A/N: I know... it's been ages. I'm sorry, I wasn't really feeling it because it felt like people were maybe losing interested. So when I came back to writing I focused more on Linstead first.
But a few people have asked, so I tried really hard to get back into the mood to write this.
Hope it's okay, I felt a bit stiff writing it.
Happy birthday part 2 Maddie? lol
Fate – Chapter Forty-One
Brooke POV
"I can't believe it."
"It was so hard to keep it quiet!" Haley smirks pouring out coffee.
"I honestly can't believe you knew."
"Duh. I'm glad he managed to surprise you though."
"Me too, I never thought I could be this happy." I sigh, unable to wipe the smile from my lips.
"This is just the beginning." She sends me a wink as Jamie runs into the kitchen pouting some more.
"More presents!" He calls out before taking back off to the Christmas tree, we laugh before following with the coffee.
"Well I know I'd love to give Jay my gift." I lean down to press a kiss to his lips before handing him a coffee and moving over to get the gift with Jay's name on it.
"My gift is too big to bring, but this will give you an idea." He raises an eyebrow before ripping the paper, his jaw hitting the floor as he looks back up at me.
"What? Did you?" He holds up the motorcycle paperwork and key.
"Yes… I tracked down that firefighter at 51 you mentioned, and asked what your dream bike would be…"
"But you said they were dangerous."
"They are, and a part of me cringes giving you this. But I don't control you, Jay. So if you want a motorbike and that makes you happy, so be it. Do what brings you joy." I bite my lip in anticipation.
"God I love you."
"Good, because it comes with conditions." I narrow my eyes at him, trying to fight my smile.
"Of course." I hand him the next gift, smirking at the items inside.
"Just wear your helmet. And motorcycle gear, and promise me you won't go out in dangerous weather." I list the things off as he pulls them out.
"I promise."
"One more." He opens the last gift, pulling out a leather jacket.
"I love it, thank you." He leans over to kiss me sweetly.
"You're welcome… and I want to see you in that later."
"That can be arranged." He smirks at me.
"In just that." I whisper in his ear feeling his shudder against me.
"Oh that can definitely be arranged. But only if you go first." It's his turn to smirk; my body flushes with heat and desire.
"Then I only have one question," I whisper pulling back to raise an eyebrow, " is it later yet?" He chuckles before pulling me into his side.
"But it's too much." He's playing with the key.
"No it's not. I mean hello." I wave my engagement ring in his face.
"It's not exactly the same, that's my mums."
"You are making all my dreams come true… so what's a motorbike in comparison. Besides we're going to be husband and wife soon. A team. Partners… what's mine is ours." I seal the deal with another kiss before turning back to the Scott family laughing in a big family hug surrounded by crumpled wrapping paper.
"That will be us in a few years." I bite my lip at his words, a beautiful vision hitting me of our family.
"What are you thinking about so intently?" I watch Jay pause and frown in the middle of unpacking.
It's been a joy filled two weeks in Tree Hill, spending the Christmas Holidays and ringing in the New Year with the love of my life.
"About you." I smile softly over at him.
"That all?"
"And us, and getting married."
"You're not having second thoughts are you?"
"Hell no." His gaze is serious, pining me to my spot.
"Good. Then what about it?"
"I've been thinking about us getting a pre-nup… to protect your best interests." I drop the clothes and come around to stand in front of him.
"Jay you're crazy, as if I'd ever leave you." I reassure him, sensing he may have the fear since Antonio and his wife are splitting up.
"But if you did leave me." His hands grab mine, holding them between us.
"Don't be ridiculous."
"It's just an insurance policy." He hits back without missing a beat.
"Well then you're crazy if you think I believe for a second you'd ever come for my money."
"Never. You and your happiness is all I care about." His words tumble out without missing a beat.
"Then we don't need one." He drops his forehead to mine.
"Just think about it, I won't be upset if you change your mind." I roll my eyes before kissing him deeply.
