Disclaimer: (I think I forgot this for a few chapters...) I own no part of One Tree Hill or the characters, I simply enjoying telling the stories.
Chapter Sixteen
Meant Something to Me
Brooke and Peyton stared at Haley. What the hell was she doing there? Brooke then realized that she was an idiot to think they had seen the last of her.
Haley said, "What? No hello?" She held her arms at her side, holding her purse. She found an odd pleasure in seeing them in this state of surprise.
Something in Brooke snapped, and her attitude turned surly. She snapped, "Did you honestly expect one?"
Haley laughed harshly. "Somehow, no, I didn't. What about you Peyton? Or have I somehow done something to offend you as well?"
Peyton looked at Brooke, tentative. It was true, she and Haley had never had a fight. However, Brooke was Peyton's best friend, and she intended on back Brooke up when needed. Even though Haley had once been a dear friend to her, Brooke was above her in every aspect. She decided to be nice, though, because being a bitch would be Brooke's role. "Hey, Haley. What are you doing here?"
Haley waved a small, square sheet of paper in front of her. Elegant writing was visible. "My best friend is getting married. Why else would I be here?"
"To get Nathan back," Brooke muttered under her breath. Thankfully, Peyton was the only one who heard her. A verbal fight would have ensued if Haley had. Brooke didn't want that, because she had matured and fighting with Haley was the last thing she wanted. She sighed. She was having a really great day, and then Haley just had to come waltzing back in town. She was almost mad at Lucas for not telling him who he invited. But, because it was his wedding day and because Brooke had this horrible soft side all of a sudden, she couldn't stay angry at him.
Haley smiled at them with a sickeningly sugar coated smile. "As much fun as this catch up session has been, I'd like to go find Luke." He was the real reason she had returned. There was no plot behind it, no motive. She was simply here to give her best wishes to Lucas, and nothing more. She had a feeling that convincing Brooke of that was going to be easier said then done.
Before she left, though, Nathan walked up. He didn't notice Haley standing near the exit door. He walked up to Brooke, and linked his arm around her waist. "The priest wants to talk to us. Last minute reminders or something." He didn't realize how stiff she was.
Brooke looked at him, and then her eyes darted to Haley. Nathan followed her them and the baby blues landed on his ex wife. It was almost amusing to see just how surprised he was to see her. His mouth dropped open, but his grip on Brooke tightened for security.
"Haley?" He was definitely not expecting to see her. The last time he saw her, she was boarding a bus back to New York, and now she is standing here in front of him again.
"The one and only," she said, smiling. It was sad, really, at how their view of her had changed. It was never her intent to become the hated one, the friend who ruined everything. But through her various mistakes over the years, that was the alias she had acquired. It saddened her to think that they used to be such wonderful friends, and now all they saw when they looked at her was dislike and betrayal. If they wanted to be cold and distant, she could too. She walked up to the couple, and rested her hand on his shoulder. Brooke's eyes never left that hand. "I'm back for the wedding. Apparently nobody informed you three. Oh, well. Surprises are always much more fun." With that, she disappeared into the sanctuary.
Peyton scoffed, "Has she always had such a pissy attitude?"
Brooke shook her head sadly. "Nope, but I guess that is what fame does to people." She continued to stare at the door in which Haley had just entered.
"Right. Well, I am going..." Peyton trailed off, at a loss for words. "Somewhere else." She didn't want to be in the middle of the coming conversation. Besides, Brooke would tell her all about it later.
Nathan was still not talking, but somehow managed to find his voice. "Was that Haley?"
Despite her newfound upset state and the current circumstances, she had to let a small laugh slip. "Yes, honey. And it is also the twenty first century." He looked at her, snapping out of his daze. "Wake up! You are in your own little zone."
"Sorry." He wrapped his other arm around her and looked down at his girlfriend. "Did she just get here?"
Brooke sighed and nodded, touching her hair to make sure it was still in place after the stressful encounter. "Yeah. But it doesn't matter. Whatever her reasons may be don't mean anything."
"Good, I feel the same way. The priest is still waiting for us, so lets get going." He led her down the hall by the hand. As they went, he thought about what she said. She was right. Haley had every right to be there, and there was no reason to be upset about it.
Brooke was doing the same thing Nathan was, contemplating. "What do you think she wants? Do you think she is really here for Lucas, or does she have ulterior motives?"
He shrugged, and stopped walking. He turned to face her, reaching for her other hand. "You know, I used to know her so well. I could read her like a book. And now... she is a completely different person."
Brooke smiled at her boyfriend sympathetically. "I know what you mean. Lets not let her ruin the night, okay? This night is for Lucas and Crystal."
He lifted and kissed her hand. "You're right." She smiled as he draped his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head as they found the priest.
Half an hour later, the church had begun to increasingly fill up, and the bride was none other than a nervous wreck.
