Author's Note: Hey guys, sorry again for the wait. As always life got in the way, but I really hope this chapter was worth the wait. This is a big chapter for NH and the first chapter that's solely present. I felt it was time to move fully into the present and future. We will visit the past once more, as we go back to the night of Haley's accident, but that won't be for awhile.

A big thanks to Lori for beta-ing and approving. Love ya girl! hugs

This is for all the readers who are done with finals and starting to enjoy their summer. Have a great break guys; you deserve it.

ETA: I've had a couple reviews displeased with how I'm handling Brooke and all I can say is be patient. Brooke is far from out of this story or Haley and Lucas's lives. Plus, Lucas is going to chose his brother over Brooke. That may tick some off, but Nathan is his brother and Haley is his best friend and that trumps Brooke right now. It doesn't mean he doesn't love her just that he can't give up his brother for her at this point, especially at 18. Plus, we'll see alot of guilt Lucas has with protecting Nathan because of their childhood and that will hopefully make it more clear why he couldn't choose Brooke over him and Haley. He's confused too and so is Brooke as we will see. We will get inside her head more too. So be patient there is usually a method to my madness. ;)

Chapter Ten "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy"

All the fear has left me now
I'm not frightened anymore
Its my heart that pounds beneath my flesh
Its my mouth that pushes out this breath

Companion to our demons
They will dance, and we will play
With chairs, candles, and cloth
Making darkness in the day
It will be easy to look in or out
Upstream or down without a thought

And if I shed a tear I wont cage it
I wont fear love
And if I feel a rage I wont deny it
I wont fear love

Sarah McLachlan

"Knock, knock" Lucas announced, his voice attempting to be strong as he walked into Haley's room where Nathan was currently holding a somber Haley's hand.

She smiled sadly and Lucas knew she was on the verge of losing it again, her tear stained cheeks exposing her previous weakening.

"You mind if I steal her away for a few?" Lucas patted his brother on the back.

Nathan nodded and leaned over to kiss Haley's forehead, "Just think about it, ok?" He locked eyes with hers, but the uncertainty shining back at him gave him anything but hope that she'd be his wife by morning.

"Who would have thought when we met all those years ago; this is where we'd end up." Lucas mused, sitting down in the chair Nathan had just abandoned.

Cracking a small smile at that, Haley turned to him, "Me almost dying and marrying your brother?" Her smile faded, "Oh and did I mention breaking Brooke's heart."

"That makes two of us." Lucas solemnly admitted then bowed his head as images of the girl he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with overcame him.

"God, Luke, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault and don't say it's not because we both know it is."

Lifting his head, he met her glistening eyes, "Hales, honestly I don't think coming out with the truth earlier would have changed the results."

"Maybe not, but I wasn't just lying to myself these last two years, I was lying to each of you every single day. She's never going to forgive me Luke and I still can't believe you have."

He paused for a second, studying her, "Hales, I love Brooke and I know when I wake up tomorrow it's going to hit me like a ton of bricks that I lost her, but I can't turn my back on my family and you've been that to me long before you fell for my brother."

"So has Brooke." Haley quietly added, "We were all a family." Her voice cracked with emotion.

Leaning forward, Lucas took her hand and Haley was struck by how familiar it felt. Though it didn't send her body into overdrive like his brother's touch, it still gave her that same overwhelming sense of security.

"We still are Hales and I have to believe she'll come around. You have to do that too."

She squeezed his hand, "I don't know what to believe anymore. I just know I'm not proud of myself right now."

"We all fall short sometimes, what matters is what we do about it."

Her head began to ache again and she laid it back against the pillows, "It doesn't feel right for me to be so in love that my heart aches when others are in pain. It's too soon for me and Nathan, it's not right."

Lucas stood and sat on the edge of her bed, "It's never too soon to feel like that, Hales. You and Nathan have been hiding for far too long and it's your time. You can still be in love and worry about others. There's no rule against it, I promise."

"No there's not." A voice agreed from the doorway shocking them both.

Haley took a breath, "Chase."

Silently, Lucas gave Haley a wink and left the room sharing a regretful look with Chase as he passed him by. He wasn't sure where they would stand after the dust settled.

…

Spotting Luke emerge from the hallway Nathan shot up out of his chair and met him halfway. "What do you think?"

"You mean do I think you're getting married tonight?" Nathan gave him a get to the god damn point look that he knew all too well, "I think you are."

Nathan grinned, "She had me worried there."

Laughing, Lucas shook his head, "Man, I never thought I'd see you like this."

"Like what?"

"In love." He answered with a smirk, "but if you hurt her…"

A flash of regret swept over Nathan, "I've already hurt her enough."

Lucas nodded, "You both have a lot of demons, just make sure they don't get the best of you."

…

Chase stepped a little ways into her room, but kept his distance, "You look good, Haley."

Annoyance overcame her. "Don't Chase, don't be nice. Please yell at me, call me a slut, anything…just don't be nice."

