Author's Note: Hey guys! Sorry for such a long wait again! I swear college is killing me! An essay every damn week! Jeez! Anyways, I can't wait for the four day weekend coming up! Thanksgiving! Hopefully I'll get some writing in then and I will try my hardest to get an update out sooner rather than later. I hope you all like this chapter! As always, please read and review!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. One Tree Hill and its characters are property of the WB.
Rating: K+ to T
P.S. – I guess you guys have all heard by now… Bethany's getting married! She is soon to be Mrs. Bethany Galeotti by the end of the year and I wish her all the best! Congratulations Bethany!
In the Presence of An Angel
Chapter 28
Brooke paced the floor of the apartment worriedly. Where was Haley? She should have been home shortly after six but now it was almost eight. Maybe she had stayed after to help Karen close and clean up. Yeah that was it, Brooke told herself. The phone rang and Brooke jumped to grab it, quickly answering it, "Hello?" "Brooke," someone sniffled over the line. "Peyton," she asked. "No, it's Danielle. Brooke, Haley's been in an accident…" "WHAT!" Brooke shrieked. "She-she was driving home I guess and some guy was making a left turn on a red arrow when Haley had green going straight and he hit her on the passenger side…" "How is she? How bad is it," Brooke asked, quickly beginning to panic. "She's got a concussion and her arm will be in a sling for a week or two. She's got a few minor cuts on her arms and face, but they'll heal. She lucked out Brooke. She's unconscious right now, but the doctor hopes she'll wake up soon," Danielle explained. "I'll be down there as soon as I can," Brooke said, "bye Danielle." She hung up before the other girl could say goodbye and grabbed her coat from the back of the chair. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran out of her apartment across the hall to Nathan's apartment, pounding on his door. "Jesus Brooke," Nathan flung open the door a few minutes later, "People are trying to sleep here!" He then saw the tears in her eyes and the streaks of mascara marking her face. "Brooke, what's wrong," he asked concernedly.
"I-It's H-Haley. She-She was in an a-accident and-and she's in the hospital. Please Nate, I-I can't drive like this. Will you take me to the hospital," Brooke sobbed as she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his torso. Nathan hugged her tight, stroking her hair softly. "She'll be alright, Brooke. Haley's strong; she'll pull through," Nathan whispered in her ear, worried about Haley. How bad was she hurt? What had happened? "I won't survive if she doesn't," Brooke cried, her voice muffled by his strong chest. "Sh…" he tried to soothe her by rubbing her back, "let me just get my keys and we can go to the hospital, alright?" Brooke nodded but still clung to him like her life depended on it. "Brooke, you have to let go, okay," he responded as he took her arms and gently pulled them from around his waist. "Sorry," Brooke replied, a little embarrassed, as she wrapped her arms around her own body as if to keep herself from falling. Nathan slipped on a pair of shoes then grabbed his keys and wallet from the counter, putting his arm around her shoulders to support her again, "Alright, let's go."
"Where is she," Brooke yelled as she raced up to the front desk. "Who are you looking for, my dear," the older woman asked. "My-my girlfriend…Haley James…she-she works here…she w-was in a car accident and she was brought here and-and…where's Danielle…I need to talk to Danielle," Brooke ranted on almost incoherently. "Danielle? Okay, I will page her. She'll be up here in a few minutes. I believe she is with a patient right now," the woman replied as she punched a few numbers on the phone. "Brooke," a voice called out a few minutes later and Brooke spun on her heel, seeing Danielle approaching. "Danielle," Brooke shrieked as she ran to her and pulled the young woman into a tight embrace, tears beginning to fall from her eyes, "How is she? Is she awake yet? Can I see her? I need to see her." Danielle shook her head sadly, "No, she's still unconscious. We had to knock her out a little bit to put in the stitches-" "Stitches," Brooke asked, her voice rising to a high pitch in fright.
"Yeah, she was bleeding in the back of her head from the concussion so the doctor had to stitch it up," Danielle replied. "Oh god…" Brooke gasped, starting to breathe more heavily as she placed a hand to her chest. Danielle took her other hand and squeezed it in reassurance, "Everything's okay Brooke, Haley's going to be alright." "Stitches are not okay, Danielle," Brooke shouted, her eyes wide and hyperventilating. "Calm down Brooke," Nathan said as he walked up beside her and rubbed her back in soothing circles. "Danielle, your patient in Intensive Care was just moved to a private room, Room 301," a passing nurse told the woman. "Intensive Care? Haley was in Intensive Care? Why didn't you tell me it was this bad!" Brooke shrieked in fright and anger. "Brooke, it's not Haley. She wasn't in Intensive Care; it's one of my other patients," Danielle replied as she rubbed her arms, "come on, I'll take you to Haley's room."
