Author's Note: Hey guys! Yes, you're not seeing things… I am SO, SO sorry for taking so freaking long to update this story! My life's been pretty hectic lately. I was having writer's block for this story and trying to finish off my two Laley stories, The Sweetest Sin and Finding Our Way Back, then college started and….WHOA! College is freaking HARD! 30 page chapters and having to read 2 chaps a night! I swear these teachers are killing me! Anyways, again, I am so sorry for taking so long to update. I will try not to take so much time updating again but it all depends on my schedule. I hope you like this chapter and is well worth the wait! As always, please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.
Rating: K+ to T, with some mild R
In the Presence of An Angel
Chapter 26
There were only two things on Haley's mind as she raced back to the apartment: Brooke and the fact that people now knew about them. She was more than upset; she was terrified. More than half the school had seen them kissing in the courtyard and soon the whole town would know, because Tree Hill was a town where secrets could hardly be kept. Much like the day before, Haley rushed into the apartment, sobbing, and raced to the bedroom. As she flung open the door, she saw Brooke lying curled up in the middle of the bed, clutching one of her pillows in her arms as she too cried loudly through short gasps of air. "Brooke…" Haley whispered softly as she stood there in the doorway. She only hesitated a moment before lunging towards the bed. She climbed onto it and snuggled close behind her girlfriend, wrapping her arms around her waist and burying her face in Brooke's hair.
Brooke took Haley's arms and moved them from her body, scooting away from her to her own side of the bed. She was still mad at Haley for shutting her out and what had happened in the courtyard, Haley pushing her away after she kissed her, and also because Haley had left her all alone to fend off the masses after everything came out. Haley's chin and lower lip began to tremble even more as she slowly sat up and more tears cascaded down her cheeks in torrents. "I-I'm sorry," Haley sobbed as she wrapped her arms back around Brooke again, turning her slightly and kissing first her hair then her cheek, all over her face, and finally her lips. She pressed her mouth hard to Brooke's in a passionate kiss as she murmured through her short gasps of breath, "I love you…so much…I'm so sorry…give me another chance…please…I love you Brooke…"
At first Brooke resisted Haley's kiss, trying to get out of her grasp, but she could never resist her for long; she loved Haley too much. She finally returned the passion, pressing into her lips as she too wrapped her arms around Haley's waist, pulling her down on top of her. Haley placed her hands on the sides of Brooke's face as she deepened the kiss and Brooke began to run her hands up and down Haley's body, rubbing her back and caressing her soft skin. Brooke carefully flipped them over and straddled Haley's waist, her fingers touching her stomach softly. Haley moaned and this only furthered Brooke's need for her. Brooke brought her hands up and softly cupped Haley's breasts in her hands, squeezing them lightly and eliciting another moan from Haley's lips. Brooke started to unbutton Haley's shirt, beginning a trail of kisses from her lips, down her neck, in between her two supple mounds then across her stomach. "Brooke…" Haley moaned again as she tossed her head from side to side…
The next morning, Brooke slowly woke to the bright sun shining in her face and found the space next to her empty. She frowned, wondering where Haley was. She climbed out of bed and slipped her robe on, venturing through the living room to the kitchen for her daily morning cup of coffee. There she found Haley, standing in front of the sink staring out the large bay window as she sipped a mug of what looked to be hot chocolate. Brooke smiled and quietly walked up behind her, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend's waist and tilting her head slightly to the side, kissing Haley's cheek softly. "Good morning," Brooke whispered into her hair as she nuzzled Haley's neck with her nose.
"We shouldn't have done that last night," Haley said firmly after she took a sip of her mug, still not moving, "We were both upset and hurting. We took advantage of each other. It shouldn't have happened." Brooke felt Haley's body tense and stiffen up and she wondered if Haley was starting to push her away again. She dropped her arms to her sides and pulled away as a hurt expression formed on her face. "Hales, I agree that we were upset with everything going on…but you're my girlfriend and I love you…" she said softly as she gently grasped her shoulders and turned her around, raising her hand and caressing Haley's cheek, "After you told Lucas, you started pushing me away and wouldn't talk to me. I hated it. I hate when you shut me out and don't tell me how you're feeling…I just wanted to comfort you and hold you but you wouldn't let me…and I got upset…then everything was just building up inside and it all finally came out when we were in the courtyard and I kissed you…I was so hurt when you pushed me away…I thought you were breaking up with me…then I realized where I was and it all became just a blur. Everybody was asking questions all at once…I couldn't handle it…so I came home…then you came and I was still mad at you…things just escalated from there…"
By now tears were trickling down Brooke's cheeks. She whispered through her tears, shivering and wrapping the robe tighter around her body, "You're not breaking up with me, are you?" She started to cry a little more as her voice cracked, "You promised. You promised me that you were willing to take the risk to be with me even if you lost some people along the way-" Haley cut in, "But I thought-" "You thought Lucas would be supportive of us," Brooke finished for her then said, "Well he isn't Hales! Now you're going to break up with me because your ass of a friend just won't accept who you're with? You're going to risk going back to a friendship that will never be the same again and ruining a relationship that could last forever? Because I don't think I can be just friends with you Hales. I love you too much to go back to being just friends." Brooke turned and started to walk back towards the bedroom, sobbing.
