OK here is chapter 10… It has a flashback that I think answers a big question… Why on EARTH did Brooke invite Lucas to her wedding?!?!? Plus it has a few days before the wedding and the actual wedding day! The end is in sight… I'm gonna write to 15 chapters and then call it a day. I have appreciated all of the great reviews… thank you guys!

And without further ado… Chapter 10

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Flashback – A Month Before the Wedding

Brooke was running to the Post Office… Never a good idea in heels. 'These have to go out today, why didn't I leave sooner?' Brooke asked herself as she made it to the door with just a minute to spare.

"Almost missed it," the guard said as he locked the door behind her.

"Well thank you for holding the door, my hands are completely full." Brooke said as she walked towards the counter. She began looking thru them to make sure none were missing… At this point there wasn't any margin for error. "Yes I just need…" Brooke trailed off when she saw it: Mr. Lucas Eugene Scott + Guest. Brooke didn't even know why she was inviting him; it wasn't like he was going to come anyways.

"Miss? What can I help you with?" the blonde post office worker, named Bridget said.

"Yes… I need to send these out priority please," Brooke said as she handed her all of the invitations except Lucas's. "Can I ask you something?" the lady nodded, "Do you think it's weird to invite an ex boyfriend to your wedding?" Brooke asked.

"Well I guess it depends… What type of an ex is he, and does he still have feelings for you?" Bridget asked as she put postage on all of the invitations.

"Well there was a time in my life when I thought he was the one. It just didn't work out; we grew up together, and I'm getting married in my home town, and everyone else is going. It would be bad not to invite him if everyone he knows is coming right?" Brooke paused, "And I don't think he still has feelings for me. I mean he has had plenty of opportunity to tell me how he felt and he never said anything that wasn't like 'don't marry him; we just broke up, blah blah blah.' I think we are finally friends again." At least I hope so, Brooke thought.

"I think you sort of have to invite him, if you're inviting everyone he knows he might feel like you left him out on purpose. Besides if for some reason he still cares about you. He just won't show up right?" Bridget said.

Brooke nodded her head and handed the woman Lucas's invitation. "Thank you" Brooke said. As she left the Post Office the guard tipped his hat and said "Was it important?"

"Was what important" she asked?

"What you were running down the street to send?" The guard said as he unlocked the door.

"Oh yes, actually I just sent out my wedding invitations… again" Brooke said with a giggle.

"Well congratulations." The guard said.

"Thank you" Brooke said, as she walked away she couldn't help but wonder… Did Lucas Scott still love her?

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"Can you believe that Brooke is getting married in less than a week?" Haley said to Peyton as she got up to burp Isabelle.

Peyton followed Haley into the kitchen, "Gees… Hales who died?" Peyton said looking at an enormous bouquet of roses.

"Oh… Well I guess Brooke did." Haley said, "She sent them this morning with my maid of honor gift… Didn't you get something?"

"I probably did… I was at the record store all morning before I came over here." Peyton said while looking at her engagement ring, 'it's not as big as Brooke's' Peyton thought, 'but at least I'm in love with the man that gave it to me.'

"Oh well since you didn't see that, you definitely didn't see this," Haley went to put Isabelle down for her nap, and she handed Peyton a copy of modern bride.

Peyton looked at the cover and there was Brooke in her gorgeous wedding dress. "Wow fashion designer turned model… Isn't it usually the other way around, or is that just actresses?" Peyton laughed.

Haley came back from Isabelle's room, "Can you believe Issy is almost three months old? Time certainly does fly." Haley then looked at the magazine, "It says the gown is a Monique Lhuillier original… This dress is absolutely stunning but why didn't she design her own dress do you know?"

"Yeah… She told me when I went with her to look at dresses that she couldn't envision what she wanted so she would just buy a dress. At the time I just thought it was because she wasn't ready to marry Chris… Oh well Lucas never told her how he felt. So I guess we will never know what could have been." Peyton was right Haley thought… Why hadn't Lucas just told her how he felt?

"Well I still don't think she is ready to marry Chris Keller. But Lucas chickened out when he went to see her in New York… so we will never know I suppose." Haley said as she put the magazine down.

"Wait a minute did you just say that Lucas went to New York… When?" Peyton asked.

"Yeah it was the same day as the Clothes Over Bros opening, coincidently it was the same day Chris and Brooke got back together… Poor Lucas he saw the whole thing." Haley said, trying not to remember Lucas's face that day.

