A Way of Working Out
Chapter 17
Peyton stood next to Jake, "See, I told you that the plan would work."
"Just because they're dancing doesn't mean it worked."
"Of course it does," she snuggled closer to him.
Not wanting to start an argument on their wedding night, Jake agreed with her, "Of course it does."
Teresa and Tim walked up behind the happy couple, "Think they'll stay dancing partners for the next song?"
"Of course they will," Peyton smiled, Jake just rolled his eyes at Tim. While they both thought Nathan and Haley belonged together, they weren't real keen on the plan their wives had cooked up. "Because even if they don't want to, we're going to make sure that everyone else is with their dance partner before stepping out onto the floor. They won't have choice."
"You two are pure evil," Tim laughed.
"You won't be thinking that once they're back together and we don't have to work around them anymore. Just you wait."
The song ended and Haley lingered in Nathan's arms. She almost forgot why she wasn't spending everyday of her life wrapped in them.
"That was nice Haley, thank you," Nathan began to let her go, only to notice that as the wedding party dance began, it had been worked out so that he and Haley would once again be dance partners. Knowing it was the work of his best friend's new wife, he quietly whispered, "Thank you Peyton," as he pulled Haley back into his arms. "It looks like you're stuck with me again."
Haley looked around, "Looks that way."
The duo danced this song in silence as well. And when the song ended, Nathan whispered in her ear, "I love you Haley."
The words scared Haley. She didn't know why. She knew it was true. Everyone was always telling her that he still loved her and was heartbroken. But to actually here him say those four simple words to her after what she'd done to him a year and a half before, she didn't know what to think. She pushed away from Nathan and ran out the nearest door.
Teresa and Tim slid up next to Jake and Peyton, "You guys stay here. We'll go figure out what happened," Tim said.
Peyton whispered to Jake, "It looked like things were going so well."
"I know babe. I'm sure they'll be okay."
Tim approached Nathan who was now sitting at the head table, nursing the remainder of his drink from dinner. "What happened out there man?"
"It was so nice. She misses me. I just know it. But it was wonderful being so close to her again, and holding her, man I never wanted to let go. And I don't think she did either."
"Did you say something to her? Because obviously, something caused her to go running out those doors."
"I told her I loved her."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Hmmm…" Tim paused, "Teresa went after her. Hopefully she'll figure something out. But maybe YOU should go talk to her."
"I will, after Teresa comes back in."
"That may be a while. Give them 10 minutes. If they're still out there, go interrupt. It'll be fine."
It took a few minutes before Teresa found Haley across the street, sitting on the stairs overlooking the lake. Silently she sat down next to her, and Haley rested her head on her shoulder. "What happened in there Hales?"
"He loves me."
"You knew that."
"And he misses me, more than I miss him," lifting her head she looked at her friend, "He knows down to the minutes how long it's been since we broke up."
"And that's a bad thing."
"No," Haley shook her head, "It scared me. How can he still love me so much, after everything that I put him through? He should be happy. Not waiting for someone who's so damn afraid of making a mistake that she'll throw away the best thing that ever happened to her."
"You hurt him Haley. I know that for a fact. But, he knows you're the one. He's always asking about you. He waited for 10 years before becoming your boyfriend. He's willing to wait another 10 years if it meant he would finally get to be your husband."
"How do we go back?"
"You don't have to go back. First you need to talk to him. And then you just move forward."
"Will it really be that simple?"
"Only if you let it be that simple."
"Thanks Teresa." As her friend stood up, Haley said, "Will you find Nathan, and send him out here, please?"
"Of course," Teresa patted her friend's should as she turned around. What she saw as her eyes adjusted to the light surprised her. Nathan was standing there, silently watching them. Teresa approached him, "Hey."
"Hey."
"She's all yours."
Nathan gave her a small closed smile, "Thanks."
Haley glanced at Nathan as he sat down, "Sorry I ran out," she looked down at her hands, playing with the bracelet she almost never wore.
Nathan slid his hand over hers, "Its okay. Hey, isn't that the bracelet your dad gave you?" He wanted her to feel comfortable.
"Yeah," she smiled, remembering how glad she had been when he'd returned from Iraq after sixteen months, and then had decided not to go back. "I feel bad, I almost never wear it."
