A New Responsibility (Chapter Twenty-three)
Haley stepped down from the bench and as she walked by, she glared at her aunt who looked at her apologetically. Marilyn grabbed Haley's hand as she was about to go through the little gateway and looked at her. "I'm sorry, Haley. I really am," she said. Haley looked at her in annoyance.
"You should be. Do you realize that Nathan will probably read it in the newspaper before I get a chance to tell him?" Haley asked her.
"I'm really sorry," Marilyn repeated. Haley went on as if she hadn't heard her.
"I can just imagine the headlines. 'Pregnant Hostage Hero's Boyfriend in a Coma While Culprits Stand Trial'," she mocked.
"I really am sorry and I understand how you feel," her aunt said.
"No, you don't. It's bad enough that I'm a pregnant 17-year-old, but now I don't even get to tell my boyfriend before the whole world knows," Haley said, taking her aunt away and leaving.
Lucas sat by Nathan's bed while Haley was in the hospital and was almost convinced he was hearing things when he heard Nathan's voice. "Haley?" Nathan opened his eyes and looked around the room. He was in a hospital.
"She'll be here soon, Nate," Lucas said. Nathan looked at Lucas and looked at him in confusion. Lucas started to explain what had happened. After the doctor left, Nathan looked to Lucas.
"Was Haley hurt?" Nathan asked, concern overpowering the initial shock of hearing that he had been in a coma for three months. Lucas shook his head.
"On the contrary. Haley single-handedly saved the day," Lucas said. Nathan looked at him in confusion.
"After you were shot, Haley like took charge. She made Ethan and Jason realize that if you die, they would go down for murder in the first degree and might end up getting executed," Lucas said.
"Do we even have the death penalty?" Nathan asked. Lucas shrugged.
"If we don't, they could always get transferred out of state," he said. Nathan nodded. "Anyways and then they made her talk to the negotiator." Nathan smiled with pride. His Haley had saved the day.
"Where is she now?" he asked.
"In court," Lucas replied and then explained how Haley was the prosecution's star witness.
"I'm surprised. I thought she would testify for the defence," Nathan said and the started to explain how Haley had defended Jason and Ethan against Mr. Raymond and even Nathan.
"She probably would have if they didn't shoot you," Lucas said. Nathan couldn't help but smirk at Haley's sense of right and wrong. It was like if you held someone hostage you can still be forgiven but as soon as you hurt someone she loved, there would be no forgiveness.
"How has she been doing?" he asked. Lucas shrugged.
"She's had her moments but, overall, she's been fine and at your side," he said. Nathan nodded. "She even took a break from tutoring for a week when after it happened to be with you."
"But she is tutoring now, right?" he asked. Lucas nodded. Just then, the door opened. Nathan could tell it was Haley from the way she walked. She always stepped lightly so she wouldn't disturb anyone. It was annoying sometimes because she snuck up on him a lot since she was so quiet. Haley stopped dead in her tracks when he smiled at her.
"Nathan!" she exclaimed. Her face brightened as she said his name.
"Hey, Hales. Where have you been? You were gone so long that I was beginning to get worried," he said, laughing as annoyance crept on her face. But in an instant, it disappeared. She walked over to him and threw her arms around him. He could feel the tears streaming down her face and when she pulled back, he raised his hand and began wiping them away.
"No more tears. I'm here now," he said. Haley smirked and kissed him.
The next day, Haley had sat down next to Nathan on the bed. "Nathan, there's something I have to tell you," she said. He looked at her in confusion. Just then, the door swung open. Dan Scott walked in, holding a newspaper. He held it up and looked at Haley.
"Is it true?" he asked, glaring at her. Then at his own son.
"Dad, do you mind? We're trying to have a private conversation here," Nathan said in annoyance. His father had the worst timing sometimes.
"About what, daycare?" Dan asked. Nathan's face scrunched with confusion. Then Dan looked at Haley in shock. "You mean you haven't even told him yet?"
"Told me what?" Nathan asked, looking at Haley questioningly.
"I was just about to tell him," Haley replied, slightly ignoring Nathan's intense gaze. This was hard enough. She didn't want his parents there while she told him.
"Why are you waiting until now?" Dan demanded.
"Well, I only found out that day and I wasn't going to tell him then. After that, he was in unconscious for three months," Haley snapped. "So, if you don't mind, I'd like to tell him alone." To Haley's surprise, Dan's face softened and he nodded in understanding. He excused himself and closed the door behind him.
"What's going on, Haley?" Nathan demanded.
"Something's happened that will change our lives forever," she told him. It sounded more like a warning.
"Is it good or bad?" he asked.
"A bit of both. It's wonderful news. I mean, I always dreamed of this happening with you some day, but later on," she replied. "Nathan, I'm pregnant." Haley leaned back to look at his face to see his initial reaction to having a baby with her would mean to him. Shock, fear and an overwhelming feeling of happiness came over Nathan.
"That's…" he started but stopped. "That's wonderful." Haley looked at him in surprise.
"Really?" she asked. Nathan nodded.
"I mean, I agree; it is a little soon, but there's not much we can do about it now," he said. Haley smiled. "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course," she replied.
"Will you marry me?" he asked. Haley sat back and looked at him in amazement.
"Yes," she blurted out. He smiled at her.