AN: Thanks so much for the reviews. It seems that most of you are pissed at Haley. I can honestly say as of now my girl is in denial and as the story moves along you'll see that too. She came back for a reason and sooner or later she'll realize what's been missing in her life. As you can tell last chapter, Haley was disappointed in Lucas for cheating on Brooke, but she didn't run because of that. She ran because of Nathan. The whole argument with Lucas just made it all too much for her. But now she's back and she won't be able to resist the Scott Bros for too long...I know I wouldn't be able to! LOL!

Last night episode was good. No Naley but still it was good. The promo was freaking amazing! If only we didn't have to wait three weeks for the next episode...damn it! Brooke broke my heart last night but I'm not giving up just yet. I really want Julian and Brooke together! I know that Brooke is just giving Sam a stable home and I think she's amazing to sacrifice her love for Sam. I just hope that Julian moves his fine ass to Tree Hill for good! I felt like Haley's the one that made Brooke realize what an amazing Mom she's becoming to Sam and what an awesome job she's been doing, which led to Brooke wanting to keep doing good for Sam. Haley was awesome this episode like always! Peyton drawing her history with Lucas for the baby was sweet. It looks like she thinks something might happen to her which makes me sad. She's not my favorite but I don't want anything to happen to her. The Scott boys talking about Keith was great. It's good that they showed Jamie that he was a good man and I loved how Jamie compared Lucas to Keith. Lucas is Keith now and that was really sweet that Jamie got to know a little about him. Now bring on that hot Naley restroom scene...are they at Tric? It looks like it. Hot!

This chapter is all Nathan and the dinner will be next chapter. Please read and let me know what you think.

Quote of the Day:

Jacob: Does my being half-naked bother you?

Chapter Three –Searching For a Former Clarity

Nathan sat on the cool marble countertop in Lucas and Peyton's kitchen. It was early on Saturday morning and Nathan had come over as soon as he knew his brother was up. It's not like he had gotten any sleep last night. Not even a little sleep. After leaving Tric he had drove straight to Chestnut Street and parked his car a little ways from her house. He turned off the lights and then sat in his truck. He rested his head back against his seat as his eyes stayed glued to her house. He had stayed there all night until Lucas had called him.

It was only then that he had gone home and changed before coming over.

His eyes were glued to his brother as Lucas paced back and forth in the kitchen. Peyton stood a few inches away from him with her coffee cup in her hands. She was still wearing her robe and her hair was pulled up in a messy bun. Lucas was still in his flannel sleep pants and grey shirt.

He was breathing slowly, trying to calm himself. It wouldn't help if started freaking out like Lucas. That would only make things worse. He needed to stay calm. Peyton was already worried about the both of them. It was seconds later when Lucas finally stopped and turned towards his wife. Then his eyes turned to Nathan and he threw up his hands.

"How are you so calm?" Lucas shouted.

"Luke, the kids," Peyton said while holding a finger over her mouth. "I don't want to wake them this early. Just keep it down. Everything is going to be ok. Just relax. Breathe. This can't be good for your heart." She shook her head in worry.

Lucas mumbled something incoherent and was back to pacing.

Nathan looked to Peyton. He needed her to say those things to him. He needed her to tell him that everything was going to be ok. He really needed that. Last night, Haley James walked back into his world and he didn't know what to do. Things were already changing now that she was back.

"Why is she back?"

Peyton shrugged while keeping her eyes on Lucas. "I don't know, babe."

"It's been nine years," Lucas added in a shaky voice.

Yep, Nathan thought, nine years. Nine years of not seeing that beautiful perfect face, not hearing that perfect voice, not seeing those beautiful brown eyes, not touching her soft creamy skin, not feeling the softness of her lips, not having the taste of her, and not having her gentleness. He had missed her. God, he had missed her. He thought about her often. The goodness that surrounded her, he missed the most. She had changed him.

