Chapter 2

Nathan woke up early the next morning—not that he'd managed to get much sleep last night after hearing Haley's news. It all felt like a dream. Like it couldn't actually be happening. He was soon brought back to reality, however, when the sound of retching could be heard from the bathroom. Forgetting his shock at the moment, Nathan sprung into action. He got out of bed and quickly made his way into the other room.

Sure enough, Haley was bent over the toilet, sick. Nathan came up behind her to grab her short hair and keep it out of her face. Meanwhile, his other hand gently rubbed her back. It was another moment before her sickness seemed to pass.

"Are you done?" Nathan questioned.

Haley was silent for a few seconds. "Yeah. I think so." She stood up with the help of Nathan and moved over to the sink.

Nathan watched as she rinsed out her mouth and brushed her teeth. He didn't know that much about pregnancy. He had heard of morning sickness, but was it supposed to be that bad? "Are you okay now?"

Haley placed her toothbrush back in its holder. "Yes."

"How often does that happen?"

Haley shrugged. "It comes and goes. It's the worst in the morning."

"You get it at other times, too?"

"Yeah. I had to step out from one of my classes last week to run to the bathroom," she explained. That had been an awful day. She'd been nauseated throughout almost all of her classes. Haley had done everything she could to stay in control and finish out the rest of the day.

"When did you find out?" Nathan asked curiously.

Haley ran a hand through her hair. "Last week. I'd gone to the doctors, because I wasn't feeling well. I thought that it was probably the flu that had been going around the high school. They did some tests, and then gave me a call when they learned what it was."

Nathan rubbed his eyes. "You've known since last week," he said as her words registered. He remembered being worried about her when she said on the phone that she didn't feel well. He, too, had thought it was just a cold. Now to learn that it was because she was pregnant, Nathan felt like he'd been left out of the loop.

Haley nodded in response.

"Why didn't you say anything?" he asked, his tone coming out a little sharper than he meant it.

Haley felt her eyes start to water. This was not how she'd envisioned his reaction at all. "Because I didn't want to tell you something like that over the phone," she answered, her voice hitching at the end. She turned away from him and made her way back into the bedroom.

Nathan inwardly cursed at himself. Upsetting her was the last thing he should be doing right now. He watched as she took a seat on the edge of their bed, her head in her hands. Nathan followed. He sat down beside her carefully and touched her back.

Haley shook him off before mumbling, "I went crazy making sure everything was perfect last night. I made your favorite meal, set up the table really nice, and even planned out how I was going to tell you. I wasn't exactly sure what your reaction was going to be, but I assumed you'd at least be a little excited or happy. You know, have some sort of positive response."

"Hales, I am happy," he stated honestly. Haley was his wife; he loved her more than anything. And now she was carrying his child. Nathan could never see that as something bad.

"No, you're not," she objected. "All you said when I told you was 'oh.' 'Oh,' Nathan." Her heart had completely sunk when he'd said that and then mumbled something about needing sleep. Haley had been up all night with her stomach in knots thinking about it.

"Baby, I'm sorry. Okay? I was just…I was shocked. I still am."

"We'd always talked about having kids," Haley reminded him.

"I know that, but I just assumed it'd be later on. When we're older," he explained.

"Well, surprises happen, Nathan. Besides, most women on average have their first child around the age of twenty five," she informed him. "I'm going to be twenty four, Nathan. I don't see what's so bad about right now."

Nathan brought his hand to her face and was relieved when she didn't flinch away this time. "It's not that it's bad. It's just unexpected."

Haley nodded briefly as a few more tears escaped. She still wasn't entirely convinced that he was telling her the truth about how he felt.

"Hales, what do you want me to say?" he asked.

"I don't know. I guess I'd just been hoping that you'd say whatever it is we'll face it together. That you've never been so happy. And that everything is going to be okay. But I don't want you to say it just to say it. I want you to mean it."

Nathan wiped at her tears before meeting her gaze. "Hales, I love you. And I want to have babies with you. So whatever it is, we'll face it together. I've never been so happy. And everything is going to be okay."

"You really mean it?" she asked, making sure. Haley had been just as surprised when she found out that she was pregnant. That didn't stop her, though, from being thrilled at the news. She loved babies and had always wanted to have children of her own. All she wanted more than anything right now was to share this amazing moment with her husband.

"I really mean it," he promised.

Haley leaned in to give him a tender kiss on the lips. "Thank you."

Nathan smiled before lowering his hand to her stomach. It was hard to believe there was actually a baby growing inside when it was still so flat.

"Can you feel anything?"

"I think it's a little early for that," she laughed.

"How far along are you?"

"Six weeks," she replied.

Nathan's eyebrows rose as he did the math. "Six weeks?"

