The Search for Something More
Chapter 10 - All That You Can't Leave Behind
Thank you for all the feedback last chapter. Now, this chapter I had to cut up because it was so long and it's still long lol, which I hope you guys don't mind. I wrote this chapter and last chapter back to back. I'm still ironing out the next chapter so that should be up soon. Again flashbacks are in italics. I do a little time jump here from the last chapter. Now reminder, OTH is back on the air and please let your voices be heard, we want a season 8 !! I went to Dollar Tree and was able to purchase a handful of small basketballs which will be promptly sent to the CW starting tomorrow. I encourage everyone to go out and do the same and show your support. It's cheap and the postage isn't that much either.
Thanks for reading and please review!
. . . . . .
Nathan peered through the door way and saw Haley walking down the isle. He waited in the shadows until she was close by, then he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into the empty classroom. Before she can make a sound of protest, he kissed her. Instantly her mouth melted into his but just as quickly, she pulled away to berate.
"Nathan!" Haley exclaimed. "I told you to stop doing that."
"You know you love it." He smirked as he leaned down to kiss her again. But this time, Haley had some control and moved her head around so that his lips missed her.
"Hey!" He protested.
"Now is there a particular reason why you dragged me in here or did you just want to maul me?" Haley pointed her finger at him.
"Actually, there is." He took her hand and pulled her close to him, then pressing his lips on hers for a quick kiss. "I need a favor."
"A favor huh?" Haley eyed him suspiciously. His favors usually ended up with the two of them in a long make out session, not that she minded or anything.
"Yep." Nathan nodded. "I need help doing some research."
"Research?" Haley was surprised. "Nathan Scott, actually caring about school work?"
"Not for school.. for the coach?"
"Huh?"
"I need to find out how many games the coach has won."
"Okay because?"
"Because I think he wants to retire on us."
"What I don't get it?"
"Come on, I'll explain on the way but we're going to need your computer." Nathan took a hold of Haley's hand and led them to his car. A couple of minutes later, they were heading up the front steps to Haley's house.
"So let me get this straight.. Whitey wants to retire when he reaches 500 wins?"
Nathan nodded. "Yep and I think he's close to that number."
"But then that would mean he would be retiring soon."
"Exactly. And nothing would make my dad happier than to see Whitey go so that way he can coach the Ravens and make my life even worse."
"Now we can't have that can't we?" Haley leaned up to kiss him on the cheeks.
"No we can't." Nathan replied. "I but heads with coach all the time but shoot I guess he's cool. As much as he yells at me at practice, It's still nothing like my dad. Actually he's the only person I've seen stand up to Dan." Nathan looked down.
"Are things that bad with your father?"
"It's nothing I can't handle." Nathan shrugged it off and took her hand and Haley led him inside her house.
"Well.. well is this Haley James in my house between the hours of 8 am and midnight?" Jimmy teased as he saw Haley enter through the front door.
"Ha-ha dad." Haley deadpanned.
"Nathan, good to see you."
"You too Mr. James." Nathan replied politely.
"Nice to see you use the front door this time." Jimmy teased.
"Oh don't mind him." Lydia piped in. "Come on Jimmy, leave the kids alone."
"Thanks mom." Haley replied. "We're going to be upstairs to do some research for school." Haley added as she and Nathan started to ascend the stairs.
"It better not be any anatomy and physiology you're researching.. got that Nathan!?" Jimmy playfully warned and Lydia rolled her eyes.
"Jimmy, would you get over here and help me out in the back yard." Lydia grabbed Jimmy by the arm.
"Sorry about that." Haley mumbled. Her parents were such characters sometimes.
Nathan chuckled. He found Mr. and Mrs. James surprisingly cool. When he told Haley that, she looked at him as if he had a second head. The James household was always loud and full of bickering but it was never malicious or mean spirited like how it was in his own household. He welcomed the change.. craved it. Haley not only helped his grades out or offered an ear to talk to, she did more than that. She gave him something to look forward to, stability… love.
. . . . .
