Chapter Thirty One: We've Come A Long Way
This is it! The final chapter! I really can't believe that this is all over. Thank you to everyone who has read, left a review or did both! I know I didn't respond to everyone but those reviews are what kept me going, they were inspiration to continue, without you guys I wouldn't have a story. I know I said earlier that I would include a short summary of what my new B/Ju story would be about but I didn't have time to write it and I REALY wanted to get this posted but just know that it is definitely worth reading! ;) It should be posted soon; I have the main idea of what I want to happen I just need to start typing. Anyways, enough rambling, happy reading!
Since it takes place 17 years later, here's everyone's ages and children:
BROOKE AND LUCAS = 43
BERKLEY = 22
LANDON = 17
HANNAH =17
PEYTON AND JAKE = 43
JENNY = 26
GAVIN = 17
TYLER = 16
HALEY AND NATHAN = 43
JAMIE = 25
MIA = 22
JACK = 20
ISABELLA =
MADISON = 17
****SEVENTEEN YEARS LATER****
"Mom, when's Berkley getting here?" Hannah asked as she played with some of the fabric Brooke had laying around in her studio.
"She said around twelve," Brooke replied with a pin in her mouth. "What time is it now?"
"Ten-thirty." Hannah responded after she glanced at her phone. "What am I supposed to do until then?"
"I don't know Han, but I have to get this gown done." She said as she motioned toward the elaborate wedding dress in front of her.
"Who's this one for?" Hannah asked as she walked around it, inspecting all the small details.
"Reese Witherspoon's daughter, Ava. She's getting married next weekend so I really need to finish this." She sighed as she pinned another section of the dress. "Why don't you go see what your boyfriend's doing?"
Hannah shrugged. "I guess I could head over there."
Brooke nodded in agreement. "Just make sure you're home when Berk gets here."
"I will." She assured as she walked out of the studio.
As Brooke watched her daughter leave, she smiled to herself. Seventeen years later she and Lucas were still madly in love with each other, Berkley, Hannah and Landon were the best kids she could have asked for and she was living out her dream. About three months after the twins were born, she received a letter in the mail from Vera Wang saying she'd like to buy a few of the designs that were shown in the fashion show all those months ago. She was this close to closing the deal but Lucas stopped her. He told her that if she signed on, that's all she'd ever do; design dresses but sell them to other people who then would take the credit. He knew that wasn't what she wanted but he also understood she wanted her designs to get out there. That was seventeen years ago and today, as she sat in her design studio, she couldn't have been happier that Lucas talked her out of signing the deal. With his help, she was able to start up her own small business. She had just planned on opening a shop in Tree Hill and designing a few dresses here and there but the world had a different plan for her. She was one of the biggest names in the wedding gown business, headlined her own fashion shows, was a top pick for celebrity weddings, and was more famous than she ever could have dreamed possible. She was just a small town girl with a small dream that turned into her destiny. It was hard the first year she decided to open a store in New York since she spent a lot of time there while Lucas stayed back in Tree Hill with twin three year olds and an eight year old who wanted his constant attention but they somehow managed to make it work. Six years after that she opened a store in Los Angeles and that one was another huge success. She was often asked why she still lived in the small town of Tree Hill instead of someplace like New York or LA. Lucas would always smile to himself when he'd watch her answer with a small smile before saying "Tree Hill's home." Now, since their kids were older she was able to travel more easily and every other month she spent a week in New York and every two months she flew out to Los Angeles for two weeks. Lucas would occasionally go with her and when he did that, Landon and Hannah would spend the week at either Nathan and Haley's or Peyton and Jake's.
"Brooke?" Lucas called breaking her out of her trance. "Brooke are you up here?" She could hear him coming up the staircase as she placed the last pin in a fold of fabric. "Hey you." He smiled when he saw her.
"Hi," She replied as she turned around to face him. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to come up and see how you were doing." He shrugged as he made his way toward her.
"I'm almost done with the dress," She said proudly. "Do you like it?"
"It looks great," He said as he glanced over at the dress before wrapping his arms around her. "What are you doing for the next couple of minutes?" He whispered in her ear as he continued to rub her back.
"Nothing," She answered.
"So you have a few free minutes?"
"What do you want?" She laughed as she pushed him away from her.
