Chapter Two
Standing in front of the full length mirror in her bedroom, Haley stared at her reflection. Beside her stood her two best friends in their lilac, off-the-shoulder bridesmaids dresses and her lips curved up into a beaming smile. “You two look beautiful,” she told them.
Brooke and Peyton shared a smile as they turned to their best friend.
“I think that’s supposed to be our line,” the blonde teased and Brooke nodded her agreement.
“She’s right, Haley.”
“Thanks,” Haley replied, her skin flushing slightly at the compliment. “I’m so glad I picked this dress.”
The wedding gown she had fallen in love with several months ago when she had gone looking for the perfect dress was an ivory lace over satin, Princess line strapless design with a cathedral train which had crystal beading on the fitted bodice that added a little sparkle and shimmer. In comparison to the other dresses she had seen and tried on, it was simple and elegant rather than being fussy and over-the-top.
“I do, too,” Peyton said. “It suits you perfectly and at least we can see you in this one.” Her eyes met Brooke’s who was currently pouting and she started laughing.
“What? I still say my choice was better.”
Having joined in with her friend’s laughter, Haley shook her head as she regarded the other young woman. “Are you kidding? That thing was enormous with all that taffeta and lace puffing up everywhere. Nathan would’ve gotten lost trying to look for me in it.”
“I’ll bet he’d have enjoyed it though,” Brooke quipped. “Okay, fine. You two win but it did make your boobs stand out even more.”
“Yeah, just what I want when I’m getting married in church; having the priest not knowing where to look.”
When the laughter had died down a few moments later, Peyton asked, “So, are you ready to become Mrs Nathan Scott?”
“Please! She’s been ready since she was fourteen-years-old and first fell for the big lug,” Brooke answered. “Haven’t you?”
Haley blushed but nodded her head. “Yes. I’ve lost count of the daydreams I must’ve had about our wedding and that was before we ever got together,” she confessed. “I still can’t believe this is actually happening and that I’m going to be spending the rest of my life with him.”
“Well, someone has to, I guess.”
“Brooke!” Both Haley and Peyton said before they again burst into laughter, the brunette joining in with them.
“Did he try sneaking over last night?” Peyton asked, as she ran her palms over her own dress, smoothing out a tiny wrinkle.
“No, he was fast asleep when I called him.”
“I knew it!” Brooke exclaimed. “You owe me ten bucks, Sawyer.”
Looking between her two friends, Haley wore a puzzled look upon her face. “What’s going on?”
Peyton looked sheepish as she answered. “I bet Brooke that Nathan would either sneak over here or at the very least call you and—”
“And I bet that it would be you that wouldn’t be able to hold out so I win,” the brunette stated, clapping her hands with glee.
“You two are incorrigible,” Haley said, trying her best not to burst out laughing.
“So, did Nathan try to tempt you into going over there?” Brooke asked, her tongue firmly in her cheek.
Shaking her head, she replied, “No.”
“No!?” Both of the other girls exclaimed causing Haley to laugh harder.
“No, he wanted to sneak in over here.”
“Ah, okay then. That’s more like it,” Peyton said, winking at Brooke. “You had us worried there for a second, Hales.”
“Very funny,” she said, trying to hide her amusement but failing when she burst into a fit of laughter.
“All this laughing is going to ruin our make-up,” Brooke said when they eventually calmed down and grabbing a tissue from the vanity, she dabbed at her eyes.
Peyton rolled her eyes which had Haley laughing even more.
“I’m serious, guys. We’re supposed to be leaving in a few minutes and there’s no way I’m walking down the aisle looking like a panda.”
“Okay, you’re right,” Haley told her, nodding her head while at the same giving her blonde friend a knowing wink.
The next couple of minutes were spent retouching their make-up and making sure their hair was still perfect.
“Knock knock,” Jimmy James said as he stood in the open doorway of his daughter's former bedroom. “Is it okay to come in?”
“Of course it is,” Haley said, spinning around and smiling as she faced her father. “So, what do you think?”
“I think you look absolutely beautiful, sweetheart,” he told her as he entered the room. “Nathan's not gonna know what's hit him. And, ladies...” he said, turning his attention to Peyton and Brooke, “... you both look lovely.”
“Thanks, Mr James,” they said in unison.
“You don't look so bad yourself,” Brooke teased him.
He rewarded her compliment with a wink. “So, the cars have just arrived. The flower girls are downstairs and all ready to go... at least they were when I came up here.”
“We'd better get down there before one of them loses a shoe or something,” Peyton quipped, remembering only too well how one of Haley's young nieces had whined about having to wear “girlie” shoes instead of her favourite sneakers. “We'll see you at the church in a little while,” she said, giving the auburn haired young woman a hug.
“Okay.”
“See you soon, sweetie,” Brooke said as she also leaned in to hug her friend.
A minute later she was alone with her father and they shared a smile.
“How're you feeling, honey?”
“Nervous,” Haley admitted, “but not in a bad way. It's more of a nervous excitement.”
