When You Need Me I Will Be There

Chapter 24

A/N: Sorry, it as taken e so long to update I realize I have not updated since May I am so sorry after I got back from my trip life was hectic wrapping up my previous job, then finding a new one which I did and I started the next week plus my grandmamma was in town I just haven't had time to update.

After leaving, Lucas at the cemetery Rory ended up just walking through Tree Hill trying to sort out her feelings. She thought about seeking out Brooke and Peyton but she knew that they had never been in this situation before even though if she went to them they would say they understood. However, for this, she needed an unbiased point of view and for that, she knew who to go to.

She ended up in front Keith's Body Shop she knew he cared about her and Lucas says she felt she could trust him. She got up the courage and headed inside she tentatively went up to the office door and knocked.

"Come in" the voice, replied

Rory slowly opens the door and stood in the doorway. Keith looked up when he heard the door open but no footsteps following he was surprised to see the girl thought of like a daughter on the other side looking so nervous and tentative this worried him.

"Rory honeys come and sit down"

Rory slowly and the chair opposite Keith's desk without saying a word.

"What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping you'd give me some advice"

"I can try"

"I feel like you're the only one that would understand my situation because you helped Karen at one point in your life raise Lucas."

"Karen's a strong woman she could have done it without me there to help but I'm glad I was there for them I don't regret a moment of it. What's this all about Roy?"

"Keith I feel as if history is repeating itself. I am in Karen's position seventeen and pregnant and Nathan has taken Dan's role choosing Haley over me and his children at least she is not pregnant. However, he still choosing her instead of taking responsibility for the consequences of his actions and helping me raise our children. Lucas through no fault of his own has stepped into your role and basically offered to be a surrogate father to his brother's children like you were to him."

"Well Lucas was taught to always help the ones you love in any way possible."

"But that's the thing Keith is not his problem or responsibility to help me it's Nathan."

"I know that and so does he but he knows what it's like not to have a father in his life and he just wants to spare your children from that pain. So Rory my advice to you is let him help you if he's willing to be there."

"I just don't want him to resent me years later because he helped me raise children that were not even his." she replied solemnly

She moved her gaze downward so the Keith would not see the tears rolling down her cheeks. Keith's heart went out to the young girl in front of him he knew she was so hurt lost and confused. Keith got from behind his desk, went over to Rory, and lifted her head so that she was looking at him.

"Rory it's going to be okay Lucas won't resent you if you let him help you."

"I know it's just I can't handle anyone leaving me again in my life."

"Rory you'll just have to trust that Lucas loves you and will do anything in his power not to leave you."

"I know I'm just so scared he finally admitted that he loves me and after that I told him I loved him to then I just left him standing at the cemetery."

"Oh Rory." He replied sympathetically

"I know but I'm so confused and scared."

"You two just need to sit down and talk I mean really talk."

"I know we do."

All the sudden Rory looked at her watch and realized how late it was getting and that she had better get home before Karen and Lucas send out a search party.

"I better get going Keith before they get too worried thanks for listening to my problems."

"It's no problem you know that I will always be here for you."

"Thanks again".

Keith just smiled as he watched Rory leave knowing that his nephew was very lucky.

Leaving Keith's Rory felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders she knew what she needed to do for once she was going after what she wanted and what she wants was Lucas.