Author's Note: Thank you so much for the reviews guys. I'm nervous about this chapter, it's HUGE. I said a while back I wanted this story to follow more of the show as we went further in and you'll get what I mean after you read this. ;) I'm speeding things up more than the show at least timeline wise, but at the same time I'm going to make up for it with showing you A LOT more than the show ever gave us with these developements. tries to reign in bitterness

Oh and I'm also FINALLY almost done with OYE and actually inspired to write it. It's so much fun writing hormonal Haley. :D There's also a bit of angst with NL coming up in OYE that was something I wasn't really planning, but it felt right. It's going to be hard on our Hales with them at odds for a bit.

All right, now back to this story. I hope you all enjoy it and I can't wait to hear what you think of it. This chapter has MATURE content so proceed with caution or glee. ;)

A big thanks to Ha for being an amazing beta and to Lo for giving me her seal of approval and encouragement. :)

Enjoy!!

Chapter Fourteen "Things I Don't Understand"

How infinite is space, and who decides your fate
Why everything will dissolve into sand
How to avoid defeat, when truth and fiction meet
Why nothing ever turns out as you plan

These are things that I don't understand
Yeah, these are things that I don't understand

I can, and I can't decide
Wrong, oh my wrong from right
Day, oh my day from night
Or dark, oh my dark from light
I live, but I love this life

Coldplay

Sitting in the lush grass on campus, leaning against a large Magnolia tree, Nathan couldn't keep his eyes off his wife who was relaxing in between his legs with her back against his chest, her mind delving into the pages of her English lit book.

His arms were wrapped around her, savoring their last moments before his practice began. This has been their routine every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the last month since school began. It was their salvation in what was quickly becoming an overwhelming semester.

Of course, simply having Haley in his life was his salvation in general.

He'd found the love of his life at twenty and knew that everyday of their life together he'd wonder what he ever did to deserve that kind of luck.

"Stop that." She lightly scolded, still focused on her book.

He smirked, "Stop what? My hands are still visible." For good measure, he rubbed her taut stomach over her sunshine yellow cotton sundress.

Tilting her head back, she grinned, "Stop thinking those sweet thoughts or I'll be forced to jump you in front of everyone."

"First, why would I stop then? And second, how could you possibly know what I was thinking?"

Leaning up a bit, she kissed his cheek, "That's my secret." She teased, but in truth, it wasn't that big of a secret and they both knew it. She could read him like a book and vice versa, especially when they were in the other's embrace.

"Can you tell what I'm thinking now?"

She closed her book and moved to her side to have better access to him, "Something naughty I hope?"

Gazing down at her glowing face, he said what he was thinking out loud, "God, my girl's hot."

She giggled as he captured her lips, looping her arms around his neck to bring him even closer to her.

"Dear God, there are people around." Lucas groaned at the sight.

Pulling away, Haley blushed at Lucas and Nathan glowered at the interruption.

"Sorry, Luke."

"I'm not." Nathan added and they all knew he spoke the truth.

Lucas just rolled his eyes, "You ready, Hales?"

"Yep." She gave Nathan a lingering kiss, "Don't use all your energy at practice."

He took her hand and kissed the back of it when she stood to leave. "No worries. You always inspire a fresh burst."

Blowing him a last kiss, she looped her arm through Lucas' before he made another comment that would make it impossible to leave, and led the way to the parking lot.

…

Lucas turned onto the interstate headed back to Tree Hill with a yawning Haley beside him. "Jeez Hales, it's only three, how are you already tired?"

Covering her mouth for what felt like the millionth time today, Haley rearranged herself to face him. "Work killed me last night and Nathan and I went a couple rounds this morning before school."

She wasn't normally so crude; however, she loved getting a rise out of him.

"Ew, Jesus, what did I tell you about that?" He grimaced, trying to picture anything but Haley naked with his brother. "That's like incest or something."

"How is it incest when we're not blood related?"

