A/N Hey everyone. Sorry it took a little longer than usual to upload, my computer crashed last night and I lost most of the chapter. Hope you like it.

Thanks for reading.

Chapter 35

Under the glow of the stars and flickers of candle light, the husband and wife were watching each other nervously yet with a hint of excitement. Husband and wife, technically they were, even though they really hadn't been for a long time, all the old familiar little feelings were there.

One was the flowers. The little purple ones, that grew only on the grassy bank where they said their vows for the first time. Gently, with the tip of her finger, Haley stroked one of the smooth slightly wet petals and then inhaled their sweet aroma.

"I missed these," she sighed, placing it back in the little vase. "I missed this place."

"Yeah a lot's happened on this beach. Especially up in that beach house," he smirked.

Haley laughed, "Typical Nathan. Get your mind out of the gutter."

"What? You were thinking it too."

She didn't say anything, just blushed, hoping he couldn't tell. Truth was a few dirty thoughts had crossed her mind since finding their little date, not that she was going to admit that to him. In the back of her mind she also sort of wondered how many women he had brought here since her, then immediately felt guilty for thinking it, when she was the one that left him

When a couple of seconds later, a young man wearing a black waist coat and white shirt showed up next to their table with two silver trays, a bottle of wine, and a pitcher of water, she was immensely thankful that she would no longer have to answer Nathan's last statement.

"Macaroni Cheese for you ma'am and Rare Sirloin Steak for you sir." The waiter said formally setting the dishes, which he had been advised by tonight's employer as the favourite meals of the two people he was serving, in front of them.

Nathan thanked the waiter and then asked him, "So, who hired you?"

The waiter just smiled as if he had no idea what he was talking about. "Enjoy your meals." And then turned and disappeared back in the direction he had come from.

Shrugging, Nathan turned back to Haley. "So Mac n Cheese, Huh?"

She giggled, "Some things never change" and shoveled a spoonful into her mouth.

"Yeah I know," he told her seriously, intently gazing at her.

She felt incredibly self conscious with him staring at her so seriously. The playfulness was gone from his voice, "Nathan, I…"

"Shh," he breathed and gently slid her hand into his own across the table, "You don't need to be nervous Haley."

Haley looked down at their intertwined hands. His palm was warm against hers and their fingers fit so perfectly together. Of course she was nervous though, this was Nathan, and she just wanted to be everything she could, to make up for all the time she was away.

Nathan noticed her silence. He clenched his jaw, taking the signal badly, "Do you even want this Haley?"

She leant back in surprise, "Of course I do Nate. It's all I want. Do you?"

He gripped her hand harder, "Yes. Just let me in. Tell me what's bothering you."

Haley hesitated then revealed, "I don't want to screw this up again.

Nathan smiled slightly and gently leaned his forehead against hers. He breathed in her smell and savored the warm breath floating onto his cheek, "You don't have to worry because I won't let you screw this up. I love you too much."

A little tear welled up in Haley's eye. She knew he had loved her once 15 years ago, but now she had thought he just tolerated her, felt fond of her. But love.

"Why are you crying Hales?" he whispered gently, wiping her cheeks with his thumb.

She shook her head and smiled, "I just missed you so much."

Leaving his chair, Nathan went round to her side of the table and pulled her into his arms. "I missed you. I missed you too." He said into her hair.

Haley burrowed into him, wanting, needing to be as close to him as she could. For so long, she had been cold and alone, his warmth felt like a safe haven at last. His arms were hard and strong, just like she remembered and he smelt faintly of aftershave. She didn't want him to let go. Ever.

He didn't want to let go either.

"Haley?" he asked, and she looked up into his eyes, "We said we would take it slow." Her face dropped just a little, "But, do you think we need to? I don't want to take it slow with you. 15 years is long enough."

She let out a breath, when he started, she had been terrified he would say they were moving too fast, that he wanted to take a step back, be friends for a while longer. She didn't think her heart could have taken that. Going up on tiptoes, just as she always had had to, to equal his height, she softly placed her lips on his hoping he would respond. He did. It was instinct really, the way they melted back into each other as soon as their lips touched.

Their food forgotten they reveled in the closeness. Nathan found himself on the sand, leaning against the back of his chair, when their lips parted gently. Haley was on his lap, her toes digging into the sand and her arms around his neck.

"I want to stay here forever," Nathan sighed against her cheek, wondering if this night would disappear after it was over.

"I wish we could too."

"It used to seem like we had so much time. But now Ollie's all grown up and it seems we're just back to where we started at the end of school."

"I know." She laid her head on his chest. "But we have time. Sure, we aren't kids anymore; maybe that's a good thing though. Maybe this time around there will be fewer mistakes."

He chuckled, "Let's hope so."

She kissed him perkily and then scrunched up her nose, "I think our dinner's getting cold."

Nathan groaned as she got up, not wanting her to move. He thought maybe if he stayed down there, she might come back. After a couple of seconds, he heard swallowing. Groaning again he shook the sand off him as he stood, and settled back down into his seat. Haley had a satisfied sort of smirk on her face.

"What are you smirking about?" he asked, smiling.

"I'm just happy."

Nathan sipped his water, "Good.''

The two sat in a comfortable quiet finishing their meals. Where there had been a slight edge of awkwardness earlier, now there was a casual togetherness. Their hands would brush without one jerking away but instead savoring it as a sweet little moment.

As he took his last bite, Nathan leaned back and put his hands behind his head. Haley was staring at him curiously.

"What?" he asked with a smirk.

She blushed; his smirk had always gotten to her, "Where are we going to go from here? I mean we can't pretend tonight didn't happen. Obviously Ollie and whoever was helping her know about this. But what if they aren't ok with us? Or think we're making a mista… Why are you laughing?"

"I always liked your rambling."

Haley huffed, "I wasn't rambling."

"Yes you were," he smirked, but then became serious, "But you don't have to worry. Because whatever comes, whatever everyone thinks, you won't have to deal with it alone. Neither of us will." He gripped her hand, "Neither of us will."