Before her he had been the bad guy. He had been the guy that cheated on Peyton night after night. He hadn't cared about a soul but himself. He had hated his brother with a burning passion that nothing ever measured to before. That was before her. It was before she had touched his life.

Before her he had been nothing.

She had changed him so much. She reached into his soul and pulled that hateful guy out and left only the Nathan that she knew he could be. He would have done anything for her. He became a better guy because of her. She just never really got to see it.

The look that she gave him last night let him know that. She still thought he was the same guy as he was before her. That was far from it. He hadn't been that guy since her and he never wanted to be him again. He hated that she still thought that of him. That had hurt.

Didn't she know what she was to him?

Didn't she know that she saved him?

She didn't, he realized. She never had the chance to know because of him. She would never see the change she made in him –in all of them. Her leaving had devastated him. It was the end of his life as he knew it, or so he thought. Lucas had brought him back from the darkness that filled his life when she left. Through their love for her they found common ground. She had brought them together. She had given him his brother. She just didn't know it. She didn't know all the good things that she did to him. She saved his life.

"Lucas, you're shaking," Peyton muttered. One look at his brother and he noticed it to. His brother was just as surprised she was here as he was. It didn't surprise him that after he had parked his car and watched her house that Lucas had showed up to her door. He didn't know why but Lucas stood there for minutes without knocking. He left right after and by the look on Lucas's face, he knew his brother had been really frustrated. It's not every day that your bestfriend reappears back into your life suddenly after being gone for nine years.

"She's back," Lucas stated while stopping to look at the two of them. "She's back!"

"How did she look?"

He smiled nervously while looking at Peyton. "Different."

"Good different?" Peyton questioned as her brows knit together.

Like you wouldn't believe, he thought. Haley had always been beautiful to him. But seeing her last night, she had been, uh…sexy. Yes, sexy, he thought. That was the word. He had never wanted her more in his life than in that moment. It wasn't because she had looked amazing –she always had –she just looked different. It was because after not seeing her for so long, his desire for her had been building. Seeing her had released it last night. He had felt it in every part of him. Every part of him had been buzzing with excitement. It had been spilling out of him it was so much. He had to fight the urge deep inside of him that wanted her right there in Tric, with everyone watching as he made her his. Just thinking about it now, it felt like he was floating.

"Well…?"

"Haley's beautiful," Lucas interrupted. "That'll never change."

"I know that," Peyton said looking at him for a second before looking back at Nathan. He knew what she wanted. She wanted to know what he thought. She wanted to know his reaction. He couldn't help but smirk.

"She was gorgeous," Nathan finally answered.

"What exactly happened?" Lucas asked while placing both of his hands on the snack bar.

Peyton giggled. "Brooke was yelling into the phone so loud that I barely got to understand a word. Haley's home was about it. Why didn't you call us? This is like huge news. We've been waiting for this, well…since she left."

And they all had been.

"I was in shock," Nathan shrugged.

"I'll bet," Lucas nodded. "So, what happened?"

"I was at the bar getting drinks for us. When I walked back to the table I started talking and then she just looked at me. I didn't know it was her but she heard anyway. I was so stupid. I was talking about some girls huge boobs when I walked up. She heard and the way she was looking at me…she told me to go for it," Nathan muttered closing his eyes.

"Way to make an entrance," Peyton chuckled as she hit his leg.

Lucas shook his head. "You're an idiot."

"I know," Nathan mumbled looking down. "I didn't know it was her and she totally got the wrong idea. She just ignored me after that and she was asking Brooke about you Peyton and then she just left. Oh, but not before Brooke got a chance to call her tutor girl! You should have seen how hurt she looked. She practically ran out of the club…away from me." He couldn't help but look down in shame.

"I'm sure that wasn't it," Peyton tried to soothe him.

He glowered. "It was. I know it. She hates me."

"What would she want with Peyton?" Lucas asked while squinting his eyes.

"I don't know."

