The Search for Something More
Chapter 8 – My Attendance Is Bad But My Intentions Are Good
Thank you for the reviews. I'm sorry it took this long to update but I've been super duper busy the past few weeks but I finally have a weekend to myself and I'll have more time to get more chapters out. Like I said before, I was inspired by some of the storylines in season 7 and Lucas alluded to how much Haley had been through. The last thing I wanted was for Haley to be spending all this time pining over Nathan. I want to surprise you because Naley stories tend to get very predictable after a while. I hope I accomplished that. Now I really enjoyed writing this chapter, it has a lot in here. I don't want to give anything away. I apologize for any spelling/grammar issues, this chapter was really long and I tried my best to go over everything.
On a side note, please support One Tree Hill, visit OTH fan sites like onetreehillblogDOTcom for more info. I would die if we only have four episodes left of Naley!!
I hope you enjoy and please review!
. . . . .
"Miss James?"
"…"
"Miss James?" The voice grew louder.
Haley looked up at Dr. Anderson. "I'm sorry Doctor, I'm just still taking it all in." Haley continued to stare at the sonogram.
Dr. Anderson gave her a comforting smile. Clearly, this wasn't something she was expecting.
"Understandable for first time mothers." The doctor nodded. "I'm surprised you've only found out now. According to this, you're about…"
"Two months along." Haley interrupted and the doctor nodded. "Last month, I caught the flu, I thought I wasn't feeling well because of that." Haley added. As soon as the doctor told her she was pregnant immediately knew the baby was Nathan's. She hadn't been with anyone except Nathan, except for last night. After two months of trying to forget him, she thought she was through with him but it seemed that faith had other plans.
"Is.. is the baby okay?"
"Everything looks normal but as I suggest to every expecting mothers, take it a lot easier, rest up, drink plenty of fluids, remember it's just not you now."
Haley nodded. "Is there anything else?"
Haley sat there and listened to the doctor as he gave her the do's and don'ts when it comes to being pregnant. She tried to listen but her mind was distracted. She was
still reeling over the shock. She really didn't expect this. This morning, she thought it was from last night and being with Julian. She tried to shake such thoughts and listen back to the doctor.
A couple of minutes later, Haley left Doctor Anderson's office and headed towards the elevator. Going up to the 7th floor, she made he way through the familiar doors of the oncology department. She took a minute to compose herself and prepare her for what was coming next. Putting on a brave face and a smile, she entered her mother's hospital room and took a seat next to her mother.
"Sweetheart, there you are." Lydia smiled.
"Hey mom." Haley hugged her mom and took a seat.
"I thought you were coming earlier."
Haley's mind flashbacked to last night, of going out at Tric, of hanging out with Julian, sleeping with Julian to take her mind off her mother's cancer, of feeling sick this morning, of being a mother, Nathan..
"Honey are you okay?" Lydia asked with concerned. "You're looking a little pale."
"I was out last night at Tric, it was a late night. I'm just tired."
"Was Julian there?" Her mom immediately asked.
"Yes mother, he was."
"And?"
"And what?"
"Don't play coy with me Haley-bub. I want to know what's going on with you two."
"There's nothing going on mom.. at least not anymore."
"It's a shame if you ask me. I've always like Julian."
"Mom.." Haley whined.
"Unless you're still hung up over Nathan.."
"MOM!"
"What?"
"First of all mom, like I told you a million times over, it just wasn't working out with Julian and after five years why would you even bother mention his name."
"Because.."
"Because what?"
"Because I'm your mother and I know you. I see that far off look you get in your eyes. You had that look after you and Nathan broke up and I've seen that look on you for these past couple of months, so what's up bub?"
"There's nothing up mom, I haven't spoken to Nathan in years." She lied. Although she didn't really speak with Nathan, just yelled at him and then slept with him
and is now pregnant.
"Still, I know he's been in the news ever since his accident and his return back to the NBA."
Haley gave her a weird look.
"What? I watch sportscenter from time to time. Sometimes, that's the only thing to watch, you think this place would have more than just basic cable."
