Hello, hello, okay I could tell you guys lots of reasons as to why this story has been neglected but the truth is I was totally lazy and then Glee took over my brain! The good news is that the story has officially been finished it just needs to be typed and my lovely friend Hannah has agreed to do it :) We are only three chapters away from the end now – for those still reading – THANK YOU and I'm so sorry it's taken this long but I think with the way the chapters go it will be a perfect ending when it comes:)

Enjoy – Chelle xoxo

Chapter 17

Nathan POV

A week had passed since I had walked away from Haley and once again I found myself in my office at work replaying the night over in my head.

I needed to get away – do something different – but what?

I glanced at the clock above the door, three hours till I had to pick up the kids for the weekend, the minutes seemed to tick away like they were moving backwards. From the weather outside it looked like it was going to be a weekend stuck inside. I swear it must have been one of the wettest weeks on record. It was sad but the rain had become a constant in my life in the last week along with reruns of the office and classic games on ESPN.

I started to think about what I could do to change what was my now life. And then I thought that I should just give Haley what she really wanted – a life without me in it and that was the moment I made my choice to spend one last weekend with my kids and then to disappear forever.

I'd leave notes, one for Luke and Peyton, one for Karen, one for my mum and one telling Haley that I was sorry and that I would always love her.

I packed up my office and left wanting to make my kids last weekend with me a great one, no matter what.

I went a hired a jumping castle to be delivered for the day on Saturday morning, I stocked the pantry and fridge with pop tart, chocolate and soda. I brought a huge dollhouse for Sophie and a new basketball and a couple of video games for Jamie and before I knew it, it was time to go and pick them up.

I was there a bit early which was good because it meant I had time to run through what I wanted to do this weekend in my head.

I saw Haley pull into the car park and got out of my car to meet them and as usual Jamie was out of the car before Haley had a chance to turn the engine off. As I watch him run towards me my heart started to ache at the thought of me not being there to watch them grow up, but I had already made my choice.

I hugged him tight as Sophie hugged my legs, I looked up at Haley and she gave me a small smile as she brought over the kids stuff and put it in my car.

"ok guys, say bye to your mum" I tell them knowing this would be the last time we would all be together.

I watched them hug and kiss Haley and get in the car.

"Bye Nathan" she said getting the in her car and driving off.

I hopped into mine and started towards home "what do you guys want to do tonight?" I ask

"Just the normal" Jamie responds so I turn the car toward the video store.

Once there Sophie heads straight for the Disney movies and for the third time once again has 'Up' in her hands. Jamie took a bit longer before settling on a 'Scooby Doo' movie one of his favorites.

I paid the clerk and we left heading for home, I called Luke on the way inviting him to come and spend the evening with me and the kids as I knew Peyton was out of town scouting a new band.

Luke arrived pretty much with the pizza I had ordered when we got home and we all sat down in front of 'Up' with Sophie quoting the whole movie and it went along. Luke was looking at me strangely but I didn't give anything away, he didn't need to know what I was going to do until it happened. So we laughed through the funny bits of the movie and as it come to an end and Russell was hugging the old man Sophie climbed on my lap and taking my face in her small hands smiled and said "I love you Daddy", " I love you too princess" I told her as I hugged her to me. Words could not explain how hard it was going to be to leave and how much my kids might hate me for doing so.

I sighed as Jamie put in 'Scooby Doo' and the opening credits started this had to be a weekend to remember.

Haley's POV

Saturday morning without the kids was the same as always – cleaning and organizing my working week.

It had rained all night and into the morning but by eleven o'clock the sun had start to shine through the clouds like a promise that things would get better although for the life of me I had no idea how, but maybe for once something good was on the horizon.

As two o'clock rolled around I found myself on the sofa with a coffee and a book, something I hadn't been able to do in ages.
Although I had the weekends to myself often, I never really found myself at home. Normally I headed to work and spent lunch at Karen's and if I was home the TV was on or I was writing new music.

I was still on the sofa when Rachel rung at six asking if I wanted to see and movie and grab dinner. I agreed and went and got changed and as I was leaving I wondered what my kids had been doing all day.

Nathan's POV

The kids and I had, had a wonderful day, starting with breakfast and a couple of movies before the jumping castle arrived for the afternoon closely followed by Luke and Peyton.

"This day has been awesome" Peyton says as we sit watching the kids and Luke on the jumping castle

"Best day"

"Why?" she questions "Why has it been so great?"

"I wanted to do something cool for my kids that's all'

"It feels final somehow"

"Final? I don't have any idea what you are on about Peyt"

Thankfully, she dropped the subject.
"So what's for dinner then, more pizza?" She asked.

"Maybe, You and Luke staying?

"Sure, why not? Plus I don't think I could get Luke off that thing" She said pointing to the Jumping Castle.

Our night flew by and before I knew it I was in my office alone penning the letters I never thought I'd write. The one to Haley, the hardest thing I've ever written. I finished up and headed to bed hoping sleep would come quickly.

It didn't, my mind was still going at one hundred miles an hour. But I'd made my choice and I had to just follow through now.

Sunday morning breakfast was had a Karen's before heading to a post box to rid myself of the letters I'd written the night before.

I dropped my kids at Luke and Peyton's hugging them tight and explaining I had to go on an urgent trip and that Haley would pick them up from here.

I went home and packed some stuff not coping at all with the fact that I had just left my kids and would never see them again.

I calmed myself down knowing my next destination was going to just as hard.

I pulled up at Tric knowing Haley would be working today and made my way to her office.

She was at her desk when I walked in.

"Nathan, what are you doing here?" she asked surprised, standing up and moving around her desk.

I said nothing, taking her into my arms and kissing her with everything I had. It was a goodbye kiss that only I knew about however as soon as she received the letter I knew she would too. I pulled back when air became an issue and she removed her arms from their place around my neck.

"What was that?"

"I left the kids with Luke and Peyton as I have something urgent I have to do for work…" I tell her, avoiding the question she had asked.

"I'll be in touch" I added as I turned and walked out with tear filled eyes she couldn't see.

And then it was done. I only had one thing left to do- Disappear.