A/N: Hello everyone. I know, it's been forever since I've updated this story or any other story. All I can say is life got in the way along with a really long period of writer's block. Still this story was my baby and I've always intended on not leaving it unfinished. I have gotten a few messages from some of you still interested in the story so for that reason and my own personal love of this story I've started writing again and am determined to give you the end of this story. There will only be a few more chapters left to this fic and I'll be updating once a week, either Sunday on Monday until it is finished. Anyways, I'd like to thank all of you who have gone along on this journey with me and hope you like the next chapter. Again, thanks for reading.
NOTE: An excerpt from the story "The Store-Bought Doll" by Lois Meyer is contained in this chapter. It was actually one of my own favorites when I was like 4 years old.
Anyways, enjoy :)
A Parent's Unfading Handprint On The Glass Of A Child's Heart
~ We carry them within us all our lives-in the shape of our face, the way we walk, the sound of our voice, our skin, our hair, our hands, our heart. (Richard Eyre)
Deb sat back silently as the wand was moved over her protruding stomach, her hand holding her husband's as they both stared at the screen.
"Wow," Skills said in amazement. "Look at her moving in there."
"It's amazing isn't it?" Deb turned watery eyes towards him before looking down at her stomach. "We are so happy we're going to meet you soon little one."
"I am a firm believer in taking to your baby, especially this close to delivery," Dr. Thompson said. "Everything is looking good; hopefully we'll expect her arrival in the next few days."
"And if she doesn't make her presence known by then?" Deb asked in concern.
"Well we're still only a few days after the due date but I'll make a tentative appointment for next week if she has yet to arrive," she smiled kindly. "I'll check on things and we'll take about inducing if necessary."
"But there's no problem now?" Skills looked up at the doctor.
"No she looks perfect," she answered with a warm smile before removing the paddle from Deb's stomach and wiping up the gel. "I'll give you a minute to get dressed." Dr. Thompson smiled before leaving the room.
"I still can't believe this is happening," Deb couldn't contain the grin that spread across her face. "We're actually going to be holding our daughter in our arms any day now."
"I can't wait," Skills said happily as he kissed his wife's forehead before placing a hand on her belly, leaning down to talk to his wife's baby bump. "Your Dad and Mom are so excited to meet you kid so don't take too long." He laughed.
"And don't push too hard," Deb laughed as well, smiling as he placed a gentle kiss on her stomach before he helped her get dressed.
Brooke sat silently as her doctor finished looking over the chart and made her final notes, before her blue eyes looked up over the metal clipboard with a smile.
"So I'm good?" Brooke asked with her own smile.
"You're fantastic," Dr. Sinclair replied. "It looks like everything's in order. I am still waiting on your results to the last test but I think it's pretty safe to say we'll be able to release not just your little boy later today but you too."
The brunette let out a breath of relief. "You don't know how excited I am to be getting out of this hospital," she practically squealed before schooling her features in a more serious manner. "Not that I won't miss you Dr. Sinclair."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," the blonde woman laughed. "I'd be happy to go home too but for future reference, I'm going to miss you too." She offered her patient a wide smile. "I'll go check on those results; see if they're in yet."
"Thanks Dr. Sinclair," Brooke replied with a pause, "for everything," She returned the smile as the doctor left before flipping against the bed and kicking her legs excitedly for a few moments before hearing stifled laughter from the doorway, her eyes wide at her husband's presence.
Lucas chuckled behind his hand as he stepped inside. "What are you doing Crazy Girl?" his eyebrows lifted in curiosity.
"Being excited," her raspy voice was a whisper as her cheeks flushed red. "Dr. Sinclair just told me you could spring later today so we can get Keith together and hopefully Kayla soon too."
"That is new to kick the bed about," he laughed as he stepped closer.
"Shut up," she gave him a playful pout, turning away from him as he leaned down to kiss her.
"Am I being punished now?" he said near her ear before kissing her neck.
