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AN: Pretty self-explanatory. Second to last chapter, but I am considering a sequel, depending on how I feel about the completed story. You guys have been great!

"Hey guys," Haley whispered. "Can I join you?"

"Mommy!" Nate jumped up onto the table to give her a hug. "Mommy! This is Nathan. He's really fast and we played tag and he's really nice and he gave me ice cream and he showed me how to jump really high and-"

"Did he now? That's great honey," Haley laughed at her son. "Now, get off the table before you fall."

"Aw, Mommy do I have to?"

"Do what she says Nate," Nathan smiled at the pouting little boy. "She knows what good for you. Believe me, I know."

"Nathan, is this alright?" Haley asked sitting across from him.

"It feels right," Nathan replied honestly. "Look, Hales, I'm sorry I blew up in there."

"You had every right-,"

"No," Nathan interrupted. "I need to finish what I'm thinking."

"Okay," Haley nodded, then turned to Nate. "Baby, I need to talk to Nathan as a grownup okay? Go play with Jenny and Jake."

"Okay Mommy," Nate sighed.

"You teach him that too?" Haley laughed at the obviously feigned deep sigh.

"No, that's a courtesy of Scott genes," Nathan laughed. "Look, I should've stuck around longer, but- man, you really hurt me Hales. I thought it was bad when you left but this... this is worse. I feel low, lower than I ever though possible because I've missed out on almost five years of my child's life. Five years. He said to me, when I met him last night, before I found you, that he didn't know his dad. Now I found out I'M that dad and I wasn't there and all I keep thinking was what if he had been ten, or twelve, or even sixteen and he was as bitter as Lucas was when his dad came back into his life."

"Nathan-."

"The worst part is that I wasn't given a chance," Nathan continued. "The fact that you didn't believe in us- in ME enough to trust me with this; to trust that I wouldn't leave you like my dad did... Haley, you can't know how much that hurts. I know, in school and through our entire relationship I was an ass. But somehow I thought I had changed enough for you to trust me and... and I kind of thought that you had seen that."

"I did," Haley insisted. "Nathan, I did. I know I can't justify the reason I left or the reason I hid Nate from you. But you have to believe that it wasn't because I wanted to hurt you; I love you. Fear... fear changes everything Nathan. And right now, I'm afraid that I've hurt you so much you won't stick around now. It's a fear that's stuck with me ever since I glanced at that test."

"I don't know what we're gonna do Haley," Nathan stood up and slid in next to her, taking her hand in his. "But I do know, that no matter what happens between us, I want to be there for Nate. I've known him for about a day and I can't imagine anything without him now. I love that kid!"

"He's a lot like you," Haley nodded. "He likes you too."

"So," Nathan stood up, offering Haley his hand. "Do you have to work tonight? It's getting close to that time."

"I have something more important to take care of," Haley shrugged. "Nate, please don't be mad at Luke. I begged him not to tell you; he wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt and tell you."

"Maybe," Nathan sighed. "We'll see."

"So?" Brooke asked as Nathan and Haley walked up holding each other's hand. "How'd it go?"

"I think we have a lot to do-," Haley started.

"But we're going to try," Nathan finished.

"That's so great!" Brooke yelped. "You two do realize you're holding hands right?"

Nathan and Haley looked down and laughed before letting go and circling their arms around each other's waist. Haley smiled at Nathan, who smiled back. Somehow she knew everything would be all right.

"Nate, come here honey," Haley waved her son to her and let go of Nathan to crouch down. "Nate, you remember I told you about your Daddy? About how one day I was going to find him for you?"

"Yes," Nate looked down at the ground sadly.

"Your Daddy found you," Haley lifted her son's head up as Nathan joined Haley on the ground.

"Hey Nate," Nathan smiled. "I guess I'm your Dad."

Nate looked at mother in surprise that the man he had played with all day was his father and he hadn't even known it. She nodded and Nate smiled at Nathan before jumping on him again, causing Nathan to lose his balance and fall onto his back.

"Hi Daddy," Nate cried, hugging the man as tight as his little arms would let him.

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