Chapter 49

Peyton is awaken by a soft knock on the door. She looks around and is surprised to see an empty room. She walks over to the door and opens it.

"Good morning, dear" Gwen says "Avery is starting to stir so we thought we'd all gather in the living room to do Christmas morning"

Peyton looks at her "Oh, is that where Lucas is? He didn't wake me?"

"Yes, everyone but you, Brooke and Avery are downstairs."

"Oh, I'm sorry" Peyton says then she looks at Gwen "Are you in Christmas pajamas?"

"Yes" Gwen says

"So you still need to get dressed?"

"No" Gwen says "We've decided to all stay in our jammies. Most people do not get dressed on Christmas morning."

Peyton smiles "Ok, I'm just going to brush my teeth and get my slippers. Please, come in"

Gwen comes in and Peyton quickly brushes her teeth and then gets her slippers on. They walk down the hallway to Brooke's room just as the door opens.

"Merry Christmas!" Peyton says

"Lucas said to come down in my pjs and get up because Avery's up. He called my cell phone"

Peyton laughs "I was just coming to get you" She said

"Well let's get Avery and head downstairs. Good morning, Gwen" She adds walking out of her room

The three women walk down to Avery's room and open the door. She's standing up smiling.

"Gigi" She says when she sees Gwen and Gwen smiles.

"Guess I'm her favorite"

Brooke laughs "Because you give her cookies all the time"

Gwen shrugs and walks over to get her. "Merry Christmas!" she says picking her up and hugging and kissing her.

"I'll change her diaper" Peyton says walking over and taking her from Gwen. She quickly changes Avery's diaper and then the three head downstairs. They walk into the family room and Peyton's face drops. Sitting next to Lucas on the floor in his pajamas is Matthew. Tears fill Peyton's eyes. "Luke" she says

"Merry Christmas!" Matthew shouts standing up "Luke came and got me this morning. He told me to stay in my pajamas and that I get to come to your house for Christmas. Are you surprised?"

"I am" Peyton says walking over and kissing Lucas but then leans into his ears "We don't have presents" And just then the front door opens.

"Ho, ho, ho" A voice says and walks into the family room. "Merry Christmas"

This time Brooke's face drops. Standing there in a Santa suit with a sack on his back was Julian. He smiles at her and she smiles at him.

"What have you done?" Peyton asks Lucas

"We have a lot of connections in Tree Hill, honey and other places too." He adds winking at her

"I'm sorry to just bust in here on Christmas morning" Julian says "But I got all the way back to the North Pole and Mrs. Claus told me that Matthew wasn't at the group home and so he didn't have his presents. She told me he was spending the holidays here so I decided to bring his gifts here myself. I also wanted to bring Avery her gifts since I was coming"

Matthew gets a really big smile on his face "My present was Lucas bringing me here. You didn't have to come all the way back for me"

Peyton smiles "Well he's here now so let's see what he has" She says sitting down next to Lucas with Avery on her lap.

"Maybe, you could help me, Brooke" Julian says in his Santa voice "You're on the nice list so I know you're a good helper"

Brooke smiles "I'd love to" she says

Julian reaches into the red sack "Let's see what Santa has here" he says. He pulls out a gift. "This one's for you, Matthew" He adds handing it to him.

Matthew takes the present and puts it on his lap.

Lucas looks at him "Aren't you going to open it?"

"I'll wait until Avery has one too" He says smiling

Julian reaches into the sack again "Santa has one right here for Avery" He says handing it to the little girl who backs into her mother.

"It's ok, baby girl" Peyton says taking the gift from Julian for Avery "ok, Matthew, you go first. Avery doesn't even care, see, she's still too little"

Matthew gets a huge smile on his face. Then he looks at all the other adults in the room "There are a lot of people watching me"

Peyton laughs "It's ok" she says "They're just really excited to see what you got from Santa"

"Ok" He says "No one cares at the group home. Some places Santa comes some places he doesn't"

Peyton leans over and kisses him on the head "We all care so go ahead and open it up"

Matthew tears the wrapping paper off and looks at the box. He gets a funny look on his face. Lucas notices.

