The Mourning After Chapter 17, an one tree hill fanfic

The Mourning After

Chapter 17

Thank you for the reviews and support. This chapter will mimic the style Episode 4x09 of OTH (the championship game of the Ravens against Pontiac) and other episodes of OTH, where the story starts in the present and flashes back and goes back to the present. Headers will be provided, so hopefully the story won't get too confusing. The "present" also takes place about three weeks later than the last chapter, where the flashbacks are scenes within those three weeks. Enjoy and please review !!!

Nathan and Haley just stepped out of Karen's Café. Outside, the morning newspaper was already out. There on the cover was a picture of Lucas on his knees, hands in the air with the caption reading "Raven's Soar." Nathan smiled looking at that, he definitely needed to get a copy of the later.

They chatted a little as they strolled through the streets. Nathan smiled at his beaming wife. This was one of the greatest nights of his life, despite a rough first half, Nathan managed to step it up at the end. They crossed through the dark streets of Tree Hill, in a happy mood, Nathan twirled Haley across the street.

--Flashback--

"Oh my God, Nathan!! You should see the size of this walk-in !" Haley shouted from the bedroom.

Nathan smiled and turned to his mom. They were both in the kitchen in their soon to be apartment at Duke University. Nathan leaned against the counter while Deb was sitting on a stool.

"I can't thank you enough for this mom… as you can tell Haley loves this place."

"Nathan.. I told you already.. it's the least I can do."

"K fine.. I'll stop.. it's just a little weird.. you and dad getting along and now this."

"After the shooting, your father came to see me and we know we aren't perfect people.. certainly not perfect parents.. but we had a lot to discuss and the truth was .. we were selfish.. Dan was never able to leave the game.. and I yearned to break out on my own, which is why when you were old enough I took the job and traveled so much.. I realize now that it was a mistake."

"Mom. .you don't need to apologize.."

"Nathan.. yes I do… I mean I love Haley I do and I still think that you guys shouldn't have gotten married .. but I can't help but think that if your father and I did more .. I mean you guys have been through so much already.. I remember how hard it was when your father and I started out.."

"It wouldn't have mattered.. I would've married her either way… well maybe not soon." He joked.

"I'm glad for you.. for both of you.. part of the problem with your father was that we got married for the wrong reason.. my parents forced us into a marriage because I was pregnant.."

Nathan laughed. "And I went around your back and Haley and I didn't even sleep together yet.. ironic huh?"

"Wait.. you guys waited?" Deb asked curiously and Nathan shook his head. "Wow!" was all Deb could say. "I'm so happy for you son.. you found love.. real love.. I'm sorry I ever stood in the way."

Before he could respond, Haley came back out and joined them. "Deb, oh my God .. thank you I love this place .. we even have a den we can use for an office or a spare bedroom.. this is going to be so great." Haley jumped up and down and snuggled up next to Nathan.

"Haley, like I've been saying for the millionth time .. it's my pleasure.. and please it's mom.."

"Mom?" Haley questioned and both women shook their heads.

"Nah." They both said. Nathan laughed, he loved seeing the two most important women in his life getting along.

"So.. are we going to check out this fancy university.." Deb said getting up.

--End Flashback--

Dan was at Karen's Café and went to the back to grab more garbage bags. He stopped when he heard his phone ringing.

"Hello." He answered as the voice on the other end spoke, Dan grew cold and angry.

"Listen Daunte, I told you never to call me!" Dan tried to keep it down so no one could hear him.

"I thought we had a deal Scott.. you sold me out!"

"Plans changed.. you should know something about that ..like when you approached my family.."

"I told you I had no choice.. but it doesn't matter anymore.."

"I told you to hang in there.. stick with the plan and we'll both get what we want.."

"I'm tired of your lies Scott.. I'm done.. I'm done with it all!!" Daunte yelled angrily.

"Daune! Daunte!" Dan quietly yelled into his phone but he had already hung up. Frustrated, Dan slammed his phone and just then Rachel walked in.

