Walkaway Joe - The End

By Whitney

Chapter 20

And look at the child with the dream in her eyes

"I'd say sit down," Jake tried to joke, "but it's kind of wet."

Brooke nodded unimpressed. This wasn't what she wanted, small talk that amounted to nothing, pretending like it didn't matter, when it really did. Before she would have done this, before she would have loved to just bury things, but she couldn't do that now, she refused to live like that, and teach values like that to her kid. Her mother was the one that taught her the easy way was the best way, screw what’s right or how you feel, what’s easy is always the best way.

"I didn't come down here to pretend with you, Jake...I can't do that. So just- don't okay?"

"Okay." He nodded pulling himself out of the water and sitting on the edge in front of her, his back to her legs, as silence once again surrounded them. He didn't know what to say to her, and he didn't want to say something that would hurt her worse. Now that he'd done it, hurt her, he was scared that was all he would ever do, and it was immobilizing.

"Do you not...want it?" She whispered her last too words, as she wrapped her arms tightly around her chest, she didn't want to cry.

"I was surprised, I didn't know what to say, and then you were just gone..."

"You hurt me." She pulled in a shaky breath before lowering herself beside him. She didn't care that it was wet, she needed to see his face, she needed to be next to him and know he meant whatever he was saying good or bad.

"I know...I hate myself for it. I never wanted to hurt you Brooke, I mean when I fell in love with you and you let me in, I swore to myself I'd always be there for you. I know how much your childhood sucked, and I wanted to change it, make it better...I guess I just made it worse."

"It's funny," she laughed lightly, "because when I really truly saw you for the first time, when I realized that you actually loved me...I was terrified, I'd never felt more off balance in my life, because I had so much to lose. And then everything just fit, for the first time in my life I let myself trust something, someone. And now that just feels like it was a lie, like maybe you're not the person I thought you were-"

"I'm the person who loves you with everything he has. I'll always be that person Brooke, whether you believe me or not...I messed up okay, I screwed up and I hurt you and I will forever be sorry for that. But to just give up on us, to walk out on us-"

"I came here didn't I," she through back defensively, "and I didn't want to. The way that you looked at me in that room, it put this sick feeling in my stomach and I haven't felt okay since."

"I was scared Brooke!" He blew out nervously, "We just got married, and suddenly you throw this pregnancy on me, I didn't know what to say.-"

"Yeah well I was scared too! And I needed you, and you weren't there, you were out getting a drink!" She snapped bitterly jumping to her feet and heading for the door.

Jake remained seated unwilling to chase after her. He wasn't going to play this game, not even for her. He couldn't run after her every time she ran away, he could only wait for her to come to him, no matter how hard that seemed at times.

"Do you just not care!" She cried out amazed at his unmoving form. "You didn't even call Jake, I-"

"You told me not to, you said to give you room, and I did. I'm not going to force myself on you Brooke, I'm not going to chase you around the country, that’s not what I want for us, some never-ending game. I can wait for you to come to me, I can respect you. That’s what I'm doing. Obviously you're not ready to talk yet...that’s okay too."

"What if I'm never ready, what if I want to just take this baby and leave you for good?" She screeched at him dramatically, hurt by the fact that he wasn't willing to fight for her. She thought she meant more to him than that, she thought she was worth it.

"You don't mean that."

"Oh yeah? Try me-" she began to whip around, when suddenly she felt his body next to hers, his eyes boring into her. She stopped where she was, greatly affected by the nearness of him. He smelled the same, felt the same, so comfortable.

"I love you." He breathed into her hair, wrapping his arms around her waist as his mouth dropped to her neck placing a small kiss on her skin. "And I'm going to love you for the rest of my life.-"

"And this baby?" She challenged.

"It's a part of you Brooke, how could I not want it..."

"I'm scared," she admitted in a whispered tone, "I just want to be in your arms, can you just hold me?"

"Yeah." He agreed, pulling her tighter against him.

Dinner had been pretty uneventful, Haley had come down to cook, and then went back up to sleep. She'd been extra tired from the ride up, and Peyton had offered to play host for the night knowing she was under enough stress as it was. Brooke and Jake had seemed okay, not quite back to normal, but they were talking, and hugging a lot, which was a good thing.

It was late now and everybody had retired to their rooms, everyone but Peyton. She'd snuck in some of her paints and she'd spent the last hour looking out the window, trying to recapture the peaceful existence that laid outside. It was snowing again, which made the picture even more out of a fairytale. Now all she needed was her handsome prince to ride off with her and never let her go.

Right on cue the door opened and a ruffled looking Luke rushed in. Peyton stared in shock at his appearance, snow flurries were all over him, his face was nearly bright red from frost bite.

"Lucas?" Peyton finally sputtered out surprised, as she jumped from the stool she was on, and greeted him at the door. She helped him out of his coat, and pushed to shut the door, and then she stopped. "Oh I forgot about Robin-"

Lucas shook his head out of breath, "Oh-uh she couldn't get out of a work thing, so it's just me." He watched as Peyton's body relaxed at the news, and he didn't know how to take that. Things between he and Peyton could be so complicated sometimes.

"Sorry to hear that." She lied, but couldn't hide the huge smile lighting up her lips. Tim with Luke minus Robin, was a blessing. She didn't harbor any hopes of something romantic between them, she knew that boat had long since sailed. But Luke was still her friend and she missed him.

"No, you're not," he laughed, "you're a terrible liar."

"Right," Peyton sighed softly. "So I thought you weren't getting in until tomorrow?"

"I decided to come on up?" Luke bypassed her walking over to her painting in progress and accessing it for a moment. His eyes played over it before turning back to her pleased. "It's really good."

"Thank you," she came up behind him proud of his compliment. She didn't like to admit it, but it still meant a lot to her what Luke thought, she supposed it always would. "Everyone else is asleep, but I think their might be some food left in the kitchen, we had steak-"

"What else would you have in Nathan's house?" Luke joked turning back around to face her head on. Their laughter died down and their eyes locked for a moment before, he stepped around her and headed to the kitchen. "I've been here once before, Nathan invited me up for some R&R."

"Wow," Peyton laughed, "that’s kind of surprising."

"Yeah," Luke agreed, "but we had a good time, and Haley didn't even have to break us up..."

Peyton smiled, "Oh how things change, right?"

"Yeah, seems like a long time ago, I guess everything in the past feels far away at this point."

"True enough," Peyton agreed as she pulled the leftover's out of the fridge and placed them in the microwave for him. For some reason talking about the past made her uncomfortable, it stirred at feeling inside of her, she knew she should just forget. Luke had made it clear he didn't share them.

"Thanks, Peyt." He smiled as she placed the plate in front in front of him.

"I'm gonna head up to bed," she motioned to the next room, and he nodded with a small smile as she began to walk out. Suddenly she whipped back around to face him, and his head jerked up to meet her gaze. "I'm glad you came Luke."

She continued out of the room as he watched, "Me too." He whispered softly before turning back to his food. There would always be something about Peyton Sawyer, that he couldn't deny. Maybe she was the one, if he believed in such a silly notion, but too much time had passed, too many things had been said. He was right to move on, he knew he was. It was just sometimes...sometimes he wondered.

Haley stretched back against the bed, and her arm slapped up against something warm, and soft. Her eyes remained closed, as a smile lit her lips and she twisted over onto her side to press further against the half naked body next to her. She heard a low growl, and her eyes opened up to the dark room, tinted with amusement.

"Hi." She whispered happily into his ear, and she giggled as his arm slung across her waist pulling her as close as possible to him. Her body melded against the hard muscled planes of his chest, and she shuddered at the contact she had missed so much.

"Hi." He responded his eyes equally open as he twisted further onto his side to see her head on. He could barely make out her features in the darkness, but he could see her mouth, he could feel her body, and suddenly everything felt so right again. He hadn't realized how much he'd missed her until he'd walked into that room and caught sight of her, it was like perfection, if he actually believed that existed.

"You're here." She sighed pleased by his presence, as she ducked in for a quick kiss before pulling back and straining to look at him once more. In all of the stress and turmoil of the last few weeks, she'd forgotten how good this felt, just being with him, being loved by him.

"I'm here." He echoed her just as pleased, as his hand ran along her warm thigh under the covers. He just wanted to touch her, memorize her body all over again. He wanted to taste her, savor her, he just wanted to be with her.

"I missed you." She sighed, and her voice was choked with tears, he laughed softly at her, and she began to laugh with him.

"When did you become so emotional? Huh?" He continued to laugh at her, but it was muffled when he dipped his head into the nook between her neck and her shoulder and burred his head their, taking her in.

"I'm not emotional," she giggled as the stubble on his face tickled her naked skin. Her fingers came up to twine through his hair pulling him back so his mouth was more accessible. "Just kiss me." She ordered him playfully, and he immediately obeyed dipping into her mouth.

He pulled back after a minute a dopey smile on his lips, which she could barely make out. She lifted her hand out and let her fingers trace across his mouth, tracing his lips happily, before pressing back into him once more for another kiss. She just couldn't seem to be satisfied, she wanted to be with him.

"I'm so tired," she sighed.

"I know." He relented, "We can go to sleep..." he offered, but his voice was disappointed and it amused her. It was good to know he wanted her as much as she wanted him.

