Hey there. How you doing? Sorry to keep you guys waiting. But, its really long.
Chapter 23: Perfectly You
"I'm dead. He killed me." Brooke dead panned. She had taken up residence on the couch at exactly six thirty three that morning. For a full hour, she stared in a trance-like state up at the ceiling and wondered how her life would go on. At seven thirty, she called a grouchy Peyton and booked an appointment for them at the spa. If she was really dying, she would look good doing it.
"Stop being such a drama queen. It's one day of the year that you can't go shopping. However, I am surprised he said no to you. Is that a first for Lukie- boy?" Peyton mocked, batting her eyelashes for effect. Although Brooke woke her much too early, the day was not turning out to be a waste, as Brooke was paying for her manicure, pedicure, and massage.
Brooke's frown twisted into a smile, "He says no to me. Like, when I ask if he had fun taking out the garbage for me." Both girls busted out in a fit of giggles before Peyton gave Brooke a pointed look.
"See, this one thing isn't going to kill you." Peyton chimed in and pushed her blonde locks out of her face.
Brooke's frown returned. "Yes," she insisted, "it will. I have gone shopping the day after Thanksgiving every year since I was nine. Everyone knows that's when you get the most free stuff, and it's like a free pass to elbow people in the face."
"Please," Peyton rolled her eyes. "It's an absolute mess. Lucas didn't want you out there, and I respect that. You're almost seven months pregnant, Brooke."
"Not that I need the reminder, P. Sawyer." Brooke's jaw clenched as she pointed an angry finger at her stomach.
"Yeah, yeah." Peyton rolled her eyes playfully, but sighed in contentment. It wasn't often that just the two of them got to spend time together. Normally, it was a battle of conflicting schedules or they had plans to be with the rest of the group. She had really missed her oldest and best friend.
"So, what happened with you and Jake last night?" Brooke peeled a curious eye open.
Sometimes though, Brooke knew her just a little too well. "We made up, but he's still not happy about it. He said all of these horrible things. Maybe he's felt threatened because I didn't tell him or maybe he was just drunk and angry." She paused to laugh humorlessly. "Maybe both."
"Should he feel threatened?" Brooke bit the inside of her lip and looked worriedly over at Peyton who openly gaped at the idea.
"No, I love Jake, and Michael is just my boss. He knows I'm engaged." Peyton said with a definite tone in her voice.
Brooke slowly nodded her head as if trying to process the situation. Peyton always swore that Brooke should have been a relationship counselor. "I guess Jake will have to get over it on his own then. There isn't anything for him to be worried about."
"Exactly," Peyton smiled, happy to hear someone on her side for once. "I waited way to long for Jake to propose to have anything mess come between us."
"Of course, at least it made last night entertaining though." Brooke winked when a thought popped into her head. "How weird was it that Nathan and Haley were the only two that didn't fight last night?"
Peyton chuckled, "Way weird. I stopped trying to figure out those two long ago."
"They are always the exception, aren't they? In high school, they get married when everyone else's love lives were totally out of whack, and then Bam! Suddenly, they're finished at the same time everyone else is getting it together. Confusing as hell, our little Naley are."
-.-.
A cliche holiday song softly played from the overhead speakers, and Nathan yearned to go over and sit in the comfy-looking chair that sat hidden in a corner. Still trying to look busy, he sifted through a rack of pint size Christmas dresses while stealing glances at Haley. Her back was turned to him and she held two dresses out in front of her, as if imagining what they would look like on Megan. At first, Nathan tried to see around her, for he was sure the dresses were identical, but then she rose one dress higher, causing her sweater to lift in the back, showcasing that number he had traced so many times and all other thoughts completely left his mind.
Involuntarily, he licked his lips and his eyes clouded over with lust. She turned to him, ready to ask for his opinion, but frowned when she saw the mess standing in front of her. "Nathan," she scolded. "Stop it. We have no time for you to be a pervert today. We're on a schedule.. remember?"
He smirked and placed his hands on her hips, "Schedule? Doesn't ring a bell." He dipped his head lower to press his mouth onto her neck, leaving a trail of warm kisses. "Does it include a bed, baby? Hmm? Does it?"
"Not going to work, Nathan." She promised, pulling away and checking her coupons. She held up one stack of coupons in her left hand,"We have to be at these places by eleven and the rest by noon, stupid doorbuster deals."
Nathan's eyes widened in surprise with a flash of frustration, "You mean we aren't close to being done? We've been at this for three hours already. You're crazy!"
Haley blinked in surprise, "Nathan, we have been inside this department store the entire time. Did you expect us to buy everything in here?"
"Well, no, but Hales, it only takes me three hours get all of my Christmas shopping done. So far all we've bought is shoes to go with Megan's non-existent Christmas dress,- which I still highly doubt she'll wear- a tie for my dad, and a button up shirt for your brother."
