Author's Note: Flashback sequences written in Italics...

Thanks for all the reviews! You guys are "fabulous" as Gordon would say. Speaking of, I really don't know who he would look like. Jess says that guy from the beginning of "Sweet Home Alabama". I picture him as sort of RuPaul without the makeup or a bald Ms. Jay from "America's Next Top Model". For those of you who can remember back that far, Damon Wayans' character from the "Men On" sketch on "In Living Color". I don't know. Use your imagination. Feel free to express your opinions in the reviews or e-mails. Thank you!!

"I can't take it anymore! Sitting around with y'all is more depressing than Terms of Endearment and listening to Avril Lavigne."

It was nightfall and after Peyton's surprise visit and even more shocking revelation, the gang had spent most of the evening, gathered solemnly and silently in the living room and Gordon was on the verge of a complete hissy fit.

"Gordie…", Brooke protested.

"What? Don't 'Gordie' me. Look, I have an idea. Why don't the men watch the kids inside and the ladies go outside by the beach and have a little girl time. Ain't no sense in depressing the kids and the dog."

Peyton simply nodded. She was emotionally exhausted and they were all beginning to develop a case of cabin fever from being cooped up in the house all day long. Without further ado, Brooke, Peyton and Haley stood up as Gordon followed.

"What, man?" Lucas asked. "Aren't you staying behind to help Nate and me with the kids?"

"Silly Judas. You know I'm just one of the girls. Besides, like I'd miss the full scoop on this juicy gossip fest anyway. Now you and your hunk of a half brother watch over the little ones and I'll fill you in on the real deal later."

They walked out to the beach with blankets and Gordon followed with two bottles of champagne.

"What? Shit, we might as well get drunk."

The girls nodded and each took a glass.

"This is perfect. The only thing missing is a big bonfire. We should build one", Gordon suggested.

"Good idea, Gordie."

The girls waited as Gordon just sat there.

"What? I said we should build one, I didn't say I knew how. Damn, I came up with the fabulous idea, do I have to do everything around here? Shoulders…"

"Why me? Gordon, you guys are supposed to be out here comforting me in my time of need. Why do I have to do all the work?"

"Because you know your ass is the only one that would know anything about building a bonfire. Diva and I are way too dainty for that. But I don't know about Little Mama over there. She might be able to assist you. Lord knows she can do everything else. They probably taught her how to make sparks from two twigs in her Girl Scout troop", Gordon giggled along with Brooke.

"Come on, Peyton. I'll help you", Haley offered. "And for your information, I learned wilderness training as a Sunshine Cadet, not a Girl Scout, thank you very much."

Haley and Peyton got the fire going and the potent champagne flowed freely. Figuring it might be "one of those nights", Gordon had his emergency "just in case" flask on hand for good measure.

"Alright, Shoulders. What's the deal? You have a great relationship with Jake the hottie and now all of a sudden when the man wants to make an honest woman out of you, you're getting cold feet. Talk to us."

"Jake and I have been together since we were 16 years old. Jenny wasn't much bigger than Harmony when we started going out. He's my first and only love. I can admit that. Sure I had a crush on Lucas once upon a time and Nathan and I were together all of sophomore year but none of that compared to Jake. See, after my mom died, it was just me and my dad. We were pretty close but once I started high school, he started taking lots of jobs overseas. He did it for money and for me and I appreciated him for it but it was hard. I was a kid basically living on my own. It got lonely. All of a sudden Mom was gone then it was like I lost Dad too. The only thing I had that was true and constant and important was my friendship with you, Brooke. Brooke and I had been friends forever and after Mom died she became like a sister to me. I built up this wall…I mean, I had to. I couldn't let anyone else in if I wanted to protect my heart. So I built this wall and the only ones that ever got through were Brooke and Dad. Then I met Jake and Jenny. God, I fell in love with the both of them. I let them in. It was scary but I allowed myself to love and trust them. And I do, even after all these years, I love and trust them with all my heart."

"I don't understand, Pey", Brooke said. "You and Jake and Jenny have always been this tight little unbreakable unit. Nothing would change except a piece of paper making it all legal."

"When Jake put this ring on my finger and he asked me to marry him, I was probably the happiest and luckiest girl in the whole world at that moment. And every time I look at this ring, I am reminded of our love. But actually getting married…that's so permanent and…final."

"It's marriage", Haley said. "Yeah it's permanent and final but it's also beautiful and sacred. Peyton, you make it sound like you're walking down the aisle to face electrocution, not your man."

"I'm scared. I admit it. I am frightened to death of commitment. And as much as I love Jake, think about it. I am 26 years old. I have been with this man for almost half my life. In college there were no sororities or wild parties or drunken one night stands because I was at home with Jake watching movies and eating pizza and taking care of a toddler. And after college, when I could have been a starving artist traveling throughout the world living this amazing artsy life and painting portraits on the streets of Paris, I was wiping noses and rubbing Calamine lotion on Jenny's chicken pox."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying there was more out there then and what if it's still out there?"

