Little Moments
Chapter 25: An Officer and a Gentleman
Disclaimer: None of the major characters are mine, but you'll find a new one in this chapter that is mine.
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews guys, didn't get as many as last time but that's alright. This chapter is a future moment. Nathan and Haley are much older and the kids are grown up, but I hope you like what happens. There is a new character in this one and they may or may not pop up in future chapters.
OTHOTH
It was mid June and the North Carolina heat and humidity were sweltering, but downtown Tree Hill was the place to be. It was the morning of the Diligence Dash, the annual 5K marathon sponsored by the United States Coast Guard and tons of people came out. Nathan had been competing in it for a while now and he wasn't going to stop this year. He may have been close to fifty but age was just a number. It didn't phase him.
Before he went to the registration booth to pick up his number he and Haley walked down Water Street. Every year when the marathon was going on, vendors lined the street closest to the Cape and for a day Water Street became more like Market Street.
Nathan and Haley sat down at their infamous bench and looked at one another. Nathan found the smile lines on Haley's face beautiful. She'd looked the same to him as she did when they were sixteen. Haley thought the same. Aside from Nathan's now salt and pepper hair he was still the cute boy she'd fallen for thirty two years ago.
Nathan smiled kindly at Haley, "To bad I don't have any Cracker Jacks."
"Yeah." She rested her elbow on the table and sighed. "Doesn't that seem like such a long time ago?"
Nathan shook his head, "Nah, I mean maybe. But I feel the same way now as I did then."
Haley met him with warm eyes and smiled, "Me too."
"Aw is that Naley at their bench?" Brooke spotted her two good friends and laughed, "That's adorable."
Both Nathan and Haley turned to see their still petite friend smiling and they laughed.
Haley turned towards the raspy voiced woman, "Hey Brooke. Where's Peyton I thought we were gonna shop together?"
Brooke walked up to the couple and pulled her sunglasses up, "Well P. Sawyer Scott is talking to Sawyer and Charlotte at the registration booth, she'll be here soon."
Nathan got up, "That reminds me. I gotta go get my number." He turned to Haley and smiled, "I'll see you when I'm done."
Haley got up and tugged on his shirt, "Please take it easy. You're not as young as you used to be. You don't have to win."
Brooke laughed, "Yeah, most of these guys are half our age."
Nathan peeled his eyes, "I'll be fine. I won't out do myself."
Haley knew her husband inside and out, and she also knew perfectly well that if there was a competition he was going to try and win. Haley sighed deeply, "Just have fun." She got up on her tip-toes and kissed him quickly on the lips, "Love you."
Nathan smirked, "Love you too. I'll see you at the finish line." With that he walked toward the registration booth.
Brooke watched him leave and laughed, "Oh he is so going to try and win."
Haley shook her head and laughed along side her friend, "I know. I keep telling him we're not kids anymore but..."
Brooke interrupted Haley, "No kidding. I mean you guys are already grandparents." Brooke raised her brow, "Really young grandparents but still." Haley smiled. It was true, she was a grandmother. Brooke scrunched her forehead and looked to her friend, "Where is Jamie by the way? He normally runs this thing, right?"
Haley nodded, "Yeah, but he's at home getting ready for baby number two."
"Oh, oh. Boy or girl? Do they know yet?" Brooke's eyes went wide with anticipation.
"No, they want to keep it a surprise."
Brooke scrunched her brow, "That's so aggravating. How am I gonna know what type of clothes to make if I don't know if the newest baby Scott will be a boy or girl?"
Haley laughed. "Well it'll only be a few more weeks till we find out." Haley looked out over the freely flowing water and took a deep breath. A baby. Jamie would soon have his second and she couldn't believe how fast the years had flown by.
Life had a funny way of sneaking up on you. One minute your in high school, then college, and everything after that just seemed to fall into place: marriage, kids, grand-kids. Haley had all of that and she wouldn't trade it for the world.
OTHOTH
Charlotte was situated in the A-N line while Sawyer sat next to her at the O-Z line. Both of them volunteered to work at the marathon. A year out of Brown, Charlotte was still trying to figure out what she was going to do with her life. She had moved in with Sawyer when she'd come home after graduation and really enjoyed living with her best friend and cousin.
Sawyer on the other hand had figured everything out. She went to the famed Berklee College of Music and got a degree in music business with the intent to help her mom run Red Bedroom Records. She'd always wanted to do it but never wanted it handed to her. And when she came back to Tree Hill a few months before Charlotte did, it was clear that they should get a place together.
