Chapter 20: It can't rain all the time.
Haley was still at the hospital. Doctors were keeping her for the day. Her room was filled with flowers and cards from the people who came to visit her, but none of them were making her feel any better. Her mind was still filled with the bitter memories which she couldn't shed. Nathan and kids tried to comfort her, but it seems they couldn't.
Now it was almost dark. While Nathan was still inside the Haley's room his cell began ringing, and he picked it up.
"Hello it's Nathan Scott…oh," Nathan stood up and went to more private side of the room.
"Fine…" Nathan answered and closed the call.
"Who was that?" Haley asked.
Nathan gave Haley a deep look, "It was D.A, the case has been reviewed and final hearing will be at tomorrow evening."
"Oh…" There wasn't any expression on Haley's face and Nathan was expecting that.
Someone knocked the door, and both Haley and Nathan looked towards it.
"Principal Turner," Nathan and Haley were both surprised to see him, "Please Sir, come inside." Nathan invited him in.
"Hi you two," Principal Turner sat on the chair, "I really wanted to meet you two alone; I never had the chance before."
"Is there anything you want to tell us?" Nathan asked and sat on another chair.
"Well I won't take too much time, I know your son was one of the best students we had, and I decided to honor his life."
"Thanks sir I really appreciate it."
"I have decided that day after tomorrow is good. Students have themselves decided to arrange a small memorial and then Jamie's jersey will be hanged to honor him."
Nathan looked at Haley, She gave Principal Turner a smile, but he knew it was just an empty smile; the wound that was just given to them by Dan has taken away every joy from their lives.
"Here that one thing I want to give you," Turner handed Nathan a notebook.
"What is this?" Nathan asked.
"Remember when Quentin died, Haley made every student write something about him and how they remember him, well all students did the same with Jamie and this notebook contains the writings of all students who remember and missing him."
"Thanks for bringing it." Nathan took the notebook.
"Ok you two take care, if you want to postpone the memorial tell me, it can be arranged."
"We shall notify you soon."
"Ok bye," Principal Turner said and left the room.
Nathan handed Haley the note book, but she placed it on the desk.
"Don't you want to read it?" Nathan asked.
"I'll read it later, it almost nine and children are tired, I think you must take them home."
"Yeah I will."
"Nathan one more thing, you also need some rest, I'll be alright."
"Haley, I want to stay with you."
"Please Nathan, I want to be alone tonight, and tomorrow I'll come home."
"Ok if that's what you want." Nathan didn't want to leave her alone, but he knew he can't force anything on her.
Brook was walking with Deb outside the hospital. Adam, Ashley and Maggie were with them as they needed some air.
"Hey Brook, do you mind if we sit down."
"Funny, I was about to say the same thing."
"It seems like fog is coming."
"Yeah, I'm really missing the sun."
"Yes Brook, so do I, but I really wish if someone can bring light back in our lives."
"Yes Deb, you're right, I went to see Lucas and Peyton before I came here, Lucas is blaming himself that for saving Dan, Peyton is blaming herself for asking Lucas to meet Malinda, Haley is blaming herself for letting Dan in Jamie's life and Nathan blames himself for letting Jamie meet Dan that night, it seems everyone is blaming themselves."
"And that's what I'm worried about; blaming themselves is not going to bring Jamie back, it will make things even worse."
"Yes you're absolutely right."
"Hey I think Nathan is coming," Deb said after spotting Nathan.
"Mom, can you take children home?" Nathan asked coming towards his mother.
"Of course I will, but what about you?"
"Haley wants me to go home."
"Maybe she needs some time alone."
"Yes but I'm afraid that what will go inside her mind when she's alone."
"Ok come home with us."
"Mom I will be home, I also need some time alone."
Brook was quietly listening to them.
"Ok I'll take kids home and please either come home or stay with Haley." Deb said and called the kids who were little far.
"Ok mom." Nathan said and began walking towards the road.
"Hey," Brook called from behind, "Mind if I take a walk with you."
"Brook I know you've been a very good friend and obviously Haley and I need you but right now I really want to be alone for a while."
"Ok, but call me if you need me."
"Brook when I need some company, you'll be the first one I call."
"Ok take care," Brook gave Nathan a quick hug and left.
Nathan began walking on the road. Fog was covering everything and streets were almost deserted. Nathan was quietly walking and without noticing he reached the river court. Nathan looked at the court, and sat one of the benches. He closed his eyes; he just wanted everything to just stop.
