Chapter 11
X- How come I can't remember it being so bare and depressing here the last time? Maybe cuz I was too scared and confused to notice my surroundings back be it….but this time it feels different plus I'm head over heels in love…great now I'm even annoying myself. -X
A sudden squeeze on her hand causes Haley to look up only to find herself staring into Lucas's sparkling eyes, where he sits next to her as they are waiting for their turn to see Dr Gold again.
X- Man he's gorgeous -X
"What?" she asks when she sees the mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Nothing", he shrugs innocently.
"Luke I'm no…."
Whatever Haley is about to say is interrupted by Lucas attacking her mouth with his and first minutes later they separate, panting.
"Wow! That got to be a record?"
"I'll say."
"We are getting better at that aren't we?"
"Oh yeah" Lucas answers and pulls her onto his lap where she comfortably leans into him.
Sitting there Haley takes Lucas hand in hers as a comfort measure but other than that they don't do anything thus giving their thoughts free reigns and almost immediately Lucas tenses up something Haley picks up on.
"Are you ok?" she asks at the same time as she turns around in his lap, so she can see his face.
"Yeah I'm fine I was just thinking"
"That's new" upon seeing his grave expression Haley backtracks and takes the more serious route. "About what?"
"This", Lucas answers taking their hands to rest on her stomach before continuing. "Haley I need to know if you're absolutely sure about our decision, as in it was the one you took too and you/we aren't doing this for the wrong reasons."
"Yes I'm and you were too last night."
"Yeah I know it's just sitting here makes it more real somehow ya know?"
"Yeah I know what you mean, but Luke it doesn't change the fact that we aren't ready to be parents either emotional or financial. I mean I want to do so many things before I settle down above all living my life for me before I have to devote it to someone else, especially as a mom. I want to spend my money on me, be selfish for a little while longer, travel, get an education…oh and graduating High School would be good", Haley says with a crooked smile and nudges him lightly shoulder to shoulder getting a half smile out of Lucas.
"You're nuts".
"Yeah and that's why you love me".
"Getting coaky are we!"
"You got it."
"Thanks Hales" Lucas pulls her in for a hug thankful for her comfort and understanding.
"You're welcome", Haley replies before she nudges her nose in her favourite spot on his neck.
"Haley James," the same nurse as last time comes out calling, interrupting their impromptu snuggling session.
"Here we go", Lucas says as Haley reluctantly jumps off his lap and they make their way towards the door that separates the waiting area from the rest of the clinic.
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On the other side of said door they're showed into Dr Gold's office once again and are told the Doctor will be with them shortly. The moment the nurse leaves Haley forces Lucas down in a chair, so she can reclaim her places in his lap, snuggling.
"It's strange you know, here I'm about to make a life altering decision and all I can think about is wanting to split this joint so I can be alone with you".
"Well now how wouldn't? I'm simply irresistible Miss James" Lucas lightly banters back.
To some outsiders it may seem cruel and inappropriate for this conversion at this place in time not to mention while sitting in a doctor's office but for Haley and Lucas it offers a remembrance of easier times along with a sense of familiarity they both desperately need, to take their mind of the things at hand even for a little while.
X- This really isn't a situation I thought I would find myself in like ever. Ok Scott definitely been spending way too much time with Davis judging by the use of like. Man it feels so right being here with Haley…I wonder why it took me so long to see that? O God let us get through this, I don't wanna lose her when I just found her -X
Fortunately for Lucas a door opens signalling the arrival of Dr Gold before his thoughts has a chance to get out of control. Almost as sensing the way his thoughts have taken Haley gives him a reassuring kiss, before jumping into her own chair just as Dr Gold steps into the room. Dr Gold quickly makes her way to her desk, and shuffles some papers before she turns her attention to the couple in front of her.
"Hello. How are you doing?" Dr Gold asks.
"Ok", they both answer
"Good to know, but I was referring to the patient this time. How are you holding up with the nausea Haley?"
"I'm hanging in there".
"Try crackers it might help".
"I'll do that."
"Well, no use beating around the bush here, no point intended. Do you know what you want to do?"
"We or I or whatever, want an abortion".
"So you are both in agreement?"
"Yeah."
"Good, good. Have you given any thoughts on what method you want to use?"
"I have and I think considering our situation the best choice is the surgical one", Haley answers the doctors inquiry.
"I'm inclined to agree with you. Have any of you told your parents?"
"I haven't but Luke kind of told his mom."
"How did it go?"
"It was ok; my mom had me when she was young so she can relate. But still no parent likes to hear the word pregnancy and their teen's name in the same sentence."