"What's wrong?" Lucas asks

"What is it?"

"Coding Critters" Lucas says "It's really cool. It's to help you learn how to code. It's a game to take care of your pets"

"That sounds fun" Matthew says "I'll probably have to share them with all the other kids. I hope they don't break them"

"Well today you don't have to share them with anyone" Lucas says "Except me after breakfast so I can help you get them started"

"Thanks" Matthew says "That sounds fun" He then gets up and walks over to Santa "Thanks" he says hugging him

"You're welcome" Julian says in his Santa voice

"I can help Avery" Matthew says crawling over to her "Want help?" he asks her

Avery hands Matthew her present and he starts opening it for her. Then he hands it to her and shows her how to tear the rest off.

"Ooo" Matthew says "It's a book that talks to you" he adds "What does it say?" he asks handing the book to Peyton

"It's a toy to help her learn words."

"Can I help her play with it?"

"Yes, you can" Peyton says

"I have more presents" Santa Julian says smiling

"More?" Matthew says "For who?"

"You" He says

Matthew smiles "Really?"

"Really"

"Thank you"

The kids open the rest of their presents while the adults watch and oo and ah over everything. They each got a few more toys and then some new clothes.

"Well" Santa Julian says "I need to get back to the North Pole because I'm sure Mrs. Claus has my gingerbread cookies and milk waiting for me."

"You eat cookies for breakfast?"

"Only on Christmas Morning" Santa says

Matthew's eyes get really big "Can I have cookies on Christmas morning, too?"

"Of course" Peyton says smiling.

"Merry Christmas to all and to all and good day" Julian says walking out of the room and out of the house.

They let the kids play for a little while and Gwen goes into the kitchen and returns with cookies for Matthew and Avery. Julian walks back into the family room.

"Merry Christmas" He says carrying a few boxes

"What are you doing here?" Gwen asks smiling and winking at him

"I wanted to spend Christmas morning with Brooke."

Brooke smiles and winks at him. "I'm glad you did but you're supposed to be in your pjs" She says

"Next year"

"Deal" She adds kissing him and whispering into his ear "Thanks so much for helping Lucas out."

Julian just kisses her.

"Well there are more presents" Keith says and he gets up and starts handing them out. They all open gifts and give thanks to each other.

"Hey, I have a great idea. Next year we should draw names" Brooke says "Like a Secret Santa thing. We could do little gifts all through December and then exchange a gift Christmas morning"

"That sounds fun" Karen says

"What a great idea" Anna says standing up "Well I'm sure everyone is getting hungry. I'm going to go finish breakfast"

"I'll help" Karen says

"We will too" Brooke says getting up and so does Peyton. The four women walk into the kitchen.

Anna walks over to one of the double ovens and opens the top one. "Cinnamon rolls look good" She opens the one below "So does the cherry crescent roll breakfast." She walks over to the second set of double ovens and opens the top one "The Muffin and Ham breakfast strata is browning nicely." She opens the bottom one "The hashbrown cheesy breakfast bake. We need to make the Santa pancakes for the kids, the eggnog French toast, bacon and sausages"

"What do you want us to do?"

"Karen and I are going to make the French toast so why don't you girls do the bacon and sausages"

"Sounds good" Brooke says "Peyt, you do the sausage on the electric skillet so you can sit at the counter"

"Thanks" Peyton says

"Go sit. I'll bring it over to you"

Peyton sits down and Brooke sets everything up for her. Everyone gets to work.

"Peyt" Anna says

"Yes, mama?" she says getting the sausages on the griddle

"Can we talk about the little boy sitting in the living room?"

"What do you want to know?"

"Don't you think it's mean to bring him here today and then make him go back to the home tonight?"

"He's not going back" Peyton sighs

Everyone looks at her but she just keeps making sausages.

