CHAPTER 28

One day… 24 hours… 1440 minutes… 86, 400 seconds.

It sounds like a lot when you think of it that way, doesn't it? Peyton Sawyer would have normally agreed, now however…every second sounded in her head like a countdown and she knew that this day would be over in a flash just like every other day she'd spent in Tree Hill. How could three months pass so quickly? She couldn't believe that her last day in Tree Hill was upon her…

Peyton turned and took a glance at the digital clock on her nightstand, 7.00 am. She hadn't been awake this early since school in LA but judging by what her dreams had focused on, waking up had been the better option. Barely minutes later a soft knock resounded through her room she wiped her eyes carefully and seconds later the door opened, Lucas' head poking around the door. His eyes found hers and he stepped inside, shutting the door quietly behind him. Every other morning he'd smile as he came in, his eyes lighting up but this time he didn't smile as he turned around, his face was solemn, only managing a nod as he climbed into her bed. He took her in his arms straight away and they stayed there, holding onto each other tightly.

No words were spoken. There was nothing to say.

After an hour the two got dressed quietly in their respective bedrooms and made their way to the kitchen, making coffee and sitting down at the table. Both of them were trying to act normally but the fact that they'd barely spoken a word to each other, in itself ironically spoke volumes. They sat close together, just listening to the others breathing, they didn't know what else to do. They couldn't carry on as if it were a normal day, how could it be normal?

But they also couldn't talk about it. It would open up a lot of emotions that they hadn't even touched upon yet and some that they were both slightly afraid of.

When the door opened they turned around quickly, surprised,

'Hey.' Haley said quietly as she, Nathan and Brooke walked through the door. Nathan surveyed his brother's nod carefully, deciding that he didn't speak because he couldn't trust himself to. Peyton smiled but didn't say a word as the two at the table became five.

They all sat in silence for a moment, almost reflecting on the summer, Peyton's hand started to shake slightly around her coffee mug as she looked at each person sitting at the table in turn, she felt a hand grasp hers tightly and her eyes shifted to Lucas. He gave her a slight smile and squeezed her hand; she smiled weakly back at him. Nathan sighed and everyone looked at him, he took Peyton's other hand in his own and said,

'Look this sucks okay. I think we all know that… but, let's face it, tomorrow morning is gonna suck so much more. So how about we just enjoy the time left?'

The pleading sound in Nathan's voice made Peyton chuckle and all five of them looked at her quickly. Lucas couldn't help but smile and Haley and Brooke heaved a small sigh of relief.

'Sounds good.' Peyton murmured and everyone around the table nodded their heads in agreement, Nathan grinned and squeezed her hand again. 'Let's go to the river court.'

'One on one big brother?' Nathan smirked and everyone knew he was trying to hold the group together and stop them thinking about the inevitable.

A grin unfurled Lucas' lips and he nodded, kissing Peyton's head and handing her his jacket. The three girls walked over to the bleachers and sat down, it was tense and Peyton knew that neither Brooke nor Haley knew how to be around her, should they be normal? Peyton sighed and decided to stop moping around, this was her last full day in Tree Hill dammit, and she was going to have fun. She watched Lucas roll up his sleeves on his shirt and cupped her hands around her mouth saying loudly,

'Come on baby!'

Brooke, Haley, Nathan and Lucas looked at her in surprise and she shrugged smirking. Haley and Brooke burst out laughing straight away and they fell into the easiness that had plagued them all summer. Peyton was glad; she didn't want today to be tense and depressing. She wanted to remember it as the best of the summer. It also made her feel a slight bit of déjà vu, which reminded her of her birthday when she'd said the exact same thing at the fair it made her smile because that, so far, that had been the best day of the summer. A lot had to do with the night she'd shared with Lucas afterwards, blushing slightly she fell into comfortable conversation with Brooke and Haley.

Half an hour later Nathan was celebrating at having beaten Lucas and he was taking it all in his stride, Peyton hugged him anyway insisting that he would always beat Nathan in her eyes, consequently earning a mouth-dropping stare off Nathan.

