Far Away Chapter 6: Halo, an one tree hill fanfic

Chapter 6: Halo

She woke to the familiar feeling that had escaped her for so many years, warmth, yes Brooke Davis woke for the first time in four years feeling the warmth from a body that she had longed, missed, craved, and ached for. Last night's events had felt like a dream, no nightmare, to her. Haley coming back was a dream until everything started to fall to pieces. Haley's son Jamie was her nephew, her brother betrayed her in ways unimaginable, her friends lied to her, and despite everything that felt wrong Brooke had never felt more comforted in her life. It seemed that no matter how shattered Haley had caused her world to become she was the only one that could put it back together.

Brooke slowly looked down at the beautiful brunette that lay in her arms; it hadn't gone unnoticed to her just how much Haley had matured over the years. Instead of her usual honey blonde mid back length locks she was sporting rich chocolate waves that just went past her shoulders. The girlish cheeks that she had four years ago had defined into those of a woman, her delicately chiseled cheek bones gave her a domineering look, one that commanded attention. If it seemed possible her once luscious lips had grown fuller and poutier adding to the adorable look that just screamed Haley Scott. Her button nose had stayed the same much to Brooke's delight; it had always been one of her favorite spots on Haley's body to kiss. But what remained the same, despite everything Haley had gone through, was her eyes. Regardless of the fact that they were shut Brooke knew that her beautiful brown doe eyes had remained as innocent as ever, not letting the cruelty of the real world deter them. She thought back to the night before, even with everyone glaring at her she still had a hopeful look.

Her gaze continued down Haley's body taking in her newly defined curves. She still had an amazing bust that Brooke thanked whoever was responsible for them; they were firm, full, and soft all at the same time as they pressed ever so slightly against Brooke's side as Haley breathed. Her petite waist was still petite even after child birth and Brooke could only surmise that Haley's hips we due to that same miracle. She craned her neck slightly, in hopes of not waking Haley, to take in her sweet ass. Yup just as I remember, curved, full, perfect. She knew that this looked bad, checking someone out when they were sleeping, but she knew that this was her only time to gawk and awe at the new Haley Scott.

She let out a content sigh when her head landed on the pillow. This all seemed surreal to her, here she was laying with the girl of her dreams the same girl that had crushed her so many years ago, and she wasn't pissed or angry, she was happy. However, she was pissed at her own blood over something that wasn't entirely his fault, how messed up does that sound? Her head started pounding at just the thought of the repercussions of what the next couple of hours were going to have on her group of friends. She could only guess that neither Mia nor Peyton knew that Jake was Jamie's father, leaving them innocent while Rachel, one of her closest friends, had kept this from her for four years. She is in for a hell of a bitch fight.

Brooke's thoughts of ways to deal with Rachel and Jake ceased when she felt Haley stir at her side. She looked down and noticed that Haley wasn't fully awake but seemed to be having a dream. Her nose was scrunched in the cutest way possible, eyes squinty, mouth pursed, brow furrowed; even after all these years she's still as adorable as I remember. Brooke decided that it was time for her to wake up; she wanted a chance to talk to Haley before Jamie woke up. Being the schemer that she was she carefully rolled Haley so she was now on her back allowing Brooke to scoot free. She looked down upon Haley for a moment taking in the angelic look that the sun rays gave her as they cast upon her gorgeous face, heaven. Her serene smile snapped into that of a child with a devilish plan. She slowly moved down Haley's body until she came upon her covered abdomen, I wonder if it's the same as before…nah probably not, especially after child birth, she carefully lifted Haley's shirt slightly to reveal her perfectly toned stretch mark free stomach, well I'll be damned…it's still perfect. She leant forward leaving a feather light kiss on Haley's abdomen emitting a soft moan from the sleeping beauty. She left another one only this time letting her lips linger there longer allowing them to relish in the feel of her silky smooth skin, just like I remember.

"Morning," Haley said in a groggy voice as she looked down at Brooke. What a way to wake up.

"Moring to you too," Brooke smiled at Haley's voice; she had forgotten how raspy it was first thing in the morning, so sexy.

"How'd you sleep?" Haley asked not really knowing what else to say. They hadn't even talked about their relationship yet and Brooke had already woken her up in the way that she usually did when they were going out.

"Honestly?" Brooke asked hoping that her answer wouldn't scare Haley. "The best I have in over four years," she bowed her head only just realizing that Haley's abdomen was still exposed, not a bad sight to look act.

"Hey," Haley called softly hoping that Brooke would look at her. Their eyes met and the sparks instantly started to fly. "I feel the same."

"Really?" Brooke asked in disbelief.

"Really," she smiled back before pulling Brooke back up to her level.

"Hey I was enjoying my view," Brooke playfully pouted not caring where she was just as long as she was with Haley.

