A/N: Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm glad you all are enjoying the story. ReadingRed - Thanks for the heads up, I think that's how I would spell it if it were my store so that's probably why I keep doing it. I hope it's not too distracting. thanks for the review and a special S/O to all the others who reviewed: RHatch89, michayla, GHJaSam4Ever, bjq, jasamforlife,Clarity23, arubagirl0926, tyebayinlove4eva8994, and gleegirl116, and Long Live BRUCAS for the DM. Reviews are love and definitely make me want to post more so thanks. I hope you all enjoy the next part. :)

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Praying for Hope

~ The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us… (Barack Obama)

Lucas sped down the street, racing around the corner as fast as he could. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles turning white as he focused on weaving through the traffic towards his destination.

"Slow down," Peyton said from the back as she braced herself against the door before looking down at her friend's face that lay on her lap. "It's going to be okay honey."

"It's too early," Brooke said before moaning. "Luke…"

"We're almost there," he said as he turned another corner and raced towards the hospital, pulling up in front in the red zone. Lucas hopped out of the vehicle and ran around to the back door on the passenger side, practically ripping the door open. "We're here," he reached out to help his new bride out of the back seat. "Peyton, can you go park the car?"

The blonde nodded, helping him get Brooke out the car before hopping over the center console into the driver's seat. She sent them a reassuring smile before taking off as the newlyweds walked towards the entrance.

"Come on Pretty Girl," he wrapped an arm around her, allowing her to lean into him as they made small steps towards the entrance. "Just a few more steps and everything will be alright."

She looked at him with tears in her eyes. "It's too early Luke; it's too…ah!" she yelled out as she bent over in pain.

Lucas couldn't bear to see her in pain any longer as she tried to move towards the hospital, pulling her into his embrace and lifting her into his arms. "It's going to be okay," he said as he carried her up the walkway.

"It's a good thing we're near the hospital so when your back breaks they can help you too," she laughed before giving a grimace.

"Only you would make jokes now," he replied before feeling her body go limp in his arms. "Brooke," he called her name frantically, "Baby wake up!" he rushed through the sliding glass door, bellowing as he carried his unconscious wife inside. "Help! I need some help here…"

A nurse rushed from behind the desk towards them. "We need a gurney here," she shouted before turning to Lucas. "What happened?"

"She said her water broke and she's been in a lot of pain," Lucas explained while another hospital worker rolled a gurney towards them and helped him lay her on top of it. "We were right outside, she was talking and then she just passed out… please help her."

"We're going to do everything we can sir," the nurse replied, leaning over to check the brunette woman just as a doctor approached.

"It's too early," Lucas shook his head. "She's only seven months along…" He looked as they began to roll away. "Where are they taking her…" Lucas looked off at the retreating bed. "I need to go with her."

"I promise I will come get you as soon as the doctor has her settled," she said before he was handed a form by the lady behind the counter and the nurse rushed down the hallway in the same direction.

"But she's my wife," Lucas whispered wearily into the air, "my wife."

"Peyton," Deb ran towards the distraught blonde and gathered her shaky form in her arms.

"How is she?" Richard asked as he walked up behind them.

"I don't know really," Peyton shook her head. "I know she's with the doctor right now," she paused briefly, her eyes bloodshot from holding back her tears. "Lucas said she passed out; they called him back there a few minutes ago."

"I didn't even know she was pregnant till last month when I happened to see her on a magazine cover," Richard shook his head in distress. "I don't even know how far along she is but by Lucas' reaction and yours it must not be time."

"She's about seven months," Deb explained.

"Can they… I mean will the babies be okay delivered at this stage?" he questioned.

"It's not ideal but yes they can," Deb answered, "and in many cases these days things are fine."

"But not always," he breathed out deeply. "I haven't seen my daughter in years but even I could see that these babies meant everything to her," he shook his head. "I read that article and found out she'd lost a baby before. My god, I don't even know what happened in my own daughter's life."

"She didn't share that with many people for a long time," Deb replied.

"But still, it shows how little of her life I was involved in," Richard sighed heavily. "What if something happens to her? I should've been a better father but I wasn't, I gave her money instead of love and I wasn't there for one of the hardest periods of her life and still when I showed up today and started to apologize, she wouldn't let me."

"Because she'd already forgiven you," Deb said reassuringly, reaching out to place a comforting hand on his shoulder while leaving the other wrapped around the younger blonde.

"That's Brooke," Peyton said as the tears she'd been holding back began to form. "That's what she does, she forgives; I know that first hand. You may have not been there before but you're here now and she knows it. She'll be okay," she nodded, unsure if she was reassuring herself or him. "She's strong," she smiled slightly, "a warrior." Her mind was filled with memories of Brooke telling both she and Haley that's that what they were; the three of them were warriors.

