Chapter One: Questions
Early the next morning Dan came back from his usual morning run to find Karen pacing back and forth over the bedroom floor. Her brow was furrowed and she was biting her nails, something that was a habit of hers whenever something serious and troublesome was on her mind. The man leaned against the door frame for a while, watching her with a smirk on his face knowing exactly what the source of all her problems were.
"Is it really necessary to think this loudly so early in the morning?"
The sound of his voice brought her actions to a halt. She then began to fiddle with the tie of her bathrobe as she spoke.
"Maybe we should wait just a little while longer. I mean the baby won't be born for another four months so I really don't understand what the rush is"
"Karen Lucas needs to know the truth"
"I know Dan it's just that I'm scared of losing him. You don't know everything that we've been through over the years all that we've…" she trailed off when she saw the look on he man's face.
"Had to suffer with because of me"
"No, that's not it" she spoke quietly as she motioned for him to come closer.
"It's not because of you it's just that we're so close and he hates you so much right now that I'm afraid he'll think that I've betrayed him some how and then he'll start shutting me out and I don't think that I can handle that"
"Listen Kar I know that you don't want to upset Lucas but I'm tired of sneaking around like some dirty little secret that you feel the need to hide"
They continued starring deeply into each others eyes as he spoke.
"I've waited so long to finally have you in my arms again and I don't want to keep this a secret any more. Not from Lucas, Nathan or even Deb. I love you Karen and I want everyone else to know it. So promise me that you'll tell him soon"
"I promise" the woman replied with a giggle.
"What?"
"I'm sorry. It's just that really sounded like something Lucas would say to Brooke or Peyton"
"Oh please" the man scuffed loudly.
"Shh you'll wake up Lucas" Karen said putting a finger to his lips while trying to stifle another snicker.
The look on Dan's face was priceless.
"Hey they were my words first baby. Or don't you remember" he replied before giving her a kiss.
"Don't forget who the original smooth talking Scott was"
"Oh I haven't forgotten. By the way how is Royal doing these days?"
"I didn't know that you knew my father so well should I be worried?"
"Well that depends"
"Depends on what?"
"On what you're willing to do in order to keep me from straying" replied Karen in a seductive voice
"Well" the man spoke as he stood from the bed and removed his shirt "Why don't you follow me into the shower and find out. That is of course you're not too scared of what I might do to you"
"Ha" replied Karen with one hand held over her stomach as she made her way towards the bathroom.
"Baby the damage has already been done"
Dan smirked.
"Honey you ain't seen nothing yet"
"Mom!" shouted Lucas as he frantically searched his room for his favorite grey hoody.
He could have sworn that he left it on his dresser last night but now the damn thing seems to have grown wings over night and has now flown away.
"MOM! Where's my sweat shirt!" he yelled for the third time.
Normally he wouldn't be up this early in the morning but he promised Nathan that he would shoot some hoops with him before they headed back to the apartment to set up the crib for his new niece or nephew.
"MOM!" he yelled out in frustration wondering where the woman was.
Any other time she would have been in his room with lightening quick speed but now…oh right she was pregnant wasn't she.
The thought made him smile. His mom and Keith, the man he loved like a father were going to have a baby and he couldn't be more thrilled. It was as if a small piece of Keith was still with them in a way. It was just a shame that the man who raised him with such love and care wouldn't be around to do the same for his brother or sister.
A smile danced on his lips as he picked up a pictured of himself, his mom and uncle. The three of them looked so happy then, completely unaware of what fate had in store for them. He sighed heavily as he closed his eyes and wished that he could go back to that day knowing then what he knew now then maybe Keith would still be alive and his mother wouldn't have to raise their child alone.
"I miss you so much Keith" the boy whispered.
"So does Mom. I guess that's to be expected for a while but damn if it doesn't still hurt like hell" at this he could feel himself tearing up. "The baby's never going to know what a great Dad you were or how much love you were capable of giving. Or even how much of an assy goof ball you could be"
This made him laugh.
"I just wish that you were still with us man. We all do"
He then placed the picture back on the wooden fixture and turning to leave the room.
Making his way down the hall he stopped in front of his mother's bedroom door before knocking twice and entering. Once he did he could hear the faint sound of water running indicating that she was in the middle of a shower.
"That's why you didn't answer me" he said thoughtfully.
Suddenly he heard laughter coming from inside the bathroom. At first he thought that he was hearing things but when he heard her laugh once more he raised an eyebrow and walked over to the door. He was about to call out to her and ask if she was ok when he heard another snicker.
