I suck. I really, truly suck. I haven't updated this in forever, and I am so sorry. I hadn't forgotten about it. I seriously thought of it a lot in the past few months and kept telling myself to get on here and update it, but i never had the time. So, like I said, I suck! I hope this update will make me not suck as much..haha. Enjoy it. I'll get the next one out quicker if you're still reading! :)

-Lindsay

The rehearsal and the rehearsal dinner the night before had been slightly tense for everyone. Everyone knew what was going on with Nathan and Haley, but they all felt powerless to do something about it. Mainly because they knew Haley was being stubborn, and there really was no one who could change Haley's mind. She'd always been like that. It was her way or no way.

Nathan spent the whole evening wishing there was something he could do about Haley, and Haley spent the whole evening wishing she could go back and change something. She wanted to change anything to make her feel happy and whole again. Because at that point, she really didn't. She was upset with herself, and the way things in her life were going.

Peyton and Jake had tried to make things more bearable, but everyone could tell they felt bad because of the way things had turned out. All they had wanted was a nice wedding, and a nice few days before the wedding with no arguing and no drama. They should have known that wasn't going to happen. Nathan Scott and Haley James were a part of their wedding, for crying out loud! Drama followed the two of them when they were in the same proximity.

Now Nathan was trying to get ready at Jake's house with Lucas and Jake. But he couldn't stop thinking about Haley. He wished he could change things too.

"Nate, stop thinking about it," Jake urged him, slipping on his tuxedo jacket. "There's nothing you can do if Haley doesn't want to try again."

"It just sucks," Nathan blew out, dropping onto the couch behind him. "I shouldn't have been so stupid back then. I just should have forgotten it all and forgiven her. Then I wouldn't be stuck in a relationship with a girl I don't love, wishing I was back with Haley, and Haley wouldn't have been in a relationship with an asshole, and she wouldn't be hurting now."

"Hindsight's always twenty-twenty," Lucas jumped in. He was standing at the mirror in the living room, attempting to gel his hair. It wasn't really working though. Normally Brooke helped him out when he was putting gel in it. He wasn't good at styling his hair. At all.

"I would give anything to change the past, Luke."

"I know," his brother agreed, sighing when his hair wouldn't sit the way he wanted it to. Jake laughed at him a little. "But there isn't anything you can do. It's done and over with, and if you and Haley are supposed to get back together one day, you will."

"I want her now!" Nathan practically whined. He let his head fall back against the couch. He did not feel like going to a wedding today, let alone being a part of one. All he wanted to do was go back to the summer before senior year, and tell Haley that he did love her, and that they could go back to how they used to be.

"Too bad," Jake said softly. He went to sit beside his friend, wishing there was something he could do for him. "Now isn't a good time for her, and you need to respect that."

"Jake's right," Lucas said. He threw his hands in the air, fed up with his hair. He'd have Brooke fix it before the wedding. He was sure to see her. Coming to sit in the chair diagonal from his brother, he spoke again. "She's been through a lot with Jared, and she went through a lot with you too. It's no wonder she doesn't want to try again with someone."

"And she and Jared just broke up like two days ago," Jake supplied. "She was engaged to him, Nathan. It wasn't one of those silly little things like you and Peyton had back in high school." Nathan shuddered at that, causing Jake to laugh. "This was real. This was almost forever."

"Haley and I almost had forever too," Nathan objected. "And what we had was real. Not some crock of shit like the two of them had. Everything was a lie."

"And everything wasn't a lie with you and her?"

"No, it wasn't," he denied. "What Haley and I had was real, and it was…it was just…right. You know what I mean? You have a girl and everything is just right?" Lucas and Jake both nodded. "That's what it was for me and Haley. It was right."

"Well if that's the way you feel, then talk to her again," Jake suggested, shrugging. "Talk to her, and make her see what you see."

Nathan scoffed. "Easier said than done."

---

Peyton stood in front of the full length mirror, smiling as Haley and Brooke buttoned her dress in the back. She was actually getting married today. To Jake Jagielski. She was kind of surprised that this day was actually here because of everything they had been through…but she was thrilled all the same. They had made it, and they were going to get their happy ending.

She couldn't help but notice that Haley seemed a little troubled. And she had good right to be. Peyton would probably look a little troubled herself if she had been through what Haley had been through the past few days.

There was one thing that was different with her and Haley though. If Peyton knew she loved someone, she wasn't going to wait to get back with them just because another relationship had just ended. She would have gotten back with Nathan as soon as she knew he loved her back, and she would love him with everything she had. Life was too short not to.

"Hales?" She turned to face her friend once Haley and Brooke stood up. "Are you alright? You look pretty…disturbed."

"Disturbed?" Haley blinked at her friend a few times. "Thank you, Peyton. You make me feel like I belong in a mental institution or something."

