Chapter Seventeen – Golden Slumber

'Once there was a way,
To get back homeward,
Once there was a way to get back home;
Sleep pretty darling, do not cry,
And I will sing you a lullaby' – The Beatles

July 4, 2010

"So then he just says, 'We should get married'!" Brooke exclaims, holding out her hand. I think I'm shock, and I don't know what to say as she and Luke stare at me, eagerly awaiting my response. I know I'm the first person they've told, and I want my response to be what they need.

"You – you guys, I – wow! Congratulations!" I throw an arm around each of them. I pull away, fixing a smile on my face. A part of me still doesn't think this will work out, but they've proved me wrong so far, and I'm not going to try and dictate to them how they should live their lives.

"Isn't this great?" Brooke enthuses, her voice getting shrill with excitement, "I can't believe this!"

Luke just stands here smiling like he's the happiest guy in the world. And if he is, then I'm just as happy for him. "We're really happy, Hales," he smiles, finally jumping in.

"I can tell," I smile back. "Oh, my gosh, we get to plan a wedding!" I squeal, grabbing Brooke's hands and jumping up and down with her.

"I know!" she laughs, "And it's mine!"

"Wow, when are you going to tell everyone?" I ask, still smiling. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of an engagement – I know that first hand. I just hope things turn out better for Luke and Brooke than they did for me. Well, they couldn't turn out much worse, of course.

"Tonight!" Luke beams, "Everyone will be in town, so it's perfect! Deb and Dad got back from their vacation yesterday, so they'll be there."

"And Nathan will be here, too," I remind him, and a dark look crosses his face. There is so much consternation between the two of them right now that it is ridiculous.

"Not that he'd be happy for me, anyways," Luke mutters.

"Luke, you know he would," I argue, "The other stuff, that's just basketball. It has nothing to do with how much he loves you as a brother and a friend. Give him a break, it's hard for him sometimes."

"Why are we doing this again?" Brooke wonders. Luke and I have had this argument several times since the night of the draft. Luke and Nathan haven't spoke to each other since, and Nathan hasn't spoken to Dan, either.

"Because, no matter what asshole things he does, Haley will always defend Nathan," Luke informs her, glaring at me superciliously.

I roll my eyes at him and take a step closer. "That's bullshit and you know it, Luke," I retort, poking him in the chest, "And if you paid attention to things, maybe you'd notice that there is a lot more going on in this situation than Nathan being an asshole."

He throws his hands up in the air. "You've been saying that the last two weeks, Hales! You've got to give me more to work with than just that, okay? Because from where I'm standing, he's just being a jerk for no apparent reason."

"Think about it, Luke. You have everything he's ever wanted. You have Dan's love and respect, you have the ability to walk away from basketball, and he feels like he has none of that."

"He doesn't want to walk away from basketball, Hales." He doesn't even acknowledge what I said about him having what Nathan always wanted from Dan.

"Did you hear what I said?" I ask him, getting pissed him. I feel bad – this is supposed to be a happy occasion, but I can't stop myself from defending Nathan, especially in this situation.

"Yeah, I heard, and it's bullshit," he spits out bitterly, "Nathan has had Dan his whole life, and I just got him a few years ago. You can't tell me that I'm getting something he never had when he's had it four times as long as I did."

"Did he?" I ask, challenging him, while Brooke stands there looking like she'd rather be anywhere else right now, "Did he really, Luke? Is that why he had himself emancipated when he was sixteen? Because he had such a great relationship with Dan, who treated him so great? I don't think so, and if you try and tell me you do, then you're a liar. How many times did you tell me that even though he might have been the one Dan 'chose', he was worse off than you?"

Luke sighs, and I think my words have sunk in. "He's jealous? Really?"

I shrug. "Look, I promised him a long time ago I wouldn't say anything, and he's probably not going to be happy with me now, but I hate seeing him so left out, and I hate that you are both hurting by this rift."

Brooke turns and walks out of the room, giving us space to talk about it. Luke looks at me with his broody look, and I almost feel bad about laying into him so hard on this. I know Nathan still hasn't mustered whatever it is he needs to talk to Dan and Luke about this, so maybe it is coming more out of left field for Luke than I'm giving him credit for.

"How long?" he asks quietly, and I know what he means immediately.

"Last year, that barbeque Labor Day weekend. I think he snapped when Dan talked about how proud he was of you for knowing basketball wasn't everything. Dan never said anything like that to him."

"He never said it because he thought it wasn't true," Luke sighs. "Dan – God, we all think that Nathan wants basketball. That he doesn't want anything as much as he wants basketball. If Dan said that to Nathan, it would be a slap in the face, you know?"

I nod, because I do understand both sides of things. "The thing is, Dan never said it when Nathan needed to hear it. He never heard it when he was under all that pressure, and now, he sees Dan giving you what you need from him, and I think it hurts. I know it isn't your fault, and it isn't even Dan's fault, really."

Luke sits down hard on the chair behind him. "I wish I'd paid more attention to how Nathan was feeling with everything. It's just that, things have been so good with Dan and I, and then I had to worry how Keith and Mom felt about it, and I never considered Nathan."

I push him over so I can share the chair with him. "Its okay, Luke. He knows. God, he even understands, but he's still not doing a great job dealing with it. I think the worst part is that he wants to be happy for you, but he's so frustrated with how things are for him that he can't be, and then he feels guilty."

He puts his arm around me. "Thanks for telling me, I know you didn't want to." I nod. "But I needed to know, and I guess its obvious Nate wasn't going to tell me himself, huh?"

"He wanted to, or so he told me. He was going to invite you and Dan over the morning after the draft."

He looks over at me sharply. "Why didn't he?"

I shrug. "I don't know, when I left that morning, that was what he was planning, so he didn't need a ride back to town."

I can see understanding dawn, and I mentally kick myself for giving so much away. What happened between Nathan and me that night was something I'd have liked to keep between just us.

"You were with him that night?" he asks, "Were you with him all night, Hales? What happened?"

I shake my head and stand up, moving away from him. "That isn't germane to this conversation," I tell him, trying to brush off his questions. Of course, I know it won't work. He's a Scott, and when they think they're on to something, they don't give up.

"Don't give me that crap," he mutters, rolling his eyes, "What happened, Haley James? Tell me now, or I'll get Brooke in here to torture it out of you. Hey, she doesn't know already, does she?"

He pouts that last part, and I laugh at the look on his face. "No, come on, we're going outside then."

I walk briskly out to the backyard, and he diligently follows me. We each sit on one of the swings of Eric's playset. "What happened?" he asks again.

"I followed him, found him a block away, and drove him to River Court. He kissed me after we talked for awhile," I relate, seeing the surprise on his face, "And then he apologized and ran off."

"Wow," Luke breathes.

"That's not all," I laugh, "After he ran off, I got out of the car and sat in the middle of the court. That's where we went after the Labor Day fiasco, and it was a good talk we had, and I just wanted to sit there again, feel that. But he came back. And he told me he meant it, he meant the kiss."

"And that was it?" he asks, confused. I shake my head. "God, no details," he reminds me, grimacing.

"No details," I laugh, promising him, "But after that, we went to the beach house, and stayed there for the night."

"Are you guys together now?"

I shake my head. "We haven't even talked about it yet, so I don't know what, if anything, we are."

