Find Our Way Back My Front Porch Looking In, an one tree hill fanfic

Find Our Way Back

Chapter 20

Front Porch Looking In

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these OTH characters, as much as I'd like to. And none of these songs are mine. The song in this chapter is "My Front Porch Looking In" performed by Lonestar.

Author's Note: Thanks bunches for all of the great replies! The input from the chapter has been absolutely awesome! I'd like to send thanks especially to...Rose Rows, tardychick, Nathan'sRaven, nature-girlie, heather dawn, and andie07...thanks for sticking with me and encouraging me:)

Oh yeah
Yeah oh yeah

The only ground I ever owned was sticking to my shoes
Now I look at my front porch and this panoramic view
I can sit and watch the fields fill up
With rays of glowing sun
Or watch the moon lay on the fences
Like that's where it was hung
My blessings are in front of me
It's not about the land
I'll never beat the view
From my front porch looking in

Jake watched as the women sauntered out of the apartment. "Dud," he returned his attention back to Nathan, "We're sorry we didn't make it to Chicago. Why didn't you tell us Haley was back in the picture?"

"It all happened so fast - literally. It has only been three months. And, at first, I wasn't sure we'd make it work."

"You love each other, of course it'll work. Besides, I heard something about a baby."

Nathan smiled, "Yeah, I just found out last night. I'm excited. It's going to work, I know that now. It was those first few weeks when I wondered. It's been great man, I'm never letting her go again."

There's a carrot top who can barely walk
With a sippy cup of milk
A little blue eyed blonde with shoes on wrong
'Cause she likes to dress herself
And the most beautiful girl holding both of them
And the view I love the most
Is my front porch looking in, yeah

"So wow, four kids, that's awesome. I can't believe how big Jenny and Jacob are."

"It has been 5 years Hales."

"I know Peyton, and I feel awful about not staying in touch. But you were friends with Nathan too. And I couldn't ask all of his friends to lie to him."

"Besides, we have two kids who would've eventually spilled the beans."

"I'm so sorry Peyton, really, I am."

"It's okay Haley. I understand. You were doing what you thought was best for your family."

"You always were the one who understood me. Even with the Chris situation." Haley decided to change the direction of the conversation, "So, who are the two newest members of the Jagelski clan?"

"Johnny, who's three and shy; and James, who is six months old."

"Any plans for more?"

"I want a sister," Jenny voiced from the backseat.

"We're going to see if we can't give her that sister. Plus, we wouldn't mind having one or two more."

"Yeah," Haley sighed, "we haven't talked about it much, but I'm thinking maybe four."

"Well, since number two is on the way, you've got a good start."

Haley smiled, "I guess you're right. Let's just hope that this one isn't another Nathan carbon-copy. Don't get me wrong," Haley defended her comment, "I love my husband, and my son, but I think having three of them would definitely be too much."

"I could see that. Are they really that much alike?"

"You saw him, right?"

"Yeah, he looks exactly like Nathan."

"Let's just say the similarities don't stop there."

"That's insane. I've never known a child to be so much like one of their parents."

"I think it was God's way of telling me that I'd made a big mistake leaving Nathan."

I've traveled here and everywhere
Following my job
I've seen the paintings from the air
Brushed by the hand of God
The mountains and the canyons reach from sea to shining sea
But I can't wait to get back home
To the one he made for me
It's anywhere I'll ever go and everywhere I've been
Nothing takes my breath away
Like my front porch looking in

That evening, Nathan was standing in front of the grill outside, making hamburgers. He watched with enjoyment as Jimmy, Jenny, and Jacob played basketball. Jake and Lucas were trying to give them pointers, but they didn't seem to care. Haley, Peyton, and Brooke were taking turns fussing over baby James, fixing food, and setting the table. And three-year-old Johnny was keeping himself entertained playing with Bandit.

"Hey handsome," Haley wrapped her arms over his shoulder and handed him a beer. "This is really nice. I wish Peyton and Jake lived closer."

