We survived almost 2 weeks without OTH. Everyone give themselves a pat on the back, I know it's been hard!
Something that wasn't hard was writing this chapter. I feel like it fell out of me, little thinking required.
The song for this installment is Broken Horses by Freelance Whales. Some of you may remember it from 8x05, I love it :)
I'm done blabbering now. Here's Chapter 12-
After Nathan had gotten off the phone with Deb he cleaned up the kitchen and front room just to waste some time. When he glanced at his watch a little while later and saw that it was 2:45 he made his way upstairs. When he got to the doorway of their bedroom he stopped. He could see Haley's sleeping body from where he stood; God she was beautiful. Now he only had one problem; he had to wake her. The idea broke his heart because she looked so peaceful. He often watched her sleep and wondered what was running through her mind.
Walking quietly through their bedroom door, he climbed into bed and curled up beside her. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her as close as he could while burying his face between her shoulder and her neck. He breathed in deep and took in that familiar scent; the smell of his Haley.
"Babe, it's time to wake up" his hot breath on her neck gave her chills all the way down her spine.
"Nooo…" she whined.
"I'm sorry Hales," he kissed her shoulder then moved his mouth near her ear, "we get to see the baby today" she could hear the excitement in his voice.
Haley rolled over and allowed him to completely wrap his arms around her while she pressed herself against his chest. "Yeah"
Lightly stroking her back he thought about what his mom had said earlier. Ever since Haley had told him she was pregnant both of them had a feeling it would be a girl and today that feeling could be confirmed or dismissed. The thought made him all nervous inside. Of course he would be happy no matter what, and he knew Haley would be too, but he couldn't deny that he really wanted a daughter; a little girl just like her.
"You know what today is?" He asked
"We've been through this," she laughed "it's Friday, me and Baby Scott number two's eighteen week check up. Unless I really over slept." She said looking up at him smiling.
He smiled back before slightly pulling away and adjusting his body so he was lying beside her propped up on his elbow resting his head against his curled fist. He pushed some hair off her face gently and said "Usually between 18 and 20 weeks doctors can find out the sex of the baby."
"And …"
"And, I was thinking when we go to the appointment today we could ask the doctor to check."
"Nope" Haley responded immediately. She got up off the bed, grabbed a sweater from the closet and went into the bathroom.
Nathan took a few moments to register what had just happened. Nope. What was she talking about? Just no? Just like that?
He got off the bed and walked into the bathroom where he found her in front of the mirror. She had already pulled the sweater over her head and was now putting her hair up in a bun. She turned to him and smiled, "I'm ready. Let's go see our baby." She kissed his cheek as she walked past him to leave the room.
Seriously? Just nope? He stood there trying to comprehend it all.
Once Dylan had gone down for his nap, Brooke and Julian cleaned the war zone known as their kitchen.
"That boy sure can fling his food around." Julian commented as he wiped down one of the cupboards.
"Strong arms, he will probably be a pro athlete" Brooke joked.
"If we keep letting him hang out with Jamie he sure will." Julian retorted.
"They are so cute together, aren't they?" I can't wait till Haley has the baby and they can all play together. Dylan and the baby will probably be in school together."
"I'm sure they will be the best of friends like their moms."
"Well this mom has to run to the store to drop off these sketches. Need anything while I'm gone?" She asked
"Uh nope, I think we're good here. I will hold down the fort until you get back."
"Okay, see you in a bit." She said before kissing him on the cheek.
She grabbed her purse and headed for the front door.
"Hey Brooke," Julian called out.
"Yeah" she turned around
"You look beautiful today. I love you."
"Julian Baker, do you ever not know what to say?"
"All part of my charm" he winked.
"It sure is. I love you too"
When he saw Brooke's car leave the driveway he returned to the script he had been reading earlier. After about ten minutes of reading he heard his stomach grumble quietly. He decided to go find something to eat.
Five minutes later Brooke pulled up to the house. She opened the door and saw Julian standing in the kitchen wearing an apron. He had the blender on the counter as well as some strawberries, a banana and the milk.
"What are you doing?" She did her best to hold back her laughter. The sight of him in an apron was better than him with his purse …"man bag"
"I'm making a smoothie. Want one?"
