Brooke POV
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"So," everyone almost jumped at the sound of my voice and hands being clapped together, "why don't we just get this over with so we can move along. Go on, ask all the questions you want." May as well get it over with. Hopefully Peyton doesn't kill me for this. Glancing over at my blonde counterpart I saw the surprised look on her face. I could also tell by the way her eyebrow twitched and she clamped her hand on mine that she was starting to freak out. Shooting her a look and moving my hand to cradle hers, I tried to be reassuring as possible. Looking straight at her, I gave her my classic, 'I'll lead, just let me do the talking' face and I could tell that she understood. But then I saw the unsure face she sent me. Ignoring everyone else, I leaned over to whisper to her, "I'm okay with them all knowing, but why don't we wait on the baby news since we aren't even for sure yet?"
I leaned back just enough to see her face and there I saw a small smile as she nodded slightly. I grinned back at her and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before leaning back to sit up properly, facing all the weird looks everyone else was giving us. I tightened my hand on Peyton's as I waited for the questions I knew were gonna start flying now...
Haley POV
"So, what have you girls been up to these last few years?" Karen asked, obviously trying to break the ice. Once again, I am thankful to the older woman's ability to seemingly calm the atmosphere. I watched as my two old friends shared a quick look before Brooke took up the conversation. We all listened as she went on about how successful her clothing line had become, some new ideas she had for her new lines, and life in the big city. We all commented here and there, but Karen and I seemed to be talking with Brooke the most. Lindsay opened up more when we were talking about the clothing line, admitting how much she loved COB. I was glad to see her finally relax some around Brooke and Peyton. I glanced to Peyton who still hadn't said much of anything, but I only found her staring at Brooke with this certain look on her face. For some reason I couldn't place it...hm...
I snapped out of it though when it heard Brooke call my name. I snapped my head at her and saw everyone looking at me. I blushed and Brooke laughed. "Were you even listening to me?" She asked, and then continued on, "I said I'm going to be opening a new store here in Tree Hill." I smiled hugely and failed to contain my excitement when I rushed out rather loudly, " so does does that mean you're staying?!" She laughed at me again and pulled her arm up from under the table to wrap it around the blonde next to her. She gave that flashy Davis smile and practically sings out, "actually, me and blondie here are both staying, for good, ain't that right P. Sawyer?" Peyton smiled back at Brooke and chirped out a short and high pitched 'yup'. I just shook my head at them, some things never change.
Redirecting my attention to the blonde sitting across from me, I asked the question that's been lingering in my mind for awhile now, "So Peyt, what'll you be doing then? You never answered about what you've been up to all these years either?"
Peyton POV
I tried to keep myself from panicking some at those questions. I fought not to gasp, but couldn't help the way my eyes widened for a split second. I glanced over to Brooke for some help, but instead all I got was that 'well, we're waiting' look she gets when she decides she wants to know too. Looks like I'm on my own for this one, gee thanks B. Looking back to Haley, I take a minute to answer. "Well, um, I'm not too sure what I'll be doing now. I mean, since I'm living with Brooke and all. So, yea...but I uh, I actually was traveling a lot after I quit at Sire records."
Looking at Brooke out of the corner of my eyes, I could see that questioning look, and Haley helped her out by asking out right. "Oh, what were you traveling for? Where'd you go?" Looking back at the other brunette girl, I said a little unsurely, "Well, I uh, had been doing a lot of free lance work. I just kinda went wherever really" I shrugged my shoulders. "I just sold my art in whatever town I landed in until I got the gas money to move on. I've been all over really. From Texas to Washington and from Cali to here." I let my eyes glide over everyone's expressions, some surprised, impressed, others just genuinely happy. It caught me off guard when I heard a rough voice break out into the room. "What was your signature?"
Lucas POV
I looked at Peyton as she gave me an 'are you stupid' look. Everyone else just looked confused. I repeated myself, but tried to explain a little more. "You're signature. I know all artists have one. Wether it's actually your name or a nickname or whatever. What was your signature?" I could see her start to blush from here and I felt my heart throb. I glanced over to Lindsay, who sat leaning away from me, drinking her glass of wine. She looked aggravated. I took my attention off her though when I heard Peyton mumble something. "What?" I had to ask. She blushed even harder and repeated herself, louder this time. "P.S. I love you. That was my signature, P.S. I love you..." Everyone sat quiet for a minute before I heard my wife speak up, sounding tipsy and more than a little bitter. "Oh yea, and why pray tell did you pick that? Huh?"