Crystal was fanning herself, having second thoughts. "Maybe its too soon. We have only known each other a few years."
Brooke groaned. She knew Crystal would get cold feet, and she had prepared a pep talk for this. "Are you kidding me? You guys are perfect for each other. Trust me, that means a lot if its coming from Brooke Davis. Crys, you guys are going to grow old together. That's what you want, I know it is. Plus, look at the man you are marrying. He is sweet, kind, a gentleman, and sexy. You couldn't ask for the better husband, and vice versa. Once you see him standing up there, all these thoughts will vanish from your mind, I promise. Look at Nathan and I. We both had tremendous doubts, but we moved past them and now we couldn't be happier. Tomorrow night, you and Luke will be newlyweds, more in love than ever, and have no regrets."
Crystal looked over at her friend gratefully. "Thanks. I needed that talk."
"No problem." Brooke turned her attention back to the mirror. "Do you think my eyes look alright?" She was a pro at multitasking. While assuring Crystal that everything would work out, she found the time to examine her face and makeup.
Peyton sighed. "Yes, Brooke. They look great." This is what they used to do when they were teens. Brooke would doubt some aspect of her face, and Peyton would say it looks fine. It was a routine they were both custom to.
Brooke turned back around, still unsure. She was never great at doing her eye makeup. "I guess. Do you think the eyeliner is too thick?"
Peyton said, "No. So, what did Haley have to say?" She couldn't help it, she was curious. Haley was always looking to stir up trouble. Which was weird, because she was nothing like that in high school. Back then, she was the peace keeper between Lucas and Nathan, and Brooke and Peyton.
Brooke rolled her eyes. "Nothing really. She said she is just here for Lucas. Which is fine. She was her usual rude self to me, and sweet as hell to Nathan. He of course believed every word she said." Brooke remembered her conversation with the girl, and she shuddered. That girl always made her second guess Brooke's relationship with Nathan. Brooke always and would forever wonder what made herself stand out to Nathan. He could just as easily have gone back with Haley. He and Brooke had only been dating about a month when she came back into town the first time, and Brooke knew his past feelings for her had to be close to the surface.
Peyton seemed to be reading Brooke's mind. She and Brooke constantly talked about Nathan and Haley, so she knew her best friend really well. "Brooke, don't worry about it, okay? I really think she is just here for the wedding and nothing more." Brooke smiled appreciatively at her friend. She didn't even have to say anything and Peyton would be there for her.
A few minutes later, Crystal's father poked his head inside the door. "Ready, sweetheart?"
Crystal took a deep breath, and allowed herself to breathe. She could do this. She nodded, and the girls filed out of the room. They started their procession. First went the flower girl, then Peyton.
Brooke started her decent, and was smiling beautifully. She caught Nathan's eye and a shiver shot right down her spine. He always gave her goose bumps. Every time she saw him, she just wanted to melt. Nathan was gazing at her, taking in her exquisite presence. Sometimes he had to convince himself that she actually chose to be with him, when in reality she could literally be with any man she wanted.
As Brooke passed Nathan on the way to her position next to Peyton, she gave him a wink and he returned the gesture with a smile that made her want to die of contentment. She couldn't help but wish the ceremony would hurry up and then she and Nathan could go home and go to bed.
The ceremony passed quickly and uneventfully. Crystal was gorgeous, and she and Lucas were clearly in love. They had each written personal vows, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house as they recited them to each other. Even the priest was overcome with emotion. After they exchanged rings, they shared their first kiss as a married couple. Everyone stood and applauded the newlyweds, who were beaming from ear to ear.
They started their way back down the aisle, and the bridal party followed. Brooke linked arms with her boyfriend, who handed her a handkerchief. She smiled gratefully at him. Weddings always got to her, and yet she always forgot to bring tissues. Not to mention they didn't exactly go with her dress.
As they descended down the aisle, Nathan leaned over and whispered huskily in her ear, "Have I told you yet that you look hot tonight?"
Brooke giggled at the compliment. She tried to keep herself composed because about a hundred or so people were watching her at the moment. "Only a few times. I don't mind hearing it again."
"Well, you look awesome in that dress." He stood straight again, and she looked up at him.
She gave him a simple, "Thank you." One thing she loved about Nathan was the way he complimented her. Peyton called it cheesy, but Brooke thought of it as romantic. Rarely did she date a man who told her how beautiful she looked more than once during the night. It was a nice change, one that she cherished.
The couples and guests made their way to the reception across town. The wedding party was taken in one limo, and the bride and groom of course had their own. The reception was beautifully decorated with silver and white accents. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and a huge white four tiered wedding cake stood in the front of the ballroom. Tables were set up, and a large dance floor was in the center.
Brooke breathed as they walked in, "God, this place is so gorgeous."
