This is my first 2 part chapter, but there is a lot more of them...

Chapter 8- What They Say

"Yeah, actually, I think you can." Nathan said, a growing smile appeared across his face. "Can we talk?"

"Sure, hold on, I need to get the scones from the oven, would you like a few?"

"Yeah, thanks." He replied, suddenly remembering he had only eaten his bagel that morning, he hadn't stayed long enough to get food a Tric. Karen returned moments later with a plate of scones and a bowl of chicken noodle soup.

"Lucas always wanted chicken noodle soup and hot chocolate when he was upset, but it is the middle of June, and hot chocolate didn't seem to fit."

"Thanks Karen." He said laughing.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" She asked tenderly as she pulled a stool over to her side of the counter and sat down.

"Do you think it was wrong of me to come home?" He asked staring a hole in his soup, he couldn't meet her eyes, afraid of what would be shown in them.

"You mean for Luke's wedding? Of course not." She said in that tone that made it seem like she knew what he meant but didn't say anything.

"I think we both know that his wedding wasn't the only reason I came back here. I just realized why I did later than you did." He laughs as she smiles, letting him continue. "It was just a very easy excuse. And now she is pretty much ignoring me, pulling that polite, affectation crap that I used to use at dinner parties to people who said they knew me but I had no idea who they were."

"Yeah, I know what you mean, 'Smile sweetly and keep conversation minimum.' Pretty much a denial of any problem. I know it well, it sounds like me in high school." She laughs when he looks up at her quizzically. "Oh yeah, I went to those dinner parties too, and cheerleaders couldn't be anything less than damn angelic."

Nathan wonders why he never really talked to Karen. She knew a lot about the things he was going threw, and didn't make him feel inferior. He couldn't help but trust her.

"Right, so how do I make her stop? I mean, I can't figure out if she wants to scream at me or hug me." He asks frustrated.

"Maybe she doesn't know either. And maybe she needs to get used to you, trust you, before she opens up to you. Just tread lightly until then." She replies wisely.

"Yeah, you're right, thanks Karen." He said as he turned to leave.

"And Nathan?"

"Yeah?" He says, turning back around.

"She's still pretty much the same girl I've ever known. She has a big heart, she forgives easier than most." She smiled as Nathan got the parallel meaning.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

Karen watches as he leaves the Café and gets into his car and backs away, driving out of sight. "God, I hope everything goes smoothly this summer!" She mumbles to herself as she turns off the lights.

THURSDAY MORNING

Lucas awoke, holding Brooke, who was still sleeping. He had his orders from Haley today: keep Brooke away from the Café until at least after noon. He was prepared to take her for a walk and then out for lunch. Brooke may not seem like the type who admitted spending time with Lucas was number one on her list, or how much she loved it, but Lucas knew she did. He knew how much just holding her meant, he knew how important it was for them to wake holding each other, whispering sweet nothings in each other's ear. He knew how she felt, and when she felt it. He knew all of these things because he felt the exact same way. He didn't care if she didn't admit it, or acted like it didnt bother her when he was away for work and they couldn't have their 'moments.'

"Good morning, Broody, whatca thinking about?" Brooke asked placing her head on his chest, and rubbing it idly with her hand.

"Oh, just my beautiful fiancé." He replied, trying to seem disinterested.

"Yeah, I hear she's pretty amazing."

"Yeah, she's okay." She hit him playfully. "Ow! Okay! I give! How about I make some breakfast?"

"Can't we just go to the Café?" He had prepared for that questions.

"No, I'd rather spend this morning with you, alone."Complete truth.

"Oh, does Broody miss his 'moments'?" She cooed.

"Oh, yes he does, very much." He said wrapping his arms around her.

Deb, Karen, Peyton, and Jenny were sitting at a table when Haley arrived with Megan in tow. Jenny was coloring and Megan joined her.

"Uh, guys?" Haley started tentatively.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" Karen asked panicked.

"Taylor. I think she's coming here. To 'help.' Haley said this as if it were the news that Japan had attacked again, as she took her seat next to Peyton.

"So? Taylor can throw a party, Haley!" Peyton exclaimed, "and this is Brooke!"

"Yeah, but Taylor.."

"Taylor what? Haley?" Taylor's voice comes from the doorway.

"Nothing!" She replied quickly.

"Look, the only reason I'm here is because there isn't anything else better to do, and to make sure there isn't any senior citizens playing yahtzee at this funfest. I mean it is supposed to be a bachelorette party. Right?"

"Whatever, Taylor. Just sit." She rolled her eyes, pulling out the empty chair for her to sit on.

The girls plotted Brooke's bachelorette party. They decided it would be tomorrow might, at 8, at Tric. Nothing huge, despite Taylor's complaints. Just the girls hanging out. NO kids. NO guys.

Lucas and Brooke went for a walk shortly after breakfast. They found themselves down at the Rivercourt. They sat down on the bleachers, and held hands as Brooke's head lay on his shoulder.

"So what are we doing tonight?" Brooke asked.

"Uh, actually, I am going out with the guys." He said stressing the I part.

"Oh, I'll miss you, I always do." She admitted softly.

"I know, babe, I know."

They sat there in a comfortable silence watching the calm, serene surroundings.

"Hey Brooding much? What are you thinking about now in that big, profound head of yours?"

