'Getting it all Back' Chapter Twenty-One Part Two
'Getting it all Back' Ch. 21, Pt. 1
Nathan grins at me, squeezing my hand lightly in his. “There are a lot of things I could say today, here in front of the people that we love, and some are probably things I should say. But I’m only going to cover the highlights because we only have so much time until the sun goes completely down.
“You know that I love you. And I know that you love me. It’s that love - it’s your love - that has gotten me through a lot of crummy times for many years now. Even when we weren’t together, the idea that we could be was always with me and it…I was better for it. That’s the best way I can put it: I’m just better for knowing you, for loving you. For being known and loved by you. Maybe that’s a very simplistic way of putting it, but it’s the truth. I’m lucky; I married you at seventeen, and I get to marry you again at twenty-seven. That’s incredible.”
I smile at him widely even through the tears he’s moved me to, taking a step closer. “I love you, too,” I tell him, unable to keep the smile off of my face, “More every day, and I swear, that does not seem possible.” Taking a deep breath, I toss the small bouquet I’m holding to Lola, and take his hand in between both of mine. “It is so stupid, the time I wasted with you because I was stubborn. But I think that we’ve done a pretty good job making up for it since. Well, most of the time,” I admit, reaching a hand up to brush over his cheek, “But - oh, heck, I love you more than I could’ve ever imagined was even possible. That’s special and real, and all that I really know now is that I wouldn’t trade what I have with you for anything. People say perfection doesn’t exist, but…maybe it’s what you make it.”
The officiate smiles at us. “Do we have some rings?” Nathan and I both nod eagerly. This is probably something I’m supposed to want to savor, but right now I just want it over and to be pronounced Mrs. Nathan Scott. “Nathan, as you place the ring on Haley’s finger, repeat after me…”
“Haley, just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal, just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you to be my trusted partner for life.”
My breath hitches in my throat as he slides the warm band of gold onto my finger until it rests against the diamond engagement band he gave to me. Nothing has ever felt so right before. I only stop staring at my finger when Nathan reaches up to brush another happy tear away as his eyes brim with his own emotion.
“Now, Haley, if you could repeat after me…”
“Nathan, just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal, just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you to be my trusted partner for life.” Once the ring is placed on his finger, I lift his hand, kissing the ring.
“Unless anyone else has anything to add - “
Mere interrupts at that moment, commanding Dan to put her down. When he does, she runs over to stand on Nathan’s feet. “Are we married yet, Mama?”
Everyone tries to stifle their laughter at the childlike question. “Almost, sweets, just as soon as he tells us so.”
“I stay with you?” she asks sweetly, with that little pout Nathan can never say to ‘no’ to, the one even I have trouble ignoring.
“Yeah, but shh, okay?” I tell her, grinning when she nods, “This is the important part!”
“Indeed it is,” the officiate agrees, smiling as wide as all of us are, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Everyone starts cheering, including Mere, who gets pulled out of the way by her Uncle Luke. Nathan gives me that lazy grin of his, reaching out and pulling me to him even as I step willingly into his embrace. “We did it,” I whisper before his lips meet mine, “We finally did it.”
He brushes his lips against mine lightly; I’m not having any of that, though, and I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into him fully as I deepen the kiss. I can vaguely hear everyone laughing and catcalling and whistling, but it’s very low on my register right now. This is it, our first kiss as husband and wife. And damned if I don’t want to remember every single second of it.
That’s not going to be a problem, though. This day will always be with me.
~*~
After the ceremony is over, and the light of day is fading to night, we move the party inside. Dan had insisted on renting out a small room so that we could eat, have cake, and even dance. The room is elegantly decorated, and even Nathan smiles as we enter.
”It looks nice, Dad,” he tells him, “Thank you.”
Dan grins, pleased. “You’re welcome; I was more than happy to do it for you, son.”
It is one of the warmest exchanges that they’ve had in awhile, and maybe they’ll never have as close of a relationship as Dan has forged with Lucas, it is better. Much better than it was even ten years ago, and that’s very important to all of us, I think. Dan is such a big part of our children’s lives, and he should have some of that with Nathan, too. It’s good for both of them.
As I’m chatting with Karen, Tim comes over, looping an arm over my shoulder. “Can I borrow her for a few minutes?” he asks, winking at Karen.
“Of course you can,” she smiles back, “I’m just going to go make sure my son is behaving himself.”
“Which one?” Tim asks, and I laugh.
