The next couple of weeks went by quickly for Haley. She was sad when Brooke left, but kept herself busy by working at the café. Peyton and Jake were still in Florida, so it was just her and Lucas in Tree Hill.

"Hey buddy," Lucas greeted Haley when he entered the café. "Did you ever go home this week?"

Haley squirted some water in his face, "Yes I did, smartass."

"Okay, I was kidding! Talk to Nathan lately?"

"Yeah, sounds like he's enjoying camp. I really wish I could have stayed down there with him though."

"Who wouldn't rather be in Florida," Lucas laughed. "But I understand what you mean. Actually, I came down here to ask you something."

"Sure what is it?"

"Well, would you mind coming with me to the hospital today? Deb has been there for a few days, and I figured we could go visit, see how she and Dan are doing."

"Still not awake yet?" Lucas shook his head. "Alright, come get me after my shift."

Lucas and Haley got to the hospital later that night. They found Deb sleeping in one of the uncomfortable hospital chairs.

"You know what, I'm going to go get some coffee. Want to come Hales?"

"No I'll just wait here." Making sure she would be okay, Lucas walked out of the room. Haley focused on Dan. "Hey Mr. Scott, funny how I still call you Mr. Scott when you're my father-in-law, it's Haley. I can't believe the things you did to try and break me and Nathan up. What kind of a father does that to his own son? Why do you resent our relationship so much?" Haley felt his hand brush up against hers. "Mr. Scott?" His eyes slowly opened.

"Haley," he barely got out. "What are you doing here?"

"Emotional support for your son." She said coldly and went to wake Deb up. Then Lucas came back with coffee in hand.

"Haley? What's going on?"

"He's awake," she motioned over to Dan. Lucas went over and sat in the chair near his bed.

"Lucas," Dan whispered. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry for what," he yelled before Haley quieted him down. "The way you treated me and my mom for the last 17 years? Disowning me? Disrespecting your own wife and son? When you figure it out, let me know." Deb then came over next to Lucas.

"Hey Dan," she said tearfully. "While you were in your coma, did you ever possibly think you deserved this? What goes around comes around…" Haley and Lucas decided they didn't want to hear Deb's long speech, for all they knew she was probably high off of pills again.

"Well that was interesting," Haley commented when they got outside. Lucas just nodded. "You gonna be okay Rocket Roe?" Lucas had to laugh at that name and nodded his head again. "Thanks Haley," he said, tears coming to his eyes, and hugged her. "Thanks for always being my best friend."

"43 days to go," Nathan said as he walked into practice that day. Camp wasn't as much fun as he thought it would be. Long practices, too many games, no Haley. He loved basketball, that much was true, but he didn't want to spend the summer before senior year there. He made the right choice the first time by saying no, he wanted to spend time with his wife. As if the coaches read his mind, they held a short meeting that day.

"You all have been working really hard," the coach began. "And all of you are doing great! So all the coaches, along with Milt West have decided to give you guys the weekend off. Come Monday though, practice resumes, so everyone better show up."

Nathan was ecstatic at the news. For weeks now, he had been wishing for a break and now he got one, he knew exactly what he was going to do too.

Haley sighed when she got home later that night. "Another day gone," she said aloud. It was a lonely summer for her. For years it had been just her and Lucas and that's just the way it was. After their junior year however, their circle of friends grew. Once again however, it was just her and Lucas. And the loneliness was settling in. She talked to Peyton everyday. Just yesterday, Peyton informed her that Jake had finally gotten sole custody of Jenny, but they were going to stay in Florida for a few more days. Peyton just wasn't ready to come home yet. Haley talked to Brooke a lot too. Every time Brooke called, she was usually crying, but never really elaborated as to why. That last phone call between the two, Haley would never forget.

-Flashback-

"Hello?"

"Hey Haley, it's me," Brooke sniffled.

"Brooke, how are you?"

"Well I'm in California, where it has been my dream to come here on vacation. I'm surrounded by gorgeous guys and amazing shopping malls. I go up to Los Angeles weekly and run into celebs all the time. But it's not Tree Hill, how do you think I'm doing?"

"I'm sorry Tigger," Haley said hoping that her nickname for Brooke would cheer her up. "Is there anything I can do?"

"I was thinking that maybe we should follow through on that kidnapping plan from awhile ago."

"Brooke," Haley laughed. "I would if I could, but I don't really want to get in trouble with the law. Or your parents for that matter. I don't really know who is scarier."

"Definitely my parents. Th-They," Brooke started crying harder.

"Brooke what is it," a concerned Haley asked.

"Last week," she began trying to hold in the tears. "I went to one of the malls here. When I got back, they wanted to know where I was. I think that they had been drinking, at least my dad had been. I told them the truth and they said how tired they were of me spending all their money, that I was the reason they went bankrupt in the first place. They also said I didn't do any chores. They make me dust and clean and do laundry, which we all know I've never done in my life. I'm like their own personal Cinderella. So anyways, when I got home from the mall, my parents kept saying how I was a lazy, worthless slut, and my only good quality was spending money and then my dad, he…he hit me," her sobs grew louder. Haley gasped. That was probably the last thing she expected Brooke to say.

