Peyton looked up to see a pair of blue eyes looking down on her rather intensely. She couldn't help feel a flutter in the pit of her stomach at the way those eyes pierced right through her. Lucas was holding out his hands to help her up.

"Yeah. I kinda left my wheelchair inside. My dad carried me out here and I guess he forgot about that when he left me just now." She attempted a chuckle but even she knew it sounded fake.

"Mind if I give you a hand then? Oh, by the way, congratulations on your first steps. I always knew you were tough." Lucas smiled at this. Never once, had he doubted that.

"Well its great knowing that I'm playing Peyton really well then. If you could just get me…" before she could finish she suddenly felt her body being lift up into Lucas's strong arms. Again, she just couldn't help the flutter in her stomach or the blush forming on her cheeks as Lucas carried her into the dining room.

"Oh, there's my girl. Always coming in style." Skills was the first one to see them and he helped pull out a chair for Peyton. The rest just hided their smiles at the scene, well maybe all except Julian.

"Ok, everyone, before we dig into this delicious dinner my amazing wife has prepared for us, I just wanna say I'm really glad that we are all here. I guess its been a while since we all just sit and spend time together especially after all the things that we've been through lately. And today is a really special day because Peyton just celebrated her first walk. Let's give a toast for that." Nathan raised his glass and everyone followed suit leaving Peyton feeling a tad bit embarrassed.

"Thanks guys. Really, not just for dinner but for practically everything. For understanding me and standing by me through all this stuff. I'm seriously sorry for not being able to remember you guys but in my heart, I guess I always know that you guys are the greatest family that I have and always will be. So thank you." Peyton couldn't help the single tear that fell down her cheek but was softly swiped away by Brooke.

"We're always here for you, ." She hugged Peyton really tightly to prove her point.

"Okay, you emotional brats. Let's not spoil dinner and just eat. Jamie is getting really hungry." Haley tried to soothe the moment as she sniffled back her own tears.

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"Hey, rake boy. Haven't seen you around lately." Lucas who was standing alone jumped a bit at the sudden intrusion. He had just finished loading all the dishes which he had offered to do to get away from everyone.

"Mr. Sawyer. Sorry, I didn't hear you come in. I'm just helping Haley out. She's had a busy day." He knew it was lame but he couldn't think of any other excuse.

"Still calling me Mr. Sawyer. You used to date my little girl, I think it's about time you called me Larry. So, what you been up to?" he asked casually has he sipped on his scotch.

"Nothing much. I'm coaching the Ravens and still on my way writing my second book."

"Ahh.. Tree Hill's own famous author. I always knew you had something in you. Didn't bet on writing but I always thought you would end up great. So did Peyton you know. Well at least, before this she did. Now, she's just confused. It's hard seeing her like this."

"Is that why you're going again? Because it's hard?" Lucas couldn't help the defensive tone. When they were young he always saw how sad she was every time Larry left. She might not want to admit it, but he could see it in her eyes as she built those damn wall around her time and again.

"You think that's why I'm going?" Larry smirked. Lucas had always been protective of Peyton and he was grateful for that. "Maybe I am. Or maybe it's because I know how brave and strong my baby girl is. Ever since she was a little girl, she was always feisty and picking up fight with boys. Sometimes I do feel guilty you know, for leaving, for not being here. But every time I see her again and see how much of a brave and strong woman she is, I just feel so proud. So maybe that's why I'm going. So that each time I see her again, she's just as stronger as ever. She's got to do this on her own and I just know that she can. She's my little girl. I believe in her. I also believe in all of you to help take care of her. Especially you, Luke." He gripped hard on Lucas's shoulder to show him that he really meant it.

"I really hope I could. But I don't know. There's just so much stuff going on. I don't even know where to start. Or should I even start." Lucas shrugged his shoulder. He knew, and he knew that everyone knew he was avoiding things with Peyton. It wasn't like he was doing it on her purpose. It was just that every time he tried approaching Peyton, there was this unsettling feeling inside telling him that he had done enough harm and damage to her. He couldn't bear to hurt her again.

"You know how people always say start at the beginning? Well I say, start anywhere you like. Because it's you who determines where you're point of beginning is even if its at the end. You're always saving her Lucas. Save her again."

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Peyton was sifting through the family album in the guest room. Haley and Brooke had ditched her there as they literally forced her to rest her tired body. She was actually thankful to them since she was really exhausted from all the day's activity especially all the crying she had done before Julian sent Larry to the airport. The pictures of the happy family were so amazing and so surreal. They looked so happy that she could feel it herself. There were photos of Jamie when he was born surrounded by all of their friends. Haley was still on the hospital bed holding Jamie in a bundle while Nathan proudly held her. On both side there was also Brooke and herself, both beaming a smile. And behind her was Lucas. As she studied the picture carefully, she couldn't help notice Lucas's hand on her waist. She could only wonder why.

"Hey, what you up to?" Both Haley and Brooke were standing at the door looking at her before coming in to join her on the bed.

"I just found these photos. You don't mind do you?"

"Of course not. Peyt, your one of our best friends. Just make this place like home ok, because it is. I don't want you to feel awkward around us you know." Haley gripped her hands tightly to assure her causing Peyton to smile.

"Wow. I haven't seen these pictures for ages. I remember this day so much. Haley was giving her valedictorian speech so 'tutor-girl' like when she ruined it by announcing to everyone that she was going to deliver." Brooke laughed causing Haley to smack her.

"Yeah. I remember. We all decided that we didn't want to go if Lucas didn't. We all showed up at the hospital and being Lucas he just couldn't resist." Haley smiled at one of the most memorable day of her life.

"I wish I could say that. I wish I could join in and say that I remember that day too. That I remember you're tutor-girl and what was wrong with Lucas. But I can't and it really sucks because I want to. I want to say all those things and share all this stuff. I want to be part of all this."

"Hey, you are part of all this. See this picture." Brooke held out the picture she was looking earlier. "See, that's you in here. I'm sorry about all this honey but you really should know that we couldn't have made this without you. And you know what someday which I'm sure is really soon, you'll remember it too. And you'll just laugh when you think about how 'tutor-girl' became 'tutor-mom'."

"Brooke's right, Peyt. You're always one of us. We can face this together. You have all of us. We'll help you with all of it, we'll help remember all of it for you. So no more tears ok. We are gonna be fine."

"Thinking of that, I just got the most brilliant idea ever." Suddenly Brooke shrieked delightfully. "Let's have a girls only sleepover."