Here is the final instalment of this story. As always I really appreciate those of you that have stuck around and read this far and have sent me messages or left reviews in response to my writing. This chapter is a little shorter than the rest but I feel I said all I needed to say. :)

Enjoy, also in the space away from this story I've been working on a new Naley story which I'm most likely going to share very soon.

Chapter 27

June - 1 year later

Nathan blew out a breath his finger curling along the frayed edges of the crumpled script, it helped holding something tangible. It's like he could transfer the nervous energy to the pages. Those pages just reminded him of her, of everything, his heart was pounding. It had been for days now at the thought of seeing her again and what it entailed.

'What's this? Nathan said looking at the crumpled script Peyton placed his hands. It hurt to open his eyes to take it in, dried tears had pastily glued them together.

'I gave it to Lucas.' Peyton said, 'It's your story, all your little memories from when you were kids and who you are now.'

'That's sordid.' Nathan choked out.

'It's a story of hope, love…a fairytail.' Peyton corrected him.

'Me and Haley are anything but a fairytail Peyton…look at me, look at Haley lying there in a hospital bed…this is life's way of telling us we're not supposed to be together…'

'That' not true, you fell in love in impossible circumstances, this is only the beginning for you don't give up now - the boy in this story would never give up on her.' Peyton said pointedly before she stood and walked away from him.

'Relax man.' Lucas said with an amused grin on his face as he clapped Nathan on the back and sat down on the porch steps beside him watching the kids running and squealing around the garden.

'Easy for you to say.' Nathan mumbled as he wiped his hands on his jeans, how in the hell was he sweating already? Surely there would be a puddle beneath him later. He checked his watch again.

'What's that?' Lucas said.

Nathan pulled out the rolled-up script and Lucas smiled. 'I remember wanting to deck you the first time I seen that.'

Nathan chuckled. 'I know.'

'Where was it?'

'In boxes I'd packed and left here. While we were moving all your stuff I came across it..'

'Funny how that story has an ending even better than any of us could have foreseen..'

'Well we don't know that yet…' Nathan said wiping his hands on his jeans again.

'Oh come on Nate you two have been happier than ever this year why are you sweating this?' He said semi amused at his brother.

'Well I'm going to really enjoy the day you're doing this with Brooke.'

'Hey, I'm already going to New York with her that's a big enough step for now.'

Nathan smiled. 'You do realise this is going to be the first time we will be away from each other in 3 years?'

'Yea the younger version of me would have dreamed of it.'

Nathan chuckled. 'It's actually going to be strange.'

'Yea I know you'll miss me little brother.'

Nathan cringed. 'Please stop calling me that.'

'You know I'll never stop calling you that I've always wanted…'

'A little brother…I know..' Nathan said with an eye roll.

'Even if he is an asshat.'

'Je thanks Luke I really am going to miss this.' Nathan joked.

'For real you two will be up in New York the first chance you get.'

'Maybe.' Nathan kidded just as the two lovely ladies of their desires came bouncing out onto the wooden porch.

'What's this a heartfelt brotherly goodbye you know we have the whole weekend?' Brooke teased them as she jumped in Lucas arms.

Nathan cuddled Haley into him tightly. 'I missed you.' He said heartily before pulling back and giving her a chaste kiss on the lips which she quickly had other ideas about, Nathan groaned lowly into her mouth as she pulled on his lower lip before slipping her tongue inside to dance against his.

'There are kids around and I can't believe I'm the one to say that.' Brooke said almost disgusted with herself.

Haley pulled away shyly, a look that made Nathan melt as he pulled her into his arms again. Three weeks had been a very long time.

Haley's semester had finished earlier than his this year and so she had decided to go with Brooke up to New York to help sort her accommodation and just have a girls trip away while Nathan stayed home and helped Lucas get sorted.

'Lily will be glad you two made it she was getting worried.' Lucas said with a smile.

Nathan reluctantly let Haley pull away as she glanced down at the back garden where the moon bounce was and birthday balloons were swimming around the garden. The adults were relaxed and chatting at the bottom of the garden as people began to dwindle out.

'I think we've landed for the best part, miss all the screaming kids but we still get some cake.'

'There isn't much cake left.' Nathan joked holding his hands up defensively against the look Brooke shot his way.

'I'd thread carefully.' Haley whispered to him giggling at the look Brooke now threw her way.

'Traitor Haley James we were a team remember.'

'She's mine now.' Nathan joked as he slipped his arm around her waist again. 'Come on.'

'Nathans totally going for a quickie there.'

'Brooke my mother hasn't even seen Haley yet it's lily's birthday party I don't think…'

'He had that look.'

