This is something I actually thought of when I was bored. It's sorta my first OTH story. The other one I sort of lost interest in, though I was sad to see it go. But here this one goes. Let's hope it's a better fate than the other one. ;] Oh, Brooke and Julian aren't together in this. Just clearing it up.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters of OTH or OTH itself. It all belongs to Mark...who selfishly decided to put Leyton together when everyone knows it should be Brucas.

Summery: My take on the Leyton wedding....whenever it's gonna happen.[Brooke's POV most of the time]

This is How it Goes

It all seemed like deja vu. Getting ready for what's supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event ever in a person's life. Of course, for the people this occasion was actually for, one of them had actually gone through it once already. It didn't end so well. Everyone thought this was going to be different though, different girl, different ending. Well, that's what was hoped.

I decided not to wear the same thing I wore the first time around, of course, Brooke Davis is never one to wear a, most of the time, formal outfit twice. I was never one to believe in superstitions, but still, it could be some sort of bad luck. Instead of the burgundy strapless, this time it was a strapless, very light purple with a sweetheart neckline and trumpet skirt all in satin. Courtesy of being the Maid of Honor. Nice, huh? But this was always expected. The bride after all is my best friend, has been since we were nine. This was always coming. I strapped on the silver heels I had gotten to match the dress, and I must say, the did splash in nicely with the color of the dress. My hair, seeing as it had grown, was pulled up onto a twisted bun, two strands of hair falling down my side that were curled. My make up, the simplest touch of light purple eyeshadow, blush, and the lightest touch of pink, almost clear, lip gloss was probably what completed it all.

The church was decorated nicely as far as I could tell once I arrived there. There were white satin places going along the rows of pews that were already filled with people. The flowers at the front of the alter were white, but also stood out from everything else that was white. Everyone was dressed up, of course, it'd be a bit rude to come to a wedding in jeans and a t-shirt; that was beside the point. My date for this evening was Julian Baker, aka, the ex of the bride. Small, crazy world, huh? It wasn't like we were together together though; I think everyone knew that. We just happened to be close, dateless, and this is what happened. Coming back to the point here, the place looked like a scene right out of a movie. The end of the movie to be exact. Where the lead woman finds the one she's supposed to be with after all their obstacles they've been through together and finally end it here. They say the vows, the priest announces them, a kiss is shared between the two. People cry, the camera moves back towards the couple and then it fades away with them kissing.

Maybe that was exaggerating it a bit, but that's how it happened, am I right? The last time I stood here though, I was in the pews, watching another woman my ex and now close friend, Lucas Scott, about to marry him. Of course there was the about seeing as it just ended up in Lindsey, the bride, running out of the church saying she couldn't marry him and my Godson being kidnapped. Again, crazy world. Of course, the crazy kidnapper was put in jail, and this time, the bride was someone everyone expected it to be. Peyton Sawyer. My best friend.

"I'm gonna go check up on Peyton. See you afterwards?" I turned, telling Julian for I knew after going 'behind the scenes', there was no coming back out until it was time to walk out before my blonde best friend.

His head nodded and his lips pressed against my cheek softly and swiftly. "See ya then." he replied back before going and taking a seat beside the other guests in the pew close to the front. I had to take a deep breath to settle myself. Of course it wasn't my wedding, but I was still nervous. Nervous I might mess up and trip down the aisle. Nervous I might find Peyton in the back trying not to bawl out crying tears of joy. 'Course I would know how to calm her down and re-apply her make-up before any real damage was done and I couldn't do it quickly, but wedding were always tear jerkers for me, and if I found her crying, it might get my own eyes glossy with tears.

I made my way back to the bride's room, knocking on the wooden door lightly, yet hard enough. "Come in," came a voice from inside. The knob turned slowly on my accord and I let myself in, shutting the door lightly behind me causing it not to make so much noise. Her back was to me; the corset tied back that I designed as a part of the dress I made was in my view, but not my blonde friend's face. She was turned away from the mirror, her hair she had curled showed me she wasn't drooping her head; her hands, as far as I could tell from the way they bent at the elbows, were placed on her stomach.

No one had expected the two surprises that had come towards our way once the blondes were engaged. First, the baby. Yes, Miss Bride was pregnant. All i know was that it was planned, but wanted. The second surprise was that the wedding date was pushed up. Lucas and Peyton had used the excuse "we don't want to wait". Of course, I knew the truth. Peyton didn't want to be pregnant on her wedding day. I knew she was thrilled about both, but the day she told me was the day I told her i had made the dress for a skinny Peyton. Again, no one was expecting the baby. "Peyton?" I said softly.

She finally turned around. Her eyes were slightly red around the rims, showing she had been crying. Her expression neither showed happiness or somberness. I felt my own turn to worry and concern as my feet made their way over. "Peyt?" I asked softly again, placing a hand on her shoulder and taking one hand in mine. Finally, a sign of emotion showed, though, not the one I wanted exactly to see.

