Author's Note: Flashback sequences written in Italics. Certain scenes and dialogue borrowed from One Tree Hill, episode 23 "The Desperate Kingdom of Love"

Nathan shifted in his seat. He couldn't get comfortable. At least the flight wasn't too full. He hated overcrowded airplanes. First class was almost a ghost town. At least there were no autograph seekers. It was fun encountering fans some but there was a time and place for everything. And it wasn't the time or place. He was in a mood, emotions and nerves on edge. The girl sitting in the aisle across from him wasn't helping matters. He couldn't take her eyes off of her. Petite, cute, auburn haired…it was all too much. Sighing, he turned his attention to the window. Just when he was settled and done with dinner and ready for a nap, he heard it.

Nathan couldn't believe it. That song! That damned song! No! Not that song. Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved". He could hear the words from her headphones. It made him antsy. Nathan gripped the seat. He felt like he might jump out of the plane. It was like God was pulling the ultimate punk on him. How ironic. That girl. That song. He couldn't breathe. He needed water. He needed air.

"Everything okay, Mr. Scott?"

"What? Oh yeah. I'm cool…actually, can I get one of those hot towel things to wash my face?"

"Sure thing, sir", the flight attendant smiled politely as she handed it to him.

Nathan unfolded it and lay it across his face. Oh how he wished his mind would just shut down. But it wouldn't…

They practically ran back to his apartment. They held hands and giggled in the rain, dashing up the stairs. He opened the door and let her in. They went back to the bedroom and the air conditioner plus their drenched clothing produced a chill. Nathan collapsed on the bed, tossing his wet sweatshirt watching Haley attempt to dry her damp hair with a towel. She smiled and shivered a little bit, just staring at him. Then she removed her own shirt exposing hardening nipples underneath a camisole. Nathan's heart pounded. He had never seen that much of her. She had never been that comfortable before around him.

"Haley…"

She gave him a nervous smile before climbing on the bed on top of him. Nathan jumped as he felt her warm flesh so close to his.

They had made out so many times before but he had always done his best to respect that his girlfriend was a virgin. Most of the time it was just a lot of heavy petting through layers of clothes. Never before had they been this unclothed and just the sight of her like that drove him nuts.

"No, it's okay…it's okay."

She kissed him again, her soft tongue probed every corner of his mouth. She was so pretty and he loved her so much and…well Haley turned him on beyond belief! It was kind of difficult to disguise the growing bulge between his legs. He nearly jumped out of his skin when she touched it through the thin material of his basketball shorts. He knew that if he didn't stop it right then and there that soon they wouldn't be able to stop. Nathan also knew that as much as Haley loved him and as much as she wanted to please him, that she wasn't ready to take it to that next physical level. That could be a real bummer at times but he actually really respected her for it. That was just one more thing that made her even more perfect.

"I could love you forever", he whispered.

"So could I."

"Hales, you've really been there for me these past few months, especially how crazy it's been at home and with my parents and stuff. You really kept me sane. Sometimes…sometimes it's like you're the only true thing I have. I never want to lose you."

"You won't…what? What's wrong?"

"Marry me."

There it was. The words just sort of rolled out of his mouth before he could catch them. But it didn't matter. It felt weird saying it but he meant it. He meant the words with all his heart. At that very moment Nathan Scott had an epiphany. He knew he was in love with Haley Joy James and he wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.

"Marry me", Nathan said again.

"Stop it", she giggled as she sat up.

"What? Would you?"

"Oh Nathan, you're embarrassing me."

"Why not?"

"Because…we're in high school."

"So what? I'm emancipated."

"Is this about sex?" she teased. "Because I want to wait?"

"No, I can see you caving on that one already", Nathan joked.

"Well maybe so but Nathan…couples don't get married in high school. It's just not normal."

"So?" he protested. "I'm not normal. What I'm feeling is definitely not normal. I'll be honest with you Haley, I don't ever want to be normal…not with you. I'm serious."

She looked up at him with serious but thoughtful eyes.

"I know you are."

"Okay so I'll say it again. I could love you forever."

"So could I but…"

"So why can't forever start right now?"

She just looked at him, her dark eyes wandering as she searched for a logical response.

"Nate…"

"I love you Haley and I know you love me. What we have is special…it's the real deal. And I want you. I want all of you, every day for the rest of my life."

"I know but…Nathan, I mean, we need to think about this…"

"No. No, we don't. Stop thinking with your head Hales and start thinking with your heart. I love you. And I want to be with you and only you…forever. So what do you say? Will you marry me?"

She was quiet for a while just staring me down with that shell shocked look. Then slowly the corners of her mouth turned upwards into a small smile that eventually became a huge grin.

"You're emancipated but I can't just get married…"

"You need parental consent."

"Exactly."

"So ask them. I'll go with you. We'll see your parents together and plead our case."

"You're serious, aren't you? You've really thought this out."

"We'll tell them that we're in love and see what they say, Hales. It's worth a shot and I think they'll understand."

"Yes", she finally breathed. "Yes Nathan Scott, if my parents say yes, then I will marry you."

He pulled her close and they kissed, all the while Maroon 5's "She Will Be Loved" providing a poignant and romantic soundtrack in the background. The perfect song for the perfect moment for the perfect day.

"Mr. Scott, we are preparing to land, sir?"

"Huh? Oh…okay. Whatever."

The stewardess had just interrupted his trance like state.

"Thank you for flying with us…sir, are you sure everything is okay?"

Nathan looked out the window as the metal bird's wheels descended upon the runway.

"Yeah", he finally said. "It's going to be."