Author's Note: First off, I want to say I'm sorry for not having this out sooner, but as many of you know I've had some controversy over another story of mine and it kind of messed with me head. However, thanks to all your incredible support got the energy to keep going. The next LTB should be out very very shortly too.
You guys don't know how much your reviews and encouragement mean. For every bad review I had tons of positive ones and PMs that I probably read 5 times each. LOL I love yoy guys and I hope you continue to enjoy my stories.
Thanks to Hana for being such a cheerleader and beta-ing and this is for Jess and Sam for going all Veronica Mars. LMAO Y'all own my heart. hehe.
Chapter Eleven "Resolve"
"Have you talked to Nathan?" Jake swiveled around in his desk chair to greet a braved-faced Haley James.
"And a good morning to you too," she bitterly quipped, flopping down dejectedly into a soft leather chair across from him. This chair had always been her favorite, strong yet incredibly comforting just like Jake.
Taking a moment to look over her, Jake could tell she was at the peak of her stress level. She looked lovely as ever in a casual vibrant blue and white floral halter dress with simple white flip flops and true to form when she was stressed, had already pulled her hair up and down three times since walking in.
"Good morning Haley, have you talked to Nathan?"
Settling on leaving her hair up—for now—she finally met his eyes. "Does a kiss on the forehead before he left at five am count?"
Jake laughed. "Not really, but it's not a bad thing."
"No, but it's not exactly the best either."
Taking a folder out of his desk, Jake handed it to her. "Those are the newest stories out this morning."
Haley leafed through the disgusting lies and rolled her eyes at the newest article claiming her and Josh were an item using pictures from the set of them wrapped in each other's arms. What they neglected to say was they were playing their characters at the time.
"I want to sue. I wasn't sure at first, but do it now." She threw the file back on his desk.
"That's my girl." Jake winked, pressing a button to his right, opening the channel of communication via intercom from his desk to his secretary's. "Brenda, set up a meeting this afternoon with a few associates of Harmon and Wright. Tell them it's urgent."
"Sure thing Mr. Jagielski," she chirped back to him.
Jake looked back up at Haley. "Before you know it, we'll have those assholes paying through the nose and retracting every word they said."
Smiling, Haley took a piece of paper out of her purse and laid it on Jake's desk. "Good and any money we receive I want going to that charity."
Jake picked up the card. "National Military Family Association?"
"Both my grandfathers fought in World War II and as well as Nathan's and Karen's father never made it back. I think this money should go to a Charity that would be close to both mine and Nathan's hearts. Ever since Nathan and I wed our faces haven't just been gracing the covers here and there, they've been shoved down America's throats. All this print and all this airtime focused solely on us when there are bigger issues like the families of our soldiers. I figured this was the best way to alleviate some of the injustice. Also, donate half a million from my private account, make it anonymous though."
"You're one of a kind Hales." Jake grinned, writing down her instructions.
Getting up, Haley bent over the desk. "And you give me too much credit," she kissed his cheek.
…
Chris grimaced as Nathan charged in his office, smoke shooting from his ears. "Damn, what's up your ass?"
"Shut the hell up Keller. Why the fuck haven't you fixed this?"
Groaning, Chris closed his laptop. "Look, I know you and every girl in America likes to think I'm God, but I'm not. I can't work miracles…well maybe in the bedroom…" he boasted.
Collapsing in a nearby chair, Nathan made it clear to get on with it, which thankfully Chris caught onto.
"Right, so anyway, in this day and age nothing is private or off limits."
"But they're fucking lies," Nathan argued. "It's one thing to invade our privacy it's another to create their own reality."
The fax machine sounded behind Chris and he spun around to grab it. "I talked to Jake and Haley wants to fight, which I'm guessing means you do too?"
"Haley wants to fight?" He knew he should have talked to her before leaving for practice, but after the stunts he pulled at last night game, there wouldn't be a next game if he hadn't gotten his ass to the coach's office before morning warm-ups.
"Yeah, she left Jake's office about twenty minutes ago. So you in?"
"I'm in."
"Good, sign this." He handed Nathan the fax from Harmon and Wright. "And we'll add your name to the lawsuit."
