Hey you guys! I am so sorry for the late (really late) update! My exams have just been coming, one after the other. I still have two left. Anyway, I am really sorry to keep you all waiting. I already have the last two chapters typed out. So, yes I don't want this fic to end, but will have to in another chapter. I promise to make it worth your while though. And maybe even write another story, but only if you guys want me to. I hope you enjoy this chapter. The final one will hopefully be way better. I promise to try to make it worth your while. Thanks again. Mwah! (Ps. personal replies next chapter!!! thanks so much you guys. Please keep the reviews coming.)
Chapter 49
Brooke and Lucas had left Jake alone by Peyton's bedside. She was still unconscious. Her head was in bandages and her foot was in a cast. The crash had hit her real hard, and now her fragile body lay there motionless, as deep inside she tried to cling on to the remnants of her life.
"Peyton, wake up, please.", Jake pleaded. "Baby, why didn't you wait for me.", he sobbed. "You have to wake up so I can kiss you and you can kiss me back. I need to tell you that you mean so much to me and have always wanted to be with you. Remember Peyton, sometimes they come back."
There was a numbing silence in the room as Jake continued to stroke Peyton's hand.
"Come back, Peyton. Sometimes they come back. Please make this be the time you come back. I'm so afraid to lose you. Jenny loves you so much. And she needs you. Everyone needs you."
Jake still hadn't completely said what he wanted to say.
He cleared his throat to continue his plea. "I guess what I'm trying to say Peyton is that I love you and I need you in my life. I wouldn't have it any other way."
It was ironic to say the least. Back in high school, Peyton used to wait for the man and his baby every night. She always kept her front door open in hopes that she would one night find them standing by her door, ready to come back to Tree Hill. Ready to come back to her. Now, there he sat, waiting for her. And he didn't know what to believe anymore. Most of the time, he knew, people never came back, especially the people in Peyton's life – Lucas and Peyton never went back into each others arms; Derek was yet to return to meet his sister, and Peyton's mom, she left without even saying goodbye. But no matter how much sorrow had engulfed his being, he tried to hold on to the glimmer of hope that sometimes they do come back. They do.
Brooke and Lucas had to face the music. She didn't want to go. He didn't want her to leave.
"Brooke, I think it's time we talked to your parents. Look, I know they are in New York and we can't just leave. Not now, Peyton needs us. But we just need to talk to them before it's too late."
"I know.", she whispered trying to hold back the tears that were now threatening to fall. Before she would break down, she reached for her cell phone and dialed a number. The ringing on the other end seemed to drag on, seconds into minutes, minutes into days, days into years, and years into eternities.
"Hello. Mom…", she spoke.
"Hey honey, you're father and I can not wait for you to get here. We miss you so much, honey.", her mother replied.
"I miss you, too. But I'm afraid there's something I need to tell you."
"What is it hon, is everything okay?", her mother sounded worried.
"Mom, I know I promised that I'd fly back to New York after graduation but I don't think I can."
"Brooke Penelope Davis!", anger had started to creep into her mother's voice.
"I'm back with Lucas. And it just feels right this time, you know. I love him. And we've put the past behind us. We want to move ahead together. I just don't want to make the same mistake again.", he started to cry.
Lucas was standing by her side. He had heard everything. A smile snuck on his face upon hearing the words of his girl friend. Truth be told, he felt the same way. She was the love of his life.
"Well, if Lucas really loves you like you think he does, then why doesn't he move to New York with you? Don't let him clip your wings, Brooke. You'll have a beautiful life here in New York.", her mother insisted.
"I don't want a beautiful life, mom. The last time I checked, my beautiful life was empty. I want a real life – a life where I know and feel loved. Do you know the best part of waking up to face life is if you wake up and know that the person beside you makes you feel that you are his life?", Brooke was getting hysterical.
"Well, you can have a real life here, too. Now, just keep your promise Brooke. If Lucas does not want to follow you here, then I guess it wasn't meant to be.", her mom finally remarked.
Just as Brooke was about to hang up and quench her feeling to cry, Lucas took the phone from her hand.
"Hello, Mrs. Davis. It's Lucas." Although he was extremely nervous inside, he tried to put up a brave front for Brooke who was already inconsolable.
"Oh, hello Lucas. I see you and Brooke are back together.", her mother replied.
"Yes we are Mrs. Davis and I hope you stay together, too."
"Well, that can easily be fixed." Brooke's mother paused for a moment before continuing, "Let me ask you something, Lucas.", she continued.
"Sure."
"If Brooke were to ask you to just pack up your things and move to New York, would you do it for her?"
"In a heartbeat.", he replied. It didn't take him long to answer the question. The fact of the matter was, no matter what happened, and wherever Brooke went, he would always be by her side.
"I see.", Brooke's mother replied.
There was an awkward silence that engulfed their conversation. And after the longest time, her mother continued to speak.
"Then maybe if you ask her to stay she would in a heart beat, too." Her mother had caved in. She wanted Brooke to be successful and rich. But she also wanted Brooke to be happy and in love. Although it took her that conversation to realize that her daughter had something special with this boy she was talking to, she finally understood what the tears her daughter had shed meant.
"Lucas, may I talk to Brooke please?"
"Sure.", he replied as he handed Brooke the phone.
"Honey, don't forget to call us every week, alright? And take care of yourself. Let me know when you officially launch your clothing line. Oh, and don't worry about your father. I'll talk to him."
Brooke's face immediately gleamed. Her tears were no longer those of sorrow, rather the remnants that fell on her make-up smeared face were now genuine tears of joy.
"I love you, mom."
"I love you, too baby girl. And one more thing…"
Brooke remained quite.
"Make us proud.", she uttered before smiling from the other end of the line.
