Peyton's the first to come to her senses and attempts to scramble from his lap but his hands tighten on her hips and she's quick to clock on to why.

Small foot steps sound down the hall, followed by Karen Roe's motherly tone, telling her daughter to get her sticky hands off the decorated walls.

'Luke-'

'Don't you dare get up' He can't deal with the woman who brought him up walking in on him with a hard on right now- he'd rather she walk in and see his girlfriend sat on his lap.

She rolls her eyes, ignoring his demand and doing just the opposite.

'Peyton' He whines. She chucks him a book and he looks at her blankly. How is William Shakespeare going to help matters right now? She motions her hands and he catches on. Peyton Sawyer's a genius. He hastily opens it across his lap, cleverly concealing the prominent bulge in his pants just as the door swings open.

'There you are' Lily grins, skipping into the room.

'Lily what did I just say? Knock first' Karen chides, before turning her attention to her son and soon to be daughter in law. She takes in Peyton's appearance, her hairs more than a little out of place, the right hand strap of her dress is hanging off her shoulder, her lips are swollen and her cheeks, pink. She can't say Lucas looks all that much more presentable. 'Always Knock' She reinforces, dreading to think what her six year old could have potentially just witnessed, what she could have she just witnessed.

'Mum' Lucas shifts in his seat with the air of an awkward teenager.

'You forgot' Karen states.

'No, no' Lucas shakes his head vigorously.

Karen confiscates one of Peyton's precious vinyl records from Lily, setting it back in it's rightful place. 'I rung you three times telling you we were coming today'

Peyton shakes her head in disbelief. 'Lucas' She nudges him in the arm, as if she'd not already put his body through enough pain for one day.

'Surprise?' He asks gingerly, rubbing his forearm.

'You're utterly useless' Karen remarks but with an adoring smile.

'I'm sorry' He sighs. 'There's been a lot going on, I was distracted'

'I can see that'

Peyton blushes, suddenly aware of her dishevelled appearance, she tugs her dress back into place and hastily runs a finger over her lips. This wasn't the ideal situation she wanted to greet Karen in, she'd wanted everything to be perfect. The last time she'd seen her fiancés mother was at his wedding to another girl, something she still wasn't entirely comfortable with. She wanted to make a good impression, she wanted to be everything Karen wanted her to be.

'Are you marrying Lucas, Peyton? Mummy says you are' Lily's oblivious to the tension and is suddenly standing before her, large brown chestnut eyes gleaming up at her.

'That's right' Peyton forces a confident smile. She doesn't know this little girl, she should know this little girl.

'You're not going to run away like Lindsey are you?' Lily questions, her nose screwed up in contemplation.

Lucas eyes his uncomfortable girlfriend.

'If he behaves, I won't' She jokes.

'You're his real princess aren't you? Lindsey wasn't. Mummy says so' She makes a face, as though Lindsey's name is some vial disease.

Peyton kinks her brow, giving Karen a shy smile. 'I don't know about that, Am I your princess Luke?' she quips gleefully.

Lucas catches his sisters innocent gaze, she's six years old and an avid believer of fairytales, who is he to shatter her make believe world. 'Of course you are' He says certainly, making sure to give Lily a playful wink. And besides, he's kind of beginning to think perhaps there is such a thing as fairytales.

Peyton sends him a coy smile.

'You're like Ariel, Peyton'

'The little mermaid?'

Lily's pigtails swing as she nods her cherub shaped face.

'Uhuh. Prince Eric is a dumbo like Luke, he almost marries the yucky witch Ursula cause Ariel can't speak and tell him she's the real Princess'

Peyton listens intently, her eyes narrowed with amusement but she likes the analogy and she can't help but take an immediate liking to the her fiancées sister.

'Ok you, I think you're boring poor Peyton already' Karen smiles somewhat nervously. 'Why don't you go back out to the car, Andy could do with some help to get all our luggage in'

She obediently jumps in the direction of the exit but pauses, glancing back at Peyton 'Will you play with me later?' She queries hopefully.

'You bet I will'

Karen watches Lily skip down the hall before looking back at Lucas 'Sorry for barging in. I thought you'd be expecting us but clearly-'

'It's fine, I was only working' Lucas responds with a gesture to his closed lap top, exaggeratedly nonchalant .

'Mhmm' Karen mutters, unconvinced. 'Anyhow, I'm going to give you two a minute to…freshen up' She gravitates toward the doorway, quickly slipping from her son's childhood room.

