Hey! I am so so sorry for lack of updates. I had to go to the lake with family to celebrate 4th of July, but I came back early and I have an update all ready for you.I know some of you probably won't be ontoday due to the fact that it is a holiday, but I had to get this up.
So sorry that I don't have time to give individual thank yous, but I have a party to go to. :) But thank you for all the reviews and I promise shout outs with next chapter.
Chapter 18:
They just stood outside for awhile, wrapped in each other's arms, enjoying the surreal glow that radiated from the house. After all their planning, scheming, plotting, they'd finally ended here. At the house of their dreams. Together.
Haley turned and kissed Nathan. He smiled against her lips as he slowly started to respond. She kissed him harder and his arms held her tighter. When they both pulled away, he smiled down at her. "What was that for?"
She smiled up at him. "For bringing me here. It's like finally fulfilling our dream."
"Well, in that case……." and he trailed off, lifting her easily in his arms and carrying her up the front steps to the simply, yet beautifully carved door.
She squealed as he hoisted her higher and pulled out his keys, unlocking the door. She held on tightly to his neck and leaned to kiss him again as they pushed through the door. He set her on the ground, keys dropping from his hand as he pulled her closer to him.
They would've continued for awhile longer if a voice hadn't interrupted them. "Ahem."
Confused, they pulled apart, still in each other's arms. Nathan looked past Haley and his eyes widened in shock. She turned to find Brooke standing behind them, hands on hips. Behind her stood Lucas, Peyton, and Jake, the word 'surprise' dying on their lips.
Nathan cleared his throat. "Um, hey guys. What are you doing here?"
As was often the case, Brooke answered for the group, but her eyes never left Haley, who was staring at the ground. "Well, you weren't answering any calls over break while you were at Tim's and we hadn't seen you in almost a year, so we decided to come hang out here until you got back."
"Right……." he said softly.
Brooke looked back and forth between him and Haley. "What the hell is this? And why weren't we told?"
"Hey, Brooke," Haley spoke softly, slowly lifting her gaze from the floor.
Brooke smiled warmly at her."Hey sweetie." Her eyes returned to Nathan. "Well? We're waiting."
He coughed. "Well…….. you see……. how bout I let Haley take this one?"
Brooke rolled her eyes and turned to Haley, looking impatient. Haley smiled weakly at her, feeling slightly intimidated. Lucas took a step in her direction and took her in his arms, giving her a big bear hug. "Ignore Brooke. We're so glad you're here, Hales."
Haley smiled and hugged him back, laughing when he picked her up off the floor, then set her back down. "Thanks, Luke," she whispered in his ear, relieved.
Brooke pushed him away. "Stop making me seem like a bitch, Luke." She smiled and brought Haley into a tight hug of her own.
"Hey," Nathan complained. "I brought her."
Peyton joined Haley and Brooke, bringing them into a group hug. "Oh, shut up, Nate. You've had her the whole break. We haven't seen her in years."
Haley shrugged back at him apologetically as Jake pulled her away from the girls. He smiled back, letting her know he was just teasing. He was so happy that the others were glad to have Haley back. It was like a dream come true. Then, Haley was back at his arm, dazzling smile still in place. He leaned down to place a kiss on the side of her head as their arms wound around each other's waists again. Brooke noticed and smiled. She looked pointedly at Haley. "You know I expect a full report later. Leave no detail out."
Haley rolled her eyes, leaning farther into Nathan. "Yeah, yeah. I know."
The group of seven (minus one member) was together again for the first time in years and it was just like old times.
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They decided to go out for dinner. Nathan and Haley had put up an argument at first, wanting to stay home and enjoy their first night together in the house, but Brooke eventually convinced them, so the six found themselves all piling into Nathan's car. Nathan in the driver's seat with Haley pressed against his side. Brooke rested against her other side, pouting. "Why'd you guys have to split me and Lucas up?" she asked, looking back at him, in the seat behind her, Peyton sitting between him and Jake. Lucas just looked at her longingly.
Haley laughed. "Guys, it's like a five minute car ride."
Brooke frowned at her. "So? You and Nathan get to sit with each other and so do Peyton and Jake."