'You've hit me where it hurts Peyt.' He said and Peyton smirked at him grabbing the ball out of his hands,

'Boys vs Girls!'

Lucas smiled whereas Nathan said indignantly, 'Well that's not fair there's three of you.'

Peyton rolled her eyes and turned to face him, 'Are you gonna stop being a baby and play? Or are you scared that your gonna be beaten by three girls?'

The other three laughed and Nathan looked affronted, 'Game on.' He growled and Peyton smirked again, until he launched himself at her practically wrestling the ball out of her hands as she screamed and threw the ball quickly to Haley.

'Oh come on! This is such an unfair game!' Nathan shouted as Brooke and Haley tackled him to the ground, the basketball rolling away across the tarmac. 'One of your team mates has jumped my only one!'

Brooke and Haley turned to where Nathan was pointing to see Lucas and Peyton standing very close together seemingly having a very private unspoken conversation.

'Well he seems to be enjoying it.' Brooke smirked.

'I second that.' Haley said.

'Peyt, can you stop distracting my team mate?!' Nathan said angrily.

Lucas held his hand up for Nathan to quit talking and Peyton broke away from his lips with a chuckle. 'Sorry Nate, in my defence…he started it.'

Lucas glared playfully at her, 'Thanks babe.'

'I'm bored of this game anyway, how about we go to the beach?' Brooke asked and the other four nodded in agreement.

Lucas took Peyton's hand as she linked arms with Brooke, who linked arms with Haley who held Nathan's hand. It was one of those moments that could have been captured perfectly on camera and Peyton smiled looking down at her hand that was clasped tightly around Lucas', her eyes moving up to his face. A smile breaking through his features, one lighting up hers too…she savoured the feeling, this was what it was like to feel wondrously happy.

A couple of hours later and Peyton realised that this was what life was all about. She lay on the smooth sand, eyes closed against the glare of the sun which was surprisingly strong listening to Lucas and Nathan's talk on the upcoming new basketball season. She groaned inwardly because, truth be told, she'd have loved to come to one of their games, just to sit in the audience and watch them both play and cheer them along with Brooke and Haley.

She sighed for the millionth time and seconds later a pair of lips found hers, she instantly knew who it was, she'd remember his smell and touch anywhere. Without even opening her eyes her hand found his cheek with a small smile and she pecked his lips once more before opening her eyes and looking around, not wanting to show too much PDA with the other three around. However they seemed to be no-where in sight, her eyes met Lucas' shining ones his grin tucked firmly in place. He inclined his head to the side and Peyton turned to see the three in the sea.

Kissing his lips once more Peyton stood up quickly, taking Lucas' hand as they walked to the shore, intent on joining the others. They waded in, the cold water making Peyton gasp slightly, but Lucas' arms held her securely and after how hot she'd been on the sand the cool water was somewhat welcoming. She turned in his arms when they were waist deep and her hands rested on his biceps the muscles beneath her fingertips flexed slightly. Unable to help herself Peyton leant forwards brushing her lips against his,…neither were quite sure what happened after that. One minute they were in each other's arms, dry from the waist up and the next they were emerging spluttering from underwater soaked through.

'Nathan!' Peyton groaned as the brown haired boy stuck his tongue out at her. 'Seriously, you want another water fight because I seem to remember that I won the last one…' Lucas smirked at Peyton's wit as she added, '…and you ended up with a bloody nose!'

Haley and Brooke took a step back with a laugh as Nathan smirked and suddenly leapt forward practically tackling her into the water, both of them going under heads first a scream from Peyton suddenly turning into a gurgle.

The rest of the morning and afternoon passed in blissful harmony. Lucas asked Nathan halfway through if he'd help him with something and Peyton briefly wondered what he wanted to do but totally dismissed it as he kissed her goodbye for the time being. With the boys gone the girls practically re-in acted the slumber party. But the fact that Peyton now considered these girls her closest friends meant that there was so much more to talk about and it was great because they knew each other just that little bit more. They sat on the beach staring out at the sea each in their own little world until Peyton voiced what had been plaguing her for days,

'I really do love him, you know.'

