Ok everyone, I'm a little worried that this chapter is a little over the top, what with the song and the gift and everything but this is how it has played out in my head from the very beginning and since its my first time doing this, I decided to go with my instincts. Let me know what you think!

Oh and just fyi, there will be one more chapter after this. Probably an epilogue.

Chpt. 9: Moon River

With the reception in full swing, Brooke and Peyton stood to the side, watching the show. While Mouth led most of the guests dancing to Tric's most popular act on one-half of the court, on the other Luke had removed his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and was once again battling his brother in an aggressive game of two-on-two--Luke and Skills vs. Nate and Jamie. It looked to Peyton like Jamie was going to be the high scorer, riding high on his dad's shoulders for most of the game. By now night had fallen and the moon shining on the river only added to the magic of the evening.

Sensing her friend's contentment, Brooke bumped Peyton with her hip. "You did it P. Sawy…P. Scott. Huh. Yeah, that's never going to work. You'll just have to stay P. Sawyer to me. I've known you the longest so I get to decide these things." Brooke stated matter-of-factly while Peyton laughed. "Besides, there're too many Scotts in this town anyway."

"Ok B. Davis, you call me what you want. I don't think I could stand to be called anything else by you anyway. You know none of this would have happened without you, right?"

"It was nothing."

"No. I don't just mean the wedding and the dress and the rest, though God knows I needed you for all of that. I mean this," Peyton gestured towards Luke but encompassed the whole crowd. "This. Me and Luke, this Leyton thing. When I needed my best friend, when I needed to come home, when I needed…him," Peyton looked to Luke as his Mom dragged him across the court for a dance. Turning back to Brooke she continued, "You were there. You were there for me. You were there for him. You came home for me. You made this happen." Both girls could feel the tears well up when Peyton wrapped her arms around Brooke. "I can cry just a little now. I love you B. Davis. I always have."

"I love you too Peyton. God we are such girls. Now go dance with your husband" Brooke gestured to Luke, "before Owen sees me and thinks I've had too many B. Davis's. I won't give him the satisfaction of seeing me cry, even if he did offer to bartend your reception gratis." She smacked Peyton on the ass as the girls broke apart from their hug.

"Ok, but," Peyton turned to walk backwards as she called to her friend, "your ass looks pretty good in that dress you made B. Davis. Why don't you get it out here and show it off!" And with that the band pumped up the music and the two girls joined the crowd on the dance floor, uh, court.

"Hey teacher girl," Brooke yelled, "get your ass out here and let's show 'em how it's done! Maybe we'll convince that husband of yours to strip again."

Mouth grabbed a laughing Brooke and swung her into a dance while Haley and Peyton joined along. Luke and Nate, now the only ones not dancing, gave each other a 'what the hell' shrug and ran out to join their girls.

"Peyton wanted this day to be a complete surprise so we" Haley gestured to the others standing next to her with their respective glasses raised high, "decided to throw in some surprises for her too. When she asked me to sing something for her last dance with Luke and gave me the job of picking the song, I knew the stakes were high. Not only is this a huge moment, but this is Peyton Sawyer we're talking about. Music producer, my music producer, and aficionado extraordinaire." Peyton laughed as she stood center court with her arms around Luke. "I knew I could never pick the perfect song. So I decided to write one instead."

"Woooo!!" Luke cheered as Peyton's eyebrows rode high with her grin.

"This song is for the two of you." Haley held her wine glass high. "My best friends, who are finally living the life they started on this very day back in high school. Cheers."

"This very day, you came to me and I began to breathe." Haley sang acapella as Peyton and Lucas began to dance. "This very day, we started something new and I believed; in love, in life, in me, in you, in us, in everything. This very day.

"And oh I know the Earth did not stand still. And oh I know the stars did not fall down. But you came to me and I could see forever in your eyes. My world would never be the same, I came to realize, this very day."

"This very day," Mia walked from the crowd and she and the band began to join Haley in the song, "you walked into my life and I began to hear. This very day, the music of our hearts was everywhere. It sang to me and I believed forever could be ours. This very day."

"And oh I know the Earth did not stand still. And oh I know the stars did not fall down. But you came to be and I could see forever in your eyes. My world would never be the same, I started to realize, this very day."

"This very day, you touched my soul and we both fell in love. This very day, you brought me to the place we'll always stay. And I can see that you and me will never be apart. Because you're standing next to me and still you stop my heart. This very day."

"And oh I know the Earth will not stand still. And oh I know the stars will not fall down. But you come to me and still I see forever in your eyes. My world will never be the same, I hope you realize. This very day."

