Title: Defining Happiness on Our Own Terms
Summary: A look into the future. Haley&Nathan want another addition to their family & Peyton&Lucas have just begun expanding there's.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own One Tree Hill.
Author: Maygen Lauren
Chapter Five: All or Nothing
Happiness comes in many forms -- in the company of good friends, in the feeling you get when you make someone else's dream come true, or in the promise of hope renewed. It's okay to let yourself be happy because you never know how fleeting that happiness might be.
This chapter is by far the longest and most disgusting thing I've ever written. I don't even know how it happened. You see I write in web layout so that I can see how long each chapter will be on fanfiction. But I looked down at the word count and was like WTF 5,202 words already!? I was shocked. So this chapters about 13 pages? Deep, but it's def. not the longest. I think the most I've ever written is write around 37 pages? For one chapter? Yea.
"Peyton Elisabeth Scott let me see that baby." Brooke Davis, long time best friend of Peyton Sawyer , whispered heavily as she entered the guest bedroom.
The blonde smiled and held a finger up to her lips, motioning to her daughter who was still out cold amongst the bed sheets. Brooke carefully crawled on the bed next to her, peering down at the child. "Definitely Momma's baby" She breathed, placing a gentle hand on the baby's stomach.
"So I've heard."
"No, but seriously , I've seen her like 12 of the 14 days she's been home and every day, she looks more and more like you."
"Poor Luke"
Brooke shook her head. "Nuh huh, he doesn't mind because he knows he's got the two most beautiful girls in the world to show off. Plus" She added with a smile. "Look at those baby blues" Elle now had her eyes open and was reaching an arm out towards her mother and one towards Brooke. "Hey Momma Scott, can I hold her?"
"Of course you can Brooke" The mother watched as her baby was carefully lifted into the protective arms of her best friend.
"Hi Elizabeth Anna; do you remember me, Aunty Brooke?" Peyton's heart swelled at the interaction between her daughter and friend.
"Of course she does. She'd be screaming murder right now if she didn't." She glanced over Brooke's shoulder at the baby. "Julian and Sam down stairs?"
"Yea, you'd be surprised but Sam is really taken by mini P.S. over here. I can't believe she's starting her senior year in a month!"
"And you missy, getting married in October. I'm sorry to say I don't know if my measurements will be final by then. I'm trying to get back to my regular waste size, but like hell if that'll happen."
"Oh pahleez Peyt, hell would just freeze over if the devil heard you say that."
She rolled her eyes. "Let me take back my baby and we can head down stairs" Brooke, without hesitation, placed Elle Anna in Peyton's arms.
"Oh, and I have something for her." She reached into her pocket and pulled out a tiny baby hat, with ear flaps. "It's light and pink, and would look absolutely adorable on her. Plus, it's a original."
"You can put in on her." Brooke slipped it on, pulling the flaps down over her tiny ears. Peyton smiled. "Now that, is adorable,"
"Look at those little blonde curls." The brunette cooed. "Let's go show her off"
Peyton stood up from the bed with Elle in her arms. Brooke took the lead down the stairs while the blonde made her way slowly and carefully. At the bottom of the stairwell, voices could be heard coming from the living room. Brooke entered first finding Julian sitting on the couch facing Nathan and Haley, whose hands were clasped. She sat herself on one of his legs and his face brightened. Sam and Jamie sat cross legged on the floor, engaged in a round of Wii Play. Luke was leaning against the far wall, listening to the conversation taking place in front of him. Peyton quietly came up beside him and positioned the baby towards him.
"What the heck is covering my kids head?" He asked. Sam pushed off the floor in an instant and was standing next to Peyton looking down at the baby.
"Sam, we were playing a game." Jamie retaliated. "You can't just get up and leave."
She turned towards him. "Chill out short stuff, I'll be right back down there. I just wanna see the baby."
"Oh, the baby" He sighed and continued the game without her.
"It's a original. " Brooke said from her spot next to Julian. "I'm thinking about adding it to my line."
"I hate whoever created hats." Luke laughed. "I can't even see her little blonde head."
"Luke, she looks cute!" Peyton said rubbing up against his side.
"Peyton, can I hold her?" Sam asked with big eyes.
