Authors Note: Hey everybody. I'm sorry it's been so long for an update, things are pretty crazy now with school starting again. It's hard for me to find the time to write but I will update as soon as I can. Firstly, can I just say how much I LOVED 8x01! My three couples that I am rooting for (BJu, Naley & Chalex), were AMAZING! I can't wait till Tuesday :D

I also want to thank all those that reviewed last chapter; Alex, Pam, Kaitie, Camila & Elle. Your reviews keep me writing guys so thankyou for your amazing words of inspiration.

This chapter is dedicated to my inspirations...my besties...my Fanatic 5! Kaitie, Elli, Kir & Chandler, thanks for supporting me with my writing & just making my day so much better. You girls amaze me & will always be my besties 33 Loveyaaa's!

Enjoy Chapter 8 everybody!


February 2029-

Hearing the sound of the bell, Brooke turned to the entrance of her store expecting to welcome a customer but instead came face to face with Haley.

"Hi," Haley almost whispered.

"Hey friend. Where've you been?" Brooke asked smiling. She knew that her and Haley were heading for a serious conversation but she was just happy that Haley came to see her.

"I've been around. Just been thinking. Thought we could do with a talk." Haley felt oddly uncomfortable around Brooke and she didn't understand why. Brooke had been her friend since they were seventeen, they could get through this.

"Sure, why don't we sit on the couch," Brooke led the way and sat down. Haley followed her and took a place on the red couch. "I've missed you fugitive wife," she said whilst wrapping her arms around Haley in a tight hug.

"I've missed you too Brooke, honestly."

"So you're not mad at me?" asked Brooke pulling away from their embrace.

"Mad at you? Brooke why would I be mad at you, you're one of my best friends. Where would I be without you?"

"Probably in less fashionable clothes," she joked.

"Yeah, you're probably right," Haley took a deep breath. She knew that she had to get the talk over and done with. "I know that I've been distant lately but I..."

"Haley please don't explain. I ambushed you and Nathan, I was just nervous but I should have handled it better. I know that. I've just been wanting to know how my friend was doing. I was worried about you Haley." Brooke reached over and held onto Haley's hand.

"I knew that if I was around you everyday then I would immediately make a decision and I don't want to do that Brooke, I want to make sure that I'm doing the right thing. I've been thinking a lot about it, I even went to see Dr. Copeland and we made a pros and cons list to try and help me. I even spoke to the kids about it, told them about the risks and do you know what they said? They said that none of the bad things matter because it's for you and Julian and surely your happiness is more important than percentages. And all I could think about was that that should have been the first thing that I thought of when you asked me, but it wasn't and that's when I realised that I'm not the right person to do this Brooke," Haley confessed, tears filling in her eyes.

"Personally I think you're wrong Hales. Do you know why me and Julian asked you and Nathan?"

"Because Luke and Peyton are having a baby and Alex and Chase are having problems?"

"No; because you're Naley. You're THE couple Haley. You don't know how much we all look at yours and Nathan's relationship when we're having problems with our own. I said all those years ago that you gave us hope and you still do Haley. Me and Julian knew that if we asked you and you chose to do it, then it wouldn't really affect your relationship with Nathan because you two have been through worst. I don't call you tutor mom for no reason Hales, it's because you really have got this mom thing down. I don't know how you do it but you do and you do it perfectly. If I had to choose anyone in the world, including Peyton, to look after my child it would be you."

"And I appreciate that and I'm glad that you both have so much faith in me but even if I said yes, it could still not work. I'm too old for all that now."

"Peyton's pregnant and last time I checked, you're the same age. Sure her and Lucas went through the whole IVF thing but they still managed to do it and surrogacy is the same sort of concept."

"I know but..." Before Haley could finish her sentence, her husband stumbled through the CoB entrance, looking flustered.

"Nathan, what's wrong? Are the kids okay?" Haley asked worriedly, standing up to face him.

"The kids are fine, honestly," he reassured her.

