Ok, this is the first chapter, it'll be a short fic, probably only two chapters, I just wanted some Christmassy stuff and this came to me. Reviews are loved.

Dscl: None of the characters are mine.

Peyton sat in her closet, sketchbook on her lap, Roxy Music playing on the turntable. Everything else seemed too downbeat to suit her mood. For the first time in a long time, everything was almost perfect. Dan and Karen were at the café, preparing for tomorrow's meal, Nathan, Haley and Brooke were in the Sawyer's kitchen with Jake and Jenny, her dad was on his way home, and Lucas was lying on her bed holding a book, his gaze directed towards her drawing. It was a picture of a book, a pencil, a cake, a boat, a bottle of vodka, a match and a baby's dummy, all arranged under a Christmas tree with the word "finally" in bold lettering below it. Peyton could feel Lucas' stare on the back of her neck, but didn't turn around. She didn't want to break the peace. Lucas, however, did.

"You know bite your lip when you draw?" he asked.

She risked a glance over her shoulder. "You know you screw up your nose when you read?"

"How would you know that? You're always busy when I read."

"I sneak a look at you every now and then," she replied, grinning.

"You don't have to sneak a look at me, you can outright stare if you like," he joked.

"That sounds good, but touching sounds even better than staring," she said, quieter than before, putting down her sketchbook. She got up and walked over to the bed. Lucas raised his eyebrows.

"Touching does sound quite good, doesn't it?"

Peyton grinned, and he pulled her next to him. He kissed her, and ran his hand through her hair. "I love you so much, Peyton. Have I told you that recently?"

"Not since you got out of hospital," she whispered.

"Remind me to tell you more often. I'll always love you, and I never want you to forget it." They both looked serious now.

"I could never forget it," Peyton replied. "I love you, Lucas."

"I love you."

"You just said that," she giggled.

"Yeah? I'll say it again then. I love you, Peyton."

"You can say it as many times as you like. I feel like I'm in heaven every time I hear it."

He kissed her, softly but passionately, and thought about how being with her was heaven to him, as well. He could feel Peyton smiling against his lips. She pulled away and lay down with her head on his chest.

"I wish we could stay here all day, but I think we should go down and see the others," he murmured.

"Do we have to?" Peyton said, pouting. He leant over and kissed her quickly, then got up. He grabbed her hands, and she followed him out of the room.

Downstairs, Haley was lying on the kitchen sofa, her accident wounds still prominent and her baby bump obvious, reading a Christmas story to Jenny. Brooke was listening to Nathan and Jake discuss an old basketball game. Lucas and Peyton stood in the doorway holding hands. Peyton frowned when she saw Brooke looking at Jake, but shook those feelings away immediately.

"You okay?" Lucas whispered in her ear. Peyton nodded. Lucas lead Peyton into the room, and Haley noticed them.

"Hey, guys," she said loudly so that the others would notice.

"You two enjoy your time upstairs?" Brooke asked, obviously implying that they'd been doing more than drawing and reading.

"Yeah, I finished my book," Lucas replied quickly, smiling at Jake, who seemed to be deep in thought. Jake smiled weakly back.

"We going to the café, or what?" he said avoiding Lucas and Peyton's eyes.

Everyone responded in agreement. Nathan and Brooke helped Haley up, and Jenny ran to hug Peyton. Lucas wondered why Peyton's eyes filled with tears as the little girl hugged her. Jenny and Jake were the only thing Peyton hadn't properly talked about with Lucas, because it hurt her too much. She looked at Lucas and knew she'd have to tell him at some point. She wondered how he'd react to the fact that she had been going to marry Jake. She wished Jenny would let go of her. She looked away from Lucas' quizzical gaze towards Brooke. Brooke was looking from Jenny and Peyton, to Jake, and back. Jake was also looking at Peyton and Jenny. Nathan had the common sense to try and make the situation less awkward, and spoke.

"We're going to the car. Brooke, you coming?"

Brooke nodded and left with Haley and Nathan. Jake followed.

"Come on, Jenny."

Jenny let go of Peyton and ran to her father. "Mommy?" she asked.

"No, Mommy's not here."