"Mrs. Scott, your RSVP list and here is the tentative menu preparations. Look over it and all I need is your signature."
"Mmmm, Pecan Chicken with Peach Marmalade sounds good. Let's scratch the Norwegian Poached Salmon and replace that with Grilled Vegetable Kabobs."
"Will do, ma'am."
"Thanks Alex", Brooke smiled as she signed the menu and handed the papers back to the assistant.
Two months had passed since she and Lucas had made up and in that time they had focused diligently on each other. Repairing the relationship had become priority number one and it took a backseat to no one. They had pledged to spend more quality time together in spite of their demanding careers. With their fourth wedding anniversary fast approaching, it was the happiest time of their entire relationship.
In typical Brooke Scott fashion, she was throwing the party of the century. Over 200 guests of friends, family, co workers, and prominent social elite had been invited to wedding anniversary/housewarming get together at the new place in Greenwich. Brooke along with Alex and several other staff members were hard at work perfecting the various plans. It was to be the party of the millennium.
"What the hell is Peach Marmalade? Sounds like a Biology experiment."
Brooke turned to the doorway and smiled as she saw Lucas.
"Hi Husband. How long have you been standing there?" she asked as she kissed him.
"Oh long enough to hear you and Alex going crazy with the menu and everything else. Brooke, I thought we decided to make this an intimate little get together with our closes family and friends."
"It is", she protested.
"312 guests, including Bill and Hilary Clinton?" Lucas asked with a raised eyebrow as he snatched the RSVP list from his wife's hand.
"What?" she asked innocently. "They're our friends."
"Brooke…"
"Oh please, Broody let me have my party. It's really important to me and it's going to be fun, I promise."
"I will let you have your party on the one condition that you tone it down", Lucas said as he kissed her temple.
"What is there to tone down, Broody?"
"Mrs. Scott…oh hello, Mr. Scott. Uh, ma'am the ice sculpture will be arriving Friday at three…"
"Ice sculpture?" Lucas asked with wide eyes.
"Thank you, Alex, that will be all for you", Brooke said with a wink before turning her attention back to her husband. "Hon, it's very artsy and classic. Look at the big picture. Work with me…"
"I'm just wondering how much all this is gonna cost…"
"Babe, you only live once and we can afford it. Just leave all the details to me because this is going to be spectacular. Care to know what else I have planned? I know you do. Now what do you think about a ten foot fountain in the front yard?"
"A fountain, Brooke?"
"This bash is to show the world how wonderful the last four years have been for me being married to man I love. We shall spare no expense."
Lucas could only grin. Brooke always did have a flare for the dramatic. That was evident from the first day he ever met her. The only thing she loved more than fashion was party planning so he would let her have her fun. Just seeing the smile upon her gorgeous face and the twinkle in her eyes was more than enough for him. The past four years had been nothing short of joyous and if the whole world wanted to celebrate with them, so be it.
Like all Scott parties, the variety of guests was a Who's Who list. Politicians, socialites, musicians, celebrities, wealthy neighbors, famous basketball players, and of course the infamous Tree Hill residents.
"Well Brooke has certainly outdone herself this time", grinned Peyton Sawyer as she stood next to Haley.
"Yeah…"
"And speak of the devil, here comes our hostess now."
Brooke sauntered over to them looking like a million bucks in a sexy form fitting strapless little black Valentino number.
"Well don't you look gorgeous, Mrs. Scott", Peyton grinned as the two women hugged.
"As do you two", Brooke nodded as she returned her grin. "And how is the newest little Scott doing?"
Brooke smiled as she touched Haley's ever growing stomach.
"He's fine…we're fine."
"Great party, Brooke."
"Come on, Pey did you expect anything less? Now go mingle, eat, have fun. We'll catch up later."
"Um, the house looks beautiful, Brooke", Haley sighed after a few seconds of awkward silence.
"Thanks. You know Luke had a fit about all the money I spent but he got over it", she shrugged. "Now how are you and my brother in law and nephew doing?"
"Good…everybody's fine."
"You okay?"
"Huh? Yeah. I'm sorry."
"Just don't go into labor on me. I just had these floors redone", Brooke joked.
"Oh no, I'm just a little tired…"
"It's okay. Um, feel free to go rest in the guest cottage if you need to get away from the noise, Hales."
"Thanks. Uh, would you please excuse me?"
Brooke found her sister in law's behavior rather odd but chalked it up to the moods and discomfort of an almost eight month pregnant woman. She shrugged it off and returned to her guests. It was her party and she was the star. After weeks of intense planning, the gig was an absolute success.
"Speech, speech, speech!" everyone began to yell and cheer loudly as Lucas and Brooke took center stage. She took a deep breath and looked at all the guests.
"I just want to thank all of you for showing up tonight to help us celebrate such a happy occasion. Tonight not only are we celebrating the purchase of our first home but also four wonderful years of my life being married to a pretty wonderful guy. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family and friends and especially the greatest husband a gal could ask for. I've been with this man for ten long years and well Broody, you've taught me a lot. It was scary at first but you're the first person that ever made me give a rat's ass. So to all of you out there, I love you guys and to my darling Luke, here is to four more years and the rest of our lives together. I love you."
Everybody applauded then settled down as Lucas started to talk.
"I'm kind of at a loss for words because this is all so overwhelming for me. As always it is a pleasure to have all of you here tonight. It's great anytime we get together and party but it's quite a special deal when you guys get to share in the celebration and joy of me and Brooke's wedding anniversary. I think you all can just look at me and automatically see that I am the happiest and luckiest dude in the world. I have a beautiful home, fast cars, a dream job… hell, I have the whole world at my feet. Everything I have ever wanted and that any man could ask for, I guess I have it. As great as it all is, none of this and I mean nothing would be worth it if I didn't have the sweetest, most beautiful, wonderful, loving and supportive wife alive. Brooke, you are my best friend and for the last four years you have loved and stuck by me through thick and thin. I have nothing but the utmost love and respect for you and adoration and admiration for your bravery in even taking on the hassle of marrying a guy like me. Every obstacle on the court and off, you've been there to tackle it with me. You have always been there to love and support and encourage me and I appreciate that more than you'll ever know. Every morning I wake up and roll over and there you are in my arms and that, along with knowing I'm gonna spend the rest of my life with you, is the greatest feeling in the world. Guess what, Cheery? I give a rat's ass, too. Happy anniversary. I love you."
There were ooohs and aaaahs and lots of applause and Brooke couldn't help but to break down at all the emotion.
"I meant every last word of that", Lucas smiled and whispered to her.
She knew he had and she was so happy that it took her almost an hour to stop crying.
As they stood people came up to hug and personally congratulate them, from the corner of her eye Brooke noticed an ill looking Haley whisper something to Nathan and practically drag him out in a huff. Haley had not been her usual happy and bubbly self lately. Brooke was hurt and worried about her friend and sister in law but decided to deal with the situation later. Nothing would ruin such a perfect evening.