Author's Note: Hey guys! I'm back with Chapter 10! I am SO glad that you guys are liking this story so much! I really appreciate all of your reviews and they inspire me to keep writing. We left off in the last chapter where Brooke couldn't remember Haley. Will she remember the rest of the gang and is her memory loss temporary or permanent? You will find out in this chapter. As always, please read and review!
P.S. – I turn 18 tomorrow!!!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters belong to the WB.
Rating: PG to PG-13
P.S. – I know you guys are getting antsy about Brooke and Haley getting together, but I promise it is soon. Most likely within the next five chapters I think. Like I said, most of the time my hands do the writing and there are a few more scenes I want to add in before they actually get together. So please hang on a little longer guys, all things come in good time.
In the Presence of an Angel
Chapter 10
Brooke surveyed the people in front of her, all of her friends, but one person wasn't there: Haley. She caught a glimpse of auburn brunette hair behind Jake and her heart crumpled at hurting the love of her life so much. Even though it hurt that she was with Jake now, if Haley was happy, that was most important to her. And Jake was a good guy; if she had to choose a guy for Haley, he would be the one. Tears welled in her eyes as she remembered what she had done to her friend and called out to her softly, "Haley, come here." Haley's head instantly shot up at the sound of her name in Brooke's voice and she could see recognition in the other girl's eyes. She carefully handed Jenny over to her father and made small, slow baby steps to Brooke's bedside.
Brooke held her arms outstretched for her to enter them and Haley quickly did so. Brooke held her tight as she stroked her hair and rubbed her back. "I'm so sorry I scared you…" Brooke whispered softly. Haley choked on a sob, the tears she had been holding back finally cascading down her cheeks, while she gripped her tighter. "Ease up Hales, you're killing me here," Brooke joked lightly. Haley pulled back with horror written all over her face and took a few steps away from her. Jenny began to cry and Haley took this as an excuse to get away. "I'll do it," she told Jake as she gathered Jenny and her bag then went to the bathroom to change her diaper. When she came back into the room, she sat in a chair furthest from Brooke's bed, her back to all of them, and held Jenny as she fed the little girl her bottle.
Brooke looked at Jake, who was staring at Haley with a sad smile then gazed at Haley, who was lovingly holding his daughter and feeding her. She fought not to cry again and put a fake smile on her face while pointing between Jake and Haley, "So when did this happen? Was it at the party? Because I saw you two kissing on the dance floor. He's a great catch, Haley. You guys look so good together and you are wonderful with Jenny. I say this should have happened sooner." Both Jake and Haley turned to face her with shocked expressions and Jake replied, "No, we're just friends. We're not dating." "Jake and I are good friends. He's been helping me with some stuff that I've been going through, that's all. I love babies… and ever since my brother died…"
Haley choked up again and covered her face with one of her hands. Lucas walked over to her and crouched down in front of her then gently pulled her hand away and took it in his own. "Oh Hales, I'm so sorry… it's almost the anniversary isn't it," he asked and when she nodded, he responded, "I'm so sorry I didn't remember… Is that why you've been acting the way you have?" She nodded again, only partly lying. "You had a brother," Brooke asked softly.
Haley swallowed hard and then began to explain, "A little baby brother. About three years ago, my mom got pregnant and she had Ryan Adam James. When he was three months old, he died of SIDS, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, in his crib. He'd been sick for a week with a stuffy nose and fever and Mom, she had been home then, had finally got him to sleep. He had rolled onto his stomach during his sleep and with his stuffy nose pressed against the bed sheets… he couldn't breathe and… he-he died…" She hugged Jenny tenderly to her chest and Lucas wrapped his arms around her. "When did he die," Peyton asked in almost a whisper, her eyes red from crying. "It will be the two year anniversary of his death in four days," Haley replied quietly.
