A/N: Hey guys. Here is the next chapter. Hope you like it. Only 1 left before the epilogue. Thank you, of course, to all readers. Reviewers, you know you rock.
FYI...Peyton's flashback is of their first time and is, again, somewhat graphic so feel free to skip it if you don't like that stuff. It makes no difference to the story itself and is only added for those who wish to read it. Thank you and happy reading.
...
"She invited herself," Peyton said when Nathan answered the door and fixed Brooke with a strange look.
"Of course she did," he remarked amiably as he greeted them both with a hug and kiss—a quick peck on the cheek for Brooke and a more lingering one on the lips for Peyton—before he swung the door open to let them in. "Welcome to chaos," he said, indicating the five children running around. Well, five children in the house, only four running around.
"Oh, is that them?" Peyton gushed as her gaze landed on the boys who'd made such a huge impact on Nathan at the centre—boys who now stood right at his side, the younger grasping onto his leg.
"No, they're two random kids we picked up off the street," Nathan replied cheekily.
"Oh, funny," Peyton returned before addressing the boys. "Hi, I'm Peyton," she said with much enthusiasm. "And this is Brooke."
"I'm Brandon," the older boy said. "This is my brother Tommy. He's shy," he added as the younger one smiled timidly but refused to let Nathan's leg go.
"He's just a little intimidated right now," Nathan explained.
Peyton nodded. Who wouldn't be in this crowd? Especially when it was all so new to him. She would discover throughout the evening that Tommy stayed near either his brother, Nathan or Deb—the three he knew. "Understandable," she said. "This is all pretty scary, huh?" she asked Tommy.
"Oh my God, he's adorable," Brooke gushed when the boy blushed profusely at being spoken to.
"So?" the older, Brandon, asked Nathan impressionably, "are these both your girlfriends?" Yeah, he'd seen his idol kiss them both.
"In his dreams," Brooke huffed playfully.
"Your dreams, Davis," Nathan jested in return before explaining to Brandon that Peyton was his girlfriend and Brooke was his friend who was a girl.
Peyton was impressed at the simple explanation. For a guy who always claimed to not really like kids, he sure had a way with them. Of course, she'd already discovered this when they'd visited Cooper and Jess in Charlotte and she'd seen Nathan interact with their girls. "Wow," Peyton said as she now focused on those very girls. "They've grown so much."
"Told ya," Nathan said.
"You did," she admitted as she approached where they were currently playing with a couple of dolls. "Hi," she said exuberantly. "Remember me?" she asked them.
Jordan, four years old now, did, and she ran to her, hugging first Peyton and then Brooke, who she also knew. Chelsea, now two, ran to her mother, who also held the now four month old infant.
Both Peyton and Brooke swooned, getting into a playful argument over who got to hold the baby first.
Brooke won—rather Peyton let her win—and she scooped the small bundle up while Peyton embraced the woman she'd come to admire so much during their visit to their home several months past.
They exchanged friendly greetings and 'how are yous' before Peyton turned to Cooper to do the same with him.
"Hey, hot Uncle Cooper," Brooke piped up. "Tell me, how do I look holding your daughter?" she asked with a wink.
"Like Brooke holding my daughter," he jeered, bringing a playful pout to Brooke's lips.
"Oh, hi, hot Uncle Cooper's gorgeous wife," Brooke exclaimed as though she'd just noticed her.
"Hi Brooke," Jess greeted. "It's good to see you," she said earnestly.
"You too, Jess," Brooke returned, just as sincerely. "You look fabulous by the way."
"Thank you. So do you."
"I know," Brooke beamed. "But I didn't just give birth four months ago to this precious little thing," she said, gawking at the baby. "She's really beautiful. They all are."
"They really are," Peyton agreed.
"Thank you," Jess repeated humbly.
Not as humble, Cooper chuckled. "What do you expect?" he asked. "Look at their parents."
"Oh, I'm looking," Brooke teased.
Nathan slipped an arm over Peyton's shoulder. "Our kids are gonna be insane," he boasted with equal confidence as his uncle.
While Peyton gaped at him, Brooke laughed and muttered, "Literally."
Nathan shot the brunette a look. "Don't worry, Brooke," he said. "I'm sure your kids'll be cute too. Just not as cute as ours."
"We'll see," Brooke huffed. "But, you know, even the best looking people can produce ugly babies."
"Oh there's no such thing as an ugly baby," Deb admonished as she came in from the kitchen.