"So I guess that blood oath we took when we were nine meant nothing to you, huh?" He teased, delving into memories of his grandmother as a way to escape the sex images.

Smiling, she rested her head back against the seat, "Aw, you know it did, but thanks to your brother's talents, I'm not thinking of you while we're in the shower." She stuck her tongue out at him while he paled at her words again.

"So, Brooke told me you and her have a class together. How's that going?" Lucas changed the subject, something he desperately had to do before his head exploded.

This was definitely not the subject Haley wanted to address, however.

"Um, ok I guess. Each class she sits a row closer. That has to mean something, right?"

Lucas nodded, "I think it does. She's been talking about you a lot more, bringing up memories of when you guys were little, and stuff. Maybe one day we can all double date," He chuckled at the image, knowing he and Haley would have to hide the knives from their significant others.

Offering him a weak smile, she turned back to the window, not wanting him to see the worry all over her face. For the past couple weeks, she'd wrestled with her conscience after the bomb Brooke had dropped on her and what it meant for their friendship. Had Brooke confided the indiscretion in hopes that they could resurrect their relationship or simply to alleviate her conscious?

No matter what the reason, Haley had to face Lucas every single day and she was reminded why she'd never wanted to confess her own sins to Brooke in the first place. It was a burden, a heavy one. Still, it wasn't her secret to confess and while she and Lucas shared something more than friendship and perhaps even family, she couldn't betray Brooke, not again.

All she could pray for is that Brooke found the courage to free herself, even if that meant running the risk of unwillingly freeing herself from Lucas as well.

Remembering something and not wanting to go back out once Lucas dropped her off, Haley poked at Lucas' arm, "Hey can we stop at Planned Parenthood?"

He groaned, "Please tell me there isn't something I need to know?"

"Lord no. I just need to get some birth control and my prescription ran out. It won't take long. You don't need an appointment. Oh and we can stop by that chicken finger place you love afterwards, my treat."

Glancing over at her hopeful face and feeling the rumble of his stomach, he caved, "Fine, but you're also getting me extra gravy."

"Deal." She grinned, sitting up more in her seat, ready to start telling him the fastest way. Wasting time by putting on a condom wasn't something she and Nathan could do anymore. The spoils of birth control definitely weren't lost on them.

…

"Hey Nate, you gonna make it to Poker tonight?" Blake, a teammate asked while pulling on a shirt in the locker room.

Taking his chain off his neck, Nathan undid the clasp, allowing his wedding ring to slip down the metal and fall into his palm, "Nah, man, not tonight sorry."

Skills shook his head, "Blake, Dawg, why'd you even try? Haven't you seen that hot piece of ass he goes home to every night?"

Nathan shot him a look while sliding his ring back where it belonged. "Dude, don't talk about her like that."

Slapping him on the shoulder, Skills grinned, "Sorry, Nate, but damn you have to admit you scored the trifecta."

"What's that? Lips, tits and ass?" Nathan ground out, not enjoying his wife being thought of as a sex object. Only he got to see the Holy Grail underneath her clothes and no one else, even in their imaginations.

Skills opened his mouth in shock, "Damn that's a bit crass. Have some respect. She is your wife. I meant looks, brains, and personality. Get your dick out of the gutter, man."

Realizing he needed to reign in his jealousy, Nathan cracked a smile at his friend, "You're right, I did hit the trifecta."

Damien came in at that with a towel around his waist, "And he gets to hit that everyday and night."

Some guys high fived Damien as they passed by him and Nathan just ignored him as he left the locker room to do what all others wished they could do, screw his wife.

'Damn, he was one lucky bastard.'

…

Building legos with a little three year old boy, Lucas felt eyes on his back and relieved that Haley was ready, he happily twisted his head around only to find a bemused Peyton Sawyer with a head full of curls and a Led Zeppelin tee.

"You getting some practice in?" She joked, slipping her receipt of her yearly exam in her purse.

