Author's Note: Flashback sequences written in Italics...
"Hey, it's me, man. Can you hear me? Squeeze my hand if you can hear me, okay? Never mind. Um, I just came by to see what's going on with you. Pey and me heard you were in a pretty bad way but I just couldn't believe that. So I just wanted to come see you for myself. They say it's pretty bad but I know you're going to be okay. You're just tired right now, that's all. So keep resting your eyes Luke and when you're ready to wake up, we'll all be here for you."
Brooke smiled as she watched Jake and Lucas from the doorway. It was still no change in his condition and their friends from Chicago had insisted on flying to New York to be with them.
"Brooke", Jake said as he noticed her and gave her a hug. "How are you?"
"I'm okay."
"Is it alright? I mean, no one was here when I came up…"
"No, no it's fine. He's allowed visitors. His coaches came by and a few guys from the team. Usually Karen and I are here and Nathan and Haley too. Where are Peyton and Jenny?"
"We dropped Jenny off at the loft…"
"Daycare central, huh?" Brooke laughed out loud. "Poor Deb. Hope she knows what she got herself into. A pre teenager, an infant and two toddlers…wow."
"Deb actually seems to be having a good time. I guess anything is better than living with Dan Scott. Anyway, she has some reinforcement now. Your mom came down…and your little sister."
"Mom is here? And she brought Mikayla?"
Brooke was surprised yet happy that once again her usually absentee mother had made the effort to be there. Maybe it was the first step towards healing and rebuilding their relationship. Plus it had been years since she had seen her seven year old half sister.
Seconds later Peyton came walking in with several bags.
"Check it out, I dropped so much cash at the gift shop I think they're going to name it after me", she joked, kissing Brooke's cheek first then Jake's. "And I got something for you too, Brooke."
Brooke grinned as Peyton tossed her a king size Hershey candy bar.
"Well P. Sawyer, I appreciate you coming and it's nice that you want to do something but trust me, food is the last thing on my mind."
"That's not food, it's chocolate", Peyton winked. "Any change in his condition?"
"Same", Brooke sighed.
"How about you?"
"Me? I'm fine."
"Brooke, you're a woman of many talents and I'll say telling little white lies used to be one of them. Talk to me, kiddo."
"Pey, I'll be alright. Really. I'm just a little tired. I guess we all are."
"Want to take a break?"
"I can't. Between sneaking off to the cafeteria and trying to down that disgusting slop they call food, getting a quick shower and change of clothes, and seeing Harmony, I don't have much time for anything else. I don't like to leave him."
"Just a little walk around the block. Come on. It's cold as the dickens outside but a little fresh air might help. Come on. Jake will stay with Lucas."
Jake nodded and Brooke reluctantly agreed. The women walked the streets of New York making small talk and sometimes just enjoying the silence. A half hour later they returned. Brooke checked in on Lucas and slipped off to the chapel while Peyton and Jake stayed with him.
"Hey Diva", a small voice said from the doorway. "Shoulders said I might find you here. How's Judas?"
"No change really. Come in."
"Child, I don't know. The Gordon and church don't always mix…"
"It's a chapel and get your behind in here", Brooke smiled, reaching out for him.
He entered and sat beside her.
"How's my Diva?"
"Honestly?"
"Yeah. We are in the House of the Lord so now's the time to tell the truth. Shoot. Don't get me struck by no lightening up in here. I got enough sins of my own. I ain't trying to go to Hell for yours too."
"I'm scared because despite what the doctors and everybody say, I'm afraid Lucas won't wake up."
"Don't think like that. Judas is gonna be okay. I can feel it. He'll be awake and well back to his whining and begging in no time."
"It's hard, Gordie. He's lying in that bed absolutely helpless and there's nothing I can do about it."
"You've been there for him. You've been by his side all week. Just keep on keeping on. Whatever makes you feel better."
"I don't deserve to feel better. I mean, what good is it to go and there and talk to him if I'm not even sure he can hear it. I feel like I'm gonna lose it sometimes. The only thing keeping me together is the fact that I'm sure the last thing all you guys want to see is another Brooke Scott meltdown. You're my friends and my family and me crying and flipping out is the last thing you all need."
"Why don't you let us be the judge of all that? Child, ain't nobody perfect. We're all human. You're dealing with a whole lot now. Nobody's gonna fault you if you shed some tears."
"Thanks Gordie. I…I have to get back."
Gordon nodded as Brooke relieved Jake and Peyton who joined the growing vigil at the loft. She took her usual seat next to him as Gordon watched from the door. She remembered a time back in college when Lucas had forgotten her birthday. Not only had he forgotten her birthday, when a dozen roses were delivered with a card that read: Happy 20th Birthday Cheery! Love, Me, and Brooke bombarded him with hugs and kisses, he hadn't exactly right away admitted that he wasn't the sender. Then Brooke found out Peyton was and the shit had hit the fan when he had the nerve to walk into her plush white carpeted apartment with his muddy old sneakers…
"5...6...7...8. No, no, noIt's feet together, apart, then clap."
"I'm really trying, Miss Brooke."
"Well try harder little Betty Sue because you're on in 12 hours."
Brooke cursed to herself. Why had she ever decided to take a job after school choreographing routines for the local junior high school cheering squad. Sure it was a pain trying to teach "2 left feet having, always with a runny nose, too overweight to do most of the moves, stage mom from hell having" Betty Sue Greaves but it was more than frustration this day. She was still utterly pissed at Luke. What a typical male dumb ass! How could he just forget her birthday? How could he not see why she was so angry? How could he take credit for something Peyton had done?
