Author's Note: Hey guys! I finally got a chapter for TSS done! It's freakishly short but it's all I could think of with that awful writer's block locking my brain up. Lots of fluff in this chapter but drama too. You guys are gonna be in for a doozy at the end, so beware! I might have a new chapter up for Finding Our Way Back, FOWB, tomorrow but we'll see. I'm not sure when the next chapter will be out for ITPOAA because I have writer's block for that story too. Anyways, 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 (PG to PG-13)

The Sweetest Sin

Chapter 14

Haley stood in front of the mirror, slipping on the dark blue robe over her dress. It was graduation day. She had been preparing for this day for four years and now it was here. Lucas came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her left cheek, "You look beautiful." "Thanks. You do too, you know, since we're wearing the same thing," she chuckled. They kissed for several moments until Haley pulled away, a grimace on her face as she made her way to the bathroom. She coughed into the toilet as Lucas held her hair and rubbed her back in soothing circles. "Morning sickness," he inquired when she sat up. "More like nerves. I'm nervous about giving my speech up in front of all those people." "You'll do great, I know it," he responded. After a few minutes, Lucas helped her up and they returned to the bedroom for Haley's cap and purse before leaving the house.

They met up with Karen at the school so she could watch Krissy then they took their seats in their respective places of alphabetical order. Lucas was glad Nathan had decided not to show up for the ceremony because he wasn't sure he would be able to restrain himself from pummeling him into the ground. Behind him in the family section, he could see that Dan was fuming at realizing his son wasn't there. So he just idly sat there, tapping his foot in irritation and his face turning a bright cherry red, muttering something to himself, no doubt thinking up ways he could murder his son for embarrassing him like this. Lucas smirked.

A few rows ahead, Haley was dabbing her eyes with a tissue and Jake, who was sitting beside her, looked at her concernedly, "Haley, are you alright?" "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just these damn hormones," she let out a slight laugh then patted him on the leg, "Really, I'm okay." She looked back to Lucas and smiled when their gazes met. Then she turned back to face the front when she heard the squeal of the microphone.

Introductions were made and teachers talked about the students of the senior class and then the principal moved to the podium. "Ladies and gentlemen, next we will have our Class of 2005 valedictorian make a speech. This year's valedictorian is a remarkable young woman who has excelled in every subject and has even tutored many of you students here tonight. She has shown dedication, achievement, perseverance; all of the traits we strive for here at Tree Hill High School. Before she makes her speech, we would like to present her with a special plaque. Haley James, come on up here." The principal smiled as he gestured her to the stage.

Sitting in her chair and listening to the principal's words, even more tears rose in her eyes and she quickly tried to wipe them away. In the last week, Haley had been having a little trouble getting up out of the bed and chairs so it had been arranged that Jake would escort Haley to the stage and up the steps. Even though Lucas wanted to be the one to do this, there were strict orders of tradition for ceremonies, such as staying in alphabetical order. So Jake stood and helped Haley out of her chair then led her down the aisle towards the steps to the stage. He guided her carefully up them then stood off to the side, waiting for when she needed to be escorted back down.

Haley's cheeks were tinted a light pink in embarrassment that she'd needed someone to help her out of her chair but it was quickly replaced with an overflowing sense of pride and accomplishment as she accepted the plaque from the principal and shook his hand. She walked over to the podium and was silent for a few minutes. She stared at Lucas who mouthed to her, "I love you and I am so proud of you." She tried to compose herself and remember her speech, but she kept coming up blank; she began to panic. Haley decided that she would just try and wing it. "Well, um, thank you so much for this award. I feel really honored to have received it. I had this whole speech planned out and everything I wanted to say to you all, but right now it's flown out the window so forgive me if I stutter or make awful jokes because I'm sort of caught off guard here."

