Readers - thank you for your messages and reviews I know I say this a lot but I truly appreciate it :) I really enjoyed writing this one…

Chapter 11

A crisp stillness had evaded the city now basking it with the promise of a white Christmas as Lucas and Haley made their way into Scott Towers with the final box of goodies between them.

They were laughing away between themselves until their heard the obvious throat clearing.

'Oh hey you're back…' Haley said smiling as Nathan came up behind them. 'How are things going over at the hotel?'

'They're fine.' Nathan mumbled and this time Haley noticed a look passing between the brothers.

'What's going on?' She asked without skipping a beat.

'Nothing.' Nathan said as he continued ticking off things on his clipboard as if the last few seconds didn't even happen.

Haley just looked at Lucas for explanation then.

'Why don't you ask Nathan?' Lucas said pointedly looking at his brother. 'I'm going to drop these in mom's office with the rest of the boxes.'

'Nathan..' Haley just about prodded when he went off on a little rant of his own.

'You know people are starting to think Lucas is the father.' He had it said before he even realised it. 'Even Dave who we all know is deaf in one ear and won't do a thing about it heard thew news. Apparently that's the word going around the office today.'

Haley couldn't help but laugh softly trying to stop herself when Nathan stared hard at her. 'You're laughing…' He frowned.

'Nathan….I'm sorry just the idea of it….' She tried to stifle her laughs realising then he wasn't too impressed. 'Oh come on….this is probably a good thing…'

'How is this a good thing Haley?'

'Because we're not ready for people to know right so if they're speculating Luas they've just skipped past you, let them think what they want…'

For some reason, the whole idea that people would just skip past him as if it was a complete impossibly because its Haley bothered him more than he should let it.

'Is that what you want?' He asked her then.

Haley crossed her eyes at him not fully sure what exactly he was getting at now. 'What?' She said.

'People thinking its Lucas'..' He clarified.

Oh. He is still talking about this. 'Well it doesn't really matter what I want people are going to talk regardless. I'm sure they'll be thinking its someone else tomorrow maybe even you but what does it matter?'

'It doesn't.' Nathan said then.

Could have fooled me.' Haley thought but she selectively kept those thoughts to herself given how keyed up he seemed to be.

'Maybe if you two weren't giggling together every second people wouldn't come up with those observations.' He mumbled as he continued to tick off items on his checklist.

Haley was too amused at this stage to even be annoyed at him. He was acting like a jealous boyfriend but that made absolutely zero sense, the thought itself was almost as obscene as the words he'd just spoken. 'would you prefer if I cried?' She goaded him.

Nathan glanced up from the detailed working on his clipboard then. 'What…well no…but…' He fumbled and he could have sworn he saw a smirk playing on her perfect pink lips. Haley was enjoying this.

And why was he acting like such a fumbling idiot around her? Since when did he become that guy? this was usually Tim's behaviour, Tim up in financial headquarters and Nathan was certainly no Tim.

'What's really going on?' She questioned softly then.

Nathan just looked at her as if there were absolutely no need to ask such a question when reality they both knew it was necessary.

The Haley and Lucas thing may have been minor but it bothered him and the fact that it did only added to this ever-increasing trepidation he felt about this whole day entirely.

Tonight was the launch event for 'Croí' their new line, they had been working on this for the guts of a year now. Tonight was the night to commemorate 8 years of Scott's Jewellers. And it also marked 8 years since his dad's passing.

'Are you okay?' Haley asked quietly then as if she'd read his mind.

'Yea.' He lied as he sunk into his office chair, he could feel himself unravelling with it all, he'd never felt so out of sorts in himself before an event.

'Is it about tonight?'

He felt himself leaning into her concern and yet wanting to fight it all the same, it was incredibly confusing. 'No, everything's fine Haley.' He said resolutely.

She nodded and he was pretty sure she didn't believe him at all. 'Well tonight's going to be perfect.'

'So you keep saying.' He quipped, internally wincing as the words let his mouth. He glanced up and sure enough she had already begun to walk away from him.