Jimmy smiled knowingly. “Yeah, that's pretty much how I felt the day I married your mom.”
“Really?”
“Really,” he confirmed. “I was a ball of nervous energy but as soon as she came into view... it just dissipated and I felt this calm wash over me.”
“We're heading to the church now, Haley-bop,” Lydia said, walking into the room. She placed her hand on her chest as she took in the sight of her baby girl in her wedding dress. “Oh, Haley... Baby, you look stunning.” Closing the short distance, she embraced her daughter, being careful not to crease either of their dresses.
“Thanks, Mom.” Including her father in the hug, she said, “I love you both so much.”
“We love you, too, sweetheart,” Jimmy responded, drawing back from his girls and smiling at them before jokingly adding, “So, how 'bout we get this show on the road before Nathan wears a hole in the church's floor?”
Taking one last look at herself in the full length mirror, Haley took a deep breath before nodding. “Okay, let's go and get me married.”
* * * * *
“What if she's changed her mind?” Nathan asked. He and Lucas, who was his best man, were sitting in the first row on the right-hand side of the church. His knee was anxiously jiggling up and down and he wished he could pace like he'd been doing until his brother had snapped and pulled him down to sit beside him. He couldn't remember ever feeling this nervous.
“For the last time, she hasn't changed her mind, Nate. After everything you two have been through to get here, do you really think she's suddenly decided that she doesn't want to marry you?”
“But—”
“No buts,” Lucas interrupted with an exasperated sigh. “The girl is head over heels in love with you, just like you are with her so take a deep breath and calm down.”
“Okay,” Nathan mumbled. Taking a few long, deep breaths, the panicky feeling slowly began to subside. His mind replayed the telephone conversation he and Haley had had in the early hours and his lips curved upwards into a half-smile as he remembered how excited she'd sounded.
“Feeling better now?” Lucas asked, smirking at his younger brother, watching as his shoulders relaxed and some of the tension seemed to seep out of him.
“Shut up,” he quipped, lightly socking the blonde in the shoulder. The sudden sound of hustle and bustle at the back of the church made his breath hitch in his throat and he ran his palms over his thighs.
Patting Nathan on the back, Lucas said, “I think that's our cue.”
After getting up from their seats and taking their positions in front of the priest, Nathan turned so he was facing the back of the church and, unconsciously, he held his breath as he waited for the love of his love to come into view.
* * * * *
Holding on to her father's arm, the butterflies in Haley's stomach flapped like crazy as she walked up the rose petal strewn aisle towards Nathan, the familiar sound of Pachelbel's Canon filling the air. The wedding was being held in the same church where her parents had gotten married and the pews that seated their families and friends were decorated with a combination of white and purple roses; flowers that matched those of her bouquet. She could feel everyone's eyes on her but she was unable to tear her gaze away from the man who, in a matter of moments, was going to be her husband. He looked so handsome in his tux and as the distance between them grew shorter, she blushed at the intense way he was watching. When, a moment later, she felt an excited giggle bubbling up in her throat, she dug her teeth into her bottom lip in an attempt to prevent it from escaping.
Nathan eyes were fixed to his soon-to-be wife's as she floated towards him looking like an angel. God, she was breathtaking! Her auburn hair was a mass of glossy curls that tumbled around her bare shoulders in a half-up/half-down style; a spray of white flowers making up her headpiece along with her veil.
Jimmy kissed his youngest daughter's cheek and then placed her hand in his future son-in-law's, clapping him gently on the back. They exchanged a nod before the older man turned and took a seat beside his wife, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
Lacing his fingers with Haley's, Nathan said, “You look so amazing, Hales. You ready to do this?”
“Yes,” she whispered, giving his hand a little squeeze. Turning to her left, she handed her bouquet to Peyton before she and Nathan took a couple of steps forward and stood in front of the priest.
Smiling at the young couple standing before him, Father Mahoney began, “Family and friends, we come together today to celebrate the marriage of Nathan and Haley...”
Haley was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet as she impatiently waited for the priest she'd known since childhood to get to the vows. When he did, she turned to face Nathan and recited the words she'd had memorized for some time now.
“I, Haley Rose James, take you, Nathan Royal Scott, to be my lawfully wedded husband, my best friend and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”
Rubbing his thumbs along the backs of her hands which he held in his own, Nathan beamed at his bride as he took his turn and said his vows.
“I, Nathan Royal Scott, take you, Haley Rose James, to be my lawfully wedded wife, my best friend and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live.”
Sliding Nathan's wedding band off of her thumb, where she'd placed it for safekeeping, she pushed it onto his ring finger, gracing him with a shy smile as she did so. A second later, he was slipping Haley's white gold band onto her finger. Gazing down at her adoringly, he brought her hand up to his lips and pressed a butterfly kiss onto her knuckles. His heart felt like it was about three sizes too big and was about ready to burst out of his chest.
When Father Mahoney finally pronounced them husband and wife, the congregation stood up and burst into applause as Nathan and Haley shared their first kiss as a married couple.