"I don't want to hide anymore, Brooke..." Haley whispered so softly almost to the point that Brooke didn't hear her, her own tears falling down her cheeks. Brooke turned and faced her, her voice shaky with labored breaths from her crying, "W-What?" "I don't want to hide anymore," Haley repeated, this time a little stronger, "I want to be with you. I don't care what anybody thinks anymore. I want everyone to know that I'm dating the most wonderful, beautiful girl in all of Tree Hill and I'm her girlfriend. I know a lot of people will be against us, but I don't care. I thought Lucas would always be there for me through anything because we've been friends for so long but I guess this is just too much for him. If he can't be okay with us together then I guess I can't be friends with him. It'll be hard, but I guess I'll find some way to survive without him." She looked up at Brooke with tears in her eyes.
"Come here," Brooke said softly, reaching out and tugging on her jeans pocket to pull her closer. Haley moved closer and wrapped her arms around Brooke's waist, burying her head in the crook of her girlfriend's neck. "It just hurts so much that the one person you've known almost your whole life won't support you…" she choked on a sob, "Brooke, what if it were Peyton who hadn't supported you? What would you have done?" Brooke closed her eyes tight, not wanting to imagine the thought of Peyton not accepting her and Haley being together. "I would have done the same thing…" she whispered, "Friends come and go Hales, but love, true love, lasts forever. You can't pass up a chance on love, because you might not get it the next time around. Not everyone gets a second chance on love." Haley lifted her head up and smiled at Brooke through her tears, "I hope I never need a second chance on love, because that means I would have broken up with you and I don't ever want to lose you." She hugged her tight then and Brooke wrapped her arms around Haley's neck, softly stroking the back of her head and kissing her on the forehead, relishing at having Haley back in her arms again. "I don't ever want to lose you either…" she murmured as she placed another kiss on her temple.
Later that weekend, Haley and Brooke walked down the streets of Tree Hill towards Karen's Café with their hands linked between them, their fingers entwined. They received a few dirty looks but both women held their heads high, ignoring it. Haley was right; it was time to stop hiding. It wasn't like they could hide anyway; everyone already knew about them through the gossip chain. They entered the café and Karen smiled at them from the counter, gesturing them to sit wherever they wanted. They grabbed a circular booth along the wall and Karen came over a few minutes later with pen and order pad in hand. She smiled at the couple, a smirk forming on her face as she greeted them, "Must have been some kiss." Brooke's mouth dropped in shock. Haley just smiled at Karen then turned to Brooke and winked at her before responding to the older woman, "It sure was." Haley let out a soft giggle at both of their expressions.
Finally Karen cleared her throat and put her pen to the order pad, looking at them in questioning, "Well then…what would you two like to eat?" "I'll have a burger with fries and a Diet Coke and Haley will have a turkey club with fries and Mountain Dew," Brooke responded with a confident smile. "Hey, I can order my own food thank you very much," Haley protested. "I know that, but you get the same thing every time we come here for lunch, so why even ask," Brooke grinned as she stuck out her tongue. "Maybe I wanted something different this time," she responded defiantly. "Oh really, what are you going to get," Brooke asked with a raised eyebrow and a smirk firmly in place. Haley crossed her arms over chest, a pout forming on her face as she sunk down in her seat and mumbled, " Turkey club with fries and Mountain Dew." "Told you," Brooke replied with a triumphant grin then leaned over and kissed her on the tip of her nose, "I know you too well." "Watch it, or you'll be sleeping in the doghouse tonight," Haley grumbled. "Hales, we don't have a dog," Brooke replied, deciding to play the ditzy card. "You know what I mean, Brooke," Haley rolled her eyes. "You two are just so cute," Karen laughed at their antics just as Jake walked up holding Jenny in her carrier.
