Chapter 20: Some Things Never Change
It was 4am and Nathan was really confused when he rolled over to lay his hand on Haley's back when he noticed the bed was empty. Haley was never a morning person, so for her to not be in bed right now signaled a red flag in Nathan's brain. He got up, using the bathroom quickly and sleepily walked over into the kitchen to see her hunched over writing like crazy. He smiled at the sight of her in this kind of habitat in state, reminding him that she was perfect in every single way.
"What's my girl doing up at 4am when there is a big warm bed waiting for her and a lonely fiancée who wants to cuddle?" Nathan walked over, rubbing Haley's back as she continued to write.
"Just doing some writing I guess. I couldn't sleep." Haley didn't look up at Nathan; she didn't want him to see her puffy face from crying.
"What are you writing?"
"Just some song lyrics. I want to get back into my music again, it's been a while."
"Hales, babe, that's awesome! But do you have to do it 4 in the morning? Come back to bed." Nathan pleaded with her, her concentration on the words never ending.
"I just couldn't sleep Nathan, I have a lot on my mind." She could feel the tears forming in the back of her eyes and she took a deep breathe to try and control them so Nathan would see her at this weak moment.
"Hey, look at me. It sounds like you have been crying." She looked up at him and cursed herself as the tears slowly began to roll down her cheek. Nathan immediately pulled her into his grasp and held her as her sobs became more and more powerful. He didn't know why she was hurting, but he wished he did. Haley deserved to be happy and it was clear that there was something that was bothering her to the point of her breaking down in the kitchen, writing songs at 4 am. She continued to cry for a little as Nathan continued to hold her close and rub her back, showing her the comfort that she needed to feel and to know that his presence was there. "Talk to me Hales. Tell me what's going on baby." He whispered softly, as her sobs began to cease and she began to breathe normal again, never letting go of his embrace.
"Everything is wrong." She muttered and Nathan felt his heart break. He had obviously been absent during her collapse of emotions and he couldn't let himself live this down. He had to be here for her right now when she needed him the most. He didn't like to see her cry. He pulled away from her and took her hand, as he lead them over to the couch where she sat down. He turned on the lamp next to her and sat across from her, grabbing her hands and holding them and kissing them to remind her that he was here and he was listening.
"Talk to me Hales."
"First Dan goes crazy and threatens me, telling me how I will never be good enough for you and he's right. Then he tries to kidnap me and kills Chris, one person who was a great friend to me and was really talented. He saved my life and I can't even repay him."
"Hales, listen to me: Dan is wrong. You are good enough for me Hales, you are more than good enough for me, and you are perfect. If anyone is bad for the other it's me. I don't deserve you Hales. I don't deserve your unfailing kindness and heart of gold, or how you have such a free spirit and always see the good in people despite all the bad that they have done. Dan is a bully. He has been a bully my entire life, don't let his words get to you. That's what he wants and I know that's hard baby, but you need to be confident because I love you Haley Bob James and only you for as long as I live."
"But he won't stop."
"You're right he won't, and you shouldn't have to put up with that but trust my word over his. He means nothing and he is just trying to get into your head. And I'm sorry about Chris and that he took his life away, but we will make sure justice is served for you and Chris and his family. He is always with you in heart Hales, that's what you used to tell me about Keith. And his music is still alive. He is always here." Nathan pointed to his heart and Haley nodded, looking down at the ground with her tears still falling. She didn't know why she was so full of emotion right now but it felt right to finally be able to get out all of her sorrows and doubts.
"I just wish I could have saved him."
"You can't save everyone Hales. I know you're big heart of yours wants to believe that you can, but you can't. You have to understand that baby."
"I wish we had a baby." Nathan looked at her as shocked at her words as she was.
"We will have a baby one day Hales. We just have to make it down that aisle first and then we can have all of the babies that you want. And when that day comes, I hope they all look like you and have the same beautiful and gracious spirit that you do." Haley smiled as she leaned in to kiss him.
"I love you Nathan. Thank you." He smiled back at her and pulled her in close.
"That's what I'm here for Hales, and I love you too. More than you could ever possibly know. Now, let's go to bed. You need to rest those pretty tired eyes of yours."
- Friends First then Love -
Haley walked into Karen's café feeling a hell of a lot better than she had in a while. Talking to Nathan had been exactly what she needed and she felt like she was making progress already in the healing process. Her main goal now was to find Dan and somehow make sure that justice was served. She knew that he had been the one to kill Chris, she could feel it in her bones and she knew she wasn't crazy. She had this feeling that she couldn't let go, and she knew there had to be a way for him to either confess or to prove that he wasn't the innocent Dan Scott that everyone liked to believe. Chris and his family deserved some sort of closure and she figured that was the least that she could do to pay back his family for all that he had done for her, including saving her life and bringing her back to the music.
"Hi sweetie!" Karen's pleasant voice rang through the café as Haley entered, felling at ease and peaceful when she entered the café. This had been her home for so long growing up, and since Haley and Nathan weren't headed back to Duke until tomorrow, she figured she owed Karen a little visit.
"Hi Karen! God, it smells great in here!"
"Just making my usual blueberry muffins. Would you like one?" Karen replied, smiling sweetly at Haley as she pulled the muffins from the oven. "Nice and hot."
"I would LOVE one!" Haley replied, sitting down at the counter, taking in the aroma of the muffins one last time before she dived in. She was so eager to eat the muffin that she took a bite and immediately burnt her mouth dropping the muffin back onto the plate as Karen chuckled at her.
"You never were one to wait when it came to those muffins." Karen replied, chuckling and handing Haley a glass of milk.
