Intertwining

by Morgan

Chapter Nineteen

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'neath the color of October skies.

And all the leaves on the trees are falling

To the sound of the breezes that blow

And I'm trying to please to the calling

Of your heartstrings that play soft and low---Van Morrison, “Moondance”

Parking the Escalade underneath the falling leaves of mid-October, Nathan dragged himself into the apartment exhausted from practice. Today was the official start date of practices, and Coach had decided to celebrate by killing the entire team. If the entire season was going to be this way Nathan wasn’t entirely sure he was going to make it to May to walk across the stage at graduation.

“Haley, I’m home!” he bellowed as he searched through the refrigerator aimlessly. No response. “Haley!” he tried again. Again, silence. “That’s odd,” he thought, checking his watch. “I’m pretty sure she’s not working tonight.” Moving through the small apartment worriedly, he looked in every room calling her name, “Haley! Are you here? Haley? Can you hear me?” After scouring the entire apartment, which took all of two minutes, considering it only consisted of a bathroom, living room, kitchen, and bedroom, he found her pacing frantically in the corner of the bedroom that had been designated as her work-space. Her normally meticulous desk was strewn with papers, some of which had fallen onto the blue carpeting. She swiveled as she reached the end of the room, a panic-stricken look on her face.

“Haley?” he asked, concerned. She didn’t seem to notice him. “Haley?”

Finally, he moved in front of her, blocking her path. Running into him, she at last looked up.

“Nathan. Hey,” she offered lamely, her breathing still erratic, her eyes unfocused.

Nathan took her hand in his, and led to the bed, sitting her down gently. Looking around the room, he surveyed the whirlwind. “Haley, what’s going on? What happened in here? I’m pretty sure at least one of your books is out of alphabetical order,” he tried to joke, but her face remained grave.

Letting off a self-deprecating laugh, she stared straight ahead, “This is me working on law school applications.”

“Looks more like a bomb went off in here.”

“Feels like it, too.”

“Why exactly were you wearing a hole in the floor when I found you?”

She remained silent, staring ahead as if trying to memorize the details of a small print they had purchased at the student art show their junior year. Blues, greens, and purples swirled together, somehow chaotic and peaceful all at once. And that’s how Haley felt, like she was swirling. “Um…” she struggled to find words, chose not to look at Nathan while she did. She could never pretend when she was looking him in the eye, he knew her too well for that. Could see right through her, and right now that thought terrified her. “I was just looking at the cost of law school and it’s so expensive, Nathan. I don’t know how I’m going afford it. Law schools don’t offer as many scholarships as undergraduate schools do. I don’t think I’m going to be able to pay for it just waitressing a couple of months out of the year, and I probably won’t be able to work as much during the school year because the work is so much harder than at college. And I just don’t think I can do it,” she choked out, realizing that she had begun to cry.

Nathan looked at her for a few moments, before beginning to laugh slightly.

Haley gazed up at him, her eyes puffy and red-rimmed, “What’s so funny?”

He simply shook his head at her and smiled, “Hey, stubborn girl, you know I’ll help you pay.”

Biting her lip, trying to feel something other than this growing fear, she finally turned to him, “I can’t let you do that,” she protested feebly, her voice failing her.

“Why not?”

“Because,” she insisted.

“Because is not a reason, Haley.”

“It’s not fair to expect you to pay for three years of my education, to expect you to pay for three years of my life,” she argued, gesturing wildly. Nathan found he had to keep a hand on her shoulder, to stifle her urge to jump up and start pacing again.

“You still don’t get it do you?” he asked her quietly.

“Get what?”

“You going to law school is part of my life,” he explained. Seeing Haley’s confused face, he continued, “Your happiness is my happiness.”

“But…”she tried before getting cut off by Nathan’s lips. “If it helps we can think of this in practical terms, I’m simply going to be employed before you are. Therefore, I will have an income before you do. And I’m choosing to invest part of that income in your education, because I know it’s a worthy investment.”

Gazing into his ocean-blue eyes, her brown orbs still misty with tears, Haley felt her resolve slipping. 'Oh crap. Abort, abort. Look away,' she screamed to herself uselessly, even as she knew she would tell him the truth. Swallowing hard, she studied the painting on the far wall once more, summoning every ounce of strength she possessed. “I lied,” she managed, in a faint whisper.

“Lied about what?”

“About law school?”

Nathan was baffled. Searching Haley’s face for an explanation, all he found was a formidable sadness lining her beautiful features, “I’m not following you Haley.”

“I lied about the reasons I didn’t think I could go to law school. I mean, yeah, money’s going to be an issue, but that’s not going to stop me. I managed to put myself through Wake, which isn’t exactly cheap, with barely any help from my parents. And I’m sure I’ll find a way to put myself through law school. I might have to live off of Ramen noodles for the next three years but I’ll do it,” unconsciously she wiped away the tears that had begun to trickle down her face once more.

“Haley, I told you I’d help you pay.”

“Do you realize every single application to law school, requires a transcript, a personal statement, and at least two letters of recommendation. Most of these applications take hours if not days to complete to a level where they are satisfactory for review.”

Nathan remained silent, not understanding where Haley was going with this, the seed of fear that had been planted in him continued to blossom. “Yeah.”

“Well, it’s hard to complete those applications when you don’t even know where you want to apply,” she choked out.

“I thought you wanted to go to Duke because they have a four year environmental law and master’s in environmental planning program?”

“I did,” she shook her head ruefully, “I do. God, I don’t know anymore.”

Propping her chin with his fingers, he forced her to look at him, “What changed Haley?” Her chin quivered slightly, but she bit her lip resolutely. She tried to break eye contact with him, but he stopped her, “Tell me, please,” he pleaded with her.

“You did,” she answered matter-of-factly.

“I don’t understand. What do I have to do with you going to Duke?”

“Everything. Do you know how many pro teams are based out of North Carolina?”

“Yeah, the Bobcats.”

“Right, one and they’re in Charlotte. Duke is in Durham. That’s two hours away.”

Stroking her hair soothingly, he attempted to reassure her,” I don’t have to live right in Charlotte, just as long as I can make it to practices on time.”

“That’s assuming Charlotte drafts you Nathan.”

Exhaling sharply, Nathan willed back tears of his own.

“There are thirty pro teams.  That’s a 3% chance that’ll you go to Charlotte.”

“That’s if I even get drafted.”

Smiling sadly at him, she laid her head against his shoulder, “You’re going to get drafted Nathan. But I was reading up on predictions for this year’s draft.”

His brow furrowed and his eyebrows rose in skeptical amusement, he looked down at her, “You were? Ok, now I’m really worried.”

“Haha. No, I’m serious Nathan. Most of the analysts say that Charlotte is already strong in the back court, and although it might be good to draft you for PR purposes because people in North Carolina have been following your career for years and would follow you to the pros, there’s a strong chance that they’re going to want to use their draft picks to build up their offense.”

“Haley…”

“Which means you’ll go to another team, based in another city, hundreds or thousands of miles away from Duke. Away from me,” she finished softly.

Rubbing his eyes with his hand, he struggled to think but his brain was hazy, “We can make this work, Haley. I don’t want to lose you.”

“I don’t either but I don’t want to be in a relationship where we only get to see each other once a month if that. Living with you for the last two and a half years has spoiled me.”

Fumbling for a solution, he failed, “I guess I can…not go pro, if Charlotte doesn’t pick me.”

She shook her head, “That’s not an option Nathan, and you know it. You haven’t been waking me up at 5:30 for the last two and a half years when you went to run, for you not to go pro,” chiding him gently. “I’m not going to be the one to hold you back from your dreams.”

“You are more important than basketball.”

“Before you got home I was trying to make a list of all the reasons I should give up on Duke. I mean, Duke’s program was always what I had planned for myself, what I was working for all those times I chose to study just a little bit longer instead of going out. And when it comes down to it, it may not be happening. When I was in high school and it was time to apply to college, I wanted to go someplace hard, someplace challenging, somewhere away from home, away from all the people that I been going to school with since I was in kindergarten.” She tucked her hair behind her hairs, then grasped Nathan’s hand in her own, “I never understood those girls who went to the same schools as their boyfriends especially when most of them broke up about two months later. I just…I had been working so hard for so long to make something of myself that I didn’t understand how you could just sacrifice all that, all of your dreams for another person. The people who were supposed to be there for me unconditionally for me weren’t anymore and I just got used to the fact that if I was going to make something of myself, I was going to do it on my terms. And then I met you.”

“How is it fair for me to go pro and ask you to give up on your dreams?” he asked her, his throat dry.

But she continued on, unheeding his question, “So tonight I made a list. Reasons I should continue with my plan to go to Duke, and reasons not to. And it always came down to you. I mean if you sign with another team far away from Duke, honestly, I could probably eventually move on with someone else.”

Nathan’s heart dropped into his stomach with a painful thud, “You could?”

“And I could probably even be happy with someone else,” she mused thoughtfully.

He had heard enough by now, searching for an escape before the pain went any deeper.

“Yeah. But there would always be those moments when he wasn’t enough. When he wasn’t…you. I’d be living my life knowing that I had settled that I had given up.”

“Haley, Duke has always been your dream. That’s what you’ve been working for these last four years. You have worked harder than anyone I know and you deserve to be able to go,” he reasoned with her.

“It was. I also wanted to be a football player when I was in elementary school and we can see how that turned out,” she joked.”

The corners of his mouth curling up uncontrollably, Nathan felt the vise around his heart lessen its grip. “You know, the more I learn about you the weirder you get,” he chuckled.

“Yeah, yeah.  Giving up Duke would be a sacrifice, but giving up you would be a bigger sacrifice. It’s not true that I’ve worked harder than anyone, you’ve worked for this and you deserve this opportunity Nathan,” her voice became serious again. “Besides, if you didn’t go pro, you better hope you like Ramen, ‘cause that’s all we’d be eating for the next few years.”

“I still don’t feel right about you not being able to go to Duke,” he protested.

“I’m not going to lie, I’d like to be able to go there, but it’s just a school. I can go to law school somewhere else. You have to go with the team that drafts you, right?”

“Umm, I get some say in it, but pretty much yea.”

