Memory - The Finale To Motivation

Chapter 10 - True Love's Kiss

Carrie pushed Peyton out of the door, slamming it behind her. "Jeez, calm down. It can't be that serious." Peyton said with a slight chuckle in his voice.

"We have to get out of here." She whispered.

"Why, is my mom really that bad?" Peyton joked.

"No, Peyton, look at this." Carrie showed him the article on her phone.

"Oh... so, you figured it out, then?" Peyton stepped back awkwardly. "Look, I'm sorry, just please, don't break up with me."

"Well, as pissed as I am that you lied to me, that's not the real issue here. Read it." Carrie passed him her phone, as Peyton read through his phone. And he was shocked. He read about his father's murder accusations, his insanity, and how he threatened to kill an employee.

"He... did all of this? He told me that he threatened to fire the employee, not kill him!"

"I figured. The thing is, your dad is way more dangerous than you could know. We have to get out of here." Carrie grabbed Peyton's arm, about to drag him down the driveway, but Peyton pulled back.

"What about mom?" He asked.

"She's older. She can handle herself. I know somewhere where he'll never find us. When we get there, we can call her." Carrie explained.

"And if he picks up instead?"

"We'll improvise. Now come on." Peyton took one last look behind him, then ran after Carrie.

Meanwhile, Matt and Stephanie were cleaning up the basement. "They make a cute couple." Matt said.

Stephanie laughed. "Cute, but oddly matched."

"Well, we were oddly matched... in a way..." Matt chuckled. "But seriously, don't you think that they-" 

"Look like us when we were that age? Well, aside from Carrie's hair, I've got to agree. They do look a little like us." Stephanie finished.

"It's almost scary." Matt chuckled again, then went back to stacking the boxes in the corner. He was humming "The Prayer."

"Oh, you like that song?" She asked with a smile.

"If it means I get to dance with you again, then yes." Matt and Stephanie laughed.

"Very funny, Matthew. There's a reason why we got divorced."

"Yeah, but... it's kind of in ruins now."

"That's right... what are you going to do now?" Stephanie asked.

"I don't know. Maybe the company will take me back?" Matt thought aloud.

"They actually closed down." Stephanie said.

"Really?"

"Yeah, they got sued. Guess you left just in time, huh?"

"Guess so."

They both were silent for a while. "Hey, Steph?"

"Yes?"

"What do you think of me now?" Matt asked. Stephanie thought for a second.

"You're different."

"In a good way, or..."

"No, no, I do mean in a good way!" Stephanie laughed. "It's just... back then, right before you and I got divorced, you seemed so broken, so damaged. But now... you're like... back before Jake died."

"Yeah." Matt looked down, sad, but with a small smile on his face. Not a sinister smile, but a nostalgic smile, remembering the good times.

"And... I'm sorry about Libby. I know that I practically relinquished ownership of her, but she's still my daughter. I just wanted to leave that life behind. Peyton was the only one who could understand me at that time. I was rash. I thought the only way to be happy again was to take him and leave you two behind." Stephanie sat down beside him. "But... since I skipped out on most of her life, I... I can't seem to find the pain that I should be feeling."

"It's alright. I understand the divorce. We were both at fault there. And of course you wouldn't feel the same kind of pain I did about Libby. You weren't there." Matt said, taking her hands. You also weren't the one that caused her death.

Stephanie looked into his eyes. There was something different in them. He seemed more hopeful, happier. And Matt was. He saw a second chance at life in her eyes.

Matt leaned in. Stephanie leaned back, but stopped herself. Then she leaned in. And after so many years, they kissed.