Disclaimer: I still own nothing affiliated with One Tree Hill, or the song No One by Alicia Keys. Here is the I'll Stand By You Sequel, it is called No One and that is taken from the song by Alicia Keys which will be used like I used the song I'll Stand By You in that story.
If you didn't read ISBY I would recommend you would but its not necessary, as a recap: Haley and Lucas are siblings who moved to Tree Hill to live with their Aunt and Uncle. Haley was 16, Lucas 17, because their parents died in a car accident that Haley blamed herself for. They met, Nathan and Brooke Scott, siblings, Julian Baker, and Peyton Sawyer. La de da de da things happened Nathan and Haley fell in love as did Lucas and Peyton where as Brooke and Julian dated for many years before Brooke got pregnant at 16 with little baby Juliet. And in the mean time, Haley's ex boyfriend, Derek, attacked her, but Nathan saved her in the end. I think that is all you really have to know.
This takes place 5 years after the last chapter of ISBY so by this time they had all graduated college, since Peyton, Brooke, and Lucas were a year younger than the others.
So I had to divide what was going to be the first chapter into two because it was huge so some of the sneak peaks won't be in this chapter but they will be in the next. I have planned this story out to be around 20 chapters or so and I hope you all like it :) Since I divided this chapter up I am planning on posting chapter 2 really soon!
How many of you loved the cliffhanger at the end of ISBY...no one? Oh okay although you all should know me enough by now to guess what she said!
So since this is in two part the first chapter it called When The Rain Is Pouring Down, and the second is And My Heart Is Hurting, so they kinda go together
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for everything! Please review and I hope you like it!
To the people who reviewed the last chapter of ISBY:
barbararex- thank you so much it means so much for me to hear this!
TesstMeeniac- I hoped Haley would win to but I loved writing Nathan comforting her...and maybe I have something up my sleeve with the "Don't say you never gave me anything" moment, just you wait :) The couple was something I worked in at the last minute because I though it would be really cute, I don't know if anyone noticed I forget the actual names I think it was Harriet and Nicholas...Haley and Nathan...see the similarity. Unconventional meet and greet but it was so meaningful to Haley. What do you think she said? Go read and find out! Thanks for reviewing and I think JODIE was about to kill me with the spoilers as well haha.
Ace5492 -thank you I hope you like this !
Jodester (littlej23)- I know you must hate me but honestly what do you think Haley said...like I mean its NALEY JODIE! A&F! Is this soon enough? I am hoping to update very very often for you guys! I am quite the evil genius! Now time to interrogate you? Why didn't you post your OS...and I saw a Katy Perry album the other day and thought of you, did you ever post One Of The Boys? I can't remember. Anyway keep writing because your AWESOME I LOVE to read your work because its AWESOME and I think Naley fanfiction is AWESOME! ILY :) And I hope you like this...although that may be a trick question considering...well I don't want to give anything away.
Anyway now my super long A/N is over so go read!
Chapter 1: When The Rain Is Pouring Down
At this moment there are 6,470,818,671 people in the world.
Some are coming home.
"I'm home!" I shouted when I walked in the door. I waited for a response like I did every time but one never came. "Nathan where are you?" I walked throughout the house only to find him playing NBA Live in the den.
"Hey Nate, I'm home."
"I heard." He muttered.
"Come on don't be like this." I said putting my bags down on the floor.
"Be like what?"
"Giving me the cold shoulder like you have done for the past month." It all started when I went to a live show in Portland to perform. Nathan didn't want me to go but I did anyway. Then when I got back he wouldn't talk to me, so I went a did a few more shows.
"You're the one that left so you can't blame me for any of it."
"Nathan it was one show, one weekend that's it."
"But it was the one weekend I had a game here. I asked you not to go and you went anyway."
"Oh so I get it you're the only one who can have dreams and goals. Don't you get that I am sick of just following you around and only doing performances wherever you're away games are. I released an album three years ago and have barely been able to promote it. My new album is about to come out, and I am going on a six week tour whether you like it or not."
"Don't you mean Chris? Whether he likes it or not."
"What the hell does Chris have to do with this?"
"Everything."
"For the last time, there is nothing going on between Chris and me, we co-sang a song on my album, he will be my opening act that's it!"
"Haley he is constantly hitting on you how do you think that makes me feel?"
