Hey...
Please read and tell me what you think. Thanks.
Summary: Nathan returns safely home from war, only to be injured in a car accident. Will the accident bring his family closer together or tear them apart? Can his friends and family help him to deal with it before its too late? Naley, Brucas
You And Me
CHAPTER 2
Haley rolled over in bed and was met with the sun in her eyes; reluctantly she opened them. She turned her eyes to the alarm clock on the nightstand, 10 a.m. This was the first time in five years that she had ever slept in, or woken up on her own. She swung her legs around and slipped her feet into her slippers and then made her way to the kitchen.
She poured herself a bowl of cereal and sat at the table eating it. She took a bit when the phone rang; "Hello." She said into the receiver.
"Hey beautiful." Nathan greeted her.
"Nate!" She said excitedly. "What's up?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to talk to my wife and son." He said.
"Well you can talk to your wife." Haley replied. "But Andy is at Lucas'.
"Spent the night?" Nathan asked.
"Yep." Haley stated. "I was tired so Lucas offered to watch him, he ended up taking Andy to work and everything."
"That was nice." Nathan said.
"So do you know when you are coming back yet?" Haley asked him hopefully.
"Right now they are saying about a month and a half." Nathan replied. "But they can't give us specific dates yet, it could always change."
"I wish I had a time machine." Haley pouted playfully into the phone.
"Me too." Nathan responded. "So what are you doing today?"
"I'm not sure." Haley replied. "I'm going to go see Brooke, maybe we will all hangout together."
"That sounds like fun." Nathan said. "So I sent you a package, you should get it in the mail within the next couple of days, maybe today."
"What's in it?" Haley asked.
"I can't tell you." Nathan laughed lightly. "Hey listen, I gotta go, there are other people waiting to use the phone. I love you, and I miss you."
"Me too." Haley said sadly.
"Make sure to hug and kiss Andy for me, and say hi to Lucas and everyone else." Nathan instructed. And just incase I don't get to talk to you for a while, Happy early Birthday."
"Thanks. I will." Haley replied. "Bye."
"Bye." Nathan replied. Haley waited until she heard the dial tone to hang up the phone. She was always happy when she got to hear his voice, but then it made her sad when she had to hang up with him; his calls were always bittersweet. She dumped the rest of her cereal down the drain and got dressed and headed to Lucas'.
-----
"Mommy!" Andy said throwing himself at Haley's legs when she walked into the living room where everyone was sitting.
"Hey." Haley said picking him up and taking a seat in an empty chair. "Did you have fun yesterday with Uncle Luke?"
"Lots!" Andy replied. "He let me dress up like a doctor and listen to his heart."
"That's really neat." Haley smiled. "Why don't you go play with Jak?" She said as he ran off to play. "Hey guys." Haley greeted Lucas, Brooke, Peyton, and Jake.
"Someone looks well rested." Lucas laughed lightly.
"That's what happens when you don't have a screaming five year old waking you up in the middle of the night." Haley laughed with him. "Speaking of, how did he do last night?"
"He was fine." Brooke replied. "He didn't wake up once."
"That's a first in weeks." Haley smiled. "Where's Jenny?" She directed towards Peyton and Jake.
"She is outback playing." Jake replied. "So any news on Nathan?"
"He called this morning." Haley smiled. "They are saying about a month and a half, but he said that it could change. He also said to say hello to all of you."
"So he's going to miss your birthday?" Peyton asked. "That really sucks."
"Tell me about it." Haley frowned slightly.
"I'll get that." Lucas said walking into the other room to answer the ringing phone.
"You know what I think?" Brooke asked. "We should have a girls day out today."
"We can go shopping, eat lunch, and shop some more." Haley added.
-----
"Hello." Lucas said into the phone in the other room.
"Hey big bro." Nathan said on the other line.
"Hey man." Lucas said excitedly into the phone. "What's up?"
"I wanted to call you and let you in on something." Nathan replied. "I need an accomplice."
"Uh sure." Lucas said confusedly. "What do you need?"
"Ok, you know how I said that I was coming back in a month and a half?" Nathan questioned.
"Ya, Haley told us a few minutes ago." Lucas replied.
"Ok, and you know how Haley's birthday is in a week?" Nathan asked again.