No one argued. Most agreed with her, and the few who didn't, didn't say so.
Peyton turned when she felt Nathan's arm slip away from her, and she smiled widely when she saw it was to draw the three older kids to the basketball hoop out front.
He spent the remainder of the afternoon out there with them, eventually joined by Dan and Cooper, and coming in periodically to get drinks.
"Yeah he totally hates kids," Brooke muttered to her at one point when Nathan had come in with Jordan on his shoulders.
Peyton nodded in amusement, suddenly picturing her and Nathan as parents in this type of family setting. A little scary to tell the truth. Obviously Nathan would be a great dad, but she wasn't so confident about her own skills as a mother. Hopefully she'd figure it out once that time came.
Oh, how she loved him, and gone from her thoughts were any remaining doubts about their upcoming marriage. It no longer felt too soon. She'd marry him this very second if she could.
...
Some of those doubts returned after dinner when she and Nathan were loading the dishwasher. Well, she was loading, he was at the sink rinsing—the task she'd assigned him when she saw the completely disorganized way in which he loaded—everything stuffed in whether there was room for it or not. They'd never get clean that way. So she'd demoted him to rinser. He actually seemed to prefer that.
"So, why do you always volunteer me for dish duty lately?" he grumbled, handing her another plate.
"Because you won't," she answered blithely. At the look he threw her, she went on. "You should have to pitch in to help like anyone else, and this is the only thing you don't completely suck at."
She should have expected the splash of water he sent her way, but she hadn't and so she squealed in surprise.
"I did pitch in," he argued lightly. "Who kept the kids occupied all afternoon, huh?"
"That was playing a game," she scoffed. "Besides, this'll be good practice for ya. Don't think I'll be doing all the work when we're married," she teased.
"We could hire a maid to cook and clean for us," he suggested.
"And pay her how? With IOU's?" Peyton asked, all joking now set aside. "We still haven't even figured out where we're gonna live or how we're gonna afford it."
He didn't comment, sensing a panic attack coming from his beautiful fiancé and having no clue how to ease her fears when he felt them himself now that their wedding date was approaching fast.
"We have to think about this stuff, Nate," she said. "We have to plan for what we're doing after we're married. Shouldn't we be looking for apartments and, I don't know, jobs?"
He nodded. They did, no doubt, need some plan for afterward. "Maybe you could just move in here until school's out," he suggested.
"Live with your parents for a year?" she questioned incredulously.
"Why not?" he retorted. "There's lots of room and we wouldn't have to stress over money."
"No," Peyton refused. It wasn't an option. "If we're gonna start a new life together, it has to be on our own."
"Fine, we'll start looking for a place," he assured her breezily. "And I'll get a job."
"Where? You're a high school student with no skills."
"You really do say the sweetest things to me," he joked.
"You know what I mean. Nathan, I'm serious."
He moved behind her and wrapped his wet hands around her. "I know, babe," he said, kissing her shoulder. "But it's gonna be fine. I'll work at the dealership if I have to. I don't need skills to work for my dad."
"You think your dad'll help us after we go behind all their backs to get married?"
"If he doesn't want me raiding his fridge every other day, then, hell yeah."
She laughed. Exactly the reaction he'd been going for. Success.
He placed another soft kiss to her collar bone this time. "Everything's gonna be fine, ok?"
She nodded, taking him at his word despite her increasing worry. "Ok."
He smiled and turned her around to face him. "That's my girl," he said, claiming her lips now.
They were intruded upon by the giggling Tommy and Jordan, who walked in with Brandon to ask Nathan to play more basketball before the boys had to be driven back to the center. The kids stopped dead in their tracks at what they witnessed.
"They always do that," Jordan said, recalling when the couple had visited them.
Little Tommy shrugged. "They're teenagers. They're allowed," he told Jordan, to which she nodded agreeably, causing Nathan and Peyton to chuckle heartily.
"Go ahead," Peyton told Nathan when Brandon asked him to play. He clearly wanted to. And really, when did Nathan ever pass up basketball? "I've got these."
"You sure?" he asked, to be certain she was good with it.
"Yeah," she answered firmly. "But go before I change my mind," she teased.
Grinning boyishly he placed a soft peck to her lips and was out of there.
...
"That was a nice dinner," Jess said in the car after dropping the boys back off at the center. A few more days and they'd be taking them back to Charlotte with them. "Hectic but nice."