"How do you think it makes me feel that my husband doesn't trust me! Huh? You know I would never cheat on you, because that's not the person I am. Chris and I's relationship is strictly platonic and that's all it is ever going to be. Did you happen to watch the show I was on last night huh? I couldn't sing. I left you a message about it."
"I deleted it, I deleted you."
"I choked up and ran off the stage because I realized that none of it could ever be enough without you. All of the celebrity and all of the applause and all the pretty melodies...couldn't fill your void in my heart. So I hope your happy Nathan. But I hope you realize this isn't about the tour. All I need is you! I was being childish when I walked away from you for the show. You gave me an ultimatum the night that I left and I fought back for all the wrong reasons. I was being stubborn...and I can't take that back, I wish that I could. Did I want to go? Yeah. I loved it, I loved every night of it. But I want you to know something Nathan. There was never a night where I loved it more than I loved you."
"That's great and all but you still left."
"What do you want from me! I apologized. I offered for you to come. And I even offered not to go on the last one."
"But you still went on the first one behind my back."
"Can we stop dwelling on this, yes I left I admit to it now what do you need from me? Marriage is about loving someone for who they are and accepting them for their mistakes."
"You should go relax all this probably isn't good for the baby." I was six weeks along.
"I get it, the only reason you're still here is because of the baby. You couldn't give a damn about me anymore."
And some are good, struggling with evil.
"That's not true because I don't even know if this baby is mine." I walked over to where he sat made him get up before slapping him across the face. "How dare you!" I spat in his face "Get out, get the hell out Nathan! You know I would never ever cheat on you! I'm going upstairs to unpack and when I come down you better not be here!" I shouted running upstairs to cry.
"Julie, Jules where are you" Brooke said running around Clothes Over Bros. Of course you could see Juliet where she was hiding under the mannequin but Brooke was running around if she didn't know. "Julie Mama is getting really worried, maybe she went outside. Let me lock up the store and go looking."
"No no Mama I'm right here!" She said running out.
"Oh my gosh you scared me Jules" Brooke said giving her a huge hug.
"Don't be scarededed I'm here."
"Okay, now why don't we go back out front with Auntie Millicent okay?" Brooke lead her out to the front of the store.
Brooke walked behind the counter and sat on it. "Hey Millie."
"So how are things at home?"
"Juliet is getting so big so quick. I mean she is learning new words and she blows me away everyday."
"Brooke you know that's not what I meant and I know all of that. What is Julian up to?"
"He is in Texas shooting another movie."
"With Alex?"
Brooke looked away and nodded.
"You know what the tabloids are saying right?"
"Maybe this time they're right."
"Brooke did you file for a divorce?" Millie asked as Brooke got up. Millie grabbed her arm and turned her around.
"I had to Millie for my sake and Julie's. Julian has to realize that what he is doing affects us. I mean he is here maybe one weekend every two months to see us. He is most probably sneaking around with Alex too."
"I'm sure he isn't that boy loves you."
Some tell lies to make it through the day.
"Well he has a funny way of showing it. I also filed for sole custody. In the papers it says he can see her six times a year and that's is because I think its all I can handle. But its not for me, I have to protect Jules. I don't need him, I really don't, and I don't miss him either."
"Brooke don't lie to..." Millie said but was cut off.
"Hey Brookie." Nathan said walking into the store.
"What's up now."
"Why does something have to be wrong for me to stop by?"
"Because I know you and Haley have been going through some things and you don't look too happy. Did you know she calls me every night? Always in tears because of what you are doing to her."
He sighed and looked away. "Can I stay at your place tonight?"
"What did you do to her now?" Nathan looked at Brooke then Millicent and Juliet. Brooke pulled him over to the side and they began whispering.
"I told her I didn't know if the baby was even mine."
"Nathan are you kidding me! What the hell did you do that for?"
"We were fighting and in the heat of the moment I just wanted to say something to hurt her like she hurt me."
"She is hurting too Nate."
"I know, and I didn't mean it. I know that the baby is mine but I just...I don't know."
"Haley would never cheat on you"
"I know" He whispered
"I love you and your my brother so you can stay with me, but that doesn't give me any reason to not believe that you are the asshole that I think you are right now." Brooke said before starting to walk away. She was the only one that knew about the baby because when Haley first found out she was scared. Their marriage was rocky and she didn't know what a pregnancy would do to it.
