Thanks for the reviews! You guys are awesome and loyal readers. And now onto the million dollar question: Does Haley say I love you? Or doesn't she? You will soon find out...


Chapter 20

Nathan stood in the courtroom the next day in anticipation waiting for the judge to utter the words "emancipation granted," but he never heard them. Instead he heard "you have three weeks to get a job and show me you can support yourself," all the while a smirk plastered across Dan Scott's face in the back of the courtroom. As his face contorted into sadness Nathan looked behind him and saw a pitying Haley searching his eyes.

Haley. The one person who will help him get through this. He looked down at the ring on his finger remembering the events of last night.

FLASHBACK

Nathan rolled his eyes at the cuteness of his girlfriend and the before he knew it the words rolled right off his tongue, "I love you."

At the hearing of these three mere words, Nathan saw Haley's face shoot up at him, a mix of emotions flashing through her eyes: happiness, confusion, compassion and fear to name a few. He looked at her waiting for an answer. And after what seemed like eternity she finally opened her mouth.

"No."

"No?"

"No."

"How can you tell me no? This isn't a question. I'm telling you, I love you."

"No you're not telling me this. Because after the fiasco that happened with Chris I vowed to myself that I would only do things at my own pace. I would say I love you first, I would make the first kiss, I would be in control so I wouldn't be walked all over again," she said, her face serious.

"Haley I know you were hurt by Chris but I'm not like him. And I won't take advantage of you. I know you're scared but you can't tell me I don't love you because of that."

"I'm not saying you don't love me Nathan. I'm just saying I'm not ready for all this serious stuff. It's too soon for this much emotion."

"If it's too soon then when is not too soon? I mean we have ages when things are 'not too soon' say driving at seventeen and legally drinking alcohol by 21 but when is it 'not too soon' to fall in love? They don't place a number on that because there is no wrong answer. Love has a time of it's own and whether you're seven, seventeen, or seventy you can be in love. And I'm telling you Haley James. I'm in love. I know we've only just started dating, but you know it's been running deep within our veins for a long time now. Your journal was just the last trigger to start it all."

Haley had tears running down her face as she listened to Nathan's words. She knew he was right. She'd been in love with him for a while now. There'd been many a time she'd almost slipped, once when she actually did, but was she ready to actually hand her heart over on a silver platter. Last time she did that they took a butcher knife and well, butchered it. "You're right."

"I'm right?"

"You're right. I love you Nathan. Have for a while now and I need to stop denying myself of it. I've just been scared. Scared to feel it again. Scared to be vulnerable. So there it is… I love you Nathan Scott. But I swear, if you break my heart I'll-"

"I won't break your heart, because I'll never allow myself the opportunity. I don't think you understand how much I love you."

"If it's half as much as what I'm feeling than it's a hell of a lot of lovin'."

"I bet I love you more Haley James."

"No way."

"Way."

"I don't think so, but agree to disagree?"

"Fine. Agree to disagree… kiss on it?"

"But of course Nathan," Haley said grabbing him by the shoulders and pulling him towards her. He brought his head down towards her as she brought hers to him and their lips met instantaneously only to ripped apart a few seconds later. "I really do love you though. I want you to know that."

"Believe me Hales, I do," Nathan spoke breathlessly before pulling her into yet another mouthwatering, mind-blowing, over the park, reach for the sky kind of kiss. As they continued to discover the crevices of each other's mouth Haley felt something hard continuously poking her leg. A blush crept over her face, obviously thinking it was Nathan's 'little friend.'

"Someone's happy to see me," Haley said giggling and pointing down towards her leg.

"What? Noooo." Nathan said like that was impossible, a hurt look going across Haley's face. "No, I mean, yes of course that certain part of my anatomy is always happy to uh, see you, but it's not what you think. Can you go inside my pocket and grab it for me?"

"Nathan! You are an even bigger perv than Lucas! I will not give you your jollies."

"Fine, I'll get it," he said reaching to his pocket and pulling out a velvet box; laughing as he saw the embarrassment creep across Haley's face. "I never knew boxes were a new way of pleasure."

"Oh shut up!" Haley said hitting his bicep and laughing in embarrassment. She continued to laugh until she saw Nathan open it, a single ring sitting inside, her face then became contorted into shock and confusion. "Is that a-"

"-ring. Yes. Haley will you do me the honor of-"

"Nathan I'm only seventeen! I cannot marry you! I love you, and yeah I've daydreamed about us having a future but that was well, in the future!" She continued to ramble on until she saw Nathan just staring at her. "What?" She said all flustered.

"Hales, I'm not asking you to marry me. That's too teenage primetime drama-y."

"Oh," she said looking more confused than ever.

"What I was going to say is will you do me the honor of wearing my promise ring? It's not a 'there's no getting out of this bond' kind of ring, it's too signify you have my heart and that it will always be with you. It's also a reminder that even when I'm not there physically, I'm thinking about you mentally and will always be by your side… always and forever."

"Nathan I don't know what to say."

"Say you'll wear it."

"Of course, I'd love too. I just feel horrible, I wish I had one for you."

"Lucky for you I planned ahead and got one for me too," he said pulling another ring out of his pocket. He handed Haley the ring so she could look at it. On the outside it looked like a simple metal band, however on the inside it was engraved with the words "Always and forever, Nathan.." Nathan took the ring out of her hand and slipped it onto her middle right finger. She smiled down at it and then took the other ring from Nathan's hand that was engraved "Always and forever, Haley." and slipped it onto his middle finger. He smiled at her and then leaned over and gave her a sweet innocent kiss on the lips.

