Chapter 25: Take All of Me
Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or any of it charaters.
Haley was asleep in the passanger seat of the car as Nathan pulled up to their apartment building. He looked over at her and swore that she had come straight from heaven. He hated to wake her but they were home and he knew she needed to get to bed.
"Hey Angel. Wake up sweetheart." He lightly stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers.
"Mmmm. Hey handsome." She said opening her eyes and looking at him. Had it really only been 24 hours sense he asked her to marry him? "Fiance." She winked at him.
"I think I could get use to that. But you know what I'd like even more?" He gave her a mischievious smirk.
"What's that?"
"Husband."
"Mmmm." She moaned a little and leaned over to kiss him. It hurt to move that way, but she ignored it. "I love you. You know that?"
"I had my suspitions." He gave her one more quick kiss. "Ok Mrs. Scott, We should get you up to bed." He got out and went around to her side of the car. He helped her out before swinging her up into his arms. He carried her all the way to his loft. After he put her to bed she fell asleep almost right away. He gave her a soft kiss on top of her head. After he shut her door as to not disturb her he busied himself with getting his place cleaned up. He was throwing out the newspaper when something caught his eyes. It was an add for a jewelry store. He was so caught up with Haley that he forgot that even though he asked her to marry him, she didnt have a ring. He looked at his watch and figured that Haley would probably be sleeping for a while. He grabbed his phone and started to dial Lucas, but than he got an idea. He dialed a new number and pressed the phone to his ear.
Ring. Ring.
"Hello?" A groggy female voice answered.
"'Peyton? Hey it's Nathan."
"Nathan? What's wrong? Is Haley ok?"
"Yeah, shes fine. Actually I was wondering if you wouldnt mind coming over and sitting with her. I have something I need to do."
"Yeah of corse. But why not Lucas?" She was surprised that he called her for something like this. She and Haley still havent talked. She looked over to see Jake asleep on her floor. He had come by last night worried about Haley. He had had a few to many drinks and she made him stay there.
"I just think that this is whats best. So will you come over?" He was still upset with her but he knew he couldnt push it.
"Yeah! Give me like 10 minutes to get ready and I'll be right over." She jumped out of bed and rushed over to her dresser.
"Sure. That's fine. I'll see ya." He hung up and went to check on Haley. He went back out to the add he had see earlier and wrote down the address. Than another idea came to his head. His day just got a lot busier. There was a knock at his door and he went to answer it.
"Hey!" Peyton said as she walked in.
"Hi. She's sleeping right now. But if she wakes up she needs someone here to help her stand up." He walked over and grabbed a small bottle. "When she wakes up, make sure she takes one of these. It's and antibiotic. It will help fight off any infections. Also she'll need her pain meds."
"Ok. I can do that. I'm still confused aswhy you think that I was the best person for this." She took the bottle from him.
"I think that you two need to talk. She needs you Peyton. She has me and that makes her happy. But I can still see the sadness in her eyes from not having you and Jake in her life." Peyton looked at him and realized how selfish she had been this whole time. How much of an idiot she was. "Speaking of Jake. Do you know where I can find him? I need to talk to him."
"Oh...um. Yeah he showed up at my house last night drunk. He passed out on my floor. You can just walk right in. What are you up to?" She eyes him with her arms crossed over her chest.
"I'm just trying to give Haley the life she wants. She cant fix things right now. I am just helping her do what she cant. That's why I called you. When she wakes up. You two will have no choice but to talk." Nathan grabbed his coat and headed out. It was now October and New York was starting to get cold.
"Hey Nate. I just want to thank you for taking care of her. You did what I should have and...thank you."
"I wouldnt change a thing Peyton. I love her." And with that he walked out. Peyton looked around. At least Haley was safe here. She was getting what she needed. Nathan wasnt the bad guy Peyton origanly thought he was. She guessed she only thought that because he was the other man. But now that she had time to think about it, Jake and Haley were over before Nathan came along. They just didnt know it themselves. The thought of Jake brough a knot to her stomach. Not just because of her feelings for him. But because his words rang in her ears. He didnt want to hurt Haley. He said he still loved her last night. Peyton didnt know what she was suppose to do in this kind of situation. She was pulled from her thoughts when she heard a door open.
"Peyton? What are you doing here?" Haley was confused. She wanted to run to Peyton and hug her. But Peyton haddent called to check on her or even say hi and that made Haley's eyes prickle with unshed tears.
