The Belated Honeymoon

By Lindsey

“So you guys are going on, what? Some sort of belated honeymoon?” Peyton knit her eyebrows together in mild confusion looking to Haley for confirmation. Haley looked up from her current position on Peyton’s bed, nodding her head in the affirmative.

“Yeah, we just thought it would be kind of nice…to get away from everything if only for a few days.” Haley sighed softly at the thought of she and Nathan lounging peacefully on a Florida beach together.

“So, y’all are basically running away-” Peyton edged.

“No we aren’t. Trust me, Peyton, it’s been three months since I showed up at his door. We’ve talked and cried…we’ve moved on from it all. We just want to be together…” She smiled feeling completely content with her life.

“Okay,” Peyton grinned easily, “I’m really happy for you two, Hales. You do realize I’m yours and Nathan’s biggest cheerleader, right? I mean, hello.” She laughed, pointing to the white heart with HJ+NS painted on her wall.

“I know…and I love you for it.” Haley giggled pulling her friend into a small hug.

“As you should, Haley James Scott. God, It’s still so freaky that you’re legally a part of that family.” She shuddered dramatically at the thought.

“Hey, don’t mock!” Haley pouted childishly. “I mean, what is normal anyway? Dan and Deb might not be the model parents but they-" She stopped mid-sentence and seemed to ponder her previous comment before continuing on, “Why in the hell I am attempting to defend them? They hate me anyway.”

“Precisely, they’re total freaks.” Peyton concluded with a nod of her head.

“Except for Nathan and Luke-" Haley interjected immediately.

“Right, of course.” She replied in mock seriousness and was rewarded with a playful shove from Haley, as she rolled her eyes at her friend.

“Anyway,” Haley drew out slowly in an attempt to change the subject. “I really need to get going. I promised Brooke I’d let her take me on a last minute shopping trip so she could help me get the “honeymoon essentials”…Jesus, she’s going to completely humiliate me isn’t she?” Haley reluctantly admitted with a shake of her head.

“That she will, my friend. That she will…” Peyton quipped teasingly, patting Haley on the head affectionately, clearly sympathizing with Haley’s current predicament.

“Boo. Pray for me, Peyt.” She whined, latching onto her friend’s arm dramatically, sending Peyton her best puppy dog look. Peyton simply chuckled at Haley’s antics clearly amused by it all.

~*~

After nearly four hours of shopping with Brooke she finally arrived back at the apartment. Damn that girl! Haley had seriously considered killing herself quite a few times throughout their lengthy shopping adventure. She let out a ragged sigh, throwing her shopping bags onto the ground before falling onto the couch completely exhausted.

After working out their problems, she and Nathan had agreed that they definitely wanted to live together again- they wanted to be husband and wife. Although, it seemed best to get a new apartment rather than moving back into the one they had lived in before. While that apartment would always hold special memories for them both…so many firsts happened there, so many good times, that place also held memories of their rather dark times and both were determined to leave all of the bad times behind. Not forgetting, of course, but definitely forgiving and moving forward with their life together.

“What’s all this?” An amused Nathan questioned from behind her, leaning over the couch to wrap his arms loosely around her neck. She turned her head towards him, a smile instantly forming on her lips at the sound of his voice. He leaned closer, allowing their lips to meet in a soft, gentle kiss.

“Ah, this would be the result of my “small” shopping spree with the one and only Brooke Davis.” Haley giggled as she took in Nathan’s reaction to all of the bags scattered about their living room. It truly was insane. Brooke needed to go to like a Shopoholics Anonymous group…or something.

“The girl can definitely do some damage…” Nathan trailed off as he began to snoop through one of the bags, stopping abruptly when Haley cried out for him not to look inside them. He raised his eyebrows, intrigued by his wife’s outburst, before dropping the tanning lotion he was holding into it’s original shopping bag and making his way over to sit beside her on their couch.

“Something wrong, Hales?” He teased her. “There wouldn’t be anything in those bags that you don’t want me to see…right?” He leaned in waiting for her answer but only received a small shrug of her shoulders in response as she attempted to hide the blush rapidly forming on her cheeks. Nathan chuckled before dipping close to her ear, “Did Brooke corrupt you, sweetheart?” He asked in a sugary-sweet tone, grinning like an idiot, and Haley simply rolled her eyes at his teasing.