Nathan got into his rental car and looked at his watch and was glad it was still early. He couldn't believe that it had been six weeks since Nathan was back in Tree Hill. He was supposed to come back a month ago for the weekend but plans with the teams changed. The Sonics were doing well but they still weren't a shoe in for play offs and Nathan found himself wishing that the season would just end already. He had to attend extra mandatory practices as well as extra check ups to make sure his back was okay. Needless to say, a trip to Tree Hill was out of the question. The good thing was that Alex had agreed to end their arrangement. Apparently she was also tired of having her agent Miranda bossing her around. But Miranda was still a pretty damn good agent and persistent, Alex knew that Miranda wouldn't give in without a fight but Alex had a wild card in her back pocket. In exchange for ending their arrangement, Alex agreed not to mention the baby to the press and Nathan would not release the sex tape of her and Chris Keller. The plan seemed simple enough but Miranda was absolutely livid and forced. Nathan was glad that he wouldn't have to deal with her again and although they knew that he was going to be a father, they didn't know who it was. Alex met her briefly at the hotel but she didn't know her name so at least Haley was safe.
Haley didn't seem at all surprised when he told her that he couldn't make it. She was probably expecting it and he already broke a promise to himself that he wouldn't miss a doctor's appointment. Haley had one a few weeks ago that he missed but he was at least able to come in today. He hadn't seen Haley in weeks and he wondered how big their baby had gotten. He spoke to Lucas over the past few weeks and things were going better with him at least. Although Lucas did sound disappointed when he couldn't make it to Tree Hill. That hurt. At least his dad stopped hounding him. It seemed like Dan kept calling Nathan's phone 24/7 but the calls had stopped and he just hoped that Dan grew tired and just gave up. He was worried that Dan may have found out about the pregnancy but Haley nor Lucas hadn't said anything about it so he was thankful for that.
Nathan tried to shake away such thoughts as he approached the cemetery. He got out of his rental and started walking around. Nathan stopped and studied the old man for a second, not wanting to intrude in something he knew was very personal. Nathan didn't know where he lived now but he wondered if he still kept the tradition of visiting her. He was pleasantly surprised to see he still went. Nathan stayed off to the side as he watched the elderly man make his way back to his car.
"I must be getting senile." Whitey commented as he saw Nathan standing from the distance.
"You are senile coach." Nathan smirked as he walked towards his old mentor.
"Well, I'll be damned, Nathan Scott back in Tree Hill."
"Hey coach." The two shared a quick hug.
"I didn't know where you lived but I wanted to see you. I knew I'd find you here."
Whitey looked back down on the grave of his wife then back to Nathan. "There's no where else I'd rather be." Whitey gave a sad smile. "It's been what, three years since I saw you?"
"Yeah, right after I signed with the Sonics." After Nathan was drafted, the only person he contacted from his old life was his coach. Dan was still pissed at him for leaving Maryland and after seeing Lucas and Haley moving on with their lives at the book signing, there was no one left but his former coach. His own mother was battling her own demons to pay attention to her only son.
"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch more.."
"Well I guess that's the life of an NBA player.. So what brings you back into town?" Whitey asked as the two started to walk.
"Family actually."
"Uh oh." Whitey joked. "No offense Nathan, but your family is why I moved out of Tree Hill." He laughed. "After Danny was elected mayor, I knew the whole town must've gone nuts."
Nathan chuckled. "No, I'm not here to see my dad.. the truth is coach.. I'm.. I'm going to be a father myself."
"What?"
"I'm going to be a dad." Nathan smiled warmly.
"Well, I be damned. Who's the unfortunate girl?" Whitey joked.
"It's umm.. Haley."
"Haley? Haley James?"
Nathan nodded.
"You know somehow I'm not surprised."
Nathan gave a warm smile.
"Well, I'm glad you finally got your head out of your ass and finally made things right with Haley. For the life of me I still don't know why you two broke up in the first place."
"Um.. coach, Haley and I .. we .. we aren't together."
"But you two are having a kid?"
"Yeah but.. it's not like that." Nathan looked down.
"You crazy kids." Whitey shook his head.
"I know I hurt Haley in the past coach .. lately that's all I've managed to do. She got pregnant because I stopped by Tree Hill a couple of months back, we were both drunk and yeah." Nathan trailed off, still looking down.