Luke kissed Peyton as the song came to an end and soon they were both oblivious to their friends' cheers. But Peyton couldn't stop herself--she pulled away from Luke to run to where Haley and Mia stood, beaming. Hugging them both she began to shout, "Haley! You wrote us a song! Oh I was so hoping you would! It was beautiful Haley James Scott. You are a rock star! And you!" Turning to Mia, "I didn't even think about you singing. I mean with everything last time…" But Mia just shook her head. "I almost left Lucas to watch you two like a regular fan. It was fantastic!" Lucas and Haley laughed as Peyton kept going a mile a minute. "You know we are going to record that, right?"

"Peyton, no business at our wedding." Luke shook his head. "It was beautiful, Hales. Really. You too, Mia."

"Thanks. Actually," Mia turned back to Peyton, "we were thinking we'd record it as a duet on Haley's new album."

"You know, sort of use Mia to jump start my comeback."

"Haley! What did I tell you! Don't call it a comeback!" Nate shouted at his wife from his spot back on the basketball court.

Ignoring Nate Mia continued, "the plan works really well for us both."

Peyton hugged them both again. "God, that's perfect! Can this day get any more fantastic?"

"Actually, I think maybe it can." Everyone turned to Brooke. "Haley and I couldn't leave you without a few surprises Peyton. Although Nate and Lucas did a great job conjuring up that surprise strip of glitter." She held up Peyton's hand for the thousandth time. "Come on you two." Still holding Peyton's hand, Brooke began to guide her and Lucas back to center court. Snagging a loose ball, Luke paused and, stepping into the fade away, took his shot. Peyton clapped but Brooke rolled her eyes when the ball effortlessly dropped into the basket.

Grinning, he turned back to the two girls. "What's up Brooke?"

"That fade away's still crap, that's what's up" Nate shouted.

"Oh shut up boys. God, when will we ever be done with basketball? Ok P. Sawyer--

"Scott," Lucas interrupted.

"Yeah, we discussed that." Peyton laughed as Brooke explained to Lucas, "we aren't gonna go with P. Scott. Sorry Luke. Anyway, P. Sawyer, we, all of us," Brooke's arms spread to include the whole crowd, "weren't really sure what to get you guys. I mean, what do you buy for a surprise wedding for people who are already living together in a fully furnished house?" Peyton laughed. "So, we pooled our money together and--"

"Of course Brooke's got the deepest pool," Haley interrupted.

"Well," flipping her hair over her shoulder, "owning your own clothing line is good for some things. And my mother can't have everything in this 'divorce' we're going through." Brooke tried to laugh but it was a little bitter and strained at the edges so Peyton squeezed her hand. "Anyway. What was I saying? Oh yeah. So. Here it is, an all expenses paid trip to London." Peyton and Lucas's mouths dropped open at the envelope Brooke handed them. "We figured it was the home of Shakespeare and the Cure. So there's something for everyone."

"Oh my God, Best Friend Ever!" Peyton grabbed Brooke in a hug while Luke wrapped his arm around Haley.

"Wait! There's more. It just so happens, P. Sawyer that U2 is playing at the exact same time you are scheduled to take a day trip to Ireland." Brooke held up two concert tickets. What came out of Peyton's mouth, and Brooke's excited response, wasn't legible. Though it appeared the girls understood each other, no one else knew what they were squealing.

Shaking his head at them and trying to shut them up, Luke grabbed Brooke and planted a firm kiss directly on her lips. Laughing with him, she smacked his chest and said "No more benefits for you, Broody." But leaning into a hug she whispered in his ear "You know how hot that U2 show is going to make her? Well, for your surprise I made a little something for her to wear. Underneath, if you know what I mean." Luke laughed. "Take care of her, Luke. She's both of ours now."

"She saved me, Brooke. I'll never stop needing her." Pulling away from the embrace, Luke spoke louder, "It's too much. Really guys." Luke looked around the crowd, clearly overwhelmed.

"But we'll take it!" Everyone laughed at Peyton, who dragged Brooke away to lay a kiss on Luke's mouth who whispered in her ear 'I'm going to love you forever, Peyton Sawyer Scott.' Looking at the crowd she said, "I can't give a speech. And I can't let Luke give a speech. I'm sorry." Peyton shook her head at the light boos. "Seriously guys, I'll blubber. Aren't you all tired of always watching me cry?" Now everyone laughed again. "But I do want to say this. We grew up in this town, with these people. All of you are a part of what we did today. A part of our epic story." She smiled up at Luke. "This town, all of you, are characters in the story of our lives. So thank you, so much, for our happy ending."