Note: I'm sorry this took so long, things got a little busy. The good news is, this chapter and the two that follow it set up some big changes for Nathan and Haley. I don't love how the party turned out, but it's not so much about the party but where the party takes them. You'll see. Again, thank you for all of the kind words!
Oh, and we have another flashback in this chapter.
Nathan turned to find Brooke looking at him with an amused expression on her face.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
She shook her head. "When's the last time you were in a place like this?"
"Honestly? When I was a kid. I don't know, my dad always had me focusing on my game instead of regular stuff."
"Peyton and me spent a lot of time around this kind of stuff when we found out Tutor Girl was expecting."
Nathan was currently standing in the entrance of a toy store and Brooke had just arrived, as he'd asked her to. A few weeks had passed since Sam and Haley had invited him to the birthday party. When he had asked Lucas what he should get for a gift he hadn't gotten an answer. Nathan thought that Lucas probably didn't realize he was serious. Nathan wanted to make sure to get a great gift, though. He'd gotten to know Sam and Haley even more in the past few weeks. The group of six adults had hung out even more and Nathan was really enjoying Haley's friendship. If he was right about his gut feeling, she was enjoying his friendship too.
He decided that he should ask for Brooke's help with getting Sam a gift and that was what the two were now doing at a toy store.
"Now, here's what you need to know about giving gifts to Sam. He is the exact same way as his mom is. They're grateful for anything you give them because it means you thought of them. But, that doesn't mean they don't love a great gift. If it's something they love, it means you were paying attention. This kid is one of my favorite people to give gifts to. Now, are you ready for your first Brooke Davis shopping experience?"
"I guess," Nathan answered with uncertainty.
"Come on, you're going to love this!" Brooke grabbed his arm and began dragging him through the store. They went right past all of the pink stuff indicating the girl toys. As they passed the aisle of Barbie's Brooke told Nathan, "We totally thought Sam was going to be a girl right until the minute he was born."
"Really?"
"Yep. Peyton and I picked out the most beautiful middle name, too. Haley promised we could pick the baby's middle name," she explained.
"Did you not get to pick? Since he ended up being a boy?"
"No, we still picked. It's a good thing Peyton made us think of one just in case"
"What did you pick?" They were now walking past bicycles that were too big for a boy turning four.
Brooke stopped and stammered. "Well. Actually, we picked Nathan."
Nathan kept his feet rooted in their spot on the linoleum floor as Brooke resumed walking. "Sam's middle name is Nathan?"
Brooke stopped and turned to him. "Don't read much into it. Peyton and I picked it quickly and Haley just liked the sound of it. Samuel Nathan James. It goes good together, right? I know she met you that one night and she knew your name, but the choice was all Peyton and mine's."
Nathan nodded. Still, he wondered. He knew Haley remembered him from that one night and that she had thought about him so he wondered why she was willing for her son to have his name as a middle name. Brooke was right, though. He shouldn't read much into it. It was just a name and it did go well.
"Now we're in the right area. This is going to be so much fun!" Brooke squealed with excitement and Nathan began to wonder if maybe he'd have been better off doing this on his own. "Now, do you have any ideas for what you want get my perfect godson?"
Nathan shrugged. "I was thinking maybe a Wii. Do you think Haley would be okay with that?"
Brooke thought for a moment. "Probably but I think when it comes to video games it's best to ask her first. Any other ideas?"
"Is he too young for Legos? I really liked those when I was a kid."
"I think we're on the right track." Brooke began walking toward the Legos and building blocks. Nathan stopped following her when something caught his eye. He began walking further down the aisle.
"Nathan, where are you going?"
Nathan had stopped in front of a few items and smiled. "This is it."
Brooke stopped next to him and looked, cocking her head to one side. She wasn't sure about this. "It's a basketball hoop."
"It's perfect," Nathan repeated. "Look, it can grow with him. It says ages two to six. He can grow into it for two more years. I know Haley likes him to get outside and active so he stays healthy."
Brooke thought. "He did ask Lucas and Julian what it is you do exactly. He seemed curious about the game."
"Really?" Nathan looked at Brooke and smiled. "It's great, Brooke. I know he likes baseball, but if he was curious about the game. And Luke and I can set it up for him."
Brooke thought for a few more seconds. "Okay. I think it's good. Go ahead and get it. You didn't even need my help."
"Thanks for coming anyway."
"No problem. I can just get more for him!"
"More?"
"Oh yeah, I got his main gift weeks ago. Now I can get more. Actually, I think I'll get him that Wii."
"I thought you said we should check with Haley first."