“She was too late. You corrupted me long before Brooke was even in the picture.” She answered seriously and Nathan puffed out a short laugh before smiling, seeming quite proud of the fact. “You got me there, baby.” He sent her his patented smirk before leaning in to place wet kisses along her neck. A soft sigh escaped her lips almost immediately and she wrapped her arms around his neck to pull him closer. His hand slipped beneath the thin material of her tank top, skimming the soft skin of her belly before finally resting his palm on her breast. She moaned at the contact, her own hands traveling under his shirt to caress the strong muscles of his back. But when his hands began unbuttoning her jeans she placed her own hand over his in order to still his movements.

“We can’t be doing this right now, Nathan.” She breathed huskily and even she didn’t buy her protest. Nathan groaned annoyed by her interruption and attempted to pull her face back to his for a kiss, but she refused him- which definitely wasn’t an easy task with him sitting so close to her being all hot and Nathan-like.

“We have too much to do before we leave. We haven’t even packed!” She screeched, sounding slightly panicked. ”…Well you haven’t packed. I have because, I’m me, but we still have so much stuff to do, Nathan. We just don’t have time for…this.” She reasoned logically.

“And we’ll do all of it…after we do this. C’mere…” He whispered hotly, grabbing her small body into his arms and lifting her onto his lap pulling her flush against him. She sighed at the feeling and almost said to hell with the plans…almost.

“No, we have things to do.” She blurted out, jumping up and off of the couch before he had a chance to grab at her. He pouted up at her, his blue eyes clouded with lust, and she actually felt guilty. Like she was depriving a five-year-old of his favorite toy or something. Un-freaking believable.

“You will have three whole days to do whatever you want with me-" She attempted to coax him, knowing all of the right buttons to push. She knew his weaknesses, knew that if she looked at him in a certain way and used a certain whispery tone when talking to him that she could get Nathan Scott to do anything. Well, okay, that’s not exactly true but she did hold more power over him than most.

“Now that is what I call a vacation! Hell yes.” He enthused, his blue eyes alive with excitement and what she knew to be mischief. She giggled down at his nearly giddy attitude more than a little amused by his display.

“BUT for now you’re going to go into that room and pack. Please Nathan...” She knew it would probably take at least a few more minutes to convince him. Nathan could be extremely stubborn at times. To her surprise he got up and began walking down the hall that led to their bedroom. She stood unmoving for a minute dumbfounded that he’d been so easy.

“Haley!” She snapped her head in his direction at the sound of his booming voice, “Lets get a move on! We’ve got a vacation to get to.” He smirked at her wide-eyed expression. “This is going to rock.” She heard him mumble as he began throwing clothes haphazardly into his suitcase.

~*~

“Nathan! Could you at least pretend to be paying attention to the road.” She pleaded as she grabbed onto the steering wheel from the passenger seat. Nathan had been searching for the same damn CD for the past ten minutes and they’d already gone off the road twice.

“I am, Haley.” He muttered through clenched teeth. “I just really want to find this CD. I know it’s in this fucking case!” He roared and she rolled her eyes at his temper.

“Well, it is just a CD, Nathan. I definitely don’t want to die over it!” She snapped.

“Oh, well at least you’re not overreacting.” He mocked, annoyed by her dramatics.

They’d been driving for hours and clearly they were both beginning to get more than a little stir-crazy. During the first hour, Nathan kept trying to kiss and touch her while he drove, but after several hours in their cramped car he’d turned into what Peyton had coined ‘Ass Nathan’. She reached over to take the case so she could look for the CD for him, but was greeted with a glare. She scoffed incredulously at his attitude before looking out the window. ‘Ass Nathan’ it was.

“Found it! I knew it was in here!” He smiled over at her triumphantly and she simply glared back at him with a ‘Now you want to speak to me’ look.

After ten minutes of tension-filled silence she felt his large hand reach over the center console and attempt to intertwine with her own. She slowly looked over at him, still a little annoyed by his earlier attitude, but one half smile and an ‘I’m sorry, Hales’ and she was done for. Damn him and his big blue eyes and perfect smile and…she loved him.

“It’s okay, Nathan. I’ve gotten used to dealing with Ass Nathan from time to time.” She giggled at the inside joke, turning away from his suspicious gaze as she tried in vain to keep a straight face. He narrowed his eyes, studying his wife’s face momentarily, trying to figure out what was so damn funny.

“It’s not nice to keep secrets from your husband, Haley.” He tried to appear hurt and upset but his blue eyes gave him away, as they always did. She could see everything through his eyes, his moods, insecurities, fears. She sometimes wondered if it was obvious to mostly everyone or if it simply came from knowing him like she did. She wondered if he saw the same in her eyes, too. Looking back into his blue eyes once more she knew that he did.

