Author's Note: You know, I had planned on posting this at Christmas of last year. Yeah. I'm really sorry this took so long because it was pretty much halfway done until now. I'm not betting on getting too many reviewers, but I'm definitely hoping! Hey, it may inspire me to update again. I knowww, I'm totally bribing you. But it's worth it. While I'm at it, I may as well shamelessly plug my new story, An Attempt to Tip The Scales. It's basically a what-if. What would have happened if Dan had gotten joint custody of Lucas. You should, you know, check it out. Hehe. Enjoy.
Movie Script Ending
Chapter Nineteen: Blue, Blue Christmas
"Brooke, I really," Nathan paused dramatically, shaking his head. "I really don't want to do this."
A gasp left her lips, and she frowned, placing her hands sternly on her hips. "Nathan, you have to."
"Like," He asked, "I have no say?"
"Well, I certainly can't carry it inside!"
He returned his gaze towards the large Christmas tree. Leave it to Brooke to get not only the largest tree, but also the thickest one. And of course, she'd had someone help her load it onto her car, and she'd actually managed to get it off the car, but the biggest conflict was now going to be getting it inside the house.
"But - I - Brooke, it's like twelve feet tall!"
"So?" She shrugged her shoulders. "You're like twelve feet tall."
"Brooke, I am not." It was a childish argument, but there was really nothing else he could think of to say.
She sighed, linking her brother-in-law's arm with her own. "Nate, Sweetie, you know I love you. Really, I do. But seriously, if you want to be on my Christmas list this year, you're going to have to bring the tree in."
"Christmas is tomorrow, and you're Brooke. You've already gotten me my present."
"Damnit," She looked utterly stumped, and she looked the tree over briefly, wondering if maybe she could attempt to lift it in to the house. Returning her gaze to Nathan, she sighed heavily. "Nathan, pleeaase."
-
Nathan fell to the ground on his stomach exhaustedly, surprised to find that he could actually sweat during this cold December weather. Tugging his sweatshirt off, he tossed it carelessly to the ground beside him, closing his eyes slowly.
Brooke plucked up his sweatshirt, holding it in her hands as she looked at the tree in glee.
He had somehow managed to lift it into their living room, and it had lost few bristles along the way and was positioned just exactly how Brooke had imagined it.
"You are amazing, Nathan," She said cheerfully. "Do you want to help me decorate?"
"Uh, seeing as I'm still completely out of breath and all that, I think I'll pass." He managed.
"Fine," Brooke pouted. "But will you at least stay with me while I decorate?"
"Brooke, I really don't think I'll be moving at all for the next couple of hours."
"Perfect."
-
"..Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening.. A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight, walking in a winter wonderland.."
Despite what she seemed to believe, Brooke had a terrible voice. Now, it would be impossible to explain just exactly how bad her voice was, but Nathan was experiencing it first hand.
He groaned loudly, "Hey, Brooke?"
"Yeah?"
"Please. For the sake of every living parasite in this room, stop singing."
"Come on, Nathan!" She rolled her eyes. "It's Christmas music! It's not nearly as annoying when you actually sing." She slyly hinted, grinning her dimpled-smile.
"Yeah, uh, it's not the songs." He hadn't moved an inch in what seemed like forever, but her singing was slowly propelling him to get the courage to lift himself up.
"Okay," She shrugged. "So I'm a little off key-"
"No, Brooke. Lucas is a little off key. You're like.. so far off the key, you can't even see it. The key is out of sight for you."
The brunette scoffed, and in seconds, a miniature Santa Clause was sailing through the air, landing hard with a thud on Nathan's back. He winced; yeah, he definitely wouldn't be up for a few more hours.
"Sleigh bells ring.."
-
Lucas drove through his neighborhood, smiling softly at all the Christmas lights and decorations each house had put up. Christmas truly was a magical time, despite the terrible music and of course, the weather.
He couldn't help but think of how their life could be different right now. He couldn't help but think of what life would be like if he was a father. Christmas would be an even more special time. Granted, the baby would still be young if it were alive, but even so, knowing Brooke, they'd be going all out.
He knew that Brooke had been thinking about life with the child too. Just the night before, as she had lay in bed thinking he was asleep, he'd heard distinct sniffles and muffled sobs. It had broken his heart, but all he could do was hold her close, and rub her back comfortingly.
He pulled into the driveway of his house, smiling at the lights the gardeners had strung up. They'd done a hell of a job, and he couldn't help but feel that their house looked the best.
Lucas walked towards the door, pushing it open and taking a few steps inside. As he turned the corner, looking straight into the living room, the amusing sight before him made him stop.
Nathan was laying on his stomach, arms flattened out and legs pointing straight backwards, and Brooke was semi-laying near the front of his face, also on her stomach, but with her elbows propelling her body upwards, and with two Christmas ornaments in her hands.