“And there you have my dilemma as to where to apply to law school.”

Nathan studied her carefully, before speaking, “So you would give up on your dreams to follow me across the country?”

Shrugging her shoulders, she answered him, “Of course. Although, I prefer to think of it as holding on to the best thing that ever happened to me.”

He pursed his lips thoughtfully, “Ok, we’re going to find a way to make this work.” He looked once more at her tired face, “But first you need to relax. So you sit down.”

“Nathan...” she protested, attempting to stand up.

“Sit down. I’ll be right back.”

“Fine,” she huffed, eyes wandering around the room. Minutes later, Nathan had failed to return. Seeing an opportunity, she had just begun to climb out of bed, when he reentered the room, a bowl of popcorn, a large pitcher of iced tea, and a movie in hand. Eying him suspiciously, she accepted the bowl of popcorn in his outstretched hand, setting it in her lap. Taking a bite, she squealed with joy, “You made me caramel corn?” Reaching for the iced tea, she squealed once more, “And real iced tea. Not sweet tea. You made me real iced tea.” Rising into a kneeling position, she wrapped her arms around him, kissing him deeply until their tongues were dueling feverishly. “God but I love you.”

“I love you, too but you sit and watch your movie,” he pulled away from her reluctantly, resting his forehead against hers briefly.

“Why, what are you doing?” she pouted, sticking out her bottom lip for emphasis.

“You’ll see,” he replied with a smile, switching off the lights as he left.

Rolling her eyes, as the television screen flickered, “Bedknobs and Broomsticks. Of course, he picked Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” Haley muttered to herself, as she snuggled into the covers to watch. Two hours later, as the ending credits were rolling, Haley looked around the darkened room, only kernels remained in the popcorn bowl, the pitcher was empty, and still no Nathan in sight. Tiredly, Haley padded out of the bedroom in search of him, finding him sitting in front of the computer.

“Hey, I thought you were going to watch the movie,” he asked her, his back still turned to her.

Making her way over to him, she plopped in his lap, resting her head against his chest, “I did. It’s over.”

“Ok, well. I’m almost done.”

“With what?”

“You’ll find out in a second. You’re awfully impatient you know that,” he joked. Pulling out a set of documents that had been printing he stapled them together, considered them briefly, took a deep breath, and handed them to Haley, “Alright, there you go.”

Narrowing her eyes in confusion, she took the documents, and began to read. Halfway down the page, she had begun to cry again. She looked up to find Nathan’s face lined with worry.

“I looked at as many draft predictions as I could find, called a couple of scouts, and those are the teams that are most likely to draft me. I looked in all those cities and came up with a list of good law schools that you could go to. Calculated the distance between them and where the team is based out of.”

Haley flipped through a few of the pages, pausing on a few of the entries, “Harvard. You think I should apply to Harvard?” she questioned disbelieving.

“I also talked to the pre-law advisor," he said you had a great shot at any of those schools, Hales. You have the GPA, the LSAT scores, you’re going to nail the personal statement, and I’m sure your professors have nothing but good things to say about you,” he continued trying to abate her tears but they continued.

“Nathan, you have 12 schools on the list. All those application fees add up to,” calculating rapidly in her head, “$900.”

“Small price to pay to keep you in my life. And if after my rookie year, you decide that Duke is still the place you want to be, I will fight to get traded to Charlotte.”

Haley tried feebly to choke back a sob, failing miserably.

Pulling her deeper into his embrace, Nathan questioned her, concerned, “Haley, what’s wrong?”

Looking at him, she smiled genuinely for the first time that night, “Nothing. You’re amazing, you know that? I don’t tell you that nearly enough.”

Tilting his head, to meet her in a kiss, his hand moved up her sides. Minutes later, as he pulled her shirt over her head, he broke away to examine her thoughtfully. “So this is really going to happen?  You and me?”

“You and me.”

Chapter Twenty

In your eyes

the light the heat

in your eyes

I am complete

in your eyes

I see the doorway to a thousand churches

in your eyes

the resolution of all the fruitless searches

in your eyes

I see the light and the heat

in your eyes

oh, I want to be that complete

I want to touch the light

the heat I see in your eyes---Peter Gabriel, “In Your Eyes.”

       “Doesn’t all the flirting and ogling bother you?” Haley’s friend Katie asked as they sat outside on the steps of one of the dormitories. Katie, also a senior,, was a Resident Advisor in one of the freshmen dorms. Bundled in winter clothes, the two girls had passed the last hour sipping hot chocolate and talking while Nathan played basketball on the adjoining court. Haley had wavered indecisively between watching Nathan with the same quiet admiration and pride as always, and laughing at the flock of lusting freshmen girls he seemed to have attracted. Which was also an everyday thing. Posing and primping, hoping to get noticed, the girls excitedly poked and whispered to their friends whenever Nathan appeared to take notice of them.

       “Nah, freshmen girls are good for a laugh,” Haley replied good-naturedly.

       Nathan, finishing playing, stepped off the court only to be attacked by a rather persistent group of girls. Furiously batting their eyelashes at him, flashing their best coy grins, they hurried to offer the first, best, most seductive lines of praise. “Amazing game the other night.” “You should come to Theta Chi’s party.”

       “I don’t know how you don’t go insane. Look at them,” Katie gestured broadly to the girls, “They’re like a pack of hyenas. I wouldn’t be so relaxed if I were you. I mean look at him. The man is gorgeous.”

       Shrugging her shoulders, Haley grinned slightly, and raised her eyebrows suggestively.  “Trust me I know he is.”

       Shocked, Katie hit Haley lightly on the shoulder, “Haley James,” she reprimanded her, prompting Haley to burst into laughter.

       Over with the vixens, good-will spread like wild-fire throughout the group when Nathan smirked cockily in their direction. But alas, he informed them that he was going to get going. It was nice meeting them. Oh, be still their beating hearts. Entirely pleased with themselves, the girls sauntered up the steps past Katie and Haley, recalling their memorable encounter with Nathan Scott. Who clearly wanted them. Badly.

       Haley, for her part, had done a rather admirable job of pretending that she wasn’t listening to the girls’ conversation. However, after a few seconds, she had forgotten to keep up the charade of unwittingly drinking from her mug of hot chocolate.

       Noticing Haley’s amused grin and constant gaze, one of the girls, a haughty blonde who looked as if she spent too much time bonding with daddy’s credit card, gave Haley a quick once-over. “What?” she spat out.

       “Nothing,” Haley replied still grinning.

       “Well, maybe you should mind your own business,” the blond retorted.

       “Probably. But Nathan Scott is one of my favorite topics of conversation so you’ll have to excuse my eavesdropping,” Haley shot back, her grin never leaving her face, her eyes quickly darting behind the blonde’s head.

       Comparing Haley’s ensemble of faded, worn, jeans and a sweatshirt, with her designer denim and pricy sweater, the blonde scoffed, tossing her hair behind hair, “What would you know about Nathan Scott?”

       Growing serious, Haley’s voice dropped into a dramatic whisper, “A lot, actually.” Nodding, she glanced around furtively, then lowered her voice even further, conspiratorially, “I heard he likes to kick puppies for fun.”

       Haley only had a split second to enjoy the shocked look on the blonde’s face, before Nathan’s was swimming into her view. Regarding her intently for a moment, he leaned in to kiss her. “Hey baby,” he murmured into her ear. Rearranging themselves, so that Nathan was sitting on the top step with Haley between his legs, they finally turned to the still shell-shocked blonde. Nathan and Haley, and Katie, who had seen this display of theirs before, stifled impetuous laughter. Glancing between Nathan, and Haley, and back to Nathan, who’s only concern at the moment was the small brunette nestled into him, the blonde hurried into the building.

       Seconds, later the trio released their laughter. Nathan leaned over to look at Haley questioningly, “I like to kick puppies?”

       Haley shrugged her shoulders, “I only report what I hear.”

       “And who exactly is going around saying I like to kick puppies?”

       Pretending to think for a moment, “Umm…me!”

       Nathan shook his head at her, and laughed heartily, “So you’ve been talking to yourself again?”

       “Yep,” she declared with an air of finality.

       Smiling at the couple, Katie rose from her the step. “I’m on duty in ten minutes so I need to go back inside. Thanks for stopping by.”

       “Bye Katie,” they answered simultaneously.

  After Katie had departed, Nathan unfolded himself, outstretching his hand to Haley to help her up, “So you ready for tomorrow?” he asked.

       Feigning ignorance, Haley narrowed her eyes in confusion. “Oh, Wednesday. Yep, I’m definitely ready for Wednesday.”

       “I was talking about our anniversary.”

       “Oh, that,” Haley sighed, acting very put upon.

       “Yes, that. Two years of incredible times with me tomorrow,” Nathan answered, smirking cockily.

       Rolling her eyes, “Have I really been putting up with you for two years?” she questioned.

       “No. I’ve been putting up with you,” he joked back.

  Smiling slightly at him, she buried further into his side searching for warmth, as they walked back to the car in the bitterly cold January air.

~*~

       Rising brilliantly in the winter sky, the sun signaled the start of a new day. A Wednesday. A two year anniversary day. Nathan stood in the doorway of their apartment, watching Haley, marveling at how much some things had changed. How much others remained constant. A flash of the broken boy, hiding behind his false bravado, stumbling to make contact struck him. But as Haley gazed up from her desk, he felt at peace. “You ready to go?”

       “Yea. Let me just finish this page,” she called out to him. Moments later, she shut the book, and reached for her coat. “Alright, let’s go. I’m hungry.”

       Chatting idly as they drove, Haley failed to take notice of the direction Nathan was driving in until the engine had already been turned off. Jason’s Deli. A stepping-stone for both of them. Wordlessly, she beamed at him, taking his hand in hers.

       “I thought it might be appropriate to return to the site of our first dating encounter on this the sacred second anniversary of said occasion,” Nathan drawled in a comedically poor imitation of an upper-crust Briton.

       “Have I mentioned lately that you’re my hero?” she asked him, reminiscing about their first conversation in the dining establishment two years earlier.

       “Have I mentioned lately that you’re mine?” he replied seriously.

