Every Day I Like You a Little More

Day Twelve

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Haley was up and going early in the morning. Not only was she excited to get to see Nathan that morning for breakfast, but she would also be decorating his room with Brooke. Now they might not be great friends, and Brooke might not have been the sweetest of people to Haley in the beginning, but eventually she came around. They still weren't the closest of people, but they did get along.

Brooke had actually tried to help Haley with the whole Nathan thing. Even thought her approach wasn't very nice and sweet in the end she had offered to be there when Haley was ready to see Nathan.

Walking down the stairs Haley found a tote bag on the counter and Nicolette working around the kitchen. She smiled seen her nanny and walked to the fridge to get some orange juice. "Good morning" she said.

Nicolette turned to see the young girl, who was like a daughter to her. "Good morning to you, too" she said, and got back to doing what she had been doing, "I see you're happy today."

"I am."

"What's the occasion?" Nicolette asked, turning to face her one more time.

Haley smiled at her, "Nathan gets out today."

"Haley" she warned, "you need to be careful."

Haley nodded, "I know" she said softly, then a smile formed on her mouth again at the thought of getting to see him, "but I love him"

Nicolette was taken aback by her words. She always wanted to protect the young girl, but love was something she could not protect her from. She smiled sweetly hoping that it would be enough for Haley to understand that sometimes loved hurt, that it wasn't really all rainbows and butterflies.

"I know" Haley said, "be careful" she repeated the words. She walked over to the bag that was on the counter and touched it, "is this mine?"

She smiled, "you said Nathan wanted French toast."

Haley walked over to her and hugged her, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "You're the best."

"Don't you forget it" she joked.

Haley grabbed the bag and began to make her way out of the kitchen. As she walked out of the kitchen Quinn was walking in, Haley said hello and continued to make her way. She had many thing to do that day, including going to school to gather all the homework she had been missing, and not just hers, she had promised Nathan she would get his as well.

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Haley walked in his room and saw a sleeping Nathan. She smiled at how cute he actually looked sleeping. He looked just like a little boy when they go to bed after a long day of playing, so peaceful and rested. She walked in the room and put the bag on one of the chairs, she walked over to the little table she had used many times and began to put the food on it. She wanted to wake him up, but she also wanted everything to be ready for when he finally got to wake up.

As she finished she walked over to the bed and sat on the bed right next to him, expecting him to wake up. She was actually surprised by his reaction. Instead of waking up, he scooted over and pulled her closer somehow. Maybe it was his experience with women, but it was kind of sexy the way he just managed to get her close even when he was sleeping.

Haley smiled and leaned her head closer to him, she placed a soft kiss on his lips and whispered for him to wake up. "Wake up sleepy head."

Nathan could feel her next to him. He actually knew she was there, he just didn't want to wake up. He liked the way it felt when she was next to him, and he wanted her to stay there.

"If I wake up you'll go" he mumbled.

Haley sat up and looked at him, "you really think I would leave?" she questioned, socked that he even said the words.

Nathan opened his eyes and saw the way she was looking at him. She was looking at him hurt, like he had said some sort of horrible words and would never be able to take them back. Her shook his head and rubbed his eyes. "That's not what I mean-"

"What do you mean then, Nathan?" she asked, a little harsh.

"I meant that if I wake up it means it's time to get the day started. You have to go to school, and I have to stay here." He saw the realization wash over her face and smirked. "You're sexy when you get mad, though" he said, "I think I might do it more often" he pointed out.

Her cheeks turned pink at his words, and she slowly stood up. Haley knew that if she staid close to him she would jump on him and just get her way, and that was the last thing she wanted. She got a hold of the table and rolled it over to him, "Nico made your favorite" she pointed out.

"Is that make you mad" he joked, trying to get her fired up.

Haley shook her head and sigh, "you, make me mad" she pointed out.

"But in a good way, right?"

Haley opened the container and shook her head, "you're something, you know?"

"Trust me babe, I know" he joked.

"Just eat" she said. And walked over to get her bag and jacket.

Nathan looked at her confused. Where was she going? It was still early in the morning, and school didn't start for about an hour. Had he really gotten her mad to the point that she wanted to leave, was he back to his way of being and ass?

