"Nathan! Nathan, open the door! It's me, Brooke!"

There was no answer but she knew he was home.

"Nathan, you may as well open up because I'm not leaving until you do. I want to talk to you."

He muttered a curse word as he realized the relentless banging and screaming would persist until he gave in. He finally opened the door.

"Sorry", he mumbled a lie. "I was in the back and I couldn't hear you. What's up?"

"You look like shit."

"Thanks. It's always nice to see you as well, Brooke. Might I add you're looking just gorgeous today."

"I didn't mean it like that", she said, sitting on the couch beside him. "I'm just worried about you. All your friends are."

"I appreciate that but I'm a big boy. I can take care of myself."

"Really? Is that why you've been all mopey and depressed lately?"

"I am not mopey and depressed."

"All you do is sulk. You're in a bad mood, you never want to hang out with your friends or your brother anymore for that matter and whatever that's going on is starting to affect you on the court. You've worked and waited your whole career to make it in the NBA. Nate, this should be the happiest time of your life. I know you think I'm nosy sometimes and maybe I am but I'm your sister in law and your friend and I'm concerned and I love you. You can't go on like this. You've got to straighten up, kid."

"I know", he said. "I feel guilty, like a real ass."

"With Haley?"

"With Peyton."

"Peyton is gone", Brooke said softly. "You can't spend the rest of your life living in the shadow of that relationship. It's not healthy. Besides you know Peyton would not want to see you go through this. She loved you so much and she'd want you to be happy."

"I know."

"Do you? I don't think so because you have a beautiful, wonderful woman out there who loves you and I think you love her. I didn't give her much credit at first because you know I'm skeptical of everything and everyone but I got to know her and she's a sweet person. Don't turn your back on that. You've got to make your peace, Nathan, with Peyton and Haley and everyone, especially yourself. You can't go around pretending that you don't care about anyone because one day you're gonna shut your heart off so much, that you really will feel that way."

Nathan hated to admit it to himself but he knew Brooke's words were wise and true. It was the best advice from the most unlikely source. In order to make things right with Haley, he first had to make peace with himself. There was only one place he knew in the whole world that would give him that type of closure.

Nathan kneeled down on the grass, his palms gliding over the smooth marble

stone that read:

Beloved Daughter, Granddaughter, and Friend

An Angel on Earth and an Angel In Heaven

Always In Our Hearts

Peyton Christine Sawyer

March 10, 1982 - May 4,2004

"Hey, Peyton, it's me, Nate. I just felt like seeing and talking to you. I know I talk to you all the time in my heart but today I just felt like being closer to you. I miss you so much and I will always love you. You know that, or at least I hope you do. I guess you know what's been going on. I've been a jerk lately and I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt Haley. She is a great girl but I guess you know that too. I've done a lot to protect and help her but it's more than that. I fell in love along the way. This is the first time I've admitted that to anyone even myself. I know we weren't together when you passed Pey but it's like you were the only girl for me. When I found someone so unexpectedly and so soon after you, it scared the hell out of me. Brooke says you'd want me to move on and be happy. I know that's true because I would want the same for you. Instead of feeling so sad I guess I should be thankful. I'm a pretty lucky guy in a lot of aspects but most especially for having had you in my life. I've been so busy taking care of Haley that I didn't realize she was taking care of me too, or at least my heart. Peyton, I just ask that you help me. Let it be alright. Help me to do the right thing."

A summer breeze blew throughout the cemetery and Nathan closed his eyes. For a faint second a whiff of a sweet smelling peach scent whizzed past his nose. Shannon immediately opened his eyes but no one was there. He was alone and there were not even scented flowers nearby. A chill ran up his spine as he remembered how he had always loved to hold Peyton after a shower. She always bathed and washed her hair in peach fragrance soap and shampoo. His surprise quickly turned to joy as he knew that was Peyton's way of letting him know it was okay. She had promised to always be with him and anyone who ever knew Peyton Sawyer knew that she always kept her promises.

"Thank you", he whispered. "I love you, Pey and I'll never forget you. Never. That's my promise.