"I was such a jerk, Hales. I should have remembered," Lucas said as he looked into her pain-filled eyes. "It's okay, you didn't have to remember. It didn't happen to your family…" Luke interrupted her in a raised voice, "You are my family, Hales! You're my family and my best friend! We've been through a lot of stuff, Haley, alone and together, but we've always, ALWAYS, been there for each other. But lately I haven't been and I wasn't here to help you through this. I'm so sorry Hales. I promise to be there for you from now on. If you ever need to talk, vent, cry, anything, I'll be here for you." Haley only nodded, too emotional to even speak.
"Aww, that was beautiful," Brooke said as she wiped a tear from her cheek, "GROUP HUG!" Her friends laughed slightly at Brooke's perky personality returning and her attempt to lighten the sullen mood that had fallen over the group. Brooke then gestured for everyone to come over, "You guys have to come over here because I'm not allowed out of bed." Haley entered Brooke's inviting arms and buried her head in her neck. Brooke felt a shiver run down her spine at Haley's warm breath on her skin and she could just barely feel her soft lips against her shoulder. Haley could smell the fruity strawberry fragrance of Brooke's shampoo in her hair and her smooth skin against her face. Being in her embrace, it reminded her of how close she had been to losing Brooke and she couldn't fight the tears that had been threatening to fall.
As soon as the group hug ended, Haley excused herself to get some air, claiming she was thirsty and asked if anyone else wanted something to drink. Once she had gotten everybody's orders, barring Brooke's of course for she couldn't have anything other than what the nurses or doctor gave her, she fled to the waiting room. She sank heavily into a chair and buried her face in her hands. The doctor had told them that if Brooke continued to have the spikes in her heart rate, she could get worse and even though the concussion appeared not to have had any effect on her memory, Brooke might still not remember some events or memories of her past. Haley wondered how long these spikes had been happening and how much worse things would get if they did in fact persist. It pained Haley so badly to see Brooke lying there in that hospital bed and it scared her that there might be more trips made to the hospital for that same reason.
Haley hated to see Brooke so pale and weak and she knew that the girl felt helpless in her current state. Brooke was such a strong and vibrant person; to be confined to bed and to feel powerless and dependent on other people even in her delicate condition, Haley knew it was killing her. She knew that Brooke had devised a mask to cover her feelings in front of her friends, but Haley knew better. She remembered the sight of Brooke looking so small, vulnerable, and white as the sheets that covered her body and knew she never wanted to see that again.
Knowing one of her friends might come looking for her soon, she got up and went to the vending machines to retrieve the drinks then returned to Brooke's hospital room. Chairs had been gathered around the bed and all were talking as she entered with the drinks. Each took their own and Haley sat in a chair next to Jake, closest to the head of Brooke's bed, which had been adjusted so she could partially sit up. Haley was quiet for several minutes until she asked, "Brooke, how long have these spikes been going on? Why didn't you tell anybody?"
Brooke lifted her shoulders in a slight shrug then replied, "I didn't know I had them; as far as I know, the one I had today was my first." Nathan inquired, "How did it happen? What caused the spike?" "It was right after second hour and I was walking in the hallway when it felt as if someone had punched me in the chest. I couldn't breathe and it hurt so much. My left arm went numb and my legs felt weak. It kind of felt like I was having a heart attack I guess. That's how I've heard other people describe it," Brooke responded. "I don't really know what caused it. I guess it's because I've been under some stress lately," Brooke lied as she glanced at Haley out of the corner of her eye but quickly averted her gaze.
They all continued to talk for another half an hour when Brooke suddenly laid back and closed her eyes, moaning as she brought a hand to her head. Everyone went on full alert and Haley quickly stood up, placing a hand gently on her arm, "Brooke, what's wrong?" Brooke mumbled incoherent sentences but Haley was able to make out a few words, "…dizzy…pain…head hurts…get nurse…pills…" Haley screamed, "Lucas, go get a nurse NOW! She needs pain pills! Tell the nurse that she's feeling dizzy and her head hurts really badly. Don't just stand there, get your ass moving!" Lucas broke out of his trance and ran from the room to retrieve a nurse. A nurse came in and administered a dose of morphine while everyone else waited on baited breath. A few minutes later, Brooke was a little groggy but she said she was feeling better.
