Haley snuggled into the cool sheets with CAT contentedly at her side. It felt good to be home. Back in her own bed in her own place with her beloved cat. The past few months with all the Nathan and Tree Hill drama, then the stress of the tour had taken its toll. She was looking forward to getting her life back. There was so much to look forward to. Writing and recording a new album. Preparing for a new baby.

It was all so much. The last thing she wanted was to think about Nathan Scott but how could she not every time she realized what was going on inside her belly. Together the two had created another little life, one she would soon soley be responsible for.

A part of her felt bad for not telling him. But what was the point? He'd find out soon enough. The whole world would. That was another "perk", if you will, about celebrity life. Sometimes it could take the edge and anxiety off making huge life altering announcements…why bother when the press would just do it for you anyway?

Just as she had drifted off into a restful slumber, she heard a pounding on her door.

"You have got to be fucking kidding me", she groaned, getting up and donning a robe once it was obvious the visitor wasn't going anywhere.

She looked out the peephole and cursed again when she saw the familiar silhouette of the person behind it. Finally she opened the door.

"It's two in the morning, Tay. What are you doing here?"

"Sis, look, I got into some trouble and I need help and…"

"Forget about it. Whatever it is, the answer is no, okay? And I don't care how much you try to guilt me or beg me or blackmail me but I'm done falling for your crap. Not this time. I…"

Taylor turned around to face her little sister and Haley gasped as she recoiled at the site. There was a bruise on her cheek and her left eye, slightly swollen had started to blacken.

"Oh my God! Taylor, what happened to you?"

She shrugged tossing her now shortened and darkened hair.

"Remember that dude Eddie I told you I was hanging out with?"

"Yeah. You mean, the supposed nice guy you met surfing at North Beach?"

"Yeah…him. Uh, let's just say he turned out to be not so nice."

"Taylor…"

"Can we discuss this inside, please? If you don't mind, I'd like to receive my lecture sitting down."

Haley shook her head as she opened the door and moved out of the way. She eyed her sister and the bags she brought in, leaving them aside as she hopped on the comfortable sofa.

"That piece of scum beat you up?"

"Hell no", Taylor laughed out loud. "Please! I'm not one of those pathetic women from the Lifetime movies, the ones that need to be saved from a horrifying life of domestic abuse. Not me. Eddie did hit me but I hit him back. He punches hard but he's slow so that's where I gained the advantage. Anyway, he knew I meant business when I whacked him in the head with the frying pan."

"You hit him with a frying pan?"

"Damn right. I am ashamed to say it and this is strictly between you and me but he did win. I held my own though. Every time his sorry ass looks in the mirror , he'll remember that Taylor James was there. But anyway. He kicked me out and stole my money. I'm out of cash and I need a place to crash for a few days until I figure all this out. It won't be long and I even have a gig lined up for a job. Before you freak, it's not stripping this time. I'm gonna be a Coyote", she announced proudly.

"A what?"

"A Coyote. You know, from the movie. Remember Coyote Ugly?"

"Yeah…"

"Well, that's gonna be me."

"A dream job, huh?"

"For me", she smiled. "I guess I'll be hanging out here in the Big Apple for a while."

"The city will never be the same", Haley rolled her eyes.

Taylor just grinned.

"I was thinking…since I'm currently broke and I have no place to live and I didn't see any decent cardboard boxes on the street on the way over, maybe my favorite baby sister would be a real jewel and let me hang out here until…"

"Fine."

"Dammitt, Haley, I'm really trying, okay? I know I screw up a lot and I get myself into trouble but I'm not like you. I'm sorry but I'm Taylor. I can't be the good one or the responsible one or the…wait a minute…dude, did you just say 'fine'?"

"Yes."

Taylor wrinkled her nose. Although Haley always caved in the end, it was usually a treacherous feat trying to convince and coerce her.

"Hold on. There's no lecture?"

"No", Haley shook her head.

"No speech or threats or long spills about how I am a spoiled, careless, unreliable fuck up? No reprimand for hooking up with Eddie?"

"No. It's your life, Taylor. I can't change you. You are who you are. Besides, everybody makes mistakes."

Taylor laughed out loud as she reached over to feel her sister's forehead.

"Are you sure everything is okay? You're not running a wild fever that's making you delirious?"

"No, I'm fine."

"Okay. Wow. I'm speechless."

"For once in your life."

"Maybe I should just graciously accept my free room and board and three meals a day but curiosity is killing me right now. Why are you being so…so…"

"Nice?"

"Yeah."

"You're my sister. Despite the fact that you drive me insane and for most of my life I've wanted to throw a plugged in hair dryer in your bath, I do love you, Tay. You're my family and I'm here for you."

"I get it. This is payback, right? You're trying to thank me for all my help with the Nathan situation? I didn't think it went all that well considering I heard on the news he married that chick anyway but if you guys are doing a little humping on the side, then that's cool."

"Tay…"

"Don't feel bad. Besides, he was your man first. What is he in the bedroom?" she asked, standing up. "Nathan! Where are you, Brother? It's your favorite sis in law! I knew you'd wise up and come back!"

"Taylor, stop it. Nathan isn't here."

"Well, where the hell is he?"

"I am assuming with his wife."