"You." He grinned.
"Lucas," She laughed again. "I have a lot to do before Berk gets here and we can't just fool around like we—" He cut her off by pressing his lips against hers. "—used to." She finished once he pulled away.
"C'mon," He begged as he proceeded to unzip the red dress she was wearing. As much as she wanted to fight it she couldn't resist his touch. She smiled and nodded before stepping out of her dress that had fallen onto the floor.
--
"Are you excited to see your sister?" Peyton asked as she finished preparing the mashed potatoes.
Hannah nodded. "She's bringing Ryan, too."
Peyton cocked an eyebrow. "The Ryan she dated off and on all through high school?"
Hannah smiled and nodded as she popped a peanut into her mouth. "That Ryan."
"I'm assuming they're back on again?"
"According to her they've been seeing each other for almost two years."
"How come none of us knew?!" Peyton exclaimed.
Hannah shrugged. "She didn't want everyone to know they were involved again in case things ended badly." She paused as she tossed a few more peanuts into her mouth. "When's Gavin getting home?" She asked.
"He should be home soon," Peyton replied before resting her elbows on the countertop and leaning in toward Hannah. "What else do you know about Berkley and Ryan?"
"Well she didn't say much last week when I talked to her but she seems really happy." Hannah smiled. "How are Jenny and Jamie doing?" She asked.
"They're doing well, they should be here around eleven or so. The baby's due next week so they're really excited for that." Peyton beamed.
"Do they know what they're having?"
Peyton shook her head. "They want it to be a surprise."
"Good for them." Hannah nodded. She heard a car door slam outside so she sprang to her feet and darted toward the front door. Peyton followed behind her wiping her hands on a dishrag.
"Gavin!" She squealed as she whipped the door open. He dropped his bag on the lawn and held his arms open as she ran towards him before jumping into his arms. "I missed you!" She exclaimed as she began to cover his face in kisses.
"He was just gone for a week," Tyler, Peyton and Jake's sixteen-year-old son, said as he rolled his eyes. "Jeeze."
"Next time you go camping you are so taking me with you." Hannah said as she helped him pick up his gear. "A week without you is way too long."
Gavin laughed as he took the bag from her and wrapped his arm around her waist. "I missed you too." He said before kissing the top of her head.
"What?" Jake said as he walked toward Peyton. "No hug like Hannah's for me?"
"Hi baby," Peyton smiled as she embraced him for the first time in a week. "How was your trip with the boys?"
"It was great, I can't believe this was Gavin's last year before college." He said as he shook his head. "Where does the time go?"
"I know," Peyton nodded. "It seems like it was only yesterday when we were potty training them and now we're about to be grandparents." She reached into the trunk for one of Jake's bags.
"I still can't believe my baby's having a baby."
"I still can't believe those two actually ended up married." Peyton laughed. "Remember high school?"
Jamie and Jenny absolutely hated each other in high school. It had all started freshman year when Jenny started dating Matt. Jamie had warned her about his womanizing ways but she ignored him. Long story short, Matt ended up breaking Jenny's heart and as much as Jamie wanted to be there to pick up the pieces, she had ruined their friendship by dating Matt. Every time Jamie wanted to hang out, she would cancel on him because Matt always came first. It made barbeques awkward, pool parties uncomfortable and family dinners unbearable but that all changed in college. They had a heart to heart and ended up falling in love with each other. Right after college they got married and bought a house. Jamie was now a sports agent while Jenny was on maternity leave from her pediatrician's office. As much as they wanted to live closer to Tree Hill they're jobs were in Charlotte and an hour wasn't really that far when they really thought about it.
--
"Mia just called and she said she and Berkley are about an hour away." Nathan said as he walked into the kitchen where Haley was preparing her stuffing. She giggled when she felt him snake his arms around her waist.
"Madison's home." She warned.
"This is innocent." He breathed onto her neck.
"But in about two minutes it won't be." She said as she wiped her hands.
"Two minutes?" He questioned as he began to untie her apron.
"Nate," She moaned as he continued to push his body against hers. "We can't do this now."
"The house is huge, we can be quick and I know you want to."
She smiled and turned so she was facing him. "Is this all you ever think about?"
He nodded.