"You haven't talked to him since then?" he asks, confused, "What the hell is that?"

"No, no, we've talked, just not about what happened. It's too much right now, I think. I mean, look at how his life is changing. He'll be living in Seattle for a good portion of the year, and I'll be here in Tree Hill."

He shrugs. "So what? That's no reason for him to avoid talking about it."

I shake my head at him. "It isn't him who's avoiding, it's me. I am the one who isn't ready to talk about it yet."

"Why not?"

"God, I don't know. There is so much to say to each other, and over the phone isn't how I want to do it. That, and I'm mostly just scared."

"Of what?"

"Come on, Luke! Scared that he won't want me, that he doesn't feel anything more than a sexual attraction, that he can't forgive me for everything, that he doesn't love – God, there are a million and one reasons why I'm scared!"

"You're going to talk to him, right?" he asks, concerned.

"Yeah, there's no way he'll let me not talk to him about it. God, he's tried already, but let me put it off until we're face to face. We'll see what happens."

"At least you'll finally be putting it all out there. What are you going to say?"

I shake my head at him. "I think I owe it to him to wait and talk to him first, okay? Do things right for once."

He looks a little hurt, but he nods. "Sure, I got it." He looks over at me. "So, you surprised I asked Brooke to marry me?"

I laugh, leaning back a little on the swing. "Yeah, floored, actually. I mean, I knew you were moving back here for her, but I figured you'd give it a little more time before you jumped into a wedding."

He laughs, too. "Yeah, you aren't the only one. I didn't plan on this, but I was buying something for Mom at the jewelry store, and I saw the ring, and I got it. I can't believe it. I'll be in debt for a long time now, but it'll be worth it. You should've seen how happy she was about it. The look on her face."

"I saw, Luke, she was really happy. You guys are good for each other."

He grins. "Yeah, we are. We really are."

I'm so happy for him, for her, for them. But I'm jealous, too. I want what they have, which is funny since I have doubts still as to how well they'll work out. But I want that magical, carefree feeling you get when you're so in love with someone that you act rashly and wildly like Luke did when he bought the ring, like Nathan and I did when we got married all those years ago.

"Everyone is going to be thrilled for you – oh, your mom is going to be over the moon!" I laugh, picturing Karen's reaction, "Are you really going to tell her in front of everyone else?"

He shrugs, "We were going to, but I know what you're saying. I should tell her first, away from anyone else. Maybe I'll tell her alone, and ask her not to let Brooke know she knows."

I smile at him. "Karen might appreciate that."

"Yeah, she probably will." He looks over at me. "Think Nathan will behave tonight? I mean, I'm not going to have time to hash things out with him before the party starts, and so I don't want him flying off the handle. Brooke is really sensitive to everyone's reactions to our news, you know."

I nod, knowing that Brooke would be. She's far more vulnerable than she projects, and I'm glad Luke sees that. "He'll be fine. I can run interference, if you'd like," I suggest, quite possibly more to further my own agenda than anything else, but I know it could be helpful, too.

He smirks at me, and I know he knows. "Yeah, you do that, Hales. Tell yourself it's to help me out if you have to. Why don't you just tell him how you feel?"

I duck my head down, staring at the dirt underneath the swing. "Easier said than done, Luke."

He rolls his eyes at me, still smirking. "You're full of crap, Hales. Just do it for a change, quit making him do all the work in your relationship, lay something on the line."

"Have you and Brooke been going over notes together or something?" I ask, peevish.

"Yeah, Tim, too."

"Tim, too?" I gasp, suddenly irate, "How dare you guys do that? Wait, you and Tim can hang out now?"

He laughs at my topic jump. "Yeah, we're cool. He's not quite the dumbass I always assumed, so we are getting along okay. Brooke really wanted it, you know?" I nod dumbly. "And we dare because we care. Hey, I rhyme!" he grins.

"Yeah, good one, Poe," I say sarcastically, my anger returning. I must be PMSing or something, because this rapid-fire emotion change can be explained no other way. "And just because you 'care', it doesn't give you the right to talk about me behind my back. That's not fair, Luke."

"Maybe not, but it isn't really fair that you want something so bad, but can't go after it. That's lame, too."

I groan, "Oh, my God, you and Brooke are like twins. Damn it. Okay, look, I already am planning on trying to tell him."

"Planning on trying? Wow, that sounds pretty much like a copout plan, if you ask me."

"Guess it's a good thing I haven't asked you, then, wouldn't you say? Besides, why does it sound like a copout? I'm going to try, and what more can I do, right?"

"How about instead of trying, you actually do it?" he suggests, brilliantly. He looks at me smugly, and he knows he has me here.

"Whatever, I'll do my best. But if he starts looking uncomfortable and like he doesn't want to hear anything, I'm not going to say it all," I tell him, my lip quivering.

"Hey, Hales, it'll be okay. I mean, I don't know how it'll work out, but even if it isn't how you want it, things will be okay."

I nod half-heartedly, not believing it. My life is so wrapped up in Nathan, around Nathan, that no matter what happens over the next few days, we'll always have a connection. If things go badly, I'll have to see him still, and be constantly reminded of everything else. Maybe that's why I'm so hesitant – things are tentatively decent right now, and it would really hurt me if that were to change for the worse. Of course, it isn't like decent is so great or anything.

"Well, I can't do it tonight because this is a happy occasion," I grin, kind of relieved that I'll have at least tonight to feel things out with Nathan before attempting to jump in, both feet first.

"Chicken," he laughs, reaching over from his swing to shove me.

"Shut up!" I exclaim, pushing off him with my foot, sending us both flying. We used to do this when we were little, but until Luke starts making chicken noises, I was going to let it go. "Oh, you're going down, Scott!"

I push off him harder, sending him flying into the side of the swing set. He comes flying back at me, and grabs onto the rope of my swing, taking me with him. He gives it a good tug and sends me whipping around in circles, laughing my head off.

"I think we're going to break the swing set!" he laughs, not really sounding worried.

"Ow! Luke!" I complain as I smash into the side of the swing set, "That hurts! How did we not break bones when we did this when we were little?"

"Got you!" he laughs, "That's a point for me!"

The swing set is really starting to creak and groan now, so I jump off and away from it. "Luke, I think you were right about the breaking it thing," I tell him worriedly, not liking that he's swinging higher and higher.

"You're paranoid!" he laughs, pumping his legs even harder. And then it happens: the swing set collapses, sending Luke crashing to the ground, where he lands awkwardly on his arm.

"Shit," he curses as I run to him, "I think it's broken."

"Crap, Luke, roll over," I order him, "Let me look at it!"

"I can't, there's a piece of swing set underneath me. I'll just get up on my knees." He tries to do so, but wavers, and then leans forward, puking. God, it really must be broken.

"Okay, here, let me help you." I manage to get him out of the wreckage of the swing set, and lay him back on the softer grass. His arm is clearly broken; it looks like the bone is just a fraction of an inch away from poking through his skin.

Trying not to gag too, I stand up. "I'm going to go call 911." He nods. "I'll be right back, okay?"

I sprint into the house, again thankful for my morning runs with Tim. "Brooke!" I scream, "Where the hell are you?"