"If you must know, I was stalking you and got a little side tracked." He threw back, laughing at the little boy grinning at Peyton and blowing her a kiss. Since when did Nathan Scott start coming in pint size form?

Coming over to them, she knelt down and blew the boy a kiss back, "Now you are going to steal a million hearts one day," She ruffled his hair, and Lucas smiled at the interaction.

"Jack, come on." The boy's mother called, "Thanks so much for watching him." She smiled at Luke and then at Peyton.

"My pleasure. Stay cool, little man."

Ignoring Luke, the boy stepped up his game and planted a big sloppy kiss on Peyton's cheek before running back to his mom and out the door with crimson cheeks.

That could definitely be Nathan and Haley's kid, Lucas thought.

"Well, I think you have an admirer." Lucas stood and went to take a seat.

She stood as well, but didn't sit down, "Well, let's wait about twenty years and see if he's still interested."

"Somehow, I think he probably will be."

Brushing off the compliment and that irresistible smile of his, Peyton took her keys out of her purse, "You waiting for Brooke?"

"I told you that I was stalking you."

She cocked her head to the side, "Hmm, I think Haley would kick your ass for that, but it kind of makes me feel like a rock star, so I can deal."

Laughing, "Well, not to burst your rocker dreams, but I'm just waiting on Hales. She's getting a refill of something I'd like to forget she even needs."

"Ah, got you. Ok, tell her I said hi and maybe next time we bump into each other it can be where they sell coffee and not condoms."

"Yeah, it is a little weird seeing you here. I'd love to be charming and say it's fate, but I'm a little afraid of what that would mean being in this place."

They both chuckled and then stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, almost willing the other to keep their conversation going yet when nothing came, Peyton bid another goodbye and left Lucas alone to wait on another blonde in his life.

Yet, even minutes later, their minds were still on the other. Neither understanding the pull between them that seemed to only grow stronger with each meeting.

…

"Hales?" Nathan called out to what he soon would discover was an empty apartment. Checking his watch, he figured she and Lucas' last class had run long or they'd stop to pick up some dinner.

"You should really lock the door." Dan announced his presence, running Nathan's blood cold.

"No shit. I see that now."

Chuckling, Dan shut the door, "I have it on good authority that you and your 'teenage bride' are the talk of the school. Are those regrets kicking in now that all the groupies know you're taken?"

Nathan smirked, "Have you seen my wife? Do you actually think any of those sluts even compare to her, Dan?"

"Variety is the spice of life, son." Dan smirked back.

Steeling himself, Nathan saw his mom and knew what he was about to say would hit deep, "I don't understand you, Dad. What about mom? Wasn't she enough for you? Would you have cheated on her?"

"I've said it before, but don't you ever compare your mother to this…this whatever she is."

"Haley, Haley James Scott is who she is, Dad, and that's who she's always going to be. So, either get used to that fact or stay the hell out of my life."

He really couldn't comprehend how his father didn't see the similarities in his mother and Haley. But maybe it was as simple as he couldn't allow himself to see it. Dan had buried his love and memories of his mother the day they laid her into the ground. The pain was far too deep, and in ignoring the pain, he'd turned into a bitter lonely man, something his mother would have never wanted or put up with.

Dan clenched his fists as his eyes darted to the fridge and saw pictures of Haley with both his sons spread all over it, "I'm only going to ask this once more. Is she pregnant Nathan? Is that why you're doing this?"

"Fuck, Dad, no she isn't and even if she was it's still none of your god damn business. But we will have kids someday and if you keep this shit up you'll never see them. Now get the hell out."

Before leaving, Dan spared one last glance on the center photo on the fridge. It had been taken in a pool, with Haley on Lucas' shoulders, leaning down to kiss Nathan and Lucas gazing up at her as if she walked on water.

That little bitch was taking everything from him.

…

"Mr. Scott?"

Lucas had grown very bored. He'd been there for almost an hour and had resorted to opening a tabloid and reading about some media-whoring actress who'd only become famous by who she screwed on the set. Is this really what chicks enjoy reading about?

