The Mourning After Part II
Note: So I decided to just blend the sequel with the original. After much thinking and soul searching, I think that the sequel won't be as long as the first part (I think, we'll see what happens) so instead of posting a new story, I just decided to put the two together. Again, I am so sorry for the hold up in the sequel, please forgive me, if you haven't noticed, I've been busy and I'll have more to say at the end of the chapter. I've updated more of my stories lately because things are getting me stressed out at work and OTH Fanfiction especially the Naley for me is a great stress reliever, either writing or reading. This story itself was brought upon by some tragic events that happened back in December. So I just want to thank you all for your patience and hope you enjoy this story and upcoming chapters as much as I have writing them. Please review !!
Summary: Set roughly two years after the events of 'The Mourning After,' the lives of Nathan's closest friends and family have changed dramatically. Relationships have been broken while others have made amends, secrets, lies and drama abound. Haley struggles as a young single mother, trying to make sense and direction of her life. Her life takes another tailspin when she meets a mysterious man named James Lafferty
Part II: Chapter 1
Haley removed the dark oversized sunglasses from her eyes and the shawl she had wrapped around her head. She had followed him for 10 blocks now, keeping her distance, making sure that he had not seen her. This was silly, she thought to herself. After nearly 2 years of sleepless nights and endless doubt, she started to think her mind finally did let itself go. But he had enthralled her the moment she met him, well she technically hasn't met him per say, but rather even from a distance he intrigued her. It was stupid, clinging to some fantasy but she had to do this, just to keep her mind sane.
The mysterious James Lafferty she saw playing basketball only days ago had now enveloped her mind. Her attempts to see him upclose and to talk to him had failed. She started to wonder if he knew she was looking at him and that he was avoiding him on purpose. Still, she only had a day before she had to get on a plane back to Tree Hill and before she left New York, she was determined to find meet this man was.
She entered the same apartment building she had seen him enter, but now cursed to herself. There must've been a million units in this place. She smiled to herself when she looked at the wall. Just her luck though, the directory clearly spelled out his apartment number for her. "Laff., J" it read, apartment 203 on the 23rd floor. She assumed this to be him. For a second she wondered how she was going to get inside the building but then a couple, who no doubt lived in the building, opened the door right for her and she sneaked in. She got on the elevator and she started to get nervous, more so than before.
This is silly. She thought to herself again. She haven't even met the guy, let alone seen him in person but for some reason she knew she had to see him. Her friends, the few that remained, would find comfort in this, to know that Haley James-Scott was finally moving on. It saddened her for a moment, to move forward, but she had no choice. Take Jamie out of the picture, she would've gladly joined Nathan 6 feet under ground, but no she had to keep living for Jamie's sake, even though the sight of her own child brought her eternal sadness.
Breath. She told herself as she stepped out of the elevator and wandered the hall. She reached the apartment, #203. Taking one last breath, she knocked on the door. She heard the sound of jingling from the other side of the door and a second later the door flew wide open.
Haley's mouth dropped, time stood still, and so was the beating of her heart. There he was, right in front of her. His hair was longer and it seemed like he hasn't shaved in weeks. His eyes were heavy and dark, as if he hadn't slept either, but there it was, the same shade of blue she'd recognize anywhere, the same shade that her son carried.
Breathlessly, she muttered. "Na.. Nathan.."
A few weeks ago . . . .
"I'm home!" Haley called out as she entered the house from the rear and placed her purse on the kitchen counter.
"About time." Lucas muttered as he stood in the hallway.
"Where's Jamie?" She asked as she walked right by him.
"So you remember his name?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" Haley snapped.
"It means that I think I've spent more time this week.. this month with Jamie than his own mother." Lucas stated.
"No one is forcing you to watch him."
