Okay so I am really sorry to have kept you waiting. The last few months there have been some personal issues I had to deal with and a change over at my job so this story have to be on the back burner for awhile. But I'm back and there are only 2 more chapters left after this one. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and hope you all have a Happy New Year. Here's the next chapter.
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"Rachel?" Nathan repeated in disbelief. "She pushed you?"
"Yes."
"Why?" Nathan was just shocked. He got that Rachel didn't like Haley, but to push her down the stairs almost killing her was going too far.
"We got into an argument. After the party I went home to just watch a movie. Next thing I know I hear a knock at my bedroom door and it's Rachel. She starts saying that I need to stay away from you and quit my pathetic attempts of getting you away from her. I of course told her she was delusional if she thought I would listen to a damn thing she says. Stating the fact that it's you pursuing me and not the other way around. She of course didn't believe me, since in her twisted mind you can do no wrong and I am the devil. Then, I don't why, but I told her she was just jealous that you and I have slept together while the two of you haven't. She tried to deny it and said that the two of you have, but knowing you and our siblings, you'd tell Lucas, who would tell Brooke, who wouldn't wait to tell me." Nathan nodded agreeing. "I walked away tired of hearing her. She then followed and told me that she saw us coming downstairs at the party. I tried denying it but she started again about how I was pathetic for trying to take you away from her. Then for some ungodly reason she brought up that she had talked to Carol and heard some stories from her. Like how he was over her house getting his rocks off while I waited for him at out 4th of July picnic. She crossed the line so I slapped her. Next thing I know she threw out her hands and I was falling down the stairs. Then everything went black."
Nathan closed his eyes and took a deep breath as he took in all the information. He just couldn't believe that Rachel was capable of doing something like this. And on top of that lie to his face about everything.
"But the worst thing she told me was that you regretted our arrangement and that the only reason you were sticking by me is because you were obligated by Dan and Deb. That you wished it was her because actual feelings would then be involved. Basically that you wished there was nothing to tie me to you."
"Haley I never said any of those things. I was excited about being a dad. Especially that it was you I was going to have the baby with. Yeah, I was scared. I mean we're teenagers just getting ready to graduate high school. But after realizing that we had each other and the support of our friends and family I knew we would be okay. I never once felt obligated. I was going to stick by you because I wanted to. Not because anyone told me to. I can't believe Rachel said those things. And worse now we don't have our baby anymore."
"I'm sorry, Nathan."
"Haley, you have nothing to be sorry about. None of this is your fault. It's Rachel's. Mine too. If I would have just listened to you none of this would have happened. I'm sorry I caused all this to happen."
"I hate what she did to us. I hate that we let her tear us apart. I hate that she took our baby from us." Haley sobbed.
"I guess she's just good at her game. And babe you didn't let her do anything. This is all on me. But I promise that I'm gonna do everything I can to make this better. Now, there's something I have to go do. You okay with that?"
"Yeah go ahead. I'm sure Brooke and the others are dying to get in here."
"Look, if you want me to tell them not to mention anything about the baby, I will."
"Could you? I don't want to continue talking about it."
"Okay." Nathan leaned in and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Nathan walked to the door and before stepping out gave Haley one last look. She smiled at him and he smiled back. He was happy that things were good again. Well, as good as the situation would allow. He knew it would be a long time before things would be really good. He stepped out of the room and went to the waiting room where all their friends and family sat waiting patiently.
"Hey, Haley said for you to go in Brooke." Brooke hopped up enthusiastically. "You guys too." He informed Lucas, Jake, and Peyton.
"But before you go in, I told Haley about the baby. As expected she got really upset. So she asked when you go in there if you could please not mention anything about the baby. She just doesn't really want to talk about it anymore."
"Okay." Brooke said as she pulled Lucas along with her as she walked towards Haley's room. Peyton and Jake quietly followed them.
"Nathan." Deb hugged her son. "How is she?"
"She says she's okay. Her head just hurts. I told her about the baby. She really took that hard. That's probably the worst thing I've ever had to tell her." He took a seat next to his mother. "God you should have seen her face when I told her. I just wanted to hold her and take away all her pain. But I can't even do that because I'm hurting just as much as she is. What did we ever do to deserve this?"
"Nathan you did nothing to deserve this. You can't think like that. Everything happens for a reason. We may not know what the reason is now, but sooner or later it will reveal itself." Deb said as she stroked his hair.
