2007
South Beach, Florida
Brooke took one last nervous look in the mirror. She was definitely a sight for sore eyes. The dress was perfect, ivory and strapless, covered in a silver embroidery of flowers. The top fit like a corset, accentuating her tiny waist and pushing her already ample bosom almost out of the lacy cups. With detailed beading and a full flowing bottom, it was a gown fit for a princess. The only thing missing was the veil.
"Here you are, soon to be daughter in law", Karen passed it to her with a grin.
"Thanks", Brooke nervously accepted it.
"Don't you want to put your hair up first?"
Brooke shook her head, admiring the cascade of gorgeously curled locks that spilled down her back. Instead, she grabbed the diamond tiara, a loan from her new friends over at Tiffany's, and placed it on, carefully situating the veil to go with it.
"Nah. Lucas likes it better down."
The day had finally arrived. August 29th. It was the day she was to become Mrs. Lucas Eugene Scott. Brooke sighed with excitement and delight. It all seemed like a beautiful dream, too good to be true. She prayed no one would dare wake her from it. Staring at the square cut pink diamond solitaire engagement ring, her love had slipped on her finger just six months before on Valentine's Day, it was hard to process just how much their lives had changed within a year. New York City itself, NYU, her budding designing and business career, and now a whirlwind engagement and marriage all just one month after her 19th birthday. It was overwhelming but wonderful at the same time.
Nearby, an equally emotional Haley reached for a Kleenex and dabbed at her eyes.
"What's wrong with you?" Peyton grinned.
"Weddings always make me cry", she sobbed. "Oh, I'm so excited! This is so sweet! My Buddy and my Tigger are getting married. I can't believe it. It's just so beautiful that we're all at this point."
"Yeah", Brooke sighed, thinking back about how they had gotten there…
It was yet another dream come true. Brooke Davis had been invited to attend a week long seminar in San Juan, hosted by the Puerto Rico International Fashion Center. From February 10th through the 17th she would get to participate in and study the professional development and design of couture apparel as well as jewelry. For four days she had enjoyed the finest cuisine while rubbing elbows with the most influential fashion entrepreneurs in the country. The experience and learning was an amazing once in a lifetime opportunity but to Brooke's pleasure, they often played as hard as they worked. The trip was perfect although she had been bummed about missing Cupid's holiday with her very own Valentine. Not that they could have gotten together anyway, as Miami was playing a game in Massachusetts against Boston College. But as always, they kept in constant contact several times a day. It always seemed to make the time apart pass by a little quicker.
On her way to meet friends for dinner at the Ritz Carlton where she was staying, Brooke smiled as her cell phone rang and she fished it out of her purse.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Sexy", she purred in the phone.
"Hey, you. What's going on?"
"On my way down to eat and missing you. How was your day?"
"We got in late last night and we've been practicing our asses off ever since we woke up this morning. You?"
She giggled.
"I had an early morning meeting, then I got a massage, after that it was time for lunch and then I got to shadow the head guy that put this all together for an afternoon. Then I had free time so I worked on my tan and got my nails down."
"Life is so hard", he teased.
"I know", she joked right back. "But it is hard because my Broody isn't here with me."
"I miss you, too, Cheery but I have something for you."
Brooke's eyes lit up.
"You mean, like a present?"
He grinned from thousands of miles away.
"Yeah, like a present. It is Valentine's Day after all."
"Oh goody goody gumdrop!"
"Goody goody gumdrop?" Luke repeated with a laugh.
"Stop teasing and torturing me. Where the hell is my gift?"
"Okay", he sighed. "You'll get it soon enough but first, can I tell you something?"
"Yeah…"
"Alright. Sorry, I'm kind of nervous."
"Don't be, babe. It's me."
Instantly he relaxed. Brooke was right. It was her.
"Okay. You know how much I love you, right? Because I do, Brooke. I really do. You're my soul mate and the other half of my heart."
"Aaawww…"
"When I'm with you, I feel complete, happy. I never want that feeling to end."
"Me either."
"Good. Then let's make it official."
"Excuse me?"
"Look outside your window down at the volleyball court."
Brooke frowned but followed the directions.
"What the…"
She was completely blown away. There in the sand were the words, Lucas loves Brooke.
"Do you see it?"
"Yes", her eyes filled with tears. "You are so sweet."
"Okay. Now go downstairs into the dining hall."
She complied and when she walked in, found the room filled with people all smiling and awaiting her presence. Front and center was a large flat screen and the image on it was Lucas Scott, smiling live via satellite from Boston, grinning as his teammates warmed up for the big game.
"Oh my goodness…"
"Happy Valentine's Day, Brooke."
"Luke! You are too much!"
"Put the phone down, babe. I can see and hear you."
She did so and crossed her heart.
"This is like the sweetest most romantic thing ever!"
"It's not over yet. Take it away, Senor Jiminez."
