Chapter 10

"Tonight has been amazing Nathan," Haley whispered into Nathan, her fingers moving across Nathan's chest.

"These past two weeks have been amazing," Nathan whispered back.

"Could you stay the night?" Haley asked pleadingly. "Mom has the night shift again; I don't want to be alone."

"Anything for you Hales," Nathan replied, kissing the top of her head. He was a little worried about what his mom would have to say to him the next day, but he'd worry about that tomorrow. Being Haley was well worth any punishment he was handed.

Haley lay in her bed, her head resting on Nathan's chest. The room had been quiet for several minutes; they were just reveling in the moment.

"You know what this reminds me of? Lying in this bed with you?" Haley asked softly, knowing she was ruining the romance of the moment.

Nathan's thoughts flew back to several moments of their childhood where they had shared this bed; some good, some bad. "What Hales?"

"The night my dad left." Haley replied somberly. "Do you remember that night?"

"Yeah, I do," Nathan said gently, drawing Haley in closer to him.

Nathan awoke suddenly to the sound of a constant beat on his window. Groggily, he forced himself to get out of bed. He knew who the knocking belonged to; only one person had ever shown up at his window in the middle of the night before.

"Hey Haley," Nathan said, pulling the window open, still struggling to open his eyes.

She didn't respond. Nathan's eyes rapidly opened when he heard the sound of her sobs. He reached for her hand, "Hales, what's wrong?"

Again, she said nothing. She just stared at him, like a deer in headlights, absolutely terrified. "Hold on, I'll meet you by the front door," Nathan said, sensing her desperate need of a hug.

He greeted her at the door with a tight embrace. Haley allowed herself to cry more now, tears drenching Nathan's shoulder. "He's gone," she finally said.

Haley didn't have to elaborate on who the "he" was. Nathan knew she was speaking of her lame excuse of a father. Though he had hardly ever been present in her life, he at least would show up once in a while, even if he was in a drunken stupor. The drunken nights were all Haley had.

"It'll be okay Hales," Nathan said, attempting to comfort her, even though he wasn't sure the words he spoke were true.

"My mom left. I think she went after him." The twelve year old Haley whispered. "I was scared, so I came here."

"I'm happy you did. Are you okay now? Should I walk you back home?"

"I was wondering," Haley hesitantly began, her leg twisting inward nervously, "if you would stay the night with me."

"Of course Haley," Nathan said grabbing her hand and leading her inside, "let me go tell me my mom."

"Thank you," Haley said, her tears starting again, as she kissed him gently on the cheek.

"I think that might have been the night I fell in love with you," Haley said, gazing into Nathan's eyes.

In response, Nathan pressed his lips gently against Haley's. He loved the feeling kissing Haley gave him. He felt like he was home, reminding him of a different part of that night.

Nathan had stayed up with Haley for sometime when they arrived back at her house while she cried. Haley had buried her face in her pillow, trying to muffle her sobs. Feeling helpless, Nathan just allowed her to cry, and he stroked her hair, not knowing any other way to comfort her. Eventually, Haley turned to look at Nathan, her eyes puffy and her face stained with streaks of tears.

"You're the only family I have now," she said.

"I won't ever leave," Nathan promised.

Haley simply nodded, and placed her head back on her pillow, willing herself to fall asleep.

"You're still my family," Haley said, hoping he would remember the words he had said to her that night.

"And I still won't ever leave you Hales," Nathan replied, smiling at their shared memory.

Haley looked up at Nathan, trying to fight off the tears that were rolling down her cheeks.

"Don't cry baby," Nathan softly exclaimed, wiping the tears away, "He doesn't deserve your tears Haley. He was a fool for leaving someone as wonderful as you, don't ever forget that."

Haley nodded, biting down fiercely on her lip. Nathan responded by softly kissing her mouth until she finally started to kiss back. His hand traveled through her hair and gently down her back, leaving his hand to rest on her waist.

"I love you," Nathan breathed.

"I love you too. I just keep falling more in love with you," Haley admitted softly, still emotional.

"Come here Hales," Nathan motioned, opening arms for Haley to cuddle up against his muscular body. "Just go to sleep, I'll be right here," Nathan said soothingly, his hand gently rubbing her head.