Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Authors notes: So I am finally writing Haley, Nathan and Jamie all together and at once. I feel like I am writing Jamie as older than he is in the story but I think his maturity in the situation is the only way to write it. Plus I am throwing in a little Raley confrontation for your enjoyment. Thanks for the reviews.
Rating: M
Chapter seven:
" So, she's going to introduce you to your son? " Rachel asked, making sure she was understanding correctly.
" Yes, the two of us are going to sit down with him and explain it too him. " Nathan couldn't contain the grin that was on his face.
Jamie had worshiped his as some kind of basketball god but now he was going to know Nathan as dad. Having children had always scared Nathan but this felt right. Not only have a son but having a son with Haley made his entire life complete. Now he just had to convince his wife that they should give their love one more chance.
" And you don't think this could be one giant mistake? " Rachel's question caught him off guard as he shot her a look of pure anger. " All I am saying is that maybe he should know you before he knows you as his father. "
" Rachel, I love you for caring but I have lost 5 years with my boy, I don't want to waste anymore with him just knowing me as a buddy. " Nathan explained.
" You have to think about him in this Nate, he hasn't known you as his father, this is going to be really confusing for him. " Rachel tried to make him understand.
" I understand but Haley and I will make the transition smooth for him. " Nathan assured, not really convinced himself.
Lucas, Peyton and Haley leaned against the breakfast bar in their apartment, just watching Jamie as he watched cartoons. Haley was scared, there was no denying that. It was just last year when Jamie came to her questioning about the whereabouts of his dad.
" Hey Jimmy-Jam, did you have fun with Aunt Karen, Uncle Keith and Lilly? " Haley questioned her little boy, as they loaded up in Haley's car.
She saw his face and knew something was wrong.
" What's the matter Jamie? " She prodded, not liking the pout he was sporting.
" How come Lilly has a daddy and I don't? " He asked her and she was taken aback.
She had two choices, she could be honest or she could lie. She didn't want to lie to her little boy but she couldn't exactly tell him the whole truth either, so she compromised.
" You have a daddy honey, he's just not able to be with us right now. " She explained, and he looked thoroughly confused.
" Why? " Was all he asked and she took a deep breath.
" Before I found out that there was going to be a you, your daddy had to go away and I wasn't able to let him know about you. " It was the truth, sort of. She didn't need to tell her son that his father chose to leave her.
" Will I ever get to meet him? "
" Someday. " She answered, hugging him tightly before closing his door and walking around to the drivers side.
Someday was now and she was scared. After getting the wonderful news from Peyton that he and his girlfriend were indeed living in their apartment complex unnerved her. What made it worse is how easy it was for Nathan to lie about seeing someone.
" Okay, so how are you going to do this? " Lucas answered, sounding as nervous as she felt.
" We're going to meet for lunch and basically let Jamie know that we know each other, explain our marriage and that he is Jamie's dad. " Haley explained cooly, wishing it really could be that easy.
" Sounds like a good game plan. " Peyton said, earning a glare from her boyfriend.
" And what about him seeing Jamie? " Lucas prodded, ignoring his girlfriends commented.
" I guess that depends on how today goes. " Haley replied with a shrug. " I need to get me and Jamie ready to go. "
She quickly took her shower first, before ushering Jamie into the bath. She wanted to look his best for when he officially met Nathan, which meant that he was clean and dressed his khaki shorts and lime green polo shirt. He asked a lot of questions and when she told him they were meeting a friend, he automatically assumed she meant Dave, which reminded her that adult conversations needed to be held when Jamie was fast asleep.
Turning her attention away from Nathan, she was curious to how Jamie felt about her dating.
" You're not unhappy that I am dating, are you Jamie? " She asked him, holding her breath as he appeared to be thinking about it.
" Uncle Lucas said he hasn't seen you smile this much in awhile and I like it when you smile. " Jamie told her truthfully, he did like seeing his momma happy a lot more.
" You don't feel like I am not around as much? " She questioned further, needing her little boy to be okay with all of this.
" No, I still see you all the time. " Jamie replied, grinning goofily.
" You know I love ya, right? " She asked, smiling proudly at her little man.
" Yeah. " He answered, jumping into her arms. " I love you too! "
" Alright, now go put on your shoes, we don't want to be late. " She ordered, slapping him gently on the bottom as she let him go.
She smiled after her child as he ran out of the room. She prayed he would understand what was going on around his. He was a smart child but this was a complex situation that she wasn't even sure she completely understood.
She could remember all the pain Nathan had caused her when he left and didn't want Jamie to feel an ounce of that pain. All of a sudden she wasn't so sure about this anymore but also knew that it needed to be done.
Quickly saying good bye to Lucas and Peyton, promising one Luke one last time that things would be okay, she and Jamie left. They had agreed too meet at Karens, that way she would be able to send Jamie to see Karen so she could lay things out for Nathan.
When they arrived, she saw Nathan sitting in a corner booth, she sent Jamie to the counter where Kieth was sitting. It was obvious that Lucas had called his ' dad ', Keith had adopted him when they were seniors, and asked him to keep an eye on things. She wanted to be angry but she couldn't. He was concerned and she loved him for that. Sliding into the seat across from Nathan, she gave him a hard look before beginning.
" Before I bring Jamie over we need to get a few things straight. " She told him firmly, causing him to become nervous.
" Alright. " He said slowly, watching her expression carefully.
" No lies. I know about the girl you have living with you. " She told him and he immediately began to protest.
" Rachel is just a friend, my manager actually. " He said but she rolled her eyes.
" Managers don't move in with you. Nathan, you don't owe me anything. " She assured him but he continued.
