There For You

Considering Haley almost passed out Jimmy brought her to the couch as she shockingly complied.

She sat back, calming her nerves and finding her voice. Jimmy looked on with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but was nonetheless genuine. His baby girl was pregnant.

"Dad, what…how…when?"

Jimmy knew what his daughter was trying to convey. Not wanting to agitate her he answered most of the questions she would ask if she could be fully coherent.

"I know I left, because it was hard…but it was harder not being here for our, you know, Christmas. I didn't know you lived here. I can go, if you want."

Jimmy took Haley's silence as his answer. He slowly got up and began to walk away.

"Wait."

Jimmy turned to face his daughter. She gestured for him to resume his position on the couch. The smile he missed so much and the one that reminded him of Lydia made his heart melt. A lone tear fell down his cheeks as he sat down. Haley's dams had already silently opened. She furiously wiped them away to no avail.

Tears are seriously not helping this headache.

"I wasn't leaving you."

Haley smiled. "I know. You had to get away and deal with it your own way. I understand. I just wish you would have let me help. I needed you."

I still need you. I might die.

"I'm here now, if you'll have me." Jimmy looked in Haley's eyes and didn't see hate.

"That's fine. But just to let you know, we have a full house now. We're all staying here when we have breaks from class. Is that okay with you?"

"That's fine. I'm not sure I want to stay here for sure anyways. I was thinking of something smaller. We'll see."

Silence entered the room but one that was welcomed. Haley and Jimmy hugged for quite a while when someone entered the house and bellowed.

"Hales! I'm home!"

Jimmy chuckled. "So that's where you get it from."

"Yup, sort of a thing we all do." Haley shouted back. "In the living room!"

Nathan ran into the living room panting. "I have something to tell you, I---Jimmy?"

"Good to see you too Nate."

Nathan looked to Haley for confirmation. He nodded at Jimmy as he got up.

"I'll leave you two alone. I'm gonna go take a walk."

Haley got up almost simultaneously. "You're coming back aren't you?"

Jimmy looked at Haley and gave her kiss on the forehead. "I promise."

Once Jimmy was out the door Nathan went and sat next to Haley. "You okay?"

Haley nodded and smiled. She remembered that momentarily she had forgotten that she had to tell Nathan and everyone else about the tumor. She didn't want to break his heart, but she knew she needed her family.

"I have to tell you something," the couple said simultaneously.

They laughed. "You go first Hales."

She was too nervous and emotionally drained to go first. She needed some time to bounce back a little. "No, you go. You practically ran in here to tell me."

"Well, you know how I start on the team next week?"

"Yes," inquired Haley curiously.

"They kinda called while I was playing and asked if I could start tomorrow. One of the starters got injured, and if I can make it tomorrow, they'll give me his spot. Isn't that great?!"

Haley plastered on the supportive wife smile. Now she couldn't tell him. His dream was on the fast track. So was her life, but the finish line was death.

"That is great," Haley countered with less enthusiasm than intended.

"What's wrong honey?" Nathan studied her face for a moment while she was thinking how to play this one. "If you really want me to stay, I can."

Haley's heart broke. He would give it all up for her. Everything he worked for his entire life. She put on the smile she knew she would have to wear for a long time and took his face her in hands.

"No, you need to go. This is what you'll be waiting for. Plus, Lucas and I can hang out like we used to. He's coming back tomorrow while Brooke stays in California to visit her absentee parents."

"Hales…are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

Nathan smiled and kissed Haley. "What is it that you wanted to tell me?"

Haley continued to hug Nathan so she wouldn't have to lie to his face.

"Oh nothing, just that my dad was back."

Though reluctant to leave a pregnant Haley, Nathan was assured by Haley, Lucas, Jimmy, Karen, Keith, and Deb that they would look out for her. He had been gone for three hours and Haley wished she had told him, even though she thought it was selfish. She missed him and needed him to tell her it would be alright.

Lost in her thoughts she neglected to notice the shadow that was cast beside her.

"Come here often?"

Haley didn't even look to see who it was as a grin invaded her features. "Does that line usually work?"

"Only on the gorgeous."

Haley stood up with some difficulty as Lucas helped her up. "Wow, hitting on pregnant ladies. Must be desperate."

The two laughed and made their way to the bench on the River Court that viewed the river. They held hands and took in the view for a few moments.

"So Luke, what's up? What did you need to talk to me in person about?"

Lucas chuckled. "I forgot that you get right to the point. Actually no, I didn't forget I just wanted to." He turned to find Haley smiling.

"What?"

"You're talking fast. You only do that when you're nervous. It's me Luke, spit it out."

Lucas gently untwined their hands and got up, making small circles as he paced in front of Haley.

"There's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to blurt it out okay?"

Haley was getting butterflies in her stomach now. "Okay."

"So, the medication for my heart is decreasing in effectiveness. Long story short, I need a heart transplant to stay alive."

Haley blinked back tears as she processed the information.

How freak'n ironic. We're both going to die.

She struggled to remain calm despite the tears that flowed but never made it to her clothes as the wind dried them at her chin. "So…you're dying."

Lucas' eyes were welling but nothing fell. "Yes."

"But you're walking, you're joking, you're…you're fine."

"For now, yes. But my body is wearing down."

Haley talked slowly because she didn't trust herself not to break down. "Is there a heart ready for you?"

Lucas sat back down and put his arm around Haley as she nudged close. "I'm on the list. It looks good, but you never know."

Instead of sobbing Haley broke into a fit of laughter.

With concern, Lucas asked, "Haley?"

Between laughs Haley answered, "Yes?"

"Why are you laughing?"

Her laughter began to subside. "It's just ironic."

"What is?"

"You're dying."

Lucas still was confused. "And?"

Haley spoke calmly and without emotion. "So am I."

Vampiregurl: She tried to tell Nathan but chickened out. At least she told Luke!

HJS-NS-23: There ya go!

Ell6ange: Okay, so now I'm changing my mind. Probably five more chapters after this!

Daymiracle: Hope you enjoy!

Krizue: Her dad is back in the picture…figure she'll need all the family she can get. It'll be hard to watch what happened to Lydia happen to Haley, but when he looks back he'd rather be there than not.

OTHbabe23: I love and welcome your questions! I hope I answered them above or in the story!

Naley: As always, nothing but love for ya!