How to Save a Life
Chapter 28 –
"That was amazing."
"Mmm…" Brooke hums happily, snuggling further into the warmth Julian's body offers.
"Remind me again why we waited so long?" he jokingly asks, a grin creeping across his face.
"Hey!"
He chuckles, laughter vibrating through his body to Brooke's. "I'm kidding," he assures, and suddenly his expression turns serious and sincere. He presses a kiss to the side of her face and holds her body tighter. "It was worth the wait. You are worth the wait. Every second of it." He needs her to know that he would've waited forever for her. He would never push her into something she was not comfortable with, and he never will. He knows this is a huge step for her, and it's something he's not just about to gloss over.
Smiling up to meet his gaze, she can't help but feel so very fortunate. How has she lucked out and gotten such an incredible man? After Lucas passed away, she had never really given much thought on whether she'd begin dating again. It wasn't really something that crossed her mind and it certainly was not a priority. But Julian – he just sort of fell into her and Colton's life without much control. It was as if there were some greater forces out there just rooting for her, and sending this man, who's currently got his arms wrapped around her in the most loving, comfortable way, is proof of that. Someone who is understanding. Someone who is patient. Someone who is respectful. Someone who is loving. She sees all of that in him.
"I love you," she whispers at him, still trying to get the hang of actually saying that phrase to him.
She has just starting saying those three words and he can't get enough of it. He'll never get used to it, and if he gets to spend the rest of his life hearing her say those words to him, he'll be more than okay.
"I love you too."
The next few days pass quickly and before they know it, Brooke, Julian, and Colton find themselves back on the East Coast in Tree Hill. The trip to California had surely been eventful, maybe too eventful at times, but all in all, they wouldn't take back a moment of any of it. In the end, they truly came home with more than they had before.
"Brooke, ready to go?" Julian walks into the small alcove in the living room to find Brooke busying herself in a sketch. He smiles to himself, seeing such a look of determination and concentration portrayed on her delicate features. Knowing he's inspired her to do this, knowing he's pushed her to step back into this field, gives him such an intense and gratifying feeling.
She finishes shading in a small portion of the design with her charcoal pencil before placing the apparatus down neatly beside the sketchpad.
Giving one final stare at her almost-finished product, she grins inwardly to herself before getting up from the chair she's been situated in for hours. "Yep, ready," she finally replies, walking over to place an affectionate quick kiss on his lips.
Sneakily, Julian attempts to peer behind Brooke to get a glimpse of what she's been working on. Without even a second passing in time, Brooke teasingly swats him away and gives him a push.
"No peeking!" she warns, shielding his eyes.
"Oh come on," he groans, thinking for a second he's almost got passed her. "Can't I just admire your work?"
She removes her hands from his eyes and places them on her hips. Rolling her eyes with a smirk, she says, "I told you…Not until it's done. You're just going to have to wait!"
"Fine," sighing in defeat, he shakes his head. "Colt, you ready?" he calls out behind him into the rest of the house.
Immediately, the eight-year-old dashes down the staircase to his mother and Julian. "Ready!"
The car pulls up in Nathan and Haley's driveway and Jamie is the first to open the front door and race out to greet his younger cousin and best friend.
"Well that didn't take very long," Julian jokes as he and Brooke get out of the car to follow Colton who had jumped out the moment he saw his cousin.
"Hey, Jame," Brooke greets as they all walk into the house.
"Hi, Aunt Brooke," Jamie cheerfully welcomes his godmother with a hug. "How was California?"
"It was fun…Colton picked up a few presents for you while we were there. We'll give them to you later, okay?"
Jamie nods his head excitedly at the prospect of presents before turning to Julian in question. "So Julian, did ya make a new movie while you were there?"
Julian laughs and shakes his head, "I wish it was as easy as you just made it sound, Jamie."
"Well I'm sure whenever you do make one, it'll be awesome!" he replies, and Colton nods his head in agreement. Julian smiles even wider at this, loving how he's also been able to gain Jamie's trust and appreciation in the short time he's known the kid.
"Thanks, boys."
"Hey, Jamie, lets go out in your backyard and play basketball!" Colton eagerly suggests.
Jamie shrugs at the idea. "Okay," he says, to which both the boys turn to race each other to the back door. Before they can get there though, Nathan and Haley appear, stopping them momentarily.
"Be careful!" Haley shouts with a laugh, allowing them to continue their little sprint. Turning her attention towards Brooke and Julian, she reaches out to hug them both. "Sorry about that…we were just out back looking at the new grill we got and deciding whether we should barbeque tonight or not," she says, explaining their absence from a few minutes before.
"I'm sure whatever you guys decide will be fine," Brooke replies, making her way over to hug Nathan next.
"Well we have time to decide," Haley waves the discussion off as the four make their way into the kitchen to sit at the table. "Now tell us all about your trip."
"You what?" Haley's eyes widen in interest at what her best friend has just told her. It was only minutes ago that the two women decided they needed to have "girl talk," so the two guys went out back to check on the kids.
With blushed cheeks, Brooke darts her eyes away from Haley. "Hales, it's not that big of a deal."
"Uhh…yes it is, Brooke. Maybe not as big as what happened with Colton, but it's still a huge deal…I mean, I know you two were getting serious, I just-"
"-Wait," Brooke cuts her off in panic. "You think it was too soon?"
"No…no, I never said that," she quickly reassures the alarmed brunette. "I mean the two of you have been together for quite a few months now…I just, I don't, didn't think you were ready…not that I thought about it…I just…ugh…" Haley rambles on causing Brooke to smile lightly.
"I got it, Hales," she giggles.
"…Wow…that's pretty big…And for whatever it's worth, I think Julian is a great guy. And you deserve to be happy."
Brooke smiles sincerely at her closest friend and nods. "Thank you, and he is…I promised myself after Luke I wouldn't do this but…I love him, Haley. He makes me so happy."
"Beer?" Nathan offers a drink as they sit on the back porch watching Colton and Jamie shoot some hoops.
"Thanks," Julian reaches out to accept it, settling back into the silence soon after. He has to admit; at first, Nathan seriously intimidated him. However, over the past few months, they've grown to form a sort of bond and friendship.
"So…you and Brooke seem to be getting really serious," Nathan says, taking a sip from his bottle.
Julian's confused for a moment. He knows girls talk about all the relationship stuff, and he's never really had that many guy friends growing up…but…they can't possibly talk about that kind of stuff either. Can they?
"Uhh…" he hesitates. "Yeah…we are."
"Dude, relax," Nathan laughs. "I just wanna know when to congratulate you on officially becoming part of the family."
At Nathan's bold words, Julian stops mid-drink, gulping.
Is marriage really the next step?
A/N – Short, filler-ish chapter :/ Sorry about that. Writers block sucks.
Anonymous reviewers:
Caroline – Hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Okay guys, I feel this story running in circles and I hate it – hopefully it's not boring though and I'm keeping you interested. However, I feel it coming to a close fairly soon in maybe 5 more chapters? Not too sure yet…I'm glad to have passed the 200 review mark though. :) That always makes me happy!
Please review! :)
OH ALSO – I'm in a writing mood (particularly for one-shots) so if any of you readers have one-shot ideas, feel free to throw them at me and I'll see if I can write some!
-Melissa
