Chapter 7:

Hi guys, back again with another update… a powerful one i'd like to think Thanks to those that left a review and shared their thoughts! They always make me move faster so I appreciate it. Looking back, I realized that I mentioned in one chapter that Jay's eyes were blue, but that was a mistake, they were blue as a baby, but are actually brown like Haley's eyes.. killer right? As much as I love Nathan's eyes, a kid with Haley's eyes to Nathan is torture/golden/heart-breaking so although in pretty much every other way he's a carbon copy of Nathan, his eyes belong to Hales.

Read and Enjoy! I own NOTHING!

Nathan looked down at his wife that lay in his arms, and smiled at her relaxed position. He'd just finish telling her once again about the moment he'd realized he was in love with her. She'd heard the story from his mouth countless times, but she loved every second of it.

"I love that story" she said exhaling and relaxing deeper into his embrace.

"Well are you finally going to tell me yours now?"

She decided to play dumb, hoping that he would once again let it go. "Tell you my what?"

Removing himself from behind her, he watched as she re-situated herself, and then laid his head in her lap. She played with his hair running her hands through it.

"Nathan, the moment I realized that I loved you wasn't as grand or beautiful as yours…Most people would even call it stupid, and immature."

"Try me" was his only response.

"You asked for it" She laid her head back on the pillows that encased her bed, and slowly began to play back that day in her head.

It had been summer break, and Haley was happy to just relax, and get away from her busy school schedule. Her mother and aunt had decided to go away for the weekend, and left her to look after her twelve year old cousin. They'd basically grown up together as sisters, and she adored the little girl so it wasn't a big deal to her. What was a big deal is that Nathan had promised to call her over her aunts' house, and she couldn't wait to hear from him! Their relationship, or whatever you'd call it was a big deal to her and they'd been talking for months now. Although with his job it was common to not hear from him for days, Haley knew she'd go crazy without speaking to him, especially with nothing to make the time go faster.

She had been there for two weeks, and knew that things could get busy, and she would have to be patient to hear from him. Hearing the house phone ring, she ran to it, and was disappointed, but somewhat happy to see Brooke's cell phone number on the caller ID.

"Hey Brooke"

"Hey Hales… what's going on, how's everything back at home? How's Natalie?"

"She's good, glad I'm home for a while and we have the weekend with just us so she loves it.…. But I haven't heard from Nathan yet. I can't wait to talk to him."

She knew to walk on eggshells when talking about Nathan to Brooke. She wasn't their biggest fan, mainly because she didn't want Haley to get hurt. She worried about how close and attached Haley had allowed herself to get to him already. He would break her heart, and she knew it.

"Well, I'm glad you can spend time with Nat and focus on her… when was he supposed to call you?"

"He said he'd call whenever he could…. that was like a couple days before I left campus.. I did get an email from him last week though" She paused, knowing that Brooke would scold her for believing anything that he said. "But he'll call, so I'm not worried"

"Haley, I'm saying this because I don't want to see you get hurt… you love him… and you don't even know if he feels the same way"

"I do not love him Brooke, and why do you always doubt that I can take care of myself? I know what I'm doing!" She was upset at her friends 'advice'.

"I'm just looking out for you! He's so far away, and I know you're gonna get hurt Haley! Who knows what he's doing hundreds of miles away? You're setting yourself up for something that can turn out really bad"

"I can't talk to you right now" She said hanging up the phone.

Taking Natalie out for dinner and a movie was a great distraction that night and it was definitely bed time for the young blonde when they got in. Haley went down to the basement that was always considered her room, and called his phone again.

"Hey Nathan.. it's me, Haley.. .just wondering how you're doing and making sure you're ok.. umm give me a call when you can" She hated leaving messages.

Turning on the TV, she felt the urge to cry. Deciding that there wasn't anything interesting on, she went to boot up the computer that stay in the basement and opened the homepage of . She laughed at the headline that read: Backstreet Boy's are indeed BACK with new hit "Incomplete". Clicking on the link, she was taken directly to the music video, and listen intently.

