Return to Tree Hill Chapter 1, an one tree hill fanfic

This is going to take place seven years after high school graduation. Nathan is returning home to take care of his and Hailey's six-year-old after being injured in the NBA. Peyton is pregnant. Luke and Lindsay are married and Brooke and Julian are married with twins.

Chapter One

Nathan pounded on the door of his childhood home in Tree Hill, North Carolina on a warm spring morning in April. The front yard was filled with the aromatic fragrances of his mother's flower beds and hanging baskets decorating the front porch. Seven years had elapsed since he'd last called this place home. After high school, he'd gone on to play basketball for Duke University, then the NBA. Multiple knee injuries had put an early end to his career. His first thought was to return home to Tree Hill. He missed out on too much of James's life and he had no idea what he was even walking out on when he went away to college at 18. When Hailey told him she was pregnant, he felt angry at her for making him feel guilty about following his dreams. He never considered how Hailey was going to manage.

"Dad open up!" Nathan called. He was not sleeping well these days and felt chronically irritable. There was never down time during the NBA, even during off-season the team was expected to train or be involved in publicity events and parties.

Dan appeared with a scowl on his face blocking the entrance, "What do you want?"

"Where's my son? Where's James?"

"He's in school!" Deb, Nathan's mom, called from the kitchen.

"You are such a disappointment son," Dan sneered. "You had so much potential. I invested so much into you and you didn't even last three seasons in the NBA."

"You know I got injured, Dad. I couldn't risk permanent damage to my knee," Nathan argued.

"You should have trained better. You were always weak," Dan scoffed. "Distracted by those hookers and booze. You never had the discipline. You're pathetic," Dan continued with his typical barrage of insults.

"I learned from the best," Nathan smirked. Dan didn't look amused. "The moving truck will be here with my pod of stuff tomorrow," Nathan added.

"You better be getting a job," Dan said.

"When does James get out of school?" Nathan asked, ignoring Dan, "or does Hailey have him today?" Nathan lost track of the schedule because it changed so much. "I want to surprise him."

Dan laughed sarcastically. "Hailey hasn't been around in almost a year. She's too busy with her singing career. You picked a winner alright."

"What?" Nathan couldn't believe it. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You were already struggling with the injury. I didn't want you to lose focus."

"You should have told me," Nathan said, angrily.

"James is better off without a mother like that," Dan scoffed.

"That's his mother. He's only six! Hasn't she even called?" Nathan demanded.

"A few times," Dan admitted. Nathan shook his head, something about that didn't sound right. He'd known Hailey to be a good mother, even though he rarely saw her because she mostly left James with his parents and he'd been too busy with his basketball career.

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Luke looked down at his latest novel. Lindsay had told him it was garbage, she was right even he didn't want to read it. He gazed out the window of the Staten Island apartment he shared with Lindsay in New York feeling overstimulated yet devoid of ideas. He had hoped going back home to Tree Hill over the holidays would help his writer's block, that maybe he would find some inspiration. It had been good to see his mom and little sister, Lily, and Keith for Christmas. He couldn't believe Lily was eight now and his mom truly seemed happy with Keith. He couldn't find the words to tell her things had not been good with Lindsay. When Karen asked him where Lindsay was he made up some excuse about a project she couldn't get away from. Then when he saw Peyton again, at Brooke and Julian's New Year's Party, everything suddenly felt right. They had slept together that night. He didn't regret it, though he never planned on it. He'd been missing Peyton and hadn't been able to get a coherent paragraph written since then.

Luke closed his eyes, remembering the song by Earl Thomas Conley, Holding Her and Loving You, he wondered how much Lindsay would despise that premise for his next book.

"I hope you are getting somewhere," Lindsay implored him, entering the room, her heels clicking against the hardwood. "I'm leaving now and I'll be back tonight. I'm meeting with a more promising client."

"I'm sorry," Luke apologized, without much feeling.

"You should be Luke. I'm supporting us! You haven't published anything in over a year," Lindsay complained.

"Get over yourself," Luke snapped.

"You have never appreciated me! I thought your brother was just joking during his best man toast when he said he never thought you would be over his ex-girlfriend Peyton."

"He was just joking! C'mon Lindsay he was just trying to be funny. Peyton wasn't even there, was she?" Luke asked.

"No, but that is her typical way of making a point and getting the attention on her."

"By not showing up? That's ridiculous," Luke argued. Though, he knew Lindsay was right. Peyton didn't want him to go through with the wedding and she'd told him she wanted to be with him when he'd gone to visit her in her music studio. Luke had said it was too late because he had already promised to marry Lindsay.

"You didn't even care when your friend Peyton told me she didn't like me," Lindsay went on.

"She was under a lot of pressure and you had just showed up unannounced to her studio," Luke fired back.

"To see Hailey…not her," Lindsay argued.

"You knew Peyton would be there and you didn't have to rub the engagement in her face."

"I can't believe you Luke. I don't get how you can be so thoughtful in your books but so selfish in real life. Don't think I don't notice when you make a pass at other women. Just last weekend we were out to dinner and –" Lindsay was interrupted, by an incoming text alert on Luke's phone.