"I can't help it Karen, I lived off these in high school. They remind me of a much simpler time." Haley replied, reliving the high school days when her and Lucas would come here in the mornings for breakfast before school. Haley counted that as her favorite part of every day because Karen's felt like home.
"So, what's new with you Haley James? How is the wedding planning going? Coming up quick isn't it?"
"Yeah, you could say that again. I've actually been putting it on the back burner lately with everything involving Chris and trying to get back into my music." Haley blew on the muffin before taking another bite as she sighed with content at the way the muffin tasted as it melted in her mouth.
"It is definitely unfortunate to hear what happened to Chris. I hope they find whoever did it."
"Me too… and Nathan really hasn't been very present with the whole wedding planning thing lately either so that's kind of a bummer. I know he's busy with training and all of that but it would be nice to have more of an input then a shoulder shrug."
"That's how men are sweetie, that is something that will never change."
"Nathan's normally more, present. He seems to be distant lately." Haley finished the muffin and the glass of milk, feeling a wave of sudden peace.
"Nathan's a smart boy who loves you very much. I am sure he has a good reason dear. He could be stressed about everything going on and making sure he provides a good home for you. But if he does act up, send him to me. I'll set him straight." Karen winked as she took the plate and dish from Haley and placed it in the sink. Karen was the least intimidating woman you would ever meet but when she got mad, she got mad and you're best bet was to steer clear of her. She had pissed Karen off one time in high school and after that, she made sure to never do it again. Haley was about to say something else when she felt big hands covering her eyes and she laughed.
"Guess who." The familiar voice said, as they kept their hands over her eyes.
"Luke!" Haley replied excitedly as she took his hands off her eyes and turned to face him. He looked happy and healthy and much better than he had been in a while.
"Hi Hales – glad to see you still enjoy those muffins." He laughed as he gently brushed off a muffin crumb from her cheek.
"You caught me red handed Luke. What can I say? Some things never change."
"I can see that, it's good to know you're the same muffin-lover Haley James that I have always known. Anyways, are you busy today?"
"No, why? What's up?"
"I was hoping you would come shopping with me for the baby. We decided on a name, and I want you to be the first to hear it."
"EKK! That's so exciting Lucas! I still call dibs on godmother though.." Haley was half joking but she did expect to be the baby's godmother. She was, Lucas's best friend after all and her and Brooke had become very close over the past couple of years.
"Brooke and I haven't gotten that far yet, but you are definitely number one on our list Hales. Now, let's go shopping."
They both excitedly exited the café and made their way down the street to the baby store, walking in and feeling overwhelmed with all that there was to offer. They had spent at least an hour and a half in there when they finally decided it was time to go. They had been asked at least a dozen times how far along Haley was and if they were married, and by the last time they had made up such an extravagant story that the clerk walked away looking severely confused and spooked out. They laughed and checked out with four different bags of things, and headed back to the café to get some lunch. Haley realized she missed this time with her best friend and that they both had been so busy with her and Nathan moving and Lucas detoxing that they really didn't get to spend time together like they used to. Haley wasn't sure when she would see Lucas next so she decided maybe he was the perfect person to confide in about the entire Dan and Chris Keller situation. Lucas despised Dan, so he wouldn't be hard to convince. He never forgave Dan for killing Keith, frankly no one had, but he would agree that murder was something Dan Scott was definitely capable of.
"Luke, there's actually something I wanted to talk to you about.."
"Oh God Hales, please tell me you're not pregnant."
"Oh God no! Not yet at least. I would like to make it through the wedding first." Haley laughed when Lucas let out a sigh of relief. "But promise me you won't think I'm crazy?"
"I can't promise that because you are already a little crazy Hales but in a good way, and that's why I love you." He playfully jabbed her in the shoulder as she rolled her eyes.
"Be serious Lucas!"
"Okay, okay! I promise. Now, what's going on?"
"I think Dan killed Chris…" Lucas's jaw dropped and Haley regretted saying anything at that moment. Maybe she was alone in this, but it felt good to tell someone.
- Friends First then Love -
Nathan ran into Clay outside of the gym. Clay had been his friend that he met who was studying to be a sports agent and who appeared at all of the basketball training sessions like a weirdo. Clay seemed promising, but also a little odd but Nathan decided maybe he should get to know the guy. After all, Clay had inspired him to study business if he felt the need to try something new and since Haley had befriended this Alex character, he figured it was time for him to make some friends too. He had left Tree Hill before Haley, taking a taxi so that she could take the car back and he missed her like crazy but basketball never stopped. He was lonely and felt he could use some company when he saw Clay sitting there outside of the gym looking at stats of some sort.
"Hey man." Nathan said as he walked over and stood in front of Clay who looked up and smirked at him.
"Ahh Nathan Scott, we meet again. What's going on man?"
"Not much. I was wondering if you wanted to hang out. You seemed kind of lonely, and I could use a friend. I'm not very good at making them sometimes but my fiancée thinks I could use a new friend or two."
"Sure man. You're the guy I talked to about being an agent the other day right?"
"Yeah man, the more I think about it the more plausible it seems. I may not like the NBA so it might be good to have a backup."
"You not like the NBA? Please. You're Nathan Scott. Your numbers are incredible. Duke is lucky to even have you on your team!" Nathan shot him a look that said "you're freaking me out" and Clay continued. "I know, I look like a creep right now but I researched your numbers when I found out they had recruited you. I didn't tell you this before but I'm a junior, which means that I could be your guy when you graduate."
"Oh gotcha. I mean, it can't hurt to try and be friends right?"
"Want to go grab some beer?"
"You don't have to ask me twice." Nathan replied as he helped Clay up off the ground and headed out. He was impressed when he saw the Corvette that Clay drove and decided that he was a good guy to become friends with, especially if he could potentially be Nathan's way into the NBA or a sports agency.