Well, this is it.  The story is done. I had such a great time doing this.  I can't believe it started with just a scene in my head and ended after twenty-four chapters!  I hope the end does not disappoint…  Usual Disclaimers apply.  I don't own One Tree Hill or any of its characters. 

Five Months Later

            Lucas had been counting down the days until he could take the second HIV tests, like a kid counting down the days to Christmas.  The only difference was that every so often the confident feeling that he was okay would leave him and knots would form in the pit of his stomach.  He tried not to let it show, but everyone would feel his moodiness.

            It was after the game against Cove City, where Nathan broke Dan's scoring record that the feelings started to come and go.  They came in school, and suddenly, Lucas couldn't care less about History, Math, or English.  It must have been obvious, because Mr. Kelly had called his mother in for a parent teacher conference.  She had grounded him on the very weekend he and Brooke had planned a big weekend.

            But that had been weeks ago, and Lucas had learned how to deal with his fear.  He had even discussed it with Dr. Respler, his therapist, so that the next time the dark mood took hold, he could deal with it without getting grounded or causing his mother to worry.  And while he snapped a little more often than he usually did, he learned to keep his mood in check.

            But this morning it felt as if a cinder block was sitting in the middle of his stomach.  Karen had already agreed that Lucas could take the morning off from school so he could go the clinic and take the HIV test.  The night before he had called Brooke and told her he would see her later in the afternoon, hopefully with good news.  He knew Brooke was waiting for the news with bated breath, even if she assured him a thousand times that she was okay and that she was over the initial freak out she had had.

            There was a knock on Lucas's bedroom door.  He pulled his tee shirt over his head and called for his mother to come in.  But Keith opened the door instead.

            "'Morning," said his uncle.

            "Hey Uncle Keith.  What brings you here so early?"

            "I spent the night," Keith said with a sly smile.

            "Too much information."

            "I'm kidding man."  Keith came into the room and sat down beside Lucas.  "I thought you might need a ride today."

            Lucas didn't know what to say.  He hadn't wanted Keith or Karen to know how worried he really was about the test.  That's why he had considered cutting, but realized the school was bound to call home to find out why he was absent.  So the night before he had casually mentioned to Karen that he was due for his second HIV test and he was hoping to take the morning off.  He thought he had been so cool that Karen hadn't noticed his apprehension.  Obviously, she was more perceptive than he gave her credit for, because he hadn't mentioned the test to Keith.

            "Come on, Lucas," Keith chided, "You shouldn't do this by yourself."

            "Thanks, man.  I'd love a ride."

            "That's what dads are for," said Keith, elbowing Lucas in the stomach.

            "I couldn't ask for a better one," said Lucas.

            Keith got up and tousled Lucas's hair.  "Your mom made an awesome breakfast and I don't plan on passing it up.  Will you join us?"

            "I'm just going to finish getting ready."

            When Lucas finally came to the breakfast table, Keith was on his second helpings of bacon and eggs.  There was a plate waiting for Lucas but he just pushed the food around, trying to make it look as if he ate.  His mother wasn't buying it.  Neither was Keith.

            "Lucas, everything will be fine," Karen assured.  "Please eat something."

            "I'm fine mom.  I'll eat after the test.  I promise.  I'm just nervous."

            "Keith, you'll bring Lucas to the café when you're finished?"

            "Yes ma'am."

            "Mom you worry too much."

            "It's a mother's prerogative.  I'll have your favorites waiting for you." 

            "Thanks.  Uncle Keith, you're ready?"  Lucas threw his napkin on the table and pushed his chair back.

            Keith put down his fork and said, "Let's go.  I'm supposed to be watching my weight anyway."  He walked around the table and gave Karen a quick kiss on the lips.  "Thanks for the grub."

            Karen smiled and lightly swatted Keith on the arm.  "Any time.  See you in a bit."

            When they were alone in the truck, Lucas turned to his uncle and said, "Thanks Keith."

            "For what?"

            "For saying what you did before, about that's what dads are for."

            "I meant it.  I enjoy the role – most of the time."

            "I still get angry at Dan and jealous of Nathan and wish I could get past it."

            "I know Luke.  I wish I could give you a way to do that, but Dan is Dan.  He's a jerk and I don't know that you'll ever be able to totally make peace with him.  I don't know if he'll let you.  I wish I could say you can ignore it, but you'll probably always have feelings, hate and confusion.  Can you live with that?"

            Lucas shrugged.  "If you're there for me."

            With a smile, Keith reached over the gearshift and patted the younger boy's knee.  "I'd like that.  And if things continue this way between me and your mom, well –"

            "Keith, I'm still a kid.  You're talking about my mom.  Please, ease up on the information."