She looked at him suspiciously and grabbed the phone.

"Hey!" Luke snapped

"It's just your dumb brother," Lindsay announced, flinging the phone over to him where it smacked the floor at his feet.

"You're going to ruin my phone," Luke glared at her, feeling pissed off.

"Whatever, I thought you could catch," Lindsay shrugged, closing the door behind her, like she couldn't stand to look at him another second.

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"Honey, you don't look so good," Brooke told her best friend Peyton.

Peyton twirled a pickle through vanilla ice-cream looking on as Brooke fed her one-year old twins baby food puree that they were slobbering everywhere.

"Don't you think you should talk to Lucas?" Brooke suggested.

"No," Peyton answered. "I haven't heard from him in four months."

"You need someone to take care of you," Brooke said in a soothing voice. "I remember being pregnant like it was yesterday. I couldn't go through it alone."

"It's fine," Peyton insisted. "I just can't talk to him about this – he's married to Lindsay."

"I know, but you are having his baby. That counts for something," Brooke spoke softly in a motherly tone as she fed the twins – Davis and Jude. Davis was pulling her hair with his sticky fingers. Peyton felt her stomach twisting in knots.

"I have to go to work," she announced, pulling herself up with an immense amount of effort. She felt like she had the flu. It was going to be a long shift at the pharmacy.

Brooke stood up and pulled Peyton into a hug. "I believe in you girl."

Peyton smiled, "Thanks. I love you. Your boys are lucky to have you. I don't know how you do everything and always make it look easy."

"Being a mom is so much better than I thought it would be. It's the best motivation and workout," Brooke winked. "You'll learn as you go trust me."

Peyton sniffed back a few tears feeling emotional. She felt a little flutter in her abdomen and knew her baby needed her to be strong.

"Come over to dinner tonight, we'll be eating around 6:30pm when Julian gets home. Maybe we'll watch a show after the twins are asleep," Brooke said, making a silly face at the babies.

Peyton felt acid creeping up her throat at the thought of food, but she just smiled and waved before heading to her car.

Later, Nathan picked up James and they went to the park.

"I missed you so much Daddy," the little boy said, looking at his father adoringly.

"I know buddy. I'm not leaving again. You and I are going to be a family."

"Mom too?" James asked, with hopeful eyes that reminded Nathan so much of his high school girlfriend.

"I don't know buddy," Nathan admitted.

"Why? I miss Mommy," James asked tearfully.

"It's complicated," Nathan said, patting his son's shoulder.

"I know it's because Chris is mean and won't let her see me," James cried.

"What?" Nathan asked feeling alarmed.

"Chris tells Mommy to shut up and said I'm a brat. Then she never came to see me after that," James said. "Grandpa Dan said Mommy is a bad mother and will probably have new babies with Chris and she won't want me anymore."

"Grandpa Dan says a lot of things he shouldn't, James."

"Will Mommy be home in time for my birthday next month?" James asked hopefully.

"I'll try to find out," Nathan said, wondering how Hailey could miss out on their son turning 7.

"I miss Mommy," James pouted, clearly not understanding why she was away.

"Hey, how about you let me sort all this out and promise me you won't worry. Deal?"

"Deal," James agreed, hesitantly, as Nathan gave him a hug.

"Now tell me what kinds of things they're teaching you in first grade," Nathan said, shifting to a lighter subject.

"They give us too much work," James said. "Spelling is hard and the teacher always says it's not neat enough. She's always making us read and its annoying," James added.

"That's why you should keep practicing, then it won't seem as hard," Nathan said, trying to sound encouraging. Although, he remembered hating writing assignments back in high school too. Hailey had been the one to help him with his literature class and essays and somehow got through to him. He owed her a lot.

Peyton was working at the Food Lion pharmacy when Dan came by to pick up his heart medications. She was biting back another round of vomit. Nothing agreed with her stomach these days. Dan approached the counter with a smug look saying he was in a rush.

"Do you have your insurance card?" Peyton asked.

"You know who I am," Dan stated with arrogance. "Just get the prescription."

"You'll have to sign the waiver form then, since you have no proof of insurance," Peyton explained the policy, pointlessly, since Dan never brought any insurance information along.

"Great," Dan said sarcastically.

Peyton rolled her eyes and turned to get the paperwork, "Here, you go. Fill this out and I'll be back with your pills."

"You don't look so good," Dan observed. "I can't imagine how you seduced both of my sons."

Peyton remained silent and walked a few feet away to get the medication bag. As she turned back toward Dan, his eyes grew wide as he caught a glimpse of her protruding stomach.

"Huh! You're pregnant," Dan gasped.

"None of your business," Peyton said, quickly returning with two bottles of pills.

"Thank goodness," Dan said.

"Don't mix these pills with alcohol, Mr. Scott. Any more questions for the pharmacist today?" Peyton said, trying to keep a neutral professional tone.

"Definitely not," Dan replied, dreading another lecture from the pharmacist.

"Good," Peyton stapled the instructions to the brown paper bag and slipped the pill bottles in. "Here you go," she tossed him the bag.