Nathan agreed with her. "Yeah, Crystal did a great job picking stuff out."
Brooke grabbed Nathan's hand and led him to a table. "Here, Jake and Peyton can sit here with us." They set their stuff down and then looked around for people they knew. Crystal's family was definitely 'up' on the social class, because they had many, many guests. Brooke recognized hardly anyone as they entered the grand room. She wondered if that many people would go to her wedding. Not that she was having one any time soon.
Karen walked up to them with her husband, Andy. "Brooke, you got here fast."
"Yeah, the limo came right over. I love your dress," she gushed. She would have told her at the wedding ceremony, but they barely had the chance to talk to each other.
Karen blushed. "Thank you. When will Lucas get here, do you know?"
Brooke shook her head. "They were going to change, and then they would be here. That is about all they told me."
Andy and Karen went to find a table and then to talk to Crystal's parents. Brooke and Nathan were commenting on the wedding and its highlights when Haley walked up with her date. He wasn't too bad looking, but he seemed bored.
"Nathan, Brooke. I want you to meet someone." She gestured towards the young man standing next to her. "This is Ryan Carlile. Ryan, this is Nathan Scott and Brooke Davis."
Brooke smiled politely at them. "Nice to meet you. Now, if you don't mind, Haley..." Brooke knew she was being extremely rude, but she honestly didn't care. That night she just wanted to have fun, and Haley sometimes had a tendency to make sure that didn't happen.
Haley ignored Brooke and turned to Nathan, who was looking Ryan up and down. "Nathan?"
"What? Oh, sorry. Ryan, hello." He stuck his hand out and Ryan accepted. The two men kept looking at each other, which completely annoyed Brooke. She lightly pinched Nathan's side, jolting him out of his little daze. "We'll see you guys later." He led Brooke off to the side. "What?" He asked, agitated.
"Why did you keep looking at Haley and Ryan like that?" She demanded. "Are you jealous?" The look Nathan gave Ryan kept replaying in the back of her mind, and it just irritated the hell out of her.
"Brooke, come on." He gently took her hand, and caressed her shoulders. "I don't care about them." And that was the truth. He figured Ryan was an unknown musician, and Haley's reps wanted to help get him 'out there'.
She realized she was being a paranoid, jealous girlfriend, and she had always hated girls like that. Her face softened, and she apologized, "I know, I'm sorry. I guess having Haley back is just a little nerve-racking, you know?"
"I know," he said, pulling her close and rubbing her back. "Lets just enjoy the evening, okay? She isn't back to cause trouble or anything. She is just here for Lucas, the same reason we are."
Brooke nodded, burrowing her face in his tux. "Okay," she whispered.
The two were talking with Jake and Peyton half an hour later. Jenny was in her pink dress, looking prettier than ever. She was busy explaining to Nathan about finding the ribbon in her hair to match the color or her dress. She was sitting in his lap, toying with the tie on his tux.
"See, we had to go to four different ribbon stores. It took forever, and Mommy kept saying a bad word." Brooke loved watching her talk. It was too adorable, and she seemed so serious about whatever she was saying.
This little comment amused Nathan, and it intrigued him to ask, "What bad word?" He had a feeling this wouldn't go over too well with her mother, and he was right. But it was wroth a shot.
Peyton quickly exclaimed, "Nathan! Jenny, remember how we don't repeat the words Mommy or Daddy say?" She was stern, but she was mostly glaring at Nathan. Brooke was sitting next to them, trying not to laugh. Nathan was a rookie when it came to kids, and it was always entertaining when he and Jenny got together and had their little talks.
Nathan rolled his eyes. The entire time he had known her, she had been somewhat uptight. When it came to Jenny, she was worse than usual. "Jeez, Peyton. Cut the attitude. Anyways, Jenny... you were talking about the ribbons. I didn't even know they had four different stores just for ribbons."
Jenny gave him a solemn nod. "Oh, yeah. They have bunches." She looked across the dance floor and saw a few couples dancing. "Ooh, I wanna dance!" She squealed, bubbling over with excitement. The whole evening had been a new experience for the young girl, and it just kept getting better.
Nathan set her down, and stood next to her. He held out his hand. "Want to dance, Jen?" She happily accepted and they made their way to the floor.
Brooke smiled at she watched them go. Peyton sat next to her, with Jake across the table eating. "Hopefully he won't teach her any dirty dance moves."
Brooke said, "Oh, no. He saves those for me." She grinned suggestively.
"Oh..!" Peyton gave her friend a light shrug. "No details, please." Together they sat and watched Nathan whirl Jenny around the dance floor, with her feet comfortably on top of his. She couldn't help but admit that he was going to make a great dad someday.
Brooke looked across the ballroom, and saw a familiar face. "Oh my God. Is that Tim!" Peyton looked in the direction Brooke was looking.
