A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! I realized that alerts were down and sorry I didn't get this out sooner but this is the last chapter! I have a new story coming out soon so look for that! Thanks for sticking with this story and I hope you like the ending!
Chapter 12
"I'm sorry you what?" She asked, not understanding what he said.
"I said I'm in love with you Brooke Davis." He repeated.
"But, but you're with Peyton." She stuttered.
"Not anymore. She knew that my heart wasn't in it. It was some where else…it was with you."
"But-" She began.
"No 'buts' Brooke," He began, "I'm in love with you and I always have been. I'm sorry that I went to Peyton after you told me to at the game but I'm glad I did because now I'm so sure about how I feel. I know I'm in love with you Brooke, and I think I've known it for a long time now." He explained, now smiling wide.
But Brooke wasn't. Sure this is what she wanted to hear but she didn't want to hear it right after he and Peyton broke up. She wanted him to have time to think about this, time to get it right.
"Lucas, I'm flattered but I only think you're doing this because you just broke up with Peyton. Come talk to me when you are sure of everything." She told him sadly, and shut the door in his face.
A dejected Lucas had no where else to go except for Nathan and Haley's. He couldn't go home, because he didn't want to deal with his mom and he couldn't go to Peyton's because he knew she would be busy with Jake. And he for sure couldn't go back to Brooke's.
He knocked on their door and waited. Haley opened the door on the third knock.
"Lucas, what are you doing here?"
"I have a bit of a problem Hales." He told her, looking at his feet.
She led the way to the couch in the big mansions family room. "What is it?"
"I'm in love with Brooke."
Haley smiled, "That should be a good thing!"
"It was, until I went to her house." He replied sadly, looking at the floor.
"Why? What did she say?"
"She said that the only reason I feel this way is because I just broke up with Peyton but the truth is Hales, that's the reason Peyton and I broke up in the first place. I even told her that but she still wouldn't listen."
"I'm sure she is just afraid of opening up her heart to you again. But don't get too sad, she turned down Chase yesterday because she told him she was in love with you."
Haley's hand immediately flew over her mouth. "That was too much information."
Lucas face turned hopeful, "She really said that about me?"
She sighed, "Yeah, she did."
Lucas stood up, "I have to go Hales, I have the perfect idea."
He was already on his way out the door when Haley yelled, "Don't tell her I told you!"
Brooke sat on her bed with her phone in her hands. So all of those voicemails and missed calls and texts were from him. They weren't from Chase. How could she be so stupid?
But now she was afraid to listen to all of the messages and texts. She didn't want to know. She didn't want to find out that she was wrong to send him away. She mustered up all the courage she could, which wasn't much, and pressed the button to call her voicemail.
Once she punched in her password, she awaited impatiently scared to hear what was going to come out.
"Hey Brooke, it's me Lucas, I uh, was just wondering what you were doing because I really really need to talk to you. Peyton and I broke up because I'm not in love with her. I'm in love with someone else…"
She smiled as she heard his voice and decided to listen to another one.
"It's me again, on my last message I said that I was in love with someone else and that someone…oh man… Brooke that someone is you. I'm in love with you Brooke Penelope Davis and I know we weren't going to mention our middle names anymore but I just wanted to show you that I love every part of you."
That message was cut off, so she waited until the next one appeared.
"And that I want to be with you. So I'm coming over right now, I'm on my way to tell you all of this and that Peyton was never in my heart, she never had a chance Brooke. You stole it the minute you were waiting for me in the backseat of my car. So I hope you're ready to accept me and to be with me, because that's all I want. I want you."
That last message made Brooke break into sobs. Why did she have to listen to the last one? She assumed the texts were the same way. She hugged her knees and cried into her pajamas, now regretting her decision to make him leave. And worst of all, they were graduating tomorrow and then they would be on their way to college.
Why didn't she listen to the messages before pushing him away?
It was graduation in the town of Tree Hill and everyone gathered around for the big ceremony.
Everyone was seated in alphabetical order, with Jake sitting in the back by the parents, being there for his girlfriend. And Peyton couldn't stop looking back at him, smiling the whole time. She was so happy at this moment she could explode. She loved him so much.
Nathan and Haley were seated also, not by each other though because Haley was the valedictorian of her class, so she sat up front on the stage.
Mouth and Shelly were together too, even though they also weren't seated together. But it didn't matter, because both of them weren't going to let go of this new relationship they started again.
And Brooke was running late, as usual. She realized that spending half the night crying didn't make you look good the next day so she had to spend even more time on her makeup this morning. She was rushing in and the ceremony was beginning in ten minutes, which meant she was supposed to be there 20 minutes ago.
She ran through the lunch area, holding her cap when Lucas stepped in front of her.
"Brooke wait, I have to talk to you."
"Okay Lucas but right now I really have no time because I need to be sitting down already!" She yelled, running even faster.
Lucas began running along side her. "Can't you just stop for two minutes?"
