HJS-NS-23- Hey guys sorry it's taken us so long to update, but we both got stuck and didn't know what should happen in this chapter. Anyways we feel really guilty for making you guys wait and hopefully people are still reading this story. Please let us know what you think and remember we always knew all along who the couples were going to be. Please review. Thanks! Kelly and Heather.
Lucas watched as Brooke pulled in the driveway behind him. He takes a deep breath before stepping out of the car and leading the way towards the door. Once inside he turns to look at Brooke. "Look it's been a long night and all I want to do right now is try to get some sleep." she nods her head sadly not saying anything in response.
Lucas walks up the stairs and a few minutes later Brooke hears the door to the spare bedroom shut. Brooke sighs 'Well I guess he's sleeping in the spare bedroom tonight.' she says to herself as she climbs the stairs.
Brooke can hear Lucas moving around in the next room and she shakes her head. How did it come to this? Why did I have to lie to him? she wonders to herself. She lets out a puff of air before walking over to the closet to get a comfy pair of sweats that she hasn't worn in years down from the top shelf. As she tugs on the pants a small box falls down with them. Curious she picks it up and carries it to the bed, opening the lid she gasps.
Making sure to shut the door quietly Haley crept to Nathan's door, a smile playing on her lips knowing they wouldn't be caught by anyone since Jake was sleeping and no one else was there.
Opening the door she slipped in shutting it behind her and she watched him, nibbling on her lower lip as she watched his chest rise and fall with each breath he took. A slow churning ache of feeling pooling in the pit of her stomach as she looked at his naked torso, the sheets kicked to the end of the bed and his pajama bottoms slung low on his hips. Fiddling with her gold pinkie ring she purposely made her way to his bed, her chocolate orbs full of lust as she gazed at the raven haired man fast asleep.
Nathan felt her come into the room, but tried to keep his breath steady as he listened intently to her walking towards him. He could feel her hot breath on his face as her fingers feathered his hair before cupping his face. Thanks to all his years of training for basketball he had catlike reflexes as his hand shot up and cupped Haley's neck crashing her lips on top of his. Haley moaned in surprise before she felt Nathan grab her waist and pull her on top of him, his tongue running against the seam of her lips asking for permission, which she granted happily. Their tongues dueled as pressed her hips against his, teasing him and smiling when she heard a groan escape
"I love you," Nathan told her pulling away and resting his forehead against her his blue eyes full of lust and love looking up at her as his hand brushed a piece of hair off her face.
Nathan moved his hand up and down Haley's back a few times before she looked up at him smiling. Leaning up he captured her lips with his before pulling her shirt over her head and continuing his roaming hands to pull her flesh against his, needing to be with his wife again. He couldn't believe how close they were to getting caught by Jake when they were supposed to be cooking dinner, but now, now he could make love to his wife without any interruptions.
As Brooke shifts through the contents of the box her heart drops to her stomach. This can't be what I think it is. No Lucas wouldn't have kept this all these years, he couldn't have. Her thoughts racing quickly through her head as her heart begins to race at the same time.
She finally puts the box down as the tears fall down all around her. She sits still on the bed for several minutes before finally getting up and walking towards the closet. She grabs her suitcase and throws it open on the bed before hastily throwing several outfits inside. Once she is finished she closes the suitcase and slips quietly out into the hall. She checks to make sure no noise is coming from the other room before making her way to the living room.
She sits the suitcase on the floor next to the door and walks over to the couch grabbing the afghan off the back and lays down thinking back on the last few years. She can't believe that all of this time her best friend was alive and she never knew it. But what hurts her more than that is what she found inside the box Lucas had hidden. She can't believe he could have held on to all of that this long without her knowing. Brooke shakes her head in disbelief and sadness, before long she drifts off to sleep.
The morning light filtered into the room shining on Haley's face as she buried her face into Nathan's side trying to fight the light. Nathan's arm tightens around Haley pulling her closer to him as his eyes stay close trying to block the harsh sunlight.
Haley sighs deeply as she chews on her bottom lip knowing that Nathan is awake, but not knowing how to approach him with the subject. Looking up at him she smiled before her fingers play with the chain around his neck. The chain that holds his wedding ring noone knows he still wears.
"Stop it" Nathan said trying to keep the smirk off his face as he could feel her body tense as she laid next to him.
"What" Haley asked trying to pretend she wasn't hiding anything from Nathan. She still didn't even know how to broach the subject or how he would react. After all they had kept it a secret all these years for a reason.
"Whatever you're worrying about. Just stop." Nathan told her knowing that she wouldn't be able to do it, but maybe at the very least she would tell him what was wrong.
