Chapter Fifty

Haley was staring out into space when she heard her mother calling her. She snapped back into reality as her mother looked at her concerned. Haley gave her an apologetic look as she took a sip of her tea. "I'm sorry, Mom. I was just thinking about my job. I know I don't go on maternity leave until after the holidays are over, but I don't know if I want to go back to work."

She could see her mother wanted to respond, but Haley wasn't finished. "Don't get me wrong. I love being an event planner. I love it just as much as I was a nanny, but I'm going to be a mom with a newborn. I know I can probably bring the baby to the office, but I know I wouldn't be able to do that while I'm at an event." She put her hand over her baby bump. "All I want is take care of my own kid. Is that selfish of me?"

Karen gave her daughter a gentle smile. "I don't think that's selfish. I think you are doing what you believe is best for your child. And that's what being a parent is. You have to do what's best for you and your family. And I know your friends will understand. They are all parents and it's now your turn to be a mom. And there are plenty of other people to look after those children including grandparents. Grandparents who are more than happy to take care of their grandchildren."

Haley gave her a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mom. I appreciate if you wouldn't say anything. I haven't exactly talked to Nathan about it yet. We have had a few other issues to deal with. We think Cassie's a little worried about me having this baby because of what happened to Renee and her baby."

Karen gave her a worried look. "Poor girl."

Haley sighed. "I know. Nathan and I are thinking about getting the kids more involved in the preparations for the baby. Tristan too. He asked Nathan about the birds and bees and Nathan was completely caught off-guard. This is new territory for both of us and I don't think either of us were prepared for it."

Karen laughed. "Nobody ever is when it comes to discussing the birds and bees to their children. I was certainly not prepared to discuss it with you."

Haley frowned. "Really? Why me? I was the youngest. You should have been an expert by the time you had to have that important conversation with me."

"Because you were different from your sisters. I didn't have to have that conversation with Taylor because she already knew all about it. And I heard her telling things to Quinn and I knew I had to set both her and you straight. And I wanted to make sure you girls understood that it was your right to do it on your own terms. When you were ready, no matter if it was after marriage or not."

Haley nodded, remembering the conversation. "Yeah, but you also told me not to follow Taylor's example and do it in high school. And Nathan and I are going to tell Tristan and Cassie the same thing. And I'm hoping they will be a great example for their little brother or sister."

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. Both Tristan and Cassie seem very responsible," Karen said. "And I know they will be great big siblings to your little one."

"Do you have any suggestions on helping Cassie with her fears?" Haley asked. "Dr. Copeland is allowing me to bring her with me to my doctor's appointment so she could see the baby in person. Nathan and I really don't want to take her back to her therapist. Have you noticed anything strange about her behavior lately? Any nightmares when she would sleep over here?"

Karen thought for a moment. "No, I don't think so. I would have told you and Nathan if she had."

Haley nodded. "Yeah, I know. I just wish I knew how to solve this problem with Cassie. Maybe this is the right thing to do. Take a break from working and focus on spending time with both Tristan and Cassie as much as I can before this baby comes."

"That's probably a good idea," Karen said. "I know it's not easy going from a family of four to a family of five. But you and Nathan are doing a great job as parents."

"Was Quinn jealous of me when I was born?" Haley asked as she took another sip of her tea.

Karen managed a smile. "Well, she liked the idea of having a little sister. But I don't think she realized how much the baby would take Mommy's attention away from her."

Haley bit her lip. "Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of," she said. "But I know Tristan is doing his best to help prepare Cassie with becoming a big sister. So is Penny."

"You married into a great family," Karen said, keeping the smile on her face. She embraced her daughter in a tight hug. "Your father and I are so proud of you. You have come so far from when you first found out you thought you couldn't have kids."

"I still can't believe it," Haley said. She shook her head in amazement. "But I'm enjoying every minute of it. Okay, I don't like everything. But I love Nathan and the kids doting on me. And the baby is doing well and that's all I care about." She took a sip of her tea.

"Good because I don't want you to worry about anything once the holidays roll around," Karen said. "We just want you to have fun with the kids. We can handle the events without you. And Brooke is already planning your baby shower."

Haley nearly choked on her tea. "I'm sorry. What? The baby isn't due until February."

Karen didn't even try to hide her smile. "I think she has been planning your baby shower since she found out you were pregnant."

Haley smiled as she heard her phone buzz. She checked her phone and gave her mom a smile in return. "Speaking of Brooke, she's calling me. Do you mind if I take this?"

Karen shook her head. "No, go ahead."

Haley put the phone to her ear. "Hey Brooke."

Haley could hear the enjoyment in her friend's voice. "I did it," she exclaimed. She didn't even let Haley voice her confusion. "I told my parents off. My kids will no longer have to suffer the torture I went through to please their grandparents when it's clear they don't want to spend any time with them."

"Good for you," Haley said, knowing how much Brooke and her family hated those visits to Brooke's parents. Yet, she was still confused. "What brought this on?"

