"Marry me."
The way he says it is so demanding, like any answer but yes isn't even an option. But that's Nathan Scott. He gets what he wants out of people, always has, always will. So when he asks this question, he already knows her answer. He's always known her answer. He never once doubted that she would say no. Besides, who can say no to Nathan Scott?
But the way she looks at him, the brightness of her green eyes is just different this time. Like the word 'no' is actually an option in her mind. But her eyes are screaming yes, but he can tell she's just trying to tease him. The way she looks at him, like she always knew the answer to this question.
"Yes." She whispers, too nervous to even look him in the eye. It's a vulnerability that she hates to show around people, but it's all Nathan sees when he looks at her
"Yes?" Its still comes as a shock to him when he hears that word leave her lips. He never doubted that she would decline his offer, but there was still that fear in the pit of his stomach when he bought the ring.
"Yes." She lets out a small laugh before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. "Yes, yes, yes." She kisses him hard as his hands wrap around her waist and pulls her closer.
She's everything to him. And he's getting to spend the rest of his life with Peyton Sawyer. He kind of already has.
It doesn't matter that they're only twenty-four. It doesn't matter that a year ago he was going through a divorce with Haley and recovering from his accident. Or that he's always on the road all the time with his team. It doesn't matter that after this season there's a chance he might be in the NBA. It doesn't matter that she doesn't want to leave Tree Hill or her gallery or that she turned down a marriage proposal from his brother.
Because she's getting married to Nathan.
"What day do you want to get married?" It's the first thing he says when she pulls away from him. Her arms are still wrapped around his neck and his hands never left her body. He smiles as she really thinks about his question.
"September 15." She says smiling up at him. Out of all of the days in the year, that's the one that sticks out to her.
"Why September 15?"
"It was the first day we met." She says quietly. "The first day of Kindergarten."
He chuckles, leaning his forehead against hers. "September 15th it is then." He says before leaning in to kiss her again.
He doesn't care about how young they are, or his track record with spontaneous weddings. He doesn't care that he'll have to dress up in another monkey suit or how crazy he knows Peyton will get planning this thing. He doesn't care about the massive amount of money Brooke's going to make him spend on this wedding. He doesn't care that September 15 is a little less than a year away. None of it matters.
He's getting married to Peyton Sawyer…finally.
--
She's not sure if she should be here.
She doesn't know if Nathan would approve of this visit she's about to have. But she feels that it's necessary. She's doing it for Nathan, because she knows this is what he wants.
It's been a while since she's really seen him. She'll see him walking down the street or in his car or just around town somewhere. They haven't talked since that day she can't relive. But this visit isn't about her.
She doesn't know where she got the strength to knock on his door, but it's strong and powerful. But when she sees those blue eyes staring back at her, that power and strength disappears.
"Peyton." Lucas says, shocked to see his old girlfriend.
"Hi."
"What, what are you doing here?"
"Can I talk to you?" She asks stepping back and forth on her feet. Lucas glances over his shoulder, thinking of any excuse to say no, before stepping out on to the porch and shutting the door behind him. He leads her over to the porch swing and takes a seat.
She takes the seat beside him and there's an awkward silence they both knew would come. Where does she start? Her hands rub up and down her knees as they become sweaty. He's staring at the wood that makes up his porch, waiting for her to start.
"Nathan and I are together." She says, not to make him feel bad, but to just get where she wants to go in this conversation.
"I heard." He nods.
"We're getting married." Like ripping a Band-Aid.
His head whips over to her, his eyes bug out, and when he realizes that he's shocked he tries to play it off. "Oh." He says quietly. "Well, congratulations." He moves to get up, but Peyton stops him.
"Luke, I know things ended badly with us and I know I'm not your favorite person, but…but I'm not here for me. I'm here for Nathan." She sighs, waiting for him to meet her eyes. Telling your ex-boyfriend that you're marrying his brother isn't something Peyton wants to do. It's something she never thought she'd have to do. But neither was falling in love with Nathan. "He misses you."