Cooper stole a glance at his wife before returning his gaze to the road. "Expect many more of those," he said with a wink.
"Can't wait," she returned, smiling. "We're not crazy to do this, right?"
"Nope, just brave," he replied. "It's gonna be great."
"Yeah, I think so too," Jess said. "So, Nathan and Peyton seem to be doing well, huh?" she added reflectively.
"Yeah, they look happy," Cooper agreed. "I think they're gonna be great too."
"I do too."
"Hey, remind me when we get back to ask them when the wedding is."
"Yeah, I guess you kinda need to know that," Jess said from beside him.
From behind him came, "First Saturday after Peyton's birthday, which is October 17, a Monday, poor girl, so they'll get married five days later on October 23, exactly eighteen days from now."
Cooper glanced into his rear-view mirror at Brooke. The brunette had ridden to the Scott house with Peyton, but apparently had plans with her boyfriend that evening, and since Peyton had wanted to stay longer at her boyfriend's, they'd offered to drive her home while they had to be out anyway. Not that Peyton wasn't willing to do it but they'd insisted on doing so. "Eighteen days, wow," Cooper gasped. "I'd better get my Tux ready. For some reason, I thought I had more time."
Brooke quirked a confused brow but before she could comment, Jess asked if she knew if they were having a rehearsal. "Umm, no, why would they?" she asked.
Jess gave her a funny look. While it wasn't mandatory to have a rehearsal, it was customary. Not everyone had one, but many did, so why did Brooke act like it was such an off the wall question? "Umm, to make sure things run smoothly and the wedding party knows exactly where they're supposed to be and when."
Wedding party?
"Yeah, and as best man, that's something I'll definitely need to know," Cooper spoke before Brooke could. "Don't wanna make an ass of myself at my favorite nephew's wedding."
Best man? "Wait, what?" Brooke stammered. "You mean witness?" she asked.
"I suppose I'll be that too," Cooper acknowledged.
"Technically, we all will," Jess laughed.
"You're going too?" Brooke asked her.
"Of course. I watched the boy grow up and I love him to pieces. I wouldn't miss his wedding day for the world," Jess answered firmly. "Why do you look so shocked? You really think I wouldn't want to be there?"
"No, I'm just confused," Brooke admitted. "Did Nathan ask you to be best man?"
"Of course," Cooper replied. "I would never just presume to be, although the kid does love me. I'm his favorite uncle by far."
"Of the whole two he's got," Jess teased.
"So, he outright asked you?" Brooke harped on. "Like he said, 'Coop will you be my best man?'
Cooper and Jess shared a quick look before Cooper looked back to the road. Neither had ever considered Brooke slow in any form, yet she couldn't seem to grasp this simple concept.
"Yes Brooke, he asked me," Cooper stated as though he were speaking to a small child who lacked understanding. "In pretty much those exact words too. Mind you it was the middle of the night and his words were mighty slurred, but yeah, he asked."
"And you're sure he said 'best man', not 'witness'?"
"He was the drunk one, not me. I'm sure. Now you wanna tell us what the hell is so bloody confusing?"
"It's confusing because this wedding is supposed to be hush-hush," Brooke answered. "They're eloping," she revealed, stunning the couple before her.
As she went on to explain, she couldn't help feeling that if Nathan asked Cooper to be best man, even drunk, then he must, on some level, want a real wedding with family and friends around as much as she knew Peyton did. So then, why would they elope instead?
...
"Probably because they know most of their family and friends won't approve of them marrying so young," Chase suggested when she put the question to him that night.
"But they don't need anyone's approval," she reasoned. "They'll be eighteen."
"Yeah, but would you want a big wedding where when the priest asks if anyone has any objections, the entire church stands up?"
"Do they really ask that anymore?" Brooke questioned. "I thought it was just in the movies to add drama."
"I don't know," Chase replied, unsure whether some denominations still followed that tradition or not. "But the point is people don't support them so why would they make the most important day of their lives about them?"
"Yeah, I see your point," Brooke said, but then shook her head. "No. That wouldn't happen. Nobody would stand up, even if they could. Everyone knows they love each other. They have to know we'd all be happy for them even if we don't understand why they don't wait until they're at least out of high school."
"Do they know that?" Chase challenged. "D'you tell them?"
"No," Brooke replied a little defensively. "I promised to stay out of their relationship problems from now on, remember?"
"I do," he said. "But they're not having relationship problems at the moment."
"Right, and I'm not looking to create any."