"What do you want?" He asked coldly.

"Just looking for the garbage bags.." She said quietly. He handed her some and she took off. Dan needed a minute to cool down.

--Flashback--

"Rachel! Finally!!" Brooke said as Rachel entered the apartment and took a seat alongside Haley, Peyton and Bevin.

"Now that everyone is here.. we can now have the unveiling." Brooke clapped her hands as she stood in front of a mannequin that was draped in a white cloth. Haley could barely hold back her excitement. "And now without further ado.. I give you.. tutorbride." Brooke said as she lifted the cloth.

The four other girls just looked at the garment, unsure of how to react.

"Wow.. Brooke.. it's really something." Haley tried to muster the words out. There was no way she was going to wear this on her wedding day.

"Yeah Brooke.. you really did a number on this one." Peyton was also equally confused.

"I've never seen anything like it." Rachel tried to hold back her laughter.

"I love it!" Bevin exclaimed excitedly. And Haley, Peyton and Rachel just looked at her completely confused.

"What?" Bevin asked. And then Brooke immediately started to laugh.

"Relax girls.. this isn't the dress."

"Oh thank God!!" Haley clutched Peyton's hands and the other girls laughed.

"Follow me .." Brooke said as she made her way to the bedroom. "And now I give you… tutorbride."

Haley walked in and her eyes watered. "Oh my God Brooke.. it's.. it's perfect." Haley said as she gave Brooke a hug. The other girls made similar comments.

"Now don't just stand there.. try it on!" Brooke said.

A moment later, Haley came out of the bedroom with the dress on.

"Thank you again Brooke!"

"Oh God.. you are so hot!" Brooke said as she came up to Haley, making sure to do a last minute fitting to make sure the dress was properly sized.

"It's just a shame Brooke." Peyton added.

"What do you mean?"

"Yeah.. I'm with Sawyer.. such a shame." Rachel added

"What guys?" Brooke asked.

Peyton and Rachel looked at each other and laughed. "That after all your hard work, Nathan is just going to rip it off of her." Rachel added and everyone started to laugh, except Haley who turned completely red, knowing that it was probably going to be true.

--End flashback--

Dan came back to the front just as Nathan and Haley were coming down the stairs.

"Hey guys.. we're going to take off." Nathan said. Nathan and Haley said bye to him and their friends.

"Bye mom."

"Bye Deb."

"I'll see you back at the house." Deb said giving her son and daughter in law a hug.

Rachel looked at Dan curiously before heading off and talking to some other guys from school. Lucas got up from where he was sitting with Brooke and joined Dan in cleaning the counter.

"I'd never thought I'd get another chance at State Championships.." Dan commented. "I'm so proud of you and Nathan.. you guys did great."

Lucas looked at Dan. It was a little unnerving talking to Dan, but he decided to give it a shot. Nathan mentioned to him how he's changed since the shooting and Lucas had to admit that he agreed. Although Lucas was still weary, he decided to give Nathan the benefit of the doubt.

"Thanks.. I think."

"You know Lucas.. I really am sorry for everything.." Dan said softly.

Lucas gave him a half-smile. "Me too.. Dad."

--Flashback--

"Nathan take a seat." Whitey said.

"But coach." Nathan tried to protest.

"Take a rest Scott… we're going to need you."

"But coach we have a minute left."

"And we're leading by 15.. don't worry.. if the Bears make a comeback, I'll be sure to send my starters back in but right now we need to give these other guys a time to shine."

Nathan nodded and took a seat. The seniors all sat out while the juniors and some of the sophmore players took center court. "Come on guys!" Nathan encouraged them. Nathan and Lucas sat next to each other as the clock ran down. In ten seconds, it was all going to be over and just like that it was. Both brothers, co-captains hugged each other and joined the rest of their teammates out on court. The Ravens just won by 9 and were now heading to the championship game.

"Ahh!! 30 points.. that's awesome!" Haley said as she hugged Nathan.

"Thank you.. but I am a little sore .. I think I'm going to need that massage later."

