Make this go on forever
Thank you again for all your reviews - I love them, and I'm glad you seem to enjoy reading these stories almost as much as I enjoy reading them.
Chapter four
Lucas and Haley were rushed off their feet at the cafe. Haley was exhausted from her pregnancy, and right now everything ached, but she had no time to take a break. Lucas was taking over for Karen as she wasn't feeling too well.
In the midst of juggling three drinks orders, Lucas glanced over at Haley.
"How're you doing?" Lucas asked.
Haley sighed, "Well, I think we both deserve a massive break, and a massive pay rise after all these customers," Haley smiled as she served more customers.
Lucas laughed, "I agree."
Haley rubbed her aching back and leant on the counter wearily.
"I really think you should sit down," Luke said concernedly.
"I'm fine! I really can't leave you to deal with everyone alone – we're swamped."
Lucas knew from experience that he wasn't going to win this argument.
"Okay, but just tell me if you need to rest."
"Fine," Haley said dismissively as she took some money from a customer.
Lucas sighed, and then smiled as he saw Peyton and Nathan walk into the bar.
"Hi," he greeted Peyton with a kiss.
"Hi," Peyton smiled back, before Luke was inundated with more orders.
Nathan walked over to see Haley.
"Hey," Nathan leant over and kissed her.
"Hey," Haley replied, pleasantly surprised to see him.
"You look busy," Nathan commented.
"That's the understatement of the century," Haley sighed as she rubbed her back again.
"You look exhausted," Nathan said worriedly.
"I'm fine! I'm pregnant but that doesn't mean everyone should treat me like a special case!" Haley said angrily and then turned away to carry on working.
Nathan was a bit taken aback by the abrupt end to their conversation, but he was used to Haley's mood swings, and she was especially touchy about being treated differently at the moment.
Nathan and Peyton retired to a table with their drinks.
"…and of course Brooke found it hilarious," Peyton laughed.
"Errr sure," Nathan replied gazing into the distance.
"Nathan. Nathan. Nathan!" Peyton was trying to get his attention.
"What? Oh sorry, Peyton."
Peyton followed Nathan's gaze to where Haley was working at the bar.
"Is everything alright? You were chatting away happily for the past half an hour and then suddenly you got all distracted." Peyton asked her friend.
"I'm sorry, I'm just worried about Haley. She looks exhausted but she won't admit she needs a rest."
"Aaaah, the I don't need help just because I'm pregnant phase," Lucas interrupted the conversation as he was clearing up the table next to Nathan and Peyton's.
"It has a name?"
"Sure. My Mum went through the exact same thing."
"So what do I do?" Nathan asked Luke.
"Wait."
Nathan raised his eyebrow.
Lucas laughed at his brother's disbelief, "Don't push Haley, but just make sure you're there when she does admit that she needs help."
Nathan smiled at Lucas. "Thanks Luke. I really appreciate the advice."
"That's what I'm here for," Lucas replied smiling. "And we're all here for Hales, when she needs it,"
"Here, here," agreed Peyton.
"I know guys, and it means a lot to both of us how supportive you've been." Nathan replied.
Lucas patted his brother on the back before walking off to deal with more customers.
The number of people in the café had definitely died down by now, although Lucas and Haley were still being kept busy enough.
"Hi!" Haley smiled at Nathan as he approached the counter, and he leant over to kiss her.
"Am I forgiven yet?" Nathan asked.
"Definitely. I'm sorry I snapped. It's just been so busy, and…" Haley trailed off.
"And…?" Nathan asked, caressing Haley's cheek.
Haley leant into his palm and sighed, "…and I'm exhausted. Everything hurts and I really need to sit down," Haley admitted.
Lucas overheard and came over.
"Hales, go and have a break. You're well overdue for one, and I can handle things."
Haley was way too tired to argue, so she came out from behind the bar and Nathan led her to his table.
Haley sat down next to Nathan and leant against him, as he put his arm round her shoulder.
"Hi Hales," Peyton greeted her.
"Hi Peyt," Haley smiled. "I'm not interrupting your chat am I?"
"Not at all," Peyton replied, "now you can help me gang up on Nathan," Peyton laughed.
The three of them talked for about 20 minutes, and then Haley started to get up.
"Whoa, where are you off to?" Nathan asked.
"I've left Lucas alone for ages," Haley replied.
"Haley your shift's nearly over anyway, I'm sure Lucas won't mind."
"It's not fair on him," Haley started to protest.
"I'll help him out," Peyton suggested. "I'm sure I can work out what to do. It won't be for long anyway."
Haley looked at Nathan and then back at Peyton. "Thank you Peyt, that would be great."
"No problem," Peyton stood up and hugged Haley, before walking off to help Lucas.
"Come on, let's get you home," Nathan said to his wife.
"We don't have to go just because of me," Haley said, although she chose that moment to yawn.
Nathan laughed and wrapped his arms around her, "Come on."
He pulled her up and led her to the car.
"Bye," they called in unison to Lucas and a slightly confused looking Peyton, trying to work the coffee machine.
Nathan and Haley lay in bed.
"Maybe I should ask Karen for fewer shifts," Haley admitted.
"You'll finally admit that you need to rest more often?" Nathan asked.
"Fine, I admit it." Haley pouted. "But we could still do with the money."
"We'll manage, but I don't want you overworking yourself. You're not admitting defeat you know. It's just you're doing an amazing job of looking after our baby, and that just means you need to rest now and again."
Haley looked adoringly at her husband.
"I love you, you know that?" Haley told him.
"I know," Nathan grinned, "and I'm very thankful for that."
Haley grinned back at him and kissed him.
When they finally broke apart, Nathan said, "I love you too."
Haley snuggled up close to Nathan, and promptly fell fast asleep.