Chapter Thirty Five

Nathan entered the foyer. Haley was right beside him. They heard footsteps running towards them. They were relieved to see all of the children were home safely. Especially Tristan and Cassie. Both Lucas and Brooke joined everyone in the hall. However, they weren't there for pleasantries and Nathan and Haley knew it. They greeted the children before sending them off to go and play.

"What is going on?" Brooke asked Nathan and Haley as soon as the adults were alone. "Does this has to do with what happened this morning?"

Nathan led the three adults into the kitchen. Lucas made them coffee as Haley told them about her interrogation. Lucas and Brooke couldn't believe their ears when they heard about Dan's confession. "So now we believe Carrie is on the run and we wanted to make sure she didn't try and snatch the kids," Nathan said. "I have given the stranger danger talk with them before, but you never know whether they really listen to you until it's tested out."

"I wish we can test it out so we can catch her in the act," Brooke said. "But I don't want my kids to be guinea pigs, not after what happened last time. I don't want to be put through that again."

"It's okay. I don't want to put my kids in that position either," Nathan replied. "I just wish I could get Renée to understand. We tried to get an update on her, but nobody would tell us anything. And Julian wasn't any help. He still insisted Haley and I had something to do with her attack and Renée would definitely file for full custody now." He shook his head in disbelief. "How did things get so messed up?"

"Don't worry. I'm sure the police will find her before she does anything else," Lucas said. "For now, we'll just keep a close eye on the kids."

"Speaking of the kids, I'm going to check on them," Haley said and disappeared from the kitchen. Brooke was right behind her. The boys were playing on the Wii and Cassie and Penny had gone upstairs to their bedroom to play with their Barbies. Little Bella was in her playpen in the den.

Haley went to the front window and peeked outside. She looked up and down the streets, but she didn't see Carrie's vehicle. "I doubt Carrie would park right in front of the house," Brooke told her as she sat down on the couch. "She's not that stupid."

"No, but she certainly is desperate," Haley replied. "What kind of person would order an attack on another person? Especially a pregnant woman? Renée had a miscarriage because of her. And she framed me and Nathan for it. If Dan didn't jump in and admit that it was her, I probably would be sitting in a jail cell right now."

"I'm surprised the police let you leave town," Brooke said. "I know you're not suspects, but the police still has to do their investigation. They just can't take Dan's word for it."

Haley let out a heavy sigh. "I know. The police did stop us once we were out the door and advised us not to leave town. We explained that we had to check on the kids, but we would be back. We've already talked to Jake and Peyton and they would be willing to take all four of us."

"Tristan and Cassie are going with you?" Brooke asked. "Are you sure that's a good idea? What if Carrie is still in Charlotte? Maybe you should keep them here with us. That way, they're not involved in the case. And I'm sure Renée would just love to put another strike against Nathan for putting the children in danger. Besides, it will give you and Nathan some more alone time together."

Haley gave her an innocent look. "What do you mean by that?"

Brooke just gave her a smile. "Do you really think your parents were the only ones who noticed you and Nathan slipped into the women's restroom? Well, I'm impressed. I never expected you would be the one who would make the first move."

"Nathan needed it," Haley said. There was a short pause. "And I think I needed it too. It wasn't my first time, but it was the first time I've done it since I found out I couldn't have kids. You know, I really thought I was perfectly okay with not being able to have kids of my own. But I guess there's still part of me that doesn't want to let that dream go."

Brooke gave her a comforting smile. "I know exactly what you mean. All my life, I wanted someone to love me back. Especially since my parents didn't want anything to do with me. I never thought it would happen until I met Lucas. Of course, I thought my parents or his parents would drive us apart. I'm glad we didn't let anybody stop us. Otherwise, I'm sure we would have stopped at Zach."

Haley smiled in return. There was silence before she spoke. "I should probably go upstairs and pack." Before Brooke could say a word about the kids, Haley turned to her. "Talk to Nathan. I'm going to check on the girls again."

Just like before, the girls were playing happily with their Barbies spread out on the floor. It brought up memories of her and Quinn playing together with their dolls. And tea parties. And how she wanted to have children who were close in age and would play together and be best friends.

"Is something wrong, Aunt Haley?" Penny asked, snapping Haley out of her daydream.

The two girls gave her worried looks. Haley just gave them a smile. "No, nothing is wrong. Carry on playing," she replied before she disappeared in her bedroom.

As she packed her suitcase, she sensed a presence behind her. Sure enough, she heard Nathan's voice. "Do you think the kids would be safer with us or should they stay here? Because I don't want to bring them if it's not necessary."

"Brooke and I had the same conversation," Haley replied. Nathan wasn't surprised. He was curious to hear what Brooke had to say. "She thinks Tristan and Cassie should stay here. I'm sure they would be fine staying here, but we also don't know where Carrie is. All we know is Carrie is on the run and she could be anywhere including Tree Hill."

"Do you think we should warn Taylor?" Nathan asked. Haley frowned in confusion. "Isn't she friends with Taylor?" Haley realized he was right. "If she's on the run, she will probably go to a familiar place and might ask friends for help."

"If Taylor finds out about Carrie, she's going to call my parents," Haley said. "And I don't want my parents to worry about me."

"You know they are going to find out anyway," Nathan reminded her. "I'm sure Renée's attack will be all over the news, if it's not already. And that means the press will be all over us. So maybe it's good we're taking the kids in Charlotte. That way, they aren't in the middle of this mess."

Haley thought for a moment. "What about your mom? She's not in Tree Hill, but she is close enough to drive the kids to school. And it would give her the perfect excuse to spend some time with her grandchildren."

