Pre-Op

An hour or so later Haley woke up, her eyes adjusting to their new surroundings as she focused on the ceiling. Seconds later she turned to her right, locating the source of heat that warmed her side. She stared at her husband, smiling and capturing the moment, filing it for later reflection.

"I feel you," Nathan groggily informed.

"That's nice, I feel you too."

Nathan scoffed, "You know that's not what I meant." He yawned, stretching out. "I can feel when you stare."

Haley chuckled, "Now you know how it feels."

"Yeah, but you mind; I don't. I'm just irresistible."

Haley returned to her back. "I need to get some air."

"Is something wrong? Are you okay?" Nathan panicked.

She mentally kicked herself for worrying him. "No. There's just not enough room in here for me and your ego."

Haley felt Nathan relax as he spooned her, leaving her to fiddle with the buttons on the left side of her bed.

"So, about the elephant," Haley's voice drifted off. She paused before she continued, "I'm sorry about yesterday."

She could feel Nathan nodding. "It's okay Hales, I know what you were doing. I just lost it for a second there. I guess I'm trying to say I'm sorry too."

Haley brought his arm tighter around her waist. "You have nothing to be sorry for Nate. You're handling this… all of this, incredibly well. Sometimes I forget that I'm not the only one going through this; other times it's all I can think about."

"And you just want me to know that you're okay."

Haley nodded.

"Are you? Okay?"

She didn't want to lie. She wasn't going to. "No. Yes."

Nathan chuckled as Haley welcomed the escaped tension. "Clarify."

"I'm not okay because I just want to be home with you and Aiden. I don't want to worry about leaving you against my will, or worrying about all this, plus the fact that my best friend needs a heart—a freak'n heart!" Haley softly ranted. "I am okay because I know that I'm not giving up, and neither are all of my family; especially you," she stated, slowly turning to face him and cupping the side of his face. "You, the love of my life."

Nathan's concerned expression held promise of a smile. Before that promise came into fruition, he looked into his wife's eyes, "I'm sorry."

Haley nervously laughed, "Okay, didn't we just go over the whole 'you have nothing to be sorry for' speech?"

Nathan dismissed her reply. "I haven't even acknowledged how much you're worried about Lucas. I guess I just forgot, not that he was sick, but how it would affect you. I got wrapped up in you and Aiden and overlooked what else was bothering you."

Haley smiled, in awe that her husband never failed to read her, no matter when decided to voice it. "I've known him my whole life."

Nathan motioned for her to continue.

"I'm not going to lose him. He's not going to lose me." Haley stopped. Nathan knew she wanted to say a lot more, but would speak when she was ready.

"You know, this is one of the first conversations we've had, dried-eye."

Nathan laughed as he pulled her closer. "That's because you stopped being hormonal."

Haley playfully swatted his arm away, only to find it return less than a second later.

"I wasn't hormonal. I was emotional."

Nathan scoffed, "Same thing."

The next morning came quickly. Nathan and Haley didn't even stir when the nurses and Brooke brought Lucas back into the room the night before. Nathan was the first to wake up. He decided to visit his son.

Haley felt Nathan leave, the warmth his body provided gone. She sighed lightly, careful not to wake Lucas who was sleeping. Surprisingly Brooke wasn't in the room.

Today is the big day. Surgery. Life and death. Life or death.

"Good morning!" Brooke enthusiastically whispered. "I brought surgery food!"

"Surgery food?"

"Yes, VitaWater, Power Bars, actual meat, not chicken surprise, some salad, fruit, and-"

"Brooke, I can't eat all of that," Haley stopped her friend, looking at the enormous bag of groceries she was holding.

Brooke placed the bag down beside Haley and sat down. "Of course not silly. We're all going to have a mini-picnic. Well, an indoor one anyway," Brooke cheerily replied, not at all deterred by Haley's 'pessimism.'

"You guys are so not whispering," Lucas chimed. "You're lucky you brought food, otherwise you would be waking up to a very mean Lucas Scott."

"And I thought we got rid of Keller."

Haley and Brooke laughed at Haley's reply while Lucas was dumbfounded. "What?"

"You just referred to yourself in the third person Luke," Haley informed. "That's a Chris Keller thing."

"Oh," escaped Lucas' lips. "For the record, no more comparisons to Keller."

The girls laughed, "Sure babe."

The next few hours went by fast. The whole group had just exited the room, leaving Karen and Keith talking to Haley. Everyone was returning in fewer numbers to wish her good luck.

Karen held her hand while Keith brushed her hair away. "We love you Haley. That's all you need to get through this, okay?" Karen said through tears, causing Haley to brush away a few of her own.

"We'll see you in a few hours Hales." Keith kissed her forehead as they both hugged her, walking away as Bevin, Skills, Mouth, and Rachel entered.

"Wassup Hales."

Haley chuckled at Skills' greeting. "Nothing, just waiting to get better."

"You know," Rachel said, "you're going to be fine."

Bevin nodded. "Yup. You still have a lot of recording to do. I can't wait to brag that my friend is a top star!"

Haley smiled, "I thought I already was."

