October was undoubtedly Haley's favorite month. Hell, she had even written a song about it. That love had come from long ago. Long before the bright lights of the city, before the tours and platinum records and screaming fans. It had started when she was just a little girl in pigtails and overalls. She closed her eyes and remembered. She could hear the laughter. She could see the beautiful colors on the tall trees. She could see the huge pile of leaves in the middle of the yard, the one they had spent all morning before school raking. She could see the gangly blonde haired little boy take off running, with her on his heels as they dove into it. There was just something about fall in Tree Hill. There was nothing like it.

"Hope you've got your wallet because you so owe me, James."

"Chris", she pouted. "I left it at home."

"Haley!"

"What?"

"Real convenient. I told you this morning the only way I would come with you was if you treated me to Starbucks. Can't believe you copped out on me."

"It was an accident."

"I've heard that one before."

"I'll pay you back."

"I've definitely heard that one before."

"Was it so bad? It's beautiful out and we could use the exercise. Besides, this was really important. CAT was sick and I had to get her medicine and it's before noon so of course Taylor is passed out. Who else was going to walk with me?"

"I hate that damned cat."

"You do not."

"Trust me, I do."

"Oh leave her alone. She doesn't feel good."

"She doesn't feel good because she's coughing up hairballs the size of Texas. Damn, Haley! That's like the grossest thing I've ever seen."

"That's what cats do", she playfully hit him.

"Your cat is just weird. Weird and evil", he shook his head. "Now what do you want? And order light, will you? I only have like ten bucks on me."

Haley, wearing no make up, adjusted her the lime green cap that matched her Juicy Couture pantsuit, over her head. Chris was equally dressed down in jeans, a tee shirt and glasses. It was the times like that they cherished most, when they could just be normal, just two young New Yorker souls out and about like everyone else in the city.

"Um, let's see…I'll have a Cheese Danish with Mocha swirls, an Almond Filled Croissant, a Cinnamon Raisin Bagel."

Chris just looked at her.

"Damn. Anything else?"

"Oh and an Iced Café Latte."

"Haley!"

"What? You asked."

"I told you I only have ten bucks. I'd like to get something, too."

"You have your credit cards. Besides, this is no picnic for me either. I have these weird cravings and I end up stuffing my face. Believe me, you can take satisfaction in knowing I will be hunched over the nearest toilet in like 20 minutes puking my guts out."

"Oh the joys of pregnancy", he rolled his eyes.

"There is nothing joyous about this pregnancy…trust me", she said quietly.

He ordered and looked at her. Chris felt bad. She did seem to be having the hardest time. She was sick constantly and when she wasn't throwing up, she was running to the bathroom to pee every five seconds it seemed. She would fall asleep at the drop of a hat and the times she was awake he got to listen to complain about such attractive things as hemorrhoids, and breasts so tender that it even hurt to wear a bra. And he didn't even want to think about the mood swings.

"Here you go, sir", the clerk smiled, handing him his purchases and the credit slip to sign.

They took their goods and began the short walk back to Haley's loft.

"What?" he asked as he bit into his blueberry muffin.

"Nothing, it's just that…well, I can't believe you didn't offer me some before you started eating."

"Dude, are you kidding? I just bought up the whole freaking store for your greedy ass. I swear, Haley, I don't know if I can go through this for six more months. You're driving me crazy."

"I can't help it."

"You're gonna be as big as a house when all this is said and done. The book says…"

"What book?"

"What To Expect When You're Expecting", he sighed in exasperation. "Have you read it yet? I left a copy for you last week."

"Yeah, I know. Sorry. I've been busy."

"Haley!"

"I'll get to it. Promise."

"Anyway, it's all about balancing a healthy and nutritional diet for you and the baby. This is not healthy."

"Gee, I think I liked you better when you were the cocky asshole of a musician. I'm not really digging this whole 'pregnancy police' thing", she smiled.

"Make all the jokes you want to. And no more Iced Lattes. The caffeine isn't good for the baby."

"Well, it's good for me because if I don't have it, I feel like I'm going to go crazy."

"Too late…you're already there", he grinned.

She returned his smile and playfully pushed him. They waited at the curb for the "Walk" sign to flash. When it did, they hurried across the street. Haley didn't see the piece of broken sidewalk. The toe of her shoe caught in it, sending her sailing forward. She screamed and Chris dove for her, grabbing her tiny arm in the nick of time before what would have been a nasty and potentially dangerous fall.

"You okay?" he asked breathless and full of adrenaline as he leaned down to her.

"Yeah. I'm fine. I can't believe I almost just busted my ass. That was a close one. Thanks, Chris."

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah…oh no. We dropped everything."

"It's okay. I don't care about that. I just want to make sure you and the baby are okay."

Fresh tears sprang to her eyes as the massive flood of hormones kicked in.

"I'm so sorry", she sobbed.

"Haley, why are you crying?"

"This is all my fault," she cried. "God, I am the biggest klutz. I almost fell and I made you drop your muffin."

He had to chuckle out loud.

"Don't worry about it, okay? You are more important than any stupid muffin. No need for tears. It's alright."

And then her pregnancy induced hormonal sob fest was over as quickly as it had started. She couldn't help but smile as she felt like the biggest idiot. Chris smiled too, his hands wiping the water trails from her eyes. Together they salvaged what was left of the fallen items.

"Thanks, Chris."

"Don't sweat it. Let's just get you back home before you cause any more damage", he winked. "Girl, I swear I can't take you anywhere."

She giggled as she linked arms with him.

"There they are! Get it! Did you get them?"

Chris and Haley looked over in shock. They heard the distinct clicks of the paparazzi's relentless cameras. A couple of men were a few yards away snapping photos.

"What a bunch of low life douche bags", Chris shook his head. "Come on. Just ignore them."

"No, Chris, God…"

"It's okay. They want to be ass clowns about it? I'll give them something to take a picture of", he flipped them off.

"No, Chris, wait."

"Haley, what's wrong?"

He followed her worried gaze down to the center of her body where the Juicy hooded sweatshirt had risen slightly above her navel, exposing the growing bump protruding from her otherwise tiny frame.