Lindsay POV
I couldn't help it. Seriously, I mean come on! Could you be more obvious! P.S. I love you! Seriously! I glared over my wine glass, taking another healthy sip, and dared that bitch to answer. Huh, she had the decency to look surprised at my tone. "Well, uh, it just kinda made sense when I did the first real painting I did while I was on the road. Lots of soul searching and all that...and well, just, it kinda came to me. Looking at their picture, it just didn't make sense to put anything else." She glanced away from me to her 'best friend' and I glanced around to see everyone giving me disappointed looks. I wanted to smack Lucas when he looked like he was aggravated by me. I scoffed before gritting out, "oh yea, and whose pretty picture was that?" I watched her face turn even redder, before she whispered out a name. Lucas practically chokes on his food, Haley freezes, Karen just barely smirks. I must really be drunk because I could have sworn she just said...
Brooke POV
I cut that blonde bitch off before she could get another word in on my girlfriend. Nobody bullies MY P. Sawyer. "Awwwww P. That's so to think we got together without me even knowing that." I say loud enough to let everyone else hear loud and clear, but I keep my eyes on my girlfriend, me eyes soft and arm that dropped to wrap around her waist between the chair gentle, to give her any comfort she might need. I don't want her freaking out too, considering the bomb we just dropped. And it certainly is like we just dropped a bomb. The quiet after the storm. It's a tense couple minutes before Nathan finally throws his hands up and practically yells, "well it's about damn time!"
Nathan POV
I give them a huge smile, glad to finally see them open their eyes to what's been right in front of them all of these years. Brooke looks confused, Haley mirroring her look, and Peyton just gives me that 'thank you' smile she used to show when I'd sit and listen to her talk through her feelings when we were teenagers. I nudge Hales and flick my eyes over to our recently returned friends, flashing my wife a smile, and I'm thankful when she seems to get the message. She immediately looks at them excited and goes off about how great this is and about how she's happy they're happy together. She started asking all those girly questions about the details when I hear my dumb ass brother jump in.
Lucas POV
"You CAN'T be serious!? A fucking dyke! Really Peyton!" "LUCAS!" I hear my mother yell over my language, but I ignore her. "You turn me down and then run off to become a damn carpet muncher! What the fuck!" Brooke practically jumps out of her seat and across the table to stick her finger in my face. I can see the her teeth are grinding and her fists are white. "You leave her the hell alone. You have no dam right Luke! No right! How dare you fucking call my girl that!" She slaps me suddenly and continues in her rant "and in case you fucking forgot, you moved on. You know, with your WIFE and all. So back the hell off!" That causes me to glance down at my wife. She's sitting still and silent, she almost looks she'll shocked. I grab her hand and pull her out of her chair. Rubbing my cheek, I drag her along, though she isn't fighting me at all, and I grind out, "We're leaving. Bye" and I make sure to slam the door. On the way out.
Brooke POV
I huff out angrily before turning to look back at Peyton. Her eyes are wide with shock and while she doesn't look sad, she does look shocked and upset. Sighing at that blonde bastard's way of ruining a good night, I grab Peyton's hand pulling her up gently from her chair. I look over to Haley, Nathan, and Karen, Keith went to run after Lucas and Lindsay, and apologize for their ruined party efforts, saying how we'll have to see each other more now though that we're back in town. Haley tries to get us to stay but I just want to get Peyton home to rest, this already has been way more stress than I would have liked. We all hug and say our goodbyes, all three of them telling us how they accept us, which I smile at and Peyton says a heartfelt thank you, before we head off back home for the night. I have a family to look out for after all. And come hell or high water, I will be here for them. For Peyton and this maybe baby. They come first. Always. I look at my blonde girlfriend, who's already cuddled up to my shoulder for the drive home and can't help but smile with all my love for this girl.
Karen POV
I sighed to myself in the now empty cafe. Looking around at all the decorations, I wondered how it all went wrong. I thought Lucas was over all of this. He even got married. I just couldn't understand. I just hope Keith manages to talk some sense into that boy I think as I rub my pregnant belly. If not, maybe Haley or Nathan could. Lord knows if he's still acting like this than he hasn't listened to a word I've told him these last few years. Looking back down at my baby belly, I told the baby inside how they better not be as dramatic as their older brother.