"You are unbelievable." She laughed as she took his hand and led him up the staircase.
"I can't wait until next year." He said once they were inside their bedroom.
"Why's that?" Haley asked as she began to unbutton his shirt.
"Because then we'll have this whole entire house to ourselves because all our children will either be in college or living on their own someplace else."
"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" Jack's loud voice boomed throughout the house.
Haley sighed.
"You have got to be kidding me!" Nathan exclaimed. Haley sat up and began to get dressed. "What are you doing?" He asked as he placed a hand on her arm.
"Our son just walked through the door."
"We'll make this even quicker then."
"Nathan," Haley laughed. "We'll have another chance for this." She finished buttoning her shirt before extending her hand to Nathan who reluctantly took it.
"Hey baby!" Haley exclaimed as she ran toward Jack. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too, mom." He smiled as he hugged her. Nathan embraced his son after and playfully patted him on the back.
"I have some news for you guys." Jack said as he jumped up and sat on the countertop.
"You didn't get a girl pregnant did you?" Haley asked, her voice full of concern.
Jack and Nathan both laughed. "No, mom. Of course not."
Haley nodded. "Well you never know in today's day and age."
Jack shook his head. "Anyways, you know how I'm not supposed to graduate for another two years?" Haley and Nathan both nodded with skeptical looks on their faces. "Well I'm no longer a Tar Heel." He said as he hung his head.
"You got kicked off the team?" Nathan asked.
Jack didn't respond for a moment. He lifted his head and neither Haley nor Nathan could read his expression. "I got called up." He said before grinning.
"What do you mean—" Haley started but got cut off by Nathan.
"You're in the NBA?!" Nathan exclaimed.
Jack nodded. "Jamie called last night and told me the Bobcats had an offer."
"You're on the Bobcats? You're going to play on my former team?" Nathan stammered.
Jack nodded.
"I'm so proud of you, Jack." He said as he enveloped his son into another hug. "I'm so proud of you."
"What about school?" Haley asked.
"What about it?" Jack repeated.
"You need to finish college, Jack." She ordered.
"I'm going to graduate, mom." He assured her. "I can still take classes even though I'm not going to be physically at the school. I can get a tutor or something and I'll earn some credits over the summer and while I'm on break."
"You promise?" Haley asked.
"I promise, mom." He nodded.
"Congratulations then." She smirked. "I really am proud of you."
--
"Mom! Dad! I'm home!" Berkley called as she entered the front door.
"Berkley!" Brooke exclaimed as she ran toward the foyer.
"Hi mom!" She smiled as she wrapped her arms around her. "I've missed you."
"Not as much as I've missed you." Brooke smirked.
"Hi dad," Berkley grinned as she moved from her mom over to her dad. "How have you been?"
"I've been well, the new book's hitting the shelves on Monday so things couldn't be better. Who's this young man you brought home with you?" He asked as he nodded toward where Ryan was standing.
"You guys remember Ryan don't you?" She asked as she reached for his hand and pulled him closer.
"Of course we do," Brooke smiled. "Are you two back together again?"
Ryan nodded. "I hope you don't mind me imposing on your Thanksgiving dinner. My parents went out of town and Berk refused to let me stay at school so she insisted that I spend the holiday here with you. If it's too much trouble I can leave—"
"No," Lucas interrupted. "The more the merrier."
"Where are Hannah and Landon?" Berkley asked as she looked around the house.
"Hannah's over with Gavin and Landon should be home any time now. He was down at the River Court for a little bit, he said he had to clear his head." Brooke answered.
"Well that's the best place to do it." She smiled. "What time is everyone coming over?"
"I'm surprised they're not here yet." Lucas said as he peered out the window. "Usually they're all here by now."
Brooke led them all to the living room where they sat down and talked while they waited for everyone to arrive for Thanksgiving dinner. Berkley explained one of the cases she was working on as in intern that was mesmerizing. She would graduate in May as a special victims unit detective and Lucas and Brooke could not be more proud of their daughter. They both noticed how much Ryan cared about her by the little things he had done since arriving. He had carried her bag up to her bedroom, gotten her a glass of water and had noticed she was cold so he retrieved his worn UNC sweatshirt for her to wear.
"Do you think I could talk to you?" Ryan asked Lucas as he stood up.
