Second Time Around
Chapter 21

After a bit of a tearful goodbye and Jake trying to tell Haley to be careful with Nathan while Peyton telling him to mind his own business because Haley was a big girl now, Haley went back to her room and took a shower to started to get ready for her dinner date with Nathan. She wrapped a towel around her body and opened the bathroom door to let the steam escape. She pulled out the dress she was planning on wearing from the closet and laid it down on the bed. It was a black, v-neck halter top, with the front stopping just below her knees, while the back flowed all the way to the floor. There were some gold embellishments on the front, which she planned to pick-up with her black and gold heels and the gold clip she wanted to wear in her hair. She smiled at her success before going back to the bathroom to get ready. When she emerged the second time her make-up was done perfectly, a bit heavier than usual, but not so much that it hid her natural beauty, and her hair had been curled and partially pulled back with a gold barrette. She shed the towel before putting on her dress and heels and eyeing herself in the mirror. She smiled at her reflection. Somewhere along the way the old Haley has reappeared. There was no longer a look of sadness in her eye, but that sparkle that used to grace them was back. Nathan would be here any minute so she finished getting ready by putting on her gold necklace and earrings. Just as she put a spritz of perfume on, she heard a knock at the door and felt butterflies in her stomach. She opened her hotel door to find Nathan standing there in black slacks, a black dress shirt, and a black and gold tie, holding a dozen pink roses. He stared at her awe-struck for a second before he was able to say anything.

"Wow Hales. You look beautiful. These are for you, your favorites." He handed her the roses and she smiled.

"Thank you, they're beautiful. And you look great tonight too." Nathan waited by the door while Haley put the roses in some water. "So, you ever going to tell me where we are going?"

"To dinner."

"Duh. Where?"

"A place from the past."

"Well now it's al clear. Please tell me." She pouted her lip out to try to get him to tell her, but all she got in return was the trademark Scott smirk.

"Nope. Just gotta trust me." Haley followed Nathan out of the hotel and to his black Porsche Boxster. He opened the passenger side door as Haley got in before going around and getting in himself.

"Wow, this is a beautiful car Nate."

"Thanks. One of the perks of working in the automobile industry." They rode in comfortable silence to the restaurant. It was the same restaurant Nathan had taken her to on their first date. She smiled at the memory. "Told you it was a place form our past. So, did I do good."

"Nope, you did great. I can't believe this Nathan. Thank you so much."

"Your welcome." Nathan offered his arm to her, which she took with a smile, and they walked into the restaurant. They were shown to their table, and on the way Haley looked around. There was still the beautiful, large chandelier in the middle with the dance floor beneath it where they had shared their first dance together. They were seated at a small table to the side, much like the one on their first date. They ordered their food, and while waiting, Nathan asked Haley to dance. They made their way to the dance floor to join the handful of couples that were already out there. He put one arm around her waist and with the other held her hand near their chests. She placed her free arm around his shoulders. Even with the heels she was wearing he still towered over her by at least six inches. They stared into each others eyes for a moment before Haley placed her head against his chest as they swayed to the music. They were both elated to be in each others arms again. When they finished dancing they walked over, hand-in-hand, to their table, where their food arrived shortly. When they were finished with their meal a tray of chocolate covered strawberries and a bottle of chilled champagne were brought over to the table, Haley's favorites. After they finished the plate of strawberries, part of which they fed to each other, and had a few glasses of champagne, Nathan paid and they left the restaurant. He drove them to one of the places that held so many memories for them, the docks. After he parked they both got out of the car and walked in a comfortable silence to their table. Nathan sat down and Haley sat down next to him.

"I know that I screwed up in the past, and I wanted to thank you for giving me, for giving us, a second chance Hales. I know that you were concerned with our differences now since we have our jobs and our lives in different places, but Haley, you have never not been a part of my life. You have always been in my heart. I promise that we will make it work, I know we can."

"I know we can too." Nathan reached into his pocket of his pants and pulled out a jewelry box.

"I know it's not the same as the first one I gave you…" Nathan opened up the box which contained a white gold bracelet with a heart. The heart had "Always and Forever" engraved on it. "Don't say I never gave you anything."

"Oh Nathan, it's beautiful, but you didn't have to." Haley had taken the bracelet out and looked over it.

"I wanted to Hales."

"Will you?" Nathan took the bracelet out of Haley's hands and clasped it around her wrist. "Thank you, for everything. You made a trip that I was dreading and counting down the days until I would be back in New York into something that I can't even describe. I'm going to miss you." Tears started sliding down her face as she came to grips that this would be their last night in Tree Hill.

"Hey, don't cry. I'll miss you too, but I'll visit all the time until we decide what to do. We'll make it work." Nathan put his arms around Haley and they both sat back and watched the water.

Nathan drove Haley back to her hotel and walked her up to her room.

"So I'll meet you when you take the car back, then I'll drive you to the airport tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah." Nathan leaned down and pressed his lips against hers before he drew his tongue across her lips, begging for entrance. She granted him access and their tongues sought out one another's mouths. They pulled back an Haley placed a kiss on his cheek. "Stay with me tonight."

Thanks for reading! Only two chapters left!
-Leigh