Chapter Forty

Nathan and Haley listened proudly as Principal Turner read off the name of students before he or she walked up to get their diploma. Neither could believe the time had come for Lucas, Brooke and their friends to graduate. Even though Principal Turner had just started listing the names, Haley already had tears in her eyes. Nathan squeezed her hand for comfort. He was feeling emotional himself, but he was keeping it together.

Nathan couldn't tell Lucas how proud he was of him. He had come a long way from the day he had moved in with him. He was an angry teenager who was estranged from his brother. Now he was happily married to Brooke, had a beautiful new daughter and he was just about to graduate high school before going off to college in the fall. It wasn't going to be Duke, but Nathan was still happy with Lucas choosing a community college.

Haley wished she could take the pictures when Lucas and Brooke get their diplomas, but she knew Quinn was in the audience waiting until she heard Principal Turner getting closer to the Ss. Then she would make her way down the bleachers to capture the moment. Her mother would probably be right behind her. She and Jimmy made time to come to the graduation. They were the ones who were watching little Kendall.

It seemed like forever before Principal Turner said "Lucas Scott." Nathan and Haley exchanged smiles as they watched Lucas walk across the stage and receive his diploma. He smiled at the crowd for a moment or two so Quinn and Lydia could get pictures. "Brooke Davis-Scott."

Haley got really emotional when she heard Brooke's name. She couldn't believe how much that girl had changed since the first day she had met her. She was glad Brooke didn't give up. Haley knew she wouldn't have been there getting her diploma if she had allowed her mother to win. Or even have her precious baby with her.

The ceremony was drawing to a close and everyone was waiting for that special moment. Finally, the principal announced the graduating class and the seniors stood up and threw their hats in the air as the crowd clapped and cheered loudly for the graduates. Nathan and Haley joined in, making sure their voices were heard.

It was times like this where Nathan felt the duties of parent/guardian and coach mixed. He wanted to act like the proud brother, but he also wanted to give Lucas his space. Luckily, there were other people like Jimmy and Lydia to fill in for him. He just took his time in finding Lucas and Brooke by chatting with Haley, Jake and Peyton.

However, Lydia sent Quinn to collect them. She wanted a few more pictures of the brothers and the favorite English teacher. Jake and Peyton decided to head home to check on their son, who was being watched by his grandparents. They said goodbye to their friends before they went their separate ways.

"What took you two so long?" Lydia said. "Never mind. Nathan, get next to your brother, Brooke and your beautiful niece. Haley, you get in there too. After all, you're going to be part of their family soon. By the way, when are you guys going to start your wedding plans?"

"Mom, please don't start this again," Haley begged as she and Nathan took their positions next to the graduates. Her mother hadn't stopped bugging her about wedding plans since she and Nathan got engaged. "I promised we would start after graduation." Lydia opened her mouth to respond when Haley didn't let her. "Mom, tonight is all about Lucas and Brooke."

Lydia didn't argue with her daughter. She just put on a smile and told everybody to look at the camera. It was several minutes before the graduates were allowed to take off with the baby. Lydia kept switching people in with the graduates. Eventually, her family convinced her she had taken enough pictures.

As much as they wanted to celebrate with their friends, Brooke had to get back home to rest. Since she had the baby early, she hadn't been allowed to do too many activities. She was requested to finish her studies at home. However, she was determined not to miss graduation. Luckily, she was allowed to attend graduation and walk across the stage to receive her diploma.

Everyone said their goodbyes before they all went their separate ways. Nathan and Haley went home to have their own private celebration. They couldn't stop talking about their students' growth especially Lucas and Brooke. Haley let out a heavy sigh. "I'm really going to miss my students, but I'm glad they are going to move on to bigger and better things."

Nathan nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm sure they won't forget you though. After all, you're the most popular teacher at Tree Hill High." Haley was amused. "I'm serious. Why do you think students and teachers protested when Victoria fired you?"

"I hope we won't have to deal with another boss like that again," Haley replied. "Although, it did make my first couple of years here interesting. I wonder what next year will bring."

"Our wedding, perhaps?" Nathan teased her. Haley gave him a look. "Your mom isn't the only one who is pushing it. My dad and Deb also wants to know the wedding date. I almost feel like we should do what Lucas and Brooke and my dad and Deb did: elope and skip the wedding."

Haley considered the idea. "If we do that, we're going to have to invite my parents. My mom would kill me if she found out we got married and we didn't invite her. I'm surprised you want to elope. I thought you were against the whole thing because neither Lucas nor Dan invited you to the secret wedding."

"I don't really want another big wedding," Nathan told her. "I already had that with Rachel and that was enough for me. All I want to do is proudly call you 'my wife'." Haley gave him a wide smile before they shared a passionate kiss. That led to making out before the fun continued in the bedroom.

Nathan and Haley both agreed to have a simple backyard wedding. Despite Lydia's objections, the guest list was going to be short. They were only going to invite close family and friends. Lucas and Quinn were going to be the best man and maid of honor. Jake and Peyton were going to be their groomsman and bridesmaid.

"Honey, you look so beautiful," Lydia complimented as her daughter showed off her beautiful wedding dress to her mother, sister and friend. She did her best not to hold her tears in, but she had to grab a Kleenex. "I promised myself I wouldn't do this, but I can't help it. My youngest baby is getting married today." She embraced her daughter in a tight hug. "I love you."

"I love you too, Mom," Haley replied. "Don't worry. Nathan is the one for me."

