The big day had finally arrived. Keith and Jules' wedding day. The church was beautifully decorated with streamers and flowers and down the street at Dan and Deb's country club, the five tier wedding cake and other food waited for the reception to commence.
Jules had chosen Haley, Peyton, Brooke and Anna for her bridesmaids while Deb would stand up for her as maid of honor. She didn't have a lot of friends in Tree Hill or any family that she was particularly close to. Jules had grown close to the girls as well as Deb and Karen.
Lucas and Nathan were among Keith's groomsmen and naturally would be the respective dates of Brooke and Haley. Brooke, deciding it was social suicide for her single friends to attend the reception and after party stag, had insisted on playing matchmaker. Jeff and Kyle were their names. Two frat boys Brooke had decided to hook up Peyton and Anna with.
There was no arguing with Brooke Davis once she set her mind to something. She simply wouldn't take no for an answer so the girls decided to just go with it. To their surprise, the guys not only were handsome but nice and mannerable as well. They met briefly at the church and the plan was for the couple to reconvene later starting with the reception.
As they took their places, the music began. Peyton walked down the aisle first and Anna went last. As she watched the dark haired girl glide gracefully towards her, Peyton couldn't help but notice how beautiful Anna was. She was breathtaking and Peyton couldn't peel her eyes away. Anna noticed her gaze and after a shy smile she cast her eyes downward. Then the beautiful bride arrived and all attention was focused on her. All attention except for two bridesmaids.
The preacher began but the words for Peyton were nothing more than background jibberish. She couldn't stop staring at Anna or thinking of her.
"Keith", Jules began. "Since we have been together, you have provided me with strength, security, confidence, honesty, love & plenty of much needed guidance.
Where there has been cold, you have brought warmth. Where my life was dark, you have brought light. In my darkest trouble, in my coldest silence, I looked for you and you were there. You are truly my knight in shining armor. You may not realize it but you have helped me and saved me in so many ways and I love you for that. I am honored that you will have me as your wife and I am proud to have you as my husband. I believe that we were meant to be from the start & I will always love you with all my heart."
Tears ran down her face and her voice cracked with emotion as she pledged her everlasting love to Keith. Peyton hung on each word. They were beautiful and straight from the heart. After all, wasn't that what true love was all about? The person that loved you and guided you and who was always there. She couldn't help but think about who had saved her in her darkest hours.
"Julia, you are a star from the heavens to love, honor and cherish, for all the days of my life. You are my pearl of choice, my strength at my side. My love for you will never fade. You are my love, my life, my wife. May God bless our marriage in peace and happiness for all time."
As Keith repeated his vows, Peyton could feel the dark eyes drilling a hole right through her. Then the happy couple exchanged rings and after a prayer and a sweet song sang by Haley, it was time…
"The true art of married life is in this an inner spiritual journey. It is a mutual enrichment, a give and take between two personalities, a mingling of two endowments, which diminishes neither, but enhances both. By the power invested in me, I do pronounce you man and wife. Keith, you may kiss your bride."
He did and the guests applauded when they were introduced as Mr. and Mrs. Keith Scott. The wedding party descended down the aisle and out the church over to the reception hall. Anna and Peyton took seats next to each other until Brooke pushed in two extra chairs between them.
"Don't forget about your Tree Hill hunks", she winked.
Peyton and Anna exchanged looks and laughed out loud as their dates sat with them.
The food was delicious and the alcohol flowed freely as Lucas stood to deliver his Best Man speech.
"A promise. Like a reward for persisting through life so long alone. The belief in each other and the possibility of love. A decision, to ignore or simply rise above the pain of the past. The covenant, which at once binds two souls and yet severs prior ties. The celebration, of the chance taken, and the challenge that lies ahead. For two will always be stronger than one. Like a team, braced against the tempest's of the world. And love will always be the guiding force in our lives. For tonight is mere formality…only an announcement to the world for feelings long held. Promises made long ago in the sacred space of our hearts."
Lucas finished his words to cheers and a few tears from the bride. Peyton found herself dabbing at her own eyes.
"You okay, P. Sawyer?" Brooke asked, handing her another tissue.
