A/N: I am back and this is the last chapter. I was thinking about making another chapter just as an epilogue but I might just leave it as I do but I do not know. I guess it will just depend on the amount of reviews I get for this chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it and please do review!!

Chapter 5: The Wedding

Lucas groaned as he slapped his head in his hands in frustration. He had been doing this all morning. As he stared at himself through the church bathroom mirrors he couldn't help feel pathetic. He hadn't slept not one wink of sleep last night. The small bags under his eyes were clear evidence of that. With a shaky hand he turned on the facet dabbing some water on his face.

"Get yourself together Lucas," he encouraged as he continued his ritual. He knew his brother would figure out something was on his mind and he could not have that happen, so he was getting himself prepared before walking into the dressing room that his brother was currently getting ready in along with Skillz, Mouth, and all the other best men.

"Go away," he shouted to himself as he threw another heap of water onto his face. She wouldn't leave his mind. He could still see that devastated expression that plagued her face. It made his heart break.

Flashback

"Brooke, you can't be serious," he let out as he looked at the brunette a standing in front of him in disbelief.

"Lucas think about it," she pleaded. "I have only been with two guys since we broke up and I have never loved them." She paused. "You're the only one. You always have been."

"I don't believe you."

Brooke looked up into his blue eyes after that. His arms were folded across his chest and his once warm blue eyes were now as cold as ice. "I don't believe you," he repeated when he saw the uncertainty in her eyes.

"What?" she asked clearly flabbergasted. "What do you mean?"

"You heard me Brooke. I don't believe you." He took a step back from her shaking his head in disgust. "If you loved me then why did you break up with me? Why did you let me go back with Peyton? And why are you letting me get married to Lindsey?"

His anger was getting the best of him. She could tell. "You need to calm down," she let out moving closer to him. "This isn't easy for me so please don't be so inconsiderate." She could feel herself getting emotional now but she was trying her best to stay composed, after all that was what Brooke Davis did. Brooke Davis had a system and she was very good at putting on a façade for everyone. She was good at looking like the happiest person in the whole world when in reality she was far from it. Lucas of all people should know this about her.



He just groaned. "Why now Brooke? Why are you telling me this now?"

She was staring up at him, trying her best to will him to look at her, but he wouldn't. "Do I really have a choice," she whispered as the first tear slid down her cheek. "Luke please," she looked up gaining confidence as she walked closer to him. "I know that we have a lot to talk about and I know that this is a lot for you to process but please don't pull away from me. I need you." Her eyes were pleading desperately. She really did need him. She kept walking to him stumbling almost as she finally met him, wrapping her small arms around him as if he might disappear if she didn't.

He was shocked by her actions but yet and still he could not deny her of her request and so he found himself slowly wrapping his arms tightly around the small, broken girl in front of him. She let out a sigh as she could feel one of his hands brush her hair. "Thank you," she let out, as she pulled him closer.

He didn't answer, he just held her as he made his way back across the court. "Come on let's go sit down on the bleachers so we can talk about this."

End Flashback

"You ready big bro," Nathan interrupted Lucas's thoughts as he came through the door with his son beside him.

Lucas shook his head of his previous thoughts before nodding. He tried to look as truthful as a man in doubt could look. "You know it."

"Good," his brother chuckled. "God knows we don't want anything going wrong. No ex's trying to take you back." He clasped his brother's back jokingly. If only he knew. "Jamie has to use the 'potty'," Nathan mocked the little kid word with air quotes as he walked past Lucas and into the other room that contained the potty. "Be back in a minute," he paused. "And no Peyton," he added as an afterthought.

Peyton. Why did his brother have to bring her up?

Flashback

"I knew you would go back to her."

Lucas stared down at the brunette that was sitting beside him, still cradled in his arms like a little child. "What?"

"I knew you would go back to Peyton," she corrected as she moved her head so that she could stare right into Lucas's eyes. "I just knew that you would, so I broke up with you before you had the chance." She looked down sadly as she absentmindedly ran her fingers down his arms.

"You couldn't have known that," he replied.

"But I did," she argued. That was when he lifted her chin so that her hazel eyes were boring into his.



"Contraire to what you believe Brooke, I was very much in love with you and NOT Peyton. I wouldn't have left you for her."

"Actions speak louder than words," she mumbled.

He had heard her. "And what's that suppose to mean?"

"It means exactly what I said, actions speak louder than words," she said louder. He was clearly puzzled by the expression on his face. "Don't give me that look Lucas. You know exactly what I am talking about! You were always with her Lucas!"

