AUTHOR'S NOTE: THIS WAS A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING. WHEN I WROTE THE FIRST CHAPTER OF THIS STORY YEARS AGO I DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD MAKE THE SPLASH THAT IT DID. ONE TREE HILL IS NOT THE SHOW THAT IT WAS WHEN I STARTED IT, BUT WE CAN PRETEND THAT ISN'T THE CASE. I HOPE THAT THIS LIVES UP TO YOUR EXPECTATIONS. IT IS FARILY EPIC. I WORKED HARD ON IT. I POURED EVERYTHING I HAD INTO IT. I HOPE THAT COMES ACROSS AS YOU READ. YA'LL MEAN THE WORLD TO ME. – KRISTINE.

RATING: PG

DISCLAIMER: HAHAHAHA!

CHAPTER NINE: MAYBE, I'M AMAZED

- N - & - B -

It didn't take long at all for people all over the country, but especially in New England to fall in love with Brooke Davis and Nathan Scott as a couple. Even Ruby Kauffman would admit to being surprised at how quickly America fell in love them in one of her many columns that had slowly become basically an informative guide to Brooke and Nathan's life together. It helped that they were impossibly attractive what with Brooke's flawless skin and perfect dimples and Nathan's dark hair and melt-worthy smile. Then there was the fact that for all intents and purposes despite being insanely famous and successful sometimes it was believable to think that they really were normal like the rest of us. Still what probably helped them skyrocket to the top of people's real life OTP lists is the fact that they genuinely seemed to love to support and spend time with one another. It was the way that Brooke always threw her hands up in the air when Nathan made a shot and how Nathan could hardly take his eyes off of Brooke when they were being interviewed. Suffice to say they were irresistible.

Their friends teased them mercilessly about it. They left messages saying things like if either member of the couple known as "BRATHAN" could return their phone call it would be much appreciated. Millicent scheduled events around Celtics games and Lainey always made sure that Nathan was wearing something from Brooke's new male clothing line TWENTY-THREE when he left the house. When a photograph came out of Brooke and Nathan spending the day with Jenny at the beach, America almost couldn't handle it. The buzz was instantly about when Nathan and Brooke were going to make it permanent.

Even though reporters constantly peppered both Brooke and Nathan about when it would eventually happen neither one of them was willing to discuss the subject. Nathan was absorbed in helping the Celtics make it through the playoffs. Brooke was working around the clock on getting her men's line up and running. Being a couple was plenty for both of them right then. Then the unthinkable happened and the Celtics lost in the finals. It wasn't because of lack of effort from Nathan who in a season picked up the city and did his best to carry them on his back. It just wasn't meant to be. Nathan, needing to get out of Boston, suggested that they take a vacation. Brooke of course agreed because she would do anything to make him happy like he was when they won the Eastern Conference finals. She couldn't help but be surprised though when he decided that they would go on vacation in Tree Hill.

- N - & - B -

"You know I think the last time I was here was the day before you left for Duke," Brooke replied softly as they drove past the high school. Everything was somehow nearly the exact same as they left it. The school sign even featured a good luck sign for their favorite son, Nathan Scott. "Peyton and Jake had already left."

"I was terrified," Nathan recalled. "I had been working out all summer but I was sure that I was going to show up and Coach K would immediately regret his decision to sign me."

"And so I of course stroked your ego and let you beat me in a game of horse," Brooke joked.

Nathan chuckled softly. "That was so gracious of you. Maybe we should have a rematch then," he suggested as he pulled into the parking lot in front of the River Court. Before Brooke could even respond he was reaching in the backseat and pulling out his always handy basketball. Luckily in the years since he left Tree Hill his mother hadn't taken the time to touch or change a thing. He was almost certain that all she did was take his Mustang to get service. Certainly by the sound of her voice when Nathan told her that he was coming down for a short visit, she was excited to have her only son back in her life even if only for a short while.

"You just drove around with a basketball?"

"Never knew when I'd run into a game of pickup," he shrugged as he bounced the ball and took a moment to soak in the feeling of being back. It was funny how it was this one place that he most closely associated with being home. After all it was the place that forced him to change the kind of basketball player he was. It was here where he learned why sometimes passing was a better option that taking the shot yourself. He expanded his game. He became the kind of player that people complimented him on today. This place was just as much a part of him as Cameron-Indoor Stadium and Portland had been.

Brooke gently wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her head on his shoulder, "Weird, isn't?"

"I just remember shooting baskets here thinking how badly I couldn't wait to get out of this place. Was it really that bad?"

