The Mourning After
Chapter 18
Sorry for the long wait in updating. The last chapter was pretty intense and it took a lot out of me, plus there were my other stories and this whole Naley drama made me loose focus. Thank you for the reviews, I'm glad you liked the chapter even though it was full of angst. This one I think isn't as high on drama as the last but this chapter does set things up for upcoming ones. This first part of the chapter starts of similar to Episode 4x10 where Lucas wakes up and is visited by Keith, instead it's Haley in the "dream world." Speaking of dreamworld's we get a little visit back into Nathan's (see chapter 4). It's explained in the story, but I wanted to give you guys a heads up in case things got a little confusing. So unless otherwise stated, Haley is in her dream world, every other scene is happening in "real life." Sorry for any grammar mistakes, I was a little tired when I wrote this. Enjoy and please review !!!
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Haley got up from the pavement and fixed herself up. She looked around at the empty dark streets. She was confused, what was she doing here? Why was she in her cheerleading outfit? She heard a noise and from a distance saw someone walking away from her and so she ran up to him.
"Excuse me.. can you tell me what's going on?" Haley asked, tapping the man's shoulder. The man turned around and she was a little surprised.
"Jimmy?!"
--
"Do you want anything?" Brooke softly asked Lucas. She put her arm around his waist but he flinched away from her.
"No!" He exclaimed, but in a calmer voice. "No.. thank you.. I just want to know if they're going to be okay."
"Me too." Brooke said softly, holding back the tears in her eyes. She looked behind her at the sad group before her. Dan was just here but went back to talk to the police. Karen was holding Deb, who was barely holding it together. Peyton was there as well, her eyes swollen and red, much like everyone else. News of Nathan and Haley spread quickly and their other friends and classmates were in another waiting room down the hall. She couldn't believe that a few hours ago, they were celebrating one of the best nights they in their lives. Now the rug was being pulled under them and they didn't know what was going to happen to their two friends.
Brooke was worried when they took Haley to the hospital earlier but she came out and said that everything was fine and that she just wanted to see Nathan first. The girls came up with different theories, maybe she was pregnant, maybe it was withdrawal from her pills, or maybe she was more injured in the shooting than they were led to believe. They weren't sure but no one could have predicted that Nathan would be run over and that Haley would also end up in the hospital again.
Luke leaned in against the glass, unable to sit still. Brooke was really worried for him. He looked really out of and she saw his eyes start to flutter. Just like that, he nearly fainted but Brooke was there to catch him and Karen went immediately to her son's side.
"Lucas are you okay?" Karen asked. Now everyone's eyes were on him.
"I'm ok.. I'm just tired." Lucas tried to say, but in fact he was feeling anything but.
Karen touched his forehead and felt his pulse. She put her hand over his heart and it was beating so rapidly. "You have to come with me now!" Karen demanded. They left the waiting room and Karen told Brooke to get a doctor. Peyton wondered what was going on, could this night get any worse?
"Mom.. I'm fine."
"No, you're not!" Karen shot back.
Brooke came back shortly with a doctor in tow. "Is everything okay?" The doctor asked.
"My son has HCM.. he nearly fainted just now and his heart is racing." Karen said.
"Mom.. I said I'm fine."
"Still.. we should make sure you're okay… come with me." The doctor responded.
Lucas didn't want him to go but both Karen and Brooke were giving him the evil eye. He reluctantly followed the doctor and once out of sight. Karen and Broke finally broke down and cried.
--
"Oh my God..Jimmy it's you!" Haley said as she gave him a hug.
"Hi Haley."
"Wait.. what's going on?" Haley asked confused.
"You don't remember?" Jimmy asked.
Haley closed her eyes and tried to think. What was going on? What was she doing here? And then suddenly some of her memories came flooding back, the school shooting, the cabin with Nathan.. Nathan, her heart dropped at the mention of his name.
"Oh my God.. Nathan?!"
"I'm glad you remember."
"Yeah.. I was standing over him and then.. the next minute .. I'm here,.. what happened to me?"
"You fainted."
"So is this like a dream."
"Yes and no."
"What do you mean yes or no.. its either one or the other… unless I'm dead? Am I dead?" She glared at him.