  Stepping up to the counter to order, they requested different sandwiches, looked at each other, and turned back to the cashier, “And two orders of broccoli cheese soup.”

       “Oh, so you’re finally admitting that I was right about the broccoli cheese being the best soup,” Haley probed triumphantly.

       “Nah, I always liked it the best. I just enjoy watching you get all worked up. It’s sexy.”

       Blushing furiously, she tucked her hair behind her ears nervously.

       Nathan simply grinned further at her, “And the blushing. I also enjoy that. I’ve done things to you that you wouldn’t want to tell your mother about and you still blush. It’s cute.”

       “What can I say? I can’t help myself around you.”

       Settling into their chairs, they began the attack on their bountiful supply of delicious food. Pausing from her chewing, Haley cocked her head to the side thoughtfully, “When did they start playing music in here?” she asked.

      

      Oh, a storm is threat'ning

My very life today

If I don't get some shelter

Oh yeah, I'm gonna fade away

---The Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter”

  Smiling at the familiar strain, Haley began to sing along unconsciously to the tune. “I love this song.”

       “I know. It was playing in your room the first night we met.”

  Amazed she looked across the table at him, noticing his suddenly pale complexion. “Are you feeling alright?”

       “Yeah I’m fine,” he brushed off her concern.

       “You don’t look so good,” she pressed, worriedly.

       “It’s nothing. I’m just a little nauseous. I’m sure it’ll pass.”

       “You sure?”

       “Yeah.”

  With one final look, Haley returned reluctantly to her soup. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied Nathan fidgeting in his seat, jiggling his knee. Nodding to himself and exhaling with a loud hiss, he pushed back from the table suddenly.

       Startled, Haley watched him stand up from his chair with a look of determination. And drop to one knee.

       “Oh my god,” was all she could manage to whisper.

       “Ok, I’m shaking and my palms are grossly sweaty and my heart is pounding,” he laughed wryly. “I remember feeling this way the first night we met, and you were all I could think about for the rest of the night. You still are. That night, that night we met, was the night my life began. If I could go back and change anything about that night, I would’ve looked for Erica sooner, just so we could’ve met sooner. I knew from the very first moment we met that you were different. That you were special. But back then I couldn’t comprehend how important you would become to me. You’re my best friend, my lover, my soul mate. I’m thankful everyday that you’ve chosen to share yourself with me. So I’m here before you in this place where two years ago today I was happy for the first time in forever to ask you, will you marry me?”

       Sparkling ocean blue eyes met stunned brown ones glistening with tears. And the air shimmered with hope.

       “Yes.”

Chapter Twenty-One

The way you're bathed in light

reminds me of that night

god laid me down into your rose garden of trust

and I was swept away

with nothin' left to say

some helpless fool

yeah I was lost in a swoon of peace

you're all I need to find

so when the time is right

come to me sweetly, come to me

come to me

love will lead us, alright

love will lead us, she will lead us

can you hear the dolphin's cry?

see the road rise up to meet us

it's in the air we breathe tonight

love will lead us, she will lead us---Live, “Dolphin’s Cry”

       She was just sitting there. Bored, alone. She had been sitting there for the better part of an hour. She had peered into the mini-bar already but had decided that abnormally tiny bottles of gin and vodka were not going to solve her problem. She tapped her foot. Checked her watch. And sighed. Again. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore. Rising slowly, she sauntered over to the bathroom door.

       “Are you ready yet?”

       “Almost,” Nathan called out from behind the door.

       “You said that half an hour ago, Nathan. What are you doing in there?” she cried out exasperated. “Isn’t there supposed to be some sort of rule that says I should take longer to get ready than you?  I managed to get dressed, do my hair and make-up. All you had to do was put pants on,” she retorted, barging into the bathroom. She stopped short when she saw Nathan, “Oh dear, I had no idea,” she said shaking her head, pitiably. Taking the offending items that had caused Nathan to look so miserably distressed, she considered them briefly before deciding, “Royal blue and sky blue striped one.”

       Nathan’s distress hadn’t diminished however. “Royal blue? Sky blue?” he asked confused, his eyes darting back and forth.

       “Aaagh! Just stand there.” Three seconds later she had managed to avert the crisis. “I hope this wasn’t some ploy just to get me to tie your tie for you. Why didn’t you just tell me earlier that you couldn’t decide?”

       He remained silent, looking like a petulant child. “I’m twenty-two. I should be able to dress myself.”

       Haley eyed him disparagingly, “You should be…”

       Nathan was not amused. “This night is important, Haley. Besides, we don’t all have the ability to look good in a paper bag,” he huffed.

       Leaning back against the doorway silently, she watched him with a stealthy, amused grin. “God, I wish I had brought along a video camera,” she chuckled, stepping forward to re-adjust his tie.

       “Why?”

       “This is probably the only time I’ve seen you so flustered. I mean you’re usually so calm and collected, having to calm me down from my spaz attacks. This is just...great.”

       “Haha. And that’s not entirely true. You’ve seen me flustered before,” he argued, studying himself critically in the mirror.

       “When?”

       “You know that whole thing with the ring? Ring a bell?” he joked.

       Making a face of sudden realization, Haley whirled around to him, “Oh that. Right, must’ve slipped my mind,” she laughed back.

       “Seriously though, do I look okay?”

       She studied him seriously for a minute, nodding her head as her eyes did a slow survey of his body. Taking in the tailored black suit, the faintly blue dress shirt, the royal blue and sky blue silk tie that matched the blue in his eyes. And she smiled. “Well, even if you don’t get drafted tonight, you will be the best looking one in the room. It’s getting late, so we should probably get going, hot shot.”

       The final spring semester of their college experience had brought a multitude of changes into both their lives. An engagement. The final basketball game of Nathan’s college career, the national championship where in the last few minutes of the game he had been viciously and blatantly fouled, stepping to the line to take his two free throws he paused momentarily to scan the crowd, his eyes settling on the middle section directly behind the basket, students awash in yellow and black tie-dyed t-shirts. The band section. Still his eyes kept scanning. The band was sitting, as per tradition during foul shouts, right arm upraised in a fist. Except one. Sitting one seat from the aisle, right arm upraised, fingers crossed in a sign of luck. Catching her eye, he nodded slightly to her, and then sank both shots easily securing the basketball team their second national championship since he had been there. Final parties, final all-nighters, final exams. Graduation had come and gone. Haley with honors and Nathan with the satisfaction of having completed the journey. Nathan wagered that the look on Haley’s face afterwards when she spied her parents loitering awkwardly at the back of the seating area was enough to make up for having to smile with his parents for just “one more picture.” Early June had brought a four-day trip to Houston in order for Nathan to practice before NBA scouts the pre-draft camp and take a physical. To interview with the Celtics, Bobcats, Bulls, Pacers, Knicks, 76ers, and the Kings, the seven teams that they were both praying fervently would pick him. But tonight was the night that was going to decide the future. For both of them. All things considered, he was amazed at her calm. He was the only one being drafted. But she had just as much reason to be nervous. Their fates were to be decided in one hour.

       Stepping out into the New York twilight, he took in the sounds of the city. Cabs honking, pedestrians hurrying, people yelling rather graphic, obscene things.

       Haley caught his startled, bemused expression at the two men having a rather public argument on the next street corner. Their mothers had been brought in already. And things could only take a turn for the worst. Haley simply watched them, smiling fondly. “There’s just something so homey feeling about loud, obnoxious people.”

       “You’re insane,” he laughed as he tried, and failed repeatedly to hail a cab.

       Deftly, Haley raised two fingers to her lips and whistled sharply. Turning to him, she grinned triumphantly as she slid across into the waiting taxi. “I may have lived down south for four years. But I’ll always be a Northerner.”

       Nathan chose to ignore her gloating and leaned forward to the driver. “Madison Square Garden, please.”

       Arriving at the overwhelming arena, already swarming with press, cameras flashing, mobs of reporters, Nathan shook his head. “Alright let’s do this.”

       After being ushered past by the security guard, they were led into the green room, just off the main stage. Here twenty of the nation’s top prospects for the NBA were assembled to wait anxiously for their futures to be decided. On live television. Glancing around furtively, he was relieved to notice that he didn’t seem to be the only one painfully nervous. Most of the others had their families assembled around them. Three or four of the draftees were barely out of high-school. One’s face flushed as his collar was smoothed down by his mother hen.

       Haley nudged Nathan subtly, pointing to one of the younger guys, “Is he even old enough to drive.”

       Settling down at their assigned table, a few of the parents looked surprised at Nathan’s lack of an entourage. All of the other draftees knew who he was, and unlike him, they had arrived with half of their hometown neighborhoods. Tonight was going to be amazing for Nathan. Or terrible. Either way, he only wanted Haley by his side.

       “Hey, I’m going to run to the bathroom before they get started,” Haley told him, grabbing her purse off the floor, leaving Nathan to wait nervously, and anxiously. Alone. Feeling out of place among all the bustling families he tried hard to pretend he was completely at ease. Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder, turning around he saw one of the point guards from University of Kentucky.

       “Hey, I’m Matt Robinson,” the guy introduced himself, shaking his hand firmly.

       Another guy, seeing the interaction, leaned over to participate, “Deion Hall.” Shooting guard for UConn.

       Nathan smiled politely, “Nathan Scott.”

       Both guys chuckled. “Yea we know.”

       “Damn,” Matt whistled appreciatively.

       “What?” Deion questioned.

       “Guys told me there would be hot chicks here tonight, looking to get with players but I had no idea they’d be this fine,” Matt answered, practically drooling.

       “Who?” Deion asked, urgently, desperate to spot this magnet of lustfulness.

       Pointing, to guide Deion’s (and Nathan, who was admittedly curious) eye. “Coming down the left aisle, past the third security guard”        

       Deion echoed Matt’s previous wolfish whistle, “Damn.”