"What do you mean?" Karen asks

"We're going to foster him with the intent to adopt"

"Peyton" Anna says "That's a huge commitment"

"Yes, it is, dear" Karen says

"And a big promise to that little boy" Anna adds

"I saw you with him yesterday" Brooke says "I knew he'd be going back to New York with us. Julian commented on it too"

"We just fell in love with him and Avery and he were instant friends"

"I think it's a great idea" Brooke says "We'll have to go out and set another spot at the kid's table"

"Oh, yes" Peyton says

"Julian and I will after breakfast while you get ready and get the kids ready. We can set the spot and I can still be ready by the time you all are"

"Thanks" Peyton says

"Is Matthew staying tonight?" Karen asks

"I'm not really sure" Peyton says "I didn't even know he would be here this morning. I don't want to talk about it in front of him and I haven't been alone with Lucas yet"

"We'll have to set him up a room" Karen says

"We can do it after breakfast" Anna says smiling

"How about we put Matthew in Avery's room? He's used to having other kids around. If it goes horribly tonight we can move him tomorrow" Peyton says "We have nothing tomorrow so if we don't get a lot of sleep tonight it will be ok"

"That's a great idea" Anna says

"There's already a bed in there so tomorrow I'll go to town and get some different sheets and a few boy things to put on that side of the room. I'll also get him boy bathroom things"

Peyton smiles "That's really nice of you"

The kitchen door opens and Lucas walks in with Matthew on his back. "We're checking on the status of breakfast" he says

"We're hungry" Matthew says from Lucas' back

Peyton laughs "Just a few more minutes" she says getting up and walking over to the cookie jar. She takes a handful out and walks over to Matthew. She hands him one and the rest to Lucas "Have a little snack while you wait"

"No plates, no formal serving?" Lucas says laughing

"Nope" Peyton says "That's what I do with you and Avery at home so I'm doing it here too"

Lucas kisses her and then she kisses Matthew on the forehead. Lucas then turns and walks out of the kitchen. Peyton walks back to the counter to finish her part of breakfast. Everyone works for a few minutes.

Anna sighs "Maybe I should retire so I can help you with the kids"

Peyton looks up at her mother "You've been talking a lot about retirement this trip"

"I know" Anna says "But its going to be really hard for you to manage all three kids and your job"

"I'll help her" Brooke says

Peyton starts laughing "While starting up your new company? Let's just focus on the fact that today is Christmas and we'll worry about everything else in the next few weeks before we all go home"

"Fine" Anna says taking one of the dishes out of the oven "Let's get breakfast on the buffet"

The kitchen door opens and Gwen walks in. "We're having breakfast in the family room this morning"

Everyone turns and looks at her.

"Excuse me?" Karen says

"The kids are watching a movie and they're being so good and I think we should try it."

"Sounds great" Peyton says "We'll set breakfast up in here and everyone can make their plates. Then we can head back into the family room"

"Great" Gwen says turning and walking back out of the kitchen.

"I think she's lost her mind" Karen says

"I think she's seeing that we don't have to be so proper all the time" Peyton says with a smile

"We better get this setup" Anna says "All these visits mean they're all starving" she adds laughing

The four women set up breakfast around the island in the kitchen. Everyone makes their plates and go into the family room. They eat and talk then Brooke and Julian clean up while Peyton and Lucas get the kids ready. Once the kids are ready Gwen takes them downstairs so Lucas and Peyton can get ready. The couple walks into their room. Lucas shuts the door and turns to look at Peyton.

"Lucas" She says "What is going on?"

"What do you mean?" He asks looking at her confused

"How did you do all of this? Why did you do all of this? And I love you even more for bring Matthew here"

Lucas smiles "I did it because I love you so much and just wanted today to be great. After you went to sleep last night I got up and texted Julian and asked him to be Santa. Then I texted Mrs. Nelson and told her about our conversation and if there was any way I could get Matthew when he woke up? She said yes so I texted Mr. Davis the owner of the toy store in town and asked him if he could meet me there. I snuck out and did a little shopping. Julian and I wrapped all the presents. We got all of Avery's and put them all in the bag and bam. Second year of Christmas surprises for you!" he says with a huge smile on his face

Peyton walks over and kisses him hard on the lips "I love you so much"

"I love you too, Mrs. Scott" He says then he sighs "I am a little worried about all you have on your plate so you have to promise me that we'll hire a nanny when we get home."

