CHAPTER 19
Peyton packed the last few things into her case wondering how this week had gone so fast. One minute they were all toasting marshmallows in a wood, the next it was there last night and now… well now was time to leave. For some reason she felt strangely… deflated, like she was actually going to miss this little cabin in the middle of nowhere.
Peyton shook her head with a smile and zipped up her suitcase just as the door opened behind her; she looked over her shoulder and saw Lucas with his suitcase all ready. Leaving the door open, he walked over to her, placing his arms around her waist from behind and kissing the side of her neck absentmindedly. She turned in his arms and looped hers around his neck, a sad smile on her face.
'Hey, what's wrong?' He asked, his face fixed in a worried frown.
'I'm, strangely, gonna miss this place.' She said.
'Me too.' He smiled, leaning in and kissing her lightly on the lips before whispering in her ear. 'Especially alone time with you... in here.'
Peyton giggled and he smiled widely, that sound would just never grow old for him. This time it was she who leaned in pressing her lips softly to his again, this would never get old for her. She sighed happily, letting her fingers play with the soft hair at the nape of his neck as he kissed her again.
'You know Hales, I'm not going to miss this.'
They broke apart at Brooke's voice at the door, looking over to see Rachel, Haley, Brooke and Bevin.
'Yeah well, I won't miss you lot walking in on us all the time.' Lucas said quietly.
'We do have ears Lucas.' Rachel said smirking. 'Saying it quietly won't make any difference.'
Lucas smiled as he heard Peyton's laugh again. 'What's up?' She asked.
'Well everyone's ready to leave, all the suitcases are outside and the guys are just putting them into the car.' Haley answered.
'Oh right. I'll go and help them then.' Lucas said, withdrawing his hands from Peyton's waist placing them on her cheeks and kissing her forehead before picking up both of their suitcases and walking out of the door, and down the stairs. Peyton couldn't help but look after him with a giddy look on her face. Was it bad that her feelings for the blonde boy with piercing blue eyes intensified everyday? It wasn't like she could control it though, she couldn't stop her feelings, she didn't even know how to. Rachel, Haley and Brooke watched curiously then Brooke said the thing that was on all three's lips,
'Your falling for him aren't you?!' She said, a grin curling her lips.
Peyton was caught of guard, 'What-no!' She said laughing lightly.
Rachel coughed something which undoubtedly sounded like 'denial'.
'What're you, a detective?' Peyton scowled.
'Peyt.' Haley asked and Peyton's eyes shifted to meet hers. 'Are you?'
Peyton truthfully didn't know how to answer the question. Was she falling for Lucas? She bit down on her bottom lip thoughtfully and opened her mouth before being cut off when Nathan's voice shouted up the stairs,
'Come on girls! We're ready to go!'
Peyton closed her mouth quickly and cleared her throat. 'Come on then.' She said, not meeting any of their eyes and walking quickly out of the door.
'Dammit Nathan!' Brooke muttered through gritted teeth.
The three followed Peyton out of the door and down the stairs to see Lucas slamming the boot of the car. Rachel locked the cabin's door and walked to stand with the group silently cuffing Nathan around the head as she passed.
'What was that for?' He said indignantly as Haley chuckled shaking her head. He smiled in spite of himself and wrapped his arms around her from behind. Lucas and Peyton stood next to them hand in hand, Rachel bounded over to Mouth and Chase threw an arm around Brooke's shoulder as she reached them, Skills and Bevin standing to the side of them. The ten let out a sigh almost collectively looking back at the cabin they'd been living in for a full week. Lucas' eyes shifted slightly to the side, looking at Peyton as she gazed at the cabin, his heart fluttered at the week they'd shared and he pulled her to him, planting a kiss to her hair.
One by one they looked back at the week and what memories it held for them alone, undoubtedly good ones. Peyton chuckled as she remembered canoeing, camping and random talks with the gang that always lead to laughter. Her spirits lifted as she leaned back into Lucas' embrace and heard his steady breathing, she wouldn't forget the week they'd had either, their relationship seemed a lot more serious than before they'd come to the cabin.
