So the last chapter.


Epiloque

Some things are meant to be, like flowers during spring, green trees during summer time. Like the falling leaves in the fall, even snow in wintertime.

Some things you'll want really want, may even not be able to live without; like chocolate, like Rose and Jack, like Romeo and Juliet.

Some things you'll never realize you want, until it's too late.. Like Nathan and Haley.

It's often considered tragic when this happens, but in reality this really is your own fault. It's our flaws our stubborn minds that refuse to show us what we really want. People say if it's meant to be It'll happen and let it go to waste.

Believing love had its own force of nature; is naive. It's cute, but naive. If you can change your fate, do so. Don't let nature decide. 'cause it's also nature that flooded Thailand and Japan, that destroyed Haiti, hungers people in Afrika and send Katrina through New Orleans. Still convinced Nature is always good? Anyone absolutely convinced that if nature decides it has to be that way it's good!

Well, Haley was. Nathan didn't.

He fought and fought hard. And even though he couldn't stand that Haley was fighting him off with all her might. He couldn't help but love her.

But how long can you do that without losing faith? When can you no longer fight life off. To her.. no longer. For him.. life caved.

Haley looked up at the building in front of her. Wary of what today was. Today was Reunion day. Nathan's reunion. And as his now long time girlfriend she was coming with him. Though she was terrified of going back. She and Nathan had left quite an impression among the students at that time. Not to mention the presence of a certain curly blonde attending this reunion.

Nathan gripped Haley's hand in his own. "Let's go." He whispered and pressed a kiss to her temple. The last five years had been far from easy for them. Derek had cancelled the wedding after the show down at Nathan's hotelroom. Haley had had issues with that. For a while she had refused to let Derek take those steps. But Derek had detached himself from Haley in almost every possible way and so eventually She had to come to terms with their separation. She sold her daycare centre and moved back to be close to Brooke and Lucas. Though she'd held off on anything more than occasional contact with Nathan, she too eventually warmed up to Nathan.

After about a year, after the show down, Nathan asked Haley out again. Haley had gracefully excepted, even though she was somewhat wary. Nathan had hurt her a great deal and so much had happened she wasn't sure if they were ever gonna work. After all there was a reason it hadn't work in the first place.

But after the first, second and third date even Haley had to admit, that it really was like old times. And remembered why she once thought of marrying the man.

After that they rebuild their relationship and a steady but slow pace, and now six years after that day in Seattle, Haley and Nathan's relationship was stronger than it had ever been. The past had been forgiven, though not forgotten. About a year ago Brooke and Lucas had their second child and named their little girl after Haley.

Naming Nathan and Haley as the godparents.

Now about a year later Haley and Nathan were expecting their own child. Haley had been absolutely terrified finding out she was expecting a child. After she and Nathan had only been together for real for about 5 and a half years.

Now about 6 months into her pregnancy she wouldn't have it any other way. The past was the past and the future was all to them.

Plus at the news of having a child Nathan had decided to retire from the NBA. After a career of over ten years it wasn't yet overdue, but not extraordinary either. He had a great career, but now he was gonna invest all his time in his child. Nathan wrapped an arm around Haley's waist and urged her forward into the school and auditorium where a long time ago they fought through most of their issues. Or caused half of them. It wasn't a time of a place that held a lot of good memories for either of them so, being back here was tough.

Walking into the auditorium Haley spotted Brooke and Lucas and she quickly pulled Nathan along to where they were standing both holding a foam cup in their hands. "Hey, you guys made it. I was just saying to Lucas, that Nathan was probably gonna pull over every time the baby kicked." She chuckled. Haley grinned and pulled Nathan in. 'He almost did. He's such a sucker for the little one." Nathan sheepishly shrugged, not proud enough to admit that that unborn baby already had him serving to its every need.

"Oh I know what it is like Man, welcome to the club." Lucas grinned, patting his brother's shoulder. "I hate to say it, but I'm a sucker too for my little girl." Haley could only smile, enjoying the view of her family. It had taken her a long time to get it, but now that she had she could only love it. She hadn't realized she wasn't actually unhappy with Derek until she, years later finally was with Nathan. She'd forgotten what it felt like.

She rubbed her belly unaware that she was doing so, while listening to Brooke and Lucas spout proudly about their children. She never considered Brooke a Football mommy, but she sure was. So nothing really was set in stone..

"I guess some things really are set in stone." The somewhat bitter sarcastic voice of an old 'friend' resounded from behind them. Turning around they found Peyton standing there hands in her sides looking upon them in disdain.

"Good god, you're pregnant too, how many'st is that?" She chuckled. Nathan put his arms around Haley pulling her by his side, for all he knew Peyton was gonna smack her to the floor. She rounded up to the table they were standing by while no one spoke. "Oh come on, it's been god knows how many years." She chuckled. "And it's not like we didn't all know you two were gonna end up together, sooner or later." Both Haley and Nathan relaxed a little at her comment. They all knew this reunion had the potential to be very awkward.

"If only I had known, than I wouldn't have bothered." Derek joined their table, as if trying to prove that this reunion was gonna be awkward one way or the other. "Oh man. I refuse to believe nobody told you, you were fighting a losing battle." Peyton laughed. "Ugh, everyone knew. How long did it take you to figure it out, anyway?"

Brooke burst into a fit of laughter at the question and Haley couldn't help herself. They were all well grown up people discussing college relationships with serious faces, Peyton seemed to be the only one to get that they were being ridiculous. "8 years." He gritted through his teeth. Peyton laughed hard, infectiously.

"I had to go get my girl, out of Seattle of all places." Nathan grinned proudly, pressing a kiss to Haley head. Haley elbowed him in his side at that. "ouch, damn Hales."

"Shut your big mouth, boy. You were less than subtle." Nathan could only grin proudly. "That's like 6 years ago or something?" Peyton muttered. "Hang on, you had to go get her back eventually and you waited 8 years for that?" Haley shook her head at Peyton's question. "No, he waited till Derek and I were engaged." Haley muttered, somewhat embarrassed she let that happen. "Ouch." Peyton voiced.

They all got quiet for a little bit.

"But I guess, you worked passed all that. You're pregnant, Married?" Peyton said filling the silence. "Not married, We're focussing on the baby and maybe in the future."

"How are you Peyton. Life's good for you?" Nathan asked, wanting to turn the conversation away from his awkward past with Haley. "Good. I'm great. I got a good job at a record label, have a boyfriend. Life's good."

"That's good to hear, Peyton." Haley told her. The dean began speaking, asking everyone to find a place to sit. Everyone sat down and while lot's of memories were discussed and Nathan was separately praised for his accomplishments and recent retirement.

After the official part of the reunion, Haley Nathan, Brooke and Lucas had agreed to have dinner at the cafe around the corner of campus. But they asked Peyton to come with them and on their way out Clay came running in, having missed the entire reunion, because he got held up.

"Hey, Man. Little late you are." Nathan chuckled. "I was finishing up your endorsement deals."

"You comin for dinner?"

Clay agreed and the group made their way to the cafe. All 6 of them. Having left their issues behind, at college. Now they were stepping into their future having the life they wanted, being happy about their choices, living with the consequences.

And they couldn't be happier.


it's a little cliché I know, but it's an end.