Chapter Six

Alex gasps and runs her fingers along the necklace. "It's beautiful. Thank you." Peyton smiles. "I'm glad you like it. You're welcome." Alex moves her hair out of the way so the waiter can fasten the necklace around her neck. "I have something else for you but it's in my car. So I'll give it to you later tonight." Peyton winks. Alex giggles. Peyton looks at the waiter. "You get us the bill please?" The waiter nods and walks away. "So what do you have planned for tonight?" Peyton smiles. "I can't tell you." Alex pouts. Peyton just laughs. "Nope. Not falling for it." The waiter comes back. "Here you are." Peyton smiles and looks at the bill. They read it over and nod. Peyton takes out their wallet and places money down in the tray on top of the bill. The waiter smiles. "Have a great night. Have fun tonight Alex." The waiter winks and walks away with the little tray. Alex just blushes. Peyton runs their fingers through Alex's hair. "Lets go." The two leave the restaurant and walk across the street. Alex and Peyton walk into the house. "Hey Eric where'd you put my keys?" Eric gets up off the couch and goes to the basement. A few seconds later Eric hands over Peyton's car keys. "Thanks dude." Eric smiles and nods and then sits back down on the couch. Peyton goes out to their car. As Alex is waiting, she chats with Tristine. "So you're leaving next week?" Tristine and Aaron nod. "Don't worry though. You can stay as long as you want to or need to." Alex hugs Aaron. "Thanks." Aaron hugs back gently. "No problem kiddo." Peyton comes back in the house. "Okay I need everyone in the living room area right now." Aaron, Tristine, Justine and Alex all go to the living room. Peyton takes Alex's hand and gets her to stand in front of them. Everyone else sits on the couch and in chairs. "So this is a very very big deal for me so just bare with me." Aaron gives Peyton two thumbs up and mouths, "You got this." Peyton takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Alex, you're it for me. You're my love, my life, my soul mate and I love you. Forever. Ever since you were little I knew you were special. That you were going to be special. For me and only me. I felt so lost when I had to leave but when we met up again, it felt like my life lit up again. It felt like my heart lit up again. You reignited me and I feel like I can finally start living again." Alex gasps when Peyton gets down on one knee and opens a tiny box. "Alexandra Jasmine Philips, will you do me the extraordinary honour of marrying me?" Justine holds onto Eric's hand tightly. Alex nods. "Yes. A million times yes." Peyton stands up after putting the ring on Alex's finger and hugs her gently. Alex kisses Peyton deeply. Once the two pull apart everyone else each gets a turn hugging Alex and Peyton. Later on after the movie. Peyton takes Alex's hand and leads her to the basement. "Night guys." "Night!" Peyton closes the bedroom door and then pushes Alex onto the bed gently. Alex gets the hint and props herself on her elbows. Peyton hovers above Alex and kisses her deeply. The two take their time getting undressed. Peyton leaves open mouthed kissed all over Alex's body and it sends shivers up her spine. Alex and Peyton make sweet passionate love for the first time. A little later. Alex has her arm draped over Peyton's chest and her head on their chest. "So that was new." Peyton chuckles against Alex's forehead. Peyton kisses it. "I know. It's a first for me too." Alex lifts her head up. "No way." Peyton smiles. "Way. I've only ever just fucked with no feeling behind it. That's what it felt like with you the first two times so I thought I'd change that." Alex hums lovingly and lays her head back down on Peyton's chest. Alex starts drawing patterns on Peyton's chest. "What cha thinkin' about?" Alex kisses Peyton's chest. "Just how happy I am right now." Peyton smiles and kisses Alex softly. Alex props her arms up on Peyton's chest and lays her chin in her hands. "So. What do you want to do now?" "Aren't you tired?" Alex shakes her head. "Not really." "Wanna go again?" Alex smiles. "I'd be down with that." Peyton chuckles and kisses Alex deeply. A little while