A/N: Hey guys! WOW! Thanks for the reviews. I've been pretty busy this past week…and will be even busier the upcoming month, so I really appreciate your patience. I'll try to update once a week—or when I do buy the time. Anyway, after reading the reviews I see that some of you are confused with how Hunter could have Natalie's baby. Well if we recall back on the last story "Wishing Well" – In chapter 22 called Out of Love. I guess it's been forgotten, but read it and the answer will pop out. I suggest you read previous stories [if you haven't yet] of the series because it links back to the events happening on here…just so you know. Anyway…I finally finished the next chapter so ENJOY and don't forget to leave a REVIEW on your way out. THANKS A BUNCH!
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"Let Go"
"Hunter? Did you just hear me?" Tori waves a hand in front of the lost blonde as he shook his head and looks up, puzzled.
"Huh?"
She wrinkles her forehead. "Your the father of Natalie's baby..."
The words 'the father of Natalie's baby' repetitively rang through his ears as he tries hard not to think about it. "No." Hunter whispers in disbelief. "No! There has to be a mistake!" He turns away, not wanting to reveal the hurt and confusion that was running through his head. Blake slowly places a hand on his shoulder as the others watched on in surprise.
Hunter looks at him and nods his head. "So much is happening, bro--I don't even know what to do." And it was true. Hunter wasn't sure about facing fatherhood, but when he heard about the news, he was thrilled to share a child with the one he loves; a child that could bring them high hopes to finally be together again. But when she surprised him with yet, another shocking discovery, it was a whole different story. God, if all this was only a dream...he thought.
Tori looks down. "I'm sorry..."
"I don't believe this." Hunter covers his face in aggravation as he turns to face her. "Wha---I-I...my God..I h-how, b-but--Are you sure?"
She nods with a sigh. "I know this is hard, Hunter--with you finding out about my miscarriage...and now you have a son with Natalie. It's crazy, I know." Tori stares deep into his lost eyes, searching them with passion. "But he is your child and nothing will ever change that."
Hunter stares back at her seriously. He couldn't believe all the stuff he was hearing, for everything was a vague blur to him. Just when he was recovering from severe injuries, the dirty blonde has yet, more things to overcome that were suddenly shooting at him, and the one thing that was starting to scare him--is Tori letting the baby stand in between their relationship. But would she ever do that? Only time will tell. "What about us?" He trembles worriedly. "Will it ever change?"
The others turn their heads in unison as they wait for her answer. She lowers her head down before gazing into his eyes once again. "As far as I know---" Tori answers with a brief pause. "It already has."
I can't sleep, I just can't breathe
When your shadow is all over me baby
Don't wanna be, a fool in your eyes
'Cause what we had was built on lies
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A few hours later, the gang headed off to the hospital in the gray van and arrived safely in absolute anxiety. Hunter remained in awkward silence as they walk towards the automatic slide doors that led to the front desk. Tori glances over at him from the corner of her eye as they walk side by side down a long hallway. Doctors, nurses, and patients came strutting by, as her gazed remained locked on him.
"Hey. You okay?" The blonde wonders in concern. Stupid question, she thought--knowing he had so many things in his mind that was stressing him out--or so it seems. Who could blame him?
Hunter looks down at each step he takes, thinking along the way. "I'm just nervous."
Tori suddenly stops, halfway to the front desk, as the blonde pulls him towards her. The others didn't notice as they continue to walk forward, leaving them behind. She searches his eyes carefully as she slowly slips her hand into his. He looks down at their locked hands as he gave it a little squeeze. Hunter couldn't help, but feel the warmth vibe he was getting from her. Feeling her soft and tender touch made him feel more at ease as it slowly brings in memories they shared in the past. Hunter loved Tori so much...he wanted to remind her.
"I love you." He whispers while pressing his lips together. She looks up at him with a blank stare as the blonde suddenly lets go of his hand and averts from his gaze. Hunter's heart dropped at her awkward reaction as he plasters a confused stare. "Tori?" Uneasy silenced cast over them as she slowly meets his eyes again. "Are you going to say anything?" He asks.
She lowers her head down and sighs before looking back up. "Hunter," Tori trails off tentatively. "We can't--"
"Hey guys." Dustin interrupts as he approaches them with the others waiting behind. "Um...I just talked to the nurse and she gave us the OK."
Tori pauses for a minute and nods. "Great. We can all visit Natalie and the baby." She changed the tone of her voice as she walks past Hunter and leads the way to her room. The dirty blonde follows her direction and sighs.
And when our love seems to fade away
Listen to me hear what I say
I don't wanna feel
The way that I do
I just wanna be
Right here with you
I don't wanna see
See us apart
I just wanna straight from my heart
I miss you...
***************Knock Knock*****************
"Hello?" Tori slowly sticks her head in the room and smiles once she spots Natalie holding the baby in her arms. Natalie's hair was fully up with brown strands dangling on the sides of her face. She stood upright on the bed as she gestures Tori to come in. The others followed behind and watched on in awed as they gather around her hospital bed. "Oh my God." Tori smiles warmly as Hunter stood next to her. "He's such an angel, Nat."
