I have two finals in two days but I needed a break from studying so this chapter is a work of sheer procrastination/boredom. Not the best, but, I think it does the job.

Thanks for all the kind words. x

I'll update more regularly starting next week.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .

"Daddy and Ms. James are doing sex!"

At the sound of Maddie's screeching voice, Nathan abruptly sat up, nearly slamming his forehead into Haley, who was also quite flustered as she straightened out her hair.

Nathan cleared his throat, as he stood up from the couch and avoided Haley's mortified eyes. "Mads, what're you doing home?" He questioned.

Before Maddie could answer, Nathan's mother came bustling through the front door; by the look on her son's face, Deb knew they had interrupted something.

"Honey, I'm so sorry. We tried calling you but you didn't answer."

Nathan wiped his hands on his jeans and sighed, "What happened?"

"I forgot Myrna Moose," Maddie mumbled in a soft voice. She felt like she had done something wrong, but was incredibly confused as to why her teacher was kissing her Dad on their couch. "I couldn't sleep without her."

"Oh, uh..." Nathan was at a loss for words. What was he supposed to say? He had promised Haley no one would find out about them, and now his daughter - her student - had walked in on them making out. There was no way of getting out of this one.

Deb made her way further into the living room and glanced between a blushing Haley and pacing Nathan. She had a feeling the two of them were secretly seeing each other.

"I'll just go upstairs and get Myrna," She announced, understanding that Nathan would want to talk to his daughter about what she had just witnessed.

Nathan remained silent but nodded in appreciation. He then glanced at Haley who was staring awkwardly at the floor.

"Madeline, come here, sweetie," He beckoned.

Maddie shuffled over to the chair in front of the couch, watching with wide eyes as her Dad and teacher sat back down, sharing nervous glances.

Haley released the lip she was biting, and motioned to the door, "Maybe I should-"

"No!" Nathan pleaded gently, grabbing her hand. "We should do this together."

"Daddy, what's going on?" Maddie asked, bouncing up and down as she sat on her hands.

Nathan and Haley stared at each other, "Um, well-"

Inhaling a sharp breath, Nathan felt his lips loosen in a gentle smile. "I like Miss James."

"So do I," Maddie grinned, her eyes settling on a blushing, but smiling, Haley.

Nathan looked at Haley, who grabbed his hand a squeezed it reassuringly. The two shared a soft smile as Haley tried to calm her rapidly beating heart.

Thinking Maddie didn't quite understand, Nathan tried another approach. "Remember when you had a crush your friend Matthew in pre-school?"

Maddie felt her cheeks flush, "Yea."

Haley almost giggled at the little girl's sudden shyness.

Nathan chuckled, "Well, I have a crush on Ms. James."
Maddie's blue eyes widened like stones, "You do?"

His grin widened as he nodded, "Yep."

"And I really like your Dad," Haley spoke up.

"Which is why you saw us kissing," Nathan muttered. "When adults like each other, sometimes they kiss."

"Are you dating?" Maddie asked excitedly.

"Yes," Nathan and Haley responded simultaneously, earning an excited squeal from Maddie.

Her giddy smile only lasted for a second, before she scrunched her nose with disgust.

Haley felt her stomach drop, "Is that okay with you, sweetie? I know I'm your teacher, so if this is too weird-"

"No, it's okay. I really want you to date Daddy, but I just don't wanna watch you do sex."

Nathan nearly swallowed his tongue, "Maddie. We discussed this, remember?"

"I know, Dad, but Ms. James was just on top of you, and that means you were gonna do sex!"
Neither adult knew what to say, but Haley silently hoped the ground would open and swallow her whole.

"Mads, we were just kissing. I'm sorry if it made you feel upset,"

Maddie simply shrugged, "It's okay. You can keep kissing."

They both sighed in relief, but it was only momentarily because Nathan nearly choked again when Maddie asked another question. "But if you kiss, does that mean Ms. James will have a baby? I really, really, really, want a sister!"

Nathan's eyes snapped shut. This was, by far, the most uncomfortable situation he had ever been in - including the time he had to chase a naked Maddie through Target.

"Maddie, sweetie, just because two people kiss does not mean they will have a baby."

"Then how are babies made?" She asked with inquisitive eyes.

Nathan looked at Haley for help, pleading with his nervous eyes.

Haley gulped silently. She had no idea what to say, but Nathan was equally as caught off guard and she knew she had to help some how.

"Sweetheart, listen," Haley started softly, "I know this is confusing for you, but your Daddy and I were just kissing, okay? That's what people do when they date. We're not, um, uh-"

"Doing sex?" Maddie asked with a grin.

Nathan blew out a steady breath. This conversation needed to end, quickly. "No, Madeline. Sex is a little different than kissing, okay? You don't have to worry about it. Only grown-ups know what it is."

"But Elizabeth said-"

"Mads, don't listen to Elizabeth," Nathan said softly. "People kiss all the time. It doesn't mean Miss. James is going to have a baby. Kissing just means we like each other and it's a way of showing it. Do you understand that?"

Maddie nodded eagerly, "Yep."

