Chapter 2

Finally reaching the podium, the 5'3" Duke graduate took a moment to collect herself. Then after clearing her throat, Haley James began to speak.

"14 years ago, a fiery redhead with a love for Nascar moved next door to me. She was a spunky child filled with compassion. Daytona soon became my best friend. She was always there when I needed her. Even when that meant 4am crying sessions over my latest heartbreak," she paused giving a sad laugh. "We became inseparable throughout the rest of middle school and high school. And when it came time for college, we went together. We roomed together, got lost on campus together, had late night cram sessions in the library together, and overall, just wished the schoolwork would be over together," she paused again to recompose herself. "And most importantly, I got to watch her fall in love with a wonderful man and then we all watched them create the perfect family. It's just so hard to believe that four months ago, I stood in this church as Daytona's maid of honor," Haley choked out. "Daytona was a wonderful woman. She had a good heart and a loving personality. All of our lives will shine a little less without Daytona's bright spirit. My best friend will truly be missed," she took a deep breath. "We all love you Daytona," she managed to get out before completely breaking down into sobs. Wiping her eyes, she gave a weak smile and headed back to her seat.

The priest said a few more words before concluding the service. People began to leave silently, but Nathan didn't move from his seat. He sat there reveling in the silence long after everyone was gone. Finally, he rose to his feet and approached the casket. Nathan looked down at his peaceful wife one last time, a single tear rolling down his cheek. And with a final, "I love you," he walked away.

Pushing out the church doors, the rain poured down on him as he made his way over to his brother's car. Lucas got out of the car and rushed to his brother's side, enveloping him into a hug. "I'm so sorry Nathan," he whispered. "Ready to go?" All he got in response was a single nod, and they both got in the car sopping wet, leaving the church behind.

After the funeral, people were headed over to the Scott Manor. Pulling into the driveway, they noticed a few kids gloomily sitting on the porch swing, a few solemn people talking amongst themselves, the porch roof sheltering them all from the downpour. Heading into the house, the mood wasn't much better. Peyton was trying to take a vodka bottle away from Haley, and Daytona's parents were sitting by themselves with blank looks on their faces. "Looks like Haley has the right idea," Nathan commented walking away from Lucas. If he was going to get through this day, hell, the rest of his life, he was going to need a little liquid courage.

"Nathan, you can't. What about Allie?" Lucas reminded him, but Nathan was already at the bar. He was afraid this was going to happen. Whenever Nathan was drawn into a dark place, he often turned to alcohol. High school was the worst when Dan would belittle his basketball performances. His verbal beat downs eventually drove Nathan to performance enhancing drugs and a trip to the emergency room. That all changed when he met Daytona though, but now she was gone, and Lucas could only worry what damage Nathan would do to himself.

"How's he doing," Brooke asked coming up behind Lucas. It was clear she had been crying; her eyes were red and puffy. In high school, Brooke had been part of Nathan's posse. They were a part of the in-crowd; however, they admit to never sleeping together. Brooke being Peyton's best friend meant she was often at Scott family gatherings, causing her and Nathan to be close, like brother and sister. "That would be like incest," Brooke always shrieked at the thought of them dating. And although Nathan will never admit it, he greatly appreciated Brooke being the good friend that she was.

"I'm worried about him," he sighed. "I just don't know how I can help him." Running a hand through his hair, a frustrated Lucas was ready to give up. He already knew Nathan's emotional walls would be tough to get through and soon, no one would be able to reach him.

"All you can do is be there for him Luke, you can't always protect him." But who would protect him now that the best thing in his life was gone? Who would keep him from destroying his life?

"I know, I just feel like I should be doing something."

"Just give him time; he'll come to you when he's ready. It can't be easy to lose someone you love.

"You have no idea," he mumbled as John… or Joe… came up to them, handing Brooke a drink. The bastard, Lucas sneered. It killed him to see Brooke flaunting other men on her arm. He was the one she should be showing off! Not this John dude…

"Thanks Jim," she smiled sweetly. Ah, so that was his name! "You remember Lucas?"