"Hey Haley-bop." Peyton was nervous. She had to tell Haley the truth as to why she didnt call. Both reasons actually."Haley...I am so sorry. I shouldnt have-"
"Where's Nathan?" Haley needed him. She felt like she was about to crumble into tears and right now Peyton was not the one who she wanted to see her that way.
"I understand you don't want me here. Nathan left. He thought we should talk." Haley couldnt catch her breath. Seeing Peyton made all the pain of what she did flood back. Tears trickled from her eyes. She wiped them away as fast as she could.
"Haley, I'm so sorry." Peyton rushed over and pulled Haley into a hug. That did it. Haley clung to her and broke down."Haley, I was an idiot and I couldnt see straight."
"Peyton...why havent you called? I needed you. Where were you huh?" Haley felt angry now. This was her best friend and with what happened to her Peyton should have been there. "Lucas was there. He comes by everyday to see how I am doing. Nathan hardly leaves my side. Hell even Brooke at least call everyday."
"Haley I have something to tell you. I need you to hear me out. Please?" Haley looked at her for a moment before walking over to the table and sitting down. "Ok...when you were hurt...I was there. I was there Hales. But than Jake freaked out and I took him outside. But it seemed that he didnt want me there and he was your boyfriend so I left. I told Lucas to call me with any news. I know that I was being stupid. I should have stayed. I was worried about. But I was scared." She paused to swallow the lump forming in her throat. She looked at Haley and couldnt tell if she was mad or upset. "I was scared Hales, because I did something I shouldnt do. It goes against the best friend code. I-" She swallowed again. "I fell in love with Jake...Haley."
"Y-you fell in love with my boyfriend?" Haley could feel the hurt and anger build up.
"Ex-boyfriend."
"Yeah! But he wasnt at the time Peyton. He was my boyfriend. You wanted MY boyfriend. You were my best friend." Peyton noticed her use the word were not are.
"Haley I'm sorry. But you didnt want him. He deserves to be with someone who loves him." SMACK.
"You lied to me. You left me alone when I needed you most. And for the iceing on the cake, you made a move on my boyfriend. I know what I did was wrong. But I will live with that. I know it wasnt right. I'm happy for Jake if he feels the same way. But you..."
"Haley I didnt make a move on him. I swear." Peyton was holding her face and tears were forming in her eyes. "I wouldnt hurt you like that."
"Well it hurts just the same. I might have been able to forgive you for Jake. In time. But I cant forgive you for turning your back on me and making me think that EVERYthing was my fault."
"I was just doing what Brooke told me to do."
"WHAT?"
"Brooke asked me to pretend to still be mad at you so that you would go stay with Nathan. She wanted you two to grow closer. I agreed with her." Peyton thought that Haley would understand this at least.
"Get out!" Haley was speaking calmly now. She felt numb.
"I can't. You can't be alone."
"I don't care. I'll call Lucas to come over. Get out!" Haley turned away from her.
"I can't do that." Haley walked over to the door and looked back at Peyton.
"Peyton, please leave before I say something I'll regret." She looked out the door than back at her. Peyton looked down than sighed in defeat. She walked over to the door.
"Just...please call Lucas. I don't want you to be alone." And she walked out. Haley stood there for a moment staring into space before slowly shuting the door. She numbly walked over to the couch and sat. It took her a minute to digest what just happened. But when it sank in she started to shake. It started as just a tremble but worked into tremmers. She heard a strange noise and was confused before she realized it was her own sobs. She wasnt crying because she still had feelings for Jake. She felt betrayed and discarded. She didnt bother calling Lucas. She just laid down and let the pain wash over her.
Nathan walked into the apartment and looked around. The place was a mess. It looked like no one had been her in a while. He headed over to one of the two rooms he saw and found Jake sitting against the bed. At least he was awake.
"Uh...hey." Jake looked up at Nathan in shock.
"Can I help you?" He didnt mean to sound bitter. But this was the man who turned his world upside down.
"I just came by to talk to you." Jake shook his head and laughed. "Look man, I know I am the last person you want to see. But I'm not here for me. I'm here for Haley." Jake sighed than nodded his head. He got up and walked past Nathan to the living area. Nathan followed him and they both took a seat.
"You wanted to talk so talk."
"Ok...here's the thing. Haley feels misserible. I know she hurt you and that you probably want nothing to do with her. But I can see how much it kills her that she hurt you."
"I dont blame her. Haley would never hurt anyone intentionaly. You cant help who you care for."
