I own nothing—thanks for the reviews.
This is an incredibly long chapter. Well over 3,000 words, bare with it lol.
The last line in the last chapter just means that it's so hard because she does love him so much, but he refuses to open up.
We'll write a song
That turns out the lights
When both boy and girl start suddenly shaking inside
Don't waste your time
Speed up your breathing
Just close your eyes
We'll hope it's not for nothing at all
Valentine's Day. It was a holiday that Brooke Davis always looked forward to. Well, she used to. She would get dressed up and go out to dinner with her flavor of the week. He would give her an extravagant gift and she would smile graciously as he put it on. Then they would go back to her house and she would show them their gift.
"Are you sure Brooke", Peyton asked for the tenth time.
Brooke sat on the bed in her sweats. She had no makeup on and her hair was in a messy bun. She shook her head at Peyton's question.
"There's a pint of Ben and Jerry's in that freezer with my name on it", she joked with complete seriousness in her voice.
Those days were long over. She didn't want a one time thing or something that last a week. Maybe a month. She wanted substance. She wanted someone to call her own. For the first time in a long time, Brooke Davis wanted to be in love.
"I'm sure", she said when she saw the concerned look.
"You don't want to come?"
"And be the third wheel in your date with Broody? No thanks", she said as she laughed.
She blessed Peyton's heart, but cursed it at the same time. She knew what the blonde was thinking though. Before boys and the drama, they spent every 14th of February together. Brooke's father would send a box of chocolates from whatever glamorous country they were in and Peyton's dad would send her the old standby, but they were her favorites. The girls would spend the day watching cheesy romantic movies and eating all the chocolate they could handle.
"Peyton, go out and have fun with Lucas", she watched as Peyton smiled, "you deserve this."
Brooke knew how things had been going between the two blondes. The past few weeks were still a little flip floppy. Lucas would let her in and then shut her out just as quickly. Peyton was a trooper though. She was going to keep after him. He deserved it, she would say. He had worked to get her to open up and she was going to do the same for him.
"Okay", Brooke let out a breath, "but you're sure?"
"Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer", Brooke groaned out.
"Alright, alright . . . sorry", she said meekly.
"It's fine, don't worry about me."
"Is this part of the whole independent Brooke?" Peyton asked with a quirked brow.
The brunette shrugged. "It might just be", she half lied.
There weren't many boys left in Tree Hill. The ones that were only wanted one thing and Brooke honestly wasn't that girl anymore. She had grown and in that growing process she had decided to change her type of men. Unfortunately, it seemed like she didn't have a miracle in the world at finding 'her guy'. Miracles were few and far between; rarely being granted. One was married to her friend and the other was having a baby with her best friend and just happened to enter the room.
"Well, hello Broody", Brooke announced.
"Hello Cheery", Lucas replied with a smile; one that used to melt her heart.
"Luke, did you get me chocolates?" Peyton asked as she scrunched her nose. Her taste buds had been acting crazy again.
Lucas shook his head. "I think after staying up with you the entire, I learned my lesson", he said as he cringed. "No chocolate for my girl", she smiled at him and he smiled back.
"These are for Brooke", he said as he handed over the box.
Brooke placed a hand over her heart and spoke, "Oh my word . . . what a gentleman", she said in her best southern accent.
"Your welcome", Lucas ignored her sarcasm and kissed the top of her head.
"Thanks", she said sincerely.
"I don't get a present?" Peyton fake pouted and put her hands on her hips.
"You'll get your present", Lucas promised with a grin as he walked over to her.
Brooke watched on as the two interacted. He placed a hand on her stomach before leaning down and kissing her sweetly. He whispered something in her ear and Brooke watched as Peyton blushed before swatting his arm.
"I want her back by twelve", Brooke said in her best parenting voice.
"Not a minute later", Lucas promised as he smiled.
The two blondes walked out the bedroom door. Lucas's arm was firmly around Peyton's waist and her head was on his shoulder. Brooke sighed. That's what she wanted.
She didn't want Lucas. That ship had sailed long ago. She wanted what they had. True love. Unconditional love. A love that other people admired. She wanted to be with someone and have something that other people longed for.
