Rebuilding and Crumbling Chapter 35!
By: Matt91
Disclaimer: Lucas Scott, Nathan Scott, Brooke Davis, Peyton Sawyer, and Haley James don't belong to me, as do Karen Roe, Deb Scott, Dan Scott, Andy Hargrove, Bevin, and any characters that appear on the show. David Foster also does not belong to me. Please e-mail me with any comments you may have.
Author's Note: Keeping this short, I am glad everyone is enjoying this story. Please keep reading and reviewing, it's greatly appreciated!
Tree Hill Hospital-Karen's Room-3:30
Lucas and Andy are sitting by Karen's beside. Brooke went to the café to look after things for Karen and Haley went home to wait to talk to Bryce. Both Brooke and Haley had spoken to Karen and expressed their happiness about her being awake.
"So, Haley decided to take the record deal," says Lucas.
"Oh, that's a great opportunity for her," says Andy, smiling.
"She'll be great," says Karen, also smiling.
Andy's cell phone rings.
He takes out it out of his pocket.
"I'm just gonna step outside," says Andy, as he steps into the hall to take the call.
Lucas and Karen sit in silence.
"Lucas," says Karen, grabbing his hand. "I know how much I hurt you and that what happened caused you to move in with Keith but I want you to know how terribly sorry I am. I know it doesn't change anything but I just wanted you to know that I completely regret what I did."
"Mom," says Lucas, gently. "Finding out you got into a car accident was one of the scariest things, if not the scariest thing, I've ever experienced. I watched you lie there and every second you were in your coma, I just prayed you knew how much I loved you and how sorry I was for everything. I never meant to hurt you, mom. I was just angry and upset but almost losing you scared the hell out of me. Mom, I love you so much and I am so sorry for everything."
"Ok, Lucas," says Karen, as she pulls him into a hug. "I love you too."
They stay in the embrace, both with tears in their eyes.
Andy walks into the room, pausing as he sees the touching scene in front of him.
Karen and Lucas break the hug when they notice Andy.
"Lucas," says Karen, looking at Andy. "Can you give Andy and I a minute?"
"Sure," says Lucas, as he walks out of the room.
Andy sits down on Karen's bed.
"I'm so happy you're all right," says Andy, grabbing her hand.
"Andy," says Karen. "It means the world to me that you came. With the way everything's been with us, it just brings me such joy. I know how deeply I hurt you by what I did. It is the biggest regret I have and I hope now that you're back we can work towards reconciliation. Because Andy, I love you and I am so sorry."
"Karen," says Andy, looking directly at her. "When I got that call from Lucas, I almost died. That was by far the worst phone call I've ever received and I never wanna have to receive another call like that again. On my plane ride over here, I tried to imagine what I would say to you. So, here it is. Karen, I love you with all my heart and I know a lot has happened but I was so scared of losing you and I never wanna have to feel that way ever again. I want us to be together again."
Karen smiles and they kiss.
Meanwhile, in the hall, Lucas is waiting outside the hospital room.
"Lucas," calls Deb, as she and Nathan approach him.
"Hey Deb," says Lucas.
"I'm so sorry it took me so long to get here. When Nathan came here earlier to see your mom, I was at my lawyer's and couldn't get away," says Deb, guiltily. "Can I see her?"
"Yeah, sure," says Lucas, as Deb enters the room.
"So, where are Brooke and Haley?" asks Nathan.
"Brooke went to the café to look after things for my mom and Haley went back to the apartment to talk to Bryce about her acceptance of Mr. Foster's offer," says Lucas, suddenly realizing what he just said. "Oh, Nate…"
"What do you mean?" asks Nathan, confused. "I thought he just offered her a record deal."
"He did," says Lucas, kicking himself for opening his mouth. "But, it requires her moving to LA for a year."
"Oh," says Nathan, trying to hide his emotions. "That's great."
"Nate, I'm sorry," says Lucas, gently.
"No worries," says Nathan, obviously upset. "I'll see you later."
Nathan walks off.
Meanwhile, in Karen's room, she, Andy, and Deb are talking.
"So, I got get out of jail free card and couldn't just pass it up," says Deb, telling them what happened.
"Wow, that's amazing Deb," says Andy, smiling.
"I missed you Deb," says Karen, as they hug.
"I missed you too," says Deb, tightening the hug.
"Oh, speaking of," says Deb, as she breaks the hug and grabs something out of her purse. "This is for you."
