AN: Hello! So I'm a little nervous about posting this as it's my first fic. I usually write more original stuff but I came up with this idea and here we are...I'd love to know what you think and if I should plan on continuing it. Thank you!

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They say everything happens for a reason.

But the pamphlets scattered all over the bed gave her no answers. They all looked the same; badly sketched and off center with corny tips typed in an obnoxious font that looked tacky. No matter how many times she scoured through them, no hope came out of it whatsoever.

It was just supposed to be a scare.

She lay on the bed, biting back the tears that were almost begging to be set free. Just a few hours ago it felt like she had cried herself dry. How could there possibly be any tears left? Her birthday was supposed to be a celebration, not derailed by some inconsiderate object that decided to force its way into her life. The soft knock on the door broke her thoughts, making the jumbled thoughts scrambling in her brain come to a screeching halt. Seconds later, her husband of nearly seven years appeared looking mournful, a tiny sigh escaping his lips when he caught the sight of his beautiful wife in a mess of tears.

"How are you doing, babe?" Julian asked stupidly, biting down on his bottom lip when Brooke let out a strangled sob. He quickly made his way over to the bed and sat down next to her, folding her small body into his large arms. "Ssh, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," Brooke broke away, using the back of her hands to wipe the tears pouring down her face. She had to hold herself together. "It's okay," she repeated, grabbing Julian's hands for some sort of comfort. "I'll, I'll be okay."

Julian nodded and pressed his lips against Brooke's clammy forehead, letting them linger there for a few extra moments in hopes of bringing her some much needed comfort. She dropped her head on his shoulder, reveling in the soothing circles his hand was rubbing on her back.

"You gonna be okay for tomorrow?" he asked softly, brushing the hair out of her face.

"I have to be," Brooke shrugged, her voice cracking at the thought. "The kids are more excited about my birthday than I am. God knows what they have planned."

"You'll love it," Julian promised with a smile. "We can send them to your mother's in the morning if you want. If you, uh, if you want to be alone."

"No," Brooke was quick to disagree. "They'll make me feel better."

After a few failed attempts of trying to get pregnant, the couple was finally graced with what was expected to be a single pregnancy. Their assumption was quickly disproved when they went for an ultrasound and found out they were expecting triplets. It was hard to swallow at first, but over the months, Brooke found herself enamored with her impending motherhood. Julian, while nervous and jittery through the whole process, seemed to calm down once he met his children.

After years of heartbreak, their little family was complete. With two girls and a boy, everything seemed perfect.

Lily, their eldest daughter, came first. She was Brooke's mini-me. With light blonde hair and dime-sized dimples, Lily ruled the house. Julian was wrapped around her little finger. She was the boss, plain and simple. She was a social butterfly and found herself with many young friends in kindergarten.

Then, there was Max. He was shy and sensitive, very much a momma's boy. Brooke adored her little boy and the mop of brown curls he had atop his head. He loved his father as well but Julian couldn't even compete with Brooke. Max followed her around wherever she went, even tagging along as his mother's little helper when she went on dress fittings and had runway shows. He couldn't stand being away from her.

Olivia came last and very much filled her role as the baby. She was fairly smaller than her brother and sister, a little cherub who got whatever she wanted. Both her parents doted on her quite often, a little fact she liked to rub in her sibling's face. Max and Olivia were the two closest as they were a lot alike.

"I just wish this could have waited," Brooke admitted angrily. "Actually, If I'm wishing for things I wish this wouldn't have happened. I'm too young for this, Julian!"

"I know," Julian agreed, feeling helpless. All he could do was hold Brooke in his arms and whisper comforting words into her ear. "We'll get through it, Brooke. We will."

Brooke wanted to believe him. She really did. Her life was only turned upside down a mere three hours ago. Now, she had to pretend everything was okay as she celebrated her birthday with her young children and friends.

Would it be her last?

"On Monday we'll get a second opinion," Julian tried, scooping all the pamphlets off the bed to stuff in the bedside table. He just prayed to God his kids decided to snoop elsewhere for the time being. They were getting pretty good at reading. "I can make a few phone calls, you know? We'll talk to your mom…see if she can help."

"I just want to go to sleep," Brooke whispered, feeling like a small child when Julian nodded and pulled the covers down, helping her in. "Just don't leave me. Please?"

Julian slid in next to her, his arm draping around her small waist. "I'm right here, Brooke. I'm not going anywhere," he said, trying to keep his composure when they heard a slightly muffled scream. "Shit."

Brooke knew right away it was Max. It was always Max.