"Maybe she wants to kill me," Peyton replied with a playful smile.

"She hates us not you," Lucas pointed out.

Peyton's smile faded. "In that case she hates me, too. We did what we did together, Luke. It's not just your fault. We both knew what we were doing. It was wrong and we know that. But she has…she hates me, too."

"What are we going to do?" Nathan asked nervously.

"I have to talk to her."

"Guys, I don't want you to get your hopes up. She might not being staying," Peyton said carefully. Both boys looked down as she glanced between the both of them. It was both on their minds. Nathan knew that.

"I have to make things right."

"So do I," Lucas agreed.

"What are you guys going to do?" Peyton questioned. It was a second later that Anna came running into the kitchen with Hayden chasing her. She held her baby doll in her hands and when she saw Peyton she dropped it before holding up her arms. She smiled brightly and looked up.

"Up, Mommy. Up."

Peyton gathered Anna in her arms and showered her face with kisses before placing her in her highchair. Peyton quickly moved around the kitchen fixing the kids breakfast.

"Hey, sleepy head," Lucas said lifting Hayden up and placing him on at the kitchen table.

"Morning, Daddy," Hayden yawned. His hair was sticking up in every direction and he rubbed his eyes before looking over at Nathan. "Want to play basketball, Uncle Nate?"

Peyton laughed before placing a bowl of cereal in front of him. "Let's eat breakfast first, ok. Then you can go play." She then put a small bowl of Cheerios in front of Anna. It wasn't long before he sat down at the table next to his brother and ate a little cereal himself. After breakfast was done he sat in the living room alone as Lucas and Peyton went up to change their kids for the day.

While he was alone he sat there with his thoughts about her.

When they finally came down, Lucas sat in his chair as Peyton placed Anna into the playpen by the sofa before she took a seat. Nathan glanced around for Hayden but he was nowhere in sight.

"He'll be down after he finishes his game," Peyton told him before she relaxed herself.

"We should go over there," Lucas stated while looking at Nathan.

"I don't think that's a good idea," Peyton offered.

"Why?"

"Because she just got back. You don't want to overwhelm her. Just give her sometime."

"And what if she leaves again. Then what?" Lucas asked aggravated.

"Well, she won't. At least, not until she sees me," Peyton mumbled.

"What if she doesn't want to talk to us?" Nathan asked fearfully. That would be bad. He needed to tell her how sorry he was. He needed her to know. What if he didn't get the chance to tell her? What if she wouldn't listen? What if she just left again without so much as a goodbye like before?

"We'll make her," Lucas replied.

"Lucas," Peyton whispered shaking her head. "You can't make her."

"Yes, I can," Lucas nodded. "She just left, Peyton. She didn't leave because of you she left because of us. We have to make things right with her. She has to talk to us. She belongs here in Tree Hill. I can't just let her leave here again."

It's like Lucas had taken the words out of his mouth. The fear of her leaving again was too much. He hated that feeling. It was taking over everything in him. What if he never saw her again? What if last night was it? What if that's all he got and now she was gone again? He should have followed her.

His body was shaking with anticipation. He didn't know what was going to happen but he couldn't let her go again. Not now –not ever. She did belong here with them. Didn't she know that? The sound of the phone ringing broke him out of his thoughts. He watched as Peyton answered it and he listened.

"Hello…oh hey…Really? I see. It sounds perfect. The guys and I were just talking about it. Yeah, sorry Lucas woke you guys so early this morning. He was sort of freaking out. Yeah, I know he's a drama queen. I'll be sure to tell him that. We'll see you tonight. We love you, too." She hung up the phone.

"Well…?"

"That was your Dad," Peyton announced.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "I know that. What did he want? What did he say?"

"Oh, that he had an interesting run in with Haley this morning," Peyton stated casually.

Nathan stood up quickly. "He talked to her?"

"Uh-huh," Peyton nodded. "He said that she broke down on the side of the road and she called the shop. He talked her into dinner at their place tonight. He said be there by six and don't mess this up."

