Epilogue

Dan Scott walked inside his former house to see the place littered with boxes. He was here to see Nathan and judging by the amount of things here, he was pleased that he and Haley were able to get him to move back and go to Duke. He had to admit, maybe she really does love him.

"Nathan!" He called out as he saw Nathan walking out of the shower.

Steam was coming from the bathroom door and Nathan was wearing white shorts and a towel over his neck.

"What do you want Dad?"

"I just wanted to welcome you back."

"Whatever."

"Son, I'm glad you came back."

"I know what you and Haley did, can't say I'm surprised but let's get one thing clear dad. I'm going back to Duke and it definitely isn't for you."

"Whatever you need to tell yourself son. Just know I always had your best interests at heart and throwing away a chance to play at Duke was too much for me not to do anything."

"Whatever you need to tell yourself.. Dad." Nathan turned around and started to walk away.

"Ass!" Said a brown haired figure with a towel around her torso, came walking out of the bathroom. Dan was shocked.

"Haley?" He called out. "What're you doing here?"

"Oh didn't Nathan tell you, we're back together now." She shrugged casually.

He was definitely wrong about Haley James Scott.

--

A year later . . .

Haley didn't sleep, she couldn't. She had been dreading this day for a year now. The past year was a dream come true, now it was all coming to an end. Haley spent the fall and spring semesters with Nathan at Duke. Her online classes worked great and she was pleasantly surprised to find that it still challenged her as if she attended the regular classes. She even saved money, tutoring for Duke University. She was constantly with Nathan, only on rare occasions when she couldn't go to his away games or when she had to fly to Stanford for midterms and finals. During the spring semester, she just worked and earned co-op credit from Stanford.

With Haley by Nathan's side, he excelled at Duke. His game seemed to only improve knowing that Haley was there in the stands or watching on TV. Although he wasn't officially a starter, he was going to be during his third year. Coach K seemed really pleased with him and a lot of people took notice. He played a lot more this past season and they were already a lot of hype around Duke's latest basketball star.

Before leaving California, Nathan and Haley were both groomsman and bridesmaid to Peyton and Jake's wedding in Tree Hill. Seeing Nathan and Haley work things out, they decided to take the next big step. When the summer arrived, they moved back to California and rented out the same apartment. Nathan worked for the same basketball camp and Haley attended summer classes.

Nathan accompanied Haley on her family road trips where he was welcomed in by the James clan. They visited Brooke in LA and they frequently saw Lucas while they were at Duke, with UNC not too far away. Life was good for them, but now it was all coming to an end.

"Go to sleep."

"I can't .. Nathan.. you're going to be going back to Duke in a few hours and I'm going to be stuck here." This time she couldn't hold her emotions. She started to tear and then eventually tears streamed through her face.

"What was I thinking? I should transfer to Duke.. I can't be without you, I need you."

"Haley.. Haley. . look at me.. and no crying okay because if you do then you might get me started."

Haley smiled.

"Look, everything is gong to be okay."

"But I won't get to see you until October.. that's 5 weeks Nate!"

Nathan sighed. He reached over into his jeans that were on the floor and pulled out a card from the back pocket. "I was going to wait but here this is for you."

She opened the envelope and inside was a credit card and a letter.

"Dear Haley,

I know I haven't been the biggest supporter of your's and Nathan's marriage but I see how selfless you two are to each other and how much you make my son happy. I know that it wasn't the practices or the workouts that made my son a better player this year, it was you and it has always been you. I know I still have a lot to do to patch things up with both my sons and my daughter in law, but I hope you will accept this gift as a token of my appreciation for everything you have done. Moving back to North Carolina but still enrolled in Stanford was very impressive, I under estimated you. I won't make that mistake again.

- Dan S."

Haley couldn't believe what she was reading. Tears were not forming once again.

"He gave two for each of us… anytime we want to visit each other we can use this."

"Wait.. what?"

"I know we won't be able to see each other every weekend but you can come fly out to some of my away games here on the west coast or in the Midwest."

"Oh my God, Nate.. I know your dad has been pretty civil this past year .. but this .. I don't know what to say."

"Say that you'll take it and spend his money."

"I will.. oh my God!" She squealed in excitement.

"Well since we're talking about surprises.. I have one for you."

"Oh my God, you're pregnant again!" Nathan leaned in and gave her a big hug. Haley started laughing.

"I'm not pregnant.. haha what made you think that?"

"Well since we're averaging 4 a day.."

"Nathan!" She couldn't help but laugh. "Well you know how in high school, I took all those AP courses (Nathan nodded) and since I maxed out my credits my first year and then with the summer classes and the online classes…. Well I can graduate at the end of this school year."

"What what!? You're going to graduate!"

"Yeah, I'll have enough credits to graduate, could you believe it, I had to verify it with my advisor the other day but yeah.. the end of the road is finally here.. so now this time next year, I can spend your senior year with you!"

Nathan was overwhelmed with happiness and excitement. He leaned down and captured his wife's lips. Their eyes locked and they smiled, forever was now and nothing could stop them.

The next 10 months were rough on them both, but they made it through, seeing each other once, sometimes twice a month. They spent Thanksgiving together and enjoyed winter break back in Tree Hill. Their spring breaks matched up and Lucas Peyton, Jake and Brooke as well as Nathan and Haley were all able to go to Cancun together. By the time May rolled around, everyone was excited to see Haley graduate. Nathan as well as his parents, the rest of their friends and Haley's family came out to Haley's graduation.

Nathan looked at the living room of his new apartment with Haley, just outside the Duke campus. He looked at the pictures on the table, there was a photo of him and Lucas and the rest of the Ravens from the championship game during their senior year. The next photo was this past year when he helped lead the Blue Devils to a championship. Next to it was an empty frame, which Haley said would be for this year's championship. Then he looked at the last two photos, one was a picture that Haley's parents took of them during their high school graduation and then the other one was also taken by Haley's parents. This time though at Haley's graduation.

Haley walked over to him as she saw him staring. She wrapped her arms behind him.

He turned around and gave her a tender kiss.

"I'm pregnant." She muttered and Nathan's smile only grew wider.

"I love you… both of you." He leaned in for another kiss.

--

Thank you everyone for all your support for this story. I hoped you like it. With news of the Writer's Strike nearly over, I am hoping for a full season of OTH. With such a great season 5, I hope the CW would be very wise to renew them for a season 6. I could easily see OTH going for another season, so here's hoping to that! Also thank you for everyone who responded to "Gone." I might do a story based on that, not a direct sequel but something based of it, especially something involving a season 5 setting with Deb. Thank you again and please review!