Hi! So I'm back with another chapter, which I hope you will all enjoy. It's been a while since I posted so I hope you all had a good Christmas and a happy new year.
At the moment I have a lot of work for uni coming up, so I hope you all understand that updates may be slow, but I hope you don't lose interest and I will try to post at least 1 chapter a month.
This chapter is a little long, but hopefully the Naley interaction makes up for it!
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Chapter 9
Haley was cut short, interrupted by a young voice filling the quietness of the hallway.
"Auntie Haley?"
Lucas looked at Haley, as if pressing her to ignore the voice and continue. She shook her head at him and let go of Nathan's hand. "I'm sorry.. I need to.." she trailed off, pushing herself up from her seat and walking into the hallway.
"Seriously?!" Lucas muttered, slumping slightly in his chair, obviously irritated by the sudden arrival of a visitor, just as he was about to get answers to the questions that had been on his mind all day.
Nathan looked across at him. "Luke, we'll carry this on later, maybe after the party, even if Haley doesn't want to."
Lucas looked up. "Doubt it, either one of you will freak out or we'll get interrupted again."
It was evident he was beginning to sulk, causing Nathan to chuckle. "Y'know, you used to pull that exact face everytime we used to play pirates and I wouldn't let you be the captain of the ship."
"Yeah well, you always had to be the best." Lucas shot back, smiling slightly.
"I'm glad you know it little brother" Nathan replied, matching his smile. "C'mon, let's go see who it is."
The two boys left the table and joined Haley in the hallway, Nathan slightly eager to see who had arrived.
Haley was crouched on the floor, hugging a small blonde haired boy.
"I've missed you so, so much!" She said to him, hugging him closer. As they broke free from the hug, he took a step back, and gave her a big smile, his big blue eyes full of life. "And look how big you've grown!"
"Dad said I'll soon be catching you up and that one day I'll be taller than you!" the young boy said proudly.
Before Haley could answer the small boy had spotted the two brothers joining them in the hallway.
"Lucas!" he shouted, running towards him.
"Hey buddy!" Lucas replied, giving the boy a quick hug.
"Hey Nathan" the boy said, looking across at him.
"S'up man, you been practicing those free throws and fadeaways?" he asked, picking him up and holding him in the air.
The boy squealed, laughing at how high he was. "Sure have! Look Auntie Haley, I'm taller than you."
Both Nathan and Lucas erupted into laughter at the boy's remark, especially when they caught the look on Haley's face. Nathan set the young boy back down on the floor and the boy proceeded to show Haley his new sneakers.
"Logan?" A voice shouted. "Where've you gone buddy?"
"I'm in here Mom!" he replied, grabbing hold of Haley's hand. "Come on Auntie Haley!" he insisted, dragging her towards the door.
Haley descended the small flight of steps onto the driveway, and was met by a tight hug.
"Oh Hales! I've missed you so much!" Haley stepped back and took her sister in. They'd always been the spitting image of each other, with their dark brown eyes, slim but curvaceous build and porcelain complexion. Haley smiled at her sister.
"It's so good to see you Quinn. Happy Birthday! I've missed you too, all of you!"
Quinn smiled and put her arm around Haley.
"Clay, look who we found!"
A sandy blonde haired guy looked over at them from the where he was pulling suitcases from the back of the car.
"Hi Haley! It's been a while!"
"It sure has!"
Clay continued to pull the last of the cases while the two sisters chatted, briefly catching up. Logan began trying to help Clay by pulling his suitcase towards the house. He reached the steps and struggled to lift it up.
From inside, where the boys had remained, giving Haley the opportunity to greet her family; Nathan spotted the young boy struggling and went to help him.
"Need a hand buddy?" he questioned, smiling at Logan.
"I think so, it's a bit heavy." He replied, flashing Nathan his big blue eyes. Nathan carried the suitcase inside and beckoned Lucas to join him in offering Clay some help. The two of them greeted Quinn and made their way over to the car.
"Hey guys! Great to see you!" Clay grinned, shaking their hands. "You two are both looking in great shape!" he commented, "Looking good enough for the big season you've got ahead!"
The three of them began discussing basketball and the season the Ravens would have when they returned to school as they began moving the bags into the hallway. During this time Haley, Quinn and Logan had made their way inside, with Haley making drinks for everyone. As the three boys made their way back to the car to get the last three bags, the parents arrived home, loaded with groceries and party items ready for the evening's celebrations.
