AN: Thanks for the reviews. They mean a lot. Here is the next chapter and I just have to say that this is my favorite chapter of this story. I really mean that. I loved writing it so much and I really hope you like it as well.
Happy Edward Day!
Chapter Twenty-Five –I Have Loved You from the Start
Nathan parked his car in front of Brooke's store. He sat there for a few minutes wondering what he would tell her before finally getting out. He walked nervously in front of her building before walking in. He took his time looking around. The walls weren't white anymore, now they were light purple.
"May I help you?" Millicent asked nicely as she walked up to him.
Nathan smiled as he continued looking around. "Is Brooke in? I'm her friend Nathan."
"You're Nathan? The Nathan?" Millicent asked with a smile. "Haley's Nathan?"
"Yeah," Nathan said with a smirk. "I'm Haley's Nathan." He felt pride in saying that. He really did. He felt like a seventeen year old boy wanting to yell to the world that she was all his. It was nice having someone he didn't know say something like that to him.
"Millie, can you fax this over to –"
"You have company," Millicent said smiling. She reached over and grabbed the papers in Brooke's hands before walking towards the back of the store. Brooke looked at Nathan for a few seconds before finally talking.
"Do what do I owe this pleasure?" Brooke finally asked.
"I kind of need your help," Nathan answered as he gave her a soft smile.
"You need my help?" Brooke asked amused. "This ought to be good…what do you need my help with, superstar?"
"Um, well, usually I have Lucas or Lindsey helping me with this kind of stuff," Nathan stammered as he shoved his hands in his pockets. She nodded her head for him to continue. "But their busy with work and Lindsey is editing my novel and –"
"Spit it out, Nate," Brooke rushed out.
"Jeeze," Nathan mumbled. "It's just…I'm sure you've heard that we have a date tonight?" He looked up and noticed her smiling.
"Yeah," Brooke said shrugging her shoulders. "She might have mentioned it."
He wished so bad that it was Lindsey he was talking to. "Um, I guess what I'm trying to say is that I haven't done this in a really long time…" he let his words trail as he noticed her smile widened. "You're enjoying this."
"It is a bit funny," Brooke said giggling. "I mean you of all people…asking for help with women."
"Not women," Nathan quickly corrected her. "Haley…you know, the girl."
"What's the problem then?" Brooke questioned as her laughter died down.
"Like I said before…I haven't been on a date…well, since Haley and I don't really remember how to do this…I've been out of the game for a while now, Brooke. I need this night to be perfect," Nathan stated sincerely.
"What do you need me to do? Just say it and it's done," Brooke said smiling. "Anything for the two of you, you know that. Plus, I figure me helping you out is like helping out Jamie. I think he wants the two of you together more than anyone."
"He told you that?"
"Not me."
"Who?"
"Um…Skills," Brooke said with an innocent smile. "I really wasn't supposed to say anything. But yeah, he told him that he wants you and her to be boyfriend and girlfriend…those were his words not mine."
"I want us together, too…for him and for me," Nathan said softly.
"It's about time you start fighting for your girl," Brooke said smirking. "It took you long enough though, Nate. You should be happy that she loves your sorry ass." He rolled his eyes at her.
"Last night I told her that I wanted to prove to her that we belong together. We've been apart for so long, I just want to make things right for us. Last night was one of the best nights of my life. You should see the way Jamie looks at her, Brooke. I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at her…and I just…I want my family now. I don't want to wait…I want her now. I want to prove how good we'd be together and I want to make all the mistakes I've made, up to her."
"Nate," Brooke sighed. "I've never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her. Haley James is a really lucky girl."
"She means everything to me…her and Jamie," Nathan added. "So will you help me? I need you to work your Brooke Davis magic and make this night memorable for her. She deserves it and I want so bad to make everything right. I want her home with Jamie and me…I know it's too much to ask but I just –"
"Want your family," Brooke finished for him. "I get it. I do. And of course I'll help you get your family together…the way it should have been four years ago."
"Thanks B," Nathan said with a soft smile.
"You haven't called me that since middle school," Brooke said giggling.
"And what is it that you used to call me? I think it was –"
"Dumbass," Brooke cut him off.
He held up one hand stopping her. "Right, how could I forget? Hold on a second…I'm a having a childhood flashback when you had everyone calling me that for two weeks."