Brooke and Peyton laughed. "I think what P. Sawyer means is that you look like ten thousand miles away. You're like out of it or something. Thinking about Nathan?"

"A little," she admitted, sighing. "I don't know, you guys. I just can't risk anything with Nathan right now. He broke my heart once before, and I don't want to deal with that again. I can't. It hurt too bad the last time it happened."

"It might not happen this time," Peyton pointed out to her, smoothing her flowing white dress down. "You are both so much more mature and different, and Nathan obviously knows what he wants…you."

Haley smiled a little. "Maybe so, but I'm not ready for Nathan right now. I'm not ready for anyone. I want to just go back to California, get things together, and come back here. I miss it here, and I'm ready to come back."

"We know," Brooke told her. "But maybe if you and Nathan hooked back up, you could stay in California with him and be happy. Or you could move here with him during the off season…I don't know. You guys could make it work if you really love each other. And I know you do."

"We aren't together!" Haley reminded her loudly. "We aren't together, and I'm not going to sit here and worry about how Nathan and I will make it work when there is nothing to make work! It's done and over with, and I don't want to start it back up."

"Even though you love him?" Peyton asked her gently, looking her firmly in her deep brown eyes.

Haley nodded, her eyes welling up a little. "I do love him. I just don't want to get hurt again, and I'm not going to put myself in the position where that might happen."

"Okay, you know what?" Peyton took Haley by the shoulders and forced her to sit down in a chair, ignoring the questioning look on Brooke's face. "I understand how much Nathan hurt you before, okay? I do. It hurt him too. I remember how horrible he was when you were gone, and that was because he missed you, but Haley…don't let him miss you anymore. Don't let yourself miss him anymore. Love him with everything you have, even though there are risks involved. Because life is just way too short to not be happy with the person you love."

"Peyton.."

"No." She held up her newly manicured hand. A girl's hands have to look pretty for a wedding. It's like a rule. "I don't want you to wake up one day with regret…wondering what you and Nathan would have been like if you'd gotten back together."

"I agree," Brooke said, tucking a lock of her dark hair behind her ear. "I know you think about the what-ifs now, but they're going to be so much worse if you walk away from Nathan now."

A tear finally slipped down Haley's cheek, and she groaned a little. She'd just perfected that makeup she was wearing too. Shoot. "My life lately is all about the what-ifs. I don't think any more of them are going to make or break me. They'll just be there. Added to my list."

Brooke and Peyton both shook their heads. They weren't going to get through to her anymore. She was being stubborn, and that wasn't going to stop. They had tried, and it was the best they could do. It was up to Haley now to realize that she and Nathan did belong together, and that maybe getting hurt was a chance she was going to have to take.

Haley stood up. "I feel really bad that we're sitting here discussing my sucky love life when you're about to get married, Peyton! We're supposed to be talking about how we're always going to stay friends even though one of us is getting married or something."

"Are we?" Brooke looked between her friends. "I don't know what to do. I've never had a friend get married before…well, except you, Haley. And we didn't know you were getting married so we couldn't do anything before your wedding."

"Yeah," Peyton agreed. "I think we were like cheering before your wedding, and you were sitting in the stands watching Luke and Nathan."

"You're right," Haley said, smiling at the memories of high school. Those were seriously the best times in her life. She had her friends back then, and she had Nathan. And she missed that. Nothing in her life now compared to what life was like back then. The Grammy award and the celebrity and the popularity didn't compare to the people she knew and loved back then. And still knew and loved today. "So maybe we should talk about how we'll always be friends. That would be what I wanted if I was getting married in like an hour."

"I think you have a good idea there, former Mrs. Scott." Brooke stuck her tongue out at Haley when she rolled her eyes. "So. Let me begin by saying that you two are my best friends in the entire world, and I love you both…and even though Peyton is leaving the single life forever, we will all stay best friends. We'll all call each other practically every single day, and see each other whenever we can…and you know when we all have lots of attractive children, we'll be godmothers!"

"Gosh, it's not like we're all dying," Peyton teased her. "But to add to that, thank you both for being in my wedding, and for being a part of my life. I don't know what I would do without either one of you. Haley, I know we lost you there for a while, but now that you're back, it better not happen again."

"You two couldn't get rid of me if you tried," Haley assured them, smiling. "I don't know how I got by without seeing you every day for six years. I know that I belong in Tree Hill with you guys as my friends, and everything that I've achieved just doesn't seem as important as our friendship. You are both the best, and we're going to stay friends no matter what." She didn't back away when Peyton pulled her and Brooke in for a hug. "I love you guys!"

"I love you guys too," both girls repeated in unison, causing all three of them to laugh a little bit.

