Hi guys I'm back with a brand new chapter. I don't know about you guys but I can't wait for Monday to come. The wait is killing me! lol. Anyway I hope I'm not dangling you guys too much with one secret after another, but I've had this story planned out from the beginning so just bear with me. Big shout out to everybody who's still sticking by me and this story. You guys are just so amazing. So here's the next chapter. Sorry it's a bit short. Lemme know what you guys think. Cheers!

Chapter 13

Haley was struggling with Peyton's wedding dress and it was starting to drive her crazy. "Peyton! Will you keep still already! Stop fidgeting. How the hell are we gonna get you to walk down that aisle if you keep moving?"

Peyton looked at her friend sheepishly. "Sorry Hales. I'm just nervous. I can't believe I'm getting married today? It's just so bizarre, you know?" Her remarks were met with silence and she looked down at Haley. "Hey are you ok with this? I mean considering what happened..."

"Peyton stop it. I'm fine. Today is your day. Let's just concentrate on getting you ready. And for God's sake stop moving!" Haley groaned in frustration. Just then Brooke walked in, her mouth wide open.

"Oh my God. Peyton you look gorgeous. I mean of course you look gorgeous. You're wearing one of mine." She grinned while giving Peyton an approving look at the chiffon halter dress that she was wearing. Knowing Peyton, she wouldn't wear anything traditional and Brooke really did a good job designing a dress for her. "And Haley wow. I'm pretty sure Nathan won't be able to get his hands off you when he sees you. I still can't get over the five times," she said, her eyes twinkling in merriment.

Haley laughed. "Brooke are you not over that already? Don't you have anything else to think about? Ok Peyton, you're done. Take a look." She quickly smoothed down Peyton's dress and guided her friend so she could look at herself in the mirror.

"What? What is it? Anything wrong?" Haley asked worriedly when Peyton didn't say anything. It took her hours to get Peyton ready and she would kill herself if Peyton didn't like what she saw.

"Nothing. It's perfect. Thanks Hales. And thanks Brooke for the dress. You guys are the best." She started to make her way to a chair and sat down, exhaling as she did so. "Haley, can I ask you something?"

Haley walked over to her. "What is it sweetie? Are you ok?"

"Yeah I'm fine. It's just that...How did you know that Nathan's the one for you?" She looked at Haley questioningly. She was starting to doubt if she and Jake were too young to get married.

Haley sighed and took Peyton's hand in hers. "Well, I know that I'm happiest when I'm around him and can't wait to see him when he's not with me. He knows exactly what to say to make me feel good. I don't know Peyton. There's a lot of things. Why? What's going on?" she asked, concern written all over her face.

"I'm just so scared. I mean I've never been so scared in my life. I'm about to spend the rest of my life with one guy, you know what I mean?" Peyton said nervously.

"Peyton, you're not marrying just any guy. You're marrying Jake. The guy who worships the ground you walk on. There is nothing to be scared about, trust me." Brooke said, trying to calm her friend's nerves and gave her a hug. "Now come on, the ceremony's about to start. Get you fat ass out of that chair. I'll see you later ok. I love you P. Sawyer."

"I love you too B. Davis. And you Tutorgirl. Thanks guys. Ok I'm ready. Let's go and get me married." Peyton said giving them both a hug. "Come on bridesmaid. Lead the way."

Haley grinned, trying to push the thought of her own wedding a year ago out of her mind and took Peyton's hand, leading her out of the changing room.

As soon as wedding march began to play, Nathan's head snapped up, anxiously waiting for Haley to appear. His thoughts were not really on the wedding but more on Haley. He was afraid that the wedding would bring back painful memories for her. And when he saw her enter the church, his breath caught in his throat, amazed at what he saw. She could always take his breath away. He gave her a smile as she walked pass him and grinned when she winked at him. He rarely took his eyes off her all through the ceremony, fumbling to find the wedding rings in his pocket when Jake nudged him.

"Do you, Jake Jagielski take Peyton Sawyer to be your..." the priest's voice slowly faded away as he continued to watch her, silent tears slowly falling down her cheeks as she quickly wiped them away not wanting anybody to see. His heart broke at the sight. God he would do anything to have him and Haley standing before the priest, saying the exact same vows that would make her his forever. The crowd clapped, indicating it was over and he reluctantly tore his gaze away from her and walked beside her down the aisle.

"Hey are you ok?" he whispered softly.

