A/N: I'm glad you guys are excited for me making this a little longer. I am afraid this chapter is kind of filler (again) but it was the only way I could push the story along without it getting stale.
"Are you sure you're not mad?" Peyton asked, taking Brooke's hand.
"Why would I be mad Peyton?" Brooke asked, smiling at Peyton's ability to put others before herself no matter what the situation.
"Because you came back here for me and now I'm moving out and-"
"Peyton," Brooke cut her off. "I did come back here for you, yes. But I also came back here for me. I lost myself too a little along the way in New York. I wasn't happy. I was hollow and I was away from everything that I cherished in my life. I wanted to come to home. Not just for you, but for me. And even if it was only for you, Peyton, I would be nothing but happy that you and Lucas are finally together. It's the way it should be."
Peyton sniffled and pulled Brooke into a hug. "You're the best B. Davis."
"Don't I know it," Brooke replied, playfully.
Peyton stood in Lucas' bedroom staring at all the boxes.
He appeared in the doorway of their bedroom and smirked to himself.
"I know you've got a mean stare but I think it's going to take more than that to empty these boxes," he smirked.
She turned round to face him and scowled at him.
"It's not funny, Luke. They've been sat here for days. I don't have the time to put everything away and I don't even know if there's room for all my stuff," she said, pouting. "And now I have to go to the office, even though it's a Saturday because they studio's nearly finished and I want Mia to test it out so I can't do it today, either."
Lucas walked to her and his hands dropped to her arms.
"How does this sound Little Miss Ramble," he teased. "You go to the studio. I will call Nathan and Skills and by the time you're done this will be our home," he finished and pulled her closer to him.
"You'd do that for me?" she asked, smiling.
"Absolutely. I'd do anything for you," he replied, kissing her quickly.
"I love you," she mumbled against his lips.
"I love you too. Now go make someone a star Peyton Sawyer."
"So, what's the deal here?" Skills asked. It was an hour after Peyton had left and Skills and Nathan had finally arrived.
Lucas was standing facing them. "Okay, so I don't think Peyton feels at home here yet. She's too busy to unpack and get settled so we're going to do it for her. I want this to be our home. So we're moving her in."
"Sounds good to me, man. Where do we start?" Nathan asked.
"With her records," Lucas said not missing a beat.
Skills picked up a box and peeked in.
"Alright!" he shouted as he picked it up. "I got the underwear box!"
"Gimme that!" Lucas shouted, snatching the box and glaring at him.
Nathan looked over laughing. "I could unpack it. Nothing I ain't seen before," he said, smirking knowing full well it was going to piss Lucas off.
Skills threw his fist to his mouth and laughed, walking over and giving Nathan a high five.
"You can leave now," Lucas snapped back.
"Oh come on, man. Sawyer and I joke about it all the time!" Nathan replied.
"Whatever."
"So, what do you think? Are you interested?" Peyton asked, looking over her desk at Mia.
"I think so," she replied, looking away briefly. "I don't know. I'm just worried that you're putting all this faith into me and I won't be all you think I can be."
"You know, I spent a lot of my life living in the land of 'what if' and it's not satisfying or fulfilling. It's lonely and it's empty. I know you can do this, Mia. And I will not rest until you know it too."
"Neither will I," Haley said as walked through the door.
"What you doing here, Foxy?" Peyton asked.
"Well, a couple of days ago you asked me to help produce Mia's album. And here I am."
"Welcome aboard," Peyton replied, smiling.
"Mia, I know you're wondering if you're really cut out for this and I know how you feel. But let me tell you something. When I was about your age, I had a conversation with Peyton that was pretty similar to the one you guys are having now. She made me believe in myself, that my music could speak to people. So, I think you should give both her, and yourself, the chance to see if you can be great."
Peyton smiled at Haley and then looked over at Mia, with her eyebrow raised.
"Okay," she said, sighing dramatically as she smiled. "I'm totally in."
Peyton walked through the front door slowly.
"Hi," she called out.
