Chpt. 3: Band of Gold

"Ok, Luke, where are we headed?" Nathan stretched his legs out in the front seat of Luke's car.

"She said anniversary. That means presents, right?"

"Anniversary. That means jewelry."

"Huh. You sure? Cause I was thinking something more like a hot dress from Clothes Over Bros."

"Dude. You are such a rookie. You want to get Peyton, on the anniversary of the day y'all started this crazy thing, an uncomfortable dress so she will look hot for you? And lets not even mention that its designed by her best friend, who would probably just give it to her for free."

"Ok, Ok. What about a vintage Cure album?"

"Duuudddee. Jewelry. I'm telling you man."

"Ok. Geesh. But 'Lovesong' is what she painted on the River Court," Luke replied defensively. "And Peyton's not like other girls. I'm not sure I should be that typical."

"Fine. You can buy her an album we both know she already has. That wouldn't be typical at all. You gotta do the jewelry thing, at least once . Just get something that's not typical, but still shiny. Trust me. Here's what I think. I think you should get her a ring."

"No, see, you aren't as good at this as you think. She's using her Mom's ring; that's special. I'm not replacing that."

"Ok. You're right. How 'bout… a ring!"

"Nate--"

"No, listen." Nate was inspired. "Not an engagement ring. But a ring. You can get one of those anniversary band deals. That totally fits with the theme and you won't feel so bad about not buying a ring. This time." Nate laughed when Luke punched him. "Seriously. It could even double as a wedding band."

"Isn't that kind of weird, giving her the wedding band before we get married?"

"No. Umm. No." 'Oh shit. Whoops,' Nate thought as he frantically tried to cover. "I don't know. Wait! I'll call in the experts!" Nate took out his cell phone.

"Ok. Hey, look, I'm going to pull over. I gotta pee."

"Damn. No service." Nate lied, trying to delay this phone call. "I'll try again when we stop." Luke pulled into a service station. "Yeah, there's my bars coming back. Go ahead. I'll call Hales. I want to let her know we're headed into Charlotte anyway."

"K."

As soon as Luke was out of earshot Nate dialed Haley on his cell.

"Hey you."

"Hey. Say 'my husband is a genius.'"

"Ha. Not happening without more information. What's going on?"

"You know how Luke wanted to run errands?"

"Yea."

"Well we are headed to Charlotte."

"Charlotte? Ok?"

"I have Luke convinced to buy Peyton a ring. I think if I play this right I can steer him to something like a wedding band. I already suggested an anniversary band. That's close, right?" Silence. "Hales?"

"My husband really is a genius."

Nate smirked. "Yeah I am. So this is good, right?"

"Its fantastic Nate. Then Peyton will have a wedding ring. She'll be shocked. Good. She needs some surprises too."

"Yeah, that's exactly what I was thinking."

"Very romantic plan, mister. Why don't you bring some of that sexy thinking home with you tonight?"

"Some of that sexy thinking or some of that sexy jewelry we're gonna see?"

"Hmm. Go crazy. Bring both."

"Ha. Ok. Look Luke's gonna be back any second. So help. What are we looking for here?"

"Hmm. Well, with jewelry you've got to kind of go with your gut but try to lead him to bands. Maybe something with a few diamonds wrapped around so its not a traditional wedding ring. Oh! And its gotta be silver. Her Mom's ring is silver."

"Ok. Silver with diamonds. Got it. Thanks Hales, gotta run." He started to pull the phone away.

"Hey, genius!" Haley yelled, "I love you, you know."

"I know." Nate couldn't hide the smugness as Luke got back in the car. "You too." He hung up and turned to Lucas. "Ok, my girl says definitely get a band."

"She didn't think that was weird?" Luke asked skeptically.

"Not according to Hales. She says you should stick to the unconventional with Peyton. It's girls man. What do we know?"

"Well… I guess you have been married a while. Lets just hit Orleans and we'll see what they've got in stock."

Nate whistled, "Orleans. Nice. Now you're talking. Ok, so, on to important stuff. When will the Bobcats stop sucking?"

The boys walked into Orleans and Lucas was immediately overwhelmed. Even when he focused in on the rings, there were so many to choose from. And so much to know: silver or gold? Cut? Clarity? He was lucky he remembered Peyton's ring size. Feeling a little panicked, he turned to Nathan. "You've done this before--I need help. Besides, you're the one that got me into this mess."

"I hate to remind you, but you've done this before, too. Twice, actually."

"Once." Nathan's eyes widened at Luke's sheepish expression. "Lindsey's ring was really Peyton's. Or it was supposed to be. It was all just a big…"

"Cluster?"

"Cluster." Luke confirmed. "So. Peyton's mom's ring is better anyway. It means more. Let's look for something to go with that. Wait." Something caught Luke's eye. "This is it. This is Peyton's."

Joining Luke, Nate glanced at the ring in the display. "You sure, man? I mean it's beautiful. But dude, that ring's not kidding around."

"No. It's perfect." Luke couldn't stop staring at the ring. When the jeweler handed it to him the ring felt right in his hands. He knew this was Peyton's. It was a small loop of diamonds, each one cut in the same emerald square shape as the diamond on her Mom's ring. There was no band at all--only tiny silver hands holding the diamonds together at every corner. "Haley said unconventional, right? Peyton's hands are so small, a thick band would overwhelm them." Luke was really getting into it. "But these diamonds? They're perfectly clear. Delicate." He looked at Nate. "Like her. And it doesn't look typical."

"Ha. Peyton Sawyer, delicate my ass. But I get what you mean. You're sure." Nate glanced at the price tag. "Holy shit, Luke! Have you seen…" Luke just continued to stare at the ring. "Right, you're sure. Let's go."

When the deal was done Luke walked out the store carrying a small bag and an excited expression. Nate couldn't wait to tell Haley--that ring would look great right next to Peyton's Mom's ring. It would make the perfect surprise wedding band. But he couldn't resist harassing Luke a little more. "So. How much money do you make writing sappy stories about Peyton anyway?"

While the boys were looking at rings, Brooke came to pick Jamie up for their ice cream date. Before she could knock Haley had wrenched the door open and pulled Brooke into the house. "Haley what are you--"

"Luke is buying a ring!" The two girls began to jump up and down and scream until Brooke suddenly stopped.

"What? Wait.. Peyton already has a ring." Brooke frowned. "I'm confused."

"That's ok Aunt Brooke. I don't know what Mama is talking about most of the time." Haley rolled her eyes at her son but decided to ignore him.

"I know. Nate is convincing him to buy some kind of band. So I have an idea."

"Oh I like where this is going."

"Peyton was just going to skip the whole ring thing, right? So Luke didn't feel bad that he didn't have a ring. Again." Brooke started laughing. "So what if we buy him one? Something simple. Engraved maybe."

Brooke, racing ahead, exclaimed, "And we can call the minister and tell him not to skip that part. And Jamie can hold the ring secretly! Nate will set it up!"

"Exactly," Haley laughed and grabbed her purse. "Let's go!"