Chapter Twenty-One: When It Rains

Lucas awoke the next morning in Peyton's bed his head feeling rather heavy and his vision blurry. With one hand he managed to lift himself into a sitting position while the other rubbed the sleep from his eyes. Reality seemed to sink in then and the ramifications of last night began to resonate with him. She had not returned like he had expected the opposite of the bed remained empty where he had hoped she would fill the void.

He set off downstairs checking every inch of the house saving the kitchen for last. He dared not to completely walk inside the kitchen but instead decided to peek his head around in hopes to see the blonde cooking or even sitting at the table. As his eyes focused his heart fell a little as she was no where to be seen inside the kitchen. Certainly she would have come home by now, he thought to himself. So he began his mission to track down Peyton Sawyer.

There were no search parties, no police, and no detectives. It was just him, Lucas walking about Tree Hill hoping to catch a glimpse of anything that resembled her blonde curls. He did not stop to eat, nor did he stop at all. There was but one person on his mind, the girl he loved. No longer did he want to or intend to make mistakes with her anymore. He glanced to the sky seeing the gray clouds loom overhead. He only hoped he could find her before the storm.

Peyton saw upon a bench over the looking the River Court completely lost within the serene sounds of the river that sat just behind her. The gray clouds that loomed overhead and darkened and now threatened for rain as the day wore on. The River Court was the first place she had come following her confessing her heart to Lucas. It just made sense after everything important that happened to them happened to them here. She reminisced over the first time he had broken down her walls. She could never forget how he had comforted her in her time of need. Not once but twice. She remembered the kiss they shared here bringing a smile to her face through the tears.

A few drops of rain fell upon Lucas' head causing his head to jerk upwards at the clouds. He thought nothing and continued on. He knew where he was going without much thought. The answer was so obvious. How could he had have been so dense to miss it? He knew where exactly where Peyton had run off to. He too sighed in remembrance of their many moments shared upon basketball court. Their last kiss brought a smile to his face. The next thing he knew the sky opened up and let loose the torrential downpour.

Lucas quickened his pace as the River Court came into view. Peyton stood up as she saw a figure emerge from the darkness and begin to take shape. Her heart leapt as she recognized him, his figure was forever engraved in her head as was his protract of a walk. His sweatpants and hoodie clung to him like a second skin much like her own clothes.

"Lucas what the hell are you doing out here?" Peyton shouted over the rain.

"You know, I should be asking you the same thing." he called back moving closer to her.

"I told you I loved you Luke and you stood there in shock." she yelled pulling the hood to her sweatshirt over her head.

"I know." he replied throwing his hands into the air. "I know I've been hiding with Brooke. Since you've moved here I've been hiding. You threw my life for a loop Peyton. I know I didn't go about things the right way and I put you in a horrible situation. But I had to be with you." He paused again forming words before he could speak again. "At that part last night everything was thrown in my face at once. You telling me you loved me was the last thing I ever expected. So instead of making an ass and a fool out of myself, I realized something last night. It's you Peyton."

"What?" she called back.

"It's you Peyton. You're the one I want next to me for the rest of my life. It's you."

The words sunk in for Peyton leaving her at a complete loss for words. In the next instant she leapt into his arms her lips crashing against his. He lifted her higher as they spun between the drops their lips locked and completely lost within each other.

Finally they broke apart resting their foreheads against one another's'.

"I love you Peyton Sawyer." he whispered a smile forming upon his pale lips.

She met his toothy grin with her own.

"I love you too Lucas Scott."

--

Lucas and Peyton crashed through her bedroom door kissing each other furiously. Their thoroughly soaked bodies clung to each other even as Lucas removed the green hoodie in which she wore. Peyton fell back on to the bed as Lucas pulled his hoodie and t-shirt over his head flinging them to a corner of her room. He hovered over her bracing himself with one arm, smiling as he returned his lips to hers. She ran her hands over every line in his chest feeling his muscles taut beneath his skin.

His kissed trailed down her jaw line and to her neck and chest causing soft whimpers to escape her as she completely melted into him. Gently he removed her shirt kissing breasts and stomach. He worked fast and she felt her denim jeans being removed from her legs landing with a thud on the floor. Smiles radiated from both of their face and light giggles broke the silence between them. He hovered over her brushing away the wet bangs that clung to her face.

Heat rose between them flushing their cheeks in concentration. Her fingers fumbled clumsily with the waistband of his sweatpants finally able to rid him of the clinging fabric.

"You were wearing far too many clothes." she giggled.

Lucas' kisses worked furiously once more trailing down to her belly button pausing at the base of her panties. Her hands ran over the expanse of his back familiarizing herself with every line and ridge. She brought her hands back to his face bringing his lips to hers once more.

"God I love you." she whispered between kisses.

"I love you too."

The two lovers were completely lost within themselves neither daring to make the next move they were perfectly content situated the way they were lips locked in such a moving fashion. They were completely oblivious to the storm that raged outside. Lucas' hand trailed down her side pausing at her hip when he heard shocked gasp echo from the doorway.

His eyes shot up to see Haley standing between the frame of the door her eyes wide with shock. Peyton twisted beneath Lucas to see Haley standing there.

"Oh god." Peyton closed her eyes wishing to just disappear.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry I'll just leave." Haley frantically made her way outside her cheeks red with embarrassment.

Lucas rolled over next to Peyton his lips forming a thin line as he knelt his forehead against hers. "Moment ruined?" he asked already knowing the answer.

"Moment ruined." she replied in a deadpan voice.