Lucas' head appeared from his bedroom and he flashed a grin. "Welcome to our very loving, humble home!"
She laughed, dropping her bag to the floor. She smiled when she saw her record player on the dresser in the hallway. She flicked through the albums and chuckled when she saw that they were mostly her favourites.
She stepped into the bedroom and he was waiting for her.
"So, did you free me up some drawers?" she asked.
"Oh, I did better than that. We share the drawers," he replied.
"We do?"
"Uh-huh. We together, so our clothes our too," he said, smiling.
Peyton walked over to him and snaked her arms around his waist.
"You really are a dork aren't you?" she said, laughing.
"Shut up," he mumbled. "It might be dorky but it meant I got to go through all your underwear," he said, smirking.
She slapped his arm. "I love it, thank you."
"No problem. Like I said, I'd do anything for you. And this is our home, Peyt. We're gonna bring our kids up here and when we're eighty years old we're going to sit out on that porch and relive our days together. And we're going to be happy."
"So happy," she added. "There's one small problem though?" Lucas furrowed his brow. "I was expecting my dinner to be on the table," she teased.
He laughed. "Well it was the plan. But with Nathan and Skills here we were done pretty quick. So I finished my new novel."
"You did?" she asked, her eyes lighting up.
"Yup. I sent it to the company today."
"Can I read it now?"
He stepped aside and she saw a manuscript lying on her pillow. "It's all yours."
They lay in bed the next morning. Peyton was resting her head lazily on his chest.
"I'm so tired," she mumbled.
"Well you did insist on reading The Comet in one night," he said, laughing.
"It's beautiful, Luke," she sighed. "And I knew it was about me."
"You're biased," he replied, looking at her and smiling. "Well we'll find out when the company get back to me."
"Will Lindsey still be your editor?" she asked quietly.
"I don't know, to be honest. She might not want to be. But don't worry about it now, babe."
"Okay," she replied.
She groaned when there was a loud knocking at the front door.
"Crap. I forgot Brooke was coming over," she grumbled.
"Go get the door, I'll start breakfast."
Peyton moaned as she lifted her head and pulled back the covers. She stumbled out to the front door. She opened it to see a scowling Brooke.
"You forgot didn't you?" she asked, pouting.
"Kind of. Maybe," Peyton replied, sweetly.
Brooke huffed as she shuffled passed her. "You suck, P. Sawyer."
"I'm sorry. You want breakfast?"
"Depends. Are you cooking it?"
Peyton gasped dramatically. "No, Luke is."
"Then, yes," she replied laughing. "Morning, Broody," she called as the walked over to the kitchen.
"Hey Brooke, how's it going?"
"Pretty good, thank you!" she replied, cheerfully.
"How are things with Owen?" Peyton asked, smirking.
Brooke grinned. "He's totally hot!"
Peyton laughed. "Anything more than that?"
"Yes, actually. I really like him. There's more to him than you think. And I think he's learning that with me too."
"I'm glad!"
The phone rang and Peyton walked over and picked it up from the wall.
"Sawyer – Scott residence," she said, laughing and wiggling her eyebrows at Lucas who laughed with her.
"Peyton?"
"Lindsey," Peyton said, turning to look at Lucas who kinked his brow.
"Is Lucas there?" Peyton could sense the mixture of bitterness and sadness in Lindsey's voice.
"Yeah, hang on," she said, passing the phone to Lucas. He kissed her quickly before taking the call in the hall. She looked over at Brooke who rolled her eyes.
"What does she want?" she asked.
"I don't know. But she did not sound happy when she realised it was me who answered."
"So what? You have nothing to be worried about P. Sawyer. You and Luke are forever. You know that. And so does she, that's why she's pissed."
"I guess."
She shrugged her shoulders and looked over at Lucas who walked back into the kitchen.
"Okay, I don't like that face you're pulling," Peyton said, forcing a smile.
"If I do the book with them, she'll be my editor," he sighed.
"And are we okay with that?"
"I don't know. Are we?" he said, looking over to Peyton.
