I don't own it, nor do I own "Glitter In The Air" by Pink.

Beautiful song, I suggest it for everyone.

Thanks for all the reviews! I love you all so, so, so much I can't even begin to describe it. I love every ounce of feedback from you all and I appreciate the fact that you all take the time out to write something.

So, I'm thinking this is going to be wrapped up soon . . . like within the next chapter. That's kind of a bomb drop huh? Well, I apologize for that, I just don't want people to get bored with this – it's become my baby LOL.

Enjoy!

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?
Closed your eyes and trusted, just trusted?
Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said "I just don't care"?

"Marry me."

Her eyes widen to the point where her brows no longer feel like they're a part of her face and she shakes her head. "Lucas", she whispers. She stops her sentence, mostly because she has no idea what to say, and sits up.

He watches as she holds the sheet tightly around her body. She stands from the bed and brings the sheet with her while she finds her panties and his flannel pajama bottoms. She would put on her own pajamas, but they're in her room. Her room. Because she doesn't share this room with him. That only feeds her awareness at the impulsiveness of this situation.

"Lucas . . . this is all so sudden", she mumbles while searching for a t-shirt. He watches her movements and feels the downfall about to begin. His heart isn't racing with the joy and excitement it should be. He's scared to death that this isn't going to end well.

"It's not like I'm calling you from an airport and suggesting a Vegas wedding", he teases; hoping to lighten the mood. Her eyes widen and he knows she doesn't find it too humorous. He shakes his head. "There's already been so much lost time", he mumbles.

Her eyes suddenly turn cold and her lips curl into a snarl. "Whose fault is that?" he blinks and feels his anger rise right with hers. "I'm not that one that got married, Lucas", she hisses.

"No, you're the one who said someday", he bitterly mocks the defense she's given everyone. She reels back as if he's just physically slapped her and shakes her head.

"And you're the one who was engaged to my best friend the next night!" she bites back. She can hear Lucas gasp and she rolls her eyes. "We're best friends", she points out the obvious.

"She said she never told you", he argues. He shakes his head and grabs his boxers. After he slides them on he stands up. He's cursing the ground Brooke Davis walks on and when he grumbles; "She said she would never tell you we kissed", he hears her gasp.

"You kissed her?!" she yells. His face pales. Apparently Brooke didn't tell her everything. "The day after you left me in that hotel room you went to New York and hooked up with my best friend?" the tears threaten to spill, but she doesn't let it happen.

"No", he says as he shakes his head. "We got drunk and we kissed, but it didn't mean anything!" she opens her mouth to say something that will either relate to 'it matters to me' or 'a kiss always means something' so he doesn't let her. "After that lapse in judgment, do you know what I told her?" he challenges. "I told Brooke I didn't know what to do . . . that I was lost without you", he whispers as his emotions get the better of him.

This isn't anywhere near the realm of how he thought they'd be handling things right now. Granted, he wasn't expecting to propose, but he never thought that it would cause an argument. He looks at her frazzled curls and watery eyes and feels his chest tighten, but he knows it's not a heart attack.

His heart is physically breaking.

"I don't wanna waste another minute", she looks at him and he tries to read her, but it's futile. She's closed off and it kills him. Things were going so well between them and now it seems completely lost. "Peyton, I don't understand where this just went so wrong –"

"I mean Lucas . . . I've haven't even called you my boyfriend. I didn't know if you were my boyfriend and now you're proposing?!" she crosses her arms over her stomach and her mouth drops ever so slightly. He reels back slightly.

It's true that they've never acknowledged each other with such formal terms, but they weren't out dating other people. Julian was here and she didn't do anything with him. He told Lindsey it was over for good. Ever since the heart attack it's been the two of them.

Lucas and Peyton.

True Love Always.

"Peyton, we've already wasted so much time. I don't see a point in putting off something we know is going to happen", he shrugs his shoulders and smiles. To him this is simple. Her answer is simple.

Why isn't it being simple?

Peyton shakes her head. He doesn't get it. "Lucas, I don't even know what we are", he opens his mouth, but she cuts him off. "A few months ago you were a boy I would never have, then you became the boy I lived with and then you were . . . a partner", she says lamely. She wasn't going to say sex buddy or lover.

