"Brooke, what's all this?"

"Presents," she cheered as she dumped shopping bags all over Haley's bed. "Nothing makes me feel better than new clothes so I figured the same for you!"

"Wow, thank you, but it's too much."

"No it's not. Besides, its all thanks to my parents." Haley's face fell at her comment. "Haley, it's okay. I can joke about it now. I'm free from them, and I get to spend their money! What could be better?" Haley laughed and Nathan walked in.

"Hey Hales, ready to go home?"

"Yes! This place is depressing. You were right Brooke, this place needs a makeover."

"When am I not right," she laughed. "I'll go put these bags in your car."

"Thanks." She turned to Nathan. "So when are you leaving to go back to camp?"

"I don't know Hales. I mean, can I really leave you right now? I think I'm needed here to protect you."

"I'm a big girl Nate, I can take care of myself."

"And being by yourself landed you in a hospital." Haley frowned.

"Ok, maybe so. But I don't want you to give up your dream for me."

"I did it once, I can do it again."

"Nathan, please."

"Alright, how about I go for the last couple of days. Milt West said I could stay here as long as I needed but I could go back for the big game."

"But you'll be missing all those practices in between," she argued.

"Practice? I don't need practice," he smirked. "It doesn't matter. I'll still go down to the Rivercourt with Lucas and all that, but the big game is when all the scouts are there. Those last few days matter the most."

"If you say so," she sighed. "Now let's get out of here."

When they got back to the apartment, Nathan got to carry all of the shopping bags into the house. Brooke sure could spend money like there was no tomorrow. "Hey Hales, what do you want to do for lunch," he said as he walked back out into the living room. Haley was already asleep on the couch though. So Nathan picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. Then, he placed her on the bed and climbed in next to her. They were finally home.

Brooke was living under the same roof as Lucas once again. He wasn't too sure what to think of that. And why did she kiss him at the hospital? He needed answers.

"Brooke," he said softly as he knocked on the door. "Are you in there?"

"Yeah, come in." She was lying on the bed reading a magazine. "You know Luke, this bed would look a lot better with you in it."

"About that…"

"You want to know why I kissed you at the airport? Lucas, you know I have feelings for you. But seeing those pictures of Peyton reminded me of how horrible everything was. What if we get sucked back into the drama?"

"We won't. Brooke, I want to be with you. I think I already made that clear," he laughed, she nodded. "Why not give us another chance? How about a first date?"

"Luke, think of everything that happened on our first date."

"I got drunk, tattooed, and robbed of my virginity."

"Exactly."

"But it was all with you," he grinned.

"You should write for Hallmark," she remarked. "Okay, okay. I'll go. But we are taking things slow. Spread out those activities over say, 3 dates or so."

"Alright," Lucas laughed. Then he heard Karen in the kitchen. His mom. How would they ever tell her?

Haley woke up the next morning with a smile on her face. She turned to her husband and kissed him to wake him up. "Morning," she said sweetly.

"Hey you," he sighed groggily.

"So I was thinking we should call all our friends and do something tonight," she said cheerfully.

"Wow, this early in the morning, how can you be so happy and already making plans for tonight?"

"It's a gift," she shrugged and laughed. "So get up and shower. I want to go to Karen's for breakfast."

"Alright, I'm up. But you're joining me in the shower," he winked.

After a long shower and getting dressed, they headed for Karen's café. 'It's so good to be in Tree Hill again,' Nathan thought to himself. How right things were.

"Hey guys," Karen greeted them as they entered. "How are you feeling today Haley?"

"Oh fine, thanks."

"Good to hear. So what can I get you two?"

"Your famous blueberry waffles of course," Haley cheered. "And probably some coffee for Nathan." She pointed to her husband who looked like he could fall asleep at any moment.

"Hey, it's early," he pouted. Karen laughed.

"Okay, I'll bring that out." She headed back towards the kitchen. Not long after, Jake, Peyton, and Jenny came in.