"Well then, if no one steps up and talks to them, I guess they elope in Vegas."
...
"Tonight was fun," Peyton said as she and Nathan stood by her car saying their good-byes. "It was nice seeing Coop and Jess and the kids again. And Brandon and Tommy are adorable."
"Yeah," Nathan agreed with a nod. "And now they're gonna be family."
"That's so awesome," Peyton said. "Now you won't have to worry about them."
Nathan smiled and drew her into him. "I can't wait till we have our own family," he said.
"Whoa, slow down there, mister. I'd kinda like to graduate high school first."
"I didn't mean right now, you goof," he replied, chuckling and then kissing her.
"We're gonna make it, aren't we?" she asked reflectively when their lips finally separated.
"I think so, yeah."
"You think so?" she huffed. "You might wanna rephrase that if you expect me to walk down the aisle, so to speak, next month."
"Like you could resist marrying the man of your dreams," he jeered.
"No, but I'm just marrying you," she joked back.
"Oh, you're funny," he said, poking her sides and making her squeal in surprise. "Expect more of that if you keep it up," he warned in a failed attempt at sounding stern and threatening.
"Oh, I'm scared," she taunted.
"You should be. I've tickled you before and I can do it again."
"Wow, such manly talk...operative word being talk."
"Oh yeah?" he said, instantly rising to the bait, his hands at her waist and curved just so to create the right tickling position.
"No! Stop, stop, you're not all talk," she gave up before he'd even touched her.
He raised an amused brow. "Wow, Sawyer," he laughed. "You back down easier every time."
She laughed with him and nodded her head. Yes, she did. With the way he tickled unmercifully, anyone would back down easily. There were times he wouldn't let up until she actually got mad. She had to give him credit though. He hadn't done that in a while. And she did usually instigate the tickling frenzy so, for that, she couldn't fault him.
"And I'm not ashamed," she chuckled. "Besides, I'd much rather make out with you than be tickled by you," she teased truthfully. Both left her breathless, but the former was a much better kind of breathless.
"Yeah? Well come here then," he said, but pulled her closer before she could do it herself, his lips on hers in mere seconds.
He kissed her hard and thoroughly, his tongue slipping in her mouth to tangle with hers. Before long he had to pull away. She knew why he did. As determined as he was to give her the time she needed, there was no way to stop his body's reaction to her.
"You'd better get going," he said hoarsely.
"You sure?" she asked, her breath hot on his neck. "Maybe you'd like a little something before I go?" she added smoothly, sensually, her hand reaching between them to touch him where all his blood had seemed to gravitate to.
His breath hitched in his throat, and he took a quick glance at the house to ensure no one was looking out the window. "Yeah," he grunted as her hand slipped inside his loosely fitted jeans and into his boxers. "I could go for...that," he said, his tone thick and gravelly with building desire.
"I thought you might," she whispered daringly, her hand moving now, stroking, her mouth on his, pleased when a muffled groan escaped him.
...
Afterward, Nathan went inside, and Peyton drove off. Nathan hopped in the shower for a quick wash, and then went to his room to await the text she'd promised to send when she got home.
Once he got it, he lay in bed and instantly crashed.
After texting him, assuring him she'd made it home safely, Peyton greeted her parents who were still up, and then went up for a shower herself, also retreating to her bedroom right afterward.
Sleep didn't come as easily for her as it did Nathan though. It wasn't because she feared the nightmares anymore. Thankfully they only came sporadically now.
Her mind was clouded with worry over their upcoming wedding. She wished she could be as sure as Nathan was, though she knew why she wasn't. It wasn't only the reasons she'd expressed to him. In fact, jobs and an apartment weren't her biggest concerns at all. Those things, as Nathan had said, they would figure out. Yes, they merited some thought, of course they did, but what worried her the most was still what had worried her all along.
Sex. Or rather, the lack thereof. More specific even, her avoidance of it.
It was one thing to make your boyfriend wait for it, but your husband? She really didn't want to be married and still holding out on him. She wanted a real marriage, not one where he settled for less of her than everything.
This wasn't even her guilt talking anymore. Through group therapy and sessions with her own therapist, she'd finally accepted that she had nothing to be ashamed of. And Nathan's continued patience and support only brought that home further.
He was being incredibly patient. More patient than she'd ever thought possible from him. Even when she knew he was aching to have her, he did his best not to show it. Of course, there was no hiding that, but he tried and that was all that truly mattered.
