Author's Note: I credit Gordon's toast to a scene I saw on the Real World San Diego so thanks to RW Robin for the inspiration...
"So what are you guys gonna do?" Brooke asked again.
"The usual…order up some pizza. Have a few brews."
"Leave that to Jake and Nathan. You should be enjoying chicken salad and a nice bottle of water. Greasy food and alcohol aren't exactly on top of the list for your diet to recovery."
"Yes ma'am", Lucas mocked saluted her. "Now you go out with the girls and have all the fun while us guys sit back and do nothing."
"Oh please. Gordon is throwing Pey a bridal shower. Trust me. Bridal showers are like the most boring things ever."
"Sorry but somehow the words 'Gordon' and 'boring' do not mix."
"True. But this is something nice we wanted to do for Peyton to calm her nerves before she gets married. It's just a little low key get together."
"Yeah? Then how come yougirls aren't taking the kids?" Lucas questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"To ensure you three remain stripper free now I have to get ready", she winked.
It had been a busy day. That morning Jake and Peyton had gone to the city's municipal building to obtain a marriage license and then a jeweller to get matching wedding bands. The rest of the gang shopped for decorations, flowers and food that Haley would prepare for a post marital breakfast. On the beach not far from the house, the guys set up a small gazebo and the girls streamed the flowers. In keeping with the couple's wishes of simplicity, it was perfect for their sunrise ceremony.
"Come on, hags", Gordon protested. "The limo is waiting!"
"Limo?" Peyton mouthed as the women made their way to the doors.
Limo was an understatement in reference to the white Escalade straetch limousine in front of them.
"Oh my God!" Peyton exclaimed. "Gordon! This…this is too much. Tell me you did not rent this for my shower. Goodness! You're crazy!"
"And by crazy, she means 'thank you'", Brooke giggled.
"Oh yeah. God, Gordon, thank you. I'm I…I'm blown away by all this", Peyton hugged him.
"Okay, okay. I get the gratitude. Now chill with those shoulders and watch this shirt. It's 100 percent silk."
They entered the limo as it whisked them off.
"Wine imported straight from Thailand", Gordon grinned as he filled up glasses for everyone.
"Imported wine?" Peyton asked. "Geez, how much does that cost."
"Who cares says my little black unlimited American Express card", he shrugged.
"A toast", Brooke began. "Good times for our good friends, Jake and Peyton."
"For a nice, normal bridal shower and many years of happy, wedded bliss", Haley added.
"Yeah, yeah. Here's to staying single, seeing double and sleeping triple", Gordon lifted his glass.
"Gordon!" Haley screamed horrified. "We are toasting a wedding for God's sake."
"My bad, Little Mama. Sorry, that toast was for me. Best wishes, blah, blah, blah and whatever for Shoulders and the hottie."
The limo drove on and two and a half hours later, the crew found themselves in San Diego of all places.
"Gordie, why are we at the Sports Arena?" Brooke asked.
Gordon simply smiled as he summoned the girls to follow him down an aisle of red carpet that had specifically been laid for their presence. Inside instead of the normal seats for an athletic event, the entire building has been rearranged complete with a runway. Before anyone could ask what was going on, the lights dimmed, fake smoke brewed through a machine, music blared and a dozen of the world's sexiest models began strutting their stuff down the catwalk donned in lingerie.
"Gordon…"
"What? Let's just say some very important people over at Victoria's Secret owed me a favor or two. Now sit back, relax, enjoy and at the end of the show feel free to pick out whatever your little hearts'desire."
The girls, having a great time and in awe of Gordon's generosity, sat back and watched as women modelled everything from classic negligees and "sugar and spice" negligees to red, crotch less teddys.
"Now pick out whatever y'all want", Gordon said again as he sipped champagne and nibbled caviar.
"Wow", Peyton shrugged. "This is what Julia Roberts must have felt like in 'Pretty Woman'."
They rummaged through the goods picking out a few pieces. Brooke mostly chose a few matching bra and panty sets. It had been more than a while since she'd had sex and there didn't seem to be any rain forecasted to end her sexual drought. What was the point in getting sexy sleepwear that no one would see besides her eleven month old?
"Little Mama, what the hell is that?" Gordon demanded, referring to Haley's choice of silk pajamas. "You dressing up to impress your man between the sheets or to cuddle up with an Agatha Christie novel and a cup of cocoa? Child, you better get with the program! If you've got leather whips and edible massage oil, you may as well lose the Carol Brady nightclothes."
"Fine", Haley muttered, embarrassed slightly as she took a set from the "sugar and spice" line.
"There you go, Little Mama or should I say Hot Mama? All you need now is a cheerleading uniform to go over that and your hair in pigtails."
Peyton smiled as she finally chose a simple nightgown. It was long and black, sheer at the legs with spaghetti straps. She held it up to her body and it felt perfect.
