I am so so so sorry for not updating since the beginning of September. It's hard to find inspiration for this fic with no Lucas this season. Although he hasn't been with Brooke since season three, seeing him each week gave me SOME sort of inspiration. I said before that there would only be two more chapters but plans change. There'll be this chapter, another chapter and then the final chapter. I hope to have this fic finished sometime within the next month and then I'll post the new one, which is Brooke/Julian. Hope you enjoy this chapter and please review!!
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Invincible
"Ready to go meet our babies?" Lucas asked once the doctors had finished checking his wife out. She was given a clean bill of health and Lucas was pretty sure his wife would be the talk of the hospital for the next few days.
"I'm scared." She admitted as she avoided eye contact him.
He glanced at her with a confused look on his face. "Why?"
"I don't know them. Most mothers create a bond with their unborn child during the nine months they're inside of them. I wasn't even showing when I collapsed, Luke. I don't feel like I'm their mother." She said softly as she played with the hem on her hospital gown.
"Listen to me," He said as he sat down beside her and lifted her chin so she was looking him in the eyes. "Once you see our beautiful little babies you'll feel like they're yours. I know that we missed out on everything normal expectant parents do but that doesn't mean we have to miss out on anything else. Yeah, it's unfair that this happened to you but you are also extremely lucky to be alive right now, pretty girl. You and me, we're in this parenting thing together." He smiled.
She nodded as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Let's go meet them."
No one besides the doctors knew Brooke had woken up. Nathan and Haley had taken Berkley out for lunch and Peyton and Jake had gone home with Jenny and Gavin.
"What do you hope they are?" Brooke asked as Lucas wheeled her to the nursery.
"Healthy." He responded.
"Me too, but I mean gender-wise. What do you want?"
He shrugged. "Part of me hopes we have two little girls because if we have a boy he'll remind me of the baby we lost all those years ago. But then another part of me hopes one of them is a boy because then we'll have our son back."
Brooke put her feet out causing the wheelchair to stop. She turned around and faced Lucas who looked broken. "You can't go in there and wallow about the past." She said as she pointed to the nursery door. "If you go in there and we have a son I don't want you to hold that baby against the one we lost eight years ago. It's not fair to him, Luke. Just like if we go in there and we have a baby girl I'm not going to hold that little girl against the baby girl I was pregnant with and lost when I was with Owen. I've lost more children than anyone can imagine but today when I see our twins for the first time I'm not going to be thinking about all the babies I lost. It's not fair to the ones who are here if we are too consumed in the past. I know this is going to be hard for both of us but we're going to get through it, babe."
He nodded as he tried to keep his composure. "I know we are but don't you feel guilty for being so happy right now?"
"I'm sure when I'm holding one of our children for the first time a wave of guilt will wash over me but that's nothing new, Luke. I live with guilt every single day, I feel guilty for laughing at something Berkley says, I feel guilty when you spoil her or when she giggles at something and sometimes I feel guilty for being alive because I feel responsible that those children I lost never got the chance to live their lives. But then I feel better when I think about how happy they all are up in heaven or wherever they go when they're no longer here on earth. I have six guardian angels, seven if you count Rachel, watching over me and everyone I love. I've learned in the past year that it's okay to be happy."
Lucas stood there for a moment and let his wife's words sink in. It amazed him how far she had come in just one year. She was no longer the broken, vulnerable Brooke; her old fierce, confident and passionate self had returned and it couldn't have been at a better time. "Let's go meet our two miracles." He smiled as he pushed her toward the nursery.
When they entered, they were greeted by the nurse who led them over to the two bassinets that held their tiny babies. Brooke had her eyes closed; she was still scared, as Lucas gently placed both sleeping babies in her arms. "Open your eyes, mommy." He said softly as he rubbed her arm. She shook her head. "Sweetie, you're going to have to look at them eventually." He chuckled.
"They're okay?" She asked as she raised one of her eyebrows.
"They're perfect." He answered.
She drew in a deep breath before finally opening her eyes and when she looked down she saw a pink blanket swaddling one baby and a blue one wrapped around the other. "We have one of each?" She asked as tears began to cloud her vision.
Lucas nodded. "A boy and a girl. It can't get any better than this."
"Hi babies." She cooed. "I'm your mommy, oh yes I am. Mommy would really like to see your pretty eyes. Do you think you can wake up for me?"