"Oh, that was you. I can get him the Wii."
"Haley's not going to get mad at you?"
"She might be a little annoyed that I didn't check first but she'll get over it."
Brooke and Nathan both paid for their purchases. Nathan convinced Brooke to add in an NBA game for the Wii and she had reluctantly agreed. Nathan walked Brooke to her car and helped her get her bags into the trunk.
"Nathan, you're doing this the right way."
"What do you mean?"
"With Haley. I know you two are just friends right now but it's the right way to do this."
He just looked at her, not sure how to answer.
Brooke continued, "I know you still like her. And I'm guessing the more you get to know her the more you like her. It's impossible not to. I've known her my entire life so I know how great she is. Just be patient with her and keep doing what you're doing."
"Thanks, Brooke. I don't want to push her into anything she doesn't want, though."
Brooke nodded, understanding completely. "I know. Like I said, keep doing what you're doing." She sighed and looked past Nathan's shoulder. "By the way, we might have just started some rumors. There are a couple of paps back there watching us."
Nathan rolled his eyes. "I've gotten pretty good at the 'no comment' thing."
"Me too. They like to make crap up."
"Tell me about it."
"I'll see you at the party, Nathan." Brooke got into her car and drove away. Nathan did his best to not look directly at the paparazzi as he made his way to his own car and left.
The morning of the 17th came and Haley walked into her son's room and sat down on his bed next to him. She began running her hand through his hair and he snuggled in closer to her. He opened his eyes slowly and looked up at her.
"Good morning, mommy."
"Morning, baby. Happy birthday!"
"It's my birthday!" With a grin, Sam got up and bounced on his bed.
Haley laughed. She loved watching her son when he was so happy. "So, do you know what I was doing four years ago today?"
Sam nodded his head. "I was being born."
"Yeah you were," Haley scooped him up into her arms and hugged him.
Four Years Ago
Haley sat in her bed in the apartment she shared with Brooke and Peyton. She'd felt herself going into labor the night before and hadn't been able to sleep. The sun was now rising and the contractions were getting closer and closer. She wanted to wait until the last possible minute to go to the hospital. She would be delivering the baby in the same hospital she'd been going to for the past nine months and she wanted to spend as little time as she had to there.
She knew it was getting to be too late, though. She really couldn't wait any longer. She knew that Brooke had an early meeting and had already left. She stood up carefully, grabbing her large belly. Haley felt huge. She'd often told Brooke and Peyton how huge she felt but they'd both laughed it off.
Just as her second trimester was coming to a close, Haley came to a decision. She had fallen in love with the baby she was carrying. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she also knew that the minute she decided to raise this child that Peyton and Brooke would be there to help her. She was right. She sat them down and told them her decision and they immediately began all of their planning for the new addition to their household.
Haley slipped on her shoes and made her way to the living room. She found Peyton watching a morning talk show with a glass of orange juice in her hand.
"Hey, Peyt," Haley greeted her.
"Hey, girlie. How are you two today?"
"We're okay," Haley answered. "It's time, Peyton."
"Time for what?" Peyton's eyes didn't leave the TV.
"I'm in labor. I have been since last night."
Peyton quickly got up from her seat and set down her juice. She frantically looked around for the remote to turn off the TV. Not finding it, she just left the TV on and walked over to Haley and gently took her arm.
"I'm okay, Peyton, I can walk."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure, let's just get to the hospital," Haley told her.
Peyton nodded and grabbed the small bag they had packed for Haley and had set by the front door for the moment she was ready.
"You'll call Brooke?" Haley was climbing into the Comet.
"Yeah, don't worry about anything but delivering this healthy little girl."
"Thanks, Peyton. For everything."
"No problem, Haley."
A couple of hours later Haley and Peyton were still waiting for it to be time to deliver. They left a message for Brooke, who was in her meeting. They weren't surprised when Brooke came barging onto the maternity floor, shouting to anyone who would listen, trying to find her friends.
Before Haley knew it, she was in the delivery room. Peyton and Brooke stood on either side of her, both wearing smocks and each holding a hand as Haley pushed. Haley pushed and pushed, words of encouragement coming from her friends every few seconds. Occasionally one of them would wipe the sweat from her forehead. The time came and the doctor ordered Haley to give one big, final push. She did and she immediately heard her crying baby.
"Congratulations, it's a boy," the doctor told her.
"A boy?" Haley was surprised. Her doctor told her that the baby had been at an odd angle, but that he was sure she was having a girl. "A boy," she repeated, with more certainty.
