The Search For Something More
Chapter 13 - Let the Reigns Go Loose
Thank you all for the reviews last chapter and your greetings. I apologize for the delay, but like I said, I got injured and I'm on crutches. It's thrown everything out of whack in my life right now and its hard to find the time to write. Luckily I was able to finish up this next chapter, which I think turned out a lot better than I thought it would. I hope you like it as well. There's definitely a lot that happens in this chapter and a lot of Naley. This chapter was also much longer than anticipated, I couldn't even fit a flashback, thought I don't think one was needed in this chapter. Thanks to Kelly for proofreading.
Now I wasn't a big fan of this past week's episode but next week is the season finale.. possibly the SERIES FINALE and the thought of that happening just breaks my heart. Please support OTH and let's hope for a season 8!
Enjoy and please review!
. . . .
Haley stared at the mirror and studied her reflection. The dress Brooke had made for her looked great but it also hugged her at the tummy, leaving no room for doubt that she was indeed with child. She cradled her belly and smiled, this was all so real now. She was having a son, more than that, it was her and Nathan having a son. It had been four days since she found out that she was having a boy and she was still not used to it.
Every day, Nathan stopped by to check in with her, bringing her food, and constantly reminding her to take it easy. It was annoying but she knew it was out of concern. When she had to work back at the café, he and Lucas agreed that she should just stay behind the counter and that she wouldn't be carrying trays of food over to people. Nathan even hung around the café for most of the day keeping her and Lucas company while they ran the café.
Nathan had been a complete gentleman the whole time he was in town. It was weird, sometimes it felt like he never left but Lucas or Haley would say something that Nathan had no idea about and reality struck in remind them all that he wasn't there. Still, Nathan took it in stride. He stopped apologizing, which Haley was thankful for. She knew he was sorry and she didn't need a reminder of that every time she saw him. What's done is done and there's nothing left to do but forgive and move on. And Haley realized that she had forgiven him, she may not have liked what he did or why he did it but there was no point in hashing out old wounds. The scars of his mistake would always be there but she had to move past it, if not for her own sanity but at least for the sake of their child.
She could see Nathan was trying his best and that's all she could ask for. It was actually cute, the way he would fawn over their baby and always tried to do things for her so that way she wouldn't have to do it. Sometimes it was cute but mostly annoying. But they finally managed to talk and agree to a few things. They would share full custody of the baby but with Nathan's unknown basketball future, it was agreed that the baby would stay permanently with Haley. She coordinated her doctor's visits so that way Nathan wouldn't miss any more but with the basketball season coming to a close soon, she knew she would be seeing Nathan a lot more.
She didn't know how she felt about that. Nathan hadn't mentioned the "L" word anymore after he professed his love but it still left her unsure on how to handle things. Before she could chalk up his presence to the baby but she knew better. He loved them both and she sometimes wished that she never heard him say those things to her. Denial could be a powerful tool.
"Haley!" Brooke yelled. "Get your sexy ass out here!"
Haley stepped out of the dressing room and did a little twirl for Peyton and Brooke.
"Looking good mama." Peyton commented.
"Good." Brooke replied. "She's smoking! I knew this would look great on you."
"Thanks Brooke, I really appreciate the clothes, you saved me a shopping trip."
"Well you can't be wearing sweat shirts forever you know." Brooke grinned as she assessed her work.
"I can't believe you worked so fast." Haley replied.
"Well, this space I rented out is great. I'm meeting with a contractor tomorrow to make the front into a boutique and this area back here is my work space." Brooke spoke. "And I guess my mom was right, some time back home was what I needed to focus.
"Victoria right?" Peyton laughed. "That's a first."
"I know shocking." Brooke laughed. "You know, when I told her I was doing a maternity line, she told me good, fat people need clothes too."
"She did not!" Haley's eyes went wide.
"With my mother, nothing surprises me at this point." Brooke shrugged. "But I have to give it to her, she's pretty business savvy."
"Speaking of moms." Peyton turned to Haley. "How's Mrs. J doing?"