"It was fairly terrible Nate. Do you remember how overly dramatic everything was? Jake and Peyton couldn't survive a semester without some stupid drama. Rachel was slutty in that cringe-worthy way. Almost nobody recognized Mouth for being as brilliant and awesome as he was. I was supposedly as slutty as Rachel and dramatic as Peyton. You were the tragic and self-destructive hero. We all needed to get the hell out of here."

"Rachel was pretty slutty." Nathan couldn't remember how many times he'd check one of the guestrooms at the beach house after a party only to find Rachel passed out and topless.

Brooke snorted loudly, "Rachel was super slutty which made me a slut by association even though I basically spent four years making out with you on the quiet."

"Yeah well I punched at least like five walls because of the rumors that used to float around town about you," Nathan admitted softly.

"Well I cornered at least ten girls in the school bathroom and told them to stay the hell away from you or else I would have Rachel go after every guy they tried to get with after you." Brooke knew she should have sounded like she felt a little guilty about that fact, but she wasn't. Moments like that made her the HBIC that Tree Hill High School knew her as.

He smiled as he kissed her softy on the top of her head. "No wonder our friends were so pissed that we wouldn't just get together already."

"You know I'm going to beat you right," Brooke joked as she snatched the basketball out of his hand and proceeded to awkwardly dribble it. Despite growing up in basketball country she'd never gotten the hang of the sport.

Nathan didn't say anything but instead quickly stole the ball and tossed up a nothing but net three-pointer.

"Show off," Brooke joked as she chased after the ball. She dropped it again though when she turned around and found Nathan down on one knee. "Nate…"

He smiled before whispering, "This would be more romantic if you came closer."

She silently nodded and joined him in the center of the court. She let out a soft laugh as he grabbed her hand.

"I've been thinking about this moment for longer than you will ever know. I came up with all different places where I could do this. For some reason the River Court seemed the most fitting." He told her as he reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring that he'd had to have Carter help him purchase just so that they could keep it out of the papers.

He cleared this throat before continuing, "It was in this very place that you told me I would always have you. You assured me that no matter what happened that you would be there for me and in that moment I didn't understand just how true that statement was. You were there for my press conference to announce that I wouldn't be going back to school. You gave me Lainey after my surgery so that I wouldn't have to get through my rehab by myself. You've always been there willing to hold my and whisper words of encouragement in my ear." He took a deep breath as he opened the lid of the box. He smirked just a little at the way her eyes lit up when she saw that flawless diamond he picked out for her. "I always want us to be there for each other. So will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

She couldn't believe she was crying. In movies and on television women always cried in this moment, but she was sure that wasn't how it really was. And now here she was crying silent tears while Nathan stared up at her so hopefully and lovingly she thought her heart might burst. "Of course," she whispered and watched as he gently slid the ring onto her finger. The moment he was done she pulled him up and kissed him so passionately that the paparazzi would have had a field day if they could have gotten a shot of it.

When Nathan was pretty sure that he would faint from a lack of oxygen he finally pulled back. He held Brooke close and rested his head on top of hers while he tried to catch her breath. He took a second to appreciate the fancy shampoo she used. It always reminded him of wildflowers. "I am so glad you said yes," he whispered softly into her hair. "I am going to do whatever it takes to make you happy for forever."

- N - & - B -

When Ruby Kauffman broke the news her column simply said, "SHE SAID YES!" above a picture of Brooke and Nathan not only showing off how god looking they were together, but also the gorgeous rock he bought her.

It was all people all over the country could talk about for months. Everyone wanted to know who was going to be in the wedding party. No one could decide what color she'd put her bridesmaids in and if all Nathan's teammates would show up. They were surveys on the streets and offers to pay millions for the pictures.

Most couples would have struggled to handle all of the pressure, but Nathan and Brooke acted at least in public like everything was the same as when they first got together. You would have never guessed they were in charge of putting on the wedding of the year.

Behind the scenes though it was practically all Brooke could talk about.

"Should I design my own dress?" The answer was eventually no because she didn't have the time. It took a while to pick the designer but eventually she picked Eleanor Waldorf.

"What color do you guys want to wear?" Peyton of course chose grey which Brooke considered but eventually vetoed. Rachel wanted a red that despite being attractive was way too sultry for a wedding. Lainey refused to say with the argument that there was no way they would like her choice. In true Millicent clutch fashion she decided on green because not only would they all look good in it, but it would be a nice nod to the kind people of Boston would had opened their arms and accepted them without question.

