Chapter 589: Tree Hill
Saturday, March 4th, Morning
At the appointed time, they left the house and got into the waiting Land Rover. He got behind the wheel to drive while she got in the passenger seat. After she buckled up, she nodded, and he started the SUV and drove off. She stared out the window watching the town drive by. She could see time passing by life, the houses, and trees.
Haley idly played with the window switch, but not enough to raise or lower the window. They were off to do something she had hoped they would never have to do again. It had been hard after years of estrangement meeting her grandchildren. Now she was meeting another one. How was it going to go? Would he accept her? Would he reject her?
"You're worried," Nathan said.
"I'm not worried," Haley said.
"Yes, you are," Nathan said.
"No, I'm not," Haley said.
"You are, Hales," Nathan said.
"If I am, then how do you know?" Haley asked.
"Because I am," Nathan said.
"So me how I knew this day would come," Haley said in a defeated sigh.
"Yeah," Nathan said.
"What do we do when we see him? Do we hug him? Do we play it cool? Should we have brought him something?" Haley asked.
"I don't know; his mom may not want us to give him anything," Nathan said.
"It just feels odd to show up without anything," Haley said.
"We're going to park, not anything so crazy," Nathan said.
"I don't know," Haley said.
"Breath, Haley," Nathan said.
"Why aren't you freaking out?" Haley asked.
"I'm driving, and it wouldn't be wise to freak out," Nathan said.
"Oh, yeah, good point," Haley said.
"Trust me, my inside is trembling like jello," Nathan said.
"Well, don't crash us," Haley said.
"That's my intention," Nathan said.
Haley nodded as they came to the park. Nathan parked their Land Rover, put it into the park, and shut off the engine. Nathan looked over to Haley, and she nodded. Nathan nodded back, and they got out of the Land Rover.
They walked out of the parking lot and towards the small playground. Haley looked over to see Miléna Venczel waiting for them on a bench. Once she saw Nathan and Haley heading her way, Miléna stood up. Haley saw Miléna calling someone over. Haley saw a young boy, probably no older than ten, come running over. As they walked closer, Haley saw the young boy, and she noticed that he did, in fact, look a lot like Wyatt, he was maybe a bit shorter and skinner than Wyatt, but his face was that of Wyatt's, and her son Brian.
Nathan and Haley reached Miléna and Krisztofer. They looked at each other, sizing each other up. Nathan was the first one to step forward.
"Hello Miléna, how are we doing?" Nathan asked.
"We're doing well, Mister Scott," Miléna said.
"And who is this?" Nathan asked.
Miléna reached over and gently pushed Krisztofer forward. He looked up at Nathan with the green eyes of his mom. Krisztofer smiled nervously and looked Nathan over.
"You're Nathan Scott," Krisztofer said.
Nathan nodded, "Yes, I am," he said.
"Anya says you played basketball for the Lakers," Krisztofer said.
Haley looked over to Miléna. Miléna looked back at Haley. "It's Hungarian for mom," Miléna said.
"Oh," Haley said.
Krisztofer looked at Nathan, "So, you're my grandfather, that's what Anya says," he said.
The young boy nodded. "Can I call you grandpa?" Krisztofer asked.
"If you want to," Nathan said.
"I would like that," Krisztofer said.
"What would you like to be called?" Nathan asked.
"I'm called Kris at school," Krisztofer said.
"He's known as Krisztofer," Miléna said.
Krisztofer turned to look at Haley. The nine-year-old studied over Haley. "Hi," Krisztofer said.
"Hello, Kris," Haley said.
"You're my grandmother?" Krisztofer asked.
Haley nodded, "Anya says that you were a musician," he said.
Haley nodded and bent down to look Krisztofer at his level. "Yes, I was, back before you were born," she said.
"Anya tells me my Apu was also a musician," Krisztofer said.
Haley looked to Miléna. Miléna nodded, "Father," she said.
Haley nodded and looked back to Krisztofer. "Yes, just like him," she said.
"That's interesting, I guess," Krisztofer said.
"So, what do you like to do, Kris?" Haley asked.
"I like to play," Krisztofer said.
"Oh yeah. So, what do you like to play?" Haley asked.
"With toys," Krisztofer said.
"Oh really?" Haley asked, "What type of toys?"
Miléna looked at Nathan. "Thank you for allowing this, Mister Scott," she said.
"You're welcome," Nathan said.
"He was nervous, thought you wouldn't like him," Miléna said.
"We were on edge as well," Nathan said.
"I will get asked, when will we introduce him to Brian's other children?" Miléna asked.
"We want to take it slow," Nathan said.
Miléna nodded, turned, and watched Haley bond with Krisztofer. Nathan nodded and also observed his wife and grandson.