"I'm not perfect okay. I screw up...I make mistakes...it's what I do. You have always looked up to me to be this amazing big brother who makes no mistakes but I'm not perfect and I am sick of people expecting me to be."
"So me expecting you to be nice to be your wife is too high of standards for you Nate?"
"What...no...It's hard to get back into the ring, especially with the one who knocked you out in the first place."
"Look I know you're not perfect, and obviously I see that but I mean I do expect you to do the right thing."
Some are running scared.
"Hi, it's Peyton." She said over the phone "Yeah, I'm sorry. I know it's late there, I just...what happened to us? You know? I don't know who I am anymore. Or how I got here. I miss who I used to be. I wanna have a home again, you know? And real friends. You know, the kind of friendships we used to believe in. I miss that. And I miss you. I guess I just miss all of it. Does any of that make any sense?"
"Yeah, it makes all the sense in the world, Peyton. Five years ago, it all seemed so clear, didn't it? Conquer the world, save the world, live happily ever after."
"Are you happy, Brooke?"
"Sometimes. Not always. I mean when I am with Jules, but all the other times...not so much. Are you?"
"No."
"Okay, then let me ask you something. What is gonna make you happy, Peyton? Is it how you look? Or the car you drive or the people you know? Is it money or celebrity or power or accomplishments? Because I have all those things and I don't think it's enough."
"Well then, what is?"
"Love, I think. And that love can be for a boy or a girl or a place or a way of life or even for a family. But where you find it is up to you. So where are you gonna find that love, Peyton?"
"I think I need to go home."
"Yeah. I was hoping you'd say that. Pack your stuff, hop on a plane and get your ass out here P. Sawyer."
"Give me a few days and when I book my flight I will send you the details."
"My heart just started racing. I missed you P. Sawyer"
"You too B. Scott
Brooke raced around the house trying to gather all of Juliet's toys and food she would need for the day, putting it in her bag. "Juliet, honey c'mon, Momma's late to get to work and I have a meeting that I need to get to so we need to drop you off with Auntie Haley for a few hours."
"I want to stay in my pajamas all day though...you promised we could one day!" She pouted sitting on her bed.
"Honey, I have to go, I asked you to get changed fifteen minutes ago into the clothes laid out on your bed."
"I didn't want to wear that."
"What do you want to wear?"
"My purple tutu over my perdy dress."
"Honey that's for special occasions...how about if you pick out play clothes you can wear your tutu with it?"
"Okay...can I have a cookie."
"It's still morning. How about I put some in a bag and Auntie Haley can let you eat them at lunch?"
"Fine" She said running into her closet before running out quickly "You told me to remind you to bring your sketches"
"That's what I was forgetting!" Brooke said running to get them. She was more or less a single mother...and that was stressful. She was always forgetting things and not to mention trying to run a company while being highly involved in your daughter's upbringing was hard. She spent most of her time being scatterbrained. She tried writing lists and planning things out, but then she ran out of time to write the plans..and she lost the lists.
"Alright you ready Hon?" Brooke finally found her sketches and remembered to grab Juliet's bag and the cookies. Juliet was waiting by the door for her.
"Mhhhm"
Once they were finally on the road Juliet spoke "So Momma...where do babies come from."
Luckily Brooke was at a stoplight or she would have caused an accident "Wh...what?"
"You know babies, where do they come from?"
"Well you see...they come...it...You know Penny, your rabbit well its like her...when she falls in love...and they are ready for a baby and DEFINITELY married...they decide to you know, have one...its just like...it gets put inside of her...and then she waits a few months an a doctor takes it out of her."
"Can I have her forever" Haley said as Juliet gave her a big hug then ran off into the house.
"Sure as long as you have the sex talk with her."
"What, but she was just" She mimicked a holding a baby.
"Yep, and then she asked me about sex in the car."
"Well what did you say?"
"I said something about Penny falling in love."
"Awesome"
"No not awesome I was looking at my daughter who was born like three weeks ago and she is asking me about sex and I have to tell her that Penny the bunny rabbit is falling in love and getting married and it's just really bad." She ran her hands through her hair.
"Well where did you leave it"
"Uncomfortable and awkward, and that was just me...I told her to ask her father he could explain it better."
"Nice" I laughed.
"Anyway, I have to go but thanks for doing this"
"No problem I love spending time with her."
"Hales, your the best friend I could ever ask for."
"Thanks Brookie" Haley gave her a quick hug before she said goodbye to Juliet and ran out the door.