"Uh sure. I've never had one before." She said.
"Are you kidding?" He was in shock. "You, Brooke Davis, have NEVER had a smoothie before?"
"Nope, I prefer to stick with a good old fashion root beer float."
"I wish I would have know this before the wedding, I don't think we can continue this relationship. Good thing Dylan is so young, he can adjust easily." He joked
"Well aren't you just so funny. Why don't you fix this problem and make me a one. You could be my first." She said licking her lips.
He chuckled and shot her a grin. "Okay, but only if you be my first and make me that float thingy."
"Are you trying to tell me that Julian Baker has never had a root beer float? Call up your lawyer bud, the divorce is back on." She laughed.
Julian scoffed. "You'd be lost without me."
"You're right and Dylan would be in a dirty diaper during his entire visit with you."
"I guess we should stick together then" he shrugged.
"I like that idea. Now let's get to cooking." Brooke walked over to the freezer to get the ice cream but Julian raced over and stopped her. He stood between her and the door. "Excuse me but no one is allowed in my kitchen without an apron."
"Aye Aye Chef Baker!" She barely finished her sentence before she broke out into a hard laugh.
"What's so funny?" He asked.
"Come on. Chef. Baker. Can I please call you something else?"
"Oh you can call me whatever you want."
"Mmm, well then Chef Julian, do you give private cooking classes?" She asked as she gently pushed him so his back was firmly against the fridge. Julian was trying to stay serious until he felt her hand squeeze behind him and travel mid way up his back. Just when he was about to mimic the gesture she pulled apart the bow that was holding his apron onto him, tore it off and ran. "I want this one." She squealed.
"Damn you are good." He said as he exhaled the breath he had been holding. "You win this time. I'll go get the other one." Brooke smiled victoriously.
Nathan and Haley sat in the car in what Haley thought was a comfortable silence. Nathan on the other hand was doing his best to think of how to ask her what the hell happened earlier. She didn't explain herself. She just said no. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She caught the glimpse and met it with a smile.
"Hales…" he cleared his throat "how come you don't want to find out if it's a boy or girl?" he asked innocently.
"I want it to be a surprise."
"But you hate surprises, remember?"
"Usually I do but I know that no matter what I will love this surprise so why ruin it?"
Damn. She had a point. "I don't know, you got to find out about Jamie. I wish I could've been there, I thought this time we could find out together."
"That's not fair. I didn't find out about Jamie on purpose. I would've kept that a secret too if I could have."
"But if you never found out than maybe I wouldn't have been motivated to play my heart out the night of the state championship." He was doing his best to convince her to change her mind but he knew his chances were slim.
"Yeah and then maybe I wouldn't have been hit by a car" she barked back. Nathan's face fell instantly. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that Nathan. Its just, I want too keep it a surprise, please?" When he turned his face to look at her he knew she hadn't meant to hurt him. He exhaled deeply, "I will think about it." He said sternly.
"Bananas?"
"Check"
"Strawberries?"
"Milk?"
"Check. Looks like everything is here Chef Julian. What's next?"
"Next we cut all the tops off the strawberries then cut up the banana. You do one and I will do the other, which fruit would you prefer my dear."
"I want the banana"
"Dirty girl, I like it."
"Ew. No I just think it's easier you pervert." Brooke said as she nudged his arm.
"Whatever you say, okay so I'm taking strawberries then" Brooked took the banana from Julian and began to chop it up as he did the same to the strawberries.
"Now what?" Brooke asked once she and Julian were both done chopping.
"Now we add the milk and throw it in the blender but how about you teach me how to make this float thing before we blend the smoothie, that we can try each other's masterpieces at the same time."
"Good idea" she nodded. "This is really simple. Just scooped some ice cream into this cup and then we pour the root beer over top."
"I can handle that." Julian scooped three good sized spoonfuls into his cup. "I will grab the root beer, can you put the lid on the blender please"
"Uh sure" Brooke answered.
"Okay ready? I will pour, you blend. Count of three?"
"Okay."
"One. Two, Three!"