"Of course I do," he said shaking Lucas' hand. "How are you?"

'How are you,' Lucas mocked in his head. 'Ah shove it,' he thought to himself. "Honestly, just trying to keep this family from falling apart and I don't think I'm doing a very good job," he admitted motioning to Nathan still standing near the bar.

"It's natural for people to unravel emotionally in times like these," Jim offered.

"Well aren't you a saint," Lucas muttered under his breath. "Thanks for coming," he forced a smile on his face, shaking Jim's hand again.

"Oh it's no problem. It was important to my Brookie here, so it's important to me too," he grinned giving her shoulder a squeeze. Brooke smiled sheepishly and started ushering him away. She was not going to be the cause of a fight which is exactly what would happen if Lucas kept egging him on. "Let's get some food," she suggested. "See you Luke."

He went and sat next to Peyton who had witnessed the whole thing. "Isn't Brooke's new boyfriend dreamy," she drew out laughing. Tormenting Lucas with the fact that Brooke always had another man in her life was something Peyton had come to enjoy. Seeing his face get all red with aggravation and becoming green with envy could be very entertaining.

"He's only after her hot body," he spit out. The jealousy was kicking in right on time. If his usual outburst was on schedule, Peyton assumed it would be only a couple of minutes before Lucas was kicking Jim's ass.

"For like the millionth time, why don't you just tell her how you really feel?" As much as she enjoyed watching Lucas squirm, it got old after… how many years had it been? He graduated from high school nearly 7 years ago and for Brooke it had been about 6 years. 'Why do I put up with these people,' she always wondered.

"Why don't you tell Jake about that night at the beach three years ago," he shot back and a look of horror and shock came over Peyton's face before her expression turned into one of disgust.

"Nice," she said sarcastically, getting up and walking away. She had become accustomed to the annoying comments and gestures from the Scott brothers, but not even Peyton would allow him to bring up the "incident" she regretted from so many years ago.

-OTH-

Nathan sat isolated in the corner of the room, drink in hand. People continued coming up to him offering their condolences, but they were usually met with the eyes of a broken boy, followed by a grunt signaling, "Go away." Suddenly, there was a presence sitting next to him.

"She was a good person," the blonde said. "She'll be missed." Like he didn't know that. This wasn't some headlining story; this wasn't breaking news. His wife was dead at only 23 years old, barely one quarter of a century lived. Realizing Nathan wasn't in a very talkative mood, she put her hand on his shoulder. "Look at me Nathan," Peyton said sternly, demanding his attention. "The world isn't over, you're going to be okay." But he wasn't okay, he wouldn't be okay. Downing the rest of his drink, he slammed the glass on the table and went up to his room he slept in as a child.

Bad idea.

There were pictures everywhere of him and Daytona, as well as some recently added ones of Allie. Daytona had insisted on ridding the room of all his sports memorabilia and redecorating so, "it would feel like home when they visited Tree Hill." He picked up one frame and looked intently at the picture in it. It was the three of them at the beach for a traditional Scott family barbecue.

"We're going to the beach," Allie cheered as they pulled up to Dan's beach house. "Is Aunt Brooke going to be here?"

"She's not your aunt," Nathan said. "Thank God."

"Of course she is going to be here," Daytona said sending Nathan a look. "And I'm sure she's excited to see you." Allie squealed with excitement, jumping out of the car as soon as it was in park.

"Brookieeeeee!"

"Allieeee," the much older, but had the same mentality as Allie, woman screeched. "How's my favorite shopping buddy?"

"I want to go swimming," she pouted. "Can we please?"

"You know I don't do oceans, they're like, gross," Brooke made a face. "But I'm sure if you ask nicely, your Grandma Deb would love to go with you," she snickered. Everyone knew how prissy Nathan's mother was. He always said, he loved his mother, but she really needed to stop worrying about her appearance. But if anyone could get the woman who got weekly Botox injections out in the water, it was definitely a certain four year old girl.

