Author's Note: Just a quick message. I took We Three Kings down about four months ago to focus on my other outstanding stuff and I couldn't get in the mood to work on a holiday story when it was almost February, plus whenever I read through it, I just felt like something was missing. :-/ I was re-reading it recently and figured out what it needed so here it is with tons of revisions and a brand spanking new name. :) With my renewed vision I estimate this story to be about 20 - 25 chapters. So for your reading pleasure I announce Christmas in July! Woo-hoo! Thanks for reading as always!

-Krystal

Today Was A Fairytale

Summary: When Brooke Davis agreed to a date with Clay Evans she had no idea they would still be together six months later. With Christmas around the corner Brooke has invited him to partake in a family tradition that she has been a part of for years. After Clay agrees to attend, Brooke plans to make their first Christmas together a memorable one… That is until Clay's father calls with news that tilts their world on it's axis and demands he return home, prompting Clay to invite Brooke home for the holidays. The only problem is Clay has a secret he's been holding onto since before they met, can their love survive or will it crack under the pressure of one big lie? Brooke/Clay with Naley, Lucas/Lindsey, possible Jeyton and some original characters. Stay tuned…

Disclaimer: I don't own anything OTH related, if I did the show would have gone in a different direction. Title is the song Today Was A Fairytale by Taylor Swift.

Chapter One:

*Seven Months Ago*

"So this is what fancy NBA money gets you?" Clay grinned as he walked inside Nathan and Haley's new house, "Nice, very nice."

"Please Clay we have all seen the beach house you bought when your fee cleared," Nathan laughed. Nathan and Clay met freshman year at Duke University, they quickly became thick as thieves; dorm pranks, fraternity parties, the whole college experience. When it came time for Nathan to secure an agent before the NBA draft he turned to his unofficial Scott brother - Clayton Evans.

"It does pay to be your agent," Clay whistled as he looked around the expansive living space framed by a large stone fireplace. He opened his mouth to speak again when a beautiful brunette in a red string bikini came inside and took his breath away.

"Hey hot shot," She smiled while wrapping herself in a towel, "Tutor mom sent me in here to let you know that Jamie needs more sun screen."

Clay was at a loss for words, 'her body was exquisite,' he thought, 'but her face...' He came back to reality when he saw her mouth moving and realized she was speaking to him, "Wait, I'm sorry what did you say? Sometimes," He stuck a finger in his ear and shook his head, "I suffer from tinnitus and it makes it impossible to hear anything."

She kinked her eyebrow at him, "Tinnitus huh?" she turned to Nathan, who simply laughed and shrugged his shoulders, not offering Clay any sort of assistance. The silence was now almost deafening, she turned back to Clay and extended her hand, "I'm Brooklyn Davis, you must be..."

"Clay Evans," Clay choked as he coughed to conceal his cracking voice. 'What the hell is wrong with you?' He screams in his head, 'pull it together Clay.' He was wrestling with how to be cool when he quickly determined that wasn't going to happen anytime soon based off of the confused look now spread across Brooke's face.

"I thought you said he was a dynamite agent," Brooke giggled, "How did he negotiate your new contracts if he doesn't know how to string together a coherent sentence?" Brooke readjusted her towel and looked out at the back yard, figuring out the best way to extricate herself from this overly awkward situation.

Clay smiled, he liked her feisty attitude, "I am dynamite." Clay paused, "At all things sweetheart." He winked and gave her one of his signature megawatt smiles.

Brooke mouth turned into a smirk and she nodded her head before turning back to the sliding door, "Well take care of our hot shot will you dynamo he has a family to support." Brooke smiled and Clay noticed three dimples appear on her cheeks and chin, "Don't forget the sunscreen Nate, if Jamie burns it will be your ass in a sling for sure." She furrowed her brow at Clay, "It was nice to meet you I guess."

Clay watched as Brooke sauntered out to the backyard. When Clay was sure Brooke was out of earshot he spoke again, "Nathan please tell me that girl is single and I'll do your next deal for free." Clay begged the answer would be yes.

"She is," Nathan paused and patted his back, "But she is too much for you man. You don't stand a chance."

Hello lovelies!

