I have no excuses for not updating, I'm sorry. I just can't be one of those people that update quickly, I wish I could. But I love you all for sticking by me and my fics, you have no idea what it means to me, I am so grateful. I hope this is worth it! Not surprising for most of you, but - For now, All We Ever Needed is going to be put on hiatus. I don't have enough concrete ideas to come up with a good storyline any more, but I will finish it one day, I swear. I can't not finish it, it will plague me! Unfinished stories (along with author's notes as chapters) are my biggest pet peeves EVER.

This one should be wrapping up soon - I want to move away from this type of story, and gravitate into a different type of writing. I am very excited for the ideas I have coming, and I hope you all will be too! I would say about 5-6 chapters left with this one, and I am actually contemplating a sequel, let me know if you would like to see one! I am starting school in like 11 days, so I will try my hardest to at least get one update out before then!

With everything I won't let this go, these words are my heart and soul
I'll hold on to this moment you know, 'as I bleed my heart out to show
And I won't let go

"Thank you guys for this incredibly fun day, but I need to get home and get to bed now, I have a shift at the café at 7 A.M." Haley yawned in mid sentence, proving her point.

Peyton's face showed a look of worry, but pushed it away when Lucas looked at her. "Are you sure Hales? You don't to come over and watch movies with Lucas and I?"

"As tempted as I am to come and watch you two mount each other half way through the movie, I think I'll pass," Haley chuckled.

Lucas rolled his eyes and playfully pushed her. "Okay Hales, nice talking to you, now get out of my car."

Peyton smacked Lucas on the back of the neck lightly, playfully. "Don't be mean to your best friend," she admonished, then turned to Haley. "Okay, well if you get lonely or want to talk you know the number."

Haley hugged Peyton and nodded. "You gonna be home tonight Luke?"

Lucas turned to Peyton and she looked at him with a twinkle in her eye and a certain smile on her face. Haley looked between the two and rolled her eyes. "Okay that's a no, obviously. I'll see you two lovebirds tomorrow! Night!"

Peyton and Lucas waved and hopped back into his mustang. "Okay, why were you being so protective of Haley today?"

"What do you mean?"

"All day today you've been babying her. At the carnival you made sure she rode every ride she loved twice, at dinner you kept asking her if she had enough to eat. When we went to the movies, you let her pick the movies, the food, and the seats, and the kicker - you let her choose the music in the car. You never anyone do that - not even me," he stressed.

Peyton tapped the window with her knuckles and sighed. "Well you're just not special enough," she teased. When he didn't budge she moved on. "Okay, I just figure her and Nathan are on shaky ground and he's in California. She hardly ever talks to her parents, we're a couple now. I just think she's probably lonely lately."

Lucas thought about it and nodded sadly. "Yeah, I guess I didn't really think about it that way. Damn, now I feel bad for not spending more time with her."

Peyton internally smiled, grateful to not have to tell Lucas the news of the upcoming divorce between his brother and best friend. She scooted as close as she could and leaned her head down to rest on his shoulder. "Don't feel bad Luke. Just change that! How about you two hang out tomorrow after her shift? Just the two of you."

"Are you sure?" He asked hesitantly.

"Oh I'm sure Luke; we don't have to spend every day together, we'll make it." She patted his face affectionately, and he chuckled through his nose. "Oh! Anyways, I forgot - I have a webcam date with my dad! So, I'll be busy for a while, and I want to get some drawings done. Besides, didn't you know I'm a loner?" She teased.

Lucas pulled up in front of her house and parked the car. As he hopped out, and went around to open the door for her, he spoke. "You know, I have heard that some where."

Peyton wrapped her arm around his waist and led them up to the house. "And don't you forget it."

--

After showering and changing into more comfortable clothes, Haley stepped outside to grab the mail. Flipping through bills and junk mail, Haley stopped when she actually saw a large manila envelope addressed with her name on it. When she saw that the return address was from Green and Lange Law Firm, her knees buckled and she dropped to the couch.

Haley closed her eyes, counted to ten, then opened the envelope. Her worst fears were confirmed when the stack of documents were pulled out and scattered in front of her. The only words she could focus on were "Separation of Marriage."

The stack of papers fell from her hands and littered the living room floor, making it appear as if a tornado had torn through the house. After sitting, frozen in shock, for countless moments, Haley felt the wetness of tears at the corner of her mouth. She hadn't even noticed she'd been crying. After the realization kicked in, the heaving sobs came all at once; and it was then Haley James realized her whole world was crumbling before her.

--

Peyton had gone into the kitchen to grab them some bottled water and a bag of pretzels, and when she came back she saw her boyfriend almost asleep in her living room.

