Megan knew Nathan would never go for it. He wasn't the frills kind of guy. He was simple. A man's man definitely. But she didn't have the heart to stop it. Besides, that was his mother. How could she and what right did she have to tell Deb not to do it?

Of course Nathan would want to come home quietly and inconspicuously. That was just his way. He didn't want a cake or all the people fussing over him. And she could just see him rolling his eyes when he saw the balloons and banner that read. "Welcome Home, Nathan".

But she had been so excited putting it all together. That was her child, her only son. She loved him. She was celebrating. They all were. Happy that by the grace of a sheer miracle, his life had been spared.

There was happy and animated chit chatter throughout the Scott residence. It only ceased when the front door opened. A smug Dan entered first. You could have heard a pin drop as the people held their breath. Then slowly he entered. Nathan. Nathan Scott alive and well in the flesh.

They bombarded him, showering him with hugs and some kisses. Royal and Mae Scott. Keith and Jules. Andy and Karen. Jake, Peyton and Jenny. Brooke and Laurie. He winced, obviously uncomfortable but he obliged, just like a superstar would to a fan despite pain, fatigue or a devastating team loss.

He looked ahead. He saw her, tears clouding the blue eyes they shared. She was shaking, not believing that it was really him but thankful just the same. She loved him so much. She wanted to grab him and never let him go ever again.

"Nathan", she broke down as he embraced her.

"Hey, Mom", he said in a quiet voice.

She clung to him for a few minutes and he just let her remain in his arms. Then he looked a few feet away. Megan Powell. Her face was tired and her eyes were a bit puffy presumably from crying but she was a sight for sore eyes. She ran to him when Deb moved out of the way. She crashed into his body, into his sore, taped ribs. As much as he loved her, he had to force his arms to touch her. He had betrayed her and it had killed him.

Nathan was truly glad to be home. He knew he was safe. It was nice to have a window to look out of and ever so often he would peek through just to make sure there wasn't miles and miles of water. As relieved as he was to be back, everyone at the house seemed just as happy to have him back. They couldn't get enough of him, talking to him, touching him, bombarding him with question after question. They meant no harm and he knew it but more than their company, more than the delicious homemade meal that had been prepared for him, he just wanted uninterrupted sleep.

He excused himself early and made his way to the bedroom. He kicked off his shoes and shirt and let his head gently fall against the soft pillow. Slumber had almost found him when the door opened softly. From the lights of the inside hallway and the moon peering in outside, he could see her. She just stood in the entranceway looking at him.

"You gonna come in?" he finally asked.

"I thought you were sleeping. I didn't want to wake you."

"It's okay. Come here", Nathan beckoned.

She followed and climbed in bed, careful not to cause discomfort to his injuries. She nestled in the crook of his arm and he tenderly stroked the side of her face.

"I'm so glad you're back, Nate. I was so scared. It must have been awful."

"It was scary", he admitted. "It's funny what your mind and body can do just when you think you don't have anything left. The will to survive is pretty damned amazing."

"I prayed for you every night. Both of you. I kept hoping for that one phone call but it never came. I never stopped believing though. I knew you would come home to us."

"That's what got me through it all."

"Babe, I can't believe what you went through. I heard you saved Haley's life and you were stranded for days. My God, I can't imagine. It must have been terrifying."

"It was", he answered quietly.

"You are so brave, Nathan."

"Meg…"

"No, I mean it. It's no time to be humble. You're a hero, baby."

"I'm not a hero. I…I'm just a man."

"You're my man…and I love you."

"I love you, too", he pecked her lips.

"Nathan?"

"Yeah, babe?"

"Did you do it? You know, with Haley?"

"What?" he asked a little too quickly and harshly. "What are you talking about?"

"The divorce. I feel horrible for bringing it up. I…I just wanted to know if everything got finalized."

He breathed a guilty sigh of relief.

"Yeah. It's done. I'm a free man. Paperwork is in my bag."

"Thank God. It's all over, huh? I'm just glad everything turned out okay. And Haley…"

"Look, Meg, can we just…can we not talk about her?"

"Okay. We don't have to. You've been through enough. I just hope the experience has let you be more forgiving. She's out of your life, babe. You can let go now. But letting go means releasing the hate as well. You don't want to carry that around in your heart for the rest of your life."

"It's fine. It's done. I never have to see her again."

"I'm just glad you're back. It feels so good to see you, to hold you again, Nathan."

He stared out into the darkness.

"I missed you, too."

"Sweetie, can we talk for a second? There are just some things I never said to you and I really want to…"

"Look, I don't want to think about what happened there. Can we just forget about it?"

"Nate…"

"It's the past. That means nothing to me. Nothing else matters now except you and me and our future together."

"I know honey but I think we need to have a long talk about us and our future and…"

"I know. Okay, it's cool but not tonight, Meg. Please. It's my first night back. I don't want to talk or think. I just want to sleep and enjoy being back. Whatever it is you have to tell me, it can wait. All I want to hear right now is that you love me and all I want to do is hold you. Everything else can wait."

Megan was a little hurt. Her news couldn't wait. Or maybe it could. He had been through so much. He wasn't even acting like himself but who the hell could blame him, considering what he had been through? He would be alright. He just needed time. Time to adjust and time to recover. Once he had a few days, everything would be okay. They would return back to normal. She smiled, placing tiny butterfly kisses all over his face.

"I love you, Nathan. So much. I mean it. With all my heart, babe. I really, really love you."

"I love you, too, Meg."

"Then show me", she begged softly.

"What?"

"I need you. It's been so long. Too long. I need to feel you. Make love to me, Nate. Please."

Nathan shifted uncomfortably. He didn't know if he could.

"Listen, Meg, I…"

"What's wrong? Don't you want me?"

"Yes. Yes, of course I want you but I got pretty beat up over there. I don't know if I can and all. I'm sorry…"

"It's okay. I'm the one who should be sorry. You've been through hell and back and I'm being pretty inconsiderate and selfish right now."

"No, you're not."

"Just hold me, then. Please."

"You sure?"

"Sure, I'm sure", she smiled. "That's enough for me right now. I mean it. We have the rest of our lives to make love."

"Okay", he smiled uncomfortably.

"I can't wait to be your wife. Welcome back, Mr. Scott", she sighed contentedly into his chest as she settled into her fist peaceful sleep in days.