"Mr. Scott?"

He looked up to find a plump nurse in purple scrubs staring at him. "Yeah? That's me. Is there a problem?"

She gave him a wary smile, "No, but Mrs. Scott would like to see you for a moment. Please follow me."

Unsettled, Lucas did as she said and was lead to an examination room, where he was told Haley was alone. Opening the door, Lucas covered his eyes as he walked in, "Hales, if you're in stirrups, I'm gonna freak."

She said nothing back.

Removing his hand, he was shocked to discover that she was in stirrups, albeit a sheet covering her, but what shocked him even more was the hospital gown raised over her bare abdomen. "Um, Hales? What's going on?"

Emotionless, Haley finally turned her head on the pillow to face him, "Sit with me?"

Silently, he pulled up a stool beside her and took her hand, the doctor coming in as soon as he did, with a nurse following behind him.

The doctor smiled at the pair and sitting in front of Haley's legs, he took a large wand from the nurse. "All right Haley, like I mentioned before this is a transvaginal ultrasound. At this stage, it will help us get a better look."

Lucas was utterly confused; 'stage', was he talking about cancer? He felt Haley squeeze his hand and he did the same back.

Haley closed her eyes as she felt the foreign object enter her.

Turning away from what the doctor was doing, Lucas found himself staring at a black and white screen with shades of gray that shifted as he assumed the doctor moved whatever that he put inside Haley.

"Pause right there." The doctor instructed the nurse and she did as she was told.

Removing the wand from his patient, the doctor then removed his gloves and covered the sheet back over Haley. Then, he went to the screen and pointed. "Right there, is the yolk sac and right next to this area is your baby, which is about the size of a blueberry at this point. Based on the position and size of the yolk sac as well as the fetus, I'd say you're further along than we thought. About six to seven weeks."

In a state of complete shock, Lucas looked at Haley, who was glued to the screen, showing no sign of emotion or attempt to make conversation with the doctor. Stepping up, he took control for what he knew she was unable to do.

"She was on birth control though."

The doctor smiled kindly at whom he assumed was her husband, "Mr. Scott, right?" Lucas nodded. "The pill is not a hundred percent; the only sure form of birth control is abstinence."

"Well, is the baby, ok? I mean she was still taking the pill all this time."

"Haley was on a low estrogen form and while it's not advised, from what I can tell the baby is developing perfectly normal. There can be a slight increased risk of birth defects, but I really don't believe you will have an issue. This happens all the time. In fact, the pills are most likely why she never noticed a missed period. Any bleeding she had, which she surely assumed was a period, was probably much lighter, but she thought nothing of it."

A tad worried, the doctor then focused on Haley, "Mrs. Scott I know this has to come as a shock and if you have any questions feel free to call or stop by any time. We can set up regular appointments here, if you wish, or we can refer you to an OBGYN." Given her age and reaction, he knew this wasn't planned and unfortunately, he experiences the same scenario on a daily basis. At least she was married and seemed to have a very supportive partner.

Haley's only response was a brief glance to the doctor before focusing back onto the frozen screen.

Lucas squeezed her hand again and gave the doctor a grateful look, "Thank you doctor. I'm sure she'll be fine once we get home and she has some time."

Closing the chart and filling out a prescription, he looked to the nurse, "Print out the image and make them a copy." He then turned back to Lucas and ripped off the top page from the pad, handing it to him, "Here's a script for some pre-natal vitamins. Make sure she takes them with food, as they can trigger nausea, especially in the beginning."

"Thank you." Lucas took it before being handed the first picture of his niece or nephew from the nurse.

Ten minutes later, he'd managed to convince Haley to get dressed, check her out, and get her in the car.

She gripped the picture of her child, her eyes boring into it as they had in the examination room.

"Hales, you have to say something…anything."

