Words Written You Never Read
Chapter 13:
"You told her everything I told you to right?" The man said before plopping a piece of gum in his mouth.
"Yeah," the teenager says while surveying her surroundings, taking extra care so they won't be seen together. "I did everything you told me too and she believed every word. I even teared up a few times for effect."
The man playfully slugged the girl, "Excellent. Soon enough Peyton Sawyer isn't going to know what hit her and I will finally have my revenge."
-OTH-
"My husband and I talked about adopting a child before we got married. Adoption is something I hold close to my heart, I was adopted when I was just 3 months old. I was lucky enough to have the most incredible set of parents, unfortunately my mother passed away when I was only 7, she died in a car accident. My father is great, he did the best he could and now here I am." Peyton fidgeted with her delicate wedding band, "We are comfortable moving forward with either an open or a closed adoption. My own adoption was closed, but when I was only a little bit older than Zoey when my birth mother looked me up. She wanted to form a connection with me and tell me about her family before it was too late. Less than a year after first meeting, she too passed away from breast cancer."
The social worker sat opposite the happy couple and nodded, "Zoey dear do you have anything you would like to say to the Bakers?"
Zoey shook her head and Peyton continued on nervously, "I know that Julian and I have a lot of love to give and we have lots of time on our hands and the opportunity to give to a child who could really use it. Obviously I'm not implying that we're perfect, far from it. But if you decided to live with us Zoey I promise we will do whatever we can to accommodate you and your needs. Same goes for any other children you place in our care in the future."
"Thank you Mrs. Baker," the social worker looked up from her notepad, "Do you have anything to add Mr. Baker?"
"Let me think, I spent my entire life trying to do anything and everything I could to please my father. I wanted nothing in life but for him to see me for who I was and then I realized that I was enough just me. I know now that it wasn't my responsibility to make sure we did things together. He dropped the ball and I have made peace with that. Moving forward as a parent myself I know what kind of father / child relationship I don't want and I would do everything in my power to make sure my child never feels even an ounce of the rejection I felt growing up."
"Zoey, are you sure there isn't anything you would like to say?" The social worker patted her hand, but Zoey just shrugged her shoulder, "Okay then, well you both have given me a lot to think about. I will let you know my decision in a few days."
-OTH-
"It's fate Haley Bob that I sold out a show in hicksville. I didn't think anyone here would know who Chris Keller even was."
"I'm happy for you." Haley rubbed her burgeoning stomach. "I'm officially starting to waddle around everywhere." She ran into Chris at the hardware store down the street, she was picking up a few finishes for the nursery when he saw her and called out her name. Now she hadn't been able to shake him.
"Why didn't you tell me you left Tree Hill?" Chris asks before removing one of Haley's sandals and massaging her foot.
"I didn't think it was any of your business." Haley moans, "I had to get out of Tree Hill."
Chris shakes his head in frustration, "It isn't any of my business huh. I am the kid's father Hales, I have rights you know."
"I couldn't keep lying to Nathan." Haley choked out, "I started to feel anxious all the time, all I wanted to do was tell him the truth."
"So do it. Tell him the truth. Nathan Scott is a stand up guy, he'll stand by you. You and I both know that." Chris gulps hard, "I mean when he finds out I am the child's biological father he's sure to flip out but he'll get over it if that's what you want."
"I don't know what I want." Haley felt hot tears sting her eyes, "I know I don't want to hurt him anymore. I know he hurt me, but looking back on it now I never made our marriage the focus. I was interested in furthering my career and we suffered because of it. I laughed when he suggested marriage counseling and I hardly ever went home for the sessions. When he told me he wanted a divorce…" She trails off, "It doesn't matter anymore, I let my life spiral out of control and now here I am, living alone in an unfamiliar place about to raise a baby on my own."
"That isn't fair," Chris smiled sadly. "You and I grew close before Nathan asked for a divorce, before you freaked out and went home to Tree Hill and caught him in bed with Brooke Davis. We would spend every day and night together and there is a baby now. We created this child for all the wrong reasons Haley James and this child deserves so much better but I am willing to try if you will have me."
Haley burst into tears at that very moment, "I am going to be a terrible mother."
"Hey, none of that. Any child would be lucky to have you as their mother. Think of the beautiful lullabies you will get to sing every night in front of a packed crib." Chris pulled Haley from her chair and rocked her gently, "Nathan cheated on you Hales, don't give him an easy out. You really believe that was the first time him and Brooke had sex? I have seen that sex tape from high school." Haley chuckled softly, "That's better. Nathan is not an innocent bystander in the destruction of your marriage."
"I know that Chris, but I didn't help things once I found out I was a pregnant. I told him this was his baby out of spite - I mean who does that?" Haley pouts, "Everything we were rebuilding was a waste because it's foundation is a lie. When I tell him the truth I will have no one."
Chris carried Haley into her bedroom and lay her on her bed, "Shhh… You'll have me too Haley. I won't leave you I promise." A few minutes later, Haley has calmed enough to fall into a deep sleep. Chris takes out his cell phone and tells his manager that a family emergency came up and he will be unable to make the show. He knows this might cost him his contract, but it doesn't matter. Right now he needs to be here for Haley when she wakes up.