She doesn't answer, and so I find the phone and report our emergency. I take the phone with me, and run back out to Luke. "I yelled for Brooke, but she didn't hear me, I guess. I'd look for her, but you shouldn't be out here alone," I tell him tearfully.

"Hales, I'm okay," he smiles up at me. "I'm not dying or anything. They'll put it in a cast and I'll be good as new in a few weeks. Hey, look at it this way, at least I didn't sign with Houston, so they can't sue me for breach of contract for playing on a swing set."

I can't believe he's making jokes when his arm is so grotesquely broken, but at the same time, it is so essentially Lucas. I breathe out a sigh of relief when I hear the sirens of the aid car blaring down the street.

"Ambulance is almost here."

"Yeah, I hear it," he says, and then he smiles. He fucking smiles. At a time like this.

"Luke, you amaze me. I can't believe you're smiling when your arm is like – like – like that," I finish with a wave of my hand.

"Like what?" he asks, glancing down. "Holy shit, it's gonna poke out of my skin, Hales!" he screams, "Oh, my God, it hurts!" He tries to sit up, but I keep him down. "Look at it!"

Shit. Way to go, slick. "Luke, stop, just lay back and don't look at it! You're turning all white again," I tell him worriedly, "Are you going to puke again?"

He just stares at his arm. Thankfully, two EMTs burst through the fence gate, Brooke running behind them looking scared. I jump up to calm Brooke down as the EMTs go to work on Luke.

"What the hell happened?" she cries, "Oh, my God, Luke, I'm here. Brookie is here, it's all going to be okay."

He manages a wan smile at her. "I know, it'll be okay. Just a little break. A disgusting, horrifying, little break." With that, he passes out.

Brooke grips my arm tightly. "What the hell were you two doing?" she bursts out, surveying poor Eric's mangled swing set.

I blush, I know I am. I feel so stupid, and we were acting so childishly. "We were, uhm, we were playing on the swings. This game we used to play, where we'd kick and shove each other into the side supports. Guess we weighed less then," I sigh.

"So you were on there too? How'd you escape serious injury?"

I shake my head. "I had jumped off because it was creaking and Luke said he thought it was going to collapse, but he didn't jump off. Started swinging harder!"

"Unbelievable!" She shakes her head, pacing the yard, always keeping one eye on Luke. "That is completely unbelievable! You two thought it would be some fantastic idea to put your adult asses on a swing set made for a three year old, and then kick each other around. Great."

"I know!" I cry, "I know!" Tears are sliding down my face as the load Luke onto the backboard for the ambulance ride.

"We're ready to take him now, ma'am," one of the EMTs says to me. I nod. "Are either of you related? You could ride along."

"I'm his fiancé!" Brooke exclaims, flashing her ring again. "I want to ride with him; in fact, I demand it."

The poor guy looks helplessly at me. "Uh, yeah, okay, let's go then. We need to get him to the hospital and get that arm set. He'll probably also need x-rays of his back taken, since it looks like he took quite the spill."

"Maybe we should cancel the thing tonight," I tell Brooke.

She shakes her head, "No, Lucas won't want it cancelled. Let's just stick with the plans, okay?"

I nod, sighing. "Okay, I'll head over and get things ready.

Brooke glares at me, and follows the EMTs and Lucas out to the ambulance. I sit down heavily on the grass, the events of the last twenty minutes washing over me as I start to cry in earnest.

"Haley?" I look up to see Keith standing in the doorway, holding Eric in his arms. "Oh, my God, are you okay?"

I nod, choking out between sobs, "I'm fine, but Lucas broke his arms, and they took him to the hospital with Brooke, and it's my fault because I didn't make him stop swinging, and his arm was so gross and broken and he threw up." I finally stop when I can't talk and cry anymore.

He sets Eric down and runs over to me. "Hey, hey, slow down." He puts his hands on my shoulder. "Now, take a few deep breaths, and start over, okay?"

I nod, complying. "Luke and I were playing on the swings, and then it started creaking, so I jumped off, but he didn't. And then it broke," I sob, waving my hand towards the mess, which he can obviously see. "And his arm is broken, and the EMT said they'd have to do back x-rays to make sure he isn't hurt worse, and it's all my fault."

"No, no, Haley, it's not your fault, honey." He pulls me into a hug, and I sob against his chest. "He's going to be okay, it's Luke, and he's tough."

Eric starts crying, and Keith pulls away from me to pick him up. Seeing the scared look on Eric's face inspires me to pull myself together a bit. I wipe my eyes and breathe deeply until the sobs subside. When I'm a little calmer, Eric reaches his little arms out, and I take him.

"I'm going to go to the café and pick up Karen," Keith says to me quietly, "Will you watch Eric?"

"Of course, go. I know she'll be pissed if you don't," I smile, squeezing Eric gently, breathing in his baby scent.

"Thanks, Haley. And believe me, he'll be okay. You didn't do anything wrong." I nod, knowing he's right. It was just a stupid, freak accident that was caused because Lucas and I are boneheads sometimes.

He runs off, and Eric and I follow him into the house since I can't stand the sight of that swing set right now. I'm just glad the tonight's festivities are being held at Brooke's house. She insisted that we throw the get together for a change, and Tim and I agreed thinking it would be fun.

I need to get back there, in fact, to get everything set up. I call Keith's cell and let him know that I'm grabbing Eric's car seat and taking him over with me. He tells me its fine, and that he and Karen will call once they hear something.

When I get back to the house, Tim is immediately concerned when he sees my tearstained cheeks. "What's going on, Haley?"

"Lucas broke his arm," I explain, setting Eric down and retrieving the bucket of toys I keep here for him. He smiles happily when I hand him his favorite book. "We were goofing around, and the swing set collapsed on him."

"Damn," he whistles, "He okay other than that?"

I nod. "Yeah, they're taking more x-rays to be sure, but it seems to be."

"Well, better safe than sorry, huh?" I nod mutely, holding Eric on my lap. "Hey, it's okay, Haley, why are you so stressed about this?"

I shake my head. "It just happened so fast. It was awful, the wood breaking and the sound of him hitting the ground."

"He'll be okay," he promises. He glances at his watch. "Crap, babe, I gotta run to the store if I'm going to get all this stuff done that is on this list Brooke gave me."

I nod, understanding. "She gave me one, too."

"You going to be okay here? I can do your list if you need me to," he offers sweetly. "I don't mind."

"I'll be okay," I promise, "I've got Eric here to keep my head on straight. If he's nice, I'll even let him help me in the kitchen." Tim laughs, and gives me a hug before taking off. "It's just you and me, kid," I tell Eric.

He looks up at me and smiles. "Hi Hawes, we party tonight."

I smile back at him. "I know, baby, we are going to have a party tonight. It'll be fun, too. And we'll set off pretty fireworks for you."

"Cake?" he asks. It's the one thing he always associates with parties, cake.

I laugh, nodding. "Yeah, I made a special cake just for you." He claps his hands together. "Come on, let's go in the kitchen, and I'll give you a piece now."

"Yay, tank you, Hawes!" he grins. I laugh and scoop him up in my arms, taking him to the kitchen. As we pass the front door, someone knocks on it, startling me to the point where I almost drop Eric, who luckily just laughs and begs for more.

