A/N: Hey everyone, sorry this chapter took so long to get out, I have been sick the past week or so (I know, you are probably thinking, 'Geez that girl needs to be in a human sized plastic hamster ball she gets sick so much!') however, now I am medicated, and successfully got a job, my muse is back!!As always please read and review.

Chapter 22-My Life Would Suck Without You

Haley felt a small tug on her shirt as she placed the plastic plates and cutlery on the picnic table. It was the perfect fall day, the children were running around, chasing each other with the leaves that had fallen off the trees. A small girl with bright blue eyes and dark brown locks ran up and stood beside her, the child's lip quivering ominously.

"Hey sweetie, what's wrong?" Haley asked as she knelt down next to the girl

"Where's Mommy?" she asked, as she clutched onto a small teddy bear.

"Come here" Haley said as she sat down, and the girl climbed onto her lap, almost curling inwards like a cat.

"Well-"

"Hey Haley, is everything okay?" Rachel called as she walked over from her car.

"Everything is fine, Bella here is just wondering where her Mommy is"

"Oh" Rachel said, as she walked to the table and sat down beside Haley.

"Where's Mommy?" Bella repeated

"Sweetie, remember what Mommy told you?" Haley prompted

"Mommy said she would get really fat and then I would get a little brother or sister. But why did she have to go?"

"Because the hospital is where they give your Mommy and Daddy the new baby, Bell" Rachel replied. "How about we go visit your Mommy when she is up to it?"

"Really?" the girl asked excitedly, showing the very prominent dimples she had inherited from her mother.

"Of course, now could you please get everyone lunch is ready?" Haley asked

"Okay Aunt Haley" she said skipping over to the other children.

"Bella definitely takes after Brooke, don't you think?" Rachel said, as she placed the food on the plates. She smiled fondly as the children continued to play in the park.

She watched as a small girl with auburn hair and cobalt eyes and a boy with raven hair and hazel eyes giggled while playing with the rest of the children. The twins were a surprise for Rachel and Cooper, and although Rachel was reluctant to go through the pregnancy initially, Brooke and Haley had convinced her that seeing her child was worth it. Casey and Justin may have been unexpected, but Rachel and Cooper couldn't imagine life without them. However, Rachel made Cooper get the great snip after she gave birth. Just because she loved her kids didn't mean she want any more.

"Absolutely, she seems more like Brooke everyday" Haley replied

That moment, a car door slammed shut, and Haley looked up and smiled.

"Momma!" the small boy cried.

"Hey sweetie" she said, giving him an Eskimo kiss "Did you have fun?"

"Ahhuh!! See what Dad gave me!" he said, running around excitedly.

"Sit still, you little wriggle worm" Haley said looking at the oversized jersey her son was wearing. "Go play" she said, and Jamie ran excitedly over to the other children.

"I thought it was appropriate" her husband said, watching as their son ran around with the other children.

"Of course, love the number" she said, kissing her husband on the lips.

"I thought you would" he said, smirking. "Have you heard from the hospital yet?" Nathan asked, after watching the kids run around the jungle gym.

"No, ?"

"Lucas sent me a text a little while ago, Brooke is still in labour. He said it would be a while, and asked if we could keep Izzie for the night. I said it was no probs" Nathan said

"Okay, poor Brooke, I definitely don't envy her"

"Anything happened while we were gone?"

"Not really, Bella was a little upset about Brooke being gone, but nothing I couldn't handle"

"You're an amazing mother, you know that?"

Haley was sitting on stage, her purple empire waisted cocktail dress fanned out around her. Performing gave her such a glow Nathan thought. Although he had to take leave from the NBA, he didn't regret it for a second. She smiled at him, and beckoned him to join her on stage. To share in something Haley really loved gave him the hope that everything would work out in the end. Now he was walking towards her on stage, cursing in his head about he was really doing. Nathan couldn't help but shove his hands in his pockets, to mask his nervousness. When Haley had discussed outing their relationship to the public, this wasn't really what he had in mind. Nathan reached down to kiss Haley softly on the cheek, very aware of the audience watching their intimate moment. Nathan grasped Haley's outstretched hand, and as she reached up to touch his face, he could feel electricity as Haley's fingers stroked his cheek. Nathan couldn't believe so much had happened over the last 11 years. Now Haley had finished the song, their song in many respects. Nathan moved towards her as she reached out her arms for a hug. He leaned so he was closer to her, and her smell instantly hitting him. A hint of strawberries from her shampoo coupled with her floral perfume. Haley eyes glistened as her body meshed with his, both taking a moment in each others embrace. Haley moved a little whispering into his ear, two words that changing his life forever.

"I'm pregnant"

Nathan's eyes widened, his heart beat increasing as her words sunk in.

"Really?" he exclaimed

"Yes, we're having a baby" she smiled at him.

Nathan picked Haley up, and twirled her around, hugging her tightly.

"I love you" he said, as he placed her back down onto the couch.

"I love you too" she replied, blowing him a kiss and patted him on the behind, directing him back towards the wings as he heard the next song start up.

