'd been walking right behind them, hadn't she?

Soon Brooke was retracing their steps, walking back towards the shops. Haley gripped Michael's hand tighter as she pulled him towards her. Peyton was quickly following after her friend, heart racing, her mind still in a fog.

"Sawyer" Peyton's voice reached out.

"Sawyer" Haley echoed.

Brooke came to walk beside's Peyton, whose head was still rapidly rotating in every direction. She gripped her friend's hand, giving it a small squeeze. "Peyt, you stay around here, and I'll keep walking back this way. She probably just got caught up looking at something."

"No no, Brooke" Peyton whispered. "What if someone grabbed her?"

The brunette shook her head. "Shh, honey, stay here and don't panic." Brooke left Peyton's side and walked down the right strip of mall.

Her hand came up to rest on her lips as her forehead creased. Haley rested her hand on Peyton's shoulder. "Jamie went the other way; just in case she passed by us." Her sister in law nodded. "Peyt, relax, kids walk off all the time…And she's smart."

"She wouldn't just walk off, she's not, oh god, what if she did. I'm supposed to watch her and I-"

"Mommy!" A little voice called out. Peyton found her feet and began walking towards the sound. "Mom!"

Brooke, who had heard the cries, bobbed her head up and down besides Peyton, looking for the source of the cries. Peyton, seeing her daughter's messy curly blonde hair, barreled towards the entry to the pet shop. Sawyer, seeing her mother, ran towards her, arms out stretched. Peyton lifted her daughter into her arms, and held her small body against her chest.

"Why didn't you stay with us baby?" She asked. "I was so afraid."

"I'm sorry mommy, I was looking at the puppies and then you were gone and I was scared too." She cried and buried her head into her mother's lighter hair. Peyton went to place Saywer back on the ground so she could see her face and Sawyer made a noise in protest. "No mommy, hold me please. I promise I won't ask for a baby anymore and I won't be angry, just hold me."

Brooke and Haley looked on and they couldn't help but smile in relief and awe.

-X--X-

Later that night, Sawyer slept securely in her bed, covers tucked in around her ears and Peyton and Lucas lay in their respective bed, having one of their late night conversations. Peyton lay on her side facing Lucas, one of her legs draped over his and her head relaxed against his chest. He pressed his face into the top of her hair, breathing deeply.

"What are you thinking about Blondie?" He inquired, tracing his fingers against her hip bone.

"Sawyer's starting Kindergarten tomorrow and it's her first year in school and I'm just nervous. Maybe if we had put her in a preschool program I would have felt better about this."

Luke smiled as he leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I'm more worried about the fact that the Kindergarten program is in Tree Hill High now and she's going to have to walk around with all those lunatics."

"Luke, it may be conjoined, but the whole classroom is separate from the rest of the school; they have their own front entrance and everything."

"Hey, those kids can still walk right in with my kid."

"Our kid." She rubbed his chest with her hand.

"Yes, our kid, sorry." He rolled on top of her, pinning her down, and pressed his lips to hers. When he pulled back, she was smiling. "So you've recovered since losing our kid in the mall?"

"Shut up" She smacked his chest with the back of her hand. He lowered himself onto her, trapping her hand underneath him. "It was an honest mistake"

"Say's the one who came home in tears…"

"Hey, for the good portion of the minute she was missing, I was terrified someone had stolen her." Luke shook his head and captured her lips again. She pulled her hand out from under him and ran her fingers down his backside. They then worked their way under his shirt where they rested on his warm skin. He held her cheeks between his hands and dove his tongue in her mouth to mingle with hers. She couldn't help but smile in response to this sudden need and desire for her. She detached her lips from his, pushing back into her pillow, only to pull the shirt over his head. Their lips came together once again as she moved her hands to the front of his body, resting them against his toned chest. She nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth and he moaned in response.

"What's got you all hot and heavy?" She asked as he pulled her shirt over her head, silencing her with his hard lips. She shook her head and bore her eyes up at him.

"My kid's going to be in Kindergarten tomorrow. I'm just proving to you that I'm not old."

"No one ever said you were." She laughed and leaned up to press her lips against his jaw.

"No one had to; I'm going to be thirty soon." He laid his hand flat against her bare stomach, sending shivers up her spine. His fingers danced at the waist band of her shorts.

"Luke" She cried out with an embarrassed giggle. "You're twenty seven, that's three years away from thirty."

"Too early for midlife crisis?" He asked.

"Way too early" She responded and tried to push him off of her. He raised his eye brows at her playfully. "What?" Peyton questioned.

"I'm just getting started baby, don't push me away." His lips were instantly back on hers and she realized, it really was, just the beginning.

Any ideas? Seep far enough into the foreshadowing?

REVIEW!

Maygen.