He gave her a dimpled smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I'm just so glad you're alive, the rest…well the rest is killing me, but I don't think it's really sunk in yet, you know?" She did. "I just expect to wake up tomorrow to your voice on the phone telling me you'll change your mind again like you did before."

Her eyes floated over him, the boy she'd loved since she was just a girl, but looking at him now, it had never been clearer—they'd never been in love. She hoped he'd see that soon. "I won't, I'm sorry."

His face hardened as if reality was sinking in much faster than he expected, "You don't know that, Haley."

"I do, Chase and I think you do as well."

"You're throwing your life away. He's going to hurt you."

She gazed down at her fiddling hands, "Maybe, maybe not." Raising her head, she found courage she didn't even know was there, "but I'll never regret it."

…

"Wow, you went shopping at midnight?" Lucas casually joked as Peyton walked into the hallway with a few large bags in her hands.

Reaching him, she handed him a couple, "Well, a 24 hour Wal-mart was the best I could do. Where's Nathan?"

"Conning one of our Dad's mayoral lackeys to come down here with a marriage license."

Peyton shook her head, curls bouncing, "Only Nathan could pull this off."

Lucas simply smiled, still slightly amazed all this was really happening.

"Well, then I guess that leaves you to help me." Peyton winked, grabbing his arm with her now free left hand.

"Help you do what?" But he didn't know why he'd even asked, as she was already dragging him along.

They rounded a hallway and entered a courtyard, one they'd both found themselves drawn to at various times during Haley's stay. Four large magnolia trees created the points of the area with purple flowers and lilies planted around them.

The best part was a clear cobblestone walkway that led to a beautiful old fountain in which countless people had wished for their heart's desire.

It was a perfect spot, even for the couple that already had everything in each other.

"You ready?" Peyton opened a bag, missing the double meaning Lucas had taken from her words.

'Was he ready for all this?'

In many ways, Nathan and Haley's new beginning was his own. They were all saying goodbye to the lives they had before and embarking on the unknown. He wasn't going to lie and say he wasn't terrified for all of them, but life should never be about making the safe choices. The only drawback is sometimes what's safe could also be what's right and in figuring that out you could lose what you truly need.

Fate had always driven him, however, and right now he felt they were on the right course, even with his broken heart.

"You ok?" Peyton looked up from her bag when he hadn't answered her.

He stared at her for a moment, feeling comforted by her presence as he always had in the few and far between times they'd been alone. "Yeah…in time."

…

"Hales?" Nathan entered her private room, his grin falling when he found her bed empty.

The panic almost began to sink in when she appeared from the small bathroom. Her blonde waves were elegantly swept to the side with a single magnolia blossom tucked behind her ear giving the allusion it was keeping everything in place.

Her face alone had his heart racing, but as his eyes took in her attire he was sure he'd never breathe again.

Nervously she tugged down at his white dress shirt she'd chosen, her only other option being a green polka dot hospital gown. "It was the only thing white they'd let me wear. Peyton found it in your car. I look stupid, don't I?" He was silent, "Yeah, I know some bride I make. If you want to call this off—"

It was her turn, for her breath to be taken away, when his lips cut her off and her back was against the wall. The kiss seemed endless and his hands clutched her cheeks, holding her to him.

"You're so god damn beautiful, Hales," he murmured against her lips and she smiled against his.

Reluctantly, he backed away from her, but took her right hand in his and led her to a nearby chair, pulling her sideways into his lap when he sat down.

She let out a happy sigh and wrapped her arms around his neck, "You know it's against tradition for the groom to see the bride before the wedding."

His fingers danced along her smooth thighs, erupting soft giggles from her as she squirmed in his lap, "When have we ever been normal, baby," He reminded her and nuzzled her neck, inhaling her soft incredible scent. He could stay like this forever.

"I'm so sorry I made you worry earlier today, Nathan." Her own fingers began to trace the side of his face.

He met her remorseful gaze, "It would have killed me, but I would have waited if that's what you needed."

She stroked his cheek now, "I know, and that's why I love you." She brushed her nose against his, savoring their closeness before continuing, "I'd give anything to take away the pain I've caused, but I'm not going to feel guilty for this anymore. Everything else can wait, but not this…not us."

They kissed again and again…

"Ok, ew," Lucas girlish declared, his face twisted as if he was in pain. "I'm glad you two are happy, but I don't need to see it."

Haley rolled her eyes and tried to get off Nathan's lap, but he wouldn't let her. "Where are you going?" He held her tighter to him.

Lucas groaned, "God, you're whipped. You have the rest of your life with her, let her go and she'll meet you at the end of the aisle."

He ignored his brother and focused on his future wife, "Is that a promise?"

Her thumb brushed along his lower lip as the lose sleeve of his shirt fell even further down her arm, allowing him to see the bracelet he'd given her over a year ago glimmering on her wrist, "I'm not going anywhere…not anymore, I promise."

…

The stars twinkling above him began to fade with the hints of morning light as he waited for the rest of his life to begin.

Haley peaked through the stained glass windows that led to the courtyard. She felt Lucas behind her and she reached behind her for his hand.