Lucas nodded before following Ryan into the kitchen. He watched as Ryan paced back and forth but instead of telling him to stop, he let him continue but he smirked to himself.
"I have to ask you something but I'm afraid of what your answer might be." Ryan said once he stopped pacing.
"Try me," Lucas grinned.
Ryan took a deep breath before speaking. "I've never felt the kind of love I feel when I'm with your daughter. She is the funniest, kindest and most honest person I know; you two did an amazing job raising her. I know that no matter how old she is you will always watch over her and try to guide her despite her stubbornness and I know she will always be your little girl but I was wondering if I could ask her hand in marriage."
When he was done, Lucas smiled at the raven-haired man who sat before him. He knew how happy he made Berkley and that was all he ever wanted for her: someone who made her feel safe. "I was hoping you would ask." He smiled. "You have mine and Brooke's blessing." He said as he patted Ryan's knee.
"Really?"
"I can say no if you'd rather." Lucas joked.
"No, of course not. Thank you so much, Mr. Scott." Ryan grinned.
"Ryan, call me Lucas." He smiled.
--
"I love him, mom." Berkley gushed once Ryan and her dad were out of earshot.
"I can tell." Brooke smiled.
"I told him about Owen for the first time last week." She said shyly.
Brooke reached out and rubbed her daughter's arm. "How'd that go?"
Berkley looked up with tears in her eyes. "We've been together for a while and I know that I didn't have to tell him but I felt like I was keeping this secret from him so as we were laying in my bed watching T.V. I got the courage to tell him. He was great through the whole thing. As I lay in his arms telling him everything he didn't say anything, he just let me tell him what I needed to. He was so understanding about everything, mom. It scares me how much I love him though, I don't want to get my heart broken."
"You're not going to, sweetheart." She said as she hugged her daughter. "I can tell how much he loves you and I don't think he ever plans on letting you go."
"We're here!" Peyton announced as she walked in followed by her brood and Hannah. Berkley quickly wiped her eyes before standing up and greeting everyone. Within seconds, the door opened again and Haley and Nathan walked in with all their kids followed by Richard and Linda.
"Where are Jenny and Jamie?" Brooke asked once they were all settled in the family room.
"They called earlier and said they were running a little late, they should be here soon." Jake answered.
"Well why don't we play a game while we wait for them?" Peyton suggested.
"Charades?" Berkley asked.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Jagelskis versus Scotts versus Scotts?" Mia asked.
"Have we ever played any other way?" Nathan smirked as he reached for the game board.
"What team am I supposed to be on?" Ryan asked as he glanced around the room.
"Ours." Berkley said as she pulled him closer to her, her mom, dad, Landon and Hannah. "You too, grandma and grandpa."
"That's not fair, you guys have a huge team!" Peyton exclaimed.
"It's not our fault you're missing Jenny." Landon shrugged.
"Jenny wouldn't be on their team anyway, she's a Scott now." Jack boasted.
Everyone laughed as the boards were passed around. They played for an hour or so until Jenny and Jamie knocked on the front door. "Don't they know to just walk right in?" Berkley laughed as she went to answer it.
"Hey!" She squealed once she saw them. "How are you guys?" She hugged both of them before rubbing Jenny's belly. "Hi baby, how are you doing?" She cooed.
"Finally!" Landon exclaimed. "You're here! Let's eat!"
All eighteen of them gathered into the dining room and saw the elaborately decorated table that surprisingly fit all of them with extra room.
"Brooke, this looks great." Haley commented as she sat down next to Nathan.
"Thanks," She blushed. "I wanted it to look nice for all of you."
As the dishes were passed around, the house was filled with the sound of laughter. Berkley glanced around the table and took everything in. This was her life and it couldn't be any better. She had two loving parents, a boyfriend who would do anything to protect her and a job waiting for her when she graduated college in the spring. She looked over at her mom and in that moment, she realized she wasn't just a fighter…she was a warrior just like her.
--
As everyone continued to bring up childhood memories, Brooke couldn't shake the sickening feeling she felt in the pit of her stomach.
"Mom, want to help me cut the pies?" She asked as she stood.
