Hey lovely readers!
Thanks for all the reviews and adds! Here's the long awaited update. Hope you enjoy it!
Leeese
"How do you think he'll feel when he wakes up?" Haley asked Brooke as they waited on Lucas to return from surgery.
He had been back from Iraq for almost three weeks and had made great progress so far in his recovery; except for his right leg. The doctors had tried everything they could think of to repair it, but nothing had worked. The pain of the numerous injuries on that leg alone was too much for Lucas. The pain medication he was being given didn't even begin to touch it. Then infection had set in several of the wounds that seemed to be resistant to the treatment. They were left with one option and were currently in the process of removing his leg.
"I honestly don't know," Brooke replied quietly. "He told me before they took him down to the O.R. that he can deal with it. But I think it'll hit him hard when he looks down and sees nothing where his leg used to be."
"Did they say how much of it he would have left?"
"No. I think they're going to see which is the best place to amputate so that he can still have a big enough stump for a false leg," Brooke replied. She sighed as she added. "I just hope that there are no more complications with his recovery after this. He's had enough to deal with since he got hurt."
"Everything seems to have happened at once huh?" Haley asked rhetorically. "I'm just glad that I'm better enough to deal with this."
"I know exactly what you mean," Brooke replied with another sigh. She then frowned as she added. "We just get over one person's crisis and then the next one comes along. It's like somebody has jinxed us or something."
"We've all definitely had more than our fare share of drama lately," Haley agreed. "It's only fair that things go smoothly from now on."
"It feels like he's been down there forever," Brooke said as she looked at her watch. "I can't believe it's only been two hours."
"It does feel like it's been longer than that," Haley agreed. "I wish our parents would hurry back with the coffee. I'm gagging here."
"Maybe they had to make an unscheduled stop at the diaper changing place with Scott," Brooke suggested. "Your son tends to like pooping and puking at inappropriate times."
"He gets that from his father," Haley said as she laughed. "Speaking of his father, I wonder how Nathan is getting on at his therapy session."
"I forgot he had that appointment," Brooke said as her eyes widened. "You should go down to the therapy room and give him some support. Not sitting here with me."
"He told me that he I had to stay with you," Haley replied. "In fact he was pretty insistent. I don't think he wants me to see him in one of those sessions. I think he feels a little self conscious."
"I thought he was making good progress?"
"He is," Haley assured her. "But I think Nathan feels that the fewer people who see him struggling to take steps the better. I think it's a pride thing."
"I see," Brooke said as she frowned. "I hope Lucas doesn't feel that way when he's learning to walk again."
"At least they'll be able to have physical therapy together," Haley pointed out. "It might help them both."
"Hopefully." Brooke replied with another sigh as she looked at her watch yet again. As she did the door to Lucas's private room opened and Keith, Karen, Richard and Victoria came in carrying the coffees and a sleepy Scott.
"Well it's about time," Haley said as they trooped in. "Some of us are dehydrating here."
"There was a long line at the coffee shop," Karen explained as she handed Scott to his mother. "And then this little guy needed his diaper changing. And right after that he decided he was throwing up all over himself while he threw a tantrum."
"Why what did he do?" Haley asked in a concerned tone.
"He just started screaming and crying and then worked himself up so much that he threw up," Karen explained. "I think he could be picking up on our stress."
"He looks peaceful enough now." Brooke stated as Victoria handed her her latte.
"Thankfully," Keith replied. "You should have seen the looks that were being thrown in our direction when he kicked off. People can be so judgmental when they hear a baby crying."
"Is there any news on Lucas?" Richard asked.
"No," Brooke replied after she had swallowed the mouthful of her latte. "But like you said before you went for coffee; no news is good news right?"
"Exactly," Richard replied as he gave her a reassuring smile.
Two hours later, the door to Lucas's room opened again. The occupants, bar Keith, looked up and saw that Lucas was being wheeled in on his bed. He had his eyes closed and the people waiting in the room couldn't tell if he was still asleep or not. Brooke looked at the flat covers on the bed where his right leg would have been and swallowed hard. She hoped that he would be able to handle not having both of his legs.
