Find Our Way Back
Chapter 8
Reunited
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine.
Author's Note: The song in this chapter is "Reunited" by Peaches and Herb.
I was a fool to ever leave your side
Me minus you is such a lonely ride
The breakup we had has made me lonesome and sad
I realize I love you 'cause I want you bad, hey, hey
Nathan woke up the next morning, happier than he'd been in a long time. He'd signed a six-month lease on an apartment downtown. It was small, but there were two bedrooms, so James could spend the night. He asked the landlord to keep it quiet that he was staying in town. He didn't want the press digging into the real reason he was here. Lucas and Brooke were really understanding about everything. And Lucas apologized a hundred times for helping Haley keep her secret. He didn't blame Lucas, but he was slightly jealous that his brother had been there. But, it also comforted him to know that James had a good role-model. He was planning to call Haley later, and hoped she'd agree to talk with him.
I spent the ev'ning with the radio
Regret the moment that I let you go
Our quarrel was such a way of learnin' so much
I know now that I love you 'cause I need your touch, hey, hey
Haley sat quietly on their patio swing, a light blanket wrapped around her, as she watched Jimmy chase Bandit, their golden retriever, around the backyard. She heard the phone ring, but decided to let the machine get it.
Reunited and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey
Nathan was excited when he heard her voice, only to realize it was her machine, "Hi! You've reached Haley, and Jimmy," Nathan smiled when he heard his son's little voice, "We're not here right now. Leave a message and we'll get back to you."
Nathan didn't know what to say, "Um, yeah, Haley, I was just returning your calls. I'll try back later." He walked into the kitchen to join Lucas and Brooke for breakfast.
"So…" Lucas began.
"I got the machine. I guess that only seems right," he paused, "I said I'd call back later."
Brooke could tell that he was nervous, "It'll be okay. She's going to be happy that you finally called."
"Thanks Brooke," Nathan knew his sister-in-law was trying to cheer him up, as was her nature, but he just hoped there was truth to her words.
I sat here starin' at the same old wall
Came back to life just when I got your call
I wished I could climb right through the telephone line
And give you what you want so you will still be mine, hey, hey
When Haley and Jimmy finally found their way inside, she hit play in the machine. There were two messages; she didn't remember a second call.
Message 1, "Um, yeah, Haley, I was just returning your calls. I'll try back later."
The caller left no name or number, but she knew it was him. She cursed herself for being lazy.
Message 2, "I guess you're still out. I'll try again sometime."
Haley noted that the time stamp on the second call was exactly an hour after the first. Looking at her watch, she saw that it had been 15 minutes. If he was going to call every hour, she was going to have to wait for 45 minutes. Haley yelled up the stairs at Jimmy, "What movie do you want to watch?"
"Nemo!"
Of course. She could've guessed that one, "I'll get it ready."
10 minutes later Jimmy was engrossed in his movie so Haley dialed the number she'd memorized just recently, and was surprised to get his machine, "You've reached Nathan Scott. If you're calling about my injury, don't call back. Anyone else, leave a message and I'll decide if I want to talk to you or not." Haley was even more surprised by his new greeting, "Damn it Nathan. If you're there pick-up, I'm sick of playing phone tag." She was disappointed when he didn't pick-up. Feeling slightly defeated, Haley sat to watch Nemo with her son.
A while later, the phone rang. She looked at the clock, it had been an hour. Haley sprinted to the kitchen to answer, "Hello."
"Haley," Nathan was glad that he didn't have to leave another message, "You're home."
"Yeah. We've been here all day, but we were out back and didn't hear the phone," she smiled. "I'm glad you finally called."
"Sorry about that. I just needed to sort some things out."
"I understand. I'm glad you want to talk about this."
"Actually, that's why I was calling. I was wondering if we could talk about this in person."
"Ooookay. Sure, just give me a call next time you're in Nashville."
"Well, that's the great thing, I flew in last night. I'm at Lucas's right now."
"Really?" Haley couldn't believe it.
"Yep. So, I was wondering if we could get together for dinner. Brooke and Lucas said they could watch Jimmy."
"Right, Jimmy," Haley paused.
"He can come with us if you want. That's fine too. I just thought…"
Haley stopped him, "No, it's fine."
"Do you want to drop him off and then we can go together?"
"Sure. What time?"
"5:30?"
"We'll be there," Haley agreed.
"I'm looking forward to it," Nathan was so glad that she'd agreed to dinner. Hopefully it was a good sign of things ahead.
