Chapter 8: It Was Always You

AN: You have all been so patient and so amazing with the continued reviews. Thank you all so much – you have no idea what it means to us. We hope you enjoy this chapter!

~ C & B ~

The tiny country courtroom was buzzing with activity as case after case was presented. Before Chris's eyes men were sent to jail on petty charges, families were brought together, and families were torn apart. His confidence was at an all time low as he sat alone in the room, waiting for his turn. None of his friends had been allowed inside because of overcrowding issues, and as he wrung his fingers together in his lap, his nerves were eating him alive.

Basically it was a waiting game. The decision had been made weeks ago and with the exception of a few small questions at the beginning of the hearing, everything was pretty much set in stone. If he'd managed to wow them with his charm and his friends' confidence in him, Michael was his. But if his reputation and shady past had swayed the judge the other way, well, there was nothing to be done about it at this point.

"Christopher Keller. Please step forward."

He took one calming breath and made his way to the stand. His eyes disappeared behind his lids for a moment as he calmed his racing heart. Slowly he opened them, staring into the eye of the judge and awaiting his answer.

~ C & B ~

A small hand snaked forward and smacked the back of a blonde head. Clay turned to Haley with a glare and she glared back, giving him a pointed stare, "Quit watching them."

The blonde scoffed and glanced back at Lucas and Peyton, "Doesn't it bother anyone else, even a little bit?"

Nathan barely even spared him a glance and Haley shook her head, dark waves falling into her face. She brushed them back behind her ear and her motherly smile came over her face, "It's sweet that you're so protective of Chris, but he's okay with them being together. You should be too."

"Well, at least you're bothered too, right?" He directed his question to Brooke. Silence was his only answer.

He and Haley turned and followed her gaze, green eyes staring at the door of the courtroom. She hadn't moved an inch since they arrived, sitting completely still and watching those doors. She had faith in Chris and Michael, but she also knew how these things sometimes went, so she waited. She was prepared for anything. No matter what happened, she would be there for Chris.

That's what you do for the people you love…

Clay sighed and glanced back at Peyton and Lucas, frowning as he watched them interact. The two blondes sat together on the opposite side of the hallway, both here to show support to the friend they were slowly gaining back. They had isolated themselves when they'd arrived and now they were smiling together, fingers curling and eyes meeting almost shyly. They were official now, but things were still moving slowly between them. Neither wanted to risk moving too fast.

Not this time.

Peyton laid her head against Lucas's shoulder and glanced toward the door, eyes falling to her former best friend for a moment. She watched the anxious faces she made and the way she tightened her fists every time someone exited and it wasn't Chris. Slowly her eyes drifted to her new boyfriend again, voice soft and hopeful, "Do you think it's a good sign that we haven't heard anything yet?"

The blue eyed boy nodded slowly, his face far more confident than hers, "Honestly I think they're just making him swear. Chris is surprisingly awesome with kids. Don't worry, he's got this."

The doors opened again and all of them stood, watching Chris's strong and confident stride from the judge's bench out to them. The boy didn't announce the verdict. He didn't stop to hug Haley and shake Nathan's hand. He didn't react at all to Lucas and Peyton. He had a goal and he didn't waste any time.

He strode straight over to Brooke, his hands grabbing her hips, and he pulled her to him. His lips descended on hers before she could even react.

The last thing Brooke heard was the silent gasp of shock coming from Haley as Chris pulled her in, his lips stumbling upon hers. From that moment on, the rest of the world faded out and it was just the two of them.

The man you love is kissing you, Brooke Davis. Oh my gosh. Kiss back!

Her arms wrapped around his neck then, the brunette deepening the kiss immediately, her body pressed to his. It was better than what she had imagined all those nights alone in bed, thinking him over and getting the butterflies of picturing this moment. Needless to say, the butterflies were flying more than ever right now.

She's kissing back! She's kissing back! Stop thinking and kiss her!

Chris's lips moved smoothly over hers, tasting a mixture of coffee and strawberry lipgloss on her tongue as it lightly brushed his. His fingers tightened on her hips and he made the moment last as long as he could. They broke away after a moment, both gasping as their eyes met and their foreheads touched. Before either could say or do anything, a slow clap started behind them.

