The Search For Something More
Chapter 11 - Resolve
Thanks for those who read last chapter, I hope you guys are still interested in the story. Like I said, last chapter ran a little long, this chapter picks right back up from the last one. Thanks to Kelly for beta-ing. I hope you enjoy and please review.
Also please check out my one shot "You Can't Be Here," an extension of last Monday's episode. Although I expected more, I was glad to finally here some real talk about a baby naley #2.
. . . . .
"Haley, Nathan, good to see you again." Dr. Anderson greeted the two. Haley was already settled on the examining table with Nathan sitting right beside her.
Haley wondered what was up with Nathan because he seemed different. She couldn't explain it, but maybe it was something that Brooke or Peyton said to him. She loved her friends but they were also very protective over her, especially when it came to Nathan. They were the only ones she told about the pregnancy. The loose tops and flowy dresses helped her conceal her pregnancy but pretty soon it would be no use. Haley had no choice but admit to the world that she was pregnant. She didn't tell her family because she knew they couldn't keep a secret for the life of them and she had been hesitant on telling her mom. But now her mom was doing better and she was going to tell her soon. She just wondered how she would react.
She looked back to Nathan and he still had that worried look on his face. Maybe he was worried about the baby? She didn't know. But then again, before she told him she was pregnant, it had been five years since they were together. People grow up and they change. She told him before that she really didn't know him, maybe she was right. She tried to shake off such thoughts, all that mattered was the baby, She didn't need to get stressed about anything else.
The doctor lifted her gown and placed a cool liquid on top of her very swollen belly. At the site of Haley's belly, the sadness in Nathan's eyes momentarily lifted and a warm smile graced his face. He looked onto the screen and saw his baby, their baby. He was in awe, the baby had gotten so much bigger. His heart raced as he saw the little hands and feet move about. In a few short months their baby would be here, the thought made Nathan both excited and absolutely scared as shit.
"Now everything looks good." Dr. Anderson commented. "The baby is a little small so I suggest you get a little bit more rest Haley and feel free to eat away, of course stay away from the foods we discussed about."
Nathan mentally kicked himself in the butt. He wished he was here to be part of the pregnancy because lord knows how stubborn Haley can be. The girl was a work horse, but he lived on the other side of the country. He knew that Haley still helped out at the café and that she worked at the local school but it occurred to him that he really didn't know what Haley did. Sure they talked over the past few weeks so Nathan can check up on her but the conversations were always short and to the point. It was no wonder he didn't know about her dad.
"Now, Haley and Nathan, you guys are almost five months along, I'm wondering if you would like to know the sex of the baby?"
Nathan and Haley turned to each other. Nathan gave her a reassuring smile and Haley nodded back at the doctor.
"Ok then." The doctor started moving the probe. "Let's see if we can see the goods." He joked. Luckily, the baby woke up and shifted slightly, allowing the doctor to get a better view. He froze the image and pointed to the genitals. "Congratulations, you're having a boy."
"Really?!" Haley's face lit up as did Nathan's.
"A boy?!" Nathan muttered. He turned back to Haley and they both laughed and smiled at each other. All tension from earlier now gone as they now knew that they were going to have a bouncing baby boy.
"Thank you." Nathan took her hand in his and squeezed it and leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Thank you." He muttered again, as thoughts of his son came flooding through his mind. Haley was a little surprised by the contact but dismissed it. He was probably just as worked up as she was after finding out they were having a boy. For the rest of the appointment their hands were locked together and smiles all around.
. . . . . .
"Finally.. some alone time." Nathan sighed as he opened the hotel door up and dragged Haley inside. They were in Charlotte for the weekend for the Sparkle Classic and he couldn't believe Whitey had them practice this morning. This was a weekend away not basketball camp and he'd been dying to have some alone time with his girlfriend.
"Whitey keeping you guys busy?" She teased.
"Yeah, makes me wonder why I didn't let him just retire." He joked playfully. The truth was that he couldn't imagine a better coach. When he went to talk to Whitey, his suspicions were confirmed. Whitey said that he and his wife talked him retiring after 500 games and that Whitey should've never had hit that number because most coaches move on. They move on to bigger and better things and Whitey felt like he was stuck and his time as coach didn't mean anything. Nathan turned it around on him that even though he stayed, he still made a difference, at least to him and to the dozen of boys he's coached.
"Now, where were we?" Nathan smirked as he led them to the bed.
"I don't know about you but I was heading back to my room to take a nap." Haley teased.
"Oh no you don't." Nathan growled as he pulled her hard towards him, his lips crashing onto her's. Haley moaned at the contact and raked her fingers through his dark hair. He deepened the kiss and guided her on top of the bed. Nathan laid on top of her while Haley's hand started to roam his back.
