Jack walked into the apartment smiling. Today was the big day. Claudia was going to marry Nathan, for the second time. 

"How is my sister this morning?" Jack asked as Claudia was eating Oreos. "Oreos? Really?" Jack asked walking towards her.

"Excited and Nervous. I mean it has only been a year and we are already renewing our vows." Claudia laughed as Jack took the box away from her.

"Today will be the beginning of something special." Jack replied and Claudia held out her pinky.

"Promise?" She asked smiling and Jack linked his pinky with hers.

"I promise." He replied and Claudia grinned. "Now hurry up and pack your things." Jack continued as Claudia jumped off the counter and grabbed her hand bag.

"I have to go see someone first. Haley will be here soon!" Claudia shouted as she ran to the door.

"You can't be late to your own wedding!" Jack groaned as Claudia closed the door on him.

___

Karen was in the kitchen when Claudia knocked on the door. "Knock, knock!" Claudia shouted and then she saw Karen. "Oh hi!" Claudia exclaimed giggling nervously, Karen knew something was up.

"Hey! How is the bride-to-be again?" Karen asked smiling and Claudia laughed.

"Oh, good." She replied when in reality she was freaking out.

"Well, I'm afraid you've missed the boys They were gone pretty early." Karen replied and Claudia shook her head.

"Oh, that's okay, I mean I will being seeing for the rest of my life and Lucas is stuck with me forever." Claudia joked and Karen laughed. "I wanted to see you, actually. I have a question for you." Claudia stated seriously.

"Okay." Karen smiled.

"I know you and Keith were engaged, and it breaks my heart." Claudia said as Karen nodded her head.

"I know, I know." She replied sadly.

"Sorry, okay." Claudia sighed before taking a deep breath. "Brooke, Brooke mades me this dress and it is out oh the material that she ordered for your wedding dress, and I just wanted to ask you if it was okay if I wore it, and if it's not, that's fine she made an other one that I can wear..." Claudia began to ramble on but Karen cut in.

"I'm so proud of you, Claudia. Have I told you that lately?" Karen asked interrupting Claudia's ramble, it was for the best. Claudia shook her head. "You have got a wonderful soul, Claudia Elizabeth Scott, and you're gonna make a beautiful bride in that dress!" Karen exclaimed and Claudia began to cry.

"Oh, thank you." Claudia cried and then Karen began to cry. The girls laughed as they hugged. Karen meant the world to Claudia because she was like a substitute mum for her, when her parents and brother were touring.

___

Nathan was looking at the fountain in a day dream, he was dreaming about Claudia drowning.

"Nathan? You okay?"Lucas asked snapping him out of it.

"Yeah. Have you checked on Claudia?" Nathan asked eagerly.

"Yeah. She's fine." Lucas replied nodding his head.

"'Cause she should be here by now. Can you call her?" Nathan asked like a five year old.

"Nathan!" Lucas laughed, but Nathan was serious.

"Please, just do it!" He exclaimed anxious.

"Okay, all right. All right!" Lucas shouted in defeat as he took his phone out and called Claudia. "Hey, Claudia you all right?" Lucas asked on the phone.

"Something's wrong, man." Nathan whispered getting worried.

"Hey, what's up?" Claudia smiled on the phone as she sat on the carriage. Lucas gave the phone to Nathan.

"Hey, it's me. Is everything okay?" Nathan asked on the phone and Claudia grinned on the other line.

"Fine, soon to-be-husband, again, why?" Claudia asked smiling.

"I just... I just wanted to hear your voice, that's all." Nathan replied and Claudia sighed.

"You're so cute." Claudia stated smiling.

"Where are you?" Nathan asked and Claudia saw Nathan from up ahead on the carriage.

"I'm right here." Claudia smiled and Nathan looked around confused. Lucas saw Claudia on the carriage and pointed towards her.

"Look, man." Lucas stated and Nathan turned around to face her. All he could do was smile at his beautiful wife.

"Hi." Claudia exclaimed as she waved to them. "How cool is this?" She laughed as the carriage rode off. The boys laughed as they watched her ride off in the carriage.

___

(Claudia's dress and makeup, just imagine the hair is down and not up)

"Oh, I'm sorry princess. I was looking for my friend Claudia." Lucas joked as he walked into the room where Claudia was looking out. Lucas saw all the makeup. "Wow, did it really take this stuff to make you look this?" Lucas asked pointing at all the makeup. 

"No! Everybody got ready in here, including Rachel and Brooke, for some reason." Claudia explained a bit confused herself. Her hair was curled and it fell cascaded down her shoulders. She had a light base foundation on, mascara, her eyebrows were filled in and red lipstick on her face. 

