So here is it. My new chapter.

I know my last chapter was a bit controversial. Some reviews thought the engagement was rushed. I just wanna say that I do know it might seem sudden. But please recall it is Leyton we are talking about. In the Season 5 finale they got back together and went to LA planning to get married, with no time in between. And they broke up because she rejected his proposal. This story is about them overcoming their issues and finding their way back to each other. Now they have. Also most of their friends don't know about their reunion yet. I am gonna address this in this chapter.

As usual a reply to my reviews:

Hildolfr: I addressed the things you critized above. I am not gonna let them get married yet. That would be too soon indeed. But they know they want to be together and it just felt right. So read this chapter and the following ones. Tell me what you think.

ForeverInMyOwnWorld: Thank you. I hope you enjoy this chapter, too.

Guest: There isn't gonna be a wedding yet. I am working toward it but I also try to follow the Season 5 story plot. If you are a registered user I can address you better next time.

Guest: Thank you for the compliment on my writing. It means a lot. I do know it seems sudden but then again this is Leyton we are talking about. They have a knack for not getting it right. And they are on their best when they are together.

OTH-TMGirl24 & jordana: I know you didn't review on the last chapter but I was kind of counting on it. So it would be great to hear from you.

I got a quiet a few new followers and user who added me or my story to their alert/favorite list. Maybe you can leave a review next time.

Reviews mean a lot to me. They motivate me to write. So let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I do not own OTH. It belongs to Mark Schwahn and the CW.

Wooden Boat

by Take That

Lucas

After a seemingly eternity he let her go, but only partly. He dropped his hands to her waist holding her close. He still wanted to hold her, smell her scent. Peyton rested her head on his chest.

She said yes! She really said yes. After all these months trying to figure out where they stood he just wanted to erase any doubt that was left. In his head he knew they only just got back together and an engagement might seem soon but... it was Peyton. He just knew she was the one for him and if their fresh relationship progressed abominably fast then so be it. He could imagine living without her anymore. His heart was sure of it. Now he had to let her know that and then his friends and family. Oh god... how could he break the news to them. Haley didn't even know yet that he had broken up with Lindsay... well there was enough time to figure that out he mused. He would only see her again by Monday.

He was suddenly interrupted by Peyton asking: "What are you thinking? You've been quiet for several minutes and making strange noises. Anything I can do to help?"

He smiled at that and kissed her softly on the lips. "Well... first of all I was thinking about I don't ever want to let you go again. I know we only just got back together but I just... it feels right. Us being engaged. I know it... might seem sudden..." at that Peyton laughed out loud interrupting him.

"Luke if it hadn't been for my insecurities four years ago who knows where we would be right now. Already married and maybe parents like Nathan and Haley.", she blushed at that. "I don't know. All I know is that we are masters at being miserable without each other and I am so happy right now I have no doubt we'll be together forever. You are my one true love and I never want to be apart from you again. So no it wasn't sudden if you ask me. It's where we belong. Us. I want to marry you, Luke. I do know we need time to get to know each other again but that we have. We have all the time we need."

She kissed him and wrapped her arms around his neck and said between kisses "I. Love. You. Lucas."

He kissed her back with all the emotions rummaging through his belly. Joy, happiness, certainty, passion and love. So much love he felt like he could burst any minute now.

He struggled to break the kiss. He was still smiling and so was she. If he had had any doubt left it was gone now.

"Peyton we know that but I think we need to break the news slowly. Most of our friends don't even know we are back together. I only told Skills and I am sure you told Brooke but Haley and Nathan don't know yet. And Haley is friends with Lindsay. Would you be ok with keeping this to ourselves for a while? Just until everyone has gotten accustomed to us being back together?", he asked looking into her eyes and seeing some doubt there.

"I don't know, Luke. I am not sure I can keep this from Brooke long. I tried this morning but she saw right through me. You know how persistent she can be. As can Haley once she learns about Lindsay, about us." , she said with raised eyebrows.

"Well I didn't say anything about hiding our relationship. That would be next to impossible. But our engagement. I just want to enjoy being with you without our friends pestering us with questions. I know they mean well especially in regards to our past but I just want it to be the two of us for a while. And as to our inquisitive friends... I was thinking you could stay at my house for a while. As I said I don't wanna leave you out of my sight if I can help it.", he said the last part with a glint in his eyes.

Peyton grinned. "As it happened I already packed some clothes. They are in my trunk.", she said mischievously.

Lucas kissed her again, grabbed her hand and together they walked of the River Court.

-0-

Peyton

Some time after arriving at Lucas' house they had settled in. Peyton had put her clothes into his cupboard, which he had prepared already as she discovered delighted. She had hugged him tight and he held onto her for several minutes and afterward they had settled into the living room.

Lucas was sitting on the couch and Peyton had her head on his shoulder. Every so often he would caress her arm but mostly he held her by the waist. Peyton was half-asleep but acutely aware of his presence.