"He said that?" He asks with a hint of a smile on his face.
"Not exactly, but I know that he does. You know Nathan, he's too…he's too macho to admit anything. But, Luke, trust me, he misses you. And we want you to be at the wedding." She says the last part quietly.
If there's any person Lucas shouldn't trust right now its Peyton. She broke his heart, made him believe that she was actually in love with him when she wasn't, and then she runs off with his brother and marries him. He shouldn't trust her. But looking into those green eyes, he knows he can't resist.
"You want me to come to your wedding?" He chuckles at the irony. A year ago it would have been his and Peyton's wedding, not Nathan and Peyton's.
"Yeah, I do." She nods. "But I understand if it's too weird for you, but it would mean a lot to Nathan if you came. He really does miss his big brother." She smiles, placing a hand on his arm.
"I'll think about it." He says. Peyton flashes a smile and gets up to leave. "Peyton." He calls out to her when she's almost down the steps. "I'm not angry about what happened. I know I wasn't the guy for you."
She nods. "You're gonna make one hell of a husband one day, Lucas Scott." She smiles. "Thank you." She says quietly before turning around and walking off down the sidewalk back home to her fiancé.
--
He'd do anything for this girl he's known his entire life.
He'd scale walls and climb mountains – he wouldn't even think twice about risking his life for her. That's why his decision to ask her hand in marriage was made so quickly. That's why he found the perfect ring for her, why he didn't get mad when she suggested writing their own vows. He's too in love with her to be mad at her. He can't be.
He doesn't want to be anything but in love with her.
So today's going to be good. Today's going to be great and it's going to go down in the history books. Because he's marrying the most beautiful girl in the world today. He's putting on this monkey suit one more time and by the end of the day he's going to be the happiest guy on the planet. How could you not be with Peyton Sawyer?
There's not a doubt in his mind that what he's doing is wrong. It's perfect. His life, his girl, his dream. Nothing is going to stop him from doing this.
"Damnit." He mumbles fumbling with his bowtie. He takes a breath and looks back at himself in the mirror before giving it another try. His fingers fumble over the fabric and letting out a frustrated sigh he finally gives up.
"Need any help?"
Nathan looks into the mirror to see his brother standing in the doorway wearing a matching tuxedo.
"Luke." Nathan says quietly, turning around. It's been awhile since they've actually talked, a long while. "What are you doing here?"
"You'd think I'd miss my little brother's wedding?" He smirks walking over to Nathan and taking his bowtie in hand. Like the way his uncle taught him, Lucas ties a perfect tie and straightens up his brother's jacket. "You look good, man."
"I didn't think you'd come."
"Why wouldn't I come?" Lucas grins.
"Have you seen the girl I'm marrying?" Nathan asks raising an eyebrow.
Lucas chuckles and bows his head. "Yeah, I have and she's pretty hot. Don't screw this one up, man." He says patting his brother's shoulder. Nathan chuckles and he can't help but hug his brother. "Look, Nate, I don't mean to end this, but you have this amazing girl out there you got to marry."
"Right." Nathan nods.
"I'll see you out there, man." Lucas says walking out the door.
"Wait, you got to be my best man."
Lucas turns back to his brother and gives him a confused look. "Don't you already have one?"
Nathan shrugs. "One of the guys from my team, but I'd rather have my brother."
"I'd be honored." Lucas replies hugging his brother again. Today's not going to be about the awkwardness of this old love triangle. Lucas isn't in love with Peyton. Peyton doesn't want to be with Lucas. She's marrying Nathan. Today, that's all that matters.
"Hey, Nate." Lucas calls out to him once he's in the doorway and waits until his brother turns back to him. "I never did say congratulations. For making the Chiefs and…getting it all back. I wish I could have been there for your first game."
"It's OK." Nate shakes his head. "There's gonna be plenty more games."
