Hi guys it's me again. Don't worry it won't be a long AN this time since this update is fast for me. I was in Japan for three weeks so considering this I updated really fast. I thank all of you for your reviews and author/story alert.

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Disclaimer: I don't own OTH or it's character. They belong to Mark Schwahn and the CW.

All Because Of You

by Sunrise Avenue

Peyton

After what felt like an eternity Peyton hesitantly pulled back from Lucas to breathe. She could still feel his lips on hers. Lucas was still looking at her with this tender gaze, his eyes sparkling with happiness. He was smiling and she smiled back at him.

The moment seemed to stretch on forever until Lucas' hand left her cheek. At first she was disappointed but then he took her hand and guided her to his bed so she could sit on the edge and he joined her there. He grasped her by the waist and and moved it up and down her back. All the while he was looking at her as if he wanted to memorize everything about her.

"Peyton... I...", he struggled for words. He took a deep breath and started again. "Will you stay here today? I know this is fresh and I don't wanna rush things but... I want you to stay with me so that I know tomorrow morning that this wasn't a dream."

He was so adorable! They weren't teens anymore and after all this time apart did he really think she would want to leave again? Besides she was still a little dazed and thought she might need that reassurance, too.

"Oh, Luke. Of course I will stay. I just got you back. I wanna be here. ", she replied. "I wanna know everything that I've missed in your life. There was always this tension between us and now we can talk about everything. Or not...", she grinned mischievously. She said and closed the distance between them and kissed him again. He responded immediately and wrapped his arms around her. He was pulling her down with him and soon they lay entangled on the bed.

When they broke the kiss for air he said with a chuckle: "There is more than enough time to talk later." and kissed her once more.

-0-

When Peyton awoke the next morning her head was resting on Lucas' shoulder, her arm was wrapped over his stomach. He in turn had his hand on her lover back. Peyton was repositioning her head and felt him move his hand through her curls. She looked up and saw that he was awake watching her with a cute half-smile on his face.

"Why didn't you wake me?", she asked a little groggily and yawned. They had talked until 2 o' clock in the morning. They had talked about everything and nothing, just enjoying each others company. Sometime they must have fallen asleep.

"Oh like half an hour ago.", he said and when she was about to open her mouth to protest he laid a finger on her mouth and said: "Sshh... you were so cute I didn't want to disturb you. Besides we needed the sleep, I guess." He chuckled.

She wanted to sit up but he stopped her by tightening his hold on her. "Stay like that. I want to enjoy this moment a little longer. Who knows when our lives will catch up on us. "

"I know. I have to let Brooke know...", she started and jumped up as the realization hit her. She hadn't even let Brooke know that she wouldn't return home. Surely by now she had realized Peyton wasn't at their house. Peyton bit her lip and looked at Lucas. He was still relaxed but as soon as he saw her worried expression he sat up as well, rubbing his hand soothingly over back asking: "What is it?"

"Brooke. I have to let her know I'm fine. Have you seen my phone?", she answered.

Lucas pondered for a moment before replying: "No. Not here at least. Where did you last saw it?"

"I think... after leaving Tric. I was heading here... Maybe it's in my car. My head was otherwise occupied last night so I might have forgotten to take it with me. Let me go and check."

"Ok. I am gonna head to the kitchen and make us some breakfast. How does coffee and pancakes sound?", he smiled and held her by the waist.

"Lucas! I really have to go. It's only a few minutes. I am sure you can survive a few minutes without me.", she turned around, gave him a small peck and then out the door before he could stop her.

-0-

Lucas

Lucas was preparing the pan for pancakes when he heard the front door open and Peyton's tentative footsteps on the way to the kitchen. So she had received messages and was likely reading them. He smiled to himself.

The footsteps drew closer and she was standing in the doorway tipping a message. She finished and sighing and as she caught his gaze she smiled. He motioned her to join him at the stove.

