Chapter Thirty Five

Opening the door, Haley gave a smile to her sisters as they came in with the leftovers from the baby shower. She led them to the kitchen. Taylor's happy face turned to surprise when she saw Haley wasn't alone. Peyton was sitting at the table and gave Quinn and Taylor a friendly smile. Taylor tried to smile, but it was obvious that she was annoyed. She wanted her sisters all to herself tonight.

"What did you bring us?" Haley asked eagerly as she peeked into the bags. She was amazed at how many bags her sisters had put on the table. "It looks like you brought back everything. Didn't those girls eat? Or did the girls just gabbed all night?"

Quinn gave her a look as they unpacked the bags. "You know how Mom loves to go overboard when it comes to planning parties. Everyone took leftovers home." Haley couldn't argue with her there. "And don't worry. Brooke got home safely. Dad came by and drove her and Millie home while we cleaned up. Brooke loved her gifts by the way. Did you know Dan and Deb sent her a baby gift?"

"No, but I'm not surprised they did," Haley replied as she checked out the leftovers. There were all sorts of goodies. She didn't know what to eat first. "I just hope it wasn't too extravagant. Lucas and Brooke have enough problems right now. They don't need pity from people, especially from Dan and Deb."

Taylor rolled her eyes. "You need to relax. You know what you need? One of my special brownies," she offered as she showed her the box she had brought. "I made them especially for you."

Haley raised her eyebrows in surprise. She wasn't falling for her sister's act. "Now you want to be nice? Where was this Taylor when she came to visit for Thanksgiving and decided to bring my ex-boyfriend with her?"

"I can see you still haven't forgiven me for that," Taylor replied, making a face.

"How could I when you never really apologized for bringing him?" Haley snapped. "And you still don't seem to understand why it wasn't a good idea to invite him along with you. Don't you think it would have been awkward if my ex-boyfriend and current boyfriend were in the same room?"

"Of course not. Taylor never thinks of anybody but herself," Quinn said as she glared at Taylor. "That's why you're not invited to my wedding. For all I know, you would make it all about you."

Taylor glared back at her sister. "Maybe I don't want to go to your stupid wedding," she exclaimed as she gathered her stuff up including the brownie container. "I don't know why I bothered to come here. You two will never give me another chance." Haley and Quinn didn't answer as Taylor got ready to leave. She turned to Haley one last time. "By the way, there's a reason why I didn't give these brownies to Brooke and her friends. I didn't want to cause any harm to the baby by getting her mother high."

Haley gave Taylor a confused look before the realization hit her. However, Taylor was already out the door. She angrily turned to Quinn as Peyton tried to hold in her laughter. "Pot? That's Taylor's secret ingredient? That's what you have been feeding me all these years? Pot brownies? What kind of sister are you? How could you let her do this to me?"

"We didn't start giving them to you until you were in high school," Quinn explained. "You were so stressed out about grades that we didn't know what else to do to help you relax. I thought about telling you, but I knew you wouldn't want the brownies if you really knew what was in them. So I just kept my mouth shut and made sure Taylor didn't give them to anybody who was pregnant."

"Well, this makes me glad I'm an only child," Peyton said, finally speaking up. Listening to the argument was interesting, but she was ready to leave. She got up from the chair and grabbed her purse. "You know, this has been fun, but it's getting late. I should probably go." Haley saw her guest to the door and said good-bye. "If you ever want a break from your crazy family, you know I'm here for you."

Haley smiled gratefully before she closed the door behind her. She then returned to the kitchen where Quinn was munching on a couple of the chocolate chip cookies that she had brought home. "Are you still mad at me?" she asked in a soft voice. Haley didn't answer as her thoughts wandered off. "Hales, is everything okay?"

Haley debated on whether to tell Quinn about what was going on with Nathan and Lucas. She didn't want her sister to worry so she didn't say anything. "I'm going to go and bring some dessert to Nathan," she replied as she grabbed some of the treats. "Don't wait up for me." She didn't let her sister answer as she went out the back door.

A few minutes later, she was cuddled up next to Nathan on the couch. They both had other things they needed to do, but they both needed some comfort. Haley told him about Taylor's confession and Nathan couldn't help but laugh. "Wow, she finally told you, huh?" Haley looked at him in confusion. "Quinn told me the secret about Taylor's brownies ages ago."

