Once again, sorry this took so long. Hopefully I'll have the next one up by next week. Your reviews help motivate me!

"I'm really worried about Nathan. He has barely said two sentences since Haley's funeral. And that was a month ago now. He has just completely shut down almost. He has just been staying in…in that apartment day in and day out. I want to help him! I don't trust him living their alone… " Lucas said with concern to Jake who was currently sitting in their recliner in Luke and Brooke's home. "I'm just afraid that Nathan will never be able to recover from this." He added tiredly. It was obvious that the older Scott has been losing sleep not only because of his deceased best friend, but because of his heartbroken brother.

"Luke, he just found out that his wife and daughter are dead. That can't be easy to hear. For the past five years, Nathan always had the thought in his head that maybe one day they would be rescued and he, Haley, and Ally could start their lives together. As naive and unrealistic as that sounds, Nathan clung onto that hope. I mean, even after that…guy confessed…Nathan was still adamant in believing that they would return home. Absolutely knowing without a doubt that…that they will not be must be beyond Hell for him. I know how I would react if anything happened to Peyton or Jenny. And god forbid, how you would act if something happened to Kate or Brooke. It is an unfair, horrendous situation. Did Nathan, Haley, or that baby girl deserve it? Hell no. But do I think that Nathan's reaction is totally unrealistic? No, I don't. Just give him some time. And I don't think that he would ever do anything stupid and try to end his life. Even in his grieving stage, he knows how much Haley would hate that." Jake emphasized to Lucas in hopes of relieving some of his worries.

"I know, I know. Most of me does believe that he wouldn't. But there is this small part of me that is just so worried, that Nathan won't be able to stand it anymore. That he will find no reason to be in this world… And it doesn't help that he still lives in that apartment that is so full of memories. Jake, Haley's clothes are still in his bedroom and the," Luke pauses sadly. "baby room that Nathan and I decorated under Haley's strict instructions is just as it was five years ago." Lucas takes a deep breath…memories flooding back.

"Dude, Nathan, we are finished! Finally. And I do believe that Haley will approve of our job! It looks just like she has been explaining how she wanted it to look! No more Nazi Haley yelling at us to fix the paint, or to get a different picture for the wall." Lucas said happily.

"Yeah, Luke, don't call my wife a Nazi. But I know," Nathan smiled. "I'm surprised we actually got it done! I was beginning to think that it would not be finished til Ally was like four. But look we are done with two months to spare." Nathan smiled fondly at the thought of his daughter.

Lucas noticed the smile, "Hey, Nathan, I never told you this but I just wanted to tell you how great a father I think you will be. You already are." Lucas wanted to make sure Nathan knew this, he didn't care that he had just completely changed their conversation to a much deeper level. Nathan deserves to know.

Nathan smiled, "Thanks man, that actually means a lot to me." Somehow, knowing how much Lucas believed in him, made him feel so much more self-confident.

"Yeah, I know that. Having a father like we do definitely didn't really give us a good example to live by. That's for sure." Both of the boys winced at the mention of their father. Both so affected so differently by that dubious, malicious man.

"I know. I actually never thought that I would have any kids, for the plain fact that I was petrified that I would be their Dan. And I would never want to put anyone through that," he emphasized sadly. "But you know, being married to Haley made me realize that I will never be Dan. When Haley told me she was pregnant, even though I was terrified, I just felt this sense of peace. Having Ally, I can prove to myself that I am a better person than Dan. You know, she will rely on me and I will never disappoint her like my dad did with me." He added confidently.

"I'm very proud of you, Nate. Ally is lucky to have you."

Nathan smiled, "Well her mom is pretty amazing too. And her uncle isn't the worst."

"You know, I did learn from the best. Anyways where is Hales? I want to see her reaction when she sees the room." He changed the subject to much lighter subject.

"She went with her mom for lunch. They were going to shop for some more baby things. Since apparently all this mountains of toys in this room will not suffice." Nathan looked around the room, many different stuffed bears, giraffes, penguins, and pretty much all other animal species lay scattered throughout his unborn daughter's pink and yellow room.