"But I want you so much," she admitted with a small giggle, as she pushed him over and rolled over on top of him, crushing into him. His arms wrapped around her middle, tracing down her back, and landing on her butt. She giggled against his mouth as he patted it appreciatively before pulling up on her shirt to free her body of it. She lifted away from him momentarily so he could pull it off of her, and then she let her body drop back down upon his, naked skin upon naked skin. He groaned out loud at the contact.

"I love you," he let out content finally to just be with her. To feel her in his arms, and know she wasn't going anywhere. "I love you," he repeated and pulled back to look at her in the face, she stopped to look back at him.

"I know," she assured, "and I love you, now just kiss me." She groaned helplessly as she rested her hands upon his cheeks to bring his face back to hers, he let her for a moment, their mouths mingling in perfect harmony, but then he pulled back again.

"I think we should talk...about things..." He admitted unsurely, and Haley stared back at him blankly. She rolled off of him annoyed yanking the covers back over her mostly naked form, and turned on her side to ignore him. She didn't understand why he couldn't just leave it alone, it was like he enjoyed torturing her with what she knew they could never have. She couldn't even accept it because he kept bringing it up and pushing it, even though he obviously knew it wasn't what he wanted.

"Haley?" He tried to get her to face him, "Why is this so hard for you to talk about? I'm trying to be the good boyfriend here, discuss things, and you keep blowing me off. I thought these things were important to you Haley-"

"To me yes," she sighed sadly turning back over to face him eye to eye. She could tell he was confused, she was the one who brought this up, and now she wouldn't even talk about it. He just didn't understand that it hurt her, that the simple fact that he didn't want that with her, hurt her. It didn't matter what his reasons were, or how reasonable they actually were, she just couldn't deny the hurt that kept popping up in her heart. "But they don't seem to matter to you Nathan."

He closed his eyes, her words striking him harder than he thought anything could at this point. He didn't want to make her sad, to make her feel unloved or unwanted. He'd never wanted anything is his life the way he wanted her, and he'd never loved another human being the way he loved her. She was everything to him. "You matter to me," he opened his eyes again as he spoke, "you mean everything to me. To see you hurting- it hurts me. To not be with you, it kills me. But the worst thing, and I've just realized this, the worst thing to me is you thinking it doesn't matter to me. Because the truth is-" he stopped to recollect himself emotion breaking in his voice, "the truth is, nothing is more important. Nothing before you, nothing after you...I just- I want you to-"

He was cut off by her mouth insistent upon his. He could feel her tears smearing against his cheeks, and he brought his mouth up her face trailing kisses along her soft skin.

"I love you," her voice broke as he held her body against his, his fingers ran through her hair in a comforting manner. "I'm sorry I've made things so complicated lately-"

"I want to give you what you want. I'd give you the world if I could-" He stopped when her amused laughter rang out. "What?"

"You are like the cheesiest person alive!"

"I'm trying to be romantic and sweet and you're laughing at me. You see this is why I can't marry you." He joked and she punched at his arm. "Sorry!" He called back to her, as a small pain shot through him.

"You're convincing me that marriage to you would be the biggest mistake of my life, congratulations...kidding." She giggled as he stiffened beside her.

"C'mere." He yanked her on top of his chest again and pressed his lips hungrily against hers. She complied instantly melting into him.

Chapter 21

This love is like nothing I have ever known

Haley woke up extra early the next morning her previous days sleeping habits paying off. She didn't know why she was so exhausted, probably all the drama that had been swirling around in her life, it was bound to get to her at some point. But after talking with Nathan the night before, being reassured by him, she was feeling better, almost back to her old self. She knew they still had a lot of things to figure out, but she was comfortable with waiting for now.

When she padded into the kitchen she found she wasn't the only early riser, Jake was also up, fixing what smelled like a yummy breakfast. She didn't interrupt him, instead climbed onto one of the bar stools and watched quietly, taking it all in. She knew that Jake and Brooke weren't exactly back together yet, from what Brooke had said they were working on it. Haley knew it wouldn't be long before they were back on track, when you were in love the way they were in love, that’s what happened. Or at least that was the way she thought things should happen.

"Smells good." She commented, when he turned around and found her there, he smiled, and placed a bowl of freshly prepared fruit in front of her. "Very healthy." She smiled as she snatched up a strawberry slice.

"Well Brooke needs the nourishment, I was reading that baby book Peyton got her, the dos and don'ts of pregnancy. I don't know how she's going to survive without caffeine."

"She has incentive," Haley returned, "what else are you cooking?" She cocked her head over trying to get a peek into the pan, but was unsuccessful from her perch on the stool.

"Pancakes, and then I was thinking about making omelets when everyone got up, since you have so many of the fixings..."

"Maybe I should hire you as my personal chef," Haley grinned as the thought of fluffy egg whites came to her mind, it had been a long time since she'd had a home cooked meal. "I would pay you well."

"A tempting offer," he admitted, "but I don't think I'd like the New York life, especially not with a baby on the way. I was thinking Miami might not be so good either. You know when I thought about raising a child, I always thought of the suburbs, little town, like where we were raised..."

Haley burst out into laughter and Jake stared back perplexed, "I'm- I'm sorry." She stuttered trying to calm herself down, "It's just there is no way Brooke is going to move to a small town, she's not a small town girl if you know what I mean."

Jake began laughing as well, "Oh I know, we kind of talked about it, and she vetoed a move really fast. I just want this kid to be safe...but I guess no where is really safe anymore."

"The important thing," Haley smiled at his earnest admission, "is that you make it feel like it is. All you can do is be there and protect your child, that’s it." She paused watching him for a moment before continuing, "You guys are so lucky Jake. I mean you're having a baby, a little life, a little you and Brooke. There's nothing more special."

Jake appraised her for a moment as he flipped the pancakes, "You sound like you want one of your own." He'd known Haley for a long time, and as hard and tough as she tried to be, she was easy to read. Her eyes gave her away every time, and right now he wasn't sure if she was sad, or just resigned, either way he didn't like it.

"Maybe," she nodded not convincingly, "someday."

"Well that kid will be lucky as hell, that I know." He shot back genuinely, "And hey until then, you can always come babysit our rugrat."

Haley laughed lightly, a true smile forming on her lips, "You won't be able to get rid of me."

An hour later and the rest of the house was stirring, Peyton and Tim came out about the same time, instantly diving into the food Jake had prepared, and ordering up their specialty omelets.

"Ahh perfection." Peyton smiled happily as she dug into the delicious smelling food, "You should be a chef Jake, start your own restaurant, I would surely be your best customer."

"Is mine almost done?" Tim called out, as he tried to sneak his fork onto Peyton's place and steal a bite. She was quicker than he was though and sent him a warning glare, he knew to back off. "Come on man I'm dying over here!"

"Don't hurry the cook!" Jake called back with a small laugh.

"This just tastes so YUM-EE!" Peyton squealed rubbing it in Tim's face, as he scowled back at her. Haley pushed the remaining half of her omelet to Tim and went back to the fridge to get some more OJ.

"You okay Hales?" Tim questioned, noticing her less than there appetite.

"Yeah, I think I might have the flu or something. Or maybe it was that long drive, I hate that drive."

"You're not the only one," Peyton agreed, "I thought we were going over that mountain at least five times, and I was asleep for most of the drive. I think you guys should buy a helicopter and get us lifted out of here-"

"We'll be sure to do that, Peyt." Haley laughed as she sucked down some more juice, and nibbled on her fruit.

"Who wants to make up the last three drama queens?" Peyton giggled as she finished off her food in record time. She'd held out for as long as she could busying herself with other things, but now she needed to see Luke. She wanted to hang out with him, talk to him, just be with him minus Robin. "Oh and by the way, I have a very, very good piece of news for all of you-"

"Spill." Haley demanded eagerly, she could always use some good news.

"Luke got here late last night-"

"Yeah, we kind of figured when we saw his car, Peyt." Tim joked, as Jake finally placed his steaming omelet in front of him. He couldn't goad Peyton any farther because his mouth was occupied with more important things, like eating.

"Right," she said blowing him off, as her tone stayed gleeful, "he arrived minus Robin. Apparently the little psycho had work, so we don't have to deal with her!"

"I'm holding my excitement in, but I assure you it's there." Haley laughed, finally breaking out into a gleeful smile, mirroring Peyton’s. Robin had been the one thing about this week she'd been dreading, now she didn't even have to worry about it. They could all just hang out, just them, like it used to be, like she wished it could always be.

"Morning!" Brooke sing-songed as she came in and Jake, instantly went to her side, leading her to a chair and placing her juice and fruit in front of her, with an extra high plate of pancakes beside it.

"Hi," he grinned, "what do you want in your omelet?"

"There's more food?" She looked down at the small feast in front of her, and then back up to an over eager Jake. She knew he was trying to make up for his earlier brainless moment and she appreciated it. But he was going to make her fat.

"You should have the Peyton perfection," Peyton smiled, still daydreaming of a Robin-less Luke, "it was quite good."

"I think I'll skip the omelet," she smiled up at Jake appreciatively, "but everything looks great, thanks."

He leaned down quickly placing a small kiss on her lips, and she let him before he went back over to the stove to shut it down. It seemed the Scott boys were too late for the continental breakfast feast.

