A/N: Okay chapter seven! This one is very sweet, for those who like sweetness! We all need it every now and than! So read, review, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my characters.
"What do you mean you ran away?" Artie questioned. He was a little confused, running away could really mean anything.
"From Alec. We, we were um going to um- you know," Haylee whispered, turning bright red as she explained, she really didn't like talking to her dad about this, it was beyond the point of uncomfortable. She was still though, heartbroken, and really just wanted to tell her dad the truth and have him tell her that everything was going to be alright. "And I couldn't do it, I just ran out and left him." she cried.
On the inside, Artie was ecstatic. She had done what he wanted her to do, which was to not have sex. If anything, he felt like celebrating, instead he was watching his daughter be sad. Although he realized that even though he may see this as the greatest thing ever, she didn't. She felt broken, humiliated, and just plain horrible. It was obvious in her face. Artie had to just make her feel better, he understood the pain she was feeling because of this. He knew that being a teenager isn't easy, and something like this, can be devastating.
Before he could even speak in response she cut him off. "I know you're happy, I know this is what you wanted! But it sucks! It really does, I just ran away, and now what if Alec hates me? I still love him, I don't want him to hate me!" Haylee continued to sob.
Artie pulled her back into his arms and kissed the top of her head. "Shh, Hale, it's okay. Listen to me, you did the right thing. You hear me? You did the right thing. Look I am happy, you're right. That isn't what I wanted for you, but I'm more happy because you took control over how you felt and what you wanted. That's a very brave thing to do and not many people have it in them. You set limits for what you are comfortable with, and you know what? If Alec can't handle that, than it's his problem, and then he won't even deserve you."
"He didn't say anything. When I left he just sat there, motionless. I didn't even stay to explain, I was just too scared. Too scared that he'd be angry or that he would just try to talk me out of all the nerves. I didn't want to be talked out of it, I just couldn't do it. I thought I'd be able to, and I couldn't."
Artie sighed. "Look, maybe you should've stayed and at least tried to talk to him about how you are feeling. As much as I hate to admit it, Alec is a nice guy and I think he would've understood. But you shouldn't feel bad at all for not being able to go through with that. Never feel guilty about that, ever. Don't ever think that you owe it to a guy or just go through with it because someone is pressuring you. That is not the way sex is supposed to be, especially when you're fifteen."
"Daddy I'm so sorry." Haylee said abruptly.
Artie looked confused, "For what?"
"That you had to find those pills. I know it hurt you, and believe me that's the last thing I wanted to do. I don't even know why I did it. I don't know why I did any of this. It was stupid, it was just so stupid."
"It wasn't stupid. You're a teenager okay? All of this, everything you've been feeling, is completely normal. Yeah, I hate it. I don't like to see you grow up, and I want to keep you from fully growing up for as long as I possibly can. I still get it though. I don't want you to think ever, that I'm mad at you for feeling a certain way, because for me to do that, that's the stupid thing in the situation."
Haylee sniffled back more of the tears she had. "Thanks Dad."
Artie smiled and leaned in to softly kiss her forehead. "Of course. Everything will work out okay?"
Haylee managed to give a small smile, "Okay."
"How about you and me put a pizza in the oven, eat some ice cream, and watch any cheesy romantic comedy of your choosing? What do you say?" Artie said with a mischievous grin on his face.
Haylee smiled, "Of my choice?"
"Of your choice."
"Love, Actually?" She asked hopefully.
"So this will be what, the one millionth time you've seen that movie?"
"Hey! You said of my choice and that movie is like an old friend, you never get tired of it."
"Alright, I'll take care of the food. You put it in." Artie said with a reluctant smile on his face as he got into his chair to get them some snacks.
As they curled up to watch the movie, it didn't change the nerves of how Haylee felt because of her relationship with Alec, but for a while it made everything just feel simply better.
The next morning Haylee wasn't sure how she felt. The distraction of food and movies had faded and brought her right back to her humiliated and nervous state. When Artie had told Quinn about everything that happened, she brought her a cup of tea, and a hug.
"You don't need to dwell on this honey, you'll figure everything out. I just want you to know that I'm proud of you and that everything will be okay. Just remember that okay?" Quinn told her.
"I will, I mean it can get better, right?"
"It's not that it can get better, it's that it will, get better." she said in response.
Haylee was just about to answer when suddenly the doorbell rang. Quinn excused herself to go get it.
When she returned a minute later, she wasn't alone. "Hale, there is someone here who wants to talk to you." Quinn said.
"Who?" Haylee asked.
"Me." said a familiar voice who suddenly made himself visible in Haylee's doorway.
"Alec? What are you doing here?" she asked nervously.
"Can we go talk outside?" he asked her.
Haylee looked a little nervous but Quinn gave her a look basically screaming for her to do it.
"Yeah, sure." She told him as they made their way out to her porch.
Once the door was shut and they were completely alone Haylee did not tip toe around anything.
"I'm so sorry about last night! I'm so sorry! I just got scared and I didn't know what else to do! And I don't want you to think that it's your fault, it's not! Just it didn't feel right, just not yet. We just need to wait for a while that's all! I still love you, I love you so much and I'm so happy being with you, but if you came here to break up with me, I understand." She blurted out all at once.
"Break up with you? Why would you think I'd want to do that? Listen the whole reason I came to talk to you, was to tell you that everything was okay. I don't want you to think that sex is all I want from our relationship, because it's not. For the longest time, you've been my best friend. Even though that now you're my girlfriend, you're still my best friend. Best friends help each other feel comfortable, and are there for each other no matter what. And best friends don't need something like sex, for them to enjoy each other and to have fun."
Haylee felt a huge weight lifted off of her shoulder. "You're my best friend too."
"Feel better?" he asked her, putting his arm around her shoulder.
"Much." she told him smiling.
He smiled back and leaned into kissed her, she kissed him back.
"You know, it'd be nice to come home and not have to see you two sucking face." a voice said interrupting them. They both looked up to see Emmy, coming home from her sleepover.
Haylee just laughed, "Than go ahead and get inside."
Emmy rolled her eyes and Alec kissed Haylee again one last time. Now she felt better, and not just distraction better, or clearing the air better. But the best she has felt in a long time, everything was how it should be.
A/N: Just a quick ending side to give credit to the film 'Love Actually' which I mentioned in this chapter. That was a touch of a personal note, because it happens to be my favorite movie, and me and my mom have seen it probably about a million times ourselves; and my dad always makes fun of us for it! Great movie if you haven't seen, totally recommend it! Anyway I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, because I have been really loving writing this story!