A/N: Sorry for the long wait, uni has been ridiculously busy…thank goodness it is my final year. Thanks to everyone that reviews, it means a lot.Also, to all my Aussie reader and reviewers…guess which team Haley is supporting heheh. This chapter is dedicated to vampiregurl who asked how Brucas got married all the way back in Chapter 2!BTW I don't own OTH…although James Lafferty might cheer me up after the crappy week I've had L xoxo
Chapter 10-All I Wanted
"Hey Brooke, what's this?" Bevin asked waving a DVD around
Brooke examined the disc, and handed back to Bevin
"Dunno, put it into the player and see"
Haley's face appeared on screen, dressed in jeans and high heels with a simple white t-shirt on, a navy and white scarf hung around her neck
"How's everyone today?" The camera panned out to see the stadium, and the 100,000 odd people screaming.
"I just want to say how great it is to be Down Under! This is my single "Halo", and goes out to my dear friend Brooke who is getting married today"
"I never promised you a ray of light
I never promised you'd be sunshine everyday.."
"Tutor girl, I can't believe you did that!" Brooke said
"You have never seen this?" Haley asked
"No!"
"After what I did I figured a national shout out would be in order" Haley said shrugging.
Brooke smoothed down her wedding dress. The strapless gown was an off white colour, with an ivory sash around the waist which fanned out into a metre long trail. The bodice of the dress was threaded with beads and array of threads forming flowers across Brooke's upper body. The front portion of her hair was tied up, her auburn curls falling just past her shoulders. A diamond encrusted tiara fastened her veil to her head.
Brooke took a deep breath and turned around to face the full length mirror.
She exhaled heavily. This was it Brooke thought I finally getting married. Everything is perfect. She worryingly played with the material of the dress. Something at the pit of her stomach knew something was going to go wrong today, Brooke could just feel it.
Her phone rang shrilly throughout the empty room. She grinned as she read the caller ID.
"Tutor Girl! Please tell me that you are on your way from New Brunswick Airport?" she said excitedly
"Not exactly…"
"Ok please don't tell me you are stuck in San Diego?" Brooke said starting to pick at her perfectly manicured nails.
"Not exactly…"
"Well where exactly are you then?" Brooke asked
"Well I am in an airport in….Australia" Haley finished
"Australia? As in poisonous snakes, driving on the other side of the road, koala bears, Australia?" Brooke screeched
"I think they are called koalas but yes that Australia" Haley said calmly
"Ok…tell me why you are in Australia when you are supposed to be in Tree Hill for my WEDDING!" Brooke yelled
"I'm so sorry Brooke, I was all ready to go to Tree Hill and Joey D called. They want me to sing for pre game entertainment at their football grand final"
"You are blowing off my wedding for FOOTBALL!" Brooke continued to yell
"Well Australian football is a bit rougher, but this is a great opportunity for me Brooke. This could put me on the map down here. I could really crack into the market from doing this"
Brooke sighed heavily into the phone
"How could you do this to me Haley?" Brooke asked quietly, tears threatening to spill from her eyes
"I'm so sorry Brooke; I promise I will make it up to you"
Brooke thought for a moment. As much as she wanted her best friend, she understood why she wasn't going to be there. Most of all, Brooke was proud of what Haley had accomplished, and she knew Haley wouldn't have taken the opportunity if it wasn't important
"Ok, Tutor Girl, you are off the hook. But I am expecting one hell of a wedding present."
"Ok, and I will get the footage so you can see my grand performance" Haley said laughingly down the phone.
"Ok Tutor Girl, I've got a wedding to get to"
"Bye Tigger, send my congratulations to Lucas too"
"Bye Haley"
Brooke sat down on the chair by the mirror. Its going to work out Brooke repeated to herself.
Suddenly she heard a loud knock on the door
"Come in" she said
"Brooke, I just wanted to find out when Haley is showing up, the photographer wants a photo of the bridesmaids and groomsmen, but it kinda looks uneven with Junk standing by himself" Rachel said at rapid speed
"Oh no…" Brooke said
"What??" Rachel said alarmingly
"I just talked to Haley. She isn't coming. Now we have an uneven wedding party" Brooke screeched to unhuman levels.
"Brooke, honey, calm down" Rachel said rubbing Brooke's back to soothe her.
"Calm down, Rachel? While I told Haley to go conquer the world, I have an uneven wedding party, and my parents didn't even come!"
"'Is that's what this is really about? Your dad not walking you down the isle"
Brooke's eye widened with realisation. Rachel saw her friend's mind ticking over.
"What?" Rachel asked
"That's it, Rach!" Brooke exclaimed
"What's it?"
