Chapter Sixty: When the Stars Are Aligned
"You know what today is?" asked Haley, wandering into their bedroom. Nathan was already in bed, typing on his laptop, which he closed as she joined him.
"Uh, October 4th," he said.
"Duh. We've been married a month today," she said, slipping out of her dressing gown and sliding into bed beside him. He put an arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"That's true. And the media have almost stopped stalking us whenever we leave the house," said Nathan.
"I wonder when the whole newlywed sex thing will get old," she said. She squealed as he grabbed her forearms and pulled her on top of him.
"Never, I hope," he said, as she leaned down to kiss him.
"I have to say, it's a promising start, Mr. Scott," she said, tentatively kissing his ear. He smiled. His Haley was beginning to mature in so many ways.
"Damn straight, Mrs. Scott."
The next month flowed past easily. Nathan attempted to cut back on his usually long hours to spend time with her, and she'd spend the rest of the time redecorating, shopping, and hanging out with Ryan and Peyton. She didn't see Brooke or Lucas, but received pictures regularly of Devon and Hayden, who were growing rapidly. Devon was blonde haired and blue eyed like his father, but Hayden had inherited Brooke's looks.
In early November, almost two months after they had gotten married, Haley finished refurnishing their bedroom and decided to take the rest of the day off to visit with Ryan.
"I still don't get why we're always here. The house is huge and no longer ugly. I have to say, three generations of Scott trophy wives haven't had the courage to get rid of all the ugly. You got stones, girl," said Ryan proudly.
"Thanks. I think. I like this place," said Haley.
"Doesn't remind you of what you're missing?" asked Ryan, looking down to avoid her sister-in-law's eye.
"I'm not missing out. It's fun, being married. If we manage to steer clear of the whole marriage of convenience thing, it's easy," she said.
"First of all, marriage isn't supposed to be about fun. And second of all, you mean it's okay if you do nothing but have sex all the time?" asked Ryan. Haley rolled her eyes.
"I'd love to know what makes you such an expert. But come on, we talk. We just stay in a lot. Whenever we go out we get stalked by loser tabloid photographers who always manage to manufacture stories about how Nathan's still sleeping with that slutty April girl," said Haley. Ryan, knowing of the true state of her brother's marriage, smiled.
"Ha, you're totally jealous," she taunted.
"Need I remind you of a little blonde girl, referred to in certain circles as Peyt…"
"Shut up," said Ryan in annoyance, abruptly cutting her off.
"Fine. Heard from Leigh lately?" asked Haley.
"Yeah. She has a new boyfriend. Johnny, or Jimmy or something," said Ryan vaguely. Haley raised her eyebrows.
"Wow, your concern is truly touching. I thought you guys were close?"
"We were. Back when everything was all messed up. But when she stopped needing me, and Nathan got less… you know, we drifted apart again," explained Ryan.
"I don't actually know. How was Nathan?" asked Haley curiously.
"Miserable for two years. Even if he didn't have a right to be."
Haley sat on the bottom step of the winding staircase, watching the door intently. As it opened and Nathan came in, she leapt up and ran toward him.
He caught her and twirled her briefly around the hall before setting his lips on hers. She pulled back after a minute.
"If you were so miserable for two years, why didn't you at least call me?" she said.
"You've been talking to Ryan? She exaggerates," said Nathan.
"I missed you too. Maybe we could have… I don't know."
"What could have happened?" he asked.
"Not this. Ever."
"Then I can't really regret it," he said, attempting to kiss her again. She leaned back.
"Nate, are you in love with me?" she asked carefully.
He drew her in to him. Ever after Haley would think that it was to inject warmth into his cold words. She'd never know he'd done it to avoid meeting her eyes.
"I want to be."
"I know the feeling," she said, smiling sadly.
"Do you want to go out?" he asked shakily.
"No. Let's stay in," said Haley, leaning back to catch his eye.
Later, after the bedroom was dark and Nathan was almost asleep, Haley got up and wrapped her silk dressing gown around herself. She walked to the mirror and began to brush her long hair in front of it. She had something she had to discuss, and she didn't trust herself to discuss it curled up next to him, his blue eyes boring in to her.
"What're you doing?" he asked, his voice hazy.
"What are we doing, Nathan?" she asked. He seemed surprised by her question.
"What, in life?"
"Yeah. With us. What if it gets old? Will we stay and get all old and desperate, and lose our chances to find someone to love?" asked Haley.
"You read the agreement."
"Yeah, I did. And it said a lot of stuff about kids. Don't you think it's wrong, to bring kids into something like this?" she asked.
"It was wrong for my parents, and I survived. Where is this coming from, Hales?" he asked.
"I don't know. It's just I felt like I knew you two years ago, when we were in the midst of our summer lovin', but I don't know anymore. You've grown up so much, Nathan. You're such a grown up."
"You're grown up too," he said, smirking. Haley looked down and blushed, glancing at him in the mirror as she came up.
"Not like that. Trust me, I'm not worried about that part of our lives."
"What are you worried about?" Haley paused for a second.
"Regret. I don't want to wake up at forty and be resentful, regretful and desperate," she said. He rose and walked toward her.
"You'll never have to be. I promise," he said. Haley continued to look down at the wooden surface of her vanity.
"You don't get it, do you?" asked Haley, under her breath.
"Get what?"
With difficulty, Haley raised her eyes to meet his in the mirror.
"If it… it's not just me that would hurt. Not just me that you'd leave, or that would be left behind. There's someone else now, Nathan," she said bravely. He stared at her for a moment before comprehending.
"What..? You mean you're..?" Haley made eye contact with him in the mirror again and nodded slowly.