Hey...
So here's chapter 2. Just wanted to say thanks to othfan12 and haleybub for reviewing.
Please read the chapter and tell me what you think.
Thanks.
Flashbacks are in italics.

Summary: He knows he shouldn't promise it. But he would promise the world to her...If that's what she wanted, If that's what would make her happy. Can they help each other deal with the pain...or will it become too much for them? Laley

IF SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN
Chapter 2

"Haley?" Peyton called walking through the messy house; it had been one week since Nathan's funeral. There were take-out containers littered across the counters, toys lying everywhere on the floor. It was dark, shades drawn, no light filtering in. She stopped in front of the couch, sympathy washing over her face as she saw Haley slouching on it, tears running down her cheeks. Peyton's eyes fixated on the small object in Haley's hand, a multi-colored bracelet.

"He gave it to me when I first started tutoring him." Haley smiled weakly up at Peyton.

"Where are the boys?" Peyton asked looking around the house.

"Lucas took them." Haley fiddled with the bracelet. "We got in a fight and he just stormed out."

"About what?" Peyton questioned, her head tilting to the side.

"Me." Haley bit her lip.

An unshaven and wrinkled clothed Lucas walked carefully through the house, tripping occasionally on an abandoned toy. He called her name but got no response.

"Uncle Luke." A small voice called from below him, Jak.

"Hey buddy." Lucas smiled half-heartedly as he knelt down. "Where's mommy?"

"In her room." Jak mumbled. "She's really sad."

"I know." Lucas replied.

"I don't want mommy to be sad." Jak whispered, his eyes stinging with tears.

"Me either." Lucas said pulling his nephew into a hug.

"Are you sad Uncle Luke?" Jak asked.

"A little." Lucas shrugged. Jak kissed the palm of his small hand, and then placed it on Lucas' chest, right on his heart. "What was that for?" Lucas questioned.

"Daddy said that when you're sad that it's cause your hearts gots an owie." Jak said, his hand still pressed against Lucas' chest. "Mommy always kisses my owies better."

"Thank-you." Lucas said standing up. "I'm gonna go see mommy, why don't you go play with James?" Lucas walked to her bedroom, knocking lightly before he pushed it open. Haley sat in the corner, staring at her bed. She still wore the same clothes from yesterday, her hair was messy, her cheeks stained with tears.

"I have to sleep on the couch." Haley said, her attention not breaking from the bed. "I can't bring myself to lay in that bed."

"Haley what are you doing?" Lucas mumbled, his hands shoved in his pockets.

"Nothing." Haley replied, a tear streaking down her face, landing on her lips.

"Obviously." Lucas whispered sarcastically. "You can't do this Haley."

"Do what Luke?" Haley asked, her attention now on him. "Grieve over my husband?"

"You have two boys that need their mother." Lucas stated. "They already lost their father, they don't need to lose you too."

"I'm still here." Haley replied. "And they're fine."

"Have you even talked to them?" Lucas questioned. "Cause that look in Jak's eyes, that didn't look like 'fine' to me. He's worried about you."

"Luke, just go." Haley snapped as she stood. "You don't know what it's like to lose somebody."

"I don't know what it's like?" Lucas said raising his voice. "He was my brother Haley."

"Mommy?" James asked quietly from the doorway, Jak behind him. "Why are you yelling?"

"Me and Uncle Luke are just talking." Haley replied.

"Actually we're done." Lucas stated as he ushered the kids out of the room. "Why don't you guys go get you're shoes on and we can go get some ice cream? Come pick them up when you clean yourself and this place up." Lucas said, glancing one last time at Haley before he left the room.

Haley watched from the window as Lucas' walked down the street with her kids. She sighed, tossing herself onto the couch, right where Peyton found her, 5 hours later.

"Haley you should listen to him." Peyton said taking a seat in front of Haley on the coffee table. "You owe it to Nathan and you're kids to be there for them."

"I know." Haley replied quietly. "How do you do it Peyton? How do you go on living?"

"I'm not gonna lie Haley, it's tough." Peyton stated. "But you just have to keep going; some days will be easier than others, some will be harder. But eventually you'll come to peace with it; you won't ever forget about him, but you'll be ok with it."