            Keith threw his head back and laughed.  "A kid?  Kids don't do what I know you and Brooke were doing a few months back."

            Blood rushed to Lucas's face and his voice went up a few octaves as he cried, "Keith!  Please." 

            But Keith was glad, because he had succeeded in making Lucas forget what they were heading to do.  They couldn't avoid the reality for long.  Before they knew it, Keith pulled into the parking lot and the two Scotts were in the hospital's clinic.

            Lucas had to wait a half-hour to be seen, during which time he managed to bite all of his nails down to the skin.  He was relieved to finally stick out his finger and let the nurse prick him.

            "How long will it take?" he asked.

            "Not long," said the nurse with a smile.  "You can wait here or we can phone you with the results."

            Lucas looked to Keith.

            "It's your call man."

            "I guess we should wait with Mom."

            "Good choice."

            "Ready to eat?" asked Karen as her two favorite men walked in the diner.

            Lucas shook his head.  "Still have bricks in my stomach.  The nurse said they'd call within the hour."

            "So we'll wait here."  Karen came out from behind the counter and hugged her son tightly.  She had to stand on her toes, because Lucas was already taller than her.

            Lucas put on an apron and helped his mother wipe down the tables.  There were a few customers, but business wouldn't pick up until school was dismissed.  So when the bells jingled, signaling that a customer was entering, he looked up to see who it was.  He was surprised to see Brooke walking in.

            "Why aren't you in school?" he asked.

            "I thought you'd need me more than Mr. Kelly.  Besides, I'm not really into Hemingway."

            The bell over the door tinkled again and this time Nathan and Haley walked in. 

            "Nate?  Haley?  Why are you guys here in middle of the day?"

            Both Karen and Keith came out from the kitchen to see what was going on.

            "Don't worry," assured Nathan.  "My mom knows I'm not in school.  We wanted to share in your good news," he said turning to his brother.

            A huge smile spread across Lucas's face.  "I'm waiting for the test results.  We should be getting a call any minute."  He squeezed Brooke's hand.

            "Well, while we're waiting, how about some waffles?"

            "I could use some eggs," chimed in Haley.

            "That sounds good," said Brooke, "does it come with home fries?"

            "You bet," said Haley.  "Can I help in the kitchen?" she asked Karen.

            "Sure."

            Haley followed Karen into the kitchen, while Nathan, Brooke and Lucas slipped into a booth.

            "You guys are great for coming over."  Lucas looked at his cell phone to see if he had missed any calls.  Nothing.  "They should be calling real soon," he said, tapping his foot on the floor and his fingers on the table.

            "Luke," Brooke said, covering her hands, "You've got to calm down.  We all know you're okay.  They're just going to confirm it."

            Haley came out with their food; Karen and Keith were right behind her.  She slid a large plate of home fries in middle of the tables and gave Nathan his plate of waffles and eggs for Brooke and herself.  Haley slid into the seat next to Nathan.

            "Lucas!  What are you going to have?"

            "Can't eat," he said with a nervous grin.  "I'll eat when the—" He was cut off by his cell phone ringing.  "Hello?" he said as he pushed the send button.  "Yes, this is Lucas Scott."  He was silent while he listened to the person on the other end of the phone.  He pushed the end button and looked up at the expectant eyes all around him.  "It's negative," he said.

            Karen clapped her hands in relief and turned to hug Keith.  She tried to hide the tears that were threatening to fall.  Lucas leapt from the booth, dragging Brooke behind him.  "We need some music to celebrate." 

            He led Brooke to the counter and fiddled with the radio to find a station that they would all like.

            "So we're okay," he said.

            Brooke bit her lip.  "I'm sorry that you had to go through this.  I know it's my fault.  I should never have taken you to that tattoo parlor."

            Lucas wrapped his arms around Brooke.  "You didn't make me do anything and besides.  It's all over.  I'm fine.  We're fine."

            "Does that mean you want to come over this weekend when my parents go away?  It'll be more comfortable than the backseat of my car."

            "You bet," he said and bent down to kiss her.

            Karen came over and cleared her throat.  "Lucas you need to eat."

            "You don't give up Mom, do you?"

            But Lucas just laughed and went back to the booth where his friends and family were sitting.  There was a large plate in front of his place with a heaping stack of pancakes and a pile of scrambled eggs.

            "I never eat that much!"

            "That's okay," said Nathan.  "I'll help you.  That's what brothers are for."

            "I don't mind a taste," said Keith squeezing in beside his nephew.

            And as the forks all dug into the food his mother had prepared; Lucas looked around and studied the scene around him.  He realized how lucky he was to have all these people in his life.  Sometimes, life didn't work out exactly as one would expect.  Maybe he'd never have the father who had given him life, but he had family and friends he would never trade in.