HEY! Thanks for all the reviews once again. I decided to update since its Saturday and I have absolutely nothing to do, and I know that tons of you are so curious to see what happens. I decided to bring back the quotes…I thought that they give a good vibe, and I like looking for new ones since I love reading new quotes. Anyway, here's Chapter 20. My longest chapter yet!!! It really sums things up. Only a couple more chapters left! But I know most of you will be excited because you are dying to see a happy brathan after. That sounds pretty cool actually…maybe I should've put that as my title…"Happy Brathan After"…hmmm…Anyway, I will stop ranting now so that you guys can read. Enjoy!

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"What you are as a person is far more important than what you are as a basketball player," –John Wooden

Dribble. Dribble. Dribble. Fake left. Turn right. Shoot. Whoosh!

"Great job, Mark! Keep up the good work!" Lucas Scott's voice boomed across the vast gym, as he clapped his hands, starring at his star player.

"Thanks, Coach," the boy replied, giving the new San Francisco College coach an appreciative smile.

It was 10 A.M. College Basketball Practice. Lucas Scott's third day of coaching. After Brooke's sudden confession, Lucas had left Tree Hill immediately, finding no reason to stay behind. He moved into brand new fancy apartment on the outskirts of San Francisco and started his recently attained job. He had instantly fallen in love all over again. He knew this is where he was destined to be: coach a college team.

Although he moved across the country, Lucas' lingering feelings from Tree Hill still were haunting him. More like she was haunting him. He missed the kids and he missed her so much. He hadn't gotten the closure he needed, so the uncertainty and pain from their fallout were still buried inside his heart. She had just spilled her heart and left. No reasonable explanation. No past confession. Nothing. The words still rung in his head every night as he tried to go to sleep. Oh, by the way, I'm in love with your brother. I have been for a while. I just didn't realize it. I thought you might want to know. That was the one thing he never suspected, that she was in love with him. Even after finding out about the affair, Lucas had just assumed it was a one time thing. One mistake, that's all. She and Nathan had always been close. Nate was her rock when problems between Luke and her arose and vise versa. However, there had always been a tingling feeling inside Lucas that Nathan and Brooke would be a better couple than him and Brooke. They always knew what to say to make the other one laugh. They always brought out the lively spark in the other. They could share their deepest darkest secrets without feeling a moment of doubt. And they would make a pretty hot couple, him once being Prom King and she once being Prom Queen. But Lucas had never let himself think like that. He didn't doubt her. Brooke was his wife, not Nathan's. Brooke and Nate were just really close friends. Nothing more, nothing less. Guess he was wrong.

Although their marriage had been rocky for a while, he had always had some hope that they could maybe break through all the barriers and overcome all the problems. But after hearing her spill her heart to him that night, he had become disillusioned. They no longer were the same in love man and wife that they were the day of their marriage. They had drifted apart, slowly without truly realizing it. There were no late night talks, no mad nights of love, no connection like they had had in high school. The fire had been slowly dimming and that night, it just blew out. It was sad that the true state of their marriage was only seen because Brooke had fallen in love with his brother.

In the end, though, it all hurt the same. She was his first love, and he would probably always love her in some way, and there would always be some angst. Maybe one day he would fall in love with someone else and get re-married. Now, however, he just needed some closure so that he could move on with his life. He needed to find that peace. He needed to talk to Brooke. Luckily for him, his wish would be granted real soon.

"Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such." –Henry Miller

Blowing his whistle, Lucas signaled all his player to the bleachers for a pep talk before they ended practice. He started talking to the boys, but kept his eyes glued to the schedule sheet in his hands.

"Hey guys. You have been playing awesome today and I've seen a lot of improvement since Thursday. Practice is going to be changed to a different date. If you…" But he was cut off by the opening of the gym doors.

There standing under the door frame was an attractive, petite brunette, dressed in the latest fashion. She was biting slightly on her lip, casting a nervous glance around.

"Please tell me it is Jason and he finally decided to show up today," Luke said without looking up.

The mysterious lady was looking around and as she spotted a certain someone, she started walking in his direction.

"Actually, Coach, it's a lady. A pretty hot lady. I would so tap that!" A player named Kevin said, his character resembling Lucas' old friend Tim. Lucas shook his head. Boys, he thought. "Dude, she's coming this way!"

Lucas finally decided to look up at this moment and stood there shocked beyond words. Standing in front of him was no other than his soon to be ex-wife. Brooke Davis was in California. Wow, wishes do come true.

"Wow, Scott, I didn't know I had that effect on you after all these years," she joked, trying to lighten up the mood.

"Brooke," he deadpanned, recovering from his moment of astonishment. "What are you doing here?"

Wow, this sounds eerily familiar, she thought, thinking about her previous encounter with Nathan.

"Lucas, we really need to talk."

He took this moment to really look at her. She had this pleading look in her eyes. He wanted so bad to just say okay and settle things because he knew he needed closure as much as she did. But of course, his pride and barriers got in the way.

"Why? Nathan not put out last night or something?" He asked, venom dripping from each word, his players looking on at the unfolding drama with curiosity and confusion.