"Keep this up and you'll be forgiven in no time," she said throatily, leaning back to give him more access.
He sucked on her pulse point for a moment before trailing his lips along her jaw line to her mouth, finding that she turned into him this time. "I can't wait to take you home Mrs. Scott," he murmured against her lips.
"Me either," she laughed against him before their lips began to glide across each other's again.
"Whoa now are we trying for more already?" Rachel said loudly as she stepped inside, watching her friends break apart. "You're lucky I didn't bring my kid or she would've been scarred for life."
"I would hope shed be in school seeing as it's a school day," Brooke laughed.
"Whatever," the red head shrugged as she took a seat.
"I'll see you later," Lucas said before giving his wife a kiss on the forehead. "I have to go check in with the editing and it' probably better I do it now so I can be back to spring you and Keith." He turned towards the other woman. "See you later Rachel."
"You too," she smiled. "Fatherhood and husband looks good on you Lucas."
"Thanks," he smiled before exiting the room.
"It's good to see that the fire doesn't go out once you have kids," Rachel laughed.
"Well judging from that permanent smile on your face it looks like parenthood hasn't tampered down yours and Owen's flame either," Brooke laughed at the small pink tint that made its way across her friend's cheek. "And look at that, blushing too."
"Give it a rest skank," she rolled her eyes. "So what is it you wanted to ask me?"
"I have a proposal for you," she replied. "What would you say about modeling a new line for me?" She paused briefly. "I want you to come back to Clothes Ova Bro's."
Haley sat at her desk, looking out at the classroom full of students as they all talked about their final grades. She'd come a long way with this class, from being the young teacher that could hardly control her students to one who commanded the respect of every single one of the teenagers she taught. She looked up at the dark sienna man in the first row a few seats back, and knew she had come the farthest with him. He's started out as someone she thought was un-teachable and became her favorite student of the year. She couldn't believe this was going to be her last days at Tree Hill but she knew this journey was coming to an end and she was ready to start her new one.
"Hey Jimmy Jam," Haley said as she stepped into her son's room. "What are you doing?"
"Just making Daddy a card to wish him good luck for his next game," he answered before putting the marker down and turning around. "I can't wait till we can see the next one."
"Its hard being away from your dad isn't it?" she asked.
"Sometimes," he shrugged. "But I want Daddy to play in The NBA and I want you to go on tour so you can sing."
"But after the tour," she sat down on his bed, patting the space next to her. "Come here Lil' Man." She waited for him to comply. "You know Tree Hill will always be our home right?"
"Uh-huh," he nodded vigorously.
"But where your family is, is also your home," Haley added, watching her son nod yet again. "What would you think about going to live with Daddy for a while after the tour?"
"Will you come?" his eyes were wide with uncertainty.
"Of course," she smiled warmly. "And Aunt Brooke and Uncle Lucas both go there for work and I'm sure everyone else would visit or we could visit them."
"Then I say we go for it," Jamie said happily.
"Me too buddy," she smiled as she wrapped an arm around her son, kissing his forehead before they began a tickle fight.
"I am so proud of this class," Hale said as she stood up from her desk. "We started off a little rough at the beginning of the year."
"Yeah sorry about that Mrs. James-Scott," Quentin chimed in, a few other students muttering their apologies.
"It's okay," she smiled. "I think we've all moved past that and giving that everyone did so well in this class, I actually have something for you all." Haley reached for the small brown box on her desk. "It's not much, and being this is an English class it of course has to do with reading but I thought it would be a nice gesture for us to remember our time here together." She began to walk down the aisle, placing an engraved sterling silver bookmark on each desk.
"These are actually cool," Sam said with a smile. "It's got my name on it."
