Author Note: Hey Guys, Here is chapter 15. Thanks for the nice reviews. They mean a lot to me and they motivate me so much to write more and faster :-). Anyway i hope you're going to enjoy this chapter. I'm sure you'll be pleased but also a bit frustrated... Well don't forget to review and tell me what you think.

Take care ;-)

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Lucas was fast asleep when he heard his phone ring. Damn phone! He thought with anger.

His eyes were still closed. The phone stopped ringing but it started again about 10 seconds later.

"Come on..." Lucas begged with a sleepy voice.

"You better get that." Said Stephanie against his chest.

"I guess so". He said kissing her forehead reaching for his phone on the floor.

"Hey." Said Lucas his eyes still closed, tightening his embrace on Stephanie.

"Luke? It's Nathan."

Lucas opened his eyes widely. Panic started to crawl in him. "Nathan? Is everything okay?" Asked Lucas as panic could be heard in his voice.

Stephanie opened her eyes hearing Nathan's name and hearing panic in Lucas's voice.

"Everything's fine." Said Nathan with a reassuring tone. At least on the surface he added to himself. "I know Honey Grove isn't close and all but I wanted to know if you wanted to come and spend the day in Dallas with Haley, Natey and…me." He added uncomfortably.

"Really?" Asked Lucas frowning. "Is there a catch somewhere?" He added looking at Stephanie

"No…No catch." Said Nathan sincerely. "I think it's time to stop the fighting. So do you mind coming?"

Lucas smiled brightly. " No I don't. I would drive 1,000 miles to see Natey." Said Lucas with joy in his voice.

"I know you would." Said Nathan with regret in his voice. "I shouldn't have kept the kid from you it…it was really childish." He added in a apologetic tone.

Lucas just sighed. He didn't know what to say just yet. "We all made mistakes."

"Yeah…" Said Nathan uncomfortably. "Okay…I guess we'll see each other tomorrow. "

"I'm in Dallas anyway…" He looked at Stephanie and winked. "I'll probably spend the night here."

"Huh?" Asked Nathan confused.

Lucas had trouble to contain his laugher seeing Stephanie blushing against his shoulder. She smacked his arm. "Stop it!" She whispered.

"Never mind" said Lucas shaking his head. " What time do you want me over? 10?"

"Yeah that's perfect." Said Nathan relieved.

"Okay I'll see you then." Said Lucas wanting to get back to his previous activities.

"Wait! Don't you need the address?" Asked Nathan surprised.

"Nah… I'll find your house." Said Lucas hanging up. "So…where were we?" He said smiling to Stephanie and kissing her.

She started to laugh. "Easy tiger! What did your brother want?" She asked curiously.

"Nothing much…"said Lucas laying on top of her. "He invited us over tomorrow that's all." He added kissing her.

They both started to laugh.

--------------------------------Next Day, Nathan's house--------------------------------------

Haley woke up really early. She looked at the alarm clock and sighed. Gosh it's only 6.30! She thought. Well…what did you expect? You went to bed at 8.30 moron! She added to herself.

She looked at Natey fast and peacefully asleep at her side. She carefully and gently ran her hand through his hair and smiled.

"I love you so much Baby." She whispered kissing his forehead before quietly getting out of bed.

She walked into the kitchen and jumped back with surprise, Nathan was already there drinking his coffee.

"You didn't expect that huh?" He said nicely with a smile. Gosh how cute is she when she wakes up.

"Yeah well…whatever." She said shrugging. "I guess you're leaving early for the gym." She added pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Actually no." Said Nathan with a grin. "Today is a free day." He added looking deep into her eyes. He could see surprise and confusion.

"Oh good..." Said Haley trying to sound nonchalant. "You'll be the one explaining to Natey why his Uncle Eugene isn't coming to see him." Added Haley coldly ready to leave the kitchen with her cup.

"Why are you always saying that?" Asked Nathan annoyed. "Lucas IS coming Haley. He will be here at 10." He added nicer.

"Oh you really did invite him!" Said Haley with surprise. "I can't believe how nice you are! Inviting your wife's lover." Said Haley sarcastically shaking her head.

Nathan clenched his jaw. "I know Lucas is not your lover Haley."

"Oh you do?" Asked Haley still standing near the kitchen door. What the hell is happening here? Asked Haley to herself confused. "You said that just to hurt me the other day then? How kind of you!" Added Haley both anger and disappointment in her voice.

"I…" Started Nathan.

"Don't bother Nate." Said Haley trying to contain her anger. Natey was sleeping too close from them to start fighting. She sighed. "Thank you …" She stated simply.