Clay stood up onto his chair, hands coming together slowly, "Finally!"

Brooke turned her head to look at Clay, hazel eyes narrowing on blue. He was definitely not a part of the butterfly fantasies of this moment.

Haley quickly leaned up and pushed him back down into his seat, smiling politely but awkwardly at Brooke and Chris, "Carry on."

The brunette cracked a smile before turning back around to meet the eyes of Chris, her voice soft but heard and hopeful, "I take it you're a father now?"

He nodded, heart racing in his chest and smile wider than it had ever been, "He's mine, Brooke. Michael's mine. They're gonna bring him out in a while after everything is processed." He brushed her hair back behind her ear, voice lowering, "I've never been this happy. You helped me do this. I get to be a dad."

Brooke's smile widened, dimples showing as clear as day for the first time in a long time as she brushed her nose over his lightly. "I'm so proud of you." She leaned in further, her head falling as she embraced him in a hug.

He breathed in deeply and brushed his lips over the side of her head. His eyes closed and he just rested there for a moment, focusing on the beat of her heart and the feel of her pressed against him. His smile touched her ear and he let out the quietest breath, "Thank you for being the first person I saw. He said Michael was mine and you were the only person I wanted to tell."

Brooke's heart fluttered and she pulled back, her fingers lightly playing with the bottom of his shirt. "Michael is going to be the happiest boy ever. I can't wait for him to come out with us."

Chris's fingers slid up her arm, over her shoulder, and lightly traced her neck and jaw. He tilted her chin up, their eyes locking in an intense stare, no one else existing, "I'm gonna kiss you again."

The tickly feeling in Brooke's stomach was back and she bit her lip, a soft breath from her the only response as she nodded her head slightly. Their lips met, the brunette unable to hide a smile for a second. It's finally here.

After all the heartache, all the pain, all of the emotional beat downs, the worry of not knowing whether or not you're good enough for him, it's finally here.

His smile was as wide as it had ever been when they pulled back again and he let out a happy laugh, "I have wanted to do that for months. Probably longer."

I've been crazy about you for as long as I can remember.

"He's been crazy about you for as long as I can remember," Clay said, smirking when Chris shot him a look. "What? It's true. He was thinking it. I was just saying it."

Brooke laughed softly and let her fingers lightly trickle down his arms until their fingers were crossed together. "I've been crazy about you for a while."

"I told her to tell you like months ago," Haley said, holding up a hand in her own defense. "Just saying."

"And hey, we pretty much knew too," Peyton pointed out, shooting a smirk towards Chris. "I told the girl to go for it."

He looked down at Brooke and slowly raised his brow, "You seriously had no clue?"

"Well you didn't," Brooke said in her defense, smiling lightly and giving his hands a light squeeze. "But I guess that doesn't matter now, does it?"

"No, I guess it doesn't," he agreed. He leaned down for another kiss just as the door opened.

Tiny feet pounded against the ground and Chris glanced up at the loud 'Daddy!' that filled the air. He scooped the boy up at the perfect moment, snuggling him to his chest and smiling from him to Brooke, "Hey baby boy. You get to come home with me!"

"Hey Michael," Brooke said with a wide smile, her eyes burning lightly as the tears threatened to escape. They were happy tears, tears that Brooke wouldn't mind to show. "You look extra handsome today."

"Hey Mikey," Lucas and Clay both said at the same time with adoring smiles, Haley and Nathan smiling widely at the boy.

The tiny boy blushed at all the attention and buried his face into Chris's neck shyly. He reached over and curled his fingers into Brooke's shirt but didn't say a word, nuzzling deeper when Clay approached. Chris laughed quietly and gave the boy a tickle, "Don't get all shy on me now, silly boy. This is our family."

Dark eyes brightened and he peaked over at the small group, "My family too?"

"Yeah, buddy. Mine and yours. And you already know Brookie over here. I know how much you like her."

"I'm Uncle Clay," the blonde said with a soft voice, his smile only widening as the boy slowly fell out of his shell. "We're gonna be best buds. Do you like power rangers?"

Haley laughed lightly when he nodded, her head tilting lightly, "I'm Haley and this is Nathan. We have a little boy named Jamie who would love to play with you."