'Oh honey, of course we knew.' Haley said sympathetically. Peyton turned to her in surprise before Brooke rolled her eyes and said,

'You only have to take a quick glance at the two of you to know that. You and Luke are just… right.'

'I've been trying to deny it for these past few weeks.'

'Yeah denial is so over rated.' Brooke smiled and Peyton nodded before carrying on,

'I mean its stupid right. Tell me it's stupid… we've known each other for three months. No-one can possibly be in love in such a short amount of time.' Peyton said and the way she phrased it seemed to ask a question.

'Peyt.' Haley sympathised. 'Love has no boundaries.'

'Wouldn't it be easier if I didn't feel the way I feel right now?'

'Sure it'd be easier…' Brooke agreed but Haley leapt in,

'Love is life's greatest reward… it'd be easier to not feel it but who wants that?'

Brooke nodded, 'Tell me you would have prefered spending the summer without Lucas.'

'I-I can't…and it sucks.' Peyton said a sad chuckle escaping.

'It's not the end Peyt…' Haley said sympathetically.

'…not by a long shot.' Brooke agreed.

'Then how come it feels like as soon as I step foot on that plane tomorrow everything's just going to come crashing down?'

Haley and Brooke had no answer to this and so instead they sat closer to Peyton, threading their arms through hers as they looked out to sea and in a way this made her heart ache even more. Here there were two obviously good friends that she'd made, probably for life if she was able to keep in touch. They really cared, that is what made them so much different to all of the other people she'd called 'friends' before and that was why felt more at home in Tree Hill than she'd ever begun to feel in LA.

An hour later and Peyton had been instructed to go to Nathan and Haley's house and so when she knocked and then opened the door she expected, truthfully, to see Haley. However it was Nathan that greeted her.

'Hey Peyt do you want a drink?'

Peyton nodded and Nathan opened the fridge door and peered inside.

'Right, well I have beer or… this weird mango and orange crap that Haley drinks… I seriously don't recommend it.' He chortled and Peyton laughed.

'Beer's good!'

Nathan pulled two bottles out of the fridge and kicked the door shut behind him as he walked back over to the couch, handed a beer to Peyton and flopped down next to her opening his bottle. Peyton took a long gulp and Nathan stared, his beer suspended in mid air half way toward his mouth.

'What?' Peyton asked smirking. 'I could do with a drink.'

Nathan laughed. 'Yeah I guess so. So what happened when Papa Sawyer turned up last week was it?'

'Oh god, don't remind me.' Peyton said closing her eyes.

'What actually happened?' Nathan asked curiously.

'Didn't Haley tell you?'

'Well… I got the censored version.' Nathan smirked.

Peyton chuckled, 'What, and now you want the x rated version from me? I don't think so.'

'Ew no. What you and my brother do in your own time is your own business.' Nathan said shuddering and swigging his beer, Peyton laughed.

'I'll just say my dad knows some stuff about us, that I'd prefer he didn't know to be honest.'

'Nice Sawyer.' Nathan said his eyes twinkling slightly and a grin in place, Peyton laughed and Nathan couldn't help but join in.

'So why am I here?' Peyton asked.

'What do you mean?' Nathan said feigning innocence.

'Oh come on Nate, you and Luke disappeared this afternoon and now your 'babysitting' me while the other three do god knows what…'

'I'm not babysitting, is it wrong to want to spend some time with my very good friend before she has to leave?' Nathan asked and Peyton saw that he had Lucas' gift of the eyes, he could make anyone do anything he wanted with just a look.

'I guess not, all right I forgive you. But seriously where's Luke and everyone?'

'Patience is a virtue.' Nathan sighed then sent a wink her way before taking another swig of beer. She rolled her eyes but they fell into easy conversation anyhow and half an hour later Nathan looked at his watch,

'Right. Time's up.'

'Oh right, so now you're kicking me out.'

'No.' Nathan smirked. 'Just follow this.' He added taking a white envelope out of his back pocket and handing it to her.

Peyton took the envelope from him perplexed and when she looked back at him again he was rubbing the back of his neck gingerly, almost like Lucas did when he was nervous.

