I apologize profusely for my lack of updates on this story and my others. Life has just been sooooooooooooo busy (and still is) but I finally managed to squeeze this out! I also ran into some writer's block (DUMB!) but I'm working through it. Hopefully you're all still into this story since it's been idle for so long but anyways, I hope you enjoyed! Leave some love, please :)

Chapter 33b

As Nathan walked towards the car door, Haley couldn't help but notice how nice he cleans up. Just mere hours before he was covered in paint and now he was standing right before her in a clean cut outfit and looking as sharp as ever. Once he opened the door and got into the car, a huge smile plastered across his face, Haley turned toward him to tell him about the envelope. However, before she could get a word out, his lips fused to hers.

Cupping his hands on both sides of Haley's face, Nathan pulled her slightly closer, just enough to progress himself from peppering kisses all over her face, to passionately kissing her lips. Once her mind caught up with the fact that Nathan is showering her with kisses and she has no idea why, Haley pulled away, completely out of breath, and searched Nathan's eyes.

"Wow," she lets out breathlessly, causing a nod from Nathan. "What… what was that for?"

"Because I love you… and a trust you," Nathan smiled, taking one of his hands and placing it over Haley on the steering wheel, gently rubbing her knuckles.

"You read another letter," she said smirking, a blush coming across her face.

"Yep," Nathan said laughing, adoring Haley's signature 'lip-tuck,' as she gently nibbled on her bottom lip. "And I have to say, no one has ever said such wonderful things about me."

"Nathan…" Haley blushed. "I'm sure they have."

"No, nothing like that. And reading those things, picturing you saying them. It… it means a lot. Hence my yearning need to kiss you," Nathan smirked. "And did I mention it was sexy?"

"Oh stop it," Haley stated swatting at him. "You're making me blush."

"I'm being serious."

"Fine, fine," Haley giggled. "But before we end up just making out in my car all night, I'd suggest you touch under your butt."

"Who knew you were so kinky? Besides, I'd much rather you touch my butt," Nathan stated, enjoying the fact he could make her blush so easily.

"Oh hush," Haley squealed. "You just so happened to assault me when you got in the car so I wasn't able to tell you that you are sitting on an envelope which holds the first part of our date."

"Oh," Nathan stated, feeling the seat below him before pulling out the envelope, the number one written perfectly on the front. "You can still touch my butt if you really want to though."

"Yeah I'm going to pass on that. I will however open that envelope up for you!" Haley giggled before trying to snatch it away.

"No way," Nathan growled. "It was on my seat for a reason. I'm going to open it!"

"Well hurry up! You know how antsy I get."

"This is true. You're like a jackrabbit on crack. Now here we go, the card says 'Go to 67 Harper St. Tell them you have a reservation for Naley.' Naley?" Nathan questioned.

"Nathan plus Haley equals Naley. I've heard Brooke say it a couple times in passing. Seems we're a hotly watched couple. We're like Brangelina!" Haley stated excitedly causing Nathan to laugh. "But I guess we should get going."

With that, Haley threw the car in reverse before driving down the street towards their destination. After about 15 minutes, they found themselves in front of a newly built restaurant adorned with white lights and ivy up one of the sides. Once they pulled into the spot, Nathan got out and walked over to Haley side, opening the door for her.

"My what a gentlemen I've found," Haley cooed.

"Only the best," Nathan smiled before grabbing her hand and leading her towards the restaurant. Once they got in, the hostess approached them.

"I'm so sorry but we are full for the night," she state sympathetically, motioning towards the filled tables and clustered lobby.

"We um, have a reservation," Haley chirped in.

"For Naley," Nathan continued.

"Oh! We've been expecting you. I'm very sorry! Right this way," the woman apologized before taking them out back onto the patio over looking the bay that was lit by white Christmas lights, a man in the corner softly playing the piano.

"Here you are," the woman stated, pulling out the chair for Haley at the sole table on the patio, a candle flickering in the middle of the table. "A waiter will be with you shortly."

As she walked away, Haley looked around her, taking it all in. "Wow, this is really beautiful. Brooke's done good."

"Let's hope your still saying that by the end of the date," Nathan smiled holding an envelope up in his hand and pointing to one that was also found on Haley's side. Glancing down at the curious white object, Haley picked it up and opened it as Nathan did the same.

She began reading it to herself, a blush creeping across her face, as Nathan began to read his aloud.

"Ask Nathan to dance…" Haley read before flipping his card over to read the other side.

"And what does the other side say?" Nathan asked curiously.

"You'll just have to wait and see," she said smirking. "Now what does yours say?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," he replied, sticking his tongue out for effect.

"Oh very mature," Haley laughed as a waiter approached, clearing his throat to make his presence known.

"I've brought a bottle of wine for you two; it's on the Davis' tab, but maybe you would be more interested in say some fruit punch?"

