On The Other Side

"Stop it."

"No, you stop it."

"I mean it! I'm recovering from surgery. You stop it."

"So am I! You stop first."

The two glared sideways at each other, neither willing to give up their ground.

Lucas shifted on his back. "Well, my surgery was bigger, I have a new organ."

Haley snorted. "Well, I just gave birth and had a tumor removed, and, technically died. I win."

"No. I think we're even."

"Fine. But you still need to move."

Acting as though they were five instead of twenty-something, the best friends had been fighting over bed space. Two weeks later they were recovering nicely, each healing in their own time but eager to make a full recovery. They resorted to their nightly ritual of putting their beds together in the absence of their significant others. The doctors seemed to believe that this is one of the primary reasons why they were recovering faster than expected.

Haley eventually decided to let Lucas go over the 'line,' his leg resting over his bed, spilling onto hers. She sighed, ceasing to kick is leg away, and looked up at the ceiling.

"543."

Haley turned to face Lucas. "What?"

"543; the number of holes in that square."

Haley looked incredulously. "You counted my square too?"

Lucas shrugged in defense. "Hey, I was bored. I finished mine. There's only so many times in three weeks that I can count my own square and its surrounding ones. I was just double-checking your work," Lucas smirked.

"Why didn't you apply yourself in math? You could've made yourself more marketable."

Haley struck a nerve. "I am marketable," Lucas retorted. "Very much so."

"I'm not talking about in the bedroom," Haley grimaced at her own comment. "And we're ending this conversation now.

The two laughed as Lucas glanced at the clock. It was eleven at night. "Well Hales, I think we need our beauty sleep."

Haley smirked. "You mean, you need your beauty sleep. I'm always beautiful."

"Nathan's just obligated to tell you that because he's your husband. I, on the other hand, as your best friend, am obliged to tell you the truth. You need your beauty sleep if you're going to be seen with me in public when we get out of here."

"And I thought you got a new heart."

Lucas chuckled. "I love you too Hales."

Haley woke up the next morning to her favorite pair of blue eyes. She smiled and stretched, her hand touching his cheek before it rested against her cover.

"Good morning, husband."

Nathan smiled as he brushed her hair from her face. "Good morning, wife."

"Have you seen Aiden yet?"

Nathan leaned on the side of her bed. "Yup. Let me tell you, he is an early riser." Nathan smirked at Haley, "I wonder where he got that from."

Haley smiled. "That would be a James trait."

"I know, definitely not a Scott one."

Haley looked to her right to see Lucas gone. "I don't know; Lucas seems to be up."

"That's because he has to. He's on the hospital's regimen."

"Ah, that's right: up and walking with supervision."

Nathan nodded in agreement as he stuffed his face with a coffee crumb donut. Haley glared at him.

"That is SO not fair Nathaniel Scott!"

Nathan smiled with his mouth full, taunting his wife. "What?"

"Don't what me! You know I can't have donuts until they clear me. You are evil!"

Nathan smiled at his ability to rile his wife about the little pleasures in life. He reached for another donut, ready to bite into it but offered it to his wife. She expressed confusion.

"Okay, you're beyond evil."

Nathan finished chewing and made her hold it. "I'm not that evil. I checked with Macy. He said you're all clear for the sugar."

Haley's scowl instantly melted, leaving room to mold a huge grin. Speaking as if she was six, she squealed out, "Really?"

"Really."

Ten seconds later the donut was gone.

"So, when can we have sex?"

Macy was explaining Lucas' recovery to the pair, going over the do's, don'ts, when's. Brooke asked what the two were obviously thinking; although Lucas would never admit it.

Macy chuckled and cleared his throat. "You guys should be ready to go in about a week and half."

Brooke's grin was enough to express both of their relief. Lucas tried to hide his excitement, his grin forming a smirk.

Macy continued, "But, you do have to take it easy for about two weeks. You're heart still needs to adjust to a little more regular activity."

"I think we can handle that," Brooke beamed, completely satisfied at the prognosis.

"You are such a good baby, yes you are!" exclaimed Haley as she held a giggling Aiden. It had been a month that all three had been in the hospital. They all were ready to leave.

Peyton and Brooke had picked up clothes for Lucas and Haley, as Nathan refused to leave his wife and kid when it wasn't absolutely necessary. They were to be released today.

In her favorite valor royal purple sweat-pant suit, Haley held her son close as she sat in the rocking chair. She could walk, but tired a little easily. Macy told her it would be about a month before she fully recovered. She was well on her way.

Nathan peered in from the doorway, looking at his wife and child.

"And now we all get to go home! I'm so excited for you to see your home for the first time. Oh, we're going to have so much fun! You're daddy's gonna teach you to play basketball and Uncle Lucas is going to teach you how to love books!" Haley rushed out. "Oh, and you have lots of other people who love you too! Aunt Peyton can teach you about art, Auntie Brooke will make sure you're the best dressed boy that all the girls will want…" Haley paused, "I guess we'll talk about the girl-thing later. Anyways, Uncle Jake can teach you guitar, Uncle Skills can teach you, I don't know, how to be cool with the shorties or something like that." Aiden cooed as Haley laughed and continued. "Mama Karen can teach you how to cook, Uncle Keith can show you how to fix cars, Papa James can tell you all about my mom, and Uncle Mouth can show you how to speak in public and bust out some cheerleading moves. Yup," Haley sighed, "you have a whole village." She smiled and continued to rock her son.

Nathan shifted and made his way to his family, kneeling down in front of them. He looked at Haley. "And what about you? What are you going to teach him?"

Haley smiled, her eyes filled with genuine happiness. "I'm going to teach him how to fight." The two shared a tear-filled smile. "I'm going to teach him how to love."

A/N: Okay guys, next chapter, will be up today (shortly after this). It's the last, last; the epilogue!

Courtneylovejason: No worries. Glad you loved it!

Krizue: For you.

xNaley-2158x: Again, with the amazing review! Man, I'm at a loss for words. Thanks for all the notes! I'm glad you were relieved and intrigued. And yes, I do wish I could move forward sometimes!

Ell6ange, HJS-NS-23, TutorGal23: Thank you so much! I'm thrilled!

Naley: I'm sad it's ending too! I really enjoyed writing this story. Glad you liked the humor!

Scott-bruthr-luvr3-23: See? No rejecting of the heart, and a fairy-tale ending! 

Daymiracle: Thanks hun! If I do do a sequel, it's because and for people like you!

If I missed anyone, I love you!