Part II Chapter XIV
Thank you all for the reviews. I'm glad I was able to surprise some of you. Having Haley pregnant again was something I always planned on very early into writing this Part II of this story. How everything came about will be explained in this chapter and yeah, this chapter will be chocked full of drama. The timeline here will shift sometimes between where Lucas talks to Brooke and when Luke finds about the pregnancy. I hope you enjoy, please review !!
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"Do you know if she's seeing anyone?"
Brooke's words continued to ring inside Lucas' head. At first he was shocked but then he erupted in laughter. The idea of it all seemed so incredible, so out of this world. He thought it was a joke but the look on Brooke's face told him otherwise.
"Wait, are you serious?"
Brooke sighed. "Yes, Luke. I am. I know this might not be something you want to hear."
"You're right, it isn't and most of all it isn't true."
"I'm not saying it's true, I'm just saying it's a possibility, remember what we talked about when Haley showed up for dinner."
"Yeah and what?" Lucas squinted his eyes. "Now, you're telling me she ditched us this afternoon to spend time with some guy."
"Maybe."
"Brooke.."
"Look, I get it, the idea is crazy. Believe me, but I wouldn't say something if I didn't think it was a possibility."
Lucas took a deep breath and motioned for her to continue. He'd at least entertain her, but he was convinced it wasn't true. There was no way. She loved Nathan, still loved him. She was only beginning to move on with her life, he'd doubt that she'd already be okay with dating again.
"So, she's seeing someone, how do you know?" Luke questioned.
"It's a feeling.. I don't know how to explain it."
"Well, you know what I'm feeling."
"Luke, please. I know these things. It's just Haley was so flustered when she walked inside the restaurant."
"It's Hales, she got lost in the city, no surprise, and she rushed to make it for dinner, who wouldn't be flustered?"
"No Luke, she was.. I don't know.. glowing."
"Glowing? So she's an angel too?"
"You know like, after-glow." Brooke had trouble explaining herself. "… and her hair was a little disheveled and I could've sworn I saw a hickey on her shoulder blade.. it's a feeling Luke, trust me, I may not live in Tree Hill anymore but I know Haley, if she's not seeing someone, then she's hiding something else."
"Brooke, I'm going to act like you didn't accuse our friend of sneaking around with some guy."
"Fine, Luke, you don't have to believe me but pay attention .. she's hiding something."
He wished Brooke had never said anything to him. He hated how the seed of doubt was planted in his mind. He tried to dismiss it at first but he knew Brooke was right about one thing, Haley was hiding something.
It was easy to dismiss it as being nervous or looking out for Jamie. Shoot, or even that far off look she would have when he knew she was thinking of Nathan. He'd known her for years and more than words were spoken between the two of them. Haley was hiding something and so after returning Tree Hill, he paid more attention to her, watching her, studying her.
He first noticed how late Haley got up. Haley was alwaysan early riser and he remembered how Nathan would complain about that. There was tutoring early in the morning when they first met and after they got married, his attendance record improved. Haley would wake up early on the weekends and Nathan's beauty sleep, as he deemed it, would be interrupted because Haley wasn't next to him. He called his brother whipped but Nathan didn't deny it and was quite proud of the fact he needed Haley so much.
Even after his death, she still woke up early but he noticed her waking up later than usual and she would walk into the kitchen looking tired and exhausted. He thought she was sick and one morning passed by her room and heard her ruffling inside. Her room was locked, which was also weird. The next morning, he checked up on her and could faintly hear her throwing up. She was sick, he thought but when she showed for breakfast, all she looked was tired. He couldn't put a finger on it but something was definitely up with her and Brooke's words once again played over in his ear.
So finally, he'd had enough. It was driving him insane. He needed to satisfy his curiosity or go mad. Lucas paced the hallways back and forth, trying to tell himself that this couldn't be, that he was wrong. Brooke was wrong but he wondered if the signs were there before but never realized it or was his mind playing tricks on him. He walked down to Jamie's room and made sure he was still asleep and then he walked down to Haley's room.