I laugh, setting him down. "Go into the kitchen, kiddo. I'll be there in a minute." He runs off, and I brush my hands over my cheeks, hoping there isn't too much makeup on them. I open the door, surprised to see Nathan standing there with a big bouquet of flowers. "Nathan, I – ah, you're early."

He nods, peeking around the flowers. "Yeah, I just didn't want to go over to my parent's yet, so I figured I could help you out with whatever."

"Oh, well, come on in," I say, feeling like an awkward mess. He steps inside, and I move to hug him. I hadn't planned on it, but I do, despite the fact he has those flowers in his arms.

I pull away, smiling tremulously at him. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asks when he sees my face, "What happened?"

He sets the flowers down and moves closer, laying a hand on my cheek. Eric chooses this moment to come running back out looking for me. "Hawes, I want my cake!" He glances at Nathan, who is still cupping my cheek. "Hi."

Nathan laughs, pulling his hand away. "Hey yourself, Eric." He leans down and picks him up. "You get cake, huh? Think you can score me a piece?"

Eric grins, probably understanding, smart little guy that he is. "Be nice to Hawes. I kiss her."

Nathan laughs again, raising his eyebrows at me. He seems so relaxed that I can't help but wonder what's up. I guess that's terrible, to always expect something moodier from him, but that's kind of how Nathan is, always intense about everything.

"Come on, you can both have cake," I promise, leading them into the kitchen. I hear Nathan whisper something to Eric, and the smack of hands as they high five each other. He settles Eric at the table and I slice small pieces of cake for each of them, setting it on the table in front of them. "There ya go, from the world renowned bakery of Haley!"

"Tank you, Hawes."

"You're welcome, baby." I turn to Nathan who is smiling fondly at Eric. "Could you watch him while I go clean up a little? I need to wash my face."

"Yeah, of course. Hey, you gonna tell me what had you crying?" he asks, catching my hand in his as I turn to leave.

"Oh, God. Yeah, no, Luke broke his arm, and I freaked out." He raises an eyebrow at me. "We were swinging, on Eric's set, and it broke apart. It was just freaky. Keith said he'd call as soon as he knew for sure it was just his arm, but they don't think it's anything else."

He grips my hand tighter. "Haley, you could've been killed! You both could've! My God, are you okay? Were you hurt?"

I shake my head, overwhelmed by his concern. "No, I had jumped off because it was creaking, but Luke stayed on. I'm okay, just shaken up."

"Thank God you're okay," he breathes out, "And Luke will be okay? Do we need to go to the you know where to check on him?"

"No, Brooke rode with him in the ambulance, and Keith was going to go get Karen and take her there. I'm watching Eric, obviously."

He brushes his thumb over my knuckles. "Well, thank God Lucas only broke his arm. Sounds like it could've been worse."

"You should see the swing set," I tell him, trying to make a joke, but the waver in my words preclude that from happen. "It's a really big mess."

He nods, understanding. "Hey, you go freshen up, I got this one for you." He ruffles Eric's hair, who is so engrossed in eating his piece of cake that he barely even looks up.

"Thanks Nathan," I whisper, turning and walking upstairs to clean myself up. A glance in the mirror outside my door tells me I look awful. God, I think I even have some of Luke's vomit splattered on my jeans.

I strip down, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around myself. Standing at the top of the stairs, I yell down to Nathan that I'll be in the shower for a few minutes, and then turn the water as hot as I can stand it and jump in. It feels so good, and I actually manage to relax some.

When I get out, I pull out new clothes and put them, and then apply some light makeup. Deciding this will be fine for now – I'm sure Brooke has grand plans for how we're all supposed to look tonight – I head back downstairs. I hear Eric and Nathan playing in the living room, so I head there to see them. I stop in the doorway and watch as Nathan gives Eric a piggy back ride around the room.

"You two look like you're having fun," I smile, dropping to the floor. Eric slides of off Nathan's back and runs over to me, climbing in my lap.

"You smell life fowers," Eric comments, scrunching his nose up, "Yucky ones, too."

Nathan and I laugh at his childish mispronunciation. "Yeah, well, someday you'll appreciate girls smelling like flowers," Nathan tells him, winking at me. He's so relaxed right now it amazes me. I guess something in Seattle is doing him a world of good. I just hope it isn't a someone. "Feel better?" he asks me.

"Yeah, a lot. Thanks for watching him. Want to keep the duty while I finish off the chores on my Brooke list?"

"Your Brooke list?" he questions.

"Yeah," I laugh, "She decided to host this thing, but she gave Tim and I lists with chores on them to do. Go figure, right?"

"Nice," he comments, "There probably aren't a lot of people who can get away with stuff like that."

"Yeah, Brooke is one in a million," I agree. "So," I ask again, smiling a little, "Would you mind?"

"Of course not. We can play more piggy back. Who knew a three year old would be one of the most fun people I know?"

I laugh, pretending to think. "Hmm, maybe you just relate well to him," I joke, giggling at his wounded expression.

"That hurts," he pouts, "He's obviously way above my level."

I laugh with him, and stand up, setting Eric back on his back again. "You two have fun. I'll be out back filling coolers."

"Oooh, have fun."

I nod, noticing the flowers. "Oh, I'm sure I will. Hey, you might want to find something in the kitchen to put your flowers in before they wilt." I walk off.

Obviously, I'm dying to know who they're for, but I'm not self-centered enough to assume they're for me, but I am bratty enough to wish they were. I do my chores, and by the time I'm done, I hear Tim come barreling into the house.

"James, get out here," he yells, and I wonder if he's seen Nathan or something. He knew he was coming, but I'm sure neither would appreciate being alone together.

I jog into the kitchen, relieved that Nathan and Eric aren't in here. "What? Why are you yelling for me?"

"Brooke made me get her fucking tampons, James. Tampons. I had to go into the 'feminine hygiene' section of the grocery store. Do you have any idea how emasculating that is?"

"Um, since I've never been masculated, I guess I wouldn't know," I joke, choking back a laugh, picturing Tim perusing the different brands of tampons. "Oh, Smith, I'm sorry, it's just kinda funny."

"No, it isn't kinda funny. It isn't funny at all. God, she hates me, she must hate me. There's no other explanation for it. You don't do that to someone you love and respect."

"I'm sorry she had you do that," I tell him, stifling another laugh, "I'm sure the trauma was overwhelming."

"I'm never living with two women again," he grumbles, "It's bad enough that I have to deal with the PMS and hormones on a monthly basis, but sending me to pick up tampons, that is just above and beyond."

"I know, baby, and I'll tell her she owes you big time," I promise, still laughing.

"I can't believe you're laughing. That is just terrible. After all I suffered today, you could at least be sympathetic."

"I am, really. I just needed to laugh after seeing Luke there on the ground, that swing set all broken around him. So, thank you."

"Aw, you're welcome." He pulls me into a hug. "You finished your list?" I nod. "Good, me too. I think I'll go get ready."

"Hey, Tim?" He glances back at me. "Just so you know, Nathan is already here playing with Eric." He looks surprised, but just shrugs and walks out of the kitchen.

I find Eric and Nathan in the backyard this time playing with a basketball. Nathan lets Eric run around him with the ball, and I can't resist teasing him.

"Mr. NBA Star, getting schooled by a three year old!" I tease, feigning shock, "Oh, if only the media could see."

"Ha ha ha," he grins back, correcting Eric's hold on the ball, "There ya go!"

