Author's note: I just wanted to let everyone know that I have started posting another story that I have been working on. It is called Forever Together. It is an AU Naley story. For any of you out there that are not Naley fans just give it a shot, I promise, it is a very different Naley story. I also wanted to remind everyone about my second story, When the Heart Won't Let Go, it is a Brucas story I started a little while ago. As always, thanks for being loyal readers.

Chapter 19- Back to Tree Hill

Brooke and Nathan walked through the airport hand in hand. Their flight had just arrived and Peyton would be there to pick them up. Brooke was nervous beyond belief. She knew that she would have to face her demons on this trip. Seeing Lucas was inevitable, and she had to handle it the right way. Brooke knew that it was time to get closure on their past. She could see her and Nathan having a serious future together and getting along with Lucas, his brother, was important to the success of that relationship.

"Once we get to Peyton's and get settled I will call my grandparents and see what time they wanted to meet for dinner. Is there any certain time that you would prefer?" Nathan knew that Brooke was nervous about meeting his grandparents. He was pretty sure she was also a little scared, Brooke had met Nathan's father quite a few times. She knew of all the terrible things he had done to his son. Nathan figured that Brooke had to worry that his father's parents could be even worse than his father.

"Anytime is fine. It is still early yet so we will have plenty of time to get settled in and then get ready." As soon as Brooke finished her sentence both she and Nathan's cell phones rang. They each grabbed for them.

"Hello."

"Hey, it's Peyton. I am waiting for you guys at the baggage claim." Peyton was excited beyond belief to see her best friend; it had been far too long.

"Okay, we are on our way right now, see you in a few." Brooke turned to Nathan who had stopped walking to listen to whatever was being said on the phone. Brooke tried to gesture him on so that she could get to Peyton quicker, but he just stood where he was. After a few minutes of nodding he simply said whatever, hung up, and started walking again.

"Who was that?" Brooke wondered what had happened that caused Nathan to get agitated.

"It was Dan." Nathan hated how his father had to go and ruin everything. "He just wanted to say that he heard I was going to be in Tree Hill and he really hoped that we could get together." What Nathan didn't tell Brooke was that during all the nodding Nathan had been listening to Dan bash Brooke. He kept referring to her as Nathan's "slut girlfriend." Dan had said that Nathan had to remember Brooke was only after him because of his money and status. She just wanted to be with someone important, and with Nathan's standing on the Miami Heat he was just the ticket. Nathan knew that his father was wrong, but hearing him say it infuriated him. Dan had to go and try to ruin every good thing that happened to Nathan.

"Don't worry about him. If you do decide you want to go and see him I will go with you if you want." Brooke looked towards Nathan.

"That is probably the last thing I want to do, but thank you. Thank you for being supportive. I know that you don't want to see him either, but offering to go with me says a lot about how much you really care for me. I definitely do not want to see him; this is one holiday that I am not going to let him ruin." Brooke's reaction had been just the justification that Nathan needed. "So who called you?"

"Peyton, she was just telling me that she is waiting for us at the baggage claim." The look on Brooke's face was one of sheer excitement.

"Well then why are we taking our time, let's go and see Peyton." Nathan took Brooke's hand and led her towards the escalator.

As they descended to the ground Brooke scoured the crowd trying to find Peyton. Then, she spotted her. At the same moment Peyton looked her way. As soon as the escalator his the floor Brooke took of in a mad dash through the crowd towards her best friend. Reaching her she pulled her into a huge hug, "P. Sawyer, oh how I have missed you."

"I have missed you too B. Davis. How was your flight?" Peyton asked as her and Brooke released each other.

"It was good, the whole trip has been fine, until we got off the plane and Dan called." Brooke knew Peyton would understand, she knew about the majority of the drama between Nathan and his father.

"That sucks, leave it to Dan to try and ruin a holiday. Where is Nathan?" Peyton looked around and then spotted him, trying to pick up the bags that Brooke had dropped when she took off towards Peyton. It looked as though some of the contents of Brooke's purse had spilled all over the ground amidst her excitement to see her best friend. It looked as though Nathan had finally gathered everything up and was walking towards the girls.

"Hey Peyton." Nathan pulled Peyton into a hug.

