Lost in the Past
Chapter 31 - Jealous Guy
A/N - So, I know this one has taken forever, but this time I have a reasonable excuse. My computer completely crashed basically meaning I have absolutely nothing on it at this moment. I had an update half way done for Running Out of Time but that went down the drain along with the rest of my files, pictures, videos, everything. But we just got a new episode that did absolutely nothing to restore my Leyton faith so I need some Leyton. That's where this episode is coming from. I also got the box set and soundtrack so I was checking out some old school Lucas and Peyton moments. Last night pissed me off, so this may be a little angsty or angry. Lol. Anyway, I'm sure you've heard enough of my rambling, on with the update!
The phone call came while Lucas was seated on the bed next to Elizabeth. She had opened her eyes when the boys walked in, immediately attacking her father for attention. He had hoisted the little girl up into his arms as she smothered him in kisses while he struggled to breathe. They had been on the bed ever since, Nathan had offered to talk to Peyton for him and he had reluctantly agreed. Elizabeth had been ranting and raving over cheese curls for the past ten minutes when the phone interrupted them.
"And they're orange and cheesy, Daddy! Me and Will had lots of em and they were really good! We had almost a whole bag," her eyes lit up and he chuckled at her enthusiasm, that was Peyton right there, "and they're orange...like macaroni and cheese! Oh, Daddy, we should have some macaroni and cheese and -"
The phone startled him, but the tiny Peyton continued rambling on and on about orange, cheese curls, and macaroni and cheese. He dug around in the pockets of his deep blue jeans, finally extricating the phone from his right pocket.
"Hold on a sec, Lizzie. I've gotta take the phone call," she nodded and busied herself with a toy car that laid on the comforter beneath her. Still managing to look very disappointed with her father, it amused him.
"Hello?"
"Lucas," Nathan was panicked. He nearly screamed into the phone when he heard his brother's voice cross over the line. He looked over to the right of him and kept his calm, 'worrying would only make her worry' he told himself, logically
"What happened? Is it Peyton?" Lucas managed to bombard Nathan with questions after only hearing one word. If the circumstances weren't this, Nathan would've laughed at his brother's panic.
"Yea, Luke, I'll tell ya everything later, just get to the hospital. We're on our way there now," he barely finished his words before Lucas hung the phone up and began to put his shoes back on.
"Lucas! Do you have Will?" Haley walked into the adjoining room to find Lucas pale as a ghost and the two kids playing on the bed behind him. "What happened?"
"It's Peyton...she's at the hospital," he gritted out before he grabbed his coat from the chair and ran towards the door.
"We'll meet you there with the kids!" she yelled to the door as it shut. "Oh God, can we ever do anything without something going wrong," she muttered, frustrated with everything that was going on around her.
"Brooke! C'mon we've gotta get to the hospital!" she screamed into the adjoining room before grabbing Will and Liz. She put their shoes back on and sent them to wait at the door while she rounded up the older two. She was beginning to get impatient with Brooke, their best friend was in the hospital while she was pregnant and Brooke was off in nowhere land.
"Brooke!" Minutes later the brunette sauntered out to find Haley looking very upset and afraid. She was puzzled.
"What?"
"We've gotta go to the hospital, Peyton's there with Nathan and Lucas left like five minutes ago," she snapped. Brooke's eyes immediately grew as she summoned Jake and led them all out the door.
– 'I was dreaming of the past, and my heart was beating fast –
The blonde pulled his car into the closest parking space and took off, sprinting towards the emergency room doors. He pushed and shoved, making his way to the front desk to find out what was wrong with his wife.
"How can I help you sir?" the woman at the front desk questioned him politely as he caught his breath.
"My wife, Peyton Sawyer came in with my brother a few minutes ago. She's pregnant," she nodded and typed his information into the computer before informing him that was she was on the next floor in the emergency room and that he should wait in the waiting room.
"What! I'm not gonna wait in the waiting room, she's pregnant. Pregnant! I need to know if she's ok, you need to let me in that damn emergency room!" he demanded but she just shook her head, barely acknowledging him.
Nathan walked through the elevator to find his older brother screaming at the woman at the front desk. He felt sorry for the lady, he ushered Lucas into the elevator to go up to the waiting room where he had been sitting.
"We can't get in," he told the boy solemnly.