"Does Brooke know? She never said anything to me about it." Peyton replied.

Haley just shook her head and said, "Nope… Lucas never got the nerve to talk to her, he just got in a cab and came right back home it was awful."

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Lucas was sitting at Karen's Café staring at the cover of Modern Bride and an invitation to: Mr. Lucas Eugene Scott + Guest. 'I can't believe she is getting married in a week' Lucas thought to himself.

"Luke, can you come here for a second," his mom called from the kitchen. Lucas was walking towards the kitchen "Luke I really think you need to talk to someone about this. I mean you broke it off with Chloe as soon as you saw that magazine cover."

"Mom I'm fine. I just have to get over her I guess and I don't really know how. I've been writing a lot lately though." Luke said trying to bring his mother a little bit of comfort. "I'm fine, I promise. Brooke is going to be here in a few days…" Karen raised her eyebrow and gave Lucas a concerned look. "I'm not stalking her or anything Hales told me."

"OK well that's a relief. Can you do me a favor?" Karen asked.

"Sure" Lucas said as he stretched and scratched his head.

"Take Lyla, and go over to Nathan and Haley's." Karen said.

"Why?" Lucas asked.

"Because in a few minutes the girls are going to be here for Brooke's bachelorette party, and you and Nathan are going to watch the kids." Karen said, trying to downplay that Brooke was going to be at the café in a few hours.

"Brooke is coming? When? I thought she wasn't going to be here for a few days." Lucas said, his heart was now racing.

"I decided to come in early. Is that OK with you?" A voice called from the door.

Lucas hoped he was dreaming, but he didn't think he was that lucky. He wanted to tell her it wasn't OK…. He wasn't ready to see her yet and before he realized what he was saying he said, "Hey there Pretty Girl…"

"Wow," Brooke replied, "I haven't heard that since…. Well the last time you said it... That feels like forever ago doesn't it" Brooke hugged him.

"I better get going… Babysitting calls. Lyla!" Lucas hugged his mom, then turned to Brooke and said, "It was great to see you."

"Lucas I'm right here." Lyla said glaring at her brother; Brooke couldn't help but notice how much she looked like Lucas, with the blonde hair and those eyes. But the older she got the more she looked like Karen.

"Bye Mom, Brooke." And again before Brooke could say anything Lucas was gone.

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"So Luke… why did you choke when you saw Brooke in New York," Jake asked as he came back from the kitchen with fresh beers for him, Lucas and Nathan.

After the kids had all gone to sleep, the boys went into the living room to play Madden NFL 07 on Nathan's XBOX 360. "I guess I just felt like I couldn't compete with Chris Keller… Pathetic huh? Enough about my melodrama, Peyton told me the news so congratulations. Did you set a date already?" Lucas said.

"No she wanted to wait until after Brooke's wedding… You know something about not messing with one of the 'girl rules' or something. She isn't even making a big deal about it, she said she didn't wanna steal Brooke's thunder or whatever." Jake said, "We are practically married anyways I think we are just going to elope… It's cheaper."

"Yeah the only time eloping isn't cheaper is when your wife wants a second wedding." Nathan said with a smile, "I think Hales and I are still paying on that thing."

The guys laughed but Lucas couldn't help but feel left out… His two best friends were with the loves of their lives and his was about to marry Chris Keller.

------------Meanwhile at Karen's Café-----------

"So is anyone up for a game of true or dare?" Peyton asked, Karen had gone to bed hours a go and the girls were drunk and giggling like crazy… Well except for Haley but she was pretending to be drunk and giggling.

"I wanna play. I haven't played true or dare since well forever." Brooke said as she hopped up and down. "I wanna go first, and I'm picking truth."

"OK Brooke… favorite sexual conquest?" Haley said, surprising both Peyton and Brooke.

Without any hesitation Brooke said, "Nathan, sorry tutor girl."

Without skipping a beat Haley said, "It's ok I made my peace with that a long time ago. I wanna know why though… I mean you have been with Nathan, Lucas, Chris, Felix and Nick to name a few. Why is my husband the greatest conquest?"

"We were both the popular kids at Tree Hill and when him and Peyt broke up we hooked up once... Well you guys both know that already, everyone saw that tape. It was just the biggest cliché ever you know… Head Cheerleader, Captain of the Basketball Team. So for me that would be the pinnacle of my conquests… I suppose, well that is unless you count one heavenly night with Orlando Bloom."

In unison Peyton and Haley yelled, "WHAT!"