"Hey Nate, how's everything going?"

"Great, I am back home, I can spend time with all of my old friends, see some of my family, enjoy this holiday, and of course spend five whole days with the woman I love. Things could not be better." Nathan had decided that he would not let Dan ruin his trip, from this point on; Dan did not exist to Nathan.

"Good to hear. Well, let's get your bags and then head over to my place. Jake and Jenny are excited to see you both."

"Great, let me just grab a luggage cart to help us get the stuff to the car." Nathan handed Brooke her purse and carry on bag so he could go and find a cart.

"What, did you lose your muscles?" Peyton teased.

"No, Brooke just packed that much, even my muscles can't carry it all. The airline only allowed three bags per passenger; thankfully I only needed one so Brooke could bring five." Nathan teased Brooke every time they went away anywhere together. It seemed as though she brought one suitcase for each day they would be away.

"Haha. I don't see you complaining when I always manage to look fabulous. Plus, I do recall you needed me to put a shirt of yours into one of my bags." Brooke could tease right back.

"That is true, but remember Brooke, my suitcase is about a quarter of the size of your make up bag." With that Nathan took off on the search for a luggage cart.

"So, tell me, how are things with you guys." Peyton couldn't wait to get the scoop on the two love birds.

"Everything is great. This whole long distance thing isn't as hard as I thought it would be. It is actually pretty easy. I mean, yeah, I miss Nathan tons, but I barely even look at other guys. Nathan keeps me pretty happy."

"Good, I am glad to hear that." Peyton knew that Brooke meant what she said, it was rare that she trusted a guy enough to spend the majority of her time hours away from them.

"How are things with you and Jake?" Brooke hoped that her best friend was just as happy as she was.

"Great. We have settled into a pretty nice little life. Jenny is in school now so I have plenty of time to work during the day. Jake doesn't usually work too late at night so the three of us have dinner together almost every night. It is great."

"Your own little family, that is great Peyton." Brooke was glad that Peyton had people there for her. Things had been rough for her in the past, Peyton's mom had died when Peyton was just a child and her dad had traveled a lot for work. Peyton spent most of her time home alone in her big house. Brooke was glad that all that had changed.

Nathan walked up with a luggage cart, "Ladies, your chariot awaits."

The girls giggled in response and then started towards the baggage claim to get Brooke's multitude of bags. Once they had collected them all they headed towards Peyton's.

In the car on the way there Nathan had to laugh to himself. Brooke and Peyton talked so fast when they were together he was amazed that they could understand each other. They would sometimes say things at the same time and still hear what the other was saying. It was pure chaos.

As they pulled into Peyton's driveway Brooke couldn't help but squeal, "Peyton, this house is so adorable."

"Thanks, we love it. We have only been in it a few months but already it feels like home. Just wait until you see the inside, Jake let me do all the decorating. Oh and Jenny's room, that is my favorite. She helped me with the painting, you will love it."

The two girls took off towards the house leaving Nathan to get all the bags. He was relieved when he looked up and saw Jake heading down the driveway towards him. "Thank god man, I'm not sure I could survive hurricanes Peyton and Brooke without you. I swear, when those two girls are together you cannot get a word in edgewise." He held out his hand to Jake, but Jake pulled him into a manly hug.

"I know, it is pure insanity. Peyton had been talking about this visit non stop. She has been excited since the day Brooke called her about it. We will definitely have to stick together to survive it."

"Definitely. And hey, if it gets that bad we can always head to the river court and shoot some hoops." Nathan remembered back to the days when he and Jake played for the Ravens, they would always go and play at the river court for fun. It was nice to just enjoy the game without their coach yelling at them the whole time.

"Yeah well I don't play much anymore, I am sure I won't be any match for you, Mr. NBA. How is that?" Jake, along with everyone else, always knew that Nathan would make it big in basketball one day.

"It is great. I am definitely living the life." With that Nathan and Jake headed towards the house, as they did Brooke appeared at the door.

"Hurry up and get in here boyfriend, you have to see their place, it is so cute." Brooke glanced down at the bags, "Oh god, you got our stuff." With that she disappeared again.

"And the insanity begins." Jake joked as he held open the door for Nathan.