Chapter 11 Lighting Crashes

Chapter 11 Lighting Crashes

Nathan woke up to the telephone ringing. He looked next to him and his wife was draped over him like a blanket. He smiled. When they returned home from the hospital last night she had totally worn him out. He eased out from under her placing her gently on the sheets to reach over and answer the phone.

"Nathan, I just wanted to let you and Haley know that we've got a little girl" Lucas told his brother.

"Wow!! Luke that was fast. How's Karen?"

"She's stable. They're keeping her monitored. They had to induce labor because the baby was in distress."

"Luke, she's going to be ok man. Haley and I will be there as soon as we get up and take our showers. Do you need anything?"

"No I guess not. I just need my mom to get better."

"I know man. I wish there was something I could do to help."

"So do I Nathan. So do I. I'll see you guys when you get here."

"Luke, I know Haley will want to know what time the baby was born when I tell her."

"3:30 this morning."

"Ok man. I'll see you soon. Take care"

"You too, little brother. You too."

Nathan pressed the off button on the phone and looked back at Haley. She was still sleeping peacefully. The situation with Karen really had him worried. He was scared for Lucas but at the same time what if something like that happened to Haley? He always thought babies were born healthy and there were no problems if the mother made it that far in the pregnancy. Things were certainly taken for granted in the world. He just didn't realize it until Haley's accident. 'You never think it could happen to you' he thought.

The more he thought about it the more worried he became. The Dr. had told them time and time again that Haley was doing fine but could the accident have caused something that was missed? Haley's due date was only a week away. They were graduating on Friday. That was only two days away. He would have gray hair before he was nineteen at this rate.

"You'll never know how much I love you Haley Scott' he whispered while looking at his wife. "You are my whole world. You're the only person that has ever loved me for me, unconditionally. I will spend the rest of my life making yours as happy as I possibly can. You deserve that and so much more."

Nathan kissed her gently on her forehead and then went to take his shower. When he was finished he walked back into their bedroom with his towel wrapped around his waist. God he hated to wake her. She had been so tired lately. The heat was really draining her. She barely made it home from school each day before she laid down for a nap these days. He sat down on the bed next to her and moved a few stray hairs back away from her face. Careful not to wake her, he just stared. His heart ached with the love that he had for her. The longer they were together the deeper in love he fell. His mom had always told him that when the honeymoon phase wore off, they would be co-inhabitants of each other's lives and just be used to each other. The in love and lust would calm down. They had been married for over a year now. Their son would be here any time and he was still falling in love with his petite but very pregnant wife.

Haley always thought she was plain and not like the "glamour girls they went to school with as she called them. These were the ones that had model looks, perfect make up, plastic surgery looking bodies and salon styled and colored hair, every minute of every day. Nathan could not understand this. When he looked at Haley she was more beautiful than all of those girls put together. She was natural and pure. She was a tiny peace of heaven in his eyes, a breath of fresh air. He had told her on the day they got married that he could love her forever. He was more certain of that than anything else in his life. He loved her even more today. How had this small wonderful girl glued his heart and his life back together from the indescribable mess it was when he met her? He had fallen hard and fast. No doubt about that and he never regretted it for one second nor would he ever.

As bad as Nathan hated to he had to get Haley up. They had to go over to the hospital to be with Luke. Lucas he thought, the reason he and Haley met, the reason that she came into his life. How could he not love his brother? They had become friends and so much more. They depended on each other. They were each other's sounding block when something was wrong. They were each other's strength. Dan had done a lot of changing lately. He had been seeing Lucas' mother and he was trying so hard to be a good man and father. Nathan was impressed at the efforts he had made lately. Maybe Karen was the thing that had always been missing in his life. Nathan knew that she was. When Dan had made the decision to leave Karen for school he had turned dark and hated himself. Now the he and Deb were divorced, he had a chance to rectify that mistake. Nathan didn't mind. Dan and Deb sucked together. He had always known that. They brought out the absolute worst in each other.

Well, he thought, might as well get this over with, gently shaking Haley's shoulder. "Baby. Haley."

She smiled her sleepy smile when she opened her eyes and saw her husband. Nathan felt his heart melt all over again. "Mmmm. Morning"

"Morning, Hales. Lucas called and they had to induce labor on Karen this morning around 3:30. He has a little sister."

Haley sat up at the news. "Wow. Are they both ok?"

"Luke said that Karen is stable and they are monitoring her but she is still unconscious. I told him we would go to the hospital as soon as we got up and had our showers."

"Yeah. We need to be there for Lucas. I know he is worried sick. Keith is gone and Karen is sick, I am sure he feels all alone."

