Sorry for the delay :) But here's another chapter :) Thanks so much for the support guys 3 Glad you guys are still reading and interested!!!
-Bethie
Two weeks. Two weeks since their trip to Tree Hill. Two weeks since the "I love yous"....Two weeks since everything had changed.
She sat in the apartment that before recently had felt foreign to her. It was simple...she had rarely been there. She had always been at Nathan's. Now she felt the walls closing in on her.
She clicked through the channels of the glowing TV before her...eventually she gave up and turned it off. She tossed the remote on the nearby coffee table and laid back, running a hand through her hair.
It was hard for her to understand at times, a moment so perfect turning into the most horrific. At the news of Lucas' shooting they immediately flew back to the city. Nathan dropped her off at her apartment, stating that he needed to be by himself for awhile. Awhile turned into a day, turned into a week and now...they were on week two. She had gone to the hospital to show support to Peyton and the baby and of course Nathan...but he wouldn't even look at her. Wouldn't move from his brothers room, wouldn't take his eyes off the machines.
Peyton had filled her in a little...Lucas had been born with a medical condition of the heart, the shooting not only tore an artery but caused the 26 year old to have a heart attack. He had yet to wake up.
Haley walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge for what seemed like the millionth time that night. Not finding anything enticing she quickly closed it and pulled out the phone book, "Hi..Yes I'd like to place an order...Delivery...Can I have the-"
"Hey roomy."
Haley looked towards the kitchen door and saw Brooke walking in with two pizza boxes and what looked to be a carton of ice cream, she lightly smiled, "Never mind" and hung up the phone, "Brooke, I don't know what I'd do without you." Haley smiled.
Awhile later the two women sat on the living room floor looking at the emptied pizza boxes and half eaten carton of ice cream, "Well so much for the Pilate's I did this morning..." Brooke sighed while she threw her spoon in the carton.
Haley took the opportunity to eat the rest of the ice cream.
"Hales...I love you but-"
Haley just glared, "My life's in shambles...let me have my cookie dough..."
"Your life is not in shambles, the guy just needs space-"
"Space!?" Haley retorted with her mouth full, "When my husband died did he give me space!? No. When his WIFE died did he want space!? Noooo...he wanted me there all the time...now I'm just...a big...fat...cookie-dough-eater..."
"First of all young grasshopper...you have a lot to learn in the nicknames. Second..." Brooke moved closer to her friend and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, "This isn't his wife...this is from what I can tell...the only family he really has. And it's not like he's dead..." Brooke placed a hand over her chest and softly whispered, "Thank god...so Nathan's basically in limbo right now...he can't grieve, he can't mourn, he can't celebrate his brothers recovery...he's stuck."
Haley now threw her spoon in and sighed, "I know Brooke...I know and I know I sound like this selfish jerk-"
"Your words not mine" Brooke smiled.
Ignoring her friend, Haley continued, "It's just...I want to be there for him...I want to help him through this...We have been through so much and come so far..Now I feel like we're back at the beginning...in just like the snap of the fingers or as quick as it is to fire a gun...we're strangers again...I just don't understand why he's shutting me out. I mean I think he's said two words to me since the shooting. If it wasn't for Peyton I'd be completely in the dark..."
"Hales...just give him time..."
___________________
The sound of the monitors surrounded Nathan. He had yet to leave his brothers room for more than a cup of coffee or a quick shower.
"Nate..."
Nathan looked up and immediately rose, "Uncle Keith..." Nathan wrapped his arms around the man he thought so highly of.
"He's gonna be ok..."
Nathan's voice was muffled, "You don't know that..."
Keith parted from his youngest nephew, "The hell I don't...He's strong Nate...he's gonna be ok..."
Nathan wiped the tears he hadn't realized had fallen from his face, "Any more news on him?"
"No...and like I explained to you before, they won't let me on his case for conflict of interest...but Dr. Struthers is excellent...I wouldn't want anyone else working on him...How's Peyton and the baby?"
Nathan shrugged, "Hanging in there I guess...Peyton just went to drop off the baby over at your place. Aunt Karen offered to take her for a few days."
Keith smiled, "That sounds like the wife...I'm sure Peyton needs a break..."
"I just-...I can't believe this..." Nathan sat back down.
"Nate...go home...I'm here all night, Dr. Struthers knows to call me if anything changes...if anything happ-"
"No!" Nathan returned his stare to his brothers bed.
"Nathan...this isn't helping anything...this isn't helping Lucas...this isn't helping you...Go home. I'm sure Haley wants to see you..."
"I can-I can't...I can't jus-" His eyes began to fill with fresh tears, "I can't see her..."
Keith pulled up a near by chair and sat next to his nephew, "Why..."
"Because!" He immediately lowered his voice, "Because...you don't get it. No one gets it..."
"No offense Nate...but you haven't given anyone a chance. You've shut Haley out, you've shut Peyton out...you've shut everyone out. You have to talk about it, you have to-"
"What's the point?" Nathan sarcastically laughed, "What's the point of loving someone when they just die? Explain that to me Dr. Scott...what's the point!? I loved Rachel...she's dead. Lucas is the only family I really have..."
"Nate..."
"You know what it was like growing up in that house! It was just me and Luke. Yea you and Karen were there for the phone calls and the birthdays and the summer visits...but for my entire life when our father was riding me for not doing this right or not doing that right...Luke was always, ALWAYS there. He'd drag me to the court after a game when dad told me I pretty much sucked at life...and make me forget about everything."
"Don't be this person Nathan...Don't be this person that because bad things happen...you turn your back on everything that is good. Lucas is still here, he hasn't died...so stop acting like he has. It's not good for you...and it is ESPECIALLY not good for his wife and new born baby...they need someone right now. They need someone to hold them and tell them it's going to be ok...and Haley....I don't understand that at all..."
