Chapter 343: Raven Hill

Wednesday, February 1st, Early Morning (Eastern Standard Time)

The cold wind whipped by the windows of their bedroom. Nathan stood looking out into the murky blackness of the rapidly aging night. The bright bedroom lights kept Haley from seeing the outside weather turning and churning. Nathan could hear the occasional drops of rain as they hit against the windows, and if he looked close enough, he could see them.

Haley sat on their California King bed behind him, staring off into the distant faux mirror of the window. The night started out great with them seeing their daughter-in-law get honored, along with their brother (in-law), niece, and cousin. It ended with a bomb delivered to their doorway.

"It's not like we've not been through this before," Haley said, finally, her tone between angry and resigned, "With you, with James, and of course with Brian."

"It does get old," Nathan said, not even turning away from the window.

"We've chosen to live our lives, one time or another, in front of the world, this abuse; it's to be expected," Haley said.

"Still, isn't it emotionally painful?" Nathan asked, still looking out the window.

"Hence why I said abuse," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, finally turning away from the window. He joined Haley on the bed to take the weight off his knee.

"Don't remind me, Nathan," Haley said, "It rips a piece of your soul out every time," Haley said, "The thought that my husband might've cheated on me, or one of your sons being someone you taught them not to be," Haley shrugged, "Brian has turned more than one of my hairs gray."

Nathan nodded, "Well, we're going to ask that she gets her son's DNA tested," he said solemnly.

Haley wrapped her arm around Nathan. "I've already said this isn't our first time at the rodeo," she said.

Nathan shrugged and turned to look out the window, now a mirror to him. He studied his now aged face and graying hair. "How do you think it will go down when we ask?" he asked.

"I don't know, Nate, but it usually goes badly," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, studying his worn eyes. "All of the negative so far," Nathan said.

Haley nodded and sighed. "I've never doubted he slept with these women, but, yeah, with Brian's irresponsible nature, I'm surprised as you are," Haley said.

"I noticed we'd not spoken much about James in this conversation," Nathan said.

Haley shrugged, "James, for whatever reason, has always tried to do the right thing," she said.

"What is the right thing?" Nathan asked.

Haley nodded in her head, almost in defeat, "I really don't know anymore," she said.

Nathan sighed, "I wish I knew as well," he said.

"I thought I known once, now I don't anymore," Haley said, "That's how I feel, most days."

"Annus horribilis?" Nathan asked.

"Somewhat, I was faltering a little before that year," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, "Another grandson, is it possible?" he asked.

Haley shook her head, "You know we have more grandson than granddaughters; it would be nice to have another granddaughter," she said.

"Maybe, we could trade a grandson to Brooke for a granddaughter?" Nathan teased.

"Maybe, I guess, I don't know," Haley said, not enjoying the humor.

"What's on your mind?" Nathan asked.

"All this, another paternity test, more shit with Brian," Haley said.

Nathan sighed, "Yeah, well, I can call the lab," he said.

"Why? We need her to agree to the test," Haley said.

"No, matter when, it's still a week to wait for the results," Nathan said.

Haley nodded, "I'm just tired of dealing with these requests," she said.

"I know," Nathan said.

"Well, you're the important one in this test," Haley said.

"I know," Nathan said.

Haley fell back on the bed and stared up to the ceiling. "Remember when I told you I was pregnant with Brian?" she asked.

Nathan nodded, "It was the end of our senior year of college," he said.

Haley nodded, "Just before finals," she said.

Nathan nodded, "It was amazing; I never expected we'd have another child so soon," he said.

"You were reading something; what was it?" Haley asked.

"You don't know?" Nathan asked.

"No, I never asked; it never seemed important," Haley said.

"I was studying for that English Lit elective that you talked me into taking," Nathan said.

"Oh yeah, so what were you reading?" Haley asked.

"The Childe Harold's Pilgrimage," Nathan said.

Haley chuckled, "Little dig, I know that I was carrying our own Byronic Hero," she said.

"I never quite understood what a Byronic Hero is," Nathan said.

"Brian kind of lived that life," Haley said.

"I don't know," Nathan said.

"Things were so much simpler," Haley said.

"That's life; we choose to become adults," Nathan said.

"I'd rather be adult-ish," Haley said.

Nathan laughed, "You were always the more responsible of the two of us," he said.

Haley huffed, "I never got to be irresponsible," she said.

"You have," Nathan said.

"I mean as an adult," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, "We were going that way," he said.

"It was Brian that turned us around," Haley said.

"Yeah, he was the reason we straighten our life out," Nathan said.

Haley turned on her side and pulled her knees up to her chest, making her in the fetal position. "I'm tired," Haley said.

"So, am I," Nathan said.

"Why did things happen the way they did?" Haley asked.

"I wish I knew," Nathan said.

"So, do I," Haley said.

"We just have to deal with it," Nathan said.

"I guess it was bound to happen that someone's child would turn out to be like your dad," Haley said.

"Or your sister," Nathan said.

"Yeah, yeah, so who is going to contact Ms. Venczel about the paternity test?" Haley asked.

"Let us settle this in our mind before we contact her," Nathan said.

"We can't wait that long; we have to put this to rest before it festers," Haley said.

Nathan laid down and snuggled up to Haley. She relaxed a little bit easier once she felt his powerful arms around her. Their body heat mingled, bringing some comfort to Haley's mind. Nathan gently kissed Haley on the top of her head.

"You're right, and I'll contact her in due time," Nathan said.

"I hope so," Haley said.

"Let's sleep now, and we'll look at the problem with fresh eyes," Nathan said.

"Why are you wise?" Haley asked.

"I learned from the best," Nathan said.

"Thank you," Haley said.

"You're welcome, for what?" Nathan asked.

"For being supportive and strong for me," Haley said.

"You told me once that's partnership be strong when the other is weak and support them," Nathan said.

Haley nodded, and snuggled in closer to Nathan for comfort, and gently drifted off to a fitful sleep.