After greeting Clay, Jimmy and Keith began unloading the car, while Karen and Lydia moved inside, taking a sleeping Lily with them. The men all stood around on the drive, mostly discussing sports, before eventually finishing up and themselves moving in to the kitchen.
The families spent a short time catching up with Quinn and Clay, while the children spent time outside. Haley sat on the porch steps, watching Lucas and Nathan play ball with Logan and Lily. She could tell that both Lucas and Nathan would make great fathers one day, and she was proud of the men they had become. She smiled, catching Nathan's eye, receiving a loving smile back.
A little while later, everyone was back inside, finalising the preparations for that evening. The two young children had been settled in front of the TV with cartoons and snacks, keeping them busy and out of the way of the adults, while Clay, Jimmy and Keith kept a close eye on them. Of course it didn't take long for their conversation to turn to sports, much to the amusement of Lydia and Karen, who were busy hanging a few extra decorations, such as streamers and balloons.
Haley had just stepped out of the shower and was making her way towards her dressing table, wrapped in her favourite fluffy dressing gown. Just as she sat down to dry her hair there was a soft knock at the door.
"Hales?"
Haley walked over to the door and opened it just enough for Nathan to move into the room. He looked at her, his blue eyes darkening slightly once again.
"God Hales, I swear you're tryna' kill me" he commented, taking in her natural beauty.
"What?" Haley asked, a little confused.
"You standing there, looking all hot and sexy as hell. And I know that under that robe you're naked.." He smirked, watching her cheeks turn a crimson colour.
"Nathan!" she protested, pulling the robe tighter around herself, evidently embarrassed by his comment.
"I can't help that you do things to me Haley James." He said, taking a few steps closer to her. He pulled her towards him, his hands resting between the small of her back and her hips. He looked down at her, and kissed her gently.
Haley smiled as the two broke away from each other. Nathan moved to sit on her bed, and held an outstretched arm towards her, signalling for her to join him. Haley moved towards the bed, taking his hand and sitting down next to him.
"Was there a reason for your visit or were you missing me too much?" she questioned, flirting with him.
"Both." He replied, his voice sincere. "I miss you when you're not around and I mean that." He continued to watch her expression closely.
"I miss you too when we're not together, but we've barely been apart these last few weeks."
"I don't just mean distance, I mean everything. When we're sleeping in separate beds I miss you, when I'm in class you're all I think about and how I want to be with you, when I see you at school I miss the feel of your hand in mine and the taste of your lips. I miss you whenever I'm not with you and I don't want to hide our relationship any longer. I meant it when I said I was in love with you Hales. I always have been and always will be."
He studied her face closely, anticipating that she would be apprehensive about telling everyone. Instead he was met with eyes that were filled with love.
"I love you too, and I do mean it when I say it. Always and forever" she replied, leaning towards him, placing her hands on his cheeks. The two shared a gentle but passionate kiss.
"As for telling everyone, we really need to start by explaining to Luke, and then we go from there" Nathan began.
Haley nodded. "Yeah… It's not Luke I'm worried about.."
Nathan embraced her, pulling her closer to him. Haley automatically responded by wrapping her arms around him.
"Forget everyone else, we don't need anyone who isn't happy for us. We love each other and nothing else matters."
Haley pulled away and smiled at him once again.
"What did I ever do to deserve you?" she questioned.
"Just be you." He replied. "I have something for you, which was the second part of wanting to see you." He pulled out a square box in wrapped paper and handed it to her.
"Nathan…."
"Just open it…"
Haley unwrapped the box and lifted the lid, finding a gold charm bracelet inside. Gasping, she pulled it from the box to look at it properly. She noticed that nearly all the spaces for charms were full. Besides the usual standard 'lucky' charms like a horseshoe and a penny, Nathan had attached a book, a basketball, a musical note, an ice cream, a charm that resembled a Christmas tree, a house, a flower, a small heart, the number 3 and finally the number 23.
"Nathan, this is absolutely beautiful…" Haley began, a lump rising in her throat. A tear spilled over and ran down her cheek. Nathan gently wiped it away.
"Hey, don't cry. I wanted to make you happy…" he said, beginning to feel a little bit guilty that he made Haley cry.
"Nathan, these are happy tears, I can't believe you've got me something like this.. I can't accept this, it's far too expensive and I really don't deserve it."
