For all of you who read my story and keep up with it, sorry it took me so long to post a new chapter, they're still going to be sporadic for the next week or so but I figured something is better than nothing. And I know I promised a multi-chapter update this time but the next chapter is a bit different than the other chapters so I need some more time to write it before posting it. This story is longer than usual though to make up for it though.
Here's a brief recap of what has happened so you don't need to reread the story to remember what has happened: Nikki has Jenny, Jenny has decided to search for Jake, on the way to Tree Hill Jenny met Taylor, and once in Tree Hill Jenny has met Tim and Haley. When we last left the story Haley has informed Jenny she will be living with Jake and Peyton for the time being. Also Jenny is the only one who knows the connection as of right now but that could soon change. Now on to the story, enjoy!
As Haley sat at her desk working out the details with what would happen with me I just sat there scared. I like having control over my life and so far on this trip to meet my father I had been able to control what I did and had started to plan how I was going to introduce or reintroduce myself to him; hell, I don't even know if I've met him before. And now all of that is being thrown out the window and I'm I don't know how close to coming face to face with my father.
As I started to look around the room and check out my surroundings I noticed Officer Smith looking at me oddly; I can't explain the look, it wasn't a look of lust or anything, that would be plain gross if that were the case, it was more like a look of confusion, discovery and realization all put into one. Haley must have noticed the way he was looking at me too because she started calling his name to get his attention but he was too focused on looking at me to even hear her so she decided to throw something at him to get his attention. Unfortunately for Officer Smith what she threw at him was a stapler and she managed to hit him in the head with it.
"Geez Haley, what the hell was that for?"
"Sorry, stapler was the first thing I could find to throw at you."
"What did you do that for though?"
"I was trying to get your attention but you were too busy staring at Jenny to even hear me calling your name." As she said that she gave him this glare to signal he was to stop staring at me.
"I gotta go anyways, duty calls. I'll see you tonight."
"Yeah, yeah, don't remind me." With that Officer Smith left. Turning to me she said with a smile, "Sorry about that, Tim's always been a little off."
"It's fine."
"Well, all we need to do is wait for Jake and Peyton to get here, which should be soon, then run over to the courthouse and do a few things and then you will be all set."
"Why do we need to go to the courthouse?"
"There's some legal stuff we need to take care of before we can have you definitely moving in with Jake and Peyton."
"And the courthouse is open on a Saturday?"
"Well not usually but I made a phone call and we can do it today. Oh, that reminds me, if the judge looks slightly pissed at me, don't be too concerned or worried. As it turns out this judge doesn't like getting up early on the weekend when not needed."
"Haley James Scott, are you abusing the power again that comes with being friends with the judge who handles all of the child services case?" At the sound of a new voice both Haley and I turned to where the voice had come from.
"Why yes, Peyton Elizabeth Sawyer Jagielski, I am abusing that power once again," Haley said with a smirk.
In the doorway stood a woman with curly blonde hair that fell to just below her shoulders and a kind look on her face and a man with brown curly hair who had a smirk on his face.
"You know one of these days you're going to over abuse that power and any power you had will cease to exist."
"No it won't cuz it always boils down to the fact that in each case I am working to make a child's life better and who could say no to helping children?" Haley pointed out as she stuck her tongue out at the man. He rolled his eyes signaling that she won this argument and she looked pretty proud of that fact.
"Speaking of children, mind introducing us to this lovely young lady?" the lady Haley called Peyton asked.
"Oh, sorry, I completely forgot why we were here specifically. Jake and Peyton, this is Jenny, and Jenny this is Jake and Peyton Jagielski."
I had a feeling that Haley had not told them previous to getting here what my name was because they both seemed to flinch slightly at the mention of my name, but they quickly covered. It would seem as though they at least knew of my existence, if not having actually met me when I was younger.
Jake stuck out his hand but didn't take a step towards me. It was like he wanted to welcome me but it was painful for him to do that, which is understandable but not quite the way I wanted to meet my dad. "Hi Jenny, my name is Jake. Welcome to Tree Hill."
