Brooke woke up the morning before graduation and couldn't contain my excitement. She couldn't believe that she and Nathan were getting married tomorrow before Graduation rehearsal and then graduating. It had been a long year and Brooke just wanted it to be over, she just wanted all of it to be over and done with. She was surprised that she had survived the past couple of the months because at times she thought about just end it all the pain being too much to handle. She still felt bad for pushing Nathan away during those months because she knew that he was just trying to help her get through and she didn't even consider how he was feeling.
She sighed and cuddled closer to Nathan who was still asleep next to her with a smile on her face. Today they were going to tell Luke and Peyton about the wedding and invite them to the wedding and be a part of it. They had already talked to Nathan's parents, well his mom and she was more than happy that they were getting married because they love each other and not just because of the baby. Brooke had talked about it with her mom and she was working up the courage to talk to her dad because telling him that she was pregnant was more than a disaster and she didn't want another episode like that, no she just wanted him to walk her down the aisle and be her loving father for once.
Nathan woke up and smiled against Brooke's hair as she pulled his arm tighter around her waist. He turned her so she was facing him and kissed her gently. He couldn't help but feel like for once in the longest time he felt content with everything. Sure he was upset when Brooke lost the baby but he knew that there would be more times for them to have a baby and he couldn't wait for one of those times to present itself. He remembered the times during class when images of him playing with his son or daughter would flash in his mind and then he would remember that they had lost the baby.
Brooke lightly stroked his cheek and smiled when he leaned into her touch smiling and turning to kiss her open palm. "Can you believe it?"
"I've been waiting for it since you asked me to marry you." She confessed shifting her gaze to their now entwined legs. Nathan nodded his head and played with her hand.
"Trust me, you have no idea how I wanted to say screw it and get married that night."
"Well had you asked me we would be married right now." Nathan looked at her and shook with laughter, she giggled herself and sat up in bed pulling her hair back in a loose ponytail. She turned around to see Nathan starring at her in confusion. "I was being serious too." She added getting up and making her way over to her closet. She sifted through her draws before grabbing her sweats and her cheerleading t-shirt and threw them on. She turned back towards Nathan and smiled at him. "Wanna go for a run with me?" Nathan shrugged and got up throwing a shirt from the floor on and following her out of the apartment.
"Let's go to the beach." She nodded and grabbed her car keys and tossed them at Nathan while she got Buddy ready to the go the beach. Nathan smiled and grabbed her hand as they walked out to the car. 'Just one more day and then she's all yours.' He thought to himself. The drive to the beach was silent as both were lost in their own little worlds. When they reached the beach Brooke got out of the car enjoying the sun beating down on her. She took hold of Nathan's hand and together they began down the beach plans of going for a run abandoned as Buddy eagerly sniffed the sand and ran from the water when the tide rolled in. Nathan wrapped his arm around Brooke's shoulders and pulled her closer to him. "I love you." She looked up and smiled wrapping her arm around his waist pulling him closer to her. She wiped at the sweat that collected on her forehead as she and Nathan walked down the beach. She paused and pulled her t-shirt off and threw it on her shoulder, Nathan looked at her and smiled happy to see her okay with showing some skin in public besides their bedroom.
The two continued down the beach just lost in their own world when they bumped into Peyton and Lucas also enjoying a walk down the beach. Peyton looked at Brooke and her mouth fell open. "Brooke Davis, you're shirtless?" Peyton questioned in a joking tone. Brooke nodded and did a little turn a smile slowly playing on her lips. Peyton laughed and the girls hugged laughing and calling each other names. Luke and Nate looked at each other and Nathan motioned for him to follow him, he decided to just come out with it.
"Brooke and I are getting married on the beach tomorrow before graduation and I want you to be there as my best man and my brother." Nathan blurted out as he sat down in the sand rubbing Buddy behind his ears.
"Little brother you didn't have to ask." Luke replied sitting down next to him and petting Buddy as he climbed into Luke's lap. "What does Dan think about this?"
"I didn't tell him, I just told my mom and invited her if she wants to bring my father than fine go for it but I don't give a shit what he has to say. I'm marrying the girl I love and that's all that matters."
"Good for you, who knew it, would take right before graduation for you to finally stop caring." He replied a small smile on his face happy that his brother had finally stopped caring about what Dan thought or wanted for that matter. "I can't believe you guys are gonna tie the knot tomorrow." Luke remarked turning his head from Buddy who had taken to sleeping in Luke's lap and looking at Nathan who had a far off look in his eye.
"Yeah, I just have to get my surprise and it will be the wedding of Brooke's dreams."
"You're surprise, tell me." Luke whined not liking being left out of Nathan's surprise.
