Still don't own One Tree Hill, nor do I own "From Where You Are" by Lifehouse.

So here is the long awaited (or maybe not) sequel to Not Falling Apart. I don't really think that you need to read the first story to keep up with this one, but of course I encourage it. Also, the bottom is a little intense. I don't know if I should make this whole story M or leave it at T because not every chapter is going to have sex in it . . . I don't know, we'll see how it goes. This is also incredibly long, a little over 3,000 words.

Enjoy!


So far away from where you are

These miles have torn us worlds apart

And I miss you

Yeah, I miss you

He pulled into the parking lot at the sight of the first spot he found. He put it in park and quickly unbuckled.

"Come on babe", he watched as his daughter unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door.

"Sweetie, can you try to move a little faster", he pleaded.

She stared up at him with matching brown eyes, "Daddy, I have little legs, I'm going as fast as I can", her voice was whiny and the father stared down to see just how quickly her legs were moving.

"Okay, I'm sorry", he said softly as he put his hand on her shoulder to slow her actions. She mumbled a 'thanks' and readjusted her backpack. They made it to the hallway and both took a moment to gather a breath.

"How come that lady wasn't at the house to do my hair today?" she asked innocently.

"She's not some lady, she's my girlfriend", the tiny blonde shrugged her shoulders and looked at him expectantly. "She's in New York for a few days", he paused, "you like her don't you?"

"Mmhmm, she's nice", he nodded.

"Alright princess, be good", he seemingly begged his six year old daughter.

Jenny Jagielski rolled her eyes. "Daddy, it's not my first day of school, you can stop telling me that."

Jake bit back the urge to scoff. She may have been six, but she had the wit of a teenager. He'd have to thank her aunt for that. He kneeled down to her level and spoke again.

"I know baby, but I'm your dad, it's my job to tell you things like that."

He watched as she titled her head and her blonde hair fell in front of her eyes. She furrowed her brows and pursed her lips as if she was truly contemplating what he had told her.

"Okay", she finally conceded, "But for the record it's like my third week of first grade, I know what I'm doing."

This time Jake couldn't stop the chuckle that left his lips. "Okay, as long as we're clear", he nodded his head and brought her in for a hug. The craziness of the morning and the possible argument that he faced later was quickly forgotten as the bell rang and he had to bid his daughter farewell for the day.

"I'll see you later, baby girl; I love you", he whispered before kissing her cheek.

"Bye daddy", she wrapped her small arms tightly around his neck and whispered back, "I love you too", she kissed his cheek and he watched her skip into the classroom.

He watched as she walked into the room and immediately gathered around all her friends. She was a pretty popular first grader. He turned to head back out and stopped mid step.

She was standing in front of him. Her skin was as milky as he remembered and her dark hair was in a messy bun, she was in sweats and had on no makeup; it was the way he would always remember her. She smiled at him and he felt his heart melt at the sight of her dimples. He closed his eyes for a minute and when he opened them she was gone.

He shook his head to rid those thoughts and let out a sigh as he walked to his car.

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"No, no, no, no", Peyton pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a sigh, "Mark, I told you that I have to meet with them at three"; she listened to her intern list off reasons why the artist couldn't meet with her at that time until she had had enough.

"Mark! Call Pete and tell him that three o'clock is the only time I'm available next week, if you can't get in touch with him then call Patrick."

The young redheaded boy stared at the blonde. "You know them on a first name basis?"

She laughed softly at the teen. Mark Rogers was a nineteen year old sophomore at UNC. Originally from Nebraska, he had no clue as to the history this small town held. He had come to Peyton looking for an internship and she agreed. She knew how it felt to be completely enthralled by music and the first time she looked at this bright eyed boy she knew he felt the same way.

"Mark, there's a lot of this town that you don't know, but we'll save it for another day", she assured him with a smile. He nodded and turned to walk out the door, but stopped in the doorway.

"Ms. S – Peyton –" he quickly corrected himself remembering the countless times he addressed her formally and in turn the countless times she scolded him for it. She raised a brow and he continued. "I just wanted to thank you for this. Music has been a big part of my life and to be able to work this closely with it . . . it means a lot", he said sincerely.

She smiled softly and nodded her head. "You're very welcome and you're doing amazing here; I don't think I've told you recently and it's just that today has been hectic already and you know who is late", she said with glancing at the clock.

"Want me to call him?"

She shook her head. "He'll be here, take a rest", she sent him a wink and he smiled before leaving the room. Peyton let out a breath and stared around her office.