"Not one of my finest moments but I have to admit it was one of my funniest," Brooke said smirking.
"Well, thanks to you every time I hear someone calling out dumbass I look," Nathan chuckled. "But it was pretty funny."
"Only the best from me," Brooke smirked.
"It is all about you, Brooke," Nathan stated while she gave him a little bow.
"So what do you want to do on you're date tonight?" Brooke questioned.
"Okay, I was thinking…"
Haley smiled as she watched Jamie chasing Jenny around the park. They had been there a little over an hour now and both kids seemed like they were having fun. Last night had been so amazing. After he had asked her out on a date and they hugged for a few seconds he backed off and let her leave. Once she got home she had to fill Brooke and Skills in on all the details before they finally let her go to her room. She didn't have trouble sleeping at all. She was in a peaceful slumber as she had another perfect dream about them.
"You seem happy," Peyton said smiling. "I haven't seen you that way in a long time. I'm guessing you guys are back on track. You haven't really said too much about last night but Jamie won't stop talking about it. What's up, Hales? You nervous about your second date?"
"No, not really," Haley said softly, her eyes never leaving Jamie and Jenny.
Peyton glanced at her knowingly. "What's up, girlie?"
"I just haven't felt like this in four years," Haley mumbled. "Last night was like a dream come true. I mean…we were us again. It was a little weird at first but once we started talking we were back to normal. It was like the last four years hadn't happened. It felt good to look at him and…and not hate him. It felt so good."
"Good," Peyton said smiling. "You deserve it. Lords knows after everything you've been through…you deserve to be happy."
"I can honestly say that I am," Haley said smiling.
"Then what have you been thinking about all morning? I know you, Haley James. What's bothering you? You can tell me," Peyton stated as she reached for Haley's hand.
Haley smiled as she watched Jenny start chasing after Jamie. Her life was finally starting to feel right again. She actually felt like herself again. Being in Tree Hill with him again made her feel things she hadn't felt in a really long time. Last night something changed between them she knew. It felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders and she stopped carrying around the baggage of the last four years. It was finally just them.
But a small part of her still felt all the pain. That small part of her missed Jeremy like crazy and it was constantly screaming at her to call him. There were so many reasons why she wanted to talk to him. So many things she wanted to tell him and ask him. But she wouldn't bring herself to call him. She didn't deserve to ease her conscious. She had to live with what she put him through and it was slowly eating away at her. He had only been gone a few days and it wouldn't go away. The need to know if he was okay wouldn't go away.
She only felt this way when she wasn't around Nathan.
"I'm just worried about Jeremy," Haley whispered. It was so low she wasn't even sure if Peyton could hear her or not. But once she felt Peyton squeeze her hand she knew she had.
Peyton searched for the right words. "I know that this is hard for you."
"You don't understand how horrible I feel," Haley stated while she held back tears. "I was never in love with him. He was…in a way he took Luke's place in my heart. He was sweet and caring. But we had nothing in common….he didn't know a thing about me. Not the real me…he only knew what I let him see. And I didn't want him seeing the real me and how broken I was. I loved him and I still do but just as a friend. And I miss him…and I know that's wrong but a part of me still needs him. He was there for me when no one else was."
"Oh, Haley," Peyton sighed. "I had no idea you felt that way."
"And I feel terrible about being happy again," Haley added. "It's just this gut wrenching pain when I think about it. I hate myself for hurting him and I hate myself for finally getting what I want. It's not fair to him. I just wish that he would call and tell me that he's okay. Then maybe I won't feel as terrible as I do now."
"Yeah, maybe," Peyton agreed. "But you shouldn't hate yourself for finally get what you want. These things…they happen for a reason, I really believe that. I sucks that he got hurt but you can't sit around and beat yourself up about it. It's over and in the past. You need to forgive yourself."
"I can't," Haley mumbled while shaking her head.
"Hales, you –"
"Not until he calls me…I can't," Haley repeated.
Peyton turned her attention back to her daughter. I was obvious that there was no getting through to Haley. Just like her husband, Haley was stubborn. She was sure that it ran in the James family genes. There was just no changing their minds once they set it to something. She prayed that Jenny didn't act that way. But even at four, Jenny already acted like her father.