They're so cute together that I can't help but grin. "Hawey pway!" Eric demands, and Nathan cracks up.

"Now, see, Eric," Nathan grins, lifting him up in his arms, basketball and all, "The first thing you need to know about Haley here is that she can't play basketball. She's very bad at it. Very bad."

I poke him in the arm. "Sure, pick on the non-athletic one! Just because I suck at sports doesn't mean I'm crappy at everything, thank you very much. I excel in other areas."

His grin widens as he replies huskily, "Yeah, I know you do, Haley J." Is he flirting with me? Am I flirting with him? Oh, God, I don't even know anymore. And then he does it: he winks.

I just nod at him, a small smile crossing my face. "Don't listen to him, Eric, I can bounce that ball." I take it from and proceed to do so, grinning.

"Tsk, tsk," Nathan laughs, "It's called dribbling, not bouncing. And you're doing it wrong, anyways." He sighs all dramatically and rolls his eyes at Eric, who laughs at him.

"Okay, hotshot, I get it, I'm bad at basketball." He nods, and Eric, who is watching him, begins nodding, too. "You're supposed to be on my side!" I tell Eric, tickling his belly.

I left the door open, and I can hear the front door opening, and Brooke shouting for me. "Tutor Girl?" she barks, "Where the hell are you?"

Nathan looks at me with a mock terrified look, pretending to shudder. "I'll stay out here with Eric where it's safe," he decides, probably not unwisely.

"Can I stay, too?" I ask, even as I move toward the door. He helpfully waves goodbye, and again, Eric is mimicking his actions. "I'm coming, Tigger," I call back to her before she can tear out here.

"Why didn't you come to the hospital?" she rages as she rounds the corner, "I needed you there! God, it was awful, the noise his arm made when they set it. I cried, and then I threw up."

Her cheeks are streaked with tears, and her hair looks like a bird's nest, but I figure it would be a very bad thing to tell her that. "Hey, it's okay. How's Luke?" I ask, worried.

She sits down in one of the dining room chairs. "Oh, Luke? Luke is great, he's fantastic. Would you believe that little bastard had the audacity to flirt – flirt! – with the nurses, right in front of me?"

I look away, shrugging. "Well, Tigger, it's Luke. I mean, he's kind of a flirt, that's his thing or something."

She glares, rounding on me. "You cannot be saying this! Maybe he was a flirt before, but he's my fiancé now! He's not allowed to flirt!"

"Okay, okay," I tell her, holding my hands up, "Peace. Geez, calm down, Tigger. He was probably just trying to distract himself from the pain. Now, where is he?"

"They dropped me off here, and Karen and Keith are taking him back there to change. They wanted him to stay home tonight, but he insisted. And since it's when we're announcing things, I figured I wouldn't make him stay home."

I reach out and give her a hug, and she starts crying on my shoulder. I know how she feels, so I don't say anything, just letting her cry it all out. "It's okay," I promise her, "He's fine, right?" She nods. "So, just let it all out, it's okay."

"God, when I saw him lying there on the ground, it freaked me out, Haley, I was so scared."

"Shh, shh," I whisper soothingly, "I know you were. I was, too, honey. But he's okay now, I'm sure they gave him lots of good drugs, and he's probably barely in any pain."

"It reminded me of when he was in that car accident," she sniffles, "And he was so pale and still."

"I know, baby, it was awful," I tell her, holding her tighter, "It was really, really awful. But hey, like you said, he's okay. And he's so okay, he still wants to announce your engagement tonight. So that's good, right? Don't you think that's a good sign?"

"I know it is, I know he's fine, but still."

"Okay, look, Tigger, why don't you go upstairs and take a shower and get cleaned up. I'll stay down here and finish off the things on your list."

"I don't have a list," she sighs, and I hold my tongue, suppressing my irritation at her giving Tim and I lists but not having one herself. I shouldn't be surprised, though, it is typical Brooke. And although we didn't know beforehand, it is kind of an engagement party for her and Lucas, so I guess that's something, too.

"Okay, go upstairs. When you're ready, it'll be time for people to be showing up, so that's good, right?"

She nods, pulling away from me. "Okay, a hot shower does sound nice. Hopefully you and Tim didn't use up all the hot water."

"I'm sure there's plenty left for you. Oh, and Nathan is here already being entertained by Eric." She nods, still dazed and not really interested.

"Guess I can't talk loudly about how crazy in love with him you are right now, huh? I'll save that for later," she teases, and I know she's feeling better.

I roll my eyes at her, giving her a shove. "Get out of here." She goes, and I pick up and put away the coat and purse she's left lying on the floor of the foyer. I turn around, and almost let out a scream when I come face to face with Nathan, who is holding a sleeping Eric. "Don't sneak up on me!" I whisper loudly, "You almost gave me a heart attack!"

He grins widely at me, nodding down at Eric, whose head is planted on Nathan's shoulder. "Sorry," he whispers, "But I don't think my arms is the best place for this guy to sleep. Got something better?"

I nod, motioning to the stairs. We take him up, and I lead them into my bedroom, closing the door behind us. He gently sets Eric down on the bed after I pull the covers back, and I lean down and kiss his forehead. Nathan places the covers back on top of him since it's chilly in this house due to Tim's insistence that the A/C runs twenty-four seven.

Nathan leans down and gives him a kiss, too, and then stands up, glancing around the room. Belatedly I realize that I have some relics of the us that was Nathan and me laying around, pinned to the wall and taped to the closet door, and I blush, feeling a little bit like a pathetic hanger-on.

He smiles, though, and it puts me at ease. There are some newer pictures on my desk and dresser, mainly of Tim, Brooke, and I at various Duke parties, but there are also a bunch with Karen, Keith, Luke, and Eric. He singles out one of Eric and me, and picks it up, examining it.

"You two look so cute together," he whispers, smiling at me. He sets it back and resumes examining the other pictures. "It looks like you have a lot of fun in your life. That's good, Haley."

"Yeah, we try. And I'm lucky I have such fun friends. Without them, I'd probably be at the library right now, all by myself."

He puts his hand on my shoulder as he moves to stand by my side. "You don't give yourself enough credit, you know that?"

I blush, looking away. "Well, this must be boring, so we can head back downstairs," I suggest.

He shakes his head, his hand still on me. "It's not boring. I like finding more out about the 'new you'," he comments, looking at a picture of me at the beach with Brooke. "I mean, you've changed a lot, and in some ways, we don't even know each other anymore."

I look at him, hurt by that comment. He's probably right; it has been a long time since we spent more than a few hours together, so there are bound to be things we don't know about each other. At the same time, though it does hurt to realize that. It kind of makes everything so much harder.

"You really think we've changed so much?" I ask haltingly.

He glances over at me, setting the picture down. "Not so much that I don't know you, but you've had a lot of experiences that I don't know about. And I've had ones you don't know about. I mean, if we looked at your high school pictures, there wouldn't be nearly as many pictures that involve alcohol, right?" I nod. "See, that kind of change. You're still fundamentally you, though. That doesn't change."

I nod, seeing what he means now. "I guess that makes a little bit of sense," I smile, "All that psychobabble is coming in handy, huh, Scott?"

"Hey, it's not like I have my masters or anything," he argues, "Just a Bachelors degree. I'm not all that in the world of sports psychology or anything."