So there they were, side by side handing out people's registration cards.
"Are you girls giving people a hard time?" Nathan teased Charlotte and Sawyer as he made it to the front of the line.
Charlotte looked up and saw the familiar blue eyes that belonged to her father, "Dad, hey. I was wondering when we'd see you."
"Hey Uncle Nathan." Sawyer smiled and began to look for Nathan's number as he and Charlotte talked.
"Well I got held up talking with your mom and Aunt Brooke."
Laughing Sawyer handed Nathan his number, "Gee, you're lucky you even got away."
Nathan looked at his niece, took his registration number from her, and laughed, "I know. Thanks." He tore off the back and stuck it to his shirt. "Is it straight?"
Both girls nodded. Charlotte handed the person she was assisting their papers and looked up to her dad. "Good luck Dad."
Nathan nodded to his daughter, "Thanks Char." He walked off toward the starting line and the girls helped the next people.
"Next please." Charlotte had her head down and was waiting for the name.
"McFarland. Graham."
Charlotte turned to the M's and found the registration. She handed it over to the young guy and when she looked up brown met green. He looked familiar but she knew she'd never met him before, "Hi." She noticed his gray t-shirt with USCG printed on the front, they way his light brown hair was just a shade lighter than her own, and that he was probably around six feet.
He didn't say anything at first but was captivated by the girl in front of him. "Hey."
Charlotte passed him the registration and was about to say 'next' but he spoke up, "So I've never done this before. What is all this stuff?"
Charlotte looked up and took the packet back from him. She opened it up and took out his number and smirked, "Well." She glanced down at the name and then back to him, "Graham McFarland. This is your registration number. You peel it off." She began to strip off the paper and looked back to him, "And stick it on," She stood up and placed the adhesive paper to his shirt. As she patted the material down she felt the his toned stomach beneath the t-shirt, "Just like that."
He ran his hands over the numbers and smiled, "Thanks. I'm Graham by the way."
Charlotte sat back down and bit her bottom lip. She knew that already, he'd already told her his name so she could find his registration. Charlotte looked up to Graham and smiled, " I'm Charlotte."
"Well thank you for you're help, Charlotte." He smiled at her and turned to walk away.
Sawyer turned to her cousin and gawked, "Whoa, who was that and where can I find one?"
"I don't know? He just. He just got his registration." Charlotte was slightly blushing and tried to look down in order to hide it.
"Well whoever he is, he's all kinds of adorable."
Charlotte nodded, "Yeah, he was...nice." She didn't quite know how to describe him. As she turned her head in the direction of the starting line she saw the guy she'd just met stretching. She scanned the crowd saw her father and waved. Nathan waved back and when he looked away she found her self looking for Graham. She didn't know why, they had only just met, if you could even call it that, but something about that guy had her heart racing.
OTHOTH
Nathan was breathing hard when he crossed the finish line. He didn't win, no surprise there. When he looked up he saw Haley leaning against one of the trees next to the fountain. He made his way over to her and she smiled when she saw him.
"Honey you did great." She had a bottled water in her hand and gave it to him.
Nathan took a deep breath and laughed, "That was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be."
Haley frowned, "But you made the top twenty."
He took a sip of water and shrugged.
"Well I'm proud of you." Haley took a step closer and even though he was drenched in sweat she placed her hands on his sides and kissed him.
"Thanks Hales."
"Good job Nate!" Peyton called out when she saw Nathan with Haley. "I told them you'd be in the top twenty. Lucas owes me forty bucks."
Nathan scrunched his brow, "What, Lucas thought I wouldn't make it? I'd like to see him try and do it."
"Heart condition, remember?" Brooke walked up next to Peyton and stuck out finger.
Nathan saw the multiple shopping bags Brooke had and laughed, "Gee Brooke, get enough stuff?"
Apparently Brooke bought something at each of the stands because she had about three times as much stuff as the other two. She shrugged, "Well trendy little items are a must have. Tutor-mom and P. Sawyer are the ones who came up short. And besides, Clothes Over Bro's is just one street up. I can find some cute Coastie to help me take my bags over there." She looked around and laughed, "And speaking off, who's the stud with Charlotte?"
Nathan turned his head so quickly that it took him a second to refocus. His little girl, well twenty three year old girl, was chatting it up with some boy he'd never seen before. He was quite positive that she wasn't dating anyone so maybe it was one of Sawyer's friends.
Haley squinted in the direction of their daughter and shook her head, "I have no idea."
