Author's note: I own nothing. Here is the next chapter, not a long one though. The song is Don't You Wanna Stay by Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson. Read and review, thanks!
Brooke Davis loved the baby she was caring for, and for anyone who knew her, that was no surprise. It's who she was, it's who she'd always been. She was nervous about today, this was the day she was meeting with the cardiologist about Angie's surgery. Today was a big day.
"Come on baby girl," she said to the baby, "give me a smile," she sighed when the baby failed to smile, again. "Well, have it your way, but we have a big week, yes we do. See, my sketches were due today, but I didn't get to finish them, and we have to meet your doctor today," she said nervously. She was terrified of the situation, knowing Angie was in need of medical care was different before, now, she had to face it. "We're gonna get you all better," she said as the door bell rang, "it's open," she said.
"Hey," he smiled as he walked in, she was a little surprised to see him, "did you think I was gonna forget something this important," he asked with a smile.
"No," she smiled shyly, "I appreciate the enthusiasm Luke. I am kind of nervous about the whole hospital thing, I'm not really a fan."
"How's it going," he asked as looked down at the baby, "better?"
"Yeah, I'm starting to get it down," she said looking at Angie in her bouncer, "she's sleeping through the night now."
"See," he smiled as he looked into her hazel eyes, "I told you you'd be a good mom. Is it what you expected?"
"It's a lot of work, a lot more than I ever thought it could be," she said, "but it's worth it."
"I knew you could do it," he smiled as he glanced at his watch, "you ready?"
"No," she sighed as she placed Angie in her car seat, "not really."
"Well, I'm here for you, Brooke," he smiled, "it's gonna be fine, I promise."
"Thanks."
"Thank you for coming with us," Brooke smiled at Lucas as they sat waiting for the doctor. Angie was sleeping in her stroller.
"You're welcome, Brooke," Lucas smiled as the doctor walked in.
"Hi," he said as he reached to shake Brooke's hand, "I'm Doctor Copeland."
"Brooke Davis," she smiled.
"Clothes right," he asked, she nodded, "I thought I recognized you, and that makes you," he said reaching for Lucas' hand.
"A friend," he said firmly as he shook the doctor's hand, "Lucas Scott."
"Well, I just wanted to run through the surgical procedures so that you'll what to expect. Ms. Davis, are you familiar with Angie's condition," he asked looking through the chart.
"No, not really," she said sadly, "I know she has a hole in her heart."
"Several, actually," he said, "but we're going to fix them. We'll put Angie under a general anesthesia, we'll stop her heart and I'll do the repairs."
"You have to stop her heart for how long," Brooke asked anxiously.
"Two hours, maybe longer depending on the extent of her condition."
"Two hours," she whispered as she looked at the sleeping baby.
"Yes," the doctor said firmly, "that's how we do it Brooke. Angie will be on a heart and lung machine which will keep blood and oxygen circulating in her body. Then I will graft skin from another part of her heart and use it to fix the holes."
"How do you intend to restart Angie's heart," Lucas asked as he glanced towards a nervous Brooke Davis.
"After the repairs are complete, we will use an electric shock. And, once she's stabilized we'll move her to ICD and you'll be able to see her then."
"I know I don't have a choice here," Brooke said softly, "but this seems so dangerous, I mean is there some other way?"
"I'm sorry," he said, "but there is no other way to correct Angie's condition."
"Doctor, what's Angie's prognosis if she didn't have the surgery," Lucas asked.
"One, maybe two years."
"Then what," Brooke asked.
"She'll die," he said as Lucas placed his hand on Brooke's shoulder. "Look, I just want you to focus on what a great thing you are doing for Angie."
"Ok," she said with a forced smile, "thank you."
"So, if there are no further questions," he said standing up, "I will see you on Thursday," he smiled and left the duo alone with the sleeping baby.
"I can't even get her to smile," Brooke said with a sigh, "what am I doing? What if she dies, Luke, what then? What do I tell her parents, these people that I've never met? What made me think I could handle this?"
"Hey," he said as she looked at him with tears in her eyes, "it's ok. Just remember that you are giving Angie a chance to live a full, wonderful life," he said as he wiped a tear from her cheek, "she couldn't do that without the surgery."
"Yeah I guess so," she said looking back at the sleeping baby, she looked back at Lucas and smiled, "thank you for being here for us."
"Thank you for letting me," he smiled.
"So, how'd the appointment go," Nathan asked as he walked into Brooke's store.
"Ok," she smiled as she looked towards Angie who is the playpen, "scary, but ok."
"So Luke went," Nathan asked already knowing the answer.
"Yeah," she smiled.
"You two have been spending a lot of time together lately," Nathan stated.
"Well, he's still pining over Lindsey," she said, "so we're keeping him distracted."
"Hmm," he said.
"What's that," she asked.
"Nothing," Nathan shrugged, "I just think it's nice seeing the two of you like this again. Haley has been worried about him lately, and after the party, she said he seemed distant."
"Yeah," Brooke said, "I guess things didn't go so good with his runaway bride."
"I heard, but he did seem in a better mood after he was with you."
"Luke's a good friend, and I really appreciate him coming with me," she said truthfully, "it's scary dealing with this and it's nice having someone there."
"It's kind of funny," Nathan chuckled, "I never imagined Lucas playing mister mom."
"I think he's gonna make a great father some day," she said with a smile, "just like you."
"So, have you two talked about this book mess?"
