Disclaimer: I don't own one tree hill, or any of its characters.
Author's Note: WOW, thanks for all the awesome reviews! I'm glad I still have some faithful readers. I'm so sorry its been sooooo long since my last update. School has definitely taken its toll. anyways, here's a new chapter (its really sweet and happy, promise!) and please give reviews! thanks!
Part Four
Two weeks later, the day finally arrived. Tree Hill soldiers were returning home. Brooke and Haley had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Peyton had tried coming to terms with what had happened, but she was a mess. Being pregnant didn't help either. The stress was hard on the baby, and she had to watch herself.
Brooke was at her and Lucas's apartment, trying to decide what to wear. She finally decided on a casual tube dress that was red. Red had always been the 'sexy' color. Brooke slipped red pumps on her feet and she was ready to go. She was going to pick Haley up, who was now eight months pregnant and couldn't fit behind the wheel.
Ten minutes later, Brooke and Haley were on their way. It was ten thirty. The guys would be there at eleven.
Haley said excitedly, "I can't believe this day is finally here!"
Brooke nodded in agreement. "I know! It has been a long five months. I just wish Peyton could be with us, picking Jake up."
Haley got tears in her eyes just thinking about Jake. "I know," she whispered.
"Its been so hard on her and Jenny. I almost feel guilty about me getting Luke and her not getting Jake back."
"Don't be," Haley persisted. "Just be happy that Luke made it safe and sound."
Brooke pulled into the parking lot. "Ready?"
Haley nodded. "Ready."
The two girls walked into the lobby, which wasn't very full. There was a huge sign that had an arrow pointing down a corridor. They followed it and soon found themselves outside, at the same place where they had dropped them off five months ago.
Brooke and Haley made their way through the crowd so that they were near the front. It was very noisy.
Brooke said to Haley, "So when does the doctor think you will have the twins?"
She shrugged. "I still have four weeks to go, but with twins you never know. I'm just glad I made it this far."
Brooke nodded. "I don't blame you."
An officer stepped on a podium, speaking into a microphone. "If I could have your attention for a few minutes, please!" The crowd hushed. "Thank you. In just a few minutes, the soldiers will be arriving. Let them get through the gate before you approach them. Other than that, congratulations! Your loved ones are coming home!"
Haley and Brooke looked at the sign that read, "WELCOME HOME TREE HILL HEROES!"
Brooke had butterflies in her stomach. The only other time she had had butterflies was the night she and Lucas got back together.
Haley was so excited that her husband was coming home. It had been so hard being pregnant with no support. Brooke and Peyton had both been so awesome and great, but it wasn't the same.
All of a sudden, they saw three army buses in the distance. The crowd started cheering. Brooke and Haley clutched each other's arms in excitement.
The officer yelled, "ONCE YOU FIND YOUR LOVED ONE, PLEASE GO OFF TO THE SIDE! THANK YOU!"
After five minutes, the buses parked about a hundred yards away. It seemed forever until the first bus unloaded.
One by one the soldiers came through the gate. You could hear people dissolving into tears at the site of someone they loved. After about ten minutes, the first bus's soldiers were all off. The crowd thinned somewhat.
Brooke rolled her eyes. "I bet they are on the last bus."
"God I hope not."
The second bus unloaded and about the twentieth guy to walk through the gate was Nathan. "NATHAN!" Haley yelled. Nathan ran up to her, wrapping her in a tight hug. Haley hugged his neck, breathing him in. It had been way too long. "Nate, I missed you so much."
"Hales, God, it feels good to hold you again." He kissed her, not wanting to let her go. She kissed him back.
"I love you so much."
"I love you too," he said hoarsely. They hugged and kissed for a few minutes before he looked at her. "Wow. You are really pregnant."
She looked at him. "I didn't want to tell you until you got home."
"Tell me what?"
"Nate, I'm having twins."
After a moment of shock, a grin escaped onto his face. "Seriously? Hales, that's so great!" He leaned in and kissed her some more.
