The Search For Something More
Chapter 20 - Searching for a Former Clarity
Sorry for the delay but with summer winding down and attending two weddings, there was barely any time to write. There was a lot to cover in this chapter and I almost debated in breaking it up in half. There's some stuff from the show in here that I'm sure you'll pick up on. For the most part, there was a lot of playfulness and banter in this chapter but there are some key important things in this chapter. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and I hope you guys are still reading lol. Please share your thoughts.
. . . . .
Dan looked at his rear view mirror and found both his sons still asleep. In fact, for the majority of the drive they were asleep. He'd tried to make conversation but only found himself with one word responses and sometimes a grunt or two. He wasn't surprised though. He expected as much from the both of them. Still maybe silence was for the better. He knew this wouldn't be easy for them, it wasn't a walk in the park for him either but he figured that getting out of Tree Hill, just the three of them would be the best approach. He couldn't help but smile as he saw that both brother's had their mouths open and their head tilted back. He could've sworn he saw a little bit of drool from the side of Nathan's mouth. A wave of sadness washed over him as he can imagine a younger Nathan and a younger Lucas both sleeping in the back of the car, or playing basketball, going to games. But that was the only thing he can do, imagine for he abandoned Lucas and ended up hurting Nathan for his mistakes.
He glanced back again and found that Lucas had tilted over and was resting his head against Nathan's shoulder. Dan couldn't help but chuckle to himself as Nathan quickly pushed Lucas back to his side. Lucas instinctively pushed Nathan back before both of them quickly settled back into slumber. Dan wondered if both of them knew what they were even doing. He'd had similar experiences with his own brother, back when they were young and Dan didn't know any better. Before his pride and cockiness took over, before he became a big shot in high school, before any of that. He could only imagine what Keith was up to now. Last he heard, he was some sort of teacher or mechanic down in Charlotte. So broken was his relationship with his own brother, he often wondered know about the status of his own sons.
"We're here!" Dan announced as he put the car to a screeching halt. Both Lucas and Nathan abruptly woke up and were startled by the sudden stop.
"Nice driving Dad." Nathan rolled his eyes and unbuckled his seat belt.
"Come on sleepy heads, time to get up."
Lucas got out of the car as well and started to stretch.
"Did you knock out for the whole ride?" Lucas whispered over to Nathan.
"Yeah, although I started to pretend to sleep when Dan tried talking to me."
"Same here." Lucas and Nathan both chuckled and pumped fist.
Dan eyed the two curiously, obviously whispering something funny to each other.
"Quit lagging." Dan called out and opened the trunk and started to get their stuff out of the car. Reluctantly, Lucas and Nathan followed suit.
. . . .
"How much farther?" Nathan complained as the trio continued their trek through the forest.
"Told you not to bring so much." Dan chuckled as he was a good several feet in front of them.
"This is your fault." Nathan turned to Lucas.
"What're you talking?" Lucas was annoyed. "We both agreed to do this for Hales."
"Not that you idiot, all this crap we have to lug around …that you bought with my credit card no less."
"Like you couldn't afford it." Lucas rolled his eyes. "Plus, I was just being prepared." Lucas replied.
"I should've known, first rule of packing is to pack light."
"Yeah, way to tell me now." Lucas huffed as the two continued to walk with all their gear.
"This looks good." Dan announced as they found a clearing.
"Finally." Both brothers sighed in relief as they let their gear drop to the ground.
"So what now?" Lucas asked as he took a seat on a nearby log.
"We set up our tents." Dan announced and started to unpack his gear and started taking out all the components for his tent. He heard nothing from both of them and turned around and found both guys with their shirts off and wiping their sweat on it. Then they reached into their bags and pulled another shirt out. Nathan had his back to them, making sure they couldn't see what was around the necklace he was wearing.
"You guys should be more concerned with your tent than looking pretty." Dan remarked. "The first thing you want to do is lay out all your components first before you start building, now if you guys need help, I can show you."
Nathan and Lucas both smirked at each other, as if they were up to something.
"Don't worry Dad, we got it covered." Nathan replied as he opened his bag and pulled out his tent. Dan watched as Nathan unlatched two clips and then, like magic, Nathan stretched it out and it unfolded outwardly in all directions. Nathan locked the clips back in and just like that the tent was already set up. The tent looked sturdy enough and big enough as well.
"Nate and I are sharing." Lucas tried to keep a straight face. Normally, they would've opted for separate tents but being in the forest alone with Dan, well that was scarier than any wild animal the woods had.