He nods his head and takes a step closer. Her words hurt, but he can see where she's coming from. "If you say yes, you'll be my fiancée, and then in a few months or a year or whenever . . . you'll be my wife", he says with a boyish smile that makes her want to give in. It makes her want to jump into his arms and kiss away all the worry she's putting him through now, but she doesn't. "You just have to say yes", he whispers once more. Instead she stands there; right across from the man she knows is the love of her life and asks;

"And if I don't?" her voice barley above a whisper. He stiffens and locks eyes with her. She's really doing this. This is really happening. She's really standing here, in his bedroom, after they've just made love, fighting his proposal.

"Then I don't know", he whispers. She doesn't know how to respond to that. After tonight she's realized just how much they need to work through. She bites her lip and he sees the tears forming. She nods once and reaches for her jacket.

He doesn't say anything as he watches her leave.

It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the ice burg, the sun before the burn
The thunder before lightning, and the breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?

Nathan doesn't enjoy being woken up. It's actually one of his least favorite things in the world. Who does like it though? When you're all warm and nestled beneath the covers; it's the most comfortable thing in the world. Especially when you find that perfect way to lie, it sucks because to lose it and you never find it again.

He yawns loudly as he shuts off the engine of his Range Rover. There aren't many people he'd get out of bed for. Haley and Jamie are at the top of that list; of course. He supposes it's only natural that this blonde comes next. Back in the day he'd be at her house the second she called him. He may have been an asshole, but he really did care for her.

So that's why he's here. He steps out of his car and walks to the blacktop he played on merely hours before with a different blonde. He checks his phone one last time to make sure he has the right person and place. Rivercourt in ten . . . please, Peyton. He shakes his head and takes a deep breath.

The second he looks up from his phone he sees her. Her back is to him and she's wrapping her jacket around herself tightly. Somehow he doesn't think this is good. He stands a few feet away and takes another breath. Nathan Scott does not get nervous easily, but a vague Peyton Sawyer scares the Hell out of him. You don't know what you're gonna get.

"Hey", he calls out hesitantly. She turns around and smiles faintly.

"Hey", she whispers back. When she came to the Rivercourt after walking around town she knew she needed to talk to someone; Nathan was the first person she thought of.

He sticks one of his hands in his pocket. "So, I love the fact that you called me, but why not Brooke or Haley? I mean, we haven't been on the best of terms lately", he admits softly.

Her eyes water even more and she feels her lips quiver. "Because . . . I knew you'd understand", she says simply. Nathan nods. He knows it has something to do with Lucas.

Finally he notices her red pumps and the crooked nurse's hat that's tangled in her curls. He smirks that trademark smirk; she can appreciate his humor. Just like earlier he gently bounces up and down and sings out;

"Bom Chicka Bow Wow."

"Bow Wow", she echoes after him as a sob escapes her throat.

Nathan rushes over and pulls her into his arms. She burrows into his embrace; it's safe and warm and exactly what she needs right now. She cries into his chest and he feels his anger rising. It's the second time in a few short months that he's held his best friend while she's cried over his brother.

Her legs give out and he gently guides them to the floor. "Sawyer, you gotta tell me what's going on", he pleads.

"Lucas proposed", she mumbles into his chest. His mouth drops and his eyes widen.

"He never said he was going to . . ."

Peyton snorts. "That's cause I don't think he knew he was going to", he purses his lips. This doesn't sound good.

"Peyton, why aren't you – how come you're here", he asks; afraid he already knows the answer. She pulls away slightly.

"I freaked out", she admits. "He just blurted it out like he was telling me we needed milk. There were no candles, no flowers, and no ring!" she rambles with a frown. Nathan furrows his brows and hugs her closer.

"You never use to be about the material things", he muses. She sighs and leans into him.

"I'm still not", she mumbles. "It's just that, after everything we've been through, I thought I warranted a little something more then a random proposal."

"The first time I proposed to Haley it was on a whim", he tries to make her feel better. "We were at my apartment and we were lying in bed; I told her she was my family and that I wanted forever to start right now", he makes a face at the sappy teenage boy he was.

"Okay, I called you because you're the rational one. You're the only one who said Lucas and I were rushing things and that we had a lot to talk through . . ."

His guilt consumes him and he shakes his head. "Peyton, I didn't mean that –"

"And you're right, Nathan. Tonight I realized that we can't just pretend that he wasn't married or that he didn't break my heart", she whispers as more tears fall. "There's so much unfinished business. We're not the kind of people who can just be happy. I learned that in high school, I don't know what I was thinking now", she says to herself.

"When I said those things it was because I was worried about you", Nathan says softly. "I didn't mean for you to question everything."

"No, it's good that you said that. I mean who do we think we are?" she asks rhetorically.

