Revelation (Chapter Six)
TWO DAYS LATER
Haley and Nathan were back at home and he had just woken up. He turned around to see that Haley wasn't there. He got up and walked out of their bedroom and into the living room. He exhaled with relief when he saw that Haley was there. "Haley, what are you doing?" he asked in a yawn.
"The hospital called, Nathan," she said. He nodded.
"They've set an appointment for my first round of chemo," she told him. He nodded.
"That's good. Maybe they can get your count down and you'll be in remission," he said. Haley shook her head.
"It's next Friday through until Monday," she told him. He froze. Next Sunday was their wedding day.
"Well, then, you've got to call them back and cancel. You can't have your treatment at the hospital here and then get married in Tree Hill," he said.
"Oh, didn't you know? The appointments are non-negotiable. Even weddings are not reason enough to postpone them," she said sarcastically. Nathan shook his head.
"Well, then, we'll have to reschedule the wedding," he said. Haley turned around and glared at him.
"Oh, no, we won't. We've waited three years to have this wedding, Nathan, and I'll be damned if I let my being out of remission again get in the way," Haley said defiantly.
"Haley, you have to have the chemo," he said.
"Says who?" Haley asked leaning back in the chair she was sitting in.
"What?" he asked.
"Nathan, there are a lot of people who choose not to have treatments when they find out they have cancer again," Haley explained.
"And most of them are six feet under right now," he reminded her. Haley glared at him. He kneeled down in front of her and put his hands on her lap. "Look, Hales, I know you're upset about this. Believe me, I am too. But I think that your life is worth more than some party," he said.
"Our wedding is not a party, Nathan," she warned him.
"Ok, you're right. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that. We can always reschedule the wedding or even move it up. But we can't put it before your well-being," he said.
"Maybe you can't, but I can. I'm not going to be torn down by this again, Nathan. I want to live my life with you. I don't want to live it in a hospital," she told him. He looked at her. He knew she was serious and he was equally serious.
"I'd rather marry you in the hospital than not marry you at all," he said. Now he had an idea. Haley looked at him in defeat. He got up and kissed her. "Look, I have to meet Lucas. We'll talk about this later?" he asked. Haley smiled.
"I've got a lesson," she said. He smirked as he left to go get ready.
TWO HOURS LATER
"You want to have your wedding in a hospital?" Lucas asked him in disbelief.
"You're crazy," Peyton said.
"Not just any hospital. The New York University Hospital," Nathan replied.
"You mean the hospital that Haley spent months in undergoing chemotherapy?" Lisa asked. Nathan shook his head.
"It's also the hospital where we ran into each other again. If she hadn't been there getting treatments, we wouldn't be engaged right now," Nathan said.
"Aw! That's so romantic, Nathan!" Brooke exclaimed. She clearly knew what he was thinking. The others looked at her as if she had just lost her mind. "The hospital is like their place, you guys," Brooke said. Nathan nodded uncertainly. Brooke had the right idea. He explained his plan to them and they all smiled.
"Ok, now, I get it," Lucas said.
"That really is a good idea, Nate. Don't worry, I'll call the church for Haley and tell them that the wedding is not going to be held there," Peyton said.
"And I'll spread the word about the change in plans," Brooke said. Nathan nodded, but then looked at Brooke carefully. "Don't worry! I'll make sure that it doesn't get back to Haley," she promised.
"Thanks, guys. I couldn't do this without your help. I really appreciate it," Nathan said. They walked away. Now, I've just got to keep Haley out of the way, he thought to himself. Which was going to be difficult since she planned the wedding.