Peyton waits until the sound of high heels diminishes before groaning 'Oh my god. Could that have been any more humiliating?'

'At least they didn't walk in ten minutes later' He says optimistically, running a hand through his hair. 'God I hate my mum'

'Luke'

'What?' He pouts immaturely. 'I was just about to get laid and-'

'You make me sound like some insignificant one night stand'

'You're not insignificant, far from it'

'I can't believe you forgot she was coming, I can't believe you didn't tell me, I would have made dinner, I would have-'

'It's not my fault. It's your fault'

'It's my fault? How is it my fault?'

'All my brain can function on is you at the best of times but since this no sex thing you're literally all I can think about'

She can't prevent the smile.

'It's not funny'

'No' She agrees in an overly sweet tone.

'You know my mum's gone outside now' He peers out the window. 'They're busy unloading the car still-' He frowns at the amount of suit cases that are rapidly appearing from the back of the SUV, silently wondering how long they were planning on invading for. 'We've got time to still-'

'No. Lucas Eugene Scott' She scorns, taking herself to the door.

'What? Come on I was joking'

She still stares at him un-amused. They both know he was partly serious.

'I'm not having sex while your mum and baby sister are down the hall-'

'They're outside'

'And could come in at any second.'

'So not even tonight-'

'No Luke'

He looks like he's been kicked in the stomach and opens his mouth in protest but she doesn't hear his reasoning, quickly muffling his complaints with her own words before he can talk her round.

'Why, why don't you make yourself useful and go help them while I make everyone some coffee' She declares.

He puffs out a breath of disdain.

'Now'

'Alright, alright' He grumbles, stomping out the back door.

She smiles to herself, spying at the reunited family through the window. Butterflies have occupied her stomach in the last few minutes, she's nervous, but above all excited. For the first time she's starting to feel like a permanent fixture of this family and she's pretty certain that she's never wanted anything more.

'So the last Lucas told me he said you guys were still in the Mediterranean, living the high life' Peyton smirks, setting four cups of coffee down and a orange juice for Lily.

'Well, as beautiful and fun as being on the boat and travelling is, it does get tiring and Lily's getting older' Karen rambles.

'We just felt like we wanted to have a more permanet base' Andy clarifies.

'I want Lily to have a consistent home while she's at school so she can make friends'

'Mum?' Lucas looks at them questioningly.

'We're moving back' She blurts.

His jaw drops.

'Oh my god that's wonderful' Peyton claps her hands together and shrieks like a girl.

'Yeah that, that's great' Lucas mutters in a daze.

'Well don't sound too thrilled' Andy chuckles at him.

'I, I am, I'm just shocked. I didn't expect that'

'Don't worry, we're not chucking you out of this house' Karen squeezes his hand, knowing exactly what was going through his mind. 'That's why we've come back a bit before the wedding, so we can house hunt'

He smiles. 'That's really great Mum, It'll be so good to have you back'

'What about me?' Lily perks up from munching on a very large cookie. 'You missed me the most-est.'

'Of course I did munchkin'

Lily giggles delightedly as he lifts her onto his lap, tickling her sides.

'Are you excited about living in Tree Hill Lily?' Peyton leans across the table.

'Uhuh and I'm gonna be your bridesmaid and where a pretty princess dress'

Peyton smiles. 'Yes you are' She laughs. 'You are definitely going to get on with Brooke Davis, Miss Scott'

'What're you two doin Peyton?' Lily's sing song voice chimes.

Peyton gives her a smile. 'We're just setting up a bed for you girly' She unfolds the duvet from the pile of blankets, making a snug nest for the six year old.

'This use to be my room when I was a baby'

'That's right'

Karen had insisted that when she and Lily had left with Andy, that Lucas redecorate every room and make the house his own. It had taken him a while, but he'd eventually done just that. Lily's room was now what Peyton had named the library. There wasn't so much as any wall visible. Book shelves were fitted right up to the ceiling and a leather sofa sat in the middle which Peyton had gleefully insisted was the most comfy chair known to man. He'd frowned the next day when he'd walked in to find his little sanctuary completely overtaken with CD's and her laid out in all her glory on the comfy sofa. He'd sternly told her the library was meant to be quiet and she'd just given him that look and had him sitting next to her reading within seconds, her music left on.

