Part 1 New Years Day
(Ellie Writing in Italics)
My name is Elizabeth Scott. Everyone calls me Ellie. I'm fourteen; I'm a cheerleader, and a freshman in high school. I'm probably like everyone else; I'm from a small town in coastal North Carolina called Tree Hill. My dad said it was pretty much like any other town. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. All I know is it was New Year's Eve and things changed.
Lucas Scott is my dad, but I don't know if I'll ever get to see him again. He's currently collapsed on the floor of TRIC, the club my grandma owns. He's in full arrest, whatever that means, and I'm scared that I might not get to see him or hug him again. For all the distance there is between us, I still love him.
My mom lies on the floor next to him. Peyton Scott, the role model I've had since I was in diapers. She is pregnant with her fourth child, and just before my dad collapsed she did. That was why he ran over to her and attacked Jake, a once close friend.
I look at the faces standing around and I wonder what is they are thinking. They are the celebrities that came for this big party, and the local friends and family. I look at them as the paramedics work on my parents.
My uncle Nathan Scott, maybe you've heard of him, he's the NBA Player called the second coming of Jordan. He stands there holding my Aunt Haley's hand watching helplessly as they work on my parents. Maybe you heard of her too, her name is Haley James Scott, the singer. Together, they were the super-couple known as Naley. Now to me, they are just Uncle Nate and Aunt Haley. I see Aunt Haley in tears, she is scared because not only is my dad her brother-in-law, but he is also her best friend.
Brooke Davis, the host of this party and my mom's best friend has broken down in tears. I really don't know what to expect from her. She's usually so strong, and here she is on the alcohol stained floor, crying, as they place my mom on the stretcher.
My other aunt, Angela Scott, is standing there with her friend Rhett Churchill. She is white as a ghost as they package up my parents. Angela is scared. She's never scared. She is always the strong one. She's also worried that she'll not just lose a brother, but also a sister.
James Scott, my cousin is trying to console his girlfriend Ashlyn Pierce. She plays basketball like he does, and she is coached by my dad. My dad is a strong influence in her life. There were many times that I heard my dad and Ashlyn talking about personal issues that she needed advice on. She sees him as more then her best friend's brother and as a basketball coach, I would care to venture that she also sees him as an older brother or a wise uncle.
Keith Scott, my brother, and his "friend" Izzy Adams, stand on the side lines. My brother is close to both of our parents. He shares his love of music with our mom and his love of basketball with our dad. They are his guiding light in the grey confusing world of Tree Hill. Izzy is my dad's Goddaughter, although she sees him as a father figure, and after a long time apart, they had just started to get to know each other. She was also named after my mom.
My older twin sister, Kay, stands there like a deer caught in the head lights. She is lost. She is daddy's girl and she knows what has happened to him; she's just unable to process it. She can't stand to lose him.
That leaves my cousin Brian Scott, standing on stage with a microphone in his hand. He's shaking scared out of his wits. He's never experienced death so closely before. Now, he just stands there staring at the crowd, scared and unsure.
What do we do? Is it meant to be a quiet New Year's Day?
Chapter 1 All Is Quiet on New Year's Day
The fire engine parked in front of the club, and the four members of the Fire Rescue Department got out. They went about the tasks that they were assigned for a medical first response. Two went to the compartment and started to get the medical gear. The man in charge looked at them and got on his radio.
"Tree Hill, Engine 21 has arrived, what is the ETA for our ambulance?" Junk Mortelli called over his portable radio.
"Engine 21; be advised there are two patients at this location. One is a thirty-five year old female, maternity, with abdominal pains; and the second is a thirty-five year old male in full arrest. Firefighter on scene has started CPR, and you have a second ambulance coming."
"Roger, Tree Hill," he replied and looked to his crew, "We've got two, a maternity and a full arrest."
The crew stepped it up and climbed the steps to the club. They quickly found where they were, which was easy because they were in the center of the crowd. When Junk broke through the crowd he saw who they were and shook his head.
"Damn it!" Junk said, "Where is security?"
A large black man came forward. "You need my help?" he asked.