"Damn, it is." Tim happened to be looking their way, and they waved him over. Peyton leaned into Brooke and whispered quietly, "He hasn't changed." She was referring to his attire. He had on jeans, and a nice shirt which looked as though it hadn't been ironed...ever.
He walked up to them, and Brooke and Peyton took their turns hugging him. He shook hands with Jake. "Man, its good to see ya'll."
Brooke smiled. "Same here. I haven't seen you since last year." He and Nathan had slowly lost touch with each other, the two friends were headed on different paths. Nathan was getting more and more serious with Brooke, and Tim was the same wild, party guy he always had been. Obviously, he still was.
He grinned. "Yeah, me and my boys live down in Florida now. Damn, there are some hot women down south." He looked around the room. "Speaking of which... look at that fine person right there."
Brooke and Peyton both followed his gaze. He was talking about a women their age. Her hair was long, dark, and wavy. Her hand held a wine glass and she was laughing at something Karen had just said. She turned around and they saw that he was speaking of Haley James.
Brooke almost groaned out loud. "Tim, you know her!"
He shook his head. "Oh, no. I would know if I knew her, and I definitely don't know her." He seemed to be in a trance.
Peyton rolled her eyes. "Tim, that is Haley James. Remember, Nathan's ex?"
Tim's eyes almost popped out of his head and he almost choked on the wine he was gradually drinking. "No way in hell." She walked closer towards them, chatting with Karen. "Damn it is her."
"Imagine that," Brooke said sarcastically.
Jake was laughing at Tim. "Dude, you have had way too much to drink tonight." Tim thought about protesting, but was not up for lying that night. He merely shrugged and went to find Lucas.
Brooke turned back to Peyton. "Okay, this night is just weird. First Haley comes back, and then Tim decides she is hot? Is it just me, or is everything about tonight strange?"
Peyton watched as Nathan twirled Jenny in the air, making her burst into fits of laughter. "No, its definitely strange."
Author's Note: I am really lacking on the updates and I'm so sorry! I had to go out of town, but don't worry I got you a long chapter. Hopefully you enjoy it, I brought Tim back... and Haley. But don't worry too much about her. Sadly, only one more chapter to go. I have had so much fun writing this, and reading all the awesome reviews that I hate to end it. But if a new idea or something strikes me, then a sequel might be in the works. Until then, enjoy this chapter and the next one, which I should have up soon.
brookenlucas12: Wow, its so cool that you reviewed for me because I read all of your fics! I try to review as much as possible... Sorry, just had to let you know that I think your fics are awesome! Thanks for the review, and yes, you got it. She is back simply for Lucas. If she happens to piss some people off in the process, well... LOL thanks for the sweet review!
Allie: WOW thanks so much for the ultra long review! I can't login a bunch too, so don't worry about it. Your review just made my day. I too am a sucker for Nathan and Peyton, however I find him and Brooke interesting. I'm glad my writing is okay, I'm always wary as to whether or not I should post. I agree, tutorgirl and tutorwife are two different people, it seems. I could stomach the old Haley, I mean, who couldn't help but root for her and Nate? But yeah, I hope they don't get back together. All though I love Brucas, Brathan would be hot! Thanks again for the review, its great that you took the time to write it! Hope you like this chapter, I sort of redeem Haley... kind of.
Ababy99: Oh, but I like the babble! Thanks for the sweet review, but unfortunately this story will be ending soon... I was running out of ideas. However,I am trying to think of a good plot that involves little Brookes and little Nathans... not so sure on how that one will play out, but who knows?
msCrazy: Its all good, I think I spend half my time on this computer either here or at fanforum. Glad to know this story gets some people excited, because that gets me excited! As always, thanks!
Mony19: Apparently she doesn't. But its okay, she isn't back to break anyone up. I like the old Haley, so I tried showing that side a little more today. The old Haley really was sweet, and she hated confrontations, so I guess I wanted that to come out in this chapter. Brooke and Peyton's friendship has been interesting to write, because there is so much history. Its just unbelievable. But in the end, they have always been there for each other, right?
hot4adambrody: Its odd, because I don't like cliffhangers either, but as an author I use them all the time! I guess I just get paranoid that people won't come back to keep reading. Thanks for the review, here's the next update!
Dee: This story has attracted many new Brathan fans, and I feel proud. LOL. I understand not remembering the motives from each fiction! Totally understand. In this fic, Peyton doesn't not like Haley. True, Haley never did anything to her directly. However, she upset Brooke and Brooke comes before Haley on Peyton's list. I tried to incorporate the answer to your question in this chapter, so maybe that explained it more. Peyton has never been down right rude to the former Mrs. Scott, but she isn't welcoming her with open arms, either. Hope that cleared some things up!
LivingintheOCsucks: Thanks!
Cindy: Okay, I will try. Glad you like it!
Now review... please!