This time it wasn't his mother. It was someone else, a man.
"Stop it before you wake him up" the woman's voice returned followed by more giggling.
"Oh come on Kar you know that kid doesn't wake up until noon on a Saturday so we have plenty of time"
"But…"
"No buts Karen. I'm not going anywhere unless I absolutely have to"
Lucas didn't know what to think. His mother was in the shower with a man (who's voice he couldn't fully identify due to the heavy down pour of water) not even six months after the death of her fiancée. This had to be some kind of mistake. His mom would never do anything so tasteless or heartless. She loved Keith. She would never betray him like that, ever.
No Lucas it's just your mind playing tricks on you that's all
He told himself.
The boy shook his head and walked over to his mother's bed and sat down to wait for her when he noticed that the bed wasn't made.
This was odd.
His mother always kept a very clean house and keeping a made bed was one of her pet peeves. Upon further inspection he saw a watch and a wallet lying on top of her night stand. The two items defiantly did not belong to his mother; however they did look vaguely familiar. He just needed to remember where or rather who he had seen them on.
The sudden quiet drew his attention back to the bathroom door as he waited for his mother and her guest to make an appearance. He could feel his blood starting to boil and his temper flare.
How could this jerk take advantage of his mother like this? Didn't he know that she was still in mourning over the man who was going to be his father?
Lucas rose to his feet at the sound of the door knob turning, ready to do battle and to tell the son of a bitch that no one had the right to touch his mother except his father.
However all words failed him when the door opened to reveal his mother and her lover wrapped up in towels dripping wet and kissing.
He wanted to say something to get their attention and to let them know that he was there but he couldn't. The poor shell shocked kid could only stare straight ahead in horror and disbelief.
The couple was so into their kissing and groping that they didn't see the boy. The pair then started to make their way towards the bed where unbeknownst to them there son was standing with wide eyes and flushed cheeks.
Lucas saw them heading straight for him but he couldn't move. The only thing he could do was stand there, frozen in time like a statue. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as mother and father collided with son. When the pair was slightly knocked off balance that's when they finally noticed him.
The threesome stared at each other for a few minutes each one unsure of what to say or how to approach the other. The situation, as uncomfortable as it was needed to be resolved and fast.
Knowing this Karen began to speak just as Lucas cut her off.
"My sweatshirt" he spoke in a small voice.
"Lucas, honey I can explain…"
"I was just looking for my sweatshirt and when you didn't answer me I came to look for you and I heard you laughing and…and…" his voice was still soft as he had a dazed look on his face and switched his vision between the two.
The boy wanted to yell at his mother and ask her what the hell she was doing but the words seemed to be too far out of his reach and seeing as how the speech about his father being the only one to touch her would sound really weird because Dan, like it or not, was in fact his father.
Dear God this was so wrong. Oh so very wrong, on so many different levels.
Dan snickered a little at the look on hi son's face but instantly stopped when Karen shot him a look.
The woman then rested her hand on her son's reddened cheek.
"Do you want to talk about this I mean I know you must have a million questions"
"Nah I'm good Ma. I really just need to get my shirt. Nathan should be here any minute"
"Where are you boys off too?" questioned Dan.
"To the river court and then back to the apartment to set up the crib"
Lucas didn't know why he answered the man so calmly or even why he bothered to answer him at all. Even Dan seem shocked by his response.
"Luke, are you sure you're okay sweetheart?"
"Yeah" he said averting his eyes from the two naked people in front of him.
Outside he could hear Nathan beeping the horn signaling his arrival and he couldn't be more pleased.
"Mom"
"Oh the shirt. Yes, umm it's in the dryer"
"Okay" he whispered before hurrying towards the door.
"Lucas" yelled Dan forcing the boy to turn back.
"Here" the man spoke while extending his arm "You forgot your cell phone"
The boy locked eyes with his father for a few seconds still obviously in shock.
"Thanks"
"You're welcome"
The blonde was all set to walk away when the older male spoke again.
"Oh and make sure you're not home to late son. I think there are some things that the three of us need to discuss"
The boy blinked a few times, then without a single word a horrified and still dazed Lucas walked away as Dan turned back to an unmoving Karen.
"I can't remember so help me out here. Do you prefer your eggs fried or scrambled?"
OK I just wanted to let you guys know that I have started my own website called "The Writers Realm" So if you have any stories that you would like to post feel free to sign up and post them on my site (the link can be found in my profile) Oh and thank you all so much for the great reviews! I hope that you enjoyed the chapter. Nikki