"What is this?" asks Karen, looking at what appears to be a check.
"The repayment of the money that you paid the IRS," says Deb. "Plus, an extra $500 for any extra strain that was put on you."
"Wow, Deb," says Karen, as she looks at the check. "Thank you."
Karen sits there, smiling. Her life is really starting to look up!
Apartment
Haley is sitting on the couch, anxiously waiting for Bryce to arrive.
How could she tell him about her decision? How would he react?
There is a knock ate the door and Haley gets up to answer it.
When she opens the door, Bryce is standing there.
"Hey," says Bryce, as he comes in and shuts the door.
"Hey," says Haley, as she pulls him into a hug. It's as if she's holding onto him for dear life.
She just lies against his chest, never wanting to let go.
"Haley," says Bryce, not breaking the hug. "Is everything ok?"
"Of course it is," says Haley, tightening the hug. "I have you and that's all I need."
"Haley," says Bryce, breaking the hug and looking into her eyes. "What's going on?"
"Let's sit," says Haley, hesitantly.
They sit down on the couch.
"I love you Bryce," says Haley, genuinely.
Bryce smiles widely. "Really?"
"Yes, really," says Haley.
They kiss.
Haley folds her hands in her lap. "And that's what makes this even harder."
Bryce's smile fades. "Makes what even harder?"
"Bryce," says Haley, gently. "I've decided to accept Mr. Foster's offer."
"Wow," says Bryce, sitting back in shock.
"I'm sorry Bryce," says Haley, near tears. "I really do love you and you mean the world to me and I gave it a lot of thought and I would never forgive myself if I didn't take this chance. Just like I never would've forgiven myself if I hadn't told you that I loved you."
Bryce smiles a little. "When do you leave?"
"Plane leaves tomorrow at 5," says Haley, grabbing his hands. "Bryce, I completely understand if you don't wanna do this whole long distance relationship thing."
"Haley," says Bryce, squeezing her hands. "Yes, I know it's gonna be hard because I love you as well and you mean everything to me but I am not just gonna give up on us. When you first told me about this, I told you I would be behind you one hundred percent and that we would find a way to make this work. I still mean that. I'm thrilled for you, Haley. You deserve this. And we will find a way to make our relationship work."
"Bryce, it's not gonna be fair to you, though," says Haley. "There'll probably be days when I can't talk to you and I don't know how often I'll be able to fly to Tree Hill with Mr. Foster's private jet. And I don't know how often you'll be able to fly to LA on the private jet. I don't wanna cause you pain."
"The only way I could be in pain is if you and I weren't together. I'm not saying it's not gonna be hard nor difficult but I love you and am willing to do whatever it takes to make things work between us," says Bryce, reassuringly.
Haley just smiles at him, unsure of what to say.
He pulls her in for a hug.
Tree Hill Hospital-Karen's Room
"Oh, Karen, I'm so happy you're all right," says Keith, smiling at her.
He is sitting at her bedside and they are talking.
"I know you were hurt when Lucas moved in with me and I'm so sorry but," starts Keith.
"Don't worry about it, Keith," says Karen, cutting him off. "I understand you were only doing what was best for Lucas and I know you didn't meant to hurt me. I was never angry with you. Besides, Lucas is moving home anyway."
"That's great," says Keith, smiling. "And I hear you and Andy are back together."
"Yeah," says Karen, unable to stop herself from grinning. "Everything's good again."
Meanwhile, Brooke is in the waiting room.
Lucas approaches her carrying two cups of coffee. He hands her hers and they sit down.
"You ok Luke?" asks Brooke, concerned.
"Yeah," says Lucas, looking at her. "Just thinking about how short life is."
"It can be," says Brooke, grabbing his hands. "But, if you spend it with people you care about, then at least it means something."
Lucas smiles at her. "You're exactly right."
He then proceeds to get down on one knee and pulls out a velvet box.
"Luke," says Brooke, her eyes widening.
"I love you Brooke Davis. I know we've had our problems but you are my world, everything that I am is because of you. You bring me happiness and I only wanna be with you, now and forever. Life is too short and I wanna spend whatever time I still have with you. Will you marry me?"
Brooke stares at him, stunned.
Author's Note: Ok, well, here's chapter 35. I hope you enjoyed it! So much going on and lots more to come! What's going to happen next? Chapter 36, coming soon! Stay tuned! In the meantime, please REVIEW!