later. "Damn baby you're gonna be the death of me." Peyton gets off Alex and lays down beside her. "You're the one that wanted to go again." Peyton chuckles. "True. You tired now?" Alex shrugs. "A bit. Why?" Peyton yawns. Alex chuckles. "I see. Lets go to sleep." Peyton and Alex roll onto their side and go to sleep. The next morning Peyton and Eric were in the car driving. "So where we going?" Peyton focuses on the road. "I'm not telling." Peyton pulls into the mall parking lot. The two get out and Peyton locks the door. Peyton and Eric walk into the mall and browse. Eric picks up a shirt. "What about this?" Peyton turns. "That's cool. Add it to the pile." Eric walks over to the cart and puts the shirt down in it. Peyton goes towards the back of the store they're in. Eric walks over and puts a hand full of shorts, long sleeves, pants and shirts into the cart. Peyton smiles. "You have amazing taste." Eric scratches the back of his neck. "Uh thanks I guess. We done in this store?" Peyton chuckles. "Getting bored already?" "No. I just really have to pee." "Then go. It's not like you're paying fr any of this." Eric looks shocked. "What?" Peyton smiles. "Go." Eric nods and leaves the store to find a restroom. Once Eric comes back Peyton is at the cash register paying for all the clothes. "Have a good day." Peyton smiles. "You as well Sara." Sara smiles. Peyton and Eric leave the store and walk around the mall. "How do you know that girl?" Peyton smiles. "I own half this mall. Well. My dad does." "and the other half?" "An old friend of mine." Eric hums and follows Peyton into another clothes store. Peyton starts browsing. Eric walks close to Peyton. "You looking for something in particular?" Peyton nods. "Hey do me a favor?" Eric hums. "Go find AJ for me. Say Peyton is looking for them." Eric nods. "Okay." Eric goes to find AJ. "Excuse me? Are you AJ?" "That I am kind sir. Can I help you?" "I was told by Peyton to come find you." AJ smiles. "Lead the way kind sir." AJ follows Eric to where Peyton is. "Long time no see cuz. Peyton smiles. "I need your help." AJ stands up straight. "What's up?" "You have anymore of those jackets I like? I want to buy one for my fiancé. She loves them." AJ smiles. "Follow me." Peyton and Eric follow AJ to the very back of the store. "Here you are." Peyton smiles and hugs AJ. "Thank you." "Anytime." AJ walks off. Peyton grabs a few of the jackets and then a few hats. They then go to the cash register. "Find everything okay?" Peyton nods. "Yes ma'am." "Total comes to $289.83 please." Peyton grabs their wallet and takes out some money and hands it to the cashier. "Keep the change." The cashier smiles. "Have a great day." "You as well. Bye AJ!" AJ comes out from his little office. "Bye guys. Please do come again. Oh and Peyton." Peyton hums. "Congratulations on the engagement. " "Thanks dude. I'll see you soon." AJ points a finger at Peyton. "You better invite me." Peyton chuckles. "Of course my dude. You're my family. I'll text you." AJ and Peyton hug. Peyton and Eric leave the store and go to the food court. As they're eating. Eric looks over at Peyton. "Um there's something I want to talk to you about." Peyton finishes their fries. "Okay." Eric takes a big sip of his drink. "You know how you're only into one sex?" Peyton hums and nods. Eric clears his throat. Peyton smiles and puts their hand on Eric's shoulder. "Relax dude. I know." Eric looks shocked. "You do?" Peyton chuckles. "I've seen the way you look at my friends dude. By the way. Ryan is too." Peyton winks at Eric. Eric looks at his food. "Is AJ?" Peyton chuckles and puts their hand on Eric's knee. "As gay as they come. He's like me though." Eric finishes his burger and then finishes the last bit of his drink. "Oh. So he's off limits?" Peyton chuckles and gets up. Eric follows and the two throw away their garbage. "No. He's not off limits. I'd just be careful with him. His anger can sometimes be worse than mine." Eric nods. "I see. Where to now?" Peyton carries the bags to the car and puts them in the trunk. They then walk towards the electronics store beside the mall. Eric follows. Eric follows Peyton around the store. "See anything