Author's note: Part two of this story….hope you enjoy. Reviews are appreciated. Flashbacks again in italics as this is a story of Brooke reflecting on her journey to this moment in her life.


Brooke laid in the bed tossing and turning. Tomorrow was the biggest day of her life. She was marrying the man of her dreams, the man who stole her heart and never looked back. She couldn't help but smile as she thought about the last two years. Here she was twenty five years old and about to get her happily ever after. She rolled over and noticed the photograph on the nightstand, it was everyone at Jamie's seventh birthday over a year ago. She smiled as she thought back to that day.

"Hey gorgeous," Clay smiled as he walked in to the kitchen where Brooke was sitting.

"Clay," she said shaking her head.

"Oh, sorry Brooke," he smiled, "I wasn't talking to you," he smiled at the brunette walking towards them, "Clay Evans," he smiled shaking her hand.

"Quinn James," she smiled.

"Quinn," Brooke smiled as she hugged the older James sister, "oh my god, did Haley know you were coming?"

"No, actually I wanted to surprise Jamie," she smiled.

"What a wonderful surprise," Clay smiled at the brunette duo before him, "did I mention I love surprises?"

"Clay we're at a seven year olds birthday," Brooke stated.

"Clay," Nathan called as he walked into the kitchen, "stop harassing Brooke," he said before he noticed his sister in law, "Quinn," he said as she hugged him.

"Hey Nathan," she smiled, "I wanted to surprise you guys, so surprise."

"Come on," he said wrapping an arm around her, "Haley and Jamie are going to be excited to see you."

"Oh me too," Clay smirked, Brooke playfully punched his arm, "ouch."

"Look, the Bobcats got no depth in the back court, so step up and get this guy paid, Jerry Maguire," Quinn said as she and Nathan walked back outside.

"Who knew Tree Hill had so many hot chicks," he said with a chuckle, "you still sad over the producer guy?"

"I am not sad over anyone," she said, "just not interested in a jack ass like you."

"That hurts," he smiled at her as they heard Haley calling for them, it was apparently almost time for presents. "You know you want me too, it's just a matter of time before you get over Julian."

"First of all," she said as they were interrupted, "Luke?"

"Brooke," he smiled as he wrapped his arms around her, "god, it's good to see you."

"You too," she said genuinely happy to see him, "where's Peyton and Sawyer?"

"Sawyer wasn't feeling well but I wanted to be here," he said noticing Clay, "Clay," he said shaking the agent's hand.

"Two surprises in one day," she smiled, he looked confused, "Quinn got here a few minutes ago too, Jamie is going to be thrilled," she smiled.

"It's good being here," he said as he kissed the top of her forehead, "being home."

"It's good seeing you here too," she smiled as she linked her arm through his, "shall we?"

"We shall," he smiled at her.

"Oh, Brooke, don't worry about me," Clay said sarcastically, "I'll find my way."

"Uncle Lucas," Jamie said as soon as he saw the duo, Brooke let go of Lucas as Jamie ran into his arms, she couldn't help but smile.

"J Luke," Lucas said picking up his nephew, "you've grown at least a foot," he said.

"Dad says I'm short like mamma," Jamie smiled.

"Yeah, you're mom is pretty short," he said as Haley hugged him, "I missed you Hales."

"I missed you," she said as Jamie ran back towards his friends, "Peyton didn't come after all?"

"No," he said, "but, you know things have been rough," he sighed as he looked towards Nathan who was standing with Brooke, Clay and Julian, "I just thought it was time I come home for a little while."

"I'm glad," she smiled.

"Me too," he said as they walked towards his brother and new friends, "Nate," he said as they brothers hugged.

"Luke," he said with a smile, "it's good to see you, man. You in town for a while," Nathan asked.

"I think so," he smiled as he looked at Brooke.

"Good to hear," he said with a smile, "hey Davis, you want to help me grab the presents," Nathan asked.

"Yeah," she smiled, thankful for the distraction. As the brunette duo went in the house Lucas, Clay and Julian all watched.

"Wipe your mouths boys," Haley chuckled leaving the trio alone.

"You ok," Nathan asked as he grabbed a couple of gift bags.

"Yeah," she smiled, "I'm good," she grabbed a box.

