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𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
:: xxix. | daydreaming

It's been a month and half. Clay is still in a coma but he also needs a kidney transplant. Quinn is up and going back to her regular self while Ashely's been cooped up in the guest room at Brooke's house. She's recovering but that's not the problem. The problem is she hasn't left the room since she got back from the hospital.

Chad's been helping her through it— helping her move on from losing her child. He keeps reassuring her that she'll get pregnant again eventually but until those divorce papers come, she'll have that thought of her and Rachel linger in the back of her mind.

On the other hand, Chad was sitting on his sofa just thinking about life. How close he was to losing his sister and how precious life is. As people say, you only get one life so live it up to the fullest because you're not guaranteed another day and that's what he's been doing for the past couple of weeks. Last week he went skydiving. Terrifying but fun.

As of right now though, he stood in the kitchen staring into space— thinking about his future. All the things that we are fortunate to get to do and well, he can't believe why he doesn't want to do one certain thing. It's simple and easy if you're in love which he is. So what's stopping him? Nothing.

He continues to stare into space until a knock on the door disrupts that. He walks up to the door and opens it. Brooke stands there with a slight smile before opening her arms for a hug. He of course returns it.

"So you called me. If it's about ash, she's doing ok. She stays huddled in the room with Lucas for hours but other than that, she ok." Brooke told him and he nodded listening.

Chad let out a slight chuckle, "Thank you but that's not why I called." He had a big smile plastered across his lips, "I think I'm gonna propose to Peyton!"

"Oh my god!" She playfully hit his arm. "Wait, why do you need me then?"

"Well you're her best friend. So what kind of rings does she like?" He himself was now extremely excited. He finally crossed a path that he didn't think he would but I guess being back with the love of your life, does things like that.

• • •

Chad and Brooke were roaming the streets of Tree Hill looking for a good jewelry store. They pointed some out to each other but it didn't seem to fit until they stumbled onto this nice one. Chad couldn't keep his eyes off it, he knew this was the place. Al's Jewelry. He liked the sound of it.

Him and Brooke were just about to go in when his phone vibrated in his back pocket. He pulled it out and it was a text from his sister telling him she got the divorce papers. He switched his phone off and slid it back in his back pocket.

"Ash, got the divorce papers. She needs me." Chad told Brooke.

"Ok, that's fine. I'll get the ring, you go be with your sister." She gave him a reassuring smile before he began to walk the other direction. But for some reason, there was this lingering thought that she just had to get out. "Chad . . . " He turned back to her, "Are we ok?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't we be?" He knew exactly what she meant. He just didn't really want to remember it.

She sighed, "You know why."

"Well I moved on. I'm in a happy relationship and Julian's a standup guy." Chad gave Brooke a reassuring smile, "See you in a little bit." He then carried on with getting to his sister who needed him right now.

• • •

Chad knocked on the door to Brooke's house. Luckily Ashely answered, he knew Luke was there and he wasn't sure if he wanted to see him. He gave his sister a big bear hug. He was happy to see her and to see she actually got out that room finally.

"I thought Luke was here." He spoke as he walked through the door.

"He left ten minutes ago." Ashely told her younger brother as she closed the door behind him.

She then began to head to her bedroom and he followed. Once she reached her room, she went to the night stand and picked up a piece of paper. It was folded in half. She turned to her brother and handed the paper to him.

He opened it, then read through it. He looked back at his sister, "You ready?"

"I thought it be easier. Sign the paper and it be done." Ashely shrugged her shoulders then sat on the bed.

"Of course it's not going to be easy." Chad sat next to her, "Divorce is never easy. Take Brooke's parents for example. They went through hell."

"I don't know who told you that but they fell out of love. Rachel and I didn't. That's actually very offensive that you compared us to them." She told her brother.

Chad couldn't help but creep a smile on his face. When he smiled, she smiled. His smiles are contagious.

"I don't know if this will make you feel better but I decided to propose to Peyton." That smile never left his face. He was happy and he wanted to share it with his sister who wasn't in the same place as him.

A smile formed across her lips, "It does lighten the mood a bit." She nudged him, "I'm proud of you."

After those four words were said, someone burst through the front door yelling for Chad. By the sound of their voice it was easy to recognize it was Brooke. Chad and Ashely both rushed out the room, seeing Brooke with bags in her hands and an excited smile across her face.

"Did you get it?" Chad asked excitedly, eager to see the ring.

"I think she'll love it." Brooke searched through the bags, trying to remember where she put it.

"The real question is, when are you popping the question?" Ashely sat on the high chair that was by the island in the kitchen.

Brooke had finally found the small box that held the ring. She took it out it's bag and handed it to Chad. He happily took it and opened the box. His eyes grew wide, he was so mesmerized by the beautiful ring his friend picked out for the girl he loves.

His eyes stayed glued to the ring. "It's perfect." He breathed out.

a/n:
he finally got over
whatever was holding
him back from getting
married!!