"Lucas" Peyton says "We don't need a nanny"

"Just while we're at work" He says

"Oh, so like a babysitter?"

"No, like Mary Poppins without her living with us"

Peyton laughs "Promise" She says

"Thank you" Lucas says "Also, there is a lot of paperwork we have to fill out and you may have to stay here because we may not get permission to take Matthew across state lines until we've been certified as foster parents. Julian is going to fill a motion as soon as the courthouse is open but it's a crab shoot"

"Ok" Peyton says "Avery and I can stay here with Matthew"

"And I'll fly down every Friday night and home Monday morning"

"Really?" Peyton says

"Of course" Lucas says kissing her "I can't be away from you that much. We better shower and get back downstairs. You know Grandmother will give us a hard time if we're up here too long"

"We can shower together" Peyton says leaning in and kissing him before walking into the bathroom. Lucas follows her. They get into the shower and then get ready for the rest of the day. Peyton puts on a dark blue, red and white plaid tulle dress with a scoop neck and three-quarter sleeves. Lucas is wearing a dark blue, red and white plaid button up shirt, a dark blue tie, dark blue pants and a red sweater. Peyton walks over to him and straightens his tie. "You looking dashing, Mr. Scott" she says leaning up and kissing him.

"You look stunning, Mrs. Scott" Lucas says kissing her again "We should get downstairs"

Peyton breathes in deeply and rubs her abdomen.

Lucas looks at her "Are you ok?"

"Yes" Peyton sighs "The baby's moving and kicking me in the ribs"

"The baby's kicking?"

"Yes"

"Really?" Lucas asks walking over and putting his hand on her abdomen.

"I don't think you'll be able to feel it yet because she's kicking my ribs"

"She?" Lucas asks

"Or he" Peyton says "I just think baby's a girl"

"Why?"

"I don't know" Peyton says laughing "Mother's intuition!" she adds shrugging "Let's go, babe" She says leaning in and kissing him

Lucas offers her his arm and they go downstairs. They walk into the family room and everyone but Brooke is there.

Peyton frowns "Where's Brooke?"

"Still getting ready" Julian says from the floor playing with Matthew and Avery "I'm supposed to go retrieve her at eleven-thirty" He adds laughing

Peyton laughs "I see" She says and Matthew gets up and runs over to her

"Look" He says "Avery and I match. Aunt Brooke, she said I could call her that, went and got me this outfit and we match" He looks at Lucas "Lucas, look" He adds "We have the same outfit on"

Lucas smiles "Pretty cool" he says

"Darling" Gwen says

"I want a family picture in front of my Christmas Tree" Karen says getting up "In fact, I want all our family pictures today"

"Sure" Peyton says walking over and picking Avery up off the floor.

"Come on, Matthew" Lucas says holding out his hand "Want to get your picture taken with us?"

"Yes" Matthew says taking Lucas' hand

First, Peyton, Lucas and the kids get their picture. Then the other Scott's stand by them and Anna takes the photo. Anna and Larry walk over to the tree and get their picture taken with Lucas, Peyton and the kids. While they are taking pictures Julian goes and gets Brooke and they reenter the living room.

"Come on you two" Karen says "You need to be in our picture too"

"I can set it up to take a picture of all of us together" Peyton says smiling. She walks over and takes the camera from Karen. "I'll set it to take a five" she says smiling She sets up the camera and walks rushes back over picking Matthew up and putting him on her hip. The camera snaps five times and then she puts Matthew down. She walks over and looks at the pictures. "Perfect" she says smiling

"Can we play now?" Matthew says "Lucas is going to show me how to use my coding animals"

Peyton laughs "Yes, you and Lucas can play. Should we make lunch?" she asks

"Yes, so the kids can take a nap. Its going to be a long evening." Gwen says

"Ok" Brooke says "I'll help" she adds

"Great, thanks" Peyton says and the two women walk out of the family room.

Gwen looks at Julian "Let me see" she says walking over and sitting down in her rocking chair. Avery picks up her new stuffed animal and walks over to Gwen and Gwen picks her up.