"Look, I know it's probably weird," he said, "Julian here, but Jamie really wanted him here."

"Nathan it's fine, really, I told you," she said, "Julian and I are ok, I mean we're not best friends, but we'll be ok. I mean, I haven't had much time to think about it anyway."

"I'm sorry about Clay," he chuckled, he saw her smile.

"Clay is," she said hesitating as they walked out on the patio with the presents, "something."

"I know how he gets, just be careful," he said.

"I'm a big girl," she said with a chuckle, "I can take care of myself."

"It's not you I'm worried about," he said as he looked towards Lucas, Clay and Julian all still talking.

As the party ended Brooke helped Haley clean up as Nathan and the guys took Jamie and Chuck to the river court. It was a great day, it had ended up being a great party for Jamie. Familiar faces returning for the seven year olds party.

"Are you even listening," Haley asked as she sat the last of the dishes in the sink.

"What," Brooke asked, she smiled softly, "sorry Haley. I am listening now."

"What I said was I am worried about her," she said, "I mean her and David were so happy. Brooke," Haley smiled, "you are a million miles away, what's going on?"

"I don't know," she sighed.

"Hey," she said, "I'm here for you, if you want to talk." Brooke smiled up at her, Haley could tell her mind was somewhere else, and sometimes it broke her heart that Brooke wouldn't just open up about it, "I mean it you know. We're here for you."

"I know," she smiled, "but I'm ok. I was thinking, if Quinn is going to be in town for a while about having her do some shots for Clothes Over Bro's, I mean I am wanting to get the new line out soon. And, I really need to get back into my work."

"Healing a broken heart with work," Haley sadly smiled.

"It's not like that this time," she said softly, "Julian and I are just too different you know. As much as I care for him," she hesitated, "there's too much history, and the worst part is that it's not even ours."

"Oh, Brooke," Haley said.

"I knew it going in," she said, "we're still friends, I mean maybe it is a little awkward right now, but Julian is a good guy."

"He is, speaking of good guys," Haley said taking a seat next to Brooke, "what's up with Lucas and Peyton?"

"I haven't talked to her in a while," Brooke said, "I mean once they left it was like she didn't exist anymore. I was surprised he came today."

"Me too," Haley said, "I just worry about him. I think they are having problems. And of course, if I'm honest, I am not surprised. I think Lucas was trying to do what he thought he was supposed to do," she sighed, "sorry."

"Don't be sorry," Brooke smiled.

"And then Quinn, you, and now Lucas," Haley said, "Clay, gosh all I do is worry."

"Well, I can't speak for anyone else but Haley, I am fine, no worries, ok," Brooke smiled.

Brooke rolled over glancing at the clock on the nightstand. It was nearly three, she had managed to fall asleep for three hours. Three hours of sleep was not going to be anywhere near enough to look as fabulous as she wanted on her wedding day though. She sighed as she stood up. She made her way towards the kitchen to grab a bottle of water, but instead she got side tracked as she walked passed Nathan's office. She stood in awe for a minute, looking at the wall of photographs.

"Look how far we've come," she whispered as she looked at the picture of them at the state championship. She traced her finger over it, then moved on to a picture of everyone at the river court. They'd be friends forever, at least that's what she promised that night. The truth was they were, they were all still friends after all the years. Of course the group had grown over time, but they were all still there, still friends, more like a family. Of course things hadn't been easy, just like in any family there had been struggles and hard times. She smiled as she looked at the picture from Jamie's last birthday, it was Nathan, Jamie, Clay and Lucas.

"I told him I'd kick his ass if he hurt you," Nathan said as he stood beside Brooke.

"Thanks, I think," she smiled.

"You're family Brooke Davis, anyone who hurts you deals with me," he said.

"Good to know," she said softly.

"You've been through a lot, I just don't want to see you go through anymore, you're a good person, and you deserve to be happy."

"I am," she said with a smile, "I am really happy."

"It's almost time for the cake," Lucas said as he walked towards Brooke and Nathan.

"My favorite part," she smiled.

"Mine too," Lucas smiled.

"I should go check on the cake with Haley," Nathan smiled leaving them alone.

"I can't believe he is already eight," Brooke said with a smile as they watched Jamie in the pool with Clay and Skills.

