Disclaimer: I do not own OTH or any of it characters places or such. I am simply borrowing them.
AN/ Here is the next chapter. I am extremely sorry for the delay! It has been crazy and I haven't had much time to think much less write. I have missed it too, trust me! I am hoping to have the next chapter up soon and I will be finishing this story soon. I am determined. I am not sure if there are any readers left, but if there is. Thanks for reading and please leave some reviews!
Karen turned in her bed to look at the clock, It read 4:30pm. She groaned and shot straight up in the bed. She had needed the sleep, but still felt groggily. She had gotten all of the others to bed before falling asleep herself shortly after 11am. She sighed before laying her head back on the pillow. She ran her hand over the left side of the bed. The side of the bed was untouched and would always be untouched. She pulled her hand back and laid it by her side. She laid there for a few minutes listening to the sounds of the house. She could hear Meredith laughing in the living room and she could hear the voices of Mouth and Lucas with her. She smiled as she thought of her children and then she remembered what Nathan had told her earlier. She sat up, pulled the blanket off of her and got out of her bed. She walked across her room to Keith's dresser. She stood there for a second before moving her hand to open the top drawer where Keith kept his socks. She moved the socks around until her hand came to sheet of paper folded and stapled together. She pulled the papers from the drawer and went to sit on her bed. As she unfolded the papers, she let out a small gasp. The top line read The last will and testament of Keith Michael Scott. Keith had left a will.
"Lucas?" Meredith asked her older brother as they sat on the living room couch, "Why was Nathan sleeping for so long?"
Lucas looked towards Mouth sitting at the other end of the couch before answering, "Missy, Nathan was in an accident."
"Was it with that gun yesterday?"
"Yes"
"I saw the mean man pointing it at mommy and then I saw Nate get in front of it. The mean man pointed it at Nathan, there was a loud pop and Nathan fell" Meredith said as tears started down her cheeks
"Oh honey" Lucas said as he pulled Meredith on his lap. "I am sorry you had to see all that, but Nathan is okay. He is awake and that mean man will never hurt any of us ever again"
"Are you sure?"
"I am positive. I promise he will never hurt anyone again," Lucas said as he held his crying sister and his own tears fell
"Luke? Did that mean man hurt daddy too?" Meredith asked a few minutes later
"No, Meredith. He didn't. The man that hurt dad is in jail"
"Why are there such mean men in the world, Lucas? Why do they try to hurt people?"
"I don't know honey. I don't know."
Lucas looked towards Mouth who had his own tears coming down his cheeks. The innocent mind of the child before them knew much more than they ever wanted her too.
Karen opened the will fully and started to read. In Keith's will, he had left the shop to Karen asking that she keep it in the family and let Skills manage it for as long as he would like. He had left his collection of baseball cards to be split equally between Lucas and Nathan and also his collection of collectible cars. To Meredith, he left a collection of teddy bears hidden in the storage closet of the shop. He had bought one for each of birthdays until she reached the age of 25 a few days after she was born. He stated that Karen and their children have access to a savings account at the local bank in which, were Keith's savings. He had wanted his family to be taken care of if something were to happen to him. He had asked that any personal possessions be split between all of his children, adopted and not adopted. Karen smiled at the last line of the will. 'I leave my most prized possession, my wedding ring, to my wife Karen. To have and to hold' Karen wiped at the wetness on her face before standing upright once more. She placed Keith's will back in its place and closed the drawer. She looked out her window at the falling sun and smiled slightly. It would all be okay. Their family would be okay.
Meredith had dried her tears and was now content in watching TV from her brother's lap, the afternoon cartoon that had the three of them laughing. They turned as they heard shuffling coming down the hall, Haley and Brooke both looking still asleep were linked arm and arm almost like they were holding each other up. Chris was walking behind them rubbing his eyes.
"Morning sleeping beauties" Lucas said, "sorry Chris I mean them"
"Haha" Chris said as looked towards his older brother, "Is Sam still sleeping?"
