AUTHORS NOTE

This chapter wasn't complete, with this story I could go on and on, but I wanted to get something out because it's been way to long. This is worth the read even though it is not exactly done. I wanted everyone to kind of get the point of where this story is going from now on. It is coming to an end...I'm not sure exactly how I am going to finish it but there is so much hope in this that there's nothing I can't do with it. I hope people are still reading this and if they are not..and this is the last thing I update...I know it's worth the read. Thank you for the people that still review and for the people that still come across this little story and read it. I lost my child hood friend recently and if there is one thing that I learned from his death is that life is too short and you should do the things you love to do when you have the chance. Life goes by quicker than we think. This story gives me life...this story saved my life once or twice along the years. And although it is not finished I hope everyone has hope in me to know I will make sure this does not go incomplete. If I'm being completely honest this story may be coming to an end...but these characters are not quite done. Thank you all... -Megan

Chapter Twenty-One

Megan POV

Beep. Beep.

The sound of my cellphone ringing wakes me up from Ryder's arms. I sneak a glance at Ryder, his face is buried in the crook of my neck and notice he's still sleeping and quickly check my notifications.

3 missed calls from Mom, two from Amanda, and a text from Dad asking when I'd be home.

It was almost ten in the morning and if I didn't head home soon I know my father, he'll come to Amanda's to pick me up without asking. I immediately cringe, thinking of him finding out where I really am. Life just handed me everything I want, I can't ruin it. But it was so worth it. Last night was so much more than I thought it was going to be. Replaying the hours spent kissing; the innocent touches the ones that were anything but acquitted. The lingering stares, that look he gave me when I laughed so hard when he tickled a spot on my collarbone. It felt like I had just woken up from a moment spent in infinity. I wanted to relive it again. I wanted infinite moments spent with Ryder.

Turning over briskly I begin to stroke Ryder's cheek. His stubble on his chin tickles my fingers as I trace his jawline. Scooting my face closer to his I run my nose against his smiling when I notice he has begun to wake up. Ryder's hands move to grasp my hips and he pins me down against the bed leaning down to attack my lips. What a way to wake up.

"Good morning beautiful", he whispers huskily after his lips trail their way to my ear. He begins to suck behind my ear and finds that spot that I couldn't help but gasp out loud too. "How did you sleep"? I'm lucky his lips stop their assault so I can answer back without being breathless.

"Amazing, I really don't want to get up", I laugh and instantly smile when he grins at me. He's hovering above me still, his right hand wrapped at my waist; his other is still tracing my cheek. It was the most comfortable feeling I've ever felt with someone.

"Then let's not", Ryder shrugs dipping down to attach our lips once more. I really didn't want to protest to this. How could I when his lips feel so damn good against mine. And his hand on my waist is drawing tiny infinity symbols where my skin is exposed from my cheer shorts. But I have to go; I need to talk to my Mother. I throw all other thoughts of staying away and swing my hips to roll us over.

"Although this has been great, the real world calls".

"Great? Don't you mean fantastic", he doesn't want me to reply in the way of words as his lips start to recite their movements as they have already. Instead my answer comes in the form of a slight moan as the shiver that goes down my spine follows. I begin to rethink why in the world I would have to move from this exact position. And then my Dad's face appears in my mind again, that image alone of him giving me a lecture for finding me somewhere other than Amanda's is what makes me push Ryder away.

"It is beyond fantastic Ryder Lynn. But if I'm caught here today this will be the first and last time I'll ever spend in your bed". This makes him roll his eyes but he doesn't grab me back when I stand up from his grasp. I find the sweatshirt I had from last night and throw it on. I take a glance in the mirror and notice instantly my lips are swollen and my hair looks like a rats nest. A shower and a fresh set of clothes are calling my name.

"What time are you're parents coming back today", I begin to question as I take the hair tie that I always carry on my wrist and begin to throw it in a bun.

"Not till later tonight", he answers and when I look up at him he's still staring at me, and has that stupid grin of his on full effect.

"Well then after I get home and shower, come over. We can do something fun today". Ryder seems to like my idea since he swings his legs off the bed to stand in front of me.

"I like the sound of something fun", his hands find mine as the lace together and he kisses my forehead, soothingly.

