Hey All,
So here is the next chapter – it's midnight here in Australia and I'm flying out at 7am to America for 7 weeks so not sure if and when I'll be able to up date again until I get back although if I can find a computer and some time I'll do my best.
Enjoy – Chelle xoxo
Chapter Eleven - Nathan's POV
I left Haley in her office smiling at what I had done and headed over to Luke and Peyton's but not before stopping in to get a couple of pizzas for lunch.
"Lunch is here" I shout walking through the front door. Luke came out of his study to meet me
"What's all this for?" he asked me with a strange look on his face
"Well if you must know, today was step one in getting my wife back" I replied smiling
"Okay then, if that is the case, you go out back and get the kids and I'll get the beer" he said with a smile matching my own.
I walked out the back door and saw my kids playing with Lily.
"Hey guys" I called out
"Daddy!" Sophie yelled running across the yard followed closely by the other two. She reached me and flung herself into my arms as Jamie and Lily hugged me in turn.
"I brought pizza for lunch" I said as the four of us started inside.
Luke had put everything out hand had put a movie in for the kids and as we sat down to eat Luke asked " So Nate what's your big plan?"
'Well Brooke has really started for me" I smile and continue "Tonight is going to be awesome. Luke when we get to the rivercourt we have to play a one on one game like old times"
"You think that is going win over Hales? Me beating you on the court?" he says laughing
"ha ha Luke you're funny and no it's just life was always good when we were playing there together and Haley really loved me"
"She still does Nate, you have to know that"
"It's not like it was though is it?"
"Yeah it is. You guys just can't see it, you love her, she loves you and that is something that has never changed. The thing that changed was that you stopped talking, you spent time at work, with the kids, with your friends but can you remember the last time the two of you hung out just you guys?"
"I have no idea" I replied "We just had our family so young we weren't married long before Jamie came along but I wouldn't change that"
"I know that Nate, but when you guys work this out maybe you should have like a date night once a week to keep you working on being Nathan and Haley"
I sighed "You're right Luke sounds like a good idea, but I do have to run I have to head back to the office before my hot date tonight"
Luke laughed "Okay bro well I'll see you and your date tonight then"
I said bye to the kids and headed to the office with a smile on my face. Tonight was going to be great, great food, great friends and great love.
Haley's POV
"Oh Peyt it's 5:30pm I've got to go I'll never be ready in time for Nathan to pick me up"
"That's right your date" She smiled
"It's not a date Peyton!" I huffed
"Yeah, Yeah" she laughed as I grabbed my bag and ran out the door "see you later Hales"
I jumped in the car and dialed the number that had become my panic button over the last few years
"Hello" the voice came through the ear piece
"Hey, it's me sorry to bother you but can you meet me at mine in like five minutes I'm just on my way home from work"
"yeah sure, I'll see you there"
"thanks you're the best" I replied. I got home and ran to my room and changed into a pair of shorts and entered the bathroom to shave my legs.
"Hales you hear?" a voice called out
"In the bathroom" I yelled back
"hey you, what's up?"
"Thanks for coming Rach" I say looking up shaving cream still covering one leg "Nathan is picking me up to take me tonight and I'm so stressed, I don't know what to do or what to wear I'm a mess"
"A date?" She asks smiling
"No not a date…well maybe, I don't know" I sighed feeling tears well up in my eyes
"Hey, hey don't cry Hales you will be fine" the redhead said putting her arms around me "okay here is what we are going to do, you are going shave your other leg because it would be totally strange if you didn't and I'm going to go and pick an awesome outfit for you" she got up and smiled as me as she walked back into my bedroom
"Hey Rach" I called out and she stuck her head back in the room "Thanks" I said drying my tears
"Anytime" she said disappearing again.
I finished up in the bathroom doing my hair and make-up while I was in there and walked into my bedroom to find Rachel sorting through my clothes tops, skirts, dresses, jeans flying everywhere "Okay so I'm thinking these black ¾ pants, this yellow halter, these black wedges and your large sliver hoops"
I had to admit she had done well "sounds great, and I love that top" I said
"Yes well I am brilliant" Rachel exclaimed "but I must run home and get ready myself, I'll see you at the restaurant soon" with that and a quick hug she was gone.
