Author's Notes: At long last, I'm finally able to post this thing... I dunno why I couldnt the past week, but I'm happy now... This would be chapter two... Well, I'm thinking if I should make it a long fic or just a trilogy... What do you think? I hope you enjoy this chapter! Review please!
She laid there, just watching him sleep. She knew any moment now her Jr is going to wake up but she wanted to revel in every moment she had with her husband. Yes, by now they are officially separated - well, at least that's what the law says - but there were still no papers signed, so they are still technically married. And that thought somehow comforted her despite the distance. It sustained her hope that one day they will be together someday, because as long as no divorce papers were dropped in her mail, she knows he still wants to be with her again.
She was just as she remembered him. The same hair, same face, the same peacefulness she felt every time she watched him sleep. Carefully, she gently lifted her hand to gently caress his face. And again she revelled at the familiarity of it all. Slowly, she raised herself to place a chaste kiss on his lips. And it was heaven. It had been too long and she wanted to stay that way forever.
He was roused from his dreams the minute she laid her lips on his, and he reluctantly entered reality. He kept his eyes closed because he didnt want to wake up and realize that everything that happened in the last 24 hours had been a dream. But the sudden loss of the gentle pressure on his lips alarmed him more and the moment he opened his eyes, he realized why.
Haley was staring at him, her hand gently caressing his cheeks, a soft smile playing on her face. And at that one moment, it seemed that everything that had happened to him the past year had been worth it. Just that one simple smile from his wife, is enough to make it all better, and all the love he sees in her eyes made it worth it to go through with it all again and again.
Then the moment was gone, the silence was broken by the sounds of a child crying, and he was forced back to reality. His hold on her tightened - he didnt want to let her go - but he knew he eventually should. He had given up his chance a long time ago. She had been his family once, but now she belongs to another family - one that doesnt have him in it.
She watched his feelings as they flickered through his eyes. She knew she had to tend to her little one but she had to know first. She saw the contentment she found the minute she opened her eyes change into pain, then regret, then hopelessness and desperation. But despite these changes, one thing remained the same - the love. And that brought relief so huge that she had to restrain herself from jumping up and down again and again, right then and there. But she couldnt stop the huge grin that appeared on her face, nor the kiss she gave him that she hope showed just how happy she was that he was back.
A moment later, she was smiling so stupidly that he couldnt help but smile back, but she still couldnt see his confusion. Deciding for it to be better for him to see for himself, she got up from the bed, then offered her hand for him to take. She led him to the other bedroom where her little one is, then momentarilly dropping his hand, she rushed to pick up her baby. He watched her coo the little one, who was starting to calm down by the soothing voice and touch of his mother.
She looked at him, smiling softly, as she motioned for him to come closer. With that one close look at the child, he cant believe how much love he already felt for it. He was the most beautiful and precious thing he had seen, so small and fragile, and it was a part of Haley, which makes it even more perfect. For a moment, all his other thoughts vanished and what remained was the adoration he felt for the mother and her child, that he cannot help but smile gratefully when she held it out for him to hold.
He gently touched its face, and his heart swelled when it smiled at him. He has the brightest blue eyes he had ever seen, and he knew he would be a heartbreaker when he grows up. He has a dark brown hair, a little lighter in shade than his own. His skin was so soft that he was almost afraid that he would tear him. But beyond the angelic appearance, he could see that toughness in him. Funny, but he could feel it when he looks at his eyes. Maybe he would be basketball player someday.
He looked at Haley, who was looking at them with a serene smile on her face. She is happy. She is content. And she's not his anymore. The thought sank in, and his heart broke all over again.
He gently gave her back the child, for he was starting to tremble, afraid he would drop him. He cannot stay there. It wasnt his place anymore. All that matters is that she is happy. She is happy... without him. He loves her that much.
"Nathan." she called him softly, reaching out to hold his hand with her free one, to prevent him from moving away. She knows what he's thinking, and she hurt because she can feel his pain. How could he not see it already? The resemblance? Her little one reminded her so much of him. Sometimes, when she looks at his eyes, she could see him. She could see his love.
"Honey, I'm home!" a familiar voice rang out, followed by a very familiar chuckle, preventing her to say more. Her eyes widened in shock, as his eyes went from confusion to anger and betrayal in a flash. His jaws clenched, he released himself from her hold, then turned to stomp out the door.
"Nathan no!" she called out, knowing fully well what he's up to. She hurriedly went after him, praying that he wont do something stupid. "Nathan, please stop!"
"You bastard!" she heard as she entered the living room. She gasped at the sight in front of her. Lucas was was on the floor, holding his bloody noes, glaring at Nathan who was towering over him, hands still clenced at his sides. She immediately went in between them, preventing a inevitable fist fight.
"Nice to see you too, little brother." Lucas spat as he gingerly got up from his position. The baby was again starting to cry, lacing the tension in the room.
Nathan was clenching his fists so tight it was already white, but his control broke when he saw Haley, went to his brother to tend to him. He sidestepped Haley, and in a blink of an eye, Lucas was being pushed roughly at the wall, Nathan's fists almost strangling him. Haley's cries now are mixing with the baby, as she was helpless to do anything to stop what's happening.
"It bothers you, right? That she had moved on without you? That she is happy even without you?" Lucas managed to spat out, despite the lack of air. Surprised as he was to see his younger brother at his best friend's house, he still understand what caused him to act that way.
"Lucas stop!" Haley cried. "Nathan, please. Dont do this."
"Ask for his name Nathan!" Lucas shouted, as Nathan's hold on his lessened by Haley's words. No matter how angry he is at his brother for leaving Haley, he knew they still needed this chance, that they still wanted this chance.
"Why would I want to know the name of the child you had with, oh, MY WIFE?!" Nathan asked, with gritted teeth, his hold on Lucas tightening again. He was his brother. How could he do this to him? He had always been jealous of him. He had known Haley far longer than he did, and he never hurt her. That made the feeling worse for he knew, deep down inside he deserved Haley more than he does. He understands but it doesnt mean that he can take it. He was his brother, he knows how much he loved her - how much he still loves her.
"Just ask her, dammit!" Lucas spat, managing to release himself from his hold. He stepped away from his enraged brother, his body poised to defend himself if the need arise. He knows Nathan well enough by now to know that he is past reason. His jealousy and feeling of desperation and helplessness are clouding his mind to the reality. He needs to see proof to be able to believe it. "Haley, please just tell him." He pleaded her, looking away from his brother, to look at his bestfriend's eyes.
Confused more than anything, he turned to look at his wife, and his demeanor softened at her form. She was crying, her baby held tightly to her chest, and he felt ashamed for acting like a caveman. It was just that... But it doesnt matter. He had given up his right a long time ago. But it still hurts, damn it! It still hurts so bad.
She looked down, unable to meet both their eyes. She had to tell him. She just prayed he would understand. If Lucas had come a little later, it wouldnt have come to this. But this is what is given to her, and if she wants to get her family back, she had to make this work.
"Haley..." Nathan, said so tenderly that she choked on a new batch of tears. Slowly, she walked up to him, sensing him tense as she again offered him her child.
Unsure of what else to do, he took hold of the child, and he felt all the anger slowly dissipate as he looked at the crying child. Involuntarily, he rocked himself, hoping to hush the baby, cooing him until it was looking at him with fascination.
"It's Nathan." Haley whispered so softly but he could hear it almost as clearly as if she had shouted on his ear. He felt his heart pound, as he stood still, watching her watch her baby in his arms, the serene smile back on her face. Then she looked into his eyes, still with the smile that could brighten even his darkest days from the moment he had met her. "Nathaniel Lucas Scott."