So it's a little late, this week, but I did say that it would be. Thank You to all who review.

Chapter 23

As they sun crept into Nathan and Haley's room Nathan who had been up for hours was great full that his friends had decided to come and visit them this week. This week had always been a hard one of Haley, and being back here; back home Nathan was sure it was going to be even harder. Having their friends here was going- he at least hoped- to distract Haley enough that she wouldn't dwell on this day too much.

Today marked eight years since that fateful day although most of Tree Hill would stop for a few minutes and remember what happened- this year however, instead of them saying it was such a shame what that young man had done -they would ask how was it that the beloved owner of K.S Cars and repairs a man who not only looked after his cars but his customers as well. How could such a man; be related to someone as monstrous as Dan.
Where had Mae and Royal gone wrong with their youngest son? How had they all elected someone who had killed Jimmy James, how had they not seen this?

But after their moments of quiet reflection; and after all their questions were asked and not one of those questions answered they would get on with their day. For the Scott, James and Edwards families, today just another reminder of what they had all lost not only a loved one but the years Dan had cost them with running Nathan and Haley out of town.
This was the first year Haley would be in Tree Hill for the anniversary, no one was sure just how she was going to take this day, well all but one person.

The first thing he wanted to do was check in on Jamie and Susie before heading down stairs, he had called Jamie's school yesterday and told them, that they had family up from Savannah this week, as they didn't often get to see them, would be taking a couple of days off school to spend with them. The school hadn't been too impressed with that Nathan had told them but, agreed to a couple of days. Walking down the hall Nathan came to his son's room and poked his head in to see Susie and Jamie sitting at the art table Haley had set up for Jamie when they had moved him.

"Morning you two, pancakes this morning?" he asked both five year olds looked up and smiled. As Nathan walked over he noticed that they had been working on cards for Haley, he smiled and kissed both of them on the head.

"I'll meet you both down stairs but do not wake, your mother up Jamie ok, let her sleep"

"Ok,"

"Uncle Nathan will Aunt Haley be sad today?" Susie asked getting up and handing the card she had been making for her aunt to him. Nathan looked at the picture of what he guessed was a flower with a smiley face.

"Maybe, but I want you to remember that it has nothing to do with you ok kiddo. Aunt Haley just misses her dad" he said bending down and picking her up to give her a hug. Susie had been through this day with them before, however she and Jamie were now only just old enough to understand what was going on.

"Mummy lets me eat breakfast in my bed on Granny's birthday she says it so granny can sit with us. Do you think Aunt Haley would like that?" Nathan smiled and nodded, it was an idea he hadn't thought of.

"I think that's a great idea Susie Q, why don't you go wake up your mum and dad while Jamie drops your cards off, and then both of you meet me down stairs for breakfast ok?" The two five year olds nodded and went off to do what they had been asked.

Nathan looked up as he saw Megan, walk down the stairs, behind Jamie and Susie who both started running as soon as they stepped off the last step.

"So Susie said you were going to borrow, our tradition of breakfast in bed, I guess I can let that happen" Megan said with a smirk on her face Nathan laughed as much as Tyler, Megan and Susie didn't have contact with her parents, they never forgot their birthdays, and every year for as long as Nathan could remember Megan had made sure to do something special with her daughter on her parents birthdays.

"Thanks" he said flipping a pancake and smiling as Jamie and Susie climbed up on the stools at the breakfast bar to watch him.

"But seriously, if you need anything today, just let Ty or me know, we're here for you both, being back here for the first time has got to be hard on Hales; yeah I know what day it is. Why do you think I insisted on this week; I know you said you were sparing us when you didn't tell us everything; and maybe one day soon you'll finally tell us the full unabridged story of what really happened here. As for today just ask; that's what friends are for" Nathan smiled as he placed a couple of Pancakes in front of Jamie and Susie.

"If you could take Jamie for the day go exploring or whatever just get him out of Haley's hair that would be great. Oh and don't -

"Coddle, Hales yeah I know I leant that hard way."