"Oh you'll get it." She whispered seductively into his ears.

-- End Flashback --

"..we are all going to be fine." Haley said as she smiled at Nathan. This was one of the greatest nights of his life, despite a rough first half, Nathan managed to step it up at the end. They crossed through the dark streets of Tree Hill, in a happy mood, Nathan twirled Haley across the street.

"Listen.. there's a reason why I played so bad tonight at first…"

"What do you mean?" Haley asked as they stopped in the middle of the street. But just then a pair of headlights shown in her face. "Nathan look out!!" Haley screamed.

-- Flashback (earlier in the evening) --

"You sure we have everything we need on Daunte and Bear?" Dan asked as he spoke into the phone. "K good.. keep me informed.. I'm going to be see my sons' win the state championship tonight."

Nathan approached his dad. "Dad? Did I just hear right?"

"Nathan!.. you shouldn't have heard that."

"But Dad."

"Look.. I told you I'm going to take care of it.. and now it's going to be done.. the only thing you need to worry about is the game.. look son these are bad men and they have a wrap sheet as long as my arm .. they've had this coming to them for years so don't worry about it and just play your heart out okay?"

"Yeah.. of course.. thanks Dad." Nathan said giving Dan a hug and running back into the gym for warm ups for the championship game..

--End Flashback –

"Listen.. there's a reason why I played so bad tonight at first…" Nathan said quietly.

"What do you mean?" Haley asked as they stopped in the middle of the street. But just then a pair of headlights shown in her face. "Nathan look out!!" Haley screamed. She grabbed into Nathan's arm but he pushed her away. She fell back and watched in horror as the man she loved, her husband hit the hood of a black Cadillac. He went straight into the windshield and rolled over and hit the ground.

"Nathan!!" She screamed.

--Flashback (earlier in the evening) --

The first half of the Championship game was nearly over and the Ravens were down by 15.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked Nathan.

"Where's Haley?" Nathan asked looking over to the empty group Ravens cheerleaders.

"I'm worried about her." Nathan said. He knew something was wrong and the fact that he heard his Dad earlier talk about Daunte didn't sit right with him. He needed to know she was safe and basketball, at least for the moment would take second priority.

"I know you are.. but they're fine… I just talked to Mouth, he got a text and the girls got a flat and are stuck on the side of the road."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah.. it's just taking them longer to get here.. come on it's them.. they wouldn't know how to change a light bulb let alone a flat.. they'll should be here soon... now come on .. let's do this little brother." Lucas said as they pumped fist. Nathan felt a little better knowing that Haley was okay.

--End Flashback—

"You know Lucas.. I really am sorry for everything.." Dan said softly.

Lucas gave him a half-smile. "Me too.. Dad."

Dan smiled. "I'm glad I got a second chance a this too." Lucas smiled back as the two continued cleaning.

Lucas was gathering garbage by the door when a loud noise outside grabbed his attention. He stepped outside and in the distance saw Nathan lying on the street with Haley crouched over him. He immediately took off and ran as fast as he could.

"Nathan!… Nathan!!" Lucas heard Haley's screams as he stepped closer.

"Wha.. .what happened?!?" Lucas said looking at his distraught best friend.

"They just hit him Luke!" Haley said with tears in her eyes as she tried to grab her phone and dial 911.

Lucas turned and saw the car that hit his brother in the distance. "Haley.. stay with him!" Lucas grew angry as he took off running towards the car, which was now off in the distance.

-- Flashback (earlier in the evening) --

Nathan looked at the clock and score. Pontiac 67 and the Ravens had 65 with thirty seconds on the clock. During half time the girls showed up and Haley along with him. Seeing her was what he needed to get back his head back in the game. He looked at her again and smiled. He came back during the second half and cut Pontiac's lead significantly, but Pontiac bounced back and they were neck and neck this whole time.

"Hey ..it doesn't mean anything if you can't hit the shot." Lucas turned to his brother.

"That sounds familiar." Nathan smiled thinking of the memory.