Megan, the stage manager, smiled at Nathan as he stepped back into place beside her.

"She did good"

"We did really good"

Haley's phone rang beside her. As soon as the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" ring tone sounded, she knew it could only person. Haley grabbed the phone and opened it.

"Well?" Haley answered expectantly

"It's a boy!" Lucas said proudly from the other end.

"Oh Luke...I'm so happy for you" she said happily. "How is Brooke and...."

"Hang on" Lucas said, as Haley heard a rustling on his end of the line

"Tutor Mom?" Brooke said tiredly

"Brooke! How are you? Is he beautiful? What's his name?"

Brooke laughed.

"I'm feeling fine, a little tired but otherwise cheery" Brooke's raspy voice replied "And the baby is handsome, 10 fingers, 10 toes"

"And his name would be?" Haley said, jumping around on the balls of her feet. Nathan chuckled as he watched Haley jump up and down excitedly while talking to Brooke. Haley walked over to Nathan, pulled him close to her and pressed the speaker-phone function on the phone.

"Hey Nate, can you hear us?" Lucas voice bellowed

"Loud and clear, man. What's up?"

"Brooke and I wanted the both of you to hear it at the same time" Lucas explained.

"Come on, it's killing me" Haley said

"We named him Riley Nathan Scott" Lucas and Brooke said simultaneously.

"Oh Brooke, that's perfect!" Haley said excitedly into the phone.

"Nate, what do you think?"

"Are you sure?" Nathan asked quietly.

"Of course, little brother. We just wanted to return the favour"

Haley was in the delivery room, her feet in the stirrups, sweat dripping from her forehead as her contractions progressed. Nathan sat beside her, holding onto her hand tightly, muttering reassurances continually.

Haley's obstetrician, Dr Freeman, continued to coach Haley as the labour progressed. Haley had been in labour for 10 hours, and was completely exhausted. However, she was trying to stay calm for the sake of their child.

"Come on, Haley, just breathe."

"This hurts....!!" Haley screamed through another contraction

"You're doing good, baby. You're doing so good. I'm right here." Nathan replied as he felt Haley squeeze his hand harder. Haley continued to push, and her breathing became haggard. Finally, with a last push, Haley and Nathan's little miracle made their appearance into the world.

When Haley had found out she was pregnant, she went straight to the doctor. The doctor had assured her that the chances of her becoming pregnant were slim to begin with, given the injuries she had sustained in the car accident. Now after 9 months of being carefully monitored, their baby was nearly here.

"It's a boy." Dr Freeman happily said, as she showed the new parents their baby, and handed him to the nurse to be cleaned up.

"Just relax." Nathan said as his kissed Haley softly on the forehead, watching their son being wrapped in a blanket, completely amazed at Haley's strength.

"You're a dad!" Haley exclaimed, the exhaustion of the labour evident in her voice.

"You did so good. You did so good. We have a son. We have a son." Nathan exclaimed, almost in a state of shock that he was a father.

"I want to see him." Haley said, trying to crane her neck to see their child.

The nurse walked over and carefully placed their son in Haley's arms. She knew once she saw the taft of blonde locks and cobalt eyes that she was in love.

"Hi. Hi, baby." she said to the child cooing in her arms. She smiled widely at Nathan, and looked down. "Welcome to the world, James Lucas Scott. Look, that's your daddy."

"He's so beautiful." Nathan said, his voice thick with emotion. He had questioned his parenting skills over the last 9 months, unsure if Dan's shortcomings as a father had been inherited. Thankfully, as soon as Nathan saw his son, all he wanted to do was protect him, and Nathan knew that everything would be okay.

Haley and Nathan lay comfortably on the couch, their arms around each other, as they watched a movie.

The children were fast asleep, Izzie sleeping in one of 4 spare rooms that Haley and Nathan had in their house. Or mansion as Brooke called it. Haley just liked the space, also, whenever anyone was in town they would generally stay with the young Scott family.

"When do you get back?" Haley asked, tracing circles on Nathan's arm.

"Sunday night."

"And the Milwaukee Bucks are tough?"

"I guess, but no match for the awesome Boston Celtics" Nathan smirked

"I am not going to stroke your ego, Mister"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." Haley said as they continued to watch the television. "This is nice"

"What is?" Nathan asked as he stroked her hair.

"Us. Being surrounded by kids. Even if it was just for the afternoon"

"Yeah but Rachel and Shelley get to take their kids home at the end of the day"

"Huh" Haley said sitting up and moving away from Nathan slightly

"What? Why did you do that?"

"So you don't want anymore kids? I mean, if we can?" she asked

"Of course I do Haley, I want a bunch. Just not Rachel or Mouth's that's all I'm saying"

"Oh okay" Haley said as she lay back down on Nathan's chest. "A bunch?" she asked, as smile adorning her face.

"A bunch" Nathan replied, tilting Haley's head up and kissed her passionately on the lips.

If anyone is interested, the dress Haley is wearing while performing can be found on my read and review, there are only a few chapters left now!