Rachel only had one concern and that was, "Where's the bachelorette party going to be?" She pushed hard for Vegas, but Brooke refused to risk the chance of ending up in jail which was the only way that Rachel in Vegas could end. Finally they ended up taking a spa day and dancing the night away at a gay club where no one could get into any trouble.

The only question that Nathan had any involvement in was what day it should be. Even though it wasn't far away at all they finally picked September 1st because that would allow plenty of time for both celebrating as well as Nathan preparing to help the team in their quest for Banner No. 18.

- N - & - B -

"Is it normal for me to be this nervous?" Nathan asked Lainey quietly as she fiddled with his tie. He couldn't stop fiddling with his suspenders. He almost considered smoking a cigarette just to keep his hands busy.

Lainey smiled as she gently patted his chest and was surprised to see him cringe. "What's that face for?"

"What face?"

"The man that dude just chucked me down on the floor, but let me get up quickly so that he doesn't think he's tougher than he is look."

"There wasn't a look."

Lainey shot him a look and then said, "As the person who actually saw your face I can assure you that there was a look."

"Fine I'll tell you why there was a look, but please don't lecture me." Nathan gave in. "I got a tattoo last night."

"Of what?"

"Brooke's name," he still wasn't entirely sure how he happened. All he knew was that he'd had too many shots and decided that the best way to celebrate his last night as a free man would be to get a tattoo. Jake apparently had tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn't listen. Apparently he thought getting Brooke's name tattooed over his heart was his brightest idea.

Lainey sighed audibly and then she did something that surprised even her, she laughed. "That's sweet. It was really dumb of you, but mostly kind of sweet." Somehow in the blink of eye she felt her eyes starting to water. "I need to get out of here before I start crying. We all know that waterproof mascara is a myth."

"Of course we do," he joked softly.

She smiled and squeezed his hand. "You look great."

"So do you."

"And words can't describe how seriously happy I am for the two of you," she felt a tear escape her eye. She quickly wiped it away and laughed at herself for seeming so emotional. You would have thought she was his mom or something. They both knew she was more than that though. She was his best friend. Jake might have been his oldest friend, but they both knew that she was his best one.

- N - & - B -

"How much longer," Brooke asked as she continued to pace around the room as though she were a lawyer waiting for a verdict.

Millicent glanced at her watch before replying for what felt like the millionth time, "25 more minutes." While she'd always known that Brooke terrible at having any sort of ability to wait peacefully she was currently putting her usual impatience to shame, "Please stop pacing."

"I can't," Brooke said as she made another loop around the room. She wanted to stop but she wasn't sure if her nerves could handle being still for long.

"If you keep pacing you're going to wrinkle your dress," Millicent reminded her. She smiled softly when that seemed to do the trick and Brooke finally delicately sat down in her chair. There was nothing that Brooke hated more than looking wrinkled in pictures.

"Take a nip of this," Rachel commanded as she discretely removed a silver flask from her bust.

Brooke took a sip and noticeably cringed. She coughed a little before choking out, "What the hell is that?"

"Wild Turkey," Rachel replied before shrugging and taking a generous swig. "Finn has me obsessed with it. Now why are you nervous skank?"

"Who says I'm nervous?"

Peyton couldn't keep her eyebrows from rising so high they nearly disappeared into her hairline, "How about the obvious wear in the carpet?" She motioned for Rachel to cough up her flask.

"Okay so maybe I'm nervous," Brooke admitted softly. "I'm just waiting for something to happen. This has just been way too easy."

"Have you cheated on him?" Rachel asked after taking one more pull of her flask and then stuffing it back into her bra.

Brooke's head whipped her head to look at Rachel, "No! Why would you even ask that?"

"Because what else could keep this from happening?"

Peyton sighed before adding, "In those horribly dramatic Lifetime movies and Romantic Comedies that you are currently referencing in your head the reason that something bad happens is because one member of the couple always has this horrible deep, dark secret and you two don't."

"I'm about to marry Nathan Scott," Brooke replied as though it was just now hitting her.

"Yes you are," Millicent replied as she stood and grabbed her bouquet. "Right now actually."

Brooke nodded and took a deep breath. She was hoping that it would help her nerves, but of course that didn't happen. Still she was about to become Mrs. Nathan Royal Scott and she couldn't be happier even if she felt like she was going to faint.

- N - & - B -

Ruby gasped as she laid eyes on Brooke Davis. She looked flawless. She was the perfect mix of classic and sultry in a way that made her seem like a pinup model. In a not so classic move she escorted herself to the tune of What a Wonderful World. Most women this would seem strange, but for Brooke it worked. She glanced at Nathan and saw that he was just as captivated as she was. She couldn't help but think that this is why America loved "BRATHAN".