The porters parked Lucas's bed and quietly left the room as a nurse came in to check that everything was in order. Brooke waited impatiently until she left so she could move to Lucas's side. As she sat on the bed beside him, he opened his eyes. Brooke gripped his hand as relieved tears escaped her eyes.
"How are you feeling?" she asked in a whisper.
"Better now I'm here with you." He replied hoarsely.
"Does it hurt?" she asked tentatively.
"It hurt me more before the surgery," he replied. "Although I'm probably pumped full of pain meds."
"I just finished speaking with your doctor," Keith said as he came into the room. He smiled as he continued. "Everything went well and what's left of your leg should start to heal better. The doc said that you could be home in two weeks if everything goes well."
"Isn't that a little soon?" Brooke and Karen asked in unison.
"Apparently its procedure," Keith told them. "I bet you'll be glad to get out of here huh?"
"Hell yes," Lucas replied groggily as he looked around at everybody. "Where's Nathan?"
"Still working hard in the physical therapy room," Haley told him. "I went down to check on him when he didn't turn up here and he said he was going to carry on working on walking while we were waiting on news about you."
"Somebody should tell him." Karen said just as the door opened once again. Everybody looked towards the door and a collective gasp echoed throughout the room as Nathan came in without his chair. Crutches were his only assistance.
"Surprise." he said as he grinned widely and continued his journey into the room.
"Oh my God!" Haley said in a happy tone. "I never expected to see this today."
"I got on a roll down in the therapy room so I thought I'd continue working at it," Nathan told her. "Plus I didn't want Lucas to be up and about before me."
"Give me two weeks and I'll be racing you," Lucas replied with a slight chuckle. "Well if it all goes how it should until then anyway."
"Two weeks?" Nathan asked in surprise. Lucas nodded. "Wow. That's not long at all."
"Speak for yourself," Lucas replied. "It already feels like I've been in here for about a year."
"Let's just hope that everything goes smoothly from here on in," Brooke said as she felt Lucas stroke his thumb over the back of her hand. "Then you can come and see my new house."
"That comes complete with a walking frame thing," Nathan added. "So you'll be back doing things like normal before you know it."
"I hope so," Lucas said as he sighed. "And I don't want any of you treating me any differently okay? It's my leg that got taken away; not my brain cells."
"So I can't take extra special care of you?" Brooke asked as she kinked her eyebrow at him.
"I'll rephrase what I just said," Lucas said as he managed a slight grin. "Anybody who isn't called Brooke isn't allowed to treat me any differently; got it?"
"Got it." Came the chorus of replied.
"Now I don't mean to sound like Mr. Cranky Pants but I'm kind of tired." Lucas added.
"We'll get out of your hair then," Karen said as those who were sitting began to stand. Brooke was the only one who didn't move. "And we'll see you tomorrow at visiting time."
"Thanks mom," Lucas said before his eyes drifted shut briefly. "I must still have anesthesia in my system."
"You will," Keith told him as everyone began to say their goodbyes. "Now get some rest. And when we come in tomorrow, I'll try sneaking you some good food in."
"That would be great," Lucas replied with a tired smile. "The food in here is kind of bland."
"Make sure that you hide it in some kind of overnight bag or something," Brooke told Keith. "That's how I've been smuggling Lucas food in. I used the disguise of clean pajamas and stuff."
"Good thinking Brooke," Nathan replied with a chuckle. "I might have to start using the diaper bag to smuggle food in places."
"I'm sure your son would love that," Haley said as she shook her head at her fiancée. She then smiled as she added. "I can't believe you're out of the chair. It's so awesome."
"I was hoping that there would be a smile like that on your face when I did this," Nathan replied. He then thought it was best that they left. "Now how about you watch me walk out to the car? It may take me a while, but I'll make it the whole way."
"Lead the way soldier." Haley said before the two of them and Scott said goodbye to Lucas and left. Karen, Keith, Richard and Lucas then copied their actions leaving Brooke and Lucas alone.