"I sure do hope so." Lucas smiles patting his brother on the back again and walking out of the dressing room.
Yes, today's going to be a good day.
--
It's everything she's ever imagined.
Though, marrying her best friend wasn't on her list of things to do. It's still something she wouldn't give up for the world.
She sees Brooke at the end of the aisle just glowing with cheeriness. She always did love a wedding. Across from her she sees Nathan and she has to say that he looks pretty sexy in a tux. She's not surprised when she sees Lucas on the other side of Nathan. Peyton smiles at Lucas and he can only send her a knowing wink.
Her father's grip tightens around her arm once they reach the alter and she knows this isn't easy for him. Losing his only child to the love of her life was something he never really wanted to face. But Larry knows Nathan and he knew these two kids would one day tie the knot together and he's just happy that it's Nathan and not someone else.
Larry looks over at his daughter and lets out a reluctant sigh before leaning over and kissing her cheek and shaking Nathan's hand before taking his seat. Peyton takes her place across from Nathan and takes his hands into hers. Out of the corner of her eye she can see Mick and a few of her classmates, some employees from work, she sees the two empty seats in honor of both of her mothers, and she's glad to see Haley there as well. The two, to Nathan's surprise, have become close friends over the last year.
They don't find it weird that both their ex's are here. Lucas is Nathan's brother and Haley is…Haley. They're apart of this thing Peyton and Nathan have created for themselves. Part of this story their going to tell their kids one day. Having them here isn't the slightest bit weird.
Her green eyes don't leave his blue while the preacher gives his speech. They're zoning in and out of what he's saying and all they can really focus on right now is each other.
Because they're finally getting married.
They've waited for this day for a long time.
"Peyton." Nathan's voice brings her out of her thoughts. He smiles at her, knowing she wasn't paying a bit of attention. She smirks at him and he continues with his vows.
"We were six years – almost twenty years ago to this day – when we first met. You were so mean to me." He chuckles as does everyone else and she can't hide the small blush on her cheeks. "But I saw you and I just knew that this girl was going to change my life. And you have." He smiles. "I grew up believing that love was this superficial thing that was only real in books and fairy tales. I never thought it would actually happen to me. I thought I would go the rest of my life never feeling that kind of love. But every time I looked at you, into your green eyes, I knew. I think I've always known that that kind of love was with you. It just took me a few years to realize it. And I promise you that I won't ever forget what it feels like to be this much in love with you."
The blush on her cheeks reddens as the preacher says his few words until its Peyton's turn to speak. Nathan's eyes never tear away from her.
"You've always been there." She starts, looking up at him. "You've always given me advice and comfort and these great memories and you've never asked for anything in return. So, I guess now's as good of time as any to give you something back." She smiles. "I'm going to love you forever, Nathan Scott. You can bet on that."
They're practically jumping with anticipation for those six words. He's looking at her in her beautiful wedding dress and he knows he's never seen a more beautiful woman. And he remembers how much this woman has changed him. She's taught him how to use words like amazing and beautiful instead of sexy and hot. She helped him grow from the boy he used to be to the man he is today. She thinks she's never given him anything. She's given him everything.
She's given him her heart.
And when he hears those six words, 'You may now kiss the bride', he doesn't hesitate to reach out his hands and pull her in and embrace her lips. His hands hold her head still because he doesn't want her to ever leave his grasp. He wants her right there in his arms forever.
His hand finds hers and soon their walking out of the church, smiling, with their friends clapping and cheering for the couple they've always known were meant to be together.
Hours later they're sitting in a limo on their way to the airport. Their not going anywhere fancy for their honeymoon or any place exotic, but they're together. That's all they want.
He's still kissing her. They can't get over that married kiss. It's different, sweeter somehow, but it feels so good.
"I love you." He says quietly when he breaks apart, leaning his forehead against hers.
"I love you too."