"Jenny," Haley shrieked as she reached for the little girl to hold.

"Wow, someone's in a good mood today," Peyton commented. Nathan nodded.

"I think everyone's in a good mood today," he agreed. Nathan and Jake started talking about sports as Peyton and Haley continued playing with Jenny and taking.

"So Haley, things seem like they're going well…"

"They are. This summer is getting better and better."

"Yeah you being attacked was great," Peyton said sarcastically then realized what she had said. "Oh I'm sorry Haley, I didn't mean that."

"I know, it's okay. But in a way, it brought Nathan and Brooke back home right?"

"Yes it did," Peyton said with a grin thinking of her best friend.

"So how are things with your dad and mom?"

"As well as can be expected, I guess. Elizabeth stopped by last night. Said she wants to get to know me. I'm almost 18 and leaving for college next year! It's not like there is a lot of time left."

"At least you have some time," Haley sighed. "And at least she's around. My parents packed up and left assuming that since I'm married, I don't need them anymore. Give her a chance. I wish my parents were still around. Well they are I guess, just not here in Tree Hill. I would love to get to spend time with them."

"I guess so. I don't know. I haven't talked to my dad yet. It's like we took one step forward and two steps back. He finally starts to take shorter job offers so he can be at home more, and now he's gone all the time. Thank God Jake and Jenny are back. It got lonely in the house."

"I can imagine," Haley said when Karen brought out her waffles. "Thanks Karen, you're the best!"

"Anything for my favorite daughter," Karen winked.

"Your only daughter," Haley chuckled. "So Peyton," she said between bites. "I was thinking all of us could do something tonight. Sort of like celebrating all 6 of us back in Tree Hill, ya know?"

"Sure, sounds good. How about bowling?"

"Wow, I haven't bowled in like forever. But it sounds like fun, we'll be there."

"Great, I'll call Brooke later. So have you heard anything about Chris?"

"Nathan said someone called while I was still in the hospital. His hearing is in like a month."

"Good. I hope it gets sent to prison."

"Me too," Haley sighed. "I feel so bad for Nathan though. He's not going back to camp until the last few days. It's not fair that I'm holding him back from his dream."

"Haley, you're not holding him back. He cares about you and will always put you first. And he is going back for the last few days so at least it's something."

"I guess. Still it's like Chris always holds a piece of our lives."

"It'll be okay Haley," she patted her friend on the back. "Now let me have some of those waffles!"

After their breakfast, Haley and Nathan went down to the Rivercourt for awhile so Nathan could get some practice in. Not much basketball playing got done considering how most of their time was spent making out in the tree. That is until Lucas came down to the court and broke them up. It was just another lazy summer day in Tree Hill and that night they got ready to go bowling.

"Haley do we have to go," Nathan asked as they were getting dressed. "We could just stay in."

"We could," she agreed. "But when was the last time all 6 of us were in the same room together?"

"When you were in the hospital."

"That doesn't count! I wasn't awake for the first week!"

"Okay, okay, you win."

"Thank you," she wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him.

"You look hot Hales, sure you don't want to stay in?"

"I'm sure. Now let's go, we're already late!"

At the bowling alley, everyone else was always there. "Could they for once in their life stop making out and come hang out with us," Brooke asked.

"Look who's talking," Peyton said and Brooke stuck her tongue out at her. Then Nathan and Haley arrived.

"Finally," Brooke squealed. "Tutorgirl get over here!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming. Sorry we're late."

"Sure you are. Let's go in, you too Tutorboy." They set up the teams to be boys against girls. "So what do we get when we win," Brooke asked.

"Umm ice cream?" Lucas threw in.

"Or something better. Like you guys have to run through the town square in your boxers."

"Your on. And when we win, you guys have to run through the town square in your bra and panties," Nathan said competitively. "Good thing I have my camera phone."