"Yes, I do. It's very simple, keep these people back, no cameras, and when the ambulances get here I want them here right away," Junk ordered.
"Okay," he said and went about his job getting done what was requested of him.
Junk walked over to his men. The driver and his best EMT were working on the arrest victim. His other guy was checking on the maternity victim. Junk looked in on the woman first. He took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes. He had gone to school with Peyton Scott, and knew she was married to one of his best friends.
"Need anything, Jones?" he asked.
The man named Jones shook his head. "No, I'm good."
Junk then went over to where they were doing CPR. He found Cade sitting on the floor beat. Junk shook his head again.
"You again? Red, I swear you are not working overtime on my crew," Junk said.
Cade shook his head, "I don't know Junk; he just dropped and was in full arrest. I started CPR on him and then y'all showed up."
Junk nodded, and checked as they cleared away for the ambulance crew that had just arrived. The paramedic on the ambulance took over the call and started his protocols for treatment. They quickly got an irregular rhythm and shocked him. After a quick check, they had a good pulse. They packaged him and loaded him on the stretcher. The Engine crew gave the ambulance crew the information they collected and helped transport him out to the ambulance.
The crew that worked on the man started cleaning up when the second ambulance arrived to transport the woman. After things were done, Junk got his men back to the fire engine; he looked them over and nodded.
"I think we're going to swing by the hospital," Junk said.
The other three men nodded. They understood when the Lieutenant suggested something like that it was something important.
As soon as the ambulances were gone, the remaining Scotts collected in Peyton's office. Nathan was now in the uncomfortable position of being the deciding voice in the family affairs; usually he was just council to Lucas. Looking over the various members of the family, he sighed.
"Well, I think we should go to the hospital. That is with out question," he said.
The party was still going and Brooke walked in nervous. She looked to Nathan, "The people are starting to get antsy, I need something to take their mind off of what just happened," she said.
Nathan sighed and looked to Haley, "You want to perform one more song?"
She shook her head, "No, I need to be at the hospital, as do you Brooke," she said.
Brooke nodded, "I know, believe me. I want to be there as soon as I can, but first I need to get these people calm and out of here."
Haley shook her head, "I'm not going back on stage."
Brian stepped up, "Well, someone has to do it, or they'll destroy the club. So, I'll do it."
Haley looked at her youngest son, "Brian, you don't have to do this. You should be at the hospital."
Brian shook his head, "To do what Mom? I'll just be another concerned person sitting there; I'll stay and calm this crowd. I'll try and get a ride over as soon as possible."
Haley nodded, "Okay, I guess," she paused, "Has anyone called Karen?"
Everyone shook their head. That was when Brooke looked over to the desk. "I'll do it. Get going, the limo will be outside."
Nathan nodded, and collected his extended family minus Brian, and headed out. Brian went and collected his band and headed on stage. That left Brooke alone in the office.
Brian took the stage and looked at his band mates. He sighed, and nodded.
"Well, do we have one more in us?" he asked.
Kat nodded, "How are they?"
Brian shrugged, "I don't know, but they are my aunt and uncle."
"Bri, you don't have to be here, you should go to the hospital," Psycho said.
"They need to calm this crowd down and get them moving out. They wanted my Mom but she refused, so I said we would do it. So what do we have that is general and up beat?"
Hawley shrugged, "Nothing really."
Hewston shook his head, "Nothing I know of."
Kat nodded, "Something to Believe In?"
Brian nodded, "Yeah, that should work."
The members of High Performance Heart Attack took up their positions and Brian tapped on the microphone.
"Hey, Happy New Year," he said, "Just a little excitement; people just partying a little too hard. Now we're going to play a song for you."
There were a few cheers from the audience. Brian shrugged, and took up the microphone. "Well, this is called 'Something to Believe In'….One….two…three….four."
(Brian singing in italics)
I believe that reality's gone
Disillusion's real
I believe that morality's gone
And there's nothing to feel
If you take the sacred things
The things that we hold dear
Empty promise is all you'll find
So give me something
Brooke sat at Peyton's desk and started to reach for the phone when she was interrupted. Looking up at the door to Peyton's office, she saw her mother, Victoria Davis standing there. The older woman was dressed for the occasion and had a pissed off look on her face.