Haley pecked Brooke's lips quickly pulling back just as Brooke cupped the back of her neck pulling Haley back in for more. It started off sweet and innocent, the girls still trying to re-familiarize themselves after too many absent years. Innocent went out the window as lust and passion took its place; Haley repositioned herself atop Brooke straddling the girl's hips needing to feel more contact. Brooke slipped her tongue inside Haley's mouth unexpectedly but not unwanted. Both girls moaned when their tongues met in a slow tender massage taking in the feel of once again being so intimate. Brooke moved her hands from their safety zone on Haley's hips wanting to travel over the curves of her body; she wasn't disappointed when she finally got to take in the full extent of Haley's curves that she had been gawking over moments before. Before things could go any further there was a little tapping on the door causing the girls to break apart and straighten up.

"Come in," Haley called knowing what time of the morning it was. It seemed that no matter when Haley woke up, six am, ten am, or noon; whenever she woke up Jamie followed shortly after. She found it to be the cutest thing; it was just another reminder of the connection she shared with her son.

"Morning Mama," Jamie said sleepily rubbing his eyes. He was wearing his favorite pajamas; navy blue pants with the Charlotte Bobcats logo spotted all over and a white t-shirt with the Bobcats logo in the center. He was holding his blanket with one hand while the other continued to rub at the sleep in his eyes.

"Morning Jimmy-Jam," Haley said with the brightest smile that Brooke had ever seen grace her lips. This had to be one of her top ten favorite moments of the day, Jamie would wake up, come into her room, and they would sit and cuddle while they watched some cartoons. She learned to savor these close moments with her son knowing that one day he would grow up and be 'too big' for cuddling with his mom. "Are you gonna come in or what?"

Jamie mumbled something that neither girl picked up on. He scrambled to get on the bed refusing help from his mom. He sat on her lap and spread the blanket over his little legs and some of Haley's before shifting slightly to look at Brooke. "Morning Auntie Brooke," he said with a smile. He had heard so many stories about his aunts and uncles that he was ecstatic when Haley told him that he was going to get to meet all of them on this trip. Meeting his Auntie Brooke was number one on his priority list with his Uncle Nathan and Uncle Lucas close to the top.

"Morning Jamie," Brooke said slightly shocked that the boy knew about her.

"Mama tells me a lot about you," Jamie spoke noticing Brooke's taken aback look. Despite being three he was very observant and knew what people were thinking or doing. Brooke looked to Haley only to be greeted by her flushed cheeks, so glad she hasn't stopped blushing. "Every night she talks about my aunts and uncles before I go to sleep."

"What does she tell you?" Brooke asked wondering if she would tell Jamie all the bad things that happened between them.

"She talks about how you would play on the Rivercourt, which I can't wait to see, Mama told me that she would take me there then to Grandpa Dan's work then Auntie Karen's café then Uncle Keith's work," he paused to take a breath, his excitement growing with every place that his mom told him he would get to see. "She promised to take me to Uncle Lucas and Uncle Nathan's basketball game too."

"Wow, sounds like you have a lot of places to see," Brooke said with a giggle at Jamie's excitement. She didn't fail to noticed that Jamie was sidetracked and didn't answer her question but she wasn't about to push it, not when she was being given the opportunity to get to know her nephew, I wonder how this is going to work out if Haley and I get back together? Oh well, we can save that for later.

"I can't wait, Mama says we're gonna have so much fun," Jamie said excitedly looking at his mom who smiles down at him. "Can we start today?"

"Sure buddy, anything you want," Haley said dropping a kiss in his ruffled blonde hair. Jamie had to be the perfect mix of the Scott and Davis gene pools. Haley's nose and lips, Jake and Brooke's eyes, and she could only guess Deb's blonde hair. She hoped every day that Jamie would be blessed with Jake's, Nathan's, or Luke's height because she didn't want Jamie to have to suffer through basketball being the short one; he desperately wanted to follow in the footsteps of his uncles.

"Just let me know if I'm stepping out of line," Brooke started looking at Haley. "There is a barbeque at Uncle Nathan's for Uncle Lucas and Auntie Peyton and I'm sure that you two are invited." Haley looked skeptically at the brunette knowing that she was the last person any of her family or friends wanted to see. "I promise that things will be alright."

"Can we Mama, can we?" Jamie asked bouncing up and down on Haley's lap letting the excitement of seeing his family overtake his small body.

"Sure buddy," Haley replied reluctantly, this should go swimmingly.

"Do you have a bathing suit with you? Because Uncle Nathan has a pool that you can swim in," Brooke asked hoping that Haley had one too because dammit she needed to see Haley in a scantily clad bikini, she had pictured it on so many lonely nights that she wasn't sure if she could go another one without seeing it.

"I do, I'm gonna go get it," Jamie said excitedly as he jumped down from the bed and ran out of the room.