"Not right now, sorry!" She yelled and they both reached the seats. Lucas watched as Brooke ran up to the front, to claim her spot.
The ceremony was beginning and Whitey started it off with a speech on how he knows all of them very well, especially the boys that he coached throughout the years. You could see little tears falling on his face when he ended the speech, and everyone applauded.
Next up was Haley, the valedictorian, and everyone once again applauded. She presented her speech with such grace that everyone there was listening to every word she said. During her speech she stopped to glance at the people most important in her life. First she looked at Nathan, truly loving everything about him and so grateful that she had him. Next was Lucas, her best friend since she could remember and was so happy that he was going to be her son's godparent. And then it was Brooke, her Brookie, the one girl that she could tell anything too and the one girl that would always be on her side, looking out for her. She didn't know how she ended up being friends with the most popular girl in school but she was glad she was.
Brooke gave her encouraging smile back and Haley continued with her speech. This time, Haley looked at the people that were there for her, like Peyton, Jake, and Mouth. She couldn't have been happier then when she was with all of these people.
She ended her speech and everyone applauded and cheered, and slowly everyone started standing up.
Brooke yelled 'You go tutor mommy!' and Haley laughed. Leave it to Brooke to yell something at a very important part.
Nathan whistled and mouthed, 'I love you' while Lucas did the same except he yelled 'Go Hales!'
She mouthed that she loved her husband back, and she mouthed that she loved Lucas too.
Then, Principal Turner called all of the graduates up and they all got their diplomas, their smiles wide and eyes shining. This was the day that everyone dreamed about. It was the day that everything and everybody changed.
Once the ceremony was over and people were starting to get up to start taking pictures, Lucas jumped out of his seat and ran after Brooke.
He saw her, taking a picture with Bevin and Skillz. When they were finished, Brooke saw him and ran over to him.
"Lucas! We graduated!" She yelled and hugged him. He laughed and hugged her tighter.
"So what was it that you were going to talk to me about?" She yelled over all the noise.
"Brooke, about yesterday…" He began and waited for her to cut in. But she didn't, she just stayed put with a smile on her face.
"Yesterday I said something that I truly meant. You told me to come and get you when I was sure of everything and here I am. Brooke, I've been sure about us ever since you said you loved me. I'm in love with you Brooke Penelope Davis and we are meant to be together. You said so yourself that people who are meant to be together always find each other in the end. Well here I am Brooke, and here you are. Were here, were standing here because that's where were meant to be."
By now everyone had stopped talking and taking pictures to hear the blonde boy profess his love for the brunette beauty that was standing before him.
"And how do you know that?" She whispered. Everyone leaned in more to catch every word they were saying.
"Because were so different but were just as the same. Because we both have terrible middle names, sorry Mom, and because even though you claimed before that we don't really know each other, we do. Because I can read what you're thinking at all times and I know what you're going through. I'm sorry that I never let you in but it was because of my own insecurities. I didn't want you to run away when I let you in on all that was going on. It wasn't because I couldn't talk to you because most of the time Brooke, you're the only one I wanted to talk to. I love you Brooke Penelope-"
She cut him off, "Okay that's enough of the middle names."
He laughed and everyone awaited her response. "I love you too Lucas Eugene Scott. I'm in love with you."
Everyone cheered around them and Lucas and Brooke inched closer to each other.
"I thought we were done with the middle names." Lucas whispered to Brooke, their foreheads touching.
Instead of responding, she laughed and Lucas leaned in and kissed her. Her arms wrapped around his neck instantly and his flew to her waist. They wanted to be closer to each other, so much closer. She parted her mouth open so they could, and then both broke away smiling.
Once again everyone cheered and began throwing their hats in the air. Lucas and Brooke shrugged at each other and then they too threw their hats in the air.
Lucas and Brooke then went back to kissing and holding hands, because that was the only thing they wanted to do in this very moment.
Two days later, after all of their friends saw the big public display of affection that Lucas and Brooke shared on graduation, Haley organized for them all to come to her and Nathan's house to all have once last hang out.
They all arrived together, Jake and Peyton, Lucas and Brooke, and even Mouth and Shelly decided to tag along.
They were all sitting around the family room, on the floor and the couches when the doorbell rang.
"Who could that be?" Brooke asked.
"Who knows?" Haley said and walked to the door.
She smiled at who it was. "I'm so glad you could come!"
She pulled the red headed beauty in the house until she found out that she didn't come alone.
"Rachel!" Everyone yelled in excitement.
"Oh, Rachel…"Brooke began.
Rachel stopped her, "I told her everything Brooke, don't worry."
Brooke looked over at Haley who smiled, "I'm not mad, but we'll talk about it later."
Brooke hugged Rachel. "Thank you and I'm sorry that you got kicked out partly because of me."
"Well, actually…"
"There's someone else too…" Haley muttered and Uncle Cooper popped through the doorway.