"Oh Nathan.." Whitey shook his head in disappointment.
"I didn't force myself onto her if that's what you're thinking.. but now we're having a kid and .. I don't .. I don't know what to do. I've been trying to make things right but it seems like I take one step forward but take two steps back."
"Well I can't tell you what to do.. but I can tell you what not to do. Does Lucas ring a bell?"
Nathan nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'm not going to do that. I'm not going to abandon my child like how Dan did to Lucas."
"Well I guess that's a step in the right direction." Whitey stopped and shook his head. "You know Nathan, Camilla and I, we never had kids. She was taken from me before we had the chance. You got yourself a good thing here Nathan. You and Haley always reminded me of Camilla and I .. you can try to fool this old man but I know son, I know that she's it for you so don't let her go. I know how dumb you Scott boys can be but I also know that you have the potential to be great."
Nathan smiled. "Thanks coach. I wish it was as simple as that. I hurt Haley.. I hurt her bad. I don't want to hurt her again."
"Good, then don't." Whitey chuckled.
Nathan couldn't help but laugh as well. "I wish it was as easy at that. I love Haley.. God I do but like I said, I already hurt her enough and more than anything I want her to be happy."
"And you don't make her happy?"
Nathan shook his head. "Just the opposite."
"Well this doesn't sound like the Nathan Scott I know?"
"Huh?"
"The Nathan I knew was fearless, he went after the things he wants. Look son, do you know how long it took for Camilla to agree to marry me… three times."
"What?"
"I asked her three times to get married .. let me tell you that was something else. But we were young and she was scared. Her father breathing down my neck didn't make things easy, nor my own parents but I loved Camilla too much to just let her go so I waited and proposed and proposed again and finally she just needed time to see that we were meant to be together." Whitey smiled at the memory. "Look Nathan, despite what happened between you and Haley, you guys are going to be parents, that has to mean something and if you don't try then you'll never know. Let Haley make her choice."
"But what if she doesn't want me."
"Then if you really do love her and want her to be happy, then you'll let her go."
Nathan nodded in agreement. He knew seeing Whitey would be a good idea. Whitey had always given it to him straight, whether he was yelling at him during practice or praising him after games. Whitey would always be the second father he never had.
"You know coach, you were wrong."
"Huh?"
"You may not have any children biologically but I've always looked up to you as a father and my child will see you as a grandparent as well."
Whitey smiled, trying his best to suppress his emotions.
"It's not just me coach, it's every player you coached and inspired."
"You know, you're not my player anymore, you can stop sucking up to me." Whitey joked as he tried to maintain his composure. Even in his old age, he didn't want to be seen as a softy. "You know it was talk like that that kept me coaching for another year… I was supposed to be done at 500."
"Sorry coach." Nathan laughed as he remembered how he helped Whitey see that coaching was more than just basketball but of helping boys become men. "But you did end up winning more than 500 games and a state championship as I recall." Nathan joked back.
Whitey chuckled and the two continued to walk. An arrangement of purple flowers caught Nathan's attention. His eyes grew even wider as he saw the name on the tombstone. No, it couldn't be.
Whitey followed Nathan's line of sight and saw the tombstone. "He was a good man, I coached him too you know, him and all his boys. It's a shame your baby will never be able to meet his grand-daddy." Coach commented.
"Mr James??" Nathan mumbled.
. . . . . . .
Haley stepped out of her mother's hospital room and headed towards the elevator. Her doctor's appointment was soon and she was anxious. Depending on the position of the baby, she would find out the sex. She hoped Nathan would be here for that. So far, he hasn't called to say that he couldn't make it. When he didn't show up before, she was a little disappointed but not surprised. Although she did believe Nathan was trying, she still set her sights low. If she didn't expect too much from him then she wouldn't be let down.
The elevator doors opened and Haley was shocked.
"Brooke, Peyton? What're you doing here?" Haley asked surprised as she hugged her two friends.
"Well we spoke to Lucas and he told us that he was busy and that you had your doctor's appointment." Peyton replied.
