I've had this ready for a few days but for some reason I couldn't get it uploaded. Anyway I hope you enjoy it. As always reviews are awesome. Let me know what you think and if you're still interested.
"It's time." Haley said grinning at the two girls. Peyton was looking at her with a blank expression on her face and Brooke didn't look at her. Peyton held up one finger signaling one second. Haley nodded and shut the door behind her. She shook her head. I can't believe Brooke told her today, of all days. Haley had known how Brooke felt about Peyton before even Brooke knew how she felt. It was obvious to Haley. She had always been surprised that they had never taken their friendship to the next level. It wasn't until about a year ago that Brooke had finally told her that they had for a brief time and since then Brooke had been struggling with whether or not she should tell Peyton how she felt about her. Of course Haley thought that she should but not the day of her wedding.
Peyton looked at Brooke who still hadn't lifted her gaze from the floor. "You what?" Peyton asked slowly.
"I love you."
"I love you too, Brooke. But what does that have to do with me marrying Nathan?"
"No." Brooke said looking up. "I love you Peyton. So much that it hurts at times."
"Brooke." Peyton started at a loss for words not knowing what to say. Annoyance started to build on the inside of Peyton as she looked at her friend. How could she do this to me on the day of my wedding? She's had two years to tell me this and she picks today of all days to do it. "You can't just come in here on the day of my wedding and say something like that." Peyton snapped sounding harsher than she intended.
"I'm . . . I'm sorry." Brooke said silently kicking herself for opening her big mouth. She didn't know what to do but she knew she had to do something. She couldn't just let Peyton marry Nathan without a fight.
"Sorry? You're sorry? You've got to be kidding me Brooke."
Brooke took a step closer eliminating some of the distance that was separating them. "Don't marry him Peyton." She wasn't sure where this new found courage was coming from but she was thankful that it showed up.
Peyton looked at her mouth agape. Why is she doing this to me? I mean yeah this is all I wanted from her for the longest time but really I've moved on. I love Nathan. I'm marrying Nathan. Peyton stood silent for a second holding an intense gaze with Brooke. Have I really moved on?
Judging by her silence Brooke assumed that Peyton was actually considering calling off her wedding. Her confidence rose again. "Don't marry him," she said closing the final distance between them never breaking eye contact. "I love you."
Peyton couldn't believe what she was hearing. She shook her head. "I'm marrying Nathan, Brooke." She looked down then back up. "You had your chance," she said sadly as she brushed past Brooke and made her way to the door.
Brooke closed her eyes as Peyton's words sunk in. She was right and Brooke knew it. She knew all too well. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and spoke. "Give me another chance Peyton." Peyton stopped before she opened the door. " I know I messed up before. I know that I wasted time. But please give me another chance. If you don't . . . well if you don't then we'll never know what we could have had."
"I'm marrying Nathan." Peyton spoke calmly as she twisted the door knob and walked out of the room toward her wedding.
"You ok?" Haley asked when she saw Peyton. She was obviously upset.
"I'm fine." She smiled unconvincingly. "Let's go."
"Is she coming?" Haley asked pointing toward the room where Brooke was.
Before Peyton could answer, Brooke walked out of the room with an obviously fake smile plastered on her face.
This is not good. Haley thought as she looked between the two girls.
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The three made their way to their spots just as the music was starting for the flower girl to make her way down the aisle. Haley and Brooke followed the little girl. Once they got to their spots the music stopped. Seconds later steel drums started to play signaling that Peyton was about to come down the aisle.
"All rise," the priest said. The audience obeyed standing and turning to watch as Peyton emerged from her spot to make her way toward Nathan.
Nathan's heart started racing as the music started. This is it. Peyton finally came into view causing Nathan's breath to hitch. She's perfect. All of the love he felt for this woman was clearly written across his face. Tears of joy filled his crystal blue eyes. As she got closer, he noticed that her smile wasn't as radiant as it had been the day before. She had a look in her eyes that he hadn't seen in years. It was the look she got when she had to make some hard life altering choice. They had been engaged for a long time so he knew she wanted to marry him. He knew she loved him. So he couldn't figure out what was wrong. He searched her face for some sign but got none. He glanced over at Haley and nothing. Then it happened. He looked at Brooke and saw the look that told him all he needed to know. Brooke looked like someone had just shot her puppy then stole her Prada bag. She told her. Nathan was no idiot. He knew how Brooke felt for Peyton. He had always been a bit worried that it would come to this. But here they were on his wedding day. Peyton steps away from being at his side so she must have told Brooke no.