"Just thinking about the day I proposed, and how happy you made me when you accepted."

"Me? I thought you'd never ask!"

"Yeah," he laughs. "I remember."

Flashback-(October of last year)

It had taken Brooke forever to decide what shoes to put on. Lucas had bought her a new dress and matching purse, but forgot shoes! How dare he! This was their 5 year anniversary! They had started dating, again, on this day, of their senior year of high school. She only asked that he be romantic today, Valentine's Day, and her birthday. Was that too much to ask? I think not! She wanted this day to be special, damn it! And if he wasn't going to pop the question, then he should at least remember the shoes! She was damn proud of them, they had both stayed together and faithful for five years and all without a ring and huge rock!

She came down the stairs in the jaw dropping, black, strapless dress he had bought her, the matching purse, earrings, and decided on stilettoes that killed her feet but made the outfit look perfect.

"Wow, Brooke, you look absolutely beautiful." He was a nervous wreck, and hoped to god she wouldn't notice.

"Why thank you. You don't look so terrible yourself."

She loved the way Lucas called her beautiful, like he meant it, and didn't say it to score.

"Shall we?" He asked her as he helped her into her coat and opened the door for her.

"We shall." She said smiling. He was really corney, but she loved that. He looped his arms through hers and led her to the car.

"Where are we going?" She asked when he got in, after helping her in first. Of course. This night had to be perfect.

"That! Is a surprise. So therefore, I cannot say."

"But, you do know right? Where we are going? Cause I'm not in the mood to get lost."

"Yes, I do know where we are going. I've been there twice today."

"Twice? Why?"

"Ah! I have said too much already!" He answered vaguely. "Twice?' She thought. 'Great! We are probably going to the Café or something, and all the gentleman stuff is just there to make up for it.' She thought, rolling her eyes.

They pulled up about 20 minutes later to a restaurant that was anything but Karen's. It was quiet, and romantic, and stunningly beautiful.

"Reservations for Scott, please."

"Right this way, Mr. Scott." The May-tre- de said walking toward the patio which Lucas had reserved for them, and them alone.

The sight of the patio took Brooke's breath away. The ground was a finished stone that glistened in the moonlight, and it was surrounded by a short, black, iron fence, which had ivy lazily looping threw it. Around it on one side was a pond, that had delicate lily pads floating in it, and a waterfall that trickled down placidly. On the other side was a big willow tree that overshadowed part of the patio. Rose petals were scattered all over and there was a huge bouquet of white, pink, and red roses as the centerpiece of the only table out there.

Brooke had tears in her eyes. "Oh Luke, it is amazing!" She shrieked.

He pulled out the chair for her and handed her a menu, then took his own seat. The waiter poured them some champaign, and took their order. Lucas got more and more nervous every second. He would do it after dinner and before desert. He picked up his champaign glass, and she followed suit.

"To you Brooke, on our five year anniversary, I love you."

"And to you Lucas, I love you more though." She added childishly.

"I'm not sure if that is possible." He replied.

"Oh, I know it is."

"Oh, well, if you know, then it must be true."

"See? Haley was right, anything and everything I say goes." She giggled.

"Yeah, yeah."

They ate, and the waiter took away their plates, giving Lucas a 'good luck' look. He had told him this plans earlier so he could ask her without being interrupted.

"Hey! I wanted desert!" She shouted after the waiter's retreating form, which did what he was told before, and left them alone.

"He'll come back, and we'll get you some desert."

"Good!" She said with a satisfied smile.

"I love you Brooke."

"Aw. I love you to Lukie!" She exclaimed.

He got up and walked over to her, getting down on one knee.

"Brooke, I have known now for five years that you are the one for me. You make me feel whole, without you in my life I feel incomplete and empty. I need you Brooke. I love you with all my heart. And so now I must ask you," he said as he took the small velvet box out of his pocket, and saw Brooke's shocked face, tears welling up in her eyes. "Brooke Davis, Will you marry me?"

It was an all-out downpour of tears from Brooke's eyes, tears of joy, of course. "Yes. Lucas Scott I will marry you!" He stood up, grinning broadly as she slid the 3.5 karat ring on her delicate finger, kissing her and pulling her into him.

"It's about time you asked!" She giggled lightly in his ear.

He smiled as she gave him a big kiss.

End of Flashback

"Yeah, that was a very memorable night." She said softly.

"It sure was! Now let's go! I have to meet the guys in an hour!"

"FINE! Whatever! Ruin the moment!" She whined.

The next morning Haley was torn from her sleep as the phone rang. She heard Taylor groan from her room. 'What the heII!' The clock read 2:34am. 'I may not sleep in, but this is way too early for a nice chat.' She answered, frightened, who got good news this early?

"Hello?" She asked groggily into the phone on her bedside table.

"Hey! Hay-lay!" A slurred, drunken, boisterous voice came through the receiver.

"Nathan? Is that you?"

"Yeah! Get a load of this: so me, Luke, and the guys went out for Luke's bachelor party, and we got plastered!"

"Nathan, where are you?"

"Uh.. Hold on." She heard Nathan ask Luke where they were, and herad fumbling in the background.

"Hay-lay? Luke says we are in jail!"

OH>>> CLIFFFHANGER! DUN DUN DUN...

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Katie