A/N: Thank you for the awesome reviews. And thanks to my beta: Leeese.


Chapter Twenty Four

Haley waited patiently as she watched and waited for her guests to arrive. Finally, she spotted Nathan and Quinn and rushed over to them. She and Nathan embraced in a tight hug, not wanting to let each other go. "I'm so glad you're here. I've missed you guys like crazy," she told them as she took her turn hugging Quinn. It had only been a month, but it seemed like she had been separated from them forever. "I'm so sorry that I haven't had a chance to contact you lately. I've been busy getting settled in my new apartment and everything."

Nathan gave her a comforting smile. "It's okay. We understand. Besides, we were busy ourselves." Haley was curious to hear more, but Nathan just shrugged it off. "But there is plenty of time to tell you about that later. After all, we're here for the next few days."

"Thanks for inviting us," Quinn added as they headed to the baggage claim. "I'm so glad to find an excuse to get out of the family reunion."

"Well, I certainly didn't want to spend the Fourth of July alone," Haley replied. "So I'm glad you guys were able to come. I'm sorry Jake and Peyton couldn't. I would have loved to see little Ryan again. Peyton sends pictures of him to me all of the time, but it's not as good as seeing him. And how are Lucas and Brooke?"

"Actually, I don't know," Nathan confessed. "We haven't really seen each other since basketball season ended. I stop by the café all the time and he's busy with the customers. I'm really proud of him. I never thought he would be able to support himself and Brooke, but he has really proved me wrong. From what Andy has told me, he is still planning on going to Duke. But he didn't know about Brooke. She is still trying to find her calling."

"So there haven't been any problems with Victoria?" Haley asked as they waited for the suitcases to appear on the carousel. "Peyton told me that she has been on Brooke's case lately, but there hasn't been anything physical."

Nathan frowned. "Really? I haven't heard anything about it."

"I think Victoria wanted to make sure it was out of sight, but Millie and Mouth saw them once," Haley explained as Quinn pointed out her suitcase. Nathan lifted it off of the carousel and pulled it over to Quinn. "They told Peyton and she promised she would keep an eye out for trouble."

Nathan just nodded as he grabbed his suitcase from the carousel. "I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out of here." Quinn had to agree. So they grabbed their suitcases and followed Haley out to the parking lot. "You're going to have to show us the sights. I don't think I've ever been to St. Louis before."

"Before I've moved here, I hadn't either," Haley admitted as they reached her car. Nathan then put the suitcases in the trunk. "I'm glad I did though. I forgot how much I love having museums and theaters nearby."

Nathan was surprised to hear how happy she was. He would have thought she would be homesick for Tree Hill, especially since she had such a hard time leaving in the first place. However, he was quiet as she continued on the conversation as they drove out of the parking lot and onto the highway. She was talking about her new job, teaching summer school. It was quite a challenge, but she didn't believe it was anything she couldn't handle.

"So what is going on in Tree Hill?" Haley asked cheerfully. "Did Rachel have her baby?" Even though she talked to the Tree Hill residents daily, there was still some news that she missed because it was not discussed.

Nathan nodded. "Yeah, but that's all I know except she didn't name the baby James Lucas Scott. I'm grateful for that since I came up with that name. And I'm still planning to use that name for my son whenever I do have children."

Haley could tell that he didn't want to discuss it any longer. So she changed the subject. "What about you Quinn? Are you lonely in that house or is Nathan keeping you company?"

Nathan tried not to laugh. "She doesn't need me to keep her company."

Quinn shot him a look as Haley frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked curiously. She turned towards her sister for a quick moment. "Are you seeing someone?" Quinn nodded her head. "Really? I didn't know that. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wasn't sure how you would feel," Quinn replied. She took a deep breath before she spoke again. "Clay and I have been seeing each other since the beginning of the summer." She didn't let her sister respond. "I'm sorry. I didn't know how to tell you. I wanted to bring him, but I didn't want the trip to be uncomfortable for you or Nathan."

