Chapter 10

Finally, after what seemed like forever, they got rid of Chris Keller. The thorn in their sides had been pulled out and away from them and life could go on again.

The plane though had been delayed for three hours because of bad weather in Tree Hill (where in this story there is an airport).

Nathan sighed as he stood in the airport – staring up at the sign that told him their plane was delayed. He was glad that Chris was gone and felt that his heart was lighter since the old enemy had departed. A smirk slid onto his face as he noticed that Lucas had already made his way over to some flight attendants. It was so typical Lucas. In one breath he could say that he loved Brooke – which Nathan believed was true – but in the next moment he'll be running after other girls.

Nathan's eyes trailed over to where Hales was sitting on the bench; talking to a mother and three little kids. He leaned against the wall and watched her. The little baby girl Hales held on her lap, her small hands threading through the little girls hair causing her to fall asleep against Hales. But even as she held the little girl she gave the same amount of attention to the two little boys that were standing in front of her. The women next to Hales gave a relieved smile – possibly only to happy to not have to entertain the kids for a few minutes. But for a second Nathan blanked out everyone else and just concentrated on Hales and the girl on her lap. If you didn't know her then you'd probably think she was the little girl's mother. She looked almost content…like it was her dream…to be a mother. Hales looked up and caught Nathan's eye as she smiled happily to him. It was only then that he figured out he was smiling too…like an idiot he guessed.

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Nathan stood outside the airport and watched the cars traveling by. Suddenly a small hand pressed against his arm and he turned to find Hales standing next to him.

"Wanna go for a walk while we wait?" she asked softly and Nathan nodded.

They walked over the street and into a park that was conveniently located across from the airport. They didn't walk very far before Hales' hand found its way into Nathan's. It wasn't clear who took whose hand but at that moment neither one seemed to care. Silence seemed to be the order of the day as they walked deeper and deeper into the park grounds. They walked further and further until they were so far into the park that it became clear nobody really came that way.

Hales became a bit scared as Nathan led them further into the park and unconsciously she walked closer to Nathan. He stopped a way ahead and it was then that Hales noticed the amazing scenery around her. There was a huge pond in front of them that seemed unscarred by people. Nathan smiled at Hales as she stared, amazed, at the scene before her.

"A perfect place for a perfect princess…" Nathan whispered and Hales turned towards him with big eyes.

"You don't know if I'm really a princess or not…" she stated and looked away. Nathan used his hand to tilt her face so she looked back at him.

"To me you are." He said softly and Hales gave a huge smile.

They looked at each other with confusion in their eyes. Neither one really knew what was going on between them but they both knew something was between them. Something that couldn't be ignored. Hales' mind was running in circles as she thought about the kiss they had shared the previous night. She wondered if he had doubts about kissing her.

Nathan moved closer to Hales – almost as if he was testing the grounds. She didn't move away and Nathan moved till he was mere inches away from her body. Hales' body reacted to the closeness and she shivered as a chill went up her spine. Nathan felt her anticipation and he smirked at her before he dropped his head and captured her lips in his…