Author's note: Thank you guys for reviewing the last chapter, I couldn't imagine that someone would actually like this story so glad you like it! As for Catherine, don't worry, I'm not a Steve/Catherine shipper at all so she'll leave my story very soon.

Sunday, December 24th, 2006

It was Christmas Eve, and Steve laid on his bed, arms crossed behind his head, staring at the ceiling. He was alone in his sleeping quarter and even if he never liked Christmas there was nothing – nothing – he wanted more than coming back home to see Haley. He missed her more than anything else, sometimes even more than his father and this scared him, but the feeling lasted only a few seconds. They hadn't spoke since he left for Annapolis and every day he hoped to wake up and find a letter from her, but it never happened. Not like he ever wrote her anything, but he told that since she was the romantic one, a letter would be the least she could do. But he was wrong.

Steve didn't move for a while and then sat up, feeling the need to write Haley something. It was Christmas, after all, so that could be his small present to her. He grabbed what he needed and stared at the paper for what felt like an hour, the pen clicking against the book he was using as a makeshift writing surface. Despite his attempts, the page stayed blank because he had no idea what to say. Did he tell her how much he missed her and how much he still loved her? Did he tell her that the only thing he cared about was coming back home just for her? No, he had no idea how to write a letter to her ex girlfriend who'd probably already forgotten him and was dating someone else.

For more than three hours, Steve started and stopped on his letter to Haley but when he almost gave up, he found some inspiration in an old picture of them he'd found in the book.

My dearest and beloved Haley,

I miss you. Maybe this is not the best way to begin a letter to an ex girlfriend but I can't help it. I miss you so much, Hales.

It's been three months since the last time I saw you and I've never heard from you since then. I hope you're doing good. This year is your last year in High school so I bet you're enjoying it and can't wait for the prom. I'm sure your mother will make you a beautiful dress, like the one you wore for the prom last year. I'm looking at the pictures of us at that party and even if I look like an idiot, you look gorgeous.

It's Christmas Eve here and I wish I was with you. I hope you're doing good, Hales and please, write me back soon. You don't have to tell me you miss me – because you probably don't – but I want to know what's going on in your life.

Take care,

Steve.

Sunday, December 31st, 2006

"Are you ready, Haley? Brooke and Peyton are already at the café!"

Lucas' voice interrupted Haley's thoughts. The girl was standing in front of the mirror, softly touching her belly and sighing a little. It has been more than three months since Steve left and she still didn't receive anything from him. Not a letter, not a phone call. She stood there for a couple of minutes then grabbed her purse, quickly walking downstairs and smiling at her best friend.

"Thank God! I thought you didn't want to come anymore." He told her, putting an arm around her shoulders and softly kissing her hair.

"I'm not so excited to celebrate New Year's Eve with you all, I'd rather stay home but I do this just for you and your mother." Haley smiled up at him and, after kissing her mother on the cheek, followed him outside.

She was glad to have a best friend like Lucas. They had been friends since Elementary school and even though sometimes they found themselves fighting over stupid things, they always ended up hugging and tell each other nice words.

Just like when she told him she was pregnant. He didn't say anything. Of course, she knew he was kind of mad at her but the only thing he did was hugging her for the whole night, while she was crying her heart out.

Once they arrived at Karen's Café, the two of them walked into the place and Haley was happy to see her friends there. Maybe a night out with them was what she needed to not think of Steve.

They danced, talked and even cried and when it was almost the new years, Lucas stood up and raised his glass.

"To the new year. The year when we finally graduate, start college, seriously think about our future and obviously welcome a new baby in our family." He smiled down at Haley and she couldn't help but blush.

Family.

That was what they were. A only one, big and lovely family. And right now, that was the thing Haley and her baby needed the most.

…

Mr. and Mrs. James were sitting on the couch, alone. They children were out to celebrate New Year's Eve and even though some of their friends asked them to go out with them, Haley's parents decided to stay home and think about the new year.

"We can't do this to our daughter." The woman looked up at her husband and sighed, looking down at the letter that was on the living room table. "It's not fair."

"I know it's not but we can't give her this letter. We promised. She needs to stop thinking of Steve and giving her his letter would only make her feel worse and right now, she doesn't need stress." The man held his wife's hand and softly squeezed it. "John asked us to not tell Haley what's going on with Steve and that's what we will do if it's for our daughter's safety."

The woman slowly nodded and leaned against his husband, keeping her eyes down on the letter. She knew it wasn't fair. Her daughter needed this letter, especially after finding out that she spent most of the nights crying herself to sleep.