"How are you feeling really?" Brooke asked a few moments later.
"I'm glad that I don't have the pain that I did before the surgery," Lucas replied as he looked into her concerned hazel eyes. "I just wish that I had my leg still."
"I'd rather have you back here minus a leg than not have you back here at all," Brooke told him. "And I know it's going to be difficult for you to get used to doing things a completely new way, but I'm going to be there for you every step of the way. No pun intended."
"It feels strange not having any sensation where my leg used to be," Lucas admitted. "I just hope I don't end up with that phantom leg thing that some people get. I'd hate to have that pain that I had before the surgery again. Nothing has ever been as painful as that."
"Not even that time when you got kicked in the balls when you were fourteen?"
"Not even that," Lucas replied with a slight chuckle. "Trust you to remember that."
"I couldn't ever forget it. It was round about the time I realized I was crazy about you," Brooke told him. "And now I realize how naïve I was back then. Especially now I know why I kept getting the horrified looks from your parents when I said I'd kiss it all better."
"Well it may have taken you a few years but you certainly did that." Lucas said before a yawn overpowered him.
"Okay I think that's enough chit chat for now Broody Boy," Brooke told him before she leaned down and kissed his forehead gently. "You get some shut eye."
"You're staying right?" he asked hopefully.
"Of course I will," Brooke replied. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."
"I was just making sure." Lucas said as Brooke carefully moved on the bed so that she was led beside him. She gently rested her head on the pillow beside him and they both shut their eyes. It didn't take long for the both of them to drift off into a peaceful slumber.
~X~X~X~X~
Four days after Lucas's leg had been amputated; it was the day that he and Nathan had been scheduled to come back from Iraq. Nathan was doing well in his progress with the crutches and found the pain in his back was now bearable compared to how it had been in the chair. Lucas's stump was healing as the doctors had hoped it would and he was beginning to feel optimistic that he would actually get out of the hospital on the date the doctors had aimed for. He had finally persuaded Brooke to go home and get some rest in her own bed as she hadn't left his side since he had been brought to Charlotte. He was taking the time to think over what would happen if he didn't manage to master using a prosthetic leg and how it would impact on both his and Brooke's future. He was drawn out of his thoughts by the door to his room opening. He looked over at the newcomer and his eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Julian? I didn't expect you to walk through those doors."
"Well I was heading to Charlotte when I got back anyway," Julian replied as he walked over to the visitors chair and sat down. "I have a hot date with my pen friend."
"Alex right?" Lucas asked with a chuckle. Julian nodded. "What if she isn't who she said she is?"
"Lucas I spoke to her on the computer; complete with web cam," Julian replied. "She is who she says she is."
"Please do not tell me any more info about what you did," Lucas told him as he pretended to look grossed out. "I do not want that imagery in my head."
"We just talked," Julian insisted. He was quiet for a few minutes before he spoke again. "I'm sorry about your leg Luke."
"Which one? The one you shot or the one the cut off?"
"Both," Julian replied. "I feel so bad for shooting you."
"Julian its okay. That is pretty much healed. ," Lucas insisted. He grinned as he asked. "Please tell me that they gave you extra target practice after that. And some eye tests to check if you're cross eyed."
"Yeah they did and it turns out that I have a special sense for shooting people who talk crap." Julian replied as he chuckled.
"So how come you didn't shoot yourself then?" Lucas retorted. The two of them then shared a laugh. Julian's laughter died down after several moments and he frowned as he remained quiet. "What's wrong?"
"There was another reason why I came to see you," Julian admitted. Lucas gave him a curious look in response. "It turns out that my pen friend Alex knows Brooke."
"My Brooke?"
"Yeah," Julian confirmed. "She sent me a picture that I think you should see."
"What picture?" Lucas asked with a frown of his own. Julian reached into the inside pocket on his jacket and produced a photograph before he handed it to Lucas. Lucas took it from him and studied it for a few moments. "I know it's not the best time to do this but-"
"Julian I know all about this," Lucas told him as he looked up from the photograph. It was of Brooke and Nathan kissing in the club. Lucas then explained everything that happened leading up to that kiss. "So I think you should speak to Brooke about this Alex girl. From what I've heard she's bad news."
