Author's Note: Feeling a little better. Don't know how many updates there will be seeing that I am behind in everything but I'll keep trying. Thanks for all the "get well" wishes and the reviews. I was reading all the stuff you guys wrote and I found a few more flames. An interesting review from an anonymous (big surprise) reviwer named "Ally". I won't even give her the attention and satisfaction of posting what she wrote but we have another idiot on our hands and I won't even dignify it anymore. It's cool. Like I've said before, as much as I like to entertain you guys, I write more for myself. And the more I post and the more positive feedback and constructive criticism I receive, the more confident I become. I am satisfied with the job I do and I don't need confirmation from idiotic, ignorant and obviously jealous people who have no class and nothing else better to do than try to bring other people down in order to make themselves feel good.

Haley sighed as she opened the blinds and allowed the bright sunlight to appear through the curtains. It was a beautiful and sunny day and from the window she had a perfect view of the crystal blue ocean waves crashing against the sand. Sipping a fresh cup of Folger's, she admired the sight before her. She hadn't realized just how much she missed the beach until she was back there. It had been a long time and truth be told, she never thought she'd be back at Dan Scott's beloved beach house ever again. But truth had proved to be much stranger than fiction and a whirlwind of unexpected events had turned all their lives upside down and placed them in situations one could only imagine.

She had vivid memories of the place. A party she and Lucas had attended there, invited by Nathan so he could have yet another outlet to humiliate his older brother. The time Nathan and Haley skipped school and got drunk there…only to be caught by an irate Dan hours later. Sneaking in and making love there the few weeks following their wedding, the formal's after party where the couple had been involved in a nasty fight because of, you guessed it…Chris Keller. Haley closed her eyes. The memories were tangible. They were everywhere.

"Okay", Nathan joined her, Lillian in tow. "Baby is changed, bathed, dressed, doused in sunscreen and ready to enjoy her first venture out to the beach."

Haley smiled. Lillian did look adorable in her red and white one piece shortest, complete with matching bonnet, courtesy of Auntie Brooke.

"Looks like you're good to go. Her diaper isn't on backwards so that's a start", she teased.

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, yeah. I haven't screwed that up in like forever. Besides, practice makes perfect doesn't it, Lil?"

Their daughter gurgled her approval, reaching for her newest fascination…her father's ear.

"You two ganging up on me already, huh? Not a good sign but for now have fun on your walk. You should go now before it gets too hot."

"Aren't you coming?" he frowned.

Haley shrugged.

"Maybe later. You two go on ahead. I think I'll stay here."

"Hales…"

"It's cool. Really. Besides, someone has to stick around and start preparing for this evening."

Nathan nodded. That was true. A bonfire beach barbecue had been planned for later that night at the beach house and the whole gang was to be reunited for the first time in years. Nathan, Haley, Jake, Peyton, Lucas, Brooke, Tim, Mouth, Fergie and Skills.

"Okay", he finally said. "Well, we won't be too long."

"Alright."

He gathered his daughter's stuff and went to open the door. On the other side was a beaming Dan.

"Son! Seems I arrived in the nick of time."

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

"Wanted to see my family."

"Well, Luke isn't here and Brooke is still sleeping, I think. Lillian and I were on our way out…"

"As you should. It is a beautiful day…but then again, aren't they all?"

Nathan shuddered.

"Okay now you're just starting to creep me out."

Dan just smiled.

"Well, I won't keep you. I just wanted to make sure everyone arrived alright. Your mother is going to be some kind of surprised for the party. She should be arriving from out of town sometime tomorrow night. In the meantime, I come bearing gifts."

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"Dad, you've bought enough for Lillian already…"

"No, I haven't but since you say so, I did respect your wishes. I brought presents for Brooke and Haley."

He pushed his way inside, smiling at his granddaughter.

"Nate, did you forget someth…" Haley's voice trailed off.

The confrontation she had been avoiding. Now here she was face to face once again with Dan Scott. Feeling slightly embarrassed in her pajama bottoms and sleep tank top, she took a deep breath.

"Mr. Scott…"

"Are we still on that? Dan, I've told you a million times."

