(AN, Yippie, another Dan-filled chapter, gotta love it!)
THAT MADE ME STRONGER
Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.
-Edgar Allan Poe-
Dan Scott took a deep breath before knocking on his daughter-in- law's apartment. He hadn't been to see her since he had discovered her pregnancy. She was the person who was carrying his grandchild, the part of his son that lived on. Yet, it was hard for him to be around her. Sighing, he knocked softly on the door.
Haley stood up and stretched as she heard the rap at the door. "Just a minute." She yelled. She went over and unlatched the door. "Oh, Mr. Scott, come in." Dan stepped into the living room. He looked around the room for a moment before sitting on the couch.
"So," She said, "What brings you here." "Is it so wrong for me to want to see the woman who's carrying my grandchild?" Dan asked. "I suppose not." Haley said. She gestured. "Sorry about the mess, I haven't felt much like cleaning. I've spent most of my mornings puking. She noticed his grimace. "But you really didn't need to know that."
She turned to him, "Can I get you anything? Something to drink or…something?" Dan looked at her. "I'll take some coffee if it's not to much trouble." She stood up and returned a moment later with a steaming cup of coffee for Dan, and a cup of green tea for herself.
The two spent several moments of uncomfortable silence. "So," they said simultaneously . They shared a small smile. "How are you?" he asked. She shook her head. "I don't know." She said. Haley sighed. "Isn't that stupid? I can't even answer a simple question." "Haley," Dan said, but she continued. "I mean I'm not ok, I am obviously far from ok, and I'm trying to get better, but every time I close my eyes I see his face." Tears began to fall from her eyes. "I just miss him so much."
In spite of himself, Dan felt compelled to help her out. Sighing, he wrapped his arms around her. "Shh," he whispered. "It will be alright." "How can you say that?" She said, "He's dead, nothings ever going to be alright again." There were no words that he could say, no way to make her see that one day things would get better. So he just held her, and let her cry.
The two were so wrapped up in their own thoughts that they didn't even notice Peyton walk in the door.
"Hi Hal…." he voice trailed off. "Uh, I'm just gonna …yeah." She walked into the guest room where she had been staying. Dan looked at Haley. "You might want to go clear that up." he said. "Definitely." She turned to leave the room. "Oh, Dan?" she asked. "Hmm," Thanks, for… just thanks."