Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm finally back with another chapter for Finding Our Way Back! Sorry it took so long to get out. I was really trying to get a chapter out for ITPOAA and tried not to distract myself with my other stories while I was writing it. I finally finished the chapter for ITPOAA so I started writing FOWB and ran into a little bit of writer's block, but I'm okay now! I hope you like this chapter! 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 33 – Welcome Back
Lucas gently sat down beside his sleeping fiancé and brushed some hair out of her face, leaning down and kissing her softly on the lips. "Hales, sweetie, it's time to get up," he whispered quietly as he lightly stroked her arm. "Mmm," Haley moaned, "no it's not. Give Mommy five more minutes guys." Lucas chuckled lightly. "Honey, we have to get ready for work and take the kids to school. Today's your first day back. You don't want to be late, do you?" Haley groaned as she opened her eyes, "I'm up." He grabbed onto her hand and helped her sit up. "Are you sure you're okay to go to work," he asked, brushing his fingers lightly against her belly in concern, "You're not feeling weird or anything? No pain or dizziness?" "Luke, I'm fine. I was on bed rest for a week and then I stayed home a couple extra days to recuperate. I've already taken enough time off. I need to get back to work. Don't worry, I promise I'll take it easy," she patted his cheek then gently kissed him on the lips.
They were interrupted by their kids running into the room, "Mommy, Daddy!" "Morning guys," Haley smiled as they climbed onto the bed. Derek scooted close and put his hand on her stomach then rested his head beside it. "How's my little brother today," he asked. "The baby's doing fine D," Haley's smile widened as she ran her hand over his head. "I still think it's a sister," Katie grumbled as she crossed her arms. "Katie Bear," Lucas said, pulling her onto his lap, "We don't know if the baby is a girl or a boy yet, so you could still have a little sister. And even if we have a boy, there's always a chance the next one will be a girl. You'll get a little sister, I promise." He looked at Haley who was smirking at him and he smirked back, knowing what she was thinking about.
"Thank you Daddy, thank you," Katie exclaimed as she wrapped her little arms around his neck and planted a wet kiss on his cheek. "Why don't you two go get ready for school, okay? I'll start making breakfast in a few minutes," Haley said. "Okay Mommy," Derek replied as he crawled off the bed, Katie following in his wake. "You promise you'll give her a sister, huh?" Haley still smirked at him, "What if we keep having boys?" "Then we'll just keep on trying," he grinned with a twinkle in his eyes. "Oh really," she replied as she pulled him down for a kiss. "Mhmm," Lucas mumbled into her mouth. "I've got to take a shower," she said a few minutes later when she pulled away from his lips, "Join me?" He smiled, "Always." She giggled and shrieked when he picked her up, carrying her into the bathroom.
Lucas' hand was firmly planted on Haley's lower back as they walked through the halls of the school to her classroom. It was still early, so most of the students and faculty weren't there yet or were otherwise in their rooms preparing for the day. "You sure you're feeling alright," he asked again for the fourth time that morning. Haley rolled her eyes and heaved a sigh of slight annoyance, "I'm fine Luke, just like the last three times I told you." She was starting to think he was trying to convince her to stay home so she could rest some more, but she would have none of it. She needed to get back to work and her students. It was already almost nearing the end of the school year with April and May just around the corner and she needed to start preparing her students for their final exams.
"I just don't want you to have another accident," Lucas responded as he pulled her close, kissing her forehead, and placed his hand on her belly, rubbing gently a few turns as they rounded the hallway that Haley's classroom was on, "I'd die if anything happened to you or the baby." "I know," she rubbed his back comfortingly, "but we're fine and I told you I'd take it easy. I promise." They arrived at Haley's door and Lucas hugged her, kissing her softly on the mouth, "I'll see you at lunch. Don't strain yourself; let the kids help you." "I will," she replied as she squeezed him lightly around the waist and gently pecked him on the lips once more before pulling away, "I'll see you later. Love you." "Love you too," he stroked her hair and rubbed her back before heading down the hallway towards his office across the hall from the gym.
Haley fished for her keys in her purse and once she found them, she unlocked her classroom door and entered, gasping in surprise. There were four large bouquets of flowers in different areas of her room and a big banner that said 'Welcome Back!' hung from the ceiling. A large card sat on her desk saying, 'Get Well Soon' with signatures from all her students. Tears welled in her eyes at everyone's thoughtfulness. "Each of your classes chipped in and bought a bouquet for you. I'm not sure where the fourth one came from," a soft voice said from behind her. Haley turned around and saw Heather standing there. Her smile brightened at the sight of the young woman, "Heather!" She walked over and quickly engulfed her in a tight hug. Haley's emotions began to take over as more tears began to trickle down her cheeks. "I-I never got to thank you for helping me through that crisis…You saved both mine and my baby's life by reacting so quickly and taking charge of everything. Thank you," Haley hugged her tightly again. "It was nothing. I just did what I had to do because no one else was doing anything. The rest of the class was still in shock of what had happened," Heather blushed at the lavish compliment and looked down, scratching her arm shyly.
"No Heather," Haley responded adamantly, grabbing her chin so she would look at her, "it was everything. I could have lost my baby if it weren't for you, if you hadn't called the ambulance so quickly. You saved my baby's life." Now tears were in Heather's eyes and she wrapped her arms around Haley. After a few minutes, Heather pulled away and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I know it's not as extravagant as the bouquets, but I wanted to get you some flowers just from me," she responded as she walked over to her desk and pulled out a beautiful assortment of flowers with a little bear to go along with it. The bear was a tie-dye mixture of pink, blue, and some purple coloring. "I wasn't sure if you knew if the baby was a boy or girl yet so I decided to get something with a little bit of both," Heather responded as she handed the bear to her and set the flowers on Haley's desk. "Oh Heather, it's adorable," Haley said, clutching the bear to her chest, "and the flowers are beautiful. Thank you." Haley hugged her again as more tears fell from her eyes.
Once the tears were dried, Haley gestured for Heather to sit down with her at one of the tables on the side of the room. "Heather, there's something I'd like to talk to you about…" "Yes," she inquired, her brows furrowing in both concern and confusion. "I know it's not…easily acceptable for teachers and students to form such close relationships like we have, but over this past year we've become really close and such good friends. It is because of our close friendship that I would like to invite you to my wedding. We haven't set a date yet, but it's going to be between April and May, most likely just after the school year ends-" "Of course I'll come," Heather responded excitedly, her eyes wide with happiness and a broad smile on her face. "Great," Haley smiled too. "Thank you, thank you," Heather exclaimed as she hugged Haley again. Haley chuckled at her actions, patting her back, "You're welcome." After Heather pulled away, Haley looked at her watch, "You better start heading over to your first class, the bell is about to ring." "Okay, I'll see you second hour, Mrs. Scott," Heather smiled as she gathered her books and threw her backpack over her shoulder. Haley winked at her and smiled back, "See you later."