Disclaimer: I own nothing except the Mac in which I wrote this on…
Breakin' All The Rules
These Ties That Bind
"If we commit ourselves to one person for life, this is not, as many people think, a rejection of freedom; rather, it demands the courage to move into all the risks of freedom, and the risk of love which is permanent; into that love which is not possession but participation."
―Madeleine L'Engle
-xx-
The rehearsal dinner is being held at one of the Imperial's large ballrooms. It's got a nice, casual feel to it.
In true ex-frat-boy fashion, Dick Casablancas, Duke Orsino, Chase Morello and Tim Riggins have formed a human barrier around the bar, effectively preventing the other guests from enjoying the free alcohol.
Veronica's attempts to keep Logan reigned in despite his very vocal protests that he wants to go play with the guys fail quickly, though he does move closer to her once he spots her chatting up Piz about his new job at KLOS.
The married couples, Owen and Lindsay along with Matt and Peyton, stand on a corner discussing new houses and their plans for the future. Alexander and Alex join them after making the rounds around the room and greeting their old friends.
Brooke's discussing family politics with Doug and T.J. Hammond when she spots Caroline Forbes looking fabulous in a blue dress.
Hazel eyes narrow at the sight and she excuses herself to go find her fiancé. She finds the brooder waxing nostalgic over the Blue Devils' glory days with Jake, Nate and Skills, and she pulls him aside.
"You invited your ex to our wedding?" Brooke asks, elbowing Luke sharply on the ribs.
Luke groans. "I didn't." He says, wincing, "Care's been shacking up with Dean Winchester for almost a year now. She's his date. And she's a friend, not an ex."
"Huh," Brooke hums, "The more you know..."
Luke chuckles, clearly amused at the turn of events. "You're cute when you're jealous." He whispers in her ear with a teasing grin.
"I'm not jealous." Brooke denies.
Luke laughs, "Sure you're not."
Haley, Spencer and Rachel chat up Sam Winchester near the hors d'oeuvres, laughing at all the old stories, and falling back into their patterns of taking subtle digs at all the obligatory guests — old family members who still disapprove of the couple's shacking up and refer to Jackson as 'a child born out of wedlock'.
"Anyone else need another drink?" Rachel asks amidst a fit of laughter, "I'm fueling up for my toast."
As is tradition, most of the important guests are expected to deliver toasts at the rehearsal dinner during the salad course. Clay and Haley are the only ones exempts since they'll be giving their speeches tomorrow at the wedding.
The dinner announcement is followed by a rush of guests scattering around the room in search of their assigned tables.
The wedding party naturally sits at the best table; the one with the best view of the festivities that also provides them with the best vantage point from which to evaluate the public speakers of the evening.
They're all used to transforming into a panel of judges every time someone speaks in public, rating every speech given on delivery, pitch, rate, vocal emphasis and body language. It's second nature to them by now. After all, they'd spent a fairly large part of their college careers attending athletic and fraternity banquets; both delivering speeches and accepting awards. If there's one thing they all know how to do, it's how to command a room.
The old friends are so accustomed to being seated together that they fall into their places naturally, Brooke and Luke taking the center spot at the table.
Most of the first toasts come from the obligatory wedding guests: Brooke's Grandmother Catherine Montgomery and a bunch of senile aunts and uncles are the first ones up.
Their toasts border on dreadfully dull, but everyone claps politely out of respect for the elders. They're all spared the unsmiling parental speeches since they're all arriving on the day of the wedding.
Rachel's tossing back her fifth dry martini right around the time Luke's Grandfather, Royal Scott, starts off.
Spencer kinks her eyebrows when she notices the old man is slurring. "Oh, he's tossed."
"Completely." Confirms Nate.
"This ought to be interesting." Adds Clay, finishing what's left of his champagne.
Luckily the toasts get better, if not a little repetitive, as the evening wears on. The guys from Phi Delta and Sigma Chi all seem to have a drunk-off-their-asses-Brooke-and-Luke story that manages to make the couple sound young and charming instead of wild and overindulgent.
Brooke and Luke's beauty and brilliance gets lauded several times; phrases such as "amazing chemistry" and "meant to be" and "perfect couple" are tossed around on countless occasions.
