AN: Hey everyone! Thanks for reading! I appreciate all of the feedback, so keep letting me know what you think! Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Setting: Nathan and Haley's house
*Everyone (i.e. Haley's family and Peyton, Lucas, Sawyer, Brooke and Julian) is in the living room eating pizza out of the box that was just delivered. They are making casual conversation and talking about memories they had of Allie when she was growing up. There is a somber tone to the room, but everyone seems to be trying to stay in high spirits.*
Lydia: That kid was so strong. She never let anything tear her down. I remember it took her years to learn how to ride her bike. Every time she fell off, she would get up and climb back on to try again… she must have been at least 12 years old before she could actually do it…
Quinn: I remember it was before my first school dance of middle school I was really nervous. She had a dance at the high school too, so she dropped me off before she went to her own. I was so nervous… I thought I was going to throw up. I must have tried on at least 10 different dress and she was getting so frustrated because she wanted to go, that she ran into her closet and pulled out a dress. She threw it into my room and it landed in a ball on my floor. I absolutely hated it, but I figured if she liked it, it was probably awesome. So I put it on and went to the dance. Everyone loved it. They were all like, "Quinn, your sister is seriously the coolest." I knew they were right.
*Nathan notices as Haley gets up off of the couch and heads upstairs. He feels the need to go check on her, so after a few minutes he follows her upstairs into their bedroom. *
Nathan: Haley James?
Haley: In here…
*Nathan opens the door to find Haley curled up on their bed with tears running rapidly down her face. *
Nathan: Baby…
*Haley turns her head to hide her tears from Nathan. *
Nathan: Hey… it's ok, baby…
*He lays down beside her and moves her chin so that her eyes are staring directly into his. *
Nathan: What's the matter?
Haley: I… um… I was just… thinking… about how… everyone has all of these great memories with her… and how… I never got to grow up with her… you know? Like… by the time she went off to college I wasn't even in school yet… I just wish I could have spent more time with her…
Nathan: I know, baby…
*He moves in closer to her and wraps his arm around her. She fidgets with his wedding ring as her tears begin to slow down.*
Haley: I just think about Jamie and how I want him to grow up knowing his siblings. I don't want him to go through his whole life and leave before his siblings are even old enough to get to know him. Like, I want them to be able to play basketball… and talk about friends … and help each other with homework… you know? … all of that stuff.
Nathan: Well, do you want to have another one?
Haley: Are you serious?
Nathan: Oh course I am…
*Haley contemplates it for a few seconds. *
Haley: Nate, it's sweet… it really is… but we can't right now… Jamie is finally getting better, we have Kayla to worry about… you are gone most of the year…
*Nathan cuts her off by sealing a kiss on her lips. *
Nathan: Just think about it, Hales.
*Haley wipes the tears off of her eyes and heads over to her dresser. She pulls out a pair of sweatpants from one of her drawers and one of Nathan's sweatshirts from his. As she pulls it out, she takes in its familiar smell. She reaches behind her to pull down the zipper of her black dress, but Nathan is already behind her. He slides the zipper down as she secures her hair on top of her head to get it out of his way. *
Haley: Thank you…
Nathan: Anytime…
*He plants a kiss on her forehead and gives her a tight squeeze. When Nathan begins to pull out clothes for himself to change into, Haley changes into the sweats and sweatshirt that she pulled out. *
Haley: Hey, Nate?
Nathan: Yeah, baby…
Haley: What if I can't do it?
Nathan: Do what?
Haley: Take care of Kayla… what if I'm not good at it? Why did she even pick me? She could have picked Taylor or Quinn? Why me? I mean I want to help her and I love Kayla… I just… I don't understand why…
Nathan: First of all… I know you can do it… You are an amazing mother… Kayla loves you and she is going to fit perfectly into this family. Secondly, Allie wouldn't have picked you if she didn't think you could do it… she trusts you, Hales… You know how much Kayla meant to her… she wouldn't leave her with someone she didn't trust…
*Haley nods her head in agreement, unable to speak. *
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Setting: Nathan and Haley's Living Room
*Everyone is finishing eating. Jamie is playing with Sawyer, trying to get her interested in the little basketball Lucas gave him.*
Jamie: Don't you want it, Sawyer? *waving the ball in her face *
*Sawyer turns her head away from Jamie. *
Jamie: She is Kind of boring, Aunt Peyton…
Peyton: What? Did you think she would just come out and be able to dunk?
Jamie: Actually, yeah…
*Peyton reaches over to tickle his tummy. Just as her hand reaches his stomach, he pulls back. *
Jamie: Ouch!
Peyton: oh… I'm sorry, buddy…
Jamie: It's ok… it just hurts still…
Peyton: Yeah? Did you tell your mom?
*Jamie nods his head "yes" and sits down next to Peyton. *
Peyton: I'm glad you are feeling better, Buddy.
Jamie: Me too.
