The Bitter Taste

Forever Means Forever

(A/N: This chapter is a week later; Lucas is getting out of the hospital, and Brooke and Nathan are planning the wedding. I decided to speed this chapter to a week because I wanted some drama, and I wanted to get Lucas out of that hospital room.)

Also, thanks to all the reviewers who have stuck with me through this story! I've always wanted to hit 100 reviews on a story, and I finally did. Keep reviewing and thanks to all of you!

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And thanks to anyone else I forgot, every single review is great and I love reading all of them! Keep reviewing!

xxx

Stephen King once wrote time takes it all…whether you want it to or not.

Time takes it all, time bears it away… and in the end… there is only darkness.

Sometimes we find others in that darkness…and sometime we lose them there again.

Nathan put his hands over Brooke's eyes as he led her somewhere, "This seems familiar," Brooke said with a smile.

"I know," Nathan said as they walked up some steps, "What can I say? I'm just a romantic type of guy," he joked.

Brooke laughed, "Or just very predictable," Brooke teased as she put her hand on Nathan's arm lovingly.

"Very funny," Nathan said sarcastically and then kissed the back of Brooke's head, "Alright," he said, "Open your eyes," he said as he took his hands away from Brooke's eyes.

Brooke opened her eyes and saw that she was standing on a deck overlooking a beach and a body of water; she turned around and saw that she was at Dan's beach house; Brooke looked at Nathan in confusion, but turned around and smiled, "Why…Why are we here?" She asked softly.

"Dan said that it was an early wedding present," Nathan said; Brooke could sense the smile that was forming on his lips, "My mom and dad are moving after the wedding…They want to get away from Tree Hill, they think it'll be good for them."

Brooke wrapped her arms around Nathan's neck and kissed him passionately, "So it's actually ours?" She asked giddily.

"Only if you want it to be," he said, "I mean…We could stay in that small, dirty apartment if you want."

Brooke laughed, "No way!" She exclaimed and then turned around to face the beach, "This is so beautiful," she said.

"I knew you'd be happy," Nathan said as he wrapped his arms around Brooke's waist, "You are happy right?"

"Of course," Brooke said as she gave Nathan a little nudge, "I have the dream house, and the dream husband," she cooed and then kissed Nathan again.

Nathan chuckled and put his mouth close to Brooke's ear, "Everything's going to be okay Brooke," he assured her, "I promise you the world…"

"I know," Brooke said as she turned around and faced him, "I love you," she said and they kissed once more, "Now let's go try out that new bed of ours!" She squealed and took Nathan's hand.

They ran upstairs; kissing on the way up. They got into the room and Brooke took off Nathan's shirt while he kicked the door closed. Brooke took off her shirt and then began kissing Nathan again. Nathan laid her down on the bed and got on top of her; he kissed her stomach lightly as Brooke ran her fingers through Nathan's hair. Their mouths met again and they both moaned in pleasure; Brooke looked up at Nathan as they both caught their breath. Nathan smiled and Brooke kissed him in return.

xxx

Peyton started carrying Lucas's stuff into her house as he followed behind with smaller stuff. He set down a box of books and grabbed his elbow in pain. Peyton walked over to him and touched it gently, "Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah," Lucas said in pain, Peyton gave him a look and he smiled, "Okay it hurts like a bitch…"

Peyton made Lucas sit down, "I'll carry the rest of the stuff in…I don't want you to do anymore damage to yourself."

"Thanks," Lucas said and then grabbed Peyton's hand, "Did you really mean it when you said that you loved me?"

Peyton sighed, "I do love you Lucas…"

"You're just acting…Different," he pointed out, "Maybe it's just me but…"

Peyton shrugged, "It's just weird…You and I have been through so much shit, and I'm nervous."

"I promise you that we'll work all of this out," Lucas said sincerely, "I care about you."

"I know," Peyton said with a smile, "I'm going to get some of the stuff," she said and then walked outside.

Nikki stood out on the front porch with a bitchy smirk planted on her face, "Hey Peyton," she said, "You want to tell me where Jenny and Jake are?" Peyton's jaw dropped; Lucas came outside and saw Nikki standing there. Nikki smiled and looked at Lucas, "Good to see you Lucas," she said. Peyton turned around and shared a look with Lucas; Nikki noticed this and laughed maliciously, "Surprise!"

xxx

Brooke and Nathan walked hand in hand as they headed towards the river court, "I could really get used to this," Brooke breathed.