While Jake looked scared about letting me in Peyton was the opposite, she embraced me warmly and whispered in my ear, "Don't mind him, it's a long story but he's as happy you're here as I am." I gave her a grateful smile because that helped calm some of the butterflies in my stomach.
"Well, why don't we get headed over to the courthouse."
"Sounds like a good idea Haley."
"We can take our vehicle since there's more room in there."
"Peyton, we have the same vehicle thus the same amount of room."
"Same type of vehicle yes, same amount of room no. Haley I think you are forgetting the fact that you have three car seat, countless toys and books strewn all about your vehicle."
"K, fine, but let's get going, don't want to keep the judge waiting."
The next thing I knew I was sitting in the middle seat, next to Haley, of the Jagielski vehicle. I had been in the presence of my father for about twenty minutes and hadn't said anything to him about who I really was. Would he be mad that I didn't tell him right away? I know he knows of my existence but does that actually mean he wants me in his life? The questions were coming back.
Probably sensing I was getting nervous, Haley lightly squeezed my hand and whispered, "It's all going to be alright."
While I appreciated her eternal optimism it didn't seem to help the urge to throw up as I thought about what I needed to do, and it didn't help any that no one knew what I was actually nervous about.
"So where's Anna?"
"With my dad, probably being spoiled."
"Who's Anna?" For the first time in a little while I had finally gotten up the nerve to speak.
"Anna's our daughter."
They have a daughter already, great, what if they only wanted one child, or what if Anna doesn't like me, but would they have signed up to be foster parents if any of that was the case. No, I decided, I'm just getting ahead of myself, this will all work out.
"Anna's going to love you."
"Yeah, she's always talking about wanting a sibling, preferably a sister. Unfortunately that never happened."
"Didn't she always say she wanted an older sister especially? Oh no, sorry I said that."
"It's okay Haley, no harm done." I must have had a confused look on my face cuz then Peyton turned towards me and said, "Long story, I'll fill you in a bit later."
Trying to break the tension which seemed to be increasing a lot Haley seem really excited and relieved when she all of a sudden shouted out, "Oh look, we're here already."
After Jake had parked we all got out of the vehicle as fast as possible, no one wanting to be in there any longer.
Haley showed us the way to the court room and opened the door to let us in.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't my good old buddy Haley."
"Hi Luke."
"Oh, by the way Brooke says thanks for waking her up so early on a Saturday morning, or at least that what I think she said, not sure exactly she rolled back over and went back to bed after telling me to tell you that."
"Nice to know Brooke hasn't changed her habits now that she is in her thirties and a mother."
"Good to see you too Peyton, Jake. Well, the sooner we get this show on the road the sooner I can get home to my girls."
"Okay, here's all the paper you need to sign."
"Remind me why we couldn't do this later in the day."
"Cuz it's too much fun getting you up early."
After signing a few sheets Luke gave the sheets back to Haley and said, "Okay Haley, here's everything and if you ever consider calling me again this early on a weekend remember your children love me and will do pretty much anything for me so watch out."
"That's just cuz you spoil them."
"Uncle's prerogative." He started to head out the door before all of a sudden turning back around, "Oh, sorry, completely forgot to introduce myself to you and you're the whole reason we're here. I'm Judge Scott, but you can call me Lucas or Luke, just don't call me at 8:00 in the morning."
"Haha, very funny," Haley said.
"Jenny," I said as we shook hands.
After we left the courthouse there was a whirlwind of stuff that went on for the rest of the day. After dropping Haley back off at her work we headed over to Peyton's father's house to get Anna.
I think Jake or Peyton told Anna not to overwhelm me right away cuz when I saw Anna, with her curly brown hair flying everywhere as she ran towards the vehicle she seemed to be bursting at the seems with questions she wanted to ask but all she did when she saw me was give me a quick hug and say, "Hi, my name is Anna Elizabeth Jagielski, I'm eight years old and I'm glad you're coming to live with us." I wanted to start crying right there cuz I was beginning to realize I was getting the family I always dreamed of having.