"Come on, Nathan. You know you are going to be spoiling Ally rotten, and loving every second."

Nathan smiled, "Maybe." He responded with a laugh and moved his attention to his watch. "I actually have to go to a meeting for basketball. And it seems important so I think that I should not be late. But you can just stay here and wait for Haley. She should be home soon." Nathan started making his way out of the room then stopped before exiting. He turned and faced his brother. It was such an odd feeling being this close to a person who he used to despise with every fiber of his being. It's funny the way life works out. Now he is closer to his estranged brother who he was taught to hate than he is to the man who raised him. "Not to get all sentimental, but I really are glad that you are brother and that we actually have a good-natured relationship. And in a misguided way, you are the reason that Haley is in my life. So I guess I just want to say thanks."

Lucas smiled, "Yes, I love you too, lil bro. I should also thank you, for making my life more interesting," he said with a wink. "And no problem about the whole pretty much finding you a wife and daughter. I know, I know, I'm amazing."

Nathan smirked, "Mhmm, cuz we all know you loved us together so very much at the beginning."

"Well it took me awhile to get used to the idea that the creep who hazed me and made my life a living hell was actually a pretty decent yet misguided guy who made Haley happier than I'd ever seen her. And all I wanted for Haley was for her to be happy. She deserves it." The brothers shared a tender brotherly moment

"Well, alright, enough of this sentiment." Nathan commented jokily. Still it was obvious the amount of respect that the two former enemies shared. "I am going to go. Tell Hales that I'll be back soon. Oh and if you wouldn't mind staying until I get back. I just don't like her being alone and pregnant."

Lucas smiled approving at Nathan's suggestion and reasoning. "No, I agree. I'll just hang out with Hales. We can watch old movies and make fun of all the jocks and cheerleaders. Like old times."

"Mhmmm since you didn't become a jock, and Haley never became a cheerleader?" Nathan laughed knowingly

"Exactly," Lucas winked.

"Well I will talk to you later today then. See ya."

"Later, Nate."

Twenty minutes later…Haley returns home.

"Oh my gosh!!! Luke! It's perfect!" Haley said excitedly, obvious approving the job that her husband and brother in law did.

Lucas smiled at Haley's exuberance as she gently rubbed her protruding tummy. He walked over to her and gave her a bear hug. "Ohh I think Ally approves." He quickly commented after feeling a rather strong kick. He smiled as he felt his niece's rather impressive kick.

Haley laughed and rubbed her belly over the spot where her daughter had just kicked. "Oh yes, Ally loves it." Haley smiled excitedly once more. "This is really amazing, though!" Her hormones started kicking in as her eyes started tearing up. "I love you guys so much for..for doing this." Her nose started sniffling. I know that I had been a grouch and a stickler and wanted this to be so perfect. But I really do love." She barely got the last part out without crying.

Lucas looked with concern at his best friend. He knew her pregnancy made her very emotional, but he hated seeing her cry. There was NOTHING worse than seeing an important female figure in his life cry..whether it be his mom, Brooke, Peyton, or Haley. "Dude, buddy it is no problem." He said as he wiped a tear that had escaped her eyes. "Anything for my sister in law and for my future WNBA star niece." Lucas winked at Haley as he gently touched her ever growing stomache.

Haley laughed, "O my goodness, I'm such a baby! Gosh, these hormones are insane.. I apologize for that and for any future outbursts I may have."

"Buddy, it's no problem. I'm just glad you approve of little Ally's room." Lucas gestured towards all the furniture and paintings and final touches that were made to make the room more ideal.

"Yeah, Ally will love it. I love it." She smiled. "Oh and future WNBA star? Between you and Nathan, my little girl is going big places apparently in the world of women basketball."

Lucas nodded, "Oh yeah, we'll teach her a thing or two." He was quick to add. "Of course only if that's her dream. No one knows better than Nathan, that living your parents..or uncle's dream rather than your own is one of the greatest mistakes that can be made." Lucas wanted to relieve any doubts that Haley may have.

