AN: Thanks for the reviews! I'm so sorry that it's been awhile. I've been really sick and haven't really had time to do anything but work. Again, I'm really sorry. I hope you like this chapter. I think there is only like five more chapters left to this story. Please read and review.

Quote of the Day:

Ross: Look, I just don't want my tombstone to read, "Ross Geller, Three Divorces."
Phoebe: Don't be worried about that! Your tombstone can say whatever you want it to say! It could say, "Ross Geller, Good at Marriage!" You know? Mine's gonna say, "Phoebe Buffay, Buried Alive."

Chapter Twenty Six –Something's Are Worth Waiting For

He waited in the elevator patiently as he made his way up to their hotel room. Both of his hands were holding at least a dozen bags. They had gone Christmas shopping this morning just to look around at a few things, one thing lead to another and the next thing he knew, he had presents for just about everyone.

The doors opened and he gripped the bags in his hands before walking into the hallway. He made it to their hotel room and was glad when he found the door halfway open waiting for him. He walked inside before dropping the bags on the ground the second he was in the room. Closing the door, he turned to see Haley smiling at him from across the room.

"Took you long enough."

"Hey, I had to make two trips," Nathan defended himself quickly as he took a seat on the sofa and started to take off his shoes. It felt like they spent the whole day shopping when really it had only been a few hours. He hated shopping and after one bad experience with Brooke he promised himself he would never get stuck shopping with a girl again. Haley had begged and pleaded with him this morning and with the way she had kissed him, he just couldn't say no.

"Good point," Haley laughed softly as she joined him. He wrapped his arm around her as they both leaned back together. It was so relaxing just to hold her like this.

"Did you find everything you needed?"

"And then some," Haley nodded. "Speaking of, what did you buy that hour that we were apart?" She raised an eyebrow as she glanced sideways at him. He chuckled before kissing her forehead softly.

He had been the one to take off and leave her in one store saying that he had to look for something and would call her when he was done. He didn't think it would take so long but once he joined her again she had been so anxious to know what he went buy.

"Presents."

She rolled her eyes. "I know that! Who did you buy for and what is it?"

"Well, what did you buy when I was away?" Nathan countered. He wasn't giving up without a fight. There was just no way that he was talking.

"I told you that I bought all the kids their presents," Haley explained once again. She didn't know why he was being so secretive. It wasn't a big deal. She just wanted to know what he bought.

"I bought…Luke something," Nathan lied carefully. Clearly she wasn't going to let this go. He quickly searched his mind for what he bought Lucas while he was away from her and smiled when he remembered.

"What did you buy him?"

"A shirt," Nathan answered smugly.

The answer seemed to satisfy her enough and she leaned her head against his shoulder before relaxing into him. She was so tired. These past three weeks had been so hard and demanding. She was so ready for things to slow down. She smiled when she realized that tonight was the last night of this. It was their last official night of touring. Everyone would pack up and be off on their next thing.

She was so happy that her next thing was finally going home. She couldn't wait until their plane took off for Tree Hill tomorrow. She missed everyone. More importantly she couldn't wait to start her life with Nathan. Him coming on tour with her had been the best thing ever.

From the moment they showed up in Austin together and every second that she was free, they spent together. She really hadn't been able to spend a lot of time with him and she was so grateful that this was almost over. The little time that they did get together, like now, just wasn't enough.

"So, how did you like New York?" Haley asked tiredly. His hand moved up and down her arm rubbing it softly. They had arrived in New York yesterday. It was the last stop on the tour. She had taken him to her apartment yesterday, thankfully Chris was out, and packed and shipped off all her things to Tree Hill that was left. She was just happy to be out of the apartment with all of her things.

"It's not bad," Nathan answered a few seconds later.

"Not bad, huh?"

He shook his head before grinning at her. "I just wish I got to see more of it with you."

"We'll come back one day," Haley suggested. "Or if you want we can just stay a few extra days and I can show you around the city."

