Chapter 24: 21 Hours
21 Hours.
That's how long Brooke was in labor for, squeezing Lucas's hand to the point where he thought it was broken.
That's how long Nathan and Haley sat in the waiting room for their friends.
That's how long Nathan and Haley spent arguing and then not talking.
That's how long it took for everything to change.
- Flashback to the past 21 hours –
"Nathan, I'm pregnant."
"What, I mean, are you sure?" Nathan asked. He was completely speechless. He didn't even know what to think. Sure, he wanted a family with Haley but not like this and not this soon. They were FRESHMEN in college for God's sake. He still had to make it to the NBA. They still had to freaking get married! This couldn't be real.
"Yes. The doctor's found out today. I thought I was emotional and sick because of stress but turns out I was wrong." Haley knew Nathan was shocked, hell she was still shocked herself. She had expected him to say something by now. He just kind of sat there, looking concerned. "Can you please say something?"
"What do you want me to say Haley? Congratulations? Cause I won't say that." His voice was cold, and bitter. She knew he didn't mean to come across like that but when Nathan shut down, he shut down.
"Gee – that's a start. But I was hoping for something, I don't know, a little more positive? I'm just as scared as you are right now."
"We aren't even married yet and shit, we just started college. We can't even afford our apartment without my mother helping us. How the hell are we suppose to afford a kid?"
"I don't know Nathan. Maybe we should have thought about it before we decided to not use protection. Then, here's a thought, we might not be in this predicament." Haley was exhausted. She didn't want to be in this hospital anymore, but she knew she had to stay for Brooke and her godson.
"Damn it Haley, I know that okay?"
"What are we suppose to do Nathan? Because I'm really scared and I don't know how to do this." She felt her voice break a little, as the tears began to flow. Nathan immediately grabbed her and pulled her in, rubbing her back and soothing her.
"I know you're scared Hales and so am I, but we will figure this out and we will get through this together. We always do." Haley desperately wanted to believe him but she couldn't. She couldn't believe him because they weren't okay right now. They were putting everything on the back burner for Brooke and Lucas and weren't saying things that had to be said. She knew this could only lead to worse things, so when he comforted her she didn't feel comforted. She wouldn't feel comforted until they talked and worked things out. A baby was exciting yes, but it was also going to complicate the situation that they already were in. Haley refused to believe that it was all going to work out, because she wasn't so sure herself if it would.
- Friends First then Love –
Brooke begged and threatened the nurses until they gave her the epidural and the pain still didn't stop.
"Damn you Broody! This is all YOUR fault! You couldn't keep it in your pants!" Brooke screamed, lashing out at Lucas due to the pain she was in. Lucas chuckled. He knew that Brooke didn't mean any of it but he had to let her let out this frustration so that the delivery could go smooth.
"If I remember correctly, you certainly weren't protesting." He joked, as she glared at him squeezing his hand even harder with each passing contraction.
"I hate you!" She cried out in pain, she just wanted this to be over with. She had been here forever and she wanted this baby out NOW.
"I love you too Brooke Penelope Davis." He kissed her hand, and she smiled a little before the pain began again. "I'm going to get you some ice chips okay?" Brooke nodded, half listening to what he was saying and half not.
Lucas found the ice chips and saw Haley and Nathan who seemed to be having a pretty heated discussion. He figured, why not interrupt them because it would be nice to have interaction with someone who wasn't yelling at him.
"Hey guys." He said, awkwardly waving knowing that he broke up their conversation. "I'm surprised you guys are still here. You don't have to stay you know. My mom should be here any minute."
"That's okay Luke – we have nothing better to do anyways. Besides, I can't let my godson come into this world without me being here can I?" Haley smiled, but Luke knew it was a fake smile. He knew Haley too well.
"Yeah about that, Nathan I didn't get a chance to ask but would you like to be the godfather? It makes sense since Haley's the godmother and you guys are practically married. Besides, I'm not really close with anyone else and you're my brother."
"I'd be honored man, thanks." Nathan replied, hugging Lucas in a brotherly hug.
"How's Tigger doing in there?" Haley asked, breaking the moment between the two boys, genuinely concerned about her best friend who was probably terrified right now.
