Chapter 21: It's Time
Nathan continued to stare at his son waiting for a response.
" Nathan? What happened? Just tell me. Please." Nathan begged his son.
" Dad...look...I think I should just take you there."
" No. Nathan. Now. Tell me."
" Okay. There was an accident with...Uncle Lucas...and your dad."
" What happened exactly?"
"I don't know. All I know is your mom called Haley and she left. So...you should go."
" What about you two?" Nathan asked looking at his son and daughter
" I think were old enough to take care of ourselves. Just go...Dad." Holly told her father
When Nathan heard his daughter say ' Dad ' he couldn't help put smile. Then he walked out the front door.
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At the Hospital
Haley was sitting in the waiting room. She was so worried. Tears just came flowing down her face. She couldn't deal with her best friend lying in that hospital bed. Just as Haley was about to get up Nathan walked off the elevator. Haley ran up to him and hugged him.
" What happened, Haley? Are Lucas and Dan,okay?"
" I don't know they won't tell me much. All I know is they were talking by Karen's and were crossing the street and...the car didn't even see them. I'm sorry." Haley told Nathan
" It's okay. It's not you fault."
" No. But it's your dad and your brother. How much worse could it be then those two people in your life?"
" It could've been you. Or Nathan. Or Holly. I'm just greatful it wasn't."
Just then a doctor walked out.
" Um...I'm looking for the family of a...Dan Scott." The Doctor asked.
" Um...yeah. I'm his son."
" Nathan?"
" Yes."
" Okay. Can you follow me please?"
" Sure. Come on, Hales. I need you."
" Are you sure?" Haley asked.
" Yeah. I'm positive."
Haley smiled and Nathan grabbed her hand and they followed the doctor down the hallway. They walked into a very nicely decorated office.
" Okay, so Dan has slipped into a coma due to the impact of the accident. He under went surgery a few hours ago. But...it might not have been enough."
" Okay. Thank you, doctor. Hey, do you think he'll make it?"
" I...don't know. The chances don't look too good right now."
" And what about Lucas Scott?"
" Are you related to him as well?"
" Yeah. He's...my brother."
" Oh. Okay. Lucas right now is in a coma but is stable. He should be fine."
" Thank you, doctor."
"No problem."
The doctor leaves the room leaving Nathan and Haley behind.
" I'm so sorry Nathan."
" For what?"
" Your father could die."
" Haley, it's not your fault. What do you say we go back to your house. Make sure Nate and Holly didn't get into too much trouble."
" Good idea. I love you, Nathan."
" I love you too."
Nathan leaned down and kissed Haley then they headed out the door.
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At Haley's House
" Nathan. Holly. I'm home." Haley yelled to her children as she walked through the door.
" Hey, mom. Dad. How's uncle Lucas?" Nathan asked
" I think he's gonna be okay. But your grandpa Dan may not be." Haley told him
" I'm sorry dad." Nathan said
" It's okay, Nate." Nathan reassured his son
Nathan, Haley, Nate, Holly all sat in the living room talking. About an hour later Nathan's cell phone rang
" Hey, Nathan." Deb said a little choked
" Mom. Are you okay?"
" Not really. You should come to the hospital. It's your dad."
" What is it mom? Is he okay?"
" No. He's not doing too well, Nathan. You should just come, okay?"
" Okay, ma. I'll be there soon."
" Okay. Bye. Love you, Nate."
" You too, mom. Bye." Nathan said as he hung up the phone with his mother. He then turned back to Haley and his children.
" So, it looks like my dad's not doing too good. I gotta go to the hospital."
" Do you want us to come?" Haley asked
" No. You guys stay. I'll call you, okay?"
" Okay. good luck, Nate."
Nathan walked out the door and made his way to the hospital. All he thought of was the times he had with his father. Unfortunately he could barely remember any good ones. Only bad. Hurtful ones.
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Tree Hill Hospital
Nathan walked off the the elevator and found Deb and Karen sobbing in the waiting room. They noticed Nathan and Deb got up and walked over to him.
" Mom. Is everything okay?"
" No. Nathan. I'm sorry it's not."
" Is he doing that bad?"
" He's...gone, Nathan. He passed on right after I hung up with you."
Nathan just hugged his mother. Unsure quite how to feel.
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One week later...
At Haley's House
It had been two days since Dan's funeral. Lucas woke up four days earlier and was taking the news of Dan's death a bit harder than Nathan. He wouldn't talk to anyone. While Nathan was just dealing with the news in a his own a weird way.
" Hey, Nate. How you doing?"
" Okay. Just thinking."
" What are you thinking?"
" About my dad. Just thinking of the horrible relationship he had with me and Lucas."
" Yeah, it was pretty bad."
" I don't think I could ever do that. But...I kind of feel like that."
" What do you mean?"
" I've been out of their lives for sixteen years."
" But your in their lives now."
" But i'm afraid that i'm too late."
" But your not. I think it's time."
" Time for what?"
" I think you should do move in here now. It's time. What do you think?"
Nathan stood there unsure of what to say. Should he say yes? Or should he wait longer to get to know her daughter before rushing in. Does Haley just feel bad for him cause of his dad's death and that's why she's asking him now? But he did love her. So he stood there silently.