He smiled at her before leaning down and kissing her lips softly. "Nah, I'm ready to go home. I miss everyone and the team has some big games coming up."

She nodded. "Some other time then."

"Sure. I'm really happy you asked me to come with you. This whole experience has been crazy but I loved every minute of it," Nathan muttered. It was so different for him to see her around these people and the way she acted. It was like she was a different person. He realized that first night in Austin that she really did enjoy performing and he hated that she was willing to give that up for him. He wanted her to have her dream and he told her so but she assured him that starting their life together was way more important than music. He was just happy that he got to see her living her dream. He wouldn't trade this experience in for anything.

She smiled up at him timidly. "Even the whole…Felix thing?"

His body went stiff as he heard the name. It was about two weeks ago when he noticed Felix for the first time. It really wasn't a big deal, but Haley was on stage performing and he noticed this Felix guy watching her. Again it really wasn't a big deal, Haley was very talented, but the way that guy was looking at her just pushed his buttons the wrong way. Even then he had let it go because really it wasn't a big deal.

Later that night Mia had dragged them to a club and again this Felix guy was looking at Haley in less than a friendly way. Once Haley had gone to get another drink he had nicely asked Mia what the deal with that guy was and that's when she told him all about Felix and what happened with Haley. The rest of that night was kind of a blur but once he got his hands on Felix he just couldn't stop. He didn't mean to hurt the guy but once he started swinging he just couldn't seem to stop. It took three guys to pull him off of Felix and another two to hold him back.

He hadn't seen the guy since then. He heard one of the crew members say that Felix went back home. He didn't care. As long as that idiot wasn't looking or talking to Haley then he was ok. The only bad thing now was that all the crew guys hated him and was always looking at him with hate. Whatever. That guy crossed the line talking to Haley like that. Someone had to put him in his place. None of the crew guys had even glanced in Haley's direction since then.

"Except that," Nathan muttered before relaxing himself. Haley hadn't been too happy when she found out but eventually she got over it. He wasn't about to let some idiot talk to her like that.

"Well, I'm happy that it's almost over," Haley declared. She groaned when she glanced at the time before snuggling further into his body. "I have to leave for rehearsal soon."

"The last night, baby," Nathan mumbled as he removed his arm around her before standing up. She glanced at him with a pout as he held out his hands for her.

"Where are we going?"

"Let's make out," Nathan suggested while wiggling his eyebrows devilishly. She giggled as he pulled her up before they both fell onto the bed. They had done a lot of kissing these past few weeks and her resolve on wanting to wait was weighing thin. She didn't know how much more of this she could take.

He positioned himself on top of her making sure not to put all of his weight on her. His lips landed on hers a second later as he kissed her feverishly. Her hands moved over his shoulders and around his neck as she moaned into his mouth. He smiled against her lips before brushing his tongue against hers.

He felt her pushing her body up against his and he groaned. He didn't know how much more of this he could take. It was getting harder and harder for him to control himself, especially when she got this way. There was only so much that a man could take.

When air became an issue he broke away from her lips, both of them panting heavily, and moved his lips to her neck. He found her weak spot and went to work. Her hands were gripping his head to her as he moaned.

"Nathan?"

His tongue trailed the length of her neck. "Uh-huh?"

"It's been three weeks," Haley muttered breathlessly.

"What do you mean?"

She sighed in frustration. "You know three weeks since we talked about you asking me to marry you!"

"Oh," Nathan muttered as realization hit him. He moved off of her and sat up.

She glanced at him confused. "Oh? All you have to say is oh?"

"It has been three weeks," Nathan pointed out. Every few days she got like this and he just sat there waiting for it to pass. The girl was seriously impatient.

"Tell me about it," Haley muttered sitting up quickly.

"Haley –"

"No, Nathan. I'm just wondering why haven't you asked me yet? Have you changed your mind about the whole thing?"