"Are you going somewhere with this Nate?" Lucas questioned him.
"Yes." Nathan stated. "I'm not coming back in a month and a half, I'm coming back in six days. I'm in Germany right now."
"Dude that's great!" Lucas said a little too loudly.
"I know." Nathan replied. "I wanted to surprise Haley, that's why I told her I was coming back later. But I need your help."
"Anything." Lucas replied.
"I need you to get Haley out of the house next Saturday." Nathan instructed him. "Bring her to a movie, lunch, anything like that. And I need someone else to pick me up from the airport."
"I'll bring her out birthday shopping, I'll tell her to pick out her own gift." Lucas stated. "I can send Brooke to pick you up."
"Cool." Nathan replied.
"Why don't' we throw her a surprise birthday party?" Lucas stated. "You can be a present."
"Ok, this is going to be great." Nathan said. "Listen, I have to go check in now. I'll talk to you later, ok?"
"Yep." Lucas replied. "Bye."
"Bye." Nathan said hanging up the phone.
"Who was that?" Brooke asked when Lucas returned to the living room.
"Alex." Lucas replied. "He had to ask me something about a patient. So Haley, I was thinking, next Saturday, just me and you, a little birthday shopping?"
"What about Andy?" Haley asked.
"We'll bring em." Lucas stated. "And I'll bring Jak."
"Ok." Haley smiled.
"Hey, we're gonna head out." Jake said standing up and turning around to help Peyton up. "We'll see you guys later."
"Let me walk you out." Lucas said standing up. Once they were by the car Lucas began to fill them in on some of the plan. "So I was thinking that next Saturday that we have a surprise birthday party for Haley. What do you think?"
"That's a good idea." Peyton smiled.
"The only thing is that I need you guys to set up." Lucas said hesitantly. "I'm taking Haley out for the day, and Brooke is doing something."
"That's fine." Jake replied. "We gotta go though, see you later."
"Bye." Lucas waved as they pulled out of the driveway.
"I think I'm gonna head out too." Haley said when Lucas reentered the house.
"Ok." Lucas said. "I'll go grab Andy for you."
"Daddy!" Jak said when Lucas entered the playroom. "Look what Andy and me built!"
"That's really good Jak." Lucas smiled. "But Andy has to leave now."
"Ok." Andy frowned slightly as they made their way to the living room.
"Mommy?" Jak asked when they got to the living room. "Is it true that Daddy is better at basketball than Uncle Nate?"
"Who told you that?" Brooke smiled at her son.
"Andy said that Daddy said he was better." Jak stated.
"Lucas!" Haley laughed hitting him in the chest.
"Ow! What?" Lucas laughed with her. "I am!"
"You shouldn't fill my son's head with those lies." Haley said picking up Andy and placing him on her hip.
"They're not lies." Lucas called after her as she left the house.
"Daddy wanna go play basketball?" Jak asked hopefully to Lucas.
"Sure." Lucas smiled down to his son. "Go get your shoes and the ball first."
"Mind if I come?" Brooke smiled to Lucas.
"Never." Lucas said pulling her towards him, his arms wrapped around her waist. "So I got a secret…" He teased
"What?" Brooke asked.
"It has to stay a secret." Lucas said. "You can't let anyone else find out."
"I promise." Broke replied.
"Nate is coming home on Saturday." Lucas smiled. "We are throwing a surprise birthday party for Haley. Jake and Peyton don't know about him coming home but are going to set it up at her house."
"That's so cool." Brooke beamed. "Haley is going to love it."
"I know." Lucas stated. "But you can't let anything slip to her."
"I won't" Brooke said.
"Ready Daddy!" Jak said running back into the living room with the basketball in his hands.
"Let's go." Lucas said grabbing his hand and taking the ball in his other. Brooke grabbed Jak's other hand and they walked to the river court swinging him between them.
-
SATURDAY
Lucas knocked on the door waiting for her to answer; the door swung open, but it was Andy, still dressed in his pajamas.
"Hey buddy." Lucas said picking him up and carrying him into the house, Jak walking in behind him. "Where's your mom?"
"She's in the shower." Andy said sitting back on the couch watching cartoons; Jak released Lucas' hand and joined him. "She said to make coffee." Andy stated not breaking his stare from the TV.