"You have THE cutest son that I have ever seen," Brooke said with a smile as she looked after her nephew as he exited the room. She averted her gaze back to Haley only to find her face expressing the evident doubt that she had for the day to come. "I promise everything will be ok. If you can get through to me you can get through to anyone," she said with a reassuring smile as she inched closer to Haley. Their faces were inches apart, both waiting in anticipation of the next move; just like when they were teenagers they never got tired of the thrill that filled their bodies when they kissed. Haley leaned in taking Brooke's lower lip between hers before repeating the action to the top, Brooke never being the slow one joined in. They pulled apart resting their foreheads together knowing that Jamie was due back at any moment. "I will never get tired of doing that."

"Me either," Haley said with a sincere smile that Brooke had been dying to see. It seemed that ever since Haley got back the only thing that made her smile was Jamie, she understood that Haley was nervous about seeing everyone again and how they would react but that was no reason for her to reframe from smiling; it was one of her best attributes.

"I missed that smile," Brooke said running her thumb over Haley's lips as she cupped her cheek. "I haven't seen that smile since you came back."

"Before this I haven't really had something to smile about," Haley replied glumly.

"Keep smiling 'cause you never know who's falling in love with it," Brooke responded before planting a light kiss on Haley's lips. She giggled when Haley lifted her fingers to her lips touching them lightly. "What?"

"I just forgot how good the tingling felt," she smiled again gaining a smile from Brooke.

"I hope you never have to forget about it again," she smiled sincerely. "I have one question before the boy gets back, if singing doesn't make you happy then why did you start?" This question had been buzzing around Brooke's mind the moment she found out that Haley was Taylor James. From her recollection Taylor had always seemed like a depressed moody artist, never a happy go lucky girl, and it bothered Brooke to think that Haley wasn't happy with her life.

"Well I hadn't…" but Jamie came sliding across the door way coming to a halt it the middle. He was wearing a pair of black swim trunks with a white Hawaiian flower pattern. The addition that made the outfit, Jamie had put on his bright orange water wingies.

The girls giggled at Jamie as he took a running jump propelling his little body on the bed. "What'd ya think Auntie Brooke?" He asked with a big grin as he stood in front of the woman doing his best superhero pose; clenched fists resting on his hips, chest puffed out, feet shoulder width apart, chin held high.

"I think you look like you're ready for a day at the pool," Brooke said with a smile at Jamie's happiness to her comment.

"You know you don't need you wings know buddy," Haley said with a chuckled at her son's enthusiasm.

"But I wanna go now," Jamie whined. He had heard so much about his family that he couldn't wait to see them. "So c'mon Mama get outta bed so we can go," he said as he tried his hardest to push Haley off the bed.

"Ok, ok I'm moving," Haley laughed. "Do you want to go back to your place and meet us back here?" Haley asked Brooke as she started to rifle through her closet looking for something to wear.

"I'll just wait here with you and we can stop by my place on the way," Brooke said leaning back on the bed slyly gawking at Haley's bum while she bent over looking for clothes. She heard a little huff beside her taking her attention away from Haley's ass; Jamie was sitting legs crossed, arms crossed, and a disgruntled look on his face. "What's wrong Jimmy-Jam?"

"Mama takes for-EVER to get dressed," Jamie said overdramatically.

"I do not," Haley screeched pulling her head out of her closet holding what Brooke could only presume was her bathing suit; please let it be a bikini.

"Yes you do," Jamie said his disgruntle expression never changing.

"Why don't you go watch cartoons while your Mama changes?" Brooke suggested.

"Fine," Jamie sighed as he slid off the bed. He walked to the door only to turn around in the doorframe. "Please don't take forever Mama, I wanna see everyone."

"Don't worry Jamie, you'll be able to see everyone," Haley assured, Jamie gave her a satisfied nod before exiting to the living room.

"He's something else," Brooke commented with an amused look on her face. She thought she had seen it all with Jenny but Jamie, he was something else. "He and Jenny have that attitude down pat."

"I know," Haley called from the bathroom that adjoined her room. "I blame the Davis gene that Jake so kindly passed onto him," Haley said only realizing what she said after it was too late. "Brooke I'm sorr…" but she trailed off as she exited the bathroom seeing Brooke's bowed head, slumped shoulders, and un-doubtfully a frown gracing her lips. "Babe I'm sorry I didn't mean it that way it's just…way to complicated." She climbed on the bed kneeling before Brooke waiting for her to look up.

Brooke finally looked up at Haley with every intent on keeping her wounded puppy look going but as her eyes traveled up Haley's body her look changed. It changed from wounded to gawking. Haley was kneeling before her in nothing but her bikini. Taking her time she took in all the skin on Haley's shapely legs before coming to the start of her bikini bottoms. A small pair of black boarder shorts adorned her hips followed by nothing but her perfectly toned stomach until Brooke reached her chest. She inwardly groaned as she took in the tight bikini material holding Haley's perfectly perky double D breast in place before following the material as it vanished behind Haley's neck forming a halter hold. She continued her gaze until she found Haley's face, arched eyebrow and all.