Brooke sucked in a large breath when they reached the door to Haley's room and started to tear up. "Page me when she wakes up okay," Danielle squeezed her shoulders lightly then went to go tend to her other patients. Brooke looked to Nathan, who nodded towards the door, "Go on, I'll wait out here. Give Haley my love." Brooke nodded before shakily reaching for the door handle and opening it, entering the room quietly. She gasped at the sight of her girlfriend and quickly walked over, pulling a chair to her bedside. She held Haley's good hand in her own as she studied her, taking in all her injuries. There were a few cuts and bruises on her face and her good arm and her other arm was wrapped in an ace bandage with it encased in a sling. "Oh baby…" Brooke whispered as she then began to gently kiss every cut and bruise on her face and arm then very carefully kissed her fingers on her bad arm. She squeezed Haley's hand lightly, tears falling from her eyes, "I love you Hales. Please wake up for me. I need to see those beautiful brown eyes of yours…" When Haley didn't even blink or move a muscle, Brooke buried her head into the bed, sobs wracking her body.
An hour and a half later, Brooke had cried herself out and was now just simply sitting in the chair holding Haley's hand, waiting for her to wake up. She heard a light knock on the door and turned, expecting Nathan, but when the door opened, Lucas cautiously stepped in. Brooke's face contorted in anger at the sight of him. What right did he have coming here? After what he had done to Haley? "What the hell are you doing here," Brooke asked harshly in a cold tone that told him he was not welcome. "Please Brooke, let me see her. She's my best friend…" Lucas pleaded with her. "After what you did to her? The way you treated her? I don't think so. You hurt her really bad, Lucas, and I'm going to do my best that nobody ever hurts her again, starting with you. So get out," Brooke ordered as she pointed towards the door. "No," Lucas replied stubbornly as he stood his ground. Brooke rose from her seat angrily, "Lucas, do not make me hurt you, because once I get my hands on you, Haley won't be the only one lying in a hospital bed." "I don't care. I'm going to stand here until you let me see her. Brooke, you have to understand…she's like my sister, we grew up together…and then she just springs this on me? I was shocked and confused and scared and every other emotion possible. I needed time to digest and sort things out. I have now and I've accepted that you and Haley are together, it-it just really shocked me at first. I'm ready to be friends with her again, if she'll have me," he responded, this last part quietly, as he glanced at Haley sorrowfully.
Brooke stared at him for a long time, as if she were judging his honesty. She saw the pleading look in his eyes and his tone of voice. She knew he was sincere. Brooke sighed and ran her hands through her hair, "Fine, just give me a second." She turned back towards the bed and leaned over Haley, placing a gentle kiss on her lips and whispering, "I love you" into her ear. "Brooke, come here," Lucas requested. "What," she asked. "I'm really sorry for treating you and Haley the way I did. You make her really happy and that's all I could ever ask for," he hugged her and she was stiff for a moment before she patted him on the back. "Thank you," she replied before pulling away from him, "come get me if she wakes up." He nodded in agreement then Brooke left the room and he took a seat in the chair Brooke had previously occupied. Lucas gently took her hand into his own and kissed the back of it, pressing it to his cheek.
"Hales, I am so sorry," he whispered as tears filled his eyes, "Now I know how you felt when I had my accident…I was so scared when I got that phone call from Nathan…I was scared I would never get to tell you that I'm sorry. I was confused and I didn't know how to react…I mean we have been best friends for so long and you just sprung this on me…Like I told Brooke, I've accepted that you two are together now. I just hope that we can still be friends…" He began to sob as he laid his head on the side of the bed, clutching her hand lightly within his own yet holding onto it with dear life, like he would never see her again.
