Hi everyone! Sorry that I have been slacking at updating – I just had finals and finished my junior year of college so now I am home for the summer and I promise to write more! I was lacking motivation for a while but shout out to Tyler Hilton and his music because it's been inspiring me! Hope you enjoy! Xoxo, Samantha
Chapter 19: Fashionista or NBA Playa
Lucas stepped outside of the center and breathed in the fresh air. For July, it was pretty cool and he was thankful for this moment because summers in North Carolina were pretty brutal. Today was the day that he was going home and the same day he was going to find out the gender of his baby and he was so excited. Truth be told, the baby was his motivation to keep fighting at the treatment detox center, even when he wanted to give up. He had hit a pretty dark point, and it seemed like everything was helpless and he wanted to quit. He wanted so badly to just give up the fight and give in, but then he thought about Brooke's beautiful smile and how they had managed to create this life that was slowly growing inside Brooke. It was truly beautiful, and Lucas would never admit it but that baby was the reason why he was going home today. His child had saved him.
He smirked when he saw Nathan's SUV roll up to the curb, as he rolled down the windows and waved. Lucas had secretly hoped his mother was going to pick him up but then he remembered she was probably swamped with the gender reveal and Brooke's roller coaster of emotions that Nathan would have to settle.
"Hey druggie, glad to see you made it out alive." Nathan joked, jabbing Lucas in the shoulder.
"Shut up little brother, it's good to see you." Lucas chuckled. It felt good to be out of that place. "Where is Hales?"
"Good question, she said she would meet me at the party. Something about ordering invitations and putting paint in a balloon.."
"Ah so Brooke went with the paint announcement? I figured she would so that we could take "insta-worthy" photos." Lucas laughed at the idea of paint being splattered all over him and Brooke. He knew she would look beautiful even covered in blue or pink paint.
"So, are you nervous?"
"A little. I definitely needed the help and I think this is the perfect time to come back. We will be so distracted with shopping for the nursery that it will be hard for me to focus on any withdrawal thoughts. Besides, I'm super excited to know if it's a boy."
"Rooting for a boy I take it?" Nathan laughed. Of course him and Lucas both wanted boys first, it just made life so much easier and they could start basketball nice and young.
"You read my mind little bro." They drove the rest of the way just catching up on everything. When they pulled into Lucas's house for the gender reveal he felt butterflies in his stomach. It felt good to be home, and the first ones to the party. This gave him plenty of time to talk to Brooke.
- Friends First then Love -
Haley was already late. It took her forever to order their wedding invitations and then trying to put the paint into the balloons was a complete disaster. She had to change to make sure to not give any secrets away. She was about to head out the door of her parent's house, where her and Nathan were staying while they were in town, when she heard the door bell.
"Ugh, of course. Just as I am about to leave someone shows up. Haley James, will you ever learn the concept of time?" Haley muttered to herself in frustration as she headed over to the door. She wasn't expecting anyone and prayed to God that it wasn't Dan Scott standing on the other side of the door.
"Hi, Haley?" Haley did not recognize this woman at all but she looked like she had been crying. She was dressed in all black and her brunette hair was pulled back into a tight bun on top of her head.
"Hi, not to be rude but who are you?"
"Anita Keller. Chris's mother. It's nice to finally meet you." Haley felt her heart sink. This couldn't be happening. She had been avoiding the Chris subject since he died because she felt guilty. If Dan hadn't kidnapped her and she had listened to him, and stayed away, then Chris wouldn't be dead right now. This was all her fault, and she knew it but it was hard to stare at his mother who clearly still was trying to get through his sudden passing.
"Oh my gosh – Hi Mrs. Keller, it's nice to meet you. I'm so sorry about Chris, please come in." Haley motioned for Anita to come inside but she didn't move.
"Thank you for the offer, I appreciate it but this will be quick." Haley felt her palms sweating. Please don't yell at me, please she thought to herself as she gave her full attention to the woman in front of her who looked like she was on the verge of breaking down.
"I was going through Christopher's stuff and I found this CD. He had recorded this demo, when his grandfather had a studio, but he was too nervous to send it out to any record labels. Anyways, he kept it for the longest time and right before he passed he told me about this girl Haley who had a beautiful voice, and had inspired him to send out his demo. Unfortunately, he never got around to it but I know that he would love for you to hear it, from one musician to another. Anyways, I just came to drop it off and give it to you. You were the reason why he believed in music and that he was good enough, and man was he a talented boy. I don't know where he got it from, my husband and I are far from musically gifted." Anita handed the CD to Haley. Haley was speechless; she didn't know what to say.