"Where are you going?" he asked, a little scared to know the answer.

Haley let out a chuckle when she saw the worried face he had, she walked over to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "To school, I'll see ya later."

"But school doesn't start for a while" Nathan pointed out. So many things were running through his head at the moment he couldn't control them. Maybe she's mad. Or maybe she has someone else, maybe Julian, I knew she liked the guy. Oh god, what is wrong with me, I'm turning into Lucas.

She nodded taking a bite of his toast, "I know." Haley let out another chuckle when she saw his face and decided to put him out of his torture. "I have to talk to some teachers to get the work I missed, and some of your work. That's a lot of teachers."

He nodded. He felt so dumb for thinking so many dumb things. Haley wasn't the type of girl to lie, and he was sure she wouldn't just cheat on someone, even if they still hadn't had the boyfriend/ girlfriend talk.

"I have to go" she said, "I love you."

He nodded, "I love you, too."

Seeing her walk out of the room he turned to the food in front of him. He loved the French toast she brought him. There was something about Nicolette's French toast that made it taste so good, and he couldn't get enough of it.

On the other side of the door Haley had walked over to the nurse's station to talk to one of the nurses, lucky for her Deb was there as well. This would all end up being really easy. She continued to walk until she arrived there. Deb was talking to Emily about the paper work that needed to be signed and the care that they needed to give Nathan once he was released, but that didn't stop the smiley nurse from saying hi to Haley.

"Hey" Haley said in return, and turned to Deb.

"Haley" Deb said, "it's nice to see you."

"You, too" the girl said. "I have a favor to ask" Haley said. She rubbed her hands together and looked at Deb with a pleading look. "I was wondering if it was possible that you could take Nathan home after three."

Deb eyed the girl suspiciously, "why?"

"Well, Brooke had this idea that we should decorate his room, you know so that he feels better. It's like a get well card, but it's more of a get well room. I know it's a lot to ask and I understand if you say no, but I really think he would like it after being in that hospital room so long. Trust me, there is nothing worse than being stuck in a hospital room for weeks. Anyways, I just wanted to do something nice for him, please say you'll do it" She rambled, completely jumping from subject to subject.

Deb tried not to laugh at the girl's rumble, but Haley could sure talk when she was passionate about something. "Haley, it's fine" She said. "I'll take him home at three."

"Thank you" Haley said, hugging the older woman.

Deb wrote down something on a paper and handed to Haley, "that's my number, call me if you need anything. Oh…" she began to dig through her purse; she dug her keys out and began to unhook one of the keys. "… this is the house key, just make sure you give it back to me."

Haley nodded and one more time hugged her. "Thanks."

"No" Deb said, shaking her head. "Thank you, for saving my son."

Haley nodded and said her goodbyes, with that she run out of the hospital, she had a long day ahead of her, and the sooner she started the better.

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Having already collected all the work she needed, Haley was on her way to her locker to pick up a few books she would need. She continued to walk until she heard her friend talking to her, she turned and smiled at Julian.

"Have you seen Brooke?" was the first thing he had said.

"Hello to you, too" Haley joked, and shook her head, "and no, I haven't seen her."

"Oh" he said, he turned to her and finally actually talked to her about her and not asking about Brooke, "it's nice to see you back at school" he said.

Haley nodded, "it's nice to be back. But I have to go soon."

"Nathan?" he questioned, knowing the answer already.

Haley nodded and turned back when she heard someone yell her name. Julian next to her got a hold of Haley's arm and squeezed it. It was Brooke who had called and he wanted nothing more than for the girl to come near him and say hi, but he knew that was a long shot.

"Brooke?" Haley said, a little surprised to see the girl at school so early.

Brooke walked over to her and hugged her. They weren't exactly friends but Brooke still liked to think of Haley of someone who would eventually become her friend. She pulled away and waved at Julian. "Hey" she said to Julian.

Haley looked at Julian and saw him shyly wave at her and let out a small chuckle.

"Are you ready?" Brooke asked her, smiling. She was super excited about being able to do something for her friend, and doing it with someone she would eventually like to be friends with was a bonus.