Lucas made his way to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee; he grabbed the newspaper from the counter and sat at the table and immediately turned to the comics. He smiled, and occasionally let out a small laugh as he read over them. He waited another 10 minutes before making his way to the bathroom door and knocking loudly on it. "Hales come on!" He shouted through the door.
"I'm almost done!" Haley shouted back. Lucas turned around and made his way to the living room to watch cartoons with the two boys. Another ten minutes later Haley appeared in the door way full dressed.
"About time." Lucas said sarcastically and followed her to the kitchen. "Your coffee is ready." He said pointing to a cup already made sitting on the counter.
"Thanks." Haley said taking a small sip. "I just have to get Andy ready and we'll be ready to go."
"I can do it." Lucas offered. "Sit, ready the paper. Oh, and Garfield? Pretty funny today." Lucas laughed to himself as Haley raised her eyebrows at his childish behavior. "What? It is!" Lucas smiled as he left the kitchen. "Hey Andy, why don't you go get dressed so we can go out?"
"But Tom and Jerry is on!" Andy stated pointing to the TV.
"But we have to go." Lucas argued.
"Uncle Luke!" Andy pleaded. "Come on."
"Andy..." Lucas stated sternly.
"I don't wanna." Andy said still sitting on the couch. "Besides, your not my Dad."
"Well I'm your mom…" Haley said appearing beside Lucas. "And I'm telling you to go get dressed."
"Fine!" Andy said jumping up from the couch. "Meany." He stated under his breath towards Lucas.
"And I'm sure daddy wouldn't like you not listening and being impolite to Uncle Luke." Haley said as he walked towards his room. "I think you should apologize to him for being rude."
"Sorry." Andy mumbled as he turned the corner, his head towards the ground.
"It wasn't that big a deal." Lucas whispered towards Haley.
"He shouldn't have disobeyed you." Haley replied. "He's been acting up lately, I don't know why."
"He just misses Nate." Lucas said wrapping his arm around her shoulder and pulling her head to his chest. "Besides…" Lucas said smiling playfully, "Tom and Jerry was on."
"Your such a kid." Haley said pulling back and rolling her eyes at him as she walked towards the kitchen.
"What?" Lucas asked as he followed her. "You can't say you don't like Tom and Jerry, it's the best cartoon ever."
"Is not." Haley spun around smiling and leaned herself against the counter.
"Ok, then, what is the best?" Lucas challenged her.
"Looney Toons." Haley laughed lightly.
"You used to make me watch that all the time." Lucas laughed. "That is so not the best cartoon."
"I can't believe we're having this conversation." Haley laughed with him. "And it so is."
"Is not." Lucas defended jokingly
"Your crazy." Haley said pushing his head to the side lightly as she walked past him.
"You're the one that likes Looney Toons." Lucas said over pronouncing 'Looney'. "Are we ready to go now?" He asked when Andy returned, fully dressed.
"Whatever…" Andy replied as he stood by the door.
"Ok…" Haley said. "I know I didn't teach my son to talk to grown-ups like that."
"Yes sir." Andy replied as he walked out the door with Jak.
"He'll be fine Hales." Lucas said as Haley groaned and leaned her head on his shoulder. "Let's go shop." He said as he pushed her out the door, unlocking it right before he shut it.
-----
"Did Lucas give you a key?" Peyton asked as they approached Haley's house.
"No." Jake replied. "He said he would leave the door unlocked." He grabbed the doorknob and pushed the front door open.
"Ok then." Peyton said dropping a few bags onto the floor. "Let's get this house decorated!"
-----
"So?" Lucas asked as they approached Haley's house. "Did you have fun?"
"Yep." Haley smiled. "Thanks for this." She said holding up a few bags. Lucas grabbed the doorknob and moved to the side as he opened it for Haley, Andy, and Jak to enter.
"Surprise!" Brooke, Peyton, Jake, and Jenny yelled as they lights came on revealing their decorations.
"This is so great!" Haley smiled widely. Everyone gave her presents and she opened them. Lucas stood and walked towards the door. "Where you going?"
"I'll be back in a little bit." Lucas said pulling on his coat. "I have to go get your present."
