Thanks for all the reviews. You guys really do rock! And thanks for being so patient. I just got back from vacation and I am now official home for the rest of the summer so I can update more often! Hope you enjoy this chapter... actually I know you guys will! Leave much feedback. I love knowing what you guys think. And now onto the chapter...


Chapter 17

Since it was a Sunday and there was no basketball practice Nathan made his way over to the beach house to visit his dad. He knocked on the door but no one answered, however he was soon greeted from behind.

"Son!" He exclaimed jogging up the steps.

"Hi dad," Nathan said monotonously.

"You're just in time. I just finished my run and now we can work out together."

"Actually I just came to ask you something."

"Fine, then ask me while I lift some waits," he said pushing past Nathan and into the house. He went into the work out room and sat down on the bench press.

"Look Dad…" Nathan began.

"Spot me," Dan interrupted while beginning to lift the weights from his chest to above his head.

"Fine, but as I was saying, I came here to ask you something. You know that we aren't exactly the perfect family..."

"I don't agree. People seem to think we are Nathan. Two basketball legends, a nice home, wealth- things people would kill to have."

"Funny you forgot to mention love in there somewhere. No wait scratch that, you didn't forget it because it's not there," Nathan stated getting aggravated. "Which bring me to why I came. I want an emancipation."

"A what?" Dan said resting the weights back on the bar and sitting up.

"An emancipation, from you and mom."

"No."

"You can't just say no and not even let me explain."

"You don't need to explain because I'm not going to sign it."

"But dad-"

"No. We are a family. And you are not going to break us up."

"Dad, there's nothing left to break up. We're already broken. I don't know if you have noticed but we haven't been a family for a long time. Mom is never home. You're kicked out, and I'm never happy when I'm around you."

"Think what you may Nathan, I won't sign those papers."

"Fine, then I'll get mom to."

"No you won't."

"Yes I will. I'll just wait for her to come back from her business trip," Nathan said giving his father some attitude.

"No you won't because she's not away on business."

"Um, yes she is."

"No she's not Nathan. I don't know how to tell you this. But you're mom, she called me about three weeks ago and told me she wasn't coming back. She'd met another man through her firm and she couldn't deal with me anymore. So, she's living with him now. I don't know where and I don't know who he is, but she's gone."

"No. You're lying," Nathan stated, his eyes glazed over, not wanting to believe what he was hearing.

"I'm not son. She's gone."

"Then why didn't you tell me?" Nathan said, the anger rising within him.

"Because I've been trying to track her down and I've had no such luck. I was going to tell you once I found her and brought her home, or you know, once it was definite she'd never come back."

"So basically you were scheming behind my back?" He stated, giving Dan an angry glare.

"Nathan you know it's not like that. I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me? The only thing I need to protected from is you and you're damn ego and control!"

"You know that's not true."

"But it is dad. It is. So please, just sign the papers."

"My answer is still no."

"Fine, I didn't want to do this but… if you don't sign these papers then I'm going to tell Lucas," Nathan said nervously.

"You wouldn't."

"I would."

"But don't you realize that would hurt so many more people than just me?"

"Yeah, but it'd hurt your reputation a lot more." Dan looked at his son speechless. He'd never noticed how grown up Nathan had gotten. But now, standing there in front of him all grown up with his muscular arms and legs and his face etched with stress, Dan saw what he had done to his son. He'd made him grow up fast… too fast.

"Fine I'll sign it," Dan said aggravated grabbing the papers from Nathan's hand.

"Thank you."

"But don't expect me to support you anymore Nathan. Because once you realize

you can't keep up with a life on your own you'll be running back to me."

"You're wrong dad. I don't need you. I'm going to get a job and support myself. I

will never crawl back to you. Got it?"

"That's what you're saying now Nathan. Just wait and see…"

"Whatever," Nathan said turning to walk out the door.

"Oh and son?"

"Yeah?"

"When do you go before the judge?"

"Wednesday."

"I'll be there. You know, to comfort you on your first failure."

"No you won't. And besides, that's not my first failure… you are," he retorted before walking out of the house and leaving his father angry and speechless yet again.

Haley sat on her bed all night thinking about what Taylor said. For once, as much as she hated to admit it, Taylor had helped her. It didn't change anything between them, but she was still grateful for the fact that her feelings were now crystal clear. She had to tell Nathan, and soon. No more beating around the bush. Tomorrow at school she'd seek him out and tell him. She knew he'd be happy. It was obvious he'd been pining over her for weeks now. But she hadn't been ready. Afraid of the pain, the drama, and afraid of getting hurt again. But she trusted Nathan. And she knew he would never hurt her, at least not intentionally. And she couldn't brush that feeling she got whenever she was around him or the feeling in the pit of her stomach she got when she wasn't. She needed to tell him, and that's exactly what she was going to do.

