Together

Author's Note: I know , I know, the ending wasn't at all what you expected But, I'm telling you, read this, I think you'll get what you've been waiting for.

Chapter 5: Epilogue – The Way You Look Tonight

- 'Some day when I'm awfully low, when the world is cold, I will feel a glow just thinking of you, and the way you look tonight…' –

The music played through the crowded room, as the relatives passed through, whispering their congratulations, waving and eating the catered food. The soft crooning of Frank Sinatra made the romance level soar through the roof, the older couples looked reminiscent of their younger days. Their parents sat proudly together, knowing the day would finally come, that they'd been waiting for it since the kids were sixteen years old.

She was content with her life at that moment, as he held her in his arms and they swayed slowly to the song, she was truly happy. She was sent back to the night that she had lost it all, and she looked at the friends and family around her, and remembered the night she gained it all.

"I didn't make it," her voice cracked under the disappointment and the burning tears finally fell.

"Peyton, I'm sorry," Brooke's voice was truly sincere, Peyton didn't doubt it for a second, she knew the grudges from high school had finally faded with the passing of time.

"Why don't you come back to the hotel room? We'll get ice cream or something –" Peyton smiled at Haley's suggestion, but cut her off anyway.

"I can't right now, Hales, thanks anyway. I need some time alone," her sobs were not lost on either of the girls, and they all knew she was still choking back the tears.

"Okay, just promise me you'll call me if you need me," another small smile formed on Peyton's face as she heard Brooke chime in.

"Hey, I may not be in the same town as you two, but really P. Sawyer, if you need to talk I'll be here too."

"Gotcha. I'll be okay, just give me some time. Thanks guys, I'll be back later, Haley," she hung the phone up abruptly, disconnecting her two friends from her misery.

- 'Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm, and your cheeks so soft, there is nothing for me but to love you, and the way you look tonight…' –

She smiled now at the memory, the memory of her two best friends who were across the dance floor smiling at her. Haley resided in Nathan's strong arms, and Peyton watched at how protectively Nathan held her, and she watched the love radiate through his eyes as they talked. She knew Nathan would give in, that Haley and Nathan had always belonged together and she was glad they finally figured that out.

Brooke stood in the arms of her new man, his name was Daniel. He was the first really decent guy Brooke had ever been with, he worked at an office, a steady well-paying job, and he was well mannered. It shocked Peyton to see Brooke with someone so calm and ordinary, but she could finally see Brooke was happy. It was when they both came and pulled her aside that she got teary eyed.

"How's life, Peyton?" Brooke looked at her best friend with a full fledged smile, one that suggested they were all happy with their life.

"I'm happy, B. Davis. He's always made me happy…"

"Well, this was a good seven or eight years in the making," Haley winked at her friend, looking over at the confused boy they'd left on the dance floor.

The River Court was dark and silent when she sat on the picnic table. The lights shined brightly across the river, her tears didn't go unnoticed by the figure in the shadows.

"I guess I should call Jake…" she knew she wasn't talking to anyone as she voiced her thoughts out loud.

"Well, if you're calling Jake I guess I should give Skills another call and ask him to come pick me up?" a broody brunette stepped out of the darkness, and his heart fluttered as he watched the smile tug on the corners of her mouth.

"What're you doing here?" she couldn't help the smile that eventually emerged, and a small smirk played on his lips as he went to answer her.

"Well…I've known you since I was sixteen years old, and we sorta had this weird connection vibe thing going on for quite a few years. But the way I remember the story every time I wanted you, you ran scared. And then when you were ready I had already moved on. And from that theory I came up with this plan…I talked to Haley, she told me when you got home last night you were confused and you were considering running back to Jake. So, I left that note…and I knew it would take you all night to come up with an answer, and I knew if I left with Skills that I'd miss out because I couldn't wait for you. Whether it be a few minutes or a few days, so I decided I had to wait and I told Skills that. And here you are, just as the plan predicted. And here I am…I talked to my wife, she knew my heart was never with her and we filed for divorce this morning. There's no hard feelings there, and I kinda hope there's no hard feelings here," his Scott smirk still remained and she smiled with the tears filling her eyes from earlier.

"No hard feelings here…"

"Well, then we're both here, and it's been six or seven years since we first got together, five years since graduation, four since your wedding and two since my own…and we're both finally ready. So, if you don't mind, can I make this final?" she nodded her head slowly, the smile emerging again.

He took a few steps to her, watching as her eyes fell closed and let his own do the same, leaning in, he captured her lips with his own. He reveled in the feeling, the way he knew he always would…

- 'With each word your tenderness grows, tearing my fear apart. And that laugh that wrinkles your nose, it touches my foolish heart' –

The three girls laughed at Haley's comment, and with a final look they each glided over to their significant other.

"What was that?"

"That was my best friends making sure I made the right decision in all of this," she smiled at her husband, letting her mind wander to the look of his blue eyes from that night on the beach. And as she focused on them now, she noticed the change, she noticed the love in them the way she had seen Nathan looking at Haley.

"And did you make the right decision?" he played along, teasing her slightly.

"It's been six months since we were here…" Lucas spoke softly, a blindfold covered her eyes but a huge smile covered his face. He lifted the black material, letting her see the candles that covered the River Court.

"It's been six months since we were here and they've been the most amazing six months of my life…I hope you know that…"he watched her shocked expression, loving every minute of it "…I told you in that note that if you came that night six months ago that I'd spend the rest of my life making sure you were happy. And that was a promise that I intend to keep…" he fell down to one knee and though she had known it was coming, it still brought her to tears. "So, if you'll give me the rest of your life, I'll do everything I can to keep that promise…because you know how I hate to break my promises," he opened the ring box in the most cliché way, and her expression was one out of a cheesy romance movie.

"Oh, I know how you hate to break those promises," she laughed as she spoke and his smile in that moment took her breath away.

"Okay, so with that knowledge, will you marry me, Peyt?"

"I'll marry you," her words were just above a whisper as he stood and kissed her with all of the passion he held inside him.

"Well, then I guess I'll marry you too," he whispered, kissing her again as the rain began to pour, extinguishing the candles and soaking them both.

- 'Lovely…never ever change, keep that breathless charm, won't you please arrange it? Cause I love you…just the way you look tonight. Just the way you look to-night' –

"I love you, Luke," she smiled nestling herself into his arms, while he pulled her closer.

"I love you too, Peyt. You still didn't answer my question though," he looked down at her, watching her in amusement.

"What question?"

"Haha, very funny, you know –"

"Don't worry. I made the right decision, definitely."

Okay, I think that made up for the sad ending of the last chapter. It was pretty much all fluffy, but I 3 fluffy so I had to do it. I hope you enjoyed all the flashbacks, they may have been a bit cheesy, but I enjoyed writing them. The song was an oldie by Frank Sinatra, "The Way You Look Tonight". I really hope you liked this story, I think it came out well in just five chapters. Review for me and tell me what you thought!