Chapter 14

"I really hope that bastard rots in hell." Maureen bitterly mumbled, as Joanne escorted her into the house.

"I think you made him suffer enough." Joanne said following as Maureen made her way into the bathroom.

"I think I could have made him suffer some more." Maureen said, while she bent over the sink, only to spit out some blood.

Joanne grimaced at the sight, finding herself instantly worried. "Maureen?"

Maureen stood back up, her fingertips holding her jaw. "I think he knocked out a tooth."

Joanne finally took a good look at her wife, bloody and bruised, and her once white tank top, now clashing with blood stains. She stepped forward, cupping her cheek, running her thumb over a bruise. "Oh Honeybear."

Maureen pulled away, taking a look in the mirror. Cut on her forehead, busted lip, bruised eye, scratched cheek and neck, his fingernails even managed to leave some scratches down her arms…and not the sexy, kinky type ones Joanne would often leave. These were deep, and they stung. She stood still while her tongue fished around in her mouth, until finally she found what she was looking for. She reached in, and when she pulled back she was holding a tooth in between her fingertips.

Joanne shook her head, "I think we should go to the hospital. Get you and Brooke checked out. You could have a concussion. And if he did that to you, who knows what Brooke is dealing with."

"I'm not going to the hospital." Maureen stated.

"Me either." Brooke said, from just outside the bathroom.

Leah poked her in the ribs, causing Brooke to wince out in pain.

"Yes you are." Leah firmly said.

Brooke held her ribs, and soon her attention shifted to Joanne. "Yeah…okay maybe I should." She sat on the steps, still holding her stomach. She had cuts on her face too, but Leah cleaned some of the blood up, while her parents were outside, fending off Brooke's dad.

"I think you should too." Haley worriedly said her eyes on Maureen.

"Thanks for worrying Hales." Maureen said while wrapping an arm around her shoulders, "But I'm fine."

"You're not fine." Haley said slipping out from under Maureen's arm, "And until you're fine, please don't touch me while blood is dripping down your face."

"Come on Mrs. J." Brooke said, trying to lighten the mood, "We can get stitches together."

"I don't need stitches." Maureen replied.

"Maureen Elizabeth Johnson, you get your ass in that car right now!" Joanne said, pointing out the door, "I am taking you to the hospital to get you taken care of! Understood!?"

"Fine!" Maureen said, as she began heading out of the house, "But you don't have to middle name me in front of everyone!"

"Let's go." Joanne said, ushering everyone out the door. She shut the door behind her, locked it, and soon everyone was on their way to the hospital.

Later that night, when everyone was home, finally peacefully sleeping in their beds, Leah was slowly awoken, the sounds of sobbing drawing her out of her sleep. She turned over, facing Brooke, who was sharing a bed with her. She watched as Brooke shook with sobs, her heartbreaking for her friend.

"Brooke?" She whispered, "You alright?"

Brooke slowly turned over facing her best friend, her eyes puffy from crying, "I just…I…"

"Shhh…it's okay." Leah said, pulling her close, "You're safe now, and your dad won't ever hurt you again. Okay?"

Brooke could only nod as she curled into Leah, resting her head on her shoulder, her fingers clutching tightly around Leah's shirt. It wasn't long until she finally fell asleep.

"So you're positive?" Tyler asked, staring blankly at Haley.

"Yes." Haley said.

"Like one hundred percent?" Kristen asked who joined the two at Tyler's house, since Haley said she had some big news, and lucky for them, Benny and Alison were gone to some fancy dinner party with the Grey's.

"Yes, a hundred and ten percent." Haley confirmed.

"Okay…but your mom…two nights ago beat the shit out of a guy three times her size." Tyler nervously said, as he now began to pace, biting his fingernails. "I don't think now is such a good time to tell her. I'm only seventeen, if she doesn't kill me for being a Coffin and dating you, she will definitely kill me for this!"

"Yeah I don't know Hales…" Kristen began, "I think you should wait until everything with Brooke settles down. That's just too much drama."

"Well when would you like me to tell them?" Haley asked getting a bit angry, "When I'm in the delivery room? I can't carry this secret with me any longer. It's tearing me apart. I mean lying to them about you," She gestured to Tyler, "Is hard enough…and the thought of trying to hide this…it makes me sick. Yeah they are going to be mad at me…but I also know…they are going to support me too."

Kristen and Tyler glanced at each other. Kristen was the first to give in, wrapping her arms around Haley.

"I'll be here to support you too." She smiled.

"Thanks Kris." She hugged her back, her eyes now focused on Tyler. "You can back out if you want…I can do this on my own."

Tyler shook his head clear, his arms circling around Haley, "I'm here for you. You're stuck with me. Even if that means facing your Mom…I'll hire a professional wrestler if I have too."

Haley laughed, nuzzling her face into his strong shoulder. "Thank you."

Kristen sat back and smiled at the couple. They seemed so perfect for each other.

