Who I Became

Chapter 53

Albert Camus once wrote, "Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken." But I wonder if there's no breaking then there's no healing, and if there's no healing then there's no learning. And if there's no learning then there's no struggle. But the struggle is a part of life. So must all hearts be broken?

Two years later

"Happy birthday my loves!" "Haley said as she hugged and kissed Mathew and Karen." "As they walked downstairs." "I'll make you anything you want." "Haley says happily". "As she walks into the kitchen."

"We want pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate chips!" "They said excitedly in unison." "As they sat down at the table."

"Sounds delicious." "Coming right up you two get your favorite flavor carton of juice out of the fridge and we'll eat." "Haley said." "While she finished up and got plates out."

"While they went to get the juice Haley put toppings on the table." "Sitting back down. Everyone started to eat." "As they excitedly talked about their party happening later on that day." "When they were done." "Was their uninterrupted time with their mom." "Which didn't happen often as much with Haley being back to song writing and performing and the both of them and their activities and school."

Party time

"Go have fun." "I'll let you know when it's time for cake." "Haley said as she hugged them." "And watched as they went off to play with their friends."

"They grow up way to fast." "Brooke said smiling." "As she walked over to Haley." "Hugging her."

"I wasn't sure if you were coming." "Haley says surprised and happy." "Hugging her back."

"With the craziness of expanding the brand and moving houses." "I was worried I would miss it." "There is nowhere else in the world for me to be but here." "Brooke says happily." "Bonnie's out there playing with them." "Smiling as she felt her hand being taken."

"Antwan Taylor it has been too long." "Haley says hugging him."

"Haley James I've missed you girl." He says smiling hugging her back."

"I'm still not over your wedding it was beautiful and full of love and hope."

"For the rest of us." "Haley says honestly." "I'm here just in time." "Haley heard as she turned around. "Jake jagielski". "You were supposed to be back a week ago." "Haley says."

"I know we've been busy settling in and getting reacquainted with town and the people in it." "Jake said."

"I still can't believe you got married without telling any of us." "But I know Jenny was besides herself."

"I'm still in shock. Aunt Haley." "Jenny said hugging Haley."

"You have to fill me in on college life." "We will talk later." "Haley said to her as she left and rejoined the party."

"There you both are." "Haley said as they walked over."

"We would have been here sooner." "But between traffic and this one." "Stops were made." "Anna said playfully."

"We didn't plan to get pregnant at the same time." "But it is fun to be able to go through all of this with Brooke." "As if we weren't close enough." "Peyton says."

"There is my partner in crime." Baby edition." "Brooke says happily as her and Peyton hug."

" With all of this fun we've been having." I lost track of the time." "The kids are probably climbing the walls for cake by now." "Haley says."

"As she calls the twins over and the room darkens." "With the candles and their happy faces taking center stage." "Haley is humbled and knows that the years will only go fast after this." "While the candles are blown out and claps and cheers fill the air." "Haley can't stop herself from looking around." "At all the people that have a permeant place in her life and heart." "Just as she starts to walk over and serve the cake."

"Her breath catches as she sees him." Across the room." Blending into the crowd." "Nathan." "She says softly."

"