Nathan was back in Seattle and had been attending all necessary events and practices. He'd been calling Haley at least twice a day to check on her with the promise he would be back in a week. They had agreed that they would make the trip to Atlanta then to talk to her parents. She was regretting that she hadn't told them sooner but this was definitely something she wanted to tell them in person. They had known that she chose to take the semester off and her mother knew something was going on but hadn't pressed the issue. The James' trusted their daughter implicitly and knew that she always made decisions to be true to herself and that she would talk about it when she was ready.
One evening on the phone, Nathan and Deb had gotten into of one of their 'heart-to-heart' talks.
"I just want to make sure you've thought all of this through and have discussed everything with Haley," Deb stated.
Deb had wanted to be supportive when Nathan broke the news, but like Lucas, she couldn't help but meet some of this with skepticism and fear.
"Yes, Mom," Nathan said. "She and I have discussed all of the arrangements for the next few months."
"What are you going to do about basketball?" Deb asked Nathan.
"I am here in Seattle, fulfilling my contract obligations by attending all of the practices and the games but I'm coming home every chance I get," Nathan responded.
Deb was taken aback at this. His entire life, Nathan had worked for his true passion, basketball. His dream since childhood was to be a player in the NBA. Never would she have thought that he would ever view it as a "contract obligation." His unborn child was taking a much higher priority than his career and this was something that both surprised and delighted Deb. Nathan had really grown into a fine young man.
"I mean, after the baby is born. Will you continue on with the Sonics?" Deb asked.
Nathan closed his eyes. He really hadn't taken the time to really think about what he would do after this season. His contract was up and he would be free to do what he wanted- and right now, he really didn't know what he was going to do.
"I'll handle it Mom. Trust me," Nathan promised.
"When are you and Haley leaving for Atlanta?" Deb asked, changing the subject.
"I fly in on Monday evening and we're leaving Tuesday morning," Nathan replied.
Deb was silent for a moment when Nathan spoke up again, "I'm doing the right thing here and the truth is, I couldn't be happier about it."
~~~~~~~
Early Tuesday morning, Nathan and Haley were making the trip to Atlanta to see her parents and break the news.
"So, do they know that I'm coming?" Nathan asked as he pulled onto I-40.
"Yeah, I told her over the phone. I'm sure they're completely confused, but my mother didn't ask questions," Haley laughed.
Nathan laughed lightly, "I'm sure they will wonder what's up."
Haley sighed, "they'll find out soon enough, I suppose."
Nathan glanced over at her, "are you nervous about telling them?"
"A little...I mean, I just know its going to be a shock to both of them..." Haley replied.
Nathan nodded. "Yeah, but I'm sure they will be happy about it too."
"I hope so."
6 and a half hours later, they were finally reaching the suburb of Atlanta that Haley's parents had settled.
Nathan began to recognize the neighborhood-- he had come home with Haley numerous times over the past four years.
Nathan pulled up to the driveway, "we're here."
Haley nodded and smiled.
"Are you ready?" Nathan looked at her.
Haley took a deep breath, "yeah...I'm ready."
"You go ahead to the door, I'll get our bags," Nathan said, opening up the trunk.
Haley nodded nervously and walked up the steps.
Apparently, her mother had noticed their arrival and had opened the front door.
"Haley-bub!" she called, running out to hug Haley.
"Hi Mom!" Haley said, hugging her.
Nathan was walking up the front sidewalk with their bags when Haley's father came up to shake his hand. Haley's mother looked up at him.
"Nathan!" she said, grinning and turned to give him a hug as well.
"Hi Lydia, its nice to see you," he replied.
~~
The four decided to go to a local restaurant for dinner to visit and catch up. They talked about the weather, life in Tree Hill and Atlanta, Nathan's career....everything except for what they actually came to discuss. They never offered an explanation for Nathan's presence on the trip and Haley's parents had not pried about the situation.
"Are you going to tell them?" Nathan asked in a low voice, when Haley's father was up paying the check and Haley's mother had excused herself to the restroom after the meal.
"Yes, just please...give me some time," Haley said.
Nathan nodded in silence.
~~~~~
The four went back to the house and Lydia put on some music.
"C'mon Haley-bub, have a glass of wine with me," Lydia smiled.
"No thanks, Mom," Haley said, shifting in her chair.
"Nathan, would you like a glass or do you prefer beer?" Jimmy asked.
"Um, neither right now, but thank you," Nathan replied, looking at Haley.
"So, you've kept us in suspense here!" Lydia settled back on to the couch next to Jimmy and looked across to the loveseat where Nathan and Haley were sitting. "...what's going on that brought the both of you here to visit? Not that we mind of course!"
"Well, Mom...I had wanted to come home to talk to you about something," Haley said looking at Nathan.
Nathan sat there, leaning in with his elbows resting on his knees, "um, well, Lydia, James, I know I haven't been here for awhile, so I'm sure it was a shock to see me."
"A pleasant surprise," Lydia smiled. "I have to ask, are the two of you back together?"
Haley shook her head at the time that Nathan responded, "not exactly."
Jimmy looked from one to the other, "...then what's going on...you all are starting to scare me a little."
"Dad, don't be scared. I'm fine - everyone's fine."
Lydia and James looked at each other, then to Nathan, who just watched Haley.
"Mom....I'm....I'm going to have a baby," Haley said.
Lydia looked at her for a moment, clearly surprised.
"--Nathan and me....we're going to have a baby."
Lydia's look of surprised quickly turned to a look of joy. She pulled Haley into a hug, "Congratulations baby!" She pulled away suddenly, "Are you okay though? I mean, healthwise..."
Jimmy jumped up at the excitement and didn't know what to say at first until he could see the happiness on his daughter's face. He hugged her and then shook hands with Nathan.
"The doctor said everything looks great," Haley said.
"I've already told her that I'm going to help with everything, including financial matters," Nathan spoke up, clearly relieved at Haley's parents' joyful response.
"Well come here!" Lydia hugged Nathan to her. "You're the father of one of my grandchildren...so you're family now."
Nathan smiled, it had been a response similar to what his own mother had said to Haley.
Haley and Nathan stayed up talking with Lydia and James about their plans.
"Of course Nathan will be back and forth for the next few months for basketball," Haley said. "...but Deb and Karen have been really supportive and I even got a message that Brooke was coming back for a few months to help me with things when Nathan's gone."
"...and I will be back in Tree Hill every free moment I get," Nathan replied.
"Well, it looks like you two have really thought this through," Lydia commented.
"Yeah, we have...we're determined," Nathan grinned.
It wasn't long when the group decided to retire to bed for the night- it had been a long and emotional day.
An hour later
-- After changing into her pajamas, Haley stepped out of the guest room to walk down to the guest bathroom. She could see Nathan was in there brushing his teeth. The door was cracked a little and Haley couldn't help but notice Nathan's physique. He was standing at the sink, clad only in a pair of sweatpants, his abs as well defined as always and the muscles of his arms were taut under his lightly tanned skin.
Haley was kind of lost in her thoughts when suddenly the bathroom door swung open.
"Hales! What are you doing out here? You scared me," Nathan said.
"Oh! Um...I was just coming to see if the bathroom was open, and now, it looks, um, like it is...so..." Haley stumbled over her words, not wanting to admit that she'd been staring at him through an opening in the door.
Nathan looked down at her, "well its all your's."
"Thanks," Haley said hurriedly.
Nathan watched her hurry in to the bathroom, chuckling to himself as he walked down the hall to his bedroom.