Where Do I Belong?

Chapter 25

Author's Note: I am really happy with how this chapter ended up. It took me longer than planned, but this was the first time in a while that I was truly happy with a chapter, so enjoy!

The next evening Haley sat alone in the kitchen as Nathan greeted their guests. So far she'd heard her parents, Deb, and Peyton in the living room. They were just waiting for Brooke and Lucas.

When the doorbell rang she took a deep breath and started for the living room, "Damn it Nathan, I'm not even gone yet. Could you at least wait until I leave…" Haley stopped when she saw their guests staring at her."

"Haley, please, could we talk about this later?"

"Oh God, stop being such a girl. That's why they're here, so we can tell them."

"Tell us what?" Deb asked nervously.

"That Nathan and I are divorcing."

There was a collective gasp, "You're kidding right?" Brooke questioned.

Haley shook her head, "Nope. I'm going to stay here until the babies are born, then we'll each take one and I'm moving to California."

"Way to be tactful Hales."

"There's no easy way to say it, so I just stated the facts."

Nathan rolled his eyes, "Whatever," but silently he thought about the fact that this argument was flowing to naturally.

Lucas looked at his brother, "You're seriously agreeing to this?"

"Of course he is," Haley responded, "Because now he can be with the person he should've been with all along."

Lucas watched as Nathan lowered his head, "What are you talking about Haley? Nathan loves you so much."

"Not as much as he loves Peyton."

At the mention of her name Peyton's eyes grew wide and she tried to ignore the fact that all eyes were now on her, "What!"

"I saw you two together the other night. And he didn't deny his love for you when I confronted him."

"Haley…" Peyton began, but unsure what to say she looked at Nathan, "Nathan, tell her it's not like that…"

Brooke spoke up now, glaring at Peyton, "You just can't keep your hands off other girls' Scott men, can you? I can't believe this. He's married Peyton, and soon to be a father of two."

"You think I don't know that?" Peyton spat back.

"It's okay Peyton. I know you'll be a good mom to my baby."

"Damn it Nathan, say something. Haley, I don't want to be with Nathan. It should be you raising your baby, not me. In fact, it won't be me."

"I'll be raising one of them. And neither will know they're a twin. It'll be best that way."

Peyton stood, "I refuse to be a part of this. Haley, I will NOT raise one of your babies, and Nathan, there is no us, hasn't been for a long time. Thanks for having me over, I'll be leaving now."

Haley exchanged a glance with Nathan, "Peyton, wait, please."

"Look Haley, believe whatever you want, but I don't want to steal your husband. And I'm sorry that you ever thought that."

Haley walked up to Peyton, "No, it's me who should be sorry. This was all just an act. Me leaving Nathan, just an act. Okay, so I did leave, but I came back and he totally explained everything. It was just a huge misunderstanding, I know that now. We're blaming it on hormones."

"So you two are okay?" Brooke asked glancing around the room.

Haley held out her hand to Nathan, "Yes, we're good."

Nathan slid in behind her, kissed her hand and wrapped an arm around Haley's waist, "We're great."

Brooke sat at the Rivercourt with Lucas later that night. "What happened today?"

"I'm not even quite sure. But I'm guessing Peyton was somehow involved with their big misunderstanding."

"Yeah, I got that much. What was that about Nathan loving Peyton?"

"I honestly don't know."

"We'll ask Peyton, that way we don't pour salt on open wounds with our favorite couple. That, and I REALLY owe her an apology about my comment."

"Yeah, that was a little harsh. But I'm just glad Nathan and Haley are back together. It's the only time either of them are truly happy."

Brooke rested her hand on his, "Do you think we'll ever have what they have?"

Lucas smiled, "The drama?"

Brooke chuckled, "We've had the drama, which incidentally also involved Peyton."

"Let's not go there. And not all of their drama is Peyton related, just the most recent."

"True."

"Yes, I think we'll be happy, and someday hopefully be as blessed as them. With kids and all, but not two kids at once, that might be too much." He kissed her, "But no matter what happens it'll be right for us."

Peyton was sitting quietly drawing when there was a soft knock on the door. Swiveling in her chair she saw Haley standing there shyly.

"Hey."

"What do you want Haley? I'm kind of busy."

"I shouldn't have said what I did earlier."

"It's okay," Peyton shrugged.

"No, it's not okay," Haley walked into the room and sat on the bed. "Peyton, I never should have suspected you of trying to steal Nathan. I know you'd never do that."

"How could you know? I've done it before."

"No, Peyton, don't say that. That was totally different. You were in love with Lucas first, and Brooke just kinda swooped in. Although, actually Nathan was yours first too. And I squirmed my way in. Oh my god, I'm a horrible person. ARE you still in love with Nathan?"

"Haley, stop. You are not a horrible person. You are a wonderful person. And lets remember, that yes, Nathan and I WERE dating at the time, but it was Nathan who moved in on you. And as I've said many times before, what Nathan and I had was never about love. But I am glad that because of the person YOU have halped him become we can be friends."

"So we're okay."

"Yes," Peyton nodded.

"And neither one of us are bad people?"

"No, neither one of us are bad people."

A grin broke out across Haley's face, "Good. Now there was something else I wanted to tell you."

"Okay," Peyton responded hesitantly.

"I absolutely LOVE the nursery. It's perfect. I love the personal touches. And between you and me," Haley whispered, "The monkeys are my favorite."