A/N: I seriously suck. There's no excuse, but I promise not to keep telling you guys I'll update tomorrow/in a few days or whatever because with everything going on lately I just can't keep those kinds of promises.

For the guest reviewer who is upset with me for having both Brooke and Lucas in the characters on this story info, but not having them as a couple:

I do not have them as a 'paired' couple in the story info, and in the bio for this story it very clearly says NALEY, BRULIAN, LEYTON.

I'm sorry if that's not enough for you, but I will not be changing the characters linked to this story information just because you think I'm being 'deceitful'. Brooke and Lucas are the secondary characters, and while Jake, Julian and Peyton are also in this story they are not as present as Brooke and Lucas nor do they have as strong a relationship with Naley in my story. Brooke and Lucas have a close bond with both Nathan and Haley and are integral to different parts of the story, that's why they're in this story's character list when you view the information.

I do not appreciate being called 'deceitful' and having a long ass review in my story just for you to complain about an insignificant thing like this.

Enjoy!

*June 28th, 2012*

Haley and Nathan were sitting in the living room, Nathan now changed into a pair of pyjama pants and his old Duke shirt that Haley would usually wear since they started dating. Haley was staring down into her cup of tea, Nathan waiting patiently for her to speak.

"I, uh … I guess we should talk?" She said quietly looking up at him.

Nathan smiled gently "Only if you really want to Haley. I mean, I can't handle this anymore. Being away from you is killing me, but at the same time I don't want you to feel pressured into talking to me."

"I want to Nathan. I do, but I'm just nervous. This is hard for me." Haley says.

"It's hard for me too Haley. I know that it's not the same, but you shutting me out hurt. And not being able to process this all with you, it made it hard."

"I'm sorry Nathan. I just didn't feel like I could accept this myself. I didn't want you to feel you had to take care of me and stand by me through all of this. I didn't want to burden you with my problems."

"Dammit Haley, it's not a burden." Nathan sighed frustrated "Don't you get it? I want to be with you, babies or not. You pushing me away hurts more than you not being able to have kids ever did. I don't care about whether or not you can have kids, there are plenty of other ways to have children. It doesn't matter to me."

"You say that now Nathan, but I know you. I saw how excited you were when Lucas told you he and Peyton were having a baby; that light in your eyes? I know you want that experience for yourself one day. You should be able to have that with someone, and I can't give that to you." Haley said sadly.

"I meant what I said to you at the doctor's office Haley, I want you. More than I want kids. And yes, I will probably wonder what our kids would have looked like, and whether they'd have my cockiness or your humbleness, if they'd have your hair or my eyes … But that doesn't mean that I want anyone else. I want it all with you, or I don't want it at all.

Haley's quiet for a few moments, letting his words sink in "I'm scared one day you're going to wake up and resent me for keeping you from everything your life could have been. I don't know that I ever want to try to carry my own baby, Nathan."

Nathan stares at her, shocked "What do you mean?"

"I'm scared Nathan. The chances of me having a miscarriage, or some kind of complication during pregnancy are so much higher. I don't think I could cope if anything happened to our baby, and what if something happens to me? I don't want to leave you alone, or having to choose between saving me or the-"

"Stop." Nathan whispers, the pain evident in his voice "Haley, you can't think like that."

"It's the truth though Nathan. There's a lot more risks, and I'm scared. I don't know if I can do this."

"Then we don't have to." Nathan urges, moving to sit beside her "I didn't know you were feeling like this Hales, I would never make you do something you were uncomfortable with doing."

"I've always wanted to experience pregnancy Nate, but with this new information … I just don't know if I'd be able to. I'd be too stressed out the whole time wondering if something was going to happen. You want kids Nathan, and I don't know that I can give you them." Haley cried.

"babe, we can still adopt. Or use a surrogate. There are so many other ways to have children. You're not sure you want to carry a baby, but you want to have kids with me, right?"

"Of course. But I want you to have the kids you want Nathan, I don't want you to settle for a second option." Haley says softly.

Nathan lifts her chin so that she's looking at him, her tear-filled eyes meeting his strong blue ones "Haley, a life with you? That's always been my first choice. I don't care if you never carry a baby. We can do it other ways, we'll get there no matter what. We agree on having kids somehow, and that's good enough for me. I know why you're scared, and I get it. I would never push you into having a kid if you didn't want to Haley, especially now."

Haley smiles up at Nathan when he wipes his thumb against her cheek to collect the tears that had fallen "Thank you."

"Of course Hales. As long as you and I get to live our life together, the rest we can figure out as we go." Nathan says "Because, I love you Haley. So much."

"I love you too Nathan." She says kissing him.

Nathan holds her to him, relishing the feeling of having Haley back in his arms. His hands come up to run through her hair and he frowns into the kiss when he feels her greasy hair. He pulls back and looks at her properly for the first time since he's arrived at her house.

There are dark circles forming under her eyes, her hair is a tatted mess, and she looks frail. His heart aches as he takes in her state.

"When was the last time you showered? Or slept? Or ate? Haley, I love you, but you look like hell." Nathan said concerned.