“And just what are you implying, Nathan Scott?” She gasped playfully. “I cannot believe you would accuse-" He cut off her mini-rant by placing a long finger across her glossed lips. She looked at him questioningly for a moment before attempting to speak again, but Nathan silenced her with a slow, lingering kiss. She moaned into his mouth as his tongue brushed against hers softly. A car horn tore them both out of their lust filled haze and they broke apart abruptly.

“Nathan, look out! Car, Car!” She shrieked burying her head in her hands as Nathan swerved away from the car in the lane beside them. Once they were safely back in their own lane, she hesitantly uncovered her eyes and glanced over at her husband who was laughing hysterically. She wasn’t sure if he was laughing at the entire situation or simply at the site of her huddled in a ball on the seat with her head covered. Either way she just wasn’t finding the humor in the situation.

“Nathan, it’s not funny! We could’ve died all because you can’t seem to keep your hands and lips to yourself.” She mumbled, clearly still flustered, only causing him to laugh harder. She turned to him with a mock glare, “I need to get out of this car before I do something irrational and find myself on Oprah talking about how ‘I didn’t mean to kill my husband, really.’” She rambled, laughing through a tired sigh, leaning her head against the headrest and closing her eyes. She heard a low chuckle from beside her, and without opening her eyes, reached over to smack whatever part of Nathan she could reach.

~*~

“Thank God we’re finally here! I was seriously seconds away from pulling my hair out. Would you still love me if I was bald?” She joked, jumping out of their car and making her way around to Nathan’s side. It seemed he hadn’t heard a word she’d said, his eyes staying locked on something in front of them.

“Nathan? You already checking out some hussy in hooker wear?” She baited him teasingly, trying to follow his eyes to see what had him so captivated. Her gaze landed on the crystal clear ocean in front of them and she had the urge to slap herself for being so clueless. They’re on their honeymoon at an absolutely beautiful beach and it doesn’t cross her mind that perhaps Nathan would simply be looking out at the water. Hello, Captain Obvious.

He wordlessly pulled her into his arms, her back to his front, resting his chin on her shoulder, both of them staring at the beach in awe. It was like an actual paradise. “Isn’t it gorgeous, Hales?” He murmured into her shoulder in a whisper. She simply nodded her head in response completely taken aback by the beauty of it all. She wasn’t what you would call a ‘beach girl’ but she was pretty sure she’d fallen in love with this place already.

Nathan broke the tranquil moment to ask what the name of their hotel was, removing his arms from around her waist to get their bags out of the car. He grumbled slightly while trying to successfully balance all of their bags in his arms, shooting her a look. She shrugged her shoulders slightly and smiled up at him innocently. She only had one duffel bag…before her shopping trip with Brooke.

They easily located the hotel and were pleased with how close it was to the beach. After receiving their room keys from the front desk they began making their way up to their room. Nathan dropped their bags as soon as he caught site of their room number and eagerly began shoving the card through the slot. Haley watched in amusement, as he became more and more frustrated with the plastic card. “What in the hell is wrong with this thing?- I mean, seriously, it shouldn’t be this hard to open a door.” He pushed it through several more times but the red light continued to flash. “That’s it! I’m kicking the damn door down.” Haley bit her lip as hard as she could in an attempt to stop the giggle from escaping her lips, knowing Nathan would only become more annoyed by her laughter.

“Let me try, Nathan.” She offered gently, resting her hand on top of his before taking the card into her own hands. She flipped the card over running it through the slot and the light flashed green immediately. She opened the door and walked in, briefly looking around to check out their room. Nathan didn’t move from his place outside and Haley waited for him to blow up, as she knew he soon would.

“What the fuck! I turned that damn card five times and it didn’t work, you try ONCE and it opens. What total bullshit…” He grumbled as she walked in front of him, grabbing onto the front of his shirt to pull him into their room. After getting him through the doorway and shutting the door, she wrapped her arms around his middle, leaning up to place a small kiss on each corner of his pouting lips.

“Does it really matter? We’re inside a great hotel room, minutes away from an amazing beach…just the two of us.” She whispered into his ear and almost immediately felt his body relax against hers. She ran her small hand over his back soothingly, reaching under his shirt to rake her nails along his skin, which she knew he loved. He groaned at her ministrations and attempted to pull her further against him, though it was impossible for their bodies to be any closer.