“Well, Lucas, of course,” Karen retorts with a sly grin, “Eric managed to pick up some manners somewhere along the way. We’re still not sure how that happened.”
Grinning, I let Tim take me by the arm, guiding me over to a spot a little bit out of the way. “What’s up?” I ask, the silly smile still on my face.
He smiles back at me, nervously twisting at his wedding ring. “I don’t know what happened with you and Brooke, but thank you. It was a lot, asking you to be the bigger person, but she couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Nothing is resolved,” I caution him, even though I definitely feel like we made some progress, and apparently Brooke does, too. “I mean it, Tim; if she goes back and starts treating Nathan badly again, then it’s done. I won’t put up with that.”
He grins a little at that. “Yeah, I hadn’t noticed, or anything. You are just a tiny bit adamant about that, James.”
I shrug, completely unapologetic. “Well, she’s practically begged for me to get angry with her, Timmy. But okay, I can try and let this go. I can, hell, I am. It is conditional, though. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I know,” he nods, “And that’s fine. I’d never ask for more than that. It really does mean a lot to her, even if she can’t say that herself.”
“At some point, she has to say these things,” I point out, “I’m not going to be the only one who makes concessions like that.”
“And you shouldn’t have to be,” he agrees, hugging me, “Thanks, James. You really made my wife happy in that way that only you can. She loves you; I swear, sometimes she loves you more than she loves me.”
I shake my head. “That’s not true, and even if it were, it shouldn’t be.”
He nods. “Well, anyway, I’ll let you get back to your family. I think I’m going to drag my wife out of here. We’re thinking of trying to have a baby,” he confides, a goofy ‘Tim’ smile on his face.
I clap my hands together, then throw my arms around his neck. “Oh, my gosh, that’s so perfect! That’s awesome!”
He rolls his eyes, laughing. “We aren’t quite there yet,” he shrugs as he extricates himself from my grip, “But thank you for the enthusiasm.”
“You guys will be great parents,” I tell him seriously, “I mean it, Tim. I know how much you’ll love any child of yours, and I know you’ll both dote on it like crazy.”
“Can I tell Brooke you said that?” I frown in confusion, but nod. “It’s just, she’s nervous. Her parents sucked, and then she’s got you and Karen as examples, and I think she’s afraid she won’t be as good as you two are.”
Sighing, I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Just tell her that if she ever wants to talk diapers and car seats, that I’m here.”
He hugs me again. “Okay, I’ll do that. Thanks, Haley Scott.” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t flow quite as well as Haley James did, but it works. It suits you.”
“Thanks,” I nod, giving him a small smile. So much has changed over the years, including my friendships. Some have gotten stronger, and some…not so much. But maybe they ebb and flow, and will be built back up someday. Maybe I can make sure that they get built back up.
Once he leaves, I move over to where Nathan is sitting at a table with Luke and his father. Deb and Karen have the kids, laughing at Mere’s dancing. I sit down in the seat next to Nathan, leaning my head on his shoulder.
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me onto his lap. Luke rolls his eyes. “Okay, just get out of here, no one wants to see you two all lovey dovey,” he teases - well, mostly teases, “I’ve got the kids tonight.”
Nathan snickers at that. “I don’t care how crazy Mere is driving you with the talking and the bouncing and the never sitting still, you can’t call us in the middle of the night to come get her, bro.”
“Hey! I think I can handle the two of them for one night, thanks. Besides, Lola will be with me, and she’ll help,” he grins, shoving at Nathan, “Jerk.”
“You love me,” Nathan retorts, and I just sit here silently marveling at how easy it has become for the two of them. It might never be like this for Nathan and his father, but it’s nice to see it here with Luke. Dan catches my eye, smiling, and I know he feels the same way.
“Well, I like the idea of getting out of here,” I announce, moving to stand, “Come on, husband, let’s go to our room.”
He stands up, too, grinning at me. “I can’t find any problem with that plan,” he laughs, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. “Okay, let’s say goodbye to the kids.”
We grab Mere, who is predictably excited about staying with her Uncle Luke and Lola, but leave a sleeping Brian be. Despite his earlier assertions, Nathan makes Lola promise to call if the kids are too much or they won’t let them sleep. She agrees that if it is too much, they’ll bring them back, even though she doubts that’ll be a problem.
“Okay, Merry, we’re going now. You be a good girl, okay?” Nathan tells her, kissing her on the forehead, “Take care of Bri for us, right?”
She nods solemnly. “I good, Daddy!”
