Epilogue
1 month later…
Nathan sat in the café. The door opened and the bells jingled and he smiled when Haley walked over to him. She sat down and smiled. "How have you been?" she asked.
"Fine," he replied.
"Good," Haley said. They had put in a call to their lawyer to stop the finalization of the divorce so they were still married but they didn't live together. Haley had decided, or demanded, that they take a little time to get to know each other again.
"Actually that's a lie," Nathan said. Haley raised her eyebrows at him.
"What is?" she asked.
"I'm not fine," he replied. Haley's face contorted with concern.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"I miss my wife," he admitted. Her face flooded with relief and then she looked at him carefully.
"I know," she said.
"I don't think you do, Hales," he said
"Nathan, I'm not doing this to punish you," Haley said. Nathan nodded knowingly.
"I know and I understand that you need time before you can learn to trust me again, but I'm going crazy not being with you," he said. Haley smiled. "I love you."
"I love you too," Haley said.
"Then, why don't you want to be with me?" he asked.
"I do want to be with you, Nathan," Haley said insistently.
"Really? Cause you've got me fooled," he said. Haley looked away from him and he could tell that she was about to cry. He cursed himself for being such an ass. "I'm sorry. I have no right to act like that. You have every right to be so cautious. I did kiss Rachel and I can't ever excuse that." Haley laughed as she turned to face him again. "What's funny?"
"This is not about kissing Rachel, Nathan. I'm over that," she said. He looked at her in shock.
"You are?" he asked.
"Well, not in the sense where it's ok that you did it but I, of all people, know what it's like to make mistakes and to need forgiveness," Haley said.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
"You can't possibly have forgotten," Haley said looking at him sceptically. His eyes narrowed with confusion. "If you remember a certain self-absorbed musician who talks about himself in the third person." Nathan grunted.
"How could I forget him?" Nathan asked sarcastically. Haley smirked a little.
"And you forgave me for that," Haley said.
"Five years later," he reminded her. Haley laughed and took his hand.
"We both know that I've always been quicker to forgive than you because I'm not as stubborn," Haley said. Nathan looked at her, his eyes full of amusement.
"Are you trying to tell me that you're not stubborn?" he asked. She got up and sat on his knee as she hooked an arm around his shoulder.
"I am known for my patience," she said and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek.
"Hales, come on," Nathan said in a realistic tone. He laughed at the look of shock in her eyes.
"I had to be patient to tutor you," she said.
2 years later…
Peyton sighed as she gave one final push and the doctor cradled a wailing newborn baby girl. They cut the umbilical cord. "Now, it's time to see your mommy," the doctor cooed as he headed over to Peyton. She took the baby and then began shaking her head at the infant whose eyes widened in wonder at the new face.
"Don't look at me," Peyton told her. The doctor's face faltered.
"Excuse me?" he asked.
"I was merely a vessel for a long-awaited blessing," Peyton replied. She nodded to the anxious couple outside of the room. The door opened and Peyton passed the baby to her loving mother.
"You're a surrogate?" the doctor asked. Peyton nodded.
"And a great friend," Haley Scott replied as she held her daughter. Peyton laughed.
"Just don't tell anyone," Peyton said. Haley looked at her quizzically. "You'll ruin my image." Peyton winked at her. Haley just laughed and sauntered over to the doorway.
"Natalie, I want you to meet someone," Haley said to her daughter. She handed her over to Nathan. "Your daddy." Nathan cradled her and kissed Haley on the forehead.
"Congratulations, Mom," Nathan told her. Tears trickled out of her eyes as Haley stood on her toes to plant a kiss on his mouth.
"You too," she said.
The End