Nathan's eyes widened. He expected a lot from Haley but certainly not that. "What?" He asked like he didn't hear right.

"I said thank you." Said Haley trying to sound calm and detached. "I'm missing Lucas very much and so does Natey". She added sincerely." I…It's nice of you to reconsider the contract." She added leaving the kitchen.

Nathan didn't try to stop her he was too surprised to say anything.

By the time Haley took her shower, prepared breakfast for Natey and dressed him it was 10.

She felt a lump of both apprehension and excitement of seeing Lucas again. Calm down Hales. She said to herself.

Natey was playing behind the house with Nathan when the doorbell rang.

Nathan came in with Natey to open the door but Haley ran to the door first.

When she opened the door she was so pleased to see Lucas smiling at her.

Her eyes filled up with tears. She knew she missed me but seeing him actually standing in front of her showed her how much she missed him, even more than what she thought.

She jumped into his arms and started to cry against his shoulder. Lucas kissed her head.

"I missed you," he said caressing her hair.

"I missed you so much." Said Haley finally looking at him.

"Uncle Eugene!!" Shouted Natey running to him and hugging him tight.

Lucas helped him up and the three of them shared a group hug.

Nathan looked at them with a smile but meanwhile his heart ached.

He was pleased to see Haley and Natey so happy but at the same time he felt sad not to be the source of this joy. Haley, Lucas and Natey will always be a family and he couldn't or wouldn't change that.

"I missed you sweetie." Said Lucas

Natey kissed Lucas loudly on the cheek

Haley still had her face buried on Lucas' shoulder. She felt so safe in his arms. He helped to easy her pain.

Lucas looked at Nathan and found his glance. He mouthed him a thank you.

Nathan nodded meaning Lucas was welcome.

My family. Thought Nathan bittersweet.

After a while Haley and Lucas finally parted.

"I can't believe you're here." Said Haley still smiling walking him to the kitchen while Natey followed them closely behind. "You left Honey Grove early" said Haley looking at the clock.

"Not really…"Said Lucas cheekily. "I slept in Dallas actually."

"You did…" Said Haley laughing. "How come?"

"Well…you remember you told me to open my heart and I did." Said Lucas looking blissfully happy. "Well she took the risk but I opened my heart." He added.

"She did…" Haley frowned. "Please don't tell me its Kelly."

"Nah!" Said Lucas almost shouting. "I mean…love triangles are so High school!" He added.

They both burst into laugher.

Nathan was looking back and forth to them. They're so connected. I don't even know how she could accept the offer I made. He thought impressed with Haley's sacrifice.

"It's Steph." Said Lucas almost whispering. He didn't want Nathan to know just yet…At least until Stephanie told him.

He wanted her to come with him today but she refused saying that Lucas really needed to spend some time alone with his family and that she didn't want to expose her private life to the team players.

"What? Said Haley surprise "So it was you…!" She added smiling remembering the fight Stephanie had with her brother.

She pulled Lucas into a bear hug. "I'm so happy for the two of you. You deserve to be happy. Why didn't she come with you?" Asked Haley frowning.

"Well…She said we needed some time as a family." Said Lucas shrugging.

"Bullshit!" Said Haley laughing. "Go and pick her up. Tell her I'll be waiting for her to lunch with us and that's final!" Added Haley.

"Okay" said Lucas smiling. He wanted Haley to have some time with Nathan and she was the one giving him the perfect excuse. "Hey buddy do you want to come with Uncle Eugene for a little drive around?" He asked to Natey.

"Yeah!"! Said Natey jumping. "Can I go?" He asked excited looking at Haley.

Haley looked at Natey and to Nathan." I…. Well…" Fuck! I don't want to stay alone with Nathan. She thought with panic.

"Of course you can!" Said Lucas trying to contain his laugher. "Let's go." He said to Natey avoiding Haley's glance knowing that if looks could kill he would be dead by now.

He passed by Nathan and whispered. "Show her that Naley is always and forever."

"I'll try." Replied Nathan keeping his eyes on Haley.

As soon as Lucas and Natey closed the door Nathan walked to Haley who was pretending to be busy in the kitchen.

"I told you Hales you wouldn't be able to run from me forever." Said Nathan walking to her. "So now let's talk" he said just behind her.

She turned around and sighed. "Well…Shoot!" She said trying to sound calmly but Nathan was too close for her own good. What is he going to tell me?

"First…That." Said Nathan before bending down and kissing her.

Haley replied to his kiss with passion. They finally parted breathless.

"Now we can talk," said Nathan his voice broken with emotion.