"That's because we were friends Brooke, nothing else!" he retaliated.

"You and Peyton were NEVER just friends! It is impossible for you two."

"Is that what you really think Brooke?" he asked in bewildered. She was shaking in his hands now. He was surprised she hadn't moved away from him yet.

"Why would I believe anything else Luke? I break up with you and not even a good two weeks later you and Peyton are together."

"I thought you didn't love me anymore! You wouldn't even talk to me like you use to!" He shook his head in frustration. "I tried to win you back Brooke, but it just wouldn't work. You can't blame me for the way things ended up, you can only blame yourself."

"Fine" she screamed, standing to her feet. "It's my fault I was scared you would leave me for Peyton. It's my fault you did get back with Peyton, it's my fault for letting you two be happy together, and it's my fault for getting together with Chase knowing that I was still in love with you. It's my fault for letting you break up with Peyton and get together with Lindsey, it's my fault for letting you get engaged with her, and it's my fault for telling you how I feel now. Everything is my fault!"

"You know I didn't mean it like that," he replied calmly. "It's just a lot to take in," he replied as he grabbed her hand pulling her back down and into his arms once more. And that's how they sat for a while, in silence.

"This just feels right," she let out as she relaxed into his arms. "I've missed you so much Luke. Haven't you missed me?"

He groaned as she looked up at him awaiting his answer. "You know I have Brooke, it's just…."

"What?" she asked. The way her eyes twinkled with anticipation made his heart melt.

"Let's just enjoy this night ok, it might be our last," he replied as he planted a kiss on Brooke's forehead.

"I'm no better than her," she whispered as she continued playing with his hands that were currently sitting comfortably on her stomach.



"What," Lucas let out, clearly puzzled by her sudden statement.

"I'm no better than Peyton." She paused looking up at him. "Usually she's the one that does things like this, kissing other peoples boyfriends and confessing her love for them at the worse times." She sighed. "And now I'm following her evil ways….I am no better than her."

"Don't say that Brooke," Lucas objected as he pulled her closer to him, if that was even possible. "You did what you had to do."

She nodded. Then she turned up to him pressing her lips softly against his in one, chaste kiss. Her eyes fluttered opened after her lips left his, meeting his beautiful blue ones. They were filled with love and she was overwhelmed with emotion. "Tell me you love me Lucas."

She looked at him expectantly as she waited for those perfect words to come out of his mouth. When they did not come, she frowned.

"You do love me, don't you?"

"Brooke, it's not that I don't love you, it's—

"I see," Brooke let out softly as she pulled away from Lucas her eyes in a permanent downcast. "Please take me home," she whispered as she made her way off the bleachers and to his car. She felt defeated.

The ride to the apartment that she shared with Peyton was a long and quiet one. When they finally reached her apartment they had sat there in silence.

"Please say something Brooke," Lucas pleaded, turning to look at the beautiful brunette that was sitting beside him.

She just sighed before leaning over and kissing him on the cheek. "Goodbye Lucas," she whispered as a tear slid down her cheek.

"Brooke please, I don't want us to leave off like this," he protested as she slid out of the car. "If you marry Lindsey tomorrow you're making the biggest mistake of your life Lucas."

"Brooke--

"Biggest mistake ever Lucas." Those were Brooke's last words before she vanished behind her apartment door.

End Flashback

"So Peyton, you got a plan to get Lucas back," Skillz let out as he walked into the lobby of the church where Brooke and Peyton were standing, along with Millicent, and Mouth.

The church that they were standing in was extremely spacious and very well decorated. There were extravagant paintings and sculptures all over the white and blue church and there were gold ribbons 

everywhere accented with beautiful flowers. They really had put a lot into this wedding. There was chatter coming from the inside where hundreds of guests were gathered to see the two lovebirds get married. But the ones that were closest to the groom were in the lobby. A kitchen in a furnished palace.

Brooke rolled her eyes at Skillz before quickly putting on her façade. "P. Sawyer's going to be ok, right Peyton?" she replied with a hopeful smile as she wrapped her hand around her best friend.

"Yeah, I'm going to fine," Peyton agreed but she was not very convincing. "Lucas made his decision."

"Yes, he did." Brooke replied her eyes were blank as she grabbed her best friends hand and led her into the sanctuary.

She couldn't look at the people sitting around her. They were all here in support of Lucas and Lindsey marriage, she however was not.