Linda smiled and nodded before following her into the kitchen. Every time Brooke called her mom she smiled and remembered the day she had asked if it would be all right to do so. Brooke had been so nervous then, a trait that was rare for her, but Linda couldn't have felt more honored and loved.
"What do you want to talk about?" Linda asked once they were in the kitchen.
"It was that obvious?" Brooke asked as she licked her finger. Linda nodded. "Well I've been thinking a lot about Owen these past few days because I know his sentence is up tomorrow. Looking back on it now I feel foolish and ashamed that I let my emotions take control when I saw him. I should have turned that file in instead of shredding it. I thought I would feel better by doing the right thing but I realized in the days following that visit that I did the wrong thing. What if he tries to come after Berkley or me? She had no idea what he looks like; she hasn't seen him since she was five. I turned the other cheek to what he did," She paused to keep the tears from falling. "I let him get away with it, mom." She cried.
"You didn't." Linda said softly as she took the woman she considered a daughter into her arms. "The day I found the file I made a copy for you to bring with you when you went to see him."
"What did you do with your copy?" She asked.
"I turned it over to the police. He's serving a life sentence, sweetheart so you don't have to worry about him anymore. You don't have to feel guilty ever again."
Brooke smiled through her tears. "You knew my emotions would get the best of me, didn't you?"
Linda nodded. "They always do."
"Thank you." Brooke whispered.
--
All the kids remained in the kitchen to clean up the dishes while the adults retreated to the family room.
"How's my grandbaby doing?" Haley cooed as she rubbed Jenny's stomach.
"Doesn't it seem strange to you that we're going to be grandparents at the age of 43?" Peyton laughed as she sat down beside her daughter.
"Well I did have Jamie at 17 and Jake had Jenny at 16 so when you really think about it in that sense it's not that strange." Haley shrugged.
"How is the baby doing?" Peyton asked as she placed her hand on Jenny's stomach.
"The baby's doing fine," She sighed. "Me on the other hand? I'm ready to have it out of me."
"I can't believe you're going to be a mom." Peyton said as she hugged her daughter.
Once the dishes were done and the leftover were packaged away, everyone gathered in the living room to watch the football game. Ryan glanced down in his arms to see Berkley smiling as she watched her mom and dad on the other side of the room. "Hey," He whispered causing Berkley to look up at him. "I love you so much that I would do anything to protect you, you know that right?" She nodded.
"I love you too." She replied before resting her head against his chest again.
"I'm not done," He laughed as he lifted her head back up so her eyes met his. "You are by far the funniest, kindest and most genuine person I know but you're also extremely stubborn and brutally honest which at times can make me crazy but I wouldn't want it any other way. I don't want to ever lose you because I'm not sure how I would survive without you in my life. I want to build a house with you and have babies with you. I want it all with you, Berkley. But first I need you ask you one simple question…will you please marry me?" He whispered as he opened the ring box he had packed earlier that morning.
"Yes!" She squealed causing everyone, all sixteen of them, to turn their attention from the football game to the two of them.
"What's going on?" Gavin asked as he craned his neck to look over at them.
"Ryan just proposed!" Berkley squealed. "And I said yes!"
The room was full of congratulatory remarks and all the women gathered around to see the ring Ryan had picked out for her. "I hope you can find time in your busy celebrity schedule to make my dress, mom." Berkley joked.
"Anything for you, baby girl." She said before pulling her daughter close.
"Jamie," Jenny whispered suddenly as she grabbed for his leg.
"What's up baby?" He asked as he turned his attention to her.
"I think it's coming."
"The baby?" He asked.
Jenny nodded as she began to rub her belly. "I think it's time."
He sprang up from the couch before helping her up. "Mom, dad, the baby's coming." He said.
Nathan, Haley, Peyton and Jake all sat up with stunned faces.
"Do you think something's wrong? I'm not due for another week—"
"Jenny, you're perfectly fine." Haley assured her. "We're all going to get our coats and bring you to the hospital. It's time for you to have this baby." She smiled.
"Would you mind if the kids just crashed here for the night?" Nathan asked as they all walked toward the front door.
"Not at all, call us when something happens." Brooke said. "Good luck, Jenny!" She called.
"Brooke!" Peyton exclaimed. "Make sure you separate Gavin and Hannah! Those two will go at it like rabbits if you're not careful."