Haley chuckled softly at his comment, shrugging her shoulder "I don't really remember … I tried to sleep, but it didn't happen a lot. I guess I got used to having you lying beside me." She said shyly.

Nathan smiled, kissing her forehead "Well, I'm here now. So let's get you cleaned up and in bed; let me take care of you."

Haley nodded quietly, taking Nathan's hand and letting him lead her to her bedroom and through to the en suite bathroom.

Nathan let go of Haley's hand, leaving her to stand awkwardly in the middle of the bathroom as Nathan walked over to the shower. He pulled off his shirt as he went, giving Haley a glimpse at his well-defined muscles. He threw his shirt to the side and leaned into the shower to turn the handles and let the water warm up.

He came back to Haley, looking her in the eyes as he pulled down his pants and boxers as he looked at her, standing bare before her. He saw Haley's cheek flush pink and he had to hold in his laugh; even after all this time together, and the amount of times they'd been together intimately, she was still felt embarrassed about checking him out.

Nathan reached forward and started undoing the buttons on the silky pyjamas she had put on after she gave him his shirt that she'd been wearing, letting it fall from down her arms and revealing her bare chest to him. Nathan sucked in a sharp breath as he took her in, before kneeling down and grasping the waistband of her shorts and underwear pulling them down her legs and allowing her to step out of them.

His eyes trailed up her body as he stood back up and Haley reached forward running her hands down Nathan's abs, smirking when she saw his lower half begin to stir. Nathan took her hand once more and led them both into the shower.

He smiled at her as he turned them around so that she was standing under the water, Nathan grabbing her body wash from the floor and getting her to take a step forward so she wasn't under the spray anymore. He took his time lathering the body wash and running it down her body, massaging her as he went. Haley returned the action, taking her time as she ran her hands down his well-defined chest. They were quiet as they washed one another's hair and rinsed each other off; it was intimate, but they both knew it wouldn't go further than a simple shower right now. Nathan didn't want their first time since that devastating morning to be a quick and hurried rendezvous in her small shower cubicle.

Nathan stepped out first, letting Haley stand under the warm water a few minutes longer while he got two towels from the linen closet next to her bathroom sink. Haley couldn't stare at his naked form as he walked around, her eyes travelling from his muscular back further down his body. Nathan suddenly turned and Haley looked away quickly, blushing profusely knowing that she had been caught ogling her boyfriend's ass.

Nathan smirked walking back to the shower, wrapping a towel around his waist before leaning in to turn off the water before pulling Haley's hand to lead her out of the shower. He gently dried her body, using the towel to dry her hair as best he could.

"You finish drying your hair, I'll order us some dinner from that Italian place around the corner you love." Nathan said handing her the towel.

Haley nodded "That sounds perfect, thank you."

Nathan smiled, leaning down to give her a quick kiss before heading out of the bathroom.

Haley watched his retreating figure, smiling to herself.

'What did I do to deserve you, Nathan Scott?'

Nathan and Haley were now sitting in her bed, cross-legged leaning against the headboard as they finished eating their dinner.

"These guys still make the best gnocchi I've ever had." Nathan says as he puts his takeout box in the bin on his side of the bed.

"I told you, that's why they're my favourite. Plus they always give me an extra big side order of Mac and Cheese" Haley says as she eats the last few morsels of her pasta.

Nathan smiles as he watches her devour the food. He had ordered quite a bit, but he and Haley had managed to finish it off, which helped ease his mind. Haley's appetite seemed to be returning, and he was determined to make sure she was eating properly and gained a few pounds over the next few weeks; she was too frail for his liking.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Haley mumbled through a mouthful of Mac and Cheese, sauce sitting against the edge of her lip. She placed the now empty container on her bedside table and turned to face him once more.

"You're cute." Nathan chuckled as he leaned in, kissing the corner of her mouth "You're a messy eater Haley James."

Haley's breath shortened as Nathan's eyes met hers, the two inches away from one another. Nathan's hand came up to rest against her cheek and Haley leaned into his warm touch, letting out a soft sigh. Nathan holds her face in his both his hands, his eyes flickering down to her lips before he leans in and kisses her.

They're lost in their own world instantaneously, Haley's hands run from the nape of his neck through his hair, Nathan's arms wrapping around her waist and holding her body tightly against his own. Their movements grow more frantic, Haley shifting so that she's straddling Nathan's waist.

Nathan pulls back from her, both of them dragging air into their lungs.
"We should slow down." he says breathlessly.

Haley shakes her head "I don't want to slow down. I love you. I want you."

"Hales … Are you sure?' He wanted her. He knew he did. But he didn't want to rush things; they had only just resolved their issues, he didn't want to push her.

"I'm sure. Make love to me." Haley whispered.

It was like music to his ears and Nathan's hands moved more frantically, reaching for the sash around her waist holding her fluffy bathrobe together and pulling it vigorously. Nathan's hands held onto the top of the robe as it fell down, his hands moving along with it until it pooled around her waist and he could pull it out and throw it to the floor.

His eyes took in her naked body once more, a low groan escaping him "You're so beautiful baby."

"You always make me feel safe." Haley whispers into the crook of his neck as she kisses him there.