"What's there to talk about Nate, it's a book, fiction. I mean he is head over heels for Lindsey," Brooke said.
"Well, she seems to think he is still in love with you," Nathan said.
"Well, Lucas and I were over in high school," she said, "and besides I think she should be more worried about Peyton anyway."
"True," Nathan laughed, "but, really Brooke, are you ok?"
"I am," she said.
"Well, you know if you're not, I'm here, and so is Haley," he said as he hugged her, "we're here for you whenever, you got it?"
"Thanks Nathan," she smiled, "it means a lot. And, I might just have to take you up on that offer. My sketches were due today, but with the pre-op appointment and the birthday party, I had to postpone my presentation until tomorrow."
"Well, if you need someone let us know," he smiled, "I'll see ya Brooke."
"You hear that baby girl," she said picking Angie up, "Uncle Nathan said he would help take care of you. How about that Nathan Scott babysitter? He is a pretty great friend," she said kissing Angie's cheek.
She stood on the porch of his house. She was frustrated, ready to scream, and for some reason, she winds up at his doorstep.
"Hey," he said as he opened the door to Brooke and baby Angie, "how's it going?"
"Great when she's not crying," Brooke said frustrated, "but she won't stop crying, and I have to get these designs done by tomorrow, my presentation is in the morning…."
"Hey," he said cutting her off, "I told you I'm here," he said as he took the crying baby from her.
"Thank you," she sighed as she walked in his home.
"You work, we'll play," he said as he took Angie from her car seat.
"Luke," she said looking up at him, "thank you."
"You're welcome, Brooke," he smiled as he sat on the couch holding the baby. Brooke sat at the other end with her sketchbook working, without noticing how calm Angie had become. She hadn't realized how much time had passed until she glanced at her watch and it was after eleven.
"She adores you Luke," she smiled as she watched Lucas and Angie.
"Well maybe she can put in a good word with Lindsey for me," he joked.
"It's kind of strange isn't it, I mean is this how you thought our lives would turn out?"
"What me being stood up at the altar, and you taking care of a kid that's not yours," he looked at her, "not exactly."
"Do you ever want to go back," she asked shocking herself, "I remember being sixteen and everything being much easier. Would you do it differently?"
"I would try to appreciate the things I took for granted," he said softly, knowing exactly how much he had taken her for granted…
"Listen, I know it's been difficult for you lately, losing Keith and your heart condition, giving up basketball. I feel like I've been trying to keep you close to me to try and protect you from those things. Like I'm hanging on to the two of us for you, not me."
"I'm sorry I kissed Peyton," he sighed, "I should have told you."
"It's not about that Luke. It's not," she said, "I mean I thought it was, but, it's not about her. This is about me. I love you Lucas, and I probably always will, but we go days without having a meaningful conversation. And I used to miss you so much when that happened, but it never seemed like you missed me. And I guess because of it I stopped missing you. I mean look at today, there was horrible accident and you haven't even called me," she said wiping her eyes, "it shouldn't be like this Luke. I'm sorry I can't do this anymore."
"Brooke, I'm sorry."
"Me too," she said as she walked away.
"Like you," he said. They sat in silence for a few minutes, neither knowing what to say. "But, I think we have to go through all the stuff you know, to get to the places we want to be, where we're meant to be."
"Yeah," she nearly whispered thinking about all that they had been through. "Well, I should go," she said with a smile, "at least if you want to get any sleep tonight."
"How are the designs coming," he asked as he continued to bounce Angie.
"Good," she smiled, "I just have a few more."
"Stay," he said looking at her, she looked confused, "finish them, I don't mind," he smiled at her.
"Really," she asked in a whisper, confused.
"Yeah, it's kind of nice," he said with a chuckle.
"Yeah," she smiled and went back to her sketching. He continued to play with Angie while he kept his eyes on Brooke sketching what he was sure were beautiful designs. He couldn't help but smile as Angie started to fall asleep in his arms, she really was a precious baby, and it really amazed him how big Brooke's heart was, what she was doing for this tiny girl was amazing. But Brooke Davis was amazing, that was one fact Lucas Scott had learned years ago. He looked towards the other end of the couch, where he noticed Brooke had also fallen asleep. With Angie in his arms, he made his way to his bedroom to grab a blanket, and he lid it over Brooke, he leaned down and kissed her head, then he and Angie sat at the other end of the couch. Brooke soon cuddled up to him, resting her head against his chest, he wrapped his arm around her, still holding Angie and he laid his head back finally giving into his sleepiness.
"Hey," he said as he was awakened by Brooke sitting up.
"Hey," she said with a smile, "we're gonna go," she said.
"Brooke," he whispered softly as she wiped her eyes, "it's late, stay, go back to sleep."
"Luke," she whispered.
"Stay," he said, and with that she knew she wasn't going home. She laid her head back against his chest.
"Ok," she said softly as he kissed the top of her head.
So I love this song and when I thought abou this scene from the show, where she shows up at his house, I automatically thought of this song. I know I say this every chapter, but the song fits for me. I hope you like it, and I hope you review. The chapters are all song titles, I love music and I think a simple song can tell a story so I always try to pick a song that I feel can tell the story of that chapter, and here I think it works well, just my opinion. And, if you don't know the song, listen to it, just like all other chapters, I think it's important to hear the song to understand the chapter. Thanks so much for all the reviews so far, hopefully another chapter tomorrow...or technically today I guess...hopefully!