"Wow, thank you so much Mrs. Keller but are you sure?"
"I'm sure Haley. I have plenty of home videos of Christopher singing. Besides, he would want you to have this. Thank you for being a good friend to him Haley. My husband is waiting for me Haley, have a nice day." Anita turned on her heels to walk away when Haley stopped her.
"Thank you again, and I am really sorry for your loss. I really appreciate this, you raised a great and talented young man." Anita nodded, and smiled through her teary eyes and headed away, getting into the car. Haley closed the door and took a breath. She knew she had to get to the party, but she was curious as to what was on this CD. She had been good friends with Chris at one point in her life, even if he was a cocky asshole sometimes. She hoped that this CD would help her with the coping process, since she fought back tears every day refusing to let them shed. She popped the CD in and felt her heart drop when the first song came on. He was gone because of her, this was all her fault and she didn't know if she could continue to live with herself knowing that his life had been taken.
"And I'll let you know
When it comes, when it comes
I'll let you know
But don't stay up for me,
Don't wait up for me,
If I'm not home."
Haley felt the tear roll down her cheek as the first song played. She didn't know why she was torturing herself by letting herself listen to the album when she was suppose to be happy for Brooke and Lucas, but here she was, sitting in the kitchen staring blankly at the clock, letting the tears roll down her cheeks.
- Friends First then Love -
It was getting close to the start of the party and Nathan was wondering where Haley was. She hadn't been answering her phone and she was supposed to be here not too long ago. He knew that she couldn't have gone far. They were a long ride from their apartment and they had taken only Nathan's car down to Tree Hill. Haley was supposed to borrow her mother's car to get to the party. Nathan figured maybe Haley wasn't able to get the car from her mother, but then he realized that she would have definitely called if she needed a ride.
"Hey Karen, I'll be right back. I haven't heard from Haley and she should have been here right now so I'm going to go check on her." Nathan said as he headed out the door to his car. This was unlike Haley. Haley was either incredibly early or slightly late, there was no in between but this classified as really late since guests were beginning to arrive and they needed the balloons to reveal the gender of the baby.
"Okay Nathan, try not to be too long. I hope everything is okay with Haley." Karen replied, giving Nathan a quick squeeze as she headed into the kitchen to pull out appetizers. The house and backyard were decorated so nicely with basketballs everywhere and items of fashion clothing and magazines everywhere as well. Nathan thought the theme fit perfectly for both Lucas and Brooke's personalities and couldn't help but laugh at the baby pictures of Lucas and Brooke spread throughout as well. On the guessing board everyone was saying it was a girl, but Nathan had a feeling it was a boy. He hoped for Lucas's sake that it was too because a little Brooke running around was terrifying.
"Thanks Karen, me too."
- Friends First then Love -
Lucas came up from behind Brooke and pulled her into a big hug as she squealed with excitement. She turned around to see him standing there, looking 100 times better and she pulled him into another hug. She was so happy that her other half was home and that he was recovering.
"Ahh I missed you pretty girl." Lucas said, as he kissed Brooke and smiled. It felt good to be home.
"LUKE! I am so glad you are home! I missed you so much! Karen has been great, but sleeping alone gets kind of lonely."
"I bet. Well you won't be doing much of that anymore Brooke Davis, I am the man for you."
"I missed you Luke, for a long time now. The Lucas before you left wasn't the same Lucas that I fell in love with and I'm glad he's gone because he was scary."
"I know, and I am so sorry Brooke. I am not proud of who I was and I am trying my hardest to be better. This baby and you are the reasons why I'm standing here right now. I knew I had to keep fighting to be here for you."
- Friends First then Love -
Nathan walked into the house. He heard music blaring from Haley's bedroom and followed the sound to check it out. When he opened the door he found Haley sitting on the floor in tears.
"Baby, what's the matter?!" He shouted over the loud music, as he walked over to turn it down. He sat down next to Haley and pulled her in, as her sobs soaked his shirt. "Hales, Hales, what's going on?"
"Thii.. is.. all.. m-m—my fault." She choked out.
"Hales, what are you talking about baby?"
"Chris's mother came and gave me.. me.. Chris's demo CD and he's d-ddd-dead because of meee."
