Disclaimer: OTH and its characters do not belong to me. Neither does the song quoted in this chapter. Its 'Close Your Eyes' by Westlife.
Please take the time to let me know what you think. This story will contain multiple flashbacks which will be in italics! Xx
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This Wasn't Supposed to Happen
Chapter Fourteen – Close Your Eyes
Nathan walked into his living room, his sleeping son now settled in his crib.
"Luke" he spoke, as his brother looked up. "It's time for the truth"
Lucas stared at Nathan for what seemed like an eternity before slowly nodding his head in agreement.
Nathan had been dressed in his tux, but all that now remained was his dress trousers and white shirt, rolled up to his elbows. His shoes were still there too as he danced round the dance floor, his baby son in his arms.
Stepping from left to right, and back again, it was obvious to the room that the hotshot basketball player was no dancer, but somehow, the sight of the little boy laughing in his arms excused his awful dancing, and made him the focus of the room.
Slowly, a figure made its way behind him, snaking one arm around his waist, the other setting on the little boy's head. There was no doubt as to who it was. He'd memorised that touch.
"Nathan" she whispered, her breath against his neck. "I hate your dancing"
Nathan laughed a little but cringed at the same time, he knew he couldn't dance, but he didn't need her to remind him. Just as he was about to contest her statement, she lifted her hand from Tyler's head and placed it over his mouth.
"But" she began huskily, checking over her shoulder to see how close other party goers stood. "I have never" she began, coughing a little as a breath caught in her throat, "Never" she repeated, "seen a sexier sight, than my man and my baby dancing"
Nathan closed his eyes at her words; he loved it when she labelled him hers. Moving her hand from his mouth, she replaced it with her lips instead. She pulled him nearer her, showing him just how much she found him sexy, by the sheer force of her kiss.
"Don't drop the baby" a voice shook them from their kiss, and their own world. Haley stepped back, slightly embarrassed by her actions, until her eyes met only with those of her best friend.
"Lucas" Nathan began, still cradling Tyler in his arms. "Don't ever interrupt me when I'm kissing Haley."
Lucas laughed. "Sorry little brother, but it is my engagement party."
"And congratulations" Haley beamed, pulled Luke into a hug. "I can't believe you and Peyton are going to marry, it's so exciting"
Lucas pulled out of her embrace and smiled. "Yup" he eventually spoke "Hales can I ask a favour?"
Haley nodded.
"Can I borrow my brother for a minute?"
Haley laughed, as she began to take Tyler from Nathan. "Course" she began, "Just promise" Haley paused as she kissed Nathan again "Just promise you'll bring him back?"
Nathan and Haley both smiled as Lucas just stared at them, pretending to be repulsed by their actions.
"Promise" he laughed as Haley walked away, talking animatedly to her son in her arms.
"What's up?" Nathan asked, his eyes still following Haley as she walked away.
Lucas began to walk away, as Nathan followed, leading them to the secluded hallway.
"I have a problem" Lucas began, rubbing his hands over his face. "A big problem."
Lucas was still nodding at is brother's words. Yes it was time to tell the truth. He wished he'd been brave enough to tell the truth in the first place. But he hadn't been, and even the thought of doing it now, scared him to death.
"What are we going to say?" he eventually asked, Nathan pacing the floor in front of him.
"Everything" Nathan began. "We're going to tell them all everything, especially Haley."
Lucas looked at his feet. "It'll finish Peyton and I" he whispered, as his brother's glare met him.
"Lucas, don't you get it?" Nathan raged, his face mere inches from his brother's. "Haley moved out!" he screamed. "At the moment Haley and I are finished. Don't you see what you've done?"
Lucas went quiet, rubbing his hands nervously together.
"My mom will freak" he whispered aloud, vocalising his thoughts. Nathan looked at his brother, before something inside him snapped. Grabbing Lucas by an arm, he dragged him through the apartment, down the hallway and into the bedroom that belonged to his son.
"Do you see that?" Nathan yelled. "Do you see?"
Lucas didn't respond, only looked at Nathan.
"That's mine and HALEY'S son" Nathan choked, unwanted tears welling in his eyes. "Mine and HALEY'S" he repeated, tears now threatening to fall down his cheeks. "I want my girl back" he spat, dropping Lucas's arm and walking from he room, unwilling to cry in front of him.
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Haley was still standing in the mirror, tracing a finger over her tattoo, when she was broken from her thoughts as the doorbell sounded. Slowly pulling the door open, the visitor didn't hesitate from walking straight in.
"Can I help you?" she asked nervously, not recognising the stranger. "Neither Karen nor Lucas are here" she spoke quickly, urging him to leave.
"Is Nathan?" he asked, his dark, almost black eyes, staring at her.
Haley only shook her head, as the sound of his name made her stomach ache a little.
"Shame" he whispered, as he walked back toward the open door, as Haley took a step back, to let him leave.
Stopping just before he left, placing one hand on the open door, he turned back to face her. "Are you Haley?" he questioned.
