Chapter 21 Hold You In My Arms
When
you came to me with your bad dreams and your fears
It was easy to
see that you'd been crying
Seems like everywhere you turn
catastrophe it reigns
But who really profits from the dying
I
could hold you in my arms
I could hold you forever
I could hold
you in my arms
I could hold you in my arms forever
When you
kissed my lips with my mouth so full of questions
It's my worried
mind that you quiet
Place your hands on my face
Close my eyes
and say
Love is a poor man's food
Don't prophesize
I could
hold you in my arms
I could hold you forever
And I could hold
you in my arms
I could hold you forever
So
now we see how it is
This fist begets the spear
Weapons of
war
Symptoms of madness
Don't let your eyes refuse to see
Don't
let your ears refuse to hear
Or you ain't never going to shake
this sense of sadness
I could hold you in my arms
I could hold
on forever
And I could hold you in my arms
I could hold forever
Ray LaMontagne
It had been two months since Haley had a nightmare. Nathan had finally figured out that if he kept her securely wrapped in his arms and against him all night she slept peacefully. They had tried everything. Until he just held her hoping that he could comfort her one night it hadn't occurred to him that he hadn't tried that before. Since her injury Nathan was terrified to hold her really tight. He didn't want to hurt her. Her shoulder had been injured badly enough in the wreck but when that idiot hit her with that gun it had crushed the bone. Even though they had switched sides of the bed and, due to Nathan's insistence, they had moved the bed to the opposite side of the room so he was still between Haley and the door; he was still worried about hurting her.
She was in the kitchen making breakfast that morning when he came down from waking the kids. He moved in behind her and wrapped his arms around her to rest his hands on her very pregnant abdomen. Haley was now seven months pregnant and they would have their little boy pretty soon. He was so excited. He just prayed that they could keep staying ahead of Dan. So far Tony Battle hadn't found out who the additional grandson was. Someone had gone to great lengths to keep the information hidden. Nathan had decided that today was the day that he was going to see his sociopathic father and ask him point blank what it will take for him to leave Haley alone. Peyton, Brooke and Haley were all going to Myrtle Beach today and Nathan, Cooper and Lucas were going to see Dan. They all felt comfortable that as long as no one knew where they were, the girls would be safe.
"Morning" Haley smiled up at him as he stood behind her.
"Morning" he kissed the side of her neck. Once he had her moaning he moved his hands over her swollen stomach and told their baby "Morning to you too buddy. Are you being good for Mom?"
"So far, so good. I've not been sick this week at all."
"Haley that's great baby. I hope it's over."
"So do I" she whispered.
As the kids ran downstairs, they each took their places at the table while Haley sat the food in the middle.
"Ok guys if you need anything you need to call Auntie Deb ok? Mom is going to Myrtle Beach and I am going to Raleigh and then over to Charlotte. I have to take care of some business and check on the team."
"Dad?"
"Yeah Jamie?"
"No practice today right?"
"Nope no practice today? This has to be done."
"Ok"
"That doesn't mean to bring your girlfriend over and skip school either Jamie" Nathan told his son.
"Dad, come on. I wouldn't do that. You know me better"
Nathan eyed his son and shook his head with a slight smirk. He and Haley had sat Jamie down and talked to him about the issue of having sex in their house. Nathan had told him he couldn't believe he had the balls to do it with everyone at home.
Jamie apologized to his parents, mostly to his Mom. He had no idea that Haley had opened the door that day. He knew that it had upset her. Nathan had blowed him out about it. She was going through enough with those nightmares and now Jamie had added the worry of another teenage pregnancy. Nathan had expressed to his son that he wanted him to have it easier than he and his Mom had. He thought that Jamie understood that, but when Jamie told his Mom and Dad that he had asked Tiffany to marry him they both went pale.
FLASHBACK
"Jamie didn't you understand when I told you that wasn't the easiest road to take?"
"Dad I do understand that but let me ask you something"
"All right Jamie, ask but it won't change anything son."
"Dad, let's say you hadn't married Mom when you were a junior in high school. Let's say she ended up with someone else. Could you have lived with that?"