The next stop was the Jagielski home. "Anna, why don't you show Jenny to her room," Peyton said as we got inside the house. Anna grabbed my hand and dragged me up the stairs.
When we reached a door near the top of the stairs Anna pointed to it and said, "This is your room, it's pretty cool. Mine's right there," pointing to the door right next to mine, "and we share a bathroom. Now I'm going to go downstairs cuz Mommy and Daddy said not to overwhelm you."
As I opened the door to my new room I couldn't believe it. The room was every teenage girls dream and my favorite part was above the bed painted on the wall it said "Jenny's Room." They had made a room for me, never knowing if I would ever return.
"She gave her what room?"
"Jake, relax, let me go up there and talk to her while you stay down here at least for a little bit to calm down."
"Fine."
The next thing I heard was someone walking up the stairs. "Settling in okay?"
"Yes, thanks Peyton for everything."
"No problem. Glad to have you here."
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Yeah, sure, anything."
"I wasn't supposed to get this room, was I?"
Peyton looked slightly uncomfortable when I asked that. I think she was hoping I hadn't heard her and Jake downstairs. "Honestly, no, you weren't. We were planning on putting you in the room across the hall from Anna."
"Okay, well I guess it's a good thing I don't have much, I'll get my stuff together and move to that room. I don't want to cause problems by staying in this room."
"No, you don't need to do that. You can stay in this room." Peyton and I looked up to see Jake standing in the doorway. "It'll be nice having someone in here."
"Are you sure, cuz it's no problem me moving to the other room."
"Yeah, I'm sure." With that Jake left.
"Is he always like that?"
"Like what, sad but trying to act like everything is alright?" I nodded. "No, it's just you kinda bring up some bad memories for him and when it comes to this subject he's always had a hard time hiding his emotions. Don't worry, it'll be fine though."
"If you don't mind, can I ask what happened to make him be like this?" Maybe I'll get the full story now.
"Okay, I guess I could tell you. But you might want to sit down for it." We sat down on the bed. "It all started a little over sixteen years ago. When Jake was fifteen he was dating a seventeen year old named Nikki. I didn't really know the two of them back then but from what Jake has said about it, he was in love with her and thought that one day they would get married. Obviously that didn't happen. Anyways, soon after Nikki found out she was pregnant. There was a lot of mixed emotion over the pregnancy, Nikki seemed to waver on whether she wanted this baby while Jake was ready to step up and be a father to his child. Both sets of parents were obviously not all that excited to hear about this impending arrival, but Jake's parents really stepped up and were willing to help out the young couple with whatever they needed." Wow, this is so different than what I grew up hearing and I haven't even been born yet in Peyton's story.
"The summer before junior year for Jake and first year of college for Nikki their baby was born, a girl, Jennifer Nicole Jagielski. Jake and Nikki played house for about a month after Jenny was born but then Nikki seemed to grow bored and restless. She told Jake she had decided that she was going to go to college and she wasn't going to take Jenny so now Jenny would be his responsibility. Jake was sad to see Nikki go, but he knew he couldn't break down because he still had a daughter to raise, but he couldn't see how Nikki could just leave Jenny, especially after spending time with her and all. Now comes the part of the story that I know slightly better. You okay sweetheart?"
"Yeah, just listening." I could feel the tears welling up, but I willed them not to run down my face, I needed to hear this story and I didn't want Peyton questioning why I was crying. I was finally hearing the story of what happened when I was born. Not some made up story but the actual thing. Yes it may be slightly biased but still pretty much the truth. It wasn't like Peyton knew who she was exactly telling the story to so there would be no reason for her to change the facts too much.
"Okay, so where was I? Oh yeah, so fast forward a couple of months. I started talking to Jake more and more during our junior year. Despite the fact that he was a basketball player and I was a basketball cheerleader, we hadn't really talked until that year. We didn't get really close right away, it was like he had this secretive life that he kept a mystery to everyone and he wasn't letting us easily into. Anyways, this one night at this open mic night that our friend Haley, you met her this morning, was having at our friend Luke's, you know the judge, mother's café, Jake walks in with his guitar and a baby carrier and says he wants to sing. It was that night he introduced Jenny to all of us. I don't know what I was more surprised by, that Jake could sing or that he had a daughter. After he was done performing I went up to talk to him. I think I said some dorky line like 'She has your eyebrows.'"