'Haley..' He called out to her. 'I'm sorry it's just…' He failed to even verbalise it but as always she gave him a way out. He only felt even worse for that.

'It's fine.' She repeated his words from earlier before leaving his office.

But it wasn't fine. Nothing was fine.

Nathan sunk his head into his hands scolding himself for as usual letting his emotions override everything else. He really needed to straighten himself out for tonight, he had a role to play; loving son to a widowed mother, company executive, future heir to Scott's Jewellers yada yada…

He had all weekend after tonight to feel the aching nostalgia this 8 year commemorate brought with it.

'YOU are jealous.' Lucas said highly amused as he slipped back into Nathan's office with the empty boxes.

Nathan rolled his eyes not that Lucas could even see before lifting his head from his hands. 'What crap are you spewing now?'

'I heard you telling Haley about the office baby thing. It's a running joke between us Nate you don't have to be jealous.'

'I'm not.' He countered.

'Right.'

'Why are you bringing it up? Should I be?' He couldn't help but snap.

Lucas chuckled which just infuriated him further. 'No little brother I've a girlfriend whom I'm bringing to the launch tonight so by the time the clock strokes midnight everyone will know I'm not the father.'

Nathan crossed his eyes royally pissed off at his brother. 'I'm glad you think this is so funny.'

'Oh come on Nate, it's a little funny I haven't seen you act this way since I got that fisher basketball net for my tenth birthday and you couldn't wait two years for your own.'

'I'm not jealous.' He repeated.

'Whatever you say little brother.'

'I just have a lot on my mind with tonight and this weekend and then Haley's going to be gone…' He mumbled to himself.

Lucas smirked knowingly. It's like Nathan hadn't even realised his words. Haley would be gone. That seemed to be the most pressing matter.

'We're all ready for tonight, this weekend we will get through it together as for Haley maybe the break away from her will be good.'

Nathan gave him a curious look at that.

'It's been pretty full on since thanksgiving, even before that. I think the space will be good for you, it may even make you clearer on some things..'

'What are you talking about?'

Lucas could have clipped him around the head for being so naïve to his obvious feelings for the girl. 'Haley. Nate.' He said pointedly. 'I'm talking about Haley.'

XXXXX

The taxi pulled into the rank just outside the Radisson as the two girls grabbed their belongings thanking the man simultaneously as they both stepped out of the car.

'You ready Brooke Davis?' Haley mused as the girl stepped in front of the hotel.

'Haley I've been ready for events like this since our freshman year.'

Haley smiled at her friend as the two girls stepped inside the hotel both of their faces in awe at the stunning array of Christmas decorations that adorned the entrance and the many pillars within the reception. The campaign for Scott's jewellers was running repeat on the wide screen TV to the left of the reception desk. The girls walked over with their tickets and were directed straight down the hall past the TV to the large conference room and bar area.

'Holy sh…'

'Brooke…' Haley warned her tapping her belly.

'Sugar…..I was about to say sugar…' Brooke squealed then. 'Haley this is incredible. You were a part of all this?…' She said glancing in awe of the whole design of the area.

It was only then he really hit Haley, how much work they'd put into this, her first campaign. It was truly satisfying seeing it come to fruition now. 'Yea, I guess I was.' She said with a smile her eyes taking in the room, the jewellery itself was encased it frosted boxes at the top of the room while all the auction pieces were placed on the stands to the back. On the opposite side to the girls was a large bar area and of course a beautifully garnished Christmas tree in the centre of the room.

'You made it.' Peyton said coming upon the girls as she gave Haley a hug. 'Haley you look incredible.'

'Thanks Peyt.' Haley said as she hugged her back. 'Peyton this is Brooke. Brooke, this is Peyton.'

'Haley talks about you all the time.'

'All good things I hope.' Peyton mused as the girls laughed.

'She didn't mention how hot you were.'

'I said you were very pretty.' Haley intervened.

'That's more of a Haley thing to say. But I'll take hot.' Peyton joked as the three of them laughed. 'Lucas is just at the bar he said something about ordering you a cosmo.'

Brooke smiled.' I have that boy trained well. I will see you ladies later.' She winked as she bounced away.