Haley let out a huff of breath. "How do you know I'm worried? You didn't even open your eyes." She asked incredulously. "You think I need to see you with my eyes to know what's going on with you. What's on your mind?" Nathan prodded wanting to know what was wrong with Haley whether it had to deal with Peyton or seeing Lucas or what it was.
Haley internally debated with herself wondering if she should tell him before the words spilled out of her mouth. "I want to tell people about us...I want to tell Jake. He's our friend and I just want the world to know that I love my husband. I want us to be us again even in public. I'm tired of hiding behind closed doors," Haley told him her voice catching in her throat as she tried to stop the tears that had filled her eyes from falling. Nathan heard her voice crack and opened his eyes seeing the pain etched in Haley's brown eyes along with the unshed tears. Turning on his side he lightly wiped a tear that escaped. "Are you sure? We hid this for a reason Hales with your career and my career it's not going to be easy" He told her his voice low.
Haley let out a puff of air. "I know that Nathan, but I think it's time we stopped hiding."
"Hales think about how everyone is going to react. There gonna be hurt we hid it for so long. There gonna be pissed we didn't tell them, but we didn't even know if it was going to work...if we were going to work." Nathan tried to soothe her.
Haley played with the gold pinkie ring on her finger as she looked up at Nathan. "Are you ashamed of us? Of the fact were together?" Haley asked the vulnerability in her voice along with the words shocking Nathan.
"What?" Nathan asked sitting up and looking down at Haley who followed his lead and sat up also. "Hales how can you think that?" Nathan questioned needing to know when the doubt had come in. After all they had decided to keep a secret and agreed on it 100 percent.
"What if something happened Nathan? What if you got injured during a game and were in the hospital and if I tried to see you and everyone found out you had a secret wife the press would be all over us...What if...I can't lose you Nathan and I am scared I am going to because of something stupid and I just...I want to be with you...and I want everyone to know because I love you Always." Haley started and Nathan interjecting with "Forever" his heart aching with the pain he could see flashing in Haley's eyes.
The next morning Lucas wakes up and stretches having slept on the guest bed made his back and neck sore. He rubs his hands over his face trying to wipe the sleep out of his eyes. He can hear Brooke moving around downstairs so he decides that he should probably get out of bed and go talk to her. He's not sure what to expect after what happened the day before, but he knows that they need to have a long talk.
Lucas walks downstairs to find Brooke dressed and sitting on the couch, he glances over towards the door and sees her suitcase packed and ready to go. "Brooke what's all of this?" he asks his eyes darting between Brooke and the suitcase.
Brooke looks up at him with tears in her eyes "I'm leaving Lucas." she says simply. He looks at her in disbelief, but before he can say a word she continues. "I found this last night while I was getting something out of the closet." she says as she hands him the box that she found.
Lucas looks at the box and his whole body stiffens, while his eyes go wide with fear, shock and guilt. "Brooke I can explain." he says in merely a whisper.
Brooke holds up her hands, "I'm not sure I want to hear whatever explanation you are going to give me Luke." Her eyes meet his and he can see the pain in them and that breaks his heart. "When I found that last night Lucas it broke my heart," she says as the tears begin to fall down her cheeks. "That box made me realize that you were never going to let her go Luke."
Lucas shakes his head "Brooke please let me explain. I only kept that box to remind me of Peyton. To remind of the heartache and pain that I caused you and her by my actions. I'm sorry Brooke I truly am. I forgot that stupid thing was even in the closet to be honest." he tells her trying to explain his actions.
Brooke nods "I think it's time you stopped lying to yourself and everyone else Lucas. You didn't keep that box because of the heartache and pain you kept that box to remind you of how much you loved Peyton, how much you still love Peyton." Her voice catches in her throat as she speaks the words.
Lucas takes her hand in his "Brooke I love you and I know we have some things to work through, but please don't leave like this." he eyes plead with hers.
Brooke pulls her hand away from his, "I know you love me Lucas and I love you too but honestly neither of us are in love with one another. If it wasn't for the accident and you believing Peyton and Sawyer were dead all this time you and I wouldn't even be together." He starts to disagree, but she stops him. "No Luke it's true and you know that, Peyton is the mother of your child and in the end we both know you would have chosen her. Because it always comes back to Peyton and it always will. I refuse to be your second choice." she says flatly.
She walks to the door and takes her suitcase in her hand "I love you Lucas and I always will that's what sucks about all of this. I believe that one day we can be friends again, but for now I can't stay here." she opens the door and turns to walk through it. Before she closes the door behind her she turns and meets his eyes "Goodbye Lucas!" she says quickly shutting the door behind her and rushing to her car before she can break down.