"Oh what the hell?!"
Nathan and Haley quickly pulled away and found Lucas covering his eyes with his hands.
Haley turned a shade of red as the site of being caught making out with her boyfriend by her best friend slash half brother of said boyfriend.
"I'm blind!" Lucas exaggerated.
"Way to cock block, Pucas!" Nathan huffed annoyed as he rolled off of Haley.
"Hey behave." Haley warned playfully. Lucas and Nathan had come a long way from the start of the season when mutual hatred could best be described between the two but that didn't mean that they always played nice with each other.
"Why don't you get a room?" Lucas tried to quell the need to throw up. It was already hard enough digesting that fact that Nathan and Haley are together but to see them going at it was too much for him.
"We did get a room." Nathan rolled his eyes.
"A room other than mine!" Lucas replied back.
"Wait.. you two are rooming together?" Haley looked on between the two brothers, laughter escaping her lips.
"Whitey has a sick sense of humor." Nathan muttered.
"I agree." Lucas replied as he walked around the bed and placed himself on the opposite Haley.
"I think it's cute. You guys can do some brotherly bonding." Haley smiled and both of them grunted in protest.
"Look at what I found at the book store in the lobby." Lucas offered Haley a book.
Nathan scrunched his face as Haley practically bolted from his side and was now ogling over some stupid book.
"Oh my God, I can't believe this came out already. You know I read the last one and it was really good." Haley began to skim through the pages.
"Yeah yeah.. the stupid vampire got the girl and drove off in a stupid Volkswagon." Nathan rolled his eyes and took the book from Haley and tossed it back to Lucas. "Now, do you mind, we were in the middle of something." Nathan pulled Haley back to him.
Haley and Lucas gave each other a weird look and then turned back to Nathan.
"Volvo babe, but aww you were listening." Haley teased as she gave a peck on the lips to Nathan. "But sorry babe, wrong book."
"Vampires Nathan? Really?" Lucas teased.
"Your gay ass would know." Nathan bit back, wishing he just go away.
"So this is where the party's at!?" Brooke cheerfully exclaimed as she entered the room. Nathan groaned in frustration and fell back onto the bed.
"What's wrong with him?" Brooke asked, looking at Nathan.
"Long practice." Haley remarked and Lucas huffed.
"He's just sore cuz I walked in on him and Haley sucking face." Lucas scrunched his face.
"Kinky." Brooke smirked. "Do tell."
"Brooke!" Haley protested.
Nathan sat up. "Yeah Brooke, why are you here? Why are you all here?!?" Nathan complained like a little kid who's play time was cut short.
"Geez, someone's a little grumpy." Brooke teased as she took a seat on a nearby chair.
"Haley.. there you are!!" Peyton came charging into the room.
Nathan looked up. "Are you serious!?"
Peyton look at Nathan for a second but decided to ignore it, her news couldn't wait.
"What's up Peyton?" Haley asked.
"You'll never guess who's singing the National Anthem for the start of the tournament!?" Peyton looked to Haley.
"Oh God, not another emo rockband." Brooke feigned throwing up.
"Shut up!" Peyton narrowed her eyes at Brooke and then turned back to Haley. "It's Chris Keller!"
"Chris Keller?! You serious?" Haley was excited.
"Alright that's it!!" Nathan stood up, fed up with everyone in his room. "I don't care what books they're selling downstairs or who's singing tomorrow.. or who the hell Brooke slept with today.."
"HEY!" Brooke protested.
"But all of you need to get out NOW!!" Nathan's voice boomed, leaving no room for argument.
"Fine." Everyone started to mumbled as they all headed out of the room.
Nathan scratched his head and sighed as he watched everyone go, including his girlfriend.
"Haley not you!!"
. . . . .
"I can't believe we're having a boy." Haley muttered as the two stepped out of the examining room.
"I know, it's pretty wild." Nathan nodded his head and looked back down at the sonogram in his hand. "We're having a boy."
"It doesn't get old saying it huh?"
"Nope." Nathan said proudly. "Look, he's already taking after me." Nathan pointed to the sonogram.
"You moron." Haley rolled her eyes. "That's the umbilical cord!"
"You sure? Cuz we Scott men are very well endo.."
"Stop right there!" Haley warned playfully.
Nathan chuckled. "What, you know it's true." He wiggled his eyes mischievously.
Haley turned red and started to get hot. She hated to admit that he was right but she wasn't going to give him the satisfaction.
"Well now that you mentioned it, Lucas is.."
"Stop!" Nathan's stomach turned and Haley couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course, I was momentarily blinded but from what I saw, I guess.."