'She seems…'

'Bubbly…'… Haley teased.

'Well that..' Peyton mused. 'I can see how she'd be good for Lucas though.'

'Oh absolutely you know he has even started smiling in work instead of squinting.'

The girls found great amusement between themselves in that.

Haley's eyes scanned the room once again.

Peyton smiled knowingly. 'He's running around there like a headless chicken somewhere.' She told Haley.' Nathan won't sit tonight, he'll keep himself busy.'

Haley wasn't even going to deny she was looking for him, truthfully shed being thinking about him the moment she stepped inside the building, her nerves building on the way here. She wasn't sure why she felt so nervous - like a girl meeting her date at prom. They weren't here together and they certainly weren't together. Still, she was worried about him. She couldn't help it.

And the second her eyes landed on the man at the end of the room leaning over the auction pieces she knew. He was adorned in a staple black suit, his wildly sexy raven hair was styled in that purposefully messy way that had her weak at the knees already. She could already make out the tenseness in his shoulders as he leaned over some auction items.

Peyton smiled following Haley's line of sight.

'He was looking for you.' She said giving Haley a smile as she walked away from the girl.

Nathan quickly felt each piece of aggrievance slipping away from him as Haley's hand curved around his upper arm rubbing it gently. He leaned back from where he had been finalising the auction items where his eyes entirely of their own will were roaming her body.

'You….' He stuttered then in disbelief as he took in the black strapless gown she was wearing that dipped in so perfectly at her breasts, a light shimmer of sparkle sheened down its length enough to accentuate the radiance of the girl herself. A barrette clipped her hair to the side as her blonde locks tumbled over one shoulder in perfect harmony. 'You…look beautiful Haley…'

Beautiful. She was pretty sure she'd never being called that in her life and especially in the way it dropped from Nathan's lips like it had. Lovely, pretty…exquisite even but never beautiful.

'Thank you.' She said softly feeling the heat of his gaze linger over her. Haley smiled at the red tie he was wearing. The events team has proposed a black-tie affair for the auction with a hint of red as opposed to white to symbolise love. Haley instinctively brought her hands to it straightening it up for him.

Nathan's breath caught in his throat as her hands palmed his chest, even against the material of his shirt he was pretty sure his skin was burning. He cleared his suddenly much too dry throat as she stepped back.

Shyly she began to glance at the items on the table beside them trying to diffuse just how much this moment in its entirety was affecting her.

'London huh… ' She smiled as she looked at the city break as a potential prize.

'Already found what your bidding on I guess?' Nathan implied with a smile. 'Tt rains there all the time.'

'My sister lives there.' Haley said defending herself her little fascination with rainfall.

'That too.' Nathan smirked but it didn't quiet reach his eyes. She frowned a little noticing how darkened his eyes appeared.

'What?' Nathan said then unnerved as he felt her gaze imploring him almost

'Did you sleep last night?'

He could have chuckled her question so similar to his own mothers and its tone. 'Yes Haley dear I slept last night.'

Haley didn't appreciate his sarcasm one bit and the way one hand poised on her hip showed him just that. He relented pretty quickly, something about Haley had his walls just crumbling down much quicker of late. 'No..' He mumbled.

'You should have called me..'

'What and interrupt you on sheep number 102..' He teased her.

Haley rolled her eyes. ' At least it worked for me.'

'How many did it take?..' Nathan said highly amused.

'I was in the 150s..'

Nathan chuckled.

'I told you to try it.'

'If at 25 I have to count sheep before the night of one of our company's biggest launches …to me that kind of is an omen for how the day is going to go..'

Haley rolled her eyes playfully. 'We both know you weren't up worrying about the launch all night.'

He swallowed hard at her words and once again his immediate reaction seemed to be to lean into her concern as opposed to cower away from it and tell her the exact opposite.

Another thing that had been happening of late, leaning into and relying on Haley almost. It terrified him.

When Nathan didn't say anything Haley's hand ran down his arm slowly her touch left him feeling dizzy, heady almost and incredibly warm.

'He would be proud of you your dad, you know that?'