--
He's had two other of these phone calls in his life. This one's different though. This one comes as more of a shock to him than the others. It comes at one of the greatest moments of his life too.
It's mixed in with other missed calls they've had piled up since they left for their honeymoon. Peyton was off in the kitchen fixing a snack when he decided to sort through them and see what he missed.
He never expected to get that call.
That call that tells him everything he's ever worked for has paid off. Telling him his dream has come true. That call that tells him that he just got into the NBA.
What's even better is that he's gonna be playing for the Bobcats, meaning him and Peyton don't have to go anywhere. They can stay right here in Tree Hill. Where they've always belonged.
Nathan's standing there, frozen in place, when Peyton comes back into the living room. She's seen that look on him before. It's a good look. And she has a good idea on why he's wearing it but she doesn't push him.
He tears is eyes away from nothing when he feels her presence. He sees her standing there, smiling that beautiful smile and he instantly wraps his arms around her and lifts her up into the air.
He yells out that he's in the NBA multiple times and when it finally registers through her head she's screaming louder than he is. He sets her down gently and stares down at her.
"Thank you." He says.
"For what?" She questions, kinking her brow.
"For believing I could do it."
She smiles and her hand rubs up against his cheek. "You don't ever have to thank me, Nathan." He wraps his arms around her again and just holds her, letting her words linger in his mind.
He has everything to thank her for.
--
He dominates in his first game.
10 points, 8 assists.
He's never scored that low before, but it's playing the game that matters, not scoring in it. He's in the NBA, that's all that matters. It might be a while before he'll really be back to his normal game, but he thinks he's just fine for now.
Seeing that curly blonde walking towards him gives him further proof of it.
She's not running to him like he thought she would, her smile isn't as wide as her face. It's not how he imagined seeing her after his first game. She's just walking towards him with a half smile and her hands in her jean pockets. It's not how he imagined, but it's looking pretty damn good now.
He meets her half way and one arm wraps around his neck easily while the other grabs a handful of his white jersey and everything and everyone around them fades away. She kisses him hard and doesn't plan on breaking away.
His hands land on her hips as he pulls her closer. He can hear the small moan that escapes from the back of her throat and he knows this is going to be a great night.
He can hear his teammates in the background and they know not to interrupt his time with the curly blonde. They've learned that pretty quickly.
He can still remember his first day of practice when she showed up with him and waited for him to get done. He introduced her to his teammates and coach and from since then they've had nothing but nice things to say about her. He loves how she gets so into the game when he's playing and how she refuses to sit in the luxury box, but in the stands with the real fans. She meets with the other player's wives and he can tell that she really enjoys this life.
He really enjoys it to.
He doesn't have a big house or a million dollar car. He doesn't need any of that. He refuses to sink into that lifestyle. He's perfectly happy with his two bedroom apartment and his girl in his arms.
He can feel her breaking point and hates it when it finally comes. But her hand stays connected to his shirt and she still tries to move closer to him and then he doesn't hate it so much anymore.
"Best game ever." He hears her whisper into his ear. Her eyes meet his blue ones and he only smiles. He won't mention the few mistakes he made or the few shots he missed. It was his best game ever. It was his dream game.
His lips capture hers again, but this time they don't embrace it. It's short and quick, but still it's one they both love. He breaks away this time and grabs her hand. He's ready to leave but she pulls him back.
There's a hint of worry in her eyes and he knows it. Her hands are sweaty and she feels to be shaking. He's about to ask if she's OK, but then she looks up at him with those innocent green eyes.
"I'm pregnant." She says quietly. He's frozen in place, but his insides seem to explode with excitement. It's probably not the best time for them to have a baby, but he knows and she knows that it doesn't matter when or where they have a kid. They're going to love it no matter what.
Her nerves disappear when she sees his smile and she eases into him when his strong arms wrap around her small frame. His hand moves through her soft hair and he can feel tears on his shirt. He takes a step back with his smile still intact and he wipes the small tears that have seemed to escape from her. He takes her hand again and leads her to the exit.