As she sat on the bed in her sweats she closed her eyes. Brooke wasn't much for prayer; she had stopped believing in any type of religion after Peyton's mom died. But tonight she was going to have a little faith. She sent a small request to whoever was listening.
She really wanted her miracle.
------------------------------
"Hales, we're gunna be late", Nathan groaned from the living room.
"I'm coming", her voice was muffled behind the bathroom door.
"Seriously babe, our reservations are", he looked at the time on the microwave, "ten minutes ago! Haley James, you know I love you, but I swear I will leave you here if you're not out soon", he swore he heard a small chuckle.
"It's Haley James Scott", she teased as she finally emerged from the bathroom. Nathan sucked in a breath.
"What do you think?" she asked as she nervously crossed her ankles. Nathan continued to stare, "Nathan", she whined self consciously.
"You look beautiful", he walked forward and placed his hands on her waist.
She rolled her eyes playfully. "I look like a whale. I'm five months pregnant Nathan. My feet are swollen, I might pee if I sneeze, and I look like a whale", she counted off on her fingers.
"You are beautiful, Haley James Scott", he whispered before leaning down to her lightly glossed lips.
"We have reservations", she murmured.
"Who cares", he leaned in for another kiss. She moved her head back and laughed at his puckered face.
"I care and a minute ago you cared so much you were willing to leave me here", she reminded him with a sweet smile.
"That was before you came out in this", he said gruffly against her ear, "I have to thank Brooke later."
"Come on", Haley grabbed his hand and ushered his out the door.
Haley smoothed the small wrinkles on her champagne colored dress. Brooke had certainly done a great job. Apparently the boys had it all planned out. They told Brooke they wanted to do something special and Brooke insisted on helping. Hence; the dresses. Haley could only imagine what Peyton's looked like.
"Mi lady", Nathan said as he opened her car door and reached for her hand. She laughed and shook her head, but complied none the less.
"I have a reservation, Nathan Scott", he told the hostess that stood at her podium. She smiled politely and searched the book; her smiled turned into a frown.
"Mr. Scott, what time was your reservation for?"
"Eight o'clock", he said as he stared around the restaurant. It was packed!
"Mr. Scott, I'm sorry", his eyes snapped to meet hers, "it's 8:30, we gave up your table."
"Excuse me?" he asked in a threatening tone. Haley squeezed his hand.
"It's our policy", she began to apologize. Haley could see the slight fear in the girl's eyes.
"Nathan, it's not that big of a deal come on", she said softly as she pulled on his hand. The two of them walked out of the restaurant.
"It is a big deal . . ." Nathan vented the entire car ride.
"What are we doing here?"
Haley had instructed him on where to go. He wasn't exactly focused on the destination, but he had paid attention to the roads. He was still a little upset about dinner.
"Just come on", his wife ordered as she left the car.
"Can you believe that though?" Nathan continued his rant.
They had stopped at the hotdog vender and ordered their dinner. Then they walked to the small, well known ice cream parlor and Haley ordered two of her favorite sundaes. They were walking to a destination that only Haley knew of.
"And the nerve of that girl . . . it's our policy", he mocked in a voice that hardly matched the one the girl gave them.
"Nathan, she was like fourteen. It's most likely her first job and you scared the hell out of her", she watched as Nathan finally softened. The reached the table and sat on opposite ends.
"I'm sorry", he reached for her hand across the table, "I just wanted this night to be perfect", and Haley smiled softly, "instead we're sitting here eating crumby hotdogs and these stupid looking sundaes on this creepy looking dock", he berated himself as he played with the item in his pocket.
"I happen to like these crumby hotdogs and stupid looking ice cream sundaes. And this isn't some barren, abandoned dock. It's where it all started", she watched as he furrowed his brows before taking in his surrounding.
"This is the table . . . and the dock—"
"Where I first tutored you", she finished with an accomplished grin. Nathan shook his head with a smile on his lips.
"I don't need fancy dinners or extravagant places or expensive jewelry. I have you and in a few months I'll have our son . . . that's enough for me, you're enough for me", he leaned across the table and placed a quick kiss on her lips.
"Well, at least let me give you this", he said as he slipped a familiar beaded bracelet onto her wrist.
