Author's Note: Hello lovelies! Since I had some reviewers requesting more, I decided to write another chapter of this story! This chapter will be told from Brooke's POV! Let me know what you guys think! Thank you for the reviews, you guys rock! :)
The lyrics to this song is a unique twist to Thomas Rhett's "Marry Me". It's from the girl's perspective! So I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 2
Brooke Davis smoothed out her wedding dress as she looked at herself in the mirror. She had made her own wedding dress, a one of a kind Brooke Davis original. She was in love with her dress and the way it hugged her body. It made her feel like a beautiful princess, but she knew her knight in shining armor wouldn't come rescue her today. Brooke has been in love with Nathan Scott since they were six years old, just two little kids running around the river court. She would sit on the picnic table in her princess dresses and watch him as he played with his basketball. She always loved it when he asked her to play along, even though he always teased her for not having any 'skill'. She smiled at the memory.
I wanna get married, I want it perfect
I want my granddaddy preaching the service
I want magnolias out in the country
Not too many people, save my daddy some money
Brooke sighed as she admired her reflection in the mirror. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She had done months of careful planning, but she quickly realized the planning was a lot more exciting than the wedding itself. Now today was the day that she promised forever to someone that she couldn't ever really give her heart to.
Oh, I got it all planned out
Yeah, I can see it all right now
Brooke felt incredibly guilty for not loving Julian the way he deserved to be loved. She knew deep down that he wasn't the perfect match for her. They were too different. She wanted a small wedding; he wanted a huge wedding. She wanted the wedding out in the country close to home; he wanted the wedding to be held in L.A. He didn't know every little thing about her like Nathan did. But if Nathan didn't want to be with her, should she really miss out on love? No.. She had to grab onto when she had the chance and hold onto it.
He'll have his black suit, black tie, hiding out in the back
I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask
I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees
He's the one I wanna marry But he don't wanna marry me
I remember the night when he almost kissed me
Yeah, he kinda freaked out, cause we had a long history
And I always wondered if he felt the same way
But when I sent those invites, I knew it was too late
Brooke remembered the night Nathan had almost kissed her. She remembered every single detail vividly. She had been away from home, in California, opening up a new location of Clothes Over Bro's. Business was booming, but she missed home. So she called Nathan and told him she was coming home and to meet her at their favorite place, Karen's Cafe. Instead of meeting her at Karen's, he picked her up from the airport, a complete surprise to Brooke. Nathan called Victoria and let her know he would be picking her up as a surprise. Brooke was so excited to see him that she ran toward him full speed and didn't let up until she was in his arms. Nathan didn't mind, he accepted her body with opened arms, a huge smile on his face. He then took her to dinner and had a bit of wine before they ended up at the river court, where their story had began as kids.
"Play Horse with me?" She asked him as she held the basketball in her hands.
"Only for you," Nathan replied with a smile as she tossed him the ball and he began dribbling.
Brooke was winning, but she knew exactly why. He always did this to her. He claimed she didn't have enough 'skill' to beat him in a real match. She always rolled her eyes when he told her that and pretended to pout. She honestly always loved when he picked on her, but she'd never tell him that. She loved him. God, she loved Nathan Scott.
"You're letting me win, you jerk!" She shoved him and laughed.
"But if I beat you, I'm still a jerk, right?" Nathan asked, teasing her.
"You're always a jerk. You were the biggest jerk in high school." Brooke told him.
"Yeah, I know. You're not the first girl to tell me that," Nathan chuckled.
"I always defended you though. I told them they didn't know the real you." Brooke said softly, her eyes locked on his. She wanted him to know how she felt. Why couldn't he take a hint?
Nathan's eyes softened. "I always did the same for you."
Brooke's heart melted at his confession. Nathan always knew the real her. Not the tough, outspoken, slutty Brooke Davis that everyone else knew, but Nathan knew who she truly was inside.
Lightening filled the sky and a sound of thunder rumbled afterwards. A storm was blowing in. The wind whipped her hair and she turned to look at him.
"We should be getting home before we get drenched," Brooke said.
"Good idea," Nathan said as he bounced the basketball one more time and cradled it under his arm as he walked over to the car. They both slid into the car and drove in a comfortable silence to Brooke's house, the rain pouring down on the windshield.
When they reached Brooke's house, he parked the car and Brooke winced at how hard the rain was pouring down. She didn't want to get out of the car in the pouring down rain.
"Afraid to get wet? Think you'll melt?" Nathan teased.
"Shut up, you jerk!" Brooke punched him in the arm and laughed. "But yes! I don't want to get completely soaked!"
"Are you happy?" He asked her. The question made her heart stop, but then he quickly added, "In California?"
