A/N: So here is another chapter that I hope you all enjoy! I made this chapter a little longer than some of the others. I worked really hard on this chapter because I'm trying to set up what's coming up in the next few chapters. Please review and let me know what you think. If you have any ideas that you would like to see, let me know by sending me a PM and I'll see what I can do. Enjoy!

The next day Nathan walked into the café a few minutes before nine to find Haley and the kids already sitting in a nearby booth. "Hey, I'm not late am I?" he asked.

"No," she replied, "we just got here."

He sat down beside Mark and tousled his hair. "Hey M man, how was your first week of school?" he wondered.

Mark groaned, "Boring, Mom makes me do homework and it stinks. She hasn't let me play basketball all week. Can we play today? Please…"

Nathan laughed, "I didn't like doing my homework either. But yes we can go play but after we eat breakfast. I'm starving. How about we order some chocolate chip pancakes?"

Haley rolled her eyes and said, "He makes me sound like a mean mom. He only had two worksheets that he had to complete this week. I just don't understand why he doesn't like school."

"Not everyone does Hales. But he doesn't think you're a mean mom, do you champ?" he responded looking over at Mark.

"Nope, she is the best mom in the world!" Mark smiled while giving Nathan a high five. Haley smiled back and mouthed 'thank you' to Nathan.

Karen came over a few minutes later and took their orders. "So what are we going to do today?" Haley asked as they were waiting on their food.

"Well I was thinking we could go play basketball after we leave here, then I wanted to take you guys somewhere," Nathan answered, "Before you ask where, could you just relax and enjoy today."

She grinned before stating, "Alright, I will. I'll let you plan the day, but tonight I'm cooking dinner for all of us. Deal?" Nathan nodded right as the food came.

The four of them ate in mostly silence except for Kenzie's random outbursts. She had been saying new words the past week.

After breakfast, they walked to the River Court. Haley and Kenzie sat down on the grass next to the court, while Mark and Nathan bounced the ball around. Haley loved watching them play together. It had been tough right after her husband passed away, but she was glad to see Mark having someone that he could turn to. Since moving to Tree Hill, Nathan had really been a good friend to her and the kids. Sometimes she wondered if that was all they would ever be, but at times like today watching him play with her son, she wondered what it would be like for something more. After her husband, she didn't think she would ever like anyone else, but then Nathan came into the picture and lately her views of him had changed. Of course, she was worried that being more than friends could mess up what they have, and she wouldn't want Mark to get hurt if things didn't work with them. She knew her son already loved Nathan, and she would never jeopardize that bond. So would be getting into a relationship with Nathan be smart? Was it too soon?

Haley was so zoned out in her thoughts that she didn't see Kenzie run out onto the court. Nathan picked the little girl up and glanced over at Haley. He noticed that she was in deep thought about something and couldn't help but smile. She was so beautiful. He was knocked out of his trance when Mark said, "Are you going to play or what?"

Nathan laughed, "Yea, I think Kenzie wants to play too. How about we go ask your mom if she wants to join us?"

Mark shrugged but ran over to Haley and yelled, "Mom, do you wanna come play with us?"

She looked up and noticed they were all staring at her. "What?"

"Basketball. Do you want to come play with us?" Nathan asked.

Haley glanced over at him with a frown. "I don't know how. I'm what some call athletically challenged," she added.

"Come on Hales, I'm sure you aren't that bad," Nathan joked.

"She is," Mark quipped, "Sorry Mom."

Nathan laughed, "Well then I guess it's a good thing that I know a lot about basketball. Let me teach you."

"I love you too Mark," she said as she bumped him in the side before turning to Nathan, "Alright, but you can't laugh at me."

He smirked, "I'll try to be on my best behavior." She just simply rolled her eyes. He walked over to the basket and showed her what to do while holding Kenzie on his shoulders.

The first few tries she didn't even come close to the basket, but after about the fifth time she hit the backboard and it went in. "I did it!" she exclaimed, "I made the basket!" She ran and gave Nathan a big hug before realizing what she was doing.