"Then what are you doing here? Have you been running?"

"Maybe...Look I need to talk to you. Brooke do you mind giving us a minute?" Nathan said, acknowledging Brooke for the first time since entering her store.

"Sure, I'll make us a drink Haley." She quickly left the married couple alone, to go and make coffee.

When Brooke had left the room, Nathan turned his eyes back to Haley who was looking at him intently; still slightly confused by his entrance. "I'm sorry for last night," he confessed.

"What got into you Nathan?"

"I know I was a complete ass. First I promised you that we would do this together and then I won't tell you how I feel about it. Talk about mixed signals huh?"

"Like you wouldn't believe. Why won't you tell me how you're feeling?"

"Because I'm scared," he laced his fingers round hers. "I'm scared of losing you Hales."

"But Nathan, you're not going to lose me. Always and forever remember? I'm right here, not going anywhere."

"What about the risks? You even said to the kids that going through with the surrogacy means risks. I can't let you anywhere near risks, you mean too much to me. I didn't tell you but I had a dream or a nightmare...I don't really know what I'd call it. You went through with the pregnancy but you died Haley and there was nothing I could do. I just had to sit there. Do you know how hard that was for me? There have been too many times that I've almost lost you; I don't want to ever get that close again."

"You won't baby, I promise," she whispered softly and then reached up to kiss him. Nathan had missed holding Haley in his arms last night and waking up to her big cheesy 'Good morning' smile that he loved so much. At the thought of this, he kissed Haley more passionately, wrapping his arms around her waist; her hands holding onto the collar of his jacket.

"I've missed that," he murmured after finally pulling away from Haley's tempting lips.

"Nathan, it's only been a day."

"Exactly, that's too long. I shouldn't go through one day without kissing my wife," he smiled and placed another tender kiss on lips.

"So what are we going to do?" she asked seriously.

"Whatever you feel is right. I've told you how I feel but whatever you decide, I'm going to stand by you. No matter what happens, we do it together. Always and forever. That's what I promised you right? And I never break my promises."

"Good, I'll be holding you to that," she winked.

"Look I'm going to leave you to talk to Brooke but hurry home okay. I'll have dinner ready for you when you get back." He kissed her forehead tenderly. "I love you Haley James Scott."

"I love you too," she softly said to him before he left the store.

"Is Nate okay?" asked Brooke, re-entering the front of her store with two coffee mugs in her hand. The smell comforted Haley, it reminded her of home.

"He's going to be fine; he's just worried about me, as always." Haley took her place back on the couch after accepting her mug of coffee from Brooke who had now joined her on the couch. "So I guess I've got to tell you what my decision is huh?"

"I guess so. But before you do, can I just tell you something please. Me and Julian could choose a stranger to carry our child but we would probably not see them a lot and never know how they are dealing with the pregnancy. By choosing one of our friends, we are guaranteed to be there with them throughout the journey. If you choose to not go through with the surrogacy, I will be completely okay with it and respect your decision. It won't affect our friendship at all because you mean too much to me teacher mom!"

Haley didn't reply to Brooke's little speech, she was too upset to do so. She already had tears filling up her eyes & knew that if she spoke, she would completely break down. Instead, she handed over the Pros & Cons list to Brooke.

Brooke looked down at the scribbled on piece of paper that was in Haley's handwriting. The right side of the page was full with Cons and the Pros side was almost empty. Haley didn't have to tell Brooke what her decision was. The answer was right there in her hands.


Authors Note: I'm not completely happy with the structure of this chapter but I think that the dialogue is okay. I needed Haley to speak to Nathan before spoke to Brook but because of their argument they weren't speaking. I didn't really feel like Haley should apologise & I wanted Nathan to apologise first. This was the only way that I could think to do it.

Slight cliffhanger I know. I want to know what you all think Haley should do. I already know what I want to happen, but your opinions on the matter would be nice to hear. So leave me some reviews. Tell me what you liked...or didn't like :) Thankyou!