Author's Note: Hey guys! Here's your chapter for today! Not much else to say other than this ezboard problem with the posts and deletion of stories is driving me insane and very pissed as I am sure a lot of you are because your stories have been affected too. Anyways, I hope you like it! As always, please read and review!

Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.

Rating: K+ to T

Finding Our Way Back

Chapter 18 – Dinner By Candlelight

Haley sighed as school let out for the day. She was tired and still had to stay here for three more hours to grade papers. If she took them home, she would never get them done with both Lucas and the kids distracting her. There was a quiet knock on the door and the door opened slightly, "Ms. James?" Haley looked up and pulled off her reading glasses, "Yes?" The door opened more and revealed one of her favorite students, Heather Montgomery. She smiled and gestured with her hand to come near, "Heather, come in." The young girl slowly walked over to her desk and when she stood in front of it, Haley asked, "What can I do for you?" "Um, I was wondering…I know you're really busy with grading papers right now but um, I wrote some poems and I-I would like it if you could read them, and maybe, uh, comment on them. Whenever you have the time," Heather asked shyly.

Haley's smiled broadened. This was the first time any of her students had come to her and asked her to do this. She felt so honored. Heather was a very bright student. She loved to read and write and draw. Haley just knew Heather would accomplish great things with her life if she just put herself out there a little more. She was a shy, timid girl, and not really part of a clique or crowd, mostly just off doing her own thing by herself. They had become fast friends because of their many similarities yet still maintained their student-teacher relationship. They didn't hang out after school or anything, but they'd sit in Haley's classroom sometimes and just talk, or discuss books, any number of things. Heather had opened up to her and it seemed that she was getting a little better at coming out of her shell. She had begun to talk to some of the other kids in her second period English class and participated more of her own free will than Haley calling on her.

"I'd love to, Heather. It'd be my pleasure. You're a great writer and you have talent. I've seen your writing and it's fantastic. I know these will be just as great. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to see work you've written outside of school." Heather blushed at the lavish compliment, "Thank you, Ms. James." "You're welcome Heather," Haley replied. "Well, I have to get going. I have to go pick up my little brother from elementary school," Heather responded. "How old is your little brother," Haley asked. "Six years old, he's in first grade," the girl answered. "Really? That's great! You should bring him over to meet my kids; they're five. They hardly know any other children here besides the ones they know in kindergarten. Does he like basketball?" "Yeah, he loves basketball. It drives me nuts sometimes. He always wants to play basketball or watch a game or play Street Ball 2 on the Playstation," Heather replied with a laugh.

Haley grinned, "He and Derek will hit it right off." "Yeah, once Joey finds out that Lucas, I mean Mr. Scott, the star NBA basketball player, is Derek's dad, he'll never want to leave him alone. He wants to be a basketball player when he grows up. Or so he says this month," Heather rolled her eyes. "When you grow up in Tree Hill, almost every guy's dream is becoming a basketball star. This town is like Basketball Central. It's a very serious sport here," Haley responded. Heather nodded in agreement, "Well, I really have to go pick Joey up now. He'll get really mad if he misses the game this afternoon. It's the conference finals apparently. San Antonio Spurs against Phoenix Suns." "Oh god, Lucas is probably going to be pigging out on the couch when I get home," Haley replied then blushed at telling one of her students about Lucas' leisure activities. Heather laughed and waved goodbye as she made her way out of the classroom, "See you tomorrow Ms. James."

When Haley finally arrived home around seven, she was surprised she didn't find Lucas sprawled out on the couch, a bag of chips in hand, as he watched the basketball game Heather had mentioned earlier. The apartment was dimly lit with one or two lights on in the living room. She placed her purse and keys on the small table by the door, where she found a note. It read: Come to the kitchen. Haley smiled and excitement filled her with anticipation of what Luke had done for her. There she found another note: Go to the den. The den was essentially another living room, but this one had the Playstation, another television, and games that they played. In other words, this was the playroom.

Haley walked into the den, finding it set in an ethereal glow by candles surrounding the room. The couch had been moved back a bit and two large pillows sat on either side of the coffee table, two candles as a centerpiece, and two covered plates with champagne sitting in an ice bucket. Soft music started to play and she whirled around, finding Lucas standing behind her, a wide smile on his face and a rose in hand. They began to walk towards each other and Haley quickened her pace, closing the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and captured his lips in a powerful kiss.