"Why the hell not? I need to know if she's ok. We were fighting," he sighed, "I have to be there for her," he added softly. Nathan just watched the ground as the doors opened.
The girls, kids, and Jake all came in less than five minutes later. Each held their own expression except for Will and Liz, neither being old enough to comprehend the situation. Little Nathan dragged his feet, sitting himself away from the group that was considered family and positioned himself towards the wall. Nathan looked over and found him there, it was funny how much he reminded him of his brother and sister-in-law. Jake also watched the eight year old shut himself off from the people around him. He stood and made his way over to what he considered his nephew.
"Hey," Jake said softly. Nathan refused to look at him, just kept his head down, sniffling lightly. Jake sat next to him, laying a hand over his shoulder. "You wanna go outside and take a walk or we can go to the cafeteria or something...just get outta this room," he offered the little boy and received a nod.
Lucas laid his head in his hands, staring at the white tiled floor. Hospitals were so plain, Peyton hated them. Hell, he was beginning to hate them too. Liz and Will sat on the floor with a pile of toys, and it occurred to him that he would do anything to be that little again, to not have to worry. Nathan sat next to him, the girls were pacing and had eventually decided on food.
– 'I began to lose control, I began to lose control' –
Jake's hands remained buried in his pockets as the little boy, less than half his size, walked beside him. Neither said much, Nathan's head remained towards the cement. His whole world had shattered when his Aunt told him his mom was in the hospital. 'Maybe I wasn't always nice, maybe I got angry, but I still love her' he said to himself.
"She's gonna be ok," Jake not only reassured the boy but he was trying to reassure himself. They hadn't gotten any information when they had been sitting in the waiting room. Lucas was falling apart, they had just been fighting before they got the phone call. Nathan was busy consoling Lucas and the girls had each other. No one had seemed to even take notice of the hurt the little boy was feeling for his mother. Jake took the initiative, though he didn't seem to be making progress.
"How do you know?" Nate finally voiced quietly, still not looking up at his uncle. The older man looked down at his nephew, closing his eyes briefly.
"You wanna know the truth?" he asked as they both stopped walking. Jake knelt down so that he was eye level with Nate. The brunette lifted the boy's chin so that he was looking at him, his eyes were red and swollen looking from crying.
"I don't know if she's gonna be ok, but I do know that she'll do everything she can to make it. She loves you so much...she won't give up without a fight. Whatever's going on with her won't matter in the end because she's gonna fight to stay for you, Liz, and your dad and us. She won't leave you, that I can promise," Jake told the little boy sincerely. Nate nodded briefly before launching himself into Jake's arms, it caught him off guard at first, but he gave in and wrapped his arms tightly around his small figure. He lifted him up and carried him back in the direction of the hospital, hoping for good news.
"Who here is present for Peyton Scott?"
Lucas quickly stood up, making his way over to the doctor who now stood in the middle of the waiting room. He could feel his heart beat pick up, his stomach felt like it was going to cave, but he remained calm in his stance.
"I'm her husband, Lucas," he voiced just loud enough for the doctor to hear.
"Your wife seems to have been under some extreme amounts of stress recently which has been taking its toll on the baby. Peyton also has some mild signs of depression setting in and this will also effect the unborn baby. Not really too much to worry about thought, they will both be fine. Just a few changes will need to be made to ensure the safety of your wife and baby."
"Yea, sure. Whatever we need to do," the doctor nodded and pulled a pamphlet from his pocket.
"Mostly everything you need to know is in this pamphlet. The most important thing for her to concentrate on is finding a way to lower her stress levels. Maybe there have been arguments or just a lot of overwhelming excitement, you're going to need to do everything you can to make sure she remains stable. She'll need to have a healthier diet, exercise, get an adequate amount of sleep each night, get support from you and her friends and begin to start her pregnancy again at a healthy place," the doctor told Lucas this information and his head seemed to swim. But his wife and baby were ok, those were the only words he needed to hear.
"Alright, I'll make sure to look through this packet thing and talk to her...can I see her?"
"She looked very tired when I left the room, but it is in visiting hours so just don't pile too many in the room. We're gonna keep her here for a few more hours, let her rest and then she's free to go," Lucas responded with another nod and began to walk towards the door before he was called back again.
"Lucas."
"Yea?" he turned to face the doctor who held a stern look on his aged face.