"It's one of them easy to build tents." Lucas tried to hide his laughter. "But don't let us stop you from building your's."
"Yeah dad, me and Luke are going to grab some wood for a fire."
"Yeah, have fun." Luke waved off and the two walked away leaving Dan all alone.
. . . . .
Haley tapped her foot and placed her hands a top her belly. "I can't believe I agreed to this." She turned to her left to face Brooke.
"And I can't believe you drove all the way to Tree Hill to join?" Haley turned to her right to face Peyton.
"What?" Both Peyton and Brooke replied innocently.
"Tutormom, weren't you the one to tell me that knowledge is power." Brooke replied.
"Yes, but I don't want the whole world to know." Haley hissed.
"Hales, it's just us." Peyton remarked. "Besides I'm curious as to what the doctor has to say."
Now both Haley and Brooke turned to Peyton.
"Are you trying to tell us something?" Haley questioned.
"Yeah, P. Sawyer… you have been looking a little plump." Brooke added.
"What no! And I am not looking plump." Peyton gasped and reached over Haley and smacked Brooke with the magazine she was reading.
"Oww." Brooke complained and Haley laughed.
"One day, Jake and I will probably have kids of our own and I'd like to be prepared cuz seriously Hales, I don't know how you can handle not getting any."
"You forget that back in high school, she gave Nathan the biggest case of blue balls for months." Brooke added.
"You guys are horrible.. I can't believe …" Haley was about to scold them again when the secretary called her name.
"Miss James, the doctor will see you now."
Haley promptly stood up and stopped when she saw Brooke and Peyton on her heels. "Stay!" She ordered.
"You're no fun." Brooke pouted.
Haley shook her head and proceeded inside.
. . . . .
"I told you that tent would be money." Lucas bumped shoulder's against Nathan.
"For the money I paid for it, it better."
"Says the NBA player."
"What I have a family to support."
Lucas bit his tongue from saying something he knew could potentially get his ass kicked. Plus he had no intention of hurting his brother, even though it was for his own good. Lucas figured he would save such comments for another time.
"Dude, what you make in a year most people earn in a life time."
"Did you just call me dude?" Nathan narrowed his eyes at Lucas as he picked up a stick from the ground. "And my salary is high but not that high."
"But I bet the Sonics are going to give you a nice raise for next season."
"Maybe." Nathan shrugged.
"I saw the contract."
"…"
"Are you going to say anything?"
"Nope." Nathan shook his head.
"Anything?"
Nathan had to laugh otherwise he'd probably deck Lucas with a left hook. "What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know, anything?" Lucas threw his hands up. "I know this was a contract year for you Nate."
"Yeah and now I have a contract and if you're going to ask me details, don't bother cuz I don't know any details, you're better off asking Clay for that."
"I'm assuming by your pissed off attitude that you haven't discussed any of this with Haley."
". . . ." Nathan stayed quiet and continued picking up fire wood.
"I think that's enough wood Nate." Lucas replied. "Nathan, would you stop and talk to me. What's going on with you?"
"Nothing is going on okay." Nathan threw the sticks of wood to the ground. "I haven't talked to her about it cuz I don't want to mess things up. Haley and I are in a good place right now."
"But what's going to happen when you go back to Seattle?"
"I'm trying to work on that."
"Are you afraid Haley won't follow you to Seattle?"
"No, I'm afraid she will." Nathan sighed and picked up the wood he just dropped to the ground.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"It means Haley has gone through enough and I'm trying to figure it all out." Nathan sighed and shook his head. "Look Luke, I appreciate you going big brother on me right now but I'm still a little drained from the ride and dealing with Dan. Can we not talk about this now?"
Lucas simply nodded and helped pick up the rest of the wood and stacked them on top of the pile Nathan was carrying.
"Would you carry some, this shit is heavy?" Nathan complained.
"Nah it looks like you got it, plus I'm sure you can use the exercise." Lucas turned on his heals and started heading back to their camp.
"Are you calling me fat?" Nathan glared, to which only Lucas laughed in response.
. . . .
Haley waited inside the small office until her doctor came walking in a minute later.
"Hey Haley." Doctor Anderson took a seat in front of her. "We weren't expecting you back so soon, is everything okay?"
"Everything is fine." Haley fiddled with her fingers. "It's just, this is so embarrassing." Haley sighed.
"You sure everything is fine?" The doctor eyed her curiously.
"Sex." She finally blurted.