"Yea" Mouth answered
"That slacker" Chris answered as he sat on the floor next to the couch. Haley sat in the armchair by the window and Brooke sat on the couch between Mouth and Lucas.
"Hey Kiddo" Brooke said to Meredith, "How was school?"
"It was okay. My teacher kept looking at me funny though"
"That's is probably because news people told everyone that Nathan was in the hospital" Lucas stated
"Why would other people care that Nate is in the hospital?"
"Because Nathan and Lucas are basketball players. You know how you see them on TV?" Haley asked
"Yea"
"Well other people see them on TV too and they are fans of them."
"Oh, but they are my brothers"
"Yea, they are your brothers, just like they are my brothers and you know the best part about them being our brothers?" Chris asked
"No, what?"
"We get to hug, talk to and laugh with them all the time"
"That's right!" Meredith said as she leaned back to hug Lucas around the neck. "I love you, Luke"
"I love you too Shrimp"
"Am I missing the hug fest out here?" Sam said as she came out of Meredith's room
"Sam!" Meredith said as she got off of Luke's lap and ran to her.
"Hey you!" Sam said as she leaned down to hug the young girl
"I think she is really taking to this having a sister thing," Brooke said
"Yea, I think so too. I don't count cause I am just another brother. Man!" Chris said as the rest of them laughed
"You guys are having way too much fun out here" Karen said as she came out of her bedroom fully dressed in clean clothes.
"MOMMY!" Meredith said running to her
"Hey sweetheart" Karen said picking up her daughter and hugging her, "I miss you!"
"I missed you too, mommy"
"Did you have fun with Peyton and Jake last night?"
"Yea, Peyton let me come by here and get my teddy bear"
"She did, well, that was nice of her"
"And I got to play with Max."
"Cool"
"Mommy, when can I go see Nate?"
"How about you get dressed and we will go now" Karen said as she sat her daughter on the ground
"Okay!" The excited girl ran to her room to get dressed
"Morning guys. I mean afternoon," Karen said as she laughed
"Hey mom" Lucas said
"Meredith and I are going to the hospital if anyone wants to come"
"I will" Chris said as he got up off the floor
"Yea me too" Sam said
"I am coming" Haley said
"Yea, why not" Mouth said causing everyone to laugh
"Lucas? Brooke?" Karen asked
"Actually mom, I think Brooke and I are going to go on that date" Lucas said turning to look at Brooke
"Yea, we will swing by the hospital later"
Karen smiled, "Okay you two have fun"
An hour later, the group was walking into the hospital. The media was still stationed outside, but did not pay them any mind.
"I don't think they even know who we are," Mouth said
"Yea, that is a good thing" Karen replied as they entered the elevator
The elevator stopped on the third floor and the group stepped off. They walked towards Nathan's room and saw Scott standing guard outside his door.
"Hello Scott" Karen said
"Hello Ms. Scott" Scott replied cracking a smile
"Call me Karen"
"Okay, Karen."
"How is he?"
"Driving the nurses crazy. He wants to go home. Really bad"
"Let me see what we can do about that. Hold on a minute guys." Karen said to the group with her smiling before pushing open the door
"Thank god, Mom. Tell them I can go home!"
"Nathan, you need to stay here for a few days. Just to make sure everything is okay"
"Mom, I don't want too" Nathan whined
"Give me one good reason why you don't want too. It better not be because of the hospital food"
"This our last night all together. Brooke leaves tomorrow. I want to spend time with everyone."
"I can't stop you if you want to sign yourself out AMA. You are a grown boy, but could please hold yourself together for five minutes. There is someone who wants to see" Karen said as she walked towards the door and opened it.