"Yeah and since he who shall not be named was a no show the last time, we figure we couldn't let you do this solo." Brooke piped in.
"Yeah, Haley, we want to be here for you."
"Aww guys." Haley smiled, her eyes getting a little watery. She had been an emotional roller coaster as of late. "You didn't have to."
"Don't sweat it." Brooke shrugged it off. "Plus I hear your doctor is hot."
"Brooke!" Peyton scolded.
"What?" Brooke rolled her eyes.
"Well Dr. Anderson is a little older than us but he is cute." Haley added.
"See!" Brooke stuck her tongue out at Peyton.
"Yeah and his wife thinks so too." Haley added with a chuckle.
"Haha, see!" Peyton mocked and stuck her own tongue back at Brooke.
"But guys, seriously. It's okay. Nathan said he'll be here."
Peyton and Brooke looked at each other.
"Right." Brooke said sarcastically as she looped her arm around Haley and dragged her in the elevator.
"No guys, I'm serious. He should actually be here now."
"Did he say that?" Peyton asked.
"Well he hasn't called me yet but he left me a message last night."
"Umm.. how do we say this Hales.. we won't believe it until we see him." Brooke mocked. For Brooke, she trusted Nathan as far as she could throw him.
. . . .
Haley was on the computer still doing her research while Nathan was in the background talking on his cell phone.
"You know a little help would be nice." Haley teased as she turned her computer chair to face him.
"Sorry." Nathan put his phone away. "But that was Brooke."
"Brooke?"
"So the Sparkle Classic is coming up."
"Yeah and?"
"How would you like to go?"
"But I thought all the spots are filled?"
"Well they are but if you're part of the basketball team or cheerleading squad then you can go." Nathan took Haley's hand and pulled her up to him.
"Well in case you haven't noticed, I'm neither." Haley joked as she ran her hand up his broad chest and around his neck.
"Brooke was able to get you in.. as a cheerleader."
"What?" Haley pulled back. "Are you crazy, I'm a total klutz, there's no way I can be a cheerleader?"
Nathan laughed. "You're not a cheerleader per say.. Brooke put you down as a back up in case one of the girls gets sick or has an accident."
"So like a stand in?"
"Yeah exactly, you're not actually going to cheer, although seeing you in a cheerleading outfit would be pretty hot." Nathan smirked.
"You would think so huh?" Haley flirted back, loving how Nathan can make her feel so happy, carefree.. sexy. She never thought herself in that way but God the things Nathan made her feel. It was both scary and exciting.
"Yep.. and so how are we doing with Whitey?"
"Well it turns out that you are right.. Whitey's 500th win is soon."
"How soon?"
"When's your next game?"
"Damn, you serious?"
"Yep."
"Okay thanks for your help Hales." Nathan leaned down and kissed her forehead. "But I got to talk to Whitey."
"What're you going to say?"
"I don't know yet but he can't retire.. not now." Nathan shook his head. "In the mean time, you just need to get your parents to sign the permission form, letting you attend the Classic." Nathan reached for his bag and pulled out the form.
"Have you been planning this all along?" Haley took the paper from him.
"Maybe." Nathan smirked as he started to gather his things.
"Oh no you don't. You can't leave now."
"Yeah, what do you have in mind?" Nathan wiggled his eyebrows and pulled her back to him.
"Down boy." Haley playfully slapped his chest. "No, you want me to go .. I'm going to need your help."
"Help? I already got Brooke to let you in."
"I'm talking about my parents.. I'm sure they're going to love the fact that I'm going to be gone for the weekend with my boyfriend."
"But it's a school trip."
"Even so.. I mean it's not like I do these sort of things.. you're the first real relationship I've had and .. I don't .. I don't know what they'll say." Haley said nervously. "I really do want to go but can.. can you just be there when I ask my parents."
"Sure." Nathan smiled. "How about now?"
Haley smiled and tip toed up to give him a quick kiss.
"I want you to know that if they say yes, I'll go."
Nathan smiled as leaned down and kissed her again. Taking her hand, he led her down the stairs.
"Mom? Dad? Haley called out.
"In the kitchen Haley!"
