Chapter Eight
About almost 7 hours later, Carly arrived at the San Diego Airport. Peyton met her at baggage claim. She gave Carly a hug as soon as she walked up to her, and said "Hey Lee."
"Hey P." She said with a weak smile.
"Are you okay?" Peyton asked.
"Yeah… lets just get this over with." She said.
Peyton grabbed Carly's suitcase, got in Peyton's car, then left to the hospital.
"So… Lee, how are things with your dad?" Peyton asked.
"You don't know?" She said.
"Know what?" Peyton said.
"The day I got into Boston. My dad got in a car accident. His funeral was yesterday." She said looking down.
"Oh my gosh… are you serious?" Peyton said.
"Yeah." She said.
"How were you… all by yourself?" Peyton said.
"I wasn't alone. When I got in, after my dad had dropped me off at the Dorms, I met this guy named Reid. He's the one who took me to see my dad at the hospital, he hasn't left my side… up until now." She said.
"So what's up with the ring? It's gorgeous… but when you left here, you were ring less." Peyton questioned.
She looked at it, laughed, and said "Funny story… we had to say he was my fiancé so he could go in the room with me to see my dad."
"You're still wearing the ring?" Peyton said.
"It's beautiful P." She said.
"I was just wondering… so what does this alleged 'fiancé' look like?" Peyton said.
Carly pulled out her camera and when Peyton was at a red light Carly showed he the pictures of Reid, and said "This is my Reid."
Peyton looked at the picture and said "He's cute… you two make a cute couple."
"Thanks… I like him a lot. He's been a great guy during all this… being there for me. He didn't have to but he did." She said with a smile.
"That's great, I am really happy for you… just be please be careful." Peyton said with concern.
"I will." She said.
Twenty minutes later they were at the hospital. The doctor on call told Carly that she was too late and her mom didn't make it. Carly was a little upset, but she didn't really cry. All she wanted was for Reid to hold her. Carly got to see her one last time to say "Goodbye."
Then her and Peyton stayed at Peyton's house. They had the funeral two days later. It was a nice service. Even though Carly had no say as far as decisions that were made.
While her and Peyton were walking to the car, a guy came up to them and said "Hey Carly."
Peyton pushed Carly behind her and said "You are violating your restraining order, Asshole."
A little scared, Carly said "What do you want Ben?"
"To talk. Can we go somewhere and eat?" Ben said.
"Hell no… she is not going anywhere with you." Peyton said.
"Why not? Don't you trust me?" Ben said.
"Fuck no." Peyton said.
"Carly trusts me… don't you?" Ben said with a smirk.
Carly was shaking her head 'No.'
Peyton could tell she was terrified, Peyton said "She isn't going… so leave. And stay away from her."
Ben noticed the ring on Carly's finger and said "You… you're engaged?!"
Carly looked at the ring and said "Yes I am."
"You can't be… You're not supposed to be with anyone but me!" Ben yelled.
"Go to hell Ben… she will never be with you." Peyton snapped.
"Oh yes she will… Where ever you go Carly, I will find you… I promise you that." Ben said.
Then Ben walked off. Carly started crying, now she really needed Reid more than ever. She calmed down a few minutes later when one of Alice's son walked over to them and said "Hey Carly."
"Oh hey… Brandon." Carly said wiping away her tears.
"Mom's lawyer wants us to meet at the house." He said.
"Ok… we'll be right there." Carly nodded.
Then her and Peyton went to Alice's house. During the whole debacle, Carly was in utterly complete shock. Her mother left her stuff, which by the way, Carly didn't think she'd get anything. Alice left her: 500,000.00. A pent house in Manhattan, a pent house in Rome, a log cabin in Colorado, all her expensive jewelry and all of her diamonds.
Even Alice's family was in shock that Alice even left her anything at all. Carly signed all the documents and got her copies, then Peyton took her to the airport. Carly would of stayed a little longer, but after the run in with Ben, Peyton understood why Carly had to leave.
Her and Peyton said their "Goodbyes." Then got on the plane for another grueling 6 ½ hours. Before the plane took off, she called Reid to tell him when to pick her up.
He could tell by the sound in her voice that something was wrong. But he told her that he would be there. During the flight, Carly would try to fall asleep, but the images of Ben wouldn't let her. She was feeling really scared and she really needed Reid to hold her and tell her that everything would be okay.