Nathan couldn't find the words, didn't trust his voice so he nodded simply feeling like the words whatever they would be were caught in his throat.

His eyes met hers, wide and open like the kind of night you could search for stars the skies were so clear, she felt a certain sense of excitement when she looked into Nathan's eyes like this - when he wasn't completely masked from her anymore, like he was giving her something of himself maybe even unwillingly.

'I'm proud of you…' Haley admitted softly…'Boss…' She teased lightly then her insides spreading with warmth at that lovely grin he sported then.

Nathan shook his head at her. 'You just ruined a lovely moment between us Haley…' He teased her.

She giggled and it was like each time she laughed so freely it took some part of his grievances away.

'I happen to think I made the moment even lovelier.' She said confidently.

He chuckled lightly and within seconds before shed even really had time to grasp it his arms had grasped her pulling her into a hug, her head fell against his broad chest smiling as she felt his chin land on top of her head and they just held each other their roles within this company, as part of this launch, even as future parents long forgotten as they found some form of comfort with each other.

It was possibly the sweetest and endearing move he had ever made on her and she realised now she wanted to hug him every moment of every day if it made her feel this much at home in a city that denied every wish for that to happen for her.

Reluctantly Nathan began to pull away looking at Haley almost sheepishly he sent her a small smile before he walked away.

Haley's hand was still on her heart for several more seconds when her friend's voice came to her attention. 'What was that about?' Brooke said her voice as void of its usual playful curiosity, she even seemed dare Haley say it has taken back as her.

Haley worked hard to defend the nature of their hug and she was pretty sure it was for her own heart at this stage cause she wasn't willing to believe what was happening to her. 'Eh…this is just hard on him…it's his dads anniversary this weekend.'

'I know.' Brooke said softly. 'Lucas told me its tomorrow.'

'What was that Haley? Are you two…' Brooke's sentence drifted into the space Haley's own doubts about herself and Nathan occupied.

In the 3 weeks since thanksgiving they'd become closer, the nightly phone calls had blended into a shared pace where at this stage she wasn't even sure who lifted the phone first, he'd been doing so many little things for her at the office it felt like their roles were reversed, he showed up at the apartment to check in on her almost every evening.

'No…' Haley said adamantly much too adamantly to those fleeting thoughts in her head and two Brooke's instinct to call them out. 'we're not…it's not' She fumbled before she let out a breath. 'I need some air.'

And Brooke let her go, watching after her she knew when to press Haley and she knew when to give her that space. But now she was a little worried that her initial doubts over her friend falling for this Scott brother could be true and how easy it could be, shed fallen for one Scott brother hard and fast after all.

XXXXX

'Well being a graduate at these things sucks.' Brooke said. Lucas chuckled at her as he slipped her black furry overcoat onto her shoulders.

'You know what you're supposed to say is at least the money is going to charity.' Haley said crossing her arms over herself as she twiddled on her feet.

'I am charity Haley.'

'Oh Brooke.' Haley said as herself and Lucas laughed at her.

'It's not like I match these bigwigs anyway when all it takes is Taco Bell to keep me satisfied at the end of the night.'

Taco Bell' Haley raised an amused eyebrow at the pair of them. 'You're leaving now to go to Taco Bell?'

'Shh it's our little secret.' Brooke mused.

'Oh Haley you know these events the food never hits the spot and you can never properly enjoy your food with people coming up to you.' Lucas reasoned.

'Well that's true..' Haley presumed, anytime she'd reached for the canopy tonight someone else from the company or hotel came up introducing themselves.

'We're going to share a portion of cheesy fries aren't we boyfriend?'

Haley laughed. 'By share you mean Lucas is gonna order chips, you won't but you'll happen to eat most of his.'

'Haley James you should know I am not that girl!'

Haley giggled .'Brooke you like created that girl.'

'You're lucky your pregnant.' Brooke teased her

Lucas shook his head at them just as Nathan approached them. 'You two sneaking out you do realise this is the biggest event of mums career right?' He tried to goad them.

Haley almost giggled at the look Brooke gave him, Nathan obviously had never come between her best friend and food before.

