A/N: Merry Christmas :)
Thank you for the reviews last chapter, it's very appreciated.
A few people mentioned it was rushed - and it was. After the response to the previous chapter I spent hours on... I just didn't have it in me to spend time on it... harsh but true.
This however is not rushed. In fact I lost the very special scene - and HAD TO RE WRITE IT. UGH. lol
I hope it lives up to expectations.
Fate – Chapter Forty
Brooke POV
The night passes too quickly, my heart bursting with the love in the home surrounding me this Christmas.
Jamie didn't leave my lap the whole night, before pouting as I carried him half asleep to his bed, tucking him in and crawling in next to him.
I'm watching the gentle raise and fall of his chest as his breath evens out when Jay appears in the doorway.
"Where have you been?" I whisper quietly as he leans against the doorframe, looking delicious.
"Catching up with Haley." He must read my scrunched eyebrows as suspicion as he continues.
"She just wanted to check in, with how you are."
"Ah." I smile kindly, before checking Jamie is fast asleep, and sliding out of bed.
He takes me into his arms when I reach the hallway, his hand on my cheeks.
"You okay baby?" My eyes fall closed as the gentle caress of his thumbs.
"Mmmm Hmmm. Because you're here."
"I'm sorry you thought I'd miss this." I open my eyes, looking into his and seeing the love in them.
"I understand it's your job, and you won't always be able to control what you miss."
"I just hope you can put up with it… with me." The frown on his face catches me by surprise.
"Always. I won't feel this way with anyone else."
"I saw the look in your eyes Brooke, are you sure you can handle broken promises?"
"Yeah, I was just frustrated by a lot of things. Holiday stress you know." My nose scrunches up.
"I don't want to spend my life disappointing you, but it's a harsh reality for those in law enforcement."
"Where's this coming from?" My hands grip his waist, holding him to me.
"Antonio and his wife might be getting divorced."
"Oh." It all makes sense, his concern and even his hesitation to commit.
"I thought they were so solid."
"You never really know what goes on behind closed doors." I whisper into the space between us.
"Or in your head sometimes Brooke Davis." His smirk is hard to resist.
"I guess… when things don't go to plan I still feel the sting of my past. Being alone. But it's fleeting compared to the feeling of not having you in my life. You're out there protecting people, I can't fault that. All I ask is…"
"What?"
"That when you're with me, you're present. Share with me what you can, lean on me… and…"
"…and?" He prompts, hands dropping to my hips and pulling me closer.
"Always keep it exciting in the bedroom." I giggle as our minds are pulled back to the night before, and the ruined sheets that were tossed this morning.
"Now that I can promise. You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because I have the sexiest woman in the world." He dips down to kiss me deeply, tongue seeking mine out hungrily.
"Tonight was perfect." I whisper against his lips before dragging him off to our room.
"Haley you okay?" Jay's voice vibrates against my cheek as I snuggle closer to Jay on the couch, watching Jamie inspecting the presents under the tree.
"Yeah, just so much to do today." I frown as I turn to watch a frantic Haley.
"We can help." Jay gets the words out first and I squeeze his hand.
"Yeah Hales. We'd be happy to help."
"Really? Could you grab these things from the shops?" She thrusts a list out as I stand up and approach.
"Of course. Besides I know a certain someone who needs to get gifts." I turn my playful glare on Jay.
"Who, me?"
"Uh yeah."
"And how do you know that?" He raises an eyebrow, I gulp nervously.
"I didn't see… you pack any." The words fall out as a stumble as I turn to gather my bag.
"Maybe you should takeover from Jamie inspecting the tree. Jamies buddy, are there gifts from me there?"
"Yep." He turns, hands on hip and smile on his face.
"How?" I narrow my eyes suspiciously.
"I picked things out and asked Haley and Nathan to pick them up for me."
"Why?"
"Because you Brooke Davis are a snoop." I open my mouth to protest before deciding I have no grounds and inching closer to the tree.
I bend over and pick up the large box with my name on it, frowning at the heft of the box.
"What is it?"
"Does it look like Christmas Day yet? Do you need Jamie to remind you of the rules?" I kiss the smirk off his face.
"Shut up, let's go. We've got a busy day ahead."
"I'm coming, you're just hung up on the fact I'm actually organized." I huff out playfully, winking at Haley on my way past.
