Lucas made the right turn onto the winding backstretch known as River Road that led to the edge of town. As he came to the biggest curve, he pulled over and smiled…he had definitely been there before. Though it had only been two short years ago, it felt like several lifetimes. So much had happened and time had changed everything. He had gone there before on a routine call that came into his uncle Keith's auto shop. Lucas had been sent out for a tow, one of the many responsibilities bestowed upon the young man at his part time job. When he had arrived, he had seen the infamous black 1963 Mercury Comet convertible stalled on the side of the road. Instantly he felt butterflies, even more so when he saw the blonde waiting for him. Some things never changed…

It felt good to be happy. It felt good to have a sense of hope again. It felt good to just be alive. For Peyton, the pleasure now came from the simple things in life like seeing the wind blow against a tree or feeling the sunshine on her face. She waited by the side of the road patiently until she heard his car coming around the bend. Smiling playfully, she hid behind her own car. Her heart pounded just like it had two years before…

Lucas parked and got out, stretching his long arms. Her car set by idly just a few feet from his but there was no sign of her.

"Peyton!" he called out.

No answer. Shrugging, he popped her hood and took a quick look underneath. Everything appeared to be in order but looks could be deceiving. Two years before she had broken down and had been left stranded. The brooding mysterious blonde, half brother to her then jerk of a boyfriend, Nathan Scott, had been the last face she had wanted or expected to see. But he had shown up and it had resulted in their first real face to face meeting. Even then, the mutual intrigue was apparent. Their very first conversation, he had revealed personal information about the town's worst kept secret…the fact that he was Dan Scott's son. He had opened up to her, shared with her information never before revealed even to those closest to him. It was the first step on a long road to something real and beautiful. Even then, there was a special connection, though neither one knew how powerful. So much had changed since then. Make ups and break ups. Heartache, happiness, lies and betrayal. Keith was gone. Nathan and Haley were married and parents. And none of them were quite the people they once were.

Closing the hood, he jumped, startled. Yes, what a difference two years made. Back then he had been greeted with disdain, attitude and a pout. Now there she was, sitting in the back of the convertible, beaming, a look of pure love etched on her pretty face.

"Peyt, you scared me," he grinned.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to."

"I took a look at the car but I couldn't find anything wrong with it…"

"I know."

"What?" he raised an eyebrow.

"I know there's nothing wrong with my car, at least not this time. But I was driving around and reminiscing and it made me think. Déjà vu, huh? And I just felt like seeing you."

He walked over towards her, feeling nothing but happiness as his smiling girlfriend pulled him into the car by his shirt, attacking him with sweet kisses.

"Well, well, Miss Sawyer. You certainly know how to make a guy's day," he teased, as they finally came up for air.

"You mean, you're not mad?"

He pretended to give her question some thought.

"Just mad about you," he finally answered, pulling her in his arms.

Peyton groaned.

"You know, I could stay right here just like this forever."

"Me too," he agreed.

But forever would have to wait, at least for a little while. The end of the tumultuous summer had finally arrived and it would be off to college. After much deliberation, Peyton had decided to attend college a few hours away from home while Lucas would be sticking close by at Tree Hill University. They'd only be a hop, skip and a jump away, a simple car ride, phone call, e-mail or text message away. Still it wouldn't quite be the same.

"I leave next week," she sighed.

"You ready for that?"

She looked up at him and nodded.

"I feel ready. I know it's one day at a time but I'm really excited about all of it."

"Good for you, Peyton. I'm proud of you, babe."

"It's just one thing," her voice sadly trailed off.

"What's that?"

She looked up at him.

"You. I'm gonna miss you like crazy."

"I'm gonna miss you too. But it's not that far. We'll talk every day and we'll see each other all the time. It won't be so bad."

"But it won't be the same."

"Maybe not but we'll make it work."

She took his hand in hers.

"I know we will but it's still hard. We've been through so much. I feel like I'm making a mistake. Every time we get it together, it always seems like something comes between us."

"It's gonna be okay, Peyt."

She stared into his eyes.

"Tell me not to go," she half pleaded.

"Of course I don't want you to leave but I'd never ask you to stay. I can't do that. I won't do that. This is your dream, your chance for opportunity. I won't stand in the way of that. It isn't fair to either of us."

"I know."

He held her closer.

"You remember that speech Whitey gave at his dedication? You know the one where he was talking about Camilla?"

Peyton nodded.

"How could anybody forget? It was so sweet."

"I heard him describe unconditional love. A love so strong, so powerful nothing or no one could destroy it, not even death. At the time, I wasn't sure it still existed but now I am. You know how I know that? Because it's us, Peyt. Whitey was describing the kind of love we have. And nothing will ever come between us, not again."

"You promise?"

He chuckled.

"Funny, you should mention that…"

"What's so funny?" she demanded to know.

Lucas took a deep breath.

"Do you love me, Peyton? Do you promise that you're gonna love me for the rest of my life?"

She rubbed the blonde stubble on his chin.

"I'm gonna love you for the rest of mine," she whispered.

Satisfied with her response, he dug in his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

"Peyton…"

Her heart caught in her throat.

"Lucas, what are you doing?"

"I love you, Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer," he began. "I love you more than it's possible, more than you know. It's been a long road to get here and it's so fitting today we end up back where it all started. I know we're young. I know there is so much ahead of us. I'm looking forward to the future and I'm looking forward to us. Maybe it's jumping the gun a bit to be talking about marriage so early but I know deep in my heart you're the only one I ever want to be with. So this ring is a symbol of that promise. Maybe now is not the right time to consider an engagement but I know that day is coming. Until then, this is a sign of our love, of my commitment to you. I will love and protect you always, that's my pledge to you. Will you wear this promise ring?"

Tears formed in her eyes. He opened the box and she stared at the canary yellow heart shaped stone. In white gold, the initials, L and P with TLA had been engraved. It was the perfect moment.

"You know, this probably would have really freaked out the old Peyton Sawyer," she said.

"What about this Peyton?"

She smiled. This new Peyton was happy and confidant. This new Peyton was ready to be loved. The little girl that had once mistrusted the world had blossomed into a healthy, mature woman.

"This Peyton wants the same things you want," she spoke through tears. "And she, I, want them with you."

He smiled and kissed her, pulling away only long enough to slip the ring on the fourth finger of her right hand.

"God, I love you, Peyton."

They had made it. They had gone the unimaginable distance. And they had done it together. The future, so filled with hope and promise was ahead of them, the pain and the demons from the past finally buried. Their love had lasted and now with their fears finally behind them, forever, so long in the making, could now begin.

"I love you, too."

THE END!