WOW! I'm past 250 reviews. That is AMAZING. I love each one of you who review, it means so much.

*This gives us a little insight to where the Naley relationship is going. ;)

Disclaimer- Nope, I don't own OTH.

Chapter 11- Table Talk

***

Sunday, May 18, 2021

Jamie could see the Bell's beach house just down the shore. As he walked, there was a smile he couldn't shake from his lips because he'd been walking in complete bliss and shock for the past fifteen minutes. He wasn't sure if what had just happened was real. He couldn't believe that he had just met his father, much less his mother. Even though their impromptu meeting hadn't been a long one, Jamie felt relieved. He was glad that the initial meeting was over with, now the next time he saw either of his parents he would definitely start the questions he didn't even think to ask at the pier.

With the Bell's house the next one on the right, Jamie trudged through the sand and made his way to the tall flight of stairs. Before going up, Jamie took one last look in the direction of the pier. He wondered if Nathan and Haley were still there, he wondered if they felt the same kinds of things he did. Jamie had never been in love with a girl, and he had never felt like he was part of a family, but he knew that the small bursts of heat he felt from his chest was love. Sure, Jeff and Kathy were the closest he'd ever gotten, but it wasn't the same. He didn't have a connection, some sort of internal bond with them like he did with Nathan and Haley. He knew in the very moment that Haley had wrapped her arms around him that she loved him. Jamie also knew that Nathan felt the same way.

Sighing, Jamie turned up the stairs and headed up to the house. When he was about halfway down the walkway, Jamie saw Michael slide the glass doors open and rush outside.

"I've been trying to call you." Michael smiled and waved his phone in the air. "Mom's started to ask questions."

Jamie stopped and leaned against the railing. "Did you cover for me?"

"Yeah, I told her you met some old man who was teaching you how to fish."

Jamie laughed. "And she believed that?"

"My mom will believe anything." Michael smirked and looked at Jamie with a raised eyebrow. "So...are you going to tell me how it went?"

Jamie sighed heavily and smiled. "It was...."

Michael's forehead crinkled. "It was bad?"

"No, no," Jamie said as he shook his head. "It was...it was pretty great."

"Is Nathan, is he as big in real life as he is on TV?"

Jamie glanced at Michael with a peculiar grin. "That's not what I was worried about."

"You know what I mean. Is he a big dude? Did he give you like a giant bear hug?"

He laughed at Michael's arm movements. "He did, but so did my mom."

"Your mom!?" Michael widened his eyes. "She was there?"

"Yep."

"But I thought you said...."

"I know. I didn't have a clue that she'd be there either." Jamie looked back in the direction of the pier. "She was really sweet, though."

"Did she cry?"

Jamie rolled his eyes. "We all cried."

Michael smiled. He was happy that his best friend had met the two people he'd come looking for. He was also happy, because in a way, Michael Bell had been a part of it. He was supplying the place where Jamie was staying, free of charge. It made him feel important.

"You've got to tell me..."

"Jamie." Patricia stood in the door frame with her hands on her hips. "Where have you been? I've been so worried."

He walked over to her with a bright smile. He didn't say anything, he just wrapped his arms around her and sighed. "Thanks for everything, Mrs. Bell."

"Uh..." Patricia looked out to Michael who was grinning from ear to ear. "Yo-you're welcome."

Jamie glanced at her with a kind smile. "Sorry I'm so late. What can I do to help?"

She smirked at Jamie and shook her head. "It's alright. I'm just glad you're back." She put her hand on his arm and gestured inside the house. "I've got two boxes that need to go in my car. Will you put those up for me?"

Nodding, Jamie walked into the house and disappeared in the shadows. Michael walked over to his mom and he stopped when she turned to face him.

"He's in a good mood." Patricia looked at her son with her her hand on her cheek.

Michael looked into the house. "I think it's safe to say he had a great time at the pier."

"You think he caught many fish?"