Nathan looked at his son and saw the love on his face. He knew that Jamie was in love with Tiffany. He was probably just as in love with her as Nathan had been with Haley. Could he really deny his son the satisfaction of knowing that he had married the love of his life? He glanced at Haley and in that moment he was carried back to that day on the beach in his memory. He saw her standing there with her hands in his and her parents watching them acting as witnesses.
"No Jamie. I couldn't have. If you want to get married then your Mom and I will have to understand" he said as his eyes never left Haley's.
Haley's eyes warmed at her husbands words. She now knew that he truly didn't have any regrets. "Jamie?"
"Yeah Mom?"
"Please just wait until after the baby's born" she whispered.
"I promise Mom. I am not ready to do anything just yet. We still have a lot we have to work out."
"Ok" she nodded.
"Can I go now?"
"Yeah son, go ahead" Nathan told him.
END FLASHBACK
"Hey?" Haley asked.
"Ah Yeah?" Nathan smiled.
"Where did you go?"
"To the beach" Nathan smiled and pecked her lips, while Bri and Nicole glanced at each other.
"Ok Dad, that's enough. We'll have another sibling on the way before this one is even born" Natalie told her Dad.
"You know little girl, you know way too much for your age" her Dad told her and then ruffled her hair.
"Dad! I just fixed that. Now I've got to go redo my hair. Don't you know not to touch girl's hair? Mom didn't you teach him anything?"
Haley laughed. "Natalie, your Dad was the one that taught me" she smiled as she gazed into Nathan's eyes.
"I don't know about that" he whispered and then claimed her lips again until they both heard a four voiced "EWW" serenade them in the kitchen. As he pulled away and opened his eyes, he saw the love and adoration shining in hers. "Ready?"
"Ah yeah just let me put the last of these dishes in the dishwasher."
"Ok Kids the Scott family Taxi leaves in five minutes. Chop! Chop!"
Once they had dropped Bri and the girls off at school they headed towards Lucas'. They were meeting the rest of their family there and then they were leaving to go to their destinations. Deb was picking up the kids so everyone was taken care of.
Nathan and Haley walked onto Luke and Peyton's porch. Nathan knocked on the door and waited for Lucas to answer the door.
Finally the door opened and Luke smiled. "Hey little brother! Hey little sis in law."
Nathan and Haley both smiled and nodded to Luke.
"Wow, you two look as glum as a ghost on Christmas."
"I'm just nervous about Haley not being with me." Nathan told his brother.
"You want her to go with us?" Lucas asked.
Nathan turned to his wife and studied her face. "No. I don't guess so. My strong willed wife is determined to go shopping while seven months pregnant and her stupid ass father in law is out of his mind with plans to hurt her to get to me."
"Nathan…."
"I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you Haley"
"I know but honestly no one knows where we will be. We should be safe. Right?"
Nathan glanced at Luke, who could tell that Nathan wasn't convinced. "If you say so Haley"
Lucas frowned at Nathan's answer and as he saw him move past Haley to go find the rest of the group, Lucas placed his hand on his best friends arm. "Hales?"
"Yeah"
"Please go with us. He won't have a minute's peace. He obviously has a gut feeling about this."
Haley looked back to her husband over her shoulder. She could see the tension in his stance as his shoulders moved. She knew that Lucas was right. Even though she wanted to have a day with Brooke and Peyton she turned back to Lucas and smiled. "Ok. Ok you're right" She hugged Luke and made her way to Nathan's side.
"Music Mommy are you ready to hit the shops?"
"Brooke I think I'm going to go with Nathan today. I don't feel up to walking the shops and I'm not up to staying alone in the house until this mess is resolved."
Nathan stared down into her face with questioning but loving eyes. "Thank you" he whispered as he kissed her on the forehead. "Do you really feel bad?"
"No too bad. Just the normal sluggish seven month's pregnant speed." She smiled.
"Haley I love you, you know that?"
"Yeah I do. I love you too Nathan."
