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𝗙𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀
:: xxxvii. | oh, why universe?
( continuation of Just Another Day )
( flashbacks will be in italics )

The doctors rushed Chad out the room to focus on Peyton. Though he pleaded to stay, she thought it was best if he waited outside in the waiting area. He couldn't stand not knowing anything and not having someone to talk to, so he made an impulse decision. He took out his phone and called Brooke, she didn't answer though so he left her a voicemail. He then sat back down in the chair and continued to wait.

He was so scared, nervous. All his thoughts were just crumbled— he didn't know what to think. As he harshly rubbed his faced, Peyton's doctor made his way over to Chad. Chad hadn't notice until the doctor spoke up.

The doctor cleared his throat, "Mr. Donovan?"

Chad removed his hands from his faced and looked up. He then stood up and faced the doctor. He didn't want to hear what he had to say, but then again . . . maybe it isn't bad news?

"I have some bad news. . . " The doctor continued, "Peyton has a condition called placenta previa."

"W-what's that?" He was already at a loss of words.

"Peyton could die if she goes through with this pregnancy. . ." The doctor spoke lightly, "I want to watch her for a little while longer, run some tests. But you can see her."

The doctor soon left back to his tasks and Chad just sat back down, sinking into his chair; covering his eyes with his palms to hide the tears.

Once again, he didn't hear anyone coming up to him. He was lost in his own head. He couldn't even imagine what Peyton was going through. As much as he wanted to see her right then, he couldn't bring himself to face her. He couldn't bring himself to believe that Peyton could die or that his unborn child is killing the woman he loves.

"Hey, I got your message. Is Peyton ok?" Brooke stood in front of her crying friend. "Chad?"

He kept his hands over his eyes, "We could lose her, Brooke . . . "

"I-I don't understand." Brooke stammered a bit with her words.

Chad stood up angrily, "It's either her or the baby. We both know I'm not losing her."

Chad stormed out the waiting area and headed towards the exit, leaving Brooke to dwell with the knowledge she just was told.

• • •

It was two days before graduation, Chad was at Peyton's house just jamming to music together— Fall Out Boy to be exact. They were both laying on her bed with their legs hanging off the edge. It was one of their favorite things to do together, listen to music. They both always had the same taste.

One of the things that Chad fell in love with Peyton by was her huge vinyl collection. It was the coolest thing he's ever seen. He knew there was a reason he liked her so much.

As the music beamed loudly through the bedroom, Chad sat up. That caused Peyton to sit up as well. She looked at him and he looked at her. They were lost in their own world.

"What do you picture your future to be like after all this?" He randomly asked.

Peyton got up off the bed and turned the record down a bit. "That's a random question." She lightly chuckled, "But uh, hopefully doing my dream job, still being with you. Maybe kids." She went back over to the bed and sat back down, "What about you?"

He looked at her, "Same. What about death?"

"Death?" Peyton didn't understand where he was coming from.

"Do you think we'll be together in the afterlife?" Chad elaborated a bit more.

"I mean, we always find our way back to each other." She shrugged her shoulders, "I would assume so."

Chad laid back down on his back with his legs hanging off the edge. Peyton did the same thing. They both just stared at the ceiling.

"You know I love you, right?" He looked at her.

Peyton looked back, "I love you too."

• • •

Chad came back after thinking outside for a minute. When he returned to the waiting area, he saw Brooke on the phone. It looked like a really casual conversation from a distance, but as he kept walking closer — it wasn't that at all.

Brooke hung up on the caller then made her way over to Chad. "Something came up. I have to go but keep me updated, ok?"

He shrugged, "Sure."

Brooke gave him a nod before heading out the hospital. As soon as Brooke left, Peyton was making her way into the waiting area. Chad immediately ran to her side. He took one of his arms and put it around Peyton's shoulders. They both soon began walking out the exit to the car.

The car was silent. None of them knew what to say, but Chad . . . Chad wondered if that was the first time peyton felt that kind of pain. He soon parked the car in their parking spot and turned it off. He wants honesty in their relationship— any relationship, which is why he had to ask.

"This isn't the first time you felt pain is it?" He kept his hands gripped on the steering wheel.

Peyton didn't want to look at him, she couldn't. She knew he would get so mad at her for not telling him, but she had to tell him the truth. It was the right thing to do. "It isn't." She spoke softly.

He sighed calmly, "I don't want you to die Peyton. You can't die."

Peyton felt oddly uncomfortable but this talk had to be done, "I want to have this baby. Our baby."

Chad hated hearing those words. He got out the car and slammed the door shut, heading to the apartment. Peyton eventually got out the car and headed towards the apartment too. She knew this was one topic that they're never going to see eye to eye on. It's scary because all she wants is his support but she knows she won't get it.

She walked into their shared home and found him just standing in the kitchen. He was thinking, she was nervous.

"Peyton, our baby is killing you from the inside out. I can't lose you, do you understand that?" He finally spoke after her coming in.

She walked over to Chad, "I get it, you're scared. I'm scared too but it's going to need their dad. Our baby is going to need you Chad."

"And their mom. I'm sorry Peyton, but you're not going to die. You're absolutely not having this baby." Once again, he stormed out with the front door closing it behind him.

Peyton let out a sigh of frustration. As her eyes wandered around the room, they landed on the washer and dryer sitting in the living room. She was a bit confused but also curious, so she headed to the laundry room and what she saw . . . she was just in awe.

Chad had switched the laundry room into a baby room. It was the cutest thing ever. A smile a appeared across her lips. For a split second, she was happy, she forgot all about the worry and the pain. But then a tear rolled down her cheek and now all she felt was sadness. She realized she may not be here for any of this. So she came to a conclusion that she had to put up a front for Chad, to convince him everything was going to be fine and that there's life after someone's gone.

She knew it was going be difficult, especially for her— convincing him that he can find love again. She just couldn't imagine him loving someone else . . . at least the way he loves her.

a/n:
twice in one week?
when was the last time
that happened?