A/N: So yay Browen wedding. Boooo for Brulian. I love Owen. The arrival in this chapter is for JJ and Alex who I know love this person. (Ha that was me trying not to spoil my own chapter.) Drama coming up- this chapter is mostly a foreshadowing for what's to come in wedding week. Man I love a Tree Hill wedding.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Nada.
After an elated afternoon of orange juice and Karen's cafe cakes Peyton took Jamie back to the house for dinner and a trip to the beach. Lucas was asleep on the bed and she dived on him excitedly.
"Ooof- baaabe!" He wined, "I was having a good dream!"
"Sorry baby!"
"You were in it you know," he said in a low voice, pulling her close, "so if you wanna make up for it..."
"Jamie's in the living room," she said giggling, "so unless you wanna scar him for life."
"Ah," he rolled her over, kissing her neck, "he's five- he knows the facts of life."
"Ha!" She sat up, "Luke- Owen proposed!"
"To you?!" He said incredulously, almost falling off the bed.
"No you idiot," she jumped up on the bed, bouncing around, "to Brooke! My best friend is getting married! Married!! She's gonna be a wife!! And she's having a baby!! Oh I feel dizzy," she sat down quickly and Lucas felt concerned.
"Babe?"
Her face brightened immediately, "I'm fine," she jumped up and caught his hands, "can you believe it?! How exciting is this?!?"
"Wow it is exciting! I mean- Brooke said yes right?"
"She did she did! It was so romantic Luke, he got down on one knee and everything," she said the last part wistfully and he rolled his eyes.
"Does that mean I have to propose again with flowers and candles and on one knee?! Cos I thought the way I did it was pretty darn romantic in its own way."
"No it was it was," she said smiling and kissing him, "who doesn't love a shouted proposal in a room full of drunk people with loud music?"
He raised his eyebrows, "not nice babe."
"I know sweetie, I'm kidding. It was perfect and I loved you even more for it." She moved to the dresser and began pulling out a swimsuit.
"So you and Jamie saw the whole thing?" He asked, collapsing on the bed again, watching her rummage through her drawers.
"Uh huh, it was so cute Luke, you should have seen what he did. He was so romantic. He had a speech and everything."
"Damn Italian out doing me again," he muttered darkly.
She turned to face the bed and raised an eyebrow, "jealous much?"
"No!"
She pulled off her dress and Luke straightened up, "babe-"
"Uh huh?" Two seconds later she threw the bikini top down, "dammit." She pulled her dress back on crossly and turned to face him, "what?!"
"Peyton what was wrong with-"
"I don't like it," she said crossly. Her cell began ringing and she answered in the same frustrated tone, "what?!"
"Wow P Sawyer if I'd have known Owen proposing was gonna make you this cross-" Peyton smiled at the excited sound of her best friend's voice.
"Sorry Miss I'm engaged and I'm gonna bring it up every chance I get Davis, what can I do for you?"
"Ok so I've had some ideas for dresses and I was wondering if you could come and try something on for me?"
"Wow already?!"
"Well I kinda wanna be a thin-ish bride so that means real quick wedding and I am really hoping you and Luke are free two weeks on Saturday?"
"Oh my god, is that an invitation to your wedding?!"
"Maybe... You don't think that's too fast?"
"Brooke me and Luke got engaged and married in less than an hour." Smiling at the memory she reached across and squeezed Luke's hand. His face was a picture of confusion at her switch of moods.
"Ok then... Are you free?"
"Hell yes we're free!"
"Oh goody! No sweetie that is not your colour- yes that one, ohh I like that!" Her friend's voice trailed off and she could hear Owen muttering about penguin suits in the background, she sniggered to herself and Lucas raised a questioning eyebrow.
"Brooke?"
"Sorry honey, so can you come to the store to try this mock up on? Pleeeease?"
"Of course I will," Peyton thought quickly, "I'll be there in half an hour?"
"You can't get here any faster?" Brooke's voice fell.
"I uh, I have to pick something up first," she said, rubbing the back of her neck, Lucas watched his wife dubiously, something was up. "Ok sweetie, ok... bye!" Peyton snapped the cell shut and smiled happily. "I get to go try on bridesmaid dresses!"
"Cool babe," he said softly.
She raised her eyebrows, "wow enthusiastic much?"
"Sorry," he said smiling quickly and coming over to kiss her, "send Brooke my congratulations. I'll maybe call by later to say it properly." She headed towards the door as he sat down with his laptop again, but he wasn't entirely sure she was as ok as she appeared. "Hey Peyton-"
"Yeah?" She turned, her hair sweeping backwards and her green eyes sparkled as they met his.
"Everything's ok right?"
Her eyes barely changed, only Lucas, who knew her so very well, saw the alteration. "Everything's fine," she said quickly. She came back over to the bed and bent to kiss him. "I'll be home for tea."
"Ok," he said softly, breathing in her scent, trying to feel more like he believed her, "I'll see you later."
Peyton left the house with a promise to Jamie to take him to the beach the next day and pulled out of the drive with a heavy heart. As she drove she switched the music to some Foo Fighters, she needed to steel herself for what was coming. At the crossroads by Karen's Cafe instead of pulling in to park she indicated and turned left.