Michael laughed. "Yeah, he caught two really big ones."

***

In the distance, the darkening silhouettes of two figures by the water had morphed into one. Nathan was holding on to Haley as she leaned into his broad chest for comfort, relief, just anything that would take away the pain and guilt she felt in the bottom of her stomach. She was relaxed in his arms and Haley found that he was doing everything in his power to make sure she was okay. She brought her hand up to her face to wipe the salty tears from her eyes but she stopped when she touched his shirt. A small round circle of her tears had stained his shirt and she gently traced its edge with her finger.

"I'm sorry." Haley looked up and smiled. "I didn't mean to mess up..."

"You haven't messed up anything." Nathan ran his hand down the damp spot and sighed. "It's alright, really."

Taking a step back, Haley brushed her hands up her face and stopped when she reached her hairline. With her hands framing her face, she looked up to Nathan and smiled.

"What do we do now?"

He looked down at his wrist to check the time only to remember he'd failed to put a watch on that morning. So, Nathan reached for his phone and glanced at the small digital clock. It was about 11:15am and he wanted to take her to lunch, but only if she wanted.

"I'm kind of hungry. Are you?" He watched her shrug her shoulders. "I'll take you wherever...my treat."

Haley looked down to the sand and traced a thin line with the toe of her shoe. She looked up to him and smirked. "How about fish tacos?"

Nathan smiled. "I didn't know you liked those. Where can we get some?"

"Tower 7. It's a really good Mexican grill."

"Alright, let's go." He was happy to spend as much time with her as he could.

Nathan put his hand on the small of her back and led her up the slight incline of sand. She never looked at him oddly or asked him to remove his hand, so Nathan felt good. It had been so many years since he'd been able to show any sort of affection for her, and now he was happy.

The ride in the car was pleasant, Haley didn't seem as upset as she was earlier and their conversation went well. There weren't any awkward situations or uncomfortable moments. It was just Nathan and Haley, like old times. They drove down the shoreline for a while and finally reached the restaurant.

After they were seated by the hostess, Nathan and Haley sat in silence for a moment but Nathan looked from his lap to Haley with a smile.

"So, you have to go back...to Davidson?"

Haley nodded. "Yeah. I have finals for my two classes next week and I need to be back to grade them. "

"Will you...do you think you'll come back?"

"Of course, I'm just not sure when" Haley refolded her napkin in her lap and sighed. "I have to finish up this semester and then...." She looked up and tried to smile. "I'm going to have to tell Peter about all of this."

The name Peter made Nathan frown. He didn't know the guy but that didn't stop the welling of hatred Nathan felt.

"Does he know...did you ever tell him about us or...?"

"He knows about you, in a general sense. He's always asked but I've just told him the basics."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "And the basics are...?"

"That we fell in love in high school. We got married on a whim and then things started to fall apart."

"I wouldn't call it a whim." Nathan shook his head. "I thought you were the girl I'd be with forever."

Haley smiled. She liked that he was so sweet to her, but it didn't make up for the wrongs he had done. It didn't make up for the fact that he stopped caring, and it didn't make her feel any better about how things had turned out.

"Nathan, we were young." She was fighting the pounding she felt in her chest. "You don't know when you're 16 who it is that you're going to spend the rest of your life with. How can anyone know that?"

Sighing, Nathan looked at her with a pathetic smile. "I did."

Haley looked back down. She hated him being so honest. It made her feel like she needed to tell him everything that was on her mind, but she couldn't. "I'm not going to argue about this."

Nathan knew that she was emotionally drained, he was too, so he decided to push their issues and problems aside. But, he was still curious if Peter knew about Jamie.

"Does Peter know about...did you ever tell him about Jamie?"

Haley looked back up and shook her head. "I never told him, he kind of figured it out."

"How did he...?"

"He saw my scar and just assumed."