"How could I've not seen it?' She finally asked, still entranced by the image before her, confusion invading her every thought.

"I don't know, Hales. Those pills probably screwed with you a bit."

She nodded, "My nipples have been killing me and I haven't felt the greatest," Her quiet voice admitted, no shame or qualms about divulging the first detail to Luke and to his credit and love for her, he didn't allow it to phase him.

This wasn't about being forced to see her as a sexually active woman, it was about seeing her as a mother, and he'd never cause her any hesitation in confiding in him no matter how uncomfortable certain details had the potential to make him.

She needed him and he needed her to let whatever she was feeling out in the open. The weight of the world had landed on both of their shoulders, but hers was obviously far heavier and he wasn't sure how to even begin to help her besides simply being there.

"Hales, I know you weren't expecting this…"

'Not expecting this?" Her voice rose as she interrupted him, "I walk into a clinic to get pills, so that I wouldn't get pregnant and I walk out over six weeks pregnant. I just don't get it. We've been careful. Jesus, Luke, I'm eighteen, I almost died a couple months ago, I just got married, I work at a bar and now I'm a mom?" Her speech was rapid and Luke struggled to grasp all she'd said.

As her last words sunk in, though, he took pause. "Haley…this doesn't have to mean you're a mom, if you don't want it too."

She blinked in surprise at his statement and unconsciously her hand fell to her still flat abdomen, as if her body, her heart already wanted to protect what lay beneath. "No, Luke, no.' Her head shook with her stance. "I can't even explain this, I don't know why I feel this, when I've only known for less than hour, but I can't do that. I have no clue how Nathan is going to take this, but it's still a piece of him, of us."

She halted, fighting a losing battle with her emotions, "I can't destroy that, even if it might…," with tears filling her eyes, "destroy us." She finished, a sob escaping her throat when the reality truly sunk in.

Pulling the car over immediately, Lucas swiftly undid his seatbelt and hers as well and pulled her into his arms, her tears soaking his neck, "Hales it won't, I promise. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but you and Nathan have something most expectant parents don't have at your age or any age for that matter— true love. A baby won't change that."

She cried for a few more minutes, releasing everything she'd been feeling since the doctor had told her the news. The mere shock had allowed her to hold it together before, but now with her best friend, she couldn't hold it in. She ached for temporary comfort that she knew Lucas could give her.

When her tears subsided, she pulled back, and he cupped her cheek, "You're going to be an amazing mother, Haley James Scott."

Sniffling, she weakly smiled, "You think?"

There wasn't an ounce of hesitation, "I know."

…

Taking the biggest breath of her life, Haley let herself into her home, ready to face Nathan.

Stepping inside, though, she wasn't completely sure he was there. "Nathan?"

She noticed a faint glow coming from the bedroom and followed the light. It brought her to her bathroom where a naked Nathan was waiting for her in bubble filled bath with candles all around him. "What did you do?" She laughed, clearly delighted and for a split second forgetting her troubles.

Smirking, he handed her a wine glass, "Just something I know will get me laid, but I was beginning to worry that you wouldn't show." He smirked as she stood beside the tub and accepted the glass.

"Hmm, I would think by now you would realize I'm a sure thing." She winked bringing the glass to her lips, an alarm in her head going off before she tasted the liquid.

Nathan watched her put the glass on the counter, untouched, "It's your favorite brand, baby."

She glanced at the glass and then back at him, "Just not thirsty." Deciding to get his focus off the wine, she slipped her cotton dress over her head, leaving her in only a tiny white thong.

"Get that ass in here…now." He half ordered, half growled when she did a little twirl for him.

Yeah, this wasn't what they should be doing. She had gone over how she would tell him a zillion times in her head, the last ten minutes in Lucas' car. Even figured in the crying, the screaming, the disbelief and hopefully the understanding, but what she didn't expect was her husband to do something so incredibly romantic.

