A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews! I hope you like this chapter. I know it's taken a long time, but now summer's here so I should be updating about once or twice a week. Hope everyone is enjoying the summer, and hopefully nice weather.
I do not own OTH or it's characters. The song in this chapter is "Love and Memories" by O.A.R.
Maybe
I am a crowded mind
I watch your eyes glaze over
Stared down at
the floor
You were amazing to me
I was amazing to you
But
here we go again
Didn't you
Love me faster than the devil
Run
me straight into the ground
Drowning deep inside your
water
Drowning deep inside your sound
Love me faster than the
devil
Run me straight into the ground
Drowning deep inside your
water
Drown in love and memories
Nathan and Haley couldn't sleep that night. Nathan was too excited for words, but at the same time he was more nervous than ever before. Haley stayed up because she knew how much this meant to Nathan. She wanted to be there for him, she wanted him to have what he wanted more than anything. Haley was overjoyed that they would have a new edition to their seemingly perfect family. She just hoped it all worked out for the best.
The next morning Haley and Nathan rushed to get ready. Blood was pumping fast through Nathan's veins. He couldn't even think straight. Both of them jumped in their hybrid car and headed toward his lawyer's office. The drive seemed like it would never end. Nathan wanted to get there fast, and even in the small town of Tree Hill, the drive couldn't go by fast enough. Haley and Nathan flung the car doors open and walked into the office of Nathan's lawyer. Smiles were beaming from their faces.
"Why hello there, Mister and Misses Scott," the lawyer said looking at the two of them.
Nathan and Haley just looked at each other knowing that Haley wasn't really "Mrs. Scott," well, at least not anymore.
"Hi, I'm so glad you called," Nathan said shaking the man's hand.
"Well, I figured you'd gladly accept the news, so I decided it would be okay to call so late."
"It was fine and we're so glad you did," Haley spoke, clutching Nathan's hand in her own.
"So where is she? Is she here?" Nathan asked.
"No, she's not here. We're going to need to run to an adoption agency. They're expecting us. We actually found her a few weeks ago, but we figured it was best that she be transferred to the closest place before we told you. Besides, we needed to get all legalities figured out," the man explained.
"So is everything taken care of? Do I need to do anything?" Nathan asked.
"Well, the money needed was withdrawn from your account, so that's all set. The paper work and legalities are all set. The agency performed background checks with our permission. All that needs to be done is some paper signing when we get to the place."
"That's great. Let's go then," Nathan said, his voice cracking with excitement.
"Okay, it's about an hour away. You don't have anything you need to attend to do you?" the lawyer asked.
"No, we cancelled everything for the day," Haley chimed from Nathan's side.
"Okay, let's get going then. You two can either drive with me or you two can follow me."
"We'll drive behind you," Haley smiled squeezing Nathan's hand.
The drive seemed endless. Haley smiled at Nathan every two seconds, reassuringly. She knew he was nervous. He may have put on his "tough Nathan Scott" face, but she knew better. She could tell by his little body movements that a million thoughts were running through his head.
"What if she doesn't like me?" Nathan broke the silence.
"Nathan, she's going to love you. You're her father."
"I know, but what if she just doesn't like me? I mean I don't like my dad."
"You're not your dad Nathan."
"What if she and Natalie don't get along," Nathan asked quickly. His words were all jumbled together. He could barely speak.
"Nathan, Natalie is a people person. She loves everyone. Plus, what is there for three year olds to fight about?"
"I don't know. I mean girls fight all the time."
"Actually, sisters fight all the time. That's what they're supposed to do. I mean, take you and Lucas, for example, you two fight all the damn time," Haley said rubbing Nathan's arm reassuringly.
"I'm just so worried about all of this. I always pictured this day being great, you know? Now it's here and I'm worried that something awful is going to happen," Nathan confessed.
"How about this? You just focus on seeing your baby girl for the first time ever. Be excited! You're going to see your daughter!" Haley was practically yelling with joy.
"I'm going to see my daughter," Nathan repeated in a whisper.
When they arrived at the agency, which was about an hour away, Nathan and Haley met with the lawyer outside of the building.
"Are you ready for this Mr. Scott?" the man asked.
"I've been ready for this for three years now," Nathan said with his famous Scott grin.
The three of them walked into the agency to the front desk. They were greeted by a brunette woman in her late forties.
"You must be Nathan Scott," the woman said smiling. "We've been expecting you."
"Yes, I am Nathan Scott," Nathan said smiling back at her.
"And who is this fine young lady?" the woman asked, referring to Haley.
"I'm Haley," she said extending her hand to the woman.
"Okay, so this lovely lawyer of yours has everything taken care of, so all I need you to do is sign some of these papers for me," the woman extended her hand, full of papers.
"Thank you," Nathan said smiling. He began signing his name on all the given lines. He felt as if he had never signed his name so much in his entire life. It was worth it though; after all he was going to meet his daughter today.
