A/N: Well, more people added this story to alert. I guess that means that people like it okay. I rewrote this chapter several times and this was what I eneded up with. I'm not entirely happy about it, but I think it gets the job done. I have an idea for one more chapter. Let me know how I did. I didn't proofread either so any mistakes, you'll just have to ignore. Review please!

Lucas was mesmerized by the bright, shining lights of Vegas, but what mesmerized him more so than anything in the world was Peyton. Being a published novelist words came to Lucas rather easily at times, but looking at her now dressed in white and walking down the aisle towards him he was speechless and breathless and he did everything in his power to hold it all together. Her beaming smile made it all the way to her eyes and they sparkled and Lucas could not tear himself away from her beauty even if he wanted to, which, by the way, he didn't. As she walked towards him, he knew that no one other person could ever compare to her and he had been a fool for many reasons where she was concerned. For the briefest of seconds a wave of sadness and regret washed over him for the things that he put her through. For all the heartache and pain that he caused her. What could he possibly do to make it up to her? It had never been his intention to hurt Peyton nor was it all of his fault that she got hurt, but she was hurt all the same and he was responsible for that pain, and that was something he'd have to live with forever. The second was over as fast as it came and he vowed solemnly to himself, as he would to her in a few minutes, that he'd spend the rest of his life being the man that he knew in his heart that he should've always been. His smile became brighter and he inhaled to calm himself and he watched as his almost wife slowly walked towards him. He knew what she was doing. Like him, she wanted this moment to last as long as it could, because they both knew that neither one of them would forget it for the rest of their lives.

Peyton Sawyer couldn't even remember if there had been a time if she was as happy as she was right now walking towards Lucas Scott, the boy whom she loved with everything she had and the boy who loved her back just the same. It wasn't always easy for them to find their way together, or for that matter, to each other. There were times where she doubted their love. Times when it all became too hard to deal with on her own and she just wanted it all to be easy. Times when she wanted to give up and let go and move on, but she never could find herself weak enough to fully go through with it. She had come close many times in her recent return to Tree Hill. She wanted to run away when Lucas refused to hug her at the River Court when they first saw each other again after many years apart. She wanted to give up when she met Lindsey and saw that not only was she pretty and smart, but that she was close to perfect and she loved Lucas. She wanted to let go when she found out that Lucas and Lindsey were engaged minutes after her and Lucas shared their first kiss. She wanted to move on from it all after their failed attempt at marriage and when she found out that she was Lucas' reason for writing his second novel all the while he was still hung up and waiting for Lindsey to come back to him. But Peyton did none of those things. She chose the hard, painful path and gave into the demands of her heart. Peyton wasn't blind or stupid. She knew that there were a lot of things they needed to discuss and a lot of issues they needed to work through – Lindsey being one of those – but right here, right now in Vegas she wasn't going to let any of those concerns take over. She wasn't going to be dragged down by the past anymore. She was looking to the future and what she saw ahead for the both of them was bright and she wasn't about to let that slip away from her again. She was walking towards the man that she loved, for better or worse.

As she got closer he extended his hand for her to take and she did the same and their hands met them halfway. She felt Lucas tug on her hand gently to place her beside him faster, and she liked how that felt. He wanted it to happen just as fast as she did.

As they listened to the Elvis impersonator spout passages about love and commitment they couldn't keep their eyes off each other. The vows were next and Lucas could feel beads of sweat forming. He was actually nervous about telling Peyton how he felt and he laughed to himself at the thought.

"Do you Lucas Scott take Peyton Sawyer to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

"Absolutely, I do."

"Do you Peyton Sawyer take Lucas Scott to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"Yes. I do."

"Lucas, repeat after me…"

Before Elvis could continue Lucas interrupted him. "If you don't mind, I'd like to say something of my own to my fiancé." Elvis gave Lucas a nod to continue. He grasped both of Peyton's hands and looked deep into her eyes and just spoke from his heart. "Peyton, I never knew such happiness could exist until this very moment standing here with you committing my life to you forever. I know it's been hard to love me and I haven't always been the best person, but you have been. You have helped me become a better man and there is nothing in this world that I wouldn't do for you. The moment you almost ran me over with your car I knew I was done for and that my life would never be the same again. I just didn't know how right I was. Peyton, I vow to you that I will be the best husband to you that I can be and that I will spend each and every day of my life loving you, taking care of you, comforting you, caressing you, holding you, being happy with you, because as long as I have you nothing else matters to me in this world. Nothing. You make my life worth living, and I will never take that, or you, for granted ever again. I will prove myself to you with every breath and with every day that I have left in this world, and if possible every day after that. Peyton, I love you and I will always love you. No matter what." As Lucas spoke he watched Peyton's face change and her eyes fill up with water. Tears streamed down her face, and he lifted his hand to wipe them away and he rest his hand on her cheek. She gave a little laugh through the tears and lifted her hand to wipe the tears that fell from his eyes. Lucas was so wrapped up in Peyton that he had not noticed he himself was crying.

Elvis cleared his throat. "Peyton do you have some words for Lucas?"

Without giving Elvis a glance, Peyton nodded her head slightly and grabbed Lucas' hand from her cheek and brought it down to rest in hers. "Lucas. My Lucas. My love. You have made me happier than I have ever dreamed. You have been my savior, my rock, my world, and you have helped me and saved me in ways that I can not express to you in words, and in ways that you don't even know about. Since the moment we locked eyes I knew I was in love with you, and I know it hasn't been easy, but it has been worth it. You have made me the person that I am today, and I'm proud that I am going to be your wife. I vow to you that I will love you forever and be here for you always. I'll love you on your best days and I'll love you on your worst days. I'll love you for you, and that's all you have to be to make me happy. Lucas, you give me strength and with you by my side there is nothing that I can't do and that we can't accomplish together. I love you."

She gave Elvis a quick nod to signal she was done.

"The rings?" Elvis asked. Peyton's face immediately fell and looked to Lucas who seemed calmer than he was before. Peyton gave him a puzzled look as Lucas pulled the chain that was around his neck and revealed two rings. He took of the chain and both rings fell into his hand. He handed her his ring. She looked questioningly at him, and he mouthed the word Keith. She understood immediately and tightened her grip on his hand.. She remembered that Karen had given Lucas her engagement ring from Keith so he could give it to the one person he couldn't live without, because that's what Keith had told Karen the night he gave it to her. Peyton was unaware that Karen had also given him Keith's ring, too. Lucas carefully slid the ring on Peyton's finger, and she did the same to him.

"By the power vested in me by the state of Nevada, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

Lucas and Peyton collided together so fast and forcefully that it felt as if the church shook. Their tongues moved against one another and electricity shot through both of them. The kiss was loving and sweet, and if at all possible the love between them grew deeper and stronger as they kissed. They pulled away when air became necessary and hugged. Lucas softly whispered, "Is this real?"

"Yes. It is." She quietly returned. "Forever."

They walked out of the church hand in hand and happy in love. It was much like they way they entered the chapel, but now they were one. One life, and one love, and that meant everything to both of them.