"I'm good, it's just that…I don't know. I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me. Lucas' words…they were just really beautiful. It's sweet. God, I could only hope someone says something that nice about me at my own wedding, that is if I ever even get married."
"I thought it was kind of gay", Kyle shrugged as Jeff laughed loudly.
Peyton sighed and Brooke shrugged. You could take the boy out of the frat but you couldn't take the frat out of the boy.
"They will", Anna said softly.
"Huh?"
"Your wedding", she smiled. "When you commit to that special person, I think you can almost count on them saying something that nice about you."
Peyton blushed and nodded as Brooke looked on in disbelief.
"Okay, whatever! Open bar, guys come on."
The girls followed, enjoying everything from wine and champagne to shots of every and anything you could imagine. The party would drag on to the wee hours of the morning.
"P, he's a hottie. What do you think?"
"Who?" Peyton shrugged at Brooke.
"Kyle, duh!"
"Yeah he's cool. He's cute, I guess."
"Just cute? You guess? He is fine! Do I have to slap you? Gosh, if I wasn't head over heels in love with Broody, I'd be all over that. And he's totally into you…"
"I don't know, Brooke."
"Well, I do and you and Anna can thank me later."
Just as the brunette gave a satisfied smile, pleased with her matchmaking abilities, Deb walked by. She nodded and smiled at the kids at the table.
"Dude, check out the meat puppies on that one!" Kyle laughed.
Everyone exchanged horrified glances.
"Hell yeah! What a babe!" Jeff joined in.
Haley closed her eyes as she could feel Nathan getting angrier by the second.
"Dude!"
"What?" Kyle shrugged harmlessly. "She's a total MILF!"
"Yeah and she happens to be my mom, asswipe!" Nathan stood.
An angry Nathan Scott mixed with alcohol was a dangerous combination and everyone knew it. Within minutes, Kyle and Jeff were subtlety alerted that their presences were no longer desired or required. They scurried off like scalded dogs much to the relief of their dates.
After her third shot of tequila, Anna needed some air so she took a walk on the grounds alone.
"Great day for a wedding", Peyton smiled as she walked up behind her.
"Yeah", Anna looked up. "Jules looked beautiful. She and Keith are really happy."
"They're in love", Peyton shrugged.
"Yeah. I guess so."
"That's cool, you know. Finding someone you want to be with. Falling in love when you didn't think it could happen or when you weren't even looking for it. Having fun with that person. Supporting and being supported by them. Being best friends. Mot being able to live without them. Attraction…"
"Yeah", Anna said uncomfortably as Peyton inched beside her.
"Sometimes I guess you can't help who you fall for."
"Yeah…"
"And you can't fight it…just like I've been fighting it, Anna. Like we've been fighting it."
Anna's dark eyes widened.
"Peyton!"
"No, it's okay. I know you have feelings for me. Feelings more than friendship. I can't explain it and I don't know how or when it happened but I…I think, no I know I feel the same way."
Anna shook her head.
"Pey, just stop it. Please. You don't know what you're saying. You're just confused. You think you know but you don't. Trust me, it'll just complicate things and I don't want that."
"Anna, don't you like me?"
"Yes but it could never be. I shouldn't have these feelings for you. It's all wrong. We're all wrong, Peyton. It would never work. I don't want you to make a mistake…"
Anna's protests were silenced by Peyton's lips on hers. It was a soft, gentle sweet kiss. Anna relished in the feeling. Her hands trembled as she put them on Peyton's waist and pulled the blonde closer. Their mouths parted and their tongues, soft as cotton began to explore each other. Peyton pulled away first.
"I'm a big girl and I know what I'm doing, Anna. This not a mistake and if it is, then let it be mine to make. The only mistake I see is if we walk away from this feeling. I don't know what it is but I like it. I like you and I want you. I know you want me, too. Just think about it, okay? And when you make your decision, I'll be waiting."
"Peyton…"
"You know where to find me."
Then she walked off leaving Anna dumbfounded. Peyton didn't know where the words came from or the courage to speak them but she was glad she had. She'd revealed her feelings and spoken her peace. Now the next move was all up to Anna. The ball was in her court.
