Chapter 17

Three hours later Lucas woke up to his mom standing over him. He woke Abby up and then headed for the bathroom.

"Karen, thanks again for helping with the party last night. It meant a lot to Brooke. And, don't worry, nothing…"

"I know Abby, but we have to get to the café soon." The rest of the day was spent at the café. Brooke came by to say good-bye one last time and then Nathan and Haley came for lunch. No one mentioned anything about Abby leaving in fear of Lucas getting more upset. The day flew by and soon it was closing time. The kids all went over to Haley and Nathan's to help Abby pack the few things that she actually had. They spent the entire night reminiscing and just talking. After they all made sure that Abby had their numbers and addresses they promised they would stop by to see her off. They all left, which made Abby start feeling sad and alone. She cried herself to sleep on Lucas' shoulder. She woke up the next morning at 8:00 when she heard a knock on the door. She noticed that Lucas was still sound asleep which probably meant that neither Haley nor Nathan had heard the knock. She got up and slipped on Lucas' sweatshirt as she headed for the door. When she opened it, she saw Dan Scott. It took all she had not to slam the door in his face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Abby was surprised he asked that. "Well, aren't you going to answer my question?"

"I have been staying here for the past month. You would know that if you weren't such an ass." She couldn't believe she had actually said it. "I should be asking you what the hell you are doing here."

"I'm here to talk with my son." Dan was taken aback by the young lady who he had run into a month earlier. There was no way this was the same girl.

"I'll go get Lucas."

"I'm not here to talk to him."

"Oh, I should have known that you weren't here for Lucas. You have never been there for him. Why would you start now?" Dan looked like he was going to smack her. "You touch me and I'll have you thrown in jail."

"Let me talk to Nathan." Abby shook her head. "Why not?"

"He's sleeping. What do you need?" He handed her the papers.

"He needs to sign these. They are for, um, the apartment." Abby opened the papers and began reading. She thought she heard Dan object to her reading, but she didn't care. As she was reading she noticed there was a carbon sheet between the pages. When she looked at the second sheet she noticed the word 'annulment'.
"You are an asshole Dan! These are annulment papers!" As she said this Nathan and Haley were walking out to the living room. "Most parents are proud when their children get married. Deb doesn't care anymore. Why should you?"

"You wouldn't know the first thing about a parent being proud of their child. I remember hearing that your father…"

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence Dad!" Nathan yelled.

"You know what Dan? My father may have killed himself, but I have NEVER hated him the way Nathan and Lucas hate you." She slammed the door and leaned against it with tears in her eyes.

"Hey Abs, I'm sorry he said that." Lucas said as he walked over to the door.

"You heard that?"

"I heard the entire conversation. You are a sassy girl. This is what was missing with Jamie." Abby smiled. It did feel good to talk back to some people.

"Well, I'm sorry that you heard that. He had no right to say that, but you know Dan. Always, has to put his two cents in." They all sat in silence.

"Wm, well Nathan and I have to go to the doctors soon. What are you two going to do?" Lucas and Abby shrugged.

"I don't know. I was thinking of just walking around Tree Hill one last time." Lucas nodded and grabbed his sweatpants. He started going for his sweatshirt but stopped when he noticed Abby was wearing it.

"I'm glad you like all my sweatshirts Abs."

"Oops, I forgot I grabbed it when I woke up." She started taking it off.

"No, it looks good on you. Keep it for the day." Abby and Lucas left the apartment and headed for their favorite place, the River court. It was where they had run into each other that first day and it was where Abby had decided to see what was going to happen between them.

"Luke, we need to talk."

"Uh-oh" Abby looked confused. "Whenever someone says they 'need to talk', it is usually NEVER good."

"Oh, well I guess this all depends. Lucas, I love you A LOT and I don't want to leave Tree Hill, but I have no choice. I need to know where WE stand now."

"I don't understand."

"Okay, I am leaving and I won't be here Luke. I won't be able to leave the foster home until I'm 18, which means there is a good chance…" Lucas stopped her.