"Yes they each have your names on them," Haley said as she continued to pass them out, "and a quote I thought symbolized our time together." She returned to stand in front of her desk, tossing the empty box on it behind her. "It says, Today is the first day of the rest of your life." She paused briefly. "And that is as true today as it will be tomorrow. My second day with you all, do you remember the question I asked you?" She looked around the room. "Candace?"
"You asked if we understood that the rest of our life was being shaped then," the blonde girl in the third row answered.
"Yes," she smiled with a nod. "I told you that you could choose to blame your circumstances on fate or bad luck or bad choices or you could chose to fight back," she paused briefly, "that you could take this journey with me and learn something, and fight for what you wanted your future to be and you all have done that and I want to thank each and everyone one of you for going on that journey with me; for being the most challenging yet most inspiration first class I ever could have dreamed of teaching." She looked out at all the young faces, some more emotional than she thought they would be and was happy she'd touched so many of them. "I'm going to miss all of you and Tree Hill High."
"Are you not teaching here next year?" Sam asked. "That's gonna suck for the new seniors."
"Yeah, Rimkus' not kicking you out is she?" Brian asked.
"No," she shook her head. "I'm actually moving…"
"New York," Quentin supplied for her. "You and Little J-Luke going to move to be with Nat-I mean, Mr. Scott?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"That's awesome," Patty cheered from the middle row. "Maybe I'll see you there since I'll be in New York next year. This gift is even better now."
"The bookmarks?" Haley asked,
"No," Quentin answered. "The one we got you."
Sam reached behind her desk and grabbed a gift bag, bringing it to the front of the room. "You've been such an awesome teacher and so good to all of us that we got you something."
"You guys didn't have to that," Haley said before pulling the item out of the bad. It was a wood box at the bottom with a glass shooting star coming out f the top. "It's beautiful."
"And it's engraved too," Quentin paused briefly. "Read it."
"To the world's greatest teacher from your favorite English class," Haley read with a smile. "Thank you all so much; I will cherish this, always."
Skills and Jamie stood in the living room of his and Deb's house playing Guitar Hero. Lately he'd been so focused on getting things ready for the baby and with fixing up the house; he hadn't been spending as much time with his "nephew" as he wanted.
"Thanks for picking me up Uncle Skills," Jamie beamed proudly as he won yet again. "This was great."
"Yeah for you man," he ruffled the little boy's hair. "You keep winning."
Jamie laughed in amusement. "Wanna go again? I promise I'll go easy on you."
"You'll go easy on me," Skills pointed to himself dramatically. "I've been going easy on you."
"Oh really," Jamie tapped his finger against his chin precociously. "Maybe we could make this a little more interesting."
"What did you have in mind J-Luke?" the sienna man crossed his arms over his chest.
"We could…" Jamie was cut off by a loud banging coming from the kitchen. "What was that?"
"Deb," Skills called as he rushed towards the kitchen. "You okay?" He deadpanned when he got around the corner, finding her standing there in a small puddle next to a bunch of strewn items that must have fallen. "Are you…"
"Yeah," Deb said as she moved her legs awkwardly from the discomfort. "I think our daughter is finally making that entrance."
"Cool!" Jamie beamed from the doorway.
Owen came around the corner pulling a few boxes of imported beer behind him to stock. He'd already finished stocking the wine and making sure the liquor was fully stalked as well for the shift change. He had been happy to help out with Jenny lately giving Jake's condition, but now that he was better and Peyton was leaving his bedside it was going to be the first night in a while he'd get to spend with his family and he was happy about it.
"Bartender," Owen looked up at the call, cringing when he saw who called him
"What the hell Stephen?" he said as he came around the corner, ushering him towards the door. "Cover the bar Tina."
"Sure thing," the young woman said as the two men stepped outside.
"What is it going to take for you to get the hint," Owen gritted his teeth. "What, do you want money or are you just here to put your crap on me again?"
"Do I look like I'm hurting for money little brother?" Stephen said as he smoother out his designer suit.
"Don't call me that," he barked.
