Haley, balancing grocery and shopping bags as well as her purse and a Grande cup of Starbucks Frappucino, struggled to slip her key inside the lock. Finally she heard it click and with a sigh of relief, went to open it. The damned door wouldn't budge. Haley cursed out loud. It was like someone was standing against the other side deliberately blocking her entrance. Setting all her items carefully on the floor, she pushed with all her might, finally getting it to budge just enough so that she could slide her petite frame in. When she did, she tripped over a box and was immediately on her hands and knees.

"Damn!" she yelled, checking out the minor scrape on the inside of her wrist.

Standing amidst the clutter, she looked around and could barely make out her living room floor. Haley James was standing knee deep in what appeared to be elaborately wrapped presents.

"You're back", Taylor said, coming from the bedroom. "Did you remember to pick up those chocolate chip cookies that I like?"

Haley rolled her eyes.

"Taylor, I have been out all day in the blistering heat, sweating like a freaking pig, dodging the paparazzi, trying to run a million and one errands, walking back six blocks with bags bigger than I am and after all that coming home and not being able to get in, then totally biting it because of all this crap everywhere. After all that, you have the nerve to ask about some damned cookies?"

Taylor shrugged.

"Yeah. Did you get them or not?"

"They're in the hallway with the rest of the stuff", she sighed in exasperation.

"Cool. Thanks."

"Wait, what is all this stuff here and where the hell did it come from?"

"Delivery guys have been bringing things all morning. It's crazy."

"What is it?"

Taylor smirked.

"Presents from Papa Dan."

"What?" Haley asked in disbelief.

"No shit. Check it out yourself. All these boxes are addressed to Jamma from her grandfather."

"What the…"

"Clothes and every toy you can imagine, not to mention a really cool high chair with a stainless steel placing for the food. Very classy."

Haley waded through the items picking up and reading random labels that indeed confirm what her sister had told her.

"I don't believe this…" she said.

"Who cares? It's free stuff, right? Just go with it."

Haley shook her head.

"No. I'm not gonna just go with it. He's up to something. Inviting me to North Carolina and now it has to be at least ten grand worth of presents for Lillian? I'm not buying it."

"What can you do?" Taylor said, holding the baby and shoving a cookie down her throat.

Haley marched right over to the phone and dialed the Scott family dealership in Tree Hill.

"It's a great day at Dan Scott Motors", the receptionist chirped into the receiver. "How may I direct your call?"

"Dan Scott, please", Haley sighed.

"Mr. Scott is in an important meeting. May I take a message, ma'am?"

"Pull him out of the meeting and tell him Haley is on the line."

After a few hesitant seconds and being put on hold, the extension was picked up.

"Dan Scott speaking. What can I do for you?"

"This is Haley?"

"Haley?" he asked in a confused voice.

She bit her lip to keep from screaming.

"Yes! Haley James. I think we've met before."

"Oh Haley", he smiled. "Didn't recognize your voice. How are you this fine day and what can I do for you?"

"Cut the act, Mr. Scott."

"It's Dan and I'm sorry I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'll refresh your memory. Do you happen to know anything about why I can't walk in my living room right now? Boxes and boxes of gifts for Lillian."

"Oh yes. I take it they arrived."

"That's an understatement."

"Well, I hope little Lillian enjoys them."

Haley shook her head in disbelief.

"I don't believe you. Why would you do something like this?"

"Like what?" he asked innocently. "Shower my only grandchild with tokens of my affection? I certainly don't mean to spoil her but we'll all allowed to splurge every now and then…right, Ms. James?"

"What are you up to?"

"I'm sorry. I have no idea what you mean."

"First off, you invite me to Deb's surprise party…"

"I hope you can make it."

"Why?"

"It'll be a nice time."

"Considering you've been treating me like garbage since we met, why all of a sudden the change of heart?"

"Maybe I didn't give you a fair shake, Haley. In any event, Lillian is my flesh and blood and you are her mother. Let's let by gones be by gones for the child's sake."

"I don't buy it. You have something up your sleeve."

He simply laughed.

"I'm sorry you feel that way and I'm even sorrier to disappoint you but this is from the goodness of my heart."

"Really? I didn't know you owned one of those."

"I see. Your hostility almost hurts my feelings but I guess I can sympathize. No need for a stroke, Haley. We've had our differences. You weren't my first choice for Nathan and hell, let's face it, you still aren't but irregardless, you are the mother of his child. That connection means you and I stuck with each other, like it or not, so let's just make the best of it. Let's be friends, Haley…hell, we were already family once and I'm sure if you have your way, that will happen again. I'm game for a truce. You?"

She wanted to throw up as she pictured his sickening smirk on the other end of the phone.

"I'm not at war with you, Dan. It's all apart of your little mind game so I'm gonna one up you and not even play."

"If that's the way you feel. Haley, I can't change the past. Forgive me for trying to change the future."

"I don't trust you. I know what you are. I see right through you."

"Really? That's interesting. I am this horrid, immoral monster that you loathe so much yet you love my son and granddaughter. That's the part I find most ironic. Because whatever it is that you think I'm so bad…well, that's in my son and my granddaughter as well. Nathan, Lillian and me? We're the same kind of people, sweetheart. Don't forget that."

Haley was speechless.

"I…I have to go", Haley stuttered.

"Take care", Dan chirped. "And I look forward to seeing you next week."

She hung up the phone with a cold chill running up and down her spine.

"You okay, Haley bub? Don't let big, bad Danny get to you."

"Easier said than done", she sighed.

Nathan knocked as he entered.

"What's all this?" he laughed as he kicked his way through boxes. "St. Nick come early?"

Haley handed him a card addressed to their daughter from his father.

"No but apparently St. Dan did."

Nathan surveyed the area.

"I can't believe it. Well, actually I can. I mean, who are we talking about here?"

"I called him on it and he's playing the role of innocent, loving grandpa. I don't know if I buy it. I still say he's up to something."

"He's just being Dan Scott", Nathan shrugged with a sigh. "Remember that brand new Mustang he bought me senior year? Money and gifts are just another element of control for him. And control equals power."

"Look, I know he's your father and maybe this is some biblical miracle and the guy actually cares and has a heart. But it's so hard for me to trust his word and I have to be extra careful anywhere Lillian is concerned. I just want to do the right thing."

"Don't worry, Hales. We're definitely on the same page. Besides, I learned a long time ago with my dad, you can never be too careful. Yeah, he might love Lil and all but trust me, Dan Scott has never done something for someone in his life that didn't benefit him somehow. That's a part of his game plan. With him you can pretty much bet somewhere, somehow there are some strings attached."