"You're Lucas and Peyton", Nathan murmurs with a smile. "You guys are a tragic, epic love story."

She takes in a shuddering breath. "Lindsey only left him a few months ago, Nate. It was a hop, skip, and a jump and now we're together? I just feel like the whole world is closing in on us and he apparently doesn't feel that at all."

"Or maybe he trusts your love enough to ask that you stay with him through it all", her former lover gently whispers into her ear. She squeezes her eyes shut and more tears spill out.

"When did you get so smart?" she teases. He laughs heartily and her body shakes with his. He doesn't respond and she's grateful. She takes a breath and thinks that the tears have stopped, but the floodgates seem to open and she's sobbing into his arms.

"I don't wanna lose him", she cries. "But I don't think we can come back from this."

Nathan's never heard a scarier comment.

Have you ever hated yourself for staring at the phone?
You're whole life waiting on the ring to prove you're not alone
Have you ever been touch so gently you had to cry?
Have you ever invited a stranger to come inside?

He sits at home waiting in vain for the phone to ring. It's been a few hours since Peyton left and he hasn't heard from her. He sighs loudly and grabs his car keys; there's only one place he can think of her going.

After a short drive and lots of contemplation. He's at Brooke's house. It's late and he hopes she doesn't get mad that he's here. He walks up the pathway and knocks on her door. A minute later, he hears the soft sound of her feet against her hardwood floors.

"Lucas", she says in shock as she pulls door open. He smiles uneasily. He strains his ears for any sound of Peyton crying and when he doesn't hear anything he frowns.

"I'm not interrupting anything am I?" Brooke snorts. She walks into the house and Lucas follows; closing the door softly.

"I was sketching. Owen is out of town. Apparently Chase felt they were drifting again", she mocks. "My current boyfriend is spending quality time with my ex-boyfriend – the guy whose virginity I took – only in Tree Hill", she mutters.

He laughs, but it's empty. "Hey, what are you even doing here?" he turns to look at her. "I was with Peyton today, I know she bought some dirty stuff", Brooke grins and kinks an eyebrow. Lucas lets out a breath.

"She's not here?"

Brooke frowns. "No, why would she be? Oh God, what happened?" she groans out once she notices his face.

"I messed up, Brooke", he whispers. The emotions he's kept inside reach the limit and tears gather in his eyes. Brooke's eyes widen and she ushers them to the couch.

"Luke, what happened? Where's Peyton?" she asks frantically.

"I don't know", he says as the tears trail down his cheeks. "We fought . . . or maybe we finally talked through everything. I don't know, but now she's gone!"

"What could you possibly fight about?" in the brunette's mind, they should be having crazy sex and whispering sweet nothings into each others ear. Instead, Peyton was missing and Lucas was on the verge of a breakdown.

"I proposed", he admits at a whisper. She gasps and scoots closer to him . . . her typical Brooke Davis side takes over.

"How could you not tell me!" she barks while swatting at his shoulder. "I know you think I can't keep a secret, but I would have kept this one. It's huge!" her grin fades as reality sets back in. "Oh no", she whispers.

"Yeah", he says tiredly. "She freaked out and then one thing led to another and we were screaming about LA all those years ago and she mentioned the night in New York", he looks at her and she smiles guiltily.

"It came up one drunken night, but like I told you I never told her about the kiss or that drunken way you attempted to seduce me", she mumbles while rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, see I kind of assumed she knew about that too", Brooke's eye narrow into a glare.

"You didn't", she gasps. He nods, "Fool", she mutters.

"Then after that I think she just didn't stop freaking out. We yelled some more and I basically begged her to say yes . . . she questioned it; asked what would happen if she didn't", he stops to take a breath and closes his eyes. "I told her I didn't know", he whispers.

Brooke sighs. "Another ultimatum. Didn't I tell you once that there was no quicker way to strangle a girl?" his bottom lip quivers and Brooke reaches over to soothingly rub his arm. "What happened after that?"

"She left. I just let her walk away like a total tool! Who does that? I proposed and then let her walk out of my house!" Brooke watches the one-sided battle he has. "God, I'm an idiot!"

"Yeah, you are", Brooke says softly. He stops to glare at her and she shrugs. "I'm not gonna disagree with you on that one, Luke", she says as she holds up her hands. He groans and runs his hands over his tired face.

"I just . . . I thought this was it, you know? This was the home stretch", he says wistfully.

"It still is, Lucas. You need to believe in that", Brooke says strongly. He hangs his head solemnly.