"Brooke! Why didn't you tell me sooner this was going on?"

"I was ashamed. I've only been living out here for what? A little over a month? I had to make it seem like I was living the perfect 'California girl' life."

"Oh my God. Brooke you have to call the police."

"I can't. They made me promise I wouldn't tell."

"Tigger, please. Do it for me, do it for Peyton, we need you here. But most of all do it for yourself. No one deserves to be treated like that."

"Thanks Haley," Brooke said. "I better go before I get in trouble for running up the phone bill or something. Talk to you later."

"Okay Brooke, I mean it. You better call. Bye."

-End of Flashback-

Just thinking of that conversation made Haley's stomach churn. Why Brooke? She was the most caring and upbeat person. There was nothing Haley could do though. She just prayed to God that she would hear from Brooke soon. With these uneasy thoughts, she went to bed.

Sometime after midnight, Nathan arrived in Tree Hill and headed straight for their apartment. He couldn't wait to see the love of his life. He walked in as quietly as possible, admiring the interior décor. Peyton really did do a good job. He silently walked down the hall towards the bedroom where he hoped she was asleep. Surely enough she was. He got under the covers carefully, trying not to disturb her. Nathan fell asleep with a smile on his face, he was finally home.

Haley awoke early the next morning and snuggled closer to Nathan. 'Wait? Nathan?' she wondered. She slowly turned around and there he was, lying next to her. It was all she could do from screaming with excitement. Instead she opted to kiss him. He was awake with in seconds.

"Hey you," he said in a husky voice.

"Hey yourself, why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"I didn't find out until just yesterday. They gave us the weekend off."

"Remind me to thank the coaches later," she murmured as she leaned back down to kiss him. They were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Oh my God, this happens every time," she exclaimed in an annoyed voice as she went to answer the door. She wouldn't be annoyed for long though. "Peyton," she screamed. "You're back."

"Yeah, we came back sooner than we thought we would, Tree Hill is just where we belong I guess."

"This is great! There's just so much to tell you," Haley suddenly realized she would have to tell Peyton about Brooke, but decided to put it off until later. "Where are you staying? Are you going back home?"

"I'm not sure. I figure my dad's gotta leave for work soon, so if the house is empty, then probably."

"Well, I'm so glad you're back! Jake too! This summer is finally starting to turn out right."

"I know," Peyton grinned. "Anyways, just wanted to stop by and say hi! I think I'm going to go back to Jake's house! Call me later!"

"Alright, bye!" Haley was smiling as she walked back to the bedroom.

"Who was that," Nathan asked.

"Peyton! She's back, and so is Jake."

"That's good. So what do you want to do today?"

"Stay right here," Haley said as she was enveloped in Nathan's arms. "I'm glad you're back Nate."

"Me too, Hales, me too," he said quietly. They just laid there and held each other until once again, sleep fell upon them.

Just hours later, Nathan woke up to an empty bed. Sighing, he got up to go find Haley. She was in the living room with Lucas eating lunch. "Thanks for waking me."

"Sorry, you just looked so peaceful," Haley smiled and kissed him.

"Okay you're forgiven, if I can also have a sandwich," she handed him one. "Thanks! Hey Luke, how's it going?"

"Pretty good, you know Dan woke up?"

"He did? I guess that's good."

"Yeah Haley was the one in there when he woke up." Nathan looked up in surprise.

"Really," he directed towards Haley.

"Yeah," she nodded. "We just went to see how your mom was doing and I was just sort of sitting there and I felt his hand move and then his eyes opened."

"Wow. What did he say?"

"Well he told me he was sorry," Lucas cut in. Nathan laughed.

"For what?"

"That's what I asked back, but we left before he could respond," Lucas chuckled. "So I was thinking about going down to the Rivercourt, you want to come?"

"I don't know Luke," Nathan said.

"You should go," Haley responded, knowing that she was the reason keeping Nathan back.

"Alright, I'll go. But Hales, how about a date tonight?" She gave him a quick kiss.

"Sure."

"Wear something formal, I'll pick you up at 7," he winked and walked out the door with Lucas.

After the guys left, Haley had called Peyton and they met at the mall. They were browsing stores looking for the perfect dress for Haley to wear.

"If only Brooke was here," Peyton sighed. Again, Haley realized she was going to have to tell Peyton about her conversation with Brooke.

"Um Peyton, there's something I gotta tell you about Brooke." Peyton's head snapped up.

"What is it," she asked in alarm. Haley then went on to tell her about her last conversation with Brooke. "Oh my God," Peyton began to cry. "Are you serious? We have to get her out of there!"

"She said we can't tell anyone, God only knows what would happen to her if her parents found out we knew."

"But Haley," Peyton screamed. "We can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"For now, it's all we can do. Let's just look for a dress and once Nathan leaves, we can come up with something to get Brooke home." Peyton reluctantly agreed. The two continued shopping until they found the perfect dress.

"Haley you have got to try this on," Peyton handed her a dress. It was a long red halter dress and it was gorgeous. Haley went back to the dressing room and tried it on. When she came out, Peyton gasped. "You have to buy it."