"Trust me, Luke. I know that if Ally despised basketball and wanted to play baseball."

Lucas fake gagged. "God forbid"

Haley shook her head at Lucas's remark. "Anyways, Nathan would be her biggest cheerleader no matter what. I have full confidence in him as a father. And I'm sure you won't be too shabby at the whole uncle thing."

Lucas jokingly blew on his hand and brushed it on his shoulder. "You know, I hear that I'm…amazing. No big deal. Ally will love her uncle."

Haley laughed at her best friend. "Lucas, don't get too smug now. I do have brothers..maybe they want to take best uncle award."

Lucas scoffed, "Now we all know that will not happen.. I got it in the bag." Lucas lowered himself to his knees so that he was eyelevel with her stomache in order to talk to the unborn baby. "Isn't that right, Al?" he laughed at her kick. "she agrees."

Haley smiled at him. "Mkay, well we can figure that out later. Anyways not to change the subject off your awesomeness buddy but did Nathan say how long his meeting was going to take?"

"He said he would be home fairly soon. I'll hang out with you until he gets back."

Haley smiled knowingly, fully aware that Nathan had told him too. "You really don't have to, Luke. You can go hang out with Brooke or something."

Lucas shook his head. "I'll hang with Brooke after Nathan gets back. It's fine. I love hanging with my niece and sis in law."

Haley sighed. "Luke, you and Nathan do not need to worry so much. I'll be fine. It's only for what a hour? I'm not even due this month. I love you guys for being so protective…but yeah a hour of my aloneness will not kill me. Actually, maybe it'll be nice to hang out alone, while my daughter is not born yet, so that I can talk to her and feel her kick…but guess what? No crying!" Haley said exuberantly.

"yeah, yeah, yeah, you can't get rid me that easily Haley. Besides you know that you want me here. It's so like old times. Besides I'm the brother in law who just spent his free time perfecting a certain someone's child's room"

Haley laughed, "Fine, I do appreciate it. Ok so Dumb and Dumber?"

Lucas laughed and then agreed in a serious tone. "Dumb and Dumber it is."

Lucas rubbed his eyes…the thought that him and Haley never watching another movie resurfacing in his head. It was almost to much to bear.

Jake noticed Lucas's sudden mood change but tried to just get the conversation going just as it was. He didn't want to make this any worse for Lucas. "Wow, I can't imagine. How does he sleep in their old room? Or look at that baby room.." Jake sighed. All of sudden feeling even worse for Nathan.

Lucas was quick to correct Jake's assumption. "Well that baby's room has been shut for years. I know for a fact that he never goes in there and hasn't gone in their since soon after the abduction." Lucas paused slightly trying to ease the pain of the dreaded word that he had just brought up. "Anyways, last week I suggested…that we clean out that room. I thought it would be therapeutic, but Nathan insisted that he wasn't ready. So of course I wasn't going to fight him. And as for sleeping in their old bedroom…he doesn't. He sleeps on the couch every night. He goes into that room as minimally as possible. He keeps of his clothes in the hallway closet."

Jake shook his head. "Ok, you are right. That is just not healthy, and that must be tormenting him." Jake was so shocked that he was so unaware of Nathan's situation.

"Yeah, now you get what I mean? We need to do something." Lucas would do anything to have his little brother happy again.

"Yeah, if you ask me. I think we need to get him to sell or give away…all the baby stuff." Jake sighed. "As horrible as that sounds, but I mean he really doesn't need that stuff anymore. As horrid as it is, Ally is gone. And Haley's clothes? I think they should be given away as well."

Lucas swallowed sharply, as much as what Jake was saying was true and probably helpful..the thought of actually giving away Haley's clothes….seemed so final. "Yeah, I get what you're saying. If Nathan doesn't do that, than he will never be able to get past this."

Jake agreed and was kind of slow to add the final suggestion. "I also, think that it would do Nathan some good to sell that apartment. It's not a warm and welcoming place anymore that was designed to start his family. Now it's just a place that reminds Nathan constantly of everything that was taken away from and..what could have been."