Hello! Hello! I'm back! And we're getting to the back end of the story. But beware, there is more drama to come for Nathan/Haley. So don't get too happy. Muahaha! Happy reading and please review!
Court Appearances
It had been two months since that hot unexpected encounter in the store. He still saw Haley on a daily basis but he couldn't help feeling disappointed about her not answering his question. She wouldn't give him a real answer and after that day she pretty much acted as if he never even asked her to marry him.
They hadn't slept together again since that day, but it was never far from his mind. How could it be?
Today would be their first day in court and Nathan was feeling on edge. Haley had kept her promise to him and now he had one of the best family attorneys in the state. His name was Alfred Banks. The guy was known to be ruthless and he went to no ends to ensure that all of his clients were successful of their pursuits in court. He didn't lose many cases.
He told Nathan that Gia didn't stand a chance and he promised the father full custody of the boys when all was said and done.
He stood there fiddling with his neck tie. His nerves were on end and all he wanted was for this whole awful thing to be over with. There were much bigger more important things on his mind then Gia.
He had to get Haley to say yes and dealing with his nonsense of the boys biological mother was weighing heavily on his tired mind.
"Hey bro. How you holding up?," Lucas asked. His brother was clearly out of it and he could see the stress all over his face.
"Good. I just wanna get this whole thing are over so that we can move on with our lives. I want Gia gone forever and I'll do whatever that takes to make it happen," he sighed.
"It's going to happen, Nate. No judge in their right mind will side with her," Lucas patted his back. "This'll be a cakewalk. You have the best lawyer around thanks to Haley. I have total confidence in our case."
"Thanks Lucas. It means the world to have you and Brooke's support."
"And Haley," he added. "You know she's there for you, Nathan."
"I know," he quietly mumbled. "Where are they?," he asked referring to Haley and Brooke, both of whom were no where in sight. They were going to be called In the courtroom and he wondered what the heck they could possibly be doing.
"Bathroom. You know women. They travel in packs," Lucas chuckled.
"Yeah."
"How are things going on that front?," he asked his younger brother.
Nathan rubbed his hand over his newly shaven head. Among the many things stressing him out, his Haley problems.
"They're going slowly. Snails pace, Luke. I asked her to marry me," he told his wide eye brother.
"Get out! What did she say, Nate?"
"Nothing. She said absolutely nothing."
"Bummer. Well it doesn't matter. I know she'll agree to marry you really soon. I'm sure of it," he confidently smirked.
"I wish that I had your confidence. I've always believed we were meant to be, ya know? But lately, I'm not so sure. I'm starting to think it's really done with, bro. That maybe we can't find our way out of that darkness. We were so close. I just think she's a little threatened by Gia's presence in our life. I told her that it didn't matter though. I don't know if she believes me."
"She will Nate. Have a little faith, bro."
"How are things going with the lug head?," Brooke asked as she did her business in the bathroom stall.
"They're at a stand still I guess. We're kinda stuck in this awkward place. We're friends but at times it feels like so much more. I don't know. It's so damn complicated."
"Well, do you want it to be more, Hales?"
"Sometimes," Haley admitted. "We had a moment," Haley said realizing they were the only two people in the bathroom.
"A moment? What does that mean, girly?"
"We slept together," she blushed even though Brooke couldn't see the sheepish look on her face.
"Shut up!," Brooke excitedly came out. "When did this happen, Hales?"
"Couple weeks back. We did it in the store," she blushed redder. "Oh my god. I'm such a slut," she said embarrassed.
"That's kinky. I knew you were a little freak," Brooke joked with happy giggle and clap. "It's always the quiet ones."
Haley smiled shyly.
"It was so unexpected and satisfying. God Brooke, the way he made me feel," she sighed contently. "It caught me completely off guard. There we were discussing the whole Gia court thing and I was just trying to be completely supportive when he suddenly blurts out that he loves me. I didn't know what to say."
"Clearly," Brooke said.
"The passion just took over from there and the next thing I know is we're on the office desk ripping each other clothes off. It was so damn hot," she nearly waved her hand in her face, but held back trying not to further embarrass herself.
"Sounds like you've made a decision, Haley."
"What do you mean?," she asked confused.
"C'mon Hales, you made love to him...in the store he bought for you. You opened up again and you gave yourself to him completely. That has to mean something."
"No. No, it was just sex," she shook her head in denial. "Meaningless sex. It was a one time thing and now it's over."
"You're kidding yourself, babe. I think it's just beginning. You and Nate are finding your way back to each other whether you want to admit it or not," she happily smiled at her confused friend.
"He asked to marry me," she told Brooke suddenly. She knew she probably shouldn't say anything to further encourage Brooke but she needed to tell someone.
"Oh my god!," Brooke screamed. She started jumping up and down laughing hysterically as she hugged Haley tight.
"This is wonderful news. I knew that idiot would come to his senses," she excitedly laughed.
"What? What are you talking about, Brooke? Slow down," she giggled.
"The ring. It's perfect, right? Let's see, let's see," she held her hands out Haley. "I know it's gonna look absolutely perfect on your hand."
"What ring, Brooke?"
"The engagement ring, silly. Give it. I've been dying to see it again."
"There is no ring. He just asked me. I'm confused here. "
"The ring...from Tiffany's," she stuttered. "The one Nathan bought for you. Lucas and I saw it right after that whole truth came out," she spilled loosely. "He was planning on giving it to you when you guys were on vacation. Oh my god," Brooke turned away realizing Haley didn't know. "I really should shut up now. I have a big mouth."