"I love when you do that", the fact that I say that out loud makes me laugh to cover up my embarrassment. Sometimes my mouth says things without my mind knowing. He kinks one eyebrow up to signal he's amused, of course, and begins leaving teasing kisses all over my face.

"Alright boyfriend, I really have to go". I drag him along with me towards the front door and throw my arms around him. I try not to think that he doesn't have a shirt on or how hot his body is. His arms circle around me as I inhale his scent where my face lays against his chest. "Thank you for last night". My voice is muffled from saying it against his skin but I wanted him to know how I felt. He saved me last night. In a lot of ways he somehow repaired something inside of me that I didn't know needed to be worked through. With everything that goes on in my life, my parents drama, my HCM, and the worry of school, it sometimes feels like I'm suffocating from it all. But last night, I felt like it was all a million miles away. I didn't have to worry about anything. All I needed to focus on was the feeling of Ryder's lips and taking mental notes of the way he smelled, the way he made me feel. How do you even begin to explain that to someone? To thank them for saving you because if I didn't have him I think I would have exploded by now.

"Thank you for staying, girlfriend", he winks when I let go of him and I stand on the tip of my toes to peck his lips once more. Something passed between the two of us during this night that I can't explain. It's an immediate understanding, an unspoken declaration that this is real for the both of us. This..is definitely something. My chest is filled with butterflies when I open his front door and begin my walk down Ryder's street. Trying not to have anyone see me, like any of my family members, I try to go on the back roads that I know no one will be using. All I can think of still is Ryder and the permanent smile I have on my face because of him.

A car horn blasts interrupting my thoughts and I turn around convince God is punishing me when I see its Amanda's car. The green sedan her Dad gave her two months ago rolls up to where I'm stuck in place and she rolls the passenger car window down. "Hey bitch".

Instantly smiling at my best friend I walk over to her car. "Thanks for scaring me half to death. For a second I thought someone had caught me".

"You're lucky it's just me. Need a ride? I'm heading to Jamie's", she laughs and immediately unlocks the door for me to slide in.

"Amanda you are my saving grace", I reply leaning over to kiss her cheek after I get in.

"Tell me something I don't know like what happened last night? I want to hear all the dirty details".

Rolling my eyes at her sheer honesty and nosiness I smile brightly answering. "There are no dirty details to give you. Just because I have a boyfriend for the first time in my sixteen years does not mean I'm just going to sleep with him the first night".

She slams the breaks when one of the town lights turns red quickly. "You know that's not what I mean Meg. But just because you're a virgin doesn't mean you can't do other stuff".

"Oh I know that", I add quickly leaning over to touch her shoulder so she doesn't go off on a whole tangent about things you can do without actually having real sex. Amanda gave her virginity to her first boyfriend when we were freshman. He turned out to be a dick of course, but she never regretted it. Mostly has tried to get me to hook up with one of the basketball players just so we can talk about it, of course I would never have done that except Ryder moved to town. She is one of those people who thrive on the things that have hurt her. Amanda is my prime example of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

"I'm really happy for you Meg, I hope you know that". Her full smile, the one she doesn't really show anyone except the people close to her, warms my heart as it becomes instantly infectious.

"And I'm really happy for you. I know we haven't really talked that much about it. But seeing Jamie and you together finally is one of the things I've always wanted". She instantly blushes which she's always done when it came to my cousin and turns her attention back to the road. There's a silent communication in our years of friendship that has grown. There's something special in knowing without really saying it that we'd both take a bullet for the other.

Which reminds me to add, "And by the way, my parents think I stayed at your place last night. If you could somehow say we had a sleepover in front of my Aunt and Uncle you'd help my case".

It's her turn to roll her eyes at me while replying, "like I didn't already know my cover story. It's about time I do this for you, I don't even know how many times I've had you tell my Dad I was with you when we both know I wasn't".

"Hoes before bros after all right", I declare since it's been our saying since we were thirteen. My fist leans over the dash and hers collides against it, "hoes before bros". We continue the ride in silence when we pull up to my street.

"So do you know what happened with your Mom and her fiancé"? That's when I remembered Mom had called me twice and I never answered. She wanted to meet up with me this morning to talk about what happened, but did I want to know? Am I going to understand it at all?

When Amanda pulls up in front of my house I look to see Dad's car is missing from the driveway. Mom's rental car is parked still and I wonder if she's here. "I haven't talked to her, but I have a feeling I'm going to find out when I walk in". I get out of the car and lean against the window to take a deep breath.