While Nathan's eyes were closed, he heard the footsteps, and when he opened his eyes, he saw a shadow coming towards him.
"Who's there?" Nathan called, fog was so dense that he couldn't see who that person was, but he could see that he was a man.
The shadow came closer and Nathan finally saw his face and his eyes were widened with shock.
"Jamie…" Nathan couldn't believe his son was standing in front of him.
"Hi dad," he was Jamie.
"Son, are you real?" Nathan wanted it to be real.
"Dad it doesn't matter if I'm real or not, I'm here to talk."
"Son, you know how much we are missing you."
"Dad I'm also missing all of you, but I have no choice, my life has ended here and now I have another life which no one of you can be a part of."
"Why it has to be this way son?" Nathan exclaimed in pain, "I was supposed to leave not you."
"Please dad, my life has ended not yours, don't waste it in pain and regret, your dreams can still live on through Adam, Ashley and Maggie, please they need you and mom needs you."
"Son, we also need you," Nathan had tears in his eyes.
Jamie's head was down, "Dad, I wish I could stay here, I never wanted to leave anyone, I don't have any choice, but dad you have."
"What should we all do? How can things turn back to normal?"
"Just say goodbye dad."
"Its hard son!"
"Dad I know it's hard, but it's the only way, I love you dad and goodbye," Jamie began walking away.
"Jamie…" Nathan ran where Jamie went but when he thick fog covered everything. When Nathan reached there, whole place was empty and no one was there.
"Ok son I'll say goodbye, maybe it will ease my pain."
Haley looked at the clock, and it was ten thirty. She took the note book and about to open it, but then she closed it; she couldn't read it. Her tears began flowing which she was holding for so long.
"Baby I'm so sorry, I should have never let you near Dan, mothers are supposed to protect their children from any harm, put, I pushed you to own death, how can I live with that," Haley said in her pain and her tears and then closed her eyes.
While her eyes closed, Haley felt someone's hand on her owns. She opened her eyes and looked at the person, who was holding her hand. Her eyes stopped blinking; she couldn't believe that he was here….her son.
"Jamie is that you?" Haley touched his face, and it was her son.
"Yes mom it's me." Jamie held Haley's hand again.
"My baby…" Haley's tears start flowing, she looked at her son face, she remembered when last time she saw him, his whole face covered in bruises, but now his face was so clear and so fresh.
"Mom I came to talk to you…for the last time."
"Jamie…" Haley was struggling to speak, "I'm so sorry, I should have never let Dan near you."
"Mom please what happened to me wasn't your fault, don't blame yourself, you know what hurt me the most is everyone blaming themselves, and I can't feel any peace."
"I also can't feel any piece…I miss you so much."
"I also miss you all, but it has to be that way, I have to go."
"Jamie, please don't go." Haley pleaded.
"Mom I can't stay, please promise me that you'll choose life and live, Ashley, Adam and Maggie and still here and dad love you, and please you have to go on for them."
"But you won't be there, how will we go on without you."
"Mom my life here has ended, but another life for me has begun, and I can't live it if you don't move on."
"How can we do it?"
"Mom, just say goodbye."
"Jamie…" Haley's tears began flowing, "It's too hard."
"Mom it's hard and I also know that, but trust me once you'll say it everything will get easy."
"I'll try…"
"Mom you have to do it, and listen in another time we shall meet again."
Haley closed her eyes, but after a minute she opened them again but no one was there. She knew it was the last time she saw her son. She began thinking about what Jamie said to her, and then she dialed Nathan's number. Her call was picked up at once.
"Hello Nathan I want you to come here, I need to talk to you."
Brook was sitting outside her house and watching the sky still filled with clouds and everything was covered in fog.
As she was buried in her thoughts, Julian came and put his hand on her shoulders, "Hey. Why are you awake in the middle of the night?"
"Well there are so many things on my mind, and I just couldn't sleep."
"I understand, in just one moment everything changed."
"Yes, and I'm waiting for the moment, when everything changes back as they were."
"Well Brook I can only hope."
"Ok you must go, kids will freak out if they don't find us inside."
"How long will you stay outside?" Julian was concerned.
"Just a little bit."
"Ok," Julian said and went inside.
Brook turned her head and all of sudden she saw someone standing in front of her house, and his face covered in a hoodie.
"Who is there?" Brook shouted but he began walking towards her.
"Listen I'll call someone," Brook threatened and picked the rod that was lying there.
He came closer and removed his hoodie, "Aunt Brook!"
"Jamie…." Rod fell from Brook's hand.