Having heard the sound of the door, both looked towards Lucas, who shook his head. "I'm not even going to ask."
"Luke," Brooke held up the two ornaments, both the same shape, size, and shade of red. "Which one should I put up? There's not enough room for both."
He made a face. "They're the same."
Nathan looked towards his brother, "Thank you! I've only been trying to tell her that for the past twenty minutes!" Instantly, he regretted the movement, and he was laying flat on his stomach again.
"No, they aren't," Brooke grumbled, rolling her eyes. "You guys are stupid."
"Oh, good one." Nathan quipped. She held up one of the balls threateningly and he murmured an apology.
"This one's maroon, and this one's crimson."
Lucas sighed, turning towards the door as he heard a key turning in the lock. In seconds, blonde curls and a leather jacket could be seen, and it was obvious who was entering.
"Uh, hi, Peyton. Since when do you have a key?" He frowned.
"Since you first moved in." She waved him off distractedly, walking around him to see both Brooke and Nathan in their same positions.
Awkwardly she said, "Hey Nate."
"Hi Peyt!" He shot up an arm, before quickly lowering it once more. There was not a hint of awkwardness or uneasiness in his voice, and she quickly grew comfortable.
"Hey B. I just came by to drop off your guys' presents. I was out driving and they were in the back seat, so I just thought, why not?"
Lucas nodded. "Good question."
Brooke grinned. "Mine's the biggest one, right?"
"You know, Brooke-" Lucas began, only to be cut off by Brooke herself.
"Yes, I know. Great things come in small packages, or whatever. Whatever. I want a big, fun present." She smiled at her best friend, who offered back a smile.
"Trust me, you'll love this one."
"Oh, I trust you."
Peyton walked towards the tree, placing the messily wrapped presents down by the tree, and then back towards where Lucas was standing.
"Oh, P. Sawyer! Tell me, which one should I put on the tree? There's not enough room for both."
Lucas and Nathan exchanged looks, knowing Peyton's answer would be the same as theirs.
"Uh," Peyton bit her lip. "The maroon one. The crimson doesn't really go with the tree."
"Just what I was thinking." Brooke grinned.
The two Scott brothers frowned, and Lucas looked back towards the tiny balls as Brooke stood up, placing the 'crimson' one on the tree.
"They're both the same!"
-
"Oomph."
Even as the heavy object hit his chest, he did not open an eye; he knew what it was. He tried to pretend he was still sleeping (After all, a few more hours would just be heaven), but he knew he'd get no sleeping done.
Opening one eye slowly, it made contact with the sight of Brooke, who's head had been the object to land on his chest. She blinked at him a few times, the grin never leaving her face.
"I'm sleeping." He told her.
"But it's Christmas."
"Doesn't mean I'm not sleeping."
"Doesn't mean I care."
He rolled his eyes. "You can be a pain sometimes, you know that?"
Brooke propped herself up on her own elbows, allowing him the luxury of breathing once more. "Well, I'm allowed to be a pain on Christmas."
He sighed, kissing her forehead. "You're allowed to be a pain whenever you want with me."
-
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, hand in hand, they found Nathan rubbing his neck with one hand, and using his other to aid himself in sipping coffee.
"How are you feeling?" Brooke said with an unsympathetic grin.
"Well," He made a face. "Let's just say if basketball was out of the question before, now it shouldn't even be a dream."
"Basketball," Brooke furrowed her eyebrows. "Haven't thought about that in a while."
"Merry Christmas." Lucas offered with a smile, and Brooke nodded.
"Yes, Merry Christmas. Presents!"
"You can tell she's really dedicated to the holiday in itself." The dark haired Scott brother joked.
Brooke made a face, but practically skipped over towards the Christmas tree, where an assortment of presents sat wrapped beneath the tree. Lucas and Nathan exchanged looks, and calmly sat beside her.
"I'll go first!" She volunteered.
"Okay, but please show a little more enthusiasm." Lucas grinned.
"You're funny." As she tore at the fancy wrapping paper, she half-heartedly reached for tag.
"Wait, who's it from?"
"You, obviously."
"Why is that obvious?"
"Because you're the only one that sucks so much at wrapping presents that you actually get them gift wrapped." Nathan chuckled at this, and Lucas shot him a look.
"Well at least I'm not Donna Reed like you."
"Donna Reed was a housewife. It doesn't mean she was good at wrapping presents." Nathan argued.
"Hey, Donna Reed was good at everything!" Brooke said, pulling from the wrapping paper a CD.
"Counting Crows," She read aloud, not even bothering to hide the confused look on her face.
"It's - no, it's," Lucas looked embarrassed now. "The song on there, Rain King - that was the song that was playing on our first date. At that bar, Blue Post."
It took her a moment, but when she looked up at him, she was grinning. "You actually remembered that?"