"Looks like the cat's out of the bag," Jake smiled at the couple then asked, "Mind if Jenny and I join you?" "Sure, pull up a seat," Haley said as she gestured for him to sit. "So, how does it feel? Things being out in the open and everything?" Jake inquired. "Scary, but oddly…" Haley paused a moment, trying to find the right word. "Liberating," both Haley and Brooke said at the same time then smiled at each other. "Freaky," Jake responded, "You two got that ESP thing going on." "That is weird," they replied in unison then turned to each other again, "Whoa." "Okay, change of subject. How have things been since the whole 'coming out' in the courtyard? Any disgruntled citizens," he asked concernedly. "Not yet. We've mostly been staying inside so far this weekend, but I'm sure there will be more than a few kids at school who will want to rip us a new one," Brooke replied. "Don't worry, we got your back," Peyton smiled as she and Nathan walked up to the table and joined them. "Thanks guys," Haley smiled sincerely.
"Well, looks like the gang's all here, except for…" he stopped, not wanting to upset anyone as he knew it was a touchy subject for all of them. "Lucas," Haley said quietly, her eyes closed, then raised her head to look at Peyton, responding with a stronger voice, "Where is he? I thought you'd be with him." Peyton shifted uncomfortably in her seat as she crossed her arms over her chest and looked down, avoiding everyone's piercing stares. "No, I'm not with him. I um, I kind of gave him an ultimatum the other day…I kind of told him that if he couldn't support my two best friends being together then I couldn't be his girlfriend anymore and I haven't heard from him since. I guess the jury's still out on that one," Peyton responded quietly. "Peyton…" Brooke stared at her, eyes watering a little. "Hoes over Bros, remember? We always promised," she smiled half-heartedly. She really missed Lucas. Brooke nodded and wiped her eyes then laughed slightly. "I guess you don't have to worry about bros anymore, because I've got my hoe right here and she isn't going anywhere." She smiled as she wrapped an arm around Haley's shoulders. "Hey," Haley protested with a slap to her chest.
"Orders up," Karen said as she placed plates and drinks in front of everyone and they all replied with thanks before digging into their meals. They made small talk between bites of food until Jenny started to whine and cry. Jake pulled the little girl out of her carrier and held her to his chest, gently bouncing her in his arms and rubbing her back. This proved to be fruitless because Jenny refused to stop crying. Finally he gave up and rolled his eyes, sighing as he handed her over to Haley, "Here, you take her." Once Jenny was in Haley's arms, she instantly began to calm down, cooing as she stared up at Haley. Jake shook his head, mumbling, "My own daughter…" Everyone else laughed at his comment and watched as Haley held Jenny. After a few minutes, Haley thrust her hand out to him. "Jake, bottle," she requested. Jenny began to suck greedily on the bottle as soon as Haley offered it to her then once she was done, she propped the little girl against her shoulder, rubbing and patting her back gently to burp her.
"Let's go do something fun," Brooke said to the group twenty minutes later with Jenny settled back in her carrier and all of them talking in various little side conversations, "I know, let's go to The Blue Room and play some pool!" "No alcohol for you, Brooke," Haley stated firmly. "I can't take Jenny in there; it's always a little smoky," Jake replied. "We can go to my beach house. I have a pool table there. We can watch movies and stuff too," Nathan suggested. "That's a great idea, Nate! We can go swimming too! Alright guys, let's go get our bathing suits and meet at Nate's beach house in half an hour," she asked the group. They all agreed then parted ways to go get their suits, towels, and sunscreen.
Haley and Brooke went back to the apartment to change into their bathing suits and when Haley came out in her pink bikini with the purple and blue flowers, Brooke almost had to keep from drooling all over herself. She stood from the bed and wrapped her arms around Haley's shoulders, kissing her sweetly on the lips, "You look so hot in your bikini Hales." "Brooke, no. We don't have time," Haley responded, knowing where this was leading. Brooke pouted as she pulled away, "You're no fun." "Yeah I know, that's me, the big party pooper. Now get in that bathroom and change," Haley replied dryly. "Why can't I change out here," she asked coyly with a seductive smile. "You know why," Haley responded with a glare then pointed to the bathroom, "In you go!" "Fine," Brooke huffed before walking in and shutting the door behind her. When Brooke walked out wearing her red bikini, Haley's breath hitched in her throat as her eyes began to travel down Brooke's body. They took on a lustful look as they moved back up to her face and Haley moved closer to Brooke, kissing her passionately. "They can wait a few more minutes for us," Haley mumbled against her mouth.