"I'm sure my dad is there with him."

"I hadn't thought about that. You're right Dan's probably right there beside him. He seems to really care about Karen."

"I don't think he ever stopped."

"Ok, I am going to get in the shower. I love you Nathan."

"I love you too Hales. Always and Forever.

When they arrived at the hospital they went up to Karen's room. Lucas was standing beside a chair that Peyton was sitting in and holding the newborn.

"Wow! I am officially scared to death again" Nathan announced.

"Oh she's so beautiful." Haley told Lucas "Luke, I was wondering if we could go outside for just a minute?"

"I'll watch her." Peyton smiled.

"It will just take a minute Luke. I promise"

Haley handed Luke a present. He smiled. "Thank you Hales. I have yours at home."

"No problem about mine but this is not from me. It's from your mom. She hid it with me so you wouldn't find it. I think now is the perfect time to give it to the new big brother"

Lucas tore into the present. It was a book when he flipped it over he couldn't believe his eyes. An Unkindness of Ravens"

"What is it?"

"It's my book. I didn't even know that she knew I was writing it. She had it bound for me."

"Lucas that is wonderful. I didn't know you were writing a book. When did you start this?"

"Our sophomore year. I would let you read it but being my best friend you know you're in it"

"Me? Give me that book"

"Oh, no! Not until it's finished."

"Lucas, you know we love you right?"

"Yes, Hales and I love both of you too. Thank you for bringing me and my little brother together. You've turned him into a great man."

"I didn't do anything but love him Lucas."

"Well I am perfect proof what that can make a man."

"Aww. Lucas. I'm going to miss you when we all leave to go to college."

"I'll miss you too Hales." Pulling her to him, Lucas hugged Haley tightly. She had always been there for him. She was the greatest definition of a best friend.

When Lucas and Haley returned to Karen's room, Nathan turned around and told his brother "Hey. Get your own wife" and pulled Haley to him. Nathan and Haley looked at Peyton.

"Oh no. High School marriage is yours and Haley's specialty, not mine" Peyton informed the Scott's.

"Luke, Haley and I are going to go over to the school and clean out our lockers. Do you want us to get yours too?"

"Ah, yeah but I need to talk to you Nathan"

"Yeah. Sure. Let's go outside"

"We'll be right back ladies"

"Ok" Peyton and Haley said in unison.

"Nathan there is something that I have to tell you. I'm not sure how to say it but I know you're not going to like it."

"Just tell me Lucas. I mean it's me not some stranger on the street."

"Nathan, recently I found out that there was a witness in the school the day that Keith died."

"Luke, you gotta let that go man. You can't keep torturing yourself like this"

"Nathan I've never told you this but I had a dream the second night that Haley was in the hospital. Keith came to visit me. He told me to keep the faith, that Haley was going to be ok."

"Whoa. Why haven't you told me this before?"

"It was a dream Nate. I thought you would think that I was crazy. But the thing is it was so real. I mean in the dream Keith took me back to the school to the day of the shooting.

We walked around Jimmy and Keith's bodies. It was a nightmare at that point for me but it was so real. He kept telling me that there was something about that day that I was missing and that I needed to open my eyes. I remembered after several days of replaying that day in my mind that there had been someone standing in Whitey's office when I carried Peyton out into the hall. Keith was talking to Jimmy and I got a glimpse of a girl standing there peeping out of the blinds."

"Lucas I don't follow. What are you trying to tell me?"

"It took me a while because I didn't know this girl. I mean I knew what she looked like but I didn't know her name. I kept looking for her at school but I never saw her after that day. While we were in Honey Grove, Skills and I looked through the year books and I saw the girl. I asked Skills if he knew her. He told me her name was Abby Brown and she had been in the tutor center with you guys and Jimmy."

"Yeah I remember Abby. Haley noticed that she didn't look right and went over to her. When she realized that she was diabetic, she pleaded with Jimmy to let her go. Once we all backed her up and told him the same thing he finally released her so she could go to her locker to get her insulin."

"Yeah well she told me that Jimmy shot himself and Keith was still alive when that happened."

"If Jimmy didn't shoot Keith, then who did?"

"Abby says she saw Dan do it."

"What?"

"Nathan I believe her. I don't know why but it never set right with me that Jimmy shot Keith."

"Lucas if this is true then Dan does not need to be near Haley or Karen. I mean he's totally poison. I don't want him around Haley or my son."

"Yeah I don't want him around my mom or my sister either."

"Oh big brother so what do we need to do?"

"I confronted Dan last night just before my mom collapsed."

"Lucas, why didn't you tell me? That's why Dan wasn't at the hospital isn't it?"