       Nathan simply felt his blood boil, clenching and unclenching his fists. Haley. She was breathtakingly gorgeous. She always was. But tonight she glowed. Her simply black halter dress came to a v in the front, and plunged in the back, showing an expanse of creamy, olive skin. Her luminous eyes were seductively smoky. Her chestnut hair was cascading down her shoulders in soft waves. It was probably a good thing that Nathan had been so panicked about the night that he had failed to truly take her in, or else they wouldn’t have made it to the ceremony on time. But Nathan was appalled to hear the guys talking about her so vulgarly. He felt his blood pressure rise another notch. Haley was beautiful, and smart, and good, and…completely able to handle herself around jackasses such as these. Nathan smiled slightly to himself. Turning to the two guys, he considered each briefly, “Girl like that would chew you up and spit you out.”

       Deion and Matt laughed, “Man-eater, huh?”

       Smirking, Nathan replied coolly, “No. My fiancée.” Turing around, he missed the sound of their jaws hitting the floor. He grinned broadly, toothily, at Haley as she settled back into her chair.

       “Why do you look like the cat that swallowed the canary?” Haley questioned Nathan, looking suspiciously at him.

       Kissing her briefly on the mouth, he smiled once more, “Nothing. Just apparently I’m with the best looking woman in the room. Not that I didn’t know that already.”

       Blushing faintly, she reached across the table to intertwine their fingers loosely, “Well, that’s good to know. We have no idea where we are going to spend the next few years of our lives. But damn if we don’t look good.”

       Their private moment was interrupted as a voice came over the microphone. “Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to Madison Square Garden for the 2007 NBA Draft. We will be starting with first round selections shortly, “the jowly, white-haired, bespectacled David Stern, commissioner of the NBA, announced.

       The waiting draftees and their quite possibly even more nervous families’ hearts beat up tempo in anticipation. Haley watched Nathan’s expression out of the corner of her eye, “You nervous?”

       “Nah.”

  She continued to watch him. Smirking, she laid her hand over his wildly pulsating knee, “Liar,” she whispered huskily.

       “The Orlando Magic selects Justin Harris of Michigan State University,” David Stern announced. The obligatory hand-shaking, picture-taking, jubilant cries by the family followed.

       “Eh, we didn’t want to go to Orlando anyway,” Haley shrugged as they clapped politely.

       “The San Antonio Spurs select Jamil Porter of St. Joseph’s University.”

  Nathan and Haley looked at each other. The next three teams on the draft broad were franchises they felt they had the best chances with. Holding their breaths, Nathan gripped the hand on his knee tightly. One minute never passed by so slowly.

       “The Boston Celtics select Gregory Dobson of Hunderton Central Prep.”

       Haley tightened her grip on his hand, flashing him a reassuring smile.

       “The New York Knicks select Paul Williams of Duke University.”

  The air stilled. Haley raised her free hand barely off the table, her finger crossed in a sign of luck. And they held their breaths once more.

       “The Philadelphia 76ers select….Nathan Scott of Wake Forest University.”

       The couple leapt up out of their seats, “Yes!”

       Excitedly, Nathan traveled the short distance to the stage to shake David Stern’s hand. Stopping momentarily to smile for a few pictures. Haley clapped exuberantly.

       Later that night after the numerous interviews, posing with a brand-new 76ers uniform, Nathan turned to Haley, who had sat by his side quietly, patiently through it all, “So what do you think Hales? Sixers gonna work out?”

       She nestled herself against his shoulder, “That means University of Pennsylvania for me. And it’s only two hours from the house in Hershey. It’s going to more than just work out.”

       “You sure you’re okay with not being able to go to Duke?”

       “Penn has one of the best law schools in the country, it’s close to my hometown, Philly’s a great city,” she answered. “And I get to be with you. What more could a girl ask for?”

       He gazed deeply at her, suddenly overcome, “Thanks for being here tonight.”

       Lifting her head, she looked at him surprised, “No place I’d rather be.” And cupped his jaw lovingly. “Besides, I was curious to know where I’d be going to law school,” she joked.

       Nathan suddenly stood up, “Speaking of which…” he pulled her along behind him, back to their original table.

       “What?” she asked bewildered, beaming broadly when she spotted the red and blue striped P adorning the Penn baseball cap that was sitting next to a disposable camera. “How did you..?”

       “I bought one for every school, I called the hotel earlier to have that one delivered,” he replied casually.

       She snaked her hand past his suit jacket to rest her hand on his chest, kissing him feverishly on the mouth. Groaning, Nathan slammed her closer to him, grinding their lower halves together urgently. Pulling away, dizzily Haley grabbed the camera off the table, and skipped off in the direction of one of the event employees, “Excuse me, but could you take a picture of us.”

       Smiling gleefully, Nathan draped his arm possessively over her shoulder, as she with a grin that matched his, tightened her hold on his waist. They looked a bit ridiculous, in their suit and dress, and baseball caps. But they looked ridiculously happy as well. And ridiculously in love.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Dear one near me - truth assessed

Reborn worldwise - mind at rest

True heart sow you - God has blessed

Your soul whispers - love confessed

My spirit sings to you now

Creation stands at your feet

My feelings call to you now

Dear one I love you---George Harrison, “Dear One”

       It was one week away. Seven days. And she still wasn’t ready. They weren’t ready. Not that he really cared about such matters, but she figured that since it was his day as well she could include him in the announcement of their unprepared state. Haley James had never been much of a dreamer. She had dreams, to be sure, but the word “dreamer” had always seemed to imply that you sat back and wished for things to happen. Haley James had been working like a dervish as long as she could remember, earning her place in life through blood, sweat and tears. Before she had scoffed mockingly at stories of high-strung women who collapsed into nervous fits if they couldn’t arrange for the exact same china patterns they desired. As if their lives would be ruined, the courses forever altered if they received the scalloped patterns, instead of the country one their little heart had yearned for on the blessed day. Haley had sworn that when it came her time she would relax. Be practical. Remember the big picture. Because how hard could planning a wedding be? Pick a date, pick a church, pick a reception hall, book a caterer, hire a florist, find a band, and get a dress. Simple. Easy. Not going to happen.

       “Damnit!” Haley cursed angrily as she slammed the phone down, hoping that somehow the persnickety woman on the other end had sensed her rage through the telephone lines and was cowering in fear. She had better be because if the situation didn’t get rectified very soon Haley was coming down to the shop and taking matters into her own hands. “I didn’t even want calla lilies in the first place! They have them at funerals, but noooo Miss I-Know-Everything-About-Flowers-and-Don’t-Care-That-It’s-Your-Wedding insisted. And now it’s suddenly my fault that there aren’t enough calla lilies available to do the arrangement for the ceremony. I wanted roses in the first place. Damn her and her flower pushiness!”

       Carefully setting the weight he was bench pressing back on the bar, Nathan raised himself into a sitting position. “Hey, I wanted to get married in Vegas. But nooo, Haley has to get married in a church,” he joked sarcastically, chuckling harder when he felt a towel go whipping by his head.

       Sighing, Haley sat down on the edge of the bench tiredly. “This thing has just been a disaster since the beginning. It’s a miracle anyone manages to get married. I mean I’m not a needy person, but is it so much to ask to like the flowers at your own wedding?” she asked resignedly. “And I don’t even want to think about that train wreck of music selection.”

       “Yeah. If we would’ve had any of those bands at the wedding, I would’ve been forced to go live in a deep, dark hole forever. I mean we’re twenty-two years old, which means clearly, we should have a group called the Polka Quads play at our wedding.”

       Haley laughed slightly, “Perfect musical accompaniment to floral arrangements that symbolize passing on into the next life. Next time I get married I’m definitely eloping.”

       Raising one eyebrow he scooted closer to her, “Oh so you’re planning on getting married again?”

       Haley looked guilty for a few seconds, studying him seriously,” Well, I thought I’d stick it out with you for a few years until you make it big in the pros. Then, I can divorce you and take you for all your worth,” she finished airily with a toss of her hair.

       “So that means I can move on too, right?”

       “I suppose so. Just not with that obnoxious bimbo of a cheerleader.”

       “Which one? Oh you mean, Casey?”

       “No, the other one who rubs herself all over you while I’m standing right there. I mean how tacky can you get? If she wanted to make a play for you, she could at least have the decency to not do it in front of me.”

       “Jealous?” he questioned, smirking. Going pro had a lot of perks. Or downfalls depending on how you looked at it. Before he had just been good-looking, charming, and had a talent for basketball. Now he was good-looking, charming, and had a talent for basketball, was making millions a year, and was featured prominently on the national sporting news. A surefire recipe for gold-diggers everywhere. Apparently, the fact that he was in a committed relationship didn’t seem to bear much weight with some people. More than a few guys on the team had repeatedly asked how he could turn down blatant invitations from the beautiful women they encountered on the road, to which Nathan always responded, “Because after Haley everyone else would be a disappointment.”

       “Hah. As if I’d be jealous of someone who thought Europe was a country,” she replied huffily.

       “Stupid hussy thinking she could take the place of my bookworm,” he laughed soothingly.

       “Damn straight. And about before, you’re going to be stuck with me. I can’t do this wedding thing again. Even if it is a shotgun one with an Elvis impersonator presiding,” she leaned her head against his shoulder, intertwining their fingers like an involuntary reflex.

       Kissing the top of her head possessively, he pulled her closer to him. “Ok, well, let’s think positively. We have a lot more accomplished than we did than when we started out. Let’s see, how are we on a church?”

       “Prince of Peace is a go. And we’re finished with pre-canaa, so we’re all good with the church. Except for that whole not sleeping together until after the wedding, but we’ll just keep that between us,” shaking her head ruefully, she sighed. “I’m such a horrible Catholic.”

       “And we have music?”

       “Thankfully, we will not have to be listening to the entrancing sounds of the Polka Quads, or those guys with the mullets. I convinced two of my friends from home to stop fighting long enough so their band can play.”

       “And Karen is going to cater.”

       “Can I just say that she is officially my favorite person? Are you sure she won’t take any money?”

       “I keep trying but she always just puts the check back in my pocket when I’m not looking. I thought we could just get her a really special Christmas gift as a thank you.”

       “Sounds like a plan.”

       “And you have a dress?”

       “Yes!” she clapped excitedly, I feel like such a silly little girl, but the dress is just…perfect. “And you have your tux right? You weren’t lying when you told me you went shopping for it?” she interrogated him, analyzing him for any signs of dishonesty.

       “I really got it.”

