A/N: Okay, I'm finally posting chapter five. And just so I can have an interesting Author's Note I've got the mac help guy open and wend I started typing this sentence he wasn't doin' nothin' but now he gots an idea and he was singing before. Now he just sittin' there. Now he's mad at me so he was shinning me. Anyway I've been really busy so I didn't have time to post, yet I have time to sit and type about what the mac help guy is doin' (nothin') go figure.
Disclaimer: if you think I own anything I suggest you run away from the nice men in white coats. The only things I own are a red pen ::Grins evilly:: Wow, according to my spell check evilly has two l's. (The mac help guy is turning himself into that cube thingie where you gotta match up the sides with the same colors and it's even more hard when you got triangles thrown into the whole thing. Back to the red pen. Red pens are fun. They take over and make you write things on your friend's stories.
Dedication: ::Does runway wave:: I'd like to thank all you wonderful people for reviewing this. And I'd also like to thank all my friends for believing in me. Also the three greatest beta readers Hilary, KT, and Laura. Because I know that I'd be nowhere without all of you, especially the fans. You like me, you really really like me. ::Starts laughing at all the people staring at her wondering how they missed when the aliens came to Earth and stole my brain last week:: Don't be silly, aliens didn't come to earth to steal my brain last week, they came last Tuesday. ::gets picked up by the men in the white coats. "No please, don't put me in a white room with padded walls. I'm sane, I really am":: Now, if any of you believed that I have an ounce of sanity, the men in they white coats are standing over my shoulder watching me type this. Maybe they should be watching you. Okay, on with the story.
Chapter Five
On Friday August fifth Brooke Lanier woke up to the sun shining through her open curtains. She slowly rolled over and looked at the clock by her bed. It was ten thirty, she sighed and flopped back over onto her back and just enjoyed being half asleep for a few minutes. Finally she was forced to get out of bed by the aroma of breakfast cooking in the kitchen. She quickly brushed out her hair and hurried downstairs.
"Morning everyone." Said Brooke. She opened the refrigerator and took out a bowl of cantaloupe chunks for breakfast. Her mom had just finished making a batch pancakes and Val was washing the dishes as her mom handed them to her.
"Good morning Brooke." Said her mom. She stole a chunk of the melon in front of Brooke. "This is good, you should have some Val." Val took a few of the pieces and stuffed them in her mouth. She reached for more and Brooke slapped her hand away.
"Mine." Said Brooke momentarily regressing to the mentality of a five year old. "You can get your own."
"But someone else's always tastes better." Said Val. She took another piece, ignoring Brooke's protests. Brooke was forced to laugh when the juice started running down Val's chin.
"Not funny." Said Val, she took a chunk of melon and held it between her thumb and index finger and threatened to squeeze some of the juice into Brooke's hair.
"Valerie Rollins, don't you dare." Screamed Brooke immediately jumping up from the table.
"Then don't laugh at me." Said Val. She tried to keep a straight face but found it impossible to do so.
"You just looked so funny." Protested Brooke.
"Girls." Warned their mother. "Finish eating then get ready to go, we've got an hour before we have to go."
"Bathroom's mine." Said Brooke immediately.
"No way, you've still got to finish eating." Yelled Val, she was already halfway up the stairs. A few seconds later they heard a door slam upstairs.
"She always gets her way." Said Brooke, she wasn't really complaining, more like she was just stating a fact.
"Get used to it. You'll get the bathroom first when you're married as long as you get up early enough."
"Where's dad?" Asked Brooke looking around and realizing that he wasn't there yet.
"In the bathroom." Replied Val coming back down the stairs. "He beat me to it." She said in awe. "I can't believe he beat me to it. I must be losing my touch."
"Now that's funny." Laughed Brooke.
* * *
Miraculously an hour later everyone was almost ready to go. Val had her brides maid dress in a garment bag identical to the one Brooke's dress was in. Val's parents were dressed up and Caitie was wearing a black dress that was perfect for her. Her hair was twisted into a French twist.