He paused at the door and leaned in and could faintly hear her inside. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He swiped the house keys from Deb and unlocked the room and barged inside. He stepped inside and could hear Haley in the bathroom. The door was ajar and when he opened it, his suspicions were confirmed.
Leaning over the toilet, Haley had just emptied everything in her stomach and flushed the toilet. She looked up in surprise to see Lucas there. The look on his face said it all, he didn't look surprised at all and she distinctly remembered locking her room. She glanced down at his hand and saw a set a keys and knew she wasn't as sneaky as she thought she was. She could already feel her insides ready to spill out again.
Haley remained fixed on the floor, her heart beating wildly in her chest. There was no way out of this and by the look on Lucas' face, it seemed he had everything figured out.
"So it's true.. you're.." Lucas' voice trembled, "You're pregnant?"
"Yes." Haley whispered.
. . . . .
"Bitch!"
"Whore! It's about time you called me back." Brooke laughed over the phone.
"Sorry Brooke, but I've been real busy, I started a new job and stuff so I haven't had much free time, Clay has also been wondering where I've been."
"Aww, Rach, it's okay. How are you guys by the way?"
"We're good, like I said, we've both been busy. I'm actually waiting for him now before he takes off. He's seeing a client up in Boston."
"And how's the new job? I don't even know what you're doing?"
"Hmm.." Rachel paused to think. "I guess you can call me an assistant."
"Another term for secretary?"
Rachel laughed. "Not quite."
"Yeah, sure." Brooke laughed again. "Who do you work for?"
"Government."
"Wow."
"Yeah, the hours suck but the pay is good, so I can't complain, especially in this city."
"I hear you, well I'm glad you called. It was a shame, Lucas and Haley were actually in town."
"They were?" Rachel's eyes perked up.
"Yeah, that's why I was calling you. I was hoping you could meet up. Lucas had to meet with his editor but Haley tagged along and she brought Jamie." Brooke squealed the last part out. "He is so cute."
"Aww, I'm sorry I missed out, but wait so you hung out with Lucas?"
"Yep." Brooke nodded her head and the two chatted for a little bit. Rachel tried to get as much information from Brooke as she could. They spoke until Brooke had to go, which was okay because Clayton texted her that he was almost home.
"Hey!" Rachel opened the door and leaned in and gave Clayton a kiss and a hug.
"I felt like I haven't seen you in a while." Clayton stepped inside Ra
"I know, I'm sorry." Rachel pouted her lips.
"How long do I have you for?" Clay asked as he put his things away. He hated how both of them had to travel for their jobs, though he still wasn't exactly sure what she did.
"Not long unfortunately."
Clay sighed and Rachel didn't blame him, she didn't want to go either.
"It's okay." Clay smiled. "I have to head up to Boston tonight, I'm taking the high speed train so I should be there by dinner time."
"Is this that shooting guard you were telling me about?"
"Yep, the kid's a senior at BU and he's good. The agency is sending me there to close the deal and make sure he signs with us. I really need this." Clay fidgeted with his hands.
"I know, but you'll do great, I just know it!" Rachel smiled and gave him a reassuring kiss on the cheeks. She knew all about the sabbatical his job forced him to take after the death of his wife. After grieving and getting his life back in order, he had to work extra hard to prove himself in the eyes of his bosses. She really admired him for his strength after everything he's been through and after her chat with Brooke, she needed to make sure to call to check up on another person she knew, who knew a thing or two about loss.
"Well, I'll let you pack. I got to make a call anyways." Rachel got up and Clayton headed into the bathroom to shower and then pack for his trip.
Rachel stepped out onto their small French balcony, closing the door and making sure no one could hear her.
"Hey Rachel." Nathan's voice rang from the other end.
"Hey Nathan."
"What's up?"
"Just calling to say hi, I know I've been super busy. How are things with you?"
Nathan gave a small laugh. "It's okay Rachel, but everything's the same." Nathan said cautiously. "You know, school's been keeping me busy, how about you, how's the new place and boyfriend?"