"Of course not," I agree, "You're still too busy being all that in the world of NBA superstars, right?"

He blushes. "There's no way I'll ever be a superstar, but if I can last a couple of years and make a few million dollars, you won't hear me complaining."

"You've got it all figured out, huh?" I ask, smiling at him. I am happy for him; all his dreams have come true. It just sucks that Seattle is the city that gets to make all his dreams come true. Aside from Vancouver, he couldn't get any further away from Tree Hill.

"Nah, I don't think I have anything figured out. I'm just making it up as I go along, doing the best I can. It's weird, and I know I've always wanted this, but it has come so fast. One day I was at UConn playing for the NCAA title game, and the next I'm being drafted by Seattle."

"Did it rain the whole time you were there?" I ask, my first question about his time in Seattle.

He shakes his head. "It didn't, and if you can believe this crap, I was actually disappointed. I felt like I was let down or something. If a city promises rain year round, it should at least deliver, don't you think?"

I laugh. This is the Nathan that I loved – always making asinine observations about silly things like rain in Seattle. "I'll give them a call before you go back, see if I can work my weather magic or something."

He smiles. "Thanks. Anyways, it was nice there. Nicer than I expected. It's so…clean and fresh almost, but it's still not the same as here."

"You miss here?" I ask, honestly surprised. He's been gone so long that I just figured he'd see Tree Hill as a memory, an illusion of home that never quite lived up to your memory.

"Yeah, I mean – yeah. I miss my parents sometimes, and I miss, you know, Luke and stuff. I, ah, I miss you."

Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I glance back at Eric before looking up at Nathan. "I miss you, too."

"I know," he grins cockily, winking at me. I smack him on the arm, and drag him out of the room.

"You're a brat!" I exclaim when I can speak louder. "I can't believe you said that."

"Sure you can," he counters, "I know I've changed – I'm way hotter, for example – but I haven't changed so much that you wouldn't expect me to downplay my greatness."

I groan, elbowing him. "You're unbelievable, Nathan Scott."

He grins widely. "I'll take that as a compliment, thank you very much." We walk downstairs together and find Brooke, Karen, and Keith hovering over Lucas, trying to force him to lay down on the couch.

"I'm fine, Mom!" Luke grumbles, "God, can't a guy get a little bit of breathing room?" He looks up to see me and Nathan. "Hey, there you are, swing buddy, little brother."

Everyone else turns to see us. "Eric is asleep in my room," I tell Karen and Keith before turning to Lucas, "And you! I could strangle you for not jumping off that damn swing set when I told you to!"

His arm is in a cast up past his elbow, and his eyes are glazed over a little, probably from the drugs, but he's smiling and clearly in a good mood. Also probably because of the drugs.

"Hey, it was totally worth it to kick your ass at Swing Blaster again!" he grins, laughing his doped up head off.

Everyone else in the room looks at us like we're crazy.

"Swing Blaster?" Brooke repeats, rolling the phrase around on her tongue, trying to make sense of it.

Nathan snorts. "No wonder you two didn't have other friends until you started hanging with the coolness that is Nathan Scott."

Karen sighs, wringing her hands. "Is that what game you two were playing at the park all the time? It's a miracle my entire head of hair isn't completely gray from you two," she sighs.

"Hey, you guys, it's a fun game!" Luke defends, "And I'm now the reigning champion of it, too! And there will be no rematch, so I guess I'm champ for life."

I roll my eyes at him. "Slow down, Rocky, you also win the dumbass award for not jumping off sooner."

"And the Good Job, Slick, You Ruined Your Little Brother's Swing Set award," Keith chimes in, shaking his head.

"Haley shares that one with me!" Luke retorts, sticking his tongue out at me.

"Okay, kids," Karen cuts in before I can retort, placing most of her emphasis on the word 'kids', "Let's calm down. Now, Luke, you say you want to be out back with everyone for the food and fireworks?" He nods, glaring at me. "Okay, let's get you situated on a lounge chair. Brooke grab him a pillow, would you? And Haley, go get Eric, he'll be up all night if he doesn't wake up now."

She does so, and they make their way out onto the patio in the backyard. "You okay?" Nathan asks.

I nod. "He was kidding, mostly. I think."

"I know, and it's fine. I guess it was a little traumatic to see him lying in the middle of that wrecked swing set, you know?"

He squeezes my shoulder. "He's okay, Haley." I nod. "Hey, it's okay, don't cry, everything is okay."

I laugh through the tears. "Everything is never okay, Nathan," I sob, turning away from him. I need a minute to collect myself here.

He puts his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on the top of my head. "Tell me what's wrong," he orders, knowing intuitively this isn't only about Luke. I shake my head, not ready yet. "Come on, Haley J, you'll feel better when you do." I nod, knowing this, too, but still not ready.

"Not yet, Nathan, let's talk about this later." If I tell him everything, I want it to be at a time when we don't have a family gathering immediately after that we are both expected and/or required to be at.

"Okay, later," he says, his voice holding the promise that we will in fact talk about this later, and that I won't even try to avoid it. "Come on, let's go get Eric and bring him down here."

We walk up the stairs together, and to my pleasant surprise, find an already awake Eric sitting on my bed using some of my eyeliners as markers and drawing on a magazine.

"What are you doing up?" I ask him, holding out my arms. He eagerly jumps into them. "Looks like you were having fun!"

"I made picture," he smiles proudly, and I can't even be irritated with him ruining the expensive eyeliner pencils he used.

"I see that!"

"How come he gets away with using those?" Nathan wonders, "When I was in my apartment, and I wrote you that message with one, I thought you were going to string me up by my ba – uh, yeah, string me up."

I laugh, kissing Eric's forehead. "Well, what can I say, this kid has me wrapped around his little finger!"

"Lucky brat," he laughs with me, guiding us out the door. Eric has regained a little of his shyness around Nathan, so he quietly watches him from my arms. "Come on, buddy, let's go see big brother."

Eric nods, saying, "Okay," around the fingers in his mouth.

We head out to the backyard, and I set Eric down who runs to Karen and clings to her legs. "Hey baby," she smiles, picking him up, "Give your brother a hug."

Eric looks at Luke's arm. "Owie?"

Luke laughs, nodding. "Yeah, owie. But I'm okay. Come here, big guy." Eric climbs on his lap, and Karen hovers around, making sure he doesn't jostle Luke's arm.

The doorbell rings, and Tim yells from inside the house that he'll get it, so we all just continue to stand around chatting. Dan and Deb come out through the doors with Tim a few minutes later, and Deb's face lights up when she sees Nathan. Dan looks a little more hesitant to approach him, though.

"Nathan, sweetie, how are you?" Deb asks, hurrying over to hug him. "I missed you. You should call your parents more often," she gently scolds him.

Dan ambles over to stand in front of him. "Son, good to see you," he says gruffly, smiling almost shyly.

"It's good to see you both as well," he says, shaking Dan's hand. I can tell by the way he's posturing himself that he's feeling uncomfortable around Dan right now. Figuring this isn't my business, I go over to talk to Keith.

"Hey, you feeling better, honey?" he asks.

I smile. "Yeah, I'm sorry I freaked out on you earlier. That was just too overwhelming or something."

"It was pretty gross," he agrees, laughing. "But you're okay now, right? You aren't still blaming yourself."

