Chapter 28: I do.

It was three p.m. and Bart and Nathan had just gotten ready. They were looking at themselves in a mirror. Bart straightened his jacked and smiled at his reflection. "Say what you want Nate but we make tuxes look good." He smirked at his best man. "You said it B but to be honest we make anything look good." Nathan playfully hit him on his shoulder. This wedding was brining up a lot of old memories for Nathan, good memories, it made him think of his own wedding and that was enough to put him a great a mood. But he was a little bit worried about Haley, the baby was already a week late and he could tell that she was getting pretty sick of it. "Bart are you nervous?" Nathan tried to change his centre of attention back to his friend, it was his day after all. "More then anything Nate but a good kind of nervous you know, like before a game nervous but only times three." Nathan looked at his wrist watch and saw that it was time to head off to the church. "B we got to go man, you don't want to be late at your own wedding right?" Nathan saw Bart laugh a little. "What?" He asked. "Nothing just that getting late would have a dramatic effect." Nathan rolled his eyes.

They were about halfway, Nathan was driving and as usual the stereo was blasting out loud old school Hip Hop. They were both nodding their head along with the beat until they heard a loud bang and Nathan was forced to pull over. They both looked at each other kind of worried and sighed. They stepped out of the car and saw that one of the tires was flat. "You wouldn't happen to know how to change a flat tire would you?" Bart asked Nathan. Nathan just shook his head. "I don't but I have seen Lucas do it a couple of times." Nathan looked a little powerless but did get to the trunk and got out the tools to start working. "Nate did you bring your cell phone?" Bart asked feeling his pockets but finding nothing. "No I forgot and if I did where should I put it, tuxes great looking as the are, are not very handy when it comes to stuff like that." Bart sighed. "I just hope we wont be late."

Brooke and Haley were nervously waiting outside a backroom of the church. Peyton wanted to put on her dress in private. She had kept her dress a well hidden secret from everybody even Haley and Brooke. "Okay guys, you can come in!" They heard Peyton shout. They both quickly glanced at each other when Brooke couldn't stand the wait anymore and turned the door knob. They walked inside and were just shocked. They both looked at Peyton from top to bottom, she was wearing a strapless white dress and just looked stunning. "Peyton you look beautiful." Haley said in awe. "Yeah Haley's right, I almost want to marry you. That's how good you look." Brooke said with a smirk. She saw Peyton laugh. "Hmm, play your cards right B. Davis and maybe I will marry you." Peyton winked at her. "No first you produce some hot kids with the foreign hunk and then you dump him for me." She saw Peyton flinch when she mentioned kids. "Peyton, I'm sorry. I wasn't thi…" "It's okay Brooke." Peyton interrupted her. "I'm going to check if everybody's ready." Haley said and gave Peyton a quick hug.

Haley stepped into the church and saw everyone stare at her. Bart and Peyton had made it a small wedding so there weren't that many people there but still it was kind of weird being stared at in a church when you're not the bride. Haley saw that there was still no Bart or Nathan at the altar and she rushed over to Lucas. "Hey Luke, where are Bart and Nathan?" She asked a bit worried. Lately everything made her worry, she was blaming her damn hormones. Why couldn't that kid just come out already. Haley was fed up with being pregnant. She saw Lucas shrug his shoulder. "I don' know Hales. I'll make a quick call." Lucas pulled out his cell and moved to the side of the church so he was a little more private. When he came back to Haley, he was shaking his head. "No answer Hales." Haley looked shocked at him. "Luke you don't think something has happened right?" Haley was already starting to freak out. "Oh no Bart must have gotten cold feet, the wedding's off. No, this is going to crush Peyton's heart. This is the last thing she needs." She rambled. "Hales relax, I'm sure they're just stuck in traffic." Lucas reassured her and she seemed to settle down. "You're probably right Luke. So what do we do?" She saw Lucas give her a puzzled look. "I mean do we wait, tell Peyton, not tell Peyton, go look for them?" Lucas watched at his best friend amused, it was still Haley but like on some sort of drug. "For now we wait Hales and don't tell anything to Peyton. Okay?" Haley just nodded and stormed off again.