The rest of the day was spent lounging on the beach, eating food and just talking about their lives. Allie wore everyone out by convincing them all to play beach volleyball, as well as having them all build sandcastles which Dan still brags today about how his was the best one. In the process she wore herself out, causing her to fall asleep early in Daytona's lap. And that's when the picture had been taken. A family of three simply enjoying their time together.

They all looked so content relaxing on the towel; how he missed those days of leisure. His thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Thought I might find you up here," Deb said entering the room. "How are you doing?"

"About as well as can be expected," he said, setting the picture frame back down and then sitting on his bed. Deb sat down next to her hurting son resting her hand on his shoulder. "What am I going to do mom," he began to break down. "I can't do this without her."

"I know sweetie," she tried to soothe him. "It seems impossible now but you have to be strong… for yourself and for Allie. She needs you too."

"I just miss her so much," Nathan was crying now. Deb wrapped her arms around him, hugging her son. It killed her to see him so torn, so broken. She tried calming him down, rubbing her hands gently on his back.

"You'll get through it," she finally spoke. But for once in her life, Deb Scott wasn't sure of anything.

-OTH-

It was the same scene that it had been just a couple hours ago. After calming down earlier, Nathan was back in his corner, drinking yet again.

"Nathan," Karen said coming up to him. "I'm getting ready to leave and I thought I could just take Allie with me if that's okay?"

"Yeah it's fine," he nodded. "Probably a good thing to get her away from everything. She doesn't deserve to have to go through this."

"Yeah I know what you mean," she smiled sadly giving him a hug. It broke her heart to see him suffering like that. She never lost a husband, but then again she had never been married. But at one time in her life, she emotionally lost the person she loved most. As grateful as she is for that person giving her Lucas, too many nights were spent crying herself to sleep. And to this day she could never figure out why she let herself cry over Dan Scott. He was still the same ass that he was in high school. But still, it pained her to see someone having to grieve like she had. "See you tomorrow then."

Watching Karen and Allie leave, Nathan got a feeling of loneliness. Was this how the rest of his life would be? Sitting alone, drinking alone, just being alone in general?

'And if things couldn't get any worse,' he thought to himself seeing Daytona's parents approaching him. "How could you possibly be drinking," Denise said condescendingly. "That is what killed my daughter."

"You think I don't know that," Nathan shot back, taking another long drink. He changed his mind; could everyone just please leave him alone now!

"Obviously you didn't care for her very much," she snarled.

Oh, it was on now.

"Excuse me," he said a little too loud standing up. Denise took a frightened step back, but Ray stepped forward.

"You heard her. Daytona gave up her life for you," Ray exclaimed. "She was the one raising your daughter while you were always away playing basketball. But were you really playing ball the whole time? Or did you just not want to be tied down with a kid?"

"What are you talking about," Nathan shouted causing others to notice the ruckus. How dare he accuse him of not being faithful. He loved his wife, he really did.

"And because you just had to have another party celebrating yourself of course, my daughter died."

"What the hell is your problem?" Lucas yelled stepping in between Ray and Nathan. This could get ugly.

"My problem," Ray half-heartedly chuckled. "It's his fault Daytona is dead," he said hoarsely, pointing his finger accusingly at Nathan.

"Son of a bitch," Nathan lunged at him, but was stopped by Lucas.

"Don't Nathan," he said calmly, then turned back to Ray. "Let me," he declared before punching him square in the jaw. The room went silent. Ray lied on the floor holding the side of his face and groaning. Deb, who had seen everything along with everyone else, stepped up.

"I think you need to leave," she ordered them.

"What! But it's our daughter's funeral," Denise said shocked.

"Well, I don't think you're daughter would want you here, taunting her husband like this. Now I'll say it one more time, get out," she said sternly. Ray got up, clearly embarrassed, and he and his wife walked out.

"Thanks mom," Nathan tried to say.

"Don't even start with me Nathan. Now, I know Daytona's parents have not been easy to deal with over the years, but they are suffering just as much as you are. How would you feel if you had to bury your only daughter?" Nathan's eyes grew wide at the thought. "Exactly. Yes, they were out of line just now, but it was their grief talking. What would Daytona think if she could see you now?" Nathan realized his mom had made a good point, but it was still too much too handle. He grabbed a bottle of tequila from the bar and angrily retreated to the sunroom which contrary to its name, was dark and gloomy.