"So lets go wake them up, I want to do the exploring thing." Peyton jumped up gung-ho to get out into the wilderness. She loved the house, no doubt, but she was ready to experience the snow, it had been a long time since she'd been anywhere like this. She wanted to mentally snap some photos so she could recreate them later.

"Why don't we let them sleep in," Haley suggested, "Nathan can be..." she struggled for a word.

Peyton jumped in, "a bastard, a jerk, a-"

"Grump," Haley cut her off with a warning eye, and Peyton settled back down, "if he doesn't get his sleep, and he didn't get in until late last night."

"And I bet you kept him up." Brooke giggled from beside her, and Peyton joined in. Haley rolled her eyes, but didn't deny that it was true.

"And Luke got in late as well." She finally finished, and Peyton frowned at her reasoning.

"Well I wouldn't mind leaving Nathan alone, but I'm going to get Luke's lazy ass out of bed-"

"And if he asks you to join him all the better right?" Brooke joked, and Peyton through her a smirk before bounding back up the stairs leaving everyone else in the kitchen.

Tim finally looked up from his now empty plate, and pushed it away, obviously full, "That’s not going to go well..." Everyone knew what he was talking about, he was talking about Peyton's obvious happiness with Luke around. She got like this sometimes, hopeful, and every single time Luke shot her down.

Haley rubbed tiredly at her face, "Does it ever." Annoyed by the whole rewind, replay experience, she placed her dishes in the sink before moving out of the kitchen and back up to her room. Suddenly she felt very tired again, it seemed when one drama ended another began, and once again she would be expected to pick up the pieces. She wished for once Peyton could guard her own heart, or Luke would just let his guard down. But it seemed they were in a never-ending cycle of mistrust, and missed opportunities.

She discarded her robe carelessly on the floor and climbed back into bed, the room was mostly dark. When they'd bought the house, Haley had imported the same Venetian blinds they had at the penthouse, Nathan couldn't sleep in anything except pure darkness. She nestled under the covers, and almost immediately she felt him shift, and then he through his arm around her to pull her closer into his body.

"Good morning." His whispered into the back of her neck as he leaned into place a kiss there, before settling back down next to her. Haley remained next to him, only bringing her hand up briefly to run her fingers softly across his face.

"You missed breakfast," she informed him softly, "Jake cooked quite the feast. And I think Tim is going to eat us out of house and home."

"Maybe he's the pregnant one." Nathan joked, and they both laughed for a moment before silence settled between them again.

"Peyton wants to go exploring, and I said I'd take her. Do you want to come?" Haley turned over on her side so she was facing him now, and she could see he was wide awake.

"Let Luke take her, he knows his way around out here. I have something else planned for us."

She smiled slightly at his mysterious behavior, "Oh do you? Don't I get a hint?"

"Dress warmly." He smiled deviously, pulling her in for a kiss, as he ran his hands through her hair to keep her in place. She pulled back momentarily to study him again, his trademark smirk etched across his lips. She knew something was going on, he had some kind of plan, what she had no idea.

"Come on one hint..." She begged, pushing him over onto his back and draping herself across his chest, as she leaned down to place soft kisses along his bare skin. "Please..." she pleaded, as she continued her ministrations.

"You can do that as long as you want, but I'm not giving it up." He grinned down at her with a devilish glint in his eyes.

Not deterred, she continued to let her mouth roll up his body, making it's way up his next, and nipping playfully at his bottom lip, before sinking back onto his mouth. His tongue instantly came out begging for entrance, and she let him, their kiss becoming more and more passionate. She could tell she was getting him, he was easy to get, and then just as suddenly as she started she rolled away from him onto her back with a satisfied smile.

"Hint?" She asked again.

He shook his head, and hopped out of bed, turning back to face her before he entered the bathroom, "You're a temptress, I must get away from you."

"Pleeeeze!" She pulled herself up to her knees on the bed, and faced him the doorway. Nathan always looked good, always had that sexy, devil may care aura about him. But there was something extra sexy about him in the morning, and it did her in every time.

"No." He shook his head sternly, "If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise and I want this to be a surprise, okay? Now get dressed."

"Yes master," she pouted and pulled herself out of bed as well going to the closet where she'd unpacked her clothing. She heard the bathroom door shut and the shower head come on. Making sure he was safely in his shower, she began digging around in his pants for some kind of clue, suddenly the door swung open and she froze, afraid to turn around.

"Haley..." He warned, and she twisted around slowly to find him in a towel draped low around his waist. She hated how he could do that to her, all she wanted to do in that moment was jump him, even if he was being an irritating little schemer.

"Looking for gum..." she explained lamely with a small smile.

"You have to stop hanging out with Peyton and Brooke, they're a bad influence." He smirked, and approached her stopping short in front of her, and jerking her body up to his, letting his mouth hover just inches from hers. "Besides, you won't find anything. You're not going to know until I want you to know."

"Fine." She pouted, letting her eyes shift downcast. Thinking he was going to let her go she began to shift, and then without warning she felt his mouth crash onto hers, insistent, and rough. She complied, wrapping her arms around his neck to give her leverage. He pulled away after a moment, both of them out of breathe.

"Now get dressed!" He ordered again as she sauntered back into the bathroom, leaving the door open this time. She watched him for a moment, aching to be with him, but not willing to give into the torture if he wasn't. She could hold out just as long as he could.

She walked into her closet looking around, usually she didn't really care what she wore up there. There were no photogs to bother her, no one to impress. As far as Nathan was concerned, she could walk around in an old t-shirt all day and he would be pleased, less hassle as he said. But she had a feeling whatever he had planned wasn't in the house, and an old t-shirt wouldn't do. Still she wasn't going to dress up, and he did say dress warm...finally she pulled out her trust white ribbed Gap sweater, and her favorite pair of jeans. It always looked cute on her.

Peyton had to bite her lip to stifle the smile that was coming to her face as she watched Luke sleep peacefully before her. She walked further into the room, careful not to let the floorboards creak, she wanted to watch him like that for just one more moment, just-

"Hi." He opened his eyes and smiled up at her groggily.

Peyton smiled slightly embarrassed, "I'm your wake up call."

Chapter 22

Give me your forever, not a day less will do

"What time is it?" Luke sat up and rubbed at his groggy eyes. Peyton tried to avert her eyes from his bare chest, but she wasn't very successful, and he suddenly became very aware of what he wasn't wearing.

"Here." She handed him his shirt with a nervous smile, and he quickly pulled it on before turning back to meet her gaze. She hadn't pulled her eyes away from him yet, and he wasn't unaware of that fact. "You missed one hell of a breakfast," she tried to break the tension, "Jake went all out, I think more to make up his asinine behavior to Brooke, but the food was amazing all the same."

"Sorry I missed it," he rubbed at his eyes again, unsure of how he should approach her, "where's everyone else?"

"Nathan's still asleep, as always, and I guess everyone else is in the kitchen." She explained, and began biting on her bottom lip again. For some reason she was suddenly very aware of how weird it was between them. She'd never seen him look more uncomfortable, and that made her uneasy as well. "So now you're up and..." she motioned for the door with a helpless grin, before jerking back around to face him again, "We were planning on going out in a little bit, exploring. Haley was telling us about this creek-"

"It's beautiful down there," Luke smiled thinking of the familiar setting, "you'll like it."

"How could I not," she relaxed a bit settling into the doorway and finding her voice, "this place feels so real, everything I see I want to draw you know. I could stay here forever and never get bored...so do you want to come with us?" She asked her voice extremely hopeful.

Luke watched her a moment, he could see she wanted him to go. He wasn't exactly sure why, which made him unsure. Things between him and Peyton changed so much, sometimes they were like the best of friends, their past never even a problem, and then sometimes their past smacked them in face, and continued to beat the hell out of them. "I don't know..."

"Come on," she smiled her eyes lit with joy, "it'll be fun...Please Luke." She smiled across at him, and suddenly he felt his lips imitating the expression on her face.

"Sure, just let me get dressed, showered, then I'll meet you guys downstairs."

"Okay." Peyton agreed nodding her head for effect, as she exited the room closing the door behind her.

Brooke lounged back against the couch flipping through a tour guide for the nearby town, it had listings for all the shops and restaurants around. Looking down at her nails she realized she was in dire need of a nail appointment, but there didn't seem to be a salon nearby.

"Hey," Jake came in from the kitchen bringing her a glass of hot chocolate and placing it on the table next to her, as he settled down onto the couch propping her feet up in his lap. "What're you looking at?"

"Town guide," she threw out with a sigh, "There is like nothing in this town, nothing at all. I wanted to go get my nails done, but, there is like no where to go." She turned to him with a small smile, "It's pretty up here, but I couldn't live here. Civilization is needed majorly."

"I don't know," he returned, "I could get used to the quiet, no one here to bother us, beautiful landscape...It's nice."

"Yeah, but you'd miss Miami," Brooke spoke knowingly, "you'd miss working, I'd miss working. Where we live works for us. I like New York, but I wouldn't want to live there either."

"That we agree on." He sighed crawling up towards her to kiss her. He hesitated a moment to make sure she was willing, she smiled in return, and he let his lips drop to hers becoming reacquainted with her body. Her body and the little bump that seemed to have grown considerably. He continued to kiss her as he let his hand roam over her stomach, pressing softly against it.