Haley nodded and hugged Julian, "I'll see ya later" she whispered and patted his chest. She turned to face Brooke, "let's go" she said.

Brooke followed her lead and waved to Julian.

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It had been a couple of hours had gone by and Nathan was tired of waiting. Emily had told him in the morning that he would be able to go soon, but he was still stuck in the bed. His mother had yet to come and talk to him and Haley was not there. He usually expected her to go after school.

He let out a sigh and began to think about everything that had happened the passed two weeks. Most people take an accident as a horrible thing in their lives, but Nathan saw it as one of the best things that could have happened to him. If he never had the accident he would have never met her, and maybe he wouldn't be the guy he was now. He might still not be the best of guys, but being with her made him want to be the best he could be.

"Finally" he said, watching as his mother made her way towards him.

"What's wrong?" she asked, he looked like he was dying to get somewhere.

He shook his head and stared at her, "can we go already?"

Deb frowned and shook her head. She still hadn't gotten the go ahead from Haley so she couldn't take him home just yet. "Sorry, honey. There is still some paper work to be done" she lied.

Nathan let out a frustrated sight and leaned his head back, he looked at his mother again and saw her pull some clothes from a bag and walk over to him.

"Here" Deb said, "you can change into this and I'll tell you when all the paper work is done."

He nodded and started to get out of bed. He looked at his mother and walked towards the bathroom. He was in a little pain because of his ribs. It wasn't anything big, but it was the first time he was actually walking.

Deb watched her son walk over to the bathroom and checked her phone one more time, still nothing. She didn't know what else to tell Nathan, the truth was that there wasn't a reason for him to stay in the hospital.

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The room was practically done, but Brooke was still walking around moving things around. She just needed things to do, or else she would loose her mind. She had only seen Julian a couple of times, yet she couldn't stop thinking about him. She finally put the CD's by the radio and turned to Haley, who was now sitting on his new bedspread.

"Are we done?" Haley asked, she was so tired of Brooke finding new things to move. All she wanted was for Brooke to say yes so she could call Deb and she could see Nathan.

Brooke nodded and began to walk towards her, "but I have a question." She sat next to Haley and looked at the girl, "I know we're not friends yet, but I like you" she said, "I guess… I guess I just want you to know that I'm not the same bitch you met that one day at the hospital."

"I know" she said, knowingly.

"And… Well, I…"

"Want to know about Julian" Haley, quipped.

Brooke nodded shyly. She had never been the shy girl, but hearing his name made her act like a little school girl.

"He's a nice guy" Haley said, "and I can see you like him, but trust me, he's nothing like the guys you've been with before."

"I know" she whispered, "that kinda scares me."

"You'll be fine" Haley assured her new friend. She stood up and pulled out her phone, "can I call Deb now?" she had been dying for this moment, and Brooke somehow always managed to put it off.

Now Brooke was ready, she nodded and smiled at the girl. She watched as Haley waited impatiently for Deb to answer the phone and wondered if she would ever feel like that. She had been that same girl when she was with Lucas last year, but she had never actually felt the ways she did when she saw Julian. This guy made her nervous, and he made her feel like she was a better person than she really was. With Lucas it was all about sex and just being the new it couple.

Brooke turned to Haley when she heard the girl close the phone, she was about to say something when Haley's phone started ringing again, she watched as she answer and she talked to whoever was on the other side, then once more she was done and Brooke finally got to speak. "Are they coming?"

Haley nodded, "Deb said he's been very impatient to come home."

"Kinda like someone else, but for a whole other reason" she teased. Seen Haley's cheeks turn pink she changed the subject, "who called you?"

Haley looked at her phone and to Brooke, "oh, it was Peyton, she's coming."

"Cool-"

"… with Julian."

"What?"

"I thought you liked him" Haley said, now confused by the way Brooke was reacting to the news of Julian going.

"I do" she admitted.

"Cool, then you'll be happy to know that he's coming."

Brooke eyed her, "you already said that."

"I know" Haley said, chuckling and walking out of Nathan's room.