"Best day ever." She hears him whisper.
--
Six months later and she's still as beautiful as ever. Even when her stomach is as big as a basketball and she has some of the most disgusting kinds of cravings he's ever seen. She just glows, as corny as that sounds.
She seems happier and excited to be a mother. Sure, at times she's a bit emotional and he seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, but he's willing to take anything from her if it means he can hold that little baby in his arms.
And he's never seen her so prepared for something in her life. She's decorated the whole nursery and bought out the entire store when shopping for toys and clothes. And in good Brooke Davis fashion, she's received clothes from her best friend weekly. Boxes filled with maternity clothes and some things from her supposed new line 'Baby Brooke'.
He loves seeing her so excited to be a mother. But, honestly, he's scared shitless.
"I like Daniel. For a boy." She says one night when they're laying in bed together. His arms are wrapped around her as her head falls in the crook of his arm and things are just so peaceful between the two and with everything.
"No." He votes out immediately.
"Why not? I like Daniel." She whines.
"Do you not know my father's name?" He says smirking down at her.
It takes her a second to put two and two together and when she does finally realize it her face falls. "I hate the name Daniel."
"That's what I thought." He chuckles. "What about Anna? For a girl. After your mom." He asks peaking down at her and seeing the smile she has. "Her middle name could be Elizabeth. After her mom."
"After my mom." She says quietly with a hint of a smile. She doesn't necessarily talk about Ellie that much. There wasn't much she knew about her, but she's seen pictures and she knows now who she gets all her looks from. And from what Mick's told her, she was an amazing woman who just made one too many mistakes in her life and that the only thing she ever wanted was to see Peyton again. Somewhere in her that's what Peyton wants to. Someday she will though. Just not anytime soon.
"I like it." She says.
"Now what if it's a boy?" Nathan asks, pulling her a bit closer. "I'm still voting for Nathan Jr." He jokes, earning a smack from Peyton. The two laugh before easing back into the silence and trying to think of a name.
"I want it to be a name that has both you and me in it. Something special, you know?"
"No matter what this kid's name is gonna be he or she is going to be special."
"Yeah, and how do you know?"
"Because his mom's pretty fantastic." He smiles.
"His?" She smirks.
"I'm hoping for a boy." He tells her. "But it would be pretty great to have a little daddy's girl."
She smiles thinking of their child and what they'll look like. If it'll have raven hair or blond curls. Green eyes or blue. If they'll be smart and into music like their mom or into sports like their dad. But she knows that whatever way their child turns out she'll love it and help them with anything they need to know or do. Because that's what her mom did with her and she doesn't plan on being anything less.
"I'm scared, Nate." He hears her whisper later on that night.
"About what?" He pulls her closer.
"Being a mom and being a good one."
"Me too. About being a dad, I mean." He says. "I mean, we didn't exactly have the best examples." He says meaning his parents. "My dad was a big bully and my mom was always on…something."
"And I practically grew up alone." She says sadly. "Oh God, what if we turn out like them, Nathan?"
"We won't." He says so sure of himself. "We made a promise remember?" He says seeing if she'll remember a promise they made when they were only thirteen. He looks down at her and sees the smile she's wearing and he knows she remembers.
"I won't be like my father, Peyton. If there's one promise I'm going to keep it's that one."
"Good." She hugs him tighter.
"We're going to be great parents, Peyt. I just know it."
--
She was six years old when she first met Nathan Scott in this very classroom.
If she would have known how much he would change her life she probably would have warmed up to him a lot quicker. But she wouldn't change any of it even if she could.
The two have been through a lot together. They've survived broken hearts and shattered dreams. They've realized who they are and have overcome some of life's biggest tragedies while doing so. But they've done it together. He's always been her rock. He's made promises that he tells her he'll never break. And he hasn't. She's not sure why she never saw it sooner. The man that was always there for her and for everyone else.