Nathan smiles, whispering against the side of her face "Because you are safe with me Haley, and you're loved. Always."

Haley smiles and pulls back so she can kiss him again, her hands trying to push his boxers down to no avail. He won't lift up so she can remove them, and he tries not to laugh at her frustration.

He takes her by surprise, flipping them over so he's now laying on top of her and Haley giggles at the sudden action.

Nathan settles himself so he's lying between her legs and kisses down her neck, his lips trailing down her chest and Haley's head falls back against the pillows as her hands play in his hair and slowly run up and down his back. Nathan's hands run along the side of her toned body, his mouth kissing and sucking on her skin as he went. His left hand trailed up to her breast while his mouth moved to her right one. His hand palmed one breast while he kissed around the other as Haley whimpered beneath him.

"Nate…" He could feel himself growing harder at the way she moaned his name. Haley could hear herself mumbling some incoherencies but she was too swept up in the feel of Nathan's hands and mouth all over her body and the throbbing between her thighs was only growing stronger.

Nathan moved back up to kiss her lips and Haley's hands brushed down the front of his chest, her hands spending a few extra seconds as they reacquainted themselves with his well-defined muscles. She reached down and wrapped her hand around his cock, causing Nathan to groan. He had missed her touch.

"I want you. Please." She cried. They had only been apart for a number, but to the both of them it had felt like years since they'd touched one another, or felt connected like this. They both craved the feeling of their bodies being joined, and neither wanted to wait any longer.

Nathan reached his hand blindly to Haley's bedside table, opening the drawer and fumbling around trying to find a condom, not wanting to remove his lips from Haley's long enough to look properly.

"Forget about it." Haley mumbled against his neck "I want to feel you."

Nathan broke the kiss, looking at her surprised "Haley, that's a big decision. Unprotected sex…"

"I trust you Nathan. I know you haven't been with anyone else, and if you had any kids of STD's I'm pretty sure you would've told me by now." Haley chuckled softly "And I'm on the pill so we're still protected, not that we need to worry about falling pregnant."

She saw the saddened look that filled Nathan's eyes and she knew her joke had fallen flat. She lifted her hand up to his cheek and stroked it gently down to his chin as she looked him in the eyes.

"Nathan, don't. That's not what this is about. I want to feel you, all of you. The only other time we did this was when we were on the couch, and it felt … indescribably amazing. I want to feel that again. Please baby." She was on the verge of begging, but she didn't really give a shit if she looked pathetic right now. She would beg him as much as it took for him to believe her.

She saw Nathan's eyes darken once more. He nodded and took himself in hand, lining up with her entrance as he looked back up at her.

"I love you." He whispered leaning down to kiss her again as he pushed himself inside her.

Haley gasped into the kiss and her hips titled as her body took him in, welcoming the feel of Nathan Scott once more. Haley looked at Nathan and could see the struggle in his eyes; he was staying still, wanting to savor the moment, but she needed more.

She clenched her muscles around him and Nathan moaned as his eyes closed again. Unable to hold off any longer, he pulled out of her a little before sliding back in, Haley's legs coming up so her feet were on the bed giving Nathan more access to her.

"You feel so good Hales." Nathan mumbled against her neck "I missed you so much."

"Oh, I've missed you too." Haley sighs tilting her hips up to meet him.

He moved slow but strong, wanting to take his time with her. There were plenty more chances in their future to get caught up in the moment, but tonight he wanted to savor being back in Haley James' arms.

Haley groaned at the force of Nathan's thrusts, matching his pace. She could feel her release stirring within her and she knew Nathan was close too. Nathan's hand slid between their sweat-slicked bodies and pressed against Haley's clit.

"Nathan!" She cried out as her orgasm hit her.

Haley reached her hands up and pulled Nathan back to her kissing him again. Her tongue slid against his, mimicking what their lower halves were doing. She felt her orgasm starting to wind down, but she wanted Nathan to come with her. She squeezed her muscles around him every time he slid back into her, Nathan moaning at the sensation. He kept pushing into her a few more times before he felt himself let go, calling her name as he emptied himself in her.

Nathan's arms fell from under him, his body collapsing on top of Haley's. They were both quiet for a few minutes, Haley's hands playing in Nathan's hair as he held her tightly. He moved off her, laying down on his side of the bed and wrapping his arms around her, pulling Haley against him.

"That was-" Haley trailed off breathless.

"I know." Nathan smiled kissing her forehead.

"I love you Nathan, thank you for fighting for us. For making me open up to you. I'm glad you did." Haley said as she lay her head on his chest, his heartbeat lulling her to sleep.

Nathan looked down at Haley as her eyes began to flutter "Always Hales. I will always fight for you." He said as he let himself give in to the exhaustion of the day, not before hearing Haley mumble against his chest.

"Always and forever."

A/N: I hope you guys liked this chapter, I'm so sorry it took so long. I'll try to update soon but no guarantees as to when that will be – I don't want to make any promises I can't keep; I know Easter week will be really busy for me with work.

For those who celebrate, have a wonderful Easter hopefully surrounded by friends and family. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Please leave a review and let me know what you think of their talk.

- Maddie :)