AN/ Heeeelllloooo! I'm glad that everyone likes Izzie. I love writing her and I love writing Peyton and Izzie's relationship too: P So here is the next chapter and I'm going to shut up!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything to do with One Tree Hill or any of the characters associated with the show. The characters you don't recognise are of my imagination. I also don't own Usher or his song Truth Hurts either.
Ok I thought to myself as I looked at the stupid machine again and scratched my head confused. I pressed the ON button and one of the lights flashed continuously only confusing me more. I groaned and looked over all the buttons again, too afraid to press the wrong one.
"What are you doing?" I looked over at the kitchen door to see Peyton leaning against it, an amused smile on her face. I blushed not wanting to ask her for help on how to use the washing machine but from the look on her face I guess she already knows I'm having trouble. I looked down and put my hands in my pockets to try and hide my embarrassment.
She laughed and entered the kitchen fully. "You look just like Izzie then" I looked up and smiled at her. She smiled back and walked over to the washing machine.
"I can't believe a grown man like yourself can't use a washing machine" She teased as she opened the draw to see that I put fabric softener in. I'm not completely stupid and actually managed to find the draw and put the softener in the right section.
"Come here Scott!" I walked over to her and stood close behind her. She looked over her shoulder at me, making sure I was watching before she pushed a few buttons and then a small rectangular button and stopped. I took the time to look her over quickly, taking in the smell of lavender in her hair.
The washing machine suddenly jumped to life and I could hear the water starting to fill the machine. She turned to me and shook her head as she put space between us. I start to worry that she could feel me watching her and hoping that I didn't freak her out but the smile on her face told me that I hadn't.
"What! I know how to use my washing machine this one is just confusing!" She nodded slowly, not believing a word. I couldn't help but laugh at her.
"So, Scott can you use a microwave, toaster, dryer too?"
"Shut up!" She both laughed at each other. She stood on one side and I stood on the other.
"Are you ready?" Peyton suddenly asked. I shook my head. We are going to see Amy in the hospital but I'm very nervous about how she will react to seeing me.
"Eugene your crap is here!" Izzie interrupted as she entered the kitchen. I nodded, trying to keep my face natural as I left the kitchen.
"Izzy, will you cut it out!" I removed my head from the inside of the fridge and looked over at Peyton. She lent against the counter, arms folded, stern look on her face. I rolled my eyes and went back to looking in the fridge for something to eat.
"Izzie I mean it! He is your father you can't keep treating him like that"
I slammed the fridge door shut. "Don't call him that!"
"Why not? He is you're biological father right? So there for he is you're father"
"Biological or not he still left, he didn't keep in contact and he didn't give a crap about me before so I don't give a crap about him now!"
Peyton sighed deeply. "He cares now Izzie. He is here right now for you"
"Yeah, six years too late" I shouted back. "Can we not talk about him?"
"No. We need to have this conversation some time"
"Not now we don't" I replied, trying to walk out of the kitchen but Peyton grabbed hold of my arm and pulled me back in.
"Yes we do. Isabella listen to me! Everyone makes mistakes. That's just what we do. Ok he left you and Amy and you didn't keep in touch for six years. But he is here right now trying to make up for the lost time and trying to get to know you but you being stubborn and horrible to him doesn't help matters!"
"It's not like he had a choice! If Mum hadn't of got ill and we never went to see him he would defiantly not be living here right now and you know it!" I argued back. I could feel myself getting angry and I didn't want to take it out on Peyton we have never argued before but yet here we are right now arguing over him. It just made me dislike him more.
"Ok" She paused. "Let's say Amy never feel ill. Are you really telling me that deep down you wouldn't wonder about him, want to know why he hasn't kept in touch. Wouldn't you want to meet him?" She asked calmly.
I looked up at her and thought about it. I'll admit that I have wondered why I haven't seen him in six years and why he doesn't care but I came to the conclusion that if he doesn't care then I don't either.
"No. The way I see it is he left, he didn't contact me and I don't want him to get to know me because he has to" I explained the best way I could. Peyton looked at me sadly. "...Ok I admit that I would wonder but I just have to remind myself that he didn't want me and he doesn't care so why should I?"
We stood in an uncomfortable silence for a few minutes until I saw Eugene standing at the kitchen door shocked. I knew that I hit a nerve and looked away from his sad face, fighting the sinking feeling.
"Is that what you think? That I don't care?" I didn't answer. "Izzie I always cared! No matter where you was, even if you hadn't heard from me it didn't mean I didn't love you" I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked down at the floor.
"I am so sorry that I haven't kept in touch but your mother and I wasn't exactly seeing eye to eye and every time we fought you got upset…" He took a deep breath and run his hand through his hair. "So I stopped coming up to see you and we just… grew apart I guess" He tried to explain.