She smiled into their kiss, and he pulled back to look at her for a moment before moving back down her body and letting his head rest against her belly. She dropped her hands down to where his head was, and let her fingers run through his hair lovingly.

"So do you want a boy or a girl?" He asked, his eyes reaching hers expectantly.

"Girl," she answered resolutely, "a little boy would be fine too, but I think I want a girl this time-"

"So you want more," he laughed.

"Maybe," she grinned down at him, "it depends on the pain factor with this one."

"A girl would be nice." He finally agreed.

Nathan and Haley bounded down the stairs, Haley rushing after Nathan and trying to pester him for more answers. On the third step down she latched onto his back and he ended up dragging her the rest of the way down, she finally relinquished her hold on him when they hit the landing step.

"Ple-eee-ze!" She begged, stretching the word out as long as she could, and she threw herself dramatically against his chest. He merely chuckled at her, patting her lightly on the head. Haley pulled away straightening out her hair, she'd gone all out that morning borrowing Brooke's curlers, the end result was pretty damn good.

"No, but you are cute when you beg," he laughed at her again, "do it again..."

Her eyes lit up with anger, and she punched at his arm lightly as they continued into the living room where Brooke and Jake were curled up on the couch. Haley couldn't help the pleased smile that played on her lips, they looked so happy.

"You're such a jerk," she shot back at him, as he pulled her against him again, smashing her hair. "Stop!"

"Hey." Brooke chirped up at them, as Jake pulled back to a seated position. "You look pretty, where are you guys off to?"

Before Haley could answer Peyton and Luke appeared along with Tim. " We're going exploring, you up for it?" She shot at Brooke, and Brooke immediately shook her head no. There was no way she was going to rough it in the elements, even if she wasn't pregnant she didn't intend to subject herself to that.

"Um that would be a big fat no." Brooke responded.

"Come on it could be fun," Jake tried to convince her. "There's nothing else to do-"

"Oh yes there is," she cut in, "there is a thing called rest and relaxation. And a hot tub, I'm set." She smiled self-assured, and Jake grinned back at her. It was so refreshing to be around her again. He'd missed her little Brookeisms.

"Fine so Jake?" Peyton asked.

"Nah, I'll hang out here." Brooke patted him on the back happy with his decision. They'd been apart long enough, now she just wanted to make up time. She wanted to get back to normal.

"Okay fine then the five of us." Peyton sighed.

Nathan stepped up, pleased to break her happy bubble, "Luke will have to show you around, Haley and I have something else planned-"

"Like what?" Peyton shot at Haley suspiciously ignoring Nathan completely. She loved Nathan she did, but it was just too much fun fighting with him. It was like their ritual, why mess with a good thing.

"If I knew I would tell you," Haley squinted her eyes up at Nathan accusingly, "but Mr. mystery over here won't even give me a clue. If we're not back in twenty four hours send out the search parties, and tell my family I loved them."

"Whatever," Peyton shrugged and then turned to Luke and Tim, "looks like it's me and you boys."

Tim took a step back and raised his arms, as though he was backing out, "Not me. I read about a pool hall in town, thought I would check it out, see if I could hook up with one of these mountain women."

"Come on man, you don't want to miss this," Luke prodded uncomfortable with the thought of being alone with Peyton, "it's amazing out there."

"Not really my thing, you two go have fun...not too much fun." He joked light-heartedly but both Peyton and Luke stiffened at the insinuation, and Tim scrunched his face into a silent sorry.

"Alright well we're getting out of here," Nathan began to pull Haley towards the door, "have fun, don't burn the place down...see you later."

"Bye." Haley smiled out at their friends, and they all returned the sentiment. Peyton walked to the door to speak with Haley alone, while Nathan pulled the car around.

"So what’s all this about?" Peyton whispered lowly, as she wrapped her arms around her body, the cold infecting them both with the door halfway open.

"I have no idea," Haley shrugged with a light laugh, "he's been acting weird all morning." Haley had been slightly impatient about their plans, but she had to admit she was more excited than anything. Nathan usually wasn't one to go all out, he liked things simple and natural. This though, whatever he had for them today, was calculated and planned, and she was giddy at the thought.

"You're loving it," Peyton giggled knowingly, and Haley nodded in return, a full watt smile lighting up her entire face.

"What about you and Luke, an outing all alone?"

Peyton shook it off, "We're friends." She didn't want to admit she was as excited as Haley was about her futures activities. It sounded so silly to get such joy out of such a little thing. But she couldn't help it, the thought of having Luke all to herself was so appealing.

Haley nodded sadly, "Don't get hurt okay Peyt...promise me?"

"You know me, I roll with the punches..." Peyton stared across at her friend who didn't seem quite convinced, "everything will be fine, Haley. I'm not going to set myself up again."

"Okay," Haley smiled pulling her in for a small hug, before rushing out into the snow, as Nathan honked the horn.

"Bye!" Peyton called after her, before slamming the door hard on the cold. Peyton made her way back into the living room, where everyone was lounging about.

"So you ready?" She aimed at Luke, "Haley said we could use the picnic basket in the cellar..."

"Are you sure you still want to go?" Luke threw out, "Maybe we should wait for Nathan and Haley to go out, they know it better..." Luke watched as Peyton's face fell at the suggestion, and he instantly regretted it.

"Sure," she sighed heavily, her face barely disguising her disappointment, "that would be-"

Before Peyton could finish Brooke popped up roaring to go, "Completely asinine, Nathan and Haley have enough to worry about, Luke can show you around. Now you two get out of here, Jake and I need some alone time...pronto!" She ordered and everyone began shuffling out in a hurry. When Brooke said something, you basically listened and heeded her.

Peyton pulled the picnic basket out and stuffed a few things in it before turning back to a less than happy looking Luke waiting on a nearby stool. She never thought spending time with her, would be a hassle and she hated the feeling.

"You know I can show myself around it'll be fine," Luke opened his mouth to speak, but she continued to ramble on, "I'll probably have more fun by myself anyway, you should go with Tim, make sure he doesn't pick up some nasty skank-"

"Peyton, it's not easy out there, you could get lost. It's fine, we'll go."

Peyton shook her head annoyed, "Yeah, like I really want to spend time with you, when you obviously want to be no where near me. I don't think so Luke, I'd rather freeze my ass off out there!"

Luke's eyes turned downcast, he hadn't meant to hurt her feelings. He just didn't know if it was such a good idea to be with her, especially alone. They either got to close, or they pushed each other farther away and he didn't want to do that.

"I'm sorry. I'm acting like an ass, I am an ass. I want to go with you...hey come on I do." He assured, lifting his hand out and laying it on top of hers. She swallowed hard, the contact stinging her, he seemed to realize it too, and removed his hand.

"Okay," she agreed shortly trying to get out of the confined space of the kitchen as fast as she could. "Lets go."

Luke nodded and followed after her, even more uneasy after their last exchange. He had a girlfriend now, he liked Robin, he really did. But he knew, like he'd know with every woman before her, she would never be Peyton, no one would ever be Peyton, or mean what she meant to him. But to him that was a good thing, if they didn't measure up to her, than they couldn't hurt him the way she had. He couldn't go down that road again, he wouldn't.

"Don't forget your jacket!" He called after her, and she nodded continuing out.

"What if we die on these icy roads, and I never know what you were planning? Come on Nathan, you know you want to tell me...tell me...Nathan-"

"You'll see," he tried to sooth keeping his eyes on the road, "you'll like it okay. It's just a little bit farther."

"Is it inside or outside?"

"Haley!" He blew out exasperated, "please just let this be a surprise. I wanted to do something special for you, can't you just accept that?"

Haley smiled smally at his admission. She'd never seen him like this before, so determined, she could usually talk him out of anything in no time. She settled back into her seat quieting down, and letting her eyes follow their trail out the window. He'd turned off onto a road she'd never been down before, it was more scenic if that was even possible, even more secluded which until that moment she'd thought impossible for sure.

"It's really beautiful out here, we should come up here more." She exhaled taking in the fresh powder around them. Then she turned back to watch him, he was trying to look steely, but he looked more giddy than anything. Whatever he had planned he was excited about.

"We could just move up here, commute to the city when we had to," he joked, and she shook her head blowing that idea off. "Now how did I know you wouldn't go for that."

"Because you know me," she returned, "and I'm not exactly nature girl. Although being here more often would be nice, I still think we should like ban cell phones in that house, they don't belong there. Nothing from the outside world there to invade us...what a joke. We wouldn't last for a day."

"I didn't bring my cell phone with me today."

Her head jerked back to eye his disbelieving, "Are you serious? I bet Brian is having a conniption not being able to get ahold of you...what is so special about today Nathan!" She squealed perplexed by the whole situation, which just got weirder and weirder.

Suddenly he pulled off the road into an old driveway, adorned by low trees, creating the illusion of walking into the past. Everything looked so old, untarnished by the real world around them. He stopped in front of a small building, it was wooden, capped by freshly fallen snow. Haley's breath caught for a minute as she stared back at it, it was like a hidden treasure or something.

"What is this place?" She turned to Nathan, amazement in her eyes.

"You're about to find out." He smiled softly leaning in to give her a quick kiss before shutting down the car, and hopping out. He waited for her to come around and then took her hand, guiding her onward.