Lucas sighed and took his seat next to Jake. These last few weeks had been hard for him. He still didn't approve of his mom's engagement to Andy and he had been camping out at Brooke's or Nathan and Haley's house. He had been able to successfully avoid her but today he was going to face her sooner or later. He looked to his right and on Bart's side was sitting Karen next to Andy, she seemed happy and even put in a sneak peek to look at her son. Why is this so hard for me? He thought to himself. He should be happy for her, them but he just couldn't shake the feeling that they were making a big mistake. It was weird, he was so happy for Peyton and Bart that they had found each other and those two didn't knew each other much longer then his mom knew Andy and they were in high school, just turned 18. He could be happy for a couple of kids who were probably facing a hard time as a young couple without an income, college. But he felt like they were going to be okay.

He sighed once more and was a little startled when he felt a hand being placed on his shoulder. He looked to his side and saw that the hand belonged to none other then Jake Jagielski. "Luke you seem a little freaked out. Is there something wrong?" Lucas saw Jake put on a face of genuine concern. Lucas thought things over, should he tell Jake what was going on, should Jake even be here, let's face it he had made both Peyton's and Bart's lives more complicated then they had to be. He gave Jake a fake smile. "Everything's fine man. I've just never been a marriage kind of guy." He lied, the last thing he wanted to tell Jake was that Bart hadn't showed up yet. True Jake had become normal again the last month and Bart seemed to have forgiven him but Lucas had to admit that he was still a little skeptical.

David was standing in front of the church, smoking a cigarette. He was just so nervous, his oldest son was getting married. He was going to see his other two sons after years of not knowing that they even existed. His dad was here, Bart's grandfather, life had just taken such a twist. One moment, he's a handyman living in small apartment in downtown Charlotte, the next he's a father of three, divorced and ashamed of ever leaving his family. He knew it was not his fault but he couldn't help to feel guilty if he would just had told someone where he was going, they would have come looking for him and even though he would still be without memory, his sons would know what happened to him, he would still be in their lives. He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard the church doors open behind him. He quickly looked back and sighed. "Hey dad." He said in an embarrassed way. "Hey son." David's dad moved closer to his son and stopped when he was standing next to him. He looked at his feet and didn't know what to say to his son, who he had missed all those years, missed but also hated for leaving him and his grandsons. "David, I'm glad you're okay and glad that you are not one of those fathers who abandoned his family. I mean, what happened to you was terrible and no one should go through that." David looked at his dad and he felt his eyes getting teary. "But I did leave dad, even if the accident didn't happen, I left." "Son, you wanted a new life for yourself, your sons. You were hurt and wanted to start over. There is nothing wrong with that, you hear me?!" "It doesn't feel like that dad, it just doesn't. On one hand I'm glad to know that my son's have turned out so well, on the other I'm bummed out that I wasn't there." "David just think about what the future is going to bring, you know. You're going to see them become men, you'll have grandchildren and believe me except for when your own kids are born, there is no greater feeling then looking at the son of your son." David felt his dad pat him on the back. "Now come on, your son's getting married." David smiled at his dad and followed him inside the church.

