I don't own One Tree Hill or any of the Characters or Flashbacks, just my plot. Note: Sorry! Those confidentiality laws will always get ya! I'm revamping a little! Also, I decided to make Lucas and Peyton's honeymoon one month long (Anna stayed with Karen for the first part), and after the below paragraph it goes directly to the end of all three women's first trimesters.
Lucas paced back and forth with agitated steps, while Peyton sat on the bed wringing her hands. "How could they seriously think that we were actually okay with all of this? I mean, how much more unconvincingly could we lie? Don't they realize that doctors are under confidentiality laws? How did you know, Peyt?" "One, they're teenagers, and they're also pregnant. Of course they wouldn't bother to think about confidentiality laws. I found out from Alyssa's mother. She called me yesterday saying you found a pregnancy test that said positive in the bathroom trash can. She was convinced that it was Anna's, because Alyssa wouldn't be that careless. I wasn't expecting them both to be pregnant. That's still blowing my mind, but I'm processing it all." "How can you be okay with this? I knew that guy wasn't any good from the first time I saw him. We're seriously considering letting them get married, too, aren't we? That has to be the most audaciously stupid thing I've ever decided to go along with!"
"Luke, it's okay. Relax. Breathe. Anna's going through a really turbulent time right now; I would know. Jake's a really great guy, and I have a feeling about those two, a good one. Besides, if it doesn't work out than at least Anna will have had someone to help her through this besides us. We aren't going to stop them; they'll find a way if their minds are really made up." "I know. It's just... I can't help but feel like I've just gotten to know my little girl, and now I have to give her up," he said, slumping down. Peyton patted his shoulder sympathetically. "Believe me when I say it's not any easier if you've known them for one month or their whole lifetime. The best thing we as parents can do is sit back, support her, and hope that she's making good choices." "If that's the case, than why did she get pregnant in the first place?" Lucas grumbled, and Peyton punched him in the arm. "Okay, Okay, so we shouldn't be talking," he added in defensively. They laughed and shared a sweet kiss before going to bed.
"You do realize that everyone's staring at us, right?" Anna said through her teeth as she and Jake made her way through the store. "Yeah, but I don't care what people say. We're getting you an engagement ring, if not a wedding ring too, and nobody's going to stop us," he replied with a determined voice. "Hello, are you here to pick up your parents?" the lady at the counter said, smiling pleasantly. Anna stared down at her shoes, her face flushing so severely it looked almost feverish. "Not exactly... we're actually here to look at some rings," Jake said, his comfortable façade tumbling down quickly. "But you're... you're kids," she sputtered.
An old gentleman near the front came and looked them up and down. "You know, I remember another couple your age coming her quite awhile ago... something like fifteen, no seventeen years ago if I remember right," he commented with a chuckle. "Why don't you kids come back here with me, and I'll see if I can't find something that suits your pleasure." Jake looked at her for a decision, and she gave only the slightest of nods. Thankfully, the jeweler kept up a steady stream of chatter. "By golly, those two just came in here and asked for a ring. The young man handled it just the way that you did, too. It was a wonder more people weren't laughing at them. They really were seriously looking for a ring, in a bit of a hurry, too. I knew from the looks of them exactly what they wanted. You can tell that if you've been in the business long enough, you know," he babbled, obviously unaware of how uncomfortable Anna was becoming.
"I think I need to sit down," she stated in an almost whispery voice. Jake took her arm instinctively, and guided her to the nearest chair. "Lucky for you, that's exactly where I wanted you to sit down, too," the man said with the slightest of winks. "Now, I have tons of selections. I think you'd do well with a sapphire. Those stones look like they might go with your eyes. Of course, if you're more of the cloudy type, a deep Australian opal would always work beautifully." "Which one costs more?" Anna inquired, not hiding the edge of apprehension in her voice. "Well, it really depends on the size, but right now I'd be inclined to say they cost about the same," he replied, his bright green eyes twinkling merrily at the two sitting before him. "Well, then I don't really have a preference," Anna replied with a hint of resignation, looking over at Jake. "I think that the sapphire would match your eyes," her boyfriend told her, and he leaned over to whisper something in her ear. As she smiled, the old man watched happily. Couples like these, who really held on to what true love was even if the price was high, were the reason he had refused retirement.
