Nathan heard the screaming outside and it didn't take a genius to figure out who was standing opposite the front door. He opened it and sure enough it was Haley and Lillian. The red faced baby was in her diaper only being held by her mother wearing short denim shorts and a pink tank top. Her damp hair was matted to her sweat stained face and she looked despondently drained of all energy.

"Wow. You two look…miserable."

"We are", she walked in without a formal invitation. "Oh God, we came down here to escape the heat but it isn't much better."

"I know", a shirtless Nathan closed the door behind them. "The hottest day of the year in New York City and the air conditioning goes on the blink in this building."

"Can they fix it?"

"I called and they say they're working on it."

Haley sighed as she tried to comfort her fussy baby.

"This is horrible. Lillian has been crying non stop and who could blame her? I mean, as much I pay for this place, you think the a/c would at least work."

"I hear you", he sighed as he turned the fan on his daughter as they took a seat in front of an open window. "It kind of feels like it's blowing hot air but what the hell? Better than nothing right."

"You mind if we hang out for a while?"

"Of course not."

"Where are Luke and Brooke?"

"She's shopping and he's the poor schmuck that got stuck with tagging along and carrying her bags."

Haley smiled.

"At this rate, they'll be gone forever."

"Tell me about it."

"So what have you been up to? I didn't see you yesterday. Taylor said you came up to feed Lillian while I was out. What's going on?"

"Sorry, I just had a lot on my mind yesterday."

"You okay? Anything I can help you with?"

Nathan took a deep breath.

"My dad was here."

"Dan? Yesterday? Why?"

"He had a meeting with the NBA commissioner. Seems he's cutting deals to get me back in the league."

"How do you feel about that?"

He shrugged.

"I wish he'd let me handle it. I have my own agents and lawyers and stuff. But you know him. It's Dan's way or no way at all. That kind of pisses me off. I didn't ask for his help and I don't want it yet this is just one more thing he gets to throw in my face for the rest of my life."

"Then tell him to butt out."

"I can't. He's already been to several meetings and the bastard is actually making progress, if you can believe it. I'm now a free agent and if I can settle on negotiations with a team, I might be back next year."

"That's good. I know you miss it and all. Just be careful, Nate."

"Yeah. He also wanted to tell me about the surprise birthday party he's throwing for my mom in two weeks."

"That's nice of him. What's the catch?"

"Apparently there is none."

Haley laughed.

"We're talking about Dan Scott here. Nathan, there's always a catch."

"I don't know but he wants me there with Lillian…and you."

Haley's eyes widened.

"Come again."

"Dad invited you."

She laughed out loud.

"Yeah right."

"I'm serious. Hey, I'm just as shocked as you but he specifically mentioned your name and as creepy as it was, he kind of seemed nice and well…sincere. I think he's up to something."

"I think I've figured it out."

"What?"

"Your dad. Dan is mean, controlling and manipulative, right?"

"Right."

"You've seen him in every aspect. You know when he's for real being nice or when he's acting or laying on the charm or manipulating…"

"Okay…"

"It's weird. I totally hate to admit it but I saw this connection with him and Lillian. It seemed real."

"Personally, I just think that's one more way for him to have another person to control and be in his image but let's throw you a bone and say you're right. She is his granddaughter but why all the sudden open arms and warm welcomes for you?"

"I haven't figured that part out yet", she chuckled. "I'm working on it but dare I think he might respect me now? I didn't take his crap. After all these years I finally stood up to him. Dan is a bully…he preys on weaker people. Once I showed no fear, I think he actually liked that."

"Don't tell me you two are gonna be buddies, now…"

"Buddies? Never. But I can handle him. Like it or not, he is Lillian's grandfather. And like it or not, he did save her life. It's no denying those two things. My head says 'better no influence than a bad one' but my heart keeps telling me that it isn't right to keep him totally away. I'm not stupid, I still know I'm dealing with a snake but as long as it's closely monitored, I think Lillian should be able to see him."

"You sure about that? He can be a real monster sometimes."

"Maybe so and of course I want to protect her but I still want her to have choices. I say we keep an eye out now on limited contact and when she's old enough to decide for herself, let it be her own decision if she wants Dan to be a part of her life."

Nathan nodded reluctantly.

"Don't worry, I'll keep a real close eye on the two of them. So does this mean you're coming to the party?"

"Maybe", she smiled. "I'll think about it. Just can't believe Dan flew all the way here to give me a personal invitation. Now that you mention it, that is creepy."

Nathan took a deep breath.

"That wasn't his only reasons for coming. There's something else."

"What?"

Nathan handed her the packet of documents.

"These. He personally delivered divorce papers."

Haley flipped through them.

"I'm sorry, Nathan…"

"It's okay. I knew they were coming sooner or later. I guess it's only right to end it."

"She seemed like a really nice person."

"She was."

Haley looked away with tears in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"This is all my fault", she whispered.

"What?"

"You, Megan, the divorce…everything."

"No, it's not, Hales", he sighed.

"The invalid annulment papers, the Dominican…what happened in the Dominican, hence this finally quiet bundle of joy in my arms here."

"Stuff…I don't know, it just happened. I don't think any of us much had control over anything. No use in trying to place blame now. It's over with."

"I shouldn't have crashed your reception."

Nathan looked right in her eyes.

"You knew then, didn't you? That you were pregnant, I mean."

"Yeah", she answered softly.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I poured my heart out to you and you turned me away. I can't much blame you but then I found out Megan was pregnant too. You had married her and you were moving on with your life. I thought that's what you needed to do. I didn't want to be a burden. I wanted you to be free, to kind of make up for what I did so long ago."

"Haley…"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you. That's a tough position to be in. It's just hard."

He looked at her. Like he said, no use in reaching back into the past looking to place blame.

"I know."

"So what now?" she sighed. "Where do you go from here?"

"Forward. Take care of Lillian…start taking care of me. Handle my responsibilities with the Sanchez family. Try to do right by my divorce with Megan. Treat my mom a little better. Start being there for Lucas as much as he's there for me. Get my career back on track and just be a better man."

"Sounds like a plan. I'm proud of you, you know."

"I've just started, Hales. I still have a long way to go. There's no reason for you to be proud just yet…but there will be. I promise you that."

"Okay", she smiled faintly.

"What about you? Where does Haley James go from here?"

She shrugged.

"I don't know. The music and everything else is kind of irrelevant now. I love what I do but if you told me today I could never do it again, I'd be disappointed but resigned. It would be okay. Because I have lived an extraordinary life and I have had incredible experiences. And I'm set financially for life. I'm very proud of that. I mean, I will always be creative, I just don't know in what forum. I'd be just as happy sitting on a porch swing sipping lemonade in the Northwest on a ranch as I would be performing on tour to a sold out audience. I'm that content now finally and it's a feeling I've never had before. Motherhood has brought me peace. I didn't think it was possible to love another human being as much as I love Lillian. She's my joy. And right now, nothing else matters. I just want to be a mom."

"I understand", he looked at his daughter. "When I saw Lil for the first time in that hospital and being with her now…it's amazing. It's like a second chance at life and it's like having a piece of Yoanna all over again. This kid is my reason to go on, too."

"It's funny when you become a parent, you have to give up a lot of selfish behavior. And I have too almost joyfully. I started out on that stage with so much to prove. I needed the whole world to love Haley James…now that isn't even important anymore. All I ever need or want is right here in front of me."

Nathan nodded. He knew she was talking about Lillian but he dared to think maybe her words meant something else. He opened his mouth to ask her but quickly decided against it. As bleak and complicated as things were for him, those two girls were the only bright spot in his life. He wasn't about to ruin that.