"Oh no, that's not a good thing." Peyton started laughing when I said that. "What, was it something I said?"
"It's just that's what Jake said when I told him that."
"Oh."
"Anyways, that was the night I started feeling a connection to Jake, it seemed we both had secrets that we had been keeping from the world. As the next few weeks passed I started hanging out with Jake and Jenny more often. Jake had gotten a job at Karen's Café so I was babysitting Jenny for him whenever he needed someone. Then one weekend when the cheerleading team and the basketball team went out of town for some competitions Jake and I were talking and he said that Jenny's mother was back in town and stirring up some problems. He didn't seem too concerned with it all so I wasn't too worried. I guess things got worse soon after. At the annual Tree Hill High Boy Toy auction Nikki bought Jake for the night, which really bites for me too cuz I wanted Jake for the night but she outbid me. Anyways she gave him some ominous message that night that she was going to be in Jenny's life with him or without him."
"Wow!" I murmered. How true that statement was.
"What?"
"Oh, sorry. I didn't realize I said that out loud. I just got so caught up in the story."
"Ok. I continued babysitting for him and one of those days I met Nikki. To say the least she was not happy to see me and see that I had kinda took the role of mother to Jenny. She told me to stay away from Jake and Jenny. We had a couple confrontations like that. One of them ending in a fight at a party and a startling revelation, but that revelation isn't important to the story so we'll just breeze past that one for the time being. Jake and I were getting closer and closer, but I nearly ruined it one day. My friend Brooke and I took Jenny shopping at the local mall. While there Nikki found us and took Jenny. Jenny got back to Jake safely but Jake lost some trust in me that day. He was actually talking about leaving Tree Hill to keep Jenny safe. Despite the fact that I wanted them to stay I realized Jake was right. To keep Jenny safe he would need to take her and leave. The only problem was he didn't know how to leave undetected. I provided some help there by talking my dad into taking Jake and Jenny on his dredging boat and bringing them to Savannah to keep them safe. The day Jake and Jenny left on that dredging boat they took part of my heart with them. I was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do letting them go. Even after getting them safely on the boat I knew there was one last thing I had to do to keep them safe. Brooke and I devised a way to get Nikki off their trail. Brooke and I had recently patched up our friendship but Nikki still thought we were not completely friends again and we used that to our advantage. Brooke pretended to betray me and tell Nikki that Jake and Jenny were going to Seattle, obviously they were but it worked. I know that was a lot but are you still following?"
"Yeah, but…"
"But what?"
"But that can't be the end, I mean Jake has Jenny at this point and I thought he didn't have Jenny." Wow, it's odd to talk about myself in the third person but I need to at least for the time being so I can get the facts.
Oh, trust me, it's nowhere near the end for this story. So a couple months went by I kept emailing Jake but he never emailed me back and I fell into a rough period there for a bit. I got involved in some stuff that I shouldn't have. Luke saw how bad I was doing and went behind my back and contacted Jake. He knew I needed Jake but that I would never tell Jake I was having problems so I could keep Jake and Jenny safe. Jake showed up one night at probably my lowest point. He kinda saved me that night. He ended up bringing me back to my house and keeping an eye on me. The next day we talked about everything and nothing at the same time. He hadn't brought Jenny back cuz he had only come back to check on me. At the end of his visit he asked me if I would come with him to get Jenny. He was tired of running and wanted to surround himself with people who loved him. I agreed to go with him. I had been suspended from school, don't ask, so I had some free time to go with him. Once we were down in Savannah we quickly got everything together. Jake's cousin, who he had been staying with, was sad to see him go but knew it was for the best. It was so good to see Jenny. She had gotten so big in the little time since I had last seen her. Once back in Tree Hill things were looking up. I got myself back on track and things with Jake were never better. I don't remember for what reason but Jake and Jenny moved in with me when they came back. Living together was hard though. I was starting to fall for Jake and as luck would have it he was falling for me. Unfortunately neither one of us knew how to tell the other one without fear of rejection. We had been going through a rough time too cuz Jenny had gotten sick and that was stressful for everyone. One night though Jake laid it all out on the line. He told me one of the reasons he wanted to come back was cuz he wanted to be with me. And then we kissed. It was a magical kiss. When we finally broke apart and looked down at Jenny she gave us this smile, it was like a smile of approval. What, what's that smile for?"