"Thanks for the charming customer service," Dan snapped rudely, fumbling with the bag.

"Next," Peyton called, ignoring Dan.

An elderly woman with a walker shoved passed Dan before he could say anything else.

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Dan arrived back at the house and saw Nathan and James playing basketball. Dan would not admit it, but he was looking forward to having Nathan around more.

"Where's your mother? I need her to fix me a sandwich," Dan asked.

"At the salon," Nathan shrugged.

"When will she be back?"

Nathan shrugged again, shooting a three pointer. It swished through the net with ease.

"James, go get Grandpa a beer," Dan told him. James nodded and ran inside.

"He's six, Dad!" Nathan shook his head in exasperation.

"So?" Dan snapped. "Anyway, you'll never guess what I learned at the pharmacy."

"Spare me Dad," Nathan said, dribbling the ball.

"You won't believe this but your ex, Peyton, is pregnant."

"No way," Nathan said, finally giving his Dad his attention.

"I can't decide who I'd want less for a daughter-in-law her or Hailey," Dan added.

"Dad – don't start about Hailey," Nathan warned.

Nathan knocked on Peyton's apartment door later that evening. He could hear the loud noise from the records she had spinning inside.

"You're back?" Peyton answered the door wearing pajamas and holding a bag of spicy sweet chili doritos. He could hear loud noises coming from the surrounding apartments and felt like he was back in the dorms at Duke.

"If it isn't the girl that stole my virginity," Nathan quipped. Peyton rolled her eyes and gave him a little shove. "Can we talk?" he asked. Peyton shrugged and went back to sitting on the couch.

"So, I guess your Dad told you," Peyton surmised giving him a curious look. Nathan nodded.

"About the new bundle of joy," Nathan finished. "Yeah, he did. I figured I'd come check on you, make sure you're ok. I didn't know you were seeing anyone," Nathan said.

"You haven't been around much," Peyton said. "I'm not seeing anyone though."

"So? what happened?"

"Are you patronizing me?" Peyton asked, feeling suddenly dizzy. She got up to see if there was any more ginger ale in her fridge, but when she got there all she found was a bottle of ketchup, pickles, and old takeout containers. Nathan wasn't far behind her.

"Looks like you need to buy some food," Nathan observed. Peyton rolled her eyes, moving past him to look in the cupboards. There wasn't much there either except poptarts and dried pasta. Peyton leaned against the counter, feeling her headache worsening.

"Peyton," Nathan put his arm around her steadying her, "maybe you should sit back down."

"Nathan this isn't your problem, go home to James," Peyton said. "I'm fine," she added, when Nathan didn't budge from her side.

"You look sick come on, let's go sit. I can order you a grocery shipment at least."

After they returned to the couch, Nathan went to grab her a blanket.

"How far along are you?" he asked.

"I don't know exactly. I haven't actually been to the doctor," Peyton admitted.

"What? Why?" Nathan asked.

Peyton sighed. "I'm planning to soon, okay."

"Peyton come on, you should be seeing a doctor to make sure you and the baby are ok."

"I'm scared," Peyton admitted.

"Do you know who the father is?" Nathan asked.

"What kind of question is that," Peyton said.

"He should be there for you right?" Nathan asked.

"Like you were with Hailey?" Peyton crossed her arms.

"That was seven years ago. I was a dumb kid. C'mon do you want me to talk to the father for you?"

"No," Peyton said.

"Why?" Nathan asked. "Don't you think you deserve better than this from him?"

Peyton took a small sip of orange juice and remained silent.

"What's with the mystery?" Nathan asked.

"It's your brother, okay, and I'm not telling him," Peyton finally said, feeling better to have someone to talk to about it. "Don't you dare tell Dan either," she warned him.

"What? You and Luke? When did that happen?"

"New Year's. It only happened once," Peyton said, eating a few more doritos.

"Look, Peyton, I get that's not ideal, but you can't go on like this no healthy food, no doctor," Nathan told her, looking concerned.

"I don't know what to do. I don't want to break up his marriage. He obviously wants to stay with her. I mean you know I will be the one blamed for this right?" Peyton said, meeting Nathan's eyes.

"Who else knows its his baby?" Nathan asked.

"Brooke, that's it," Peyton said. "And only because she guessed."

"Not even Julian," Nathan said.

"No," Peyton shook her head.

"Does Hailey know you're back?" Peyton asked, changing the subject.

"Hailey hasn't been returning any of my calls," Nathan said, looking toward the ceiling as he heard loud thumping above them.

"Does that surprise you?" Peyton asked.

"Well…yeah," Nathan said, used to getting his way. "It's messed up. I thought she was taking care of James."

"Sorry," Peyton said, she leaned in on impulse and kissed his cheek. Nathan rested his forehead against hers running his hand through her curly blond hair remembering their connection. Before he knew it, he was kissing her lips, losing himself in the moment. Peyton seemed unsure but started kissing him back, placing her hands on the back of his neck pulling him closer. She felt her emotions were all over the place being pregnant. Nathan wrapped his arms around her, running his hands over her body as they continued making out.

"What if its mine?" he whispered, breathing heavily in her ear.