A/N: Hi everyone, it's me again! I know I haven't finished Heart of the Matter, and I haven't forgotten it, so don't worry! It will be up shortly. I was away in London this past semester for school, and every second of my time was taken up, which is why I've been horrible and not updating. But I'm back! So get excited and please review and tell me how you like this very first installment of my new story!

Long Time Coming

Haley's mind was a whirlwind of details. She blinked as Brooke adjusted her hair into a perfect formal hairstyle. When she was free from Brooke's clutches, she escaped quickly out the bridal suite of the church under the pretence of checking that the floral arrangements were in place. Brooke rolled her eyes at her compulsive tendencies, but let her leave, knowing that she needed a minute to breathe before the wedding.

Everything was perfect. Haley and Brooke had seen to that. The place cards were beautiful, the bridesmaid dresses were specially designed by Brooke, and the flower arrangements were in place.

Haley walked to the window and looked outside to ascertain whether or not the sun-streaked sky was continuing to hold back the clouds that seemed determined to entrench upon this day. The day was holding, however, and the clouds showed no sign of rain.

Brooke came out to find Haley, who gave her a smile and returned to the bridal dressing area. She held out her dress, and Haley stepped into it.

"Brooke, this is the most beautiful dress I have ever worn. Thank you for making it. I feel like a princess."

"Hales, of course. Besides," she winked conspiratorially, "you could never buy a dress this amazing." She handed Haley her bouquet of calla lilies-her favorite flower-and told her again how beautiful she looked.

Haley expected to feel her nerves acting up more than they were. The wedding, the planning, everything she expected to make her more anxious. Making a last check on the continued perfection of everything in sight, she glanced once again in the mirror before telling the bridesmaids that she was ready.

Her sister Vivien, heavy with her fourth child and the hormones that child brought, smiled with tears in her eyes as Haley stepped out the door of the suite. "You're gorgeous, Haley-Bop," she said. "The picture of beauty."

"Oh, Vivien," Haley rolled her eyes good-naturedly. She shifted sideways and got a glimpse of her father, who was uncomfortably tugging at the tie of his tuxedo. "Daddy," she walked toward her father. "Stop pulling." She gave her father a shaky smile as she felt tears start to pool in her eyes.

Her ears pounded, and Haley took a deep breath. The bridal march must have begun, because Haley saw the bridesmaids begin their ascent up the aisle and toward the alter. Then it was Haley's turn. The calla lilies shook in her hands and her arms felt like jelly. As she took that first step down the aisle, legs shaking, she, for the first time that day, looked at the groom.

Their eyes locked and Haley saw the love outpouring as he stared. His eyes watched her the entire walk down the aisle, propelling her forward. His gaze strengthened her, and the first shot of butterflies hit her already uneasy stomach.

She finally made it to her position and nodded to the priest to begin the ceremony. His eyes still bore holes into her overly-heated skin until she looked pointedly toward the priest in an effort to force his attention back to the ceremony. After giving her his signature smirk, he complied, and became more serious than Haley had ever before seen him.

Solemn for the remainder of the ceremony, his eyes continued to mark her progress throughout. As he repeated the priest's words and marked the marriage vows with a ring, he never drew his eyes away from her.

And when it was time for the groom to kiss the bride, the congregation applauded boisterously. The photographer's flashes momentarily stunned Haley before she remembered to smile.

She handed the bridal bouquet back to Taylor, watched as her sister took Chris's arm as the congregation rose in their seats to honor the newly-married couple. She watched as Taylor's face lit up with pleasure, and watched as her own dreams walked back up the aisle and out the church door without her. She watched as Brooke looked into her tear-streaked face and squeezed her hand in silent support, and watched as the maid of honor, Taylor's best friend, laughed at her tears and chalked them up to sentimental feelings about her sister's wedding. She watched her parents hug Taylor, and watched as the rest of the James family divided their attention between her and her sister, unsure what exactly was going on.

She watched her dreams slip away, and she plastered a smile on her face for the pictures before walking out the door.

Next was the reception.