She thought about being sassy with him and making him wake up to hang out with her, instead she took the time to look at him - really take him in. His eyes were closed, and those beautiful long lashes covered up what she had memorized to be ocean blue eyes that seeped deep into her soul. Next - her favorite part of his face - the upturned nose that was perfect for rubbing against hers in Eskimo kisses. Then his beautifully shaped lips that fit with hers like a puzzle; she had kissed a few boys in her time, but no one came close to Lucas Scott. She could honestly say he was the best kisser… ever. Her eyes trailed over the body that she knew so well; defined chest, strong arms, sculpted abs… and lower. She let her mind run away from her for a second, imagining what that part of his body would look like. Peyton shook her head of those thoughts; clearly feeling herself get too worked up.

Peyton set down the food and drink items and walked over to the sofa, gently climbing on top of him and finally settling to rest her weight on his body, bringing her hands up to run through his hair. Lucas's eyes fluttered open almost immediately, and there they were - those beautiful blue depths.

"This is a good way to be woken up," he smiled at her.

"I thought you'd think so." Peyton chuckled before crashing her mouth down to his. He immediately parted his lips to grant her tongue entrance. Their kisses were always electric, sending waves of heat crashing through their bodies. His arms moved to wrap around her back, and she was pulling at his hair, bringing him as close as possible to her. One of her hands drifted from his hair, down his t-shirt covered chest to the bottom of his shirt. When she had reached her destination, they parted to smile brightly at each other, before moving to kiss again.

Peyton inched his shirt up, and ran her hand over his muscled torso, causing a groan to escape from him and reverberate through her own mouth. Lucas pushed her up from his body, silently signaling to her what he wanted to know, and she nodded coyly, before moving her own hands slowly down her body to lift her shirt over her head, revealing tantalizing skin inch by inch. When it finally fluttered to the floor, Lucas looked over her body in amazement; she was far more beautiful than he ever could have imagined. Lucas sat up with her still in his lap, and brought her body flush up against his, going back in to capture her lips once more, but before he could, she stopped him, and in one smooth motion, lifted his own shirt off of his body. They stared into each other's eyes, both wanting to know how far this was going to go tonight.

"Take me upstairs," she demanded gently, pressing herself down into his lap.

Lucas dropped his head to her shoulder, grunting. He kissed the hollow of her neck, and whispered against the skin there, "Are you sure?"

Peyton stood up from his lap, and turned around so that her back was facing him. As she reached back to unhook her bra, she turned her head to rest on her shoulder, and smiled coyly. After she had successfully taken the garment off, she threw it on his lap, and turned around with her arms lightly covering her chest. She quirked an eyebrow at him.

In an instant he had jumped from the couch and lifted her into his arms before planting a rough kiss on her lips. "I love you, Peyton."

Peyton giggled and cupped his face, "I love you, Lucas."

As her hands dropped, his eyes darkened. Peyton made no move to cover herself, and when he looked back to her face, she stared him deeply in the eyes. Without hesitation, Lucas bolted to the stairs, Peyton's laugh the only noise sounding from the house.

--

There was no way for him to tell quite how long he'd been awake - could be minutes, maybe hours. All he knew was that the minute he'd woken up, the feel of Peyton Sawyer sleeping - completely skin to skin - in his arms was surely heaven on earth. There was no way this was real; he could not believe just how lucky he was to finally have her in his life as his girlfriend. The woman he kissed before bed each night, the woman he gazed at adoringly every morning. Right now, at this moment in time, Lucas Scott could say he had reached absolute happiness.

"Stop staring at me," came her groggy voice.

Lucas tightened his grip on her, pressing her back closer into his chest. Peyton sighed contentedly before turning around, so that they were chest to chest. The feel of her up against him caused a slight groan to slip from his lips, and hers in turn curved into a saucy smile.

"Mmm, good morning," he murmured, nuzzling into her neck.

Peyton let out a cross between a moan and a giggle, and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer into her body. "Good morning, indeed."

Lucas shifted his body back onto the bed, keeping his hands firmly planted on her hips, dragging her body to rest atop his. Peyton's forehead came down to gently rest against his, and their fingers intertwined at their sides.

Peyton watched as Lucas's eyes seemed to take in her whole face, memorizing her delicate features before he spoke, choosing his words delicately. "God, Peyton… I don't think you know how much I love you."

Her eyes misted over, and she placed a soft kiss to the end of his nose. "I think I have some idea, Lucas. I love you too."

"This has been the best week of my life. Being with you finally, it's like a dream come true."

Instead of responding to his endearing statement, Peyton crashed her lips down upon his, roughly parting them to slip her tongue in to massage against his. This was showing him love in its purest form. No words were needed, their kisses and touches said it all.

Just as his hand was weaving into her hair, and she was pulling his boxers down, Lucas's phone sounded from the bedside table. Each blonde let out a frustrated groan.

"I'll just ignore it," he whispered, pressing hot kisses to the column of her neck.

Peyton chuckled and tried not to give in to the glorious sensation. "No, you should answer that… it could be Haley."

Lucas broke away from her neck and heaved a large sigh. "Well there's a way to break the mood," he huffed.

