Author's Note: Hey guys, here's your chapter for today! It's kind of boring and mostly filler. It's been a long day, a lot of things going on at work so I didn't feel all that 'peppy' to write something more exciting so I just wrote something fun and a tad mushy. Anyways, I hope you like it! As always, please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.
Rating: K+ to T
Finding Our Way Back
Chapter 21 – True Love Always Wins Out
Lucas kissed her hand as they walked along the streets of Tree Hill, "I'm sorry. Ky kind of ruined the surprise with that comment back at Thanksgiving. I had planned on asking you at Christmas even before she said anything." "No, I was definitely surprised," she wrapped an arm around his torso and rested her head against his chest, leaning up on her tip toes to meet his mouth in a tender kiss. "When do you want to have the wedding," he asked a few moments later. "Getting a little ahead of yourself don't you think? We just got engaged," she giggled, happy at saying the word. Engaged. To Lucas Scott. She'd be Mrs. Haley Scott. She grinned wider. Haley Scott; it did have a nice ring to it. She glanced at her hand and smiled; definitely a nice ring.
"I've waited eighteen years to be with you, isn't that long enough," he asked with a chuckle. "True," she amended with a nod, "but I want to wait a little bit. I was thinking about a spring wedding. Maybe next April or May." Lucas' eyes widened, "NEXT April or May? I don't think I can wait that long. Maybe we should just elope." "Lucas Scott, no I will not elope! Your mother would be crushed! Besides, I meant this April or May. We don't have that much to plan anyway, we thought of all the important stuff when we were six years old. Remember that day, Luke," she smiled up at him. Lucas threw back his head and laughed as he recalled their conversation, "Yeah. Do you still have cooties?" "Love cooties. And I got them from you," she chuckled as she kissed him on the lips.
"Let me see the ring," Karen said excitedly when the couple entered the café the next morning. "You knew," Haley asked with wide eyes. "Of course. How do you think Luke got me to watch the kids on the night of Christmas Day? Naturally, I was curious why you two wouldn't want to spend time with them, especially because it was Christmas so of course I said yes when Lucas told me what he was going to do," Karen grinned. Haley showed her the ring with a big smile plastered on her face. "Oh, it's gorgeous," Karen gushed as she gazed at the ring then looked up at Haley, "honey, you're absolutely glowing." Haley blushed as she glanced at Lucas. Karen looked at her son, seeing the exchange. Her face scrunched in disgust, "Oh Luke, eww! Too much information for your mother to know!" "We didn't say anything, you just assumed," he replied. "Assumed? You mean you didn't-" "Well…" he began slowly with a small smile. "Stop right there! I don't want to hear any details," Karen covered her ears with her hands.
A few moments later, after Karen had decided it was safe enough to uncover her ears, she hugged her son then Haley. "Congratulations, you two. It's about damn time you got your act together. I've been waiting sixteen years for this." "Sixteen years, Mom," Lucas questioned. "What? I knew you two were destined to be together the day you became friends," Karen smiled. "Well, would it have killed you to knock some sense into us so we could've gotten together sooner," Lucas asked. "The course of true love never runs smooth but true love always wins out," she said simply then replied, "besides, if I had intervened and you'd gotten together earlier, you wouldn't have Katie and Derek and I wouldn't have my grandchildren."
"So Luke finally stepped up," Kyla shrieked when she saw the diamond ring shining from her finger, "I knew it! My master plan worked! I got Lucas to propose to you!" "Sorry to burst your bubble Ky, but Luke had this all planned even before the little comment you made at Thanksgiving that nearly made me die of respiratory failure," Haley grinned cheekily at her. Kyla pouted, "You just couldn't give me one minute of glory, could you?" "Nope," Haley replied. "So how'd he do it? How did he propose," Kyla asked interestedly as she leaned forward in her chair, closer to Haley as if they were sharing a juicy secret.
"Our family is too much," Haley sighed as she sank down onto the couch. Lucas, who was sitting in an armchair reading the newspaper, lowered the paper and raised an eyebrow in questioning. "Kyla and Karen gabbed my ears off all day and I could hardly get a word in edgewise. They're planning this wedding without us and we're the ones getting married," Haley responded as she rubbed her temples. She had a headache. All that talking nonstop for hours drove her mind wild. "They're just excited and happy for us Hales," he replied as he stood and took a seat beside her, "You feeling alright?" "Yeah, I just have a bad headache. My sinuses are acting up again. My eyes are watering like crazy, my nose is runny, I keep sneezing, and I keep throwing up more now, which is probably from all this cold weather. I've never been so sick this long before. It's driving me nuts." "Why don't I start you a warm bubble bath, it'll help you relax," he offered as he brushed some hair away from her face.
She cupped his face in her hands and pressed her lips to his, stroking his cheek softly, "You're so good to me Luke." "I know," he grinned murmuring against her mouth, "that's why you're marrying me." She chuckled as she pulled him up off the couch and while Haley went to go grab her bathrobe, Lucas started the water in the tub, adding the bubbles. Haley returned and wrapped her arms around his waist, tilting her head up and placing a gentle kiss on his mouth, "Join me." He smiled and shed his clothes, stepping into the warm water and easing himself down until he leaned against the back of the bathtub. Haley followed suit and sat between his legs. Lucas ran the washcloth over her back then her shoulders, letting the warm water run down her skin. He began to gently massage her back, trying to release the tension from her muscles. "Mmm, that feels good," Haley murmured as she leaned forward, her eyes closed. She was beginning to fall asleep. Lucas carefully got out of the tub and picked her up, wrapping her in a large towel. After he dried her off, he helped her slip on her bathrobe before carrying her to the bed, laying her down and pulling the covers over her. He crawled in beside her and she snuggled into him, resting her head on his chest. Haley traced his jaw with her finger slowly before pressing her lips softly to his, "I love you." He stroked her hair and rubbed her back, returning the kiss, "I love you too Hales." "It's been a long day and I'm tired, let's call it a night," she murmured as she closed her eyes and placed her head back on his chest. "Whatever you say Mrs. Scott," Lucas smiled as he too closed his eyes. Haley chuckled, "You're darn right Mr. Scott."