She couldn't believe things had ended like they did last night. She had never planned to kiss Lucas and she had never planned to tell him how she really felt about him but somehow that is what had happened, and there was no turning back now.

She felt like an idiot for letting him in again and getting her heart broken AGAIN. Truth be told, she didn't even want to be here. If it was her choice she would have stayed home. But she knew that would raise up too many questions from her best friend and others so she made herself go. She had gotten up and put on a white dress, laced in diamonds, stopping at her knees. She had curled her hair, putting on soft pink gloss and diamond stud earrings as her accessories. She looked absolutely gorgeous, but she felt like crap.

"Lucas, there's someone at the door for you." Nathan yelled out as he pulled his brother from the mirror. He was currently putting on his tie.

"I'm sure they can wait," Lucas grumbled as his brother continued to the door with Lucas trailing behind. He really didn't want to see anyone right now.

"I don't think you want her to wait," Nathan replied with a chuckle as he opened the door revealing his beautiful mother.

"My baby boy," Karen let out, her eyes already tearing up as she walked up to Lucas encircling him into a hug.

He sighed. "Mom," he let out as he let himself get wrapped up into her embrace. He had missed her so much. "Where's—"

"Your sister is with Haley and Jamie," she finished, knowing exactly what he was about to ask.

He smiled warmly. "How is she?"



"She is fine," is mother replied giving his shoulder a nudge. "She just misses her brother."

"And Andy?" he asked looking over his mother's shoulder.

"He is parking the car as we speak," she answered. "Anymore questions?" she asked with a giggle.

"No, I think that is it," he concluded as he moved away from the door letting his mother come in before closing the door behind her.

She looked around the cluttered dressing room before laying her eyes on her son. "You do know the wedding starts in 10 minutes Luke," she reminded him, pulling at his tie so that it was tighter and in the right position.

Lucas groaned at this news and his mother looked up at him with questioning eyes before letting out a breath. "Ok, you are coming with me," she let out as she grabbed his hand taking him to another room connected to the dressing room. It was a small room, opposite of the bathroom, and it only has a beige couch and a mirror in it.

When they were seated comfortable on the couch, Lucas gave his mom a confusing look. "Now, what?"

"Now, you tell me what is wrong with you," she commanded looking over her sons face with concern.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me Lucas Eugene Scott! I am your mother! I know you and I raised you and I know when something is bothering you!" she let out as she ran a hand through her black locks. Her hair had grown back he had noticed.

"You look really nice mother," he complemented as he looked over his mother's appearance. "She was wearing a green sundress with green heels, and her hair was curled. She had some makeup on but not too much. She looked elegant. "Keith would have loved it."

He temporarily caught his mother off guard with that comment and she smiled sadly as she thought of her one true love. "Thanks." She shook her head after that, trying to recompose herself. "Look, it is obvious that you are not going to let me know what is bothering you and God Forbid that you are rethinking this marriage at such a time as this but I just want you to be happy Lucas. So you do what you have to do to be happy ok." She paused. "Your uncle Keith and I didn't get to be together as long as I would have hoped we would but I am grateful for every moment I had with him….sometimes I just wish that I would have took advantage of all the time that I did have. You have that chance now son, so don't let it pass you by, ok?" With that she stood, leaning down to give her son a kiss on the cheek. "I love you Lucas, and I know you will make the right decision on whatever is bothering you."

She walked out of the dressing room after that and into the church sitting beside her old and now current flame, Andy Hardgrove.

"Everything ok," he asked as he wrapped his arm around her lovingly.



"I think Lucas might still love Peyton," she whispered as she leaned back against him, a look of worry on her face. She couldn't have been more wrong.

"I just can't believe they are getting married," Peyton let out for the umpteenth time. She was in a state similar to a trance and was annoying Brooke to no end.

"I know sweetie that's just who he wants to be with so you have to deal with it," she replied as sweetly as she could as she pulled Peyton closer to her.

To be completely truthful she was tired of being the shoulder to cry on. Why couldn't she be the one that cried on the shoulder? Lord knows that's what she felt like doing.

But she didn't. She was going to be the strong one, like she always was. At least lately that's what she was. At this moment she wished that Owen hadn't gone out of town with Chase, and then at least she would have had some moral support herself.

The elevator-like music faded out as the pianist started playing a lovely tune. The doors of the church were opened. The door at the front of the church in the corner had been opened and the minister came out with Lucas and Nathan trailing behind him.

He had looked at her, but only for a minute. She looked absolutely breathtaking and he had to clear his throat to regain his breath. If anyone was watching they would have thought that he was looking at Peyton, but he knew better.