"Dinner tonight?" Lucas asked quickly.

"With us?" Nathan added hesitantly.

"Yep," Peyton nodded. "She doesn't know that we'll be there but Keith just told her his family. She has to know that we'll all be there. Keith said she agreed."

"She doesn't think we'll be there then," Nathan stated shaking his head.

"She's still going."

"This is prefect," Lucas announced. "This will be our chance to talk to her."

"I don't think I should go," Nathan muttered before taking a seat.

"What? You have to," Lucas urged.

"Yeah, Nathan. You're family. You have to be there. Don't you want to see her?"

"You know I do," Nathan nodded. "I just don't think that she would want me there."

"In that case, then I can't go either."

"Both of you stop," Peyton protested. "We're going and that's final. Who knows maybe she came back to make things right with the both of you. There's always a chance."

"I don't think so," Nathan shook his head.

"Ready," Hayden declared as he stood in the hallway with his favorite basketball jersey on. It was Lucas's old Raven's jersey and Karen had made so that it could fit him. He had the ball in his hands and a goofy grin on his face.

"Alright, kiddo," Nathan said standing up. He made his way out of the living room, ignoring the stares from Peyton and Lucas. Hayden ran to the door and opened it before running out of the house and into the driveway. He started bouncing the ball when he made it by the basketball goal. With a smile on his face, Nathan joined him.

~***~

It felt like time had seriously slowed as he waited impatiently on Keith and Karen's sofa. Some stupid movie was playing and he wasn't even paying attention. Lucas had left minutes before to pick Haley up and he wondered if he was there yet. Why did Lucas be the one to go get her? He could have. Sure, she probably wouldn't come if that was the case, but still.

His fingers steadily drummed against his legs as he waited. He was nervous. Really nervous. He had never been so nervous in his life.

"What's taking him so long? They should be here by now!"

"It's been five minutes," Keith pointed out with a chuckle. "Relax, she'll be here soon."

Nathan took a deep breath. "I'm just anxious. Sorry."

"S'okay," Keith grinned. "So you nervous, huh? It'll be fine."

That was Keith for you. His Uncle was just so laid back and calm all the time. Nothing ever got to him anymore. When he was younger the only time he had seen his Uncle Keith upset was when his father was around. Now Keith was always calm and collected. It was like he didn't have a care in the world. Nathan wished he felt like that.

"How do you know?"

"I believe it," Keith answered easily.

Nathan sighed. "I wish I shared your faith then."

"You're welcome to borrow some of mine," Keith teased.

"You know what I meant," Nathan muttered while shaking his head. "Besides, she doesn't hate you, remember? She hates me! And now Peyton made me come and she doesn't want me here, I know it. And I –"

"Just relax, knuckle head," Keith smiled.

"You want me to relax?" Nathan asked in disbelief. "The girl that changed my life is finally here! I can't relax, especially knowing that she hates me! I won't be able to relax until she finally forgives me and I can promise that it won't be any time soon, if ever!"

"What exactly did you do that was so bad?" Keith asked intrigued.

"If I tell you then you'll just hate me," Nathan muttered ashamed. Only two people knew exactly what happened between him and Haley James. Well, three if you included Brooke because knowing Peyton she told her. They told each other everything and that meant that when he confided in Peyton that was telling Brooke as well. It was why both girls were so damn nosy when it came to his life. But telling Keith wouldn't help things.

"No, I won't."

"Yes. Yes, you will."

"You're wrong. I'm sure it's not that bad."

"You mean, because she didn't leave town because of it? Oh wait. She did! Look, I know you're just trying to help but it won't make me feel better. I did a horrible thing and I'm playing for it. I've been paying for it," Nathan stated bitterly.

"Maybe, it's time you forgive yourself," Keith suggested.

