I drove in my car around the familiar streets in the middle of the night. I hadn't done that since the Twins were little. I drove the same streets I drove in High School, I rode the familiar roads, to Peyton's house, to the River Court, to my old home. I stopped and just looked at the house from my car, wrapped up in memories.

I saw a little girl sitting on the steps of the front porch. She was wearing a new dress, and a pretty bow kept her brunette locks out of her face. She looked immaculate but lonely. She sat on the porch and sighed, afraid to go inside. You could hear quarrelling inside, the sounds of glass shattering. Her parents were fighting… again. At least they were home that day.

Suddenly, she heard a clanking sound. She looked up and saw a car pass by. There was writing on it. 'Just Married.' She stood up, enticed by the sight of the bride and groom. They looked so happy, content, and comfortable. The new bride saw the excitement in the little girl's eyes. Her own eyes shined. She moved her hand up, grabbed the veil she had on and threw it towards the little girl. She didn't need it anymore. She had found the man of her dreams.

The little girl grabbed the veil and felt the soft fabric in her fingers. However, her attention span was narrow as the decibel volume in the house intensified.

"When will you get it through your thick skull that I'm not happy!" her mother screamed.

"Happy? You think I'm happy? You think I like working all day and coming home to the same broken record?" the father retaliated.

"Oh, I'm a broken record?" the mother countered.

"Yes, you are!"

"Well, I wish I'd never married you! It was a mistake I did," the mother regretted, albeit loudly.

"Can I go now? I've had enough of you for one night," he answered in exasperation.

"I've had enough of you for one life!" the mother replied, wanting nothing to do with the mess her life was.

I replayed the entire incident in my head. I could've sworn that it occurred only yesterday. Yet, this time, I had blocked out the sadness. Instead, I focused on the veil in my hands and how excited I was when I found it. I looked at the Davis Mansion and I smiled. I was getting married. I was leaving to go to the Hamptons tomorrow. Lucas and I would be husband and wife again very soon.

I drove back home and climbed into bed, cuddling to Lucas' side. He felt my cold hands on his and stirred. "Oh, I'm sorry to wake you up."

"Why are you awake, Pretty Girl?" he asked me.

"Because I can't wait to marry you!" I said with a wide smile before closing my eyes, feeling content to be in his arms.


Everything had been so crazy yet so great. We managed to plan our whirlwind wedding and I was really happy with the outcome. Everything from presents to logistics, to the set up of our Foundation had worked out. I even made the Country Western Glam work per Lucas' request.

The kids had asked us what we wanted for our bachelor and bachelorette but Lucas and I were both against it. We didn't want any of that craziness. "I can't wait to be married, I don't feel shackled by it that I need to enjoy one last day of freedom," Lucas had said.

"Come on, besides, it's not like our best man and maid of honour can drink or call for entertainment," I had joked.

But my girlfriends couldn't care less about that. Peyton flew down, they hired a party bus and we were out dancing the night away. Sophia flashed her fake ID to get in and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Aunt P made it for me, just for the day! I swear I'll toss it after tonight," she said. I didn't believe a word out of her mouth, but I let it slide. I was getting married to the man of my dreams soon!


"Come on already! I know it's a private jet but let's manage time people!" Sophia shrieked in the foyer. It was the day that we were flying to the Hamptons. Millie had gone there a week ago to oversee everything and my friends and I were flying there today. My house looked like a pack of wild wolves had gotten loose. Everything was everywhere. We had so many things that we were taking with us, it was insane.

"Our Uber is here!" Sophia announced to the rest of us.

"Can you start taking everything out and getting it inside the cab, honey?" Lucas requested as he helped me zip the last of our bags. Sophia grumbled but began to schlep them out. Obviously, we had hired the biggest car, but he was still surprised seeing the amount of stuff that we had. But, I was carrying everybody's clothes. I had designed and sewed everybody's outfits for the wedding, and I was not going to let any of them get a single crease. So, naturally, the bag counts grew.

"Finally, we thought you guys were planning to bail your own wedding," Nathan joked when our Uber finally got into the tiny airport where my jet was parked.

"Very funny, Thank God the cabin crew will help us with this stuff. Boys, get to work and if even one bag is manhandled, you're going to face the wrath of Brooke Davis!" I warned them.

"Brooke, any butterflies?" Haley asked me, sipping on the champagne the cabin staff had offered.

"No, I've never been more certain about anything," I said, turning to look at Lucas who was playing a game with Jude.

Haley smiled at me and hugged me, "I love you so much."

"I love you too Hales," I replied, feeling myself get emotional.

Peyton's family had already reached New York as they were flying from LA. When we landed in New York, Sanjay was waiting for us as expected. He was so excited to see us. He hugged all of us and told us about how excited Meera and his kids were for the wedding. We drove to the Hamptons house and immediately, our breaths were taken away. The place looked spectacular. Although there were 3 days remaining for the main event, most of the house was already decorated. The entrance was glammed up, the house looked stunning, the marquee for the reception had been set up, and the tables were getting placed just then. My canopy of fairy lights had been erected. The chairs were being dragged to the venue. Except for the flowers, everything was getting set.

