I was gonna update at 8 am this morning, before school, but the documents wouldn't upload so I'm updating now and I'm sorry I couldn't get this out sooner. I've started working on the next chapter so it shouldn't be too long before it's up.
Anyway, I have got to thank all the amazing readers and reviewers for supporting this story. I love you all!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill but this story and the ideas are mine.
Thoughts are in italics.
Enjoy and on with the story and enough babbling from me!
Lax
Summary: Nathan and Haley have shared a forbidden love for the past six years behind their parent's backs and have recently received a little push. Brooke and Lucas are in love and engaged much to everyone's objections. And where on Earth do Jake Jigelski and Peyton Sawyer fit into the equation? Will Nathan and Haley's parents ever find out about their reality? What will happen to their Bubba? Will Brooke and Lucas make it down the aisle with their whole world against them? How exactly will Peyton and Jake bring Nathan and Haley's future to ruins? Three couples...two marriages...one Bubba...what next?
Chapter Twelve: Middle of Nowhere
I haven't slept a single night in over a month
Not even once did you start to make sense to me
Well maybe I'm a little bit slow
I'm just consistently inconsistent
She said unpredictability's my responsibility baby
But you're waiting at the door
Where everybody's hanging out just like they hung out before
You didn't have to do it but you did it to say
That you didn't have to do it but you would anyway
To give you something to go on
When I go off
Back to the middle of nowhere
Middle of Nowhere by Hot Hot Heat
They all stood outside the cabin and simply looked on at its magnificence. It was a simple wooden cabin with just the one floor. Surrounding its four sides there was a deck looking out to the thick mass of woodland that could not be escaped. The cabin was situated a few miles from civilisation and in the heart of the woods. Nearby there was a still lake that would be the perfect spot to escape the reality of their lives in the next two months. Filing into the cabin they were stunned. There was a simple kitchen and cosy sitting room. The remaining rooms were rather extravagant as they fully embraced the woods with animal heads on the wall and grand fireplaces.
Seeing Haley with Jake had pulled at something deep within Nathan. But seeing Nathan with Peyton hadn't been any easier on Haley. Locking eyes Nathan could tell there was something not quite right with Haley.
"Brooke, where's the bathroom?" Haley asked clutching her stomach.
"Why, what's wrong?" Brooke asked.
"Erm…I don't think the trip up here did me any good. You know how I get carsick and all," Haley laughed urgently.
"Oh, right, yeah, down that hall and the second on the left," Brooke directed.
Haley rushed off around the corner. Nathan watched helplessly as Haley ran out, having to make an excuse because she was pregnant. He had to be with her. What if she needed him?
"How about Lucas and I show you guys to your rooms?" Brooke asked guiding Peyton and Jake in the opposite direction.
"Go!" Lucas urged as he followed Brooke.
Nathan rushed down the hall and came to the bathroom door. Pushing it open he dropped to his knees besides Haley. Holding her hair back as she emptied the contents of her stomach, he rubbed her back soothingly.
When she felt like she could no longer vomit Haley stood up shakily and rinsed her mouth, splashing cold water across her face. Nathan leaned against the bath and pulled Haley down beside him. Encasing her he kissed her head and placed a hand on her stomach.
"Are you okay?" Nathan asked.
"Yeah, that was just the ride from hell. I-," Haley sighed exhausted and couldn't finish.
"I know, we'll be ok. It'll be fine," Nathan soothed.
They sat there for a few minutes, letting the time pass as they sat with each other, occasionally speaking a few words.
"We should probably get back," Haley said reluctantly.
"Yeah," Nathan sighed and helped Haley up. He kept a light arm on her waist as they left the bathroom only to encounter Brooke and Lucas.
"How are my godchild and its mother?" Brooke asked.
"We're fine," Haley answered.
"And the dad?" Lucas asked.
"He'll live," Nathan smiled.
"Good, because that's just what we like to hear," Brooke spoke in a bubbly voice. "Now split because Haley, I am showing you to your room and Nathan, you're going with Lucas."
"Why can't we be in the same room?" Nathan whined.
"Oh Nathan, that wouldn't be proper. You guys aren't even married," Brooke admonished. "Now say bye to lover boy Hales."
Haley kissed Nathan's cheek before allowing herself to be dragged away by an insistent Brooke. Leading her into a room Haley was amazed at how big and authentic it was. It was painted in different shades of brown-the walls being light and the ceiling dark. The dresser and wardrobes were made from a mahogany dark wood and the bed was king-sized with dark brown sheets.
"Brooke this is beautiful," Haley went to one of the windows and looked out at the view. From the window she could see the thick green woodland which contrasted with the pale blue sky.
"And this is the best bit," Brooke pulled Haley to a door and opened it for her.
