Love is like the sun coming out of the clouds
and warming your soul.

If I could have just one wish,
I would wish to wake up everyday
to the sound of your breath on my neck,
the warmth of your lips on my cheek,
the touch of your fingers on my skin,
and the feel of your heart beating with mine...
Knowing that I could never find that feeling
with anyone other than you.

- Courtney Kuchta –

The birds began to sing in the trees as the morning rays of sunlight sneaked through the gaps in the curtains. A couple lay peacefully entwined together in their bed. They seemed to fit together perfectly as he lay on his back, her on her side, her head lay on his shoulder, his lay peacefully on top of hers, their legs entangled. It almost seemed as if they were one. Even in sleep they held onto each other for dear life.

Finally the blonde man began to wake.

Lucas woke with a smile on his face as he absorbed his surroundings. It seemed like such a nice day outside but yet he didn't want to move. He just stayed there as he began to watch the sleeping beauty that lay beside him. He smiled to himself as he gently placed a kiss on her forehead lightly to avoid waking her. He began to wonder what he'd done to deserve her.

He'd never imagined all those years ago in high school when he used to pine over her, that everything would have turned out so perfectly. Sure it hadn't been easy but what love story ever is? They had overcome a lot of obstacles in their path but they got through it and he liked to think it just made them stronger in the end. They would get through this too, together.

He knew that returning to Tree Hill, everyone coming back together again after three years and the upcoming events would be stressful but he also knew once they had each other together they could survive anything.

He continued to watch her sleep for a while longer in silence, just soaking up her beauty. It had become a ritual; he loved those first few minutes in the morning, just after he woke, where the world seemed calm and peaceful. He loved to just lie there enjoying every minute of it. Sometimes he had to pinch himself in order to remember that all of this wasn't a fantasy.

A little while later, he smiled as he noticed her begin to stir beside him.

"Hey!" He said when her eyes finally fluttered opened to meet his. He gently kissed her forehead again as he greeted her. "Morning beautiful!"

"Morning Hun" she smiled sleepily as she closed her eyes again and pulled herself closer to him, snuggling into his warm body as he wrapped his arms tighter around her. They just laid there for a while, enjoying the moment.

"Stop watching me" she smiled as he continued to stare down at her.

"Huh?"

"You're watching me sleep. I can't sleep with you watching me?"

"It's not my fault you're just too damn sexy"

She smiled, he always was a charmer it was one of the things she loved about him. He always knew the right thing to do or say, she just hope that everything would work out for them now.

She couldn't take her mind off it so she decided to just ask. "So are you ready?"

"Oh you know I'm always ready for you darling".

"Don't I know it "she laughed. She was glad of his lighthearted flirting. It lifted the mood.

They continued to lay there entwined together for a few moments as they both got lost in their own thoughts.

Finally Lucas decided to speak. "Seriously, How are you feeling Peyton?... Are you all packed, organized and ready to go? Everything has been so hectic the last few weeks; we haven't had much time to just talk"

It was true, they had so much to organize before returning to tree hill, they hadn't had a chance to do anything else and any free time they did have after work and planning, was spent sleeping.

Lucas wrapped both arms around her waist pulling her closer to him, kissing her sweetly on thr lips. She loved mornings like this, where she could just lay there in his arms and savor every moment.

"I don't really know. I think I'm having doubts"

"Really?"

"I guess. I mean what's wrong with the way things are now? I'm happy here with you; things are great, you're happy. Maybe we should stay here… like this. If it's not broke…" She smiled playfully.

"This won't change anything Peyton. It will be as it's always has been…"

"How's that?" She was playing with him and he knew it.

"You'll still be my slave" he winked as she looked up at him. The minute she saw the smirk on his face she smiled and hit him playfully.

"In your dreams Luke"

"I'm already living the dream, blondie"

She smiled as she shook her head. "You always were a charmer!"

"Uh huh…" he smirked. "So what is it really?" he knew something was up. After all this time together, he had mastered the art of being able to read her like a book.

"I guess I'm just nervous"

"What's there to be nervous about?"

She sighed and began tracing circles on his bare chest as she tried to put her feelings into words. "I don't know, it's just…"

"Peyton stop worrying. Everything is going to be fine. We always are, right?" he asked as he gazed into her emerald green eyes with confidence.

"I guess you're right. Sorry for being such a girl!"

"That's nothing new!" he teased as he gave her that infamous Lucas Scott smirk.

"Funny Scott! Don't mess with me when I'm tired"

"Tired huh?" He smirked as he rolled over so that he had her pinned below him. "Maybe we should stay in bed for a while longer so?" he whispered seductively in her ear. "We won't have much free time once we get back home"

It never ceased to amaze her that even after all this time; they still kept the playful banter and flirting in their relationship.

"Lucas somehow I think what you have in mind isn't exactly what I would call resting."

He leaned down leaving a trail of kisses from her neck all the way up until their lips finally met in an unspoken declaration of love. She brought her arms around his body and laid them on his back as she continued kissing him. She loved being there with him; it was something she never took for granted. After everything they had gone through, it made every moment they were together even more special.

Lucas began placing kisses all over her upper body while his hands roamed the rest tenderly.

They began to get caught up in the moment as Peyton's top was quickly thrown to the floor alongside his boxers when they heard the phone ring.

They froze and quickly covered themselves, as he placed his forehead on hers and sighed. Whoever it was had really bad timing.

He picked up the phone, ready to give out to whoever called. "What!"

Peyton smiled as he sighed, hearing the familiar voice. "Hey Brooke"

He continued to kiss Peyton as he replied 'mhm' to Brooke every few seconds. A few minutes later, Lucas had enough of trying to be subtle when he realized Brooke couldn't take the hint. "No you can't talk to her. Sorry Brooke we are in the middle of something"

Brooke laughed on the other end of the line "Oh my god broody! Tmi!"

"Tmi?" Lucas asked as he stared at Peyton and smirked

"Too much information Lucas!" she replied loud enough for both of them to hear. They both laughed as Brooke continued talking.

He sighed as he gazed down at Peyton. "Yes. You're absolutely right Brooke," he replied as he took in Peyton's beauty with his eyes. "We'll be there". Peyton's hands began to roam his body, traveling to places sure to make him moan. She was teasing him and he knew it. He couldn't think about anything at that moment other than trying not to give too much away to Brooke, so he swallowed a moan that was threatening to escape his mouth.

"Lucas… LUCAS, this is really important and I'm doing it for you?" Lucas stared at Peyton through hooded eyes as he tried desperately to get some brain function back so he could finally speak. "Can you put Peyton on the phone please?"

Finally he snapped back to reality, the moment was fading fast as he saw Peyton's face grow bored of waiting. "Peyton can't really talk right now Brooke. We're busy! She'll call you later to sort that out and we'll see you tomorrow, have a good day." He said quickly as he hung up before she could say another word, throwing the phone on the nightstand carelessly.

"That was kind of rude" Peyton smirked, "what did she want?"

"I give a damn right now," he groaned, as he kissed her lips forcefully.

She suddenly realized as she was lying there with him, sure returning to Tree Hill would be stressful. Everyone had been living separate lives for a long time now, and had grown apart. But she knew… they both knew that this was bringing everyone back together at last and she knew once the both of them were happy about it, that's all that mattered. Everyone else would be happy about it as well, right? One thing was for sure; they loved each other and whatever else happened that would never change.

Love reminds you that nothing else matters.

- Amy Bushell -