Meredith walked in slowly and looked towards the hospital bed where her brother was sitting up, "Munchkin!!!" Nathan said smiling
Meredith took off running and leap on to the bed, "Nate! I am so glad you are okay," Meredith said as she through her arms around her brother. "I was so scared"
"I know. I am sorry, but I am okay" Nathan said as his sister let go of his neck and sat back
The rest of the group had walked in after Meredith and Haley walked over to Nathan, "Hey. How are you feeling?"
"I want go home"
"Nathan…"
"It is our last night with all of us here and I want to be with you guys"
"We know that Nate, but we want you to get better" Mouth said
"I would get better faster being home with everyone," Nathan said
A knock was heard at the door as it opened, "Hey everyone" Dr. Jenkins said as he walked in
"Hello Doctor" Karen replied
"How is our patient?"
"Whining and grumpy" Sam said laughing
"And why is that?"
"Cause I want to go home. It is our last night together before we all get spread out again," Nathan said
"Nathan, you were shot. You just woke up from a coma this morning. You need some rest"
"I know that doc, but I think I would heal better at home with my family"
"Well, it is against my orders that you leave, but I can't legally stop you"
"Well, then I will go Against Medical Advice. Get the papers"
"Nathan" Haley said
"No, I want to go home and if something happens then I will come back"
"Can he come back?" Karen asked
"Yea, legally we have to treat him whether he was AMA or not" the doctor answered, "Is this what you want?"
"Yes, more than anything."
"Okay, I will get the nurse to get the papers ready"
"Thank you" Nathan said as the doctor left the room
"Now we have to figure out how to get you out of here with the news crews seeing you" Mouth said
"Scott, can you come in here for a minute?" Chris said as he opened the door
"Is something wrong?" Scott asked as he walked into the room
"Well, my son has decided to sign himself out AMA. We need to get him out without the press knowing"
"Okay, let me call Simon and the other guys" Scott said before leaving the room.
"Nathan, are you absolutely sure about this?" Haley asked
"Yea, Hales, I am sure. I want to be home," Nathan said as he smiled towards her.
"I guess someone should call and let everyone else know" Karen said
"I will" Mouth said as he pulled out his phone to begin calling their friends
"Flip on the TV" Scott said as he walked back in, "Simon is getting ready to give a press conference. It should give us some cover."
Nathan flipped the TV to local station as Mouth closed his phone after talking with Peyton. Everyone in the room turned to watch the TV
"Hello again, My name is Simon Matthews. I represent Nathan Scott. I have come out here to give you an update and answer a few questions. First, Mr. Scott has asked me to think everyone for their support and prayers. This has been a very difficult time for him and his family. He wants everyone to know that he is doing well and will recover from his injuries. Mr. Scott will be staying here at Tree Hill General for at least the next few days before he will be released. After which time, he will return to Orlando. As stated earlier today, the owners and managers of the Orlando Magic basketball team have placed Mr. Scott on the injured list until further is known of his recovery. Are there any questions?"
"Mr. Matthews, earlier this morning there was young woman who claimed to be an old friend of Nathan Scott's and his brother, Lucas's girlfriend. Can you confirm that?" a young female reporter asked
"Yea, I can confirm that. Ms. Brooke Davis is an old friend of both Scott brothers and she is in fact Lucas's girlfriend. Next question?"
"Can you say what caused the shootout in the café yesterday? Sources say that the café is owned by his mother" A male reporter asked
"I am not at liberty to discuss yesterday's events at this time" Simon answered, "One last question"
"There has been talk that the bullet hit Scott in the lower spine. Will he be able to walk again or even play basketball?" Another male reporter asked
"Yes, the doctors are very confident that he will indeed walk again and play basketball again. He is already starting to show signs of improvement." Simon answered, "That is all. Thank you for your time"
"I knew they were going to ask about Brooke and Lucas" Haley said
"It comes with the job sometimes," Nathan said
"Well, Nate, Peyton is going to kick your butt. Just giving you some very warning." Mouth said as he laughed.