Lucas crouches down in front of the lower shelves, that hold realms of childrens books with Lily in mind. He pulls out the collection of Doctor Seuss to reveal his little sister's name, scrawled in purple crayon on the plaster behind.

Lily gives him a gappy grin. 'I did that when I was three' She informs them both proudly.

'Yeah' He laughs. 'See it's still your room really' He winks.

Peyton sets the last of the excessive amount of pillows she'd gathered, down on the sofa. Lucas watches her adoringly. Anyone would think his baby sister was a princess with the way Peyton had lovingly created a luxurious bed of blankets and pillows. It was certainly more than she ever got when she usually stayed over- usually Lucas supplied her with just the two pillows and a sheet. Lily had also noticed the change and was quite enjoying the fuss that was being made over her.

She leaps onto the made sofa, cuddling down into the warm bedding. 'Thank you Peyton'

'You're welcome'

'I like it best when you're here, Luke is good at reading stories but not much else'

Peyton laughs.

'I'm good at other stuff' Lucas frowns, joining Lily on the sofa and tickling her sides playfully.

Lily giggles. 'Nu-uh'

'Ya-huh' He argues. 'Tell her Peyt'

It makes her laugh how juvenile men can be when in the presence of a child. She just rolls her eyes and crosses her arms in disbelief.

'What?' He complains. 'I am'

'Sure you are' She patronizes. 'You're not so bad at cooking' She smirks. 'And some other.... things' She kinks her brow suggestively and he feels the heat rise in his cheeks.

'Can you read me a story Luke?'

He licks his lips and swallows, tearing his eyes away from Peyton. 'Sure I can'

Peyton stifles a giggle, leaning against the door frame. She watches intently as he begins reading and within minutes she's the one that's left with a cotton-mouth. She swears there's nothing more sexy than listening to him read.

'Hmm at last' Lucas joins Peyton on their bed. She's sprawled out on her front, demo tapes scattered around her and one ear phone in. He tugs it out, gaining her attention.

'Hi. You kay?' She rolls onto her back.

'Uhuh. Everyone's in bed' He lets out a sigh of relief, it had been a long evening.

She nods, shoving all the demos back into a cardboard box along side the bed, in what she claims is an organised mess. Lucas doesn't have a clue how she ever finds anything.

'Will Lily be ok in there all by herself?' Peyton snuggles further down under the sheets, curling into his warm body.

'She'll be fine. She's stayed here a load of times, you know'

She nods briefly. 'Actually no'

'Huh?'

'I don't know. Asides from the first twelve months of her life, I really don't know anything about her. I should though, I should.'

He just smiles. He loves that she cares so much about his little sister. 'I love you' He strokes her cheek affectionately. 'And She's going to love you, in fact I'm pretty sure she already does. She's smitten with you'

'More so than she was when she met witch Ursula, witch Ursula that abandoned you at the alter?'

He squints down at her.

'What?' She whines. 'That's what Lily called her' She claims childishly, her gaze on her fingers that are fiddling restlessly with his shirt.

'Peyt?' He angles her head upward. 'I love you, it was always you, you know that right? Lindsey was a mistake, I was lost and trying desperately to convince myself that you were nothing but a high school crush but you never were, it's always been you. You know that right?' He rambles. He's not brainless, far from it. He's more than aware that there's this underlying conflict whenever Lindsey Strauss is mentioned.

'I know' She smiles but it doesn't quite reach her eyes.

'I don't want you to feel like you're my second choice because you never were, never' He desperately wants to convince her of that fact. He wants her to believe every word he says like she use to. When they were eighteen they would lay together in bed and he would whisper in her ear and she would hang on every last syllable. She believed in him, in them and sometimes he isn't sure that she still has that astounding faith in him, and that brakes his heart. And what was worse, was that he knew it was his own fault that she ever doubted him.

'It's just, it...' She trails off.

'Yes?'

'It's hard for me, it's hard to know that if she hadn't ran out of that Church you'd be married right now, you said I do Luke' She mumbles.

He's silent. What can you say to that? She's right. He did say I do but he thanks the stars above everyday that Lindsey didn't.

He threads his fingers through her soft locks.

'Yeah I'd have been married now but I wouldn't have been happy Peyt and it would never have lasted because I would have come to my senses sooner or later. Lindsey was a smart girl, she saw through me and I feel bad constantly that I hurt her like that' He traces her cheek bones. 'You know what I was thinking when she was walking down the isle?'