Haley smiled at her mom and wanting to steer from all topics Nathan Scott or Julian Baker. "So how are you feeling today mom?"
"Yes, Mrs. James, how are you today?"
"Dr. West, Hello." Haley stood up and shook his head.
"How many times have I told you, just call me Lydia."
"Sorry, Lydia." Dr. West smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm okay doc."
"That's good." The doctor nodded. "Haley, can I speak with you for a minute?"
"No you don't!" Lydia protested. "Whatever you have to say, you can say to my face."
The doctor looked to Haley and she nodded. She knew her mother was being stubborn.
"Okay then." The doctor sighed. "It's not easy for me to say this and going into this we knew what the risks were."
"Get on with it doctor." Lydia teased, although she knew what he was about to say was anything but funny.
" We got out latest test results and the prognosis isn't good."
"Not good?!" Haley panicked, "What do you mean?"
"Just that, the treatment isn't as effective as we'd hoped. It's slowing down the cancer but it's still spreading."
"Meaning?" Haley asked, clutching onto her mother's hand.
"Meaning, you and your family should prepare yourselves."
"How.. how long?" Haley asked, her lips trembling.
"Six months.. a year… it's hard to say."
"Oh my God!" Haley gasped, her eyes wet with tears.
"Haley, honey it's okay. We knew this was coming."
"No, it can't!" Haley shook her head. She clutched onto her stomach, how can she even be a mother without her own with her, to help her, to guide her. Haley just found out she was having a baby. She didn't know anything about diapers or formulas. Shoot the doctor just told her she can't have any seafood. She didn't know what to do in these situations. She needed her mother.
"Is there anything? Anything we can do?"
"…"
"Dr. West, if there's a chance for my mom to make it, you need to tell us.. please!" Haley pleaded.
The doctor sighed and tapped his pen against his white lab coat. "There is something, an experimental treatment… BUT before you get your hopes up, this is experimental.. there's no guarantees.."
"But it's still something."
"The lab tests proved promising but like I said, there's no guarantee and because it's not FDA approved, I would need to submit a request to the hospital board and they would have the final say. Now I can submit the requests but unfortunately the board can be slow as molasses, it took two months for them just to approve my parking spot."
"We don't have two months doctor."
"I know, I'll do my best but even so, you're insurance will probably not fit the bill. Like I said, it's an experimental procedure and most insurance companies provide little or no coverage for it, on top of that, with your mom's current treatment, you've already stretched your insurance thin."
"But.."
"Haley.." Lydia interrupted her. "Doctor, can you give my daughter and I a minute?"
"Sure." Doctor West excused himself from the hospital room.
"Now, Haley.."
"Mom, whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it."
"But Haley.."
"But nothing mom. This is your life we're talking about. I won't let you die.. I won't." Haley pleaded, tears running down her face.
"Haley… my beautiful Haley.." Lydia caressed her cheeks and wiped away her tears. "Honey, you've sacrificed so much .. you and your siblings.. I don't want to be a burden to you guys.. if it's my time then it's my time."
"But that's the thing mom, it's not your time. As long as there's hope .. we can't .. I won't.. so please mom.. for me.. for the rest of your children.. grandchildren." Haley pleaded.
"Okay, Haley-bub but you heard the doctor.. the cost.. the hospital board.."
"Mom, you just concentrate on getting better. I'll.. I'll figure everything else out." Haley stated. "We already lost Dad.. we can't lose you too."
Lydia wiped the tears of Haley's face. After the death of her husband, Lydia didn't know how she could make it but it was her children and grandchildren that kept her going. Jimmy was taken too soon from this world and Lydia knew she still had more to do on this Earth.
"Okay." Lydia replied.
"Oh thank you mom."
"But." Lydia interrupted. "This is it honey.. if this doesn't work.. please .. you have to let me go.. I love you and our family too much to go through this again. Okay honey, promise me."
"I promise mom."
. . . . .
"Dad." Nathan gritted his teeth and clenched his fist.
"What? No hug for your old man."
"What're you doing here?"
"I can ask you the same thing."