Haley smiled before scooting off of the couch and pulling Maddie into a hug, "If you have any questions, you know you can always ask me."

"Okay," Maddie smiled, flashing her dimples.

Nathan stood up, pulling both Haley and Maddie in for a hug. "I love you, Maddie. Nothing is going to change that, okay"?

"I know," she threw her arms around his neck, "I love you too, Daddy."

Haley watched their intimate exchange and smiled warmly. She'd never get tired of seeing them together.

"Listen, kiddo." Nathan started again, kneeling closer to Maddie. "There's something else we need to talk about."

"What is it?"

"Uh, well, I know you're excited Miss James and I are dating, but-"

"I'm so, so, so excited, Daddy!" Maddie beamed, nearly jumping up and down. "I wanted her to be your girlfriend for the longest time in the world. I just knew you'd be perfect together!"

Nathan and Haley laughed, "Well you were right, but it's also really important that you don't tell anyone about us just yet."

"Why not?" She frowned.

"Well," Haley spoke up, resting her hand on Maddie's shoulder, "I'm your teacher and it might look a little bad if people know I'm dating your Daddy. I could get in trouble."

Maddie's eyes clouded with a film of shiny tears, "You're gonna get in trouble?"?

"Only if people know, which is why it has to stay a secret for a little bit. Are you okay with that?"

Maddie nodded, "I don't want you to get in trouble, Miss. James. You're the bestest teacher in the entire world."

Haley laughed and hugged Maddie again, "Thank you."

"I promise I won't tell anyone."

Nathan smiled, "Thanks, Mads. And I promise nothing is going to change."

"Can I go on your dates?"

He chuckled, "I don't think so, Maddie-bear."

She pouted, "Why not?"

"Just because Miss. James is my girlfriend now, doesn't change the fact she's your teacher first. You'll hardly even realize we're together."

Maddie folded her arms over her chest, "But I like watching you and Ms. James together. You both smile really big!"

Said sized smiles both seize Nathan and Haley's lips. "I thought you said you didn't wanna see us kissing," he joked.

Maddie giggled, "I lied!"

Nathan chuckled and began tickling Maddie, "You're a goof, you know that?"

"No, Daddy! You're a goof!" Maddie laughed wildly as the sound reverberated throughout the house.

Just then, Deb came down the stairs to find Nathan, Haley, and Maddie huddled on the floor laughing. She smiled at the sight.

"Come on, Maddie. I've got your stuffed animal. It's time to go!"

"Grandma, guess what?" Maddie shouted, racing over to Deb.

"What?"

"Daddy and Ms. James are dating now! Isn't that so exciting?"

"Maddie!" Nathan shouted while chuckling. "What did we just talk about?"

Maddie pursed her lips together and covered her mouth behind her hands, "Oops! I wasn't supposed to tell anyone."

Deb smiled, then winked at her son, "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. Come on, Mads. Let's go and leave them to their date."

"They were kissing!" Maddie giggled.

Deb smirked, "Let's let them kiss, then. Say goodnight."

"Bye!" She waved goodbye to her father and teacher, then raced out the door, leaving a trail of happy giggles.

Deb shook her head, "Sorry Nathan, Haley. Enjoy the rest of your night."

"Thanks, Mom." Nathan smiled, watching as she closed the door behind her. He then turned towards Haley and sighed, "I am so sorry about that."

She rested her head against his chest and smiled, "It's okay. She's cute."

He chuckled, "She's a tornado."

Haley giggled, inhaling his strong scent of aftershave and cologne. She never wanted to let him go. "She had to find out at some point, right?"

"Yeah, you're right. It just sucks she found out like that."

"She seems excited," Haley said, pulling away slightly and looking into his eyes.

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of. She's going to blab it to everyone and there goes our secrecy." He groaned slightly.

Haley kissed his cheek, "I'm not worried."

"What if you get in trouble?"

"It will be worth it," Haley whispered.

Nathan smirked and leaned down to kiss her lips softly yet passionately. "You're amazing, Haley James."

Fisting a piece of his shirt between her hands, Haley pulled him closer. She was sick of playing it safe. She was sick of doing what she was supposed to do instead of what she wanted to do. She knew very well she could get in trouble, but as she felt Nathan's lips glide effortlessly against her own, she couldn't find herself to care any longer.

They shared a heated kiss for several minutes until Nathan pulled away with a grin overtaking his face. "Oh, and hey, by the way, thanks for knowing what to say with Maddie about the whole baby thing. She's been asking about it a lot and I never know what to do."

Haley laughed, "I can't believe she thought we were having sex."

Nathan groaned, "I can't believe she even knows what sex is."

"Apparently she thinks sex is kissing, so I think you're fine."

"I'm sorry if she said anything that made you uncomfortable. I wasn't expecting that."

Haley giggled, "It's okay. Like I said, she's cute."

He shrugged, then gazed into her glowing brown eyes, "Still, thank you."

"No. Thank you."

Nathan furrowed his brows, "Why are you thanking me?"

"I know this is your first time in a relationship since having Maddie, and I'm lucky enough to be that girl for you. Thank you for letting me in."

"Thank you for being worth it," he whispered, kissing her forehead.