"But how do I get there?" Haley questioned.

"It just takes time." Peyton replied. "And it takes faith; faith that things will get better. Cause they will, they'll get better. And I'm always here Haley, so is Lucas; we're here to help you get there. And you're here to help get Lucas and your kids there. You will get there."

"Hopefully." Haley mumbled sadly.

"You will." Peyton said standing up. "Tell you what. You go take a shower; I'll clean up."

"Peyton, you don't have to do…" Haley began.

"I wanna help." Peyton replied sincerely.

Lucas walked down the street, Jak on one side, James on the other. He was thinking about Haley, about how he would get through to her.

"Grandma Karen!" James ran ahead of Lucas and pushed his way into the café. Lucas lifted James and Jak onto the stools by the counter, and then took a seat next to them.

"How are my two favorite grandkids?" Karen beamed at the sight of them; even though they weren't really her grandchildren, she still considered them to be.

"Uncle Luke said we could have some ice cream." Jak stated, his feet swinging below him.

"Then ice cream it is." Karen smiled as she grabbed the bowls. "How are you doing Luke?" Karen asked after she had given the boys their bowls.

"Ok." Lucas replied, his arms resting on the counter.

"Have you been sleeping?" Karen questioned, her hand resting on his. Lucas hadn't shaven in days, there were dark circles under his eyes, and his hair was even messier than usual.

"Some." Lucas stated. "I'm worried about Haley."

"She'll get better Luke." Karen replied. "You just have to give her some time."

"But what about them?" Lucas asked looking to the two boys.

"I don't know, I wish I did, but I don't." Karen said as she also watched the boys. They looked so carefree, like nothing was wrong. Lucas admired them; they had already made peace with Nathan's death. Sure they missed their father, but they didn't let it control them; Lucas envied that. "You'll get through it Luke, so will Haley. It will get easier, I promise that."

Lucas smiled, remembering a conversation that he and Nathan had once. It was before they acted like brothers, but they were on their way.

Lucas and Nathan stood in the empty gym, taking in their surroundings. It was peaceful when it was quiet, tomorrow it would be filled with fans for 'The Classic.'

"Man I wish I was out there." Lucas said gazing around the gym. He missed basketball, but he still couldn't play because of his shoulder. "The way I feel, I don't think I'll be back."

"There's always other sports. You don't need arms to suck at soccer." Nathan had replied. "I busted my elbow once a couple summers ago. I was playing again in, like, six weeks."

"What's the secret?" He had asked.

"There is no secret. You just start shooting one day and deal with the pain." Nathan explained. "Somewhere along the line it'll get easier."

Lucas figured that's how it was now; he need to move on with his life, and eventually, it would get easier. He wouldn't be as sad; it wouldn't hurt as much.

Haley sighed as the warm water ran down her body; usually it was comforting, but it wasn't now. The scent of her shampoo brought back a painful memory; a memory that didn't mean much at the time, but now it did.

Nathan and Haley lay in bed, his arms wrapped around her. He smiled lightly as he moved a stray hair from her face.

"Hales…" He whispered her name. "I want you to promise me something."

"Anything." Haley smiled contently.

"If something ever happens to me…promise me that you'll move on, that you'll be happy again." Nathan whispered, his eyes searching hers.

"Nate." Haley said pushing his chest lightly. "Don't talk like that."

"I'm serious Hales." Nathan stated, his hand cupping her cheek. "Promise me."

"You're not going anywhere Nathan." Haley replied.

"But one day…" Nathan said. "If something were to happen. Promise me that you would be happy. Promise me that you would move on. Cause I couldn't handle it if you were sad because of me."

"Nathan." Haley said, her hand resting on the back of his head. "Stop."

"Promise me." Nathan demanded.

"I promise." Haley replied, her eyes staring into his.

"Pinky promise?" Nathan said holding his small finger out.

Haley hooked her pinky with his, and they're lips connected in a light kiss. "Pinky promise."

It was like he had known; had known that he wouldn't always be around. Haley let a tear slip down her cheek, but quickly wiped it away. She had promised him that she would move on; she just didn't know if she could keep that promise.