AN: For all of you who were wondering, Jake and Peyton are engaged. Lucas and Brooke just started dating again. I am not actually sure yet how much of the rest of the gang are in this but they will be making appearances (I think LOL ).
PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW!
Walking into Karen's café Brooke immediately spotted Lucas. She's been anxious to talk to him ever since Haley told her that Nathan was in town. She honestly had no idea how to feel. She knew that the anxiety she was feeling right now couldn't even compare to what she was positive Haley was feeling.
Even though most people knew that Nathan leaving devastated Haley no one knew the consequences of his actions other than the four of them; Her, Lucas, Jake and Peyton. And even Jake and Peyton didn't know the full extent of Haley's grieve over her lost baby and husband. At the time they had their own dramas going on and couldn't always be there. Nikki had returned wanting Jenny back and Peyton's biological mom had gotten diagnosed and died of cancer.
She and Lucas had been the only ones watching Haley break down. And even though she was going through what most people considered hell, she refused to accept financial help from anyone, not her brothers, sisters or even parents. She was determined to make it on her own. While pregnant and even after giving birth to her son Haley had worked two jobs mornings at Karen's Café and nights at Tric then she'd go home sit with her baby and study to make sure she got a full academic scholarship, and that she did. She ended up getting a full ride to UNC all expenses paid. To this day the amount of strength that Haley displayed still makes Brooke shine with pride when talking about her best friend.
Walking up to Lucas, Brooke distractedly kissed him on the lips softly, and then sat down across from him. "This is bad Luke." Was her opening sentence.
"So, he did pay you guys a visit then?" he asked.
"Yea, he did, I came home and Haley's eyes were puffy and red apparently "he wants them back""she answered with a grim expression.
"I don't even know what to say." he replied quietly. "I mean he leaves her pregnant and goes off Duke, gets into the NBA and not once has he even picked up the phone. I mean common Brooke it's been freaking six years. What does he expect? That we'll welcome him back with open arms? " he finished angrily.
"I don't know Luke. Are you okay though?" she asked grabbing onto his hand.
"Me?" he asked with a confused expression.
"Common Broody! It's me you're talking to. How do you feel about Nathan coming back?"
"I feel nothing, okay. I am just worried about what Haley's feeling right now."
Knowing that now wasn't the time to press the issue Brooke moved on. "Have you talked to Haley?"
"No I thought I would give her some time to adjust before I went to talk to her."
"Yea I guess your right. Well Broody I have to get to work." Brooke said standing up and gathering her things.
Holding her arm Lucas pressed her to him and gave her a deep, passionate kiss. Then pulled back a little. "I love you!" he announced against her lips for the first time since they started dating again, while looking into her eyes. With a wide grin on her face Brooke said "I love you, too." Kissed him one more time and left.
Walking into Bedroom Records Haley found Zach sitting on her chair with his legs on her desk with two coffee cups in his hands.
"Zach how many times have I told not to go near my desk?" Haley asked with mock annoyance.
"Well Hello there lover." He greeted with a goofy grin on his face. "I brought coffee! I thought we could have a quickie on your oh-so-wonderful desk before having the coffee" he said winking at her.
Blushing lightly Haley replied in a mock sardonic tone "Hardy Har. You're hilarious."
Handing her the coffee, his expression turned serious "Seriously though, when are you going to let me take you out on a real date James?"
"Common Zach we've already talked about this we'd never work out!"
"No you common Hales, I get it okay I really do! Some douchbag hurt you a lot, and you have a son that you don't want getting hurt. But all I am asking for is one date if after that you honestly feel like it won't work out then we can just go back to just being friends."
"We are just friends." She replied with a soft expression.
Showing her his puppy dog eyes "Haley." He warned lightly.
And in that moment Haley felt butterflies in her stomach that she hasn't felt for about six years. Suddenly she found herself terrified, the thought that someone makes her feel half as much as when she was with Nathan scared her to no end.
Rolling her eyes Haley looked at him " Fine-" but before she could finish he was crushing her to him in a bone crushing hug. "But Zach," she started looking him straight in the eye "Just one date and sometime next week. I have too much on my mind this week."
"You won't regret this Hales." He promised turning around to leave her office with the two coffees.
"ZACH!" she yelled for him making him stop in his tracks before fully leaving.
"Yes lover?" he asked hesitantly turning back. Fearful that she had changed her mind.
"My coffee please." She demanded, holding out her hand for the cup with a smile gracing her lips.
"Oh! RIGHT! whoops." He said feeling relieved that she hadn't changed her mind and like an idiot for forgeting the coffee.
After trying and failing to concentrate on work Haley finally decided to leave. Going into her car she kept thinking about how she needed to talk to someone about Nathan. Someone who would understand. Making up her mind Haley found herself pulling up to Karen's house.
Knocking gently she waited a minute before the door was opened.
"Hey Keith," Haley greeted. "Haley!" he looked surprised for a moment. He turned back to the clock and found it displayed the time at 3:30 in the afternoon. Catching himself he turned to her and hugged her before asking "Is everything okay? Shouldn't you be picking Micca up from school?"
"Umm yea everything is okay! Jake is picking him and Jenny up. And I am sorry to bother you. I stopped by the café looking for Karen but she wasn't there I thought maybe she'd be home?" she rambled nervously.
Although Karen and Keith were like parents to her she still felt weird about bothering them. Especially after they got married, she felt like every minute she spends with them was a minute she was holding off their happy ending.
"Oh okay! It's no problem Karen is in the living room. I was actually on my way out, Bye Haley" he said and then hugged her goodbye and then left.
Closing the door behind her Haley walked in. She found Karen sitting on her couch reading a book. "Hi Karen." She greeted. Getting up Karen walked over to her and hugged her while saying hi. After exchanging the pleasantries Haley finally got to the point.
"I am actually here because I needed your advice on something,"
"Oh?" asked Karen softly.
"Ummm yea Karen Nathan is back and I have no idea what to do. I am so lost on the one hand I want Micca to know his father, but he's been gone for six years. What am I supposed to say to that? Am I supposed to welcome him back with open arms or am I supposed to just not let him into Micca's life? I kept thinking over and over again who I could actually take advice from and out of nowhere BAM your name pops into my head. And I know the situation is different than yours and Dan's and I really don't want to pry and open old wounds for you but-"
"Haley!" Karen's soft voice cut through Haley's rambling.
Smiling gently Haley apologized. "Oh, honey it's okay." Karen said softly while taking the younger girl in her arms.
"As much as I'd love to help you out I can't Haley this decision doesn't affect me. Whatever you decide it has to come from you not from me or Brooke or even Lucas. Sweetheart this is your life were talking about. I am not saying let him in I am just saying that you should take the time and find out if he's back for good, and what his intentions are. But whatever you do Haley be careful with your son's heart because while kids might bounce back from things easily, this is different. Because if you let Nathan in and he leaves it'll devastate Micca. But if you keep him away and Micca never meets his father that'll hurt him to. All I can really tell you is to think things through again and again before you make a decision."
"Your right! See Karen I feel better already, I have a lot to think about," Haley said softly."Thank you."
"O0h honey you know you can come to me anytime!"
Dont forget to review people! i want you to tell me what you think of Zach.
and i was thinking about over how long of their lifes should the story last? or should it be over the course of 5-10 years? whatya think ppl?