Empty spaces fill me up with holes

Distant faces with no place left to go

Without you within me I can't find no rest,

Where I'm going, is anybody's guess

I tried to go on like I never knew you

I'm awake, but my world is half asleep

I pray, for this heart to be unbroken

But without you all I'm going to be is

Incomplete

Voices tell me I should carry on

But I am swimming in an ocean all alone

Baby, my baby, it's written on your face

You still wonder if we made a big mistake

I tried to go on like I never knew you

I'm awake, but my world is half asleep

I pray, for this heart to be unbroken

But without you all I'm going to be is

Incomplete

I don't mean to drag it on

But I can't seem to let you go

I don't wanna make you face this world alone

I wanna let you go (alone)

I tried to go on like I never knew you

I'm awake, but my world is half asleep

I pray, for this heart to be unbroken

But without you all I'm going to be is

Incomplete

Haley couldn't believe the words that she heard come from the speakers on the computer. Brooke was right….She did love Nathan! Everything in that song was everything that she was feeling for him. She loved Nathan Scott….. But how did he feel about her?

Haley looked down at Nathan with tears evident in her soft smile. "I was so confused, and hurt, but I knew after hearing that….that I loved you so much. It was such a girly moment, and after not hearing from you that whole week, I was convinced that you hated me and that I was just a game to you."

"I remember everything being so different after I had finally talked to you. I had been out in the field that whole week, and wasn't allowed to bring my phone with me, but I had checked my messages, and you sounded so different and worried about me." He brought her face down to his and kissed her.

"Still think my story is better than that? Mine seems silly compared to that Hales. But I will kill Brooke for putting you through all that and doubting me!" he said gaining a laugh from her.

"Hey, she was just looking out for me. I was mad, but I loved her for it. She was always there when I was missing you."

"I know you've been through a lot waiting for me, and I'm sorry for all the hurt I must have caused you"

"Well I'll tell you now that it was all worth it. Look at us now, we're living the life, and everything's gonna be alright."

Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Haley was now a full twenty-five weeks pregnant, and you one could finally tell that she was toting around a round baby bump. She smiled as she felt Jay's little foot softly rub against her growing abdomen while she pushed the grocery cart he sat in.

"Where's daddy at?" he said looking around the grocery store.

"He's getting some chips, and juice"

"Oooh! Can we get some hot cheetos like last time?"

"Of course we can… you are your fathers' child."

"Can I get a lunchable Mommy?"

"Yea, you can get two if you want, but only two Jay" she warned him. Her son would live off of lunchables if she allowed him to.

"You have one spoiled son there Haley Scott" Nathan said sneaking up behind her.

"Uh! He is not spoiled Nathan!" she said with a scowl covering her face.

"Yea sure he isn't. But it's okay Hales, I just can't wait to see what you do to our daughter. I'm gonna have to strangle her daily!"

"Just because I allow him to get some things from the store when we go, does not mean he's spoiled" She wasn't angry, because she simply knew that he liked to rile her up when she was pregnant. It would also send their little 'bun in the oven' stirring and start up the flutters that only she could feel.

Kissing her cheek, Nathan walked away, smiling in victory. She always scolded their 'bun' when she started moving. And boy did she move. Although Nathan walked away smiling, she knew under that he was really upset that he hadn't been able to feel the baby kick yet.

Jay's big blue expressive eyes followed his fathers form down the aisle until he could not longer see him, and then turned his attention back to his mother.

"Mommy, can we get some popsicles?" he asked purposely opening his brown eyes as far as they could go.

"Not gonna work kiddo, you have enough junk food already Jay, so no ice cream" It was like looking into a mirror, but he couldn't play her every time he wanted something.

"But, I want ice cream mommy, I want it now" he said testing his limits.

Before Haley could say anything, Nathan reappeared and added more food to the cart.

"Daddy, can we get some ice cream please" Little did he know, Nathan had heard the exchange between his wife and his clever son.

"Jay, I just heard mommy tell you no, so listen to her and stop talking back you understand?"

"But I just really want ice cream" He then began a full fledge crying fit and started to draw attention to the small family.

Haley looked at him completely bewildered. She'd never seen him throw a fit in public, and had to make sure this would be his first and last time. "Jay, you're asking for it buddy, you need to stop right now or I'm gonna get you out of that cart and spank you right here in this store."

Ignoring his mothers warning, he continued to cry and then started to kick his feet. He accidentally kicked her in the stomach, and although it wasn't too hard, it shouldn't have happened while he was throwing a tantrum.

Before Haley could do anything, Nathan had him out of the cart and gave him two slaps on his jean clad bottom. It wasn't that he really wounded him, but he knew when daddy popped him, that he was in big trouble. Picking him back up, he sat him in the cart, while the young boy's head hung low.

