Chapter Twelve: Homecoming

Bags were packed and sitting by the front door. The kitchen had been cleaned, the sheets had been changed and the beds had been made. The cabin was practically immaculate. It was like they had never been here. However, the memories of this place would always stay with Lucas and Peyton. Lucas could still freshly picture the image of Peyton in desperation as she raged a batter within herself. Forever, they would remember the night of their rekindled love for one another and serenity that had been brought to them since then.

Peyton lay sprawled out on the couch her head resting on Lucas' lap, with a sigh she turned over to face to him. He stopped playing with her curls and smiled at her.

"What's on your mind Peyt?" he asked curiously resting his cheek against his fist. Gently, he brushed away the blonde curls that obscured her soft face.

She sighed longingly placing her finger tips on his cheek. "These past few days have been amazing and perfect, maybe some of the best of my life. I know we have to go back to reality but I don't know if I'm ready to go back. I would love to stay here for the rest of my life if it meant I could just be with you. We would never have to leave, except to get food of course."

Lucas chuckled, "We don't have to leave today you know. We could go home tomorrow; all I have to do is call my mom."

Peyton shook her head. "As good as my idea sounds we've worried everyone long enough. Karen, Brooke and Haley don't deserve that. We're going home today."

"Whatever you say Peyton." he said with a smirk leaning down to press his lips to hers. She sighed lovingly rolling over so she was straddling him at the hips. She found his lips again pressing light playful kisses along them and his jaw line. Laughing lightly Lucas entangled his fingers within her curly locks pulling her closer to him for the sake of closing the distance between their bodies. She could feel the warmth of his embrace envelope her and she never felt safer. She whispered sweet nothings in his ear and eventually rested her cheek where his neck met his collar bone. He pressed light kisses to her hair finally burying his cheek in her soft curls. The intimacy of their contact could have escalated in so many ways, but Lucas did not always need to make love to Peyton. He would just have been happy to look at her, touch her and hold her. Time away had brought them closer together. There were no more boundaries between them anymore, no more walls. They had all but broken them down.

Their long car ride home was spent with Peyton nestled tightly underneath Lucas' arm sleeping quietly despite the wind that whipped her hair about her face. They were going home, and thought Peyton would never really let on he knew she was still fearful. Rumors circulated quickly around Tree Hill, he and Peyton were both well aware of that. Deep in his gut he was sure that everyone probably knew about what happened to Peyton. That was the last thing she needed as she was still in the early stages of her recovery. She had said the worst of it was over, but there was still such a long road that she had left to follow.

It was early evening when they finally arrived at Lucas' house. She did wake when he lightly jostled her. Instead he picked her up and carried her inside laying her softly atop his bed and threw a blanket on top of her.

Karen appeared in the doorway only seconds later, throwing her arms around Lucas tears already streaming down both of her cheeks.

"Oh my god Lucas I was so worried about you and Peyton." she sobbed pulling her son closer to her, afraid if she let go he would disappear.

Lucas instinctually wrapped his arms around his mother patting her back softly. "Mom we're okay, we weren't any danger. I was more worried about you than anything. I was afraid he would come after you or someone close to us." he murmured pulling away from her.

"How is she?" she said with a nod towards Peyton as her eyes landed upon her.

Lucas turned to look at Peyton a small flicker of a smile upon his lips and then back to Karen. "She went through hell these past two weeks. It took a pretty big toll on her body, she's going to be okay physically, but mentally she has got a long road of recovery still to go."

"And how are you two?" she asked with a curious gaze.

"What are talking about?"

"Don't play dumb with me Lucas Scott. I saw the way you looked at her. Clearly something else happened during those two weeks." Karen comments a slight grin playing at the corner of her lips.

Lucas sighed and caved, Karen always knew what was going on. "I don't think starting a relationship with her right now is the best thing to do right now. But I don't think she cares. I love her mom. I'll do anything to make her happy."

