The Mourning After
Part II Chapter XII
Thank you all for the reviews, they mean the world and help keep me motivated. I apologize for not updating sooner, I got sick and am still a little out of it. On top of that, I'm also suffering from terrible winter itch. On a side note, I've recently started the first chapter of the sequel to Thicker than Blood, so I hope to post that sometime at the end of the month or in the new year. Thanks again to Kelly for beta-ing.
Anyways, enjoy and please review to make me feel better :) !!
. . . . .
"So James, how are we today?" Dr. Harris asked.
"Ok, I guess." Nathan answered, looking down and playing with his fingers.
Dr. Harris scribbled some notes and looked at Nathan curiously. Nathan could feel her glare as he sat nervously across from her. The last thing he wanted to do was talk about himself and his feelings. It had been two weeks since he last saw Haley, kissed her, touched her, made love to her. They constantly texted each other and Haley would call him when she was alone. It all made him feel like he was back in high school when he and Haley first dated. But unlike then, he got to see her everyday. He'd lost sleep over the past two weeks, reaching out for her at night and then waking up to realize that he was.. is all alone.
It took nearly an hour for he and Haley to say bye the last time they saw each other. She cried and he held her, saying things were going to be okay even though he wasn't sure if they would. He remained strong for her. He knew how hard things had been for Haley, how she had to bury him and then finding out he was alive. He had to be the one she could lean on, she needed to know that she could find strength with him but on the inside he wanted to cry too. And eventually he did when he got back to his lonely apartment. He slumped against the door and allowed himself to break.
"You cut you hair." Dr. Harris pointed out, taking Nathan away from his thoughts.
"Yeah." Nathan gave a small smile and ran his hand through his hair.
"Why'd you cut it?"
"I don't know." He shrugged. "It was bothering me. I never wore my hair out that long.. plus I think people in my class were beginning to think I was a hobo or something." He tried to joke.
"You look more presentable, you answered to being called James."
"So?"
"So, it's my job to take a note of these things." Dr. Harris tapped her pen. "Is there something you want to tell me?"
"What's there to tell?"
"Last session, you were ready to march back down to North Carolina and take your old life back."
"We both know I can't do that."
"So what changed between then and now."
You mean the fact that my wife happened to discover I'm alive. Nathan shook his head. "Nothing." He sighed. "That's the thing, nothing's happened. I've been stuck here for how long now, waiting to get back to my family.. and I have to keep waiting.. to protect me .. and more importantly to protect them." Nathan leaned back. "It's a crappy situation and talking about it won't help unless you tell me that Bear is arrested and I can go back to my life."
Dr. Harris smiled and put her pin down. "Acceptance is hard for people in your situation, but I see that you're finally accepting your situation."
"I don't want to accept anything, I want it to end."
"I understand but your right, talking about it won't make it end any faster .. just make it a little bit more tolerable, at least that's what I hope. You'll get to be home again, James, one day."
"Nathan." He smirked. "My name is Nathan."
. . . . .
"I want the window seat." Haley stated.
"What? No, that's my seat."
Haley ignored Lucas as she went pass him, settling down and then brought Jamie up to her lap.
"Look Jamie, look at all the pretty planes. " Haley pointed through the small window. Jamie eagerly bounced up and down as he looked out the window, his tiny hands pressed against the thick glass. He laughed to himself as he was bewildered by the planes before him. Usually they were made out of plastic and could fit in his hands, but to see one in real life had Jamie in awe.
"No fair, using the kid against me." Lucas sat down in defeat.
"Come on Jamie, you have to put on your seatbelt." Haley placed him in the seat between her and Lucas. Lucas took the belt strap and made sure Jamie was securely fastened.
"Ready for your first flight J-Luke?" Lucas asked.
Jamie emphatically nodded his head. "Yes, Uncle Lucas."
Haley took out a pad and some crayons and handed them to Jamie. He loved to draw and it would offer the distraction Jamie needed while they waited for everyone to board.