Nathan cleared his throat and said, 'Let's get home.' Everyone nodded in agreement and stepped away toward the car. Peyton turned to Lucas with a sad smile, her expression matched his and he couldn't help but smile. He brushed her cheek tenderly with his finger and tilted her chin up so he could join their lips together. As they slowly kissed she intertwined their other hands, wondering as she did so whether their relationship would feel any different when they got back to Tree Hill. This week had been…perfect and she couldn't help but wonder whether it would change…
'Romeo! Juliet! Get your asses in the car!' Brooke yelled out and they both chuckled, taking one last look at the house before walking arm in arm to the car, getting in and slamming the doors behind them.
--------
'Bye guys, thanks for a great week.' Peyton whispered loudly, as she opened the car door. They'd stopped off at several places on the way home and it was now dark in Tree Hill, several voices whispered things back as Lucas and Peyton stepped out the car and shut their doors behind them. They waved the car off, luggage at their feet and turned to face each other, Lucas wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her head, Peyton sighed, she'd gotten so used to acting like a couple should act that she'd completely forgotten that Karen didn't know about the two of them. Lucas seemed to know what she was thinking about because he tilted her face up to his.
'My mom'll be fine with us.' He smiled genuinely. 'Seriously, she likes you… and believe it or not so do i… just a little bit.' He winked and leaned down pressing his lips to hers as she smiled. He pulled apart and picked up their suitcases, Peyton picked up their extra bags and they ambled to the door. Lucas knocked and felt Peyton tense up beside him; he placed a reassuring hand at the small of her back as the door opened.
Karen's face split into a huge grin upon seeing them, she pulled Lucas into a huge hug and a minute later pulled Peyton into one too, Lucas grinned at the startled but pleased look on his girlfriends face.
'It's been so quiet without you two!' She said, grinning from ear to ear.
'Isn't that a good thing?' Peyton asked with a smile.
'No, I haven't known what to do with myself!' Karen laughed and stepped aside so they could walk through the door and into the house.
'I'll make some tea while you dump the bags.'
Lucas and Peyton nodded as Karen opened the cupboard to pull out some mugs and walked down the hall to Lucas' room where he pushed his suitcase in and then to the Peyton's room. Peyton opened the door and smiled, everything was how she'd left it, not that she expected Karen to go rooting through her stuff or anything but still. She'd really enjoyed the last week but she was still glad to be home. As soon as she thought of this, her smile slid off her face and she mentally shook herself, this wasn't her home. Lucas put down her suitcase with a smile before noticing her expression and frowning slightly.
'What's up?' He asked pulling her into his arms.
'I-I'm… just scared about telling Karen that's all.' Peyton said quickly.
She trusted Lucas but she didn't want to tell him that for a brief moment she'd thought of his house as home. That was too weird and inadvertently it made her sad to know that in fact it wasn't home at all. Lucas gave her a sympathetic smile, kissed her lightly on the lips and pulled her out of the room, entwining his hand with hers,
'What are you doing?' Peyton hissed trying to let go of his hand as they neared the kitchen.
'We're doing it now. It'll be like a band aid, quick and painless.' Lucas smiled.
'I think you mean painful.' Peyton grumbled as they entered the kitchen, Karen looked around a smile on her face.
'Mom, I want to- we want to talk to you.' Lucas said and Peyton nearly died at the sound of nervousness in his voice.
Karen looked puzzled and Peyton quickly released Lucas' hand before she noticed. She couldn't do this. Lucas gave her a reassuring look and they took their places at the kitchen table.
'What's the matter?' Karen asked looking from Lucas to Peyton. Peyton couldn't meet her eyes and instead looked down at the table, finding a very interesting stain on the wood to focus on. She felt Lucas' hand rest on her thigh soothingly and placed her hand on top of his. He squeezed gently and she took a deep breath.
'Well you see, Peyton and I…lately we've been… you know i… well…what I'm trying to say is…' Lucas stuttered over his words, Peyton inwardly screaming at him to just say it and Karen's eyes widening a little with sudden apprehension. Peyton took another deep breath and thought, 'like a band-aid, quick and painless' before blurting out,
'We're together.'
Lucas looked at her gratefully and straightened up looking a little more confident.