"See what?" Julian asks looking at her funny

"The ring"

"What are you talking about" Julian asks

"Really, Julian" Gwen says looking at him "I've known you your whole life. I know you bought that girl a ring so let me see it"

Julian sighs "Gwen"

"Julian"

"Grandmother" Lucas says from the couch where he and Matthew were figuring out his coding animals. "It's none of your business"

"I'm old everything is my business"

Everyone starts laughing and Julian walks over to Gwen. He reaches into his pocket and pulls out the little black box. "I got it from Jack after the party yesterday"

Gwen takes the box and opens it "Wow" she says "I love it"

"Thanks, Gwen" Julian says smiling

"So when are you going to ask her?"

"Yesterday" Julian says "But I couldn't without a ring so now I'm just waiting for the right moment"

"Right here, right now" Gwen says

"Ok, mother" Keith says looking up from his newspaper. "Stop harassing the poor boy"

"Well I'm sure she'll want to get married here" Gwen says "She doesn't have any family and this is the perfect place to get married"

"It really is" Anna says joining in the conversation

"I bet a spring wedding would be marvelous here" Karen says

Julian looks at all of them "We could get married at our homestead" he says and they all look at him "I mean my mom never thought this day would come. They don't even know yet but I'm sure you has a clue since she was smiling when I left this morning because I wanted to be with Brooke"

Gwen smiles "She's just as amazing as our Peyton. You boys are lucky you found women to put up with you."

"Oh, I know" Lucas says looking up from the animal in Matthew's hand "I never imagined life could be this great"

"Well, Lucas inspired me" Julian says taking the box from Gwen "now we need to stop talking about it before the girls come back" he adds putting the box in his pocket

"You'll love life with the right person" Lucas says

Julian smiles as he walks over to the bar "Drinks?" He asks

"Sure, why not" Keith says "Larry?"

"I'll take one"

"Martinis, ladies?" He asks

"At noon?" Gwen says

"It's Christmas" Julian says smiling

"Ok" She says

Julian makes everyone drinks and the engage in small talk until Brooke and Peyton walk in carry a tray each.

"We made pinwheel wraps" Brooke says

"And we thought we'd eat in here" Peyton adds

"Might as well" Gwen says "We haven't done one proper thing today"

Peyton smiles "There's a table out here" she says walking over and putting the trays on the bar. Then she turns to look at Gwen "Awe, she loves her Gigi" she adds walking over and holding her hands out to Avery. "Are you hungry, baby girl?"

"Yes" she says hugging her mother

Peyton kisses her and walks over to Matthew "How about you, little man?" She says

"Yes, please" he says

"We made a pizza wrap for you two" Brooke says

"Thank you!" Matthew says "I should pick up because if it's naptime it's probably time for me to go back to the home. I don't want to bother you all day"

Peyton looks at him "Do you want to go back to the home?"

Matthew looks down "No" He says "But I know I have to. I've been on home visits before. It was very nice of you to bring me here today. I'm having a lot of fun but I understand it was just to play for a little while"

Peyton looks at him "You can stay if you want"

Matthew's eyes get really big "All day?" He asks

"You can sleepover if you want" Peyton says "Lucas and I have talked about it and if you'd like we'd like to be your foster parents"

"You mean I can stay here?" He says "From now on until I find my forever home?"

"You can stay with us" Lucas says "But we don't live here" he adds

"Where do you live?"

"In New York" Peyton says

"We live there, too" Brooke says smiling

"Us too" Anna says

"So, I can go live in New York with you?"

"If you want to" Peyton says "We're going to be here for a few more weeks and then we'll go home. We thought you could stay with us and if you like it you can go back to New York with us"

"Ok" Matthew says "I'd like to stay! Thank you!" He says hugging Lucas and then getting up and hugging Peyton "Thanks a lot"

"You're welcome" Lucas says and Matthew hugs him again "Now, let's eat"

Everyone smiles and Lucas and Peyton get the kids some pizza wrap and put hem at the table. Everyone else gets some wraps and sits down.

