"Pass the ball," Lucas says on the court at practice. I walk in just at the end where I see Savannah on the court and Lucas on the side lines. I see her teammate Alicia pass her the ball but she fumbles and it gets taken by the other team. She puts her jersey in her mouth and hands on her knees as she tries to catch her breath. The whistle blows and Lucas throws his clipboard on the ground.

"Ladies I know you lost a lot of your teammates this year, but if you can't play together then there is no point of a team," he said. Savannah turned away from Lucas with her hands on her head, "Savannah the team is over here."
She turned around when Lucas said that but she didn't look too happy. I hear the door open behind me and see Kieran appear.

"Hey," I say as he hugs me. "Aren't you in class at college?"

"This is my free afternoon," he smiles. "How she doing?"

"I don't know I just got here," I tell him.

"Will you tell her that I will wait in the car for her?" He asks me.

"Of course," I smile as I watch him exit. Kieran attended UNC-Wilmington which was great to have him around but Kalan had been hanging around more with Savannah then Kieran had lately. I saw the girls head into the shower and Lucas came over to me.

"How'd she do," I ask as he gives me a quick kiss.

"At this point, I feel like I could get fired for putting her on the squad," he says quietly.

"I'll talk to her before she leaves," I tell him.

"Where is she going?" he asks me.

"Probably with Kieran, he's waiting for her outside," I tell him confused.

"She is not going anywhere. The English teacher and history teacher told me she hasn't made up any of her tests and that she is missing a bunch of homework and papers in both classes, plus she failed her history quiz today," Lucas tells me.

"Luke," I say.

"No Peyton, don't stick up for her it has been 3 weeks since Nathan passed away, she should have got that all straightened out by now. I know it has been only three weeks I know that, but still. She is not going with Kieran." He says as I see her walk towards us.

"Hey, Kieran is here so I was just going to ride home with him and hang out with him." She tells us.

"No you're not," Lucas says and looks at me.

"Why," she questions him.

"You're not going anywhere until everything is made up in all your classes," he says and she shakes her head and walks out the door.

"I'll go," I say and kiss Lucas quickly before following her out to the car.

"Savannah Brooke Scott," I say as she turns around in the middle of the quad where Kieran is on the phone sitting on one of the benches.

"What," she asks aggravated and turns around.

"I'm sorry okay, but what your father says goes," I tell her.

"You can't be serious right now," she yells and Kieran grabs her bag from her.

"Kieran I'm sorry but Savannah can't go with you," I tell him.

"Bullshit I'm going," she tells me and starts walking towards his car. "Are you coming?"

"Savannah babe, I don't know what's going on," he says to her.

"We're going, that's what is going on," she says as Kieran stands there.

"Savannah," he whispers.

"You have got to be kidding me," she laughs and I see her look around. "Kalan." I look over to where she looks and I see Kalan getting into his car. He stands there as Savannah says "Screw you both," and runs over to Kalan who she hugs and gets in the car. I push the hair from my face as Kieran hands me her stuff. "I'm sorry I didn't mean for you to get in the middle."

"It's okay I've noticed a change in her, ever since Nathan she isn't the same and I don't know what to do," he tells me.

"We all are confused, she is just Savannah and hopefully will get out of this," I say hoping it was true.

"Yeah, well if you see her tell her I really want to talk to her," he tells me.

"Kieran," I say as he turns around at me. "Don't give up on her I know she loves you, but please just wait for her."

"At this rate, I'll be waiting forever," he smiles and walks away. I feel a hand on the small of my back and Lucas asks, "where did she go?"

"I don't know, she left with Kalan," I tell him and put my face in his chest.

"Why don't I go pick up Reese you get Tenley and we will meet Brooke at the cafe," he says.

"I'm not hungry," I say to him.

"Babe you need to eat," he says and kisses my forehead.

"Luke, I'll just pick up Tenley and we will wait for Savannah at home," I tell him. "You and Reese should pick up Jace and Ava to go to the cafe with Haley," I say.

"Peyton," he sighs.

"I'll be fine. I also need to get some things for Tenley and Reese, he needs new shoes and I ordered some that I need to pick up at the Nike store," I reply.