The audience laughed and after a few moments of silence, Haley began. "Okay so I know that all of you want to get out of here and go party, celebrate our release from this prison we call Tree Hill High, but as valedictorian, I have an obligation to give you the whole 'You're adults now and this is the rest of your life' inspirational speech or I'll get my head chopped off, so here goes. We are gathered here today amongst all our friends, family, fellow classmates, teachers to celebrate a momentous occasion, our graduation…" She continued on with her speech until there was nearly not a dry eye in the house; even the boys and the adults had shed a few tears. They all gave her a standing ovation as she and Jake made their way back down the steps and resumed sitting in their seats. Then came the time where they would dispense the diplomas. They called each of the students by name and when they were done, all the graduates shouted and tossed their caps up into the air.

Lucas met her in the aisle and he wrapped her in a tight hug, swinging her gently around in a circle. "We did it!" Haley exclaimed happily. "Yes we did," Lucas responded as he leaned his head in, capturing her lips in a soft, passionate kiss that lasted several minutes. "Get a room you two," Peyton remarked as she bounced up to them. Lucas smirked, "We would, but we've already done that. We've got a whole house actually, and we've got it all to ourselves tonight." Lucas winked at Haley and smiled. "Whoa, too much info!" Peyton replied as she shook her head and stuck her fingers in her ears. Haley laughed and hugged her friends, as did Lucas, all congratulating each other.

Krissy came at them in almost a blur of speed and she launched herself at Haley's legs, nearly setting her off balance. "Whoa there Squirt, be careful. We don't want to knock Mommy over," Lucas replied. "Congratulations Haley, Luke," Krissy said as she hugged Haley's legs then kissed her belly and patted it gently, responding with a smile, "Baby graduated too." Both Haley and Lucas smiled at each other in awe of the child's sweetness then smiled down at Krissy. Haley leaned down carefully and picked her sister up, placing her on her hip as Karen neared the group of friends. "Krissy, there you are! You know not to run off without telling me first," Karen said firmly. "Sorry grandma, I wanted to congratulate Mommy and Daddy and Baby," Kris responded so innocently that she had to laugh. "That's okay sweetie, just tell me next time," Karen replied as she ruffled her light brown locks of hair. Karen hugged both her son and Haley, "Congratulations you two!" :"Thanks Mom," Lucas patted her back. "Thank you Karen," Haley responded.

Later that evening after the graduation party Karen had thrown for them at the café, Lucas and Haley laid on the couch, talking over the events of the day and the coming months. Both were laying on their sides and Lucas' back was to the couch, Haley resting against him as he lightly ran his fingernails in soothing movements over her bare belly. Haley took his free hand into her own and kissed the back of it then kissed the side of his jaw. "I love you," she murmured, a soft smile gracing her lips as she gazed up at him with heavy eyelids. "I love you too Hales," he responded as he returned the kiss to her hand then tenderly captured her lips with his own.

Both sighed contentedly when they pulled away and Haley snuggled closer into his body. "We have that doctor's appointment on Saturday," she mumbled sleepily, beginning to drift off. "You nervous," he asked, starting to feel sleepy himself. "Not really, it's just a routine checkup," she responded, closing her eyes fully. "Do you think we'll be able to find out the sex of the baby," he inquired, "do you want to know?" "Yeah, I want to know, but I think it's still too early to find out." He flattened his hand and rubbed her belly, "What do you think is in here?" "I don't know. I don't really care as long as it's healthy," she mumbled. "Me too," he kissed her forehead and Haley yawned. "Come on, let's go to bed. You must be exhausted," Lucas slid out from behind her and carefully picked her up and carried her to the bedroom, which was proving to be a harder task as the weeks went by. As soon as her head hit the pillow, Haley was out. Lucas stroked her cheek for a few moments before wrapping his arms around her and closing his eyes as well.

