When You Need Me I Will Be There

Chapter 22

Rory was driving to the mall to meet Brooke and Peyton like she had planned when all of a sudden she felt herself being pulled toward the cemetery. She had not been there since they buried her father to which felt like a million years ago but it'd only been three days ago. Rory got out of her car and stood at the entrance for a moment part of her needed to face her fear and say a final goodbye to her father without anyone around when they had the funeral she felt as if she was in haze. Her feet led her over to her father's grave with our consciously moving. She stood in front of the cold stone, which held her father's name, and her eyes once again filled with tears and she took a deep breath and began to speak.

"Daddy I miss you so much and wish you were here I really need you my children need their grandfather. I am sure you know that mom's parents and Grandmother Hayden showed up at the funeral. Don't worry Lucas kept me away from them but then I ended up in the hospital. I was so scared when the doctor told me that I was having twins that I said some things while Lucas was in the room and you will even look at me now I'm so confused right now because I think I'm starting to fall in love with him. I am not sure he feels the same way I have been so scared to confront it. I really wish you were here dad."

The tears that had pooled in her eyes were now falling in river down her face. Somehow, she made it back to her car but once she got in she did not start the engine she just put her head on the steering wheel and she continued to cry.

Meanwhile Brooke and Peyton were waiting for Rory in the food court in the mall, she was already 15 minute late, and both girls were getting worried about her after everything that had been thrown at her recently.

"Do you think we should call Karen and see if they know where she is Brooke?" Peyton asked with worry creeping into her voice.

"Definitely" Brooke replied

Without another word, Peyton dialed Lucas's number. Both girls hoped they knew where Rory was. Karen picked up on the first ring.

"Hello?"

"Karen its Peyton Brooke and I are here at the malls waiting for Rory to meet us in just 20 minutes late do you know where she is?"

"Peyton when she left here she was headed to meet up with you I don't know where she is but I'm as worried about her as you are I will send Lucas out to look for her when we find her I will let you know."

"Thank you"

With that, they both hung up and Karen called to Lucas.

"Lucas"

Lucas came running from his room and he entered the kitchen he saw the worried look on his mother's face.

"Mom what's wrong?"

"Rory was going to meet Brooke and Peyton at the mall and she never showed up and I'm worried"

"Don't worry I'll go see if I can find her and I'll be back when I do"

Lucas left feelings just as worried as his mother did yet he also felt guilt about the way he had treated her and he promised himself that once he found her he'd tell her how he feels about her. Lucas checked everywhere he could think of the library, the café, and Tric, she was nowhere to be found, and as the minutes passed, he was getting more worried. The last place he checked was the cemetery he hoped she was not there by his hopes were dashed once he spotted her car outside the gated entrance. Lucas got out of his car, headed over to Rory's car, opened the driver's side door, reached in, guided her out, and embraced her. Rory clung to Lucas just wanting to feel someone's strong embrace around her.

"Shhh… sweetheart it's all right I'm here and I'm not going anywhere I promise. I am so sorry about the way I treated you. Can you forgive me?"

Lucas realized how upset she was he just wanted to get her to calm down so she would not need to go back to the hospital and so he could find out what had her so upset.

"Rory please calm down and tell me what's wrong."

Rory's tears finally lessen and she finally got the courage up to look at Lucas.

"I'm so scared of Lucas"

"Of what sweetheart you can tell me you know that"

"Of what my heart wants and that you don't feel the same way and if you don't I couldn't handle losing you to"

Lucas's heart leapt was Rory is saying what he thought she was did she love him

"Rory baby I feel the same way about you I realized it in the hospital the other day I think deep down I've always loved you"

Roy was shocked by his words that it took her moment to form a thought.

"Lucas I felt the same way for a long while and to finally admit it makes my heart lighter"

With a smile, Rory finally said the words Lucas had been waiting to hear forever

"I love you Lucas Scott"

With a sparkle in his eyes, Lucas returned her feelings.

"I love you too Rory Hayden"