Authors Note: Thanks to Indiansummer (another author) for your tip on how to upload while the document manager doesn't seem to be working. Thanks to all you loyal readers for being patient and hopefully you're alerted when I add this chapter. Thanks too for all the reviews.

"Hey baby check this out," Nathan said excitedly as he walked into the house. "I'm on the cover of the NCAA Final Four game for PS3."

"Uh that's not the only think you're on the cover of," Haley said pointing at the stack of magazines Brooke brought back from the store.

"What's this," he said picking the stack up, "oh wow," he said before reading the headline, "Haley James' secret marriage to Duke Basketball star Nathan Scott. Page 43 for more. These pictures are from this weekend."

"Uh huh, open it and keep reading," Haley said.

"Haley James the up and coming musical icon seen here with NBA hopeful Nathan Scott were spotted together this weekend strolling hand-in-hand in downtown Durham. They were also spotted being intimate, whispering in each others ears and kissing. Ms. James' publicist was contacted and responded with a firm 'no comment.' Our reporters did some investigating and discovered the two are married. Although no wedding bands are seen in the photos our sources have confirmed the two are in fact married and have been since their junior year of high school. They supposedly split for a yet unknown reason but recently reunited. Stay tuned for more on the usually press shy James and her relationship with Scott as we are currently working on the whole story."

"How did they find out? Not that I'm ashamed or anything," Haley asked.

"I don't know Hales. They're dogs. To be honest with you I'm surprised we kept our past a secret this long," Nathan said, "I mean I had help with Duke but I figured they'd find out eventually especially with your career growing."

"What do we do," she asked, "should we release a statement or something? I don't want people knowing about my personal life."

"Welcome to the life of fame," Nathan said with a laugh, "I knew what was going to happen once the NBA came knocking but with the two of us together it's probably going to be more intense."

"I blame you," she said playfully pushing him, "I was doing fine keeping our past, my personal life out of their grasps. Then you come back into my life."

"Like I ever really left," he shot back laughing, "I was here all along," he said putting his hand over her heard. He got serious again, "anyway let me call Duke Athletics and see if they know how the story got leaked. You call your publicist and see if she can do some damage control."

"Um ok," she said and they set off on their missions.

When they were both off their phones they looked at each other. Nathan spoke first, "so they're not sure but the secretary from Admissions cleared out her desk this morning with no notice."

"Ugh, I knew that lady seemed a little to interested," Haley said. "She didn't have details but she knew you were married and she made some comment about how I kept my private life private. It was probably her."

"Well there's nothing we can do unless we can prove it. After Tric the other night and now this I'm sure there will be more," Nathan said.

"Oh God, Tric," Haley said, "someone's definitely going to sell that. Damn tabloids are gonna dish out all are details," she said.

"Well there is a plus side," Nathan said taking her in his arms.

"Oh what's that," she asked hugging him back.

"At least we've dealt with the past."

"I guess," she mumbled into his chest, "but that doesn't mean I want the world to know our dirty laundry."

"Well what did your publicist say," Nathan asked.

"She would issue a statement asking the media to respect our privacy but our best bet would be to do an interview with people or US weekly to tell our story our way," she answered.

"Well," Nathan said in an asking tone.

"Does it really matter I mean if it comes out before the interview will people even believe us," she asked.

"Haven't you learned anything from us, it's always better to say your piece," Nathan said.

"I guess. She's setting something up anyway," Haley said.

"Hey Mouth, sorry I'm late," Peyton said joining him at the table at the café.

"No problem. What's new," he asked.

"Not much just a long morning with my dad," she said.

"How's he doing," he asked.

"Good, he's good," Peyton answered. "How's your family?"

"Good also," he answered, "so can you believe how far Nathan and Haley have come in just a few weeks?"

"I know it's crazy but good for them. Besides its Nathan and Haley it was probably inevitable anyway. They seem better off this time, their both different, more mature."

"Yeah I'm happy for them, plus I had fun at Tric the other night," he said.

"I know you did. I saw you dancing with that girl."

"Yeah," Mouth blushed, "she's going to be a freshman at Wake Forest. I told her I could show her around."

"Go Mouthy!"

"Don't get a head of yourself," Mouth said, "she's young and well I'm a gentleman," he joked.

"Yes you are," Peyton agreed even though it was a joke.

"Speaking of gentlemen," Mouth said, "how's Jake? I noticed you glancing at him and then you walked him out. Is there still something there?"
"I can't speak for him," Peyton answered, "but it was really good to see him."

"That's it," Mouth said, "its ok if there's still something there Peyt you deserve to be happy."

"Gosh, Mouth I haven't seen him in years," she said.

"I know but I saw how you looked at him but it has been a while too maybe if you hung out you'd have a better idea," Mouth said.

"I dunno," Peyton said, "I'm not going out of my way to make anything happen if it does it does if not then it doesn't," she said.

"Oh wow," Mouth said.

"What," Peyton asked then noticed he was staring at the magazine the man at the table next to them was reading, "is that Nathan and Haley on the cover?"

"Sure is," Mouth answered.

"Nathan said it was time the world knew they were still married. I bet he wasn't expecting this."

"Well I'm gonna head to the river court and watch the guys play. Do you wanna join me?"

"Yeah sure," Peyton answered.

When they got to the river court Lucas was shooting around with Skills and Fergie. "Where's Junk," Mouth asked as he climbed on to the bleachers.

"Had to work," Skills answered. "How 'bout you finally play," everyone burst out laughing including Mouth and Skills who realized what he actually said.

"We all know I don't play," Mouth said, "but he might," he said pointing to an approaching Jake with Jenny.

"Karen said I'd find some of you here," Jake said.

"Wow Jake she's so big," Peyton said getting to her feet.

"What is she like 4 now," Lucas asked.

"Yeah," Jake answered, "my little big girl."

"Well what do ya say, you wanna play," Lucas asked him.

He looked down at Jenny still holding his hand. Then he gave a look that said I would love to but can't and was about to talk when Peyton bent down eye level with Jenny and said, "hi, I'm Peyton. What's your name?"

Jenny didn't answer only attached herself to Jake's leg. "She's very shy," Jake said playing with her hair.

Peyton wasn't giving up, "I like your bracelet," she said pointing at the bracelet on Jenny's wrist. "Want to see mine," she asked.

Jenny nodded and came out from behind Jake's leg as Peyton pulled back here sleeve to show her bracelet. Jenny walked over and touched it, "it's pretty," she said.

"Thank you," Peyton said, "your shirt is pretty. Who's on it?"

"Dora," Jenny answered.

"And who else," Peyton said pointing to another character.

"Boots," Jenny answered.

Jake couldn't believe it then he thought for a second, yes he could after all this was the same woman Jenny had taken to years ago, she even called her momma once. Even though Jenny probably couldn't remember Peyton there was probably a familiarity. Jake looked at Lucas and shrugged. Lucas threw him the ball. Jake looked back at Peyton for the ok but she and Jenny were hand in hand chatting away heading for the playground. Peyton turned around, "we're going to the swings if that's ok?" Jake nodded. "Ok well play, have fun," Peyton smiled.

"Ok," he said still a little shocked especially because Jenny didn't look back or say bye.