"I'll get him," Julian sighed, clambering out of the bed as carefully as possible.

"No," Brooke pulled on his arm, sitting herself up. "I'll go."

"Brooke, you need some rest," Julian protested, trying to force his wife back into the bed.

Always defiant, the brunette shook her head and broke free. "He wants me."

"I know, but I'll tell him you're not feeling well…"

Julian knew Max preferred Brooke over him but it would not bode well for the little boy if he saw his beautiful mother looking frail and distraught. Her eyes were all puffy and bloodshot, brown hair sticking out every which way.

But without another word, he motioned for her to go. Perhaps it would be good. Brooke had holed herself up in their master bedroom for hours before coming out to tell him the ill-fating news. Only a few weeks had passed since the night Brooke dropped the bomb.

Brooke let out a sigh and gently pushed Max's slightly ajar door open, a smile spreading across her face as she stepped into her son's room. From the small night-light illuminating the room, Brooke could see Max clutching his blanket tightly, the brightly colored comforter pulled up to his chin. She took a seat on the side of his bed and brushed the curls out his face.

"Hi, baby," Brooke tried to greet cheerfully. But her voice came out raspier than normal.

Max was unfazed at how disheveled his mother looked. "Hi, momma."

"What's wrong?" Brooke asked, letting out a genuine laugh as Max whimpered and hid his face with the ratty blanket he never slept without. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"Yeah," Max nodded sadly, a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry, momma. I tried to be a big boy and go back to sleep."

"Don't worry, Maxie," Brooke told him, biting back the yawn rising in her throat. It was nearly one am and she knew the girls would be up at the crack of dawn. "Do you want to come sleep with me and daddy?

Max nodded frantically and kicked the covers off him. He held out his arms and squealed in delight when Brooke scooped him up and peppered his face with kisses. She held him tight, inhaling the soft scent of his shampoo when he buried his face into her shoulder. The walk to her room was short but she took her time, rubbing Max's back so that he'd sleep faster once she put him down. She could feel his heart beating against her own, struggling to contain the tears. He was so small in her arms and it frightened her that somewhere down the line she wasn't going to be able to hold him or his sisters.

How was she going to explain this to them?

"I love you, momma," Max whispered into her ear, placing a quick kiss on her cheek.

"I love you, too, Maxie," Brooke squeezed him, letting the one stubborn tear roll down her cheek. "I love you, too."

She had to savor these moments now.

--

Brooke awoke the next morning feeling a weight climb on top of her. She cracked one eye open to see Olivia sitting on her stomach with a wide smile.

"Happy birthday, mommy!" she said in excitement, bouncing up and down.

"Thank you," Brooke told her groggily, kissing the top of Olivia's head when she leaned down to hug her neck. She ran her fingers through her daughter's long hair, holding her tight when she felt like she was pulling away. "What are you doing up so early?"

"Me and daddy and Lily are making you pancakes!" Olivia beamed, sitting up. "I tried to wake Maxie but he kept sleeping like a lump," she giggled, reaching over to poke her brother's stomach. "See? He doesn't move!"

Brooke titled her head to the side and couldn't help but laugh when she saw Max. The little boy was stretched out in the middle of the bed, his arms above his head and Spiderman pajama top halfway up his stomach. She turned her attention back to Olivia and shuffled uncomfortably at the pressure on her stomach but soldiered through it.

"He sleeps like your daddy," Brooke said, ruffling Max's hair. "How's the pancakes?"

Olivia scrunched up her nose. "I dunno, mommy. Some are big and some are small. One is very flat aaaaand one is burnt. Lily yelled at Daddy."

"Sounds like Lily alright," Brooke laughed, easing herself up in bed. Olivia fell back on her knees and rolled over, crawling up to her brother with a devilish grin.

"Can I jump on him?"

"No!" Brooke shook her head, grabbing the back of Olivia's nightgown to pull her back before she gave her brother a heart attack. "Let him sleep, Liv. He had a nightmare and didn't sleep very well. Trust me."

"Oh," Olivia shrugged. "Has it been five minutes? I'm a'posed to tell you to come down in five minutes. Are you sure I can't wake Max, mommy? He looks funny sleeping like that!"

"I think it's been five minutes," Brooke nodded. She got off the bed and lifted Olivia down, staring at her precious son. "How about you go tell daddy I'll be right down, okay? I'll wake Max and bring him down."

Olivia nodded and skipped out of the room, yelling down to Julian that Brooke would be down soon. Brooke shook her head in amusement and reached down to rub Max's stomach, hoping it would jolt the boy awake.