'Something tells me mum is going to be just fine.' Lucas said nodding his head pointedly towards the Christmas tree in the centre of the room.

Nathan grimaced as he noticed her kissing Andy. 'I did not need to see that.'

Lucas chuckled 'You asked for it little brother.'

'They're so cute.' Brooke gushed

Nathan rolled his eyes

'Oh come on it's Christmas if your mum wants to snog at the Christmas tree let her.

'Can you not say that word and mention my mum in the same sentence?' Nathan mumbled.

Brooke just rolled her eyes playfully at him before she linked her arm with Lucas. 'Come on boyfriend. And you.' she said pointing to Nathan. 'Make sure my best friend here gets home ok.'

'I was going to.' Nathan replied easily as they said goodnight to Brooke and Lucas. Nathan and Haley watched them leave before glancing back at each other. 'Taco bell doesn't sound so bad..' Nathan said then.

Haley's eyes bugged out. 'Nathan it sounds horrible…' She mused as he chuckled quietly.

'Yea it really does.' He agreed slipping his hand into his suit pants as he glanced across the conference room. The atmosphere was a lot calmer now as the main crowd dwindled out but there were still a lot of people mingling together at the bar.

'Do you want to cut out of here though?' Nathan said as he glanced back towards Haley. She was surprised by his offer and her eyes showed it.

Nathan intervened. 'I mean…I can take you home if you want..I'm kinda done here.'

'Don't you want to stay longer and celebrate? The dj is only getting started.' Haley reasoned as she glanced to where most of the crowd had scattered from the bar now waiting for the music to get underway.

'Not tonight.' Nathan said and somehow those two simple words said everything. She understood.

'Okay.' She said softly. 'You can walk me home.'

The smile on his face had those feelings shed been working hard to suppress simmering inside of her.

'Are you okay to walk?'

'Yea I've actually being sitting most the night.'

Nathan nodded. 'I'm just going to tell mum we're leaving.'

No less than ten minutes later he was walking back over towards her in his stylish black overcoat looking devilishly handsome, both his height and the way it complimented his dark features attributed to that. Haley felt her nerves increase tenfold and scolded herself for behaving like a crushed-out schoolgirl.

She could only continue to blame so much on her hormones when it came to this man but every second she spent in his company she found herself fancying the hell out of him more.

'Hales..' Nathan prodded her out of her little dream world. He simply smiled as Haley ushered out an embarrassed 'Oh.' Her cheeks burning up as he slipped her red overcoat over her. It contrasted beautifully with the black dress she had chosen for tonight and the red lip. Simply beautiful. Her blonde locks tumbled over her shoulder as she reached down to slip out of her peep toe heels and stepped into the flats she'd taking out of her handbag.

She stood back up again and he found himself smiling at their obvious height difference once again. Haley reached into her bag then taking out a black beanie hat she placed it on her head. She could tell Nathan was amused by the action from the way he watched her. 'It's starting to snow out there you know..' Haley said justifying her actions.

He simply smiled. She looked effortlessly gorgeous and it was taking everything in him to swallow those words down, he didn't want to make things strange between them when right now they felt so comfortable.

The pair of them made their way outside the revolving doors of the Radisson and fell into comfortable silence as they began their walk on this perfect winter's night, cold and crisp as the snow began to lightly fall.

'I love New York when it snows.' Haley said as she glanced around her. 'Even though it's so cold.' She said as she shivered a little.

Nathan smiled holding out his elbow for her as Haley linked her arm through his and instinctively snuggled a little closer to him.

'You know I've just the thing for that.' He told her.

'What bodyheat?…' Haley mused.

'Well that too.' He smirked. 'Stronebrick on 9th avenue we pass on the way to yours so it's not even a detour.'

'Nathan it's like after 11pm..' Haley reminded him.

'Yea this place is open until midnight on a Thursday and Friday.' He said. 'So we're in luck.'

'How did I not know this?' Haley said almost excitedly.

'Cause you go to bed at like 9.'

'I'm pregnant.'

'You can't use that excuse for everything Hales.'

