Five years later

Nathan Scott couldn't get home fast enough; he'd nearly broken every speed limit on his way back from the airport. He hated business trips - it was, hands down, the worst part of the job. Usually, he hired people to do out-of-state scouting, but every so often, he'd have to go and oversee some of the new recruits, which required long-distance traveling and long days away from home.

When he was single, he didn't mind it as much, but life has changed a lot in the past five years. He hated leaving Tree Hill almost as much as he hated leaving Haley.

His heart rate instantly increased - along with the speed of his car - upon the thought of her. Since the day he kissed her on the beach, his whole world changed for the better. They'd quickly become inseparable.

She was his best friend. His lover.

And, as of two years ago, his wife.

The silver band on his left ring finger reflected off the sun soaked windshield, reminding Nathan of one of the best days of his life. Their wedding ceremony was small and intimate, and took place right on the same beach where they kissed. It was a perfect day. Haley looked like an angel in white; Nathan's muscles still hurt from smiling so much.

Life before Haley no longer existed to Nathan. As far as he was concerned, it started the day she said 'yes' when he asked her to marry him one rainy afternoon in his bedroom.

He meant to make a grand, romantic gesture - had plans to whisk her away to Paris or London- but Nathan was never a patient man; the ring he made for her sat in his drawer for less than 24 hours before he was sliding it on her finger and wiping away her tears of happiness.

He missed her more than he could describe. The last four days were excruciatingly painful; like a missing limb. Nathan didn't care how much his co-workers ribbed him for being 'whipped' or a 'pansy'. All he pictured during nearly every business meeting was driving up to their two-story beach house, opening up the front door, and gathering Haley into his arms to kiss her for a month straight.

And, after driving for what felt like hours (even though it was only 40 minutes, tops), Nathan's dream was finally about to come true.

He felt his shoulders visibly relax when his driveway came into view. He was home. Finally.

Thanks to a cancelled meeting, he was able to take an earlier flight back to North Carolina from Dallas and planned on surprising his wife.

Nathan's heart continued to pound when he got out of his Range Rover, parked right next to Haley's Lexus- thankfully, she was home. He couldn't wait another second to see her.

Nathan left his suitcase in the trunk - he'd get it later. It wasn't important right now.

His legs hastily climbed the stairs to their front door and he eagerly fished for his keys. He smiled when he noticed a new flower pot next to the door. It was filled with purple lilies - Haley's favorite.

They bought this house two years after they'd officially gotten together and right around the time they'd gotten engaged. It was a lot bigger than they needed, but they both talked about having a big family and would rather purchase a house ahead of time. It was one of the first houses the realtor showed them and Nathan and Haley fell in love with it as quickly as the two of them had fallen in love. Almost instantly.

Nathan wanted it to be on the beach - check. Haley wanted a large, open-concept kitchen and dining room to entertain their friends and family - check. It had four bedrooms, three and a half baths- and, as an added bonus, a home gym and a pool in the yard. It was perfect for them and they'd moved in as quickly as they could.

Nathan loved all of Haley's little touches. She'd practically moved into his apartment when they were dating, but this was different. It was theirs. And he couldn't think of anything better. She was his home and heartbeat.

Instead of announcing his presence, Nathan slowly and quietly crept through the door and started the search for his wife. He spent the entire plane ride imagining all of her reactions - and they all ended with a warm welcome in their bedroom. He smirked at the images conjured by his eager libido. Haley may look like an angel, but she was anything but innocent when it came to their sex life.

Nathan was pleasantly surprised by how frisky she was when they first made love - in fact, she had been the one who initiated it (in his car, no less)- but Nathan wanted their first time to be special, and had to carry her inside while she all but tore his clothes from his body. Haley James Scott never failed to amaze him.

He tip-toed further down the hall and into the kitchen, expecting her to be there, but frowned when she wasn't.

It wasn't until he heard her soft voice trickling in from the living room that he tip-toed again, only to stop mid-way through the archway when he found her.

But she wasn't alone.

She was kissing someone else.

That same someone had his hands all over her.

Jealousy ripped through Nathan's stomach.

In all the scenarios he'd imagined, this wasn't one.

He couldn't look away. Even in his jealous state, his wife was still the most beautiful sight Nathan had ever laid eyes on. That would never change.

"You are my favorite guy," he heard her say, "and I love you."

He couldn't take it any longer and stepped further into the living room so that Haley would notice his presence.

