Epilogue – Chapter 50: Always and Forever
The next day, Jake and Peyton went to the courthouse and got the necessary papers for Peyton to adopt Jenny. Although, the full adoption would take some time, they wanted to start it as immediately as possible.
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Everyone had decided to meet up at the River Court afterwards. A reunion of sorts. Haley had brought food from the café, Jake brought his guitar for entertainment purposes, and Lucas had brought the basketballs for the guys to play with.
"Hey P. Sawyer," Broke called out as Jake and Peyton approached.
Haley and Brooke, and their respective boyfriends had shown up first. The girls had set up the food while the boys played a little one on one.
"Hey, who else is coming?"
"Mouth, Skills and Bevin," Haley said rattling the names off.
"Sounds fun," Jake said spreading down an old blanket on the concrete and settling down. He began to pluck a few of the guitar cords and let it develop into a strum.
"Hey man," Lucas said walking over and giving Brooke a small peck.
Jake nodded and smiled in response.
"Where are they?' Nathan grumbled, "I'm starving."
"As usual," Haley quipped with a smile on her face.
"Oh shut up man, we're here," Skills said walking forward holding Bevin's hand. Mouth lingered behind them seemingly waiting for someone.
"Mouth party's over here," Peyton yelled and she and Brooke burst into fits of giggles.
"Yeah, I'll be right over," he said distractedly.
"What's up with him?" Brooke asked.
"He's been like that all night," Skills said waving it off.
"Anyways," Haley doling out rations of food, "I brought fried chicken and fries."
"Sounds very fry-licious," Nathan teased.
Haley grimaced. "Not only was that a bad pun, but didn't you say you were hungry. Would you like to stay that way?"
"Oh no Hales, you know I love whatever you brought. As long as it comes from you."
"Aww," the girls cooed, while the boys rolled their eyes.
"Mouth, are you eating or not?" Haley asked the boy who was still standing in the distance.
"Yeah, one sec," he called whipping out his phone.
"So P. Sawyer, you're beaming. What are the recent developments," Brooke smiled knowingly.
Peyton's cheeks turned a shade of strawberry pink, but she smiled. "We got the papers for the adoption. It'll probably take a few months, but that's ok."
"That's great Peyton," Lucas said sincerely.
"Thanks," she smiled.
"You'll be a great Mom, Peyton," Haley smiled.
"She already is," Jake said putting his arm around her and bringing her closer.
"Aw, Skills I want kids," Bevin said dreamily.
Skills face took on a look of panic. "Maybe in a few years babe."
"Ok!" she cried happily and everyone burst out laughing.
"I can't believe junior year is almost over," Brooke said interrupting the laughter.
"I know. It feels like yesterday that we started school."
"Thank God, it's not," Nathan joked.
"Yes, yes we all know your sob story," Haley said smiling up at him.
"Well at least we all got past that. I had to date him for awhile," Brooke said making a face.
"Thanks Brooke," he teased.
"Yeah and now I have to date you," Lucas said smiling.
"Ahh," Brooke gaped her mouth open in shock, "That was mean Lucas," she whined.
"Sorry," he said mocking her signature pout.
"Luckily Peyton and I don't have that drama," Jake said.
"Aren't you forgetting about last night?" Peyton smiled.
"Oh boy, someone's in trouble," Nathan said while exchanging an amused look with Lucas.
Before Jake could respond, Mouth walked back over to the group and he wasn't alone. Rachel was there. Haley opened her mouth to say something but thought better of it and closed it, clutching Nathan's hand. Peyton and Jake glanced at each other a little worried. Brooke however appeared completely serene.
"Are you together now?" she enquired trying to contain her excitement.
Rachel blushed which was not a gesture you'd expect from the feisty redhead. "Well maybe," she admitted.
"We're trying it out," Mouth explained.
"Nice job Mouth!" Skills cried giving him a high five.
"Haley, I'm sorry about before. I was kind of using bitch as a defense mechanism," Rachel explained.
"I understand," Haley said quietly. Maybe she couldn't forgive and forget everything just yet, but she could take steps to try.
"So who's up for a little B-ball?" Lucas asked jumping to his feet.
"Didn't you just play?" Brooke whined.
"It's a way of life," Nathan explained laughing.