"Yes, Mother?" Brooke asked.
"You leave New York for this; to raise your daughters, my granddaughters in this place? Where the club owner's husband gets in a brawl with a patron?" Victoria said.
"Here, at least I have a better way to keep track of their comings and goings. This is also better for them."
Victoria shook her head, "Brooke, what is your obsession with this town?"
"This is my home," Brooke said, "And now, it is my girls' home."
Victoria shook her head again, "Brooke, I thought you've matured over these last eight years. You've discard the baggage and all the leeches. You were finally getting to the point where I could start scaling back my time, and now you done and moved here. I guess I'll have to stay on until Chastity is ready."
Brooke shook her head, "I came here to save my family. They have blossomed here. You are just bitter; now excuse me I have a phone call to make."
Victoria was about to say something when Fallon came in. Brooke looked at her mother and at her boyfriend's daughter.
"By the way Mother, what is your relationship with Fallon?" Brooke asked.
"Brooke, Aunt Victoria was my mother's Godmother," Fallon said.
Brooke nodded, "A little fact that was hidden from me, Fallon," Brooke said, and looked to Victoria, "You can leave Mother, and take your little spy with you."
"Brooke, what are you saying?"
Brooke gave Victoria a lopsided grin, "Simple Mother, get the hell out of this office and take her with you."
Victoria shook her head walked out. Fallon followed. That left Brooke to make the one call that she feared that she had to make.
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Nathan stood as the head of his family as they loaded up into the limo. He shook his head and looked back up at the club. His youngest son was there, on stage trying to get things back to normal. He was sad, mad, and glad that Brian stepped up to do what he did. Turning back to the family, he knew that Lucas and Peyton's twins were in the limo, Haley had loaded aboard, James and Ashlyn were in the vehicle, and so were Angela and Rhett, but where was Keith?
Finally he turned around and looked at Keith. The boy looked at the limo and then back at the club. He was thinking, and Nathan could tell by the look of fear on his nephew's face. Keith was close with both of his parents and seeing them sent to the hospital was really tearing at him. Nathan also noticed that he was a bit distant from Brooke's daughter Izzy, and he was always very close to her.
"C'mon Keith, we have to get to the hospital," Nathan said.
Keith shook his head, "I'm not sure I want to go."
Nathan sighed, "Keith, do you think I want to see my brother and one of my best friends in the hospital? We're family, and they're your parents so you have to come."
Keith nodded, "Uncle Nate, I'm scared."
Nathan nodded, "Keith, I'm scared too, but I think you need to be there because they'll be asking for you as soon as they can see people."
Keith nodded and got into the limo. Nathan got in and closed the door. He looked over at his family. His cousin Angela was leaning on her date Rhett, crying, and Ashlyn, his oldest son's girlfriend and her best friend, was trying to comfort her. Angela had a lot to lose this night, not only would she lose a brother, but she would also lose a woman she considered a big sister.
Nathan took his seat next to Haley. She leaned on him and rested her head on his shoulder. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close. Haley was close to Peyton, but she was extremely close to Lucas. No matter the distance, Lucas and Haley always talked, even during the Naley years she set aside time for them to talk on the phone. They were each other's best friend. This was the fourth time he had been hospitalized, he knew she remembered each one; the car accident, the first heart attack, and the time in Atlanta, and now it looked like it was his heart again.
"They're going to be alright, Hales," Nathan said.
"I hope you're right," she said, as the limo pulled out. Nathan had already given the driver instructions on where to go, so how they were getting to the hospital was taken care of. Now, Nathan being that he was now the oldest, and has to take care of his extended family, a role he wasn't sure he was comfortable with.
I believe in a changing of the guard
Put our feet on the ground
See it happen in your own backyard
Everything breaks down
Do you accept what you are told
Without even thinking
Throw it all and make your own
And give me something
The Burkes stood off in a corner. Cade looked winded, he leaned against the wall and sighed. He looked to his daughters and son and shook his head. His hands shook from the crashing after his adrenaline rush kicked in when he helped these two people. Finally, he just took a seat. Staring up at his kids, he sighed.