Soon everyone was loaded up and the guys told Peyton and Brooke to keep in touch with them so they would know they were ok. No one was taking any chances on this shit with Dan. Not even Cooper. Brooke had been involved the last time and that was more than Cooper could deal with. He had no idea where Nathan got his strength from but one thing was for sure it didn't come from the Lee side of the family, Cooper was sure of that.
As they made their way into Raleigh, Cooper turned his head to look at Haley in the passenger seat. She was nearly asleep. He would do anything he could to help his nephew protect this girl. Cooper loved Haley. Everyone loved Haley. She was special to Cooper because of the person she had helped Nathan become. Cooper might tease Nathan about her after all she was a true natural beauty but Cooper loved Haley's heart more than anything, the person that she was.
When they finally made it to the NC State Men's Prison, Nathan pulled up and he, Cooper and Lucas got out of the Denali. "We'll be right back baby."
"Actually why don't I stay here with her Nathan?" Cooper asked.
"Dan doesn't necessarily need to see me. It might set him off. And I know he'll set me off" Cooper added.
"Ok Cooper but you better watch it old man, you got it?" Nathan smirked but Cooper knew his nephew was only half teasing. Nathan leaned over to claim his wife's lips. The instant she responded he deepened the kiss, branding her as his in front of his uncle.
Cooper had to laugh as he saw the jealousy steaming out of Nathan's ears as he kissed his wife. "Ok Nephew that's enough. I want some too" Cooper laughed when he received the intense glare from Nathan after he had pulled his lips away from his wife's.
"Come on Cooper. Don't start that shit today man" Lucas told him.
"Yeah, Cooper not today of all days ok?" Haley added.
"Fine!" Cooper shook his head. "Don't worry Nathan I'll make sure she's safe ok buddy?"
"Yeah but who's gonna keep her safe from your ass Cooper?" Nathan asked.
"Nathan you have nothing to worry about man" Cooper smiled.
"Oh I so do. Don't forget I know who your ass is married to" Nathan smirked again.
As Nathan and Lucas made their way into the prison, Cooper and Haley got back into the Denali. She placed her hair up in a messy bun to get it out of her face and hummed a tune that Cooper hadn't heard before.
"New song Hales?"
"Actually yes. I've been working on this tune for the last three days. Once I get one in my head that I can't get out like this I wind up with the musical notes and lyrics to it eventually."
"Haley, tell me the truth. How are you really feeling?"
"Very tired Cooper. I mean I'm finally sleeping through the night again but you know how the seventh month of pregnancy is."
"Yeah I do. Brooke had a rough time in all of her pregnancies too."
"Speaking of how's Debra?"
"She's great. Deb has her today too. The big kids are in school so Deb said she could handle it."
"Mom has come such a long way. You know she hated me when she found out that Nathan and I had gotten married."
"No Haley she didn't hate you. She was scared you had made a mistake because she knew she had. Deb loves you. Even when she was boozing it up and drugging it out, she knew Nathan was being taken care of. She's told me lots of times how blessed Nathan was to find you and how grateful she was that you guys have made it."
"She and I get along great now. I love her Cooper. She's been more of a Mom to me at times than my own. I just wish she was there more for Nathan in the earlier years. I'm not sure that he's completely forgotten about that."
"They will be ok. Don't you worry your pretty little head about that Haley? Nathan loves his Mom and his Mom loves him and both of them know that Nathan is the Nathan he is now because of the grace you taught him."
Inside the prison
Nathan and Lucas were sitting at a picnic table waiting for Dan to come out. Nathan had pulled some strings for this visit. It wasn't a normal visiting day. He wasn't even sure that Dan would see him so he fixed so that Dan had no choice.
As the guard led Dan out to the picnic table, Lucas and Nathan both were able to see his face. The minute that Dan realized who it was he smiled. When he reached the table he nodded to both of his sons. "Hello boys"
"Cut the shit Dan" Nathan told him.
Dan sat down at the table on the other side of Nathan. "What do I owe this honor?"
"I want to know once and for all what it will take for you to leave my wife alone." Nathan asked.