"No.. you're not dead.. but we're someplace .. I'd like to say in between."
"So what are you then? A ghost?"
"More like a guide."
"A guide to what?"
"That's what you're here to find out."
"I'm so confused.. wait.. my baby!" Haley looked down at her still flat stomach. She closed her eyes and tried to think. Think Haley think!! The car.. the driver.. it was Daunte! It was her fault. If she didn't get involved with him, then none of this would've happened. He was aiming for her until Nathan pushed her aside. Suddenly fear came over her eyes as she remembered the whole thing.
"I'm sorry Haley.. are you okay?"
"No.. I'm not okay.. but my baby?" She clutched her stomach.
"I don't know.. that's not up to me."
"What kind of dream is this.. take me someplace good .. take me to Nathan… where is he?"
"I can't take you to him.. but I can take you to where his mind is."
"What?"
--
"Deb.. I'm fine." Dan said.
"That's what Lucas said." Deb shot back.
"Seriously Deb.. I feel okay."
"Nathan is in surgery, we have no clue what's going on with Haley and Lucas ….." Deb could hardly get the words out. Dan sighed as he followed the doctor out, he didn't want Deb to worry anymore than she should.
Peyton turned to Brooke. "That's four Scotts now.. I can't believe this."
"Come here.. it's going to be okay." Brooke knew this was especially hard for Peyton. She didn't like hospitals, especially this one. This place was full of horrible memories for her when her mom died. She could tell that Peyton was not taking any of this easily.
"I'm sorry Brooke.. I know you must be worried about Lucas."
"Lucas will be okay.. he's worked up like the rest of us.. but more so in his case… everything's going to be okay." Brooke hoped.
--
Dan sat down next to Lucas.
"I'm a little worried about the test results I got from you two.. your heart rate is a little on the fast side and with the situation going on, I think it's better to be cautious."
"What does this mean doctor?" Dan asked.
"You're in no immediate danger but keep this up and we will have a problem, especially you Mr. Scott but like I said, we need to be mindful.. take this." The doctor said handing each of them a pill. "It's a little stronger than the regular medication you two are taking and it should slow your heart rates down.. you might want to take a moment and try to calm yourselves down before you go back to your friends and family. I would say go to sleep, but I know with everything going on with you family that it won't happen.. but please just try to relax as much as possible." The doctor said leaving the room.
Lucas passed a glass of water to Dan and took one for himself.
"You know when I said I wanted to try to spend more time with you.. this wasn't what I had in mind." Dan tried to joke and Lucas couldn't help laugh at the situation the two were in.
"You mean this isn't your idea of fun?" Lucas said sarcastically. Dan smiled and swallowed the pill. Lucas did the same.
"I know you must be going through a hard time Lucas." Dan said softly. "I wish.. I wish I could do something."
"You already did.. thank you .. earlier.. I wouldn't know what I would've done if you hadn't stopped me… I hated that guy.. I actually wanted to kill him.. what kind of person does that make me?"
"Unfortunately.. that really means you're my son." Dan sighed. "Look Lucas.. . I've been there believe me.. the raging anger inside of you.. I let it consume me one too many times and it cost me .. I hope you can learn from my mistakes."
Lucas gave a half smile. "I'll try."
--
Haley and Jimmy were at the river court as a game ensued between Nathan and Lucas. Haley looked around and saw many familiar faces but something was off and then she saw herself cheering on the sidelines.
"Jimmy, what's going on?" Haley asked.
"We are .. well we're inside Nathan."
"I don't get it."
"He's unconscious just like you .. and so here we are."
"What is this? Why is he dreaming this?"
"Do you remember when Nathan nearly died in the car crash?"
Haley nodded her head. "Well, he's back in that world.. the one in which Dan choose Karen over Deb and where you and Nathan grew up together as best friends."
Haley closed her eyes and remembered Nathan mentioning that during one of their long talks back in the cabi. "… just sit back and relax, no one can hear or see you." Jimmy smirked as the two stood at the sidelines and watched everything unfold.
Nathan won the game and everyone came after him to congratulate him. But he broke through the crowd and went to the only person he wanted to see, Haley.