"What about this?" Jay smirks down at me, eyebrow risen.
"Whatever you want."
"You're an easy groom to please."
"As long as my bride is happy, then I'm happy. It's your dream wedding, so whatever you need from me… I'll do it." His hand is trailing the smooth skin of my arm as I snuggle closer.
"Even if I was to dress you up in a ridiculous outfit." I giggle at the thought.
"Oh, definitely."
"You're committed to this going with the flow thing." I flip pages in my wedding binder, his hand grabbing mine and playing with the ring.
"As long as you're happy Brooke. I'll take part in the biggest, corniest wedding of all time – as long as I see you walking down the aisle to marry me. To become mine for life… then I'm the happiest man in the world. You're all I want in this life." I blink back my tears.
"I love you, so much." I whisper before he kisses me softly.
"But, I'm not going to be wearing something ridiculous am I?" I giggle flipping another page.
"No, don't worry. You can pick the suit."
"So have we set a date?"
"As long as you don't think I'm crazy for getting all this done before June?" I bite my lip, looking up at him cautiously.
"The sooner I can marry you, the better."
"Good, I can't wait to take you to the venue. They have an opening in June too, so I had to pounce."
"Let's get those invites out."
"Speaking of which… which of these do you like?" I flip some more in the binder.
"Whichever ones you already ordered."
"You know me so well." I smirk back up at him.
"What the hell is she doing here?" I glare at Victoria walking over to drop my wedding binder and bag on the dining room table with the other wedding items.
Jay's been good about living in wedding planning central for the last few weeks.
"I heard you're getting married."
"Was that a congratulations?" I snap out at her, watching Jay move to stand by me protectively.
"Of sorts." I roll my eyes.
"I gave you the company, I made it clear you aren't to be in my life anymore."
"Brooke, please. Can we talk?"
"No, sorry. I'm busy planning a wedding." My hands find my hips, feeling particularly feisty.
"Please, it's about our company."
"Your company, remember you stole it from me?"
"Jay, can you please give us a moment?" Jay looks at me briefly before nodding to Victoria and moving to walk away, my arm reaches out to grab him and hold him in place.
"No, whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of him. Besides, I'm going to need him to stop me from kicking a bitch." I growl out at her, stepping closer in as a silent threat.
"Fine, the company is in trouble."
"What kind of trouble?" I sigh lacking patience.
"Financial. The latest designs aren't selling."
"I could have told you that, oh wait. I did. Guess Clothes over Bro's isn't anything without Brooke Davis." I cross my arms, raising a brow in sass.
"You were right, we're going to have to lay people off if you don't come back."
"I'm not getting dragged back into your mess Victoria."
"You can have complete control. I'll… you can be CEO." She moves forward and hands me a flash drive.
"Our financials. Take a look and give me a call." Jay walks her to the door and comes back.
"Unbelievable." I mutter glaring at the flash drive in my hand.
"You okay baby?"
"I don't know."
"How is it?" Jay asks as he crawls into bed, I sigh before removing my glasses and closing the laptop.
"Not good."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know…"
"Do you really want to go back to working with her babe? She makes you miserable." He's quiet, but his question clear.
"I feel I owe it to the company Jay… try and save these peoples jobs." I shrug at him and he kisses my shoulder.
"I understand, you have a big heart Brooke Davis. I will always support you."
"If I do this though, I don't know how I'm going to get all the wedding things done in time." I can already feel the stress working it's way through my body.
"It's still five months away, I'll help. Whatever you need."
"Well, I've been designing again. So I just need to get things made and on the market urgently to turn the profit around."
"So when is the wedding?" I roll my eyes briefly glaring at Victoria.
"Stop, we aren't doing this. I'm helping the company, but that's it. We're still through."
"I understand, I suppose asking for an invitation would be too much to ask then." I glare at her again.
"Seriously?" I turn towards the hallway when I hear the apartment door open and close.
"Hey babe." Jay calls out rounding the corner, jacket removed but gun and badge still on.