Peyton finally looks up at him.

'I couldn't get your fucking legs out of my head. You looked so beautiful and that damn dress. God' He groans at the memory. 'It's not right for a man standing in church about to be wed to think that a girl in the audience is prettier than his soon to be wife, it's not right to be thinking about doing things to another girl'

Peyton swallows, her mouths gone considerably dry in the last few moments. 'You didn't look at me once the whole day'

'No? Any second you turned away I was staring.'

That's not how she remembered it. 'I was the last thing on your mind. Your fiancée had just left you, your nephew had been kidnapped by the psycho nanny'

'And yet you were still the only person I was thinking about. After Jamie had been found' He paused, recalling the events of that evening. The wedding was quickly forgotten, Jamie's whereabouts being everybody's concern and when he was safely back in the arms of his parents Karen had pulled together a feast. They'd all sat in the living room. Peyton had excused herself at one point and escaped into the garden. He'd followed, not that she'd known. 'I watched you sitting by the pool, watched you slip your heels off and slide your legs into the water' He'd been so close to making his presence known, so close to forcing her back against the concrete slabs, so close to kissing her. 'I wanted you so bad'

'You didn't talk to me for the next month-'

'I was confused Peyt. I'd spent the last two years telling myself I was meant to be with Lindsey…I was stupid'

'You are stupid' She agrees.

He nods, gazing at her tenderly, enough to make her stomach do somersaults. He drops his forehead onto hers, blue and green eyes locking. 'God, you're beautiful'

She blushes and a throaty laugh vibrates from him. 'And so cute' He kisses her nose.

'Don't ever leave me again Luke, I, I really don't think I could handle it'

Her plea chokes him, he swallows thickly. 'I'm not going anywhere, not now not ever. I'm completely in love with you and I have been since I was sixteen' He vows in a whisper and she believes him.

'When you stalked me' She changes the tone of their conversation.

'I never stalked you, I stalked your chickney legs' He corrects seriously.

'Five minutes ago you said you love my legs'

'I do love your fucking legs' He pulls back the covers to get a sneak preview of said legs. She's wearing her tiny sleep shorts and one of his t-shirts. 'Jesus are you trying to drive me crazy?'

She giggles as his fingers can't help but touch the creamy expanse of her thighs. He shifts his body so he's hovering over her.

'God I love you Luke' She runs her hand through his sandy blonde hair. 'But...We're still not having sex'

'What?' He groans dark pupils blinking at her dazedly.

'Your mother and Andy are across the hall and more importantly your sister is next door'

'It's alright, I'll keep you quiet' He growls.

'Still no' She moves his fingers back to her hips and strokes his unsatisfied hands soothingly. He groans loudly and she glares. 'Hush'

'Fine' He whispers into her neck. 'But you're making this up to me'

'I'll look after her'

'Peyton you're swamped' Lucas shakes his head, he's got an important meeting and Karen and Andy have decided to make a start on house hunting, something they'd rather not do with a bored six year old. 'she'll just have to go round Mrs Nickles house for the day'

'I hate Mrs Nickles she makes me read' Lily scowls.

'I'd say that's a good thing' Lucas smiles.

'It's fine, she can spend the day with me, as long as you don't mind coming to work with me Lil?' Peyton kinks her brow at the little girl.

'I wanna come to work with you'

'I don't know' Karen looks at Peyton unsurely, she doesn't want Lily to get in the way. 'Lucas just said you were busy'

'I'll manage, you go. We'll be fine' She lifts Lily onto her hip. 'Won't we?'

'Uhuh. Go Mummy'

'Alright, alright, I know when I'm not wanted. Just, just call if you can't handle her- Mrs Nickles will be around so you can just drop her there if you're really busy'

'Ok'

'Peyt-' Lucas tries to object.

'Do you not trust me?'

'Of course I trust you'

'Good' She smiles sweetly. 'I've got it covered. Just go'

His day has been awful. After his meeting he bumped into Dan Scott, not so much a coincidence when the guy was clearly waiting for him. Something Lucas finds extremely nerving, he doesn't appreciate being stalked, especially by his father. He doesn't want this man near him. He's still in shock that he won his trial. That Dan Scott was a free man.