Signing the papers, Nathan could feel Chris's eyes on him. "What is it?"
"What is what?" Chris shrugged innocently.
Putting the pin down, Nathan slid the signed papers back to him. "Just spill it."
Leaning back in is chair, Chris lifted his legs to the top of his desk, crossing his right foot over his left. "Fine. In two weeks your contract with Haley is up."
"So?" Nathan looked at him confused.
"So, what are you and Haley going to do?"
Nathan mirrored Chris's position, his long stretching out. "It's not an issue anymore."
"Are you sure? Have you two even talked about it?"
Thinking about it, Nathan realized they hadn't. Things had drastically improved between them, they'd admitted their love for each other, but did that mean she wanted to stay married him? What if she couldn't deal with the consequences of being his wife?
Neither had even uttered a word regarding the contract. For him, he'd honestly forgotten about it, the question of whether or not they'd spend the rest of their lives together never even entered his mind.
And now, he couldn't get it out.
…
"Haley, why are we doing this?" Peyton whined, being dragged into a Vera Wang boutique by a petite yet freakishly strong Haley.
"Because no one embodies simplicity and elegance like Vera and that's what you're looking for."
Regaining her limb, Peyton rubbed her wrist dramatically. "Says the slutty crack whore."
Haley's mouth dropped open in playful shock. "Wow, tell a girl she can't wear jeans down the isle and the claws come out."
"Sorry Babe," Peyton sighed, wrapping an arm around Haley's shoulders.
"It's ok, but please remember I'm a coke whore not a crack whore," Haley teased ducking out from under Peyton's arm to greet a sales associate.
"Hi, we have an appointment for Sawyer." Haley smiled sweetly to the impeccably dressed wisp of a sales woman. She probably was close to sixty, but her make up and simple French twist gave her a youthful glow of a woman no older than forty-five.
"Of course. My name is Vivian; I had some of my staff pick out a few gowns per your initial vision. I'll have them bring them out one by one and we can get a better feel for what you're looking for."
Planting herself on a plush cream velvet loveseat, Haley crossed her legs ready for the show as Peyton begrudgingly sat down next to her.
"Pey, I know I said there is no bridal gene, but there is a stubborn ass gene, so put a smile on that face and suck it up. Trust me, whether you want to believe it or not, even you want to feel like a princess for a day and the look on Lucas' face when he sees you in your dress will blow you away."
"Weren't you wearing a purple tube dress when you married Nathan?"
"It was more lavender than purple, but you're right, I guess I have no room to talk." She conceded, her eyes focusing on her wedding band. Sometimes she preferred to wear only it. She loved her engagement ring, but the modest elegance of her band, which was more her style, was all she needed.
"Yeah, I guess you didn't get to enjoy being princess for a day?" Peyton softly returned, utilizing Haley's earlier words.
Haley smiled, contentment spreading across her features. "Yeah, but you just made me realize it really doesn't matter. I love Nathan and will for the rest of my life. That's a hell of a lot better than being a princess for twenty four hours." She paused and reached for her purse on the ground. "So, if you want to get out of here, I'll help you find the most bad ass pair of wedding jeans ever made."
Putting her hand on Haley's thigh, Peyton stopped her. "Nope. I'm going to do this. Lucas wants this and somewhere beneath my rocker chick exterior I do too."
Haley's smile broadened. "Hell yes!"
…
It had taken hours, but they had finally found the perfect dress for Peyton. The classic halter sheath was constructed of delicate French chantilly lace, embroidered with ivory and silver. It had vintage written all over it, even if it had been hand sewn just a few weeks before.
Peyton told Haley it had reminded her of her mother's wedding dress, one that she had wanted to wear, however it had been improperly stored. So even if it wasn't her first choice, this gown still held a piece of her late mother and Haley knew that meant the world to Peyton even if she didn't want to admit it.
Growing bored, waiting on her curly blonde friend, who was presently in the process of her first dress fitting, Haley started going through the rack of dresses that she figured had been left out from the appointment before.
At the end of the row one caught her eye. The fabric was exquisite and she could only describe the gown as Cinderella meets Vera Wang; the grown up version of her childhood dream.
"You have to try that on." Peyton demanded from behind Haley, back in her gray skinny jeans and vintage top.