There was no need to ruin this moment, this night he had planned for them. It might be the last peaceful one that would have for awhile anyway and honestly, she was grateful for the excuse to wait. It would give her more time to find the right words and hopefully the right moment, preferably when one of them wasn't naked.

Sliding her thong down her legs, she stepped out of them and took his outstretched hand while dipping a cautious leg to test the water.

"Oh none of that," He yanked her all the way into the water on top of his body, the water splashing around them.

"Nathan! You're making a mess." She giggled while he moved her to straddle him, letting his rigid erection make itself known against her belly.

His hands gripped her waist when she began to automatically rub herself against his length, soft moans falling from her lips. "It's about to get a whole lot messier, Baby," He promised as her lips crashed against his in a searing kiss.

Her body was ablaze with lust as their tongues battled and teeth clashed. There was no holding her back. She was taking control and they both were getting off on it, literally.

Pushing her back a bit, he searched her darkened orbs, "Hales…damn are you okay?"

She took his bottom lip between her teeth and bit down hard, his pelvis jumping up into hers in surprise, "I will be when you start fucking me."

He chuckled, but grabbed both her tits showing his obvious satisfaction in her statement, "You know I was going for romance with all this?"

She silenced him with another frenzied kiss. She'd always been turned on by him, in ways she didn't think was even healthy most days, but the last couple weeks she'd been more demanding in their sexual escapades, more forceful than ever. Now, though, she knew it was surely due to her hormones and tonight was no exception. As soon as her body came in contact with his it was like something snapped inside her and her mission was to get off as soon and as many times as possible.

And when he did things like this, trying to make their time even more special, it set her heart soaring right along with her libido. There weren't enough words in the English language describe her love and desire for this man who was her husband and her world.

A few tears spilled down her cheeks when they became one, but they were lost as his wet hands framed her face, their lips molded together, his eyes telling her in a million ways how much he loved her.

Tearing herself away from him she arched her back and he took a nipple into his hot awaiting mouth, sucking like there was no tomorrow.

Her hips twirled around before rising up and crashing down in a hypnotic rhythm that was only meant for him and again he was struck by the same thoughts he had leaving the locker room. He was one lucky bastard.

"Fuck," he breathed against her breast as she increased her speed and rode him hard and fast, more water splashing to the floor.

His head fell back against the tiles and he took in the glorious view of her soaking wet tits, smooth stomach, and thanks to the merciful dispersion of the bubbles, her completely bare center sliding up and down his fortunate shaft.

She'd shocked him the week before with what she deemed her 'Brazilian' adventure and he'd blown his load as soon as his mouth began to christen the new look. He didn't think it was possible for her to ever get any fucking hotter, but damn, everyday she seemed to do something to prove him wrong.

Gripping his shoulders for support, Haley grinded herself hard against him, spurring her explosion on, and screaming his name in ecstasy as she did just that.

There was nothing on this planet more satisfying than seeing his wife unravel before his eyes. He shoved himself hard into her, taking her hips and the control. With her cries of satisfaction and her nails now racking down his wet chest, he was a goner and all it took was one last thrust and he began shooting inside her, jerking involuntary a few times to fill her with all he had.

Completely relaxed and drunk off of incredible sex, Haley allowed herself to fall against his chest, lazily laying her head on his shoulder, not making a single move to release him from within her tight walls.

He kissed her shoulder, "So I take it you liked the surprise?"

She smiled against his skin, "Mmm…god yes."

They stayed that way for a good ten minutes until the water cooled beyond their comfort level and Haley started to shiver in his arms.

Stepping out first, Haley grabbed two fluffy blue towels, tossing one to a now emerged Nathan and they both dried themselves before tossing the towels in the hamper.

Haley was just about to walk into the bedroom to grab one of his t-shirts to wear, when he grabbed her wrist to stop her, "C'mere."

Raising an eyebrow first, she allowed him to guide her to the mirror where he was now studying her reflection. "What?"

He smirked, "Does great sex make your boobs grow bigger because correct me if I'm wrong, Hales, but yours are definitely getting bigger."