"You should know that this could've been a very serious situation. If your brother hadn't gotten her here there was a large chance that you could've lost your baby. It's very important that you make sure she is never put in this situation again during the pregnancy. If she is to go on like this she could be forced into a stress induced labor where your baby would be premature and there would be a very slim chance we could do anything to save the baby at this stage." Had the blonde known things could've been that bad he would've never picked a fight with her. 'Now, I really feel like an idiot'
"Thanks."
– 'I didn't mean to hurt you, I'm sorry that I made you cry' –
He entered the waiting area with the little boy wrapped tightly in his strong arms. The small Scott remained sleeping as Jake laid him across two chairs and laid a jacket over top.
"Where were you?" Brooke stepped up, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck.
"I took a walk with Nate, everybody was so busy and he was really upset so I thought I'd make sure he was ok," he watched for the reaction on Brooke's face, awaiting her thoughts.
"You're too cute!" she squealed. "See, you just care about everyone, that's what I love about you."
"Well, I love you too," he leaned down completing the kiss. Then receiving a course of 'Ewww!' from Nathan, Haley, Will, Liz, and Jenny.
Lucas made his way through the open door. He wasn't sure what lay in that room, what the girl in the bed would say to him. He just hoped she would find it in her heart to forgive him. He knew he was selfish, the minute he saw her lying there he knew it. She went out to have some fun with the girls and he did nothing but scream and yell. It was a normal reaction to be upset that his wife just left, but with her being pregnant he shouldn't have been the one to cause the stress that nearly cost them their baby.
"Hey," she whispered softly as she watched him enter, timidly.
"Hi," he pulled a chair up next to the bed she occupied and took her left hand in his own. She was startled by the action. The truth was, when he had walked in she expected nothing from him.
"Peyton, I'm sorry," he told her sincerely. Her eyes cast downward toward the end of the bed, not really having any idea what to say to that. "You don't have to say anything to me, I just needed you to know," he added, mirroring her thoughts.
"I do," she said softly, her eyes filling with the tears that she had restrained for so long.
"I know you're mad. You should be and if you weren't then you'd have some problems," he received a laugh, "but I need you to forgive me. I'm selfish sometimes and I don't mean to be, but I just...I don't know, I guess I've always had too much pride to give in."
"Thanks for letting me know," she bit back, sarcasm cascading from every word. He sighed before pressing on. "I've only known you for, oh I don't know almost ten years and you'd figure -"
"I'm willing to give in if you'll let me," he cut in, abruptly. Eyebrows arched, she looked at the man in front of her, wondering when his moment of clarity came. He kept his eyes on the floor, waiting for her to break the now awkward silence they were sitting in. She flopped back onto the pillow behind her and he looked up meeting her eyes.
"What do you want from me?"
"What?"
"I said what do you want from me?" she repeated, making her question perfectly clear.
"What kind of a question is that?"
"One that I need answered to get to forgiveness," she told the boy, he still looked puzzled. It was such a random question, quickly catching him off guard, leaving him time to falter and not have the answer. "You say you love me and that you won't hurt me, but ever since this relationship started that's all you've done. I mean, look at our history, Lucas. The future doesn't look very promising."
He slowly turned his head away from her. She was distancing herself from him, pulling away. She had no faith in them anymore. They were that couple that couldn't hold it together and he hated it. He wanted so badly to say something meaningful that would make her know there was something worth saving in their relationship. Instead he stood and walked to the door.
"Maybe it doesn't look promising and maybe all I've done was hurt you but looking back I know I wouldn't change anything. Not one thing because every time something bad happens something better comes from it. And I know you don't have any faith left in us, Peyton, but I do. I've loved you since the first time I saw you and not once has that love faded. Not even in my darkest days. It's what's gotten me through those days without you. We've had obstacles and things don't come easily for us. I just...I don't know what I want from you, but I want you to love me the way I love you and right now I'm not sure if you ever have. I just wish you knew how sorry I really am," he finished as he closed the door behind him. She let his words register before a lone tear made its way down her cheek. Moments later the girls entered, each sitting on a side of her, lending their support.
– 'I didn't want to hurt you, I'm just a jealous guy' –
"I'll be back later, just if anything changes, call me," Lucas spoke to the occupants of the waiting room. He kissed Liz quickly on the cheek and checked on Nate before walking out of the hospital and getting in the car, not quite sure where he was headed.
The young girl pushed herself out of the bed that she had been laying in, worrying both girls. Brooke and Haley each grabbed a hand, making sure she didn't collapse.