"You made your point!" Nathan interrupted and Haley chuckled.
"Listen about what the doctor said.."
"Don't worry Nathan, I'll make sure to take it easy."
"Ok good." Nathan nodded and looked at his watch. "Now, how do you feel about grabbing some lunch?" Nathan looked on hopefully. Things were going really great with them and he'd kick himself in the butt if he didn't take the opportunity to have a real chat with Haley.
"I don't know." Haley looked down.
"Come on, anything you want .. pizza.. Chinese.. mac and cheese." He teased and Haley's stomach started to grumble.
"Okay fine, you got me, I'm actually starving."
"You know any places near here?"
"Actually, the cafeteria here isn't that bad."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah.. plus I'm really hungry … come on." Haley led them to the cafeteria.
Nathan was surprised. Haley was right, this place was very modern and offered a wide variety of cuisine, to which Haley wasted no time in filling up her tray. Nathan looked on in shock to see the assortment of food that filled her tray. There was a junior cheeseburger, a slice of pizza, a side of pasta, a chocolate brownie, prunes and a side of guacamole.
"What?" Haley asked as Nathan looked at her as if she were crazy.
"Nothing, whatever makes you happy." Nathan replied as he went to pay for their food. The doctor told her to go eat.
"Nathan.." Haley tried to protest.
"Haley, it's just food for our boy.. please just let me pay for this."
"Fine." Haley huffed. There was no point in arguing with him, especially about something as trivial as this.
"And here, you can hold our drinks… I'll carry the tray."
Haley was about to say something but decided to just let Nathan have this. Besides, all the food she got was heavy and she didn't feel like carrying the tray.
"We can sit outside." Haley offered. It was a little cool out but the sun was shining and spring was right around the corner. It was also much more private out there was well as nicer. The last thing they both wanted was for someone to see them and recognize Nathan.
"This place is nice." Nathan commented at the garden around them and sat in area that was warmed up by the sun.
"Yeah, that's what Peyton and Brooke said when they came here." Haley started grabbing her food and to Nathan's disgust, she watched as she put the prunes on her burger and pizza.
"Don't look at me like that, blame our son."
Nathan smiled. "Say it again?"
"What?"
"Our son." He added with a smirk and he started to take a bite of the slice of pizza he ordered. Haley smiled back.
"So Hales, what subject do you teach?"
"Teach?"
"Yeah, you said you work at the school right?"
"Oh yeah, I do but I'm not a teacher.. at least not yet."
"Oh?"
"I'm a student teacher but the staff is a little short so I run study hall. I know it's not the most exciting but the kids come in, they sit and study and I help them out when they ask for help."
"Sounds like something up your alley." Nathan smiled knowingly.
"Yeah, it will be nice to get a class room of my own."
"Yeah, why is that?" Nathan asked. "I thought by now, you'd be like principal."
Haley gave a tight smile. She wasn't ready to quite divulge the knowledge that she hadn't finished college yet or the reasons behind it. "I got behind on some of my requirements." Haley said vaguely.
"Really?" Nathan questioned. "I thought with a school like Stanford, you'd have all the requirements you needed."
"Yeah, well I had some stuff come up."
"Stuff?" Nathan questioned.
"Yeah.. stuff." Haley was feeling a little uncomfortable with the interrogation.
"What kind of stuff?"
"I don't know.. stuff." Haley looked down at her food, suddenly not feeling as hungry.
"Personal stuff? .. Family.." Nathan said the last part softly.
Images of her missing Nathan during her freshmen year came flashing back to her, how she struggled to meet friends and how lonely she felt as she tried to keep up with her work load, then after her father's death when her grades suffered or when her mom was diagnosed with cancer and Haley ended up leaving school before her last semester to take care of her mom.
"…"
"Hales.." Nathan said softly as he took her hand. "I know okay."
Haley started to panic. Did he find out about her mom and how the devil himself helped for her treatment?
"Know?"
"About Jimmy.. about your dad."
"Oh." Haley felt slightly relieved but she was still tensed. She pulled her hand back from his.
Nathan studied her as she stayed quiet. Obviously she wasn't going to be talking here. "I went to see Whitey earlier.. he was visiting Camilla."
Suddenly, Haley now knew why Nathan was acting so weird earlier.
"Yeah, she's buried not too far from my dad. I see Whitey sometimes." Haley really didn't want to talk about this.
"Haley, I'm sorry about your dad.."
"It's okay Nathan. It was a long time ago."
"Not that long ago. I'm sorry I wasn't .."
"Don't!" Haley dropped her food on the plate. "Don't go there Nathan."