'What is it?' Peyton smirked, trying to make it a little easier for him.

'I-I'm not really good with all of the lovey-dovey, all sugar and hearts stuff… but i don't know whether I'll get a chance to say this to you privately before you go tomorrow.' Nathan took a deep breath and carried on, 'I'm really sad that you're leaving Peyt because you've had a huge impact on our lives. But more than that, you've made an impact on mine, and not many people do that… I'm just really glad that your dad decided to send you here, I bet you fought hard against coming too, true Peyton Sawyer style.' He chuckled slightly at that and Peyton's eyes watered. 'But anyway I wish you all the best in the future and I'll always be here if you need me or…' Nathan broke off and a tear inadvertently rolled down Peyton's cheek, he wiped it away carefully. 'I guess I just wanna say thank you.' A lopsided smile lit up his features and Peyton clutched onto his hand, pulling him to her in a tight hug.

'No, thank you.' She whispered and he chuckled weakly, tears falling silently down her cheeks, Nathan let go and held her at arms length.

'Hey, hey, I didn't mean to make you cry.' He said with concern and handed her a tissue quickly before muttering, 'Lucas is gonna kick my ass.'

Peyton gave a watery chuckle and stepped out of the apartment door, 'It's going to sound really strange, but I love you Nate…and Haley and Brooke…'

Nathan nodded, indicating that she didn't have to go on, he understood, 'You too.' He said simply before throwing her a wave as she set off padding her wet cheeks with the tissue. She opened the envelope carefully and pulled out the card.

Visit the spot your three month younger self would find solace

Peyton frowned slightly, three month younger self? That suggests three months ago, so what was she doing at this time three months ago… she'd just got to Tree Hill and she'd…gone for a walk and somehow ended up on the beach. Peyton smiled and set off; sure enough the exact spot where she'd been sitting stood Lucas, staring out at the waves. He turned upon hearing her,

'What're you doing here?' Peyton asked.

'Oh just… I'm used to doing my own thing.' Lucas quoted with a smile and Peyton recognised those as the first proper words she said to him and smiled as well.

Peyton instinctively looked down, seeing a large blanket and a picnic basket along with a few lilies, she sighed appreciatively,

'Luke… you didn't have to do this.'

'I wanted to.' Lucas said shaking his head fervently and offering her his hand. She took it and sat down on the blanket next to him. All around them the last remnants of sunset cast a beautiful rose and orange tinge to everything, Peyton turned to Lucas as he rummaged through the picnic basket.

'I have blueberry pie, remember?' He smirked and twirled it in his hand as if it were a basketball, then added a little sheepishly, 'It's not much.'

'It's perfect.' Peyton whispered and Lucas handed her a lily. Tears immediately sprang to her eyes and she hastily lowered her head. Lucas however tilted her chin back up with understanding and the look in his eyes made her melt all over again. Without a word he pulled her into his arms and it reminded her once more of the night they'd first met. Had she suspected then that this was how everything was going to turn out? That she was going to have made some really great friendships and that she would be in love with the boy who'd wrapped his arms around her for the first time at this very spot on the same beach. No. But she was so thankful for everything that had happened. She had to thank her dad really because he'd wanted to send her here and she shuddered at thinking of how close she got to refusing to step foot on the plane from LA to Tree Hill.

Lucas lay them down on the blanket entwining their hands.

'Isn't it peaceful?' Lucas asked softly.

'Watching the stars…yeah.' Peyton agreed in a breathy whisper.

They lay for the longest time listening to the wave's crash and watching the stars flicker and sparkle overhead. Lucas always thought that he'd found a special place in Tree Hill, a place he'd always find was his- that place was the river court. But now he realised that they'd found a place together where when Peyton left- he'd be able to come and spend time alone to remember and reflect. He turned his head slightly and breathed out a sigh at the sight of her face. She was so perfect in his eyes and as she turned to face him, he saw in her eyes the flicker of a star and he could have sworn he fell just a little more. He couldn't understand why that, of all things, would make his heart flutter but the expression lighting up her features and the stars reflected in both of their eyes made him instinctively turn onto his side and cup Peyton's cheek, pressing his lips to hers in the softest and lightest way imaginable. She wouldn't have known that his lips had actually found hers if her heart hadn't leapt at the physical contact.