A look of panic crossed Haley's face and she checked her watch, "Is that really all? And it's already nine." She began to check the bag to make sure Nathan was correct while she mumbled to herself. "We need a better plan. I need Brooke, damn Lucas for not letting her come. Okay, focus. What is it that she always says?" She looked at Nathan as if he knew the answer, which he obviously didn't. "Buy now with the discount, return later and it doesn't count."
Nathan rolled his eyes at Brooke's ridiculousness and pointed to one of the Christmas dresses Haley had in her hand earlier. "I like that one better."
Haley nodded with a look of determinacy spread across her beautiful features that he had never seen before. "Good choice. Now, let's go see if the fragrance department has that scent your mother likes."
Three more hours later, they were laden with bags and Nathan felt like he caught his second wind. "What else can we buy?"
"We're done for today, Nathan." Haley laughed at his change of attitude.
Nathan shook his head, "No, Hales! Let's buy more. We didn't buy anything for you!"
Haley rolled her eyes playfully, "Yeah, because, typically, I don't buy gifts for myself."
"Well, what do you want? I'll buy it for you." Nathan grinned, swiftly pulling out his credit card.
"Oh no." Haley gasped in mock horror. "You've caught it!"
"Okay, I'll play along..." Nathan sighed and dead panned,"Caught what?"
"You've caught the commercialism bug!" Her arms folded across her chest. "Nathan Scott, you've been infected." She laughed bitterly, "And you called me crazy."
He shook his head and grabbed her waist. "Come on. I have not."
"Yeah, you have." She insisted as he tugged her along. "Shopping is like gambling, Nathan. You have to know when to stop. During the holiday season, especially today, the big name companies get you by making you sign up for all these credit cards and such. That kills your credit rating. Plus, if you spend too much time at the mall you'll turn into Brooke."
"Hey, low blow. I'm not turning into Brooke, and my credit rating is perfect, thanks." He shifted his weight to his other foot uncomfortably. "Maybe I just like buying stuff for you and Meg."
Haley grabbed his wrist, "I thought we discussed this, Nathan. You don't have to buy us things, okay?" She grabbed his drooping head and made him look her in the eyes. "Okay?"
"Yeah..." He sighed and look a seat next to Santa's Mailbox. "I'm just...It just sucks that I can't be here- that we have limited time to spend together." He pulled her onto his lap and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and whispered, "I worry about it a lot, you know? That I am doing something that's going to send Megan to therapy later, that I should be doing something normal that doesn't make her miss me, that somehow I am going to mess up this again... I just want to make sure you two are taken care of."
"Nate.." She played with buttons on his shirt. "Last night, when I told you that I was worried about you... I wasn't worried about your shooting average or your bank account, I was worried about you. Because in the end, you are all we need, Nathan. And does it suck that we can't see you everyday? Yeah, it does. But when you are here... it's like you never left." She grinned up at him and he left a kiss on her temple. "And maybe this is just fate's way of telling us that we should live in the moment- we've always been pretty good at that."
He nodded in agreement and promised, "I love you."
She blushed under his intense blue eyed gaze and bit her lip as he laid another kiss behind her ear. It was always a wonder to her, how no matter where Nathan kissed her she always felt that instant spark. "Alright, superstar. Let's go see if we can get home quick enough to complete your schedule."
His eyebrows raised and his voice lowered, "Bed?"
She swatted at him but nodded regardless. "Yeah, Owen has Megan at home so I guess we'll have to go to the beach house."
"I haven't been there since summer. There isn't any food or anything." He was quick to his feet and even quicker to drag her to the parking lot.
She grinned sheepishly at him as they pass a Salvation Army bell ringer at the door. "Is there a bed?"
He stopped and a large smirk spread across his face, "Oh, Haley... there is definitely a bed."
Their lips crashed together as soon as he lifted her out of his truck and only parted when Nathan had to fumble with the key to the door. Once inside, Haley wrapped her little legs around his middle, and he stumbled upstairs. Every misstep Nathan took sent Haley into a fit of giggles which were then abruptly ended by his lips.
"Nathan," Haley tittered, "Your bedroom is the other way." He nodded distractedly into her neck as he ripped open the door closest to him. It was just a linen closet and Haley's face scrunched up in confusion. Nathan grabbed a handful of random sheets and blankets, and then he walked quickly back the opposite way. Haley kicked open the bedroom door and giggled louder when the force caused the door to swing back at them. He threw the sheets down on his mattress and then laid her gently down on the bed that she had previously referred to as "Heaven." Her brown hair fell around her and he maneuvered his arms around it to prop himself up.