Anna and Jake walked out of the store hand in hand, Anna with a small, gold ring gracing her finger. It had a leaf design at the center, and a diamond standing up in the middle that was graced on both sides by two sapphires. The day was light and sunny, and they decided to take a walk down to the River Court. "We haven't been here in ages. Ever since I found out about the baby, we were always at the doctor, or at school, or at your house trying to fend off morning sickness," Jake said absentmindedly, unclasping their hands and rubbing her back. "You know, I'm still not really showing that much yet, and I've been dying to play some basketball since the season ended last week." Both teams had won their championship games, and after Ariel had been cut from Anna's team in the finals, Anna had taken over her position and led their team to the win. "C'mon, honey, we talked about this. I don't want to accidentally push you and hurt the baby, and you might get upset if you're not exactly as good as you were before." "Please! Just one game, and then I won't mention it again. Don't you want little Jake junior to be educated in the ways of basketball before he makes his entrance into the world?" Jake shot her a dubious look, and retorted with, "How can you be so sure it's a boy?" "I'm not. I'm just trying to persuade you," she giggled. "I guess one game would be okay," he said slowly, and before he knew it, he was trying to defend a rebound.
"No, you need to move the dresser over to right a little bit, babe," Alyssa directed from her chair. Adam groaned, sweat trickling down his face. "What difference does it make? I mean, except for Anna, nobody's going to be coming into our bedroom." When he was rewarded with a glare, he quickly got back to work.
"Okay, that's about right. Now, what are we going to do about that TV?" Alyssa said, tapping her index finger against her chin. "You mean we have to move that, too?" he said, exhaustion radiating through his body. "Oh, you're not moving it just anywhere; you're moving it the apartment complex's dumpster," the blond replied emphatically. Adam stopped and turned around slowly, facing her with a desperate, stormy expression.
"Alyssa, I'm trying to be as helpful and understanding as I can here, but please tell me why the heck you would ever want to get rid of a TV with some reason other than causing further misery towards me."
"I don't want you watching TV! You're making stead C's and D's right now, and now that basketball season is over you're only going to be getting more hours at your job. You need time to focus on your studies. I don't care what anyone says; you're still going to have some academic merits if you want to get in with a decent scholarship at any colleges."
"Look, I'm trying not to blow up at you, but don't you see what I'm trying to say? I love you, that is established. I've been slaving out here all day moving your stuff around so that you can move in with me, and it feels like I'm an oven at the moment. All you have to say to me is that you want me to give up watching basketball? You want me to give up Monday Night Football next fall? I don't think so."
"This is NOT good behavior at all! You're really being unhealthy! Besides, you can go over and watch TV at Jake's if you want. I don't mind; really. Just stop polluting your brain with half-dressed hookers in half-time shows!"
"Is that what this is about? I swear I won't watch half-times anymore! Jus let me keep my Lakers' games!"
"No! I'm not putting up with it! It's time for you to be getting ready for this baby, just like I've been doing! Unless you want this kid growing up having sex with every member of the opposite sex they see and thinking taking your shirt off is just a casual hello, than I'd recommend listening to me for once!" "Why are you being like this? I'm not putting up with it anymore!" "Fine then! Just leave! See if I care!" Adam stormed out, and Alyssa burst out crying.
"Luke, I really don't want to do this quite yet. I don't need my checkup for a few more days, and I'm just going to weigh in too heavy anyways," Peyton pleaded as Lucas drove. "Peyt, come on. You look beautiful, and everything's going to check out fine. I know you hate the doctor's office, but it's not anywhere near as bad as you think it is. Cheer up a little bit. Besides, you have me. How can life be bad?" His wife narrowed her eyes into slits before smiling. "I thought THAT was the reason the doctor recommended I go on anti-depressants." "Now that just hurts Peyton. Besides, I never knew you were on anti-depressants," Luke replied, faking a puppy-dog face. Peyton stared at him oddly. "Lucas, I've never been on anti-depressants. It was a joke." "Oh," he said, embarrassment obvious. Suddenly, they both started laughing.
