"Kingdom" - Carrie Underwood

Dedicated to those who've been struck by Hurricane Florence. You're in my thoughts and prayers.

. . .

Haley James Scott slowly walked through the upstairs hallway of her beloved two-story home and delicately ran her fingers over the pastel yellow paint. Over the past six years, between two kids and a dog, random cracks and blemishes bruised the skin of the walls- some of which Haley hadn't noticed until today. A somber smile sagged on her lips at the memories piling in her brain; the countless times Jamie and Lydia flew through this very hall and into her and Nathan's room every morning.

Her fingers continued to trace the chair-rail molding until she got to the spare bedroom. Tears stabbed the corner of her eyes and her palms fell to her swollen stomach. It was the room she and Nathan had started to prepare as the nursery, where in four-and-a-half months, their new baby would hopefully occupy- that is, unless, Hurricane Florence wreaked havoc on Tree Hill.

She was never one to fear the future, but today, as the family began to pack up their things and flee to Charlotte for the weekend, Haley worried about the damage they might return to. The newscasters around the country kept warning everyone just how deadly the impending storm could be- and it definitely didn't help matters that their house, the house they created more memories than one could possibly hold, was centered right on Wrightsville beach. The hurricane wasn't set to hit for another twelve hours but already the waves of the ocean were higher than both Haley and Nathan had ever seen.

The thought that everything they built together could possibly be ruined forever did more than just frighten her. Tears already soaked the skin of Haley's cheeks. She felt sick as she walked down the stairs and through the rest of the house, absorbing every little detail she once took for granted; the smell of Nathan's cologne mixed with the faint aroma of the hardwood floors and crisp linen Lysol; the kitchen counter, where more liquids have spilled than a preschool classroom- the same counter she spent far too much time at packing lunches and making casseroles and slightly-burnt dinners.

It was at that very sink Nathan would stand shirtless every morning, staring out into the backyard as he sipped on his morning coffee. She'd saddle up behind him, in the still of the silence, and press warm kisses on his shoulder-blades. A blush tinted her cheeks as Haley recalled the countless times those kisses got a little too heated and he'd spread her along the countertop for a passionate round of love-making.

Haley dismissed the more colorful-thoughts and returned to the somber reflections of their home. She focused her gaze on the kitchen table- the heart of it all. Where Jamie spent each night struggling through homework as Lydia colored- sometimes onto the very table itself- the little pictures she'd later display along the walls. It was the table they prayed at, discussed their days, shared thanks and worries, and a few more kisses exchanged between husband and wife.

Haley soon found herself standing in the front door watching Jamie and Lydia chase Duke, their rambunctious labrador retriever, on the lawn while Nathan was busy packing the car with as much as it could fit- but Haley wasn't worried about their tangible things. It could all be re-bought. The memories, however, can't be remade. This house, their kingdom, might wash away. Her heart ached. Where would they raise the new baby? Surely they couldn't stay in Charlotte forever. Of course, they could rebuild a new house, probably one even bigger, but Haley loved this house. She loved it the day Nathan bought it for her right after college. They didn't have much but he promised they'd make it work- even on her teaching salary and his coaching one.

Little by little, they made the once decrepit home their own. They painted the walls and installed new floors- though it's been over six-years and Nathan still has yet to fix the creaky board on the front porch, he swears he will soon. Haley's shoulders sank. Would he even need to fix the front porch? Maybe the wind will whisk it away. All their hard work; blood, sweat, tears- it could be gone in an instant.

Haley sniffled and grabbed onto the front door handle to prop herself up. This door... she wanted to laugh at the amount of times it had been slammed (by both herself and her stubborn husband). Their life wasn't always as pretty as a picture; they were perfectly imperfect. They've had a few good fights and some late nights. They've slammed doors and ran out in a furry, but neither of them dared to sleep without working it out.

Despite it all, Haley wouldn't change anything for a second.

This house was their kingdom, and the man on the front lawn was her prince.

The oak tree on the edge of the lot, where their initials were carved, will stand the test of time forever. Always and forever.

"You okay, baby?" Nathan approached her with a cautious smile and furrowed brows.

Instantly, she opened her arms for him and buried her face in the crux of his neck. Haley inhaled his cologne and a wave of calm washed over her. He was her home.

"I'm just worried about the house," she sighed. "I'm afraid to lose it, to lose everything we've built."

"It's gonna be okay, Hales," Nathan whispered lowly. His hands encircled her waist and squeezed gently at her hips.

"How could you possibly know that?"

He pulled away softly and looked deeply into those heartbreakingly brown eyes of hers; "because, as long as we have each other- as long as we have this family- the love we built could never be destroyed."

Hot tears pricked her eyes again. He always had a way of knowing just what to say. "I love you, Nathan Scott."

"I love you, too, baby. And I know you're worried. I am too, but as long as we're safe, all six of us,-" he smirked as his hands found her pregnant belly, "I know everything will be okay."

"Thank you," she whispered against his lips before meeting in a long, passionate kiss right there in the front door. Neither knew what would happen to their house- they could only pray for the best- but, one thing would always remain: their love for each other.