Hello to anyone that is actually reading this description right now. If that is the case, I want to apologize for having a 2+ year hiatus. I never planned for that to happen, but it did. So much in my own personal life has changed within those two years. I graduated high school, started attending college, lost some friends, gained some friends, and unfortunately had to experience the death of my father. I found myself isolating myself from all of my friends and family and stumbled upon "A Lifetime Friendship." After re-reading this whole story, not just once, but three times, it has given me some sort of an outlet. It may sound silly, but it is true. Falling in love with the story I wrote when I was just a sophomore in high school, is now a task I will be endeavoring in while I am a sophomore in college. While, I may not have the exact same plot I originally planned for this story, I hope all the loyal readers will stick with it. I want to finish this story off strong whether that means two chapters from now, or twenty chapters from now. Thank you so much! Now enjoy this chapter!

Nathan found himself nervously waiting for the doctor's to come out of the operating room. Complications with Haley's delivery of the twins meant that he had to stay in the waiting room as he nervously anticipated the fate of his children and wife. He hated being in this hospital… All it did was remind him of the night he lost his parents, how in an instant his whole life altered in front of him.

Finding himself chewing on his nails he decided to call Lucas and Brooke. He needed friends right now, and friends they were indeed. Briefly after calling the couple Lucas and Brooke entered the dreaded double doors to the waiting room.

"How is she doing?" Lucas asked nervously.

"Will she be ok? Will the babies be ok?" Brooke asked almost simultaneously.

"I don't know! I just do not know," Nathan replied in an upset manner.

"This is so unfair, after all me and Hales have been through…" he ranted to the two.

"Look, I know it's tough but you need to stay strong. Haley would want to know that this isn't breaking you." Lucas consoled in Nathan.

Shortly after, a doctor announced "Mr. Scott?"

"Yes, I'm Mr. Scott... how is my family?" He asked as he trembled.

"Your wife is stable now, she lost a lot of blood but you can go see her."

"What about the twins?"

"Right now, they are in the ICU. Since they were born breach they were having difficulties breathing."

"So what can we do?"

"All we can do is wait while they are on the machines, and see if that helps their breathing."

"Thank you doctor"

"I'll show you to your wife now." The doctor said as he led the way.

Nathan stared as Haley's eyes fluttered.

She smiled widely at him.

"Baby…" she whispered as she painfully grinned.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." She practically whimpered.

"What are you sorry about? You know how strong you are? You just gave birth to our children. There is absolutely nothing you have to be sorry about." Nathan said as he could feel his tears form from the sight of Haley's wet eyes.

"They're sick and it's all my fault." She cried into his large arm.

"Come on, you're smarter than that. You know it's not your fault." Nathan replied angrily.

"I just want them to be healthy. That's all." Haley cried even harder.

"Haley James-Scott, we have been through far too much to give up now." He said passionately.

"Our kids are going to be so beautiful and so intelligent like their mother. And if we're lucky they'll play basketball too." He chuckled.

"Oh, Natey…" she smiled at him.

"I love you no matter what happens tonight." He said expecting for the worse.

She gripped his hand tightly… "I love you too."

Nathan watched his kids connected to all these machines. All he wanted was to be able to touch their little bitty fingers, and he couldn't even do that…

The nurses were scattered all across the room, attending to each baby at a time. He saw worried parents here and there but couldn't help but think that he had definitely had it the worst.

Slowly he felt his eyes become wet again but he silently told himself that he wouldn't let that happen. He needed to be strong for Haley, he just didn't know if he could.

The next afternoon.

"Hales" Lucas said quietly as he entered the hospital room.

"Lucas, how are you?" Haley asked in a quiet tone.

"I should be asking how you are doing sweetie."

"Where's Nathan? I haven't seen him all day."

"…and all night" she added embarrassed.

"I'm sure he's just been handling some medical business, he'll come by sooner or later." Lucas easily covered for Nathan but deep down he was boiling.

"I don't know, he seemed distant when he saw me yesterday."

"Everything has just been one big rush, you know you started yesterday so happy, I'm sure he didn't expect this curve ball Haley."

"I know, I know, it's just so frustrating. Why do all these bad things keep happening to Nathan? He just does not deserve it! He's been nothing but great to everyone in his life and he's been handed all this B-BULLSHIT!" she cried vehemently.

Nathan walked in right when he heard her outcry.

"Baby, calm down, it's not good for you…." Nathan said as he came to her bedside.

Lucas exited the room as Nathan continued to talk to her.

As Nathan wiped her tears away he knew this whole situation was harder on Haley than it was on him. And for just thinking otherwise, he felt like a complete jerk.

"Stop crying honey."

"I can't help it. It's just so unfair. You seem to never get a break."

"What are you talking about? You are the biggest break I could ever wish for." Nathan consoled.

"Stop it, it's not something to make light of." Haley said upset with his response.

"I am not making light of anything Haley. Our kids are fighting for their lives. But I am not going to lose you. That is never going to happen no matter what happens." Nathan said practically watering at the mouth.

"I vowed to your parents and my own that I would never lose you. I couldn't live with myself if that happened."

"But we can't be selfish anymore, we've had two beautiful children to think about now." Haley explained.

"Mister and Misses Scott?" The doctor abruptly interrupted.

"Y-yes?" Haley said as she wiped her tears away.

"It looks like you'll make a speedy recovery."

"And the kids?"

"They had some major complications, but they are now able to breathe without machines. We still have nurses monitoring them around the clock."

"Will they be discharged anytime soon?" Nathan inquired.

"If they are still stable by tomorrow afternoon I would have no issues with discharging your twins." The doctor said genuinely happy to be giving them good news.

"Thank God," Nathan and Haley said simultaneously.

"Do you want me to tell the nurses to bring the babies in?" the doctor asked.

"OH, yes! Of course." Haley said ecstatically.

The nurses handed Rosie to Nathan and Jamie to Haley.

"My beautiful baby boy." Haley said as she was finally able to hold her child.

"And don't forget about your baby girl" Nathan smiled.

"Hi babies, I was so worried about you two." Haley cried joyous tears.

"I'm sorry about saying what I did just a couple of minutes ago…" Nathan apologized.

"It's ok, everyone is happy and well now. There's nothing to dwell on." Haley smiled at Nathan.

"I love you so much Hales," Nathan said with the deepest sentiments.

"I love you too."

That afternoon the couple was finally able to feel relief that was far too long overdue.

A/N: Thanks to everyone who finished this chapter. I really am so grateful for having readers again after such a long time away from the FanFiction world. I love you readers and hope you are all doing well.