"Like what you see?" Haley asked trying to contain her smirk. Brooke tried to respond but her mouth was dry so she nodded enthusiastically gaining laughter from Haley. This is too much, Brooke groaned as she watched Haley's breast rise and fall with each laugh she let out. "You're acting like you haven't gotten any in a while," she tried to joke but she was really curious at how 'active' Brooke had been in her absence.

"Try four years," Brooke said sincerely looking away from Haley. Haley's eyes bugged out of her head, she's joking, right? She must be, sex crazed Brooke Davis hasn't had sex in four years! Brooke looked up when Haley didn't respond. She scoffed at Haley's surprised look. "Don't give me that look," she snapped, sure she hadn't had sex since Haley left, big wop.

"I just, I guess I figured that you would've slept with someone as a way at getting back at me," Haley replied shyly.

"Well I didn't unlike some people," she snarled not caring that she was probably hurting Haley with her words.

"I'm…sorry," Haley said sadly leaning in and kissing her cheek. She got up from the bed and turned to the closet.

"Look Haley I didn't…"

"Yes you did," Haley said sternly. "And I deserved it, every word of it. And I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone but I did and now I have to pay for it and I'm ready. I'm ready for all the snide remarks, jabs, and low blows but no matter how guilty you make me feel about hurting you I will NEVER regret what happened. I will NEVER regret my little boy," she said trying to stay strong.

Brooke shuffled off the bed and walked behind Haley wrapping her arms around her petite waist. She dropped a tender kiss on Haley's bare shoulder before resting her chin on it. "I didn't mean to sound so harsh but I guess my heart is still hurting from everything that has happened. I don't want you to regret Jamie because quite frankly he is an amazing little boy who you should and I know you are proud of. Today will most likely be really hard on everyone so they might not intentionally try to hurt you but I want you to know that I will be there by your side."

"Thanks Tigger," Haley said finally leaning into Brooke's embrace. "I really am sorry for everything that I did to you."

"I know you are," Brooke said kissing Haley's neck. It was meant to be a simple peck but one taste of Haley's sweet skin had Brooke craving more. She left another and another before finally keeping her lips in their place and sucking on Haley's sweet spot. Haley titled her head to the opposite side loving the feel of Brooke once again going after her weak spot, she moaned in pure ecstasy when Brooke nibbled gently on the sensitive skin. "We should get going before things get too far," she gasped reluctantly. It wasn't that she wanted to stop she just knew that if she didn't pull away then she never would.

"Mhmmm," was Haley's answer as she practically glided out of the room. She pulled on one of her knee length flowing skirts before making her way to the living room. "Ready Jamie?"

"Finally," he exasperated. "What's that on your neck?" His little finger was pointing in the general direction of Haley's neck.

Brooke had just walked into the room in time to hear Jamie asked Haley about the hickey that she had most likely given her when they were outside of Tric. "It's a bruise," Haley replied sheepishly with a blush to which Brooke snickered. Haley spun around so fast that her skirt lifted slightly. She pointed a warning finger at Brooke before she stormed off towards the bathroom in search of some concealer.

"What's so funny?" Jamie asked placing his hands on his hips.

"Nothing buddy, nothing," Brooke said through strained laughter.

"We ready to go?" Haley asked reappearing from the bathroom.

"Yup," Jamie said as he ran to the door.

~FA~

The sun rays reflected off the shimmering water of the pool reiterating the perfectness of the day. Nathan let out a content sigh placing his arms behind his head as he leaned back further into his plush pool side lounger. He couldn't ask for a more perfect day, it was a great send off for Lucas and Peyton before they went on their honeymoon. It seemed that everything was going to go off without a hitch but this nagging thought at the back of his head told him nothing was perfect, everything has flaws.

He looked over at the grill where his father was grilling happily with his mother looking over his shoulder making sure he didn't ruin the meal. Peyton and Lucas were wrapped up in one another as they enjoyed the warmth the sun provided. Mia was swimming lazily around the deep end of the pool while Jake and Rachel were swimming with Jenny in the shallow end. It didn't go unnoticed to him that Brooke was missing, actually he hadn't heard from her since the Haley fiasco at the wedding and he was starting to get worried. Mia had told him that she tried to get in touch with Haley last night but there was no answer, they figured that Haley packed up and left again. He loved his sister, but lately it was getting harder and harder to like her with the decisions she was making. She had no right to come back after four years of silence and expect a warm welcome, hell she had no right to come back without the knowledge of someone. He took another calming breath, Haley WILL NOT ruin this day.

