So, this was probably one of the hardest chapters I've ever written. Hit just a little too close to home considering I lost someone very important to me unexpectedly Christmas morning within similar circumstances. If I was smarter about this I probably should have held off on this one. So yeah I literally had to fight back tears as I wrote this. Going into my OTH memory bank I don't recall them mentioning how and when Jimmy James passed away so I figured this would be the most probable after re-watching the episodes where Haley's mom comes back in season 7, which by the way is for the best episodes and performance for Haley/Joy (not including season 9). Anyway, I hope you enjoy it. Please let me know what you think by leaving a review.


Title: Loss

Season: Between the 4th & 5th seasons.

Episode: Between All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone & 4 Years, 6 Months, 2 Days

Summary: Haley receives news that her father has died.

Just a couple more hours and we'll be on our way, Haley thought as she packed the last of her bags that she planned on taking with her back to Tree Hill for the summer. Nathan and Jamie's thing were packed and ready. Nathan neatly placed them by their front door ready to load them in the car once he got back.

Haley stood up from her position on the bed and zipped up the suitcase she had just finished packing. After placing it on the floor she took a moment to stretch out some of her sore muscles. The last week and a half had been quite stressful for Haley. She got through her final exams almost unscathed and managed to help Nathan with his. Add to that dealing with a rambunctious 3 year old and sorting out their trip home.

She was excited to get back to Tree Hill. She and Deb were planning a little birthday party for Jamie, who would officially turn three in the next couple weeks. Everyone who was invited for the most part was invited. Unfortunately Peyton and Brooke couldn't catch a break from work so she was a little disappointed she wouldn't get to see them, but she was glad Lucas would be there, along with Mouth, Skills, Fergie, and Junk. Not to mention Karen would be going as well as Whitey. But most importantly she had been informed a week prior that her parents were going to be dropping in as well for the party. She hadn't seen them since Christmas and she really missed them. Speaking on the phone just wasn't the same as actually getting to see them in person.

"Mama?" a small voice spoke from the doorway.

"Hey Jimmy Jam, up from your nap already?" Haley walked towards her son and scooped him up. "Did you sleep well?"

"I had a dream that Chester could talk." Jamie told his mother.

"I'm sure that was an exciting dream." Haley said as she walked them towards the kitchen. "Do you want a snack? Are you feeling hungry, buddy?"

"A little. Where's daddy?"

"Daddy went to the store to get some stuff we need for our trip." Haley started to cut up an apple and placed the slices on a plate. She then took some peanut butter and placed a dollop next to the apple slices.

"Eat up." Haley's cell suddenly rang and she smiled seeing her mother's name on the caller ID. "Hey mom, I thought I told you last night that I would call you once we got to Tree Hill."

"Haley, this isn't mom." A somber voice replied.

"Vivian? Hey. What's going on? You don't sound too well. Everything okay?"

"No Haley Bob it's not." Vivian sighed heavily.

"Viv, you're scaring me. Where's mom?"

"Haley, Dad had a heart attack this morning." Haley staggered for a moment before taking a seat at the table.

"He's going to be okay, right? Please tell me he's going to be okay." She pleaded.

"We called an ambulance and they got him to the hospital as quickly as they could. The doctors did everything they could."

"No." Haley said in a whisper before covering her mouth. The tears collected in the corner of her eyes.

"Dad's gone, Haley Bob." Vivian softly cried as she spoke the words to her baby sister.

Haley froze as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

"Mama?" Jamie watched as his mother began to cry.

"How can this be? I talked to him early yesterday. He was fine. What happened?" Haley cried.

"We don't know. He was okay during breakfast, a little winded but okay. Then as mom and I were getting the dishes cleaned, we heard him fall. We found him in the living room clutching his chest. It all happened so fast." Vivian explained as best she could while trying not to break down herself.

"I can't believe this." Haley dropped her head in her hand as she cried.

The front suddenly opened to the apartment and Nathan entered the home carrying a few bags. "Hales, I think I got everything you asked for." He said as he put them down.

"Daddy!" Jamie yelled for his father. "Mama is sad!"

"What was that Jimmy Jam?" Nathan asked his son as he entered the small kitchen and finally noticed his wife. "Hales?"

Haley looked up and let out a loud sob. "Nathan…"

"Baby, what's wrong?" Unable to say anything Haley handed her phone over to Nathan and stepped out of the room.

"Hello? Who is this?" Nathan frantically asked.

"Nathan?"

"Yeah, it's Nathan." Nathan responded, "Vivian? What's going on? I get home and Haley's in tears."

"Nathan, umm, our dad suffered a heart attack this morning. He passed away."

"Oh my god." Nathan listened intently as Vivian explained the situation. He got all the information he needed and hung up the phone.

Nathan let out a heavy sigh and stared down the hall where Haley went towards their bedroom. He honestly had no idea how they were going to handle this. He couldn't even begin to imagine the pain Haley was going through. One of things he admired the most about Haley and her parents' was how close they were. Jimmy was a good man, a good husband and an even greater father. Haley needed to be with her family and he would make sure she would be with them as quickly as he could manage it.

"Hey buddy, how would you like to watch a movie right now?"

"Yay! Can I watch Cars?"

"Sure, bud." Nathan grabbed Jamie and settled him in the living room and put on the movie. "Okay, I'll be back to check on you in a bit."

