CHAPTER 20

A week later and things were going smoothly. Much to Karen's comfort Lucas and Peyton had almost kept themselves to themselves, they certainly didn't do anything she would deem inappropriate in front of her and they spent their days mostly with Nathan, Haley and Brooke. Karen knew that the fabulous four had actually officially become five and she was worried that after the summer they'd find it a lot harder to reverse back to the four they were so happy with before. However this week she'd spent some time alone with Peyton too and she had grown to like her even more, she was down to earth, head strong but loving and kind. She almost felt a little sad about the fact that she was leaving because although she'd really fit in well with the group she also fit into Karen's household. Truth be told, she was getting used to having Peyton around and she'd also seen a change in Lucas that made her grateful to Peyton, but inadvertently worried.

He walked into the kitchen with a smile on his face, he didn't really notice but Karen did. She'd actually noticed quite a lot lately how much Lucas was smiling, and could only pin it on one person. The change was quite noticeable, especially the warm look in her son's eyes every time he looked at the blonde.

'Where's Peyton?' Karen asked as Lucas made his way over to the fridge.

'Shower.' He answered.

'Well, she received a parcel.' Karen said Lucas swivelled around, surprised and looking at his mother who was holding out an envelope. He took it from her and looked at it; sure enough it was addressed to Peyton and had the right address to the house. He turned it over and noticed a small heading.

Peyt, sorry I couldn't be with you for this. I'll make it up to you when we're back in LA. Happy Birthday honey. Only open on Friday.

'Did you know it was Peyton's birthday in five days time?'

'No.' Lucas said, almost shocked. They'd been together just over three weeks, how did he not know when her birthday was? How had it never came up?

'Well what are we going to do?' Karen asked. 'Do you think there's a reason why she didn't tell us?'

'Well, knowing Peyton, I'd guess she didn't want a big deal made about it. So how about we hide this card and don't tell her… and just plan something…something to celebrate the day.' Lucas answered.

'Sounds like a plan.' Karen smiled. 'All right, tell me if you get any ideas.'

'It's her eighteenth too!' Lucas exclaimed. The whole gang had turned eighteen now, except for Brooke who's birthday was after the summer and he knew that Peyton was seventeen at the moment.

'That's pretty big. Do you think this is off Larry then?'

'Must be.' Lucas shrugged and tucked the card into his back pocket, out of sight as Peyton walked into the kitchen.

'Hey Karen, Luke.'

'Hey.' Karen smiled and turned to the kettle that had just turned off indicating that the water had finished boiling. While his mom wasn't looking Lucas grinned and swooped down kissing Peyton on the lips quickly, they tried to reserve it to when they were alone…Lucas didn't want his mother putting any rules on their relationship but Peyton's smile gave him the urge to kiss her instantly. Karen turned her head to meet the coy smile of the other two; she rolled her eyes instantly knowing that something had gone on behind her back before handing them a coffee cup each.

'Thanks Karen.' Peyton grinned as they both walked back to their bedrooms, Lucas went to go through his door and Karen watched Peyton go through hers. She shook her head slightly and sat down at the kitchen table. Lucas peeked out behind his door and seeing his mother reading the paper quickly made his way down the hall and into Peyton's room.

'Smooth.' Peyton smiled and Lucas turned around to see her sitting on her bed, legs crossed and sipping out of her mug. Lucas joined her on the bed and took a sip of his coffee.

'We do this everyday.' He said smirking. 'How does ma not notice?'

'Oh she probably does. But she's cool.'

'Yeah but my mom isn't that cool.' Lucas smiled.

'Well it isn't like we're doing anything she could disapprove of.' Peyton smirked fairly.

Lucas put down his mug and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, 'We could… do something about that.'

Peyton smirked with a cocked eyebrow as Lucas moved over her pressing a kiss to her lips. She grinned and put her coffee down too as Lucas pressed her into the mattress with a chuckle. His lips were on hers immediately, Peyton's fingers steadily making their way through his hair as his tongue teased hers. Before long a small moan escaped her lips which made Lucas smile. Peyton shifted slightly beneath him and this led Lucas to groan throatily, one hand resting underneath her top at the small of her back to keep them pressed together. So far they'd done nothing but make out, they'd been pretty intense… and hot… make outs but that was the extent.