Brooke looked out into her boutique, it was past opening hours so it was empty and pretty dark. She didn't want to go home yet. Juliet had fallen asleep and since Nathan was just going to hang around the house Brooke went to work on the line. She had created an empire, more or less from her bedroom. Some days she forgot how lucky she was that she achieved her dream in the fashion world. Clothes over Bros was a well known affordable line for all sizes. And that is what she prided herself on.
She reached over and turned out her desk lap, she had done enough work for the night. She followed the bright lights that lead to the back of the shop to lock up and head home. To cuddle with her beautiful, healthy, and amazing daughter who was sleeping in Brooke's bed for the night. Even if her love life wasn't perfect she would always have her daughter, that piece of her that meant everything.
"Welcome to the Scott hotel" Brooke said opening the door for Peyton to see Nathan sitting on the couch.
"What is he doing here? And what do you mean Scott"
"Him and Haley got in a fight, and have you seen all the tabloids about me,"
"Yeah"
"What if I told you they were true. I filed for divorce and sole custody of Jules, and I'm pretty sure Julian is cheating on me."
"Looks like we're in the same boat." Nathan muttered.
"Yeah but that the difference Nate, Julian is most probably cheating on me but Haley isn't so fix it."
There was a knock at the door and Brooke went over to open it.
"Hey Hales"
"Hi Brooke. Can I talk to my...can I talk to Nathan."
"Sure come on in."
Brooke opened the door for her. She saw Peyton. "Peyt...what is this when did you get into town?"
She looked at her watchless wrist "Um like twenty minutes ago"
"That's awesome" Haley went over and hugged her. "How are things?"
"A lot better now...but have you heard from him recently?" She asked.
"We barely talk anymore...I mean I write letters and he calls every now and then but he's not the same anymore." She looked away sadly. "But um...can I talk to Nathan alone please?"
"Sure, c'mon Peyton I will show you your room, and Hales please tell everyone that this is not a halfway house!" She shouted as they walked up the stairs.
Haley went and sat on the coffee table across from him. "So I have been doing some thinking"
"Me too and look Hales I'm sorry I didn't mean it."
"I know but...I looked into a trial separation. It sounds like a good idea. We take some time apart to see if we are happier that way and in a month or two we see where we are."
"Haley."
"Nathan, I can't keep living like this. And its not good for either of us. So you work on your basketball, I will work on my music."
Nathan looked away and sighed. "Okay"
"I have a doctors appointment next week, as you know, if you want to come but I'm leaving right after it so whatever you want." Haley said getting up and leaving.
"So why are you really home Peyton?"
"I guess I was looking for that inspiration I always found here. I was fearless then Brooke"
"So what happened to that girl?"
"That girl became assistant to the assistant."
"So if you want to be the girl you thought you could be back then start a label, do it yourself. Peyton I want you to go ahead and open your label, we have been talking about that since high school and its your dream..."
"I don't know I don't have the money"
"That's why I want to invest in it, give you start up funds so you can do this"
"I don't want a loan what if..."
"Its not a loan, it's an investment, I want to invest in you I believe in you and I know you can do this, so please just go for it and take a risk."
"I'll think about it okay."
"You're going to be a good dad" Brooke said over his shoulder. Nathan had been reading a book for expectant fathers at the kitchen table.
"How are you so sure."
"Because I see the way you are with Juliet, and I love how much you love her and she loves you. You would do anything for that little girl. And by the way you look at Haley, and once you guys fix everything you will be back to your disturbingly cute ways, you love her more than anything else in the world. And that baby is a part of her so I just know. I also know that you're worried about being like Dan, because I was too, but I know you won't be"
"Thanks Brooke...I'm just worried about it all."
"Well all I can say is take it all in now and enjoy it, because her pregnancy will go by quickly and as soon as you know it you will be holding your baby, and then when you blink it will be five years old." Brooke said looking over to Juliet.
"Brooke, I never told you...but I think you are the best mom, you are so strong and just the way you are with her after the crappy childhood we had.. "
"I just want better for her"
"Isn't that what we all want, a better life for our children" He questioned with a sobering look on his face.
"And besides, if you ever show any signs of Dan, well...I'll kick your ass"
"As if" Nathan scoffed.
"They never really gave us a chance did they? Mom and Dad."