"…" There was no way in hell, he was going to tell Dan about Haley and the baby. That's the last thing he needs right now.
"Fine, if you must now, I had a doctor's appointment today., I saw you in the halls."
"Right, and you just happen to me standing right by my rental car in this huge ass parking lot."
"I may have asked the police department to track your plates."
"Dad, what the hell!? You can't just be stalking me.."
"I wasn't stalking. I was concerned.. my son comes home after all this time. A phone call would be nice Nathan. I bet you told your brother you were in town."
Nathan looked at him curiously. It was weird to hear Dan acknowledging Lucas as his son.
"Dad, seriously, what do you want?"
"I can't say hi." Dan mocked. "And why are you at the hospital, is everything ok? How's your back?"
"Yes, dad. I came here to see someone about my back." He lied. "Everything is fine." He needed to get his dad off his case.
"And Haley coming with you was for moral support."
Nathan's face fell.
"What don't give me that look, I saw you two inside on my way to see my doctor. Yes, Nathan, I was actually here for my regular check up, don't look too shocked."
"Let's just say, I don't trust you dad."
"Are you still mad about that?"
"Are you kidding me? First you ride me for most of my life to get to the NBA and when I finally made it, you're still not happy. Don't you get it dad, you'll never be happy.."
"You're right son, I'm not happy. I have money, as mayor I have power but it's not enough. I know that now. I'm not happy unless you're happy Nathan."
"Wow, dad I'm touched." Nathan mocked.
"No Nathan, I mean it. So, you and Haley, are you two.."
"Are you fucking serious?" Nathan couldn't believe it. He thought he landed in Tree Hill not the Twilight Zone.
"I think Haley is good for you .. I admit I wasn't her biggest fan .."
Before Dan could get another word in, Nathan threw a left hook, knocking Dan to the ground.
"First you talked about how Haley would ruin my life and now your spouting shit about her making me happy. You're unbelievable you know that." Nathan gritted through his teeth.
He walked past Dan and entered his car and quickly started the engine. Dan got up and dusted himself off.
"Don't be afraid to go after the things that make you happy Nathan."
Nathan gave Dan a puzzled look. "You're right Dad." Nathan said sarcastically. "In fact, nothing would make me happier than getting away from you." And with that Nathan sped off.
Nathan drove off as fast as he could and was glad he wasn't pulled over by the police. He made it back to Tree Hill and parked his car. He was still fuming from his encounter with Dan and needed a minute to calm himself. Getting out of the car, he made his way up the familiar street and onto the side entrance with the red door.
Nathan took a deep breath before knocking on it. A few seconds later, he heard someone turning the knob and opening the door.
"What're you doing here?" Lucas questioned.
"Can we talk?" Nathan asked.
"Are you fucking kidding me?!?" Nathan heard someone yell out from inside the house and sure enough, there was Julian.
"Crap." Lucas muttered. "Wait here." Lucas slammed the door shut and turned to face Julian.
"What the hell is that prick doing here?" Julian yelled.
"This prick will kick your ass!" Nathan yelled through the door.
Losing his patience, Lucas opened the door, "Would you fucking chill! If not your ass can leave." Lucas slammed the door in his face again.
"I want to see him try." Julian scoffed.
"Julian.." Lucas warned. "Nathan may have a bad back but I assure you, you don't want to fight with him."
"I can take him."
"Besides the point Julian."
"No, the point is what is this asshole doing here?"
"I don't know man."
"I find that hard to believe.. now that you two are so buddy buddy with each other."
"Just cuz we played a game of pick up yesterday does not mean I'm buddy buddy with Nathan. We're brothers but I haven't talked to him in years and I just told you that growing up, we didn't even get along."
"Whatever man. I knew coming here would be a waste of time."
"Julian, please.. I'm sorry for not telling you about Nathan. I honestly didn't know Haley saw him."
"She did more than see him!" Julian gritted out. "She's knocked up with his bastard child."
"Julian." Lucas warned. Whatever ill feelings he had towards Nathan, he was still the baby's uncle through his best friend and biologically through Nathan. "That baby is innocent, if you want to be mad at Haley then fine but don't bring her child into it."
