"Man, we're just gonna be here for a couple of months. I don't see why she needs all this stuff", Nathan pointed out.

Lucas shrugged as a delivery man moved more furniture into the once empty apartment.

"I heard that, Boytoy", Brooke bellowed. "And you're lucky shopping and decorating put me in a good mood so for your snide comments, I won't tear your head off…this time. And for your information, even though we'll only be in the apartment for a few months, adding a personal touch of art and pictures and furniture truly makes a house a home."

The men just rolled their eyes. A place had become available sooner than later and just their luck, it so happened to be in Haley's building. Just three floors down, a two bedroom apartment was vacant and ready to be leased. The location was more than convenient and easy access to Lillian. Nathan had jumped on it and before he knew it, was moving in with Lucas and Brooke. Telling Brooke Davis to keep the décor small and simple was like speaking Russian…she just didn't get it. Putting her professional skills to the test, she had the place revamped as the trio was moving their clothes and personal belongings in.

"It's usually easier not to argue with her", Lucas shrugged with a slight smile.

Nathan nodded.

"Thanks, man."

"What for?"

"For all of this. For everything."

"It's no big deal."

"But it is. You've been there for me time and time again but I really appreciate your support this time, especially with Hales and Lillian and all the stuff with Megan…"

His voice trailed off as he hadn't mentioned his wife in a very long time.

"How is she?"

"I don't know", he sighed. "I still don't know where she is and in the letter she said don't come look for her. I guess she needs her space."

"You call her folks?"

"Yeah but uh once everything pretty much broke about me being Lillian's father, it's safe to say they hate my guts."

"Sorry about that, bro."

"It's cool. It's my own doing, I guess. Can't say that I really blame them."

"So how is everything with the press or should I even ask? This might seem unbelievable but Brooke actually managed to enjoy our vacation enough to leave the magazines alone for a few days. I am out of the celebrity gossip loop, so to speak."

"Same old, same old. Lillian's paternity is still the topic of choice. It kind of pisses me off, though. I mean, I don't give a shit if they talk about me. And Haley is famous too so she's used to it but what really makes me mad is when I see my kid's photo plastered all over those trash rags. It's not fair to her and I can't do a damned thing about it."

"Maybe you guys should just address it. Come clean."

"Why? It's no one's business but our own."

"True but there's this unfortunate and unwritten rule that says when you become a celebrity, you basically lose all rights to privacy or a normal life. Maybe you should go on the record and set it straight. If not, they can just keep going on printing their lies. Face it, Nate. We know how those vultures work. Anything to make a buck. This isn't gonna go away on its own."

Nathan sighed.

"I know, man. You're right. I'll deal with it after the divorce. Meg said she would forward the papers. I don't know…I just don't feel right discussing Haley and especially Lillian in public right now while we're still married. It seems kind of disrespectful. The least I could do is wait."

"That makes sense. Do what you have to do, dude. I'm just glad Lillian is okay and you and Hales…"

"What about us?" Nathan cut him off.

Lucas laughed.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! Don't put the buggy before the horse, man. Geez! Why so defensive? I was just saying it's great you guys are trying to get along and stuff."

"Oh."

"It's gonna be okay, little brother. Trust me. You're doing the right thing. There is no sense in having this animosity between you guys especially when there's a child involved. I think this situation is going to work out. And no matter what, Brooke and I will be here for you."

"Appreciate it, man", Nathan knocked fists with him.

"Broody!" Brooke called from inside. "Come help me! I need your opinion about where to put this vase."

Nathan raised an amused eyebrow.

"You decorating now, Luke?"

"Shut it, man!"

"How cute. You better go. Oh and when you're done, stop by my room. I've spent all morning trying to figure out which side of the bed to put my lamp on."

"When I get back, remind me to shove my fist down your throat", Lucas sulked as he scurried off to the bedroom.

Nathan just smiled and shook his head as he looked around the place that would be home for the next few months or so.

"Knock, knock", Haley tapped softly.

"Come in", Nathan turned around.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Wow. Place looks nice."

"Hurricane Brooke got a hold of it."

"I see", she smiled. "She did a nice job."

Nathan shoved his hands in his pockets.

"So…how's Lillian?"

"Great. Taylor has her now. We just got back from her check up."

"You should have told me and I would have gone…"

"I know but you were busy moving."

"How'd it go?"

"Good. Her immune system is fine. All the tests are coming back normal and by all accounts her body accepted the donor marrow beautifully."

He couldn't help but grin.

"That's great. I…I'm glad."

"Yeah…me too."

Both looked at the floor. Those awkward silences would creep up on them every now and then when least expected.

"Listen, Haley, I…I hope you're cool with all this. Me moving here, I mean."

"Huh? Oh yeah. It's fine. We talked about it…"

"I know. We agreed somewhere close by but I don't think either one of us expected it would be this close. You sure you're not sketched out by me living in your building?"

She nodded.

"It's cool. Really. I'm fine with it. At least you're close to Lillian."

"Yeah."

"But there is one thing…"

"What's that?"

"Nathan, I don't have to school you on the media. They're relentless when they want a story. Right now our lives and our pictures sell magazines. I just want to warn you…they try to sneak in the building, they snoop through our trash, they hound you at all hours. It's tough. I know you know that but if they find out you're actually living here, well, it's just gonna make it worse. I…I want you to be prepared for that. It could get ugly."

"I can handle it. It sucks but I'm used to it. We'll figure it all out."

"Okay", she nodded. "Sounds good. Um, listen, I actually came down to see if my three newest neighbors would be interested in joining us upstairs for dinner."

Nathan smiled at the invite.

"Depends…what are you cooking?"

"What do you feel like eating?"

He thought for a bit before answering with a sly wink.

"Chicken and Alfredo."

She caught his reference and blushed, looking away.

"How about Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes and homemade rolls."

"With Mac and Cheese?"

"You know it", she grinned. "Because it's the food of…"

"Food of the gods, I know, I know."

Haley looked surprised.

"Oh my God. You…you remember that."

"I remember everything", he said softly.

"My God! Who decorated this place? Whoever decorated has impeccable taste…of wait it was me", Brooke grinned as she and Lucas reemerged from the back. "Tutor Neighbor! What brings you by?"

"Um, I was just inviting you guys up for dinner later."

"You cooking?"

"Yeah."

"Then we're coming. Count on seeing me and the brothers Scott at around sixish."

Haley nodded.

"Okay. I'll see you guys then."

Haley turned to leave with a wave, feeling a pair of steely blue eyes watching her every move as she walked away. It was okay now but then again it was their first day there. What would the future hold? The very idea made Haley shudder and wonder just what exactly had she gotten herself into?