"Can you just slow down for once?" he laughed

"No," I say and kiss him. We head our separate ways as I pick up Tenley at the daycare. She runs into my arms and I pick her up as we head to the car.

"Momma," she says from the backseat.

"What baby," I ask her.

"I'm hungry," she says as I reach for a bag on the floor and hand her a fruit snack.

"Thank you," she smiles and opens it as they all go on the floor. "Whoops." I hand her another one and open it for her. "Where's daddy?"

"Him and Reese went to the cafe," I tell her.

"Where's Vannah?"

"She should be home later baby," I say and see her head jam to the music I had on. When we get to the house I let her play in the kitchen with her barbies and put away the groceries I had bought. I hear the front door open and both my boys voices as they come in and Reese slides over to Tenley as she jumps on him.

"Hey," I say to Reese as he comes over and hugs me and I kiss the top of his head.

"Can we go in the pool?" he asks me.

"Yes, can you get Tenley's suit on and make sure she is wearing the life jacket if neither of us are in there," I say and he runs off with his sister

"Here, I brought your favorite back," he says holding up a bag.

"I love you but I told you I'm not hungry," I whisper.

"I know you, and you will be soon," he tells me and walks out of the kitchen. Reese and Tenley head into the kitchen just as I untangle her swim suit in the back when I hear the front door open and Savannah walks in.

"Get in my office right now," Lucas says to her and she pounds up the stairs.

"Reese why don't you and your sister go into your room and play something really quick while daddy and I talk to Savannah," I tell him.

"But mom," he groans.

"Reese please it will be only take 5 minutes I promise," I say as he grabs his sisters hand and walks to his room.
I head up the stairs and open the door to the office just as Lucas comes out of our bedroom. I close it slowly and I say to him, "Don't get angry quickly she will too and will shut us out."

"She already has Peyton," he tells me.

"Just be patient," I whisper. We both head in and see Savannah on her phone.

"First I want the phone," I say extending my hand out to her. She takes a second before she rolls her eyes and slams the phone in my hand. "You can get this back when you have made up all your papers, quizzes, homework, and tests."

"Are you kidding me that is going to take forever, I'm never going to get my phone back," she says to us.

"Then I suggest getting it done," I tell her.

"This is so unfair, I missed a week of school that is a lot," she tells us.

"Yes and you have been back for 3, it should have been made up," Lucas tells her.

"I don't really care," she leans back on the couch and folds her arms.

"Fine, then have a nice time warming the bench," Lucas says to her.

"Fine, I quit," she says with attitude.

"Funny. Make up your stuff or there will be more consequences," I tell her.

"I don't want to play anymore, don't you guys see that. I don't want to play basketball anymore. I want to go back to gymnastics full time."

"That's not going to happen," Lucas tells her.

"Luke," I say.

"You can't make me do something I don't want to do," she tells him and stands up.

"Sit your ass down," he says calmly.

"No because if you're not going to listen to me then why do I have to be here, I DON'T WANT TO PLAY BASKETBALL ANYMORE," she yells at us and I see tears fall down her face.

"Savannah," I say as she turns around and leaves the room. "She doesn't want to play anymore Luke."

"No, she doesn't want to play because Nathan isn't here," he says sitting down.

"I'll talk to her," I tell him and kiss the side of his head. "Can you please take our other two out in the pool?"

"Yeah," he says and stands up to leave.

"I love you, you know that right?" I tell him as he exits the door.

"Well at least someone does," he says as I hear Tenley scream daddy and jump in his arms.

"That makes two," I laugh and go knock on Savannahs door.

"Go away," she yells. I open the door and see her on the bed crying. She turns when she sees me in the doorway and says, "I don't want you in here. Go away."

"No," I say shutting the door. "What has gotten into you?"

"Are you serious right now?" She asks shaking her head.

"Savannah, you are never home and if you are you're not with your boyfriend, you're with Kalan. Kieran is starting to notice," I tell her and lean against the bookcase.

"Don't tell me who I can and can't hang out with. You want to know what's wrong? The man who pretty much raised me the first seven years of my life is seven feet in the ground, that's what is wrong mom and it's funny how everyone is just going around and moving on with their lives so quickly. He taught me everything I know and you just get up and live your day like Uncle Nathan is still here and he is not."