Twenty five minutes later, Lucas still found himself crying into the sheets of Haley's bed. He didn't know how to stop. Everything that had happened lately was just overwhelming him; the news of Brooke and Haley, Haley's accident, Peyton and the pregnancy. His world was spinning and he didn't know how to get it all under control. Lucas heard a soft groan, "Brooke…" He quickly raised his head up as her eyes fluttered open. "Hales…" he whispered in happiness. She pulled her hand from his as a frown formed on her face. "What are you doing here," she asked hoarsely. "Hales, I am so sorry. I know you have every right to be mad at me and not want me here, but please let me explain. I-I was just shocked, okay? I mean, we've been best friends for as long as I can remember and then you come out and tell me you're into girls? I-I didn't know how to react-" "I'm not into girls, just Brooke," Haley responded as she looked away from him. "I'm sorry Hales. I miss you. I know I was an ass to you but can you please try to forgive me? I need my best friend back, I need you in my life," tears started to stream down his cheeks again as he tentatively reached for her hand. Haley's bottom lip trembled as tears of her own began to fall and she gently laid her hand in his. Lucas grasped it then stood and leaned over her, carefully wrapping his arms around her and hugging her. "I missed you so much…" he kissed her forehead after a few minutes of holding her in his arms. "I missed you too," she cried into his chest as she curled her good arm around his torso.
They stayed like that for a few more minutes before Lucas pulled away, smoothing the hair away from her face and kissing her forehead again, "I'm going to go get Brooke. She's been beside herself with worry about you." Haley nodded as she uttered a soft, "Thanks." Lucas smiled and squeezed her hand one more time before leaving the room and walking down the hallway to the waiting room. Everyone looked up when he entered and he gazed at Brooke, "She's awake." Brooke immediately stood and shouted, "Move!" as she started to run down the hallway to Haley's hospital room. "Hales, oh baby, I'm so glad you're awake…I missed you so much…you scared me to death when I got the phone call. Danielle called and told me you'd been in a car accident…I was so scared…" Brooke ran to her and tightly yet carefully hugged her so as not to further injure her sprained arm. She kissed Haley all over her face then finally her lips and Haley pressed in deeper as she wrapped her good arm around her back and ran her hand up and down in soft strokes. "Sh…I'm alright…everything's okay…stop crying sweetie…" Haley whispered between kisses. "I thought I almost lost you…" Brooke choked on a sob as she buried her face in Haley's chest. Haley hugged her tighter as she remembered all those times she had been so scared that she had almost lost Brooke too.
Then Haley remembered something and her eyes widened as she pulled away and tears began to fall again, "Brooke, I'm so sorry! Your car! It's probably totally wrecked. I'm so sorry! That car was your baby…" Brooke cupped her cheek in her hand and stroked it softly with her thumb, "Hales, it's okay. I'm just glad you're alright and that car isn't my baby anymore, you are. I would die if anything happened to you; the car I can live with, but not you." More tears began to cascade down her cheeks as she hugged Brooke again and kissed her tenderly on the lips, "I love you." Brooke stroked her cheek as she stared into her deep brown doe eyes, "I love you so much Hales. I can't imagine my life without you." Haley placed her hand behind Brooke's head and pulled her down to her lips for a passionate kiss.
They were interrupted by a light knock on the door and Nathan popped his head in, "Hey, how are you feeling?" "Like I got hit by a car," Haley chuckled. Brooke's eyes widened at this information and she stood up, "Are you in any pain? The doctors were supposed to give you something for the pain." Haley patted her hand, "I'm okay Brooke, calm down. They got me all doped up on painkillers so no need to worry. I'll be fine in no time." "That's great Hales. So you'll be down at the rivercourt for a game this weekend, right," Nathan replied with a grin. "I don't think so," Brooke responded sternly, "Haley needs to rest and recuperate." Haley lightly poked Brooke in the side with a little laugh, "Look who changed places, Ms. Nurse Nazi." "Hey, I just want to make sure you take enough time to recover and not rush yourself. I don't want you gallivanting around town when you should be resting," Brooke responded. Haley lightly nudged her in the side, "No Brooke, that's more your style." Brooke's eyes and mouth widened as she slapped her on the arm, "Hey!" "Ow," Haley yelped. Brooke gasped as her hands flew to cover her mouth, "Oh my god, Hales, I'm so sorry!" "Nice Brooke, injure her even more why don't you. We need that arm down at the rivercourt."