"Millie, this place is a dream! I can't believe it! Thank you!" I cried, hugging her.

"Oh Brooke, please don't cry," she begged, not used to seeing me all emotional.

"Yeah, forgive her. This place looks great, Mills. We can't thank you enough," Lucas replied before pulling me off Millie's arms. "Come on you goof, we don't you go and unpack all the stuff we had to bring with us."

Peyton met us inside. She was coordinating on getting the interiors of the house ready. There was a large room at the back for parties and things and we planned to use that space for the Elevated Cowboy party. I got so happy seeing her that I jumped to hug her. "Thanks for doing this for me, P. Sawyer Jagielski! I love you!"

"I love you too, B Davis, soon to be Scott!" she replied.

"What can I do? The staff took care of our bags," I asked, ready to get to work.

"You get to have a glass of wine and enjoy yourself! That's your only job. We will handle everything else," she replied. "Maid of Honour, get your mother a drink and stick her in bed!"

"What! No, that's insane," I answered.

"Jeez Mom, learn to relax a little!" she said and began to take me up the stairs. I turned around to look at everybody but they weren't having it.

"But I'll get bored all alone," I whined. "I want to be with my people!"

"Fine, but you don't get to lift a pinkie," she made me promise. I raised my hand in promise and the two of us headed downstairs again. Millie was literally briefing everybody about the remaining tasks. Workers were doing everything but there was much to oversee. She assigned different sections of the house to everyone and without missing a beat, everyone was at work. Everyone but the kids, so I spent my time playing with them! We decided on a round of hide-and-seek on the upper floor so that we wouldn't disrupt the workers. Every room was to have a welcome basket, but those would be put in tomorrow before the guests arrived. I loved being with Haley's children so much.

"Hey, you! What are you doing crouching like that?" Haley asked as she saw my head poking out from behind a table.

"Hide and seek with your kids," I whispered, afraid that I would get caught.

Haley chuckled and rolled her eyes, "Have I told you that there could never be a greater Godmother for those kids than you? Nobody has a bigger heart than you, Brooke Davis."

"Hales, we talked about making me cry!" I said, feeling myself getting emotional and teary-eyed again.

"Anyway, I came up here to get you for lunch. I took a bite of what you're chef prepared and we are moving him to Tree Hill! It's so damn good!" she exclaimed. "Jude Lyd, I found Aunt Brooke! Game over, time for lunch!"

The kids came running out of the room they were searching for me and I picked Lydia in my arms to take her down the stairs. Just as we reached the landing, I stopped and looked at Haley. "I'm getting married, Haley! We're here prepping for my wedding!"

She began to cry too and hugged me tight. I flicked my tears away and met everyone for lunch. "Thank you so much for everything, guys! I don't know why I'm so emotional but I am so grateful to each and every one of you and I just want to say that I love all of you so much!"

Everyone cheered and we began to eat, but suddenly someone entered the door.

"Oh, mom! Hi?" I said, not knowing why she was here early.

"Wow, this place looks gorgeous, Brooke," she said, taking in the sight of the inside of the house.

"Umm, thanks," I said, still unsure why she was there.

Victoria seemed to read my mind, "So I thought I'd just stop by and give you this. Go ahead. It's definitely old, not that I expect or even allow you to wear it tonight. But I know it meant a lot to you."

I opened the fancy wedding gift box and inside was the veil, the veil of the happy bride I had found while sitting on the front steps of my porch while my parents fought inside.

"I can't believe you kept this," I said, genuinely surprised that she had for all those years. Victoria was not motherly in the least. At least she never had been.

"I remember the night you found it," she said, assuming that I had forgotten about the incident. I had been so little.

"So do I," I said, to let her know that I remembered too.

"You brought it to me and you said, someday, Mom, I'm gonna wear one of these," Victoria told me with a smile. It was strange how the same incident was so different in each of our heads.

"And do you remember what you said to me? You said, don't ever get married, Brooke. It'll ruin your life," I reminded her.

"Yeah. Well...I guess it's a good thing, then, you stopped taking my advice somewhere along the way," she replied, plastering a fake smile on her face.

"Victoria, will you check if the flowers for the Night Before Party are perfect?" Peyton asked, trying to stop things from escalating. Victoria nodded her head and went to check on things.

"What's wrong, B? I thought that since California, things were good between the two of you," Peyton said to me.

"Since when do you side with Victoria? And I know, she has been really good since everything happened, but that gift, I don't know. It reminded me of all the fights and… and I should apologise," I said and excused myself from the table.

I walked in to find Victoria berating a decorator. "Hey Mom," I said, walking to her.

"Yes Dear?" she asked, turning to me.

"Hey, I'm sorry about what I said to you. It was uncalled for and I shouldn't have," I said.

"I did deserve it. I was really never a good mother," she said. I couldn't deny that but I didn't want to say that to her.

"You're still going to walk me down the aisle?" I asked.

"Of course," she smiled. "No! You want to clash pink and red! What is wrong with you? Don't you have eyes?" I laughed as I watched my mother run behind another decorator.


