Author's Note: Hey guys! Here's another chapter to Finding Our Way Back! I know it's freakishly short and bland like the last chapter but I promise you the next one will be a little longer and you can look forward to the next update because the next chapter will have Lucas in it and where he is and all that good stuff. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter even though it kind of sucks. As always, please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.
Rating: K+ to T
Finding Our Way Back
Chapter 5 – Missing You Still Hurts So Much
"Aunt Kiki," the two kids screamed in excitement when they saw Kyla get out of her car. When they were first learning to talk, they of course couldn't pronounce her name so they called her Kiki. They called her Ky now too, but they loved to call her Kiki and the name stuck. The two kids had been playing out in the yard as Haley watched them from a lounge chair. "Hey you little rascals. Have you been good for Mommy," Kyla asked as she leaned down to hug them. "Of course, we're the bestest," Katie replied. "Yeah, the best," Derek replied. Even though he was small, even smaller than Katie had been, from being premature, he was really smart and a bit more literate in his pronunciation than his sister. Haley rose from her seat and rushed over to her friend, "Ky! I'm so glad you're here." Kyla wrapped her in a tight hug, "Me too. I missed you and the kids SO much!"
They sat down and talked for a little while, catching up over what had been happening in their lives, especially in Tree Hill, even though they talked at least twice a week since Haley had moved down there two months ago. Kyla asked, "So, I'm getting hungry. You got any food in this place?" Haley laughed, "Are you kidding me? I have two growing five year olds. What do you think?" "True," she replied. "How about we go to Karen's? She hasn't seen you in forever. When was the last time you came down with me?" "Oh gosh, I don't know. It was maybe a year or two ago. I can see that Tree Hill hasn't changed much since then," Kyla mused as she looked around. "No, it really hasn't. Not even in the five years I was gone either. Everything's just about the same…" Haley replied with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Thinking about him, huh," she inquired softly. Haley nodded as she wiped away the tears that had welled in her eyes.
"Everything around here still reminds me of him and I miss him and it still hurts so much…" Haley cried. Kyla wrapped her arms around her friend and rubbed her back, trying to comfort her. "He never even once called me, Ky," she sniffled. "I know," she responded softly as she stroked her hair. Kyla held her friend in her arms as she cried for another fifteen minutes. She slightly shook her head as she stared down at the young woman in her arms and rubbed her back. She still loved him so much.
Haley sat up and wiped the tears from her eyes, "I'm sorry, I'm not being a good host. Let's go get something to eat at the café. Let me just round up the kids and get them ready." Haley stood and Kyla grabbed her arm, "Haley, you don't have to worry about being a host with me. I'm your friend and I'm here for you, anytime you need me." Haley sucked in a large breath, trying to keep the tears from falling again, as she hugged her friend, "Thank you." "No problem Hales. Now let's go get those little rascals and go to the café. I'm starving," Kyla replied. Kyla helped Haley put on their shoes and got their bag ready then they strolled along the streets of Tree Hill to the café. It was nearing autumn and the leaves were beginning to turn different colors. Haley had always loved the autumn. She loved to watch the leaves change, the ducks beginning to fly south for the winter, the cool air settling in but not too cold that you needed a jacket, but just a light sweater or hoodie.
Haley flinched at the thought. She'd promised herself she would try not to think about him. She was back in Tree Hill for her kids. She wanted them to grow up where she did. As much as it sometimes hurt her by the memories of the town and all the things they did together, she was doing this for her kids. Despite everyone knowing everybody's business, all the gossip, the drama, Haley loved this little town she had grown up in. She wanted her kids to experience that. She wanted to watch Derek play basketball down at the rivercourt. She wanted to watch Katie help Karen out at the café. Katie had always loved to help Haley cook, and Derek did too. She wanted her kids to go to Tree Hill High and have all the experiences she did. Well, maybe not the love triangle and all the drama that comes with being a teenager, and when you're in Tree Hill, there's lots of it.
They finally reached the café and when they entered, Karen looked up and smiled brightly. "Kyla! It's so good to see you," she said as she rushed over and hugged her. "You too Karen. It's been so long since I've seen you. How's everything been going?" "Everything is great! I'm so glad to have my little Haley and my grandkids back home," Karen smiled as she rubbed the top of Haley's head and gave her a tight squeeze. Haley gave her a quirky smile. "Mommy, can we eat now? I'm hungry," Katie said as she tugged on her pants. "Sure honey, let's go grab a table," Haley responded as she took their hands and led them to a nearby booth, both Kyla and Karen following in their wake. "Okay, what do you guys want to eat for lunch," Karen asked as she took out her order pad. "Come eat with us Karen. There's not many customers right now, the waitress can handle it," Haley said as she looked around the café. "I will, just let me get your orders and we can all eat together. What do you want?" "BLT for me," Haley replied then turned to her children, "What do you want guys?" "Grilled cheese," Katie answered. "I want a BLT like Mommy," Derek responded. "Turkey Club please," Kyla replied as she put down her menu. "Okay, I'll be back out in a flash," Karen replied as she moved to the kitchen to make their food.
"You know, you should work here. That coffee shop back in New York was almost the same as this place and you'll still need money besides what you get from the publisher. Plus, you could help keep an eye on the kids after they get out of school before I come pick them up," Haley suggested a few minutes later after some thought. "That sounds like a great idea Hales. I'll ask Karen about it," she answered. "Ask me about what," the older woman inquired as she approached the table with their food. "I was just telling Ky that it would be great if she could work here at the café. She has experience from working in a coffee shop similar to the café back in New York and she could help keep an eye on the kids so you wouldn't be running back and forth to check on them while tending to the customers," Haley answered. "That would be great! We can always use the help around here. It always gets really busy around here since we're so popular." "That's because Karen's has the best food in town," Haley smiled up at her. "I'm not one to toot my own horn, but darn right we do," Karen replied and the women laughed. They talked for hours, laughing and reminiscing on times they'd shared and telling stories from when they were in New York. Even Katie and Derek piped in once in a while. Haley had been quiet for awhile, the sadness settling inside her again as she thought of all the times she, Lucas, and Karen would have dinner together in the café and talk about what had been going on in their lives. "I'll be right back," she abruptly pushed her chair back and quickly strode to the bathroom. She rushed to a stall and grabbed some toilet paper, wiping her eyes as she sat down on the toilet and cried.