"Where the hell is Jamie?" Grumbled Caitie. "Jamie, get your ass up here." She yelled down the stairs to where she and Jamie had been staying for the past week. "And here I was thinking that he'd be ready before me. I don't know what I was thinking. Must have been temporary insanity." Caitie rolled her eyes and Val and Brooke laughed.
"I'm sure your hair looks fine James. If not, then you can fix it in the car because I really don't want to be late to my own wedding." Said Brooke, her voice increasing in volume as she spoke.
"Brooke, you don't have to yell. I'm right behind you." Said Jamie. Caitie had somehow managed to get him to wear a suit, the last time Val had seen him get dressed up was at her own wedding over a year ago.
"Does anyone know how to tie a tie?" Asked Jamie. He had his jacket on his arm and his tie was twisted into multiple loose knots around his neck and hung about half way down his shirt.
"James, you're twenty one and you don't know how to tie a tie?" Asked Caitie in disbelief.
"Wow, I've been called James twice in the past minute, you guys must really be mad at me." Laughed Jamie.
"I repeat-"
"Will the real Slim Shady please stand up?" Interrupted Jamie.
"You're twenty one and you don't know how to tie a tie?" Continued Caitie as if Jamie hadn't said anything. "That's pathetic."
"And I suppose that you know how to tie one?" Jamie asked Caitie with a challenging look in his eyes.
"Actually I do. Get you ass over here." Jamie listened to her, partly out of fear that she would hurt him or something equally bad. She untied the mess he had made with his tie and started to tie it. "James, what hell did you do? I don't even know how you managed to make this much of a mess." She mumbled that a few other complaints and within a few minutes she was done.
"And how exactly did you learn to tie a tie?" Asked Jamie sounding very amused.
"I have three brothers, I'd always watch Adam-" A look of confusions flashed in Jamie's eyes. "-He's my only older brother." Even after all the years he'd known Caitie he still couldn't remember who all of her family was. "Anyway, I'd always watch him get ready for dances and big dates. Well, I was very-" she paused, trying to think of the right word. "-Inquisitive when I was ten. Meaning that I annoyed everyone with questions until they left or locked me or themselves in a bedroom. Usually it was me being locked somewhere. Eventually I just asked Adam how to tie a tie and he showed me. I then kept having to help my other brothers tie their ties when they started dating.
I'd charge them something, needless to say I rarely did chores and usually had more money than I should have."
"Funny." Said Jamie. Caitie looked up and locked eyes with him. Even though they'd been going out for four years looking into his eyes still made her weak in the knees. Little did she know that looking into her eyes had the same effect on Jamie. Jamie, being at least eight inches taller than Caitie, leaned down and caught Caitie's lips in a kiss.
"Ahem." Said Brooke clearing her throat after a minute. Neither Caitie or Jamie seemed to hear her so tried again, but this time louder. "Ahem." Again she was ignored. And she wasn't about to be ignored on her wedding day. She walked up to the kissing couple. "Jamie, Caitie! Can you hold off until we get to the hotel." Yelled Brooke. And just to make sure they heard her she gave them a little shove.
"Oh, are you guys still here?" Asked Caitie, blushing slightly, looking at each person in the very annoyed group.
"Do you think it was smart to give them the basement?" Brooke asked Val.
"No. Definitely not. But better the basement than the living room." Answered Val with an amused look on her face.
* * *
"How's everything going in here?" Asked Caitie coming into the hotel room that the girls were using to get ready in. The hotel had two ballrooms and the wedding was going to be held in the smaller one while reception was going to be in the larger ballroom.
"Caitie, you're not supposed to be in here." Said Brooke. She really didn't care that Caitie was there though. Caitie was like another older sister to Brooke.
"Half hour until you become Mrs. Brooke Beecham. Are you nervous?" Asked Caitie, ignoring Brooke's comments that she wasn't supposed to be there.
"Yeah, thanks for reminding me. With that thought in mind I'll probably trip over my own feet. And isn't it Mrs. Hank Beecham?"