OTHOTH
Nathan got out of the shower and threw on some sweatpants. Walking out of the closet shirtless, Nathan collapsed on their on their king sized bed. "Oh it hurts."
Haley walked out the bathroom with a glass of water and some ibuprofen. "Here these should help." She handed him the medicine and water.
In one quick gulp he swallowed the pills and turned onto his stomach grunting.
"Where does it hurt?" Haley sat down on the bed and ran her hand along his back.
"Everywhere." Nathan buried his face in their comforter and sighed.
Haley bit her bottom lip and traced a few random lines on his back. He hadn't said anything and she bent down and placed a few light kisses between his shoulder blades. She maneuvered towards his legs and rubbed both her hands around his right calf.
"Mmm that feels better." Nathan turned his head so his cheek rested again the bed.
Haley smiled and switched to the left calf.
"You're too good to me." Nathan closed his eyes and any ounce of pain he once felt was being subsided by Haley's touch.
"Kind of out did yourself today, huh?"
"A little."
Haley moved up from his calf to his hamstring and started pushing on the back of his thigh. "Nathan you gotta remember you're not twenty anymore. I don't want you to hurt yourself."
He felt her move to the other hamstring and sighed, "I know, I'm sorry. I just wanted to know if I could still do it." He rolled over on his back so he could face her.
Haley stopped massaging his thigh and met him with kind eyes, "Of course you do." She laid down next to him and rested her head on his chest. "And you don't have to prove that to anyone, or even yourself. You'll always be great." She let out a small laugh, "You're Nathan Scott."
He wrapped an arm around her side and squeezed her close. Nathan leaned over and kissed her forehead. They laid like that for a while until Haley broke the silence, "So I talked to Charlotte while you were taking your shower."
"Oh yeah?"
"Uh huh, and that boy we saw her with, his name's Graham."
Nathan stiffened up, "Who is he?"
Haley laughed at her husband's change in demeanor. He was now more concerned about their daughter's new friend than his aching muscles. "Just some guy she met today. But she kind of rambled and did that thing where she talks really fast when she gets excited."
Nathan took a deep breath. "So, did.."
"Yeah, he asked her out." Haley knew that's what he was going to ask, so she beat him to it.
"Oh" That was all Nathan could manage to say. It wasn't that he wasn't glad Charlotte met someone new, but it was still hard getting used to the idea that she'd moved out and wasn't a little girl anymore. She didn't need help tying her shoes, and she was way to big to ride on his shoulders. Charlotte Scott was growing up.
OTHOTH
It was couple weeks later and Nathan had just gotten done with working out. As he sat down on a kitchen stool he stared at the telephone and wondered if he should call him. It wasn't like he'd have all the answers, he might not have any, but calling somebody might make him feel better. He punched in the familiar numbered and waited for the line to pick up.
"Hello?"
Nathan smiled at the sound of his son's voice, "Hey Jamie."
"Hey Dad, what's going on?"
"Not much but I was wondering if you had any friends from high school in the Coast Guard." Nathan sure didn't beat around the bush.
Jamie laughed, "What, are you stuck out on the boat?"
Nathan shook his head, "No, uh actually it's your sister."
"Is she okay. Did she take the boat out by herself?"
"No, no, no she's fine. It's that, well she's dating someone in the Coast Guard and I didn't know if you knew anyone or...."
"So you're trying to find out if the guy's good enough?"
"No. Yes. No! I just was wondering if you knew anyone, but it's not a big deal. It's fine."
Jamie sighed into the phone,"Dad, Charlotte's a good girl. I'm sure whoever she's dating is a good guy. I don't know anyone in the Coast Guard so I can't help you there, but Dad, don't worry. I think you might be worrying about nothing. This guy could just be a fling."
'Fling' was the last word Nathan wanted to hear. He didn't want some random guy to be treating his daughter as a fling. She deserved better than that. When Jamie didn't hear his father respond he stuttered, "I didn't mean like fling, fling. More like not serious. Charlotte's had good taste in guys so really you don't have anything to worry about. What has Mom said?"
Nathan shrugged, "I don't know. She doesn't seemed to be worried at all"
Jamie laughed, "Well that's the rule right? The mom is supposed to worry about the son while the father worries about the daughter. I mean any time I ever brought someone home Mom was always a nervous wreck. She tried not to act like it, but I could always tell."
His son had a point. Was it just a natural right for Nathan to worry about Charlotte? Of course. Was it his job as a father to always want the best for his daughter? Yes. So was it normal for him to be feeling this? Absolutely.