"Are you sure you should be doing this?" Haley voiced, concerned with the blonde's actions. Peyton sent a glare towards the brunette and Haley backed off quickly.
"I'm fine, the doctor said it was stress anyway -"
"Well, isn't this a little stressful?" Brooke questioned the girl beside her and received a heavy sigh. "Ok, fine, blondie, but just be careful," she seemed to plead with the blonde as the words left her mouth and Peyton nodded before walking to the bathroom and dressing herself. A nurse came in seconds later to see Peyton dressed and ready to walk out the door.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Scott, you have not been released yet. The doctor would rather you stay -"
Peyton cut her off abruptly storming past her and pulling the door closed behind her. Haley and Brooke watched the exchange that ended with the nurse having a door slammed in her face, it took all of Brooke's self control not to laugh at the nurse's face.
"Is she ok to leave?" Haley had asked, earnestly looking for an honest answer from the woman in front of her.
"It wasn't anything serious she was in here for, just the doctor would've rather had her here for some much needed rest...I doubt this will result in anything, it's more like hospital policy."
"Ok, thanks," Haley responded quickly before grabbing Brooke and heading out in the direction of their best friend.
Nathan sat with the kids and saw Peyton storm past. He called her name but she just blew him off and headed for the elevators. He followed after her, watching her press the button vigorously with impatience. A small smirk graced his face as the doors finally opened.
Her eyes grew wide as the figure in front of her stood monotonously. He was soaked from the rain outside and a cut lay on his forehead and bottom lip, but still he stood there with a grin on his steel features. The corners of her mouth tugged upward.
"Lucas."
"I wrecked the car...when I went to turn around to come back I didn't see the car behind me," he offered and she giggled at what his choice of words were.
"You're ok?" she asked quietly.
"I'm gonna make it through another day."
– 'I was feeling insecure, you might not love me anymore. I was shivering inside, I was shivering inside' –
His eyes looked hopeful as he stepped out of the elevator. He could easily see the crowd behind him consisting of Haley, Nathan, Brooke, and Jake. Haley and Brooke looked on in awe while Nathan and Jake seemed to have identical smirks.
"I don't know what to say...I'm not good at this stuff," she nearly whispered and he let a small laugh escape.
"You don't have to -"
"Yes, I do," she cut him off abruptly causing him to shut up. "I do need to say this. I wouldn't change anything either, Lucas. I just...I love everything we've gone through because we've made it through all of that. It's been nearly ten years and here we are still in love and I just...I think that's so cool. I have so much faith in us ya know, you're so strong and yea, maybe it doesn't seem like it but I've always believed in you and me. It's always gonna be you and me because I do love you as much as you love me...even if I can't show it all the time. I don't do emotions very well, but I really do love you so much and I feel horrible for making you doubt me," her tears fell and he wiped them but she continued. "I know you're sorry, really I do. I knew you were from the look on your face when you walked in, but I have my stubborn moments too. I wanna get past this with you if you're willing to help me."
"I'm more than willing, Peyt. It's always been you and me, right?"
"Always."
– 'I was trying to catch your eyes, thought that you were trying to hide. I was swallowing my pain, I was swallowing my pain' –
He put his pain behind him, as did she. The blonde looked up in time to catch her eyes and it nearly took his breath away. That quote he once heard 'eyes are the door to a person's soul' had left it's mark as he watched her. A light smile came across as she went to speak.
"You gonna watch me or kiss me, Luke?" his small grin grew to a full fledged smile as he pulled her to him, making her body flush with his. He leaned down and captured her lips, letting her know everything he couldn't say. She smiled into his kiss as the girls clapped, ooed, and awed. Nathan and Jake stood laughing at the girls, but how could they not laugh at their friends fairytale romance?
Corny? Hope not...I really liked it. Definitely brought a smile to my face. Since we had a lack of any Leyton this week I just HAD to end it in fluff. The song used throughout the chapter was 'Jealous Guy' by John Lennon. It's been redone by Elliot Smith too, so if you have time I recommend you check it out. Ok, enough of my music pimping, just tell me what you thought please! I really like knowing if you guys like they way I write these things. I'm writing them for you not me.
Don't have any spoilers since we're nearing the end of the story. Just keep reading to find out! THIS IS NOT THE LAST CHAPTER - 4 MORE TO GO!