"You are, but you could get better," Bevin winked. Both girls gave Haley a hug, leaving the boys behind, sensing the three older friends needed a minute.

"Just like old times," Haley reminisced.

"Expect we don't have a basketball," Lucas chimed.

"He speaks!" Haley joked. The boys laughed.

"Hey," Lucas defended, "everyone is here for you, and me, but for you right now. Didn't want to impose."

"You're not imposing, plus we're sharing a room," Haley laughed.

She looked at the two who now had serious faces. "I'll be okay guys, I promise. Mouth, you haven't said a word."

"I don't know what to say."

"Well, you can start by saying how absolutely hot I look in this peep-show gown," Haley replied, earning a smile from Mouth.

"Aha, a smile!"

Mouth leaned over and gave Haley a hug. "We'll be waiting for you when you get out."

"And don't tell us we don't have to. We're going to."

Haley smiled warmly as a few tears fell, "Thanks guys. You've been the best I could have from day one."

"And like I told you before," Skills kissed her forehead, "I got your back."

"I know I haven't been the best father after your mother died, and-"

"Dad?"

"Yes?"

"Stop."

Jimmy looked down at his hands before looking back at his daughter. "Sorry."

Haley reassuringly squeezed his hands, "It's okay. This is hard for both of us. Just promise me one thing, okay?"

"What's that Haley-Bob?"

"No matter what, if anything does or does not happen, you're always going to be in my son's life."

Jimmy was slightly taken aback, unaware that his daughter would think he would desert his grandson. Then again, I left her.

As if reading is thoughts, Haley added, "It's not because I think you'll split again; I'm asking because I want him to have the huge family like I did. In this world, he'll need it."

Jimmy smiled in understanding and patted his daughter's arm. "Is my time up?"

Haley looked out the window, seeing Peyton, Jake, and Brooke. "I think it is. I have an hour left."

Jimmy nodded and stood up, placing a kiss on Haley's cheek.

"I love you daughter," Jimmy said, choking back a sob.

"I love you dad." Haley hugged her father and let go, watching him walk away after he offered a smile.

Peyton, Brooke, and Jake entered to find a very tired looking Haley, attempting to collect herself after her exchange with her father.

"We can, uh…go if you want," Peyton stammered.

Haley smiled through her tears. "No, it's okay, just getting a tad emotional."

"So, how long do you have to stay here after the surgery?" Jake asked, causing two of the three girls to stare at him.

"I'm not sure, it depends on how it goes. I guess a month, tops, if that."

Jake smiled, confidently, "Good. Then I won't have to wait too long to cut a record with the famous HJ Scott."

"You're going back to music?" Peyton asked, smiling.

"Only if a certain new mom agrees to do it with me."

Haley smiled, grateful that Jake was making this a little easier and giving her something else to look forward to.

"Of course I will," I wouldn't have any other Jake J. with me."

Brooke chuckled, "There's only one Jake J. Tutor Mom."

"I know," Haley grinned. "Hey, I just want to say that I love you guys. I know we didn't meet until later in high school, but you're my family too. Thanks for everything: Jake, when I didn't want to sing anymore and showing me that there are still good guys out there," looking over at a scoffing Lucas, "besides you and Nathan; Peyton, for showing me all cheerleaders aren't airheads and some actually have depth, and all the times you let me rant to you and never judged me; and Brooke, for making me adopt a fashion sense, even though I swear I miss my poncho, and for being the person that always made me get what I want and stood by me when I thought there wasn't anyone else."

By now the girls were crying while Jake was 'being a man.' He chokingly cleared his throat as he noticed that Lucas still had some words to say before Nathan returned.

"I think we should go ladies."

The girls parted from the group hug as Jake took his turn with Haley. "Love ya HJ Scott. Hurry and get better so we can start laying down tracks."

Haley smiled, wiping her forehead and tucking loose strands behind her ears. "I will, now, you three, scoot!"

"Love you Tutor Mom!"

"Love you Haley!"

The girls crushed Haley with one more hug before leaving the room hurriedly.

"Broody," Brooke called, on the way out. "I'll come by in a little bit, okay?" She knew he would need some company while Haley was in surgery.

Lucas nodded, knowing what was coming next.

Haley watched her friends leave, brushing the tears that were drying too slowly for her liking. She stole a glance at Lucas, and then back to her favorite place on the ceiling.

Now she only had to say the three good-byes that would break her heart.

She wasn't ready to break.

A/N: To all, have a great three day weekend! Left the chapter without a cliffy so to speak; might not update till I return to work, so didn't want to leave you guys hanging too much! Next up, the last good-byes and surgery for Hales!

Always23Forever, Krizue: Thanks!

Formerflautist: I loved your review. Thank you sooo much!

Courtneylovejason, Scott-bruthr-luvr3-23, daymiracle: See me smile?!

Ell6ange: There was Naley without interruptions for ya! I promise, next one won't be interrupted until it possible as to. ;)

Naley: Yup, humor is her medicine. Next chapter…little more drama, but hopefully everything will pan out!

TutorGal23: Surgery, next chapter!