Does it matter who stands next to you when all your dreams come true, or when they come crashing down?

Gravity is Working Against Me

Chapter 4
Part 1

Nathan Scott held onto facts. Things he was sure of. One being his love for Haley and their son. He was sure of that as much as he loved the games; he had to leave everything he felt about it, on the court. He was sure of keeping his son away from his father, because Dan could never earn redemption. But now he wasn't so sure. Is this really the end? Should I feel guilty, knowing what he did?

"Nathan, it's okay to feel remorse," Haley spoke bringing him out his thoughts.
"I honestly don't know what I feel. I can't make sense of this."
"Baby, he's your dad. It's not supposed to make sense." Haley wanted to find the right words to make everything ok. Instead, she brought her husband to her lap, holding him as close to her as she could. And she let him cry against her breast. "We just have to take it one step at a time, okay?" Nathan nodded, snuggling further in her embrace. "So what should we do about Jamie, today?"
"I call Skills to watch him. He shouldn't be at the hospital. One day at a time, right?"
"And what if Dan get's worse?"
"I don't know yet. Haley, this is as much your decision as it is mine."
"Nathan I know, but he's your dad."

"Lucas are you going to look at me?"
Lucas was inside his thoughts as the plane took off. Brooke and him went through the motions of getting ready for their flight but hadn't had the "talk" yet. Instead he just grabbed Brooke's hand and waited for the plane to steady.
"Lucas talk to me. What's going on with you?" He didn't know how to comprehend his feelings. He was a mess. He was all over the place. Yet he was calm and that scared her.
"I feel the same way after Keith died." He turned to her, knowing she would question him. He leaned in and kissed her.

"Lucas, you can't--" Luke places his finger to her lips.
"I'm angry, Brooke but I'm not going to shut you out. I'm angry that he's my father. I'm angry that he took Keith from me. I'm angry that as far as I go to separate myself from him, he keeps pulling me back."
"Luke, I'm sorry--"
"I need to know if you're going to be here"
"I am here. We both are. Lucas you know that I'll always be here for you."
"Okay."
"Luke, but what about?"
"You said you'd be here by my side. I need you to face this. Promise me, Brooke. I won't shut you out. Promise me." Blue orbs pierced her heart. She couldn't say no, not when he's this vulnerable. Not now, when he' starring into her soul. Not ever. So she reached her hand to his.
"Okay, I promise." She tried to search his face but he turned away, back towards the clouds.
"We don't have to tell them yet. This isn't the--"
"Right time…yea I agree. Let's wait."

Haley walked into Jamie's room. She was still contemplating what to say to her son. How was she supposed to explain the evils of the world to a five year old? His innocence enabled needed protection, but his innocence enabled him to love Dan. Not convicted murderer, dead-beat dad, and abusive husband. Just Grandpa.

"Jamie baby, wake up." Haley stroked his forehead. The boy shifted towards her touch and, awake. "Jamie, you feel kind of warm buddy"
"Momma I don't feel so good." He turned to her, allowing Haley to feel his clammy skin.
"Well I think you have a slight fever. You look a little flushed."
She stopped and stroked his cheek again. "Okay well let me take your temperature and we'll figure it out from there." Haley retreats to the bathroom and returns with the thermometer in tow. "Okay baby, sit up….Wow, you have a fever of 101.4. You're staying in bed today buddy, okay. No exceptions." Usually Jamie pleads with his mom but today he just nods, which doesn't go unnoticed. "So what hurts?"

"My tummy and my head."
"Okay, I think you may have the stomach flu, baby. So what can Momma do to make it better?"
"You can make me soup with extra--"
"Extra noodle, I know. Is that it?" Jamie climbed into his mother's lap, wrapping his small body around hers.
"Can you sit with me for a little while and talk me to sleep."
"Yes buddy, I can do that. Actually I have something to tell you. Your Grandpa Dan got in an accident, last night, sweetheart."

"Is he okay?"
"Your Daddy and I are going to go to the hospital today with Grandma. The doctors say he's stable." Jamie's eyes pricked with tears and he clung closer to Haley.
"Who's going to say with me?"
"Your Uncle Skills is going to keep you company today."
"Momma do you have to go?" Haley held her son tightly and kissed his head. Sometimes he broke her heart.
"Don't you want me to make sure Grandpa is okay?"
"Yea, I guess. Okay. But promise that you'll call?"
"I promise baby, every hour."

"Hey Mom, are you ready yet?" Nate sits at the counter, holding his phone. Haley is busy at the stove.
"Nate, don't rush her. I just started making Jamie's soup."
"I just want to get over there before something changes. So how is Jamie?"
"I think it's the flu. I mean his symptoms point towards that…" Nathan already knew she was thinking.
"Haley, he'll be okay here. You're a great mother and it's just the flu right?" Haley nodded.
"Right. I just hate leaving him when he's sick."

"Who's staying with Jamie again?" Deb walked downstairs.
"Our friend Skills. He--"
"Skills?" She asked abruptly surprised.
"Yea our friend Skills" Haley turned toward her.
"Anyways he's should be here any minute actually."

In come Skills.

"Yo Nate, Haley?"
"In the kitchen, Skills." Haley called out.
"So how infected is the mini Scott? Skills calls out as he walks into the kitchen. "Oh…Hi, Mrs. Scott. Mrs. Lee, uh…Ms. Lee. Deb." Skills rambles.
"Jamie is asleep. I made his soup and the medicine is in his room…" Haley responds.
Skills had starring at Deb suggestively; she on the other hand was diverting her eyes.
"Skills..? Skills…!" Haley calls.
"Huh ma?"
"Jamie should be out for like another hour and a half. Call if you need anything. Luke and Brooke are meeting us at the hospital, ok. So you can call them too, if-"
"Haley I get it. You know I got your boy. Go on."
"Come on Hales…" Nate and Haley leave for the hall. Deb runs up to Skills and leans in….
"MOM. Come on!"

Lucas hadn't let go of Brooke's hand since the flight. They were in and out of conversation but always, dodging the inevitable one.
"I think we should tell them." Brooke blurts out.
"What?" Luke turned to her.
"I think we should tell Nathan and Haley. You know that I can't keep anything from Haley and she would kill you if you lied to her. Plus if we tell one, the other is bound to know…..it's their communication thing."
"Brooke do you really think it's the right time?"
"Wait, so you can jump into this marriage but you stall telling people? There isn't going to be a right time."
"But what about us? I'm not the one that has a problem with this."
"Luke you're just--"
"I'm just saying it because it's the truth."
"Well, whatever. You should focus on Dan anyway, not me."

PAUSE

"I think we should tell them."
"What? Luke it's not the right time. You just said so yourself. Plus you're right, I'm not--"
"You're not ready for commitment, or marriage, or us, or--"
"Or Peyton" Of course she wasn't ready, she was screaming wake up.
"Or Peyton…….I know. I get it. You made it clear on the plane."

"Well why do you want to tell them?" Brooke waited for his response.
"Three reasons. One: Haley will attack me regardless but if we wait, we not be able to have children."
"Hahha, true…"
"Two, they'll help dodge Peyton. I know you might not think so, but-"
"Actually, you're right. Trust me. The last conversation I had with Haley is a clear indicator of that." The pair laughs. "What's the third reason?"
"Jamie"
"How is Jamie a reason?"
"Just wait."
"Lucas, I don't get it."
"Don't worry. You will." Brooke gives up as Lucas starts to unload the cab of their luggage. What could Jamie mean? Even Lucas didn't know the significance of his statement.

Thanks for reading. Please review! I think I have more alerts that reviews. I really want to know what you guys think. Part 2 should be up later this week.