"Of course not," Nathan rushed out.

"I've been waiting and waiting and….nothing! There hasn't been even a little sign as to when it's happening and it's driving me insane," Haley ranted as she glanced away from him in frustration.

"Tell me about it," Nathan muttered.

"I heard that!"

"Just relax," Nathan said softly.

"How can I relax when I'm constantly worrying about when you're going to ask me? Every second that we're together I'm always thinking 'is this going to be it' and it never is. It's just driving me crazy, Nathan."

He glanced at her before chuckling. "Maybe, you shouldn't think about it then."

"Like that'll work," Haley mumbled looking up at him. "I'm sorry. I had a crazy moment. Just forget the last five minutes."

He leaned down and kissed her. "Stop worrying. It'll be soon. I promise."

"Easy for you to say, you know when it's going to happen."

He ignored her pout. "Can we get back to making out? I was really enjoying that."

"I have to go," Haley sighed before standing up. She kissed him lightly on the lips before grabbing her things and walking towards the door.

"So I guess I'll just see you later then?"

She nodded. "Yeah, later." She blew him a kiss before walking out the door.

He watched it close before shaking his head. The girl sure did have her crazy moments. He knew that it was killing her that he hadn't asked her yet. He took a deep breath and made his way towards the bags. She just always had to be so damn impatient. If he didn't ask her soon he was sure that it would kill her.

~***~

He stood on the side of the stage as she performed. He had a huge smile on his face as he watched her. She looked so great up there.

"Like what you see?" Mia questioned as she stood next to him.

He glanced at her for a second before moving his eyes back up over to Haley.

"Yep. Very much."

"You're such a loser," Mia giggled.

"Dork," Nathan retorted.

Mia rolled her eyes. "Did something happen with you and Haley before rehearsals?"

"No. Why?"

"She just seemed a little irritated earlier. I figured that you must have pissed her off somehow. You have a real knack for that, you know," Mia teased.

He chuckled. "I see. She's getting tired of waiting for me to ask her to marry me."

"Well, why haven't you?"

"I didn't have the ring until today. If the girl would wait like a second I would."

"No wonder she's been quiet lately."

"I told her to stop worrying about it."

"You think that worked?"

"Not a chance."

"So?" Mia questioned anxiously. "When are you going to ask her?"

He rolled his eyes as he glanced at her. "I'm not going to tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because you'll just tell her and all this will have been for nothing."

"I can keep a secret."

"Like hell you can," Nathan chuckled. "You'll run and call Peyton and then she'll tell Brooke and then two seconds later Haley will know. I'm not falling for that. I'm keeping my mouth shut. You'll just have to wait like everyone else."

"You're no fun," Mia pointed out.

He ignored her as he continued watching Haley. "She looks so great up there."

"She really does," Mia agreed. "She wrote this song you for you, you know."

"I know."

He listened to "Feel This" and he felt his heart pound in his chest. The song was so beautiful and the fact that she wrote it for him made it all the more better. She sang it to him a week ago in their hotel room. It was one of the best moments of his life.

"Well, I have to go get ready."

"Good luck."

"See ya later," Mia smiled before walking off towards her dressing room. He smiled before watching as Haley finished the song. He folded his arms over his chest. It was minutes later when she was finally done. She waved to the crowd before running off stage with her guitar hanging on her back. Just like after every show she jumped in his arms and he hugged her tight.

"You liked the show?"

"It was amazing. You were amazing."

"Thanks."

"You want to stay and watch Mia again?"

She thought about it for a second before shaking her head. "I'm really tired. I just want to finish up here and then go back to the hotel room with you."

"Oh yeah?" Nathan chuckled. "So does that mean that we're skipping out on the wrap up party tonight?"

"Uh-huh."

She laughed as he reached for her hand and started for her dressing room. Once they were inside he pulled her into him and slammed their lips together. He kissed her hungrily, his hands moving all over her body.