An older Puerto Rican gentleman in a tuxedo kissed Brooke on the cheek before presenting her with a dozen red roses.
"Gracias", she beamed.
"Now there's one more thing. Remember I said to make it official? Well, here goes. Brooke Penelope Davis, you are my one true love and I cannot and do not want to imagine life without you ever. Do me the honor and make me the happiest man alive…will you marry me?"
Her mouth fell open and Mr. Jiminez presented a pink satin and lace pillow with a red velvet jewelry box on top. He opened it up and there was the pink diamond shimmering.
"Oh my God…"
"Brooke…"
"Lucas!"
"I know I'm not supposed to propose from thousands of miles away but I couldn't help it. I didn't want to wait any longer. I love you, Brooke and I want to marry you. I wish I could be there right now to…"
"Yes!" she blurted out.
Lucas' face broke out into a wide grin.
"Yes?"
"Hell yes!"
In San Juan and Massachusetts, all the onlookers cheered and applauded.
"I love you, Brooke, with all my heart."
"I love you, too", tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I can't wait to see you, baby. If you want to wait so I can put the ring on your finger myself…"
"Like hell!" she snatched it up and put it on her own ring finger admiring the sparkle, as everyone laughed at her impatient enthusiasm.
"You're beautiful, Brooke. I have to go. The game is about to start and the production people who hooked this all up for us need to disconnect it now. But I'll call you after we're done and I just want you to know how happy I am…and how much I love you."
She blew him a kiss and watched as his handsome image slowly faded off the screen. It was the most special night of her life. And leave it to Luke Scott to make the beautiful moment as romantic as possible, even though they physically couldn't be together. At that moment her heart swelled as she loved him right then more than she had ever loved anyone her entire life…
"Okay", Karen smiled. "It's time."
Brooke looked at her friends.
"This is it."
"I can't believe we're gonna be sisters", Haley squealed.
"You alright, Pey?" Brooke noticed her friend looking kind of pale.
"Yeah. I, um…actually there is kind of something I wanted to say myself but I didn't want to take away from your big day."
"Don't be silly. What is it?"
Peyton bit her lip and grinned.
"Well, you guys are gonna be sisters and now you're gonna be godmothers, too."
"Come again, P. Sawyer?"
She affectionately rubbed her middle.
"Jake and I are having a baby. I…I'm pregnant."
All the women squealed and engaged in a group hug.
"This is so great!" Haley exclaimed. "And so unexpected. Were you guys planning it?"
"No but it's okay. It's cool. We're excited. We don't know how we're gonna manage with another one but we will."
"This is so cool", Brooke grinned. "I mean, I just thought you'd put on a few because that dress looks tight around the middle but I didn't want to say anything."
"Okay, girls. We'll celebrate later. Right now, we have a wedding to attend. Everyone ready?" Karen asked.
They all nodded and walked out to the patio of the Royal Palm Crowne Plaza Resort, a breathtaking hotel located in the heart of Miami. In the six months of planning, it had been Brooke's dream location to take their vows and like every other wish, it was Luke's command to make it happen. Using the funds he had inherited after Dan's death, he paid for the dream wedding just as he had paid for the dream proposal.
And so it began. The traditional wedding march played in the background courtesy of two private violinists. Peyton and Haley, smiling and beautiful in their bridesmaids' gowns walked down the aisle with Jenny the adorable flower girl. Then everyone stood in anticipation for the bride.
"Ready fellas?" she winked.
Jake and Nathan stood on either side of her as they linked arms and escorted her down the aisle to a waiting groom with tears in his eyes. The candlelit ceremony was traditional as Keith and Whitey happily gave away the bride on behalf of her absentee parents. After a brief prayer, they exchanged handwritten vows where Brooke promised to love, honor, support, and cherish him for all her days and Lucas vowed to relinquish the remote, remember to leave the toilet seat down, and buy her as many shoes as her heart desired for the rest of his life. They exchanged rings and were finally introduced to the tearful and delighted guests for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Lucas Eugene Scott.
After a delicious assortment of food, toasts by Jake, Keith and Nathan and a night spent dancing in each other's arms, the magic continued. The music had long since stopped but the synchronized lull of their hearts and their bodies pressed together kept going.
"I never want this night to end", Lucas sighed. "It was perfect."
"You're perfect."
He leaned in and kissed her, wiping away her tears of joy.
"What?"
"I'm just so glad I hid topless in your backseat that night", she sniffled as he laughed.
"Well, that makes two of us. At the moment, who would have ever pictured us here and now like this?"
She smiled.
"I would have. I always did. I knew, Broody. In good times and bad even with heartbreak and doubts…I always knew you were the one for me. I didn't know how we'd get here or when, but I knew we would…someday."
"You are the best thing that's ever happened to me, you know that?"
"Promise me you'll love me forever", she whispered.
He nodded. Of course he would, he knew as he kissed her lips.
"Forever just started today."