Brooke let out a heavy sigh. "I have been thinking about it for a while, especially after the whole drama with Royal and Dan. They were willing to change their ways to make sure they stay close to their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But my parents haven't made the slightest effort to even get to know any of their grandchildren and I'm tired of fighting for my children. They deserve better. They are already loved and adored by so many people. Why should I try and force my parents to change when they don't want to?"

Haley could hear the sadness in her friend's voice. She felt sympathetic. "I'm sorry they can't see how amazing your kids are."

"Thanks, but I feel better now that I know my children will be surrounded by people who love them," Brooke said. "Lucas and I are going to celebrate by going away for the weekend. Don't worry about the kids. We've already asked Dan and Deb to look after them and they graciously accepted our offer. You just worry about taking care of yourself so I can have a healthy niece or nephew."

"I appreciate the concern, but Dr. Copeland says my pregnancy is going just fine," Haley said. "And I'm not going to go on maternity leave until after the holidays are over. And that is still a couple of months away."

"Oh, I should start Christmas shopping," Brooke said. "I've already started writing ideas down for the theme of Bella's birthday party. We'll have to discuss which one is sounds the best. We'll discuss more details at work. I'll let you go. I'll talk to you later."

Haley smiled to herself. "Alright. Bye." She hung the phone and went back to finishing her visit with her mother.

When she arrived home, it was still quiet. The only sound was Cinnamon coming to greet her owner. Haley knew Nathan and Lucas had taken the boys to the River Court and Cassie and Penny were spending time with Dan and Deb. She couldn't remember she had time to herself. It was nice, but she also enjoyed it when her husband and kids were there.

It was still hard to believe her dream of having a family had come true. A husband. Two kids she absolutely adored and another one on the way. She still remembered the dark days of feeling empty and hopelessness. She never thought she would be happy again. Now she didn't think she could be happier.

Cinnamon kept Haley company until Nathan and the kids came home. She happily greeted them as she noticed Nathan's hands were full. Haley looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Is this dinner?"

Nathan had a wide smile on his face. "I hope you're hungry for pizza," he said as he gestured to the pizza boxes. "The kids tricked me into voting what we should have for dinner. And it was two against one."

The kids just grinned.

"Soon, it will be three against two," Cassie said.

Haley laughed. "Yeah, your baby brother or sister won't get a vote until the baby learns to talk," she said. "Alright. Go and set the table. We're eating pizza tonight."

Tristan took the pizza boxes from his dad and followed his sister into the kitchen.

Nathan then wrapped his arms around his wife. It felt so comforting to Haley. "How was your visit with your mom?" he asked.

"It was very helpful," Haley said.

Nathan looked at her with curiosity. "Did she give you any advice on how to handle Cassie's problem?"

Haley didn't answer right away. "No, but she did support me when I told her that I probably won't come back to work once the baby is born. I have loved working, but I'm ready for the next chapter in my life. I'm going to be a mom full-time," she said. She didn't wait for Nathan's answer. "I know I didn't discuss with you first, but I can't imagine bringing the baby to work and trying to focus while taking care of business."

"Hey, I know exactly what you're feeling," Nathan said in a gentle voice. "I went through it with my kids, remember? I missed so much of their childhood because I was on the road all the time. If you want to stay at home and look after our baby, I have no problem with that. Don't worry about the money. We'll figure it out."

Haley managed a smile. "I love you."

Nathan smiled in return. "I love you too." He looked down at her baby bump. "Do you hear that? We'll do anything for you."

Haley kept the smile on her face. "I was thinking about the baby name. And I know you wanted Jordan, but I've been thinking about my parents. They have really been there for me and they have accepted you and your family as family. So what do you think about James, if it's a boy?" Haley asked.

"If we're talking about names, then what do you think about Lucas as the middle name?" Nathan asked. "Lucas has been there for me and he and Brooke has been looking after my kids since they were little."

"James Lucas Scott," Haley said, trying the name out. "I love it." She then lowered her voice. "We have a problem though. What if the baby's a girl? I don't want Cassie to get upset."

"Oh, I don't think that will be a problem," Nathan said. "She has already come up with Jordan Brooke Scott if the baby is a girl."

"Well, I'm glad we have all our bases covered," Haley said. "I guess there's only one thing left to do." She paused for dramatic effect. "Call Dr. Copeland to see when we can find out the baby's gender."

"Can we come too?" Tristan asked as he and Cassie made an appearance. "We want to find out the tiebreaker."

"Yeah, Aunt Rachel is betting it to be a boy," Cassie said. "She's started a pool."

Nathan gave her a look as Haley turned to her husband with her arms crossed. "Really? Rachel started a pool with our friends to see what our baby's gender is going to be? Where's our cut? Because that money should be going to our child's college fund."

"I told Rachel it wasn't a good idea to do it behind your back," Nathan said. "But she doesn't like to listen to me."

"I'll talk to Brooke. I'm sure she can talk some sense into Aunt Rachel," Haley said.

"If you want to yell at Aunt Rachel, you might as well yell at Aunt Brooke," Tristan said.

"Why would I yell at Aunt Brooke?" Haley asked suspiciously.

Cassie was the one who answered. "She was the one who convinced Aunt Rachel to bet on the baby," she said. "And she was the first one to put money in the cup."