"What?"
"You heard me Dan! I want to know what it will take for you to stop punishing Haley for marrying me" Nathan seethed.
"Well, well, you just come right out to the point don't you son?"
"What the fuck Dan. You think I came here to chat?"
"Well I had hoped."
"I told you along time ago there's no hope for you. I'm not going to live with out my wife or my family. Unlike you basketball is not priority. If you had chosen to follow your heart at seventeen you wouldn't be in the shit you're in now and I am sick of Haley paying for being married to me. I want you to call off all these country cousins of mine. Do you understand? I'll pay you. IF you want money so fucking bad I'll pay you but I want some type of guarantee that my wife is no longer going to be at the center of your idiocy. You've hurt her enough. You've killed one of my children and I am not going through this shit anymore!"
"What?" Dan asked.
"You know your little grandson Matt? He ran Haley and Jamie off the road. Haley was pregnant and she miscarried. That's it Dan. I don't want anymore of your fucking off springs in my life trying to harm my family. What will it take to make you go the fuck away?" Nathan yelled.
"You really love that girl that much?"
"Dear god! Where in the hell have you been for the last eighteen years? What will it take to make you understand?"
"Nathan, you gave up your dream for her. You gave up basketball for her"
"No Dad. I gave up basketball because I wanted to. I wanted to be with my family. That had nothing to do with Haley. She begged me not to"
"But if she had stayed out of your life?"
Nathan stood up and had punched Dan Scott in the face before the thought had entered his mind. "Don't you ever say that to me again? If she had stayed out of my life I'd be just as miserable as you are. That's really your problem isn't it?"
Dan was wiping the blood from his lip as he looked up as his youngest son. "What? Huh? What's my problem?"
"You were never happy and you want to make sure I'm not either"
Dan held his head down. "She turned you against me"
"No Dan. You turned me against you. Haley didn't do anything but encourage me to keep trying with you."
Dan's head snapped up again. "What?"
"Do you have a fucking hearing problem? Haley kept encouraging me to give you another chance. You've been trying to kill the one person that has defended you, you stupid son of a bitch. Don't you see that?"
"No, that's not possible" Dan murmured.
"Oh but it is. Until you tried to kill her when she was pregnant with the twins, she begged me to give you another chance. If you had just stopped! But nothing is worth fighting for in your eyes Dan. It never has been. You've always believed that Haley came between us? No you're wrong. You came between us. You were never the father I needed. You never loved me. You only loved the places you could get to through me"
"Nathan you know I loved you"
"Oh yeah Dan you loved me so much you've tried to kill my wife four different times and you have killed one of my children. And ironically it was a boy"
"That's… That's… not possible" Dan said with quivering lips.
"It's not only possible you son of a bitch, it's also a fact."
"Nathan I…"
"What Dan, you're sorry?"
"I" Dan started.
"You make me sick. Do you know that? What will it take to make you stay the hell away from my family?"
"I want to see Jamie in the NBA" Dan stated.
"Do you honestly think that's going to change anything?"
"Look Nathan your grandfather wanted me to go to the NBA. When I blew out my knee and quit, he was disappointed. When you got married he yelled and screamed at me. How could I let this happen? Now Nathan won't make it there either"
"I kept telling him that I'd make sure you got there."
"Dan, stop it ok? Just stop it."
"No I want you to know how this happened"
"Look your Dad is dead. He died several years ago. I don't care how it happened. What will it take for you to fucking stop Dan? Are you going to answer me or not?"
"Nathan, I can't stop. I promised him on his death bed that I would get a Scott to the NBA"
Nathan reached across the picnic table and grabbed Dan by the front of his shirt. "Well your ass is gonna break that promise. That shouldn't be too hard on you. You've broken everyone you've ever made anyway"
"Not to my Dad." Dan said as he looked down.
At that moment Nathan realized just what Haley had saved him from. Dan was about as broken as any man could be. He had failed at everything he had ever attempted in his life. But most of all he had disappointed a father who refused to be disappointed. Nathan had done the same thing but instead of him paying the price. Haley had.