I tweak one of her curls, smiling when she throws herself at me. “We know you are, baby. You have fun, too, okay?”
She nods again, wrapping her arms around my neck. “We play with my dollies! Uncle Luke is the one with yellow hair!”
“Well, good for Uncle Luke,” Nathan laughs, not deterred at all when Luke slugs him on the shoulder, “Okay, munchkin, we’ll see you in the morning for breakfast, alright?”
She agrees, and we leave them there with our family. We’re quiet on the walk to the elevator and even during the ride up to our room. We just hold hands silently, smiling at each other.
When we get to our room, he stops me, shaking his head. “We’re married now; I get to carry you over the threshold.”
I laugh as he swings me up into his arms, pushing the door open with his foot. “I don’t think I can be any happier than I am now,” I tell him, pressing kisses against his neck, “I love you, Nathan Scott.”
He sets me on my feet, but keeps his arms around me. “I love you, too, Haley Scott. Does this mean I have to change my nickname to Haley S?”
“Only if you want to,” I smile, looping my arms around his neck to tug him down for a kiss, “You can call me anything, and it’ll sound sexy coming out of your mouth.”
“Oh, yeah?” I nod, sighing when his lips brush over mine. “I’m so lucky that I still have you,” he murmurs, his lips skimming over my cheek, “It still freaks me out, the ways that I’ve messed up.”
I lean back, placing my fingertips over his mouth. “No, Nathan. Not tonight. Tonight is about the good stuff, and let me tell you, the good so outweighs the bad here. I promise you that.”
He nods, his hold tightening on me as he lifts me up off the ground slightly. “You save me, Haley. I meant what I said today, about you making me better, but you save me, too.”
“No, you save yourself,” I tell him seriously, running my fingers through his hair, “Oh, Nathan, maybe me and the kids are an impetus, but you do this yourself. You’re strong, and where you are…it’s a credit to you, and no one else.”
“I don’t know about that,” he sighs, kissing along my jaw, “But I do know that I’m as lucky as a man could get. I have you, and the two most beautiful children ever. I’m so lucky.”
“We both are,” I whisper, tightening my hold on him as he walks us to the bed, “This is a really nice life that we have.”
It really is.
Nathan grins at me, squeezing my hand lightly in his. “There are a lot of things I could say today, here in front of the people that we love, and some are probably things I should say. But I’m only going to cover the highlights because we only have so much time until the sun goes completely down.
“You know that I love you. And I know that you love me. It’s that love - it’s your love - that has gotten me through a lot of crummy times for many years now. Even when we weren’t together, the idea that we could be was always with me and it…I was better for it. That’s the best way I can put it: I’m just better for knowing you, for loving you. For being known and loved by you. Maybe that’s a very simplistic way of putting it, but it’s the truth. I’m lucky; I married you at seventeen, and I get to marry you again at twenty-seven. That’s incredible.”
I smile at him widely even through the tears he’s moved me to, taking a step closer. “I love you, too,” I tell him, unable to keep the smile off of my face, “More every day, and I swear, that does not seem possible.” Taking a deep breath, I toss the small bouquet I’m holding to Lola, and take his hand in between both of mine. “It is so stupid, the time I wasted with you because I was stubborn. But I think that we’ve done a pretty good job making up for it since. Well, most of the time,” I admit, reaching a hand up to brush over his cheek, “But - oh, heck, I love you more than I could’ve ever imagined was even possible. That’s special and real, and all that I really know now is that I wouldn’t trade what I have with you for anything. People say perfection doesn’t exist, but…maybe it’s what you make it.”
The officiate smiles at us. “Do we have some rings?” Nathan and I both nod eagerly. This is probably something I’m supposed to want to savor, but right now I just want it over and to be pronounced Mrs. Nathan Scott. “Nathan, as you place the ring on Haley’s finger, repeat after me…”
“Haley, just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal, just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you to be my trusted partner for life.”
My breath hitches in my throat as he slides the warm band of gold onto my finger until it rests against the diamond engagement band he gave to me. Nothing has ever felt so right before. I only stop staring at my finger when Nathan reaches up to brush another happy tear away as his eyes brim with his own emotion.
“Now, Haley, if you could repeat after me…”
“Nathan, just as this circle is without end, my love for you is eternal, just as it is made of indestructible substance, my commitment to you will never fail. With this ring I take you to be my trusted partner for life.” Once the ring is placed on his finger, I lift his hand, kissing the ring.