Karen sighed with a shake of her head. "Good lord Lucas. I'm happy for you I really am. I just worry for you two that's all. I know what happened last time."

"I know mom, but this time is different. Things are different between us. These past two weeks brought us so much closer together. There is nothing she could do or say that would make me want to leave her." flicking his glance from Peyton back to Karen.

"Oh honey, I'm so glad you and Peyton are both back and safe." she gushed throwing her arms around Lucas' neck yet again.

"Don't worry mom, I'm here to stay. I missed you." he whispered giving her a light kiss on her forehead just before Karen retired to bed.

Immediately following he stretched out atop his bed wrapping his arms around a groggy Peyton. He pressed a light kiss to her temple holding her close to his body as she drifted in and out of sleep. Her body seemed to form around his so naturally as if they had slept like this their entire lives. Tomorrow was a big day for the both of them. Lucas only hoped that Peyton was up for it.

Peyton was awake before Lucas even began to stir. She wiggled from beneath his arm trying best not to wake him. Lucas, however, was so dead asleep nothing would have woken him. She tiptoed to the kitchen where Karen was sitting at the table sipping a cup of coffee. Karen smiled motioning Peyton to come sit with her.

"Good morning Karen." she said timidly sliding easily into the chair.

"Good morning to you too Peyton." Karen replied with a smile. "Here have some toast and juice."

Peyton nodded in thanks as Karen rose from the table and set a plate and glass in front of her. She was thankful Karen did not seem to be passing judgment on her, yet. But Karen was not one to judge.

"I'm glad you're okay and well again. I was really worried about Peyton. I'm just concerned. You could have come and talked to me."

"I know Karen and I'm so sorry it came down like it did." Peyton said cutting across before Karen could continue. "But I didn't know what to do with myself. I felt like I didn't have an outlet. Like I was stuck in some dark hole and I couldn't pull myself out of. But then Lucas came along and he took care of me. For that Karen, I am so thankful." Peyton finished with a slight bravado.

Karen smiled lovingly reaching out to place her hand atop of Peyton's. Peyton immediately met Karen's smile with a small one of her own. "I'm so glad that you and Lucas found each other again. Above all, I'm glad both of you are safe and came back."

"Thank you Karen." she replied barely above a whisper tears beginning to brim in the corner of her eyes.

Their heartfelt moment was brought to a close as a tired Lucas scuffled into the kitchen rubbing sleep from his eye. He was fully dressed but it was evident to both Karen and Peyton how tired he really was. The dark circles beneath his heavy lidded eyes were unmistakable.

"Morning, Mom…Peyton." he said gruffly seemingly surprised at the appearance of his mom and Peyton sitting at the kitchen table together. He took a seat between them almost collapsing on top of the table the moment he sat down.

"Lucas you look too tired. Maybe you should stay home today." Peyton suggested running her fingers through his hair.

"We've missed way too much as it is." he replied letting his head fall into his arms.

"She's got a point honey, you look exhausted. Why don't you just stay home today and catch up on your sleep." Karen tried rubbing his son's back.

Lucas would hear nothing of it shaking his head in response. "I don't want Peyton to go back alone today." he mumbled barely sounding as if he formed a sentence.

"Jeez Luke, I could stay here today, it's not a big deal." Peyton retorted with a roll of her eyes.

Lucas, however, put his foot down. "No we're going today. The sooner the better. We're done hiding okay?" he said sharply suddenly jolting up.

Peyton nodded in agreement at his sudden outburst. It was rather easy to tell he was in no mood to be messed with today. They bid their good-byes to Karen for the afternoon and Lucas promised they would come back home right after school. His clasped tightly around Peyton's as they made their way up the school grounds. She could feel the stares burning through her, but Lucas was her shield, nothing could hurt her today.

"You ready?" he asked turning to face her.

"I'm always ready when you're with me." she whispered turning her body back to the school and they began their slow walk inside.