He walks into her office, his eyes widening as he takes in the mess. There's realms of paper everywhere, brightly coloured drawings covering every inch. Peyton's record player is on the floor, Mia's latest single humming softly. There's a stage sheet covering the snooker table and a dim light from underneath shows the outline of his little sister and girlfriend. Peyton's long legs are sticking out at one end and he smiles. Lily's talking to her and it takes him a second to adjust to the speed of words falling from her little mouth.

'I like your earrings'

Lucas can see her small silhouette through the sheet, inspecting the dangling pearls.

'Thank you' He can hear the smile in Peyton's voice.

'Mummy says I'm not allowed to get my ears pierced till I'm fourteen, that's ages away and so not fair. My friends Carla and Lauren got theirs done. How old were you when your Mummy let you get yours done?'

There's a lengthy pause before Peyton answers.

'I was eleven'

'Eleven?' Lily cries. 'See your Mum's nicer than mine'

'Actually Lily, my Mum died when I was just a little girl, I went with my best friend to get them done'

'Oh'

'But boy did my dad go mad when he found out' Peyton laughs.

'My Daddy's dead like your Mum' Lily announces simply.

'He's in heaven'

'That's what my Mummy says. She says he can hear me and he's looking out for me, do you think that's true?'

'I know so'

Lucas' heart swells, tears prickle his eyes. He clears his throat and Lily's head pops out from the sheet.

'Luuuuke' She scoots out, her pale blue tights sliding against the varnished floor. 'Hello!'

'Hello' He lifts her to her feet. 'Have you had a good day?'

'The best' She nods enthusiastically. 'Peyton's the coolest'

He looks at the blonde attempting to elegantly get up but her skirt's way too tight and she's having trouble. He smirks. 'She is pretty cool huh'

Peyton sticks her tongue out at his teasing tone.

'Where are your shoes Lil?'

'In the recording studio. I was helping Peyton'

Lucas ruffles her silky hair. 'Ok, well why don't you go find them and get all your stuff and then we might go and have ice cream on the pier'

'Really?'

'Really, really' Lucas wiggles his eyebrows temptingly and she's gone in a second.

'Are you just going to stand there staring at me or are you going to help me up?' Peyton demands.

'I'm quite happy staring babe'

'Lucas'

'What? From where I am you look pretty damn good. That skirt is' He shakes his head, unable to find words.

'Well seeing as you're so content with just admiring from afar and not touching, I guess you'll be alright with sleeping on the couch because that's the route you're heading down mister'

She hold's her hand out and this time he's quick to help her up, effortlessly lifting her off the ground and twirling her around.

She shimmies her skirt back into place and then stands in front of him. 'Hey you' She greets properly. 'So how was your meeting?' She knows it's not good, she's just praying she's completely misinterpreting his broodiness and his impending book tour hasn't been cancelled.

'Oh, it was great' He nodded gloomily. 'They put the dates back as well, so we'll have a couple of weeks at home as newlyweds after the honeymoon before I have to jump ship and do some work'

'Well that's great' She links her hands around his neck. 'Isn't it?'

'Yeah'

'What's wrong Lucas Scott?'

'Nothing?'

'Nothing? You're not having second thoughts about making me your wife are you?' She teases.

His hands at her waist, tug her a little closer and he shakes his head vigorously. 'Definitely not' He kisses her sweetly. 'I saw Dan earlier' He mutters quietly. He closes his eyes and presses his forehead to hers. She hears the shaky breath escape his lips and her heart clenches. 'He says he wants to be a part of my life. Make up for all the wrongs he's done. That he heard we were getting married and hoped he could attend'

'Oh. I'm sorry baby'

'He's got some fucking nerve. I still can't believe he's out'

'I know, it's, it's so..'

'So wrong?' He supplies.

'So wrong' She pulls him closer. She can see he's hurting and it hurts her just to see him this way. 'I'm so sorry Luke, god'

'He hasn't done his time, he doesn't deserve a life. I-I don't want him around here. I don't want him seeing Lily or Jamie. I won't let him be a part of their life. I won't.'

'He can't Lucas, he won't' She says surely.

'I don't want him near you' His thumb drifts over her cheek bone and he opens his eyes. 'I need you to be safe'

'I am safe Luke, Dan's not going to come near me' She kisses him tenderly. 'He won't come to our Wedding. I promise. It'll be ok'

He really hopes she's right, because he doesn't want anything to screw up there day. He wants everything to be perfect, she deserves perfect.