"A lot better." Haley smiled, thankful that the treatment was working. "The doctors said that she could even be released, she's excited to see my other siblings"
"She doesn't want to stay in Tree Hill?" Peyton asked.
"My family is so scattered around, she wants to see the rest of my family. Plus her next set of treatment is mild radiation, the dosage in the pills are low so she doesn't need to be isolated but as much as I would love to have my mom around but with the baby we don't want to take any risks. "
"Well, it's good your mom is able to go out and still enjoy life."
"Yes, that was part of our deal. My mom agreed to the treatment if it allowed her to be able to go out again and live her life outside some cold hospital."
"Aww, Hales, I'm really happy for you." Peyton smiled.
"Yeah, Hales." Brooke replied. "Luke mentioned that she was looking better to the last time he saw her."
"Luke huh?" Haley raised her eyebrow. "You know, I was wondering where he was last night .. or you for that matter."
"Ohhh.." Peyton cooed. "B. Davis, are you hiding something from us."
"I'm not hiding anything." Brooke scurried to a nearby mannequin and started to drape it with fabric.
"You're lying." Haley called her out.
"Well the café is right around the corner, Lucas closed up, saw the lights still on and he brought me some food, we ate, we talked, it's not a big deal."
"Sounds like a date." Peyton mischievously smiled at Haley.
"I agree." Haley grinned back.
"You guys are delusional, first of all, Lucas and Lindsey just broke up and they work together."
"Yeah because they realized that they're better off as friends." Haley added.
"And just because Lucas and I had a past doesn't mean we can't be friends." Brooke tried to defend herself.
"Right." Peyton mocked.
"Oh you're one to talk, you dated him too and you two are friends."
"Yeah, but I'm also with Jake." Peyton replied.
Brooke tapped her fingers against her lips. "So if my dinner with Lucas counts as a date then Haley's had at least 5 dates with Nathan this past week."
"WHAT?" Haley gasped. "Don't try to turn the tables around on me."
"Oh no no no.. you started this and I mean Nathan's always coming by your house and the café."
"He's checking on the baby."
"Bringing you food and candy."
"Cuz I need to eat!"
"And let's not forget how he totally professed his undying love for you and the little munchkin." Brooke smirked.
"You promised not to tell!" Haley turned to Peyton.
"What, no you didn't say that." Peyton replied back. "And I have to agree on this one, Brooke has a point."
"I mean, I hope at least the sex is hot.. it's not like hotshot can do any more damage." Brooke eyed Haley's belly.
Haley shot her a dirty look. "Look, I already told Nathan that it's not going to happen. And of course, we're going to spend time together, we're having a baby in case you forgot."
"And I wonder how that happened." Brooke rolled her eyes over to Peyton.
"You guys are crazy." Haley waved her wands. "And what's up with you Brooke, you're the most anti-Nathan person I know."
Brooke playfully rolled her eyes. "As much as I hate the bastard, he is the father of munchkin here and you've been having that look."
"Look?" Haley questioned.
"You're Nathan look." Peyton added.
"What? You guys are crazy?"
"Haley, it's us you're talking to." Peyton replied.
"I know high school has been over for a while now but we still remember you know?"
"Like I said, you guys are delusional. Nathan and I.. we're .. we're friends.. if you can call it that."
"That's the thing Haley, you were friends with Nathan for what 5 minutes after you started having feelings for him."
"Brooke, that was a long time ago."
"Not that long ago, I mean as much as we tease you about this .. well just because it's fun." Peyton smirked. "We're also worried about you."
"Guys, I'm pregnant, no body knows about it and when people find out, I'm sure hell will break out, my mom is finally recovering.. I have enough things to worry about than my feelings Nathan Scott."
"And what are those feelings?" Brooke questioned.
