Chapter 37
Before either one of them could blink their eyes the three weeks were done and Haley had to get back to school. Deb and Dan had not been the most inviting in-laws she could hope for. But with the knowledge of the money she figured they weren't to happy to hear that Nathan and Haley were married. Haley had gotten close to Annabelle and she was sad to have to say goodbye. Annabelle wasn't at all as bad as Nathan had made her out to be and he had apologized. Annabelle told them how she had, in that past year, figured out exactly how evil their parents could be. Though she still embraced the money she wasn't her parents pawn anymore.
Haley silently packed her last bag as she turned to the window and looked out over the garden. She stared at the pond with awe in her eyes. The water - even from where she was standing - looked absolutely amazing and it seemed to have a calming effect on her nerves. She slid her hand through her hair and sighed as she caught sight of Nathan standing near the edge of the pond, also staring at it.
Nathan had talked to his mother the previous night and it had not gone the way he wanted it to. Her arrangement that if they could prove Haley really loves him then she'll pay for his medication, had not worked. She was being a bitch about it and that was when he had blown his top. He had told her that if she wasn't going to pay he would use his own trust fund to pay for it...and then maybe even stop. He wasn't that athletic...it wasn't that he really needed it. Deb Scott had not liked that idea and from there the fight just seemed to escalate. In the end she had driven him to tears as he yelled at her.
"Don't make me choose between you and Haley mother! Because I will always...and I mean always...choose Haley!"
Deb had been shocked as hell to hear him say that and when he walked she said he could stay in Tree Hill...that he just had to go get his stuff and that would be it...he would never have to see Australia if he didn't want to. It had been a win for him...but at what cost? He didn't want to lose contact with his mother - no matter how bad it was between them. He stared at the calming pond water before he turned and found Haley staring down at him. He smiled up at her before he turned and started walking back towards the house.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Haley and Nathan stood next to the car as Eduardo packed the last of their bags in. Haley held Nathan's hand as Annabelle came running out.
"Wait wait! Don't go yet!" she yelled out of breath and Haley laughed.
'What's wrong Belle?" Nathan asked worriedly and Annabelle smiled.
"So I was thinking...that maybe...you broke free from the family name and I haven't seen you happier...and well I want to have that to..." she said softly as she looked down and Haley left Nathan's side to hug Annabelle.
"You can have it Belle!" she urged and Annabelle smiled.
"That's why I enrolled in a new school for the last semester and my last year..." she said proudly and both Nathan and Haley stared at her - open-mouthed.
"What...what? You're leaving your school? What about your friends?" Haley asked and Annabelle laughed.
"Those guys are all after two things. Either my money or my looks." she stated and Nathan rested his body against the car.
"Let's just say...for a split-second I actually support you...why would you go against mother and father?" he asked as he frowned and Annabelle smiled.
"Because all of my life I have been seen as this little prize that they put on a pedestal and I had enough...I want to be loved for me Nate...I don't want to be that pretty rich girl anymore..." she wanted to exclaim but instead she said it in a voice that reminded him of when she was younger. He finally smiled at her.
"I support you Belle...really I do." he said as he pulled her to him and kissed her forehead as she giggled from happiness.
"So what school are you looking to enroll in?" Haley asked and Annabelle laughed.
"Oh no silly I already enrolled in a school!"
"And that would be?" Nathan asked a little worried that his sister had enrolled herself into one of the badest schools in the district.
"Tree Hill High of course! Then I get to be near you, Haley and Tyler! And Haley is there for the last semester to help me get settled in!" Annabelle smiled and Haley felt her legs lose the power to stand on their own.
"What!" Nathan bellowed and Annabelle gave him a look.
"Oh don't even try that older brother crap on me now Nathan. I made my choice. And I'm staying with Tyler and Christina. So don't worry...you just have to take me there..." she said sternly and Nathan sighed as he let his hand got through his hair.
"How the hell are we going to get your stuff there Belle?" he asked bewildered at her sudden choice.
"Oh silly it's already there! I had it flown down this morning!" she replied brightly as she climbed into the car and set herself in the backseat. Nathan turned to Haley to find she was looking very pale. He stepped to her and she grabbed onto his arm.
"Hales! Are you okay you look a little pale..." he said worriedly as he looked her up and down and she smiled.
"I'm...just a little sick I guess but I'll be fine...let's just get going." she pleaded as he nodded, still eyeing her, and helped her in her seat.