She nodded. "Of course, just take a seat" Sam squeezed in next to Julian on the couch as Peyton leaned over and placed the baby in her arms.
Elle's eyes enlarged, alarmed, but she did not cry for her mother squatted downright besides her. "Oh, I want one"
"I don't think so Samantha. You pull a Naley and you're outta my house." Brooke tickled the bottom of the baby's socked foot. "Little miracle baby"
Peyton blushed and looked up to Luke, who caught her eye.
The kitchen door slammed and heavy footsteps were heard approaching the bedroom.
"Did you bring us sour gummy worms?" Lucas stood in the door way holding a grocery bag.
"Yes, and chocolate chip cookies, and ice cream and raisins and nutella and whatever else was on that list. Plus you better believe I am shoving something healthy down your throat for dinner because I'm not going to allow you to keep eating like this. "He dropped the bag on the bed and lay down besides her looking up at the ceiling as her hands dove into the plastic. "How did the fan get on?"
"You must have turned it on before you left." She dropped a sugar covered gummy into her mouth and leaned back into the pillows of the bed.
He turned to look at her, resting his head against his hand. "You know Peyton, I don't believe I did." His eye brows rose at her.
"I was hot and I was on my way to the bathroom." She crossed her arms in defiance.
"How long we're you up for?" She didn't respond. "Peyton, five to ten minutes out of bed a day, tops. Also, I don't want you standing up and walking around when no one else is home."
"I've been standing on my own two feet just fine for the past six months."
"Yes but I do believe they call it "red rest" for a reason. This is for your safety as well as our daughters." He rested a hand on her stomach and was surprised when she did not push it away. "So please take it seriously."
"You don't understand what this is like Luke; to be completely helpless and rely on everyone else for help. Not be able to take a shower and be carried up and down stairs and we're always together." She huffed angrily and ripped at a gummy with her teeth
"First off, you've been carried up one flight of stairs, one, second, you've been on bed rest for three days, babe you've got another 83ish to go. And thirdly, I know it's frustrating not being able to get away and having me by your side every second of everyday, but it'll get better. "
"Don't remind me."
"So" He continued, pulling her chin to look his way. "Please, tell me before you decide that it's a good idea to be walking around"
"God Luke, it's not a big deal" She said pulling her chin irritably from his hold.
"You and our daughter are the most important things in this world to me and when that becomes unimportant, than we have a problem." He stroked her cheek softly. "I'm not trying to nag you or make you unhappy Peyton, I promise, I just don't think you understand what my world would be like if something happened to you." His lips came crashing down on hers and he could taste the sugar from the candy. She pushed him back to look in his eyes.
"No sex" She reminded him.
"I know, no sex" Lucas drawled out. "So" He said, leaning his face over hers. "Tell me before you doing anything crazy"
"Crazy Luke, are you serious?" He held his hand over her lips for a moment and the released them."Yes, I promise; now can you go and make dinner and leave me in peace."
He rolled his eyes and leaned down placing a quick kiss on her forehead, leaving her to go make a very healthy dinner. Close to twenty minutes later Luke came back in the bed room carrying a tray with two plates.
"No no no" She yelled when he walked in. "I can eat dinner at a table like a normal person"
"You're not normal; you're a six month pregnant woman who's over hormonal, hungry, and confined to her bedroom." He handed her the plate and sat down beside her.
"Over hormonal?"
"I just call it like I see it babe" Peyton stuck her tongue out at her husband and then fixed her fork into the broccoli pasta in her dish.
"Oh you're just winning your brownie points tonight."
He laughed. "Not like I can get any"
"You're right, and with that attitude, this kid" She said motioning with the fork toward her stomach. "Will be your last"
He swallowed down another mouthful of food while Peyton surpassed him with three. "She's going to be beautiful" Luke simply stated.
"I know"
A smirk plastered across his face."I don't think you do. How much time to you actually spend looking at yourself?"
She raised her eyebrows at him. "Like she's going to look anything like me"
"God, I hope so. My sugar mommas sexy as hell" Her teeth gleamed back at him as she gently touched his arm.
"You may have gotten your points back on that one"
"But I'm still not getting lucky, huh?"