"Maybe someone should force you." Lucas shot back, his words stinging but Haley wasn't about to flinch. Deep down she was grateful for all of Lucas' help and she knew the rift that formed between them was her fault, but she didn't care. She had gone through enough and if other people's feelings got hurt, so be it, for Haley, her life was already ruined. Still, she should make an attempt to be civil with him.
"Look Luke.. thanks for babysitting .. but if you don't want to just tell me .."
"I don't mind watching my nephew. . . I just wished his mom would be there too."
"I am there Lucas.."
"Ha.." Lucas scoffed. "That's why it's always me or Deb watching your son."
Haley bit her tongue. "Since he's such a burden, then don't bother coming tomorrow.."
"Haley.."
"No Lucas.. I never asked for your help… you're right.. he's my SON .. not yours.."
"What is that supposed to mean? Of course I'm going to be there for Jamie!… What the hell is your problem!?" Lucas questioned.
"My problem.. my problem was you as soon as I walked in her and you started attacking me! … Dammit Luke!" Haley grew angry. "You're his uncle Luke.. half uncle.." Haley exaggerated the last part. ".. you don't need to base your life around us .. we'll be just fine.."
Haley tried to compose herself and walked over to the closet door and took out her jacket.
"Where you going?"
"I forgot my jacket .. or are you blind and deaf too?"
"You just got back.."
"No.. I said I forgot my jacket.. now I'm going out."
"But Jamie.." Lucas protested.
"Shouldn't he be sleeping or something by now?"
"Well.. yeah I just put him down."
"Ok good.. Deb should be back here soon and then you're free to go." Haley said as she reached for her purse.
"You can't just leave!"
"Why not? You said you were going to watch him."
"I did but.."
"But what? .. Lucas.. you're wasting my time.. if you don't want to watch Jamie.. just call Deb and tell her to get back here earlier.. and if you're not coming in tomorrow just leave a note or tell Deb when she gets here.." She said walking out and closing the door behind her.
"Why don't you ever watch him?" He muttered to himself as he shook his head.
. . . . . .
"Bitch.."
"Slut.."
"Oh Rach.." Brooke said pulling Rachel into a hug. "I've missed you."
"You too hoe.. I can't believe you're here in New York."
"What're you talking about? I've been here for months.. it's about time we finally got a chance to meet up."
"I've been busy.." Rachel shrugged.
"How's Columbia?"
Rachel shrugged again. "School's school.. you know how it is.."
"No I don't .. remember I don't go to college."
"Well you should.. the boys are totally hotter!"
Brooke laughed, still the same old Rachel. "I wish I had the time.. the LA stores are doing great and I'm scrambling right now to open up the Clothes over Bro's boutique down in SoHo . . . I finally got some competent managers to run the LA and Hollywood store so I think I can be more permanent here in New York.. you definitely need to introduce me to some hot single guys.."
"Oh of course.. Peyton and I shoot e-mails to each other from time to time.. I've heard about your drought.."
"Drought? Look.. it's called being busy.."
"The last guy you had sex with?"
"…"
"See.. when you have to think about it.. it's called a drought.."
"Well how bout you? .. if I'm in a drought.. you must be in like monsoon season.."
Rachel laughed. "Actually.. I think I met someone.."
"Someone? .. ohh sounds intriguing… when am I meeting him?"
"Never.."
"Never!? .. why afraid he'll take one good look at me and dump you like yesterday's trash.."
"Please.. he's a guy .. not desperate.. I'm still not sure what we are.. he's kinda hung up on his ex.. so I'm playing it cool until he figures out what he wants.. but in the meantime.. we need to hook you up.."
"Just as long as he's not blond.." Brooke muttered to himself.
"Ohh.. I see you're still a mess after the whole Lucas break up.. he's still tied down to the old ball and chain?" Rachel asked.
"Hey.. that's my godson you're talking about but if you must know.. I'm not a mess.. just still a little sore.. which is why you need to take me out and introduce me to some hot single New York men!" Brooke pouted. She was sick of pining of Lucas Scott. She was ready to go out and finally have some fun with her life.