"Which means I will wait until you are 18 if that is what it will take to be with you again. I promise that I will visit you whenever I can. I know what you were thinking and I don't want to break up with you. You mean too much to me to lose you again. I love you Abigail Winters and I will not loose you EVER again." Abby had never felt so loved than she did at that moment. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have friends like the ones she had. She walked over to where Lucas was sitting and sat down in front of him. She was interrupted from her thoughts when she felt Lucas lean in and kiss her. It was different from the other times they had kissed. This one was full of love and passion. It reminded her of the movie Princess Diaries when Mia's foot would 'pop'. When they finally broke apart Abby was in complete shock and she could do was smile. They spent the rest of the morning walking around Tree Hill. Nothing was said between the two as they headed to the café. When they got there Lucas held the door open and followed her in. To their surprise no one was in the café.

"Hey Mom, where is everyone?"

"Hi, it has been a slow morning."

"Let's go to the roof. If you need us…" They walked up to the roof and opened the door. As Abby walked through she heard a loud 'surprise'. She looked around and saw everyone standing on the roof. She turned around and saw Karen and Lucas holding a big cake.

"I can't believe this!" Lucas walked up to her.

"Sorry…I know you didn't want one, but everyone wanted to throw you a party."

"You are right, but I guess I will just have to deal with it." She walked over to every person and gave them hugs. She didn't know how she was going to live without all these wonderful people. When she finally reached Nathan and Haley she noticed the looks on their faces and knew they were the reason.

"It was your idea…"She gave them each a hug. "Thank you." She spent all afternoon eating and talking. It was finally 3:30 and time for Abby to head over to Nathan and Haley's. When they got there, Mr. Leamon was already waiting.

"Miss Winters, how are you?" She shrugged and kept walking. Lucas followed her in while Nathan and Haley stopped to talk to Mr. Leamon.

"Sorry about that. This is just really hard for her. She really doesn't want to leave Tree Hill again."
"I know Mr. Scott, but she has too. It is out of my hands. If she had family here it would be different, but she doesn't." Nathan shook his head.

"I'll go get Abby." He walked inside to find Lucas and Abby in the corner of the living room holding each other. He noticed the tears were streaming down Abby's cheeks. He walked back outside to tell Mr. Leamon that he would have to wait a little while longer.

Back Inside

"Abs, I know you don't want to hear this, but I think you have to go." Abby looked up at Lucas.

"Why?"

"Um, because Nathan just walked in and then quickly walked back out a couple minutes ago." Lucas knew that he had told her she had to go, but he couldn't let go. It wasn't that he was incapable of physically letting her go, but he didn't want to let her go emotionally. He hadn't realized how much he really needed her until now.

"Can I come with you Abby?" Abby smiled.

"I would love for you all to come with me, but I don't think you can." They were interrupted.

"Ahem, I'm very sorry Miss Winters, but we really must be going. Your train leaves in a couple hours." Abby nodded.

"By Lucas. I love you so much. I'll call you when I get to Wisconsin." She walked over to Nathan and Haley. She gave Haley a big hug. "Be careful with the baby. I want to come back here for the birth, so give me a call when it starts."

"Don't' worry, besides Lucas and Deb you will definitely be there." She then walked over to Nathan.

"Keep your eye on him Nate."

"Don't worry Shorty. I'll make sure Lucas doesn't sulk too much." Abby smiled.

"Thank you for everything Nathan. You don't know how much I appreciate everything. I will talk to you later." She walked over to where Lucas was holding the door open for her.

"By Abs, I'll miss you so much."

"I'll miss you too. Tell your mom, Deb, and Keith I'll miss them too." They kiss and then Abby gets in the passenger side of the car.

"I love you Abby."

"I love you too Lucas." Lucas watched as the car drove out of site. When he finally couldn't see the car anymore he walked back up to Nathan and Haley's apartment.

"Wow, I can't believe she's gone again."

"Hey Luke, how about a little supper?" Lucas smiled.

"Thanks Hales, I'll call my mom." After he got home from Nathan and Haley's, Lucas walked into his room and collapsed on his bed. He had held his emotions in all night and they finally came pouring out. He couldn't believe both Brooke and Abby were gone. This was going to be a hard summer. He finally fell asleep after about three restless hours.