Author's Note: Sorry to keep you all waiting for so long…so here's my present to you, a new chapter. I would never think of abandoning this story (I can't stand to leave things unfinished), but writer's block and I were having a fight. I finally won, so enjoy. Hopefully I'll be able to crank the next chapter out in a timelier manner. Also, I changed the format on this chapter to make it easier to read; eventually I'll go back and change the first three as well.


Lucas sat by her bedside, stroking her hair as she slept. She had finally cried herself out and succumbed to exhaustion. It was a fitful sleep, but he was relieved she was getting what little she could…he knew they were in for a long bumpy ride. He yawned. He too was exhausted, but he refused to sleep until they heard some news on their son. It had been hours since they took him down to the NICU and they still hadn't heard a word. The doctor in him knew that these tests took a long time and they just had to be patient, but the father in him wanted to yell at someone and demand that they give him answers right now. Checking to make sure Brooke was still sleeping, he tucked the blankets around her shoulders and headed out in search of a cup of coffee.

He turned a corner and was shocked to find Peyton sitting on a bench near the vending machines.

"Peyton? What are you still doing here?" he asked, as he fished out a handful of change for the coffee machine.

"I didn't want to leave until you knew something. I wanted to be here in case she needs me," Peyton replied. He could see the concern in her eyes, and it was comforting to know that someone loved his wife as much as he did.

"Thank You. I know she really appreciates that. Want some coffee?" he said.

"Sure…maximum sugar and maximum whitener," she replied. He frowned and shook his head. With both cups in hand he sat down beside her. She gratefully accepted the cup and blew softly across the top to cool it a bit before taking a sip. "Any news yet?"

"No, nothing…this waiting is driving me crazy," Lucas replied.

"I know, I can't stand it, so I can't even imagine how hard this is for you and Brooke," Peyton replied. "How is she?"

"She finally fell asleep. She's tossing and turning, but as least she's getting a little rest. She was so drained," he answered. "What are you doing sitting out here all alone anyway?"

"I just thought you two needed some privacy. I didn't want to be in your way," she replied shyly. He nodded slowly, acknowledging her answer.

"Well, I should get back in case she wakes up or the doctors come with some news," he said, "There's an extra chair in the room, it's pretty comfy." Peyton started to shake her head no but he wouldn't hear of it. "You're her best friend Pey, more like a sister really. You're family, she needs you just as much as she needs me right now…we both do."

Peyton was overwhelmed. Sure, she and Brooke were still the best of friends, but they had drifted apart a bit over the years. Being separated by so many states had caused a rift between the formerly inseparable duo. It was nice to know that she still held such a special place in Brooke's heart. She stood and collected herself. Lucas placed an arm around her shoulders and led her down the hall and back to Brooke's room.

Lucas was awakened by a familiar feeling…his wife's fingers playing with the short hairs at the back of his neck. He fought through the sleep that enveloped him to find beautiful green orbs looking down on him.

"Hey," she said.

"Hey yourself. What are you doing up?" he asked.

She shrugged and sadness clouded her eyes. She didn't have to say a word. He knew she was worried about the baby. He took her hand kissed her palm…and that was enough to make the tears sting her eyes and start flowing freely down her cheeks. Lucas stood and stretched, trying to relieve the ache of sleeping in the chair. Then he walked around to the other side of the bed and crawled in behind Brooke. She rolled over to face him, wincing from the soreness of having given birth just hours ago. He wiped the tears from her cheeks and kissed her forehead softly. He didn't know what to say…to tell her it would all be okay would be a lie. All he could do was let her know that they were in this together.

"I love you," she said softly.

"I love you too," he replied.

A few minutes later the doctor came in. Brooke's heart was pounding and she began shaking like a leaf. She had a bad feeling that the news wouldn't be good. Lucas held her a little tighter, trying to give her what little comfort he could.

"Dr. Scott, Mrs. Scott…I know you've been anxiously awaiting some news, so I'm not going to keep you in suspense any longer, I'm just going to get straight to the point. Your son has Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome, more commonly known as SCIDS," the doctor said.

"Isn't that the disease that the boy in the bubble had? What does that mean?" Brooke asked.

"Yes, it is. It means your son essentially doesn't have a functioning immune system and can't fight off even the smallest most harmless germ," he said. Brooke and Lucas were both visibly devastated. Peyton had also been roused from her sleep when the doctor came in and was also distraught. Lucas was a doctor himself, he knew what the disease was all about…but he still never expected to have to deal with something so rare.

"I'm familiar with the effects of the disease, but what are our treatment options?" Lucas asked, slipping into his professional persona in order to remain strong for Brooke.

"I didn't just come to be the bearer of bad news, there is hope. The good news is that with the advances and great strides science and medicine have taken in recent decades…this condition is no longer a death sentence, nor does it mean your son will have to live in isolation. This condition should by no means be taken lightly; it is most certainly life threatening…but it is treatable. With a successful bone marrow transplant, there's no reason your son can't live a normal, happy life," he said.

Lucas nodded his head, silently contemplating the situation. Knowing that a bone marrow transplant could cure their son suddenly made things a lot less dismal. "We're willing to do whatever we need to do to ensure our son's survival. What's the first move?" he asked.

"Well, the first thing we need to do is start testing potential donors, starting with you and your wife…but a sibling would be our best chance," the doctor replied.

"This is our first child. So if we're not matches, what are our choices then?" Lucas asked.

"In that case, we turn to your relatives, beginning with parents and siblings," the doctor replied. Lucas was satisfied with the course of action. Brooke had been sitting there numb and unable to speak the whole time. "If there are no further questions, I'll leave you two to get some rest. It's been a long day and I'm sure you need it. Try not to worry too much, I'm very optimistic about a good outcome here."

"Thank you doctor," Lucas replied, and with that the doctor left the room. Luke then turned his attention to his visibly shaken wife. She didn't utter a word, but the tears soon began to flow from her eyes. Her mouthed opened and closed as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words. "Peyton?" she finally choked out, looking to the blonde woman sitting across the room.

"It's going to be ok, babe. It's all going to be fine," Peyton said, running across the room and embracing her best friend. At first Lucas was a little hurt that he wasn't the one she turned to for comfort, but then he realized the connection the two friends had. He wondered how many nights they had spent like this, crying on each other's shoulders for one reason or another…nursing each other's broken hearts. Brooke was in good hands…so he took that opportunity to slip out of the room and let Brooke revel in the comfort only a best friend could provide.

TBC...