So this is the end for Against All Odds, thank you all for reading I appreciate all of your amazing comments!
The Epilogue:
"Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way." Haley sang lightly walking around the house, a new roll of wrapping paper in her hands.
"How does this look?" Nathan asked stepping away from the last present he wrapped.
Haley grimaced "Why don't I do the wrapping and you go assemble Lydia's playhouse?"
"Fine by me." He quickly nodded looking at the horrendous wrapping job he did.
Ever since Haley could leave the house after her surgery the two made it a ritual to go on a date every week. Normally they did it while Lydia was at her weekly playgroup and Jamie was at school seeing as they still hadn't told the kids they were back together. Normally the pair would either travel to another town, so no one saw them, or stayed in. Watched a movie, cooked together, just had fun. They also had done a great deal of talking, and they were happier than ever. Luckily the kids had yet to question why dad was still staying the night.
"Keep singing. I like it." Nathan smiled over at her, Haley returned the smile and continued to sing to the radio.
Haley walked up next to him and placed her body against him. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on your troubles will be out of sight, yeah"
He smiled and leaned down to kiss the top of her head before she walked away and continued to sing.
"Where did this come from?" Haley asked picking up a doll off the table.
"Oh I picked it up yesterday. I ran to the store for milk and saw it and thought Lydia would love it." Nathan said not looking up as he spoke and continued to watch him assemble her toy. Haley smiled. He was perfectly happy buying girly things and building a princess playhouse. He didn't feel emasculated doing those things, or wearing a princess tiara when Lydia asked him to. He went out in public with it on many times. It was perfectly normal to him to do those things anymore. She admired that in him. He was the best father. Ever.
"She will." Haley smiled.
"Babe, your phone's ringing." He said picking it up and tossing it to her.
"Thanks." She said catching it and speaking to the person on the other end of the call.
When Nathan heard her end the call he questioned "Who was it?"
She didn't respond. He looked up to see her staring in front of her. She slowly moved her head to look at him. "That was Dr. Michaels. He...He wants us to come into his office today. He has results for us."
"What?" Nathan said as his eyes widened.
"He has results...he didn't say if they were good or bad." Haley worried as Nathan quickly got up to hug her.
Nathan and Haley slowly walked into Dr. Michaels's office behind the woman who worked at the front desk. "Dr. Michaels will be right in."
"Thank you." Nathan said as they each took seat.
"I'm nervous." Haley whispered when the woman shut the door.
"Me too. But everything will be okay." He assured with a small smile and grabbed her hand to hold.
"Hello, Nathan, Haley." Dr. Michaels said walking in and shaking each of their hands.
"Hi doctor." They both said.
"Sorry to call you in on such short notice, especially since it's Christmas Eve, but I have some news." He said taking a seat.
"It's okay" Haley said quickly.
"Your labs and scans came back. Now we are never sure, and there's always a risk of return but...your labs came back clean. Congratulations Haley, you are cancer free." Dr. Michaels said with a smile.
"What?" Haley said, tears streaming down her face. "Are you...really? I can't...it can't be true." She stuttered as Nathan stood up and pulled her into a hug. He held her close to him as they both cried and didn't let go for a while. When he did he reached out and shook the doctors hand. "Thank you. Thank you" Nathan cried "for saving her."
"It has been an honor." He smiled walking around his desk and enveloping Haley in a quick hug himself.
"I could never thank you enough. They're aren't enough words..." Haley said shaking her head slightly.
"I know." Dr. Michaels smiled. "We have to remember there is always a chance of return, but for now celebrate. Take the next few days and celebrate. I'll have someone call you to arrange another appointment just to talk over it all, what comes next as far as prevention. But I'm sure you don't care right now. I'll see you guys soon. Merry Christmas." He smiled "I'll leave you two to yourselves."
"Thank you." They both smiled once more before hugging each other.
"I did it." Haley cried.
"I know baby. I'm so proud of you."
"I'm going to see our kids grow up. I don't have cancer anymore." She said looking up into his eyes as they pulled apart. His arms still wrapped around her waist.
"You did it."
"I kicked cancer's ass." She laughed through the tears, and Nathan did the same.
"You kicked cancer's ass."
Haley just smiled up at him. Life couldn't get any better. That was until Nathan got down on one knee. "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" He smirked. "Hales, these past few months have been the hardest months ever, for both of us. But we made it through. Together. And I think that shows that we can make it work. We can be a family again. We got a second chance to love again and we shouldn't let that pass us by. Marry me Haley. Spend the rest of your life bossing me around and yelling at me to put my clothes in the hamper. Make me the happiest man alive and marry me again?"
"Of course." Haley said crying more tears than she already was. Haley pulled him off of his knee and wrapped his arms around him. "Yes I will marry you again." She smiled leaning in to kiss him.
"I guess this means we have to tell the kids we're together again." Nathan laughed.
"Lets wait, lets wait until tomorrow morning." She smiled. That would be a great Christmas present.
"C'mon, fiance. Lets get out of here." Nathan said taking her hand in his and leading them out the door.