"Savannah," I say.

"No mom, nothing you can say is going to change me. I don't want to play basketball anymore," she turns her head and leans it onto the pillow wiping the tears away.

"Why because Nathan isn't here so you think that if you're continuing on you're forgetting him? He is not going to think that baby," I whisper to her.

"How would you know? Mom I miss him so much, I can't sleep at night, I can't concentrate in school and I have no idea what is going on right now," she says and I see her for the first time actually own up to what she has been feeling. I make my way towards her bed and wrap her in my arms.

"I just don't care anymore. I don't want to be here without Nathan mom," she sobs and I can barely hear her. I kiss her head and lay back with her on the bed. We lay there until I feel that she has fallen asleep and make my way out her room. The front door opens just as Haley, Ava, and Jace come into the house.

"Hey," Haley says and I give her a hug as the kids run out to the pool area. "Luke called and said to come over."

"Oh okay, how are you?"

"I'm okay." She smiles. I give her a hug and she wipes a tear away from her face.

"Let's go for a walk," I tell her squeezing her hand as I tell Luke.

"I just feel like everything is so hard right now." She tells me when we reach the river walk.

"I know, he loved you so much Haley and the kids."

"You know that is the hardest. I yelled at him for what he said to Savannah and I don't even remember if I said I love you. Where do I go from here Peyton, where does life take me know? What is Ava going to do when she get's married and who are the boys going to go to if they need any manly advice, I know there is Lucas and Julian but it's just no the same."

"I know Haley. I wish I could bring him back. Savannah is not doing good at all," I say to her.

"Yeah Jamie said something last week about her," Haley tells me.

"Like what?" I curiously ask.

"Jamie saw her at a college party and she wasn't with Kieran, she was with Kalan and Jamie had to pretty much carry her out," Haley tells me.

"Great," I stop walking and look out into the water. "How did this happen Haley?"

"Believe me, I ask myself that every day. I love Nathan, I do, but I'm so mad at him for leaving us with this mess. Every thing was great and now I feel like every one is just falling deep from what we are used to. I'm scared Ava is going to ask me one day when she is older what happened to dad and why he isn't here. I'm afraid Jaime is going to try living in his dads footsteps instead of his own. I'm scared Jace is going to just be angry with me and I'm scared I'm just going to fall apart. I miss him so much Peyton and I know everyone does but I can't even sleep in my bed, I sleep with Ava and you know how that girl can kick," she tries to make a joke.

"Haley it's okay to feel scared at times, you know that both Lucas and I are here for you and the kids. It takes time and of course it's going to take longer for you. We will get through it one day at a time, you will get through it."

"I just want what is best for the kids, I want that so bad," she tells me.

"You being here is what is best for them," I say and hug her.

"Thanks Peyton," she whispers.

"You're not going," Lucas tells Savannah. I was playing on the floor with Tenley when I see her look at me.

"Mommy?" she starts crying from all the yelling. I pick her up and bring her outside with me so she doesn't have to hear it. I sit her on the edge of the hot tub so she can put her feet in. I see both Reese and Jace in the pool playing basketball.

"Are you guys getting hungry?"

"No," they both yell in unison but I know that they probably will be when they get out.

"Mommy I want to go in the pool," Tenley said trying to get out of my arms.

"MOM!" I hear Savannah yell and see her storm out.

"Do you mind?" I ask her.

"Can I please go to Keegan's," I hear her ask this time in a calmer voice.

"What did your dad say?" I ask her.

"He said no," she said angrily and I see Lucas walk out.

"Then what he says stands," I say to her.

"You guys are such," she says.

"Don't even start. You have been given everything you wanted and needed, don't you dare say anything bad about me or your father. Get your shit done that you need to do. When you're done and I or your father hear from your teachers then you can go to Keegan's."

"Whatever," she says and walks back into the house. About ten seconds later I see her backpack on her back and she's out the back door.

"Where the hell do you think you're going," Lucas asks her.

"Away from here," she tells him and continues to walk away. Lucas walks to her and grabs her arm turning her around.