       “And we’ve got the groomsmen, and bridesmaids, and ring bearer, and flower girl.”

       “Although, what are we going to do about the best man/ maid of honor situation? I mean there’s only one Lucas, but I can’t possibly decide between Brooke and Peyton. They’ve both been my best friend since the third grade. Could you maybe find another brother and become really close to him, in the next seven days.”

       He laughed heartily, “If it was anything like my relationship with Lucas, I’d have to resent him for the first fourteen years of my life, get stuck on a team with him, attempt to haze him, beat the shit out of each other, finally realize that in order to win you needed to work together, and eventually admit to yourself that the guy is pretty cool.”

       She shook her head contemplatively, “Ok so here’s the plan. We resent the new guy tomorrow, play on a team on Monday, haze him on Tuesday, beat each other up on Wednesday, realize you need to work together on Thursday, and like him on Friday in time for the wedding.”

       “I think Luke we’ll be ok with having two women on his arm.”

       She raised her eyebrows skeptically, “Are you sure about that because Brooke and Peyton are a lot of female. Many unsuspecting males have gone screaming when they break out their claws.”

       Nathan rolled his eyes and scoffed, “Lucas will love them. No matter what bullshit he tries to feed anybody, he was just as much of a player in high school as I was. Still is. He just got away with it more because he was all deep and broody. Hahhh. Whatever. The end result was still the same. But he’d quote books to them, and suddenly “Ooh, Lucas is so sensitive and dreamy,” he mocked in a winsome falsetto.

       “Awww, are you jealous?”

       “No. But I get saddled with the reputation, and he’s Mr. Caring. Hah, what a joke. I mean, he was the only person who ever gave me real competition for girls in high school. He’s just lucky I like him or else I would’ve dropped him thousands of times.”

       Shaking her head, she chuckled, “Such a pair of charmers, you two must’ve been. I can just picture the two of you as teenagers, Lucas would whisper huskily into their ears, and you would just….smirk at them.”

       Silently he answered, his infamous smirk rising to face cockily. “Hey it worked on you,” he protested running his hand up and down her arm.

       “No, it didn’t,” she refuted. “My infatuation with you in college started when you smiled for real because I’m sure plenty of girls have seen the smirk, but somehow I knew that very few people got to witness that smile. Although I’m not saying I don’t enjoy the smirk.”

       “Oooh really?” he questioned teasingly.

       “I’m going to regret mentioning that, aren’t I?”

       “Probably.”

  Burying into his chest, she wrapped her arms around his back, pressing a delicate kiss against his Adam’s apple. “I’m going to go down to the florist and straighten things out so we can continue with our wedding extravaganza! Yay!” she shouted sarcastically, throwing her hands in the air. “If the lady doesn’t listen to me, will you come down there and beat her up for me?”

       “Sure thing. Or you could just intimidate her with you big words. I know that’s why I agree with you half of the time. I have no clue what you said, and figure it’s just easier to agree with you.”

       Narrowing her eyes in contemplation, she placed her hands on her hips, “Sway her to my way of thinking with my large vocabulary, huh? I like this plan.”

       “See, I’m useful for something.”

       “And lifting things off of tall shelves, you’re really useful for that, too. Oh, and killing spiders. I can handle all other creepy crawly things. But I have appointed you official spider-handler.” Slipping into her coat, she stood on her tiptoes to kiss him, leaning back with a smile “And no bench pressing until I get back. I don’t want you to drop it on your windpipe and not be able to recite your vows.”

       Bringing his hand to his forehead, he saluted her jokingly, “Yes, Ma’am.” Eying her petite form, he hooked his thumbs through her belt loops trapping her close do him. “Although it wouldn’t matter if you were here and I dropped it on me, you couldn’t lift it off anyway.”

       She pulled away slightly, pretending to be offended, “Ok, well, maybe not,” she conceded after a few seconds. “But I could call someone to lift it off. Just promise me you won’t.  I worry about you.”

       “I promise.”

       “Well, then I’m off to do battle with the florist and she will give me the flowers I want,” she insisted, with a nod of her head.

       “Stay strong, Haley,” he replied, with an encouraging shake of his fist, “And then when you come back we can practice for the honeymoon.”

       Stepping out the door, she peeked back in, her face crimson in a blush. “I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”

       Laughing, he takes a step towards her, “Can we include that in the vows. A promise from you never to stop blushing like that.”

       “If you keep making comments like that, you don’t need to worry about that.”

       “Wonderful.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin

Dance me through the panic 'til I'm gathered safely in

Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the end of love

Oh let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone

Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon

Show me slowly what I only know the limits of

Dance me to the end of love

Dance me to the end of love---Leonard Cohen, “Dance Me to the End of Love”

       Autumn air was a mix of falling leaves, russet, gold, and umber. A hint of the snowy months to come. Lingering steamy mugs of cider and hot cocoa on the increasingly colder days. A season of transition. Of new beginnings. Of transformation. She had never been much for the expected, for following the crowd. Spring weddings had always seemed so commonplace, so ordinary. Everyone got married in the spring. The flowers were blooming, the sun was shining, and the birds were chirpings. The chipper, perky bridesmaids stood in attendance dressed to the nines in beautiful pastel shades. Summers weddings were no better. They had always seemed to lack the solemnity, the sense of importance. You were pledging your life to another person, not attempting to get a tan. She wasn’t shallow but she also didn’t want to be wearing a scarf and earmuffs during her wedding so that ruled out a winter wedding. This left her with an autumn wedding. It felt right. There was promise in autumn. Hope in autumn. Unexpected beauty in autumn. It was fitting. October of a year ago was the time that she had known without a doubt that they would spend their life together, so it was only fair that they stand before their family and friends, before God to put into words what their hearts had long known. A large, pale moon shone in the October sky, smiling benevolently on the crowd gathered in the small, intimate church lighting the stained glass windows beautifully. Stars twinkled brightly in the velvety nighttime sky. A plethora of ivory candles burned around the perimeter of the church, illuminating the arrangements of orange, peach, yellow, red, and golden roses scattered around. Everything was ready to go. Except the bride and groom.

       Haley James, soon to be Scott (if she ever managed to finish getting ready) was pacing back and forth frantically while her two best friends looked on bemusedly. Her make-up was done, her nails done in a simple French manicure, her hair swept up in a simple but elegant French twist, a pair of drop pearls hung lustrously at her ears, a matching pearl necklace clasped around her delicate neck. All ready. Except she had never been much of an exhibitionist, she was no prude, but she didn’t think anybody wanted to see her get married in just a slip and a bra. Well, maybe except for Nathan’s goofy friend Tim, but he was another matter entirely. Peyton and Brooke had attempted cornering her and forcing her into the dress like a bull at a rodeo but her pacing was much too frantic and wily for the likes of them.

       “We’re getting married. Married! How did I not think about this before?” she exclaimed as she made another pass through the room, missing Peyton and Brooke’s signaling to each other. “I was just going along with this, not even thinking about it. It seemed so simple, so natural, but I’m about to stand in front of a priest and promise to spend the rest of my life with him.”

       “Don’t you want to?” Peyton asked.

       “Of course I do. But look at me. I’m the girl who only got a date to the formal dance because Alex Baker wanted to get close to you two. I’m just ordinary. And Nathan’s not ordinary, he’s amazing and wonderful and... Did you know he was in an article in Sports Illustrated, complete with pictures and everything two weeks ago? Do you know what I did two weeks ago? I went grocery shopping and wrote a paper.”

       “Haley James!” Brooke shouted her hands on her hips. “You will stop this nonsense right now, and stop pacing. Ok, first of all none of the guys in high school were ever good enough for you. You have always been something special, and those stupid boys didn’t realize what it was, but even they had the sense to know that you were different. You were going somewhere with your life, going to make something of yourself and we’ve always known that Sure, you didn’t have as many boyfriends in high school as me and P. Sawyer, over there but when it comes to it, it’s quality over quantity. And you got yourself a quality one in Nathan. He worships you Haley. He’s the first man I’ve thought has even come close to being worthy of you.”

       “Yea, besides Nathan may be in a magazine but I’ve always thought that you were going to rule the world one day, Haley,” Peyton added.

       Haley smiled, “Thanks guys.  You’re the best.”

       “Besides you’re looking totally hot in that dress, Tutor girl, and it’d be a crime not to let the men drool over you,” Brooke interjected with a husky laugh.

       Over on the other end of the church Nathan was in approximately the same situation. Minus the make-up, hair, nails, and jewelry of course. His shirt lay half unbuttoned, his tie carelessly strung around his neck and Lucas had caught him on more than one occasion eying the sacramental wine wistfully.

       “The ceremony’s supposed to start in a few minutes. Don’t you think you should finish getting dressed or something?” Lucas asked sprawled in the blue upholstered chair next to Nathan, their long legs stretch out across the floor identically.

       Turning to Lucas with a disdainful smirk, he began to twirl a pen he had found on the dresser around in his fingers, “Or something? I don’t know how anybody thinks you’re the smarter one.”

       “Well, I’m definitely better-looking.”

       “I seriously doubt that.”

       “Plenty of girls come up to me all time when we’re together and say that “You’re so much better-looking than your brother.”

       “You’re so full of shit, Lucas. You can’t even tell we’re related.” And you couldn’t, not really. Lucas’s blonde angelic looks stood in stark contrast to the dark seduction of Nathan’s. Unless you looked into their eyes, both blue as the swirling ocean.

       “Does that mean I can stop pretending to like you?” Lucas chuckled lightly.

       “Ok, just because I’m younger doesn’t mean I can’t kick the shit out of you,” Nathan drawled menacingly.

       Lucas sat silently for a few moments, contemplatively. “Seriously though Nate, you should finish getting dressed. This is a big day for you.”

       “Thanks for the newsflash.”

       “Hey, sarcasm is not going to tie that tie, mister.”

       “I’m definitely going back to hating you after the ceremony.”

       “No, you won’t. Who’s going to laugh at Dan’s attempts to suck up to Royal with you?”

       “This is true. You are handy to have around sometimes,” Nathan laughed. “Thanks for being here today.”

       “As if I’d miss the opportunity to see my little brother get married.”