He shook his head. "If you knew how I treated her then you wouldn't be saying that. You wouldn't want me anywhere near her…I need some fresh air." He stood up and made his way towards the door. Once he was on the porch he took a seat on the swing. He sat there nervously and his fingers started drumming on his legs again. He didn't know how to make them stop. This is what happened when he was anxious.

Every part of him was unraveling.

He was filled with tension. Everything today had reminded him of her. It had been a while since he had a day like that. But playing basketball with Hayden earlier had just reminded him that Lucas had named him after Haley. Nathan had smiled when they first showed him Hayden James Scott at the hospital. In fact, he had to fight back the tears.

There was no doubt in his mind how much his brother loved Haley.

Lucas and Haley had been best friends their whole lives. He envied their relationship for so long. When Haley had first started tutoring him he hated the fact that she was only doing it for Lucas. But just like Haley's love for Lucas ran deep, it was the same for his brother. After she had left Lucas had been a mess. He had been too, but he was better at hiding it, Lucas not so much.

He walked slowly towards the Rivercourt with his hands in his pockets. He could already make out the outline of Lucas standing on the court with the ball in his hands. Instead of turning and going home, he kept going. He had left because his parents had been fighting again and he didn't have anywhere else to go. Sure he could go over to Tim's but he didn't feel like hanging out with the guys.

Lucas didn't even acknowledge him as he sat on the picnic table by the court.

He sat there and glanced out at Lucas holding the ball in his hands looking up at the basketball goal. It was minutes later when Lucas finally shot the ball from the free throw line. It hit the back board before bouncing back out to him. Lucas caught it angrily before throwing the ball as hard as he could. The ball landed in the river and Nathan watched it for a few seconds before looking back at Lucas. He was making his way towards the table. He took a seat on the side of Nathan. They sat there in silence for minutes until Nathan couldn't take it anymore.

"She called you?"

"No. You?"

He shook his head no. "I went by today, asked when she was coming back."

"She's not," Lucas muttered painfully.

Even though he knew Lucas was only telling the truth it still hurt. "I know."

Haley had left two weeks ago. He had gone over to apologize and explain things to her but her mother told him that she had moved. When he asked where, she told him that she was sorry but she had to respect her daughter's wishes. She didn't want him to know where she was so he couldn't call. He had wanted to call. But call where? He didn't know where the hell she was.

"Do you know where she is?"

"They won't tell me. I think she might be a Vivian's. But then again she might be at with Quinn. I don't know. I don't think she would go to her brothers for something like this," Lucas stated while holding his hands together.

"Why not?"

"Because we would be dead," Lucas answered.

Nathan chuckled. "Seriously?"

"You don't know Mark," Lucas replied hesitantly. "And then there's Brad. He could crush us with one hand tied behind his back. This is of course, if Taylor doesn't find us first and kill us. She's crazy. I don't even want to think about what Quinn would do to us."

"Haley mentioned her," Nathan smiled. Every part of him believed Lucas. Haley was the baby of the family and with that many brothers and sisters he knew at least a few of them would want to hurt him.

"Did you know she was leaving?" Lucas asked after a few minutes of silence.

Nathan closed his eyes. "No. I just went over to see her and she was just gone. She didn't even say goodbye." That had been like a slap in the face. No note, no goodbye. Just her gone.

"I know what you mean."

This was only making him angrier with himself. This was his fault. And now because of him she was gone –because of what he had told her. He closed his eyes before breathing hard.

"I noticed Brooke fighting with you the other day. Did you guys break up are something? She's been in a bad mood all week and extra bitchy. She slapped Peyton the other day after practice," Nathan commented. "I was a little worried so I asked her if she was ok. Then she slapped me because she said my brother was a dick." He held his face where her small hand had hit him. The girl was all kinds of pissed at Lucas.

"We broke up," Lucas nodded.

"Oh, sorry. What happened? You guys looked happy," Nathan pointed out.

Lucas sighed before placing his hands behind his head. "We were. It's just complicated…Brooke's amazing…she's just not…Peyton."

