Peyton took a few deep breaths and calmed her nerves before leaving the bathroom and heading back to Lucas. When she rounded the corner she was relieved to see him standing by the pool table alone. Julian had left.
"Peyton, you doing okay," Lucas asked as he walked to meet her. He took her hand and drew her close to him.
"Yeah, sorry," Peyton said.
"Uh," he groaned. "I wanted you to meet Julian but he had to leave."
"Julian," Peyton feigned ignorance to the name and the man.
"Yeah, it is so weird." Lucas led Peyton over to a table near the bar. "He came to town wanting to buy the rights to "The Unkindness of Ravens" and make it into a movie."
Peyton already knew that, with the comments Julian made but again she pretended to be surprised. "What do you think about that," Peyton prodded.
"I think it is pretty cool," Lucas said taking Peyton's hand. "But I told him I had to talk to you."
"Why?" Peyton cocked her head and stared at Lucas.
"Because Peyton," Lucas chuckled. "You are going to be my wife, I thought you would want to share this decision with me."
"Oh," Peyton said quietly. She stared off into the crowd trying to control her warring emotions. "I don't know Lucas," Peyton began. "What do you know about him?"
"Not much," Lucas conceded. "But my agent checked him out and said he is legit and has a pretty good track record turning novels into movies. This could set us up for a while. Give us enough money for me to continue to write and give us time to spend time together."
Peyton simply shook her head.
"You want that, don't you Peyton," Lucas' voiced was laced with a hint of fear. Again, the insecure boy raised his head in the man Lucas had become. When it came to Peyton he always held a hint of insecurity about her love.
"Of course, baby," Peyton reassured him. "I am just not sure about this guy."
"Why don't we go home," Lucas suggested. "We can talk about it and maybe do a bit more."
Peyton threw him a smile. "I would like that."
Lucas took her hand and led her from TRIC. They had both drove so each got into their cars and made their way home.
Walking into the house she shared with Lucas, Peyton quickly shimmied off her blue dress and watched it pool to the ground beneath her feet. Lucas was in the bathroom and she pulled back the covers on the bed and got in.
A few seconds later, Lucas emerged and smiled as he saw Peyton waiting on him. "So, I see you have plans for me." Lucas smiled."
"Oh, yes, I have some serious plans for you Lucas Scott." She held out her hand to him.
Lucas jumped on the bed and on top of Peyton. He kissed her deeply and she answered his kiss with her own. Crawling under the covers, Lucas noticed Peyton was naked and ready for him.
There was no time for preparation or anything else as the came together in a fury. Hot, slick skin and deep long kisses. It was if they were drinking in each other and neither could stop if they wanted to.
Satisfied and sedate, Lucas pulled Peyton close to him and she laid her head on his shoulder. It was, as if, there was a clock ticking in Peyton's head. She felt the happiness surround her but also a darkness and it frightened her.
Peyton knew she should tell Lucas about her and Julian, about their past. Secrets had a way of never staying hidden and she was sure this was the case.
But for now she wanted to hide in the veil of her happiness. Soak in the feeling of Lucas beside her, of his love.
His voice broke her from the trance she was in. "I think we might be in trouble," Lucas said in a serious tone. He lifted his head from the pillow and placed it on his palm to stare down at her.
"What do you mean?" Peyton's heart was racing. Her secret flowing up inside her ready to spill out.
"We didn't use anything," Lucas said. "It was so quick, I didn't have time."
"What are you talking about," Peyton answered but then she knew. They hadn't used a condom.
"But, if it happens it happens, right?" Lucas said trying to defuse the situation. "After all we are getting married and we both want babies."
We both want babies. Lucas' words filled her and she turned her head from him. It shamed her to hear him say this. To know that she felt she didn't deserve to have a child, that to her, that chance to bring in a new life was doomed the day she had all but willed the life she carried away.
"Peyton," Lucas said worry in his voice. "You do want kids right?" Lucas turned her to face him. "Peyton?"
"Lucas," Peyton began. "I have something to tell you."