Authors Notes: Thanks for all the great reviews everyone. Some of you are in my head to what extent though I'm not sure and I do change my mind sometimes so that I am not so predictable but until this point, including this chapter I have been a little soft so I'm going to try and turn it up a bit before I close this out. I have no idea how I am going to end this story but I do feel like I've dragged it on a while so the end may be near it may not. I am also keeping an open mind to the possibility of a sequel but I want to finish this first before I really think about it and I have started another Fanfic totally not related to this on that I would like to focus on when this is done but I did want to thank all of you for your continued support and hope that you hang with me on this and that you check out other stories I may add in the future.
Nathan got back to the house, three bags in tow, which he brought up to Haley's room. He could hear the hair dryer from the bathroom so he opened the door. She stood there in a towel blow drying her hair. He watched her a moment before he made his presence known, "honey I'm home," he said taking off his shirt.
She shut the blow dryer off and turned to face him. "Nathan what are you doing," she asked as he undid his pants.
"I need to shower," he answered as his pants fell to the floor, "and you're coming with me," he said as he grabbed the towel and let it fall to the floor. Then he grabbed her and kissed her.
"I already showered," she said between kisses.
"So we have plenty of time," he said as he pulled her into the shower with him.
When they were done he stood behind her and wrapped a towel around her while staring at her in the mirror. He leaned in and kissed her on the neck then whispered in her ear, "I love you Hales."
She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against him. They stood like that a moment then Nathan turned her to face him. "I know this has all happened really fast and we were supposed to be taking things slow but that kind of went out the window. I know we love each other I mean I feel it but aside from that first night we slept together again a few weeks ago, when I quoted I wanna love you forever, neither of us has said it," he paused, "I guess I was scared. Things were happening so fast and I was afraid to say it aloud because then it would all be real and if for some reason you couldn't do this, you didn't stay, I just… I just couldn't take it."
She wrapped her arms around him and looked up into his eyes, "I'm not going anywhere. I love you too," she said and kissed him.
Peyton headed into Tric her eyes roaming the crowd. She saw Lucas with Rachel talking to Mouth, Skills, Tim and Brooke. She could tell from across the room that Brooke was trying really hard not to make dirty faces when Rachel talked.
Brooke lost interest in the group conversation because Rachel began to tell a story. She spotted Peyton across the club looking around. "Um excuse me, there's Peyt. I'm gonna go get her," she said heading toward her. "Oh thank God you're here you can save me from Elmo," she said referring to Rachel but Peyton didn't hear or see her she was still looking around. "Hello, earth to Peyton," she said snapping her finger in front of her face. Peyton looked at her. "Sexy daddy Jagilski isn't here yet but I'm sure he wouldn't miss the chance to catch up," she said putting her arm around her best friend and dragging her toward the group.
Lucas had managed to have Karen hold a few tables for them. When Brooke and Peyton joined them Fergie was approaching, "hey, hey," he said, "look who I found," he stepped aside to reveal Jake whose eyes instantly locked with Peyton's.
"I can't stay long," Jake said, "my parents said they'd watch Jenny but only if I was home early," he laughed, "can you believe that I'm a grown man with a curfew."
Nathan dragged Haley toward the group, "good gangs all here," he said.
"What are you talking about? Did you ask them all to come," Haley asked and he just grinned. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing," he said with a guilty smile.
They all sat as Nathan shared his good news about his foot and about Haley and Keith joining him at Duke. Everyone was curious to learn what Jake had been up to. He informed them that Nikki had taken off again and he had sole custody of Jenny now. He also took some courses at the community college where he had been living and that an old band mate had gotten him a job with Virgin Records in NYC.
Haley's eyes had lit up because that was her label and she had said so drawing the group's attention her way. Peyton's eyes had lit up too but only Brooke had noticed. "You ok," she whispered to Peyton.
"Yeah," she said focusing her attention back to the conversation which had now become everyone going around the table telling Jake what they had been up to.