He smiled sheepishly. "Yeah. It took me forever to found out who sung it, but yeah.."
"This is really sweet, Luke." Brooke said seriously. She stood up, throwing her arms around him tightly. They remained like that for several seconds, and Nathan felt the most awkward he had since he'd moved in there.
Lucas didn't even try to hide the pleased look on his face. "You've got another one under there, I think."
"You think?" She laughed. "Well, I'll let someone else open one. Ooh, I know! How about you and Nathan open one up at the same time? Like, the gifts you got each other? Fun!"
"How is that fun?" Nathan laughed, but tossed Lucas the gift he'd purchased for him, and Lucas did the same.
They tore at the paper - Lucas neatly and Nathan more savagely - and when they reached the presents themselves, both burst into laughter. Lucas was holding in his hands a nice, orange, leather basketball and Nathan was holding -- the same thing.
"Are you kidding? Same brand and everything.." Brooke was in stitches.
"I guess we really are brothers," Lucas grinned, throwing an arm around his brother. "How cool."
Nathan simply shook his head. "How weird."
"Okay, me again!" Brooke reached for Lucas' second present, which revealed itself to be a diamond studded necklace. She thanked him with a kiss, and tried it on running her fingers over it absentmindedly for the next few minutes.
Lucas opened his present from Brooke; a watch engraved with his initials. Nathan's present from Brooke was a pair of his favorite sneakers, usually impossible to find but in absolute perfect condition. "How did you know?" He had asked, and she merely smiled.
When Brooke reached Nathan's present, he swallowed hard. He hadn't known what to get her, but he had wanted it to be nice. After all, she had done so much for him this past month that he had no idea how else to repay her; so he'd spent most of that month's salary on a gold bracelet embedded with an emerald situated between two diamonds. When she opened it, her jaw dropped.
"Oh my God, Nathan. It's beautiful. Emeralds are my favorite," She held it up to her face, eyeing the piece of jewelry.
"I don't know how, but I knew that." He said awkwardly.
"This must have cost a fortune."
He shrugged. "It's Christmas."
Brooke looked up and their eyes met. "I have the nicest pair of earrings that would go so well with this. I'll show you. Hold on." And she was up, running up the stairs towards her bedroom.
When she was gone, Lucas smiled, "I'm taking her out to dinner tonight. It's going to be great. Fanciest Italian restaurant in town."
Nathan nodded jealously, "Sounds wonderful."
-
"I feel bad leaving Nathan behind," Brooke said as they were seated at their table at Giorgio Baldi, Tree Hill's nicest restaurant - and one of Brooke's favorites.
"He'll be fine. He's a big boy,"
"Yeah, but it's Christmas. No one should have to be alone on Christmas."
Lucas shook his head. "He won't be alone. We'll be home in a few hours."
"I know, but still.." She sighed, shaking her head.
Brooke looked around and then met his eyes again. "By the way, did I say thank you for this? You are definitely by far the best husband anyone could ever ask for."
"Really? Definitely by far? That's a pretty big honor."
"Any honor given by me is a pretty big honor," She grinned, leaning in to kiss his lips.
-
Nathan flicked through the channels on television. All that was on was Christmas movies: It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, Christmas with the Kranks, etc.
Just because it was Christmas didn't mean there couldn't be a good thriller on. Not like he could be thrilled right now. He was bored and tired and quite frankly, jealous.
He wanted to take someone out to dinner at the fanciest restaurant in town. Not Brooke, per say, but someone. He wanted to be able to afford to take someone out. Right now, he felt like a pathetic loser.
He was probably the only person in the world sitting home watching Christmas movies on Christmas.
-
Peyton was probably the only person in the world sitting home watching Christmas movies on Christmas.
Even her dad had had a date tonight with some pretty girl that worked on his boat. When they'd talked on the phone, he'd been brief and excited. And although she was happy for him, she was also slightly jealous. She wished that she had a date tonight. Who spent Christmas alone?
The doorbell rang and she thanked God for Chinese delivery on Christmas. Peyton thinking on an empty stomach was not smart.
She walked towards the door, grabbing the cash off the counter as she went, and when she pulled it open, she wanted to run back inside and hide. It was not the delivery guy, but Adam. She could not quite remember if she'd worn makeup that day, but the fact that she couldn't remember made her think not.
"Hi," He smiled.
"Uh, hey."
"I was bored. Saw your light on. Thought you might want to hang out? I've got pizza."
"I've got Chinese coming," She said weakly.
"So we'll call it a party," He shrugged, grinning.
"Yeah, okay."
He stood there for a second before leaning in and kissing her. She opened her mouth, surprised. His mouth was warm and felt nice, and when he pulled away she missed his lips on hers already.
"Mistletoe," He gestured upwards.
Of course.
It hit her then that she liked him.