And there he was, alone again.

But apparently, not for long. "Well that was quite a show you put on out there," his Uncle Cooper said sitting down next to his distraught nephew. He got no response. "How ya doing kid?"

"Just peachy," Nathan bit out sarcastically.

"Come on man, don't be like this."

"Be like what," he nearly shouted. "She's gone! How am I supposed to feel?"

Cooper let out a long sigh, running his hand over his face. "I get what you're going through Nate."

"Do you? Do you have to take care of a daughter who looks so much like her mother that it makes you want to cry every time you look at her? Do you have in-laws who blame you for your wife's death?"

"No, but I have a wife who is gone also," Cooper replied. "Look man, I know you're hurt. You just want to find the guy that was drunk that night and beat the shit out of him, but you can't," he paused taking a breath. "Now I get that you didn't have time with her before she died like I did with Carrie, you have a right to be upset. But dude, you can't waste your time being angry at the world and drinking your life away," he paused again letting Nathan process everything he had just said. "Love is a great thing, maybe the greatest thing. You are so lucky that you got to experience in a few years what some people don't experience in a lifetime. You should be grateful for that. And on the other side of this wall is a room full of people who want to help you get through this, so go out there and let them," he finished, standing up to leave.

"Coop," Nathan said making him turn around. "I didn't mean anything by Carrie…"

"I know, but like I said, I knew her time was coming to an end. In those last 6 months, she helped me make peace with the fact that she would eventually be gone, so unless I was going to come up with the cure for cancer, I had to get used to the fact that she would soon be missing from my life," he said.

"So was there ever a day when it got better?"

"Yeah… followed by a day when it got worse. There were days where I would take out my anger on anyone who was around, but there were also days when I would remember the good times. You just gotta take each day as it comes and I'll admit, it's not an easy journey, but you have to do it, you have to make peace with it all," Cooper said before finally leaving the room. Nathan was soon to follow him

Back in the main room, there were very few people left. Clearly the party had come to a stop after his fight with Ray. Who throws a party after a funeral anyways? "It's to celebrate her life," he mocked, but how can he celebrate when all he wants his is wife back? He went to the bar for a drink. Settling down in another chair, he practically downed it all in one sip. He reached for the bottle he had taken from the bar and began to refill his glass when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey Nathan," she purred into his ear.

"Haley," he said, his mood souring. "To what do I owe this pleasure."

"Oh the pleasure is all mine," she said sarcastically. "I mean, who gets the chance to talk to the great Nathan Scott very often," she giggled.

"How much have you had to drink," he asked putting all the pieces together.

"Not enough," she muttered before grabbing his glass and drinking it. Why couldn't she drink the pain away? It seemed like everyone else was doing it.

"Whoa," he said wide-eyed. "Might want to slow down there." He had never seen her like this. Haley James was always well put together, a hair never out of place. And now she was a mess, drunk even. He didn't even think Haley knew what alcohol was with the saintly image she always portrayed.

"What's the point? My best friend is dead and I never got to say sorry."

"What are you talking about?"

"Not important," she simply replied taking the bottle, ready to pour again.

"Okay, I think you've had enough," he said standing up, pulling her with him. Nathan tried to get her to leave the room, get her anywhere else before she caused a scene like he had earlier.

"Let go of me," she roared, dropping the bottle as she tried to free herself from his grasp. The bottle shattered when it hit the floor, the alcohol splashing everywhere. After putting up a weak struggle, she gave up and fell into him. He picked her up and carried her upstairs. "I miss her already," she started to cry as he kicked open the door to the guest bedroom.

"Me too," he sighed as he laid her on the bed. "Me too." Already seeing her fall asleep, Nathan headed for the door.

"Nathan," she called out to him, making him stop and turn around. "You're a good guy. I know I've never told you that but you really are… Daytona… sh-she really loved you." And just like that she was fast asleep.