BRIEF NOTES:

Thanks for the appreciation. It's great that you like the last chapter.

So, I might be able to update for a while after this chapter. We're moving places and it's going to be a struggle for a bit… but I'll do my best.

More on the Lucas/Peyton reunion. Enjoy.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Lucas's eyes fluttered open and his head tilted to the side table, where the amber glow of her electronic clock flashed the time… a little after 2 in the morning. His senses brought him back to earth, and he gained focus on the blonde woman sleeping next to him. A smile took residence on his face as he realized where he was.

Her room.

His right hand grazed her bare shoulder. They hadn't made love last night, but they were both too caught up in the tender reunion to mind it. After the first touch, it became a stream of sweet conversations and tiny kisses. It had been only 2 hours ago when they both decided to sleep things off and continue their moments tomorrow – it was, after all, their son's birthday.

Peyton stirred at the touch, realizing she wasn't alone… not that she minded in the least. This moment, if anything, was one she had been waiting for since he left. She turned to face him.

"Hi."

He looked down at those hazel eyes that smoldered with passion and gentleness, and the desire he felt was too palpable to deny.

"Hey."

"What?"

He raised his eyebrow, "What, what?"

She smiled. "The last time you looked at me like that, the four-year-old in the next room happened."

They both shared a chuckle. "Way to kill the mood, Peyt." Not that the mood had dissipated; even when they were something close to distant strangers, Lucas's urges to ravish her had never mellowed. He sighed. "I can't believe I'm here."

"Why?" She put her palm on his cheek, stroking the skin with her thumb.

He reciprocated the touch, matching it with a kiss on her forehead. "Coz it's where I've wanted to be even when I didn't realize it." A kiss on the edge of her lips followed the one on her forehead. It was then replaced with a soft kiss on her lips.

The touching had become more passionate just as their kiss deepened. She angled her head and granted his tongue access to the inside of her mouth, while his hands had now held her tightly. The tightening of his jeans was not missed by her.

"Luc?" she gasped as they broke contact.

His attention was moved to the cord of her neck. "Hmmm?"

"Make love to me."

His ministrations stopped. He searched her eyes to find the answer he hoped for. The presence of the fire in her hazel irises gave him the confidence to take hold of her shirt. Without hesitation, he pulled it over her head as she did the same.

A few light touches and a mix of clothing articles scattered on the floor later, he positioned himself over her… his tip meeting her entrance. She held on to him as tightly as she could, making sure he wouldn't back out at the last minute.

Then he entered her.

A gasp escaped him, and a moan was futilely suppressed from her mouth. After a few moments of stillness, he placed his mouth over her and kissed her with as much passion he could muster. She began to experiment with her hips.

Their bodies had become slick with sweat as they continued their intimate dance. Soft words amounting sweet nothings were spoken from their lips. At the very brink – that point where nothing could be held back – they both mentioned the words they needed to assure the infinity of their union.

"I love you"… it was all that it took for them to get lost in each other.

This time, though, they both knew it would be for good.