She shook her head. "No I don't want you to mess up our breakfast. I'm starving."

"Damn why did I chose pancakes. Toast would be faster.", he rolled his eyes mockingly and winked at her.

"Hurry up!" she called playfully.

Lucas put the cream into the pan just as Peyton 's phone rang. She groaned and he immediately knew it was Brooke. Taking a deep breath she held the phone to her ear and said: "Hey Brooke. Good morning. "

She was slightly nervous but tried to hide it. "Hey supposed best friend. Where are you?"

Lucas chuckled. Typical Brooke. No beating around the bush.

"Well... ", she started just as the smell of something burning hit his nostrils. Turning back to the pan he saw that their pancakes were ruined. He grabbed the handle, apparently to quick. It had absorbed the heat and he cried out: "Ouch!"

He moved to pure cold water over his hand.

"Wait... Is that Lucas in the background? P. Sawyer you sly bitch. I want answers!", Brooke reacted immediately.

"Later. I promise.", Peyton answered and before Brooke could say anymore, hung up.

Peyton was grinning. He couldn't help himself. He laughed.

"I guess the cats out of the bag.", he said. "So... pancakes are not safe I think. Is toast ok?"

"Yeah", she said standing up and stepping toward him. He automatically opened his arms and she stepped inside.

-0-

Lucas was sitting in his office at Tree Hill High going over the next games strategy. The training in the last few had paid off and if nothing went wrong they should be able to win. When was Skills coming? He longed to go back to his house.

Peyton had left to talk to Brooke but they had arranged to meet up again later. He checked the watch. Still some time until he had to be of... He thought back to last night and this morning.

It had felt so good, so natural for Peyton to be at his house. He knew they had to separate eventually but right now he just wanted her by his side as much as possible.

"Hey Luke. You there?", he heard Skills ask him he looked up and saw his friend leaning on the door. He was watching him and from the expression on his face he had been there at least a few minutes but Luke hadn't realized it.

"Earth to Lucas. What has you daydreaming with that smile stuck on your face? Something I should know?", he asked.

Lucas studied his friend trying to stop the smile on his face but found he couldn't. He was just so happy. But where to start? Last night happened so much: his talk with Lindsay, Peyton showing up, them talking all night...

"Oh man, stop spacing out on me and tell me what's going on.". Skills demanded and he realized he must have drifted of again. Damn he really needed to get out and see Peyton.

"Well... first thing... Lindsay left town and Peyton and I talked... and I guess we're back together. I think..", he said and realized he hadn't asked her if they were together again but it felt just like old times.

"What?", Skills interrupted his train of thoughts staring wide eyed at him. Lucas grinned. "You're not playing a joke on me, are you?" Skills looked at him again and shook his head. "No you aren't. You cannot keep focus and that stupid grin I haven't seen forever. It was damn time."

Skills came around and clapped him on his shoulder. "Congratulations man."

"Thanks.", he said smiling at his friend.

"So do you have enough space in your head to fill with game strategy or has your girlfriend taken it all?", Skills quipped.

Lucas liked the sound of that. Girlfriend but he really needed to talk to Peyton, to see her, to take her in his arms.

"It's all here. I wrote it down while waiting for you. If you don't mind I have to go meet Peyton.", he said checking his watch again. He would be early but he couldn't wait to see her. "You can go over it and if you have any suggestions we can talk about it Monday, ok?" His gaze drifted to the door.

"Go. Right now you are not even paying attention. Go to your girl.", Skills said and Lucas laughed and sprinted off.

-0-

Peyton

Peyton was tiptoeing to her room, hoping to sneak into her room and change before Brooke heard her. She had just reached it when she heard Brooke.

"Now, now who is trying to hide from me?" Brooke was sitting on the couch in the living room, obviously awaiting her arrival.