"Last time I checked, you're having a boy, unless the baby somehow has two umbilical cords." The doctor tried to joke.
"No, not that I mean, sex with me."
The doctor looked at her baffled.
"No, not you cuz I know Nathan will probably kill you but Nathan and I sex ..I mean Nathan and I having sex." Haley felt so flustered. "I mean what if Nathan were having sex, well obviously we had sex." Haley pointed to her belly.
"Let me take a shot in the dark, but I'm assuming that you want to ask if you are healthy enough for sexual activity." The doctor butted in.
Haley sighed and felt her cheeks turning red. She was going to kill Brooke for this but she didn't know how much more she can take sleeping next to Nathan and not doing more.
"Yes."
The doctor chuckled a little bit. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about Haley. Believe it or not, this is a common question many first time mothers ask." The doctor tried to put her at ease. "And there is nothing in your medical history to show that you can not have intercourse."
"Thank you doctor, it's just that I don't want to do anything to harm the baby."
The doctor reached around him and pulled out a pamphlet and handed it to Haley. "Here are the most common questions about sex during pregnancy. So far you're low risk, which means that so long as you and your partner are comfortable with it then by all means go for it."
"Now the comfort part is the most important, obviously, you don't want to feel awkward and uncomfortable, lying on your back or your side is fine, whichever position works with you. Keep the lines of communication open with your partner." The doctor started skimming through the pamphlet. "Your baby is protected by the amniotic sac and surrounding fluid and the muscles of the uterus. The penis does not come into contact with the baby during intercourse." The doctor flipped the pamphlet over to the next page.
"Wait, you sure?"
"Yes, there's a lot of space between down there and your fetus."
"You sure?" Haley questioned again.
"Haley, I'm not lying to you."
"No, I know that, it's just that, you don't know Nathan. He's really big!" Haley immediately covered her mouth, totally embarrassed and completely mortified that she just divulged such personal information about her boyfriend.
The doctor couldn't help but laugh. "Well, the nurses here already say how luck you are. But Haley, in all seriousness, aside from the amniotic sac, the uterus, there's also a thick mucus plug that seals off the cervix and helps guards against infection, so you'll be fine Haley. Remember to just do what's comfortable for you."
Haley sighed, she really was going to kill Brooke. "Thank you doctor."
. . . . .
Dan got on his knees and was by the wood Nathan brought over earlier and started to flick two pieces of stone against each other. Lucas watched on with curiosity.
"Now I saw this in a movie once, we just need one spark." Dan kept flicking the two stones together. The past few hours have been pretty uneventful aside from the awkward silence amongst the three of them. Once it started getting dark, Dan brought over a cooler with food and drinks. Dan was now trying to set up a camp fire so they can start cooking.
Nathan reached into his bag and grabbed a small bottle of lighter fluid and some matches. At least over packing was good for something. Nathan dumped the fluid over the wood and threw the match inside.
"Alright Spielberg, why don't you produce us some dinner." Nathan smirked.
Dan avoided saying a snark remark on his own and went about setting up a make shift grill over the camp fire and cooking.
"How's your steak?" Dan asked Lucas sometime later. "I hope it isn't too dry."
"It's fine." Lucas mumbled. Truth be told it was actually pretty good but he was ready to admit that.
"How is your's Nate?" Dan asked Nathan.
"It's okay." Nathan replied back.
"You remember when we would grill at the beach house?" Dan asked Nathan.
"Yeah." Nathan replied curtly.
Dan turned to Lucas. "The back porch over looked the beach and the water. We had some good times there."
"And if I remember correctly, you never let me touch the grill." Nathan rolled his eyes at his father's attempt of making small talk.
"And I'm sorry for that. Maybe I could've taught you to be a better cook."
Nathan replied only with a grunt.
"And I'm sorry too Lucas. Those nights at the beach house, you should've been there. I'm .. I'm sorry for it all."
Nathan put his food down, not believing this shit.
"Dad, seriously, what the hell?" Nathan went into defense mode.
"Nathan, this is something I need to say to Lucas."
"No dad, cut it out. Alright, just cut the crap."
Lucas held his hand up and motioned his brother to calm down. "It's okay Nate." Lucas then turned to Dan. "If Dan wants to apologize for being an ass my whole life then let's hear it."
Dan nodded his head and cleared his throat. "I am sorry Lucas, for you .. for your mother. I was young and immature, it's not an excuse."
