Author's Note: Thank you again for all the reviews and feeback. I know so many of you anticipated this chapter and I sincerely hope that I didn't disappoint. So I hope you guys enjoy it and as always...if something makes you laugh, cry, happy, sad, or pissed off, drop me a line and tell me about it. Also on a personal note, I have put a lot into this story and its plot and charcters and ALL you readers (lurkers and reviewers alike) keep me motivated at times. From this story and this site I've gotten to know a few of of you that I truly consider friends and that means more than anything. As we all know, real life can sometimes get in the way but I hope I've done justice in delivering this to all of you as it should be. Many of you have thanked me for writing this but now is my turn to thank all of you...especially Jess, who is too amazing for words and I thank her for her funny stories, daily e-mails, constant motivation, and most of all for saving me from myself!!!

Day had turned to early evening and Brooke's eyes opened and adjusted to the sights of the room. There was the slow hum of the television and in a chair nearby the bed, Lucas dozed off. Brooke yawned and stretched instantly waking her husband who was on high alert and wide awake at the slightest movement.

"Luke?"

"I'm here", he said, instantly at her side. "You okay? You need anything?"

"Water, please."

He nodded and poured from the pitcher next to the bed. He held the cup to her lips as she thirstily sipped.

"Thank you", she sighed. "Gosh, what time is it?"

"Quarter after eight."

"How long have I been here?"

"Since 2:30 this afternoon, I think."

"Gordon left already?"

"Nah. Just to the airport. My mom caught a flight in."

"Wow", Brooke laughed. "I knew labor could be a drawn out process but I had no idea Karen would have time to fly in from Tree Hill."

"You in any pain?"

"No actually, knock on wood. That epidural is a miracle drug. I feel pretty good…and pretty hungry."

"Yeah I figured you would be but the nurse says it should be any time tonight so it's probably not a good idea if you eat now."

"I can't believe it, Luke. I can't believe our daughter is almost here."

"Yeah", he smiled, nervously stroking her hand. "Me too."

"Knock, knock…am I a grandma yet?" Karen grinned from the doorway.

She and Gordon walked in, hugging the expectant couple.

"Not yet, Karen. I think your granddaughter changed her mind about coming out", Brooke sighed. "I just woke up from a nap and I haven't felt a contraction in hours."

"Well, I'm glad I made it in time. I wouldn't have missed this birth for the world", the grandmother- to- be smiled.

"How are you feeling, Mrs. Scott?" a friendly, brown haired nurse asked from the doorway. "My name is Linda and since I'll be on for the next 12 hours, I will probably be your delivery nurse."

"Hi, Linda", Brooke nodded. "Call me Brooke, please. This is my friend Gordon and my mother in law, Karen and that's Lucas, the father…uh, my husband. Actually I feel okay but I'm kind of anxious to get this show on the road. How much longer, do you think?"

"Well that's exactly what we're going to find out. Spread your legs for me", Nurse Linda instructed as Karen held Brooke's hand, Lucas looked on, and Gordon clamped his eyes shut.

"Is everything okay?"

"Well Brooke, you haven't dilated at all since the epidural. That happens sometimes...it relieves the pain but slows up the process. See that monitor on the left? Those are the baby's vital signs, yours are on the right. I have to tell you, I am a little concerned about her heart rate."

"What's wrong?" Lucas intervened. "Is there a problem? Is she alright?"

"It's not a major problem for now but we want to keep observing the status, make sure neither one of you goes into distress. The only obstacle now is basically your lack of progression."

"What can we do about it?" Karen asked.

"One alternative is a medicine called, Pitocin. We administer it to Brooke through an IV in her arm and once the drip gets going, things should definitely speed along."

"Let's go for it", Brooke said right away.

"In speeding up labor, the contractions will become very frequent and very strong. Your epidural may run out and if it does, I won't be able to get you another one. I am required to warn you of that. We're hoping for a speedy process but there could be more pain involved."

"And if we wait?"

"We can to see if it happens on its own. If you continue dilating on your own and there are no distress signals, we should be fine. If it doesn't happen on its own and/or there is distress, the doctor will go ahead with a C-section."

"No way. I don't want a C-section", Brooke protested. "Can we just go ahead with that IV thingy?"

"Are you sure?"

"Positive", Brooke answered with a deep breath as she looked around the room.

A half hour later, Linda began the Pitocin drip into Brooke's arms. The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop but she gave everyone her cheeriest smile to let them know everything was going to be okay. For a while it was but within the hour the powerful Pitocin had kicked in full force. Soon it overrode the effects of the epidural and the intense pain was nothing like Brooke had ever felt before."

