Brooke touched up her lipstick and pinched her cheeks to bring out some color on her face. She looked at herself in the mirror one final time and slowly put away everything in her make-up bag. It took her bit longer to stand up these days and she sure couldn't handle another session of throwing up at that moment. When she turned around to walk out, she saw her wedding dress. She had to hold on to the chair with both hands to keep her weak knees straight. There it was on the mannequin...her own creation, staring back at her. She walked over and traced with the fingers of her right hand the lace woven neckline. The silk skirt brushed up against her legs. She kneeled down next to the dress to open the box that caught her eye. It contained extra wedding invitations.

Brooke: "Davis and Baker-Norris families request your attendance at the wedding of Brooke Penelope Davis and Julian Baker on September 10, 2011 on Tree Hill Island."

She stood up to face her dress again and dropped the invitation on the floor.

B: "I'm getting married."

Millie: "There you are. Come on. Everyone's waiting for you outside. Brooke?"

Brooke kept staring at her dress. She hadn't even heard Millie come in.

M: "Yes, it's an amazing dress. Your best design so far. But could you possibly part with it for a few hours to come host your dinner? Brooke, are you ok?"

Only when Millie touched her shoulder, Brooke realized she wasn't alone anymore.

B: "Hi. Sorry, I got caught up."

M: "I can see that. We're all starving. Are you ready to come down?"

B: "Yes, I can live with being fashionably late. Is my husband-to-be there already?"

M: "Yes, Julian's been grilling and drinking for a while now. All we're missing is you. And Hayley."

B: "Where's Hayley?"

M: "I'm not sure. She called to say she'd be a little late but that she promises it'll be worth the wait. Brooke, are you're ok?"

B: "Yes, Millie. Why wouldn't I be? I'm marrying the most wonderful man in a few days in front of my friends and family. Everything's perfect."

Millie heard the words and could tell it was what Brooke believed...or maybe wanted to believe. But it was as if her friend's eyes and lips couldn't agree on the sentiment. She thought maybe it was the pre-wedding jitters.

M: "You know you can talk to me anytime...about anything, right?"

B: "Millie, seriously? I'm fine. Everything's fine. Nothing to talk about. Now let's get this party started."

For their wedding destination, Brooke and Julian had chosen Tree Hill Island located a short distance off the coast of Tree Hill. They had rented the only property on the island practically securing that the entire island would belong to them. Brooke had put together a week full of events leading up to their wedding day. Today was only the beginning. Their core group of friends had arrived throughout the day and were gathering outside for the welcome dinner. As she was coming down the stairs, Brooke caught a glimpse of Julian and Nathan talking as they shared grilling duties. As she walked over to them, she saw Mouth and Skills schooling Jaime on the intricacies of the perfect frisbee throw and she waived at Clay, Chase and Skills bringing drinks for Alex, Mia, and Quinn. A smile crossed her lips for the first time that day. She wouldn't let anything ruin this day, this week for her.

B: "Hi fiancé."

Julian: "Finally. Where have you been?"

B: "Getting beautiful for you."

J: "Amazing job...as always. Hey everyone, bring your drinks over to the table. Let's eat."

Nathan: "Brooke, can you bring that last plate of steaks please?"

B: "Sure. Hey, do you know where Hayley is?"

Walking towards the table and carrying a plate of grilled fish himself, Nathan pointed to the boat sailing away from the mainland.

N: "That should be her. She called a few minutes ago to say she was on her way."

B: "Any idea what this surprise of hers is?"

N: "It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you now, would it?"

B: "Score one for the husband. You keep the wife's secrets."

N: "Lesson one for a happy marriage."

J: "Can I enrol in this marriage class of yours?"

N: "There's only one lesson for you. Brooke is always right. When she's not, see lesson one and apologize. "

B: "Fiancé already mastered that lesson a long time ago."

Julian laughingly pulled Brooke down on his lap and kissed her.

Jaime: "Gross."

J: "Just wait a few years Jaime and we'll talk then."

As Nathan served the food, Julian asked for everyone's drink orders. Brooke volunteered herself for a trip to the wine cellar. Before she left, she took one last look back at the boat, now almost at the island pier and wondered what Hayley was up to. After a few wrong turns, Brooke finally found the cellar. She was almost done filling the crate with several bottles when she noticed Julian's favourite red on the top shelf. She tried to reach it but despite her four-inch heels, she was still short of target. That's when she heard the footsteps approaching. Assuming it was Julian checking up on her, she called for him.

B: "Julian, can you help me? I can't reach it. Please?"

She felt him behind her...his arm slowly reaching up above hers, grabbing the bottle. His hand brushed up against her, his breath on her neck. Suddenly, her heart skipped a beat trying to match the silence in the room, telling her to stand still, not to turn around. His hand held out the bottle in front of her, his arm wrapped around her waist only a few inches apart. Her eyes looked down to the bottle, to the hand holding it. She dropped her head and closed her eyes. Maybe, just maybe if she didn't see it, it wouldn't be happening...he wouldn't be there. She slowly reached out her left hand to take the bottle, but her hand lingered on his. She didn't have the strength to pull it away. She would know his scent, his touch, his breath anywhere. When she left him in New York six weeks ago without a word, she had forced herself to erase that day, that night...it never happened. But it wouldn't be that easy. Even thousands of miles away, a part of him had been with her every second of every day since then. And now, was he really here? Her eyes still closed, her hand on his, she took a deep breath and slowly turned around. Maybe her mind was just playing tricks. She would open her eyes and find herself alone daydreaming about impossibilities. She told herself silently "Julian. You love Julian. You're marrying Julian. Stop this." That's all it was...a dream. She raised her head and opened her eyes. For a brief moment she was blinded by a ray of light from the setting sun peering through the narrow cellar windows. Just when she thought she was safe, she heard his voice.

Lucas: "Hi pretty girl."

It's good to feel you are close to me in the night, love,

invisible in your sleep, intently nocturnal,

while I untangle my worries

as if they were twisted nets.

Withdrawn, your heart sails through dream,

but your body, relinquished so, breathes

seeking me without seeing me perfecting my dream.

~Pablo Neruda