"Oh Haley bub! Do I have to do everything for you? Your little Wedding Wall was already falling apart because Nathan's clumsy ass had bumped into it and knocked it down. So I steal a piece, along with a few of my favorite pictures and all that did have sentimental value for me, by the way. Precious mementos that I was gracious enough to share with you along with some pretty cool love quotes so you could see that breaking up with your husband was only like the dumbest thing ever! Damn, I thought it would work. But leave it to you. I guess I had to hold your hand and take you to Nathan myself."

"I went Taylor."

"What?"

"Yeah, one of your little harebrained schemes actually worked. It convinced me to realize my true feelings and tell him about it. So I went back to Tree Hill to stop the wedding but I got there late. I did make the reception though. Hell, I even caught the bouquet?"

"You're kidding", Taylor giggled.

"Oh no. Dan Scott just loved that one. I damn near gave him another heart attack."

"Now we're talking", the big sister approved. "You're acting like me now. Tell me more."

"There's nothing more to say. I poured my heart out but uh…let's just say I was too late. About seven years. Anyway, it's over now."

"Well, what can you do?" she finally shrugged, reaching in her bag lighting a cigarette.

"Tay, don't smoke that in here."

"It's not like it's weed or anything, which by the way, I could really use right now but I'll stick to this Marlboro Light for the moment."

"Taylor, I mean it."

"God, calm down. Don't be such a bitch."

"Taylor!"

"How am I supposed to live here with you and not smoke? What's the big deal already? You always let me smoke."

"The big deal is I can't smell that shit because it makes me sick."

"It's in your head, little sis."

"No. Actually it's in my stomach", she huffed, grabbing the cigarette and snuffing it out.

"Haley…"

"I'm pregnant, Tay."

"Pregnant? What? Like a real life baby?"

"Yes, Taylor."

"Wow. And everyone thought I'd be the one knocked up out of wedlock", she smirked. "Okay. What's the deal? Tell me. What happened? Are you keeping it? Do you know who the father is?"

"Taylor! Gosh, you are so freaking impossible sometime! I swear. Yes, I am going to keep it and of course I know who the father is."

"Keller?"

"No, idiot."

A broad smile crept to Taylor's lips.

"You little tramp! My sister, the hussy!"

"Oh it gets better. Megan is pregnant too."

"So history repeated itself, huh? Nathan turned out to be his father's son after all. Holy shit! Only in Tree Hill, I guess. Nice! Which family will he choose?"

"He doesn't know about me. I didn't have a chance to tell him and maybe it's for the best."

"Fuck it. He's gonna find out sometime, right?"

"Right."

"The shit will hit the fan when he does but whatever. I dig all the angst and drama especially when it's not happening to me. And you know there will be plenty of the above mentioned once Nathan does find out you're carrying his kid and didn't tell him."

"You know what? I don't care anymore, Tay. Nathan's feelings no longer concern me. I have to worry about myself and now this child."

"It's his child, too."

"I know."

"What are you going to do?"

"That I don't know. I am not deliberately trying to keep Nathan from this baby but at the same time, I don't want anything from him. This won't be another Karen and Dan, trust me. I'm not going to beg for his time or money and I especially don't need his or Megan's or God forbid, Dan and Deb's drama. I can do this by myself. And if in time Nathan chooses to have a relationship with the child, then I won't stand in his way."

"Looks like your mind is made up then. Sounds like a plan. Of course there's always a plan when money is involved and let's face it, baby sis, you're loaded. This will be a breeze. You can afford nannies and boarding school and when the brat really gets on your nerves, you can just say 'screw it' and go on tour. And you can afford to have liposuction and stretch marks covered if the little monster does a number on your body."

"Taylor's family values, huh? Remind me not to ever let you baby sit. Look, I'm not having a child for provocative reasons or for publicity or to let it fend for itself much like Mom and Dad did to me sometimes and you remember Brooke Davis, right? If I do this, I'm going to do it right. I am going to shower my son or daughter with love and attention and all my time. Nothing will come before this baby. I'll be the provider, mentor, teacher, friend and both mother and father. And anything else that happens…well, we'll get through it together."

"Alrighty then. Looks like you've got all the bases covered, Haley bub. Do what you have to do. And remember I'm here for you…except for being in the delivery room because that's just kind of creepy and gross. Oh and I'm not rubbing your feet or your back. And when it gets here, I'm not changing shitty diapers."

Haley smiled.

"Then how exactly do you plan to be here for me?"

Taylor thought for a minute.

"I'll hold your hair when you puke", she volunteered causing both girls to laugh out loud.

"Thanks. You're about oh 24 hours late for that but I'm sure the morning sickness will start all over again tomorrow so no worries there. But thanks anyway."

"You got it, sis. But seriously…you've done a lot for me. I haven't always been exactly grateful but I do appreciate everything you've done. And I love you. And I'm gonna love little Haley bub, too."

Tears formed in Haley's eyes.

"I don't if it's the hormones or what but that was really sweet. Thanks, Tay. That means a lot. Despite all the drama and trouble and baggage you'll bring and surely all the money you're going to end up costing me like you always do…well, I…I'm glad you're here. I love you, too and I'm gonna need all the support I can get. I just can't believe you'd do all this for me."

Taylor took her hand and gave her a real smile.

"Why wouldn't I? We're sisters, Hay, and that's all the reason I need."