The baby boy had light skin with hazel nut hair--mixed with Hunter's dirty blonde locks and Natalie's light brown head. He was wrapped around in a baby blue blanket, sleeping peacefully as the mother cradled him softly in her arms. Hunter looks down as a smile slowly drew on his face. "He's beautiful."
Natalie looks up and smiles back. "Want to hold him?"
He meets her eyes and gave a small nod. Natalie slowly extends her arms out as Hunter gently slides a hand on the baby's back with the other resting underneath his small head. Hunter smiles as he wraps him around his arms and looks down at their son. "Hey there," he whispers as tears of joy slowly spill down his cheeks. "I'm your dad."
The others watched on in awed as they congratulated them with happy tears and smiles. It was by far the most surreal moment for them and they couldn't be happier for the two. Tori stood off to the side with her arms crossed as she gazed over at Natalie, Hunter, and the baby. Wow...they look great together, she thought merrily, just like a family. Her smile suddenly began to fade as the thoughts of her miscarriage clouded her mind. Tori looks down and shuts her eyes while the memory of her lost child took over. She could no longer take it as she sneakily leaves the room without anyone noticing.
"Congrats, bro." Blake smiles as he strokes his nephew's soft head. "Can you believe it? I'm an uncle!" He exclaims happily. Shane, Kapri, and Marah patted his back--knowing how proud and lucky he is to have the child a part of him.
"Do you have a name for it yet?" Dustin asks in curiosity.
That brought Natalie's attention as she stares at them wide-eyed. "Oh my God. No, I haven't. I can't even think of one at the moment..."
Hunter thought as he glances down at his son, and then shift his gaze back to her. "What about Nathan? Just like his mother's name." The dirty blonde adds with a wink.
"Nathan..." She says softly while looking up. "I like it." The others agreed. "Nathan it is." Hunter smiles as he leans forward to give Natalie a kiss on the forehead. He pulls back and turns around when he finds Tori nowhere in sight. "Uh..." Hunter pursed his lips as he hands Nathan to the mother. "I'll be right back."
"Wait. Where you going, dude?" Shane questions. Before he could get an answer, the dirty blonde had already left the room.
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What would it take, for you to see
To make you understand that I'll
always believe
You and I, can make it through
And still know, I can't get over you
"Hey."
Tori gasps as she accidentally drops a bag full of medicine that was handed to her from a doctor moments ago. She bents down to grab it and turns around, facing Hunter. "Can you not sneak up behind my back like that, please?" Tori groans in annoyance.
Hunter smirks. "I thought you like it when I do that."
She rolls her eyes and smiles. "Sure I do."
There was a moment of silence as he looks down at the bag she was holding. "What's up with all that medication you're taking?" He asks with his brow raised.
Tori just shrugs. "You're not the only one that's recovering from the accident."
He nods when suddenly something hit him. He wanted to know everything there is for him to know. Tori's arrival and back in Blue Bay Harbor was a big question mark. How did this come about? "Just wondering..." Hunter looks down before meeting her eyes. "Why haven't you contacted me in any way while you were gone?" He asks, feeling hurt all this time.
She sighs, knowing the questions were coming sooner or later. "I was scared."
"Scared?"
Tori nods. "If it wasn't for me, all this wouldn't happen...and I was scared...scared to face the fact that I've lost so much--our baby, my pride...happiness, joy...family. I wouldn't even talk to anyone. And out of all people, Natalie was there to help me. She didn't have to, but she did anyway. And it's Natalie we're talking about here. The one that hated me!" She stated in disbelief. She looks away as the pain starts kicking in. Hunter continues to listen, fighting back tears along the way. "Well, I transferred from hospital to hospital...and suddenly landed back here. Hours of therapy, receiving special treatment after my miscarriage." Tori adds on as tears filled in her eyes. "Then when I found out Natalie was pregnant with your baby...I prayed so much for her to have this one---just so you can share this baby with her and not have to deal with the one I lost for you."
"Tori, please." Hunter chokes between his sobs as he breathes in to calm himself down. "Don't be sorry." He searches her eyes carefully and waits. "I love you and that's what it matters."
And when our love seems to fade away
Listen to me hear what I say
I don't wanna feel
The way that I do
I just wanna be
Right here with you
I don't wanna see
See us apart
I just wanna say it straight from my heart
I miss you...
Tori shuts her eyes. "You can't love me."
Hunter felt stabbed in the heart as he wrinkles his forehead in utter confusion. "W-What? Why not?" He asks in an upset tone.
"Just promise me one thing, Hunter."
He lifts his brow, waiting to grant her one promise that seemed so serious. Hunter swore to himself he'd do anything and everything for her--but he sure didn't see this one coming.
"Promise you'll stop loving me."
He was taken by surprise, as she stares at him genuinely and waits for an answer. Hunter stood in front of her, hurt and bewildered at the same time. What was he supposed to say? A promise like that is meant to be broken. Is this what she really wants? Hunter didn't want to believe it.
Awkward silence remained present between the two as Tori looks down and walks off without meeting his gaze. I can't believe she's serious…he thought miserably while staring back at her direction. What is really going on, Tori? What is it that you want? Hunter sighs as he heads back to the room.
This was one promise he refuses to keep.
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A/N: The song on here is called "Miss you" By Westlife…just so you know. Anyway, hope you like it!