Their kisses were small, barely a brush of lips but every one seemed to cement Peyton's feelings down… they didn't need to be any heavier at the moment because she felt everyone deep down just as fiercely. She gripped his hand in hers and he gripped back, they didn't know why or how this helped but somehow it brought them closer together. A breeze ruffled Peyton's hair and she shivered slightly, Lucas withdrew his lips from hers and stood up taking her hand and pulling her up too. She looked at him, confused but he gave her a smile that made her relax instantly and led her across the beach.

They walked and reached the deck of the beach house, it was lined with candles that flickered in the darkness Peyton gasped lightly as Lucas smiled again and led her into the house. That too was littered with candles, marking a pathway…up the stairs down the hall and to the master bedroom. Lucas stepped aside and Peyton pushed the door open, her breathing stopped. The room was full of candles and the bed littered with petals, lilies to be precise. She turned in absolute awe to look at Lucas and he stood before her a bunch of lilies in his hand, a smile adorned his face.

'For you.' He whispered but she heard every single word as he held them out for her and she took them, fingering the softness of the petals. She turned around to glance at the room once again, in complete surprise and then turned to Lucas once more. The vase in his hand made her laugh softly, she placed the lilies inside and he placed them on the cabinet with a grin before turning back towards her.

Nervousness fluttered through her and she had no idea why, they'd done this before and yet she realised that she was nervous because she was in love with the boy who stood before her and it really scared her. She glanced into his eyes and saw the same nervousness reflected in his blues, however they were also laced with reassurance as his hands came to rest at her cheeks, his thumbs brushing across the soft skin. Her breathing practically stopped as they leaned closer together, lips meeting softly.

Everything about the kiss was tender; the way his lips fit against hers, the way his fingers rubbed her cheek soothingly. But soon enough she realised she needed more as his tongue brushed against her lips and she opened her mouth to him. It was all the incentive he needed to deepen their embrace and after a few minutes Peyton pushed his t-shirt over his head, her hands over his chest marvelling at the muscles beneath her fingertips which never ceased to amaze her. Her eyes met his and he smiled, it was an adoringly sweet curve of the lips, and yet there was something missing. And when he swept his hand through her hair affectionately a moment later she understood that he was memorising what she looked like… the realisation made her knees tremble and all of a sudden tears built up in her eyes, a lump constricting her throat completely. Lucas reached forward instinctively and wrapped his arms around her resting his cheek on her hair as he felt a few tears leak onto his bare chest.

They stood for what felt like hours, in each other's embrace, and Peyton breathed in a couple of times and closed her eyes, she felt foolish but couldn't have kept it in any longer. All week the tension had been building up, day by day getting worse and she thought she might just explode from pent up emotion. Lucas never knew how long they stayed in that embrace, so close and yet the distance was tangible already…they were preparing for what was about to come and totally out of the blue he felt his eyes well up too and closed them tightly burying his hand into Peyton's curls. Peyton withdrew after what seemed hours and Lucas let her go, keeping their hands clasped however. She looked into his face and had to suppress a sound of surprise, his eyes were a curious watery blue colour. He smiled weakly again but she could see the difference.

Peyton took his hand and lead him to the bed where she climbed atop the covers and then looked up at him with a look that made him slightly weak at the knees,

'Could we just, for a few minutes-'

Lucas nodded before she'd even finished the question; he climbed onto the bed next to her and lay down pulling his girl into his secure arms and placing a kiss on her head. Peyton closed her eyes tightly, her head against his chest and her hand pressed over his heart. Neither saw this symbol or perhaps neither wanted to acknowledge it.