you want?" Eric looks confused. "Huh?" Peyton turns and looks at Eric. "It's your birthday today is it not?" Eric nods and then nods again when he understands what Peyton meant. Eric rubs his hands together. Peyton laughs. "You're too cute." Eric and Peyton walk around and Eric puts things in the cart as they do. Eric stops. "Wait do I have a limit?" Peyton shrugs. "Not really. Go crazy." "Sweet." Peyton chuckles and follows Eric around with the cart. Eric walks to the cash register once the cart is full. The cashier smiles. "Find everything okay?" Eric nods. "Yes sir." "Your total comes to $29,689.40 please." Peyton smiles and takes out their card. The cashier types away on the machine and then hands it over to Peyton. They type in what they need to and then wait. It beeps. Peyton takes out their card and then hands the machine back. "You want the receipt?" "Yes please." The cashier prints off the receipt and hands it over. "Have a great day." "Thank you. You as well." Peyton and Eric leave the store. "I'm gonna bring the car up." Eric nods. Peyton goes to their car and gets in. They drive up to where Eric is waiting. They get out and help Eric put the boxes in the backseat. Once done Eric brings the cart back into the store and puts it with the others. He then gets in the car and Peyton drives off. "Well that was fun. We going back to Aaron's now?" Peyton makes a turn. "Got to do a few more things and then we'll go." Eric nods. Peyton stops in front of a apartment building. "Stay here." Eric does up his seatbelt again. Peyton goes in. Eric looks at his phone and sees three missed calls from Alex. He hits call on her number. It rings.

"Finally you answer." "Chill out. I'm out with P." "Oh? They playing nice?" "I'll say. They just spent over $30,000 on me today. This phone I'm using is brand new." "I'm jealous!" "No need. They got you one too. You wanted the iPhone 11 right?" "Yeah." "Okay good cuz that's what they bought you." "Anything else?" "For you or for me?" "For me." "A lot. They've probably easily spent over $50,000 on both of us today." "Holy fuck." "I know. They're probably in this apartment building buying us weed or something too." "I doubt that. Plus you don't even smoke." "I don't. Yes I do. Just not around you. Okay I gotta go. They're back." "Okay. See you when you get here." "Bye sis." "Bye."

Eric hangs up as Peyton gets in the car. Peyton pulls out of the complex and then makes a turn down a street. "Go in the bag." Eric goes in the bag Peyton handed him as they got in. He smiles. "Thanks." Peyton smiles and nods. "Be careful with that stuff. It's strong. That's what my guy said to tell you." Eric nods. "Okay." "And yes Alex can have some too. Just. You know. Not a lot. I bought it for you." Eric nods. "Okay. Thank you." "Your welcome." "Where we off to now?" "The real estates office." Eric looks confused. Peyton notices. "I bought a house for me, you, your mother, Alex and my mum about a week after Alex was in the hospital for that disease she had. I'm getting the keys today." Eric nods. "That's why you let me go crazy at the electronics store." Peyton smiles and nods. "Well not entirely. Also because it's your birthday." Eric side hugs Peyton. They pat Eric's back. Eric pulls away. Peyton pulls into a parking lot. "Be right back." Eric nods. Peyton walks into the real estate office. As he's waiting, Eric rolls a joint. Well. Tries to. Peyton laughs when they come back in the car. "Here. Give." Eric gets frustrated and hands the stuff over to Peyton. "You don't mind my saliva being on this right?" Eric shakes his head. "No." Peyton nods and rolls the joint. They then seal it. Peyton hands the joint to Eric. He takes it. "Thanks." Peyton nods. Peyton starts up the car and drives out of the parking lot and onto the road. "You can smoke that now if you want. I don't care." Eric nods. "Okay." Eric lights his joint and smokes away. Eric offers it to Peyton. "Mm?" Peyton takes it and takes a puff and then hands it back. Peyton blows the smoke out their nose. Peyton makes a few turns. Peyton and Eric go back and forth with the joint. A little bit later Peyton pulls into a driveway. "You wanna come