This song came on while I was packing to go home and I was practically hit with inspiration. So, as a form of serious procrastination, this is the result. I wrote it in less than an hour (or should I say, it wrote itself?)

Song: "Greatest Love Story" by LANCO

. . .

They said I was nothing but a trouble maker

never up to no good

you were the perfect all American girl

wouldn't touch me even if you could

But you were sneaking out your window every night

riding shot gun in my car

we'd go to the river

and find us a spot

and we probably went a little too far

just a little too far

"Get in!" He called out, desperately trying to hush his laughter. If Haley's parents caught them, they'd both be dead. "Hurry."

Haley hastily climbed up into the passenger seat of Nathan's rusted red mustang, her honey blonde hair dancing delicately under the harvest moon. She wasted no time and took his bruised cheeks between her palms, pulling him in for a long, heated kiss. A slow song was humming low on the radio and they shared a soft smile.

"Let's go to the river," she whispered while catching her breath.

Nathan didn't need to be told twice. He'd do anything that girl asked him to. His foot landed heavily on the gas pedal and sped off down Grace street. The top of his convertible was rolled down, letting the southern breeze follow them. Haley's giggles resounded through the night sky, tugging a smirk out of Nathan's lips.

With one hand on the steering wheel and the other intertwined with Haley's, Nathan drove to their spot on Cape Fear River; a desolate little park overlooking the water, where they'd spend their nights kissing and dreaming— it was their own little world, void of any walls and harsh realities.

As soon as he put the car in park, Haley unbuckled her seatbelt and landed in his lap. "Kiss me," she demanded.

He smiled and did exactly that.

'cause I was gonna be your forever

and you were gonna be my wife

we didn't know any better

didn't have a clue about life

but I was what you wanted

and you were what I needed

and we can meet in between

but we were gonna be

the greatest love story

this town had ever seen

There was a time not too long ago when Nathan would have suppressed the unwanted thoughts plaguing his mind with a couple shots of Patron mixed in between a few Buds. It did nothing except numb the pain— because the next day, he'd wake up and the memories would still be there, right alongside a nasty hangover.

It was a long four years and he still missed her like hell.

But he let the thoughts linger now. In fact, he welcomed them, because it was all he had left of her.

So you went off to college

and I got a job

I was working that 9 to 5

dreaming of the days

when you were in my arms

I never felt so alive

I spent my days working

spent my nights drinking

howling at the moon

screaming for the days

when you were coming back

no couldn't come too soon

couldn't come too soon

You went off the find better

and I was learning about life

but I was what you wanted

and you were what I needed

and we could meet in between

we were gonna be

the greatest love story

this town had ever seen

When she left for Stanford, she took his heart with her. He remembered the day he watched her drive off, to start her new life across the country— how bad it hurt when their lips touched for the last time.

Basketball never worked out for him. Neither did college. So he took up a job at his uncle's repair shop, spending every second there thinking of Haley James. When he wasn't wondering what she was doing, he'd dream of the nights they'd spend wrapped in each other's arms. His lips ached for hers like a drunks ached for Whiskey. He'd do anything to have one more sip; oh, how he'd savor every last drop… like he should have when they were still together.

So you came back after a long four years

Your college boyfriend didn't work out

so we went out for a couple drinks

to find out who we were now

sure we changed

but way deep down

you had the same old feelings for me

He heard she was back in town again for the first time since leaving. His stomach twisted into a knot, no one could possibly unravel, but he picked up the phone anyway and dialed the all too familiar digits.

"Hey," his voice sounded like tires on gravel, "it's me. Do you, um, wanna maybe meet for a drink?"

A smile broke his lips when he heard her answer— "Yes."

So, there they were again— in the corner of Tric, sipping on two Rum and Coke's, trying to resist each other's lips.

"What brought you back to Tree Hill?" He couldn't help but ask.

Haley bit on the lower edge of her lip just like she did when they were in high school. He took comfort in the fact that she didn't change all that much. If anything, she looked even more beautiful than he remembered— now donning a darker shade of brown curls. It only made the color of her eyes look that much more captivating.

"The wind," she laughed softly. "No, I don't know. Tree Hill was always home to me. Palo Alto was great but it wasn't a place I wanted to be forever, you know? Plus, things with my boyfriend didn't work out and I just needed another new fresh start."

"I'm sorry," Nathan spoke, "about things not working out with your boyfriend."

Haley cocked her head softly to the side, "no you're not."

He laughed. She still knew when he was lying. "You're right. I'm not sorry— because then you wouldn't be here with me right now, and I'm kinda glad you are."

Haley took hold of his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze while looking longingly into his deep sea blue eyes, "I'm kinda glad I'm here, too."

I went to the store

and bought you a ring

and got down on one knee

down on one knee

and I said

"I'm gonna be your forever

so baby will you be my wife?

Now that we know a little better

we could have a real nice life

'cause I'm what you want

and you're what I need

so baby let's meet in between

we are gonna be the greatest love story

this world has ever seen

so baby say yes to me"

After spending the night talking until three a.m., Nathan found himself in a jewelry store the very next day.

"I want this one," he said pointing to the display case. It was a medium-sized diamond set on a silver band— it was simple but beautiful, just like Haley.

He knew it would be crazy, proposing after four years of being away from each other but he didn't care. Haley James was the one for him, and he wanted forever with her.

So he hopped in his Mustang and sped off to her parents house. She was on the porch with a book, and smiled when she'd looked up and saw him.

"Get in," he called out. "Just like old times?"

Haley laughed and ran straight for the passenger seat. "Where're we going?"

"You'll see," he grabbed her hand and sped off straight for the river.

She listened to the low hum of his radio, remembering the night they almost went a little too far in the back of the very same car.

"What are you thinking about?" Nathan asked as he shifted the gear into park.

"How many nights we spent here making out," a blush dusted her cheeks, wishing they could do it again.

He grinned and helped her out of the car so they could walk along the edge of the river. Their hands found each other almost immediately— like how birds always know their way home even after the darkest of winters.

Haley was enjoying the quiet reminiscing but was pulled from her thoughts when she felt Nathan stop beside her. "Why'd you stop?"

A gasp escaped when he dropped down on one knee.

"I'm gonna be your forever," he began with teary eyes, "so, baby, will you be my wife? Now that we know a little better, we could have a real nice life. 'Cause I'm what you want and you're what I need and we can meet in between."

Haley put her hand over her gaping lips and started crying, "oh my God."

"We're gonna be the greatest love story this world has ever seen, so baby say yes to me."

"Yes!" Haley cried, "yes, yes, yes."

She launched herself into his arms immediately after he slid the ring on her finger, and they kissed just like it was the last time.

"I love you so much, Haley James."

"I love you too, Nathan Scott. Always and forever."

. . . . .

"And that, Juliette," said Nathan quietly, "is the greatest love story in the whole world."

The pink little bundle in his arms gurgled contently from the sound of her father's voice. She stared up at him with her mother's large brown eyes and smiled when he kissed her cheek.

"I love that story," Haley said from the open space in the door. Warmth flooded her heart at the sight of her husband and daughter together in the rocking chair. "Tell it to me again."

. . . . .

A/N: i think this might be my favorite thing i've ever written