"I'm trying Brooke, it's just so damn hard", he murmurs angrily. Brooke tilts her head to the side.

"Who ever said love was easy?" she challenges. "Especially your love", she teases. He smirks and Brooke pats his leg. "You and Peyton have already overcome a ton of obstacles, you can get past this", she needs to assure herself just as much as she needs to assure him. It may seem juvenile or unrealistic, but if Lucas and Peyton can't make it, how can anyone?

"That's the thing, Brooke", he begins as he follows her into the kitchen. "We never really overcame those things. We always kind of let them fade away – like they didn't matter – because at the time they didn't. Who knew it would come back years later to bite me in the ass", he mutters.

"Lucas, I can't speak for Peyton", she whispers as she sips her coffee. "So, I'll speak for myself", he grimaces and she laughs as she hands him a mug of the steaming liquid.

"Remember Nathan and Haley's second wedding? In senior year", he nods slowly. That was one of the most intense days of his life. "Well, I asked you to stay away from Peyton", she mutters. It definitely wasn't one of her best moments. "You asked if I was joking", he frowns. He wasn't really the best boyfriend to her. "I saw her walk away from you, Luke", she whispers. He furrows his brows. "When everyone was arriving, I was ahead of you, but I looked back and I saw her walk away."

He watched her as she walked in his direction and felt his breath get taken away. Granted, his girlfriend wore red on a daily basis so he was used to seeing the color, but it wasn't the brunette that rendered him speechless.

It was a certain leggy blonde.

"Hey you", he said as she finally reached him. She made a noise and attempted to smile. "So, I've been informed to avoid you like the plague", he spoke while staring ahead. "What's up?" he asked as he gained the courage to look at her.

She shook her head. "Nothing, just . . . look if Brooke doesn't want you to talk to me just do it. I'll be fine", he smirked. Always the martyr. Out of the corner of his eye he saw her leaving.

"Hey Peyton . . . you look nice", he whispered before walking away.

"It was then that I kind of realized that it wasn't Peyton I needed to be mad at. You were the one who couldn't stay away from her", she says through watery eyes. "Lucas . . . if I couldn't come between you two, nothing else should."

"Brooke, I am really sorry –"

The brunette scoffs and rapidly blinks her eyes. "Please, I am so over you, Broody", she teases. He chuckles and walks over to her.

"I know, but I still am sorry", he pulls her into a hug and silently thanks her for everything she's done for himself and Peyton through the years. "I love you, Brooke Davis", he says platonically.

"I love you too, Lucas Scott", Brooke says with a smile. "Now, go show my best friend how in love with her you are", she smirks and pushes him out of the kitchen.

He closes the door behind him and Brooke sighs. She dumps out her coffee and heads over to Naley's house.

It's only half past the point of oblivion
The hourglass on the table, the walk before the run
The breath before the kiss, and the fear before the flames
Have you ever felt this way?

Nathan sighs as he turns off his car again. He gets out and walks around to the passenger's side. He opens it gently and takes off her seatbelt. He cradles her neck with one hand and slides his other arm under her legs. After he carefully picks her up out of the car, he kicks it shut behind him.

His front door is another task. He changes positions and places her over his shoulder; the fact that she doesn't wake makes him nervous. She must be exhausted. He opens his door and carries her bridal style once again.

"Isn't this your dream come true?" he teases as he carries her over the threshold; of course she doesn't respond. "Yeah, we both found better things didn't we?" he whispers. "And I'm basically talking to myself", he mutters and laughs lightly.

"Nathan?" his wife's voice calls out and if Peyton weren't in his arms he would kiss Haley senseless. He's more grateful now, then ever, that they found each other and stuck with each other through everything.

"What are you doing up?" he asks as he stands frozen in the foyer. Her brown eyes trail between her husband and the woman in his arms. She clears her throat.

"I rolled over and you weren't there", she says while keeping her eyes on a sleeping Peyton. "I decided to make some tea for whenever you came back. What happened?" she finally asks as she walks over her the slumbering blonde.

Nathan sighs and motions over to the living room. Haley shuffles behind him in her bunny slippers and he rolls his eyes; he hates those things. "They're comfortable", she grumbles when she notices his actions. Nathan smirks and puts Peyton on the couch. Haley drapes a throw blanket over her and that's when Nathan takes her into his arms.

"I love you", he whispers and places his lips against hers. Haley gets lost in his arms and throws her arms around his neck. They break apart at the need for air and Haley smiles brightly.

