A/N: Here's another chapter for you guys! The past few days I've been able to write and so I was able to finish another chapter this week. This chapter is slightly shorter, but the next chapter will probably be a lot longer. Please review and let me know what you think! I was so happy to hear that you guys enjoyed the last chapter. I was a little worried I must admit. Thanks to everyone who has stuck with this story and who continue to read it.

Haley walked into the café with the kids and found a booth in the corner. Nathan had been gone for two weeks now, and to say she was miserable would be an understatement. She tried to not let it show around the kids because she knew that Mark missed him too. Brooke had called several times throughout the week to check on her. She had even talked her into meeting her and Luke for breakfast at the café. They had just got back from New York the night before and were in the process of looking for a house in Tree Hill to settle down in.

Karen walked over with a smile and asked, "Hey guys how are you?" Karen had felt bad and was still disappointed in her son for leaving. She wished he would just come to his senses before it was too late.

"We're good. We're supposed to be meeting Brooke and Luke here. Have you seen them," Haley replied right as the door chimed and Brooke and Luke walked in.

Brooke saw them and headed over. "Hey guys, how are my two favorite kiddos doing today?" she said looking over at Haley with a smile of her own before taking a seat.

Haley gave a small smile. Kenzie started clapping her hands and laughing, but Mark just simply sat there. "What's wrong champ?" Luke questioned already knowing the answer.

"Nothing," Mark mumbled. He hardly made eye contact with anyone.

Haley sighed, "So have you guys found a house yet?"

"Actually yes, I was thinking you, me, and Kenzie could go shopping after breakfast. Mark, maybe you could talk Luke into going to the River Court or whatever you want," Brooke stated trying to lighten the mood.

"Yea buddy, we can go do boy stuff instead of yucky girl stuff," Luke joked.

"I guess so," Mark answered with a shrug. The rest of breakfast was spent talking about what had been going on in New York and how school was going. They kept all conversation away from the Nathan topic.

After leaving the boys at the café, the girls loaded up and headed to the mall. "So how are you really doing?" Brooke asked as they were driving towards the mall.

"Miserable," Haley commented.

"Mark still having a hard time?" Brooke guessed.

She sighed, "He just misses Nathan. I actually feel bad for Luke because he hasn't wanted to play basketball since Nathan left. I just don't know what to do. This is all my fault."

"Haley, you are not to blame for him leaving. He did that all on his own. If it helps, he misses you too," Brooke added.

"Then why won't he just come home," she whispered.

Brooke smiled, "Because he's too stubborn for his own good. But everything will work out. You just have to be patient."

"Have you talked to him lately?" she wondered.

Brooke laughed, "It's been a few days, but he was just as miserable as you are right now. I guess you could say I knocked some sense into him when I saw him last."

"You went to LA?" she said confused.

"Yes, because Luke wasn't going to and someone needed to kick his butt," Brooke declared, "I do have to ask though did you kiss him back when he kissed you?"

Haley huffed, "Brooke, it was just a kiss. It obviously didn't mean anything to him."

"A kiss always means something," Brooke replied, "Besides, we both know that you care about him, possibly even falling for him, but I'll drop the subject for now. Plus, we're here and it's time to shop." Haley just rolled her eyes as they all got out and headed in the mall.

Luke and Mark were still at the café. He had spent the last five minutes trying to figure out what Mark wanted to do. He suggested the River Court but he just simply shrugged. "Buddy, I can't read your mind? What are you thinking?" Luke asked.

Mark was quiet for a few seconds before saying, "Is Nathan ever coming back? I mean my dad is gone. Is Nathan gone too?"

Moments like this Luke wanted to hit his brother. He could see how much this little boy was taking Nathan's absence and didn't want to give him false hope, but he also didn't want him to be sad if he could help it. "Buddy, Nathan just had to go away for a little while. He'll be back I promise. In fact, we could call him right now if you'd like," Luke added trying to cheer him up.

Mark looked up with a grin, "Can we?"

Luke smiled, "Sure, why don't you go get us some drinks to go and I'll call him."

He waited for Mark to walk away before dialing Nathan's number. Nathan picked up on the second ring, "Luke, I can't really talk right now. Is something wrong? Is it Haley or the kids?"

"I don't care what you're doing," Luke started, "You need to come home. Mark thinks you are never coming back."

"What did you tell him?" Nathan asked.

Luke groaned, "I promised him that you were coming home soon, so you better not make me break that promise," he stopped talking as Mark walked closer, "But he also wants to talk to you. Hold on," he said as he handed Mark the phone.

"Hey Nathan," Mark said into the phone.

Nathan smiled, "Hey little man, how are you doing?"

"Good. Are you coming home soon? I miss you," he stated.

"I miss you too," Nathan paused debating on what to tell him, "Do you think you can you keep a secret?"

"Mom told me that I shouldn't keep secrets," Mark stated, "but I guess I can for you."

"Alright, I'm coming home really soon, but I need you to not tell anyone yet, ok. I want it to be a surprise," Nathan added, "but I need to talk to Luke again. Can you hand him back the phone for me? I'll see you soon buddy."

Mark said bye as he handed Luke back the phone. "Thanks," Luke commented.

"Look man, I have some stuff that I have to take care of here, but I'm coming home tomorrow. I promise. I need you to keep it to yourself though, which means don't tell Brooke or Haley. I'll call you tomorrow when I land. Do you think you could come pick me up at the airport?" he asked.

"Sure man, later," Luke answered as he hung up.

"Now can we go to the River Court?" Mark said with a huge grin. Funny how all it took was simply to hear Nathan's voice to cheer the kid up. He only hoped that Haley would be just as pleased tomorrow when she found out he was back. His brother had a lot of making up to do. He led Mark out of the café and headed to the River Court.