"I have no idea what to wear!" Brooke said as she scrambled through mounds of clothes thrown across her spacious walk in closet.

Ryan entered the room, clothed in a pair of jeans, Georgia Boots, and a dark teal colored Philadelphia Eagles Hoodie.

"You look great," he replied. "You should dress casual. Trust me this isn't going to be a formal event."

Brooke frowned. "I know you told me it was casual but I want to look nice for your parents. The first impression is a big one. And I want your parents to like me."

He came up to her and placed his hands in hers. "It'll be fine. Just throw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and you will be just fine. This isn't a fashion show. I'll be out here." He gave her a quick kiss on the lips and walked out the bedroom door into the T.V. room, probably to watch sports. Who knew?

Brooke dropped the pair of yoga pants she had been wearing for her morning workout and replaced them with a worn pair of AG jeans and a white beater style tank top. Knowing the weather would not be warm so she grabbed a gray Eagles sweatshirt, given to her by the team, out of her top drawer and pulled it over her head.

After applying her favorite make-up from the Avon mark. Line and straightening her hair to glowing perfection, Brooke was ready to go. She grabbed her Coach purse and slung it atop her shoulder.

"I'm ready," she said as she unzipped the purse, grabbed a piece of Orbit Spearmint gum and popped it into her mouth.

Ryan got up from the couch and made his way towards the door. The couple walked outside.

"Which car are we taking?" Brooke asked staring at the two vehicles parked on the house's wraparound driveway. They would either take her deep green pearl Acura TL or his black Cadillac Escalade.

"We'll take mine," Ryan said as he pushed the unlock button on his keyless entry remote control.

The two opened their doors and climbed into their respective seats. And so the journey began.

The drive had been full of chatter. Talk about the wedding, talk about meeting everybody, and all that jazz. But suddenly Brooke became unusually quiet and Ryan could tell she was thinking about something.

"What's on your mind?" he asked while merging on to the right side of the road.

"Oh all sorts of stuff you know," she said. She popped her gum vigorously.

"Like what? Are you nervous about meeting my parents because I swear you have nothing to worry about."

"Well of course I'm a little nervous about that," Brooke replied. "But I kind of needed to talk to you about something before we go to Tree Hill in a couple of weeks."

"Okay," Ryan said. "What's that?"

"Well I think Lucas is going to be there. He was my last real boyfriend and I fell hard for him, he cheated on me, and then realized that he had made a mistake. And before I left for California, he told me he loved me. Well when I called Peyton, I asked her about Lucas. She said he thinks this whole engagement is a load of shit. I don't know if he's jealous or still has feelings for me after all these years but I don't think he is going to be very accepting of you. And I don't want you to be surprised if he doesn't welcome you with open arms because I'm pretty sure he will want nothing to do with you."

"Brooke," Ryan said. "It's going to be fine. I promise you. I don't even care about the guy's opinion because there is nothing he can do to change my love for you."

"But I don't want you guys to fight. That would be really bad. At least be nice to him."

Of course I will be nice to him. If he doesn't want to be nice back then that is his problem, not mine or yours." Ryan took the exit. And Brooke watched the sign that read

"Welcome to Beach Haven, Pennsylvania.

Where Everybody is Somebody

Population 2,427"

'2,427 people?' Brooke asked herself. 'My god this is a small town.'

"Thanks," she said returning to their conversation. "I don't expect you guys to like become best buddies but I don't want you to hate each other either. I want him at the wedding and that would be bad if the groom was fighting with the guests."

Ryan chuckled and rubbed Brooke's shoulder with his right hand while continuing to steer with the left.

"Don't worry babe. I would do nothing to ruin the wedding for you. And trust me I will try as hard as I possibly can to get along with him."

"Thanks," Brooke smiled. She clapped her hands together. "So, who all is going to be at your parent's house today?"

Ryan could tell she was anxious and extremely nervous.

"Well my mom, dad, Kyle and his wife and their son, and Connor. You get to meet the whole damn family." Ryan laughed.

Brooke laughed half heartedly. The more they talked about it the more nervous she became. She had so many thoughts going through her head at the same time she couldn't even think straight. What if they don't like me? What if I say something stupid and make a fool out of myself? What if his mom doesn't like me? What if his brothers think he made a bad choice? What if, What if, What if.

Ryan made a turn. And Brooke read the sign that read "The Campbells. Kevin, Candy, Kyle, Ryan, and Connor."

She felt her stomach tighten up and her hands were clammy. Usually she would be thinking Yuck Sweat! But today that didn't even matter. This is it she thought. They both opened the SUV doors and she climbed out.

Brooke walked around the front end of the Escalade to Ryan. He grabbed her hand. At least she had him for support. Together they walked up the porch steps and to the front door. Ryan placed a loud knock on the door.

And there they stood, man and woman. One with a teal sweatshirt that read "Campbell" right above a large number 33. The other with a large 33 as well. Above it written "Future Mrs. Campbell."