"The party has arrived," Nathan snapped his head around to see Brooke standing a couple feet outside the sliding glass doors arms extended, bright smile, happy demeanor; I guess she didn't let Haley's appearance dampen her mood, good for her.

"It's about time, the party hasn't been here since you decided to ditch my reception," Peyton said with a playful glare.

"Sorry P. SCOTT…" Brooke said with a smile as Peyton beamed at her new name. "…you could say that the situation got a little dicey and you know me, I'm more of a slice girl."

"What?" Lucas asked with a laugh, only Brooke could make something so simple sound so bizarre. "You really are something else, you know that?"

"I'm one of a kind and you should be honored that I decided to grace you with my presence," she retorted with a smug smirk.

"All hale the great Brooke," Lucas mocked with a slight bow. Brooke scoffed at him. "What'd you expect?"

"Whatever," she huffed taking her seat at the deck table.

"So how are you holding up?" Deb asked taking the seat next to Brooke placing a comforting hand atop her forearm. Deb had always felt like a mother to Brooke and Jake ever since the teens became friends, she never understood how a parent could ignore their children it was unnatural. Her mothering instinct kicked into full gear the moment Haley came back, she knew that all her 'children' would be in need of comforting and it seemed that Brooke was first on her list.

"Surprisingly fine," Brooke said with a smile thinking about Haley. They had decided to take separate cars in case things didn't go as planned and Haley needed to leave. She saw the skeptical look from the group that had gathered around the table. Mia, Jake, Rachel, and Jenny had found their way out of the pool not wanting to miss out on the conversation. Nathan had turned his lounger around so he could face his best friend while Lucas and Peyton decided to get involved with the others for the first time that day. Dan was still grilling wanting to hear everything but stay out of the conversation. "Don't give me that look, seriously I'm fine."

"You're telling me that after four years of complete silence you are fine with the fact that Haley is back in town?" Nathan asked knowing that there was no way in hell that Brooke was fine with this.

"Yes that's what I'm telling you," Brooke said with an assuring nod.

"Denial is…" Deb started.

"Daddy!" Jamie yelled as he ran at Jake attaching himself to Jake's leg.

"Jamie?" Mia, Peyton, Jake, and Rachel all questioned at the same time. Mia and Peyton looked at each other then to Rachel and Jake who did the same thing. Dan, Deb, Nathan, and Lucas looked to the other four with puzzled looks on their faces.

"How do you know Jamie?" Mia and Peyton asked Rachel and Jake. Neither Jake nor Rachel answered unsure of the fall out that was to come if they tried to explain.

"Jamie?" Nathan, Lucas, Dan, and Deb questioned looking at the four that seemed to know who this little boy was.

"Daddy…" Mia and Peyton breathed, the weight of Jamie's word suddenly hitting them as they looked to each other for an explanation.

"Jamie I told you no running," Haley said after jogging through the sliding glass doors after her son. All attention shot to Haley as she stood nervously waiting for the assault of questions that were bound to come her way. "Hi," she said tentatively hoping that everyone would take it easy on her.

"What're you doing here?" Jake asked Haley after picking Jamie up.

"If you don't want…"

"Mama you promised that I could see everyone," Jamie said with pleading eyes knowing that his mom was about to offer that they leave.

"I know Jamie but things change," Haley said remorsefully knowing that her son had been looking forward to finally meeting everyone.

"Mama…" Dan, Deb, Nathan, and Lucas breathed at one time.

"Jamie why don't you and Jenny go play in Jenny's play room," Jake suggested setting the small boy down.

"Okay Daddy," both children responded before laughing and running inside.

Silence overtook the back yard as everyone took the time to process everything that just occurred. Haley Scott was not only Taylor James she was also a mother but not just another mother, the mother of Jake's son.

"If you want we can leave," Haley spoke quietly not wanting to aggravate anyone. Everyone did a head shake and snapped out of their thoughts, none of them hearing what Haley said. "I can leave if you want," she said again noticing that most didn't seem to hear her the first time.

"There will be no such thing," Deb declined while getting up and giving Haley a hug. She had hoped that Haley would make an appearance at this get together but she never imagined how crazy it could get. "Sit down," she ordered after releasing Haley from the hug.

Haley sat nervously fidgeting with her pinky ring not looking at any of the group. She chanced a look up to find seven sets of eyes looking back at her; Jake was the only one that seemed to be avoiding eye contact with everyone. "I'm guessing that everyone has questions?" Haley spoke nervously.

"How the hell could you do this?" Nathan burst out. Haley jumped back out of her chair backing away swiftly from Nathan. "How could you do this?" He asked this time just above a whisper.

"I'm sorry," Haley said restraining her tears.

"Don't talk to her like that," Brooke snapped before getting up and checking on Haley. She cupped Haley's cheeks forcing their eyes to meet. "Are you ok?" She whispered not wanting the others to hear, right know it was her and Haley, the others didn't matter.

