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Chapter Ten: I love you more with every breath

Note: Chapter title inspired by the lyrics of Savage Garden's "Truly, Madly, Deeply."

Hearing her says those words that he felt deep within his soul made his heart soar from depression and grief to new limits of happiness and endless love. Lucas smiled softly and couldn't help but to get a little choked up. He started to brush away her tears that were falling still. By the look on her face, she seemed to see his exhilarated reaction through his eyes.

"I-I feel the exact same way," Lucas said in a raspy voice unlike his own. He started to trace her face softly and lovingly.

Peyton closed her eyes as though just his touch was intoxicating enough. She leisurely opened them right when he lightly brushed her cheek.

Lucas stared into the depths of her eyes. She held a different emotion in them now than when she came in his room. They were more alive and bright-more passionate. Lucas had a powerful wave of love hit him and he felt a little weak in the knees and light-headed at the same time. His names gave a little and he started to fall.

"Lucas?" Peyton asked anxiously as she helped him get his balance back.

Luke cautiously walked over to his bed and sat down on it, slowly, his head regained its senses. Peyton sat down by him rubbing his back soothing him.

"Are you okay, Luke?" Peyton questioned with a quiver in her voice.

Lucas nodded his head without looking up at her; he was a little embarrassed to show how weak he actually was around her. But then again, he knew that he had the same affect on her because she also showed her weaknesses as well. He finally looked up into her eyes. Lucas smiled to reassure her that he was okay, his heart to beat quickly when he saw relief in her hazel eyes.

Peyton grabbed his hand and intertwined their fingers. "Luke," Peyton looked down at the floor, "what are we going to do?" She felt his gaze fall on her and she shivered slightly, "I-I know that you understand about everything, but I-uh, I just want to make sure that we're fine."

Lucas looked down at his feet as well; he knew that this was going to be a tough subject to cover. "Um, I guess we just go back the way we were before the incident happened." He paused trying to get a signal from Peyton, but she was motionless so he moved on. "Uh, maybe we should also take us slower."

Peyton started to nod slowly in understanding, but that was all she did. Lucas didn't know what else to say, he was just as baffled and unnerved than she was. But one question kept reigning through his head, what if she didn't feel as strongly about him as he did for her.

Lucas cleared his throat and stood up suddenly causing Peyton to look up at him. He kept his back towards her though. He walked over to his desk and leaned on it, bowing his head. "Peyton," he started quietly, "are you sure about me, about me being right for you?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Peyton asked a little shocked by the question and Lucas also sensed that she was insulted by the question as well.

"I mean, like are you sure that you're in love with me?" Lucas asked more determinedly turning a little to see her out of the corner of his eye.

Peyton pinched the arc of her nose as if she were getting a headache. "Luke," she stood up slowly, "I know that I've screwed royally and I know that that trust between us may not be the same, but," she stopped just behind him and fidgeted with her hands, "you've got to know that I love you so much and if I didn't I wouldn't be here trying to rekindle our relationship."

Lucas turned around to face her fully and he stared into her eyes. His heart was pounding quicker than ever now and he knew it would explode if it didn't slow down. "Peyton," he cupped her face, "I love you, too, b-"

Peyton cut Lucas off when she hastily pulled him down into a kiss. Lucas couldn't help but forget every doubt on his mind when she kissed him as fervently as she did. He could tell just by this single kiss, this passionate kiss that they were meant for each other and no one else. He longed for more and so much more, but he wouldn't let things get out of hand too quickly.

Lucas broke from the kiss and leaned his forehead on hers. He smiled sweetly and looked into her eyes. "Peyt-"

She put her finger over his mouth, "don't ruin the moment."

Lucas smiled when he heard this; she said this only when a perfect moment between them happened. He started to laugh softly, "Oh, I won't ruin the moment Miss Sawyer!" He said this as he grabbed her hand and pulled her over to his door. Lucas turned towards her just as he was about to open the door, "let's get out of here, I wanna show you something."

Peyton smiled shyly and looked down at her promise ring again. She looked back up and showed love beyond limits in her eyes as she gazed into his, "Okay."

His heart skipped a beat when he saw her love shine through her beautiful eyes. He smiled and opened the door and pulled Peyton outside.

A soothing breeze lightly brushed him as soon as he and Peyton were outside under the night's sky. The breeze was soft and delicate but it refreshed them none-the-less. Lucas held Peyton's hand and led them to the sidewalk and towards the River Court.

The moon was full tonight and it lit up the night's sky dimly. It set the scene perfectly for their midnight stroll. Lucas stole a glance at Peyton to see if she was okay, and she was. Peyton looked beautiful and elegant with the moon's light playing lightly across her golden curls and her soft skin. Lucas's breath was caught when he saw it; nothing in the world would ever be as beautiful or breathtaking as Peyton.

They finally made it to the River Court and Lucas was even more excited than before about showing it to her. Lucas walked them over to the tree.

Lucas stopped just as they were under roof of leaves and turned to face Peyton. "Okay," he let out a breath that he had been holding to get rid of his nerves. "Uh, all right, well I want to show you my memory box that I've been keeping ever since we've started our relationship." He sat down on the ground and patted a spot next to him to indicate Peyton to sit right by him. Peyton did as she was told and sat down next to him.

Lucas felt around for the garden shovel he left there earlier after he was done putting the box in its secret spot under the tree. He finally found and kneeled next a tree root where the earth was soft from the recent dig. Lucas dug as quickly as he could, but with care trying not to damage the box or its belongings. Soon, the excavation was finished and the box was recovered.

Lucas turned back to Peyton and sat next to her. He glanced over at her in the corner of his eye to see what she was feeling. She looked more nervous than he did. Lucas cleared his throat and finally opened the box.

Dun! Dun! Dun! Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I wanted to leave you all guessing what was in the memory box. Thanks for reading and please tell me you thoughts!