The image of Peter seeing Haley's bare stomach struck a chord with Nathan. He didn't like it at all that this guy was in her life, a life he should be a part of. Clearing the thoughts and images Nathan had racing through his head, he rested his elbows on the table.

"Well, does he know that the baby was mine?"

Haley nodded. "I told him you were the father."

Nathan smirked, "How'd he take that?"

"He was okay with it." Haley shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know sometimes though. Peter is a good man, but I think he feels like he's playing second best. I think he's always tried to equate himself to you."

"Why would he do that?" Nathan shook his head. "I mean we haven't even spoken in so many years."

"Two years ago he found some pictures of us, of you and me, and ever since I feel..."

"What were the pictures of?"

Haley smiled. "You remember that night we spent in the park?"

"When you tried to teach me about Victorian literature, but it got late and it turned into an astronomy lesson and then we ended up falling asleep?"

She nodded. "I had three pictures from that night and I guess I had stuck them in some random box cause when we moved into our new house Peter found them."

"You kept them?" Nathan loved the idea of her holding on to a piece of them.

Haley took a deep breath and lied right through her teeth. "I didn't keep them intentionally. They must have gotten shuffled in with a bunch of old junk and I just didn't know."

Nathan looked down and nodded. "Oh."

Haley could see Nathan's distress. "But, I think Peter's just jealous of you."

"We'll I'm jealous of him." He didn't look up but he could tell that his remark had caused Haley to blush. She brought her hands up to her face and sighed.

A waiter walked over to their table and took their orders and once he was gone, Haley looked at Nathan with a smile.

"I love him, Nathan. Peter is a great man." She paused but a smirk crept across her face. "You shouldn't be so judgmental about him. I think you two would get along."

Fat chance. Nathan wasn't going to like any man that had been with Haley. Certainly not a man who had been playing house with her for seven or so years.

Both of them could feel the tension brewing so they decided to change subjects, they wanted to talk about Jamie. Nathan grinned after he took a sip of his ice water.

"Can you believe that we met him today? I think I'm still in some sort of daze."

Haley nodded. "I can't believe it. I guess I'm just expecting to wake up from a dream at any moment."

Nathan laughed and shook his head. "You're not dreaming, Hales. This is real.

She nodded. "I know."

They kept talking about Jamie until their food arrived. They were so proud of him. Nathan wondered if he'd ever be able to watch his son play ball, and Haley just wanted a glimpse at a report card. They both wondered what his previous Foster parents had been like and they imagined that the Jones were just as kind as Jamie had said.

After both of them were done, Nathan handled the check and they walked back out to the car. Leaning against the warm hood, Haley sighed.

"Will you take me to Lucas and Peyton's house."

He nodded and opened her door. "Sure."

As Nathan got behind the wheel, he couldn't help but think how great it was with Haley being at his side. He had forgotten that she was so funny, so smart and intelligent, and he was reminded why he still loved her. Pulling out of the parking lot, he glanced over to her wondering if she still had any feelings for him, because if she did, he was bound and determined to make her his again.

***

Lucas, Peyton, Brooke, and Julian were all crowded around the small kitchen table. Julian was talking about his trip with the boys when Lucas felt his phone vibrating from a text. Looking down at the small words, Lucas smiled and then raised his eyebrows.

"Nathan is on his way."

Peyton looked at Lucas with a smile. "Do you think Haley is with him?"

Lucas shrugged his shoulders. "He didn't say."

Julian looked at Brooke and shook his head. "Why would Haley be with him?"

Brooke nodded. "A lot has happened since you've been gone."

"Wha...?" Julian ran his hand over his forehead. "I thought they hated each other."

"They did." Peyton smirked. "Well, they haven't seen each other in a while, but..."

Brooke put her arm on Julian's. "You remember me telling you about them having a kid?"

"Uh...yeah, sort of." Julian furrowed his brow. "Isn't that why they got married?"

