I'm so sorry it has taken this long to get this chapter posted. Between my insanely busy schedule and the worst case of writer's block, I couldn't get this done. Finally, I sat down and cranked it out- but don't get too excited because quite honestly, it's not written well. I just couldn't put it off any longer. I want to get this story wrapped up quickly because I want to focus my time and energy on some other ideas, so I promise you won't wait this long again for the next part. Thanks for sticking with me :)
. . .
"Earth to Haley," Peyton playfully snapped her fingers in front of her new friend's face. Since she'd arrived at RedBedroom Records, Haley had been in a sort of trance— completely unfazed by the studio.
"Huh?" Haley looked up from mindlessly watching her fingers trace the edge of the drum kit's cymbal. Her thoughts were a dark trail she followed and soon got lost on.
Peyton tossed her an easy, knowing smile, "I know you miss Nathan, but dude, it's only been like 2 hours since you've seen him."
Haley mustered her lips into a twisted grin. Nathan and Lucas had started their basketball camp this week so she hadn't been able to spend as much time with him, and while she did miss her boyfriend, his absence wasn't the root of her deep thoughts.
The curly blonde's teasing smirk drooped with concern when Haley remained silent. "What's wrong?"
"Do you think I'm crazy?" Her fingers continued their journey around the cymbal as she desperately tried to avoid Peyton's knotted brow.
"Crazy? Why would I think you're crazy?"
Her lower lip found its way wedged between her teeth— a shy habit she'd been unable to kick since she'd been a kid. "For giving it all up. Music. L.A.; everything. Am I crazy?"
Peyton's shoulders sank as she slumped onto the small round drum stool. It squeaked beneath her, but neither woman flinched. "Oh, Hales. Are you having doubts?"
She snapped her head, this time colliding her gaze with Peyton's stare. "No. Definitely not." Haley's honey blonde curls shook like a curtain in the wind as they framed her red cheeks. "It's just," a sigh escaped, "everyone thinks I'm crazy. I guess I wanted to know if you thought I was, too."
"Do you love Nathan?"
"God, yes. More than anything."
"Then, no," Peyton declared. "I don't think you're crazy. You want to know what I think?"
Haley nodded.
"I think you'd be crazy if you let go of what you and Nathan have. I see the way he looks at you and the way you light up around him. I know we haven't known each other for very long, but I know you and Nathan are meant to be together. Sometimes when you think you're giving it all up, you're really just making more room for the things that are meant to be."
Haley smiled, "You're right. Thanks, Peyt."
Peyton winked, "anytime, girlie. So, listen, I actually have something I want to ask you. And feel free to say no. I understand you're busy and everything—,"
"What is it?" Haley laughed at the newly flustered state of the usually cool, calm, and collected Peyton Scott.
"How would you feel helping me out here? I've just signed a few new musicians and didn't realize how short-handed we are on staff. You're obviously experienced, really experienced, and Luke mentioned you'll be living here, so the job's yours if you want it. And obviously, if you ever want to sing again, we'd love to sign you. The studio is yours whenever you want it."
"Wow," Haley's lips pulled into a grateful smile. "Are you sure?"
"Completely sure. It'd be an honor to work with you. I know we're not that big of a deal, I mean, we're an independent record company, but you'd be in complete control of your music and everything. We'd just represent you."
"Peyton, that sounds amazing. Thank you so much!"
"So you'll do it?" Peyton jumped up from the stool, squealing with anticipation when Haley nodded vigorously.
"Hell yeah, I'll do it!"
The women united in an excited embrace, nearly knocking the microphone stand over. Haley couldn't think of anything more perfect— she'd still get to work in the music industry and live in Tree Hill with the love of her life. Peyton was right; sometimes you have to give things up so better things can come together.
. . .
"Bring it in, guys!" Lucas blew harshly into the whistle and chuckled when Nathan nearly jumped out of his skin. He'd been so deep in his own thoughts that the whistle sounded like an alarm, rattling his inner core. "You good, man?"
Nathan cleared his throat, "uh, yeah. Just thinking."
Lucas eyed him wearily, "You sure?"
The raven black haired Scott nodded and stuffed his hands in the pockets of his gym shorts. "Have you ever had a dream, like, predicting your future?"
"What?"
"Never mind. It's stupid."
The boys dribbled over to where they were standing on the sidelines but Lucas quickly dismissed them, allowing a quick water break.
"Did you have a dream about Haley or something?"
Nathan rubbed the soles of his new sneakers against the polished gym floor, "it was so damn real."
"What was it?" Lucas squinted at the way Nathan's lips curved into an upward tilt. The lines around his eyes crinkled and just like an earthquake, the rest of his face rippled with a crackling happiness as he recalled the dream.
"Daddy!"
A beaming grin stretched over Nathan's lips at the sound of the squealing voice. He watched with an eager smile as the brown-eyed little girl came barreling over to him, all but in one quick blur.
Almost immediately, he bent down to pick her up in his arms, pressing a light kiss against her balmy forehead.
"Hi, princess. What are you up to?"
"Nuthin'." She rested her head against his shoulder and let out a sleepy yawn. They'd had a long day at the beach earlier.
"You tired?" Nathan chuckled, soothingly rubbing circles over her back.
"Mhmm," the little girl rubbed at her eyes and nuzzled deeply into her father's neck.