"All right." Lucas smiled as they hugged. "Wow, you really look beautiful." Lucas complimented and Claudia blushed.

"Thank you." Claudia replied modestly.

"So, your parents really aren't coming." Lucas stated and Claudia shook her head.

"No, they... I invited them, and they said, 'sorry, honey, we've been to your wedding once before, and it was a little boring. We will be home next week.' Anyway, I'll just give myself away, that's fine." Claudia explained and Lucas smiled down at her.

"Or, ... I could do it. If you'll have me." Lucas replied and Claudia smiled with glee.

"And me?" Haley asked as she walked in with a the bridesmaid outfit.

"Haley, you look beautiful." Lucas complimented and Haley thanked him graciously.

"Really? Oh guys that would be amazing." Claudia exclaimed looking at her best friends.

"Okay." Haley grinned as she walked towards them.

"Thank you." Claudia replied truthfully.

"But you know what, I gotta be honest with you. we could never officially give you away, you know that?" Lucas asked as he hugged both Claudia and Haley.

"We could never give away our best friend." Haley replied tearfully and Claudia began to cry too.

"Who thought I would ever say this but stop me from crying it will ruin my makeup." Claudia laughed as she looked up at the sky as Haley and Lucas laughed themselves.

___

Peyton and Brooke took place to their job of ladies of honour. They walked up onto the alter, Peyton was first and Brooke followed. 

"You had your chance!" Peyton grinned jokingly to Nathan who laughed.

"Wanna make it a dual ceremony, Coop?" Brooke asked Cooper winking before she reluctantly stood next to Peyton.

"Now, I know how this dress looks on a witch." Brooke said offensively to Peyton.

"Go Brooke yourself!" Peyton hissed at Brooke, without looking at her.

Everyone watched as, Claudia stood in the middle of Lucas and Haley with linked arms as they walked down the beautiful path that led Claudia up to the man of her dream. Jack, Cooper, Peyton and Brooke were already waiting their. Nathan walked down to meet them. Claudia hugged Lucas and Haley and then so did Nathan. Lucas and Haley walked to their place as Nathan took Claudia's hand. They walked up to the priest smiling.

"Friends and loves ones, we are gathered here today to witness the renewal of a commitment between Nathan and Claudia, to love one another unconditionally and endlessly. Nathan and Claudia, there are many things I could say to the two of you today, but instead I choose to listen to the words you have for each other." The Priest announced as Claudia and Nathan held hands and smiled at each other. "Claudia?" The priest asked and Claudia took a deep breath.

"Nathan, it's been said that there's one word that will free us from the weight and the pain of life, and that world is love. And I believe that." Claudia started smiling immensely at her husband. "I believe that I could love you today, tomorrow and a million more years. We have had our ups and downs, trust me." Claudia stated and everyone laughed, including Nathan. "But I never stopped loving you to the fullest, despite what I said." Claudia said sheepishly as people stifled a laugh again. "You make me brave, you make me strong and you make me- me. Claudia Scott. I will love you till the end of time. Always and Forever." Claudia finished smiling up at her husband.

"Nathan?" The Priest asked turning to face Nathan. Claudia was excited to what he was about to say. 

"Last year we stood on a beach, and I told you how much I loved you and how I would always, always protect you." Nathan stated and Claudia smiled back nostalgic. "That day, nobody believe that this would work. But I don't think anybody understand the love that I had for you, because if they did, they would have never doubted us. So, I wanted to marry you all over again, in front of most of our world, because today, when I look into your eyes, my love for you only grows." Nathan continued and one tear trickled down Claudia's face. "It's even stronger now. And our love will never waver. This I Vow to you, today and always, and forever." Nathan finished and Claudia smiled.

"Forever." Claudia muttered to herself biting her lip.

"Claudia on this day, do you reconfirm and rededicate yourself to the vows you promised to uphold?" The priest asked and Claudia turned around and took the ring from Brooke.

"Oh thank you!" Claudia smiled as she took the ring. She turned to face Nathan and slid it on his finger. "I do." Claudia grinned like a school girl. 

"Nathan, on this day, do you rededicate and reconfirm your commitment to the vows you promised to uphold?" The Priest asked Nathan.

"I do." Nathan stated and he turned to face Lucas. "And actually, I have a new ring." Nathan said as Lucas pulled out Nathan's old ring. Nathan took a ring from his pocket and slid it on Claudia's finger. She looked at it in awe. 

"Thank you!" Claudia replied smiling at him.

"And now, before the eyes of God, I once again pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride." The Priest smiled and everyone clapped.

"I love you Claudia." Nathan stated and Claudia nodded her head.

