Authors Note – Please Read.

This story was begging to be written and I hope I did it justice. Before you read, you have to know where I'm coming from. I have shipped Leyton even before they were. From the Pilot episode, I knew those two would end up together and i absolutely loved every moment of they shared. So, it really sucks to me that the show will not end with Leyton in it. Just like all the other Leyton fans, I didn't like Season Five and I thought Season Six really fell really short of what it should have been especially for Leyton. There were so many questionable things that happened to Leyton throughout S.5 and S.6 that i couldnt help but think the writters of the show did not want Leyton in the show anymore. Both Chad and Hil are amazing actors and they have great chemistry. I can only hope that OTH will be able to survive without them. So, this story is dedicated to other fans who like me, will not be watching Season Seven. Please review and critic my writing as only then will I get better. All suggestions and critics will be greatly appreciated. I am also looking for beta reader for this story.

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW.

The story takes off after season six finale, Lucas and Peyton did not leave Tree Hill. Everything else is just as the show ended but Dan got another heart and had the heart transplant. Why would anyone want to bring back Dan? You may ask but this will be clear as the story progresses. The story will basically be a journey that Leyton will take which at times will be dark but at the end, they will be stronger. The first chapters will be slow and I couldn't help it but this will help to build the story.

CHAPTER ONE

Content. Happy. Elated. Blissful. There are many words that Lucas could use to describe the feeling he had but all those words would fall short. He was happy beyond measure and couldn't dare ask for more after all, could there be more than what he was feeling? He had a huge grin on his face that not even meeting Dan on his way to the rivercourt could wipe it away. He had surprised the man who abandoned him by greeting him cheerily, Dan was debating whether to reply or not but Lucas had not stopped; actually he didn't care if Dan replied or not, he was happy and happy looked good on him.

He had left his girls sleeping back at home when he crept out. He was up early despite waking up almost six times during the night when Peyton woke up to feed Sawyer. He couldn't explain why he did it but he couldn't get himself to stay in bed while she fed their daughter, neither could Peyton. He always felt like he would miss out on something but seriously, can you blame him, he almost lost the love of his life and he was not taking any chances.

The town was still asleep with very few people like Dan, going for the early morning jog. Dan, the Tree hill villain, had been lucky enough to get another heart and had undergone the surgery a month ago. The whole family had been shocked as they were already envisioning their lives minus the man who bore them but also brought terror on them. After a while, both Nathan and Lucas had reached an agreement with him that they would stay out of his way as long as he kept his distance from both families and their children.

Lucas continued bouncing his ball on the rivercourt surface while taking a shot once in a while. He was so deep in thought that he didn't see Skills joining him until when he took a shot and Skills also took one and both balls collided at the ring's entrance and fell back.

"What the hell man?" Lucas turned to Skills trying to pull an angry face but smiling instead.

"You tell me, what's got you zoning out this early in the morning and what's so important that you got me out of bed at 5:30 a.m.?" Skills asked sulkily while moving to sit on the bleachers.

Lucas followed him closely and sat on the bleacher. "We need to talk."

"Damn, you breaking up with me? Please save me the whole it's-me-not-you talk." Skills said playfully while breaking into a laugh.

Lucas laughed and looked at the man he had grown up with and shared so many monumental moments with. "Okay, seriously you are screwed up. But seriously, I need to ask you something very important."

"Please don't tell me you did something stupid and P. Scott is on your ass and you need my help to pull a grand gesture"

"What? Why would you think I did something to-" He asked but stopped mid sentence due to the look that Skills threw him. "I know, I know that I'm the king of screw ups but I've not screwed up for such a long time and my two amazing girls give me an enough reason not to."

"Alright, now get to the real reason I'm not in bed."