Chapter 9

"Something smells good," Nathan announced, coming in from his morning run on Thanksgiving day.

"That would be the turkey," Karen nodded, busily working at the stove, "I believe Haley is still asleep this morning."

"That's probably good," he chuckled, "she never sleeps in so it has to catch up at some point right?"

"It's called growing up," she laughed back, "I was hoping you and Keith would take Lily to the park this morning so Haley, your mom, and I could get this underway."

"I think we can handle that," he nodded, "think they're might be some breakfast in it for me?" he questioned with an innocent look.

"Breakfast will be ready when you get out of the shower," she nodded.

"Thanks Karen…for everything," he gave her a soft smile, "…with my Mom and…just everything."

"No thanks required," she gave him a motherly smile, "now go you starting to overpower the turkey smell."

"Alright," he laughed, heading for Lucas's old bedroom.

"Hi," Haley smiled when he walked through the door; she was showered and dressed, pulling her hair back into a messy bun.

"Good morning," he leaned down for a soft kiss, "umm, really good."

She giggled pushing him away, "you're all gross."

"Karen didn't think you were up yet," he was digging through his bag looking for the polo shirt he just knew Haley had packed for him.

"I was pretty quiet," she shrugged, "she mentioned she had something for you and Keith to do today?"

"Yeah, we're taking Lily to the park to keep her and us out of you guy's way," he replied with a chuckle, "alright, I'll be out shortly."

"Okay I'm ready to be put to work," Haley entered the kitchen.

"Breakfast first," Karen pointed at the table, where a tray of cinnamon rolls sat still warm from the oven.

"You do too much," Haley grabbed a warm roll, quickly eating it and grabbing another before washing her hands and grabbing an apron from under one of the cabinets, "put me to work."

NHNHNHNHNHNHNHNHNH

"So how are you and Haley doing?" Keith asked as the men sat watching Lily playing in the sand box.

"We're good," Nathan grinned, "listen I wanted to thank you for coming to Durham last weekend for the game."

"It really was not a problem, I just wish Karen and Lily could have come too," he gave his nephew a pat on the back, "she's going to be so excited the first game we take her to."

"I put in a request for six tickets to a later game, so you guys will be able to come with Luke and my Mom," he smiled when Lily waved at him giving her a little wave back, "I'll let you know as soon as I can, but it'll likely be after Christmas."

"Nafan," Lily called running up to him, running into his legs with a laugh and patting his thighs, "come slide!"

"Okay Lil-Bug," he laughed, swinging her up in his arms and running toward the slide with her dangling from his arms.

They played for hours at the park, Nathan continually going down the slide with Lily and even helping her swing across the monkey bars a few times. Karen phoned around 1 letting them know that dinner would be served around 3:30 and for them to come back whenever they were ready.

They made a stop at the river court to play around a little before heading back to the house. "Just in time," Haley handed Keith a stack of plates as he walked in the door; and Nathan a handful of silverware, taking Lily from him as well.

"Geez, as soon as we walk in the door," Keith laughed, leading Nathan to the dining room.

"Hey Lily you want to help me cut the cookies?" Haley questioned, setting the little girl on the stool next to the counter where she had already rolled out the cookie dough.

"Ooh," she giggled reaching for the thin sheet Haley had worked hard on. Haley's hands were quicker though as she picked up a cutter and helped Lily make shapes from the dough and place them on a baking sheet, "No Hay-ee," she squirmed, trapped between Haley's arms trying to mess the dough up.

"You don't want messy cookies do you?" she asked with a laugh, finally releasing her and letting her make her own piles of dough to go on the second cookie sheet the first one safely out of the way.

"Wow, those look like my kind of cookies," Nathan remarked watching Lily pile her third ball-like mound onto the cookie sheet.

"Will you put that one in the oven?" Haley looked up at him, motioning to the full sheet. "Karen and I figured we could decorate them after lunch and that would give us a little chance to let our food settle before we ate dessert."

"Sounds like a plan," Keith nodded, "you got her Hales? Nate and I can take her into the living room to watch the game if you want?"

"Oh no," Karen butted in, "that TV is not getting turned on until after you boys have done the dishes when dinner is over. Deb and Cooper should be here shortly, and the turkey is going to be done soon and you need to carve it," she pointed at her husband, "and Nathan if you don't mind grabbing the chair at Lucas's desk and the one in living room finishing off the table?"

"Got it," Nathan headed off toward the living room.

"Okay Lily, I think we're out of cookie dough little monster," Haley laughed, heading for the sink with the toddler in her arms. Getting Lily clean, Haley handed her to Keith before heading back to change for dinner.

NHNHNHNHNHNHNHNH

"That was the best meal I think I've ever had," Cooper sighed sitting back from the table his plate clean after at least three helpings of everything on the table.

"You think that was good? Wait until you try the pie," Deb winked at her brother.

"We actually decided not to do pie this year," Karen spoke, "Nathan and Keith are going to clear the table and start on the dishes while we decorate the sugar cookies Haley and Lily made earlier."

"Cooper can help with the dishes," Deb volunteered him elbowing when he didn't jump up to help, "and what can I do?"

"Help me gather the decorating supplies?" Haley offered, heading for the kitchen, carrying a few dishes as well.

"Haley, I just…" Deb stopped her before they could make it back to the table, "I didn't have a chance to tell you before—but I'm glad Nathan has you…and I want to thank you for everything you've done…for Nathan—and just everything."

"You know Deb, I would do it all over again," Haley gave a quick smile to Nathan when he glanced at her concerned, "because I love your son, and no matter what happens I'm going to love him," she shrugged, "you do everything you can for the ones you love."

"That's all any mother could ask for," Deb nodded.

"Hay-ee," Lily called from her high chair where Karen had already put out a few cookies for her to decorate.

"Sorry Lily, let's get to decorating those cookies shall we?" Deb asked taking one of the seats next to her and showing her how to slather the cookies with icing and sprinkles, before releasing her to do it on her own.

"Here Natan," Lily handed her cousin a cookie loosely resembling a basketball, "I maked it for you."

"Thank you Lil-bug," Nathan laughed taking a bite and groaning at the wonderful taste, "this is perfect, really hits the spot."

Haley couldn't help but marvel at the interactions between them. Ever since Halloween when they'd visited for the first time she'd been constantly impressed with his abilities with the toddler and now sitting here in the kitchen of the woman who'd practically raised her she couldn't help but be thankful for everything she had and for everything she and Nathan would one day have together.

"Hey," his soft voice interrupted her, "whatcha thinking about?"

"How perfect our family is," she shrugged, "and how great today is…the only thing missing is…Lucas."

"He'll be here in less than a month," he reminded, "but I think I have something that might cheer you up." He pulled out a cookie from behind his back, heart shaped and iced in red with a few sprinkles across the top, "It's my heart."

"Aren't you just the cutest?" she laughed, shaking her head she gave him a small peck on the lips before turning back to the rest of the family and decorating more cookies.