Haley lay her head on Nathan's shoulder and he draped his arm around her. Nathan spoke to Brooke, eyes never leaving the road. "Well, this was your idea, so you'll just have to suffer the consequences."
Brooke huffed and leaned against the car door. "Haley, slap him for me."
Haley just rolled her eyes, snuggling farther into Nathan. "Haley," Brooke whined. "Fine," she huffed.
The rest of the ride was spent in languid silence, all just reveling in the fact that they'd found their missing member. They arrived at Olive Garden, making their way slowly inside. They were seated at a table for six and studied the menus in silence at first. They gave their orders to the waiter and as he walked away, Brooke turned back to the group. "So, Nathan and Haley, how did this happen?"
Haley tensed and looked at Nathan, who grabbed her hand to reassure her. With his other hand, he scratched his head nervously. Stuttering, he answered haltingly. "Well, you see…… um……. remember how Tim got a, uh, new girlfriend? Um, it was, well…… it was Haley."
Brooke was shocked. Next to her, Peyton was shocked as well. Jake looked mortified and Luke looked confused.
Jake spoke first. "So, what? You guys just went behind his back?"
Nathan and Haley shared a nervous glance. Haley looked back out at the group. "Well, not exactly. Um, sort of, but…… uh……. it was complicated, so…… yeah."
Brooke recovered quickly. "OK, spit it out. What did you do?"
And then the whole story came tumbling forth. Haley couldn't keep it in any longer. "Well, Tim sort of kept it a secret from us that we would both be there; I knew he was inviting guests, but I didn't know Nathan would be one; Nathan knew Tim had a girlfriend, but he didn't know it was me. Naturally, we were both furious when we found out, but I don't know……. there was this one moment where we hugged and it felt so great and I just felt alive. I felt all my feelings for him coming back and I couldn't stop them. Then, later that night, Nathan comes sneaking out of his and Michelle's room at the same time I was coming out of mine and Tim's."
"And……" Peyton indicated for her to continue.
She looked to Nathan and he took the hint, picking up where she left off. "So, we spent all night together and it was so incredible. Then, the next morning we went out for breakfast, intending to talk about things, but we just weren't in the mood and the time wasn't right, so we headed back. It was awkward for a few days, us both dating different people, then meeting up at night."
Lucas nodded for them to keep going. Haley took her turn. "Then one night, Jack called and it got everyone pretty upset, except for Michelle of course, who had no clue what was going on. And Nathan left all pissed and when he came back, he sent Tim and Michelle out."
She stopped and Nathan continued the story. "So then I was yelling at her and we finally had the big fight. Finally, I stormed out on her and she fell asleep on the couch crying. I came back and just watched her sleep for awhile, then went into the kitchen and started drinking. So then, Tim and Michelle come home and I had a fight with Michelle while Tim was putting Haley to bed. So I went and passed out in our room."
Haley interrupted. "Tim thought I was asleep, but I wasn't. He put me in bed, then he left and I knew where he was going. Him and Michelle finally cracked and slept together. He came back an hour later and I confronted him."
Nathan took over. "I woke up to them screaming. Me and Michelle could hear the whole argument and that's how I figured out what she'd done. So, we broke up and I heard Haley leave, so I went after her. I found her by the stop sign at the end of the road. I had already told Michelle that I was keeping the house, so when Haley said she had nowhere to go, I just acted on an impulse and offered to let her stay with me…… live with me."
"Wow," Brooke murmured. "I mean, you guys always had a sorted history, but this…… I think this tops it all."
Nathan brought Haley's hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. "Yeah, but at least it brought us back together again.
The rest of dinner was spent just talking and laughing, reminiscing, remembering what used to be good. And that night, on the ride home, as the others fell asleep one by one, Nathan drove, thinking about him and Haley.
I wanted to be like you
I wanted everything
So I tried to be like you
And I got swept away
He looked at her, sleeping peacefully on his shoulder and thought of how terrible her life had been and how much it had changed her. He was still searching for who she used to be, trying to help her become that person again. Because he wasn't sure if she would ever be able to without his help. But he'd never known that in the process, he'd come to need her more than she needed him.
