Chapter 21
It had been 2 months since the trial and John had been sentenced to 45 to 50 years in prison with no chance of parole. Abby was still living at the children's home, but things were much better for her. She still wasn't best friends with Darcy, but they were beginning to talk more and more. She was excited because she had saved all her allowance for those two months to buy a train ticket to go back to Tree Hill for a week. Cheryl had agreed and Abby had hopped on the first train she could find for Tree Hill.
Tree Hill
"Deb are you serious? How can that be? You are related to Abby?" Karen couldn't believe what she was hearing. Deb had just told her that she was going to Wisconsin to adopt her niece. Both Deb and Karen knew that Abby was coming to Tree Hill for a visit, but she had asked for them to keep it a surprise to the others. Little did Abby know that Deb was flying to Wisconsin to bring her back to Tree Hill.
"Well, I wanted to find my sister and so I asked my mom who had adopted her. She told me who it had been and I found out that she was adopted by some people from Tree Hill. Her name was Kelly Suzda, but she got married and…"
"Her name changed to Winters." Karen said in shock. She couldn't believe it. It couldn't be true.
"It is true Karen. I went and looked at the records and found it was true. I couldn't believe what I was reading." Karen was ecstatic. She knew that Deb would be a great mom to Abby. She was also happy that Abby and Brooke would be back for their senior year of high school. That afternoon Deb hopped a flight to Wisconsin.
The next day at the Café
"Lucas, Nathan, can you two help me move those boxes of napkins into the backroom?" Karen asked the two boys. She figured they weren't doing anything, but lying around the café. Plus she needed to get all the kids into the back because Abby was coming in and wanted to surprise them all.
"Yeah, sure mom, we can help." Lucas said as he pulled Nathan to his feet.
"Okay good, Haley is back there resting so don't be too loud."
"We won't Karen, I don't want her to have a mood swing again today. She is already crabby enough without a little extra pressure from me." Karen just smiled as the boys walked to the back. The café was a little dead, but it was 2:00 in the afternoon and that tended to happen frequently. She walked to the door and motioned for Abby to come in. She gave the girl a big hug and ushered her to the nearest booth. She gave her a menu and they waited for the boys to come back out. Once they did, Karen knew they were in for a big surprise.
"Lucas, can you go get that person's order? I am a little busy with these dishes." Lucas nodded and walked over to the booth.
"Hey, welcome to Karen's café. What can I get you?" Lucas said without even looking up. Abby chuckled before she spoke.
"How about a little kiss for your girl?" As soon as she spoke she saw Lucas' eyes shoot up.
"Abby! Holy crap! What are you doing here? When? Why?" Lucas couldn't believe his eyes. He picked her up and wrapped her in his arms. He never wanted to let go. Nathan, hearing all the excitement, walked over to Lucas.
"Dude, what is wrong?" But before he could say anything else he saw Abby. "Abby, oh my god, it's actually you! What are you doing here?" Nathan asked pulling her into a hug.
"Wow, you two are starting to actually think alike now. I might have to separate you boys. And I am here because I missed you guys. I have been saving up my allowance for the past two months and here I am. I am only here for a week, so don't get too attached."
"I think we already are." All three turned around to see Haley standing at the counter. Abby ran over to Haley and gave her a hug.
"How are you feeling Hales?"
"Same as when I talked to you yesterday. I've been really tired lately."
"How far along are you now?"
"A little over 4 months, but sometimes I feel like it has been a year. This is a lot more difficult than I expected." They all smiled.
"But it will definitely be worth it when the baby comes out." Nathan said walking over and placing a hand on Haley's stomach.
"Abby, would you like something to eat?" Karen asked from behind the counter.
"I'm not hungry quite yet. They fed me on the train."
"All right, well, dinner will be at 6:30. Everyone will be here, except for Deb who had to leave for a work-related trip. What do you guys want?"
"Can you make the BBQ chicken with cheesy mash potatoes, baked beans, corn, and dinner rolls with strawberry cheese cake for dessert and some pink lemonade, that you use to make?"
"Of course I can Abby. You all just need to be here at 6:30."
"Are you sure you don't need any help Karen?"
"No Haley, you kids go have fun. Keith will be here to help me." All the kids walked out of the café and headed for the River court. They hung out for a while before they headed back to Nathan and Haley's apartment. They sat around and talked about the summers they each had had. Around 6 they headed to the café ready to eat. The meal was more than amazing. They sat around for hours after just trying to catch up on everything and anything they could think of. The rest of the week Abby watched TV with Haley, went to the River court with Nathan and Lucas. She hung out with everyone in Tree Hill, but the week came to an end rather quickly.
"I can't believe I am leaving in a day. I haven't experienced all of Tree Hill."
"Abby, you were here for a year. How could you not have experienced it all?" Nathan asked.
"Well, I mean this week. I haven't done everything that I wanted to do while I was back. I had so much fun, but still."
"Well, come on. Let's go down to the beach for the afternoon. And then we have to go to Deb's house because she has a surprise for us." Lucas said grabbing a couple towels and heading to the door. They spent the afternoon at the beach and then headed to Deb's house. She and Dan had gotten divorced and she got the house, so the entire group gathered at her house for supper.
"Welcome everyone. I'm glad you could all make it tonight. I have a big surprise for everyone, but it is going to have to wait until after supper." They all walked in the house. "Well, supper is actually ready right now, so let's go eat." Everyone agreed and then headed for the dining room.
"So, Deb, where was your business trip this past week? I know you just got back yesterday."
"Well, it was in the Midwest, but it wasn't too interesting. There were some difficulties, but I don't think I will have to go back there ever again for this business."
"That is good I guess mom, but isn't that going to be bad for business?"
"No, Nate, it won't be bad at all." They ate the rest of the supper with small talk. "All right, now it's time for the surprise, but it is upstairs in the extra bedroom." They all walked up the stairs. As Deb opened the door, Abby noticed a couple familiar things strewn about the room.
"What the hell? That is my stuff!"
"Deb?"
"Mom?" Lucas and Nate were both confused.
"Surprise everyone! Welcome home Abby."
"Are you serious? How? Why? I don't understand!"
"Um, well, I found out that you are my niece."
"What?" Everyone yelled. Abby, Lucas, Nathan, and Haley couldn't believe what they were hearing.
"What do you mean Mom?"
"Her mom was my older sister. Our parents couldn't afford a baby at that time, so they put her up for adoption. I wanted to know who my sister was and I found out that Abby was her daughter. So because of this new information, I was able to adopt Abby because I am family. So, welcome home Abby" Abby couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Wow that is awesome! Brooke is coming back, I'll be here. Senior year is going to be so much better than I thought it would be!" Abby was so happy. She couldn't believe she had a family and someone who loved her as much as she loved him. Her life was never going to be the same, but she had no problems with it.
"Abby, I have one more question for you."
"Okay"
"The courts want to know if you want to change your name. You don't have to, but if you want to I would be delighted."
"Well, it doesn't matter to me, but what's in a name? I am happy with who I am, but I would love to change my name and become your daughter."