"Every charm has a meaning, and I'm sure you'll work it out, as for deserving it, you're worth every last bit and more." He glanced towards the clock. "I'd better go and get ready, and so had you." He rose from the bed and kissed her gently on the forehead. He moved towards the door, opening it. He turned back to face Haley, still sat on her bed, clutching the bracelet.
"I love you." He said softly.
"Always…" she replied, looking up at him.
"And forever." He said as he left the room.
Haley remained seated on her bed for a while longer, still gazing at the bracelet. This was the first real gift Nathan had given her, except from small gifts on her birthday and at Christmas, that were usually bought by Deb. She didn't know whether it was the fact that Nathan had bought her something so precious or that he'd taken the time to choose something for her, for no reason at all, that made her appreciate his gesture all the more. She touched each charm again, some had an obvious meaning, others not so much. She knew she would understand what each one meant in time.
Placing the bracelet back into it's box, she returned to her dressing table. She set down the box next to a bottle of her favourite perfume, her crackerjack bracelet and a picture of all the families from a few Christmases ago. She glanced at the clock once more and realised how much time had passed since Nathan had left her to continue getting ready. As she was plugging in her hairdryer, she was met by another knock at her door. Sighing, she once again moved to the door and opened it.
Haley was met by a rather excitable Quinn, who had an armful of clothes and a carry case of makeup.
"I was thinking we could get ready together, like we used to!" She announced, flashing Haley a pearly white grin.
"Sure, I'm running a little late though, I've still not done my hair." Haley replied, moving out of the way of her sister, who had already made it to the bed. Throwing the clothes down onto Haley's bedspread, she turned, still grinning.
"That's fine, we'll just put the curlers in it and then let it mostly air dry." Quinn replied.
"Okay…" Haley agreed as Quinn made her way to the dressing table.
The two girls began getting ready, chatting and catching up as they did. Quinn asked Haley about school and her friends, while Haley caught up on Quinn's recent work and her relationship with Clay. Quinn was applying some light brown eyeshadow to Haley's eyes, when she turned to conversation to Nathan.
"So, how's things going?"
"With?"
"You know who with, Nathan of course!"
"Oh." Haley replied, caught a little off guard. "It's going okay."
"Just okay?" Quinn pressed, raising her eyebrow slightly.
"Fine, it's going more than okay, it's going perfect."
"But?"
"We've decided to tell everyone about us, and you know how it is when everyone gets involved." Haley replied, looking down towards her lap. Being with Nathan was one thing, but having everyone else's input made things a whole lot different, nothing would ever just be between them.
"Haley, you told me because you trust me right?"
Haley nodded.
"So trust me when I tell you this. Nothing will change between you and Nathan when everyone finds out. Mom and Dad are gonna' be so pleased, Luke will eventually come round, all your friends will get used to it and anyone else's opinon shouldn't matter. Nathan loves you Haley, it's so obvious! He isn't going to let anyone ruin this for the two of you, so trust what I'm telling you and trust Nate's instinct. 'Kay?"
Haley smiled and nodded once again. "Yeah, I suppose you're right. I'm just a little scared that something's going to ruin it y'know? But I feel that now is the right time to tell everyone and so does Nate." She began to hug her sister. "Thank you for being there for me so much recently and for being so good with your advice."
Quinn embraced her sister back. "I wouldn't have it any other way. You know I'm here for you and you know you can trust me to keep a secret as big as this. I love you little sis."
"I love you too Quinny." Haley replied, the tears beginning to well in her eyes.
"Okay, okay, don't start crying, you'll set me off and then we'll have to redo our makeup which we really don't have time for!"
The two of them pulled away from each other and began to laugh, something they always did when trying to avoid a sentimental or emotional moment.
"Right then, let's get these curlers out and find you something amazing to wear."
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So that's chapter 9! Hopefully you all enjoyed it!
I noticed that reviews were a little low for my last 2 chapters, I'm not sure whether this is because some of you didn't want to review, the timing of when I posted or that you didn't like it. Hopefully it's not the last one, but I love to find out what you all think, good or bad, so please leave me a review, especially if there's anything you'd like to see happen, it makes it all worth it.
I promise that we are only 1/2 chapters (depending on length) away from finding out how Naley started, so I hope none of you are losing interest! Hopefully you'll find the wait worth it! :)
Until next time..x