Authors Note HJS-NS-23- Okay so here is the chapter everyone has been waiting for the proposal! Enjoy reading and don't forget to review!
Authors Note Steffy2106: Hey guys!! We both wish you a fantastic New Year. We hope that 2008 will bring you everything you are wishing for. Take care.
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At 8 am Jake dragged his butt out of bed to go pick up Lucas and Nathan at the airport. He was nervous now about Nathan coming with the way Haley was acting last night and her reaction to her mom at dinner he figured he had a right to be. Finally getting to the airport he got to the terminal and saw Lucas and Nathan walking towards him, Nathan laughing as Lucas was in a daze. He could tell right away that Lucas was nervous as hell, his face pale and eyes deep in thought. After going and grabbing the guys bags Jake loaded them in the car. Getting in and driving he looked over at Nathan who seemed excited to say the least about seeing Haley.
"So Nate how was the flight?" Jake asked starting the conversation off lightly while Lucas was in the backseat scared of out his mind for Brooke's reaction.
"It was fine, Lucas was sweating bullets and freaking out the whole way" Nathan said amused.
"So is everything okay with you and Hales?" Jake questioned quickly glancing at Nathan.
"Yea as far as I know. Why did she say something? What's going on Jake?" Nathan asked terrified that Haley didn't want to be with him anymore. I knew she was too good for me. I bet she didn't even want to date me but after that cd she felt guilty. I love her though I can't lose her, he thought.Nathan worried the rest of the ride back to Jakes and Jake felt guilty, he could finally see how in love Nathan was with Haley
Haley and Brooke were in the living room watching some random program on TV. Haley was really excited because she knew that she was going to receive a text message from Jake any minute now and she had trouble hiding her feelings to Brooke.
"Why are you all jumpy?" Asked Brooke who was sitting beside Haley. "I can feel the whole sofa vibrate." Added Brooke laughing.
"Ohhh… I'm just happy! Your here and Christmas is over plus I get to watch Oprah!!" Said Haley looking at the TV.
"Whatever…" Said Brooke suspicious. She is hiding something said Brooke to herself.
Haley put her cell phone on vibrate and she put it in the front pouch of her sweatshirt.
After about 5 more minutes her phone started to vibrate. Haley tried to keep calm but Brooke who was looking at her said "uh Haley… I think your belly is vibrating."
"Yeah…" Said Haley trying to keep her calm. "I'm sure it's Nathan." She added standing up. "I'm going to give him a call I think," added Haley. "Mum!" she shouted for her mum who was in the kitchen. In fact Haley and Lydia decided a code for when Jake would be coming. Lydia's mission was to keep Brooke out of the living room while Jake, Haley and Lucas set the room up.
"Mum I need to go upstairs for a minute okay?" Said Haley to her mum in the kitchen.
Why is she saying that? Asked Brooke to herself. Nobody cares!
"Okay Hales." Said Lydia from the Kitchen. "Brooke sweetie can you come and give me a hand for a minute." Lydia asked.
"Yeah of course!" said Brooke running to the kitchen.
Haley pretended to go upstairs, but once Brooke got into the kitchen she ran to the front door where Lucas and Jake were standing. Nathan stayed at Jakes for now because he was not needed, but he was going to come with Jake once the proposal was made.
"Come in" she whispered, "We've got to be fast" she added looking at the kitchen.
Haley still took the time to hug Lucas though. "I'm so happy for you!" She said. "I think I'm going to cry."
Lucas smiled and kissed her cheek. "I'm so happy to have a sister in law like you!" He added sincerely.
Haley started to put the roses petals over the house while Lucas and Jake where putting some rose scented red candles all over the living room.
Once the room was all set, Lucas put a Barry White CD in the CD player and choose track 3 but he didn't press play yet. The song he picked for the proposal was My first, my last my everything.
Taking a deep breath, he felt like his heart was going to jump out of his chest. Did I do everything right? He couldn't help asking himself looking around the room.
Jake hugged Haley and slowly walked out. Haley walked to Lucas and rubbed his back "Don't worry that much Luke" Said Haley calmly." Everything will be fine. The room is perfect."
Lucas looked at Haley." Thank you so much Hales! I couldn't have done it without you."
"It's my pleasure Lucas" Said Haley with a big smile and tears in her eyes.
"Okay…it's now or never." Said Lucas with his voice full of emotion.
Haley nodded and walked out of the living room. "Brooky can you come in the living room for a minute? I've got something to show you!!" Shouted Haley before going up the stairs as quietly as she could.
Brooke sighed walking to the living room. She started to walk slower when she saw the rose petals on the floor and heard the Barry White song playing.
"What the hell are you doing Hales?" Asked Brooke while a lump was forming in her throat.
When she walked in the living room her jaw just dropped, she couldn't move anymore, it was like she was frozen. She couldn't believe that Lucas was there kneeled in the middle of her mother's living room with a small box into his hand.