Brooke followed the shorter girl out and wondered what Julian would think if Haley told him she liked him. Would be the one to take the first step, or would she have to do it? She shook her head and ran towards the living room, where she expected Haley to be.

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Nathan couldn't wait to get home, to be in his house, to sleep in his bed, to eat regular food, to use his bathroom. But even though he wanted to be there, there was still a part of him that would miss being in that hospital. He had made great memories there. He had told Haley he loved her, and she had said it back. She had been there practically every day and even took him food. The hospital food was not the best, but when Haley took him food he felt like he was in heaven.

He looked out the window and saw that they were home, he saw Lucas' car there and was actually happy that his brother would be home when he arrived. He opened the door to his mother's car and got out slowly. He was still a little weak from his surgery, and his body needed to get use to walking after all he had gone through.

"Come on" Deb said, grabbing his bag and walking slowly next to him in case he needed her for support. She opened the door and let him walk in first.

Nathan was surprised to see that everyone was there. Haley, Brooke, Lucas, even Peyton and Julian, he wasn't close to them but they were still there. He looked around and saw the welcome home banner and smiled. It actually felt good to know that people actually cared about him enough to take their time to make him feel welcomed. He walked closer in and everyone said welcome at some point giving him a hug.

"Sit, Nathan" Deb order, as if he were a dog.

Nathan did as told and walked over to the couch nearest to him. He sat and patted the spot next to him looking at Haley. She smiled sweetly and sat next to him. She placed a soft kiss on his cheek and welcomed him.

"Thanks" he said, softly.

"So" Brooke said, "tell us about your great hospital stay" she said. She had visited him a few times, but when people told you about their experiences it was so much more interesting.

Nathan shrugged and looked around, "whose idea was this?" he asked.

"Haley's"

"Brooke's" Haley said.

Both girls looked at each other and giggled. It had been Brooke's idea, but Haley had helped and done a lot of the work as well. Haley turned to face him and said, "both."

He nodded and draped his arm over her shoulder as to hold her closer. "Thanks."

Peyton was standing near by with Lucas, she told him she would be back and ran off towards the end of the house. Everyone looked at the way she walked out and turned their attention to the boy who had just come home.

"I missed you, little brother" Lucas said, "I'm glad you're home."

"It's good to be home" Nathan said.

Brooke let out a loud laugh and it quickly quiet down when the door was opened and practically slammed. Everyone looked towards the door and saw Dan Scott walk in, and by the looks of it he was not happy.

"What the hell is this?" he asked, angry at the sight of all the people at his house.

"It's Nathan's welcome home party" Julian said. He knew the older Scott was angry, but he didn't really know much about him. He felt Brooke elbow him on his side and he rubbed the spot, it hurt to be elbowed, but he was actually flattered that Brooke Davis had just hit him.

"Who the hell are you?" Dan asked.

"Dad" Nathan sighed; his father could be such an ass sometimes. The people that were there were people that cared about him, or that were there for Haley in Julian's case. His father yelling at them was not helping, and the last thing he wanted was for people to pull away from him because of his ass of a father.

"What" he yelled, turning to him. He saw Nathan and Haley right next to him. He could tell the girl was a little scared, but he didn't care. At the moment he was angry that Nathan had gotten home and no one had told him about it, how was that possible?

"Dan-" Deb began, but he quickly cut her.

"No, Deb." He eyed Nathan and Haley again, "it seems that every time something happens in this family no one tells me. And it also seems like this little girl is involved in it" he pointed to Haley.

"Hey!" Nathan yelled, but quickly sat back when he felt one of his ribs move out of place.

"I think we should go" Brooke whispered to Julian. She didn't wait for him to say anything, she grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the house. Brooke had been in the Scott house plenty of times, and she knew that the fight was just beginning and that Julian would not like to be there when the fire started.

Haley looked around and saw that everyone was gone, the only people left were her, and the rest of the Scotts. She began to stand up, "I better go" she whispered, but fell right back to her spot when she felt Nathan pull her by the wrist. She looked at him shocked, but she could see him begging her to stay.

"I think that would be the best" Dan scolded.

"No!" Nathan yelled. He turned to her, "go wait in my room, I'll be up soon."