"Hales.. don't do this. I'm just trying to apologize here."
"That's the thing Nathan, I know you're sorry and maybe you do mean it but it doesn't change anything."
"It can Haley. .I'm sorry I wasn't there .. I'm sorry that you don't trust me to tell me about Jimmy."
"Nathan, I tried calling you, writing you for months after we broke up. You're the one that cut me off!"
"I know."
"No Nathan, you don't!" Haley said with tears forming in her eyes.
"Then tell me."
"Nathan, don't do this."
"Haley, we need to get passed this.. we're having a son for crying out loud."
"There's nothing to get passed Nathan." Haley shook her head. "I was the one who had to travel across the country and start at a new school with out you.. when I was lonely and tried calling you, you didn't pick up or when my dad had a heart attach and suddenly passed away, you weren't there. When I needed you Nathan, you were never there and now you're back and you say you're sorry and I'm trying to believe you because the last thing I want is for my son to look for his father and you won't be there!"
Haley took a deep breath and looked Nathan in the eye. "Don't ruin this Nathan. Everything in me is telling me that your full of shit but I have to believe your not as cruel as your own dad to do that to your own son."
"Haley.. no.. I'll never.. I love our son already so much. I can't wait to meet him."
"You sure?"
"Yes, Hales.. I love him so much." He moved closer to her and placed his hand on her stomach. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you Haley. I can't apologize enough but I won't abandon our son.. or you again. I love you both too much for that."
"You what?" Haley stuttered.
Nathan took a deep breath and looked into her eyes. "Haley, I love you. I've always loved you."
"Don't Nathan." Haley pushed him off of her.
"I'm tired of running from my feelings Haley, I love you, I love our son. I want us to be together.. like a real family."
"You have got to be kidding me." Haley stood up and wiped her mouth.
"Haley.."
"Nathan.. you are this kid's father and I will not deny you being a part of his life but that's as much as I can give you."
"I know it'll take time Haley but I love you.. I'll wait for as long as it takes."
Haley gathered her things and looked at him in the eye. "Don't waste your time." Haley wiped her eyes and started walking away.
Everything inside him told him to go after her but she was very emotional right now and he didn't want to add to her stress. Like he told her, he knew it was going to take time but he was going to try.. and succeed. He thought he hurt her too much for her to open her heart back up to him. He had wrestled about this for weeks… years but he was tired of it all. For too long he let life pass him by while the one thing he ever truly wanted slipped away, but not anymore, not after today. Not after he found out they were having a son. When he held her hand, he felt it, that spark, that energy that flowed through him every time he was around her. That's when he knew, knew that he didn't need to open her heart back up again. He was already there, he just needed to remind her.
. . . . .
Haley sat by the window and stared aimlessly out it. She heard footsteps behind her and found Lydia walking back in the room. The nurses took her away for some tests and now she was back.
"Haley-bop?" Lydia's voice was full of concern as she saw the tear streaks on her daugher's face.
"Hey mom, how'd everything go?" Haley tried to compose herself.
"Everything's fine." Lydia sat on a chair opposite Haley. "But I'm more concerned about you at the moment. What's going on Haley-bop?"
"There's something I need to tell you mom.. something I should've told you a long time ago."
"What? That you're pregnant?" Lydia gave a teasing smile.
"How.. how did you know?"
"Not to sound mean dear, but you've gained a few pounds and the clothes you've been wearing hid your stomach very well." Lydia gave her a wink. "You forget I've done the whole pregnancy thing a few times back in my day."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you." Haley said softly.
"It's okay Haley-bop. With my treatment and everything, I figured you were just waiting to tell me on your own time."
"Thank you mom for understanding.. it was already so hard to admit it to myself."
"Haley, you've been through so much.. but I'm so happy.. I just knew that you and Julian would find your way back together again."
"Mom.." Haley cleared her throat.
"It isn't Julian is it? Don't tell me that you and Lucas finally.."
"Eww… mom no! God you sound like Brooke." Haley shook her head.
Lydia paused. "It's him isn't it?"
"Huh?"
"It's Nathan huh? Nathan's the father?"
Haley nodded, not at all surprised that her mom guessed right. Her mom could read her like a book.
"Haley.." Lydia ran her fingers through her daughter's cheeks. "How far along are you?"
"Five months." Haley muttered and she winced at the wounded look her mom gave.
"Five months.." Lydia muttered back.
"I know, I'm sorry for keeping it from you for so long.."
"Five months and here I was dying and you couldn't even share the good stuff with me!"
"Mom!" Haley was taken aback.