"Ahh, Nathan.. Haley.. you two hungry?
" Actually, can we just talk to you and dad?"
" Are you pregnant?" Lydia asked bluntly.
"What!?" Haley asked shocked.
"Pregnant, with child, bun in the oven."
" Mom!"
Nathan was taken aback, he wasn't expecting that. No wonder Haley asked him to be here.
"Where's dad?"
Lydia turned around and yelled through the window. "Jimmy! Kitchen! Haley's pregnant!"
"So, to what do we owe this surprise?" Jimmy asked as he entered the house, amused by his wife's antics. "I've seen my baby twice today." He joked.
"Well, we wanted to talk to you daddy." Haley said sweetly.
"Daddy? This is gonna be expensive."
Haley takes a deep breath. "Not really." Haley did know that the trip to go to the classic would be about $150.00 to cover housing and transportation. "Ok, look. You guys know that I am an extremely cautious person…I go to school.. and I work and I've been saving for a new car and I consider things from every angle and I don't just, like, jump into things."
"Like getting to the point of this conversation?" Lydia interrupts.
"The team is going away to Charlotte for the weekend and I need your permission to go." Haley finally lets out.
"A weekend away… out of state?" Lydia questions suspiciously.
"And team as in basketball team?" Jimmy questions as he turns to look at Nathan and both he and Haley are little nervous.
"Mr. and Mrs. James …I think you also know that I respect both of you very much.."
Before Nathan could say anymore but Lydia and Jimmy start laughing their heads off. Both Haley and Nathan look on confused.
"Mom! Dad! Can you just be serious for one minute in my life?"
"Oh sorry honey.." Lydia replied as her and Jimmy tried to suppress their laughter. "We were just teasing. Of course you can go."
"Really?" Haley's eyes light up.
"Yes, honey.. enjoy yourself and just don't get arrested or knocked up." Jimmy teases.
Haley gives her parents a quick hug and then turns to Nathan.
"Now that that's settled. I gotta head over to Marion's to show her this article." Lydia grabs a newspaper from the counter and leaves.
"See you had nothing to worry about." Nathan whispers to Haley. "I'm gonna go see Whitey."
"Okay." Haley nods. "I gotta call Brooke!" Haley gives him a quick kiss before racing up the stairs.
Nathan is about to leave, "Nathan wait."
"Yeah Mr. James?"
"Now this trip… you and I know how these over night trips can get.. well out of hand."
"Mr. James, I love your daughter, I'd never do anything to hurt her or do anything she doesn't want to do."
Jimmy smiles and nods. "That's what I want to hear." Jimmy pats Nathan on the back.
"You know she's my last one.. my baby."
"I'll take good care of her sir."
"You know, Lydia and I had good feeling about you ever since Haley introduced you to us… I know you will." Jimmy gives Nathan a warm smile.
. . . . . .
With his usual baseball cap and sunglasses, Nathan strolled through the hospital on his way to see Haley. His mind however was still reeling over the fact that Haley's father was dead. He wasn't expecting that. A sharp pain coursed through his body as he imagined how Haley felt. Jimmy died just after they finished their first year of college. He didn't know what was more shocking, the fact that he had died or that it took him this long to find out. How come no one told him? Oh that's right he cut everyone who ever mattered to him out of his life. He avoided his dad like the plague and his mom was in and out of rehab so much, he doubted she knew what the year was. God, he felt like crap. Jimmy was a good man, a great father, he couldn't believe it. He could only imagine what Haley went through and how he wished he could've been there for her. But he wasn't and hasn't been in a long time.
Before Nathan could go any further, he felt a pair of arms grab him and onto in empty waiting room.
"What the?" Nathan muttered as he turned around and found his kidnappers. His heart sank as he saw Peyton and Brooke standing in front of him, their arms crossed and their eyes shooting daggers at him. He knew it wouldn't be long before he saw the terrible two-some. Lucas had already told him that they knew and as he suspected, they weren't happy. Quite frankly, the two of them together could be quite intimidating even to one Nathan Scott.
"You have some nerve!" Brooke spat out before Nathan could say anything and walked right up to him and smacked him as hard as she could.