"What's gotten into you?" Haley asked breathlessly as they pulled apart.

He smirked. "You have no idea how sexy you are up there."

She started to blush and instantly his hand moved up to caress her cheek.

"I'm serious," Nathan stated huskily. "Let's go back to the room. I want to kiss you for a few hours."

"Sounds perfect," Haley smiled before leaning up and kissing him softly on the lips. "Let me just pack up in here and then we can go."

"Ok."

He let go of her and she made her way around the dressing room tossing a few things in her purse before looking for her guitar case. She made her way towards it by some clothes that one of the stylists brought in. Pulling on the strap she lifted it over her head before holding it carefully in her hands. Reaching down she opened the guitar case. She held the guitar firmly in her hands as she took in the sight of what was inside.

It took her a second to realize that the diamond ring just lying there was actually real. Once she did she reached down quickly and took it in her hands. It was beautiful and perfect and huge. She could feel the tears welling in her eyes. She placed the guitar in the case before turning to face Nathan. He was already on his knee smiling at her.

"I told you it would be soon," Nathan pointed out.

"I didn't expect this," Haley muttered happily through her tears.

"I know," Nathan smiled as he held out his hand. She was standing in front of him a second later and he reached for her hand before placing it in his. With the other one he reached for the ring.

"I, uh…"

"I love you. I've always loved you. Even back then when I was still that stupid teenaged kid who didn't know much about anything. Haley, you came into my world and for the first time in my life you made me care about something other than myself and basketball. You made me care about you. Just being around you I knew that you were something special. I knew that I had to have you. I know we've been through a lot and we've spent a lot of time apart but I promise that nothing like that will ever happen again. I'll never let anything come between us. I love you too much to let that happen. I want to be with you forever."

"Yes," Haley nodded.

"I haven't asked yet," Nathan chuckled.

"Hurry up," Haley whispered before wiping away her tears.

"Now, who's bossy?"

"You blame me?"

He shook his head. "Haley James, will you marry me?"

"I'm gonna need to think about it," Haley muttered.

"You…what?" Nathan asked stunned.

She grinned. "Just kidding. Of course I will!"

"Don't scare me like that," Nathan muttered before taking a deep breath.

"I was just getting you back."

"It worked. Lesson learned. Don't make you wait for anything ever."

"That's right," Haley laughed.

"What am I getting myself into?" Nathan teased before slipping the ring onto her finger. He stood up as she took the time to look at her hand. He smiled as he watched the look on her face. It was seconds later when she was done. Then she was in his arms and they were kissing.

~***~

"Yes, the ring is perfect!"

"I can't wait to see it."

"We'll be there before you know it."

"I'm so excited. I can't wait for Quinny and Viv to meet him."

"Yeah, I know, Mom."

"They're going to love him. I know it."

She smiled. "What about the guys?"

"Oh, who cares about them? They'll get over it."

She laughed softly into the phone as she packed the last of their bags. She held the phone to her ear as she continued to listen to her mother. They had been on the phone for over an hour now.

"Please, just make sure that they play nice."

She was taking Nathan to Vivian's in Richmond for Christmas, where all of her family would be. As much as she wanted him to meet everyone she was scared out of her mind. Her brothers weren't the nicest guys in the world and they really didn't like Nathan. She prayed that her mother would talk some sense into them before she showed up with Nathan. The last thing she wanted was for Nathan to be uncomfortable around her family and of course, she wanted all of them to love him.

"I'll do my best."

"I guess that's all we can hope for," Haley muttered into the phone. She could hear the bathroom door open and she turned instantly to see Nathan walking out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel around his waist. Her mouth went dry when she noticed that he was still a little wet. His chest was glistening. Her heart started pounding in her chest as Nathan realized she was checking him out. He smirked in her direction.

"Did he get on one knee?"