"Don't you ever kick your mommy again, do you understand? And no more crying and throwing fits when me and mommy tell you no, or else you're gonna be in even more trouble."

"Yes" he was still crying from being popped and they knew his feelings were hurt more than anything.

"Now say you're sorry to mommy"

After hearing her son's sorrowful, stuttered apology, she tilted his chin up to look her in the eyes.

"It's not good to kick mommy and throw fits when you can't get what you want. Don't do it again okay? It makes me sad to see you not listening Jay" Nodding his head, he slipped his two fingers in his mouth, and leaned his head on her chest completely embarrassed.

"Just like I said, spoiled" He said throwing his arm around her shoulder with a smirk on his face.

"He's gonna be mad at you daddy! You beat him" she whispered poking him in his hard stomach.

"Whatever he kicked you. I was ready to really spank him, but I knew it was an accident" He hated to even think about spanking Jay and as far as he knew his son had received about three spankings his entire life. He wasn't a bad kid by any means, but those few times, a time out wouldn't work and it was usually something big that he'd done although he knew better of it.

Haley shifted from foot to foot, prepared to change the subject. "Uuuh! Are we almost done, my feet are killing me, and I just wanna go home."

"Almost done babe, you want yogurt for you and Jay?" He said preparing to pick up a few packs.

"Yea anything without banana… hmmmm, baby I'm hungry"

"Why do you think we're here, you ate everything at home. Greedy ass" he joked.

Her mouth fell open, and tears immediately filled her eyes before she walked away.

"I'm just kidding Hales, you know that" he said catching up to her with their son and cart.

"You're an ass is what you are" She mumbled out. "I'm pregnant Nathan, and your daughter is the one making me eat so much"

"Son" he corrected.

"You've been calling it a girl all morning" she said squinting at her husband.

"Yea but since we don't know yet since a certain someone wanted to be surprised, only to change her mind recently, we need to change up what we say. I'll call baby a girl, and you say boy. Gotta mix it up Hales"

She decided to ignore his stupid conclusion and disregard his jab at her indecisiveness. "We're gonna get a girl I bet. We can find out for sure next appointment tomorrow."

"Whatever you say Hales"

He ran back and gathered up the yogurt from the shelf and came back to empty it into the cart. As they walked down the juice aisle, he looked down when he felt a little finger poking him in the back. He almost laughed when he saw the little smirk that she wore on her face. It was almost as if she were trying to imitate him. It was too damn cute

"Can I help you Mrs. Scott?"

"Kiss please" she asked sweetly and innocently.

"What's with this kiss on demand thing?" he always wondered where his wife came up with the crazy things that came out of her mouth.

"What? I like it, ask and you shall receive. Kiss Please" she instructed once again.

Bending down to her level, he looked deep into her eyes, and softly kissed the corner of her mouth. Man he loved her.

Haley and Nathan arrived home much later that evening after sitting through horrible traffic. Seeing as though they had no idea why people were acting so bizarre, the first thing Haley did when they got home was turn on the news. To her surprise, every channel that she turned to was broadcasting a live supposed terrorist attack that struck Pennsylvania.

Haley immediately felt her heart drop into her stomach. As bad as she wanted to look at her husband for comfort, she couldn't tear her eyes away from the screen.

"Mommy can you do this please?" he asked, wanting assistance in unbuttoning his jacket. Seeing that his wife was stuck on the television, he went over and maneuvered Jay's jacket off, while still keeping a close eye on the news.

"Turn it up" They both watched for a few more minutes, then watched as they showed some of the buildings that were still being cleared out. A building that Haley recognized easily.

"Phone" she demanded. Not that her husband understood it. "I need the phone. I have to call and see if she's okay, Taylor works near there, give me the phone" he could tell she was worried for her sister, by her outrageous tone.

After dialing for about ten minutes, and not getting through to anyone, she hung up the phone and went to sit next to Nathan.

Jay was very confused as to why his parents were upset about the tv, and couldn't understand what was going on. He just knew they were sad and tried to sit as still as possible as to not upset them more.

Haley jumped immediately when the phone started ringing and quickly had it to her ear. The relief that she was searching for was not granted when the male on the other end asked for 'Mr. Nathan Royal Scott'. After handing Jay off to his wife, Nathan took the call in the master bedroom.

