1/2
The next day, Brooke told everyone to meet at Karen's Café for lunch so that they could hang out again before she left the next day.
Currently, it was Brooke, Peyton, Lucas, Taylor, Faith, and Haley all gathered around in the café.
"Doesn't that place in New York remind you of this place?" Brooke asked Faith
"Well, this place reminds me of that place in New York, but I know what you mean." Faith laughed
"Where's Sydney and Nathan?" Lucas asked
"Nathan's at work. He said that he'll meet up with us later to say good-bye." Haley explained
"Syd opted out of this little outing, She said she wasn't hungry. She invited everyone back to the apartment to hang out after though." Taylor said
"Sounds like a plan." Brook said. "So Papa Peyton didn't suspect anything last night?" Brooke turned to Peyton
"I don't think so." Peyton shook her head. "You're gonna help me tell him later tonight. Right?"
"Of course."
"Faith, you can crash at my place tonight if you don't want to have to witness that." Taylor invited
"Sounds like a plan. I don't do well with parents, so I try to avoid them at all costs." Faith laughed
"Guys, seriously. Can we please just agree on a movie? It's not like we have an abundance of choices." Sydney said from her position kneeling in front of the TV
"I agree. Someone just make a decision." Brooke said
"We'll vote." Sydney held up the first movie. "Scary Movie?"
Taylor was the only one who raised her hand. "You guys have horrible movie taste." She muttered when she realized that she lost
"Next one. 'Underworld'." Sydney said holding the movie up
Brooke and Faith raised their hands.
"I love vampire stuff." Faith laughed
"I like the British accents. They're so hot." Brooke said in her imitation of the accent
"And last but not least, 'Girl Next Door'." Sydney said. Everyone else but Haley raised their hand. "Haley, you didn't vote." Sydney said
"I don't prefer any of those movies over the other, so I really don't care." Haley shrugged
"At least we chose one." Peyton said. "Now someone go get the popcorn."
"Why don't you?" Lucas asked
"I unable to get up at the moment." Peyton laughed as she pointed to Brooke cuddled in her lap
"No way in hell I'm getting up. I'm comfy." Brooke smiled
Lucas laughed and got up to get the popcorn from the kitchen. When he returned to the living room, he found that Sydney had taken his spot. He sighed as she smiled smugly, and all of a sudden Lucas ran to her and began tickling her. Sydney screamed as he laughed, and everyone else just rolled their eyes.
"Seriously you two! Save it for the bedroom." Haley said
Lucas stopped tickling Sydney, and everyone turned to look at Haley.
"What?" Haley raised a brow
"That's just not normally something that you would say. Brooke yes; but not you." Peyton explained
"Hey!" Brooke protested
Haley shrugged. "You just haven't been around me for a while. I used to make comments like that all the time." Haley rolled her eyes."Besides, I had to shut you all up somehow."
Halfway through the movie, Peyton shoved Brooke off of her lap so she could use the bathroom. As she made her way back to the bathroom, she passed Sydney's room. Stopping and checking to make sure no one was looking, Peyton slipped into the room.
I wonder if Syd still has some blow around here?
"Where would it be?" She murmured softly
Peyton continued to look around, and found what she was looking for a few minutes later.
"Gotcha." Peyton smiled to herself
"Find what you were looking for?" Sydney asked from the doorway
"Sydney!" Peyton flew around to face the other girl
"Didn't anyone ever teach you that stealing is wrong?" Sydney closed the door, trapping Peyton in the room
"Look, I was going to replace it."
"Don't bother." Sydney sighed and sat on the bed. "What's up with you Peyton? This is totally not like you."
Peyton sat on the bed also. "I'm sorry Syd. I'll pay you."
"Peyton! I'm not worried about the drugs. Damn. I'm worried about you. Resorting to stealing to get your fix? You are in way too deep."
"Syd, I can't stop. Being in New York without it almost killed me. I'm not doing it for the high, I'm doing it to feel normal again. The only way I can do that, is with a little help." She held up the baggy
"You're right. You do need help, but not from that." Sydney pointed to the powder. "You're stronger than this Peyton." She stood from the bed. "I'm not going to take the drugs back, but you have a choice to make." Sydney opened the bedroom door. "If you need it so bad that you have to steal from one of your best friends, then nothing that I can do or say can make that choice for you." She walked out the door to join everyone in the living room
"Shit." Peyton sighed. She's right. I'm better than this. Then again, I have to tell my dad about Brooke and me. I might need something to make it through. Peyton sighed and set the bag back down on the dresser. If worse comes to worse,I have the stuff I took from Taylor. If I don't use it, I'll flush it. Starting now, I'm going to try my hardest to stay clean.
After the movie, Brooke and Peyton left the apartment to head back to Peyton's. It was time to tell Larry about their relationship.
"You sure you're ready?" Brooke asked as they stood outside the front door
"It's not or never. Actually, its now or me telling him by myself later." Peyton laughed. She kissed Brooke. "I love you."
"I love you too Peyton. Now let's get this over with."
The girls walked through the front door and found Larry watching TV in the living room.
"Hey girls. Where's your other friend?" Larry greeted the couple
"She's staying with Taylor tonight." Peyton explained. "Dad, we need to talk."
"Ok. Sure Pumpkin." Larry turned the TV off. "What's the matter?"
"No, its nothing bad. Its good news actually." Peyton smiled. Here goes nothing. "Dad, I'm in love."
Larry's eyes widened. "Wow. I wasn't expecting that one." He laughed nervously. "Well that's great Peyton. Who is this lucky boy?"
Peyton sighed and placed her hand in Brooke's. The girls shared a smile. "Actually, Dad, it's Brooke."