in? I'm only staying for a few drinks." Eric nods. The two get out of the car and Peyton locks the car. "Peyton." They smile and open their arms. They hug their friend. Once they pull apart. "Dani this is Eric. Eric Dani." The two shake hands. "Pleasure." "Likewise. Well come on in. I've got someone whose been dying to see you Peyton." Eric and Peyton follow Dani to the backyard. Peyton sneaks up behind Melissa and wrap their arms around her waist. Melissa turns her head. Peyton smiles. "Boo." Melissa gets up and jumps into Peyton's arms. "Peyton!" Peyton chuckles and holds onto Melissa. "Hi babygirl." Eric just stares in awe. Peyton walks over to Eric. "Mel this is my friend Eric. Eric this is my babygirl Melissa." Eric smiles. "Hi." "Hi." Melissa then buries her face in Peyton's neck. They chuckle. "She's very shy when it comes to new people." Eric nods. "Go ahead and find a drink. Bring me one too please." Eric nods and goes to get some drinks. Peyton is running around the yard with Melissa on their back when Eric comes back. "Vroom." Melissa laughs. Peyton stops. "Again. Again." Peyton puts Melissa down. "In a bit babygirl. I need a break." Melissa nods. "Okay." She runs off towards her castle. Peyton takes the cup Eric hands them and takes a sip. "Thanks." "No problem. So how long have you known Dani?" Peyton and Eric have a seat by the pool. "Since she was 11. Long story short. She was abandoned by her parents and all other family so I took her in and gave her everything she needed. Until she met her now husband." Eric takes a sip of his drink. Peyton takes a sip of their drink and stands up. Eric does too. "Where you going?" "I'll be back. I'm just gonna go grab Alex. Yo Dani!" Dani turns. "Can I borrow your car?" Dani gives a thumbs up. "Keys are in the tray by the door." Peyton nods and finishes their drink. Melissa runs over. "Why you leaving?" Peyton picks up Melissa. "I'm not leaving for long. I'm just going to pick up someone and then I'll be back." Melissa nods. "Okay." "Give kiss." Melissa kisses Peyton and they put her down. Peyton grabs Dani's keys from the tray by the door and gets in the car. They then drive off. At Aaron's. "Alex?" Alex comes out of the kitchen. "Hi." Peyton and Alex kiss. "Hi. You want to come to a friend of mine's party?" Alex smiles. "Sure. Just let me get changed." Peyton nods. "I'll be in my friends car." Alex nods and then runs downstairs. Peyton waits in the car. As Peyton finishes their cigarette, Alex comes out of the house and gets in the car. Peyton backs out of the driveway and drives back towards Dani's. Once there the two get out and Peyton locks the car. They then put the keys back in the tray by the door. Alex holds onto Peyton's hand and follows them out to the backyard after grabbing a beer. Peyton smiles when they see Eric running around with Melissa and her friends. Eric walks over to Peyton and Alex when he sees them. Melissa runs and jumps into Peyton's arms. "Rawr." Melissa giggles. Peyton kisses Melissa's cheek and then puts her down. "Go play." Peyton sits down and Alex sits on their lap. Peyton takes a swig of their beer and hands it to Alex. She takes a swig and then hands it back. Peyton points at Eric. "You be careful. Weed and alcohol are a bad combination." Eric sticks out his tongue. Peyton just chuckles. Dani comes over a little later and sits next to Peyton. "So. I hear congratulations are in order." Peyton smiles and nods. Alex shows off her hand. Dani gasps and holds Alex's hand so she can look at the ring. "It's beautiful. Congratulations you two." Peyton smiles. "Thanks Dani. So how are you and Fred?" Dani sighs sadly. "Fred and I are having some issues right now. He's just so focused on the past. When he found out about you he's been nothing but jealous and rude." Peyton chuckles. "Tell him I was basically your mother." "I did. He didn't believe me. That's one of his many issues." Melissa comes running over and grabs Alex's hand. She pulls Alex. "Come play." Alex just laughs and gets up. She chases Melissa and her friends around the yard. Peyton looks over at Dani. "Is he here?" Dani flings her head towards the garage. "He's been spending