"Victoria." He deadpans moving forward to kiss my head.
"Jay, how are you?"
"Good."
"Good… so have you two discussed a pre-nup?"
"You can't be serious. What part of none of your business are you not familiar with?"
"Brooke, I'm just trying to protect you." I scoff.
"Right, because the precedent is so clearly there for that."
"I have always cared about your wealth." I'm shaking my head in disbelief.
"Oh my god. It's really not up to you. But for the record Jay has already tried convincing me. And if the man who means everything to me can't succeed, don't waste your breath. Also it says a lot that all you care about protecting is my wealth… not me."
"Victoria, just stop it. Besides it's my money and my life." I groan, facing another day of nagging about protecting myself.
"Brooke, honey-"
"Don't call me honey." I glare at her over the table in my design room at my apartment.
"Why aren't we working from your office space downtown?" She questions instead.
"What? You don't like Jay hovering around?"
"He's always glaring at me."
"Gee, can't imagine why."
"Brooke, why?"
"Because I was attacked there. Not like you care."
"You were attacked again? I told you he's not the man for you. This isn't the city for you."
"Stop. Why do you act like this?" I snap at her, desperation in my tone at my own mother's attitude.
"I was attacked by that same freak from New York. The one who was stalking me when you stole my company out from underneath me?" I'm blinking back tears, trying to hold them back, my voice rising.
"I'm terrified to go back there, I'm dealing with the trauma and I'm healing but I feel safer at home. With the man I love."
"Brooke? Babe, you okay?" Jay walks in the room sending a hard glare at Victoria, who appropriately withers before his eyes soften when they take in mine.
"I'm okay." I sigh as he kisses my forehead.
"If all you're going to do is upset Brooke, you can get the hell out of our home."
"Excuse me?" Victoria snaps at Jay.
"You heard me. I sure as hell don't want you back in Brooke's life. You've hurt her and you've had more than enough chances… you like so many other's in her past – aren't good for her. You don't deserve her at all, but I respect Brooke and her decisions. I support her, and she wants to save this company and those who rely on their wage. But if you continue to upset her I'll make this very difficult for you." His threat is clear, his eyes steely and cold.
"Haven't you already been doing that?" She's snarky in return.
"Not even close." He seethes back at her, eyes dangerous and she clears her throat.
"Alright then." She glances down at her paperwork again and I squeeze Jay's hand.
"Thank you." I whisper into Jay's neck as he tucks me into his coat.
"For what?"
"Being your amazing self. I'm so lucky I get to marry you." He brushes his nose against mine, before touching his lips to mine.
"I'm the lucky one baby."
"I appreciate you standing up for me with my mum… and supporting me even though I know you want me to shut the door on her completely."
"Whatever you want, I want. Remember?"
"Yeah, I remember. I love you… you know that?" I whisper adoringly up at him.
"You might have tipped me off to that."
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. When you agreed to marry me." He tells me with a smirk.
"Hmmm. I thought I was playing it so cool." I giggle as he pulls me closer.
"Baby, you haven't played it cool since that first night we met in the bar."
"Well I looked into those eyes and you stole my heart."
"Speaking of getting married. Should we check it out?" Jay nods up the stairs to the beautiful church in front of us.
I nod excitedly and race up the stairs, tugging on his hand to follow me, Jay chuckles taking the steps two at a time so he can open the door for me.
"Oh my god. It's beautiful." I whisper taking in the high ceilings and stain glass windows.
"You're beautiful." Jay whispers into my hairline.
"I can't wait to show you the venue for the reception. It's stunning, and I've spared no expense. Going to be outside in tents, with lights everywhere… truly magical." I sigh picturing the perfect night we have coming out way.
"I have no doubt you have something amazing planned, but I'd married you at city hall. With paper cups and plates at any location for the reception."
"I love you for that, but we'll do it my way." I pull him in for another kiss before locking our fingers and strolling down the aisle together.
A/N: Appreciate if you can leave a review.
Take care :)