"He bought me a ring?," she said aloud to herself. "It can't be true. No, it's not even possible," she tried to deny. "I didn't think he was serious. I just thought it was the heat of the moment type of thing. Oh my god, he really meant it," Haley teared up emotionally.
"We call the case of number 42567 Scott vs. Scott. We're hear to determine the custodial right of minors Daniel L. Scott and Matthew C. Scott," the judge said. They were all sitting in the stuffy court room now.
Nathan was on one side with Brooke, Lucas, and Haley sitting behind him. And Gia sat opposite him with no one but a mere court watcher there to support her.
"The biological mother is petitioning the county court for the right of physical custody. Is that correct, counselor?," he asked of Gia's lawyer.
"That's correct your honor," the lawyer named Fred Willis answered.
"And the defendant is fighting for the right to maintain his rights of the children as is? Is that correct?"
"Yes, your honor," Alfred answer.
"Ok," the judge nodded. "Will you please give your opening arguments. We'll start with you Mr. Willis."
"Today we're here because a mother wants the right to raise her children. There have been mistakes made but my client is just asking for the opportunity we all need in life, another chance. Her children mean the world to her and all she wants is the rights any other mother has. I have no qualms about how difficult or how much of an adjustment this would be for the minor children but I ask of the courts to please with an open mind, make the decision that feels right in your heart. Don't deny a mother the chance t love her kids," Fred said. "Thank you your honor," he sat back down.
Alfred stood up determined in his stance. He turned toward Nathan and held his hand out toward him. "Your honor this man here has been a single father for all of nine years. He's made a successful career, built a stable home, and he found a way to raise his sons to be productive well adjusted citizens in the world. The petitioner of this court, Gia Scott claims she loves their children. Well I ask this of court, where has she been for all these years? All of the times they were sick or scared. All of the times when they've succeeded in sports or got a good grade. I'll tell you, she was no where to be found. But I will tell you this, this man has been there every step of the way. So I urge the court to please see fit to keep the boys where they belong in a stable environment, with their father. Keep them with the person that's loved them from day one. It's only right," Alfred finished.
"Thank you counsellors," the judge sad. "We'll start worth opening arguments. Mr. Banks will you please call your first witness."
"Yes. We call to the stand Mrs. Brooke Scott."
Brooke stood up and she walked toward the stand. She made sure to throw a glare Gia's way before taking a seat. The bailiff walked over to her and placed her hand onto the black book.
"Do you swear to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help you God?," the bailiff asked.
"I do," Brooke replied.
"I'd like you to state to the court your connection with Nathan Scott," Alfred said.
"I'm his sister in law. The boys are my nephews," she said.
"So I guess it's safe to say that you have a vested state in the outcome of this entire thing."
"Yes. I want the boys to remain in their home. They're completely happy and secure there."
"Mrs. Scott, will you please give the court here a picture of that life you seem so adamant the children maintain."
"Nathan's been a great dad for as long as I can remember. He's been loving and kind and all kinds of supportive with anything concerning the boys. I have to say I was surprised at how good of a father he turned out to be," Brooke smiled. "He was always so adamant about never having kids but when he was blessed with them they became his entire world. Everything he's ever done has been for them and their best interest. I couldn't imagine his life without them. Nathan would do anything to protect his children from the harm this world can offer."
"Mrs. Scott, do you believe the children should be taken from his custody in order for Gia Scott to raise them?," Alfred asked.
"No, no, I don't," Brooke responded.
"That'll be all," Alfred said. He sat back down next to Nathan and watched Fred stand up to question Brooke.
"Mrs. Scott, may I," he asked stepping very close to Brooke.
She squirmed nervously wondering why this jerk was in such close proximity to her.
"You say that you never expected Mr. Scott here to be a great father. Why is that? If I'm not mistaken, you've known him since you were teenagers. Is that correct?," Fred asked.
"Yes, freshman year of high school," Brooke replied.
"Then why didn't you expect your longtime friend to be a good father? He's been apart of your life for so long, why not?"
"Well..., she stammered. "He just wasn't the father type in high school," she tried.
"What does that mean?"
Brooke looked to her husband, and then to Nathan. She didn't want to answer the question. She didn't want to give the court any reason to see Nathan as unfit. It was the farthest thing from the truth.
"Umm, no reason."
"No reason? Sounds like there is a story there Mrs. Scott," Fred laughed. "Is it because Mr. Scott was a party boy?"
"I object," Alfred stood. "Your honor this line of questioning has nothing to do with the man or father my client has become. His high school behavior does not wipe away everything he has done in his life. I'd like to strike the last question from the court."
"Mr. Willis, I tend to agree with counselor Banks. Is this line of questioning going anywhere?." the judge asked.
"I just want everyone to see that there have been mistakes on both sides. My client is no more irresponsible than the children's biological father," Fred said.
"That'll be all counselor. We will not turn this case into a mudslinging farce. We have two minor children's welfare at stake and I will not allow it. Mrs. Scott, will you please step down."
Nathan wiped his brow in frustration. This ass wipe was trying to use his wild high school days as ammunition. Who didn't act a little crazy as a teenager? What a fucking joke.
Brooke walked down to her seat and Haley gave her a sympathetic rub on the back. Lucas grabbed her hand and gave her a light kiss on the cheek. He mouthed 'it's ok' and gave her a comforting smile. He knew she was feeling bad about what had just went on. He could read it all on his wife's face.
"Mr. Banks, call your next witness," the judge sighed.
"We call Haley James to the stand," Alfred said.