"Mom! Dad! Wake up!" The two heard bright and early the next morning. Jamie was shaking Haley from her sleep. Lydia took a different approach and sat on her father.
"What? What?" Haley asked trying to trick them.
"It's Christmas!" They both said.
"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure it's tomorrow." Nathan said biting his lip.
"No come look. I bet Santa came." Jamie said.
"Alright, but I'm pretty sure your father's right so don't get your hopes up." Haley fake groaned rolling out of bed and walking with Jamie down the hall. Nathan following with Lydia in his arms. "Faster daddy! Walk faster!" Lydia said hitting him on the back.
While walking Haley turned around and smirked at Nathan quickly. He winked back.
"Look! He came!" Jamie shouted running down the stairs.
"Wow, I guess you were right bud." Haley laughed.
Lydia wiggled in her fathers arms until he let her go at the bottom of the stairs and both kids ran off to see what Santa had brought them. Nathan and Haley smiled as they watched their children.
"Do you like that Jamie?" Haley asked an hour later. They had opened all the presents but were now all laid out on the floor playing with them.
"Yeah." He smiled wide looking over at his mother.
"Well actually your father and I got you two a present." Because all the other gifts were from Santa of course. Haley sat up, and Nathan stood.
"Really? What is it?" Jamie asked as his eyes grew big. Lydia watched her mother in anticipation. Nathan walked over to where Haley was and took her hand in his.
"Your mom and I are back together."
"What?"
"We got back together a few months ago and wanted to wait and tell you until we were sure but, it's true. He's going to move back in and we're all going to be together again." Haley smiled. Lydia smiled back not quite sure of what it meant so she just went back to playing with her toy. But Jamie. He looked excited but unsure.
"But before..."
"It wont be like before bud." Nathan said reaching out to run his hand along his son's back "There wont be any fighting or yelling. I'm not going to leave again. I promise. This is forever Jaim. We are never going back to the way things were." He assured his son.
"This is the best Christmas ever!" Jamie said tacking his parents into a hug as Nathan and Haley smiled at each other.
Haley opened the door with a smile to see who was on the other side. "Merry Christmas!" Brooke greeted walking in with Julian behind her, her newly rounded belly was clearly shown and flaunted in her red sweater. The pair had announced their pregnancy not long after Haley's surgery.
"Merry Christmas." Haley smiled hugging them. "Everyone is in the living room."
"Julian you forgot the presents in the car!" Brooke remembered.
"Oh yeah" He said moving back out the door to get them. When he came back in he had a huge container filled and numerous bags at his fingertips.
"Brooke!" Haley said.
"I like to shop okay." She said walking off leaving Julian and Haley to laugh.
"Thank you Aunt Brooke," Lydia said moving to hug her aunt, smiling.
"Do you like it sweetie?" She asked crouching down to Lydia's level as Lydia nodded quickly. "Good, I'm glad," Brooke smiled,
"It's funny," Haley said moving to stand next to Brooke as Lydia ran off to play. "I had the same toy in my hand at the store a few days ago but talked myself out of buying it because I didn't see anything I liked for Jamie and wanted to keep their gifts equal."
"Really?" Brooke laughed as Haley nodded. "So what's up with you and boytoy?"
"Is that the oven?" Haley questioned walking off quickly.
"Don't do that Hales!" Brooke shouted shaking her head.
"Hey you." Nathan said catching Haley in the kitchen.
"Hi" She smiled looking over at him.
"Need a hand?" He asked leaning on the counter next to her.
"No, I think I'm good." She said looking up at him. "But I could use a kiss."
"Oh really?" He smiled leaning his head closer to hers. "You do, do you?"
"Mhmm" She said resting her forehead against his. "This is the best Christmas ever."
"Definitely."
"Lydia and Jamie loved the presents we got them, we're back together, and I'm cancer free. Santa did us well." Haley smiled cuddling more into Nathan.
"He did." Nathan punctuated with a kiss to her forehead. "Let's get back out there before someone comes looking for us."
"Mommy!" Lydia yelled running into the room. Nathan and Haley shared a look, glad that they broke apart moments earlier. Sure she knew but they didn't want her to make a big fuss over it before they told their friends.
"Yes baby?" She asked as Lydia jumped into her arms.
"When's dinner? My belly is growling." Lydia questioned.
"Soon Lyd, I promise."
"Here, why don't you come with me?" Nathan said trying to take her out of Haley's arms.
"No I want mommy."
"I'm okay." Haley assured to Nathan, knowing he still worried about her lifting heavy things. "Let's go play with your new doll while we wait for dinner?"
"Yay!' Lydia shouted as the two ran off.
"Haley sing for us." Brooke pleaded.
"No I don't..." She started before Nathan interrupted.
"C'mon Hales." He asked.
Haley bit her lip and gave in. "Fine, hand me my guitar." She said nodding to behind him.
As he handed it to her she strummed on the chords.
"I am dreaming tonight of a place I love
Even more than I usually do
And although I know it's a long road back
I promise you
I'll be home for Christmas
You can count on me
Please have snow and mistletoe
And presents on the tree
Christmas Eve will find you
Where the love light gleams" Haley smirked over at Nathan before continuing singing.
