Chapter: 16- That void in your heart

Haley just kept staring straight ahead. She really wished she could've just disappeared at that moment. Just to think about things. Just for a second.

"Nathan…this…is…a little… much. Don't you think? I mean I just came back and you're telling me that you love me. I…don't know. This is too fast for me."

"Haley, listen. I probably would have just kept that inside for a long time. But…"

"Then why didn't you? I mean….at least until we finally get used to…whatever this is with out kids."

"I did it because…Nate said you still loved me. Damn. Wasn't supposed to tell you that part. Forgot. Stupid. Nathan." Nathan said to himself

Haley just stared at him blankly. Then finally spoke.

"He told you that?"

"Yeah. He did."

"Look, Nathan. How about we go do something tonight? Then I can really see what's going on. And how I feel about you. Okay?"

"Sure. Seven sound good?"

"It's fine."

"Okay. Then I'll pick you up at seven. See you." Nathan walked down the steps and out of the back door.

Haley stood there. Still confused. Yet happy. About what just happened with Nathan. Why would her son tell him that? She headed inside and there was a million thoughts running through her mind. She had to see what her son had told him first. Nathan was sitting in his room talking to Brooke when all of a sudden he heard his mother scream.

"NATHAN!" Haley screamed for her son

"That didn't sound good." Nathan said as he got up off his bed and went to see what his mother wanted.

"Hey, Nate. Good luck." Brooke said as he left.

"Thanks Brooke."

When Nathan got downstairs he saw his mother. And by the look on her face. She meant business.

"Hey. What's up, mom?"

"What did you say to your father this afternoon?"

"I don't know. I said a lot to him. You know, it's really hard to keep track of exactly what I said."

"Well, remember. Now. Nathan. Did you tell him I love him? Or is he just messing with me? Huh?"

"Mom, listen."

"Tell me the truth, Nathan"

"Fine. I may have accidentally said something."

"Why would you do that?"

"Because he wouldn't listen to me any other way. He wanted to but was scared to. For so long. So I guess…I just tried to push him a little."

"He wanted to what?"

"Tell you how he feels. And maybe he never wanted to say it out loud; I know that's the truth, even though he tried to deny it. So I'm sorry, mom. I just wanted to help you. And I wanted to help him. And maybe myself a little bit."

"How would it be helping you?"

"By knowing your happy. By knowing you were like you were in high school. All day I hear about the "Naley" stories. Or whatever Brooke called it. And some teachers even told me things about you two. That you used to have. And the way the described it…it sounded great. Like something that's out there. But no one ever gets. Something that's so rare. I just want you to be happy again, mom."

"Yeah. I was happy. And I am now too. I mean in a different way. But I still am."

"Maybe so. But you know there's that void in your heart where dad used to be. And until you tell him how you feel, that's never gonna go away. And I think you know that. Did he tell you he loved you?"

"Yeah. He did."

"And did you tell him the truth?"

"No. I didn't."

"Why not, mom? You know the truth. Now he deserves that. And you do too."

"Thank you, Nathan. I think I might."

"When?"

"Tonight. I'm going out with him for a little while."

"Really? Thank you, mom."

"Well, I wasn't doing it for you but now I am. Thanks, Nate. Now go do your homework I'll be back later. Be good. No climbing out your window. In girls windows. Parties. Nothing like that please."

"I've never climbed in girls windows before."

"I know but you've got the genes of the one that used to."

"Dad did that?"

"All the time. He had his own apartment. But his best friend would have all these parties there and he didn't want anything to do with them so he used to come to my house all the time. I would always hear like this rapping at the window. Grandma and grandpa were happy when that finally stopped."

"When did it stop?"

"When we got married and I moved out."

"Didn't they move to?"

"Yeah. Right after that they did. Okay, now go upstairs."

"Okay. I love you, mom. Good luck."

"Thanks, Nate."

It was 6:45 pm and she was getting ready to go out with Nathan. She had a black to your knee skirt and a white strapless top with a nice pair of black sandals to match. Her hair was down and straight. Straight like she used to wear it when her and Nathan first started going out. She hadn't worn it like that in so long. Just then she heard the door bell ring. She headed downstairs and opened the door. It revealed Nathan. In a nice pair of Dockers and a long sleeve black dress shirt. He looked great. They stared at each other for a few seconds and then were brought pack into reality.

"Wow, Haley. You look great. Love the hair back to how it was when I first met you. That's how you wore it when we went out for the first time. Not that it wasn't beautiful the other way too. Cause it was." he was just rambling nervously.

"Wow. Impressive. You remember something that long ago."

"Of course. That's something I'll never forget."

"Well, you look pretty good yourself."

"Thanks. So you ready."

"Yeah. Just hold on one second." she went over to the stairs and yelled." NATHAN! HOLLY! I'M GOING ! BE GOOD. IF YOU NEED ANYTHING I'LL BE ON MY CELL."

"Don't worry mom I'll take care of Mr. Trouble here." Holly told her mother.

"That's not nice. Maybe I need to take care of you. Little sis." Nathan said to his sister.

"Fine. Take care of each other. Just be good. I'll see you guys later. Bye."

"Bye Nathan…..Holly. Nice to see you again." Nathan said to his son and daughter.

"Yeah. You too." Holly managed to say back.

Nathan smiled at her and led Haley out to his car.

"So Nathan, where are we going exactly?"

"Oh, you'll see. It's a surprise."

"But I hate surprises."

"I know. That's half the fun. But I promise you. You won't be disappointed."

Nathan opened the door and Haley got in his car and they drove down the street. Laughing at each others jokes and loving each others presence. Just like old times. This was definitely going to be an interesting, run, and memorable night.