I shake my head, one eye on Nathan still. It looks like he's beginning to relax. "No, I know it was just a freak accident."

He gives me a hug. "Okay, good, I'm glad. Lucas was worried you'd put the blame on yourself, and he didn't want it. He yelled at Brooke for yelling at you."

"He heard that?" I laugh.

"He did," he confirms, "And he was worried about you."

"Well, he shouldn't have been. He should've been worried about himself. But that's Luke for you, I guess," I sigh with a shrug.

"It is. And it's you to have been so worried about him, so in a weird way, it was just everything being right in the world."

I shake my head at him to let him know I think he's crazy. "Well, at least all's well that end's well. That's something."

"It's a lot of things, and they're all good," he grins. "What's going on with you and Nathan?" he asks in a fatherly tone of voice.

I blink, surprised. "Um, nothing?"

"Uh huh, nothing? You really think I'm going to buy that one, Haley James?" he asks, grinning at me. "Come on, it's me, Keith, you know you can tell me. I won't tell a soul, I promise."

I nod. "I know you wouldn't. It's just hard to tell you anything when I'm still not sure myself," I tell him, rueful.

He half-smiles at me. "You know, you and Nathan remind me of Karen and I in some ways. Well, obviously, the parallels aren't overly clear, but the way you two dance around each other now is similar."

I raise an eyebrow at him. "Now, is this is a good thing or a bad thing?" I laugh.

"Depends on what you do with it," he grins, kissing me on the forehead before walking over to rejoin Karen.

"Depends on what you do with it," I repeat quietly to myself. A tap on my shoulder has me whirling around to see Tim.

"Do with what?" he asks, looking confused. "Do I need to call the nuthouse?"

I smack him lightly on the chest. "No, you do not need to call the nuthouse or any other house. I was just thinking of what Keith said to me."

"Uh huh. And what did he say?"

"None of your business," I grin, giggling at his wounded expression. "Seriously, it's not a big deal. Nothing earth shattering, or whatever."

"Well, still. I'm your best friend, you should tell me things."

I roll my eyes at him. "Smith, I tell you a ton of things, and you know it. There's nothing to tell on this one anyways."

"Nothing you want to tell, you mean," he presses, not giving up on this one like a reasonable human being would do.

"If that's how you need to look at it," I shrug, "Then yeah, not something I want to tell. Not yet, anyways."

He sighs, the long-suffering sigh of one completely lacking in patience. "Fine, if you're going to be that way, I'm going to go find Brooke and bug her. Oh, and I have to leave for an hour or so, I promised my parents I'd stop by."

I nod. Gina and the girls are still in town, and they're doing a big Fourth of July thing, and I know Tim wants to pop in. "Just make sure you're here for Brooke's big announcement. I think she'd kill you if you missed it."

"Big announcement?" he asks, leaning forward. He's like a dog with a bone when it comes to gossip: will do anything to get it, and once he has it, won't let it go.

"Yeah, don't miss it. And did anyone ever tell you that you're a worse gossip than most thirteen year old girls?"

He flips me off and heads over to where Brooke is still fawning over Lucas, who will probably be thrilled to be rescued from the clutches of the overly attentive Brooke. Tim and Brooke chat for a few minutes, and then Brooke goes back over to Luke, whispering in his ear. I figure they'll do the announcement soon since Tim probably told her he was taking off.

Nathan comes over and stands beside me. "Can we go somewhere and talk for a little bit?" he asks, my ears deceiving me momentarily into thinking he sounds nervous.

I sigh, wishing I could. "Oh, Nathan, I can't. Brooke has a big announcement to make, and she'd kill me if I wasn't here. And then she'd kill you, too, for missing it, and I'd have to carry that guilt to my grave."

He smiles. "So, later then?" I nod. "I'm holding you to that, Haley."

"Good, I do want to talk to you," I smile.

"Well, who wouldn't?" he laughs, "I mean, I'm hot, I'm young, and I'm not too deficient in the brains department."

"I'll be the judge of that!" I laugh.

I notice all of a sudden that everyone is staring at us, and it makes me supremely uncomfortable. I feel like they all know something that I don't, and I hate it. Nathan notices my discomfort and glances around, and his face gets stony, too.

"Just ignore them," he tells me, dropping his voice so only I can hear it, "They're all just too nosy for their own good."

"For our good," I correct him, laughing.

"That, too," he agrees, "But if we ignore them, maybe they'll get bored and go back to having their own conversations that don't involve us."

"Mmm, don't you think that's asking too much, though?" He shrugs. "Oh, well, Brooke and Luke's announcement will give them something bigger and more interesting to gawk and gossip over anyways," I sigh.

He looks at me sideways. "What's their announcement? Are they getting married or something?" he snorts, obviously not even contemplating that possibility.

I glance at my feet, not wanting to give away the surprise. "Well, you'll just have to wait and see," I murmur, hoping he won't realize he was right but knowing he probably will.

"Shut up," he gapes, "They wouldn't get engaged so soon, would they? I mean, they've been dating what? Less than a year officially, right?"

I nod. "Don't tell anyone I told you!" I plead, "They've got this idea that it needs to be this huge surprise thing. And smile, too, they're worried no one will be happy for them."

"Yeah, I mean, no problem. I guess if they're happy, then it's a good thing, right?" He still looks bewildered. "You think they're rushing into this?"

I shrug, not wanting to say anything that isn't supportive of Luke and Brooke, because they are two of my best friends. "It might be a little too soon," I concede, "But it's Luke and Brooke, and they're nothing if not strong-willed, so I guess if they want to make it work, they will."

He nods, understanding. "Well, I guess we'll see what happens. It's just – no, never mind, if they're happy, who am I to criticize, right?"

I smile gratefully at him, pleased that he is refusing to say anything negative about the surprising turn of events. "He'll appreciate your support. And Brooke will want to kill you a little less for walking out on draft night," I tease.

"She still pissed about that?" I nod. "I guess everyone has a right to be. I definitely ruined that night."

"It wasn't as bad as you think. Mostly confusing for everyone," I explain, "They just don't know, which is why you have to tell them."

"You're going to hound me about that until I do, aren't you?" he asks, already knowing the answer.

"It's for your own good," I point out, reasoning my argument.

"Whatever you say," he smiles. "But I know you're right, and I know that the sooner I sit down and talk to both of them the better."

"You'll feel better, not just them," I assure him, "And hey, if ever there was the perfect time for you to clear the air and stuff, wouldn't it be now, when you're about to start a new life as an NBA player?"

He snorts, "Whatever, like that defines who I am. But I do get what you're saying, and I'll do it, I'll talk to them and at the very least, let them know what's bothering me."

Brooke stands up now, tapping her pen on an empty can of soda to get everyone's attention. She's sitting next to Lucas, and the rest of us gather around them expectantly. Nathan winks at me, and I think he might actually be getting into this a little.

Luke stands up, with Brooke's assistance, and smiles widely – if a bit hazily – at us. "Okay, you guys are some of our closest friends and family, and so it only makes sense that we'd want to share this with all of you first."

He looks over to Brooke, who continues their little presentation, or whatever you want to call it. "So it's our pleasure to tell you all first, and most proudly, that Luke and I are…" she pauses, probably for dramatic affect, "Engaged!"