       “I’m just…scared,” Nathan let out in a forceful huff. “All those 6 am runs with Dad, and basketball camps, back then I never pictured someone like Haley in my future. She’s the first thing that I chose for myself, you know? Besides getting close to you, but even that started because I wanted to piss Dad off. She’s the first thing that I wanted for myself, not because it was expected or had been planned for me but because I wanted it. But sometimes I don’t even think it’s a choice anymore. I can give everything else up. But I need her. And I don’t deserve that. Not with all the mistakes I’ve made. She’s brilliant and amazing and she’s deserves so much more than I could ever offer her.”

       “Yeah, you’ve screwed up in the past. I’d be the last person to deny that. But you’ve turned into a good man, and Haley loves you little brother, she really does,” Lucas answered, putting a hand on Nathan’s shoulder. “So button your shirt, and tie your tie, and let’s go get you married.”

       Nathan turned to Lucas with a raised eyebrow, “If I do, will you promise never to give me a pep talk again?”

       “I think we can arrange that.”

       “Alright, let’s go.”

       Nathan stood nervously next to the priest at the altar. Even in his state, he couldn’t help but laugh at Lucas strutting down the aisle, Peyton on one arm and Brooke on the other, both looking beautiful in elegant black dresses, carrying small bouquets of ivory roses. Taking his place next to Nathan, Lucas patted him on the back, flashing him an encouraging smile. Suddenly, the heavy, somber organ chords signaling the bride’s arrival echoed through the tiny church. The crowd assembled stood from their seats and turned to see Haley standing at the foot of the aisle, arms latched firmly onto her oldest brother Ben’s arm. Her parents had been invited to the wedding but Ben had always been more of a father figure to her, he was the one who used to take her to piano lessons when she was younger, and came home from college every weekend for two months to teach her how to drive. Slowly, making her way down the aisle towards Nathan, her heart caught in her throat, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment, of him in his tuxedo. Finally, coming to the altar next to him, she turned to Ben with a smile and kissed him tenderly on the cheek. Intertwining their fingers, and gazing into his eyes, she flashed him a brilliant, sparkling smile that he mirrored. And they both finally felt at peace. And everything else just faded away. They turned to listen to the priest as he read a passage from the Bible.

       “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part         and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1: Corinithians: 13)

       "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in this church so that the Lord may seal and strengthen your love in the presence of the Church's minister and this community. Christ abundantly blesses this love. He has already consecrated you in this baptism and now he enriches and strengthens you by a special sacrament so that you may assume the duties of marriage in mutual and lasting fidelity. And so, in the presence of the Church, I ask you to state your intentions,” the priest continued.

       "Have you come here freely and without reservation to give yourself to each other in marriage?"

       “I have,” Nathan and Haley both answered

  "Will you love and honour each other as man and wife for the rest of your lives?"

       “I will,” they responded.

  "Will you accept children lovingly from God and bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?"

  “I will,” they answered.

"Since it is your intention to enter into this marriage, join your right hands, and declare your consent before God and his Church." The priest looked down with a bemused grin to see Haley’s hand already firmly ensconced in Nathan’s larger one. Nathan continued to smile at Haley, overcome by her radiant beauty and interlaced their fingers.

I, Nathan, take you, Haley, to be my wife. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life."

"I, Haley, take you, Nathan, to be my husband. I promise to be true to you in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love you and honour you all the days of my life."

"You have declared your consent before the Church. May the Lord in his goodness strengthen your consent and fill you both with his blessings. What God has joined, men must not divide. Amen,” the priest continued with the ceremony.

       Lucas then reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of rings, Nathan’s was a band of white gold, while Haley’s was a matching band of white gold inset with a square-cut diamond flanked on either side two smaller diamonds, both were stunning in their simplicity.

       "May the Lord bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your love and fidelity. Amen,” the priest intoned.

  "With this ring, I thee wed, in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen,” Nathan stated as he slipped Haley’s ring onto her finger, Haley repeating his words as she placed his band on.

       “You may now kiss the bride,” the priest instructed.

       They met in a delicate but passionate kiss, both pulling away with beaming, insuppressible smiles.

       Later that night as they celebrated joyously with their friends and family, they danced to their first song as man and wife. Another reason, Haley had wanted to get married in October. “Yeah, other girls can have Celine Dion and Backstreet Boys but how completely fitting was it that that song was playing the night you found me the list of law schools? That should be our wedding song,”

       Happily wrapped in each other’s arms, neither could ever remember being this happy. It seemed surreal at times, like a fantastical dream. They danced the night away to the jazzy shuffle, occasionally stealing a kiss.

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies

And all the leaves on the trees are falling

To the sound of the breezes that blow

And I'm trying to please to the calling

Of your heart-strings that play soft and low

You know the night's magic

Seems to whisper and hush

And all the soft moonlight

Seems to shine in your blush...

Can I just have one a' more moondance with you, my love?

Can I just make some more romance with a' you, my love?

Well I wanna make love to you tonight

I can't wait till the morning has come

And I know now the time is just right

And straight into my arms you will run

And when you come my heart will be waiting

To make sure that you're never alone

There and then all my dreams will come true dear

There and then I will make you my own

And every time I touch you, you just tremble inside

And I know how much you want me that, you can't hide...

Can I just have one more moondance with you, my love?

Can I just make some more romance with you, my love?

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies

And all the leaves on the trees are falling

To the sound of the breezes that blow

And I'm trying to please to the calling

Of your heart-strings that play soft and low

You know the night's magic

Seems to whisper and hush

And all the soft moonlight

Seems to shine in your blush...

One more moondance with you

In the moonlight

On a magic night

la, la, la, la, there's a moonlight

On a magic night

Can't I just have one more dance

With you my love? ---Van Morrison, “Moondance”

     

       “So we really did it, Hales,” Nathan whispered into her ear.

       “We really did,”

       “I love you,” he whispered fiercely, pulling her closer against him.

       “I love you, too.”

       “Always.”

Chapter Twenty-Four   

The sea it swells like a sore head and the night it is aching

Two lovers lie with no sheets on their bed

And the day it is breaking

On rainy days we'd go swimming out

On rainy days swimming in the sound

On rainy days we'd go swimming out

You're in my mind all of the time

I know that's not enough

If the sky can crack there must be someway back

For love and only love---U2, “Electrical Storm”

       Slamming his game jersey into his duffel bag, with an angry huff, he furiously searched for his car keys throughout the well-furnished apartment failing miserably to keep his boiling temper under wraps.

       “I’m just saying that it’d be nice if my wife was there for my first home pro game,” Nathan seethed as he tore a few more drawers open in his futile search for the car keys, not even truly bothering to see past his cloud of rage, and actually look for them.

       “Oh don’t give me that fucking guilt trip Nathan,” Haley shot back from her perch on the couch, slamming her ballpoint pen down on the cherry coffee table.” Unfolding her legs from underneath, she stomped over to Nathan to get nose to nose with him, or nose to chest as it was. Sure he may have towered over her by over a foot and half and had about one hundred pounds on her soaking wet, but her temper could mop the floor with his. Hers just had the fortunate distinction of being more elusive. “I was there every single one of your home games and more than a few road games and every post-season game so don’t act like I’ve never supported you.”

       The rapid clenching and unclenching of Nathan’s jaw was more than enough response for her, and now he had gone into his defensive, “legs spread, arms crossed, don’t fuck with me” stance. “This is different. You know how important this game is to me, Haley.”

       “And you know how important doing well in this class is to me, Nathan!” she retorted, mirroring his stance, which admittedly would probably not have the same intimidating effect on strangers met in a dark, back alley. But her eyes, flashing furious amber, like that of a threatened tiger, were terrifying. “This paper is due in two days, and I haven’t even had time to start a rough draft because I went to that ridiculous players’ luncheon with you.”

       “Oh right, and it’s completely my fault that you couldn’t start your paper, Haley because I forced you to come have lunch with me and my employers for three hours.” He answered, finally locating the car keys to his Jag on the end table by the front door where they should’ve been the entire time.

       “Most of which I spent trying not to slap the silicon out of the wife next to me, while you gave interview after interview, in the week that in any normal marriage would have been my fucking honeymoon Nathan,” she seethed, stepping further into his space.

       “You know we can’t go on a honeymoon until after the season is over. Don’t take it out on me.”

       “I understand that, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have the right to be a little bitter. I’m sorry you find it so offensive that I’d want to celebrate our marriage because I mean you’ve got all the groupies to keep you company right, Nathan? You know the luncheon was actually very informative, apparently there is more than one type of groupie. You’ve got you’re “lot lizards” they wait out by where the players park their cars. Then there’s the “marry-em’s” who actually hope not only to sleep with the players but to marry them. And about four other groups that I don’t remember because I was too busy staring at the fact that the woman was so Botoxed up she managed to look extremely surprised! about everything, including the fact that they were serving soda as a beverage.” She rattled off on her fingers rapidly. “So I’m sorry if I think that they players’ luncheon, and the press conference, and the exhibition games were a waste of my time. I can’t afford not to be focused on my studies, Nathan. This class is a pre-requisite for most of the classes in the environmental law program. No decent law firm is going to hire me if I slacked off in law school.”

       “All you do anymore is study.  It’s one paper, Haley.  You’re life is not going to end if you don’t get a 100 this one time. I’d think you’d be a little more excited about tonight for me,” he stomped across the room, to retrieve his duffel bag.

       “Well, I’m sorry that some of us can’t make millions putting an orange ball through a hoop,” she bit back sarcastically.

       A brief flash of hurt crossed Nathan’s features, but he soon regained his stony resolve. “That’s real nice, Hales,” he drawled slowly, “but just remember that me putting an orange ball through a hoop is what’s allowing you to go to law school in the first place.”

       It was Haley’s turn to look shocked and hurt, “I’m grateful that you’re paying, Nathan, I am. But that gives you no right to throw it in my face. I would be at law school with or without you.” The loud tick tock of the clock could be heard echoing throughout the apartment as the deadly calm stirred the air between them. “You should go, Nathan. You don’t want to be late,” she finished quietly.