She still finds it hard to believe her life has turned out the way it has. That she's been living this dream for six years now. That her little boy is growing up so fast and that as every day goes by she sees more and more of Nathan in him.
It feels like just yesterday when Sawyer Lucas Scott was born.
Everyone said he was the cutest thing to ever walk the planet and Nathan and Peyton knew were right. Peyton found out quickly how to be a great mom. Every cry or noise he made, Peyton was there to comfort or just to watch over. She still is.
And Nathan's one hell of a dad.
"And if anyone picks on you, Sawyer, remember the comebacks I told you."
"OK, dad."
"Nathan!" Peyton slaps his arm, and she can't help but chuckle to herself. Sometimes she feels like she's raising two kids. "Sawyer, if anyone starts picking on you, you tell the teacher." She says tighten her grip around her son's hand and throwing Nathan a glare, one in which he chuckles at.
"OK, mom." Sawyer says less enthusiastic at her idea than his father. Peyton smiles proudly and continues their way down the hall.
Sawyer's the spitting image of his father with the exception of his green eyes. There's a hint of a curl in his raven hair, but he keeps it cut short just like his dad. He's a basketball fanatic and gets excited over anything that has anything to do with the sport. He picked up his mom's intelligence at an early age, but what Peyton really wanted him to have was a love for art or even music. But he all he seems to care about is that orange ball. His father is his hero through and through, but there's not a doubt that he's a big momma's boy.
They reach the classroom that both Nathan and Peyton haven't seen in years and their both happy that their boy is attending the same school they did. At the sight of other kids Peyton can feel Sawyer cowering back behind her leg. The teacher comes over and introduces herself and the two parents have a short talk with her before giving their attention back to Sawyer.
"You ready?" Peyton asks, getting down on one knee to meet his matching green eyes. She sees him shake his head no and she remembers the day she was scared to leave her parents too.
"It's gonna be OK, buddy." Nathan says meeting him at eye level too. "You're gonna have fun today. I promise."
"I don't want you to leave." He says quietly. "I don't know anyone."
"I didn't know anyone on my first day either." Peyton says rubbing her hand up and down Sawyer's arm. "But then this little boy came over and introduced himself to me and he shared his lunch with me eventually he became my friend. And he still is till this day."
"Really?" Sawyer asks, more interested in the story.
"Yeah." Nathan cuts in. "Me and your mom couldn't survive one day without each other and believe me we've tried." He says smiling over at his wife. "So, you go in there and show everyone that you're the man and that everyone should be your friend and soon enough you'll be the coolest kid in school." Nathan says smiling, fixing his son's collar.
"OK." Sawyer nods.
"OK." Peyton musters out when she realizes the tears are coming and that her little boy is about to leave. "I love you, Sawyer, and you have fun today."
"I love you too, mom." He says hugging her back. "Love you too, dad."
"Love you, buddy." Nathan says giving him a quick hug before watching Sawyer run inside and set his things down. The two adults stand back up and Nathan wraps his arm around Peyton's waist and pulls her closer. They stand there and watch Sawyer maneuver around the room for a minute or two while Peyton gets herself together.
"He's growing up too fast." Peyton says, wiping away the loose tears.
"That's the only you can grow up nowadays." Nathan says. "Come on. Let's let him have fun." He says taking Peyton's hand and leading her down the hall.
"Hi." Sawyer says to the first person he sees. It just so happens to be a girl sitting at a table all by herself. He's not sure why he chose to talk to her first, she just seemed interesting to him.
"I'm Sawyer." He says when she doesn't even acknowledge him.
"What do you want?" The girl asks, clearly annoyed with him.
"Your name." He says flashing his father's smirk.
It still amazes me that not too long ago this was only a one shot and now it's turned into a whole story. I loved writing this story and it was probaably the one I enjoyed the most and I'm sad to see it end. But thank you to everyone that read and reviewed. It really meant a lot to me.