Chapter Seven

She rounded the corner and entered the chapel but I stayed, mostly hidden. I looked in in surprise. I was expecting about a half dozen guests, a bare chapel with maybe some flowers.

Brooke had hurried to stand by Haley, who was wearing an identical dress. Haley's hair was twisted into a French knot with a sprig of a lily-of-the-valley, and Brooke now sported one as well.

That was what first caught my noticed, but the second thing was far more exciting-the guests. I'd recited the list to Haley the previous night-her, Brooke, Nathan, Luke, Karen and Jake's parents. They'd have filled up the first pew.

These guests filled up almost all the pews. I quickly noticed all the guests I'd mentioned and many others-Nathan's mom Deb, Theresa, Brooke's cheerleading friend, Tim, my grandmother. There were dozens of Tree Hill high students and even some guests from THUDD magazine. There were at least a hundred of them, few of which I did not recognize.

Flowers decorated the pews and the alter. They weren't pastel, which I hated. Many red ones. A lot of roses. Organ music was playing a classical type song that I faintly recognized but could not name.

Then I noticed what I should have noticed first-Jake. He was wearing a tux. He looked hot.

I heard footsteps behind me but couldn't take my eyes away from the sights. It looked like a real, planned wedding. As if on cue, Haley turned around and winked. How could she have arranged this in less than twenty-four hours?

"I know your father should be doing this but I'm the best they could scrounge up," said a drawling, slightly accented voice from behind me. I turned around in surprise. Whitey. He was the next best thing-even before he'd started taking care of Jenny he'd understood how I'd felt about my mother's death and had helped me to sort out his feeling. He had exchanged his baseball cap for a tux, complete with a white rose in the buttonhole.

"What's going on?" I asked. He took in the sight of me in my dress. Not in a remotely perverted way but almost in a 'my little girl's all grown up' way.

"Mrs. Scott junior thought she owed you for lost time," he said.

"And you're here being my dad?" I asked.

"No crying," he warned me. He offered me his arm. I took it.

As we appeared, Brooke and Haley began to walk down the aisle together. As we reached the door, they were three quarters down the aisle, and we began to walk down it. It seemed to take hours of me feeling people's gazes fast on me, but I got to the end before I was ready for it. I noticed that where my family should be, my real family was-grandma, Karen, Keith, Luke's uncle. I smiled at Karen and noticed who stood on the bench beside her-Jenny. Jenny waved. I continued looking at the first pew-Nathan. But his eyes seemed to be the only pair in the room not on me. They were staring directly into Haley's.

And Haley was staring right back.

My eyes met Jake's. He was smiling, and he made me smile. For a split second, my gaze flashed to his best man, Lucas. And once again, maybe for the last time, he saw all of me.

Whitey stopped and I stopped with him. He went forward to kiss my cheek. And I heard a whisper-

"Your mother would have been proud of you," he said. Jake came forward and I passed from Whitey's arm to his. We walked and stood in front of the reverend. For the second time I glanced at Lucas-his intense stare was upon me. Then I glanced at my bridesmaid's-Brooke was giving me an 'I'm here for you and I love you' look. Haley was still staring at Nathan.

I looked back at Jake as the reverend man began to speak. I didn't even listen. My gaze darted continually from Jake to Luke. Every so often Jenny would interrupt with a comment of her own and I'd hear Karen try to shush her.

"I, Jacob Jagielski," said Jake. My gaze swiveled back to him.

"Take you, Peyton Sawyer," droned the reverend.

"Take you, Peyton Sawyer," he repeated.

"As a sign of my love and affection," insisted the reverend.

"As a sign of my love and affection."

"To have and to hold from this day forward," said the reverend.

"To have and to hold from this day forward," repeated Jake.

"In sickness, and in health, in wealth and in poverty, for better or for worse."

"In sickness, and in health, in wealth and in poverty, for better of for worse."

"This is a promise I make unto eternity," said the reverend with a sense of finality.

"This is a promise I make unto eternity," he said. He smiled. The reverend turned to me.

"I, Peyton Sawyer," he began.

"I, Peyton Sawyer," I repeated.

"Take you, Jacob Jagielski."

"Take you… take you, Jacob Jagielski," I said. We went through the same list of vows. The reverend recited a short monologue.

"And do you, Jacob Jagielski, take Peyton as your lawfully wedded wife?" asked the reverend. Jake stared hard into my eyes.

"I will," he promised.

"And do you, Peyton Sawyer, take Jacob as your lawfully wedded husband?" asked the reverend. For a split second my gaze left Jake's. My eyes met Luke's, Brooke's, Haley's, Karen's, Whitey's, and Luke's again. Don't! his eyes said. My eyelids fluttered closed and then opened again.