"No." Lucas shook his head. "The baby came after the wedding, the second wedding."

Julian smirked. "You Tree Hill people are just too damn confusing."

Peyton laughed and got up. "You have no idea."

"So, why are they together?" Julian still had no idea what was going on.

"Their son came looking for them." Lucas raised his eyebrows with a faint smile.

"No way." Julian looked at Brooke who nodded. "That's crazy. Have any of you met the kid?"

Brooke smiled. "We all have."

Julian sat back in his chair and grinned. "Seems like I've missed a lot."

It wasn't that Julian didn't know Nathan and Haley, it was just that he was always told not to bring up the subject of the other when one was around. He never really knew why, but now the pieces were coming together. He always wondered what exactly went down, but he didn't want to pry. Truthfully though, he wasn't even sure if Brooke, or Lucas and Peyton knew what happened. After being in Tree Hill for ten plus years and never seeing those two in the same room or even together, it's easy to say he was a little shocked when he saw Nathan and Haley walk through the front door together.

"Hello?" Haley called out when she walked in.

Immediately, all of the kids, including Davis and Charlie ran out from the back bedrooms.

All of the adults walked from the kitchen down the short hall and greeted the two new comers in the living room.

"Aunt Haley!" Harper wiggled through the crowd of people. "I was wondering where you've been."

"Hey Harp." Haley smiled and put her hand on the little girl's head.

All three boys were just staring at Nathan. The twins loved Nathan and thought he was the coolest guy around. What boy wouldn't idolize a former NBA player?

"Guys, why don't you head back to the bedrooms and let us visit with Uncle Nathan and Aunt Haley for a little bit?" Peyton smiled at the kids. They all nodded and went back to the bedroom.

Julian took a step forward a smiled. "Haley, it's good to see you again."

She nodded and hugged him politely. "Where have you been? Off on some fancy movie shoot?"

"Nah, I took the boys for a little trip to see their grandfather in LA. No movie makin' this time."

Haley smiled and walked to Brooke and Peyton. This gave room for Nathan and Julian to shake hands. After the hellos had finished, Brooke and Peyton ushered Haley down the hall and out the back door.

In between two fat oak trees was an over sized hammock and Peyton smiled when she pointed.

"Let's sit down."

Haley smiled and plopped down in the middle and Peyton and Brooke joined her on both sides.

"So, how'd it go?" Brooke looked to her left with wide eyes.

Haley sighed. "It was...I can't even describe it."

Peyton patted Haley's knee. "What was the first thing he said?"

"Hi." Haley laughed. "The rest was lost between cries and hugs."

Brooke smiled with watery eyes. "I bet you were so happy. I be he was so happy."

"We were." Haley nodded. "You know what's bizarre? He's just like us. He's smart and is doing great in school. He also loves sports" She looked from Brooke to Peyton. "His favorite is basketball."

"Aww." Brooke couldn't help it. "What else did he say?"

Swallowing the building lump in her throat, Haley leaned back and sighed. "He told us about some of the Foster families he's been with. That was hard, but he's with some really nice people now."

"That's good, right?" Peyton smiled.

Haley nodded. "But you know what I loved the most about today?" Both girls raised their eyebrows. "I loved seeing Nathan with Jamie. Nathan was so kind and...he was..." Tears began to form in her eyes. "He would have been a great father, and because of me..." Haley wiped her eyes. "Because of me he never got that chance." She felt a couple tears roll down her cheek.

"Haley, you didn't keep him from anything." Brooke put her hand on Haley's shoulder.

Peyton nodded. "You didn't stop him from being a father, he did that on his own."

"But if I had kept Jamie, he would have probably been in his life."

"You don't know that." Peyton shook her head. "No one knows what would have happened if you kept the baby."

"Haley, everyone was behind you in your decision." Brooke smiled.

She wasn't being completely honest, but Brooke wanted Haley to know that she had all of the support she needed.

