Chapter 21 Daddy Don't Cry
"You're what?"
"Engaged," Lucas said firmly, catching Peyton's hand in his. "We know it's a little young, but we're not quitting school or anything—"
"How do you propose to stay in school while being married?" It was Larry who voiced the most rational question, but Brooke who simply cast it aside.
"Papa Peyton, I have an idea," she said with a huge grin. "Let's just take a minute to be happy for these two before getting into the logistics. It's about time they realized what was right in front of them." Brooke walked over to Peyton and pulled her best friend into a strong hug.
"Congratulations," Haley said softly.
"Oh, don't even try it, Haley. I saw your face when she said it. You already knew," Brooke accused playfully. Her eyes turned to glare, half-jokingly, at her long time best friend. "I'll try not to be too hurt that I wasn't at the top of the list of people to tell."
"Brooke—" Peyton began in an attempt to explain, but Brooke shook her head, stopping the explanation.
"Don't worry about it. I get it. I'm happy for you two."
"Thanks," Peyton said as she gripped Lucas's hand tightly, waiting for one of the parents to react.
"You're sure about this?" Larry didn't look terribly happy, but he wasn't yelling; they all took that as a good sign. Peyton nodded, stepping toward him and finally enveloping him in a hug.
"Daddy, this is what I want."
"Did you get Peyton pregnant?" It was the first thing that came to Karen's mind and she knew first hand how hard their lives were about to get if that were the case.
"Mom, no," Lucas insisted. "We're in love. And we know this is what we want. I already checked on my scholarships and they're all still valid if I get married. It will work out."
Before they knew what was happening, the Thanksgiving weekend was over and the four Freshman once again found themselves without parents in the big city. Brooke, however, was almost a consistent present. By phone and email, that was. As the only friend still in North Carolina, she was making a lot of the wedding plans. She also tended to take charge of projects and Peyton simply allowed her to do it; she herself didn't care so much about the wedding as long as it ended in Lucas becoming her husband.
"I can't believe this is happening," Karen said with a shake of her head as she stared at Peyton in the full-length mirror.
"I thought that was my line," Peyton answered with a knowing smile.
"You seem awfully calm for such an important day." Peyton turned around and faced Karen, her hazel eyes damp with unshed tears. She took the older woman's hands in hers and squeezed gently before she began to speak.
"I know you think we're rushing in to this, but I have never been so sure of anything in my entire life. I love Lucas and I know I want to spend the rest of my life with him." Peyton broke into a sentimental smile as she reached up to brush away an escaped tear. "There's nothing to be nervous about – I feel like my life is finally complete." Karen shook her head in disbelief as she pulled the younger girl into a hug, being careful not to tread on the white satin that lay between them both on the plush blue carpet.
"I do think you're too young. But I couldn't ask for a better daughter. I couldn't be happier that we're going to be a family."
"We already were," Peyton answered softly. Their emotional moment was interrupted when the door swung open and two brunettes came running into the room, one chasing the first, who was shaking a bouquet of red roses quite emphatically at Peyton and Karen.
"What's wrong Brooke?"
"I tried to stop her," Haley said as she sank tiredly into a nearby chair, having completely given up her chase.
"This wedding is crazy! You can't expect to have decent wedding on three weeks' notice! The florist didn't even get the bouquets right," she said as she shook the flowers once more to indicate their inadequacy. "These were supposed to be tea roses."
"They look fine," Peyton said dryly.
"Fine! Do you want your wedding to be fine? The guests to go home and say 'oh, that wedding was fine?'" Peyton picked up her train and carefully moved across the room to sit on a chair. She settled herself and looked calmly at Brooke, choosing her words carefully before speaking.
"Brooke, is Lucas out there?"
"Yes, but—" Peyton interrupted before Brooke could comment further.
"Is my father there?"
"He is, but—"
"Nathan, yourself, Haley, and everyone else I care about?"
"Yes, the flowers—"
"Don't matter," Peyton said firmly. "I'm getting married to the man I love. That's all that matters." Haley, having listened to the entire dialogue, was now standing next to Karen, her arm around the woman, and they were both grinning happily. They knew their boy had made the right choice and they were thrilled that Peyton was the woman he chose to share his life with. Even if the wedding was occurring a little earlier than Karen would have liked it.
"Hey, is there a bride in here waiting to be given away?" Larry Sawyer poked his head into the brides' room and flashed a genuine smile, taking in the entire scene. Peyton was completely ready, garbed in her mother's wedding gown, Haley's necklace from Nathan, a brand new pair of silk heels, and an article of blue clothing that Brooke had given her—an item of clothing that she preferred not to discuss. Brooke and Haley, the maid and matron of honor, were dressed in different but equally flattering black gowns. There hadn't been enough time to order proper bridesmaids' gowns so they had chosen off the rack dresses that complimented one another.
Peyton took her father's arm and the entire procession moved out into the vestibule of the church. Somehow they had convinced Father Donnelly to marry them on extremely short notice. After a bit of suspicion on his part, he gave into Peyton's pleas and agreed to marry the two despite the fact that Lucas wasn't Catholic and Peyton hadn't actually stepped inside the church since her mother's death. Brooke started down the aisle first on Jake's arm; they followed Jenny, who happily threw flower petals from the little basket Karen had given her. Haley followed, walking down the aisle alone and standing across from Lucas and Nathan when she finally reached the end. She turned around just in time to see the doors open once more, revealing Peyton and Larry. Haley was happy Peyton's hadn't chosen to wear a veil; it wouldn't have suited her as much as the beautiful white flowers that adorned her blond curls.
Poinsettias lined the aisles; they had been the easiest flower to find with so little time to plan. Candles were lit on every pew, casting a magical glow over the small congregation that had gathered that Christmas Eve to witness the marriage of Peyton and Lucas. Peyton smile widened as she passed the pew that held Skills and Mouth; they cleaned up nicely. She tried not to grimace when she noticed Dan and Deb sitting in a pew but calmed herself quickly by looking down the aisle at Lucas. She locked eyes with him and smiled secretively; this was only the beginning.
The reception was a small ordeal, one planned mostly for the benefit of Brooke than Lucas and Peyton. The young couple stayed for the allotted three hours, talking to various well-meaning adults who clucked at the for getting married too young. Peyton had to bite her tongue a few times in order to stop herself from mentioning her dear brother and sister-in-law who were approaching their fourth anniversary. When the clock struck ten, Peyton squeezed Lucas's hand and looked at him pleadingly. He understood what she wanted and immediately began to wrap up his conversation with one of his mother's friends.
Within half an hour, they were away from the crowd and checking into a nearby hotel for the night. They would leave the next morning for their honeymoon to London; a wedding gift from Larry. First, they would begin their married life in the town in which they had grown up and met.
The title comes from the song "Butterfly Kisses."
Butterfly kisses with her mamma there
Stickin' little white flowers all up in her hair
"Walk me down the aisle Daddy, it's just about time
Does my wedding gown look pretty Daddy? Daddy don't cry"
Oh, with all that I've done wrong, I must have done something right
To deserve a her love every morning and butterfly kisses