He lifted his head from the crook of her neck to place a sucking kiss there, pulling away until he could meet her eyes, a deep sigh leaving his mouth. “I’m sorry I’ve been ‘Ass Nathan’ for most of the day. I just-" She shook her head and pulled him back down to her for a sensual kiss. She lifted her hand, running it over the side of his face, brushing over his lips for a moment, before laying her palm over his heart.

“Don’t apologize, Nathan, it’s not even necessary.” She gave him a small smile and their eyes locked in an intense stare. She could see that he was having heavy thoughts and silently waited for him to speak, knowing that he’d tell her whatever it was when he was able to verbalize what he was feeling.

“I...God, I don’t know what I’d without you. You’re my whole world, Haley, and that scares the hell out of me…” His admission nearly knocked the wind out of her and she felt tears instantly form in her eyes, threatening to fall. Her chin trembled slightly as she fought to hold back the onslaught of emotions washing over her. He grabbed the tip of her chin, silently asking her to look him in the eyes, and she finally did as several tears slide down her cheeks.

“You...” She took a deep shuddering breath, trying to gain her composure. “You are the love of my life, Nathan, and that will never change. You’re just it for me…” She gave him a tremulous smile before leaping into his arms, both holding onto each other as if they were each other’s lifeline.

“Why don’t we lay down for a while, get some rest before we go to the beach.” He suggested softly, pulling away to see her reaction. She wiped at her eyes and nodded her head in silent agreement. He smiled down at her lovingly, taking his large hand into her much smaller one to lead her over to bed. He tiredly fell onto it first before pulling Haley down next to him, wrapping his arm around her waist as she snuggled into his side.

After several minutes, Haley found that sleep wasn't coming easy for her. She lifted her head from Nathan’s chest slightly, “Nathan?” she whispered into the darkness but saw that Nathan was already sound asleep beside her. She shifted away from him a little trying to get more comfortable but was instantly pulled back by Nathan’s arm as he mumbled something about staying close to him. She smiled up at him one last time before closing her own eyes.

~*~

“Haley, come on, the bathing suit can’t be that bad.” Nathan tried to reason from outside the hotel bathroom. She’d been locked in there for half an hour bitching about how much she hated Brooke for being so bossy and what a dumb ass she was for actually listening to her.

“Oh, but it is! I can’t believe I forgot to pack my own bathing suit! And you, you think you want me to come out there so we can go but the minute you see this skanky bathing suit you’re going to freak out and tell me I’m not going out in this. At least that’s what I would say because this thing is just so…UGH! If I could get my hands on Brooke right now…” Haley continued to rant and Nathan could practically picture her pacing around the small bathroom completely freaking out.

“I find that very hard to believe, Hales. I see no problem with you wearing next to nothing…and can you blame Brooke entirely for this? I mean, you did go along with it-” The bathroom door swung open before he had a chance to finish and a petulant Haley stood before him with her hands firmly placed on her hips.

“You’re defending her?” She gaped up at him, raising her eyebrows in shock. “You bitch about Brooke all the time and you choose now to defend her?” She crossed her arms over her stomach in a futile attempt to cover herself.

“Whoa, Whoa…” He raised his hands in surrender. “Maybe you should take a deep breath, baby, just breathe…" He attempted to soothe her. "...and you look amazing.” A small smile actually graced her lips at his compliment and she took a few calming breaths, running her hands through her hair before looking down at the bathing suit and back up at Nathan helplessly. A short chuckle escaped him and her eyes flashed with anger.

“Sorry,” He amended immediately. “I’m sorry, I know how uncomfortable you feel wearing stuff like this and I get it.” Haley snorted unbelievingly at his words.

“You stripped for the entire school at the Boy Toy Auction, Nathan.” She sighed, turning around abruptly making her way back into the bathroom. Nathan followed closely behind her assuming that she was going to lock him out again. Instead, she grabbed a white hotel towel off the shelf, wrapping it tightly around her before turning back to him.

“Haley, we don’t have to go to the beach. I mean, we could just hang out here if you want or go grab something to eat. Whatever you want to do.” Her face visibly softened and she smiled up at him, touched beyond words. Here she was being a complete brat about something that wasn't even remotely his fault and he was still willing to stay holed up in their hotel room all day just to please her.

She dropped the fluffy towel from around her and let it fall onto the tiled bathroom floor, giving him a seductive smile before launching herself into his arms. She ran her tongue roughly over his bottom lip before forcing entry, causing Nathan to moan loudly. She pushed her hands through his soft hair, sliding her hands down his neck, until she was holding his face between her hands.

