I am so sad to see this story come to an end. I just wanted to thank all of you who have read the story, and a real big thanks to those who have replied. I wasn't to happy with the way the chapter came out, it felt like it wasn't one of the better chapter, which I was hoping it would be, but I wanted to tie up all the ends. So…Here's the last chapter. Hope you like it!

Second Time Around
Chapter 23

Nearly a month after Nathan followed Haley to New York they had their own apartment. It was a few floors up from her old one and two doors away from Chris's. They decorated it and it soon became their own little home and they loved it. Nathan kept his beach house in Tree Hill so that they could go and visit any time that they wanted, which was usually one weekend a month when Nathan would visit his office to take care of any business that he couldn't take care of via fax and internet from New York. Haley still worked with Jessica and Melissa at Chic, which continued to grow with success. As Haley and Nathan's relationship continued to grow, so did those of them around them. After a hook-up due to a few too many drinks, Chris and Jessica were going strong, despite the fact that they both used to be known for their very short, and numerous relationships. In an attempt to find someone for Melissa, Jessica called the hot mindless man whore, but they just call him Travis now, who turned out to actually be a lawyer, who was paying off his student loans by modeling.

July
Nathan and Haley walked out of the Tree Hill Airport and met Lucas at the curb. After Nathan and Lucas did their manly brother hug, Lucas turned towards Haley.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you. Brooke is stressing out, which is stressing me out."

"Glad to know you're are happy to see me because Brooke is stressing you out, not because we are best friends or anything."

"Hey, you know I love ya Hales." They climbed into Lucas's Escalade and drove over to the beach house where Lucas helped Nathan and Haley take their luggage in before going off to do whatever errands Brooke has scheduled for him today. Nathan and Haley took their bags up to their room before they drove to the store to pick up some food for while they are there. After the fridge was stocked, Nathan suggested that they go out and have their dinner on the beach. Haley loved the idea so she pulled the stuff out and made two big sandwiches for them. Nathan pulled out the bag of chips and a couple of drinks from the fridge before grabbing one of their beach blankets. After they grabbed everything that they wanted they headed out onto the deck and down to their favorite spot on the beach.

"So, where meeting Lucas and Brooke tomorrow for brunch at the café right?"

"Yeah. Then after Brooke and I are going to run to a few places while you and Luke get the tuxes."

"Okay." Nathan took another bite of his sandwich as they both stared out at the ocean as it gradually got darker and the ocean and sky seamlessly meshed together. By this time they had both finished their dinner and Haley was sitting in between Nathan's legs leaning into his chest.

"Hey Hales."

"Hmm?"

"I just wanted you to know that these past three months have been amazing. I can't imagine my life without. I love you Hales, and I love who I am when I am with you."

"I love you too Nate, always and forever."

"Exactly, which is why I wanted to come down here. I want to make always and forever official Hales. So, Haley James, will you marry me?" Nathan pulled the ring out from his pocket and held it out in front of them. Haley gasped as he put the ring in front of her and tears began to fill her eyes before she turned around and kiss him. "So, I hope that's a yes."

"Yes, of course!" Nathan smiled before he pulled her against him and crashed his lips against hers. The pulled back and rested their foreheads together.

"God, I think that was the most nerve-racking-thing that I have ever done. And if you don't like the ring we can take it back and get you one that you do like. I wasn't sure exactly what you would want because I didn't want to ask you because I wanted it to be a surprise. I had Jessica and Melissa give me some advice, but if you don't like it we can take it back. Or if you want we can just keep that one and pick out another one. Or--" Haley stopped Nathan's little ramble with a kiss.

"You know I think my rambles are rubbing off on you. I love the ring, but I would love it even more if you would finally put it on my finger."

"Sorry." Nathan smiled down at Haley and slid the ring onto her ringer. It was a beautiful Princess cut diamond raised on a platinum band with four smaller Princess cut diamonds on each side along the band.

"Oh Nate, it's perfect. Thank you."

"Thank you for saying yes."

"I would have never said no. I love you Nate."

"I love you too Hales."

"Always and Forever.", they whispered together before they fell back on the beach blanket and made love beneath the starry sky. Life couldn't get much better than this.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed the story! Not quite the grand ending I was hoping it would turn out to be, but a happy one none the less. I really enjoyed this little ride of a story, and I hope you did too! I'm definitely gonna miss it!
-Leigh