"But Peyton, you love Jake", Haley pointed out. "Sure you missed out on a lot but look at the wonderful life you guys created together. That is more important than any party or club or one night stand. I mean, can you even imagine being with another guy? Sleeping with one? And who knows you better and who would love you more or treat you better than Jake Jagielski?"

"I don't know", Peyton shrugged. "And that's precisely the point. What if I never find out? And you guys should know exactly how I feel. Think about it. Each of us is still with the guys we hooked up with in high school. I mean, how often does that happen. Haley, I know you love Nathan and you're happy but you are with the same guy you've been since prom and hell before that. You've never had another serious boyfriend or even another lover. And you've never had the chance to be single or free. Doesn't that bother you? Don't you ever think about what you may have missed out on?"

"Peyton, of course I do. I'm human. There are a lot of 'what ifs' in my life. I think all the time about how my life could have been different if I had made other choices. But I refuse to be a Monday morning quarterback. I live here and now and I have to live with the decisions I have made. And it's not all bad. Maybe it would have been fun to travel with my girlfriends or have lots of boyfriends and live that 'Sex In The City' type life but I'm happy with the way things turned out. I love Nathan and my boys. They're my life and I'm not just fine with that, I'm great with that. There are plenty of things I missed out on but I don't dwell on that because I look at the experience I've been blessed with."

"What about you, Brooke?" Peyton asked as she took another sip. "Do you think all those years with Lucas were a waste?"

Brooke could feel her eyes growing heavy and her head starting to spin as the champagne was starting to hit her. Another glass or two and she would be drunk. Drunk. She'd been drunk more than a few times in her life…

"Broody, you okay?"

"I'm perfect", Lucas whispered.

"Broody, are you drunk?"

"Just a little", he nodded, gesturing with his fingers.

Yeah it was official. Lucas Scott was drunk and more than just a little. It was weird seeing him that way. So loopy and funny and out of control and so…not broody. Brooke on the other hand, at 17, had been boozing it up since she was 11. She had taken her first sip of alcohol at one of her parents' parties by drinking what was left from the guests' champagne glasses. Plus it wasn't exactly rocket science stealing her father's key to the family liquor cabinet. And by the time she was dating older boys at 13, they were all too happy to supply her with abundant amounts of stolen beer.

Being drunk was fun! Brooke loved being light headed and the feeling she got when things were spiraling out of control but she just didn't care. Drinking numbed the pain but at the same time allowed her to be someone else. It was a welcome distraction and fun escape.

"Broody, if I take you home drunk, your mom is gonna kill you. I mean it. Your ass will be bread and water grounded."

"Let's not go home", he shrugged.

"Okay. We'll just stay out all night. That'll make things easier", she giggled.

"What about you? You gonna get in trouble?"

"Me?" Brooke scoffed. "Yeah right. My parents don't give a shit. I got lit before dinner the other night with a bottle of my grandpa's whiskey and Mom didn't even seem to notice. They never do. Hell, I could light myself on fire and I don't think it would make much difference to them."

It was obvious the way Brooke's eyes and voice took a sad tone whenever she discussed her family life. You could tell it bothered her even though she pretended that it didn't.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" Lucas asked in a low voice.

She looked at him and knew exactly what he meant.

"Yeah", she answered quietly. "It does."

"My mom loves me. She's always been there for me. Hell, she's given up a lot for me. She cooks me great meals and works hard so I can have the stuff I need. And she puts a rood over my head. And we talk, you know? We're friends and that's pretty cool. I love my mommy. And she loves me…"

"Yeah…she does", Brooke whispered, knowing he was still drunk.

"My dad loves me too."

Brooke felt a chill in her bones. Lucas almost never mentioned Dan. When he did refer to him, it certainly wasn't as "dad" and it was certainly wasn't good either.

"What?"

"I said my dad loves me. He loves me a lot. And one day he's gonna come down to the River Court and he's gonna be so proud of me and he's gonna put his arms around me and say, 'Good game, son'. Yeah…just like he does with Nathan."

Brooke could see the tears welling in his eyes.

"Just like he does with Nathan", Lucas repeated.

He bit his lip but it wasn't enough to stop the tears and the sobs as he broke down. Brooke put her arms around him and held him until he regained composure. Finally he lifted his head and wiped at his eyes.

"Sorry about that", he choked out. "You must think I'm the biggest punk right now."

"No, I don't."

"I can't believe I cried in front of a girl", he laughed in spite of himself.

"Lucas, you can cry in front of me", she said softly.