"Haley, when you lived as long as I have and gone through everything I have.. you'll find that death isn't as scary as you think but since I'm still here I might as well make the most out of it and you my naughty little daughter have been keeping things from me. Now, is this why he and Alex DuPre broke up?"
Haley knew her mom spent too much time watching those entertainment shows.
"Actually.. they were never together." Haley muttered and then proceeded to tell her mom everything that had happened in the last couple of months.
"Wow." Lydia said softly. "Here I was wasting my time on the television when I could've just talked to you."
"Mom.. this is serious."
Lydia laughed. "Oh Haley-bop you know I'm teasing. Now you poor thing, so what does this mean.. you and Nathan?"
"I don't know mom. I want him to be a part of his son's life, I would never deny him that but today.. today he told me loves me. .that he's always loved me and wants us to be a family."
"Is that what you want Haley?"
"Yes.. no I don't know." Haley sniffled. "You know when we were together, I would picture me and Nathan together with a family of our own some day and it was nice you know.. but then after everything that's happened between us .. I .. I don't know. Every time I see him, I'm just reminded of how much he hurt me and I know he's sorry but that doesn't change anything."
"Oh my sweet Haley.. I know Nathan hurt you but it seems like he's trying to change.. to be better.. that has to count for something." Lydia hugged her daughter.
"Mom, how could you just say that, you know what he did to me?"
"I know dear, I remember and next time I see that boy, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind but take it from an old gal who reaches for her husband at night. What me and your father had was real and when he was taken away from me, it hurt.. hurt like hell and I would give anything to have him back. So I know Nathan hurt you but I also know how much you two loved each other and after 5 years look at you two now.. I don't know if Nathan's the one for you dear but you owe it to yourself to at least try."
Haley sat there, letting her mom hold her, comfort her as she took in her words.
. . . . . .
"You have some nerve!!" Miranda's voice boomed as she entered Clay's office.
"Sorry Mr. Evans, I tried to stop her." Clay's secretary said apologetically.
"It's okay." Clay closed out of the email he was typing up. "Miranda, what do I owe this pleasure."
"Stop with the bullshit Clay.. I know what you did!"
"And that would be?" Clay was clueless. What was she doing here?
"Oh, you're playing dumb now huh?" Mirando walked over to him and hijacked his computer.
"Miranda, what the hell are you doing? You can't just come in here and.."
"What do you call that?!" Miranda interrupted and moved away so he could see the screen. There, posted on some website were screen shots of Alex' sex tape.
Clay's mouth dropped.
"You're going to get one big ass lawsuit and wait until I find out who the hell Nathan knocked up." Miranda threatened.
"Miranda, I don't know what you're talking about but neither Nathan nor I leaked these pictures."
"If you didn't then who did?" Miranda questioned.
. . . .
Nathan narrowed his eyes as he stared at Haley, Peyton and Brooke a few rows down from them, standing up and cheering against the railings.
"I don't get what the big deal is." Nathan turned to his half brother.
"Beats me." Lucas shrugged.
"Isn't he some Elvis wanna be?"
"Hey, don't hate on the king." Lucas teased.
"Lucas!" Nathan huffed and rubbed his temples.
"Would you relax Nate? I don't get why you're so jealous."
"You wish." Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Yeah.. look at you.. so Haley likes some musician.. it doesn't mean anything."
"Whatever man, I'm not jealous."
"Right." Lucas teased. Everyone started to stand up as the National Anthem was about to be sung.
"I'm not jealous.. especially of Kelly Clarkson."
Lucas rolled his eyes and chuckled, his brother clearly jealous. "It's Chris Keller, you idiot."
"Whatever." Nathan rolled his eyes and looked down at the spikey haired, thin man wearing a rhinestone-encrusted blazer. "Either way I don't like him."
"Me either."
. . . .
Nathan left his hotel room and headed down to the elevators. He was on his way to meet up with Lucas. He was excited to tell his brother about his run in with Whitey and about the sex of the baby. As he got out of the elevator, Nathan's phone started ringing. He was about to let it go to voice mail but figured Clay would be non-stop calling him anyways.
"Hey Clay, what's up?" Nathan asked as he walked towards the lobby.
"Nathan, thank God.. I've been trying to call you."
"What happened?"
"Look, Miranda came storming into my office.. turns out that Chris Keller leaked his own sex tape out."
"What? Are you serious?" Nathan rounded the hallway onto the main lobby.
"The press knows and they already started hounding Alex.. luckily they don't know anything about Haley but reports are claming that this whole thing between Alex and Chris is the reason why you two broke up.. so be careful man, they don't know where you are."
"Guess again." Nathan took a big gulp as he saw the scores of media outside the main entrance.
To Be Continued . . .