I blow hair from my face, rolling the tension from my neck.
"I think we've almost got everything Haley wants." I frown down at the list in concentration, crossing off the items we have found already today.
"It's not like Haley to leave things to Christmas Eve. She's usually so organized."
"Maybe she's been too swamped this year."
"She must be."
"Wait, where are we going?" I look around confused.
"So when did you search my bag?" My eyes widen, looking over at Jay like a deer caught in headlights.
"What?"
"Babe, I know you. You can't lie – why did you think I didn't have gifts?"
"Not that I expect a gift. You know, that's not what Christmas is about. I'm just glad you're here with me."
"Baby, I know you don't. But I'm serious, when did you check my bag?" I catch my lip between my teeth feeling caught out.
"Damn it. Dating a detective was bound to get me eventually."
"Partly that, partly the fact I know you so well." I huff out in exaggerated annoyance.
"I'm so sorry Jay. When you left for work yesterday, I just… couldn't help myself."
"What were you looking for?"
"It's embarrassing."
"You don't ever have to be embarrassed with me."
"I was looking for a ring." The words tumble out before I can talk myself out of it, cheeks flaming.
"A ring?"
"An engagement ring. It's stupid; I guess I just thought that a proposal was coming. But it's okay, I realized that maybe we would be rushing things. We don't need to get married to know we love each other." My mouth is moving quicker than my mind, rambles spilling forth.
"Brooke, stop it's okay." He chuckles, pulling over and parking the car.
"I'm such an idiot."
"No you are absolutely not." His hand reaches over for mine.
"I thought you were giving me an engagement ring." I throw my head back onto the seat, eyes closed.
"I do have something special planned, not sure it will live up now though…" he trails off and I frown confused by our location.
"Jay, what?" The car shakes as he shuts his door, opening mine and helping me from the car.
"My old house?"
"Come on. It's time to right a wrong." He encourages me up the front path.
"What?"
"Haley spoke with the owners, they are out of town and gave us the keys for the night."
"Why?"
"Because you deserve to wake up happy in this home at least one Christmas morning in your life." Tears spring to my eyes.
"I knew you were going to do something romantic."
"You want the key?"
"Yes." I hold my hand out, bouncing excitedly on my feet.
My heart stops at the object he drops in my hand, a white gold band with an emerald cut diamond sparking up at me.
"Oh wait that's the engagement ring that I got you, huh I did get you one." Tears fill my eyes, disbelief overwhelming me. Hope surges in my chest as he pulls me around to face him.
"There is no doubt in my mind, I want to ask you to be my wife. I love you so much, my mum used to tell me one day I'll find the woman to give this ring to. The way she described love… I told her I'd never feel that way. I've never been happier to be wrong. My life hasn't been easy, nor has yours, but when we're together none of that matters. It all falls away, so as long as I have you, I know there's nothing else I could want." My lips tremble as I try and control my crying.
"If you say yes, you'll make me the happiest man in the world." A sob slips out as he drops to one knee, taking the ring from my palm.
"Brooke Davis, will you marry me?" I'm crying as he slips the ring onto my finger. I pull him up and into my embrace.
"Yes, I want to so much." Our kiss is intense, my salty tears mixing with the kiss.
We're walking into the house; I'm still in a state of shock as I take in the familiar space.
"You said this house deserved better, that it deserved a family – so I thought what better way to start this part of our lives then making that little girls dreams come true. The little girl who picked up the veil and wished for marriage, for a partner… for a family." Jay's arms wrap around my waist, pulling me back into his chest.
"I wished for this, right here without even knowing it. I wished for you and our family and this." I hold up my ring admiring it.
"It was my mums."
"It means so much that you would give it to me."
"You're my forever." His lips kiss my neck, before I turn in his arms.
"When I was leaving New York I just knew that Chicago was the place for me, that it held something special. And I found it. I found you. Everyone should have that, a person that makes them happy."
"You should have that Brooke."
"I do, with you." I pull his lips down to meet mine again, feeling so much bliss that the man I love has asked me to be his forever.
The surprise of the engagement makes me feel so much happier, cherished and blessed.
"Merry Christmas." I'm smiling as I open my eyes to Jay and the offered cup of coffee.
"Merry Christmas." I whisper as we kiss.