She walked over to him. "I trust you, Lucas. If you're happy with it then I'm happy with it. I mean, if you say no and change companies then it'll take longer. At least they know you. I don't want you to have any regrets."
"There could be a book tour. She's going to push for one."
"Of course she is," Brooke said bitterly.
"It's your dream, Lucas. And at the end of the day, it'll be me who's standing next to you."
"I wouldn't want it to be anyone else," he said, kissing her.
"Okay, cut the love fest," Brooke said, smirking. "P. Sawyer, go get dressed. We're going shopping!"
"Nice choice, P. Sawyer. Lucas is gonna lose it," Brooke smirked as Peyton took the bag of new lingerie from the cashier.
"Well I need to pull out all the stops before he goes of with Lindsey for god knows how long," she said, chuckling.
"Was that an actual joke? Or typical Peyton Sawyer gloss over it with laughter?"
Peyton laughed. "No, it was an actual joke. I meant it when I said I trusted him, Brooke. It'll be hard, don't get me wrong and as much as I feel for the way things ended between them, I guess a little part of me doesn't trust her," Peyton admitted.
"I get that. I mean, it seems a little odd she still wants to be his editor. If what you say is true then she's going to be editing another Lucas Scott love letter to you and why she'd put herself through that I don't know. But you're right to trust Luke. When it comes to you, you're all he sees Peyton."
"I know," Peyton said quietly.
"Will you be okay alone if he does go on a book tour? You can move back in with me if you want?"
"I think I'll be okay. But if I'm not, you'll be my first port of call."
"Good."
A week passed and Lucas still hadn't heard much from Lindsey. He'd received a cheque for his advance which told him and Peyton that it was as good as settled that they would go the whole hog with this like they had done with Ravens.
Lucas and Peyton were on the sofa listening to music. His cell rang and he looked at it, before answering.
"It's Lindsey," he told Peyton who nodded. Since the first phone call when Peyton answered Lindsey had taken to calling Lucas on his cell. It made Peyton laugh a little at first but now she just finds it kind of disrespectful in some strange way that she can't, or doesn't, really explain.
Lucas walked back in to the lounge. He tossed his cell on the couch and stood looking at her.
"There's going to be a book tour," he sighed.
"When do you leave?" she asked trying to be upbeat but she knew her disappointment wouldn't escape him.
"Next week."
"That soon, huh?" she said, sighing. "How long?"
"A couple of weeks at first. But it could be longer," he replied as she sits down next to her. He arm fell around her shoulder and he pulled her into him.
"I don't have to go, Peyt."
"I love you for saying that but you do. And it's okay. I'm just going to miss you, that's all."
"I'm going to miss you like hell, too."
They sit silently for a moment and Peyton can feel her eyes stinging. And it's in that moment that she realises that she really is better. She's back to the 'old' Peyton that everyone missed so much. But she also realises that she's more than she used to be. She trusts him, and she loves him and she doesn't care who he goes on a book tour with. She's his. She always has been and she always be so she decides to make the most of the next week.
She straddles his lap and he moans when she shift her hips and pushes him against him.
"What are you doing, crazy girl?" he whispered as she drops to his neck.
"Making sure I have something good to remember you by when you're gone," she whispered in return.
She gasped as he grabbed her hips firmly. He stood and she wrapped her legs around him. They stumble slightly and Lucas backs her to the wall and pushes her against it.
"I'll make sure of that," he whispers huskily.
She smirked at him as she tugged at the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head at the same time as he frantically pulled open the buttons of her shirt.
Lucas and Nathan stood watching the team playing. Lucas blew the whistle and the boys ambled over to them.
"Alright, good jobs today guys. Some of you know but for those that don't, this is my last practice for a while. My second book is about to come out and I've got a book tour to do."
"You leaving that girl of yours behind?" one of the team, said smirking.
"Excuse me?" Lucas snapped.
"Just sayin'. You gotta be pretty crazy to leave a girl like that alone," he carried on. He was of the only boys on the team Lucas didn't like. He was cocky and arrogant and it pissed all three of his coaches off.