"Aunt Brook I just came here say goodbye."
"Am I dreaming? Is this really you?"
"Yes Aunt Brook it's me but its only time you'll see me."
"Why?" Brook tears began flowing.
"I don't have the answer; after all it was my fate."
"No I don't accept it, you were supposed to live."
"Aunt Brook I'll always live in your heart, and I'm always going to be with you all."
"But still we can't be able to touch you, and hear you."
"Yes but you can feel me."
"Jamie…" Brook's tears were falling like rain, and she touched his face, it was smooth and warm.
"Aunt Brook, there something I need to tell you."
"Jamie you can tell me anything."
"I know you want Uncle Julian back, but you're afraid."
"Yes Jamie that's right."
"You know you told me to fallow your heart, now I'm asking you the same, you'll find the answer."
"Ok Jamie I'll do that."
"Aunt Brook Goodbye," Jamie began walking away.
Brook was about to say something, but she heard Julian's footsteps and she turned to him.
"Brook who were you talking to?"
Brook turned again but no one was there, she closed her eyes and looked at Julian.
"Brook, were you crying?"
"Well Julian these tears are for last time, please come inside, I have made decisions about us."
"Brook…" Julian was out of words.
"Please come inside," Brook took Julian's hand and they both went inside.
Lucas looked at his children one by one and came to the living room where Peyton was also sitting.
"Lucas, are you feeling well?" Peyton was still concerned about him.
"Physically I'm alright, but still I can't wash away the guilt."
Peyton sighed; she knew it will take time for their broken heart to heal again.
"I'm going for a small walk."
"But it late at night and there's so much fog."
"It'll be ok; I'll be back in half n hour."
"Ok, I'm also going to sit in the balcony."
Both Lucas and Peyton came outside the house.
"Ok I'll come back soon." Lucas gave Peyton a small kiss and left.
Peyton sat on the chair outside, all of sudden winds started blowing and newspaper that was on the table fell.
"Great," Peyton frowned and kneeled down to pick the paper, but when she raised her head, she saw someone legs.
Peyton at once stood up and looked at the person who was standing there.
"Hi Aunt Peyton," again it was Jamie.
Peyton shook her head.
"Please Aunt Peyton, I'm not here to haunt you, just came to talk before I'll leave."
"So you'll leave." Peyton asked.
"Yes Aunt Peyton, I'll leave as you say, people always leave."
"Do you have any idea what it do to the people you leave behind?" Peyton wanted so bad to ask that question.
"Yes I do, there nothing romantic about death." Jamie took a pause, "But I want to ask you something, do you want to leave the one you love."
"No," Peyton shook her head.
"Well Aunt Peyton, no one wants to leave the one they love and care, it's not their choice to leave and like them, it's not my choice to leave, leaving you all as painful to me as it to you."
"But it's so unfair."
"Life is never fair Aunt Peyton, but it goes on."
"Yes it goes on," Peyton sighed.
"Please don't blame the people who left you, Goodbye Aunt Peyton," Jamie said, and again he disappeared in the mist.
"Thanks Jamie," Peyton just heard the words she wanted to hear.
Lucas was slowly walking inside the cemetery. He stopped at the big oak tree, he looked at the grave a little far from it, and even in dark he could see 'Keith Alan Scott' marked on it. He turned and came under the oak tree and towards the grave of his nephew.
"I just wish I never had pulled Dan from that fire!" Lucas's voice was full of pain.
"And what would have it done if you haven't pulled him out of fire?" someone said from behind.
Lucas at once turned as he knew that voice. In front of him Jamie was standing.
"Jamie…." Lucas looked at his nephew, "You are here!"
"Yes Uncle Lucas, your pain and sorrow have brought me here. Listen Uncle Lucas, do you really think things would have been better if you didn't pull Grandpa Dan, trust me things would have been lot worse."
"I thought I was doing the right thing."
"You did the right thing, you proved that you were not like him, and really you're not like him."
"I need yours and Keith's forgiveness."
"Uncle Lucas please you did nothing and stop blaming yourself, do you know how much it hurts me."
Lucas felt the pain in Jamie's voice, and he felt it in his heart, "Please Jamie I want this pain to go away."
"First you need to stop blaming yourself…Uncle Lucas you have a great life, just don't throw it away. You have a wife who loves you so much, and four great kids."
"Yes Jamie I do have them." Lucas lowered his head.
"Uncle Lucas, all this pain and regret will take them away from you one by one; do you want that, do you want Dan to win?"
