"Honeymooning in Europe is a fabulous idea", Deb squealed. "You're going to love Italy and especially France."

"I can't wait. Nathan and I are so excited. I've been to Europe once before but it was backpacking though England with my cousins. I think this will be much more fun."

"The shopping will be to die for and let me warn you in advance to be careful about all the delicious French food. My God, I don't know how the women maintain their figures. But with romantic villas and actually staying in a Scottish castle, I doubt you and Nathan will have much time for shopping or eating", Deb winked.

"I was hoping to squeeze in time for museums and literature and architecture but…you're probably right", Meg squealed.

"Oh please", Dan scoffed. "Deb, please don't corrupt the poor girl. There will be plenty of time for shopping and eating and newlywed sex. It's nice to have someone in the family who actually cares about history and culture."

Megan smiled as she caught a smirking Nathan rolling his eyes in the background. He hated the family visits to Tree Hill and loved the escape of their home in Charlotte but Deb had insisted they come down to discuss the latest wedding plans. Nathan spent his time sulking in a corner counting down the minutes until they could leave. Megan, ever the trooper, pulled up a chair and could spend all day entertaining the future in laws. He didn't know how she did it, especially when she wasn't faking it. However she pulled it off, he admired and appreciated it. And he would make it up to her when they returned home. He always did.

"I'm so glad you decided to go to with the ice sculpture as the centerpiece and…"

"Ice sculpture?" Nathan frowned.

"Oh honey, it's really beautiful. You'll see", Deb smiled.

He just shook his head.

"You were right, Deb. The champagne fountain really wouldn't look right without it."

Nathan rolled his eyes. Talk of sculptures and fountains was ridiculous and uninteresting. Besides, he had a feeling none of that had been Megan's idea. It was too corny, cliché and cheesy. The three C's, he liked to call them. But Nathan had a trick up his sleeve of his own. Upon leaving the church for the reception and leaving the reception for the honeymoon, they would not take the usual route in the standard limousine. Of course Nathan had dreams of an Escalade stretch on spinning 20's but Lucas had come to the rescue and quickly reminded him that it was Megan's day. It was their wedding. It was supposed to be special and elegant, not something out of a G Unit video. So Nathan had arranged their travel to be a coach complete with white horses.

"Now, I had a question about the crystal…"

The doorbell rang and Nathan practically ran to get it. He needed a distraction. On the other side was a courier.

"Mr. Nathan Scott?"

"That's me."

"Sign here, please."

Nathan scrawled his name on the receipt and accepted the large envelope.

"What's that, son?"

"I don't know. It came certified from the New Brunswick County Administration offices."

Megan smiled as she stood.

"Baby, it must be our marriage license. Open it up", she squealed.

He did and gave her the honors of reading it first. Quickly her smile disappeared.

"Meg? What's wrong?"

"This…oh my God."

"What does it say?"

Dear Mr. Scott,

We regret to inform you that your application for a license of marriage to Megan Lindsay Powell has been denied.

"What?" Nathan grumbled. "This has got to be some sort of mistake."

"Nate…"

"It's okay", he said, hugging her.

"Those incompetent idiots", Dan shook his head. "I'll take care of this."

The family gathered around as Dan made a few calls. Once he reached the main supervisor of the Public Records office, he put her on speakerphone. The lady was cordial and eager to assist the family in finding out what had happened.

"Mr. Scott?"

"Yes. We're all here. What seems to be the problem, Doris? Did you find out why the request was denied?"

"Yes sir", the lady began.

"It must be some computer mix up, some misunderstanding."

"I'm afraid not, Mr. Scott. The State rightfully denied your son's marriage license."

"Why?"

"Because…I'm sorry to inform you but according to all records, your son is married to someone else."

"Impossible", Dan rolled his eyes. "Check your files again, Toots."

"Sir, I have checked and checked again. The results are all conclusive. Nathan Daniel Scott is still married to a Haley Joy James."

All four bulked at the mention of the name, especially Nathan. It was like a hot knife searing through him stirring up all the rage inside.

"Look Doris or whatever your name is, lady, you got your facts mixed up. I am not married to…that person."

"Sir, the computer shows…"

"Screw the computer", Nathan said, becoming visibly angry.

"Did you not marry Ms. James on March 14?"

Nathan sighed heavily.

"Look, I made a mistake and yes that did happen. But it didn't last. It never should have happened."

"Did you file for divorce?"

"No. Screw divorce. I wanted to forget it ever happened. Like I said, it shouldn't have. So I had it annulled."

"Yes sir. On November 26."

"That's right."

"However on December 3, we are showing that the annulment was rejected."

"Rejected?" Nathan blew up. "On what grounds?"

"Sorry, sir. I don't have any more information and…"

"You're sorry? That's bullshit! Dude, don't drop a bomb and tell me I am and have been married to that evil, selfish little bitch for all these years! And you don't even know why when I paid money and properly used the legal system to null and void the biggest mistake of my life?"

"Sir, bring all your paperwork to our office and this should be cleared up in a matter of days…"

"Fuck that!"

"We will certainly do that", Megan politely intervened. "Thank you for your time and help, Doris."

Nathan cursed again and kicked at the furniture.

"Son…", Dan tried, putting an arm around Nathan.

Nathan recoiled and immediately fled the house. His emotions were in a tizzy.

"Sweetie, what was all that back there?" Megan followed him.

"Look, I'm sorry, Meg. There has to be a mistake! No way am I still married…"

"I'm not talking about that. Whether it's true or not, we can go down to the office or see a lawyer and find out why it happened and get it taken care of. Nathan, I'm talking about your temper. Baby, you're scaring me. You just flipped out back there."

"I know. Look, I didn't mean to. You don't understand…"

"Make me understand", she whispered, cupping his face.

"I…I hate her, alright?"

"You never talk about her. Just that one time you told me."

"Because I can't. I want to forget. I won't even speak her name. She doesn't exist to me."

"Well now she does. And you have to deal with it, babe."

"I don't want to."

"You have to. We'll do it together."

Nathan sighed. She was so beautiful, so understanding. How did he get so damned lucky?

"I'm sorry", he said quietly.

"It's okay. Just don't shut me out, Nate. I love you. We're in this thing together. No matter what."

There was only one order of business left. No matter how much money it would cost or whatever it would take, Nathan would hire whoever to track her down and end the farce that never should have happened 7 years ago in the first place.

Kissing Megan, he held her close.

"No matter what", he repeated.