"I love you too." Claudia replied before they kissed. Once they pulled away they grabbed each other's hand and walked down the aisle. Haley and Jack followed with linked arms, then it was Peyton and Cooper, then last but not least Lucas and Brooke. Everyone clapped for the happy couple. 

___

"Ladies and gentleman please stand and join me welcoming Nathan and Claudia husband and wife, again." Mouth exclaimed as the DJ. Everyone clapped as Nathan and Claudia walked onto the dance floor for their first dance. 

https://youtu.be/0z6MkSlDjR0

"What song did you pick, anyway?" Claudia asked just when her original song Jet Lag came on. Nobody had heard it and it was only a demo. "Nathan, this is my song." Claudia smiled as they danced.

"I found a demo lying on the floor and I had to use it." Nathan explained and Claudia rolled her eyes.

"You got to stop stealing my music." Claudia laughed and Nathan smiled down at her. "Thank you." She replied as they continued to dance.

___

It was speech time and Lucas was up first. Claudia was so excited to hear his.

"The last time I gave a speech about Nathan and Claudia was, well, at their first reception. And I remember saying, "Prepare to be surprised." Well, I have to say, even I was surprised. Because, you see, they do something that's very rare to see in someone our age. Actually, it's very rare to see in anybody. They give their hearts to each other, unconditionally. And that's what true love really is." Lucas explained and Nathan hugged Claudia sideways. Claudia was smiling uncontrollably at Lucas. "It's not this fairy-tale life that never knows pain, but it's two souls facing it together, and diminishing it with unconditional love. To Nathan and Claudia Scott." Lucas exclaimed as he held up his drink, people applauded and Brooke walked on to make her speech. 

"I'm not the most eloquent speaker, so I thought I would borrow a few words from Shakespeare. "Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds." When life gets hard, when things change, true love remains the same." Brooke quoted and Claudia held her heart smiling. "I look at Nathan and Claudia and somehow I feel safer. I don't know if I can explain that, but they give me hope. And I'm afraid to say it out loud, because maybe if life finds out, it'll try to beat it out of them. And that would be a shame, because we all can use a little hope sometimes, you know? That feeling that everything is gonna be okay, and that there's gonna be someone there to help make sure of that. So here's to Nathan and Claudia. Here's to hope. And here's to a love that will not alter." Brooke explained holding her glass out too and people applauded. Claudia kissed Nathan. Then it was Cooper's turn.

"Hi. Excuse me, I'd like your attention for a second. I'd like to propose a toast to my knucklehead of a nephew and his beautiful bride." Cooper started off and Claudia smiled over at him. "As most of you know, Nathan and Claudia's relationship was unexpected, mostly because Claudia is classy and attractive, and Nathan is not." Cooper joked and everyone laughed. "But here's to Nathan and Claudia, for proving to us that love is real, and genuine, and still attainable for the rest of us. Cheers, you two." Cooper exclaimed as people applauded. Cooper walked over to the married couple. 

"Thanks, Coop, I guess." Nathan laughed as Claudia smiled at Cooper.

"Love you, man." Cooper replied, Claudia took a step towards Cooper.

"Thank you Cooper." Claudia smirked jokingly and Nathan laughed.

"Okay put some ice on it." Nathan joked and Claudia's slapped him playfully.

"Oh so you can sleep with my sister but I can't flirt with your uncle?" Claudia asked and Cooper high-fived her.

"That sounded so wrong." Nathan laughed as a drunk Rachel took the microphone. 

"Well, well. I would like to make a toast to Cooper's toast, about love." Rachel slurred and Claudia glared at her. If looks could kill Rachel wouldn't be six foot under no she would be twelve under if she was lucky. "But wait a minute. What could Nathan and Claudia possibly know about love? I mean, they're only 17, right?" Rachel asked and Claudia was away to walk up to her but Nathan stopped her.

"I am going to kill a bitch." Claudia hissed angrily.

"Right, Cooper? You see, Cooper seems to think a 17-year-old couldn't possibly know anything about love." Rachel continued. "Of course, you know, that didn't stop him from having sex with me, right?" Rachel asked and everyone gasped aloud. Claudia looked over at Cooper shocked.

"Rachel." Mouth stated trying to make her stop.

"Yeah. To sex with Cooper!" Rachel exclaimed as she dropped the microphone and ran out. Everyone stayed an awkward silence. 

"Is she serious?" Nathan asked shocked like the rest of us. Cooper looked worried and embarrassed. 

"I'm so sorry. I'll be right back. Excuse me." Cooper insisted before he ran off after Rachel. Claudia turned to face Nathan in shock. 

"We haven't even gotten to my speech and already people are running out." Jack joked as he took the stage. Claudia shook her head with embarrassment as she laughed.