Panicked, her situation was thrust back into her mind, love and lust no longer keeping it at bay. She followed his gaze in the mirror. They were bigger and she wanted to slap herself again for not noticing this as a possible pregnancy symptom. But when you're not expecting to get pregnant, you don't really go looking for symptoms. Her nipples were much more pronounced as well; that she had noticed along with the sensitivity, but she'd shrugged it off as a side effect of birth control. "Yeah, I guess they are" she softly agreed, turning around to face him, "Listen, Nathan…"

The phone ringing interrupted her and as she watched him run to retrieve it, she wished she hadn't felt thankful for the reprieve. She had to tell him and tell him soon because holding off would only make things worse. He didn't need to be left in the dark and she didn't need to go through this without him.

Steadying herself, she went into the bedroom to get it over with when she found him sitting on the edge of the bed, holding the phone, staring at it in shock or maybe confusion. She couldn't get a clear read.

"Nathan?" She came around to stand in front of him, "What's wrong."

He looked up at her, "Um, we need to get dressed."

"Ok, but can you tell me who that was first?"

His face hardened a bit, fighting against any emotion, "My dad had a heart attack."

Haley's eyes widened, "Oh, Nathan. I'm so sorry."

He dismissed her sentiment and got up to throw some clothes on. After he was dressed, he turned back to her still naked and frozen in place, "aren't you getting dressed?"

She tugged at her bottom lip, "Do you want me there? I mean your Dad doesn't exactly like me. I don't want to cause any problems."

His face now softened and he reached for her, taking her in his arms, holding her close, "Hales, you're my wife…I'm never going to hide that." He whispered against her damp honey locks.

Titling her head, she met his gaze, "Whatever you need, that's all I care about."

Leaning down, he met her lips for a tender kiss, "Thank you."

Her fingers came up and rubbed his forehead gently, easing his worry lines away, "You never have to thank me Nathan." Giving him a reassuring smile, she left his embrace to find some clothes.

As she did that, Nathan remembered his fight with his father, but with his wife's soothing, he felt no guilt. He could never feel even an ounce of guilt for what he'd found with Haley or defending it to anyone. Their love was unconditional where as his father's was anything but and while he feared for his father's death no matter what their history, he knew the blame was solely on the old man's shoulders.

His anger, his bitterness was a constant. It always remained no matter what he achieved in his life or what he and Lucas had achieved in theirs.

"You ready?" Her gentle voice took him out of his thoughts and he was struck by how beautiful she looked in just jeans, a sweatshirt and her hair pulled up in a clip.

With her by his side, he would never follow in his father's footsteps.

Fingers intertwined, they left for the uncertainty that awaited them at the hospital. But unlike the last time they were in that setting, waiting for a greater power to decide life or death, they had each other.

…

Standing in front of the hospital, Nathan simply stared at it for a moment while Haley held onto his hand tightly. "I know this is hard, Nathan. I may hate my own father, but I still can't imagine losing him."

Nathan nodded, "Kind of twisted isn't it? That no matter what they do to us, they always have a hold."

"I guess that's part of being a family, for better or worse."

He sighed and turned to her, "I guess, but you're the only family I truly need, Hales."

With her free hand, she caressed his cheek, trying not to let what he'd said affect her. "I love you."

He didn't hear the fear, didn't hear the depth, and despair in her declaration. He'd told her she was the only family he needed and here she was with a third member of their family growing inside her. 'Would he still love her when he found out?' 'Would he welcome this baby?'

In her heart, she knew he would, but fear was a dangerous thing and it thrived on even the tiniest seed of doubt, whether that doubt was founded or not.

"I love you too, Hales."

With a soft smile, she gave him the final nudge to get him to go inside. "It's all going to be okay, I promise."

A minute later, they were headed through the automatic doors of the hospital, Haley bracing herself with each step for what lay ahead for her father in law…and her family of three.

Cath