Author's note: I own nothing. No song lyrics, nothing. Here is part four, which is the final part of this story. I hope you enjoy….reviews are appreciated, flashbacks are still italics. Thanks for all the reviews, it really makes the whole process easier.
"Don't let me fall," Brooke whispered and she and Nathan took the first step towards the altar.
"Never," he smiled as his eyes met his wife's, "just breathe."
"I'm trying," she smiled as she scanned the pews, not really seeing their faces but knowing everyone she really loved was in that church. As they got closer to the altar her eyes met with Haley's, who had tears in her eyes, Brooke smiled, she saw Millicent there too, and she looked up to Lucas as they stood at the altar.
"I love you Brooke Davis," he whispered in her ear as he kissed her cheek, "and you," he smiled up at the groom, "you hurt her you answer to me," he whispered as they hugged.
"I wouldn't dream of it," he said with a smile as Nathan took his spot beside him as best man, he took his bride's hand as they stood before the minister he finally exhaled. It felt as if he'd been holding his breath waiting for this moment. He felt like he was floating as he looked over at her, she smiled, and he knew that this really was happening. He really was marrying his best friend. And as she held his hand, she knew, she knew that this was forever.
"I just wanted to check on you," Lucas said as he followed her to her kitchen.
"You mean after the drama at the Scott house tonight," she sighed, "Luke I don't know what to think about any of it. Really, I just want to get away from all of it."
"I know," he said sitting on the stool at her counter, "I just can't believe Nathan's career as a Bobcat could be over. I mean that has always been so important, staying close."
"I know," she said sadly as she sat beside him, "but I also know that Clay will do what he can to make it happen."
"Clay," Lucas sighed, "I don't know, it's like his head isn't in it right now, Brooke, and I gotta be honest, Nathan is pretty convincing about firing him."
"I know."
"If they have to go somewhere else," Lucas said shaking his head, "I mean Jamie is going to be devastated. And the label is here, Haley's music. It's a lot to take in," Lucas said, Brooke simply nodded. They both knew that the potential of Nathan playing anywhere other than Charlotte was going to be difficult on their family. "Did you know?"
"No," she said simply knowing how much weight that one word carried.
"It's weird," Lucas said, "I mean I never would have thought," he said with a sigh as there was a loud clap of thunder.
"God I hate storms," she sighed as she smiled slightly, "being alone in this house when it storms," she said softly.
"You'll be fine," Lucas smiled at her, "you always are," he said as there was knock at the door.
"Quinn maybe," she said as she glanced at the clock, it was almost midnight. She made her way to the door, "hi," she said softly with a smile.
"Hi."
"Brooke," Lucas said as he stood behind her, "I'm going to head home," he said looking out at the rain pouring down, "before it gets any worse."
"Luke," she said, "you don't have to go."
"I do," he smiled as he pushed her hair from her face, "you'll be fine," he said as he kissed her cheek, "you too," he said as he put a hand on the shoulder of Brooke's guest.
"Thanks man."
"Hey," she said, "you ok," Brooke asked.
"No," he said honestly as he followed her into her kitchen, "I'm sorry."
"I don't know what to say," she said.
"Brooke," he nearly whispered as he stood beside her, "I'm sorry."
"Clay," she sighed as she handed him a towel.
"I should've told you," he said softly. She sat down and didn't respond, "Brooke, I know I should've told you, I'm sorry."
"Clay," she said, "it hurts a little, ok, if I'm honest it hurt hearing those words, I mean," she sighed, "you and me, we have to be honest."
"I know," he said as he sat beside her, "I know that and I am sorry," he said as he laid his head down on the counter. She sat watching him, knowing he was crying nearly broke her heart, but she was hurt, the one thing Brooke Davis wanted in a relationship was honesty. "Her name was Sara," he said, pain in his voice, "we got married while we were in college, we were together since high school. I was preparing for my interview with the agency, my first real shot at becoming an agent. She was in the kitchen stirring a pitcher of kool aid asking me questions. She collapsed," he sighed, "she collapsed, and she died in my arms, before the ambulance made it she was gone. I went on that interview the next day, I got that job. And a year later I met Nathan. You know the rest."
"I'm sorry," she said softly.
"I loved her, Brooke, I did," he said, "and a part of me always will, but you, Brooke, you make me feel alive again, you made me live again. And I think I was so afraid of my past hurting you and our future, I just didn't know how to say it."
"Trust is so important," she said looking into his eyes, "Clay, you know my past, I told you everything, with Luke, with Julian, all of it, and you know how much trust means to me."
"I know," he said, "and these last eight months with you Brooke, have been so amazing, and I know I should have told you about her, I should have, and you're right to be upset."
"I'm not upset, Clay," she said wiping her eyes, "I'm hurt, and I'm sad too, sad for you that you didn't think you could tell me Clay."
"I know that I have no right to ask anything of you Brooke," he said, "not now. But, I love you, for the first time in a long time I feel alive, I feel like I'm me again, and that's because of you. So, I'm going to ask you, Brooke, just have a little faith in me, in us," he smiled, "because I love you, ok."