"Whatever.." Julian headed to the door.
"Wait." Lucas called out.
"Don't worry Luke.. I won't tell anyone who the real father is." Julian opened the door and found Nathan standing there. The two gave each other a hard look.
"Unlike this prick, I actually care for Haley so for her sake, I won't say anything .. but don't think I'm doing this for you." Julian turned to Nathan.
"You better get out of here while you can still walk or Lucas would have to carry you out." Nathan gritted. It took everything in him not to smash through the door and kick this guy's ass. Julian gave Nathan one last hard look before walking off.
Lucas scratched his head. "Did you have to go and do that?"
"What, I didn't do anything?"
"Don't play innocent Nathan. You're lucky I was able to talk to Julian before he rags his mouth off about you being the father. His family is from Hollywood so he knows how it is and despite everything you and Haley put him through, he's still willing to keep his mouth shut for Haley's sake so don't provoke him." Lucas warned. He promised Haley that he would talk to Julian for her, since Julian wasn't talking to her.
"And speaking of provoking.. how dare you kick Haley out of your hotel room yesterday?! Just so you can save face in front of your girlfriend!"
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about."
"What?" Lucas asked.
"Like I told Haley, Alex and I .. we aren't together.. at least not in the way you think we are."
Lucas squinted at his brother and offered the million dollar question, "Huh?"
Nathan sighed as he recounted to Lucas everything he told Haley. How this was all a set up set up by his management and Alex' management to promote the two of them. He winced when he saw the look of disappointment on Lucas' face.
"You can stop giving me that look, you know. I already feel like an ass."
"You should!" Lucas exclaimed, not believing everything he just heard. "I couldn't even imagine you'd go this low.."
"Look, I already apologized to Haley and I promise you that I'm going to put an end to this."
"God, Nathan, what a mess?"
"I know okay!" Nathan said frustrated. "I know but I'm trying my best, which is why I came here. After spending all morning groveling outside Haley's house, I went with her to see the doctor and we had another sonogram." Nathan reached into his pocket and handed the picture to Lucas.
Lucas smiled at the image before returning it back to Nathan. Now that the initial shock of finding out about Haley's pregnancy had worn out, Lucas decided to focus on the good in all this. Besides, life was always better than death and Lucas would take stock in knowing that in a couple of months, a new life would come into this world and he would be this child's favorite uncle.
"How's Haley and the baby?"
"They're both doing good. It's still to early to find out the sex, maybe next appointment. You should've seen it Luke, the doctor asked Haley to eat some crackers and the baby just moved." Nathan's face lit up.
"Moved?"
"It moved it's little hands and feet.. it was.. it was incredible." Nathan said breathless and Lucas noticed a change in Nathan. He couldn't put his finger on it but the way he talked, the smile on his face, the way his eyes would light up, Nathan was happy, not even winning the state championship, he'd never seen Nathan look this happy. Maybe his brother was taking his new role as soon to be dad seriously.
"I bet." Lucas smiled. "I'm glad you were there for that Nathan."
"Thank you and I told you, I already apologized to Haley and I promised her what I'm going to promise you, that I'm going to try. I know that I'm far from perfect but I'm going to try and make things right."
"Fair enough."
"I have to get back to Seattle but I'll be back for the next check-up, hopefully sooner. If I can move back to Tree Hill, I would but I'm under contract and I won't ask Haley to come out west. I've already put her through enough."
"That's an understatement." Lucas huffed.
"I'm trying to be serious here.. ass!"
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Whatever.. I'll keep an eye out on her if that's what you're asking."
"I am.. and thanks."
"Julian and I will take good care of her."
"What?!?" Nathan's face grew heated and Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm just kidding man, you can stop giving me dirty looks. Besides, for both their sakes, I think Julian and Haley need some time apart from each other.."
"You really are an ass." Nathan slapped his brother upside the head.
"HEY!" Lucas squinted at him.
"But look, there's one more thing."
"What?" Lucas asked annoyed as he rubbed the back of his head.
