Chapter Forty One

By the time Nathan and Haley returned from their honeymoon, Jake and Peyton had a new addition to their family: Jennifer Elizabeth Jagielski. Peyton was proud to know she had proved her husband wrong. Jake was just happy his daughter was born without any complications. He had been worried about Peyton's pregnancy, but everything turned out fine and the parents couldn't have been happier about their family of four.

Nathan and Haley decided to wait until after the first trimester was over before telling anybody. As much as they wanted to announce to their friends and family about the baby, they wanted to make sure the danger was over. They didn't want a repeat of last time where she lost the baby because of too much stress from work or personal problems.

The two enjoyed the last few weeks of summer together while they prepared for a new batch of students. They also helped Lucas and Brooke by watching their adorable niece. Lucas made no indication that he had made the wrong choice by choosing to stay with Brooke instead of attending Duke. Or choosing to stay in Tree Hill rather than attend the university in Wilmington. Instead, he seemed to enjoy the small atmosphere of a community college and being close to home. He was able to find time to focus on his studies, his family and his work at the café.

Even though Nathan and Haley were waiting to tell everyone about the baby, some of their friends and family had their suspicions. Especially Peyton and Quinn who saw Haley often. They noticed the flu like symptoms weren't going away and Peyton believed she had the motherly glow. Haley finally confessed her secret. They were thrilled for her, but she made them promise not to say anything until she and Nathan were ready.

Luckily, Quinn and Peyton didn't have to keep the secret for too long. Haley was able to get through the first trimester without any problems. With that news, Nathan and Haley invited their whole family over for a family dinner. Nathan even invited Whitey who had become a frequent guest at the Scott house. He often joined them for dinner and he had taken care of Jewel and the house when they were off on their honeymoon.

Nathan entered the kitchen and looked around at all the food his wife was making. "Whoa, it looks you're making enough food to feed an entire army. We're not having the entire army over, right?" he joked. Yet, he didn't hear an answer from his wife. "We're keeping this family dinner small, right?" Haley still didn't answer. "Hales, how people are coming to this dinner?"

"Thirteen," Haley admitted. Nathan gave her a look. "I'm sorry. I thought it wouldn't be right if I didn't invite Quinn and Clay and Peyton and Jake. I know they know about the baby already, but they are our family too." Nathan let out a heavy sigh. "I know it's a lot of people, but it's a big announcement and I want to share the wonderful news with everyone we love. Don't you want that too?"

"Of course I do," Nathan replied. "I just didn't think you wanted a big party. Are those hormones making you wacky too?"

Haley gave him a smile. "Can you blame if I'm excited? We're going to have a baby."

Nathan smiled in return. He had to admit he was ecstatic his dream was finally coming true. Yet, he was still cautious. Every time he became happy, his dreams were crushed. His mind went back to Rachel. He thought they had the perfect life together before he found out she cheated on him and she only married him for his money. And the baby she was carrying wasn't his. Then he began to fall in love with Haley and their relationship hadn't been without its challenges including losing their baby.

Now they were newlyweds and they were pregnant again. Haley was able to get through the first trimester, but there was still a chance something would go wrong. Nathan didn't want that and he did his best to make sure Haley was comfortable and she wasn't stressed out too much. He didn't want anything to happen to his wife or unborn child.

Nathan was relieved when the guests began to arrive. Whitey was the first to arrive. Lucas, Brooke and little Kendall were right behind him. It wasn't long before the house was full of guests. Haley and the ladies were in the kitchen while Nathan and the men were spread out between the living room and den.

The two hosts did their best to keep quiet until the big announcement at dinner. It wasn't easy since everyone seemed to realize this dinner wasn't an ordinary dinner. Nathan and Haley had never invited everyone at the same time. There had to be a reason behind it and the answer was almost obvious. Yet, the guests were willing to wait until it was confirmed. All except for Lydia.

"Haley Bob, you got us all around the table. So why don't you tell us what you have been hiding from us? Am I going to have another grandchild or not?" Lydia asked.

Haley wasn't surprised she spoiled the surprise. It was just like her mom to not want her daughter to beat around the bush. Everyone looked at them anxiously as Nathan and Haley exchanged smiles. There was no point in denying it now. They turned back to their guests and nodded their heads. They were congratulated as their friends and family embraced them in tight hugs. Lydia jumped for joy, thrilled she was going to have another grandchild.

Lucas gave his brother a wide smile. "Congratulations! I can't wait to be an uncle!" he exclaimed happily.

"We would have told you guys sooner, but we wanted to wait until Haley was in her second trimester," Nathan said.

"Second trimester?" Lydia asked as she thought for a moment. "If my math is correct, you were pregnant before you got married."

Haley nodded. "I found out I was pregnant on our wedding night. The baby is due in early February."

