Chapter 3: Finally Home

"Aunt Haley?" Michael whispered sadly. Haley stood in the doorway, suitcases at her side as she prepared for the long drive home.

"Yea?" Haley smiled as she knelt down next to him.

"I don't want you to go." The little boy cried. Softly he wrapped his arms around her neck and began to cry quietly.

"Oh sweety, I don't want to leave you either." Haley tried to hold back the tears, to stay strong for him.

" You're going where my dad is?" He asked.

"Um, Yea." Haley glanced up at Brooke who inhaled sharply.

Michael got ready to speak again. But stopped himself when he saw his mother's broken expression. If only he knew how much his mother still loved his Dad, If only he could understand why she had to leave. Michael stepped back and went over to his mom. " Can we go visit her on the weekends?" He cried.

Brooke hesitated. "Of course. Every single weekend." Haley responded for her. Then smiled at her.

"Promise?" He looked back and forth between them.

"Pinky swear." Brooke finished. She just prayed that each time she went, She wouldn't have to see Lucas. Or maybe, that she would see him. She wasn't sure.

Seasons change
They change when you don't seem to notice

The road stretched on in front of her. She tried to let the memories of her troubles fade behind her like the disappearing road. She turned on the music on her stereo and let out a deep refreshing breath, it was so good to finally be going home.

All of a sudden, wind grows cold
And then the snowflakes start to fall
It's kinda like when fell in love with you

As the day went on, her trip went on, she felt more eager to get away from the town she had lived in for five years. But with each flashing headlight, and each raindrop on her windshield, and each stroke of her wipers, a memory of Nathan flashed in her mind. Their wedding day. They stood on a beach.

I, I didn't even notice when you didn't love me anymore
There's a blue, there's a blue sky on my left and a pink sky on my right

Their anniversary, He bought her their home.

And I'm driving down the 92 where the bridge looks like it touches the sky
And Im thinking to myself

And now, the night he chose basketball over his family. He threw six years of marriage away, for a game. But maybe, Haley thought, it was all just a game. As she spied her fingers gripping the steering wheel, she noticed her wedding ring. Angrily, she took it off and let it fall into the ashtray.

Where did all the time go
And why cant I remember
What it was like when I was young

As she got closer to Tree Hill, she saw little things that made her stomach swirl. But at the same time, everything was different. The old bridge, that her and Lucas would jump off to go swimming. Was gone. Now it was replaced by a big metal one.

And you grow a little older
Nothing stays the same
The past becomes the future

The old restaurant on the outskirts of town, was gone too. But not replaced. Instead theres just a big empty parking lot, with small bits of rubble scattered here and there.

Seasons change
And you grow a little older
Noone stays the same
And my heart grows a little colder

There was one place, where she stopped, before going home. As she reached back into the ashtray, she took out her wedding ring and walked toward the beach. She stood there, in the cold night wind. The air was damp and sharp and the waves beat on some nearby rocks. Kneeling down she cleared a little hole in the sand. She just stared around for awhile, holding the memories back. Then silently, like slow motion, she let the ring fall into the hole. Standing, she kicked sand over it angrily and walked back to her car.

And I'm thinking to myself
I gotta make a big decision today and I hope I choose a better tomorrow
Rather then a better yesterday

She sat in her car, but couldn't drive away. She wanted to take in every single aspect of her home, the place she left because she got in a stupid fight with her brother, over a guy who's heart was never really there. It was always with his game. And she almost felt guilty for being the one keeping him from that.

Seasons change
And you grow a little older
Nothing stays the same
The past becomes the future

Finally she was home. She parked outside the café where she knew they'd be. She was overwhelmed with the joy of finally being home. Hopping out of her car she found herself frozen outside the door. Karen didn't know she was coming home, no one did. She watched what she had been missing. Her family. All together inside the café, Karen, Keith, Lucas, and Erica. Brooke was missing though. And she knew she'd feel guilty to feel so at home without her. But then again. She also knew she wouldn't feel at home without her. But she needed to be here. She slowly opened the door and the bell jingled. They all turned their heads and peered at Haley. Her cheeks were tear stained and her eyes were broken. No one spoke. Karen ran to her and wrapped her arms around her. Haley couldn't help but be happy to be with them again. Keith came to them then and hugged them both. But Lucas just stood there, staring at them, holding his daughter. " Daddy? Who is that?" Erica whispered.

"Aunt Haley." Lucas whispered back, coldly. But the little girl's eyes lit up.

Seasons change
And you grow a little older
Noone stays the same
And my heart grows a little warmer
My heart turns a little warmer
Everything turns it turns it turns it turns
Seasons change
And you grow a little wiser