They got quiet as they both watched the kids. The park wasn't that full and Haley heard Peyton laughing as she watched Jamie attempt to push Jenny on one of the swings. Haley smiled as she watched him.
"I don't know what to get him for his birthday," Haley stated while glancing over at Peyton. "I want it to be the best present ever…and I can't even think of what to get him. I want to make up for missing so much of his life."
"Haley, that's not your fault. Besides, he's going to be four. I promise he doesn't remember that much of his life and once he's older he probably won't remember too much of this," Peyton said smiling.
"But I will," Haley answered.
"You'll find him something," Peyton assured her. "We got him a bike. Jake was so excited when he put it together the other night. Boys…I tell ya. Jenny got so jealous, he had to go out and buy her one just like it even though Nathan had just bought her one not that long ago."
"I just want him to know how much I care about him," Haley mumbled.
"You don't have to buy him stuff for him to know that," Peyton said smiling. "Plus, I've seen the way he looks at you. You don't need to prove anything."
"I know," Haley mumbled.
"You excited about your date tonight?" Peyton questioned as she raised an eyebrow. Haley smiled at that. Despite all her troubles she was really looking forward to tonight. It felt like a new beginning for them. One that she had wanted for so long.
"Yep," Haley sighed.
"What are you two doing?" Peyton questioned.
"I don't know."
"He didn't tell you?"
"Nope," Haley muttered. "He said he wants to prove that we belong together. He still feels bad for everything…I'm over it but I know him and he's not. He doesn't need to prove anything but he wants to…I'm just ready to start living again."
"Its good having you here," Peyton said smiling as she squeezed her hand again. "I missed this…I miss us."
"Me too," Haley agreed. "It feels so good being home again. Don't get me wrong, New York is great. They have everything there…expect for you guys. Tree Hill will always be home but with everyone here it's so much more. I think Brooke might actually move down here, too. I still have to go and pack up all my things. Is it selfish of me to want her to say here with me? It's where she belongs. Her mother takes care of most of the business anyway. She doesn't need to stay in the city."
"You're not selfish," Peyton assured her. "But if you are then I am, too. I want you both here with me where you both belong." Jenny walked up to them before moving herself in Peyton's lap.
"I'm tired, mommy," Jenny told her. "Boys like to run too much. And he's always trying to catch me." She made a face as Peyton and Haley started laughing.
"You ready to go home?" Peyton questioned.
"I want Madelia," Jenny stated as she reached in Peyton's purse and pulled her out. She held it in her arms before resting her head on her mothers shoulder. Haley smiled at the two of them. Jamie walked up to them. He stood in front of Haley as he watched Peyton holding Jenny.
"Did you have fun, Jamie?" Haley questioned as she smiled at him.
"Uh-huh," Jamie said nodding his head. "Can you hold me, Haley?"
Peyton smiled at them as Haley lifted Jamie in her arms. Her smile widened as Jamie placed his head on Haley's shoulder just like Jenny had her head on hers. Haley rubbed Jamie's back softly and Peyton wondered if she knew she was doing so.
"Are you okay, Jamie?" Haley questioned. She couldn't see his face as he hugged her tight. He didn't answer and she quickly glanced at Peyton. Peyton gave her a pointed look before moving her eyes over Jenny's little body. Haley's mouth fell open as she understood what Peyton meant. Her heart felt like it might explode as she felt her tears cover her eyes before they slowly rolled down her cheeks.
Haley stood in front of Karen's Café reading over the text message Brooke had sent her again. She had received it after lunch. It said be in front of the café at seven sharp and dress casually. After dropping Jamie off with his Uncle Skills and catching up with the guys she went straight home to change. She wore a pair of jeans with a shirt that Nathan had bought her their junior year of high school that said 'my hero' with an arrow pointing off to the side. Every time she wore it Nathan seemed to always stay to the right of her and she would often tease him about it. Unlike the night before she had pulled her hair up this time.
She glanced at the time again before closing her phone and placing it in her pocket.
"You look amazing," Nathan stated as he approached her. She turned towards him and smiled as he got closer. He stood there with a smirk on his face, a long sleeve shirt, and a pair of jeans. He looked sexy as he smiled down at her. "Nice shirt." He also noticed that she was wearing the crackerjack bracelet once again. He felt his heart hammering at the sight of it. "Sorry I'm late but Jamie wanted to tell me about how much the two of you had today."