November 4, 2011

Nathan stepped into the shower. The Sonics had had a game against the Houston Rockets an hour earlier, followed by some interviews with the press. Now he was finally back at his hotel room. Nathan allowed the hot water to relax his aching muscles. The team would be traveling again early tomorrow—this time to Boston to face the Celtics. After his shower, Nathan planned to call Haley and then go to bed. He was going to need a good night's sleep for tomorrow's game.

Nathan spent a few more minutes in the shower before getting out. He dried off, wrapped the towel around his waist, and headed into the bedroom. He'd only walked a few feet when he suddenly stopped short at the sight before him. Haley was standing in front of his bed wearing nothing more than his basketball jersey and a pair of heels.

Haley couldn't help but smile at the stunned expression on his face. She'd been hoping to surprise him. "Nice room," she commented. Her cheeks instantly flamed up when she eyed him in only a towel. "Nice view, too."

"Hales, what are you doing here?" he asked once he'd recovered enough to speak.

"Well, I know that your schedule has been crazy these last few weeks. So I figured I'd make a surprise visit," she explained. "Plus, I missed you. Is that okay?" she questioned when he went silent again. He was just staring at her.

"What? Oh, yeah. It's fine. More than fine, actually," Nathan stated as his eyes bored into her.

"Good," she said with a smile.

A smirk spread across his face. "But I should warn you, my wife doesn't like it when groupies sneak into my room," he teased.

Haley rolled her eyes. She knew exactly what he was talking about. There had been an incident last season when one of the fan girls had actually managed to get past security and into Nathan's room. The girl even had the audacity to try and jump in the shower with him.

Nathan had quickly called security to escort her out. He'd later called Haley and told her about what happened. She was pissed to say the least but was glad that Nathan had been honest with her. The incident had been in the tabloids the next day. It took a little while before the stupid media let go of that one.

"Well, I have a feeling she would like me," Haley replied as she walked toward him.

Nathan practically shuddered when her fingers traced up and down his bare chest. "Is that so?" he whispered huskily.

"Mm hmm," she muttered before placing soft, open-mouthed kisses on his neck.

His whole body quivered at the contact. Her lips left a hot trail as they made their way across his flesh. With his hectic schedule lately, they hadn't had that many chances to be together. His plans to have a quiet, early night were suddenly out the window—not that he'd complain.

"I am your biggest fan," she murmured against his chest, the smell of his soap filling her nostrils.

Her flirtatious tone instantly caused the fire burning within him to heat up further. Nathan smirked. "I can see that," he said, playing along, as his hands went to her waist. The view of her trim figure covered by his much larger jersey was a major turn-on, coming a close second to the sight of his old jersey number that was tattooed on her lower back. That never failed either.

"Well, you're not going to disappoint me, are you?" she teased lowly, finally pulling back and looking up into his eyes. Her stomach did flip flops as his hold tightened and gaze smoldered.

Nathan didn't say anything else. Instead he swooped down to capture her lips in a searing kiss. Haley moaned loudly as his mouth moved roughly over hers. She met him with the same amount of force and enthusiasm. She'd missed him so much these last few weeks. Her body was aching with a desperate want and need for him.

Nathan's hands gripped the material of the jersey before he quickly lifted her up and walked them toward the bed. Haley's legs instinctively wrapped around his hips. Nathan couldn't suppress the groan when he felt that she wasn't wearing anything underneath the long garment.

Haley's breathing became heavier as his large form pressed her snugly into the mattress. His face was buried in her neck while his hands slid up under the jersey to touch her bare skin.

"Nathan," she whimpered when he started to massage her breasts. Her tiny hands firmly gripped his biceps.

"Damn, baby, you are so fucking sexy," he growled, making his way down her body. He lifted the jersey up just enough so that he could nip and suck at the soft, silky skin of her stomach. The lower he got, the more the heat started to radiate throughout her body. It wasn't until she felt his mouth on her center that Haley's breath caught in her throat.

Nathan's grip on her hips strengthened when he felt Haley's body writhe beneath him. He couldn't help the satisfaction that shot through him when he noticed that her head was thrown back as she gripped the bed sheets, his name spilling from her lips with every swipe of his tongue. He loved seeing her so open and uninhibited around him. It was almost enough to make him lose it right then and there.

One of Haley's hands fisted in Nathan's hair as she held him to her. She could barely breathe as his mouth and fingers did the most wonderful and provocative things to her. With each stroke she felt herself unraveling. If he wasn't holding onto her so tightly, she was positive she would float.

"N-Nathan, I'm almost—" her words halted abruptly, replaced by a loud moan as her body exploded with pleasure.

"I hope you weren't disappointed," he commented in a low, teasing voice moments later.