"Good cuz I'm not interested in your excuses." Lucas also put his food down. "The one decent thing you do, you use it as a ploy to get me and Nathan out here. Look, Dan maybe you are dying and seeing the light now. If this is something you need to get off your chest then fine. Cuz as far as I'm concerned, you've been dead to me for a long time now."
With that Lucas got up and made his way inside his tent.
"Good going Dad." Nathan muttered as he got up and started cleaning up.
"I mean what I said Nathan, I am sorry."
Nathan sighed. "And maybe I actually believe you but it doesn't change anything Dan. If you want to stop being an ass then stop and pretending that you aren't still makes you one."
Nathan left Dan and joined Lucas inside the tent. The tent was rather large but the two men were still fairly close to each other.
"You okay?" Nathan asked as he lied down next to Luke.
"Yeah."
"You wanna talk about it?"
"Not really?" Lucas replied dryly, still staring at the ceiling of the tent.
"Come on, you obviously have something to say." Nathan was persistent.
"Actually, I don't." Lucas was getting annoyed.
"Come on."
"Nathan." Lucas hissed and was surprised a second later to hear laughing from Nathan.
Lucas propped himself up on his elbows to face him.
"What?" Lucas squinted at him.
"It's annoying right? Remember that the next time you keep badgering me." Nathan snickered.
Lucas shook his head and smacked Nathan with his pillow.
"You're lucky I'm a nice guy and I'm not going to hit you back." Nathan smiled, obviously pleased with himself.
"Nice guy, whatever." Lucas mumbled.
Nathan just laughed.
"But seriously Luke, if you need to talk."
"I'll keep it mind." Lucas reached over to kill the portable lantern they had.
The two lay there in silence for a moment before Nathan spoke up once more.
"Hey Luke." Nathan called out, a smirk developing on his face.
"What?"
Nathan reached over and smacked Lucas with his pillow.
"Oww, what the hell? What happened to nice guy?"
"Ehh." Nathan shrugged and started laughing.
Meanwhile, Dan could only watch from the outside looking in. He couldn't really hear what they were saying but he heard some laughing and saw the tent move. Dan chuckled to himself, seeing the boys back to their banter. While the site warmed his heart, there was another part that longed to be part of it. Climbing inside his own tent he was once again alone. The two people that meant the most two him were only a few feet away but they were worlds apart.
. . . . .
"Rise and shine!" Dan announced cheerily as he opened Nathan and Lucas' tent to let the light in.
A serious of moans and groans could be heard and both Lucas and Nathan turned to their stomachs to ward off the offending light.
"Come on boys, it's a beautiful day out."
More grunts can be heard but if there was one thing Dan was good at was persistence. After a couple more minutes of annoying his sons, they finally got up. Their slumber now disturbed, they both got out of their tents and stretched out.
"You know what they say, the early bird catches the worm." Dan announced cheerily as he pulled out his fishing poles.
"You got to be kidding me." Nathan muttered over to Lucas.
"Oh fishing." Lucas said excitedly.
"Of course you would find that entertaining." Nathan shook his head.
"What?" Lucas asked confused.
A couple of minutes later, the trio made their way to a nearby lake. Dan frowned when he saw only one boat at the docks, one small boat.
"I thought there would be more boats out here." Dan scratched his head, trying to figure something out.
"Well maybe if we got here earlier." Nathan sarcastically remarked.
Dan rolled his eyes and went back to thinking. "You know, I really wanted you boys to go fishing. It was something me, \my dad and Keith did but I never got to do it with either of you."
Lucas looked at Nathan and nodded towards the boat. Then he stepped in and grabbed two fishing poles from Dan. "Well Keith took me fishing plenty of times, think Nathan here is the only newbie. So we'll take the boat and when we come back you can take a go at it."
"Yeah dad, we got this." Nathan was already by the boat and pushing it out to the water.
Before Dan could even react, both boys were already paddling away, far far away from him.
. . . . . . .
Nathan yawned again for the fifth time. "This blows."
"Oh you're just mad cuz you're not catching anything." Lucas proclaimed proudly as he reeled in another fish. That was the third one he caught so far.
"Maybe you should quit complaining. You got all this negative energy around you, the fish aren't going to bite if you keep that up."
"Don't tell me you're into that scientology crap?"
"Huh?"
"Nevermind!" Nathan huffed out. "Can we just go back?"
"And face Dan?"
"Good point." Nathan turned back around and threw his line back in the water. "By the way, good thinking about grabbing the boat earlier."
"Yeah, Dan looked a little shocked." Lucas snickered.