"You know for most of the day, I'll be busy with Lindsey." Lucas looked over to Haley who was looking out the window. Her hands were to her stomach and she was biting her lower lip. She looked nervous and a little pale. He figured it was the anticipation of flying. He remembered when they were younger that even going to the Ferris Wheel made Haley queasy. He was glad that she was moving on. He would still find her alone, when she thought no one else was looking at her, with the loneliest expression in her eyes but overall he noticed her smiling more and happier. He figured the loss of Nathan would always be with her, hell he felt the same way. Some days, he wouldn't think about him and other times, his brother would randomly pop up in his head. He was actually surprised when she asked if she and Jamie could tag along with him while he went to New York to see his editor.
"Huh?" Haley lost in thought turned back to Lucas.
"I said that I probably won't be able to hang out with you guys during the day. Lindsey and I have a lot of work to get through."
Haley smiled, regaining her composure. "I have been to New York before." Haley pointed out.
"I know but I wanted to be able to spend some time with you guys, see some of the schools you were interested in."
"Well I already saw the schools, I just wanted to show Jamie around.. you know in case we move there." She said the last part softly, not wanting Jamie to know but it wouldn't have mattered anyway, Jamie was off in his little world, drawing the very airplanes he just saw.
"You know, I want him to see the city first, see if he likes it."
"Hales, he's two, he'll like it anywhere there's a tv."
Haley rolled her eyes. "You know nevermind… besides, even if we don't go, I think it's nice for us to spend sometime out of Tree Hill."
"I remember those summers you and your parents would go off to visit your older siblings."
Haley smiled at the memory, every summer. Her parents took off work for a month while they traveled to various places across the country to visit her siblings. The last trip she took was her sophomore year of high school, her and her parents picked up her sister Taylor, second to youngest, and they drove around for a few weeks to visit her siblings. She was glad to spend time with her family but at the end of the trip, she couldn't wait to get back to Tree Hill and away from said family.
"Yeah, Taylor and I would argue."
Lucas laughed. "Oh I remember."
"But they were fun, I've been in Tree Hill for so long that I forget about this whole other world outside it you know."
"Yeah I know." Lucas nodded. "Hey Hales?"
"Yeah?"
"Look, I don't like the idea of you going away for school but I understand and I have your back wherever you choose to go."
"Thanks Luke."
"But remember, there is only one Tree Hill.. and it's home."
Haley smiled back at him and nodded her head and looked down on Jamie. "It is home." Haley ran a hand through Jamie's hair, dreaming of one day where their family would finally be together again back home.
. . . . . .
Haley smiled to herself from her seat in the taxi cab, as she saw Jamie completely enamored by the concrete jungle surrounding them. They were delayed in landing and so they had to go straight from the airport to Lindsey's office. The three Scott's met up with Lindsey, who was absolutely thrilled to finally meet the infamous young James Lucas Scott in the flesh. After some pleasantries were exchanged, Jamie and Haley headed off to go to their hotel.
A few minutes later, the taxi pulled up to their hotel and Jamie and Haley got out. After checking in, Haley tipped the bell boy as they got settled in their spacious suite. There was a common living area with two bedrooms, one for Lucas and one for her and Jamie. When she found out Lucas was going to New York, Haley jumped at the chance to go with him and it also helped that the publishing company footed the bill for their hotel and the flights were relatively cheap. It was a last minute decision and she wasn't quite sure how she would be able to sneak away long enough to go see Nathan. She just knew that she had to see him despite the risk.
She looked at her watch, it was about noon and knew Nathan was currently in class. She put their stuff away and headed back outside, where once again Jamie couldn't stop looking up at all the high rises around him. They had lunch at a cute café a block away from the hotel and her and Jamie strolled through the streets of midtown. They had a particularly long stay at the Toys R Us located in Times Square. Haley checked her phone and saw a message from Lucas. He was able to end the day earlier than expected and would meet them back at the hotel in the afternoon and then from there, they could rest up and head out to dinner. A minute later, she got another text from Brooke and an idea popped inside her head.
. . . .
KNOCK KNOCK
Haley wiped her mouth and emerged from the bathroom. She stepped out into the hallway and opened the door. Brooke came flying in, not even bothering to say hi.
"So I get this text from one of my best friends telling me that not only is she going to New York, but wait for it, that she is already in New York already settled into her hotel." Brooke looked around at the spacious suite. Haley felt a little guilty, she just told Brooke she was already in the city and told her to meet her up at her hotel.
"Nice digs, but you know you could've stayed at my place for free, did Dan give you his Amex?" Brooke teased.