Haley turned to him. "Yeah I'm fine," she said giving him a small smile and linked her arm with his. He didn't get the chance to talk to her further as Peyton and Jake came out of the church to the cheering guests. "Hey I'll see you later ok. I gotta go and find Brooke," she said trying to avoid looking at him, and before he could say anything she was gone.

He found her again at the wedding reception talking to Mouth and Skills. "Hey," he said touching her waist and giving her soft peck on the cheek. "Hi guys."

"Yo Nate. Your girl here is looking fine dog. So when are you gonna make an honest woman out of her?" he asked.

"Skills! Don't you know when to shut up?" Mouth said, gaping at what he just heard.

Skills grinned. "I'm just saying dog. Coz if you don't, I might just beat you to it," he said winking at Haley, making her laugh.

"No chance in hell Skills," he said before pulling Haley away from them. The music was playing and some of the guests were already on the dance floor, swaying to the music. "Hey we didn't get to finish the dance at the engagement party. Dance with me?" he said looking at her face, daring her to look at him.

"Yeah sure." He took her hands and wrapped them around his neck, and gently put his own hand at her waist, pulling her closer to him.

"You look beautiful Hales," he whispered into her ear, her scent dizzying him.

"You don't look so bad yourself." She loved seeing Nathan all dressed up in his tuxedo. He was so handsome he still managed to make her heart skip a beat everytime she saw him.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked when he noticed that she was silent.

She put her head on his chest and sighed. "Nothing. I'm just thinking what would have happened if we did get married that day. I'm sorry, it's silly. Let's talk about something else."

"No it's not silly. I do it all the time too." He took a deep breath before pulling them apart and looked deeply into her eyes. "Can I ask you a question? Remember the day I asked you to marry me, I mean the very exact moment?"

"Yeah of course. We were at the cafe. Why?" She asked, wondering where this was going.

"Well, knowing everything that you know now, if you had that moment again, do you think you would've said yes?" he asked, his heart beating faster as he waited for her to answer.

She looked down and said softly, "yeah, some days."

"Not everyday?" He looked at her sadly.

"Nathan..."

"No it's ok. I guess I deserve it," he said as he pulled her to him again. "I love you Hales. I didn't think that it was possible, but you still drive me crazy."

Haley smiled as she laid her head against his chest. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, you still drive me crazy too." She loved moments like this, when nothing else mattered except the two of them. She was slowly starting to let him back into her life and so far things were going well. Suddenly the music stopped forcing them to pull themselves apart from each other. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him deeply. "Ok I'm gonna go and find Mouth. I promised him the next dance."

Nathan reluctantly let her go and groaned. "Do you have to? I mean, can't you just dance with me instead?"

She gave a tinkling laugh. "Nathan stop it. I'll find you later ok. Love you."

"But..." Before he knew it she was already making her way to Mouth's table. He threw his hands up in frustration and walked towards Jake and Lucas. "Hey Luke. Hey Jake. Congratulations man, you're a kept man," he said as he slapped him on the back.

"Well if being kept means being tied up, I'm all for it man," Jake said, grinning.

"Oh God Jake! Too much info. What is it with you people?!" Lucas groaned while covering his ears. "By the way Nate, did you tell Haley already?" He looked at his brother taking out his pill bottles from his pocket and swallowing a couple of them, making a face as he did so.

"Not that it's any of your business, I haven't. I don't think it's the right time yet." Nathan could feel his brother's eyes boring into him and quickly looked around the reception area to avoid his gaze.

Jake looked at him in disbelief. "Nate! Haven't you learned anything yet? Why do you keep doing this to Haley? And not to mention to yourself. Look you said that she was already asking about the pills. Just tell her man."

"And what do I tell her Jake?" he asked, his voice raising slightly.

"Tell her the truth! Dammit Nathan! Why are you being such an idiot?" It was Lucas's turn to be angry at him. He put his hand on Nathan's shoulder and said, "Nate, listen to me. For once in your life, just tell her the truth. Stop pretending that everything is alright when it isn't."

Nathan looked at him squarely in the eyes. "How do I tell her Lucas? How do I tell her that I..." His words trailed off as he choked on his emotions. "Things are just getting good between us. I just don't want to ruin it."

