Disclaimer: I don't own One Tree Hill.
Authors notes: Okay so this is going to be a long one. First off, I had to completely rewrite this entire chapter since my computer was destroyed. Secondly, someone asked if I thought it was ironic that my penname/nickname is karmaNluck and I lost everything in hurricane Ike, so I guess this is my answer. I am incredibly lucky because even though the house and everything in it is pretty much gone, I still have my family and the means to rebuild. As for the karma part, I'm just looking at this as a test to my inner strength, and the strength of those closest too me.
Chapter nine:
It was now or never, at least that's what she kept telling herself. The more she avoided it, the harder it was going to be to tell him. She figured that he knew something was up, especially since Nathan and herself seemed to be walking on egg shells around him.
" You ready? " Nathan asked as the stood outside Jamies room.
" Yes. " She answered weakly, all the while shaking her head 'no '.
" We don't have to do this now. We can wait a few more days. " He assured her but she knew that they couldn't avoid it forever.
" Yes we do and no we can't. " She replied, taking a deep breath before knocking softly on the frame of her sons bedroom door.
Some people might find it odd that she were knocking. Jamie was only 5 years old and didn't need much privacy. Haley had grown up in a huge family and hadn't had much privacy growing up, so she liked for Jamie to have a sense of freedom she had lacked.
" I think we need to talk after we're done here. " She told her husband, her tone light but still held a seriousness.
" Sure. " He consented, giving her as much as a smile as he could manage. " Let's go. "
She entered the bedroom first. Jamie was already ready for bed, with a book laying in his lap. Everynight she and Nathan would come up and tuck him in, read him a bedtime story and kiss him good night before going to bed themselves. Tonight would be only the second time they broke that tradition.
" Hey mama, I picked out peter rabbit. " Jamie told her and she felt her eyes begin to tear up.
" I don't think we're gonna read tonight, buddy. " Nathan spoke up, watching as Haley took a seat next to Jamie before taking the other spot on the bed himself.
" Why not? " Jamie asked, furrowing his brow.
" We need to talk to you sweetie. " Haley answered, wrapping her arm around her little boy and pulling him closer to her side.
" Do you remember the conversation about mama going to heaven? " Nathan started the conversation, watching the reaction on Jamies face which showed nothing but confusion.
" You said mama wasn't going to die. " Jamie replied, looking puzzled.
" I'm not going to die tomorrow. " Haley replied carefully. " But I am really sick Jimmy Jam. "
" You said the doctors we're going to cure you. " Jamie said, his voice raising slightly in panic,
" They tried but they can't. " Haley told him, feeling him pull away from her roughly.
" You lied to me! " He shouted but it was aimed more at his father than his mother.
" I didn't lie Jamie, I thought… " Nathan tried to defend himself but was caught off guard when tiny fist began to pound into him.
" James Lucas… " Haley began but Jamie quickly turned on her as well.
" You lied to me too! I hate you! " He continued to yell.
" It's no problem, really. " Lucas assured his brother as he watched Jamie climb into the back seat of his car.
" I just think that it might be good for him to get out of the house for the night. He's upset which is causing Haley to get upset and she can't afford her blood pressure to rise. " Nathan rambled, pacing back and forth as he stared at his sons tear stained face.
They'd spent hours going back and forth with Jamie. Trying everything they could think of to calm him down and make him understand. Finally when Nathan noticed Haley rubbing her temples and paling a little bit, Nathan decided to give them all a time out and called Lucas to pick Jamie up.
" I don't know what to do, Luke. He's mad at me and there is nothing I can say that can fix this. "
" Just go in and take care of Hales, I will call you in the morning when he gets up. " Lucas promised, placing a comforting hand on Nathan's shoulder.
" Thanks man. " Nathan tried waving good bye to Jamie but Jamie turned away.
Lucas watched his younger brother walk into his house, with slumped shoulders and head hung down low. Turning back to his car, he saw Jamie sulking in the back seat and knew what he needed to do.
" Alright J-Luke, looks like it's just you and me tonight. " He told his nephew as he climbed into the drivers seat. " Are you buckled? " He asked while looking in the rear view mirror.
" Yes I understand. " Brooke spoke into her cell phone. " Are you sure? "
Peyton walked into the kitchen and took the seat at the breakfast bar next to her best friend, while Rachel stood on the oppisette side of the island.
" Coffee? " Rachel asked, giving Peyton a small smile.
" No thanks. " Peyton politely declined.
" I would really appreciate it if you would come out here. I am willing to pay for your flight and hotel stay. " Brooke pleaded and Peyton raised an eye brow in question but Rachel just shook her head. " Well, you have my cell phone number, please call me if you change your mind. Please change your mind. "
" Who was that? " Peyton asked as Brooke slammed her cell phone down in frustration.
" An oncologist out of New York, she specializes in brain cancer. " Brooke answered. " I spent all last night looking for the best doctor for Haley but she says she is too busy to fly out here. "
" So, why don't you fly Haley out to her? " Rachel asked causing both Brooke and Peyton to look up in surprise. " The idea sucks, huh? "
" No, it's genius. " Peyton told her, looking at Brooke.
" Haley isn't going to go for it. " Brooke reminded Peyton.
" If she knows why, she won't but maybe we could trick her into going to New York and spring the doctors visit. " Peyton explained, the wheels in her mind spinning.
" Yeah, tell her you planned a day at the spa for the three of you and then take her to the hospital instead. " Rachel filled in, receiving a high five from Peyton.
" That might work. " Brooke mused, mentally putting the plan together. " But it will be the four of us, your included Rach. "
Rachel smiled brightly, giving a slight nod.
Haley sat on the couch with the cordless phone in her hands. That was how Nathan found her.
" Waiting for Luke to call? " He asked, leaning against the door frame.
" No actually, I'm thinking about calling my parents. " She answered, her voices breaking. " Every time I dial the number, I hang up before it even rings. I don't know how to tell them. "
He didn't say anything. Didn't know what he could say. So, he just stood there and let her ramble.
" I mean do I just say ' hey, I know I haven't called lately but I figured I would see what's up, oh and I'm dying. ' " Her voice started to shake and he rushed to her side.
It was killing him that there was nothing that he could do for her. Nothing he could say would make things better for her, nor would it comfort her and he couldn't bring himself to give her empty promises.
" You got to tell them Hales, they need to know. " He whispered, taking her small hand in his large one.
" I know. Has Lucas called? " She asked, wiping at her eyes.
" Not yet. "
" What if Jamie doesn't want to talk to us? What if he can't forgive us? " She felt her eyes beginning to water.
" He will, he just needs time. " Nathan assured her, he just didn't believe it himself. " I was thinking about going for a run but if you need or want me to stay while you call your family, I will. "
" Go, I'll be fine. " She told him, closing her eyes as he kissed her forehead.
She watched her husband leave, clutching the cordless phone in her hand. He was right, her parents deserved to know. Taking a deep breath, she dialed and waited.
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