"I know he is," Lydia agreed as they heard a knock at the door. Jimmy poked his head in the door. Mother and daughter knew it was time for the ceremony to begin. She gave Haley one final kiss before she, Quinn and Peyton left father and daughter alone.

"You know I'm still unsure of this whole arrangement," Jimmy told his daughter. "You turned down Julian's proposal. How do you know you won't run away from this one?"

Haley was prepared to answer him. "Because I wasn't sure about my future with Julian," she said. "But I know I love Nathan and I want to be with him for the rest of my life."

Jimmy was satisfied with that answer. "Then I guess we should get out there because your fiancé is waiting." She grabbed her bouquet of flowers and followed her dad out of the bedroom. She carefully went down the stairs and they went through the house before entering the backyard.

Thanks to Deb and her mother, the backyard looked perfect. Haley linked her arm into her dad's as the music began to play. As she walked down the aisle, she smiled at her guests before she turned her attention to Nathan. She didn't want to admit it to anybody, but she was nervous. All of her fears went away when she saw Nathan smiling at her.

"Who gives this woman to this man?" the reverend asked.

"Her mother and I do," Jimmy replied as he released his daughter. He gave her a kiss before he joined his wife.

The reverend cleared his throat before he spoke again. "Friends and loved ones, we are gathered here today to unite Nathan Scott and Haley James. The couple has asked to do their own vows. Haley, you may go first."

Haley stood proud as she started to speak. "Nathan, it has been said that there is one word to free us from the weight and pain of life, and that word is love. And I believe that. It doesn't mean that it hasn't been hard or it won't be. It just means that I found a stillness and bravery in myself with you. You make me brave and I will love you until the end of time. This I vow today."

Haley had tears in her eyes as Nathan said his vows. "Haley, we met as next door neighbors before becoming colleagues and friends. I don't think anybody understood the love I had for you, because if they did, they wouldn't have ever doubted us. We proved them wrong because we are standing here today. When I look into your eyes, my love for you only grows. It's even stronger and our love will never waver, and this I vow to you today and always and forever."

"Forever," Haley replied.

The reverend then continued. "Haley, do you promise to dedicate to this commitment you have promise to uphold?" he asked. Brooke handed Haley the ring and she slipped it onto Nathan's finger.

"I do."

"Nathan, do you promise to dedicate to this commitment you have promise to uphold?"

Haley watched as Lucas handed Nathan Haley's ring. She smiled as he slid onto her finger. "I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

"I love you," Nathan said.

"I love you too," Haley replied. They then shared a passionate kiss as their friends and family clapped and cheered for them. She then took Nathan's hand once again and walked down the aisle, happy and in love.

The reception was at the club. Nathan and Haley waited until Mouth announced them before heading out onto the dance floor. "Now for the first time, here is Nathan Scott and Mrs. Haley James-Scott," Mouth announced.

"What song did you pick anyway?" Haley asked Nathan curiously. She then smiled as she recognized the song "More Than Anyone". She smiled at her husband. "I was hoping it was this one." They swayed to the music as they locked eyes with each other. She couldn't describe what she felt right now. Only she knew she was hopelessly in love with him.

After their first dance was over, they switched partners. Haley danced with her dad, Lucas before Dan asked to dance with the bride. "You know, don't tell Nathan this, but I never thought Rachel was the one for him. You are so much better and you certainly proved it."

Haley smiled at the compliment. "Thank you. It means a lot coming from you."

Dan was quiet before he spoke again. "I'm sorry Karen can't be here to meet you. I'm sure she would have loved you as her daughter-in-law."

"Well, I'm sure she knows I will take good care of her son," Haley replied.

When it came time for speeches, Lucas stepped up first. He took a deep breath before he started speaking into the microphone. "You know, I never thought my brother would marry my favorite teacher. When I found out, I was surprised. Because they do something that is very rare. It's very rarely seen in anybody. They give their hearts to each other. Unconditionally." Nathan and Haley turned to each other and exchanged smiles. "And that's what true love really is. It's not this fairy tale life that never knows pain, but it's two souls facing it together and diminishing it with unconditional love." He raised his glass up. "To Nathan and my new sister in law Haley James-Scott."

Haley was very touched with the heartfelt speech. She didn't know how she was going to get through the rest of the speeches. She and Nathan clapped as their friends raised their glasses and took a sip. Quinn's speech was next. Jake and Peyton followed her. Peyton then gave Brooke the microphone.

"I owe my life to Coach Scott and Ms. James." She corrected herself. "I'm sorry, Mrs. James-Scott. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be with my husband or baby girl." There was a short pause. "I don't know their love story as well as my own, but I do know what it's like to be in love. It's exciting. It's crazy. There are obstacles standing in the way. If it's true love, you will be able to push past all of those roadblocks and be together forever. That's what Nathan and Haley has and I couldn't be happier for them." She raised her glass. "Here's to Coach Nathan and Mrs. James-Scott." Everyone took another sip from their glass, but Haley stayed where she was.

It seemed like forever before it was time for Nathan and Haley to leave for their honeymoon to London. As they ran to the limo, everyone threw rose petals on them. They slid in the limo, relieved to have some peace to themselves after a long day. Nathan looked at his wife. "You know, I couldn't help but notice you never took a sip of wine all day. Are you telling me something?"

Haley didn't answer for a moment, but her smile said it all. She was waiting for the right moment to tell him all day and she knew this was the perfect time. "I'm pregnant," she happily announced.