"I could get Mouth to give me away, it's perfect!" she said pacing up and back
Rachel watched her friend work out the new plan
"Peyton and Nathan, you and Cooper, Bevin and Skills, and Shelley and Junk, it's perfect! I'm brilliant"
"I'll go tell the boys" Rachel said
"Hey Rach?" Brooke asked
"Yeah?" she said, turning around
"Thanks for being my maid of honour" Brooke said
"What I thought Haley was…oh" Rachel said, pulling Brooke into a tight hug. "Thanks, Brooke"
"It's nothing; I'm just sorry you were my second choice"
"Don't worry, bitch" Rachel said as she breezed through the door
Rachel knocked on the boy's door, and didn't wait for an answer.
"Hey Rachel" Nathan said, before resuming the task of fiddling with his tie
"Hi boys, slight change of plan" Rachel said as she pecked Cooper on the lips.
"Huh?" Lucas said from the corner of the room.
"Look, Haley bailed out last minute, so Shelley is going to partner Junk, and Mouth, your walking Brooke down the isle"
"What?" he said nervously
"Yes, get a grip Mouth, she is bummed that her parents can't be here, and she thinks it's a great idea, as do I"
"But…"
"But you are like her best male friend, Mouth, it's not like Lucas can walk her down the isle" Rachel said
"True, you should do it, Mouth" Lucas said
"Ok, I'm in" Mouth replied
"Great, I already told Shelley, see you later boys"
Time passed slowly for Brooke. She was uncharacteristically nervous, repeating her vows over and over again. Again, a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts.
"Rach, I'm fine really, go get your fat ass ready" Brooke yelled
"It's not Rachel" Peyton said as she walked in, her crimson strapless dress falling just above her knees.
"Oh hi Peyton" Brooke said distractingly
Peyton looked at Brooke. She looked absolutely stunning, but there was sadness about her, something that only someone who had known her 17 years could really tell.
"What's up Brooke?" Peyton asked plainly
"Nothing, everything is fine"
"That's crap and you and I both know it"
Brooke took a deep breath
"I'm worried, Peyton. First of all my parents don't show up, then Haley backed out, I just feel like Lucas might feel the same way" Brooke said picking at her nails
"Are you kidding, B.Davis? Lucas is crazy about you. You two battled cheating, 2 break-ups on account of well…me, a couple of absentee parents, and living on opposite sides on the country, you are as meant to be as Joey and Pacey, Carrie and Mr. Big, and Ross and Rachel"
"Thanks Peyton, believe it or not, that helped" she said smiling slightly
"I think I will believe it" she said smiling
"Well I better finish putting my face on" Brooke said gesturing to the array of bottles on the table.
"Alright" Peyton said getting up from her seated position.
Brooke turned back to the vanity, and started applying lipstick
"One more thing Brooke" Peyton said
Brooke just looked at Peyton
"I will always be your friend, Brooke. It doesn't matter if you're not mine, but we have been through too much to lose our friendship. I'm not willing to let our friendship go because of some guy"
Brooke sat speechless, her mouth gapping open. Peyton watched Brooke for a moment, but it seemed pretty obvious Brooke wasn't going to reciprocate Peyton's sentiment.
Peyton walked through the door and she paused from a moment.
"You look beautiful, Brooke"
Brooke opened her mouth to say something, but Peyton had disappeared.
"She isn't coming?!" he fumed
"Calm down, Nathan" Lucas said "I'm the one supposed to be freaking out about the wedding"
"How can she do this to Brooke? Of all the selfish, manipulative, heartless things she has done"
"Geez Nathan, by the way you are ranting, you'd think she was your wife" Skills said
"She was once" he said scowling at Skills
"Yes she isn't anymore, Nate, remember that, plus your current wife is looking smoking hot, and waiting outside" said Junk
"I second that" Skills said
Nathan glared at the occupants in the small room beside the chapel.
"Where is she anyway?" Nathan asked haughtily
"Outside talking to Shelley" Mouth said
"That's not the she he is referring to" Lucas muttered
Rachel walked into the room, her willowy v neck dress hugging her curves
"Arighty party people, the bride is on the move" Rachel said
Lucas took a jaggered breath. Nathan slapped Lucas on the back.
"Don't worry man, your marrying one of the good ones"
"Yeah not to mention one of the hot ones" Skills said as he bumped fists with Lucas
"Let's go otherwise the Brooke will beat you down the isle. How bad would that look?" Mouth asked from the door
Lucas walked past Mouth, on the way to the front of the chapel
"Look after my girl would you" Lucas said
"Always, man" Mouth said as they shook hands.
As the groomsmen met the bridesmaids at the front of the church, Mouth walked to the maid's quarters where Brooke was getting ready. Brooke was pacing nervously in the small house, unable to shake the giant moth like creatures moving around in her stomach. Haley had once told her singing the final to les miserables would help the nerves. It might help Haley the singing superstar, but today of all days, it wasn't helping this bride to be.