"Going to a funeral or a honeymoon, Elvira?" Gordon snipped.
"I happen to like it and you said I could get what I want", she protested.
"Fine but here", he said, tossing her the matching robe. "Don't forget to cover up those shoulders, child."
Gordon purchased the lingerie and the limo began heading back towards Malibu as its passengers happily chatted while the drinks flowed freely. The car soon came to a stop and Peyton groaned as they got out and she saw that they were at a strip club.
"Gordon, I love you and we're having a great time and I can't thank you enough for putting this all together but I'm really not into that whole stripper thing. Thanks but no thanks. It's just not me."
"Who said it was for you?" Gordon asked he pranced into the club.
There were strippers alright but it was more of Gordon's crowd. The women were gorgeous…only they weren't women. But who could tell and who the hell cared? The Jagielski party was VIP for the night. They were giddy and a little more than tipsy, evident by their obvious enjoyment during the drag queen beauty pageant.
Peyton and Brooke were having a blast, the antics of the evening taking them back to more than a few wild nights in Tree Hill. Still they couldn't help but worry about Haley. Poor, proper, demure Haley trying to force a smile between downing drinks. It was apparent that she was out of place. In their drunkenness, no one had noticed that Gordon had disappeared. Minutes later the lights dimmed and the DJ announced the introduction of the "Queen Diva". Amid a sea of dancing scantily clad midgets, out pranced a familiar face, transformed with make up and a long blue wig, wearing a white, lace bra, panties, a garter and leggings. Peyton and Brooke could barely contain their enthusiasm as the disco music began and Gordon began singing the words to "Young Hearts Run Free".
What's the sense in sharing, this one and only life
Ending up just another lost and lonely wife
You count up the years and they will be filled with tears
Love only breaks up, to start over again
You'll get the babies, but you won't have your man
While he is busy loving, every woman that he can, aahh haa,
Say I want to leave a thousand times a day
It's easier said than done
When I just can't break away, just can't break away
Young hearts, run free
Never be hung up, hung up like my man and me, umm, my man and me,
Young hearts, to yourself be true
Don't be no fool with
When loving is all there is, say that I don't love you
Brooke and Peyton hooted and hollered, jumping up and down as they sang along and stuffed one dollar bills in Gordon's garter. Nobody noticed the look distant look in Haley's eyes or that she looked incoherent and on the verge of passing out.
"Hales, you okay?" Brooke asked concerned.
Haley pushed her friend's hand away and in what may have been the most shocking move of the decade, hopped up on stage. She danced to the music, shocking the hell out of everyone as she wrapped her arms and legs around the stripper's pole with ease and expertise. Taking off her black blouse and exposing a bra, she ripped the mic from Gordon's hand and took over the second verse.
It's high time just one crack at life
Who want to live in, trouble and strife
My mind must be free to learn all I can about me
I'm gonna love me, for the rest of my days
Caress the babies every time they say
Self preservation is what's really going on today, aahh, ho
Say I want to leave a thousand times a day
How can I turn loose
When I just can't break away, just can't break away
Young hearts, run free
Never be hung up, hung up like my man and me, umm, my man and me, aahh haa
Young hearts, to yourself be true
Don't be no fool with
When loving is all there is, say that I don't love you
It was the highlight of the evening, one that was nearing quicker and quicker to sunrise and the nuptials that would follow. After the club it was back to Malibu.
"You know, we probably shouldn't drink any more", Brooke suggested. "You shouldn't be sloshed when you take your vows, Pey."
"I know but it feels so good", she giggled. "Gosh, I never want this night to end."
"I know", Gordon said. "To keep the night and the rest of the drive interesting. Let's play a game. Truth or dare."
Everyone exchanged uneasy but slightly amused glances before agreeing.
"Okay. I'll start. Truth or dare, Shoulders."
"Dare", Peyton grinned.
"Alright. This limo has a moon roof. Why don't you make good use of that and moon whoever is out on the highway?"
Feeling frisky and a little bit juvenile, Peyton agreed much to the applause and squeals of her peers.
"Okay. Haley. Truth or dare."
"Truth."
"Come on, Little Mama. I bet you've never picked 'dare' in your life."
"What? I have too. I'm daring…I just don't feel like it right now", she pouted.
"Fine", Peyton smiled. "Truth…let's see. What was the last sexual position you enjoyed with Nathan?"
"Pey! I can't answer that! God! Ask me something else", Haley pleaded.
"Oh no, Little Mama. You know the rules. Now fess up."
"I can't…"
"Tutor Wife, Tutor Wife, Tutor Wife, Tutor Wife…", Brooke began the pep rally type chant as the others joined in.
"Fine, fine, fine! You guys suck! The last position Nate and I tried was….was…oh God, I cannot believe I'm telling you this. It was from behind, okay?"
