Chapter 9: The Makeup

Three days later, Nathan had been discharged and now they all walked along the grass away from Dan's gravestone. The funeral was simple and not many people came, just those who mattered to Nathan. He had yet to speak but Haley could tell Dan's death was eating him up inside for some reason. Something must have happened to get Nathan in that car and make him this upset. After gathering back at the Scott household everyone who loved Nathan stood in the kitchen as he sat at the island. He couldn't stand for long because of the cast on his leg. Haley had barely left his side the past few days, and today was no exception. She was currently seated next to him, his arm lazily wrapped around her shoulders as she leaned against his chest. They hadn't spoken much the past few days. It was just quiet, peaceful, throughout all the chaos around them.

Tim Smith walked in, late of course, wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a smirk on his face. "Ding dong the wicked witch is dead." Everyone stared at him first, it didn't even make any sense, but that was just Tim. Then everyone's eyes shifted to Nathan, who got up and hobbled over to Tim, grabbing him by the shirt tightly. "Pull your head out of your ass and show some respect." Nathan practically spat at him before pushing him away and walking out the back door. Haley followed behind him slowly watching him struggle across the beach. He walked as far as he could before his leg started hurting, and sat down.

Haley took a seat next to him, but not too close, giving him space. "I'm sorry." He whispered quietly. "My past keeps hurting you. It's my fault and the last thing I want to ever do is hurt you. All you've been these past few days is there for me, even when we just sit there for hours without words being said you are still by my side. I just keep hurting you and that isn't fair to you. I was a terrible person but you changed me. You made me a better man and I won't ever go back to that, all because of you. I love you and I can't lose you."

Haley moved her hand to his cheek to turn him to look at her. "You are never going to lose me. That is one of the many things this week taught me. I can't live without you and I won't. Our fight was stupid. I don't want a list, the past is the past. You can't change it and I shouldn't let it affect me because I know I'm the only one you want and the only girl that matters. You told Taylor to help her understand us, just like I told Conner. I'm sorry I didn't trust what you said about Conner."

"You didn't know he would kiss you. I'm not mad about that."

"I know I'm not just another tick mark on your list. That was out of line because you've given me so much and I basically said it meant nothing. It means everything to me Nathan. You've given me an amazing life and I will never forget that." She said as tear ran down her cheek. Nathan reached out to wipe it from her face and then leaned in to lightly kiss her.

"I'm sorry."

"Me too. I love you so much." She whispered against his lips.

"Always and forever." He replied. He felt better now. He still kept all of his Dan problems kept up inside of him but for now his heart felt lighter. "Let's get out of here. I can't be inside that house any longer." Nathan said standing up, moving his hands to hold Haley's, helping her up.

"Where to?"

"Your house. I think I'm ready." He said slowly as they walked, Haley understanding exactly what he meant just like he thought she would.

Nathan took a seat on her bed, across from her, as they both sat Indian style. "Be patient with me please. I just need to say this all and I don't know how." He said quietly as she only nodded. He began to fiddle with his hands before she reached out to hold them. To calm him. A slow tear rolled down his cheek.

"He pulled up next to me that day, and told me to get in. I didn't want to fight with him so I did. And then he told me...he said he was sorry. That he pushed everyone he ever loved out of his life and had no one to share anything with. He realized he pressured me to much and pushed me to far but he just wanted the best for me. He didn't want to hurt me, he promised me he changed. He said he wanted me to know how much he loved me." Nathan choked out the last few words through sobs. "He loved me Hales. I never felt it until that moment and I never will again. He said all I ever wanted him to and I can never tell him I loved him to. That I forgave him. My dad is dead." Haley quickly moved to wrap her arms around him and hold him against her chest. She felt his tears drip onto her shirt, as did her own. Her heart broke for him. He had gotten all he ever wanted and then in the blink of an eye it was taken away.

"I don't want that moment to get lost in all the bad things he did. I don't want to forget finally feeling his love, but I'm worried I will...If I protested more, or watched the road maybe he'd still be here...and we could be a family. That was all I ever wanted."

"I know baby." Haley whispered running a hand through his hair. "I know." And they sat like that for hours and Nathan allowed himself to cry for the first time since the accident.

"I feel so bad for all I said to you." She whispered the next morning. They didn't sleep much, instead they laid side by side looking into one another's eyes.

"Listen." He said, changing the topic, he had been thinking about this all night and needed to tell her why. "I didn't tell you about Brooke because I didn't want you to think something was there. Nothing was every there. We were just drunk. I didn't want to hurt you."

Haley knew he needed to get it off his chest, just like she had to as well. "I said horrible things to you. It was like a slap in the face me saying I never meant anything to you. I don't know how I could have said that after everything you've done for me. I don't know how you still love me."

Nathan chuckled slightly as Haley looked at him confused. "Please, Haley I have been in love with you since the day you said I wasn't bad to look at. Nothing will ever change that." Haley smiled leaning over to kiss him.

"Promise me that things are going to be different this time around." He said pulling away. "No more walking out if we have an issue. We deal with it then. I can't have you leaving me, questioning if you still want to be with me or not. It eats me alive minute by minute."

"It just gets hard when we are in that situation. I need time to think and calm down." She explained.

"How about you tell me, I still love you before you leave next time." He said as she chuckled before she changed the subject.

"You didn't tell me because of my insecurity and I get it because I worry. I just want to be enough for you. I want you to have everything you want." She admitted.

"Hey." He said getting her attention. "You will always be enough for me. Don't ever question that. As long as I have you I have everything I want."

A week later, life was finally getting back to normal. Haley helped Nathan open up to everyone about Dan, which helped him start to get over and grieve Dan's death. Once he said it he no longer had to hide it and everyone finally understood. He still had his moments of sadness but Haley was always there to help him get through it. They had completely forgiven one another and were able to move forward in their relationship. Nathan walked slowly, hand in hand, with Haley on the beach. When they got to their spot Nathan halted Haley. He stood in front of her with a smile. "I wouldn't be here without you" He said.

"Ditto bud." She laughed before picking up on his serious tone. "What's up?"

"My life would be so much different without you. I never pictured a future before you came into my life but now I do. And I love it. I never told you but when I thought you were pregnant I was a little excited. A baby. Our baby. I loved the idea of it. I still do. I don't want to rush it but one day I know we will have a family together and it will be beautiful. But for now, you're my family. You are the love of my life. My soul mate. And I couldn't picture a world without you in it. I love you so much." He moved to get down on one knee and pulled out a ring from his pocket. "So Haley James would you marry me?"

She quickly nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Yes. Of course I will. Yes." She said quickly as he slipped the ring on her finger and she pulled him up to kiss her.

When they finally let up for air Haley looked at her ring. "It's perfect." She smiled.

"You're perfect." He muttered before kissing her once more. "I love you so much.

"Always and forever." She smiled against his lips. "You know why?"

"Why?" He questioned, not able to wipe the smile off of his face because he was so happy.

"Because my heart belongs with yours."