"No Jamie I don't and I can't," Lucas realized what Jamie was telling him.
"Please go to them."
"Yes Jamie I must go to them," Lucas realized his nephew was right.
"One last thing, please take care of mom and dad when I'm gone and goodbye, I always be there in your hearts."
"Goodbye Jamie," Lucas said with watering eyes and began walking away, but after few steps he turned, but no one was there, so he turned back again and began walking towards his home.
Haley was waiting for Nathan in her room. Door opened and she saw Nathan entering the room.
"Haley what's wrong?"
"Please Nathan sit," Haley asked and Nathan sat beside his wife.
"I know it's strange but I saw Jamie."
"What you also saw him?" Nathan was surprised but Haley wasn't.
"You know we always teach our children, but there are many things we learn from them."
"Yes Haley we do learn from them."
"Yes and you know what Jamie thought us is never to give up and that's what he was here to tell us."
"Haley I know and we have to do what our son wants."
"Yes Nathan, living without Jamie is no doubt going to be hard, but we have to try, and we have to try it right from this very moment, Ashley Adam and Maggie is still here and only we can heal their pain as well as each other."
"Yes Haley, we still have each other and Jamie may be gone, but in some way he'll always be with us."
"Nathan, please take me home, I just asked Sam, and she told me I can go home, I want to be in my home with you and the kids, together we will go through this."
"Yes we will." Nathan held Haley's hand with his hand and placed his head on it, and Haley felt his tears on them and her tears also began flowing, but this time these tears were taking their pain with them.
Maggie was lying in her bed, and like others she couldn't sleep as well. She was missing her brother and her parents.
She got out of room and slowly walked towards Jamie's room. She opened the door and entered in his room. His room was almost the same as it was before. She got on Jamie's bed and put her head on the pillow, maybe her brother was gone, but she could feel him there.
"Hey kiddo," Someone ran fingers in Maggie's soft dark hair, and she looked at the person.
"Jamie…" Maggie at once got up, "You are back."
"Yes I'm back but only for a little time."
"Are you an Angel now?"
"No, but something like that."
"I talked to you as you told me."
"Yes I heard you and God let me come back."
"But you will leave again?" Maggie was sad; she didn't want him to leave.
"Yes I have to leave."
"No I won't let you go," Maggie held her brother's hand.
"Maggie," Jamie sat, "I have to leave."
"You have to promise me that you will come back."
"Maggie it's impossible."
"No you have to promise, or else I'll cry so loud."
"Ok, I'll see you."
"Promise."
"Yes I promise, Ok close your eyes."
Maggie did what she was told and soon the room was empty with only Maggie lying there.
Julian and Brook were inside Brook's bedroom, which was once their.
"Brook are you sure, I wasn't expected your decision so soon."
"Neither was I, but I had to make this decision, and it's the right time."
"I'm waiting, whatever your decision will be, I'll be ok."
"Ok Julian, Listen I grew up being alone, all my life, I wanted someone to love me, with Lucas I felt that I had something but again his heart always belonged to Peyton, so I let him go, and then you came and for first time I really fell in love."
"Same thing goes for me and Peyton. My dad also wanted a daughter, and he loved Peyton liked that, but I also let her go as her heart belonged to Lucas, but when I meet you, I realized I met my soul mate."
"Together we brought three beautiful children in this world, and we had such a great life as a family."
"Brook and we can have that again."
Brook lowered her head and then raised it again.
"Julian when we went apart, I was really hurt, and I'm so afraid to go through this pain again."
"Ok I understand." Julian head went down.
"Julian I'm not finished," Brook said and Julian raised his head again. "I just want to say, I'm tired of being afraid, we don't know what future store for us, and we just can't live in the past so yes I'll give us another chance."
"Brook…" Julian was out of words, she finally said those words he was wanted so bad hear.
"Yes Julian I want us to be together again, and I'm not saying it for kids, I'm saying that for myself."
"Thanks Brook," Julian was so happy, finally he got back everything.
"Hey come here," Brook held her arms and Julian just came and held her.
Finally, they were together again, and they didn't care if this time they'll last or not.
Lucas entered his home and he saw Peyton holding Brian.
"Sorry he was awake."
"Give him to me."
"Are you sure?"
"Peyton he's as much my son as he's yours so give him to me."
"Ok, actually I'm glad that you want to hold him."
Lucas came and took Brian from her.
"Peyton we can't waste our lives, we owe it to the one's we love."
"I can guess he also came to you."
"You also saw him?" Lucas was curious.