"I'm sorry Brooke but this was a last minute trip."
"I can see that." Brooke turned back to Haley and gave her a hug. The last time Haley was in town, Brooke was coming back from LA and the two couldn't meet. "This is an awfully big room for just you.. by the way, why are you here? Are you looking at more schools?"
"Actually, I came with someone." Haley smiled.
Brooke's mouth dropped. "Wait, he's here?"
"Yes, but I just put him down for his nap, so sssh!" Haley put a finger over her mouth as she led Brooke to her room. She opened the door slowly and there was little Jamie Scott, sleeping soundly.
"Oh my God, he's gotten so big and so cute, I just want to give him a big hug." Brooke pouted her lips and clutched her chest.
Haley laughed as she closed the door and got settled back into the living room. "There'll be plenty of time for that later when he wakes up and is bouncing off the walls."
"I can't wait, I missed the little guy. So you and Jamie are here on a little getaway?"
"You can say that." Haley answered carefully.
"Wait, what's that look?" It was then that Brooke looked around some more and realized another bedroom. This was a pretty big suite for just one adult and one child. Haley couldn't look Brooke in the eye.
"Don't tell me, you're here with.." Brooke trailed off to find her answer.
"Hey Hales!" Lucas came flying through the door, Brooke's worst fears coming to play. "Look at what I got for Jam..ie." His nephew's name died on his lips and the three I love NY balloons he held in his hand flew away and hit the ceiling.
"Look who I ran into." Haley plastered a bright smile and got up. An awkward silence followed before Lucas came back to reality.
"Hey Brooke." Lucas said awkwardly.
"Lucas." Brooke nodded as she sat uncomfortably on the couch.
"Well, I'm sure two have lots to catch up on." Haley grabbed her purse and walked pass Lucas. Fear instantly engulfed Brooke.
"Wait, Hales.." Lucas turned after her.
"I'll meet you guys later for dinner… Jamie is the next room taking his nap so please no yelling.. or throwing stuff." Haley deadpanned as she quickly exited the suite.
"But Hales." Lucas called out to her but she was already gone.
Slowly, he turned back around and saw Brooke still there.
"So.." He said carefully.
"So.."
. . . . . .
Nathan left campus and checked his phone again but still no message from Haley. She usually would've texted him by now. He was being a pussy, he knew that. But he didn't care, the highlight of his day consisted of his delay chats and messages from his wife. He got out of the elevator and headed towards his door. He typed a quick message for Haley and clicked send, then he reached into his pockets to pull out his keys.
He heard a beep from behind him and then a pair of hands encircle his waist.
"Guess who."
Nathan flinched and instantly pulled away, half relief, half surprised to see that it was only Haley. Wait, Haley?
He quickly closed the gap between them and kissed her passionately.
She stared up into his deep blue orbs. "Hey."
"Hey, yourself, what're you doing here?" Nathan couldn't believe it.
"I had to see you." She admitted.
Nathan looked around to make sure that no one was around and then he opened the door to his apartment and led Haley inside.
"Jesus, Hales, you scared me half to death." He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head.
"I'm sorry I didn't say anything but this was last minute trip and I wanted to surprise you. I hope this isn't a bad time."
"Are you kidding?" Nathan shook his head. "God, it's so good to see you again." He kissed her again and she kissed back with equal force. It didn't take long for clothes to be shed as Nathan pinned Haley up against the door. She raised herself up, wrapping her legs around his waist. He wasted no time as he grabbed her ass and led them to his bed room.
He laid her down as gently as he could and continued kissing her, then trailing down the side of her neck. His hand started kneading one of her breast while his tongue flicked over the nipple of her other breast. She gasped as she felt Nathan's tongue and hands on her. She arched her back for him, running her hand through his dark hair, showing him how much she was enjoying this. He started laying a trail of kisses down her stomach and then he grabbed her thighs, spreading them apart. He smirked to himself as he saw how wet she already was for him.
He knew that they should talk first, find out why she came back to New York or how she managed to get away but at the moment he didn't care and figured that could wait. His head dove in, his tongue immediately seeking entrance into her wet folds.
