Hi guys. Thanks for taking the time to read the last chapter and I was wowed by your reviews. They were awesome! I was thinking that since this story is doing so much better than 'Patience', maybe I should concentrate on this first and continue with 'Patience' once this story ends. Let me know what you guys want me to do okay. And by the way, this story is not yet over. I've got a couple more tricks up my sleeves ;) So here's the next chapter. It's all Naley so I have you guys will like it.

Chapter 19

"I've made up my mind." That was all she said to him. Nathan let himself in slowly, his heart beating wildly in his chest in anticipation of Haley's answer.

"Do I need to sit down for this?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure. I don't know. If you feel like it." She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Nathan, you know what. Just do whatever you like okay."

"I think I'll stand."

She looked at him nervously and saw the hope in his eyes. "Nathan, before I tell you my decision, I just want you to know that you being my best friend means the world to me. I don't want anything that is happening right now to change that, and I'm sorry if you think that it has."

He walked over to her, narrowing the distance between them. "Haley, don't be sorry. I'm not sorry I fell in love with you. I'm not sorry we slept together because honestly, that night was the best thing that ever happened to me. And now you're pregnant with our baby. I can never be sorry about that." He traced the outline of her face gently. "Look, I understand if you have doubts about me, about us. But I swear Hales, I've never felt this way about anybody else."

"Yes," she said.

He didn't seem to hear her and rambled on. "I don't want to push you into doing something you don't want to do, so if you don't want to marry me, I'll accept that decision. Just promise me that you'll let me be a big part of our baby's life." He suddenly stopped. "Wait, what did you say?"

"I said yes," she said shyly.

He stood there stunned at first, and then he felt his heart soar at her answer. He cradled her face gently in his hands. "God Hales, I love you so much," he whispered softly.

Her face suddenly turned serious. "Nathan, there's something else I need to tell you." She bit her lip and looked at him timidly.

"What is it?" he asked as he felt a slight panic rising.

"I've never told you this before," she said. "I've never had the courage to do it, but I love you too," she said shyly. "I've been in love with you for as long as I can remember and-"

He didn't let her finish. Instead she felt him crash his lips on hers in a searing kiss. He groaned against her lips. "Do you know how long I've waited to hear you say that? Say it again Hales, please," he begged.

"I love you," she whispered, only to feel her lips being captured again. He held her close and ran his fingers through her hair, loving the feel of them between her fingers. They kissed deeply, pouring their hearts out in that act of intimacy. She surrendered to him willingly. Slowly he ran the tip of his tongue over her lips before prying her lips apart. She willingly welcomed him into her heated embrace and wound her arms around his shoulders as the kiss deepened. He explored the depths of her mouth, his tongue mating with hers and she whimpered against his lips.

"Dammit!" he swore when he heard his phone ring. He reluctantly pulled away from her and flipped his phone open, but not before giving her one last kiss. He frowned when he saw the name that appeared and using his one hand to hold Haley's, he answered the phone.

"Hi Rachel." He felt her stiffen at the mention of her name. He squeezed her hand gently and pulled her down to the couch, making her sit on his lap. He wrapped his arm around her waist, making her unable to move. Vaguely she heard Rachel ask him where he was.

"I'm at Haley's," he answered simply. "What's up? You're back from Chicago?"

"Yeah, I just got back yesterday. So did you and Haley work things out?" Rachel asked.

He smiled and kissed the top of Haley's head. "Yeah, we did. Everything's great."

"I'm glad to hear that. Well, I gotta go and leave you two lovebirds alone. Maybe we can meet up one day," she said noncommittally.

"Yeah, that sounds great. I'll call you later. Bye." He hung up and began kissing Haley's neck. "Now, where were we?"

"Nathan, stop," she said and struggled to get up but he wouldn't let her.

"What's wrong?" he asked in puzzlement. She couldn't be upset about Rachel calling him, could she?

She looked at him intently, as if trying to figure him out. "Do you want to be with me just because of the sex?"

"What? Haley, no! Of course not! Hales, which part of me loving you don't you get?" He tucked her hair behind her ear and said, "you may not trust me fully now, but I'm gonna make you. You will never doubt how I feel about you ever again."

She rested her head on his chest and took in his every word, hoping with all her heart that every word he had just said were true.

They had lunch together, and he relished watching her move about in the kitchen. Already he was imagining what their married life would be like. He still couldn't believe that she had accepted his proposal. He still felt giddy from happiness. They stood side by side at the kitchen sink, him drying the dishes while she washed them. He had offered to wash the dishes too because he didn't want her to strain herself but she brushed it off.