"I love you too", she whispers back and kisses him quickly. "Now, what happened?" she asks as she sits across from the couch. Nathan sits in the seat beside her and shrugs. Before he can speak there's a frantic knock at the door.

"You get that, I'm gonna go make coffee; it's gonna be a long night", Haley says and marches from one room to the other. Nathan laughs and heads for the door. He opens it to reveal a frantic looking Brooke Davis.

"Is Peyton here?"

"Peyton's here."

Their first words are spoken at the exact same time. Brooke lets out the biggest puff of air. "Oh thank God", she mumbles. She rushes into the house and heads for the living room. She stops when she sees Peyton and smiles sadly.

"Oh P. Sawyer", she whispers as she walks over and brushes a curl from her friends face. Haley walks back in and raises and eyebrow and Nathan simply shrugs. At this point he has no idea what's going on.

"Brooke?" the brunette looks over at her friend and smiles softly. She stands and takes one mug from Haley's hand.

"Thanks", she says gratefully. Nathan chuckles and Haley sighs; she disappears once more. "How long has she been sleeping?" Brooke asks as she sits in one of the cushiony chairs. Nathan shrugs.

"I don't know exactly, but she's dead to the world", he says softly. Brooke nods.

"So, I guess you know", she says more then asks. The brunette Scott nods and Brooke bites her lip. "They're gonna be okay, right?" she asks timidly.

"What happened?" Haley demands an answer when she walks back in and sees her friend's sad eyes. She sits on the armchair of her husband's seat and Brooke looks at her. "And what the Hell is she wearing?"

"Lucas proposed", Haley gasps and smiles, but that fades away.

"Why is she here?" she asks in fright. When Brooke looks away she looks at her husband. He makes a face.

"They ended up fighting and Peyton left", he whispers.

"And Lucas watched her go", Brooke whispers next.

"Whoa", Haley whispers. "So, what did you drug her?" she asks. Peyton hasn't moved since Nathan brought her in the house. The other brunettes laugh.

"I think she's just worn out", Nathan muses. Brooke nods.

"She's been spreading herself pretty thin. With the renovations and taking care of Luke; she's kind of forgotten to take care of herself."

"What does this mean?" Haley asks with a worried face. Brooke opens her mouth, but a movement from the couch causes her to stop.

Peyton stirs and stretches her arms over her head. She sits up and meets the eyes of her 3 closest friends. She groans and shakes her head. Maybe she's dreaming it. She lies back down and places the blanket over her head.

"Oh no you don't", Haley says as she pulls the blanket from her friend's body. Peyton whimpers at the sudden chill and sits up angrily.

"Is this the intervention?" only Nathan laughs because he was the only person in Karen's room the day Peyton broke down.

"Peyton", Haley's motherly tone makes the blonde groan. "How are you?"

The blonde looks at her and laughs, but the humor isn't there. Her eyes hurt from crying so much and her throat is sore from gasping for breaths. "Dandy", she quips. Brooke frowns.

"Don't do that", she scolds. Peyton looks down and fidgets with her hands. "I talked to Lucas", she says quietly. "He's really torn up about this whole situation", Peyton rolls her eyes.

"Sawyer . . ." at Nathan's voice she looks up and takes a breath. She hates her friends, but that hate makes her love them. That probably sounds crazy, but she loves how invested they are in her happiness. Happiness that she only ever really found and continues to find with Lucas.

For her, that's the epiphany.

"I need to go home don't I?" she asks softly. Nathan and Brooke smile faintly. She referred to Lucas's house as home.

"Yeah P. Sawyer, I think you do", Brooke rasps. "And p.s. love the hat", she says with a smirk. Peyton blushes and closes her eyes. Haley looks at all three of them and grimaces.

"Bom Chicka Bow Wow?" she asks with a scrunched nose. Peyton laughs for the first time all night and looks at Lucas's best friend.

"Do you really wanna know?" she asks as she lifts her pant leg and reveals her red heels and white thigh highs. Haley shakes her head.

"No, I don't, but I do want you to talk to Lucas", she says while she stands and walks over to the front door. "Get out", she demands as she points to the porch. Peyton nods and waves timidly to her friends as she leaves the house.

"They're gonna be okay, right?" Brooke asks once again after Peyton leaves. Nathan looks at her. Haley comes over and wraps her arms around his neck; she rests her chin on his shoulder.

"I sure hope so", he whispers.

