Chapter 14

"Everybody…" she breathed and she made sure not to look to Nathan's direction. "this is Channing Tatum…my boyfriend. And this is Taylor Rebecca James… my daughter."

Haley knew all eyes were on her as the group took their time to take in the information. Peyton and Brooke shared the same worried expression and Lucas looked like someone that had been hit with a shovel. Only Nathan kept his gaze on the ground as he out right refused to look up at Haley. Without another word Nathan walked away and Haley sighed as she felt hot tears sting her eyes. Refusing to cry in front of Taylor or any of her old friends, she rumbled out an apology – something about Taylor getting some rest after the long journey – and quickly made her way up to her room. Channing gave an apologetic smile before following his girlfriend – not knowing how much pain he had caused in bringing that girl with him.

A while after Haley, Channing and Nathan had all disappeared, Peyton and Jake went for a walk and Lucas sunk down on the bench. Brooke walked over to him and slowly sat next to him.

"Daughter…Haley has a daughter." Lucas said softly and shook his head. Brooke nodded in understanding as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Did you see the look Nathan gave when he heard that? It was like he knew it all along. Like he knew it would be…" she stopped dead in her tracks but Lucas smirked.

"Like the child was his."

"Oh God do you think it is? Do you really think Taylor is a Naley baby?" Brooke asked quickly and Lucas sighed as he took of his jacket and hung it over her shoulders.

"If it is…well all I can say is the shit is going to hit the fan…and soon."

oOoOoOoOoOo

"Haley honey…talk to me. Please." Channing begged outside of the bathroom door but Haley ignored him as she stared hard into the mirror. Taylor was passed out on the bed from the long trip so it didn't really matter if she didn't come out.

"Hales…don't do this…don't shut me out." His words, the sudden desperation, it made Haley think back and she was startled to find it wasn't the first time she had heard those words.

Haley stayed silent as Nathan took her hand and grasped it with an urgency that Haley had never seen in him. She stared out at the beach until her gaze was fixed only on it.

"Haley baby…" Nathan said in his most smoothing voice but it went straight through Haley. She was only mildly aware of his fingers wiping away her tears.

"Come on Hales…let me in. Let me help you." Again his most emotional words made no difference to her state of mind as her own sadness engulfed her.

"Hales…don't do this…don't shut me out."

oOoOoOoOoOo

In a world filled with darkness, lies and hate it creates this feeling of sadness and deep pain in every person that has ever lived his or her life. But in the wake of this horrible sadness a door was opened by a gracious woman who herself had lost her beloved to the hate of the world.

When Karen Roe opened her door to five strangers they had not known the way their lives would change the instant they moved into her home. The love they would encounter. The hardships. The friendships. The ever-lasting bond between them.

Two brothers – Nathan and Lucas Scott – moved in first. Nathan – 20 - taking a break from his supposed amazing basketball career after the death of his mother. Lucas – 19 – coming to the realization that their mother is dead…and so also his basketball career with the news of his HCM – a heart condition that made him unable to put strain on his heart. Two brothers just trying to find peace, with their mother's death, with their lives, with themselves.

A few days later Brooke Davis – an18-year-old graduate and spoiled rich girl – moved in. Wanting to get away from her non-caring parents she made a dash for it. Wanting to get rid of the spoiled little girl image. Wanting to grow up.

Peyton Sawyer – 18 years old – waltzed into the house just a few hours after Brooke who she became instant friends with. Peyton's father was always traveling around and she found it better to stay with other people. Her old house held too many memories in… to many that hurt. She was there to finally get away from it…the hurting memories of her childhood.

Haley James was the last one to arrive at Karen's house. The 18-year-old girl had never decided to move into the house but she had been good friends with Karen and Keith – Karen's deceased husband – for many years. They were her godparents and she loved spending time with them. So finally when high school was over Haley decided to move into her godmother's house. To be closer to Karen. To be closer to childhood memories. To be closer to the memory of Keith.

And within a few weeks five unlikely strangers were thrown into the same house. Friendships formed within the first few days and it was quickly decided that it was the white house…their white house. And they were inseparable.

Haley slowly closed the book as Taylor moved between her and Channing. She placed it on the stand and picked Taylor up.

"Shh baby…" she smoothed as she took her outside. It was already early morning so it wouldn't be long before she woke up.

"You're so beautiful…" Haley cooed as she brushed her hand in the little girl's hair.

"Yeah…my daughter is beautiful." Haley turned around in shock as Nathan stood in front of her – a painful sneer on his face.