"Oh did I neglect to mention that to you guys… It was when Chris and I were broken up. I ran into him at fashion week. Tommy didn't pick my collection but he suggested I go for the free publicity. I didn't really wanna go, it was right after the break up." Brooke said with a giggle, "Now I'm glad that I went."

"OK I don't think I can top that one… So Brooke how about another truth?" Peyton said.

"Fine, shoot… I'm ready." Brooke said.

"Have you ever imagined marrying anyone except Keller?" Peyton said.

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Brooke woke up and realized she was getting married today! She couldn't contain her excitement. She ran down stairs and found Nathan and Haley in the kitchen, "I'm getting married today!" And she just screamed.

"Brooke the kids are asleep do you think you could keep it down a bit?" Haley asked; she must have been enjoying the quiet.

"Oh sorry, I just want to share my enthusiasm with everyone. Can you believe it Haley in a little over six hours I'm going to be Mrs. Lucas Scott... Wait I mean Mrs. Chris Keller. I have no idea where that came from. Just nerves I guess." Brooke grabbed a bottle of water and then disappeared back in her room.

"Did you hear that Hales she said Luke, she said Luke." Nathan was so shaking Haley now.

"Nathan it doesn't matter she is never going to admit how she feels... Lucas is going to have to do it." Haley said, remembering the other night when she completely denied that she ever wanted to marry Lucas and that Chris was the guy for her.

Brooke had just gotten her hair done and Haley had just helped her put on her dress. "How do I look tutor girl?" Brooke was staring at herself in the mirror.

"A 10 Brooke, really you look prefect." Haley said while choking back the tears...

"She doesn't look like a 10... She looks like an 11 at least," Peyton said while coming into the room.

"My two best friends... I am the luckiest girl ever... My dreams are all coming true!" When she said that all she could think about was Lucas Scott. "I just opened my first store and business is booming and I'm about to get married to…" Brooke drifted into a dream; she didn't even hear Peyton and Haley talking.

Haley said "Brooke... Brooke?"

"Space cadet are you there?" Peyton said as she snapped her fingers at Brooke.

"Yeah, I'm here." Brooke finally said.

"Where did you go? What were you thinking about?" Peyton said.

Brooke just buried her head in her hands... "What is WRONG with me? I'm getting married and I'm thinking of someone else." Brooke started crying. "Why didn't he just come to New York and see me? Why does he have to act like a moron every time we're together longer than 5 minutes? Why do I even care? Chris loves me and he isn't afraid to tell me how he feels. Why do I keep thinking of Lucas fucking Scott."

"Brooke... I have to tell you something," Haley, said thinking now was the prefect time to tell her about Lucas. "Do you remember when you were getting ready to open Clothes Over Bros?" Brooke could only nod. "Well Lucas was there... He went to see you. He wanted to tell you how he felt, he really misses you Brooke."

Brooke looked at Haley in disbelief, and then she turned and looked at Peyton. The look on Peyton's face said it all, "Wait... so you're saying he came to New York to see me? I never saw him Hales." Brooke had stood up now she needed answers.

Peyton continued... "He went to Clothes Over Bros, and he saw you with Chris, and according to Lucas you looked so happy he didn't want to hurt you. So he just came back to Tree Hill and pretended it didn't even happen."

"Well I wish I knew about this sooner" Brooke said, "Because I'm still getting married today..." The girls started protesting but Brooke didn't wanna hear it. "Come on it's time to walk down the isle. I'm so excited." Brooke said and she plastered a fake smile on her face.

The music started and the guests all turned to see Keith and Lyla walking down the aisle pulling a very small Isabelle in a wagon. 'They looked adorable,' Lucas thought. Next came Peyton and then Haley, the music changed and everyone stood up, Lucas turned slowly, 'there she was… Brooke looked so beautiful. Why didn't I just tell her how I felt and it could be US getting married. Haley had pretty much made him show up, he didn't want to be here watching the love of his life marry someone else, especially Chris Keller.' As Brooke got closer, she looked right at Lucas. 'What's wrong with her he thought, had she been crying? Lucas could see the pain in her eyes. At that Lucas decided he needed to do something... Grab her hand pull her out of the church. Something! No it's too late... Brooke Davis is going to marry someone else.

Brooke was standing at the altar a million things running thru her mind. 'Why had Lucas shown up? Does that mean he doesn't love her anymore?' Then she couldn't help but think, 'was she making the right choice? Did she love Chris more than she loved Lucas?' It didn't matter now. Brooke looked at Chris and he smiled... 'See I can learn to love him as much he loves me.'