Haley gasped as she came face to face with Nathan who had just opened another door in what appeared to be an en-suite bathroom.
"What's going on?" Nathan asked.
"Well this cabin has five bedrooms and each have an en-suite bathroom except for these. They didn't have space for an en-suite bathroom on the other side of your room Nathan, so they put an adjoining bathroom between the two rooms. Lucas and I thought it'd be fun if you guys had these rooms so that in some sense you're still together," Brooke explained.
"Thank you," Haley squealed hugging Brooke before running to Nathan.
"We'll leave you guys to it," Lucas said and led Brooke out.
"Have you ever seen an adjoining bathroom before?" Haley asked.
"Uh-uh," Nathan laughed at Haley's giddiness. "Well atleast something's working for us seeing as our plans got shot to hell."
"Not shot to hell, just delayed. Let's unpack," Haley turned to her room only to be spun around by Nathan.
Let's try out the bath, that drive up here did nothing for me and I need to work out some of those kinks in my back," Nathan stretched so that Haley caught a glimpse of his toned stomach.
"Need any help working out those kinks?" Haley proposed.
"I thought you'd never ask," Nathan kissed Haley.
"So you haven't really been formally introduced. Nathan this is Jake and Haley this is Peyton," Brooke told.
Nathan shook Jake's hand as Haley did with Peyton.
Haley's getting married to this guy instead of me? What is wrong with her parents? He's way too wrong for her. She needs someone who's not so…nice. Oh well, the sooner we can kick his ass to the kerb the better.
"Nice to meet you," Jake smiled.
"You too," Nathan smirked to Haley.
She seems nice right? Well I think she's nice. I mean it's not like I'm gonna go all psycho bitch on her just because she's marrying Nathan. I can be nice. Now just smile and be polite and remember Haley, nice.
"Hi, I've heard a lot about you," Peyton greeted.
"All good things I hope," Haley laughed.
"Have a nice bath Nathan?" Brooke grinned.
"The best," Nathan smirked as he thought back on bath time with Haley, Haley blushed.
"I know you don't like me," Nathan said sitting down on the deck next to Peyton.
"What makes you think that?" Peyton asked.
"The fact that you're always glaring or frowning at me or looking at me in a negative way," Nathan pointed out causing Peyton to laugh.
"I don't like you," she agreed.
"The feeling's mutual," he cleared.
"I don't wanna marry you," she admitted.
"Well I don't wanna marry you either," he defended. "Look, how about we be friends and call it even?"
"Deal," Peyton shook Nathan's hand still frowning.
"By the way, friends don't glare or frown or even make really weird squinting looks or-" Nathan started but Peyton hit him.
Jumping off the deck Nathan ran from Peyton as she chased him, repeatedly hitting him.
"Nathan Scott your ass is mine!" Peyton screamed.
"Shut it Sawyer!" Nathan shouted while dodging her.
"Mind if I join you?" Jake asked.
"It's a free kitchen, who am I to stop you?" Haley teased peeling a banana.
"Right," Jake sat down at the breakfast bar embarrassed. "So, you settled in ok?"
"Yeah, it's amazing out here you know," Haley looked out the kitchen window and to the trees.
"It's nice to get away," Jake said with a far away look on his face.
"Yeah, it is," Haley agreed.
"I'm sorry but I don't know if this could work," Jake blurted looking down at his wringing hands rather than looking Haley in the eye.
"What?" Haley asked genuinely confused.
"I…when I got married I never thought it would be a…compromise for business you know?"
Boy you have no idea, Haley thought however let Jake continue.
"I just, can we just be friends and then see what happens? I…friends?" Jake held his hand out.
"Friends," Haley instead hugged a surprised Jake.
"So, how about I tell you a joke?" Jake proposed when they were both sitting at the breakfast bar, Haley still eating her banana.
"Ok," Haley took a bite.
"Why are pirates called pirates?"
"I don't know."
"Because they arrre," Jake answered making the whole pirate 'arrrgh' noise.
There was two of silence before Haley declared very slowly, "Dude…that was…the worst joke…ever."
"Come on, it was not!" Jake contradicted.
Peyton and Nathan ran into the living room laughing. Peyton fell on the couch as Nathan panted, holding his sides as he stood.
"Oh look, the lost brother returns," Lucas remarked.
"Yeah, bruised and battered," Nathan agreed.
"Go Peyton!" Brooke cheered.
Haley and Jake walked out through the kitchen and into the room. Haley laughed at Jake's defensive face.
"Jake that really was the worst joke ever!" Haley affirmed.
"It was not!" Jake exclaimed.
"I beat up Nathan!" Peyton cut in.
"You did not!" Nathan denied.