"It seems like yesterday Haley was giving her graduation speech," Lucas smiled.

"It does, but look at how far we've come," she smiled as Lucas put an arm around her, she looked up at him, "I love you Lucas Scott."

"I love you too, Brooke Davis," he smiled as he kissed the top of her head.

"Aunt Brooke," Jamie called as he swam towards the edge of the pool where she was standing, "are you going to swim with us?"

"I don't know buddy," she said, "I didn't bring a change of clothes."

"Well," Clay smiled up at her from the pool, "we don't mind."

"We are at an eight year olds birthday," Brooke said shooting the agent a stern glare.

"Maybe later," Clay winked at her as he and Jamie swam back towards the other end of the pool.

"Jack ass," Lucas said shaking his head.

"Speaking of," she smiled as Julian approached them.

"Brooke," he smiled at her.

"Julian," Lucas said, "I'll leave you two alone."

"Hey," Julian smiled as he wrapped an arm around her, "I was thinking maybe we could talk for a minute," he said as they walked down the steps into the backyard, "I've got a proposition for you."

"Julian," she sighed, "we can't keep doing this."

"Brooke," he said softly, "listen, it's different this time, ok. My dad wants to move forward with Ravens again."

"Oh," she said surprised.

"Seven Dreams Til Tuesday is done," he sighed, "we're going to Sundance with it, and he thinks, and I think, now is the time. I haven't talked to Lucas again, but we need you."

"Your option is up, Julian," she said, "there is no guarantee that Lucas is even going to do it again, and honestly Julian, I'm not sure this is what I want to do."

"Look, I know the history," he said, "I do, but Brooke if we do this, I don't want anyone but you. I know there was tension before, there was so much going on, this time it will be different."

"And Peyton," she sighed, "Julian, I don't know that we all want to go through it again, to relive those memories."

"Ok," he said as he kissed the top of her forehead, "I love you, Brooke, you know that."

"I know," she said, "and I love you Julian, it's just a lot to ask," she sighed, "of everyone, so just be sure that you are up for it before you ask him."

"I will," he smiled, "and when he says yes, Brooke Davis, will you be in it with me?"

"Yes," she smiled, "I will be in this with you Julian Baker."

"Thank you," he said kissing the top of her head. He left her alone near the edge of the water. She loved the water, it had always felt like home. Even here in the backyard of her best friend's home she could feel at home listening to the sounds of the water. She loved the calmness it gave her.

"Hey beautiful," he smiled at her.

"Clay," she smiled back as he stood beside her.

"I'm sorry about earlier," he said.

"Don't be, it's just," she sighed.

"I know," he said softly, "so what brings you this far away from the party tonight," he asked looking back towards the house.

"Julian wants to turn Luke's book into a movie," she said, "it didn't work out before, but he is convinced it will this time. He's convinced we can make it work."

"What about you, what do you think?"

"I think it is a great opportunity," she said quietly, "and I also think that the past is going to complicate the present and I'm not sure it's worth it. I'm not sure we can handle it."

"Because of Lucas," he asked.

"And Peyton, and the shooting, and the heartache we went through," she sighed, "it's a lot for anyone."

"If anyone can handle it, Brooke, you can," Clay said as he put his arm around the brunette.

"It's not me I'm worried about," she said as she leaned her head against his shoulder, "I know that where I am is exactly where I want to be."

"You're a good person Brooke Davis," he said as he kissed her forehead, "and I know things will work out the way they are meant to."

"I hope so," she said as they walked towards the house.

"I know so," he said, "you taught me that."

"You're not so bad yourself Clay Evans," she smiled up at him as they walked up the steps to the patio.

"Uncle Clay," Jamie called out, "come on, Aunt Quinn is taking a picture," he said standing with Nathan and Lucas.

"You've been summoned," she smiled, he kissed the top f her head again, "go."

"You ok," Haley asked as she stood beside Brooke.

"Yeah," Brooke smiled as she watched Jamie smile brightly as all the guys were gathering around for a picture now, "perfect," she said.