“Sorry for being such a drama queen. It’s just a bathing suit, it’s not important.” She whispered in between kisses, pulling away slightly when Nathan began chuckling against her lips. “What?” She questioned slightly suspicious.

“It seems like all we’ve been doing is apologizing today.” He laughed.

“I know.” She giggled. “We’re quite the pair, huh?” She teased, pinching at his sides playfully.

“Yeah, we are.” He replied seriously, staring into her eyes in that way that only Nathan could. The way that made her knees grow weak and her heart beat just a little quicker than usual. He did it in the very beginning and he still did now. She hoped he would never stop looking at her that way.

“I love you, Nathan, so much.” She spoke softly into his ear, burying her head in his neck with a small sigh. His hands traveled down her bare back slowing, causing her to shudder involuntarily. He began kissing a slow trail across her collarbone continuing along her slender neck, finally reaching her ear whispering, “I love you, too.”

“So no more apologizing.  Wild and crazy fun from here on out, right?” She sent him a toothy smile eliciting a laugh from Nathan as his hand brushed against her cheek softly. He lifted her small body off of the ground abruptly and she squealed in surprise, instinctively wrapping her legs tightly around his waist.

“Well clearly we won’t be leaving this hotel room, or bed rather, if you have wild and crazy things in mind.” He growled seductively, nipping at her neck, running his tongue over the reddened flesh hotly. She opened her mouth to speak but instead found herself whimpering as Nathan continued to ravish her body. He moved them to the other side of the bathroom only stopping when Haley’s back hit the marble sink. He lifted her onto it, attacking her lips in a hungry kiss. She began muttering ‘ew’ over and over under her breath and reluctantly he pried his lips away from hers giving her an incredulous look, “Way to kill the mood, Hales.” She gave him a sheepish grin before pecking softly at his swollen lips. “It’s just a little damp and uncomfortable…” She shifted slightly on the edge of the sink, only to clumsily fall completely into it. She yelped in shock and Nathan simply shook his head, laughing at the site.

“Way to go, grace.” He quiped, laughing as he watched Haley attempt to maneuver herself out of the sink and back onto solid ground. She pouted up at him childishly, “It’s not my fault you thought it would be “sexy” to put me on the damn sink. What ever happened to the good old fashioned bed, huh?” Nathan began to retort but was cut off by Haley’s lips feverishly pressing against his own, dragging him back into the room and onto the bed.

“See? Soft and comfy, not at all damp or icky.” She sighed happily as Nathan rolled completely on top of her, crushing his body against hers. She absolutely loved that feeling. It made her feel small and delicate, safe.

“Yeah, whatever you say, baby. Location really isn’t all that important as long as it involves a very naked you.” He smirked down at her naughtily and she simply rolled her eyes, shoving at his chest lightly. She was used to his Nathan-like comments by now and she’d long since stopped blushing and feeling embarrassed by them.

“Just shut up and kiss me.” She ordered huskily, quickly becoming impatient. She needed to feel his lips against hers, wanted it more than anything at the moment. Nathan chuckled above her, his chest vibrating against hers, creating a delicious feeling. He leaned in to kiss her, and she immediately parted her lips in anticipation, but he pulled away seconds before their lips made contact, hovering only inches above her mouth. “Don’t tease me,” She groaned, reaching up to slide her tongue over his lips, making him moan. She reached between them, brushing her hand over the front of his shorts, and smiled triumphantly at the near whimper that left his mouth. “You don’t hold all of the power.” She whispered, blowing into his ear before nipping at his lobe aggressively.

“You’re wrong, baby, I don’t hold any of the power.” She grinned at his words, his voice low and raspy. Oh, but he did.

~*~

“I’m never leaving this place, like ever. Send my friends my love, tell them I love them all, I just love this beach much more.” She threw out jokingly, turning over on her towel to lay on her stomach.

Nathan glanced at his wife from behind his sunglasses, a peaceful smile on her lips, her natural curls swept out of her face in a loose bun. She was stunning…that much was obvious to anyone who laid eyes on her. But what he loved most about her were the little things no one else got to see. The small smile that lit her lips right before every kiss they shared, her look of utter concentration when she tried her hardest to beat him at NBA Live, the pout she gave when she wass reading a book and he interrupted what she called her ‘Haley Time’. He chuckled, remembering how annoyed she had been the first time he’d taken her book away and demanded she make out with him because he was bored.

“Do I even want to know what’s going on in that head of yours?” She asked suspiciously without opening her eyes.