"Yes and I saw the pain in his eyes, I've always blamed others for leaving me, but I never thought what it does to them when they have to leave everyone."
"Yes I also felt the same pain in his eye, but at least he said to us the words what we all wanted to hear, I promise I'll live my life, because I have you, and we have our four beautiful children."
Peyton was finally so happy; finally, everything was back as they were.
"Oh I think he's now sleeping," Lucas looked at Brian, who was indeed sleeping.
"Good job," Peyton took Brian from him and went to his room.
Lucas opened his laptop, which was placed there and began writing on it. Peyton came back and was surprised to see Lucas writing on his computer.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm starting a new book, come here I wrote few lines."
Peyton at once sat beside him and looked at the screen. Fallowing lines were written on it.
ALWAYS AND FOREVER
In my school hall, I was quietly sitting on the chair. That day was my
gradation day and end of my High school years. Just moments ago I became
a big brother of beautiful little girl; my mom still has to name her.
On stage my best friend Haley James Scott, who is also married to my
brother Nathan Scott, was giving a valedictorian speech, and then I saw a
change in her voice and color of her face. She looked at us and then told us
that she was having her baby. All of sudden I saw Nathan standing up in shock,
but I knew he wanted to be a dad as much as I wanted to be an Uncle.
I looked around and saw my friends, they were all happy and Brook was so
happy that I had a feeling that maybe Haley is surrogating for her. That moment
I knew someone special has just come in our lives…
"Lucas that's great, I think this book will be awesome."
"Yes Peyton, it's a way to keep Jamie's memory alive."
"Hey," Adam knocked on Ashley's door, and she looked at him.
"What's wrong, did dad come back?"
"No he didn't, I just can't sleep, I was passing by and your door was opened.
"I can't sleep either."
"I know no one is home, and there something came in my mind, and I think you must also come with me."
"What are you talking about?" Ashley had no clue what her brother was talking about.
"Remember you and I made a DVD of Jamie's clips and planned to play it when he was supposed to leave for college."
"Yes," Ashley remembered.
"I'm going to watch it, will you?"
"Yes I'll watch it with you." Ashley also wanted so bad to see and hear her elder brother once again.
"Ok come with me," Adam said and Ashley fallowed him to the living room.
Once they were in the living room. Adam opened the TV set; he already set the DVD, so he pressed the play button.
Soon on the big TV set, they saw the image of their brother. It was a footage taken on his graduation day giving a valedictorian speech.
Deb also came to the living room, but she remained at the back as she didn't want to interrupt them, as she really wanted them to have that moment. She looked at the windows and saw the lights of Nathan's car. She slowly walked towards the main door, and came out of the house to see her son. Car stopped and Nathan came out and to Deb's surprise Haley also came out.
"Haley you're home," Deb was surprised but at the same time happy to see her.
"Yes I'm home and I'm glad to be home."
"So am I," Deb replied.
"Ok we must go inside," Nathan said and they all went inside.
Adam and Ashley were both quietly watching the DVD. They heard the footsteps and they turned to see their parents watching them.
"Mom dad you're home," They both said at the same time.
"Yes we are home and we are home for good." Haley stroked the heads of both his son and daughter and smiled at them.
Ashley and Adam were both so relieved and so happy; finally, they saw the smile of their mother which they were missing for so long.
"Mommy, daddy," Maggie also came running downstairs and Haley held her in her arms.
"Hey what are you watching," Nathan asked watching the TV screen.
"Dad…" Adam was little scared.
"It's ok Adam," Nathan assured his son, "We all are going to watch this together."
Everyone in the room sat in front of the TV set and began watching the footages of Jamie's life. With every moment, all the pain and sorrow in their heart were washing away with the joyful memories of their son and brother.
"Hey look at the sky," Ashley interrupted.
"What's wrong?" Nathan asked.
"Mom dad sky is clear and just look at the stars they look so bright."
"Come outside," Haley said and they all came outside the house.
Sky was totally clear and they could see the full moon shining in the sky.
Haley and Nathan looked at each other, their boy was gone but his memories in theirs as well as in many hearts were alive, and it was enough for them to move on. Their love was for always and forever and it was lot stronger than the death.
Ok for last week I've been super busy. I had a project for doing a 3d animation for my head, and I almost worked more than 12 hours a day.
I could have written this whole chapter better, but I just wrote what came in my mind as I didn't had the free time, so I don't know if it's good or bad. I have no strength left to change or add anything.
Well next chapter is going to be last, and I hope to post it within four days.
Thanks.