The next day our guests began to fly in. It was amazing how many people wanted to celebrate with us. We welcomed them and the staff directed them to their rooms. We only had the Elevated Cowboy party so the guests had time to relax and check out the property. Lucas and I went around making small talk and greeting people. He was so shy around celebrities, it was kind of cute.

When evening came, we changed into our outfits. I put on a white gown that I had designed. It had spaghetti straps and a low back. The front of the dress had a flowing cape. It draped my sides but showcased my back sexily. I accessorised with a Heron & Pine Rae Rancher hat in ivory with an antique sterling silver and turquoise hat band; vintage Cartier diamond and turquoise earrings; and a vintage silver and turquoise concho belt. They were my nod to my something blue. My bridesmaids were dressed in deep reds and greens. Their dresses had different patterns, some were off-shoulder, and they had frills and matching cowboy hats. They had heeled boots to finish their looks and it really was country western glam. We had a live band playing, there was good food, and everyone was having a good time.

"Hey everyone, we have a surprise for our bride and groom. So if everyone can take their seats, we can start with the festivities. Just a heads up, they put us all to work on getting everything ready for the wedding, so we really had no time to practise. So forgive us, if we aren't great," Nathan announced.

"What? Do you know about this?" I asked.

"Not a clue," Lucas replied, equally worried about what was about to come up.

It began with Sophia and Jamie coming on stage. Sophia was wearing a t-shirt and skirt and Jamie had on Jeans and the signature Keith's Auto and Body Shop Sweatshirt.

"This love story is no ordinary love story. It is full of juicy drama, scandal, big love, big sacrifices and whatnot. We are quite certain that most of the guests here don't know half of it, so we thought we would show you," Sophia told the crowd.

Peyton and Sophia were sitting huddled together.

"This is a killer snow fort, Brooke!" Peyton said to Sophia.

"Totally! I mean, it has a tunnel!" Sophia replied.

"I can't believe your mom let you come over," Peyton said.

"Uhh, yeah, she didn't mind," Sophia acted but it was obvious that she was playing me lying to Peyton. My mother hadn't cared. She probably thought school was on, or maybe she wasn't even in Tree Hill. "Peyton, are you ever worried that our lives are about to change?"

Sophia suddenly pretended to be pacing frantically. "Peyton! Peyton! I need help!" she screeched on the phone.

"Brooke, what's wrong?" Peyton asked from the other side.

"It's my Broody! I think he is hurt! We need to go save him!"

"What?" she asked, acting surprised.

"Lucas and I have been secretly dating and I didn't tell you. His father hits him sometimes. I think he is hurt!" she said.

Suddenly Peyton took the stage.

"It was that frantic call that informed me that my best friend, who chose a new boy every day because she didn't trust them, was finally willing to open her heart to someone. I drove to her house to find her in the middle of a full-blown panic attack. She made me drive to Lucas' house and ran to the door to save him before I had even stopped in their driveway. Brooke knew just how dangerous Dan was. I mean, Lucas was an athlete and Dan's attack put him in the hospital. Yet, she didn't care. All she cared about was saving Lucas. She ran in, telling me to keep the car ready and surely, Dan attacked her. Even while she was getting attacked, my best friend's eyes and thoughts were only fixated on Lucas and his survival. I didn't listen to Brooke and went in. I grabbed Lucas' baseball bat and hit him. Brooke immediately flung to Lucas' side to save him and that's when I knew that my Brookie, my best friend, was in love! Over time, their love only magnified. They faced so many hurdles, oh God! But their love never diminished. My best friend is kind, empathetic, funny, passionate, compassionate and loves like nobody can and nobody will. I speak for our entire family when I say this. We are lucky to have you Brooke and Lucas, you gave Brooke a safe container to be in. You made her realise that she was worthy, that she deserved to be loved! You tamed the insecure little girl I knew and helped her be this confident, successful girl that she is. You have been patient and supportive and I know, it's been a crazy life for you too, but you got through it because you loved Brooke equally. The day when we stayed inside the snow fort with a tunnel all day, Brooke made it seem so safe although this whole other world had just come in overnight and taken ours away; like… everything was okay although our lives were changing. Everything our world was about to become; maybe we could just stop it, not because we could magically remain little kids. But because we would be together… Forever. And here we are, the real love story. Together. Forever. Sorry, Luke but she loved me first. To my best friend, To the one she loved second and To their Love!" she toasted.

I was sobbing already. Peyton came and hugged me tight and I just murmured I Love You's to her.

Jamie and Haley were on Stage suddenly.

"Is it just you and your mom?" Haley asked Jamie who was pretending to be Lucas.

"Mostly. I have a dad, but he is usually never around," Jamie replied.

"Hmm, I come from a really large family. I think you need some more people to be in your family. How about I join it?" Haley asked innocently.

"Okay, but I can't invite you home when my dad is there. He doesn't like it," Jamie answered.

"Okay!" Haley said coolly.

Suddenly the scenes changed and Haley was pretending to serve coffee. "Oh my God, Brooke is here! Is my hair okay? Gosh Haley, you're staring at her and creeping her out!" she said to herself, making everyone laugh.