She nuzzled her face close to his. "Three months and 2 weeks and 1 day give or take"
"Just let me know when and where, until then, I don't wanna hear how long I have to wait"
"Word my man"
A burst laugh escaped Lucas' lips. "That's almost as bad as hearing my mother say something like that."
"Our kids gonna talk about me like that someday" She pouted.
"No, because you're going to be a cool mom, with good music taste and not so embarrassing catch phrases."
"We're going to be parents Lucas; isn't that embarrassment enough for a kid?"
"Point taken" She placed her plate on the night stand and curled into her husband's side, who was not at all surprised by his wife's already empty plate.
She looked up at his face, the stubble on his chin, his gorgeous blue eyes and rested a hand on his chest. "Luke" She whispered.
He looked down at her enlarged green eyes and laughed. She obviously wanted something. "What now?"
Peyton bit her lip and rested her chin on his shoulder. "I really have to pee again"
He huffed and looked at the clock. "Go, be quick"
The carpet against her feet felt great as she walked herself to the bathroom quickly. When she came back, the plates were cleared and Luke was glancing at her from behind his computer at his desk. She changed into flannel plaid shorts and one of Lucas' beaters and brushed her teeth before climbing onto the bed once again. She rested her head against his feather pillow and huffed, restless.
"Are you tired?" Luke asked softly, "Do you want me to turn off the lights?"
She shook her head and rolled onto her back. "I'm really hot." She fanned herself with her hands to make her point.
Luke got up from his chair and sat on the edge of the bed. He felt her forehead with the back of his hand and then removed it. "You don't have a fever, but I can get you a cold washcloth and some ice water?"
She looked up at him. "Please?" He left the room and returned in moments, placing the wet cloth on her forehead. "Better"
Bending down, Lucas kissed her cheek and stood up striping to his boxers. Peyton couldn't help but smile seductively. "Oh relax you" Luke said crossing the room to turn off the light. "You weren't feeling good, get some sleep."
"I feel fine now" She said watching Luke as he brushed his teeth in the bathroom. "Plus it's only 8:30 we could…"
"No sex" He reminded her again as he spat into the sink.
"Hush" Luke left the bathroom and joined her on the bed. His arms wrapped around her extended waist and pulled her towards him, resting his hands on her stomach. Soon they had both drifted off in each other's arms.
A while later, he wasn't sure how much later, Lucas was awake. His arms were no longer wrapped around the frame of his wife's body and he sat up alarmed. He leaned over and turned on the bed side lamp which brightened the room enough to prove the space besides him baron. He looked around the room. The bathroom door was open and empty and the desk chair was personless as well.
"Peyton?" He shouted, kicking the covers off of him. He looked down at the clock. 3:30am. "What woke me up?" He thought franticly.
It was only too easy to understand. Once he left the room, he found the sight that completely stopped his heart. As if fate had been tempted, Peyton lay on the floor by an over turned step stool. He fell to his knees embracing her quickly. He shook her shoulders roughly begging her to open her eyes. "Peyt, baby, come on" He encouraged. When she remained unresponsive, he left her side, his heart breaking with every step away from her lifeless form, and reached for the phone on the wall in the kitchen.
"911 state your emergency?"
"M-my wife, she's six-seven months pregnant, and she's passed out on the floor. She might have fallen from a step stool; I really don't know"
"An ambulance is on its way, but I'd appreciate if you would remain on the phone with me until they arrive."
"I'm sorry, I need to get back to her, and I can't just leave her there."
"It's fine, just leave the phone off the hook and we'll listen in for the dispatch team."
"Thank you, so much" He let the phone hang by the cord and ran back to Peyton's side. Now with more determination, he shook her body and yelled for her to come back to him. With no effect he moved from the floor and opened the front door, turning on the outside light. Looking down at his naked appearance, he threw on jeans and a gray sweatshirt. Then he made the tough decision to move Peyton's body onto the couch. He lifted her carefully into his arms, and supported her head against his chest. After she was comfortable, he sat by her side, grasping her hand and resting his head against her stomach listening to the combined labored heart beat of his wife and child. He hated the waiting, but it paid off when he heard the distant sirens approaching from down the street. He ushered the medics into his house. They ran simple tests right in front of him, checking Peyton and the baby's vitals and blood pressure.
