Okay, two chapters to go readers…this one, and the epilogue and then it is over! So cherish this chapter and the next. In this chapter, for those of you who never read the original oneshot, you will finally understand the meaning of the title to the story. I hope to hear what you think of my interpretation and my comparison of Brucas to….well, you'll see! Enjoy!

THIRTY FOUR

I had never in my life felt such joy and happiness than I did at that moment I finally got to hold Brooke in my arms again, the moment she'd forgiven me and fell into my arms, pressing her lips against mine for the first time in two years. It felt so good to have her in my arms and to kiss her, so good that I wished we could stay that way forever. But then Brooke pulled away.

Her face close to mine and arms still wrapped around my neck, she smiled as she said, "You still never really answered my question."

"What's that?"

"Why'd you wait so long? You could have come to me or sent that letter you wrote to me a year ago to tell me how you felt. So why didn't you?"

I was about to answer her question when I realized something she'd just said.

"Hang on…" I said. "How'd you know about my letter?"

She smiled again. "Well, since your chicken, stubborn ass wouldn't send it, Peyton brought it to me when she came to see me."

"Whoa…Peyton came to see you? When?"

"About six, no seven months ago, I think. She drove here before going down to Savanaah, said she had to see me before she went."

I stared at Brooke longer. I couldn't believe she had gotten my letter after all. I couldn't believe Peyton had stolen it from me and came to see Brooke. But I was sure glad she did.

"Anyway, forget about that for now," Brooke said, snapping my attention and focus back to her. "Why didn't you tell me sooner how you felt about me? Why have you waited so long?"

I swallowed before I answered. "I was afraid. I was afraid you wouldn't let me back in, or that you didn't and wouldn't feel for me that way anymore."

"And…what made you think that?"

I hesitated, wondering if I should mention it or not. We'd both forgive each other, so what would be the point really? But…I answered anyway.

"Your letter," I said. "You said in it that you wanted me to forget about us. And then, after you left, you never called or wrote me or anything. You didn't even come home to visit at Christmas like you told us all you would when you'd chosen New York. So I took that as some pretty clear signs that you didn't want me anymore, that you didn't want me in your life anymore. Clearly, though…I was wrong?"

She nodded slowly and glanced down as she said, "I was waiting for you, Luke. In that letter, when I told you to forget about me and about us…I didn't really want that. I wanted you to come afater me, to realize you still loved me and to come after and fight for me. I…wanted you to rescue me."

I smiled at Brooke again, my beautiful Brooke, as I touched her cheek. "Well, I'm here now, pretty girl. I'll always be here. I will always rescue you when you need me to. And I will never, ever leave your side again…you or Vaeh's. I'm yours now,,,forever."

Brooke smiled at me once again and we kissed…again. I loved that soft, smooth feel of her lips against mine. It made me fee like I was right where I was supposed to be, and I was. And I wanted to keep kissing her, I wanted to kiss her all night long to make up for the two long years of not kissing her, but here was something, I realized, I still had to tell her.

"I have something for you," I told her when we broke from each other's lips again.

"You do? But…" she ran her gingers over my chest. "I already have everything I've ever wanted."

"That's nice to hear, but this…this is a special present for you."

"Okay, well you know I love presents!"

I laughed and kissed her hand before releasing them.

"Hang on," I said and I walked to the door.

I found the red gift bag right outside the door where I'd put it down earlier. I picked it up and brought it back inside with me. Brooke was waiting right where I'd left her by the counter.

"What is it?" She asked as I held the bag out for her.

"Open it and see," I said as she took the bag from me.

I watched as she pulled out the wooden boomerang, carved into it FOREVER.

"A boomerang…" I heard her whisper, and I saw her smile.

"It's a symbol," I started, ready the explain the meaning behind my present. "Of us. "Every time that you and I have been apart, since the first time we were together, we've somehow always found our way back to each other…no matter what. There have been obstacles that have tried to keep us from each other and I'll admit, most of those obstacles were created by me, but…they don't matter anymore. They've never really mattered. Because, like a boomerang does when you throw it out into the world, we found our way back to where we used to be, back to each other. And that…is how it will always, always be. It's you and me, Brooke…for eternity."

I saw the tears in her eyes again as she threw her arms around me again. And for the rest of the night (even after Nathan and Haley returned) all we did was hold each other close, knowing that finally…our hearts were in the right place.

Okay…what'd you think? Please let me know before you go off and read the epilogue! Thanks!