"Congtrats!" She said with a wide smile and she came up to him and hugged him. After embracing, he grabbed her arm and led her away from the prying eyes of the crowd there.
"Nathan hold up.. why are you leaving? You should be celebrating back there with you friends!"
"I am celebrating.. with the only one that matters."
"Stop.." She said feeling a little embarrassed.
"I'm going to high flyers." He said breathlessly.
"I know."
"I mean.. I'm going to high flyers.. this could be it .. this can be my chance."
"I know Nate .. I'm so happy for you."
"But that means, I'll be leaving you for the summer.. it's going to be our first summer apart." Now Nathan looked very sad. "I'm going to miss you." He said honestly, looking deeply in her eyes.
Butterflies swirled in Haley's stomach, she had to look away. "Yes, I'm sure you will with you playing basketball all day long .."
"You know I'd rather spend time with you."
Haley was getting nervous. Why was she nervous, this was her best friend.
"What you're not going to miss me?" Nathan pouted after Haley hadn't said anything.
"Of course I will." She smiled back, trying not to look at him.
"Haley, what's wrong?"
"What? Nothing's wrong."
"Haley…"
"You're right .. I am going to miss you .. more than you know." She said the last part softly.
"Hey.." He said putting away a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll never be far from you… I love you."
She half smiled. "Yeah yeah.. I love you too." She joked back, but he just kept looking at her.
"No… I" The facial expression on Nathan's expression changed, suddenly he couldn't hold back, not anymore, not after a night like this where he felt anything was possible. "I .. I love you.."
Haley stood there completely stunned. Suddenly, he regretted telling her that. He may have single handily ruined years of friendship. "I'm sorry." He muttered quickly and then turned around but Haley grabbed his arm.
"I love you too." She said breathlessly. As soon as she said that, he knew that she meant it and that it had nothing to do with their friendship. After years of waiting and wanting, he couldn't wait another second as his lips collided with hers.
--
"You're crying?" Jimmy asked Haley, the two of them witnessed the whole thing.
"Of course I am.. it's me and Nathan .. or dream world Nathan and Haley.." Haley was confusing herself. "So what's all this then? What does this mean?"
"It means Haley that you and Nathan are meant to be together."
Even though she knew that, she was still confused. "In this world.." Jimmy continued to speak. "you didn't grow up with Lucas.. you had Nathan .. he was there when you felt like getting away from his siblings and he was there when you guys pretended to be going out your first day of freshmen year… but he was never your best friend Haley.. I mean he was always more than that. .. you guys were meant to be.. be it in this world .. or in your world."
"Okay.. I know that.. I love Nathan.. I'm just still a little confused.. why did you bring me here? Why is Nathan dreaming about this place?"
"He still has doubts about you.. that he's not good enough for you.. in this world he didn't grow up under Dan Scott.. he didn't have basketball to pressure him… he was just Nathan .. the boy who helplessly fell in love with you.. a guy that deserves you."
"What? That's crazy.. he's more than enough for me… Jimmy .. where are you going?" Haley looked around and saw that they were completely alone now and Jimmy was walking away.
He turned around. "He'll never be far from you .. he loves you Haley."
"Jimmy wait!" Haley said running up to him.
"Do you love him?"
"Of course I love him. Jimmy what's going on?" She was so confused now, her head was starting to hurt.
"You love him, he loves you.. remember that Haley.. don't ever forget it."
"Jimmy wait, where are you going?" Haley asked as he started to walk further and further away from her but she couldn't keep up with him for some reason.
"Jimmy!"
"You can wake up now Haley." Jimmy said, not turning around.
--
"You can wake up now, Haley." The doctor said as Haley's eyes starting to flutter. She started blinking, her eyes getting adjusted to the light. The memory of everything came back to her. She suddenly sat up and clenched her stomach. Fear in her eyes, she turned to the doctor.
"Your baby is fine." The doctor reassured her. She let out a deep breath. "Nathan?" Her voice groggy.
"He's recovering from surgery… are you okay?"
"Yeah.. I'm just tired.. so my baby is fine? And Nathan?"