"Tree Hill here we come!" Annabelle laughed and Haley couldn't help but smile.
oOoOoOoOoOo
They arrived home to find that everyone was still gone. Lucas and Brooke were still in Miami, Peyton off with her family, Skills and Chris probably lying in a ditch drunk, Bevin with her family and Tim...well who really cared. Tyler and his wife were also away so they all decided to stay over at Haley's house. Annabelle tagged along - not liking the idea of staying alone in Tyler's house. Nathan carried out their bags and placed them in the room before he drove over to Tyler's house to get some of Annabelle's stuff...leaving Annabelle and Haley alone.
Haley walked to her room and heavily sat down. She was tired and she felt sick to the pit of her stomach. She laid down and closed her eyes - wishing sleep would take over her body. But it didn't. She heard a gasp and she opened her eyes to find Annabelle staring around in her room. Haley smiled.
"I know...it's small..." Haley started but Annabelle cut her off with the wave of her hand.
"It's...wow...amazing! It looks like an interior decorator got a hold of it!" she cooed as she looked around and Haley couldn't help but feel proud. It had been all her, Brooke and Peyton's doing a year ago when they had all still been friends. Peyton had done the art on her walls - which looked like some fairytale. Brooke brought all the rest and together they had transformed the small room into a magical room.
"No no. It's all me and my friends I promise you that..." she said quickly before she leaned back and sighed again. Annabelle turned her gaze towards Haley and moved closer to her - worry etched in every detail of her face.
"Haley...are you all right?" she asked and Haley gave a weak smile.
"Yeah don't worry about me. I think I'm getting a cold...but I'll be fine. Be sure that that brother of yours will doctor me back to health in no time!" even as she said the words she felt her head start to ache and she dully gave a cough.
"Belle...do me a favor. You saw where everything is so make yourself right at home. I think I'm just going to take a little nap to get over the most of this cold. So just tell Nathan when he comes back please." Haley said as she laid her head on the pillow, already starting to doze off. Annabelle softly and slowly walked to the door and started closing it behind her.
"Will do...sweet dreams Haley..." she said softly as she closed it shut.
Annabelle entertained herself for a while - mostly with her phone and looking through some of Haley's photo albums - till she heard a car pull up to the house. She peered out of the window and saw Nathan step out of the car, cursing under his breath as he brought out two of her suitcases. She smiled lovingly at him and waited till he entered with the suitcases before she made her presence known.
"Thanks big brother!" she laughed as she grabbed them from him and walked to her room, which was thankfully on the first floor. Nathan stared at her wide-eyed before he shook his head and followed her into the room.
"You never seem to amaze me Belle...still the same as always I see." he commented as he leaned against the wall and Annabelle laughed as she gave him a look over her shoulder.
"And so are you...you haven't changed a bit. You still hate to help me get my stuff..." Nathan groaned.
"Because you always have thousands of bags..." he commented and Annabelle giggled.
"Oh don't be silly Nathan...I don't have that much! The most I had was 37..." Nathan looked at her before he laughed.
"Where's Haley? Did you send her out to go buy stuff for you or something?" he asked as he looked at her and she turned around, placing her hands on her hips.
"Nathan Scott! I am not such a bitch!" she said in a hushed tone and Nathan lifted his hands in defense.
"Okay okay...I didn't say you were! I was just kidding." he backtracked and Annabelle smiled in satisfaction.
"Good to hear. And Haley is sleeping in her room...she didn't feel to good so she went for a nap..." she said as she rifled through her bags and Nathan gave her a pleading look.
"Nate...it's fine go look after your wife. Just be back before midnight..." she laughed and Nathan smiled thankfully before he made his way up the stairs and to Haley's room.
Nathan carefully opened the door and saw Haley fast asleep on the bed. He sneaked in and walked towards her. Her face was still pale but it looked better than it had in the car on the trip home. He felt her forehead and found it to feel normal. Quietly he took of his shoes as he laid down on the bed behind her and pulled her to him. Suddenly Haley's eyes opened and she looked at him - fear in her expression.
"Baby...what's wrong?" he asked worriedly and Haley let a single tear slide down her cheek.
"I...I had a nightmare Nathan. I...I dreamed I was pregnant...and that I lost our baby again..." she cried into his chest and he pulled her tighter against him.
"Shh don't worry it was just a nightmare...it was just a nightmare...you don't have anything to worry about it won't happen..." he soothed her but she pulled away as she looked into his eyes.
"I don't know if I can say it to you...I don't want to scare you..." she cried but he kept her gaze as he bought his hand up to cup her cheek.
"Nothing you can say will scare me..." he said softly and Haley closed her eyes.
"I'm late...I think I'm pregnant..."
In an instant Nathan Scott was scared.