"I saw Dan."
"Dan?"
"Yeah he was being really weird but what's new right."
Lucas scoffed. "Yeah."
"Anyways, I called him out on his BS but he talked about wanting me to be happy and calling you my brother."
"He said that?"
"Yeah, he was mad that I didn't call him that I was in town and said that I probably called my brother to let him know I'm back.. his words not mine."
"Weird… you know.. never mind." Lucas shook his head.
"What?"
"I was at Tric last week and he showed up and like wished me good luck on my next book."
"It's Dan, I'm stopped trying to figure out how that guy's mind works but the thing is Luke, he said he was there for a doctor's appointment but he did see me and Haley in the hallway in the hospital."
"Fuck, are you serious?"
"Yeah.. I mean, I told him I was there for my back and didn't say anything about Haley .. oh yeah and before I left, I punched him to the ground and told him to stay away from me and Haley."
"Real smooth there." Lucas mocked. "But I don't blame you, I'd probably hit him too."
"Yeah so I don't know if he knows or not but anything involving Dan, I'm worried so while I'm gone."
"Don't worry about it. I got this."
"Thanks Luke."
"No problem."
"No Luke, I mean it. Thank you, you didn't have to do any of this but you are."
"Nathan, you can apologize all you want for the past 5 years, but it still doesn't change what happened or what you did. But right now, all that is secondary behind Haley and the baby. I'm doing this for them Nathan and if you say you're going to do better then do it. This is it Nathan, this is your chance to prove me wrong. I can't let you keep hurting Haley and I won't let you hurt your child."
"I won't." Nathan promised. "I am trying Lucas, but I'm .. I'm scared though.."
Nathan sighed. "Of screwing up again.. I know I've dug myself a mess but I'm trying to clean it up but what if I make the wrong move. I break things off with Alex but if she finds out about the baby she can go to the press and then we'll all be screwed .. and then there's Dan.."
"Look Nathan, I'm glad your serious about this .. but with Dan, well that's out of our control but Alex.. she's your responsibility Nate. I wish I knew what to do about that one but I don't know. It's up to you."
If Nathan wanted to be a better man then he'll stop with the lies about being with Alex and figure out a way not to piss her off or tip the press off before they hound Haley. Then there was the fact that he still had the season to finish and Seattle is on the other side of the country. Nathan knew that Clay wasn't going to like this.
Nathan sighed, "I know."
. . . . .
Haley picked up the vase by her mother's bedside and headed to the bathroom. She held the flowers in one hand and emptied the water out with the other. Her mother was still sleeping, which was a good thing. The therapy she's been going through is taking a serious toll on her body and Lydia would need all the strength she would need. Haley doubt that her mom would even wake up today. The doctor gave her a sedative to keep her under, the pain would be too much if she was awake. Haley tried to shake away such thoughts and went about replacing the water in the vase.
Looking at her watch, she figured she should make her way out. She leaned up to her mom and kissed her on the forehead. "Bye mom, I'll be back soon." Haley grabbed her purse and pulled out her phone. She sent a text message to her sister, letting her know that she was heading out. Haley and her siblings have been taking turns caring for their mother.
She put the phone back in her bag and stepped out of the room and nearly bumped into someone.
"Oh I'm so sor…" The words died on Haley's lips as Dan Scott hovered over her. She took a step back and noticed his swollen jaw.
"Miss James."
"Mr. Scott." Haley clutched onto her purse.
Dan peered around her and looked into the hospital room.
"How's your mother?"
"Resting." Haley tried walking by him but Dan moved to her side and blocked her.
"And how about my grandchild?" Dan smirked.
. . . . .
"I'll give you guys a minute." The lady from billing stood up from her desk and exited her office.
Haley's teary filled eyes turned to her friend next to her. "Peyton, what am I going to do?"
"Haley, come here, it's going to be okay." Peyton pulled her into a hug.
It had been a few days since Haley found out about her pregnancy and the doctor suggesting about the experimental treatment for her mom. She'd been trying her best to figure something out but there were still a lot of challenges in front of them and time was of the essence.
