Love, Lies, and Loss

Disclaimer: I own no rights to One Tree Hill or any of its characters.

A/N: Review, review, review! I thrive on them!

One More Year Later

"You are almost as beautiful a bride as I was," Haley announced as she pulled the veil over Peyton's face.

"Thanks, I think," Peyton said as she turned to look at herself in the mirror, "I do look pretty hot don't I?"

"Definitely. Just think, in less than an hour we'll be in-laws."

"I haven't decided yet whether that's a good thing or a bad thing."

Haley playfully hit Peyton on the arm, "Whatever!"

"You know I'm just kidding. I can't wait to be in the family."

"Well, we are happy to have you."

"Have you by any chance talked to Brooke lately?" Peyton questioned.

"No, I haven't talked to her in almost six months."

"I wish things would have been different. Don't get me wrong, I love having you as my best friend, but I miss Brooke."

"I know. It's definitely not the same here without her. But this is your big day. Let's stop looking into the past. You are absolutely perfect and we better get you out there before anything comes undone."

"Okay. I'm ready."

"You better be ready. You've been waiting for this moment for a very long time now."

"I know. I love Lucas so much. It's only one of the things I can thank Brooke for," Peyton took a last look into the mirror and followed Haley into the lobby.

The church was amazing. It was big enough for a guest list of 500, although this particular wedding was a very small gathering. A few friends and family were all that joined the couple. All, but a few, were members of the wedding party.

Haley, Nathan, Karen, and surprisingly Dan glowed as they walked their way to the alter. Peyton took her spot and prepared to change her life. The music began. Her dress flowed as she walked down the aisle and took her spot next to the love of her life. And so the ceremony began. The bride and groom barely looked away from one another. The only time their eyes parted was to watch Keith Jr. and Zachary, both just over a year and a half in age, escort the rings down the isle. They started hitting each other about a quarter of the way down the aisle. They were then escorted the rest of the way by Karen and Haley. Once things were back in order, with no doubt in their minds, Lucas Scoot and Peyton Sawyer tied the knot.

Their reception was of course housed at TRIC. Everyone was there, including the reunited Raven's basketball team and their coach.

Peyton kissed Lucas, "You know the one thing that sucks about us getting married?"

"Enlighten me," Lucas replied.

"My initials will still and always be P.M.S."

"That's okay. It'll give me something to hold over your head. I'll just threaten to tell everyone your middle name."

"You wouldn't dare! Do you have any idea how hard it was to convince the pastor not to announce my middle name?"

"I'll bet it wasn't as hard as you make it sound. You do have a way with people."

"Yeah right. You mean I have my way with you," Peyton poked Lucas.

"Can't you wait until the honeymoon?" Lucas teased.

"I guess just this one time I can behave."

"That's all I ask," Lucas squeezed his bride. The two separated and went to mingle with the crowd.

Peyton searched amongst the crowd until she found the man she was looking for.

"Jake!" Peyton yelled to get his attention.

Jake jogged over to Peyton and gave her a friendly hug, "Didn't I tell you that you were in love with Lucas?"

"Yes you did. Wow. That was such a long time ago. It's crazy how fast life can change. So, how have you been? How's Jenny?"

"I'm doing better than the last time you saw me. Jenny's really getting big. She's definitely a charmer. Hopefully that's the only thing she inherited from her mother."

"Let's hope so. Thank you so much for coming. I wasn't sure you would."

"Are you kidding? Miss the wedding of the girl who wanted to marry me? No way."

"I did love you Jake. I will always love you and Jenny. You were both a big part of my life and you should really come around more often."

"I know. There isn't really much left for me here. My life isn't here anymore. I'm happy and I'm happy for you."

"Thank you. I'm glad things are good for you," Peyton hugged Jake again and they continued their catching up.

Across the room, Lucas was backed against the wall by Coach Durham.

"Now you listen here boy! You have a good thing here and you better not mess it up," Whitey warned Lucas.

"Coach, you're still bossing people around even after you've retired," Lucas shot back.

"Well, you can't take the coach out of the man."

"Thank you coach. You've helped me through some hard times and got me to where I am today."

"I never helped you through anything you couldn't have done by yourself. You are a strong young man. If you ever need anything, Lord knows you kids come to me for enough advice, you know where my door is."

"Thanks coach, that means a lot," Lucas gave Whitey one of those, trying to still look masculine while hugging another male, hugs.

As the party went on, the two love birds prepared to depart for their honeymoon.

Karen approached the two, "I am so happy to see my baby so happy," she gave Lucas and Peyton a motherly hug.

"Oh mom, don't get all emotional on me now," Lucas ruined the moment.

"Luke," Peyton hit him, "This is a very special day for your mother."

"It's all right Peyton. I've had him for 20 years. It's about time someone else has to deal with him," Karen laughed.

"Thanks mom. Was I really that bad of a child?" Lucas asked his mother.

"Well, you weren't that bad. I guess it could have been worse."

"That bad? I was a good kid."

"Well, aren't you a little full of yourself."

"No I was just brought up right."

"Awww, Lucas you don't have to sweet talk me anymore. You have a wife for that now."

"It's getting late. We should get going soon," Peyton cut in.

Karen hugged the two again, "I am very excited for you both. Luke, don't forget you still have a mother. I expect to see you at least once a week. And Peyton, take as good as care of him as I did, but don't let him take you for granted. He might be my son, but he's still a male."

"Thanks Karen," Peyton smiled at her husband.

The two parted once again to make their last rounds. They said their 'goodbyes' and 'I'll miss yous' and gave out their hugs. They met in the middle of the crowd, linked arms, and began on their journey.

A/N: I hope everyone understands the time progression. I've been trying to throw it in there without actually stating it, but just in case, this chapter takes place a year after the last chapter