She had felt drained all day and even more so after grading all those papers then remembering that she'd have to go home and cook dinner for the kids, give them baths, and get them to bed. Once they broke for air, Haley smiled up at him before placing another light kiss on his mouth. "Thank you for this. It's beautiful. I thought you'd be on the couch with your eyes glued to the television screen because of that basketball game tonight for the conference finals. Now I find that you did all this…" Lucas' eyes bulged, "The game's tonight?" He made a move to the living room but stopped and smiled at her expression. "Just kidding. Can't I do something nice for my girlfriend, even if it means missing one of the most important basketball games of the year?" "Yes, and I love you very much for it," Haley grinned as she pecked him on the lips.

"Come on, dinner's getting cold," he said, rubbing her back, as he led her to the coffee table and they each sat down on a pillow. Lucas popped the cork on the champagne and poured some in their glasses. "To us," he raised his glass and met hers with a clink. "So, what did you cook us for dinner? I hope you didn't burn down my kitchen," she replied with a wink and a smirk. She knew Lucas was a great cook, but he did have his moments. "It was that one time! You'll never let me live it down will you?" "Oh really? I happen to remember some other times…" she smiled. Lucas rolled his eyes. He uncovered the two plates and Haley's smile grew at the sight. "Macaroni and cheese? You remembered…" "Of course, the food of the Gods. How could I forget? You said you could live off this stuff if you had to," he responded. "Only if you cooked it," she grinned, "you make it the best way." "And you claimed I burned down your kitchen…" he smirked. "You did! Don't deny it! I'm sure that black charcoal stain is still on that wall in the kitchen by the stove." "Enough arguing, let's eat before it gets cold," he replied. Haley nodded and brought a forkful of the food to her mouth, "Mmm, this is delicious. You always make the best macaroni and cheese." "Thank you, glad you like it," he responded as he took a bite of his own.

As they ate, they talked about their day and about the kids, various things that had gone on that they didn't know about. Haley informed him of the potential play date in the future with Heather's brother, Joey, and how he idolized basketball players. They joked back and forth, their usual banter, just enjoying the quiet moment and being with each other. At a slow song, Lucas asked Haley to dance. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he wrapped his around her waist as they took small steps, moving slowly in a circle. Haley stood on her tip toes and gently pressed her lips to his in a tender yet passionate kiss that lasted several moments as the music flowed through their bodies.

I wanna give every part of you
The attention it deserves
I wanna take it slow
Get you in the mood
Cause the clocks not gonna turn
We've been waiting for a couple of weeks
And I know we shouldn't rush
There's no one here but us

I don't want this to die
Don't wanna ever forget this night
To hurry you would be a crime
Let's take our time
Let's take our time

Something so right when I hold you
I don't ever wanna let you go
When you whisper in my ear
All the things you want to do
This sensation starts to grow
I dreamt about it every day and night
Never thought that you'd come true
Now It's just me and you

I dont want this to die
Don't wanna ever forget this night
To hurry you would be a crime
Let's take our time
Let's take our time

I don't want this to die
Don't wanna ever forget this night
To hurry you would be a crime
Let's take our time
I don't want this to die
Don't wanna ever forget this night
To hurry you would be a crime

Let's take our time, Let's take our time
Let's take our time, Let's take our time
Let's take our time...

The song ended and Lucas kissed her gently, "I know you must be tired from today. Why don't I go start you a warm bubble bath?" "That would be great, thanks," Haley replied, running her fingers through his short blonde locks. "Be right back," he whispered against her mouth before heading to the bathroom.

Lucas was laying in bed when Haley finally came out of the bathroom after soaking for twenty minutes. She crawled into bed beside him and slipped under the covers. She turned and laid her head on his shoulder, placing her hand on his chest, "Thank you for tonight. It was just what I needed." He rubbed the side of her arm, "Tired?" She shook her head, "Not really. I feel a little refreshed after that bath." Haley's hand subtly drifted lower and she slipped it under his shirt, running her fingers over his chest. Lucas' eyes widened and he looked down at her, who gazed back up at him with a seductive smirk.

"Are you sure you're ready? We don't have to do this if you're not ready…" Lucas began but she silenced him with a kiss. "I've been ready since the day you showed up at my door…" she murmured against his mouth. Lucas took this as all the permission he needed. He slowly lifted the nightgown over her head and turned them so Haley was lying back on the bed as he hovered over her. He began to run his hands across her delicate skin, caressing every part of her, rediscovering and re-familiarizing himself with every inch of her body…