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Setting: Nathan and Haley's bedroom
*They are finishing up getting dressed, when someone nocks on the door. Haley throws Nathan a shirt to put on before acknowledging the person waiting on the other side of the door. *
Haley: Come in…
*Kayla slowly opens the door and stands in the doorway. *
Haley: Oh… gosh… are people looking for us… I didn't mean to abandon everyone… I just…
Kayla: Haley, it's ok… nobody even noticed…
Haley: Good.
Kayla: Can I talk to you guys for a minute?
Haley: Oh course… *Haley motions for Kayla to come in the room *
*Nathan starts to leave the room, figuring that Kayla just wanted to talk to Haley. *
Kayla: Um… I want to talk to you too, Nathan…
Nathan: Ok…
*He sits on the couch next to Haley as Haley motions for Kayla to sit in the chair next to it. *
Kayla: Look… I know you guys have been dealing with a lot lately… And if it is too much, I just don't want you to feel like you have to do anything for me…
Haley: hey… Allie asked us to do this, so we are going to do it… we want you to feel like you are a part of this family, so please tell us if you need anything… we love you, Kay… and Jamie does too… we are all here for you.
Kayla: ok…
Haley: Come here.
*Haley wraps her arms around Kayla and then gets up and goes to her Jewelry box. She pulls out a necklace and fastens it on Kayla. *
Haley: Allie gave this to me when Nathan and I were going through some hard times… She said that it would make me strong…
Kayla: Did it? Make you strong I mean…
Haley: Yes. *she sends Nathan a wink * I think she would want you to have it.
Kayla: Oh gosh… Haley I can't it's so special to you…
Haley: Kay, she would want you to have it, so keep it. Wear it well.
Kayla: Thank you. *She gives each of them a hug and the three of them head downstairs to join the rest of their guests. *
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Setting: Everyone is chatting casually. Everyone has left except for Brooke, Julian, Peyton, Lucas and Sawyer. Jamie is asleep with his head on Brooke's lap. Julian is on the phone with the police department. *
Julian: No… of course… I understand completely… I'll let you know if I find anything else… thank you so much for all of your help… have a good night… ok… bye.
*Julian returns to the couch to find his spot taken by Jamie. *
Brooke: You snooze, you lose .
Julian: fine..
*He sits down on the other side of Brooke. *
Brooke: Is everything ok?
Julian: Yeah… that was the police department. They are closing the case because they couldn't find any suspects…
Brooke: oh…
Julian: It's ok, though… I mean it was just an accident…
Brooke: Yeah… I guess… Don't you at least want to know who it was?
Julian: Actually, not really… I thought I did, but I just feel like there isn't really a point to knowing.
*Haley, Nathan and Kayla come down the stairs to find Jamie asleep. *
Brooke: He is totally out…
Nathan: I can see that.
*Nathan carefully picks Jamie up off of the couch and carries him upstairs. *
Brooke: Hales, we should get going, but I'll see you tomorrow, right? You wanted me to watch Jamie while you are at the studio?
Haley: Oh yeah… I totally forgot about that… thank you! I have to get Kayla all situated at school, so it will probably be around 10:30 before I can actually get him to you…
Brooke: Ok… whenever works… I'll be at the store all day so just drop him off whenever you can.
Haley: Thank you so much, Brooke.
Brooke: No problem, TutorMom.
*Brooke gives Haley a quick hug and leaves with Julian. *
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Setting: Jamie's room.
*Nathan is getting Jamie into his pjs… He is being careful not to wake him. As he takes Jamie's shirt off, he brushes his fingers against the large red scar across the center of his stomach, cringing at the feel of it beneath his hand as if it were himself with the wound. Jamie's eyes start to flutter open. *
Nathan: Shhh…. Go back to sleep, buddy…
*Jamie's eyes reclose. Nathan finishes putting Jamie's pajamas on and tucks him into the covers. He sits on the edge of Jamie's bed and kisses his forehead. *
Nathan: I love you, Jamie. You're a brave kid.
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Setting: Nathan and Haley's kitchen
*Haley and Lucas are doing the dishes in the kitchen. *
Lucas: How are you doing, Hales…
Haley: ok… I've been better, but you know, I'm ok…
Lucas: Yeah, well I know you guys are going to be okay… you always are…
*Haley laughs and splashes some soapy suds at him. *
Lucas: Hey! What was that for?!
Haley: It was for being my best friend… I love you, Luke…
Lucas: Good, because I kind of need a favor…
Haley: Oh great…
*Lucas leaves and returns with the manuscript for his new book. *
Lucas: Look, I know you are dealing with a ton right now, but when you get a chance would you mind just looking at it?
Haley: Oh course.
Lucas: Thanks, Hales. You are the best.
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Setting: Brooke's house
*Brooke and Julian are walking up the front steps of their house to find an unexpected guest. *
Brooke: Mom, what are you doing here?
Victoria: I have something to tell you, Brooke… alone.
*Julian heads inside as Brooke shoots him an uneasy glance. *