The best part of the evening, though, is when Rachel delivers a half-drunken toast written in rhyming verses; a poetic narrative of Brooke and Lucas' epic courtship that appropriately amused all who were present.
Of course this is followed by a wildly inappropriate toast during which Nate said that "all the chicks had wanted to be Brooke, and all the guys had wanted to bang her".
The pun is met with an deafening awkward silence before Spencer cuts him off and finishes the speech with a more befitting flourish.
"Real smooth, Charming," Spencer says through a tight smile.
Nate suppresses a chuckle, "I'm always a smooth talker," he presses a kiss to her cheek, "Thanks for covering my ass, Princess."
-xx-
The party ends surprisingly early for their crowd, but they're trying to keep it tame for the evening. After all, everyone has to get up early tomorrow.
Rachel and Haley wait for Brooke in the limo outside the Imperial. As tradition dictates, Brooke and Luke would be spending the night apart, and they're taking their sweet time saying their goodbyes.
The redhead pokes her head out the sunroof and rolls her eyes at the sight.
Brooke stands barefoot on the sidewalk, her wrists linked around Luke's neck while they continue to kiss softly, muttering sweet nothings against each other's lips. Luke holds her Manolos in one hand, the other one tangled up in a cascade of chocolate locks.
Rachel sticks two fingers in her mouth, wolf-whistling to break the couple out of their stupor. "Yo, Romeo!" She calls out, "Let Juliet go for the night. I promise we'll get her back to ya safe and sound in time for the wedding."
Brooke and Luke chuckle, kissing one last time. "You sure you're okay to handle Jax?"
"We're fine." Luke assures her, "See you tomorrow, pretty girl. I'll be the dashing one wearing the tux."
Brooke beams, "And I'll be the one in the white dress."
"See you then." Luke bows playfully, pressing a chaste kiss to her hand, "Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodnight till it be morrow." He cites with an irresistible smirk, watching as the brunette disappears into the City traffic.
-xx-
"I'm nervous." Luke states remarkably matter-of-factly.
The guys are finishing getting ready in their changing room. Clay dresses up fast and sneaks out first, but Nate and Jake are still making sure they're dressed just right for the big moment.
"I shouldn't be this nervous, should I? I mean, am I too nervous, y'know? Or am I not nervous enough?" Luke sighs, licks his lips, "I'm just nervous."
Jake kneels in front of Dexter and helps him button up his coat. "It's normal." He chuckles, "I was a bundle of nerves when I got married. Best moment of my life, second only to the first time I held my kids." Jake winks down at Dexter who grins back at him before walking out to join Emma and Chris.
Nate's hands continue to adjust his bow-tie in front of one of the mirrors, making sure it's straight. "You're gonna be great, bro." He adds, "It'd be weird if you weren't nervous."
Anxious fingers run frantically over flaxen locks, parting it to the right then parting it to the left then pushing it all back and finally spiking it up. "Shit!" Luke exclaims, turning to his friends, "What do you guys think of the hair?"
"It's fine." — "Fine." — "Good." — "Totally."
Nate and Jake mutter their assurances with confidence, playing their roles as groomsmen perfectly. They suppress a grin at the fact that, even after all these years, Luke's hair still naturally pools at the middle of his head like a faux-hawk.
It really does look good on him.
Haley walks into the boys' changing room already dressed in her midnight-blue dress, her hair done up for the ceremony. "I need the room, guys." She informs them, "You can go line up. I think everyone's already seated."
Nate and Jake don't bother arguing. If there's anyone who should help Luke finish getting ready, it's definitely Haley.
"You're a mess." Haley says with a kind smile. "Finish tucking your shirt in."
The brooder does as he's told and the copper-haired mother busies herself picking up the rest of his tux. She buttons up his vest and smooths down the lapels on his jacket making sure everything looks just right. "Collar up." She instructs, picking up the silk tie and knotting the garment around his neck—not too loose, not too tight, but just right. "Hmm," she hums, "This is the last time I'm gonna do this for you. That makes me happy and a little bit sad, but mostly really proud."
Luke grins, his shoulders loosen up and his posture softens. "You know you're still my number one girl, Hales. That's never gonna change."
"Always."
