Chapter 29

A/N Okay, this is the second to last chapter in this story. It takes place a few weeks after the last chapter. Haley is now 36 weeks pregnant.

"Hey!" Peyton shrieked when a sponge loaded with yellow paint hit her in the back of the head. She turned around and saw Brooke grinning at her. "You're going to get it." She painted a long streak down Brooke's shirt with her roller. "Take that."

Soon it was an all out paint war as other people got caught in the middle. Several members of the cheer squad and the basketball team were having a painting party at the Scott house to decorate the nursery. Since Nathan and Haley hadn't had a chance to do it, they'd decided to give them one last thing to think about and help out. It had been Peyton's suggestion and she was amazed at how many people had volunteered to help.

After the paint war was over, Peyton looked around and smiled. It really was amazing how everyone had come together for Nathan and Haley. Even Tim was there, moving furniture around under Brooke's careful supervision. He and Lucas were laughing and joking around. It was something she'd never thought she'd see.

It was almost midnight that same day when they could all finally put down their paint brushes and admire their work. It was beautiful. In a single day they had somehow managed to turn the drab room into someplace warm and welcoming. They'd painted the walls a pale yellow with daisies because Haley had said she loved the flowers. The pictures Peyton had painted hung above either crib and an old rocking chair that Lucas had found and refurbished with Tim's help sat by the window. Peyton thought it would be the perfect spot for Haley to rock her girls to sleep.

"Wow, great job guys," she said to the others. "I think they're really going to love this."

After everyone had left, she and Lucas stood in the room for awhile. "I'm really happy with how it turned out. It looks so cozy it kinda makes me want to have a baby." She laughed at the panic look that crossed Lucas' face. "But not yet."

"Good. You scared me for a minute there. I think I'd like to stick with being an uncle for a while yet."

"Yeah. And I'm perfectly fine with being Auntie Peyton for the time being. You really think they'll like it?"

"I think Haley's going to flip when she sees it. And Nate will be happy that it's not pink."

Peyton laughed. "Yeah he did say he was afraid Haley was going to have everything pink. You know, a lot of people might think otherwise given how young Haley and Nathan are but those girls are really lucky that they're going to have them as parents. I don't think any man could love his daughter more than nathan already loves those babies."

"Yea. It's really amazing how much this has changed him."

"I'm not sure he's changed exactly. I think it's more that first Haley and now the twins have brought out a softer side to him that he was always afraid to show before. I don't think he ever really hated you Luke. I think he was just scared to like you."

"Yea. You might be right. I never thought it would happen but I'm really proud to call him my brother."

***

Meanwhile.

"Nathan, Nathan wake up." Haley whispered.

"What?"

"Go get the doctor. I think it's time."

"Time? What? Oh, time. Oh my God it's time."

"Whoa, Nathan breathe. Go get the doctor."

"Right. Okay. Just stay calm." He ran out of the room and returned moments later with the doctor in tow.

"All right let's have a look here. When did your water break?"

"A few minutes ago. It's still early isn't it?"

"You're thirty-six weeks which is still considered premature but thirty- seven weeks is full term so I don't think you have anything to worry about. The babies' weights are good and their lungs are developped. From what I can tell, there shouldn't be any serious complications."

"You're sure?" Haley asked, her voice a little shaky.

"I'm sure. What I need you to do is to try and relax as much as possible. I'm going to get an OB nurse in to help you along. Nathan, why don't you go ahead and call your families."

"Okay." Nathan picked up the phone by Haley's bed and called the first number that came to mind. "Hello, Lucas?" ***

Back in the nursery with Peyton and Lucas. Lucas' cell phone began to ring. "Hello? Nathan? What? She is? Yea, we'll be right there. Wait, have you told your mom?"

"What is it?" Peyton asked.

"Haley's in labor. We have to go to the hospital."

"Of course. We'll take my car."

"Yea but first we need to go get Deb."

Lucas knocked softly on Deb's bedroom door. It felt a little awkward, knowing that she used to share that room with Dan. "Deb?"

"What is it Lucas?" She asked when she came to the door.

"Nathan just called. The babies are coming."

"Oh my. We have to get there."

"We will. Come on let's go. Peyton will drive."

***

Lucas called his mom and Haley's parents on the way to the hospital.