He watched as she interacted with their newborns and he couldn't help but let the tears that were in his eyes fall. This is what he had wanted since the moment she appeared in the back of his car with just a pair of mittens on. Although it hadn't been the easiest road it was definitely the one he was supposed to travel because without all that heartache and misfortune he wouldn't appreciate moments like the one he saw before him as much as he does.
"Do you want to hold one of them?" She asked breaking him out of his trance. It's then when she noticed his tears. "Aw, baby, why are you crying?"
"This is it." He replied simply. "This is everything I've ever dreamed of having."
"Me too." She nodded in agreement. "Now would you like to hold your son or daughter?"
He reached for his daughter first. "Hi pretty girl," He smiled as he played with her small finger. "I'm your daddy and I'm going to spoil you." He said in an animated voice causing the baby to open her eyes. "Hi sweet girl."
"You're daddy is a funny man." Brooke whispered to the baby boy she held in her arms. "How about you open your eyes like your sister so I can see you little man?" She waited for him to open his small eyes but he remained asleep. "I bet your big sister would like to meet you. Her name's Berkley, do you have any ideas for your name? What about your sister's name? Mommy and daddy need help with names, bud."
The nurse informed them that they were more than welcome to take their babies back to their room so Lucas wheeled all three of them back to the room where they would lounge on the bed until their friends returned with their daughter. Lucas' phone had rung so he had excused himself from the room. He jumped a bit when he felt an arm snake around his back but eased when he saw her familiar face.
"What are you doing here?" He asked.
"Just checking up on you." She shrugged. "How's she holding up?"
"I bet she'd really like it if you went in there and talked to her."
"Luke, I've been here every single day and nothing has changed. There were times when I wouldn't go home for days because I didn't want her to be alone but now I just want to stay home because being here just depresses me. What if she wakes up a year from now? She'll have missed a whole year in those kids' lives. I can't keep doing this for much longer, I miss my best friend."
"Peyton," He sighed. "Just go in there and tell her what you need to."
She rolled her eyes before walking toward Brooke's room and turning the handle. He followed and waited to hear Peyton squeal when she discovered an awake and alert Brooke lying in the bed holding the twins.
"Brooke?!" She exclaimed as her jaw dropped. "When the hell did you wake up?"
"A couple hours ago." Brooke smiled. "And don't swear in front of my kids." She playfully scolded.
"I can't believe you're awake." She said as she shook her head and sat down beside Brooke.
"Aw, buddy. Don't cry." Brooke said as she rubbed her arm.
"I just can't believe you're actually talking to me. There were a few times that I almost gave up hope and now I feel so guilty for that."
"Don't. I'm here now and nothings going to take me away from you again." She assured.
Peyton nodded as she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "They're gorgeous, Brooke." She said as she motioned toward the two bundles she held in her arms.
"Thanks," She replied shyly. "Do you want to hold one of them?"
Peyton's eyes lit up as she reached for the boy. "Hey buddy. What's your name?"
"We haven't thought of a name for either one of them yet."
"Well that's okay, I'm sure whatever name your parents pick out will be a great one." She cooed at the small baby. "I have to tell you something." She said as she turned her attention to Brooke.
"What is it?" She asked as she cocked her head to the side.
"I'm pregnant again." She said softly as a smile crafted upon her face.
"Peyton!" Brooke squealed. "That's great!"
"You really think so? I mean you don't think it's too soon to be pregnant again? I just had Gavin—"
"Ten months ago," Brooke interrupted. "This is a great thing, Peyton."
She nodded and smiled at her best friend. "I told Jake this morning and he was ecstatic. I don't think I've ever seen him so shocked." She laughed.
"How far along are you?"
She shrugged. "I have my first appointment today."
"Were you guys trying for another pregnancy?" She inquired.
"No, we had always planned on just having two especially after what happened during Gavin's delivery. What if that happens again Brooke except this time I don't make it?"
"You're going to have a normal pregnancy this time, I promise." She said as she rested her hand on top of Peyton's. "You guys really weren't trying?" She asked again.
Peyton laughed. "No!" She exclaimed. "But I guess we were bound to get pregnant since we've been doing it practically ever night." She shrugged.
"Peyton Sawyer!" Brooke scolded. "Slut much?"
"You're just jealous." She laughed.