A pounding on the door stopped Brooke in her tracks.
On the other side, stood a very dashing Marvin McFadden.
"Look at you, Mr Bond" Brooke said smiling at her friend.
"Brooke you look…"
"Fabulous, I know"
"And the most beautiful bride"
"Thanks, Mouth"
"You ready?"
"I think so" Brooke said, some uncertainty flashing in her eyes
"Brooke do you know why you and Lucas are made for one another?"
"Why?" she whispered
"Because both your hearts are the same, that's why Brooke"
"You sure, Mouth"
"Positive, now let's get you married" Mouth said as he offered his arm out
"Thanks Mouth, you're a true friend" she said taking hold of Mouth arm, and they began walking out of the cottage to the chapel.
"Lucas?"
"Mom, I thought you would miss the ceremony"
"Missing my only son's wedding, I don't think so"
"Where is Keith and Lilly?"
"Over there" pointing to where all the bridesmaids were gathered around the flower girl
"Well looks like that's my cue to go" as he saw Mouth open the door to the cottage
"I'm so proud of you, Lucas" Karen said kissing her son on the cheek
"Thanks, Ma"
Lucas walked down the isle, and took is place on the podium
Next, 7 year old Lilly walked down, drizzling rose petals along the entirety of the walk.
Next, Karen and Keith came in; smiling proudly every step they took.
Shelly, in her revealing spaghetti strap cocktail dress accompanied a blushing Junk, whose eyes were looking directly in front of him.
Skills and Bevin appeared next, her bias cut dress falling just above her bronze wedges. The couple smiling brightly to the 200 guests within the church.
Peyton was next to walk in, with a surly looking Nathan. Lucas could see, even when he had entered the chapel, that Nathan had one thing, rather, one person on his mind. Peyton didn't exactly look care free either. She moved from have a slight smile on her face for the crowd to a frown when glancing at a troubled Nathan.
Rachel waltzed into the chapel, Cooper keeping up with her long strides. She flashed a smile for the myriad of cameras, showing her best side. As the couple took to opposite sides of the podium, Rachel winked at Cooper.
As the maid of honour stepped into place, the processional music changed to the song Brooke had picked. Evermore's Never Let You Go filled the chapel as Brooke and Mouth appeared.
Lucas mouth formed a perfect 'o' shape as he saw his soon to be wife.
As Brooke stood at the entrance of the chapel, the sunset perfectly outlined her shape, making her look almost angel like.
The bouquet of roses encompassed her hands, her smile lighting up the room, her dimples displayed in full view. As they began to walk down the isle, the church's occupants stood in one collective motion. Hundreds of cameras flashed as Brooke and Mouth made their way down the isle. Brooke's head moved from side to side, making sure everyone saw the glow that her wedding day bought.
Finally, they reached the podium. Mouth kissed Brooke on the cheek and whispered "Remember your hearts belong together"
"Thanks for giving me away Mouth" Brooke said
"I could never really do that" he said before taking his place behind Nathan.
Lucas grasped Brooke's hand, and guided her to the top of the podium. As they faced each other, Lucas carefully lifted her veil.
"You're so beautiful, I'm glad your mine" he said
"Right back atcha" Brooke said winking at Lucas
The couple faced the celebrant, the years planning the wedding, and the childhood dream of Brooke's had finally come true.
"God I looked completely hot that day" Brooke said, rubbing her stomach
"Aw come on, Brooke, you have the total hot pregnant wife thing going for you" Haley said
"Thanks" Brooke said leaning back on the couch
"So how is wedded bliss?" Haley enquired
"Do you see the size of my stomach?"
"Good point"
"I really miss this, Brooke" Haley admitted
"Me too, honey"
"Did you enjoy your party?"
Brooke thought for a moment
"Yeah despite fights, divorce papers and a rather intense D&M, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way"
"I'm glad"
"Tutor Girl?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you still believe in having one true love?" Brooke asked
"Yeah I do"
"And Nathan?" she asked carefully
"I'm not sure. All I know is I want the person who kissed me in the rain in front of my house when I was 16, the person who proposed after we had sex, the man who remembered what one necklace meant to me. I'm just not completely sure that's Nathan."
"Just hang in there, buddy, he might surprise you"
"Do you think I will find the kind of love you and Luke share?"
"I have no doubt"
Brooke watched her friend from her spot on the couch. She had a feeling that being in the same house as Nathan had bought back memories that Haley would like to forget, or had been trying to run from the last 10 years. But if Brooke knew that Haley would have to stop running from the truth, like she had all those years ago, Haley was going to miss out on something truly magical, and that Brooke thought was the greatest tragedy of all.
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