"Let me tell you something Dan. If you try to harm Haley one more time I assure you, I won't break this promise. I'll come back here and I'll send you to hell to burn sooner than you planned. Do you understand me? LEAVE MY WIFE ALONE!"
Back in the Denali, Cooper and Haley were talking to Brooke on the speaker phone.
"Oh Music Mommy you should see these sandals that I bought for you."
"What?"
"You heard me. I bought you some sandals. They are so you Haley! You're going to love them. Size six and a half right?"
"Yep that's my size Brooke. But I don't need another pair of sandals. I have two pairs already"
"Oh shush. Damn girl, you're not poor Haley James Scott anymore. We all have enough that we don't have to worry about what we spend anymore. Even Peyton thanks to you and your song writing." Brooke told her.
"Yeah Haley! Do you realize that seventeen out of your last twenty songs have gone platinum?"
"Really?"
"Yep! You're the talk of the industry girlie. I even heard that you are going to be nominated for a Grammy for song writer of the year."
"Oh bull" Haley smiled.
"No Hales I'm serious" Peyton told her.
As Nathan and Lucas walked to the front of the prison Lucas stopped Nathan with his hand on his arm. "Look man you need to calm down. Haley's going to sense how upset you are if you don't. You don't want her upset too. She's pregnant remember?"
"Of course I remember Lucas." Nathan snapped as he found a couch in the front lobby and sat down to take deep breaths, trying to calm himself down in everyway possible. "I'm sorry man" Nathan finally blew out.
"It's ok. I'm just sorry Dan has put you through all of this shit."
"I don't get it Luke. Why couldn't he see in Haley what you and I do?"
"Nathan he didn't want to see. He needed someone to blame. You did the one thing that Dan couldn't do. You made your way in basketball, earned yourself a name, and did it with a family that loved you. I'm not saying that you and Deb didn't love Dan but he wasn't living both of his dreams."
"Lucas Dan was a much better man when he was dating your Mom in our senior year than he ever was while he was married to mine. You know at that point I had really begun to have hope for that son of a bitch."
"I know Nathan. Me too, man. Me too!"
Nathan and Lucas made their way back to the SUV and climbed in. Haley had just woke up when she felt the truck shake from the doors being closed. "Hey gorgeous" Nathan smiled and rubbed his hand over her extended belly. "Are you two ready for some lunch?"
Cooper looked at Lucas and both grinned. "Yes Daddy we are" they said in unison.
"Nice!" Nathan deadpanned. "What about my babies over here in the front seat" Nathan asked.
"Yeah I think we could go for some lunch too, Daddy" Haley smiled.
Nathan smiled back and then glared at the two idiots in the backseat as he drove off from the prison. Cooper looked over to Lucas with raised eyebrows to which Luke just shook his head.
After going to Charlotte to check on the management of the Bobcats, Nathan and Lucas grabbed a couple of basketballs and shot around. Cooper sat beside Haley watching his nephew and Luke sinking basket after basket with nothing but net. The guys were still good. Neither had lost their touch.
OTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTH
"Look why do you think I hired you? Your size is definitely needed."
"But what about the rest of it."
"You can't tell the other two but of course I like you best."
"Are you sure about that?"
"You know I do"
OTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTH
It had been six weeks since the group had been to the prison. Poor Haley looked like she would explode. At the doctor appointment today he had made arrangements to perform a C-section in ten days. This relieved Nathan's worry. He didn't want Haley going through another difficult birth. The pregnancy hadn't been the best but it wasn't the worst either. They had finally made it to the last few days.
"Hales, I can't wait baby. I love you"
"I know I love you too" she said as she rubbed her small hand around her stomach and received a swift kick in response. Nathan smiled and rubbed in her place to see if he got the same reaction. Within seconds of hearing his Dad's soft murmurs the baby began to kick even harder to Haley's dismay.
"Please Nathan" she whimpered as the next kick hit her ribs.
"Ok. I'm sorry." he smirked. "Hey little man cut your Mom some slack ok?" The baby seemed to settle down again as Nathan patted her stomach and Haley just rolled her eyes.