"I'm game," Jake said putting the guitar down, and giving Peyton's shoulder one last squeeze. Skills jumped up too.
The boys chose teams. Lucas and Skills versus Nathan and Jake. The girls so they wouldn't be bored decided to cheer. So the girls chose sides to go with their prospective boyfriends. Brooke and Bevin against Haley and Peyton. Mouth began to announce the game with help from Rachel who kept making outrageous comments.
"You're going down bitches," Brooke called gaily.
"In your dreams slut," Haley called back as she and Peyton laughed.
"Looks like our cheerleaders are going to have a little catfight," Lucas said to other guys, laughing.
"I'm so there," Nathan smirked.
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The game had basically ended as a tie, since every time Lucas and Skills made a shot Nathan and Jake would get one next. And vice versa.
"Alright I think we're going to head out," Mouth said motioning to himself and Rachel.
"Bye Mouth," everyone cried bombarding him with hugs, and high fives. Rachel too.
They walked away together into the sunset. Bevin and Skills soon followed, and only the 6 remained.
"This was so fun," Brooke said leaning against Lucas. They were all sprawled out on the blankets Jake had brought.
"Yeah and the food was amazing," Nathan teased sarcastically.
"Shut up," Haley said trying to look angry but she couldn't help but break into giggles.
"I for one thought it was," Lucas said holding up his hand.
"Thank you, a loyal friend for once," Haley said glaring at Nathan.
"Would you guys shut up about the food for like 2 seconds!" Brooke exclaimed.
Everyone began laughing and didn't stop for several minutes. As the laughter died down, the conversation ceased too. And they all got quiet. But a comfortable one.
"I'm really glad I came back," Nathan murmured breaking the silence as the river lapped softly.
Haley smiled and kissed him softly.
"I am too," Lucas said, "I am too."
xxxx
The night was growing darker. They knew they should probably leave, but the desire to linger stopped them. They were all tired, but they just kept lying there on their backs staring up at the stars.
Abruptly Jake picked up his guitar and began to pick out the notes hesitantly. The music brought new energy to the group. Brooke and Lucas stood up to dance, quickly followed by Haley and a reluctant Nathan. After all he hated dancing. Peyton sat up on the blanket and gazed at Jake. She smiled and watched him play.
Jake's voice broke through the silence as he began to sing slowly and carefully. Haley, the other singer in the group hummed softly to the melody.
All he wants is to be happy
All he wants is a friend
'Cause he's tired of being so lonely all the time
And he thinks that it's the end
Letting go and giving in
One of those games you gotta play
I know love is always a sin
Yea, It's always the same
Haley let her head rest on Nathan's shoulder as she swayed to the music. A few feet away from them, Brooke and Lucas did the same. Jake held the last note for a few seconds, and just as suddenly as the music began it ended.
Everyone made their way back to the blanket, the fatigue returning. They curled up all next t each other, although with space between couples. And they stared at the stars for a few minutes. Completely forgetting they had school the next day, the let their eyes drift over to another world. And soon they were fast asleep.
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Around 2 o'clock, Nathan woke up. Like Lucas had said, what he needed to do just came to him. He instinctively wrapped his arms around Haley, who purred contently in her sleep. But Nathan held tighter causing her to wake up.
"Hey baby what's wrong?" she asked sleepily.
"I love you," he whispered into the cold dark night air.
"I love you too," she said. Her smile illuminated by the moonlight.
"I could love you forever," he declared.
"Always and forever," she promised kissing him softly.
"Really I could."
"What do you mean?" she asked hesitantly sensing there was more to that statement.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is Haley, will you marry me?"
Haley gasped and stared at him. She had never looked more shocked. "Are, are you serious?" she said in a small voice.
He nodded. "Like I said Hales. I could love you forever. So why can't forever start now."
Haley continued staring at him for a second, before her face broke into a huge smile. "I love you so much Nathan Scott," she said kissing him passionately. He reciprocated eagerly. She opened her mouth a little and gave his tongue entrance as the continued to kiss deeply with all their hearts. Nathan broke off when he couldn't breathe anymore. He kissed the top of her head.
"I know it'll be hard Haley. But I love you. And I can promise you that I'll never stop." He paused for a moment remembering the lyrics from the song Jake had sung earlier. "My love for you will always stay the same," he promised, "Always."