"Fuck, Brooke what the hell!?"
"Are you serious?" Brooke waved her hands in front of him. "You have the nerve to knock up one of my best friends and just abandon her."
"I didn't abandon her."
"Oh that's right, you had your precious basketball." Brooke was livid. Five years of pent up anger came coursing through her body. "Do you have any idea what you put that poor girl through?"
"Brooke.." Peyton tried to sooth her friend. As angry as she was with Nathan, she could see the defeated look on his face and the last thing she wanted was for Haley to catch them. "Haley's going to come back from the bathroom soon, she wouldn't want this."
Brooke narrowed her eyes at Nathan but she knew Peyton was right. "You're just lucky Haley's going to be here soon but.."
"I know!" Nathan interrupted. "I know okay. I'm a miserable excuse of a person. Yes, I said it." Nathan shook his head. He was about to lose it too. "I know saying sorry for what I did to Haley or to any of you won't make things right but I am, I'm sorry." Nathan turned around and rubbed his cheeks. "Haley's lucky to have you.. both of you. She deserves people who'll be there for her."
"And can't you see that's not you?" Brooke fired back.
"Brooke not now." Peyton warned just in time for Haley to come walking in.
"Is everything okay?" Haley looked on suspiciously. She knew her two friends were up to something, the fake smiles they had on could attest to that.
"Everything's just fine." Brooke smiled on. "We were just saying hi to Nathan."
"Yeah." Nathan flashed a smile then looked at Haley. She was stunning as always and wow her boobs, they had definitely grown since the last time he saw her but as his eyes raked further down, he felt confused.
"What?" Haley shifted uncomfortably, did she have something on her face or something.
"Nothing, it's just.. you look the same since I last saw you." Nathan commented.
"Boys!" Brooke rolled her eyes as Peyton went over to Haley and lifted up her flowy top up, a skin tight shirt which hugged her very swollen belly.
Nathan's eyes grew wide as he saw how big it had become. Pretty soon, no amount of loose clothes could hide the fact that Haley is pregnant.
"Oh that explains it." Nathan replied, feeling a little embarrassed.
"Umm.. are you ready to go?" Haley asked and Nathan nodded.
"Thank you guys for coming but.."
"Haley, we understand." Peyton went up to her and hugged her. "You guys go on ahead, and Haley, we'll catch up to you later."
"Yeah Hales, fill us in on everything afterwards." Brooke hugged her next. Brooke gave Nathan another mean look while Peyton just nodded at him and the two left.
Haley turned to face Nathan . "I hope those two.."
"It's fine Haley, it's nothing I wasn't expecting.. or deserved."
"You sure everything is okay?" Haley asked. She was glad Nathan was here for their child but something felt off about him and she had a feeling it wasn't due to Peyton or Brooke.
"Yeah.. just.. a long flight." Nathan tried to plaster on a smile. "I'm sorry, I was only able to come now."
"Nathan, you don't need to apologize. I understand.. Nathan really. It's not a big deal."
"Because you were expecting it right?"
"Nathan, let's not fight please. Don't make this a big deal, you couldn't come the last time, it's not the end of the world."
"You're right, I'm .. I'm sorry." Nathan mumbled.
"Okay, now then, I have a surprise for you?" Haley tried to sound upbeat. She needed to get over her uneasiness every time Nathan was around. She was tired of walking around on egg shells when it came to him. Just because he had hurt her didn't mean that they couldn't be civil.
"Oh?"
"Well, if the baby is in the right spot, we can find out the sex."
"Really?"
"Yep.. I mean that's if you want to know."
"No I mean.. I'm good either way.. up to you Hales."
"Ok good.. cuz I sort of want to know." Haley smiled and Nathan couldn't help but smile back. God she was beautiful, more than that, she was radiant.
"Dr. Anderson's waiting, now come on dad." Haley tried to keep the mood light and headed towards the hallway. However, images of Jimmy popped back in his head and that sharp pain returned in his gut and he wondered if it would ever go away.
To Be Continued . . . .
Next Chapter: Sex of the baby revealed as well as other surprises lol.