“Unless anyone else has anything to add - “
Mere interrupts at that moment, commanding Dan to put her down. When he does, she runs over to stand on Nathan’s feet. “Are we married yet, Mama?”
Everyone tries to stifle their laughter at the childlike question. “Almost, sweets, just as soon as he tells us so.”
“I stay with you?” she asks sweetly, with that little pout Nathan can never say to ‘no’ to, the one even I have trouble ignoring.
“Yeah, but shh, okay?” I tell her, grinning when she nods, “This is the important part!”
“Indeed it is,” the officiate agrees, smiling as wide as all of us are, “I now pronounce you man and wife.”
Everyone starts cheering, including Mere, who gets pulled out of the way by her Uncle Luke. Nathan gives me that lazy grin of his, reaching out and pulling me to him even as I step willingly into his embrace. “We did it,” I whisper before his lips meet mine, “We finally did it.”
He brushes his lips against mine lightly; I’m not having any of that, though, and I wrap my arms around his neck, leaning into him fully as I deepen the kiss. I can vaguely hear everyone laughing and catcalling and whistling, but it’s very low on my register right now. This is it, our first kiss as husband and wife. And damned if I don’t want to remember every single second of it.
That’s not going to be a problem, though. This day will always be with me.
~*~
After the ceremony is over, and the light of day is fading to night, we move the party inside. Dan had insisted on renting out a small room so that we could eat, have cake, and even dance. The room is elegantly decorated, and even Nathan smiles as we enter.
”It looks nice, Dad,” he tells him, “Thank you.”
Dan grins, pleased. “You’re welcome; I was more than happy to do it for you, son.”
It is one of the warmest exchanges that they’ve had in awhile, and maybe they’ll never have as close of a relationship as Dan has forged with Lucas, it is better. Much better than it was even ten years ago, and that’s very important to all of us, I think. Dan is such a big part of our children’s lives, and he should have some of that with Nathan, too. It’s good for both of them.
As I’m chatting with Karen, Tim comes over, looping an arm over my shoulder. “Can I borrow her for a few minutes?” he asks, winking at Karen.
“Of course you can,” she smiles back, “I’m just going to go make sure my son is behaving himself.”
“Which one?” Tim asks, and I laugh.
“Well, Lucas, of course,” Karen retorts with a sly grin, “Eric managed to pick up some manners somewhere along the way. We’re still not sure how that happened.”
Grinning, I let Tim take me by the arm, guiding me over to a spot a little bit out of the way. “What’s up?” I ask, the silly smile still on my face.
He smiles back at me, nervously twisting at his wedding ring. “I don’t know what happened with you and Brooke, but thank you. It was a lot, asking you to be the bigger person, but she couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Nothing is resolved,” I caution him, even though I definitely feel like we made some progress, and apparently Brooke does, too. “I mean it, Tim; if she goes back and starts treating Nathan badly again, then it’s done. I won’t put up with that.”
He grins a little at that. “Yeah, I hadn’t noticed, or anything. You are just a tiny bit adamant about that, James.”
I shrug, completely unapologetic. “Well, she’s practically begged for me to get angry with her, Timmy. But okay, I can try and let this go. I can, hell, I am. It is conditional, though. That’s all I’m saying.”
“I know,” he nods, “And that’s fine. I’d never ask for more than that. It really does mean a lot to her, even if she can’t say that herself.”
“At some point, she has to say these things,” I point out, “I’m not going to be the only one who makes concessions like that.”
“And you shouldn’t have to be,” he agrees, hugging me, “Thanks, James. You really made my wife happy in that way that only you can. She loves you; I swear, sometimes she loves you more than she loves me.”
I shake my head. “That’s not true, and even if it were, it shouldn’t be.”
He nods. “Well, anyway, I’ll let you get back to your family. I think I’m going to drag my wife out of here. We’re thinking of trying to have a baby,” he confides, a goofy ‘Tim’ smile on his face.
I clap my hands together, then throw my arms around his neck. “Oh, my gosh, that’s so perfect! That’s awesome!”
He rolls his eyes, laughing. “We aren’t quite there yet,” he shrugs as he extricates himself from my grip, “But thank you for the enthusiasm.”
“You guys will be great parents,” I tell him seriously, “I mean it, Tim. I know how much you’ll love any child of yours, and I know you’ll both dote on it like crazy.”
“Can I tell Brooke you said that?” I frown in confusion, but nod. “It’s just, she’s nervous. Her parents sucked, and then she’s got you and Karen as examples, and I think she’s afraid she won’t be as good as you two are.”