"I knew you would like it and you don't look so bad yourself...and yeah we had a great time," Haley said smiling. "So why is Brooke texting me with details for tonight?"
"Well, Brooke kind of helped me out with tonight," Nathan said with a soft smile. "She set up this whole serial-date thing. One card leads to the next." He showed her the card in his hands as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"What does the first one say?" Haley asked curiously.
He opened the card before reading it to her. "Tell Haley how much you missed her these last four years without her." He smiled as he moved his eyes over to hers.
"Well?" She really wanted to hear this.
He felt his hands shaking slightly. "It's hard breathing…without you. I've felt like half of me has been missing since I watched you walk away at that airport…at night when I close my eyes I always dream about you…and most nights I wake up screaming your name…and my heart…it doesn't beat when you're not around…you're like the air to me…I can't survive without you…and I missed you more than you'll ever know."
"Wow." She felt her heart hammering at his words as her cheeks warmed up. She watched as he smirked down at her.
He noticed her eyes sparkling. "How was that?"
"Perfect," Haley answered. "What does the next card say?"
Nathan quickly opened it before reading it to her. "Go to 1423 River Street and find your next envelope. On the way, tell three things you miss about each other." Nathan laughed as he finished reading the card. "This is so Brooke."
"At least we know the night will be interesting," Haley said smiling. "Brooke Davis has yet to disappoint in the entertaining department."
"Shall we?" Nathan questioned as he pointed in the direction of River Street. She smiled at him before turning as they started walking slowly. He reached for her hand and held it with his free one. "Is this okay?" He held up their linked hands as she smiled at him.
"Yeah, it's fine," Haley admitted. It was really more than fine.
"So I'm your hero, huh?" Nathan asked with a smirk.
"What gave it away?" Haley joked.
He glanced at her shirt before looking into her eyes. "Just a feeling." He shrugged his shoulders as they continued walking. It was getting darker out as they walked the streets of Tree Hill holding hands. He remembered what the card had said and he quickly started talking again. "So, I'll go first."
"Okay."
"I really miss your laugh," Nathan smirked. "It warms up my heart and makes me forget about all my troubles. It's one of the best sounds in the world. Um, let me see…it's so hard to pick just three." She laughed softly as he squeezed her hand. "Secondly, I really miss the way you make me feel. I love the way you make me feel, Hales."
"And number three?" Haley asked with a smile.
"This is going to make you blush," Nathan said knowingly. She looked at him curiously for a few seconds before he continued. "And I miss…making love to you." With that her cheeks turned a dark shade of red as he gave her his famous smirk. "I told ya, Hales."
She giggled nervously before quickly taking her turn. "Okay, three things I miss about you." She thought about it for a second.
"My good looks," Nathan answered for her as he tried to lighten the mood. She laughed and he quickly glanced at her. "I know you think I'm sexy, Haley."
She ignored him and continued. "I miss your eyes. The way you used to look at me sometimes…like I was the only person in the world. I guess I really missed that. When I thought you were with Lindsey…I hated the fact that you probably looked at her the same way. And I hated the fact that she got to see that look from you. And I was jealous because I wanted to be the only one that got to see that look from you."
"You are," Nathan replied quickly. "I'm sorry that you thought we were together but it's never ever been like that between us. The first day I met her I told her all about you and us…and she kicked my ass for letting you go, Hales. She's always wanted us together. I promise that I'll never look at anyone the way I look at you."
She smiled softly at him. "I really miss our friendship. Before everything we were always friends and when I didn't have that anymore…let's just say you don't know what you've got till it's gone. Some nights I would just sit in bed and think about old times. Like the time we snuck out and spent the whole night at the Rivercourt or that day when we spent at the movies watching every different showing but we only paid for one. Or how about the time we rearranged everything in Jake's room so that he could think he was going crazy."
"He was so mad when he found out," Nathan chuckled.
"Well, if you hadn't of been a baby and told him," Haley joked.
Nathan continued laughing. "He paid me twenty bucks for the truth, Hales."
