Nathan slept a lot most of the next few days. In the few hours that he had actually been awake over the few days, the police had been back to have him sign an official statement and to identify suspects through a picture line-up. They believed to have all suspects in custody including Bear who was caught trying to flee town after learning Nathan was awake and talking.
On the third day after Nathan woke up he was up and moving around the room. "Are you supposed to be up like that," Haley asked him from the window.
"If it means I get to do this," he said letting go of his ribs and wrapping his arms around her kissing the back of her neck, "then yeah."
"Oh, ok," Haley said turning around putting her arms around his neck. They stared into each others eyes for a moment then kissed.
"Eh-hem, sorry to interrupt," the doctor said. "Well looks like someone's feeling better."
Haley laughed as did Nathan. "I do feel much better," Nathan said.
"Good, good," the doctor said, "so how would you feel about going home?"
"Well what about my son," Nathan asked.
"According to his doctor he's not quite ready yet so you are welcome to stay, as his father though not as a patient," the doctor answered.
"Well, ok," Nathan said.
"So do you want the tuna special," Lucas yelled from the kitchen at the café.
"No actually I want," Rachel began to answer but the phone rang.
"Hold that thought," Lucas said as he answered the phone.
"Hey Rach," Karen said as she came into the café, "so you guys are going to the river court with the gang for lunch?"
"That's the plan," Rachel answered with a smile.
"Was the plan," Lucas said joining the conversation at the counter. "That was Haley on the phone," Lucas said, "they're releasing Nathan. She needs me to stop by the house and pick up some clothes."
"That's great," Karen said.
"So do you still want me to pack you a," Lucas paused he didn't know what type of sandwich she wanted.
"Turkey sandwich," Rachel filled in the blank for him. "Yeah, why not? Mouth's come around and the others have been nice lately."
Lucas dropped Rachel off at the river court with a picnic basket full of food. "Hey guys. Lucas packed all of your favorites," she said walking towards the bleachers where Mouth, Peyton, Brooke, and Tim sat talking and watching Skills, Fergie, and Junk shooting around.
"Sweet foods here," Skills said coming over to collect his sandwich.
"Where's he going," Fergie asked referring to Lucas.
"They're releasing Nathan," Rachel answered. "Haley asked him to stop by the house and pick up some clothes."
"What," Brooke shirked with excitement and looked at her phone sure enough there was a missed call from Haley.
Peyton laughed at Brooke, "that's awesome. What about Keith?"
"He's not ready yet," Rachel answered.
While the girls talked the guys had finished their sandwiches. When the girls started eating the guys were already back on the court and Mouth and Tim were deep into NBA draft talk.
The girls ate while they watched the guys shoot around. Rachel took a bite and began choking. "Are you ok," Peyton asked slapping her on the back as Brooke looked on.
Rachel answered by pointing toward someone walking towards them. Peyton's jaw dropped to the ground in shock. Brooke on the other hand reacted verbally, "ahhh, oh my God, Bevin!" Brooke jumped up and ran over to her and hugged her. "What are you doing here? What happened to the cheerleading thing," Brooke asked.
Bevin didn't answer her though. In fact Bevin wasn't even looking at Brooke she was staring pas her at Skills. He was staring at her as well. His face was stone cold and angry but his eyes, his eyes told a different story. They were soft and sad and made him look lost.
Bevin ran to him and wrapped her arms around his neck and began kissing him. Skills did not react. His lips stayed closed tightly. Bevin didn't back down she continued to kiss him until his lips softened and he kissed her back. Bevin wrapped her legs around his waist and kissed him quicker. "I'm… so sorry… it… was… a big… mistake," she said between kisses. "I…was… miserable… without… you," she continued. Skills kissed her long and hard this time and Bevin relaxed and put her legs back at the ground. "It's not worth it without you. I gave it up. I want you."
Skills stared lovingly into the eyes of his high school sweetheart. "God I missed you," he said as he hugged her tightly resting his chin on her head. Their friends who had been watching the last few moments burst into applause and Bevin and Skills just smiled.
"Hey," Lucas said smiling as he walked into the room. "Here are some clothes," he said handing Nathan a bag.
"Thanks," he said taking the bag and then went into the bathroom to change.
"So are you guys going to stay here or at the house tonight," Lucas asked Haley who was slowly rocking Keith to sleep.
"Here of course. I couldn't bear to be away from Keith," Haley answered.
"Not even if I stayed with him," Lucas asked.
"I couldn't ask you to do that," Haley answered. "You've already done enough by staying here most nights with me. Now Nathan's awake so it's about time you go get a good night's sleep in your own bed."
"Maybe it's about time you and Nathan both got a good night's sleep in your own bed," he retorted. "After all I'm probably the only person who could stay the night with Keith and you would actually sleep." Haley rolled her eyes at him. "What," he laughed, "come on Hales, I insist."
"You insist on what," Nathan asked emerging from the bathroom.
"Oh nothing," Haley said.
"I just asked if you were staying here or at the house tonight. Haley said here because she didn't want to be away from Keith. I just figured you both could probably use a good night's sleep in your own bed so I offered to say with Keith," Lucas said.
"That's awesome," Nathan said.
"No it's not," Haley said, "he hasn't slept in his own bed in almost two weeks."
Nathan looked at Lucas and Lucas shrugged, "I'll deal. You guys deserve it really I insist."
"Fine," Haley said.
"Good," Lucas said smiling.
There was a knock at the door, "the discharge is complete so we're here to move Keith back to his old room," the nurse said.