"That's so last millennium." Replied Caitie. "And remember, if you trip your dad will be right there to catch you so you don't fall."
"That's so comforting." Retorted Brooke rolling her eyes.
"Is everyone done getting ready?" Asked Caitie quickly changing the subject.
"Yeah. Pretty much. Val will you help me clasp my necklace? It's kinda hard with a broken arm." Explained Brooke. Val helped Brooke with her necklace and Caitie set down the program that an usher had insisted she take on a table in the room and she went to the closet and took out four tiny, identically wrapped boxes. Their only difference were the words old, new, borrowed, or blue on each. Caitie handed them to Brooke.
"What's this?" She was truly bewildered.
"Think of it as a pre-wedding gift from Mom, me and Caitie." Said Val. "The ones that say old and blue are from Mom. New is from Caitie and borrowed is from me. Open Mom's first, then Caitie's and mine last." Jen, Amy, and Nicole all stepped aside so both Caitie and Val could see.
Brooke quickly tore the paper off the one marked old and found one sapphire earring. The other earring was in the box labeled blue. "Mom, they're beautiful. Thank you." Said Brooke in awe.
"Congratulations sweetie. Those were your grandmother's, she wore them in her wedding." Explained her mother. Brooke had originally planned on not wearing earrings but as soon as she saw them she put them on. Her mother kissed her forehead and Caitie handed her the box marked new. It was a single hair clip with a crystal heart that reflected the light. Caitie helped her pin her hair back behind her ear on one side.
"Thank you Caitie."
Val's gift was the last one Brooke opened. For some reason she didn't rip the paper off this one, she slowly undid the tape and was careful not to rip the paper.
"Val, it's empty." Said Brooke.
"That's because what I'm lending you is something that means the most to me and I didn't want to give it to you until the last second." Val slowly reached her hands behind her neck and unclasped the locket that hung there. She then helped Brooke unclasp the necklace she had just helped Brooke clasp minutes before.
"Val, that's your locket." Said Brooke, momentarily overcome with emotion.
"I know. On your wedding day you're supposed to have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. This is your something borrowed. Heavy stress on the word borrowed." Replied Val.
"Val, I can't wear it. Kain gave that to you and you never take it off." Protested Brooke.
"I want you to wear it in your wedding. I think in a way it means that Kain's here too. Please wear it." Said Val. "You can give it back to me at the reception."
"Alright." Agreed Brooke. Val clasped her necklace around Brooke's neck and gave her a hug. "I'll give it back at the reception. But I know Kain's here too. Caitie, hand me the program you brought with you." Requested Brooke. Caitie complied and handed Brooke the paper. She pointed to a few words and Val read them.
The roses on the piano are in memory of:
Linda Beecham. Groom's Mother, died of cancer eight years ago.
Kain Rollins. Bride's Brother-in-law. Killed in a car accident one month ago.
"Thank you for remembering Kain, it means a lot to me." Said Val. She let a single tear fall down her cheek and Jen handed her a tissue to wipe it away.
"There's no way I'd forget him. He's still family." Said Brooke making Val cry harder. "Are you okay?"
"Yes." Replied Val honestly. "I'm okay. That was really, really sweet of you."
"We all loved him." Caitie said as Val threw away her first tissue.
"I'm glad I decided not to wear mascara today." Said Val as Jen handed her another tissue. "Brooke, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to turn this into a pity party."
"Don't be sorry. I expected you to remember a lot of things today." Brooke answered.
"I've got to go back to my seat, Jamie's saving seats for everyone." Said Caitie. The first row of seats was reserved for parents and grandparents. However Brooke and Hank had told the ushers to put Jamie and Caitie up front with them.
"I think I'd better go find my seat too." Replied Mrs. Lanier. She took a tissue and dabbed her eyes and gave Brooke one last hug. "I can't believe my baby's getting married."
"Mother, I'm not a baby." Protested Brooke.