"Alex Dupree?" Brooke asked from the doorway. The two men looked over at her; both were surprised to hear her voice.
"Yeah that's her," Julian confirmed. He frowned once again before he asked. "I take it she's not a concerned friend of yours?"
"She's not even a friend of mine anymore," Brooke replied. "Look how about I head downstairs and get us all some coffee? Then I can come back up here and tell you exactly what Alex Dupree is like?"
"Okay," Julian replied as he got a sinking feeling in his stomach. "I have a feeling I'm not going to like what I hear."
"Only if you like living dangerously and the risk of jail." Brooke replied before she turned and left the room. Julian sighed and mentally kicked himself for being so gullible.
"You might want to go to the bathroom while you're waiting; it may be a long story." Lucas said as he tried not to grin.
"Good idea." Julian replied as he stood. He then left the room and went in search of a restroom. He was glad that he had decided to visit Lucas before going to see Alex. Although he was still dreading what he was going to hear.
~X~X~X~X~
Two weeks post surgery, Lucas got good news. He was allowed to go home. Had he mastered the use of the prosthetic leg he had been given, then he would have danced his way out of the hospital. However, he had to make do with being pushed out in a wheelchair. He was looking forward to being in a house again and sleeping in a normal bed. He had missed the simple every day things while he had been away. He was looking forward to being able to snuggle up to Brooke properly and not being interrupted from his sleep every time a nurse came to check his observations.
Brooke drove him from the hospital back to her home. Lucas was glad that it was just the two of them in the car. He had been surrounded by dozens of people since he had gotten hurt and he was glad that he would now get some peace and quiet and time to himself. The precious few quiet moments he had had with Brooke had been what kept him sane throughout his time in the hospital. He was enjoying the comfortable silence in the car between the two of them. It was helping him build up the mental strength to face what would more than likely be chaos once they reached Brooke's house where everyone was waiting for them.
All too soon, they reached their destination. Lucas couldn't help but be impressed by Brooke's house as she pulled into the driveway in front of it and switched the engine off. She glanced over at him and smiled as she saw his expression.
"That's exactly how I reacted when I saw it for the first time too." She told him as she chuckled slightly.
"Your parents certainly like their impressive houses don't they?"
"You know they do," Brooke replied with a smile. "I'm a little partial to them too."
"So when we're married what kind of house are we going to live in?" Lucas asked as he moved his attention to his fiancé.
"One that is suitable for your needs," Brooke told him. "I don't want you to have to struggle to move around and get to things."
"I'm determined that I'm going to be able to carry on as normal once I'm healed," Lucas told her. "I'm not going to let losing my leg beat me."
"For the record, I'm going to be there by your side the whole time." Brooke told him as she smiled.
"I know and that makes me love you a whole lot more than I already do," he replied as he returned the smile. "I dread to think where I would be if I didn't have you to help me through all this."
"Well you don't need to worry about that because I ain't going anywhere," Brooke told him before she leaned across and kissed him lovingly. She then pulled away and added. "Except inside the house because I have to pee."
"We better get moving then. I think it may take me a while to get in the chair."
"I'm on it." Brooke replied as she quickly got out of the car and went to get the chair to wheel Lucas into the house.
~X~X~X~X~
"I've missed your food mom," Lucas said after swallowing his latest mouthful of food. "I'm glad you made me all my favorites."
"Well I couldn't decide what to make for your official welcome home dinner so I made all this," Karen told him. "It's the same for dessert too."
"Wow Luke you should get out of hospital every day if we get to eat like this," Nathan remarked. "I'm in food heaven right now."
"Me too," Lucas agreed. "I'm glad I get to eat food like this all the time now."
"Likewise man," Nathan retorted. "I feel that I'll need to schedule a lot of gym sessions to get these extra pounds off me if I carry on stuffing myself stupid."