'I don't want to think about it.'

Brooke giggled. 'So you want to try?'

'You're the devil you know that?'

'I have the costume and all.'

XXXXX

'Nathan…' Haley giggled as he peppered her neck with kisses, his course hands sliding underneath her cotton t-shirt his thumbs massaging.

'Why is this t-shirt so tight?' He mumbled annoyed against her neck, it's like his hands not reaching the desired destination quick enough.

Haley giggled even more. 'It's Brooke's.'

'What you leave all your clothes in New York?'

'Well you know I was going to arrive home naked for you..' Nathan groaned at the thought. 'But Brooke thought otherwise..'

'I knew I didn't like her…'

His lips were back on hers a second later stealing her breath away as he kissed her hungrily.

Haley wrenched her mouth away, her breathing hot and staggered. 'Nathan….' Her hands swatted his away as he reached for her jeans. 'We can't….not in Lucas' bedroom and your mum's just outside…'

'The bathroom?'

She almost giggled again aside from the fact he was being acutely serious.

'Nobody has even seen me yet.'

'So we will just say we took a walk.' He said as leaned into her neck again right where he knew drove her crazy.

'That's not fair.' Haley whimpered as he sucked down on her sweet spot.

'I want you baby…' Nathan whispered huskily against her pressing his erection against her. Haley couldn't swallow the lustful moan that overtook her then.

'Nathan please….' She was begging but he didn't know was it for more or to stop torturing either of them, he didn't know himself anymore.

Hi mouth swallowed hers again as he hoisted her up smiling as her legs automatically wrapped snug against him , god he had missed that. He walked them into Lucas tiny ensuite dropping her onto the counter.

'What are you?'

Nathan reached in and put the shower running as he pulled the curtain across to protect them from the spray.

'You felt like a shower to freshen up after the flight…'

'So I come out in the same clothes…' Haley said coyly.

'No one has seen you yet.' Nathan answered smartly before leaning in their lips met in a much slower case this time, as the intensity evaded them the passion slowly transformed to a slow, burning, over-yielding wave of need and desire.

Bodies pressed together just wasn't enough, Nathan fought hard with her t-shirt feeling her petite hands running alongside the lower abdomen as he peeled his own off him, the two of them groaning with pure satisfaction at the feel of their balmy chests finally touching, skin on skin contact always left them reeling with such a rapturous intensity.

'I need you..'

'I know baby….' Nathan panted as he made quick work of removing his jeans and boxers an almost animalistic growl falling from his lips as she wrapped her dainty hands around his hard length. 'Fuck…you feel so good.' Nathan breathed out.

Haley moaned at his words as she shifted herself along the countertop her hand pumping him torturously now.

'Hales….'

She knew what that delicious whine from him meant, god she craved it way too much the past 21 nights and she sunk herself down on him the pleasurable mewls that escaped them drowning out as the shower pelted off the curtain beside them, hot steam surrounded them now as he pound into her and Haley met him thrust for thrust her hands coming to grip onto his neck tightly.

'Oh god….' She breathed out. 'I'm so close…'

'Come on baby…' Nathan brought her on in that lustful way she swore she could reach climax alone from the way he spoke to her. She cried out his name in seconds as her pleasure reached dizzying heights moaning at the feel of his warmth release inside of her.

She clung to his neck breathing heavily soaking in the delicious sexed up inherent scent of him whimpering as she felt Nathan pull out of her.

'Hales…' He said softly.

'Hmm….' she sighed as she lifted herself up noticing the look of absolute endearment on his features. 'God the way you look at me sometimes…' She said softly. His fingers brushed back the sweat matted hairs on her forehead and he leaned in to kiss her forehead, her nose and then left a gentle button kiss on her lips.

'I should probably shower.'

'I think you look hot.'

Haley giggled. 'Yea I'm sure your little sister and your mum will think this is a good look on me.'

Nathan chuckled and the hair stood on her arms like they did every time had that endearing sound.

'I'd love to take one with you but one of us should get back out there…'

'Come here.' Haley said softly pulling him against her as she kissed him slowly, the sounds of their sucking just lingering in the air.

'I really missed you.' Haley said softly as she pulled his naked form against her again hugging him tightly.

XXXXX

'Come on Hay-leey…'

Nathan chuckled at the girls pronunciation of his girlfriend's name.

'Wow I don't think I'd ever meet anyone more eager to find daises than me. Why did you tell her about them Nathan?' Haley pouted.

He just chuckled more. 'Come on Lily mummy said its time for bed we can look for some more tomorrow and Haley will make you one.'