"I don't know about y'all, but I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to take that limo over to Ms. Davis' and then just drive home," he said.
Huck nodded and looked to Chase. She was leaning on him. It seemed that she was emotionally spent. He turned to his sisters, and noticed that Kelly looked tired, too.
"Well, what do you think?" Huck asked Chase.
She shrugged, "Well, I should collect Izzy and Trin. It's late and I know that Izzy will want to get over to the hospital to see Uncle Lucas, and if anything to be there for Keith."
Cade nodded and looked to Kelly, "Well, Kell?" he asked his youngest.
Kelly nodded, "Yeah, I want to go home."
Cade sighed and turned to Bobbi-Lee, "Well, that leaves you?"
Bobbi-Lee sighed, "I have to stay until everyone leaves, this is my job. I'll head over to the hospital as soon as I can. I believe Brooke will be doing the same thing."
Cade nodded, "I understand," he stood up and hugged, Bobbi-Lee, "Just don't take too long."
She nodded, "I won't," she said, "I have to go find Brooke."
Bobbi-Lee disappeared. Cade sighed and looked at Chase and Huck. Chase kissed Huck, "I'll meet you at the limo," she said.
"Okay," Huck said.
Chase disappeared and Huck followed his baby sister and Dad to the coat check to get their coats. They headed out to where the limo waited for them, and were met there by the Adams' Girls. Huck looked back at Club TRIC and sighed, it had truly been a long night.
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
In Peyton's office, Brooke sat behind her friend's desk and sighed. She looked up and saw Kayla standing there. Brooke smiled at her assistant and sighed.
"Kayla, you don't have to stay," she said.
"Brooke, you need help, I'm here," Kayla said.
Brooke shook her head, "Between you and your sister, I can't seem to get y'all home from the office."
Kayla nodded, "I guess it is the Burke work ethic. Do you need me to get anything ready for the press?"
Brooke shook her head, "No, I just want to get this over with, so I can see if my friends are okay."
Kayla nodded, "What about Rachel?"
"What about Rachel?" Brooke asked.
"Well, she can finish up hosting this event and you can get going to the hospital. Bobbi-Lee and I can stay and help."
Brooke nodded, "I just can't believe this is happening again."
"What is happening again?"
"Lucas having a heart attack," Brooke said.
Kayla hugged Brooke, "It's okay; we'll get you to the hospital ASAP."
Kayla stood up and broke the embrace and looked over and saw the two red heads from the office standing in the door way. She sighed and took her place behind Brooke. Bobbi-Lee and Rachel looked at Brooke, and she nodded, and dried the beginning of a tear from her eye.
"Rachel, you've run these for me before, so we need to get this over quickly," Brooke said, "Bobbi, you and Kayla are to help. We need to get this place cleaned out."
"Brooke, are you going to the hospital," Rachel asked rhetorically.
Brooke nodded, "Yes, I'm going to be headed home and from their I'll be going to the hospital," she paused, "Rachel, Bobbi, I'm looking to you two to get this done without a hitch, so work together and make my mother's life a living hell."
Rachel nodded, "Gladly," she said.
Brooke stood up and left the office and looked at Kayla, "Remember, you still have two people to talk to," she said.
Kayla nodded, "I will."
Brooke took off and left the three other women alone. Bobbi-Lee looked at her older half-sister and shook her head, "What does that mean, Kayla?"
Kayla shook her head, "Brooke knows."
Bobbi-Lee sighed, "Well, let's not worry about that now. Let's get this going."
Kayla nodded, and turned to Rachel. Rachel nodded, and the three women walked out onto the floor of TRIC.
Where they lead
You will follow
Well I guess that's just the way it goes
And if you look away
You'll be doing what they say
And if you look alive
You'll be singled out and tried
If you take home anything
Let it be your will to think
The more cynical you become
The better off you'll be
The waiting room of a hospital is usually cold and the chairs are usually uncomfortable. In the Emergency Room Ward, the waiting room was always full, but what was surprising was now the room was full with people from the Scott Family. When Lucas and Peyton moved back to Tree Hill from Atlanta, he took some of the profits from his books and donated it to the Tree Hill Hospital to build a new Emergency Room.