Haley paused for a second. "I remember when I baby sat my neighbor's kids, a boy and a girl, thought it would be a breeze but they drove me up the wall. I remember my house got trashed because of those monsters." Haley laughed and walked over to a nearby chair and sat down. "Anyways, we had a game that night and their mom was running late, so I took them to the game with me. Karen was there to watch them while I cheered. After the game, I came out of the locker rooms, I couldn't find the kids or Karen and I searched everywhere but then I went back to the gym, I found them with Nathan. He was teaching them how to shoot a basketball. I swear I thought those kids were incapable of following instructions, but there they were, being well behaved, following everything Nathan was telling them." Haley smiled at the memory. "I just stood and there and watched on and that's when I knew."
"Knew what?" Peyton asked.
"That he'll make a great father." Haley looked up. "Even when I hated him I always knew that. And now, I think he's doing the best despite the situation he's in. When he tells me that he's sorry, I believe him and I do forgive him.. have forgiven him." Haley corrected herself. "I know he loves our son. And when he told me he loves me, I believe him, even though I wish I didn't." Haley paused.
"But?" Brooke raised an eyebrow.
"Sometimes when I'm with him, it's so easy to forget everything he's done and I see the caring, sweet man I fell in love with." Haley let a tear fall down her eyes.
"But I remember all the pain he put me through and even though I have forgiven him, it doesn't mean I've forgotten all he's done and he how just threw our lives together out the door." Haley wiped her eyes. "Being around him again.. it just brings up so many memories.. the good.. the bad and it'd be so much easier if he wasn't around but he's the father, I would never deny him access to his son."
Haley got back up and went over to the rack to find another dress to try on.
"And that ladies, is how I feel."
Brooke and Peyton looked at each other worriedly before Brooke finally spoke up.
"That sucks."
All the girls paused for a moment before bursting out laughing, something Haley desperately needed.
. . . . . .
"Tell him not to do it." Lucas took a shot, the ball easily making it through the basket.
"You tell him." Clay caught the basketball and passed it back to Lucas.
"Me? You're his agent, you tell him." Lucas took another shot but missed and hit the rim. Clay got the rebound and dribbled it for a few steps.
"I'm his agent not his financial planner.. you're his brother." Clay took a shot but like so many he took, he missed.
"Ahem!" Nathan spoke up, annoyed at his brother and agent. "HE is right here."
Clay and Lucas looked at each other then back to Nathan.
"Don't buy the house." They said in unison.
"It's my money, I can afford it, plus I need a place to stay." Nathan countered. "No offense Luke but your sofa isn't exactly the most comfortable thing for my back." Nathan had been staying with Luke. The press had backed off a little bit but a few were still outside his hotel and he didn't want to deal with that.
"I'm not saying you shouldn't get your own place in Tree Hill." Clay replied. "But with a house that big, you're going to scare her."
"It's not like this house is from Elm Street, I'm sure Haley will be fine."
"You idiot, she's not going to be scared at the actual house, she's going to be scared of what it represents." Clay rolled his eyes. He was going to say something when his phone started beeping. He took his phone out and cursed to himself. "Crap, I'm low on battery and I left my charger at the hotel." Clay muttered to himself.
"Hey I got to take this but I need to go back to my hotel and charge my phone.. I'll catch up with you guys later." Clay walked over to his rental car and got in. "Lucas talk some sense into him."
"He's right you know." Lucas stood next to Nathan as they watched Clay drive off.
"What?"
"That you'll scare her. The house screams family."
"But we are family.. me, Haley and the baby."
"Yes you are, but you and Haley are the baby's family.. not you and Haley." Lucas added and noticed his brother wince.
"Gee thanks." Nathan mocked.
"Look, I'm not trying to be mean here but I'm just letting you know the truth. If you want to get Haley back then you need to take it slow, you know how OCD Haley can be, you'll scare her off."
"Since when are you Team Naley?" Nathan questioned.
Lucas chuckled, he hadn't heard that term in a while. Of course Brooke was the one to come up with it during high school. Apparently saying Nathan and Haley took too long.
"I'm not. I'm trying my best to be neutral but I'm Haley's my best friend and also you're my brother.. and as your brother, I am offering you my opinion. And I would've told you the same thing whether or not the girl was Haley. You are trying to win her back right?"