"Yeah I told him to stay away from my mom. I held a gun on him and told him to get out. After she collapsed, Dan started to reach for her so I fired the gun at the door facing beside him as a warning that I would shoot him."

"Ok. I'm going to turn him into the police as soon as my mom gets better. I hope you don't have a problem with that."

"Hell no, I don't have a problem with it. If Dan can kill his own brother who has been a part of his life since the day he was born, he wouldn't have a problem hurting or killing people that he doesn't know that well, that's for sure."

Lucas patted Nathan's shoulder. "Thanks little brother. I was really scared to tell you. I worried that you wouldn't believe me. I know it sounds far fetched, but it was totally gut feeling that lead me to finding Abby."

"Lucas you and I have been through a lot together. Since Haley and I got married you've had my back. I've kept my promise to you that I would take care of her. Now I'll make you another one. I'll take care of you too big brother."

"Thanks Nathan. You'll never know what that means to me."

They pulled each other into their guy hug. "Yeah I think I do"

Graduation day finally came. Nathan and Haley were just about ready and they wanted to go by the hospital to see Lucas before heading over to the school. Haley was sitting on their bed when Nathan came back into the room after talking with his mom. He noticed his wife's face. She had a strange look.

"You ok? What's wrong Hales."

"Nothing my back just hurts. I think I slept on it wrong last night"

"I'm sorry baby. I know you're miserable Hales. I wish I could make this better for you. Is there anything at all I can do?"

"No maybe it will ease off once we get to the school and we get busy. At least maybe that will take my mind off of it if nothing else."

Nathan pulled her to him. He began rubbing little circles on her lower back, trying to soothe her in the only way he could think of. "Hales, have I told you today just how much I love you?"

"Yes but I will always listen no matter how many times you say it." She smiled.

"I am looking so forward to going to Duke in August. Mom found us that apartment and she is going to take care of the expenses, so we won't have to work for anything but spending money. Our son will be here. It's going to be great. You know that?"

"Yeah I just worry sometimes."

"About what?"

"You being the big basket ball star at Duke with all of those horny freshmen that will be eyeing you on and off the court."

"Haley. You have nothing at all to worry about baby."

"I don't want anyone but you. I haven't since the day I first kissed you. Actually it probably started before that but I never believed there was a chance for us until that day."

"Nathan that's sweet but what if you decide down the road you don't want to be married and a full time father. What if you get caught up in the college co-ed scene?"

"Haley, that is not going to happen. Do you remember the vow's that we took? I promised to love you forever before and after the wedding. I made my mind up a year ago that I didn't want another girl in my life other than you. I mean a daughter one day might be nice but I meant a girl for me not our children."

"I'm scared Nathan" She began crying.

Nathan just rocked her gently while holding her. "Baby you are worried for nothing. I'm a little scared of being a dad but as long as we are together, we are going to make it."

Nathan and Lucas sat in their seats side by side as the principle called the names of their class mates. Nathan kept watching Haley. She was on stage sitting in the Valedictorian seat waiting until everyone had their diploma. He was so proud of her. He was also very worried about her. She had not been herself the last couple of days and he wasn't sure why. He looked as Brooke crossed the stage. He saw her stop in front of Haley and bend to give her a hug. Without taking his eyes off of Haley he asked Lucas, "Luke, does Hales look ok to you?"

"Yeah she looks fine why?"

"Something is not right. I don't know what it is but something is definitely not right"

Lucas began to watch his sister in law. He didn't see what his brother saw. "She looks ok to me little brother."

"Maybe I am just paranoid."

"Yeah that would be you. Mr. Paranoid." Lucas shook his head.

When Lucas received his diploma he shook Principle Turners hand and moved to Haley. He bent to hug her and kissed her on the cheek. Nathan's name was called and he took his diploma and also shook the principle's hand and moved to Haley. She showered him with a very bright smile. He bed to kiss her on the forehead and whispered in her ear "I love you Haley James Scott."

"I love you too Nathan Scott"

With that Nathan moved to walk off of the stage and return to his seat. He knew that Haley's speech would be coming up soon and he wanted this to be over for her. He still couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

Finally after calling the last student's name and announcing that Rachel was graduating in absentia it was time.

"And now this years class Valedictorian, Haley James Scott"

The gym burst with applause. Nathan couldn't stop smiling. How anyone as smart and as gorgeous as Haley could love him he would never know. Her smile lit up the room and it was daylight. As she moved along with her speech, Nathan continued to watch her. Every so often her voice would break a little. 'What was going on' he thought to himself. He leaned over to Lucas and asked "did you see that?

"See what?"

