BlondieLeigh

I don't really think they were initially settling, though, not until Peyton returned to Tree Hill. Lucas loved Lindsey, he wasn't settling for her, not until Peyton came back and brought back all those repressed feelings that made him realise he loved her more. Peyton was happy with Julian, and she is allowed to be happy without Lucas, even if that is with someone else. If anything, that time with Julian kept her sane, and the fact that she had a friendship with his father highlights how serious her relationship with Julian was. It is possible to still feel something for an ex and move on into another healthy relationship at the same time because you know the ex is in the past. Julian wasn't some fling, her relationship with him was serious. Sure it would be easier from a shipping perspective if it wasn't, but that's just not the case.