"How long does this need to be on for?" Brooke yelled over the sounds of the machine yet still trying not to be too loud since they had a sleeping infant in the house.
"Not long. Check to see if you can see any big pieces of fruit still."
Brooke investigated the concoction from all angles and when she felt satisfied that it would really be a smoothie she shut it off and poured the mixture into a cup then finished it off by sticking a straw in it.
"Cheers?" Julian held up his glass.
"Cheers."
They clinked glasses and then each divulged into what was in their hand.
"Mmmmmm" Brooked said first.
"Ditto." Julian said even though his mouth was full of ice cream.
Brooke took another sip but as she released the straw from her mouth it flung forward and a little of the smoothie flew out and hit Julian on the forehead. Brooke couldn't help but giggle.
"Um you have a little something, right there." She said pointing towards him.
"Oh really?" He took the spoon from his cup and launched some ice cream towards her.
Brooke's mouth formed an O shape in horror."It's so on."
The kitchen was definitely going to need another cleaning today.
Nathan sat on the left of Haley in the waiting room. She had her head slouched against his shoulder and her eyes were closed. His arm was wrapped around her and he was tracing small circles on her thigh.
"You can not possibly still be tired. You slept all day."
"Listen here, I am pregnant so I can get away with whatever I want, besides I need to rest now if you want tonight to be anything like last night."
He kissed the top of her head "In that case, sweet dreams" He felt her body move slighty as she laughed.
Haley Scott
"Hold off on the nap and let's go see that kid." Nathan got up and offered his hand to her.
When they got into the exam room Haley got up onto the bed and lied back. Nathan took his seat next to her and grabbed her hand.
"Hello you two. How are you feeling Haley?" The doctor asked
"Good, sleepy but good."
"That's normal, especially since you have another kid to chase after."
"Yeah he's pretty good though. He lets his mom sleep." Nathan added and then lightly squeezing her hand.
"Good to hear. Now let's see this baby." The doctor said while setting up the ultrasound machine. Haley took that as her cue so she gently removed her hand from Nathan's grasp and lifted her shirt to reveal her bump. She could see Nathan smiling out of the corner of her eye which just gave her butterflies. Quickly she returned her hand to his and turned her face toward the doctor and the sonogram machine. When the doctor squeezed some of the cool gel onto her skin Nathan felt Haley squirm a little. He instantly lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it softly. As the doctor traced Haley's abdomen with the wand a little heartbeat filled the room. Haley's eyes got all watery; that sound never ceased to amaze her. Nathan kissed her cheek and rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb.
"Here's the head," the doctor pointed out.
"Nathan look! It's sucking its thumb" Haley said through her tears.
"Wow." Was the only word running through his mind besides I love you.
"So does your son want a brother or sister?"
"He said he wants a brother to play sports with but he wants a sister so his mom won't be the only girl." Nathan replied.
"Well I can tell you right now which answer to give him if you want to know the sex."
"Yes." "No." Nathan and Haley said simultaneously.
"Well I don't get that answer often."
"Nathan please keep it a surprise." Haley begged.
"Come on Hales, Jamie wants to know." He figured if she wouldn't say yes to him he'd have to bring Jamie into this, he would be on his side.
"Jamie won't care." She freed her hand from his and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I have an idea." The doctor piped in. "In the rare occasion that couples have a dispute over finding out gender this is what I do. I will write on a card boy or girl. Then I will put it in an envelope and seal it. You can bring it home and discuss amongst yourselves what you want to do. If you change your mind Haley you guys can open the envelope and find out. You'll know if he peaked if the seal is broken."
"So what's to stop me from looking?" Nathan asked
"I can think of a few things." Haley smirked at him.
"Fine. We'll do it." Nathan said to the doctor and then returned his glare to his wife. His baby blue eyes met her deep brown ones and they stared at each other intensely. "Game on Haley James. Game on."
If you have never had either a smoothie or root beer float can you do me a favor and try one asap? They are heavenly!
Sorry I didn't get back to Jamie this chapter. Next one, I promise :) Look forward to some Naley banter over the baby's gender! Hope you guys like this idea btw.
Thanks so much to all of you who continue to review, it means a lot