"Yes.. no.." Nathan shook his head. "Like you said, the baby is bringing us closer but I don't want to low ball and use the baby as an excuse.. it's like any move I make is the wrong one." Nathan said frustrated. "All I can do is show her that I'll be there for her and the baby and hopefully one day she'll stop looking at me as the guy who broke her heart."
"That's actually not a bad plan… but if that's not what she wants Nate, you have to let her go."
Nathan nodded, feeling a little sick at the thought of letting her go. He tried for five years, he doubt in fifty years from now he'll feelings will change.
"But I still wouldn't buy the house." Lucas smirked.
Nathan chuckled and rolled his eyes. "I'll think about it." Nathan ran over to the basketball and took a shot.
"Hey Luke?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks."
"For what?"
"For giving me a shot, even if I don't deserve it. You know part of the reason I hated you when we were growing up was that I knew you were a better man than me. I'm glad you're my big brother." Nathan gave a small smile.
Lucas smiled back. "You're a good man too Nate.. you just lose your way sometimes."
"Coming from you.. that means a lot."
"But your ass is still sleeping on the couch." Lucas joked as he picked up the basketball and went for a lay up.
"Ass!" Nathan joked back and stole the ball from Luke and took a shot. Grabbing the rebound, Nathan turned back to Lucas. "By the way, you came home late last night.. Haley was looking for you.. and Brooke." He smirked.
Lucas squinted hard at his brother. "Just shoot the damn ball."
. . . . . . .
Clay slowed down the car and glanced at the address on his cell phone. Looking around, he finally spotted the building and pulled his car to the side and parked. He got out of the car and looked around to see if anyone was following him. Standing in front of the brick building, he went around the corner and into the alley next to him.
"You came." A voice called out from the shadows.
Clay felt his heart leap out of his chest.
"Jesus, don't do that." Clay turned around and found an attractive red head in front of him. He wasn't expecting this.
"Sorry." The red head smirked. "Thanks for coming. I'm Rachel." She stuck her hand out.
Clay didn't bother shaking it and went straight to the point. "You said you had some information on Nathan Scott."
"I do."
"Well?"
"Straight to the point huh?"
Clay shook his head. "I knew this was a waste of time." He muttered and turned around to walk away.
"Wait!" Rachel called out after him.
"Look, I don't have time for games. What magazine you work for huh? TV show?"
"I'm not the press but I have some information.. valuable information." Rachel added and handed him manila envelope.
"What is this?" Clay asked.
. . . .
"This is bad." Nathan felt his palm sweating as he flipped through the photos.
"You're telling me." Clay replied as they sat in Lucas' kitchen going over the photos Rachel gave Clay.
"So she has some shots of me and Haley.. big deal. She has nothing." Nathan put the photos back down. They were screen shots of Nathan and Haley at the hospital. Somehow this Rachel person found out about Haley's pregnancy and was able to get some shots of them through the hospital's security camera. Nathan wore his usual disguise but you can tell from some of the shots that it was him.
"She knows Haley is pregnant and Haley's bump is getting bigger. She can't won't be able to hide it People will notice and it's not like you're going to keep Haley on house arrest."
Nathan sighed. "We agreed that she shouldn't say anything about the father until after the baby is born. I don't want the press stressing her out."
Nathan scratched his head. This was the last thing he needed. "How much does she want?"
"$500,000.00"
"Is she on crack?"
"I know but it's a small price to pay."
"Half a million dollars is anything but small .. plus this is blackmail!"
"I know but what choice do we have? If we take this to the police, the press will find out about this and we might as well have paid her off."
"Fuck." Nathan muttered, so far for his house money. "Is there anything else we can do? Where the hell did this bitch come from?"
"I don't know man, her number's local. Maybe she works at the hospital and put two and two together. I wish I had a better idea of who she is but I ran a trace on her number but it's prepaid. I'll see if I can pull out some prints from the photos she gave us." Clay looked down.
"I wish I had better news Nate but no matter what, it's lose lose."
Nathan thought about it and as much as he hated it, there was nothing he could do. The baby and Haley have to come first.
