Disclaimer: I don't own one tree hill or the characters, how ever I did make up a couple.
Authors notes: I gotta agree with one reviewer, men are so stupid ( Not all, just most ). Most people when they are mad they do irrational things, and I guess a lot of people are curious as to why Nathan would sign the papers and this chapter clears all that up for you. Thanx for the reading and keep the reviews coming.
Chapter three:
" I think I like that shade, what's it called? " Haley asked, cocking her head to the side and looking at the white wall with he color index chart tacked up against it.
" Mocha. " Peyton Sawyer answered, nodding her head in agreement with Haley. " And it does look nice in here. "
" Alright, so we got the color for the living room picked out, now all we got left is my bedroom and office and the kitchen. " Haley told her, picking up the stack of cards from the floor.
" And Jamie wants Raven blue with a basketball court painted on one wall. " Peyton added, smiling at Haley. " Are you okay with that? "
" Yeah, why wouldn't I be? " Haley questioned, avoiding her friends knowing glance.
" No reason. " Peyton muttered, wishing she hadn't said anything. " So, are you wanting to paint the bathrooms too, we can maybe do a sports theme for Jamie's, slash the guest bath, and maybe something ultra girly for yours. "
" Yeah that sounds good, I want purple in mine. "
" So... Have you heard anything from... " Peyton wasn't sure how to approach the topic.
" Uh not yet but my lawyer called this morning and confirmed that he was served with the papers yesterday. " Haley answered, already knowing what her friend was asking.
" You think he'll just sign? "
" Yeah. I mean it's been six years and no word from him. "
" No, I meant about Jamie, giving up his rights? "
" I hope so, he is Dan's son. "
" So is Lucas. "
" Yeah but Lucas was more or less raised by Keith with very little to do with Dan. " Haley countered.
" Point taken. "
Haley's cell phone began to ring, glancing at the caller I.D. She held up a finger to Peyton.
" Hello? " She answered.
" Mrs. Scott? " The female voice questioned.
" Yes but could you pleas call me Ms. James? " She requested, deciding it was time to go back to her maiden name.
" Of course Ms. James, I just wanted to tell you we received the the divorce papers back this morning. " She was informed, she didn't know whether to smile or be disappointed. " You should come to the office this morning and see them. "
" Why do I need to see them, can't you just file them and call me when it's official? " Haley asked, confused.
" Ms. James, would you please just come to the office as soon as possible? " The woman asked, annoyed with the 21 year old woman.
" Alright, I have to go into town in a little bit, so I'll just come by then. " Haley agreed, equally annoyed.
" What was that about? " Peyton asked, as her friend slammed her cell phone shut.
" The received the papers back already, they want me to come look them over or something. " Haley grumbled, not really wanting to deal with anything divorce related today.
The two took their time picking out colors for the rest of the house before heading towards the local hardware store to get their paint mixed. They decided to swing by the lawyers office first, get that mess cleared away as quickly as possible and then going to lunch before picking up the paint.
Pulling her car into the empty space in front of the small office building, Haley put her car into park and killed the ignition.
" You coming in? " She turned to her blond friend, who shrugged.
" Might as well. " Peyton replied.
Nathan Scott stood in his kitchen, listening to the red haired girl he'd been friends with for the past four years, go on and on about his parental rights.
" If she never attempted to tell you about this kid, you could sue her. " Rachel Gatina informed him, sipping the cup of coffee he had just placed in front of her.
" I don't want to do that, I just want to see them. " He replied, blowing across the top of his own cup.
Rachel eyed him up and down. Nathan Scott was one fine male and he knew it. He stood there in a pair of red basketball shorts, no shirt and messy ' I just got out of bed ' hair. For the first two years they'd known each other, she pursued him relentlessly but he would always turn her down. Finally she just assumed he was gay and moved on.
" I can't believe you never told me you were married, that makes much more sense. " She grumbled and he smiled lightly.
" I can't believe it's been six years since I've seen my wife and that I have a son that up until yesterday I knew nothing about. " And there it was again, that blinding anger he felt with unmeasurable sadness that went along with it. " Can you find her? "
" Yeah, with all the information you gave me, I should have no problem. When does training camp start? " Rachel asked, gathering up her folder.
" Two months. " Nathan answered simply. " Please hurry. "
" I will do my best. " Rachel assured him, downing the rest of her coffee before standing up.
" Thanks Rach. " Nathan smiled.
She left moments later, leaving him alone with his anger.
" Alright, I'm here. " Haley announced, being led into her lawyers office, followed quietly by Peyton. " Let's get this over with so you can file the papers and I can be fully single instead of partially single. "
The woman looked up from her desk, frowning at the girl in front of her but not saying a word.