"No."
"Aw come on you told Peyton that you were going to ask her why I can't be around for something." Nathan looked at Luke and the serious look on his face and laughed.
"Aw does my big brother want to feel important?" Nathan cooed pinching Luke's cheek.
"Shut up." Luke angrily replied swatting Nathan's hand away from his face.
"Fine if you want to come, you can come but you say anything to Peyton or Brooke and I'll kick your ass." Luke happily shook his head and stood up careful not to wake Buddy as they started to walk over towards Brooke and Peyton who were excitedly talking about what color dress Brooke buy and what color flower she was going to get all that girly stuff that Nathan didn't like hearing about but did put up with for Brooke's sake. Brooke looked up and smiled throwing herself into Nathan's arms; he laughed and wrapped his arms around her lightly kissing her behind her ear. She giggled and pulled away smiling a huge smile that melted Nathan's heart.
"Hey we're gonna go hang out and shoot some hoops."
"Alright if you could drop Buddy off at home then I'll see you later."
"Okay, I'll see you at home later." Nathan replied gently kissing her cheek before she bent down and gave Buddy a kiss. Nathan laughed and the two left as Brooke and Peyton walked over to her car to head out and get stuff for the wedding. Nathan dropped Buddy off at home and changed into a pair of jeans and a different t-shirt before heading out with Luke to pick up the key part of Nathan's surprise. Nathan pulled in front of the jewelry store where Karen was waiting outside for him with a huge smile on her face. Nathan got out and hugged her happy that she was helping him out and Karen looked at her son who was gaping at her and wondering what the hell was going on. Karen smiled and tugged Luke's sleeve dragging him into the store while his mouth still hung open.
The next hour was spent helping Nathan and Luke pick out their outfits for the wedding and after Luke had thrown a fit about wearing the same color as Nathan they were finally making their way to the jewelry store. Nathan stopped in front of the wedding bands and looked at all the shiny bands. He realized that they didn't even have wedding bands so he made a mental note to pick ones out before they left but right now they had to get his surprise, a beautiful locket with a picture of them that had been taken shortly after they told Peyton and Luke that Brooke was pregnant with Nathan's hand on his stomach huge smiles on their faces and the other side was engraved with I'll love you forever. Karen had helped him pick it out and he was going to give it to her right before graduation after they had been married. Luke looked over at his mom and Nathan and knew that they were going to be busy for awhile so he decided to get his favorite couple a present. He walked over to the wedding bands and picked out two silver bands, Brooke's had little diamonds around it and Nathan's was plain silver and Luke decided to get their wedding date engraved and Luke smiles as he pays for the rings, Nathan and Brooke were worth it.
Nathan had forgotten all about the wedding bands when he remembered that he was supposed to be home by 4 so he and Brooke could get ready for dinner with her parents and he didn't want to make Brooke angry. Luke shooed Nathan off saying that he would get a ride with his mom and Nathan just nodded speeding off so he wasn't late. Once Nathan was gone Luke turned to his mom and let her in on his plan. "That was a nice thing for you to do." She commented as they walked into a restaurant as they waited for the rings to be done.
"After everything they've been through it's the least I could do." Luke replied as a silence fell between the two, truth was he felt bad that they had lost a baby had become a part of their lives even before it was born and now Luke was going to have a baby of his own with his girlfriend and he didn't know how Nathan and Brooke were being so okay with it. He shook his head freeing his mind of his disturbing thoughts and enjoyed a pleasant afternoon with his mom before picking up the rings and heading home.
Later that night after Nathan had officially met Brooke's parents and grew to like them he sat up in the living room the TV playing some old movie that Nathan wasn't really paying attention to his mind too preoccupied with the fact that he was getting married the morning and he didn't have wedding bands. Brooke slept in the bedroom wiped out from all the work she did that day a smile on her face while Nathan started pacing the length of the living room and into the kitchen. He finally picked up his phone and saw Luke's txt saying to call him before tomorrow morning and looking at the clock Nathan decided to just go over there to see what Luke needed. Nathan scribbled a note to Brooke before he rushed out of the apartment and over to Luke's.
The phone buzzed next to Luke's head and he woke up in a start almost waking up Peyton who was sleeping soundly next to him. Luke picked up the phone and read the text that Nathan had just sent him letting him know that he was waiting outside for her. Luke shook his head silently laughed and slid out of bed pulling on a sweatshirt and some flip-flops before quietly going outside with the rings in his sweats pocket. He walked towards Nathan who was leaning against his new car that Deb had given him a couple of weeks ago and smiled at how anxious Nathan looked. "Hey little brother can't sleep can you?" Nathan just glared at him the tiredness started to get to him. He really did want to sleep but this whole ring thing was keeping him up.