"No they don't. Now before we can perform the abortion, the both of you need to read some papers and sign a consent form, Furthermore Haley will have another exam and some lab work done and last but not least some counselling. It's mandatory" she adds when she sees the sceptic looks on their faces. "Any questions so far?"
"How much will this cost?" Lucas carefully asks.
"Considering your age and the fact that neither of you have a steady income around 80 dollars."
"I think we can wing that." Lucas answers, relieved that money won't be an issue.
"Yet again good. After the procedure is done Haley will need to take it easy for the rest of the day and I'll give you some more aftercare instructions the day in question so you can keep them fresh." Dr Gold continues.
"Will it hurt a lot?" Haley asks with a timid voice as she is scared of the answer being an affirmative one.
"It's individually, for some it feels like menstrual cramps and for others it's worse, but you will get painkillers before we do anything. Anything more you wonder about at this point?"
They both shake their heads.
"Ok. Let's get this show on the road then shall we? I will set up an appointment with our counsellor tomorrow or on Thursday and if that goes well I should be able to perform the abortion on Friday. Ok?"
"Ok", they both agree.
" I think the best approach here is to have the exam and the tests done today, so we can send them to the lab. How does that sound?" Dr Gold asks.
"Sounds good."
"Ok, so why don't you get ready then Haley and I'll go fetch a nurse that can be present at the exam".
Haley nods and without having to encourage him this time Lucas returns to the waiting room knowing Haley doesn't want him there while having her exam.
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Basically Lucas have enough time to start squirming under the intense the glares, sometimes hostile, he's subject to by the pregnant women in the waiting room before Haley comes out the door carrying a whole bunch of papers. Lucas hurriedly gets up to help her.
"What's with the-deer-caught-in-the-headlights-look?" Haley asks.
"What is all this?"
"Don't change the subject on me Luke"
"Wouldn't dream of it."
"Riiiiiight", it's clear Haley doesn't believe him but she decides to give him a break, so she answer his question instead of grilling him figuring she will find out sooner or later what is bothering him," Consent form, appointment for the counselling session and some other papers we need to read through and sign to Friday"
"Ok, now can we get out of here?"
"Why in such a rush? Don't you want to stay and take in the atmosphere some more. Personally the white on white look are starting to grow on me."
"Haley please…..", Lucas whines.
"Ok, ok, keep it in your pants….oops too late"
"HALEY!", Lucas half shouts, half whines, which causes some heads to turn in their direction.
"Alright, alright, but for future reference Luke, whining so not attractive"
"Fine whatever can we go now?"
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Relief is flooding into Lucas's tense body as they leave the clinic and climb into the comfort of his car, where he leans back on the headrest closing his eyes happy there are no more people staring at him, but that respite doesn't last long as he rather quickly feels Haley's eyes on him.
"What?" he asks without opening his own.
"Oh nothing just wondering what caused the major freak out back there?"
"Nothing"
"Luke"
"Fine", with a sign Lucas returns to an upright position opening his eyes.
"The fact that I got some extremely pissed off looks cast in my direction along with being the only male might have had something to do with it."
"Ah poor Lukey was the pregnant women mean to you?"
"Yeeesssss", Lucas whines.
Haley just smiles and moves to straddle his lap and despite the unexpected discomfort the steering wheel is causing in her back, she stays put and gives him a big fat kiss on the mouth.
"There all better"
"No" Lucas pouts
With a fake dramatic sign Haley kisses him again.
"Now then?"
"Mmmm, getting there"
"Well that's as far as you get cuz I want lemons and chocolate"
"Huh?" Lucas's confused mind tries to follow Haley's abruptly change of subject.
"I want lemons and chocolate" she repeats.
"Where did that come from? Especially in the middle of a smooching session"
"Dunno, craving maybe all I know is I want lemons and chocolate"
"Forget it Hales, there is no supermarket on the way back to the school"
"Please, pretty please, pretty, pretty pleeeeeeeease", Haley whines at the same time as she is peppering him with kisses in every area she has access to.
"Ok, ok I give, Next stop: the supermarket"
"Yeah!"
Lucas just shakes his head at Haley's attics, but obiently starts driving as soon as she is back on her seat.
"Just to be clear, we are talking about lemons as in lemon meringue pie right?"
"No lemons as in plain lemon"
"Hales that disgusting"
Haley just shrugs her shoulders in response and the rest of the way they sit quiet.
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As Haley and Lucas are walking into the supermarket a plan is forming in Lucas's head on how pay Haley back for today.
"Since we are here, there are some things I need to pick up too so I'll see you at the check out ok Hales?"
"Yeah that's fine Luke".
Haley and Lucas splits up to go and get what they each need. Haley of course goes straight to grab some of her beloved lemons before continuing to the candy isle. As she stands there contemplating on what kind of chocolate she wants she hears a familiar voice from behind her.