He looked deep in her eyes and knew that he could trust her with anything.

"I know", he said.

"Know what? Know what I do when my parents piss me off and life sucks and I want to kill somebody? Know what I do? I scream at the world."

"What?"

"Come on. Let me show you."

She grabbed his hand and led him to the part of town where the railroad tracks were.

"What are we doing here?"

"You'll see", she said, checking her watch.

Sure enough, a few minutes later they heard the unmistakable roar of the freight train. It was so loud the ground vibrated and they could barely hear themselves.

"See?" she yelled at the top of her lungs. "Just let it go! Just yell and scream and curse as loud as you can!"

And she did. Lucas looked at her like a crazy person at first but then the idea seemed more and more perfect. Where else could you go in Tree Hill in the middle of the night and let out all your pain and anger and frustration at the world? So he took a deep breath and screamed. And screamed. And screamed some more. As loud as he could. And there they stood like two maniacs yelling out bloody murder until the train passed and left them hoarse and breathless.

"How…how do you feel?" she panted.

"Better", he breathed.

"Good. Told you it works. Now what do you want to do? I say we find some coffee from somewhere so you can sober up and get home."

"Your folks coming home tonight?"

"Hell no", Brooke rolled her eyes. "But what else is new, right?"

"Then I'll go to your place. We can hang out, talk…get drunk some more", he smiled.

"What about Karen? Lucas, your mother is going to kill you."

"I'll worry about that later. For now I don't care. Right now I just want to keep living in the moment…as long as I can do it with you."

"Brooke?" Peyton asked again. "Did you hear me?"

"Yeah, I heard you", she sighed. "Gordie, give me whatever the hell is in that flask."

"Flask? What flask?"

"The emergency one, the one you keep hidden underneath that hideous Hawaiian shirt. Now hand it over."

"Greedy ass", Gordon mumbled as he did what he was told.

"You asked if my years with Lucas were a waste? If I knew then what I know now, what would I do?" she asked, taking a healthy swig. "The answer is, yes. You probably think that's bullshit or at least stupid but I can't help it. It's just the way I feel. I love Lucas. I loved him back in Tree Hill and I'll love him until the day I die. And there were good times, I mean great times. We had a lot of fun and we shared everything together…I was happy. So as much as he gets on my nerves sometimes and as much as he has hurt me, I wouldn't take back our time together. Not for the world. One, because I got a beautiful daughter out of the deal and two, I'd rather have had that one great love in my life and lost it than have never had it at all, I guess."

"Well, I'm not so sure", Peyton said.

"Shoulders, that's the champagne talking. You know you love Jake."

"Yes, I do."

"Shit, then what's the problem? I mean, really! I don't understand y'all. Hell, I don't think you understand yourselves half the time. Y'all need shrinks! You need Jesus! Diva, you love Lucas with all your heart, can't imagine being with someone else, you want to raise your daughter together, yet you won't even attempt to make an honest go at actually forgiving for a mistake he made a long time ago. Yet, you live with his ass. Know why? Not because he's sick or dying or any of that nonsense. I see past your excuses. It's because you love his ass and not only do you want to be able to have your cake and eat it too, you want nuts, cherries, whipped cream, extra toppings and a slice of peach pie on the side! Diva, get over it! Damn! And you, Shoulders. You have the perfect relationship with the perfect man for God knows how many years. Now because you're scared, you want to break up and 'see what's out there', 'go find yourself'. Bullshit! You better quit watching the Lifetime network! Look towards the light, Carol Ann. Don't be worrying about what you don't have, just be thankful for what you do! So Jake is boring and predictable and safe. Big deal! It could be worse. Stick with what you know. Hell, after eleven or twelve years, you know that man's faults and problems. You're gonna mess around and end up with someone new, exciting and adventurous with bad credit, bad hygiene and a tendency to whip your ass! And you, Little Mama…well, you seem to be the only sane one in the bunch although I won't press the issue because I'm sure you didn't exactly escape the 'Tree Hill Crazy Curse'. But your ass can cook so I'll leave you out of this rant. Anyway. You women wanting Prince Charming and the Fairytale. That shit does not exist. Y'all are letting the real world pass you by and the sad thing is you won't even realize it until you're 60, living alone, with 4 cats and watching Golden Girls reruns."

"Gordon, can I have just a tiny sip of what's in the flask?" Haley meekly asked.

"Go on, child", he passed it to her. "I feel your pain. These two hags make you want to try heroin."

"I'm afraid and you guys don't understand that. I'm afraid I will change or maybe Jake will change. What if it doesn't work out? What if I screw up? What if I take Jenny away from her mother and it turns out I'm not good enough?"