"How'd you sleep?"
"Perfect."
"Good. Come on, I've got breakfast ready." He takes my hand as we walk downstairs and towards the breakfast spread right by the Christmas tree.
"I didn't know I could feel so happy here."
"I'm glad I made the right choice."
"I'd have said yes anywhere, anytime… nothing special. But… this was perfect." I lean over and kiss him again, drawn to him like a magnet.
"I thought of so many different places and times to do it… but I knew I wanted to surprise you."
"That you did." My smile is soft, eyes shining over at him.
"I thought Tree Hill would be the best option. It's your home, where you had so much hurt… that I had to change. Chicago may be where our story started, but without Tree Hill you never would have ended up in my life."
"God I love you." I giggle leaning over to kiss him again.
"I love you too."
"Can I ask you something?" I ask once the food has been eaten and we're lying in each other's arms, after another round of lovemaking.
"Of course."
"When did you decide to propose?"
"I got the ring from Will before our last trip to Tree Hill."
"Will?"
"Yeah. Mum wanted the first one of us who found the one to have it…"
"Ahhh. Were you always planning a Christmas proposal?"
"No, I was going to propose last trip but got called back."
"Oh. So I really was right in thinking it was coming."
"Oh, you were right, and I knew it." He pokes my side, sending me into a fit of laughter.
"Merry Christmas!" We all chant, words meshing together as Jay and I come through the door.
"Sooooo." Haley drawls out as they are waiting at the front room for us.
"We're getting married." I scream excitedly, showing her the ring.
Haley screams before pulling me into a fierce hug.
"I'm so happy for you Brooke."
"Thank you." Tears sting my eyes again.
"Congrats man." Nate pulls Jay in for a hug before myself.
"Does this mean you're going to have kids now?" We all laugh at Jamie before I pull him into a hug.
"Soon?" I shrug looking up at Jay.
"I sure hope so."
"Good choice with Aunt Brooke Uncle Jay."
"I think so too little man." I send him a wink before standing up.
"So my errands kept her distracted and too exhausted to notice?" I gasp in shock.
"Wait, what? You were in on this?"
"Duh." She throws her head back laughing.
"For exactly how long?"
"A while." She smirks at me.
"You've been in cahoots?" I shove her playfully as she laughs.
"Yep." She shrugs at me.
"So this whole time I've been frantic… and searching for a ring… and…"
"Yep. I've been telling Jay and we've been conspiring how to get you to stop suspecting."
"You little sneak."
"Well with you being such a snoop, we had no choice babe." Jay pulls me into his side.
"Well… I mean… I clearly didn't check everywhere."
"You did check the apartment, and my desk and my work locker."
"I did." I admit with minimal shame.
"So where was it?"
"With the jeweler."
"But it was your mums."
"But I had to get it sized." Something clicks.
"Wait, is that why…" I trail off not sure if I'm right, and not wanting to ruin Haley's surprise.
"My ring?" Haley giggles.
"No." I gasp again in shock looking between them all.
"Yeah, I didn't know your size, and asking would make you even more suspicious. So we had to get creative." She shrugs at me, not looking an ounce guilty.
"When did you pick the ring up?"
"After I left the apartment yesterday for work, then I went to the airport and jumped on a plane."
"Wait… so you beat me here then?" My mind is spinning.
"Yes, had to pass the ring off to Haley before pretending to arrive after you."
"Oh my god."
"I wanted to surprise you. Give you the proposal you deserve."
"I can't believe you went to all this trouble for me." I whisper, more tears threatening to fall.
"I'd do anything for you. To see you smile. To make your dreams come true. And to get something over on you… well that's an achievement." He winks at me, lips pressing against mine.
"You really are perfect for me."
"I was committed. I hope I didn't break your heart making you wait."
"No, you just make this proposal so much better."
"Okay okay, enough. Present time?!" We all laugh at Jamie as we turn to look at him.
"What? I waited forever. Aunt Brooke, I've been up for hours." He huffs before grabbing Haley's hand and pulls her towards the Christmas tree, everyone following laughing at his antics.
A/N: I hope this has been worth the wait... I feel it's something special for the 40th chapter.
I would really appreciate your feedback for this chapter...
Merry Christmas everyone. Enjoy your time - whatever you are doing. Stay safe x