'Together, a couple- together? You mean in a relationship- together?' Karen asked her eyes widening.
'Yeah ma.' Lucas nodded squeezing Peyton's hand once more.
Karen sat stunned and taking in the two before her. Never once had it crossed her mind that the girl she was 'adopting' for the summer and her son would be anything more than polite friends, never once had she thought that they could potentially develop feelings for each other and never once did she have any inkling ever that they'd get together. They'd known each other for a month and a half for god's sake!
'How long has this been going on?' She asked a little more coldly than she'd actually intended to.
'Two weeks.' Lucas said cringing a little, why hadn't they told everyone sooner?
'Weeks?!' Karen breathed, how could she have not noticed? Well she hadn't seen them for a week admittedly, but how had she not noticed before? She almost felt like a fool and a bit guilty that she hadn't noticed anything different about her son's behaviour. They either hid it really well, or she was naïve enough to think that two teenagers of the opposite sex could live together without anything happening. She breathed out slowly and trying to make conversation said, 'So do Haley, Nathan and Brooke know?'
'Yeah, they- erm- sort of, found out at the cabin.' Lucas answered not meeting his mother's eyes and inwardly hoping she wouldn't ask how they'd found out.
'Right.' Karen nodded looking back at the two. They both looked incredibly nervous as she mulled things over. It didn't even register in the mind that sparks might have flown between her son and the girl who was staying for the summer when she agreed to this. Karen sighed as she contemplated the situation, was she really going to have to lay down ground rules? No she didn't want to have that awkward conversation until it was absolutely necessary, at the moment she'd let them be. Anyway nothing serious could develop between them; surely…it was just a summer thing. She smiled and nodded coming to a decision and deciding that she'd just watch them like a hawk from now on.
Lucas and Peyton caught her smile and she noticed that the two looked widely relieved.
'Well, that's a surprise. But I'm accepting it.' Karen smiled and Peyton let out a breath she didn't know she'd been holding.
'Thank you.' Lucas said also letting out a breath too.
'Right.' Karen said. 'So is that all you wanted to say?'
'Yeah…and thanks mom.' Lucas smiled as the two rose from the table, Lucas gave her a hug. 'It's good to be home.'
'Don't suck up now.' Karen chuckled and Lucas laughed before taking Peyton's hand and saying,
'We'll go unpack.'
Karen watched as they walked half way down the hallway then as Lucas, unconsciously it seemed, slipped his arm around Peyton's waist to rest loosely at her hip, turning his head and kissing the side of her head with an obvious smile. She pursed her lips, at a loss of how to feel. Peyton was a lovely girl and she got on well with her and perhaps they would have been a nice couple, in a different situation, but she knew that this couldn't happen in the situation they were in now. Eventually they'd both end up getting hurt; she'd known before that the group would have been sad to see Peyton leave. But now this was different, however deep they got into this relationship it would still hurt them both when Peyton left for LA. Resting her hands on the countertop she sighed when she heard the unmistaken sounds of laughter from Lucas and a very girlish giggle that she wouldn't have known Peyton was even capable of.
Maybe they were already in too deep… but what was a mother to do when she knew that their relationship was doomed from the start?
Okkkkkk so i hope you liked this chapter, things will pick up a bit from now on :)
612- So many cliffhangers in so little time!! Wonder what's going to happen with Sam/Brooke and Nathan's basketball career. But Peyton's cliffhanger was the worst!! She really really can't have cancer... i mean Hilarie Burton undoubtedly would do a fantastic job portraying that story line...but no, no and no. It's too scary, she can't die! She's one half of Lucas and Peyton! But i guess you all figured that out lol. I'm hoping that maybe she's pregnant, but the pain she's been having doesn't particularly sound good. So which ever scenario there's drama and heartache ahead, i bet. :|
But wouldn't an LP baby be the cutest thing, EVER? I just can't wait for Jan 5th, although i don't want to wish away the Christmas holidays! Damn you OTH.
Lastly everyone who has reviewed so far gets... a salty cookie :P (Courtesy of Peyton's cooking skills) Seriously i appreciate each and every one of them, they encourage me immensely so thank you!!