"Yes she is," Deb smiled as she pulled the young girl closer. "And her babies are too. They've survived so much so far, they'll survive this." She paused briefly as her eyes met her old acquaintance. "You'll get that chance to be there for Brooke and her children Richard, I know it."

He nodded. "I pray you're right."

"Hey Pretty Girl," Lucas said as he walked in and saw her eyes open. "You gave me quite a scare," he walked over to kiss her on her forehead.

"Hey Broody," she reached up and pressed the crinkle between his brows. "I see you're in worrying mode."

"How are you feeling?" he asked, stroking her hair.

"Better I guess," she sighed as she reached down to touch her stomach. "Still some contractions but they're further apart," she glanced at the IV connected to her before looking up at him. "I'm assuming they gave me something to slow them down."

"They didn't really explain anything to me yet," Lucas shook his head. "A nurse came and got me and then said a doctor would be with us soon."

"Sounds ominous enough," she rolled her eyes just as the door open, revealing a blonde woman in her mid-forties. "Dr. Sinclair," Brooke smiled as she recognized her.

"Hello Brooke; Lucas," she nodded. "I got here as soon as I could." She flipped open the metal folder, double checking her patient's chart. "I just went over everything with Dr. Palmer after his initial examination. He said you had a sinkable episode?"

"That means I passed out right?" the brunette asked and watched as the doctor smiled.

"Yes," she paused briefly as her face took back its more serious appearance. "It appears your blood pressure spiked and caused you to pass out but the rest of your vitals are good. Now you did test positive for PROM…"

"Prom?" Lucas repeated as he looked to the woman inquiringly.

"Premature rupture of membranes," she explained. "In layman's terms, Brooke's water has broken."

"So she is in labor," Lucas said more to himself than to the doctor as he looked down at Brooke, "but it's too soon."

"Can we stop it?" the brunette looked to her doctor.

"Well Dr. Palmer has given you Nifedipine to stop your contractions, at least for the next twenty-four hours," she explained.

"Are there any risks to the babies from that?" Brooke questioned as she reached out for Lucas' hand.

"No," Dr. Sinclair answered. "It may cause a little redness of skin for you, nausea, headache, or low blood pressure but since your pressure had spiked and this drug has little to no effect on the babies Dr. Palmer went with it."

Lucas watched as his wife nodded before turning back to the doctor, "Why only twenty-four hours?"

"Once the membrane is broken after twenty-four hours there is a high risk of infection to both the babies and the mother," she explained. "Now we'd like to get you started on Betamethasone which will help mature the lungs of the babies and also prevent brain bleeds or serious bowel disease that are sometimes prone to preemies."

"But after all that they'll be fine right?" Brooke held back the tears that threatened to form as she squeezed her husband's hand tighter.

"Twins are very resilient and usually mature faster than a single baby in the womb," Dr. Sinclair said in a reassuring manner. "Many twins born at thirty-two weeks are just fine. I promise you we are all going to take good care of you and your children."

"Thank you," Brooke nodded.

"Yes thank you," Lucas added.

"I'll have a nurse start you on the Betamethasone right away; I'll be by to check on you shortly," the blonde smiled before exiting the room.

"Lucas," her hazel eyes looked up at him in distress.

"It's going to be okay Brooke," he wrapped his arms around her, placing a soft kiss in her hair. "We'll be fine, I promise."

"When you say it like that I can almost believe it," she wiped at her eyes, exhaling deeply. "This is supposed to be our wedding day, a good day."

"And it is," he reached over to touch her face. "The doctors are going to take care of everything and tomorrow we'll welcome our son and daughter into this world. Until then we stay calm," his eyes stared deeply into hers, "okay?"

"Okay," she nodded with a half smile. "Will you do something for me?"

"Anything," he answered.

She offered him a full smile this time as she scooted over. "Will you just lay beside me with your arms around me?"

"I can do that," he replied before lying down next to her and wrapping his arms around her, allowing her head to lean against his chest. "Everything's going to be fine Brooke, I promise." As he kissed the top of her head and reached down to place his hand comfortingly on her stomach, he knew he was going to do everything in his power to keep it.

Jamie, Oriana, and Jenny sat in the living room of Brooke's beach house, sharing a tray of cookies while the TV played some Disney program in the background. Rachel stood behind them, leaning against the front of the kitchen counter to watch over them.

"Do you think Brooke will be okay?" Jenny's voice cut through the silence.

"My mom says Brooke is really tough," Oriana answered. "I'm sure she'll be okay." She nodded.

"Me too," Jamie chimed in, his voice full of hope. "My mom was in the hospital before and she slept for a long time but then she was okay."

"Peyton looked scared," Jenny said as she stole a glance at her friends before returning to staring at the cookie in her hand. "It kind of made me scared."