I know I mostly blog about fashion and styling types but if you learn nothing this year know this - the most important part of your home's holiday ensemble is the tree. In fashionista speak you wouldn't pair a couture Balmain dress with a ratty bra and dingy panties would you? Yeah... I didn't think so. Before you select the perfect tree to suit your needs you need to ask yourself are you more real or fake? Do you prefer the overwhelming scent of pine or the odd aroma of plastic? Personally I love a good fake tree, they have certainly come a long way since the good old days of metallic gray aluminium trees. A realistic faux pine tree can set you back several hundred dollars but I promise you they are well worth it. The more expensive ones are even equipped with color changing twinkle lights pre-strung and mood music to really get your party started. However, if you are more of a a real girl may I suggest going to your local tree farm and splurging on a potted tree. Typically the tree company will deliver the tree of your choosing and return to pick it back up after the new year. Personally I like this option because it's green and you get to watch your tree grow and grow. If you like to cut down your own tree or go to a tree lot may I suggest cutting off an additional half inch circle from the stump before placing the tree in your stand at home? Bring the circle home and use a drill to make a small hole somewhere along the bark line and write (or etch, or burn) the year on it for a beautiful Christmas keepsake. Join me next time when I discuss my fool proof way to string tree lights, ornament placement, color themes and tinsel. What's old is new again - does that include the sparkling silver strands of material or not? Stay tuned!

Lady Penelope

*December 2016*

Brooke stood in the window facing Main Street, putting the finishing touches on the new Christmas display, it was December 2nd and Brooke was feeling the need for some holiday cheer. She jumped when she heard a knock at the window, she peaked around the tree and spotted Clay, her boyfriend of six months. "I'll be right there," she pressed her fingers to her lips and placed them against the glass before heading to the door. She unlocked it and giggled when Clay pulled her into his arms, "When did you get home dynamo?"

Clay kissed her before giving her an answer, "I thought I would surprise you." Clay looked around the shop, "This place looks great. I imagine this is what the North Pole looks like all year round." The window Brooke came out of was decorated with an over-sized tree and twinkle lights, there was garland swag hanging from the desk that housed the cash register, snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling and there was a plush stuffed Santa Claus sitting on the back bookcase overlooking the entire space, "You've been busy, is the purple dress in the window a new design?"

"It's plum actually," Brooke corrected, "And yes I just finished it this morning. I know red and green are traditional but I fell in love with this piece of iridescent fabric, so something had to be done and a dress was born."

Clay stopped in front of the dress form and spun it around, "It's great. I'm going to need one in my size though, there is no way this one is going to fit. Broad shoulders and all."

Victoria Davis cleared her throat, "I didn't realize we had company. Hello Clay dear, that color would do nothing for your figure. Brooke, Macy's is on the phone they want to discuss carrying a dress line next spring."

"Coming mother," Brooke frowned.

"None of that, frowning causes wrinkles and since you are completely against Botox let's keep the frowning to a minimum." Victoria Davis instinctively touched her own artificially smooth face, "It's going to take a lot more than a boutique here in Snooze Hill to get Clothes Over Bros. off the ground."

"I know, I'll be right there." Brooke kissed Clay timidly because she knew her mother was watching, "After this call I'll meet you at the beach house. We have some weekend details to sort out."

"Scott Christmas Kickoff, I wouldn't miss it." Clay smiled.

Brooke turned to face him once more before heading to the back room, "I know the new Walking Dead issue came out today, try not to get too crazy about it alright, it's just a comic book. I mean when the show ended on a cliffhanger last season I thought you were going to have a bloody stroke."

Clay put his hand to his heart, "That hurts baby. Right here, first the disappointment in Batman vs. Superman, now Walking Dead is just a comic book and Negan finally shows up wielding Lucille like a fucking madman and they end it on a cliffhanger, what is up with that? They baited us all for the ratings, it's bullshit."

"It's just a television show, those people aren't real." Brooke reasoned.

"Just a television show," Clay said in a flabbergasted tone, "That's it, I might have to trade you in Miss Davis, there is a fan girl out there somewhere just waiting for a piece of this." Clay motioned to his toned physique.