"I hate fishing but the look on his face was totally worth it." Nathan laughed. "I almost felt bad. I mean it's clear he wants to spend time with us. He is dying.. I think."
"A weekend of playing nice isn't going to make up for a life time of being an ass." Lucas replied. "Look, I don't want to see the guy die but that doesn't mean I have to let the guy in my life. He had 23 years to do that."
"If it's any consolation, you didn't miss much."
Lucas smiled and shook his head. "That doesn't make me feel any better."
Nathan nodded in agreement.
"I asked to transfer to the Bobcats." Nathan said softly after a few minutes of silence.
"You did what?"
"I want to transfer to the Bobcats."
"I heard you. I just… wow." Lucas replied, stunned.
"Yeah so you can see why I'm not in a rush to see what Seattle has to offer me."
"So you're just going to leave the team you won a ring with for Charlotte?"
"If I've learned anything over these past couple of months.. these past couple of years is that basketball isn't everything."
"You're going to do all this for Haley? Did you talk to her about it?"
"No and I want to surprise her."
"You sure that's a good idea?" Lucas warned.
"I can't be across the country while she's in Tree Hill. This isn't only about her but our son too, I'm doing it for them."
"That's admirable Nate but I really think you should talk to Haley about it."
Nathan scratched his head, feeling another Lucas induced headache. He thought Lucas would be happy for him. "Trying to talk basketball to Haley is like you talking about to me about your stupid books, it's just going to go in one ear and out the other. And this is my choice to make Luke, not Haley's. When Dan found out Karen was pregnant, he still ran and went to USC. I'm not going to repeat his mistakes, I'm not abandoning Haley or our son. She's been through a lot and this would be just one less thing to worry about."
"So that means I'm really stuck with you huh?" Lucas tried to hide his smile. While he still thought that Nathan should talk to Haley, Nathan had a point. This was his choice and he was glad he was choosing Haley over basketball, something he should've done a long time ago.
"Already trying to get rid of me? You think I'm Dan." Nathan joked.
"Oh, why'd you say his name?"
"Why?"
"Cuz he found another boat and he's rowing this way."
"Quick start paddling!"
. . . . .
After leaving the lake, the guys put the fish they caught in a cooler and headed off on their next activity. They waited in line while another family in front of them was using the zip line.
"You know Nathan, I remember you trying to set one of these things up in the backyard." Dan commented.
"Yeah and I remember getting my ass kicked for it."
"Yeah cuz you could've broken your neck. You'll realize that once your own little boy starts crawling and walking around."
"Can't wait." Nathan muttered. Any more fatherly advice, he thought to himself and rolled his eyes. Dan was the last person who should be giving parental advice to. Nathan tapped Lucas on his shoulder and motioned for him to take his lead.
The family in front of them went ahead and Dan was holding onto the handle for the zip line. "Which one of you wants to go first?"
"I don't know Dad. It so far down." Nathan commented.
"Come on son, give it a go."
"I can't do it." Lucas piped in. "It's too high, I'm going back down the trail."
"Yeah Dad, I better go with Lucas. I don't want him to get lost."
"Yeah, cuz I'm directionally challenged." Lucas quickly added.
"Come on guys, it's fun." Dan replied. "And it's not that high?"
"It looks like it." Nathan remarked.
"Look, those little kids just did it." Dan got on the platform. "Watch this." Dan started to make his way down the zip line. Dan rode it all the way down and was over the ridge several yards away.
"Your turn!" Dan turned around but found both his sons already climbing down the tree.
Dan waited for several minutes as he waited for Lucas and Nathan to join him.
"Took you guys long enough." Dan commented dryly as the two finally arrived.
"I did say I was directly challenged." Lucas replied.
"And what about you, the human compass?" Dan turned to Nathan.
"Whatever Dad, we're here. So what's next?"
So far Nathan and Lucas have done everything in their power to get away from him. Time was already flying and time is a luxury Dan Scott did not have, which meant Dan choose the next activity very carefully.
"You'll see." He smirked.
. . . . . .
"Whoo!" Nathan exclaimed as he cleared a small hill and slowed his vehicle to a stop to join Lucas.
"Nice jump back there." Lucas took off his helmet.
Nathan laughed. "You too." Nathan killed the engine to his ATV. This was more up to Nathan's ally. Finally, an activity he can enjoy. "I think we totally scared the crap out of some cows."
"You know what, maybe we should be careful. Given our family driving history one of us is bound to end up in the hospital."