"And then he beat the crap out of you after you told him…good move, buddy," Haley laughed out. He rolled his eyes as she laughed louder. "Um, a third…you're right. There are so many to pick from." She laughed before looking up at him. "I really miss the way you make me feel. I miss that a lot." They stopped walking as they made it to the location and her face dropped as she noticed that they were standing in front of a lingerie store.
"This is where we're going?" Haley questioned.
Nathan couldn't help but laugh. "Nice work, Brooke."
She looked at him shaking her head before he pulled her along with him and into the store. The ladies that were working looked at them smiling before going back to what they were doing before. Nathan looked around the store quickly before letting her hand go and walking off on his own. She followed him closely as he started looking around. She rolled her eyes as he started looking at some of the pieces of clothing or lack there of.
"This will go a lot faster if you help," Nathan stated as he glanced over at her.
She laughed nervously as she looked at some of the clothing. "I'm going to kill Brooke."
He smirked before going back to looking. He finally noticed a card taped to one of the hangers and he quickly got it off. "Okay, here it is."
She walked closer to him as he opened it.
"Congratulations. Now buy each other a gift and exchange them on your way to…" he noticed a different address. "There's another address here."
"This is so wrong," Haley mumbled. "Let's start shopping." She pointed at him before moving away from him. He went in the opposite direction of her and started looking around. It was a good fifteen minutes later when Haley walked out of the store with Nathan right behind her. They both held the little purple bags in their hands.
"Did you see what that saleswoman was wearing?" Nathan asked laughing.
"Or not wearing," Haley replied smiling at him. "Here…you go first." She handed him the bag in her hands. He took it from her.
"Alright," Nathan stated as he reached into the bag and pulled out a black pair of socks. He looked at her in amusement. "Socks?"
"I was playing it safe," Haley replied quickly. "What did you get me?"
He handed her the bag. "Open it and see."
She took it from him before opening it and pulling out the soft silk lingerie. "Oh, my gosh…this is really nice. Thanks." He smiled at her as she placed it back into the bag.
"And my feet thank you for the socks….really, Hales." Nathan joked as she started laughing.
Without even thinking she punched him in the arm. "Let's just go to the next place, smartass."
"Ouch!" Nathan muttered as he rubbed his arm. She rolled her eyes and took off walking. He smiled before jogging up to her and taking her hand back in his. She looked up at him for a second before turning her attention back to the sidewalk. A comfortable silence filled the air as they walked hand in hand to the next location. It wasn't long before they made it to the fancy restaurant that Brooke had made reservations at. It was on the docks about a mile away from their spot. They were seated right away and the waiter handed them their menus.
"Here you go, Miss…Sir."
"Thanks," Nathan told him.
"You're welcome."
Haley noticed the two cards on the table with numbers on them. She picked up the first one in her hands. They both took a deep breath before looking across the table at each other.
"To be honest, I'm a little afraid," Nathan told her.
She laughed before opening the next card. "Okay. Order your favorite dish for the other person." They both started laughing as the waiter walked back over to their table.
"Are you ready to order?"
Nathan glanced over at Haley so that she could order. "Um, I guess, I'll have the prime rib."
"And for you, Sir?"
"Just Marconi and cheese," Nathan replied.
"Will that be all, Sir?"
"Yeah," Nathan replied. The waiter looked at him like he was crazy. He glanced over at Haley with a smile as she tried to hold in her laugher. Nathan shrugged his shoulders as he looked up at the waiter once again. "It's food of the gods."
"Of course, Sir."
He walked away as they both started laughing. Haley took in the sight before her. It had been so long since she felt this way. Everything about the restaurant was romantic all the way down to the candle lit dinner and their table over looking the water. The place was packed with full of people. She noticed a couple walking on the sidewalk holding hands and she smiled at them.
"I'm really happy that you agreed to come," Nathan stated as he drummed his fingers nervously on his legs. She nodded her head before glancing back out towards the water. It wasn't long before the waiter returned with their food. He placed their plates before them.
"Yummy," Haley muttered as she glanced at her plate. Nathan looked at her plate too while nodding his head.
"Yeah, yummy," Nathan agreed. "Brooke really wouldn't know it if we…shared? Would she?"
"I guess not," Haley said smiling. They split their food in half before sharing it with the other. They started eating in silence both enjoying both portions of the meal. She looked up at him smiling as she felt her heart flutter.