I can't go cheatin', honey, I can't play
I found it very hard to stay away
As we reminisce on precious moments like this
I'm glad we're back together 'cause I missed your kiss, hey, hey
Haley pulled into the driveway at Lucas's, "You might sleep at Uncle Luke's tonight," she said turning to look at her son. "Mommy is going to dinner with an old friend and might be out late."
"Is it a boy?"
"Yes," Haley blushed.
"Was he your boyfriend?"
"Only for a little while in high school," it wasn't a complete lie she told herself. They only dated a few months before getting married.
"Okay," after Jimmy was unbuckled he hopped out of the car and ran for the front door, letting himself in.
Nathan smiled at the little boy, "Hi there."
Jimmy tilted his head at the stranger, "Are you my mommy's friend?"
Nathan gazed at Haley who had just walked in behind her son, "Yes, I am."
Haley squatted next to Jimmy, "Give mommy a hug. Then go find Uncle Luke."
Jimmy leaned in and whispered, "Your friend is cute."
Haley chuckled. She'd never known her son to be, or even pretend to be, a matchmaker. He must've learned that one from Brooke. She patted his head, "Go play. Mommy might be late."
"I 'memember."
"Are you ready?" she asked Nathan, who was starring at an unnoticing Jimmy.
"Yes. Sorry."
They waved at Brooke and Lucas who were now standing in the doorway.
Walking out the door, Nathan was the first to speak, "My god Haley. He is so cute."
She smiled, "He looks just like his daddy, who, by the way, Jimmy says is cute."
"Is that what he whispered?"
"Yep. Crazy kid." Haley laughed, "Your car or mine?" she'd noticed the car she saw earlier sitting in the driveway as she pulled up.
"I'll drive if you give me directions."
Reunited and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey
Jimmy watched as his mom left then turned to Brooke and Lucas. He looked at them as very matter-of-factly said, "Mommy's boyfriend is cute."
"He's not her boyfriend kiddo."
"Yes huh. Mommy said he was."
"Okay Jimmy, but that was a long time ago. Now they're just friends," Lucas tried to correct the stubborn child.
"That's what I said. But he's still cute."
Brooke looked at her husband and tried not to laugh. This kid doesn't miss a beat.
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Ba-a-a-by
Nathan and Haley sat quietly at the restaurant until they placed their orders. After the waiter left, Nathan once again spoke first, "Haley, I'm so sorry about how I reacted when you told me about Jimmy."
Haley smiled, "You could've done worse. You were just shocked. I'm sorry it took me five years to finally tell you."
"I would've given up everything to be with you, and our son. I wanted a family more than anything else in the world Haley. And you were the only person I could picture having that family with. When you left, it just about killed me."
"I know. Lucas told me. I'm sorry. Really, I am. But you were so talented. You gave up basketball once for me, for our relationship. I couldn't let you do it again."
"So instead, you waited until I could leave, without breaching my contract, to tell me about our son. Why? I would've found a way to make everything work."
"Yes, but you once told me that you didn't want to be like your mom. She was always traveling for work, and being in the NBA, you'd be traveling all the time. That's why you weren't going to be part of the draft."
"So, instead of letting me feel like a bad parent, you let our son believe that his dad didn't care enough to be there."
"No, not at all Nathan. I used to tell him all the time when he was too little to ask questions that his daddy loves him. Then I'd say it after he fell asleep. Until this year, when he started school, he didn't know that having only a mommy wasn't 'normal.' When he asks about you, I tell him that daddy loves him very much, and that mommy and daddy broke up before I knew he was in my tummy."
"And he's okay with that?"
"Yeah, he's five. He doesn't know any better. But, Brooke does curse me for it because now he keeps asking her if she'd going to have a baby in her tummy."
Nathan laughed, picturing his sister-in-law's reaction, "What's with that anyway? Why don't they have kids yet?"
"I think Brooke's afraid that she won't be a good mother. It's ridiculous though. Her students love her and she's great with Jimmy."
Nathan smiled, yet found himself slightly jealous. Broke and Lucas had been a part of his son's life from the beginning. "Haley, I want to be a part of your life again, and I want to know Jimmy."
"I'm glad Nathan. What are you going to do about basketball?"
"I talked to the coach, and my agent. I'm retiring at the end of the season. And he put me on the DL 'till just before playoffs."
"Are you sure about his?"
"I've never been so sure about anything…well, except for the fact that I wanted to marry you."
Haley blushed, "Will you stay with Lucas and Brooke?"
"No, I thought I would stay with you and Jimmy." Nathan saw the immediate shock, then fear, written all over her face, "Sorry, I'm kidding." He patted her hand, "I signed a lease on an apartment yesterday." He saw her breath a sigh of relief. Then he asked, "Would it really be that bad living together? We are still married, and we lived together for five years."