She let out a gasp and her eyes began to water; damn hormones. He flashed that famous smirk that drove her crazy.
"Don't say I never gave you anything."
------------------------------
"You didn't have to do this", Peyton assured Lucas as they sat on the couch.
"I know, I wanted", he smirked in her direction.
The café was their's for the night. It was completely dark, except for the rose colored lights that were hung around the room. Candles were on the lone table that was in the center of it all. And Peyton could smell the food that awaited them.
"Well, thank you. I love it", she whispered as she scooted closer to him.
"I love you", he said as he pulled her onto his lap. Peyton giggled and kissed his nose.
Lord, help her. Peyton Sawyer was not a giggler. In fact, she was rarely one to smile. This boy made her feel and do things that she never anticipated. It was scary and exciting. And she loved every minute of it.
"Lucas, I'm going to crush you."
The blonde boy scoffed. "I'm serious. I'm not some tiny, cute cheerleader anymore. I'm six months pregnant", like he needed to be reminded.
"And you're beautiful", he whispered as he kissed her collar bone, "and stunning", he kissed her pulse point, "and incredibly sexy", he said gruffly as he kissed her lips.
All her insecurities were wiped away. His tongue skimmed the seam of her lips and she gladly accepted it. She used the couch to help change how she was sitting. Her legs were now on either side of his and she innocently rocked her hips forward. A loud groan escaped his lips.
"God, I love you", he barley gasped out as she sucked on the hinge of his jaw.
"I love you too", she smiled as she stared into his eyes.
Their heated make out session continued. Lucas carefully laid her on the couch and kissed each part of her face. Savoring every noise that escaped her mouth. His hands slowly crept up the Clothes over Bros original and the moan that escaped Peyton's lips vibrated through his body; nearly sending him over the edge. She pulled away suddenly.
"If we don't stop now I'm pretty sure we'll end up having sex on this couch", she said breathlessly.
"We haven't even started", his voice was thick with arousal. His hand continued its journey. She continued to get lost. Her tongue dancing with his in a movement that drove her wild. Her better judgment won out.
"Luke, people sit here", she tried to reason. She grabbed his hand, pulling it out from beneath the skirt of her dress, before he reached its destination, and intertwined their fingers on top of her belly. His mouth never left her skin.
"I don't care", he mumbled. He was on a new mission, and the red mark that he barely saw in the dim lighting, proved his nearing accomplishment.
"Your mom might", she gasped as he nipped her neck.
"Way to kill the mood", he groaned out as he sat up; extending his hand for her to follow.
"It's just about ready!" Karen called out from the kitchen.
"So was I", Lucas muttered. Peyton playfully smacked his arm.
"Come on", she grabbed his hand and started to pull him up with her. He dropped her hand before she succeeded.
"I kinda need a minute."
Peyton blushed and chuckled. "Sorry", Lucas shook his head and waved her off.
"Alright, here we are", Karen announced as she walked into the room, "Lucas why are you all the way over there?" she asked as she set the food on the table.
"Just admiring Peyton from afar."
"Well, that's understandable. She looks stunning. Peyton this color looks amazing on you, although I didn't peg you for a purple kind of girl."
Peyton shrugged. "It's deep purple", she clarified as a joke, "and Brooke made it, there was no way I was getting out of the house in anything different", Karen laughed in understanding.
"She could wear a garbage bag and still look amazing", Lucas spoke as he finally joined the table. Karen nodded her head.
"Peyton, you are absolutely glowing", Karen gushed. Peyton blushed.
"Thanks Ms. Roe", she muttered shyly.
The older woman rolled her eyes. "Call me Karen, your having my grandchild. There's no need to be so formal", she insisted. Peyton let out a small laugh.
"Ma", Lucas whined.
Karen held her hands up defensively. "Okay, okay . . . I'm going", she kissed Peyton's cheek and did the same to Lucas.
"Have fun!" she called out as she left the café.
"She's really come a long way", Peyton said as she watched the woman cross the street.
"Yea", Lucas responded absentmindedly.
"Do you think people can change?" he asked after a moment of silence.
Peyton took a moment to consider her answer. "I don't think they can, but I do think that they can grow. That growing can lead to a change in how they act or think or speak. But I don't think someone can just change", she watched as Lucas absorbed her words.