Brooke giggled and shook her head, "Whatever helps you sleep at night." She blew him a kiss, "I love you dynamo."

"And I you." Clay winked before heading back out into the balmy December weather. Clay felt his pocket vibrate, he took out the phone and immediately recognized the number, "Hello father."

"Clayton I have some news," His father began.

"What is it, I usually hear from your secretary." Clay mocked, "It must be serious."

"It's your mother, her health has taken an unexpected turn. We would like it if you came home for Christmas, the doctors suspect this one may be her last." His father said into the receiver.

At his father's revelation Clay stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and sucked in a deep breath, "Where is Sam?"

"Samuel is looking forward to seeing you." His father paused without answering the question, "Percy and the jet will be in Tree Hill tomorrow evening."

"That isn't enough time," Clay whined, "I already have plans this weekend that I cannot cancel. I can fly home on Monday, that's the earliest I can get a way, I only just got home this morning."

"Clayton," His father's tone changed to a more stern one, "Percy and the jet will be in Tree Hill tomorrow, we can do this the easy way and you meet Percy at the airport or I can make a few calls, have a team of police officers show up at that beach shack of yours and carry you out." His father paused, "Or perhaps you would prefer I send a squad to the home of Brooke Davis."

"No," Clay answered instantly before huffing, "I'll meet Percy and the jet tomorrow."

"I knew you would understand reason Clayton, see you soon."

"Can you believe Brooke is bringing Clay to the Scott Christmas Kickoff?" Nathan asked as he pulled the Christmas decorations from the rafters, "She has never brought anyone before." Nathan huffed, "Ever."

"You act like she's bringing a stranger, it's Clay for crying out loud." Haley glared as she counted the boxes, "You're missing three green totes."

"We have enough Christmas decorations to fill up fifteen of those bins?" Nathan whined. "No wonder it takes till the middle of January to get it all taken back down."

"Hush it you," Haley stuck her tongue out at him, "Christmas is your favorite holiday, it's because of you we all get together in the first place."

"That isn't technically true." Nathan brought down the remaining three boxes. "Our first Christmas as a married couple would have been a disaster had Brooke and Lucas not come over and insisted we rally. You know Davis and Christmas - they're practically synonymous with each other." 'Then it just became a tradition, no matter where life took us December was our time to catch up and be a family.' Nathan told himself, "We haven't added someone new to the mix in a few years. The last newbie was Lindsey, we couldn't exclude her when Lucas put a ring on it. I'm not that heartless."

"Why hasn't Clay ever come before now?" Haley wondered, "He's been one of your best friends since your freshman year of college."

"He's always just gone home for the holidays." Nathan shrugged, "It's going to be strange having him here though. Does this mean it's getting serious with him and Brooke? They've only been together a few months." Nathan reminds her in a protecting tone.

"I don't know," Haley said with a telling smile, "Don't make that face, I know you have looked after Brooke like a little sister since grade school, but she is more than capable of taking care of herself. It's just nice to see her settled, after her and Lucas broke up in high school she has had the worst taste in men and they never stuck around long enough to prove otherwise."

Nathan folded up the ladder and grabbed a bottle of water out of the retro refrigerator in the garage. "Yuck, don't even remind me those jerks. In all seriousness her and Clay have only been seeing each other about six months Haley, do you really think it's that consequential already."

"I do," Haley picked up a tote and headed for the front door, "Brooke is beyond excited that he is going to be in town for the beginning of our Christmas season." She put the box of ornaments down in the living room and waited for Nathan to sit down on the couch. She sat next to him and snuggled into his chest, "He's the guy for her Nathan, so please do your best this weekend and don't fuss about him being here."

"I love Clay, he's my boy Haley." Nathan leaned over and kissed her square on the lips, "But if he hurts Brooke I'm gonna-"

"Beat his face in." Haley finished. "I know."

So what did you all think? Questions? Comments? Concerns? Let me know what you liked by writing a review.

Thanks in advance!

Krystal

Author's Note Part 2: Shout out once more to Callison, I read your story Unforgettable then I became obsessed with writing a Brooke/Clay story. I hope you read this and like it at least half as much as I liked yours.