"Then we should pray," Oriana stood up, pulling at both Jamie and Jenny's hands so they'd stand up as well. "My Aunt Casey used to tell me when you're scared, you should pray."

"I never prayed before," Jenny shook her head, "except before I go to sleep."

"It's the same thing," Oriana said as she held their hands. "You just hold hands in a circle and close your eyes and pray without the now I lay me part."

Jamie nodded. "Okay," he said as he grabbed Jenny's hand, closing the circle. "Out loud?" he looked shyly to the young girl with the auburn hair.

"We can do it silently and just think it," Oriana suggested.

"Okay," Jenny nodded. "Let's do it."

Owen walked down the stairs, coming to stand beside Rachel and noticing the kids in a circle with their eyes closed and heads bowed. "What are…"

"Shh," Rachel held up her hand to quiet him.

He leaned closer to her, whispering this time. "What are they doing?"

She smiled at the group before turning towards him, answering in the same hushed tone. "They're praying for Brooke and her babies; Ori's idea." She paused briefly. "I guess my Aunt wasn't so bad. She raised an amazing kid."

"Yeah," he agreed. "Oriana is pretty awesome," he bumped her softly with his shoulder, "like her mom." He watched her smile before resuming his whispering. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm okay, better now." Rachel reached over to grasp his hand, feeling nothing but security and hope as his strong hand enveloped her own.

Brooke sat in bed, thumbing through the pages of a gossip magazine. She laughed as she saw a picture of her self from days earlier taken outside her fashion show with her brother in law, the heading reading: How Close Is Too Close? She shook her head at the absurdity of it, laughing out loud as her apparent partner in crime stuck his head in her door.

"Well if I'd know all I had to do was stick my head in the door to make you laugh I would've come in a long time ago," Nathan said as he stepped inside and sat down in the chair next to her bed.

"I was just reading about us being too close," she turned the snippet article towards him. "Now you're visiting my hospital room, I wonder what they'll think." She rolled her eyes as he laughed.

"Well I guess you know you've made it when they start posting lies about you in gossip magazines," he shrugged.

"I'm still waiting for them to link me to Johnny Depp, no offense." She shrugged, "I'm sure Luke would understand just like I'd be okay with them linking him to Angelina Jolie. Maybe then he could introduce me."

"I'm glad to see you're okay," Nathan replied with a laugh, happy she was her normal self. "Lucas said they've stopped the labor for now but the babies will be delivered tomorrow."

"That's the plan," she replied as she patted her stomach affectionately. "So did your mom finally get my dad to leave?"

"Yeah I saw them cut out a few minutes ago," Nathan answered.

"Good," she nodded. "You and Haley are next as soon as she and Lucas get back from their walk. I made her take him out of here."

"We can stay as long as you need us to," he replied, reaching over to take her hand.

"There's nothing you guys can do tonight and I want everyone well rested so they'll be ready to meet the babies tomorrow," Brooke smiled at him. "The last thing I need are my babies traumatized by all these haggard looking people." She paused briefly. "Plus, don't you have to be in New York in two days?" She raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yeah but I'm sure the team will understand," Nathan answered.

"This is your big break Hot Shot so no the team won't understand and neither will I. So go find Hales and pick up Jamie from Rach, god knows what she's teaching him, and spend some time with your family. Believe me Nate," she shrugged. "If I could leave, I would."

"You've got this bossy mom thing down already," he shook his head before getting up to kiss her forehead. "We'll be back tomorrow."

"You better or your niece and nephew won't be too happy," she smiled.

"Get some rest Davis-Scott," he flashed her a smile before walking out the door.

"So how are you holding up?" Haley asked as they walked outside the hospital.

"I'm- I'm okay," he replied with a heavy sigh.

"Really?" she turned to look at him, reaching over to halt his movements. "Lucas, this is me here and I am pretty sure Brooke wouldn't have told me to drag you out of there if she didn't think you were less than okay. You don't have to sugar coat anything for me, okay. I'm here for you."

"I know," he nodded, running a hand over his buzzed hair. "And I am scared Hales but I feel like if I let it out, that I don't know… that I'm letting Brooke down."

"You could never let her down Luke," Haley replied. "She loves you so much."

"I love her too," he replied. "I felt so helpless today. I can't explain what it did to me to see her in that much pain and to watch them haul her off on a gurney while I was stuck in that lounge. The thoughts that went through my mind," he shook his head wearily. "But then they brought me back there and she looked okay, worried, but okay and I knew I had to be strong for her."

"And you are," she tilted her head to the side.

"I think its Brooke who's the strong one," he rubbed the back of his neck before letting out a deep breath.

"Well I can't argue with you there," she smiled as they begun walking again.

"No matter what she always thinks everything is going to be okay and she makes you feel that way too," the love he felt for his wife was evident in his voice.

