Nathan cursed under his breath after realizing he was yet again, late to pick Maddie up from school. The stupid meeting ran far later than he expected. Luckily, it was Friday so he'd be work-free for the next two days.
Running into Tree Hill Elementary, Nathan noticed the hallways were desolate. He hoped Maddie and Haley wouldn't be too upset for his tardiness.
As he rounded the corner, a smile tugged at his lips. He hadn't seen them yet, but he heard their familiar laughter filling the silence.
Peeking inside of the classroom, Nathan saw Maddie sitting on a chair in front of Haley who was busy braiding her hair. The two girls were giggling about something, and Nathan didn't want to interrupt their sweet bonding moment, so he stood watching.
Moments later, Maddie looked up and grinned. Instead of running over to him like she usually did, she remained sitting, letting her teacher finish braiding her hair.
"Hi Daddy! Ms. James is braiding my hair!"
"I see that," Nathan's easy grin matched hers. His eyes then connected with Haley's, who scrunched her nose in return. "It's looking good."
Haley smiled as she nimbly finished braiding the last strand of Maddie's raven black hair.
"You're all set, kiddo." She commented, beaming when Maddie turned around to hug her.
"Thank you!"
Nathan then approached the two, greeting them each with a quick kiss on their foreheads. "Sorry I'm late. Clay kept me in a meeting."
"It's no problem. We had fun. Right, Maddie?"
"Yep. You can be late everyday, Dad." Maddie giggled. "I love spending time with Hal- I mean, Ms. James."
Nathan glanced at Haley, catching her as she bit her lip. The two of them have been seeing each other for almost a month now, and while they've been fairly low key, it was no secret Maddie was getting extremely attached. Of course, there was nothing wrong with that, but it worried Nathan slightly. They'd promised if something happened between them, it wouldn't affect Maddie's school work, but still, it probably wasn't the most appropriate relationship. Maddie was starting to think of Haley as a friend rather than a teacher, and though she still respected her in the classroom, it was becoming clearer that Maddie was receiving and requesting more special attention.
Nathan was glad Maddie and Haley got along so well, but he also didn't want to take advantage of Haley's job. Just because they were dating and she got along with his daughter didn't mean he expected her to babysit Maddie everyday. But, if he was being honest, he knew Haley enjoyed it just as much as Maddie did.
"I'm kinda jealous of you Mads." Nathan chuckled, "You spend more time with Ms. James than I do."
Haley blushed while Maddie giggled, "Well what are you doing tonight?"
"I was supposed to go out with the guys later but I don't have anyone to watch Maddie," Nathan shrugged. It wasn't a big deal. He didn't mind hanging out with his daughter - even if that meant his night would be filled with painting nails and baking cookies.
"What about Grandma?" Maddie pouted.
"She's in Charlotte this weekend visiting friends. Looks like it's just me and you, little bear."
"Or I could watch her," Haley proposed with a sheepish smile, causing Maddie to squeal excitedly.
"Yeah, Daddy! Ms. James can watch me!"
Nathan scratched the back of his neck, "I don't know…"
Haley tentatively reached out and grabbed his hand, "I wouldn't offer if I didn't want to."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded, "You should go out with your friends. I've kinda been hogging you every weekend."
Nathan chuckled. It wasn't exactly a lie. When he wasn't with Maddie, he was usually with Haley. The more he thought about it, he realized he hadn't gone out with the guys in a long time.
"Alright, well, as long as you don't mind. I don't want you to get in trouble or anything."
Haley shook her head, "No one will even know. It's not that different than spending time with Maddie here anyway."
Maddie took Haley's hand and smiled, "I'm so excited!"
At the look of pure elation on both of their faces, Nathan couldn't possibly say no. "Okay, I guess it's settled then. Ms. James is babysitting you tonight, Maddie."
"Yay!" She beamed jubilantly. "We can have a tea party, and watch movies, and I can show you my room!"
Haley laughed, squatting down so she was eye level with Maddie. "That sounds fun."
Nathan smirked at his girlfriend, "You sure you want to do this?"
Maddie's grip on Haley tightened. "Yes," she answered for her.
Haley laughed softly, "I'm sure. What time should I come over?"
"How does seven sound?"
"Perfect," she smiled softly and stood back up so she was closer to him.
Nathan scowled softly, "Like I said before, I'm totally jealous of my own kid. She spends more time with you than I do."
Haley stood on her tip toes and quickly kissed his pout away. "We can do something tomorrow, but in the mean time, go out with the guys and have fun. Maddie and I will be fine."
"Fine," he grumbled slightly, "But you're all mine tomorrow, James."
"Sounds good to me," she whispered, her smile tantalizing.