"Yeah," Haley nodded her head.

"He shouldn't have yelled at you like that," Brooke said louder hoping that Nathan heard.

"Yes he should've," Haley said shocking Brooke. "I didn't expect any different. Hell I expected a lot more yelling," she stepped out of Brooke's hold and advanced back towards the table. "C'mon, let me have it and don't hold back because I know you want to rip me a new one."

"How the hell could you do that to Brooke?" Nathan asked again not wanting to lose the opportunity at hand. "You may be my sister but Brooke is my best friend and I'll take her side any day, especially seeing that you slept with her brother!"

"I…"

"I'm not done with you yet," Nathan snarled. "You left us all behind, you left us out of some selfish nature to become a singer. You selfish no good slut!" Nathan stormed into the house without another word. Four years of built up anger finally erupted leaving all in its path to ruins. Deb sighed remorsefully knowing that after four years of acting un-phased Nathan would erupt but she never expected it to be this bad.

Tears started to trickle down Haley's cheek but she knew that she deserved every angry word that her friends and family threw at her. "Who's next?"

"Hales…" Deb tried but Haley cut her off.

"No," Haley said sternly holding up a hand in protest. "I deserve everything that's coming my way. Who's next?"

The others remained silent. What else could they do? Haley was giving them permission to yell at her for everything that she'd done but looking at her, lost and broken, it seemed that no one had anything to say. So silence filled the warm summer air.

"C'mon," Haley said finally breaking the stillness. "No one has anything to say to me! After everything that I've done to you, you have nothing to say? I find that hard to believe. Peyton you must have something to say to me," Peyton looked bewildered at Haley's outburst. "You should be pissed that I never told you that Jake was Jamie's father. Lucas," she said looking at her brother. "You seem to have the biggest grudge towards me. What the hell did I ever do to make you hate me? Why aren't all of you yelling at me? Telling me how much you hate me and wishing that I never came into your lives? Huh?" When no one seemed to want to answer her she blew out a huge breath. "Jake can you look after Jamie?"

"Sure," Jake said quietly.

"Where are you going?" Brooke asked hastily not liking where this was going. Sure they had brought two cars in case something went wrong but she was scared that Haley was going to run again, hell she would run after everything that just happened.

"I'm giving everyone time to think of what they want to say to me," Haley huffed before turning and leaving. She marched right through the house past Nathan who was sitting on the front steps.

"Where are you going?" He called after his sister's retreating form.

"I'm not wanted here, I never should've come back," she yelled back towards Nathan. He watched her peal out of the drive way, there she goes again. He stood and headed back towards the others.

A sullen mood overtook the once perfect day; I knew this day was too good to be true. "What happened after I left?" He asked taking a seat re-acquainting himself with the group. Everyone glared at him putting him on edge. "What?" He asked putting his hands up in surrender.

"How could you say that to her?" Brooke asked the anger evident in her voice. "You jump down her throat without even hearing why she left, why everything happened? You can be such an ass sometimes."

"Out of all people I would've thought that you would be thanking me for everything that I said," Nathan's anger matching his best friend's.

"If I hadn't gotten to hear Haley's side then yes, I would've thanked you for everything that you said but I talked to Haley. I got to hear her side of the story and honestly I don't blame her for leaving," Brooke sighed thinking about everything that Chase revealed last night.

"How can you say that?" Nathan asked beyond flabbergasted. "After all those nights that I held you while you cried yourself to sleep, the countless talks about how nothing could've been that wrong that she could leave without saying goodbye, and the way she left; you don't blame her?"

"Yeah," Brooke sighed knowing that Haley should be the one to tell her story but seeing that she wasn't here to, it seemed like she might as well try. "Chase told Haley that I wanted him and that everything that happened between us was a mistake. That I regretted being with her," tears started to trickle down her cheeks.

"That's no reason to run away," Nathan protested not seeing the big deal behind this.

"Yes it is," Brooke exclaimed. "After everything that she went through with Damien I was supposed to keep her safe, I was supposed to protect her, I was her safety but instead of protecting her I broke her heart by leaving with Chase. I put the doubt in her mind that fueled Chase's plan, I did this to her," her guilty conscious had finally relieved itself.

"It wasn't your fault," Haley's voice broke through the air. She stepped onto the back deck hoping that no one decided to pounce at her for her earlier behavior. "I chickened out. I thought that by leaving I was doing what was best for everyone but truth be told, I was too scared to face the reality that you didn't want me."

"How could you think that?" Brooke asked not understanding how Haley could think that she didn't want her, who wouldn't want her, she's fucking perfect.

"Your first love came back into your life and I was just damaged goods, I had no chance," Haley sighed dejectedly.

"You have never been damaged goods, you're my first love" Brooke comforted moving towards Haley. "You are nothing but perfect in my eyes."