"Why; it's who you will always be to me even if you don't like to act like it," Stephen retorted cockily.
"You didn't act like it the last time I saw you either or do brothers usually plant their drugs under their brother's seat and tell the cops it was all him," he shot back icily.
"I'm sorry Owen," he raised his voice. "Is that what you want to hear? I'm sorry but I'm not the same guy I used to be."
"Neither am I," he replied through clenched teeth, "but coming down in jail and then spending almost a year locked inside will do that to a person." He let out a deep breath. "Look, I don't have time for this, just let me know what you want and then go crawl back under whatever fancy as rock you crawled out of."
"Its dad," he let out a deep breath. "He wants to see you."
"That man is as dead to me as you are," Owen said as he turned around to make his way back inside Tric.
"He will be soon enough if you don't go talk to him Owen," he replied, watching his brother stop in his racks. "He's dying, for real."
Owen whipped around. "What?"
"Yeah," he shrugged. "I guess he wants to make amends with his kids before e meets his maker. I came to get you to go with me man."
"I don't…" he trailed off, unable to process everything. "I don't think I can Stephen. It's too late to…"
"I know but he's dying O," Stephen replied. "Look I'm staying at The Comfort Inn; it was the biggest hotel I could find in this tree town. I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon at two so I guess I'll se you then," his voice was hopeful.
"Probably not," Owen said before stepping back inside the bar.
Nathan climbed out of his new SUV, tossing the keys to the valet outside before taking the elevator up the top floor where Brooke's high rise loft was located. Being in New York was a little overwhelming; the fast paced life of the city was an extreme contrast to the laid back nature of Tree Hill. Even being in Fort Worth had been comparatively slower than New York but he had to admit being n the spotlight agreed with him; he finally felt like he was living the destiny his father had designed for him from the earliest days of his childhood.
Walking to the refrigerator, Nathan grabbed a bottle of water before going over to the balcony to look out at the amazing view, his father still on his mind. It was strange how often Dan entered his thoughts these days. He knew Dan hadn't been a good man and that he'd been rough on him but he also knew that his father loved him in his own warped way and if it weren't for Dan Scott, he would not be living his dream of The NBA. Dan had taught him a lot, mostly what not to do but he'd also taught him the art of resilience; to never admit defeat until you could claim victory. He'd also taught him, even if it was by opposite example, that family meant everything. Nathan had gone through lots of ups and downs, even flirting with the idea of being a mini Dan Scott, but in the end he'd become the man his father wanted him to be; the man Dan could never be himself.
Nathan was brought out of his inner reflections at the sound of the phone ringing. Turning away from the skyline he stepped back inside to answer it, smiling at the voice he heard on the other line.
"Hi Nathan," Haley's melodic voice carried through the phone line. "How's everything in New York?"
"Good," he said before making his way to the couch and sitting down. "I miss you and Jamie though."
"We miss you too," he could hear the smile in her voice. "I've been thinking about you having to fly back and forth so much to us…"
"You're not thinking about canceling your tour Hales," he paused briefly. "You deserve this and your fans deserve this; aren't you almost completely sold out already?"
"I am," she said excitedly. "I really can't believe it; I've been gone for so long and they've really embraced the album and then this tour."
"My girl's a Rock Star," the pride was evident in his voice. "So if you're not thinking about canceling…" he trailed off, waiting for her to fill in the rest.
"I was thinking about looking for real estate in New York for after the tour," Haley said slowly, hoping he'd catch on.
"Brooke said we can use the loft for as long as we need when you and Jamie come up for games and since I'll be traveling back to Tree Hill when I have free time we probably won't use the place much," Nathan shrugged even though he knew she couldn't see him. "If you want though, it would probably be a good investment."
"Yeah it would but that's not what I'm saying," she paused briefly. "What if you didn't fly out to Tree Hill so much… Jamie and I, we could come to you?"