Sighing, I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. “Just tell her that if she ever wants to talk diapers and car seats, that I’m here.”
He hugs me again. “Okay, I’ll do that. Thanks, Haley Scott.” He shakes his head. “It doesn’t flow quite as well as Haley James did, but it works. It suits you.”
“Thanks,” I nod, giving him a small smile. So much has changed over the years, including my friendships. Some have gotten stronger, and some…not so much. But maybe they ebb and flow, and will be built back up someday. Maybe I can make sure that they get built back up.
Once he leaves, I move over to where Nathan is sitting at a table with Luke and his father. Deb and Karen have the kids, laughing at Mere’s dancing. I sit down in the seat next to Nathan, leaning my head on his shoulder.
He wraps his arms around me, pulling me onto his lap. Luke rolls his eyes. “Okay, just get out of here, no one wants to see you two all lovey dovey,” he teases - well, mostly teases, “I’ve got the kids tonight.”
Nathan snickers at that. “I don’t care how crazy Mere is driving you with the talking and the bouncing and the never sitting still, you can’t call us in the middle of the night to come get her, bro.”
“Hey! I think I can handle the two of them for one night, thanks. Besides, Lola will be with me, and she’ll help,” he grins, shoving at Nathan, “Jerk.”
“You love me,” Nathan retorts, and I just sit here silently marveling at how easy it has become for the two of them. It might never be like this for Nathan and his father, but it’s nice to see it here with Luke. Dan catches my eye, smiling, and I know he feels the same way.
“Well, I like the idea of getting out of here,” I announce, moving to stand, “Come on, husband, let’s go to our room.”
He stands up, too, grinning at me. “I can’t find any problem with that plan,” he laughs, his arm wrapping around my shoulders. “Okay, let’s say goodbye to the kids.”
We grab Mere, who is predictably excited about staying with her Uncle Luke and Lola, but leave a sleeping Brian be. Despite his earlier assertions, Nathan makes Lola promise to call if the kids are too much or they won’t let them sleep. She agrees that if it is too much, they’ll bring them back, even though she doubts that’ll be a problem.
“Okay, Merry, we’re going now. You be a good girl, okay?” Nathan tells her, kissing her on the forehead, “Take care of Bri for us, right?”
She nods solemnly. “I good, Daddy!”
I tweak one of her curls, smiling when she throws herself at me. “We know you are, baby. You have fun, too, okay?”
She nods again, wrapping her arms around my neck. “We play with my dollies! Uncle Luke is the one with yellow hair!”
“Well, good for Uncle Luke,” Nathan laughs, not deterred at all when Luke slugs him on the shoulder, “Okay, munchkin, we’ll see you in the morning for breakfast, alright?”
She agrees, and we leave them there with our family. We’re quiet on the walk to the elevator and even during the ride up to our room. We just hold hands silently, smiling at each other.
When we get to our room, he stops me, shaking his head. “We’re married now; I get to carry you over the threshold.”
I laugh as he swings me up into his arms, pushing the door open with his foot. “I don’t think I can be any happier than I am now,” I tell him, pressing kisses against his neck, “I love you, Nathan Scott.”
He sets me on my feet, but keeps his arms around me. “I love you, too, Haley Scott. Does this mean I have to change my nickname to Haley S?”
“Only if you want to,” I smile, looping my arms around his neck to tug him down for a kiss, “You can call me anything, and it’ll sound sexy coming out of your mouth.”
“Oh, yeah?” I nod, sighing when his lips brush over mine. “I’m so lucky that I still have you,” he murmurs, his lips skimming over my cheek, “It still freaks me out, the ways that I’ve messed up.”
I lean back, placing my fingertips over his mouth. “No, Nathan. Not tonight. Tonight is about the good stuff, and let me tell you, the good so outweighs the bad here. I promise you that.”
He nods, his hold tightening on me as he lifts me up off the ground slightly. “You save me, Haley. I meant what I said today, about you making me better, but you save me, too.”
“No, you save yourself,” I tell him seriously, running my fingers through his hair, “Oh, Nathan, maybe me and the kids are an impetus, but you do this yourself. You’re strong, and where you are…it’s a credit to you, and no one else.”
“I don’t know about that,” he sighs, kissing along my jaw, “But I do know that I’m as lucky as a man could get. I have you, and the two most beautiful children ever. I’m so lucky.”
“We both are,” I whisper, tightening my hold on him as he walks us to the bed, “This is a really nice life that we have.”
It really is.