       He walked out the door without a backwards glance. Haley sat back down on the couch, her pen once again clutched in a death grip. She stared at the reference books spread out before her, articles from relevant court cases highlighted and cross-referenced. And struggled not to let the burning sensation behind her eyes trickle down her cheeks in a betrayal of her emotions. Three weeks. That’s how long they had been married. Three weeks. No honeymoon phase for them. No time to enjoy being newlyweds. The pressure from the media and coaches and fans in pro ball was worse than in college. And the worst part was that Nathan had chosen it for himself. Haley had dreamed of going to law school, eventually working as a corporate counsel dealing with environmental compliance issues with a company like a lumber company, or a power supplier. She figured she’d meet a nice man one day, settle down, and send her kids to a school in a good neighborhood. Live a quiet life. But then Nathan came along. Haley had never planned on being the wife of a NBA player, of spending her weekends with other couples who thought nothing of having houses in three different cities. Of having well-publicized affairs, the kind that everyone knew about but pretended to be ignorant towards. Of sending their children to multi-thousand dollar a year prep schools. Of having thousands of fans and hecklers alike discuss their spouse as if they were well-acquainted when in reality they only saw the public image, the points, the rebounds, the assists.

       The downside of knowing someone so completely was...knowing someone so completely. Inside and out. Backwards and forwards. All their insecurities, weakness, flaws, shortcomings. She hated fighting with Nathan. It always left her with a dry taste in her mouth, and a swirling, panicky, stunned sensation. But when their volatile tempers collided, reason just shot to hell. Taking a few, deep calming breaths she attempted to return to her work. After about an hour, she finally acknowledged the fact that she had been reading the same paragraph over and over again. Heating some leftover spaghetti in the microwave, she slumped down into the barstools situated at the white marble kitchen counter, and gave a rueful laugh. She would probably be kicked out of the rich wives’ clubs if they got a look at her, in her sweats and Wake Forest t-shirt, hair up in a messy bun, and glasses on. Eating reheated spaghetti. “Too bad we’re all out of caviar and truffles ladies,” she gave a silent salute as she cracked open her Yuengling. Catching the time on the microwave clock, she noticed that the game was just about to start. Glancing back and forth between the paperwork strewn about the coffee table and the television, she silently bargained that she could watch the game and work at the same time. This paper needed to get done. She couldn’t afford not to ace this class. This was going to determine the rest of her law school career. Possibly her career as a whole. Gathering up the papers, she sat back down to her spaghetti and beer, planning on just glimpsing up at the game every now and then. Leaving it on more for background noise.

       “Rookie Nathan Scott is showing great promise in the Sixers’ home opener against the Spurs. But he’s going to need to learn to control himself if he wants to have a future,” the commentator analyzed.

       “I agree with you there Bob.  Scott has the potential to be a great contributor for the Sixers, especially under the basket, but this volatility is going to lead to small but crucial mistakes that the team cannot afford, especially with so little depth in the post,” the second commentator agreed.

       Haley paused, confused. She had probably heard wrong. She hadn’t been listening that closely. They were probably talking about another player. Volatile was never a word that would’ve been used to describe Nathan’s style of play. Cocky, yes. Arrogant, yes. But volatile, never. If anything Nathan was calm, deadly so. He had managed to pysch out more than one opponent with his unflappability. In her four years of watching him play basketball she had never seen him the least bit riled by an opponent. Watching the television fully, however, she was stunned to witness Nathan slam his shoulder into the Spurs’ center for no apparent reason, and while she was no award-winner in lip-reading she was fairly certain she saw him mouth, “Fuck You.” Amazed, she watched transfixed for ten minutes as he stomped around the court like an angry six-year old. Then, she quickly changed her clothes, put in her contacts, and grabbed her car keys.

       Making the normally ten minute drive from Center City, where they lived, over to Broad Street where the Wachovia Center was located in half the time, she flashed the security guard at the VIP lot her license. Settling down in the press box, designated for the players’ wives, families, and significant others, her grumbling stomach, that was very angry it had never gotten to finish the spaghetti, did a dance of joy when it spied the lavish spread. “If I had realized there was going to be prime rib, I’d definitely come sooner,” she thought to herself, as she attempted to push aside guilty thoughts of her undone work aside. She had a mission to accomplish. She didn’t miss the wary glances of the other females assembled in the room, most of whom had long given up feigning interest in the game. Glancing back and forth, between her jeans and black turtleneck sweater, pink pumas, and Sixers hat, and their pricy designer duds, she chuckled slightly to herself as she rummaged through the press box’s refrigerator for a replacement beer. If she was going to be forced to watch basketball among them, she was at least going to enjoy herself. Sitting down in an empty chair, she offered a mock salute to the blond next to her, haughtily holding a white wine spritzer. Looking down on the game, she was disappointed to realize that Nathan’s temper tantrum showed no sign of dissipating. Within seconds, she was on her feet with the rest of the Sixers fans, “C’mon ref. What game are you watching? How the hell do you call a foul on him? That was a blatant charge,” she shouted angrily, as the ref blew his whistle calling a foul on Nathan. Nathan took the foul far worse than she did. Fierce gesturing from the Sixers’ coaching staff barely contained him from unleashing his temper on the refs. “C’mon, Nathan, calm down, baby. Just calm down,” she chanted quietly, her stomach in knots, ignoring the curious glances from the other women. As the game progressed, Nathan seemed to have finally regained some of his notorious control, but he was still nowhere near the iciness he normally played with. At the middle of the second half, he was fouled and as he moved to take his free throws, his eyes seemed to be scanning the crowd. Passing by the press box, he quickly averted his eyes disappointedly. Rapidly pulling them back when he realized there really was a petite brunette in a Sixers cap sitting quietly with her right arm upraised with her fingers crossed. His wife. Nodding silently at her, he smiled slightly, and sank the free throws. Analysts would say that something had come over Nathan Scott the last half of his first game as a rookie, that whatever it was he needed to hold on to it.

       After the game, she traveled down from the press box to loiter outside the locker room, waiting on the players’ emergence with the rest of the spouses, the groupies, and the press. Choosing to stand away from the fray, she watched him quietly, sipping her beer, with a mixture of pride and amusement. Signing autographs, speaking for sound bytes on the late night sports shows, smiling for pictures, nodding politely to buxom, flirty groupies. Entranced not only with that night’s successful show of basketball prowess, but his “Nathan Scott” aura. Those baby blues probably didn’t hurt either. Still she calmly waited, a half-smile on her face, before deciding that she had had enough waiting. The way she saw it the ring on her left hand gave her a right to not be patient all night. Sauntering up behind him, she regretfully had to shove aside some of the more persistent groupies. Very regretfully. “Hey hotshot, nice game” she whispered into his ear huskily, wrapping her tiny hand around his broad shoulder. Turning around he matched her smirk triumphantly and took her in. Amazing how in a sea of women who looked as if they had spent hours getting ready, pouring themselves into tops that threatened to spill their cleavage, and spackling on their make-up, she managed to look sexier than them in a simple black turtleneck, and a baseball hat. He would never quite pinpoint her allure.

       “Oh really? You think so,” he drawled, wrapping an arm protectively around her waist, to pull her further down the hallway away from the crowd.

       “Yes. Although the first half? Eh, not so much,” she answered honestly. “What was going on with you? I’ve never seen you play like that,” she questioned him gently, reaching out to lay an arm on his bicep.

       “I was upset.”

       “So upset that you clearly say “Fuck You” to a guy on national television.”

       “You saw that?” he asked guiltily.

       “Yeah, I had the TV on in the kitchen.”

       “I didn’t think you were coming tonight,” he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

       “And that’s a reason to lose your temper? You’ve always been so unbelievably focused, Nathan. For a minute, I couldn’t believe it was really you I was watching.”

       “You’re my focus, Haley. You’re my source of calm. And it’s hard to be calm and focused when the one person who matters most to you in the world is at home hating you.”

       She let out a surprised, sharp exhale. “What? Oh god no. You piss me off sometimes Nathan. Unbelievably so. Sometimes you make me so angry I can’t see straight. Like tonight for instance. But I could never, never hate you,” she articulated.

       “I said some pretty shitty things to you tonight, Hales.”

       “We both did.”

       “I want you to know that my paying for law school is not something I’m holding over your head. It’s not some sort of favor that I expect you to pay back. You were right when you said that you could have gone to law school without me, but the thing is I wouldn’t be at this place in my life if it weren’t for you. Sometimes I think I need you more than you need me,” he uttered quietly, almost ashamed.

       “That’s not true, Nathan. I’m so grateful to you for everything. And I never meant to diminish basketball. Not when I know how hard you work at it. How much it asks you to sacrifice. But I need you. I need you to keep me from taking things so seriously, or doubting myself, or living a colorless existence. I guess that’s partly why I was so heinously bitchy earlier. The kindergartener in me wants to keep you all to myself. Shout 'he’s mine!' to the world and kick anyone who comes close. But I know that can’t happen.”

       “You have me, Haley. You always have. In the future there are going to be hundreds more luncheons and interviews and charity golf matches and games and groupies. But that will never take away the fact that you are still the only face I see in the crowd. You have my heart and since you seem to be so greedy and don’t want to give it back, that will never change, Hales,” he joked in an attempt to lighten the mood.

       Standing on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck, to rest her forehead on his. “I love you. More and more everyday.”

       Kissing her, his tongue was soon probing hers for entrance for which she graciously complied. Frantically, they sought to memorize each crevice, savor the taste of each other before pulling away for an oxygen break. “Oh really?” he smirked cockily.

       She flashed a wide, sparkling smile. “Yes.  I love the Benz you bought me, and the kickass plasma TV and the sinfully delicious spread in the press box.” Leaning closer, she gave him an exaggerated wink, “And your hot body.”

       Laughing joyously, he ran his eyes over her body appreciatively, “Well, I like your hot body, too,” as he raised his eyebrows suggestively.

       “And you should. I didn’t think trophy wives existed anymore, seeing how it’s 2008. But oh! Believe me they are alive and well, mister,” she jabbed a finger into his chest for emphasis. “I'd be willing to bet the Benz that I was the only one in the press box who was completely au naturel especially in the chest region,” she waved her hand back and forth, in the aforementioned area, demonstratively.”