"Nathan, don't be silly. I'm pregnant, not dying," she said jokingly.

He stopped what he was doing and reached for her hand. "Don't joke about that Haley."

She saw the he was serious. "Sorry," she said meekly. "Shouldn't you be getting home?"

"Don't you want me to stay?" he asked. He dried the last of the plates and offered the towel to her to dry her hands. She took it and using the towel, he pulled her closer. "I just want to spend time with my fiancee."

"Wait, do your parents know about this? About you asking me to marry you I mean?"

He laughed at her question. "I think they've been planning our wedding for a long time now." He smiled at her. "So, do you want me to stay?" he asked huskily as he drew her face near.

Automatically her heart beat faster at his touch. "I don't know," she stammered. Them being together was still new to her and she didn't quite know what to make of it.

"Let me make it easier for you to decide then," he said and gently grazed his lips on hers. Her breath caught in her throat and she closed her eyes. She felt his arm encircle her waist as he pulled her closer. He deepened the kiss and his tongue probed her lips, begging them to part. She responded and kissed him hungrily. All the love and passion that she felt for him came pouring out in that kiss. Their tongues playfully massaged each other until he they were both came up for air.

"I want you so much Hales," he whispered hungrily.

She felt her cheeks flush and said timidly, "I want you too Nathan." He didn't need any further encouragement and picked her up before carrying her to her bedroom. Once there he gently laid her down on the bed and took off his shirt. Haley watched him, mesmerized. The sight of him made her heart flutter with anticipation. He came to the bed and laid down next to her. She tentatively touched his nipple and watched as he drew in a sharp intake of air at her touch. He grabbed her hand to still her.

"Haley, is it okay if we do this? I mean with the baby," he asked worriedly, although he already felt as if his body would explode at the thought of his body joining with hers.

She smiled at him. "The doctor said that there's no harm. In fact it might be good for the baby. And did I tell you that since I got pregnant, I'm horny as hell," she said mischievously.

"Haley James, I never thought I'd hear you say that word," he said and kissed her tenderly. "I think I have a cure for that," he said and gently removed her shirt, leaving her with only her bra. He grazed the side of her breast with one hand, while the other gently caressed her face. She gasped at the touch, encouraging him further. Deftly, he unhooked her bra, exposing her breasts. He marveled at the sight and ran his hand over the swell of her perfect breast while his other hand gently tweaked her nipple, making her groan with ecstasy. "Oh God Nathan," she moaned as she writhed beneath him.

She sighed and sank her head on the pillow as he lowered his mouth and captured one nipple with his lips. Much to her dismay he stopped midway and looked at her and smiled, before giving her little kisses on her already bulging stomach. He then slowly unzipped her jeans and pulled them down, his eyes black with desire when she saw that she was already wet with want. He wriggled himself free of his own jeans and threw them on the floor, not caring where it landed. He continued caressing her body and trailed his hand down, stopping at her panties and gently took them off. She felt her body burning with desire and reached for his boxers and impatiently removed them. He groaned as the naked bodies met, both of them already slick with sweat.

"Nathan, please," she begged. He kissed her tenderly while his hands skilfully parted her legs. He looked into her eyes and saw love in its purest form and felt tears prickling in his eyes.

"You're the only one I want Hales," he promised solemnly before entering her with ease. He closed his eyes and stifled a groan. She gasped as she felt him inside her and arched her back, drawing him closer. Her legs wound around his waist and they moved together in perfect unison. "God Haley, I can't wait anymore."

Their movement grew frantic as she met his every thrust until finally she screamed his name out loud as she reached her peak. Still he wouldn't stop his movement and he slid in and out of her, desperate for his own release. Her name fell from his lips as he reached his own climax. He collapsed on top of her and suddenly remembering that she was pregnant, shifted his weight so he wouldn't crush her.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked gently when he finally found his voice.

"No, you didn't," she said smiling. He rolled over and pulled her along with him, unwilling to be apart from her body just yet.

"Do you think the baby can feel it?" he asked all of a sudden as he gently caressed her tummy. He jerked his hand when he felt the baby kick and laughed out loud. "That's right, little one. That's how mommy and daddy made you."

Haley listened contentedly as Nathan continued to speak to their baby. She felt him move and felt his head on her stomach.

"He's gonna be a handful, this one," he said and grinned at her.

