Haley pulled her mini van into the stone driveway of Brooke's home. Lilly and James were playing in the front yard while Brooke was sketching on the front porch. Haley climbed out of the car and closed the door. James came running up to her.
"Mommy!" He shouted as he threw his arms around her legs. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too, baby." Haley replied, smiling as she lifted her son from the ground. She walked towards the porch where Brooke was sitting on the stone steps.
"Hey Hales." Brooke waved.
"Momma, where's dad?" James asked.
"Well he should be on his way home from picking up your grandparents." Haley lowered her son back on the ground. "So why don't you go get you r back pack and your dog Brady and we'll go meet them at home."
"Yay!" James shouted, running up the steps past his aunt.
"Wait, James!" Lilly said as she went running after her cousin. "I will help you."
Haley sat next to Brooke on the steps after the children disappeared inside.
"So why didn't you go with Nathan?" Brooke wondered.
"Oh, I had an appointment I couldn't reschedule." Haley replied.
"Liar."
"I'm serious." Haley defended with a smile.
"I know I'm kidding."
"So was James good for you?"
"Yeah, he's always good. He's probably the best behaved three year old I know."
"Brooke, he's the only three year old you know."
"Ha, ha…so have you talked to Nathan?"
Haley's smile faded and she replied, "Yeah. We talked last night."
"And?"
"And my instincts were right. He doesn't want me to have another baby because he's afraid he'll lose me."
"I'm sorry , Hales. But I'm sure he won't feel that way forever. He'll be ready for another one when Cooper isn't a baby anymore. Who knows, maybe sooner."
"Yeah, maybe."
James and Lilly ran out onto the porch and James through his arms around Haley's neck.
"I'm ready, Momma." He said.
"Okay, sweetie." Haley said as she helped her son onto her back and stood up. "Did you tell aunt Brooke thank you?"
"Thank you, Aunt Brooke."
"You're welcome, sweetie. You tell your grandma I said hi, okay?"
"Otay. Bye Lilly." He waved.
"Bye James. Bye Aunt Haley." Lilly waved back.
"Bye." Haley replied. "I'll see you later Brooke."