She still couldn't believe that this had happened. Her dream was coming true. Graduation was a few months ago and as soon as college was over she had set out on her own record label. Using an empty storage room in TRIC she set up an office and slowly spread her name out to the world. She was lucky because although she was new in this industry she had many connections and many people knew how good of an ear she had. As of today, she had three artists under her label and after next week hopefully that would jump to four.

The flash of light brown hair that sped past her door freed her from her thoughts. She let out a sigh and was soon following him.

"You're late", she reprimanded. She watched as he stopped in his tracks. She smirked as she pictured him biting his lip and silently cursing to himself.

He turned to face her and his dark brown eyes met her green ones.

"Peyton, I'm sorry. My darling daughter decided to imitate a snail all morning—"

The blonde held her hands up and he instantly shut his mouth. "Jake, it's fine, I was only teasing. I had no idea you would get so touchy", she teased.

"I wasn't touchy", he said indignantly. She chuckled and rolled her eyes before quickly sobering.

"Can you grab your guitar and head in there?" she asked as she motioned to the recording room. He nodded before doing as she asked.

"Alright Jagielski, let's hear what you've got", she teased over the intercom.

"I hope you can handle me", he teased back. Peyton laughed and listened as his soft voice and gentle guitar strums filled the room.

This was definitely her dream job.

------------------------------

"Alright Jamie, you be good for Carrie", Haley cooed as she kissed her son's forehead.

"Don't worry Mama, I'll be fine."

"It's her job to worry, she's your mom", Nathan teased his brunette wife as he ruffled the boys hair. Jamie laughed before pushing his dad's hand away.

"Kick some butt dad", the doe eyed boy encouraged much to the delight of his father. Nathan threw his duffle bag over his shoulder and shared a look with Haley.

"Oh I will, Jimmy Jam", Nathan flashed his famous grin and Haley scoffed before pulling on his arm.

"Alright, we need to get going", they both kissed Jamie one last time before they walked to the car. Haley got into the drivers seat and Nathan played with the radio.

"So, are you excited for this practice?"

Nathan let out a sigh and nodded. "Playing college ball was great, but this is the big time, Hales. Honestly, I'm scared out of my mind", he chuckled.

"You're going to be amazing. They wouldn't have picked you if they didn't think that", she assured him.

"Thanks", he whispered as he stared at her. She sent him a smirk as a response.

"Don't forget that we have to call Lucas and Peyton tonight", she told him with a serious face.

"Trust me; I wouldn't miss her phone call for the world. She practically ripped me a new one when I forgot to call for the anniversary a few months ago", he grimaced while Haley smirked.

"Yeah, she really did let you have it."

"Yeah, yeah. I won't be home late", he promised as he leaned across the middle console and kissed her sweetly.

"See you later, hot shot Sonic", she flirted playfully when they broke apart.

"Take it easy today, okay?" he said with a small smile. Haley rolled her eyes, but smiled at him anyway.

"I'll be fine."

"You take it easy too", he said as he placed a hand on her swollen stomach. He felt a soft pressure against his hand and smiled. "That's my boy."

"You don't know it's a boy", she said with a smile.

"I guessed that Jamie would be", he said confidently. She rolled her eyes again and placed her hand over his.

"You didn't guess it. You prayed, there's a difference."

"Ehh", he brought their joined hands up to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "I love you Haley James Scott."

She immediately grinned at his words. "I love you too."

He stepped out of the car and leaned against the car door. "Give those teenagers hell, Mrs. Scott", he spoke through the open window.

"I do everyday", she responded with a playful smile.

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Lucas stepped into his bedroom with a tired sigh. He had a baby monitor in one hand and a Dr. Seuss book in the other. His eyes traveled to the bed and instantly brightened. She was reading a magazine and her falling curls lined her face. Her tank top was snug and her shorts left her long legs perfectly exposed. Suddenly he wasn't so tired.

"Well hello, Mr. Scott", Peyton said with a smile.

"What're you reading?" He asked as he crawled into bed next to her.

"Nothing, just some gossip article", she closed the magazine and threw it on the nightstand. She took the moment to take in the sight of the man she loved. He was shirtless and his flannel pajama bottoms hung low on his waist.

"Don't forget about Nathan's game", he said with a direct stare. He had seen her eyes cloud over with lust and had to bite back the smile he felt.

"Luke, it's in like three days and he only reminded us about seventeen times tonight."

"I know, but if we don't watch it, he'll never let it go. Kind of like you when he forgot to call for our anniversary", he deftly blocked the pillow she smacked him with.

"He's my best friend, he's supposed to know that stuff and he has a wife to remind him", she felt herself getting worked up and she noticed the way Lucas smirked. She grumbled before speaking again. "Anyway, I'm assuming the boys are sleeping."