They were about to lean in for another kiss, when Maddie interrupted by pulling on Nathan's hand.
"Come on, Daddy! I have to go home and clean my room before Ms. James comes!"
"Oh boy," Nathan laughed, winking discreetly at Haley. "Alright, come on. We'll see you later, Hales."
Haley waved, watching them walk out the door. "Bye!"
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
True to her word, Haley arrived at the Scott house at exactly seven, where she found Maddie pressed against the glass door, eagerly awaiting her arrival.
She smiled, unable to contain a laugh when Maddie threw her tiny arms around her legs. Almost immediately, Maddie had taken Haley's hand and pulled her up the stairs to show her her bedroom.
Haley smiled at Maddie's obvious excitement. Over the past few months, she has noticed a major change in Maddie's emotions. In the beginning of the year, she was quiet, reserved, and shy - now she's energetic, bright, and filled with joy. It made Haley's smile brighter, too.
"This is Myrna Moose. Daddy bought her for me when I was a baby. I sleep with her every night," Maddie explained, holding up a purple moose.
Haley grinned, "I sleep with a bear every night, too. His name is Mr. Waffles."
Maddie giggled, "Really?"
"Yep, really! I've had him since I was about your age."
"You should bring him next time so he can play tea party, too!" Maddie suggested.
Haley bent down and nodded, "I think he'd really like that."
Maddie held out the chair for Haley, and she sat down, watching as she poured pretend tea in a plastic cup.
Haley took the time to look around Maddie's room. It was fairly clean for a six-year-old, minus the occasional toy thrown on the floor. The walls were a soft purple, creating a feminine atmosphere, but on one wall, there was a giant poster of Nathan in a basketball uniform. Right below the poster was a black and pink basketball, supplementing Maddie's tom-boy side.
"Do you like my room?"
"I love it," Haley revealed. And she did. It represented Maddie's personality perfectly. She could tell it was a perfect place to grow up in.
It was then that she noticed the toy piano on one of Maddie's shelves. "Do you play piano, Maddie?"
Maddie shrugged, "Not too much. My Grandma bought it for me for my birthday but I have a hard time hitting the right keys. Daddy says my hands are too small."
Haley laughed, "I can teach you if you'd like."
"You can play?" Maddie's blue eyes widened excitedly.
"Yeah. My Dad showed me when I was younger."
"Cool!" Maddie exclaimed, abandoning Myrna Moose in the process to grab the keyboard.
She then placed it gently on the small table in front of Haley, who pressed a few keys.
Nathan, hearing the sound of music and laughter, left his room and walked across the hall where he found Maddie and Haley in front of a toy keyboard.
"Hey, I didn't know you were here," he said while rolling up the sleeves of his plaid shirt.
Haley turned around and grinned. He looked good. Damn good. Her brown eyes widened, appreciating the man in front of her. Dressed in a simple pair of dark jeans and a blue and white plaid button shirt, she couldn't help but lick her lips. Nathan Scott was hot!
His arms looked extra veiny at the forearms, and she inhaled a deep breath. Now was not the time, she mentally scolded herself.
Still, she stood up and wrapped her arms around his stomach. "Maddie let me in."
Nathan smiled, dropping a light kiss on her forehead, secretly inhaling the scent of her strawberry scented shampoo. "I see she's already kidnapped you."
Haley laughed, "I don't mind."
Another small pout seized his lips, "I'd rather stay in and be with you two. I'm sure you're gonna have more fun than I will."
"Stop it," she commanded softly, holding his intense gaze. A shiver crawled up her spine. "You're gonna have fun. They're your friends."
"I know," he shrugged, letting his hands slowly crawl up her waist, "But I won't be able to stop thinking about you knowing you're in my house looking like this."
Haley playfully rolled her eyes. She was wearing a pair of jeans and a white cardigan. She hardly thought she looked hot.
"I'm serious," Nathan whispered, "You look beautiful, baby."
She felt her knees go weak, but wasn't sure if it was because of the huskiness in his voice or the fact he called her 'baby' - probably a mixture of both.
Haley smiled shyly, looking at him through her dark eyelashes.
Nathan leaned down and touched his lips to hers, pulling her in for a long, slow kiss.
"You look good, too." Haley complimented, fiddling with the button on his shirt. His muscular chest was exposed slightly, making her mouth water. All she wanted to do was run her hands up and down the sculpted plains of his chest. "Too good, if you ask me," she mumbled.
"Jealous?"
"Maybe a little," she revealed shyly. "Where are you going again?"
"Just Tric."
"Great," she sighed. A bar where a bunch of single, slutty women will be throwing themselves at her boyfriend.