"Oh," Nathan muttered.

"If this is weird then –"

"No," Nathan assured him. "Not at all. Peyton and I are just friends now. Plus, I was never in love with Peyton. What happened?" He didn't know why but it felt good to hear someone else's problems than worrying about his own.

"I told her…we told her about us. A couple of weeks ago we sort of almost had sex. I mean, we stopped but still. Peyton wanted to stop because of Brooke and I don't know what happened but I couldn't. I knew it was wrong but it didn't really seem to matter when she was around. Haley saw me kissing Peyton and we had this huge fight."

"She told me," Nathan nodded.

"She did?"

"Yep," Nathan answered. "That was the last time I saw her."

"I can't believe she's gone," Lucas said closing his eyes. Nathan could tell in his voice that he was hurting. He felt the need to comfort him but he didn't know how. This was all new. He and Lucas just didn't get along. That's how it always had been. But not they were talking and it was weird. But good weird.

"So, you and Peyton together now?"

"She won't talk to me," Lucas shook his head. "She said her friendship with Brooke means too much to her and Brooke is clearly not ok with us being together. She hates us both now. Peyton's trying to mend their friendship. Besides, I can't date Peyton. Haley wouldn't want me to."

"Why?"

"Because we hurt Brooke. You should have heard how disappointed in me she was," Lucas muttered regretfully.

"She means that much to you?" Nathan asked carefully. If Lucas would stay away from Peyton just because he thought that Haley wouldn't approve, then that had to mean something. "You would keep away from Peyton because you think she won't be ok with it?"

"She means more to me."

"Look, Lucas, I think Haley was just disappointed in the cheating. I'm sure she wouldn't care that you dated Peyton. In fact, I know she wouldn't. She knows that you're in love with Peyton. She told me so. That's why she felt so bad for Brooke when you first started dating."

"Even if you're right, Peyton won't talk to me," Lucas muttered.

"Do you think she's ever going to come back?" Nathan asked fearfully.

"I sure hope so. She has to. I just want her to know that I'm sorry and that I love her," Lucas said.

"I just want her to know that I'm in love with her." It was the first time that he had said that out loud but he had been feeling it for a while now. He loved her. God, he loved her with everything in him. She had to come back!

"You know this is the first time we've actually talked," Lucas pointed out.

Nathan made a face. "Yeah, I guess it is."

"It wasn't so bad," Lucas commented.

Nathan chuckled. "Not bad at all. Since she left I really don't have anyone to talk to. I think my parents are getting a divorce."

"That sucks," Lucas whispered. "I think Uncle Keith finally got the courage to go after my Mom. They went on a date the other night. They're acting like to goofy ass teenagers. It's actually kind of cute. I wish Haley were here. She's been wanting them together…forever now. She'd be happy."

"Uncle Keith and your Mom," Nathan chuckled.

"I'm starved," Lucas stated while standing up. "I'm going to the café. You want to come?"

"Uh, sure," Nathan nodded.

"It'll give us a chance to talk more. You know, she was right about you," Lucas smiled.

"Right about what?"

"You're not so bad," Lucas smirked.

"Yeah," Nathan nodded. "You're not so bad either."

He was broke out of his thoughts by someone walking up the steps on the porch. He looked up quickly and noticed Lucas walking towards him. He stood up and shoved his hands into his pockets. His heart was nearly leaping out of his chest. He looked around and noticed Haley walking up the driveway.

"This is going to be harder than I thought," Lucas stated while placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. He squeezed it softly before shaking his head. "It might be best if we keep quiet tonight. She's still pretty pissed."

She made it up the stairs a second later and he felt his heart thud loudly in his chest. She noticed the two of them and Lucas let his shoulder go. She looked angry at the sight of them together. Her eyes locked with his and he braced himself mentally for what was to come.

"Looks like your plan backfired," Haley seethed.