"After seeing Jamie, a rush of heat, of life and love surged through my veins. I knew in the instant our eyes locked that it was a mistake that I gave him up."

"I think that's natural." Brooke smiled with kind eyes. "Your his mother, you only want what's best for him."

Haley nodded and smiled.

The back door swung open and Davis stood holding a Lego in his hand.

"Hey Mom, will you come help us?"

Brooke leaned forward and rolled her eyes. Since having the boys, she had become somewhat of a Lego expert. Even though she was a clothing designer by day, Brooke Davis was one heck of a builder by night. Give her any Lego set, she'd have it put together within the day.

"I'll be back in a sec."

Peyton laughed and looked over to Haley. "Just know...you're going to be okay."

Haley took a deep breath and smiled. "Can I ask you something?" Peyton nodded. "When you met Ellie and Mick, did you resent them? Did you hate them for not being in your life?"

"I wasn't mad, but I definitely had questions. I guess I wanted some sort of validation of why they gave me up." Peyton smiled. "And no, I didn't hate them for not being in my life, because I had a wonderful mother and father."

"But Jamie's never had that."

"I know, but it seems that he's got two great Foster parents now."

Haley sighed heavily and leaned back. "I hope that's been enough."

"Even if it's not, he has you now. He has you and Nathan and that's all that matters."

Haley smiled and grabbed Peyton hands. "Thanks Peyton."

"I'm here for you Haley."

The girls sat back in the hammock and stared at the fading sky. It was just before 5:30pm and the clouds had turned a light pink. If Haley had her choice, she would have stayed there forever, swaying in shade of the old oaks and the heat of the afternoon.

***

Nathan and Haley stayed for dinner but the Baker clan went home. They decided, with it being the first night all of the boys were back, that they'd have a small dinner at home. It was alright though. After they had eaten the rest of the group played a game of Pictionary. Obviously the team with Peyton won and after all the excitement and laughter had died down, the kids went to bed and the adults stayed in the living room.

Lucas and Peyton walked back into the room with two cups of coffee in their hands.

"You two looked pretty beat." Lucas smiled as he handed his cups off to Nathan and Haley and took one from Peyton as his own.

Nathan laughed before he took a sip. "I've been up since the ass crack of dawn."

Haley couldn't help but smile at his remark. Lucas rolled his eyes and Peyton laughed as she sat down.

Placing his cup on the table, Lucas looked from Nathan to Haley. "What's the plan? I know that Jamie had to go back to Raleigh, but do you know when he'll be back?"

Both of them shook their heads but Haley was the one to speak. "He didn't say, but he did say he'll come back as soon as he can."

Nathan nodded. "I think he'll try next weekend."

"That's great." Peyton smiled and looked over to Haley. "What are you going to do?"

"I have to go back to Davidson, but maybe I can come back next Wednesday?"

Peyton nodded and glanced over to Nathan. "And what are your plans?"

"I'm going to stay here until...I guess as long as it takes."

Lucas smiled. "What about work?"

"I called this morning and left a message saying I was sick."

Lucas laughed and shook his head. "How long do you think they'll let you be 'sick'?"

Nathan shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know, but I don't really care."

Peyton smirked and set her cup down. "Nice attitude."

"This is more important than being some sports analyst."

Haley smiled at his words. Nathan was one hundred percent committed to Jamie and that made her happy. She loved that he was taking such an interest. She let out a long yawn and covered her mouth.

"Haley, where are you staying tonight?" Lucas smiled and he leaned forward.

"If there's room, I'd like to stay here."

Lucas looked at Peyton who shrugged her shoulders. "You'd have to share with Harper or Sawyer."

"Or the couch." Peyton nodded at the piece of furniture where Haley was sitting.

"I don't mind...."

"Haley," Nathan interrupted. "I've got tons of empty rooms at the beach house. You'd have your own space, the whole third floor if you'd like." He smiled at her with his blue eyes.

