The organist stopped playing and for a moment, the church went strangely silent before of seemed to erupt in a sea of hushed whispers. Lucas motioned for the woman to begin playing again and she complied but the familiar keys of the bride's march did little to produce a bride.

Lucas' heart pounded. He couldn't believe it. Deep down, he knew it was a mistake for Nathan to marry Megan. But that wasn't the way he had envisioned it ending. Not like that. Not in such a public and hurtful fashion. He looked over at his little brother. Nathan's head was down, eyes shielded from the world. Yet another devastating blow to a life that had already endured so many.

"Luke, I saw Meg a little while ago and um…I don't know but it's possible she left." Brooke whispered in his ear as she pulled him aside.

His heart sank. He hoped not but it was a thought not only his mind but in the brains of 500 waiting people.

"Okay. Look, you go and see and I'm gonna try to stall…"

Brooke nodded and turned to go find the bride but there was no need. The wedding march began one more time and as if by magic, a nervous but nevertheless beautiful Megan Powell appeared on the arm of her father. A loud, collective sigh of relief was breathed by all. Brooke and Lucas stepped back into their respective positions while he gave his brother a slap on the shoulder.

Nathan looked up and he saw her. His breath caught in his throat. She was really there. It was really happening. He thought for sure she had left him. He couldn't blame her if she had. But she didn't. She came through, looking as pretty as a picture as she slowly made her way to him.

Finally the father and daughter stopped which was Nathan's cue to step up and claim his wife to be. Rep. Powell placed Megan's hand in Nathan's and then whispered tersely in the younger man's ear.

"Take care of my little girl", he said simply.

Nathan could only nod as no words would come out. He led Megan to the spot before the preacher as he carefully lifted her veil. They stared at each other as the minister began.

"Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and these witnesses to join together Nathan and Megan in Holy Matrimony. As believers in Jesus Christ, they recognize that it was God who instituted marriage, the same God who made and redeemed them also instituted this relationship they are about to enter…"

Nathan looked right at her, his expression blank, his eyes as dead as soap. It was nerves and maybe more. Somehow it had all been easier the first time around.

"…Nathan and Megan, the vows you are about to take are not to be taken without careful thought and prayer. For in them you are committing yourselves exclusively one to the other for as long as you both shall live. This love is not to be diminished by difficult circumstances and it is only to be dissolved by death…"

Difficult circumstances. How ironic that last line was. Nathan felt his knees buckle and he struggled to keep his six foot three inch frame vertical.

"…Who giveth this woman to be married?"

"Her mother and I", the Congressman said loudly.

Lucas' eyes kept diverting to the double doors. He'd had a bad feeling all day. When it was unclear whether or not Megan had skipped town, he thought that was what his premonition was about. But she had showed and he still had the weird, sinking knot in his gut. He just couldn't shake it. Like the wedding wouldn't just go off without a hitch. He almost expected Haley to come running through the doors to stop it last minute and profess her undying love for Nathan. Oh what a mess that would be! But the ceremony continued without interruption. There were the traditional scripture readings, prayers and hymns. Then came the big question.

"…Does anyone present here today have any reason why this man and woman should not be married? If so, speak now or forever hold your peace…"

Silence. Absolute silence. Lucas breathed in so hard, it could be heard throughout the church.

Then it was time for the vows.

"…Nathan, will you take this woman to be your wedded wife? Will you love her, honor her, comfort and keep her, in sickness and in health, forsaking all others as long as you both shall live?"

He looked at her, his mouth open but no sound coming out. His mind kept reverting back to his first wedding and he would have to close his eyes and force himself back to reality. Haley didn't matter. It was over. He had to realize that. He was marrying Meg. It was what he wanted. It was what he would have to make the best out of.

"I will", he said.

"…Megan, will you take this man to be your lawful, wedded husband? To have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do you part?"

She looked up at him. God, she loved him so much. He was her heart, her soul, her love…the father of her unborn child.

"I will", she repeated softly.

Ashton, Megan's little nephew stepped up with the custom embroidered pillow that held the couple's platinum wedding bands. They made the exchange with the words:

"…I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and with it pledge my loyalty and devotion forever…"

They slipped the rings on each other's finger.

"…For as much as Nathan and Megan have consented together in holy wedlock, by the authority invested in me as a minister of the gospel according to the laws of the Sate of North Carolina, I pronounce they are husband and wife in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Nathan, you may kiss your bride…"

He looked in her tearful eyes and saw the wonderful person who had loved and nurtured him for so long. He saw a woman who loved him and wanted a life with him. He saw the mother of his child. Nathan leaned in and placed a soft, lingering kiss on her sweet lips.

"Ladies and gentlemen…I present to you for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Daniel Scott…"

The crowd stood and applauded. Lucas looked at his brother. It had happened. It was done. There was no turning back. Nathan, although he had every reason in the world not to, had gone through with it. Lucas closed his eyes as he fumbled around in his pockets and felt the notes he had scribbled for his Best Man's speech. He had thought long and hard about what to say and in a few hours he would have his chance.

Maybe this time would be different. Maybe Megan and Nathan would be the exception. Maybe they would escape the Scott curse. Maybe they would settle down in Charlotte to a life of true normalcy, happiness and peace. Maybe a child would complete them. Maybe Nathan's mind would somehow forget the past so that his heart could embrace the future.

Sometimes life wasn't about getting what you wanted. It was one big game. Everyone was dealt a hand and it was up to the individual how they played it. Nathan Scott had certainly been blessed with good looks, opportunity and privilege, and talent. In the affairs of the heart department, fate had played more than a few cruel tricks.

From the words of George Sands, "There is only one happiness in life…to love and be loved." Nathan has experienced both. He had made a promise. He would love Megan and their child and they would love him. And that's the way it would be. Nothing else could or would matter. His time with Haley, his broken dreams from the past had sailed him by. They'd had their time together and it was as short lived as it was sweet. Haley had made her choice and no amount of time, regret, take backs, or natural disasters in the world could ever change that. With Haley it would always be that level of caution and anxiety bordering on fear. With Megan, it was the exact opposite. And that had taught Nathan a very important lesson once quoted by Voltaire…

Love those who love you.