Lucas looked into Brookes' eyes and all the love he felt at this instant helped him to control his fear. He cleared his throat "Brooke, the first time I crossed your glance in High School and you smiled at me I knew you were the one. The more time passes, the more I know that you're my soul mate. I love you more everyday and in all my dreams I have like becoming a NBA all-star player or becoming a writer you're always by my side. I can't imagine my life if you're not with me. I want to show the world that we're meant for each other and that love can last forever. I want you to be mine. I want you to be my wife…" Lucas said before taking a deep breath and opening the box showing Brooke the diamond ring. "Brooke Penelope James…Will you marry me?" Lucas asked looking deep into Brookes' eyes with a radiant smile.
Brooke just stood there. Tears had started to fall down her cheek. Oh my god I can't believe this is happening she told herself. She was too emotional to talk. She just smiled and nodded positively.
Lucas stood up and walked to her, he kissed her forehead and smile. "Does this nod mean yes?" He asked rubbing her cheek.
"Of course it's yes!" Said Brooke jumping to him and wrapping her arms around his neck. "I love you so much Lucas Eugene Scott," she added while he put the ring on her finger. "This is a best day of my life."
Lucas took her in his arms and kissed her passionately. "I'll show you everyday that you just made the right decision," he said crying now too. "She said yes!" He shouted out of happiness.
Haley who had stood next to her bedroom door heard Lucas shouting. "Yes!!" She said jumping around in happiness for her sister. She took her mobile phone off and text Jake the great news and asked him to join them for the party. I wish Nathan was here to share their happiness she added to herself sadly. Not even a minute later the doorbell rang.
Why would Jake ring the doorbell? Haley thought walking to the door. Whatever she shook her head. Opening the door the surprise was evident on her face at seeing Nathan.
"Nathan" she whispered softly. This has to be a dream he isn't here I am just hallucinating because I want to see him so bad she thought staring into the face she had been dreaming about.
"Hi baby" Nathan said all the worries disappearing as he saw her beautiful face.
"It's not a dream?" She asked tears of happiness forming in her eyes.
"I'm here baby it's not a dream" he coaxed her.
She ran and jumped into his arms and kissed him. "Hi" she giggled. Nathan just laughed at his girlfriend and held her tightly never wanting to let her go. Watching the two Jake swiftly walked around them and headed for the kitchen, he really didn't need to see his best friend making out.
"I'm so happy to see you. I didn't know you were coming. This is a much better present than the necklace even though I loved it" she told him a grin on her face.
"I'm happy to see you too baby, by the way I loved the Michael Jordan ball and I'm sorry I didn't text or call you last night but I wanted to tell you what I thought in person." He told her brushing his hand against her cheek.
"So you really like the necklace?" he asked frowning as he looked at her and didn't see her wearing it.
"Of course I do, see," she said pulling it out from under her sweater.
"I'm glad," he said kissing her forehead. Haley felt like she was in heaven just standing in the doorway with Nathan's arms on her. "So I finally get to meet your mom" Nathan said with a smirk.
Biting her lip Haley started to nervously fiddle with her necklace. She didn't know how to get out of the mess she put herself in. Nathan could tell she was nervous and brushed a piece of hair out of her face.
"What is it baby?" Nathan asked soothingly.
Clearing her throat Haley took his hand in hers. "Well, um…because we haven't been dating that long and because I wanted to protect us I told my mom I wasn't dating anyone," she said closing her eyes not wanting to see the pain on Nathan's face. Finally getting the courage she looked in his eyes and saw the pain she put there and her heart broke. "But I will tell her, I just want us to be together a little longer ok?" She asked biting her lip again and looking up nervous of his reaction.
I knew I wasn't good enough for her; she's ashamed of me. For the 1st time in my life I feel like I'm not good enough I have to prove to her that she should stay with me, he thought to himself. "Okay baby" he said masking his emotions.
She took his hand and led him to the kitchen dropping it once they got there like it burned her.
"Hi mom" Haley said when she got into the kitchen. "This is my good friend Nathan and Lucas' cousin" she introduced.
"Hi Mrs. James it's a pleasure to meet you" Nathan replied automatically.
Lucas looked on in disbelief at Haley introducing Nathan as just a friend and looked at Brooke confused. "Just drop it I'll explain later," Brooke mouthed.
"Wow Nathan it's nice to meet you. Good looks sure run in your family" she said looking at the two boys while smiling.
They spent the next couple hours just celebrating the happy news before Haley excused herself. She knew Nathan wasn't happy with her, he was being really distant and it was all her fault.
"Hey mom?" Brooke asked getting Lydia's attention.
"Yea sweetie?" Lydia said.
"I was wondering if it was okay if Haley came back with me to Tree Hill next week. That way she could see Tree Hill and dad." Brooke said approaching the subject of her father with caution.
"Excuse me" Nathan said walking out of the kitchen. He needed to get out of that room.
"I think that's a great idea Brooke, I will be returning to work soon and between you and me I think it will be good for Hales to spend more time with Nate they seem to really like each other." Lydia said winking.
Brooke was just speechless. You have no idea she thought to herself.
"Hey" Haley said seeing Nathan in the hallway looking at pictures of her when she was younger.
