Disclaimer: I don't own em, I wish I did!

A/N: I want to say that I don't tend to like to update until you folks tell me you're liking the way the story is going. Even if I don't reply to everyone's reviews personally I definitely read every one of them and take them each to heart. I've gotten such wonderful feedback from you guys, and I hope that continues! Thanks again!

Oh and I realized that I forgot to thank my beta, Karen, during part 6. She beta'd that and every piece that follows. The best beta a girl could ask for. Thanks Karen!

Part Thirteen

Brooke paced nervously at the bottom of the stairs waiting for Sam to make an appearance. She couldn't believe that prom night had arrived so soon. This was going to be the single most life altering night of her four years in high school. Once they walked through those doors hand in hand, there would be no turning back. Despite all of her big talk in front of Sam, Brooke was extremely anxious about what everyone's reactions would be. She'd meant everything she'd said, but a small part of her lived in fear of the unknown. Her emotions were on edge, and waiting for Sam wasn't making it any better.

"Come on Sam! We're going to be late to dinner!" Brooke called up to her.

"I'm almost ready!" Sam called back from upstairs.

"Oh Brooke, you look just beautiful!" Jane exclaimed as she and Mike entered the house, carrying Mac and groceries. "Where's Sam?"

"Still upstairs. Has she always taken this long to get ready?" Brooke asked in an exasperated tone. She turned to look at her father, but neither spoke. Things had been this way since she and Sam had sat their parents down and told them they were dating. They'd both been shocked, but while Jane had assured them that even though she knew how much this complicated things and she would need some time to adjust, she still loved them both, her father had been very vocal in his displeasure. After a two hour all out shouting match, and Brooke threatening to move out, they'd simply agreed to disagree, and hadn't spoken much since.

Jane handed the baby to Mike as she and Brooke worked quickly to put the food away. She was well aware of her father pacing around the kitchen with the toddler in his arms and tried to ignore him, but it was difficult. She really hated that she and her father were at odds with each other. She could feel his eyes on her constantly as she moved quietly through the kitchen and her previous anxiety grew. She just hoped he wouldn't start another argument tonight. She was already on edge. Mike handed Mac to Jane before turning to Brooke.

"Um Brooke, can I talk to you for a moment?" Mike asked hesitantly.

Brooke looked over at Jane uncertainly. Jane smiled and gave her a slight nod, letting her know everything was okay. "Sure Dad," she answered.

Mike took a deep breath, and when he turned his hazel eyes to hers they shimmered with unshed tears, and Brooke wasn't sure how to react. "Daddy?"

"I'm sorry you just look so…beautiful, so grown up." Mike croaked out.

"Daddy…"

"No, you don't have to say it. I just…I just wanted to say that I know I didn't take this very well at first, but I just wanted you to know. I might not like it or even agree with what you want to do with your life, but I just want you to be happy, Brooke. You're my daughter, and I love you. I only want what's best for you," he said in a coarse voice.

Tears sprang to Brooke's eyes and she dabbed them away quickly to preserve her make up. She threw her arms around him in a big hug. "Thank you Daddy. I love you too," she whispered through her own tears.

He pulled back, wiping away his tears and smiling down at her. "Are you happy?"

The sound of someone clearing their throat at the top of the stairs cut off her response. She heard Jane gasp from behind her and Mac's enthusiastic giggle and she spun around. All thoughts that had been running rampant through her mind suddenly vanished and her mouth went dry. There stood Sam in all of her glory. She wore a black, sleeveless, taffeta tea-length dress that was reminiscent of the 40's with its empire waist. Her dark hair hung in waves past her shoulders and her make up was smoky, giving her a classically beautiful look and elevating her to the status of a Ginger Rogers or Rita Hayworth. Brooke opened her mouth to say something, anything, but nothing would come out.

"Wow, score one for McPherson, this is the first time I've ever rendered Brooke completely speechless." Sam said with a triumphant smirk.

"You both look wonderful!" Jane said excitedly. " I have to take pictures!" She thrust Mac back into Mike's arms and rushed into the other room.

Sam made her way down the stairs to Brooke and stopped in front of the still mute blonde. Her heels allowed her to meet Brooke's gaze head on, but she was still short enough for the cheerleader to be able to look down her plunging neckline. Sam's smirk turned into a huge grin when she waved her hand in front of Brooke's face, trying to break the trance that had fallen over the blonde.

"So was it worth the wait?" She asked shyly.

"Definitely!" Brooke replied, finally finding her voice. "You look…you know what? I could say a million words right now, and they'd all fall flat when it came to describing what you look like."

"Good answer," Sam said with a big smile. "And for the record the same can be said for you. I never knew you…"

"Okay girls, picture time!" Jane interrupted as she came back into the room, waving the camera in her hand.

"Mom…" Sam whined as she begrudgingly posed for a round of pictures.

