Chapter

Without you

AN: Final Chapter

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Peyton's video:

I'm kind of scared of public speaking, and the funny thing is I own and use a web cam. [Laughs] Not for anything bad, [shrugs], sometimes for the loneliness. But I don't have to use it anymore, because I'm never lonely, and I want to thank Lucas for that. Lucas Scott, you're something [smiles] and I'm sorry, for you and myself, that it took me so long to realize that. I really do love you, and I know that you really do love me. I never thought it was actually possible, you know, for someone to love me like you do. But I wish you could see the way you look at me [starts to cry] because if you did, you'd love yourself as much as I do.

I have many people to thank- my father, my art teacher, Nathan, Haley and everyone else; I love you Brooke. But like I said, I hate public Speaking and I do have one last thing to say.

I'm pregnant, and I'm not scared. [She smiles] I love you Lucas.

(Tears spread around the room, and many people fall into shock. But Peyton walks across the stage proud, without care. She blows a kiss at her father, who smiles and blows one back.)

……… fade out… ……

Haley's Video:

[Wipes tears from her eyes] Wow, look at me, crying and I haven't begun to speak.

(Crowd smiles)

I want to thank Lucas, because if you would have never allowed me to be apart of you're life then I would never be able to make this speech. You've been my best friend for as long as I can remember, and I know it'll always be that way for us. When I look back upon my days, not one of them, doesn't have a memory of you. I want it to always be that way for me, and I feel selfish because I could never give you up. When you told me, that morning that you were in love with Peyton, I was Jealous. I wasn't jealous because I harbor a secret desire for you [shakes her head]. It's never been like that for me, but I was jealous because I thought a part of you wouldn't be mine anymore, and although I know now that apart of you belongs to Peyton, I don't care, because I know that you'll always be my best friend. Through the years that I've grown, you've showed me the way; almost like a big brother to me [smiles]. I remember a time when I got into a fight with my parents, I was so mad that I decided to run away, but the farthest I could run was to you're house. I couldn't leave you, it was impossible for me to think of a life away from you, Lucas. So, I crawled through you're window, and as if you knew, you were awake, with an extra blanket. I remember the day, even though I was so small, that I was sent to the hospital because I had an allergic attack from a pickle [chuckles]. You stayed in my room all night, and cried, you wouldn't go home. Lucas Scott, I wish to share many more of these idiotic, but beautiful memories with you. And I want to thank-you for all the times that you've been there for me. Don't ever stop being my best friend.

(Lucas smiles, closing his eyes and letting the memories flow.)

Peyton, at first we didn't hit it off. I didn't like you too much, as you already know [chuckles], but you, in you're twisted little way, have found a place in my heart. I couldn't ask for anyone better to share a life with my best friend, than you. [Starts to cry again] take care of him Pey, I love you.

(Peyton wipes her tears)

Karen, you've been my mother, you've yelled at me, grounded me, and loved me. I love you dearly, and I'll never forget how much you've done for me. I'll forever be grateful.

(Karen nods; yells 'I love you Hales')

Uncle Keith, Brooke and Deb- I love you all so much. Thanks for being apart of my life.

I can't believe this day is finally here; I've waited so long for this moment, but now that it's here I kind of wish it wasn't… It's actually kind of ironic that the place that I've hated for such important years of my life, I've grown to love, to cherish. [Smiles] I've learned a lot from this place, and after a while it just started to grow on me. Just the way that Nathan just started to grow on me. At first I thought I was doing wrong, but then I realized how much I cared about him.

Nathan, I know things between us will never be the same, but I apologize for that. When I look at you, my heart skips a beat, and I get scared. Is this supposed to happen? I ask my self questions about you all the time. Why am I hurting him? [Tears] But it's not all discussable in front of the whole student body and parents.

(Crowd laughs, Nathan just stares)

But, what I can say is that I love you. You've grown on me, and as much as I try to move on, I can't, because I need you to know that I do love you. I'm sorry for everything, and I hope one day, even if years from now, you forgive me [shrugs]. If not, hey, there's still next life.