"Hales why can't we start? I've been waiting for thirty minutes. Is there something I should know?" Peyton asked impatiently. Ever since Haley had gotten back from the church, she was acting weird and nervously even for her. "No everything's fine Peyton. The reverent is a little late, probably stuck in traffic or something." Haley reassured her but Peyton didn't buy it, there was just something, she could tell. She raised an eyebrow "come on Hales tell me the truth." She saw Haley look at her feet which was kind of pointless because her stomach was in the way. "Okay Peyton I'll tell you but promise me not to freak out." Peyton felt fear when she heard those words, something bad was happening. "I can't promise you that Hales, the fact that you even have to make me promise that isn't a good sign. So I'm probably going to freak out." Peyton replied. "Bart and Nathan haven't shown up yet." Haley whispered. Peyton felt her heart break. "He's not here? Where is he?" Peyton was already feeling her eyes get teary. What if Bart had changed his mind? How would she react to that? Would he be yet another person that was going to leave her, after always reassuring her that he would be there for her. "Peyton relax okay, Nathan isn't here either so I'm sure that they are just stuck in traffic or something." Haley tried to comfort her. "Then why haven't they called Hales?" "I don't know Peyton, me and Lucas have tried to call but there is no answer. I'm sure they are just a little late." "Yeah Peyton, Haley's right. Bart would never do that to you." Brooke joined in the conversation. Peyton looked at Brooke and Haley and relaxed a little. She took a deep breath "you guys are right. Bart wouldn't do that." She had just said those words when someone knocked on the door.

The girls turned their heads as the door opened they saw Lucas come in. "Everything's ready." He smiled. The girls sighed in relief. "I told you." Haley said. "Okay smartass you were right. Let's just get out there." Peyton said excited.

Music started to fill the church and Bart nervously looked at the entrance of the big yet cozy church. He looked at the friends he had made this year sitting on the benches. He smiled at his brothers. Eric was clearly bored and on the verge of falling into a deep sleep state. Frank seemed to be enjoying himself and seemed to be talking to Skills about basketball. Behind him were standing his dad and granddad next to his best man Nathan. His entire family was here and he was glad that the Vanhooi men were reunited again but his mind did wonder of to Holland for a while, to his mom who was sitting alone now. Why couldn't she just make peace with everything, he loved his mom and that was never going to change but he hated the fact that she didn't want to except Peyton into the family. His thoughts were interrupted when the bridesmaids started coming towards the altar, followed by Peyton who was being guided by her dad. Bart looked at Nathan and grinned, his best man did the same when he looked back, Peyton was almost standing next to him. He saw Larry kiss his daughter on the cheek and guided her next to Bart. Bart couldn't avert his eyes from her anymore, rays of sun were falling down on her golden curls and she almost looked like an angel, an angel who was going to share the rest of her life with him. He couldn't help but to smile at that thought. The music stopped and the minister started the sermon.

The sermon had been going on for a while when it was time for Bart and Peyton to take their vows. Bart grabbed hold of Peyton's hands took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "I can't believe that I'm standing here, to be honest my life has been unbelievable the last year. When I came to America I didn't know what to expect, my life has always been about responsibilities and taking care of my family, this year was going to be the first year that I had the chance to just do what makes me happy and you Peyton Sawyer make me happy. From the first time I saw you I knew that you would be important to me, to my life and here we are. You are the main reason of my happiness, love, everything good in my life. I love you Peyton and I always will." Bart smiled, he was blushing a little after his little speech but seeing her smile back at him made it all worth it.

Peyton listened to Bart's vows she knew that he meant every word and she just felt so lucky to have found a man like him. Her hole life she had been looking for that person who would love her unconditionally and here he was standing in front of her pouring his heart out in front of all of her family and friends. She smiled when he was done and said a soundless thank you. She thought for a moment when it was her turn, there had been going on so much that she hadn't really thought about her vows but she figured that vows should come from the heart and you can't write that on a piece of paper. " My whole life I've always had people leave me, relatives, loves, friends but you never left me and I know you never will. You have made me more happy then I ever was and I'm so glad that you are in my life. I still remember the first day I met you, who would have thought we would get here but I'm glad we proved them wrong. We've already had to go through so much heartache but we did it together and that's how I know we will make it. I love you Bart and I always will." Peyton couldn't stop smiling, she was just so happy, nothing could bring her down. They both averted their attention back on the minister when he started speaking again.

Everyone in the church was just captured by the magic of it all. Bart and Peyton slipped the ring on each others finger and a few people couldn't fight of the tears anymore. Especially Brooke who had begun a loud sobbing that was almost disturbing the sermon. Haley nudged Brooke's side with her elbow trying to make her stop. "I'm sorry, I'm not good at weddings." Brooke whispered. Haley raised her eyebrow at her but smiled after. They both looked back at Bart and Peyton and were just in time to hear the minister say "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Bart kissed Peyton and the entire church cheered.