He took it and squeezed it tightly, "You ready, Hales?"

She took a deep breath and spun around on her bare feet, their hands still locked, "Where did you guys find those lights in the trees and the rose petals making the aisle and my bouquet?" She brought her nose down to the cluster of magnolias tied with a white satin ribbon.

Lucas leaned over to smell them too before answering, "All Peyton and I highly doubt she obtained any of the flowers legally so that'll just be our secret," He smirked. "I better get down there with Nate."

"No." She stopped him, "Will you walk me down, Luke?"

Grinning, he pulled her in for a hug, closing his eyes as he held her close, "I thought you'd never ask."

The doors opened and still in her jeans Peyton couldn't help the bright smile that spread across her face at the look of utter bliss on her best friend's face when his bride came into view. She was his sole focus and all he'd ever see to his dying day, she believed that with all her cynical heart.

When they reached their destination, Lucas cleared his throat to get Nathan's attention, "I'm not giving her away, just letting you borrow her for the next sixty or seventy years."

Everyone shared a soft laugh and the best friends faced each other one last time before their lives truly changed forever. "I can never thank you enough," Haley kissed his cheek.

Emotions overtaking him, Lucas simply nodded back, kissing her hand before placing it into his brother's awaiting grasp.

The white haired minister smiled and began as dawn finally won the battle with the stars. "Today we have gathered in this place of natural beauty to be joyful, in celebration of the relationship of Nathan and Haley. By their commitment to marry each other, they are saying yes to love, yes to caring, yes to family. May the spirit of God–which is all around us–enter your bodies, fill your hearts, and bless your lives." He paused and looked to the groom, "Nathan would you like to begin with your vows?"

Not taking his eyes off Haley, Nathan nodded, reaching now for both Haley's hands as she passed her bouquet to Peyton. "Almost two years ago, we stood at my mother's grave and even with grief surrounding us that was the day, I knew I loved you and probably always had even if I couldn't admit it." His lopsided smile melted her heart,

"I know we're young and I know people are going to expect us to fail, but nobody understands the love I have for you because if they did, they would never doubt us. It's been two years since our worlds collided and today, when I look into your eyes, my love for you only grows. It's even stronger now. My love will never waver. And this I vow to you, today, and always and forever."

Eyes glistening, Haley barely heard the priest cue her own vows over the pounding in her heart. "Nathan, it's been said there's one word that will free us from the weight and pain of life. And that word is Love. And I believe that. That doesn't mean that it hasn't been hard or that it won't be. It just means that I found a stillness and a bravery in myself with you. You make me brave. And I will love you until the end of time. This I vow today."

Unconsciously, Lucas found himself staring at Peyton as words of everlasting love swirled around him. She looked unbelievably happy for what was taking place before her and there was a lightness to her he hadn't seen since Jake's death. It was as if hope had entered her world again and what surprised him was how satisfying it was for him to see that.

Taking his focus back to his brother, he was also struck by the passion in his brother. He'd waited for Nathan to ask him for help with his vows, but he never did and he was floored by what he'd written. Haley didn't just bring out the best in him; she brought out a vulnerability that no one else had ever encountered.

Whatever doubts that may have lingered about this union were overpowered by the love before him.

"The rings, please." The minister looked to the couple and Lucas and Peyton took their cues.

The minister smiled. "From the earliest times, the circle has been a symbol of completeness, a symbol of committed love. An unbroken and never ending circle that symbolizes a commitment of love that is never ending. As often as either of you looks at this symbol, I hope that you will be reminded of the commitment to love each other, which you have made today."

"Now place the rings on each other's fingers and repeat after me,' With this ring I thee wed' "

Adoration shined in Nathan's eyes, "With this ring, I thee wed."

Haley's hand shook and a tear slipped down her cheek as the beautiful cool metal slid onto her finger. "I love it," She whispered to him and he kissed her finger that now held the ring she'd wear all the days of her life.

Taking his left hand, she slipped his matching ring on and beamed up at him once it was secure, "With this ring, I thee wed."

A brilliant smile of his own graced his features at the gesture of eternity. Never in a million year would he have imagined looking forward to growing old, but the thought of her being by his side was everything to him now.

"In as much as you, Nathan and you Haley have consented together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith each to the other in the presence of these witnesses, now by the authority vested in me by the State of North Carolina, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride."

And kiss they did. Before the minister could even finish his sentence, Nathan had taken his new bride by the waist and sealed their fates.

There was no going back; they were now man and wife and as the beautiful barefoot bride was swept up into her husband's arms and twirled around in celebration, not a single foreboding thought entered her mind.

Quickly, Peyton grabbed her camera and took photos of the couple lost in their own world while suddenly Lucas felt apprehension pull at his gut and he struggled to maintain his smile.

They had so much to look forward to, but at the same time so much to be frightened of when news finally broke. He truly had no idea what their parents and the community's reactions would be, but he had a feeling they were in for the battle of their lives and their love.

Cath