"I will," I said softly. The reverend nodded. Luke handed Jake a ruby ring and Brooke handed me the wedding band.

"Repeat after me," he ordered Jake once again.

"With this ring, I thee wed."

"With this ring, I thee wed," he said, sliding the ring onto my ring finger.

"Peyton, repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed," he said, turning on me. My gaze traveled again for another long moment.

"With this ring, I thee wed," I repeated. I slid the band onto his finger. It fit, as it had the cashier.

"And are there any objections?" asked the reverend, glancing around the silent room. "Then, with the giving and receiving of rings, I declare Peyton and Jacob man and wife. Jacob, you may kiss your bride," he said. Jake took my hands and turned to me. He brushed a gentle kiss on my lips. Then we moved slightly forward and signed a document. The crowd began to cheer. I heard Jenny cheering along with the rest of them. As I progressed down from the steps on Jake's arm once again, I saw her waving her fists in the air. I turned to Jake and to Brooke and Haley.

"Just one sec," I promised. Picking up my skirt in one hand, I headed for Karen and Jenny. As I reached them I held my arms out to Jenny, and the climbed into them. I settled her on my hip and went back to Jake, who was laughing. As I passed Nathan, I noted that he was still staring at Haley. Was there any hope for them?

Jenny waved joyfully as we proceeded back up the aisle. Once we reached the hall outside and they'd closed the door behind us, Brooke squealed and hugged me.

"You just got married!" she said excitedly.

"I just got married!" I repeated. It hit me then-I had just got married. There was no way out anymore. I'd have to trust him now. Haley came forward and hugged me next as Brooke moved on to Jake.

"You couldn't keep your eyes off him," I murmured as she hugged me.

"He looks so good," she answered. I pulled away and went back to Jake. He leaned down to kiss me again.

"Thank you," he whispered in my ear. "You look beautiful."

"Speaking of which, how the hell did you manage all this? And how did all these people get here?" I asked Haley.

"You've lived here all your life. You've met a lot of people in your life, of course they're here. And I have connections," she said smugly.

"So, where to now?" I asked. "Home?" I tried not to say it hopefully, but it came out that way.

"No, your reception," said Brooke. She giggled.

"Where?" I asked. I grimaced as I imagined white tablecloths and a cheesy band.

"Nothing traditional, I promise," said Haley. "It's a surprise, and you're gonna love it." She waved as she and Brooke went off. As they did the inevitable happened-Nathan and Luke appeared around the corner. They both hugged me. But Nathan had other things on his mind.

"Where is she? What is she doing here? Did she bring Chris with her? Is she just visiting?" he demanded. I saw the lost face I knew so well.

"He doesn't mean anything to her," said Lucas.

"She's come home," I assured him.

"Why the hell am I supposed to let her? Am I just supposed to welcome her back with open arms?" he demanded.

"Yeah…" said Jake.

"Aren't you?" I asked in worry. He sighed and looked at the ceiling.

"Yeah," he admitted.

"Hate to break up the party, but you guys got to head out. There's a car out front, it'll take you to the reception. Love you guys, we'll see you there," said Luke. He hugged me again and I pressed against him instinctively.

Jake took my hand as we walked in silence to the front door. There was no lame music playing and no crowd assembled. I was glad-that would have annoyed me. I imagined them being restrained in the chapel and giggled.

"What?" he asked. He looked amused. I shook my head.

"Did you know about all this?" I asked.

"Since this morning, yeah. Haley called me at five and insisted I leave before I saw you again so we wouldn't be eternally cursed. And then gave me a list on instructions. She wouldn't let me leave a note. Sorry," he said. I shook my head again.

He helped me into the limo that was parked outside and came in after me. There was champagne and lots of food, but I wasn't hungry. I leaned against him, bringing my feet onto the empty seat beside me. He moved slightly to make me more comfortable and wrapped his arms around me.

"Brooke warned me about messing up your hair," he said.

"Brooke's going to do it in the limo on the way to her reception. We won't," I said. He laughed.

"Who's taking care of Jenny if everyone's coming to the reception?" I asked.

"My parents. It isn't their kind of scene, trust me," he answered I looked up at him in suspicion as we passed Tric.

But then the car pulled to a stop. Jake climbed out and gave me his hand. As I came out the pieces came together-we were still in front of Tric.

"Here?" I asked. He laughed and nodded. "That's so great!" I threw myself at him and he caught me and twirled me around before setting me down again and leading me up the stairs.