And then came the ex's. Lucas and Peyton both stood, hands curled together and eyes filled in awe. They were both truly proud of Chris for how far he's gotten with his life. Michael was the perfect child to ever have. He was a gift to them all. "I'm Peyton."

"And I'm Luke, little man."

Michael still clung to the sleeve of Brooke's shirt and stayed as close to Chris as possible, but he lifted his head to look at them all. He smiled shyly at everyone before his eyes locked on Clay, "The blues is my favorite."

Chris's smile went wide and he locked eyes with Brooke when the boy reached out for her to hold him. His cheeks almost ached from how big his smile was, but still he handed the boy over. He glanced at the small group and nodded his head, "Thanks for coming today. It's good for him to meet you all like this. To meet our family."

Lucas's eyes met Chris at the word family, both of them sharing a respectful nod as he brought Peyton into his arms and brushed his lips at the top of her head. "Family."

Brooke snuggled closely to Michael, the little boy feeling comfortable in her arms as she placed a light kiss on his forehead. "I love you, baby boy."

"I lub yous too, Bwooke."

The boy closed his eyes and breathed in her comforting scent, fingers lightly playing with the tips of her hair. He wiggled a little to get comfortable, letting out a quiet sigh, "Cans I sweep?"

His father, holy shit I'm a father!, glanced over and started to take the boy, "Yeah, buddy, come here."

Michael shook his head and clung to Brooke, "Uh uh. Want Bwooke."

Everyone's face fell in absolute awe, especially Brooke's as she nodded her head and took a seat at a nearby chair. Her voice was soft, comforting and above all filled with love, "Of course, sweetie." She rocked him lightly, her hand running through his hair slowly as she watched him drift off into a quiet slumber in her arms.

Chris stared at her like she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen, watching how absolutely perfect she was with Michael. He didn't even notice Lucas and Clay join him on either side until his former best friend spoke up quietly, "I never looked at her the way you are right now. I'm glad she has you to love her now."

The musician glanced over, nodding slowly, "I always had a soft spot for her. She's kind of perfect." He smiled and made his way to her, sitting next to her and gesturing to the boy, "I can take him if you want."

Brooke shook her head and smiled at Chris, the brunette still rocking him lightly. Michael spread a whole new type of warmth throughout her entire body. She was never a fan of little children until Jamie came along. Then she started to realize how wise they were and how understanding they could really be. Having Michael in her arms was probably one of the greatest feelings ever.

She'd never know how her mom could be so cruel to her. Was it because she grew up? She was no longer an understanding child anymore? Brooke knew one thing from this; she was never going to become her mom.

"You can't take him away from me that easily," she teased lightly, sending him a wink.

Lucas sat back down in his seat, pulling Peyton into his lap as he brushed her curls away with his nose and breathed her in. "You know, you're great with kids, too. As long as there's a fire extinguisher around."

Peyton's head fell back in laughter, the blonde's laugh stirring Michael for a second. Lucas leaned in and pressed his lips to her to silence her, both of them smiling against each other's kiss.

"Daddy?" The boy mumbled, grabbing his father's arm as his eyes drooped again, "I lubs you."

"I love you too, Mikey, more than anything in the world," Chris promised, kissing the boy's head. "Go back to sleep, I'm right here."

"Daddy?" he repeated, forcing his little eyes open, "Dos you lub Bwooke?"

Chris let out a quiet laugh and met Brooke's eye, nodding slowly, "Course I do, bub."

Michael huffed, "You haves to say it!"

Blue eyes widened at the boy's order and he smiled at Brooke almost shyly, "I love you, Brooke. And not just cuz Mikey says I have to."

Brooke smiled just as shyly back, "I love you too." She watched Michael let out a satisfying breath, his eyes drifting shut yet again.

Don't get your hopes up. You know he didn't mean in love.

"Why don't we go back to the house and cook up some barbeque?" Nathan suggested quietly as he stood up. Everyone agreed and also stood, Brooke sure to be careful with her steps so she didn't wake up Michael.