"You wouldn't-"
"Oh cut the bull shit Nathan!" Keith's voice finally rose catching Nathan off guard.
"When Rachel died you were in a pretty bad place, but after you met Haley...and I saw you...you were a completely different person. You were the kid from Tree Hill again. Before the NBA, before the model wife...you were YOU. And if you are willing to throw all that away because of some fear that she's just gonna leave....that'll just make this situation sadder."
"It just seems like everythin-" He choked back his tears, "Everything or anyone I love...just leaves....or gets hurt or-"
"Nathan...that's called...LIFE. I pretty much live in this hospital and do you think we're the only family going through this? Do you think you're the only husband whos' ever lost a wife? It happens everyday...Haley should be proof of that...she lost a husband right? And where is she? She's sitting at home because of YOU...there's nothing you can do to stop death, or pain or any of it...so enjoy the time you have with the people you love NOW. This happening to Lucas should show that...not the opposite..."
Nathan sat silently, remembering the similar words he had once said to Haley...
"If you want to give up on every good thing that comes your way because you married the wrong guy, fine. Do what you want, but I refuse…REFUSE to let one mistake in my life ruin the rest of it. I loved my wife just as much as you loved your husband, but they're gone. It's over." He stopped for a second and threw his hands down to his side, "You're the one that told me that."........."And your wrong, I wouldn't worry every time I was away…because I know you. I know it sounds crazy and you can think what you want. But I do Haley. I know you…and this" he began pointing back and forth between the both of them, "Isn't just a fling or two people trying to be there for each other. This is real, but if you're too blind to see it then I don't know what else to say to you!"
"So then...he came in, not kidding in..." Brooke moved in her seat excitedly as she told the story, "Ok you remember that scene from Varsity Blues where the girl comes in, in the whip cream bikini..."
Haley covered her eyes, "Oh my god! You're kidding me..."
"No!" Brooke laughed.
"What'd you do?" Haley laughed for the first time in what seemed like forever.
Brooke shrugged, "I was cleaning whip cream out of my sheets for about four hours the next day..."
"Oh god-Wayyyyy to much information."
"You asked."
Haley finally uncovered her eyes and sighed, "Well I told you he'd call..."
"Oh he called alright...he called multiple times-"
"Brooke!"
"What!? Ok I'm sorry...but that goes down as like top five..."
Haley shook her head, "Top five? I don't even want to know about the other four...." Haley looked over to her brunette friend and smiled, "I'm glad to see you like this..."
"Like what?"
"Happy. Brooke...I know you and I know that you were going through a hard time...and because you are YOU, you hide it with your jokes and smiles...and I can't tell you how much you being there for me through what happened to Chris....and now Nathan....has meant. I don't think I'd be here right now without you..."
"Well you wouldn't, technically this is my apartment..."
"Brooke!"
"What!? I was just stating a fact for a fact..."
"I mean it though...you're just...you're my Purple Monkey."
Silence.
Haley looked at her friend and laughed, "What?"
"How many times did I make you promise...It was 3rd grade....Some people have there security blankets, I had...my monkey."
"Your purple monkey. And most people don't bring their security blankets to school everyday."
"I was going through a rough time! And I didn't have it everyday..."
"Actually..." Haley stated while she rose to her feet, "I think I saw it..." Haley began to run, "In the bedroom!"
"Haley!" Brooke screamed chasing after her.
The two girls wrestled in the bedroom as Haley tried to keep the stuffed animal out of Brooke's reach, "Never gonna get it! I think I shall take a picture of this and send it to Julian..." Haley joked. Thankful for, for at least in this moment she wasn't endlessly focusing on her relationship with Nathan.
The two girls were interrupted by the knocking on their front door.
"Ooo...you're lucky." Haley teased while getting up and throwing Brooke the monkey.
Watching Haley walk out of the room Brooke quickly placed the animal back in the chest in her closet.
"Coming!" Haley answered the knocking while brushing the hair from her face. She opened the door, still with a smile on her face but it quickly faded and her body stiffened, "H-Hi."
He said nothing at first, just stared.
"I tried calling-"
Her words were cut short. He quickly moved passed the doorway and pulled her into his arms, "I am so sorry..."
"Nathan..." His grip almost hurt, he was holding her as if he would never let go, "What happened?"
"What happened was that I was an idiot.." He released his grip around her and cupped her face, "I can't explain it...I can't apologize enough for it. I meant what I said...I love you. And I just..."
Haley pulled him closer, "It's ok..." She brushed the back of his head with her hand to reassure him.
He hugged her tighter once more, "God I'm such an idiot..."
Brooke stood in the doorway of the bedroom and smiled, "See the purple monkey works...." She joked to herself. She moved to the living room to grab the empty boxes and glasses the girls had gone through, trying to give the couple space in their very small apartment.
"Haley look I know I can never tell you enough how stupid I was and how-"
"Nathan...hey, Look at me..." She smiled, "I'm just glad you're ok...how's Lucas?"
"He's-the same...but that's not why I'm here." His voice was rushed and nervous.
Haley gently caressed his face, "What are you talking about? What's going on with you?"
"I just-It took..some time but I realized that the reason I wasn't ok...was because you weren't there. And I know it was my fault and I pushed you away...but I was scared...and I don't want to be scared anymore. I want us to be like we were at the beach house...I want you always to be there."
"I'm not going anywhere Nathan.."
"Good...then..." He took a breath, "Marry me."
"What?" Haley gasped.
"WHAT!?" Brooke's voice could be heard behind them, then shortly after one of the glasses shattering to the floor.
I know I'm all about the cliffhangers :) The next chapter is half written to it should be up tonight :)
PLEASE if you liked what you read, review so I know to continue!!!!
Thanks again!
- Bethie