A/N:
It's been a long time since I've watched the show, but I've always loved it and it has always stuck with me. This was a random thought that just popped into my head, we'll see how it goes. This first one is short, but the others will be longer. Please, read and review!
Disclaimer: I do not own One Tree Hill.
Chapter 1 - The Fireplace
"Babe, do you know where I put the keys?" Haley was pulled from her thoughts, as she heard his voice travel from upstairs.
She was sitting by the fireplace, a blanket enveloping her. Haley could hear him running down the stairs and when she turned, she saw him leaning against the archway which coaxed a smile to her features."No, but check the kitchen, didn't you come in from a grocery run earlier?" She offered. A warm smile spread across his face, "Right, thanks!"Even though he didn't say anything, his look said plenty. "Don't worry, I'll be here," she replied. He stood there silent, as though he was contemplating adding something else and she braced herself for it. Luckily for her, it never came, and instead he gave her another smile and disappeared into the kitchen. A sigh of relief was expelled from her lips, they'd had about a million and one conversations centering on the same thing over the past few weeks and frankly, she couldn't take another one.
The fact that he'd been called back into the city had been a blessing in disguise, if you asked her. Ever since they'd gotten here a week ago, Haley had started to feel a little more like herself, though she wasn't sure she even remembered who she'd been before anymore; so many things had changed. She loved it out here at the country house, the nature, the silence, and first and foremost the snow. Christmas was only a week away, and normally she'd be head over heels, preparing a ton of food and sweets, singing Christmas carols, and hanging Christmas lights all over the place, but not this year. She just couldn't conjure up the spirit right now.
"Hey." She was almost startled as she felt his hands on top of her shoulders. Her head tilted backward and she looked into his blue eyes. "I'll be back before Christmas, I promise, okay? And you call if you need anything or if you need me to come back, alright?" There was that tone again, and Haley swallowed, hoping that they wouldn't get into it again. "I know," she replied and added a bright smile to convince him further. "I'm fine, you know I love it here and the peace and quiet is just what I need. Maybe I'll even try to play a little," she said as she motioned her head toward the piano in the middle of the room. This seemed to do the trick as she felt his arms pull her out of her chair, "that sounds great," he murmured. "You know, I love you, right, Hales?" I love you too," she replied quickly, before their lips met.
Once she heard the door close behind him, she walked back to the chair in front of the fireplace. Her light brown eyes focused on the flames and the peaceful, crackling sound. An old memory suddenly appeared, and Haley found herself thinking about her life choices and if she'd ended up where she was supposed to be.