"You mean having sex and then going for walks?" Nathan joked, "Me too…"

Brooke laughed, "You know what I mean…The whole acting married thing and what not!"

"Me too," Nathan agreed, "Being married to you means a lot to me," he said, "You're special to me Brooke…Very special."

Brooke smiled wide, "I'm a one of a kind," she said jokingly as she poked Nathan in the ribs, "You're special too," she said with a wink as they walked onto the court.

"Thanks," Nathan said with a goofy grin; he saw a basketball on the court; he smiled and picked it up, "God, it seems like years since I've played."

Brooke looked at the basketball and sighed, "I know, you haven't picked up a basketball for awhile now Mr. Superstar!" She winked.

"Oh yeah?" Nathan said and then took a jump shot; making it, "I still got the touch," he bragged.

Brooke laughed, "I know you got the touch, baby," she said and then licked her lips.

Nathan laughed and put his arm around Brooke, "How long has it been since you've picked up a pair of pom-poms?"

"Oh god," Brooke said as she hid her face, "Cheerleading…I remember when that was the only thing that mattered to me!"

Nathan laughed with her, "Because you were the captain!" He said, teasing her, "That was a very important job!"

Brooke hit him playfully and then looked down at the court, "Do you remember when you brought me here?" She asked, "We were 17, and you had a picnic blanket out with white roses scattered everywhere," she cooed, "That was so romantic."

"I remember," Nathan said and then pulled a white rose petal out of his pocket, "Here."

Brooke smiled and took it, "It's the little things you do that make me fall in love with you," she said and then giggled, "That rhymed!"

"You're a poet, let me tell you," Nathan said as they continued walking.

Brooke leaned into Nathan as they walked; she looked at the rose petal and couldn't help but smile. Everything was perfect…

xxx

Peyton dialled her cell phone quickly and listened to the other line ring, "Hello?" A voice said on the other line.

"Nikki's at my house," Peyton said to Jake.

Jake sighed, "I'm sorry Peyton," he said as he rubbed his temples, "I didn't think she'd come after you again…"

"You need to stop this shit with her Jake!" Peyton exclaimed, "I dealt with all this crap enough!"

Jake rubbed his head, "Tell her where I am, and I'll take care of it when she gets to Florida."

"I can't do that to you and Jenny," Peyton explained, "I know how much you love Jenny…"

"Peyton," Jake interrupted, "I'm 23 years old…Thanks for trying to help, but I can take care of myself."

Peyton bit her bottom lip and started to pace, "Fine," she said finally and then hung up the phone.

xxx

Nikki stared at Lucas as he rubbed his elbow; Lucas felt her gaze on him and looked at her. Nikki smiled, and Lucas rolled his eyes, "What are you looking at?"

"Remember the last time we met?" She asked, "You had a little accident with your shoulder."

Lucas glared at her, "Yeah so what?"

"It's funny how history repeats itself isn't it?" Nikki said with a seductive smile, "You think there are any carousels around here?"

Lucas groaned, "I've already made that mistake one too many times," he said and then stopped himself.

"Oh?" Nikki asked, "So you've been fucking other bar girls?"

"We usually refer to them as bar sluts," Peyton said as she walked out onto the porch where Nikki and Lucas were sitting, "Jake's in Texas…He's with some cousins that live down there."

Nikki smiled up at Peyton and then looked at Lucas out of the corner of her eye, "Last time you told me where Jake was your little friend sent me on a wild goose chase."

"I'm telling the truth," Peyton said, "I don't have time for these games anymore…I'm trying to move on with my life."

Nikki stood up and walked down the porch steps; she stopped and turned around, "Tell Brooke I said hi," she said and then turned back around.

Peyton and Lucas looked at each other in confusion, but then Peyton thought back to the night at TRIC, "You gave Brooke those pills…" Peyton said, almost in shock.

"For a dumb blonde you catch on real fast," Nikki said as she turned around once more, "Lucas came to me for sex once upon a time, and Brooke came to me for pills…And it was all because of you!"

Peyton took a step towards Nikki, but Lucas held her back, "She's not worth it," he whispered in her ear.

"Listen to your little boyfriend," Nikki said with a mocking smile, "Because if you lay a hand on me I'll make sure that your skinny ass is in jail." Nikki waved goodbye and then glared at the two of them; she walked back towards her car and drove off.

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