"After we have lunch we should start the lasagnas" Anna says

"Yes" Karen says "We have a lot of work to do"

"We can help you" Brooke says

"No, no" Karen says "We will do it"

"I wish the golf course was open" Keith says "It's a perfect day for golf"

Lucas laughs "We could go hit some balls out back" He says smiling

"Ok" Keith says

"Sounds good to me" Larry says

"Me too" Julian says

"Then I guess we are helping with dinner" Peyton says "Or at least sitting out there watching you"

"I'm taking a nap" Gwen says "I'm really tired"

"That sounds good" Lucas says

Everyone finishes lunch and Brooke and Peyton clean up. They come back to the family room.

"We're going to put the kids down for a nap. Gwen, would you like to go up with us?" Peyton asks picking up Avery off the floor where she was playing

"Thank you, dear" Gwen says standing up

"Come here, little man" Brooke says to Matthew "I'll take you upstairs"

"I can sleep upstairs?" He asks with a big smile on his face

"Yes" Peyton says "We thought we'd put you in Avery's room until you get used to staying here"

"Ok" Matthew says

The three women take the two children upstairs. Gwen walks on to her bedroom while Peyton and Brooke take the kids into Avery's room. Peyton reads them a story and then tucks them into their beds. "You two get some rest and we'll see you later. When you wake up, Matthew you can call for me or just come downstairs. We'll be in the family room or the kitchen. You know where those two rooms are?"

Matthew shakes his head yes and then hugs Peyton "Thank you, Peyton" he says "This is the best day of my life"

Peyton smiles at him and hugs and kisses him. "Have a great rest, baby boy" She says "We'll see you soon" She then walks over to Avery's crib. She kisses her on the forehead "You have a good rest too, baby girl." She says

Brooke kisses both of the kids and then walks out of the room. Peyton turns the monitor app on her phone on and the two walk downstairs. The family room was empty.

Peyton looks at Brooke "We've done a lot of work the last two days. I think we deserve an afternoon with our feet up watching a Christmas movie, eating snacks"

"Agreed" Brooke says "You go set up the movie and I'll go get the snacks"

"Deal" Peyton says walking into the family room

Brooke walks into the kitchen and Anna and Karen are standing there talking

"I think they are rushing things" Anna sighs

"Lucas isn't an impulsive person" Karen says "But I do feel this is too early"

"They told Matthew they are just trying things out" Brooke says interrupting the conversation

"Oh, Brooke, dear" Karen says

"I heard so no use pretending I didn't" she says walking over to the cupboard and opening it. She gets out a bag of caramel cheese mixed popcorn and a bowl. She dumbs it in and then gets two smaller bowls out. "They're fostering him. That means he knows it's not forever and they don't have to make it forever. They all have to try it out. You can't know if you don't try. I support them. Julian and I had a lot of fun with the kids too that day. We talked about how we both felt about fostering. Neither of us ready but we did talk about it. Anna you pretty much fostered me my whole life and you never thought twice about it"

Anna sighs "You're right" She says

"Wait and see what happens. We know neither one of those two are impulsive people. They will do what's best for all of them"

"We didn't mean to upset you, dear" Karen says

"I'm not upset" Brooke says "I just think Lucas and Peyton are different and when they know they want to do something they just do it. That's why they're married and we're all here today" She adds grabbing some cookies and walking out of the kitchen. She walks into the family room and Peyton is sitting on the couch with it reclined back. Brooke smiles at her "You even took your shoes off. I don't think I've ever seen you do that here"

"I'm pregnant so I'm taking some liberties"

Brooke laughs and puts the table in the middle of the sofa down. She puts the tray on it and Peyton takes one of the cookies.

"What are we watching?" Brooke asks as she sits down

"It's a Wonderful Life"

"Sounds good" She says

Peyton pushes play and the two settle in. After a few minutes, Peyton gets up and walks to the closet. She grabs out two blankets and walks back over handing one to Brooke. Brooke smiles at her and takes. It. At some point they both dose off. Lucas comes in and sees them sleeping. He smiles and starts a fire. He then closes the family room doors and goes upstairs to take a shower. He stops and checks on the kids. When he shuts the door, Matthew wakes up. He gets up and walks out of the room. He takes a really big breath and looks down the hallway at the stairs. He slowly starts walking towards them and walks down them carefully. He sees the family room but the doors are closed. He walks over to them and opens them. He sees Peyton asleep on the couch. He walks over and climbs up next to her. He takes the remote and turns the movie back on. He looks at it funny but then lays down snuggling into Peyton. He falls back to sleep. Brooke wakes up and smiles when she sees Peyton and Matthew sound to sleep on the couch. She gets up and takes her phone out. She snaps a picture and Peyton wakes up.

