It's been two weeks since Peyton and Sadie's visit with Sadie's mother - Maggie. They visited again as promised the last two Saturdays as well.

Maggie had stuck to her word and by last weekend Sadie was out of the apartment she shared with her father and was set up in a small but quaint apartment in a much safer neighbourhood. It was a one bedroom apartment but it actually had real walls separating it and the bathroom from the kitchen and living room.

Maggie and Fiona had actually come during the week to help Sadie and Peyton with the move and everything.

Things were great. For everyone. That is until Peyton began to have something reminiscent of a nervous breakdown.

She was happy, there was no denying that but there was something that was bothering her.

"Peyton?"

She stopped pacing and turned to a confused looking woman, "Mrs D, did I wake you? I'm sorry."

"No, I came to get some water and I noticed the door was open. What are you doing pacing about out here at after one in the morning?"

"I... I can't sleep."

"What's bothering you sweetheart?"

"It's nothing really. I'll get over it. You should go back to bed. Don't let me keep you up, you have work in a few hours."

"And you have a test."

"I know... but I'm ready for it."

"Peyton, I am not going to leave you here in distress." Mrs Dexter sat on the chair swing, "come, talk to me Peyton. That's what I'm here for."

Peyton gave her a small smile before sitting next to her.

"Okay, so what's wrong sweetheart?"

"I'm freaking out!"

"About what?"

"You remember that girl, Sadie?"

"Of course. How could I not? She was a darling."

Peyton smiled, "I'm glad you think so. She is."

"Do you like her?"

"I'm in love with her."

"So she is the one who you've been spending the last three weekends with?"

Peyton nodded with a nostalgic smile. "She introduced me to her mother. I think her mother likes me. I like her. She's cool. Like you."

Mrs Dexter smiled, "well I can tell you that Sadie is having quite the effect on you. You have been clamer these days, I have not seen you have an anger outburst in the past two weeks. Also, you are putting on a bit of weight."

Peyton smiled, "she cooks for me. I don't know why but I can eat her food." Peyton added quickly, "I'm not saying anything bad about your food!"

Mrs Dexter chuckled, "I took no offense at that. I am just glad that somebody can get you to eat."

"She brings lunch for me everyday and on the weekends she makes whatever I ask her for."

"So if things are this good, what are you freaking out about?"

"I... like I said, I love her. I'm in love with her. I've told her that. I always tell her and she tells me the same..."

"Do you not believe her?"

Peyton shook her head sadly, "I want to because I don't think she is a liar and I know she won't say something like that if she didn't mean it but I just don't understand why."

"You don't understand why she loves you?"

Peyton shook her head as tears began to flow. "She has no reason to. I ain't lovable Mrs D."

Mrs Dexter wrapped her arm around Peyton's shoulder and Peyton rested her head on her shoulder. "You are every bit as lovable as anyone else."

"No..." Peyton sniffled, "I'm not." After a couple seconds she continued, "if I was my parents and brother would have loved me. I know it is stupid but sometimes I can't stand seeing Sadie interact with her mother. It breaks my heart. It's the same with Kimmy only difference is I am accustomed to you guys and Kimmy so it isn't so bad anymore. But I can't help but wonder what I did wrong. Why don't they love me? Sometimes I wonder if I was wrong and weak for leaving. I should have stayed and fought. I should have faced my life and..."

Mrs Dexter's heart ached her as she listened to some of Peyton's deepest hurts and concerns. "Peyton, nothing is wrong with you sweetheart." She cut her off, "something is terribly wrong with your parents and your brother. They were the ones who were at fault. They treated you terribly and they refuse to see the amazing, beautiful person you are. I will never understand them. And you were not wrong to leave..."

"But people always say, 'honour your parents'. I did not do that! I was rude, I ran."

"Were you always rude? Or did you get that way over time?"

"No, I tried my best to be perfect but nothing worked so I started to lash out I guess..."

"And that is perfectly normal. Have you spoken to your doctor about all of this?"

Peyton nodded, "but it still bothers me..."

"These things take time to heal. Give yourself time. And please, try to remember that your parents did kick you out. Now, believe me when I tell you that you are one of the most lovable people I know. You are thoughtful, kind, charismatic, chivalrous and so many other good things. You have your negative qualities too - like everyone does - your anger, you can be very stubborn and argumentative but these do not have to be always negative. You can use them for good like how you argued your way into wearing the boys' uniform."

Peyton sat up and looked at Mrs Dexter, "Thanks Mrs D. I'm sorry if the things I said hurt you..."

"What do you mean?" Mrs Dexter was definitely confused by Peyton's apology.

"Talking about my parents and such... I don't want you to think that I am seeking their love when deep down I know I will never get it while here are you and Mr D giving me all your love and treating me as your own daughter. I do realise what you are doing for me and I do know that I have a real family now. And I am grateful beyond comprehension."

It was Mrs Dexter's turn to shed a few tears. She pulled Peyton in and hugged her tightly. "Thank you for that Peyton. It means everything to me that you think that and we do love you as our own."

Peyton smiled when Mrs Dexter released her. She was feeling much better.

"So, back to Sadie." Mrs Dexter spoke looking intently at Peyton. "Now that you hopefully understand that Sadie can love you, what else is bothering you?"

Peyton was silent for a minute and then she revealed, "the first Saturday I met her mother, I asked her something when Sadie was not around. I... I asked her permission to ask Sadie to be my girlfriend."

"You did? That is so sweet and unheard of anymore! What did her mother say?"

Peyton beamed, "she said yes she told me that she gave me her blessing."

"And I am guessing that you have yet to ask Sadie?"

Peyton nodded, "that's what I am freaking out about. I am thinking about asking her this weekend but I am not sure..."

"What are you unsure of?"

"I'm afraid..."

"Are you afraid that she will say no?"

Peyton shook her head sadly. "I could deal with that."

"So what are you afraid of then?"

"I'm afraid of her saying yes..."

Mrs Dexter was stumped for a moment. "You're afraid of her saying yes?"

Peyton nodded, "I'm not good enough for her Mrs D. Sadie is this amazing, remarkable girl who has been hurt a lot. She deserves someone who can give her the best. Someone stable. Someone who won't let her down and can love her the way she deserves to be loved. I can't do that Mrs D. I will let her down. I will hurt her. And I won't be able to live with myself if I hurt her. She is too precious. I do not want to break her heart."

"Peyton, no relationship is perfect because no person is perfect. I know you can love her. Let her be the one to decide if you are the one for her. Don't try to make that decision for her; it's hers to make. I won't tell you 'just don't hurt her' because that is something you cannot have total control over because sometimes things happen in ways that we did not expect or what not and the other person gets hurt but what I will tell you is that everything, every moment is a choice so, choose wisely. Always make the best possible choice that you can. Never do anything that you know for a fact will hurt her. Think of her and what is best for her - what is best for both of you - properly before making a decision. Always be honest with her. Talk to her. And most of all, always be yourself. If she loves you, be sure she loves YOU and not some persona you've put on. In this way you will almost guarantee your end of the relationship. You will eliminate most of the hurt that you're afraid of inflicting on her. Now, I am warning you that she has her end of it and if she does not do her part as you do yours, you will be the one who will be hurt."

Peyton took a moment to soak in everything that Mrs Dexter said to her. She nodded slowly, "I understand. It makes sense. I never thought of it like that. Thanks Mrs D!"

Mrs Dexter smiled and cautiously said, "that's what parents are for. To give you advice most always based on our experiences and mistakes in the hopes that you kids do not make the same mistakes we did and so hopefully have a better shot at life."