She stepped back and Nathan simply smiled before saying, "Great job Hales! I told you that you could do it. Plus, I'm a pretty good teacher, wouldn't you say?"

"You're alright," she joked, "Now what's next?"

"You'll just have to wait and see," he commented, "but it's time to go. Let's load up in my car and head out."

Nathan pulled into the parking lot of the Wilmington Zoo. "So we're here," he stated coming to a stop.

Haley replied, "So this was the big surprise?"

Nathan paused, "Yea, but we can go somewhere else if you don't want to go…" he rambled.

Haley laughed, "You're rambling. I love it! Thank you Nathan, the kids love going to the zoo. This was a great surprise."

"I wasn't rambling," he huffed, "I don't ramble."

"Whatever you have to tell yourself. I think you've been hanging out with me for too long that I'm starting to rub off on you," she said poking him in the side.

"That's impossible. I could never hang out with you to long," he commented before getting out of the car, "Alright kiddos. Let's go see some lions and tigers and bears."

Mark replied, "What about the snakes?"

"No, we're skipping them," Haley stated.

"Mark, you and I will go see the snakes in a little while. Your mom is just a big scaredy-cat. What would you like to see Hales?" he wondered.

"Tigers," she declared, "they have always been my favorite."

"You're scared of snakes but love tigers," he replied shaking his head. Haley just stuck her tongue out and strapped Kenzie into her stroller.

They had been walking around the zoo for several minutes looking at all the animals. They stopped to watch the chimps, so Haley asked, "Why the zoo?"

Nathan paused, "It was one of my favorite places as a kid. My mom used to take me and Luke here all the time growing up. I thought the kids would like it. Besides, I haven't been able to take you guys anywhere except the café and the River Court. I decided we needed a change of scenery."

"It was a great idea. You're pretty good with them ya know," she remarked, "It's been awhile since I've seen Mark this happy."

"You're a great mom, Hales. Don't sell yourself short," he added before getting Mark's attention, "How about we go see the snakes now?"

After spending a few hours at the zoo, they made their way back to the car and headed back to Tree Hill. Nathan pulled into the driveway and helped Haley get the kids out. They walked inside and Haley headed to the kitchen to start dinner. Nathan took the kids into the living room and sat Kenzie on the floor next to some of her toys. Mark had asked him if he would play a game with him before dinner, so they played the game at the coffee table. That way Nathan could keep an eye on Kenzie too.

Haley had asked Karen what Nathan liked to eat and had decided to make fried chicken with macaroni and cheese and green beans. She had just finished battering the chicken when Nathan walked in. "Anything I can help you do? Something smells good," he asked, "Mark is drawing and Kenzie is playing with her toys."

"I thought you were playing a game with him," she replied briefly turning around to face him.

"For a five year old, the kid schooled me in Candy Land. Remind me next time to pick an easier game," he added.

Haley laughed, "My friend Peyton gave that to him last Christmas and taught him how to play. He has yet to lose. I guess I could have warned you. Who knew the great Nathan Scott could lose in Candy Land to a five year old."

He walked up behind her and whispered, "Ha ha very funny. Now are you going to tell me what smells so good or am I going to have to see for myself."

Haley could feel his breath on her neck and shivered. "Just some fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and green beans. Nothing special," she replied.

"You do know that's my favorite meal right?" he stated.

She turned around and grinned, "I might have overheard that somewhere."

Before he knew what he was doing, he leaned down and kissed Haley on the lips. After realizing what he did, he pulled back and walked out of the room mumbling, "I'm sorry."

Haley was speechless and just watched him walk out of the room. She brought her hand to her lips and could still feel the tingle from his kiss. She turned around and finished dinner but kept wondering what the kiss meant.

After dinner was ready, she walked in the living room to tell everyone. Nathan didn't say anything to her the rest of the meal and could barely look at her. After dinner, he made a quick excuse and left leaving Haley dumbfounded on what just happened.

A/N: I know I fit a lot of scenes in this chapter and kind of left you hanging, but I had to in order to prepare for the next few chapters. Please don't hate me...or Nathan.