"What are you two laughing about?" Lucas asked as he walked into the room. It had been a long time since he had last heard his wife's infectious laugh so when she stopped he almost felt guilty.
"Nothing." Brooke replied. "When do I get to see Berkley?"
"Nathan's on his way up with her now." He said as he sat down beside her.
"No Haley?" She asked.
"Someone had to stay home with their kids." He answered.
"They're beautiful, Luke." Peyton said as she handed Lucas his son.
He smiled as he looked down at his little boy. "We're lucky." He said softly.
--
"Uncle Nathan," Berkley sighed as they got out of the elevator. "I don't like being here."
"Well don't you like surprises?" He asked.
Berkley nodded.
"Your dad said he had a surprise for both of us so aren't you excited to see what it is?"
"I guess so." She shrugged. "When do the babies get to come home with me?"
"I don't know, bug." He said as he led her down the hallway toward Brooke's room. He was quite eager to see what Lucas had as a 'surprise' for both him and Berkley. When they turned the corner he heard her infectious laugh causing his heart to race.
"Is that momma?" Berkley asked as her eyes lit up.
Nathan let go of the little girl's hand as she raced into Brooke's room. He remained out in the hallway and sank down against the cold wall as he buried his head in his hands.
"Momma!" Berkley squealed as she pounced up onto the bed. "You're awake!"
Brooke didn't say anything; instead, tears gathered in her eyes and began to fall rapidly down her face. Berkley reached out and wiped her tears away in a manor that mirrored what she did when they first arrived back in Tree Hill except this time, Berkley was wiping away tears of joy. "Don't cry mommy. It's okay now." She soothed.
"I'm happy, baby girl." She smiled as she pulled her daughter closer.
"You missed my birthday party." Berkley whispered suddenly changing the subject.
"I know sweetheart. I'm really, really sorry for that. I promise once I get out of here I'll take you wherever you want and you can get everything you've ever wished of getting."
She shook her head. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to do that though." Brooke replied.
"You don't understand mommy. My wish when I blew out all my candles was for you to wake up and be happy again. I already got everything I've ever wished for, a mommy and a daddy and a sister and a brother." She shrugged.
"You are the sweetest, most perfect little girl a mother could ask for." Brooke said as she fought back more tears. "I don't know how I got so lucky with you."
Berkley shrugged again. "You're the best mom a little girl could ask for."
"Where's Uncle Nathan?" Lucas asked suddenly.
"He didn't come in the room he just stayed out in the hallway." Berkley told him.
"Why?" Peyton asked.
"I don't know." She replied.
Peyton got up and walked out of the room and practically tripped over Nathan in the hallway. "What are you doing out here? We've all waited eight months for this day and when it finally comes you're sitting out here on your ass?"
"Peyton," He sighed. "Don't do this to me."
"Do what, Nathan? She's awake right now and you, whom she considers a brother, are just sitting out here by yourself." She scolded. "This is unbelievable."
"I don't know how many more times I can do this." He said softly.
Peyton cocked her head to the side and sank down against the wall as she sat beside him. "Do what?" She asked as she reached for his hand.
"She's cheated death twice now, Peyton. As much as I want to believe she's invincible because she's managed to survive every time what happens when she doesn't make it? What happens next time something happens to her?"
She sighed. "Remember when we dated back in high school?" She asked. Her question earned a very confused look from the man who was sitting beside her but he went along with it as he nodded. "Remember how we thought we were invincible? I'd let you drive me home after a party when you had had too much to drink and I knew it I just thought we would be okay. Or when we snuck into the gym that one night to have sex on the basketball court? We didn't think we'd get caught because we were invincible. We all have moments in our lives when we think nothing can hurt us or that we won't get caught but let me tell you, Brooke knows how lucky she is. She knows if she didn't escape Owen when she did she'd most likely be dead right now. She knows she's a lucky girl for surviving all this so I doubt she's going to tempt fate, Nathan." She explained. "Now you need to get off your ass, walk into that room, and hug the woman you consider a sister and tell her that you love her. You also need to see her holding her babies, she's a damn good mother already."
Nathan smiled as he squeezed Peyton's hand. "You never told Haley about the whole basketball court sex thing, right?" He smirked.
Peyton shook her head. "You haven't told Jake either, right?"
A smile crafted upon his face.
"Nathan Scott!" She exclaimed. "You told Jake about that night? That was my first time! It was so awkward!"