"You walk out that gate, you're grounded even more then you already are now," he tells her.

"I'm on god damn house arrest," she spits back and pulls her arm away continuing to walk. She opens the gate then slams it closed as she leaves and the boys go back to playing. Lucas throws his hands up and walks back to the house, 5 seconds later I hear the front door slam.

"Uh oh," Tenley says with a grin.

"Uh oh is right," I say and we go back in the house. I take out the paints and put the paint shirt over her clothes as I undo the caps and grab a piece of paper for her.
"What should I paint mommy."

"Anything you want," I smile and order some pizza. The back door opens and I look to see Savannah.

"I forgot my math book," she says and runs upstairs.
When she comes back down and I say, "Savannah I love you, but right now you can't leave."

""Why not?"

"Because you're grounded and I want you to actually have a life outside of this. The more you disobey the more trouble you'll be in."

"Can I just please go," she begs.

"No Savannah you can't," Tenley says.

"Exactly what she said," I say. "Savannah I love you but right now you're in all sorts of trouble please don't make it worse for yourself."

"Can I at least go over to Haley's tonight please?"

"No you have gymnastics in the morning and you're not bothering Haley," I tell her.

"God," she says and slams the door walking back up to her room. I hear another door slam and think that at least she is home and I don't have to worry about where she is.

"Mommy look," Tenley says holding up a picture of a basketball.

"I think daddy is going to love it," I kiss her head and make sure that the paint is getting on the picture and not the floor or the table. I give her another sheet and check on the boys outside to make sure they are still in the pool.

"Hello," I hear from the front door knowing full well that it is Brooke. I see the Kole run into the kitchen and out to the back when he sees the boys in the pool. Brooke and the twins come into the kitchen and I take Zoe from her ass I hug Brooke.

"Where is Julian?"

"He is at the studio working, where's Savannah?"

"Up in her room until she can get her grades up, why?" I say.

"I brought some clothes for her, they are new from the line." Brooke tells me.

"Are they in your car?" I ask.

"Yeah," she tells me and grabs a water out of the fridge.

"I was going to order some pizza, you guys want to stay for dinner? Julian can come over as well," I tell her and yell from the bottom of the stairs for Savannah to come down in the kitchen.

"Sure, I will call Julian," she says when Savannah comes in. She says hi to Brooke and then the girls as she takes Maci in her arms sitting down next to Tenley.

"I brought some new clothes from the line for you," she says. "They are in my car you can grab them later."

"Thank you so much Aunt Brooke," she smiles for once today.

"Oh can you also babysit tomorrow night. I know you have a match tomorrow and you might be tired but it would just be the girls, Kole will be with us."

"Yeah I'm sure it will be fine," she says helping Tenley with the paint. "What's for dinner?"

"I'm just putting in an order for Pizza," I click the button for delivery.

"Julian and Lucas will be here, they are just leaving the studio," she reads her phone.
"I didn't know Lucas was there." I give her a look saying we will talk later and she nods her head.

"Mom can I go in the pool?" Kole ask.

"Kole your swimsuit is in the pool bathroom," I tell him as he runs there. He hands his clothes to his mom and goes back outside. I hear the front door open and hear Lucas and Julian laughing. They come in the kitchen and Julian grabs Zoe from me kissing her as she giggles. Lucas goes outside and sits on the deck looking out into the pool. "Savannah can you start cleaning up the table please?" I take out the salad and put it in a bowl for everyone as Brooke helps me set the table and the guys help the kids out of the pool. "Thank you," I say to Savannah when she comes in the dining room to put away the paints.

"I'm going to clean up Tenley," she walks out.

"What is going on?" Brooke whispers to me.

"She's just being a teenager. Her and Lucas got in a huge fight, hence why he was probably at Julians. She's behind on her homework, I have no idea who she is seeing and on top of that she is just dealing with Nathan in her own way. She quit basketball," I answer.

"I'm sorry Peyton. Not gymnastics right?"

"No, thank God. I don't know what to do anymore Brooke." I put my hand on my hip while my other covered my mouth trying not to cry.