Nathan nodded in agreement. He thought it was a great idea and he didn't know why they didn't come up with that earlier. "I'll call her right now and talk to her about it. But I'm sure she won't mind."

The arrangements were soon made. The kids were thrilled to be going to stay with their grandma. At the same time, Tristan could sense something was up and he wanted to know what was going on. Nathan explained the situation as best as he could without scaring his son. Tristan promised to watch over both his sister and Deb. Nathan had no doubt he would protect them.

"If you're not comfortable with us sleeping in the same bed, I can always sleep on the sofa," Nathan told Haley. They had just dropped the children off at Deb's house and they were on their way back to Charlotte.

Haley gave him a look. "You're seriously asking that right now? We've already gone to that next step. I think we're qualified to sleep in the same bed together." Nathan didn't answer. From the look on his face, she could sense something was bothering him. "Nathan, what's wrong?"

Nathan let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know. Ever since Cooper and Rachel announced their relationship, I don't think I've been focused on us. And now that I found out not only my dad cheated on my mom, but my grandpa had an affair at one time. What does that mean for me? For us?" Haley wanted to respond, but Nathan wasn't finished. "I didn't tell you this before, but Renée and I did fake our happy marriage before we realized it wasn't working and we should separate."

"You did?" Haley asked surprised. Nathan nodded. "That doesn't sound like you."

"It was more Renée's idea than mine," Nathan replied. "I think she had a hard time accepting our marriage might be over. And she didn't want to be embarrassed in front of her friends. She always have been focused on appearances. Well, she was when I was married to her. I have no idea what she wants now that she's with Julian."

"I don't know anything about this Julian Baker, but he does seem like he cares for Renée," Haley noted as she thought back to that morning when they tried to stop by the hospital and see her. Julian stopped them right away and demanded they leave before security does it for him. "He's certainly protective of her."

"Maybe we should talk to him," Haley suggested. Nathan looked unconvinced. "Nathan, you really don't know anything about him. Yes, Renée probably told him her version of events, but he doesn't know the real you, just like Renée only knows me as the nanny who is now dating her ex-husband."

"You think a mediation between all four of us would work?" Nathan asked. "Renee doesn't even want to see us right now. I doubt her finding out that Carrie was the one who hired someone to attack her would change her mind."

"Nothing else has worked," Haley pointed out. "We might as well try a mediation between everyone."

Nathan was quiet as he considered the idea. He didn't respond as he continued to drive down the highway. The thought kept going through his mind as he went back to the original subject. "I guess I'm confused because I don't know where we are in our relationship. We just started dating, but we're living together. The kids already know you. And we just had sex at Cooper's and Rachel's wedding reception." There was a short pause before he spoke again. "And the thing is I really enjoyed it."

"Really?" Haley asked. "I thought you were embarrassed by it because of my parents."

"I was until Cooper and Rachel announced they were having a baby," Nathan said. "It made me realize that I wasn't going to hide my relationship with you. I'm just wondering if we should continue with that part of our relationship or it was a one time thing. I don't want to confuse the kids in thinking we're going to rush into engagement or marriage just because we're sleeping in the same bed."

Haley nodded understandingly. "I see. That is a tough one. Well, we don't have to figure that out right now, do we? The kids aren't even with us." Nathan knew she had a point. "Why don't we discuss it after we get back home and just enjoy the weekend?" Nathan smiled in agreement. They shared a quick kiss before Nathan turned his eyes back on the road.

By the time they arrived at their destination, it was nearly dinnertime and Jake and Peyton were preparing a delicious meal for the four of them. Nathan and Haley settled in the guest room before they joined the hosts at the table. They talked a little about the case before they moved onto talking about the kids.

"I can't tell you how much I hate you being so far away," Jake told Haley. "But I'm sure you're glad to be back in our hometown near your parents and Quinn." Haley nodded in agreement. "What about you, Nathan? How are you liking Tree Hill?"

Nathan gave him a wide smile. "The kids and I love it," he admitted. "It's more the job than anything else. I've never coached before, but that's probably why I'm the assistant coach. I'm not ready to be a head coach."

"I'm sure you'll do great," Peyton assured him. Everyone else quickly agreed with her. "Now who wants dessert?" She turned to Haley. "Jake made sure to get your favorite ice cream flavor." Haley gave her friend a smile. "He never spoils me like that," she teased.

After eating dessert and calling Deb to say good night to Tristan and Cassie, Nathan and Haley got ready for bed. It didn't take long to agree they were going to sleep in the guest bedroom together. "I've never seen Jake so talkative before," Haley told Nathan as he returned from the bathroom. She had a thoughtful look on her face. "I didn't realize the move would be so hard on him."

"Are you thinking about moving back?" Nathan teased her. Haley gave him a look. "I just wanted to ask."

Haley smiled. "No, I am not planning to move back here, especially not without you and the kids. Speaking of the kids, poor Cassie. I guess this is the first time she slept over at your mom's place. She wanted me to check for monsters under her bed."

"Do you want me to check for clowns?" Nathan asked, knowing that it was her worst fear.

"I kind of do," Haley said. To amuse her, Nathan glanced under the bed and in the closet. "What about outside our window?" she asked. Nathan went to the window and peeked through the blinds. He didn't see anything out of the ordinary. He went over to the bed as Haley turned off the light. "Thanks. It's nice to know there are no monsters around here." Nathan nodded in agreement as he climbed in next to her and drifted off to sleep, not knowing how wrong they were.