A/N: Hello all! For once, a quick update! I am so excited for the road this story is about to go down, and I hope you all will stick with me through it! I promise I have a plan; from the beginning, I knew what I wanted this story to be, so trust me when I say, I think you will enjoy it if you decide to stick with me! Thank you for all the love and support! I hope you enjoy chapter 16!
Chapter 16
"Alright, babe. Who's next?" Haley asked, crossing another company off the list in front of them.
It was nearing May, and Nathan was still unemployed. Every company he applied for in North Carolina rejected him. Nathan was starting to lose hope.
Haley was doing her best to keep him hopefully, but she could see it fade each time he got a phone call saying it was not going to work out. It broke her heart to see him struggling so much, but she was not going to give up on him. She knew the type of person he was; she just had to convince others to see it too.
"It's no use, Hales. No one wants me."
"Don't say that," Haley tried, placing her hand on his leg.
"Why not? It's the truth!" Nathan stated angrily.
"No, it's not. You just have to keep trying," Haley tried to encourage him, but he was so frustrated, nothing she said even registered in his mind.
"I'm done trying, Hales!" Nathan yelled a little louder than he anticipated, "I ruined everything years ago, and I just have to deal with it! Damnit! Why do I have to be so damn stubborn?!"
"You can't help your faults, Nathan. All you can do is try to control them and hope you do better next time."
"Yeah, well, it doesn't look like there is going to be a next time for me."
Knowing it was no use to go on, Haley changed the subject. He clearly wanted some time to think and be alone.
"I'll just start cleaning up," Haley whispered as she stood up from her spot on the couch, grabbing the dirty plates from the coffee table.
Nathan closed his eyes in disappointment when he heard the sadness in her voice. She was just trying to help. He was so frustrated and consumed in his own self-pity that he couldn't see the good things he had. She did not deserve to be spoken to that way. She didn't deserve any of this, and yet, she welcomed it with open arms—something not many people can do. She was an angel, and she was his. That was all he needed to know.
"Hales," Nathan spoke softly, standing up after her, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to raise my voice; I'm just frustrated."
Haley sighed, placing the plates in the dishwasher and walked over to him, saying, "I know you are, and you have every right to be. I should have been more sensitive to your feelings."
Nathan shook his head; he didn't deserve someone so understanding, "You're just trying to help. You didn't deserve that. You've been amazing through this whole process, so thank you."
"You're welcome."
Wanting to make up for the rocky waters, Nathan suggested, "Enough work for tonight. Let's watch a movie."
Haley's eyes lit up at his voice.
"With cookie dough?"
"It's not a movie date without it."
Haley squealed, grabbing the tub from the fridge and running to the couch.
"What do you want to watch?" Haley asked, grabbing the remote.
"You pick," He said, sitting down next to her.
"Ha, you know, my favorite."
"I know," Nathan smirked as she leaned closer to him and watched the opening credits for The Notebook come on the screen. Everything he was worried about faded away at that moment. All he cared about was that Haley was with him, and that was the most crucial thing in the world.
**The next day
"You're sure this is the one?" Nathan asked, looking over at Brooke.
"Yes, I promise. You have no idea how hard it was to hint around this without saying anything."
Nathan handed the ring to the man behind the counter and nodded his head. They made their way over to the register, while Nathan said, "I appreciate your help, Brooke, really, I do. I just want this to be perfect."
"Nathan, you're proposing. Haley doesn't need romantic; she's never been that way. The action itself is romantic enough."
"I know, but she deserves this to be perfect. She deserves everything."
Brooke held back tears, "God, why do you have to say things like that?"
"What?"
Brooke dabbed her eyes with a tissue, "I'm pregnant and hormonal and wow. If I weren't married, Haley would fight for you."
"I really love her, Brooke."
Brooke placed her hand on his back and smiled, "I know you do. And she loves you."
"Yeah…so you know the plan, then?"
"Yep," The pregnant mom stated firmly, "I know my job."
"Okay," Nathan breathed, "One week."
"I'll see you then. Don't panic. She's gonna say yes."
Nathan chuckled as he grabbed the ring from the man and placed it in his pocket. This was really happening. He was going to take the next step for the rest of his life with the best woman in the entire world.
He waved to Brooke as she walked back across the street to her boutique. One week and the rest of his life would begin. Right now, one week felt like a lifetime away.