"Alrighty my soon to be married best friend, I am your mannequin as requested." Half an hour later, as promised, Peyton swung into the boutique and dropped her coat and bag onto the nearest sofa. Brooke ran out from the dressing room excitedly.
"Yay oh yay!"
Owen appeared behind his fiancée. "Babe do I have to wear a suit?"
Brooke pouted, "but it's gonna be in church sweetie. Lots of people will be there. People who will be dressed in suits themselves..."
"But I look like a prize idiot!" He pulled at the tie uncomfortably.
"What are you doing fool?!" Peyton hissed as she came over to hug him, "don't anger the bride!"
Brooke pulled a face at her friend, "shut up. And honey if you don't wanna wear a suit that's fine. Maybe I won't want to fool around at all for the next nine months, you know with the baby and everything..." She trailed off and Owen's eyes widened. Behind him Peyton stuffed her fist in her mouth to stop the laughter.
"Fine- fine- I'll wear whatever you want." He backed into the dressing room, "I'll just try the next one on-"
"Ok sweetness take your time," Brooke said easily, whipping out a tape measure and turning to her best friend grinning wickedly, "so easy."
"You're a harsh woman Brooke Davis."
"Soon to be Brooke Manganiello!"
"No way!?"
"Uh huh."
"But I love Davis."
"I know, me too. But I think," she paused and slipped the tape measure absent-mindedly round Peyton's waist, Peyton tried not to make it obvious she was breathing in. Brooke continued, "I think if I'm gonna do the whole commitment thing I wanna do it completely you know?"
Peyton nodded and smiled softly, "I can't believe you're gonna be a Mrs and a Momma," she sighed, "we're growing up so fast BDM."
"I know sweetie, wait BDM?"
"I can't pronounce Mangenillo, so I'm incorporating it to start with!"
Brooke snorted, "it's Manganiello silly. Plus you're gonna have to learn cos I can't have a maid of honour who can't pronounce my new name right?"
Peyton felt her eyes well up and caught her friends hands gently, "really?"
"Of course honey- if you'll take the job. You're my best friend and I wouldn't want anybody else. Besides I wouldn't have met Owen if it weren't for you dragging me home in the first place."
Through her tears Peyton sniggered, "well that's true."
Brooke looked at her nervously, "so is that a yes?"
"Of course! Like I would ever say no, I'd be honoured!"
"Oh thank god! Thank you!" Brooke practically knocked her friend over as she hugged her tightly.
"Hey hey," Owen reappeared, "what's going on out here?"
Brooke wiped her eyes quickly, "ohhh that one's definitely a keeper- you look hot mister."
"Why thank you," he said smirking. Brooke smiled suggestively back.
Peyton rolled her eyes, "I'm right here guys!"
"Oh sorry sweetie," Brooke turned and took her hand, "Peyton just agreed to be my maid of honour!"
Owen grinned happily, "great! Oh yeah that reminds me, I have to make a call." He disappeared again leaving the two girls together.
Peyton surveyed her friend, "so you're really doing this?"
Brooke smiled and when she spoke her raspy voice shook with emotion, "yeah, I really am."
"I'm so happy for you Brooke," she said softly, "all your dreams coming true. And I am super psyched about this wedding thing you know."
"I hope so! You got a speech to write about how great I am, how beautiful I look etc!"
"Ah ha you want me to lie?"
"Mean!" Brooke's face suddenly looked tired and she sat down heavily, "wow it has been such a long, exciting day. I had no idea being pregnant would make me so exhausted all the time!" She looked up apologetically, "oh sorry sweetie."
Peyton swallowed and sat down next to her, "you don't need to be remember? I want you to feel like you can talk about this stuff with me B Davis..." She squeezed Brooke's hand tightly, "anytime," she added.
Brooke smiled at her weakly, "thanks Peyton."
"No problem." Peyton felt a flash of panic, "but you're feeling ok right? Like nothing hurts or anything?"
"No nothing- I swear. You know between you, you and Owen make a nervous wreck!"
"I'm sorry! I just want you to be ok. I need my best friend!"
"And I'm not going anywhere Peyton."
"Ok," Peyton smiled quickly, and wished she knew these things for sure. "I love you Brooke Davis, soon to be Manganiello."
"I love you too Peyton Sawyer now Scott." Both girls smiled at one another for a second and then Peyton reached for her bag.
"Right, I better get back and feed the hungry man currently at my house- you'll call me later with anything you need for the wedding?"
"Yeah- oh hey- you do realise I'm gonna need a hen party and that as my maid of honour you have to organise it?"
"Oh damn, there I was thinking making a speech about you was the hardest part!"
"Evil best friend!"
The following morning Peyton was sitting in her office on the phone to a guy who went by the name, "Doctor Feelgood." She had had to take ten minutes to compose herself before she rang- before that she'd laughed hysterically for a good twenty minutes. She really couldn't control her emotions these days.
"Yes I know it's short notice but I promise- it's a really good client- we'll talk you up in New York and everything... Please? Ok but- yeah I understand... Well get back to me would you?" She sighed and dropped her head in her hands, "dammit! Why does no-one want to get naked for money?!"
