Okay, you all officially have the right to flog me publicly and drag me through the streets. I am so, so sorry that I haven't updated this fic in FOREVER. Between school, work, graduations, and a shitload of family stuff, this lovely little fic got lost in the shuffle. I promise it won't happen again and thank you for sticking with me.
Chapter 9
It had been exactly a week. Haley had dwelled on all of the factors of her and Nathan's relationship. She even, in true Tutorgirl fashion, made a pro and con list. She talked to everyone she could think of: Jake, Brooke, Chris, Peyton, Bevin, her parents, hell, she even talked to Jenny. She didn't tell them Nathan's secret, but just told him that he gave a very good reason for all of this. They all gave her the following advice:
"Follow your heart Hales," (Peyton and Jake)
"No matter how much he screws up, my brother is a good guy, you can really trust him," (Brooke)
"Uncle Nathan love you," (Jenny)
"Girl, with a body like that hold on to him as long as you can," (Chris)
"Who are we talking about again?" (Bevin)
"Be happy Haleybub," (Her parents)
Haley had made her final decision and was pretty confident with it. Now all that was left to do was muster up the guts to talk to Nathan.
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It had been a week. Seven days, One hundred sixty-eight hours, Ten thousand eighty minutes. Every single second, Nathan was missing Haley. He knew he had to give her time and so he did, but that didn't mean he had to like it. He missed holding her, kissing her, and just plain being with her. He felt stupid and ashamed for playing into Rachel's scheme for so long and he just hoped that he wasn't too late in fixing things. Nathan's thoughts were interrupted when a soft knock came from the opposite side of his door.
"Come in!" He yelled, praying that it wasn't Brooke
"Hi," Haley said softly after entering
Nathan's head snapped up, "Hey"
"Can we talk?" Haley asked fidgeting with her hands
"Of course," Nathan replied quickly, making room on his bed for her to sit down
"I thought about what you said last week, I thought a lot. I'd like to say a couple of things before I tell you my answer. When we first got together, I thought I couldn't be happier, but I was more and more happy about life as our relationship went on. I loved you so much, Nathan. I felt something for you that I had never even imagined about before," Haley paused trying to find the right words,
"When you told me you were going back to Rachel, it was like you had popped my balloon. I cried for days. I didn't know why you had done this. I thought I wasn't good enough for you. That I wasn't pretty enough, or skinny enough, or smart enough. That's why I think I understand how you used to feel so well. I felt the exact same way when you broke things off." Haley stopped to try and fight back the tears that were threatening to escape from her chocolate eyes.
Nathan's heart was breaking listening to what she was saying, "Haley you were always perfect. if anything you were too good for me. I was just being stupid and an ass and a whole list of other things. I am so, so sorry,"
"Thank you for saying that," Haley paused for a breath, "As I said I thought a lot about this. I talked to everyone I could think of. I even talked to Jenny about this. Don't worry I didn't tell anyone what you did, I wouldn't do that. I have to say, even though she is only two, Jenny gave me the best advice. She said 'Uncle Nathan love you' and I know that I love you so, I am willing to give you one more chance, Nathan. But please, please don't break my heart again,"
Nathan couldn't hold back the huge smile that spread across his face. He pulled Haley into his arms and laid kisses all over her face, before finally capturing her lips with his own. "I swear to you Haley, I won't screw this up again, I love you so much. God, I love you,"
Haley giggled, "I love you too,"
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Haley woke up the next morning to find Nathan staring at her smiling.
"Hi," Haley said giggling
"Is this just another dream or did you really forgive me last night?" Nathan joked
"Oh, I believe I forgave you several times last night," Haley said emphasizing the several
Nathan smirked, "Any chance you'd be up for forgiving me again?"
Haley mocked thinking, "Well, I do love you and all,"
Nathan rolled over so he was on top of her, "Good,"
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A few hours later, Nathan and Haley emerged from his room holding hands and smiling uncontrollably.
"Not that we couldn't hear you last night, but you two are back together right?" Brooke asked looking up from the movie she, Jake, and Jenny were watching
Nathan and Haley chuckled while nodding.
Brooke squealed, "It's about fricken' time!! Omygosh we sooo have to double date,"
Jake laughed, "In Brooke, that means we're happy for you,"
"Yes, that," Brooke clapped her hands excitedly
Nathan wrapped his arm around Haley and pulled her close, "Thanks guys. Now I must unfortunately walk my girlfriend back to her apartment,"
"What is she sick of you already?" Brooke joked
"Very funny, Brookie, but I just need more clothes," Haley replied
"Well do you think that you could take your little lovefest across the hall? Jenny asked me this morning if Uncle Nathan and Aunt Haley had a roller coaster in their room," Jake said
Haley blushed furiously while Nathan smirked, "Sorry man I have no control over me goodness in bed,"
"Okay, ew. I do not want to be hearing this," Brooke grimaced
"We are so leaving now," Haley said dragging Nathan out the door
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Ten minutes later, Haley was rifling through her closet while Nathan sat on her bed.
"So I was thinking we should celebrate our reunion," Nathan told her
"Last night wasn't enough celebrating for you?" Haley joked
"Last night was a different kind of celebration than I had in mind," Nathan replied chuckling
Haley's hands flew to her chest as she gasped dramatically, "Nathan Scott was thinking about something other than sex?? What has this world come to?!"
Nathan smirked, "It was a very difficult task, especially when you are involved, but I was thinking we could go out to eat."
"Are you taking me to McDonald's again?" Haley joked
"Ladies and Gentlemen my girlfriend the comedian," Nathan said clapping
Haley giggled, "Denny's then?"
"No wiseass I was thinking that Italian place downtown" Nathan said glaring playfully, "I know they don't have a playplace, but I figured it would do,"
"You've got yourself a deal boyfriend," Haley smiled
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Later on that night, Nathan knocked on Haley's door. His breath caught in his throat once she emerged. Haley wore an emerald green strapless dress and her hair down in loose curls. (Think Peyton at Keith and Jules' "wedding").
Haley smiled at Nathan's expression, "I take it you like?"
Nathan responded by pulling her to him and crashing his lips to hers. When air became necessary, he pulled away and said, "You're beautiful,"
"You don't look half bad yourself, "Haley replied, still recovering from the kiss
"Shall we?" Nathan said placing her delicate hand in his much larger one
Haley laced their fingers and said, "We shall"
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Minutes later, Nathan and Haley were enjoying the comfortable silence on the way to the restaurant.
"Wait, Nathan, This isn't the way to the restaurant," Haley said
"I know," Nathan replied
"Then where are we going?" Haley asked
Nathan smiled "It's a surprise,"
"Nathan," Haley whined, "You know I hate not knowing things,"
"It'll be worth it, now just sit back and enjoy the ride," Nathan said
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Forty-five minutes later, Nathan pulled his car into a restaurant parking lot.
"Nathan," Haley gasped
"I told you it would be worth it," Nathan replied. He had chosen to take her to the restaurant where they had their first date.
"I can't believe you did this," Haley said while getting out of the car
"I wanted you to know that I am not going to screw this up again, Haley. I love you more than anything and I promise I will be the guy you want me to be." Nathan said earnestly
Haley kissed him "Just be you because I don't want anyone else,"
They both walked into the restaurant knowing they were back on track.