"I-uh...do you think that's a good idea?"

In unison, both Lucas and Peyton spoke. "It's a great idea."

Haley raised her eyebrows and looked from Lucas and Peyton to Nathan. "You're sure it's not a problem?"

"No, absolutely not." Nathan shook his head.

"Well, alright then."

Peyton got up from the chair she was in. "I'll get your bag."

"Oh...okay." Haley smiled and watched Peyton tiptoe into Sawyer's room.

"You two should probably start heading back." Lucas got up and smiled.

"Uh yeah." Nathan nodded and got up. "Thanks for dinner, man."

"Yeah Luke, it was really good." Haley smiled and walked over to him. She gave Lucas a big hug and then met Peyton in the hall.

Nathan also hugged Lucas. "I'll call you tomorrow."

Lucas smiled. "Bye."

Haley threw her bag over her shoulder and sighed. "I guess I'm ready."

"Let me take that."

Nathan walked over to Haley and gently took her bag. She smiled at him and followed him out of the front door.

Lucas and Peyton watched as they got into the car and then the dark SUV disappeared into the night. Peyton turned to Lucas with a smirk

"I bet they're gonna do it." She laughed and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Ugh." Lucas furrowed his brow. "That's...wrong."

"Anything could happen."

Peyton walked away snickering but Lucas shuddered. She was talking about his best friend and brother. It had been a long time since the thought of them together had crossed his mind. But, he had to admit, Nathan and Haley together wasn't the worst thing in the world.

***

When they got to the beach house, Nathan led Haley up to the third floor and showed her the room where she could stay. She thanked him and he left her alone. If he was being honest with himself, Nathan would have been perfectly happy if she had stayed with him. Sleeping next to her warm body would have made him completely happy. But there was a line, a fine line and he knew he shouldn't cross it, so he smiled and walked away leaving her alone.

Once she was dressed for bed, Haley made her way down to the kitchen to get a glass of water. She expected the room to be empty, but it wasn't, Nathan was standing next to the open fridge.

He turned around because her footsteps startled him. "Haley, what are you doing down here?"

"I...I was just getting some water."

He nodded and reached into the refrigerator. "Here." Nathan pulled out a bottled water and smiled.

Haley watched him set the bottle on the counter but she had walked over to him. He shut the refrigerator door and turned. She was a foot away from him.

"Nathan." She took a step closer. "I just wanted to thank you again."

"Haley, I..."

She looked up to him and smiled. "If you hadn't come to get me, I wouldn't have met our amazing, smart, and handsome son today."

Nathan smiled. "I have a feeling you would have seen him sooner rather than later."

Haley closed her eyes and nodded. "Thank you, Nathan." She opened her eyes and smiled. Her hand was resting on his firm bicep and she gave it a slight squeeze. "Goodnight."

He stood there with wide eyes and his mouth was crocked to the side. He was almost expecting a goodnight kiss, but there wasn't one.

"Night."

Nathan watched her go up the stairs and smiled. She was in a tank top and had on gray sweatpants. Her hair was a mahogany mess atop of her head, and she didn't have on any makeup. None of that mattered because Nathan was always going to think Haley was the most attractive, beautiful woman he'd ever seen in his life. He just wished she knew how much he still cared about her.

***

So.....
Jamie has gone back to Raleigh.
Haley is going to go back to Davidson.
What's Nathan to do?

There will be a bit of a time jump (jumps) next chapter so we can flash forward to when everyone is back in Tree Hill, hopefully.
What did you think about the Naley interaction? Nathan is so painfuly in love with Haley I don't understand why she doesn't see it? Ahhhh.

Did you like the short "girl time" on the hammock? I miss those three on the show. :(

* I've got one more midterm this week, but I might be able to crank out a chapter come Thursday or Friday??? I'll try my hardest.

Tell me what you thought in a review. You all know how much I like your feedback!!! :)