"Hi, what can I get you- oh hi Brooke," she said.

"Oh hi, Haley, you work here?" Sophia asked.

"Wait, you know me?" Haley said, this time with an eye roll. Then she pretended to spill water.

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry!" she said, pretending to be mortified.

Sophia began to help her clean the imaginary mess. "Please can I get the sweetest thing on the menu and whatever you will have once you get on your break?"

"What?" she asked, clearly not anticipating that. "Why are you being nice to me?"

"Because I would like to think of myself as a nice person?" Sophia said with an eye roll of her own. The room darkened for a moment and Haley came front and centre.

"Those were my wild encounters with Lucas and Brooke. Both couldn't have been any more different. These two really seemed to belong from two different planets back then. Lucas became my family instantly. He seemed to need love and frankly, I don't know why I thought family swapping was okay, but I am so grateful that I did. Lucas and Karen became so important to me. He and I were bonded like siblings. We didn't need to be wild and popular like Brooke Davis. We had each other and that was good enough. Lucas was a basketball player, he could very well sit on the jock table, but he chose to be an outcast. He chose me. Of course, I believed that Brooke Davis would have no idea who I was. She was the most popular girl in school. She was the head cheerleader, annoyingly pretty. Still is. And I used to wonder back then, what it would be like to be friends with Brooke. Would she make me popular? Would all the boys start asking me out? Then she came to the cafe and we sat and ate together. She didn't treat me any differently than she treated the girls she hung out with at school. And from that moment, I knew that I wanted Brooke to be my friend, not because she was gonna make me popular and not because boys would start asking me out, but because I got a glimpse of the real Brooke, a girl with the biggest heart that I have ever known. And, you know, when you're in High School, it's not very easy to let people see who you really are. I could see it, though. It was in the eyes. So we became friends, and now she's my best friend. Yes, she did make me popular and a very popular boy did ask me out. But, that became insignificant. I found a real friend whom I could trust and love, who was there for me. We've been through so much together over the years with Lucas and Brooke. And my friendship with each of them is still growing. So I know that your friendship and love for each other will continue to grow every year for the rest of your lives. And I feel so lucky to be a part of that. I love you, Lucas Scott and Brooke Davis."

Man, Haley! Gosh, that girl could make me cry! I couldn't believe these people.

"Hey Hoe!" Rachel said, coming up on stage.

"Hi skank, what havoc do you plan on wreaking today?" Sophia said.

"Language!" I screamed from our table, making the crowd laugh and Sophia rolled her eyes.

"I hear Hot Uncle Cooper is in town!" Rachel smirked.

"Rachel, he is never going to go for a girl like you. Trust me, otherwise, I'd be all over him!" Sophia answered salaciously.

"Oh please, your tastes have gone so low ever since you went for the Brooding lot," Rachel said and nudged in the direction where Jamie was standing doing a perfect impersonation of Brooding Lucas!

"Yeah, but he's my Broody!" Sophia replied although it came all weird because it was her brother standing there at the end of the day.

"Hey Bitch!" Rachel said, taking centre stage.

"Hi Whore!" I greeted back and received hoots and catcalls in return. "Remember that there are kids present here before you open your mouth!"

Rachel laughed before continuing her speech. "I grew up with body dysmorphia. I constantly felt the need for boys to validate my body. I struggled with Bulimia all through High School and even after. I was wild and flighty. Brooke saw through the facade. She saw how much I was struggling. She took care of me and got me the help I needed so I would stop doing what I was doing to myself and start eating. She got me to rehab, and checked on me although she was so busy building her fashion empire and raising two kids. Once I was out, she gave me a job to model for her Company. Nobody trusted me. I was known to be uncooperative and disruptive. Yet, Brooke believed in me and I couldn't be more grateful to her. Brooke told me that she wasn't sure whether to ask me to model because modelling came with a specific world, a world that required you to look and act a certain way. She consulted Lucas for advice and he told her to give me a shot at it but watch me like a hawk. At the slightest sign of discomfort, she was to pull me out of there like a mother bear. I really appreciate both of you so much!"

"Care to know what else I have planned? I know you do! I have spray string and Mouth, come here, sit," Sophia said, pretending to be me. Mouth walked on the stage and sat on a chair as per Sophia's instructions. I knew what was coming and I couldn't watch! It was going to be funny. "This is the Brooke Davis version of 'Spin the Bottle'. Only now, it's 'Spin the Body'. Watch." She spun Mouth who began to laugh and pointed at random girls. "And last but not least; we have 'Five Minutes in the Elevator'."

"Isn't it 'Five Minutes in the Closet'?" Jamie asked.

"Yeah, if you're in junior high. But the great part about this is; you know how everybody has their elevator list?" Sophia continued.

"What?" Skills asked, confused.

"Your elevator list! Come on! The list of people you're allowed to have sex with if you're ever stuck in an elevator with them," Sophia said casually pretending to be me. I was red with embarrassment.

"Halle Berry," Skills said quickly.

"Beyonce," Fergie said.

"Jack Black," was Peyton's answer.

"Brooke Davis!" went Mouth.