Haley opened her eyes and noticed that the bedroom she shared with her husband was slightly brighter then when she usually woke up she sat up with a start turning towards Nathan's side of the bed. She found a tray sitting there. A bowl of dry cereal, with a small jug of milk and thrums, there was a flower attached to a note.

Hey beautiful,
Megs and Ty have taken the kids out for the day, I have a few things to do for work, so I'll see you later babe, remember your dad loved you more than anything in this world, but never as much as Jamie and I love you. I called the school and told them you might be a little late today so take your time.

Have a good day sweet heart

Love you xoxoxo

Haley smiled and picked up the flower and smiled while smelling it. It was then she noticed the drawings on Nathan's pillow. Haley had to wipe a tear from falling down her cheek. The picture now in her lap was of a stick figure with wings, with Jamie's messy writing.
Grandpa loves you mama love Jamie.
The other still sitting on the pillow was from Susie a picture of a smiling flower with Love you Aunt Haley.

She wasn't quite sure if Nathan was right about he and Jamie loving her more than her dad, as she saw it, she was the luckiest woman in the world, she had the most generous dad, the kindest husband and the sweetest son in the world and no one would be able to change her mind on that. No one was as lucky as her.

Getting up she put her slippers on and grabbed the tray. It was too nice a day outside to stay indoors. Walking slowly down stairs she headed out the back and sat on one of the chairs by the pool. Pouring some coffee from the thrums she sat back for a minute and looked over the back yard. Yes she had done this in the past but she had never really taken the time to soak it all in. It really was a beautiful sight, the grass creeping down to the beach and slowly being taken over by sand. Taking a deep breath she loved the smell of the ocean air. Her dad would have loved this place too; she still couldn't believe it had been eight years. She missed him every day, and as much as she had moved on from the guilt she felt from that day, the weight that was in her heart every year felt just that bit heavier this year.

Haley smiled as she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her. Looking up she saw Nathan give her a weak smile.

"I'm good, better than I thought I would be actually, but thank you for the breakfast, and the note" she said.

"The in bed part was Susie's idea" Haley nodded and made a mental note to give her goddaughter a hug.

Haley made her way up the hill, looking around her at the other head stones till she came to where they had laid her father to rest. Sitting down beside the head stone she rested her head back on the cool marble.

"Hey Daddy, sorry it took me so long to get here, I- well I'm sure you know what went on and how things turned out here. But I'm back now, I miss you ever day and no matter what anyone says I know that you would have gone in there even if I hadn't, have been in there, you were just that person. I know everyone today is going to make a fuss and probably treat me like I'm some sort of baby and that...Well to tell you the truth it kind of irks me. Yes there are always going to be things that get to me but. I just- I want to live my life the way I know you wanted me to and some people today aren't going to see that, they are going to treat me with kid gloves and wait till I crack and start bawling, so they can sweep in and save the day," said Haley looking down over the sweeping hill that was covered in lost loved ones.

"I know Nathan won't and Jamie, oh you'd love him dad, he's well he's my little angel some of the things he says or just the faces he pulls. I swear I can see you in him half the time. I really wish you could have met him, he's a bundle of energy that I really love having in my life." Looking at her watch she sighed she needed to get going.

"Ok well I better go. I love you and I promise to bring Jamie up here some time. Love you daddy" she said kissing her fingers before placing them on the stone, turning away she headed down the hill towards her car. That wasn't as hard as she thought it was going to be. There however was no way she would drive past the high school today. As collected as she was, going past there today of all days wasn't something she would be able to handle not yet anyway, she was sure in the future sometime it wouldn't get to her, but this being their first year back here she wasn't ready for the flood of emotions that would come to her if she did go past the High school.