Silence reigns supreme in this moment, as everyone digests the information. Dan, Keith, and Deb all look to Karen for pointers on how to handle it, and to my surprise, Nathan is the first one to step forward.

"Congratulations, Bro," he tells Luke, pulling him into a hug, mindful of his arm. "I'm happy for you." He turns to Brooke. "Well, you sure lucked out and got yourself a good guy."

"Couldn't resist making a smartass comment, hmm?" she asks, but is clearly thrilled and more than a little relieved that at least one person is congratulating them. I step forward and give both of them hugs, noticing how both Luke and Brooke are shooting worried glances at Karen.

Karen, for her part, mostly looks overwhelmed by the news, and perhaps a touch concerned. But she pulls together nicely, and after a minute, is hugging both of them and kissing Luke on the cheek. She even manages to welcome Brooke to the family quite sweetly. Brooke looks enormously relieved that Karen is accepting her.

Deb, Dan, Keith and Tim all give their congratulations, and Eric plays around on the ground, sort of lost in his own three year old world. Things relax as Deb and I head into the house to start bringing out the food. Brooke had insisted on having things catered, but I bought some steaks to grill just in case the guys felt the manly need to barbeque or whatever. We carry everything out and place it on the tables as Brooke shows off her ring and Lucas tells the story of how they became engaged.

As we're loading up a few plates with some cold items, Deb turns to me. "How is Nathan doing?" she asks softly.

I look up at her in surprise. I'm not sure if it's because she doesn't know how he is or if it's because she actually asked.

"Um, he's doing okay, I think." I don't feel like it's my place to go into detail with Deb on how Nathan is. If he wants her to know, he'll tell her. We all know that.

She smiles, reading my mind. "I've talked to him almost every day, Haley. I'm just wondering when he's finally going to talk to Dan and Luke about his jealousy. I hate seeing him in pain like this, but I figure he'll do it when he's ready to."

I stop what I'm doing. "He's okay, Deb, I really think that. I mean, obviously I'm not privy to all his thoughts, but from what I'm getting, he's almost ready to talk to them. And I think things will be a lot better for him then."

She smiles, looking like a weight is off her shoulders. "Thank you for indulging my motherly instincts. For almost a year now, I've been waiting for that other shoe to drop, but if Nathan can just talk to them before it does, it would be so good for them."

"I think he'll do it soon," I reassure her, impulsively grabbing her hand and squeezing it.

"You two look like you're getting along well," she comments, smiling even brighter when she says that. It isn't a secret to me that she and Dan would both be happy if Nathan and I got back together, but she's never been so forthright with it before.

"Yeah, I guess we are. I mean, not that we've not gotten along for quite awhile now," I point out.

"Oh, I know, I just meant you seem a lot closer again. Anything I should know about?" she asks, hopeful sounding.

I laugh, shrugging. "Deb, I wish I had an answer to give you because that would mean I actually had an answer, but unfortunately, I don't!"

"But you want one," she counters.

I shrug. "Well, sure, it's always nice to know where you stand. But I'm not going to push for anything, I can't."

She smiles at me. "Well, I'm rooting for you, honey." She reaches over and hugs me. "You're the best thing that ever happened to Nathan, and once you both realize that, everything will be good."

Ha, go figure, Karen is all kinds of nervous about Brooke and Luke getting married, but Deb here is pushing me towards Nathan, and we aren't even together. Seriously, how weird is that?

"We'll see what happens," I tell her, trying to keep things noncommittal. Not only do I not want to get my own hopes up, but I don't want anyone else's up, either. What if things don't work out? What if I'm hopelessly misreading Nathan, and he doesn't want this like I do? It would be awful.

"Okay, I get it," she sighs, "I won't push you anymore."

"Thank you." I then smile mischievously at her, "But if you want to push Nate a teeny, tiny bit, I might not mind so much."

She laughs. "Now that is something that I can do!"

"Thanks, Deb," I say seriously, "It means a lot, you know. All the support you've given me over all these years, even when Nathan and I did stupid things and we didn't really deserve your support."

She smirks, and I see a little more Nathan in her than usual. "Ah, you must be referring to the infamous, ill-advised marriage of 2004," she laughs, and I realize how far we've come if she can joke so openly about it. At the time and for a long while after, there was nothing funny about his parent's and Karen and Keith's reactions. My parents of course, hardly let it register on their radar.

"Yeah, not one of our brighter moves," I admit, "But then again, forgery and fraud usually aren't."

She laughs. "Well, you live and learn, and I would like to think you both did learn something from that experience."

"Probably not as much as one would hope, but who knows?"

"Come on, let's get back out there," she suggests, picking up a platter of the barbequed ribs Brooke had ordered.

"Thanks for this, Deb," I tell her sincerely.

"Oh, honey, it was nothing. You really are like family to Dan and I, and if being with our son would make you happy, then who on earth would we be to object to that?" she winks.

I give her a hug, and we head back out into the yard. The rest of the night passes in a blur, and by the time everyone leaves and Brooke takes Luke up to her bedroom to let the pain pills do their job, Tim and I collapse exhausted in the living room.

"So, do you think it lived up to Brooke's intense expectations?" he asks, yawning.

I shrug. "Probably. I think her main goal was to make a splash with the whole engagement thing, and she did a good job with that, right?"

"You knew beforehand, right?" he asks, not accusingly, though.

I nod. "Yeah, they told me earlier today over at Keith and Karen's. That's why I was there for the swing accident." Wow, it has really been a long day.

"Weird day," he sighs, "Jason brought a date to the thing at my parent's house."

"That's good," I mumble distractedly, thinking of Nathan and all that Deb and Keith said to me today. I wonder if Keith meant how long it is taking Nathan and me to admit and accept that we belong together when he said we remind him of himself and Karen.

"Yeah, but Gina doesn't like her, so we'll see how long it lasts," he sighs again, "And Lola is spending the summer in Tree Hill now, so watch out for her. She's still after you."

I shake my head. "It doesn't matter anymore. I've tried to apologize, and if she doesn't want to hear it, that's her problem now."

"Good point." He sighs again.

"Tim, is something wrong?" I ask. "You're sighing an awful lot."

He shrugs. "Life just sucks right now, that's all. And it shouldn't, right, because I just graduated from college, but it does."

"Sucks how? You've got an awesome job, two awesomely hot roommates, an awesome family, and you totally have the power to get anything you want. What gives?"

"This is going to sound lame, and probably a little bit gay, but I want love."

I look at him, surprised. "Love like romance and candy and flowers and shit?" I ask, nonplussed, "Or love like hot sex with a girl who'll get involved in a threesome with you and another girl?"

He glares at me, and then laughs. "That second option is so last year. But seriously, I just want someone to be happy with, maybe even make happy."

"That's not so much to ask for," I tell him, smiling, "And I don't doubt even a little bit that you'll find it."

"Thanks," he smiles back at me, "The crappy part is waiting, huh?"

I nod. "Usually is."

"So, you shouldn't wait then," he informs me, "I know you want Nathan, so you should just go for him, tell him. He loves you still, even someone who had never met him would be able to tell."

"You think?"

"Yeah, absolutely. Tell him, James, before it's too late, and you guys let some other shit get in between you."

He's right, I know he is. Now, I just have to find the words.