"You mean to visit or to…" he couldn't stop the grin from playing at the corners of his mouth. "You and Jamie, you want to move here." The happiness in his voice was evident. "Hales, that would be amazing. You know none of this means anything without you and our son but what about Jamie's school and your teaching; you guys have a home there."
"Our home is with you," she answered resolutely. "And I've already talked to Jamie and he's fine with it, better than fine actually and I can teach anywhere." She paused briefly. "Tree Hill will always be here to come home to but we're a family and we should be together."
"I love you Haley James- Scott," Nathan replied.
She smiled into the phone, "And I love you Nathan Scott."
Brooke gazed down lovingly at her daughter, cradling the small child in her arms as she rocked her. "She's so beautiful," she turned back to look at her husband who held their son. "I can't… I can't leave her Luke."
"I know," he agreed with a nod. "We don't want to leave her either, do we buddy?" Lucas looked down at his son.
"What if she thinks we abandoned her Luke?" she looked back down at the bundle of joy in her arms, smiling at the way the tiny child puckered her lips.
"She won't," he replied. "We're her parents and she knows we love her," he smiled as he reached a hand towards his daughter, marveling at how tightly she grasped his index finger. "And she loves us."
"It's not that I don't want to take our son home," Brooke turned to look at her son, smiling at him as he cooed. "I know he's ready to go home but I want to take both my babies home."
"We will soon," Lucas said softly. "I promise."
"I love you so much Kayla Miracle Scott," she placed a soft kiss to the baby's forehead. "We'll be back soon to take you home, I promise."
"I love you baby girl," Lucas leaned down to kiss his daughter, laughing as Keith made a loud gurgling noise. "I guess that was his goodbye to his twin sister."
"Yeah," Brooke laughed through watery eyes as she finally handed over her baby to the nurse. "We'll be back soon sweetheart."
"I'll watch out for her when you're gone," Teresa smiled as she returned the baby to her housing and pushed her out of the room.
"Come on Pretty Girl," Lucas placed his son in her arms before wrapping an arm around her and pulling her close. "Let's take our son home."
Deb sat in bed rocking her new born daughter, surrounded by Skills, Haley, and Jamie. The labor had only lasted an hour and a half and then her small bundle was placed within her arms. She remembered her labor with Nathan had lasted nearly six hours before she finally delivered and was relieved this labor had been so much shorter.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Deb looked over at her husband. "I can't believe how beautiful she is." She watched as the tiny baby yawed. "Look at you yawning. Isn't she just the most beautiful little girl you've ever seen?"
"Yeah she is," he agrees. "She looks just like her mother," Skills nudged his wife's shoulder lightly, "just tanner."
"She is beautiful," Haley agreed as she leaned over to take a closer look. "Hi there sweetie, I'm your sister in law." She beamed down at her.
"Do you want to hold her?" Deb asked.
"Yeah," Haley smiled, "I do." She leaned towards her mother in law, smiling as the happy bundle swaddled in a pink blanket was handed to her. "Hey baby," she jiggled the newest member of her family within her arms. "Hey there sweet girl."
"Can I see?" Jamie asked, getting up on his tip-toes so he could see the baby better.
Haley bent down so her son could get a better look. "She's your aunt," she laughed.
"No way," Jamie shook his head adamantly.
"Do you have room for a couple more?" Autumn poked her head inside the doorway.
"Come in," Deb said as Haley returned the child to her mother's arms.
"Hey everyone," Chuck said as he stepped inside. "Son," he patted Skills on the back affectionately, "how's it feel to be a father?"
"Incredible," he nodded. "I've never felt anything like it."
"There's nothing in the world like it," Chuck agreed.
"She is gorgeous," Autumn said as she leaned over to gaze at her granddaughter. "What's her name?"
Deb stared down at her daughter before the name came to her. Darla," she whispered softly before looking over at her husband. "What do you think Antwon? I just looked at her and she seems like a Darla."