"I don't think you need this." He whispered, swiftly pulling her sweater over her head and discarding it on the floor. He pressed a kiss to her newly exposed collarbone and continued to her cleavage. She pulled at the buttons of his shirt and soon exposed his toned chest.
She giggled again, "You've been working out."
His breath tickled her ear as he whispered huskily, "Baby, you give me the best work outs."
Quite a while later, they laid tangled in his handful of sheets with Haley's head resting on his chest and his draped around her small, naked body. Absently, Haley drew hearts with her finger on his stomach, her grin beaming from ear to ear. "I'm gonna go raid the kitchen, see if there is anything left in there." Haley announced, bending over to slip on her panties and his button up shirt. He definitely enjoyed the sight of Haley in all her post-sex glory. He pulled on her arm, pulling her into a steamy kiss which made her blush severly. She returned a few minutes later, grinning victoriously. "You wrong, Nate." She sing-songed, setting the wooden tray down on the night stand. He took notice of the bottle of red wine, and steaming bowl of Spaghetti O's.
"Good after-sex food, Hales." He couldn't seem to be able to keep the grin off of his face. She reclaimed her spot next to him and uncorked the slightly dusty bottle. She took a swig straight from the bottle causing his face to contort to one of great surprise."Drinking straight from the bottle? You're a real rebel, baby."
She giggled and laid a sloppy kiss on his cheek. "I called Owen when I was in the kitchen and he said that Brooke came by the house and took Megan for the night, so we have the night to ourselves. So.. Can we do it again?"
His brown furrowed, "Do what?"
Her face flushed a deep shade of red and she focused her eyes downward. "You know... it."
He smirked, "I'm sorry, baby. I don't think I quite understand."
"Don't make me say it, Nathan." She groaned. Could her face get any more red? He still feigned confusion, although the cocky smirk on his face said otherwise. "Oh God." She muttered, clearing her throat and looking him square in the eyes. "I want to have sex.. again. Hot and passionate sex."
"Whatever you say, baby." He chuckled, and pulled her toward him swiftly. "C'mere you."
-.-.
Peyton, still feeling the after-effects of the girl's day spa treatment, parked her car in front of the bland building and took her Unfiltered Magazine tote bag inside. Immediately, she was greeted by Victoria, a fellow editor for the magazine.
"Oh, Peyton." The woman let out a relieved sigh. "I'm so glad you came by, I left a copy of that story on your desk, thanks so much for covering it for me. I was just on my way out, my boyfriend is waiting in the car to take me to the airport."
"It's no problem. I hope you have fun on your vacation." Peyton smiled genuinely as she trapped her hair back with a thick black headband.
Victoria smiled back, "Thanks. It's really dead in here today, it should be rather easy to get work done. I almost wish I could stay.. No fighting over the scanner and copy machine."
Peyton laughed and waved goodbye to the girl as she continued to her desk. She let out a long sigh when she lowered herself into the chair. No matter how relaxing a massage could be, they always had a way of making her body scream for sleep. She pulled her laptop out of her tote and opened the file she was working on.
Many moments later, she heard a noise behind her and saw Matt waving goodbye to their receptionist, Margaret. She glanced down at the clock, realizing it was much later than she had realized. Matt smiled as he walked up to her. He stood behind her and she let him see the work she had done. "Looks beautiful." He commented.
She grinned, happy with her art piece. "Thanks. Do you know how to get the background blurred with this program?"
"Yeah, I do." He murmured, reaching over her to use the mouse. He bent slightly, so his face was nearly next to hers, and she frowned at his closeness. She tucked her hair behind her ear, and he turned to her. Surprised, she turned to him at the same moment that his lips colliding with hers.
She pulled back, appalled, and could barely speak. "Matt.. I-I'm engaged. To a man I love." She stood, grabbing her tote, leaving her computer. "I'm sorry, I can't work here anymore, I-I, oh my gosh."
Her thin legs carried her so quickly out of the building she didn't even think to look at his reaction. All she could think was that Jake had been right, and she had been so, so, so wrong. Inside of her car, she finally let out a great sob that created a downpour of tears. She calmed herself, turning on her favorite radio station and carefully drove home. When she reached the door, she couldn't seem to just let herself in. Instead, she knocked and waited for Jake to open the door. He frowned when he saw her and started to ask why she didn't just open the door. He stopped speaking when she let out another sob and flung herself into his arms.
"Oh god, Peyton. What's wrong?" He asked, his voice sounding of fear and panic.
"Y-you were right–about my boss. He-he kissed me today. I-I'm so sorry, Jake. I'm just so sorry." She cried, barely aware that she hadn't even made it into the house yet.
His body tensed under hers, his voice now sounding of anger. "Did you kiss him back?"