Haley placed the gown back on the rack. "I'm already married, remember?" She flashed her left hand at Peyton.
Grabbing the discarded dress, Peyton took a hold of Haley's wrist and dragged into one of the spacious fitting rooms; complete with crimson loveseat, ornate cheery wood vanity, and a platform surrounded by floor to ceiling mirrors.
"You made me try on every damn dress in this store, now it's my turn. Amuse me." She thrust the dress in Haley's arms.
Begrudgingly, Haley did as she was told, going behind a beautiful silk screen divider to attempt to put on her dress; Vivian not two seconds behind her to help.
Five minutes later, Haley re-emerged and Peyton jaw hit the floor.
"Wow," she managed to get out, her eyes still sweeping over Haley as she timidly stepped onto the podium is oversized heels, that Peyton used when trying her on dresses,
Never before had Peyton seen Haley glow like she was now. She was wearing a white duchess satin strapless A-line ball gown with a fitted dropped waist and hand-tucked folds that transformed the lower half of her gown into a dramatic pick up skirt.
It was breathtaking yet subtle in it's in remarkable beauty much like the girl wearing it.
Cutting her eyes to her reflection, Haley's breath caught in her throat. "Wow."
Laughing Peyton climbed up beside her on the platform and slipped her arm through Haley's. "I'm not exactly a tall, dark and handsome basketball god, but at least you get to see how it feels to be a princess for the next five minutes with someone that loves you by your side."
Haley laid her head on Peyton's shoulder. "Thank you."
"Anytime."
…
At half past eight, Nathan finally made his way through the front door of his and Haley's home. It had been a grueling day; a morning reaming from the coach, all day practices, a meeting with Chris and a night practice where they ran a few dozen miles in drills alone
As he passed the entryway mirror he noticed a large electric blue post it stuck to it. Switching on the light first, he peeled the note off the mirror and noticed Haley's familiar loops telling him to simply 'meet her on the deck'.
Stepping out the French doors, he didn't see her at first, but when he heard a distinct series of pops, he turned to the right to discover her soaking, with open arms, in the sunken Jacuzzi.
Her thick, and today curly hair, was gracefully piled atop her head and a barely visible white bikini adorned her flawless figure.
She gave him a beautiful smile. "I figured you'd be exhausted when you got home and there is no better way to feel renewed than a soak in the hot tub. Nonetheless, I figured we'd leave some clothes on in case of any prying eyes."
He only smirked as he reached the edge of the tub, quickly stripped down to his solid black boxers, and slid in across from her.
Poking at his knee with her foot, she got his attention. "Hello? Wife in an itty bitty string bikini?" She pointed to herself.
With his smirk still planted firmly on his lips, he closed the distance between them until his hands were gribbing the edge on either side of her and his lips were mere millimeters from hers. "Was I ignoring you?"
With a perfected pout, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Yes you were," she murmured against his lips, giggling in victory when his mouth seized hers, taking complete control.
Long blissful minutes later; they tore apart, breathless, their foreheads pressed together.
"Naked or not Hales, I could never ignore you," his voice, hoarse with lust, revealed.
Kissing his nose, she took him by the shoulders and turned him around, her hands never leaving his skin. Pulling her feet under her on the bench, she raised herself over him just enough to be able to give him a proper massage.
He moaned when her tiny fingers began to knead his aching muscles. "You don't have to do that, but damn don't stop."
"Just enjoy it and don't expect it in the off season," she teased, moving one of her skilled hands to work on his neck, while the other melted away the knot in between his shoulder blades.
"How was shopping with Peyton?"
She let out a groan of frustration. "It took five hours, but we found one. She looks so gorgeous in it too. Lucas is going to die."
Nathan closed his eyes, succumbing to her ministrations. "No one could beat you."
"Are you kidding me? I walked down the aisle looking like I'd just had sex, in a short purple dress. That doesn't exactly scream blushing bride?"
"Well, you were blushing…"
She pressed down harder than normal, drawing out a yelp of pain from him. "You know what I mean."
He laughed. "Sorry, I know. It's just, I hate to break it to you Hales, but as lame as this sounds; my eyes never left your face.
"Awwww, really?"