Tears came to my eyes as memories forced their way into my head. They weren't in sequence but images of them shouting and swearing at each other flashed past as quickly as they came and a tear managed to roll down my face. I quickly wiped it away, hating the fact that I'm crying over something that happened years ago. Eugene took a step towards me but I took a step back. His hands went into his pockets again.
"Go to the hospital" I told him as I left the kitchen.
I didn't want to leave but after a few moments I thought I'd better. Izzie needs to know the truth and I want to talk to Amy before I say anything.
We dropped Izzie at Zoë's house since she didn't want to come with us and drove to the hospital in silence. As soon as I exited Peyton's car my heart started beating faster and faster. I took a deep breath and straighten out my shirt. Peyton walked around her car and towards me.
"Are you ready?" She asked sadly. I shook my head but still followed her inside and we made our way to her room silently. I looked around the hospital watching all the people rush by, heading for their own destination to prepare myself, to delay the time that I will have to see her. Peyton put her hand on my shoulder and I nodded.
"You'll be fine" She whispered. I put my hand on hers before grabbing the door handle and walking in. Her room is large with sterile white colours like most hospital rooms but she gets her own which is good. I reluctantly looked over at the bed and at Amy. My heart dropped at the sight of her. She is so pale and skinny with tubes coming out of her arms and chest, her once chocolate coloured eyes are now a dull brown looked up and met mine.
She took a deep rasping breath and whispered "Lucas Scott" I smiled at her and sat in the chair beside her bed, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"Amy Lawson" She chuckled a dry humourless laugh that made my heart sink but I just tried to keep smiling at her. She lifted up her hand and I took it, squeezing it a little. It felt good to see her again after all these years I just wish under different circumstance. The news of her condition still hurts.
"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked after a prolonged silence. I was sounding like a child but I didn't care.
She took another deep breath "I had Jack and you were mad at me"
"I was… but you always have a place in my heart" She watched me silently.
"I'm sorry I hurt you" She whispered teary eyed. I lifted her hand up to mine and kissed it, never taking my eyes of the fragile woman who lies before me.
"God you still should have told me. I would have come here straightaway"
"I know" Was her only answer and I almost didn't hear it. She looked away and at the cards that sat on top of her bedside table. I looked over too to see numerous Get Well Soon cards. The heart monitor beeped rhythmically in the background.
"It hurt to hear of your condition from Peyton... To hear you have…" I couldn't say it. To say it meant that it was true, that I was losing her and I don't want to admit it, I refuse to.
She looked back at me and into my eyes. "I'm dying Lucas-"
"Don't say that" I argued. Pain stabbed at my heart and tears stung my eyes.
She took another deep breath and I started to wonder if it hurt her to breath "Its true and we all know it is…that is why I sent Peyton to explain everything… and ask you to take care of our daughter when I'm gone" I let go of my her hand and linked my fingers together before placing them on top of my head, fighting the ache in my chest. The way she spoke about it like she was giving up. It hurt so badly.
"I will" I averted my eyes and looked out the window.
"I know you will. You were always a good father Lucas" I cleared my throat, trying to get rid of the lump that now has turned into a bolder in my throat. "I want you and Peyton in her life, especially Peyton… she has been more of a mother to Izzie then I have for the last two years" I looked over at the door and I could see Peyton pacing outside.
"She loves that girl like a daughter-" She started crying and I squeezed her hand tightly and with another deep breath she spoke again "-And I want you to get to know Izzie, make up for all the lost time… She needs a father and Peyton will be her mother. I don't want her put in a foster home, understand?" I nodded, unable to speak, tears rolled down my own face. I can't believe I am sitting here talking about this.
"I need to talk to you about Izzie actually she hates my guts and I want to tell her the truth about everything -"Amy held up her hand to stop me.
"Tell her" She said breathlessly.
"Everything?" She nodded slightly. "Ok" She regarded me signalling me to come closer. I got up from the chair and she held her arms out to me. I smiled weakly and hugged her gently.
"Goodbye Lucas" She whispered in my ear. I kissed her cheek and walked to the door without looking back. As soon as the door closed behind me I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and tried to fill my lungs again, it feels like someone is standing on my chest.
A hand touched my shoulder and I knew it was Peyton. I wiped my eyes and turned to her. She pulled me into a tight hug and I wrapped my arms around her too, feeling all the tension drain away.
AN/Sorry for the lack of Leyton but I'm just trying to get Izzie and Lucas on good terms first but Leyton will be coming soon.
Reviews and Suggestions are always welcome
Deanie