Tric was decorated almost as it had been for Nathan and Haley's post wedding party. Balloons were everywhere. Pictures and drawings of Jake and I decorated the walls. I wandered over to the DJ and looked at some of his records. And they were familiar-because they were mine. I looked up at Haley, who'd come up with Brooke.

"I had to keep you from your little music room so you wouldn't notice that I'd take all of these," said Brooke. I hugged them both.

"Is Nathan here yet?" I asked. Haley shook her head.

"He asked about you," I said. Brooke's eyes widened.

"You guys are totally getting back together tonight! This is they best night ever!" she said excitedly. She grabbed her friend Mouth, who was DJing and hugged him. He blushed.

"He wouldn't welcome me back," she said.

"He said he'd do exactly that," I confirmed. Jake came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me again, planting a kiss on my temple.

"I missed you," he whispered. Brooke rolled her eyes, linked arms with Haley and walked off.

"Why isn't my dad here?" I asked. It seemed so wrong to get married without him. Even though I just didI reminded myself.

"Well he would have stayed and cancelled his trip but I was fairly sure you're running away had meant you were saying no," he said.

"I just needed to think," I said.

"I know. And I'm glad you did," he said. Guests began to pour in, putting gifts on the table and swarming over to congratulate us.

I didn't particularly want to talk to them so I just smiled and nodded until Karen approached. She hugged me.

"How do you feel?" she asked. I leaned forward and whispered in her ear:

"Nauseous," I answered honestly. She laughed.

"Can I see the ring?" she asked. I held it our and she admired it as I looked at it for the first time.

It was very simple, but surprisingly me. Brooke would have wanted a diamond the size of her knuckle, Haley was happy with her gold band, but I liked what I had. A simple silver band leading to a round, blood red ruby.

"It's beautiful," she said decidedly. "But aren't engagement rings generally diamonds and not rubies? What made you decide otherwise?"

"Well it's a wedding ring, not an engagement ring, seeing as we were engaged for about twenty four hours," he said.

"How is it possible that you got married before me?" she asked. I shrugged.

My attention was brought to the front when Haley moved to the stage. Everyone began to cheer loudly-she was a phenomenal singer. She walked to the microphone.

"Hey everyone, it's great to be back here. I'm going to sing one of my songs-I wrote it when I got married and it represents…" she trailed off, and I saw her look at Nathan again. "It represents how much I love him."

As she began to sing the floor cleared out-people moved like magnets to the edges of the dance floor. Jake came up beside me and offered me his hand.

"Do we have to dance?" I asked, cringing.

"Please?" he asked. I nodded, and we walked to the centre of the floor. I took his hand and he put his other around my waist. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Nathan head for the edge of the stage. Haley didn't notice-her eyes were closed, she was singing her heart out.

My traveling eyes went to Jake's. He was gazing deep into mine. I didn't feel completely understood but while we danced, the world suddenly fell away and I felt loved. The three minute song lasted an eternity as for the first time I understood what the whole thing was really about.

"And every time I watch you sleep," finished Haley, her voice going low as she reached the last notes. Jake kissed me again as the crowd burst into cheers and moved back onto the floor.

I watched as Haley moved to the edge of the stage. When she saw Nathan, waiting for her she froze. But he offered her his hand-a jump in her bridesmaid dress would have been ungraceful. She took it and stepped down.

I was expecting them to leave to go argue. In my wildest dreams, I'd expected them to leave to go talk and consider getting back together.

But he took me by surprise when he leaned down and kissed her. And not a soft, gentle, welcoming kiss. A passionate, love filled, 'I can't live without you anymore' kiss. They slipped naturally back into themselves and kissed their hearts out, pulling away mutually after they were done. He pulled her to him and rested his chin on her head.

"Look at that," I said to Jake.

"I know. An omen, maybe?" he said. I grinned at him. I glanced back at them and they were still melded together-not speaking, not even moving. I caught Brooke's eye and motioned towards them. She nodded and grinned before ascending the stage herself.

"Haley and I couldn't decide which one of us was the maid of honour. Eventually she decided I was, because she isn't a maid anymore and because Peyton and I are literally BFF. And our friendship has gone through some really tough times but one of the things I was thinking about was that maybe it isn't so crazy that she's getting married because she can live through those tough times. She doesn't give up when the going gets rough, like I want to do instinctively. She wants to hold on to what she loves and what she knows is right. And that, Jake, is why you're so lucky. To Peyton and Jake," she said, holding up a glass of soda. The assembled crowd responded in a rumble-

"To Peyton and Jake." Her speech was improvised, I knew, but came straight from her heart.

"I'm lucky for lots of reasons," he whispered into my ear.