She chuckled to herself as she thought of how much better he took the no-sex thing now than when they'd first started dating. Back then he'd claimed he'd wait, and he had, but not without putting an enormous amount of pressure on her. He didn't do that now, at least not deliberately. Maybe it was circumstances, or maybe he'd just grown up. She couldn't be sure.
She did know that he wasn't the only one longing to take things further—not now, and not even when they were still new. The truth was she'd always wanted him as badly as he wanted her. She was seriously shocked at how long she could deny him while craving him at the same time. Five months she'd held off the first time, and it was well on its way to that again this time.
Both times it was fear that held her back. This time it was her fear that she could only go so far and not be able to follow through before images of Damien's unwanted touch flooded her. Her fear at the beginning though was due to her inexperience and the knowledge that he'd been with a lot of other girls. In the end, she'd had to swallow that fear, for her body simply couldn't resist him any longer.
She remembered that day so well. They'd been in the backseat of his car as they'd been plenty of times before and were messing around, Nathan taking things as far as she'd let him go.
Only that day she hadn't stopped him.
Flashback
He was suckling on a perky nipple, one hand between her legs, rubbing her through the thin, satiny panties she wore.
A soft moan escaped her lips as he pressed harder against her moist and aching core and his lips moved over to the other breast, lightly grazing its bud with his teeth before swirling around it with his tongue and finally taking it fully into his mouth.
They'd been dating five months now and had pretty much done everything imaginable aside from actual intercourse.
But Nathan sure pushed for it a lot. Boy, did he ever. She knew she couldn't keep him at bay much longer.
Nor did she want to.
His fingers pushed aside the panties and he slipped one inside her, then another, probing forcefully into her soft, velvety passage.
He lifted his head to look at her, enjoying the ecstasy etched on her face as his fingers continued to work their magic. "Fuck, you're so wet," he said breathlessly, his own body reacting to her reaction. "I want you so fucking bad."
She smiled at him and reached out to touch him, finding the proof of his words. She smiled bigger. She loved how fully and easily she could arouse him. "Me too," she whispered, desire making her voice hoarse, her lips where his shirt opened up—her doing from earlier in their make-out session—and her hand stroking him urgently. He let out a gravelly cry of his own at the gesture.
He stared at her intently, wondering, hoping, that she meant what it sounded like she meant.
She nodded in confirmation to his unspoken question. "Make me yours," she told him, and smiled at the bliss crossing his features. No doubt he was thinking, 'finally'.
What he said though was, "You're already mine."
"Prove it," she said with a cockiness that matched his.
"You sure?" he had to ask.
Again she nodded. She'd never been more sure, nor had she ever wanted him so badly. Her body was on fire. She was surprised it didn't burn him.
He wasted no time pulling her panties off, and shrugging off his own shorts and boxers, probably afraid she'd change her mind if he didn't act fast.
Her heart hammered in her chest, suddenly anxious. She would give herself fully to him now and her nerves were getting to her for it. As much as she wanted him, she was still afraid. Not enough to stop him though. She wanted this.
He didn't seem to notice her anxiety, just reached under the seat and pulled out a...condom? He kept them under the seat? She didn't comment on it, but rather watched as he tore the package open and slipped the rubber on.
Next he manoeuvred their positions so that she was half sitting up, half lying down—the best he could do in the cramped space—making it possible to slide into her. She could see he was shaking. Was he nervous too or simply over-stimulated? Probably the latter, she figured. He'd been waiting a long time for this.
He hovered above her—sort of. He was kind of half kneeling in front of her—and pushed her legs further apart, centering his pulsating organ at her opening. It was then he seemed to remember this was her first time, for he looked straight at her, asking again if she was sure.
She appreciated the gesture, yet wondered how he'd react if she were to change her mind now. She wouldn't put him to that test. That would just be cruel. Instead she nodded again.
"This might hurt," he warned her, pushing a little of himself inside, and watching her face closely, pushing further when she didn't flinch, stopping dead when she did. He'd reached her barrier and he'd have to break through it. He'd popped more than one cherry without a care, but this was Peyton, his girlfriend of five months, and he found that he did care. A lot. He didn't want to hurt her.
So there began his inner struggle between his concern for her and his body's need for urgency. He just wanted to be buried deep within her, and he wanted that now. But he'd have to go slow for her sake. He pushed a little further, his body quivering at the agonizingly slow process.
"Just do it already," Peyton ordered impatiently, seeing his brows lift in surprise.