"Of course, he got on one knee, Mom," Haley repeated for the hundredth time. She had told her mother all about the proposal at the beginning of their phone conversation and still her mother was asking a million questions. She smiled as Nathan started wiggling his eyebrows at her. Taking her hand she brought it up to her mouth as she started laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"It's nothing."

"Is Nathan out of the shower? Is he in the room?"

"Um, yeah he is."

"So cute. I'll let you go sweetie. I'll see you in a few days. I love you and congratulations again, sweetie. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Mom. I love you. Tell Daddy I said hi."

"Sure thing, sweetheart. Bye, baby girl."

"Bye, Mom." She hung up the phone before placing it down.

"Was she excited?" Nathan chuckled as he searched the floor for the shirt that Haley had tossed off of him last night. He couldn't find it.

"Extremely," Haley nodded.

"I'm glad." He glanced around the room. "Did you pack all of our stuff?"

"Yep."

"What am I supposed to wear?"

She gazed at him, her eyes roaming the length of his body. He still had nothing but a towel around his waist. She stood up and made her way in front of him. Her hands slowly reached out until she was touching his chest. She slid her hands up until they were around his shoulders.

"You can just go like that. I don't mind."

He smirked before leaning down and pressing his lips softly to hers. "Something tells me that I'm going to have a hard time getting on the plane dressed like this."

"You're right."

He started kissing her again and instantly her mind flashed to last night. They had made out for hours but she had wanted so much more. She knew that he did too. She could feel that with every kiss and the way he touched her. Pulling away she slapped his chest.

"Put a shirt on. You're too sexy."

He started laughing softly as he watched her walk across the room. She reached into one of the bags before tossing a pair of jeans at him. He caught them still in laughter. He made his way back towards the bathroom and left the door open as he started changing.

She sat there waiting. Their flight to Tree Hill would be leaving in a few hours. Both of them couldn't wait to get home. They still hadn't told anyone in Tree Hill about their engagement. They wanted to see their faces when they told them. Then in a few days they would be off to Vivian's in Richmond. She knew that they had a crazy week ahead of them but as long as Nathan was next to her she could handle anything.

He walked out of the bathroom looking like a Greek God. Of course, it only took someone like him five minutes to look like that. She stood up as he made it to her and they hugged. She placed her head on his shoulder as he rubbed soft circles up and down her back.

"I can't wait to marry you," Nathan whispered.

Her eyes snapped shut. "I can't wait to be your wife."

"I know that we didn't get a chance to talk about things last night but what do you want? Whatever you want to do, I'll do it. I just want to make you happy…what are you thinking about right now?"

"I'm wondering how long it takes to plan a wedding," Haley muttered.

He chuckled. "Brooke says that you need at least a year to get everything just perfect and –"

"A year?!"

"But," Nathan chuckled. "I can not wait that long."

"Good," Haley sighed in relief. "We can just go to Vegas if you want. We can go right now. I'm tired of waiting."

"I know," Nathan smiled softly still hugging her tight.

"As long as I have you nothing else matters. I don't care about all that other stuff."

He kissed her forehead. "I know you don't but I remember back in high school when you told me about your dream wedding."

She glanced up at him surprised. "You remember that?"

"You were wearing that ugly ass poncho of yours."

She slapped him on the chest. "My mother made me that."

"And I remember your face when you told me about it. Your dreaming wedding. Even then I wanted to be the one waiting for you as you walked down the aisle." He smiled softly at her.

"I don't need my dream wedding. I just need you. My dream guy." She leaned up and kissed his cheek softly.

"No, Hales, come on. You told me how you saw it. In the church garden where your parents got married. All the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Flowers everywhere. I want that for you."

She smiled. "I love you."

"Your dream guy loves you back," Nathan teased before they both started laughing loudly. He bent down and pressed his lips to hers. He kissed her tenderly. He couldn't remember a time in his life where he had been happier than this. This was a dream come true. Somehow it made all the pain and agony of their separation disappear. It was all gone and what was left was love.