"I just want everything to get better mom. I want everything to go back to the way it was before. Before all this drama started."
"Sweetie, things will get better. You'll see." Lydia comforted him.
Nathan stood up. "There's something I have to go do. Umm, I'll be back as soon as I can." He started to walk out when Dan grabbed his arm.
"Nathan, where are you going?"
"There's some business I have to take care of."
"I just want to make sure you're okay and aren't going to do anything stupid."
"Don't worry about me dad. I'll be fine. I'll be back soon."
Nathan left the hospital and made his way to his place. Walking into his room he grabbed everything that was given to him by Rachel or that belonged to her. He grabbed the picture frame that Rachel had put on his dresser. He took out the photo of the two of them and ripped it in half. He threw the half that had Rachel and put it in the box with her other stuff. The half that was of him he just threw in the trash. He grabbed the box and got back in his car. He made the drive to her house and quickly got out of the car with the box.
Walking to the front door he ran into Rachel's father who was stepping out.
"Nathan. Good to see you. Here to see Rachel?"
"Yeah, I have some things I need to give her."
"I heard about Jimmy's daughter, Haley. Her being in a coma. I'm so sorry. How is she so far?"
"She actually woke up today."
"Oh, that is great news."
"Yeah, she's pretty banged up though. She has a broken arm, bruised ribs, and her head really hurts."
"I also heard that she is pregnant. I figure that's why Jimmy had been so quiet and down those few days. Pretty upsetting to find out your teenage daughter got pregnant."
"Yeah, umm, she was."
"Was?"
"Due to her fall Haley lost the baby." Nathan said trying to keep his emotions in check. He really didn't want to get into it any further with Rachel's father.
"That's terrible. Poor girl. Well as long as she's okay now. Well, I should go. I promised Rachel's mother I'd meet her at this museum she's dying to show me. So, go right in. I think Rachel was in the kitchen."
"Thank you, sir." Nathan walked into the house and walked to the kitchen. There Rachel sat at the counter eating some sort of salad and reading a magazine.
"Rachel." Nathan spoke alerting Rachel of his presence.
Rachel looked up and saw her boyfriend standing in the doorway with a box in his hands. She smile excitedly, got off the stool and walked happily to him.
"Hey, babe. I was hoping I would see you today" Rachel went in for a kiss, but Nathan turned his cheek and moved away. Rachel stood stunned but brushed it off a moment later.
"Well, are you hungry? I made an awesome salad. I could whip one up for you."
"I'm not hungry. We need to talk."
"Okay. Let's sit over here." Rachel pointed toward the sitting area adjacent to the kitchen. They took a seat on the sofa and Rachel took notice of the stuff Nathan was carrying.
"So, what's with the box?"
"It's your stuff. I don't like to keep stuff that belongs to my ex-girlfriends."
"Ex-girlfriends? What are you talking about?"
"What I'm talking about is you and I are over."
"I don't understand."
"It's really not that hard, Rachel. We're finished."
"Why?"
"Why? I'm tired of the way you treat Haley and the way you talk about her."
"So, this is because of Haley."
"No, not just because of her. I'm also tired of the way you are with my friends. Add to that how you're always smothering me all the time."
"Smothering you?"
"Yes, smothering me. You always want to hang out with me 24/7 and when you don't see me you call me just about every hour on the hour wanting to know where I am, what I'm doing and who I'm with. My own mother doesn't even do that. I can't deal with you anymore. Especially now that I know everything."
"What do you mean everything?"
"I know all about you being the one to spread the news about Haley's pregnancy, I know about the comments and dirty looks you make to her. I know you're the one who provoked Brooke, and now that I really think about it I know that you purposely kept me from getting to Haley's appointment. You wanted the two of us torn apart."
"Nathan, you don't know what you're talking about. I would never do anything like that to you."
"Cut the bullshit. Your game is over, Rachel. I am done with you." Nathan stood up ready to leave.
"You can't do this to me Nathan. I love you. I would do anything for you. I've been here for you. Unlike Haley I've been loyal." Rachel said stopping him.
"Unlike Haley? You don't know jack shit about loyalty. Loyalty is sticking by the person you care about and accepting everything about them including their friends and family. Haley is the only one who's ever been there for me. Through thick and thin she's always had my back. She's never once turned her back on me."
"She ended your friendship. That sounds to me like she turned her back on you."