"Skipping school are we?"
X- Great just what I needed now, an egocentrical jerk. Please go away.-X
But since she doesn't hear any retreating footsteps she turns around with a sign, deciding to grab the bull by the horns.
"Hi Nathan always a displeasure of seeing you, and to answer your question no, lunch break."
"Oh really?" Nathan then scrutinizes Haley upside down in his usual know it all obnoxious way, which causes her to squirm.
"Maybe you should lay off the sweets",
"Why?
"You're getting fat." is Nathan simple straight to the point answer "and if you keep that up you won't have my attention anymore, a guy has standards ya know!"
"Your arrogant piece of shit, I wouldn't touch you even if you were the last man on the earth!"
"Whatever you say baby, take the advice though and lay off the sweets cuz your sweet tooth is really starting to show"
Haley is about to protest but something posses her to take a quick look down and she then notices that Nathan isn't completely off mark as there is a little bump underneath her t-shirt, but for entirely different reasons than he thinks.
X- Now how the HELL could I have missed THAT! -X
"Hales are you ready to... "Lucas comes around the corner saying but he stops mid sentence when he sees Nathan and an upset looking Haley.
"What's going on here?
"None of your business broh.
"When you get my girlfriend upset, I'll make it my business".
"Girlfriend huh? Last time I checked you were dating Peyton."
"We broke up."
"Well you sure seem heartbroken there. Moving on to the next victim are we Lukey boy?"
Lucas is on the brick of losing his self control where he is standing with his knuckles clenched so tight that they are turning white and gritted teeth ready to punch Nathan's brains out, but Haley wants nothing of the sort and steps in.
"Luke look at me"
Reluctantly Lucas breaks his staring contest with Nathan to look his girlfriend in the eye.
"He isn't worth it."
"Haley coming after me is one thing but coming after you is a completely different ball game."
"Luke I'm fine. And for future references I'm perfectly capable of fighting my own battles. But seeing this isn't even worth my energy…let's go."
Resolutely she drags a reluctant Lucas towards the check out.
"See you this afternoon!" Nathan calls after her.
"Excuse me?" Haley stops dead in her tracks upon hearing what Nathan is saying.
"Tutoring session, but for today I'm thinking my bed and me being the teacher. I guarantee a real good time." Nathan finishes by suggestively arching his eyebrows.
"Now that's it."
"LUKE, I can handle it, so back off".
"Better do as your girlfriend says there buddy." Nathan taunts Lucas.
"I'm not your buddy" replies a seething Lucas.
"What happened to you?" Haley then butts in seeing the signs of a punching session in Lucas's face.
"Nothing. Let's just say I found my roots."
"The asshole ones."
"Whatever...See you later Haley." Nathan throws over his shoulder as a good bye as he saunters down the isle as he owns the store.
"Don't count on it." Haley replies through gritted teeth.
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On their way to the car Haley succeeds in calming Lucas down enough so he can drive them back to school. As they park at the school's parking lot Haley remembers Nathan comment about her being fat.
"Hey Luke, can I borrow your sweater?"
"Why? You look fine."
"I look fat as in I'm showing."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"I do even Nathan noticed it; I think I took a too tight t-shirt today."
"How cares what that idiot thinks…"Lucas mutters.
"I don't but since even Butthead there noticed" Haley points at Nathan that somehow beat them back to school "chances are that others will to and I don't want that ok? Because sooner or later someone is going to figure out that two and two together makes three"
After her little rant Lucas humours her and takes a long look at her, especially her belly and that's when he notices to his surprise that she has gained some weight in that area and her clothes do nothing to hide it. Without another word he hands her his sweater.
Haley quickly puts it on before jumping out of the car and start walking across the school yard. As they pass Nathan, Haley finds herself on the receiving end of a rough kiss, something she eagerly responds to, but just as suddenly as he pulled her in Lucas let's go.
"Ok even though that was about making a point to Nathan, why did you stop? It's not nice to lead a girl on you know"
"I know it's just…"instead of vocally answering her Lucas merely nods his head in the direction of the doors and there none other than Peyton stands.
"Oh"
"I'm sorry I just can't yet, It's not that I don't love you cuz I do it's just..."
"Shush" Haley pouts a finger over his lips to stop his continuing rambling. "I know and you wouldn't be you if you didn't."
"You're amazing Hales"
"So I've been told. Now move it buster, we have school"
"Yes ma'am" Lucas mocks salutes her and they make their way towards the entrance for another afternoon in good old One Tree Hill High.
TBC
I'm not entirely happy with how this turned out but no changes I could think made it better, so this was the best I could do. Hope it was readable.