Her eyes instantly widened and a gasp tore from her throat.

Nathan folded his arms over his chest, his eyes filled with questions.

"What're you doing home so early?" She asked with clear surprise.

"Well, I wanted to surprise my wife," he deadpanned, "but imagine my surprise when I come home to find her telling another guy she loves him."

Haley flashed him an innocent smile, "I'm sorry- you weren't meant to hear that."

Nathan narrowed his blue eyes with suspicion, "what else do you do when I'm gone?"

"Oh," she smirked, "it sounds like someone is feeling jealous."

"You're damn right I'm jealous of that little punk," he feigned anger as he watched her stand from the couch with their one-year-old nephew attached to her hip. "You're supposed to be all mine tonight." Nathan's voice sounded like a petulant child.

Haley's laughter floated around him and he quickly dropped the angry charade. Truthfully, his heart warmed in his chest when he first saw her playing with Keith - Lucas and Peyton's son. It only made him that much more excited for the arrival of their own baby in four months. Haley was going to be the best mom- they couldn't wait to be first-time-parents.

His hands instantly found her swollen belly and he kissed her softly, before turning his attention to the blonde haired boy in Haley's arms.

"Hey, buddy. What're you doing kissing my wife, huh?"

Keith let out a cooing sound, causing the two of them to laugh. He reached his hands out for Nathan, who quickly gathered the boy into his arms and dropped a kiss on his curly blonde head. Sure, he wasn't expecting him to be there, but it was a nice surprise.

Haley laughed again and curled her arms around Nathan's bicep, "Lucas and Peyton asked me to babysit. I thought it would be good practice," she gestured towards her stomach.

Nathan nodded, "and how is our baby boy doing?"

Haley playfully rolled her eyes, "you're so sure it's a boy, huh?"

"Yup," Nathan nodded with a boastful grin, "Scott men are known for having boys."

"Oh, really?" she drawled, "are you forgetting about Sawyer? You know, your cute five-year-old niece?" Haley teased.

"I could never," Nathan said seriously, "but this guy here," he gently bounced baby Keith, "is a big, strong Scott boy. Takes after his uncle - and his cousin will be just like him."

"What about your plan of filling this house with 'mini-me's?" Haley quipped, referencing Nathan's constant wishes to have beautiful, brown-eyed girls who're just like their mother.

"Oh, don't worry, we will," he smirked, "but we're having a son first so he can help me protect the girls from creepy boys."

"You've got it all planned out, huh?" Haley's grin morphed into a giddy, flirtatious smile.

"I do," Nathan whispered and leaned down for another kiss. Their previous greeting was a little too short for his liking.

Haley reluctantly pulled away when Keith shifted in Nathan's arms. She would've told Lucas and Peyton she couldn't babysit him if she had known Nathan was coming home this early. All she wanted to do was drag her husband to their bedroom and show him just how much she missed him, but it would have to be temporarily paused until Ketih gets picked up. Apparently they had to take Sawyer to the doctor because she had some sort of flu and didn't want Keith to catch it.

"I missed you so much," Haley sighed contently against his chest. She was so happy he was home.

"I missed you too, beautiful."

"How was your trip?" she asked as she fiddled with a button on his dress shirt.

"Fine," he shrugged, "but I'm really happy to be home now."

"I'm happy you're home too," Haley smiled languidly.

Nathan's smirk was coy, "sure, that's what you say," he teased, "but I think you were enjoying spending time with your 'favorite guy' here."

"You know you're the only one who can ever have that spot," her eyes twinkled.

"Just wait 'til I tell our son that," he continued to tease. Keith shifted again in his arms and reached out for Haley, who gratefully accepted him with a warm, affectionate smile.

"You're so good with him," he admired. His hands wandered to her belly again and rubbed it lovingly. A few seconds later, Nathan felt a faint kick against his palm. Haley smiled at the way her husband's eyes lit up.

"Someone missed their Daddy."

"You two were all I thought about the entire time I was away. I never want to leave again."

"You better not," Haley warned lightly, "otherwise Keith really might replace you."

Keith let out a loud gurgle upon hearing his name. Nathan couldn't help but laugh. The kid was cute as hell. His heart ached in the best way possible as he wondered what their child would be like. He was so ready to be a father.

"Well, he's got good taste," Nathan winked as the boy blew a raspberry against Haley's cheek, "I'll give him that."