"Oh, be a good sport Sammy. It's not everyday my eldest daughters go to their senior prom."

"Mom, you're not going to get all weepy are you?" Sam complained.

"Don't be silly. Of course I am," Jane responded before the tears began to stream down her face. Sam walked over and embraced her mother.

"Mom, Mom, it's okay. You don't have to cry. You've got four more months to do that," Sam said looking over at Brooke with a 'help me!' look.

The blonde walked over to the two brunettes and wrapped her arms around both of them. "Jane…Mom, don't worry, we'll still be here tomorrow, and I hate to interrupt this Hallmark Moment, but we have reservations, and we really need to get going."

"Yeah Mom, we really do. You know how impatient Harrison can be," Sam added as they pulled away.

"Okay, you girls have fun. Drive safely, no drinking!" Jane said as they both gave her kisses on the cheek.

Brooke walked up to her father and did her best to hug him around the toddler he held in his arms. She placed a chaste kiss on his cheek before rushing to the door. Sam was already heading to the car, and before she followed, Brooke stopped in the doorway and turned back to her father. "Yes Daddy, I'm extremely happy."

They had opted to take Sam's car as a compromise to the limo situation, but Brooke got to drive. They made their way to the restaurant in companionable silence, with Brooke stealing little glances over at the brunette holding her free hand. It was the simplest touch, but her heart was racing a mile a minute, and she couldn't seem to stop looking over at the journalist, almost as if she was afraid it was all a dream.

They met their friends for dinner, but Brooke truthfully couldn't remember a thing that had gone on, because she couldn't keep her eyes off of Sam. She was pretty sure that she'd eaten some food, but she couldn't remember what she'd ordered, what it'd tasted like. Her only thoughts were filled with how lucky she was that someone as special as Sam had chosen to be with her.

She looked around the table at her group of friends. They'd all changed so much, and yet they were still all the same. These were the people she'd come to count on, the people that were always there for her. Sure they'd had their ups and downs, but no matter what, they were always around when she'd needed a shoulder to cry on or a push in the right direction. She counted herself among the lucky ones to be finishing this chapter of her life with the love and support of the people around her.

When dinner was done, they all made their way towards the hotel that was housing their prom. They'd made a pact earlier in the week to form a united front to ease some of the pressure Brooke and Sam were feeling. They arrived at the dance and entered the building together. Harrison and Mary Cherry were the first to enter the room, followed by Lily and Josh, Carmen and her boyfriend from her teen group, and Sugar and Exquisite. Brooke and Sam lingered in the door for a moment, and took a moment to ease their anxieties.

"Are you sure you're ready for this?" Sam asked her, biting her bottom lip nervously.

"I don't think we really have a choice at this point," Brooke said with an amused smirk.

"You know, once we walk in there, everything changes."

"Sammy, everything changed the first day of sophomore year when you bumped right into me. You didn't say anything, but the look in your eyes has always intrigued me, and I've been hooked ever since."

She smiled her cute 'Sammy' smile. "Since when did you become so great with words? That's supposed to be my department."

"I speak from the heart, and everything else I learned from you." Brooke replied sincerely.

"Oh you are so getting lucky tonight," Sam said with a smirk before grabbing Brooke's hand in her own and led the way into the dance.

They entered the dance still holding hands and for a moment it seemed the world stopped, and all eyes were on them. This is it, Brooke thought. This is when everything falls apart. It seemed like they stood there for an eternity, but Brooke knew it was only a few seconds. She saw Carmen smile at Lily before the two of them stood and began to clap. Their friends all joined in, and soon most of the students followed suit, easing the tension that had settled over the room. Sam led the way to their table as they weaved through the large crowd of seniors. A lot of people congratulated them, some wanted to take their picture, and a few guys asked if they could watch. Brooke rolled her eyes at that. There were definitely some things that she wouldn't miss about high school.

Once they'd set their purses at the table, she and Sam wasted no time moving to the dance floor. Brooke was aware of all the stares the two of them were receiving, but once they started dancing and Sam pressed her body against the blonde's the rest of the world faded away. Brooke never tired of the feel of Sam's body. She longed to know every inch of it, and after two weeks of turning up the heat, feeling Sam's gyrating hips against her was not good for her raging libido. Sam grabbed her by the waist, bringing them even closer together, and Brooke found it hard to form thoughts. They danced that way to three more songs before Sam practically dragged her off the floor towards the table. Brooke stumbled the entire way, not quite able to get her legs to work right.

Brooke took a seat while Sam went to grab them a few drinks. She fanned herself with one of the large place cards that were on the table. She'd never worked up a sweat like this at a dance, but dancing wasn't the only thing that had her body overheated.

"Woo, y'all sure were tearin up that dance floor out there," Mary Cherry said as she flopped down in a seat across from Brooke.

Brooke blushed in response. "I thought people had stopped paying attention."

