Chpt. 6: I Wanna Marry You

'Meet at the River Court?' Luke was confused. Why would Peyton, whom he assumed was dressed up, want to stop by the River Court? And if she was going somewhere with Haley, why didn't she just come back home and meet him? But if Luke knew anything, he knew better than to question women getting dressed. Besides, the River Court was on the way out of town and made more sense than Haley's place anyway. So he did what he was told and headed to get his girl.

When Luke pulled up to the River Court, he knew something was up. Cars were parked all around and it looked like there was a stage set up near the back of the court. As he got out of the car and looked around in confusion, he immediately noticed Nate approaching. Waiting for his brother to get to his side, Luke continued to take in the scene. He could see white cloth-covered chairs on the court and decorations--what the heck was hanging off the basketball goals?--scattered around the court while well-dressed people--was that Whitey?--mingled around. His thoughts were going a mile a minute but only one came through with clarity: 'What the hell?'

The images that make up the River Court are seared into his brain. No other place has shaped the history of his life more or is more familiar. He's seen it vandalized by the Ravens and covered in artwork like Peyton's now-faded comet. He can picture it crowded with people watching him battle his brother for the first time and he can picture Peyton standing with her arms around his neck as they said their goodbyes before she left for L.A. He's watched it get dingy with time and worked to fix it up when he returned to Tree Hill. But he's never seen it quite like this.

And no matter where he looked--and yes, that was Whitey talking to Jake Jagielski!--Peyton was no where to be seen.

Lucas turned to Nate, "What the--"

"Welcome to your wedding bro."

"My wedding? My…" Luke couldn't get the words out. His wedding? How could it be his wedding? But of course, it did look like a wedding. And he was pretty sure he could see Larry Sawyer in a suit talking to a very minister-looking man. "How can this be my wedding?"

"Here, maybe this will explain things." Nate handed him a piece of paper and Luke knew immediately it was one of Peyton's drawings. Looking down he saw he and Peyton standing center court getting married. Peyton in a white dress stood facing him (dressed in the exact suit he has on!) and holding his hands. Luke could even see the basketball goals standing on either side of them but what he noticed most was that Peyton's eyes were locked on his. He knew exactly what she meant when she told him it was like he could see her soul. He had always felt the same and she had captured that sentiment perfectly in the picture. Staring at that connection Luke almost missed what was written on the bottom of the drawing. 'Because people always leave. But sometimes they come back.'

"How'd she…Where's…" Luke shook his head. Apparently he was still having trouble talking.

"Yeah, I didn't think she'd pull it off. Clearly you are pretty oblivious man." Nate clasped Luke by the shoulder and began to pull him forward. "So, are you ready to get married or what?'

Seeing Nate lead a dumbfounded Lucas towards center court Skills approached them both. "We gonna do this thing?'

"Yeah." Lucas recovered slightly and zeroed in on Skills and Nate. "Yeah. We're going to do this thing. I'm getting married. Where do I go? Where's my girl?' Luke was getting excited and he needed to see her. He couldn't believe she did this. He had thought he was ready to get married before but now that it was finally time, he couldn't wait a minute more to make Peyton Sawyer his wife.

Nate resumed pulling Luke forward. "Alright, let's go. You know the drill. Ceremony, reception, blah blah blah. You've been here before, remember?" Nate smirked.

But Lucas, suddenly serious, replied "I've never been here. Not just this place."

"Yeah. Oh and Luke, you have the ring, right? "Nathan watched as Luke instinctively wrapped his hand around the box in his pocket. "I have a feeling you might be needing it. " Nate grinned. "I told you a band would be perfect! Ha. Sucker."

And with that Luke took his spot at center court where Nathan and Skills stood next to him. He shook hands with Peyton's dad and the minister. Looking around in awe at the people taking their seats in a half circle around him, he did a double take when he saw his mom and little sister. Not wanting to intrude as the wedding was starting, his mom just smiled and waved but Lily couldn't help herself. She ran to Luke and he caught her by the waist on the fly. Much later, Karen would tear up over the scene caught by the photographer--Luke in his best suit swinging Lily in a circle with her pink dress twirling and white ribbons flying. At that moment the dominant thought on her mind was simple: how proud would Keith be of their two babies--for Lucas was always Keith's--if he could see them now. After a long hug Luke finally put Lily back on her feet and she ran back to Karen, stopping to stick her tongue out at the little boy now standing in front of Nathan.

Suddenly, almost out of nowhere, music began to play. Looking around Luke noticed a band set up near the water for the first time. As he scanned the scenes before him, trying to see everything at once, his breath caught in his throat when his eyes tracked over the black limo pulling up to the court.

Luke's eyes never left the car and so the first thing Peyton saw when she stepped out was Luke's blue eyes and lopsided smile. Brooke and Haley were frantic to fix her dress but Peyton only had eyes for Luke. Smiling shyly, she shrugged her shoulders and took her place behind her two friends at the end of the court. Luke's gaze didn't stray from hers until Nathan, interrupting their trance, leaned to Luke's ear and whispered, "Your girl's beautiful. Why'd I ever let her get away?" Then Haley caught his eye and smiled. "Oh yeah. That's why."