"Hot Uncle Cooper?" Brooke yelled and everyone else just stared at her.
"What?" She asked loudly and then turned to Lucas. "I already have the guy I want."
They all laughed again and Rachel whispered in Brooke's ear, "If I hadn't of gotten kicked out I would have never met up with him again."
Brooke smiled and Rachel and Cooper sat down, with Rachel on his lap.
"So tell me, how did you guys get back together exactly?" Brooke asked.
"Well," Rachel began, "I was roaming some street in California when I saw him. I was terrified because of the way things ended between us so I didn't approach him."
"But I saw her and couldn't keep my eyes off of her so I decided to go up to her and talk, despite how we last left each other." Cooper explained.
"And then we started going out for coffee more and more and coffee's turned into dinner's and dates so now here we are. As soon as we got Haley's call we rushed out here to see all of you guys." Rachel told all of them and Cooper kissed her on the lips.
"Well, mom's sure going to be happy about that." Nathan told them and Cooper laughed.
"I can deal with your mother, don't worry. I'm not letting her go this time." He held onto Rachel tighter and she giggled.
"Like I'd let you." She whispered and they began to kiss again.
"Okay, you can stay only if you don't express PDA every five seconds." Nathan said jokingly.
Rachel looked around at everyone. Nathan was sitting down with his arm around Haley because she was pregnant and he was now delicate with her always, Peyton was comfortably sitting in Jake's lap, and Brooke was almost straddling Lucas over there. And of course, Mouth and Shelly were sitting next to each other, gazing into each other's eyes.
"Looks like everyone is expressing PDA right now," Rachel joked.
They all started into a fit of laughter once again until Haley brought out a box.
"What is it?" Peyton asked.
"Well you guys, the reason I told you all to come here was because I wanted to have one last 'hoorah' before we all go to college, but it was also because Brooke and I went baby clothes shopping and I wanted to show all of you." Haley explained, smiling.
"Ooh Hales we bought the cutest ones!" Brooke yelled. "And we fought for them pretty darn well too!"
"You were amazing Brooke, the way you grabbed the clothes of the crabby ladies hands. You definitely showed her whose boss." Haley said sarcastically.
"Hey, be grateful. If I didn't wrestle them out of her you wouldn't have these adorable baby clothes right now." Brooke said with a pout.
Haley laughed and opened the box, beginning to show everyone the clothes.
The guys were of course, uninterested but the girls were 'Oohing' and 'Aahing' the whole time.
The guys huddled into a nice sports conversation that consisted of basketball and NASCAR racing.
"So Uncle Cooper, can we go for another ride sometime?" Nathan asked.
"Well Lucas, Jake, and Mouth can but not you. I'm too afraid that you'll crash a car again." Cooper said and laughed.
"Hey, I had my reasons. But there are no reasons now to crash a car so I want to go racing again."
"Dude, you just want a rematch against me since I beat you all." Lucas joked.
"Uh, Luke, were you the one that crashed and hurt your head because I specifically remember me beating you." Nathan told him.
"No, I don't think so…" Lucas began but was soon stopped by the girls screaming at the baby clothes.
The boys just shook their heads and laughed.
"Women," They all muttered together.
Haley kept pulling out more adorable clothes each time and the girls would just scream even louder. Peyton of course would never scream at baby clothes but ever since meeting Jake and Jenny, she had been hooked on the cute clothes.
She couldn't wait to start her new life with Jake and Jenny.
"And here's the one with the little blue sailboats on them!" Haley exclaimed and held them up for all of them to see.
"Aw! Hales show them the little basketball jersey!" Brooke exclaimed
"It's my favorite one," Haley exclaimed and held it up, everyone gasped.
"It even has his number," Rachel said looking at it with eager eyes.
"I know, a great find right?" Haley said.
All of a sudden Haley clutched her stomach.
"Hales, what's wrong?" Brooke asked worriedly as she ran over to her.
"Oh it's nothing really," She said very calmly, "I just think my water just broke."
"Oh my god!" All of the girls screamed.
Then they yelled to the guys to get over here.
They all came sauntering in, with cool looks on their faces. Not for long.
"Nathan, Haley is having the baby!" Brooke yelled at him.
Nathan was in shock. "Uh, what do I do?"
Rachel laughed, "Nathan calm down and just get the car ready, we'll help her pack and Lucas, Cooper, Jake, and Mouth can help her in the car.
Nathan kissed Haley on the head and ran into the car. All four of the guys were in panic and all the girls could do was laugh, and look at them lovingly.
Haley was going to have her baby tonight.
Hand in hand, friendship and fate, they are all strong and happy, knowing that they are all going to keep in touch forever, and of course they will, for they are all friends with no benefits.
Okay well it's finished! I hope you enjoyed the ride with this story. My new one is coming out soon and I just want to thank all of the loyal reviewers because without you guys, I wouldn't have finished this! So drop a review!