ChapterTwelve – Hold On

"Haley, this place is adorable."

They had been back from Florida for a week now and Peyton had finally found the time to stop by for a tour of the house.

"Yeah, we really like it. It is not too big and will be just enough room for the three of us." She finished pouring Peyton a glass of iced tea and took a seat across from her at the kitchen table. "So you've been pretty busy since we've been back. I'm taking it as a sign that things are going well with Elizabeth?"

"Well, it took some time at the beginning for me to accept the fact that she left so long ago, but I've begun to understand her reasons. We actually have a lot in common."

"That's great, Peyton, I'm glad things are working out. Have you heard from Jake at all?"

"He sent me one email. It's just so hard because I really wish I could be out there helping him find Jenny. I just want him to come home to me."

"He will when he finds her, but he knows its going to take some time."

"It would take less time if I helped him," Peyton objected.

"He doesn't want that kind of life for you, Peyt. He wants you to finish school and graduate." Haley was doing her best to comfort Peyton, but she knew that in the end Peyton would believe whatever she wanted to believe.

"Anyway, I don't want to talk about this anymore. Can you believe school starts in less than a week?"

Haley allowed for the change in subject. "I know- only six days away and then I get to be the pregnant girl in school. I so cannot wait!" Haley did her best fake sarcasm.

"Hales, you know it won't be like that. Everyone is happy for you and Nathan. Besides, it's not like your having the baby out of wedlock."

"Yeah, I know. It's just I'm not looking forward to walking around school with a huge belly."

"Oh man, Hales, is that the time already? I'm supposed to be meeting Ellie for dinner. Sorry to bail on you." Peyton stood up and began walking towards the front door.

"Thanks for hanging out with me today, Peyton, while Nathan was at orientation. Even though it ended up being you helping me to finish off the unpacking."

"You know I didn't mind, Haley." Peyton gave her a quick hug. "I'll give you a call tomorrow- you, me, and Brooke should do lunch."

"Yeah, that sounds really nice." Haley waved as Peyton pulled out of the driveway and then retreated to the family room. Flopping down on the couch, she finally succumbed to the quiet surrounding her by drifting off into a pleasant nap.


Nathan opened to front door to be greeted by a completely silent house. "Hales?" he called out. "Are you home?"

Figuring that she had ran out on a quick errand, he kicked his shoes off and walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. He smiled as he finally spotted Haley, sprawled out on the couch, fast asleep. He tiptoed up next to her and quietly crouched down in front of her, lifting his fingers to gently brush the hair that had fallen on her face behind her ear. Subconsciously, her body reacted to his touch and nuzzled into the palm of his hand. It was the simplest of reflexes, but it always made him so happy to see how she reacted to his touch.

"Hales," he whispered into her ear, softly brushing a kiss over her cheek. "I'm home and ready to let you take advantage of me."

She stirred at the sound of his voice in her ear and slowly her eyes opened, adjusting to the sudden light. "Hey, babe," she whispered, reaching forward to return a kiss on his cheek. "How long have you been home?"

"I just got here two minutes ago. You looked so peaceful sleeping, but I'm absolutely starving. The kids drove me into the ground today!" Nathan had started orientation this week to be the head coach of the Tree Hill youth league basketball team. She could already tell that he was perfect for the job, the kids adored him and he loved sharing his talent with all of them. It only made her that much more excited to bring their own child into the world.

Haley smiled and gently massaged the back of his head with her fingers. "I could definitely eat. Peyton was over today and we finished unpacking the spare bedroom."

"Haley, you shouldn't have been moving around all that stuff."

"Nathan, I love that you're worried about me but it really wasn't that big of a deal and if I didn't do it, then you would just be stuck doing it after work. And I didn't want that."

He turned his head to the side slightly so that he could kiss her arm. "Well, I'm helping this weekend and you aren't doing any more moving until then. Deal?"

She smiled and nodded her head. "Deal. So about that food?"

Nathan laughed. "How about I go order a pizza and while it's on its way, you go soak in a nice, hot bath." He reached out and gently stroked her cheek with his fingers.

Haley turned towards the touch. "That sounds really nice, actually. Will you come visit me though after you order it?"

"Of course! How could I say no to seeing you naked in the tub? I just have to call Lucas quick and set up running for the morning and then I'll come 'visit'."

She laughed at the fact that he actually used his fingers to quote that word. "Okay, sounds good."

Nathan stood up and extended his hands to Haley to help her up off of the couch. He used it to his advantage and pulled her closer towards him, giving her a sweet kiss on the lips. "I missed you today."

"I missed you too," Haley said before returning the kiss. She slipped him one of her devilish grins as she wandered back to their bedroom to draw her bath. Sometimes she couldn't understand how she had made it on tour without him there. If she had to do it all over again, she would have asked him to come with her, because that was the way it should have been.

She turned on the faucet, and after finding the perfect temperature she began to slip out of her clothes. Wrapping a towel around herself, she waited for the tub to fill up. It didn't take too long and soon enough she was sinking into the calm, lukewarm water and letting the negative thoughts slip from her mind. She dipped below the surface momentarily, completely enjoying the serenity.

Haley sat in the water peacefully for ten minutes and then began to wonder what was taking Nathan so long. She turned to grab her towel from the ledge behind her and that was when she felt it; the pain that had ascended onto her in the airport. Only this time it didn't go as quickly as it came. It was stronger and it wasn't receding. What was happening to her? She tried to move to another position, but the pain stayed exactly where it was.

Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to stand, even thought the best she could do was by crouching over. She grabbed her towel and quickly threw it around herself. "Nathan!" she called out towards the front of the house.

"I'll be right there, Hales!" he called back.

"No, Nathan, I need you!" She walked as far as the door frame, but couldn't bear the pain any longer. Leaning against it for support, she finally gave into the pain and the tears began rolling down her cheeks. She had no idea what was happening and she was scared. "Nathan!" she called one last time.

Nathan could hear the fear in her voice and he jogged quickly towards the bedroom. His heart stopped momentarily when he saw Haley leaning against the door frame, looking so scared and fragile, water still dripping down her body. "Hales…" he forced out, his mind not fully able to function.

"Nathan," Haley said breathlessly, "something's wrong."


Hold on
Hold on to yourself
For this is gonna hurt like hell
Hold on
Hold on to yourself
You know that only time will tell
What is it in me that refuses to believe
This isn't easier than the real thing

My love
You know that you're my best friend
You know I'd do anything for you
My love
Let nothing come between us
My love for you is strong and true

Am I in heaven here or am I...
At the crossroads I am standing
So now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you'll be strong tomorrow and we'll
See another day and we will praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face
Oh god if you're out there won't you hear me
I know that we've never talked before
Oh god the man I love is leaving
Won't you take him when he comes to your door

Am I in heaven here or am I in hell
At the crossroads I am standing
So now you're sleeping peaceful
I lie awake and pray
That you'll be strong tomorrow and we'll
See another day and we will praise it
And love the light that brings a smile
Across your face...

Hold on
Hold on to yourself
For this is gonna hurt like hell

-"Hold On" by Sarah McLachlan


Okay, just bear with me to see where this story is going! Let me know what you guys think- it is all so important to me! I can't believe that I almost let this story go, it was because of all of you that got me back on track and UDing again. I love where this story is headed now and I hope that you will also! R&R and give me all of your honest opinions.

Kylie