A/N: To keep this story going I skipped some major components in Kelsey and Sam's high school lives…some of which will be mentioned in this chapter. I was thinking of maybe doing small one-shots for some interesting situations those two girls can get in.

Also, this is the last chapter of their teenage years by the way. I decided to just continue this story and not have a sequel which means it's going to be a two in one sort of thing.

The next chapter will skip 4-5 years. I do however need to plan that part of the story so you won't be seeing another update from me for a few weeks. It seems a lot of my stories are in planning stages at the moment…oh well.

Before I set up the next chapter I'll have another character page where I will highlight the new faces and explain some key facts about the old ones.

It will take a few weeks for me to plan some chapters so don't expect a full update next week, only the character page to look forward to.

Chapter Thirty: A Basketball Proposal

"What's the plan?" Brooke asks Kelsey as they sit around Brooke's kitchen.

Both Scott families have come to town for Sam's graduation and at the moment, Sam was with all the guys including Kelsey's dad while the girls were sitting around Brooke's kitchen along with Kelsey and her mom.

"I don't know," Kelsey admits. "Graduation is tomorrow and I know I want to ask Sam after it, but how I want to go about doing it, is the hard part."

"Honey, think of what you two share in common," Lindsey suggests.

This was a new thing for Kelsey. A few months ago Lindsey had started to come to Tree Hill to weekends out of the month to spend with her daughter and try to reconcile her relationship with Trevor. Things were slowly starting to come around. Just last week, Trevor and Lindsey had their second, first date.

When Lindsey had met Sam and her family she knew right away that Sam was a good match for her daughter. They balanced each other out and they were clearly in love.

"Basketball is one thing. Maybe I can ask her on the river court. I mean that's where we first starting talking like really talking," Kelsey shakes her head. "I know what I want to say, but I'm scared."

"Lucas proposed to me in an airport," Peyton says with a shrug of her shoulders. "His exact words were, 'I have two plane tickets to Las Vegas, do you want to get married tonight?'."

Brooke and Haley both hide their smiles. Kelsey rolls her eyes.

"That's not very romantic."

"No, but I love him and it was fine for me, the proposal isn't the wedding Kelsey, it isn't the marriage. It's just a step to get there."

"Nathan proposed to me the first time while I was lying on the bed next to him. The second time we were at Rachel's family's cabin and he re-proposed to me on the dock."

"I think what everyone is trying to say is that the proposal isn't the best part. It's just the beginning. You'll think of something and my daughter will say yes because she loves you and that's all that matters."

"I hope you're right."

-DG-

The auditorium was filled. The graduating class of 2011 was all in their blue gowns waiting for their name to be called. Parents were watching with tears in their eyes as their children approached the podium to receive the diploma that they had been working hard for four years to receive.

"Samantha Baker…"

The Baker family cheered as Sam made her way across the stage and received her diploma. Brooke and Julian both had tears in their eyes as their only daughter, only biological child received her diploma.

"We have another thirteen years before we have to do this again," Julian whispers in his wife's ear.

Brooke shakes her head.

"Aidan's never leaving the house."

"Kylie Chase…"

From her seat surrounded by students, Kelsey frowned at her teammate. When the girls had won the state championship, Kylie had kissed Sam and that had pissed Kelsey off. Kelsey was relieved when Sam had slapped her, but Sam still remained friends with Kylie, Kelsey didn't bother.

"Kelsey Daniels…"

Trevor and Lindsey smiled brightly as their daughter stood with confidence and walked her way up the stage. She smiled when she received her diploma and waved at her family before walking back down.

The names continued and the families cheered. Kelsey was growing more nervous every minute just counting down in her head the moment that she would propose to her girlfriend.

-DG-

"How does it feel Graduate?"Haley asked her niece with a smile.

Sam wrapped her arms around Haley and hugged her tight.

"I'm okay it sucks that Lucy Michaels beat me out of being valedictorian, but if it wasn't for my stupid surgery and missing all that time to study for finals. I would've been just fine."

Haley pulled away from Sam and raised her eyebrow.

"Honey, your appendix burst. You needed the surgery."

"Don't remind me," Sam looked around the river court and smiled. There was a huge tent set up for Kelsey and Sam's graduation party. "You guys did amazing with all of this."

"It was Peyton's idea."

"What was my idea?" Peyton asks as she approaches the two girls.

"Having the party at the river court," Haley states.

Peyton nods her head.

"Of course it was. I'm a genius."

Haley and Sam just stare at Peyton.

"What?"

Sam and Haley crack up.

-DG-

It was well into the party when Kelsey and Sam other classmates showed up. Kelsey groaned from her and Sam's snuggled up place when she spotted Kylie walking into the tent.

"Baby, I know you don't like her, but she's my friend despite the obvious tension that you too have."

Kelsey kisses Sam on the lips and nods her head.

"You want to play a game of one on one?" Kelsey asks.

Sam smiles and nods her head, getting off of Kelsey's lap and running towards the court. Kelsey walked over to Brooke who had a basketball in her hand and handed it to Kelsey.

"Good luck," Brooke whispers.

Kelsey smiles shyly and nods her head.

"I hope."

Kelsey glanced at the words written on the ball and smiled.

"Game on, baby!" Kelsey yells.

Sam grins.

-DG-

Julian walks over to Brooke and wraps his arms around her.

"The game is almost over, does that mean Kelsey's going to propose?"

Brooke whispers back.

"Yeah."

"I'm nervous," Julian states honestly.

"Me, too."

-DG-

"Okay Sam, its game point, are you ready to lose?" Kelsey taunted with a smile.

"Bring it, baby."

Kelsey checked the ball to Sam. Sam checked the ball back. Kelsey headed for the hoop, but Sam quickly swooped in and stole the ball. Kelsey stepped back and dug into her pocket for the ring box. Sam shot the ball and it went in.

Everyone who was watching cheered for Sam. Kelsey glanced at Brooke before Sam could turn around.

"Sam, grab the ball!"

Sam ran to get the ball. Then she finally looked at the words written on the ball. Marry me?

Sam slowly walked back onto the court while still looking at the ball. Sam looked up at Kelsey and spotted the ring box that Kelsey was holding out to her. Sam dropped the ball and let it bounce away, slowly. Kelsey walked closer to Sam.

"I would've been down on my knee, but I feel like its a little cliché so I decided to do it this way. We've known each other for as long as I can remember and from the day that I knew I liked girls was the day that I knew I liked you. You're my friend and teammate, my lover and everything else. You saw me for me and didn't listen to the rumors. You gave me a chance and I'm grateful for that. Samantha, I love you and we've talked about being together forever and I think our forever could start now. Samantha Haley Baker, will you marry me?"

The crowd held their breath. Kylie was glaring at Kelsey. Sam was crying, but with a smile on her face. She knew her answer the moment she spotted the ring.

"Yes, of course I'll marry you!"

Kelsey grinned and caught Sam as she jumped into her arms. Kelsey placed Sam back on the ground and put the ring on Sam's finger. The adults ran towards the newly engaged couple.

Out of the corner of her eye, Sam saw Kylie leave with a sad look on her face.

"What are you going to do now?" Peyton asks her niece.

Sam stared lovingly at Kelsey.

"I've got a wedding to plan."