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Chapter Thirty Eight: Peyton Meets Karen

Peyton sighed as she walked up to the precinct’s crib while trying to decide if she should change for her lunch with Lucas and his Mom. Looking at herself in the mirror, she messed around with her hair for a second before deciding to keep what she had on. It was one of her nicer suits and it fit her well and Lucas always told her she looked pretty in it. Of course she thought he was joking but now she knew he was always serious. Deciding to put her hair up she clipped half of it back and let the rest of her golden curls fall onto her shoulders.

Walking back downstairs she sat at her desk to review her DD5s when she felt a familiar pair of arms wrap around her waist smiling she turned around and faced Lucas and began babbling, “Is it bad that I’m nervous? Is it bad that I really want your Mom to like me? I mean Luke this is huge! I’m meeting your Mom! What if she hates me? What if I’m not good enough? What if I spill something on her or get something in my teeth? Lucas, what I am I going to do?”

Lucas shook his head as he chuckled his blue eyes gleaming brightly as he leaned in and kissed Peyton softly so she would shut up for a few seconds pulling away he whispered, “Babe, you have nothing to worry about. Nothing do you hear me? My Mom is going to love you and what do you mean what if you’re not good enough?”

“Well I mean look at me Lucas I’m just a cop, it’s not like I’m anything special.”

“Okay that’s it you’ve officially gone nuts. You’re nuts, certifiable even, you are ready for the looney bin my friend. Peyt, my Mom was married to a cop for almost thirty years not to mention she was in love with my Dad since they were like five so that’s like thirty years. Trust me. You’re good enough for me.”

“I just really want her to like me Luke that’s all.”

“She will don’t worry.”

Giving Peyton’s hand a reassuring squeeze they then left the precinct for a small Bistro on 5th called BLT Steak and all the while Peyton’s insides were churning and she swore she was going to through up her spleen or something. Never had she been so nervous and she didn’t know why especially since she’d been taken hostage, shot at, actually shot, bombed, and numerous other things during her tour of duty at SVU. So why was she so nervous about meeting Karen Roe? Oh, yeah Karen was Lucas’ Mom that must be it.

Karen Roe walked into BLT Steak not knowing what to expect. She had gotten a phone call from her only son gushing and gushing about his girlfriend something Lucas hadn’t done since his first highschool love and had asked her to meet them for lunch. Taking a deep breath and popping a tic tac the dark-haired woman looked around the semi busy Bistro for her son when she couldn’t find him she gave the hostess her name and took a seat. Never had Karen felt this nervous before. Okay, that was a lie the last time she’d felt this nervous was when she was meeting Keith’s parents as his girlfriend and then again as his fiancee.

Lucas and Peyton walked into the restaurant and he immediately spotted his Mom sitting down on the large red couch they had placed their for people waiting for their parties. Squeezing Peyton’s hand one last time and offering her an assuring smile, he walked over to his Mom saying, “Hey, Mom.”

Karen looked up to see Lucas standing there holding the hand of a tall thin curly haired blonde woman in a black suit with a white pleated tuxedo blouse, complete with a black belt, matching blazer and black boots. She was beautiful with her tanned complexion and large bright hazel eyes but what made Karen stifle back a laugh was that she appeared to look as nervous as she felt. No one had ever been nervous to meet her before, it was something she could get used to.

“Hey, Lucas. I missed you so much the past couple of weeks. Being in the city hasn’t altered your sense of direction has it? I mean you still know how to find Queens don’t you?” Karen chastised as she hugged him.

“What can I say Mom? I’m a traitor.” He joked as he kissed her cheek.

“Your father would be so disappointed in you,” Karen said smiling as she turned to face Peyton, “I’m Karen Roe it’s so nice to meet you.”

Peyton shook the other woman’s hand hoping hers wasn’t clammy and gross. Noticing Karen’s easy smile Peytons fears seemed to dissipate and with ease she replied, “Hi Karen it’s nice to finally meet you. I’m Peyton Sawyer, Lucas and I work together at SVU we’re partners.”

“Oh really? Do you like working at SVU?”

“Yeah, I like it a lot. Luke keeps it bearable and it’s nice to have someone to talk to about everything we see day in and day out. I don’t think I’ve been this happy in a long time.” She admitted honestly.

Karen smiled when she noticed how happy Lucas was, which was a change and a good one considering after the family had lost Keith it was so hard for her to see her baby boy in such pain but she could see times were changing and he was happy for the first time in a long time.

As the lunch went on Peyton became more and more relaxed around Karen and Lucas couldn’t help but slip in an “I told you so” when Karen gushed about Peyton and how happy she was for both of them. After saying good bye Karen went back to Queens to help Faith’s Mom Samantha get ready for the commitment ceremony over the weekend while Peyton and Lucas went back to the station.

“I told you my Mom would love you.” Lucas remarked as he and Peyton walked back into the squad room.

“I know, I know but still you can’t help be nervous. I’m really glad she likes me though and I’m really glad I like her. She’s a great woman, Luke. You’re lucky to have her ya know?”

“Yeah, I know.”