Haley doesn't bother to correct him on his little white lie. She's aware that she hasn't been his number one girl for many years now, and she actually enjoys that fact. It's a mark of how much they've grown and how far they've come, both together and apart.
Luke chuckles, "I'm really getting married today." He grins in disbelief like a little boy.
"Yeah," Haley smiles back at him, pulling him down into a hug, "You really are."
Peyton knocks, poking her head in, "Hey, guys," she says, "Can I come in?"
"Yeah."
The blonde steps inside, "Everyone's ready. We're just waiting on you and Brooke." She says. "Wow. You look good, Luke."
Luke does his best brooding pout, "The hair really looks okay?"
Both Peyton and Haley roll their eyes. "YES!" They reply in unison.
Then Peyton picks up a little plastic box. "May I?" She asks. Luke nods and Peyton carefully pins white lily to his lapel. "Perfect. You ready for this, big brother?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I am."
Haley takes his hand, "Then lets get you married, Scott."
-xx-
The girls get ready mostly in silence. They'd all shared a bathroom at one point or another so they work like a perfectly oiled machine, seamlessly exchanging lipsticks, liners and eye-shadow like a choreographed dance.
Rachel, Spencer and Veronica are crowded around the mirror finishing up their hair and make-up. They'd already helped Brooke with her dress and hair, and the brunette is doing her own make-up.
Clay knocks on the door, "Guy coming in," he announces. "Everybody decent?" He walks inside and his mouth falls slightly agape at the sight of Brooke in her wedding dress.
Rachel eyes the pair of friends and grins, "I'm gonna go check on Chris," she says. "Give you guys a minute."
"Yeah, I'm gonna go with Rachel." Adds Spencer, trailing off after the redhead.
Veronica follows their lead, "And I'll help."
Clay watches the parade of women pass by him and wiggles his fingers, waving them goodbye. Then he focuses his eyes on the brunette he's known all his life.
Brooke looks beautiful in her white dress. It's strapless, less showy than he'd expected, but she still looks breathtaking. He thinks she looks more like a grown-up woman now than she ever has before.
"Whoa," Clay lets out a low whistle, hands tucked inside his tux's pockets. "Need any help?"
Brooke gives him her back, "Can you zip me up?"
Clay does as asked. "Done."
Brooke turns around to face him. Her dark chocolate locks cascade down her shoulders, partially tucked away behind the veil. A simple necklace adorns her neck and she glances at the jewelry box to pick out the rest of the accessories, but Clay stops her hand.
"No jewelry."
Brooke kinks her eyebrows in curiosity, "Why not?"
"You don't need it," Clay says, licks his lips. It's his way of saying that she's beautiful without; that she looks perfect just as is. "That's good, though," he adds, running his fingers over the necklace. "Simple and tasteful. Very you."
"Luke got it for my twentieth birthday." Brooke says, "It's my something old."
Clay's ocean-blue eyes glaze over and he smiles warmly. "You look stunning, Dimples."
Brooke smiles back at him, her dimples poking out. "Thank you, Dopey." She wraps her arms around his neck, pulling him down into hug. Clay's arms circle her waist, holding her tight.
Junior Davis walks in then, smiles at the sight. "Am I interrupting?" he asks after a few seconds.
Brooke rushes into his arms, "You made it!"
"Wouldn't miss my baby sister's wedding for the world." Junior says, kissing the top of her head. "I, uh, I got some bad news, though..."
Brooke looks into his eyes, hazel eyes that match her own, and she just knows. "Mom and Dad aren't coming, are they?"
Junior shakes his head, looks down at his feet for a second before meeting his sister's eyes again. "They suck." He says, "But today's your day, and nothing's going to ruin it. Now, if you'll have me, I'd love to walk you down the aisle, goober."
Brooke sighs, then smiles, "I'd be honored to have you."
Junior nods, "Then let's get this show on the road, huh."
Clay and Junior do one those guy-ish half-hugs, patting each other on the back. "Good to have you back in the city, man. We've missed you."
"Yeah," Junior grins, one arm around Brooke's shoulder and the other around Clay's, "I've missed you guys, too."
Brooke chuckles, "Enough bonding, guys." She says, "I gotta go get married!"