Peyton finally reached him. She looked him in the eye and smiled. It was a true smile but that spark was gone. She held out her hand to him to take and he obliged.
"Who gives this bride?"
"I do," Peyton's father answered the question tears rimming his eyes.
"We are gathered here today in the sight of God to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony." The priest started. "If there is any reason why these two should not wed speak now or forever hold your peace." Please don't make a scene Brooke. Haley thought. Please God . . . don't let her say anything. Nathan thought pleading with the higher power. Brooke . . . don't . . . hold your peace. Peyton thought from her spot.
It took all of Brooke's will power not to say anything. I will not ruin this for her.
After a short time when no one said anything the priest continued. I guess it's for the best. Peyton thought not really listening to the minister. Luckily she tuned back in at the right time. "Peyton take Nathan to be your lawfully wedded husband to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
Peyton took a deep breath and looked Nathan directly in the eyes. "I do."
"Nathan do you take Peyton to be your lawfully wedded wife to have and to hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
"I do."
"By the power vested in me by the state of Hawaii I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."
Nathan pulled Peyton into him and kissed her. In that moment everything that had happened before the wedding was forgotten. It was just the two of them. As they pulled apart Nathan caught Brooke's gaze and felt his heart fall.
The newlyweds turned toward the crowd and made their way down the aisle as everyone applauded. Once they were down the aisle everyone started following them to the reception hall of the hotel.
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Later that night Peyton and Nathan made their way to a quiet room off to the side the noisy room to sign their marriage license. When they entered the room, the priest wasn't there yet. They stood there waiting neither of them speaking.
"Peyton," Nathan said breaking the silence.
"Hmm?"
"I love you. You know that right?"
"Well I would hope so since we just got married." Peyton said smiling playfully.
"Well yeah." He said smiling at her lovingly. "She told you. Didn't she?" Nathan asked not knowing how else to go about it.
"Excuse me? Who told me what?" Peyton said shaking her head confused.
"Brooke." When he said her name all, the color ran out of Peyton's face.
"How? How did you know?"
"I'm not blind." Nathan smiled sadly. "I could see it. She loves you. Do you love her?"
"Nathan . . . I married you."
"That's not what I asked." Deep down he already knew the answer. He just had to hear it himself.
Peyton looked down. "I don't . . . I don't know." She said tears threatening to fall.
Nathan walked closer to her and wrapped her in a hug. "Shh . . . " he comforted, "don't cry. It's ok."
"It's not ok." She cried. "If she's felt this way all along why didn't she tell me before? Why did she wait until the day of our wedding? Why did she have to make this so confusing for me?"
"Peyton, it's ok. I love you." He said holding her tighter to his strong chest. She loves her. If she didn't, this wouldn't be so hard for her. Nathan thought feeling like his heart was shattering a little more by the second. He took Peyton over to a chair and set her down then kneeled in front of her. "I'm not going to sign the license when it gets here."
Peyton looked at him confused. "You're what?"
"I'm not going to sign it. I love you Peyton. I love you more than anything. But I refuse to be an obligation. I won't be in a marriage with someone whose heart is with someone else. Even if you don't realize that it is. I can see it in your eyes. She has it Peyton. I can't compete with that. And I won't."
"Nathan . . . I . . . "
He cut her off. "It's ok Peyton. If for some reason you realize that she isn't who you need. I'll still be here." With that he stood up and kissed her gently on the forehead then walked out the door his heart in a million tiny pieces.
Peyton sat there stunned. She couldn't believe what just happened. Before she realized it, she was making her way back to her hotel room, tears running down her face. How did my life get so messed up in the matter of 24 hours?
Ok that's all she wrote for now. Let me know if you guys still like this. Review and what not.