" He signed them, didn't he? " Haley questioned, suddenly very nervous.
Kathrine Blackwell, Haleys lawyer pulled out the manila envelope, handing it too Haley.
" See for yourself. " Ms. Blackwell said, her attitude screamed bitch.
Haley opened the papers and immediately looked for his signature, all she found written above his printed name was a simple ' I love you ' and when she flipped to the page with the parental right termination request, he'd written ' like hell '.
" My only advice is to prepare to fight. " Kathrine Blackwell smiled grimly as Haley looked up alarmed.
" He can't take my son, can he? " Haley asked, her mouth running dry as she looked at Peyton for support.
" He can sure try but it will be months before anything will happen. We'll get together soon and put together a game plan. "
Nathan laid on his sofa, staring out the window as thick rain drops pounded against the glass. It was perfect actually, the depressing weather matched his feelings so well. How could he be so stupid to ever walk away? How could he allow his dad to convince him to just walk away from her?
Closing his eyes, he recalled all the times he'd seen Lucas, which over the course of six years was six times, and at each one they were facing each other on opposing basketball teams. Lucas had told him that first time, that he was choosing Haley over him and that they weren't brothers anymore and apparently he meant it.
Allowing the sound of the rain to lull him into a deep slumber, he began dreaming about on particular basketball game against the Tarheels and Lucas.
Flashback
" And I am sitting here with Lucas Scott, shooting guard for the North Carolina Tarheels. Lucas, is it true that Dukes small forward, Nathan Scott is your little brother? " The reporter questioned, as Nathan watched on the television in the visiting locker room.
" Half brother. " Lucas answered simply, leaning down slightly so he could hear the next question.
" Are you guys close? " Came the next question, and Nathan listened closely as Lucas struggled with a response.
" Not really. We didn't grow up together and have only talked sparodically. We played for the Tree Hill Ravens together before he transferred to Oak Lake. " Lucas replied, his body language tense.
" So, you won't feel too bad if you beat him tonight? " The reporter joked.
Lucas chuckled lightly. " I am planning on beating him tonight. "
" I saw you a little earlier on this evening, you were hanging out with two pretty girls, is either of them your girlfriend? "
" Yeah, Peyton Sawyer is my girl and the other one is my best friend, Haley James. " Lucas smiled.
Nathan couldn't help but notice that the ' Scott' wasn't added to her last name.
" Will they both be in attendance tonight? "
" Uh, Peyton will but Haley is going to sit this one out for personal reasons, she usually attends all my games. She's my biggest fan. " Lucas laughed again.
" Thank you Lucas, I'm Ethan Stokes for ESPN 2 " The reporter signed off as Lucas walked away.
" Scott! " Nathan looked up as his name was being called. " You ready? "
" What for? " He knew he had at least thirty minutes before they had to be court side.
" Your interview. " The team manager said, getting irritated.
" Oh, yeah. " Nathan shook his head, he really didn't feel like being put on the spot but knew that it came with being the star player.
Stepping out of the locker room, he ran straight into the man he had just been watching.
" Luke. " Nathan greeted, tensely.
" Nate. " Lucas gritted his teeth.
" Lucas honey, you were great. " Karen walked up, caring a three year old girl. " Oh Nathan, how are you doing? "
" Great Ms. Roe. " Nathan smiled back at her. " And who is this pretty little girl? "
" This is Lilly, my daughter. " Karen replied, being joined by Lucas and Nathans uncle Keith who was caring a 3 year old boy.
" Wow. And whose this little guy? " He asked, watching as Lucas kind of stepped in between him and the child.
" This is Jamie. " Keith replied.
" Twins. That's great, I hadn't even heard you guys had had a child. " Nathan grinned.
" Just a daughter. Jamie is a friend of ours, she needed a break tonight so we brought him with us. " Karen explained as Lucas gave her a pointed look.
" Well, it was nice seeing you guys. Luke, see you on the court. " Nathan said as he walked away, preparing for his pre game interview.
Nathan's eyes snapped open, he had seen his son. The had been so close to his little boy and didn't even know it. Looking back at it now, he could see so much of Haley and himself in that 3 year old but at the time he had been so blind to it.
Pulling himself into a seated position, he rubbed his hand tiredly over his face. Hearing a buzzing sound coming from the coffee table, he noticed his cell phone was going off. Glancing at the caller I.D. He noticed it was Rachel and flipped it open.
" I found her. " Was all Rachel had said and Nathan broke out into a huge grin.