"You are Jenny's mother", Brooke pointed out. "She has called you 'Mom' ever since she learned to talk and you are the one that's been there. Peyton you have loved them and taken care of them. All these years you have been a wife and mother. You already are. Who gives a damn about a little piece of paper telling you what you already know."

"I…I just really wish I could talk to my mom", Peyton began to cry.

"I saw these things on TV", Haley offered. "Stuff where we can contact our loved ones that have moved on. I…"

"Okay, no more flask for you, Little Mama", Gordon said, taking it from her hands. "Shoulders, don't listen to her. Your mama is looking down and she sees you and she's very proud of you. She's always with you, remember that. Don't listen to Little Miss Sixth Sense over here. You want to talk to your mother? Talk to her in your prayers. Don't mess with that hocus pocus."

"Pey, I love you", Brooke said. "We've always been there for each other. I know you get scared sometimes and that's okay. But you're gonna be fine. Don't deny yourself happiness and don't hurt Jake and Jenny just because you're afraid. You're better than that."

The women hugged as they cried.

"Oh God, I guess I messed up pretty bad, huh? Jake and Jenny are gonna hate me."

"They won't hate you. They love you. Now come on. It's getting chilly out here. Let's get inside and give them a call so they won't be worried."

The crew packed up and headed back to the house. There were sleeping children sprawled out everywhere and Peyton stopped dead in her tracks as soon as they hit the door.

"Jake…"

"Peyton, you scared me to death", he said, running over to her.

"Mom, are you made at me?" Jenny asked.

"No. Jen, honey, no. Why would you ask that?"

"Because you just left us and Daddy and me were scared and we didn't know where you were. I just didn't want you to be mad at me because Nikki came back. She came to see me and you got upset and left. I'm sorry, Mom."

Peyton knealt down and held her daughter.

"I wasn't mad at you, baby. Never at you. I just…I don't know. I was being an idiot. I was running away from the best two things that ever happened to me because I was afraid and unsure. Not of you guys but of myself. But I have some pretty cool friends and they knocked some sense in to me. I love you, Jenny. I love you and your dad more than anything. You guys are my family."

Jenny hugged her tightly as Jake stroked her face.

"Does this mean you will marry me?"

"Yes", Peyton nodded through tears. "Jacob Brian Jagielski, I will marry you."

"I love you, Pey. And I'm sorry if I put too much pressure on you. But you're my whole world and I don't want to lose you…ever."

"You won't."

"We can talk about getting married when things settle down and we get back to Chicago and…"

"No, we won't."

"What?"

"We won't, Jake. Know why? Because I want to marry you now. Right here and right now. First thing in the morning, I don't care. Just as long as we do it. I love you, Jake and I'm ready."

They kissed and Jenny and their friends applauded.

"Ooo, a wedding! Sounds fun! Shoulders, can I plan it? Please oh please oh please."

"Gordon, we're probably just going to do some quick deal down at the Justice of the Peace. It won't be a wedding."

"Nonsense", Brooke scoffed. "There is no way my best friends are getting married in some mangy City Hall office. No way! Leave it to Gordie and me. It will be simple, low key, yet elegant and beautiful."

"You two can do that in 24 hours?"

"You bet your ass we can. Just leave it to us."

"Okay", Peyton agreed after Jake and Jenny nodded.

"Whoo child! Now that that is settled. I am sleepy with a capital S. Let's get some shut eye."

"Jake, Jenny and Pey, why don't you guys take my room? Lucas, Harmony can sleep with you and Gordon and I will share the couch."

"Share the what?" Gordon asked. "Oh no! Not the Gordon! I am not sleeping out here with that moose head."

"Fine", Lucas sighed. "Man, you take my room. Harmony can sleep out here in her crib and Brooke and I can take the couch."

"Lucas, no. Are you sure? I mean, your heart and…"

"It's okay. The couch won't kill me besides it is pretty comfortable."

The sleeping arrangements were decided and everyone scurried off to bed.

"Diva, these walls are paper thin so remember if you and Judas start doing the horizontal hokey pokey in the middle of the night, just remember, we'll all be able to hear you."

"Good night, Gordon!" Brooke said.

"Fine. Oochie coochie, la, la, la, oochie coochie…"

"Gordon!"

"What? Damn! I was just singing. Somebody is grumpy. Let me go to bed before we have to start throwing hands up in here. Night, Diva. Good night, Judas."

Brooke laughed and shook her head as she nestled onto the pullout couch with a safe and comfortable distance between her and Lucas. It had been one hell of a night. She was happy that Jake, Peyton, and Jenny would get the happy ending they so deserved but what about her? What about Harmony? Where was their happy ending? Gordon's words played in her head over and over again. She sighed as she looked over at Lucas, fast asleep beside her. It was all too much and tomorrow would be another day. She needed sleep. Desperately. It had been one hell of a night.