Chapter 472: Raven Hill
Tuesday, February 14th, Evening
Nathan looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted his tie. After a sigh, he turned back to see his wife, Haley, sitting at her dressing table, doing her makeup. Nathan turned back to the mirror and finished with his tie.
"Did LK get settled with Sawyer and Keni?" Haley asked.
"Yeah, she did," Nathan said, "There are going to be a few exact people there tonight."
"My guess would be Nomi and Ellis," Haley said.
"LK mentioned this new girl to their group," Nathan said.
"Oh really? Who?" Haley asked.
"Some girl named Alesha Gregg, a cheerleader with Keni and Sawyer," Nathan said.
"It's good for them to expand their friendship circle," Haley said.
"Yeah, it is," Nathan looked over his shoulder at Haley as he said it.
"So, how did the kids do on Valentine's?" Haley asked.
"Seemed, okay, I know LK got two," Nathan said.
"Keni and Sawyer?" Haley asked.
"Yes," Nathan said.
"How about the grandkids?" Haley asked.
Nathan sighed, "I think the grandkids would appreciate you asking them," he said.
"Are you sure?" Haley asked.
"I've been doing most of it on my own, Hales," Nathan said.
"I've been busy with the label, and it has gotten worst since Keith got called up," Haley said.
"You were doing this before Keith got called up," Nathan said.
Haley sighed, "It's been tough for me, Nate," she said.
"It's been tough on me too," Nathan said.
"You don't understand," Haley said.
"Hales, that year affected all of us, and soon afterward, you lose Keith to start training up for his deployment," Nathan said.
"It's not the same," Haley said.
"Hales, just talk to the grandkids," Nathan said.
"Fine," Haley said, stood up, and left the bedroom.
Nathan shook his head and followed Haley. Slowly, as his knee only let him move slowly, he ended up down in the living room. Nathan stood in the doorway and watched Haley sitting on a sofa watching three of their grandchildren.
"Grandma Haley?" Lacy asked.
"Yes, Lacy," Haley said to the only redheaded grandchild.
"What are you and Poppa Nate doing tonight?" Lacy asked.
"We're going out for Valentine's Day," Haley said.
"Oh, yeah?" Lacy asked.
"Yes, we are," Haley said.
"Are you bringing home a new Poppa or Grandma?" Lennon asked.
"What? What do you mean, Lennon?" Haley asked.
"Every so often, daddy and mommy would go out, and they would come home with a new uncle or auntie," Lennon said.
"Did this often happen, Lennon?" Haley asked.
Lennon shrugged and looked at his parental grandma, "Not always, sometimes without daddy, but mostly with daddy when he was home," Lennon said.
"What does that have to do with Valentine's Day?" Haley asked.
"Daddy always came home for Valentine's Day, and they would go out," Lennon said.
"I see," Haley said.
Nathan was about to interject, but the doorbell rang. Shaking his head, he walked to the door and answered it. The babysitter stood on the porch.
"Hello, Mister Scott," the babysitter said.
"Good evening, Retha," Nathan said, "Thank you for giving up your Valentine's Day."
"It's okay, Mister Scott, the kids aren't a bother, and I have studying to do," Retha said.
"Okay, the kids are in the living room with Ms. James-Scott," Nathan said.
"Anything special for tonight, Mister Scott?" Retha asked.
"No, the normal night routine," Nathan said.
"Okay, Mister Scott," Retha said, walked down the hall, and turned into the living room.
"Retha!" Darren squealed.
A moment later, "Retha," echoed from Lacy's voice.
"Retha," Lennon finally said.
Nathan walked to the living room doorway and watched the goings-on in the room. Haley stood up and walked over to Retha.
"Thanks, Retha, for watching the grandkids," Haley said.
"You're welcome, Ms. James-Scott," Retha said.
"They're fed and bathed, so just normal bedtime," Nathan said.
"How about snacks?" Retha asked.
"They are in the cabinet by the fridge," Haley said.
"Thank you, Ms. James-Scott," Retha said as she slipped her coat off.
Nathan and Haley put on their coats and headed out to their waiting SUV. Nathan got into the passenger seat while Haley got behind the wheel.
Haley sighed and looked at Nathan, "Did you hear what Lennon said?" she asked.
"Most of it," Nathan said.
"Did you piece together what Brian and Gabi were doing?" Haley asked, gripping the wheel tight.
"Yes, but we knew Brain and Gabi were living a crazy lifestyle," Nathan said.
"I know, I know, but Nate, I never thought they would do it in front of the kids," Haley said.
Nathan sighed, "I'm honestly not surprised," he said.
"I thought we raised Brian better than that," Haley said.
"We did, Hales," Nathan said.
"Then how did he turn out like that?" Haley asked.
"Well, Hales, the answer is simple," Nathan said.
"What answer is that?" Haley asked.
"He chose to ignore those lessons," Nathan said.
"Still, Nate," Haley said.
"Let's not worry about it, and let's not let it ruin our night," Nathan said.
Haley sighed, "You're right," she said.
Nathan nodded. Haley pressed the ignition button and started the engine. After a minute or two, Haley put the SUV into gear and pulled out of the parking area. Nathan played with the radio to try and find some music. Haley got them out onto the main street and turned towards downtown Tree Hill. Nathan nodded and went back to fiddling with the radio.
