We Trust You

Chapter 1

The loud obvious ringing from my cell phone wakes me up. Given how I had just made it to bed after being up partying for 48 hours you can guess that any sight aside from my dreams of the memories that took place during that time was not welcomed. If I had any idea of the news waiting for me at the end of that call. I would have let it keep ringing. Getting up turning on the light by my bed. Bringing a bright shine waking me up for good. As I put the phone to my ear hearing the words that make me unable to process any thought I had before hearing them.

The words broken and in between sobs and sniffling. The person's voice breaking. Trying and failing to keep their composure.

"Haley and Nathan are dead." The voice said.

My cell phone falling to the phone.

I find myself gasping for air. While pick it up place it on my bed. Begin digging through closet for clothes that are without the stench of alcohol, smoke, or women, and put it on.

Wiping the sleep from my eyes. Stumbling down my stairs. Making it outside. Into my car and onto the road. My mind cloudy and foot pressed firmly on the gas pedal. My eyes stinging with tears and anger that I can't deal with out of fear I'll run myself off the road.

The LA beginning to rise. Cars zooming by me. With their days planned and weeks packed. I make the turn passing the sign that welcomes me to Tree Hill. Eventually making it. To the neighborhood, I grew up in the view of my mother's café and my uncle's car body shop. Fill me with a longing ache. Given the memories they held.

Arriving at Nathan and Haley's house. Having to park in the street. Because of how many cars have already taken over so much of the street. Turning off my car. Walking up the steps. Going through the front door. Carefully as if I expect to see Haley's smiling face looking back at me. Or Nathan retelling this story he heard or showing me how much his dancing has improved. Wanting to have a pickup game at the River court. Or simply telling me about his day.

Walking further into the house. I think back to the last time I had been home. It had been years. Ignoring their request to come back to town. Telling them over and over again that I was happy where I was and felt no need to jump back in time by moving back. They had understood and stopped asking. Instead welcoming me with open arms whenever I did bother to show up which hadn't happened. I was here now and they were gone. None of it made sense. Hearing snippets of separate conversations. Walking along the hallway. Trying to avoid the family pictures on the wall.

"Can you believe it Lucas." I heard as I looked up.

The woman wrapping her arms around me. The sudden embrace. Makes me feel even more uncomfortable. Seconds later she unhooks herself from me.

Which gives me the chance to get a clearer look at her.

Peyton Sawyer. I had remembered her from high school. Heard through other celebrities that she was the go to person that artists went to in terms of wanting to step out of their comfort zone and be in charge of their own careers. Red Bedroom Records. Had become a huge success.

"I'm in shock." I said back to her. Which was the honest truth.

Feeling the grab of my hand. Pulling me into the center of the living room. Onto a couch. The other guests to immersed in their own gossip and conversations to care.

I turned to look up at her. Not wanting to be rude. Feeling myself disconnect the more I heard. The words pushing me away.

Car accident, going off the bridge, the shock and anguish that was radiating throughout the entire town. The idea that they died together only making it harder to keep myself together.

"Excuse me." I said to her. Walking into the back-yard patio area.

My shoes a size to small and my tie feeling tighter with every loosen.

Making it to the wooded area. Where picnics and late night talks used to take place.

The funeral wouldn't be happening until tomorrow. If you ask me it was far too soon then again. I felt out place when that would be the last thing they wanted.

The funeral

The cemetery was silent. Aside from the cries of everyone around me. I had on big sunglasses and no makeup. My face was tear stained and my chest heavy. As if I was walking around with a huge open cut unable to find a band aid to cover it.

I walked out of a late-night business meeting. Seeing the look on my mother's face would have been worth celebrating. If the circumstances weren't so horrific. Heading into the first taxi I could find which took me to my house. After changing getting into my car. Heading down the quickest lane that got me to Tree Hill in a few hours.

I turned off my phone. Not wanting any interruptions. Nathan and Haley's relationship had been a long-lasting area of hope for me since the beginning. Knowing that I had a hand in the two of them getting together by fixing up their first date. Filled me with pride and a hope for myself that I wouldn't dare say out loud.

My relationships have been nothing but embarrassing story after bathroom walkout for years now. At this point I had been convinced love wasn't needed in my life. I had fulfillment. My friends, my business. Now though without my backbone which they were I felt off balance. In every aspect of my life.

I took one last longing look around their home. Before leaving out the door. I needed to be presentable tomorrow I had a meeting with the people involved in their will and couldn't afford to be late.

The next morning

The Will reading

I finished off the coffee I had bought at the local coffee bar. And headed inside the office.

Smiling warmly as I greeted the older gentleman. Who smiled back at me. I looked to the other side. And was puzzled.

Looking up at him. I pointed to the chair and spoke.

"I thought I was the only person involved in this meeting." I said to him.

"I'm not sure who told you that but it isn't true." "Situations like this all parties must be involved." "According to the records." "The godparents are listed as Brooke Penelope Davis and Lucas Eugene Scott." The man said.

At the moment, the man I assume is Lucas walks in. Apologizing for his lateness. Claiming traffic on the road. As he took his seat next to me.

I keep my focus up front. Paying close enough. While the older gentleman speaks. "Now that we are all here." "Let me be the one of many to express my condolences." "Nathan and Haley were lovely people, devoted parents and loved their jobs and family." "I cannot begin to imagine your grief." He said. Looking to the both of us.

"Thank you." I said softly.

Lucas simply nodding. Then looking away.

"According to these papers." "The both of you have been granted full physical custody of the minor child." "Gwen Lydia Scott." "Which is to be put into effect as soon as possible." The man said.

That was the first and only moment. Lucas and I looked at each other. And both of us unable to speak. The disbelief and surprise given the suddenness of instant parenthood. Raising questions. And a lack of understanding.

Hearing a knock at the door. The man gets up and opens it.

"And there she is." "Mr. Scott." "Ms. Davis." "Meet your god daughter Gwen Lydia Scott." He said. Looking towards the door.

Footsteps began to lessen as she walked inside. The heavy door shutting behind her.