"My mom . . . she was probably going to meet Dan", he spoke softly.
Peyton furrowed her brows and at the same time tried to control her excitement at the fact that he was opening up.
"Why do you think that?"
"He's been coming around a lot lately", he said as he shrugged, "It's weird cause its Dan, you know. He's never showed an interest in anything that involved me or my mom."
"Well, maybe he's trying now."
"People can't change, you said so yourself", she could hear the anger in his voice, but hoped it would fade out.
"I also said they can grow. Maybe the shooting made Dan realize that he needed to grow", she said carefully.
"It shouldn't have taken his brother dying for him to step up! Besides, I don't need him in my life, he's a miserable person", he watched Peyton recoil at his outburst.
He mentally cursed himself. None of this was her fault. She didn't know about his dreams. She didn't know his innermost thoughts. And it was his entire fault.
"I'm sorry", he watched as she nodded her head and played with the food on her plate.
He wiped his mouth with his napkin and pushed his chair away from the table.
"Dance with me?" he requested as he held his hand out to her. She stared up into the blue eyes that she loved and sighed.
"There's no music", she tried to protest.
"We'll make our own", he smirked and she felt her heart stop. Slowly she placed her hand into his and he led her to the window. They began to sway in the silence of the room. Things weren't always roses and butterflies between the two blondes.
When things were bad they were bad.
Peyton had begun to hum the song that was playing in her mind. Lucas smiled. He opened his mouth and softly sang the words she didn't attempt to utter.
Someday
When I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight
"I always knew we'd make beautiful music together", he whispered into her ear. He kissed her temple and they continued to dance.
But when things were good they were good.
------------------------------
Brooke sat on the couch and tapped her foot against the floor. She was impatient and nervous and angry. This was not a good combination for the brunette. She checked the clock again.
12:01
They were late. Granted it was a minute, but this couldn't wait another minute. She got up and was about to call Peyton's cell when she heard the quiet voices behind the front door. She decided to wait it out. Surely, they wouldn't be any longer.
12:07
That's it, Brooke muttered to herself. She pulled the door open and revealed a disheveled looking Peyton and Lucas. She bit back her smirk.
"I'm sure she had a good time Lucas. V-Day is over so . . . night", she said with a bright smile.
"Say goodnight Peyton", she ordered, but she began to close the door anyway.
"Goodnight!" Peyton shouted out as the front door finally closed.
"What the hell, Brooke?" she questioned angrily as she tore her arm from the brunette's grip.
"We have an issue", she emphasized with her hands. Peyton rolled her eyes.
"Condoms are in the drawer next to my bed", she said as she shuffled into the living room, "Although, I don't think they do much good", she added as an afterthought.
"Okay", she held up her pointer finger, "good to know, but not the issue."
"What is it?"
"This", Brooke said as she pointed to the answering machine; it flashed a digital 1.
"Okay, hit the play button", Peyton obviously did not see the severity of that simple action.
"Peyton, you don't get it—"
"I don't think you get it", Peyton said with an amused smile. She walked forward and tapped the small 'play' button before Brooke could protest.
"I just want you to know that I didn't listen to the message", Brooke spoke over the recorded greeting, "I just heard the voice and . . ." she stopped as that voice filled the room.
"Hey Peyt . . . I'm just calling to let you know that I got her. I got Jenny! Nikki messed up, big time. She was speeding and a cop pulled her over. Jenny was in the back, she wasn't even buckled in the right way, but long story short . . . the cop found drugs in the car. I got full custody! I'm coming home—we're coming home. I can't wait to see you and I know Jenny can't wait either. I miss you and I love you. I'll see you soon. Oh and Happy Valentine's Day."
Peyton turned to Brooke with tears streaming down her face. The brunette quickly gathered her best friend into her arms and guided them to the floor as Peyton's legs gave out.
Lay down, be stillDon't worry, talk they will
I'll be loving you until
Morning's first light
Breaks tomorrow, I'll take care
Of you
Tonight
Secret valentine
Let me know what you think! Try not to hate me . . . it won't be as bad as you think, maybe lol. I've had everything played out like this in my mind since I started it.