'Oh wait treasure…'

Nathan shook his head and this time Haley chuckled. 'Now whose laughing…' She teased. After all she'd being the one that was pulled along the garden looking for the little flowers all evening.

'Here open up your hands its for you…' The girl smiled widely, Haley was a little cautious before she cupped her hands and the dainty opal daisy accent ring was gently rested in her hands.

Haley gasped as Lily ran back to Nathan, each giving each other wide smiles before she ran up into the house.

'Nathan….what…is it…is this…' She fumbled, her breath robbing her words as she stood up with watery eyes.

Nathan smiled at her through watery eyes of his own as he came down to her gently taking up the delicate ring as he bent down on one knee.

Haley brought her hand to her mouth now as silent tears already escaped her.

God he hadn't even started talking and she was crying and he could feel his own eyes emotionally laden with tears. He blew out a breath as he spoke…' Haley….' His voice was choked with emotion, he cleared his throat as he held tightly onto her hand and glanced up through unshed tears.

'The moment I met you like this on some shabby patch of grass hunting for those little flowers I think I fell in love with you I just didn't know it and I saw those flowers everywhere, everyday as a boy when I'd go to the park, school , when I'd come home from school and I thought of you and I missed you even though we were never truly close as kids I think I missed you because from the moment we met it felt like you were my home….'

Haley was crying now glistening tears of happiness.

'And I never want to loose that feeling Haley, god I'm so in love with you…..and I know we're not even finished college but I….'

'Yes….' she choked out happily as her body wrecked with sobs. 'Yes…..'

'I haven't asked…' He fumbled smiling, tears leaking through his own eyes now as he watched her.

'Ask…' She demanded.

He couldn't help but chuckle, she truly was the bossy, stubborn, beautiful, sensitive girl he fell in love with all them years ago.

'Haley James will you marry me?'

'Yes….' She barely let him get the ring on her finger before she pulled him up wrapping her arms around his neck in a kiss that stole both their breaths away.

'I love you.' Haley cried happily against his chest.

'Good job.' Nathan chuckled. 'I don't think I've ever been more nervous for something in my entire life.' He admitted heartily.

She pulled back smiling at his teary eyes. 'It was perfect.'

XXXXX

Haley lay snuggled into Nathan's side on the loveseat outside on the patio as Lucas and Brooke sat on the seat across from them.

The slight chill of a late summer's night coated the evening now but the firepit kept enough warmth for the couples to sit outdoors.

'I still can't believe you knew.' Brooke said for like the hundredth time that evening.

'Of course I knew Nathan needed advice.'

'Hey, I came up with all that on my own and Lily helped me more than you did.'

'Yea well I was there to provide endless amount of cloth your hands were sweating so much.' Lucas jibbed.

Nathan just shot him a look.

'I thought we told each other everything.' Brooke pouted.

Nathan and Haley chuckled at her dramatics.

'How is it you two end up engaged and we end up on the outs?'

'Oh I'm kidding Broody.' Brooke played as she kissed his cheek. 'Besides, I never would have been able to keep that a secret.'

'We know.' Nathan said pointedly.

'Careful Scott number 2 if it wasn't for me you wouldn't even be engaged.'

Nathan scoffed at that. 'How so?'

'I'm the one that kept telling you to act on your big boy crush all through high school?'

'Ah you had a big crush on me.' Haley teased him then. 'Is that why you were mean?'

Nathan just smiled at her as he shook his head before bending down to peck her on the lips.

Brooke smiled at the pair. 'Its pretty cool to think we all made it.' She said softly. 'We all made it here like this you know..'

'Its everything.' Haley said softly.

'Right well we are going to leave you two alone..' Lucas said as he nudged Brooke. 'Just word of warning I'm pretty sure Lily was conceived on that loveseat.'

'Ah Luke…' Nathan and Haley grimaced as Brooke just giggled.

'Don't worry Broody they already christened your bathroom sink.'

'BROOKE!' Haley shouted. '

'Ahh dammit Nathan!' Lucas groaned. 'Why…'

'Well if you really must know..'

'Do not continue that sentence…' Haley swatted him.

'You know I'm really not going to miss living with you…either of you.' Lucas said dramatically as Brooke pulled him away from them and inside the house.

Haley covered her face in her hands.

'Oh is my baby gone all shy all of a sudden? '

'No that's just…ugh I could kill Brooke.'

'You should have learned by now not to tell her anything Haley especially the hot, desperate sex we had earlier on the bathroom counter…' He said huskily running his finger up purposefully on her exposed thigh.

'Stop it…' she breathed out.

