Chapter 7

Haley bobbed her head as she listened to the song playing over the radio as the director assigned the extras to their places. They were busy working hard on her latest music video which was almost done. Just a few more scenes and it would be done. She smiled as a little girl ran past her, turned and ran straight towards her. She laughed as the girl grabbed onto her legs and Haley picked her up in one swift motion – placing her on her legs.

"What's wrong pumpkin?" she asked with a smile on her face as she flattened the young girls hair – which was standing up in all places. Her brown hair hung around her shoulders but looked as if a whirlwind had blown through.

"Teddy won't stop tickling me!" the little girl moaned and Haley had to urge herself not to laugh at the 5 year old girl. Channing came walking around the corner and the girl buried her head into Haley's chest.

"No Teddy! Stay away!" she screeched and Channing swooped in – picking her up and swaying her high above the ground.

"Channing! Watch out!" Haley yelped as she jumped up in fear of him dropping the little girl. Channing smiled – pulling the giggling girl towards him in a hug and leaned forward.

"Tay…why don't you tell Hales here that she should stop worrying that Teddy will drop you…" he joked and the little girl turned to Haley with a smile on her face.

"Teddy wouldn't drop me!" she laughed and Haley smiled as she took her into her arms.

"Oh you and Teddy are going to give me one heck of a headache." The young girl gave her an questioning glance as they heard Haley's phone echo through the building.

"Babe could you answer that. I'll hold our little princess for a while…" Channing nodded and walked away to answer the phone.

Haley watched intently as the girl in her arms swung her head around. Her crystal blue eyes seemed to shine out underneath her fringe. She sighed as she hugged she closer to her body.

Channing came back a few seconds later with a huge frown on his face.

"Tay…I think you should come walk with Teddy…" he spoke as he took the little girl and set her on the ground. Haley gave him a questioning glance and she noticed his pale expression. Immediately she knew something was wrong.

"Amy!" she yelled and within seconds her assistant was there.

"Please take Taylor to my room…don't let her out until either I or Channing come and fetch her." She said quickly and Amy nodded as she picked up Taylor. Taylor watched the worried glances that traveled between Haley and Channing and she couldn't help but worry.

"Mommy?" she asked in a scared voice and Haley felt her heart break.

"Don't worry Tay…we'll be right there. Hales and I just have to quickly have to take this phone call…" Channing nodded towards Amy who walked off with the girl.

Haley took the phone from Canning who took one of her hands.

"Hello?" she asked quickly and she heard sobbing from the other side of the line. She immediately knew who was on.

"Vivian? What's wrong?" her hurried tone made her feel uncomfortable and Channing squeezed her hand even more. Her older sister's sobs didn't die down and Haley could feel her heart breaking as she heard her sister pass the phone to her husband Mark.

"Haley…it's Mark." He spoke in his deep voice and Haley knew it was bad. Vivian had always been the calm one…

"Mark what's going on?" she asked scared and Mark sighed.

"Listen Haley. You need to come back to Tree Hill."

"Why…" Haley's voice broke. She could sense the answer even before it came.

"Karen passed away a few minutes ago Hales. Her body couldn't take the cancer anymore…" the phone fell to the ground as sobs overtook Haley's body and Channing pulled her tightly to him.

"Oh God Karen!" she cried as she sunk to the ground. Channing sunk with her – holding her so tightly. The whole stage became silent until Taylor came running towards them.

"Somebody get Taylor out of here!" Channing yelled as his own assistant – followed by Amy – grabbed Taylor and almost ran out with her. Channing picked Haley up in one swift motion as she buried her head into his chest and he carried her to her room. He laid her down on the bed and quickly slid next to her – pulling her to him.

Haley was right.

Karen was gone.