"They didn't know how. But, you were stronger than them, you didn't let them get you down or affect you. I am so proud of you for what you have become Brooke because you made your dream happen. That's not bad for a girl who never had a chance."
"I love you Nate." Brooke said leaning over and hugging him.
"You too Brookie."
There was another knock at the door that evening as Julie, Nathan, and Peyton played barbies on the floor. Brooke stormed through the house. "Who the hell is it now, why does everyone show up at my door, a wannabe producer, an asshole brother, who next!" She shouted as Nathan and Peyton both yelled "Hey!" and Julie said "Mama thats a bad word."
Brooke finally reached the door and said "Whoever it is we are out of spare bedrooms..."
She opened the door to see her husband...ex-husband...the father of her child.
"Hi Brooke"
"Julian what are you doing here."
Others are just now facing the truth.
"The movies done, it was only a three week thing for a short film. Besides I wanted to talk to my wife about some mail I received."
"Daddy!" Juliet yelled interrupting the awkward conversation Brooke snuck away and walked over to where Nathan and Peyton stood. "I need something to drink, where is the hard liquor."
I sat on the rivercourt drowning in my thoughts so I got out my letter to Lucas and began writing.
Dear Lucas, everytime I write that it sounds strange. How did our lives drift so far apart? And how without even trying did we make our lives so complicated? I guess what I mean to say is, it all seemed so much easier when we faced the future together. I know I could call you or email you or Skype you or whatever but it feels right about putting pen to paper for us. It seems these days I have so many thoughts in my head that if I don't get them out I might explode. Anyway I wanted you to know that Tree Hill misses you. The River Court misses you. And I miss you.
"So what happened between you and Lucas anyway?" Nathan asked Peyton as they both sat on his bed after running out of the living room to avoid an awkward confrontation.
"Well he stayed here for college and I went to L.A. we started off talking everyday then it got less and less...and then it stopped completely. He surprised me in L.A. one weekend and it all went down. Things ended and we decided to wait till after college and see where we were then. But I got an internship and he went to New York to work on his book, so here I am and he isn't."
"Do you miss him?"
"Every day." She paused and looked away.
"We are going to be the only two around for a while, Brooke is going to New York to work on the line for a little bit, Julian needs to go to L.A., Haley is going on tour, and Lucas hasn't been home in forever."
"How are things between you and Hales?"
"She wants to try a trial separation and see where we are in a month or two."
"Oh Nate"
"I really don't feel like talking about this right now Peyt." Nathan said shutting down.
linebreak
I pulled the crib box out from the corner of the nursery, laid on its side and went to open it. I was hoping Nathan would do this, I was hoping he would be there for me through everything. I took in my surroundings, the room was empty aside from the unassembled crib and myself. I'm worried about what kind of life this child will have, being carted from house to house every other weekend. Not having a structured family like I had growing up. That was all I wanted for them to know they were loved and we would always be there for them, something I knew growing up but Nathan didn't. What would happen when he or she is born, would we stay at the same house until it was old enough to be apart from me for longer than a few hours, would we fight over custody, or would Nathan even want anything to do with our child. I was worried about what we had become and what would happen to us from this point out. Our lives had become a mess, a downward spiral and I didn't see an end. I had always envisioned, ever since high school, that Nathan and I would be the perfect parents, even from day one of finding out we were pregnant Nathan would be supportive and at my side throughout it all. Every single stage. Then we would do whatever the other needed to get through each day. We made a promise to never go to bed angry...these days we weren't even in the same bed, let alone happy.
I missed him every second of every day, and not one day goes by where I don't wish I couldn't just take it back. To take it all back to the days when we were at are best. And even if we did fix things, hopefully by the baby's birth, they would never be the same.
I put off my thoughts and got back to assembling the crib, alone, I should get used to this though, from here on out most things I do would be on my own.
linebreak
"Knock Knock" Brooke said entering my house
"Come on in Brooke I'm in the kitchen."
"Mac n' cheese again Hales." She laughed.
"The baby wanted it"
"Sure she did."
"How do you know its a girl."
"Because I just know, and she is going to look fabulous in all the clothes I will design for her."
"Nathan thought it was a boy." I whispered.
"About that Hales, how are you two going to work it out if you're living in two separate houses."
"I told him I wanted a trial separation."
"Why did you do that Haley?"
"Because I can't keep living like this. I want to be with him so bad, but not this side of him, he is dark and edgy with me. He always has a mean come back too."
