Author's Note: Hey everyone. Thanks for the many reviews I got for this story. This is unfortunately the last chapter…but fear not…I am already working on the sequel! So here it is…enjoy.
A Broken Family, Fixed.
Nathan ran all the way home from the river court. When he walked into his house, both Karen and Dan were waiting for him and Lucas was sitting on the couch.
Karen walked up to Nathan. "Nate, are you okay?"
Nathan stood there looking at him mom as the tears finally fell from his eyes. He closed the space between himself and Karen and pulled her into a hug. "I'm so sorry, Mom."
Karen started crying as well. "It's okay."
Nathan pulled away. "No, it's not." They all walked into the living room and sat down, Dan in the chair, Karen and Nathan beside Lucas on the couch. "I was hateful to you and you didn't deserve that."
"What happened, Nathan?" Dan asked.
"She told me what happened. Then I told her thank you for help me realize what was there all along. I told her that she should leave…that there was nothing here for her…never was."
"So…what was always there?" Karen asked slightly confused.
Nathan turned his body to face his mom. "That you're my mom. You may not have physically given birth to me, but you did give me life."
Karen smiled and hugged her son once again.
"I'm proud of you, Nathan."
"Thanks, Dad."
"Wait…does this mean I'm…we're stuck with you?" Lucas joked.
They all laughed. "Afraid so, big brother."
"I'm glad." Karen said as she wiped the tears from her face.
"Well, I'm hungry."
Karen smiled. "Come on. We'll all go to the café. Haley's watching things for me and I'm pretty sure she's been worried sick about you all day."
When they got to the café, the Scott's walked in and stopped dead in their tracks.
Haley turned and smiled. "Hey guys." She said hopping down off a stool, where she was sitting and talking to Brooke and Peyton.
Nathan looked at Haley, shocked as the others grabbed a table. "What's going on?"
"Huh?" She watched as he glanced at Brooke and Peyton. "Oh, they came by when they saw Karen leave, and we've just been hanging out. It's been pretty dead around here."
Nathan shook his head and laughed. Expect the unexpected. He thought before pulled Haley into a hug. "Thank you."
"For what?"
Nathan stepped back to look into her eyes. "For being you. And for being there for me. And for being my friend."
Haley smiled. "Always."
"Hey girls, why don't you join us for dinner?" Karen said.
They all nodded and walked over to sit down with the others. Nathan let Haley get in first and before he could sit down, Peyton pulled him into a hug. "You okay?"
"I am now." He stepped back. "I knew you missed me, but not in front of everyone else…"
Peyton hit him playfully on the arm. "Shut up Scott." They both laughed. "So…Friends?"
"Forever" Nathan whispered as he pulled her into another hug before sitting down.
It had now been a few months since Nathan had talked to Deb, and life had pretty much went back to normal. Haley had become his best friend. She was actually friends with Peyton and Brooke now also. The five of them hung out all the time. Peyton had moved on to a guy named Jake, who was also on the basketball team. Nathan was happy for her. Jake made her happy like he could never do.
At home, things were great. All of them had finally been able to get past the nightmare that was Deb and all the secrets that came with her. And Nathan had finally let go of his anger about never knowing. Things in Tree Hill had finally settled down…or at least they had gone back to normal…for now.
Author's Note: Okay, Kids, that's it. I know it's a short chapter, but I figured it would be the best way to end this part of the bigger picture.I will start posting the sequel soon. I hope you liked it…if you did, let me know…if you didn't, let me know. Either way, let me know what you think could have made it better, in your opinion...maybe I can get some of that in the sequel. Also, let me know your fave parts. So...Until Next Time...Later.