"Maybe I'll buy them a house so they can."

"What!" Haley looked at him, surprised, "Would you really do that?" Then she whispered, "Do you really have that much money?"

Nathan kissed her, "If it would make you happy, I'd do anything. And baby, you'll NEVER have to worry about money. My parents are dirt poor compared to what we have."

"Can we buy a new house?"

"We can do that. But what's wrong with this one?"

"Well, nothing really. Except maybe it's a little small. We're pretty close to outgrowing its two bedrooms."

"Then it's settled, my wedding present to you will include a new house."

"Nathan…" she started, "be serious."

"Oh, I'm serious. Serious about you."

"Hey love birds!" Brooke shouted from the picnic table, "How are those burgers coming?"

"Almost done!" Nathan shouted in reply.

Haley swatted Nathan's ass as she headed back to finish helping Brooke and Peyton. She also thought about the chat they'd just had. She knew Nathan had a lot of money from basketball and endorsements, and that he wouldn't have to work, but that was it. And she had a sneaking suspicion that he was serious about buying a house for the Jagelskis.

There's a carrot top who can barely walk
With a sippy cup of milk
A little blue eyed blonde with shoes on wrong
'Cause she likes to dress herself
And the most beautiful girl holding both of them
Yeah the view I love the most
Is my front porch looking in

After dinner, the adults sat around the table talking while the kids played happily in the yard.

Brooke laughed at one of Jake's jokes, "Remind me again why we don't all live in the same city?"

Everyone fell silent before Peyton answered, "We didn't go anywhere. You and Lucas moved because your uncle left you the house. And that was only after Nathan left to play basketball and nurse his wounded heart. Which was after Haley left because she thought it was the right thing to do."

Haley took a swig of her iced tea, "Well, that's in the past now. How long are you guys in town?"

"We took off two weeks," Jake replied.

"Would you guys like to stay forever?" Nathan asked.

Everyone looked at him, unsure how to respond. "Nathan…" Haley hissed.

"What's going on you two?" Lucas asked with curiosity.

"Well, Haley and I think the Jagelskis should join us here in Nashville." Nathan responded, obviously pleased. "Haley mentioned to me that she wished they lived closer. So why not."

"We can't afford to move Nathan," Peyton looked at him, expecting to see the young impulsive boy she dated in high school, but realized he was serious.

"I'll buy you a house."

There was a collective gasp, "We can't accept Nathan."

"Why not?"

"You're not a bachelor anymore Nathan," Jake started, "You have a family to support now."

"Damn it Jake. Don't you think I know that?" Nathan's voice rose as he spoke, "But you should know, as well as anyone, that I NEVER really lived as a bachelor. I didn't spend my money on booze and whores. I lived comfortably, but I also saved, horded even, hoping some day to be able to spoil my family," he stormed into the house.

Haley tried to smile, "I'm sorry," she rushed into the house after him. "Nathan," she placed her hands on his shoulders, "what happened out there?"

He turned to face her, "I don't know. What difference does it make if I want to spend my money on a house for my friends? I was serious."

"I know you were. And I think they did too, and it scared them. They weren't expecting it. Maybe, they feel like you do. They don't want to feel like they can't support their growing family, because obviously they can."

"I know that. God, I never meant to make them feel that way."

"Maybe you should come back out there, talk to Jake."

"Yeah, of course."

I see what beautiful is about
When I'm looking in
Not when I'm looking out

Nathan, followed closely by Haley, rejoined the silent table. "Look Jake, I'm sorry I got so mad, and I'm sorry if I stepped on any toes."

"It's alright man, no offense taken. I should apologize too, I was out of line. It's your money, and not my place to dictate that."

"So we're good?"

"We're good."

Oh, the view I love the most
Is my front porch looking in
Yeah
Oh, there's a carrot top who can barely walk
(From my front porch looking in)
A little blue eyed blonde with shoes on wrong, yeah
And the most beautiful girl
(Beautiful girl
From my front porch looking in)
Holding both of them
Oh, yeah