Haley didn't nod or shake her head, just stood motionless, a sudden fear spreading throughout her body.
"Perfect" the man whispered, as he flung the door closed. "I was looking for a Scott" he began, lifting a hand to cup Haley's cheek. "But a Haley James?" he laughed. "A Haley James is way better."
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Tomorrow morning I have to leave
But wherever I may be
Best believe I'm thinking of you
I can't believe how much I love you
A sudden calm fell over Haley when he first hit her, his fist breaking her skin as it made contact with her cheek. The second punch, which landed on her stomach, was less painful still, as the pain continued to dissipate, replaced by memories, memories that began to flood her mind.
A huge smile swept across Haley James' face as she looked at her baby son. All black hair and blue eyes, he was exactly like his daddy. This boy was going to be a heartbreaker.
"Hey" A voice spoke softly behind her, as she reached into the crib, smoothing her finger down the soft delicate skin of her son's hand.
Turning to acknowledge the new figure to enter her baby boy's room, she responded. "Hey yourself."
"Is he still awake?"
Haley laughed. "Yup, he's wide awake. All blue eyes. Waiting for a good night kiss from you I think."
"Oh, really?" Nathan Scott smirked, his eyes full of delight. "Hey little man" he continued. "Did you want a goodnight kiss from your daddy?" Putting his training bag down, Nathan walked to the crib and leaned into it, kissing his son lightly on the forehead.
"Ah he's all about his Daddy" Haley laughed, loving to watch the interaction between Nathan and their son.
Backing away from the crib, Nathan wrapped his arms around Haley's waist, pulling her tight against him.
"Hey" Haley smirked. "Look."
Nathan and Haley both looked over at their son, as his eyes began to slowly close, he was fighting the tiredness that was about to consume him.
"Oh I'm good" Nathan softly spoke, before turning to his girl. "So many talents" he laughed.
Haley's eyed widened. "Talents? Talents?!" She questioned. "I've not seen the evidence of any of these 'talents'?"
Nathan pulled Haley even closer to him, brushing his lips past hers, teasing her. "Well Miss James, I think we've got evidence of my 'talents' right there." Motioning toward the crib, Haley laughed.
"Well Nathan Scott, can I see some more?" Haley moved her arms, and wrapped them tightly around his neck, pulling him forward until their lips met.
"Hell yeah" Nathan replied, lifting his girl up and out of their son's room.
And I'll love you forever
Anytime that we find ourselves apart
Just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Just look to your heart
And that's where I'll be
If you just close your eyes
Till your drifting away
You'll never be too far from me
If you close your eyes
"Haley!" Nathan entered the apartment, throwing his keys down on the table and picking the mail off the floor. "Hales, baby? You up?" Nathan walked down the hallway of their home, as he traced his eyes over the letters they had received. "Bill, phone bill, letter for Haley, oh Hales?" he called out. "There's a letter for" his voice stopped dead, his hands dropping the letters to the floor. "Oh God."
Haley sat kneeled on their bedroom floor, her face red and her eyes bloodshot, a hand tightly clutching her eight month old baby belly. "Nathan" she groaned, obviously in pain. "I'm having your son." Haley screamed as another contraction hurt her body. "And I'm not kidding this time."
I know I'm gonna see you again
But promise me that you won't forget
Cause as long as you remember
A part of us will be together
So even when you're fast asleep
Look for me inside your dreams
Keep believing in what we're sharing
And even when I'm not there to tell you
Haley turned over in her sleep, reaching her arm out to Nathan. She found nothing but empty bed. Lifting her head, she opened her eyes, scanning the room for Nathan.
"Nate?" She shouted, confused in her sleepy state. "Nathan?"
No reply. Immediately she thought the worst. Jumping out of the bed they shared, she began to run toward their son's room. "Nathan?" She continued to yell as she became increasingly concerned.
Then she saw it. She'd never forget the image. She found her boys, both sound asleep. Tyler n his crib and Nathan on the floor next to him, his hand jammed through the wooden spars, grasping his son's tiny hand in his.
Haley melted. There they were her family, her life. Walking into the room she lay on the floor next to Nathan. Inching her body closer to his, he moaned; still sound asleep, before wrapping his arm around her tiny waist.
I'll, I'll love, Love you forever
Anytime that I can't be where you are
Is there anywhere that far?
Anytime you're feeling low
Is there anywhere that love cannot reach?
Oh no
It could be anywhere on earth
It could be anywhere I'll be
As Haley's head hit the floor, the vivid memories stopped, and all she could see, all she could see in that moment, was Nathan. Nathan cradling their son.
Oh baby if you want to see
Just close your eyes
And you'll be here with me
Look to your heart
That's where I'll be
Haley lay motionless on the floor.
"Tell your men" the man laughed. "Tell those Scott brothers that's a reminder."
He laughed again, as he turned from her to leave.
"A reminder" he shouted as he walked through the door, slamming it behind him.
Just close your eyes
Till your drifting away
You'll never be too far from me.