Nathan chuckled as if hearing her thoughts, "You have nothing to worry about."
"I know," she smiled, "I'm just being ridiculous. Seriously, have fun."
"I'll try."
"Daddy!" Maddie huffed, "Now you're hogging Ms. James!"
Nathan and Haley laughed, "Okay, I'm going. Let me get a kiss goodbye first."
Maddie dropped her doll, and ran over to her father. She pressed a quick kiss on his cheek, then took Haley's hand. "Come on."
"Duty calls," Haley laughed before quickly kissing Nathan goodbye.
"Be good, Maddie. I'm serious," Nathan warned sternly. "If you give Ms. James any trouble, she won't babysit you anymore."
A look of utter panic struck Maddie's features. "I'll be good, Daddy. I promise."
Haley nodded in agreement, winking at Nathan before he smiled. "Good. I'll see you later. Have fun."
"Love you, Daddy!"
"Love you, too, little bear."
And with that, he was gone, leaving his two favorite girls alone.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
"God, he finally gets a girlfriend and he still acts like a stick in the mud. Only this time, he's more of a pansy," Clay complained, knocking back a swig of his beer.
Lucas nodded in agreement, "It's like fun isn't in his vocabulary anymore."
"Nah, it is," Clay quipped, "Only, his definition of 'fun' consists of playing dress up and kissing the teacher's ass."
Lucas snorted with laughter, "You got that right."
"Once again, I'm right here guys." Nathan muttered, rolling his eyes and his friends made fun of him at the bar.
"We're just saying man. We finally get you away from the teacher and now you've been texting her all night," Clay commented.
"That's because it's her first time watching Maddie. I want to make sure everything is okay."
"Dude, she basically watches her everyday for seven hours. It's fine." Lucas added.
"What're you even texting her anyway?" Clay asked, grabbing Nathan's phone from between his hands.
Nathan's eyes widened in fear, "Give it back," he whined, trying to reach for it.
Clay squirmed, dodging Nathan's grabby hands, and snickered as he began reading the texts out loud.
"I miss you so much, Haley. I just want to kiss you all night long."
Lucas threw his head back, "Oh man, that's great!"
"Give it back!" Nathan warned again.
"It gets better," Clay continued reading, imitating a girly voice, "I miss you, too, Nathan. There's nothing I want more than for you to kiss me right now."
"Cut it out," Nathan growled. "I mean it, man."
Clay didn't listen. "I can't stop thinking about you. I love watching you with Maddie. It makes my heart race."
Lucas laughed, watching as Nathan was turning beet red.
"Me too. You're such a hot Dad—" Clay was reading the message but stopped abruptly when Nathan nearly shoved him off the barstool.
"That's enough," he snapped.
Clay wiped his eyes, as tears of laughter fell from them. "I'm sorry, but come on, that was funny. I've never seen you like this."
"You suck," Nathan sulked.
"Nah, I bet Haley does though."
Nathan snapped his head up and glared at Clay. "Shut up. Don't talk about her like that."
Clay shook his head and hid his laughter behind his bottle of beer.
"We're glad you're happy, Nathan, but Clay is right. You're always with Haley or always talking to her. We miss watching basketball with you, ya know, pre-Haley." Lucas explained after calming his own laughter.
Nathan slumped over, "I know. I'm sorry, too. It's just, I've never felt this way before, you know? I'm really happy and I want to spend every second I have with her. Haley's one of the best things that ever happened to me."
Lucas smiled, "Ah, young love."
"What? Who said anything about love?" Nathan snapped. He couldn't possibly be in love with Haley yet. It was too soon. Right?
Clay chuckled, slapping Nathan on the back. "Dude, you've got it bad. I just hope you don't screw it up. For your sake and Maddie's sake."
Nathan gulped a large swig of beer. He hoped so, too.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
It was just after eleven when Nathan got back home. He was expecting to hear more giggles, but instead, the house was oddly silent. Feeling his stomach flip, he walked further into the house. The feelings of worry soon switched to adoration and contentment.
He smiled as he found Haley sprawled out on the couch with Maddie tucked safely under her arm, both sound asleep. His gaze then switched to the t.v, and chuckled quietly. Maddie must have forced Haley to watch Frozen - her favorite movie.
He tip-toed over to them and wrapped a blanket on top of them, not wanting to wake either of them from their peaceful slumber.
Nathan's smile only widened when he saw the nail polish containers spread over the coffee table. Sure enough, both Maddie and Haley's nails were painted a pale yellow. He was glad their night seemed successful.
As he looked at the small smiles on both their lips, he knew one thing was sure: he was quickly falling in love with Ms. James.