"Do it?" he questioned.
"Yeah. Just ram it in there. Do it quick." This slow motion crap was like peeling a band-aid off a little at a time. It didn't stop the pain, only prolonged it. Better one sharp pain and have it over with than to endure pangs of it, albeit smaller in intensity, for longer. She shut her eyes tightly and took a deep breath, bracing herself for the tearing, not realizing how much her entire body tensed up as she did so, and how that would only make it hurt worse.
But Nathan knew, or at least had a vague idea. He couldn't speak of a girl's pain, but he did know she needed to relax. Her words struck him then and he couldn't help the chuckle that escaped him.
Peyton felt the rumble of his chest and opened her eyes to find him laughing. A scowl came across her features. This was funny? She glared at him quizzically, willing him to explain what the hell he suddenly found so comical.
"Ram it in there?" he mocked, a teasing glint in blue eyes darkened with desire and amusement. "How romantic."
She let out a small giggle at his sarcastic comment. "We're in the back seat of your car," she pointed out, seeing the humor now. "Not exactly a romantic setting."
"True," he admitted and they both laughed. He chose that time, while she was giggling and relaxed, to do as she said. He drove into her hard in one swift motion.
Her laughter gave way to a strangled cry and she bit down hard on her lower lip as the pain rippled her senses, feeling like he'd just sliced right through her. In a way, he had. Tears sprang to her eyes and her nails dug into the flesh of his lower back as she struggled to catch her breath after having it knocked out of her.
Nathan stayed very still for several moments, allowing her body to adjust to his presence. He felt guilty for hurting her even though he knew it was inevitable since she was a virgin. "You ok?" he asked her.
Upon her nod, he kissed her—her lips, her neck, her breasts. He didn't start moving within her until he couldn't bear the wait any longer. He kept his thrusts slow and precise.
Slowly her body began to relax. She couldn't say this union was pleasant, at all. She was still far too tender for that. But at least the initial, excruciating stab was over with. She moved with him more out of instinct than pleasure. It was becoming clear to her that any enjoyment to be felt by this today would be all his.
"You ok?" he asked her again, and again she nodded, which, in turn, encouraged him to pick up his pace.
He buried his face in her neck and let out a deep groan. Yep, clearly this was good for him.
"Ahh, fuck, you're so tight," he croaked in her ear, and though she was a virgin—well, technically not anymore—she knew that was a good thing.
His breath became increasingly ragged, and when he began to grunt and pant she knew, from all the other things they'd done, that he was about to ejaculate.
She was right. "I'm gonna cum," he muttered needlessly, pumping faster now, almost furiously. He didn't ask again if she was okay. He was too far gone for that. Too close to release.
Soon his body stiffened above her, and then he shook as his seed spilled from him.
He pulled out of her to plop himself beside her, struggling to catch his breath. "I'm sorry," he said after a while.
She gazed at him in wonder. "For what?"
"This," he answered. "For not making your first time romantic and special and memorable."
"It's fine. I didn't expect you to."
"No? I thought girls cared about that stuff."
"Some girls do," she replied. "Me, I've never had any grand illusions or romantic notions. I just wanted it to feel right."
"And did it?"
"I don't regret it if that's what you're asking."
He smiled. "Good."
"But as far as memorable goes, I think I might rather forget."
He shot her a curious look. "That bad?"
"Unless you consider pain a good thing, yeah, that bad. I'm definitely thinking sex is overrated."
"I'm sorry," he repeated, taking her hand in his. "It'll be better next time. I promise."
She knew that. She did. And she didn't want him feeling bad. It wasn't his fault she was a virgin. "Pretty presumptuous to assume they'll be a next time, don't you think?" she teased, using their usual banter to douse his guilt.
She expected him to react with horror and then she'd laugh at him and then they'd both laugh.
Instead she was treated to his usual boastful arrogance. "Oh, there will be," he replied with self-assurance. "Now that you've had me once, you won't be able to resist me."
End of Flashback
She smiled and hugged the pillow tightly against her chest. Nathan was right. She never had been able to resist him. And he was also right that the next time was better. She'd known it would be but had no idea how much better. There hadn't been any pain, only pleasure, and it has been so ever since.
Her body tingled as she thought of all the pleasurable moments they'd shared. She craved more of those. Craved his touch again.