Chapter 23

Let me be the calm that you see

"This is like...amazing." Peyton breathed in the hard cold air, as she and Luke made their way across the footbridge. The creek below them was pretty calm, save a few small fish bubbling up and now and again. They'd been staring out across it for the last five minutes, and she still couldn't completely believe how beautiful it all was. It was like the picture of serenity.

"Yeah, I had a similar reaction when I first saw it," Luke laughed leaning against the railing, as his eyes remained glued to Peyton. He always loved to watch her work, and this was what she did, she took things in, details, she mapped a place before she truly looked at it, so she could somehow recreate it later. It was a beautiful thing to watch her mind work. "So what do you see?"

She turned back to him, a suspicious glint in her eye, "I hope the same thing you're seeing," she laughed, "did I suddenly get the delusional label?" She wondered, and he chuckled at her question.

"You and I see things very differently-" He began.

"Yeah, I'm all too aware." She returned quickly, never turning to look him in the eyes. Lucas ignored her comment and continued.

"I mean you look at things for detail, you take everything in. I kind of pass things over...Come on don't look at me like I'm crazy, you know what I'm talking about."

"Well you are crazy, but I kind of get what you're saying." She laughed again, still not completely sure where he was going. Things had been tense since they got out there, but she'd tried to suck it up.

"So what do you see?" He asked again, and she finally twisted around to look at him, their eyes locking in a challenge. He didn't know why he was pushing it, it brought too much of the past back. These were things a boyfriend knew, someone who loved you, and watched you, he wasn't any of those things anymore.

She nodded with a small smile and turned back out to the view stepping closer to him. She reached out her hand to point at a nearby tree, "Over there that tree, it's dying, it's going to fall down soon, you call tell by all the dead branches fallen around it, it's frozen inside." She turned back to find him close behind her, his eyes locked on her.

"Yeah..." he swallowed hard, being so close to her affecting him. Unable to stop himself, he reached his arm hand out to brush away a stray strand of her hair. She leaned into his touch instinctively.

"Yeah." She mimicked him, and they stayed in a silent lock unable to move. His eyes were still the same she realized, not just their color, but their warmth, it was there again. It hadn't been for a long time, she'd see him, they'd go on like friends, but she could see the void there. It had been so long since he'd looked at her like this, since he'd really looked at her at all. She wanted to fall into him, trust the feeling that was spreading through her heart, but he'd burned her so many times. And she knew she'd done the same to him.

"Peyton-" his voice was barely above a rasp, and she could feel him leaning into her, she could feel his hot breath on her face, and she wanted to take from him more than anything.

But she couldn't.

"We should probably get moving," she moved out of his touch, and walked further across the foot bridge, leaving behind the beauty she had once been so enthralled by, and the man who held the same title.

"Right." He agreed following behind her, and she could see he was grateful she'd pulled back and stopped him. And that hurt more than anything. The warmth she'd seen in that one moment, it had faded again.

Brooke rolled over in bed beside Jake, and ran her hand along his naked chest. It had felt so good to be in his arms again, to just be with him. But she still had that nagging feeling in her chest, like maybe things weren't exactly normal between them.

"I love you," she whispered. "The time that we weren't together, I was miserable...I wanted to call you more than anything, but I just couldn't get past the way you looked at me that night-"

"Brooke-" Jake tried to break in, but she brought her hand up to his mouth to softly quiet him.

"I need to know if you really want this baby, or if you think I like ruined our life. I want you to be honest with me Jake, because I just keep seeing you looking at me like that and-"

Jake cut her ramble off closing his eyes as he began before refocusing on her, "When I left you I went down to the bar, and I ordered a drink, and I just stared at it. I kept running what you said through my head, you know the idea of having a baby, a little person to be responsible for, and I was really scared. I was scared for about a minute, and then I thought about you, I thought about our wedding vows, the life we promised each other when we decided to get married in the first place. It took me two minutes to realize that no matter what, this was what I wanted. You, me, a baby, it's the dream I've always had in my head. It came a little sooner than I thought it would, but things happen for a reason you know. We were blessed with this little miracle, and I plan on spending the rest of my life dedicated to you and our family. Because that’s what we've made Brooke, we made a family of our own. You never have to worry about being alone again, or unloved. Because I promise you, no one will ever love you the way I do, and I'll never stop. And this little person we've created, I already love him so much, more than I thought I could love anything, because I love him the way I love you, with everything in me, forever...that’s all I have to offer, the only explanation I can give. You have me for life, as long as you want, you have me." Jake stopped as tears slid down Brooke's cheeks, he reached out to wipe them away, but she stilled his hand, holding it in place and leaning in to kiss him.

"Well I want you forever, so that works." She laughed through her tears, and they fell back into more frenzied kisses.

"I missed this so much," he groaned.

"You're not the only one," she giggled draping her leg across him to pull him closer.

Haley snuggled further into Nathan as the approached the small wooden building before them. She as careful as she walked, but the path seemed to have been freshly swept of snow, everything seemed to be carefully placed. She turned up to Nathan suspiciously as they reached the door, and he began to push it open.

"What is this place?" She questioned mystified by their location. Nathan simply smiled down at her, leaning in for a quick kiss before pushing the door before them open. Haley's eyes grew wide at the sight before her. He pulled her into the warm room quickly, shutting the doors behind them with care.

"Come on..." He urged her pulling her farther in. She looked around her in awe. It looked to be a small chapel, she could clearly make out the altar ahead of them. It was adorned with white and red flowers. The entire place was lit with candles, it was practically glowing.

She took another step, her breath hitching in her throat as she moved. She'd never seen something more beautiful, it was like a fairytale or something. There was a man standing by one of the bouquets of flowers, he was an older man, gray hair, worn. But his face was kind, she realized he must have been a priest.

"Nathan..." she turned back to him her eyes misting with tears. "What is all this?"

He walked up to her, his face beaming with pride. She wasn't sure she'd ever seen him that happy before. "This is our wedding." He explained simply, and then dropped down to one knee in front of her. She bit her lip trying to stop the onslaught of tears she could feel bubbling up but it was no use, she was practically shaking.

He pulled out a tiny ring from his pocket and held it in his hand, it was a simple gold band, he pulled her hand into his own, and held it warming it with his own hands. "Haley we've been through a lot together, and you've stuck by me every step of the way-"

"Nathan..." Haley broke down into tears dropping to her knees before him. She'd never been a highly emotional person, but she just couldn't stop the tears from falling. There he was, the man she'd loved since she was 16 years old, asking her to marry him. Nothing had ever felt so gratifying in her life, and she imagined nothing ever would.

"Let me say this okay," he swallowed nervously, and she smiled tears still sliding down her face, but she remained silent letting him go on, "From the moment you came into my life, you changed me. You showed me that I wanted to be a better man..." he paused tears springing to his own eyes watching her cry, "and the reason I wanted to be better was for you. Because you deserve everything Haley, you deserve everything you've ever wanted, and the really amazing thing, the thing that gets me up in the morning is that you chose me. You want me."

"I love you," he admitted, her voice breaking with tears. She was trying to keep herself in check, but she couldn't. It felt like everything she had ever wanted in her life was right here in front of her, and she was getting it. For once everything was falling into place.

"I know," he smiled leaning in to kiss her, her tears brushing against his face. "I want to be with you for the rest of my life Haley. This is it for me, you're it..." he recollected himself again before a smile once again shone across his features, "Will you marry me Haley, today, right here in this church will you be my wife?"

Haley lips quivered with tears, as she tried to brush them away. She couldn't seem to form the words on her mouth so instead she just shook her head in acceptance, and she felt him pull her to his body joyfully. She held onto him tight trying to steady herself, but it was no use, she'd never been more nervous in her life. He helped her to her feet, she tried to reign herself in, but she found her efforts useless, she couldn't stop shaking.

"Are you ready to do this?" He turned to her, his voice unwavering and sure. Looking at her now, he didn't know why he was so scared before. Because nothing in his life had ever been more sure than her, than her love. She'd been the only one, the only one in his life who had loved him unconditionally, sacrificed for him, taken care of him. And he didn't deserve her, he knew that, he didn't think anyone really deserved her. But he had her, and he was going to make her happy, and in making her happy, he found his greatest happiness as well...her smile.

"Yeah." Her voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard her and guided her up to the alter, he helped her out of her jacket, and along with his own he placed them in a nearby pew, while the priest walked over to greet them.

"Mr. Scott, I hope everything is to your liking?"

"It's perfect," Nathan responded, "I appreciate you doing this on such short notice."

The old man nodded, and then turned to Haley with a kind smile, "I hope you like it as well, my dear."

Haley's eyes misted up once again, and she nodded, and then preceded to laugh at herself, "It seems he's finally rendered me speechless, which is quite a feat I assure you." She smiled back at the old man, "This place is amazing, I've never seen it before though."

"We're just a small establishment, I'm surprised Mr. Scott was able to find us."

"A friend told me about it." Nathan explained cryptically, and the old man simply smiled, situating himself before them.

Nathan turned to Haley, taking her hand in his, and pulling them to their positions. She could see he was anxious, and she was too, but she was scared as well. Once they did this there was no going back, it was a terrifying thought.