"C'mon," he mumbled lowly, "let's go find your brother."
Carrying her out of the kitchen, Nathan walked up the steps of the grand house and followed the beautiful melody filling the halls. His smile stretched further, nearly causing an ache in his cheeks, but the happiness overflowed through his lips and numbed any inkling of pain.
As he approached the nursery, his wife's melodic voice got louder- like the sound of the Sirens, he fell in a trance, stopping in the door jam to watch in utter awe.
With a bundled baby cuddled closely to her chest, Haley sat in a rocking chair singing the soft and familiar tune of "Rock-a-bye-Baby."
A soft, loving smile stretched over her lips as she gently bounced their sleeping son in her arms.
At that moment, Nathan Scott fell in love with Haley James- well, it was Haley Scott, now- all over again. He couldn't help but feel a surge of pride rush through his veins. This was his life, and it was nothing short of perfection.
"That was beautiful," Nathan whispered- still in awe- when Haley finished her lullaby.
Looking up at the baby, Haley's skin blushed a pretty shade of pink after realizing her husband and daughter caught her in such an intimate moment. "Thank you."
"Hi, mama," her mirror image mumbled, still cuddled up in Nathan's arms.
Haley laughed softly and gently sat up from the rocking chair to put her son in his crib. She met her husband for a brief kiss before leaning down to kiss her daughter's strawberry scented hair. "Hi, baby."
"I love it when you sing."
"Me too," Nathan agreed with a cheeky smile. "It's like we get our own personal Haley James concert."
Haley laughed again as he placed her palm on Nathan's stubble-lined cheek. "I'll sing for you whenever you want."
"Can you sing at my and daddy's wedding?" Their daughter asked with an innocent little grin.
"Sweetie, we talked about this. You can't marry daddy. He's already married to me," Haley tried to let her daughter down gently. The three-year-old had Nathan wrapped so tightly around her finger that she wanted him all to herself sometimes.
A pout seized the little girl's lips. "Not fair."
Her parents shared a soft laugh, conscientious enough not to wake up their sleeping son. Haley reached her palm out to gently caress the unruly honey blonde waves of her daughter's hair.
"Sorry, baby."
"S'kay," she mumbled into Nathan's neck.
"You're still my number one girl," Nathan whispered to her, throwing a playful wink in Haley's direction. His wife never once resented the love he had for their daughter- in fact, every time she saw him with their kids, she fell even more in love with him.
Nathan noticed the sparkling stars shining through the window and smiled. He silently thanked who-or-what-ever was in charge of letting his life end up so perfectly.
Haley stroked the side of his cheek before they met for a soft, sweet kiss.
"I love you, so much."
"I love you, too."
"A daughter and a son, huh?" Lucas goaded, "Nice."
"I'm scared," Nathan admitted softly.
"What? Why?" Lucas turned and nearly dropped the clipboard. "You love Haley. Don't tell me you're having doubts—,"
He laughed softly, "No, Luke. I'm not scared because of that. I'm scared because I want it more than anything. I want to ask her to marry me, I want to have babies, and I want it now. But it's too soon. I'm going to scare her off."
"Haley loves you, Nathan. If you haven't scared her off by now then I don't think you ever will."
Nathan narrowed his eyes playfully, "Gee, thanks, Luke."
He shrugged, "I meant that I'm sure she wants the same things as you. Have you talked to her about it?"
"Nah, I woke up before her and kinda dashed out the door. I was afraid I'd propose right then and there."
"I think you should go for it, Nate. Hell, she's already living with you. What's the problem?"
"What if she says no?"
Lucas rolled his eyes, "I thought you got over these foolish insecurities. Haley's a smart woman. She knows what she wants. She wouldn't be here if she had doubts, man."
"I know, I know." Nathan rubbed at his sweaty brow. "I just want to save up a little more money. I want Haley to have a proper ring."
"You could probably propose with a damn Ring Pop and she'd say yes. Go for it, man. Make that dream a reality."
A dopey smile stretched his lips. Haley James Scott. Nothing sounded better to him.
Before he could even respond, the gym doors swung open and revealed the exact person they were just talking about. A bunch of the boys turned and hollered, watching behind their basketballs as Haley James all but ran over to their coach.
"Hi, baby," Nathan greeted eagerly as she bounced over to him.
Haley responded with a passionate kiss— one that made the boys cheer louder until Lucas blew the whistle again. Neither Nathan nor Haley made a move to pull away though. His hands found her rear, giving it a firm squeeze which earned a low moan from Haley.
"God, I've missed you," Nathan mumbled.
"Missed you more," she beamed.
"How was Peyton?" He pulled away and looked into her sparkling eyes; his hands still wrapped firmly around her waist while hers were sound around his neck.
"Good. Great, actually. She offered me a job as a co-producer."
"Yeah?" Nathan's eyebrows jumped high on his forehead. "That's amazing, Hales!"
"Thanks," she pecked his lips and giggled softly, "I'm so excited. I start next week."
"I'm so proud of you, babe."
He twirled her around in his arms and her squeals sounded through the gym; the couple was in their own little world and ignoring the stares of the teenage boys.
"I guess this means you can't get rid of me now," Haley whispered. "I'm staying here forever."
"Forever," Nathan repeated, smirking. "I like the sound of that."