La La La La La La La La

There you are, sitting in the garden
Clutching my coffee, calling me sugar
You called me sugar

He walks into the house and immediately notices the quiet that lurks. She's still not home. He sighs and shuffles over to the coffee pot. There's no chance of him sleeping tonight so he might as well make the best of it. He fills it with water and scoops the coffee grounds into the filter. With a flick of a switch the red light comes on and the water begins to heat.

He sheds his jacket and throws onto an empty chair in the hallway. He enters his room and stares around hopelessly. A few hours ago he was the happiest man in the world. He had the girl of his dreams in his arms and it seemed like noting could stop them. Him and his big, impulsive mouth.

He sits at his desk and throws his head back. He's never felt more emotionally drained in his entire life. He spins around and places both hands atop the wood. Maybe he'll clean. He nods his head and picks up all the loose papers. He stacks them neatly and when he picks them up to place them into a drawer, something falls out.

His heart stops and his blue eyes widen. He holds the once familiar letter in his hands and runs his finger over his name. Given everything that's happened, he's forgotten about this small piece of Peyton from before they were together. Without hesitation he rips open the seal and pulls out the folded paper.

Dear Lucas . . .

I told myself I was going to stop writing these, but apparently I can't quit anything that involves you. I love you, Lucas. I love you more then I've ever loved anything or anyone and that scares me. It makes me question whether or not I'll ever be able to love with the same unbridled intensity or passion again.

That same passion and intensity got us into trouble more times then once; this week included. Lucas, if you hadn't stopped our kiss the night of your mother's wedding, I can't promise that I would have stopped us before it escalated.

The fact of the matter is that you're married. Married, Lucas. Vows and promises were made to another woman and I can't pretend that it doesn't break my heart. It does, it breaks my heart everyday.

So, I'm writing to let you go. I need to let go of the idea of us. You're married and that needs to hit me one day . . . someday I'm sure it will. In the meantime I need to search the world for my Lindsey. The person I know can never compare, but that's the next best thing.

Before you got married I told you that I've loved you since the moment we locked eyes. That hasn't changed. I loved you when I was seventeen and walked away from us. I loved you when I was nineteen and said someday. I love you at twenty-three and while you're married to someone else.

I will always love you,

Peyton

By the time he's done reading he has silent tears streaming down his face. He tosses the papers onto his desk and places his head in his hands as his body shakes with violent sobs.

He's messed up so badly in the past, it's no wonder she's hesitant to take such big steps with him. He's a terrible person and he doesn't deserve her love. He takes in a gasping breath and let's himself calm down. He wipes his face and his eyes and runs his hand over his face and through this hair. Lucas looks down at the letter and quickly rises from the chair. He can't be in here with that; it's suffocating him.

Lucas walks back into the kitchen and takes two mugs out of the cabinet; it's a complete habit for him to do in the mornings. He fixes himself his coffee and stares at Peyton's mug. It's an old Ravens one; there's a chip on the rim and the handle could fall off any day, but she refuses to use another one. What if he never sees her use it again? He shakes his head to clear those thoughts and moved to sit in the chair; he rests his mug on the table.

He sits there for a few minutes before he hears the jiggle of the kitchen door and a second later he sees her blonde curls. She doesn't look up as she closes it behind her, but when she does they lock eyes and he feels his heart stop. Her eyes are puffy and her face is blotchy, but it never fails.

She always takes his breath away.

Peyton bites her lip and looks away. The smell of coffee hits her nose and she breathes in deeply. There's nothing she wants more then a hot cup of caffeine. She looks from him to the hallway and doesn't know what to do.

"Hey Blondie", his voice hits her ears and she lets it wash over her. It feels so good to hear his voice again and to hear such an endearment from him makes her smile; weakly. He's just glad to see her in this house again. She's made it into a home. "Your mugs by the coffee pot", he says softly.

Peyton nods and bites her lip again. She doesn't really want to have this conversation. She's terrified as to how it's going to end. She lets out a shaky breath and Lucas closes his eyes. Their emotions get the best of both of them. She closes her eyes, hoping to stop the tears, but when she opens them they lazily trail down her cheeks. Lucas looks at her and wants nothing more then to stand up and wipe them all away. But he doesn't move.

"I guess we need to talk huh?" she asks even though she knows she doesn't need to. His eyes meet hers and he nods slowly.

"Yeah", he says with a hoarse voice. "I guess we do."

Have you ever wished for an endless night?
Lassoed the moon and the stars and pulled that rope tight
Have you ever held your breath and asked yourself "Will it ever get better than tonight?"
Tonight

Let me know what you think!