"Are you sure?" She took in a deep breath as her eyes implored him for an answer. She wanted this more than anything, but she wanted to be sure he wanted this too. Not just for her, but for him.

"I've never been more sure of anything." He responded, sucking in a deep breath and signaling the priest to begin.

"Marriage is a sacred union one to be taken with great consideration. It's the binding of two hearts forever."

Nathan and Haley nodded for him to continue, and he smiled at their over eagerness.

"Would you like to say your own vows?" He asked, and Nathan immediately nodded his head.

Nathan turned from the altar to face Haley head on. Her hands were shaking in his, so he squeezed them in reassurance. He took in a deep breath before beginning, "You're amazing, every day with you is amazing. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how grateful I am for that. I love you so much Haley, sometimes so much I can't think straight. I'm a flawed man, you know that, you've accepted me though, you've accepted the bad things about me, and you've loved me in spite of them, maybe for them...what I'm trying to say..." he took a breath becoming flustered and she leaned in placing a small kiss on his lips urging him forward. "You're what I want, you're what I've always wanted. I love you Haley."

She sucked in a deep labored breath as more tears formed in her eyes. She smiled her whole body still shaking with emotion. "I love you." She assured him simply, and then took in another shaky breath and began her own vows. "God, my whole life I've loved you. You know you, not the person who you thought you should be, I saw beyond all of that. I saw beyond your anger, beyond all the hurt, I saw you. You were this hurt little boy, just asking for someone to love him. And I couldn't help myself, I loved you. And then the really amazing thing happened, you loved me. You changed my life, you say I made you a better person, but you've always been you Nathan. You've always been the man I loved, and you always will be. So I give you my heart, and my life, everything I have."

Nathan closed his eyes for a moment taking her words in. And then they both turned back towards the priest, who still had the same kind smile on his face.

"Do you Nathan take this woman Haley to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish for all the days of your lives?"

"I do." Nathan responded resolutely, and pulled her ring back out of his pocket, "I give you this ring as my eternal devotion." He brought the ring up, and Haley spotted the inscription "N + H" she smiled, as he slid the tiny ring on her finger, and then turned her eyes back up to the priest, her hands still shaking.

"Do you Haley take this man Nathan to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, all the days of your lives?"

"I do." Haley breathed happily, her face breaking into a girlish smile. Nathan handed her another ring, and she laughed at their guffaw. She in turn pulled his hand towards her, and spoke again, "I give you this ring as my eternal devotion." He smiled proudly back at her and she slipped the gold band onto his finger, it holding the same inscription as hers.

"Under God and the state of New York, I now pronounce you man and wife...you may kiss the bride."

Haley let out a long breath she'd been holding on, as Nathan pulled her into him, his mouth instantly cascading upon hers. She giggled into their kiss, the whole moment seeming surreal. She was his wife! They were married!

"I love you!" She nearly screamed out, and he chuckled at her exuberance as did the priest. He said a silent goodbye before retiring to a back room and leaving the young couple alone.

"We did." Nathan's mouth carried a joyful grin, as he pulled her to him again to kiss her senseless. Haley pushed away from him for a moment to take everything in again, she spun around on her heels, in awe of it all.

"We did it!" She squealed dancing back into his arms. "I can't believe you set all this up, this is...I'm so happy!"

"Are you?" He questioned, looking down at her. He wanted to give her everything she wanted, the big wedding, the dress. But this just seemed to fit, he wanted to stop waiting around, he wanted to show her what she meant to him, what she'd always meant to him.

"Yes!" She grinned at him more than pleased as she jumped further up his body. She'd never smiled so much in her life, she'd never been more happy in her life. "I adore you, do you know that?" Her smile spread wide across her face, straining every muscle she had, but she just couldn't stop.

"Oh yeah?" He leaned down pressing him mouth onto hers, as his hands roamed farther down her body, she tried to bat him away but he was insistent.

"Nathan!" She tried to stop him, "We're in a church."

"This is our honeymoon you know...I say we do what honeymooners do." He grinned lavasiously at her, and her eyes grew wide. "Don't act so innocent."

"I don't pretend to be innocent," she smiled biting her lip in a teasing manner, "but I say we take this honeymoon to our bed, and then you can do whatever you want to me."

"Lets go." Without warning he lifted her into the air, throwing her over his shoulder and heading for the door. "Lets go Mrs. Scott, you've got wifely duties to perform."

"Nathan!" She squealed, as he slapped her jokingly on the butt.

Chapter 24

Your love is better than ice cream

"Haley..." Nathan chuckled softly as Haley leaned across her seat and nibbled playfully at his neck while he drove back towards the house. They'd been married for twenty minutes, and she'd turned into a nymphomaniac. If he knew this was the end result he would have taken the plunge along time ago.

"Drive faster." She urged softly into his ear, as she ran her cold hands along his neck, in a seductive manner. The whole day felt so surreal for her, she was married, she and Nathan were bound by God and law. It felt so final, so right.

"Maybe I should just pull over..." he leered down at her with a smirk. To her shame she contemplated it for a moment before deciding they would be useless if they were frozen.

"I'd rather not freeze my ass off." She responded, but continued to press soft kisses along the side of his neck. His cologne was intoxicating to her. She'd never been this happy before, not just happy, but content. For once things seemed to be perfect in her life, which scared her a little bit. She had everything to lose now.

"I could keep you warm." He assured smarmily, taking one hand off the wheel and wrapping it around the back of her neck to pull her closer into him. She complied immediately snuggling into his warmth and foregoing her own seat.

"Just get me home," she sighed into his embrace.

"What do you want to tell everyone?"

"What do you mean?" She questioned, her eyes closely lazily. She could stay like this forever, just laying in his arms, being close to him. Nothing could feel more right to her.

"We could keep this to ourselves for a while, lock ourselves in our room and ignore the rest of the world-"

"No I want to tell them," she leaned up with a smile, "I want to share our happiness. Besides they would kill me if I didn't immediately tell them, I would be excommunicated-"

He laughed cutting her off mid babble, "Okay so we'll tell them. But I say we begin our honeymoon first, we can sneak in and avoid them all...come on you know you want to." He prodded with a mischievous glint.

"The plan does have merit..." she bit her lip in contemplation, "we just have to make sure they don't see us...God I want you so much right now." She purred into his ear, her tongue darting out for a moment to trace his soft skin.

"You're killing me..." He groaned loudly as he pulled into their driveway, and shut the engine off quickly before grabbing for her, and pulling her farther on top of him, so he could have better access to her mouth. He smiled across at her, taking in every inch of her face, for a moment before, dipping his mouth in slowly to meet hers. After a small kiss he pulled back to look at her again, and waited for her to open her eyes to meet him. She looked so innocent, so pure, and she was his wife, she was all his. It filled him with a sense of pride, it filled him with the unquenchable need to protect her.

Haley pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and held her breath as their eyes met, and locked. There was always something so intense about his gaze, she could never quite figure out what was going through his mind. Sometimes she could see he was hurting, and other times she could see he was happy. Today he most definitely looked happy, and it filled her heart with joy, he wanted this as much as she did.

Nathan brought his hands up to cup her face, her skin was so soft under his touch. Holding her in place he leaned in again, his eyes still firmly locked on hers. Theirs mouths finally met in a tentative kiss, their lips mingling together softly, after a moment she leaned further into him deepening the kiss and opening her mouth in an inviting manner. His hands moved down her body finding the zipper on her jacket and pulling it down, and then pushing the heavy material off her body, to reveal her thin white sweater beneath it. His cold hands connected with her warm stomach as he began pushing her sweater up her body, she cried out at the sudden loss of warmth.

"Sshh..." he soothed her, pulling her tighter against him to stop the cold from invading her body. Her hands dug into his hair, holding his mouth tightly against her, she didn't want to lose contact for even a moment.

"I love you." She grinned against his mouth, as she tilted her head slightly, and began trailing kisses down his neck, biting playfully at the sensitive skin, she always loved his reaction to that. "We need to go inside..." she breathed wantingly.

"Or the back seat..." he suggested, and she continued to ply him with kisses. Taking that as a yes, Nathan pulled away from her kiss for a moment, their eyes meeting in understanding before she pulled away and climbed over the console to get into the back. Nathan took a moment to regain his breath, before following suit. It was slightly harder with his larger frame but he made do without completely wrecking the front seat.

Once he was back there he hovered over her, as she situated herself beneath him on the seat. Haley shoved roughly at a seatbelt buckle that was digging into her back. Nathan stilled her frenzied movement, and pushed it with one hard shove into the leather cushioning and away from her back. She smiled up at him appreciatively and finally settled down against the seat, pulling him down on top of her, and becoming used to the added weight.

Nathan dipped down to place a languishing kiss on her lips, as his fingers fought with the buttons on her jeans. Finally they popped, and he smiled satisfied against her mouth, as she lifted up to help him pull them off of her. She shuddered as the cool leather hit her bare legs, but within seconds her was crushed against her again, and it didn't seem to matter much. Haley pushed up on his chest so she could get a hold of his shirt, and pulled it over his head, letting his naked chest come back against her. She shimmied farther down him so her mouth could connect with his bare skin.

"Who knew marriage would turn you kinky," he joked.

"What can I say, you bring out the worst in me." She giggled as she continued to kiss him.

