Yes, losing your heart's desire is tragic. But gaining your heart's desire? That's all you can hope for. This year I wished for love, to immerse myself in someone else and to wake a heart afraid to feel. My wish was granted. And if that's tragic, then give me tragedy. Because I wouldn't give it back for the world.

- Peyton Sawyer

Chapter Eighteen: An Attempt to Tip The Scales

Nathan and Haley both got ready to meet his family at his childhood home.

"I want everything to go perfect," Haley said pacing around the room in her purple dress(the one Quinn wore at her store opening) and her wavy brunette hair in a neat high topknot bun.

"Everything's going to be fine Hales, there's nothing to worry about," He replied sitting on the bed they both shared.

"That's it, it's just going to be fine Nathan, it's need so go smoothly. I want your parents' to like me, since I'm going to be there new daughter-in-law," Haley spoke firmly.

"Trust me, they are going to like you. But just be aware of my father, he isn't the greatest person in the world. It won't change anything because we are going to get married because I love you and I want you to be my wife Haley James," He said pulling her on his lap and placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"Okay, well I guess we have a dinner to go to!" She said delicately.

"What?!, no well have a good day to you to," Brooke hissed. As she paced around the store.

"Damn, what happened in here are you moving?" Peyton asked, gesturing to the boxes in Brooke's store.

"Nothing, just new inventory I need to put away," Brooke said.

"Okay, but who were you yelling at over the phone?" Peyton inquried, raising her eyebrow.

"Just the cloth company that I ordered Hales's wedding dress from and they sent me the wrong fabric colour, and I won't get the new one for the next seven to ten business day's," Brooke hissed.

"Calm down PMS, it's going to be okay, alright. Your B. Davis you can conquer anything," Peyton softly replied; placing her hands on Brooke's shoulder.

"I know, it's just that I've been stressing over the new line, Haley's wedding dress, and taking care of Davis and Jude," She responded.

"It's okay Brooke. Your going to be fine," Peyton answered.

"Enough about me, what's going on between sexy Jageskeli and you?" Brooke inquired, kinking her eyebrows.

"Oh that, were just friends," Peyton replied. Was she and Jake just friends? Does she still have feelings for him after all these years?

"Just friends huh?" Brooke repeated, cutting open her new boxes.

"Okay you ready?" Nathan asked Haley as they stood outside the house.

"Yes, I think I should remove my engagement ring, just in case," Haley said.

"Okay if you feel that's what you need to do," He replied.

She slipped the ring into the pocket of her dress, and slowly rang the doorbell.

"Well well, you must be Haley?" Dianna asked.

"Yes I am, and you are?" Haley inquried.

"Dianna Scott. I'm Nathan's stepmother," She told her taking her jacket.

"Stepmother?" Haley asked.

"Yeah, his mother Deb had died from a drug overdose a few years back," Dianna explained. Haley stood there in shock. "Oh Nathan didn't tell you?" She continued.

"No he didn't," She mumbled to herself.

"Dan! there here!" Dianna shouted from across the room.

"Well if it my son and his beautiful girlfriend Haley. Hi It's nice to meet you. Nathan's told us alot about you," He answered.

"Good things I hope," She said half laughing.

Haley and Nathan walked towards the dining table and sat down.

"So Haley, Nathan tells us you have a son?" Dianna asked.

"Yeah, I do he's five his name's Jamie," She said smiling.

"So what do you do?" Dianna asked.

"I currently have a job at Karen's Cafe, I'm still getting my University degree," She told her cutting a piece of her steak.

"You didn't graduate from Stanford?" Dan inquired.

"No, I couldn't because I had my son and raising him. It was hard to just leave him and go back to school," Haley responded.

"Yeah, but no one asked you to have a kid." Dan replied.

Haley just took the insult, and just shrugged it off.

"So Nathan have you been playing well lately, you shouldn't be slacking if you want to get somewhere in life. You worked so hard for this. Don't throw it away for some girl that's just getting in your way," Dan explained.

"Dad, yes I've been playing well lately, and Haley isn't just any girl Dad she's my f..girlfriend and I love her okay," He said.

"Well son, love isn't everything," He scoffed.

"Haley honey, don't you think that dress is a little too short, you're not in a club. Your just having dinner with your boyfriend's parent's that's all," He continued, scanning her outfit.

"I just wanted to look good tonight," She hissed a little insulted.

"Well, try something less revealing and more sophisticated next time," He mumbled.

Before she could continue Nathan stepped in and cut her off. "Dad, I think she looks beautiful," He said.

"You don't need to defend me baby, I can handle it myself.

"Okay Mr. Scott, I have taken your insults all night and I'm not doing it anymore. When you start talking about my family that's where I draw the line. Your son just wants to have a good night and have all of us get along, but that's something you can't do can you?. You insult my dressing which you made that embarrassingly clear. Your a complete dick, who doesn't care about anybody but your selfish ass," Haley said forcefully.

"Haley-" Nathan said desperately. But Haley was on a roll.

"Your son's just trying to be the son you've always wanted, but sometimes for you it's never enough. I can't take it anymore. You can't choose who your son falls in love with it's not any of your damn business by the way," She responded coldly. "Might I add that Nathan and I are engaged, and there's nothing you can do about it," Haley hissed.

She got up and left going into the car.

"You should control her more often, she's getting out of hand Nate," Dan said coldly.

"You know what dad, screw you. Thanks for a dinner that I'll never forget," He scoffed. Getting up and leaving.

"Look what you've done. Congratulations Dan are you happy now," Dianna replied.

Review. What do you think of this chapter, frantically I don't really like it that much. I know this chapter is long over due it's just I've been busy for a while. The beginning of September to mid November I have been stoked with so much homework! and late November until yesterday I was moving in to my new house with my family and I haven't had time to update because Fanfiction was acting up and wouldn't let in.

Anyway, let me know what you guys think! Sound away in the comments. Don't be afraid it doesn't bite.

Sidney James