Find Our Way Back

Chapter 22

Making Memories of Us

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine. The song in this chapter is "Making Memories of Us" performed by Keith Urban.

I'm gonna be here for you baby
I'll be a man of my word
Speak the language in a voice that you have never heard
I wanna sleep with you forever
And I wanna die in your arms
In a cabin by a meadow where the wild bees swarm

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

Lucas was standing in front of the bathroom mirror when he heard Nathan walk into the apartment. "Where have you been little brother?"

"I had something I needed to do."

Jake stepped out from the bedroom, "Dude, our wives are going to kill us if we're late."

"I know, I know. It took a little longer than expected," looking at his watch he grimaced. "We'll be fine. Just let me hop into the shower real quick." Nathan shoved Lucas out of the bathroom, "Sorry bro," and shut the door.

Jake exchanged a look with Lucas, "Any clue where he was?"

"None. He said something about a big surprise, but nothing else."

I wanna honor your mother
I wanna learn from your pa
I wanna steal your attention like a bad outlaw
I wanna stand out in a crowd for you
A man among men
I wanna make your world better than it's ever been

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us

Meanwhile, at the house, "How's it going in there Haley?" Peyton asked through the closed door. Haley had been shut in the bathroom for an hour, refusing to come out.

"Come on Haley," Brooke urged her sister-in-law, "the photographer's going to be here in less than an hour. You still need make-up and the all important dress."

"He can start with the guys," she mumbled through the closed door.

"Talk to us Hales. What's going on inside that head of yours?" Peyton and Brooke sighed when she finally opened the door.

Haley's eyes were red, it was obvious that she had been crying, "Am I doing the right thing?"

"What? Finally coming out of the bathroom?" Brooke asked trying to lighten the mood.

Haley displayed a small smiled which quickly disappeared, "Marrying Nathan."

"Are you kidding me?" Peyton questioned, stunned. "Of course you are. You two love each other, you have a child together, with another baby on the way."

"But a baby is no reason to get married – look at Dan and Deb."

"You are NOTHING like them Haley. Nathan proposed before he knew about the baby. He wants to be with you." Peyton paused, "Nathan was miserable without you in his life Haley. He made a promise 10 years ago, and meant every word of it. He would come spend weeks at a time with us during the off-season…saved us tons of money on daycare, by the way. He said it felt good to be around two people who shared a love so deep that nothing could tear it apart. And, from that love had created beautiful children. He was sad because he would never again get to feel that. He wasn't willing to share that love with anyone else after you. Every year it got harder, to believe but he hoped to find you again. And he promised that no matter what it took, if you ever returned to his life, he'd never lose you again."

Brooke hugged Haley, who was crying again, "You know that there is nobody else in this world you'd rather spend your life with."

"But what if we're rushing into this, again."

"Rushing into renewing your vows with the man you've been married to for more than 10 years?"

"Do you think I'm being dumb?"

Brooke exchanged a look with Peyton, "Honestly? Yes. You love him, he loves you, and equally significant in that equation, when you're with each other, you radiate happiness. But, if you're feeling doubt, then maybe you should wait. No one can tell you how to feel."

Haley smiled, "Thanks you guys. Now, we've got a wedding to get ready for."

"That's the spirit tutor-wife. Now, go wash your face and come back out here."

Before leaving the room, Haley whispered to Peyton, "Did he really baby-sit for your kids?"
"Yep, all 4 of them."

"I love him," and she bounded back into the bathroom.

Once Haley was out of the room, Peyton whispered, "Was that hormones, or is she really having doubts?"

"99 hormones. 1 doubts, I think a small part of her thinks it's too good to be true. But I've never seen a pregnant woman with mood swings like her. Let's pray that we make it through the rest of the day without another major one." Brooke smiled, "I'm just glad Nathan's here this time, so Lucas doesn't have to take the brunt of them."

"That bad?"

"And worse."