"Hi" Nathan said not looking at her.
"Come here" she said leading him to her room where they could have privacy.
"What?" Nathan asked sitting on her bed.
"I'm sorry, please don't be mad at me," Haley begged standing in front of him.
"I'm not mad at you Hales I just don't understand why you want to hide us. I love you and I don't know it seems like your ashamed of me or something" Nathan spoke from his heart. There's something about this girl I just can't close my self off from, he thought.
"Oh Nathan I love you too." She said her voice honest and caring. Sitting down on his lap she took his hand. "I'm not ashamed of you," She told him.
"Come back to Tree Hill with me" He said looking into her eyes.
"Okay as long as it's okay with my mom. I missed you too much" she said before kissing him. While in their mini make out mode they didn't hear Lucas knock on the door and enter.
"Uh um" Lucas said clearing his throat and the two sprang apart. "You know if you don't want your mom to know you guys are dating Hales then you might want to make out with the door closed or not make out" Lucas added laughing at Haley's look of embarrassment of being caught once again by Luke.
"Damn Luke why do you always have to interrupt" Nathan growled pulling Haley closer to him and burying his face in her neck. Man I love this girl he thought breathing in her smell and tickling her neck with his nose.
"Okay Lucas is right you need to go and I will meet you back downstairs in a minute" Haley ordered rolling her head on top of Nathan's.
"Okay but you ask your mom!" Nathan told her getting up, putting her on the bed and kissing her cheek as he walked out of the room with Luke.
Lying down on her bed Haley couldn't believe how happy she was. Ever since the attack two years ago she thought she could never be happy.
"Hey Haley bop can I talk to you?" Lydia asked her youngest daughter coming into her room.
"Sure mom what's up?" Haley said curiously.
"Your sister wanted to know if it was okay if you went back to Tree Hill with her and I think that's a great idea." Lydia told her daughter.
"You're not going to be mad?" Haley asked biting her lip.
"Nope plus you can spend some more time with Nathan, he seems to be a pretty decent guy and he's gorgeous too" Lydia said winking at her daughter.
"Where are you going with that mom?" Haley asked blushing before frowning. Is it that obvious we like each other? She thought
Lydia deciding to play all innocent replied, "oh I'm not going anywhere with that I'm just stating the evidence. I like him that's all." She said with a big smile.
"We're just friends mom," Haley mumbled but Lydia couldn't understand her.
"I don't want to know because it's none of my business but if you two are not dating you're stupid, two stupid kids. I can see that you like each other very much!" Lydia added standing up and leaving Haley shocked with her mouth open.
Finally getting over the shock of what her mother told her Haley got up and walked downstairs where she saw Jake joking with Brooke and Lucas, she was twirling her finger in her hair because she felt bad about leaving him for New years. They had their little ritual every year. They would stay home watching some crappy DVDs while eating way more than they should. Gosh I already let him down for Thanksgiving and now I'm about to do it again!! She said angry against herself. She just couldn't resist to the idea of being with Nathan, plus her mum liked the idea of Haley being with her sister in a small town.
"Sorry to interrupt you guys". Said Haley looking at Jake guiltily. "Can I have a word with you for a minute?" She asked nodding to Jake.
"Yeah…" Said Jake excusing himself and following Haley to her bedroom. They sat on her bed but Haley wasn't talking she was just looking at him.
"So…" Said Jake smiling. "What do you have to say? Cuz the way you're staring is kind of creepy!"
"I…I'm going back to Tree Hill with Brooke." Said Haley looking down. "I'll spend New Year there." She added sadly. "I'm sorry I let you down again."
"I…." Jake started to say.
"I'm not a good friend I guess". Haley added shaking her head.
Jake started to laugh and raised Haley's head to look into her eyes. "You're the best friend in the world Haley". He said sincerely. "You're not letting me down! You are just...growing up." He added kissing her forehead. "I don't see where it's wrong to spend New Years Eve with your boyfriend and your sister."
Haley hugged him. "I…I just don't know what's happening to me! I can't stay away from Nathan. And when I am I just can't stop thinking about him! I'm way too addicted and it scares me." She finally admitted.
"Well Baby girl" said Jake smiling and softly drying her tears. "It's official now you are in love!" He added tightening his embrace. "And I did it too" added Jake blushing.
"What did you do?" asked Haley curiously.
"Well…I invited Peyton for New Years. She's coming on the 29th. So you see I screwed with our perfect evening too!" He added to make her feel better.
"I just don't want us to grow apart!" Said Haley pouting.
"We won't" Said Jake keeping her into his arms. "Our lives will change but Haley and Jake will last forever. You know what we say huh? « Love fades but friendship last forever » I'm not worried. We're too close to loose our way."
Haley smiled." I'll always be there for you…whatever you need". She added sincerely.
"I know you will and I'll be there for you too." Jake added loosening his embrace. "You should go now!" He said on a cheery tone. "I'm sure your boyfriend is missing you".
Haley kissed him loudly on the cheek and ran downstairs.
Jake stayed on the bed for a little while looking around. This is the end of an era He thought with sadness.