AN: Hi guys,so i am really very sorry for the delay on this chapter. There isn't an excuse, it's just that I was contemplating whether or not to delete the story because I had made so much happen already and in such a short three chapters. So, i am going to give it another shot and a)Make sure I proof read my chapters more thoroughly, b) Lengthen them and c) Update sooner. I have a few plans now for this story. Please read and review, and remember criticism is always welcome, I am far from perfect so it is much appreciated.


The drive over to the ice cream parlour was awkward. The pair kept trying to make small talk but all the questions like, ' So, how are my children?' or 'are you still with your wife?' couldn't just be asked randomly. After discussing their work, they both realized how little they knew about each other. The silence was kept whilst they both kept trying to sneak peeks at each other. Of course Haley had to choose an ice cream parlour way out of town to go to, to talk.

When they got there, they both ordered their respective ice creams. "Never pictured you as a mint choc chip kinda girl." Nathan smiled, breaking the silence.

"There's a lot of things you don't know about me. How about we save the small talk and cut to to the chase." She said harsher than she meant. Haley had been dreading this day for along time now. She thought she had left that part of her life behind, obviously not.

Taken aback from Haley's last comment, "Sure, so how are my children Haley?" Haley took in a sharp intake of breath at the bluntness of his question. "What, you said cut to the chase didn't you? See, it's hard isn't it? We have seen each other for two whole years and you want me to come out and say that straight to your face?Well sure, how are they?"

"You never showed, on 23rd September. I waited for you. I wouldn't let them touch the babies. The contractions were hurting me so much, I started losing blood it was all happening so fast but I waited for you. You were willing to leave your wife for me, to give me money you even said you'd be there for the scans and lamaze classes. I said no, I let you go,to be happy with Carrie. Just one thing. I wanted one thing, just for you to be there when they were born but you couldn't bring yourself to even do that. Oh and by the way, to answer your question, they died. Both of them, a girl and a boy. They died because we waited so long they wouldn't come out so the doctors had to do a forceps on them, there were too many difficulties so they died." She finished bitterly wiping away the single tear that rolled down her cheek.

"I...I had no idea. Carrie's brother, Brian was getting married on that day. I thought about it the whole day wanting to hold them to touch them, to see you. I decided against it, I thought that Mark would be there, that you would forget about me and be happy with Mark. I thought you would tell the babies when they grew up that I wasn't able to see them. I owed it to Carrie to be a good husband."He muttered.

"You owed it to Carrie to be a good husband? What about me, I owed it to Mark to be a good fiance and mother. But I couldn't because we already screwed that up a long time ago."

"Are you and Mark,-

-still together? No. I couldn't ever be satisfied with him. I didn't love him. I loved you." She finished off sadly.

"Loved?" Just then his phone went off. The caller ID said Carrie.

"So I guess you two are still going strong?"

"No, actually we broke up, she just said she'd call to finalize the divorce papers but i'll see her in court tomorrow anyway so it's fine." He said turning his phone off.

"Look Nathan, I ...I don't know how you feel but I do love you. But as I keep being reminded, I hardy know you. "

"I love you too." He said rubbing his thumb over her the palm of her hand. " I want to know you Hales. I love you, I need you. I know we don't know each other but.... lets try and be friends and see where the romance takes us." He suggested. She nodded her head quietly before giving a small smile. A smile which she hadn't been able to smile for a long time.


"...... I am so happy for you guys. I just..." Brooke trailed off. The girls were sipping hot chocolate at 4 in the morning, just an hour after Haley came home to a very worried Brooke pacing around their modern New York apartment. After Brooke gave Haley a lecture on how worried she was, Haley calmed her down and told her what happened."You what Brooke?"

"I just don't know when you'll tell him the truth. I mean what if it happens again? Even if it doesn't what if he finds out the truth from someone else? You lied Hales and how can you begin to build a relationship when he doesn't know the truth?"

"He doesn't ever need to know Brooke. I won't let him find out." She said seriously.


"Nathan? What are you doing home so late? I have been worried sick for hours. Why do you keep doing this? Are you drunk?"

"Just go back to bed Carrie."Nathan quipped.


So, I hope this is a good chapter. Looks like Naley is keeping secrets. I have big plans for this story. R&R.