"Aaw!" Haley cooed as she walked over to Nathan and hugged him. "Is poor Nathan hurt?"
"I'm better now," Nathan whispered only audibly to Haley.
Haley pulled back and leaned up to kiss Nathan's cheek before moving away and congratulating a beaming Peyton, "Great job Peyton!"
"What are we eating?" Nathan rubbed his stomach and smiled charmingly.
"Don't try to change the subject," Lucas said causing Nathan's shoulders to slump.
"Why are you always hungry?" Brooke asked.
"Pizza!" Jake enthused.
"Pizza?" Peyton asked.
"Pizza!" Haley agreed.
"How are they gonna deliver pizza all the way out here?" Nathan asked genuinely wanting to know their answer to the little problem that, oh yeah…they were miles from civilization!
"With a fat tip," Brooke said deviously.
"Works for me," Nathan shrugged.
"Come on Nathan, let's get the dishes. Brooke, you order and the rest of you guys," Haley waved her hand towards them, "find a decent movie."
They all set about doing their tasks, Nathan following Haley into the kitchen. Haley moved over to the counter. Coming up behind her, Nathan trapped Haley between him and the counter.
"You can't eat pizza," Nathan said from behind Haley.
"Why?" Haley asked spinning around.
"Because it's not healthy for you," Nathan pointed out.
"Sure it is, it has bread which gives you carbohydrates and cheese for protein and toppings for other stuff like vegetables," Haley listed.
"It's also greasy and fattening and not balanced," Nathan countered.
"I just had a banana," Haley said.
"I don't care if you just had a banana," Nathan said.
"I'll have some fruit for dessert," Haley offered.
"I don't like it. Promise you won't eat too much pizza and have your fruit and something else instead," Nathan pleaded.
"I promise," Haley kissed Nathan before turning back to get the plates.
Nathan carried the plates into the living room and placed them on the coffee table, Haley carrying the glasses.
"So Jake, tell us your joke," Nathan suggested.
Jake told them the joke and there were again a couple of minutes of unamused silence. That is until Peyton burst out laughing.
"Why are you laughing? That sucked," Lucas said.
"I loved it, it's so funny," Peyton held her sides as she laughed.
"Jake, if you were a comedian I would throw rotten tomatoes at you," Brooke declared with a sweet smile.
"How kind of you," Jake touched his heart.
"I told you it was bad," Haley shrugged.
"That was beyond bad," Nathan said looking at a still laughing Peyton as if she was insane.
Nathan looked over to the bathroom door before returning his attention to his ceiling. The clock on the table read 11.56 and still he couldn't sleep.
Haley hadn't had much pizza and had eaten her fruit as promised. They had all called it a night at 11.00 when Jake had started to tell more jokes.
Nathan's gaze kept drifting back to the bathroom. He knew that the only thing that was separating him and Haley was the bathroom. She'd probably be asleep by now. She was so peaceful when she slept. Her arm had recently taken on a permanent position of cradling their Bubba. Haley would tell their baby the day's events until she fell asleep. Nathan would be there too, holding them both…but not tonight. The only thing between them was that bathroom.
Determination. That's what fuelled Nathan's next moves. All that was between them was a bathroom and Nathan preferred there to be nothing. Locking his bedroom door, in case anybody came in, he walked through the bathroom and entered Haley's bedroom.
A protective yet lonely mother greeted him. She was curled into a slight ball, her arm around their Bubba, and cocooned in the sheets. Nathan gently slipped in, careful not to awake her, and wrapped an arm around her petite body as his hand came to cover her own on the small bump.
"It's about time," Haley whispered.
"What? Haley, shouldn't you be asleep right now?" Nathan asked.
"I was waiting for you," she turned in the embrace so that she was facing Nathan. Her soft eyes zoned in on his. "Jake and I are friends now."
"So are Peyton and I," Nathan caressed Haley's face.
Haley lips curled into a smile as she giggled, "How are your bruises?"
Nathan groaned and rolled his eyes, "Fine…I love you."
"I love you too," Haley whispered and kissed Nathan.
"Now get some sleep, these two months aren't gonna be easy," Nathan kissed Haley's forehead.
Haley sighed before relaxing into Nathan's body, his arms encircling hers. They drifted off into a peaceful sleep but would it be like that every night? Who knows what the future holds?
Did you all like the bonding? I thought it was funny. That joke is something a friend once told me and is one of the greatest bad/funny/dumb jokes I've ever heard. Please let me know if there are any mistakes because I'm rushed loading this.
Does anybody know a song about denial? Please PM me or leave a review because it would really help if you did!
So leave a review on what you thought and I'll have the next chapter up asap! If all goes planned it should be up tomorrow or Sunday!!!
Lax
