The Bitter Taste
Say It Like You Mean It
xxx
Sandra Day O'Connor once said we don't accomplish anything in this world alone.
"You're getting married?" Lucas asked.
Brooke and Nathan both nodded, "Nathan just asked me to marry him," Brooke said with a big smile.
Karen walked into Lucas's room and looked at the three of them, "What's going on guys?" She asked.
"Nathan and I are getting married!" Brooke squealed as Nathan squeezed her closer to him.
Karen smiled and ran over and hugged Brooke, "Congratulations!" She said, and then hugged Nathan.
"Yeah," Lucas said to himself, "Congratulations…"
xxx
Brooke put some more of her stuff from her apartment into a box; Nathan came up behind her and put his arms around her waist, "This feels like a dream," he said and then kissed Brooke's neck.
"I know," Brooke said softly as they rocked side to side, "I can't believe we're actually going to get married!"
Nathan kissed her on the cheek and then started packing more things into boxes, "I can't think of a better girl to marry," he said truthfully and then closed up one of the boxes, "What kind of wedding do you want?" He asked and then sat on the couch.
"A perfect one," Brooke said as she straddled Nathan and ran her finger down his cheek, "With the perfect flowers," she said softly as she kissed Nathan's cheek, "And the perfect food and the perfect dress…And the perfect groom."
Nathan kissed her passionately, "I already have the perfect bride," he said sweetly.
"Awe," Brooke cooed as she kissed Nathan, "I can't believe we're actually going to get married!" She exclaimed. Brooke's cell phone rang and the two of them groaned, "I'll kiss you later," Brooke said with a wink as she got off Nathan's lap and headed outside.
"Hello," Brooke said into the phone.
"Brooke," Peyton's voice said from the other line, "Hey…"
Brooke's jaw dropped, "Peyton?" She said, "Oh my god…I can't believe this is you! How are you?"
"I'm good," Peyton said, "How's everything going with you?"
Brooke smiled, "Good," she said, "Nathan and I are getting married!"
"No way!" Peyton screamed, "Congrats Brooke! I can't believe this!"
"Neither can I," Brooke said, and then calmed herself, "I'd really like you to be a bridesmaid…"
Peyton sighed, "I really, really want to Brooke, but I just…I think that if I come home, then I won't be able to leave again."
"What's so bad about that?" Brooke asked, "We all miss you Peyton…It seems like you've been gone forever."
Peyton played with one of her curls, "I miss you all too," she said sadly, "When's the wedding?"
"March," Brooke said.
"That's in 3 months," Peyton said to herself as she looked at the calendar, "If you really want me there Brooke then I guess I can come home for the wedding…But you have to promise me that you won't convince me to stay," she began.
Brooke laughed, "I promise P. Sawyer," she said, "Scouts honor."
"I'll see you then," Peyton said, "I love you best friend…And Merry Christmas."
Brooke smiled, "I love you too, and Merry Christmas to you too," she said and then hung up the phone.
xxx
Brooke knocked on Lucas's door and held a big present in her hands, "Christmas delivery!" She teased and walked into the room.
"Hey Brooke," Lucas said, "Or should I say Mrs. Scott?"
Brooke laughed and playfully hit Lucas, "Brooke's fine," she said, "But Brooke Scott does have sort of a ring to it," she said with a wink and then set down the present, "I got you something."
"You didn't have to do that," Lucas said thankfully and then opened the present. It was a whole bunch of old records which Lucas collected, "Wow," he said softly, "Thanks so much Brooke!" He said and the two of them hugged.
Brooke smiled, "You're welcome," she said and then bit her bottom lip, "There's more…"
"Brooke," Lucas sighed, "You can't spoil me with gifts like this," he joked.
Brooke laughed and then cleared her throat, "Peyton's coming home for the wedding," Lucas looked down at the ground and smiled slightly, "Isn't there some sort of saying…Absence makes the heart grow fonder?"
"She won't want to see me," Lucas said.
Brooke scoffed, "Earth to Lucas Eugene Scott! You two are, like, in love or something…Of course she'll want to see you."
"I don't know Brooke," Lucas began, "Maybe it's just time for me to stop living in the past…Move on, just like you said."
Brooke shook her head, "You and Peyton have something that's real…Don't give up on something special like that."
xxx
Nathan started carrying Brooke's boxes up to his apartment; he opened the door and saw Brooke's dad standing there looking at a picture that was on the wall, "Mr. Davis," Nathan said as he set the box down and put out his hand.
Mr. Davis looked down at Nathan's hand and walked past him, "I hear that you're marrying my daughter," he said, "Brooke called me and told me about it."