"All right, Mrs. Scott. You're checking out just fine. There's something you may want to know, though," the doctor said, closing a folder. "What's wrong with the baby?" she blurted out, and Lucas shot the doctor a worried glance before giving rubbing the mother's back and telling her to calm down. "Actually, there's nothing wrong with either of them." "You mean to tell me that we're having twins?" Lucas questioned, delight showing in his features. "As a matter of fact, you are," the doctor responded. Suddenly Peyton burst into tears and left the room. "Are we done here doctor? I think that I better take my wife home if that's the case." "I don't see any reason why you can't leave. Our secretary will call you later on to set up your next appointment," the doctor said, obviously curious at what had upset his patient so severely.
Lucas found her in the car. "Hey, what happened back there? What's wrong with twins? I mean, it'll be a little crowded at first, but two little guys might not be so bad," he said desperately, watching her silent tears make their way down her face. "Lucas, the doctor's wrong. I'm pregnant with twins right now, but there won't be twins soon," she replied, shivering slightly at the cold. "What are you talking about?" Luke inquired, not quite sure if he wanted to find out. "I never told anyone this before, but when I was pregnant with Anna... well, she... she had a sister. I was elated; two little identical twins to dress in matching outfits, who'd be nothing alike but so much alike it was hilarious... that never happened though. Three months before I had Anna, I went into labor. The doctors tried to stop it, and they succeeded eventually, but it was too late... for Haley Brooke, anyway." A faraway look crowded out the grief in her countenance, and Lucas hit the back of his seat with a thud.
"You should've told me, Peyton. What about Anna? Does she know?" "I never mentioned it. Nobody had to know. I was so, so scared you can't even imagine. I was alone, sixteen, and living off of my life's savings. You can guess how quickly that drained, and it was hell trying to explain about my insurance to the doctors. Sadly, my dad had died two months before, but they were able to transfer the remains of his life insurance to pay for the medical bills, and I bought our house with the rest. I didn't know anyone, and you weren't there... what was I supposed to do, Luke?" "You were supposed to tell me; supposed to let me hold you close and share all the pain that I couldn't take away," he whispered, his voice communicating the utter pain he felt.
They sat there holding each other for over an hour, and then he finally started the engine. When they got home he helped her in, and then explained hurriedly that he needed to talk to Nathan about some "Business" for the shop. "All right. Just call if you aren't going to be home for dinner," Peyton called after him weekly.
Nathan had agreed to meet Lucas at the River Court, and was shocked to find his older brother crying when he got there. "What's wrong, man?" Nathan asked, sitting down beside him. Slowly and terribly, the whole story came out, ripping Lucas's heart in half and banging Nathan's up pretty well too. Peyton had become like a sister to him after he and Haley got married, and he couldn't believe she'd carried this alone for so long.
"Why did she do that, Nate? I love her so much, and I never would've blamed her. It just hurts that she didn't feel like she could trust me." "Maybe that isn't it. What if she just wants to forget it? I have a feeling that she might even....well, ya know...." "blame herself for it," Lucas finished, putting his head in his hands. "How could I have been so insensitive?" he groaned. "Well, man, I wouldn't have guessed either if it was Haley. Of course, I don't know if Haley could ever keep a secret that big..." the two brothers looked at each other for a minute, and the Lucas spoke up with, "You're probably right." They laughed for what seemed like forever.
"I'm so sorry," Alyssa said when Adam finally came back in. "No, it's okay. I shouldn't have been such a jerk about it. If you really wanna get rid of it, we can. Of course, I'd prefer just keeping it locked away for awhile..." "Okay, okay. I can catch a hint," the young mother replied with a smile. "The answer is yes, just in case you're wondering." Adam smiled happily. "Don't look so cheerful; we've still got to get the dining room table adjusted," she replied with her trademark smirk. He groaned and got up, making his way slowly over towards the evil piece of furniture.
Wow, so short, and I haven't updated in forever! Please forgive me, and give me lots of reviews! I'm starting to get a fresh idea for the story's direction... and I'll even make an alternate middle for this chappy if people don't like little Haley Brooke. OnTheOutsideLookingIn