**The night before the proposal
"So, babe, what are your plans tomorrow?" Haley asked Nathan from across the room as she finished reloading her dishwasher.
From his spot on the couch, he shrugged, "I don't know. I was probably going to look around for other jobs that might accept me with my degree."
Haley had made her way over to the couch and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind and spoke softly, "You're going to find something that makes you happy. I just know it."
"I love you; you know that?"
"I love you too," Haley hummed, "I can even help you tomorrow, ya know, be all professional and business-like."
"Oh yeah?" Nathan smirked, "Will that include the sexy outfit?"
"Oh, you know it."
Just as she was about to kiss him, her phone started ringing.
"Hold on," She sighed, answering her phone, "Hello."
"Hi, best friend!"
"Hi, Brooke."
"I want to take you out tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow?" Haley cringed, looking over at Nathan, "I was going to spend the day with Nathan and help him look for job openings."
"Come on, Hales. Please. I promise I'll only keep you in the morning! I want to go baby shopping with you!"
"Me? Don't you want to do that with Julian?"
"Umm, I love him, but he has no fashion sense. I just want to brainstorm nursery colors. Besides, he's finishing his last big project before the baby comes."
Haley always had trouble denying a day with her best friend, especially now that she was pregnant. Haley wanted to enjoy every minute with her before she got busy with the new baby, "Okay, I'm in."
"Yeah! I'll come to pick you up at nine! See you then!"
"See you tomorrow."
Haley hung up the phone and smiled at her boyfriend, "Well, it looks like I'm going baby shopping with Brooke tomorrow."
"Good. You guys haven't spent a lot of time together lately."
Processing his words, Haley realized he was right. She was so busy with school and helping Nathan that she hadn't had a true girl's day with her friend in a while. It was time they had one.
"Yeah, I guess we haven't. I mean, I've been so busy finishing the year, and then we just celebrated one year a couple of days ago. I guess I've just been busy."
"As much as I'd love to spend the day with you, I think Brooke deserves this," Nathan said, walking over to her.
Haley couldn't believe how amazing he was about this. Then again, she shouldn't have been surprised; Nathan was always doing for others. It was one of the thousands of reasons she fell in love with him.
Wrapping her arms around him, she smiled, "Maybe I'll get some hints for what she wants for her baby shower. I have to start planning that soon."
"Well, Brooke always wears you out when you shop, so I should let you sleep."
Haley laughed, dropping her arms from him, "You're right about that. Although I'm hoping now that she's pregnant, she can't move as fast."
"I'll see you tomorrow, then?" Nathan questioned, grabbing his coat.
"Count on it."
The couple kissed goodnight, and Haley watched until Nathan reached his car before shutting the door and smiling. She really did have it all.
"Brooke, we've been to every baby store in Tree Hill! When are you going to be done?" Haley whined. It was nearing one thirty in the afternoon, and Haley was shopped out.
"Fine. I guess we can stop."
"Thank God!" Haley exclaimed, finding the nearest bench and sitting down.
"But I want to go to the beach."
"What?" Haley questioned, "Brooke, you said we would only shop in the morning."
"And we did…There is that really good ice cream place right along the beach. Wouldn't that be so good right now?"
Haley glared her best friend down, "You're terrible. You know I can never resist ice cream."
"Yeah! Let's go!"
Brooke and Haley pulled up to the beach and ordered their ice cream. Brooke suggested they walk and eat since she needed to exercise for the baby.
After a while, Haley said, "We've been walking for a while, Brooke. Don't you think we should turn back?"
"In a little bit. We're almost by that beautiful spot with the trees and flowers."
"Oh, that place is gorgeous," Haley smiled.
After a couple of steps, Haley asked, "Have you thought of any names?"
"We have a girl name agreed on, but we are having a little trouble coming to an agreement on a boy's name, but umm since we are talking about that. I wanted to ask you a question."
"Of course, you can always ask me anything."
"If it's a girl, can we use your name as a middle name? You've always been so important to me, and I just want her to have a part of you always."
"Brooke," Haley said in awe, "Being Godmother is more than enough."
The brunette woman put her arm around the other, "Well, you mean so much to me, and Julian agrees with me. You've been such a large part of our lives. We want to."
"Of course, you can. I'm more than honored."
"Don't start crying," Brooke warned.
"Why not?" Haley complained.
"Because you're going to be crying soon."
"What is that supposed to me?" Haley asked, confused.