"I'm sure he understands. So, um, not to change the subject or anything, but can we talk?"
"Yeah," she finally looked into his eyes, "I was hoping we could."
"Listen Haley…" he began.
"Nathan…"
"No, please, just let me say this Haley," he lightly brushed her cheek, "I've missed you every minute of everyday. And I kick myself on a regular basis for making you believe that I don't trust you. I do. I was scared."
"I know Nathan, not a day goes by that I don't regret the way I responded. It's just that I was scared too. Trust was the downfall of my relationship with Lucas, and I couldn't stand the idea that it would kill us too. So I bailed, letting it tear us apart anyway."
"I meant what I said earlier. I love you. I always have," he leaned in for a kiss, only to meet Haley's cheek instead as she turned away.
"Why did you bring her?" Haley asked quietly.
"Kristy?" Nathan laughed, "Because I heard you were bringing a date. How long have you been seeing him. And what's with you and baseball guys?"
Haley looked at him again and smiled, "I just can't resist them I guess," she kissed him lightly, "But there's only one who really matters to me. It was Peyton's idea that I bring him. She said it would make you jealous."
"Well, it worked," he kissed her again.
"Wanna know something else? He's married? Jake and Peyton invited him to the wedding, but his wife couldn't make it. He hasn't stopped talking about his kids, who stayed at home with his wife, all night."
Nathan laughed, "I bet you he found his way to Kristy. She's been talking about her husband and kids non-stop."
Haley smiled, "Why didn't she bring them?"
"She and Jake lost touch over the years, and she didn't get an invite, so I asked her to do me a favor of posing as my date to make a girl, who was bringing her new boyfriend, jealous. Lucky for me, she agreed."
"Who's the girl?" Haley grinned, she kissed him once more before asking, "How did you know I was bringing someone, and what ever gave you the idea he was my boyfriend," she paused, "Wait, let me guess, Peyton?"
"Jake actually, but close enough," wrapping his arms around her, he asked, "So, think we could spend the rest of the night out here, or do you think they're missing us in there?"
"They're not missing us…Tim and Teresa can easily handle the dollar dance," she smiled, but I'm guessing they're dying for our return. They want to know if their plan worked or not," resting her head on his shoulder she whispered, "Let them wait just a little bit longer."
"I'm down with that."
"Honestly," Peyton mumbled.
"What was that?" Jake asked as they continued to dance.
"What's taking them so darn long?"
"Who cares? They're out there together aren't they? I thought that was what you wanted."
"Yeah, but what if…"
"Peyton Elizabeth Saw…" Jake paused, "Jagelski," he smiled at her, she was really his wife now, but, he thought 'that's going to take some getting used to.' Snapping back to what he had started to say, "This is OUR wedding day. Stop worrying about Nathan and Haley. If things are meant to work out, they will. There's nothing more you can do tonight." Sticking out his lip he pretended to pout, "I'm beginning to feel neglected."
"Oh, you poor baby. Let me make you feel better," she leaned in for a kiss that left their onlookers cheering.
"Wowsers Mrs. Jagelski. Care to bust this joint and…"
"Don't even say it," she started before whispering, "There will be plenty of time for that later." She looked around, "You're right, this is our wedding party, and we should be living it up out here. Let's get this party really started," and she drug Jake towards the DJs station to request some faster music.
After dancing a few more songs Peyton looked at Jake, "I'm parched, could you go get me something to drink?"
"Anything for you babe."
Peyton watched Jake walk away and made a beeline for Teresa, "Okay, this has to be quick. I promised Jake I'd drop it," she grimaced, "but I'm just so damn curious. Any sign of them coming in?"
Teresa laughed and pointed to the end of the head table, "They snuck in while you and Jake were out there doing god knows what."
Peyton looked over to where Teresa had pointed and saw Nathan and Haley sitting, head to head, whispering, "That's gotta be good, right?"
"They were holding hands when they came back in."
"Yes!" Peyton quietly exclaimed, seeing Jake approaching, "Thanks babe," she took her drink from him, "Hey, look who decided to join the party," she smiled at him as she took a sip of her drink.
"You did good Pey," he wrapped his arms around her, "Now maybe you'll attend to my needs more."
"If you insist," she smiled as they waltzed back to the dance floor.