"I can't believe we're lost," Peyton turned to Luke with a small laugh, as he continued to turn in circle trying to recognize something around them. He'd been doing the same thing for the last fifteen minutes, and Peyton could tell he was starting to get dizzy, he had to be, she was getting dizzy just watching him.

"I'm sorry," he sighed regretfully, "I told you I wouldn't be the best tour guide."

Peyton continued to laugh, "I think your reasons for not wanting to come were a bit different..." Luke flinched at her words, but Peyton refused to remove her gaze from him. They both knew she was speaking the truth.

"Oh no?" He shot back with an amused smile, and then took a short pause to evaluate her before speaking again, "I guess you're right."

Peyton nodded with a small smile, "Aren't I always?" Once again their eyes locked, and it felt as though they were gravitating towards one another. Peyton knew it wasn't exactly magic, it was her feet moving on the ground that was bringing her closer to him, but she just couldn't stop herself. She wanted to be close to him.

"Up for debate." He returned, as he looked back into the snow capped woods around them. "I guess we should just start walking, hope for the best...I'm sorry about this Peyton."

She shrugged it off turning to her right and pointing forward, "I say we go this way..." she began walking and looked back to see he wasn't following, "Come on don't you trust me..." he remained silent, and she winced, "well this is the way I'm going, you can come, or you can stay here...Luke!" She screamed out into the vast land around them, and he remained still. "Jesus, you are stubborn!"

"I don't think that’s the right way," he called back to her. He didn't know why it was so hard for him to follow her, to trust in her. It should have been such a little thing choosing a direction, and with anyone else it would have been easy, but nothing between them was.

She threw up her hands in annoyance and jerked around to face him again, "Then you can go your way and I'll go mine..." she shook her head letting them settle into silence for a moment before eyeing him directly and speaking again, "...that’s the way it's always been right...see ya Luke."

Luke watched her walk away unable to move. He couldn't just blindly follow her, could he? He shrugged, this wasn't some life decision, this was a direction problem, he would placate her and when they got even more lost he would find the way out.

"Peyton hold up," he called out to her, "I'm coming."

Tim took another sip of his drink and motioned to the bartender to get him another ready. He'd gotten out of the house to give Jake and Brooke some privacy, and he'd backed out of exploring so Peyton could hang out with Luke, like she'd so obviously been wanting to. And now he was stuck in some boring small town bar, making small talk with a man he wasn't even sure spoke English. This was not the vacation he envisioned for himself.

"Next one's on me..." came a soft voice from behind, and Tim spun around to find a girl, probably 20 or so, light brown hair that barely hit her shoulders. She was about medium height, small build, nothing spectacular really stood out, she was barely even wearing make up. Still she was the first girl he'd seen in this place, and that made her special.

"Thanks." He smiled back at her, and she nodded as she came up next to him and took the empty seat beside him, before asking the bartender for a drink for herself, "whatever's on tap" she said. She was definitely a small town girl, not really what he was used to. He was used to the Brooke's, Peyton's and Haley's of this world, and this girl reminded him of none of them, which he wasn't sure was a good thing. He loved his friends, he hoped he'd be lucky enough to find a girl he could love as much as he loved them, just in a different way.

"I'm Ella," she stuck out her hand, and Tim took it with an easy smile.

"Tim," he returned and took a sip of his drink before turning back to her, "So you live around here?"

"Yeah," she replied with a small life, "with all that implies."

Tim chuckled lightly and leaned in a bit further, "It only implies good things from where I'm sitting." Maybe there was something in this girl, she had a pretty laugh, and she seemed genuine, and that was something you rarely found now a days, especially in the women he dated.

"God you should have become a chef," Brooke giggled as Jake placed a plate of French fries in front of her and then turned back to the sandwich he was making her, extra turkey on wheat. "Maybe we should start a restaurant, give this kid some kind of legacy."

"You'd miss out on your life of high fashion, and I'd miss the school...nah, you're the only one I want to cook for, you and that kid." He patted her stomach softly, as he placed the sandwich before her, and he took a seat beside her digging into his own food.

"Yeah, I definitely think you should be our chef, you can make her lunches-"

"Hey," he turned to her with a short laugh, "I still think we might have a boy." In truth he didn't really care what they had. A boy would be fun to teach sports and do manly things with, but he always like the idea of a little girl, hanging on his every word, being his little princess, looking just like Brooke. Either way this kid was wanted, hell if he thought Brooke would go for it, he would have wished for twins.

"A boy would be okay," she relented as she took a giant bite of her sandwich, "but a girl is what I'm feeling. She's already a pig, you see the way I'm eating." Brooke joked, and Jake just nodded, not wanting to tell her that was all her, and not the little kid inside of her. "This kid is making me fat."

"Well you'd still be cute, even fat." He whispered into her ear before placing a small kiss on her cheek. Brooke smiled at the gesture, and looked back at him lovingly before going for her fries again.

"That is so wrong," she scowled as she pushed the fry into her mouth, "never say that again, and I'll love you forever."

"Okay." He agreed.

"Okay." She nodded and continued eating.

"It's cold in here," Haley chattered as she snuggled against Nathan’s warm body, the only thing covering them was their big bulky coats, and it didn't feel like much. Nathan suddenly moved away from her and leaned across to the front seat starting the car back up and letting the heat come back through.

"I guess I should have thought of that before." He chuckled lowly, and she joined him. They continued to lay back against the seat, smashed together, as the heat blasted them. She never wanted to leave his arms.

"This is perfect." She whispered against his skin, and he leaned down to place a tiny kiss on the top of her head before settling back down. He really couldn't remember being this happy before, and all the times that came close were with her. Still he knew nothing would beat this day, he'd be ninety and dreaming about this day.

"You should have seen your face when you walked into that chapel, I thought you'd stopped breathing," he joked, "I hope it was everything you wanted."

She moved her head up so their eyes met, and another smile crept onto her lips, "It's everything I've ever dreamed of. Me and you before God...thank you- for giving me that...as long as I live I'll never forget it." She admitted, and leaned up letting her lips meet his. It was a soft kiss, not prodding or forceful, just settled.

"Yeah," he took a deep breath, "I won't either..." suddenly he went silent again, and Haley turned her eyes back up to him, to face him. She could see something was on his mind, but she wasn't sure if it was bad or good. Finally he dropped his eyes back to hers and sent her a reassuring smile before opening his mouth to speak again. "I don't know why I was so afraid of this- you know I guess I thought if anything changed between us, we'd fall apart. In the past big moves weren't exactly easy for us...I didn't want to lose this peace between us, this comfortable place. I've never had it with anyone else in my life. With my parents I was always in this constant fear that things were just going to explode, they'd have one last fight, and my life as I knew it would be over. I didn't want that for us..."

She nodded understanding, "What changed?"

"Nothing," he exhaled, "nothing changed. Even when we were arguing, nothing changed, I didn't feel that anxiety that things would just suddenly break. I knew you'd be there when I got back. So nothing changed, I just trusted you, and I went for what I wanted..."

"Oh yeah," she laughed, and then turned more serious, "and what did you want?"

"To be happy, not just for you, but for me too. It just turns out we wanted the same thing, a life together...I never want this to end."

"It never will." She assured.

"I believe you."

Chapter 25

You're the one true thing I know I can believe in

"Can I please get a thank you Peyton, you're a goddess for leading me back to safety, I'm sorry I ever doubted yo-"

"Peyton," Luke reached out and clamped his hand over her mouth to keep her from speaking farther. He smiled down at her amused, and she giggled under the vice of his hand. Once again they became entranced in the moment. He lowered his hand and took a step closer to her. "You gotta know when to shut up." He finished in a whisper, and she nodded back up at him frozen where she stood.

"But do I ever learn?" She bit her lip nervously, never letting her gaze waver. She knew she should have walked away, this was only going to hurt her, he was going to hurt her. He would reject her like always and her heart would be broken. She couldn't do that, she didn't want to. "We should probably get back in...Luke..."

He leaned in even further, pushing out his hand until her felt her flushed face beneath it. He rubbed his thumb down her cheek in a steady motion, causing her to close her eyes in pleasure. Suddenly she felt his lips upon hers pressing down hard and angry. She laced her hands behind his neck to pull him closer, taking everything he could give her and begging for more. She felt his tongue slide into her mouth, and she moaned at the familiar pleasure. This was the way it used to be...accept it wasn't. In the back of her head she knew that, she knew that he never used to be this harsh or demanding, he used to be gentle.

She pushed hard against his chest as an old sadness once again filled her eyes. She wanted to lose herself in him, but she'd been here before, she'd done this, and then he'd pulled away, he'd been more angry than ever, and she was left with nothing. She just wouldn't do that to herself again.

"What?" He approached her again pulling at her face, "What's wrong?"

"No." She shook her head, pushing him away again. "I can't do this."

His head began to clear as he stared back at her, and like she expected he recoiled as always. The regret in his eyes was enough to make her sick. Before he could apologize or try to explain she walked away from him towards the house. She didn't need to do this.

"Peyton!" He called after her, but she kept walking. He didn't know what was going through his head when he kissed her. Just seeing her there before him, her eyes shining, her hair whipped by the snow, he couldn't look at her and not kiss her. But he knew it was wrong, he had a girlfriend, and even if he didn't, he couldn't go back there with Peyton. It would end the same way as it always did, with them in pain hating each other. He was so tired of hating her.