"We'll need to move her to the hospital as soon as possible" Lucas nodded anxiously as his wife was moved onto a stretcher. He grabbed his wallet and keys off the living room coffee table and followed quickly, locking the door behind him.
The medics shut the door behind him and drove off to the nearest hospital. "I can tell you what I know, if that helps. I know they'll check Peyton's, that's her name, Peyton, sorry; well they'll probably check her file at the hospital, but I can tell you what I know about her condition right now, if that'll help any?"
"Does she have a disease?"
"No, um, not a disease, just a um, uh problem, so to speak. You see the baby is growing far off on the right side of her body, making the left side of her heart weak. And I guess this throws of her internal organs, which is why she has been put on bed rest, but she was out of bed, and I don't know how long she's been unconscious for. All I know is she was passed out on the floor by an overturned step stool."
The medic nodded and turned toward the monitor reading Peyton's vitals. "Like I said back in the house, Peyton's and the baby's heartbeat is very slow, extremely irregular. Right now I can't tell if there's any other damage until we get her in with the big machines. She may require minimal surgery; will you sign off on it?" Luke nodded solemnly, his hand moving in circles on his wife's large stomach.
Once in the ER, Luke was asked to remain in the waiting room until instructed otherwise. He'd assumed this from the start, and began dreading every moment away from his love. It was also in this time he realized that he'd forgotten his and Peyton's cell phones at the house. He'd only remembered his wallet and house keys. He noticed a pay phone and began checking himself for change. When he found none, he looked around the empty waiting room in a panic. He approached the phone and then understood, foolishly, that the pay phone actually didn't require any money to make a local call. He stood with the phone pressed against his ear, and then thought about what he was doing in the first place. It was two thirty in the morning. Who would want to be bothered anyway? But what if? No.. he buried his negative thoughts in the back of his head. As much as he wanted to call Brooke for Peyton's sake, he needed someone there for him, now. So selfishly, he called the younger Scott brothers house.
"Hello?" Nathan groaned sleepily.
"Nate, I need to speak to Haley." Luke heard whispering in the background and a very tired groan.
"Luke?" Haley asked with a raspy voice.
"Hales, I'm sorry I woke you, but I'm at the hospital"
Haley sat up in bed, pulling her husband up with her. "Are you okay? Is it Peyton?"
"She fell" Luke said heartbroken. "She got out of bed in the middle of the night, and I found her on the floor. I don't know anything; I didn't even know who to call"
"It's okay, you called me, I'm on my way." She through the covers off her body and very hastfully got clothes on and threw her hair up in a pony tail.
"Thanks' Hales, I really appreciate this."
"No worries Luke, anytime" She hung up and turned to face Nathan who was looking at her alarmed. "Peyton's in the hospital. I really don't know anything more than Luke found her on the floor. I'm gonna go and provide moral support."
"I'll come too" He said trying to get out from under the covers.
"No, you stay here with Jamie. I'll call if I think you should be down there."
"Okay" He said nervously. "Just call me, no matter what."
She leaned over and kissed his lips. "I love you"
Nathan nodded. "I love you too, so much"
By the time Haley had made it to the hospital, Lucas was as much of a wreck as possible. She simply approached him slowly and embraced him from behind, resting her chin on his head. "What time did you get here?"
Lucas shrugged. "I found her at 3:30am, what time is it now?"
Haley looked down at her phone as she sat in the chair next to him "Just about quarter to five."
He nodded and grasped her hand when she held it out for him. "I told her to tell me before getting up and walking around and she promised."
"Luke, it was early, you need to talk to her before making assumptions."
He scoffed his foot on the floor. "Well I might not ever get to talk to her again."
Haley ran her fingers through his hair soothingly. "Don't talk like that, okay? Peyton's strong, stronger than you give her credit for."
"What the hell was she doing with a stool? Does she ever think? It's not just about her. She's got the baby and oh god Peyton" He held his head in his hands, his elbows balanced against his knees. Haley rubbed his back soothingly in circles.