“I love you, Mrs Scott,” he whispered, nuzzling his nose against hers before stealing another kiss.
“I love you, too, Mr Scott,” she whispered back, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
After Peyton had handed back Haley’s bouquet, Nathan took her hand back in his and they walked down the aisle, smiling at the faces of their friends and family who were still applauding them.
Once outside the church, the happy couple posed for numerous photographs before moving onto their reception which was being held at the nearby Tree Hill Country Club. After all the speeches had been made, the plates from the sit down meal had been cleared away and the bride and groom had had their first dance to 'At Last' by Etta James, people were either dancing or helping themselves to food from the evening buffet and Nathan took the opportunity to steal Haley away from a couple of her old college friends; drawing her over to a quiet corner of the room.
“What's up?” she asked, sliding her arms up his chest to twine around his neck.
Wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her in flush against him, he lowered his head and kissed her lips softly. “Any chance we can make our getaway?”
“Had enough already, huh?”
Kissing a path along her cheek to her ear, Nathan whispered, “I'm just wondering how much longer I have to wait to get you out of that dress.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “You don't like it?”
“I love it and you look so gorgeous but I'd much rather see you out of it, especially since it's been, what, forty-eight hours since we last made love.”
Popping a kiss onto his pouting lips, Haley giggled. “Aww, poor baby. Are you feeling deprived?”
“Yes,” he stated.
It was almost on the tip of her tongue to ask him how he'd survived all their months apart when they'd attended different colleges but she didn't want to darken the mood on what was the happiest day of their lives. “Well, it won't be for much longer,” she told him. “The honeymoon suite awaits us and then tomorrow we're off to Hawaii.”
Winding a lock of her hair around his finger, Nathan said, “About the honeymoon suite. I've, uh, come up with a change of plans.”
“And what might that be?” she asked, cocking her head to one side.
“I thought we could go back to the apartment and have our wedding night there 'cause I can't wait to make love to you in our bed. What do you think?”
Haley felt a sudden wave of lust shoot through her at his heated words and pushing herself up onto her toes, she pressed her lips urgently against his, her fingers cupping the back of his head and holding him in place.
“Is that a yes?” he murmured breathlessly when they'd eventually broken apart.
“It's a hell yes!” She giggled as he suddenly picked her up and twirled her around. When he set her down, she folded her hand into his his. “C'mon, husband, let's go and tell our parents we're heading out.”
“Husband, huh? I like that,” Nathan said, ducking his head and brushing his lips over hers.
“I like it, too,” she whispered, her free hand softly caressing his cheek.
Out of the corner of his eye, Nathan spotted his parents-in-law laughing together at the side of the dance floor which caused a little half-smirk to grace his lips. If anyone could help him and Haley make a clean getaway it was Jimmy and Lydia. Popping another kiss onto his wife's lips, he led her over to them; the sound of her tuneful laughter turning his smirk into a full smile. Oh, the sooner he got her alone, the better, he thought to himself as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tucked her into his side.
“Looks like Nathan's about ready to bolt, Lyd,” Jimmy quipped to his wife when his daughter and son-in-law were within earshot.
Lydia swatted him on his arm but she laughed all the same. “Well, once they've cut the cake they'll be able to head out.”
Nathan groaned under his breath. Crap!
“It won't take long, Nathan,” Haley said, knowing only too well what he was thinking.
“Okay,” he capitulated, letting her lead the way. He couldn't help blushing at the laughter coming from his parents-in-law.
Not long after they'd cut the cake and posed for some more pictures, Nathan shared a look with Haley and he breathed a sigh of relief when she nodded. Capturing her hand in his own, he tugged her along behind him as he made a beeline for the exit.
“Eager much?” Haley muttered as she tried to keep up with his pace in the high heels she was wearing.
“Yes,” he threw over his shoulder.
Finally, they were outside and he bundled her into the waiting limousine, climbing in after her and as the car pulled away, they waved goodbye to their guests; several of whom were hollering and cheering.
As Haley snuggled into the limo's luxurious leather seats, she watched as Nathan spoke to the driver, no doubt telling him there had been a change of plans about where they were heading.
“Won't there be a problem with the hotel? With canceling our reservation at such late notice, I mean.”
Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he shook his head. “No,” he told her, popping a kiss onto her mouth before adding, “'cause the reservation isn't canceled.”
“Huh?”
“Maybe I was being presumptuous, but I figured you'd be cool with my proposition so I, uh, gave our reservation to my parents. Thought it'd be a nice way of thanking them for paying for our honeymoon.”
“Sounds like someone's been a busy little bee with all his plotting,” she teased.
“You don't mind?”
Making sure the partition was up between them and the driver, Haley carefully maneuvered herself so she was kneeling on the seat beside Nathan. Cupping his face between her palms, she traced the tip of her tongue around his lips before slanting her head and sealing her mouth over his, kissing him hotly. When the need for air became an issue, she drew back a fraction and, resting her forehead against his, she whispered, “I don't mind at all.”