"I'm sure it'll be fine. If it's bad Jamie and I will come rescue you".

"I'll let you know if I need saving", pointing my hand at her I let the smirk fall from my lips once I've started my extent to the front door.

"Luke is that you"? I head towards the kitchen following the voice since my bedroom is right next to the kitchen entrance. I frown when Mom realizes it's me.

"Hey Mom", offering a small smile that doesn't reach the enthusiasm I'd like to give because her face drains it all away when I turn to her. She looks distraught, tired, and very distressed. What happened last night?

"Do you know where your father is"?

"I haven't talked to him", my response is flat now. Why is she wondering about him when Julian's in town?

"Where could he be", she huffs out in a breath crossing her arms over her chest. I begin to think her question was more of a statement. The dark circles are more noticeable as the sun begins to glisten through the window which catches over her features. Mom's worried.

Did Dad not come home last night?

"The last time I saw him was before I chased after you at the café. I figured he was home".

"He didn't come here last night. I've been waiting for him", she adds sheepishly and that's when I realize something I didn't before. If Mom was here, that's because something really happened between her and Julian.

"Mom, where's Julian"? It's not really a stupid question to ask. Not that I don't think she would have brought him back to our house but if she's not with him then where could he be?

"He's gone I…I broke off the engagement last night". I instantly sink in the seat next to her at the kitchen table taking in what she just said. The realization of what she did last night reality lays heavy in the room as I begin to realize the hints in her words to me last night. I didn't know the answer on why she did it. It was an understanding between the two of us since Hawaii after she confessed to me about all the stuff with Dad. She wanted to be with the man she loved. And that man wasn't Julian.

"And afterwards I had figured he'd come back here. So I rushed to tell him and he was gone. He won't answer my calls or texts messages. I don't know where to begin to look. I just don't know what to do". She lets out of huff and rubs her hand over her face. "What if the reason he's not here is because he doesn't want me to find him"? Again another question she isn't really asking. But I answer for her either way.

"What if he's just waiting for you to find him"?

She looks at me with tears in her eyes and smiles sadly. Reaching over to grasp my hand in hers she squeezes it so tightly I can tell I'm her reason for not falling apart right now. "Where do I look?"

"I could be wrong, but if he's thinking about you, he's on the beach". Mom leans across the table to leave a wet kiss on my forehead and grabs her keys from the kitchen counter.

"You're choosing Dad, right"? My voice shakes throughout the question since I almost didn't dare say anything. But I have to know. Am I really getting everything I've ever wanted?

The look she gives me when she turns around lets me know I'm spot on. There was a slight hesitation in my assumption because I realize this is so much more about them than it is about me. 17 years of a relationship that has went through teen pregnancy, eleven years of marriage, a divorce, shared custody, and now whatever is going on with them, how much more can they take? Can't they just get their happily ever after?

"Do you trust me"? Her words break as a single tear drops down her cheek. I don't pull away when Mom stalks in front of me taking my face between her palms. I nod to let her know I do because I don't want to her to think otherwise. "Do you trust me enough to know I'm going to fix this? When it isn't like it should be you do everything to make it right". The desperation in her voice makes it hard to match the intensity of her stare. Was there something hidden in the declaration? Is it possible my prediction could actually become true?

"Yes". It was simply put but it was the only thing I could say. I was left speechless as she kissed my head once more and ran out the door. Was I ever going to understand the push and pull of my parents relationship? Probably not, and for some reason the not knowing of what was going to happen didn't seem to trouble me anymore. Some people are just meant to be together after all.

Brooke POV

"Is this beach taken"? I couldn't tell you why in the world those were the words that came out of my mouth. But they were and I swear I saw a slight smirk on his lips as he replied, "There's plenty to go around". Of course he would recite my own line. And of course he would be here. I should have known this. My mind was clouded and I was so beyond thankful for Megan to give me that clarity. He lifts his head to lock stares making me release a breath to notice his eyes are slightly puffy and red.

"You didn't come home last night, I've been worried", talking is the only thing I can do to distract myself from screaming. I want to know why he couldn't even call to say he wasn't coming home, to have an explanation on why I waited all night for him to come through the doors, to be able to tell him that I broke up with Julian; to be with him, and to tell him how much I love him all over again. Why didn't he give me a chance?

