ell6ange- lol, love ur reply. so true. margaritas does sound good right now. lol. thanks you, happy you like this story!

saderia- Thanks so much!

LiZ457- :)

luvnaley23- Yeah he is, well, you'll see hoe it ends today!

LaFilmeMichelle- lol, so true. nathan would fit in perfectly. lol.

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Acceptance-

"Thank you so much" Haley beamed in happiness. He smiled, patting her on the shoulder.

"You're welcome, it was my pleasure. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?" he asked.

"Of course…I. I don't know how to thank you enough" Haley continued, while he chuckled.

"Go home to your husband. You can think of something later. Hint I like vanilla" he replied. Haley stood from the chair and looked at him one last time.

"You're always there for me, thank you" Haley answered sincerely. He smiled, crossing her arms.

"Go home" he replied cheerful. Haley smiled at him one last time and walked her way to the car.

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Nathan woke up, finding himself alone. It didn't bother him; he simply laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Reexamining his behavior for the previous weeks; how obtuse he felt. Especially his behavior towards his wife.

"You awake?" Haley asked as her head stood up from the doorway.

"Yeah" Nathan replied as he now sat on the bed, facing her.

"Are you ok?" she asked as she made her way to him.

"I'm fine. Where were you at?" he asked curious. Haley smiled, sitting beside him.

"Somewhere. So what are you up for doing today? I want to get out of the house…" Haley rambled on as Nathan juts stared. She stopped, slightly blushing,

"Do I have something in my face?" she asked embarrassed, then tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. He smiled, reaching to hold her hand.

"You're beautiful" he simply said. Haley smiled, then leaned in for a light kiss. Sensation tingled throughout their bodies.

"Come on, let's go eat at Karen's" Haley suggested as she stood from the bed to let Nathan get dressed.

"Don't take so long" Haley then said and closed the door. Nathan sat on the bed for a moment more, feeling like a new person. A new sense of himself awoke, and he enjoyed the sentiment.

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"Your food will be here soon" Karen said as she finished writing their requests. She then smiled and departed to the back. Haley turned to Nathan, smiling.

"I like this" Haley said. Nathan looked at her confused.

"Like what?" he asked.

"You being here, with me. Happy above all. I missed it" Haley replied.

"About that, I'm sorry" Nathan bowed his head ashamed.

"It's ok. You were in a dark place, just be happy you overcome that" Haley answered.

"Doesn't matter, what I did, said…I'm sorry. I can help blocking all those around me, and concentrated on myself only" Nathan confessed.

"I understand. But that yourself only thoughts, have to go. Kid on the way, and I am nor handling him by myself" Haley warned as she pointed to her stomach. Nathan chuckled.

"I know" he replied.

"Here's your food" Karen said as she sit the plates on their table.

"Thanks Karen, this looks great" Haley answered as she immediately began to eat.

"It's good to see you by your wife Nathan. I was beginning to think Lucas was the one married to her" Karen teased, as then Haley slightly spit out her drink.

"Yeah, I'm here. For good. No more wondering around" Nathan answered.

"Good, now you can go at night to buy us our food and let Lucas sleep in. He deserves it" Karen replied. Nathan forced a smile, as Haley giggled.

"Done worry about that Karen" Haley began, " call him in his phone anytime. He'll be more than happy. Right babe?" Haley grinned.

"Sure. Anytime" Nathan replied forcefully. Karen laughed then tapped his shoulder.

"Expect a call soon" Karen answered then left to the back.

"Great" Nathan answered sarcastically.

"Don't pout, it'll be fun. If you want, ask Lucas for some tips" Haley teased.

"This is amusing you, isn't it?" Nathan asked.

"More than you know" Haley laughed. Nathan shook his head, then looked back at Haley.

"I been thinking about the schools" Nathan began, "I'm ok with it."

"Ok with a community school?" Haley asked.

"Yes. I realized that as long as I have my family beside me, nothing else matters. And even if it's there, we can always transfer to another school, two years later. This isn't the end to my basketball career. It's a new beginning" Nathan said. Haley smiled proudly at him.

"You just realized this now? After all this time?" Haley joked.

"I know, better late than never, right?" Nathan asked, waiting for her respond.

"Well, I'm proud of you. Nathan, you matured. And no matter what school we may go to, basketball can not be taken away from you. It's your dream. This whole experience, was simply an obstacle. Nothing more, and you passed. I'm really proud of you Nate" Haley answered cheerfully.

"Thanks. So we should sign up for classes after this" Nathan replied. Haley wiped her mouth with her napkin.

"We cant" she answered.

"Why not?" he asked puzzled.

"Because we're not going to be attending there" Haley replied smiling.

"What's going on?" he asked further confused.

"This morning I went to go visit Whitey. He told me something that was beyond amazing" Haley replied.

"What he tell you?" Nathan asked curious.

"He will be coaching for a university this year and he wants you to be on his team…think about it as your comeback" Haley replied. Nathan stared at her amazed. This was a miracle. He couldn't believe it.

"Nathan, you'll be playing basketball" Haley said happily.

"Oh wow, oh wow…" he kept saying over and over then shouted in happiness, then he stood from his chair to hug Haley.

"Nathan, I cant breathe" Haley said trying to release herself from him.

"Wait, you're going with me, right?" Nathan asked

"Yeah, we all are. Everything is set" Haley answered. Nathan hugged her one last time then kissed her.

"We have to thank him" Nathan said as he grabbed Haley's hand and walked out of the café with her.

"Nathan, hold on. I cant walk that fast" Haley said, as he was literally about to run. Once they got to their car, Nathan drove away, but not to the desired location.

"Where are we by the docks?" Haley asked confused.

"An idea just popped up as I was driving: I can always thank Whitey later, but it's you that I really have to thank" Nathan replied.

"Me? What I do?" Haley asked curiously.

"Stand be my after all my crap. I love you Hales, an what I said at the café, I want lying. As long as I have you and our baby, that's all that really matters" Nathan answered. Haley smiled at him, she couldn't help but love him more. This was the person she married.

"I love you too" Haley said, then leaned in for a kiss. After both stayed for a while longer, staring at the mellow and luminous sun hitting the water as if it glowed. Everything was perfect.

The End.

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A/N- Thanks so much for those that read this short fic. And for the continuation, just place this fic in after Whitey told Nathan the news. Everything should fit in, after. Thanks again!

Much love,

Alex