"You mean, you and Brooke? Together? In love?" Larry asked, trying to make sure he was hearing things correctly
"I love Peyton, Mr. Sawyer. I hope that's enough for you." Brooke turned to Peyton. "Why do people always say that when they try to get approval?" She laughed. Peyton laughed also
"Are you two happy together?" Larry asked
"Yeah Dad, we really are." Peyton smiled big
"Well Sweetie, as long as you are happy, I can accept that." Larry said. He stood up and gave both girls a hug. "Welcome the family Brooke."
"Thanks Mr. Sawyer." Brooke smiled
"Please, call me Larry. We've known each other too long for formalities. Besides, you and Peyton are in love." Larry said, still trying to convince himself that his daughter was in love with her best friend
"So you're ok with this Dad?" Peyton asked
"It will take some getting used to, but like I said Pey, whatever makes you happy. Now let me have a moment with Brooke, would you?
Peyton looked to Brooke to make sure it was ok, and Brooke nodded her head that it was. Peyton gave Brooke a hug, and then hugged her father. "Thank you Daddy."
"I love you Peyton." Larry said as he kissed the top of Peyton's head
Peyton smiled and walked out of the room. Larry stood there silently until he heard Peyton's bedroom door close. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He then turned to Brooke. "Sit. Now." He turned and went and sat on the couch
Here it comes. I knew that was too easy. Brooke sighed and followed Larry.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Brooke? Larry said when they both sat
"Larry." Larry gave Brooke a look. "Mr. Sawyer. I know this must be hard to accept-"
"Hard to accept? Brooke, my wife is dead, I'm gone all the time trying to make Peyton's life a good one, and she comes and tells me that she's in love with another woman? It's impossible to accept. You can't possibly give Peyton anything she needs." Larry said, frustrated, as he put his head in his hands
Why cant parents just accept this and be happy for us? They always have to make this so difficult. Brooke exhaled in frustration. "Mr. Sawyer, I have stuck by Peyton's side for 14 years. We've been best friends since we were four, and our friendship has only gotten stronger over the years. When Mrs. Sawyer died, I was there for Peyton everyday. When she stills cries about it, I am there to hold her just like I have been for the past 8 years. When you were gone months at a time, I was there for her. Everyday I have been there for her. Only one issue has separated us, but we worked through it.
"I am in love with Peyton, and I plan to keep being there for her like I always have been. We've both helped each other through some pretty damn hard times, and I don't see that ending any time soon. So please, get over the shock of it all, and deal with it. I'm not going anywhere. I will be here caring for her even when you are gone 8 months out of the year. So, for Peyton's sake, accept this. And if you can't accept it, at least pretend you do. You did a pretty good job of it 10 minutes ago." Brooke finally stopped to breathe
"I understand that you have been there for Peyton, and that you 'love' her, but don't you dare speak to me like that." Larry started, angry as hell. "You have no idea what it means to be in love. Yes, you have helped Peyton through some prety dark times, but you cannot give my daughter the life she deserves. She can't start a family with you. She cannot have an acceptable relationship with another woman.
"I'm sorry Brooke, but it will never last between the two of you. You might think that this is love, but this is a stage in your lives that you will eventually get over. And then what? Where does that leave you? I will not watch my daughter's heart get broken by someone that has always been a constant in her life. I can't let that happen to her again." Larry said, trying not to shout at the young woman in front of him
"Mr. Sawyer, this is not some 'stage'. I truly care for your daughter; very much. I understand that I can't give her the life that comes with a so-called 'normal' relationship, but I can love her." Brooke said, trying to convince Larry
"For how long Brooke? 6 months? A year? You're forgetting that I have known you for 14 years also. You've never had a relationship that lasted more than 3 months, I think? No wait, it was only a month. It's always one boy after the next. How can you promise you wont get bored and leave Peyton for the next pretty face you see?
"I'm sorry, are you calling me a slut?" Brooke asked, shocked
"If the glove fits…"
Peyton, who had been sitting against the wall listening the whole time, wiped the tears from her face and quietly stood up and made her way into her bedroom. She carefully closed the door, and sat at her desk.
I can't believe that he's being this way. How does he not feel horrible for saying those things to Brooke? Peyton began crying again. This is never going to work between me and her will it? It's always going to be one thing after another.
Peyton reached over and pulled the cocaine out from her desk drawer. As she continued to be haunted by her thoughts, she set the drugs up. She snorted the lines, and sat crouched over, tears still streaming down her face.
"Peyton." Brooke said softly from the door. Peyton swung around. "Oh, baby. What did you do?" She walked over to Peyton and kneeled in front of her
"Brooke. I'm sorry. I cant do…" Peyton began sobbing too hard to speak
Brooke stood up and led Peyton to the bed. She held the blonde while they both cried. After they had calmed down, Peyton looked Brooke in the eye.
"I am so sorry."
"For what baby?" Brooke said, wiping the tears from Peyton's cheeks
"Everything."
Brooke cupped Peyton's cheeks with her hands after she had wiped the tears away. "Peyton, I love you. Don't you ever forget that. Our parents won't change that. It just makes me realize how much more I care about you."
"Brooke, how can you love me likethis? I'm a complete mess."
"No Peyton, you're wrong. You're beautiful. Let's just go to sleep, and we can worry about all of this later ok? You need to rest." Brooke laid them both down and wrapped Peyton in her arms
"I love you Brooke. I'm so sorry for everything."
"I love you too Peyton." Brooke kissed Peyton's hair and whispered in her ear. "We'll get through this baby. You and me, together."
Both girls knew that Brooke hadn't just meant the parent issue, but the drugs and everything else that had been threatening the relationship also.
God, give me the strength to deal with this. And please help Peyton through this. Brooke silently prayed as they fell asleep
A/N- Have I told you guys lately how much you rock? You all make me so happy.: )