"Doggie style!" Brooke and Peyton high fived.
"Wait one cotton picking minute", Gordon smiled. "From behind…or in the behind?"
Haley turned ten shades of red as her friends eagerly awaited her response.
"The…the second one", she whispered, covering her face amidst the cheers and giggles.
"Go ahead, Little Mama! You know I ain't mad at you!"
Their game continued and the drinking tampered off, leaving everybody pretty much sobered up as the limo arrived at the beach house in the wee hours of the morning.
"Thanks, Gordon", Peyton said as she hugged him. "I mean that. Thanks a lot. I'll never forget tonight."
He simply winked as they unloaded.
"So you don't think I'm daring?" Haley asked.
"About as daring as white shoes after Labor Day. But don't fret, Little Mama. It's just not in your nature, I guess."
"I can be daring."
"Sure Hales", Brooke laughed.
"I can. Really I can. Dare me. Dare me right now to do something and I will. Anything."
"Fine", Peyton shook her head. "I…okay. I dare you to take off all your clothes and go skinny dipping in the ocean right now."
It was on the tip of Haley's tongue to tell them that the night air and the water were too cold for such acts. But that would be typical Haley Scott. Practical, logical with reasoning for everything. Not bothering to hide her grin and ignoring the shocked looks on her friends' faces, she began removing her clothes until she was as naked as a newborn baby and proudly took off running into the Pacific Ocean.
Meanwhile inside the house, the minister had arrived and the men were dressed for the beach service. Jake, visibly nervous, took a deep breath.
"You gonna be alright, dude?" Lucas laughed.
"I'm fine. I'm just nervous. We've waited for this day for a long time."
"Congratulations, man. Peyton's a great girl."
"She is, isn't she?" Jake proudly smiled. "I love her. I really love her. She is the best friend I've ever had and the best lover too. We share everything together and we have fun. I…I just hope it will always be like this."
"You two will be okay. I have a good feeling. You were meant to be together."
"I hope she doesn't get bored with me."
"That's what marriage is all about", Nathan shrugged. "It gets boring but in a good, normal, calming, routine sort of way. It's cool."
"You and Hales still happy after all these years…"
"Yeah. She's great and I love her. My sweet, innocent, shy little Haley", Nathan smiled as they opened the front door.
The mouths of the four men dropped as "sweet, innocent, shy" Tutor Wife was coming in from the water as nude as she pleased.
"Haley!" Nathan screamed.
"Nate!"
She stood frozen like a deer in headlights as he hurriedly threw her a towel.
"Hales, what the hell are you doing?"
She looked embarrassed at her husband, her brother in law, her friend and the minister she had never met. Then she looked back at her three friends who couldn't maintain their serious looks.
"Sorry honey", she shrugged, kissing his cheek on her way into the house. "I just felt like doing something daring."
An hour later, the gang was completely sober and clothed, holding sleepy children as the sun began to rise. Peyton, barefoot and wearing a plain sundress, held hands with Jake and looked deeply in his eyes.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. Which is an honorable estate, and therefore is not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God. Into this estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any person can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace."
The beach was silent except for the crashing waves and the sound of Gordon coughing. Peyton and Jake shot him a dirty look.
"What? It was just a cough. Damn! I get something in my throat and you two look like you want to beat me like my name is Rodney King."
Jake looked deeply in Peyton's eyes and spoke with a strong, clear voice as he took his vows.
"I, Jacob Brian Jagielski take you Peyton Christine Sawyer to be my lawful wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part."
Peyton's heart raced and her voice shook with emotion as she pledged her eternal love to Jake.
"I, Peyton Sawyer, take you, Jacob Jagielski,
to be my lawfully wedded husband,
secure in the knowledge that you will be
my constant friend,
my faithful partner in life,
and my one true love.
On this special day,
I affirm to you
in the presence of God, our daughter and our friends my sacred promise to stay by your side as your faithful and loving wife
in sickness and in health,
in joy and in sorrow, as well as
through the good times and the bad.
I further promise to love you without reservation,
comfort you in times of distress,
encourage you to achieve all of your goals,
laugh with you and cry with you,
grow with you in mind and spirit,
always be open and honest with you,
and cherish you for as long as we both shall live."
Their love was so strong as they exchanged rings. Haley cuddled up to her husband and Gordon dabbed at his eyes so that his liquid liner would not create a mess. Just a few feet away, across from each other stood Brooke and Lucas. Neither one spoke, neither could breathe. All they could do was fight back tears and just look at each other.
"For as much as Jake and Peyton have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have given and pledged their troth, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a Ring, and by joining hands, I pronounce that they are Man and Wife. Jake you may kiss your bride."
He smiled and kissed his daughter's cheek first before placing a tender and romantic kiss on Peyton's lips.
"I present to you, Jake, Peyton and Jenny Jagielski."