Chapter 7

Luke heard the beeping before he opened his eyes. He felt someone holding his hand and squeezed it. When he opened his eyes, he didn't expect to see who was there. He blinked slowly, "Christian?"

Christian smiled and told Ana to get his mom. Grace had been taking care of him for weeks. Luke tried to sit up, "No, lay back until she checks you." Luke was so confused. Grace ran in with Ana behind her. Grace checked his vitals. When she shined the light in his eyes, she saw they were Christian's.

Christian held Ana's hand while Grace talked to him. "When you fell, you hit your head and it caused some swelling. You just needed some time to heal. We put you into a coma to give your body time to heal."

Luke looked at Christian and Ana. "Where's my mom?" He saw it in her face that something was wrong. He almost didn't want to know the truth.

Grace smiled, "She's here in the hospital. She's a little sicker than you. She hasn't woken up yet." Luke's gray eyes pooled with tears. Then he asked about Jack. Christian moved forward to stand beside his bed. "He put up a fight with the police and was killed. I'm sorry."

Luke looked at Christian. "Don't be. I'm glad." He looked to see the reaction. "Can I see my mom?" Grace told him to give her a few minutes. She left for a wheelchair. Luke looked out of the window, "Why are you two here?"

Christian knew it wouldn't be easy. It wasn't like it was a family reunion. He talked to Ella first, then the ones closest to him. He decided to be mature and forgiving. "You're my brother and your mom is sick. I wanted to be here for you." Luke couldn't understand. He treated him so badly, but only because his father made him. He looked at him. That was his brother and he should have stood up and said no. It's almost like Christian knew what he was thinking, "It's not your fault. Just like it's not mine or Ella's or your mom. We were all just thrown into this." Ana smiled and was proud of Christian.

Grace brought in a chair and Luke tried to get up but was weak. Grace thought he needed to rest. "It's okay mom, let me help my brother." Christian reached out his hand and smiled. Luke grabbed it and put all of his weight on Christian.

They rolled him to ICU. Grace was the only reason they got in. Luke looked at his mother and at all the machines, "Is she going to die?" Ana wiped her tears.

Grace wasn't going to lie, "She had internal bleeding and surgery was successful, but she's not waking up. They aren't sure what she will be like when she wakes up."

Luke got stronger everyday and after five days he was released. Cary and Grace brought him home with them. He was silent the entire ride. "Don't worry Luke, we'll visit your mom everyday."

Luke nodded and asked where Christian was. He wondered if he wanted him at his home. Cary told him he went to school. "Luke, he switched to Bellevue High with Ana. If you want to stay at Bellevue Prep or go with them, you just let us know.

They pulled into the driveway. Luke looked at the big house. "Aren't you all mad at me? Does Christian even want me here? I know he told you what I did to him." He hung his head.

Cary put the car in park, "We aren't mad at you and Christian isn't either. We're going to get through this as a family. No more secrets Luke."

They climbed out and Cary grabbed his small bag. Grace rubbed his back. He walked slowly behind and as he walked in he heard yelling, "Welcome home!" Luke saw the Lincoln's and the Grey's smiling and holding signs. Christian was in the middle with his hands on Carrick Sr. wheelchair.

Cary brought his father home. He hired Olivia as a full 24 hour nurse? "No one is upset with you. We're family, so come meet your grandfather.

They had a big dinner and Luke joined Ethan, Christian, and Ana to play games. Around 9:00 Grace broke it all up, "Okay, save that for the weekend. You have school tomorrow." Elena grabbed Ana and Ethan. Ella ruffled Luke's dirty blonde hair and kissed Christian's head. They said goodnight.

They hugged their grandfather. "Christian, show Luke his room." Christian walked upstairs and Luke followed. He had never lived in a big house before.

Luke looked around, "You all did this for me?" Christian nodded. He told him he wanted him to have a space to stay until his mom got better. Luke sat on his bed, "I heard the doctors talking to your mom. I don't think she's going to make it."

Christian tried to cheer him up, "Luke, I think she's fighting for you. Night. I'm down the hall if you need me."

The next morning Luke took a shower and went downstairs. He looked around and saw Olivia feeding his grandfather. "Good morning!" Carrick Sr. smiled. Olivia told him it was a good day.

Grace heard him. "I let you sleep in. The kids are at school. I didn't know if you were ready yet." Luke ate his breakfast. He told Grace he didn't want to go back to his old school. Grace got him enrolled and settled into his new school within the week.

They all moved on and continued getting to know each other. After two months they were wrapping up school and getting ready for summer. Grace met them at school, "Luke, your mom's awake." They went to the hospital.

When they got there Andrea was sitting up and talking. Luke hugged her tight. He couldn't even think about hurting her. She was told about Jack and everything that happened. "My sweet boy. Luke, I'm so sorry I put you in the middle of that. Things are going to be different okay?" Luke nodded.

Grace smiled, "Andrea, we want you and Luke to come stay with us." She explained the teenagers all had summer jobs at Lincoln Timber with Eric. "I understand you have marketing experience." Andrea nodded. "Eric has a position for you as well, as soon as you're up to it." Luke smiled and thought for once everything would be ok.