The crowd roared! Gosh, I had forgotten a lot of my wild days! When did I even find the time to do those things?

"I began as Lucas' geeky friend who used to pretend to be a sports announcer for Lucas' plays at the River Court. Once Lucas joined the varsity team, I launched my website to give our listeners the play-by-play. I was the tech guy who was head of the AV club, no one fancy. Definitely not on the Queen of the School's radar. As you already heard Haley say, Lucas could choose to be popular. He could leave all of us geeks behind and never look back. But you know what he did? When he began to date Brooke, he did in fact, become popular. He did join the cool table where the varsity basketball legends had lunch with their cheerleader starlets. Yet, Luke did something revolutionary. He took us geeks and outcasts with him. Me, Junk, Fergie, Skills, Haley. We were the nerds and geeks of the school and he made us friends with the Tree Hill Royalty. Sorry Millie, but back then, I had the ultimate girl crush on Brooke. Yet, I could never imagine even talking to her, let alone be giving a toast at her wedding. She really couldn't care what I looked like or what my hobbies and interests were. She only cared whether I was a loyal best friend to the boy she loved. She really cares so much about you, Luke. They used to ask me for AV favours for each other. Lucas asked me to create Clothes over Bro's original website. The very first one which launched the start of Brooke's career. Brooke asked me to create a video showcasing Lucas' achievements in basketball and run commentary so that she could submit a tape to High Flyers and get Lucas a spot in the coveted camp. They care about each other like nobody does and they care about their friends like you can't imagine. Brooke played matchmaker and became the reason my beautiful and fabulous girlfriend, Millicent, is my beautiful and fabulous girlfriend. I know I am blessed to have both of you as my friends!"

"Lucas, I know what's going on!" Nathan said, although it looked so forced and fake, Nathan was a terrible actor.

"Nathan, you can't tell anyone anything!" Jamie replied.

"But Lucas! I saw him hurt you! Let me go to my mom. She will help," Nathan suggested.

"No! Everything will just get worse. Listen, what you think you saw, you saw wrong. It was nothing like that! And I can't believe you would think something like that! We are no longer friends! I don't want to speak with you ever again!" Jamie said harshly.

Sophia suddenly appeared on stage and Junk came to pretend to be a guy who thought it was okay to be a little handsy with me.

"Whom are you looking at!" Nathan said, grabbing Junk by the collar and pushing him away after pretending to punch him.

"God, isn't that like the fifteenth guy that you have punched for me? Some day you're not going to be around me to do the punching," Sophia told him.

"I'm always going to protect you, Penelope!" Nathan replied.

"I chose to act, rather badly, those two stories today because they are important. I have known both Brooke and Lucas for longer than anybody out here. Lucas is my cousin and Penelope and I became friends in Kindergarten. I have seen every version of these two people. I have seen them be innocent kids, I have seen them try to figure out who they are and I have seen both of them internally struggle with their family dynamics. I don't know when and how I became the Protector of their Secrets, but I was. It truly felt like I was watching a movie back then, where I as the audience had seen a vital key to the plot that the protagonists were oblivious about. I knew that they were both struggling and hiding, but they expected me and trusted me to not tell anybody. I loved both of them so much that I followed their wishes back then, although I wouldn't have thought twice before punching the ones hurting them. In fact, I did punch Lucas when he hurt Brooke the first time."

"It still hurts!" Lucas screamt.

Nathan chuckled and continued, "The point was, I knew what was happening but didn't have the tools to do anything about it. Soon, Brooke and Lucas became each other's keepers but there was a big difference between me and them, I realised. Theirs was supported by action. Brooke got Lucas out of that abusive house. Lucas tamed Brooke down. Their actions, intentions and motivations were fuelled by one thing only - Deep and Intense Love for each other. I was also one of the first to see their love for what it was, True Love and I also won the bet for how long it would take Brooke and Lucas to realise just how much they loved each other and get back together! It's been a privilege to be the secret keeper and watch your love bloom. I'm sorry I didn't do more for you back then, Luke. I wish I had, but it worked out because if I hadn't, who knows whether we would be standing here today. And Penelope, I'll punch a guy for you anytime!" Nathan said.

"Stop calling me Penelope!" I yelled at him.

"Brooke doesn't sound like a girl's name!" he said before taking his seat just like the time we were in Kindergarten.

Next Karen and my mother came on stage.

"Sorry, we couldn't plan an Act for you guys because we couldn't meet Jamie and Sophia for a practice run who planned the whole thing. But we do have toasts. Lucas, having you as my son has been the greatest honour of my life. You, my boy, have always been a gentle soul. Even as a kid, you always looked out for me. You saved me from your father. I was responsible for looking out for you, but you looked out for me every day. I don't know how I got so lucky to have you. I remember when you were three years old, we were on this trip. I don't even remember where we were going, but I remembered that I was asking Dan to make a rest stop because I needed to use the restroom. But, he didn't care. He simply kept driving, saying that I should have thought about that the last time we halted. Baby, you were so young, but you saw the pain in my eyes. You had a juicebox in your bag that you deliberately opened incorrectly and spilled all over yourself and the car. That car was more precious to Dan than anything. So, he stopped at the next stop to clean his seats. I remember how hard he smacked you that time. But, you kept quiet. When I took you in the restroom to get cleaned up, you told me to take care of myself first and that you could take care of yourself. You have ever since. Lucas, I truly owe you my life. I consider myself very blessed every day to have been so lucky to have you and I am so sorry that you felt like you had to protect me, instead of the other way around." Karen was crying so hard at that point.

