Haley straightened her baby blue tank top over the long black skirt that met her black sandaled heels. Her pastel made up face and straightened hair fell on bare, tanned shoulders. It was Deb's big day and already the drama had began with her former mother in law's arrival. She took a deep breath. She knew what she was in for and that had been the basis of her apprehension in the first place.

"Looking for an escape route already?"

Nathan was smiling at her from the doorway. He looked handsome in his own blue and khaki ensemble. As always the color really set off his eyes. She looked at him and prayed he wouldn't be able to see the goose bumps spreading across her exposed flesh.

"Nathan…"

"Let the drama commence, I guess."

"I guess. Forgive me if I'm afraid to go out there."

"Stalling, huh?"

Haley grinned.

"Officially, yes but unofficially no because I am waiting for your daughter to wake up so I can get her dressed and outside."

"Using the kid for an excuse…nice!" he smiled. "Looks like you need some help so I guess I'll hang out here with you."

"How convenient."

He smiled and shrugged.

"Can you blame me for not wanting to join the party from hell?"

"Not really so feel free to hang out as long as Lillian wants to nap."

Nathan sighed as he sat on the bed, a clear view of the party going on outside.

"Why did we agree to this again?"

"Because it's for your mom."

Nathan nodded.

"I hope she's okay. I don't know what the hell was going on when she walked in. She looked pretty pissed though. Then again, it was my dad so who can blame her, right?"

"I guess…"

"Look, I know how weird this must be for you. I've said it before but it's worth saying again. Thanks for doing this."

"It's for Lillian", she shrugged.

"I know but it means a lot to my mom…and it means a lot to me. So thank you again for doing this, especially when you don't have to."

"I just never thought I'd be back here", she sighed, taking a seat on the bed.

"In Dan Scott's house?"

"Especially Dan Scott's house", she smiled. "But I guess I'm talking about Tree Hill altogether. It's weird…so much drama and so many years later you're here, I'm here…and we have a baby together."

"I know", he said quietly.

"It's what I always wanted, you know, when we first got married and stuff. I pictured it this way. It was a pretty simple vision then."

"I bet…"

"Nathan, do you think…"

"Think what?"

She looked away.

"Never mind."

Nathan rolled his eyes.

"You know that's my pet peeve, Hales. Whatever it was you were going to say, just say it."

"I was just wondering how it would have been if I…"

"If you'd never left?"

"Yeah", she answered softly. "I guess."

Nathan had thought about it too. He had imagined every scenario possible in his head. What if Haley had stayed behind and he had gone pro anyway? Or what if they had remained in Tree Hill, him at the dealership, or a schoolteacher or partner in Karen's café?

"I don't know", he said. "Guess we'll never know."

Haley sighed.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have brought that up…"

"It's okay. Look, we've been through a lot, a hell of a lot. But the past is done now. We can't change it. Now it's about the future and whatever is best for Lil."

"I know. You're right, Nathan. It's about facing whatever lies next…and right now that means the party and a certain host I have been carefully avoiding."

Nathan smiled.

"Time to wake her, huh?"

"Let the temper tantrum begin", she joked as she reached for the diaper bag.

It tipped over, leaving the contents everywhere. She went to retrieve them and Nathan bent down to help her. They stuffed the products back inside the bag, their hands grazing every now and then. Finally the only thing between them was the overstuffed bag. But the couple was breathless, crouched on their hands and knees, faces just inches apart.

Suddenly Haley jolted back to the halls of Tree Hill High School. It was a few weeks after they had begun dating and she was still getting used to having a boyfriend, much less Nathan Scott, the most popular Raven of them all. She was on her way to her next class and pulled her by the arm in a vacant room. Soon his soft lips and cotton like tongue were exploring the tender insides of her mouth.

"Nathan, we can't do this here", she giggled, somewhere between embarrassment and sheer jubilation.

"We just did", he grinned before winking and walking off. "I'll kiss you later."

God, she would never forget how she felt at that moment. Her heart pounded…it was still pounding for him years later.

Man, her eyes. They captivated him, paralyzed him almost. Haley James had always had that effect on him. He remembered another night years ago when there had been another party at the Scott house. Haley had simply dropped off cakes from the café and his mother had insisted she stay. He was glad to see her…really glad. He offered a drink but before they could have a seat, a drunken, obnoxious Brooke interrupted with a lie that Nathan had shown a personal note Haley had written for him to everyone. Yes it was a lie but he would never forget that hurt look on Haley's face when she told him to stay away from her. Later that night, he had followed her to the café where she had fled. He was apologetic, rehearsing his words on the walk over. He hoped she would believe him, forgive him. He was sorry. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He couldn't stop thinking about those baby brown eyes. He couldn't stop thinking about the urge to hold her, kiss her tears away, make her feel safe…

He banged softly on the door after watching her half heartedly wipe down the countertop.

"Can I come in?" he asked.

She just gave him one look with those eyes and an expression spoke volumes, more than any words could have as she turned the lights off in his face.

"Haley, I didn't know. Come on! Please…you've got to believe me."

Staring at those eyes that night he was forced to admit how much he actually cared about her. Her rejection had hurt him. Her eyes were beautiful and so powerfully hypnotic.

"Nathan…" she whispered, unable to move.

"Hales…"

They knew what their hearts were screaming for but the voice of logic was begging for them to hold back.

"What are we doing?" she asked.

"I don't know."

She stood first and went to rouse the baby. Nathan stopped her.

"Hales…"

She wanted to run. She wanted to scream. He turned her to face him, his calloused hands resting on the smooth skin of her shoulders. Her eyes were begging him to stop, begging him to not let it go to that point of no return. They had come so far. A child's welfare was at stake. Was a few seconds of brief passion even worth it?

"Aunt Haley, Mom is looking for you", Jenny announced as she barged in the room. "Oh hey, Uncle Nathan. Is it time for Lillian to wake up?"

Haley pulled away immediately.

"Yes", she sputtered. "Um, Jen, you want to help me dress her?"

"Yay!" the little girl said with excitement as Nathan gathered himself and headed back outside.

He stood in a corner alone, just trying to catch his breath and collect his thoughts. Something had almost happened between them. It was horrifyingly scary yet deliciously wonderful at the same time. Heart racing and little beads of sweat beginning to form on his forehead, he reached into the huge ice cooler behind him to grab a bottle of water.

"Watch it, Boozy the sequel", Dan grinned.

Nathan looked over to see he was dangerously close to the bottles of beer.

"I was going for the water, man."

"If that's your story…" he grinned smugly. "So, enjoying the festivities? Where is that beautiful granddaughter of mine?"

"With her mother."

Dan peered around the corner.

"Well, I hope Haley hurries", he glanced at his watch. "She's going to be late."

"Late for what?" Nathan questioned.

Just then Haley joined them, baby in tow.

"Bathed, changed and dressed and in a semi decent mood", she referred to the child she cradled at her bosom.

"Fantastic!" Dan grinned. "And right on cue…"

"On cue?" Haley asked.

Before she and Nathan could pose anymore questions, they were greeted, practically bombarded rather, by the clicking cameras and intrusive flashes from several members of the paparazzi.

"Over here, Nathan!"

"Smile, Haley!"

"Let us get a shot of the kid!"

Nathan and Haley were horrified. So that was Dan's master plan…a massive publicity stunt and staged photo opportunity. It was almost too much to take in. Maybe it was all a mistake…but the sinister grin on Dan's face told another story.