Nathan was making his way over to a table in the library during second period when he noticed Haley wasn't there yet. She was supposed to be meeting him so he could tell her about his mom and the emancipation status, but Haley was never late. He got a little scared remembering what happened last time Haley ran late for something. However, his worries were soon thrown away as he was frantically pulled into one of the rows of bookcases.

"Hal-" he began to say, but he was cut off by a light kiss.

"What are-" still unable to finish because he was off by another kiss.

"I need-" Yes, that's right another kiss.

"- to tell-"

Kiss.

"-you something."

Kiss.

"What has-"

Kiss.

"Alright I'll-"

Kiss.

"-stop trying to talk," he stated as the kisses finally ended. "Don't get me wrong. I loved that, but um. What's with the spontaneous kissing?"

"Seven weeks Nathan."

"What?"

"Seven kisses for seven weeks. That's how long I've been trying to avoid this… us."

"You do not know how long I've been waiting to hear you say that."

"And you don't know how long I've wanted to say it. I was just scared of getting hurt. You know what happened last time… I just… I didn't want that to happen again."

"And it won't. I would never do that to you Haley James. Trust me."

"I do. That's why I'm doing this," she said leaning up and pulling him into a sweet kiss. "I want to be with you."

"Alright then there's just one thing to do."

"And what is that Mr. Scott?"

"Go on a date with me?" He said letting out a smile.

"Oh, I thought you'd never ask," she said smiling back at him.

"That makes two of us," he stated, trying not to look her in the eye.

"Wait. What do you mean?"

"Well, you know the other day we, you know, shared that kiss."

"Ah, yes. That I do," Haley said smiling as she remembered his lips on hers.

"As do I, but we never ended up talking about it. I don't know, I just thought since you never brought it up you thought it was a mistake and that was your way of turning me down kindly."

"Oh no Nathan it was anything but. Even though that kiss was just soft and sweet, I felt so much through it. It was like my heart was completed and that scared me. I've tried so hard not to be vulnerable and lately with you that's all I've been. I just. I wasn't sure if I was ready to put myself out there."

"I'm hoping there's a but there," he said smirking down at her.

"But, after some help from Taylor believe it or not…"

"Not" Nathan retorted rolling his eyes. Taylor was definitely not one of his favorite people after all she did to Haley.

"… I learned I was ready. I was just scared to feel it again."

"It?"

"Well, yeah… love," she said blushing.

"You love me?"

"Maybe not yet, but I definitely feel it in the makings. But who knows, whatever we have is the strongest thing I've ever felt. You're the one person I know will always have my back, and you know I'll have yours. And who knows, maybe you'll be the one person who'll always have my heart. We'll just have to wait and see."

"I guess we will," Nathan stated, pulling her into a bear hug and placing a soft kiss on her forehead. "So me and you, tomorrow night?"

"You got that right," Haley said smirking at him as she leaned back against the bookcase.

"Good, pick you up at eight?"

"Seven."

"Um, okay?"

"Well, I don't know if I can hold off stuffing my face until eight. I might end up snacking and then I won't be hungry for dinner and then it won't be as good of a date and-"

"Haley?"

"Yeah?"

"Your rambling."

"Sorry. Habit."

"Good thing for you I think it's a cute habit," he said grabbing her hand and pulling her towards him. "A habit so cute is makes me want to hug you forever," he whispered, his face mere inches from hers. "A habit so cute it makes me want to kiss you," he continued, their faces so close that his nose was touching hers. He looked into her eyes, he could see the want, the need for him to just move his head the extra inch and fuse their lips together. She swallowed the lump caught in her throat, the anticipation mounting within her.

RIIIIIIIIIIIIING, the bell ending second period sounded. And just like that his head snapped back away from hers and he began to walk away.

"Nathan Scott are you serious!" Haley stated frantically, so desperate to just have a little peck on the lips.

"Oh, I am. Serious about you. I've got to keep the anticipation mounting until our date Hales. So then, when I kiss you, you'll be seeing fireworks," he said turning around and giving her a little smirk.

"Nathan Scott I don't know if I should melt or slap you right now," Haley said laughing.

"I'd prefer the first one, but whatever."

"Well lucky for you I do too," she said smiling at him.

"Good. Well I'm off to class… kiss you later," he said winking at her. Haley just gave him look until the smile she'd been trying to hold back exploded across her face. She watched his retreated figure and just smiled to herself. Happy she had finally told him, and happy they were now taking a step in the right direction.

Then she remembered what he had said before, "I need to tell you something." She couldn't help but wonder what it was, but she knew he'd tell her sooner or later. That curiosity however was soon brushed to the side as she remembered what had just happened. She was no longer just Haley James. She was Haley James, Nathan Scott's girlfriend and she couldn't be happier.

a/n:YAY NALEY! They finally made the move! And I know I'm evil with that last kiss. MWAHAHA lol. And yesssss you finally got your Naley, and yes its about time, what 17 chapters in lol!