Peyton answered the phone buzzing in her pocket. Jake was putting the baby down for the night and had invited her over for coffee. She didn't know why but Jake intrigued her after she learned about his child. He had always been a good friend, nice to everyone but she was stunned to see him caring for a child with only the help of his parents. A teenage boy taking responsibility for a newborn gave her new respect for Jake.
"This is Peyton," She answered.
"Peyton. It's Nathan…where are you?"
"Why do you care?" She replied automatically.
"Listen…I'm with Haley at Luke's…" Nathan started.
"What? What are you doing over there?"
"God, Peyton, chill, okay? I called you because I know you're Lucas' friend. His mom's dead…he got a message on the answering machine and…Haley's here with him but…"
"Nate, are you serious?" She asked slowly.
"I wouldn't joke about this, especially with you, Peyt," He replied quietly.
"God, Nathan…that's awful," Peyton said, glancing up at Jake.
"I thought you'd want to know…" Nathan continued.
"Yeah. You think I should come over?" She asked.
"I don't know…what do you think? I mean, Keith called Haley and she's here but…Luke doesn't look too good. Haley's crying but he's just…he's just sitting there," Nathan explained.
"I'll be there in a few minutes. Did you call Brooke?"
"Not yet. I thought…I thought of you first," Nathan admitted.
"Oh. I'll call her," Peyton replied, surprised.
"Thanks, Peyton."
Peyton hung up the phone and looked up at Jake. "Lucas' mother died. Nathan's over there with Haley…"
"Oh no…poor Luke…are you going over there?" He asked.
"Yeah, I think I should. Nate said that Haley's crying and Lucas is just sitting there. I just want to go make sure that he's okay," She replied.
"Yeah. My mom should be home in a few minutes and I'll join you over there. He should have his friends around him…" Jake started.
"Does he have any other family? Like, does Karen have parents or siblings?" Peyton asked.
"I don't know," Jake replied honestly. "I don't think so. And I'm not going to be the one to call Dan."
"I'll see you later, Jake," Peyton embraced him and bolted out of the door. She'd call Brooke from the car.
Keith pulled up to the house with a lurch and parked on the curb. He was surprised to see several cars in the driveway. Nathan met him on the porch.
"Hey, Nathan…" Keith started.
"Sorry about all the people, Lucas is inside with Haley," Nathan said immediately.
"Who called them?" Keith asked.
"I did. He's not doing so hot and I figured…he needs his friends around him," Nathan said quietly.
"Did you call your parents?" Keith asked.
"No. I didn't. I thought that would be a little much for him right now," Nathan replied. He lowered his voice. "He hasn't spoken, Keith. He hasn't said anything since we got here."
"Thanks, Nate," Keith said, stepping inside the house. Nathan followed him.
Keith recognized Jake from basketball as well as Peyton in the kitchen. He gave them a grateful nod as he followed their worried gaze to the living room.
"Lucas…Lucas, will you please say something?" Haley was asking when he walked in. Haley was sitting beside Lucas on the couch.
"Hey, Hales. Thanks for coming. Can I have a minute with him?" Keith asked her after giving her a quick hug.
"Good luck," She replied and disappeared into the kitchen.
Keith sat down beside Lucas on the couch. Lucas was frozen. His eyes were glazed and unfocused. Keith waved his hand in front of his face and Lucas blinked but didn't respond.
"Luke. Lucas. Kid, I need a sign from you that you're still with me," Keith said calmly.
Lucas blinked.
"Is that it?" Keith asked. He watched Lucas and his worry increased.
Lucas' face didn't change. "The nurse said that she was okay before surgery. Alive. But she couldn't talk because of the tube down her throat," He whispered.
"Luke…" Keith gasped. He turned away, affected.
"Wait," Lucas said, grabbing Keith's arm gently. "But Mom knew sign language…and so did one of the doctors…it's like, a universal language, she said…" Lucas paused for a moment. "She signed…'tell my boys I love them and I'll be okay'…" Lucas met Keith's gaze with dull eyes.
"God, Luke, I'm so sorry…" Keith couldn't stop the tears from running down his face. Lucas' face remained stony.
Nathan had let Peyton and Jake inside when they arrived separately. He told them that Lucas was upset but they had been so shocked by his unresponsive form that they hadn't approached him yet. Haley had been buried against his chest ever since Keith had arrived.
"Shh, Haley…" Nathan whispered as she started to sob. He could hear his uncle crying in the next room.
The door swung open with a bang and Brooke stepped inside, flushed. "Where is he?"
Jake stopped her from rushing into the living room. "Hey. Slow down."
"Brooke, he's like, catatonic in there and Keith's all upset," Nathan said.
"God…he loves his mom so much," Brooke said, embracing Peyton shakily.
Keith stepped into the kitchen, wiping his eyes. "Do your parents know you're all here?"
"Mr. Scott, they understand. We're here for Lucas. And anything you need," Peyton said.
"How's he doing?" Nathan asked.
"I don't know," Keith answered.
Nathan held Haley tighter as she cried harder. Brooke stepped away from Peyton and walked into the living room. Luke had his eyes closed. She kneeled beside the couch at his feet.
"Baby, can you look at me?" She whispered. She touched his face with her hand and he looked at her.
"Brooke?" His eyes cleared suddenly.
"Yeah…I know you're upset, baby, but…you're scaring your uncle Keith…" Brooke said as she wrapped her arms around him.
"What?" Lucas asked, dazed.
She released him for a moment and took his face in her hands. "Lucas. Are you okay?"
"No…I'm definitely not okay…how long have you been here?" He asked. "Is Keith here?"
"You spaced a little baby. Peyton called me. Nathan called her. Jake and Haley are in the kitchen, too. They're worried about you. So am I."
"I guess I really spaced…" Lucas whispered.
"What do you remember?"
"She's dead…" Lucas said. Brooke embraced him and he hugged her tightly.
"I'm so sorry, baby…" Brooke said. Lucas quietly started to sob.
Nathan recognized Lucas' crying at the same time as Haley. She looked up at him. "Go on. I'll make some coffee."
Haley took Peyton's hand and they went into the living room.
"Look, Luke…it's Haley…" Brooke whispered. Haley sat down beside her and he embraced her.
Nathan found the coffeepot as Jake pulled out a chair for Keith.
"Uncle Keith, I know it's late and all but…is there anyone else we should call?" Nathan asked.
"Not tonight," Keith replied. "Are you sure you kids shouldn't be getting home?"
"My folks aren't expecting me tonight and Jake's know he's here," Nathan replied.
"And don't tell me that you'd be able to sleep," Jake added.
"True," Keith sighed.
Nathan turned back to the coffeemaker. "Where's the coffee?"
Jake helped Nathan put on coffee while Keith flipped through Luke's scrawled notes from his phone calls to Italy.
"Guys, I'm going to make some phone calls in the back if anyone needs me," Keith announced, taking the notes and the phone into the back before they could reply.
