Rachel steps into Heather's doorway, "Haley and Payton are downstairs."
Heather turns, "Oh okay, where did ya'll say you were taking me?"
Rachel smiles brightly, "We didn't girly, now come on."
Heather sighs and looks at herself in the mirror again, "Are you sure that Meg and Lily can't come?"
"Afraid of being strapped with a bunch of old women?" Payton asks from beside Rachel.
Heather laughs turning to face the two women, "If I were afraid of you I wouldn't be going. Just not so sure I trust where you are taking me."
"Just come on," Payton says reaching a hand out to Heather. Reluctantly Heather takes Payton's hand and allows herself to be lead to the living room. "No baby till we get back B." Payton says as they enter the living room.
"I'm thinking I might have to put an eviction notice up for this one. He just doesn't seem to be concerned with the fact that his due date is looming in a week." Brooke laughs.
"He'll be here before you know it, then you'll be wishing for more sleep." Haley laughs.
"Maybe the doctor will induce you Momma?" Heather says rubbing her own belly.
"Not until she's over due, and honey let me tell you your Momma has never been over due." Rachel laughs.
"Nope, even you were three days before your due date." Brooke nods.
Heather laughs, "Well maybe he's gonna take more after Daddy then the rest of us. Lord knows the only thing he showed up on time for was the births of his children. And even then, he almost missed it."
Payton laughs, "That's men for ya though."
Haley stands up, "Okay lets go girls, lots to do and I don't want to wear Heather out."
Brooke nods, "Be careful."
"We will Momma, love you." Heather hugs her mother then follows the women out of the house. They get into Rachel car and head out. "So what is Jamie doing today?"
"His Dad's taking him somewhere." Haley answers from the front seat.
"Oh so Nate's got all the kids so we could go running around." Heather smiles.
"Nope, Luke has the kids." Payton says from beside Heather.
"You left the kids with Lucas?" Heather laughs, "You realize he'll make basketball stars out of them right?"
Haley laughs, "Well I didn't think Chase would appreciate me dropping them off there, and the nanny couldn't come in."
"Ahh, so Luke was a last minute choice." Heather laughs but suddenly turns serious, "How is Luke?"
"He's good," Payton says, "You know you could just come over and see him yourself."
"I know, but I haven't really felt much like getting out." Heather sighs.
Payton reaches over and rubs Heather's stomach, "Almost time huh?"
"Eight more weeks!" Haley says from the front.
"Eight more weeks." Heather says with a sigh.
Rachel glances in her rear view mirror, "So Meg said finals were this week. You all ready?"
"I'm never ready for finals. But I think it'll be okay." Heather says.
"Well, you're exempt from my final." Haley says.
"Really?" Heather asks curiously.
"You passed with an A, so yeah. Everybody with an A in any classes doesn't take finals." Haley looks back at her, "I thought you new that?"
"No, I just assumed I would have to take them. Which means, I only have to take two finals." Heather smiles suddenly.
"No all A's for you?" Rachel asks.
"Nope, had few other things on my mind." Heather laughs.
Payton looks over at her, "Don't feel bad, Jackson is taking four of his finals."
"No way! He's been doing great this year!" Heather looks at her amazed.
"Well, he's passing all his classes with like a B." Payton says, "So we're not to worried about it."
"As long as Meg is passing I'm happy. And she is." Rachel says, "Thanks to Heather."
"Thanks to me?" Heather says.
"Yeah you," Rachel laughs.
"Meg is smart, she done all the work." Heather shrugs.
"Well, you helped keep her on track." Rachel says pulling into the mall.
"I try." Heather laughs.
Payton, Heather, Haley, and Rachel all climb out of the car and go into the mall. "So all that secrecy and you brought me to the mall?" Heather looks around at them.
Haley links arms with Heather, "If you new why you were here, you probably wouldn't have come."
"Why does that scare me?" Heather looks over at her.
"Oh it should scare you with these two." Payton laughs.
"Hey!" Rachel shoots Payton a look at links her arm with Heather's as well, "We have shopping to do."
"Please tell me that means the three of you." Heather looks over at Rachel who laughs, "It's really not nice to abduct a pregnant girl."
"Who said we were abducting you? We're just taking you shopping." Haley says.
Heather laughs, "Against my will."
Payton laughs, "You'll thank us later. Have you ever picked out a name for that little one yet?"
"Elizabeth Lily Rose Scott." Heather says.