"Good thing," Brooke agreed. "Because I left mine at Karen's, so I'll need to use yours so everyone can see you in your boxers." Everyone laughed. "Let's get the game started." The 6 started to play. The score changed all the time. Sometimes the boys were ahead, sometimes the girls were ahead. It was now Haley's turn and yet again she was found straddling Nathan's lap, making out with him.

"Oh Haleyyyyy," Brooke said in a sing-song voice. "You may not have gotten laid in awhile but we don't need to see it here. Keep it PG kids." Haley turned around with the familiar red color coming to her cheeks. "Take your turn, tutorwife."

"Don't you every get tired of the nicknames Brooke," Jake asked.

"Never, it's who I am." And they all nodded their head in agreement. "Ok Hales, listen up. We need you to get a spare or better otherwise we don't have a shot to win. Good luck!" Haley was feeling the pressure. She went up to the lane and threw the ball. A strike! The girls started screaming and Brooke and Peyton broke out into a cheer. "You can't bowl, you can't score, you will be us nevermore!" All 3 girls broke into laughter. It was Nathan's turn. He had to get a strike to tie it.

"Let's go Nate," Jake and Lucas's cheers were heard throughout the bowling alley. Nathan got up to the lane, rolled the ball, and knocked down only 7 pins. The girls started screaming and cheering again. "We won, we won," they all yelled.

"Next stop, town square," Peyton said. Everyone got in their cars and drove down.

"Ok boys, lose the clothes," Brooke ordered.

"Wow, Lucas, bet you're glad she finally said that to you," Nathan smirked.

"I heard that Nate!" She yelled back. "Don't forget, you're the one who lost the game!" Nathan's smirk turned into a frown. "That's what I thought!" Brooke was like a drill sergeant.

"Ok, so what do we have to do," Jake sighed. All 3 guys stood there in their boxers.

"Two laps around the square, no cutting corners and make sure you pass open windows. Nathan, can I please borrow your phone?" He sadly handed it to her. "Thank you. Not start running!" The boys took off and the girls could not contain their laughter. Brooke was making a video of this from Nathan's phone, while Haley and Peyton took pictures with theirs. An old lady came out of her house and started whistling at the boys, which only made the girls laugh even harder. Finally, they completed their run and got their clothes back on as quickly as they could. "So how about some ice cream," Brooke asked. "Your treat!"

After they all got ice cream and hung out a little more, everyone headed for home. "Did you have fun tonight Nate?"

"Yeah, I did. Minus the whole 'run through town square' thing." Haley laughed as she took off her necklace. "What are you doing," Nathan asked.

"You," she smirked and kissed him.

The next morning, they were woken up by a too cheerful Brooke. Neither wanted to get out bed, so they just listened to her knock. "Tutorgirl and boy, I know you're in there! Open up! I don't care if you are having sex or not, if you don't come to the door now I'm breaking a window!" Haley sighed and got up. "Hey Brooke."

"Finally, didn't think two people could last that long during sex!"

"Brooke, we weren't—"

"Whatever," she cut Haley off. "So we're having a girl's day today. Get dressed, we're meeting Peyton in like 20 minutes!"

"Do I have a choice?"

"No!" Brooke pushed Haley back towards the bedroom.

"Let me guess," Nathan said when she entered. "Shopping?"

"Like that's a surprise," Haley laughed. "Sorry, girl's day. No boys allowed. You have cooties." She tried to look horrified.

"You didn't seem to think I had cooties last night," Nathan smirked. Haley's cheeks started to blush.

"I need to get ready," she stammered and went to take a shower. When she got out, Brooke and Nathan were in the kitchen drinking coffee. "Ready to go Tigger?"

"Born ready. Let's go!" Haley kissed Nathan goodbye and walked out the door. Once she left, Nathan called Lucas.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's me. I need your help with something, but you have to promise you won't tell Haley."

Credit to the writers of the OC, used a line from one of their episodes.