"I guess I have to pay her off." Nathan muttered.
"No, you're not!"
Nathan and Clay whipped their heads around found Haley standing at the doorway, her hands on her hips.
Nathan sat there, shocked. Clay got up and tried to quell the situation.
"Haley, whatever you heard.."
"Clay, I heard enough." Haley interrupted him.
"But.."
"Clay, can you give Nathan and I a moment?" Haley demanded. Clay looked back at Nathan and nodded. Clay excused himself from the kitchen and stepped out to the front of the house to give the two some privacy.
"Someone's blackmailing you and you're just going to pay them off?" Haley questioned.
"You heard?"
"Nathan, half a million dollars is a lot of money."
"I know that, but it's a small price to pay."
"That's anything but small, were you even going to tell me about this?"
"I'm going to take care of this."
"Nathan, you're dodging the question." Haley replied. "If I hadn't walked in on right now, you would've never told me huh?"
"Well not now.. I didn't want to stress you out."
"Geez Nathan! You're stressing me out now!"
"See, this is why I didn't want to tell you."
"God, Nathan, haven't you learned anything?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"You told me no more secrets! This affects me and the baby as much as it affects you and you weren't going to bother to tell me."
"I told you, not right away.. I wanted to protect you."
"Oh that's just wonderful." Haley said sarcastically. "Kind of like how you protected me all those years ago by breaking up with me and going to Maryland."
Ouch, Nathan thought to himself. "Hales.."
"Or how you knocked me up and left the next morning!"
"Hales, those were different!"
"How?" Haley pleased. "You had some misguided idea that by shutting me out, you were protecting me."
"Hales, this woman wants to exploit our child!"
"You still don't get it Nathan, how are we suppose to raise a child when you can't be honest with me? This affects all three of us and just like that you're going to make a decision without even consulting me. I'm not some kid! I'm a big girl Nathan, I can handle it."
Nathan felt like someone punched him in the guts. He shook his head, what he told Lucas earlier was right. Nothing he did would ever be good enough.
"Hales, I'm not trying to shut you out or lie to you and I'm not trying to treat you like a child.. but you are with child and I didn't want to worry you or stress you out, please."
Haley closed her eyes and tried to regain her composure. She knew her hormones were raging on her and she knew Nathan's intentions were good, despite how she felt.
"Ok Nathan, I don't want to fight with you."
"Thank you." Nathan sighed. "Look, have a seat, you want something to eat or drink?"
"Luke said he's bringing food from the café after he closes up but I can go for a glass of milk." Haley said as she sat down.
Nathan got a glass and poured her a glass. He took a seat next to her.
"So.." Haley took a sip. "Are you even going to ask?"
"Ask what?"
"What else Nathan? Don't you want to know what I think about this whole thing?"
"I'm sorry." Nathan mumbled. "What do you think?"
"I think you shouldn't pay her. It's a lot of money."
"It's my money and I want to do this. I know it's not right but what's important is you and the baby.. I .. I can't put a price tag on that."
Haley smiled and found her hand reaching for his cheeks and caressing it. Nathan was a little bit surprised but wasn't complaining as he leaned into her touch.
"You're sweet you know that." Haley smiled and Nathan smiled back. Then just as quickly, her smile faded and she lightly smacked Nathan across the cheeks. "But you're an idiot."
"Huh?" Nathan was so confused. Damn, her hormones.
"I don't want you to pay her."
"But she'll tell the press."
"Not if we tell them first."
"Wait, what?"
Haley took another sip.
"Nathan, my bump is getting bigger and no amount of loose clothing can cover it up. People will know I'm pregnant."
"But we agreed that you wouldn't mention me."
"Yes we did but that doesn't mean people will still gossip about me or say things about me behind my back. Think about it, what people will say about a single pregnant woman."
"Yes but that won't make headline news."
"I'll still feel like I'm in a fish bowl." Haley admitted. "Plus I've started thinking and I know we're trying to do this for the baby but how will our son feel, knowing that I didn't want to admit to the world that you're the father. Look Nathan, despite our past, you deserve to love and protect this baby equally with me and by not acknowledging you as the father, I'm saying the opposite. I don't want our son to be ashamed of who his father is."