"You're baby is fine.. your blood pressure went up and your breathing became erratic. With everything you've been through tonight on top of the hormone changes you're body is going through, it took its toll. I know you're going through a stressful time right now but you have to stay as calm as possible and instead of check ups every month, we will do every two weeks."
Haley nodded. "And my husband? How is he?"
"He had a couple of broken bones, some internal injuries, which we operated on and everything seems good. We still have to set the bone in his leg but other than that he should be fine.. the worst hasp assed. "
"Wait.. basketball… can he still play?"
"You're father in law already spoke to us about that and we talked to our physical therapist and we see no reason why he shouldn't make a full recovery, he would have to take it easy for the next month and attend rehab but by fall, he should be good as new." The doctor smiled at her.
She finally let herself smile. "Can I see him?"
"We're bringing him out now.. I'll send a nurse over when he's back in his room.. but there are people outside who are concerned about you, I know you saw Doctor Katz earlier and that you wanted to keep your pregnancy a secret until you told your husband .. so the only family you have here are you in-laws but I haven't told them the news."
"Ca.. can you send them in.. Dan, Deb and Lucas? If they're here."
The doctor nodded and stepped out of the room. Moments later, Lucas came walking in and gave Haley a hug.
"Hey buddy.. you scared us."
"I know .. I'm sorry.. Nathan?"
"Is going to be okay." Deb said walking in and giving Haley a hug.
"Thank you Deb."
"I'm glad your back with us Miss James.. I mean Mrs. Scott." Dan smiled.
"Thank you guys." She took a deep breath.
"Hales.. are you okay? The doctors wouldn't tell us anything." Lucas asked concerned.
"I wanted Nathan to be here.. but there's no point in holding it off.. I know how worried you guys must've been.. the truth is .. Nathan and I .. we're.. we're pregnant." She said softly.
The three of them stood there in silence and Haley really wished that Nathan were here.
"That's great!" Lucas exclaimed giving Haley a hug. Followed by Dan and Deb, who equally congratulated her.
"You guys are okay with this? I know we're young and we didn't plan this.."
"Haley.. believe me .. we know we're your coming from." Deb said turning to Dan.
"It's going to be okay Haley." Dan assured her.
"Dan's right… you have us .. we have your back.. yours and Nathan."
"Thank you guys.. it means so much to me.. I know Nathan will appreciate everything too.. I'm glad you guys took it well.. for a second I was scared."
"Well we had a lot of scary moments tonight.. we almost lost you and Nathan.. but now we have another Scott on the way." Lucas smiled placing his hand on her stomach. She smiled at him. "And Brooke told us about how you guys went to the hospital earlier.. and so when you came back here with Nathan.. we had all these bad scenarios play in our heads… but pregnancy definitely beat out all those alternatives." He smiled at her.
Just then a knock came at the door and Peyton and Brooke entered the room.
"Hey tutorgirl." Brooke said giving Haley a hug, followed by Peyton. "How are you?"
"Better.. I also wanted to let you guys know.. I'm pregnant!"
"Ahh!!" Both girls screamed and hugged Haley some more.
--
Lucas rolled Haley into Nathan's hospital room. Seeing him hooked up to all those machines didn't sit well with her but she had to stay calm, for her sake and for the baby.
"You sure he's going to wake up?" Haley looked up at Lucas, who placed her right next to Nathan. She immediately held one of his hands.
"Yeah… the doctor said that the anesthesia should wear off soon… I'll give you a moment." Lucas said as he left the room.
She took his hand and kissed it. She said a silent prayer, hoping that he would wake up soon and that everything would be okay. Her prayers were answered as Nathan's fingers started to move and his eyes started to open and close.
"Nathan!" Haley exclaimed and she leaned in and kissed him and gave him a gentle hug, careful not to hurt him.
"Haley.." He said softly.
"Oh God Nate.. I was so scared.. I love you so much!"
Nathan looked at her and smiled. He was still weak from surgery and everything was still a haze. After a moment, his strength started coming back to him. He squeezed her hand. "I love you too." His whispered, his voice still scratchy.
To Be Continued . . .
I'm going to try and update this story ASAP and my other stories as well but I have to work a lot of hours and I'm going away tomorrow night and then I'll be out of the country for a few days. I hope you enjoyed and please review !!