"How's your back doing?" Lucas asked him.
"Amazing," Nathan replied with a wide smile. "You'll be as good as new in no time, so we can hit the gym together."
"I hope you're right," Lucas said as he sighed. He couldn't help but smile as he added. "I'm definitely going to be walking in time for the wedding; whenever that will be."
"Oh I almost forgot to tell you," Victoria said as she remembered something. "I ran into one of my friends earlier at the salon. Her daughter was supposed to be getting married at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock on Christmas Eve, but her fiancé only went and cheated on her. So the wedding is canceled. She showed me the brochure of the place and it's stunning."
"What are you saying mom?" Brooke asked with a slight frown.
"I'm saying that there's a vacancy at a highly sort after wedding location that you and Lucas could take." Victoria replied.
"Surely it would have been taken by somebody else already?" Lucas asked.
"Well I took the liberty of contacting them and asking them to keep the date for you for 24 hours while I spoke to you about it." Victoria explained.
"Well I want to see what it looks like before we give you a definite answer." Brooke told her.
"I was looking at it on my computer just before dinner. I still have the site open," Richard told her. "You and Lucas can check it out after dinner."
"Trust me; you'll love the place," Victoria insisted. "It's beautiful."
"A Christmas Eve wedding would be pretty cool," Haley said. "Especially if it snows."
"I tell you one thing," Lucas said as he looked at Brooke. "We're having a big wedding this time. I need to make up for what happened the first time we attempted to get hitched."
"You know if you do decide to take the date, you'll have to be quick in picking your wedding dress." Karen said to Brooke.
"I'm sure I can get help from your clothing company, right mom?" Brooke asked Victoria.
"Of course if that's what you want," Victoria replied with a smile. "Now why don't you get on with your dinner so that you can check out the potential wedding venue?"
After dinner, Brooke and Lucas went online to look at the resort. Brooke immediately fell in love with the place; as did Lucas. Victoria wasted no time in contacting them to let them know that they would definitely have the date. Brooke then spent the rest of the evening designing her dress and the bridesmaid dresses, while Lucas rested.
~X~X~X~X~
"It's good to be back in a proper bed with you," Lucas said to Brooke as they lay snuggled together that night. "I've missed it so much."
"So have I," Brooke replied as her fingertips danced over his naked chest. "And being able to kiss you whenever I want is just amazing."
"I can't wait until I'm well enough to do other things with you," Lucas admitted as he stroked her hair. "It seems a lifetime ago we last did anything like that."
"Well when you're capable of doing that without hurting yourself any further, we'll just have to make up for lost time."
"I like the sound of that," Lucas said as he chuckled. "I think we should have a year long honeymoon."
"A year?!" Brooke asked sounding shocked. "I think if we did that you would be more capable of walking than me."
"It would be funny to see."
"It wouldn't be funny for me," Brooke replied with a soft laugh. "At least not at the end of it."
"Are you looking forward to finally becoming Mrs. Lucas Scott?"
"Hell yes!"
"I promise I won't change my mind this time," Lucas told her before he kissed her forehead. "I'm more than ready to make you my wife."
"Glad to hear it," Brooke told him. "Should we write our own vows?"
"I think we should," Lucas replied. "It would be more personal don't you think?"
"Yeah. And I'm actually better at writing things down now."
"Well I can't wait to hear what you write in yours," Lucas said before he yawned. "I can't believe that I'm tired considering the amount of time I've spent in bed just lately."
"You weren't sleeping for the whole time though," Brooke pointed out. "And your body has had a lot to deal with trying to get better. It's only expected that you'll be tired."
"I need to ask a favor." Lucas said as he shifted slightly.
"What is it?" Brooke asked as she sat up.
"Can you get me some water?" he asked hopefully. "I feel real thirsty all of a sudden."
"Sure I can." Brooke replied as she climbed out of bed.
She slipped on her robe and then left the bedroom to head to the kitchen. Lucas watched her actions fondly as a small smile broke out on his face. He was glad that he was finally back home where he belonged with the ones that he loved.