'It doesn't sound like you want me to stop Hales…' He said with that teasing tone of his as his finger inched higher skimming the edge of her sleep shorts.

'Nathan…' She breathed. 'We can't…' He chuckled at her frustrated tone. 'You're an ass.' she admonished him.

'Hey that's no way to speak to your fiancé…' Nathan said as his hand brushed up to her sides grazing against her ticklish spot.

Haley shuffled giggling a little.' Nathan…..'

He paused against her dropping a kiss onto her neck as his hands snaked around her tummy holding her close.

Haley sighed contentedly. 'I really like the sound of that…..fiancé…' Nathan squeezed her. 'Yea me too.'

He slipped one arm from around her waist as he reached inside his jeans for the crumped script before placing it on the blanket in front of them.

'Where did you get this?'

'Found it amongst mine and Luke's stuff when we were opening boxes.' Nathan said.

'I remember this was on my bed when I woke up at the hospital and then Peyton just said those 8 words to me. 'Luke knows and its going to be okay.' Haley said softly. 'And then she handed me this.'

'I told her our life was anything but the fairytail she created..'

Haley smiled at that. 'That sounds like the Nathan I knew then.' She teased him.

'Now it's even better.' He said honestly.

'Yea.' Haley agreed as she leaned up leaving a gentle kiss against his lips. 'We should really give Peyton a call.' Haley said.

'I was hoping you would cause I really don't want to listen to her saying I told you so.'

Haley giggled softly. 'This is Peyton we are talking about she'll probably send you a piece of artwork with those exact words.'

Nathan smiled as he hugged her tight against him again. 'Haley James Scott.'

'Has a nice ring to it don't you think?' Haley said her face turning up towards his, eyes sparkling with excitement.

'It's perfect.'

XXXXX

'Hi mom.' Haley said softly as she lay down the yellow sunflowers beside the grave. 'So Nathan asked me to marry him. It was perfect mom…..the world seems like less of a grey space with him in it. You know how you used to always tell me if I didn't see life in colour anymore something was missing…' Haley smiled sadly. 'I see everything in colour now mom, I wish you could see it with me.' A small tear escaped her. 'I miss you every day.'

His arm wrapped around her waist then as he pulled her into him leaving a kiss on the side of her head. Haley swallowed back the tears her eyes darted over to her dad's grave.

It had been 6 months now since he had passed. In ways she had grieved the loss of their relationship before his passing but still seeing his stone there almost brought her to her knees only for Nathan's almost protective arm around her waist. She could feel his eyes on her.

'You ok baby?' He said softly.

'I am now.' She said giving him a small smile as she entwined her hand with his.

She didn't know who's she'd be without him, lost possibly - she was lost even as a child and then she found him. Nathan was her home, she had tried to pull herself towards her real home with her father for so long, resisted her heart and the inevitable pull it felt towards Nathan for to keep her father happy. It never would have been enough. She understood why she always felt so lost. Like her mother had been.

She had found her home now, still it was hard to swallow the wounds of the broken one left behind.

As if sensing her thoughts Nathan gave her hand a squeeze as they walked out of the graveyard together.

'Where are we going?' Haley said when Nathan began walking in the opposite direction of Karen's house.

'I thought we could take a trip down memory lane.' He said with that gorgeous smile of his.

'Nathan we really should get back, Brooke and Lucas have to be on the road soon…' Haley said.

'Let's just walk to our spot on the docks.'

'We're going to be here for the summer until we go back to Gilmore.' Haley reasoned.

'So maybe I just want some time with you before we go back to the house, it's been pretty full on for attention since the engagement Hales.' Nathan reminded her.

'Memory lane can also be a dodgy lane for us…' She teased. 'You sure you want to test that so soon?'

'Oh would that be because of that day in the playground you threw the banana skin on the hop scotch so I'd slip on it.' He was almost as put out over it now as he was that day. Haley smiled. 'No I was thinking more because of the day you spilled orange juice on my hair.'

'I remember it was in plaits that day and I only did that so you'd take it out, I liked your hair when it was down.'

Haley just gave him a look.

'You know I was just being mean cause I liked you Hales.' Nathan kidded around as they walked hand in hand.

'Well it seemed to work on me Nathan Scott cause you have me now.' She said sweetly as they smiled at each other.

'Say it again.' He said as he stalled them on their stroll and spun her around pulling her body flush against him.

Haley smiled up at him leaning up she kissed his lips teasingly softly before pulling back. 'You have me, you always had.'

'From the moment we met huh…' His eyes were sparkling like that very boy who had stole her heart.

'From the moment you agreed to make daisy chain bracelets with me.'

The End.