Lucas groaned and nodded his head.

"I had to read Keith 'Green Eggs and Ham' three times, all the while he mouthed the words with me", Peyton chuckled. "And Will was already asleep when I got in there", he looked at her gratefully.

"I'm a mom, I have that touch", she shrugged and smiled coyly.

"You sure do", he mumbled while he kissed her shoulder, Peyton smirked and rolled her eyes.

"How can you have so much energy?" she asked while cupping his face in her hands; there was no way they would have a conversation if he continued his actions.

"You seem to re-energize me", he lifted one side of his lips to show off the smirk all Scott's were famous for.

"Ohhh" she replied and traced the outline of his jaw with her finger. Lucas leaned into her delicate touch and began to think of ways to progress this.

"My neck hurts", he pouted slightly while rubbing the juncture where his shoulder and neck met. Peyton bit her lip and quirked a brow.

"Let me help you with that", she kneeled on the bed and put her hands on Lucas's shoulder to bring him closer.

"So, how are the next generation of Raven's working out?" she asked as she kneaded his skin.

He moaned at her actions and then sighed at her question. "Horrible. They have no sense of teamwork and they just . . . suck", he said exasperatedly.

"Well, I'm sure that if anybody could whip them into shape it's you and Skills", she assured him with a smile.

"Thanks babe", he placed a hand over hers and kissed it quickly. She brought her lips to his neck and slowly sucked on the hinge of his jaw. He growled from low in his throat and blindly reached back to feel her.

His hand found its way to the rim of her shorts and she broke the contact with his neck to let out a gasp. He turned to face her and carefully laid them both flat on the bed.

One knee was between her legs and the other was on the side of her right leg while his lips attacked her neck. She ran her fingers through his short, dirty blonde hair and his hand crept up her shirt. He cupped her breast and her moan vibrated through both of them. She arched her back and felt his manhood press against her thigh.

She pushed his pajama pants down in a frantic motion, only stopping their make out session long enough to discard them. She lifted her hips and felt his rough hands slide her shorts along her legs. She skillfully rolled them over so that she was on top and quickly pulled her top over her head.

Lucas sat up and wrapped his arms around her waist. She threw her head back as he left a trail of kisses across her torso. He loved every inch of this curly blonde. He lay back down and Peyton slipped herself onto him with ease. Her hips rolled in a circular motion and they both let out a moan.

"Dear God, Peyt", he breathed out. He held onto her hips and increased their movements. She leaned down to kiss him and their tongues danced a slow, passionate dance. Making love to each other wasn't possible as often as they would have liked, but when they finally got the chance; it felt like every time outdid the previous.

"Mmm." She moaned as they broke apart for air. She kissed her way down his chest and Lucas's hands got lost in her curls.

They continued their rhythm. It didn't take much longer before they both felt the results of their actions. Peyton gasped out his name as she hit her climax and Lucas continued to rock her hips until he felt his a moment after her.

She leaned down and rested her forehead against his. Placing a passionate kiss to his lips.

"I love you, Lucas Eugene Scott."

He grinned at depth of her words and raised his nose to nuzzle her own.

"I love you, Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer-Scott."

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She stepped onto the curb outside of the Tree Hill airport. The warm September air surrounded her and she took a deep breath; letting it fill her lungs. Compared to the air in New York, this seemed pure and refreshing.

Her clothing line skyrocketed. She had stores in Houston, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and countless other cities. Her home base was in New York though. It's where her corporation began. It's where her dreams became a reality. She figured she should have told someone she was leaving, but she honestly didn't care.

She got into the waiting limo and watched as the small town passed her by. The dim street lights and storefronts made her sigh. This was it. This was where she needed to be.

After two years, Brooke Davis was home.

I miss the years that were erased

I miss the way the sunshine would light up your face

I miss all the little things

I never thought that they'd mean everything to me


Okay, there's the first chapter of the sequel. I hope I did a good job. I thought about putting more information into it, but the answers will all come out in other chapters. If you want to guess some things be my guest. Let me know what you thought!

Now about Tuesday's episode . . . the only thing that needs to be said is 'He's not good enough for you." I nearly died when he said that. Jealous Lucas has been something we've needed for a while. I love that Peyton stood up to him for it because I feel like people have been pinning her as the crazed ex and she really isn't – even Brooke said something to her – that made me a little mad, but we'll ignore her for now. The important issue is that Lucas still loves Peyton; if it wasn't obvious before it definitely is now. Guy friends can say that another man isn't good enough, but they definitely do not say it like that.