The Wish

It was supposed to be their first Christmas together.

She'd been so excited. Call her foolish but she had been looking forward to it for a really long time. She'd bought his present months before, long before Chris Keller and the tour ever came into her life. It was an autographed basketball signed by Michael Jordan himself. She'd been on a trip to Chicago, her parents were staying there for a few days. That's when she'd seen him, sitting at the table across from them at some restaurant whose name was long forgotten. She knew that he was Nathan's idol, normally she wouldn't have the guts to approach high profile people like that, but she had to, for Nathan. Nathan, she'd do anything for him. If only he could understand.

As Haley walked past the shops on Main Street, she admired the streets. Surrounded by Christmas lights and people rushing to purchase last minute gifts for their loved ones, Haley couldn't help but feel a little sorry for herself.

For a moment she stopped to observe the night sky above. The weatherman had said that there would be clear skies tonight, and for once he was right. Just then, she spotted a shooting star.

I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.

I wish I weren't so alone tonight. I wish Nathan were here with me.

It was probably silly believe in such things, for the most part she was a staunch believer in science, hence she didn't usually believe in superstition. But tonight was an exception, she desperately wanted her wish to come true.

Haley came from a big family. Every year since birth, her family went to pick the perfect Christmas tree, they all helped in making the Christmas dinner, and at the end of the evening they sat around the fire singing Christmas carols and drinking eggnog. It wasn't anything as elaborate as anything Dan Scott would do but she loved it nonetheless. This was the first year that she was going to spend Christmas without her family and though she tried not to, she really missed them.

Peyton, Brooke, Lucas, they all had plans, and Nathan, Nathan didn't really care.

“I think I'm just going stay in this year. I'm not really in the mood for all of this, festivities and stuff.”

But she happened to like all of these so called festivities and stuff, but she wouldn't tell him that.

“Oh okay. Well have a good Christmas then”, she'd said, careful not to show her disappointment".

“Yeah, you too”

And that was it. She knew that she'd hurt him. She knew that what she'd done was wrong and she understood his animosity toward her. Everyday that passed by she regretted having left him like that even more. If she could change the past, she would. Music meant nothing to her if Nathan wasn't a part of her life. If only Nathan could understand.

Feeling lonelier that she had felt since, since well forever, Haley entered her empty apartment and began rummaging through the items she had bought. First she took out the candles, then the plastic tree, and finally the ingredients that she'd need for her Christmas feast. One that would ultimately go to waste since no one would be there to eat it other than herself of course.

A cup of flour

A dash of cinnamon

And lots and lots of sugar

She was making gingerbread cookies. They used to be her favorite part. Every year, her mother and she would make them together. It was their special thing and no one was allowed to interfere. She knew that her cookies weren't going to be as good as her mother's but it didn't hurt to try.

She put the turkey into the oven and began to decorate the apartment. She hung icicle lights on the balcony, coloured lights on the windows, and a beautiful wreath on the front door. She then hung the two Christmas stockings, custom embroidered, with each of their names on them. Next she lit a fire in the fireplace.

As the aroma of roast turkey filled the air, Haley took a moment to savour it. So many years, so many memories, for a moment Haley forgot her current circumstances and let herself bask in the memories of past Christmases.

It wasn't until she heard the soft ping of the oven indicating that the turkey was ready that she came out of her reverie. Now came the part she most looked forward to – decorating the Christmas tree. She hurriedly setup the fake Christmas tree, and began hanging each of the tree ornaments she had collected over the years. Some were bought from the store, others were given as presents, but most were made by her siblings.

When it was finally time to put the finishing touch, to put the golden star atop the tree, that's when it happened.

That's when her wish came true.

As she struggled to reach the top, she felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, while the other took the star from her hands and gently placed it at the top.

Haley swiftly spun herself around and found herself in Nathan's loving arms. For a moment, she let herself indulge in Nathan's scent. It had been so long since she'd been this close to him. She searched his eyes, hoping to find some answers but all she found was love.

“Sorry I…I still had the spare keys,” he said grinning sheepishly.

“What no. No problem. Nathan, … what, what are you doing here?” she asked in genuine surprise.

“You said you loved Christmas. The lights, the food, the music, but most of all, how it brings people together.”

And that's all that was needed. In the past year, Nathan had gotten to know her, better than she knew herself, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that Nathan would know just how important this day was for her.

“But… But Nathan I thought you hated me”, she with tears beginning to blur her vision.

“I don't hate you Haley, I never could. It's going to take me a while to get over what you did, but I will, eventually.”

She didn't know what to say. Anything she could say would just ruin this perfect moment. Not knowing what to do, she pulled her wonderful husband into a tight hug and if she had her way, she'd never let go.

“Thank you Nathan”

“No problem. Always and forever right?”

“Always and forever”

~The End~