Haley laughed then pointed to her arm in the sling, "Looks like I won't be playing basketball for awhile." "You can dribble and shoot with one arm," Nathan countered. "True," Haley amended with a nod, "I bet I could still beat both yours and Lucas' asses with one arm too." "Nah, I don't think so," Nathan grinned, "but we'll see. When you get out of this joint, we're going to see who's best. Oh, I almost forgot! Jake wanted to see you before he left if you woke up. He has to take Jenny home because she's getting cranky and tired. I'll go get him, be right back." A few seconds later, a nurse popped her head in, "Visiting hours are almost over Ms. James. You've got fifteen more minutes then everybody has to leave so you can rest." "Thanks Stacey," Haley nodded then turned to Brooke, "Will you please go get everyone? I want to say goodbye to them." "Sure," she responded as she stood from her chair, "Do you want anything from the cafeteria before I go or are you restricted to all things inedible?" "I'm fine. I'd rather have you here in bed with me though. It's going to be hard not having you lying beside me. Oh wait, there's nobody to hog the covers and nobody to keep me awake from their loud snoring," Haley laughed as she glared at Brooke. "Hey, I do not snore," Brooke protested, lightly slapping her on the leg.
"Ah, another old married lover's quarrel I see," Jake grinned as he entered with a squirming Jenny in his arms. The baby began to whimper and cry, reaching out to Haley as soon as her eyes landed on the older girl. "No sweetie, Haley can't hold you right now; she's hurt," Jake gently bounced and rocked the baby to try and calm her. "Give her to me, Jake," Haley ordered as she gestured him to bring Jenny near. "But your arm…" Jake looked at her concernedly. "It's okay, you can just lay her here on the bed in the crook of my arm. I promise I won't drop her," Haley smiled. "I know," Jake replied, "I just don't want her to hurt you if she touches your sprained arm or something."
"She won't," Haley responded, "now hand her over Jagielski." As Jake laid his daughter beside Haley, everyone else including Nathan, Lucas, and Peyton walked in. Brooke glared at Peyton for a moment before turning her attention back to Haley. Even though Lucas had made up with Haley, she was still mad that Peyton had broken her promise.
Immediately, the fussy baby began to calm down once she was near Haley and started to coo and giggle as Haley played with her fingers and tickled her toes. Jake along with some of the others laughed at Jenny's antics and how much she adored Haley. Soon the little girl became tired and drifted off to sleep. Haley was gently rocking her when the doctor entered her room, "Alright everyone, I'm sorry but visiting hours are over. Miss James needs her rest." There was a collective groan as they stood from their chairs but Brooke stayed put. The doctor then spotted Peyton and recognized her, "Miss Sawyer, you're a friend of Ms. James? What a small world! In fact, I was just about to call you when I went on my break. We got your test results back from the lab. Since you're here, let me go get your file." He strode out of the room and at once all eyes were on her. She shifted uncomfortably as Brooke stood with fear in her eyes, the anger at her friend forgotten, "Results? Tests? Peyton, is something… w-wrong?" She stumbled on that last word then bit her bottom lip, hoping it wasn't true.
Peyton glanced up at Lucas, her eyes beginning to water, and he took her hand into his own them wrapped his free arm around her, holding her tight. "Tell me right now what's going on P. Sawyer," Brooke demanded as she neared them. It was then the doctor walked in with a manila folder in his hand, "Let's see here Miss Sawyer, it looks like both the tests came out negative. Your blood pressure is a little high but everything else is normal; thyroid, triglycerides, cholesterol. You are a little on the thin side for your height, but it's nothing to worry about. Do you have any questions?" Peyton shook her head no, too full of emotion to speak. "Well then, I have to go check on a few more patients before the end of my shift. Ms. James, get some rest," he glanced pointedly at the others to let them know they needed to leave then turned back to Haley, "the nurse will come check on you in about an hour. If you need anything, just press the call button okay?" Haley nodded, too preoccupied with what was going on with Peyton.
Once the doctor left, Peyton's knees went weak but Lucas held her up as she choked on a sob and buried her face in his chest. All of them stared at Lucas with worried and confused expressions while he tried to comfort his girlfriend by rubbing her back and stroking her hair. "Later," he mouthed to them as he picked her up and walked outside of the hospital room, placing her on a padded bench just outside. He sat next to her and caressed her face with his hand. "Peyton…" he said softly, at a loss for words of what to say. She began to cry harder as she looked up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks and he saw the vulnerability, the desire, in her eyes but it was a different kind of desire than one would think. "You really wanted this baby didn't you," he asked in barely a whisper as he stroked her cheek with his thumb. She nodded as she shut her eyes tightly and lowered her head, her body trembling with more sobs.
