Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill

Chapter Five

25th September 2006.

Nathan decided to go talk to Peyton another time before bringing the case before the courts.

Jake openned the door. "Hi, Nathan, come in," and led him to the living room where Peyton was sitting.

"What do you want Nathan?" she asked rather harshly.

"I want my daughter."

"Your daughter?" she scoffed. "You may be related to her biologically, but you have never been her father. She doesn't even know you."

"She doesn't know me yet and I haven't been in her life before because Brooke made everyone believe that Lucas was the father. But she is also the one who two weeks ago told me that she had made a mistake and that she wanted to fix it." he replied.

"But she didn't."

"Because she died before. You are going to go against your own sister's will, you are going to prevent Mary from having a father, because Brooke died to soon to do it herself?" he was fumming now. "She's my daughter, you have no right to do this."

"Actually she's not your daughter, at least not legally, and therefore I'm her closest family." Peyton answered with a calm that contrasted highly with Nathan's anger.

"I may not be legally her father right now, but I intend to change that. Besides, it was what Brooke wanted, she wanted me to take Mary, she wanted me to raise MY daughter, not you. If she had wanted you to take Mary, she would have said so, but she didn't."

"I think you should go now Nathan. And don't come back here."

"I'll get my daughter, Peyton, wether you want it or not. And since you're making this difficult, we'll have to bring this before the courts." And he left.

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Nathan stood helplessly at the window.

"Hey." Nathan spun around, startled, and saw that Haley was standing against the far wall.

"Hi," Nathan responded tiredly. He turned back to the window. Haley wrapped her arms around his shoulders, hiding her face against his neck. She began trailing soft kisses on his skin, but stopped when she realised he was so deep in toughts he didn't even reacted. "What are you thinking?" Nothing.

"What are you thinking?" she asked louder this time. Nathan snapped out of his reverie, "hmmm?"

"You okay?" she looked at him anxious.

"Peyton doesn't want to hear anything. We'll have to bring the case before the courts." he explained.

"So be it. You're her father, you have rights. I'll support you all the way, if you need anything just tell me."

He smiled and touched his lips to her forehead." I just need you." He puller her into his arms.

"Everything will be ok." she mumbled in his chest.

Later that night, Nathan laid in bed, next to Haley's sleping form, his head buried deep in the pillows. His and hers breathings the only sound in the almost silent room along with the soft whispers of the wind and the steady almost soothing sound of the rain hitting the window panes in a regular pattern. He was unable to sleep. He wanted to believe what Haley had said earlier, that everything would be okay, but he was beginning to seriously doubt it.