"We're here," Brooke shouted as they entered the beach house. "Ah, so they finally show their faces," Nathan smirked when he saw their tussled hair and slightly tinted cheeks, "Looks like you two had a little quickie at home, eh?" "Yep, my little Haley's insatiable. She just can't get enough of me," Brooke patted Haley's shoulder as she winked at her. "Brooke," Haley shrieked. "More information than I needed to know," Peyton shouted as she covered her ears. "Baby in the room," Jake called out loudly. "Alright, let's get this party started. Everyone out to the beach," Brooke yelled as she ran through the house to the back doors to the porch steps leading to the sand.
Half an hour later, Haley and Peyton were relaxing in some lounge chairs watching after Jenny while Nathan and Jake played some volleyball when Brooke came up and grabbed her towel. She bent over to dry her legs, purposely sticking out her butt flirtatiously to Haley, when Peyton responded, "Brooke, move your fat ass. You're blocking my sun." "Bitch," Brooke grumbled. "Whore," Peyton replied good-naturedly. "I know you are, but what am I," Brooke responded childishly. "Oh god, please don't start," Haley groaned, "and stop with the foul language. Young ears in hearing distance." "Sorry babe," Brooke replied as she plopped her butt down right on Haley's lap, kissing her on the cheek. Haley groaned again, "Brooke, you're still wet." "All the more reason for you to come in the water with me," Brooke smirked. "No Brooke, I told you I don't want to get wet," Haley replied. "Well then…" Brooke started, a devilish gleam in her eyes as she stood and picked Haley up, carrying her towards the ocean. "Brooke! Put me down right now," Haley shrieked. "Okay," Brooke said as she dropped Haley into the water. Haley came up for air, sputtering water and wiped the hair from her face. "You are so going to get it," Haley warned as she started to swim after Brooke.
Nate, Jake! Help! Haley's going to get me," Brooke laughed giddily as she went and hid behind Nathan. He chuckled as he turned and grabbed Brooke, running over and tossing her into the ocean. Haley burst out laughing at this but stopped when Jake came racing towards her with a pail full of water. "Jake, no," she screamed. "Oh yes," he grinned as he dumped it over her head. Soon Peyton joined in and all were chasing each other, dunking each other and racing across the sand, flicking water at each other and laughing their asses off. Haley looked up from where she was about to dunk Brooke again and down along the beach by the rocks where sand met concrete, she saw Lucas standing there, the wind whipping at his clothes. He simply stared at her, standing there for several long moments before turning away and walking back down the beach.
Sunday night came around and Haley was reading a book on the couch in the living room when Brooke entered and sat beside her, curling up against her body and taking her hand into her own and entwining their fingers. Brooke kissed her temple before leaning her forehead against Haley's. "You ready for tomorrow," she asked softly. Haley inhaled a deep breath as she set her book down on the table beside the couch. "I don't know…I guess…" she responded quietly then looked up at her girlfriend, "it's going to be bad, isn't it?" "I'm not sure, Hales," Brooke replied uncertainly, "but I guess we'll find out tomorrow." "Let's go to bed," Haley stated as she got up from the couch, pulling Brooke up with her, "We're going to need our sleep because tomorrow is going to be one hell of a day." Brooke nodded in agreement as she followed Haley to their bedroom. They changed clothes and slipped under the covers, Haley cuddling back up against Brooke's chest and Brooke wrapping her arms around Haley's waist. "I love you Hales. No matter what, we'll get through this. I promise," Brooke whispered, her eyes getting heavy. "I love you too, TIgger," Haley murmured.
The next morning, Haley and Brooke woke from their slumber to the blaring alarm clock, dreading what would happen that day. They went through their normal morning routine; shower, get dressed, eat breakfast, then they got their bags ready before finally heading out the door. They drove in silence to the school, everyone's reactions heavy on their minds. When they finally parked, they sat in the car for several long minutes, just staring straight ahead. Ten more minutes later, they decided it was now or never and they slowly climbed out of the car, grabbing their bags from the back seat. The two met in front of the car and linked hands, giving each other a small smile of reassurance. Suddenly they felt a presence behind them and look back, seeing Nathan, Peyton, and Jake standing there. "Safety in numbers," Jake said with a smile. Haley and Brooke smiled at their friends, silently thanking them for their support. Then the group slowly made their way into the halls of Tree Hill High School, preparing themselves for whatever may come.