The Scott's made their way home and Haley moved into the kitchen to fix them some lunch. Once she was done she called to Nathan who was upstairs. "Baby, are you ready to eat?"
"Yeah, I'm on my way"
As they ate lunch they carried on a cheerful conversation and discussed a nap after they ate. Then Nathan stopped and reminded her that he had to go to the Kids Club. Skills had called and wanted him to come back and look at the next round of renovations so the crew could be paid. Once they had eaten and were in the Denali they made their way to the club. When Nathan got out he saw Jake Jagelski. He threw up his hand at Jake as he walked around the Denali to help Haley out of the truck. He found it strange that Jake didn't speak back but he figured it was because he was Lucas's brother and he and Haley made their way into the club.
"Damn Haley J Scott! You are scrumptious looking darlin. God you are even better looking pregnant! I mean really pregnant. I'd keep your ass knocked up. And if you wanted to take Birth control pills I'd fill the little pouch with Tic Tacs. Mmm, mmm, mmm, damn you fine girl!"
"Hi Skills" Haley smiled. "Have you scared the shit out of anyone lately?"
"Come on now Haley. I said I was sorry" Skills frowned. "I guess sex is out of the question huh?"
"You better fucking believe it's out of the question Skills!" Nathan yelled at him. "What in the hell is wrong with you?"
"Hey man at least I don't do it behind your back"
"Skills that doesn't make it ok, man!"
"Whatever. You know damn well you's one lucky as man Scott! God almighty that is one beautiful woman. And pregnant? Shit she always makes my dick hard." Skill chuckled at the glare he received from his boss.
"You can be fired you know!" Nathan informed him.
"Yeah but then you wouldn't know where I am if you won't home Dawg" Skills laughed.
Nathan chuckled. "Good point" He leaned his head down to his wife after he made her that Skills was looking. Once his hands had wrapped around the sides of her slender neck Nathan placed his lips on hers and thrust his tongue against her bottom lip begging for entrance. When Haley parted her plush lips Nathan immediately deepened the kiss.
"Shit you don't have to rub it in my damn face Dawg!" Skills coughed out.
Nathan laughed against Haley's lips and then pulled his head up but kept his eyes on her. "And just think Skills when I leave here, I'm going to do that all night long man. My Mom is taking the kids and Haley and I plan on practicing our moves all over the house."
When Skills reached to the front of his shorts to adjust himself, Nathan happened to catch the movement out of the corner of his eye. "HEY!" He told him.
"What?"
"Don't ever let me see you do that again!" Nathan yelled at his friend.
Haley had no idea what they were talking about but she was pretty sure Skills had made some gesture behind her back until Nathan frowned at her. "I don't know if I can leave you here with Skills while I check this work or not baby"
"Yes you can. You and Skills go ahead and I'll walk behind you ok?"
"Nope! You can walk up here with me. Just on the opposite side of me as my perverted friend." Nathan smiled at her and then tore his eyes away to glare at Skills again.
After they were done inspecting the work they made their way to Skills office to write the checks for the contractor's work that had been completed.
OTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTHOTH
"There is no fucking way I'm getting involved in this. You didn't tell me she was pregnant! I want out"
"No fucking way. We're doing this tonight. It's too late. You can't take off now!"
Later that night Nathan and Haley were watching a movie and neither had even noticed that the light had gone off on the security system. When the movie was finally over Nathan glanced over to Haley and smiled.
"Ready for some more research on pregnancy sex baby?"
"Oh you know I am. I'm hornier this time than ever remember?"
"Oh yeah that's right. Honestly? I don't remember you wanting this much with any of the last three pregnancies. Baby we've been doing it three and four times a day for months now!" Nathan smiled.
"Damnit Scott, are you complaining?"
"Oh hell no!"
As they made their way to their master bedroom, Nathan quickly had his wife on her back on their bed and was beside her, plundering her mouth with his tongue. Suddenly Haley felt him go limp on top of her and she began to scream his name, but not in the way that Nathan had planned……