Chapter Forty Three

Haley glanced at Nathan, who looked a little disappointed. She knew how much he really wanted a son, especially since he was cheated out of the last one. However, he gave her a reassuring smile. "I don't care as long as our daughter is healthy. She is doing good, right? There's no complications in the pregnancy?" The doctor nodded. Nathan let out a relieved sigh. "I guess that means we're going to have to pick out different nursery colors."

"It can be any color but pink," Haley replied as the doctor finished up with her. Nathan looked at her confused. "I hate pink. It's too traditional and I don't want to do traditional colors. Don't tell my mom about her new granddaughter or she will want to give me advice about the nursery. And I don't want her to try to take over like she almost did with our wedding."

"You know she will find out eventually," Nathan told her as they left the doctor's office. "She knew you were pregnant before we even had a chance to announce it. What exactly did you have in mind for the nursery if we're not going to paint it pink?"

"I don't know. Do you have any ideas for our daughter's name?" Nathan asked. "Because I never thought of girl names except for Charlotte, after my favorite basketball team: Charlotte Bobcats. Rachel never cared for that name though."

Haley smiled as she gave her husband a kiss. "Well, who cares what Rachel thinks? I think that name is perfect for our daughter."

"Really?" Nathan asked. Haley nodded. "Ok, we need to figure out a middle name. Do you have any suggestions?" He thought it was only fair for her to come up with a middle name since he had chosen Charlotte.

"I'll have to think about that one," Haley replied. They arrived outside and Nathan opened the passenger door for his wife. She smiled at him gratefully and he helped her get into the car. He then shut the door before going to the driver's side. As he drove them home, both of them came to a realization. Haley was the one who said it first. "This is really happening, isn't it? We're going to be parents soon."

Nathan nodded. "Yeah we are." There was a short pause. "We're really going to have to start working on the nursery."

"We should recruit some helpers," Haley said. "I'm sure Lucas would be willing to help you put the crib together."

"What? You don't think I can put the crib together by myself?" Nathan defended. "Because I can do it without help. All I have to do is follow the instructions. How can that be?"

Haley tried not to laugh. "Don't you remember when Lucas had to call you for help because he couldn't put the crib together? Then you tried to put it together for him? It didn't work until you both worked together. I'm not risking that again. You should call Lucas and invite him and the family over for dinner. Then you two can head upstairs and work on the crib together."

Nathan just shook his head in amusement. "I think we should focus on the colors of the nursery before we worry about putting furniture in there. Are you sure you don't want pink?" Haley shook her head. "Alright, but you're going to have to decide what colors you want for the nursery soon. I want the nursery done before Christmas."

Haley thought about the perfect theme for the nursery the rest of the way home. She knew she didn't want anything to do with pink and yellow and green felt like neutral colors for a boy or girl. She wanted to show off she was having a girl so she had to find a theme that fit a little girl's nursery. It was time to search the Internet for ideas.

Haley snapped out of her reverie as she heard Nathan's voice. "Hey, isn't that Cooper's car?" She nodded as she recognized the vehicle sitting in front of their house. They both couldn't help but wonder why he was there. He never stopped by unannounced unless it was an emergency. With knowing Victoria's trial was just days away, the news had to concern her. Nathan considered the possibility of Cooper convincing Victoria to take a plea deal in order to avoid a trial. He didn't want anything to cause Haley stress.

Nathan parked the car before they climbed out of the car. Cooper did the same and he met them at their front porch. They exchanged greetings before Cooper spoke. "I'm sorry I didn't call you before I came over, but I didn't think this could wait."

"Were you able to convince Victoria to accept the charges against her?" Nathan asked, not wanting to beat around the bush. Cooper was silent for a moment. Nathan frowned. "What's wrong? We're going to have to testify against her in court?"

"No, she's willing to take a deal on one condition," Cooper replied. Nathan and Haley waited to hear what it was, but he hesitated before speaking again. "She wishes to speak to Haley one last time." Nathan and Haley looked at him surprised. "Don't worry. I told her that would never happen."

"Of course not," Nathan protested. He didn't care if this meant they were going to have to testify against Victoria. He wasn't going to let Haley see her. He had wanted to believe Victoria deserved a second chance, but he kept going back to what Haley said about her and what she had tried to do to not only her – but her own daughter. Victoria lost his trust. It didn't matter if she was his former boss. She wasn't going to get near his family again.

"Then I guess we need to prepare for the trial," Cooper replied. "It's not going to be easy. Even though we have plenty of evidence against her, she still has plenty of people who are in her pocket and can bribe to rule in her favor. Don't worry. I'll make sure the judge who oversees her trial is a fair judge."

Nathan smiled at him gratefully. "Thanks Cooper. We appreciate that."

"I should get back to the office," Cooper said. "Now are you sure you don't want to talk to Victoria?"

Haley spoke up before Nathan could do it for her. "She's only willing to take a deal if she talks to me first?"

Cooper nodded as Nathan looked at his wife. He was taken back by surprise. "Don't tell me you're considering talking to her."

"I would have to think about it," Haley admitted as she turned to Cooper. "Let me get back to you." Nathan continued to look at her. He followed her inside the house, waiting for an explanation. She gave him a grateful smile. "I appreciate you looking after me, but it's my decision on whether or not I want to talk to Victoria."

Nathan was still confused. "You really want to see her? Do you not remember your lecture you gave me yesterday for defending her? You don't believe she has any remorse for her actions, right?"