"Would you stop calling me that?" Haley outburst. "I am not perfect, I never have been and I never will be. I just…" she quieted when she heard a familiar tune playing softly through the speakers of the radio. "Just listen," she commanded softly as she turned the volume up.

"I never promised you a ray of light,
I never promised there'd be sunshine everyday,
I'll give you everything I have, the good, the bad.

Why do you put me on a pedestal,
I'm so up high that I can't see the ground below,
So help me down you've got it wrong, I don't belong there.

One thing is clear,
I wear a halo,
I wear a halo when you look at me,
But standing from here, you wouldn't say so
you wouldn't say so, if you were me
And I, I just wanna love you,
Oh oh I, I just wanna love you

I always said that I would make mistakes,
I'm only human, and that's my saving grace,
I fall as hard as I try
So don't be blinded

See me as I really am, I have flaws and sometimes I even sin,
so pull me from that pedestal,
I don't belong there.

Why you think that you know me
But In your eyes
I am something above you
It's only in your mind
Only in your mind
I wear a, I wear a, I wear a Halo

Haaaa ha-ha halo…"

Haley turned the volume down as the song faded out. "I'm not perfect, I'm human."

"I'm sorry…I never meant to," Brooke whispered taking steps closer to Haley.

"I know," Haley sighed. 'Halo' was one of the first songs she had ever written long before the Taylor James days. This song reflected her feelings in so many ways; her parents always setting beyond high expectations, her brothers putting so much pressure on her to be the perfect little sister, Brooke constantly calling her prefect, the squad demanding perfect routines from her every practice, all the pressure just got to Haley and before she knew it she had written a song but not just any song, a song that she had hoped would make everyone realize that she was just a girl, just one person doing the best she could.

"Look Hales you have to know that I'm sorry about how I acted earlier it's just that all of this caught me off guard and…" Nathan trailed off when Haley raised her hand.

"I knew that when I came home everything would be hard at first. Heck I figured that all of you would be yelling at me at once so I was kinda relieved when it was just you," Haley let out a slight chuckle. "I know that it's gonna take time to get used to everything and get back to where we were but I want to get back there…that's if all of you are willing to try."

"I am," Brooke smiled happily wrapping her arm around Haley's waist.

"What're best friends for, through thick or thin," Peyton said with a smile.

"Ah you're lucky I love ya," Nathan said with a goofy grin.

"I'm not gonna say no to my meal ticket," Mia playfully smiled to Haley's glare.

"Once a little sister always a little sister," Lucas said happily glad that his family was starting to get back to normal.

"How can you say no to that face," Rachel said in her best baby voice not wanting to be left out of the group. She was one of the few that knew all along about everything that happened but she wasn't about to let that little tidbit keep her from joining in on the merriment.

"Wouldn't want Jamie to have to deal with fighting parents," Jake said with a smile.

"So how is that gonna work anyway?" Deb asked looking from Jake to Haley.

"Shared custody, simple as that," Haley replied with a shrug. From the get go, well once Jamie was old enough to understand the basics, Jake and Haley had been upfront with him about their situation.

"Does Jamie understand?" Dan asked skeptically not believe that a three year old could fully understand the extent of this spider web sometimes he even had trouble keeping up with his kids and their drama.

"He understands the basics. Mama and Daddy love him and they love each other in a certain way. He knows that Jenny is his sister and that Daddy loves Auntie Rachel," Haley started to explain hoping that everyone would understand.

"He knows about all of you thanks to Haley's bedtime stories and our visits," Jake filled in.

"Visits?" Mia asked looking from Haley to Jake to Rachel. "How did I not know that they've been visiting you?"

"I'm sneakier than you think," Haley smiled at Mia's baffled expression.

"Wait, you're Rachel's family in New York?" Brooke pointed an accusing finger at Haley.

"Technically they weren't lying," Haley smiled cheekily which Brooke could only playfully scoff at. "C'mon Tigger you can't be that upset."

"I guess not," Brooke grumbled. "Wait, does he know about us…I mean the us we used to be?"

"Yes. I told him that Mama loves Auntie Brooke very much," Haley smiled shyly after forgetting that everyone else on the deck was able to hear her.

"Did he question anything?" Deb asked in amazement at how much her grandson was being subjected to.

"I explained to him that love comes in many forms and that two women or two men could love each other just like a man and a woman could," Haley clarified.

"And a three year old understood all of this?" Nathan asked looking at his sister skeptically; hell it had taken him more than three years of wisdom to learn that gay relationships were just like any other relationship. Growing up in a changing world left him to become a slow learner but he prided himself in not being a bigot.

"You have to understand that his mother is Tutor Girl after all," Jake said with a chuckle. He was proud of Jamie for his advanced knowledge and couldn't wait for Jamie to show everyone just how smart he was.

"How could I forget," Nathan spoke overdramatically.