"Are you sure?" Brooke peaked over Haley's raised knees and looked at the crying baby the doctor was holding up. Looking, Brooke realized the doctor was absolutely sure. "Oh yeah. That's a boy."
"Who wants to cut the umbilical cord?" The doctor looked to Brooke and Peyton.
"P. Sawyer, go ahead. I don't want to hurt the little guy," Brooke offered.
"You sure?"
Brooke nodded and Peyton cautiously cut the cord. The nurses got the baby boy cleaned up and placed him in his mother's arms. Peyton and Brooke leaned on the bed next to Haley, looking at the little boy in their friend's arms.
"Hey, there kiddo. It's a good thing your mom hates pink, because we thought you were going to be a girl and if I had gotten all the pink I wanted to you might have started out life being really confused," Brooke explained.
"Got a name picked out, Hales? We only came up with girl names," Peyton said.
"I thought of a few boy names. Sam. Samuel James," Haley said, satisfied. "Sam. Hi there, Sam." Haley leaned her head down to her son, taking in his newborn scent. "You guys were sure he was going to be a girl. Did you think of any boy middle names?"
Peyton and Brooke looked at each other. "Well, Peyton made us think of at least one," Brooke admitted.
"Nathan," Peyton said.
"We both liked it," Brooke added.
Haley stopped and thought for a minute, her mind drifting back to the night her son was conceived and the guy who had so persistently asked her out. His name was Nathan. It was a nice name, she thought. It went well with Samuel. She wasn't naming Sam after the guy who had asked her out, but the fact that her two best friends had picked out that name for her son still had her thinking. She did promise them that they could be responsible for the middle name.
"Samuel Nathan James," Haley said. "Welcome to the world."
Four Years Later
Nathan arrived at Haley's house a little early. Lucas had asked him to come help set up. As he approached the house he saw a large amount of balloons in the front of the house. He knocked, but walked in when he noticed that the door was slightly ajar. The house looked great, with banners and streamers and balloons. The party had a Spider-Man theme. Nathan set his gift where he saw the others and went to the backyard. He found the others out there, setting things up.
"Hey guys," he greeted them.
"Hey, Nate. Help me out with this," Lucas asked. Nathan walked over and helped Lucas fasten a banner to the patio.
"So," Julian began, "Brooke tells me the paparazzi caught you two together. You two might be a new rumored it couple?"
Nathan worried that Julian might be upset until he noticed that the other man was smiling.
"Sorry about that, man. She was just helping me out with a gift."
"I know, "Julian said. "She told me before you guys even went. Don't worry about it. I actually think it's kind of funny."
"I'm glad you think so. I really didn't mean for that to happen."
"Really, Nathan. It's cool."
Brooke and Peyton came out, each carrying trays of snacks. They set them on the tables that had been set up. In one corner of the yard, there was a bounce house set up.
"You came," Haley's voice came from behind Nathan as he continued helping Lucas with the banners. He turned to look at her. She was dressed casually. He had decided that she could wear anything and still look beautiful.
"Yeah, I said I would."
"I know. I just know how busy you're getting with the team."
Nathan smiled. "I am. But I wanted to be here."
"Thanks for coming, Nathan. Sam is going to be happy you're here." Haley began walking away to finishing getting things ready, but turned and walked a few steps closer to Nathan. "I'm glad you're here."
Haley felt butterflies in her stomach as she walked back toward her kitchen. She had been feeling them more and more around Nathan lately. She didn't want to, but those butterflies were there nonetheless. She was relieved that he hadn't asked her out in weeks. It was making being friends much easier. She was also sure that if he asked her out again now, now that she'd had time to get to know him, that she would probably say yes.
The party began and kids had arrived. Nathan noticed that they seemed to have endless energy. Haley had thrown a great party for Sam. Brooke was right; Sam loved getting gifts because it meant someone had thought of him. He especially loved the gift that Nathan had gotten him. Nathan and Lucas had set it up and Nathan spent some time teaching Sam how to correctly throw the ball into the hoop. He also spent time dodging one of the mothers. Peyton told him that she was Mrs. Scolnik, Chuck's mom. She kept walking up to him and blatantly trying to flirt. Every time Nathan would be polite, but would try and find the fastest exit.
The party had ended and Sam had gone to spend the night at his friend Andre's house. Brooke and Julian had left, but Lucas, Peyton, and Nathan were still there helping Haley clean up. Lucas and Peyton were outside, picking up trash and taking down the banners and balloons. Nathan was helping Haley inside.
"This was a good party," Nathan told her.
Haley raised one eyebrow and looked at him questioningly. "A four year-old's birthday party?"