When silence fills the space between us and the wind makes my skin crawl I scoot closer to him to take his hand. I'm anxious he's going to pull away but this is what we do when one of us are troubled. We come together. As always, his fingers lace; I sometimes think is unconsciously, with mine and I squeeze firmly saying, "You've been avoiding me; I don't think that's fair".

"I know". His eyes don't sparkle tonight. They're dull like the sea on this cold afternoon. I want to shake him up, do anything to get those piercing blue eyes to have oomph of light to behind them.

"Why"? The crack in my throat is noticeable since it's so raspy it was almost like a yelp.

"It hurts too much. To be around you.. and not be able to actually have you".

This is about Julian coming back to town. He thinks I'm going to run back forgetting about everything that's happened within the last few weeks. Even if I could, I wouldn't. I'm not pretending anymore. This is what being in love is like with the right person because he has made me believe in it all again. The place where I first learned what love was has reawakened and restored it once more. Now it was to make it obvious to him.

"Lucas, I"

"I knew I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up". This time he turns to away and seems to ponder the ocean like it has all of the answers within the waves. "Julian is a good man. He will make you happy", he says it more like he's trying to convince himself.

"He is. But that's not the point", I try to explain but it's useless, he won't even make eye contact.

"You should marry him".

I block the ache my heart felt when hearing those words.

"Go back to New York City. If that's what makes you happy".

Lucas stands from the sand and begins his descent but doesn't go too far after I've stood up to chase after him, but when he turns back around, connecting our eyes once more, "But before that I have one question to ask you. Do you have any idea how I felt when you left"?

I'm breathless at this point. Stuck in the sand and frozen by his statement. I don't know how Lucas went through life the first few years of after our marriage. We barely spoke. Those are my lost years, I prefer to those three years as the roughest time of my life until the fashion line picked up which I threw myself in. But to think of what he did with his time, I can't. I didn't ever really want to know. He has a mindset of his own because he doesn't let me reply again. "When you left I tried to drink the pain away. Stupidly and broken hearted I was ready to wipe you're presence away. It hurt too much, having to let you go selfishly when all I wanted was for you to stay. My mind convinced me it wasn't fair you got to start over when I was left with nothing but the reality of you gone. You might have been in New York but you're presence was everywhere, at all times. I bought a new house because every time I walked in the front door I was looking for you to come kiss me 'Hello'. I purchased a new bed because the smell of you forever lingered no matter how many times I washed the sheets. The only thing I tried to do was get over you. And I failed over and over, countless times, each one more miserable than before. Suddenly I gave up mainly because I began to do nothing but miss you. The way you looked when you first woke up in the morning. How your coconut shampoo smelled. The kink of your eyebrow, your voice, your laugh, everything. I was stuck in love. In wanting you and never getting you because I pushed you away. It was years of torture Brooke. And the whole time I couldn't help but think maybe just maybe you were feeling the same way. That you missed me too and you felt like a part of you had died too. That being without me was breaking your heart like it was doing to me".

He exhales allowing a few tear drops to fall down his cheeks and I drag my fingers to wipe away the tears. "Of course I was broken without you Luke. I was doing what I thought was right. Everything got in the way and I got swept into it that life. That didn't mean that I didn't want to be with you. I asked for both but you wanted me to choose one or the other", I couldn't help but say the last part louder than the rest.

"You were supposed to come back to me". That stuns me instantaneously. More tears start to fall from my eyes as I look to him to notice that I'm not alone; I couldn't tell you who was crying harder.

"I know but".. I'm here now, I did come back. My mouth couldn't get the words out since Lucas puts a finger over my mouth and says, "But you fell in love". He answers with his own theory because that is not what really happened. "I know you did, because I saw you".

"What", this time I take a step back and cross my arms over my chest waiting to hear this notion of his.

"I was in New York, three years ago, and it was after a meeting with the McKenzie publishing house board. It was October, I was walking out of the restaurant after I signed my third book, and I saw you. A limo was pulled up in front of where you were waiting but you had stopped because you were digging into this bright yellow purse. I was about to yell your name but you grabbed you're cell phone and smiled so brightly that it took my breath away. Before I could say anything to get your attention from only a few feet away, I saw him. Julian came up behind you and kissed your cheek. Behind his back were a dozen red roses and when he showed them to you, you looked so happy. The way you kissed and stared back at him instantly broke my heart. It paralyzed me. As I continued watching, I saw you reach up with your left hand to stroke his cheek and when you did that I noticed your ring finger. I had my wedding band still on even after the papers were signed and the last time I had saw you you'd kept yours on too, but now it was bare. I realized I had no right. You weren't mine. I couldn't fight for you because it was over. You really were moving on with life, without me. I needed to do the same. And then I knew I was right because a month later, you introduced him to Megan".