"Are ya kiddin'? Y'all are hotter than that kiss Sarah Michelle and Selma Blair have in Cruel Intentions."

Harrison and Sam made their way back to the table with drinks, saving Brooke from having to comment on the other blonde's last remark. She took the proffered drink and downed it quickly.

"Wow Brooke, were you thirsty?" Sam asked with an amused smirk.

Brooke blushed. "Well, I did work up a thirst out there on the floor."

"I was just telling Sammy how hot you two were out there," Harrison said, sitting down next to his girlfriend. "If I had known things were going to turn out like this. I would have taken your threesome idea for prom last year more seriously, Brooke."

Sam groaned and she and Mary Cherry simultaneously smacked him upside the head.

"Hey! I was just being honest. I can't believe I blew my chance," he grumbled.

Brooke saw anger and jealousy flash in Mary Cherry's eyes as she reached for her bag. "Hey Harry, if I were you I'd quit while I was ahead."

"Oh don't you worry that beautifully dyed, Gwyneth shade of blonde little head of yours about Mr. John. If a threesome is what he wants…a threesome is what he's goin git." Mary Cherry replied pulling a lasso out of her bag. "Oh Lil Lily!" She called in a singsong voice, standing up from the table and walking towards the dance floor.

The color drained from Harrison's face as he began to panic. He stood from his seat rushing after his girlfriend. "Mary Cherry wait! Mary Cherry, I didn't mean it!"

"Well, there's a prom night fantasy that seems promising," Sam mused. Then she shuddered as the mental images assaulted her brain.

"Well, I was hoping at least two of our merry band of friends would be having a fantasy fulfilled tonight," Brooke added with a wink.

Sam looked over at her from under hooded eyes. "Oh is that so?" She asked as she moved to sit in Brooke's lap.

"Yeah, I have to say that you…"

"Hey guys! They're about to announce the Prom Queen and King!" Carmen interrupted excitedly.

"And our friends have perfect timing as usual," Brooke muttered, earning herself a playful slap on the arm from Sam. As Principal Krupps came to the stage, Sam slid off her lap and into a nearby chair.

"Uh, hello Kennedy Seniors…I know all of you would like to get back to the grinding and writhing you kids refer to as dancing, so I'll keep it brief. We've come once again to one of my favorite times of the year, the announcing of the prom king and queen. So Vera if you would be so kind as to hand me the envelope," he said turning his 'Colgate' smile towards his aunt as she bumbled onto the stage.

Brooke wasn't really all that interested in who would be crowned. She'd decided to decline running earlier in the year because she hadn't really seen the point. She knew Carmen and Mary Cherry were running against each other, but it didn't really matter to her which one of them won. They were both her friends. All she could think about now was leaving with Sam and taking her someplace where they could be alone. They didn't have to do anything; she was just tired of sharing the brunette with other people.

"…we have a tie for Prom Queen, the first one in Kennedy High history. Carmen Ferrara and write in nominee, Brooke McQueen…"

For a moment, Brooke thought she was imaging things. There was no way that he'd said her name. She wasn't even a nominee, but she looked around at all the people clapping and the spotlight had been turned on her, momentarily blinding her as she felt Carmen grab her hand and lead the way to the stage. It all happened so fast she wasn't able to take it all in. Before she knew it, she had a crown on her head, and he was announcing that each of the winners would be sharing a spotlight dance with their dates. She strolled over to a smiling Sam and took her hand. Once they reached the dance floor she wrapped her arms around the brunette and the two swayed to Usher's You've Got It Bad.

"So I guess congratulations are in order," Sam whispered in her ear.

"Nah, it's just a silly crown."

"Yes, but it's one that you earned, and you certainly deserve it."

"You think so?"

"Oh yeah definitely," Sam replied with a smile, then she leaned in so that she could whisper in Brooke's ear, "Besides it's a real turn on." Her voice was husky, causing a shiver to run down Brooke's spine.

"Is that so?" Brooke croaked out.

"Uh huh, what girl would pass up the chance to sleep with the prom queen?"

"So you were serious earlier when you said I was going to 'get lucky?'"

"Well I mean, I've got the hottest date here. Turns out she's head cheerleader, former homecoming queen, the smartest in the class, and the prom queen. I'm thinking this will do wonders for my reputation."

Brooke pulled back so she could look into the brunette's eyes. "Sam, I'm being serious. Are you saying that you're ready?"

Sam bit her lower lip nervously. She looked away for the moment and then back at Brooke. "Yes, I'm ready," she whispered. She took a deep breath before asking, "Do you think we could get out of here?"

Brooke nodded before they walked back to the table to grab their bags. They said their goodbyes and then walked hand in hand to Sam's car. Brooke tried to watch her speed as she drove to their house. The top was down and her hair was blowing in the wind. She felt so…free. Tonight had been the best night of her life, and as she looked over at the smiling brunette beside her, she knew that it would only get better.