Did Lucas want to take their relationship to the next level? Yes.

Did he feel comfortable with Peyton? Yes.

Had they had the chance to? No.

Timing had worked against them so many times that he wondered slightly whether fate was stepping in. But as Peyton kissed along his jaw line, his eyes closed contentedly and his mouth forced shut so as not to groan out loud, he neither wondered nor cared about anything else except Peyton who was making him feel increasingly good with every second. He found his fingers tugging at her top and without hesitation it was over her head and on the floor, she arched into him as he placed kisses to her neck. Peyton was quickly becoming breathless, whether from lack of oxygen due to their kisses or because of the feelings Lucas was evoking within her, she didn't know. Then she heard a slight noise from the kitchen and she was brought back to reality with a bang...

'Luke- we can't- your mom-' Peyton tried to form a sentence but Lucas brought her in for another desire filled kiss which left her speechless. Lucas didn't seem to hear anything she'd been saying as he broke their kiss a moment later.

'Luke, seriously, your mom… kitchen…Lucas!' Peyton said breathlessly, accentuating his name harshly and cupping his cheeks so he could look at her. Her heart fluttered at the obvious desire and lust in his eyes, slightly covered over with adoration..

Lucas seemed to hear her and gave her a stricken look at what they'd been about to do with his mother in the other room at perfect opportunity to barge in. He kissed her lips quickly and jumped off the bed, throwing Peyton her top and running a hand over his face saying,

'Right… erm, I'll go and… calm down… err shower.'

Peyton smiled as she watched him leave with a small smile on his face and a very flustered appearance. It was so easy to get carried away with Lucas because after all… he was hot and even though she knew it wasn't the time she was only human… and did she mention that he was hot.

Lucas leant against the door on the other side, catching his breath. He wanted her. He really wanted her. But he knew he was stupid to get so into it, his mother was in the house and sooner or later she would have checked on them…and god that would have been embarrassing.

He walked down the hallway quickly hoping to god his mother didn't stop him, he really needed a shower not a nice talk with his mom right now. He made it into the bathroom quickly and shut the door, locking it behind him and breathing a sigh of relief before turning the shower on.

Karen shook her head as she sat at the kitchen table. She wasn't naïve enough to fail to notice that both of the teenagers living in her house disappeared into the confines of one of their bedrooms at significant parts of the day. So far she'd let it go because she knew they wouldn't do anything while she was in the house, but judging by the way the water had stopped boiling in the boiler whoever was in the bathroom was having a very cold shower… and that was more information than a mother could possibly want.

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'Mom what do I do? I want to talk to Haley, Nate and Brooke about Peyton's birthday but how am I going to do it without offending her?' Lucas asked, he'd just come out the shower and while Peyton was getting changed he took the opportunity to talk to his mother.

Karen smiled as her son talked so fast that she could hardly understand what he was saying.

'All right, get out right now and I'll say you've gone to the café, for some reason, and I'll hang out with Peyton.' Karen smiled.

'You'll hang out with Peyton?' Lucas asked incredulously.

'Yes, we've spent time together before and believe it or not, I do know how to communicate with other human beings.' Karen said and Lucas put his hands up.

'All right, all right. Thanks mom.' Lucas said quickly and bolted out of the door.

Karen watched him go, thinking of the conversation she was undoubtedly going to have with her son about the rules of her house and their relationship, with a grimace she thought she could put it off for today at least.

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Lucas walked into Karen's café where he'd rung the other three so that he could tell them of his plan for Peyton's birthday. He looked around and spotted all three of them sitting at a booth.

'Hey Deb.' He smiled at Nathan's mother behind the counter.

'Luke, hi, you want anything?'

'No, it's all right.' He smiled tapping the counter and swiftly making his way over to the booth and sat down.

'Where's Peyton?' Brooke said immediately.

'Hi Brooke.' Lucas answered sarcastically.

Haley let out a gasp, 'She hasn't gone back to LA has she?'