Lydia turned to Quinn. "Quinn, you got to catch up with your brothers and sisters. Haley is already ahead of you with the marriage and the baby."

"Life isn't a competition. Everyone goes at their own pace," Dan said. "Look at Nathan and Lucas. I don't think either of them were prepared with the way their lives have turned out. Right son?" Nathan nodded. "Does this mean you're still planning to keep the name James Lucas Scott if I have a grandson?"

"Yes, we are determined to keep James Lucas Scott if the baby turns out to be a boy," Haley replied. "We love that name too much not to change it."

Dan pretended to disappointed. "Darn. I thought you would change your mind and decide to name my grandson after me. Although, I wouldn't mind if it's Danielle. What about Danielle Marie Scott? I like that name."

Everyone else began to throw out suggestions for names and the two parents had to interrupt. Nathan spoke up first. "Thank you for the suggestions, but Haley and I will figure it out when the time comes. Right now, we just want to celebrate knowing we are going to have a baby, okay?"

"We will let you know when we do find out," Haley promised them before they all raised their glasses and toasted to the happy couple.

After dinner, Nathan managed to sneak away and he headed to the school gym to shoot some baskets. He knew that was the perfect place to clear his head. He had to think about some things and that was his place to do it. He was able to shoot a couple of baskets before he realized he wasn't alone. He turned and saw his father.

"I thought I would find you here," Dan said as he walked into the gym. Nathan stopped shooting baskets as his father approached him. "I'm sure you weren't expecting to have a family so soon after your divorce, but this is what you wanted. You wanted to move on from Rachel with Haley."

Nathan let out a heavy sigh. "I know. I'm happy for us. I do want this baby. I just keep thinking that this is all too good to be true. I'm going to lose Haley and the baby just like last time."

Dan nodded understandingly. "I know that feeling all too well. After your mother and I divorced, I wasn't sure if I would fall in love again. Then I met Deb and I knew she was the one. However, our relationship also had its challenges especially after I started pretending to date Victoria." Nathan shuddered as he thought of his dad and his former boss together. "She thought I was going to leave her for Victoria because I was so convincing."

"I'm glad you decided to stick with Deb," Nathan replied. "I don't know if I could have handled Victoria being my stepmother and Brooke being my stepsister. That would have been too weird. Especially since Brooke was with Lucas."

Dan laughed. "I think you understand my point though. You and Haley are married and she's having your child. You're worried your dream will end and you will end up alone again. I don't think that will happen. You and Haley are in love. Whatever happens with the baby, you two will get through it together."

There was a short pause. "I could had said the same thing for you and Rachel, but I didn't like Rachel. I was willing to give her a chance for you. She lost all trust from me when I found out she cheated on you and that baby wasn't yours. I'm glad you chose not to take her back. You deserved better than her and you found her in Haley. Do you love her?"

Nathan gave him a look. "Of course I love her. I wouldn't have married her if I didn't love her, but I never expected us to have a baby so soon. I admit I wasn't ready when Haley announced she was pregnant the first time, but I wanted to be there for her. I could tell she was terrified and scared and she was lost at what to do. I was willing to support her in whatever decision she wanted to do with the baby."

"Is there a problem with this baby?" Dan asked. Nathan shook his head. "Then don't worry about it. You should just focus on your family. Haley needs you." Nathan was about to reply when Dan didn't let him interrupt. "Don't worry about the baby until there is something wrong with Haley or the baby." Nathan realized he was right and he decided to return to the house.

When he arrived back at the house, he found the rest of the guests had gone home and Haley was finishing up cleaning the dishes. She stopped for a few moments to greet her husband. "Hey, is everything alright? You seemed to disappear after dinner. Deb thought you were headed to the basketball court," she said as they shared a passionate kiss. She was surprised, but she followed his lead. Eventually, they pulled away from each other. "Is everything okay?" she repeated.

Nathan nodded. "I had to clear my head about something." Haley looked at him curiously. He knew he couldn't hide any secrets from her. She was his wife now and they were supposed to deal with their problems together. There was silence before he finally spoke. "I know I said I was happy about the baby, but I can't help but feel scared too." Haley listened closely as he told her his feelings about the baby. "We got married so quickly that I was afraid this was all a dream. I was afraid I was going to wake up and I was alone again."

Haley gave him a sympathetic look. "Nathan, I'm going through the same way." Nathan looked at her surprised. "I know I seem happy, but I'm scared too. I don't want to lose the baby or you either."

"I'm also scared that I won't be a good mom. I know I'm a wonderful teacher and I'm a great aunt, but it's different with my own kid. We're going to be responsible for a little baby twenty four seven." Nathan had to admit it did sound scary. "Do you know what gets me through my fears though? Knowing you are going to be right there with me." Nathan gave her a comforting smile as he held her close. "I'm not going anywhere. Always and forever."