Nathan took a deep breath. "Yeah, maybe you're right. I think I'm just worried about nothing. I feel better now, thanks"
"No problem Dad."
"Hey Jame?"
"Yeah?"
"Tell Liza and the boy I say hey."
Jamie smiled, "I will."
When Nathan hung the phone up Haley walked into the kitchen.
"Who was that?" She put a few groceries and the mail down and looked to Nathan.
"Jamie."
Haley smiled, "Really? How is he, how's Liza? She's not in labor is she?"
Nathan laughed, "No, I think it will be another week or so. And Everyone's fine." He didn't want to tell her that he'd actually just had a heart to heart with their thirty year old son about him worrying so he just played it cool.
Haley reached for the mail and began to sort through it. Amongst the bills and junk mail there was an envelop addressed to both Nathan and herself. Haley arched her brow and began to tear it open. "Looks like we have an event to go to."
"Another one?" Nathan got up and put a few things away in the refrigerator. Over the years Nathan and Haley had been to multiple gala's, charity benefits, and other banquets and normally Nathan tried his hardest to get out of them.
Haley read the invitation, "Oh."
Nathan heard the word slip from Haley's mouth so he gave her a questioning look, "What?"
"It's from the USCG."
"What?" Nathan walked over to her and took the letter from her hand. "Please join us as we celebrate the two hundred and fourty sixth anniversary of the United States Coast Guard. Sunday, August fourth, at the Tree Hill Civic Center ballroom." Nathan looked up from the letter and saw Haley smile.
"I think we're gonna meet Graham." She raised her eyebrows and popped a grape in her mouth.
OTHOTH
Charlotte was in her room when she heard a knock on the door.
Sawyer stuck her head in, "Graham's here."
"Alright I'll be out in just a sec." Charlotte took one last look in the mirror and quickly put her earrings on. When she walked out she saw him. Dressed in his formal dark blue uniform complete with the white hat, he looked incredibly handsome.
Graham took notice of Charlotte's entrance and took his hat off, "Wow, you look great." Charlotte smiled and a slight blush crept across her cheeks.
"Okay kids, you have fun." Sawyer ushered Graham and Charlotte out the door leaving them on the front porch.
"I didn't know you'd be wearing you're uniform." Charlotte patted Graham's chest and he smiled.
"Well it is a formal Coast Guard banquet. We're required too." He laughed and kissed her cheek, "I thought you loved the uniform?"
"I do." Charlotte flashed him the trade mark Scott smirk she'd inherited from her dad and brother, and raised her brow, "You ready?"
"Yep." Graham stuck his arm out and escorted her to his car. He opened the door for her and when he settled in they headed downtown. Right before they turned into the parking deck Graham cleared his throat, "So your dad. He's a nice guy?"
Charlotte laughed, "The nicest. He's big and tall but not as intimidating as you'd think, and my mom will probably hug you cause that's just how she is."
Graham sighed in relief. He was actually semi familiar with Nathan because he was a basketball fan, but he'd never thought that he'd actually meet him one day, let alone date his daughter. He wasn't really that nervous. Okay, maybe he was. But he shouldn't be. If Nathan and Haley Scott were anything like Charlotte he knew he'd get along with them just fine.
OTHOTH
Haley stepped out of the car and took Nathan's hand in hers as they walked into the civic center. She could feel the coolness of his palm against hers and she looked up to him, "You shouldn't be worried."
Nathan used his finger to pull at the collar of his shirt, "I'm not nervous."
Haley laughed, "Honey, I can feel it in your hand, and you just tugged on your shirt like you needed some air."
"I'm fine." Nathan looked sternly down at Haley and she tried to hide the smile that flashed across her face.
"What ever you say."
When they entered the ballroom there were tons of people scattered about the room. There were tables set up at one end of the room while a house band was set up at the other.
Haley spotted Charlotte who waved them over.
"Mom, Dad." Charlotte looked at her parents then turned to the man in uniform and smiled, "This is Graham." She glanced at her boyfriend then back to her parents, " Graham, this is my mom Haley, and my dad Nathan."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both. I'm Graham McFarland." He stuck out his hand but immediately took it back when he remembered what Charlotte said about her mom.
Haley took a step forward, and just as Charlotte has said, Haley hugged Graham. "It's so great to meet you. Charlotte's said nothing but wonderful things about you."
Graham smiled and then looked to Nathan. He stood up a little straighter and nodded, "Mr. Scott." Graham extended his arm and shook the older man's hand. "I uh, as a kid I was a big Bobcats fan so it's a real thrill to meet you sir."