When Brooke had climbed back off the stage the DJ began to play again. This seemed to shock Nathan and Haley apart, but they didn't move far. She took his hand and led him outside to the fire escape, and I could see them sit down and begin to talk just before the door to outside swung back closed.

"I can't believe it," I said. He followed my gaze.

"He's been so miserable for a year," he said.

"Maybe they'll both be happy. Maybe they've grown enough so that they can finally be together forever. I mean they so belong together," I said. The fast song that had been playing stopped and a slow one came back on. We began to dance again. I saw Luke lead Brooke to the floor and frowned slightly.

"Something wrong?" he asked, noting my expression. I shook my head.

"Good," he said softly. He was so nice.

We sat down after the song and I spent the next hour talking to various guests and staring at the door, waiting for Nathan and Haley to come back. At some point during that hour, the disturbing thought came to my head that I was more concerned about their marriage than my own, three hour old one.

"Excuse me?" said Luke awkwardly into the microphone. The crowd quieted again. "I wish I could say things about Peyton like the things Brooke could say, but I can't. I've only known her for about two years. But before I knew her, I wanted to know her because everyone did. She was fascinating. And I'm not going to say she took notice of me immediately-she didn't," he said. Everyone laughed. "She put up a wall around herself. I'd like to say I tore that wall down, but I can't give myself full credit-because credit belongs to Jake Jagielski. He's one of the few people I know that can pick her up when she's fallen and make her happy again. He brought of the best of Peyton and helped her shed her old skin. And even though I haven't always been the best of friends to her, I'll say this now. Jake, Peyton, congratulations. And I love you both," he said. I met his eyes again at this. I love you too, I mouthed. Alarmingly, a tear slid down my cheek and another joined it.

"Peyton? What's wrong?" asked Jake, pulling a handkerchief out and handing it to me.

"Nothing. I'll um. I'll be right back," I promised, heading for the door.

I took a deep breath as I reached the outside. I gazed up at the star filled sky and the sliver of moon. I glanced down at my left hand and the blood red ruby. I leaked another tear.

"Hey," said a voice softly. Two hands joined mine on the railing.

"I thought you'd be Jake," I said bitterly.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I'm just so confused," I answered. He placed his finger under my chin and turned me to face him.

"It's going to be okay," he promised. His voice wasn't higher than a whisper.

"No it's not," I said. I abandoned him and stormed back into Tric, drying my tears as I did.

Jake looked alarmed as I reached him. He took my hand.

"What's up?" he asked. I glanced around quickly at the crowd of partying teenagers and even grown-ups, and to Brooke talking to Mouth, Nathan and Haley still absent and to Lucas staring straight at me.

"Can we go?" I asked. He nodded.

"Yeah. Come on," he said. We walked together to the door, straight past Luke's staring eyes.

The limo driver was still waiting as we came out and he drove us back home. We took the same positions we had on the way their-I leaned against his chest and drew my legs up. He kissed the top of my head.

My house was dark and obviously deserted. He helped me up the stone steps to the walkway-they were difficult in heels. As we neared the wooden porch steps, he stopped me.

"Come here," he said. He got one arm under my knees, the other under my shoulders and lifted me easily into his arms. I wrapped my own around his neck as he climbed the four steps. He handed me the house key from his pocket and I took one hand from his neck to unlock the door and open it.

He walked me to the sofa and set me down there. The same sofa. I cringed inwardly.

"Nice. Very 'Officer and a Gentleman', I said. He sat down beside me. Slowly he leaned forward and pressed his lips on mine. At first he was gentle but his touch gradually grew more passionate, more loving. After a few minutes I shrank from him.

"Where's Jenny? We forgot to pick her up?" I asked.

"She's at my parents," he said slowly.

"Why?" I asked him. Jenny never slept over there.

"Peyton, it's our wedding night," he said. I nodded.

"And?" He looked at me incredulously.

"Well sometimes married couples like to enjoy a certain level of… intimacy on the first night of their marriage," he said, slowly and carefully. I looked at him for another moment before shooting up.

"What? Tonight? You think we'd do that here, tonight? What's wrong with you? God, I'm not a whore!" I yelled at him. Confusion grew on his face.

"I know you're not! But we've been doing that for a while now and we both really like it and people always do it on their wedding nights! Why do you object so strongly?" he asked.

"God, Jake! Just because it's legal now doesn't mean you get my body whenever you want," I said, stalking off.

Author's note-Sorry if I offended anyone in the wedding ceremony-it was just bits that I've gathered from movies and such. And I understand some of you didn't understand the end of the chapter before the one before this. Sorry about that! Don't hesitate to question, and as always, make my day happier with your reviewing