Author's note: Sorry guys, if you received to alerts that didn't work for this chapter. I was doing a little bit of switching stuff around because of some problems with the chapters. But…I hope you found this chapter anyways. Sometimes a little fluff is needed. Enjoy!
Chapter 22- All For Love
Nathan paced up and down Haley's driveway trying to calm his nerves. He knew that what he was about to do was probably not going to turn out the way he wanted, but that wasn't going to discourage him from trying. He and Haley had come so far since they began dating, and Nathan wanted to plan her a night that she would never forget. But, in order to have that unforgettable night, Nathan had to convince Haley's parents to lift her grounding for one night.
After finally gathering up the courage to ring the door bell, Nathan waited anxiously as he heard footsteps approach the door. Haley's father pulled it open.
"I'm sorry Nathan, but Haley's at work right now."
"I know, I, um, actually came to talk to you. If you have a minute that is." Nathan hoped his request wouldn't fall on deft ears.
Jimmy checked his watch, "I do have a little bit of time right now. Come on in." Jimmy stepped back allowing Nathan to enter.
Jimmy walked into the living room and Nathan followed. Nathan took a seat on the couch and Jimmy sat down in a chair opposite him. Jimmy sat back and crossed his arms wondering what this was about.
"I need to ask you a favor Mr. James. It has to do with Valentine's Day. Now, I know that Haley will still be grounded on that day, but I was hoping I could convince you to let her do something with me that night." Nathan rubbed his hands together, his palms were sweating he was so nervous.
"You're right Nathan, Haley is still grounded on Valentine's Day, it actually happens to the last day of her punishment. Before I will even consider lifting the grounding a day early, I need to know what these plans are. Because, grounded or not, you're only allowed to see Haley at our house under our supervision, so you are asking for an exception on that rule too."
"I know that, and I understand that completely. I was just hoping that you would make an exception for one day. I wanted to bring Haley over to my mother's house and make her dinner."
Jimmy rubbed his chin as he thought about this for a minute, "Will your mother be there?"
"Yes she will, her husband works that night so she won't be going out at all. I could always make Haley dinner here, but I don't know, I just want it to be special. My mom has this really nice glassed in patio, it overlooks the water. It is just so nice, I thought it would be a great setting for a romantic dinner." Nathan looked expectantly towards Haley's father.
"I will have to talk to your mother Nathan, to make sure she will be there the whole time. But, as long as she is okay with it, so am I. I'll lift Haley's grounding one night early."
A huge smile broke out across Nathan's face, he hadn't anticipated this to be so easy. "Thank you Mr. Scott, this really means a lot. I just want to do something nice for Haley, she has been so great during this whole mess. So supportive and everything. I really want to show her how much it all means to me."
"I know that Nathan, that's why I'm allowing this." Jimmy couldn't help but smile himself, young love was such a wonder sometimes.
"Well, I have to go and start planning all of this." Nathan rose to his feet and extended his hand to Jimmy, "Thank you sir."
Jimmy shook it willingly and nodded. Nathan turned and headed out the door, he couldn't wait to tell Haley the good news.
ooooOoooo
"You don't think this dress is a little slutty?" Haley raised an eyebrow and looked towards Brooke.
"Come on TutorGirl, it's hot. I think it's perfect. Ditch the turtlenecks and wool sweaters for one night grandma." Brooke teased.
Haley was usually really conservative in what she wore, but she had wanted something perfect for tonight. She knew that when there was a clothing crisis, there was no one better to handle it than Brooke.
"Haley come sit down, let me do your make up."
Haley headed over and sat down across from Brooke.
"Don't put on too much."
"Calm down I won't." Brooke started to work her magic. "So what does TutorBoy have planned for you guys tonight?"
"Dinner at his mother's house. He somehow convinced my parents to not only lift my grounding, but to let me go over there. I haven't seen Nathan outside of school or my parent's house in like over a month. I can't wait." Haley felt giddy just talking about it. She had been looking forward to tonight ever since Nathan told her about it. It was her first Valentine's Day with a boyfriend she really liked.
Haley heard the doorbell ring as Brooke was putting the finishing touches on her make up. She started to squirm a little so Brooke leaned back and took a look at her work.
"Perfect. Guaranteed to turn Nathan on." Brooke winked at Haley.
"Mom, can you tell Nathan I will be down in a minute?" Haley yelled down to her mother.
After a few seconds she could hear the front door open. Haley stood up and walked over to her mirror. Nathan had told Haley he was cooking her a special dinner and that he wanted to pretend they were at a nice restaurant, instead of at his mother's house. Haley took that as a hint to pull out all the stops when it came to her outfit for the night.
Brooke had come over armed with loads of dresses and shoes from her own closet. Haley had decided on a strapless red dress that fell into ruffles just above her knees. She had also chosen some black spike heeled strappy sandals. Giggling she thought that they would make up for at least half of the height difference between her and Nathan. With the help of Brooke, Haley had curled her hair, as she knew Nathan liked it, and it fell softly over her shoulders.
Touching up her lip gloss one last time Haley was pretty proud of herself, she didn't usually get all dressed up like this, but she had to admit, she looked pretty good.