Lucas stood up and ran to her side. He hugged her and wiped her tears away. Everyone had tears in their eyes in the audience, but I was fixated on Lucas. "Mom, whom did I run to for help when Brooke got pregnant? Who taught me how to be a father? Who was there for me when I was at my lowest when we divorced? Mom, I wouldn't be here without you," he said.

"Neither would I," I seconded, standing up and going to hug her as well. "You did not have to be there for me after the divorce. Yet, you checked on me, every day because you knew I had nobody checking on me. I tried to push you away like I did with my friends and you were indomitable. You have always been a force. You were the one who made me believe that I could be a decent mother at 16. I was sure I would screw those two knuckleheads up! You taught me everything! You saved both of us from our self-destructible tendencies as teenagers."

Karen hugged us and the crowd erupted in claps and cheers. We smiled and walked down.

"How come you never told me that story about you in the car?" I asked.

"Honestly, I didn't remember it. Now, when Mom mentioned it, I have a vague memory of it but I was too little to remember," he shrugged.

"Your big heart continues to amaze me everyday!" I said and kissed his lips.

"Uhh, I- I don't think I can give as good a speech as Karen. I don't have too many stories from Brooke's childhood and frankly, the only time I began to appreciate her was after she started her business. But, I was wrong to do that. She is incredibly talented, gifted beyond a doubt and a better mother than I could ever be. I remember when she pitched me her expansion plans. I said to her, Brooke, your chances are one in a million." And she said to me, maybe I'm that one. I didn't believe in her. I flatly told her, you're not. Luckily, she proved me wrong. Whatever I thought I saw in her was wrong... because she was and she is one in a million." Victoria said. She smiled weakly and raised her glass to toast us. I felt my hand go to my heart. I felt warm inside.


"Good morning, Bridesmaid. Nice of you to join me on my wedding day. I was gonna check and see if you were still alive in there," I said when I saw Haley walk down to the kitchen where I was sitting alone and eating my breakfast. We had gone the traditional route and Lucas and I were spending the night apart. My bridesmaids and I were in the main house while the boys were in the guest house on the other side of the property.

"I don't know why I overslept. I'm sorry. I never oversleep, seriously. I don't...I don't even need an alarm clock. It was just…," Haley said, feeling so out of it.

"The mattress?" I asked, kinking my eyebrow.

"That mattress! I had no idea something that comfortable existed. It's like it was made out of hopes and dreams," she said, grabbing a mug and pouring herself some coffee.

"Yeah, I used to have to drag the kids kicking and screaming out of there every morning. My Maid of Honour is still sleeping," I chuckled.

" I can see why," Haley replied, defending her.

"Now, don't get too excited, but this is for you. Your Bridesmaid gift," I said, handing her a silver box. It was a locket and when she opened it, there were pictures of Jude and Lydia inside.

" Brooke, that's so sweet. My goodness. It's beautiful! Oh!" she said, staring at it with wide eyes. "It's beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much."

Eventually, Haley stirred everyone up and it was time to get me ready. I had professionals do my hair and makeup, but my girlfriends were right there, helping them.

"Does that feel tight?" Peyton asked, once my hair was in its bun.

"Mm-hmm."

"Okay. Okay. That's it. Wow. Brooke, you are officially the most beautiful bride ever. And you're not even in your dress yet. Oh. You are gonna look so...So beautiful in that dress," Haley cried.

"Haley, don't. 'Cause if you cry, then I'm gonna cry, and I don't want to have to redo my makeup!" I said, already feeling choked by happy tears.

"Okay. All right. I'm sorry. You're right. I just... Okay. We have to get ready to go to the grounds anyway!" she said.

"We're going out to the grounds. We're going to the grounds where I'm getting married. Haley, I'm getting married!" I cried.

" We are so gonna have to redo your makeup!" Peyton cried, joining us.

"I know!"

The makeup artist chuckled and gave me a final touch up. My girls helped me get into my dress and there was a collective gasp. Nobody had seen my gown. I blushed, "You think Lucas will like it?"

"Soph, you better keep an ambulance on standby because your father is definitely passing out!" Peyton said, her eyes rimmed red with tears.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Sophia went to peek outside. "It's Jamie, should I let him in?"I nodded my head.

"I'm here on official best-man business. Whoa! Mom! You look like an angel!" he said, the minute he gazed at me. He was holding a bouquet of flowers, but his arms quickly went down when he saw how I looked. "Damn, is this really happening?"

"This is really happening, bud," I said, feeling the need to cry again.

"Okay! No more tears!" my makeup artist complained, making us laugh, but a few stray tears did escape.

"Dad requested I give these to you," he said.