"Oh, more presents." Haley laughed. "Ok."
-----
Nathan stood in the crowded airport in his utilities waiting to see a familiar face. He had already gotten his bag and was now looking about people's heads for Brooke.
"Hey." Lucas said walking up behind Nathan.
"Luke." Nathan said pulling him into a hug. "I thought Brooke was picking me up."
"You're stuck with me." Lucas laughed grabbing one of Nathan's bags. "Ready to see your wife?"
"Hell ya." Nathan laughed grabbing his other bag and following Lucas to his car.
"I brought you a coke and a snickers bar." Lucas said pointing to a bag in between the seats.
"Dude, you're a god." Nathan said grabbing the bag quickly. They arrive at the house quickly and both jumped out.
"We can grab your bags later." Lucas said walking up the driveway. "Ready?" He asked, his hand on the doorknob.
"Yep." Nathan said nervously. Lucas swung the door open, but signaled for Nathan to stand outside the door a few seconds longer.
"I'm back." Lucas called into the living room, motioning for Nathan to follow him, but stopped him by the doorway. "Ready for your present?"
"Duh!" Haley smiled, oblivious to what was on the other side of the wall. Everyone waited in anticipation for Nathan to appear in the doorway.
"Happy birthday." He smiled stepping into the living room with a red bow on his forehead, drawing a laugh from everyone, even Lucas.
"Nathan!" Haley launched herself over the couch and collided with his body. He stumbled backwards but managed to stay on his feet as he wrapped his arms around her body and buried his head into her hair.
"Daddy!" Andy said attaching his arms to Nathan's leg when Haley returned to the ground. Nathan smiled and bent over a picked him up.
"Hey buddy." Nathan smiled. "Miss me?"
"Lots." Andy said wrapping his arm behind Nathan's neck.
"You back for good?" Haley questioned him, her arm around his waist, his arm around her shoulder pulling her closer.
"Yep." Nathan said laying a kiss on her forehead. He walked over to the couch and took a seat, Haley beside him, Andy on his lap.
"So who new about this?" Haley questioned.
"Everyone did." Lucas stated. "He called last week, the same day he called you.
"And you didn't tell me?" Haley questioned.
"It was a birthday present." Brooke stated. "A surprise."
"Its good to have you back Nate." Peyton said leaning against Jake's chest.
"Thanks." Nathan smiled. "It's good to finally be back."
"You must be tired." Jake said standing up, everyone following his actions. "You should probably get some sleep." He said as they all made their way towards the front door.
"Hey Nate." Lucas said turning back around. "Want us to take Andy?"
"Uh, sure." Nathan smiled down towards Haley. "Thanks."
-----
"I missed you so much." Haley said standing in his arms.
"I missed you too." Nathan smiled down at her, still in his uniform. "So fill me in." He said lying on the couch, pulling Haley down between his legs.
"On what?" Haley asked.
"Everything." Nathan replied wrapping his arms around her waist. "Start with Andy."
"He missed you a lot." Haley stated. "I think it was starting to affect him."
"How so?" Nathan asked, furrowing his brow.
"He started talking back to Lucas today." Haley explained. "Lucas told him to go get dressed and he wouldn't listen."
"I'll talk to him." Nathan assured her. "What about you…what's new?"
"Well my wonderfully amazing husband just came home." Haley said turning around in his arms to face him, her stomach to his.
"Is that so?" Nathan smirked.
"Yep." Haley smiled. "But he is wearing this ugly uniform, I'm gonna have to do something about it."
"What are you gonna do?" Nathan questioned peering into her eyes.
"I'm not sure." Haley said standing up, pulling him with her towards their bedroom. "I guess I'm just going to have to take it off." She said unbuttoning the button of his blouse. He shrugged it from his shoulders and lifted his arms for her to pull of his shirt. She then moved to his belt, his pants soon fell to the floor as he kicked them from his legs; he was left standing in just his boxers.
"Now that that ugly uniform is gone." Nathan smirked. "I'm going to have to do something about that hideous shirts, and man, those are some ugly jeans." He said lifting the shirt over her head and then pulling off her pants. "Much better." He smiled before he pulled her into a passionate kiss. They moved slowly back to the bed, Nathan hovering over Haley, their kiss still not broken.