"Oh you know, she hates me and wants to rip my head off but other than that, good. She's not making much progress though. The nurse said that the first child can cause over 20 hours of labor, and I don't know if Brooke will let me live that long." He chuckled, half joking. Brooke was intimidating as it was but even more so in a situation like this. Haley and Nathan shot each other a look, and Lucas took note of it wondering if there was something going on that he didn't know about. Nathan nudged Haley, seeing that Lucas was catching on.
"Oh you're being dramatic. Besides, it'll be worth it at the end when she's holding the baby. She's going to be so in love with him that she won't even remember how she got here in the first place." Haley joked, winking at Lucas who chuckled and shook his head.
"I'm excited to meet the little guy but also scared. I just don't want to mess this up again. I wish Keith were here to give me some sort of advice and make this all easier ya know?"
"Hey, you'll be a great dad Luke. Besides, you saw how much Dan sucked as a father so you know exactly how NOT to be. It'll come." Nathan reassured and Haley reached over to squeeze his hand. This was all so emotional and so intense.
"Thanks Nate. But I should go give these ice chips to Brooke before she yells at me some more. Let me know when my mom gets here." And with that he was off. He returned to the room to see Brooke lying there with her eyes closed attempting to get some rest before she had to endure more contractions.
"Hey beautiful, here's your ice chips." He handed her the bucket and she smiled at him.
"Thanks babe. Sorry I yelled at you earlier. This whole labor thing sucks."
"I bet it does. But you're doing a great job and pretty soon we will have our little man to hold and love." Lucas had to keep saying the words out loud so that he could make it feel more real.
- Friends First then Love –
It had been three hours since Lucas came out, and Haley and Nathan continued to sit in silence. Karen came and immediately went to the hospital room, relieved when the doctor said two people could be in there for the delivery and honored when Brooke asked her to stay. Haley was falling asleep in this chair, but her mind kept wondering why Nathan hadn't said anything to her at all.
"I can't do this anymore. Why haven't you said anything? Are you mad about the pregnancy because I get it." Haley was flustered. She didn't know why he wasn't talking and it made her scared for what would happen.
"I just don't know what to say Hales. And no, I'm not mad about the pregnancy. I always pictured having a family with you, I just didn't think it would be this soon but I am going to love that kid to pieces."
"Well, that's a start. Now, what's going on that has you not talking? I'm not dumb Nathan. I know you better than you know yourself and I know something's wrong." Haley didn't want to beat around the bush anymore.
"How did we get here Hales? In a matter of 4 months, how did we get here?" Nathan sighed, looking over at Haley once and then looking back down at his hands.
"What are you talking about? Did you not pay attention in sex ed or?" Haley tried to make a joke of it but soon realized that Nathan was clearly not in a joking mood.
"I'm not dumb. I know how you got pregnant but I mean how did we get here as in terms of us. We've fallen apart Hales. We have been sitting next to each other for three hours now and not one of us has spoken a word to the other. That's not us." Nathan sighed again, this time he ran his fingers through his raven black hair and leaned back in the chair.
"I wish I knew Nathan. I wish I knew."
"Everything just fell apart quickly it seems. And I'm the one to blame. I fuck everything up in my life that's good." He sighs as he puts his head in his hands and shakes it. Clearly he's feeling pretty ashamed, and it breaks Haley's heart to see him like that.
"Stop that Nathan, it's not all your fault. I have a part in it too. A relationship takes two and besides, I was being all perfectionist about the wedding and drove you away. I'm the one who took off the ring."
"So what are we suppose to do now Hales? I so badly want to pretend that everything is okay and just hold you, but I know something's wrong."
"I don't know. Things are a little more complicated with this pregnancy though." Haley sighs. For a minute they just sit there in silence as Nathan rubs Haley's back, both ignoring all of the hurt feelings that they share.
Hour 13
It's now 8 pm and Haley and Nathan have not left the waiting room still. Both have taken turns getting food, and reluctantly agreeing when Karen sent them both home to shower. Both are incredibly exhausted and they have barely spoken. Lucas comes out every now and then and tells them how Brooke is doing and that he's scared the baby is just never going to come and that something is wrong. Karen has been floating around as well, guiding Brooke through everything and helping try to make the labor go a little faster. Brooke looks exhausted, and Haley gets more frightened about pregnancy when another hour goes by and there's no baby.