Rachel clapped her hands. "Oh I know this cute bartender in midtown.. tall, dark hair.. his names Owen.. you'll love him."
"Sign me up!"
. . . .
"Peyton! … Peyton!"
"Jesus Jake.. I'm right here.. you know how long it took me to get Jenny to take a nap."
"Oh yeah.. I'm so sorry.. it's just that I'm late for class and I can't find my keys.."
"You mean these keys.." Peyton went over to the counter and dangled them in front of him.
Jake smiled. "Yes.. those keys.." He said taking them from her hand. "You're a life safer.."
"Well I expect to get duly paid for saving your life.." She teased.
"How about a thank you kiss?" Jake smirked as he brought Peyton in and gave her a kiss.
"I think I'll need more.." She smirked.
"Well.. I am already running late.."
".. and Jenny is asleep.." Peyton added.
Jake laughed. "Come here!" He said as he lifted her up and carried her to their bedroom and placed her down on the bed.
"I love you so much Peyton.. I'm so glad you moved down here.."
"Me too." Peyton smiled. "Me too…" She repeated as she started to unbutton his shirt.
. . . .
Knock Knock
"Come in!" Dan called out.
"Hey Honey.." Deb said as she stepped inside the Mayor's office. She walked over to his desk and placed a soft kiss on his lips and then taking a seat across from him. "Whatever you and my husband are talking about can wait after lunch." Deb ordered as she leaned in towards the speaker phone.'
The voice on the other line laughed. "Sure thing Mrs. Scott… Mr. Mayor.. we'll pick this up again this afternoon."
"Yeah.. thanks Mike." Dan called off and hung up the phone. He turned to Deb. "So what's for lunch?"
"For you.. a turkey sandwich on wheat.. no mayo.. lettuce, tomato.. and for me.. chicken Caesar salad…" Deb smiled.
"Yumm..." Dan said as Deb took out the food and the two started eating their lunch.
A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Dan called out and the door opened and Lucas came in.
"Lucas?" Deb questioned.
"I thought you were watching Jamie?" Dan asked.
"I am.. I mean was.. my mom is over the house right now."
"Oh, what's on your mind son?" Dan asked.
"Dad.." Lucas sighed. ".. it's Haley.. we got into another fight."
"Oh honey.." Deb called out. "You know she's just going through a hard time.."
"We've al been going through a hard time.." Lucas pointed out. "We need to do something .. she's becoming more and more distant and spending less and less time with Jamie.."
"Lucas.." Dan said softly.
"No Dad.. I know you think of Haley as a daughter but I need your help here.. you can't keep coddling her.. I know it's been hard since Nathan died.. but she needs to move on.." Lucas sighed again.
Deb looked at Lucas curiously. She knew a part of him was right, she herself is part of the blame. She also let Haley get away with too many things, but for Haley to move on meant that Deb also had to move on and she wasn't quite ready for that. She didn't know if she would ever be ready.
"We'll.. we'll think of something." Dan said softly. Guild washed over him and he turned around to look outside the window, ashamed to look at his wife and son. How can he look at the people he cared for the most when he's been lying to him this whole time. Dan's family needed Nathan Scott back, unfortunately for Dan, the world wasn't quite ready for Nathan Scott to come back from the dead.
To Be Continued . . . .
Since it was a long time between updates, I decided to put in Haley's meeting with Nathan in the forefront and that every chapter from here on out will lead up to that moment. As you can see, things are very different all around. In the upcoming chapters, you'll find out more about what happened between Haley and the rest of the characters, what happened with Lucas and Brooke, Peyton, Dan .. etc etc.. of course a little bit of what's been going on with Nathan and of course the big showdown of how Haley ends up tracking "Nathan" down and of course the after math of that! I hope you'll like it and gather around for the ride. Again please please review !! They do make me write faster and help justify the hours I spend writing on my laptop!