Haley sighed as he pulled back and then looked at him, admiring his beautiful face and caring eyes. "You're perfect you know that?"

"I'm far from perfect, but I try," he replied smirking.

"You're perfect to me."

"And you're perfect for me," he said grabbing her waist and pulling her towards him laying tender kisses on her jaw line, eventually leading to her lips.

"I love you," they both said in unison, smiling after they said it.

"As much as I hate to say this Hales, it's getting late. I should take you home," he said gently cupping her elbow and leading her out of the pizza place.

"You're right, but just one thing before you go."

"Yeah?"

"How the hell did you pull this off?"

"I pulled some strings… and I used to work here so the boss likes me."

"A man of power. I like it," Haley said giggling before getting into the car driving back to her house. Once they arrived Nathan opened her door for her and walked Haley to her door. He just stood there looking down at her as she fiddled with the newly placed ring on her finger.

"What are you worrying about?"

"I'm not worrying."

"Haley, I know you too well. You're always worrying, including right now."

"Okay maybe I am."

"Well what is it Hales?"

"I'm going to sound like a baby, but Taylor's at the Keller's with Harley until tomorrow and well, I'm scared of being alone in this empty creaky house."

"Hales, there is nothing to be scared of."

"I just don't like being alone that's all… stay with me tonight?"

"Hales, I don't think we should do that just yet."

"Nathan, I'm not asking you to come in and have sex with me. I'm asking you to stay with me. Lay next to me and hold me, keep me company so I don't feet so alone."

"Well if you put it that way, then sure. Any don't worry. As long as you're with me and you have that ring on your finger you're never alone. My heart is always with you."

She blushed at him and then made her way into the house with Nathan in tow.

They climbed the stairs to her bedroom and then shut it behind them. After changing into her pajamas in the bathroom Haley pulled up the covers and got into bed, not noticing the fact that her journal was not where she left it. Nathan slipped into his boxers and a wife beater, then pulled up the covers and joined her.

Haley turned her body so she could face him, instantly being met with his fierce blue eyes. She pulled him into a good night kiss which inevitable turned into another kiss, and then another, until they were having a mini make-out session. However, after a while they both pulled back tired, shared another "I love you," and went to sleep.

Nathan however could not sleep considering his Court hearing the next day, so instead he spent his night watching her sleep. She looked so peaceful. He watched her chest rise and fall with each breath and found himself smiling at her beauty. If this was how he'd spend his nights the rest of his life, watching Haley sleep, he would be a happy man.

END FLASHBACK

Nathan was snapped out of his memory when a distressed Haley wrapped her arms around him. "Nathan I'm so sorry! Don't worry we'll get you that emancipation in three weeks, I promise."

"Thank you Hales," he said giving her a little squeeze and kissing the top of her head. He just held her in her arms for a few more minutes taking comfort in her familiar scent and the happiness she brought with her. This however was soon interrupted by none other than Dan Scott.

"Oh son, such a shame. Guess you'll have to stick with your good ol' dad."

"Good? No. Old? Yeah. Do I have to stick with you? Only for three more weeks. This is just a set back dad, I'm already out of your life. It just takes three more weeks to make it official."

"You'll never be out of my life Nathan," Dan said, his face becoming red and now just inches from his son.

"But I will dad. Once that judge grants me an emancipation we're through. I have no obligation to you after that and you don't have any to me."

"That's right son. I don't. So don't come crying for a place to live and money cause you won't get it."

"And I won't need it. Especially not from you."

"Yes you will. I can already tell you're going to make poor choices… look at the girl you got hanging onto you."

"Leave Haley out of it."

"Oh so you've got a name? I thought maybe since you're hippie parents just decided to skip town on you that they didn't even have the decency to name you."

"Dad, I swear to go leave Haley out-" Nathan began, taking a threatening step towards his father.

"Mr. Scott. Say all you want about me but don't you dare talk shit about my parents. Got it? You of all people have no right to look down on anyone, especially my parents, who by the way are a lot more loving then you."

"I see you like them feisty Nathan."

"Mr. Scott I would advise you to take a few steps back and then keep walking."

"What? Having trouble holding my pipsqueak if a son back."

"No, he's going to have trouble holding me back in five seconds."

"Fine, I'm not one to bicker any longer than I have to. See you in three weeks," he said giving a devilish smile before walking away.

"Hales, I'm really sorry about him," Nathan began apologetically.

"Don't apologize for him. If anything I should be saying sorry to you for having to live with that creature you're whole life. I mean, I knew he was bad, but I'd never actually experienced it. Your dad is pretty much the assy-est ass on the planet."

"I'm pretty sure he's the assy-est ass in the universe."

"That too."

"So, what do we do now?"

"We are finding you a job. I'm not letting you miss your second chance at this emancipation because you need it, badly."

"Whatever you say Hales."

"Exactly so let's get going I have an idea."

"See that's why I love you, you're always ready to handle a problem."

"Chyeah. As long as it's not my own," she said sarcastically. "But seriously let's go, I think I know where you can find a job." And with that she took his hand and led him out of the courthouse and onto the sidewalk where they began they're search for employment. Nathan needed a job and fast. There was no way Haley was letting him be attached to Dan longer than he needed to be.

I know what you're thinking... Dan's an ass. And all I have to say is... yepp. How I loathe him! And haha, bet in the beginning you thought that ring was a wedding ring... nope! Maybe I tricked ya maybe I didn't, but it's too early for any of that yet. Anyways I hope you liked the chapter and leave some really awesome reviews please! I love getting them, they make me warm and fuzzy inside lol.