Well we've arrived at the end of this story. Thank you to all who read and enjoyed this story I especially loved writing it.


Chapter Twenty- Nine: Celebration (The End)

Graduation loomed over Tree Hill High. Lockers had been cleaned out; the gym was set up to accommodate the students with a stage sitting at the head. Yes, graduation would be a magnificent time for the seniors who would be leaving.

Lucas had not been to see Peyton yet that afternoon which was weird, even by his standards. But that did not matter much for Peyton had her own things to take care of.

"Mhm. That would be great. And you'll have all of that sent over? Great. Yes… Thank you again. Bye."

Peyton hung up the phone with a smile stretching from ear to ear. She had done exactly what Haley had advised her to do, she had taken initiative. Now all that was left to do was tell Lucas. How had been acting strange lately and she was not sure how he would react to her news.

Lucas had also been doing his research trying to find some sort of loop hole. However, he came up short and still had no answer. He lay on his bed for awhile staring up at the ceiling. Suddenly it clicked for him and everything came into place. He knew exactly what he was going to do even if it meant giving up his own dreams.

Peyton first stopped at Karen's café only to find that Lucas was nowhere in sight.

"Hey Karen have you seen Lucas?" she called from the doorway.

"He was here earlier, you just missed him." Karen answered with a raised brow.

"If you see him let him I'm looking for him and I've got something important to tell him."

Karen replied with a smile and a nod and went back to wiping down the counter. "Those two." she chuckled with a shake of her head.

Lucas crashed through Peyton's front only to find the house was still and silent. "Peyton." he called half expecting to hear it echo back at him. He would know if she was home. Her music would be blaring, but the house was silent, she was not home. Instead of waiting around he made his way back to the café.

"Oh lord Lucas." Karen rolled her eyes upon Lucas entering the café.

"What?" he asked throwing up his arms.

"You just missed her."

"Damnit." he replied in frustration rubbing his temple. He needed peace, the game of hide and seek that they were playing was becoming annoying. Tree Hill was not that big, how the hell did they keep missing each other. Instead of going to look for Peyton he headed the way to the River Court at least there he could find some peace.

Peyton let out a groan as she found Lucas was not home. There was only one last he would and that was the River Court. That was the last place she would look and then she was done. The boy would just have to come find her because the game of 'go find Lucas' was starting wear her nerves thin.

--

They met at opposite ends of the River Court facing each other eyes locking from across the concrete. Lucas seized the opportunity to yell across the court first.

"I'm going to California with you Peyton. I don't know what school I'll go to or how I'll afford anything, but I'll figure it out. I can't be away from you Peyton, I just can't. My dreams don't matter if you're not in them, so if that means giving up UNC I don't care." he yelled across to her.

"Lucas Eugene Scott will you just shut up!" she yelled back at him.

He rose both eyebrows clearly taken aback at her sudden outburst.

"I'm staying here!" she shouted.

"What? How?"

"I got transferred to the same art school, just here in North Carolina. We'd only be a few miles apart."

A look of pure triumph broke across Lucas' face. "What happened to California?"

"I realized my dreams didn't matter unless I had you in them. I don't want you to give up yours dreams Lucas. I would be happy going to college anywhere as long as I could be with you. And now we can."

He broke into a run and she followed suit meeting his strong arms as they wrapped around her in the middle of the basketball court. Their lips met in passionate kiss as he picked her up and spun them beneath the clouds. Her arms wrapped around his neck as the kiss deepened.

"I love you so much Lucas Scott." she whispered lovingly as their lips broke away.

"I love you Peyton Sawyer." he whispered touching his forehead against his.

Smiles danced between them flickering upon their features. It took but another moment for their lips to press together again. He set her down staring intently into her beautiful green eyes. Another smile flickered upon her lips as she knew what he was thinking. She wrapped her arms around his neck while his hands rested softly at her waist. In the next moment they were swaying to the music only they heard in their heads. She nestled her cheek into his chest feeling his heart beat in his chest. He pressed his lips to her ear.

"This is heaven." he murmured causing her to look up to him. They smiled and lost themselves within a loving kiss.

--

The gym was packed wall to wall with students, staff, and family members. Principal Turner stood proud at the podium as he gave his opening speech. One by one the students approached the stage to receive their diploma, their ticket to move on to bigger and better things. Lucas and Peyton beamed at one another as they each received their diploma. Haley stood at the podium and gave a beautifully written valedictorian speech. Her eyes sought Nathan who could not hide his proud smile as he beamed at his wife. Lucas gave her a slight nod and approving smile as their eyes met and Peyton was dabbing tears from the corner of her eyes. They were done with high school. All of the awkwardness and grudges would soon pass and no one would bother to care again. Some were moving on while others would stay close to the place they had come to call home.

As the final congratulations was spoken their caps lifted into the air in celebration of their success. Brooke's eyes sought Peyton and they exchanged pleasant smiles, maybe things would not be so bitter between them after all. Lucas and Peyton found each other amongst the crowd. With a smile he pulled her in close to his body pressing his lips softly to hers. There would be time for pictures and hugs later. For now he just wanted to enjoy the moment.