"well do you think you can tell her that?"
"I did. She knows I dont blame her. But I guess...(sigh)...I do have something to say to her. I am just as guilty as she is."
"Look man...Haley cares about you. I know she does. And I didnt mean to inflict pain either. I know this is hard to hear. But I was in love with her the second I saw her. I couldnt help it anymore than you could help what you felt for Peyton. But if it makes you feel any better...I promise that I will spend everyday of the rest of my life taking care of her." Nathan wanted to help this guy. He never felt any ill feelings toward him. He actually felt terrible for the guy.
"You know it's strange...but that does make me feel better. I'm glad that she is happy and that she wont be alone. I'm afraid once she knows what happened with Peyton and I she will need you more than anything." Jake couldnt help the sting that formed in his eyes.
"I'll be there." They fell into an awkward silence. Nathan looked at his watch and knew he had to be going. "I need to go. Are you going to be ok?"
"Yeah! Give her a hug for me will ya?"
"Sure. I'll do that." Nathan held out his hand. Jake took it and the two came to an unspoken understanding. Nathan walked out feeling slightly as he was leaving the building he bumped into Peyton who was crying. "Peyton? What happened?"
"I told her the truth. I...she didnt take it well."
"Is she ok?" He was growing more concerned by the minute.
"I dont think so. You better go home Nathan. I told her to call Lucas over. But I dont think she will." He didnt need any her to say anything more. He took off running. When he got to his building he ran all the way to his apartment. Bursting through the door he could see her on the couch in tears. She looked up at him and his heart broke. He saw a whole new pain there. She got up and they both rushed to each other. She crashed into his arms.
"Shhhh. Baby it's ok. It's ok." She clung to him. "I'm here baby. I'm right here."
"I love you. I love you so much." That was not what he was expecting to hear.
"I love you too. What's going on Haley?"
"I just need you. I feel so lost right now and you are the only thing that I can hold on to." He kissed the top of her head and hugged her even tighter.
"I'll always be here Hales. Always and forever. Are you ok?" He pulled her away to look at her.
"I'm ok. I was in shock. Peyton told me she Jake are kind of together. It took me by surprise and I felt betrayed by my best friend. But I think I'm ok now. The second I saw you it all just faded away." She caressed his face in her hand.
"Haley..." He took both her hands in his and looked at her. "Last night I asked you to marry me. I mean that with all of my heart. I want you to be my wife. But if you need more time-"
"No!" She said before leaning in to kiss him. "I want to marry you Nathan."
"Than I have somthing for you. But first I have something to tell you." He looked at her and waited for her to nod. "I went to see Jake today."
"Why would you do that?" She looked confused now.
"Because I knew you wouldnt. Just like I knew you wouldnt call Peyton so I did. I can see the sadness in your eyes when ever either of them are mentioned. I couldnt stand it. I dont want only part of your happiness. I want all of it. So I did what I knew you couldnt." He brought one of her hands to his lips and places a kiss on her knuckles.
"Nathan...I dont know what to say." She never felt more love for someone in her whole lifetime than she did for this man right now.
"Before I went to see Jake...I made a little pit stop." His face suddenly changed. He looked excited. He took something out of his pocket and knelt down in front of her. She gasped. "I know I asked you this last night. But I wanted to do this the right way." He opened a small velver box to show a beautiful diamond ring. "I know this is quick and we havent known each other long. I know we still have a lot to learn about one another. But when I look at you I can see a future far better for me than one without you in it. When you touch me, my heart races but I feel a stillness. You make me believe that this world isnt as bad as it once seemed. I love you. I'm in love with you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. So I'm asking you once again...Will you marry me?" Haley felt a tear slide down her face.
"Oh Nathan." She closed her eyes and chuckled. She opened them again. "Yes. I will marry you. I dont want anything more." He slid the ring onto her finger, before standing up and crashing their lips together. "You know you are incerdibly sexy when you talk like that." She said against his lips. She ran her hands up and down his chest.
"You are incrediibly sexy all the time." Their kisses started to heat up.
"Take me to the bedroom Nathan." He looked at her.
"Are you sure?"
"Nathan, I love you. Stop questioning me and take me to the bedroom." She started to remove his shirt. Nathan wasted no time picking her up and rushing to their bed. That night Nathan got to feel what it was like to make love. And that's exactly what it was. It wasnt just sex. They made love. They felt love in every touch in every motion. And as Haley lie asleep in his arms. He could feel the love with every breath he took.