A/N: This is the last chapter--- tear. I want to thank all of you who read and reviewed, especially Yudelka165, Brucas4ever, Duckygirl, brucas224, Roswell Dream Girl, othoclvr, Kait-Lynn23, BDavisandLScott4-ever, SophiaBushFan, jr forever, Elliemo, brucas-brathan3623, andrea kamille, and Chad'sBrucas. Special thanks to those who reviewed almost every chapter, encouraging me to continue and telling me they really liked the story. Please leave one final review, I'm hoping to hit 40! Oh, and the lyrics in this chapter are from Vanessa Paradis' Your Love Has Got a Handle on My Mind.

Chapter Nine/ Epilogue: True Love

Do not look back and grieve over the past, for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful that it will be worth remembering.

-Anonymous

Two years had passed. Months filled with both anger and love. Words, good and bad, had been spoken and there had been days filled with longing and resentment as a result. But they had pulled through and that was how they had gotten to this point…

I never thought I'd find
Love that is so simple and so kind
Love that is caring so divine
Your love has got a handle on my mind

Lucas stood by the altar with Nathan, his best man and Jake a groomsman. Haley and Peyton, dressed in floor length gold dresses were the first to walk down the aisle Elizabeth following. Then Brooke, dressed in a strapless ivory gown, accompanied by her father came down the aisle. Lucas felt tears coming on and blinked his eyes to prevent them from spilling over.

Yet the tears almost escaped his eyes when Lucas thought back to the morning Brooke had answered the question that would have determined his entire future. He'd asked her if they could take another chance and after hesitating for only a moment she'd said yes. One word had never mattered that much. That same day both he and Brooke had both coincidentally decided to give each other the letters they had written to each other over the years. It was the official start of their new relationship and they knew the times ahead would be rocky but the letters written to each other had helped them get through some of the pain, regret and anger.

Finally Lucas thought back to their engagement almost a year ago, and his grin grew and the tears finally spilled over.

Flashback

The day started out like any other Wednesday, Lucas and Brooke going to work and then meeting at the café for dinner; a weekly ritual. The day hadn't ended typically however. That night in front of unsuspecting friends and family and a very shocked Brooke, Lucas had proposed.

"Brooke, we let each other go twenty years ago and I will never forgive myself for that. Yet I got a second chance a year ago and at that time I promised that no matter what happened I would never let you go and that I would love you until the end of time. Tonight I want to make this commitment a reality. Pretty girl, will you marry me?"

Brooke eyes had never wavered from his and when she had quietly answered his question, Lucas felt as if his heart had finally healed.

End Flashback

Gonna love you 'till the end of time
When we're together I just can't hide
'Cause we've got a beautiful vibration
And we've got a beautiful situation

Now once again starring into Brooke's beautiful eyes sparkling with joyful tears Lucas said,

"Brooke Penelope Davis from the moment I, Lucas Eugene Scott, met you over 20 years ago I knew you were the one for me. Yet I made a grave mistake and let you go- but I will never do that again. I've learned that love really is worth fighting for, risking everything for. I love you and I promise to give you all of my love, my trust and my life."

Brooke replied with just as much love,

"I, Brooke Penelope Davis, have realized what true love really means because I have found it with you. True love does not come to an end- it endures. I vow to love and cherish you, Lucas Eugene Scott, to give you my strength, to help in good times and bad, and to make our relationship one of love and understanding. I give all of my trust, all of my tomorrows- all of my life."

As they finished their vows and the rings were presented, the minister announced,

"You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings. And so now with great pleasure I pronounce you to be husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

Hey baby
There's something on my mind
Got to tell you
I never thought I'd find
Love that is so simple and so kind
Love that is caring so divine
Your love has got a handle on my mind
Gonna love you 'till the end of time

Closing the space between them Lucas gently lifted the veil from Brooke's face and pulled her to him and just as their lips meet he said, "I'll love you pretty girl-forever."

When we're together I just can't hide
'Cause we've got a beautiful vibration
And we've got a beautiful situation
Your love has got a handle on my mind
Sweet as cherry
Fine like wine
Gonna love you 'till the end of time...