We'll follow the rainbow
Wherever the four winds blow
And there'll be a new day
Comin' your way

Nathan smiled as he watched Jimmy walk proudly down the isle next to Haley. They were his family, now and forever. He couldn't believe, after five lonely years, this was really happening. He'd never been so nervous in his life, except maybe…no, not even then. Nathan rubbed his sweaty palms against his pants before taking Haley's hand as she stood in place next to him. Jimmy scurried over and took his place ext to Lucas.

Nathan had given a lot of thought

to his vows, unsure of what to say. In the end, he decided to go with what he knew best, "I will always protect you. Always," Nathan slips the new ring onto her finger, "Someday, this beach might wash away…the oceans may dry…the sun could dim but on that day, I'll still be loving you. Always and forever. I promise you Haley."

Haley tried to hold back her tears, listening to Nathan's vows. Even in their five years apart, he'd done his best to stand by those words. And she knew they'd ring true 'til the day he dies.

Before she knew it, it was her turn. "I, Haley James-Scott, take you Nathan, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, always and forever. Nathan, I've made a lot of mistakes over the years, but I find hope in the one thing I did right – marry you. Now, as we re-start our lives together and become a true family, I want you to know that I have never stopped loving you, and I will continue to love you until the day I die."

Haley spotted a tear rolling down Nathan's cheek, and lost her battle. As tears streamed down her own face she nudged

Nathan, "I'm blaming you if my make-up is ruined."

I'm gonna be here for you from now on
This you know somehow
You've been stretched to the limits but it's alright now
And I'm gonna make you this promise
If there's life after this
I'm gonna be there to meet you with a warm, wet kiss
Yes I am

After the ceremony, leaving Jimmy and the Jagelski kids under the watchful eye of their grandparents, the adults sat in Nathan's rented limo.

"Honestly Nathan," Haley began, "the reception is at the same location where we exchanged our vows. A limo is not required."

"Actually it is.

I have a surprise for you." Nathan knocked on the window separating them from their driver, "We're ready."

"Did you really have to drag us all on your romantic surprise for Haley?" Brooke grumbled.

"Who says it's romantic?" Nathan asked.

"It's a surprise for your bride on your wedding day, it had better be romantic."

"What if I just wanted to share the surprise?"

"I'd rather you share the food back at the reception."

"Brooke!" Lucas finally scolded his wife, "Be nice."

"What? I'm being nice. It's just that I'm four months pregnant and hungry." The car stopped, "Yay! We're here."

Nathan stepped out of the car first and helped Haley out behind him.

"My surprise is dirt?" Haley asked as she looked around them.

Nathan waited until all four of his friends were out of the vehicle before thumping on its rooftop. Slowly the limo pulled forward to reveal a tarp-covered sign.

"What is this Nathan?" Haley questioned with curiosity.

"Why don't you go see," Nathan responded, trying to hide his excitement.

Haley approached the sign and carefully pulled back the tarp. She gasped then read, "Future site of Tree Hill Estates." Looking at Nathan she said, "Does this mean what I think it does?"

"That we're moving?"

She nodded her head.

"It sure does."

Haley embraced Nathan in a tight hug. "But this is a LOT of land for one house."

"That's the other part of the surprise. The land is intended for three houses."

"Three?" Haley asked, confused, then it hit her, "You want…"

"Yes, Lucas and Brooke, Jake and Peyton, I'd be honored to have you live out here with Haley and I."

"Nathan…" Peyton started.

"Just think about it. We can raise our kids together; I can watch the kids while you work. I even chose a name to fit us all."

Lucas suddenly realized what his brother was asking, "Wait…"

Nathan cut him off, "I've already made a deal with the contractor for three custom-made houses. And while it's true we need more space, Haley and I don't need three houses…at least not all in the same city."

Jake looked at his friend, "You're serious, aren't you."

"As serious as my love for Haley."

Haley grinned, "He's not very serious then," she giggled as she pretended to be scared of Nathan as he wrapped his arms around her.

"We can think about it?"

"Of course."

And I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you
And I'll earn your trust making memories of us
I'm gonna love you like nobody loves you baby
And I'll win your trust making memories of us
Mmhm ooooooooooo oh baby mmmm