"Breathe, Brooke, nice and slow", Lucas whispered as Linda examined her again.

"I'm trying, Luke but it's so hard…"

"Okay", Linda announced. "Dr. Ellison has been paged and he's on his way in. You're at a full 10 centimeters, Brooke and almost ready to push."

Brooke nodded and took a deep breath. Panic, anxiety, and fear welled up inside of her but she knew she had reached the moment of no return. It was time for her to give birth. In an effort to relax her, Karen began propping up pillows to support her back before taking the position to support her legs. Lucas settled nervously at her side.

"Here, man. Do you mind filming it?" he asked, handing the video to a very reluctant Gordon.

"Okay, Brooke and Lucas. Looks like it's time to have a baby", Dr. Ellison grinned as he entered the room, assisted by Linda who supported the leg opposite Karen.

"Brooke, there is a big contraction coming up", Linda said. "Take a deep breath and push as hard as you can for me for ten whole seconds, then I want you to release, okay?"

Everyone in the room counted the seconds with Brooke, who was exhausted and already out of breath, but managed to push through the pain.

"Very good", Dr. Ellison nodded. "Are you feeling any pressure on your bottom?"

"Yeah", Brooke whimpered. "The contractions are painful but there is a lot of pressure especially lower towards my butt. I feel like I have to, to..."

"Have a bowel movement?"

"Yes."

"Oh Lord, please don't", Gordon protested.

"That's normal", Linda assured her. "It feels that way because the baby's head is pressing further down."

One hour and what felt like a hundred pushes later, Baby Scott's head was finally beginning to crown. Brooke's body had had it. She felt like she just couldn't do it anymore.

"She's almost out, Brooke", Karen said with wide teary eyes. "I can see her head. She's almost here."

"One more push", Linda nodded.

"Oh screw that", Brooke huffed. "You said it was one more push like an hour ago."

"But I really mean it this time", the nurse winked.

"Linda, I can't."

Tears trickled down Brooke's cheek and she began to sob as Lucas, who had been the silent but emotional rock, tightened his grip on her hand.

"You can do this, Brooke. Babe, you can do anything. I really believe in you."

"I can't, Luke. Not this. It's too hard!"

"I know it's hard but I am so proud of you. I know it's tough and it hurts but look how good you're doing. You are so brave, Brooke. God, I could never go through something like this. She's almost here, honey. Just one more big push and we'll have our baby. The pain will be over and then you can eat and go to sleep."

"Lucas, I don't know…"

"Brooke, remember that time when we went to the tournament Classic in Charlotte for Senior year? And since it was our last year in high school, it was your last chance to finally beat Claire Young in the cheerleading competition. So you worked you squad non stop all day and all night and then you fell off the top of the pyramid less than two hours before you guys competed. And you cracked three ribs and you were in terrible pain but you put on a brave face and you went out there and not only did the squad crush Claire's team in competition, you beat her out for the best choreographer award. Brooke, you can do this. This is cake. Come on, I've seen you be so tough before, tougher and stronger than anyone I know. Now you can do this. Just one more big push."

Brooke took a deep breath and gave it her all. She pushed harder than she ever thought she could. She gave it her best shot because she knew for certain she didn't have another one in her.

There was a burning sensation that caused her to yelp out loud. Silence followed and then she saw Lucas, Karen and Gordon simultaneously just begin to silently weep. Before Brooke could ask what was going on, she heard the sweetest sound any woman could ever hear...the cry of her newborn baby.

"Congratulations", the doctor grinned. "It's a beautiful little girl. Dad, would you like to cut the umbilical cord?"

With shaking hands, Lucas did so and Linda put the baby on the changing table to warm and clean her up.

"What does she look like? Is she okay?" Brooke asked breathlessly.

"She's beautiful", Lucas managed to choke out. "Oh God, Brooke she is just so beautiful."

Minutes later they brought her to her parents. They laid her on Brooke's stomach. Her eyes, an intriguing combination of both her mother and father, opened and she immediately stopped crying. She was bald and a little pale but she was the most perfect thing they had ever seen.

Brooke opened her sleepy eyes and for a minute she didn't know where she was. Then it all came back to her, the memories from just a few hours before. She couldn't believe it. She was finally a mom. She and Lucas were actually parents. The little baby they had loved so much and waited for for so long was finally here. Brooke couldn't help but smile as she saw Luke snoozing peacefully in the chair beside her bed. There was a knock at the door and Gordon, Karen and Chantal entered with a hand full of balloons, stuffed animals, and flowers.