"Maxie, wake up," she whispered into his ear, brushing a stray curl out of his face. Max merely groaned and rolled over to his stomach. "Daddy made pancakes," she tried again, hoping that would entice him out of bed.

"Yucky," Max responded, his voice muffled by the pillow. "Do I have to eat them?"

"We'll see," Brooke giggled, shaking his small body when he didn't move. "Come on, baby, please? Do it for me? It is my birthday after all."

Upon hearing that, Max rolled back over. "Happy birthday, momma! I almost forgot! I'm sorry!"

Brooke leaned over and blew a raspberry on his stomach. "It's okay," she winked at him, unable to hide her smile when Max grinned up at her. He looked just like his daddy sometimes. Especially when he grinned. "Are you gonna eat my nasty pancakes for me?"

"No!" Max looked at her in disgust. He pulled down his shirt when Brooke went to tickle him, rolling off the bed and onto his feet. He ran over to Brooke and tugged on her hand, dragging her out of the room. "Come on, momma! Daddy's yummy pancakes are waiting for you!"

It was a birthday tradition. Each year, Julian woke the kids and they cooked her the biggest breakfast imaginable. And like a gracious mother and wife, Brooke ate every last bit of it. It didn't matter if the pancakes were runny or if the bacon was too greasy, she ate it like a champ. It was well worth it seeing the look of joy on her children's faces. As they got closer to the kitchen, Max let go of her hand and ran into the kitchen. He crashed into Julian's legs and hugged them tight.

"Morning!"

Julian smiled and scooped his only son up. "Hi, buddy. How many pancakes do you want?"

Max put a finger to his chin and stared down at the undesirable food. "I dunno, daddy. How about mommy has some first?"

When she stepped into the kitchen, Brooke was immediately greeted with Lily running at her full speed. She held onto the wall as Lily grabbed her waist and stared up at her with a dimply smile.

"Happy birthday, mommy! Happy birthday!"

"Thank you, Lil," Brooke returned the smile, ruffling Lily's ponytail. She glanced at Julian and couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion as he held Max on his hip, Olivia latched onto his hand as she twirled around in circles.

It was a moment that should be frozen in time. She had three beautiful kids that loved and depended on her. A gorgeous husband who would do anything for her.

But all she wanted to was run and hide.

"Mommy, what's wrong?" Lily inquired softly, staring up at Brooke in fright. There was nothing her brother and sister hated more than seeing their mother cry. "Mommy?" she pressed on, pulling at Brooke's shirt.

"Nothing, baby," Brooke took a breath, lifting Lily onto her hip. "You guys just made me so happy." She set Lily down, bending down to her knees to hug her. Olivia toddled over and Max followed suite, forcing himself in between his sisters when Brooke reached out to hug them all. She kissed each of their foreheads and stood up straight. "I love you all."

Then she ran.

Julian quickly sprung into action. "Why don't you guys watch TV?" he suggested, shuffling the three shocked children into the living room. He was grateful when Lily took charge and led her brother and sister over to the couch.

He took the stairs two at a time, his heart dropping to his feet when he could hear his wife sobbing loudly from all the way down the hall. He took a deep breath and opened their door, trying not to break down himself when he saw Brooke's face buried into her pillow. Her body shook violently and all he wanted to was hold her tight.

However, Brooke was against it.

She immediately pulled away and backed herself into the wall, hugging her chest tight as tears dripped down her cheeks and onto the wooden floor.

"Brooke," Julian tried, reaching his hand out. "Baby, look at me."

Brooke bowed her head. "No, no."

"It will be okay," Julian cleared his throat, taking short steps over to his inconsolable wife. "You're okay."

"No, Julian," Brooke snapped. "I'm not fucking okay! I have, I have cancer." It felt so weird to say it out loud. It stung like hell to utter the one word that was going to change everything in their seemingly perfect life. She was supposed to grow old with her husband and children. This hindered any chance of it. "It won't be okay."

Julian shook his head, still holding onto hope that it was all going to be fine. It had to be. The kids needed her. He needed her. "You're a fighter, Brooke Davis," he whispered brokenly, wrapping Brooke in his arms when she finally gave in. "You'll beat this. Say it with me, Brooke."

"Julian," Brooke's voice cracked, her will to fight dwindling as Julian rocked her back and forth like he did with the kids.

"You'll beat this," Julian whispered into her hair, encouraging her to do the same.

With a sharp intake of breath, Brooke took her head off Julian's shoulder and stared up at him tearfully. And with all the confidence she could muster: "I'll beat this," she whispered back.