"You've got to have faith in her Lucas."
He let out a soft laugh. "I do have faith in her, but this is just so fucking ironic. I told her to take this seriously and look at where we are. She's been on bed rest four days for Christ's sake."
Haley leaned over her chair and lifted something off the floor. "Here, drink this" She handed her friend a steaming cup of coffee.
He half smiled, his eyes still clouded with confusion and sadness. "Thanks Hales, you're a great friend."
"Anything for you" She tilted her back and kissed his cheek softly. She pulled away only to look him in the eyes. "Luke, I can't make promises, but I can tell you that I don't believe this is anything too extreme." He blinked at her. "What I mean is, I can safely say that Peyton is going to pull through this. You both knew there were going to be complications; the doctors told you this from the beginning."
"This is my wife and child we are talking about. Are you starting a wager on their lives?"
"I would be the last person to do that and you know it; Luke, do you remember when I was in Peyton's position, and Nathan was in yours?"
He couldn't help himself. "Vaguely, if I'm not mistaken I was recovering from a heart attack."
"Regardless, pregnancy is difficult and Peyton already had some under lying factors" She took a deep breath. "She's going to be fine"
"Luke Scott" A doctor called walking out from two swinging doors. His heart stopped as he stood up and turned slowly to face the man. Haley grasped his hand gently and listened carefully.
He smiled and shook Luke's other hand. "Your wife did very well. She required very mild surgery and is looking good."
"Mild surgery?"
"She cracked a rib when she fell and we had to make a small incision and move it. The baby was fine, a little shook up, but as I'm sure you're aware this whole ordeal was just a side effect of your wife's condition. She should continue bed rest until the delivery and make it extensive; no more than 2 minutes up a day. And to increase blood flow, make her favor her left side. Other than that, she's very healthy. The vitamins and medication are working wonders and I don't have doubt in my mind that up until the delivery, everything will be fine"
Lucas paused, staring directly at the man's face. "Up until the delivery?"
"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it"
"No no, I want to know what you mean, up until the delivery."
The doctor sighed. "We gave your wife the option to abort the fetus back when we told her she was pregnant. She said no, despite the risk we informed her she would be taking when it came to the delivery."
"And what exactly is the risk?"
The doctor glanced at his clipboard, flipping through a few pages. He turned it toward him. It was an enlarged black and white photo of his daughter; it took his breath away. "This is the cervix, here" He pointed. "In most cases the baby grows in this area and in labor, exits smoothly. In Peyton's condition the fetus is off to the side, like you are aware, and decreasing blood flow. If Peyton performs a natural delivery we are afraid that the baby won't reposition itself in time for labor. In some cases we can turn the baby, from the outside, but in this case, it's unlikely. And if we perform a cesarean section, theres a chance Peyton may bleed to death, considering the angle we would have to come in on. In the previous cases, like Peyton's, there's been a 53% chance that the mother dies during the delivery and about a 77% chance that the baby will survive."
"How many cases?" He whispered.
The doctor shrugged. "This is the first I've seen, but about 2,000 across the United States"
"And you've talked to her; this is what she wants to do?"
The man nodded. "Yes; you can go and see her if you like? Room 300, on the left, just through those doors. I'll send in a nurse to assist your wife. We'll keep her until around 9, just for observation." He nodded solemnly and walked over to the nurses' station. Haley stood and embraced Luke, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"You go; I'll wait here" She said rubbing his shoulders.
"You sure?" He asked, the eagerness rising in his voice.
"Yes, I'll come in and see how she's doing once you've had your time with her Mr. Husband." He kissed her forehead and fast walked through the doors and down the hall, his heart racing. He stood in front of room 300 for a moment, waiting for his fingers to turn the knob. Once he had, he slowly walk in the room quickly seeing his wife lying in the center of a white bed, her head propped up on pillows and eyes very tired and cheeks incredibly pale.
"You love to say I told you so" She droned out, tilting her head slightly. Luke, his feet heavy, dragged a chair over to her side and lightly placed a hand on her cheek, his thumb rubbing her temple and lips.
"Not today" He whispered. She half smiled and leaned forward to place her lips against his tenderly.