"What?" Nathan questioned while placing down his fork.
"What were Jamie's first words?" Haley asked softly. It was something that she had wanted to know about.
"Believe it or not, ball," Nathan said smiling.
"Really?" Haley asked with a smile. Why does that not surprise me?
"Yep," Nathan nodded his head. "We were leaving the gym one day and he just said it. I mean he had said a few things before but they never made sense…just baby talk. But then he said ball and he wouldn't stop. It was the funniest thing. My mother cried for hours and Jamie just kept repeating himself…ball."
"Ball, huh?" Haley laughed. "What was he like as a baby?"
"Quiet, really," Nathan answered. "He didn't cry much. He did like being held and only by certain people. It took him the longest time to get used to Lindsey. He slept a lot. I mean all the time. When he was two…boy did he dig in everything. I'm not even kidding. If he could reach it he was digging in it. We had to make sure that everything was off the ground and out of the cabinets that he could reach."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there," Haley replied softly.
"You were, Hales," Nathan rushed out when he heard how sad her voice sounded. He held his hand over his heart as he smiled at her. "You were always with me."
"I just wish I could have been there," Haley said with a halfhearted smile. He looked down at her words as they cut him. The pain ripping through his body like someone stabbing him repeatedly. He closed his eyes for a second before opening them again and looking at her.
"Are you ready for this next envelope?" Nathan tried to change the subject.
"Yes." He reached for it and opened it quickly.
"Reveal a secret that nobody knows about you. Tutor girl, I better know the secret you're about to reveal," Nathan laughed as he finished reading Brooke's words.
"Okay. I've never told anyone this before…not even you," Haley said softly. "Freshman year I cheated on a geometry test."
Nathan looked surprised. "Haley James cheated?"
"Yeah," Haley replied. "My dad was working a double shift at the hospital and Jake had gone on this FBLA trip and my mom was sick and I had to take care of her, so I didn't have time to study."
"You didn't get caught, though."
"No, but it wasn't the point. I mean…I knew what I had done, and it didn't sit right with me," Haley replied honestly.
"So that's why you started tutoring?" Nathan pointed out.
"Yeah, I guess I thought it would be like penance or something but it turned out I really liked it. I loved helping people and I loved when they learned something because of me. I'm happy that I started tutoring," Haley answered.
"So am I," Nathan said laughing. "It's the only reason I graduated."
"Whatever," Haley said rolling her eyes. "You're smarter than you think."
"I don't know about that," Nathan said shrugging his shoulders.
"So, what about you? What's your secret?" Haley questioned raising an eyebrow.
"You know just about all of them," Nathan replied before thinking really hard about it.
She looked at him knowingly. "There must be something." There had to be something that he had never told her. She watched as he looked deep in thought. She wondered what was going through his head. When he finally looked across the table at her, she noticed his eyes darkened. Her whole body tensed up.
"Okay, um, right after I told you that I was in love with you and I went to Coopers while you were in Australia with your dad and Jake, I was in a pretty dark place. I didn't know who I was anymore and I hated Lucas for making me tell you that. I had kept it in for so long and it never was a problem before but he wouldn't stop until I told you." He paused as he noticed the sorrow in her eyes.
"I remember," Haley said softly.
"I was in a pretty dark place, Hales," Nathan mumbled. "I was so lost without you and a part of me hated the fact that I needed you like I did…but I couldn't stop. I couldn't stop thinking about you and you wouldn't answer my calls. And it was the first time I've ever felt that vulnerable. Cooper took me out to the race track. He gave me a few lessons and then let me test one of the cars out."
He noticed that she reached over and took his hand in hers.
"We raced around the track once and of course he won. But I couldn't stop. I kept driving faster around the tack and he kept yelling at me to slow down and pull the car in. But I couldn't stop, Hales. I was just going faster and faster until I couldn't feel anything. Nothing…and it felt great. But I kept on picturing you in my mind…flashes of all the things we've been through. And I felt all that pain again. I was going so fast that I couldn't control the car anymore. It started spinning out of control and I just let go of the wheel and closed my eyes and it was just you."
"Nathan –"
"When I opened my eyes minutes later, the car was in the middle of the grass…smoke coming for the hood and Cooper was running towards me. I didn't wreck or anything but I could of…a part of me wanted to. I didn't tell Luke or my parents because they would have killed me…but that's my secret…something you didn't know."