"Okay Betty Sue. I want you to go into a high kick then a diagonal. Got it?"
The little girl nodded and made an honest but comical attempt as her pot belly only allowed to kick to go so high.
"That okay, Miss Brooke?"
"Betty Sue, that was perfect! Lovely", the young girl's stage mother beamed from the bleachers. "My, my I'd say you're the best one out there. Now give me Jazz fingers."
Brooke faked a smile. She had a Jazz finger in particular she'd love to give Betty Sue and her mother. It had been a hell of a day and one Brooke just wanted to be over. It didn't get any better when Lucas Scott walked in the gym with balloons, flowers and a stuffed animal.
"Happy Birthday, Cheery. Um, sorry I forgot yesterday."
What a nerve!
"Yesterday was yesterday. Now you have 364 more days until the next one and believe me, I do plan on spending every one of those days refreshing your fading memory. Now as you can see, I am busy at work. Please take your tired presents and leave."
She went back to Betty Sue. Lucas was down but not defeated.
"Brooke, I'm not leaving until you forgive me. Can we talk, please?"
"No! Now go to..h-e double hockey sticks! Leave me alone."
"Fine", he said. "Fine. You have forced my hand, Brooke. I really, really didn't want to do this but you leave me no choice. Hit the lights, Betty Sue."
The chubby child grinned and wiped at her nose as she flipped a switch. All of a sudden the room went dark except for cheesy Christmas lights that spelled out "I Love Brooke Davis". Taking off his jacket and throwing it, Lucas, as off key as ever, burst out into song.
Imagine me and you, I do
I think about you day and night
It's only right
To think about the girl you love
And hold her tight
So happy together
"Lucas, what the hell are you doing?" Brook asked through clenched teeth.
I can't see me loving nobody but you
For all my life
When you're with me
Baby the skies will be blue
For all my life
When it was done, there he was on his knees, breathless to the standing ovation of ten 12 year old girls and their mothers. She couldn't contain the smile on her face as she hugged him. From that day on, that Turtles classic had been "their" special song…
Brooke smiled as she fixed his covers and absently stroked his face. The words seem to roll off her tongue.
If I should call you up
Invest a dime
And you say you belong to me
And ease my mind
Imagine how the world could be
So very fine
So happy together
Brooke tried to curl up with the blanket on the hard, too small sofa. Gordon smiled as he took off his jacket and draped it over her before pulling up a chair to Lucas' bedside.
"Hey Judas. Me and you need to have a talk, homebiscuit. So I'm here because everything's screwed up. You know I don't exactly trust you with Diva and for good reason but it's only because I care about her so much. I guess you care about her too, huh? She's hurting right now. She needs you to open your eyes, Judas. She feels like she can't be forgiven. If she feels that way, then she'll never heal and you two will never be able to move on with the rest of your lives. Hell, I'm in the same boat. Fooling with y'all's crazy asses you had me, Shoulders and Miss Mary Mack playing ace detective. Now what kind of shit is that? Child, don't get me started up in here, up in here. But anyway. I'm sorry you have all these problems with your heart but it's not the end of the world. You get to take a break from basketball now and life in general even. That's just what you need, Judas. No pressure and expectations, just the time to reflect and get yourself together. Who knows? This may have been a blessing in disguise."
Lucas's fingers moved, slowly touching Gordon's arms.
"Child don't be trying that up in here. I ain't the one. You almost got one of my Jackie Chan moves. Shoot. Ain't you ever seen that movie Carrie? When homegirl's hand comes out of the ground at the end? Oh no. I'm thinking your cute little ass is half dead and you want to grab me. Child, I ain't the one. What? You trying to make me have a heart attack, too? You lucky it was me and not Shoulders. She makes a sudden move and you'll be laid up with worse than a bad heart."
"Water", Lucas whispered.
Gordon poured a cup from the pitcher near the bed.
"What? I got to hold it for you, too? Honestly, Judas. What is the matter with your arms?"
"Wh…what are you doing here?" Lucas managed after he took a sip of water.
"Child, it's a long story. Hold on. Let me get Diva."
Gordon gently shook Brooke awake.
"Gordon?"
"Someone wants to talk to you, Diva."
Brooke practically ran to the bed.
"Lucas? Wake up. Come on. Talk to me."
"…When you're with me
Baby the skies will be blue
For all my life…"
"You…you heard that?" she laughed.
"Thanks, Brooke", he nodded. "Thanks for being here."
Hours later after the doctors and nurses checked him out and assured Brooke, he would be fine for the night, she was finally able to drive back to the loft where, if she could kick the bodies out, she'd maybe have her own bed for the night. She was exhausted. She turned the key in the lock and Karen, asleep on the couch closest to the door, was awake instantly.
"Brooke! What…"
"It's okay", she smiled tiredly. "He's awake, Karen. Lucas woke up."
She hugged her mother in law and did a quick inventory of the apartment. Peyton, Jake and Jenny were sleeping on a pallet on the living room floor while Nathan and Haley and their boys were in one bedroom, Deb and Harmony in the other. Brooke tiptoed to her own room and turned on the light. In her bed was her mother, Mary, asleep and holding Brooke's half sister, Mikayla. They looked like two peaceful angels. Brooke just stared at them then it dawned on her. When she was seven Mary had never held her like that. No one had. Sitting on the bed beside them, careful not to wake anyone, she kissed Mary's cheek then Mikayla's. Then she put her head in her hands and cried.