(He laughs softly)

My mistakes, and my actions receive consequences, but you taught me that Nathan, thank you.

[Wiping her tears] so with that, I just want to say that it's been a roller coaster, but I wouldn't trade any of my memories for the world.

…fade out…

Peyton ran over to Lucas; kissed him softly and embraced him. "I love you."

"I love you," he kissed her cheek, and placed a hand on her stomach.

"It's a boy," she said simply.

A smile crept over his lips, "We're having a boy."

Congratulations spread over the crowd, as Lucas yelled the news.

"I'm going to be an uncle to a big time basketball player," Nathan chirped in, touching Peyton's belly, "your suck-y ass father and I will teach you how to play ball."

"Nathan," Peyton groaned, "there is no way in hell my son will ever play ball."

"We'll see about that," he said.

……………………

As the ceremony ended, their eyes locked, but she broke it, walking out the backdoor with tears in her eyes. Nathan followed her, knowing that it was time to stop acting childish. He found her crying, under her 'tree'.

"What are you doing out here Hales?" Nathan sat down beside her, "they got chocolate cake."

She gasped, but dried her tears quickly. "Yeah, well I'm not too hungry today."

"Haley, we need to talk."

"No," she chuckled, "you need to talk I don't have to do anything."

"You're mocking me."

"You're clever."

He face flushed red, "I'm serious."

"Okay," she turned to him, "what's up?"

"Where's Jake?"

She huffed, standing up, "if this is what you wanted to do, just taunt me, I won't let you anymore."

"No," he pulled her back down, "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," she said softly.

"Did you mean what you said in there," he gestured toward the school doors.

"About the pickle?" she joked, and when his face remained serious she said, "About loving you?"

"Yeah, about mistakes and all that?" he wouldn't look at her.

She took his hand, waiting for him to make eye-contact, "I meant every word."

He looked into her eyes, "why would you cheat on me? What did I do wrong?" his eyes started to well-up.

She grabbed his hand again, tears cascading down her cheeks, "because I was scared."

"Scared of what?" anger rose in his tone.

"Scared of everything, scared that you'll move on, or I'll move on. Scared that this world will tear us apart, and I couldn't live with that. I found that day by day I loved you more, and I couldn't live with you leaving me years from now, when I love you so much more." She watched him turn his eyes away, "I don't expect you to understand, but I want you to know that I love you, not him. I just can't bare the thought of living the rest of my life without you."

He looked at her with sad eyes, "I understand, but I'm not looking for an apology. I just… I don't think I can forgive you."

"I'm not asking you to," she let go of his hand and wiped the tears from her face, "but now you know."

He watched her stand, and walk away from him. He shook his head, "Haley."

She turned around, eyes full of tears, "Nathan?"

He stood up, starting to walk over to her. As he reached her he pulled her into a hug, and held her there for some time. It started to rain, and he grabbed her face, kissing her with every last ounce of strength he had. They kissed for what seemed like hours, and when he pulled away from her, he smiled and said, "I cant see my life without you either, so i'm guessing i feel the same, but we cant be scared Haley. I want to be with you, but you living you're life in fear is going to make me fear you, because one day i'll wake up forty years old and wonder where my wife is..."

"I'm not going to be scared anymore." She smiled, letting her fingers dance upon his lips, "You're wife?"

He hesitated, but kissed her fingers, "I love you Haley James."

She beamed, "I love you Nathan Scott."

He took his championship ring off of his finger and placed it on her ring finger. "Will you marry me?"

Her eyes lit up, she jumped up and kissed him, "yes. Yes. Yes."

They ran out of the rain, fingers entwined, as Nathan muttered 'I'll get you a ring tomorrow.'

"I don't need a ring as long as I have you."

…………………….

Life has many losses, but many triumphs. It has much sadness, but much happiness. One must find a path, in which he could live with reality and delusion. And then he could say that he honestly lived.

These are the memories of Lucas Scott. Life will never be the same.

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E.N.D