"I'm sorry," Haley said softly as she squeezed his hand. It had been so long since she thought about what an idiot she had been then. "I'm so sorry."
"It wasn't your fault, Hales," Nathan quickly told her. "I was just in a dark place then."
"I know but –"
"No buts," Nathan cut her off. "Now, are you ready for the next place? I picked this one out on my own. It was the only thing Brooke would let me do." He laughed as he stood up and held out his hand for her. She took it and stood up as well as he placed the money on the table before they started walking. It wasn't long before they found themselves walking along the sidewalk of the docks. They didn't say anything once again as they walked hand in hand. Finally, they arrived to their spot. He walked them over to their table before they both took a seat on top of the table and turned to look at the water.
"I miss this place," Haley said softly.
"I know what you mean," Nathan agreed. "Sometimes when I had a break I would drive down here. I would sit at this table and think of you. I would wonder what you were doing…and I even wondered if you missed me as much as I missed you."
She quickly looked at him. "Of course, I did." He smiled at her before reaching in his pocket and pulling out the folded up paper and a pen. "What's that for?"
"As promised, we do have to plan Jamie's party," Nathan said with a chuckle. "I figured we'd come here and plan the whole thing out. I can get everything tomorrow. Now, where shall we start?"
"Well, Jamie and I had a talk today and I did get a little more information out of him than you," Haley said laughing.
"Oh, yeah," Nathan smirked. "What did he tell you?"
"Write this down," she pointed towards the paper.
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Silly string, ice cream, balloon hats, and a chocolate cake."
"Is that all?" Nathan questioned as he finished writing it all down.
"That's all he wanted…you haven't even written down my ideas yet," Haley said smiling sweetly at him. The next hour they spent planning Jamie's party. They came to an agreement on most things with Haley winning out on the others. It wasn't long before they finished and he saved the paper back in his pocket. It got really quiet as they both sat there thinking.
He pushed himself back a little before reaching for her hand and pulling her between his legs. Her body fit right between his as she rested her head back on his shoulder as they watched the water and from time to time they looked up at the stars. He closed his eyes taking in the moment. He inhaled her scent, closing his eyes as he did so. His arms were wrapped around her waist holding her tight into him.
"So how was the date?" Nathan asked with a smirk.
"I'm glad we talked more," Haley whispered. "It's just what we needed. Brookie knew what she was doing. I had a really good time…how about you?"
"I think…I think I fell in love with you all over again," Nathan answered honestly. He felt his heart hammering in his chest as her body relaxed more into him. It wasn't long before she felt the softest of kisses of her neck. Her eyes closed instantly as she bit her bottom lip to keep from moaning out his name. "I mean it, baby. We belong together…we always have. I've always loved you."
He continued kissing her neck softly.
"We fit together so perfectly," he told her as he pushed her body more into his. Her back was right against his chest as her head titled slightly giving him better access. He didn't stop placing kisses on her neck as his hand moved up to her face rubbing her cheek softly. "You're mine forever." He told her that once again.
Her heart was melting at all of his words as she felt every single part of her come alive.
"Yeah," Haley whimpered as the pleasure of being with him like this clouded her mind. She wasn't thinking about anything else but his hands and his lips. It wasn't long before his hand slowly pushed her face to the side and his lips finally left her neck. Her eyes opened and came right into contact with his blue ones. She could once again see every emotion that was swirling in his eyes as his thumb continued to rub her cheek.
"I think I'm going to kiss you," Nathan said huskily as he leaned in slowly.
She felt her heart ready to explode for the second time that day. It was beating a mile a minute as he leaned closer into her.
"Yeah…"
Her words died on her lips as he pressed his lips against hers gently. She felt as though she would pass out at any moment. It wasn't long before his lips were moving over hers with a little bit more force. She felt the warm tip of his tongue pushing into her mouth and she quickly opened it and let him in. His soft wet tongue caressed hers as her hand went to the back of his head pulling him more into her. They sat there for the longest time under the big blanket of shimmering stars as he continued to kiss her with all the love in his heart.
AN: Please let me know what you think and I'll try to update soon. Why aren't guys really like that, huh?