-xx-
The ceremony is being held beachfront and everyone's keeping it pretty casual. They'd wound up with a small guest list just like they wanted. Mostly old friends and a few select family members.
The groomsmen stand at the back near shaded patch of the beach, jostling each other playfully. They greet the bridesmaids with all the excitement of students at their college graduation.
In fact, in many ways, they feel much like they had that day nearly five years ago when they had joined hands and hurtled their caps into the sky thinking of all the promises tomorrow held for them: excited, scared, and mostly hopeful for the future.
They're getting all teary-eyed and the ceremony hasn't even officially started so Rachel steps up.
"Okay, lets get ready. Everyone has their bouquets, right?" She asks, scanning the bridesmaids hands, "Ems, you're up first. You got the flowers? Clay and Haley are up next—remember, Clay goes to the right and Hales to the left. Um, Jake and I are next. Then Nate and Veronica, and Dexter and Spencer. Let's do this."
Peyton signals the band to cue up the music, and they're all pushed into a line. Emma goes first, strewing the flower petals on the sand.
"Wait, who has the rings?" Haley whispers quickly.
Clay replies, "Chris. He's sitting up front with Lindsay and Owen."
Clay and Haley lead the procession, Jake and Rachel following close behind. Nate smiles and offers his elbow, pulling Veronica towards the escalating music, matching the beat with his stride just as they'd rehearsed; Spencer and Dexter follow them.
Logan Echolls stands at the end of the makeshift wedding aisle. It'd been arranged at the last minute that he'd officiate the wedding, seeing as he was still ordained.
Then the melody changes when Brooke emerges on Junior Davis' arm. They walk in time to the music amidst a chorus of hushed whispers and awe from the guests at the sight of the beautiful bride.
Junior presses a kiss to his baby sister's hand before passing it to Luke. "Take care of her, man."
Logan's eyes scan the crowd for a beat and he waits until they're all seated before he begins speaking. "Right. Hey, everyone. Um, I've known Brooke and Luke for many years, and I think it's safe to say that most of us have been waiting for this day for a long time now; the day they stand up in front of their friends and families, and make their promise to walk through this life together official."
There's a pause where the guests let out a little laugh before cooing at the truth and sweetness of the words. The wedding party glances mostly at the crowd's reaction, but Brooke and Luke can't tear their eyes away from each other.
"Now," continues Logan as he pulls a piece of paper from his jacket, "I want to read this quote by Kahlil Gibran. It goes: Love one another, but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: for the pillars of the temple stand apart, and the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow." He pauses with a decorous formality, tucking the paper back into his pocket. "Now, Brooke and Luke have written their own vows, which they'll exchange now."
All eyes are on the couple now and they're both feeling the spotlight on them, but they don't really care about anyone else at the moment.
Luke inhales deeply, a look of resolve in his navy-blue eyes. "Brooke, I look at you today and I'm...speechless. Which is a problem for me because words are my commodity. They're what I have to offer." Here he pauses. "But the thing is, they haven't invented words for how much I love you. Ever since I've known you, I've known you were the one. Everyday with you is a surprise. You never cease to amaze me. I vow to love and cherish you every single day for the rest of our lives. I'm your guy, pretty girl. You're my forever."
Logan licks his lips nervously, "Uh, rings," he calls out. Chris jumps up from Owen's lap and rushes forward, handing Luke one of the rings. The brooder places it on Brooke's finger and goes back to holding both her hands.
Brooke wipes away a few stray tears, "I, uh, I wanted to find the perfect words for this moment, but as it turns out, Broody, words are your thing, not mine. So instead I figured I could tell you all the things I want to promise you on our wedding day. Which are these," She clears her throat, "From this day on, we're officially a team. So I promise to always have your back, as you've always had mine. I promise to fight fair and to always make up. And I vow to stand by you through anything." She pauses and takes the ring from Chris, "I love you, Lucas." Then she places the ring on Luke's finger.
"Then, by the power vested in me by QuickieMinister-dot-net, I pronounce you married." Logan grins, "You better kiss her, dude."
Brooke and Luke smile, the blonde pulling the petite brunette into his strong arms and kissing her; perhaps a little too passionately for a wedding kiss, but what the hell. Amidst a burst of applause and cheers, Luke dips Brooke back like they're in an old Hollywood movie.