"Now we come to the part in the ceremony where we ask if there is anyone that has any objections?" The priest said, "OK speak now or forever hold your peace." Brooke held her breath, would Lucas object she wondered?

"Ummm I object. Chris… I'm sorry to have to tell you this man but Brooke doesn't love you. Her heart belongs to someone else" Everyone turned to see who was speaking and it was...

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It was Nathan Scott! Brooke looked completely confused but not as confused as Haley was.

"Scott what do you think you are doing... Look I know you still hate me for the whole 'trying to steal Haley thing' but don't you think this is a bit out of line?" Chris said as he came down the steps from the altar...

"Chris I'm not objecting because Brooke is in love with me you idiot, she's in love with Luke." Everyone looked at Luke and then looked at Brooke who was now crying. "Tell him Brooke, tell everyone." Nathan said.

"Come on Brooke don't pay attention to Nathan. I know you love me. Let's do this. Come on preacher man lets roll." Chris said. Brooke looked at Lucas and he didn't say anything so Brooke turned back to Chris and nodded for the priest to continue.

"Wait" Everyone turned, this time it was Lucas objecting. "Brooke I love you ok, I know I have the worst timing imaginable. But please I know you love me, ME and you want to be with me and not Chris Keller." When Brooke didn't say anything Lucas got out of his chair and was headed toward the aisle. "Look I know you probably hate me right now especially since you have given me it feels like a million chances." He was now standing in the aisle pleading his case "But I love you Brooke Penelope Davis... You are and have always been the one for me. You are the one I want standing beside me, walking thru life with me. Brooke..." Lucas looked into her eyes now and he could tell she felt it too. "Please."

Brooke started crying harder now, she couldn't say anything.

"What is it with you Scott brothers? You can't hold on to your women and somehow that ends up being my problem," Chris took off his jacket and walked towards Lucas, "You had plenty of chances to win her back and you didn't care enough to even bother." Chris was now rolling up his sleeves, "I know I have made my mistakes but I will be GOD DAMNED if some guy like you is gonna take Brooke away from me."

Chris was now walking towards Lucas when Brooke said, "Chris, I can't marry you... Lucas is right I love him." Everyone in the church gasped and Brooke picked up her dress and walked down to where Chris was, "I love you too... My heart just belongs to someone else. Lucas I was angry with you because I couldn't believe that you would let me go… And then when I was here you wanted to make it right… Confessing your love and it just made me angry," Brooke was now almost whispering, "Haley told me that you came to New York to see me… I knew then that you loved me… I don't care if this doesn't work out, I'm willing to give it one more shot." Brooke then turned to Chris and said, "I'm really sorry I never meant to hurt you."

Chris now looked completely livid. "Brooke I gave you everything and this is how you repay me? I'm a fucking pop star! This is never going to stay out of the tabloids." Even at a time of grief Chris Keller could only think about his career. "Thanks for nothing Davis" He left the church screaming at his publicist on his cell phone... "How am I going to spin this? She left me jilted at the altar for a school teacher."

Brooke caught her breath a second and turned to her guests "I want to thank you all for coming. I'm sorry this didn't end the way you would have expected. Now if everyone will kindly exit this beautiful church, we can all go to the big white tents over there and eat the expensive food and drink all of that expensive champagne." Brooke sat down on the altar steps and waited for everyone to leave. She looked up and there was Lucas.

He sat down next to her and said, "Hey pretty girl... How are you feeling?"

"Oh this is nothing... I once sewed an entire collection in 24 hours." They both laughed. Brooke stood up. "Hi my name is Brooke Davis, I'm a fashion designer. I live in New York City and I own a thriving business, your name is?"

Lucas looked at Brooke completely and totally confused. "Well I'm Lucas Scott, I teach 10th grade English and I coach high school basketball with my brother Nathan."

"Anything else..." Brooke said.

"Yes I'm in love with this pretty girl named Brooke, but today I almost lost her." Lucas said and he grabbed her hand.

As they were walking out of the church to go join the party with all of their friends when Brooke turned to Lucas and sighed "You never lost me boyfriend" and they kissed.

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OK so I'm going to end the chapter right there… I was really thinking about ending the story at that… But I decided there were a couple open stories that I need to tie up…. So there will be five more chapters till it's finished.

Please read and review and tell me whatcha think!

Thanks!

Krystal