"What are you doing?" She asks trying to figure out where she is. Then she notices Matthew snuggled into her. "Awe" She says "When did he come down?"

"I don't know" Brooke says "I fell asleep too"

"You all did" Karen says walking in. "It was so cute we all took pictures. You better go get ready for dinner. It's five o'clock"

"Oh, no" Peyton says "I'm sorry"

"For what?" Karen says

"Cocktails at five"

"We pushed them back until six tonight. Now go get ready and I'll take Matthew to get him dressed. Your mom is getting Avery ready."

"Thanks" Peyton says smiling and walking out of the family room. Brooke follows her. They go upstairs and Brooke stops at her room.

"See you at dinner" She says

"Sounds good" Peyton says walking down to her and Lucas' room. Lucas is sitting on the bed without a shirt on reading a book. He had already showered.

He looks up at her and smiles "Hey, babe. Did you have a nice nap?"

"Yes" She says walking over and kissing him "I didn't realize how tired I was"

"You've been really busy" He says grabbing her belly and kissing it

She smiles at him "I need to go get ready for dinner. Our moms are getting the kids ready"

"Great" Lucas says "I'm just going to sit here and read then" he says smiling at her

She walks into the bathroom and gets into the shower. She washes up and then gets out. She dries and curls her hair. She opens the bathroom door and walks out. Lucas looks up at her and smiles.

"What?" She says

"My baby's growing in there and I can see her"

"Her?" She asks raising her eyebrows at him

"Mommy thinks it a girl so I'm going with it until we find out"

"Well don't get too settled on it until we know. I don't want you to get disappointed"

"I could never be disappointed" Lucas says getting up and walking over to her. He leans down and kisses her. He reaches up and undoes her towel.

"Luke" She whispers "We don't have time"

"I know" He whispers back "I just wanted to see you naked"

"Lucas!" She says playfully hitting him. Then leans in and kisses him "I love you"

"I love you, more" He says and she walks towards the closet. Lucas smiles as she does. He walks towards his closet and the two get dressed. Peyton walks out of her closet in a green ruffle bell sleeved sheath cocktail dress. She looks stunning. Lucas is standing there in his black suit with his green tie. He looked very handsome. Peyton walks over and straightens his tie.

"I think you do that on purpose" Peyton says "Because I never noticed your tie crocked before we were together"

"The first time it was crocked because we were making out remember?"

"Yes, I do" She says smiling

"And then I liked the way it felt when you fixed it and how close you were to me that I just do it on purpose so it gives me another reason to kiss you"

Peyton smiles and leans up to kiss him

He smiles at her "We should go. Cocktails are in the garage tonight" He says taking Peyton's hand. They walk out of their bedroom and down to the kids' room. They open the door and Julian and Brooke are in there playing with them.

"Hey" Brooke says looking up "I hope you don't mind. We volunteered to stay with the kids"

"Thanks" Peyton says

"Mommy" Avery says getting up and running over the Peyton

Peyton bends down and picks her up. She hugs and kisses her. "Matthew, are you ready for dinner?"

"Sure" He says getting up and walking over taking Peyton's hand. Brooke and Julian get up and they all walk downstairs. They go out and get into the covered golf carts and head to the garage. When they get there Julian's parents are standing there having a drink with the other older couples.