"You'll always be my baby, even when you have your own kids." Mrs. Lanier left the room just as the wedding director came into the room to tell the girls to line up and get ready.
* * *
"You ready man?" Asked Jamie. "We're all getting bored sitting out there waiting for something to happen."
"Very funny." Replied Hank rolling his eyes and turning back to fixing his tie.
"Scared?" Asked Tyler.
"Not until you mentioned it."
"Bet you Brooke is ten times more nervous than you are." Commented Nick.
"How do you know that?" Asked Jeff.
"She's been my best friend since we were twelve." Replied Nick as if the answer was obvious.
"I'd better get outa here. Caitie thinks I'm saving us our seats. I think she went to bug Brooke and Val and everyone." Jamie walked out of the room. He didn't make it halfway down the hallway before he was called back.
"Jamie, wait a minute. I need to ask you a question." Jamie stopped where he was and waited for Tyler to catch up.
"What do you want?" Asked Jamie.
"Do you have any idea why Val keeps avoiding me?" Asked Tyler. "I called about ten times yesterday and Val either wouldn't come to the phone or was busy. And she never called me back." Tyler had been trying to call Val all day the day before to talk about what happened at their movie night.
"I have no idea." Replied Jamie evasively. He didn't knew exactly what was going on between Val and Tyler and he didn't want to get involved. All he knew was that Val didn't want to talk to Tyler. Val had told everyone to tell Tyler that she was busy or not home if he called her.
"Do you think that maybe you could talk to her for me?"
"Sorry Tyler, I'm staying out of this. Whatever's going on with the two of you is between the two of you. Now I've really got to go. If Caitie realizes that I left our seats she'll be pissed and, well, you know how bad that can get." Jamie turned and walked away.
"Whipped." Jamie heard Tyler mutter.
* * *
"Oh, my god I'm so nervous." Exclaimed Jen.
"You think you're nervous." Challenged Nicole. "I'll probably trip over my own feet and fall flat on my face."
"Brooke's the lucky one." Said Val.
"And why am I so lucky? I'll have everyone looking at me so if I trip everyone will notice." Wailed Brooke.
"You'll have Dad there to hold you up and cover for you if you fall." Answered Val.
"All of us bridesmaids have to walk down the aisle alone." Added Amy. The girls were gathered in the hallway waiting for Brooke's dad to come. They could hear the faint music from inside the ballroom. The maid of honor would walk down the aisle first followed by Jen, Amy, and Nicole. The groomsmen would all be standing in front of everyone.
"Brooke. You look beautiful." Said her father.
"Thank you." Brooke was about to say more but was interrupted.
"Get ready." Demanded the wedding director. The rest of what she was drowned out by the girls rushing to their spots. Mr. Lanier took his spot at the end of the line and offered Brooke his arm, which she accepted.
"I love you, Dad." Whispered Brooke.
"Love you to sweetheart." He gave her a hug. "And if Hank ever does anything that will hurt you I'll beat him up for you."
"Don't you dare lay a hand on the man I love." Replied Brooke, not fully knowing if her dad was kidding or not, but she had the distinct impression they he was dead serious. The wedding director opened the doors when she saw that the bridesmaids were ready. She quickly stepped into the room and the opening notes of the well known wedding march were heard.
Val slowly made her way down the aisle and took her place at the alter across from Tyler. He tried to meet her eyes so she focused them on anything other than him. She knew she was going to have to talk to him eventually but she wanted to wait until she knew what she wanted to say to him. And at this point in time she had no idea what she wanted to say. She let her eyes land on the piano, specifically the roses. Jen had joined her in front of everyone by now, but she hardly noticed. She could feel tears start to form in her eyes at the memory of what the flowers represented. She forced herself to look down into the flowers she was carrying so no one would see her crying. By the time she had gotten her tears under control it was almost Brooke's turn to walk down the aisle.
* * *
Brooke felt everyone's eyes on her as she started to walk down the aisle. She took a few shaky steps and felt herself stumble as she was walking. True to what everyone said, her father was right there to hold her up and make sure she didn't fall. She took a few more steps, gaining confidence with each one. By the time she reached the alter her steps were strong and steady.