The next picture was one of Nathan and Clay when they signed Danny. Brooke couldn't help but smile. The relationship she saw form between Nathan and Clay over the years was an amazing one, and Lucas had fallen in to that relationship as well. It was still amazing to her at how far they had all come, and how close they had come to everything falling apart a year ago. She made her way to the kitchen and got her water then went back to the guest room. She laid in the bed still tossing and turning. Her mind wandered back yet again, she sighed heavily as she knew she wasn't going to get much more sleep the night before her wedding.

"What does that mean," Haley asked as they stood in front of the television in their kitchen, "Nathan," she said.

"It means that the Bobcats used the remainder of their salary cap, Haley, it means he," Nathan said glaring at Clay, "didn't do his damn job."

"Nathan," Clay said, hoping to calm down the athlete.

"Clay what the hell, man," Nathan said as everyone else made their way towards the kitchen.

"Listen, we'll call them, we'll figure this out."

"I asked you to do one thing for me, Clay," he said as he saw her stand beside his agent, "well two, and clearly you couldn't do either."

"Really, Nate, that's what this is about?"

"No Clay, it's about you," he said as Lucas placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Come on Nathan," Lucas said trying to calm his brother.

"No Luke," he said angrily, "I asked him to get me a contract to sign and to stay away from her, two things."

"Ok," Lucas sighed, "I know, but man, she's a big girl, ok."

"So you've known about this," Nathan asked as he looked around his kitchen, his eyes landed on his sister in law and Brooke, who both avoided eye contact, "I can't believe this. My career as a Bobcat is done, and all of you, all of you knew how I felt about this," Nathan said as he walked away, Lucas followed and Clay went out on the patio alone.

"Hales," Brooke said softly looking to her best friend.

"This is not ok," Haley said.

"Haley," Quinn pleaded, "Clay will make this ok, he will."

"No, Quinn, Nathan and I both asked for one specific thing," Haley said walking away leaving her sister and Brooke.

"It will be ok," Brooke smiled at Quinn, "Clay will make it ok," she said.

"Is he ok," Quinn asked as Lucas walked back in the kitchen.

"He's pissed," Lucas said as he stood beside Brooke, "and," he said putting an arm around her, "he has a point," he said, "I'm just not sure I understand what happened."

"Clay will fix this," Brooke said looking up at Lucas, "he will."

"Clay," Quinn said as he walked back in to the kitchen.

"You're fired," Nathan said as he walked back into the kitchen with Haley at his side.

"Nate, come on man," Clay pleaded.

"No, I mean it Clay," Nathan said wrapping his arm around Haley, "you're fired. I asked you to do two things for me, for my family. And you didn't Clay, you didn't. I have a wife, Clay, a son, I have a family to take care of but you wouldn't know anything about that would you? You don't know what it is like to care about anyone but yourself."

"Nathan," Quinn said trying to calm the situation.

"You know what, Nate," Clay said looking around the kitchen, Quinn, Brooke, Lucas, Peyton, Julian, Mouth, everyone there looking at him, "this," he said motioning around to all of them, "this has been my family, ok, you have been my best friend, and this, this may be my fault, but don't you dare pretend you know anything about my. You want to control people and you can't, I'm sorry man, I'm sorry that this girl is so amazing that I didn't stay away, that she is so beautiful and honest, that I have fallen in love with her. I may have not done my job as your agent, but let's talk about who has not been a good friend."

"Clay," Brooke said softly as she looked towards Haley and Quinn.

"I had a wife Nathan," he said, "but you didn't know that. You never bothered to ask. You never took the time to ask me anything. I thought we were friends, man, I thought we were real friends," Clay said shaking his head, "it's good to know what you really think of me. Clearly I am such a low life that I'm not good enough for her," Clay said as he walked out. They all stood speechless.

"Nathan," Lucas sighed.

"I didn't know," Nathan said sadly as he left the room, Haley following behind.

"You ok," Julian asked as he sat beside Brooke and Quinn.

"Yeah," Brooke whispered, she looked up at Julian, "will you take me home?"

"Let's go," he said kissing the top of her head.

Brooke rolled over again. She sighed. She was so thankful for her friends, and she was grateful for this amazing man who wanted to spend his life with her. She smiled softly as she thought about the fact that in thirteen hours she would be his wife, "I'm getting married," she whispered before closing her eyes.