Brooke watched this from afar, so happy for Haley. She searched for Lucas, not seeing him.
The second bus was soon unloaded, and ten minutes later, the third bus started to unload. Brooke kept looking as man after man walked through that gate. None of them were Lucas.
Soon it was just her, another couple, and two others left. They all were watching, hoping, waiting.
Then, she saw him. It was Lucas, the love of her life, her soul mate, her other half. He was finally there.
"LUCAS!" She screeched, running up to him. He dropped his bags and she jumped into his arms.
He felt her around him, and it was the best feeling in the world. "Brooke..." He said breathlessly.
Tears were streaming down her face. Tears of happiness. "I was so scared."
He kissed her hard. "I made it, I'm fine."
She gave him pecks on his lips. "I love you so much."
"Babe, I love you too. You have no idea."
He set her down and she stood on tip toe, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Did you miss me?"
"More than you will ever know," he whispered, kissing her gently. She nuzzled his chest, content with being in his arms again.
"I am never letting you go."
He kissed the top of her head. "Good. Me neither."
Nathan and Haley walked up just then, arm in arm. Lucas smiled at Haley. "Hales! Come here!"
She gave her long time best friend a welcome home hug. "Luke, I'm so glad you made it home safely."
Brooke hugged Nathan. "Nate, you beefed up dude."
He grinned. "I know. Aren't I sexier now?"
Brooke hit his arm. "Funny."
Lucas wrapped his arm around Brooke's waist, pulling her close. "Did you hear about Jake?" Jake was in Lucas's troop, and Lucas had had a hard time accepting the fact that Jake was gone.
Brooke nodded. "Yeah, we know what happened. Peyton is having a hell of a time. She's five months pregnant, and all alone."
Lucas sighed. "Some say he's still out there."
"That's what Jenny thinks. She says her dad is still alive, trying to get home."
"Its better to think that than think the worse, you know?"
Brooke snuggled up close to Lucas. "Can we go home?"
"Definitely." He let go of Brooke long enough to pick up his bags. "Nathan, Hales, we'll see you later."
"Bye, Luke," Haley said, hugging him again. "I'm so glad you are back."
Lucas flashed her his special smile. "Me, too."
On the way home, Lucas was driving Brooke's car. Brooke was resting her head on his shoulder. "I was so afraid you were going to get hurt over there."
"Yeah, but I didn't. I'm fine."
"Jake isn't."
"I know."
Brooke got choked up. "I just feel so guilty because me and Tutor Girl each got our guys back, and Peyton got nothing."
Lucas sighed. "I don't know what to say. I feel horrible for Peyton and Jenny."
Brooke shook her head. "I don't know what I would do if I ever lost you."
He pulled her close. "You don't have to ever worry about that, okay?"
Later that night, Brooke and Lucas had a fire going and were sitting together on the couch. Brooke was in her new sexy, lingerie nightgown, and Lucas was in his fleece green plaid pajama pants and a Ravens t-shirt.
She was cuddled up close to his chest, and they were just enjoying being in each other's arms.
Lucas said, "Watch out, I have to do something."
Brooke moaned, "No..." as she sat up, letting him stand. He left the room and a few minutes later he came back. "That was quick."
He knelt down on one knee and pulled out a white, small box. When Brooke saw what he was doing, tears filled her eyes for the second time that day and her hand was over her mouth. She gasped.
"Brooke Davis, I love you more than life itself. After being in this war, I realized I never want to spend another second apart from you. I want to be with you always, and I want to make it official. Brooke Davis, will you marry me?"
Brooke let out a small sob. "Yes, of course I will." Lucas smiled, and she watched as he opened the box. Inside was a diamond ring, just what Brooke wanted. "Oh, Luke..."
He slipped onto her left hand, kissing it before leaning up to kiss her. They shared a romantic kiss.
She held his face in her hands. "I love you so much."
"I love you too."
She leaned back on the couch, and he started kissing her all over her face, taking his shirt off. They both knew this night was going to be very special.