"Haley baby, don't say that. This is not your fault okay? You didn't know that Dan was going to go after him, no one did. You can't blame yourself baby girl, it's not your fault." Haley continued to cry, and Nathan let her. He knew that she had been holding it in for months now and he knew that she needed to get it out. Everyone had taken their turn mourning his loss except for Haley, who was constantly holding it together for everyone else. Now it was her time to mourn and heal, and Nathan would be by her side through it all, no matter how long it would take.
Haley cried for a little while, and they were late to the party but she had felt a lot better after letting it out. Nathan suggested that she go see someone, just to talk about these feelings she was having and she agreed. She also decided that she was going to start writing music again. Chris's demo CD had inspired her and given her that inspiration that she was lacking. Nathan was supporting Haley in every way, which she loved. She knew he loved her singing, and she was glad to get back into it and try some new things besides singing at late night coffee house open-mic nights.
Brooke was frantic when they finally arrived. She had been impatient all day waiting to reveal the baby's gender and Karen tortured her some more by making her play all these silly games. Brooke told her to save it for the baby shower, but Karen insisted that she had more games planned for that. Lucas enjoyed being home and being surrounded by everyone. He knew he was finally on his way to recovery and he was so thankful.
"So, what do you think it is?" Haley asked Nathan, as they sat on the side munching out on appetizers waiting for the grill to heat up so that Whitey could bang out some burgers and hot dogs.
"A boy, just for Lucas's sake." Nathan chuckled.
"Me too. Lucas can barely deal with one Brooke, imagine two of them." Haley responded, laughing as well as she munched out on her celery stick making sure to dip it in the ranch.
"Excuse me Haley James but did I just see you double dip?" Nathan teased, laughing at Haley's face turning pink.
"Shhh don't tell Karen, she HATES when people do that!"
"So, when are you two going to start popping out little Nathans?" Whitey asked, catching both Haley and Nathan off guard.
"Not for a while Whitey, I'm trying to survive all this wedding planning. Babies are the last thing on my mind!"
They were distracted when Karen called for everyone's attention. Lucas and Brooke had changed into white shirts and had pens to pop the balloons filled with paint. They looked so happy, they were both anxious to see what the result was.
"On the count of three… One, two, three.." Karen called out as Brooke immediately jumped at popping her balloon, with Lucas following behind her. Blue paint splattered everywhere and Brooke began to cry.
"I told you." Nathan muttered into Haley's ear as he kissed her forehead. He couldn't wait to be starting a family with Haley one day and getting to do things like this with their friends and family.
- Friends First then Love -
Brooke laid on the bed with her hands on her stomach, smiling down at her tummy. She had been talking to her baby boy all day and felt herself continuously rubbing her belly to make her presence known to the baby.
"You have been rubbing your belly all day." Lucas said as he came in and sat down at Brooke's feet smiling at her and how beautiful she looked in his oversized jersey and no makeup.
"I just want the baby to know I'm always here and that I love him very much." She replied, smiling back at Lucas. "I can't believe we are having a baby boy."
"Me either. I know you wanted a girl though. Are you disappointed?"
"Broody! Of course not! Besides, it just means we get to try for me eventually right?" She said, laughing as she kissed Lucas.
"That's my favorite part Brooke Davis.." He kissed her passionately back and pulled away, staring deep into her chestnut eyes. "I actually was meaning to talk to you about something."
"Sure, what's up baby?"
"I was wondering if it would be okay if we named him Keith. I was thinking how Keith would have loved to be here to see all of this, and how he would be so proud of us and all that he has done for me. I miss him like hell every single day."
"Lucas, baby, I know you do but he is always with you in heart. And besides, I was thinking of naming him Keith too. Keith Davis Scott.. it has a nice ring to it."
"I love you beautiful girl." Lucas leaned in kissing Brooke and laying his hand on top of hers, which rested peacefully on her stomach. He felt like he was finally home.
- Friends First then Love -
Haley lay awake, staring at the ceiling in the pitch black. She could hear Nathan's muffled snores next to her and knew that he was out cold. She wanted to curl up to him and pretend that she was okay, but she wasn't. She knew that tomorrow they would return back to their apartment and she would be left alone with her thoughts and all these wedding planning magazines. She couldn't sleep. She was tossing and turning non-stop and decided it was time to go downstairs and make some tea. When she got downstairs she found a notepad sitting on the island counter and a pen, and decided now was the best time for her to start writing again. What better way to cope with the loss of a friend then with a pen and paper?