While the nurse had given Brooke the drugs, Haley held tightly onto Brooke's hand, frightened at what had happened and worried. Haley's heart was breaking; to see the love her life experiencing so much pain was killing her. She wished that she could take all of Brooke's pain away and she would take it all on herself just so Brooke wouldn't have to feel any pain. "Haley, I'm already in the hospital for a concussion and a defective heart. I don't need a broken hand too," Brooke joked lightly. Haley quickly let go, but Brooke grabbed her hand back gently into her own as Haley said softly, "You don't have a defective heart, Brooke. It-It's just battered and bruised; it'll heal. As long as you take it easy and follow the doctor's orders. We don't want this to happen again. I was so scared when I heard that you were in the hospital… I don't think I can take this again, I don't think any of us can." Haley looked around the room and all nodded in agreement.
At that moment, the nurse came in again, "I'm sorry, but visiting hours are over. You can all come see Ms. Davis tomorrow. Visiting hours start at eight a.m. Before you leave, the doctor would like to speak with all of you." Everyone hugged Brooke one last time with promises of visits tomorrow between school, work, basketball and cheer practice.
The doctor was waiting for them outside when all exited Brooke's hospital room. "Ms. Davis is in a delicate condition. However, from the looks of it, we will be sending her home tomorrow. She is to be on strict bed rest for the next two days, but after that she can move around a little; no strenuous activity. And of course, she cannot have any stress. As I said before, if these spikes continue to happen, she could get worse. We will give her some very strong pills for the pain, which will make her drowsy and she may experience lightheadedness and upset stomach. Now, since Ms. Davis is in such a condition as this, she will need to be watched at all times. She has not mentioned her parents. Do any of you have a number where I can reach them?" Peyton muttered under her breath, "Don't bother. They don't care anyway." Haley replied to the doctor, "Her parents are on a business trip right now and won't be back for another two weeks. I can take care of her while she is recovering."
The doctor was hesitant for a few moments then responded, "I guess that is fine. We usually don't allow this sort of thing, but under the circumstances, I will permit it." Haley replied with a smile on her face, "Thank you doctor. What time should I come pick her up tomorrow?" "It would be best if you come get her around noon; that way, she should be all cleared to leave," the doctor instructed. "Thanks for taking such good care of our friend," Haley said as she shook the man's hand and the others did too. The doctor left to check on other patients and the others talked for a few minutes before parting ways.
As Jake drove, Haley stared out the window and Jake was worried about her. Haley should be happy that Brooke would be okay and would be going home tomorrow. "You okay," he asked quietly as he glanced between her and the road. She sighed and looked at him with sad eyes, "I know I should be happy that Brooke's going to be okay and that she's coming home, and I am, but I just can't help thinking how close we were…how close I was… to losing her today…" Jake wrapped a free arm around her shoulders, "It's alright… Everything is okay now." "No, everything is not okay," Haley protested, "didn't you hear the doctor? Those spikes could get worse! We don't know how bad they'll get or how long they'll last. What if it's too much for Brooke to take? What if it kills her?"
Jake opened his mouth to reply then closed it again, thinking thoroughly so he wouldn't say anything more to upset Haley. "That won't happen, Hales. Brooke is a strong girl; she'll get through this. And with all of us helping, we'll make sure that Brooke doesn't get stressed out and everything." "But Brooke is stubborn! She won't want anyone to help her and she'll want to get back to her life as fast as she can and she'll go back to drinking and guys and cheerleading and guys… then this will happen all over again! She needs to take it slow!"
He placed his hand on her shoulder, "I know. We will all make sure Brooke takes it easy and that she recovers perfectly. She'll be back to her old self in no time." Haley crossed her arms as she looked down and a few tears escaped from her eyes. "That's what I'm afraid of…" Haley said in a choked voice.