She scoffed at him. "How do you know it's a he? It could be a she. Wait a minute. Do you mind if it's a girl?" she asked worriedly.

"Baby, I don't mind if it's a boy or a girl. As long as the baby's healthy and you're healthy," he said reassuringly. "Hey, listen. There's something I want to give you," he said suddenly.

"What is it?" she asked as she sat up. She saw him reach for his jeans and take out something from the pocket. She couldn't see what it was as he held it in his palm, concealing its content.

"Haley, I know our whole being together is not exactly how we planned it but it happened. You gave yourself to me that night and now you're giving me our baby. I know you must have imagined how you're going to be proposed and how your wedding's gonna be like since we were kids, and I'm sorry that it hasn't turned out the way you wanted it to be, but I swear to God Haley, I'm gonna make you so happy. I'll never hurt you-" his voice stuck in his throat as he felt a rush of emotion.

She placed a hand on his cheek gently and said, "Nathan, you've already made me happy. There's nothing more I can ask from you."

He put a finger on her lips, silencing her. He then took her hand and gently slid a diamond ring on her finger, making her gasp in shock. "Nathan," she said in surprise.

"Say it again Hales. Say that you'll marry me and make me the happiest person in this world, coz I don't think I can live without you," he said, his voice thick with emotion.

"Ask me again," she said softly.

He held her hand and kissed it tenderly. "Haley James, will you marry me?"

She felt the tears slide down her cheeks and she cried. "Yes, yes I'll marry you," she choked.

"God I love you," he declared as he kissed her passionately. A few minutes later, they both fell asleep in each other's arms, safe with the knowledge that they were going to be together forever.

She snuggled up to him, unconsciously waking him up with her movement. He opened his eyes and saw the ceiling and for a moment couldn't remember where he was. He turned his head and felt relief and joy when he saw her sleeping figure lying next to him. She looked so beautiful to him even in her sleep, and the fact that she's pregnant with his child made her more sexy in his eyes. He couldn't believe after all the years of waiting and yearning, she was finally close to being his. His hand went to her stomach and gently caressed her baby bump. Everytime he did it, he could feel tears welling in his eyes and felt disbelief that he was about to bring another life into the world. Before this he never thought that he would be happy being a father. But now it was all he thought about.

"Hey, why are you not asleep?" Haley asked sleepily as she felt his hand on her stomach.

"Sorry, did I wake you?" he asked softly.

"No, you didn't. Since I got pregnant I wake up easily. What's on your mind?" she asked, her eyes wide open.

"Nothing, I was just thinking about our baby. About you. About us," he replied as he pulled her to him and kissed her forehead. "What do you think about moving in with me?"

"Are you serious?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah, why not? That way I can look after you all the time. We're getting married anyway," he said as if stating the obvious.

She hesitated at the suggestion. "Yeah I know. But Nathan, this is all happening so fast. We didn't even go through the whole dating process before everything happened. And now all of a sudden I'm pregnant and you asked me to marry you. And then you asked me to move in with you? It's a bit weird. And screwed up."

"Is that what you want? For us to date first?" he asked.

"Maybe. Does that sound crazy to you?"

"Of course not. Let me see," he said thoughtfully. "Are you busy tomorrow night?"

She giggled in response. "Are you asking me out on a date?"

"Anything to please my girl," he said smiling.

"Well then, I think I'm okay tomorrow night," she said happily.

"Good, I'll pick you up at eight," he said indulgently.

She looked at him, love shining in her eyes. "I love you, you know."

"I know. I love you too," he said and kissed her tenderly. "So does dating mean we can't do what we did earlier?" he asked, referring to their lovemaking.

"Maybe," she said coyly.

He suddenly looked serious. "Well, that's too bad. So I guess I can't do this to you?" he asked and started nibbling her ear, making her close her eyes as she moaned softly.

"I think that's allowed," she murmured.

"How about this?" he asked as he sucked at her neck, eager to leave his mark on her.

"Mmmmmm," she simply said. She suddenly sat up and looked at him slyly. "I need to go to the bathroom," she said and extricated herself from his grasp. She swung her legs and got out of bed but he was too fast for her. He grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him.

"Oh no you don't. You're staying here with me."

"Oh yeah? And what if I don't want to?" she asked mischievously.

He was on top of her in a flash and started tickling her, making her giggle breathlessly. The sounds of their laughter resonated throughout the room as they discovered each other again the whole night through.

A/N: So what do you think? Like I said, this story is far from over so I hope you'll stick with me ;)