"Oh, nothing. I just love a good love story and it sounds like this one is forming to be a good one between you and Jake."
"Well there were a few bumps in the road but you're right, Jake and I have a pretty incredible love for each other. Back to the story though. Jake and I were falling more and more in love every day. It had gotten to the point where I thought nothing bad could happen to us again. Boy was I wrong. On the night of the almost wedding, not ours just so you know, Nikki returned to town and boy was she pissed. She told us that she had sole custody of Jenny and that there was a warrant out for Jake's arrest since he took Jenny. We couldn't believe what she was telling us. Sadly, it turned out that what she said was true. We decided to fight it, and we did have a chance but when Jake heard that he would have to give Jenny to Nikki for at least three months he freaked. He couldn't chance Nikki ever getting her hands on Jenny again. He decided to run, which broke my heart and he even told me that was what he was doing. I think that was one of the few times Jake ever lied to me. Turns out he had talked to Whitey and Whitey agreed to take Jenny to some relatives in Florida to keep her safe. While Whitey did that Jake turned himself in. Jake loved his daughter so much that he was willing to go to jail for her. That was a rough time for us all. Jake couldn't stand me seeing him in there so for a time he refused to let me visit but I knew I couldn't do nothing so I pestered his lawyers until they finally found something that could help Jake. But it was too late. Somehow Nikki had found Jenny and took her. That was the last time any of us saw them. Jake left soon after to try and find them. He searched for about four or five years but never found any trace of them. When he came back here he was just a shell of his former self. Almost like he is today. But with time he started getting back to the Jake we all know and love except a part of his heart was still missing and it's still missing to this day."
"Because of Jenny."
"Yes, because of her. He still holds out hope for her coming back to us safely, as do we all. That's why we have this room, for whenever she comes back to us."
"Thus the 'Jenny's Room'," I said pointing to the wall.
"Yes, and since you're Jenny, you get to have 'Jenny's Room'." Oh if only you knew Peyton, if only you knew. "Do you understand better now?"
"Yes," I said as I started to cry.
"Oh Sweetheart, why are you crying?"
"I'm just so happy to be here."
"And we're glad you're here. How about I let you rest for a little bit. There's a little get together of friends and family that we're going to later tonight if you want to join us, you don't have to but…"
"I would love to go with you guys if it's fine."
"Okay, well get some rest and I'll see you in a couple hours."
As I drifted off to sleep lost in my thoughts there was suddenly a sense of peace and serenity that I had never had before.
Later that night we arrived at a place called TRIC. Inside I got reintroduced to Peyton's dad Larry, Haley, Lucas, Taylor who gave me a strange look and Tim, and introduced to Haley's husband Nathan and their children, Lucas's wife Brooke and their daughters, Lucas's mom Karen, Nathan's mom Deb, Jake's parents, a man named Whitey, Lucas and Nathan's uncle Keith, Lucas and Nathan's father Dan although no one seemed to want him there and a few other people.
After all the introductions were done I excused myself to get some food and drink. As I was about to head back to Jake and Peyton I heard someone's voice.
"Well, if it isn't little Jenny Jagielski all grown up. Welcome home."
Spoilers for in two chapters:
Who knows who Jenny
really is (there are actually at least two who know)
Jenny talks some more
to people at the party, see what is discovered
Now that you have read, please review.
I need some help with names for Haley and Nathan's four children, Lucas and Brooke's two girls and Jake's parents' names. So put in your suggestions. Most of them won't be heavily featured in the story but I would like them to have names.