"You guys, this is way too much", Brooke grinned. "Thank you and I love it but I swear it's more stuff than we have room for."

"Nonsense", Gordon smiled. "Nothing is too good or too much for Baby Diva."

"And speaking of, we just saw her", Karen smiled proudly. "I'm not just saying this because she is my granddaughter but honestly she is the prettiest baby down in that nursery."

"She is a little cutie", Chantal added. "Ten perfect little fingers and toes. And she's so calm. All the other babies are down in the nursery squawking their heads off but not her. She's so laid back, just looking around trying to take in all the sights with those big eyes."

"Can you call the nurse to bring her in to us?" Brooke asked. "I haven't seen her since she was born."

Chantal nodded and went to summon Linda and a few minutes later, the newest addition to the Scott family was front and center.

"Hello, little one", Brooke cooed as she gently held her baby close to her body. "I'm your mommy. I've been waiting so long to see you. Hello. You are so gorgeous. Yes you are."

Brooke kissed her and she had that perfect new baby smell. Lucas stroked her face and the five all literally spent an hour just fawning over her. Then the nurse came and ushered everyone out, giving the new parents a little bit of privacy.

"Brooke, would you like to try breast feeding?" Linda asked. "It is the best milk for the baby and it's a good way to bond."

Brooke nodded and Linda helped her as Lucas looked on. It took a few awkward tries before she latched onto the nipple and Brooke nearly had a fit when a little milk came out of the little girl's nose. It was hard. With the exception of Nathan and Haley's boys, Brooke had never been around newborns before. The baby was so little and delicate, Brooke was afraid she might break her. After the feeding Linda showed Brooke how to burp the baby and placed her in bed beside her mother. Brooke and Lucas looked on in complete awe. They couldn't believe she was really theirs.

"She is so beautiful", Lucas kept repeating.

"She sure is", Brooke agreed.

"It's weird, this moment", Luke sighed. Every championship I've ever won, all the cool things fame has brought for me, my dog, my fans…nothing compares to this, to see something so pure and innocent. I didn't think I could love another human being so much but it was the greatest feeling when she was being born. As soon as she came out...it's cool to meet this little person you helped create who is so much a part of you but at the same time totally separate. I'm so in love with her right now...and Brooke I am so in love with you for having her."

"She is perfect except for one thing."

"What's that?"

"We don't have a name for her yet."

"I know", Luke smiled. "What does she look like to you?"

"I don't know. What names had we picked out before?"

"Nothing definite. Let's see. There was Ashlynn..."

"No."

"Amaya..."

"Nah..."

"Domini..."

"Don't like it..."

"Scarlett..."

"Lucas, Scarlett Scott sounds way too cartoonish…and pornish."

"Anya..."

"I like Anya...but she...she doesn't look like an Anya. Gosh, I'm so indecisive. I'll never be able to pick a name. I don't want to leave here without naming her first."

"We'll find something that you like, that we both like, Brooke."

"What do you like?"

"I don't know", he shrugged. "I mean, I thought of a few girl names and stuff but nothing ever quite gelled with me. But I do want it to be a cool name and one that fits her. And not just a nice name but I want to name her something that means something."

"Gee, I don't know…"

"Brooke, how do you feel right now? Honestly. This very minute, what are you thinking?"

"I…I just feel good. Relaxed and happy and at peace with myself and the world…and even you, Luke."

"Well what about the name Harmony Joy? Harmony because it seemed impossible for us but our little girl was the only one strong enough to unite us. And Joy because, well, that's what she has brought into our lives."

"Harmony? Harmony Joy...hhhmmmm…"

"You don't like it, huh?"

Brooke looked at her daughter who was giving her parents a look that seemed to say "okay you two idiots had nine months to do this so pick something already".

"That's beautiful, Lucas. Harmony Joy Scott it is."

"That's perfect, Brooke."

Lucas took the baby from his wife's arms and cradled her.

"Hey there, Harmony Joy. I'm your daddy. Man, I've been waiting a long time to meet you. You are more beautiful than I ever imagined...just like your mom...just like my mom. I love you with all my heart, baby girl. I promise to take care of you and make you happy. There is so much I want to show you and teach you..."

"We have the rest of our lives."

"I know but there are five things I want her to know right away, something every kid should know when they're first born."

"What's that?" Brooke smiled.

"Mickey Mantle was the Yankees...John Lennon was the Beatles...Michael Jackson was the Jackson 5, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time and last but certainly not least...I want her to know she has the most beautiful, wonderful, perfect mother in the world and a sometimes idiot for a dad…and I want her to know that I'm sorry and that I love both of you."

"I…we love you too, Lucas."