"Tell him that they're beautiful, please," I smiled.

Quinn came in at that time to take pictures of me. We had my solo shots and then my bridal party. Jamie stayed and I took some with my kids. I requested Sophia to get my mom and Karen, they too were stunned seeing me in my dress. I took pictures with all of them until it was time to go out.

My bridesmaids walked out. Until it was just my mom and I in the entryway.

"Ready?" she asked me, lending me her hand to hold. I grabbed it and we began walking out. I saw Lucas' breath catch in his throat the minute he saw me, making me smile so wide. Our entire love story flashed before my eyes. I saw all the big moments and the little moments that led to me reaching this moment, the moment where he and I were together again.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Today, Lucas and Brooke proclaim their love to the world with these words. Lucas," the priest began the ceremony.

"Brooke, before I met you, I thought life was just a hell where people were foolish enough not to know that they were stuck in an endless ride of misery-go-round. I thought I would turn 18, leave Tree Hill, continue to have meaningless flings and never have children because parents only screwed up. I had nothing else to compare it to. Then you walked into my life, and everything changed. I realised how empty my world was without you in it. And my old life was no longer capable of making me happy, not without you. I love everything about you, Brooke. I love the way you challenge me like no one ever has. I love the way you look at me like no one ever has. And I love the way you love me like no one ever has. I can't imagine spending my life without you. And if you say yes to me in a few minutes, I won't have to. You were, are and will always be my Safe Haven. You look beautiful, by the way." he said, making me laugh and cry at the same time.

"Lucas... Before I met you, my world revolved around one thing. Me. And I liked it that way, on my own. But then I met you, and you saw through the facade. You saw me. You've taught me to trust, how to let someone in, and what it truly means to fall in love. Even when I push you away, you stand like an iron wall to protect me and love me and be there for me. I can't possibly describe how much I love you, so I'll tell you why I love you. You see the world in a way that no one else does, and you appreciate everything...Including me. There's no one in the world like you. And if you say yes in a few minutes, I'll get to spend the rest of my life trying to see the world through your eyes, appreciating everything...Including you, the most unique, wonderful, and terribly handsome man I've ever met. You too, were, are and will always be my Safe Haven."

"Lucas and Brooke, you came here today to exchange these vows. Lucas, do you take Brooke to be thy wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health as long as you both shall live?" the Priest asked.

"I do," Lucas replied, making my heart melt.

"Brooke, do you take this man to be thy wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health so long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

The priest asked for the rings.

"Brooke, this ring symbolises my desire for you to be my wife from this day forward," Lucas said, slipping the ring on my finger.

"Lucas, this ring symbolises my desire for you to be my husband from this day forward." I said to him.

The priest announced us as Husband and Wife making a thousand butterflies soar in my belly! Lucas asked for permission to kiss me and I quickly caught his lips in mine, making the crowd cheer.

"I love you so much, Husband!" I whispered to him once we came up for air.

"I love you too, Wife!"

Lucas and I walked out, and went into my bedroom to have a few moments with each other before we joined everyone at the reception.

"We did it!" I screamed and flung myself to hug him. Lucas' eyes were glistening with tears.

"I love you so much, Brooke!" he said, hugging me back.

He captured my lips again for a kiss and I allowed myself to melt in his lips. We lay on the bed for a few moments, just being together with each other.

"Luke, I have something to say to you. I don't want to ruin the day? I don't know if it ruins it or… well, I just, can I tell you something?" I asked.

"What happened, Pretty Girl?" he asked, sitting up and pulling me up with him.

"Uhh, my PI was still on the case. Lindsey's case. He found her. She and Samuel and Chloe are in Tijuana, Mexico. She had a daughter that she named Chloe," I informed him.

"You found her!" Lucas huffed, his breath choking as he said the words. It took him a moment to process everything. "Chloe was the name of her grandmother. Chloe Rose Strauss."

"What do you want to do? My guy is still on their tail. He can drag them to USA and we can get them prosecuted. Or, we let them go."

"We get them prosecuted, Brooke!" Lucas said hastily. "Call your guy! This is the best Wedding present you could give me!"

"Lucas, if we do that, Chloe ends up in Foster Care," I said, closing my eyes as I imagined the horrors that innocent child would face.

"We'll get her a decent home! We're not letting Lindsey off the hook for what she did!" Lucas argued. "Brooke! She hurt you! She killed our baby!"

I felt a pain stab my heart. "I know, but I'm okay and that kid is gone, Lucas. We cannot bring it back. But, Chloe is here and she is alive. I didn't fight Lindsey because that kid had done nothing wrong. That kid was innocent. Why should she suffer for her parent's ill deeds? Why should she have to go through life the way we did, parentless?"

"Brooke, you really can't be asking me to forgive and forget here!"

I just looked at him, quietly, willing him to let her go.

"How can we make sure she doesn't come back to hurt us and our family?" he asked.

"My guy suggested that we bug her place and keep her under surveillance. I will pay him a monthly retainer for his services. We have their aliases. If they try to enter the states, we will know," I told him, hoping that it was enough.