"Ok," she smiled as she wiped the tears from his face.
"Ladies and gentleman," he smiled, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of this man, Clayton Evans, and this woman Brooke Davis. Now, I have known Brooke since we were in high school," he said.
"You remember how Haley got ordained online," Brooke asked.
"Yeah, like one minute minister," he laughed.
"Well," she sighed, "I want my wedding to be special, and I don't want to pick some random minister to marry us. I was thinking maybe you'd do it."
"Me," he asked with a laugh, "you want me to be the one who marries you and Clay?"
"I do," she smiled, "Haley is my maid of honor, and Millicent is a bridesmaid, Nathan is the best man, and Lucas is a groomsman," she said, "and Mouth you have been here for me, always, and I really want this to be special and I would love if you would do it."
"I would do anything for you Brooke Davis," he smiled.
"Clay and Brooke, you have known each other from that first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment," Mouth spoke, "and along the way you decided to marry. And from that moment of saying yes, to this, you have been making informal agreements and commitments to each other. All of those conversations, whether in a car, over a meal, during walks on the beach, or in the presence of friends, probably began with when we're married, followed by things like I will or we will, and probably continued into late night talks of maybe's and some day's. All of those conversations, all of those moments shared between you two, those are the real makings of a wedding. The vows that you are about to say here today, those are a way of saying to each other, you know all of those hopes and dreams we've talked about, all of the promises we've made, well I meant it," he said causing everyone to chuckle. "Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another," he said with a smile, "an acquaintance, friend, companion, and even teacher. Now you shall say a few words that take you across the threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this is my husband, this is my wife. The maid of honor, Haley would like to say a few words."
"Brooke and Clay," she smiled as she took the spot at the podium, "what can I say about the two of you? I wanted to read something about the art of a good marriage. The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands, it is remembering to say "I love you" at least once a day. It is never going to bed angry. It is never taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all years. It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives. It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family. It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy. It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways. It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the wife to have wings of an angel. It is not looking for perfection in each other. It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humor. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding rooms for the things of spirit. It is a common search for the good and the beautiful. It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal. It is not marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner. I know that you are the right partners, I know this because you have both shown it, you have shown all of us," Haley smiled as she took her spot next to Brooke.
"Clay and Brooke have written their own vows to share today," Mouth said, "Clay."
"Brooke," he said taking her hands, "I love you. You are the most amazing woman I know, you make me want to be a better man, a man that I am sometimes afraid I will never be. But, for you, I will always strive to be better, to be honest, to be faithful, to love you. I promise you, Brooke, that I will love you every minute of every day of the rest of my life. You see the world in a way that I never could, you are so selfless, you are so caring and loving, you are everything I want to be. And I promise you that I will learn from you, I will grow with you, I will be your best friend, I will be there even when you don't want me to," he smiled, "I promise to love and cherish you Brooke Davis all the days of our lives."
"Clay, you are my best friend, my other half," she said tears streaking her face, "and I'm not sure where I'd be today without you. You came into my life when I needed you most, you showed me it was ok to love, and it was ok to be afraid too. You gave me strength when I needed it," she said as he wiped her tears, "when I thought I was about to lose you I felt like I was dying. Clay Evans you make me want to be a better version of myself, not only for you, but for me too, because you made me realize that I deserve that. I promise you that I will spend every day of the rest of my life loving you, growing with you and sharing with you. Clay, I promise to have faith in you and in our love because it will see it us through anything at all. Our love, your love, Clay, it is enough. I promise that I will love you and cherish you as my husband, as my best friend, all the days of our lives."
"The wedding ring is a symbol of unity, a circle unbroken, without beginning or end," Mouth said with a smile, "and today Clay and Brooke give and receive these rings as a demonstration of their vows and to make their lives one, to work at all times to create a life that is whole and unbroken."
"Brooke," Clay said as he held her hand, "this ring is a gift for you, it symbolizes my desire for you to be my wife from this day forward. I begin my life with you today knowing that we have developed a trust and commitment that is strong enough to last through good times and bad. With this ring, I offer you my hand, my heart, and my soul as I know they will be safe with you."
"Clay," she said as she held his hand, "this ring is a gift for you, it symbolizes my desire for you to be my husband from this day forward. I begin my life with you today knowing that we have developed a trust and commitment that is strong enough to last through good times and bad. With this ring, I offer you my hand, my heart, and my soul as I know they will be safe with you."
"Today is one you'll remember and cherish forever," Mouth said, "you started today as two people in love and you will end it as husband and wife. This is a brand new beginning, the start of your journey. There will be moments you will cherish, there will moments you'll disagree, but know that this day is the beginning of your journey. Clay and Brooke, having witnessed your vows for marriage with all who are assembled here today, and by the authority vested in me, it is with the greatest of joy and honor that I pronounce you husband and wife," he smiled, "you may kiss your bride."
"I love you," Clay said as the church erupted with applause.
"I love you," Brooke said as they shared their first kiss as a married couple.