Lucas was sitting alone at the wedding party. Everyone was having a good time but he could not forget about the fight he was having with his mom. He looked at her and she was having fun sitting next to Andy who was only a few seats removed from Bart. Lucas was a bit shocked when suddenly Brooke jumped on his lap, totally surprised to feel her lips onto his. That sweet taste that always came with her kisses there was nothing in the world that could top the taste of Brooke Davis' lips. She released him and gave him a sort of worried look. "What's wrong Lucas you've been pouting through the entire celebration. This is supposed to be a happy occasion you know." She said in a teasing way. Lucas sighed and glanced at his mom again. Brooke quickly caught on. "Lucas just go talk to her." "I can't Brooke. I still think they are making a mistake, a big mistake."

Brooke looked at Lucas and she was just glad he was sharing it all with her. The old Lucas or better the Lucas from a year ago would bottle this all up inside and just avoid any form of human contact including his girlfriend. She was so happy with him, he had finally became the boyfriend she had always wanted, one that shared what he was thinking and searched comfort with her instead of his own brain and heart. She took a deep breath and looked deep into his blue eyes, those eyes which could just make her melt. "Listen Lucas, you're mom has been alone for a long time. She's happy and you should be happy for her." She playfully punched him on the shoulder. Lucas sighed "you're right. I'll talk to them tomorrow this is Peyton and Bart's day." Brooke nodded and gave him a quick peck on the lips.

Everyone looked up when the DJ announced that it was time for the happy couple's first dance. Bart offered his hand to Peyton and she accepted, smiling from ear to ear. Bart had really been curious about the song Peyton had selected, music was her department so he had faith that she would pick the right song for their first dance. They were standing on the centre of the dance floor and he was just full of nerves. He looked at her a little surprised when he heard that the song was Elvis' 'Love me tender', he smiled and thought it was appropriate for the relationship they shared. He pulled her closer to him looking into her eyes, smelling her hair, feeling her body against his. He enjoyed the moment. They just danced and looked into each other eyes, words couldn't express how they felt because there weren't any to describe how they felt for each other but every time they looked into each other's eyes they knew, they knew that everything was not important as long as they had each other. Bart moved his lips towards hers and when he tasted her, he still had that same feeling after they had kissed for the first time, the world seemed to stop turning, everything around them froze up and all that mattered was them.

Haley was watching Peyton and Bart enjoy their first dance. It just reminded her of what love feels like, she feels it every day when Nathan took her in his arms. She looked at her husband who was looking at her and she knew he was thinking the same thing. She grabbed hold of his hand when her stomach started to hurt. She flinched, and let go of Nathan's hand. Nathan put his hands on her stomach and back. "Hales are you all right?" Haley looked back up into his eyes and smiled. "Nathan, I think my water broke." Nathan looked shocked at her and heard everyone clap, indicating Bart and Peyton had finished dancing, yet he did not care. "Are you sure?" He didn't really know what else to say or do. Haley looked at him and smiled. "Yes Nathan I'm sure, as a sharp pain started to spread around her stomach again. Nathan took her arm and supported her so she could stand up. "Let's get you to the hospital then." He said calmly. That did surprise him a little, he had pictured these 9 months that he was going to freak when the day was finally there. He guided her towards the exit when he heard Bart shout behind him. "Nate what's going on?" He quickly looked back. "I'm going to be a dad B!" Nathan put Haley in the passengers seat and quickly drove to the hospital. Followed by his friends and family.

