Episode 7 Chapter 6 Happiness

Noah walks into the waiting room.

"Noah," Michelle stood up. Lucas and Peyton were waiting anxiously.

"Elizabeth is out of surgery. She is still not responsive." He wiped a tear from his eye. "We have a daughter…but she only weighs two pounds."

"Oh Noah," Peyton hugged him. Lucas nodded. He thought that would be for the best.

"I think you should go see Elizabeth. She would want to hear your voice."

Daniel had tears in his eyes.

"Daniel she is going to be okay." Isabella rubbed his shoulders.

"I need a minute." Daniel stood up and walked out of the room. Isabella couldn't understand why he was so upset. She knew he and Elizabeth were friends, but he was acting strangely.

…

Lily and Graham were watching Emma play with Annie and Scott.

"Luke just called. Elizabeth is out of surgery. They still aren't sure what caused her to go into premature labor."

"How's the baby?"

"A little girl…Elizabeth had a little girl. She only weighed two pounds."

"Wow…I can't imagine."

"Well I can. I've been there. Scott only weighed two pounds when he was born. I thought he was going to die, but he didn't…All we can do is pray for them."

Graham kissed her cheek. "You know I could go and talk to her doctor if you want me too. I could even consult her case."

"You are too sweet…I love you."

"I love you too."

….

"Hey sweet girl," Peyton held Elizabeth's hand. "I'm going to need you to wake up. You have to name that pretty little girl of yours." Peyton smiled. "You didn't tell me the name you were thinking of. You really haven't talked to me that much lately. I guess I've been so busy I've pushed you away too. I miss our long talks and mother daughter bonding moments. So please wake up sweetie…please Emma needs her mother and so does your new daughter…"

"Oh I didn't know anyone was in here." The nurse said. "I can come back later."

"Could you tell me what could have caused this?"

"She doesn't have any kind of condition…The only thing the doctor can think of is that she was way too stressed."

"Stressed?"

"Yes ma'am…" The nurse walked out of the room.

Peyton turned her attention back to her daughter. "What were you so stressed about?"

….

Daniel was standing at the NICU window. He couldn't see his daughter but he just needed to be close to her. He sat down on the floor.

"Dear God," he spoke out loud. "I know I don't come to you very often. I also know that I should. You have given me a lot to be thankful for, and I should thank you for it more often. I really need you to make sure that my little girl is okay. I need her to be okay for my brother and for Elizabeth. They have wanted this for so long…Please don't take their happiness away."

Noah shook his head as he listened around the corner. Why in the world would Daniel say his little girl?

"Daniel," Noah spoke softly.

"Noah," Daniel stood up. "I should go."

"Why?"

"I just should." Daniel walked away.

Noah followed him.

Daniel reached the waiting room.

"Stop," Noah pulled on his shoulder. "I want to talk to you."

"Noah please not here…"

"What the hell were you talking about back there? Why did you say that she was your daughter?"

Now everyone in the waiting room could hear them arguing.

Brooke stood up. She was afraid that Isabella's whole life was about to change.

"Tell me the truth."

Daniel closed his eyes. He hoped the right words would come out of his mouth. "This is a conversation we should have in private."

"No," he yelled. "I want you to tell me the truth. For the first time in your life I want you to tell me the damn truth."

"Guys," Andy walked over to him. "Maybe you guys should take this somewhere else."

"NO!" Noah yelled again. "My wife is unconscious and my daughter is fighting for her life…And I would like to know the truth. What is your secret Daniel? What are you hiding from me?"

Daniel looked down and then back at Noah.

Lucas, Peyton, Brooke, Nathan, and Isabella were all listening in. They didn't know what to think about the argument.

Daniel looked at Isabella. "I'm sorry," he told her before turning his attention back towards Noah. "That little girl lying in that NICU might be my daughter."

Noah didn't even think before he punched Daniel in the face. He fell backwards.

"Ow…" Daniel stood up. "But it is not what you think."

"Why don't you explain it to us?" Isabella walked over to where they were.

Daniel tried to regain his composure.

"You guys were having a hard time getting pregnant. Elizabeth saw what it was doing to you…We came up with this plan. She was going to get pregnant no matter what."

"So you slept with her?"

"No…Elizabeth was artificially inseminated with my sperm." It actually felt good to finally tell the truth.

"So my daughter is really your daughter?"

"Elizabeth slept with you before she was inseminated. We don't know for sure."

"I can't believe you did this to me." Noah shook his head. "This is unforgivable."

"I was just trying to help."

"Well don't ever help me again. As far as I'm concerned you are not my brother." Noah pushed Daniel out of the way and walked out of the room.

Daniel looked at Isabella.

She didn't even think. She slapped him in the face and walked away.

Brooke followed her.

No one else knew what to say.

Daniel just closed his eyes in hopes that it was all a dream, but unfortunately it wasn't.

….

So a quick update. I hope you guys liked it. Please, please let me know what you thought. I can't wait to read what you guys have to say.

Did you guys really think that they slept together? Let me know.

I will try to update tomorrow. It will be a whole new episode.

Spoilers: Savannah is having a hard time with her cancer. Lily and Scarlett butt heads. Lucas gets upset. Elizabeth is released from the hospital. Noah gets an offer he can't refuse. Isabella is confused. Riley finally gets the answers he never knew he was looking for.

Don't forget to review!