"Place is great, although we had a little fight about closet space."
"You do have a lot of things."
"Shut up! You're one to talk but other than that, we're both doing great. Like I told you, he's a sports agent so it sucks sometimes that he has to travel out of time."
"True, I wish I could meet him."
"Yeah me too."
"But sports agent huh? Does he represent anyone I know??"
"Not yet but hey keep up your game up and I might get him to represent you." Rachel joked.
"I.. I don't play." Nathan said softly. Shooting around by yourself hardly qualifies.
"Oh, Nathan, I'm sorry. Don't worry, one day you'll be back home, I know you will."
Nathan sighed. "I hope so."
. . . . . .
Haley got out of bed and headed into Jamie's room. She checked up on her son to make sure he was still asleep before going back to her room. She could already feel her stomach turning and she made sure to lock the door before racing into the bathroom. She couldn't believe she was pregnant again. She had her period after sleeping with Nathan the first time. After that she was back on birth control and was relieved when she had her period. But after seeing Nathan in Washington DC, she started to feel different and her suspicions were confirmed when she went to see the doctor. She was surprised to find out that she was already a couple of weeks pregnant. The doctor informed her that it was not uncommon for women to still have their periods after conception.
She was almost seven weeks pregnant now and the morning sickness seemed to be getting worst. She went to New York last week with Lucas with every intention of telling Nathan. Aside from desperately missing him, she wanted to tell him the truth but couldn't, not after the look in his eyes when he found out Jamie was also with them. She didn't want to bring him but she couldn't just leave him behind without raising suspicions. She had no clue what to do and was glad that she wasn't showing yet. But time wasn't on her side and she needed to come up with a solution fast. She'd lost sleep over this and she knew that the stress couldn't be good for the baby.
She just finished throwing up and then flushed the toilet. She grabbed some toilet paper to wipe her mouth but when she looked up, she was shocked to see Lucas there.
Haley remained fixed on the floor, her heart beating wildly in her chest. There was no way out of this and by the look on Lucas' face, it seemed he had everything figured out.
"So it's true.. you're.." Lucas' voice trembled, "You're pregnant?"
"Yes." Haley whispered.
"But.. but how?" Lucas shook his head and started to pace back and forth.
"Lucas." Haley slowly got up.
"Who have you been fucking?!" Lucas shot daggers at her.
Haley stood still, not sure what to do or what to say.
"Well?!" Lucas practically shouted. "Who the hell is he?" He demanded.
"I..I.." Haley turned her head away from him, not able to answer.
"It was that guy you were seeing in New York huh?"
"Wait? How did.."
"I knew it!" Lucas threw his hands up. "I can't believe Brooke was right. This whole time, you've been seeing some guy!"
"Wait, Brooke?" Haley was confused.
"Brooke may not be the sharpest tool in the shed Haley but she's pretty damn observant and she knew something was up with you last week.. God! I can't believe this!"
"Luke, please.."
"Who the fuck is he Haley?!"
The tone and anger in his voice sent shivers down her spine.
"Luke, keep it down, Jamie is still sleeping."
"Jamie." Lucas muttered. "You've been fucking some guy and only now when it's convenient for you, you decide to care about Jamie?!" Lucas tried to keep his voice down but the tone in his voice left no argument for how hurt and angry he was at the moment.
"God, Haley, do you have any idea what you've done!?" Lucas couldn't believe this. "Who the hell is he Haley, or I swear to God."
"I .. I can't tell you." It was the best Haley could think of.
"Can't tell me, or don't know." Lucas replied smugly.
"Is that what you think of me?" Haley was shocked.
"At this point, I don't know what to think. I can't, I can't believe you did this."
"Luke, it wasn't planned."
"I would hope not! What the hell were you thinking?"
"I.. I wasn't thinking." Haley muttered truthfully, tears forming in her eyes.
