MOUTH
I stand up as Chase runs out of the room in tears. Rachel and Molly walk over to me.
"What's the matter with Chase, Daddy?" Molly asks me.
"She's sad, honey…really sad."
"Do you want me to go talk to her?" Rachel offers.
"Thanks," I reply through a sigh. "But I think I'd better. I promised Brooke I'd make sure she's okay."
"Okay, but I'm here too if you need me."
"Thanks." I kiss her cheek and before I walk away I ask, "Hey, can you keep an eye out for Haley and Lucas and let me know when they get here?"
"Of course."
I keep walking in search of Chase. I walk all the way to the front room again…and there she is, crying on the couch by the window again.
"Chase," I say as I walk over to her.
"I don't want to talk about it anymore," she says with her face in a pillow.
"I know," I sigh as I sit down next to her. "But you have to. That's the only way you're going to get through this."
"But I don't want to get through this," Chase says as she sits up and looks at me. "I just want mom back. It's too hard without her. I don't know what to do without her. I don't know how to live without her."
"I know, but the best thing you can do is just remember her and everything she taught you. And Rachel and I will be here for you too."
"No you won't, not really. You guys are going to be here in New York and I'm going to be all the way in North Carolina, not that I want it that way."
She's right…we are going to be away from her. But that doesn't mean I won't visit her. In fact, I'll be visiting her often in Tree Hill while she adjusts.
"Yeah, I know," I reply. "But you can still call us when you need to and we'll come visit you."
"Will I be able to come back here and visit?"
"Eventually…yes. Your dad, Lucas is a really good guy and I'm sure he'll be okay with you coming back to visit after you've spent some time in Tree Hill and have gotten to know your family there."
"But I don't want to get to know any family in Tree Hill. Mom is my family…and you and Rachel and Molly. I don't need anyone else."
"Yes you do. You need your father."
"No, I don't. I've lived without him for eleven years, so why do I need him now?"
"Because it's what your mom wanted for you, remember?"