County Clerk's Office

I fought back my tears as I witnessed my little girl become Mrs. Justin Baker. The civil ceremony, though short, was lovely, and I wasn't the only one who shed tears. Everyone came to celebrate the memorable event with us. Those who were not allowed into the office had gathered outside the building and were now waiting to congratulate the newlyweds.

"Peyton? Are you ready?" Asked Lucas, gently squeezing my hand. "The bridal couple is now leaving the office to greet everyone outside."

I nodded and then turned towards the exit. "Yes, let's go."

"We didn't lose our daughter, we won a son," Lucas whispered in my ear, and I couldn't help smiling.

"That's not why I cry," I whispered back.

"Then why are you crying?" He frowned at me.

Perhaps only women understood why one got sentimental at weddings because my husband didn't seem to understand my feelings. "I cried at my own wedding too," I said. "Don't you remember?"

Lucas frowned again. "Yes, I remember," he admitted. "I didn't understand that back then. After all, it was the happiest day of our lives. "

I rolled my eyes. It was hopeless. How can you explain feelings of this nature to someone who don't understand those emotions? "The second happiest day," I corrected and looked longingly after the bride and groom, who were now preparing to leave the office. Lucas followed my gaze.

"Sawyer's birth?"

I looked at him in surprise. Apparently he still had the ability to understand me without words. "Yes," I confessed quietly. "This moment bound us even closer together and made us parents."

"Even if the start in life was bumpy," added Lucas and looked at me with a serious face. "I thought at the time that I would lose both of you."

I squeezed his hand gently. "She was worth the pain and fear," I said softly and felt tears welling up in my eyes again. "And now she's going to be a mother herself. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed."

"Do you think they'll go to LA?" Lucas asked into my thoughts.

I looked at him thoughtfully. "Maybe," I said evasively. "Nothing has been decided yet. But I know she and Justin talked about it. I hope, however, that they will wait for the baby to be born."

Lucas nodded. "I hope so too." He gently took my arm. "We should really go now. The others have already left. And we don't want to be the last to congratulate our daughter and her new husband, do we?"

"No." I forced a smile and then went outside with Lucas. Half of Tree Hill was gathered in front of the buildiing, and it wasn't easy to find a way through the crowd. Everyone wanted to congratulate the bride and groom. Finally it was our turn and I hugged my little girl. "Congratulations, sweetheart!" I said affectionately and hugged her tight. "May you and Justin be as happy as your father and me."

"Thanks, Mom!" Sawyer's eyes sparkled and her cheeks glowed as she returned the hug. "I can't imagine being any happier than I'm right now."

"Life doesn't go well all the time and it's not always rainbows and butterflies," I said calmly. "The main thing, however, is that you never forget what you swore to each other today. Then everything will be fine."

"Mom ..." Tears ran down Sawyer's cheeks now, and she tried to stop them with a handkerchief that she quickly pulled out.

"Hey, what's going on here?" Asked Justin, who suddenly appeared next to me. "Sawyer?" He looked worriedly at his young wife. "What's wrong?"

"Just the hormones," she said, smiling sheepishly as she put a hand on her stomach.

Justin looked at me questioningly and I smiled to confirm it. "Everything's fine," I assured him. "That's completely normal." After hugging him and congratulating him, I watched him as he clasped Sawyer's waist and led her to another group of waiting guests.

"She's in good hands," said Lucas, who had stepped up to me unnoticed and now wrapped his arms around me from behind. "She couldn't have found a better husband."

I leaned against him and watched them from a safe distance. "Yes," I whispered softly. "Still, it's not easy to let her go."

Lucas kissed my cheek gently. "I know." He pointed to a couple who was also hugging each other and standing around a little helplessly. "Shall we go to Brooke and Julian?" He grinned slightly. "You know, because of, a sorrow shared is a sorrow halved."

"You mean, happiness shared is happiness doubled," I corrected with a smile and then grabbed his hand. Holding hands we then went over to Brooke and Julian.