Lucas falls into the chair closest to him and the tears begin to fall, he cries for his broken relationship with Brooke and he cries because he knows that she's probably right about his feelings for Peyton.
Peyton slowly opens her eyes before glancing around the room, it takes her a minute to realize where she is. She sits up slowly trying not to disturb her sleeping daughter. She sighs before pushing the covers back and walking to the door quietly opening it. She glances back to the bed to make sure that Sawyer is still sound asleep, she smiles to herself when she sees her daughter sleeping peacefully.
As she moves towards the kitchen she can hear someone moving around and she figures that it's probably Karen because she can smell food cooking. She hesitates before entering the kitchen not sure how the older woman is going to react after she's had some time to process everything that happened the night before. She takes a deep breath before forging ahead to face whatever she is about to face.
As Peyton enters the kitchen Karen looks up from the paper that she's reading and smiles at Peyton "Good morning Peyton how did you sleep?" she asks in the motherly tone that Peyton remembered and loved.
Peyton smiles at her "I slept very well thank you Karen for letting us stay here last night." she says in a reserved tone still not sure what to expect from the other woman. Peyton knows that Karen is going to have more questions, but for some reason for the first time in a really long time Peyton feels safe.
"It's honestly not a problem Peyton; I'm thrilled to have you and Sawyer back in our lives. Speaking of Sawyer is my granddaughter still sleeping?" the brunette woman asks her face beaming with pride at the mention of Sawyer.
Peyton nods her head "Do you mind if I have some coffee?" she asks nodding her head towards the coffee pot.
Karen lets out a laugh "Why of course I don't mind Peyton make yourself at home. Anything you or Sawyer want is yours." she tells her sincerely.
Peyton smiles at her before pouring her coffee and then joining Karen at the table "I know that you probably have a lot of questions for me so feel free to ask whatever you want and I'll try to answer them the best I can." she says looking Karen in the eyes wanting to get this out of the way now before Sawyer wakes up.
Karen places her hand on top of Peyton's then looks directly into the blondes eyes "Honey all I need to know is that you and Sawyer are alive and well and that I get to have you both in my life. I know that until very recently you couldn't remember parts of your life so I understand why you stayed away for so long. I also know that had you been able to remember everything you would have never kept Sawyer from her family. I'm just glad you had Nathan to help you and make you feel safe."
Peyton looks at her with tears in her eyes "I don't know what to say Karen for the last few years being with Nathan, Jake and Haley I did feel safe. But being here with you, knowing that even though I've been away for so long nothing has changed between us. I actually feel safer now than I have in a very long time. I finally know where I belong again; where Sawyer belongs and that she has a full family that loves her," at that point the tears spill over the brims and fall down her cheeks.
Karen stands up and walks around the table to wrap her arms around Peyton "You have a whole family who loves you as well Peyton. You don't know how happy I was to see you last night. Yes I was shocked, but when we thought we had lost you; it was as if I had lost my own daughter. Now I have you back and I couldn't be happier." she admits truthfully. Peyton wraps her arms around the older woman and they embrace for a very emotional long overdo hug.
"Nothing's going to happen to me Hales" Nathan told her honestly stoking her cheek.
"What if something does though?" Haley can't help but argue. "Can we at least tell Jake? I know he will keep it a secret and then we wouldn't have to sneak around to be with each other when we're in the house."
"Okay" Nathan conceded feeling better about everything when he saw Haley's eyes shine with light and a smile fill her face.
"Really?" Haley asked wanting to make sure he was serious.
"Yes" Nathan said chuckling softly when Haley lunged at him and kissed him passionately.
"How about I go to the store and get stuff for breakfast?" Haley asked figuring they could tell Jake over food to help comfort the shock.
"Only after I'm done with you," Nathan told her pulling the sheet off her body as his eyes and hands traveled her body. Haleys laughter filling the room as Nathan tickled her before kissing her deeply..
Lucas is still sitting in the same chair in pretty much the same position he was in just after Brooke left. What have I done? he asks himself.
He shakes his head trying to clear it before running his hands through his hair. He decides to take a hot shower hoping that will clear the fog so he can process all that has happened and figure out how to move forward.
Slowly he gets out of the chair and makes his way up to the bathroom. He grabs a towel and wash cloth out of the closet before turning on the water and checking the temperature. Once the water is just right he undresses and steps under the hot stream of water.
As the water washes over him some of the stress is washed away with it. He knows that feeling is only temporary, but for now he doesn't care. He lets out a deep breath before hitting the shower wall in frustration.