"She's got good instincts," Haley replied as she reached over to place a comforting hand on his shoulder. "And I think she's right. I think everything is going to be okay, you just have to have a little faith."

He nodded. "I hope you're right."

"Haven't you learned anything all these years Lucas?" Haley asked but continued before he even thought to answer. "I'm Haley James-Scott, I'm always right." She bumped his shoulder playfully.

"I guess I should know that by now," he threw his arm over his sister in law's shoulder. "Thanks Haley, you always know how to cheer me up."

"Its part of my job," the petite woman replied as they made their way back to the hospital.

Peyton walked inside her house, not even bothering to turn on the lights as she made her way to her bedroom to slip out of her maid of honor dress. It had been a long day, one that had started out as a celebration and turned into a worry party. If Brooke hadn't demanded she go home and get some rest, she'd probably still be at the hospital now.

"Peyton, I appreciate you being here but I promise I am fine and hopefully everything will go well tomorrow," the brunette smiled up at her sweetly. "I love you for being here but I can tell there's somewhere else you should be."

"What?" Peyton's green eyes grew wide before she began to shake her head. "I'm fine B. Davis, I promise."

"Peyton you're lying is getting worse," she patted the empty space on the bed where Lucas had been earlier. "Come here."

The blonde reluctantly made her way to the bed, lying beside her best friend. "It's Jake…" she paused before suddenly blurting everything she'd been holding back from her friend out in one breath. "His dad has cancer and needs a bone marrow transplant only they couldn't find one and were running out of time and Jake came back as a match but he had cancer when he was little so it's dangerous for him to donate but Jake being Jake is doing it anyways because that's who he is and I kind of proposed and he said yes but he left to take some test and didn't come back or call and I'm scared out of my mind but I've always been selfish with you and I didn't want to do that to you this time." She huffed once she was done. "I'm sorry."

"Oh Peyton," she wrapped her arm around the emotionally frail blonde. "I am always here for you; you're my best friend and you can tell me anything, anytime."

She looked around at the current circumstances. "Yeah, I can see that." She smiled awkwardly. "I don't know what to do Brooke."

"You support him and stand by his side and keep hoping everything is going to be okay," the brunette replied. "And you start by going home and being with him Peyt."

"I don't want to leave you here," her green eyes looked up at the girl who had basically become her sister.

"You're not leaving me; I'm forcing you out the door the same way I had to do Naley. If I need you I know how to call," she hugged her. "Besides Nurse Ratchet just came on and it was hard enough assuring her Lucas had to be here, there's no way I can fight her for you too."

Peyton laughed as she returned the hug. "I love you B. Davis..." she crinkled her eyebrows, "B. Scott."

"I love you too P. Sawyer soon to be Jagelski," she laughed as her friend stood up. "Don't think I missed that part but we'll talk about that later. Now get out of here and go find your man."

She finished changing into a pair of sweats and a t-shirt before making her way to the deck in the back. She'd called Jake a few times with no answer so she was surprised to see his form standing in the sand a few feet away from her deck. She slowly came down the stairs barefoot, walking through the sand till she stood beside him.

"How's Brooke?" he asked the minute she stopped moving, his eyes still focused out on the water.

"She's okay; I think the rest of us are more worried than she is," she answered. "She can put up a good front though." Peyton stepped closer to him. "I called you a few times."

"Sorry," he ran a hand through his hair. "I guess I just needed some time and I knew you'd be preoccupied with Brooke." Jake turned to look at her. "I feel like a coward."

"What?" her eyes went wide with confusion. "Jake what you are about to do is amazing; there is nothing cowardly about you."

He scoffed. "I got the test results back and the meds they've been giving me, they worked. It's great and I should be celebrating because now we know that I can actually save my dad's life but I took off because I'm scared and I keep thinking what if I relapse…" he shook his head in frustration. "That doesn't make me some kind of hero Peyton, it makes me a coward."

She took his hands within her own, looking up at him. "So what if you're scared Jake; that doesn't make you a coward, it makes you human. What you are doing takes a lot of guts and heart and compassion and courage. You have those in spades; you always have."

"I don't feel that way right now," he sighed deeply as his brown orbs meet her green, both swirling with the turmoil of emotions. "It's tomorrow Peyton," he watched her breath catch in her throat. "They want me to do this tomorrow."

"Oh Jake," she squeezed his hands tighter as a tear rolled down her cheek. "We can do this Jake; I know we can face anything together. I'm scared too. It's okay to be scared," she reached up to gently embrace his cheek. "It's okay."

He nodded before throwing his arms around her and hugging her fiercely, his strangled sobs muffled into her shoulder.

"We'll get through this," she clung to him in the moonlight, hoping against all hope that she was right.

Barack Obama wrote, "Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God's greatest gift to us, the bedrock of a nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead."