A/N: I'm going ahead and posting this chapter because I'm going to be busy the next few days with school. This is a rather long chapter, so I hope you enjoy it! I'll try my best to get back to writing on this story, as well as my others I've been working on, as soon as I can. School is just keeping me really busy and I'm trying to manage both. I'll update soon though, I promise! For now, enjoy the chapter and please review! Thanks!
It was almost six o'clock and Haley was going to be arriving in a few minutes. Nathan was in the kitchen finishing up dinner when the doorbell rang. Mallory ran to the door knowing who it was, but opened it and yelled, "Miss James is here daddy!"
Mallory let Haley in before leading her to the kitchen. Haley looked down at the little girl who was now in a yellow sundress. "Well you look pretty tonight, Mallory," she commented.
"Thank you Miss James. You look nice too," she said referring to Haley's blue spaghetti strapped dress.
Nathan had just finished everything when the girls came in. "Nice of you to join us Miss James. Mal here has been waiting for you to arrive. Now dinner is ready if you would like to make your way into the dining room while I bring out the food," he replied to the girls.
The three soon sat down and Mallory grinned before asking, "Miss James, daddy said I could watch my favorite movie after dinner. Will you stay and watch it with us?"
"Now what would that be?" Haley responded.
"The Lion King! Daddy says I watch it too much," she answered.
"You know I would almost think we were related or something because that happens to be one of my favorites as well. By the way Nathan, this mac in cheese is delicious," Haley commented.
Nathan smiled and simply said, "Thanks," before continuing to eat. He was enjoying watching his daughter be so energetic when she talked with Haley. He had never seen her get like this with anyone else.
The two girls continued to talk and joke around while they finished eating. Once they were done, Nathan took the dishes back into the kitchen. Haley got up and helped as well. "Oh, I'll get it," Nathan said as he saw Haley bringing him a few dishes.
"It's no problem. I'm used to it because Brooke usually finds a way out of doing the dishes. Plus I know a little girl who is waiting on that movie you promised," Haley replied.
"I don't believe it's just my daughter wanting to see this movie. If I'm not mistaken, I believe you made a comment on how you wanted to see it just as badly," he joked.
"Ok you caught me," she said with a smile.
Nathan just stared at her for a few minutes before hurrying up and finishing with the dishes. Then he led Haley into the living room where Mallory was waiting patiently on the couch. She looked up at them and yelled, "Movie time!"
Nathan went and put the movie in while Haley went and sat next to Haley. Nathan came and sat down on the other side of Mallory and started the movie. When it got to the scene where Simba's dad dies, Nathan glanced over at the two girls and noticed Mallory had made her way closer to Haley. He smiled until he noticed that Haley had tears in her eyes and was about to ask what was wrong when she started laughing at the screen.
Nathan had turned back towards the screen and saw that Timon and Pumba were singing. This had always been one of Mallory's favorite parts and when he glanced back over he noticed that they were both singing along.
The movie was coming to an end and it was getting close to Mallory's bedtime. When the final credits came on, Mallory looked up at Nathan and asked, "Daddy, can Miss James come tuck me in tonight?"
"Sweetheart, you should be asking her not be. It's fine by me," he replied.
Mallory then looked over at Haley and asked, "Will you Miss James?"
"Sure I will," she answered before taking Mallory's hand and following her upstairs to her room.
Once in her room, Mallory went over and slipped on some pajamas before getting into bed. Haley began to tuck her in when Mallory quietly said, "Thank you for coming over tonight."
"Thank you for having me. I really enjoyed it," she responded.
"Will you come back again?" Mallory wondered.
"Mal, I'll hang out with you whenever you would like. Just remember to always get your dad's permission first. Ok?" she said.
"I will Miss James. Also thank you for tucking me in. Daddy usually does it, but I like having another girl around," Mallory confessed.
"I'll see you later. Sweet dreams," she replied.
"Miss James…" Mallory began, "Do you mind leaning a little closer?" Haley did what she asked and Mallory reached up and put her arms around her neck in a hug.
Haley smiled at the little girl and hugged her back before heading back downstairs.
Nathan was in the kitchen washing dishes when Haley came in. "It seems your daughter is all ready for bed. I guess I'm going to head out. I really enjoyed it and thank you for inviting me over. Anytime you need someone to watch Mallory, just give me a call and I'll be glad to watch her," Haley said.
"You know you don't have to go just yet if you don't want to. I could make some coffee or hot chocolate or something," he began.
"Hot chocolate would be nice," she suggested.
"Let me guess, you like it with marshmallows on top as well," he joked.
Haley nodded before saying, "You know she's a great kid. You have done a really good job in raising her."
Nathan glanced up and replied, "Thanks. I have to admit though I've never seen her so attached to anyone like she has with you."
"Nathan, I hope you don't think I'm trying to step in. I know I'm not her mother and I would never try to take over that role. It's just that I think she just wants other females around. I mean let's face it, you and Luke can only do so much with her," she commented.
"She loves you," Nathan said quietly, "and that somewhat scares me sometimes. You are great with her though. I'm glad you became part of her life. She never got a chance to know Peyton and there are days that I regret that, but she now has you. So thank you."
"You're a great dad, Nathan. Just always remember that," she replied, "but I should be heading home. Again thank you for tonight. I'll see you later." He then walked her out before making his way upstairs.
A/N: I really enjoyed writing this chapter, so like I said before I hope you enjoyed reading it!
Coming:
More Naley/Mallory time