Haley couldn't believe her ears. Nathan knew about the brownies before she did. "You could have told me," she exclaimed.

Nathan just gave her a smile. "It was more fun this way." Haley didn't answer him as he went onto a more serious subject. "I can't wait until I'm officially divorced from Rachel. That way, we can officially date. I wish it wasn't taking so long. If I would have known dating wasn't a good idea during my separation, I would have waited until after my divorce was final before I asked you out."

"It hasn't even been three months yet," Haley reminded him. She couldn't help but smile in amusement at his impatience. "Besides, I thought we were taking things slow."

"We are, but I still would have a relationship with you without any other strings attached," Nathan replied. "I promise as soon as Rachel and I are divorced, I'm buying two airplane tickets and I'm taking you to London. I know how much you've been wanting to go and I'm sorry we won't be able to do it as part of Lucas's and Brooke's high school graduation gift. I'm sure it would have worked out better if Brooke hadn't found out she was pregnant, but it's okay. We'll go to Europe some other time. Maybe we can do it this summer if the judge won't stall the divorce proceedings."

"What about Lucas and Brooke?" Haley asked. "They need a high school graduation gift. If we can't give them the Europe trip, then we should give them something else like a weekend getaway. Those first few months with the baby will be hard on them, especially if they are planning to attend college." Nathan didn't respond and Haley knew he was thinking about Daunte and Lucas. "Don't worry about Lucas. I'm sure it's not as bad as you believe it is."

Nathan shook his head. "You don't know him, Hales. Daunte is a guy who doesn't stop until he gets what he wants and that's to pay him back, no matter what the cost. I promise I will find out what he wants from Lucas and make sure he doesn't bother us again."

Another voice spoke, making the two jump. "I'm glad we're all on the same page." Nathan and Haley turned to see Daunte and his bodyguard Bear standing in the doorway. "You know, you should really keep that backdoor locked. You never know who might come into your house."

Nathan glared at him as he got up from the couch. "Can I help you with something?" he demanded. It was just like Daunte to come in the house uninvited. "Like why the hell are you in my house?"

"I have business to discuss with your little girlfriend," Daunte replied as Nathan stood in front of Haley protectively. He wasn't planning to let this bastard anywhere near her. "And now I have found out that you were involved as well."

Nathan frowned. "What the hell are you talking about?" He hated how Daunte loved beating around the bush, but he wasn't in the mood for his games. "Involved with what?"

Daunte gave Nathan a look. "Come on, Nathan. You know exactly why I'm back in Tree Hill." Nathan still had no clue to what he was talking about and wasn't sure if he wanted to know. Daunte looked at him hard and realized he was in the dark. "Wow, I wasn't expecting this. Well, I guess it helps when you're a good guy who has never been arrested before. Or Mrs. Davis's pet."

Realization began to hit Haley as she got up from the couch and she stood up behind Nathan. "You are related to one of the dirty cops Victoria was involved with, aren't you?" she asked. Nathan gasped as she realized she was right. One of the officers who had been mixed up with Victoria was named Jones and that was the same last name as Daunte. He couldn't believe he didn't put it together before.

Daunte smiled proudly. "I like your girlfriend, Nathan. She is smarter than you." He then turned from friendly to serious. "And now that you know the truth, I need you to do a favor for me. I want you to get my brother and his dear friend former police officer Stevens out of jail. I don't care if you testify in court or break them out of jail. Just get them out of there and I'll leave your whole family alone," Daunte promised. Nathan just glared at him in response. "I heard you're getting your team ready for the state championship. I want them out by that night. I don't think it's necessary to warn you what will happen if you don't meet my deadline. See you then." He and Bear then left the house.

Nathan followed them to make sure they weren't coming back before he locked the backdoor. He returned to a terrified Haley and embraced her in a tight hug. "It's okay. He's gone. Everything is going to be okay." He did his best to calm her down as he tried to think of a plan. "Do you think you will be okay for a few minutes while I get Quinn?" he asked. He had to call for an emergency meeting with his dad and some of the other guys, but he didn't want to leave Haley alone.

Haley nodded and he gave her a kiss before he went next door. After making sure both Quinn and Haley were safe at his house, he began to make some phone calls, starting with Lucas. He didn't wait for his brother to greet him. "What the hell do you have to do for Daunte?" he demanded.