" I am not seeing Rachel, nor am I sleeping with her or any girl for that matter. "
" Secondly, " She continued, not wanting to get into his personal life. " Jamie is the most important person in my life, he doesn't get hurt. " She told him, her voice was low and full of unspoken threats.
" I agree. " He told her softly, the last thing he wanted was for Jamie to hurt. " I think we should talk about us, maybe not right now but sometime. "
" there is no us, Nathan and there hasn't been for a really long time. " She told him, rather harshly.
" You're different. " He commented and she laughed bitterly.
" I guess I have you to thank for that. " And he winced, knowing the truth in his words. " Let me go get Jamie and we can start this. "
He watched as she walked to the bar, being warmly embraced by Kieth. When he'd walked in, both Kieth and Karen looked at him with disgust, not uttering a words as he walked to the back of the restaurant. It's not like he was expecting a parade but not all this hostility. He couldn't help but smile as he saw Jamie's eyes light up at the sight of him, as Haley guided him to their table.
" Jamie, I want you too meet Nathan Scott. " Haley introduced, as Jamie practically bounced into the booth before his mother slid in.
" I met him yesterday, remember Momma, he signed my ball. " Jamie reminded her proudly, his grinning growing wider and wider.
" I've known you're mom for a long time. " Nathan told him, surprised out the excitement that shone in his sons bright blue eyes.
" Really? How come you never told me you knew Nathan Scott? " Jamie asked, turning his focus onto his mother, not noticing the sadness lurking between her brown eyes, but Nathan noticed it.
" Jamie honey, you know how I have two last names? " Haley question and Jamie nodded.
" James Scott. " Jamie spoke up. " You named me James after your first last name. "
" Yes and I got the Scott part after I got married. " She told him and he nodded but not completely following.
" You were married? " Jamie asked in surprise.
" She is married. " Nathan corrected, watching as Jamie's face scrunched up even further.
" I'm married to Nathan honey, and he's your father. " She said and watched as realization washed over her sons handsome features.
" Are we going to live together? " Jamie asked, hope creeping into his voice.
" No. " Haley quickly cut in. " Nathan and I are going to get a divorce, meaning we won't be married anymore. Plus Nathan is going to be living in Seattle, remember he is going to be playing for the sonics. "
" But I am also going to get a place here in Tree Hill so I can be around for you. " Nathan said, watching the surprise flash in Haley's eyes. " And for the next two months I want to spend getting to know you. "
Jamie sat taking all the information in and suddenly something came to him.
" You said you didn't know where he was. " Jamie turned to his mother, upset.
" I didn't know how to explain this too you. " Haley admitted, hating the angry look Jamie was giving her.
" Jamie, listen buddy, this isn't your mothers fault. " Nathan defended Haley, knowing she had done what was right for Jamie all his life, giving up on her dreams. " When I went away, she wasn't able to contact me and let me know about you. "
" Why'd you go away? " Jamie asked him and Nathan swallowed the lump that formed in his throat.
" I got accepted to an amazing school that had an incredible basketball team. " Nathan admitted, it leaving a bitter taste in his mouth.
" You chose basketball over my mom? " Jamie questioned further.
" Yes. " Nathan said softly, regretting his decision now more than ever.
" Can we go? " Jamie turned abruptly to his mother.
" Are you sure? " Haley asked and Jamie nodded. Nathan watched on in disbelief.
" Jamie... " Nathan started but was cut off by the mature little boy.
" I don't think I want to know you. " Jamie said, sliding out of the seat after his mother.
" Jamie, why don't you go tell Uncle Keith and Aunt Karen good bye while I finish up with Nathan. " Haley suggested and Jamie gloomily walked away, towards the bar.
" Hales... " Nathan began.
" Just give him a few days. " Haley told him, watching after her son.
All Nathan could do was nod. As much as it hurt, a small part of him was expecting that reaction. It surprised him how mature Jamie was, how well he understood everything.
Jamie didn't utter one word the entire car ride home, instead staring out the window in silent anger. It surprised her that he reacted this way but at the same time, she knew jut how smart her little boy way. He figured out pretty quickly that Nathan had chosen basketball over his wife and unknowingly, his unborn child.
One thing she noticed and maybe wasn't a little happy about was that Jamie definitely had Nathans temper. When he was mad, he was mad and would only calm down on his terms. Jamie was rarely mad at her but there was no doubt this time that he was. She wished she could take things back, be a little more honest with him in the past but knew when it came right down to it, she would make the same mistakes all over again.
She followed behind him as he walked up the side walk and thats when she noticed the red head standing at an open apartment door.
" Jamie, go inside and get Uncle Lucas or Aunt Peyton to fix you a snack. " Haley ordered, pretending not to notice the way Jamie didn't even bother answering her.
Haley walked to where the red head stood, leaning against the door jam. The girl wore a knowing smirk that made Haley wanting to slap it off. She'd never felt blatant hostility for someone before but the girl in front of her just brought it out.
" I take it, it didn't go well. " Rachel said, watching the brunette walking slowly up to her.
" You could say that. " Haley agreed, not knowing why she needed to have this conversation, just knowing that she did. " Listen about you and Nathan... I know this is none of my... "
" There is nothing between Nathan and I other than friendship and business. " Rachel assured her, knowing thats what the shorter girl was after.
" That's what he said but tell me, when do managers live with their clients? " Haley questioned, clearly expressing her disbelief.
" Nathan thought I could help him when back the love of his life. " Rachel told her, watching as Haley rolled her eyes. " I tried telling him that it wasn't a good idea but he insisted. Listen Haley, I know we don't know each other and you have no reason to believe what I am about to say but Nathan hasn't been with anyone in as long as I've known him and believe me when I say I tried. "
Haley rolled her eyes again before muttering. " Figures, you look like a slut. "
Rachel's jaw dropped as she watched Haley walking away.
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