Lucas looked at his brother who looked warmly at his wife and best friend Haley. He never thought in a million years that she would end up with Nathan. They hated each other but now he could see that Nathan was his other best friend he never knew. He was proud of the man Nathan had become and how he took care of his best friend. He stood with them through good and bad and even when they were going to give up on themselves, he encouraged them to go on. Haley was his sister and Nathan his true brother and he loved them both to death and would do anything for him.

Growing up, there was a void in his heart that was there because of Dan, but lately that void starting to get smaller and smaller. Lucas looked up and took in the moment around him. He was playing side by side with his brother with his best friend and girlfriend cheering him on. Dan was there proudly watching his sons as was Deb and Keith and his mom. Things were falling into place and all he needed now was this state championship.

"Let's do this little brother." Lucas said firmly as the two bumped fists once again.

"Nathan on top with twenty seconds left." Mouth was commentating. "10 seconds left Nathan takes it out to Skills …now 5 seconds .. Skills passes back to Nathan … Nathan has it .. Nathan Scott drives to the hoop and he passes to Lucas Scott for the THREE!!!"

At that moment everyone held their breath as the buzzer rang and the ball went in.

"Ravens win!! Ravens win!!"

-- End Flashback --

Lucas turned and saw the car that hit his brother in the distance. "Haley.. stay with him!" Lucas grew angry as he took off running towards the car.

Lucas ran as fast as he could and made it to the black car. He never felt such anger such hatred. Someone had messed with his family, his brother and now Haley was distraught. He had only one thing on his mind right now and that was to get even. As he was about yank the door open, a hand stopped him.

"Son.. don't!!" Dan warned. He saw that look in his, it was cold and dark and Dan knew that look well.

"Don't do anything you'll regret!" Dan said louder.

"But Nathan…" Lucas was nearly frantic now.

"I know.." Dan said breathlessly. He was going to run and be with Nathan but he had to stop Lucas from doing what he knew he was going to do.

"Your brother needs you .. your best friend needs you.. now go!" Dan yelled. Just then the police and ambulance sirens could be heard. "I'll take care of this and meet up.. go!" Dan yelled again and Lucas took off.

-- Flashback (earlier in the evening) --

It was half time and Nathan Scott was heading out back to the court.

"6 turnovers." A familiar voice called out to him. "That's not the Nathan Scott I know." Haley said leaning up against a white pillar.

"I got worried when I didn't see you." Nathan felt relieved now that he saw her.

"It's okay.." she said walking up to him and giving him a hug and a kiss. "Everything's fine."

Just then Whitey came up from behind them and patted Nathan on the back.

"Look Nathan.. we didn't get a flat.. we just said that so you guys wouldn't worry.."

"What happened?" Nathan was now concerned.

"We pulled over to use the bathroom…I wasn't feeling good, I was throwing up and had severe cramps… the girls took me to the hospital."

"WHAT?!" Nathan couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Why didn't you call me?! Are you okay?"

"Relax Nathan.. it's okay.. we're fine."

"You sure?…. wait what..'we'.."

"I just found out .. I'm.. we're pregnant."She said softly. Nathan stood there for a moment. Haley regretted telling him. She should've waited until after the game. Suddenly a smile broke out across his face. He picked her up and hugged her and then realized that maybe he was hurting the baby. Haley laughed and she felt relieved.

"Oh my God, how did this happen?"

"You seriously want me to answer that." She shot back and Nathan laughed. They have been going at it like rabbits for the past few weeks. Birth control could only do so much.

Nathan laughed . "I'm going to have a son!" Nathan exclaimed and kissed Haley again.

"Nathan.. I'm only a month pregnant.. we won't know the sex for a while."

"You're a Scott.. Scott men have Scott boys." He said proudly.

"Oh really…"

"What if it's a girl?"

"Never going to happen."

Haley laughed at how Nathan was so sure it was already a boy. "But either way.. I'm going to love him or her as much and I love you!! But are you sure you're okay?!" He said.