“Why do you automatically assume that what I’m thinking about is dirty? I do think about things other than sex, you know.” He grumbled, trying to sound offended by her assumption. She simply giggled, reaching out to pat his cheek playfully. “Sure you do, babe.” She spoke to him in baby talk, garnering a mock glare from Nathan. She closed her eyes and shifted slightly on the beach towel trying to get as comfortable as possible.

“Hey Hales,” Nathan smirked mischievously receiving a murmured ‘hmm’ in response. “I’m really glad you decided to wear the bathing suit. I mean, you look hot, and who really cares if a few strangers stare at you, right?” He baited her. The peaceful look on her face instantly changed to one of panic as she glanced around frantically in all directions. “People are staring? You’ve seen people staring?” She whispered alarmed, leaning closer to Nathan hoping he would shield her body.

“Oh yeah, mostly old bald guys, kind of creepy actually. About five minutes ago this one guy even took a picture.” He busted out laughing at her horrified expression and her mouth fell open. She started hitting his bare chest and arms, her brown eyes wide in disbelief.

“Nathan Royal Scott! I cannot believe you would do that to me!” Nathan dropped his head, trying to muffle his laughs, knowing an angry Haley was never a good thing. It was just too tempting though and it had definitely been worth it. The look on her face had been absolutely priceless. “You just think you’re so cute. You just wait buddy, no sex for you!” She huffed, lying back on her beach towel and turning her head in the direction opposite Nathan. His laughter stopped abruptly when her words fully registered and his eyes widened in shock.

No sex? No sex and honeymoon. That’s an oxymoron if he had ever heard one. It just isn't right.

“You’re kidding, right, Hales?” He sputtered mildly panicked and she turned back to him with a blank expression. “I mean, you wouldn’t really deprive me of sex, on our honeymoon no less, over something so insignificant. I’ve done much worse in the past and even then you didn’t threaten to punish me with no lovin’.” He joked, giving her a charming smile, but she actually appeared completely unaffected by him.

Okay, now he was really starting to worry.

“Haley, I’m so sorry. It was a completely insensitive and mean thing to do and I should be ashamed of myself, bad me.” He scolded, telling her exactly what he knew she would want to hear. She rolled her eyes at his stepford!Nathan apology and turned onto her back with a smirk firmly in place.

“Calm down. I wouldn’t really follow through with my threat because, hello, I would be punishing myself.” A cocky smirk of his own appeared on his face and she leaned over to slap him in the back of the head. “I would suggest you bite your tongue, sweetie.  Your mouth seems to be getting you into trouble.”

“Yes ma’am.” He looked over at her smiling face, his eyes bright in amusement. “Turn over.” He commanded suddenly and she looked back at him strangely.

“Huh?” She asked confused.

“Come on, turn over. I want to see the tattoo.” She looked at him as if he he had completely lost his mind. “Nathan, you are so unbelievably random. I was just on my stomach and now I’m trying to get sun on my front. You missed it, babe.” He laughed at her tone, explaining it to him as if he were a two-year-old.

“Well, I was too distracted by your appalling threat to admire the view.” He chuckled. “Come on, baby, please…” He begged childishly, nudging her side with his elbow repeatedly. “Ugh, you're such a pain in the ass sometimes.” She groused under her breath, flopping onto her stomach and giving him an incredulous ‘Are you happy now?’ look. He grinned at her, pleased, and moved himself onto her towel, reaching out to run his hand over the ‘23’ on her lower back.

"You're so sexy when you get annoyed. It's a good thing I annoy you quite often, huh?" He mused.

"Oh no, now you have motivation to annoy me even more than you already do." She shook her head giggling softly.

"Nah, you're sexy all the time so it really isn't necessary." He whispered huskily, cuddling further into the crook of her neck. She smiled at his words, turning his face to hers so they were looking in each other's eyes. "I'm so lucky to have you, Nathan, to have your love. You make me feel so beautiful-"

"You are." He interrupted softly, making her melt just a little bit more.

"Thank you...I just feel like I can never really find the perfect words to tell you how much I love you. I just want you to know how-" She swallowed the lump in her throat, blinking away her tears.

"I know, baby." He promised and she letsout a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. A solitary tear rolled down her cheek and Nathan brushes it away gently. She leaned in, placing a tantalizingly slow, sweet kiss on his lips. They pulled away smiling, wrapped in each other's arms, content to stay that way forever.

Sometimes life can be so beautiful...

The End

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