Turning around, he grabbed her waist and pulled her to straddle him on a lower side of the bench "Really. You were so beautiful, Baby."
She pecked his lips. "Thank you."
"Thank you." He kissed her back.
A few tender kisses later Haley leaned back slightly. "You can barely keep your eyes open Nathan." She gave him a knowing look as she soothingly ran her hand across his cheek.
"Forget it." He nonchalantly dismissed her comment, lifting his eyes to lock with hers, wanting her to see the truth in what he was about to say. "Listen, I'm sorry about last night."
"What about it?"
"I wasn't there for you."
Sighing, she played with the damp hairs on the nap of his neck. "I wasn't there for you either, I missed your entire game."
"You had a good excuse," he reminded her.
She smiled. "True, you can't beat getting stranded on a desert island."
"No you can't." He laughed, playing with the already loose tie at the base of her neck that was holding her barely there bikini in place.
"Hey, I almost forgot. While you were sweating it up on the court, Jake and Chris got everything started. I'm so glad you're on board too, by the way and stop trying to untie me," she playfully scolded.
"No one messes with my girl," he chauvinistically informed her, as he slid his hands to rest on her lower back.
"Oh, they don't?"
He nipped at earlobe. "Nope."
Giggling, she pressed herself into his growing hardness. "Someone isn't tired."
Moving his hands down to her ass, he squeezed her cheeks hard. "Never for you."
Reluctantly, she untangled herself from his grasp, moving a few feet away from. "I love you and I want you, but I saw you walking out onto the deck, you could barely put one foot in front of the other."
"Get over here." He reached out and tugged her back to him.
When she was settled, back on his lap, he rested his chin on her shoulder; something he could only accomplish in this particular position. "Let's just stay here for awhile. I promise all extremities will keep to themselves, although I can't stop them from brushing below the equator from time to time."
"You got a deal, Scott and since you're in such a pliable mood, what do you say to an exclusive tell all interview with the one and only Barbara Walters?"
He popped back up, giving her a suspicious look. "The View chick?"
Haley scrunched her nose at that. "Please never refer to her as a chick, however I'm sure she would love it. Anyway, I was thinking that every one has all these misconceptions; so while I loathe this, I think the only way to really set them straight is to show them the truth."
"The whole truth?"
She nodded. "And nothing but. It doesn't matter how we got together, what matters is what we found and I'd rather face the criticism of our truth than the judgement of their lies."
"If you can't beat them join them," he agreed, his callused thumbs rubbing against the small of her back.
"Exactly and when Barbara called me, and how can you say no when Barbara Walters calls you, she wanted to shoot some footage in Tree Hill…andIsaidyes," she rushed out, not meeting his eyes.
Chuckling, he kissed her forehead. "That's fine, Hales. I wanted to show it to you anyway—could have done without the camera crew—but still you'll get to see it."
"And I can't wait. Oh, we can do it next week, since you guys have a week break and my film wraps tomorrow. Furthermore, Mr. Scott, if you're lucky, I'll even let you have your way with me on your old bed."
"Mmm, thank God I didn't know you back then, basketball would have been thrown out the window. You'd have been in my bed every spare second we had," he promised with a sly grin, before bending down to kiss her neck a few times.
"I would have been knocked up by eighteen," she predicted with a soft laugh, trying not to lose herself in the feel of being in his arms.
"Damn straight. In fact, I'm thinking by the next year or two you'll be growing a mini Nathan."
She was stunned into silence. Neither of them had ever mentioned future plans. They'd told the other how they felt and even started to really embrace being married, but that was all in the present tense.
On some level she guessed they both had been afraid bringing it up would be too much too soon or drive the other away, as stupid as it sounded now.
"You think about that stuff?" she finally got the courage to ask.
"Sometimes." He smiled. "I don't obsess or anything, but I've pictured you pregnant and thought about what our kids would look like."
Gazing in his eyes, she felt her throat tighten with her next words. "Never leave me."
Squeezing her closer to him, he nuzzled her neck, breathing in her calming delicate scent.
"I couldn't…I need you too much," he quietly answered, now certain that she wasn't going anywhere and neither was he.
Side by side—hand in hand—they'd get through this together.
Cath