12/1/06
Hey Babe!
I'm so glad I got to hear your voice the other night. To know you're okay... god, it's been so long since I've been able to contact you that I'm not even sure where to start. It's crazy over here Hales, absolutely crazy. I know we didn't get to talk much the other night, but I just wanted to let you know I'm alright. Well, I guess I shouldn't lie. I'm not "alright" alright, but I'm okay. I suffered a gun shot wound to my foot. It basically shattered my entire left ankle. I'm doing alright though and they're taking good care of it over here. It's probably going to be a while before I get to come home. Since it's not a life-threatening injury, they're going to keep me here in the hospital, rather than transporting me right now. It sucks, but there's not a whole lot I can do about it at this point.
I've given a lot of thought to what you told me over the phone. You sounded so excited about it. Kind of comes as a shock you know? Before I left, you were so dead set against a baby at this point... but I guess when things happen, they tend to make you look at them through a different perspective. I still can't believe you're pregnant... I picture you, the little petite Haley I've always know. It's hard to imagine you, pregnant, carrying our baby. And it kind of saddens me to know that I'm missing out on it all, missing the changes your going through, watching the baby grow on a daily basis even though he can't really be seen, missing the feel of him moving inside of you. I promise you Haley, if I could do it all differently, I would.
Listen, I need a favor from you. I don't want you to be sad. I don't want you to worry. All I want you to do is take care of our son. And Hales? Chas? It's perfect!
Well, I'm gonna try to get some rest before they get me up for x-rays. But, I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you, loving you more than ever. Oh! Before I forget. I don't have any internet access to check my e-mail. So if you wanna be in touch, just write to me here... it'll take a few days, but I'll get it in the end!
Love you bunches!
Nate
December 9, 2006
She raises her eyebrows at me as I hand her the camera bag. "I'm not leaving until we do this." I tell her stubbornly. When I got Nate's letter I decided I'm going to keep him as much involved with this pregnancy as possible. Sure, it's going to be difficult, him a half a world away, but I'm going to do what I can.
I grab my purse and pull one of Nate's baggy sweatshirts over my head, trapping the warmth before stepping outside in to the frigid air where Brooke is already waiting for me in the car. Ever since Luke proposed to her at Thanksgiving she's been gung-ho about getting the wedding plans in the works. So, that's what we're doing today. Rather than going window shopping, ice skating, or sitting by the fireplace like any normal individuals do at Christmas time, we're going shopping for a wedding dress. Yes, a wedding dress. They've set the date for July 17, 2007, just over eight months away, giving Brooke plenty of time to return to her "pre-baby" weight.
She raises her eyebrows at me as I settle against the driver's side door of her Volkswagon Beetle. "I can't believe you just made me do that." She exclaims, exasperated. "Do you know how bad they're going to bust on Nate?" I try not to react to her, reassuring myself that I know my husband better than she does, reassuring myself that he's going to love the little pictures I've put together for him. Rather than frustrating myself by responding to her, I change the subject.
"Do you know what kind of dress you're looking for?" She nods ambitiously.
"Something simple." She turns to look at me quickly before glancing back to the road. "And you and Peyton are going to wear something bright. I don't know, pink, orange, yellow maybe." I listen as she chatters away about her "dream" wedding excitedly. "And hibiscus. That's going to be the flowers." She's already told me all about the location. The secluded beach area just outside of town, overlooking the ocean in the middle of the afternoon when the sun's beating down.
She drops me off a few hours later having settled on the "perfect" dress. I have to admit, it is perfect! Simple but perfect! The answering machine is blinking, letting me know of the new message waiting for me. Hey babe. It's me. I was just calling to check in, see how you and my little boy are doing! Anyways, you must be out with Brooke or Peyton now. Call me tonight when you get in, I'll be waiting to hear your voice. Just call my cell phone, I've recovered it for now and it seems to be working. If not and I don't hear back from you, I'll try giving you a call later on! Love you! I sigh contently, glad to hear his voice. He's cheery. That's a good sign. Knowing I'm going to be able to tell him everything that's going I opt to write just a fast note, enclosing the first bit of what's to come in the following months.
Thanks for writing Nate! You can't even begin to imagine how much I miss having you here, missing out on all this. And because of that, I've compiled a little something for you. It's not much yet, but the collection is going to continue to grow in the coming months. Hope you enjoy them!