"He thought it was a cute story back in high school. I doubt he remembers it." He smiled as he walked into Brooke's room.
"I cannot believe you." She laughed as she shook her head.
"Nathan!" Brooke exclaimed when she saw him.
"I missed you so damn much." He whispered in her ear as he hugged her.
--
It had been three days since the twins had been delivered and Brooke had woken up. Much time had been spent bonding as a family of five and catching up on the past eight months events that Brooke had missed out on.
"Ready to go home?" Nathan asked as he leaned in the doorway of the hospital room.
Brooke nodded as she glanced up and tried to cover herself up.
"Sorry!" He exclaimed when he saw she was nursing his nephew and turned away.
"It's fine," She laughed. "I don't care."
"But I do." He countered. "You're like my sister Brooke. I don't need to see that."
"It's not like Haley's never done it." Lucas pointed out as he continued packing Brooke's bag.
"Haley's my wife, seeing her nurse turns me on."
"Where is Haley?" Brooke inquired.
"She's with Berkley in the gift shop, she insisted on buying the twins something." Nathan replied. "And just so you know, I don't know how much longer I can handle calling these little guys 'the twins.' You two really need to decide on some names."
Brooke sighed. "It's hard!" She complained. "I don't want them to have a name for the rest of their life that they'll get made fun of for having, you know? And I was in a coma for eight months so I didn't get the chance to look through a name book. I didn't even know I was having two babies!"
"Any name you and Luke pick out will be great." He assured her as he sat down beside her on the bed. "How are you, buddy?" He asked softly as he played with the baby's finger.
"Mommy! Look what I bought for the babies!" Berkley exclaimed as she ran into the room and showed her mom a bag of gumballs.
"Sweetie, the babies don't have any teeth. They can't chew that." She said sweetly.
"I tried explaining that to her in the gift shop but she insisted on getting them." Haley said.
"Well if the babies can't eat them can I keep them?" Berkley asked.
Brooke nodded.
"Told you my plan would work!" She exclaimed as she popped two gumballs into her mouth.
"You planned this?" Haley laughed.
Berkley nodded.
"Why didn't you just ask me to buy them for you in the first place instead of insisting on them for the babies?"
"This was funner." She smiled.
"You excited to go home?" Haley asked as she sat down on the edge of Brooke's bed.
She nodded. "I feel like I haven't been there in forever."
"Because you haven't." Richard said as he entered the room.
"Dad!" Brooke squealed.
"How's my little girl feeling?" He asked as he hugged her.
"Exhausted." She sighed.
"These two little angels keeping you busy?" He laughed.
She nodded. "Linda, you didn't have to come see me in the hospital." She said when she saw her standing off to the side.
"Sweetheart there's something you should know." Richard said nervously.
"No way!" Brooke exclaimed as her eyes widened. "You guys are a couple!"
"I understand if this is strange for –" Linda started.
"Strange? This is amazing! You don't know how much I was pulling for you two to get together at our wedding. I can't believe this actually happened. When did this happen?" She rambled.
"About six months ago?" Linda asked as she glanced at Richard who nodded.
"It started out as me getting him out of the hospital and taking him for coffee and I guess somewhere along the line, we both fell for each other." She smiled.
"What about mom?" Brooke asked.
"The divorce was finalized six weeks ago." He said as he reached for Linda's hand.
"I'm so happy for you guys." She smiled.
"I see you've got a full room of visitors." The doctor smiled as he entered Brooke's room. She laughed before explaining who everyone was. "Whenever you're ready to go home you're free to go."
"I'm ready." She smiled.
--
"Momma, when will the babies talk?" Berkley asked as they walked up the front steps of their home.
"Not for a while sweetie. They were born three days ago, they don't know how to do much except sleep."
"They're not as much fun as I thought they were going to be." She complained. "Can we return them for something else?"
"Berk!" Lucas laughed. "They are your baby sister and brother and you can't return babies."
When they stepped through the threshold of the door, both Brooke and Lucas were surprised to see pink and blue ribbons, balloons and streamers everywhere. A banner hung that read 'Welcome Home Scott Family!'
"I did a good job of not spoiling the surprise, huh?" Berkley asked with a proud smile on her face.
"You knew about this?" Lucas smiled.
She nodded as she placed her hands on her hips. "I thought of the whole thing. You should go upstairs."