Ouch. That hurt. He went to say something but he couldn't find words.

"Hales –" Lucas started.

"Don't," Haley muttered closing her eyes. "Don't call me that. My name is Haley."

"Ok, Haley," Lucas corrected. "Can we please just –"

"No," Haley shook her head. "I don't want to get into this with either of you. I didn't come back here for that. I'm only here because Keith asked me to. So please just leave me alone. I don't want to talk to either of you." With that she turned away from them abruptly and went inside without even knocking.

"Just breathe," Lucas instructed.

Nathan let out the breath that he had been holding in. He felt Lucas's hand on his back a second later, pushing him towards the door.

"This is what we wanted, remember that," Lucas reminded with a smile.

He nodded before slowly walking into the house. All he had to do was keep quiet, which wouldn't be hard with her around hating him. Once the door was closed he noticed Lucas walking further into the house calling for Hayden. Nathan stood back and watched.

She was standing there nervously. He could tell by the way she held her hands together. She was biting her bottom lip and he sighed as he watched her. He could feel his lips aching to touch hers. She was so beautiful and that dress…it was killing him to be this far away from. He wanted her. Every part of him was dying to touch her. His eyes stayed glued to her and she didn't even look his way once.

Hayden ran out of the hallway a second later and stopped next to his father. Lucas smiled before bending down and placing a hand on Hayden's shoulder. He then looked up at Haley with a proud smile on his face. This was Lucas's moment, he knew that. Lucas had been waiting for this for a long time. His brother's eyes were shining with love as he finally introduced Haley to his son. His son that he had named after her.

"Buddy, this is my very bestfriend Haley James," Lucas smiled genuinely.

Nathan watched as Haley's body seemed to tense before him. He wanted nothing more than to march up behind her and comfort her. He held himself back as Haley finally smiled and waved.

"And you are?" Haley asked nicely.

"Hayden James Scott," Hayden smiled brightly. "Can I go play now? I just beat Grandpa at Chess and he said that we can play again!"

"Go on," Lucas chuckled. "What do you say first?"

Hayden looked at his father confused and Nathan held in his laughter.

"Uh…it was really nice meeting you?" Hayden muttered looking from his father to Haley. Nathan couldn't help but laugh as Lucas shook his head as his son smiled brightly.

Haley smiled and Nathan could tell something was holding her back. "Yeah, nice to meet you, too."

Then Hayden did something that surprised him. He walked straight up to Haley and held out his tiny little hand for her. Then he asked her something that he never asked anyone. This was for the simple fact that he always won and he never had someone to challenge him. His Grandpa Larry, Peyton's father, had taught him how to play Chess six months ago. Nathan didn't know how but the kid was good. No, great. He was great. The only person that Hayden liked playing Chess with was any three of his Grandfathers. He had played once with him but Hayden beat him so quickly that he didn't want to do that again. Chess was stupid anyway. Stupid!

He didn't know why but his body was bursting with excitement once again. It was flowing inside of him at the thought of Hayden liking her. The kid asked her to play Chess. He had to like her. This made Nathan feel so much better.

"Want to play Chess with me, Haley James? I'm just saying your name because my daddy thinks that I don't remember it but I do. You're the lady from all the pictures!" He rolled his eyes playfully before sticking his tongue out at his father.

"I never said you didn't remember," Lucas muttered.

Hayden shook his head slightly. "But you were thinking it, huh, Daddy?"

"Was not," Lucas stated while standing up and smiling. Hayden smiled up at a still Haley.

"He was, too," Hayden nodded. "So, do you want to play?"

Haley nodded silently before taking his hand and Nathan almost jumped for joy. He was so busy smiling at the two of them that he didn't see Anna walking towards them, and he didn't see the look in Haley's eyes when she saw her. If he would have then he would have seen her smile lovingly at the beautiful little girl. He didn't know why he didn't want to come tonight. This was a good thing. A really good thing.

This was right.