Hey friends, I know it's been a while but in a few days my classes will be over and then I'll be able to work on this story alot more. I just wrote this next chapter a few minutes ago, which is kinda short, but it's all I had time for. But first let me say thanks to all my lovely readers. Without you guys I wouldn't be able to write.

This is one time
That you can't fake
It hard enough to please
Everyone or anyone at all.
And the grave that
You refuse to leave
The refuge that
You've built to flee
The places that
You have come to fear the most.

"The Places You Have Come To Fear The Most" Dashboard Confessional

Chapter 14

Haley woke up to feel the warm sun beaming down on her face. Whoever had left the shades open was going to be sorry they did; then she remembered where she was. She didn't dare look up at the man she knew was staring at her when she asked, "Why didn't you wake me? Did you forget about my duties?"

"Did you forget this is one of your duties?" Nathan motioned to the bed as Haley's cheeks turned scarlet. Damn, but she was beautiful. He had been watching her all morning, trying to reason with his feelings.

He had told her he loved her the night before. Surprisingly, that had been the easy part. The hard part would be telling her when she was actually awake and getting her to feel the same way about him.

"W-well, thank you," Haley whispered shyly. "I've been really tired lately, and it was nice to get a good night's sleep."

Nathan frowned at that. His eyes dropped to her now thickening stomach. "Have I been overworking you? Do you need me to cut down on some of your chores?"

Haley looked down at the sound of his gentle questioning. The emotions he was stirring in her were frightening beyond reason, and but they somehow made her feel as though she could open up to him. Of course, she wouldn't. "I'm fine."

He gave Haley a look that said he didn't believe her for a second, which made her a little angry. He wasn't supposed to be able to read her so well.

"Look, I've been thinking," Haley started. She paused for a few minutes, trying to find the right words to say.

"I'm all agog to hear it."

"I've been thinking," Haley continued.

"So you said," Nathan interrupted, and Haley looked up to see a smirk on his face.

She threw him a glare," I've been thinking about what's going to happen after I've had the baby."

Nathan's face grew hard, which was exactly what Haley was afraid would happen. "Nathan, don't look at me like that. You knew this was going to come up eventually. I'm about four and a half months pregnant now, and it's not a crime for me to want to know if I can keep my baby."

"My baby," Nathan corrected. "Is that why you wanted me last night? Is that why you've been acting strange? Because you want to keep the baby?"

"Look, we're not talking about that right now. We're talking about whether or not you're cruel enough to take my child away from me," Haley said, starting to get frustrated.

Nathan's face turned black with anger, but before he could say anything, Brian walked in.

"What?" Nathan growled, not taking his eyes off Haley.

"Brooke's here," Brian said.

Nathan just stared at him for a few moments as Haley felt an unwelcome feeling touch her heart. Nathan glanced back at Haley once more before he headed for the door.

"This discussion isn't over Haley," Nathan said as he walked out the door.

The room filled with silence as Haley sat there alone. It should have been a relief to know that Nathan would now be occupied with his future wife. Yes, Haley wouldn't have to sleep with him anymore; Brooke could do that. And Nathan wouldn't bother her anymore either because he'd be too busy with Brooke.

Haley forced a fake smile on her face as she waited for that relief to come. When it didn't, Haley was faced hard with reality: she loved Nathan.

I know it was short but I'll try to update REALLY soon wth a long chapter. ILY guys and please review

Love,

Sadie