"Wow, I sure missed a lot," he said when everyone had finished. "Congratulations on working things out," he said to Nathan and Haley. "Congrats to you Luke for UNC and to you too Tim for school and the transformation," he paused, "I can't get over how different you are. Skills, tough break with Bevin but good luck with ball. Mouth, Fergie, Rachel," he just nodded he didn't know what to say to them, "Brooke, Peyt I have to look you up when I get settled but for now I should get going," he said standing. Everyone else stood too. Jake shook the guy's hands and gave the girls hugs, Peyton last.
"Let me walk you out," Peyton said as their embrace ended.
They got outside and Jake asked the question Peyton had been dreading, "so, no Lucas? Whatever happened there?"
"Well I followed my heart like you said to and it led me to art school in New York and it just didn't workout with Lucas," she answered honestly but without details which seemed good enough for Jake.
They both just stood there for a few seconds. Then Jake spoke, "I really have to go but it was really good to see you all again," he said hugging her.
"It was good to see you too," she said reaching into her purse pulling out a card, "here it'll make looking me up a lot easier," she said handing it to him.
"You design this yourself? Of course you did," he laughed, "alright take care," he said touching her arm then turning to leave. She watched him walk away.
Peyton went back inside. Karen was making her way on the stage with a microphone. The music stopped and she began to speak. Peyton continued to her seat.
"Welcome to Tric everyone. Thanks for coming out tonight. Before the live act comes on we have a little something special for someone special in the audience. So without further ado," Karen held the mic out for someone to grab and the audience applauded.
Haley was turned in a way that she didn't see Nathan stand and head for the stage. She didn't know he was gone until she saw him on stage. "What is he doing," she whispered to Lucas.
"You'll see," was all he said.
"Hi," Nathan said nervously into the mic. "Wow there are a lot more people here than I thought would be. I should have figured knowing who the musical act is."
"Who's the musical act," Haley asked Lucas.
"Shhh, just listen will ya," he answered.
"So for those of you who know me, which is probably most of you 'cuz Tree Hill is small, God sorry I'm rambling I'm nervous. I'll just get to the point."
Lucas had never seen Nathan so nervous. It was a little humorous. "Um well for those of you who know me, you know that a terrible accident tore my wife and myself apart a few years back," he paused, "but this summer fate, in a twisted way, brought us both to Tree Hill and well we managed to get back together. So I'm up here tonight to embarrass myself," everyone laughed, "and to keep a promise. Haley, its time the world, well our world anyway," he said pointing out to most of Tree Hill, "knows that you're still legally Mrs. Scott."
Their friends looked at Haley surprised. Mouth was the only one who managed to speak, "what about the divorce?"
"I stopped it," she answered like it was no big deal.
Nathan continued, "Hales will you come up here with me," he asked. She joined him on stage. He reached for his neck and she knew what was coming next. He took their rings off the chain. "Haley, in front of our friends," he said pointing at the group, "some family," he shrugged, "and a bunch of strangers. Will you accept this ring as a token of our love and commitment and the vows we took years ago?"
She smiled and nodded, "yes, I will," she answered giving him her hand then she stole the mic and his ring, "and you Nathan, will you accept this ring as a symbol of our love and commitment and the vows we took years ago?"
"Of course I will, I love you," he answered giving her his hand and he reclaimed the mic.
"Kiss your bride," Lucas yelled as loud as he could.
Nathan heard him and obliged and the crowd went wild. Then he spoke again, "so without further ado please welcome Mr. Gavin DeGraw." The crowd applauded loudly.
"Thank you, thank you," Gavin said as he came on stage. Haley had begun to drag Nathan off stage. "Hey, hey Haley don't run off just yet," so they stopped. She looked at Nathan suspiciously and he just shrugged. "Unfortunately there are no powers invested in me by the state of North Carolina, or any state for that matter, but I do pronounce you recommitted to each other. And with that said please share your first dance on stage," and with that he began to play
When you need a friend I'll be around
Don't let this end before I see you again
What can I say to convince you to change your mind for me
I'm gonna love you more than anyone
I'm gonna hold you closer than before
And when I kiss your soul your body be free
I'm gonna love you more than anyone
"You set this up, all of it didn't you," Haley asked Nathan as they danced.
"I told you Hales when the time was right I'd do it right. I love you."
"I love you too."
"Never again will I let anything come between us," he said.
"Me either," she agreed then kissed him again.