Haley opened her eyes to see the smirk on his face as he climbed back on top of her. She didn't bother to speak. She just wrapped her arms around his neck before leaning up to capture his lips in hers. The kiss was hot and urgent as she pulled him even closer.

Nathan's body was sizzling with how much he wanted her right now. Haley's hands left his neck. He felt her reach between them and noticed that she was about to take the jersey off. He shook his head. "Leave it on." It was yet another reminder that the incredible woman lying beneath him was all his.

Haley did as he said. Instead her hands went to his towel, yanking it off and throwing it on the floor. He hissed as her fingertips scraped lightly against his abs and dipped lower, taking hold of him. He was already so hard and her touch only heightened his arousal.

Haley positioned him at her entrance before whispering in his ear just how much she wanted him. The longing and need she'd felt while he was gone was rising to the surface. Only Nathan could take it all away. Make it disappear, even for a little while.

Knowing exactly what she meant, Nathan joined them with one hard thrust. His mouth returned to hers as he began to move within her. Their coupling was fast and frenzied. They only had a limited amount of time to spend with each other before they had to go their separate ways again. And despite that they were in a strange hotel and a different bed, as long as they were together, even for a short time, they were home.

"Wow. So it had to be that hot night in Houston," Nathan concluded. He and Haley hadn't had any other moments to themselves after that for at least another couple of weeks. It was a night they'd never forget in more ways than one.

Haley blushed, remembering. "Yeah."

"So you'll be due in…?"

"Probably late July or early August," Haley answered. "When I see the doctor, she'll tell me the exact date."

"Well, I guess it's as good a time as any. Basketball is going great, so money definitely won't be a problem. And the baby is due when you're out of school. You'll have the summer to relax," Nathan pointed out. "You could even take some time off that school year if you wanted. Or, you know, go back mid-semester."

"I was thinking about that." Haley loved her job, but she wasn't sure she wanted to go back to work right away once the baby was born. She wanted to recover and adjust. Plus, she kind of had the feeling she wouldn't be able to let the baby out of her sight. That's what had happened to her sister Vivian when she had her daughter Deidra. Vivian had said she couldn't bear to miss one moment with her new bundle of joy.

Nathan shrugged while taking her hand in his. "We've got a lot of time, so it's not something that has to be decided today."

"Yeah," Haley agreed. "Let's see how it goes."

The two were silent for a few moments, lost in their own thoughts.

"God, if I was shocked, I wonder what everyone else is going to think," Nathan spoke up.

"Oh yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that. I was thinking that maybe we should hold off on telling them."

Nathan frowned. "Why?"

"I don't want to break the news to them over the phone, either. I mean, everyone we care about is coming to visit us this year for Christmas. I think we should tell them then."

Nathan pondered it over for a moment. "Okay. We can do that."

Haley smiled. "Really?"

"Sure. I can't wait to see their faces," he said with a smirk.

"Nathan!" she laughed while smacking his arm.

"Your parents are going to go crazy, by the way."

Haley could already picture them jumping up and down with excitement. They'd been dropping hints for the last three years about wanting grandchildren from them. "Don't remind me," she playfully groaned.

"It's going to be great," Nathan assured her with a kiss.

Haley couldn't help but smile as she felt his hand make its way onto her stomach, once again. She leaned her forehead against Nathan's. "Yeah, it is."

"Hey, Haley, come on in. You must be freezing."

"I am. Thank you," Haley said as she entered the apartment. "And I'm sorry I'm a bit late. I had to walk Duke before I came here."

"Oh, that's fine. Did you want a coffee or hot chocolate or something?" Lindsey offered as she took her coat.

"A hot chocolate would be nice," she replied while rubbing her cold hands together. The temperature was still freezing from the snow storm yesterday. It was Sunday evening, and Haley's friend Lindsey had invited her over for dinner. Lindsey was also Tony's girlfriend. They'd met at one of Nathan's first games with the Sonics and had instantly clicked.

Lindsey wasn't like the other players' girlfriends or wives. Most of them could act very stuck up and snobbish at times. Haley never felt very comfortable around them. But Lindsey was different. She was very down-to-earth and fun to be around. The two got along great together, and the tall, attractive blonde had quickly become Haley's closest friend in her new home of Seattle.

"I've already got the game on. The Sonics are leading by three points," Lindsey stated as she made her way to the kitchen.

Haley followed and took a seat at the island. She had the perfect view of the TV in the open living room from that spot. "That's good."

"I'm sorry if the place is such a mess. I've just been so stressed with work lately. I haven't had time to give it the once-over. And you know Tony. His idea of cleaning is throwing stuff in the closet or under the bed."

Haley laughed. "Oh, I know what you mean. I must tell Nathan three times a day to throw his clothes in the dirty hamper instead of the floor. I swear he gets these bad habits when he's away from me."