"No, I don't believe she will ever change," Haley admitted. "I'm only doing this to avoid a trial. That's what we wanted, isn't it? Besides, there are a few things I like to say to her. I never had the chance to tell her how I feel because I was made to look like the bad guy." Nathan knew she had a point. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. She can't hurt me now."

Nathan wasn't so sure. He had a feeling Victoria was up to something and it wasn't good. "I'm going to shoot some hoops over at the River Court," he announced as he gave her a kiss. "Call me if you need anything."

"Can you stop by and get some ice cream on the way home?" Haley asked. "We're out of Mint Chocolate Chip."

Nathan groaned. He always seemed to be running to the store to get her ice cream. "Again? Haley, you have to tell that daughter of ours to slow down. I love you, but this pregnancy craving is driving me crazy. What do you do? Eat right out of the carton?"

Haley laughed. "No, that would be Brooke."

Nathan rolled his eyes. "Whatever. I'll get your ice cream on my way home from the River Court," he promised.

Several minutes later, Dan joined his son on the River Court. Nathan had called him as soon as he was in the car and told him to meet him at the basketball court. Dan told him he would be there in a half hour. That gave Nathan plenty of time to shoot some hoops and think about Victoria's request. He was still against it, but he also realized it wasn't his decision.

Nathan shot one last basket as Dan watched him proudly. "I do hope my grandchild inherits your basketball skills."

"It would be nice, but I don't mind if my daughter is a cheerleader either," Nathan replied.

Dan easily caught his words. "So it's a girl?" he asked, making sure he heard correctly. Nathan nodded. Dan gave him a wide smile. "I'm happy for you and Haley. I'm sorry it's not a boy though."

"All I care about is making sure Haley gets to her third trimester without any problems," Nathan replied. "And I'm worried it won't happen if she testifies at the upcoming trial. Now Victoria is willing to make a deal, but she will only accept it if she gets to speak to Haley first."

Dan raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Really? That's interesting since I would have thought she was the last person she would want to see." Nathan was thinking the same thing. "How does Haley feel about it?"

"I thought she was going to refuse, but she's considering it," Nathan replied. "How can she consider it? She's the one who doesn't believe Victoria deserves a second chance. If that's true, then why would she agree to go and see her in jail?"

"Because she's looking for closure," Dan told him. "She wants to close that chapter on her life so she can move on with you and your daughter. Think about how Victoria made her feel. She went through hell to prove she belonged not only here, but to teach her students. I know Victoria wasn't the only one who didn't make Haley feel welcome, but Rachel didn't try to force Haley to try and leave town."

Nathan realized he was right. "I never thought about it that way." The conversation was interrupted by the sound of a car approaching. They turned to see Lucas's car parking next to their vehicles. The two smiled as Lucas came out of the car. Brooke appeared from the other side before she went to get the baby carrier from the backseat.

They exchanged greetings as Lucas helped his wife. Brooke barely had a chance to hold Kendall before Nathan took her from her mother's arms. He knew his niece could cheer him up. "Grandpa Dan is next," Dan told him. Despite not really being related to Lucas or Brooke, they accepted him as part as their family. "I want to hold her as much as I can before I leave."

Nathan turned to him. "Leave? Where are you going?"

"For Christmas, I'm taking Deb to Europe and we're going to travel for a few months," Dan replied. "We'll probably miss our granddaughter's birth, but we'll make up for it by spoiling her rotten with presents when we get back."

"Granddaughter?" Lucas asked Nathan. "You're having a little girl? I'm going to have a little niece? That's awesome."

"Now Kendall will really have someone to play with," Brooke added. "Don't worry. We can keep it a secret. We won't tell anyone before you do."

"Thanks, but that's the least of my worries," Nathan replied before he turned his attention to Kendall. He didn't want to say anything about Victoria in front of Brooke. He didn't want to worry her. He distracted himself by trying to make his little niece laugh. He made faces at her which made her smile. He played with her for several minutes before Dan convinced him to go and play ball with his brother. He would take care of the baby. Nathan did what he asked and joined Lucas out on the court.

Lucas and Nathan played long after Dan gave Kendall back to her mother and took off. His job was now done. Nathan wondered if he should tell Lucas about Victoria or not. Especially since they were dealing with a lot already with work, college and the baby. He didn't want to cause them anymore stress. Although, Brooke deserved to tell Victoria off as well.

"I need a break," Nathan called as he tried to catch his breath. Lucas nodded in agreement. He too was trying to catch his breath. Nathan made his way to the bleachers and sat down next to Brooke. A sleeping Kendall was in her carrier besides her. "So how are you doing?" Nathan asked. "I'm sure it's been crazy with knowing you're going to have to face Victoria again soon, isn't it?"

"You have no idea," Brooke replied. "I'm ready though. I'm ready to show her that she didn't break me." There was a short pause before she spoke again. "Several months ago, I started seeing a therapist. My therapist suggested I go and see her to tell her how I felt about her and how she treated me and the lessons I've learned that I can take away from her. She refused to see me. She claimed she didn't have a daughter. At first, I was angry. I really wanted to tell her how I felt about her, but I decided not to fight it. She wasn't worth it."

"No, she's not," Nathan agreed as he realized Haley had the great opportunity to tell Victoria how she felt about her. "Don't worry though. She will know what she is missing from you and her granddaughter." Brooke just gave him a questioning look as he joined his brother back on the basketball court.