Summary- What if Peyton's 14 year old cousin moved in with her? How would she affect the gang? This is my first story ever so give it a chance.
Disclaimer- I only own the idea.
This story takes place after 5x12, everything happened Nathan and Haley are together and happy and Brooke already has Angie. Lucas and Peyton are on their way to being friends even though they love each other.
Authors Note- Thank you to everyone who reviewed! I love you guys! I also wanted to let you know that I started a new story called "A Promise to Myself" Of course it's Leyton. If you like this story then check that one out too! Enjoy
Carly sat on her couch, tears streaming down her broken face. He father had walked out nearly three hours and he was yet to return. The teen was starting to get very worried, she knew that her news would upset him but she expected him to be home by now. She was pulled out of her thoughts when a knock came from the door. Rising from the couch she slowly walked to it. There was a feeling in her stomach that she couldn't explain, but it defiantly wasn't a good one. She turned the brass knob only to come face to face with two police men. She vaguely remembers them muttering something about 'car' and 'just couldn't save him'. By that time she had already fallen to the ground sobs racking her entire body. She felt a hand cup her shoulder and shake her gently; refusing to open her eyes she shook her head.
"No!" She cried "No it's not true, no!"
"Carly!" She heard her name being called.
"NO!" She yelled louder "It's my fault!"
"CARLY!" Peyton shook her cousin more violently. Soon the teen's eyes snapped open and she looked confusingly at the pregnant woman.
"Peyton?" The teen whispered. The blonde nodded.
"Yeah it's me." She soothed. "Are you ok? Luke and I heard you screaming all the way from our room." Carly shook her head embarrassed.
"Yeah" She muttered, still slightly shaken up. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bad dream I guess." Peyton stared at her cousin with an 'I'm not buying it' look. After moments under the cold stare Carly crumbled.
"Six months" She mumbled silently while Peyton sat confused on the edge of the bed.
"Six months? Since whe-?" Soon the pregnant women's eyes went from confused to sympathetic. Reaching forward she pulled her cousin as close as she could with her protruding three month pregnant stomach. "Oh Carly." The teen stayed stone-like in the embrace, unable to feel anything. Peyton knew that it wasn't personal, when devastation hit Carly cut off the people closest to her, just like she used to. Releasing from the hug she noticed the vacant gaze in Carly's eyes.
"Do you think I could stay home from school today?" The broken teen questioned. "I just don't really feel like dealing with, everything." Peyton nodded.
"Sure, in fact I'll stay home with you." Peyton added hoping to lighten her cousin's mood. "We can watch bad movies and eat tons of ice cream and-" The blonde stopped when she saw Carly shake her head.
"No Peyt listen, I appreciate that you want to help but I think I just need a day to myself I don't want to deal with anyone." Peyton nodded her head in understanding.
"Ok but you know I'm here if you need me." Carly nodded her head and smiled slightly. With that the blonde rose from the bed and silently entered her bedroom seeing that her fiancé was sitting up in the bed reading "What to expect when you're expecting" Letting out a slight giggle she climbed next to him, while he closed the book and placed it on the bedside table.
"Everything alright?" He questioned, concerned. She shrugged slightly before curling into his embrace.
"It's the anniversary of a not so happy day." Peyton explained without actually having to say the words. Lucas understood instantly and hugged his fiancé closer.
"How's she handling it?" She shook her head pityingly.
"She's going to do what she does best, avoid it until she cracks." She sighed. "The thing is it's bigger than anything any of us can understand." Lucas looked at Peyton confusingly. "Luke she didn't just lose her father this week. I can help her deal with that but being around me when I'm like this," She gestured to her baby bump "Probably isn't the easiest thing for her to see." Understanding Lucas nodded.
"Maybe one of us should stay with her." He suggested but the blonde shook her head.
"She wants to be alone today, and I think we should let her. If we crowed her then she'll just push us away further and that is the last thing we want." The pair sat in silence until Lucas turned to Peyton.
"So what do we do now?"