When he was all finished he handed the papers back to the woman. She nodded her head and looked to make sure that everything was appropriately signed.
"Okay, Mr. Scott, today's the day," the woman said smiling.
"I'm ready," he said with a quick smirk.
"Your little girl is right this way. Follow me please," the older woman said extending her arm forward.
Nathan had a million thoughts racing through his head. He could barely put one foot in front of another to follow the woman. He had no idea what he was going to say to his daughter. What exactly do you say to your three year old that you've never seen before in your life?
Nathan arrived in the room and his eyes began to well up with tears when he saw the little girl in front of him. She was a beautiful, tiny girl. Her hair was almost black and her eyes were a blue-green. She was wearing a pink sundress and she had a shy look on her face.
"Here she is Mr. Scott. Her name is Sophie Beth Scott. I'll give you two a moment." The woman and the lawyer walked out of the room to a small office just down the hall.
"Do you want me to stay or go Nathan?" Haley looked at him with her big brown eyes. Her eyes were filled with tears, too. The little girl looked just like Nathan.
"I want you to stay. She's your family, too," Nathan said with a slight grin. He walked over to the little girl and squatted down so he could be at eye level with her.
"Hi, Sophie. I'm your daddy," Nathan said, struggling not to cry.
"Hi," the girl said slowly.
"And this is your new mommy," Nathan said pointing to Haley.
"Hi," the girl spoke softly.
Haley waved at her with a smile on her face.
"We're going to take you home. You're going to stay with us now. We're going to be a nice family," Nathan said.
"Where are you taking me?" the girl asked quietly.
"We're going to take you to our big house. And you'll have your own room. And guess what else? You're going to have a sister!" Nathan said, trying to assure the girl. She was quiet. Very quiet. Nathan assumed that was from staying with an agency, and not a family.
"A sister?" the girl asked excitedly.
"Yeah, her name's Natalie," Haley said with a smile.
"Is she nice?" Sophie asked.
"Oh, she's very nice. You two will be good friends," Nathan said putting a hand on the small girl's shoulder.
"So you two are going to be my family now? I'm going to have a real mommy and daddy?" the girl asked hopeful.
"Yeah, we're going to be your mommy and daddy now," Nathan said with a smile. He had tears in his eyes now. He couldn't hold them back any longer.
Sophie took a few short steps and threw her arms around them in a hug. Nathan and Haley threw their arms around her as well, as squeezed her close to them.
"How about we go home to see your new room?" Nathan asked. Earlier he called Brooke and told her to make the room fit for a princess. He didn't give her any reason why. He just told her to make it suitable for a three year old. Brooke assumed that Natalie was getting yet another extravagant room. She couldn't argue with redecorating though, especially when it was on someone else's credit card.
"What color is it?" Sophie asked excitedly.
"It's a surprise," Haley said with a grin. Honestly, she had no idea what color it was.
When they left the room, the worker from the agency greeted them.
"So how do you like your new family Soph?"
"They're nice. I'm going to have a sister Mrs. Bosky!" the girl exclaimed excitedly.
"That's great. I'm going to miss you sweetie," the woman said hugging Sophie.
"Can I come visit sometimes?" she asked, looking at Nathan and Haley.
"Of course you can," Nathan said with a smile.
"Good. I'll miss you," Sophie said waving.
Haley took Sophie's hand and started leading her out of the place.
Nathan stayed behind to talk to Mrs. Bosky for a minute.
"She's a little shy, but once she feels comfortable with you, she'll never stop talking."
"I got it. I'm a pediatrician. I'm used to working with kids."
"It's different though, you'll be living with one," the woman said placing her hand on Nathan's shoulder.
"We've already got one little girl staying with us. I think we can manage," Nathan said jokingly toward the woman.
"That's good. Sophie loves playing, so hopefully they'll get along. I've made a list of things she likes and things she doesn't like. Fortunately, she's not allergic to anything. I wrote down some of her habits. I just want it to be an easy transition."
"Thank you so much. I'll bring her back for a visit soon."
"Good luck, Mr. Scott. If you need anything, just give me a call."
"Thanks, I'll be seeing you," Nathan said waving. He walked out of the building and saw Haley sitting in the car with the girl. Sophie was in the backseat, in a booster seat.
"So, we have an hour ride home, okay?" Nathan said asking Sophie.
"Okay, I don't ride in cars much," Sophie said.
"It's okay, we'll play a game to take your mind off things. Plus, we can get to know you a little better," Haley said.
"Okay!" Sophie said excitedly.
"Okay, what's your favorite color?" Haley asked.
"Hmm…purple," Sophie smiled. Haley and Nathan looked at each other and smiled, knowing it was their color. "What's yours?" Sophie asked them.
"I like blue," Nathan said.
"I like purple too," Haley said looking in the mirror to see Sophie.
"We're like twins!"