Wow, this really sounds familiar. Is this some sort of punishment for me pushing away Nathan? You know this is an awful time to try to teach me some damn lesson. Ugh, Karma's a bitch!

"Can we talk somewhere private?" she asked, glancing at the eager college kids. He motioned for his office and she followed in suit.

"Luke, please. I really didn't mean for it to turn out like this. Can we just sort all this out? We didn't actually end on a good note," she grimaced at the thought of that night.

"Oh, you mean after you told me you were in love with my brother? I'm your god forsaken husband, Brooke! Does that not mean anything to you?"

"Oh shut up, Lucas! You know just as well as I do that our marriage was heading for a divorce. It just came sooner than expected. We haven't been truly happy in a while. So don't give me some filthy bull about how our failing marriage is my entire fault!" She was now screaming extremely loudly, mirroring the night of their previous fight.

"True love never dies for it is lust that fades away. Love bonds for a lifetime but lust just pushes away." –Anonymous

He stood there for a second and she thought for a moment that she had scared him.

"I know. I'm sorry," he said quietly.

"Look Lucas, I came all this way because I needed to see if you were okay. I need to settle this turmoil between us, because until then, I won't be able to move on with my life." Her voice was now calm and collective, the anger washed away.

"Me too. It just hurts. What you did and what you said still hurts."

She looked down ashamed. "I really didn't mean for it to turn out like this. I mean, come on! Naley was the marriage that would never end and you and I….Brucas…we were voted number one hottest couple." He laughed quietly. "I don't know…things have changed between us all. I'm not that girl from high school anymore, Lucas. Our love isn't the same either. Its not just there anymore…the butterflies, the fireworks…it's gone."

He silently agreed with her. It had all disappeared. "And Nathan?"

"Nathan….well, he brought it all back. I never thought I'd feel that like with someone other than you but I was proven wrong. I really care about him Lucas. We never, ever, meant to hurt you in anyway. We love you. It just happened." She shrugged her shoulders, unable to explain her feelings any further.

"You two were always meant to be…I remember Haley and I were joking about it the day we got married. I guess fate just decided to intervene early."

"Yeah."

"Brooke…I just have one question…it may not seem relevant but I just need to know."

"Anything, Lucas." She motioned for him to continue.

"When we were together, after the accident and me leaving and you guys realizing your feelings, did you ever sleep with him?"

She jerked her head at his words and starred into his eyes. They were no longer filled with anger but with hurt. He looked so vulnerable in that moment. She knew that her answer was going to kill him some more.

"Yes. I did. The day you came back…"

He tightly closed his eyes, fighting off the tears that were burning up inside. It all made sense now.

"Do you love him?"

"I do, Luke. I really do. I know it was wrong to feel all those things when I was married to you but they were so real. I really do love him. And I probably screwed up any chance with him after, I so eloquently pushed him away after he poured out his heart to me. But I don't take back one second of the time we spent together. I'm so sorry for hurting you and for cheating and for him being your brother and for ruining our marriage but I do love him. I really do."

He stood there contemplating what she had just said. Her confession had been so heart felt and real. Her rambling proved it. But he knew that in those words, she had finally given him the closure that he had desired. All he had needed to hear was that she truly loved Nathan. Those once hateful words were now greatly appreciated. Lucas would be an idiot to resume hating her. Maybe now she could get her happily ever after. And maybe one day he would too.

He smiled. "That's all I needed to know, Brooke. That's all I needed to know."

She knew in that instant that they were now good. She smiled back at him and engulfed him in a big hug. "Thank you, Luke. I'm really sorry about everything."

"I'm sorry, too, Brooke. Take care of yourself, and take care of my little brother. I love you, pretty girl."

"As I look back on all that's happened…growing up, growing together, changing you, changing me -- there were times when we dreamed together, when we laughed and cried together. As I look back on those days, I realize how much I truly miss you and how much I truly love you. The past may be gone forever…and whatever the future holds, our todays make the memories of tomorrow. So, my lifetime friend, it is with all my heart that I send you my love, hoping that you'll always carry my smile with you, for all we have meant to each other and for whatever the future may hold" –Anonymous

"I love you, too, broody boy. I'll call you later so that we…..settle things with us and the kids."

"Take your time." He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead. "Now, what are you waiting for, princess? I think you have a knight in shining armor waiting for you."

She chuckled slightly at his way of making the tension disappear. "Yes, I think I do." And with a slight wave and another hug, she was off to find the one she loved.

As he watched her go, there was still an ache in his heart, but it didn't really bother him anymore. He had gotten the closure he had oh so desperately needed. He knew that this was how it was supposed to be. He grinned to himself as he headed back into the gym. Destiny had finally woven its course.

"Dreams are like stars…you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny," –Anonymous

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End of Chapter 20! Hope you guys liked it! Please R&R!!! If I get a lot of reviews this weekend, I may update on Labor Day since I don't have school. The ending is soon to come….

Have a great Labor Day Weekend: )

Oh, btw, I had a question to ask you. Since this story is almost done, and the other story I'm writing is a Brucas, I was wondering if I should start a new Brathan story, like after this one ends. Please leave me some ideas or comments! Thanks!