Authors Note: Thanks for all the positive reviews. Hope you like this chapter! Please review!
Chapter 6
Dan was a bit taken aback by Peyton's forwardness but decided on the back to Karen's room that he'd dealt with her questions well enough. He opened Karen's door quietly, peering in to see if she was still awake. Dan found her crying, looking at a photograph of Lucas in her wallet.
'Karen?' He said tentatively, she looked up, her eyes red and puffy. 'I just spoke to Nathan, he spoke with the doctors. Lucas is going to be fine.
Karen breathed a sigh of relief. 'I don't know about that Dan. He may recover physically, but emotionally. I don't know if he'll ever forgive me for this.'
'For what, Karen?' Dan sat on the edge of the bed.
'For this! Us, Dan! What was I thinking?'
'You were thinking, it's your life, no one else's. :You have to do what makes you happy. Lucas is a man now. You gave him your life for the past seventeen years, nearly eighteen now. You have to take your life back'. Dan had turned on the usual charm. It was sickening, yet Karen bought it.
'I know you're right, Dan. It's just he's my son. I don't want to let him go that easily.'
Dan hugged Karen, 'I'm not suggesting you let him go, just let him know what you want. Help him understand where you're coming from. If he needs outside help, we can get it for him.'
'Thanks Dan, I'm so glad you're here when I really need you' Karen looked into Dan's eyes.
'I'll always be here for you Karen' Dan leaned in kissing her softly
Nathan's timing was, as usual, terrible.
'Oh sorry' He stuttered and walked out of the room feeling sick at the image of Dan and Karen. What was Lucas going to think about this?
Dan and Karen were both shocked by Nathan's entrance. Dan rushed out to catch him.
'Nathan wait!' Dan called after him.
Nathan stopped and turned to face Dan 'What are you doing, Dad?'
'What's that supposed to mean?' Dan was wary of Nathan's tone.
'You know exactly what I mean. You and Karen! What the hell?!'
'That's none of your business!'
'Does Lucas know about this?'
'This isn't the time or the place for this' Dan cut Nathan off.
'You're right. I just came by to let you know that Lucas is out of surgery and that he's in recovery.' Nathan finished his sentence and walked off.
A couple of hours later, Peyton walked into Lucas' room, unsure of what to expect. She was greeted by a groggy Lucas. His face was bruised. He smiled when he saw her enter, regretting it somewhat when the pain kicked in. Peyton went to him and kissed him softly.
'I believe you'
'You do?' Lucas was surprised but doubtful, wondering if this was the morphine kicking in.
'I do, but I'm still cross with you. You shouldn't have left... or tried to leave without saying goodbye!'
'I know, I'm sorry.' Lucas said wearily, he didn't have the strength to defend his actions. Peyton saw the look on his face and instantly felt guilty.
'I'm sorry too. I shouldn't get angry with you. It's a tough time for you. I understand why you needed to get away, clear your head.' Peyton absent mindedly stroked Lucas' hand.
'Thanks Peyton. All this is so confusing. I so glad to have you here.' Peyton went and kissed him softly on the forehead. They sat in silence for a few moments before Lucas piped up again.
'What convinced you?'
'That what you told me was true?... I asked Dan straight out. The look on his face said it all. He wasn't expecting that sort of a question from me at all.' Peyton replied, smiling.
'You're great, you know that?' Lucas yawned as he finished his sentence.
'I love you' Peyton said before standing up ' You better get some rest.'
Before Peyton could lean in to kiss him goodbye, someone else entered the room - Dan. Lucas sat up quickly, feeling his stitches pull but ignoring it.
'Get out! You stay away. Stay away from my mother!' Lucas was over exerting himself.
'Calm down, Lucas' Dan said calmly, trying to rile Lucas. 'I'm just here to see that you're alright so I can let your mom know.'
'I said get out!' Beads of sweat formed on Lucas' forehead. Peyton intervened
'Seriously Dan, I think you should leave.'
'I'll be back soon' Dan said before leaving.
Peyton turned to look at Lucas, his head had fallen back into the pillow, he was exhausted.
'You should try and get some rest Lucas.'
'Stay with me?' Lucas whispered his eyelids drooping
'Of course' Peyton took his hand, worried about him.
Authors Note: Dunno how much I liked this chapter but I kinda know where this story is going so certain things have to happen. PLEASE REVIEW! It's what keeps me going!