"Nathan will be home for Christmas because we're back together." She sang to the tune as everyone's jaws dropped. Haley stopped and smiled at Nathan as she put down her guitar. Nathan moved to sit closer to her and took her hand in his.
All of there friends stared blankly at them, not knowing what to say before Haley continued. "Nathan and I are back together. For good."
"Actually." Nathan smiled. "We're engaged."
"What?!" Brooke freaked out. So excited for her best friends. She hadn't been vocal at first while she gathered her thoughts. But that was before she realized how great it was. They belonged together and were meant to be. Her, Lucas, Julian, and Peyton had discussed many times before this exact topic. All taking bets of how long it would take the two stupid fools to realize that. It was longer than all four had predicted but they never lost hope. "That's amazing!" She said jumping up to hug them.
"Well it took you long enough!" Julian commented with a laugh.
"Hey!" Nathan objected.
"He's right." Lucas said. "I've been waiting to hear this news for years."
"Thanks" Nathan fake groaned.
"You're welcome" Lucas smirked.
"Wait wait wait..." Peyton stopped and questioned. "Engaged?"
"Yeah I was gonna wait to say that part." Haley nervously laughed wanting to gain her friends approval but unsure how they would react to the couple moving so quickly.
"I proposed last night." Nathan filled in. "I don't want to live without her being my wife any longer. I can't. "
"Wait, how long have you two been back together?" Julian questioned.
"Since the day before my surgery."
"And you didn't tell me!" Brooke screeched. "I've been out of the loop for that long."
"We wanted to wait because we just told the kids yesterday. We didn't want to rush and tell them and then things turn out the same as they were before. So we waited until we were both sure this was what we wanted." Haley explained nervously.
Nathan squeezed her hand tighter. "And it is"
"Oh my god I'm so excited!" Brooke said jumping up and hugging the two.
"Really?" Haley questioned.
"Of course Haley, you two belong together."
"Oh I know" Nathan smiled looking over at his once again fiance.
"Why wouldn't we be excited?" Lucas questioned.
"I don't know" She shrugged laughing slightly.
"You all know how Haley worries." Nathan explained wrapping an arm around her.
"We should toast." Brooke said as everyone took a seat around the table for dinner.
"What?" Lucas questioned her, knitting his eyebrows together.
"Look at us, we all have beautiful families, for the most part we are healthy." She said with a slight nod towards Haley. "We should celebrate and toast to that."
"I'll do it." Haley smiled as everyone looked up at her when she stood. Nathan smiled up at her knowing what was coming. "Brooke is right we are all lucky people. Nathan and I are back together, you all are happier than ever, and we all have beautiful children. We also have one more thing to celebrate. Our health..." Haley smiled pausing as she looked around the table at her closest friends and children. As a single tear rolled town her cheek, accompanied by a large smile she uttered the words "I'm cancer free."
Jamie nearly fell out of his seat as he got up to hug his mother, understanding what that meant better than his sister. As he tackled his mother in a hug Lucas and Julian both questioned "What?" And Brooke and Peyton started to cry with Haley.
"Haley's doctor called us in yesterday to tell us." Nathan filled in for Haley as he got up and lifted Jamie from his mothers arms. That way Brooke and Peyton, who had gotten up and waited patiently to hug Haley, could do just that. Both girls squeezed her tight and Haley smiled at Nathan through the tears. This was why she was here, to be with her friends and family. She couldn't be happier to do just that. Nathan's face mirrored Haley's as tears even welled in his eyes and he said a silent prayer of thanks. He got the love of his life back and even through the struggle, they were better than ever.
"This was definitely one of my top ten best days." Haley smiled that evening, her and Nathan were laying in front of the fireplace together.
"Yeah" Nathan smiled running a hand along her side.
Haley leaned up to stretch and as she did she looked around. "This place is a mess." Nathan only laughed as she started to get up and sort out the piles of toys from the trash.
"Hey what is that?" Nathan questioned.
"Huh?"
"On the tree..." He pointed "Right above the snowman, and next to the ornament we got at Disney World."
"Here?" Haley questioned moving over to the tree and looking around.
"No, lower. Under the ornament we got for Jamie's first Christmas." He smirked as she turned around and kept looking.
"Nathan!" She gasped lightly looking at it. "What did you do?"
Nathan stood up and moved behind her. He removed the ribbon containing the diamond ring from the tree.
"You should have a ring." He moved to get down on one knee. "We've faced a lot, ya'know? But we survived it all and are only stronger because of it. So that's what this ring means, we face things together and come out the end stronger. We are each others support system. We can face the world together. Always and Forever. Marry me again and lets spend the next fifty years with each other."
"Of course" Haley smiled as she pulled Nathan to his feet and kissed him, placing her hands on his cheeks. "This is beautiful." She smiled as he placed the ring on her finger.
"Only the best for my girl." Nathan smiled back.
"Your girl." Haley sighed leaning against his chest. "That sounds nice."
"It sounds perfect." Nathan said kissing her forehead.