He held her still as he looked into her eyes. "I'm sorry Luke" She whispered softly as tear dripped down her face. "I feel so incredibly dumb."
The tears on her face fell into her pillow. "She's okay and you're okay, mostly"
A quiet laugh escaped her lips. "Yeah, mostly"
They were quite for a while, just sitting, touching lightly. Lucas sighed heavily and pulled away from Peyton slowly. "Why didn't you tell me they gave you the option to abort?"
Eyes large and bewildering stare. "What?" She begged. "I didn't think it was important"
"Not important Peyton, they told you this because they know it's what will keep you alive" He looked away from her frail body. "I'm going to lose you and you didn't even tell me"
Her breath caught in her throat. "You're not going to lose me Luke, what makes you think that?"
"Your 40% chance of survival"
She shook her head. "It's not about me; It's about our daughter. Ours Luke, don't you understand. I don't care about me. I know it scares you, but believe me, I know I can do it. There's not a doubt in my mind that says I can't live through this. I love you for worrying about me, but don't. Everything's going to be fine, I promise"
He seemed unconvinced, but let it go. "What were you doing with a step stool?"
Her face fell again. "Luke I'm sorry, I was burning up and I walked into the hall and the air conditioning vent was closed." He shook his head in disappointment. "Next time I'll let you do it, but it was late, and I didn't want to wake you."
"You will next time, now that you've learned the hard way" He stood up and brushed her hair with her finger tips. "I'm going to go get Haley and let her see that you're fine."
Peyton's cheeks reddened. "Haley? Oh no, did you call everyone?"
"Just Haley, why?"
She laughed. "It's so embarrassing." She pulled the covers over her head as Lucas left the room.
"Miracle mommy is more like it." Lucas said broodingly from his spot by the wall.
"And dumb daddy. Who forgets to hang the phone back up so that when a very good family friend calls to check on her best friend she doesn't freak out and find out from a younger brother that she's in the hospital!?"
"Alright alright," Peyton said holding up her hands. "Enough." She quickly caught Haley and Nathan eyeing each other down on the other side of the couch. "So Naley, what aren't you guys telling us?"
Nathan's arms wrapped around Haley's waist. "You can tell them"
She turned and looked at him. "Now? I thought we were going to wait until after we ate"
"Whoa whoa, now I need to know what's going on; what aren't you telling us?" Brooke spoke indifferently. By this time, Jamie had paused his Wii game and was staring at his parents with interest.
This scattered conversation between the Scott families pretty much proved Peyton's theory. "Yea, you've got to tell us now" Haley lowered her eyes at the blonde and nudged Nathan in the side.
"Fine" She huffed. "We're pregnant! Happy now?"
It was silent for a moment until Brook through her hands in the air. "No! Oh my god, are you serious? I'm so happy for you two. And Jamie. He's going to be the best big brother." Jamie dropped the Wii remote on the ground in confusion.
"Another Scott baby" Sam cheered quietly, Elizabeth still protected in her arms. "I could get used to this."
"I thought she might be, so we went and checked this afternoon while Jamie was with you guys" Nathan said nodding over to Luke.
"Congratulations Man, I'm really happy for you" Luke placed a hand on Nathan's shoulder and then removed it to gently touch Haley's cheek. He turned to look at Jamie, who was still very alone in the dark. "Are you excited Jamie? You're going to have your own baby brother or sister to play with."
"More babies?" He questioned. "The first one hasn't even gotten fun yet, what makes you think I want a second?"
"Jamie" Haley whispered, but Peyton shook her head softly.
"Hey kid," Peyton said holding her hand out to Jamie. He took it and stood up. "Do you remember what we were talking about before?"
The small blonde boy nodded. "Elle is small and will get bigger and then be more fun." He dead panned.
She nodded. "Exactly, so don't worry about it just yet; By the time your new sibling gets here, Elle will be loads more fun and you'll be very excited to be getting a new brother or sister"
"Alright, but I'm holding it up to you Aunt Peyton" Brooke and Sam laughed and soon everyone's attention was back on Haley and Nathan.
PLEASE REVIEW… The more reviews I get the faster I'll update. ;)
Chapter six: Grandma, Lily and Grandpa come to visit!