"I recognize him from the first time you two broke up."
"But that only lasted for a little bit, it's been a month Brooke. He doesn't care anymore."
"If I know anything about my brother at all is that is insanely in love with you, and always will be, he is just putting on a brave face."
"What if we can't work it out?"
"People that are meant to be together always find their way in the end."
"Thanks Brooke"
"Anytime, now what's this about you going to New York."
"Its the first week of my six week tour. I have a bunch of interviews and performances there before I start flying all around."
"Did you realize that I am leaving for New York this week too."
"Brooke we should totally go together!"
"Um duh!" She said causing me to laugh.
"So what's it like to be a mom?" I asked. Brooke and I were in the nursery as we painted the walls.
"Hales your gonna love it, it is the most rewarding and amazing thing ever. Its the most challenging thing that will ever happen to you but to watch them grow..." Brooke said with a smile.
"Are you sure its safe for me to be in here?"
"Yeah, I bought a special kind that is like organic or something, I looked it up."
"Thanks for helping me with this Brooke"
"No problem I have to make sure my little niece has a rockin' room."
"Your little goddaughter" I said gently looking at her.
"Really?" She asked tears welled in her eyes. I nodded. We both put down our paint brushes and she gave me a big hug. "Thank you, I am so honored Hales."
"Your my bestfriend Brooke, there isn't anyone who I would trust more with my child."
"I am going to be the best godmother ever."
"Jeez save me some titles okay, you already took best mother, and now you're taking best godmother away from me." Brooke laughed. "But thanks for helping and being there for me...I didn't want to have to do it alone."
"Hey look at me, you're never alone in this, I will always be there for you Hales, no matter what time it is, what day it is, I am just a phone call away no matter what"
"I love you Brooke" I whispered hugging her once more.
"Hey guys where are you?" Peyton called from downstairs.
"The babies room" Haley yelled.
Peyton came in saying "So I brought my painting tools what did you need me..." She then looked around the room at what we had painted. "What did you guys do? Let me fix it."
"I thought I would find you here." I said walking onto the court. "I need to tell you something."
"It couldn't wait til tomorrow after the doctors appointment?" Nathan asked calmly, placing the basketball down and walking over towards me, he pulled his shirt up to wipe the sweat off his brow.
"I didn't want to tell you there, Lucas's book comes out next week as you know, and you also know that back before I moved here I was in a dark place. Well I had this diary I would vent in and all but a few months ago Lucas asked me if he could use some of them in the chapter on me. I told him yes, but I thought you should know before it comes out and you read it."
"Did he give you a copy already?"
"Yeah"
"Well can I hear some of them?" Nathan asked as we sat down next to each other on the bench and I pulled the book out of my bag.
"Um sure...this was the day of the accident...It all just seems so idea that good things happen to good people and there's magic in the world, and that the meek and righteous will inherit 's too many good people who suffer for something like that to be true. There are too many prayers that get unanswered. Every day we ignore how completely broken this world is, and we tell ourselves it's all going to be okay. But it's not okay. And once you know that, there's no going back. There's no magic in the world…at least not today there isn't. And then this one was four days after they died: Someone once said that death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live. I could tell you who said it, but who the hell cares."
He took the book and read two more. "I was thinking about the finality of it all – how somebody can leave your world in the blink of an eye and be gone forever. It's too enormous to think about. It's too hard. And then you're just supposed to go on, right, like just deal with it, I mean really you're only supposed to be sad for as long as the flowers last and then, oh, time to go back to telling jokes and reminiscing about the old days. I don't have any jokes to a matter in fact I hope I never hear another joke as long as I live. And the old days are just that, they're old days, that are...gone...I hate to tell myself to just be happy. But I don't feel happy. And when I try to change it, when I try to remember what being happy felt like, I can't. I don't feel joy. I don't feel inspired. I feel numb."
He took a deep breath "I hate to think about how hurt you were. Its hurts me to think about it."
"So it hurts you that I was hurting then but when I am a mess right now because of you you don't care."
"Its not that I don't care Haley..."
"Then what Nathan, I said I was sorry but it's never enough for you. You tell me you are going to always love me, always and forever. I made a mistake but I am paying for that ever day."
"I still do love you Haley but..."