"So what did you need me to call you before morning for?"
"I have something for your wedding." He replied handing him the boxes that were in his pocket and leaned against the car next to Nathan while Nathan opened the box. He opened the box and his jaw fell open slightly. He looked at Luke with question swirling in his eyes and Luke sighed. "This is my present for you after everything you and Brooke went through this year; you deserve to be happy together. I just want you guys to be happy."
"Thanks Luke." Nathan replied hugging his brother. He didn't know what to say, Luke just nodded and stepped away from the car.
"Go home and get some sleep, I'll see you here at 7:30." Nathan nodded and handed the boxes back to Luke.
"Hang onto those for me?" Luke nodded and walked back into the house as Nathan drove back to the apartment and he too went to be bed a smile on his face.
The next morning when Nathan woke up Brooke was gone with a note saying that she would see him at the end of the aisle before they had to be at school for rehearsal. He smiled and got up to take a shower before heading over to Luke's. Luke was sitting on the steps outside of his house with two steaming cups of coffee in his hands and he handed one to Nathan as he sat down next to him. Karen poked her head out and said that breakfast was ready and the two brothers walked in the house and ate breakfast with Karen before getting ready.
Now Nathan stood at the end of the make shift aisle in his black suit jacket, bright blue shirt, black pants and bare feet Brooke had insisted their do it barefoot and Nathan complied just happy to make her his. Nathan turned his head as the song Brooke selected starting playing as her wedding march; he smiled when he saw her standing next to her father in her simple white knee length dress with her hair flowing freely with simple curls. She smiled at him as they started walking down the aisle. She stopped in front of him and turned to kiss her father before giving her hand to Nathan and standing with him.
Brooke couldn't stop the tears from starting to fall as the minister told Nathan his vows and he repeated them getting a little teary eyed himself as he grabbed the ring from Luke and slipped it on Brooke's finger. She looked up at Nathan as he glanced back at Luke, she looked at him and mouthed, 'Thank you' he nodded and handed her the ring to slip on Nathan's finger.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. Nathan you may kiss your bride." Nathan nodded and stepped closer to Brooke and captured her lips in a sweet kiss gently cupping her face. "Ladies and gentleman I proudly introduced Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Scott." Deb, Karen, and Brooke's parents all clapped as Brooke hugged Peyton and then Luke. The group went to Karen's for lunch before the kids had to rush off to graduation rehearsal.
Rehearsal went by fast and before the 4 friends knew what was happening they were standing in the gym getting ready to walk out and graduate, but what they didn't know was that Brooke had a little surprise up her sleeve. As they walked out and took their seats Peyton looked at all the kids of her graduating class and saw Haley sitting mixed in with the seniors and her jaw fell open but she didn't say anything. The students were called one by one and soon it was Brooke's turn. "Brooke Davis-Scott." Principal turner called a smile on his face as Brooke walked up to receive her diploma. Nathan and Luke sat stunned in their chairs while Peyton smiled and cheered for Brooke. Brooke took her diploma from Turner and before she moved her tassel she looked at Nathan and blew him a kiss.
After everyone had received their diplomas and the shock of Brooke's surprise and seeing Haley the group decided to head back to Brooke and Nathan's apartment to hang out and relax after the long day. Peyton smiled as she watched Brooke and Nathan wrapped in each other's arm as Karen, Deb, and Brooke's mom all snapped pictures. It was a great day for the 4 and Peyton was happy that they got to spend it together.
Brooke collapsed on the couch and Peyton fell next to her happy to get her heels off and let her feet heal. "So ladies what's the plan for the night?"
"Food." Both replied as their stomachs growled and Buddy barked at them thinking that another dog was trying to hurt them. Brooke just laughed and picked Buddy up rubbing his head and kissing him. Luke and Nate laughed at Brooke and Peyton as they laid on the couch talking about high school and how much they were going to miss it.
The pizza was done, the movie credits were rolling, and Peyton had fallen asleep on Luke's shoulder Nathan and Brooke were finally alone. She cuddled into him as they lay in bed too tired to do anything else for the night. Nathan still had to give her the necklace so he told her to close her eyes as he reached into the nightstand draw and pulled out the box handing it to her as she opened her eyes. Her eyes watered as she opened the locket and looked at the picture. "Oh Nathan." She gushed lightly kissing him as she fingered the locket in her hands. "It's perfect." She picked up her hair as Nathan clasped the necklace around her neck and it fell against her skin.
"I love you." He whispered as she fell asleep against him worn out from all the tears of happiness that day. He knew that the future was going to be good to them.
A/N: So that was the end of the high school years and now that story is going to jump into the future.