With humor, she suddenly wondered why she felt so bad for Nathan. At least he was getting something from her. She was the one getting nothing at all. By choice...sort of. He was only respecting her wishes by not touching her. But she was ready to change that soon.
Or at least, she felt ready. Her body was definitely up for some action but she had to remind herself that she'd felt ready twice before and ended up causing nothing but frustration for both her and Nathan when she'd found out that her head wasn't in agreement with her body.
She wanted to be sure this time, but then how did she do that without trying? She certainly felt better now than she had those few months ago when they'd last tried. She was almost certain she could resume their sexual relationship again. And she knew Nathan was ready. He'd always been ready, only waiting on her. Maybe on their wedding night...
Yes, their wedding night. The idea struck her suddenly but once it did it wouldn't let go. That could be the start of everything new for them.
They could be husband and wife in every sense so long as she let it happen.
...
The idea wouldn't leave her over the following three weeks leading up to their wedding day—or rather the day they married. There would be no wedding, only an exchange of vows.
She smiled almost giddily as the day finally arrived. Her birthday had come and gone with much celebration and a ton of presents, but this day...this day was even more special.
She pushed aside her doubts that they were ready for this, along with her wishes for that dream wedding that every young girl longs for, one where all her loved ones surrounded her, her father walked her down the aisle, and the reception hall was decked out to the hilt.
And she refused to dwell on the fact that they still hadn't found an apartment or jobs. Nathan did start at the dealership, but his father refused to give him a decent amount of hours for fear it would interfere with school and basketball.
She wasn't going to worry about any of that today. Today she would become Mrs. Peyton Scott. She rolled the name off her tongue several times as she'd done for the last several months. It had a nice ring to it.
And tonight...well, her husband—husband—was going to be a very, very happy man. After that, they could sort out all the other things.
They had the important stuff planned. Nathan would pick her up here at 7:00 a.m., and they'd non-chalantly wave her parents off, if they were even up yet, so as not to rise suspicion. From there they would swing by Brooke's house to pick her up, along with Peyton's dress, which Nathan wasn't allowed to see just yet, and then they'd go to Tim's, who would also be witnessing. Then Tim's brother—yeah, the drug dealer—was to drive them to the airport so they could catch the 11:00 a.m. flights they'd booked two weeks ago on Brooke's credit card.
Once in Vegas, they would find a cheap motel and book two rooms—one for the girls and one for the boys so they could all get ready and whatnot, and meet up in the lobby at a time they'd set later.
A quick glance at her alarm clock told her she'd better get a move on it. She grabbed a bag, and inside she carefully put the sapphire earrings Nathan had bought for her birthday. That covered the something new since she hadn't worn it yet, and the something blue all in one. The something borrowed she could get from Brooke. She chose the locket her dad had given her long ago for the something old. It matched fairly well with the earrings, and this way her dad was kind of included in her special day, even if he didn't know it. Oh, how she longed to have something of her mother's as well. It made her a little sad that she didn't, but she pushed the sadness away, knowing Anna would be watching her. Besides she was probably being silly including all these items like she was having a traditional wedding. But she didn't care. It was nice to have that little bit of normalcy.
Following the vows, the foursome would have a little celebration dinner and drinks, and then Peyton would take her new groom back to her room while Brooke and Tim...well, she wasn't sure what they would do since she hadn't told them that part, but it was Vegas, and she was fairly certain they could find something to keep them occupied until their flight back the next day. She could actually picture them both spending the entire night in the casino.
She tossed a few more items in the bag and practically ran down the stairs to await her soon-to-be husband.
Relief swept through her to discover her parents were still asleep. She just had to leave a quick note, which was a lot better than trying to pull off a natural front when she was running off to get married.
...
Nathan silently cursed as he grabbed his keys and rushed out the door. He wasn't angry though. He was late. Late to pick up Peyton today of all days. Shit. She was gonna be pissed. Wasn't it generally the bride who was allowed to be late? Damn it, he shouldn't have changed his shirt that third time. He didn't even know why he was so nervous. It wasn't like him to be this agitated.
He couldn't help it though. He just wanted today to run smoothly. It was bad enough he wasn't giving her her dream wedding than to be late for this pathetic imitation of one.
Yet he couldn't stop smiling. Ceremony or not, Peyton would become his wife today. No use stressing over all the possibilities of what could go wrong.
Nothing would go wrong, he told himself. They'd planned this day even if it wasn't ideal. They still had a lot to figure out for afterward, but whatever, this day was planned. And besides, he was sure that once his parents got over the initial shock of his hasty marriage that they would be willing to help them out with whatever they needed.