Haley just pinched him on the arm.

'Owww..'

'Stop being such a…'

'A…' Nathan prodded with that boyish smirk of his.

'You know what…'

'Still thinking the baby can hear us?'

'Yes he can so no swearing…'

Nathan chuckled at her dramatics. 'Imagine that? Our son making us play nice with each other.'

Haley smiled at his words as they walked in silence.

'Where's your head at?' Haley asked him softly after a few minutes passed between them.

'Honestly..' Nathan said as he blew out a breath. 'Now that the launch is over it's like all the white noise has lifted, there's no distraction and we're just left with the reality of it all which really has been our reality for the past 8 years so I don't know why I'm..' Nathan paused. 'I don't know where my head is at Hales.' He admitted softly.

'I think your mom captured that perfectly in her speech.' Haley said. 'You know it was very raw and very honest about the reality of losing a loved one and the line was inspired by that. But in that inspiration is a lot of heartache and pain and she wasn't afraid to advertise it as that, her talk was so relatable. I think everyone in the room felt it.' Haley said heartily as she tilted her head to give him a soft smile before glancing away again.

'Yea her speech was amazing, I don't know where she gets her strength from sometimes.'

'Maybe she gets it from you and Luke, you ever think about that?' Haley said softly.

When he didn't say anything more Haley rested her head against his arm as the pair continued walking. Nathan smiled at the small gesture.

They soon rounded the corner where the ambient lights from Stonebrick café beckoned out to them.

Nathan reluctantly unlinked his arm from Haley's as he went to pull the door open.

The pair of them stepped into the café kicking the smidgens of snow from their shoes immediately feeling the warmth of the cosy tavern surround them .

'Hello…' The lady behind the counter smiled brightly at the young couple as she continued working away at the coffee machine.

'Hi Darina.' Nathan said as he came up to the counter and pulled out his wallet. 'Can we just get two hot chocolates please?'

'Sure. How was the launch Nathan?'

'It went really well Darina, party's still going.'

'Wouldn't be like you to leave.' She jibbed him. 'Unless a certain lady over there you've being keeping quiet about.'

'Nothing gets past you.'

'Well evidently it does. I've never see you come in here with someone much less a girl that pretty.'

'We work together that's all.'

'If that's your story.' Darina said giving him a wink.

Nathan just shook his head as she went to froth up the milk for the hot chocolate. He glanced back where Haley was sitting at the window looking out at the snow, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself at the awe on her face, it's like the girl never seen the white stuff before.

'Thanks' Haley said as Nathan handed her the cup.

'It's getting heavier probably best we continue walking.' He said as he nodded out the window.

'Yea I was thinking the same thing.' Haley agreed as they stepped out again into the much cooler air. They continued the short walk to Haley's place sipping their hot chocolate along the way until they reached her apartment complex. It was quieter than normal between them tonight, it was the kind of stillness she'd never experience with anyone but she welcomed it like a comforting blanket. Even as the city itself found its own blanket of snow everything inside of her felt warmer somehow. Haley stood in underneath the framed entrance to her apartment building and just as Nathan followed suit a slash of snow fell from the roofing overhead right down on top of him.

Haley couldn't help but laugh as he grimaced and made such an adorable face because of the entire situation. She giggled to herself and he looked at her as if she shouldn't be laughing.

'Oh come on…that was funny..' She mused. 'Come here…' She said latching onto his hand as she pulled him into the little porchway with her, giggling up at him still. 'You've snow all over you..' She said as her hand came up to graze through his hair.

Her giggling mingled with her close proximity had his stomach doing somersaults and he wondered how it was even possible to feel so nervous all of a sudden, hadn't he gone past the crushing out and kissing a girl stage a long time ago now, hell long before Lucas and yet here with Haley it's like he'd never even taking the first step. His throat felt extremely dry all of a sudden and his hands were feeling increasingly clammy despite the cold air around them.