Throwing her head back and laughing heartily, Peyton moved off of him to sit up, making sure to keep the sheet covering her.

"What is so important my dear best friend that you had to call at this early hour?" Lucas snapped out, clearly frustrated over the lack of action, and her interruption. Peyton hit his chest roughly, silently mouthing for him to be nice.

As Lucas stood from the bed and motioned to her that he was going to take the call to another room, Peyton could hear their friend faintly yelling for details, curious as to just what she had interrupted.

Once she heard the faint steps of Lucas descending her staircase, Peyton fell back against the bed, the smile on her face so wide, her cheeks were beginning to hurt.

Lucas Scott was in love with her.

They were finally together.

Last night, they had finally made love.

And never had she ever felt so completely… happy. Once Peyton realized the emotion that was singing throughout her body, she reared back in shock. The last time she had been truly happy was when she was a child and her mother was still alive. Another smile took over her face, and she rolled from side to side on her bed, girly squeals escaping every now and then. Nothing had ever been so perfect in her life.

--

After arguing with Haley over the details from last night - that being that she wanted most of them, and Lucas refused to give them up - he agreed to meet her for a late lunch and hang out for the day. As Lucas was heading up the stairs, he realized that for the entirety of his 20 minute conversation, he had not heard any movement from Peyton. With this thought, he took the stairs two at a time, almost physically missing her in the time they had been apart. Lucas smiled and shook his head - love was a funny thing. But he wouldn't trade what he and Peyton had for the world.

"Okay I'm sorry I took so long, you know Haley and her rambling…" He trailed off upon entering her room, seeing her breathing heavy and tears about to flow out of her eyes. Lucas rushed over the bed immediately, but as soon as he sat down, she sprung up from the bed, anger washing over her.

"Hey, sweetheart, what's wrong? Why are you about to cry?" Lucas walked over to her, internally thankful when she didn't move when he put his arms around her, although she did stiffen with the confines.

"Talk to Brooke lately?" She questioned, not bothering to hide the bitterness.

Lucas froze for a second, unfortunately it was a second too long. The guilt was evident on his face. "Peyt-"

Peyton shrugged his arms off of her body and stomped across the room, needing distance. "No, Lucas. You don't get to make up an excuse. As you can probably guess by now, while you were out of the room, my best friend called. In between her rambling of how fantastic California has been and not bothering to ask how her best friend is… she let it slip that you two were going to give it a shot at getting back together! Any of that sound familiar to you?"

Though her face was flushed and she was practically screaming at this point, Lucas had to focus on her words, and not how damn beautiful she was. The guilt was slowly eating away at him, and his hands started to tremble at what he feared the next words out of her mouth would be.

"Peyton, listen to me-"

Her snappy sarcasm cut him off. "Oh, this should be good."

"Peyton, I was hurt that you were going on a date with some random guy, and you refused to give us a chance. All I could think about was you when we were talking - I was so confused and numb to my feelings - it just slipped out," he tried to reason with her.

Peyton could feel herself giving in, but immediately threw her walls back up, she loved this man with all her heart, but it never failed - he always found a way to hurt her where it counted most - her heart. "Let me see if I've got this right," she smiled, but it was hollow, "you were so hurt and upset, and missed me - that you told my best friend that you wanted to get back together? That's just great, Lucas."

The blonde headed man ran his hands through his hair, frustrated. "No, Peyton, that's not how it was!"

"Then how was it Lucas?" She shouted.

Peyton and Lucas stood in the middle of her room, facing each other and at an impasse. Lucas knew she was right, Peyton knew she was right - and neither knew where to move on from here.

"Lucas, just leave. I really can't be in the same room as you right now," her hoarse voice choked out. She knew she was moments away from tears, and she desperately needed him to not be there when she broke down.

Lucas felt his throat burning, he could not believe that after such an amazing night, it had all come down to this. He advanced toward her, but she backed away. Lucas looked hurt, but continued on until his body was pressing hers into her bathroom door.

Peyton tried to ignore the feel of his rippled body pressed against hers, trying to forget just what it had done to her last night. Though she was beyond infuriated and upset, she was still just a girl in love with a boy - this boy. So she kept her eyes focused on the floor beneath them.

"Peyton look at me. Please look at me." He pleaded.

When she still would not look at him, he gently grasped her chin in his hand, and his heart silently broke when he saw the tears spilling over her lids. "I am so sorry that I hurt you. I don't want to be with Brooke, Peyton. I am in love with you, and only you. If you believe one thing… please believe that."

Lucas wanted to kiss her so badly, but he knew it wasn't the right time, so he whispered a kiss against her cheek instead and started towards the door. He looked back at her when he was about to walk through the door, and stared silently into her eyes; both green and blue appearing devastated.

Peyton only let herself break down upon the slamming of her front door.

Through it all, I made my mistakes
I stumble and fall, but I mean these words

Let me know what you think!