"We leave her be and hope she doesn't do anything stupid." She answered referring to her 'traffic light' phase before slipping back into the darkness not hearing the small whimpers coming from down the hall.
Nathan yawned opening the front door that morning hoping to grab the paper. Stepping out he was surprised when he saw a rather large envelope instead. Curious, he picked it up and walked into the kitchen while tearing open the top, trying to be as quiet as possible knowing that his wife and son were still slumbering up stairs. The contents of the envelope left Nathan befuddled, it was a video with the words 'play' written on the side. With eye brows scrunched he obeyed and pushed the tape into the system. The once black screen now showed someone he never wished to see; Dan Scott. Red faced Nathan stood; ready to smash the small tape when a voice stopped him.
"Nathan please sit back down and don't break the tape until it's finished."
He was shocked when he heard his father's voice instruct him as though he was in the room. Taking a minute to look at his father's appearance; his hair was longer and he had a beard. Nathan concluded that this tape must have been recorded when Dan was still in jail. Sitting hastily back down he watched Dan shake his head.
"For all I know you have already broken this tape, but in the slight chance you haven't I'm going to continue." Dan paused for a minute before shaking his head "I have made a lot of mistakes Nathan, mistakes with you, Lucas, your mother, Karen. And Keith. Nathan felt anger filling his body at the mention of his uncle but held back from throwing the remote at the tv, just to get Dan's face off the screen. "I wish that I could go back in time and fix those mistakes, but I can't. I am so proud of the man you have become, looking after Haley and your son. I know that you will do great things." Nathan realized this must have been tapped before his accident, because no one would have been proud of him the way he acted after it. "I don't have much time son, but I want to let you and Lucas know that not a day goes by that I don't regret what I did, the reason I'm in here. A moment of weakness caused everyone I love a lifetime of pain. I can only hope that one day I can make it up to you. To both you and Lucas, I love you."
And with those words the screen turned blue, but just as quick another shot of Dan was pictured; this time older, hair short and clearly much more recent.
"Boy do I hope you didn't destroy this tape already." Dan chuckled "Last time I recorded on this was nearly three years ago, I just thought that I would update it a little. If you're watching this now it means I'm probably lying in a hospital bed getting my heart ripped out of my chest. That's right, I made the cut. God gave me a second chance, my only question though is can you and Lucas do the same?" Nathan, completely lost in the video, didn't hear the tiny feet make it down the stairs and turn the corner also viewing the desperate man on the screen. "Jamie is an incredible kid and you are such an amazing father. A thousand times better than I ever was, and I know Lucas is going to be as well. If I make it out of this surgery I beg you to let me have a role in Jamie's life, and hopefully Lucas will let me be a part of his child's too." Dan looked at his watch before turning back to the camera. "It's time for my second chance." The screen turned black after that, leaving a flabbergasted Nathan in the midst. He was only pulled from his hypnotic state when his son called out to him.
"Daddy, can we go visit Grandpa Dan?" Nathan sat sheepishly for a moment before walking over to his son.
"Sure buddy."
Peyton stared blankly at the wall in front of her unable to concentrate at the work in front of her. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't stop worrying about Carly. The time she couldn't take it any longer and would stand to go see her she would receive a call from Lucas reminding her that the teen needed to be alone. Though she loved that he knew her so well, it was starting to annoy her. She wanted to be there for her cousin, but she knew that she was doing all she could right now and that Carly would come to her when it was time. Deciding she needed to get her mind off things she called the one person she knew could distract her.
"Well hello their best friend" She heard Brooke rasp.
"Hey B. Davis, what'cha up too?"
"I am actually putting the final touches on your gorgeous one of a kind wedding dress." She answered gleefully "And it is so ready for you! Can you believe that in three weeks you will be Mrs. Lucas Scott!" Peyton smiled at her friend's enthusiasm. Once the date was set Brooke immediately snapped into maid of honor mode and started on the dress while Haley worked on the planning. Now only three weeks away Peyton had to admit she was getting excited. The two continued to chat about the upcoming wedding and the baby, but in the back of her mind Peyton couldn't stop the worry for the girl at home.