"Don't I can't do this now, in two days I have to start weeks of interviews and performances saying how in love we are and that we aren't going through this trial separation. That is enough for me to try to handle, I can't deal with this now." I said before walking to my car. But he didn't stop me...I wanted him to stop me, to fight for me...to tell me everything was okay even if it wasn't...to say he would love me forever no matter my mistakes...but he didn't he let me drive away.
Julian walked into his hotel room dropped his work bag at the door and walked further in. He sat down on his bed and looked around...he didn't have much, just whatever clothes had happened to fit into his suitcase and three photos, one was of the three of them on Juliet's first birthday, Brooke and Juliet both had birthday hats on and Juliet had cake smeared on her face. Another was a photo of Juliet and Brooke with huge grins on their faces. Juliet looked exactly like Brooke, aside from the big blue eyes she had of his. And the last was of Brooke and Julian in high school, it was taken just before prom and they looked hopelessly in love. What he wouldn't give to go back to any one of those days, or to go back and change everything that had happened recently. He looked around thinking that he didn't have much that mattered to him in life, and if things kept getting worse like they had been all he would have is what was in this hotel room. That was when he decided it, things were going to change. He was going to try to convince Brooke that, and he would do whatever it takes to be back with her and be an essential part of Juliet's life.
"Knock Knock" Haley whispered walking into Brooke's house.
"Its all clear Hales, Nathan is out." Brooke said.
"Okay" She walked further in and following Brooke to her room.
Peyton sat on Brooke's bed as Brooke and Haley climbed on it. "What are you guys up to?"
"We were going to watch a movie and have serious girl talk."
"Oh I am so into that." Haley leaned further into the pillow.
"So I just...I don't know how to move on...Lucas" Peyton clarified looking at me "I have tried for three years but nothing works."
"Julian just wants me to take him in and move on with our lives after all of this." Brooke sighed.
"Nathan is hot and cold with me, one minute he is hostile and mean and the next he is trying to butter me up so we can fix us."
"Well do you want to?" Brooke asked.
"Of course I do, I mean its like asking if you want Juliet to have a stable environment growing up with two parents who are together, or asking Peyton if she wants to be with Lucas...I love Nathan with my entire heart and I don't know what to do."
"Have either of you thought about counseling?" Peyton asked. "Don't give me that look, I went to one when my mom died and it helped a lot."
"I don't think Nathan would even want to bother with that."
"But if he had to choose either to go to the therapist and try to fix it or lose you all together I think we all know what he would choose Hales, he is madly in love with you."
"He sure had a funny way of showing it."
"Guys are idiots" Brooke said.
"When did we start letting boys dictate our happiness?" Haley asked looking at them both.
"I was nine" Brooke admitted making them laugh. "But you know, sometimes people play hard-to-get because they need to know the other person's feelings are real."
"I get that and understand it, but we have been married for years and if he is questioning his feelings for me now we have a bigger problem then I thought we did."
Haley looked around and felt it all suddenly hit her, she had cried countless times, but as the tears rolled down her face quickly, she felt the severity of the situation hit her worse then ever before. "I, Haley James Scott, am trying out a trial separation with my husband. Soon I will be just Haley James once more. I am going to get a divorce...oh God...what happened to my world? I am going to be a single mother, this child is not going to have one home, they will be getting moved back and forth every weekend. All I am going to be to Nathan anymore is his baby mama because he hates me. I hurt him more than words could explain and now he hates me. He wants absolutely nothing to do with me and is not in love with me anymore. I lost the love of my life...my best friend, and the man I wanted to spend forever with...always and forever with. And I lost him because of Chris Keller. I let Nathan think Chris Keller and I were cheating behind his back. I am so stupid. How could I let this happen?"
"You never wallowed did you?" Peyton asked.
"What?...I cried...a lot...is that what you mean?"
"Watched girl movies and ate buckets of ice cream" Brooke said as Haley nodded no, "I will be back" Brooke said running out to the kitchen.
Nathan walked in and couldn't help the smile that graced his face. Brooke, Peyton, and Haley had all fallen asleep in Brooke's bed. He quietly walked across the room to pull Brooke's blankets over the three. Haley's eyes shot open at this. "Shhh...its fine...its just me go ahead back to sleep." He leaned down and kissed her head gently before walking out of the room once more.
When Haley woke up again Brooke had gone to pick up Juliet from Julian. She looked over to see Peyton waking up as well. "So, do you miss him?" Peyton asked.
"Everyday. He moved out there and now we barely speak. He has changed a lot."