Brooke's heart started beating harder as he asked if she was happy, but when he quickly correct himself, she shrugged. "Tree Hill will always be my home and where I'm most comfortable. This is who I am." Brooke didn't want to leave Tree Hill. Her dream was to open up a location of Clothes Over Bro's in Tree Hill and run her company from there. She wanted to get married, have a huge house in Tree Hill. Have several children with the same dark brown hair and blue eyes as Nathan...
"Do you plan to come back?"
Again, Brooke shrugged. "Business is booming there and Julian's movie career is in California."
Brooke hated to talk about Julian with Nathan, and she never understood why. It wasn't like Nathan ever acted jealous and he was always a listening ear. But to her, it just never felt right.
"If he loves you like he says he does, he would follow you anywhere you want to go. Trust me."
Brooke looked over at him and smiled a full dimpled smile and rested her head against the seat. "That's why I love you. You always know the right things to say to make me feel better." 'Take the hint, Scott! I'm practically handing you signals on a platter!' she thought to herself.
"You know I love you, Brooke Davis," Nathan returned her smile and slowly leaned in closer to her.
"You do?" Brooke asked quietly, she realizing that he was leaning in closer to her. Was Nathan really about to kiss her? Had he finally picked up on her hints? She leaned into him. The rain had calmed down and was only sprinkling. It had grown quiet outside the car.
Nathan was leaning in to kiss her, his face only a few centimeters away from hers. He wasn't moving away. He really wanted to kiss her. Brooke's eyes fluttered closed. Brooke wanted him to kiss her. Her heart was pounding now. She could feel his breath cascade against her lips. She licked hers in anticipation, her stomach fluttering from what was about to happen. She had waited for this moment their entire lives. Just as he was about to press his lips against hers, a roll of thunder rumbled through that was so loud it shook the car and made them jump apart.
"Oh SHIT!" Brooke exclaimed in surprise and then laughed, covering her mouth as her laughing increased. She was embarrassed at her outburst.
"That was some serious thunder, huh?" Nathan laughed as well and rubbed his hands on his jeans, which Brooke took notice of. He was trying to avoid talking about what had just happened. Disappointment filled her stomach and she reached for the door handle.
"Well, I have to get inside. But we're still on for lunch tomorrow?" Brooke asked.
"It's a date." He replied with a smile.
They did go to lunch the next day. Brooke wanted to ask him why he had almost kissed her, but the words wouldn't leave her tongue. He acted as if nothing had ever happened. And as much as it hurt Brooke, she also acted like nothing happened. So the almost kiss was never mentioned, never brought up. But it still remained in her memory.
And oh, my daddy's been dreading this day
Oh, but he don't know he ain't the only one giving me away
He'll have his black suit, black tie, hiding out in the back
I'll do a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask
I'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees
He's the one I wanna marry
But he don't wanna marry me
"Darling, you look absolutely stunning," Victoria gasped as she walked in the door, closing it gently behind her.
"Thanks, mom." Brooke replied with a small smile as she looked at her mom through the mirror.
"What's wrong, honey?"
"Am I doing the right thing? By marrying Julian?" Brooke asked as she turned around to face her mother and as soon as she asked that question, Victoria blew out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
"What does your heart tell you sweetie?"
"My heart is telling me the same thing it's been telling me since I was six years old."
Victoria smiled at her daughter. "Well you know.. When you called to inform your father and I that Julian had proposed, your father was surprised you said yes."
Brooke looked at her mother with confused eyes, "Daddy was surprised I agreed to marry Julian?"
Victoria stepped behind Brooke as she looked in the mirror and began adjusting her veil, keeping eye contact through the mirror, "Your daddy and I just always felt you would marry Nathan."
Brooke's stomach dropped and she looked down at the floor. "He doesn't want to marry me. Julian does."
"And how do you know for sure? Have you ever told Nathan how you feel?"
Brooke bit her lip and slowly shook her head. Tears started to form in her hazel eyes, but she blinked them away.
"Now is not the time for assumptions, sweetie. This is the biggest decision you'll ever make. If you don't think you could ever truly love Julian, you don't need to marry him. If you love Nathan, you don't need to marry another man. Follow your heart, Brooke."
Brooke nodded her head as she tried to keep her tears at bay, pulling her mother into a hug. "Thank you," Brooke whispered.
"You're welcome, darling. Now stop crying! You'll ruin your makeup!" Victoria scolded as she fixed the smudges underneath Brooke's eyes.
I've got on my dress now, welcoming the guests now
I could try to find him, get it off of my chest now
But he don't wanna mess it up, so he'll wish me the best now
"It's time, darling." Victoria informed Brooke.
Brooke stood up and straightened out her dress. Peyton, Rachel, and Haley helped her with the last minute touch ups and got in line one after the other. Brooke took a deep breath. It's now or never. Brooke followed the girls out of the country club and around the course. The music began playing and Peyton walked down the aisle first. Rachel followed. And then Haley. Now, it was her turn.