"Peyton wait up," he rushed to keep up with her and finally slowed down as he met her. She stopped but refused to turn and look at him, and he figured it was best if he didn't have to see her eyes. "I'm sorry for-"

"Do not apologize to me," she demanded, "say whatever you want, but don't say you're sorry, because that’s just pathetic, and I've thought a lot of things about you Lucas, but that was never one of them."

"I don't know what you want me to say," he admitted with a heavy sigh. He knew in part what she wanted, she wanted for him to just get over their past and welcome her with open arms. But having her rip his heart out once was enough, he was up for a second serving, he was still recovering from the last.

"I want you to be honest," she turned to him finally, they're eyes locking again. "If not with me, try being true to yourself...because if you don't," she took in a shaky breath as her voice broke with unshed tears, "if you don't. You will never be happy, Luke. Not with Robin, not with anyone."

"So now you're the authority?" He snapped back, unhappy with the honesty of their conversation. He was used to them hiding behind their friendship and brushing things away as flukes.

"No!" She slammed back a new fire in her eyes, "I'm just someone who loved you! Who the hell are you Lucas? Because I don't remember you ever being this bitter-"

"You made me this way!" He raged back, his anger boiling hot in his voice. She had no right to presume to tell him about his life and his happiness, not when she was the one who wrecked it all in the first place.

"Wrong," she gritted, "I screwed up, but you could have forgiven me, I wanted to make this right, I wanted to be with you- it doesn't even matter Luke. It's done, but you still have a life right? Why don't you try and get over the past and live it. And stop blaming me, because I'm really tired of feeling guilty." She let her words settle on them both for a moment, before shaking her head, as if shaking him off and heading back up the trail nearing the house.

"So you're just out here for the week then?" Ella questioned as she and Tim moved to a table nearby the bar. Tim had only met this girl a few minutes ago, but already he felt a connection. Not some insubstantial attraction, but something more pure, more emotional. It was new to him.

"Yeah. My friend Nathan owns a house up the mountain-"

"Nathan," she laughed for a moment, "Nathan Scott?"

"Yeah," Tim responded suspiciously, "How did you-"

"When a celebrity lives around a small town like this, everyone knows. There was practically a town newsletter announcing his purchase when he bought the old house."

"Ahh, I see." Tim nodded, "I'm staying up here with him and a few friends."

"Must be nice knowing someone famous...God I sound like a-"

"No, you don't," Tim shook his head, "I'm used to the comments when people realize I know the great Scott."

"The great Scott?"

"Fond little nickname, just don't let him know I call him that. Then I would get my ass kicked."

"So what about you, where are you from?"

Tim stared back at this girl shocked she didn't want to continue gushing about Nathan, or asking questions about his life. Most times when people found out the connection, they forgot about Tim. This girl was something else, maybe just what he was looking for.

Haley smiled up at Nathan adoringly as they linked hands before entering the house. Haley knew there would be hell to pay when her friends found out she had the wedding of the year without them. In fact she was almost scared of their reactions, she could picture it now, Brooke shrieking and Peyton scowling. She hoped she could shoo them off with the "It's my day" speech, but she wasn't so sure.

"I'm going to lock myself in our room, when we break the news." Nathan announced as the walked further into the quiet house. He didn't feel like all the bitching today, not when he was so happy.

"Wimp." She scolded jokingly, and he just smiled cheekily back at her.

"OKAY!" Came a loud voice from behind and Nathan and Haley twisted around to find Brooke and Jake coming in from the Jacuzzi, Haley smiled at the small little bump on Brooke's tummy. "Where did he take you? Was it good? Should I be jealous? I need the details now sister, before I go into premature labor!"

Haley laughed at her friend exuberance, and then rushed towards her pulling her into an unexpected hug. She was just so happy, she didn't know how to conceal it. It seemed like everything in their lives were coming together, Brooke and Jake were having a baby, she and Nathan were married. Now if Lucas and Peyton would either get together or just give it up and find other avenues all would be well. And she had to admit she hoped for a good woman for Tim, he needed to settle down.

"When did you get all huggy?" Brooke questioned as she pulled back and studied Haley a suspicious gleam in her eyes. There was something different about her friend, but she couldn't quite place it. "Just spill it damnit!" She ordered finally, and Haley broke into another huge smile.

Before answering Brooke, Haley moved over to Jake pulling him into a quick hug, "Hi Jake."

"Nice to see you two back. How was the day?" Jake questioned kindly, and he and Nathan shared a silent manly greeting which momentarily amused Haley, before Brooke spun her back around, her eyes insistent for answers.

"Can I sit down possibly?" Haley exhaled a joyful breath, and Brooke pushed her down onto the couch next to her, and then turned back to her with the same prodding stare.

"If you don't tell me soon, I'm going to kill you. Meet Brooke homicidal mama." Brooke pointed herself while she sported a fake smile, and shook Haley slightly. Haley reached back out to Brooke steadying both of them.

"Okay, okay," she relented, "I wanted to wait for the other, but I suppose if it's spill or die, I'll spill."

"Good idea, honey." Nathan cheered from the sidelines with a small chuckle and Jake joined in.

"So Nathan kidnapped me-" Haley began, and Nathan interrupted.

"Borrowed." Nathan corrected her, and Haley nodded as Brooke shot him an annoyed glare for stopping Haley's progress.

"Anyway, so Nathan borrowed me and we ended up driving further up the mountain, which is really beautiful by the way I have to show you this place before you leave-"

"Uh-huh." Brooke motioned for her to pick it up.

"So he took me to this little turn off, and there was this little like chapel. This snow capped chapel. So we get out and go inside and the whole place is like lit by candles and decorated with the most beautiful flowers, it was like a dream Brooke."

"I thought so." Nathan smiled proudly, and Haley turned to smile back at him, patting his knee as he hung on the couch end behind her.

"Nathan," Brooke snapped, "let your girlfriend get the damn story out."

"Um," Haley pulled Brooke attention back to her, "wife actually. We got married." Haley glowed back at Brooke, as her mouth dropped in horror, suddenly she jumped up from the couch with a very angry glint in her eyes. "So I guess I don't get a congratulations?" Haley smiled up at her meekly.

"I can't believe you didn't invite me." She huffed, and Nathan rolled her eyes causing her to twist on him, "I guess I should blame you. Why couldn't you just let us in on the little secret, I could have planned something much bigger, and I could have got her a dress, she got married in jeans-"

"Brooke!" Haley screamed getting her attention back. "I loved it. It was perfect, and I really want you to be happy for me. Remember," Haley grinned, "this is my day."

Brooke's face slowly softened at her friend and then she grabbed her pulling her into a tight hug. Haley relaxed into her friend, happy the hysterics were over. She wouldn't be Brooke without the drama, but Haley was glad it was a short-lived tantrum.

"You know I intend to throw you a belated shower right?" Brooke whispered into her ear, and Haley nodded squeezing her a bit tighter.

"What’s up?" Peyton questioned as she came into the room and witnessed the wet-cheeked Haley and Brooke in an embrace. "What did I miss?"

"Haley got married!" Brooke blurted out, and Peyton looked on stunned. Everyone waited for her to say something, and after a few moments of silence, she finally did.

"I'm assuming it was to you?" She turned to Nathan with a questioning glare, and he rolled his eyes in her direction. "Quite a catch there Hales."

"Come hug me and tell me you're happy for me." Haley ordered, and Peyton shrugged doing as she was told and entering the hug.

"I'm happy for you." She whispered, and Brooke pulled them all in tighter.

Suddenly Luke came into the room, followed shortly by Tim and a brunette none of them has seen before. Haley, Brooke and Peyton disentangled and turned back to the new arrivals. While Nathan pulled Tim aside.

"Please tell me you did not bring some ho into my home, not today man." Nathan shook his head annoyed, but kept his voice down so the girl couldn't hear. He wanted this day to be perfect for Haley, and this girl whoever she was, was not part of the plan.

"She's not, she lives around here. She's cool man, I promise." Tim turned to where Haley was greeting Ella and motioned for Nathan to look. Nathan shrugged it off, but Tim could tell it still made him tense.

"So Luke," Brooke turned to him, "Haley has big news-"

"Maybe she could tell it this time then?" Nathan piped in, and Brooke turned her eyes up at him again, non-pulsed by his presence in his own home.

"What's up Hales?" Luke turned to her concerned, and she smiled up at him. Luke's first instinct would always be to protect her, she knew that. And she would always feel the same for him.

"We're family," she smiled showing him her ring, "Nathan and I got married."

Luke's face instantly lit with a smile as she pulled her into his arms, practically lifting her off the floor like he used to. With all the crap going on in his life, he was just glad she was happy. "We were already family, now it's just official."

"Wow congratulations, Haley." Tim pulled her into the next hug, as Lucas and Nathan shared a small hug themselves. "I hope I didn't ruin it by bringing Ella, she's just-"

"I like her," Haley returned, "she seems really nice...and welcome."

"Thanks." Tim responded, and then moved to congratulate Nathan.

"Okay people it's time to celebrate these two elopists!" Brooke announced dragging Jake behind her to the kitchen. "Get to cooking honey!"

Chapters 26 - 30

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