       Nathan made no effort to hide his peering eyes. “I always was a fan of the organic movement.”

       Blushing despite herself, she grinned and caught his hand in hers, “Let’s go home before the groupies notice that you’ve escaped their clutches. Oh and before you say anything, I’m driving. I’ve seen that deer in the headlights look you get whenever you have to drive in the city.”

       “You’ve been drinking,” he protested, not ready to give up the macho role.

       “I had one beer, which I finished over a half an hour ago. Nice try though, hot shot.”

       Narrowing his eyes at her, he huffed, “Fine. We can come back for the Jag in the morning.”

       “See isn’t life so much easier when you just agree with me,” she sing-songed triumphantly, leaning against him as they walked out into the November air.

       “I certainly don’t like fighting with you, Hales,” he intoned with a grave air.

       “I don’t either Nathan. And I’d say that we’ll never fight again. But we both know that’d be a lie,” she shook her head with a rueful laugh, as she turned the ignition. “And I like that part of our relationship. Not the part where we bite each other’s heads off. But the fact that you respect me enough to be honest with me. Even when it’s messy. And that I can do the same with you. I don’t want to but we will probably fight again in the future just because we’re both such passionate people. If something like tonight comes up, I just want you to remember that even if I am angry at you, I am always in your corner.”

       “I for one can think of a much more enjoyable channel for our passions, Hales,” he smirked as he laid a hand on her thigh.

       “Isn’t it amazing how we can just read each other’s mind sometimes?”

       “Truly amazing.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Is it really any wonder

The love that a stranger might receive

You cast your spell and I went under

I find it so difficult to leave.

I can hear that whistle blowin'

I see that stationmaster, too

If there's a poor boy on the street

Then let him have my seat

'Cause tonight I'll be staying here with you.

Throw my ticket out the window

Throw my suitcase out there too

Throw my troubles out the door

I don't need them any more

'Cause tonight I'll be staying here with you.--- Bob Dylan, “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You”

       After a ten day stretch of road games, he was worn down with fatigue. Haley had traveled down when the team had played the Charlotte Bobcats to visit some old friends from college, but because of other obligations couldn’t make it to the other games. Nathan settled further back into his plane seat, and turned up his headphones, in a feeble attempt to block out his teammate’s snoring in the seat next to him. He chuckled to himself as he thought of Haley’s admonishment as he was preparing to leave the previous week.

       “Alright, I have all the numbers for the hotels written down on the refrigerator. And the game times, too, with the stations that are carrying it. I’ll call you whenever I get a chance.”

       “Alright. I’ll be watching. And play nicely,” she warned him sternly.

       He at least had the good sense to look guilty. “What? I’m always nice,” he protested.

       “Yeah, when I’m there,” she rebuffed him, smirking. “Can you promise me there’ll be no temper tantrums?” she teased lightly.

       “Haha. I married a comedian,” he drawled, putting his cell phone in his pocket.

       “If you need you can just picture me. Naked,” she whispered, in an attempt to be seductive, looking very coy. Until she couldn’t help herself and burst into giggles.

       “Yeah. That’d be exactly what I need to calm down,” he answered sarcastically. “An image of you naked.”

       “Ok. Well, maybe not completely naked. Black lace lingerie?” she asked with a raise of her eyebrows, fighting a fierce battle against her giggles.

       “Ok. I don’t like you anymore,” he huffed.

       “Yes, you do,” she grinned widely.

       “Let’s see,” he pretended to think hard, “You’re trying to purposely distract me. No.”

       She shrugged her shoulders noncommittally. “I guess Dan down the hall will be willing to keep me company. He sure seems to like me.”

       “Yeah, a little too much,” he growled.

       “Why? Are you jealous? I thought you didn’t like me,” she laughed.

       “The guy’s a creep. He keeps hitting on you. I swear he gets on the elevator when you do, even if he has no reason to go downstairs. I have half a mind to…”

       “Relax, he’s sixteen. He’s harmless. Besides, I think you terrified the poor kid the other day.”

       “Good. That’ll teach him to keep leering at my wife.”

  Haley rolled her eyes at him, continueing to laugh. “You do realize how silly it is for you to get worried about a scrawny sixteen year-old who I’m not sure is even finished going through puberty?”

       “Hey, I was scrawny at sixteen.”

       “No you weren’t. I’ve seen pictures.”

       He smirked, “You’re right, I wasn’t.”

  Glancing over at the clock, she sighed. “Alright, you really have to go. You realize this is the longest we’ve ever been apart?”

       “I know,” he ran his hand through his hair. “You going to be ok?”

       “Yes, He-Man. I think I’ll manage. Although it’ll be so very difficult what with having to feed myself and all,” she pretended to swoon.

       “You can call me and we can amuse ourselves in other ways.”

       “Ummm, no.”

       “No?! Why not?”

       “I’ll call you but you and I have never been with the whole stopping partway thing. You need your rest, can’t have you getting all hot and bothered over me,” she walked with him to the elevator, jabbing the button. Figuring they’d have plenty of time to say their goodbyes before the slowest elevator known to mankind finally made its way to their floor.

       “Says the woman who wants me to picture her naked.”

  Again, she shrugged her shoulders, and gave a sly half-smile. “What can I say? I’m evil.”

       “That’s for sure,” smirking, he bent down to kiss her goodbye. “I’ll call you when our plane lands. I’ll miss you.”

       Wrapping her arms around his back, she buried her nose in his chest, breathing in his scent. “I’ll miss you, too.”

       Pulling away from her reluctantly, he kissed her one more time, before stepping onto the elevator. “I’ll see you next Wednesday. I love you!” he called out as the elevator doors began to close.

       Coming back to the present, Nathan was surprised and a little hurt that no one had mentioned anything about it. He had talked to Haley everyday. Ok, more like ten times a day. It wasn’t his fault he happened to prefer her company over anybody else’s. He had talked to Lucas a few times. Had the bad luck of not bothering to check his caller id during the weekend and had been forced to sit through a twenty minute conversation with his dad. He wasn’t even sure what the conversation was about, he had just grunted in response every few seconds, while wandering aimlessly around the hotel room. But no one had said anything about it. As the plane landed in the Philadelphia airport, he turned off his music, and rolled his neck in a stretch. After, retrieving his luggage, he walked to find his car.

       Entering the apartment quietly, he tossed his coat over a chair. Expecting Haley to be asleep since it was well after 1 in the morning and she had classes early the next morning, he silently began to remove his clothes as he moved towards the bedroom. The apartment was pitch-black, except for a glow coming from the kitchen. Walking towards the light, he found Haley smirking in front of a cake alight with candles. She was sitting with her leg crossed underneath her, dressed in what appeared to be one of his college game jerseys.

       “Not that I don’t enjoy the striptease, but I figured we’d have cake first. I know it’s technically a day late but I wanted to celebrate with you.”

       “You remembered?”

       “Of course. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Nathan, Happy Birthday to you,” she sang in a whisper. After he blew out the candles, she jumped up from the chair excitedly. “Yay! Cake time!” Catching his amused grin, she countered, “Hey! I’ve been waiting very patiently to have some.”

       Cutting two slices, he grinned, “Black Forest. My favorite. You’re a goddess.”

       “Just remember when mine rolls around I like carrot cake.”

       “You are so odd.”

       Laughing, she handed him a fork, “I know. The best part of being an adult is that I don’t have to get two cakes like I did when I was younger. A very tiny carrot cake for me and a big chocolate and yellow cake for all the other kids.”

       “But I don’t like carrot cake,” Nathan whined.

       “You weren’t going to make one anyway,” she whined back.

       “You never know,” he argued.

       “Your major culinary achievement is toast. Now, shut up and eat your cake, birthday boy.”

       Leaning against the counter as he took a bite, she watched him expectantly. “So what do you think?”

       He was silent for a moment, deep in thought. “It’s official. I’m never leaving you again,” he concluded with a grin.

       “Oh good.  My plan to lure you with baked goods worked.”

       “You are a woman of many talents. Not to mention wearing my clothes. What exactly do you have on?”

       “Your jersey.”

       “Yeah, I can see that. But I was supposed to give all of my jerseys back. I could never find that one.”

       Looking around guiltily, Haley continued to eat her cake. “I may or may not have taken it out of your bag senior year.”

       “I had to pay for it!”

       “You can afford it.”

       “And all this time, you’ve had it.”

       “I like it,” she pouted.

       “I know. It smells like me, right?” he teased, getting up for a second piece of cake.

       Blushing, she shook her head. “I really hate your memory sometimes.”

       He wrapped his arms around her from behind, “I guess I can forgive you. It looks better on you than it ever did on me,” he whispered in her ear, his breath tickling her cheek.”

       “Oh hey, Lucas left you a message.”

       Pressing the play button on the answering machine, Nathan sat back to listen. “Hey little brother, Happy 23rd birthday. Hope it’s a good one. Awesome game the other night. I’ll see you in a few weeks for Christmas. Oh, little Natey is getting so big,” Lucas sniffled dramatically.

       Nathan shook his head, laughed, and rolled his eyes. “The punk’s all of three months older than me.”

       “You have the day off tomorrow, right?”

       “Yeah.”

       “Ok, I thought that we could just spend the day together. Whatever you want to do.”

       “What about your class tomorrow?”

       “Ehh, I can miss just this once. So what do you want to do?”

       “Just stay in bed with you all day,” he answered, pulling her onto his lap.

       “Oh good. I was hoping you’d say that. I’m exhausted,” she yawned as she settled against him.

       “Haven’t you been sleeping well?” he asked concerned.

       “I couldn’t really. The bed is gigantic. It was just me and miles and miles of sheets.”

       Nathan laughed as he pulled her closer to him. When they had set out to furnish their apartment, they had only decided to buy a king-sized bed after receiving a disparaging look when they had expressed interest in buying a double. They still slept in the middle, tangled in each other, as if they were sleeping in a twin as they had in college. “Yea, I couldn’t really sleep either.” Haley began to laugh against him. “What’s so funny?”

       “Ohhh, just you and me. We’re just so pathetic,” she chuckled, running her hand across the hem of his shirt, and across his abs.

       “As long as you’re with me.”

Chapters 26 - 32

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