a lot of time in there." Peyton nods and gets up. They walk to the garage and lean against the one wall. Fred looks up from what he was doing. "What you want?" "Oh don't be like that Fred. You know why I came over." Fred sighs. "I know that you and my wife have a history." "Yeah. I'm basically her mother. Her only family besides you and her kids." Fred looks up at Peyton. "I don't believe that. You're too close with her for that." Peyton smiles. "If you want I can show you. That help?" "Maybe but I don't want to see the two of you together in pictures and shit." Peyton smirks and walks over to Fred. They put their hand on the back of Fred's neck. "You want the truth no?" Fred nods. Peyton nods. "Okay then." Peyton digs their nails into Fred's neck. A few minutes later Fred backs away from Peyton. "What are you?" Peyton chuckles and kneels down in front of Fred. "Relax. I'm not going to hurt you. Just want to heal the wound in your neck." Fred stays still and Peyton licks the wound they made. It heals when Peyton pulls away. "I didn't mean to go so deep. I apologize. See you around." Peyton leaves the garage. A few hours later Eric yawns. Peyton smiles. "Bed time?" Eric yawns again. "Yes. I'm worn out." Peyton looks over at Alex. She shrugs. "I'm good." Peyton nods. "Okay I will be back. Just gonna say goodnight to Melissa and Dani." Alex and Eric nod. Peyton goes in the house. Eric walks over to Alex and nearly falls over. Alex chuckles and holds onto him. "You're drunk." "Totally am. Uh Alex?" Alex hums. "I feel really sick all of a sudden." Peyton comes running and grabs Eric. They then bring him to the bathroom. Eric throws up in the toilet. "I warned you." Eric throws up again. "About what?" Eric throws up for the third time. "About mixing that weed with alcohol. Bad combination." "I thought you were just telling me what to do. I hate when people tell me what to do." Peyton chuckles. "Unless it's your mother." Eric nods and then throws up again. "Make it stop." Peyton sighs and runs Eric's back. "I wish I could bud." "Why can't you?" "My blood will only make it worse. Its gotta go away on its own." Eric whines. "How long will that take?" Peyton looks sad. "About six hours." "Six hours!" "Shhh." "Whoops. Six hours? Why six hours?" Peyton rubs Eric's back as he throws up again. "I have no idea. I never figured out why. The throwing up should stop soon but that sharp pain and the uneasiness won't go away anytime soon." Dani knocks on the door. "Everything alright?" Peyton smiles and nods. "Just had a little too much to drink. Hey is it possible for him to stay the night?" Dani smiles and nods. "I'll set up the spare room." Peyton nods. "Thanks." Dani nods and goes upstairs. Peyton helps Eric up and wraps his arm around their shoulder after Eric rinsed his mouth out with mouthwash. Peyton helps Eric up the stairs and into the spare room. Eric sits down. Peyton helps Eric take off his clothes and helps him tuck in. "Try to get some sleep. I'll come get you in the afternoon." Eric nods. Peyton leaves the room and closes the door. "Don't give him anything except water until I come for him tomorrow." Dani nods. "May I ask why?" "His body can't handle anything but water right now. Anything else could possibly hurt him at the moment." Dani nods. "Okay. See you tomorrow." Peyton nods and hugs Dani. "See you tomorrow." Peyton leaves with Alex. As they're driving. "What's with all these boxes in the backseat?" "Eric's stuff. For his birthday." Alex nods. "Take the wheel a sec." Alex does so. Peyton reaches behind their chair and grabs a bag. They hand it to Alex after repositioning their hand on the steering wheel. Alex opens it and gasps. "The iPhone 11!" Peyton smiles. "I know Eric told you." Alex takes the phone out and transfers her sim card from her old phone to the new. "I didn't believe him. Thank you." Alex kisses Peyton's cheek. Peyton smiles and pats Alex's knee. "No problem love." A little later, Peyton pulls into the driveway to Aaron's house. Peyton and Alex get out and Peyton locks the car. The two then walk into the house and go downstairs. They go to bed after brushing their teeth and going to the bathroom.