Always and Forever

By Naley1285

Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill.

Summary: He left her at the altar one year ago. Now he's back looking for forgiveness and a way back into her heart. Will she be able to or will they never find their way back together again?

January 9, 2007

Haley looked at herself in the mirror. The wedding dress Brooke made her was perfect. Being herself, she mentally checked everything on her list. "Veil, check. Flowers, check. Shoes...Damn it! Where are my shoes? Peyton!"

"Whoa, where's the fire? What's up? Wow you look gorgeous." Peyton said. "So Bridezilla. What's wrong now?"

"I can't find my shoes. I knew something was gonna go wrong today."

"Because you can't find your shoes? What are you talking about? Everything's gonna be perfect Hales. Now sit down, take a deep breath and I'll find your shoes. God if you're this bad, I wouldn't want to be Brooke's bridesmaid when her turn comes." After a few minutes she exclaimed, "Hah! Found them! See, nothing's gonna go wrong today. Now put on your shoes and zip it."

"Sorry, Peyt. It's just nerves. And you're doing a great job. Thanks." Haley hugged her friend. "I wonder how Nate's doing?"

In the other room, Lucas looked at his half-brother with a mixture of disbelief and anger. "What do you mean you can't get married today?"

Nathan paced the room and ran his fingers through his raven blue hair. "I'm sorry Luke, I can't. And it's not because I don't love her. You know I do. I just can't."

"But why? What do I tell her? You know this is gonna break her!" Lucas yelled.

"I know. Tell her I'm sorry…"

January 8, 2008

Haley stared out of the window. Her mind was a million miles away. She still thought of him every single day since he left. Leaving her with no explanation and a broken heart. He was her first love. Her only love. He told her he was going to love her always. Always and forever. She could already feel tears welling in her eyes. She laughed bitterly and thought to herself. "God! I can't keep doing this."

"Hey Hales, you alright?" Lucas's question brought her out of her reverie. She smiled at her best friend. "Yeah I'm fine. What were you saying?" She asked.

He looked at her with his piercing green eyes. He knew her long enough to know what was on her mind. "I said do you want to catch a movie tonight?"

"Ermm not tonight Luke. I've got things to do. Rain check?" she answered.

"What do you have to do tonight except mope? Come on Hales. Don't do this to yourself. Not anymore." Pleaded Luke.

"How? Just tell me how. I loved him Luke. I still do. And he left me. On what was supposed to be our happiest day. And all he could say was sorry? Telling me he didn't love me anymore was better than just telling me he was sorry." She could feel a sob threatening to escape.

Lucas joined her on the bed and put his arm around her. He hated to see her like this. "I know you're still hurting Hales. But I know him. I'm sure he's got a good reason for doing what he did. He loved you. You know he did."

"Did he? Whose side are you on Luke? He left me and I've to put on a brave face on what's supposed to be the eve of our first anniversary?" She said while wiping the tears from her face. "Look, I'm sorry. I know he's your brother and it's not your fault." She attempted to smile. "Why don't you go with Brooke? I'll be fine."

"You sure? I could stay with you if you want. I'm sure Brooke's okay with it." He asked, concern written all over his face.

"I'm fine. Now get out of my room before I throw your sorry ass out." She threatened. Lucas put up his hands in defeat. "Okay, okay I'm going. Geez, where's my best friend and what have you done with her?" He hugged her before getting his jacket. "It's gonna be okay Hales. You're gonna be okay."

"Thanks Luke. You know what? Maybe I'll get Peyton to come over for some girl time. God knows I need that now. And she needs to stop making out with Jake every second she's alone with him or her mouth's gonna fall off her face. And the same applies to you and Brooke." She rolled her eyes playfully.

Lucas laughed along. "That's my girl. Okay I gotta go. I'll catch you later okay?" He kissed her forehead before letting himself out.

Haley sighed. Finally she had some lone time to gather her thoughts. Lucas's words kept ringing in her ears. "I'm sure he's got a good reason for doing what he did." He said it with such conviction that Haley wanted to believe him. The problem was she couldn't.

Nathan sighed and looked at his mom, Deb. "Yeah mom, I'll probably stay a couple of weeks this time. I've missed you."

"I've missed you too honey. Are you hungry? Do you need anything to eat? I can make make something for you if you want." She offered her son.

"Ermm mom, I've only been gone a year. I still remember your culinary skills, or the lack of it." He grinned. "I'm fine. I had something to eat on my way here. I'm gonna pop down to Luke's if it's okay with you."

She smiled at her only son. "Sure I'll see you when you come back. We've got a lot of catching up to do." She sat down on the couch. "Nathan, she still misses you, you know."

Nathan's ears perked up at her words. "How, how do you know? Did she tell you?"

"She still comes over from time to time for a chat. But she didn't have to tell me that she misses you. It's practically stamped on her forehead."

"I messed up mom and I don't know what to do. I just want her back." She sighed. "Just give her time Nathan. Don't rush it. What you two had was something special. You'll get her back." It was just like when he was a little boy. His mom could always see through him, just like she was doing now. She knew his reason for coming back to Tree Hill. She knew his reason for leaving a year ago.

"Thanks mom. I'm just gonna unpack before I head off to Luke's. Love you mom." He said hugging Deb tightly before she left him with his thoughts. One year ago, he made the most difficult decision in his life and not a day went by that he didn't regret it. But he had no choice. And now he'd do anything to win back her trust.

Flashback

They were at Karen's Cafe celebrating their first year together. He knew he should've brought her somewhere fancy but he also knew that fancy things didn't really impress Haley much. That was what he loved about her.

Karen had agreed to close the cafe for him. Everything was perfect. There were candles and rose petals everywhere. As he looked at the woman he loved he was suddenly nervous. He had planning this over and over in his head and nothing even came close to what he was feeling now. "So are you enjoying yourself?"

"Hell yeah. Mac and cheese? You really know how to please a girl." Her laugh was cut short when she noticed he was quiet. "Hey are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine." He reached for her hand. "Haley, I love you so much. This past year has been incredible and it's all because of you." He knew he was rambling. "I guess what I wanted to say is, will you marry me?"

The silence that engulfed was so intense you could hear a pin drop. "Hales, say something. Please."

She looked at him with tears brimming in her eyes. "Yes, yes, yes. A million times yes."

End of flashback.

"Well, here goes nothing." Nathan said to himself getting in his car. His mind was still on Haley as he drove past Lucas's house. And for some reason he ended up at the last place he planned on going tonight.

Haley was getting ready when she heard the knock on her door. "Great, the one time Peyton's early." She thought to herself. "Hang on, I'm coming."

The moment she opened her door, she felt like she had been punched in the gut. "Wha…what are you doing here?"