It wasn't right, this wasn't supposed to happen. Right now she should be mocking his cooking skills while he threatened playfully that he wouldn't drive her to Ally's the next day. Instead she stood frozen at the foot of dirt, while he was gently placed into the ground. She felt Ally's hand slip into hers, trying to bring some sort of comfort to her friend. She had been staying with her since the accident but hadn't spoken in weeks. She nodded appreciatively when the Broads took her in, and smiled politely at the people who offered their condolences to her but she never made a sound. Just as Carly heard the casket hit the ground she felt a pain hit her side. Falling to the ground she let out a wail of pain.
It was the first sound she had made in weeks.
Carly shook the memory from her head, wrapping the quilt tighter to her body. She had long ago turned off her phone, becoming annoyed with the constant beeping of it. She had received texts and calls from Val, Nick, and the rest of her friends but had ignored them all, needing to block out the world. She had music blasting while she stared blankly into the darkness; she was startled when she heard a knock coming at the door. Dragging the quilt along with her slowly opened it revealing a concerned looking Nick. Before she had a chance to say anything he wrapped his arms tightly around her and held her close. The pair stayed that way for many moments before she reluctantly pulled from the embrace. Ready to question how he knew what happened Nick spoke.
"I pulled it out of Coach." He explained with a sheepish smile. "Why didn't you tell me, I would have been here." Carly shrugged her shoulders before turning away.
"I didn't think that it was important." She explained, crawling back into bed. Nick, who followed behind her, scrunched his eye brows.
"What do you mean not important? Carly you are important to me and this day is a big deal, you shouldn't be alone." The girl shook her head.
"Maybe I shouldn't be, but I need to be. More happened on this day then you realize." She remained in a monotone voice. "I think you should go." Reaching forward Nick took her hand.
"Please don't push me away" He pleaded "I want to be here for you" Carly pulled from the grip and rolled onto her side.
"But you can't be." Giving up hope Nick stood from the bed and walked towards the door, but paused.
"When you need me I'll be there." And with that he left Carly alone, the last thing she needed.
"Grandpa Dan!" Jamie yelped reaching the hospital room. He and Nathan had arrived two hours ago but were only admitted less than five minutes ago. He watched as his soon kneeled on the chair next to Dan's bed. Reaching for a hug from his grandfather.
"Hey buddy." Dan muttered, shocked at the sight. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw daddy watching your tape and I asked if we could visit you, he said yes!" Dan's grew wider hearing his grandson's words.
"Well it's good to see you" Jamie smiled broadly before looking at his grandfather's chest.
"Did it hurt, getting better?" Dan smiled.
"I was asleep; they said it might be a little sore later. But do you want to know something really cool?" Jamie nodded his head eagerly. "I am going to have an awesome scar from here" he pointed to the top of his chest "to here" he continued down. Nathan watched the interaction between the generations, praying he made the right choice.
Peyton snuggled closely to Lucas's chest a week after what they referred to Carly's "dark day". They both needed to get up for work in a couple minutes but were using the time to their advantage right now. The silence was peaceful but was broken but Lucas's voice.
"Elizabeth Anna" Peyton sat up and looked at the man confusingly. "I think if it's a girl we should name her Elizabeth Anna, for your moms." Peyton felt tears spring to her eyes.
"Keith Nathanael" Peyton suggested "If it's a boy that's what we should name him. I think it is right." Lucas smiled adoringly at his soon to be wife and kissed her gently.
"I think that's sounds perfect."
Carly walked the halls slowly as she made her way to her second period class. Though she had worked passed her "dark day" she still hadn't spoken to Nick, though he had called she ignored them and went on with her daily activities. Turning the corner she saw a girl by the name of Michelle holding a baby doll, most likely an assignment for her home economics class. But to Carly it brought nothing but bad memories.
