Chapter 9

3 Months Later

It had been 3 and a half months since Peyton arrived back to her home in Tree Hill. She had fully recovered and her life was finally going the way she wished. Two years ago Lucas Scott dropped out of her life. Ever since Junior year he had been a constant in her life and was always there no matter how bad things got. He was always saving her. Lucas Scott had saved Peyton's heart and he also saved her life, three times to be exact. When they were apart her heart ached for him everyday, and she had missed him so much. That was all different now, everything was different now.

Karen had offered Peyton a partnership at Tric and she loved every minute of it. Of course, her dream was her own record label, which she did have but she gave that up for her dream guy. If she had to do it all over again she would still have moved back home. He meant more than anything to her, she didn't feel whole without him.

Lindsey became friends with Peyton quickly. Most people would think that if her boyfriend's ex came back to town she would be upset, but she wasn't. She was happy for them. From the moment she saw they way he looked at Peyton, even after not seeing her for almost 2 years, she knew he loved her. She could see it in his eyes. From her own personal experience she knew the feeling that you get in your heart when you are seperated from the one you love. She wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone.

Lucas and Peyton's relationship was going better than ever. Neither one of them thought that they would ever get what they had back but they did and they were more in love than ever. It took Peyton awhile to recover from her accident so they haven't made love yet even though they both wanted to. Peyton felt like she wanted to wait though. She wanted it to be special. Its not like they have never done it before but its been a long haul for them and she wants it to be special.

"Lucas...?", Peyton said as he continued to kiss her neck, as they were laying down on her bed.

"Hmmmm?"

"Not yet.", she said as Lucas looked up at her.

"Okay."

"You're not upset or anything?"

"Why would I be upset Peyt?"

"Well...we haven't actually...you know, since we got back together."

"You've been recovering Peyton, and I don't want you too feel like I'm pushing you."

"You're not. I just want it to be special."

"And it will be."

"Why are you being so patient with me?"

"Well, because I love you and our relationship isn't about the sex."

"You know you can be quite charming Lucas Scott.", Peyton said and she leaned in and kissed him.

-----

"Do you have any barbies or dolls?", Lilly asked Peyton sweetly.

Earlier that day Peyton had offered to babysit Lilly while Karen went out.

"I think I might have some of my old ones around here somewhere.", Peyton said.

"Peyton Sawyer actually owned a barbie."

"Uh- huh, every little girl loves dolls at one point or another."

"Well...where are they?", Lilly asked eagarly.

"I think my day put them in the storage closet down the hall. I'll go check."

"Can Luke go? I need to ask you something."

"Sure", Lucas said. He loved how close the two had become.

-----

"What do you want to ask me?", Peyton asks after Lucas leaves.

"How do you know if you love someone?", Lilly asked.

This made Peyton laugh.

"Well, when you're around him you get butterflies in your stomach ahd you think about him all the time"

"Is that how you feel about Lucas?"

"Uh-huh. Why do you want to know this sweetie?"

"Oh, no reason?", Lilly said.

"You can tell me if you want.", Peyton said.

"Promise you won't tell anyone?"

"Promise."

"Well there is this boy at school and he keeps writing me love notes. I didn't knoiw if I liked him too because I don't know what love feels like."

"Do you know if you do now?"

"I don't feel like you said. He doesn't give me butterflies he kind of makes me feel alittle sick cause he picks his nose alot. I don't like him like that."

Peyton laughed and Lilly hugged her.

-------

Meanwhile Lucas was looking for the dolls in the closet and he dropped a box that he was moving. When the box hit the ground its contents spilled out onto the floor. He looked and saw Letters, there were a ton of them too. He picked one up and looked at it, it was addressed to him. He looked at the others and every single one was adressed to him. Lucas recgonized the handwritting, it was Peyton's. Curious to know what was written inside the letter he opened one.

Dear Lucas,

Its been a year since we ended things but it seems like a century. I find myself in the middle of the day wondering what you are doing and what you are wearing. I saw your article for your new book in the newspaper yesterday. I'm so pround of you. I keep asking my self why I write these letters to you. I mean, I'll never work up the courage to actually send this to you.
But then I realize the answer and its because I love you, its as simple as that. Sorry, I got alittle off track there didn't I?"
Anways, I've been seeing this guy from work but its not gonna work out. I know moving on is a good thing but how am I supposed to give him my heart if it belongs to you?
I hope everything is good in your life, you deserve it more than anyone.

Love Always,
Peyton

"Lucas?", Lilly asked as she came over to him in the closet. "whatcha reading?"

"Uh... Nothing.", he said as he quickly picked up all the letters and put them away.

"Peyton gets alot of mail.", Lily said.

"Its just bills Lil. Why don't you go back and play while I finish looking for the dolls."

"Okay."

-------

Later that day Lucas stole a few more letters without Peyton seeing. He knew it was worng and that it was an invasion of her privacy but he couldn't help himself. He wanted to know what Peyton was feeling when they were apart, and from the letter he had read earlier her knew she felt the same way as he did. Miserable.

Dear Lucas,

Good News! Today was the first day that Punk N Disorderly opened. I wish you could have been there,but what can you do? Haley sent me a few pictures of Jamie and Lilly in an email last week. Lilly is so adorable Luke. You are doing such an amazing job with her. Keith would be proud.
I've been thinking about coming to Tree Hill for a visit to see you and hear your voice and see your smile. God, I miss that smile. I bought a plane ticket for a flight but I never got on the plane.
I guess I'm just scared. Scared to put my heart out there again, you know? You hurt me so bad Lucas and for a long time I was furious with you. I kept asking myself questions like:
- Did I do something wrog?

- Why did you give up on us?

- Why didn't you fight for us?

- Why didn't we fight for eachother?

- How could we let eachother slip away?

I realized that you did it for all the right reasons. You weren't happy and neither was I. The distance was just too much. That doesn't mean it didn't hurt though. It hurt like hell and it still does.
You will always be in my heart too Luke. I hope you know that.

Love Always,
Peyton.

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Author's Note:

Tell me what you think. Thanks for waiting. I know it took forever and I'm so sorry. 3 Updates will be coming more quickly. I got my inspiration back so it won't be long until the next update. 3