Her laughter filled the house like quiet music, and he followed her back towards the couch, where Keith sat between them. Nathan's hands instantly found Haley's feet and started massaging them. She moaned in response.

"So, fill me in on what I missed."

"Hmm," Haley pondered softly, "not much. My students threw me a baby shower the other day which was really sweet, and Quinn stopped by for dinner."

"That sounds nice," Nathan smiled when she moaned again. He figured this was the fastest way possible - and the most pg-rated thing they could do in front of Keith.

"Oh!" Haley's eyes peeled open and she sat up quickly as if she'd remembered something. Nathan watched her chew on her lower lip before speaking, "actually, there is something I wanted to talk to you about."

Nathan's eyebrows furrowed, "what is it? Everything okay?"

Haley nodded, "yeah, it's nothing bad - just a little surprising I guess."

Nathan waited patiently and only looked away to check on Keith, who was contently chewing on his plastic rattle.

"We got an invitation in the mail…" she started and stared at Nathan to gage his reaction, "for Chase and Alex's wedding."

Nathan's eyes crinkled slightly, "Oh?"

Haley reached out to lace her fingers with his, "it's in New York in December. The baby will be here by then so if you want to go, we can. Or not. It's totally up to you," she rambled. Truthfully, she was shocked then she opened the envelope. She almost forgot they existed- they all but disappeared once she started dating Nathan. Chase had tried reaching out once or twice but Nathan always remained nonchalant about it. Last she heard, Alex and Chase moved to New York so she could start modeling again. Haley didn't bring it up and Nathan seemed more than fine with it.

"What are you thinking about, baby?" Haley asked after several minutes of her husband's silence.

"Honestly? I'm just wondering what took so long for them to tie the knot," he chuckled softly and shook his head. It's been nearly six years since the drama all unfolded. Nathan was long over it. He rarely even gave them a passing thought - and when he did - it wasn't filled with anger or sadness, it was just a quiet memory.

"Maybe they still feel guilty," Haley wondered softly.

"They shouldn't," Nathan said simply. "I'm happier than I've ever been and if they love each other the way I love you, nothing should keep them apart."

Haley nodded and reached her hand out to stroke his cheek, "I love you, you know that?"

He leaned into her touch and nodded, "I know. I love you, too, Hales. If it weren't for you, I don't know where'd I'd be today."

"You're a good man, Nathan Scott, you shouldn't question that."

"You helped," he kissed the back of her hand, "you showed me what true love is. I couldn't stay angry at Chase. I never loved Alex. And like I said, if he loves her at least half of how I love you, then I don't blame him. It took awhile for me to realize that, but it's true."

She looked at him with stars in her eyes; Nathan was the galaxy in which she shone. He saved her as much as she saved him.

"So, does that mean you want to go?"

"I don't know yet," Nathan trailed truthfully. "It might be weird considering we haven't seen them in a long time."

"Yeah," Haley nodded, "I understand that."

"But," Nathan added quietly, "it might be nice to show them our support."

She nodded again, "whatever you want to do, baby. I'm here for you no matter what."

"Thank you," he choked. It was hard not to get emotional when he thought about how much he loved his wife.

"Of course," she whispered against his lips and leaned in for a sweet kiss. Keith, luckily, was oblivious to their display of affection - but neither let it venture past inappropriate no matter how much they both wanted it.

Whether they went to the wedding or not, Nathan meant it when he said he hoped they were as happy as he and Haley were. It wasn't a selfish wish, or even a competition, but one of understanding and respect. Before Haley, Nathan never knew he could love someone so much - and in a few short months, he'd feel the same way about their child. Even though he and Chase were no longer friends, he still wanted the best for him. He never thought he'd say this, but he was truly happy for Chase and Alex. Things really did happen for a reason. He may have lost his once best friend but what he gained was better than he could have ever dreamed of.

Haley James Scott - and their unborn child- was all Nathan needed in his life. As long as he them, he'd get his happy ending.

. . .

So this was not my original idea for the epilogue - I was going to make Nathan Chase's best man at the wedding but I was sick of writing Chase and Alex and I wanted super fluffy and cute Naley since we didn't get as much as we usually do in my other fics. Anyways, I hope y'all liked this version of the epilogue.

Thanks so much for reading and leaving your kind reviews.

When I return, I'm hoping to write a few more song fics this summer so keep an eye out. Thanks, xo