Chapter 4: Deceived

Brooke walked out of her house, and Jake was leaning against the car. Brooke waked out wearing a green summer dress, with a black wrap over it.

"You look beautiful." Jake admired.

"Jake…do we really have to go tonight?" Brooke asked.

"Brooke, my mom's expecting us."

"I know, but I don't have a good feeling about this. Can't you just call and take a rain check?"

"Look, I know. I don't wanna go either."

"Good, then let's stay here tonight. We can watch movies, and eat popcorn, and have dessert." She kissed Jake gently on he lips.

Jake laughed a little. "As much as that sounds tempting, we still have to go."

Brooke stared at him.

"I know that this isn't how you wanted to spend your evening, but my mom apologized. I've never heard my mom say 'sorry' before. I don't even think it was part of her vocabulary. I can't miss this. We can't miss this. This may be the last time we ever hear that word come out of her mouth." Jake smiled.

"Let's go." Brooke walked into the passenger side of the car.

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"Sweetie, let's go. Jennifer's waiting for us!" Tom yelled.

"I'm coming." Peyton was in front of her mirror, checking her reflection over the millionth time. She then noticed a figure staring at her.

"Wow, so this is what it's like in the magnificent Sawyer lifestyle." Lucas chuckled.

Peyton smiled. "Nice to finally see you in a good mood."

"Yeah, well I can't keep a daughter away from her father long." Lucas walked into Peyton's bedroom.

"You can come you know. I'm sure Jake would like to see the man who took of his fiancée."

"I don't think so. Your dad letting me stay here is enough. I don't think he'd like me ruining a dinner party." Lucas told her.

Peyton could tell something was wrong in his eyes. "You still don't think this is a good idea, do you?"

"Peyton, you do whatever you have to do. And if seeing your fiancé is what you need to do, then do it." There was something sour about his tone.

"Lucas, what is wrong. I'm going to see the man I'm going to marry. Why can't you just be happy?"

"Have you really thought about this Peyton? I mean putting my personal feelings aside. You were gone for months, you'd be lucky if you still have a fiancé."

Peyton stared at him like he wasn't the same Lucas she's known for 3 months. "I can't believe you just said that."

"One of us has to. Look, I'm not trying to hurt your feelings, but do you really think that everything is the same as you left it? You think that your fiancé is still your fiancé after thinking you were dead for months. That he was just waiting for you to come back from beyond the grave? One of us has to be realistic, Peyton."

Peyton felt a tear go down her cheek.

"Peyton, you ready?" Tom popped his head in through the door.

She exhaled, "Yeah." She stood up, and got her purse. She left Lucas alone in her room.

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Jake parked is car in the drive way. "You ready," he asked Brooke.

"We can still back out," She laughed. "Still rent a movie, order in…"

"Brooke we're already here. It's gonna be fine. Don't worry about it."

Brooke stared into the house. She exhaled, and felt Jake grab her hand. "Whatever happens, Brooke. I promise I won't leave you."

"Good, because I'm not letting you go." Jake opened his door, and Brooke opened hers.

They walked into the house holding hands. Brooke tightened her grip. "Mom! We're here!" He yelled.

"Jake, Brooke. Finally. We've been waiting for you." Jennifer said.

"We?" Brooke asked confused.

"We have company?" Jake asked his mother.

"Yes, honey. And I think you're going to be as surprised as I was." Jennifer turned to her right, and stuck her hand out.

First a woman walked out, reaching for Jennifer's hand, then walked out her father.

When Brooke saw Peyton, she gasped. Jake looked surprised, as if he saw a ghost. Brooke couldn't believe it, Peyton was alive. She knew it all along, but for some reason this made more real to her.

Peyton stood smiling at her fiancé. "Jake?"

"Peyton?" Jake replied.

"Jake." She exhaled hard. She let go of Jennifer's hand, and walked toward Jake.

Jake started to walk toward Peyton also, loosening his grip from Brooke. Brooke tried to hold on, but soon they were separated. Jake was hugging Peyton, and the tears began falling out. This was exactly what she was afraid of. Brooke looked over to Jennifer, and all she saw was Jennifer smiling, like her plan was completed.