Brooke and Lucas looked at each other with a mischievous look before heading upstairs, each with a baby in their arms and Berkley following behind them. She sprinted in front of her parents and opened two doors at the same time revealing two totally decorated and fully furnished rooms; one in blues and greens and the other in pinks and yellows.
"Oh my gosh," Brooke whispered as she admired both rooms. "I can't believe they did this."
"This is where we've been ever since we found out I had a brother and a sister. Do you like it?"
"Berkley, it's perfect." Lucas said as he bent down to her level.
--
"Hey," He said softly as he walked into their bedroom.
"Hi." She replied. "What are you doing?"
"Someone needs to be fed." He smiled as he handed their daughter to her.
"Hi sweet girl," She cooed as she rocked her. "Are you hungry?"
Lucas slid into bed beside her before pulling her close and wrapping his arm around her. He watched as she stroked their daughter's cheek while managing to slip her shirt down in order to feed their hungry baby. He smiled when he saw her latch on and begin to rapidly suck. "Can you believe we made that?" He asked as he gestured toward her arms.
She shook her head. "It's so unreal that just a few days ago she was inside of me, we didn't even know her, and now she's here with us."
"I'll be right back." He said as he carefully got out of the bed. He returned with their son in his arms and slid back in next to her. "I didn't want him to be jealous." He smiled.
"How are we going to do this?" She asked as she looked up at him.
"There's two of them and two of us. We're going to be fine." He assured her.
"I just don't want one of them to feel less important and I don't want Berkley to think we care more about the babies then her. I want to be a good mom, Luke."
"You're already the best mom in the world, Brooke. You have nothing to be afraid of."
She nodded, content with his answer. "They still need names you know." She said as she looked down at them.
"We're the worst parents ever." He joked. "Our kids are four days old and still don't have names."
"I don't think it would be fair to name him Keith." She said softly as she looked over at her son.
"I don't either." He agreed.
"It could be his middle name though." She suggested. "That way both Keith's would be honored."
"I like that idea." He nodded. "But what about his first name?"
"I have no idea, Luke." She pouted.
"What's your favorite book?"
"A Walk To Remember." She instantly replied.
"Typical," He laughed.
"Hey!" She exclaimed defensively as she playfully swatted his arm. "It's a great book."
"How does it end?"
"Jamie dies and Landon's standing on a pier thing talking about how much Jamie changed his life." She replied.
He shook his head. "That's how the movie ends, sweetheart. You've never read the book have you?"
"I—"
"Because if you did, you'd know that the book's ending is different." He pointed out.
"What does this have to do with naming our children?"
"Do you like any names from the book? Sorry, movie?" He could tell she was deep in thought by the way she furrowed her brow.
"Do you like Landon?" She asked skeptically.
"Landon Keith Scott." He said slowly trying to figure out if they worked together as a whole. "Landon Keith Scott." He repeated. "I like it."
"Me too." She smiled. "Hi Landon." She cooed at the baby.
"Now what about her?" He asked as he motioned toward Brooke's arms.
"What about your favorite book?"
"My mom read a book while she was pregnant with me that she absolutely loved. It was about a girl who was fiercely independent and didn't care what anyone thought about her. She left everything she knew behind her and went to Montana to start her life. She ended up falling in love with the local coffee shop owner, got married, had a few kids and lived on a spacious farm. You find out at the end of the novel she came from a lot of money but she didn't want any of it. She wanted to create a life she would be proud of; she wanted to do something that mattered. Her parents refused to come visit her, disapproved of her husband and lifestyle so she pretty much abandoned them." He smiled. "So anyway, guess what the name of the coffee shop farmer guy was?"
"Lucas?" She guessed.
He nodded. "My mom didn't know what she was having so she had two names picked out, both of which came from that book. I still don't know the name of that book but I do know what my name would have been if I were a girl. I think that's what we should name her." He said as he rubbed his daughter's face.
"What is it?"
"Hannah." He said softly as he smiled down at her.
Brooke smiled at her husband. "I love it."
"And her middle name?" He inquired.
"Rachel." Brooke said confidently. "Hannah Rachel Scott."
"She would be honored." Lucas said softly as he rubbed Brooke's arm.
"I just wish she was here to see them."
"Me too."
"Do you think we could go to Charlotte soon?" She asked suddenly.
Lucas nodded. "Why?"
"I have something I need to take care of."
--
Review please!!