"Ladies and gentleman, it is my honor to present to you Clay and Brooke Evans," Mouth said as Haley handed Brooke her bouquet.
Brooke smiled brightly as she mingled with her friends at the reception. Tric had been decorated perfectly. It was an amazing sight. "This is beautiful Peyton," she said.
"It did turn out pretty good," Peyton smiled as they hugged, "my husband did help a little."
"Speaking of Jake," Brooke said, "where is he?"
"I think he was checking on the music," Peyton smiled.
"Smile," Quinn said as she snapped a picture of Brooke and Peyton, "look at you," she said hugging Brooke.
"Look at you," Brooke smiled as Peyton left the duo alone, "you look happy Quinn."
"I am," she said as she looked towards her fiancé, "Julian has that effect on me."
"He's a good guy," she smiled.
"Who me," Chase asked as he hugged Brooke.
"Well I wasn't talking about you Chase Adams, but yeah, you're a pretty good guy too," she smiled as he wrapped his arm around her.
"You are a beautiful bride Brooke," he said.
"Thank you," she smiled up at him, "when are you and Alex going to make it official? You thinking she's the one?"
"I know she is," he said, "but don't tell anyone."
"You do know that secrets don't make friends," Nathan said as he and Clay walked towards Brooke.
"Well it's a good thing I don't need any more friends," she said hugging Nathan, "thank you for everything."
"You're welcome," he said.
"Ok, ok," Clay said as he pulled Brooke close to him, "I'm already tired of sharing my wife."
"What is going on with the music at this place," Nathan asked with a chuckle as he saw Lucas make his way on stage.
"Hey guys," Lucas said nervously, "a long time ago I promised Brooke that somebody would say something nice about her on her wedding day, so here I am. Brooke Davis, what can I say about you," he smiled as she and Clay moved towards the stage surrounded by their friends. "I look around this room and see all of this love, my wife Lindsey reminded me that not all love stories are fairy tales, that along the way there are bumps in the road, there are paths that lead you astray, that there are moments when you are not sure, but when I look at you and Clay, I see that you are past all of that. You two have something so special, so real. Brooke, you deserve all of the happiness in the world, and I am positive Clay will give that to you," he smiled, "and if he doesn't, he will answer to me. The two of you need to take a look around you, look at the love in this room, the pure joy, and remember tonight for it is the beginning of always."
"Thank you," Brooke smiled as she hugged Lucas.
"You're welcome," he said as Lindsey stood beside him.
"Ladies and gentleman if you would please make room on the dance floor," Jake said as he and Haley walked on stage, "it is time for the bride and groom to share their first dance."
"As you all know Brooke is my best friend," Haley smiled, "and I am so happy for her and Clay today. I wanted to do something special. And Clay had one responsibility for today, one thing she wanted him to do. Brooke wanted him to pick the song they would share their first dance to. Clay came to me and asked if I would perform the song, and of course I said yes, because there is nothing I wouldn't do for the two of them," she said as Jake started strumming his guitar, "so I asked my good friend Jake to play with me. Ladies and gentleman, Clay and Brooke Evans," everyone applauded and cleared the dance floor for the newlyweds.
"When the road gets dark," Jake began singing, "and you can no longer see, just let my love throw a spark and have a little faith in me."
"And when the tears you cry are all you can believe," Haley sang, "give these loving arms a try baby and have a little faith in me."
"I love you so much," Brooke whispered as she and Clay danced together.
"I love you," he said with a smile, he kissed her and she felt so safe in his arms.
"And when your secret heart cannot speak so easily," Jake sang.
"Come here darling," Haley smiled watching her friends, "from a whisper start have a little faith in me."
"And when your backs against the wall," Jake sang looking towards his own wife.
"Just turn around and you will see," Haley sang.
"I'll be there, I'll be there to catch your fall."
"Just have a little faith in me," she sang as she looked at Jake, who sang with her now, "cause I've been loving you for such a long time baby, expecting nothing in return."
"Just for you to have a little faith in me," Jake sang, "you see time is our friend."
"Cause for us there is no end," Haley sang with a genuine smile watching Brooke and Clay, "all you gotta do is have a little faith in me. I will hold you up, I'm gonna hold you up, because your love gives me strength enough so have a little faith in me."
"Have a little faith in me," Jake sang. As Brooke and Clay kissed their friends all applauded.
"Have a little faith in me," Clay said softly as the music stopped.
"I do," Brooke smiled as she kissed him, "I love you husband."
"I love you too wife," he smiled, "god I love saying that to you."
"I love hearing it," she smiled.
"I love you wife."
Sorry to my Brucas fans. I too am a Brucas fan, but I love the freedom Brooke gets with Clay. With Julian she is tied to Leyton…and I know off the wall to bring Lindsey in, but I think that it fit. Lucas loved her, and she loved him. I think that it made sense even though I know I will get negative responses to it. I wish I would have explored that idea more, and Jake too. But I was never a Leyton fan, and I didn't want Lucas to settle for Peyton because he couldn't have Brooke. I wanted him to have his own bit of happiness too.