___

At the reception, Nathan and Claudia arrived outside where people waited for them. Claudia and Nathan smiled and waved at everyone. Flower petals were being thrown at them as they walked up through the crowd.

"So, there was a slight mix-up." Lucas stated as he pointed a really cool classic car, Rachel and Cooper stole the Limo.

"Sweet. I'm driving." Claudia smiled as she ran up to the car.

"No way!" Nathan stated as he stood in front of the driver seats door. Claudia groaned as she was around to her side. "Hey, we'll leave the car at the airport." Nathan stated looking at Lucas.

"All right." Lucas stated nodding his head.

"We're going to England for a few days." Claudia grinned happily.

"Why? Doesn't it always rain there?" Nathan asked and Claudia and Haley looked at him like he was dumb.

"Cause I was born there." "Because she was born there." Claudia and Haley both said laughing at the same time. Lucas nodded his head. Claudia and Nathan got into the car and looked out of the window. "Thanks you, guys, for coming. We love you!" Claudia exclaimed as people applauded. Nathan and Claudia drove off.

___

Nathan and Claudia were in the car driving towards the airport.

"I just got that feeling, that stillness I used to feel before dawn, that feeling that the world could be perfect." Nathan stated as Claudia leaned against his chest as he drove. 

"Yeah, I feel it, too." Claudia smiled as she looked down at her cracker jack box bracelet. Claudia took it off of her wrist and slid it on Nathan's. Nathan looked at her confused. "Don't say I never gave you anything." Claudia smirked smiling up at him.

___

Claudia and Nathan were driving in silence and taking it all in when Claudia realised she had left her purse.

"Oh, I left my purse! It's got everything in it, the plane tickets, everything. We have to go back." Claudia groaned as she leaned forwards and looked through all the compartments in the car, just to be triple sure.

"No, hold on, it's okay. I'll just have Lucas meet us." Nathan explained calmly as he opened his phone and phoned Lucas. "Hey, Luke. Hey, man, Claudia left her purse and a bunch of stuff at the reception, could you bring that to us?" Nathan asked Lucas who was on the other line.

"It's in the anteroom." Claudia said to Nathan.

"Oh. Oh, okay. All right, well, we're coming up on the Molina Bridge right now, so, I guess we'll just pull over and wait for you. All right. Thanks, man. Bye." Nathan said to Lucas happily. He switched off the phone and turned to face Claudia. "Done. He already had the purse in his car." Nathan continued and Claudia grinned at him. 

"You're good in a crisis." Claudia smiled looking at him.

"I don't know about that." Nathan replied modestly.

"No, you are. Good thing, too, especially since I have something I have to tell you." Claudia smiled up at him, she was a little worried. Nathan raised his eyebrow intrigued. 

___

Claudia and Nathan were still in the car. Claudia was away to tell him something important when they saw their limo in front of them as they drove to meet Lucas.

"Look out!" Claudia shouted as Nathan stopped the car, however, the limo fell down of the bridge, Claudia and Nathan quickly got out and ran towards the edge. 

"That was Cooper. Cooper!" Nathan shouted worried as Claudia held her stomach.

"Cooper!" Claudia shouted.

"Claudia, call 911." Nathan ordered as he walked backwards. Claudia shook her head.

"Nathan, don't you dare." Claudia warned, she was away to be sick. She didn't want Nathan to jump in the pool.

"I love you." Nathan replied and Claudia began to cry.

"Nathan!" She screamed as Nathan dived into the water. There was no answer. "Nathan! Nathan, don't! Nathan! Cooper! Anybody, please help!" Claudia cried out desperately as Nathan was under the water struggling to breathe. "Nathan! Help me!" Claudia screamed as she sat down on the ground and looked over the edge.

"Oh, God, help me! Claudia!" Nathan shouted with his head up the against the roof of the limo. He was struggling to find air and he was also struggling to find a way to get Cooper and Rachel to shore.

"Nathan! Cooper! Help! Somebody, please help! Help me!" Claudia cried out as she looked over the edge. She thought this would be the happiest day of her life. Claudia is waiting for Nathan to come ashore. She is pleading to see Nathan alive.

___

William Shakespeare wrote. Love is no love which alters when it alteration finds it is an ever-fixed mark. That looks on tempests and is never shaken. Love alters not with time's brief hours and weeks even to the edge of doom.

- Lucas Scott 3.22

++++

My third book is finished! Done! Stuck in the archives for now! I can not explain how truly happy I am right now. This book series means a lot to me and this support means a lot to me. Thank you all so so so so much. I wouldn't be writing this if it wasn't for you! Away to start writing the fourth book! Can you believe that? The fourth book!

Love you all so much,

Mrs N O'Brien

Xx