Haley woke up in her husband's arms for the third morning in a row, the second morning in their home, and the first morning with Keith quietly asleep in his room right next to theirs. She leaned over and kissed Nathan on the cheek then quietly climbed out of bed to check on Keith.
Nathan rolled over to put his arm around his wife but she wasn't there. He climbed out of bed and checked the bathroom. She wasn't there either. Then it hit him, she must be in with Keith. He headed to Keith's room and slowly opened the door, "Hales," he whispered. No answer but as he pushed the door open further he could see her asleep in the rocking chair next to the crib. He looked at Keith he was still asleep. The he knelt down next to the rocker, "baby," he said as he shook her shoulder.
"Huh," she said as she jolted awake and looked at Nathan.
"What time did you come in here," he asked her.
"I don't know about seven I think," she answered rubbing her eyes.
"Baby it's almost nine," Nathan said.
"He's usually up before me. I come in and he's playing. Not today though," she said.
"He was really tired yesterday maybe he just needs a little extra sleep this morning," Nathan said.
There was a soft knock on the door and Brooke entered, "hey," she whispered, "I tried your room but obviously you weren't there. Anyway I was wondering if you were ready for breakfast but I guess not," she said looking at them, Nathan in just boxers and Haley in a tank and sweats.
"Um I think we're gonna pass on breakfast," Nathan said, "Keith's still sleeping."
"Ok," Brooke said sounding concerned "is everything ok?"
"Yeah," Haley said, "he was just really tired yesterday we want to let him sleep."
"Alright," she said sounding reassured, "see you later."
"Do you wanna come downstairs and get some food," Nathan asked.
"No," she answered, "I want to wait until he wakes up."
"Ok well I'll go start some food," he said and kissed her on the forehead.
Nathan went downstairs and started making coffee, eggs, bacon, and toast. Haley came down and joined him twenty minutes later with Keith awake but his head resting on her shoulder. Nathan handed her a cup of coffee, "did he wake on his own?" Keith's eyes moved to Nathan when he heard his voice but he still didn't move.
"Yeah," Haley answered.
"Is he alright," Nathan asked as he walked over and touched Keith's forehead, "he's not warm. Maybe if he eats." Nathan took Keith and put him in his highchair. The he gave him a sippy cup of juice and some food. He didn't eat a lot but he seemed to have more energy after breakfast which put Nathan and Haley at ease.
Brooke looked across the table at Tim, "I hope everything is ok at home."
"I'm sure it is," Tim said. "Keith spent the weekend in a different place with Deb, who he hasn't spent much alone time with. It was probably really stressful and tired him out."
"Yeah you're probably right," Brooke said. "So Naley is moving to Durham together. Haley told me last night at Tric."
"That's awesome. Nathan seemed really happy last night. He wouldn't leave Haley's side," Tim said.
"Uh," Brooke sighed as she moved closer to Tim and rested her head on his shoulder. "I wish we could be together."
"Me too babe, me too." Tim's cell phone rang and he looked at the caller ID.
"Who is it," Brooke asked.
"I dunno," he said, "I don't recognize the number but I feel like I should answer."
"So answer," Brooke said.
"Hello," Tim answered his phone.
"Hello may I speak with Tim Smith," the voice on the other end answered.
"This is he. May I ask who's speaking?"
"This is Elizabeth Phillips from the office of admissions at UAlbany," she said.
Tim's eyes widened in curiosity. Brooke gave him a questioning look. He held up his fingers as he rose to leave the café so he could hear better.
"Well hello Mrs. Phillips. May I ask why you're calling?"
"Well Tim I've spoken to your financial rep and understand that the partial scholarship wouldn't have been enough for you to attend," Mrs. Phillips said.
"That is correct," Tim said not sure where this was going.
"Well your financial rep brought it to my attention that another potential student turned down their scholarship freeing up money," Mrs. Phillips said as Brooke joined Tim outside after taking care of the bill, "so we can now offer you a full scholarship."
A smile spread across his face and he grabbed Brooke's hand and she mouthed what. Tim didn't answer Brooke, "that's great Mrs. Phillips."
"What's great," Brooke whispered, "and who's Mrs. Phillips?"
Tim held up a finger. "Well if you're interested we need to get you into the office in the next few days to take care of some stuff," Mrs. Phillips said.
"Ok, I am very interested," Tim said, "I will make arrangements and call back to set up a time to meet."
"Ok, Mr. Smith I hope to hear from you soon," Mrs. Phillips said.
"You will," Tim assured her.
"Alrighty bye-bye," Mrs. Phillips said.
"Thank you bye," Tim said and hung up. "That was um," Tim said to a questioning Brooke, "um an admissions rep from UAlbany they can offer me a full scholarship," he said with excitement.
"What? Oh my God that's awesome baby," Brooke said throwing herself at him.
"Yeah but I have to be in the office ASAP," he said.
"Ok, ok, um," Brooke said still excited, "well get back to the house and book a flight. I'll run to the store and grab some things you'll need."
"Ok," he said as he kissed her and headed off.
Tim walked into the house Haley was on the couch watching TV while Keith was in his playpen playing. "He's better," Tim said.
"Oh yeah he seems to have more energy but he's not all there yet," she said.
"Brooke told me. He was fine with other day when he went with Deb," Tim said.
"It's ok Tim don't worry he's fine. Where's Brooke," she asked.
"Oh she's at the store getting some stuff. It seems UAlbany can offer me a full scholarship so I have to fly out there and take care of some stuff," Tim said.
"Oh Tim that's great," Haley said getting up to give him a hug.
"Well I need to go look for a flight online," Tim said.
"Good luck," Haley said.
It was about a half hour before Brooke came in. "Oh my goodness Tutorwife you are not going to believe this," she said marching into the house.
"Um Tim's going to UAlbany," Haley answered.
"Well I figured he'd tell you that when he came in, so, um no. Actually this is about you," Brooke said throwing a stack of magazines at her.
"What's this," Haley asked grabbing the stack which had the National Enquirer on top along with every other tabloid that could be picked up in line at the supermarket. On the cover of each and everyone was herself and Nathan, "oh my."