Author's Note: A while ago, I received a review from a reader who mentioned the discussion of this fic over at the Fan Forum site. I apologize for not remembering your name and I have tried to sort through the reviews to track that person down, but no luck. Whoever it was, if that person would send mea private e-mail, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks...
Deb grabbed the keys to her Lexus convertible and put them near her purse on the counter. She checked her watch as she grabbed her jacket. Time seemed to be flying by and she didn't want to be late for her stint at the café. It had been a relaxing few days. Business was booming and she had enjoyed Nathan and Megan's brief stay in Tree Hill. They seemed to be "okay" and for the moment, that was enough for her. Even Dan was on his best behavior and that surprise was more than anyone could ask for.
She looked at her blonde daughter in law lounging on the couch. Her hands rested gently on top of her stomach. Inside her was the factor that had changed everything. It was Nathan's child…Deb's grandchild.
"It's almost three and you don't want to be late", Dan playfully slapped Deb on the behind. "Karen might dock your pay."
Deb rolled her eyes.
"I'm leaving now. Nathan, Meg, you guys all set?"
Her son appeared from another room.
"Yeah. We're heading out soon, Mom."
"Well, drive safely, honey", she kissed her son.
"We will", he said, awkwardly wiggling away from her embrace.
"Relax, Deb, the boy is a good driver", Dan mocked. "Why must we go through this every single time the kids get ready to leave?"
"Because I am a mother and that's what mothers do…we worry."
"Well, we'll be fine", Meg intervened. "And hopefully the next time you guys come up, Deb, you and I can go shopping. I found some really cute decorating ideas and colors for nurseries when you don't know if it's going to be a girl or boy."
"Well, that could be solved if you two would quit with all this surprise nonsense and find out if it is a boy or girl", Dan scoffed.
"Leave the kids alone", Deb warned. "Besides, the surprise just adds to the excitement."
"Well, I hate to be the spoiler but Megan, son, you two are having a boy", Dan proudly announced.
"And just how do you know that?" Megan asked, hands on her hips.
"Because I do", he smiled in between sips of whiskey. "There's a fourth generation beasketball star inside you right now. Mark my words. Besides, Scott men don't make girls. It would be…unheard of."
Megan giggled as Deb and Nathan dismissed him with the roll of their eyes.
"Well, I need to get to the café so you two call me later", Deb smiled as she walked outside.
"You almost ready, babe?" Nathan asked as he leaned over the couch and kissed his wife. "We need to get on the road, too."
"I know but sweetie, the E! True Hollywood Story just came on."
Nathan shook his head.
"Meg, are you kidding me? Baby, we have to go. And you've seen those stupid shows like a thousand times already."
"But this one is new."
"And they'll air it a million times, trust me."
The show went to commercial and Nathan playfully dove for the remote. On to his actions, Megan giggled and tossed it across the room before he could get to it. He landed beside her, kissing her lips as they cuddled and laughed.
"You two need to get a room", Dan sighed as he poured another shot into his glass. "And Nathan get your feet off the couch. If your mother knew your shoes were touching her custom imported leather, God forbid, she'd have a fit."
Much to Megan's amusement, Nathan made a jerking off motion with his hand while his father continued to lecture. They kissed and giggled again as the E! channel went to its live celebrity news break. Nathan rolled his eyes as the commentator made reference to new events about Brad Pitt, Ben Affleck, Usher, Ashton Kutcher and the usual stars with their names and personal business in the news. For the life of him, Nathan would never figure out how his wife could watch that garbage with a straight face,
"…And in breaking music news, it seems that perhaps the music doesn't lie. Several years after their number 1 duet, 'When The Stars Go Blue' and a series of tours together, it seems rock princess Haley James and her rumored prince, fellow musician, Chris Keller, are expecting a child together. Such reports have been the talk of the entertainment world after paparazzi photos appeared in various tabloids and US and People magazine showing an obviously pregnant James arm in arm with Keller on the streets of New York. James, who just finished a nationwide concert tour with Keller this summer, was in the news months ago when it was reported that she was in the Dominican Republic during the tragic tsunami and was briefly reported missing. The 23 year old songbird was of course there to receive a divorce from her estranged husband, NBA star, Nathan Scott. Calls to Ms. James' publicist were not returned but we will keep you up to date on this story as it continues to unfold. In other news, P. Diddy…"
The room fell silent for a moment.
"Breaking news, huh?" Dan took another drink.
"I can't believe she's pregnant and had the nerve to show up at our wedding causing drama. Some people just like to stir up trouble, I guess. I wonder where her little boyfriend was during all that."
"I wonder", Dan smirked.
The door opened and a frantic Deb ran back into the house.
"I can't believe I forgot my wallet. I swear if my head wasn't screwed on…", she smiled. "What's with all the long faces?"
"You missed it, Deb. There was uh, a breaking news flash."
"Did something happen? What's going on?"
"It seems Haley James is pregnant."
Deb grabbed the countertop for support. She looked over at her son whose eyes never left the floor.
"Well, I'm glad", Megan stood up. "Now maybe she can concentrate on her own life with Chris Keller and leave ours the hell alone."
"Chris?" Deb questioned.
"Yeah. They said he was the father. They had pictures and everything."
Deb's heart pounded. Haley. Pregnant. Chris. None of it made sense. She looked over at Dan whose intense gaze was boring a hole through their son.
"You okay, dear? You don't look so well."
Well? Of course she wasn't well! Deb hated that smirk and patronizing tone of the man she called her husband. Something wasn't right and she sensed it. She wondered if he could sense it too. Judging from the leer on his face, he seemed to have an idea.
"I…I'm fine. I'm just late for work, that's all", Deb cleared her throat. "I…I, wish Haley all the best."
"Then why don't you send her a gift basket?"
She gave Dan a death stare before turning her attention back to her son who looked absolutely stunned. The only person going about like nothing happened was her daughter in law.
"I…I have to get going", she finally said.
Taking one last look at Nathan, his blue eyes finally met hers. There were no words to describe the look but one simple glance spoke for itself. Deb was a mother, his mother. She could almost read his mind.
"I'm gonna go grab my purse, sweetie", Meg kissed Nathan's cheek. "You almost ready to get out of here?"
"Huh? Oh yeah…yeah. In a minute."
"I'll be quick then. Love you."
With Deb gone and Meg upstairs, father and son were left alone. Nathan looked his father in the eye.
"What?" he grumbled.
Dan laughed that sinister laugh of his.
"Is there something you want to tell me, son?"
"No", Nathan answered quickly but firmly.
Dan nodded as he could see through the awkward squirming and lack of eye contact. Nathan looked like he was on the verge of passing out.
"Well then, how about a drink before the road?" Dan offered, already pulling out another glass. "Looks like you could use it."
Nathan opened his mouth but no words came out. His father was right and all he could do was accept the glass of whiskey poured over several ice cubes. His mind was all over the place. He felt like he had been punched in the gut. No…worse. Like he had been hit by a train. In essence, he had. Just when things had gone seemingly back to normal, once again Haley James had managed to derail his entire life.