After a few minutes, when she regained her breath, she placed her hands on her flat abdomen, "A-At first, when I realized that I was late, I was so scared and didn't know what I was going to do…then I got used to the idea of being pregnant and having a baby and I really wanted to have the baby but now we found out that I'm not pregnant and I feel so empty…I feel like I lost it…" Peyton wrapped her arms around her stomach as if holding the unborn child that she once thought was inside her. "Oh Peyton…" Lucas replied as he hugged her tight and tears of his own welled in his eyes and he kissed her forehead. He, like Peyton, had been scared at first at the thought of being a father when he was only eighteen years old but had warmed up to it after awhile. He remembered the time when he had told Haley he wanted to marry Peyton, that she was the one person who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. He loved her so much and even more so now; he wanted to marry her and have kids with her someday. True, a baby now was sooner than expected or planned, but he wouldn't change anything for the world. He was brought out of his thoughts by Peyton pressing her mouth softly to his, "I'm sorry." "You have nothing to be sorry for sweetie," he replied as he rubbed her back, "I just wish things could be different. I know how you wanted that baby so much…and I did too…" She nodded as she buried her head in his chest again.
"I wonder what's going on with Peyton," Jake asked worriedly, his forehead wrinkled in concern, "is she sick? I mean, lab tests and stuff, that's serious." "I know, but the doctor said the tests were negative so that's got to be something good, right?" "Not always," Haley replied as she shifted in the bed, yawning. "Haley's tired guys. Why don't you all go home and get some sleep. You can come back in the morning," Brooke said as she stood from her chair and fluffed Haley's pillow a little before placing it back behind her head. "Brooke, you need a ride," Nathan inquired. "Nah, I'm going to stay here tonight. I don't care what that doctor says, I'm not leaving my Hales," Brooke replied as she sat on the side of the bed and took Haley's hand into her own. "Alright, see you later. Get better fast Hales, we need you on that court," Nathan grinned. "As soon as the Nurse Nazi lets me," Haley smiled at first Nathan then Brooke. "Which probably won't be for a good two or three weeks," Brooke responded, "You'll have that arm in a sling for a week and you have to allow time for it to heal, you don't want to sprain it again worse, break a bone." "Breaking bones? Oh, please…try having a boy for a best friend while growing up," Haley replied with a flick of her wrist.
Lucas stepped back into the room and their laughter silenced as all eyes turned to him. "Hey guys, I am going to take Peyton home. She's pretty exhausted. Hales…" he walked over to the bed and leaned down to carefully hug her, "I'm glad you're okay. Get some rest and I'll see you tomorrow. Are they going to kick you out of this place tomorrow?" "Hopefully," Haley replied. "See you tomorrow Haley," Jake replied as he leaned down to pick up his daughter, "Thanks for getting Jenny to sleep. Hopefully she'll stay that way the car ride home." "Hales, check ya later," Nathan winked as he clicked his tongue and pointed his fingers at her. Haley laughed, "Bye Nate, bye guys." The boys waved as they all filed out of her hospital room, finally leaving her alone with Brooke.
There was silence for a few minutes as Brooke busied herself with closing the curtains on the windows and fluffing more of Haley's pillows while Haley picked at the blanket covering her. "So, scary day, huh," Haley said quietly, "first me then Peyton." Brooke sighed as she walked over and sat on the side of the bed, entwining her fingers with Haley's, "Yeah." "Are you okay? How are you handling all this," Haley asked quietly, gently squeezing her hand, "How's your heart? I know I must have given you a pretty good scare when Danielle called about the accident." "A little shaken up but nothing a night with you can't cure," Brooke offered a small smile. Haley scooted over a little and patted the vacant space beside her, "Come here." Brooke laid down and rested her head on Haley's shoulder and curled her arm around Haley's waist, pulling her close. Brooke looked up at Haley, who was fast falling asleep, and softly brushed her lips against Haley's in a tender kiss, "I love you Haley James. I don't know what I'd do without you in my life." Haley smiled as she leaned her head down and kissed her back then rested her forehead against Brooke's, "Ditto Brooke Davis."
Next on One Tree Hill…
It's the beginning of a new season with fall's once colorful leaves being covered by the first snow of the winter. Thanksgiving is fast approaching and Christmas is just around the corner. Magic and love is in the air and this year, someone will receive a ring…