Nathan and Haley were sitting in the waiting room flipping through some more magazines, when they noticed someone standing in front of them. They both looked up at the same time to see none other than Peyton Sawyer standing there with a grin.
"Peyton? Oh my god Peyton!" Haley exclaims, hugging Peyton. Nathan just stands there confused as to why Peyton is there when she hasn't been present for the last six months, and has ultimately shut everyone out.
"Well Nathan, are you just going to stare or am I going to get a hug?" Peyton kids, when Nathan puts down the magazine and shakes her hand instead. "Or that works too I guess."
"Why are you even here Peyton?" Nathan growls, not sure if he is actually angry that she's here or the fact that he hasn't slept in almost 24 hours.
"To be here for my best friend when she has her baby?" Peyton says questionably and Haley cringes at the thought of Peyton calling herself Brooke's best friend.
"Ha. You are not Brooke's best friend. You haven't been here in the past six months, popping in and out since we fucking graduated so you have no right being here really. Where's precious Jake anyways? It's rare to ever see you without you hanging off his side." Haley smacks Nathan giving Peyton an apologetic look and Peyton shakes her head.
"What's up your ass today?" Nathan throws the chair down and gets up, leaving Haley and Peyton standing there awestruck.
"It's been a long day, he has a lot on his mind. But really, where is the boyfriend at?"
"More like husband." Haley gasps. "We eloped about three weeks ago. We figured it would just be easier and we both didn't really want anything big so now I'm Peyton Jagleski." She blushes when she says it and Haley gives her a congratulatory hug.
Hour 15
Nathan has been sitting outside of Brooke's room for an hour now. He has never felt so lost in his life and isn't sure what to do with Haley. It seems the longer they stay here, the more they are drifting apart and it's scary because she's all he's ever loved. Lucas notices that Nathan has been out in the hall for a while and comes over, sitting down next to him.
"Hey little brother, everything alright?"
"I wish."
"What's going on? Are you and Haley okay?" Lucas looks concerned now, feeling the sudden need to protect Haley.
"I don't know, we haven't talked. Things got complicated when Peyton showed up and Haley told me she's pregnant." Nathan immediately put his hand over his mouth when Luke whipped his head back around.
"Haley's pregnant?"
"Shit! Damn it, I wasn't supposed to say anything! Please don't tell anyone she will literally murder me."
"I won't, calm down. When did this happen?"
"She found out at the doctor's before Brooke was admitted. Apparently she's 2 months along so the baby should be here in May."
"Wow, congrats man. How do you feel about all this?"
"Confused. Scared."
"Why confused?" Nathan sighs when Lucas asks him the question he wanted to avoid. He hasn't opened up to anyone about Haley yet, so he isn't sure how it's going to play out.
"I don't know if we should get married anymore, especially with the baby coming. We should be saving our money for more important things and I just don't think I'm ready."
"That's a load of bullshit and we both know that. You've been ready to marry Haley since you guys were 14 at homecoming when she said yes to being your date. You've been ready to marry her since you got down on one knee and asked her to marry you. What's the real reason here little brother?"
"I just don't think I can be a good husband to her Luke. I mean look at me man, I'm a fuck up. I am the spitting image of Dan. Funny how history likes to repeat itself huh? Whose the one who is 18 now and about to be a father? I am."
"Uh, Nate so am I but I'm a little closer than you are." They both laugh, thankful that there was something to ease the tension in the room.
"But seriously. Haley deserves so much better than me. I mean I couldn't even help her plan our wedding! I was so concerned about being good at basketball that I left her by herself all the time. I'm never home. I'm always going out with Clay or the team. I don't have my priorities straight and I know that. I can't go into a marriage with Haley like that. That's not cool."
"Get your head out of your ass would you? Man up and accept your mistakes and chase after her. Marry her like you've been planning to for years. Stop with all of this crap!" Lucas throws his hands up frustrated with how Nathan is acting. "You're too hard on yourself Nate and you are nothing like our bastard of a father so stop continuously comparing yourself to him. We would tell you."
"Thanks man. I think."