Nathan felt his heart beating wildly in his chest from Haley's words.
"I'm not ashamed that you're the father." Haley admitted a second later. "I know this pregnancy wasn't planned but I'm glad it's with you." Haley took her hand and placed it over his.
Nathan placed his other hand on top of hers and brought her hands to his lips and kissed it. God he loved this woman and it took everything in him to not maul her and kiss her silly.
"I .. I don't know what to say."
"Say you won't pay her off." Haley joked as she took her hand back. Suddenly the room felt very hot.
"But if we go public about this, the press will be after you."
"I know."
"They can be pretty brutal."
"I know but look at how you handled the Alex situation, you guys didn't make a big deal about her sex tape, you took the high road and the press has eased off and from what you told me, Alex was grateful for the statement you made. I know the press will probably link this back to you and Alex but as long as you and Alex don't make a big deal out of it, I'm sure the press will stop caring and they'll move onto something else."
Nathan smiled and nodded. He didn't like the idea of the press finding out about this but at the same time, it would be nice not to hide anything anymore. Nathan had been in the spot light for a while now and knew how short the attention span of the media can be.
"Okay, we'll go public but you need to do something for me."
"What?" Haley asked.
"I want you to stop working."
"Nathan!"
"Or at the very least, just stick behind the counter and lessen your hours."
"Nathan, that's all good and well but unlike some people, I need to worry about bills and expenses."
"You're talking to the person who was willing to shell out half a million dollars to some stranger." Nathan smirked. "I know I still have a few more games before the season ends and I won't be here as much until the season ends.."
"But I can't just take your money." Haley interrupted.
"You're not taking, I'm offering and you just told me that when it comes to our baby, we are the ones to love him and take care of him. You're doing your part by letting him grow inside of you and the best thing you can do is to eat well and take it easy and what I can do is help pay the bills to ensure that you eat well and take it easy."
"Nathan.. I'll take it easy I promise but I can't.. I can't take your money."
"Well I guess I'm paying this Rachel person off."
"Nathan, you can't!"
"Yes I can." Nathan sat back and cross his arms. "I'll agree to not pay Rachel off in exchange for you taking it easy and letting me help you."
"Nathan Scott you are the most stubborn man I've ever met."
"And you Haley James are the most stubborn woman I've ever met.. also the cutest." He winked. "Look Hales, this is not a hand out. We both want what's best for our son, so please Hales. Let me do this." Nathan pleaded as he took her hand in his. "Besides, I don't want our son to think his old man was cheap."
"Fine." Haley finally cracked a smile. "You have a deal."
Nathan nodded and smiled.
"You know who ever is trying to black mail you will be pissed."
"Good." Nathan leaned back. "The bitch deserves it."
"Nathan, don't curse in front of munchkin!" Haley admonished him and rubbed her belly.
"First, we need a better name than munchkin, second, I doubt he even know what bitch means."
"Nathan!" Haley gasped back. "Stop being a potty mouth!"
"Potty mouth, Hales, they say that stuff on tv."
"Then I guess isn't watching tv and you need to watch out what he's saying. I knew all that all that crap rap music you listened to would come back to haunt me."
"Whoa.. whoa.. whoa, my music is not crap.. beat's the emo shit you listen to."
"See, there you go again!" Haley pointed out. "And my music is not emo, it's timeless."
"I hardly call Chris Keller's music timeless .. now his videos on the other hand is a youtube classic at this point." He smirked.
"I buy one Chris Keller CD and you'll never let that one go." Haley rolled her eyes.
"Now his music is crap."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is not."
"Is too."
"Is not."
Nathan smirked. "Hey Hales?"
"What? She huffed out."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For being you." Nathan said sincerely and smiled warmly.
Haley blushed and looked down.
Nathan sat back and poured himself a glass of milk, thinking that this day turned out a whole lot better than he thought it would.
To Be Continued . . . .