"This is it," Haley exclaimed. "It's perfect!" They purchased the dress and went to look for matching accessories: shoes, jewelry, the works. They got back to the apartment with barely enough time for her to get ready. Peyton helped her curl her hair and do her makeup.

"Alright Hales," Peyton said when she heard the doorbell ring. "Knock him dead."

Haley opened the door to find a very handsome Nathan standing there in a tux. When he saw her, he was in shock. 'She looks beautiful,' he thought. The dress was amazing, the way it fit every curve. Her hair shaped every angle of her beautiful face. Her makeup was subtle, but just enough. "You look amazing," he whispered in her ear as she hugged him.

"You don't look too bad yourself," she winked. "So where are we going?"

"It's a surprise." He led her over to a horse drawn carriage.

"Oh Nathan," she gasped.

"Let's go," he said and helped her in. The two cuddled in the carriage under a perfect moonlit sky.

"So come on, tell me where we're going, you know I hate surprises."

"Nope, my lips are sealed."

"Even if I do this," Haley kissed him. Then began kissing his neck and nibbled on his ear.

"Even if you do that," he chuckled. Haley sat back crossing her arms in defeat. "Come here," he wrapped his arm around her. "I promise, you'll love it." Eventually, they reached their destination.

"Table for two," he led her to a table at the Rivercourt. The court was beautifully lit. In the center of the table, lit only by candlelight, was a single rose. On the plates were two steaming servings of macaroni and cheese.

"Nathan," she said. "It's beautiful. Did you make the macaroni and cheese? It's the food of the—"

"The gods, I remember," he smiled. "And Karen helped with the food. Do we need to bring up the pancake incident again?"

"Oh I think we do," she laughed.

-Flashback-

Haley woke up one morning to the smell of breakfast cooking. She never thought Nathan would be one to cook, and little did she know how right she would be.

"Morning," she yawned as she walked out in the kitchen.

"Hey babe, just making some breakfast," he said as he flipped the pancakes.

"I can see that. You are too good to me."

"This is nothing," he simply stated. "But I can prove how good I am to you," he smirked and walked over to kiss her. The kiss became heated, his tongue seeked entrance into her mouth which she gladly granted. He lifted her up and she wrapped her legs around his waist. They were so caught up in the moment, they forgot about the pancakes until they smelled something burning. "The pancakes," Haley yelled. Nathan tried to clear the smoke, but instead knocked the pan onto the floor, pancake batter going everywhere. The smoke eventually thinned out and Nathan went back to making fresh pancakes. He finally made some just right and let Haley taste them first. She nearly choked. It was terrible. "Um wow, Nathan, these are um good," she finally said.

"Karen's it is," he said and grabbed the car keys.

-End of Flashback-

"Ok you helped cause the small fire, don't blame this all on me," Nathan teased.

"And you couldn't even mix pancake batter right, ew!" They laughed as they finished their food. Nathan then pulled out a CD player from underneath the table and turned it on. "May I have this dance?" He offered his hand to Haley and she gladly took it. The couple gazed into each other's eyes like they were the only people left on the planet.

The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated
I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof
My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love's suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

When the song finished, Haley stood up on her toes and kissed Nathan. "Let's go back to the apartment," Nathan suggested when they broke apart. Haley agreed and they got back in the carriage headed for home.

As Nathan and Haley approached the apartment he said to Haley "Close your eyes."

"Why?"

"Just because. I promise you won't be disappointed."

As they entered the room, Haley's eyes still closed tight. She could smell the aroma of fresh flowers and lavender. Her eyes starting to tear up before she even opened them.

"Okay, open your eyes."

As she opened her eyes she was taken back to their wedding day. Multi colored rose petals coverd the floor of the room and the bed.

"Aww!" she gasped. Still trying to take it all in.

" That's not all." He said as he led her to the bathroom.

As they opened the door and looked inside all she seen were candles of every shape, size and color as she walked in. There was a bath drawn with lavender bubbles just like she loved, and a messeage on the wall that read. 'I told you I'd always love you.'

Then she started crying. She couldn't believe all the things he had done for her. She still felt so unworthy of him.

"It's okay. Don't cry Haley. You are gonna make me cry too."

"When did you have time to do this," she asked between sobs.

"That's what brothers are for," Nathan smiled as he began to tear up. He couldn't help it. There they were hugging each other, crying together. They missed each other so much, words couldn't express how much they longed to hold each other and to feel the love they shared once again.
"Haley?" he said as she looked up at him. Then he pulled her close to him and kissed her. It seemed like an eternity since they had shard a kiss and wonderful and passionate as this. Soft yet firm at the same time. She tried to speak but he didn't let her. He just kept kissing her as he led her to the bed of rose petals, where he gently laid her down.

"Haley I need you, more than anything in the world. I need you in every way imaginable. You are what makes my heart whole. I don't ever want to lose you again okay?"

"Okay." was all she could think of to say. She was at such a loss for words. But that didn't seem to matter at this time. All that mattered was that she was once again where she belonged.

Song Credit: I'll Be by Edwin McCain

Huge thanks to LeytonLover22 for helping me out with parts of this! She rocks!