They were content and they didn't want their little bubble disturbed. Peyton wore her engagement ring on her finger and gazed at it every now and then and then turned her eyes to her fiancee. He caught her look and leaned in for a short but sweet kiss. His blue eyes sparkled with happiness and love. If she had any doubts left one of those looks would erase them immediately. She could get lost in them.

After several hours of doing nothing but bath in each others presence their stomachs grumbled and they laughed.

"I guess living on love and air doesn't work, does it?", Peyton said sighing and moving to get up. Lucas caught her. "Stop.", he said and answering her questioning look he continued. "I know we do need to get up but let's do it together alright? On three?" Peyton nodded smirking and Lucas counted "One... Two... Three!" and just as Peyton was standing up Lucas grabbed her from behind, holding her to him and kissing her neck, her cheek and then her lips. She gave in, inhaling his scent but then stomach growled again.

"Luke..." she tried but he wouldn't let her. He captured her mouth again. She saw no other way than to punch him on the shoulder and yelping he let go. "Hey!", he exclaimed.

"Sorry it seems you didn't hear me the first time. And as much as I love kissing you we do need to eat and if we continue like that we are never gonna get something fixed. It doesn't have to be extravagant you know? Maybe sandwiches? Or eggs?", she suggested.

He groaned lifting his hands and involuntarily freeing her from his grasp so she grabbed the opportunity to head towards the kitchen, giggling.

"Oh my... what am I gonna do with you?", she heard him saying and mumbling something about 'Woman' under his breath. She grinned and took some ingredients out of the fridge: toast, butter, cheese, ham, milk and eggs. She opened another cupboard to get plates and fork and knife out and set them on the table.

"Ok sandwiches and eggs it is.", Lucas said from behind her, sounding resigned. She could feel his gaze on her and turned around. "How about you take care of the sandwiches while I make scrambled eggs?", he suggested and stepped closer.

"Ok.", she said and felt him behind her. "Luke! Not again." he raised his hands as a gesture of innocence.

"Hey you are adamant about settling a meal and it just happens that the pan is in the board above your head.", he said and reached up to open the door for her to see. Indeed there it was.

"Oh..." was all she said before reaching up to get it at the same time that Lucas did. His palm settled over hers and her skin tingled at the touch. You should think after hours of cuddling you would get used to it but it was still so fresh, so new to her to be free to touch him whenever she wanted.

He retreated and she handed him the pan. He grinned. Oh god, here she was lecturing him about the necessity of food and then it was her who couldn't control herself. She smacked him and said "Idiot!" but she knew he was right.

They were crazy about each other and together it was kind of hard to think about earthly needs but they had to try. How else would they manage being apart while she was at the studio and him at the gym.

Now she saw why he wanted them to take the weekend to just be together. They had to take their time to get used to being back together so they could function being apart when reality caught up to them. When they had to face everyone. Their friends might see reason, especially considering their past but at the same time she didn't knew if everyone would react positive to their engagement.

She meant what she said to him earlier at the River Court. She knew in her heart it was right. They belonged together and if other events hadn't happened the way they did they might have stayed together. But on the other hand maybe they had to grow by themselves to see clearly.

She knew they were meant to be. She had known all along it seemed but her head had overruled her heart one too many times. Not any longer. She knew what she wanted and she would fight for it. She would not let anything get in the way of her happy end gain.

But first she had to get the energy to do that so she returned her attention to the dinner she had, with good reason she reassured herself, insisted on.

She went to grab the toast only to find it gone. She turned her head only to find Lucas preparing them two sandwiches. She was about to protest when he chuckled and pointed to the table where a plate of scrambled eggs was waiting for them. How long had she been mentally absent? Why hadn't Lucas said anything?

As if reading her mind he answered: "Sorry I did your work for you. I know you wanted to be part of it but you looked so adorable thinking over whatever you were thinking about I didn't want to stop your train of thought. But part of it must have been good because you were smiling in the end so I trust your conclusion was good?"

The last part was said with said with a loop-sided smile. He really did know her. She didn't have to say anything. Caring, attentive, and even though it was her idea he saw that she needed time to think, even if the timing was bad. He really was perfect. He knew saw her needs before she even knew about them. Her love for him grew even now.

She went over to him and laid her hand on his stopping his work effectively. She kissed him softly and said: "I just realized how lucky I am to have to back. For good. There is no doubt in my mind that I made the right decision yesterday. And yes I know it's gonna be tough later on but it's so worth it."

"I am glad you think so.", he said a smile spreading over his entire face and he kissed her again.

"Now lets eat so we can spent the rest of the evening in bed. I cannot wait to spent the next to days just the two of us."

"Me neither.", she said and sat down while he finished up. It would be a wonderful weekend.

So what do you think? Let me know. Please leave a review or another kind of feedback.