"Yes sir," Nathan said, "I hope that I have your permission and your blessing."
Mr. Davis sighed, "You have my permission Nathan, but you will never have my blessing."
"I don't understand," Nathan began, "I love your daughter Mr. Davis…I always have and I always will."
He rubbed his temples, "I know about the whole Haley thing Nate I'm not stupid…Brooke found Alex and from what I can tell he is a really great guy."
"He's not," Nathan said, "He was abusive and mean…And, I know that I took Haley back before, but I knew that was a mistake and it's a mistake I'm never going to make again."
Mr. Davis looked at Nathan, "Brooke is a naïve young woman…She gets in over her head, and she can get hurt easily…I just hope that you understand that," he said and then walked out of the apartment. Nathan looked back at the door and put his hands on his head and let out a deep breath.
xxx
Nathan walked out onto the river court and saw Brooke looking up at the sky as the snowflakes fell on her cheeks. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist, "Hey beautiful," he whispered in her ear.
"I love you," Brooke said softly and then turned around and kissed Nathan passionately. She looked back up at the sky and sighed, "It's so peaceful out here," she began.
Nathan nodded, "How long have you been out here?" He asked as he warmed her up.
"I don't know," Brooke said and then picked up a snowball and threw it at Nathan.
"Brooke!" Nathan exclaimed and then threw snow at her, "You're dead little girl!"
Brooke laughed hysterically as the snowball fight continued between the two of them. Nathan grabbed Brooke's waist as she pushed him the snow; she fell on top of Nathan, "I win," she said and then stuck out her tongue.
"You win," Nathan said a little out of breath. They looked at each other for a moment and kissed passionately.
Brooke smiled and ran her fingers through Nathan's now wet hair, "I love you Nathan Scott," she said softly.
"I love you too Brooke Scott," he said and then kissed her on the cheek.
Brooke giggled, "Who would've thought that I would actually become a Scott?"
"Why don't you sing anymore?" Nathan asked out of the blue.
Brooke looked at him in confusion, "Random question…"
"I know," Nathan began, "I was just wondering because you haven't sung in awhile."
Brooke rolled her eyes playfully, "What about that time with Travis."
"You know what I mean," Nathan said, "I mean I want you to follow your dreams and everything."
Brooke smirked and kissed Nathan's forehead, "My dreams are to be with you…And I'm never going to let the little things come between us…"
"It's getting cold," Nathan said as he stood up, "I don't want my wife to get sick," he smiled.
Brooke got up as well, "I'm not your wife yet buddy," she teased and then linked arms with him.
xxx
Karen walked into Lucas's room and saw him sitting on the bed reading a book, "Knock, knock," she said with a smile and then sat down on the bed with her son, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
"Nothing," Lucas said and then turned the page.
Karen gave him a look, "I'm a mom Lucas," she said, "I know when something's wrong."
Lucas set the book down and shrugged, "I'm just lonely mom," he began, "I mean, Nathan and Brooke are getting married and I have no one."
"Is this about Peyton?" Karen asked, "Because if it is honey you just need to tell her how you feel…"
"I did," Lucas said, "And she told me that she was leaving."
Karen sighed and rested her hand on Lucas's shoulder, "You're a good man Lucas," she said, "I'm sure you'll know what to do," Karen said knowingly and then walked out of the room.
Lucas dialed Peyton's cell phone, it rang and rang until Peyton picked up, "Lucas," she breathed.
"Hey," Lucas said nervously, "I called because…I just needed to let you know that I really want you to come home for good. I want things to be how they used to be, and I just want us to start over and try again," he said sincerely, "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I am in love with you Peyton, and that I want you to be mine."
The line was silent, Peyton wiped away a tear, "I'm with Jake now," she trembled, "We reunited on the plane to Florida…His marriage was a fluke so we're…We're together again."
"Oh," was all Lucas could say. He swallowed and then heard a knock at his door, "Well, I um got to go…"
"Lucas," Peyton said pleadingly, but then heard the dial tone. She sighed and set down the phone.
Lucas walked over to his door and saw Anna standing there; she was in baggier clothing and her make up was running, "Anna?" Lucas asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I'm pregnant," Anna said and then handed Lucas the test, which had a positive sign.
"This can't be happening," Lucas said as he handed her back the test and started to pace his room, "Oh my god…"
Anna began to cry, "I'm so sorry," she began, "You don't have to take care of this child…I just thought you would want to know."
"No," Lucas said and then hugged Anna, "I'm not letting this kid grow up without a father like I did…"
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