She turned around to face her best friend. Brooke was observing her from from head to toe, from her wrinkled clothes to her disheveled hair. She had tried to smooth down her curls in Lucas bathroom but the hairbrush there hadn't really worked for her unruly curls. Lindsay' s hair must be easier to brush... Not that it worked for long. She blushed thinking back to being in Lucas arms.

"Maybe I was trying to get to my room to change?", she said, knowing lying would be useless.

"Yeah good try but you can't fool me. Even if you had managed the glow in your eyes and cheeks would have betrayed you nonetheless.", Brooke said and pointed at her face.

Peyton tried to cover her cheeks with her hands but thought better of it. She felt happy, truly happy for the first time in years and why hide it. So she dropped her hands and shrugged, grinning.

"So... spill your story. What happened yesterday?", Brooke inquired and patted to the spot on the couch next to her.

"Well... it all started during the concert. You remember that Lucas was in the hospital with a head injury?", Brooke nodded. "That was because of me."

Brooke looked at her questioningly. "We got into a fight and I was throwing books at him, accusing him of not meaning what he said about me in 'Ravens'. I was hurt and didn't believe it anymore or didn't dare to believe it for the sake of false hope."

Brooke raised an eyebrow at her. "Peyton you and Lucas, no hope. Really you haven't seen the way he looks at you. He cannot keep his eyes of you. If it's because of Lindsay. I've been the Lindsay between Peyton and Lucas. Trust me it's no great place to be. There was always something between you two."

"I... I don't know. There was so much between us. I didn't trust myself. But... now I do.", she said and started to tell about everything that had happened.

-0-

Some time later Brooke and Peyton were hugging. Both were smiling and laughing.

"I'm so glad you two finally found your way back to each other. It was about time.", Brooke said and squeezed Peyton' s hand.

"I know. Speaking of Lucas I am supposed to meet him soon. What time is it?", she asked looking at the watch on the wall. "Oh my I have to meet Lucas in 30 minutes and I haven't changed and showered yet!", she said and rushed to her room.

"Don't worry. I'm sure Luke won't mind.", Brooke called out.

-0-

25 minutes later Peyton was on the way to the river court. She had the music on full volume and was singing along the lyrics. She was almost there.

Internally she knew it was only two hours since she had left Lucas' house but she longed to see him again.

Finally she spotted the Cape Fear River next to the USS North Carolina and the parking spot. She parked and saw that Lucas was already there waiting for her. He had changed, too. He was wearing dark trousers and a blue button-down shirt. It looked really good on him.

As if sensing she was there he turned around and met her gaze as she approached him. He smiled and she ran the the last few meters and he caught her and swung her around. She laughed, joy at being with Lucas again filling her.

She clung to him and when he slowed down and set her down again she closed the distance between them and kissed him softly. He responded immediately and buried his hands her hair. She in turn held him by the shoulders and didn't want to let go.

They broke apart but stayed close. Their foreheads were touching and their gazes were still locked.

"Where have you been? I've been waiting for five minutes.", Lucas said and looked at her imploringly.

"Five minutes earlier? You were eager to see me, huh?", she teased.

"Of course I wanted to see you. We only just... we are... together, right?", he asked a little shyly.

Peyton laughed. "Lucas, after everything we've been through do you think I would want anything less? I have longed to be with you again for four years and now that I've got you back I am not letting go. Never.", she smiled and hoped all the emotions running through her reflected in her eyes.

She thought she saw the same emotions in his eyes. The smile that spread over his face told her he felt the same.

"I don't want to be apart either. I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up with you next to me. I wanted it four years ago in Los Angeles and I still want it. I wanna be with you. " and then he kneed down in front of her, pulling out a small box and finished with, "Will you marry me?"

Tears of happiness filled her eyes as she saw Keith' s ring inside the box. She brushed the tears away and nodded and to confirm her answer she said: "Yes, I want to marry you, Lucas."

Lucas slipped the ring on her finger and rose. He kissed her for a long time and held her close.

So what do you think? Please leave a review and let me know.