Everyone was nervously sitting in the waiting room. They had been waiting for over six hours and everyone was still in their tuxes and dresses. Bart was nervously walking up and down the room and finally took a seat next to Peyton. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it softly and felt her squeeze back. Bart had to admit that he had mixed up emotions about all of this. On one hand he was happy for Nathan and Haley, he knew how much Nathan was looking forward to having a son and he was glad his best friend was finally going to be able to do it. On the other he was sad, sad for the lost of his daughter a few months ago. He could only think about how he was supposed to hold her 30 days after Nathan's baby was born. He looked at Peyton and he could see it in her eyes that she was thinking the same. "Also thinking about her?" He asked silently, she just nodded and he saw a small tear come from her eye. He caught it with his index finger, he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and felt her rest her head on his chest. "Someday Peyton." He whispered and felt her nod. "Someday" she whispered back.

They both looked up when Nathan came out of the delivery room. He looked over his friends and family who where all staring at him. He smiled and nodded. "Everything went great." He laughed. Everyone stood up, the guys shook his hand and the girls hugged him. Everyone except for Peyton and Bart who were still sitting in each other's arms. He saw Peyton wipe a tear from her face and he knew what was going through their minds and as happy as he was he did feel a little sad for the newly weds. Peyton and Bart got up, he received a hug from Peyton. That only left Bart, he looked at his best friend, glad he was there, that they had met. Bart stuck out his hand, Nathan grabbed hold of it only to be pulled into a tight yet brief hug. He looked at his friend and just nodded, Nathan new that despite everything that he was happy for him. "Enough of this, let us see that cute Scott kid." Brooke interrupted, everyone chuckled and stepped into the delivery room.

One month later

Bart was unpacking his suitcase, he had just returned from his honeymoon with Peyton. With the money from Dan's dealership they were able to go all out, and because the wedding was small they could spend a little more on the honeymoon. Bart had enjoyed touring Europe with the woman he loved. They had ended the trip by visiting his mom in Amsterdam and she did seem to be a little more friendly towards Peyton, she was acting like his mom again and he was glad that he had his full family back. Old and new. He looked up when Peyton walked into her which had become their room. They would be leaving for college in two months and Larry would be out working most of the times, so they had decided to live in Peyton's house until packing up an leaving for Duke where their new lives would start. Bart moved to his wife and kissed her. "Getting used to being back in Tree Hill yet?" He asked while he held her in his arms. She shook her head and smiled at him. "I just wish we were still out there you know, visiting those wonderful places." Peyton thought back, off all the great sights they had seen. "Well we are back home now, ready to start our lives together." "That's true and I'm glad it's with you." Peyton rested her head on his chest. "Ditto." He whispered, putting his hands on her face and leading her in for a passionate kiss.

Brooke was looking around in the terminal of the airport. They had just landed from their trip to Venice which Lucas had given her as a birthday present. She looked behind her and saw Lucas wrestle with the suitcases, well her suitcases to be honest. All he had brought was one bag, the very same bag he used for games. She thought it was weird that he had been able to fit all his stuff in there. She smiled when he looked like he had finally gotten affirm grip on everything. "Ready to go boyfriend?" She asked cheerfully. Lucas just nodded and followed her to the parking lot.

After he had thrown everything in the trunk, he took a seat behind the wheel and turned the keys. He had been driving for about five minutes. "So happy to be back?" He asked, keeping his eyes on the road. He heard Brooke sigh loudly. He chuckled. "Can I assume that's a no?" "I wish it could have lasted for a few days longer." Brooke said in a whiney tone. "You get to see James again." Lucas tried to comfort her and he did see a smile form on her face. "Yeah I've missed my godson, he's just so cute." "Yeah, he must have that from Haley." "And his hot dad had nothing to do with it right?" Brooke replied, laughing. Lucas laughed too, he quickly glanced over to her and he just felt at ease. He had had a weird couple of years well one year to be precise with the whole Peyton and Brooke thing but he was glad he finally knew to whom his heart belonged and was sure it was Brooke Davis. "I love you pretty girl." He said out of the blue. "Well, I love you too boyfriend." Brooke smiled and moved a little closer to him so she could rest her head on his shoulder.