Peyton's face changed into one that was sad, one that looked like she had been thinking all day and night and even the week before about; one that said she was doubting this wedding. Oh no. Not again. "Peyton, seriously, this isn't funny. What's wrong? Are you ok?" the alarm in my voice was almost well kept, except the pitch rose slightly at the end. The blonde's eyes turned towards her brunette friend and she gave her a smile. Fake or not, it wouldn't show.

"I'm fine, Brooke. Just a little emotional. You know? The whole wedding and the hormones kicking in at the same time. I'll be fine." She reassured me with a smile. I couldn't help but smile back. Her explanation seemed real enough, and believeable seeing as i fell for it. My lips couldn't help but curve into a smile back for my long time friend.

"Well, you know no matter what, I'm here for you. Right?"

Her head nodded. "I know." She paused. "Thanks, Brooke. This means a lot to me."

I smiled back and nodded, pulling Peyton into a tight hug. "You're welcome, P. Sawyer." I thought about my sentence for a minute. "Soon to be Scott." I added with a grin as I pulled away. She chuckled at this and wiped at the small tear that had formed in the corned of her eye.

"Go on, B. Davis. Your cue's coming up. I can't walk out there without having my Maid Of Honor up there first." She smiled again and I knew she was right. With a nod and a quick hug once again, I made my way to the door and turned back, smiling at her.

"Knock 'em dead." I encouraged before opening the door. My tiny figure slid out of the door, although, I could swear I saw my best friend's face turn somber and upset just before she turned away, her back to the door once again. I just hope it was a trick of the light. I don't need both my best friends heartbroken today. Not today.

------

Peyton had been right, as soon as I walked out of the room, I heard the tune that meant I was on. My heels clicked lightly against the carpeted floor as I jogged my way over, careful as not to fall. I was at my place and ready, catching my breath once I was ushered to walk down by the wedding planner the couple had hired. My breath hadn't been lost for too long so I was back to breathing normal before even halfway down the aisle. Lucas was already up there, as was Nathan, his Best Man. It ook them both in as I made my way. Both of them in tuxes, hair nicely done. Lucas looked like he couldn't be anymore happier, though he was only smiling in the slightest way. Nathan looked at Haley, who had decided to be in the audience this time around instead of up there. The way he looked at her was if there was no one else in the room, even if they were already married. Even if they had been married for what? 4, 5 years now? To have someone still look at you like that, well, not everyone was as lucky at those two were.

By now, I was up on the platform, across from Nathan. The traditional march that announces the bride played; all eyes turned towards the double doors where the center of attention would be for the whole day, well, part of the center of attention. Peyton walked down the aisle in the dress I made her, looking stunning as ever. Her head was held high, the flowers in her hands and she gave a smile behind the veil she had on. Her chicken legs arrived at the alter; Lucas took her hands. If he hadn't looked like he would explode before he sure as hell did now.

I was probably lost in my own train of thought as I watched the scene before me take place. The Priest said what needed to be said. I could see Karen out of the corner of my eye tearing up as well as Haley who kept it in better than the older woman beside her. Andy was smiling towards the son of his wife and Lily was bouncing up and down in her seat with Jamie, it was a wonder they kept quiet.

"I do."

My attention was drawn back towards the brooding blonde male that had said the words. A smile was upon my lips and I wasn't sure it was coming off. My best friend was happy. My other best friend, even if at one point I would have considered myself being the one standing there, holding his hands and looking into his blue orbs that can just melt your soul once he fixes them on you. The way he looks at you like you're the only person in the world and nothing else matters. No matter who's there, the weather, the place.

My eyes close for a fraction of a second and reopen, my head shaking in the slightest way. I'm not supposed to be thinking this. This is my best friend's fiancée, soon to be husband. I fix my eyes again, but what happens next is just deja vu all over again.

"I can't." Came the soft whisper of Peyton Sawyer. Her head was tilted down, and I knew her eyes were casted down. Everyone else was probably dieing to know what she said, and I know it was I, her, Lucas and probably Nathan that were the only ones to hear. The mass of blonde hair went up slowly, showing me she was looking up into the man we both had fought for over the years. I would kill to know what her expression was, though her voice seemed pained. "I can't marry you, Lucas."

Oh hell no. No. No, no, no, no, no. Not again, please dear God in heaven not again. This is supposed to be happening. She's supposed to say I Do, get a ring and kiss him. I know my face showed alarm and confusion for everyone else's face reflected the same, though slight less alarm since they knew it was an exchange going and it wasn't good.

Finally, Peyton turned towards me. Her eyes were going red around the edges again to show she was going to cry. My brows furrowed. I took a step towards her and she smiled sadly, shaking her head. In a way, were actually communicating. By my gesture of wanting to talk to her and hug her was my way of saying "What the hell is going on?" and "I'm here for you" all in one. Her not accepting was her way of saving she didn't want to talk about it.

And for the second time, I saw a dress I designed, run swiftly back up the aisle.

So, what do you think? Should I continue? Or just like, not? Review please!