"Wait, why is Peyton here? Who invited her?" Lucas asks, completely changing the subject as Brooke cries out some more. "I better go back in there." Nathan nods as Lucas gets up and heads back into the room.
"He looks like shit." He mutters to himself, only for Luke to call back "I HEARD THAT! You don't look so great yourself little brother, watch it!"
Hour 19
After Peyton finally leaves Nathan and Haley alone, they sit down in the hospital cafeteria to get some food and talk. Both are exhausted and hungry and ready for this baby to come.
"So, should I start or should you?" Haley asks.
"I will. Look, I'm sorry I messed up and wasn't there for you in more ways than one. I was never home, I let basketball take over and I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most – hell I didn't even know you were sick. The truth is I am so scared to marry you because I have never loved anyone as much as I love you Hales and that scares me. That scares me because I grew up in a house where I was showed tough love or no love, and that's how I learned to love but you taught me otherwise. I'm scared because I don't want to mess it up and pull a Dan Scott and ruin everything that we ever had or worked for. I'm scared because this is all happening so fast, and I've wanted to marry you since we were 14." Haley blinks at Nathan, processing all of the information as he continues. "And now, you're pregnant and we have a child on the way. A child Haley, a helpless, innocent child who is going to rely on us for everything and I'm scared I can't provide that. We are freshmen in college, living off my mother's money. Maybe calling off the wedding was a good thing because now we can save for more important things, like the baby."
"Nathan, Brooke already rebooked the place for December so we are getting married whether we are ready or not. But we will get through this. I am sorry I've been so hard on you, I mean I really miss you and wish you were home more but I can't do much about that when it's because you're out there chasing your dream. But I'm scared to but if there is anything that I know that doesn't scare me is that I love you and I want to be with you for the rest of my life. We will figure things out you just can't keep doing reckless things anymore like drinking with Clay or hitting the bars with the team, God you're not even 21!"
"You're right. I will work on that."
"And I will work on not trying to be so perfect all the time. I shouldn't have went so bridezilla about the wedding because even I get to marry you then it's a win no matter what the situation looks like."
"I love you Hales, always and forever." Nathan says as he kisses her softly and they press their foreheads together, staring into each other's eyes and enjoying the moment before it's gone.
October 10th, 3:57 AM; Hour 21
"Come on Brooke, keep pushing! You're crowning! I see the baby's head! KEEP PUSHING!" The doctor encourages as Brooke lets out one last shriek and the baby comes out, crying for the first time. Brooke falls back against the bed, exhausted and relieved and begins to cry.
"Pretty girl you did awesome, I'm so proud of you! We have a son!" Lucas excitedly says as he squeezes her hand and kisses her forehead.
"Alright daddy, time for you to cut the cord." The doctor instructs and Lucas obeys cutting the cord. They let Brooke hold the baby for a little as she cries holding him and smiling at Lucas.
"He's perfect."
"Yes, he is and he's ours Brooke Davis." The nurse takes the baby away to clean him off and put him in a swaddle and Karen stands there crying.
"I am so proud of you. Thanks for letting me be here. I can't believe I'm a grandma!"
"Mom, he can always call you Nana or something if you're not okay with grandma." Luke jokes as Karen laughs through her happy tears.
"I really hope you like the name we picked out Karen. We put a lot of thought into it." Brooke says, smiling at Karen and giving Lucas a knowing look.
"I'm sure I will love it no matter what it is. This is my first grandchild after all, no more for a little while though because I want to spoil this one first!"
"OH after 21 hours of labor there will be NO babies for a VERY long time." Brooke says, leaning her head back down as they all laugh. Soon the nurses bring the baby back in and hand him over to Brooke. Brooke and Lucas awe over him, playing with his little hands as he sleeps.
"So, do we have a name?" The nurse asks and Lucas nods, and looks at Brooke.
"You tell them Luke." She reassures as she pulls Karen closer.
"Keith." Karen gasps. "Keith Davis Scott." The nurse nods as they take it down and walk away.
"Oh my gosh Luke, Keith would be so proud of you both right now. I'm sure he is honored that you named the baby after him." Karen begins to cry again and it's a sweet moment.
"Mom, Keith was like a dad to me and the best man I'll ever know and I want my son to grow up to be just like Keith one day. We need more Keiths in this world."