- N - & - B -

"You look beautiful," Nathan told her softly as he grabbed Brooke's hand and turned to face the priest.

Father Michael smiled and motioned for everyone to sit before starting, "Today we are gathered to watch as Nathan Royal Scott and Brooke Penelope Davis are joined in holy matrimony. If anyone here has just cause as to why these two should not get speak now or forever hold your peace." He looked out at the crowd expectantly and smiled when everyone had enough good sense to remain seated. "I won't take long today. I know everyone is excited to enjoy the reception that Brooke and Nathan have cooked up for everyone. Before we exchange the vows I would like to read for everyone The Bargain which is a poem by Sir Philip Sidney."

Father Michael pulled a worn black book out from beneath his robe and smiled. "My true love hath my heart, and I have his, by just exchange one for another given: I hold his dear, and mine he cannot miss, There never was a better bargain driven: My true love hath my heart, and I have his. His heart in me keeps him and me in one, my heart in him his thoughts and senses guides: He loves my heart, for once it was his own, I cherish his because in me it bides: My true love hath my heart, and I have his." He paused and smiled when he saw that most people in the audience still seemed to be with him. "Okay Brooke and Nathan have decided to exchange their own vows. We'll allow Brooke to go first."

Brooke smiled and grabbed both of Nathan's hands. "I love you so much that I can't help but think I am the luckiest woman in the world for catching your eye. You make me laugh when I want to cry. You never get mad when I decide to change my outfit several times even though we need to be somewhere relatively soon. You are one of a kind. I promise to always be the partner that you need me to be. I will travel to the ends of the earth for you Natey."

"That'll be a tough act to follow, but Nathan let's see what you've got," Father Michael instructed.

If Nathan had known that this was going to make him cry he might have reconsidered having such a large wedding with his entire team in the audience watching him. "When I hurt my knee the first person I called was you. I didn't call my agent or even my mother. I called you. You dropped everything in your life to rush to my side. I should have proposed to you right then. You gave me Lainey so that I would have someone help me get back on my feet. So I promise to always work hard to give you everything I possibly can. We can go travel to the ends of the together. Every morning I wake up with you by my side is sure to be a good day no matter what happens."

"Almost there folks all we have do now is exchange the rings," Father Michael attempted to joke. He'd done a lot of weddings, but never had such simple vows gotten him quite like this. "Nathan we'll let you go first. All you have to do is say with this ring I thee wed."

"With this ring I thee wed," Nathan said as he pushed the beautiful diamond encrusted platinum band onto her finger.

"And now Brooke if you'll do the same," he instructed.

Brooke nodded, "With this ring I thee wed."

"By the power vested in me by the state of Massachusetts and the Catholic Church I know pronounce you husband and wife. Nathan you may now kiss your bride."

- N - & - B -

"Everybody if you will please direct your attention to the dance floor where Brooke and Nathan will share their first dance as a married couple," the emcee instructed the crowd before motioning to the band to begin to play.

This had been the question that had been debated up until just a few days actually. Peyton thought that they should dance to I Will by the Beatles. Jake passionately campaigned for Can't Help Falling in Love With You because as he would always say you can never go wrong with Elvis. Millicent and Rachel were both fans of the always popular At Last. Still it was Lainey who in passing mentioned that she thought the song Maybe I'm Amazed would work well for the two of them. It was different and in a rare feat seemed to be a song that everyone agreed on. Now as the two of them slowly swayed on the floor both were hard-pressed to come up with a song that would have worked better.

"I think that maybe we made the right choice taking so long to get together," Brooke whispered into his shoulder.

"Yeah?"

"It made this moment so much sweeter. I'm so happy to be your wife. I'll never have a better title."

"Being your husband isn't so bad either," Nathan assured her. "And you know now all they'll talk about is when we're going to start our family."

"Don't remind me," she chuckled.

Little did either of them know that would be the picture on the front page of the society pages the next day.

- N - & - B -

AUTHOR'S NOTE: WHOO! SO THAT'S IT! WHAT DO YOU THINK? I THOUGHT THIS LAST CHAPTER WAS FAIRLY EPIC. IT'S JUST SHORT OF 4,000 WORDS. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR TUNING IN. IT'S BECAUSE OF YA'LL THAT BROOKE/NATHAN WILL ALWAYS HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. YOU GUYS ARE THE ABSOLUTE BEST! I CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR WHAT YOU THINK! – KRISTINE.