It was a cosmic joke he said, the Scott's needed to have their own wing of the hospital because of all the time they spent there. The hospital did take the money and in turn named the new Emergency Room Ward the Lucas E. Scott Emergency Medical Wing. Lucas would laugh when he walked through the hospital and see it on the directory, and he never expected to be sent to it.
Nathan leaned his head against the wall and looked around. He was never good with emergency rooms or hospitals. The last time he was in one was when they worked on his knee. But that was different; here he was waiting to know the out come about two family members he was close to.
He looked down to his wife of nineteen years resting her head on his chest. His arm was wrapped around her protectively her body heat against his; how much he missed having her close. All he wanted to do was just have her there all the time now.
Looking around the room, he spotted his cousin Angela. She was leaning on her friend Rhett Churchill. The tom boy was gone with the dress she wore, and the make up, and the fact she had broken down and was crying against him. She was losing a brother and a sister if things went south. Her best friend Ashlyn was there rubbing her back and talking to her. She was lucky that she had friend like Ashlyn.
Next to Ashlyn was Nathan's son James. His oldest boy was next to his girlfriend and was there for her and his cousin. James was the man that Nathan wanted him to be, he was a good man. He was also proud that he had found a good woman, like he had in James' mom.
The twins had passed out against their brother. Keith was the only direct family member they had when they arrived, so they clung to their brother. Now, the three kids of Lucas and Peyton were passed out. The stress finally wore them out to where all they could do was sleep. Nathan was thankful that his nephew and nieces were asleep; it was one less stress he had to deal with.
Slowly more people had trickled in. Karen, awakened by Brooke's call rushed to the hospital. She was in a panic but Nathan calmed her down and now she sat next to her grandkids, watching over them. She wasn't sure what was happening, but they kept her busy.
Nathan's mom soon joined. She was also alerted by Brooke. Deb Lee came and sat next to Nathan. Deb had been an additional calming force on the group since she knew that all they could do was wait and see.
The last group of arrivals was Brooke and her family, and the elder Scotts, Larry Sawyer and the James'. Nathan wasn't sure he was happy that his grandpa was there but at least they showed up. Nathan just sighed.
"Who's here for Peyton Scott?" A doctor asked.
Nathan woke his wife up and then focused his attention on the doctor. The woman smiled and looked at the family. As Karen shook her grandkids up and they all looked at the woman.
"I'm here for her. I'm her dad," Larry said, Karen letting the man speak because she knew that he was being cut apart on the inside because his only daughter was in that room alone.
"Well Mister…"The doctor started to say.
"Sawyer," Larry added.
"Mister Sawyer, your daughter is fine and so is her baby. She had a small incident that was stress related. She's going to need some rest for awhile."
Larry nodded, "Can we see her?" he asked.
The doctor nodded, "Only a few at a time. She'll need her rest."
Larry nodded. He walked over to the family and looked them over. "Well, I think we're going to have to see who goes first to see Peyton," he said.
Before anyone could speak up, another doctor came up.
"Let me guess, y'all are here for Lucas Scott?" he asked.
Karen stood up and nodded, "Yes, we are I'm his mother," she said.
The doctor nodded, "Well, Mrs. Scott," he said.
"Roe, it's Ms. Roe," Karen said.
"Sorry, Ms. Roe, your son suffered a mild heart attack, he was lucky that he was observed and had treatment started so early. He's rather weak, and needs to spend some time here to gain his strength and to be observed, because of his pre-existing condition."
"Doctor did take his medicine?" Karen asked.
The doctor nodded, "Yes, we found the proper levels in his system. It was more then likely caused by extreme stress."
Karen nodded, "Can we see him?"
The doctor nodded…"Not yet, he's still sleeping, since we had to sedate him, maybe this afternoon."
Karen nodded, "Okay."
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in
Something to believe in