"For me, no," Haley blushed yet again, "it would be wonderful waking up next to you every morning. I've missed that. But for Jimmy, yeah, I think it would be weird. I've never even dated."
"You've never dated?"
"Nathan."
"What, I was just curious. You know that about me."
"Fine, no, I've never dated. So Jimmy's not used to sharing mommy. And he'd have to share me all the time. I don't think he'd be fond of that. I think we're all going to need some time."
"I agree. I hope we can someday be a real family though."
Haley heard the sadness in his voice, "We will, I promise." She leaned across the table and gently brushed a kiss across his lips.
Lover, lover, this is solid love
And you're exactly what I'm dreamin' of
All through the day
And all through the night
Throughout dinner, Haley enjoyed driving Nathan crazy with a game of footsy. Just by the looks he would give her, she knew she was torturing him. She slowly savored her dinner, moaning about how delicious everything was. Haley doubted Nathan even tasted his food.
Nathan had somehow forgotten what Haley's mere presence could do to him. He knew she was doing this to him on purpose. First the gentle kiss. Then her stocking foot creeping up his leg. And the moaning, oh the moaning. She ate slowly, savoring every bite. He ate quickly, hoping they could leave and go somewhere quiet. But no, she wanted dessert. When the waiter went after the menu, Nathan leaned across the table and whispered, "I'll be your dessert if we leave right now."
Haley eyed him, and when the waiter returned she said, "I've changed my mind, sorry. We'll just take our check."
I'll give you all the love I have with all my might, hey, hey
The duo barely made it to Nathan's new apartment before they were all over each other. Shirts and pants were quickly discarded, each of them wanting, needing, to be closer to the other. Their hands quickly became reacquainted with the bodies they had once known so well. This sensual exploration continued for several minutes. But, as Nathan began to slide down Haley's panties, she found herself stopping him, "Nathan," her hands had stopped hi, "we can't do this."
Nathan knew Haley was right. Even thought it felt natural, sex wasn't the answer. But that didn't mean but that didn't mean they couldn't be close in other ways. "It's okay Haley."
She didn't protest any further. She realized that after five years of being apart, she still trusted him.
Reunited and it feels so good
Reunited 'cause we understood
There's one perfect fit
And, sugar, this one is it
We both are so excited 'cause we're reunited, hey, hey
Several hours later they returned to Lucas's. Noticing it was getting late, they quietly crept into the house. They found Brooke and Lucas sitting on the couch, watching a movie.
"How was Jimmy?" Haley asked.
Brooke looked at Lucas, "Oh look, our Haley and Nathan are back."
Lucas smiled, "That they are."
Nathan and Haley exchanged quizzical looks before Nathan spoke, "What's wrong with you two?"
"Nothing," Brooke smiled, "we're just glad you're back."
Haley immediately jumped to conclusions, "Did something happen? Is Jimmy okay? Where is he? Was he naughty? Why didn't you call?"
Lucas chuckled, "Take a deep breath Haley. Jimmy's fine, he's in bed sleeping. And he was an angel, as usual."
"Then what's going on?"
"You two. You're together."
"Duh," she looked at Nathan, "we left together."
Brooke shook her head, "No, that's not what we mean. Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Scott, the couple that existed before the decision to separate, is back. You're trying to sneak in, pretending you weren't out somewhere making out - which we know you were. And the mere presence of each other makes you glow with happiness. Neither of you has glowed since that day. Until today."
Haley looked at Nathan, who wrapped his arm around her, and knew Brooke was right. In just one night, she felt whole again. Being with him just feels right.
Nathan smiled too, knowing that for the first time in five years he was truly happy. "We weren't sneaking in," his smile turned to a smirk.
"Aaahhh," Lucas smiled, "but you were off somewhere getting busy."
"I showed her the apartment."
Brooke changed the subject slightly, "so, you're going to work things out?"
The couple looked at each other and nodded their heads.
"Good. Because Jimmy thinks mommy's boyfriend is cute."
Nathan raised an eyebrow at Haley, "Your boyfriend?"
"Yeah, looks aren't the only thing he got from his daddy. His ability to only hear what he wants reminds me of another certain Scott I know. He asked if you were my boyfriend. I said you were for a little while in high school."
"A while?" Nathan frowned, and looked at her, "I'd like to think five years is longer than a while."
"He didn't ask if you were my husband. You were only my boyfriend for a while."
"You got me there, Miss Technicality." Nathan pulled her close again.
"You know it," Haley kissed him softly.