"I'm your Coach. I'm not your buddy. My life and my 'girl' are nothing to do with you so I suggest you get whatever images you have of my girlfriend out of your head."
The boy scoffed and shrugged his shoulders. He looked around to the other guys on the team but none of them were particularly impressed. Most of them respected Lucas and they all liked Peyton and so they didn't like to hear of her being spoken about that way.
"As I was saying, I won't be around. But Skills and Nate will be. They're just as hard as me so don't think you can slack off."
They all nodded. "Okay, go shower," he said turning to Nathan.
"I could punch out that little punk," Lucas said.
"I know, man. But it's not worth it. He's just some jumped up kid who thinks a hell of a lot about himself."
"Coach?"
They hadn't noticed one of the team lingering behind.
"What's up?"
"You're girlfriend, Peyton. She's an artist right?"
"Kind of. She used to do a lot more than she does but I'd say she is. Why?"
"I've got some sketches and I was wondering if she'd take a look at them? The art block has some of her old work and it's really cool and I just thought she could give me some tips?" He was shy and honest and Lucas smiled.
"I'll ask her. You got anything with you I can show her?"
"Yeah, in my locker. Sure she won't mind?"
"I don't think so. She's busy but she'll do what she can."
"Thanks, Coach. Uh, good luck with your book and stuff," he said before turning and heading off to the locker room.
"See, for every dick on this team there's five others that aren't," Nathan said and Lucas nodded. "So, you excited for the book tour, man?"
"Not really. I really don't want to leave, Peyt."
"I know how that is, man."
"Will you keep an eye on her? I'm really worried she's gonna get lonely and I know she doesn't deal with that anywhere near as well as she makes out."
"Of course, man. You don't even have to ask."
"Thanks, little brother."
"Is she worried about the tour?"
"No, she's not, actually. Which is great. It shows me how far she's come and how far we've come together y'know?"
Nathan nodded in understanding.
"Don't worry about her man, she'll be okay."
Lucas and Peyton spent most of the next week together, alone. Their friends didn't mind too much. They knew they were struggling with the thought of being separated so they left them to their own devices.
Peyton had driven Lucas to the airport and they were standing at the terminal waiting for his flight to be called. They both sighed when the announcement was made.
"Call me when you get in?" Peyton said, stepping into his open arms.
"Of course, babe. You're going to be okay, right?"
"Yeah, of course. Knowing you're out there living your dream? That'll see me through, don't you worry."
"I love you, okay? More than anything is this life. You're everything to me, Peyton and nothing will change that," he said cupping her face.
"Ditto," she replied, blinking back a tear. "I'll be seeing you," she said. Lucas dipped his head to meet hers and they kissed hungrily. They didn't care about the people around them, as far as they were concerned it was only them.
They broke apart and Lucas bent down to pick up his bag. "That's my line," he whispered in her ear, kissing her neck before turning away.
She smiled as she watched him walk away. He handed his ticket over and turned back to her. He pursed his lips and winked as he gave her a small wave.
Peyton took a deep breath and waited until he'd disappeared through the terminal before she let her tears free. She wiped them away and turned to walk back to her car, stuffing her hands in her pockets.
She smiled when saw Nathan.
"What are you doing here?" she said, laughing.
"Something told me you wouldn't want to be alone just yet. So, we're going for lunch and ice cream," he replied as he stepped forward and hugged her. "It'll be okay, Peyton."
"I know. I'm just really going to miss him. I'm worried what I'll be like when he isn't around."
"Don't be. I'll be here."
She looked up at him and smiled at him. He slung his arm around her shoulder and she leaned her head against him as they walked out of the airport.
A/N: I know it moves on a little from where we were but it kind of has to or you'll all be sick of me! Don't worry, the book tour won't be long and the worst case scenario is not going to happen, so don't panic. Let me know what you're thinking and I'm looking for some fun/cute scenes of Peyton with the rest of the gang while Lucas is away so anything you'd like to see would be awesome!