Almost Reality

Chapter 14

It's okay to let yourself be happy because you never know how fleeting that happiness might be."

"Me and the baby are stuffed and tired between the amazing food and the excitement and relief that you're home with us." "I still can't believe it." Haley said. Touching his face with her hand.

"I know it's by some miracle and twist of fate that we're finally back together." "I was worried that I would miss the last few months and officially meeting the baby." "And being there with you through it all of course."

"Now we can forget about all of that and focus on our future." Nathan said. Putting his hand in hers. Leaning over kissing her as the couple walked through the door together. Haley flipped on the light.

"Wait until you see the nursery it's adorable and my room which is now our room is full of windows and spacious no more getting kicked in every direction." Haley said. Smiling up at him.

"I'm more than ready to see that and spend some much-needed alone time with my beautiful wife." Nathan said to her.

"First let me read this note." Haley said. Taking it off the table.

Dear Nathan and Haley,

No one I have ever known. Deserves this happiness and peace like the two of you.

May every day after this one be filled with nothing but goodness all the evidence that you would ever need. To show you that your love will last a lifetime.

Get comfortable and don't worry about waiting up for me.

Because I won't be back here.

This house is now yours

Congratulations

I love you both

Lucas.

Looking back up at Nathan. Wiping her eyes. As she handed him the note. Placing her hand on her belly. Looking around taking notice of the new touches he had added.

"He's so good to us." "The best brother and friend a person could have." Nathan said. Looking back at Haley.

Haley took his hand. Placing it on her belly.

"Our little one wants to say hi to daddy." Haley said. "It's incredible isn't it." "Our love for each other created this new life." "I fall more in love with this baby every day." "I can't wait to meet our child and experience what it means to parents together." Haley said. Looking into his eyes.

"I wanted nothing more than to be here for you during all of this." "Taking care of you, going to appointments, the midnight craving runs, the mood swings, all of it." "I'm looking forward to savoring these next three months." "Catering to you and fulfilling every want, need, and craving you have." "Being the husband, I've wanted to be since I put that ring on your finger." Nathan said. Looking into her eyes.

"Nate, you were a part of it in every way you could be." "Given everything we've been through the fact that we're together right now." "In this home expecting our baby." "This life together is everything to me." Haley said. Emotion thick in her voice. Looking back at him.

Nathan leaned over kissing her. Taking her in his arms.

"I've missed this the most." "Being safely wrapped in your arms." "Kissing your lips on mine." "Seeing the love, you have for me reflected in your eyes." Haley said.

Nathan caressing her face with his hand. Leaning over kissing her.

Taking ahold of her hand. Walking up the stairs with her by his side.

"Which one room is ours." He asks. Looking up at her.

The couple walking slowly through the hallway. "This one." Haley said softly.

Turning the knob. Opening the door. Walking through it. As Nathan went in after her. Not letting go of her hand. Closing the door behind them. Taking her in his arms.

"I've missed this looking into your eyes." "And getting lost in you and our love." "Shutting out the world." Nathan said. Leaning over kissing her.

Laying her carefully on the bed in front of them.

Looking down at her. Taking in her beauty and the smile on her face that made him weak.

"I'm all yours." "Take me now." Haley said. Breathlessly. Pulling him to her.

Nathan leaned down reconnecting their lips.

"Nate!" She softly in his ear. Her hands going to his back. Digging into him. As he placed kisses all over her body. Getting reacquainted with every part of her. Wanting to express how much he loved her with every action he took.

The couple enjoying their long-awaited reunion. Not taking their eyes off each other. Or taking their hands off each other. While they walked out of the room. Hours later.

Heading into the nursery. "I've put every sonogram picture on the wall." "Sort of like a timeline." "This room is my favorite in the house." "Any time I spend in here makes me happy and fills me joy." "I was thinking we should pick out baby names."

"You pick out the possible girl names and I'll pick out the possible boy names." Haley said. Handing him a baby book. The couple spend the rest of the day. Bonding over the impending birth of their child.

….

"You sure it's okay I stay here Peyton.?" Lucas asked looking over at her.

"Of course, I have the room and you make for interesting company." "You know you can talk me about anything." "I saw your face when Lindsay was talking revealing what she had did." "I'm not going to try and act like I understand what your feeling." "I just make you know I'm here if you need it." Peyton said to him.

"Thanks, I appreciate it." "You're break up survival kit was definitely uplifting." Lucas said. Looking back at her.

"Glad to hear it." "Music has healing powers." "Combined with the beer ice cream floats." "But that was my own creation so I'm sure it doesn't count." She said. Smiling at him.