"It's such a tragedy, first he father and now this." Carly heard the whispers of the nurses who still thought she was unconscious.
"I mean maybe this really is karma at work, get knocked up at fourteen and this is what happens." The other nurse whispered. Carly didn't need them to say it, she knew what happened.
It was gone, and it was all her fault.
Carly raced into the first open room before leaning against the wall and taking in a deep breath.
"Whoa, you ok there?" Carly snapped up her head, coming face to face with Lucas, she realized she had run into his office unconsciously.
"Yeah, I just she had a baby doll and…" Carly trailed off tears forming in her eyes. In no time Lucas wrapped her in his arms and held her close.
"Hey, shh, it's going to be ok." Carly shook her head.
"No its not, I'm never going to move past this. It's my fault that it was never born! If I had just been more careful.." Lucas continued to sooth the teen, unaware of the other one standing just feet away hearing the entire conversation.
Sam was forgotten after Carly Sawyer came to Tree Hill High. The new coming got her guy and was immediately placed into the spotlight. Though the curly witch was forgotten, it didn't mean she disappeared. In fact she had been doing lots of work, searching for a way to bring Carly down. And now, by sheer coincidence it had fallen into her lap. Turning on her heel she retreated down the hall reaching Gabby, or "Gabby gossip as she was better known as. Grabbing her attention Sam pulled on her best sympathetic face.
"Such a shame about Carly huh?" Gabby's eyes widened.
"What do you mean?" She asked craving to know the information.
"You mean you don't know?" Sam gasped for emphasis, and then proceeded to tell all she had heard only minutes ago. Once her flow of words stopped Gabby ran down the hall way reaching another group of girls, who then proceeded to run to another group. Sam, with a satisfied smile on her face hummed to herself, ignoring the whispers around her.
Once all the tears were dried Carly walked out of Lucas's office hoping to make it to her locker before her next class. She felt as though all eyes were on her as she walked past people, but convinced herself she was just paranoid. Reaching her lock she heard cries coming from around her, baby cries. Trying her best to ignore it she dialed the combination but jumped when she saw a baby doll fall out of it, X's drawn over its eyes. With a quivering chin realization hit her.
They knew.
They all knew, Carly didn't know how but she knew she had to get out of there. Sprinting down the hall way, her destination the exit she felt a new tear burn her skin every time someone imitated a baby wail.
"What's wrong mommy? Got another baby to kill?" Carly heard a wicked voice come from behind her. Turning hesitantly she came face to face with a satisfied looking Sam.
"You did this?" She questioned brokenly. Sam only shook her head.
"No Carly, you did this." She gestured to the doll lying on the ground. "I only let people know the truth about perfect little Carly Sawyer." She mocked. "And I let your little boy toy know too." Carly gasped when she noticed Nick standing behind Sam, an unreadable look in his eyes. Carly raced back down the rest of the hallway, eyes blinded with tears. She felt something hard come in contact with her, looking up she saw it was Skills with Nathan next to him.
"Yo ma, where's the fire?" Skills joked but soon became serious when he saw the tears in the teens eyes. "Hey what's going on baby girl?" Carly refused to answer but instead wrapped her arms around him, needing any kind of protection. Skills responded, but kept his confused eyes on Nathan. With a mouthed 'what the hell' Nathan shrugged. It was then he caught sight of the doll on the ground and the baby cries coming from the students became evident.
"Oh my god" He muttered when realization hit him. Turning to Skills he answered the question. "You need to get her out of here, now!" Skills obeyed and quickly led the teen to his car while Nathan got down to business. Picking up the vandalized baby doll he turned to the crowded hall way.
"Who the hell did this?!"
Did you like it? Did you hate it? I'm soooooo sorry for waiting so long to update but I hope this chapter made up for it! I'm sad to say that this story is coming to a close, but don't worry there's more to come! Please tell me what you thought of this chapter, and Do you want a Leyton baby girl or boy? I need your help here! Please review, I really need to know what you thought! I'll update soon. Read and review xoxo!