"You got that right! If you had half a brain, you'd realize that you're already a mom, I can't believe you would do this to Jamie.. to Deb and Dan! Nathan would be rolling in his grave right…"
::SMACK::
Haley's palm collided with Lucas' cheek. She surprised even herself but the words spewing from Lucas' mouth were just too much. All the stuff he was accusing her of, everything she'd been through, she let her anger and frustration get the best of her. She wanted to yell from the top of her lungs that it was Nathan's baby, that he was alive and well but she couldn't and to have Lucas raining down on her was too much. She was fuming as much as Lucas at this point.
"Don't you dare!" Haley warned. "All this time, you've been wanting me to move on from Nathan and the first time I do something."
"The first time you move on, you decide to get knocked up by the first guy you see!" Lucas interjected.
"Don't make me the bad guy in all this!"
"You can't even tell me his name, do you even know his name?"
Haley bit her tongue. After her outburst, she calmed down for a second and realized that she needed to get a grip or risk blowing Nathan's cover. It pained her but she could only see one choice right now, which was to let Lucas think what he wants.
"…"
"I knew it." Lucas shook his head.
"Momma! Uncle Lucas!" Little James Lucas Scott entered the room, his hair a mess, rubbing his sleepy blue eyes.
"Jamie." Haley tried to put a smile on, as did Lucas.
"Hey buddy." Lucas bent down and ruffled his little nephew's hair. "Hey, guess what? We're going to grab breakfast at Grandma Karen's, how does that sound?"
Jamie nodded his head excitedly, loving his Grandma Karen's cooking.
"Thought you'd like it, why don't you go back to your room to change and we'll head out. You think you can do that for me buddy?"
Jamie nodded again and raced out the room and back into his.
"Luke." Haley stepped forward but Lucas stepped back.
"Don't!" Lucas warned. "When you get your head out of your ass, then you can come see me and my nephew."
Lucas turned to leave the room, "Lucas wait!"
Lucas kept his anger in check. Jamie was already awake and he didn't want Jamie to be exposed to them fighting. "I have nothing to say to you."
"Luke, look I'm sorry but .. but please don't tell anyone." Haley still needed to buy sometime and figure things out.
Lucas laughed in mockery. "Oh believe me, I won't say a thing. I'm not letting you have the easy way out here. You're the one that has to own up to your mistakes and tell Dan, Deb.. Jamie." Lucas paused. "You know, the last time I saw Nathan, he told me to watch out for Jamie. I promised him I would.. even if it's from you." His eyes getting misty.
Haley wanted to speak but no words could come out, only tears.
. . . . .
Haley took a deep breath before entering the imposing building. After her confrontation with Lucas earlier, she knew this was her only choice. Lucas took Jamie to Karen's and she cried on her bed for nearly an hour before getting up. This was it, she told herself. Time was of the essence on her side and now that Lucas knows, it would be a matter of time before everyone else did as well.
Strolling through the corridors, she didn't bother to stop. A few heads turned around to see her but she walked too fast for them to say hi to her.
"Wait, Ms. Scott, the mayor's in a meeting." The secretary called out but Haley kept walking and opened the door to Mayor Dan Scott's office.
"The budget report looks… Haley?" Dan looked up from his desk and two gentlemen across from him also turned their heads.
"Look, I'm sorry to interrupt but we need to talk." Haley stated.
Dan nodded and motioned the other guys to leave the room. Once alone, Dan motioned Haley to take a seat.
"Is everything okay Haley? Where's Jamie?" Dan was concerned, he never seen Haley so flustered.
"No, Jamie's fine, he's with Lucas."
"What is it Haley? You're starting to worry me."
"Look, I'll just come out and say it." Haley took a deep breath and ran her sweaty palms against jeans. "I know."
"Know what?" Dan sat up.
"Nathan." Haley stated.
"Umm, what about.." Dan began to speak coolly but Haley cut him off.
"I know he's alive." She said in as clam of a voice as she can muster.
Haley watched as Dan's face dropped and the pencil he was holding in his hands snapped in half. He was about to refute her claims when she added.
"And you need to get him home because I'm pregnant with his child."
To Be Continued . . . .