She took a step back, as if he had slapped her, and gasped, "God no! J-jake, I love you- what? How..how can you even say t-that?"
His shoulders relaxed and he sighed, "Then why are you apologizing?"
"Because I told you he wasn't like that!"
He chuckled and pulled her back into him. "It's really not your fault that you are so in love with me that you don't even know when someone is flirting with you."
-.-.
Brooke had taken away his only amusement several hours before. He was forced to find something other than a four year old to occupy his time. The TV was filled with Christmas specials and stories of brawls and tramplings at Wal-Mart stores nationwide. He thought about watching a movie, but soon realized Haley's collection of DVD's primarily consisted of The Little Mermaid and Winnie the Pooh.
So he paced instead.
It wasn't as if he was thinking about anything in particular. A man can pace without thinking of ex-girlfriends/sort of present girlfriends, can't he? And he himself could definitely pace without thinking about her. But really, what was she thinking anyways? The Carrie Dolan and Owen James ship had sailed long before he came back to Tree Hill. Why couldn't she see that? And why was it his own fault that she freaked out and left without letting him explain?
The next thing he knew his ear plugs were in, his running shoes were laced up, and he was running full speed to anywhere that didn't remind him of her. Except, if he was running away from her, why the hell did he end up on her front porch?
She swung the door open, looking as if she had reverted back to her country club days in a navy blue skirt and white sweater. Her lips pursed and her eyes rolled in annoyance, "Owen, what are you doing here?"
He shrugged, his infamous deviant smirk spreading across his face. He cocked an eyebrow, "Going somewhere?"
She sighed and switched her weight from one high heel clad foot to the other, "I'm meeting Melissa and her husband for dinner."
He rolled his eyes as he had never really liked Melissa, only tolerating her because of Meredith. The two girls met at five years old when their mothers took them to the same afternoon tea party, and later while Meredith dated Owen, Melissa took to partying with the jocks. As far as Owen knew, Melissa had married a former senator's son straight out of college and the couple birthed three children since. "Have fun with that."
She bit back the angry remark, instead opting for, "I will, thanks." He nodded and rocked on the balls of her feet, causing her to ask again. "Why are you here, Owen?"
"I just ended up here." His forehead scrunched and she knew he was thinking hard about something. "We love each other, right?"
"Yes, Owen. We do."
"Then what the hell is this fight even about?" He asked her, his irresistible smile spreading on his features.
She glared at him, "Because you're an ass."
"I know." He agreed simply. Still, she glared. "Look, Mere. You know I suck at this talking it out crap. I love you. My ex is just that, my ex. I didn't like her much when we dated, and I hate her even more now."
"Owen," She sighed. "I'm twenty-nine years old and not getting any younger. I'm not seventeen and looking for a way to piss off the parents anymore. I mean, all of my friends are married and I-"
"You want to get married?" He asked, looking up at her in surprise.
She scoffed, "Of course I want to get married. I want to have children and grandchildren and great grandchildren. I want to take them to soccer practice or ballet lessons or whatever. I want pets and a little plastic pool in the backyard!" She looked down at her feet. "I want to have a family."
He blinked a few times, "Do you want to get married?"
She laughed, "Owen?! I just answered that, did you miss my spiel about family a minute ago?"
He shook his head, signaling she had misunderstood, "To me?"
"Wait," She held up a hand. "Did you just propose?"
"I guess." He shrugged. "I mean, it's not exactly what I had in mind, but if you're not getting any younger..." He pulled a box from his pants and got down on one knee. "Will you marry me?"
She laughed, "Are you for real, or is this like the time Mike paid you fifty bucks to propose to me."
He smirked and opened the box, "This ring is real, and so is my love for you. So, yes or no?"
She gasped dramatically, a broad smile sweeping her face. "I suppose I can do that."
His face lit up, "Yeah?"
"Yes. Owen James, I would love to marry you." She giggled when he pulled her into a deep kiss, and continued kissing her until they reached the bedroom, where all plans with Melissa were forgotten.
Hey everyone. Thanks for reading. This chapter... was long and it was annoying to try and write during the holidays. Gosh. Anyways, I'm running a little late for a night w/ my friends, but I got the inspiration to write and wanted to update as soon as I finished so I don't have time to do individual shout outs so here's a great big one::
Shout out: Thanks to all of you who respond, it's greatly appreciated. It really keeps me writing. Uh, I'm glad you liked the drama/comedy in the last chapter. Holidays in my family are absolutely insane and I'll probably include some of my experiences in the next chapter, which will be Christmas. I feel bad that Brooke and Lucas haven't been in very much lately, so I'm going to try and give them a little more soon. Also, the NH in this chapter was a ton, thanks to many of your requests, so you're welcome for that. Haha. So, I hope y'all liked this chapter! Keep Reading!