"On your first official night, here what would you like to do.?" Peyton asked him.

"Talk." "You were right I should have avoided her." "You would think after watching years of watching the show Catfish." "I would be a lot smarter and at very least kept my guard up." "Around her but instead I lead with my heart and it proved me completely wrong." "I should've known better." "Listened to your warning." "I can't believe what I allowed her to turn my life into." Lucas said. Looking away.

Peyton put her hand on his. "Hey there, is nothing wrong with wanting love and to be wanting to be loved back." "I know how difficult that can be." "You don't know how much I wanted to be wrong." "I had hope that she would change being able to experience being loved by you can really change a person." "It certainly affected me in a positive way." "You have this heart that just gives without expecting anything in return." "I don't know how I let you slip through my fingers." Peyton said. Taking her gaze off his.

"Well that took a turn into a different direction." "We can talk about anything else." Peyton said. Feeling herself start to get flustered. She rarely voiced out loud her past with Lucas. Their relationship had awakened her in a variety of ways and he had been her rock after losing her father in the boating incident. Years back they had always had this ease and banter between them. That felt intimate and comfortable at the same time.

She had never stopped loving him. Being a part of his wedding to Lindsay almost destroyed her. She would never tell him how much she longed-for the days of when it was just the two of them. Because she was the one who had broken his heart. And then took off to LA. To pursue her career.

"Do you think if we knew what was coming our way." "We would still make the choices we do.?" He asked me.

"I have no idea." Peyton said. Looking back at him.

"This is going to work out us living here together."

"Being best friends and roommates." "I don't know what I would without you Peyton." Lucas said. Looking up at her.

"Me either Luke." Peyton said softly.

….

3 Months Later

Fatherhood Changes a Man

A Mother's Love Never Dies.

"Nathan.!." Haley yelled. Trying to control her breathing.

"I'm up what's happening Hales!" Nathan said. As he got up and got out of bed.

"The baby's coming!" Haley said. Looking up at him.

"I love you so much." "Let's go meet our baby." Nathan said. Smiling.

"I love you too." Haley said.

Nathan helped her up as they started walking down the stairs and got into the car.

"Are you okay Hales.?" Nathan asked.

"I will be once I have the baby in my arms." Haley said to him.

Nathan started to drive as he felt Haley squeeze his arm tightly.

"Remember to breath." Nathan said. Looking to her.

"Nate drive faster." Haley said. Glancing up at the lack of cars in the rode.

"I'm driving as fast as possible I want to make sure you and the baby get there safely. Nathan said.

The couple making it to and inside the hospital. Haley getting put into a wheelchair. And Nathan remembering to texts and call everyone.

Then they go through the double doors. Labor and delivery

The entire Scott Family is waiting in the waiting area.

After arriving minutes later.

In the delivery room

"We are never doing this again! Haley yelled. Throwing the ice chips at the nurses. Who kept bringing her more.

"That's fine babe." "One baby is more than enough." Nathan said.

"You're doing amazing Hales." Nathan said to her. Trying to be encouraging.

"Stop with the damn ice chips lady!" Haley yelled. Knocking the cup over.

"I can't do this!" "I want to go home!" "I'm going to ruin it!"

"And then it's going to end up just like we were." Haley said. With tears in her eyes.

Nathan looked up at her. Holding onto her hand securely.

As he looked into her eyes. While he spoke.

"That isn't true at all." Unlike us." "This baby will have parents who love each other and them so much." "We'll be ready for this Hales." "I promise." "I love you." Nathan said to her.

"I love you too." "Okay let's do this." Haley said. Gripping harder onto Nathan's hand. Time and everything else in the room. Seemed to slow down and stop.

As crying filled the delivery room.

Tears streamed down Haley's face. Nathan held onto her.

Minutes later. Haley was handed the baby.

"Wrapped in a blanket. With a hat put on its head.

"Your perfect." "Daddy and I have been waiting so long for you." Haley said. With tears in her eyes.

Haley carefully handed the baby to Nathan.

"I love you." "I'm never going to let you out of my sight."

"Your mom is my hero." "You are my life now."

"Everything I do is for you and your mom."

"My beautiful baby girl." Nathan said. Holding onto her gently.

Feeling tears well up in his eyes.

…

Author's Note: At last Baby Scott has arrived! Let me know your thoughts on the chapter and baby names for the little girl.? Your support has been so important. A new chapter in the family has begun. Let me know what you think Is next.? Review!