"Wow, what a name for a little girl." Rachel laughs, "But I love it."
"Well, Jamie said he wanted to pick the first name, so he picked Elizabeth after me. Then I picked Lily Rose because of Lily and Meg, and then Scott of course cause Jamie's last name is Scott." Heather thinks looking over at Haley, "Unless ya'll think she should have the name Adams, I don't mind."
"No, she should have Jamie's name if that's what you guys decided." Haley says gently.
Heather stops suddenly, seeing where she's being lead, "A baby store?"
"You realize the pregnancy is going to end in a baby right? And babies require stuff." Payton says putting her hands on her hips.
"Smart ass." Heather says, "Yes I realize that, what I don't understand is why you are taking me to one. I haven't talked to Momma yet to see what all her and Daddy are going to let me use or whatever."
"They aren't, they bought all new stuff, so the rest of us put money together and are going to buy you all new stuff." Haley says.
"No, that's way to much!" Heather protests.
Payton steps forward and cups Heather's face gently, "You know there is nothing we wouldn't do for you. And this is what we want to do, for you and for Jamie. This is important to us Heather, so let us do it."
Heather is about to protest but sighs, "Fine, but we aren't buying the expensive stuff."
"Of course not." Rachel says leading Heather into the store.
"Have you thought about a theme?" Haley asks picking up a pink bedding set.
"Um, not really. I wanted Pooh Bear and Tigger, but I think Momma going with Pooh." Heather says. "It's more of a boys theme anyways."
"You want something girly" Rachel says.
Heather laughs, "You know Meg hates the ball arena's on her wall at Mouth's right?"
"His idea not mine." Rachel laughs.
"What about teddy bears?" Payton asks, "Maybe fairy teddy bears."
"Fairy Teddy Bears?" Heather asks raising an eye brow,
"I'm trying to help here..." Payton laughs.
"What about princess?" Haley asks holding up a pink princess blanket.
"That's cute," Heather says.
"So that's a maybe." Rachel smiles.
"You're the ones buying, I donno..." Heather sighs. "She's got the hiccups."
"How about flowers?" Payton says holding up a flowery blanket set.
"Aww," Heather says, "That's cute, but Jessica would steal it, she loves anything with flowers on it."
"I forgot about that, she stole my flowery shirt." Payton laughs.
"Yeah, I keep meaning to steal that back when she's sleeping." Heather laughs.
"Don't let her keep it. But flowers are a big no." Payton puts the blanket set back.
Heather's eyes roam around until they land on a light pink blanket with butterflies on it. "Oh my gosh," Heather picks up the blanket, "it's beautiful."
Rachel looks over Heather's shoulder, "Looks like we found a theme." she says softly.
Heather glances behind her at Rachel and smiles, "I guess so."
Payton, Rachel and Haley go crazy with the theme. Each one picking out different parts of the room. Heather picks up things every ounce in while, not really sure what all will be needed. Haley pulls Heather aside after a few minutes and allows the other two to continue their shopping for the little things. "Nathan and I would like to buy the crib and stuff." she says leading Heather toward the cribs.
"Haley, I couldn't ask you to ." Heather says.
Haley stops and turns toward Heather, "Honey that is our grand baby you are carrying. I know most of the load has been on Brooke and Chase, but we want to do some things to. Nathan and I feel it's as much our right as it is Brooke and Chase's when it come to this baby. And may I say how proud I am of you? You've handled this better then I handled being pregnant with Jamie, and I was 18. Just don't cut us out please?" Haley gently cups Heather's face.
"I don't want to cut you out. I just don't want you to feel like you have to do this. I figured maybe you hated me. For trapping Jamie or something. Honestly I'm not trapping him. I told him he could walk away, but he said he wanted to stay. And I'm glad, I love Jamie, and I love you guys. I just..." Heather sighs deeply.
Haley takes Heather into her arms, "Nobody hates you. Heather listen to me, we love you. And we love Elizabeth. She's got a great set of parents. No this isn't how any of us saw your junior year of high school, but that doesn't matter know. She's almost here and I can't help but be a little excited."
Heather leans into Haley, "Me too."
Haley rubs Heather back. Payton mouths "She okay?" and Haley nods. Haley can feel the slow steady kick of Elizabeth against her own stomach. Reminding her that her grandchild is growing steadily inside this seventeen year old girl.
Heather pulls back, "I don't think she ever sleeps."