"Nathan, let me hold him." Haley whined. "But Hales he's so cute and he's my boy." Nathan replied childishly while he made faces causing for little Jamie to laugh. "Nathan, he's our son besides it's feeding time and although you have many talents, breast feeding isn't one of them." Nathan rolled his eyes, he knew he couldn't win this one. He reluctantly handed his son to Haley and stood up. And went into the kitchen. He always did that when Haley fed James. He knew everyone sees it as a natural and a beautiful thing but he always felt a little weird when she was feeding him besides this was a bond that was special between mother and child and he thought he needed to respect that. He grabbed a bottle of water out of the fridge and started to read a paper which was lying on the counter. After a minute or ten he heard Haley shout she was done, Nathan left his paper and moved into the living room again. "Shush he's sleeping." Haley said silently with their boy in her arms. Nathan took a seat next to her and looked at his boy peacefully sleeping in his mother's arms. He looked at Haley and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. She looked at him sheepishly. "What are you thinking Nathan?" "Nothing special, just about how happy I am with you and our son." He smiled and ran his hand through her hair. "I'm happy too, I love you Nathan." "I love you too Hales, always and?" "Forever." She kissed him again and looked back down at Jamie.

Everyone was sitting in Peyton and Bart's living room. Just hanging out, there was a party at Tric but they had all decided that they should treasure these last weeks together. There was a picture of little Jamie going around and everyone commented Haley and Nathan about how cute he looked. Brooke crooked her eyebrow at Nathan though. "Nate did you have to put a Duke cap on his head? I mean come on blue is so 2006." Everyone laughed at Brooke's comment. "What, it is." She said innocently only to feel Lucas' arm wrap around her shoulder and she laughed too. It was a pretty stupid thing to say. "So Nate we've already got a fan huh?" Bart asked. Nathan nodded. "Hey he's my fan." Nathan said in a sarcastic tone. "You just wait Scott, he's going to wear # 14 when he's in the stand." Bart shot back at him. "Alright stop it you too." Haley interrupted. "Yes mom." The boys said at the same time, causing for Haley to crack up a little. "We are going to have our hands full with those two." She said to Peyton. Peyton nodded. "Yeah we'll have three kids to take care off, all boys but maybe we can dress the big two up and have a pillow fight." All the girls started laughing, the boys did not seemed to be amused. "Nate, B no offence but you two would look hot in dresses." Lucas added. Skills started to crack up and filled up the whole room with his laughter." "Oh you laugh Taylor, maybe I could get a dress from your mom because she's always taking them off when I'm around her." Nathan shot back and Skills' laughter was immediately silenced. "Nate, a momma joke? That's cold even for you." Skills said rather sadly. "It's okay baby he didn't mean it. We'll watch the Note Book later, that always cheers you up." All the guys started laughing. "You shouldn't laugh Lucas Eugene Scott. When we watched the Note Book you cried your eyes out." Brooke said sternly while playfully pointing her finger at him. Now everyone was laughing.

Everyone kept quiet for a while when Brooke spoke up again. "So this it, the end of an era?" Everyone looked at their feet for a moment. "Well we'll be doing different things but still be friends right?" Peyton asked and everyone nodded. "Let's just make one promise to each other. No matter what happens we'll be together when we start to raise our kids and settle down." Peyton looked at Haley who was coughing, for her to change her statement. "Oh sorry, when everyone starts to raise their kids." She corrected herself receiving a smile from Haley. Everyone made sounds of agreement.

Bart was in his old room in Andy's house, picking up some last things. It was here where it all began for him. Peyton, all his new friends, basketball. He was glad that he had made the decision to come to America even though it scared the hell out of him back then, it had all been worth it. He moved to his dresses where all his memories were standing on, in the form of pictures. He saw him and the ravens when they won state, there was one of him and Andy, when his brother had came to visit, him with Brooke and Haley at Tric just goofing around, with Nathan and Lucas, and others but most importantly several of him and Peyton. He carefully placed the pictures in his box and moved back towards the door. He gave his former room one last look and closed the door. This chapter of his life had ended but who knew which chapters still had to be written?

The End

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