Peyton couldn't help but let her head repeat the words she so desperately wanted to say, she wanted to tell Lucas she loved him, the words sounded through her head like a mantra and yet she couldn't find the strength to say them. Absentmindedly she pressed her lips to his bare chest, he tensed slightly at her actions and when she looked up at him he gave her an embarrassed smile. Peyton smirked slightly and kissed her way up to his mouth, their lips meeting tenderly as though for the first time. The kisses were light and yet weighted down with emotion; it was only when Peyton's tongue traced along Lucas' lips that they grew more passionate.

Lucas' hand was in her curls and minutes later, Peyton didn't know how he'd done it, her back was pressed against the soft mattress her arms around his neck and pulling his body atop hers. His hands moved down her sides and up her shirt deftly removing it seconds later. Peyton's hands moved to the zipper of his jeans but he stilled them quickly breaking their lips, she looked at him questioningly as he stared down at her.

Lucas opened his mouth and cleared his throat nervously,

'Peyt, I lo-'

A split second before he managed to finish the four letter word Peyton knew exactly what he was going to say and she placed a finger to his lips as though pleading with him not to say it. His forehead creased but she shook her head as her eyes began to water, she didn't need to hear the words. More than that she couldn't hear those words. Lucas closed his eyes and Peyton's cool hands rested on his cheeks pulling his lips back to hers once more.

It had gone completely dark hours ago and according to the digital clock on the nightstand it was 2.00 in the morning but both Lucas and Peyton weren't tired. At least, that's what they kept telling themselves. Each was too scared to fall asleep, after all wasting that precious time was stupid. Instead bare bodies pressed together tightly they just talked about anything that came to mind. It was comfortable and every so often they went quiet and just listened to the others more laboured breathing, every time this happened Lucas would pull Peyton into his side just that little bit more as if she was slowly sliding away from him.

Metaphorically she was.

Peyton softly traced the contours of his face as he watched her, her fingers feather light on his skin, her brow furrowed slightly in concentration. He smiled softly and suddenly breaking the silence he asked,

'Favourite day?'

Peyton's hands stilled and he intertwined their fingers together, she looked thoughtful and took a moment to answer,

'Can I say two?' She asked with a smirk.

'All right' He smiled back pressing a kiss to her brow.

'Well it's a toss up between two days that really stood out for me. The first was a day with my mom, when she was still alive, and my dad. It was the day I found my love for music. It was the day I found my passion for art too, my mom taught me how to draw properly and I will always remember my dads face when I showed him the picture. It was pure joy and I could tell he was proud, in all honesty I think he still has it somewhere. It was a day when we spent the whole day together as a family, a day when there was no one more important than the two people with me.'

Lucas smiled softly as she carried on, 'The second day was quite recent. Well about a year and a half ago. It was the day I decided to let go of my demons… my mom's death, drugs and the whole party scene I was into. I got into my car and just drove for hours on end, music blaring and letting my troubles melt away. I'd never felt so free and exhilarated. When I got back my dad had been worried sick because I'd turned my cell phone off and yet he knew something was different… I told him I was done with all the bad things in my life and he looked at me the same way he did all those years ago. With joy and pride and love, it was the moment I felt completely ashamed of my actions because nothing had been easy for him and I'd just made it ten times worse. It was the day I vowed to become the old Peyton Sawyer, for him.' Peyton finished and made eye contact with Lucas. 'I know it probably sounds lame…'

'Not at all.' Lucas replied shaking his head kissing her lips once and then pulling her into him so that their noses touched.

'What's yours?' Peyton whispered.

Lucas sighed and Peyton absentmindedly kissed his shoulder, 'It was a day when I was younger. It was just my mom, Keith and me driving down the back streets of Tree Hill telling funny stories. It was so simple and yet something I'll always remember. Keith taught me how to drive, I mean I was only a boy but he sat me on his lap and let me control the wheel.' Lucas smiled sadly, 'I nearly crashed and my mom nearly had a heart attack but all Keith could do was laugh.'

'Keith…?' Peyton asked quietly.

'He was Dan's brother, my uncle…effectively. But I always saw him as so much more than that, he was my real father.'

'Is that your hoody… Keith Scott's body shop?'

'Yeah that's him. He owned a garage.'