Saturday came around and the couple headed to the hospital for their doctor's appointment. They went to the maternity ward and Lucas sat while Haley went to sign in on the list then she returned to his side. Haley took his hand in hers and she leaned her head against his shoulder. Lucas gently rubbed her stomach with his free hand, "How are you feeling?" Haley had gotten sick that morning and she'd spent nearly half an hour in the bathroom before she finally felt semi-well enough to come out. "Sick, tired. Sick and tired of this morning sickness," she responded with a heavy sigh. Lucas noticed people staring at them and shaking their heads. This made him mad. What right did they have to judge them? They probably thought they were just another teen statistic. They didn't know the story. They didn't know that this baby had been conceived out of love and passion between two people, it shouldn't matter what age they were.

"It'll get better sweetie," he rubbed her back. A nurse appeared and called Haley's name. The nurse glared at him and Lucas shuddered a little. Feeling this reaction, Haley looked up at him, "What's the matter?" "That nurse was looking at me all evil like. You know the old expression, 'If looks could kill?" Well, this one was more of a 'If looks could castrate' kind of look. Keep me away from her," he whispered to her as they made their way down the hall. "Oh, well that's because I told her the father of my baby was a sexy man-whore who couldn't keep it in his pants for two minutes and that's how I ended up like this. Then I pointed to you," she smiled sweetly at him. "Excuse me, but who wanted to go at it three times in one night last week," he asked with a smirk on his face. "Wasn't me," she replied innocently, "must be your other girlfriend I don't know about." "Oh," he replied, covering his chin with his hand and tapping his cheek with an index finger as if he were thinking, "then again, maybe it was." Haley lightly shoved him in the shoulder, "Luke!"

He laughed as they entered the exam room and the nurse glared at him again. This caused him to stop and gulp. The nurse handed Haley a gown and nodded towards the bathroom. "Change into this. Doctor will be just a few minutes," she responded in a clipped tone. One the old woman left, Haley replied, "Jeez, what's up her ass? People like her shouldn't work in a maternity ward. She ruined my happy mood." Haley pouted and Lucas hugged her.

Haley went to go change into the gown and when she came out, Lucas helped her up onto the examination bed. Soon after the doctor entered, a smile on her face. "Hello Haley, good to see you again. And you must be the father," she questioned as she offered her hand out to him. "Lucas," he shook her hand. "Well Haley, how have you been feeling lately? Morning sickness, fatigue?" "The morning sickness hasn't gone away yet but it seems to have become less frequent although I do throw up more and for longer periods of time to make up for it. I get tired more easily and I sleep a lot but it doesn't help and I look and feel like a beached whale and I-" "Did I mention she complains a lot," Lucas smiled, "and she snores and moves around a lot…" "Lucas, I do not snore!" Haley exclaimed, swatting him in the shoulder. "Oh, and she's abusive too." Dr. Carter laughed, "Okay you two, settle down. Haley, have you experience any cramps or pain of any kind in your stomach or lower abdomen?" "No," Haley responded. "Good, that's good. Okay Lucas, you're going to have to step out of the room. I have to do an exam," Dr. Carter said as she sat on the stool by the end of the bed where Haley's legs were and pulled on some gloves. Lucas' eyes widened at the realization of what she was about to do. He gently squeezed Haley's hand and kissed her softly on the lips, "I love you. Call me back in when you're done?" She nodded and he left the room.

It had been nearly half an hour since he'd left Haley with the doctor and he was still sitting in the waiting room. What was taking them so long? He began to panic. Had the doctor found something wrong? Wouldn't they have called him back in if there was? He was worried. Lucas pressed his hands together against his mouth as his legs bounced up and down in nervousness. Why weren't they telling him anything?

He saw Haley exit the hospital exam room with shock written all over her face, her eyes as wide as golf balls and she had one hand on her stomach. She walked towards him like a zombie, taking slow, small baby steps. However, she did not stop and past Lucas without even noticing him. He quickly grabbed their belongings and raced after her, gently grabbing her arm in extreme worry as they walked out the sliding doors of the hospital, "Hales sweetie, what's wrong? Is-Is there something wrong with the baby?" She still had a hand on her stomach and was walking like a zombie as they headed to his truck. "Triplets…" she whispered, her eyes glazed over by the tremendous shock.