Chapter 28:

"What happened? We got your message," Haley dashed over to Karen.

"Lucas, he..he had a heart attack,"

"Is he alright?"

The doctor cleared her throat. Everyone payed attention to her, hoping for good news. "We can't allow anyone in at the moment, but he should be fine. I'll try to update you when I have more information."

As the doctor disappeared through the ER doors, Brooke tried to grab Haley's attention

"Can I talk to you? In private"

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They went in to the washroom, where they almost stood off, facing each other.

"Where were you?"

"What do you mean where was I?"

Brooke rolled her eyes, "I'm mean where the hell were you? I tried calling and I even went over to your place to see if you were okay. For all I know you could have been hurt, or sick or something." It all came out in a rush, before she could stop it.

"Oh Tigger, I'm sorry. We didn't mean to worry you, but we figured that you and Luke would be busy, so we didn't bother calling you."

"Where were you," she said harshly.

Haley cringed. "We were...we were. Can you promise not to tell anyone? We didn't want anyone to know yet, but I can't lie,"

Brooke nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but as she did, Lily ran in.

"Brookie! Haley!" she sang. "Mummy said we can see Lucas now!" Grabbing their hands, she led them out and towards Luke's room.

"Tell me later, I'll hold you to it," Brooke smiled at Haley as they were pulled along.

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"Oh god Luke, are you okay?"

"I'm just fine now that you're here pretty girl," he grinned weakly.

"What happened?"

Lucas looked at the anxious faces gazing at him. "Um. Ma, Nate, Hales? Could we have a minute?"

"Of course, come on Lily, James."

James pouted, "I wanna be with Uncle Luke while I can,"

His statement puzzled Karen, Brooke and Lucas.

"Sweetheart, uncle Luke and Brooke need to talk, we can see him later, okay?" Haley crouched in front of him.

"Fine,"

Haley got up and they left Brooke and Lucas to themselves.

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"What happened? They said you were running, you don't run anymore,"

"Baby, I just had to clear my head. A lot was happening. I mean, I'm trying to get my book ready, because I need a really great draft to show the editors and publishers and then there was you, and I just felt like everyone was on my case you know?"

"Are you trying to put this on me?" Brooke stood up suddenly.

"Brookie, sit down. I'm not saying it's your fault, but I just need you to take it easy on me. I just have a lot of stress and I need you to relax about little things. Please?" He almost looked pitiful.

Looking close to tears, she nodded, "I'm sorry, I'll try and make it easier, I will,"

She stood up and left, leaving Lucas slightly stunned.

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"We have to tell them,"

"I told you when you're ready, so if you are, we will,"

"Well I'm not really, nor will I ever be, but Brooke was really angry and I told her I'd tell her why we were gone,"

"We'll tell her together, and we best tell everyone, Karen, my mom, Brooke, Lucas and I'll tell my dad,"

Haley closed her eyes and buried her face in his chest, feeling secure as Nathan fastened his arms around her.

"It'll be okay Hales"

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They heard a sniffle behind them. Haley lifted her head to see who it was and saw Brooke standing behind Nathan.

"Brooke! What's the matter?"

She smiled, but it was obviously strained "Nothing. You can go see Luke if you want. I'm going to find out when he can come home and I want to hear your news" She added finger quotes as she said "news".

"Okay great, thanks," Nathan interjected.

They got Karen, James and Lily and set off to see him as Brooke went out the door and drove to the Rivercourt.

As she sat on a bench, she thought about graduation, and how their lives had changed so much on that day. Especially Haley and Nathan's. Her thoughts drifted to after the graduation party. They had all come down to the Rivercourt and something connected for her. She has seen Lucas talking to someone on the phone, she couldn't hear what he had been saying, but she saw the look in his eyes, the same look he had when he looked at Peyton that night. Brooke wondered what it meant, but before she came up with the answer, she felt someone sit beside her.

"Hey, it's been awhile,"

A/N- Oooh who is it? I know, but y'all are going to have to wait. Hope you enjoyed the long overdue update and please REVIEW. The more the better :)

xo-Sasha