Maureen, Joanne, Tessa, Brooke and Leah were all gathered in the living room, discussing the events of last night. Brooke was sitting in a chair, with Leah standing next to her, while Maureen sat on the couch, curled up next to Joanne; Tessa mimicking Maureen, taking the spot on Joanne's other side.

"So…what's going to happen to Brooke?" Leah suddenly asked.

"Probably stay with family." Joanne said.

Brooke's face fell, "But my closest relatives live in Ohio…I can't…I can't leave."

"Can't she stay here?" Leah asked,

"We'll have to see what happens with her dad first." Joanne said.

Brooke sighed, "I hate my dad. He ruined my life." She flopped back, carefully crossing her arms, over her cracked ribs. Her eyes soon shifted to Maureen, "Did I ever thank you for kicking his ass?"

Maureen smirked, "Several times, yes, and you're welcome."

"I married quite the hero." Joanne smiled, kissing Maureen's forehead.

Maureen simply nuzzled closer to Joanne, kissing her neck softly.

"Please don't start." Leah pleaded.

"It's cute." Brooke smiled.

"It is cute." Maureen said, kissing Joanne's cheek.

A few moments later, everyone could hear the front door open, and close. It wasn't long before a nervous Haley entered the living room, a solemn look on her face.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?" Leah asked.

"Nothing…uh I…" Haley turned to leave, but then turned back around to face everyone. It was now or never, she just had to spill her guts, get this off her chest. "Actually…I have something to tell everyone."

Maureen nodded, wrapping her arms more tightly around Joanne, "Yeah Hales, you've been acting weird ever since you started West Side Story. Are you going to tell us why?"

Tears stung Haley's eyes, her fingers playing together, her head bobbing up and down, "Yeah."

"Well what is it?" Joanne asked a little concerned do to her daughter's expression.

Haley walked further into the room, standing in the middle of everyone. She smirked a little. It was a bitter smirk though, she was finally getting her attention, but it wasn't the kind she wanted, and it was sad, that this is what it took for her to finally outshine Leah.

"Okay…" Haley took in a deep breath, her throat clenching, trying her hardest not to cry, "You guys wouldn't kick your own daughter out on the streets right?"

"Never." Joanne quickly said, and Maureen nodded along in agreement. You could tell they were both visibly scared about what Haley was going to tell them. Leah, Brooke and Tessa on the other hand, were more interested than ever.

"Okay…well you should know…" Haley began slowly, trying to choose her words carefully, "That I met someone while doing this play."

"Really?" Maureen asked with a smile, "That's not bad Haley, who is it?"

"Oh dear God no…" Leah sighed, "So it was true about what I had seen at school."

"Who is it?" Brooke asked, now curious. Her bright eyes landing on Leah, "I know this person?"

Haley nodded, "I'm dating…" She let out a shaky breath, and then just let it slip out in a fast slew of words, "I'm dating Tyler Michael Coffin…"

Maureen's face went from a smile, to a frown in a matter of one second. She sat straight up, her fists tightening.

"Calm down Maureen." Joanne said, pushing Maureen back into her spot.

"No!" Maureen said pulling herself into a standing position. "You can not date Benny's son. It's against the rules!"

"What rules?" Haley asked, tears starting to fall down her face. She didn't like being denied her love.

"Mine!" Maureen said. "There are so many other people you can date Haley. Why do you have to pick him?"

"I'm in love with him!" Haley shouted back.

Joanne finally stood up, stepping in between Maureen and Haley, "Alright calm down." She focused on Maureen, "It's alright Maureen."

"No it's not." Maureen whined. "Benny shut our power off during Christmas Eve! We had no heat and he made us freeze. He ditched us to be rich with Alison! He gave us false hopes Joanne. Telling us everything would work out, but then he shows up looking for money! He's an asshole. And I will not have his son date my daughter. Who's to say Tyler isn't like Benny?"

"If I remember the story correctly, you weren't leaving at the loft during that Christmas Eve." Haley said, "You were coddling with Mama in her warm apartment. And what makes you any better than Benny? You cheated on Mark!"

Maureen's jaw clenched, and she pushed pass Joanne, "Don't you talk to me like that young lady!"

"Maureen." Joanne calmly said, turning to face her fuming love, "Settle down, it's not a big deal. It's high school love."

"It's more than just high school love." Haley spat as she crossed her arms, and stormed out of the living room. Before she left, she turned around, her eyes burning with anger, "Oh and one more thing, he's the father of the baby I'm carrying. Yeah, that's right I'm about three weeks pregnant!" With that said, Haley stormed up the stairs and slammed her door shut, and fell into a crying fit on her bed.

Everyone fell into complete silence. Maureen actually for the first time didn't know what to say after hearing what she just heard. She just sunk to the couch, while Joanne stood with shock, not able to make any movement at all.

Brooke, not one to like being in an awkward situation, smirked, "Well congratulations…you guys are going to be young, hot grandparents!"