"Nathan!" She cried out in only the way Nathan could make her. He was relentless in his assault, delving deeper and deeper into her until the burning feeling inside her stomach grew. She was glad that his hair was shorter now, not as short as he used to wear it and that he still had a short beard and although she preferred his shaven face, she had to admit that this rugged look was particularly sexy on him. Hell, he would be sexy no matter what look she reasoned but when she felt the hairs of his beard brush up against the softness of her inner thighs, she couldn't help but get more aroused.
"Nathan!" She cried out one last time as her body shook from going over the edge. Nathan held on to her hips and continued lapping up her juices, as she came down from her high.
Haley smiled as she closed her eyes, enjoying the feeling of Nathan roaming her body. His lips found hers once more and she kissed back.
"I need you inside me now." She said softly, but in a tone that left no room for argument. Nathan smirked, only to happy to oblige. His cock was rock hard and was throbbing in anticipation. He maneuvered himself over Haley and in one powerful thrust, hoisted himself deep in her.
"AHH!" Haley gasped, as his length tore into her. Nathan grunted to himself, she was so tight, so wet. He loved how her walls grasped onto his cock and more than that, he loved the pleasure he was also giving to her. He was big, he knew that, proud of that, and she knew it as well, asked for it, craved for it. He couldn't believe it was two painfully long weeks since he was last with her but like last time, their bodies automatically re-synced with themselves. He was pounding hard into her, her nails digging into his back, and she her mouth muffled against his shoulder blade in an attempt to control her screams.
"Nathan! Yes!" She cried. "I'm so close… Nathan.. yes.. Nathan!" She cried and her walls squeezed around Nathan's cock. It was too much for him to bear as he started shooting himself deep inside her. His lips fused with hers as they both went over the edge.
. . . . .
"So this is awkward." Brooke shifted on the couch.
"Yeah." Lucas gave a small smile and sat at the other couch, making sure to keep his distance from his former girlfriend.
"So.. umm.. how have you been? I hear the line is doing great."
"Yeah." She smiled, remembering how she poured herself into her work after she and Lucas didn't work out. It was the only good thing to come from their break up. "It's been hard work but the store in LA is doing great. We're opening up one here soon. I'm hoping to spend more time on the East Coast now. LA is great and all but NY is still the fashion capitol of the world."
Lucas nodded his head. "That's so great. I'm happy for you. I always knew you could do it." He said sincerely.
"Hey Luke, I'm sorry about the last time you were here.. I .. I got busy..."
"It's okay.. I understand."
Brooke was about to say how she did show up, how she found him with another girl and she couldn't take that, but the words died on her.
"So the book." Brooke needed to change topics. "It must be going great."
"Yeah, actually it has. My editor Lindsey has been a pain in my side but she's great. Pretty soon, the book will be ready to print."
"Well look at you.. Mr. Pulitzer."
"I think that's for journalism." Lucas squinted his eyes.
"Close enough." Brooke shrugged and Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
"Well, look at you Miss big time designer."
"Big time? Nah.. well at least not yet. Can you imagine? Two kids from Tree Hill doing all this.. you know one of these day's, my clothes will be in like the cover of Vogue and you'll be on Oprah's book list."
"That would be something." Lucas chuckled. "Actually.." Lucas got up and reached inside his bag. He went over to Brooke and handed her a manuscript.
"So this is it huh?" Brooke accepted it from him
"Still a little rough around the edges but most of it is there."
Brooke smiled as she leafed through the pages. "You know the store here in midtown is almost done, my mom has me scouting for a new office building, one that'll also have a design workshop for me."
"Brooke, that's great."
"It is.. but you know, sometimes I feel like things are going so fast." She turned her attention from the book to Lucas and smiled. "I know moving on is a good thing. I guess I'm just scared. High school is safe, Tree Hill was safe, opening one store in LA was one thing but here in New York, I'm not sure if I'm ready for the real world." Brooke quietly admitted. "For all you know, everyone will hate my designs." Brooke laughed nervously.
Lucas stared at her for a moment and Brooke's stomach was doing flips by the intensity of his blue eyes. This must've been how Haley felt with Nathan, she thought to herself.
Lucas got up and sat next to her, her heart beating faster as she could feel him and smell his scent. He reached over and flipped a couple of pages. He pointed to a particular paragraph. She looked down and started to read.