"Yea, I know." Nathan replied
A knock was heard at the door as Simon and 2 other security guards walked in, "So, you are signing yourself out AMA, huh?" Simon asked
"I have good reason"
"I know" Simon said, "That press conference should give you good cover. We have a car waiting around back to take you home. We are making sure that you are not seen and that the car is not followed to the house. Scott and John are going to stick around a few days just to make sure."
"Okay" Nathan replied, "All I need is the papers and I am ready to go"
There was a slight knock on the door as the attending nurse walked in. She walked over to Nathan and handed him the clipboard, "Alright, I need you to sign here and here" She said pointing with the pen before handing it to him, "No one knows of this, but me and Dr. Jenkins"
"Thanks Amber" Nathan said as he signed the papers and handed the board back.
"Good Luck, Mr. Scott" Amber said as she smiled at him, "Mr. Simon, the wheelchair is in the hallway"
"Thank you" Simon said as the nurse left. "Alright Nate, let's get you home"
"This was a good idea, Luke" Brooke said as they walked along the beach hand in hand watching the sunset
"Yea, it is only right that the last sunset be together," Lucas said smiling
"You are so cheesy" Brooke replied smiling back
"So, are you ready to go back to San Diego?" Lucas asked
"No…Yes…No" Brooke answered, "I mean I miss the hustle and bustle and my job, but if I leave then I leave you and everyone else. I am really not ready to do that."
"I know. We still have tonight though"
"Yea, it is just sad that this week has to end. It was so great being back with everyone again"
"Yea, it really was great. I forgot how good it felt to play at the river court with the guys while you cheered us on and Mouth did the play by play"
"Yea, we have had some fun times at the river court and a lot of places in this town. No matter where I live or where I go, Tree Hill will always be my home"
"Yea, mine too" Lucas replied
They walked in silence for a few minutes before Lucas's phone started ringing
You find out who your friends are
Somebody's gonna drop everything
Run out and crank up their car
Hit the gas, get there fastNever stop to think, 'What's in it for me?'
Or, 'It's way too far.'
They just show on up
With their big ol' heart
You find out who your friends are
"It's Mouth" Lucas said as he flipped open his phone, "Hey Man"
"Hey Luke. Sorry to interrupt your date, but your brother has decided to sign himself out of the hospital. We are on the way home now"
"What?"
"He wanted to go home. He said he wanted to spend our last night together with us"
"What is he thinking? He just got shot"
"I know."
"Okay, well, thanks for calling me. We will be home in a little while"
"Okay. Bye"
"Bye" Lucas said as he hung up the phone.
"What's wrong?" Brooke asked concern written on her face
"My crazy brother signed himself out AMA" Lucas replied
"Is he nuts?" Brooke asked
"I guess he didn't take it so good" Sam said from the front seat of Chris's truck. They were following the car carrying Nathan back to the house.
"No, he might just hurt him worse" Mouth replied
:"I can't say that I blame him for wanting to spend time with everyone before they left" Chris stated from the driver seat.
"Yea, Hey, I have an idea. Mouth, why do you get that tape from graduation that we were going to watch last night. We can get everyone together and watch it" Sam said as she turned to look at Mouth
"Not a bad idea, Sam. Thanks" Mouth said as they reached the house.
Chris stopped the truck in front of the house and they all got out. Haley and Karen were getting out of Karen's car in the driveway. Meredith was already running towards the front door. John and Scott carefully lifted Nathan from the car and placed him the wheelchair they had been given at the hospital. The pain evident on Nathan's face.
"You okay?" Haley asked as she bent in front of him
"Yea, let's get in the house" Nathan replied
"Okay. You heard the man," Haley said as John began wheeling Nathan towards the house.
"I will be right there" Mouth told Sam as she and Chris walked towards the house.
Mouth pulled out his cell phone and began dialing. This was going to be one fun night. They all need it and they were all together one last time.
AN:/ Song used in this chapter is "find out who your friends are", by Tracy Lawrence. I do not own it. I just own the CD