Haley tried not to laugh. "Quinn, why would you think that? Because Clay and I dated for a couple of weeks?" Quinn nodded. "Truthfully, I wouldn't call that dating. We were just getting to know each other."

"When would you call it dating then?" Nathan asked curiously. "Because we only went out on a few dates ourselves." Haley was about to defend herself when she realized he was teasing her. She gently gave him a nudge before she concentrated on the road.

When they arrived at her apartment, Jewel was there to greet them. "I'm so glad I found an apartment building that allowed animals," Haley said. "I don't know what I would have done if I had to leave Jewel back in Tree Hill. It would have been too lonely without her."

"So are you going to give us the grand tour?" Quinn asked.

Haley nodded as she led them down the hallway. "But I'll first show you to your rooms. I was lucky to be to get an apartment with three bedrooms. I use one as my guestroom and the other just for storage right now. So someone will have to sleep on the pull out couch in the den."

"Quinn, you can take the guest bedroom," Nathan offered. "I don't mind sleeping on the couch."

After her guests settled in, she showed them the beautiful sights. Haley couldn't help but Nathan was quiet and didn't say much during the tour. She knew he was still feeling hurt and upset by hearing that she loved St. Louis. She didn't want to hurt his feelings, but it was better if he didn't know how much she really missed Tree Hill.

Once they finally returned to her apartment, Quinn was ready to lie down in her bedroom so Nathan and Haley could have some private time. However, Nathan decided to let the sisters catch up and decided to call Lucas. Quinn gave her sister a confused look. "What was that all about?"

Haley let out a heavy sigh. She knew exactly why Nathan was acting strange. "He's upset that I'm enjoying myself in St. Louis. He was hoping that I would want to move back to Tree Hill."

Quinn nodded understandingly. She looked at her sister hard. "Are you truly happy in St. Louis?"

"Of course not," Haley admitted, not wanting to go into detail of how challenging it was to live in the city again. "But I can't tell Nathan that. I don't want him to encourage me to move back until after the separation trial is over."

Quinn gave her a look. "You really shouldn't stay here if you are miserable here. Why don't you just come home?" Haley didn't answer. "Is there something else that is keeping you here?"

Haley still didn't respond. "I'm going to take Jewel for a walk," she said as she grabbed the leash from the hook near the door. "I'll be back soon. Help yourself to anything in the fridge." She attached the leash to Jewel's collar before they walked out the front door.

"So tell me about you and Clay," Haley requested. She had insisted on taking them out to dinner the first night. However, she was outvoted since both of her guests were tired. So they ordered take out and ate their dinner on the sofa.

"How did your relationship with Clay start?" Haley asked, interested to hear more about her sister's new relationship. She didn't care if it was Clay or not. Wanting to hear about all the juicy details, she began to investigate. "Was it while I was in the hospital?" she inquired. It was the only time she would have thought there was an opportunity for them to meet.

Quinn nodded as she turned red. "Yeah, Clay came by to visit you one day and Nathan introduced us. We became best friends instantly. I have to admit that I was surprised that he asked me out on a date so soon, but Mom and Dad persuaded me to go for it. We've been a couple ever since. I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, but I was really afraid how you would react."

"I told her that she had nothing to worry about," Nathan added. "But she didn't believe me."

Quinn turned red as her sister looked at her. "You really should have told me about him. That way, he could have come with you guys. But I guess you'll have to bring him next time." She watched as Nathan got up from the recliner and went into the kitchen. Haley didn't say anything as she got up from the sofa and followed him into the kitchen. "Nathan, I know you're disappointed, but this doesn't mean we still can't make this relationship work."

Nathan couldn't believe what she was saying. "Disappointed? Haley, this move was only supposed to be temporary. You were supposed to come back at the end of the year. You would get back into teaching English at the high school while we waited for the divorce to become final. Then we would continue on with our relationship. What happened to that plan?"