Nathan smiled. At least Graham liked basketball. That was a plus. Nathan stuck out his hand and smiled, "Nice to meet you."
The four sat down a their respective table and Haley couldn't help but notice that Graham pulled the chair out for Charlotte. "So Graham, how was it exactly that you got into the Coast Guard?"
The young man cleared his throat, "I grew up on The Outer Banks and had been a lifeguard as a teenager. My mom always said that salt water ran through my veins so when it came time for college I couldn't think of a better place than the academy."
Nathan admired the guy. Graham made a living doing something he loved. In a sense they were a lot alike. Being in the ocean for Graham was like being on the basketball court for Nathan.
"So what is it you do exactly?" Nathan took a sip of his water and looked at the guy across from him.
"I majored in naval architecture and marine engineering, but I'm classified as a rescue swimmer. I also take patrols with the Diligence every once in a while."
Haley smiled, "You know, Nathan's got a boat. Maybe the two of you could go fishing or something."
Graham nodded, "Yeah, that'd be fun." Graham looked to the girl at his side, "Charlotte tells me you have a son, Jamie. Maybe the three of us could make it a guys trip."
Nathan nodded his head, a guys trip could be fun. But instead of three they could make it four. Jamie did have a little boy afterall. Just after Nathan nodded waiters began to place food in front of everyone. The group went on to discuss random other topics where Nathan and Haley learned a little more about the boy dating Charlotte. He was twenty six, just three years older than Charlotte, refurbished old wooden boats as a hobby, had one older sister and one younger brother, and like he'd said, was from The Outer Banks. Kill Devil Hills to be more specific. After all was said, the most important thing both Nathan and Haley realized was how hard this boy had fallen for their daughter.
OTHOTH
As the waiters cleared the food, and after any and all speeches were given, people made their way for the dance floor. Graham and Charlotte were among the majority leaving Nathan and Haley at their table.
"So?" Haley looked at her husband with a raised eye.
He shook his head, "You know I'm not good at dancing."
"No, not that. What do you think about Graham?"
"Oh. He seems like a good guy."
Haley smiled and nodded, "See you had nothing to be worried about. He's very intelligent, polite, funny, and even a North Carolina boy."
Nathan thought about it. Graham was a perfectly decent guy. He'd made something out of himself in the Coast Guard, and in Nathan's mind, found himself a pretty good girl. He took a deep breath and looked to Haley, "But the whole jumping out of helicopters thing is kind of worrisome."
Haley sighed, "I know, but we can't fault him for his job."
"You're right, it's just, what if something happened to him. Don't you see the way he looks at her, and how she looks at him. I don't want her to end up getting hurt."
Haley stood up and put her napkin down. She extended her hand, "Come here."
Nathan arched his brow and didn't move from his seat.
"Come on." Haley wiggled her hand out and he reluctantly took it. She led them to the sea of people on the dance floor.
"Haley..." Nathan began.
"Just dance with me." She wrapped one arm around his back while the other clutched his hand. She rested her cheek on his suit jacket then looked up to him, "You know what my dad said to my mom about me marrying you?"
Nathan smirked, "Some joke about teenage marriages?"
Haley smiled and shook her head, "No, that he was worried how things would end up. What might happen to me if we didn't work out. Nathan, it's the same thing you're doing."
"I didn't know that?" Nathan looked down to Haley.
Haley let out a small laugh and smiled, "Most dad's don't tell their son-in-laws their every worry." Haley ran her hand up and down Nathan's back, "But you know what. We turned out fine." She paused and then began again, "And I'm not saying Graham and Charlotte are meant to be or that they're not, it's just you've got to let her go sometime."
Nathan felt a sharp pain run through his chest at Haley's words. As much as he didn't want to hear it, it was true. They'd let Jamie go. He was already married, and had a family of his own. Nathan had seen how much it had affected Haley and now it was his turn. He glanced at his daughter who was dancing ten yards away. She looked happy and that should be the only thing that mattered. He took a deep breath and nodded to himself. It was the only thing that mattered.
OTHOTH
There you go guys. Nathan coming to terms with Charlotte getting older. What's your take on Graham? And did you all catch those little bits that let you in on Jamie's grown up life? If you guys want a chapter based on Jamie's family concerning Nathan and Haley let me know. Oh and just in case some of you were wondering. The Diligence Dash is a real thing. I was actually in Wilmington when it took place last year. Cute boys, in uniform...some shirtless, equals adorable! Made the trip even better!