Brooke could feel his eyes on her, but she forced herself to look at the back of the church, watching as the first of many bridesmaids and groomsmen pairs made their way to the front of the church.

Haley and Skillz were the last of the pairs to come down the aisle. Haley never looked away from the minister who she had made it a point to stare at so as not to look at Nathan. It hurt Lucas's heart to see them like this. They were supposed to be always and forever, whatever happened to that?

At that moment he looked over at Brooke again this time catching her eye, but only for a second as she quickly returned her eyes back to the back of the church. He hadn't missed the look in her eyes though. They were full of shame and sadness and it killed him to know that he was the cause of this.

Brooke watched as Lucas's little sister came down the aisle with a basket full of flowers. She really was the epitome of Keith, she thought as she smiled at the radiant girl. She would make it a point to get to know her better. Jamie was next, looking as handsome as ever. Brooke waved at her godson lovingly as he smiled at her before waving back. Her mind went to his godfather, but only for a second before she forced herself to think of something, anything else.

The music changed to 'Here comes the Bride' and everyone in the church rose to their feet. It was the moment of truth. Brooke took a deep breath as she gave Peyton's hand a squeeze. Everything was going to be ok.



She looked radiant as she walked down the aisle in the one of a kind gowns Brooke had made. Brooke couldn't help wish that she was the one that was walking down the aisle and getting married to Lucas instead of Lindsey. She had tried to hold back her emotion but it no longer seemed to be working. She was letting her emotions get the best of her.

When Lindsey finally made it to the aisle, everyone in the church was seated, a silence falling over the sanctuary. Lucas took her hands kissing them briefly before they both gave their attention to the minister.

"Dearly beloved, we are assembled here in the presence of God, to join this man and this woman in holy marriage, which is instituted of God, regulated by his commandments, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be held in honor among all men. Let us therefore reverently remember that God has established and sanctified marriage, for the welfare and happiness of mankind. Our Savior has declared that a man shall forsake his father and mother and cleave unto his wife. By his apostles, he has instructed those who enter into this relation to cherish a mutual esteem and love, to bear with each other's infirmities and weaknesses; to comfort each other in sickness, trouble, and sorrow; in honesty and industry to provide for each other and for their household in temporal things; to pray for and encourage each other in the things which pertain to God; and to live together as heirs of the grace of life." He took a pause before continuing. "If there is anyone here today who find reason why these two should not be lawfully joined together, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."

It took everything in Brooke not to speak but she promised herself that she would not make a scene. She was going to be ok. She gave Peyton's hand another squeeze, letting her know everything was going to be ok.

After what seemed like forever the preacher finally continued. "Lindsey Strauss, do you take Lucas Eugene Scott to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold for rich or for poor, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Lindsey let out and Brooke's heart went into overdrive as her words. She couldn't take this.

The preacher smiled before turning his attention to Lucas. "Now Lucas Eugene Scott, do you take Lindsey Strauss to be your lawfully wedded wife--

"Lucas, you can't!" Brooke's lip quivered as she watched her best friend stand up in protest. "You can't do this Lucas, I love you." Her eyes were pleading with his but Brooke watched him, his eyes full of pity. He did not move and Peyton realizing that he wasn't going to move, hurriedly made her way out the church."

Everyone in the church was in complete shock.

"Sorry about that," Lucas let out. "Can you please continue?"



He looked at Lindsey, trying to reassure her with his eyes that everything was going to be ok. The minister shook his head before continuing. "To have and to hold for rich or for poor, in sickness and health, for as long as you both shall live?"

"Please." It was just a whisper that had escaped her lips unknowingly but it had happened and he had heard it. His eyes were on hers now and she couldn't take it any longer. "I'm sorry," she mumbled as she stood up exiting down the same aisle Peyton had minutes ago.

Lucas just stood there as he watched her walk out, as he watched the girl that he loved more than anything walk out of his life. "I can't do this," he whispered no longer looking at his bride as he made his way down that same aisle and through the church doors.

Nathan and Skillz were the next ones out the door as they ran after Lucas mumbling something about 'cold feet' to the audience. They both did got out their cell phones dialing the one person they knew would know where Lucas had ran off to.

But when they had called her she had informed them that she had no clue where Lucas was but when they informed her that Brooke was missing as well, that's when the real questions starting arising.

A/N: Yay! That chapter is over! Took forever! Hope you liked it and please review! Epilogue tomorrow! Please Review!! Thanks!