No Anesthesia

The last time she held the cool metal she was saying goodbye. She was now here to do more of the same. She slowly opened the door, both intrigued and dreading what she might see. Once she was sure there were no webs or spiders occupying them she stepped inside and closed the door. The sudden movement to the house seemed to be welcomed; some dust settled and the powerful odor of an unaired establishment reminded Haley of how long it had been.

She walked further into the house and couldn't escape the memories. They were there with every step she took, in every direction her eyes wandered, and the silence that filled the house was soon replaced by conversation. She could hear her mother and father laughing and talking, her siblings giving each other a hard time; but most of all she could hear her name in the form of her mother's voice. Haley would never hear it again or be able to touch her.

She brushed a tear away and found herself in her parents' room. She couldn't take it anymore. She was engulfed with memories of her mother; her smell, her clothes, her favorite jewelry, the talks they shared, and the plans they made. Finally glancing at a picture of her mother she took the year before, she broke down.

She curled underneath the blankets on her mother's side of the bed. She cried. She cried for what her mother's death did to her family, especially her father. She cried that she wasn't with her when her time had come and for the grandchildren she would never get to love. She cried and tried to release everything she had bottled up inside to make room for herself again. Haley wanted to fight what killed her mother. She cried harder when she realized you can't fight cancer with your fists.

Nathan had finished working out a while ago. He showered when he got back and was looking at pictures from his second wedding. He stopped when he came across one of Haley and Lydia. He closed the album and stood up. It was time to get his wife back.

Haley didn't know how long she had been crying for. Frankly, it didn't matter. She was exhausted. She was drained. Now she just laid there and focused on breathing. That seemed hard to do these days. She didn't have to look up to know her husband was there.

Nathan stood at the doorway for a few moments. He couldn't tell if she was awake or sleeping from where he was standing. His query was solved from a soft assurance from Haley.

"I can feel you."

Nathan made his way toward the bed cautiously. Noticing this, Haley mustered up a grin but remained in her found position.

"You can join me."

Nathan kicked off his shoes and lied next to her. He rolled over to his side and put his arm around her waist. He knew that's what she needed, for him to just be there. She was ready and he knew it. He welcomed the proximity and silence until she spoke.

"We didn't have enough time," she said in an almost whisper. "I didn't get to say good-bye Nathan." Her voice broke as she hastily continued. "She didn't even know I was –"

"Pregnant," Nathan finished for her. He burrowed his chin into her hair and pulled her close. "I know baby, I know."

They lied like that for the whole night. She sobbed at the beginning but after she didn't have any tears left. She conceded as her eyelids lost the battle and shut, letting her get the much needed restful sleep they both hadn't got since her mother died that summer.

A/N: I know, short chapter, but I promised an update! Yes, next week it'll be longer. Wanted give you something to think about…and now the drama is NOT over. She's been dealing with her mom's death and her miscarriage for a while, so this is not really that far-fetched. But, like I said, although she's accepted it, it's still going to affect her. Plus, she has some other stuff around the corner! Feel free to ask questions/comment/suggest. Already have it planned out, but I LOVE reviews! Who doesn't?

OTHbabe23, Naley, Slavers, HJS-NS-23, and Scott-bruthr-luvr3-23: thanks a BUNCH! Didn't respond sooner cuz alerts/reviews weren't working. Have a great weekend!