This story is from the last episode on and based loosely on spoilers from season 6. I really hope you enjoy it. It's a slow start but I ensure you it gets a LOT better after the first chapter.

It was all happening faster than she had originally planned, as the same two women that had once given her the most amazing gift she'd ever had came to take it all away. She stood there in shock as they walked away the echos of Angie's cries ringing in her ears. The crowd was a blur as she started to make her way to the car, not knowing where she would find the strength to move on. And then she saw him in the midst of the busling people, Lucas Scott.

"You got my message, I told you not to come."

"I know." Was all he had to say to make the tears begin to fall down her face once again.

"She's gone Luke."

"I know." Once he wrapped her within his loving embrace she finally allowed herself to completely lose it collapsing into Lucas' arms.

Lucas helped her out to the car and tucked her safely into the passengers seat. The ride home was silent giving both parties time to think, Brooke loved Angie as if she was her own daughter and now she didn't know how to handle her being gone. For Lucas Lindsey had moved on and now it was time for him to do the same, but how. Lucas dropped Brooke off at home and even though he pleaded with her to let him stay she won the arguement that she just needed to be alone.

Sitting on the freshly painted River Court Lucas didn't even hear her walking up to him, he was too lost in his own thoughts.

"Wow, very Peyton!" Haley exclaimed as she saw the River Court for the first time.

"Lindsey stopped by today." Lucas didn't even look up as he spoke to his childhood friend.

"She's here?" Haley couldn't hide the shock in her voice.

"Well, not anymore. I went to go see Brooke."

"The trifecta, how nice. What did Lindsey want?" Haley tried to mask the irratation she had with her best friends love life, but she hadn't done a very good job.

"She wanted to tell me that my books done. Well everything except for the dedication, she said I could email that to her. I'm thinking about taking off for a little while."

"Lucas please stop running, come on you gotta let go of this dark weight you're carrying around." Haley tried to plead with her best friend, knowing it wouldn't likely have an affect on him.

"This morning Nathan told me the darkness doesn't have any answers."

"He's right, you saw him after his accident and look at him now. You know that romantic notion, that all the garbage and pain is actually really healing and beautiful and sort of poetic. It's not, it's just garbage and pain. You know what's better? Love, the day that you start thinking that love is overrated, is the day that you're wrong. The only thing wrong with love, and faith, and belief is not having it."

After Haley left Lucas remained sitting there with her words running through his mind, trying to sort out the recent events.

Sitting outside her house Lucas was reminded of Haley's words, finally understanding what she meant. Now all he needed was to gain the courage to walk through her front door, and tell her how he felt.

"Hi, they're supposed to call me as soon as Angie's home safe."

"Where's Peyton?" Lucas asked as he took a seat next to Brooke who was playing with Angie's purple monkey.

"I don't know, probably at work. I didn't tell her Angie was leaving for sure." Brooke looked down as she spoke, feeling guilty for lying to her friends.

"And you told me not to come to the airport, why?"

"I don't like you guys to see me like this, vulnerable." Brooke finally made eye contact with Lucas as he wrapped his arm around her.

"It's the way I always see you Brooke, and I think it's kind of beautiful." Lucas' words actually made Brooke uncomfortable, a feeling she wasn't used to.

"You know, I've been thinking about all the things you've done with Angie, Rachel, and me, all kinds of people. You save people Brooke Davis, it's what you do. Thanks for letting me share that." All Brooke could do was nod afraid the tears she was holding back may come out if she said anything.

"Just call me when she's home safe, okay?" Lucas rose from the couch and made his way towards the door.

"Hey Luke." Brooke called out causing Lucas to turn around and face her once again.

"We've been through a lot, me and you, but I wouldn't have made it through today or a couple of other days without you. So thanks."

"Your welcome."

Reluctantly Brooke held out Angie's purple monkey handing it to Lucas.

"This is for you."

"I love you Lucas Scott, you know that?" The words came easily just as she had always recalled.

"I love you too Brooke Davis." Oddly enough it felt good to hear him say that he did in fact love her. And it hurt just the same as he walked out the door after wards.

Sitting in the airport he contemplated making the phone call he was about to make. Not knowing for sure if it was the right choice, but sooner or later you have to jump.

"Hey it's me. Look I'm at the airport and I've got two tickets to Las Vegas. Do you want to get married tonight?"

I bet you'll never guess who I choose.