Nathan couldn't help but stifle a laugh, as Haley blushed knowingly that their latest antics are what caused the proposition. "No, I think we'll be alright," he laughed as the waiter nodded and walked off.

"Thanks for that Nathan," Haley stated sarcastically.

"Oh come on, it's okay to stick out your tongue every now and again."

"I know, you're right. Besides, fruit punch is pretty good."

"But wine is better."

"And why is that Mr. Scott? Because it can make me drunk, hm?"

"Oh well that too… but it also the liquid of love."

"Wow, you are so corny!"

"You love it!"

"That I do," she giggled, taking a sip from her now-filled glass. The appetizers came and went, as did the main course, but now it was Haley's turn to fulfill her card.

"So um, I guess it's time to do the first card… will you dance with me Mr. Scott?" she questioned, holding out her hand for him to take.

"Certainly," he replied, grabbing her hand before leading them both out to the dance floor. Haley's arms found their way to the back of Nathan's neck as his hands gently rested on her lower back. She laid her head against his chest as they gently rocked to the beat.

"You know I have a confession Nathan," Haley whispered, lifting her head up to look at him. "I really thought I'd meet some resistance when I asked you to dance."

"Is that so?"

"Yes sir. You aren't really the dancing type."

"Well then I have a confession."

"And what's that?"

"Whitey made us take ballroom dancing classes freshman year so we'd be graceful on our feet for basketball. Turns out I am quite the dancer."

"Is that so?" Haley said, mimicking his before statement.

"Yes ma'am."

"So then why have we just been dancing like this? Show me some moves buddy! Whoo me with a twirl or something."

"I'm sorry to disappoint Ms. James but I've heard that you have um, two left feet and well, you see, I still want to play basketball…"

"Oh just shut up and whoo me," she giggled as Nathan dipped her downward; but instead of bringing her back up, he picked her up into his arms and began gliding across the patio, inserting a twirl here of there.

Haley just lay in his arms, giggling quietly, letting the breeze hit her hair and face as it dangled off the edge of his strong arms. This carefree-ness, this giddiness that Nathan brought out in her was something she never wanted to lose. And it was in this moment, cradled in Nathan's arms, butterflies mounting in her stomach as he frolicked around the patio like no one could see him that Haley knew she was truly in love. It wasn't the sometimes love, or the right now love, it was the always and forever kind of love. She could love Nathan forever and it was something that in this moment, Haley knew that was exactly what she was going to do.

After several more minutes and one Nathan Scott getting a bit dizzy, he guided them back over to the table and perched Haley into his lap. Waiting for them was tray of chocolate-covered strawberries, compliments of Nathan's card, which each of them picked up before shoving into the others mouth. Juice and chocolate was going everywhere, causing them both to laugh. Not able to control himself, she just looked so damn cute, Nathan leaned forward and licked a straying drop of juice off Haley's chin. But instead of leaving, he leaned in for a kiss… and then another… and then well, the strawberries were forgotten as they got lost in themselves.

They finally broke apart when they heard a distinct cough from behind them. The waiter from before.

"Sorry to break up this um, love fest, but I believe there is something waiting outside for you two."

Haley face was bright red as she blushed over the fact she had just been caught ferociously locking lips with her boyfriend, while Nathan just laughed. Haley blushing would never get old or not cute.

"I guess the second part of my card is next," Nathan stated, grabbing Haley's hand before walking them both out to the front where a horse drawn carriage was waiting for them.

"Oh my gosh, this is beautiful," Haley stated in awe before squealing as Nathan picked her up from behind and lifted her into the carriage.

"You know what else is beautiful?" He smirked.

"What?"

"You," he stated matter-of-factly before hugging even closer to him. Haley leaned up and planted a kiss right behind Nathan's ear, causing him to shiver as she knew he would, before leaning forward and whispering an address into the carriage driver's ear.

"Hales, you should really stop hitting on other guys around me," Nathan joked.

"Oh you hush, I was fulfilling my part of the card and telling him the address of our next stop," she stated before snuggling back into him.

About twenty minutes and a hundred kisses later, the couple arrived to their final destination.

"She has got to be kidding me," Haley gasped looking at the store in front of them, a neon sign in the window blinking its name.

"Leave it to Brooke to go from classy to trashy," Nathan laughed as he pushed open the door, a little bell ringing.

"I'm sorry kids but we're about to close for the night," a larger man with a burley beard stated.

"We're here because Brooke Davis –" Haley began before being cut off.

"Say no more, Tony's Tattoos is open for a couple of cats like you!" He chirped up before coming towards them. "You sir, are going to come with me and you little lady are going to stay in here with Greta."

"Just remember Hales, you don't have to get this if you don't want to."

"I know Nate. I love you, have fun in there with um, Tony," she giggled before sitting in a chair before Greta.