Luckily they weren't around right now to see him rush out or else they'd have a million questions about where he was off to in such a hurry so early. As elusive as he'd often been with his parents, he wasn't sure he could hold in something this big, especially when directly questioned on it.
He drove fast to get to his fiancé's so he was only five minutes late. He didn't go in, for she walked out the door the same moment he pulled in. Clearly she'd been watching for him.
He did go around and open her car door though, figuring to be a gentleman on their wedding day.
Peyton smiled serenely, accepting the gesture. It would likely be the only gentlemanly act she ever got from him. And that was fine by her. She loved her guy just exactly as he was.
When he went back around to his side, she couldn't help teasing him about his tardiness. "So I've heard of the bride being fashionably late, but never the groom."
He tossed her a smile, but apologized nonetheless.
"Apology accepted," she returned flippantly. "But only because you're wearing my favorite shirt on you." She wasn't lying. About the shirt anyway. It was an ocean blue that matched the shade of his eyes to perfection, drawing them out more so than usual.
He smiled again. And that was why he'd changed the third time. He'd started off with a button down and suit jacket, but thought it might be too formal for an elopement—what did he know? He'd never eloped before—then switched to his own favorite shirt, finally switching again to her favorite. It had made him late but hey, at least he'd gotten the thumbs up from her for it.
He noticed she had on a pair of tight jeans—always a nice sight to see—and a tank top. Good thing he'd tossed the suit jacket, oblivious to the beautiful gown Brooke had sewn together for her.
Neither could sustain their goofy, happy grins all the way to Brooke's house. This was their day despite all they should be worrying about.
Their expressions turned to confusion as they neared the house and noticed several parked cars lined up on both sides of the street.
"Someone's having a party," Peyton mentioned matter-of-factly as Nathan pulled up into Brooke's driveway and honked the horn for Brooke to come out.
"Or had one," Nathan countered. It was kind of early for a party unless one was still happening from last night, which was completely possible.
Peyton nodded. That was probably more like it.
Two minutes passed before Nathan honked again. He didn't have the patience to sit and wait.
Seconds later the door swung open and Brooke stepped out, but instead of heading toward the car, she waved the couple inside.
"I don't believe this," Peyton grumbled, never the patient one either. "She's not ready."
Nathan rolled his eyes. He could believe it. When was Brooke ever ready on time for anything? "Told ya we should have told her an hour earlier," he said of a previous conversation they'd had a few days ago. He stepped out of the car with a deep sigh, as did Peyton.
"Should have," the blonde agreed. Damn, why didn't she ever listen to Nathan?
They went inside hand-in-hand, noting that Brooke seemed a little nervous. Why she was the nervous one they had no idea. But they were about to find out.
A further step inside showed that Tim was there too. Cool, they both thought. Now they could save time having to pick him up. Although they still needed his brother to drive.
They noticed simultaneously that Tim looked quite agitated himself. Oh no, had his brother backed out?
"What's going on?" Peyton questioned uncertainly. "Why do you two look like you're the ones getting hitched?"
Brooke and Tim shared an uneasy look before facing their friends again.
"Umm, come with us," Brooke told them, waving a visibly shaky hand.
"Brooke, we're gonna miss our flight," Nathan protested.
"Just come," Brooke insisted, leading the couple into the sitting room, as Brooke called it.
To their disbelief, several, if not all, of their friends were gathered inside, most of them standing. On the couches sat both sets of parents—Dan and Deb, and Larry and Ellie—along with Nathan's uncle Cooper, who'd gone back to Charlotte two weeks ago with his enlarged family. Needless to say the room was filled to capacity, reminding Nathan and Peyton of the several parties they'd attended at this house that was almost a second home to both of them.
Except for the quiet that pervaded the large space. They found the silence oddly deafening, and quite daunting to be honest.
The attractive couple glanced around in bewilderment as everyone stared at them with pitiful looks on their faces.
"Brooke, what is this?" Peyton asked again, voicing both hers and Nathan's concerns.
Regret crossed Brooke's features and she opened her mouth to answer, but guilt blocked the words in her throat, leaving her speechless.
Rachel stepped up in place of Brooke. "It's an intervention, of sorts," the redhead said. "We're here to stop you two morons from the mistake you're about to make today."
With that said both Nathan and Peyton's bodies stiffened, their already linked hands clasping tighter together.