Julian walks over and hugs his mother "You look lovely this evening" he says

"Thank you, dear" She says smiling

"You look very handsome and your tie matches Brooke's dress perfectly and it's straight for once"

Julian rolls his eyes "It's always straight" He says

"No, it's not" Sylvia says taking a sip of her drink "Good evening, dear" She says kissing Brooke on both cheeks "You look lovely. Thank you so much for the invitation"

"Our pleasure" Brooke says

"Your sister's and their families will be here shortly." Paul says

"Great" Julian says

"You all look wonderful" Gwen says walking over and taking Avery from Peyton. She then holds her hand out to Matthew "Come on" She says "I need a cookie" she adds

"Cookie, Gigi" Avery says

"Can I have a cookie too, Gigi?" Matthew says and Gwen looks at him

He looks back at her "What?" He says

"Nothing" Gwen says "Yes, you can have a cookie too" she adds as they walk towards the able where he treats are set up. Gwen gets three cookies and they go sit by the fireplace. Matthew and Avery start playing. Julian's sisters come in and the kids go over by the fireplace to play with Matthew and Avery. All the adults have cocktails and talk. Peyton excuses herself and walks over to where the kids are playing. She sits down on one of the couches.

Gwen looks at her "Are you ok, dear?"

"Yes" Peyton says "I've just been on my feet a lot and they're a little sore"

"Then you just sit and relax" Gwen says "It's been a very busy trip down here this year"

"It has but it's been so fun"

"It really has" Gwen says

Brooke walks over and sits down next to Peyton "Are you ok?" She asks

"I'm fine. My feet are sore tonight"

"Ok" She says smiling

"Aunt Brooke" Matthew says "Do you and Peyton want to play with us?"

"Sure" Brooke says and she and Peyton gets up and go over to play with the kids.

Across the room, Julian notices Brooke playing with the kids and a huge smile fills his face.

His mother walks up next to him "She's a pretty amazing woman." She says

Julian turns to look at her "I know" he says smiling

"You love her, don't you?" Sylvia asks

Julian smiles "I've never cared for a woman like this before"

"I can tell" His mother says hugging him "I'm happy for you. I'm also glad that you've found someone. I was worried"

"I know, mom" He says "She's amazing"

Sylvia smiles at him and hugs him again. "I want you to come home more, son"

"Mother, please"

"Lucas does it now that he has a daughter"

"Well when Brooke and I have kids we'll come home more"

Sylvia looks at him in shock "When?"

Julian sighs "Come with me, mom" He says and they walk behind the stadium. He pulls a ring out of his pocket "I bought this yesterday for Brooke. I'm just waiting for the right moment to ask her"

"Oh, wow" Sylvia says taking the ring "It's beautiful"

"I hope she likes it" Julian says

"She's going to love it" Sylvia says "Are you going to ask her down here?"

"I wanted to ask her yesterday but I didn't have a ring. I hope another opportunity presents itself while we're here but if it doesn't I will when we get to New York."

'I'm so happy for you" Sylvia says hugging him

"We better go back and get ready for dinner" He says walking back and Brooke looks at him funny. He just smiles at her and walks over to her. "Sorry" He says "My mother wanted to talk to me"

"That's ok" Brooke says smiling and kissing him

The two go and join the others. Everyone sits and laughs and has a wonderful time. The kids watch a movie while the adults play cards. They play into late into the night and the kids have fallen asleep. The adults stand up because it's time to leave.

"This was so much fun" Kathrine says hugging Brooke "Thank you for inviting us over."

"It was our pleasure" Brooke says smiling

"You'll all have to come to our place for New Year's Eve" Sylvia says "We won't take no for an answer"

"That would be lovely" Karen says "We accept"

Everyone says their goodbyes and go their own ways. Lucas and Peyton put the kids to sleep and then change their clothes. They walk downstairs and Julian and Brooke are the only ones sitting there. They had also changed their clothes and were snuggling on the couch.

"Want to watch a movie with us?" Brooke asks "We were going to get some snacks and veg out for a while. We don't want to go to bed but we're also not up for anything else"

"A movie sounds great" Peyton says "What are we watching?"

"We don't know yet" Brooke says

Peyton and Lucas settle in on the loveseat and they pick out a movie and spend the rest of the night talking and laughing. Julian smiles. He never knew life could be this great. He know saw why Lucas was so different now and couldn't wait to start his life with Brooke. He just hoped she was feeling the same way because he couldn't handle if she wasn't.