Haley looked at him and wondered if that was what he really wanted, but she couldn't see anything. His face was blank, she didn't know what else to do, so she nodded and began to walk out the room.

"That's great Nathan" Dan shot, "you always have liked to have girls in your room."

Haley heard him and was shocked at the way Dan treated his own son, she was walking towards the stairs when she bumped into someone. Haley looked up to see who it was and was relieved when it was Peyton. Peyton hugged her friends and both girls walked up the stairs as quiet as they could.

It was supposed to be a great day, a day where Nathan would go home and finally be out of that stinky hospital, but Dan had ruined it. Dan Scott always found a way to ruin things, and this was no different.

Both girls were in Nathan's room and they could hear the yelling going on down stairs, it was horrible to hear people yelling at each other.

"You need to stop treating them like babies" Dan yelled.

"They're my kids" Deb yelled back.

Next thing both girls heard was Lucas trying to reason with his father, but not getting very far. "Dad, just leave. We can talk about this some other time."

"Talk about what? The fact that your brother is throwing his future away for a piece of ass, or the fact that you are so wrapped up on getting that girl back that your grades are slipping?" he questioned looking at both his sons. He turned to Nathan who looked like he wanted to kill him and shook his head, "you need to let her go, son."

"Dad-"

"Nathan, she's holding you back."

"You can't tell him how to live his life" Deb shot.

"You stay out of it!"

"Don't talk to her like that" Lucas yelled, "she's done nothing to you."

"You're a kid, you don't know anything" he told Lucas, "as for you" he pointed to Nathan, "I expect you to end it with that girl." With that he walked out of the house furiously and slammed the door once more.

Both Haley and Peyton were shocked at the fight they had just heard happening. Haley's parents rarely fought when she was young, and this was something out of a movie to her. Peyton also never really heard people fight the way the Scott family had just done.

The door suddenly opened and both girls gasped afraid that the person on the other side was Dan, but lucky them it was just Nathan and Lucas. Nathan walked in his room and smiled when he saw that it had been all decorated. There were a few flowers and he could see the new bedspread and sheets, and other little things. He sat on his new bed and watched as Peyton walked out the door, then he patted the spot next to him and watched as Haley slowly made her way towards him.

"Nathan… I-"

"How much did you hear?" he asked, worried about the answer he would get.

She looked down at the carpet and back to his eyes, "enough"

"Don't listen to him" he order, softly. "Hales, he doesn't know what he's talking about. You don't hold me back, you help me move forward. It thanks to you that my grades are so good now, it's because of you that I am so happy… it's all you."

She had her eyes fixed on the carpet and didn't want to look up. His words were so sweet and kind, but she didn't want to be the reason his family was falling a part. She was letting Dan get to her, and she knew it was wrong.

"Hales" he whispered, wanting to get an answer from her.

Slowly lifting her head she looked into his eyes, "do you love me?" she asked. "Like really love me?"

He looked at her incredulous, how could she be asking him that? "Yes" he said, "I love you so much."

She nodded and let a small smile appear on her face, she leaned closer to him and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "Promise me you'll never leave. That no matter what you'll always be here, even if we are not together."

"I promise" he said, and kissed her. His kiss was more passionate and long, and he let his tongue slip into her mouth. "and we'll never not be together" he assured her. He watched her as she nodded and kissed her again.

He hated that Haley had to have so many things happen to her, that she had lost so many people. He wanted to help her get over it, but he knew that would not be possible. Still, he was going to be there for her, and if he had to fight with nails and teeth to get her to be happy he would. She had been the first person who had allowed him to be the best version of him, and he would never forget that. She was the one for him, and Nathan Scott knew that just by looking into her eyes.

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A/N- Thanks to all the reviews on the last chapter, although they are dropping. Hahaha, its all good guys, people are busy. Anyways I just want to thank you and apologize for taking so long to update, I'm really trying to have them up sooner, but my schedule is crazy and every week it gets crazier. Thanks again, and don't forget to tell me what you think of this chapter.

Mazzy- thanks for your review, yeah Julian is actually a very funny person. He's a complete dork and that's what I love about him, and we will see more of him in chapter 14. Thanks again.