Baby Steps

Chapter One

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah." Like clockwork, Haley was awoken by crying at 2:35 in the morning.

"I'm coming. I'm coming." She pulled on her robe and turned the baby monitor off, casting a glance at Nathan's sleeping form. Deb had given up on the sleeping in separate rooms rule since they'd brought the girls home from the hospital a few days previously. It had been obvious that it was useless trying to enforce it.

She made her way to the nursery and lifted Ailis out of her crib. The little girl immediately stopped crying. She picked up Regan then sat in the chair to feed them both. "That's better isn't it? You two sure eat a lot."

Nathan stood in the doorway for a few moments and just watched Haley nurse. He'd woken up shortly after Haley had and had followed her to the nursery. He was mesmerized by the sight of her feeding their children. He doubted that there was a sight more beautiful than that anywhere in the world.

"Hey."

"Nathan, you should be sleeping."

"I'd rather be here if that's okay with you. I love watching you feed them."

"Oh, okay. But you have school tomorrow."

"Won't be the first time I go to class on barely any sleep, only difference is I won't be hung over."

Haley laughed. "Yep, your party days are definitely over Scott. Do you miss it?"

"What?"

"The partying and stuff. Do you miss it?"

"Not for a second. I wouldn't have it any other way."

"I'm glad. And since you're here, I think you should change them before we put them back to bed."

Nathan took Regan from Haley, burped her then brought her over to the change table. "Gross. You know you're lucky Daddy loves you so much." Once Regan was changed he laid her back in the crib and repeated the process with Ailis. Then he wrapped his arm around Haley as they headed back to bed.

***

Chapter One

The weekend after Nathan and Haley brought their daughters home, they held a welcome to the world party in their backyard with their closest family and friends.

"Luke, do you think I could hold her for a minute. She is my daughter after all and I haven't gotten to hold either of them since everyone got here." Nathan asked Lucas who was holding Ailis.

"Exactly. You get to see them all the time."

"And you don't? Come on Luke. You stop by like every day."

"That's not the point."

"Haley!" Nathan whined. "Lucas is hogging her."

Haley couldn't help but laugh. Nathan was always complaining that he never got to hold his own children whenever there were other people around.

"I am not!" Lucas retaliated.

"Geez, who are the babies around here anyway? You'll have them all to yourselves tonight. As I recall it's your turn."

"Ha! Guess you won't be getting much sleep tonight."

"Watch it or I might have to call you."

"You wouldn't."

"Sure I wouldn't." Nathan smirked.

"So when are you coming back to school?'

"Monday."

"You coming to practice too?"

"Yeah. Haley insisted. I thought I should take some more time off but you know how stubborn she is."

"Do I ever. It's a good thing in this case though. We need you man." Ailis began to cry. "Okay, now you can have her." Lucas said, handing her back to Nathan.

"Typical. You give her back when she cries. Come to daddy angel." He cradled her in his arm. "What's the matter, you hungry? Luke, go grab a bottle from the bag over there.

Lucas returned with the bottle and Nathan placed it in Ailis' mouth. "Yea, that's all it was huh. You're hungry and mean Uncle Luke here wasn't feeding you."

Lucas couldn't help but stare as Nathan looked down at his daughter. He'd never thought Nathan could feel that strongly for anyone but it was clear to everyone that his universe revolved around those two babies and their mother. It was tough for Luke to admit, but he'd misjudged him.

"All done? Okay, time to burp." Nathan held Ailis over a shoulder (after making sure there was a towel covering his shirt. He rubbed circles on her back until she burbed. "That's my girl." He continued holding her and soon she was asleep in his arms.

"Can I have her back now?"

"Uh uh. Not a chance. This is the first time I've gotten to hold either of them all day. You've had your turn."

***

"Okay, my turn!" Brooke announced, taking Regan from Deb. "She's so precious. Just look at those eyes."

"I know. I think otherwise they look like me but the eyes are all Nathan. So Brooke, a year ago did you think you'd be cooing over a baby?"

Brooke laughed. "Definitely not. I guess I'm mellowing out, the Tree Hill party scene will never be the same."

"Hmm, might not be a bad thing."

"You're lucky I'm holding a baby or I'd throw something at you."

"Yea yea."

***

A few hours later the party was winding down and the only people left were Deb, Karen, Whitey, Brooke, Peyton, Lucas, Tim, Nathan and Haley.

"So now that we have you guys alone, Nathan and I want to talk to you. We've given a lot of thought to who we want to name as god-parents. It hasn't been easy. Okay Luke, we want you and Peyton to be Ailis' god- parents and Brooke and Tim, you'll be Regan's."

"Really?" Brooke squealed. "You want me to be her god-mother?"

"Yes. I know you and I got off the a rocky start but you've become a really great friend. And Tim, I have to admit that until recently you were pretty high on my list of least favorite people but you've really come through for us in recent months."

"I'd be honoured," Tim responded with a smile. He really did want to make things right with Haley, and Lucas.

"Wait," Lucas cut in. "What about Jake? Isn't he going to feel left out?"

"We thought of that." Nathan answered. "We talked to him and he said that since he already has a daughter of his own, he's happy to leave the god- parenting duties to you guys."

"We have one more announcement." Haley said, turning to Whitey and Karen. "Karen, you've truly been like a second mother to me and Whitey, you've been like a father to Nathan so we'd like you two to be god-grandparents."

"I don't know what to say." Whitey said, tearing up. "See, look what you've made me do."

"I'm really touched." Karen said, hugging Haley. "You're the daughter I never had and I'm glad that you feel the same."

"So I guess we should all get going and let you guys put the girls to bed."

"Thanks everyone."

"See you Monday Nate."

"Yea, see you guys Monday."

It wasn't until after everyone had left that they noticed and unwrapped gift sitting by the back door. "Hey Hales, what's this?"

Haley looked over. "I have no idea. I thought we'd opened all the gifts."

"I thought so too. I don't remember seeing this one."

"Is there a card?"

"Don't see one."

"Weird. Well open it then."

Nathan opened the box and pulled out two stuffed bears and a card. He read the card and his draw dropped. This didn't go unnoticed by Haley.

"What is it?"

"It's from Dan."

"What?"

"Dan. It's from Dan."

"I know but you haven't spoken to him in months right? Why would he send us anything."

"I have no idea."

"Does the card say anything?'

"Nope. He just signed it. Hang on."

"What?"

"Uh, there's a check in here too. For five thousand dollars."