Even Nate and Clay have tears in their eyes when Brooke and Lucas face the crowd as an officially married couple.
-xx-
The wedding party stays back to capture a few wedding photos in front of the breaking waves. Everyone's favorite seems to be one of Brooke and Lucas holding Jax with their silhouettes against the sunset.
The reception is amazing and everyone seems to love the caterer. There're buckets filled with toys to keep the kids busy, and everyone loves tossing around the mini beach balls from table to table.
Piz and Skills handle the DJ-ing duties until the band arrives and sets up, but before the first dance come the wedding toasts.
Haley's up first, taking the stage and microphone. "Good evening everyone," she starts. "As you can see, Luke has decided to go with the non-traditional route of asking me to be his best woman for this wonderful day. Except we all know that today that title stops belonging to me. It belongs to Brooke now because she truly is the best woman for him. I have been friends with Luke since we were five-years-old so I think it's safe to say that I know him pretty well. And I know that he has been stupid in love with Brooke for almost nine years now, and I'm so happy that he has found the love of his life, who also happens to be one of my closest friends. So, I ask you all to raise your glasses and toast to my best friend Luke and his new best woman and wife, Brooke," She smiles at the whoops and cheers, "And to wish them all the happiness in the world for this new journey they're about to embark upon together." She raises her champagne flute, "To Luke and Brooke!"
The crowd echoes the toast, cheering: "To Luke and Brooke!" and whooping and clapping like crazy.
Clay takes the stage next and clears his throat awkwardly. "Wow. Uh, that's a pretty tough speech to follow." He says, "Like Hales said, Brooke and Luke have decided to go non-traditional with the whole thing so I guess my title would be...man on honor, maybe? Eh, who knows." He pauses while everyone chuckles. "Everyone here knows I'm not the most eloquent guy in the world, so I figured I would borrow a few words for this occasion. Rainer Maria Rilke wrote: 'For one human being to love another human being: that is perhaps the most difficult task that has been given to us, the ultimate, the final problem and proof, the work for which all other work is merely preparation.' And that's what Brooke and Lucas have done over the years I've know them together. They've worked hard at loving one another no matter what hardships come their way. And they've always found their way back to each other, which is kind of amazing because sometimes...sometimes we let a good thing go and we never quite know how to get it back." He looks at his feet for a second, "Committing to someone is a choice, and it's a choice you have to make again and again, day in and day out; a choice to stay together, to love one another, to protect each other's dreams and happiness. That's also what love is: the privilege of being responsible for another person. Today, Brooke and Lucas have made that commitment official and I've no doubt that they will always choose each other, happily, time and time again. They're forever." He pauses before raising his glass, "To Brooke and Luke!"
And while Haley's toast had hit a sentimental note with the crowd, it's Clay's toast that renders everybody speechless for a good five minutes before they all raise their glasses and cheer for the happy couple.
-xx-
Peyton waits until the roadies finish setting all the equipment up to take the stage. "Hey, everyone!" she greets. "As you all know, I am the sister of the groom, and I was asked to pick out the music for the wedding. I think I've done a pretty decent job of keeping it a surprise until now." She says excitedly, "I wanted to pick something special for their first dance as a couple, and I hope they'll like it. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: Johnnyswim!"
Brooke beams, dimples full-blown and Luke takes her hand, leading her towards the dance floor.
"Did you know about this?" she asks.
Luke shakes his head, "Nope. But baby sis never fails to impress music-wise."
The band starts up the soft chords of Paris in June.
Each day I'll fall for you,
And you'll keep falling for me.
Every moment I'm with you
Thrills me like Paris in June.
Brooke smiles at the way Luke is actually leading her around the dance floor, gracefully and firmly. "You been taking dance lessons, broody?" She asks since she's usually the one taking the lead on their formal dances.
"I might've let Hales teach me a thing or two." Luke replies offhand, "I wanted to surprise you. You look breathtaking, by the way, in case I hadn't mentioned it yet. Clearly an oversight on my part."
Brooke pecks his lips softly, "You clean up pretty good too, hubby."
If this life should end too soon
It would still be sweet
'Cause it was spent with you.
Every day was Paris in June.
Every day is Paris in June.
Every day is Paris in June.