"Right", she sighed.

"For you."

Haley frowned as her wretched former father in law presented her with the largest, prettiest bouquet of wildflowers she had ever seen.

"Um…thanks, I think", she accepted, not quite knowing what to say as an equally dumbfounded Nathan just shrugged.

"God, I can never find anything I need in this house", Brooke complained as she dragged from downstairs. "It's so much simpler when I'm sneaking in and fumbling around the dark trying to seduce Broody."

The brunette, locks wet from her shower, plopped down in her purple robe and reached for an apple as she slapped some cream cheese on a bagel.

"Miss Davis", Dan acknowledged. "So nice to see you again."

"Oh…hey, Mr. Scott…"

"Dan…"

"Dan."

Brooke grinned sheepishly. Why was she always sticking her foot in her mouth and revealing her and Luke's sexcapades whenever his parents happened to be around?

"Here", he handed her a gift wrapped box. "I had a brief business excursion to Brussels and I thought of you."

Brooke opened it. It was a spectacular array of every chocolate imaginable.

"Thanks", she said in surprise.

"You are very welcome. Now I see that everyone is having a busy morning so I won't keep you…"

Lillian began to fuss and her grandfather was instantly at her side. It was like she was crying out for him and the second his attentions were focused upon her, she seemed to instantly calm. Nathan, Haley and Brooke exchanged glances. Freaky was the only way to really describe it.

"She's okay, Dad…" Nathan said uncomfortably.

"May I?" he reached for her.

She seemed to gravitate naturally towards him and once in his arms, she was happy and smiling.

"Unreal", Brooke muttered.

Everyone else seemed to share the same sentiments. For Haley it was like being in a horror movie. Telepathically she was crying out to Lillian, screaming and begging for her to realize she was in the clutches of Tree Hill's most infamous monster. But in a child's loving eyes, she only saw Grandpa. Dan lovingly and tenderly cradled and cooed to her as her parents and Brooke looked on silently.

"Dad, it's getting late and I wanted to get her out on the beach before it got too hot…"

"Of course", he said, depositing the child back into her father's arms.

Lillian began to cry again.

"Where's her pacifier?" Haley asked.

Dan leaned in.

"Hush now, sweet angel", he spoke softly. "Don't cry. Everything is going to be alright. I'll see you again soon I promise. Now you be good for Daddy."

His tone was so calm and sweet that it was eerie enough to send chills down your spine. What was even more peculiar was the way the baby seemed to understand and obediently comply with his requests.

"Look, we'll see you around, man…" Nathan began.

"Of course", Dan nodded. "I look forward to it. Ladies…I hope you enjoy your gifts and I can't wait to see you at the party."

He gave one last smirky smile and he was off.

"Okay, is that like the freakiest thing you've ever seen?" Brooke asked in disbelief when he was gone.

"Don't even ask", Haley shook her head.

Nathan took a deep breath,

"We'll be on the beach", he mumbled as he took Lillian.

Haley closed her eyes as the door shut behind him.

"Please don't say anything", she whispered to Brooke. "Nathan and I already know and trust me, we're terrified. Either there is a tiny hint of good deep inside him and only Lillian can see or my child is the second coming evil clone of Dan Scott. We're not hoping for the latter."

Brooke half smiled as she bit into a chocolate.

"Only in Tree Hill…oh God, this is orgasmic!"

"Don't eat those!"

"Why not? They're good."

"They're from Dan."

"Hey, chocolate is chocolate, even if it is from the Devil. You toss your flowers if you want but keep your hands off my candy", she pouted.

Haley out her hands on my hips.

"This just makes me nervous."

"Dan?"

"Dan, Deb, the party, being with our friends tonight…being back here period, I guess."

"It'll be okay. I guess it's weird being back after everything, huh? You've been so many places and you've seen and done so much with your life. It must be crazy to come back here where it all began."

Haley poured herself another cup of coffee before settling down next to her friend.

"That's the funny thing about it all Tigger", she sighed. "Sometimes I feel like I haven't been here in forever…and sometimes it feels like I never left."