"Yes.. the doctor just said with everything going on, I need to rest more and to avoid stress… but you.. are you okay with this?"

"I'm more than okay.. I want to spend my life with you.. I want to have a family with you.. it would've been nice if it were later.. but you know us with our timing." He joked. She hugged him tighter. She didn't think she could more in love with him but each day it only grew.

"But if it's a boy or girl.., someday they are going to tease their daddy for playing like crap during the state championship… you might want to do something about that.." They hugged and kissed once more. They made their way out of the court hand and hand. Haley joined the rest of the squad and Nathan went over to the bench and took off his warm ups. He came back on the court and never felt better. As soon as the ball touched his hand, he knew he had this. Nothing could stop him now.

After the last buzzer rang and Lucas hit the game winning shot, Nathan never felt more alive. Confetti rained upon them and he ran and looked for Haley.

"You did it!" She said giving him a hug.

"We did it!" He kissed her and then whispered in her ear. "All three of us!"

--End Flashback--

The Present …

Dan came back to the front just as Nathan and Haley were coming down the stairs.

"Hey guys.. we're going to take off." Nathan said. Nathan and Haley said bye to him and their friends.

"Bye mom."

"Bye Deb."

"I'll see you back at the house." Deb said giving her son and daughter in law a hug.

He turned back to his wife, who now clutched onto his arm. "So the doctor said you're fine." Nathan wanted to make sure. "You and the baby?"

"Yeah" She looked up.

"We're fine...we are all going to be fine." Haley said as she smiled at Nathan. This was one of the greatest nights of his life, despite a rough first half, Nathan managed to step it up at the end. They decided to wait until tomorrow to tell everyone the news. There was already enough excitement in the air with the Ravens winning and now their wedding was coming up this weekend and it seemed like all if not most of Haley's family will be attending.

They crossed through the dark streets of Tree Hill, in a happy mood, Nathan twirled Haley across the street.

"Listen.. there's a reason why I played so bad tonight at first…" Nathan said softly, wanting to tell her about his conversation with Dan earlier about Daunte. He was scared for a moment that Daunte did something to her.

"Nathan!!" She screamed.

At the same time, Lucas was gathering garbage by the door when a loud noise outside grabbed his attention. He stepped outside and in the distance saw Nathan lying on the street with Haley crouched over him. He immediately took off and ran as fast as he could.

"Nathan!… Nathan!!" Lucas heard Haley's screams as he stepped closer.

"Wha.. .what happened?!?" Lucas said looking at his distraught best friend.

"They just hit him Luke!" Haley said with tears in her eyes as she tried to grab her phone and dial 911.

Lucas turned and saw the car that hit his brother in the distance. "Haley.. stay with him!" Lucas grew angry as started running.

"Son.. don't!!" Dan warned. He saw that look in his, it was cold and dark and Dan knew that look well.

"Don't do anything you'll regret!" Dan said louder.

"But Nathan…" Lucas was nearly frantic now.

"I know.." Dan said breathlessly. He was going to run and be with Nathan but he had to stop Lucas from doing what he knew he was going to do.

Meanwhile the paramedics arrived and Haley was beside herself. Nathan's body laid still and she didn't know whether or not to move him or not. She was covered in his blood and at that moment she couldn't think. She couldn't breath. Her world was closing in around herself and Haley James Scott didn't know what to do.

"What's his name?" The paramedic asked.

"Umm.. Nathan.. Nathan Scott.. he's my husband.." Haley said barely breathing.

"How long has been out?"

"I .. I dunno.. a few.." Haley felt shooting pains and clutched her stomach. "I .. I .." She tried to get the words out but the world faded around her and she too fell to the ground.

"She passed out.. I got her." The other paramedic said.

"Hold on.. I got a weak pulse.. she isn't breathing." The paramedic said as he tried to perform CPR and just then he noticed blood leaking from between her legs.

To Be Continued . . . .

It took me all week to figure out how this chapter was going to go. I hope you enjoyed and I promise to update as soon as I can. Please Review !!!