Haley laughs, "Just wait until she get here."
"Can I ask you something?" Heather says after a moment.
"Anything." Haley says leading her to the cribs.
"If you could do it all over again would you?" Heather asks.
"You mean get married in high school, have Jamie senior year?" Haley asks.
"Yeah." Heather says putting her hands on her back watching Haley.
Haley thinks, "There were several hard months, and years. But I can't say that I would. I mean, the struggles that Nate and I went through, that's what made us so strong."
Heather nods, "I asked Momma and she said that no, she wouldn't redo it either. She said I was the reason she came back to Tree Hill."
"You were." Haley nods, "She was about three to three and half months pregnant. She was scared, she was beyond hormonal. But one thing she said right from the start was that you were a choice, not a mistake. She made it very clear to us that you were going to have everything she could possibly give you. And as far as I know, you haven't wanted for anything."
"I haven't." Heather says looking at a crib. "I love her."
"Your Mom?" Haley asks.
"Well yeah, but Elizabeth. I love her so much and she isn't even here. I keep thinking about maybe we should have waited, but that doesn't matter know. She was created out of love." Heather says running her fingers over a crib.
"They can say what they want Heather, but loving a child is just as important as any other part of raising them. You'll find that when you are exhausted and ready to explode, you keep going because she needs you. When you have a horrible day and go home to her, she'll be all you need to relax. She'll make you laugh and cry and scream and you'll never love anybody as much as you love your child." Haley says watching Heather.
"Jamie wants to stay with us after she's born. He said he knows I'll need my Mom, but he wants to help out." Heather says still fingering the crib.
Haley sighs, "I know. He talked to me and Nate about it last night. I think he should. Nathan seems to think he's a little young to be moving out, but I honestly think that if the two of you created this child the two of you should take care of it. And we were also talking, what if after the baby got a little older, you moved into the apartment?'
"The one that you and Nathan lived in?" Heather asks.
"Yeah we kept it, just in case." Haley says. "You never know when somebody is going to show up needing a place. But you are welcome to it."
"I'll talk to Jamie about it." Heather says.
"In the mean time, where is that little one going to sleep?" Haley asks.
Heather looks around, "They are all so pretty."
Haley laughs, "Well she won't need them all. But this one is cute, and it will grow with her. That's the best thing we ever bought for Sarah, because we didn't have to buy her a toddler bed."
"Mamma's got one of those for Jessica, she just changed it a toddler bed and there it was." Heather says looking at the tag. "But that's way to much..."
"Nothing is too much." Haley counters shaking her head.
Heather looks around seeing the crib she had looked at ounce before she makes her way over, "Haley?" she calls.
"Yeah?" Haley makes her way over.
"What about this one? It changes too, but it's a lot simpler then the other one." Heather looks over the sleigh style crib.
"It's beautiful." Haley smiles, "If this is what you want this is what you get."
"This is what I want." Heather smiles.
"We'll take the whole set." Haley tells the sales lady. "Oh and that pink glider rocker over there as well."
The sales lady quickly scoots off to get the order. Payton and Rachel soon join them. "I'm just saying she doesn't need one." Payton was saying.
"But it's so cute!" Rachel says. Payton rolls her eyes. "And besides I already paid for it."
"You paid for it?" Payton asks laughing, "Then why the hell am I arguing with you about it?"
"Because you love arguing with me." Rachel smirks.
"What are you two talking about?" Heather asks as they approach.
"She bought a little pink rocking chair. I don't know what she thinks a newborn will do with a little pink rocking chair, but whatever." Payton says shaking her head.
"She'll play with it eventually." Haley laughs.
"There's one more thing we need." Payton says looking at Heather.
"There is no way she needs anything else." Heather looks into the buggy which is filled to the top.
"Yup there's one more." Rachel says leading Heather toward the mobiles. "Pick one."
Heather looks at the mobiles before her, "This one." She picks one with little butterflies on it.
"We're all done then." Haley says.
They pay for everything and leave the store in time for them to deliver the furniture. Heather really didn't see the rush, but Haley had insisted. Heather almost falls asleep on the way home. Exhausted from her day of shopping. Rachel wakes her when they get home, and helps her out of the car. Brooke is in the kitchen fixing supper, and looks up when they come in. "Did you get everything?"
"I got more then any baby can possibly need" Heather laughs.
"I wouldn't count on that one Heather." Rachel says chuckling softly. "Here B, set down."