"I'd honestly rather her be prosecuted under the most Draconian Laws but I know you and I know your ginormous heart, especially when it comes to children," he caved.

"Thanks Luke," I hugged him. "Let's go launch our Foundation?"

"I have a present for you too. Sophia and Jamie have it," he said and we left the room. Sophia and Jamie were waiting down for us in the house. Everyone else was already in the marquee.

"Hi my babies!" I greeted them and walked to them. "Soph, I need help taking off my veil."

She helped me while the boys waited. "Now, can we give it to her?" Jamie asked impatiently.

Lucas nodded his head and they handed me an envelope. It was very legal looking. I gave them a curious look but opened it and pulled the papers out. As soon as I read what they said, I felt like I was going to faint. All the papers spilled from my hands and fell to the floor.

"Really? Is this real?" I asked, bending over and crying.

Sophia, Jamie and Lucas began to cry too as we got into a group hug. I kissed their foreheads over and over and over again. "Thank you!"

They were adoption papers, reinstating my custody over James Nathan Scott and Sophia Elizabeth Scott! I was their mom again! Officially! We were a real family!

We walked into the reception hall, the four of us, hand in hand. Our guests cheered for us. When it was time for our first dance, I made it a group, getting my kids to dance with Lucas and I as well. I was nothing without them.

We announced our Family Foundation, the Davis Scott Foundation for Progress. It was to focus on helping men, women and children stuck in abusive households. We had an outpour of donations. We cut the cake and had dinner. Sophia and Jamie came to give their best man and maid of honour speeches.

"It feels weird giving this speech for my parents, but here we are. You know what everyone out here has to say about my parents? How wildly talented and successful they are, but I have a list, a list of things that my parents are bad at! First on the list, my parents are bad with protection, hence Soph and I are here! Hey Twin!" Jamie began his speech, making Lucas and I cackle. "The next thing that they're bad at, staying apart. You should hear how they both behaved when Mom was sent to London. Didn't she try to drown herself, Aunt Haley?"

"Yes, she did!" Haley yelled from the back. I was laughing and red with embarrassment at the same time.

"Next thing that they're bad at, and this is a big one: Divorce!" Everyone was laughing. "Just google Brooke Davis and you'll know what I'm talking about if you haven't already read about her history. Spoiler Alert: she was married to the same guy before! Another thing that they're horrible at is being bad parents. They can't do it. They have their kinks and faults and moments where they screw up just like any normal human, but they are devoted to putting my sister and I first before anything. Even when they're all over the place, they will get their schtick together for us. They did when we were shot, they did when I abused drugs as all of you read recently. They lost their child, they were in the deepest trenches, but they came back to the surface because I was in need, which brings me to the last thing they absolutely suck at: being selfish. You saw a live example, even a wedding which is supposed to be all about them is a day to launch their Family Foundation. They have the biggest, kindest, most generous hearts I have ever seen and I only wish to inherit those from them. Mom, Dad… you didn't screw up too bad! We even love your flaws!" Jamie winked and toasted us. I laughed and hugged him when he came to our table.

"When Mom lost the baby, she was not herself. She was under depression, she was suicidal, probably always has been, right Aunt Haley?" Sophia asked, making my eyes go wide. "You read about all of that in the New York Times, but there is another side. Dad was out hunting for the woman that did this, since I've been banned from using her name for legal reasons. Jamie was on his own and mom was not my mom. She was a lost, lonely child that needed a mom. There was nobody to take that role, so I did. How hard could it be? She had me at 16, right! No! Absolutely not! It was hard! I didn't have midnight feeds to do, but I had to feed her and she was too out of it to eat. I didn't have to wake up to midnight cries, but instead, I would sit outside her locked door, begging her to come out, but she wouldn't. It was the lowest, being at rock bottom with her that made me appreciate her and all that she had done for me. I had been difficult to deal with and I thought that I was entitled to because I came from a broken home which was their fault. I never realised how hard I made it for them both. And Dad, I mean! You're my superhero. You're my constant. You never let me feel mom's absence on the days she wasn't there when you two were apart. You loved me so much! You were there for every recital, every PTA, every tryout. Mom would send the best halloween costumes for me, whatever I requested, top of the line, but it was you who came trick or treating with me. Both of ya'll never let me feel the absence of the other. Ya'll were so great even singularly. But now, I get you both together! I feel four times as lucky. Thank you for being such wonderful parents and thank you for finally listening to what every single one of us knew all along - Brooke Davis and Lucas Scott were meant for each other and each other alone!"

I cried and when Sophia came to the table, I took both my children in my arms and sobbed like I was seeing them after being separated from them for a decade. Then the night became solely dancing. I changed into another gown that I had designed which was more dance friendly. My hairstylist opened my hair and we danced the night away!

It was 5:00 am when Lucas and I left the party with our friends and went to our bedrooms. We were spent, but blissful.

"Help me out of this dress," I requested, having no energy to reach for the zipper. He helped me out and saw me in white satin underpants. He licked his lips, suddenly feeling awake. I giggled, taking the shirt he had just pulled off and putting it on. We got into bed and kissed each other for a few moments before falling asleep. Sex could wait for tomorrow.