I looked at the clock, it was 6:30pm so I got dressed and made my way to the kitchen filled the kettle and then put away all the dishes and then it came the knock on the door. My heart started beating so fast I felt like I couldn't move "Get a grip Haley it's just Nathan, you know your husband" I told myself
As I opened the door my breath caught in my throat, Nathan was standing there in dark jeans and a black shirt and you could just see the top of the white t-shirt he was wearing under it.
"Hey Nathan, come in I'll just get my purse" I said opening the door up and turning to walk to the bedroom. As I entered I tired to clam myself down a bit which worked only until I walked back out into the hall way and saw Nathan again.
"Ready?" he questioned
I smiled up at him "yep lets go"
"You look gorgeous Hales" he said
I closed the door behind us and a tingling feeling ran through my body. I had always loved how he would call me Hales and hearing it now just made me feel like I was back in high school all over again. I took a breath and turn and walked to the car with Nathan by my side, he was a perfect gentleman opening the door for me and again I started to feel those feelings that were such a big part of why I really loved him.
I sat in the car as Nathan drove us to the restaurant the radio on playing a song that sounded somewhat familiar, I hummed along to the tune and Nathan looked over and smiled at me.
"Thanks for picking me up tonight" I said
"No problem, it's better than us both taking a car" he replied
We pulled into the parking lot and headed inside to meet our friends.
"My favorite couple" Brooke yelled smiling I rolled my eyes at her and gave her a hug before turning to her husband
"Chase, it's so great to see you, it's been too long since you were both out here together" I said as I gave him a hug also
"Yeah I know sorry work at the paper has been crazy" he said
"I still can't believe you work at the New York Times" Luke piped up
"That's only because you wish you could" Nathan threw in laughing
It felt like old times already. I loved the feeling I got when we were all together. I sat down next to Peyton, Nathan on my other side as we waited for Rachel and Mouth to arrive. We chatted about work and the kids and how we all thought Chase and Brooke should move themselves back here.
"Stop picking on us okay we can't help that we live in New York" Brooke exclaimed
"Oh but you can" Rachel said as her and Mouth made their way to the table "its easy Brooke just move here"
"Whatever lets get some wine now we are all here" I said "Peyton come with me"
We got up and walked over to the bar "So five white, five red?' I asked Peyton while we were waiting
"Actually Hales I don't feel like one tonight"
"What. Why not? You always have a glass with me" I said
"Okay yeah but I'm pregnant"
I threw my arms around her and screamed "Peyt that's awesome, I'll bet Luke is over the moon"
"Yeah he is, I'm so happy Hales, I've always wanted kids like you and Nathan" she replied "But Luke wants to tells Nathan before the others find out being brothers and all so we can't tell anyone yet"
"Well you and I will order cokes and say we are drinking them with Malibu and no one will know"
"You are the best Hales but you don't have to not drink because I can't"
"Oh no sweetie mine actually will have Malibu in it" I telling her laughing we get the drink and take them back to the table deciding on beers instead for the guys.
Dinner was going really well, it had been so long since we were all together like this, from memory the last time was just after Rach and I had, had Kellie and Sophie.
I remember the night it was the last night as a group that Nathan and I were still together
Flashback
"Nate, I'm missing those earrings you gave me for Christmas, have you seen them" I shouted into the bathroom where he was showering
"Have you checked the kitchen? I'm pretty sure you took them off there the other night"
I left the room in search of my earrings and sure enough they were in the kitchen I grabbed them and walked back towards the bedroom putting my earrings in as I walked.
"Did you find them?" Nathan asked as I walked back into the room
"Yep in the kitchen like you said" I replied as I looked up to see him in only his jeans "what would I do without you?" I said
"Probably have no jewelry left" he laughed as I walked into the bathroom to do my make-up. Just as I was finishing up Nathan walked in behind me and wrapped his arms around me.