I didn't know that it was so cold
And you needed someone
To show you the way
So I took your hand and we figured out
That when the tide comes
I'd take you away
When they were younger, she'd saved him from what he was becoming. She'd made him look at what was most important in his life, prioritizing until he knew that the people closest to him should come first. Now, he needed to return the favor. But, this time, he needed to save her from herself.
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
Was somebody who cares
Sometimes, it seemed like she withdrew into herself, into a place where she could never take him with her. After a certain point, she just shut down and refused to let anyone in. He knew he needed to penetrate her barriers and help her show herself to him, before she was gone.
I'm sinking slowly
So hurry hold me
Your hand is all I have to keep me
Hanging on
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
It wasn't just a matter of saving her. If he didn't, he wasn't sure what would happen to the rest of them. For the past few years, they'd pulled through without her, but the truth was, without her, they would all always be incomplete. She'd always made things better for them; given them faith when they had none, loving them when they thought no one did, giving until she had nothing else to give, and never dumping her own problems on them; now, it was their turn to help her. And in turn, help themselves.
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
Was somebody who cares
Brooke stirred and sat up, eyes opening briefly before she collapsed again against Haley. Nathan smiled. He wouldn't trade his life for anyone's. He only hoped it could continue to piece itself together. That he could continue to piece Haley together.
All you wanted was somebody who cares
If you need me you know I'll be there
Oh, yeah
In the backseat, Peyton was sprawled across Jake and Lucas. Luke and Brooke had been holding hands between the seat and the side of the car before they'd fallen asleep. Even now, their hands were still loosely entwined. Nathan knew nothing could break their bond. He only hoped it were the same for him and Haley. He just wasn't sure if he was strong enough to save the both of them.
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
Was somebody who cares
As he pulled into his driveway, he debated how to wake everyone up. Seconds later, Brooke jolted up, wide awake. She spoke in a hushed whisper, seeing the passengers asleep behind her. "I just had the greatest dream that Haley was back." Looking beside her, she noticed her former friend and squealed quietly, waking Luke up. "Oh yeah, it wasn't a dream."
Lucas groaned quietly, still tired and nudged Jake. Jake rubbed his eyes. "I'm so tired." His voice woke up Peyton, who sat up, looking disoriented.
"Alright, everyone out," Nathan whispered.
"Why are we whispering?" Brooke whispered back.
Nathan pointed to the still sleeping Haley. Peyton noticed. "Oh, I'll just wake her up then." She leaned to shake Haley, but Nathan pushed her hand away.
Peyton smirked at him. "She's tired," Nathan defended himself.
If you want to
I can save you
I can take you away from here
So lonely inside
So busy out there
And all you wanted
Was somebody who cares
The others just smiled, climbing out of the car one by one as Nathan carefully slid out, gathering Haley into his arms. Brooke, Lucas, Jake, and Peyton waited by the door, fanning themselves. It was incredibly humid out. "Come on, Nathan," Peyton hissed. ""Hurry up.""
He rolled his eyes at her as he approached them, carefully reaching in to pull out his keys, balancing Haley with his other arm. He tossed the keys to Luke, quickly returning his arm to Haley. He smiled down at her sleeping face, walking in after the others and kicking the door gently shut behind him, letting Jake lock it back. "Goodnight everyone," he whispered.
"Night, Nate," they chorused quietly, making their way to their respective rooms as Nathan carried her up the stairs to the master bedroom. He shut the door behind them and set her gently on the bed.
The motion woke her up and she smiled sleepily. "Did you carry me again?"
He nodded. "You're so sweet," she whispered, reaching up to caress his cheek. He leaned down to kiss her softly, but pulled away after a few seconds. She looked up at him. "I love you," she said quietly, but surely.
He froze, not knowing what to make of hearing those words from her again. He broke into a smile. "I love you too." She grinned, bringing him down on top of her and slipping his coat off with her tiny hands. She kissed him again, hands reaching up his shirt.
He pulled back slightly. "What about the others?"
She raised a brow. "They won't mind."
He smiled and lay back on top of her.
Please can you tell me
So I can finally see
Where you go when you're gone
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Hope you enjoyed it and next chapter will be up soon.