Haley turned her attention away from the group when she heard a little throat clearing behind her. Jamie was tentatively poking his head outside the sliding glass door looking nervously at his mother. She walked over and scooped him up in one swift motion.

"What's up buddy?" Haley asked kissing Jamie on the forehead.

"We were just wondering if we could go swimming now," Jamie said tentatively looking back at Jenny who had taken his spot by the door.

"Sure you can," Haley chuckled at Jamie's shy behavior. Despite his usually outgoing personality his shyness did show at times. Jamie started to squirm with excitement as Haley set him down. He started to run towards the pool. "James Davis Scott!" Haley yelled causing Jamie to freeze mid stride. "You know not to run near a pool."

"Yes Mama," Jamie bowed his head hating being scolded. He walked the rest of the way to the pool before jumping in.

"I don't think any of you learned to swim like that at such a young age," Deb commented looking at her grandson as he swam around the shallow end giddily.

"You mustn't forget that every hotel has a pool," Haley smiled looking at her son. Being a pregnant teen wasn't something that you go through everyday now add on being a rock star and you've got one bizarre situation. At first she was worried about how Jamie would develop growing up traveling from city to city but to her relief he seemed to relish. She liked to think that they were extra close because of all their time spent together traveling and that he was smarter than an average three year old because she would teach him while on the road.

"Well now that most things are out of the way, why don't you tell us how Taylor James came to be?" Deb asked ushering her daughter to sit.

Haley took her seat and as she pulled her chair closer to the table it seemed that everyone else repeated her action eager to hear everything. "Well when I ran away I decided that I was going to stay in Charlotte so I wouldn't be too far away. I found a job waitressing at a restaurant…"

"Big shocker there," Peyton said sarcastically gaining a glare from Haley.

"…anyway, when I found out that I was pregnant I knew that I needed extra money so I asked the owner if I could sing at the bar for some extra cash. After two months of singing I guess a talent agent had seen me and would come back occasionally to check me out. He offered me a chance to go to New York and record a demo to send to some record companies. I told him that I was pregnant and he actually liked the idea. I guess he said that this way I could work on the album during my pregnancy and after I had Jamie we could releases it and see what happened from there."

"So why the secret identity?" Dan asked setting the food in the center of the table and taking a seat.

"I guess I was just scared about what would happen if people found out that I became a singer after running away, so I came up with Taylor James as my cover. My manager doesn't even know that my name is Haley," she laughed.

"How can he not know your real name?" Nathan asked disbelievingly.

"Bryce isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed," Mia spoke up with a chuckle. When she first joined Haley on tour she found it hysterical that her own manager didn't know who she really was. "Bryce doesn't even know about Jamie." Confused faces turned their direction towards the amused starlet. "Haley, myself, and Millie Haley's assistant are the only ones that know about Jamie. I know hard to believe that after going on a cross country tour that only three people know about the rambunctious three year old."

"I find that hard to believe," Nathan commented knowing that no one was that dense not to notice a three year old boy running around.

"OK, well they know about Jamie they just don't know that he's my son," Haley answered. "I wanted to keep Jamie out of the spotlight so I asked Millie if she could tell people that Jamie was her little brother that she had custody of."

"And she went with it?" Peyton asked knowing that she would never be able to do something like that.

"Millie is an amazing girl, I can't wait for you guys to meet her," Haley said with a smile. She glanced over to the pool to find Jamie looking at her as he peeked over the side. "What is it buddy?"

"I wanna go in the deep end," Jamie called.

"Ok I'll be right in," Haley responded rising from her seat and heading over to the pool. She removed her skirt and shirt and dove into the deep end before finally resurfacing right before Jamie picking him up in the process.

"Never would I have thought that my baby girl would have a baby of her own, well at least not when she was still a baby," Deb sighed looking on as Haley led Jamie into the deep end with the biggest smile on her face.

"She's amazing with him," Jake commented also looking on at the mother son duo. "Yeah she was scared at first but when Jamie was born it seemed that all her worry was washed away the first time she held him."

Brooke's thoughts hazed over at the thought of Jake and Haley sharing such a special moment together, you're jealous and you know it, the voice in her head spoke. Now you have to sit around watching your GIRLFRIEND be close with your BROTHER and there's NOTHING you can do about it. Just like that the little green monster of jealous was planted in Brooke's mind.

That's it for chapter 6.

I am so so so so so sorry for the long wait but I'm hoping that this extra long chapter will make up for it. Over 8,000 words…I'm amazed. I hope that it doesn't disappoint. Please let me know what you think about everything (reactions to Jamie, working out friendships, Haley's confession to why she left, anything and everything please let me know). I'm thinking that the next chapter might be fluffier than usual just because I'm enjoying the Baley and there will naturally be some Brooke/Jamie interaction.

The song is "Halo" by Haley James Scott.