"She was fiercely independent, Brooke Davis, brilliant and beautiful and brave. In two years she'd grown more than anyone I've ever known. Brooke Davis is going to change the world some day and I'm not sure she even knows it." Brooke nearly choked the last words.
"You're going to do great Brooke, the world doesn't stand a chance."
Brooke nodded, unable to speak at the moment. She needed a moment to think and she couldn't hold back any longer. "I was there." Brooke said softly.
"Huh?"
"The last time you were here, I showed up at the restaurant."
Lucas turned to her curiously. "You were?"
"But I saw you with her… and I thought she was your new girlfriend."
"She was my ed..
"Editor." Brooke cut him off. "I know.. well I know now. I'm.. I'm sorry."
"Brooke." Lucas grabbed her hand. "I know it looked like I put Haley and Jamie before you.. I didn't meant to but.."
"Lucas, you don't have to explain.."
"Yes, I do."
"I get it Luke, you were doing right by your brother and best friend.. I.. I was being selfish."
"Mamma!! Mamma!!"
Lucas whipped his head around at the sound of his nephew's voice. He must've woken up from his nap. He turned back around and saw Brooke wipe away a tear.
"Go.." She encouraged him.
"But.."
"Go.. get the little rug rat out here." She gave a small smile. Lucas nodded as Jamie continued to call out for his momma.
A minute later, Jamie was in his uncle's arms, still a bit sleepy. He carried Jamie to the living room and Jamie shrunk back a little seeing that they had a guest.
"Jamie.. there's someone very important I want you to meet… Jamie, this is your Aunt Brooke… Brooke, this is Jamie."
"Hi Jamie." Brooke waved her hand.
"Hi." Jamie mumbled, feeling a little shy and then buried his head against Lucas. He was so cute and seeing Lucas being so caring and nice to his nephew was not helping Brooke's growing feelings for him. Brooke reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of candy.
"I have a snack." Brooke waved the chocolate candy bar in front of him.
Jamie's face instantly lit up as he looked on to his Uncle. Lucas laughed and nodded his head in approval and set Jamie down, who eagerly ran over to grab the candy. Jamie turned back around to Lucas, "Where's mamma?" The little boy asked.
"Good, question buddy." Lucas ruffled his hair then turned back to Brooke, "I wonder where she went."
. . . .
After yet another amazing round, Nathan and Haley were lying on their sides, a content smile on both of their faces as they gazed into each other's eyes.
"I can't believe you're here." Nathan said softly, as if she was going to disappear any second.
"I know." She caressed his cheek. But she got so caught up, she needed to tell him why she was here and more importantly who she was with. "Nathan.. there's something I need to tell you."
"What?" He sat up. Haley took a deep breath and started to tell him why she was here and who she came here with.
"They're here?!" Nathan's voice boomed as he got up from bed, not caring if he was still naked as the day he was born.
"Yes.." Haley said softly.
"Hales, how could you.. I mean.." Nathan scratched his head and started pacing back and forth. He felt like he couldn't breathe. Not only was Haley here but the two of the most important guys in his life, his son and his brother. Seeing his brother the last time was hard enough, he wanted to go talk to him so badly. Lucas was the older one, always looking out for him and he missed that, he needed that. Then there was his son, who he'd only seen in pictures and only got to hold him once.
"Nathan, I'm sorry.. but I couldn't come up here with out bringing Jamie along."
"Dammit Hales.. why?" He cried, wanting nothing more than to see his son, to hold him and kiss him and tell him how much his daddy loved him.
"I'm sorry for telling you." Haley felt guilty. "I should've never told you."
"Yeah, you should've." Nathan agreed and turned away from Haley. "I saw him." He said quietly. "Lucas." He turned back to face Haley.
"You.. you did?"
"He was here in NY a few months ago. I later found out from my dad that he was here cuz he's publishing a book."
Haley nodded, she couldn't believe he saw him.
"He didn't see me, obviously. But just knowing how close he was to me..and now Jamie." He walked over to the other closet in his room and opened the door.
Haley gasped as the door swung open. Taped on the door were various pictures of Jamie.
"H..how?" Haley muttered.
"My dad gave me some pictures." Nathan said softly as the reality of his son being so close to him was setting in. "Haley you shouldn't have brought him.. I .. I don't know if I can stay away from my son." He turned back to her with tears in his eyes.
To Be continued .. . .