Lucas' face fell instantly, he knew it wasn't true but he still felt surprised at how fast his mood fell, 'No! No…no.'

'Oh, well what is it that got you meeting us here… without Peyton?' Nathan asked confused.

Lucas rests his arms on the table and they all lean in distinctively, almost making Lucas laugh. He grinned as they all looked on interestingly, especially Brooke who seemed excited at the prospect of gossip.

'It's Peyton's birthday on Friday.'

Nathan, Haley and Brooke all said different things at the same time and Lucas smiled, generally getting the gist of surprise from each of them.

'Peyton got an envelope through the post, I'm assuming it's off Larry, and on the back it had a little note about it being her birthday this Friday and something about him being sorry he isn't here for it.' Lucas explained.

'How come she didn't tell us?!' Brooke said indignantly.

'I know!' Haley answered.

Nathan just shook his head, 'Do you two not know Peyton. Okay we've become friends pretty fast but it's only been just under two months she's hardly going to be expecting a big birthday bash, she probably doesn't really want any of us to know… and not to make a big fuss or anything.'

Lucas smiled at his brother, 'Exactly what I thought.'

Haley and Brooke looked disgruntled as Brooke answered, 'What is it with you Scott boys? Do you have a in-built intuition when it comes to ?'

Haley smiled and answered, 'But we are going to do something for it aren't we?'

'Well I've confirmed this with my mom and- what I was thinking is that we could do a little surprise party at Tric.'

'Ohhh I am totally on board for that!' Brooke squealed and several people in the café looked over at them.

'That is a great idea.' Haley smiled.

'Ok I see one major flaw in this wonderful plan…' Nathan started and the three looked at him. 'How are we going to do this without Peyton finding out? We hang out everyday.'

Lucas nodded, 'I see the problem, trust me. I've resorted to using my mom to keep Peyton occupied while I come and talk to you three.'

'We can't do that everyday for the next four days; it'll be way too suspicious.' Haley answered.

'Oh! I have an idea!' Brooke said loudly.

'Could you try to not get so excited?' Nathan asked wryly.

'Nate, it's not Brooke's fault that when someone mentions the word party she tends to get a little…crazy.' Lucas smiled.

'Thank you, broody. As I was saying before what about if one of us has to, like, kidnap her or something.'

Lucas and Nathan shook their heads wearily but Haley said,

'I think what Brooke means is, what if we each try to distract her everyday this week, then hopefully we'll get something done.' Lucas and Nathan looked at each other and shrugged, it was actually a good idea.

'Oh sure! When I say it you both give me a 'Brooke's a dumbass' look but when tutor wife says it everyone's on board.' Brooke ranted.

'You know what; why don't you distract Peyton today!' Nathan said rolling his eyes and cutting Brooke off mid sentence.

'Fine I will! See you later broody, tutor wife… boy toy.' She winked and was out of the café in seconds.

'Now we've got rid of cheery, we can actually get something done.' Nathan said gruffly.

'I actually pity Peyton.' Haley said and Lucas laughed. 'I bet she'll take her shopping!'

'Peyton'll love that!' Lucas smirked and contemplated for several minutes Peyton being dragged from store to store, her face growing into a frown that he knew well actually making Lucas smile, before Haley clicked her fingers in front of him.

'Earth to Lucas. Come on we better get moving if we have to organise a party, do you have any ideas at all?' Haley asked and Lucas nodded smirking slightly as the two sitting in front of him instinctively leaned in closer again.

Okay so i've realised that the end of the last few chapters have been quite depressing!! lol And i'm sorry for that, so i've tried to refrain from that this chapter, and the next few too. I'm sorry for the delay with this, but i hoped you liked it anyhow :) It's just setting up for things that are about to come ;)

You know what's really wierd... not talking about the latest OTH episode!! I hate hiatus', although it means holiday time which is a good thing... Thankyou to everyone who keeps pressing the cool green button at the bottom of the page after they've read, the comments mean a lot... just to show that people are reading, it's a great feeling to know that people like what you are writing, so i hope that's still the case. :D.