Brooke laughed as she shook her head. "I know."
--
"You guys in the mood for a holiday movie?" Lucas asked once they returned to the den.
"Can we watch Elf please?" Hannah begged.
"I hate that movie!" Berkley moaned.
"If we watch Elf, I promise I'll wear whatever color and style dress you pick out for your wedding and I won't complain about it once." She bargained.
"Sounds like a pretty good deal to me, babe." Ryan whispered.
"Deal." Berkley smiled.
Lucas grinned as he popped the DVD in and cuddled up beside Brooke. As the eleven of them lay in the den, Brooke couldn't help but feel a wave of serenity wash over them. She had all she had ever dreamed of having and then some. She dozed off in Lucas' arms shortly after Buddy the Elf left the North Pole in search of his father. When she woke the next morning to the smell of waffles, a smile appeared on her face. She wandered into the kitchen to find Berkley and Ryan making breakfast, his arms wrapped around her waist while she cut fresh strawberries. Without making her presence known, she turned around and headed back toward the living room where everyone else was still asleep. She saw her daughter wrapped up in Gavin's arms while everyone else was sprawled all over the place. She giggled slightly when she saw her dad and Linda cuddled in the loveseat, they both made each other so happy. Brooke was positive she had never seen her dad happier than on his and Linda's wedding day.
Suddenly, the phone rang. She silently cursed it as she sprinted over to it trying to answer it quickly before it woke anyone up. "Hello?" She answered. "Aww! Tell them congratulations for us! I will and we'll see you soon. We'll save some waffles for you guys for whenever you get here." She hung up the phone and headed upstairs. Once in their bedroom, she found Lucas' newest book and brought it back downstairs with her. She had a tradition; she wouldn't read the book until the Friday before it hit the shelves. She had done it with all fifteen of his other books and she didn't plan on breaking that tradition today. However, unlike most people, she always started with the last page.
This tale that I've weaved and you've read isn't fiction…it's real life…it's my life. She's my reason I wake up in the morning, the reason I find life worth living because without her I'm not sure I would survive. Eighteen years ago she walked back into my life battered and bruised with a daughter who was equally damaged. Together, they changed my life for the better and I know when I say that it sounds so cliché but it's the truth. Together they overcame diversity. They do everything together, they're mother and daughter, they can hate each other one moment but then love takes over and they are back to their usual comedic bantering. When our daughter walks across that stage this coming May my heart will be so overcome with emotion and I know hers will too because we'll know that she's made it. That despite everything, she's going to be better than okay. That's our baby girl who regardless of everything has come out stronger than anyone will ever know. She is fiercely independent, brilliant and beautiful and brave. In seventeen years she's grown more than anyone I've ever known. Berkley Davis Scott is going to change the world someday and I'm not sure she even knows it.
When Brooke finished reading the last page, she wiped the silent tears that had fallen from her eyes. She then turned the book over and read the title for the first time just like did with every new book Lucas wrote. Daddy was written in a little girl's handwriting. Handwriting that looked exactly like Berkley's when she was around four years old. She then noticed the cover art; it was the picture Berkley had drawn so many years ago of herself, Lucas, Brooke and the damn dog leash with no dog attached. She tucked the book under her arm and went back inside to find everyone in the kitchen with platefuls of waffles. She sat down beside Lucas and took his hand into hers. "It's beautiful." She said softly.
"Think she'll like it?" He asked.
"She's going to love it."
"Did my mom call? Has Jenny had the baby yet?" Isabella asked.
"She did," Brooke nodded. "Jenny and Jamie have a healthy baby girl named Addison."
Everyone erupted in cheers and hugs. "So that means you're next." Mia said as she elbowed Berkley.
"For what?" She asked.
"To have a baby!" Mia squealed.
"Oh no," Lucas interrupted. "She has to get married first."
"But she's engaged, doesn't that count?" Landon pressed.
"No." Lucas and Brooke both said at the same time causing everyone to laugh.
Berkley smiled and reached for Ryan's hand. "We've come a long way, haven't we?" She asked.
Brooke nodded as she squeezed Lucas' hand. "We definitely have."
--
That's it!!!! I can't believe this is over! PLEASE LEAVE ONE LAST REVIEW!!