"Look." Brooke pointed a few feet ahead.
Haley moves her gaze to see Nathan in a button-down blue shirt that made his eyes pop and khaki pants, standing in the middle of a circle of candles. There were purple flowers scattered all around the circle and a bouquet of them in his hands. She swore, if it were possible, her heart would have burst right there. How could she love someone so much?
Haley was stuck. She couldn't move. She was blown away at how beautiful the sight was that she was afraid to miss something.
Before she knew what was happening, Brooke was pushing her closer until she was inside the candled circle. It was breathtaking. How anything of this happened, she had no idea. It was incredible.
"Nathan, what is all this?" The woman asked, surprised, still looking around.
Nathan grabbed her hands and started speaking, starring into her soul, "Haley, from the minute I bumped into you a year ago, I knew my life would never be the same. From there, I found you at a wedding. A coincident, some may say, but I'm calling fate. Fate brought the two of us together. Someone or something knew that you and I were destined to be together. You're my soulmate, Hales. You are the one I want to wake up to every morning and fall asleep next to every night. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.
He dropped down to one knee, and Haley's hands flew over her mouth, "The minute we met, my life forever changed in the best way possible. I love you so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life, showing you just how much. Will you marry me?"
"Yes!" Haley answered, crying.
The man slid the princess cut diamond on her finger before wrapped his arms around her waist and pulling her in close. Haley squeezed his neck tightly, squealing when he spun them around.
She couldn't believe this. She was getting married. Married! To the most fantastic guy in the world. She used to think the type of love she had for him was for fairytales, but she was living one. Life with Nathan was a perfect fairytale. She loved him more than she ever thought was possible, and she knew her love for him would only grow throughout the years. She was going to be Mrs. Scott; the thought alone sent shivers down her spine. Mrs. Scott. Yeah, she could defiantly get used to that.
Haley pulled back and kissed him fiercely.
"I love you, Nathan Scott."
"I love you too, baby, so much."
They kissed again before they were broken apart by the sound of Brooke's voice, "Hello, we are still here, ya know."
The newly engaged couple laughed as they broke apart. They were in their own world of bliss that they completely forgot Brooke and Julian were there.
Haley released Nathan before hugging her friend tightly.
"You knew about this, didn't you?" Haley questioned.
"Nathan and I have been planning this for a month."
"A month?!" Haley asked, shocked, "But how?"
"We met up while you were at work. Nathan planned everything. My job was to find out the ring and distract you today and somehow get you to this spot by the end."
"I'm speechless. I'm engaged!" Haley beamed, looking at her ring again.
"I couldn't see you with anyone else but him, Hales. You're going to be so happy."
"I'm already so happy. I don't know how it can get better."
"It will. Trust me."
**Later that night
"How are you feeling, baby?" Nathan asked from the counter as he filled up their glasses with wine. After taking some pictures, calling family, and spending the rest of the afternoon celebrating with Brooke and Julian, Nathan and Haley eventually made their way to Nathan's house.
"I'm so happy. I still can't believe I get to marry you," The blonde-haired woman smiled from her spot on the couch.
Nathan chuckled as he sat down next to her, "I'll never understand how I got you to fall for me."
"It helps that you're hot," Haley joked.
"Oh, is that it?" Nathan questioned, pretending to be hurt.
"A big part of it."
"I'll take it."
Haley laughed, "So when do you want to get married?"
"Whenever you want, Hales. I'll marry you tomorrow."
"I think maybe in August?" Haley suggested, "We can plan all summer, and then I can go back to teaching as Mrs. Scott."
Mrs. Scott. Damn, he loved the sound of that. He couldn't wait to wake up every morning with her next to him. This was the start of his forever, and he couldn't wait for the rest of his life with this woman.
"I love hearing my last name on you."
Haley smiled, "Me too. I can't wait to have it forever."
"August is perfect for me."
After taking a sipe of her whine, Haley said, "I'll call Quinny tomorrow, and she and Brooke can help me plan everything."
Nathan nodded, "I think that sounds like a great plan."
"Yeah, we are going to be busy, but I think it will be fine since I'm not working."
"About that…" Nathan trailed off.
"What?" Haley questioned.
"I have some exciting news to share," Nathan smiled at his new fiancé.
"What's better than being engaged?" Haley laughed.
"I got a job offer," Nathan stated as she watched her eyes light up, and quickly dim when he finished, "In LA."