Find Our Way Back
Chapter 28
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine.
Author's Note: Hey everyone! I want to apologize for the extreme lack of updates here! I know it's been way too long! But, after my computer crashed, I lost my motivation. But, I've got a chapter done, and I have high hopes for finishing this story in the next few months. Enjoy, and please review…believe it or not, but they totally motivate my writing!
Haley was standing by the door waiting for Jake to pull up the car when the phone rang. She debated whether to answer or not, since they were on their way to meet Brooke and Lucas. Since Nathan had taken their children to do something special, Jake had called Lucas to go play basketball and Haley was going to lunch with Brooke. The ringing stopped and Haley heard the machine click on and Brooke's voice filled the room, "Tutor mom, you'd better be on your way over here. I'm starving."
Haley laughed, Brooke always did have a way with words. She peeked out the window and saw Jake pull up. She dashed out to the car and smiled at him, "Princess Brooke is impatient. She just called and said we'd better be on our way."
Jake couldn't help but laugh along, "She's a killer. Lucas is a brave man."
"Lucas is a man in love."
"So, tutor-wife, is it a go?"
"What?"
"The Jagelski's moving here of course."
"You bet it is."
"When?"
Haley looked at her, "What, am I not friend enough?"
"No, that's not it at all. You're great Haley. It's just that I've missed being near Peyton. And it's not just that. Everything is finally falling into place."
Haley tilted her head, "Oh, how so?"
"I'm beginning to think everything happens for a reason. Like you and Nathan. You were supposed to marry young and then split up. And now, get back together."
"Brooke…"
"No, seriously. If you had stayed together you'd probably still be living in Tree Hill and have a wonderful life. But Nathan wouldn't have done the NBA thing. Peyton and Jake would still be in Tree Hill, and Uncle Lou still would've died and Luke and I would still be here, alone. Bout you found us. And now Nathan's found you, and the two of you have brought the group back together, bringing Jake and Peyton to town. Maybe subconsciously that's what kept us from having a baby until now. We knew this would happen and we wanted to wait."
"Wow," that was all Haley could muster.
Brooke's serious demure quickly disappeared when she remembered she had pictures to share. "We had a doctor's appointment this morning." She shoved sonogram pictures at Haley, "Lucas is hoping it's a boy. He says having a boy is more economical for our family." Brooke scrunched up her brow, "Whatever that means."
Haley couldn't help but find the humor in that statement, "He probably just means a boy will be less likely to become a shopaholic like his dear wife."
"Oh, yeah, you're probably right. But once the Jagelskis get here, the girls will be SERIOUSLY outnumbered. We need more estrogen in our little community."
"You're too funny Tigger," Haley said laughing.
"Please tell me you aren't hoping for another boy," Brooke groaned.
"I don't care much. I'm just happy with the knowledge that I finally have the family I've always wanted," Haley paused, "Okay, that's not the whole truth. I AM hoping for a boy."
"You're kidding me. What mother doesn't want a little girl to spoil?"
"One who's afraid."
"What's there to be afraid of Haley? You've been wonderful with Jimmy."
Haley shook her head, "I'm probably just being dumb. But it's Nathan. He is so excited for the baby. I'm afraid he'll smother the kid, and neglect Jimmy. This will be his first BABY. But, maybe if it's a boy he won't be as intense, since we already have tons of boy stuff."
Brooke tried her darnedest not to laugh, but it was hard. She knew how anxious Nathan was ant that what Haley said held a small ounce of truth, but Brooke also knew something else, "Don't worry Haley, he'll still shower Jimmy with love. He won't be shoved aside like some un-wanted stepchild."
"Thanks Brooke," Haley knew her sister-in-law was right.
"Anytime. Now, what can I do to change your mind about a boy? I mean, do you really want three Nathan's running around? Oh! I know, we'll go look at baby clothes!"
Haley chuckled, "Sounds like fun. But not all little boys are clones of their daddies. If they were, I'm guessing that neither of us would be married to a Scott."
"Thank god for miracles," Brooke smiled and took Haley's hand, dragging her out of the food court and to the nearest department store.
Nathan smiled and waved at Jimmy and Jenny as they rode the carousel in the mall. They'd spent the day searching for gifts for Jake and Haley to celebrate their new record deal. Jimmy had wanted to get Haley a new keyboard, but Nathan knew she still used the one he'd bought her when she returned from touring with "The Wreckers," and didn't want to replace it. He'd suggested something smaller.
He smiled at the memory of Jimmy stopping in front of the small bracelet shop in the center of the mall, "That daddy," he'd said. Nathan's hadn't realized they still did the personalized link bracelets. But he knew Jimmy had made a great choice. After much thought and looking, they'd decided on a silver starter set with the addition of a musical note, Jimmy's birthstone, a gift certificate to get one with the new baby's birthstone, Nemo (Because Jimmy's convinced it's HER favorite movie too), an "S" (for obvious reasons), and of course, a basketball. They knew she'd love it.
Jenny had picked out an equally fitting gift for her father. At the third music store they visited, she found custom-made guitar straps. She picked out a blue one, with white writing, "'cause those are Ravens colors," she'd proudly stated. 'Daddy' was embroidered across the center. She also wanted to get pins with her and her brother's pictures made to put on the strap.
Nathan waved at the kids again, glad that they'd decided to spend this time together. The two children, despite their extreme difference in age, were becoming great friends. He knew that would make the move easier for Jenny, and hopefully her brothers too.
Nathan's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a ringing phone. Realizing it was his phone he pulled it out of his pocket and flipped it open, "Hello."
"Nathan, thank god."
"Brooke? What's wrong?"
"It's Haley. Where are you?"
"At the mall, watching Jimmy and Jenny ride the carousel."
"Get your ass to the west entrance now."
"What happened?" Nathan asked as he motioned for the attendant to stop the ride.
"She's been hit by a car. Ambulance is on the way."
"We'll get there as quick as we can." Nathan grabbed both children from the ride.
"What's going on Uncle Nathan?"
"Yeah daddy. Why'd we have to stop?"
"Mommy and Aunt Brooke want to see us right away and they're on the other side of the mall."
"But daddy, they'll see our presents."
"Don't worry buddy. How 'bout I put mommy's bracelet in my pocket."
"But what about Jenny's present?"
"Her daddy isn't here, so it's okay."
"Uncle Nathan, you're walking too fast," Jenny complained.
He scooped both kids into his arms and ran the rest of the way. They arrived just in time to hear Brooke pleading with the paramedics.
"Please, wait. Her husband is here in the mall. He's on his way now."
"I'm here Brooke."
"Thank god Nathan. They said she's going to be okay."
"You take the kids and meet us at the hospital."
"Daddy? Where's mommy? You said she was with Aunt Brooke."
Jenny looked at him, "I think Aunt Haley is in the ambulance."
"Daddy? Aunt Brooke?"
Brooke looked down at a very worried Jimmy, "Your mommy fell, and the ambulance men just want to keep her and the baby safe."
"Oh, okay."
Nathan looked at Brooke and mouthed, 'Thank you.' He looked at Jimmy, "You bee good for Aunt Brooke, okay. I'll see you soon."