"That was my fault. I pushed her to that point. And it was all because of you. From the beginning all you caused was trouble between me and her."
"Nathan, you're not thinking clearly. You're just really upset about Haley in the hospital and being in the coma and it clouding your judgment."
"My mind and judgment couldn't be any clearer. The blindfold is off and for the first time I see you for what you really are. A lying, conniving bitch!"
"I can't believe that you're going to believe everything that they told you over me. You know they don't like and they'll say anything to get rid of me."
"Why shouldn't I believe them? They've been my friends my entire life. They wouldn't say something to me unless it's the absolute truth. I didn't listen to them before because I wanted to give you a chance, but that was a really stupid thing to do on my part. I should've just listened to Haley."
"I love you Nathan. I'd do anything for you."
"Like push my best friend down a flight of stairs and killing our baby?"
"I…I…I don't know what you're talking about." Rachel stuttered turning away from him.
"Stop lying to me! I know everything Rachel! Everything! I know you were the one that pushed Haley!"
"Who told you that?"
"So you're admitting that you did it?"
"I'm not admitting anything. I didn't do anything wrong. Now, who told you that? I thought Haley was alone. She was when I left."
"She was. The only one there was Haley."
"So then, what makes you so sure I pushed her? I told you that when I left she was fine."
"I know you did."
"See, then it couldn't have been me."
Nathan shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest. "You know what's amazing? The fact that you seem so sure that Haley won't wake up to say anything."
"Nathan…"
"So, you're saying that if Haley were to wake up, she would tell me that when you left she was okay and then she accidentally fell?"
"How can you even be sure that she will remember what happened? You said yourself that she hit her head pretty hard. It's the reason why she's in a coma?"
"I never told you that. I just told you she was in a coma. I never told you what her injuries were or the cause of her coma."
"Well, then I guess I just assume that since she's in a coma and she did fall down the stairs. I imagine she most likely did hit her head."
"You really should just stop talking Rachel. You're just digging yourself deeper and deeper into a hole. I can't believe you risked Haley's life? How could you?"
"Nathan, I didn't…"
"Did I mention that Haley woke up today?" Nathan cut her off.
Rachel's mouth hung open in shock. She really didn't expect that.
"Yeah, she woke up today. And she remembered everything. She told me all about the argument the two of you had. Who the hell do you think you are to tell my best friend that she needs to stay away from me? I decide who I want in and out of my life. You had no right to tell her that. Then mentioning Kyle and Carol was a really low and shitty thing to do. I told you how hard that was for Haley. She did not deserve to be reminded of that. And the worst thing, was telling her that I was only going to be there for her because I was obligated and that I wished it was you because there would be feelings involved. Where did you come up with that bullshit? Newsflash Rachel, I'm not in love you. I never loved you. I just liked you, that's all. My feelings never went beyond that. I love Haley. There was never any doubt that I would be there for her and take care of her."
Nathan's words pierced through Rachel's heart like daggers. She was hurt and worse she was getting angry.
"No. I… you were supposed to love me."
"What? Rachel I'm in love with Haley. It took losing her as my friend to realize that and I don't plan on losing her again."
"I had a feeling there was something more than friendship going on between the two of you. You were cheating on me, weren't you?"
"No! Haley and I have never been more than just friends. I only just realized my real feelings for her. I don't even know if she feels the same. I told you that I don't cheat. I know what it's like to be cheated on. I don't want to put anyone through that, but if that what you want to believe to make it easier for you, then go ahead. Believe what you want. I don't care. I'm done with you."
"You don't want to do this Nathan."
"I do want to. You know, I never thought I'd say this, but Tiffany was by far a better girlfriend that you. She may have cheated on me but she never once treated my friends, especially Haley, like shit. And never did she try manipulating me."
"Nathan, don't do this."
"I'm done with this, Rachel. I'm done with you and anything having to do with you. Stay away from me, my friends, my family, and most importantly stay away from Haley!"
Rachel's body trembled as she let a tear fall down her face. It couldn't hurt for her to pull out all the stop. "Please don't do this to me Nathan. You're the only guy I've ever really loved."
Nathan looked and for a slight second he felt bad, but then he quickly realized who he was dealing with.
"Cut the act, Rachel. Nothing you can say or do will make me empathize with you and change my mind. Because of you I've lost some of the most important things to me. I lost my friends, Haley and most recently my unborn child. For that I will never forgive you. I'm gonna walk away and be proud that I finally did what I've should've done a long time ago and that's dump your ass."