After about ten minutes of silence, Haley began to hear moving and shuffling in her room where Nathan had gone. After changing the channel to cartoons for Jay, she made her way back into her bedroom only to be surprised.

On their king size bed, laid her husbands' cameo bag, slowly being filled with underclothes, and his uniforms that she hadn't seen in weeks.

Being in the Army Reserve, Nathan was required to take a weekend trip every month for training plus an additional two weeks every year for Field Training Exercise. His job as a Construction Equipment Repairer gave him the skills he needed to own the shop he had now, and his training exercises he had to attend yearly weren't in any way harmful, leaving Haley worry free on those visits. She was used to those trips being planned at the beginning of each year, so him packing his belongings at this moment sent fear through her body.

Just Breath!

Don't Hyperventilate!

Haley drew in a long deep breath, and when she let it out, a sob followed directly behind it. Nathan obviously heard her, but he wanted to do as much packing as possible knowing he had to be fast. He moved swiftly and then changed into one of his training uniforms. When he looked over at her, it made him sick to see her silent tears falling down her cheeks.

"Who was that" she dared to ask.

"It was my Commanding Officer, I have to be at Fort Hood tonight, and start training in the morning" He wanted so bad to shield her from all the pain he knew she'd be feeling, but there was nothing that he could do about this. He had orders.

"Why so soon?" she asked as she started to pace the floor.

Nathan sighed knowing this would be hard. He knew it would be even worse seeing as though she was pregnant, and very hormonal. "Haley, you saw what happened; I knew they'd call. And I have to go." He tried his best to be reasonable and understanding. "You know how this works by now Haley, and as of now you have nothing to be afraid of. Active Duty's been called up, so Reserve goes to fill in for them. There's such a small chance that I could be sent over there Hales. My orders are to report there for now, that's all I can give you."

"Why can't you just go to Randolph, it's near downtown" her breaths were coming out heavier as she asked questions she already knew the answer to.

"Haley, you know Randolph's an Air Force base, you have to calm down."

"But I don't want you to go, who's gonna take care of me and Jay while you're gone? And our daughter? What about the appointment tomorrow? What If something happens to you Nathan? I don't want them to grow up without a dad, and I couldn't handle that. Please don't go."

"Where's daddy going?" Jay asked from his place in the doorway. He had tears in his eyes, sensing that something bad was about to happen. His mommy was crying, and his dad had tears in his eyes.

"Buddy, daddy has to go away to work for a while" He figured he'd try to keep things simple with Jay.

"At the car shop?" was his innocent response.

"No, not there buddy, it's someplace that kind of far away."

"When will you come back?" He did not like this conversation at all. No wonder his mommy was sad.

"I don't know Jay. I hope I can come back soon, but they're not sure yet."

"Is that why mommy's crying?"

"Yes, she doesn't want me to leave"

"I don't either" Little tears spilled down his cheeks just as they had on his mothers.

Leaning forward, Nathan scooped him up in his arms hugging him, then allowed Haley into the embrace and held his crying family. It wasn't long until Jay's need for an afternoon break caught up to him and the small boy dozed off on his fathers' shoulder.

"I need to be leaving soon, Hood's about three hours away. I need to call a cab" He added thinking aloud.

"A cab? Why? We can drive down there together" she said as if it was the most obvious thing ever.

Looking into his wife's searching eyes, he groaned in frustration. He laid Jay on their bed, and pulled her into the walk in closet. "I don't want you to come" Seeing the questioning and disapproving look on her face, he continued, "I don't want to see you crying for me, It's already hard enough leaving you. Then you'd have to drive back alone crying for nearly three hours, probably longer if you remember traffic today. You could get into an accident Haley, and I'm not willing to take that chance are you?." He whispered out in all seriousness.

"What about Jay? You could never see him again Nathan, or this baby. What would I tell him?" She would fight to the end, and win this battle no matter what she had to say to him.

"I don't want you driving back alone" he said making sure she knew his biggest concern was her safety.

"Fine, we'll take your car, so you can have it there, then me and Jay can catch a cab back" She had it all worked out. Tonya had told her about the time when Matt was called away and she had to leave him that there were companies that offered services to drive families back home free of charge to show their support of the troops.

"Jay? I don't want him there! Don't make me say goodbye to him too." He was pleading with her at this point. He knew what he could possibly be getting himself into and the thought of never seeing his little boy again brought blinding pain to his entire body.