"Who gives this woman to be married to this man?" Asked the minister.
"Her mother and I do." Brooke heard her father answer. She felt, rather than saw him step back and Hank step forward to take his place.
"We are gathered here today to join this couple in marriage. If there is anyone in the room who objects to this wedding please speak up or forever hold your peace." Brooke had never been happier to hear complete silence.
"Hank, do you take Brooke to be you lawfully wedded wife, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do." Answered Hank without hesitation.
"Brooke, do you take Hank to be your lawfully wedded husband, for better or worse, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do." Replied Brooke confidently. Val was forced to choke back tears again. She had a feeling she'd be doing that a lot in the night to follow, and unfortunately not all of them would be tears of joy and happiness. By now Brooke and Hank were finished reciting their vows to each other.
"The rings please." Requested the minister. Brooke's eight year old cousin stepped forward and presented the rings. "Hank, repeat after me. I Hank, promise to love, honor, and cherish you."
"I Hank, promise to love, honor, and cherish you." Hank echoed.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Finished the minister, handing Hank Brooke's ring.
"With this ring, I thee wed." He accepted the ring and took Brooke's left hand and slid the ring onto her third finger. Brooke took a few seconds to look at her ring. It was quite different from her engagement ring. Her engagement ring was silver with a green emerald surrounded with tiny diamonds. Her wedding ring was gold and had two diamonds.
"Brooke, repeat after me. I Brooke, promise to love, honor, and cherish you." Requested the minister again.
"I Brooke, promise to love, honor, and cherish you."
"With this ring, I thee wed." Finished the minister, handing Brooke the other ring.
"With this ring, I thee wed." Repeated Brooke talking the ring and slipping it onto Hank's hand.
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Neither Brooke nor Hank needed to be told twice. He kissed her and didn't break it off until the entire crowd started cheering.
Brooke couldn't believe it, she was married to the man of her dreams. And neither she nor Hank could be happier.
A/N #2. Okay now that you've read that little bit of sap, yes I'll wait while you get your feet unstuck. You done yet? No? Well I'm not waiting any more, you're slow, it can't take much more than an hour to get unstuck from eight feet of sap. (Is sap measured in feet?) I promise you that I won't wait as long to post chapter six (I've even got it written already.) Now you've got a few jobs.
1. Read "Secrets" You can review it too I hear, but maybe that's just a rumor.
Guess what Hank and Brooke's wedding song is, you'll get chapter six e-mailed to you. Review this story and send me ideas for what you want to happen. Tell me to get off my lazy ass and start writing the phantom sequel to "Secrets" Tell me if after I post the rewritten version of "Revealed" I should post the original so you all can laugh at me and tell me what a bad writer I was then (Like I'm any better now) Tallies for the poll. Post the origina:1 Get rid of the original:0 Am I on any people's favorite Author's/Stories lists? Tell me. Tell me what your favorite ep of INHB is. Mine's Race of A Lifetime and I'm mad because it's on on Sunday and I can't stay up til midnight to watch it because when I get no sleep I tend to to scare my friends with the amount of energy I have. What time do you guys start school? Now I'm rambling and you can ignore me. Also, anyone wanna guess what the title of the pilot ep is? Cux I bet I know it and you don't. Aren't my authors notes worth reading, they just bring a little ray of sunshine to a cloudy day. (Mental note: no caffeine at all.) Okay, I'll post this on Monday or when I get enough reviews, whichever comes last. I'm going for 90 reviews now but I'll settle for 85. That's only 15 at the least. Whoever said that less is more was an idiot. Comments, ideas, and constructive criticism are welcome. Flames are not, they can burn in hell. If you leave your e-mail address on your review I'll e-mail you unless you ask me not to, I won't be offended. E-mail me. The only e-mail I get is stupid ads for stupid things. I'll also beta read for anyone who asks, just e-mail me and let me know. Only one person's taken my up on my offers.