"Where are you going?"

"Daddy has some stuff to take care of and see how mommy is doing. She got some bad news and now she feeling very sad."

"You're gonna make her happy again, right?"

"I don't know about that right now but I'm going to try to help her feel a little better. Just enjoy your movie and I'll be back later." Nathan left a kiss on his son's head and walked back to the kitchen. He grabbed his cell and started making some necessary phone calls, the first being to an airline. He knew Haley need to be with her family and with Vivian on board he planned on getting her there.

With some luck Nathan managed to get Haley on a flight to Augusta, Georgia, where Vivian currently resided, that night. He texted Vivian all the details so she could pick Haley up. Once he had that settled he called Lucas and his mom to inform them of the situation and make arrangements. He knew the James' would need a place to stay and the beach house was large enough to house most of them. With his dad in prison he was sure his mom would have no problem letting them stay. Understandably Lucas was very upset for Haley and for himself as well. He had known Jimmy since he was a kid due to his friendship with Haley and had grown close to the man. Deb was shocked and quickly agreed to let the James family use the beach house. She even offered up the spare room in their house.

Once everything was set Nathan walked towards his and Haley's bedroom. Nathan stood in front of their door and sighed briefly. He could hear the louds sobs of his wife through the door. Preparing himself he walked in the room gradually. Haley was sitting on their bed with her arms wrapped around her knees crying. Nathan walked to her and gently sat next to her on the bed.

"Baby, I am so sorry." He softly spoke. Haley looked up at him and leaned into him and continued to cry into his chest. She held onto him for dear life.

"It's not fair." Haley whispered into his shirt as she sobbed. "It's not fair. He was okay. We talked to him yesterday. He was fine."

"I know." Nathan rubbed her back softly.

"He was excited about seeing us in a few weeks. He was anxious about playing the magician for Jamie. It's just not fair. He was still so young. How could this have happened?"

"I wish I had an answer for you, Hales. I wish I had the words to make this better."

"And my mom? What is she going to do? I've never seen one without the other. She must be a wreck right now." Haley lifted her head and wiped tears away. "I have to be with her."

"I know. I talked with Vivian and they're organizing a trip back to Tree Hill, but that could take up to a couple days. Until then, I got you booked on a flight to Augusta tonight. Vivian's going to pick you up. You should be with your mom and sister right now." Haley hugged Nathan tighter.

"Thank you."

"She was able to talk to Quinn, Taylor and your brothers. They'll meet up with you guys in Tree Hill. My mom is okay with them staying at the beach house and of course we still have that spare room in the house."

"What about you and Jamie?"

"Lucas is in New York. He's going to get a flight here and he's going to make the drive to Tree Hill with me and Jamie. Don't worry about us. We'll be there to meet you at the airport when you guys to Tree Hill." Nathan hugged her close and kissed her forehead. "I don't want you to worry about anything. Just focus on your mom and the rest of your family. I'm always here for you, Haley. I will everything in my power to help you through this."

"Thank you. I don't know what I'd do without you right now." Taking a deep, shaky breath Haley moved away from Nathan and began to stand. "I need to get my things together. I have my bags packed but spread out. I need to make sure everything I need is in one bag."

"Okay. I'm going to check on Jamie while you do that. We should head out in 2 hours. I'll make us something to eat." Nathan got up and began to walk out.

"Nathan." Haley called to him.

"Yeah?" Nathan answered as he turned to her. Haley wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

"I just wanted to tell you that I love you. I needed to tell you that."

"I love you too, Hales."

"My dad always told me you should tell those you love that you love them every chance you get. That's why he would tell us 'I love you' at the beginning and end of every call." Haley began to cry harder.

"Hey, hey, it's gonna be okay. Your dad was a smart man." Nathan held her close, "I love you, baby. We'll get through this together." Haley nodded.

Nathan gave her another kiss on her forehead before leaving the room to check on Jamie and then to make something quick to eat. He really wished there was more he could for Haley. Even for Lydia and the rest of the James family. Nathan stopped just by the entrance to their kitchen and rested his head against the wall. Not able to fight it anymore he let tears slip down his cheeks and he choked back a sob. He cried not only for Haley and her family but for himself as well. He was really going to miss Jimmy.

From the moment he met the Jimmy Nathan couldn't help but admire him. He hoped he could be half as amazing a father to Jamie as Jimmy was to his kids. Jimmy truly became an important father figure for Nathan and knowing he was no longer going to be around hurt. But he knew he wouldn't hurt as much as Haley and he vowed to be her source of strength. Anything he had to do he would. Jimmy would appreciate that. Wiping away his tears Nathan took a deep breath and went to Jamie. He knew he and Haley would have to explain it to him at some point soon that his grandpa was gone but he didn't want to worry Haley with that now. The time would come. For now he would get his wife to the airport and provide all the support she needed. The rest they could worry about later.


So I purposely only wanted to focus on Haley getting the news and Nathan just being there for her. I didn't feel like I needed to get too detailed. I did use some of my real life experience for Haley's reaction. Hopefully it wasn't too bad.

Anyway, I really could use some more suggestions so please let me know. I created a new twitter solely focused on my OTH love and specifically for my stories. So feel free to follow and bug me on there. ;) Link is in my profile.