Megan lay flat in the hammock in the Scott's backyard staring up at the stars. She wanted to be alone and the night gave her comfort. Wherever Nathan was, whatever he was doing, whatever was happening Meg could only hope that he was staring up at the same sky and the same stars and thinking of her too.

"Hey kiddo, you okay?"

Megan looked up. Brooke.

"Hey", she said softly. "I'm okay. Thanks for asking."

"I was worried", she said softly in her scratchy, throaty voice. "I just wanted to check on you."

Meg nodded like she understood. She certainly appreciated it.

"Want to come up and sit with me for a while?" she offered.

Brooke smiled as she joined her friend and they began a quiet vigil of unspoken thoughts and prayers.

"You need anything?" Brooke finally broke the silence.

"Besides Nathan?" Megan smiled.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I…I shouldn't have said that. Meg, I don't…"

"It's cool. No one knows how to react in moments like this. There's no instruction pamphlet for it or anything. I wish there were so at least I would know what to do. Because right now I don't. I keep crying but at the same time I'm on the phone and keeping busy and watching the news looking for his face and just trying to help everyone else."

"No one expects you to, Meg…"

"I know but if I don't, then I'm gonna break down. I mean really break down. I can't do that now. I have to be strong."

"You really love him, don't you?"

Megan smiled.

"I do. God, I do. So much. So much more than you can imagine. I love everything about him. He makes me laugh and he does sweet things that make me cry sometimes. And I love his eyes and his smile…and his laugh. I love his heart. You know, no matter how tired or hurt or pissed off he is after a game, he'll never deny little kids an autograph. And you should see their faces. They love him. They just light up when they see him. I love that, you know. That side of him that a lot of people don't get to see. The tender and patient side. The kind side."

"I know what you mean. A lot of people don't see that side of Nathan. I don't think he wants people to see him like that. I've known him for a long time but I've seen it."

"Life has been so crazy lately. I know you probably think I'm crazy for marrying him…"

"Maybe a little", Brooke laughed.

"What can I say? He's my soul mate. I've found the guy I want to be with for the rest of my life."

"And it's just about love, huh?"

"Just about love", Megan repeated. "I don't care about what he does or what he did in his past or anything except how he makes me feel."

"That's kind of scary."

"Just like with you and Lucas?"

Brooke half smiled.

"It's not that simple. Broody and me go way, way back. It's not as black and white when it comes to us loving each other. There's a whole lot of gray there in the middle, trust me."

"A lot happened when you guys were kids? I've kind of heard some of the horror stories. I don't mean to pry but I know about the whole Peyton triangle thing back in high school."

"Who could forget?" Brooke rolled her eyes. "Yeah it did get messy there for a while. We dated and for like the first time ever, I totally let my guard down and allowed myself to fall in love. Because I knew he was a good guy and I knew he was worth it."

"What happened?"

"Things just didn't work out. That's the story and history of our entire relationship unfortunately. It was always something or someone else. It was a bad break up. I seriously hated him for a while. Then it was awkward, then we were civil, then we actually became good friends. We're still good friends, flirty friends sometimes", she laughed.

"You still love him, don't you? I guess you never really stopped. I see it in your eyes. I see it in his eyes."

Brooke shrugged.

"What is love really? I mean, he's a great guy and we do have this amazing connection but I don't know if I believe in fairytale endings anymore. Sometimes it seems like it would take nothing short of a miracle to bring us back together again. And you know what? I accept that. I've been okay with that thought for a while. Maybe our time has passed."

"Maybe it hasn't."

"Who knows if we'll ever find out", the brunette sighed.

"Maybe you should, Brooke. Don't let that ship pass you by. It could be your last real chance for true happiness. Don't be afraid to tell him how you feel. Gosh, there are so many things I wish I had said to Nathan. Because…because I don't know if I'll get that chance again."

Her voice trailed off and she began to sob.

"Oh Meg…"

"I'm sorry."

"No. It's okay. Don't apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for. It's okay to cry. I'm here for you."

"I'm just so scared, Brooke. Oh God, I've never been this scared before. I just need a sign or something to let me know he's okay…alive. My mind is going crazy. How can I eat when I don't know if he's hungry right now? How can I sleep knowing he might be hurt or scared?"

"We've just got to keep faith. Close your eyes and know that you will see him again. It's something you have to believe inside."

"I have to. I just…"

"Oh sweetie, it's okay. Cry it out. Just let it out."

"I have to talk to him again, Brooke", Megan sobbed. "It can't be over."

"I know."

"No, you don't understand. Nathan can't be dead. He can't be because I never got the chance to tell him."

"Tell him what, sweetie?"

"I…Brooke, I'm pregnant."