Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own characters!
"Are you serious?" Peyton gasped. Lucas's words had taken her completely by surprise.
"Well, I was," Lucas replied quickly, worriedly. Peyton's eyes widened as she realized how she must have sounded.
"Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that.." she trailed off; giving way to one of the most awkward silences she had ever been a part of. Lucas cleared his throat and fished around in his jacket pocket. He smoothly pulled out the ring box and bent down on one knee.
"I should have asked you this, years ago. Peyton Sawyer, will you marry me?" Lucas asked, his voice shaking slightly. Peyton felt the swell of emotion rise up in her throat. She knew she had to answer now, before she was sobbing too hard to speak.
"Yes, I'll marry you. Yes!" she said, tears already spilling down her face. She launched herself at Lucas, toppling him backwards, and onto the floor. She laughed aloud, but it came out sounding more like a hiccup, which only made them laugh harder. Peyton closed her eyes, trying to remember every bit of the moment. She was more aware of her happiness then she had been in years.
"What is going on out here?" Lauren asked, sounding annoyed. Peyton rolled off of Lucas and saw Lauren standing over them; her hands perched on her hips. Peyton glanced at Lucas, unsure of what to say to Lauren. She was unsure if Lucas wanted to spill the beans or if he wanted to wait.
"Can you keep a secret?" Lucas asked solemnly, his blue eyes sparkling mischievously. Lauren cocked an eyebrow and kept silent. Lucas apparently took this as a sign to continue.
"I divulged my mob ties to your mother," Lucas said quietly. Peyton watched in amusement as his jaw muscle twitched, fighting the smile that threatened to ruin his straight face. Lauren let out an exasperated sigh, shook her head, and stalked back to her room.
"I don't think she believed me," Lucas joked, grinning at Peyton. Before Peyton could comment, Lucas's cell phone began vibrating. He shot her an apologetic smile and fished it out of his jacket pocket.
"It's Brooke," he said dryly, flipping the cell open to greet his ex-wife. Peyton picked herself off the ground and headed into the kitchen, to give Lucas some privacy. For the first time, she caught sight of the beautiful ring on her left hand. She was delighted to see that ring looked antique. She shot a glance at Lucas. It still amazed her just how thoroughly Lucas knew her.
"How perfect is this?" Lucas asked, wearing a huge smile, as he joined Peyton in the kitchen. Peyton's face must have shown her confusion.
"Brooke called to tell me that Charity is being released in the morning. She'll have outpatient physical therapy three times a week, but at least she'll be back home. At any rate, this means we can tell the girls tomorrow evening, if you want," Lucas offered, taking her hand in his.
"That sounds perfect," she said, burying her head in Lucas's shoulder. For Peyton, life didn't get any better than this.