As I replay that moment years back I remember it clearly. And I remember looking around that day thinking that someone was watching me. If only I had known it was him, I would have ran, straight into his arms and asked him to save me like we promised each other all those years ago. I had to learn to save myself; Julian wasn't the one who did. I was still Lucas's even if I wanted to think otherwise.

I try to hide my whimper as I gasp letting out all of my emotions. Lucas surprises me again as he leaps towards me, closing the distance grasping my face between his hands as delicately as he can.

"That's all changed again. Being with you again and I mean more than making love Brooke I mean actually being in your presence makes me feel alive. You bring out the side of me that sparks this undying fire only you can tame. And then when you told me you didn't love me anymore…it broke my heart because I foolishly believed you. I was always still in love, holding on even though I knew I shouldn't. Everyone was right, I was always waiting for you to come back home".

"I did come back. I'm home now. I'm here. Right in front of you", I speak the words barely for the fact I'm crying harder than before.

"You didn't at first, and it was a hurt beyond comparable. It was the hardest thing that I ever had to go through, but I can do it again. If that is what you want. But I can't do this where I don't fully have you anymore. There's too much time we've spent apart and I don't want to live that way anymore I want to be a family again, that what will make me happy, the both of us happy. And I refuse to live a life being unhappy anymore. All we do is hurt each other when we aren't together. Since Hawaii and the last few weeks, I haven't taken for granted a single moment, a single touch, or a single kiss spent with you. The reality is I will always be in love with you Brooke. But I can't do this. This is the last time I'm telling you that I am the man for you Brooke Davis-Scott. I have to be with you or not have you at all. You have to make a choice. And if it's not me, then I'll find to live a life where that is okay".

"What would make me happy is if the man I love would have let me talked before". And then instantly every wall that he had built came crumbling down. I know because he carries it all in those piercing blue eyes that have tears still pooling over.

"Brooke…"

"It's my turn", I take my finger tips to his lips to hush him. "I am sorry Luke I have said it so many times. I know words sometimes aren't enough but I love you. I love only you. I broke up with Julian last night because I want to be with you, not him. So no going back to New York will not make me happy Lucas. What will is being here in Tree Hill, with you, and our daughter".

"Why"?

"Because I have and always will be in love with you. I choose you Luke. I'll always choose you".

"I need to know why", I hardly notice that he's pushed our foreheads together as my eyes can't even bear to look away from his.

"What has happened in the last few weeks with us has reawakened my soul, you have inspired me. You always inspire me, with my fashion line, with raising Megan, and with being a better person. You bring out the best in me. It's taken us what feels like forever to know the truth and that is we are meant to be. I meant everything I said on that beach in Hawaii and I've tried to prove it to you when we've been home. I am never leaving you and you are not pushing me away because we're forever. I've always known it, so have you, and I needed to learn to have faith in that. I'm sorry because of that I had to leave you and I know that I've hurt you. But like I told you on in Hawaii, I've never stopped loving you, and I'm going to love you more than anyone. I can't live my life without you. So if this is the last time, then this is the last time I tell you it's been you all along".

It was his turn to silence me when his lips come crashing down against mine. Even though his mouth was covering my own, it was as if I could finally breathe once more. As his hands moved from my face to my waist I promised myself I would never pretend to live life without having this in it.

"I love you", eight letters, three words, one meaning that will forever make my heart swarm every time I hear it.

"I love you too". He cuts me off towards the end of my declaration with another gut wrenching kiss that makes my knees quiver.

"There's only one thing left to do", Lucas chuckles making are bodies vibrate against each other. It feels good to hear him laugh. Without saying anything I kink my eyebrow up to let him know I'm curious to what to do next. What else could there be? I finally have everything I've ever wanted.

"Let's go tell our Meg". There was definitely that.

This is the last time they will be together forever :) FINALLY BRUCAS FOREVER
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