So I'm in my white shoes, white dress while he's in the back
Taking a strong shot of whiskey straight out the flask
We'll try to make it through without crying so nobody sees
He's the one I wanna marry
Yeah, he's the one I wanna marry
But he don't wanna marry me
No, he don't wanna marry me
Her stomach began doing somersaults with every step she took. Her father stood there, waiting for her with his arm extended for her to take. She smiled lovingly up at her father as she took his arm. She smiled at the crowd and her eyes found Nathan's easily. Her face lit up and she smiled at him, her dimples noticeable. Nathan returned her smile, but it didn't quite meet his eyes. His eyes looked like he had been drinking. Brooke's heart dropped. He wasn't happy. Was it the fact that she was getting married? Was that making him unhappy? Brooke kept her eyes locked on his until she passed by him. She couldn't shake the feeling his eyes were giving her.
Brooke continued to walk down the aisle with her father towards Julian. Julian stood there smiling at his bride and Brooke immediately felt sick. She had to force herself to continue walking down the aisle. Once she reached the end, her father kissed her on the cheek and she took her place in front of Julian. Brooke looked out into the crowd to find Nathan's eyes, but he had already stood up to leave the wedding. The preacher began his speech, but Brooke's eyes were glued to Nathan's retreating form. He was leaving. He was walking out of her wedding. She shouldn't be doing this. This isn't what she wanted.
"Friends and Family of Brooke and Julian, welcome and thank you for being here on this important day. We are gathered together to celebrate the very special love between Brooke and Julian, by joining them in marriage," the preacher began.
Brooke looked into Julian's eyes as hers filled with tears and she gently shook her head. She held her hand up to stop the preacher from speaking any further and his words ceased. Julian's eyes widened as he realized what she was doing.
"Brooke-" Julian began, but Brooke stopped him.
"Julian, stop. I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry." Brooke whispered through her tears. "You don't want to marry me."
"But I do, Brooke. I love you with all my heart. You're the one for me."
Brooke shook her head sadly, "I can't be the one for you when I gave my heart away a long time ago to someone else."
"It's Nathan, isn't it?"
Brooke bit her lip and nodded, tears slowly sliding down her cheeks. The crowd was gasping at this point. The groom's side of the crowd with faces full of horror, Brooke's side full of smiles.
"I'm so sorry, Julian. Any girl would be incredibly lucky to marry you."
"Just not you?" Julian asked.
Brooke shook her head softly and slipped off her engagement ring and placed it in Julian's hand.
Brooke turned to the gasping crowd and shrugged her shoulders sadly and walked back down the aisle. She caught Deb's eyes and Deb was sporting a huge grin. Brooke smiled back, lifted up her dress, and took off running to the parking lot. With no sign of Nathan, she got into her mother's car and sped off with only one location in mind.
Nathan was exactly where she thought he would be. At the river court, dribbling a basketball with his suit jacket laying on the picnic table. Nathan heard the car drive up and looked over and recognized the car immediately.
"Nathan?" Brooke called out as she stepped out of the car, slamming the door as she lifted up her dress and ran toward him.
"Brooke? What are you doing here?"
"I've got some things to say to you," Brooke told him as she walked onto the court, her heels clicking against the pavement.
"Brooke! It could have waited! It's your wedding day."
"It's not my wedding day if you're not in it. Any wedding where you're not my groom is no wedding I want to be a part of."
"Brooke-" Nathan began.
"No, Nathan. Let me get this out. I love you. I've always loved you," Brooke told him. "Since I was six years old. I just never thought you felt the same about me."
"But I do Brooke.."
Brooke's eyes shined with new tears, "You do?"
Nathan took a step forward and gripped her hips and brought her close. "I do."
"Say it. Please." Brooke whispered as he cupped her cheeks.
Nathan's lips descended down to hers and right before their lips met, he whispered, "I've been in love with you all my life, Brooke Davis."
Brooke smiled and Nathan's lips covered Brooke's and her arms immediately wrapped around his neck. His hands were buried in her hair as he moved his lips over hers, his tongue moved against her lips, begging for entrance. She immediately allowed him access and he groaned against her mouth once her tongue met his. When they finally came up for air, he rested his forehead against hers and smiled at her, his hands still buried in her hair.
"We're already dressed for the occasion, so what do you say? Wanna get married?" Nathan teased her and Brooke tipped her head back and giggled.
"Lead the way, Mr. Scott."
Nathan leaned down and captured Brooke's lips in another kiss and both immediately felt at home again. This is where they belonged and nothing could ever change that.
So there you go! :) I hope you're happy with it! I love writing Nathan and Brooke together!
