Omg…the last chapter! I will get all teary on you, because this fic was my first and my baby and I got a phenomenal response to it. Thank you for sticking with me for all those horrific chapters and feeble attempts at drama and romance…I couldn't have done it without you guys! This summer, this story was entertainment when I was bored, and sometimes a cause of stress, but it definitely kept me occupied, and I never would have continued it if I hadn't gotten such a sweet response…to everyone, thank you SO much for sticking with me and reading and reviewing and believing even when the story sucked…thanks SO much! Its cause of that I'm writing the sequel…speaking of, I'm psyched for the sequel and I absolutely LOVE writing these stories…I'm addicted…so thank you so much! "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" by Rod Stewart…I think lol. And "You're Still the One" by Shania Twain.
February 25th could not have come faster for Alexis Hardgrove…soon to be Alexis McNally. February 25th couldn't have come faster for her older brothers, Nathan and Lucas, for her parents, for her friends…Alexis was getting married to the love of her life, Matthew Christopher McNally.
Brooke rolled over and straight into Lucas's arms. He wrapped them tighter around her, squeezing his eyes shut as he heard the alarm set for 7:30 go off.
"Lucas…why 7:30?" Brooke grumbled.
"Because the wedding's at 10" Lucas said, getting up and grabbing his robe. Brooke admired her husband shirtless for a second and then grabbed her robe herself.
"Stay in those pajamas…" Lucas yawned. "You look sexy"
"Thanks…because that's EXACTLY what I look like at 7:30 in the morning"
"You DO look sexy" Lucas yawned, grabbing the warm cup of coffee that Martha made sure to have next to him every morning appreciatively. "Martha rocks"
"She does" Brooke said, sipping her energy drink.
"Mama…" Madison cried, walking into their room.
"What's up baby girl?" Brooke asked.
"Stupid whore alarm woke me up"
"Its ok honey, we need to get ready anyway"
"We do?"
"Yah…Alexis is getting married today!"
"And then she's going to California?" Madison asked, a tear slipping down her cheek.
"Aw baby…yah" Brooke said, taking little Madison into her arms. Sometimes she forgot how little Madison was and how she didn't know what was going on a lot of the times.
"I don't want Lexy to go all the way to California" Madison sobbed. "I's gonna miss her" Brooke felt her heart break into pieces as she rocked Madison gently in her arms and Lucas stroked her hair.
"Hey baby we're gonna miss her too" Lucas said. "But she'll visit, and we love her and we'll miss her but she'll always be a part of our lives"
"Stupid Mattie" Madison cried. "He moves Lexy" she said. Brooke and Lucas didn't know how to respond to that, because it was true.
"Ok baby will you wipe your tears for mama? You have to look gorgeous for the wedding"
"I don't want Lexy to get married"
"Baby…you love your pretty dress and your beautiful hair pins…please, for mama?"
"For mommy only" Madison sniffed, snuggling up to Brooke. Brooke wrapped her arms tightly around her baby girl and rocked her back and forth. She knew Madison was upset and heartbroken at Alexis leaving. Alexis had been a big sister, a guiding force, a best friend. She supposed they were all upset.
"Baby I'll take you to visit her every month" Lucas promised.
"Ok" Madison sniffed, and Lucas squeezed her hand. "We love you, ok?"
"Ok" she said, walking sadly to her room.
"I'm worried about her this is killing her" Brooke sighed, tears filling her own hazel eyes. She didn't want Alexis to leave. She didn't wanna lose her "baby sister", neither did Lucas or Nathan, and Madison was having a hard time. It was the painful choice Alexis had to make, now that she was married. Brooke took a shower and blow dried her hair and then Brooke's stylist showed up to curl her hair into locks and curl Madison's hair as well.
"Brooke" Lucas said his breath catching. "You look beautiful" he said, kissing her hair softly. "Absolutely breathtaking, I can't think straight"
"Thank you Lucas that's really sweet" Brooke said shyly.
"You look amazing…no one could ever compare to you" Brooke smiled and her eyes twinkled in the light and Lucas thought he was gonna go crazy. Brooke swept a piece of hair behind her hair and looked down. She felt like a teenager again.
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Alexis shuddered nervously as her designer made sure the dress fit snugly in all the right places. Today was the day she was getting married to Matthew McNally, the man she was going to spend the rest of her life with.
"Mommy" Alexis said. Karen lifted her tired eyes to Alexis and smiled.
"Yes?"