His head is spinning as Brooke's words play over and over in his head If it wasn't for the accident and you believing Peyton and Sawyer were dead all of this time you and I wouldn't even be together. He can't help but wonder if maybe she isn't right. He wonders if maybe deep down he does still love Peyton.
Realizing that the shower really isn't doing anything to help his mood he decides to get dressed and head over to his mom's so he can see Sawyer and hopefully talk to Peyton about things. He needs to just focus on getting to know his daughter as well as getting to know Peyton again. He knows that it's been a few years and Peyton is just now finally remembering everything from her life once he met her.
As Lucas is getting dressed he can't help but wonder how Peyton feels about him. Does she still love him? Or did the pain and suffering he caused her prove to be too much even for them to move past? He sighs not sure if he really wants to know the answer to either of those questions.
Lucas walks into his parents house "Mom, Keith? Where are you guys?" he calls out not finding them in the kitchen. He begins walking through the house "Is anybody here?" he calls out.
Peyton walks out of his bedroom not watching where she is going and almost runs into Lucas "Oh God Luke you scared me. I'm sorry I was listening to my I-pod." she says looking up at him nervously.
Lucas just nods "It's alright where is everyone?" he asks looking around.
"Oh um your mom and Keith took Sawyer to the park because they wanted to spend some time with her alone. I was a little surprised she went with them so easily." she answers.
Lucas looks at her "Ok well can we talk then?" he asks.
Peyton nods before leading him into the living room. She sits down on the couch and is a bit surprised that Lucas sits down next to her almost touching her. "Lucas I know there are probably a lot of things that you want to talk about but please just let me say some things first?" Lucas just nods his head so she continues "I know that you still believe that I was lying and that I could remember this whole time, but honestly Luke I couldn't remember you; I didn't remember you." Tears well up in her eyes and that breaks his heart.
Haley walked into the grocery store grabbing a cart as she made her way to the dairy picking up eggs before looking at her list and ticking the object off. Looking at her list she went and grabbed the rest of the ingredients she would need for breakfast before making her way to the aisle that housed condoms. Glancing around she breathed a sign of relief she didn't see anyone she knew as she turned in the aisle. Bypassing the condoms she made her way to the pregnancy tests. Her stomach knotted as she looked at all the different tests. She knew she was late, but they had always been so safe. She was on birth control and they tried to use condoms most of the time just because she knew of the damn Scott sperm. Taking a deep breath she picked one up and looked at the box before grabbing another one and comparing them.
Haley bit her lip as she tried to choose from the numerous tests. Finally grabbing a couple boxes she made her way to the check out. What would happen if she was pregnant. Would Nathan be okay with it? What would the public think if Haley James was pregnant. No one knew she was married...not even her friends. In reality most of the public thought there was something between Haley and Jake no matter how much they denied it and told the press they were just friends.
"Peyton!" he begins, but she stops him "No Luke please let me finish. I was so confused when I first woke up I couldn't remember even being pregnant let alone who I was pregnant by. At first when I saw Nathan there I thought that the baby was his but then he told me that wasn't true." she can see the look in his eyes and she knows that he's wanting to blame his brother for everything.
"Luke please don't blame Nathan, he wanted to bring me home as soon as I was awake but then he realized that the last thing I remembered was that I was his girlfriend. I begged him not to contact anyone until I could remember everything. I didn't want to bring anymore pain to anyone else. In my mind I didn't know you. I'm so very sorry Luke." she says as the tears spill out onto her cheeks falling down all around her.
Haley's mind ran through all the possible outcomes. What if I'm not pregnant? She thought a small pang piercing her heart. Part of her wanted a baby. She wanted someone to take care of. A baby that was part Haley and part Nathan to show what their love could do. Another part knew that they weren't ready to have a child. I guess I have to just wait until I get home she added paying for her merchandise and feeling the test weighing on her. She knew she wasn't going to tell Nathan until after she took the test. Part of her wished she would so she had someone to hold her hand, but she pushed it away she was stronger than that.
Without thinking Lucas quickly pulls Peyton into his arms and allows her to sob against his chest. He rubs her back gently "Shh Peyt it's ok; it's all going to be alright I promise. I'm here now and I don't plan on losing you or Sawyer ever again." the words come out of his mouth before he realizes what he has said.
Peyton looks up at him shock written on her face. Lucas looks down at her and in that moment before his brain can stop him he leans down and captures her lips with his kissing her for the first time in four years.
Haley drove home in a blur the test weighing her down as she tried to stay calm needing to know one way or another if she was pregnant.