And with that the two sat in their prospective rooms as both Tony and Greta asked, "What do you want?"

An Hour Later

Leaning against the outside of the building, Nathan waited until Haley finally emerged from the glass door, a little limp to her step.

"You okay?" He asked concerned.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."

"Well, I guess we should go do the last cards."

"I guess so, but um, Nathan… How are we going to get there?" In response, he pointed across the street to where Haley's car was parked.

"Brooke Davis works in mysterious ways," Nathan joked before leading Haley across the street. "I can drive Hales, you just rest."

After driving for a short while, they finally ended up at the Rivercourt. Walking around to the passenger side of the car, Nathan opened the door for Haley before moving them both over to a picnic table at the edge of the court.

"The card said think of your favorite place and share it with Haley. Well Hales, this is my favorite place. It's calming, soothing, comforting, and definitely nowhere my dad would find himself. It could be your comfort zone too, you know if you want."

"I don't need a comfort zone, I've got my comfort blanket… you," she giggled before nuzzling her face into his neck.

"Always," Nathan stated, as Haley couldn't help but think forever afterward.

"Hey um, I guess it's time for my last card," Haley breathed. "It said share your favorite moment and well, mine was tonight."

"Oh really?"

"That it was. Earlier when we were dancing, or rather, you were and I was along for the ride, I realized how in love with you I was. You didn't care that if Lucas or anyone you knew had ever seen you twirling me around as you pranced around like a ballerina-"

"Ballroom dancer," Nathan stated, making his voice as low as it could go.

"-ballerina," Haley giggled, "that you would meet an immense amount of ridicule. All you cared about was me. That carefree-ness and happiness you brought me was well, something I always wanted to feel. So in that moment I knew and realized our love wasn't just a maybe forever kind of thing, our love is always and forever. I could and will love you forever."

Nathan smiled as he saw a lone tear wiggle its way down Haley's face. "C'mere."

She turned her face towards him before laying her head down against his chest as he soothingly rubbed his hand against her back and placed a kiss on the top of her head. "I love you too babe. Always and forever."

"Can I show you what I got earlier?" Haley questioned before leaning back on the table a little bit more. "And don't drool either," she joked, "but I'm going to have to lift my dress up a bit to show you."

With that she lifted up one side of her dress to reveal a silky smooth thigh, which at the very top just near the edge of he panties, has a small book-like figure with the initials NS in it.

"Holy shit," Nathan stated in awe as he saw the sexiest thing he'd ever experienced. Not only was this unexplored territory on Haley but his initials were right there on her body.

"It's a journal Nathan. That's what brought us together. If I hadn't lost it and you of all people hadn't of found it, we wouldn't be right here. I wanted to remember that for the rest of my life so I go it with your initials in a spot where not everyone can see. It's just for you," she blushed, finally looking up at him seeing a passion in his eyes just before his lips came tumbling towards hers.

Placing one hand on either side of the picnic table, Nathan leaned down on her body, kissing her mouth until it was chapped before guiding his soft lips to leave a peppering of kissing on her neck.

Believing that to be a sufficient enough "Thank You," Nathan looked up at Haley before standing up in front of her. "Let me show you mine," he whispered before turning his head a bit. It took her a moment, but then she saw it, a small H and J directly behind Nathan's ear. It was small enough that not everyone could see it unless you're flat out staring at his ear but enough for Haley to see and in a spot that had countless times been claimed as her own. That was her favorite place to kiss him because every time she could feel shivers run through his body.

"Oh my god," Haley said standing up on the bench seat of the table before leaning forward and kissing around the still-sensitive HJ behind his ear. "I couldn't think of anything more perfect."

"The initials are only half as good as the real thing," Nathan laughed before laying a passionate kiss on his totally gorgeous, totally in-love girlfriend.

After a couple minutes, they both sat back down on the table and Nathan pulled a card out of his pocket. "There was something written on the back of my card that said we should get marshmallows then go have a bonfire on the beach but there's actually something else I'd rather do.

"And what's that?"

"Do you love me?"

"You know I do."

"Then trust me," he said putting out his hand to her.

"That I can do," Haley replied, a huge smile on her face, before grabbing Nathan's hand and going off to whatever he had cooked up.

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The next morning, Lucas made his way up the steps to Nathan's apartment, knocking once before entering and being met by an abnormal sight. In the kitchen, Haley was dressed in one of Nathan's baggy sweatshirts making what looked like it was supposed to be pancakes.

"Well, well, Haley James. What are you doing here?" Lucas questioned before taking a seat on a stool near the countertop in front of Haley.

"Actually, Luke, it's um… Haley James Scott," she giggled, as Nathan walked in from the bedroom clad in only boxers, making his way into the kitchen before walking behind Haley and wrapping his arms around her torso.