Disclaimer: I do not own any of the OTH characters... I only own Mallory!

A/N: Ok guys, so here is my latest story! I hope you guys like it, I came up with the idea the other day! Please review... there's more to come!

"Daddy wake up! I'm hungry and I wanna go see Grandma Karen," a little five year old girl yelled while shaking her father from his sleep.

"Mallory, give me a few more minutes of sleep then I'll take you," he said still half asleep.

"No, wake up! Remember you said that we could spend the day together at the River Court with Uncle Luke. Get up!" she said nudging him in the side.

"I'm up! You happy now," he grumpily replied.

"Yes, I'm rather pleased. Now I gotta go get dressed," she said laughing at him before running off to her room.

He went and looked at himself in the mirror. This is how it was pretty much every morning. He was miserable without his wife, but he had a daughter that needed him so he stayed strong. It had been three years since his wife, Peyton, had passed away from breast cancer.

He was a wreck for about six months after her death. His family stepped up and helped out with Mallory. Nathan used to be a fun outgoing guy, but now he was just lonely. He chose not to date anyone since her death, even though his brother tried his best. They both worked at Keith's Dealership with their dad and his mom watched Mallory during the day at the cafe.

She was going into kindergarten in a few months. She was rather excited to be going to a real school. She had fun at the café where she spent everyday hanging out with her grandma and all the customers fell in love with the little girl. She looked a lot like her mom except for her blue eyes, and she acted just like Nathan, even had his trademark smirk.

Nathan hardly ever talked about Peyton, and everyone knew not to bring up her name because it hurt too much. Mallory had a few pictures of her, but she was only two when she had passed away so she never really knew her. Karen would tell her different stories about her though and how she was such a wonderful person.

Nathan found Mallory downstairs waiting on him. "You ready kiddo," he asked.

"Oh daddy, can I get chocolate chip pancakes this morning?" she asked as they were driving to the café.

"Sweetie, considering Grandma Karen spoils you rotten, I bet she will make them for you," he joked.

They arrived at Karen's Café and went to their usual booth. Karen walked over and asked, "So what can I get for my two favorite people?"

"I'll have the usual and the little one will have Grandma's special since you spoil your grandchild," he added.

"Well I can't help it if your brother won't meet a girl and give me more grandkids," she joked.

"Did I hear my name?" Luke asked walking over and sitting down next to Mallory, "How's my favorite niece doing this morning?" he asked.

"Uncle Luke, I'm your only niece silly," she said with a laugh.

"I guess it's a good thing then because I don't know if anyone could replace you," he said leaning down and tickling her.

"Uncle Luke…" she replied out of breath while everyone just laughed.

"Mal, how about you come help me with breakfast?" Karen asked.

"K Grandma," she replied and followed her into the kitchen.

"So how are you today?" Luke asked once they were gone.

"Same as always," Nathan replied, "you know you don't have to watch over me anymore though. I've come out of that shell I was in. Plus it's been three years. I've accepted her loss."

Luke always worried about his brother especially after Peyton died. He was there for him in through some of his darkest days, but he had to admit those days had been over for awhile. "So you are finally going to teach Mal how to shoot?" he said.

"Yea she's been begging me now for days," Nathan answered.

Karen and Mallory came out a few minutes later with breakfast. They all ate while Karen went and took care of her other customers. Then the boys took Mallory to the River Court to shoot some hoops.

After about thirty minutes, Mallory got tired and went and sat down while the boys played one on one.