"Sorry, its because I hurt him...I didn't want to I just wasn't..."
"Peyton you don't have to explain it to me, I understand what happened between the two of you, I took your side, you weren't ready and he took drastic measures because of it, he didn't have the right to react the way he did."
"I dream about it all the time and each time we left the city happy and together, not him leaving me desperate and alone."
"I'm sure the reason he isn't talking to anyone from Tree Hill is because he doesn't want anyone around here to know how he is feeling."
"What is going on between us Brooke?" Julian asked her.
"You're never here Julian, I feel like I am the only one in this marriage."
"Brooke I'm working."
"But you don't have to do it so far away, you could produce movies here, or you could do something else. You don't even care that you never see Juliet."
"You don't think I miss her?"
"Julian you haven't seen her in three weeks and when you do come home its days before Juliet and I go to New York."
"You could leave her here with me."
"No I can't she is so excited about this, and you don't even know her schedule if I did leave her alone with you."
"I can manage."
"No Julian she is coming with me."
"What about us?"
"I am going to New York to work on the men's line for six weeks, I don't know what you want from us."
"Why are you being so difficult?"
"Its not me it's you, you and Alex"
"Why do you always bring it back to Alex"
"Because your always with her, and don't act like I didn't see all the magazine articles about you two going out together every night."
"Not everything in the tabloids is true you know"
"There were pictures Julian visual proof that you are cheating on me!"
"I'm not cheating on you!"
"Would you face it, the two of you have had a non friend like relationship for months and I am sick of it."
"I don't love her like I love you"
"That is what you say but are you sure about that because this is the longest amount of time we have spent together in a month, how long in that time were you with Alex huh? Listen just put the divorce papers on hold for right now, I need a break, I will be in New York, you should take another movie and we will see each other in six weeks."
"If thats what you want."
"It is."
"Knock, knock" Julian said walking into my house
"Hey Julian what's up?"
"I need to ask you something."
"Sure"
"Haley, you know I love Brooke and would do anything for her. I am different now, and have changed my ways for Brooke...but if you could just put in a good word for me, just so she will think about it."
"Julian look...Brooke is my best friend and you hurt her...so bad...I can't go around and tell her that you are this amazing man because you haven't been lately. And I love you like a brother but for her to believe you are a changed man, you actually have to be a changed man, and at this point my opinion wouldn't even change her feelings towards you."
"I get it...and I guess it makes me feel better to see that she has you supporting her, because I mean Peyton and Nate are both at the house if she needs anything, but they are dealing with their own problems and just for me to know that makes me feel a little better...have fun in New York." He said sadly before walking out of the house.
Julian sat in his office trying to figure out a working schedule when Alex, his assistant, walked in. "So Richard wants to know if you want to produce a movie with him in L.A."
"I was actually going to try to do more things around home, but tell him thanks for thinking of me. I have been looking into all the movies that plan to film around here."
She nodded and left the office.
He had realized that Brooke and Juliet were all he had left. His father moved to California and hadn't spoken to him since, and his mother spent her time moving from guy to guy not caring about her son, she was on her fourth husband so far. They were the only family he had and he needed to make things up to them, and if that put his career on hold for a little bit then so be it.
"Hello?" Peyton said walking into Tric. Karen had called and asked to meet her there.
"Hey Peyton"
"Karen hi!" Peyton quickly hugged her "Sorry I haven't stopped by the cafe yet, I have been meaning to since I got home."
"I understand"
"So what's up?"
"Haley told me you wanted to start a label and I want you to have this." Karen walked open and open the door to the storage room "I know it's messy now but if we clean it up it would make a great office."
"Karen, thank you...I just don't know if I want to yet."
"Peyton you have wanted to do this since you were a kid."
"I will think about it, what would rent be."
"Free"
"Karen...I can't let you do that. If I do take it I have to pay you something."
"Fine...five dollars a month and when your first artist goes platinum you take me out to lunch, a signed copy of each of the artists amazing cds, and for the shows here...free for me."
"Of course they're free for you, you own the place. Thank you so much Karen I just don't know what I want to do yet"
"Well think about it...I remember when you and Brooke and Nate were kids you would come to the cafe every Saturday morning."
"You were like a mother to all of us, heck you were a mother to half the town. But I especially remember you being there for me when my mom died."
"Its because I loved you all and wanted the best for you...I still do. So think about it okay?"
Peyton nodded and hugged her.