"Hey," she comes over and rubs my arm "It's going to be okay. I fly to New York on Friday why doesn't she come with me for the weekend, help me out and we can talk."

"Let me talk to Lucas and see if he thinks it's a good idea," I tell her as the boys trickle in and take a seat just as the doorbell rings.

"Luke, babe will you get the pizza, the money is on the counter and I'm going to get cups and drinks for everyone."
He nods his head as Julian follows me in the kitchen and Brooke stays with the younger kids. I hand him the cups as he fills them with ice and I grab kool-aid from the fridge.

"Thanks for this," Julian says pouring the grape juice into the cups.

"Anytime," I smile and pat his back. I grab the glasses as he continues to pour and bring them in the dining room setting them in front of everyone while Brooke and Lucas put pizza on everyone's plate. I finally sit down and Tenley gets out of her chair to sit on my lap.

"No sit on your chair," I tell her and her eyes start to water. "Tenley don't cry just sit in your chair."

"No," she cries and sits on the floor. I pick her up and bring her into the kitchen and sit her down on the chair as she just continues to cry.

"When you're done having your little fit, you can join us in the dining room." I say and walk out. I hear her cry and wail but know she will be over it in a second. I sit back down to everyone laughing and Lucas grabs my hand just as Tenley comes in all red eyed. She comes over to me and gives me a hug saying sorry as she climbs in her chair and sits down, eating her pizza. I cleaned up the kitchen while the kids and Brooke and Julian left. Lucas came in with a garbage bag and helped clean up. We looked up when we heard footsteps and saw Savannah standing there.

"I'm sorry," she says playing with her fingernails.

"We love you Savannah," Lucas said.

"Please just let me finish," she says and I see tears roll down her face. "I'm sorry I let you down. I will do my homework and I will make up all the papers and tests I have. The reason I quit basketball wasn't the fact that I hated you dad, but Nathan taught me almost everything I know. I know that it's not your fault that you weren't there in the beginning but Nathan was and I feel like if I continue to play I'm going to like it more and Nathan is not going to be here to see it, and it hurts. It always hurts." Luke walks over to her and she collapses in his arms.

"Nathan would want to see you play," Lucas tells her.

"It just doesn't feel right anymore dad."

"It's not going to Savannah, but do you think Nathan would want to see you down here not playing at all, of a game that you love?"

"I played basketball because of him, there's no point anymore," she says into her father's arms.

"Play for him," I tell her standing by the table. "Play for Nathan."

"But every time I touch a basketball let alone see one, I think of him," she whispers.

"Whenever I saw an auto shop I thought of Keith, Savannah. It gets better I promise, but I know Nathan wouldn't want you to be like this," Lucas said. I felt a tear escape from my eye and I wiped it away with my finger.

"You ready for this," Brooke asked as I opened the door to the high school gym.

"I hope so. Savannah is finally playing tonight, since she switched her attitude and did her work and made up everything." I say setting Tenley down on the ground. She runs into the gym as Brooke gives me a smile and I see the Ravens warming up on the court.

"You think Kieran will be here?" Brooke asks me.

Savannah is talking to her friends on the court and still has her warmup pants and jacket on when I tell Brooke, "I don't know. I know Kalan will but Kieran not so much. I think she is too embarrassed to talk to him. I think he knows of some of the things that happened while they were dating and in between Nathans death." One of the girls passes the ball to her as she takes the shot and the net makes a swish sound. I follow Brooke through the crowd and then through the bleachers where we find our normal seats. Tenley is running on the bleachers in front of us before it starts to get packed with people. Brooke grabs Tenley and sets her on her lap as I smile and kiss her nose. I turn to where Lucas emerges from the doors below and meets my eyes. I smile and he sets the clipboard down on his chair as he watches the girls. When the clock reaches 30 seconds before the start the girls huddled around Lucas and he tells them a few things before five girls take the court, one being Savannah. The girls get the jump ball and pass to Savannah who runs a play and takes the shot for a three and it's nothing but net as she kisses her fingers, places them on her heart and then points to where Nathans jersey is framed and nailed to the wall. Brooke grabs my hand and squeezes it as I watch Lucas turn around to me and smiles as I laugh and cry.