Chapter 65: Naley

Monday, January 2nd, Night

He walked into the living room of his mansion Raven Hill and took a seat on the sofa next to his wife. She moved over and cuddled up next to him. He put his foot upon the table and stretched out to put his arm around her. Haley pulled a blanket over her. Nathan sighed and rubbed his knee. She looked at him.

"Is your knee bothering you?" Haley asked.

Nathan nodded, "Yeah, the weather's causing it," he said.

Haley nodded, "How's the horde?" she asked.

"They're bedded down for the night," Nathan said.

"How's LK?" Haley asked.

"In her room, reading a book, as normal," Nathan said.

Haley nodded and cuddled closer, "You've done a remarkable job with the kids," she said.

"Thanks, it's been hard work," Nathan said, "It's been a long four years, but all worth it."

"Have I've ever told you how much I appreciate what you did, and I'm sorry you had to give up coaching. I know it meant a lot to you," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, "You have," he said.

"You didn't have to," Haley said.

"I know, but what else could we do? You were having to stabilize RBR, and suddenly we had an eight, three, and two-year-olds," Nathan said, "They could and did easily find another basketball coach and history teacher. Just like they replaced you. Anyways we didn't need me to work, and the grandkids needed someone home."

Haley nodded, "You're very good with them," she said.

Nathan smiled, "They are at heart, good kids, maybe the worst thing I could say about them is Brian and Gabi didn't discipline them," he said.

"Even Lacy?" Haley asked.

"Even Lacy," Nathan said.

"Lacy certainly is a trouble maker," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, and chuckled a little, "She's Gabi's daughter," he said.

Haley shifted under the blanket. She yawned and looked at the TV. The show was okay, it was still the holiday season, this was trending on Netflix and it wasn't a holiday movie. After a minute she looked up at Nathan.

"Speaking of Lacy, isn't this weekend Rachel's weekend?" Haley asked.

Nathan nodded, "Yes, I'll be taking them there Saturday morning," he said.

Haley nodded, "Why does she have to live so far out of the way?" she asked.

Nathan shrugged, "I don't know," he said.

Haley laughed, "Some peace and quiet," she said, "Well at least for a night."

Nathan nodded, "Yes, like what it was before the grandkids," he said.

"Yeah," Haley said and leaned her head against Nathan again.

"What are we watching?" Nathan asked.

"It's called Orange Is the New Black," Haley said.

"Is it a woman in prison show?" Nathan asked.

Haley nodded, "Yeah, it's based on the creator's life," she said.

Nathan nodded and looked over the TV. "Most women in prison shows are of the adult variety," he said.

"Nathan, really?" Haley asked, shocked.

Nathan shrugged, "That's some of the stories Tim would tell," he said.

"Tim? As in Tim Smith?" Haley asked.

"Yes, that Tim," Nathan said.

Haley playfully slapped Nathan. Nathan flinched on the impact, then chuckled a little bit. "Nathan you know Tim isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer. Also, he got arrested at your bachelor party when he thought the woman cops were strippers," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, "He sometimes has good insight," Nathan said.

"A broken clock is right twice a day, Nathan," Haley said.

"You do have a point there," Nathan said.

"I always do," Haley said.

"Is it me or is Luke getting worse?" Nathan asked.

"It's not you," Haley said, "It's more than just you and me that think that too."

"Okay," Nathan said.

"I think it's more than you think too," Haley said.

"What else is there?" Nathan asked.

"We're getting older, the kids are getting older, and he's a grandfather, and his youngest is almost in college," Haley said.

"I can imagine," Nathan said and looked to the ceiling.

"Plus, there's Ellis and Nomi's living status," Haley said.

"Aren't they staying with Brooke?" Nathan asked, already knowing the answer.

"Yes, she's watching them while Keith and Izzy are away, but he's involved, a lot as you know," Haley said.

"I just can't understand why he can't shake this?" Nathan asked.

"I don't know either," Haley said, "Well I do, it's not something, I'd expect anyone to get over easily."

"Yeah, but every year, he gets like this," Nathan said.

"Remember Kay's accident happened not long after," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, "I'm surprised she lived," he said, "Or kept her arm."

"Have you talked to Kay recently?" Haley asked.

Nathan shook his head, "No, she's hiding in Chicago," he said.

"Do you blame her?" Haley asked.

"No, too many bad memories, here," Nathan said, "But what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?"

"Just a lot of bad memories here, I guess," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, "A lot of good ones as well, more I would dare to say," he said.

"Maybe that's not what Lucas is thinking," Haley suggested.

Nathan shook his head, "I can't spend all my time worrying about my brother, with four kids to raise, and a wonderful wife to keep happy," Nathan said.

"Nathan just being the wonderful man you are, makes me happy," Haley said.

Nathan leaned over and kissed Haley on the top of her head. This made Haley smile. He straightened up and looked at the TV.

"Nathan, you have time, the kids are in school, you can talk to Lucas, to see what's bothering him," Haley said.

Nathan shrugged, "Maybe, he'll talk to me when he's ready," he said.

"Nathan, it's Lucas," Haley said.

"I don't get this show," Nathan said, he said changing the subject.

"You will just keep watching, you didn't get Desperate Housewives at first," Haley said.

Nathan nodded, "True," he said, "Didn't we hang out with some of the cast of Desperate Housewives?"

Haley patted Nathan's leg, "That was a lifetime ago. You'll get it, I believe in you," she said.

"Thanks," Nathan said, and chuckled, they both turned to watch the TV.