To: nscott23usmc.us.gov

From:

Subject: (none)

Sent: November 3, 2006 10:34 am

Hey Sweetie!

It's mom. How are things going over there? Still engaged in the big battles? Haley told me she hasn't heard from you in a while... she seemed pretty unnerved about it so I thought I'd give it a chance and see how you're doing. She told me that she told you about the baby... I think she's worried that's why she hasn't heard back from you, although I know that's not the case.

I'm doing well, as are your father and your sister... we've decided on a name but it's going to be a surprise for everyone. Hopefully you'll approve of that decision. It's weird, you know... you having your son and your sister being only a few months apart. Have you given any thought to Haley's name question?

We're all set for your sister's arrival. The nursery is completed and hopefully everything is in place. Now we're just waiting. Grandma and Grandpa came down last week to visit. They seemed pleased with the new house. They're going to come for Thanksgiving and then head to Florida for the winter. They're actually talking about selling the house in New York and moving to Florida permanently. I think it'd be great. The travel has got to be getting hard on them.

Even though your father would kill me if he knew this, I'm keeping an eye on the news daily, hoping to catch a glimpse of you or some sort of news to know that you're okay. I wasn't worried until Haley told me she hasn't heard from you... I'm sure you're fine and that I'm worrying for nothing, but I'm a mother... what can I say?

Stay safe and be in touch ASAP!

Love, Mom

From: hscott23usmc.us.gov

To:

Subject: (none)

Sent November 5, 2006 8:47 pm

Brooke,

Is there any chance you can come home next weekend? I kinda need someone to talk to... and since we're both KIND of in the same shoes... well... you know... maybe we could talk.

It's getting worse Brooke. I thought as time went on, this would get easier... but it's not. It's getting harder. I haven't heard from him in over a month.

Have you talked to Peyton? I haven't heard from her since the day I ended up calling Jake to the clinic... I hope she's not mad at me for doing that. I've tried calling her and I've even left messages on her voicemail but she hasn't called me back at all. I hope they're not having problems over this.

Anyways, I'm going to meet Deb for lunch today. Get back to me about this weekend so I know if I should take it off.

Haley

"How are you doing sweetie?" My mother-in-law asks curiously, eyeing me up and down as though she expects to see something different. "You're tiny. Are you taking care of yourself okay?"

"Yeah, I'm doing fine." In my denim overalls it's nearly impossible to tell that I'm pregnant, let alone four months along. We grab a booth in the overcrowded diner, hoping to get some dinner even at this late hour. I worked this afternoon and got out at 7. Deb drove in to town for a few days to spend a few days at the beach house, visiting.

"Haley, you've really got to take care of yourself for the baby- make sure you're eating right and getting enough rest." She drones on and I suddenly realize this is why I hate getting together with her. It's not that I hate it, I just hate that she doesn't believe that I'm taking care of myself. What does she expect me to do? My husband is in Iraq. I haven't heard from him in over a month and I'm sitting home, pregnant with our first child, wondering if he even knows we're having a baby.

I decide instead to change the subject. "Have you heard from Nathan at all?" I cringe at what I've said. It's not exactly what I wanted to do, but my mind can't help but wonder if he's okay out there.

She nods her head solemnly, knowing how much it's got to be affecting me. "I haven't. I'm sorry sweetie." She adds as she sees my face fall. "I wrote to him this morning before I left. Maybe we'll hear something soon.

"Yeah. Maybe." I agree quietly, not at all convinced by her offerings. We finish our meals quickly, both eager to be finished with the unsettling feeling that we've caused each other to experience.

I slide in to bed, quickly shutting off the light on the nightstand and letting out a deep breath, calming myself for the first time all day before beginning our nightly ritual.

"Hey bug." I whisper, eager for this part of my day to begin. "I still haven't heard from Daddy yet. But I'm sure he's doing fine out there. I had dinner with Grandma tonight, but you already that. You were with us." I fidget with the bedspread, trying to get comfortable as I continue talking to my unborn son.

"When you grow up honey, I'm hoping you'll be like your Daddy. He's quite the charmer bug. With that personality, he could win over any girl he wanted. That's kind of why I was so surprised when he chose me. But you know what? I learned quickly. I had to do what I could to make sure he was mine, and only mine. I still can't believe I made you daddy's ex-girlfriend go out on a date with him just to keep him away from the other girls. What was I thinking kiddo?" I stop momentarily, reliving the memory vividly, as though it was just yesterday rather than over two years ago.

"Peyton. That was her name. I made her bid on your daddy at the boy-toy auction. I actually gave her money to make sure she'd win him so he didn't have to take someone else out on a date." I jump, startled as I hear an incessant banging on the door to the apartment. Who the hell would be here at this hour of the night? Granted it's only 10:30, it's still baffling to me.

I glance out the peep-hole, trying to catch a glimpse of who it might be. The navy suits say it all. Stumbling around mindlessly, I open the door and let the two men in. "Mrs. Haley Scott?" My mind is swarming with possibilities right now but I do manage to respond somehow.

"Yeah." I mutter. "That's me."

They look me up and down. "Is there anyone home with you?" I can already tell by the looks on each of their faces that this isn't something I want to hear. I shake my head no, unable to form any more words. "Someone we can call for you?" I sink back down into the couch, burying my head in my hands. Why? Why me? Why now? This shouldn't be happening. Not now.

I manage to utter out a name and phone number to the men and listen while they whisper amongst themselves and then dial the phone number I rattled off. One of them takes the phone in the other room though, not allowing me to hear what's going on. The other sits down beside me, wrapping his arm loosely around my shoulder. I glance up finally, noticing the name on his badge. Sergeant Major John Diminski. "Are you okay, Mrs. Scott?" He questions quietly, trying to draw some response from me. "Can I get you anything?" I can't respond. I'm too shook up by this to be able to answer any question respectably. Instead, I sink into the Sergeant sitting beside me on the couch and sob.

"M'ame. You need to stay calm for the baby." Okay, so he's noticed. The baby. Can someone please explain to me how I'm supposed to stay calm? For the baby or not, anyone would not be calm in this situation.

Within minutes, the front door flies open and standing before me are Peyton, Jake and Jenny, all clad in their pajamas, obviously disturbed from sleep. Jake steps up from behind, his daughter sound asleep in his arms. "What's going on?" Peyton makes her way over to me, taking me in her arms

They stand tall, beside each other, adjusting their hats one last time before the man who was sitting beside me speaks up. "PFC Nathan Scott has been listed as MIA, missing in action." A sob escapes my mouth as Peyton hugs me closer, trying to keep my body from wracking from the news. "As of right now, his whereabouts are unknown but we have reports that him and other members of his battalion have been taken hostage." I don't listen to the other news they share, too upset by the initial news that he's missing. Nathan is missing. My husband is missing. My son's father is missing.