Once they all arrived at the Naley household, Michael was put into one of the guestrooms, Jamie fast asleep in his own room after being watched by Deb. Lucas and Peyton were sitting under the shade together outside, both of them engaging in conversation with Nathan and Clay who were both grilling together, Brooke sitting back on a swing and swinging back and forth slowly as her summer dress fell slightly over her mid-thigh.

Haley walked outside, spotting Chris staring at Brooke sneakily from the spot he was standing at. She walked up to him with a wide smile, her intentions clear. "So, whatcha doin?"

His eyes shot to her and he only smiled, "Just enjoying my life. I got the kid. A great job. Amazing friends."

He bit his bottom lip and let his eyes fall to Brooke, "And now I get the girl. I don't have any complaints."

"The girl's waiting for you to seal the deal and make this official," Haley said with an even wider smile as she nudged him. "Go get her, Keller."

With a quick smile and a nod, he made his way over to Brooke. He ignored the stares he could feel coming from every direction and took the seat next to her. They looked at each other shyly and he curled their fingers together. Their smiles were soft and mirrored each other in their nervousness, "I don't really know how to do this. It's been a really long time, but um… I've been crazy about you for months, probably longer. I just want to be with you."

Brooke smiled, her eyes searching his face slowly. The butterflies were back with every touch they made, her life finally coming into shape. He was the missing piece. She was finally getting it.

It's okay to let your heart open up again, Brooke. It's all okay. Trust him.

"I want to be with you, too," she said softly, turning her swing and leaning in as their lips met softly.

He smiled into the kiss, fingers lightly curling into her hair as he pulled her closer. Their swings threatened to break their kiss and he tugged her over onto his lap. Clay started another slow clap by himself, but this time the couple didn't even notice, focusing only on each other and this moment they'd been waiting a long time for.

For happiness.

Haley chucked her shoe at Clay's head, the boy yelping and pouting as he quickly stopped his clapping and watched on. He nudged Lucas and smirked, "See. I knew this was going to happen. I was the first one to notice!"

"Congrats, dude," Lucas said with a laugh, shaking his head as he brushed his lips over Peyton's. "Everything's falling together for everyone."

"Finally," Peyton agreed softly.

Brooke's lips moved softly against Chris's, her tongue sliding lightly over his as her hands pressed against his chest. Neither pulled away until they needed to catch their breaths, Brooke's nose brushing his. "Thank you for noticing me."

"I always noticed you," he said honestly, shaking his head. "I didn't think there was a chance for this so I pretended like I wasn't falling. But every day I fell a little more. Not gonna lie, I was extremely jealous that you wanted to date a pizza boy."

Brooke giggled, her cheeks flushing red as she thought over the night that she said she'd date a pizza boy. "That was you being jealous? It's adorable."

He snorted, shaking his head, "I was trying to be subtle by suggesting a lesbian. You know, show you I don't want you to date a man. But Haley tells me that was a stupid idea.."

Her head fell back in laughter then and she nodded her head, brow raising a little, "Yeah that was not your best idea. But that's okay because I'm on the same boat with you. We kept it hidden. We don't have to anymore."

His entire face lit up as if he just realized he was right, "We get to be together."

"Should I expect my face in a magazine soon?" Brooke asked, her fingers lightly brushing over his as she stared at him with an adorable smile. "Because if so, I need to make sure I look my best every day just in case."

Chris laughed and tilted his head, "As if you ever look any less than perfect. Come on, Brooke Davis, Chris Keller knows you better than that. If the paparazzi comes, you'll be ready."

"Food's ready!" Nathan yelled out, smiling when Clay was the first one to fill his plate with all types of food and sit down.

Lucas and Peyton sat down next to each other, both of their eyes locking every now and then to blow kisses at each other.

Brooke was surprised when Chris pulled her into his lap, the brunette smiling down at him as he fed her a piece of his burger. "You're already so good to me."

"You should feel honored," he teased, brushing her hair back from her face to give her a sweet kiss. "You know I don't share my food with anyone. You're special."

"I do," Brooke said with another laugh, running her finger over his bottom lip slowly as she stared into those amazing blue eyes that drove her butterflies insane.

"It's about time the four of them finally find happiness," Nathan whispered to Haley, shooting her a wink as he leaned over and kissed her lightly.