"Well, who's ready to get married?" Brooke asked, squealing a little bit. She passed Peyton her veil when Peyton nodded eagerly at her question. Helping her adjust it, she smiled. "I'm so happy for you, P. Sawyer."

"Me too," Haley agreed. "You look so happy, and I know that you're going to stay happy for the rest of your life now that you're marrying Jake. And you deserve it all."

"Damn it you two," Peyton growled good naturedly. "You're going to mess up my makeup." She laughed as she ran her fingers under her eyes, trying to catch the happy tears that were starting to fall.

---

Standing at the church, Haley couldn't help but think back to when she and Nathan got married. Their wedding was nothing like this. This wedding was full of people all wanting to see Jake and Peyton become man and wife. At Nathan's wedding, it was Nathan, her parents, Jimmy and Lydia, the reverend, and herself. And it had been on a beach.

Not that that wasn't beautiful. It just wasn't normal. She would have liked having all these people there to see Nathan and her exchange vows, and promise their lives to each other. She would have liked getting married in a church. The union just seemed more sacred, and…holy that way. If she ever got married again, it would probably be in a church. Or at least in a place where everyone could see it happen.

She was proud to be standing for Peyton. When the wedding march began, Haley stood up straighter, and smiled as her friend walked down the aisle. She was a vision in her white dress. She had never seen her friend look happier, and she was glad about that. Jake was obviously the one person who could keep Peyton happy constantly, and that made her even more glad that they were getting married.

As she looked over at Jake, she could see the tears in his eyes, and it tugged at her heartstrings. He loved her so much, and he was so committed to her. It was beautiful to see.

Peyton reached Jake and passed her bouquet to Brooke, winking at Haley as she did so. Jake took her hand, and gently brought it up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss there. "Ladies and gentlemen," the reverend began, "we are gathered here today to join in marriage two people. Jake Jaglielski and Peyton Sawyer. I believe the two of them have been waiting a long time for this day, so I see no reason to spread the platitudes that you all usually hear at weddings. Instead, at the request of Peyton and Jake, we will begin with the exchanging of the vows."

Peyton and Jake smiled at each other. Lucas and Brooke smiled at each other. Nathan and Haley looked at each other, and both smiled as well. Brooke noticed that, and took it as a sign that they definitely should be together. If she could just get her stubborn friend to see that!

"Peyton, repeat after me," the reverend said, offering a smile to the soon to be Mrs. Jagielski. "I, Peyton, take you, Jake, to be my lawfully wedded husband…"

---

Jake came up to Nathan, who was sitting at his table alone. He was watching Haley laugh with Brooke and Lucas, and a part of him really wanted to be that person making her laugh. It should have been him instead of his brother and his brother's girlfriend. It should have been him all along.

"Hey," Jake greeted, clapping Nathan on the back.

Nathan smiled at him. "Hey, congratulations," Nathan offered, shaking his hand. "You two are really going to have a good life together."

Jake smiled back. "We've already had a great life together. This is just adding to it."

"Well, whatever it is, it's going to be great."

"Thanks, Nathan." Jake looked over to where Haley was standing. "You talk to her yet?"

"No." Nathan shook his head and looked back at his friend. "And speaking of her, you married her friend a little bit ago. Why aren't you dancing it up or having sex in the coat closet or something?"

Jake laughed. "First of all, her dress was too expensive to rip off to have sex in said coat closet, as much as I'd like to, and second of all, she's talking to her dad. We saw you over here, and I wanted to come see how you were doing."

"How do you think?" Nathan scoffed, and Jake looked away uncomfortably. "It's just…I don't know. I want to be with her so badly, but I can't tell her that. Not right now. And my flight leaves in the morning. I doubt I'll see her tomorrow, so I'm going to have to tell her goodbye tonight, and there's just so much I want to say…but I don't think I can say it."

"You're going to have to put yourself out there if you want another chance with her," Jake said. "I know it's going to be hard, and I know you already laid it all out on the line before, but do it one more time. This will probably be your last chance, so you should probably make it count for something."

Nathan nodded. "I know. You're right. I just need to work up the courage to talk to her and tell her goodbye…and that I love her. I'm in love with her."

"She knows," Jake told him, standing up. "You just have to convince her that it's forever this time…that you're not going anywhere."

"Thank you," Nathan said, standing up alongside him. "You've been a great friend."

"Well so are you, Nate. Now go get your girl…make her see that it's real."

"Yeah." Nathan smiled. "You go get yours!"

After Jake walked away, he stood there for a few more minutes, just watching Haley. Everything about her was beautiful. The way she smiled, the way she moved, the way her laugh sounded when Brooke made fun of Lucas in front of him…it was all beautiful. She was beautiful. Her blonde hair was down and curly, and all he wanted to do was go up to her, tell her he was in love with her (again), and kiss her senseless.