"You still haven't let that one go, haven't you?" Nathan smirked.
"Hey, you were the one that almost crashed your Uncle Cooper's race car when we were in high school."
"Yeah, I told you the clutch was worn out." Nathan tried to defend himself.
"Yeah yeah." Lucas laughed.
Nathan took off his gloves and felt around his shirt. With all the excitement, he wanted to make sure he didn't lose it.
Lucas was about to ask him what he was looking for when Dan suddenly pulled up next to them.
"These things are pretty awesome, I think I scared a bunch of cows." Dan laughed. "Now what're you two ladies still standing around there?" Dan egged on and revved his engine and sped off.
"Oh it's on." Lucas put on his helmet and started his engine up again.
Nathan made sure he felt the necklace around his neck and the diamond ring that hung from it before starting his engine up again and joining them.
For the rest of the day, they rode around the park. They raced each other on occasion and rode the ATV's around the national park, seeing sites that would take them forever to walk to on foot.
Things after that were less tense. Dan was happy that both Lucas and Nathan were in a better mood and they had all enjoyed riding the ATV. Dan once again prepared dinner and cooked the fish that they caught earlier in the day. The conversation was light, mostly talking about the day and who really beat who when they were racing. They retired to bed and Dan stayed awake while he once again heard both boys arguing in their tent before they both drifted to sleep.
. . . . .
The next day the three Scotts were once again by the zip line. Dan insisted that Nathan and Lucas try it at least once before they left. They did and both enjoyed themselves going down through the trees. Afterwards, they hiked for a little bit before going back to camp and packing up. Dan was happy to see that the comfortable setting they had last night continued with this morning.
The ride was mostly in silence but this time both boys didn't sleep, just stared outside the window. While neither of them wanted to admit it at the time, they did have some semblance of fun during the weekend. But coming back to Tree Hill, reality once hit them and as they unloaded their stuff from Dan's car, a small part of them was actually sad to see the weekend end. The part of them that would forever be that little boy who wanted nothing more than the love and attention only a father can give.
. . . .
"I think that's it Dad." Nathan grabbed his book bag and closed the trunk to Dan's SUV.
Dan grabbed a manila envelope from the glove compartment and held it out to Nathan.
"I think you'll find that everything is in order." Dan commented as Nathan took the envelope from him to reveal the documents needed to release the lien on Haley's house. "You almost looked shocked." Dan said.
"Well, I didn't think it would be this easy." Nathan stuffed the papers back in the envelope.
"Well a deal's a deal."
Nathan nodded and took a step back. "I guess this is it .. tha.. thanks for this." Nathan held the envelope up.
Dan took a deep breath. This was it, now or never.
"Look son, I'm sorry. This goes for you too Lucas."
Both brothers looked away, not wanting to hear another one of Dan's apologies.
"You were both right, I am dying and I know it was far fetched but I was hoping that this weekend would bring us closer .. as a family." Dan chuckled, even to him it sounded funny. "I was hoping it did, maybe if even it was for one moment, one second." Dan paused.
"You're my sons and I failed you." Dan took a step closer as Nathan and Lucas stayed rooted at their spots. "I'm sorry for that and for so many other things but I'm proud that each of you have become the kind of man that I can never be. You're good men and you're good brothers." Dan took another deep breath.
"I was so afraid that I've hurt you both so much that you wouldn't see that but after this weekend I'm glad that's not the case. You two are so much more stronger together than apart.. even if it's against me." Dan looked down. "I know you two don't need me and I know that my burden to bear, not your's. But you two need each other. Don't ever forget that. Don't let the world change that."
Dan's hands trembled a little bit at his next words. "I can stand here and apologize all day but what I have to say, I am truly sorry for."
Lucas and Nathan eyed each other and then looked at Dan carefully.
"I have a bad heart and I thought years of not eating properly was to blame and the doctors thought so too but it turns out that I've always been sick. I've been sick all my life and I never knew it."
"What're you talking about Dad?" Nathan spoke up.
"I have a heart condition, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, otherwise known as HCM. I already left word with Keith for him to get tested."
"Why does Keith need to get tested?" Lucas' voice trembled a bit. Both him and Nathan's heart rate sped up their palms ran ice cold. Nathan and Lucas eyed each other worriedly. Both of them praying that they were both wrong with what Dan was about to say.
"Because it's genetic… and there's a fifty percent chance that I passed it on to both of you." Then Dan turned to face Nathan. "And that you can pass it on to your own children."
To Be Continued . . . .