It had been a long day and it wasn't even eleven am yet, she had gone into the school a little later than normal but nothing too drastic and they all looked at her with sadness, telling her to take the day and come back tomorrow. Although they were sweet to do so, no matter how many times she said she was fine they seemed to think she was lying. It had been the same when she went to vent to Peyton, Brooke was busy helping customers when she drove past, so she decided to go to Peyton, well that had been a bad idea because her friend basically treated her the same way. Storming out of Red Bedroom she made her way to the cafe but when she saw how crowded it was she headed back to , seeing it was only her sister in there now she stormed inside and sat down on the couch startling both Quinn and Brooke.

"Hal-

"Finish that line and I will add you to the list of people who have pissed me off today." said Haley glaring at her sister Quinn threw her hands up in the air and said nothing.

"Haley you know they mean well, Peyt called before and said she might have pissed you off. Don't bite their heads of for caring" said Brooke looking over from the top she was fixing for Quinn.

"There's caring then there's coddling, caring was Nathan making me breakfast and letting me sleep in, also calling the school saying I might be late because of a sleep in, Caring is Jamie drawing a picture of dad and writing he stills loves you; it's also Megs and Tyler taking Jamie and Susie out for the day. Coddling is the school even after I told them I was perfectly capable of teaching telling me to take the day. It's mum calling and saying she doesn't blame me if I don't want to face people today, and it's my darling sister in law constantly looking at me to see if I'm crying when I was trying to vent. Yes I miss dad, yes the weight in my heart is a little heavier this year, ok so I haven't exactly been past the main entrance of the high school today because of those memories. But I am fine! And not the; I'm not ok I'm just saying that sense. I am fine in the, I AM FINE! Sense- uh!" Brooke looked up at Quinn and smirked before getting back to what she was doing the look did not escape Haley though she looked between her best friend and her sister waiting for one of them to start talking when they didn't she knew exactly how to get at least one of them to start talking.

"Brooke Pen-

"Ok, Ok Nathan called this morning and warned me saying do not coddle her she'll snap your head off, I was with Peyton, Peyton just laughed it off thinking he was just coddling you, but there was just something in his voice that made me think he wasn't. That husband of yours knows you in a way no one else does. That and Megan came in just after I opened saying that she knew from experience that it would be detrimental for my health to coddle you" said Brooke with a shrug.

"And that Brookie is why you are my best friend." said Haley the three woman looked towards the door when it opened, there stood Millie.

"These are from Karen, she said to say she saw you Haley and by the look on your face could tell you didn't want to deal with those who insisted on throwing you pity parties. She also said that she's getting up people who sit there and whisper about it" said Millie as she walked in with a take away bag of food and four coffees.

"And this is why I love my mother in law" said Haley with a laugh as she took a coffee from Millie.

Nathan walked around their bed that night climbing in beside Haley who was sitting there reading, leaning over he kissed her temple chuckling as she raised a finger and finishing the page she was on before placing her book mark on the following page and closed the book.

"Ok, so how was your day? Did you guys finally work out a deal with what's his name?" She asked Nathan shrugged he and Clay had done the best they could, it was now up to the player to decide who he wanted to go with.

"It's up to him now. I did my job, and that was to tell him what we could do, and what other agencies would offer. Kids like that Clay wants someone who has been there, on that side of the table to lay it out for them. Don't think it did any good that kid is as stubborn as Tyler and his love of baseball." Haley laughed and nodded before snuggling into him.

"Thank you for today, getting Ty and Meg to take Jamie I'm glad they were here I'm just sad that they got called back to Savannah early; I was looking forward to this weekend it would have been fun to show them around town a bit more, and show Meg the docks."

"Yeah that would have been fun...not" Haley gasped and hit him in the shoulder before glaring at him.

"So you're saying that, where we had our first date is not special to you. I know you guys don't go into that kind of thing for other guys, but let me tell you something about us women, when our friends tell us gossip about their guys we like to see where these things happened" Nathan laughed and wrapped his arms around Haley.

"Go to sleep you goof so we can see our friends off at that ungodly hour of the morning that they have to leave"