"I'm fine Rachel, I can fix supper for my family." Brooke rolls her eyes.
"And you can set down and talk to your daughter while I fix supper." Rachel says taking the spoon from Brooke.
Brooke sighs and finally sets down, "So how was your day?"
"Oh Momma they done to much" Heather says.
Brooke laughs, "They wanted to . Your father and I were talking about buying all new stuff for you, but then Haley said she and Nathan were going to."
"I know, but Momma they just..." Elizabeth kicks taking Heather's breath.
"You okay?" Brooke watches Heather.
"Yeah, she just took my breath."
Heather leans back in her chair, "She's been doing that a lot
lately."
"She's growing, which means she's taking up more room
and kicking your lungs." Brooke says, "He's laying low enough I
haven't had much of that problem."
"You got everything you
need Momma?" Heather asks.
"Oh yeah, we got that weeks ago. You know Aiden nursery is already done. We were planning on taking you next week, but since Rachel, Payton and Haley wanted to take you we decided to let them." Brooke says. "We moved Deanna down one room, so Elizabeth can have the room next to yours."
"But she loves that room Momma!" Heather sets up as quickly as possible.
"It was her idea, your dad and I said we would buy her a new bedroom set." Brooke laughs, "And she gets to paint it any color she wants."
"Weren't you gonna buy her a new bedroom set for her birthday?" Heather asks raising and eye brow.
"Well..." Brooke laughs a little, "We didn't tell her that part."
"Momma!" Heather laughs.
"You'll understand one of these days. Besides she wants to go on that trip with her friends, we'll probably let her go and give her spending money as her birthday." Brooke says.
"Oh right, you sure you want her away from home for a week?" Heather asks.
"No, but your father is." Brooke says.
Payton and Haley join them, having unloaded the car. "Thanks for the help Rachel." Payton says setting down beside Heather.
"You're welcome!" Rachel grins broadly.
"I new there was some reason you wanted to cook." Brooke laughs.
"She should be set for a few months." Haley says setting down. "We got the big stuff."
"Good," Brooke nods, "What colors did you end up with?"
"Light pink, with butterflies on it." Heather says, "And a light wood colored sleigh style crib set."
"That sounds beautiful," Brooke squeezes Heather's hand.
"She done good, she has your fashion sense." Payton says.
"Well I should hope so, cause I would hate for her to have Chase's." Brooke laughs.
"We're all done!" Jamie announces from the door.
Heather jumps, "Oh God don't do that!" she covers her heart with her hand. "What the hell are you done with, taking a paint bath?" Heather asks looking at her boyfriends paint stained clothes.
"Sorry," Jamie says, "I didn't mean to scare you."
Heather laughs, "It's okay, I should have known, but what are you doing?"
"Painting!" Jamie smiles broadly.
"Finger painting with Jessica again huh?" Heather tries to look serious, but smiles anyways.
"That was ounce!" Jamie says, "And it was her fault!"
"She was two!" Heather laughs, "You should have known better then to let a two year old pick out the finger paint!"
"My hair was green for a week!" Jamie laughs.
"I tried everything to get the damn paint out of his hair." Haley says shaking her head.
Brooke laughs, "I think that's the last time you let him baby set until Sarah came along."
Nathan steps into the door, "Hey girls!"
Heather raises an eye brow, "Aren't you a little old to be finger painting?"
Nathan laughs, "Finger painting?"
Everybody laughs, "Long story." Haley says, "How's the room coming?"
"Done!" Nathan says.
"Oh, your painting Aiden's room." Heather says looking at Brooke.
"Um, maybe you should come see for yourself Baby." Jamie says helping Heather up. Heather follow him up the stairs and to the room designated for Elizabeth. "Ready?" He asks before opening the door.
"Ready for what?" Heather asks.
Jamie opens the door, "This" he says allowing Heather to enter the room before him.
"Oh God, Jamie!" Heather looks at the light pink walls with butterflies stenciled onto it. "How did you know?"
"Momma called me when you picked it up. Me, Jackson and Dad painted it. You like it?" Jamie asks from behind her.
Heather shakes her head, "No," she says softly turning to face Jamie with tears in her eyes, "I love it."
Jamie smiles hugging her, "I love you."
Heather pulls back, "What about Aiden's room?"
"Jackson is helping your Dad paint it know, he worked on it while we worked over here. Dad went between the two." Jamie says pulling her back close.