"But how?" Haley cried. "According to this, the board won't even consider approving the treatment unless we have the finances.. so even if I can somehow pull out this load of money out of my ass.. there's still no guarantee the board will approve it."
"I know Hales, I wish there was something I can do."
"No, Peyton, you being here is enough. Thanks for doing this for me."
"Haley, it's no problem. When my mom.. my birth mom was going through treatment, I was alone. I wish I had a friend by my side."
"Thanks.. none of my brother's or sister's can make it... and everyone in the family is strapped for cash .. I .. I don't know what to do."
"It'll work out Haley, but I wouldn't be a friend if I didn't tell you to prepare yourself. If it's meant to be, it'll be but if not.. you have to let her go. As painful as it is, you have to."
"I know." Haley's lips trembled. "Thanks for coming Peyton.. bu I think I need sometime to myself.. take a walk and clear my head."
"No problem." The two shared a hug.
"Give my best to Jake."
"I will." Peyton replied. "I'll let you know next time I'm home."
The two said goodbye and Haley walked down the hospital hallways and found herself sitting alone in the chapel. She prayed for some divine intervention, anything to help her mother out. She clutched onto her stomach, how could one life be starting while another one was ending.
The door opened and she was surprised to see none other than Dan Scott. Too stunned to move, she sat there as he walked in and took a seat next to her.
"So I looked over your mother's case." Dan spoke first.
"What, how?"
Dan handed her Lydia's file. "As mayor of one of the neighboring communities, I'm also part of the hospital board. I'm not a doctor but from what I've heard the treatment is experimental."
"If you just came here to turn down my request, then you can just stop now okay."
"You have me mistaken, I want to help you."
"Help me?"
"Yes, I wouldn't want Lydia to miss out on her latest grandchild."
Haley's face fell. "How.. how.."
"I didn't but you just confirmed it for me." He smiled. " When I picked up your mother's case, I had billing send a copy of the insurance claims. It seems that your name appeared to see the OBGYN."
"…"
"Congratulations Haley."
"You said you're going to help me so .. so what do you want?"
"What makes you think I want something?"
Haley gave her a pointed look.
"Fair enough, you are right.. I do want something.."
"I knew it."
"Now before you jump to conclusions and before I stick my neck out for you, I need to know."
"Know what?"
"Who's the father?"
"What! Are you seriously asking me this?!" Haley couldn't believe the nerve of him
"Look, I asked around.. you're no longer seeing that guy that always wears the goofy hats and with the big forehead."
"I don't have to answer to you."
"No you don't but if you want my help then you'll tell me how the father is. Now what I really want to know is if Lucas is the father?"
"Are you crazy?!"
"You two always hang out together and I need to know if I'm going to be a grandparent too."
"This child has nothing to do with you." Haley clutched to her stomach and turned away from him.
"Oh my God." Dan's jaw dropped. "I am the grandfather, aren't I?"
"No." Haley couldn't face him but it didn't matter, her own words sounded hollow.
"I am." Dan moved to look at Haley. "If it's not Lucas.. it can't be.. Nathan?" Dan gasped, a little shocked.
"…"
"It's Nathan's isn't it?"
".. . ." Haley stayed quiet as tears poured from her face.
"And I bet you he doesn't know huh?" Dan asked softly. Still Haley remained quiet as tears fell from her face, her silence telling him everything he needed to know.
"You don't need to say anything, I'll do my best to get the board to approve your mother's case." Dan stood up.
"You.. you will?"
"You'll need financing." Dan reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. "This is my assistant Renee, I'll let her know the situation and you can call her and she'll take care of you." He handed Haley the card. "I'll help you get board approval but I'll need a favor from you.. two actually." Dan smiled.
"I knew it." Haley finally spoke up.
"Don't worry, it's nothing bad, I assure you."
"What is it?"
"Well the first is that you tell Nathan the truth about his child."
"And the second?"
Dan paused. "I'll get back to you on that." Dan turned around and headed towards the exit. "I'll be in touch Miss James." And with that he left.
To Be Continued . . . .