Peyton suddenly realised he was talking in past tense and sat up quickly, 'What happened?' She said softly.

Lucas focused on a spot on the wall before saying, 'He was- in a- car crash a couple of years ago.'

Peyton's eyebrows rose and he looked at her, 'Guess we're kind of similar in that way.' He shrugged.

'Oh Luke.'

Lucas attempted a smile and pulled her back down to him, an arm around her waist another clasping her hand tightly as she lay her head on his shoulder.

'That was quite depressing wasn't it really? I'm sorry.' Lucas asked and his body seemed to shake under her, she looked up quickly and found that he was chuckling. Albeit sadly but still. Although they'd both come to terms with living without parents it still clung to them everyday and the wounds would never truly heal.

'Favourite birthday?' Lucas smiled moments later and Peyton couldn't help but chuckle slightly.

'Would it sound totally dorky if I said my eighteenth because, damn, everything about that day was great.'

Lucas snorted and laughed, his whole body rocking, Peyton sat up, 'What?' She asked.

'Did you just say damn? If only Skills were to hear that you'd be his favourite person ever.' He chuckled and Peyton blushed, smacking his bare chest lightly.

'But did I hear correctly… that the birthday you spent in Tree Hill was the best birthday you've ever had?' Lucas asked surprised.

'Well I can't really remember too many from when my mom was alive but…yeah.' Peyton said looking down with another blush.

'Hmm. Didn't have anything to do with this room, you and me did it?' Lucas asked and for one of the first times ever she saw a cocky little grin unfurling his mouth.

'God, this is when I know that you and Nathan are related.' Peyton said and couldn't stop the smile. 'It might have had a little bit to do with that.'

'Interesting.' Lucas said with a smirk.

'Don't get too cocky Scott.'

'Well I wouldn't want to disappoint…' Lucas muttered before, with surprising speed, sitting up and manoeuvring himself so that he was on top of Peyton, holding up his weight on his elbow, who giggled, her arms finding a way around his neck.

'What do you mean disappoint?'

'Well, we could try and beat your favourite day.' Lucas smirked, his eyebrow slightly raised as he placed a kiss to her forehead.

'Wait you said favourite birthday not day in general…' Peyton smiled.

'Technicalities.' Lucas murmured against her neck and the sound of his voice against her skin made her close her eyes with a sigh, her hand raking slowly through his hair.

'However, being disappointed is the worst so you better do something about that…' She said, a little more breathlessly than intended as he pressed a soft kiss to the shell of her ear. The chuckle was evident in his smile as she joined their lips together and in turn it made her smile.

It's a funny thing how even when you are dreading something even the slightest glimmer or spark of hope, something that's undeniable can make you feel so much better and somehow make you forget for a while. But then again it's okay to let yourself be happy for a moment, even for just a second and even when the odds are against you because, in the end, you never know how fleeting that happiness might be…

I kinda have a lot of apologising to do, right? :S

But i do have valid reasons for not updating in so long (well i think they're valid anyway) i had a small virus on my comp that i needed to get rid of, plus i have exams coming up soon so school's been crazy, plus the last few weekends i've had to work at various places (gotta have money somehow! :P) and THEN i had a geography trip away in random mountains for a week, which surprisingly didn't have any computers!! :O lol Oh yeah and this chapter was quite hard to write in general.

Phew. So after all of that i'm sorry for not updating. However this was a pretty big chapter, word and plot wise, so i hope it makes up for it in a small way! Small note; I changed Keith's death for obvious reasons...

617- I've only just got around to watching it and it was different... but really good. Chad & Hil's acting is fantastic, i nearly cried several times. I loved that Lucas made it clear he couldn't live without Peyton. All of their scenes were so heartbreakingly sad and yet so heartwarming at the same time...

Now to the end of my rant, i really hope that you've enjoyed this chapter... things get interesting from now on. The big day is next chapter, will Peyton leave? If she does, what will happen for Lucas and Peyton? Is love really enough?

I love all of your feedback, so a review would make me tremendously happy in my hectic life... THANK YOU for reading and for those of you who review!!!! :D