"I'll do it for free if the right girl's asking." Her head jerked up to see Chris Keller leaning casually against her office door frame. He smirked, "havin' a little trouble barbie?"
"You lost Keller?"
He grinned and swaggered into the room, "well I just thought the maid of honour should meet the best man," he leant against the desk, "you know... get to know each other..." He leant closer and she got up from her chair quickly, pushing his face away with her hand.
"Urgh, I don't think so."
He twisted to watch her move towards the door, "you know you're right. What am I thinking?" He sauntered over to her and leant one arm above her head, "we already know each other pretty well don't we Sawyer?"
"It's Scott, actually," she flashed her wedding ring, "you were there!"
He shrugged, "trivial details."
"Yeah well what I meant when I said I don't think so was I definitely know so."
He smirked, "you always were feisty Sawyer."
She raised her eyebrows, pushing down the urge to smile, it was good to see someone who wasn't intense and serious about everything. "What do you want Christian?"
He clutched his chest and moved away, "ohhh hitting me where it hurts! My full name!" He collapsed on the nearest chair and against her will she smirked.
"You deserved it."
He straightened up and met her eyes, "you're right. I've been bad. In the mood for punishing me?"
"Chris! Stop it! Why are you here again, once more in my life?!"
"Hey!" He feigned hurt, "there was a time we were pretty tight Sawyer."
"It's Scott!"
"I like Sawyer better," he said stubbornly, "it kinda sounds like maybe you're still single and hot."
"As opposed to what?"
"The old ball and chain," he said grinning. She threw a cushion at him, he caught it laughing.
"I'm kidding! You're still fine Sawyer slash Scott."
She raised her eyebrows and he held up his hands, "what? I've gotta get used to it!"
"Well, I guess I can relate there." She sat down opposite him, "so what do you want."
"I come for your words of wisdom my dear. What are you doing for Brooke's bachelorette party? I need help; Owen's been everywhere and done everything," he raised an eyebrow, "including you if I remember correctly."
"I'm ignoring that last bit," she said rolling her eyes, "so you are the best man?"
"You think I just like throwing expensive parties for people who kick me around?!"
"Ha! Owen's been putting you up in Tree Hill every time you come careering back into town, the least you owe him is a good send off into married life."
"Into the end of life you mean."
"Chris!"
"What? Come on! Him and Davis? They were both born to be single for life. Both hot, young, oh so young. Why do people marry young?! It's such a waste! I mean look at you- married and set for life at twenty two? Boooo."
She narrowed her eyes, shooting daggers at him, "I happen to like it. And I think Brooke will too."
"Nah," he said messing with the cushion, "I give it a year, and then she'll come crawling back to the Keller. They always do."
"Ha! When do they do that Chris? Cos I'm not sure I've ever met the girl that did... I mean lemme think... Haley? No wait she's with Nathan... Brooke? No wait, Owen... Rachel? Ha I think that ended before it began... Me?" She held up her left hand again, "oh yeah that's right! I'm married to someone else!"
His face dropped, "you're mean today!"
She felt bad immediately, "sorry. You just- surprised me that's all. Bad morning."
He raised an eyebrow, "you wanna talk?"
"No," she said quickly, "thanks but it's really not important. Music stuff."
"Yeah i hear Jakey's back on the scene- you do like your exes close don't you?"
She shot him a look and he chuckled, "Owen told me. This is all very impressive Peyton. A whole studio. Nicely done."
"Thank you," she said surprised.
"What? You don't think I can be sincere?"
"No I know you can," she said softly, he smiled at her and she nodded. "So seriously, as the best man you have to encourage this marriage. Owen needs his friends being supportive- not imply at every chance that she's gonna be jumping into bed with you on her wedding night." He tipped his head back laughing, she continued, "because apart from anything else," she shrugged, "you won't be alive to make the rest of that toast."
He grinned, "maybe not. But it's so fun to twist him up."
"Yeah and it would so not be fun for me to spend hours trynna get blood out of a shirt and pay the bail to get Brooke out of prison because she's killed you for making her new husband punch you on their wedding day."
He smirked, "you paint quite a picture."
"It's my job to plan for every eventuality," she said darkly.
He nodded, "fair enough. We make a good team. You do all the planning and i'll sit and look pretty."
"Or just sit," she shot back at him.
He ignored her, "so my original question, what are you doing for Brooke??"
She sighed, "we're having a hen party. It's a week tomorrow, and I have no idea what we're gonna do. So far every good stripper I know is booked."
Chris sniggered, "how many strippers do you know?"
"Shut up! That is not what I meant."
"You know, you could just get Jake to dance for money."
Before she could retort Owen suddenly burst into the room panting, "Peyton I have to warn you-" he froze and turned slowly to see Chris beaming at him.
"Hey friend."
"Daaamn," Owen growled, "he found you first."
He's back! Yay for Keller! So hen night/bachelor party. Doctors. Basketball. Boy fights in tuxes and girl fights in bridesmaids dresses all coming up... I wouldn't... Would I???