"And you think by not telling her now, it's gonna be all puppies and rainbows later?" Jake challenged him. Seeing his friend looking distraught, he gently said, "Just think about it ok? She needs to know, and you know it. Look I'm gonna go. The limo's coming around soon to take me and Peyton to the airport." Nathan simply nodded. "Thanks for coming guys. And thanks Nate for being my best man. Nice work with the rings. You might want to take off your eyes off Haley once in a while," he grinned before they walked over to Peyton and to the crowd that was already waiting to see them off.

"Congratulations Peyton. You look ridiculously happy. " Haley hugged her friend before letting Brooke have her chance.

Peyton looked at them both and smiled. "I am happy. Thanks you guys. Thank you so much for everything."

"Hey no problem. We'll be sure to return the nightmarish favour when our turn comes." Brooke grinned, showing the dimples on her face. "Enjoy yourself P. Sawyer. And let me in on all the details when you get back."

"Brooke! You're incorrigible!" Haley shaking her head, laughing at Brooke's behaviour.

"Well I'll take as a compliment if I knew what it meant."

Haley rolled her eyes. "Oh believe me Brooke. That was not a compliment." She turned her attention to Peyton and kissing her cheeks said, "Have fun Peyton. We'll see you in a week."

"So it's just you and me Tutorgirl." Brooke said, turning to Haley as she watched the limo leave the church. "What oh what are we gonna do?"

Haley looked at Brooke with narrowed eyes. "I know that look Brooke Davis. I'm pretty sure you can think of something. And whatever it is, you can count me out. Whatever you're planning might either land us in jail or send us to the graves," she said making Brooke laugh. "Hey can I hitch a ride home with you?" Haley asked her.

"Huh? Why? Isn't Nathan taking you home?" Brooke's face was full of confusion as she looked at Haley suspiciously.

"Yeah he was, but I can't find him and I'm a bit tired. And I know that you and Lucas are gonna leave soon." A hand touched her shoulder and was followed by Nathan's deep throaty voice.

"Who's leaving soon? Are you ready to go?" Nathan asked her.

Brooke looked at Haley intently. She knew her friend long enough to know that there was something she wasn't telling her. "Yeah Haley couldn't find you so she was asking if she could ride with us."

"What? I was just right there with Luke," Nathan said, looking as confused as Brooke.

Haley gave them a nervous laugh. "Sorry I didn't see you. Yeah, I'm ready to go. Bye Brooke. " She quickly took Nathan's hand before Brooke could say anything.

"Hey what was that all about?" Nathan asked when they got in his car. "You know, you riding with Brooke?" Nathan continued, seeing Haley's questioning look.

"Oh nothing. Like Brooke said, I couldn't find you so I thought I'd go with her and call you to let you know."

Nathan noticed Haley biting her lips, a sure sign that she was either nervous or hiding something but he decided to let it go. They rode in silence as Haley stared out the window, replaying the conversation she overheard between Nathan, Lucas and Jake when they weren't noticing. She couldn't believe that there was something else that Nathan wasn't telling her. They promised to trust each other and so far, he's not giving her the chance to do just that. She didn't want to ask Lucas or Jake because she didn't want Nathan to think that she was snooping around behind his back, but judging from their conversation earlier, it didn't look like he was going to tell her anytime soon.

"So did you enjoy the wedding?" Nathan asked, trying to make conversation.

"Yeah it was beautiful. They looked so happy," she said and continued to stare out the window. She didn't really feel like talking to him and everytime he tried to talk to her, she would give him a short answer.

She breathed a sigh of relief when the car turned into her driveway. She quickly came out of the car and headed straight for the door without even waiting for him. "Hey, wait up." Nathan's voice called out to her and did a little run to catch up with her. He turned so he could face her and noticing that she was fumbling with her keys, took them from her hands and unlocked the door for her. He touched her arm gently and said, "Hales, are you ok? Why are you so quiet? What are you thinking about?"

"Nothing. I'm just tired. I'm gonna go take a shower and then take a nap. Maybe you should go home too." She started to walk in her door when she felt Nathan grabbing her arm.

"Haley, it's not nothing. Something's bothering you. Wanna tell me what it is?" He looked at her intently, trying to figure her out.

"Nathan, I told you. It's nothing. Even if it is something, we don't have to tell each other everything right? You should know. You're an expert in hiding things." She said yanking her hand away from him.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Nathan asked.

Haley turned around to face him. "Exactly what it meant," she said as she slammed her door to his face, not giving him a chance to respond.