Haley was still smiling up him completely oblivious to his restlessness and yet the more she giggled, the more it seemed to play on his heart strings and he was completely powerless to even question why he was about to do this, this time or why he felt so nervous about it. His hand reached to tuck a wild piece of blonde hair behind her ear watching as her laughter dissipated and the widely curious and yet heartfelt look she was giving him now had him caving far faster than he'd ever intended as he wrapped his arms around her pulling her close to him just as his lips descended onto hers.

She tasted even more succulent than he remembered, the subtleness of strawberries with a sweet, prudent taste that was so completely Haley. They kissed softly without tongue for quite some time, just holding each other relishing in the subtle taste and texture of their lips together. Haley whimpered as she felt his tongue running along the corners of her lips probing for entrance which she quickly granted, her low mewls only spurring him on further until their tongues finally met in a delicious rhythm.

Nathan and Haley both could feel their breath staggering, reluctance weighing heavily on their hearts as their kisses came to an end and with the final soft, succulent taste of each other they broke apart, the warmth from each other's parted mouths filling the space between them.

It had been so long since they kissed.

And their kisses had never been like that. While they had been completely impassionate and erotic, hell their previous kisses had led to sex this kiss, this stand-alone kiss had left an imprint on her more than any other kiss in her life. Haley brought her hand to her mouth gently fingering the subtle taste of him from her lips before her eyes met his and a soft giggle fell from her lips.

She caught the look of surprise on his face then, she half expected him to scold her for ruining the moment between them again and could only smile as her hands reached up to delicately swipe the red lipstick across his cheek. 'I'm sorry it's all over you..' She said.

'It was worth it.' He admitted softly and this time Haley did blush as her eyes glanced downwards between them before back up at him.

He surprised more times than she could count tonight but this was definitely not what she expected as he pulled her into his arms again hugging her tightly. She could feel his hot breath fanning out across her neck, the action itself sent a different kind of shiver down her spine.

'I'm going to miss you.' He admitted then as they held each other.

She wondered if he knew what those words meant, she certainly didn't, the liens were already blurry in work, the lines of their personal lives were construed with the baby and now between them everything felt like it was moving in slow motion and yet too fast for her to catch up.

He's going to miss me? What did that even mean?

'It's just two weeks…' She tried to lighten but as she said those words she felt a pinch in her gut. She knew she would miss him as scared as she was to figure out why.

Nathan pulled back. Haley swallowed hard as she gazed into his eyes. 'I know but…' Nathan paused then not fully sure how to say it but somehow she understood. 'Yea…' Haley agreed as she smiled at him softly.

Slowly his arms fell from their encasement around her as he took a step back. 'I should let you go, you've an early flight..'

Haley nodded not trusting her voice right now, she felt a whirlwind of emotions building up inside o her as she watched him as handsome as he was with snow coating the shoulders of his black coat.

'Oh…' Nathan fumbled in his jacket pocked then before he handed her an envelope. 'I almost forgot. Merry Christmas Hales.'

'Nathan….what…'

He chuckled softly at her fluster. 'Relax. I know we did gifts at the office but this was just something I thought of tonight I wanted you to have it..'

Haley peeled open the envelope as she pulled out the piece of aper, her heart hammering in her chest the whole time. Her eyes couldn't hold in the tears as she read the words on the page….'You outbid me…' She gasped as her hand came up to brush a single leaking tear from her eye.

'No I outbid the prick that outbid you..' He teased.

Haley laugh was choked with emotion. 'Nathan you didn't have to do this.'

'I wanted to.' He said easily. 'Besides, you're not seeing your sister this year for Christmas right. Maybe you can take a trip over next year. Don't cry Hales..' He placated her softly.

'Nathan you can't tell a pregnant girl now to cry..' She reminded him and he chuckled again.

She folded the piece of paper back into the enveloped before she stepped forward onto her tiptoes and leaned into him leaving a gentle, kiss on his cheek she lingered there for seconds as she whispered in his ear. 'Merry Christmas Nathan.'

He took that at his cue then as he stepped back saying goodnight. Haley opened up the door to her apartment building and the moment she got inside she rested her weight back against the door, her heart was racing in a way it never had before as her whole body fizzled with the promise of something she was sure would change life as she knew it for good.