Second Time Around
Chapter 20

After answering her wake-up call Haley rolled over and fell back asleep instead of going on her normal morning run. Today was her last full day in Tree Hill, which Haley wanted to make as relaxing as possible. For her this meant nothing more than breakfast with Jake, Peyton, and Jenny and getting ready for her day with Nathan. When she did get out of bed a few hours later she pulled on a pair of jeans and a white tank top before putting her running shoes on and putting her hair up into a messy bun. She washed her face and finished getting ready before walking over and knocking on the door to Jake's room.

"Hey Hales. Come in, we're almost ready. So…how did last night go?"

"Couldn't leave it alone could ya? That's okay, I appreciate how protective you are of me. Last night was great, so don't worry, your ass-kicking skills aren't needed." Jenny and Peyton walked out of the bedroom area and joined Haley and Jake.

"Aunt Haley! Are you coming to breakfast with us today?"

"Yup. Are you guys ready to go?" The four of them walked downstairs to the restaurant and were seated at a table.

"What time does your flight leave tonight?"

"8:30, so we were planning on doing the late check-out and then heading out and grabbing a late lunch before heading to the airport."

"I'm gonna miss you guys."

"All the more reason for you to come visit us more in L.A. Hales."

"There's no reason you can't come visit me more in New York."

"Same goes for L.A."

"Same goes for New York."

"Same --"

"You know, you two act more like a brother and sister rather than cousins. Plus, it's not like we never see each other. We see each other at least six times a year. Which don't get me wrong, I would love to see Haley more, but that pretty good for people who live on opposite sides of the country."

"Yeah, yeah, but I still wish we lived closer to each other. So you guys are coming up to New York as soon as Jenny is out of school right?"

"Yup. I think it's the first week in June." The four ate their breakfast before walking up to their rooms so that Jake, Jenny, and Peyton could start getting ready to go back home. When Haley got to her room she started getting ready for her lunch date with Nathan. She changed into a pair of dark blue Bermuda shorts, a white, Ambercrombie fitted polo with a blue moose embroidered on it, finishing it off with her white chunky flip-flops. She put on some light make-up before taking her hair out of the messy bun and letting her natural waves fall around her face and onto her shoulders. She grabbed her cell phone to check the time.

"Perfect timing." She grabbed her purse and keys before heading out to the Cobra. She pulled up to the beach house right at noon. When she knocked on the door Nathan answered wearing khaki cargo pants and a black Jordan shirt with his white Nikes.

"Hey. You're right on time. You ready?"

"Yup. So what are we having?"

"I picked up some stuff from Karen's earlier. I figured we could go out and eat on the beach."

"Sounds great." They walked through the beach house and Nathan grabbed the blanket that was on the island in the kitchen and grabbed the bag of food from the refrigerator. They walked out of the house and down to the beach, where Nathan laid down the beach blanket and they both sat down. "So what did you get?"

"Open it up and find out."

"Sandwiches…chips…two pieces of chocolate cake…some sodas…ah, and mac 'n cheese. You are so awesome! So this while picnic on the beach is pretty nice. Thanks."

"My pleasure. So has you trip here been what you thought it would be?"

"Not even close. I was expecting some whole horrible family affair, but aside from the first couple of days, which definitely had their downfalls, it has been wonderful."

"Good. So for dinner tonight I thought we could go somewhere nice. I already made reservations for seven, so I figured I could pick you up from the hotel somewhere around six-thirty. Sound good?"

"Sounds perfect. Oh, and I have the perfect dress. I brought it just in case we went somewhere fancy for a family dinner, but thank God, we only had family dinners for the first few nights before the wedding. I think if we would have had any more I would have gone insane."

"Hey, if it makes you feel any better my parents suck too. In fact my whole family is kinda screwed up."

"Thanks." Nathan and Haley continued to eat their lunch in front of the beautiful scenery, both trying to forget that this is Haley's last full day in Tree Hill. When they finished eating they put their empty containers back into the bag and Haley moved in-between Nathan's legs. Haley could help but remember when they were in this same position over five years ago. "Remember when we came her a couple of days after graduation?"

"How could I forget. I was so scared of leaving you to go to High Fliers and then being separated for college. I knew how much I was going to miss you and I didn't want to leave you."

"I was so scared too. I still am." Nathan leaned down and placed a kiss on her shoulder to comfort her, just as he did that same day years ago.

"But we learn from our mistakes. After all, always and forever, right?"

"Right. Always and Forever." Haley laid her head against Nathan's chest and they both watched the waves come in and tickle the sand.

When Nathan finally checked his watch it was nearly three. "Hey. It's like three now and I still need to take care of some stuff before I can get ready for out date, so how about I pick you up at six. I can leave you a spare key to the beach house if you want to stay here a little longer. I'd stay with you but I have to finish some stuff today."

"No that's okay, but thanks though. I gotta get back so I can take a shower and get ready. Plus I wanted to say bye to Jake, Peyton, and Jenny before they left."

"Okay." They both got up and gathered all of there stuff so that they could go walk back up to the beach house. After they got everything put inside Nathan followed Haley out front and opened the door to the car for her. Before getting in she turned around so she was facing Nathan and reached up and cupped his face before she brought her lips to his. Haley slightly opened her mouth to drag her tongue across Nathan's lips. He quickly parted his lips and their tongues began to duel. When they finally pulled away breathless Nathan leaned back in and places a chaste kiss on the corner of her mouth.

"I'd love to continue, but I have a feeling neither of us will get to do what we need to do before out date, so I'll pick you up in a couple of hours?" Haley nodded her head before Nathan once more kissed her, this time on her cheek. Haley smiled up at him and he returned the smile. She climbed in to the car and backed out of the driveway while Nathan climbed into his Hummer and left.

Thanks for reading. I hope you liked it! Only three more chapters left!
-Leigh