"You should call Brooke too." Peyton suggested. "She's gotten a lot closer with Nathan and Haley lately and I know she's want to be there."

"Good idea." He pulled out his cell phone again. "Hey Brooke, Haley's having te babies. Yeah. We'll see you there."

***

Half an hour later everyone was gathered in the waiting room. Lucas couldn't stop pacing. Haley was like a sister to him and he'd come to care a great deal about the twins even though he hadn't met them yet.

"Whoa Luke, stop wearing a rut in the floor. That's my job." Nathan joked, entering the room.

Everyone rushed up to him, throwing out a million questions. "What's happening? How is she? How much longer?"

"Come on people, how am I supposed to not panic when you're all hysterical. Her water broke and her contractions are getting closer together. So far she's doing fine. She's my hero. I don't think I could do it. The doctor figures they'll be bron before breakfast. She's progressing pretty quickly. Thanks for being here everyone. It really means a lot to us. So now that I've satisfied everyone's curiosity I'm going to get back to Haley." He turned to Mrs. James. "She told me to tell you she wants her mommy. The nurse will give you a gown to wear."

"Oh, wow. Of course." Haley's mother grinned.

A few hours later

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" Haley screamed.

The nurse turned to Nathan. "Don't worry, it's not personal."

"Thanks. It's okay baby. I know, it's all my fault. Go ahead and yell."

"You are NEVER touching me again! Do you hear me!!!???"

"Whatever you want." He spoke softly. "Come on Haley, breathe, in and out that's it."

It was hard for him to watch her in so much pain and not be able to do anything about it. The contractions were quickly getting more and more intense. He was grateful that Haley's mother was there; she was helping to keep them both calm.

"Let's see where we're at." The doctor said, coming in to check on Haley. "I think we're about ready to push."

"Really?" Haley asked in disbelief.

"You think I'd lie to you at a time like this? Nathan, I want you to put you hand under her knee to give her leverage, her mom can do the same with the other knee. Haley, take a deep breathe and let it out. That's it. Now take another breathe and hold it. Now push. Hard as you can. Chin to your chest."

"1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10..." Nathan counted.

Haley's head fell back onto the pillow.

"That's it."

"Good job baby, good job. You're doing great."

Two hours later

"I can't do it. I can't. I can't." Haley sobbed.

"Yes you can Hales. Come on. You're so close. We're so close."

"A few more good pushes and the first baby's head will be out. Now push."

"1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10..."

"I see the head. You want to come have a look Dad."

Nathan went over to the doctor and looked. "Oh my God. Hales, it's so amazing."

"1...2...3...4...5...6...7...8...9...10..."

Haley pushed with all her might. "And we have baby number 1."

"Oh my god." Nathan sobbed. "She's beautiful."

"Wow." Was all Haley could say. "I don't think I can keep going."

"Yes you can. The second baby is always faster. I can already see the head."

Ten minutes later

"Here she comes! Yep, another girl." A nurse placed Haley's children on her chest. "Thank you." She whispered to Nathan.

"How are they?" Haley asked, a little nervous.

"They're a little small so we're going to keep them in the NICU for observation for a few days but otherwsie everything looks good."

"Oh thank God."

Before they brought the girls to the NICU they let Haley and Nathan hold them. "Do they have names?" The nurse asked.

Haley nodded. "Ailis Madison Scott and Regan Marie Scott."

"Those are beautiful."

"Scott?" Nathan asked, puzzled, he'd figured Haley would give them her last name since they weren't married.

"Of course. And one day I know it will be my name too."

Meanwhile, Haley's mom went to tell the others.

"They have two beautiful twin girls, each weighing four pounds and change. They're small so the doctor wants to keep them in observation for a few days but he says there's nothing to really worry about."

"Wow. How's Haley?" Lucas asked.

"Exhausted, understandable but she was a champion. Nathan held it together pretty well too. They told me to tell you all that they're naming them Ailis Madison Jame Scott and Regan Marie James Scott. Haley wanted them to have Nathan's last name. The doctor says you can come in and see them one at a time."

Lucas went in first. "Hey buddy. Wow, you're a mom."

"I know." Haley smiled. "How weird is that."

"And you're a dad." Lucas turned to Nathan. "Congratulations man."