Nathan thought for a few seconds. "Yeah. He had a great time. He was running around the whole time, he loved his gifts. You threw him a great party."
Haley blushed and looked down. "Thanks." She began putting the cake into a storage container. Not much was left, but there was enough for Sam to have when he got home the next day. "You were a big hit."
"I didn't want to take any attention away from Sam."
"You didn't. In fact, if anything, you made him more popular. Seriously, his friends think he's so cool now that they know that he knows you." Haley laughed. "Chuck Scolnik's mom kept trying to hit on you."
"You noticed that?" Mrs. Scolnik wasn't exactly subtle.
"Yeah, I think we all noticed. She's, uh, she's different."
"Sorry about that," Nathan apologized.
"Nathan, you didn't do anything. I am glad you came. He loves the gift you got him."
"Brooke helped out," Nathan admitted.
Haley stopped what she was doing and looked at him. "She said that you found that all on your own. Thank you." Haley looked around her kitchen, surveying their work. "I think we're done in here for tonight. You want to sit down?" Haley walked over to the small table on the other end of her kitchen and sat down. Nathan followed.
He looked down at his hands resting on the table. He had a great time hanging out with his friends and teaching Sam a few basics of basketball. The other kids took turns learning, but since Sam was the birthday boy, he got most of the time with Nathan. The entire time Nathan had been wondering something, but he wasn't sure how or if he should ask Haley about it.
Haley noticed that Nathan was deep in thought about something. She wondered if she should ask him about it. They had gotten closer over the past few weeks, but they hadn't really spent any one on one time together. Haley was a little surprised that she didn't find it awkward. She was nervous around him, she had come to terms with the fact that she was nervous around him and would have to try and get over it. But she was relieved that they weren't awkward. If they could spent time alone together and have it not be awkward, then Haley had hope they she could stop feeling nervous around Nathan.
She finally decided that she should just ask him what he was thinking about. "What's on your mind?"
Nathan looked up at her. She was looking at him with a mixture of curiosity and sympathy. He wasn't sure if they were close enough for him to actually ask what he was thinking about.
"You can tell me," she prodded. "We're friends, right?"
Nathan nodded. "Yeah, we're friends." He hesitated before speaking. "I was just thinking about Sam."
"What about him?"
"I just… I just was kind of wondering about his dad." Nathan saw the look of surprise on Haley's face. "He's a great kid. And I think you're great. And I just can't figure out why Sam's dad wouldn't be here for all of this. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said anything. I'm sorry, Haley."
Haley bit down on her lip and leaned back in her chair. "It's okay," she said softly.
"I'm really sorry, Haley. I didn't mean to make you feel bad." The minute Nathan saw her reaction to his question he regretted asking it.
"I know, Nathan. Really, it's okay." Haley knew that Nathan would be okay if she didn't give him an answer about where Sam's father was. The truth was Haley had never considered Sam to have a father. He didn't. Damien Smith had raped her and gotten her pregnant. He was dead and that was the end of his involvement. Nothing else about Damien Smith mattered, especially when it came to Sam. "Let's just say he's not in the picture," she told Nathan. She knew she didn't have to tell him anything, but she wanted to say something. Something about Nathan Scott was making Haley want to open up to him and that scared her more than anything.
Haley knew that if she opened up to Nathan that she'd just start liking him more. If she let down those walls then she would let down more. She was starting to let him in already, more than she had with Lucas and Julian. Haley just knew that she wasn't ready to date anyone. She couldn't give someone like Nathan what he deserved. She didn't feel like she would be enough for him. If she kept letting him in, she'd want to try and be enough for him anyway and she just wasn't sure she was ready for that. He was a great guy. She hadn't expected that, but she was grateful for his friendship.
Nathan looked at Haley. She was deep in thought. He wanted to say something; he wanted to make her feel better. "You know, my dad, he was no picnic. I know you know some stuff that Lucas told you. You know he's in prison. Having a dad around, it's not always what it should be. You do a great job, Haley. You're a great mom."
Haley looked up at Nathan, surprised by his words. She hadn't expected him to say anything else on the matter. She thought he'd let it go and that would be that. She wasn't sure how she felt about what he said. Mostly, she was touched and she was grateful. She tried so hard to be the best mom that she could be for Sam. Nothing was more important than that. On the other hand, Nathan said things like that and she was once again tempted to let him in a little bit more. Nothing scared her more than that.
Note: I'm actually really excited to write the next two chapters so hopefully I can get those up soon.
I also got ideas for two other fics but I don't know if I want to start anything new until I finish this. This one is a long way from being finished.