"I love you" she said, a tear falling down her cheek. "I'm gonna miss you so much"
Karen got up to give Alexis a hug, and the designer backed away respectfully. "Alexis, my baby, I want you to know that you will always be welcome home, this is your home forever and for always. We love you and we'll miss you SO much…your dad and I…the day you were adopted…we loved you from the moment we saw and we'll love you forever" Karen said, her tears falling quickly.
"Ok, I'm gonna ruin my makeup" Alexis sniffed. "But I love you and daddy so much" she said. Andy walked in right then and seeing Alexis, looked like he was gonna burst into tears.
"My baby girl…look at how big she is" he sniffed, hugging her. Alexis hugged him back and had to stem the flow of tears. "You look beautiful…and before I ruin myself and start crying, I'm gonna go" he said, leaving.
Alexis wiped her eyes gingerly. She was thrilled she was getting married, she was. But she was gonna miss Tree Hill, her beautiful home, and her loving family and friends so much.
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"Ashton, could you drive faster" Brooke said, bouncing impatiently on her leather seat. Lucas pulled her down and kissed her.
"Baby, we'll run into something"
"I don't want be late!"
"The wedding's at 10, its 8:45 right now…we'll be early" Lucas laughed.
"Daddy do I look prettyful?"
"Gorgeous, princess!" Lucas laughed, kissing her.
"Really?"
"Uh huh"
"Do I's look gorgeous like mommy?"
"Aw baby you think I look gorgeous?" Brooke asked, her heart melting.
"Yahs, mommy, you look gorgeous all the times!" Madison said. "I's gonna look like you when I'm older"
"You are such a sweetheart" Brooke said, kissing her little girl. Madison giggled and leaned her head on Lucas shoulder. He smiled at Brooke and they exchanged glances.
"We are here, Mr. and Mrs. Scott" Ashton announced. Brooke didn't even bother to correct him and climbed out quickly. She and Madison ran to the room where everyone was getting Alexis ready.
"Omg Lexy you look BEAUTIFUL!" Brooke shrieked, hugging her. Alexis nodded and kissed Madison, who looked thrilled to see Alexis but obviously upset that Alexis was leaving in a week.
"Ok, the ceremony is in an hour" Karen announced, adjusting Alexis's veil. Brooke touched up her own makeup and Alexis's.
"Hey Aunt Brooke?"
"Jenny! Hi!" Brooke said hugging her godchild.
"Will you do my makeup? Mom said that she would do it, but she sucks at it" Jenny giggled when Peyton stuck her tongue out at Jenny. "And Aunt Haley sucks too" Haley rolled her eyes but a smile danced on her lips.
"And you came to me? Peyton, I knew this girl was smart" Brooke giggled. "Of course I will- now the key to good makeup and blending is that you have to make it look like you're barely wearing any, especially at your age" Brooke explained, blending some foundation. "And light shades are perfect for you- no outlandish colors" Brooke said, rubbing in light maroon eye shadow and putting a thin layer of eyeliner on her eyes. When she showed Jenny how she looked in the mirror, a wide smile spread across the young girl's face.
"Aunt Brooke, you should be a makeup artist" Jenny said, admiring herself. "You need to teach me how to do that" she laughed.
"I will" Brooke laughed. "You look awesome now" she laughed.
"Mommy can you does my makeup?"
"Baby all you're allowed to wear lip gloss- that's it" Brooke laughed.
"I wanna be thirteen" Madison whined.
"In ten years, honey" Brooke laughed. "Go get your flowers, the ceremony's starting in 20 minutes" Madison and Catherine got their flower baskets and Brooke, Peyton, Haley, and Jenny, the bridesmaids, took their places at the altar as the music played. Donned in a Vera Wang gown, Lucas thought Brooke looked stunning.
First the flower girls came down the aisle, doing a phenomenal job for a couple of 3 and 4 year olds. After taking their respectful places, Alexis, walked by Andy, came down the aisle.
She took her place at the altar and the priest began speaking.
"We are all here to join this man, Matthew McNally, and Alexis Hardgrove, in holy matrimony. Any objections?" the priest asked. No one spoke. "Ok, repeat after me…"
"I, Matthew Christopher McNally, do take tee, Alexis Elizabeth Hardgrove"
"I, Alexis Elizabeth Hardgrove, do take thee, Matthew Christopher McNally"
"As my lawfully wedded wife"
"As my lawfully wedded husband"
"In sickness and in health"
"In sickness and in health"
"Till death do us part"
"Till death do us part"
"Congratulations, you are now man and wife…you may kiss the bride" Matthew leaned in to kiss Alexis, and camera flashes went off everywhere. Lucas got a perfect snapshot that he was planning on framing and giving to Alexis. Everyone clapped and Karen, Brooke, Peyton, and Haley lost it completely. After the cake was cut, the party out on the lawn was held.