Nathan began walking out of the room before turning around one last time.
"And just so you know, I'm leaving it up to Haley on whether or not she wants to turn you into the police. But even if she doesn't you can be sure you will pay for your crime one way or another." Nathan then walked out of Rachel's house.
Meanwhile back at the hospital, Haley was surrounded by her sister and friends.
"I'm just so glad that you're awake, sis. You have no idea how horrifying it was to find you at the bottom of those stairs. I thought I was going to lose you." Brooke said as she wiped a tear from her face.
"You know I can't leave you Brookie Bear." Haley said squeezing her sister's hand.
"Ugh! I thought I made you swear to never call me that again."
"I couldn't resist."
"Well, since you're in the hospital, I'll let it slide."
"We're all just happy to have you back, Hales." Peyton said sitting down next to her.
"You scared us for awhile." Lucas said.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry. It wasn't your fault." Jake spoke.
"Speaking of faults, Hales what happened? We've all been curious as to how this happened."
"Guys, I know you all really want to know, but I just really don't want to get into it right now. Just give me some time."
"Okay. We'll do that for you, Hales." Brooke smiled. "So. Would it be okay to ask how it went with Nathan? We finally got him to open his eyes to what a bitch Rachel really is."
"He told me. I'm really happy that he knows the truth and that he actually believes me. Well, we talked, he apologized, promised to make everything up to me. We were just really honest with each other about everything that happened."
"Is everything okay between the two of you now?" Jake asked.
"Not completely. There's still a lot we have to talk about. But it was a start. I think we will be."
"We're glad, Haley."
"Gosh, I can't wait until you get out of this hospital. That hospital gown is just dreadful. It should be illegal to have you wear that trash bag. Maybe I can talk mom into designing some fashionable hospital gowns. That way every woman who checks in can be in style while they're sick."
Haley laughed. "Brooke, you never change."
"No and don't ever expect me to. But seriously, sis. As soon as you get out of here we all promise to wait on you hand and foot until you fully recover. Peyton will be in charge of all your music entertainment, Lucas will take care of the literature, Jake will take care of your food and drink needs, and I will make sure to keep you looking hot. As for Nathan, that's entirely up to you."
"Brooke, you guys don't have to worry about me."
"Are you kidding us? You just woke up from a coma, we are doing this. We want to take care of you."
"Okay, if you insist. Who am I to reject willing slaves." Haley laughed.
"It's good to hear you laugh again."
Suddenly a nurse walked in. "Sorry to interrupt, but Ms. James it's time to take you in for your brain scan. All of you will need to go back to the waiting room."
"We'll see you later, Hales." Brooke gave her one last hug and then walked out with the rest of the group. The nurse then helped Haley out of the bed and into a wheelchair that was in a corner of the room and took her to the scan room.
Three days later Jimmy and Lydia helped their daughter step out of the car and into the house. They made it upstairs with some trouble but were able to make it to her bedroom door. When they opened the door Haley was surprised to see large vases of white roses on both sides of her bed and a large 'Welcome Home' sign. Her friends were off to the side each holding even more roses in their hands.
"Welcome home, Haley" Brooke screamed as she ran to give her sister a hug.
"You guys, I can't believe you did this."
"Well, you deserve it." Lucas said also giving her a hug. Jake and Peyton walked over to do the same. Nathan stayed quiet off to the side.
"We'll help her into the bed, Mr. James." Jake said to Jimmy. Lydia and Jimmy nodded and then stepped out. Lucas and Jake helped Haley get comfortable in her bed.
"Okay, so we made sure to place everything you would need within your reach. We moved the TV closer, your laptop and iPod are right next to you on your nightstand, as is the remote to the TV and some books Lucas brought for you.. Also we got this really cool bell for you to ring when you need us." Brooke explained.
"Thanks."
"Alright so we're gonna go and let you and Nathan talk." Brooke pushed the others out.
"Hey. So what do you think?"
"You guys didn't have to do this."
"Well, I thought it would be nice if you came home to your favorite flowers. But besides that I had another motive."
"What is it?"
"Well, I know it's a few weeks away. And I know we still have a lot to talk about before we're really okay, but I was wondering if maybe you wanted to be my date to the prom." Nathan stood hopeful as Haley looked at him surprised. She wasn't expecting this.