Father Oh Father REEDITED

Chapter 2

The second Haley laid eyes on him she felt herself freeze. The love of her life was here. He was standing in front of her with an indescribable expression on his face. It was a mixture of sadness, fear and guilt with hint of awe.

She didn't know what to do, how to feel. The man she gave herself to was standing straight ahead of her after six years of absence. The man who had promised her always and forever. The man who instead of love and laughter gave her nothing but pain and long tearful nights. 'He was still handsome' she admitted to herself. But no she couldn't go further than that. Because the further she went into describing him, the closer she got to forgiving and forgetting and that was something she was not prepared to do.

"Micca sweetheart go up to your room please." Haley ordered.

"But mom..." Began Micca, but was cut off by the authority in his mom's voice as she ordered once again. "NOW Micca!"

"Okay, okay I am going" he replied irritably and stomped his feet towards his room.

She turned to Nathan, who up until then had stood frozen as though he was afraid she'd disappear the minute he moved a muscle. Breaking the silence, he found himself idiotically greeting her. "Hey hales,"

"What are you doing here Nathan?" she asked strongly, her mask already in place.

"His name is Micca?" he asked with a smile looking at Haley.

Haley looked back at him and answered curtly "It's Michael Lucas James"

"James?" he asked hurt evident in his voice.

"What did you expect? He's almost six years old and you're his father and you have NO idea what his name even is? And you expected me to name him Scott?" she asked with annoyance and anger in her voice. "What are you even doing here Nathan?"

"I just…I wanted to see you. To apologize. Hales, I am so sorry I thought Basketball was important but I realize now that it's not that you guys are the important ones you and our son and I know I made a huge mistake but he is my son Hales and I want to get to know him I want to know his favorite food and color and I want-" he rambled but was stopped by the angry tone in Haley's voice as she called his name. "NATHAN"

"First of all I don't care whether or not you're sorry and to be frank I could care less. Second of all it's Haley not Hales HALEY you lost the right to call me that the moment you turned your back on your son! And you just happen to "realize" that he's important? FORGODSAKES you had YEARS Nathan! Years. And you're coming back now?" she finished, sounding defeated even to her own ears.

"Haley, please! Just let me explain" he pleaded.

Haley almost faltered but then she remembered a time when she pleaded with him to listen to her, to think of their son. And then she remembered when she PLEADED with him to understand that she wanted to go on tour and then pleaded to him for forgiveness when she came back after a month not six years and her anger flared when she remembered having Brooke and Lucas take turns to go with her to birthing classes and then when she went into labor and the nurse asked where the father was and Brooke had to step in and cut the nurse off before she said the wrong thing again.

With new convection Haley's voice went cold. "Now you listen to me Nathan Royal Scott because this is the most important thing you will ever need to know; Micca and I we are NOT your family. We will never be your family." She paused, took a deep breath as though to give her courage. "Just so you know," she started softly. "I had a lawyer look into divorce about three years ago but surprise, surprise I had NO IDEA where you were. And to be honest you weren't worth the money to pay for a PI so turn around and leave Nathan because the only thing we have to say to each other is going to be through lawyers-"

"Divorce Hales?" Nathan asked in a broken voice.

Ignoring him Haley went on "And so help me God Nathan if you so much as try to gain custody of Micca I will not hesitate to air your dirty laundry if I remember correctly it had something to do with your dad and a fire. Ring a bell?"

"Haley." Nathan called in a disbelieving voice.

"Just go Nathan because the Haley you knew died a long time ago. This Haley will not hesitate to protect her family"

"Not long ago I was your family" Nathan stated with a hint of hope in his voice.

"That's where you're wrong," she replied. "You stopped being my family about six years ago. Leave Nathan, and don't come back." she demanded and with that she closed the door and collapsed on the floor crying hysterically.

"Mama?" her son's hesitant voice cut through her tears. She opened her eyes and found the true love of her life. The only person along with a few others who has never let her down.

"Hey baby" she answered him.

He stared at her for a moment and then asked "Why are you crying Mama? Did that man make you sad? Want me to punch him like I punched Jenny when she tried to take iron man from me?" he asked innocently.

Chuckling Haley answered, "No baby Mama just accidently closed the door on her pinkie." she replied sweetly thinking fast.

"Are you sure?" he asked suspiciously.

"Yeah baby! Want to go help me make dinner before aunt Brooke gets home?" she asked.

"Mac and Cheese?" he asked eagerly.

"What else?" Haley asked with a smile.