Brooke sat on the table with Lucas, talking and laughing. The wedding strongly reminded them of their own.
"So that was beautiful…flowers, roses, doves…it was gorgeous" Brooke sighed.
"You look amazing"
"Thanks you too" Brooke giggled, scanning the crowd for Madison who was eating watermelon with Jenny and laughing. "Lucas I have to tell you something" she said.
"What?" Lucas asked, turning his head to look at her.
"I'm pregnant"
"Oh! Brooke!" Lucas said, kissing her. "When did you find out?"
"Last night, while you were at the party"
"Brooke why didn't you tell me earlier? I'm thrilled!" Lucas said, kissing her again.
"I wanted to surprise you" Brooke smiled. "I'm like one month along"
"Wow…are we ready to do this again?"
"Definitely" Brooke smiled. "And this one has to be a boy"
"Of course…Lucas Jr." Lucas laughed. Before Brooke could say anything, the DJ spoke.
"The bride would like share a dance with her father" the DJ announced. Andy smiled and took Alexis's hand. The band struck up "Have I told you Lately That I Love You?"
"Hey Maddie wanna dance?" Lucas asked his daughter. She giggled and he picked her up and took her out to the dance floor. Brooke watched, her heart melting as she saw Lucas swing Madison around and kiss her. Madison giggled and twirled under Lucas's arm.
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do.
"Maddie, you did such a good job out there"
"Really? I's a good flower girl?"
"The best" Lucas laughed, twirling his little girl under his arm. She giggled and twirled again on her tiptoes.
"I's get married soon?"
"Ask me that in 20 years, ok?" Lucas laughed.
"Okay" Madison giggled and Lucas picked her up and swung her around.
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Have I told you there's no one else above you?
Fill my heart with gladness, take away all my sadness,
Ease my troubles, that's what you do
The song ended and Lucas kissed Madison before letting her run off to play.
"That was so cute, Broody!" Brooke gushed when he came. He laughed and kissed her.
Twenty minutes later, Brooke and Lucas's song played.
"May I have this dance?"
"Of course" Brooke said, letting Lucas take her hand.
Looks like we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
We mighta took the long way
We knew we'd get there someday
They said, "I bet they'll never make it"
But just look at us holding on
We're still together, still going strong
"I know I've said this a million times, Brooke, but you look beautiful" Brooke smiled shyly. She loved being told that.
"Our song!" she said.
"Its so much like our life…Brooke, when I first met you, you scared the hell out of me…us, our relationship scared the hell out of me…but now look at us. So many people doubted us…but we made it" Lucas said. Brooke felt her eyes well up with tears. "And you are THE most amazing woman on the planet. You're beautiful, strong, smart, patient, loving, you gave me our beautiful daughter and soon another baby and I love you so much" Lucas sighed. "High school was interesting, then the years after that, us knowing that we were supposed to be together but not getting together…and then finally getting together and having Madison…I never doubted our relationship, if anything, I basked in its strength. And now look…almost 5 years after our marriage, and one child later…we're still going strong…I love you SO much. When I'm around you, still, I cant think straight and I'd never be able to live without you." he said, leaning down to kiss her hair.
"Lucas" Brooke laughed, wiping tears. "Don't make me cry" she said, attempting to laugh again.
(You're still the one)
You're still the one I run to
The one that I belong to
You're the one I want for life
(You're still the one)
You're still the one that I love
The only one I dream of
You're still the one I kiss good night
"Our relationship is interesting…but we love each other, that's all that matters. And my heart jumps and beats whenever I'm around you, and I've known you for a good 20 years now" she said. "I'm madly in love with you…and truth be told, I couldn't live without you either". Those simple words spoke louder than any other to Lucas, and he leaned in to kiss her.
I'm so glad we made it
Look how far we've come my baby
"I love you Brooke" Lucas said. "I'll love you forever…and I will never let you go"
A/N: The end! I cried! I'm such a dork…sequel! I am VERY excited for it…hope you guys like the chapter, I wanted to keep things short and sweet…and everything will be explained in the sequel, like how many years later, blah…so yah…review! And then I get to post a new story…aw. I LOVE this story…ok before I start balling…thank you guys SO much…couldn't have done this without you…!