"Darla Rose Taylor," the young sienna man said with a nod and a smile. "What do you think?"
Deb smiled as their daughter cooed. "We both think it's perfect," she replied. "What do you think Grandma?" She looked up at Autumn. "You want to hold her?"
"I'd love to," Autumn said as she reached for the baby. "Hello Darla Rose Taylor, I'm your grandmother and this guy behind me here s your Grandfather." She looked around the room. "This is your family."
"We're just missing your big brother," Haley spoke as she reached over to touch the child's chin gently with her index finger.
As if on cue the door to the room suddenly opened. "I got here as fast as I could," Nathan said as he entered the room.
"Now we're all here," Jamie cheered excitedly.
"Hey buddy," he ruffled his son's hair before giving his wife a quick peck and kissing his mom on the forehead. "Is this my baby sister?" he looked down at her lovingly.
"Yes it is," Autumn grinned before handing her over to the excited brother.
"Darla Rose," Skills added.
"I like it," he said as he rocked her. "Hey baby girl, I'm your big brother Nathan."
Deb looked over at the scene in front of her, her eyes tearing up as she gazed lovingly at her children before reaching over to take her husband's hand. After everything they'd gone through trying to unite their families, their little girl had done it with the simple act of being born.
"This is perfect," she smiled through blurry tears.
Skills nodded with his own smile. "Yes it is."
Rachel sat at her daughter's bedside, arms wrapped around her as she finished reading her favorite story. "And that night, after she ate supper and had a bath, Christina put the beautiful new doll in a corner of her room. Then she crept downstairs and picked up dear old Lucy. She took Lucy up to bed and held her tighter than ever until they both feel asleep." She closed the book and placed a gentle kiss on her child's forehead as she stood up. "Goodnight baby."
"Mom," Orianna croaked out with barely parted lids. "Is Daddy home yet?"
"No but work must've gotten really busy," she lied, knowing Owen had left work hours ago. "He'll be here to take you to school in the morning." Rachel gave her daughter another quick kiss. "Sleep tight."
"Night Mommy," she yawned before closing her eyes as her mother shut the door.
Rachel fumed as she made her way downstairs to the living room, sitting in the wicker chair and not even to bother turning on the lights She was unsure how long she slouched back in the dark but as son as se heard the keys jingling she sat upright. "Where the hell have you been?" she said in a harsh whisper the minute he closed the door behind him.
"Jesus Rach," Owen jumped as she turned on the light. "You scared the hell out of me."
"Where have you been?" she stood up angrily. "I called Tric and the new girl there said you left hours ago."
"I did and I'm sorry," he ran a hand through his hair. "I just had to get out of there and I couldn't come home like that." He shook his head wearily. "You know, I actually thought about taking a drink tonight, a lot of drinks."
Her face immediately softened some as she saw the distress on his face. "What happened Morello?"
"It's my-my father," he could barely get the words out.
"You're father," Rachel looked taken back. "What do you mean?"
"Stephen showed up and he wants me to go with him to see the old man." Owen shook his head. "I don't… I don't know if I can."
"Stephen you're brother, he's in Tree Hill?" the look on his face answered her question. "Why? What's going on?"
"It's my dad, he's dying." Owen shook his head wearily. "And I just don't know what to do."
"Oh Owen, come here." Rachel quickly enveloped him in her arms, feeling his body sag against her.
"I don't know what to do," he whispered brokenly against her shoulder.
"It's going to be okay," she rubbed his back soothingly. "It'll be okay."
Richard Eyre wrote, "Our parents cast long shadows over our lives. When we grow up, we imagine that we can walk in the sun, free of them. We don't realize, until it's too late, that we have no choice in the matter; they're always ahead of us. We carry them within us all our lives-in the shape of our face, the way we walk, the sound of our voice, our skin, our hair, our hands, our heart. We try all our lives to separate ourselves from them, and only when they are gone do we find we are indivisible."