"Never mind Lucas. I thought you were so in sync with my wife."

Suddenly he heard Haley say "If we can just believe" and she looked towards the ceiling and laughed a little. Nathan grew concerned and looked at his brother. Now Lucas had to see that something wasn't right.

"I'm sorry, I have more, I just think I'm going to have my baby soon"

With that Nathan stood up and looked at Haley shaking his head slightly in disbelief.

She smiled at him and gripped the podium. Nathan fought his way out of the row of chairs and moved to the stage to help Haley. Lucas followed close behind. He turned to his brother. "Lucas call 911 and get an ambulance. I'll never get my car out of here right now."

As Haley moved to the steps to get down from the stage another contraction hit her. Nathan pulled her against his side. "It's ok baby. It's going to be ok."

"I thought it was going to be me having to tell you that"

Nathan smiled. "You might have to before this day is over." When she felt like she could walk again, they continued to move so he could get her to the gym floor. When they stepped off of the last step, Haley was gripped by another contraction and her knees nearly buckled. Nathan bent to pick her up, placing one arm under her knees and the other around her waist.

"Nathan, it hurts."

"I know it does baby. Just hang on. We're going to get you to the hospital. I promise.

As Nathan carried her out of the gym doors, he looked back to make sure Lucas was still behind them. When Lucas saw his face he asked, "You ok Nathan?"

"Yeah but I will be much better when she is."

"I know little brother. I know"

When they made it to the front of the school the ambulance was pulling up. The two paramedics jumped out and opened the doors to get the stretcher out. Haley had her head leaned against Nathan's chest as he carried her. He could feel his shirt becoming wet under the thin material of his Raven Blue graduation gown. Before he picked Haley up he had thrown her cap to Brooke to keep for her. When they reached the stretcher, Haley looked up at her husband telling him she was about to burn up. Once they reached the stretcher another contraction gripped her small body.

"AAHHAHH"

Nathan couldn't stand seeing her in pain like this. He knew it was a natural thing but Haley had been so fragile since the accident. Once the contraction passed he sat his wife down on the stretcher and began to take her graduation gown off. She had on a lighter Royal Blue dress with wide shoulder straps. He hoped that she would be a little cooler once they removed the gown.

"Better?" he asked.

Haley nodded. The paramedics lifted the stretcher to its proper height and moved to lift Haley into the ambulance. Once they had her in Nathan climbed in behind her and moved to the seat on the side.

"Lucas, can you or Peyton drive my car over to the hospital?"

"Yeah. We'll take care of it. See you soon."

The doors on the ambulance closed and they wasted no time leaving for Tree Hill Memorial.

When the gang arrived at the hospital and made it up to the maternity floor. They saw Nathan in the waiting room. Lucas handed him his car keys. He had driven his car and let Peyton drive his Mustang.

"What's happening?"

"They are prepping her and getting her into a gown. The nurse said that Dr. Baldwin is on his way and she would come get me shortly. Lucas, I don't know if I can do this?"

"Do what little brother? Haley's got to do all of the work."

"That's just what I mean. I don't know if I can stand to see her go through this."

"They are going to be fine Nathan. Just calm down. You have to be strong for Haley. She needs you to help her through this."

"You're right. I get it. I just feel like I am going to have a major melt down. I am totally freaking out."

"I guess that's to be expected."

"Damn Scott! Do I need to go in with her?" Brooke asked.

"No Brooke. I'm going. I just had to have ten minutes for my nervous break down."

Brooke just looked at Nathan. If anyone had told her a year ago that Nathan Scott of all people would be married and his wife giving birth on graduation day she would have laughed them out of the state.

"Mr. Scott" the nurse called "Dr. Baldwin has arrived and he has examined your wife. He wanted me to tell you he will be out in a moment to speak with you." Nathan's knees collapsed. He sat down hard in the chair behind him and slowly the feeling of panic and terror began to take him over.

A/N Ok don't hate me too bad. I had to stop there but I wanted to give you guys something today. I promise all of you I won't let anything happen to our favorite little family that would be considered a tragedy. They have to carry on. They're Naley right? I do have to give you a little bit of suspense though. It will keep you reading. Another point I wanted to make was I always felt like Nathan suffered enough with the guilt over Haley's accident. His dream of playing at Duke should not have been affected. That broke my heart so I changed it. I hope no one minds.

Just try to remember I'm not the writers of OTH. Nathan and Haley will always be together in my stories. I love them… Oh and by the way, I want to ask those reading this story. Are there any Kid Rock fans out there? I soooooo dedicate the song "SO HOTT" To James Lafferty. GOD that is one pretty man.