"I seriously owe you Brooke, thanks for the help."
"It was my pleasure. Now go, make tonight Nathan's pleasure." Brooke started to clean up her beauty arsenal. "You don't have to wait for me, go, have fun. Call me tomorrow with all the dirty details."
Haley jokingly winked at Brooke. Grabbing her purse off of her bed Haley headed down the stairs. There was a strange man standing in the front hallway who gestured towards the door. "Ms. James, your limo awaits."
Haley walked towards the door and as soon as she saw it her jaw dropped. Nathan had rented a black stretch limo. Haley had told him before how she had never ridden in one, and Nathan had teased her saying that his father had his own driver. Haley knew that Nathan needed to enlist his father's help on this one.
Haley walked down the driveway as the driver rushed in front of her to open the door. Haley climbed in and was amazed at the sheer size of it.
As the car pulled away from the curb, Haley could feel the anticipation bubbling inside of her. It was clear that Nathan was going to pull out all of the stops on this night.
Haley had been shocked that her father had agreed to lifting her grounding a night early, that was very unlike him. Haley knew that whatever Nathan said to convince him, it must have been good.
The driver came around and opened the door for Haley, after having pulled up to Nathan's mother's house. Haley stepped out and headed for the front door. She rang the doorbell and tapped her sandal clad foot as she waited.
Nathan answered the door and looked so adorable in black dress pants, a black dress shirt, and a red tie. His blue eyes sparkled as he took in the sight of Haley.
"Wow, you look amazing Hales." Nathan reached out for her hand, leading her into the house.
"So do you." Haley couldn't take her eyes off of Nathan, he looked so nice. He had excitement radiating from him.
After the two shared a few kisses Haley took her first look around the house. There was a trail of candles leading towards the back door.
Haley became mesmerized and followed the candles and stepped out onto the back patio. There were candles lining the perimeter and rose petals scattered over the floor. Haley couldn't believe Nathan had gone to all this trouble for her.
"Take a seat Hales, I'll go and get dinner." Nathan said as he pulled out a chair for Haley.
Nathan disappeared into the kitchen and arrived back in a few minutes. "I made your favorite."
Haley giggled as Nathan set down a plate heaped with macaroni and cheese in front of her, "Mmmm, food of the gods."
Nathan laughed under his breath, "I know."
Nathan had considered making something fancier for Haley, but knew that when it was all said and done, making her favorite dish would mean far more than making something that looked nicer.
Nathan sat down across from Haley and the two began to eat. They were silent, merely enjoying each other's company and the beautiful view that the patio afforded.
When they were finished eating Nathan cleared the plates and brought them into the kitchen. When he returned he carried a couple of blankets.
"Let's go outside and sit down by the water. We can start a little fire in the fire pit and roast marshmallows."
"That sounds perfect Nathan."
Haley followed Nathan outside and sat down on the blanket once Nathan laid it out. Nathan then wrapped one of the blankets around Haley, knowing that the cold night air would be too much for her.
After roasting some marshmallows the two cuddled underneath the blankets and stared up at the starry night sky. They sat there just enjoying each other in silence for a while until Nathan began to speak.
"I have something for you Hales." Nathan reached into his pocket.
"Oh Nathan, I don't have anything for you, I'm sorry. I haven't been able to go to the mall." Haley looked towards the ground, feeling a little embarrassed. Of course they would exchange gifts, she couldn't believe she hadn't thought of it.
"Haley, you've given me so much already, really you have. You've made my life so much better. I've never been as happy as I've been since I met you. It's like my life had no purpose before. I never had a reason to be better or to do better. And then I met you and it gave everything new meaning. I mean everything Hales, I want to do better at everything for you. The happiness that you have given me is gift enough. That's why I did all this tonight Hales, to show you how much you mean to me."
"That's so sweet Nathan. You've done so much for me too, you really have. I feel the same way, like I was just going through the motions before I met you. But now, well, everything is just so much different. Everything feels new to me." Tears formed in Haley's eyes.
Nathan reached out to wipe away a single tear that had fallen down Haley's cheeks. He didn't need to ask her what was wrong because he knew the answer, nothing. Nothing was wrong, that tear was from happiness.
Nathan handed Haley a small black box with a pink bow tied around it. Haley untied the bow and opened the box, as she did a smile broke out across her face.
"It's beautiful Nathan." It was all Haley could say as she gazed at the heart shaped ruby ring sitting beautifully amidst the black velvet of the box.
"I hope it fits." Nathan reached into the box and lifted the ring out, placing it on Haley's finger.
"It's perfect Nathan, all of it. The dinner, the fire, the ring, jeez, even the stars are perfect tonight."
"I had to call in some major favors to get those stars Hales." Nathan teased lovingly.
Haley looked down at her hand and the ring that sparkled in the light of the fire. "I love you Nathan, thank you for all of this."
"I love you too Hales."
With that Nathan laid back down to stare up at the sky, Haley followed his lead and nestled her head into his chest. She inhaled deeply, wanting to remember absolutely every detail about this perfect night, this perfect Valentine's Day.