"Yes, we are."
"Okay, next question," Nathan started, "What's your favorite wild animal?"
"Bunny!" Sophie yelled. Nathan and Haley just laughed in the front seat. "What's yours mommy and daddy?"
Nathan and Haley smiled with extreme at the term. Haley was thinking now, if Nathan let his daughter be such a huge part of her life, it was time for Haley to let Nathan adopt Natalie. She would wait for a more appropriate time to tell him.
"I like tigers," Nathan said, "they're very ferocious."
"I like dolphins," Haley said.
"Favorite sport?" Nathan asked.
"Basketball! I'm really good too. I can make lots of free throws, with a little help," Sophie rushed out.
"She is definitely your kid," Haley said looking at Nathan.
"That she is," Nathan said looking at Haley.
"Your daddy loves basketball. He used to be the best player on his team in high school."
"Really? Can we play together sometime?" Sophie asked.
"Yes, and your sister, Natalie, can play too. She loves basketball."
"Cool. Do you like basketball mommy?"
"I like to watch your daddy play basketball. I'm not really into sports."
"That's okay. Sometimes I like to color instead."
"Oh, I love to color," Haley said in laughter. It was true. She loved to color; even at the age of thirty.
"Next question," Sophie said from the back seat.
"Favorite food?" Haley asked.
"Sketti!" Sophie said.
"Natalie loves spaghetti too," Nathan said. "Your mom is a great cook."
"Good, because I love to eat."
"I can cook you anything you want for your first night at home," Haley offered.
"Okay, I'll have to think real hard."
"Okay, just tell me when you know."
"How about your favorite movie?" Nathan asked.
"I love Aladdin! I want to be just like Jasmin. She's so pretty!"
"She's not nearly as pretty as you," Haley said smiling.
"Thank you," Sophie said shyly.
"What's your favorite movie?" Sophie asked.
Haley searched her mind for a movie that Sophie would know of. She decided to go with one that she and Natalie watch together all the time. "I love Finding Nemo."
"Oh, that's a good one," Nathan said. "My favorite is Monster's Inc."
"Can we get a pet Nemo?" Sophie asked.
"Of course we can. He can be your special pet."
"Actually, I want a bunny! Can I get a bunny? I never hads a pet before."
"Sure, you can get a bunny. What would you name it?" Haley asked.
"I would name it Chester. Chester the bunny!" Sophie giggled in the backseat.
"What's your favorite thing to do besides basketball and coloring?" Haley asked.
"I like to play dance class. I always wanted to be a ballerina."
"Really? I took a few dance classes when I was a really little girl, but I always fell."
Sophie giggled in the back seat.
"And your father is a horrible dancer," Haley said with a smirk.
"I am not!" Nathan protested. "Actually, I am."
Sophie laughed again. "You two are very funny."
Haley and Nathan laughed together. "So how about we sign you up for some tap dancing lessons when you get settled in?" Nathan asked.
"Really? Are you sure?" Sophie asked, her eyes very big.
"We're very sure," Haley said.
"Will Natalie do it with me?"
"I'll ask her. She loves to play dress-up so I'm sure she will."
"I love to play dress up too! What's her favorite thing to dress up as?"
"Well, it used to be a doctor. Now, I think it's a mouse. I'm not too sure you'll have to ask her when you two meet," Haley said.
"Do you think she'll like me?" Sophie asked her.
"Of course she'll like you! What's not to like?" Nathan said from the front seat.
"Do you think she'll want to play with me?"
"Natalie loves to play. She'll be so glad to have a sister to play with; especially one as great as you."
"Okay, good. I always wanted a sister!"
"Here we are; here's our house!" Nathan said to the girl.
"It's ginormous!" Sophie exclaimed!
Nathan and Haley laughed. "Do you like it?" Nathan asked.
"I loves it!"
"C'mon let's go check out your room!" Haley said picking the girl up in her arms.
They arrived at her room. It was the color purple; Brooke didn't even know that was her favorite color. There was a Disney princess bed spread. There were stuffed animals sitting on a shelf, a small castle to play in, and a big trunk decorated with tiara paintings.
"This is all mine?" Sophie asked with big eyes.
"Welcome home baby!" Nathan said.
Sophie threw her arms around her two new parents. "Thank you!"
"No problem," Haley said squeezing the girl.
"Can I play in here for a little bit?"
"Of course you can. I have to make a few calls anyway," Haley said.
"Daddy, will you stay and play?" Sophie asked.
"Yeah, I will."
"Hold on, let me get the camera to take a picture of you two." Haley ran into her room and retrieved the camera. "Smile!" She snapped a photo of Nathan holding Sophie in the air, with big smiles on both of their faces.
Nathan then took the camera and snapped a picture of Haley and Sophie making fishy faces. Then he took one more of Sophie jumping on her new princess bed.
"This is the beginning of a lot of memories," Nathan said with a smile.