"So you just want to leave him without saying goodbye at all? What would that do to him?" Don't you want to spend as much time with him as you can? The ride will put him to sleep, but at least you'll be able to hold him and tell him you love him" She could see that she was getting through to him, and she was glad.

Looking into the room where he son lay asleep, he knew she was right. He could never just leave him so suddenly. "We need to leave now, I'll get Jay ready"

All his stuff was packed in the SUV and as a result of the horrible traffic, the two hour-forty minute drive took nearly four hours. Haley rested her head against him, every few seconds, softly demanding a kiss from her husband.

When they dropped his stuff in the room he'd been assigned to, and it was time for Haley and Jay to leave, they all broke down. The both figured that somehow Jay knew what was going on because he was wide awake and clinging to his fathers' neck while he hugged him goodbye.

Haley hated to see Nathan cry, knowing that he only did it when he was really scared, sad, or happy like when they got married and when Jay was born. When Haley's cab pulled up, they were very grateful for the driver waiting patiently.

This had been his third run up there today, and being in the army himself, he'd remembered how hard it was to say goodbye to his family, and knew this was his duty now.

"You know I love you Hales, so much"

"I know, and I love you too, so make sure you come back to us soon"

"I love Jay and this baby so much, and I will do whatever I can to come home soon" He knew there were no other promises he could really make her.

"Jay, say bye to daddy, and tell him you love him baby"

"I love you daddy" he hugged Nathan's neck tightly, simply knowing that he didn't want his daddy to be 'working' for any long period of time.

"Aww man, I love you too buddy, and don't forget that ok. You're my buddy, and your daddy loves you no matter what. Make sure you be good for mommy, and help her ok. You're a big boy now, so make sure you clean your room, and lift up your seat when you use the bathroom okay?" he asked tickling his stomach while saying the last part.

"I know daddy, I know!" he said giggling.

Nathan, himself laughed and hugged him tightly to his chest, and kissed his head numerous amounts of times.

Pulling Haley towards him, he nuzzled his face into her neck memorizing her smell, while Jay still lay against his shoulder. Pulling back, he lifted her chin up and looked her square in the eyes. As soon as he moved his head towards hers, she met his lips with hers and gently tugged on his bottom lip, making him open up and allowing her tongue to slip in his mouth. After that invite, he was quick to tilt her head back in order to gain better access to her mouth.

The only sad thing was that this felt like a goodbye.

"This isn't goodbye Hales. I could be home in two weeks for all we know."

"It feels like goodbye." She said with tears pouring down her red cheeks. Although she knew his comment was true, she also knew that it was unlikely and that instead of two weeks it could be two months.

"I love you…..don't ever forget that…. Ever. I love you so much."

"I love you too Nathan" was her simple reply.

"You guys gotta get going" He was grateful to the driver, but he knew that he had to get going.

"Yea I know, come on Jay." She said taking him from her husband.

"Don't carry him too much, and call someone if you need help. Don't try to be superwomen Hales."

"I won't Nathan, don't worry so much" she said clearly brushing his comment off.

"Promise me. Promise me you'll call someone if you need help."

"I promise"

"I want you to call me when you get home, or text me or something to let me know you're okay."

"I promise I will." she smiled when he bent down and kissed her stomach. He looked up and saw the look in Haley's eyes that she got every time their baby moved. He held his hand on her stomach silently willing the baby to kick, wishing he could experience that moment before they had to be separated.

"Bye baby, I love you"

"Love you too. Bye." One more kiss and she was in the cab.

Getting into the cab was the hardest thing she thought she'd have to do. She strapped Jay into the Hybrid Booster Seat they'd brought, and buckled herself in as well. She watched as Nathan slowly walked backwards with his hands in his pockets trying to keep his emotions together. She sent one last wave his way before grabbing a few tissues from her purse. Leaning towards Jay, she grabbed his hand and rubbed her thumb along the smooth skin praying that her family would be back together soon.

AN: So? Thoughts please! Everything in this chapter, just like every chapter comes from my knowledge, as well as a great amount of research as to not include any false information. I remember my sister barely showed with her second child and you honestly couldn't tell she was pregnant until her 7th month! And also low weight can cause baby to not "kick" and for the outside world to feel baby. Anywho share those thoughts please!

Jennifer!