"And all that I needed
Was there all along
Within my reach
As close as the beat of my heart"
"Well hello there Birthday Girl. Happy Birthday!" Haley immediately said as she picked up the phone.
"Thank you."
"How does it feel to be 18 and legal?"
"The same as 17 did. Hey, Hales can I ask you for a favor?"
"Sure, what's up?"
"I can leave my car by you? Lucas and I are going to this party and it's easier if he picks me up by you."
"Of course that's fine." Knowing that Haley's next question is sort of a hard issue, she had to ask it anyway. "Your parents aren't taking you out?"
"Ya, ok…like I am important enough for them to take out and miss days of their cruise."
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"It's fine. I'm over it." My voice was cracking just a tiny bit. Truthfully, I was not happy that they didn't even have anything planned for me today, but that shouldn't be a shocker to me. It still hurts a little bit though.
"I think I'm even more shocked that Lucas isn't taking you out on a nice fancy date."
"He kinda is. He thought that if my parents weren't doing something today, that you guys would be, so he made reservations for tomorrow night."
"Now I feel bad that Nate and well mostly me aren't taken you out to eat or something today. It's just by the end of the day, I am so exhausted and I don't want to push it."
"Hales, it's ok…you guys have a legit excuse. I don't want any harm done to the baby. My birthday isn't that big of a deal anyway." That much is true, I understand and agree whole heartedly with Haley about her not taking me out tonight. Hell, even if she wanted to, I would have told her no way. She needs to just relax and take it easy until the end of this pregnancy.
"You're birthday is that big of a deal you goof. So is it possible that you can come a tad bit early before Lucas picks you up, so I can see you and wish you a proper happy birthday?"
"I was hoping you said that." I said chuckling. "But we were planning on meeting at like 9:30, so I can come by you at like 9 and hang out for a bit until he gets there, unless that is too late for you."
"Ha, no it's not too late, just in time for my nightly snack."
"Oh gawd.'
"Go get ready and I'll see you later."
After getting off the phone with Haley, I laid down and took a nap. I know, on my 18th birthday I'm taking a nap like a little kid. But hey, it was going to be a late night, and I wanted to be awake. Three hours later, I woke up and took a relaxing shower. I knew that I as going to party hard tonight; not because I was upset or anything like that. I just wanted to get way from it all; just one night were I didn't have to worry about work, Haley, the future, or my love life. Just one little release. And it was my 18th birthday of course. While doing my hair, I tried to think of a sexy outfit that I would wear that Lucas would love seeing me in. Despite the sexy outfit, my make up was simple and not over the top. Slipping on my heels, I quickly got in my car and made the drive over to Haley's.
Knock Knock, I was just leaving Lucas a voice mail telling him that he could me pick me up at Nathan and Haley's, after I knocked on the door and now had my back to it.
"What? You think that once you turn 18, you are allowed to just knock on my door and turn your back to me? Teenagers." Haley said laughing and trying to keep a straight face. An instant smile came to my face as I turned back around.
"Shuttie uppie you and just come here." My arms opened up wide in order to embrace her in a hug.
"Happy Birthday!" she said, still hugging me. But then pulling away and dragging me inside and to sit on the couch. "Did you eat? You want something to drink?" Haley made her way to the kitchen and put my keys and phone on the coffee table.
"Yes Mommy I ate, and uhhh just a soda would be fine please."
"Sooo…here" She handed me the glass. "and here, again." she slowly shifted around and gave me a birthday bag.
"Thank you. Hales, you really didn't have to get me anything and besides I told you not to and just use the money on the baby. "
"I know but I wanted to; you've done so much for us these last couple of months, it's the least I can do." She started tearing up, which caused me to start…happy tears of course. In order to stop it from going further, I just started going through the bag.
"Cards or gift first?"
"Gifts." Haley said dabbing at her eyes. The first was a Taylor Swift necklace with my favorite song lyric. Next as a personalized picture frame that happened to have a picture of us from our first concert.
"Awww Hales, I love them. Thank you so much." I said, putting them down and started opening the card.
Inside the envelope were two separate cards. I guess one from Haley and the other one from Nathan. The first was a simple card from the two of them; well there goes that theory. Utterly confused, I opened up the card…addressed to Aunt Brooke. It was so unexpected that I didn't realize that something fell out of it and onto my lap. One the left side was a note obviously done in Haley's hand writing.
Happy Birthday Aunt Brooke! If I wasn't being such a pain to
Mommy and constantly growing, you could have taken her to
the concert, but instead you should take your boyfriend…hehe…
enjoy it and I can't wait to see you soon.
Love, Baby Scott
Again, I was moved to tears. It was so unexpected and adorable. I was not expecting that at all. I was stunned.
"You forgot something." Haley's voice pulled me out of my trance.
"Huh?" She just pointed to my lap. I turned whatever it was over, two sonograms face me. One was what looked like the most recent one, and the other was of the baby's head facing forward with a little world bubble, again wishing me a Happy Birthday. It was all down hill from there. The tears were free flowing now. the anger and hurt that my parents caused me just came out with the realization, even more so now then before, that this is my family: my sister the best friend, her husband the overprotective older brother, and their I guess son…my nephew. My life is set, I don't need anything more. It all just became so surreal to me.
"You're not the one with the wacky hormones, why you so upset?"
"Tears of joy. I just couldn't be happier right now."
"Aw come on, don't get all mushy on me now or I'm going to start as well."
"Its just the card and the pictures from him really touched my heart."
"Him? What did Lucas get you?"
"No him." I pointed to her stomach and she gave me a puzzled look like she had no idea what I was talking about. "Baby Scott?"
"B, we don't know the sex of the baby yet…that's why it's just baby plus our last name."
"Oh, I though you were hinting at something." And we both started laughing.
"We haven't really discussed if we wanted to know." She started rubbing her stomach soothingly.
"Can I?" Motioning to touch it as well. I've heard that some women don't like people just coming up and randomly touching their stomachs, so I figured I'd ask.
"Of course, give me." She grabbed my hand. Again in a span of ten minutes I was speechless. A human life was in there. I couldn't fathom it. I felt the baby move underneath my hand. That made it all so real. I couldn't hide the joy on my face. This is where I wanted and needed to be and I couldn't be any happier with the outcome of my birthday.
Hello to anyone out there still reading this. I know I haven't updated in awhile, but I'm back and with a double feature. The next chapter will be up by the weekend! Please read and review :)