But he couldn't. He couldn't bring himself to do that. All he could do now was tell her goodbye, and make her see that he wanted her forever, and wait on her to figure out what she wanted. The ball was in her court now, and he was nervous to see where she was going to go with that. He didn't want her to walk away from him. Not again.

He took a deep breath, and walked over to their little group. As soon as he reached them, the butterflies filled his stomach. He almost turned around and walked back to the empty table he'd been occupying, but when Brooke greeted him, he couldn't.

"Nathan!" she squealed. "You were looking handsome up there…not quite as handsome as Lucas over here, but you could definitely see those Scott good looks shining through."

He smiled politely. "Thanks, Brooke. You were looking very pretty up there yourself." He looked at his brother. "Really, Luke, how'd you swing a pretty girl like Brooke? You never had much game," he teased.

"Bite me," Lucas muttered, causing the three others to laugh. "Brooke and I are going to go dance so I don't have to be insulted by you anymore." He pulled on Brooke's arm and led them away, and she waved her goodbyes at Nathan and Haley.

"Hi," she said softly. "It was a nice wedding, huh?"

"Yeah," he agreed, looking at the dance floor where her eyes currently were. "You, um, you looked beautiful in the church, Haley. You still look beautiful." He said it almost shyly, and she could tell he was nervous about talking to her…and that was weird. He was Nathan Scott, former king of Tree Hill High. He never got nervous around girls.

Oh, but Haley didn't understand the situation. He did get nervous around her…because she wasn't just any girl. She was THE girl.

"Thank you," she whispered, smiling up at him. "You look nice too, Nathan. Really."

"I always look nice," he teased cockily. An uncomfortable silence filled the air after she laughed, and he cleared his throat. "Um…would you like to dance with me?"

"Oh, Nathan.." She shrugged. "I don't know. I - "

"Please," he broke in. "Just one dance, Hales. Please?"

"Alright," she gave in, taking his hand when he offered it to her. "Just one dance."

He led her onto the dance floor, smiling at how happy and comfortable she looked once they got out there. He smiled at Jake, who had Peyton wrapped in his arms, and Jake nodded at him. He placed his arms around Haley's waist, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. They fit perfectly together. Even after all these years, that hadn't changed.

The song playing was an old one by Paolo Nutini, but the lyrics seemed appropriate to the relationship the two of them had. Haley couldn't help but think of the irony of the situation. As soon as they got out on the floor, a song that was basically about them was playing, and it really wasn't wedding appropriate. But Peyton had always loved that song, she remembered, and this was Peyton's wedding. Surely she would get the music she liked.

Slow down, lie down, remember it's just you and me

Don't sell out, bow out, remember how this used to be

I just want you closer is that alright, baby let's get closer tonight

Grant my last request and just let me hold you

Don't shrug your shoulders, lay down beside me

Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere

But one last time let's go there, lay down beside me

"I love this song," Haley breathed out, closing her eyes as they swayed to the flow of the song. "It's weird that it's playing at a wedding, but Peyton's always liked it too…so I guess it's good they're playing it."

He chuckled. "It is her wedding. She should get music that she wants."

Haley opened her brown eyes, and looked into his blue ones. "Yeah, I agree. Besides, look at how happy they are." She nodded at them, and Nathan spun a little so he could see them. They were just completely glued to each other, and no one was going to tear them apart. Not from their dance, and not from each other.

Now I've found, that I'm bound, to wander down that one-way road

And I realize all about your lies, but I'm no wiser than the fool that I was before

I just want you closer, is that alright, baby let's get closer tonight

Grant my last request and just let me hold you

Don't shrug your shoulders, lay down beside me

Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere

But one last time let's go there, lay down beside me

"You know," Nathan mused, pulling her just a little bit tighter. "I didn't think I would ever hold you like this again."

"Nathan, don't," she said quietly. "I can't hear this right now."

"No, you need to," he argued. "I know you can't make up your mind about what you want, but I want you to just let me keep you in my arms a few more minutes…the way I'm holding you? It's right, Haley. It was right six years ago, and it's right now. I want to be with you again."

"Nathan, please," she begged him, her eyes welling up. "This is so hard to hear. Everything is all turned upside down right now, and I can't be with you, okay?"

"Fine," he obliged her, sighing. "Just let me hold you a few more minutes. Please? I missed this, Haley. I missed you."

She nodded. "I missed you too," she whispered finally, letting her head fall against his chest. His heart was beating so quickly, and in her own heart, she knew it was beating for her.

Baby, baby, baby, tell me how can, how can this be wrong?

Grant my last request and just let me hold you

Don't shrug your shoulders, lay down beside me

Sure I can accept that we're going nowhere

But one last time let's go there, lay down beside me

One last time let's go there, lay down beside me