Chapter 10

The car ride was so silent. As I drove home, I continuously looked in the rear view mirror to see Jamie's expression. He was looking out the window, looking so sad and confused. I wish I could take this pain away from him, he's a little boy, he's gone through enough.

As I stretched myself a little higher to see Chloe, I noticed she had reached over to grab Jamie's hand as she smiled at him. Damn my kids are so sweet. What did I do to deserve such amazing children? I couldn't help but smile as I looked forward while I continued to drive.

Nathan was in the car behind us with Lucas and Peyton. I suggested that maybe it would be a better idea if he came with them so that Jamie would feel comfortable to discuss anything that was bothering him. At first I wasn't even sure if Nathan wanted to come home but when he asked me if he could, I couldn't help but feeling excitement at the thought of my husband finally coming home and being with his family, where he always belongs.

As I pulled into the driveway, I got myself and the kids out as they ran over to Lucas and Peyton to say bye. I waved at them both and Nathan then placed his arm around me and said, "It feels so good to be home."

Of course I smiled when he said that. I was more then thrilled to have him home but I still cannot help but feel a sense of awkwardness between us. Was it me? Was I doing something wrong? I don't want to push him or anything, I just want things to go back to normal, whatever normal is now a days.

It felt so good to walk into my house. It still looked the same, the pictures were still up, the furniture was still the same but one thing was missing. As I walked towards the living room, I noticed that all my trophies had been missing. They were all gone but I guess I can't blame Haley for throwing them away; it must have been hard to look at them.

"Time for bed guys," Haley's voice interrupted my thoughts but I didn't mind. I loved the fact that I was going to be able to hear her voice all the time again. "Go wash up and daddy and I will be upstairs to tuck you both in soon."

I smiled as I watched both my kids walk up the stairs, obeying what they're mother had told them. Haley caught my gaze on the trophies, "It was hard looking at them, Jamie hates basketball now and he didn't want to look at them, we thought you had left us, I'm sorry," she told me with a crack in her voice.

"I understand, you had to get rid of them," I told her, putting a smile on my face. I really did understand, I probably wouldn't have kept them either.

"I didn't get rid of them Nathan, we just put them away somewhere safe," she told me. Knowing that she didn't get rid of them, or the pictures of our wedding day, made me fall in love with her even more.

"Listen, you said that you thought I had left you and Jamie, did you really believe that I would do that? Did you live these past 3 years believing that I didn't love you?" I asked her, although it killed me.

She put her head down, trying to hold back the tears. "Honestly Nathan, I didn't know what to think. Part of me believe that you wouldn't do that to us, I thought you were happy so something always told me that it wasn't the reason but as time went by and you never called or showed up, it was all I could put together. It killed me but I had to try and face the reality that you were with another person and happy."

I couldn't believe my ears. God I hated Bear so much for making Haley go through this. I took her hand and placed it on my chest where my heart is located. I looked her deep in the eye, "Hales, I could never love anyone the way I love you. You've always been the one for me and you always will be. There wasn't one day in that basement where I didn't worry that you would move on with another man. I love you so much Hales and I would never leave you. You have made me the happiest guy on the world and I love you and our kids so much. Seeing you tonight just took my breath away, you're looking even more beautiful as the years go by. Always and forever Hales, always and forever, till death do us part."

Now she was crying, "God I love you Nathan, I've missed you so much and I could never replace you. You have been and always will be my hubby, always and forever."

I smiled as she said that to me, God I loved this girl so much. I cupped her face and crashed my lips into hers. It had been three long years and she still tasted as sweet and I remember. I lost myself in the kiss, I loved her so much and I wanted to make sure she knew it.

When we finally released, we heard our daughter giggling from the top of the stairs. I smiled at Haley as we both ran up the stairs to chase Chloe. I got a hold of her and through her over my shoulder as I ran into her room and bounced her onto her bed gently. Haley and I then got on the bed and tickled her. Her sweet laughter filled the room, our ears, and our hearts.

Once we all finished laughing, Haley tucked her into bed and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight angel," she told her. "Goodnight momma, love you." Haley smiled, "Love you too my princess."

I smiled at the bond between Chloe and Haley. I loved how Haley had a special bond with both our children.

I leaned over and kissed my daughter on the forehead. "Goodnight my little princess," I told her. She smiled at me. "Goodnight daddy, I love you. And I'm happy that your home." Now who wouldn't melt to that? I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have such a great family.

We closed the light and watched as our daughter rolled onto her side and fell fast asleep. Next was my buddy, I just hope that he was going to give me the time of day.