"Tell me about it," Lindsey agreed. "Oh, and thanks for coming over. I hate being alone in the apartment when Tony is away. And I figured we were due for a little girls night."

"No problem. I get the same feeling when Nathan is gone," Haley replied. "But at least they're not too far away and will be home tonight."

Lindsey placed the steaming hot cup of chocolate in front of Haley. "I know."

"Thanks," she said while warming her hands up on it.

Lindsey made one for herself and took a seat next to her. "I ordered some Chinese food for dinner. Is that okay?"

"Sure, I'm starved."

"Good. It should be here in another fifteen minutes."

"So, how is that book you were editing coming along?" Haley questioned. Lindsey was an editor for a publishing company called Putnam & Pratt. It was located in New York, but Lindsey could do most of her work from Seattle. Every now and then she'd take trips back and forth.

"Ugh, don't ask," she groaned.

"That bad, huh?"

"The book is fine. It's the author I'm having trouble with."

"What did he do now?"

"I try to give him some suggestions, but he completely ignores me," she explained. "He says I'm 'butchering his masterpiece.'"

Haley laughed out loud. "What?"

"I don't know," Lindsey said, sighing. "The story is good, but his sentence structure and some of the grammar is off. But apparently he can do no wrong."

"Well, I'm sure you'll get through to him eventually," Haley encouraged.

"I hope so, because I'm seriously one argument away from just chucking the manuscript at his damn head."

"I'm sure your father would love that."

"And I bet I would get a harsher punishment than if someone else had done it," she muttered. Lindsey's father was the owner of the publishing company and her boss. Haley felt sorry for her friend sometimes. Lindsey had to work twice as hard as everyone else to be taken seriously. She wanted to show her colleagues that she wasn't getting any preferential treatment just because her dad was the boss.

Haley patted her back. "Hang in there."

"What about you? How's school going?"

"It's good. I've been grading a lot of midterms and papers lately, but I've got two weeks for winter break this year. I'll be able to get the rest done then."

"Lucky you," Lindsey teased.

"I know. And to top it off, I'm having Christmas at my place this year."

"Wow, that's rough. How many people are coming?"

Haley counted quickly in her head. "Fourteen people."

"No way!"

"Oh, I'm serious."

"Who's coming?"

"There's my parents, my sister Vivian and her family, Nathan's mom and her boyfriend, Nathan's brother Lucas and his girlfriend/my friend Brooke, Nathan's Uncle Keith and his family, and our other friends Peyton and Jake."

"Damn, girl. That's a lot of people."

"I know. I'm starting to wonder if I've gone crazy by inviting everyone to Seattle this year." She and Nathan would take turns each year spending the holidays with each other's relatives. Last year she and Nathan had gone to Tree Hill to be with his family. But for once, Haley wanted to have everyone together for the holidays. So she'd invited her closest friends and family to Seattle for Christmas and New Years.

"Maybe just a little," Lindsey teased. "Please tell me they'll be staying at a hotel."

"Everyone except my parents. They'll be staying in our guest bedroom at the apartment."

"Boy am I glad that Tony and I will be going over his parents' house this year."

Haley smiled wryly. "Yeah, that sounds like a smart move."

"You already sound like you could use some of my special holiday eggnog."

"What's in it?"

"Various alcoholic beverages. Not only does it taste great, but it'll totally give you a buzz," Lindsey announced jokingly.

"It sounds good, but I shouldn't."

"You sure?"

"I'm not much of a drinker. And even if I was, I can't drink alcohol again for awhile."

Lindsey frowned. "Why not?"

"Okay, if I tell you, you have to promise me that you won't freak out. All right?"

"Why would I freak out? What, are you pregnant or something?"

Haley smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Oh my God, shut up!" Lindsey exclaimed. "You are not!"

"I am. And remember, you promised not to freak out."

"I technically never said the promise out loud," she pointed out. Haley gave her a look. "But don't worry, I'm not freaking out. I'm so happy for you," Lindsey said as she hugged her. "Congratulations."

"Thanks."

"Did you tell Nathan yet?"

"I told him Friday night."

Lindsey's face lit up with excitement. "And? What did he say?"

"'Oh.'"

"What?"

"He said, 'Oh.'"

"That's it. Oh?"

"Well, he was really shocked. But by the next morning he could actually talk again."

Lindsey rolled her eyes in amusement. "Men," she sighed. "But he's okay now?"

"Yes. We talked, and now I think he's just as excited as I am."

"That's so great. Do your families know yet?"

Haley shook her head. "Not yet. We were going to wait for Christmas."

"That'll be a hell of a surprise."

"I know."

"Good luck."

Haley smiled as she played with her wedding ring. "Trust me, I'm going to need it."