"you look so beautiful Hales" he said smiling at me through the mirror "but then again you always do"
I smiled back at him "I love you Nate" I replied turning round in his arms to give him a quick kiss "But we have to go and if we don't leave right now we are going to be late I can just tell by that look in your eyes" I tell him walking from the room
"Fine" he complained "you owe me"
I was broken out of my day-dreaming as Peyton nudged me "Haley did you want some coffee or dessert Brooke is wanting cake"
"Sure, hey Brooke why don't we get out of here and head to Karen's, this night is all about doing things we used to do so lets have dessert there before we head to the rivercourt." I say across the table
"Tutormum I like where you are going with this." She said
"Just like old times right?" I questioned she looked across the table a bit shocked
"Just like old times" she replied smiling like she had just come up with some idea that none of us knew about.
We got the bill and Chase and Nathan refused to let anyone else pay they just split the bill in two and covered the whole thing. We stepped outside the restaurant and noticed that it had cooled down quite a bit and I was pretty cold, comfort came when Nathan slipped his jacket over my shoulders, I smiled up at him and thanked him.
"Do you wanna go home before we go to Karen's it's not that far and you could put something warmer on?" He asked thoughtfully
"That would be great" I said as Luke walked up
"Hey Nate if you guys are going to go home first could we get a lift back to ours cos Peyt's pretty cold too and I think she should get changed but we walked here" he questioned Nathan looked at his brother a bit ticked off but I knew there was another reason for Luke's question.
"Sure Luke that would be fine" I say for Nathan "I fact we live so close there isn't really any reason to take two cars we can drop you off and Peyt can get changed and after I get changed we can come back and pick you up".
"You are the best Hales, Thanks so much" Luke hugged me as Nathan walked away in a grump to get the car and tell the others what we were doing and that we would meet them at Karen's.
I made sure no one was is hearing distance and told Luke 'congratulations' and that I had spoken to Peyton and she had told me the exciting news and I knew how much it would mean to Nathan once he knew why we were taking them with us.
"Plus you are going to be an awesome dad" I whisper to him as Nathan comes back with the car. The four of us wave at the others and jump in the car, Nathan pulls out of the lot and I can tell he is upset that I offered to take Luke and Peyton with us, we drop them off saying that we would be back in a bit and head towards my place – no our place it will always be our place no matter what happens.
Nathan pulls into the drive and puts the car in park and I open the door and am about to jump out when Nathan pulls my arm and turns me to face him and kisses me softly on the lips "Don't take to long Hales" he says I nod and get out shutting the door behind me.
I open the front door and walk towards my bedroom in almost a dream like state trying to wrap my head around Nathan's kiss and what it meant.
I change into some skinny jeans, my long brown boots and a long sleeve black v-neck top, still confused I pull a teal light cardigan out of the wardrobe and throw it on as I head back to the car, Did Nathan still love me like I loved him?
"That was quick" He said as I jumped back into the car and we took off for Lucas and Peyton's house.
"Isn't that what you said I should be" I looked at him laughing
"Yeah I'm just impressed is all" he responded as we pulled up to the house. I got out of the car and started towards the door with Nathan on my heels
"Hello anyone here?" I called out as I opened the front door
"You know they are here Hales" Nathan chuckled behind me as we met up with Luke and Peyt in the lounge
"You guys ready to go" Nathan asked as Luke stood up and I walked over to stand next to Peyt
"Yeah we are but first we have something to tell you Nate" Luke paused standing next to him
"And what would that be??" Nathan asked as Luke started to smile
"I'm Pregnant" Peyton told him from her spot next to me smiling.
"That's awesome guys" Nate said as he hugged his brother and then turned to hug Peyton
"Isn't it? I'm so happy for you guys" I add in hugging Peyton
"Wait you knew?" Nathan said turning to me
"Yeah I told her earlier tonight when we were getting the drinks but you're family so we wanted to tell you before we told everyone else tonight" Peyton said to him "but we better head off because Brooke will lose it if we make her wait any longer" we laughed and headed to the car.