Haley tried to keep calm as she spoke her next words. "As much as I want that to happen, I don't think I can move back at the end of the year."

"Why not?" Nathan demanded. He didn't understand why she was being so stubborn about this. "Do you really love St. Louis more than me?"

Haley couldn't believe he was even thinking that was possible. However, she couldn't give him the answer he wanted. She couldn't even give him a straight answer. "It's more complicated than that." Nathan was planning to protest when Haley didn't let him interrupt her. "It's more than just about your divorce."

A horrible thought came to his mind. "Is it another guy?" Nathan asked. "Are you seeing another guy?"

"No, but would it matter if I was?" Haley exclaimed. She would never cheat on Nathan, but that wasn't the issue here. "I have the right to date another guy for now. After all, you and Rachel aren't divorced. You two haven't even completed your full year of trial separation yet."

"We will at the end of the year," Nathan reminded her. Haley rolled her eyes. "I know it's a long ways off, but it will be here before you know it." But he even had to admit that December seemed like years away. He embraced her in a tight hug. "Just hang in there, okay? I know it's hard, but we'll be together soon enough." Haley didn't answer as they heard a cell-phone ringing. "That's Lucas," Nathan said as he recognized the ringtone. "I can let it go to voicemail."

Haley shook her head. "No, it's okay. Go answer it. It may be important." She watched as he answered it before she returned to the den. Quinn didn't say a word since she had overhead the conversation. She only gave her sister a look before she turned back to the movie they were watching.

Since none of them wanted to ruin their short vacation, they all called a truce. The truce worked well and they concentrated on having fun. On Fourth of July, they watched the different floats that paraded through the streets. That evening, they watched the colorful fireworks light up the sky while they were on the steps in front of the St. Louis Arch. Nathan and Haley were enjoying themselves so much that they forgot about their argument.

"I really wish you weren't leaving tomorrow," Haley told Nathan as they cuddled up next to each other on the sofa. Quinn had gone to bed after they had returned to Haley's apartment. So it was just her and Nathan. "Can't you stay for a few more days?"

Nathan let out a heavy sigh. "I wish I could, but I promised Skills I would be back after the holidays were over. After all, I have a basketball camp to run. Besides, I think you should spend some time with Quinn. I'm sure she has been feeling like a third wheel." There was a short pause before he spoke again. "I should get to bed."

"Yeah, me too," Haley agreed. Neither of them moved from the couch. "I would love some company though. Or are you still mad at me for deciding to stay?" Nathan didn't respond. Haley knew his answer and was too tired to push it. "I'll see you in the morning then." She got up from the sofa and went to her bedroom, hoping Nathan would change his mind.

Once she was ready, she crawled into bed and turned off the light. As she cuddled up underneath the covers, she heard the door open. There was no objection as Nathan came into bed next to her. He wrapped his arms around her chest as she smiled to herself. They held each other close as they drifted off to sleep.

When Haley awoke the next morning, she found that Nathan wasn't sleeping beside her. She looked at the time and realized that he had probably left for the airport by now. She was disappointed that he didn't say good-bye to her. Yet, she couldn't blame him for still being mad at her. After all, she had made it clear to him that she wasn't returning to Tree Hill anytime soon. She really wished she was. She wanted to go back so badly, but it just couldn't happen right now. She didn't know if it could ever happen.

Letting out a heavy sigh, she pushed back the covers and climbed out of bed. She walked out of her bedroom and down the hall to the kitchen. Quinn was already in there, busily making breakfast. "Nathan apologizes for not saying good-bye to you, but he didn't want to wake you up. Is everything okay between you two?"

"I don't know if we will ever be okay," Haley replied as she sat down at the kitchen table. Quinn gave her a pleading look. She was dying to know what was going on with her sister. Haley knew that she had to tell her the truth. Taking a deep breath, she gave her her confession. "The real reason why I can't go back to Tree Hill is because I'm pregnant."