Chapter 16!

Chapter 16! At some point I might actually start thinking of actual names for these chapters but until then… I dub this one 16! Anyways! I hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Please review!

I bruise you, you bruise me
We both bruise too easily
Too easily to let it show
I love you and that's all I know

All my plans have fallen through
All my plans depend on you
Depend on you to help them grow
I love you and that's all I know

When the singer's gone
Let the song
Go...

But the ending always comes at last
Endings always come too fast
They come too fast
But the past too slow
I love you and that's all I know

When the singer's gone
Let the song go on
It's a fine line between the darkness
And the dawn
They say in the darkest night
There's a light beyond

But the ending always comes at last
Endings always come too fast
They come too fast
But the past too slow
I love you and that's all I know
That's all I know
That's all I know

"All I Know" By Art Garfunkel. The song playing over the "Hospital radio" as Lucas stood by Brooke at the window of the NICU. It seemed funny that this song was playing to Lucas. Brooke had dubbed that "their song" so many years ago. Actually not THAT many… but it seemed like it. In his mind he really couldn't remember life without Brooke. He couldn't remember who had cheered him up, or who had made him smile, or how they did it. But someone had, most likely Karen or Haley, or maybe even Peyton at one point. But none of them had ever done it like Brooke. She always had a way to make him smile… no matter what it took. Even after Nathan's car accident and all the drama that was going down then, just seeing her was enough. Of course she had no idea… but she was always there.

"You ok?" Lucas asked taking Brooke's cold hand into she looked into the window. He wasn't sure if he had ever heard her stay this quiet for this long and it was worrying him. He needed to know what she was thinking and how she was feeling… so he could help her, make her feel better, anything just to get that look of her face.

"They look different in person"

"They'll look even different when they get all those tubes un-hooked… They're not even a day old and they are already high maintenance…we're in trouble"

"Yea" Brooke whispered not really listening to Lucas. She knew he was trying to help but she could see the sadness behind his eyes too. She felt like her babies were in jail. What kind of place took your children away and only let you see them on their terms? It wasn't fair and she was starting to realize why everyone had wanted her to wait and see them. She had so many questions she wanted to ask.

"Babe, are you ok?"

"Are they in pain?"

"No… at least that's what the nurse told me when I asked" Lucas lied. He felt terrible about lying to her but he had no clue and that wasn't what she needed to hear right now. She needed to believe whatever she had too so she could get through this.

"They're too small Lucas…"

"They'll get bigger"

"It's not fair, they didn't do anything to deserve this" Brooke said letting a tear run down her cheek. This really sucked. The doctors told her, her hormones were going to be wacky for a while but this was just insane. Why was she crying? She was sitting there with her children (Of course they were cased in boxes almost) But she was still there with them, physically seeing they were ok with her own eyes. Part of her tears were tears of relief. She had prepared herself for the worst and it wasn't THAT bad… just really unfair.

"They're going to be ok Brooke…"

"How do you know?"

"Because their strong like you" Lucas whispered kissing her forehead

"Was that in the Hallmark card your mom gave me?" Brooke giggled a little at Lucas's corniness. But she loved it because no matter how funny it sounded it made her feel better, and he knew that.

"Something like that"

"It just sucks for them… and us"

"I know, but it'll get better" Lucas promised. It made him feel so much better seeing at least a little bit of a smile on her face. She shouldn't have to be upset right now… this was supposed to be the happiest time of their life and it was full of tears.

"What about when we have to go home without them?"

"You can shop…"

"But I wanna shop with them" Brooke whined waving at the little babies.

"When their going through their terrible 2's and you don't want to take them anywhere, I am going to remind you of this moment"

"Never… We have to get in there"

"I don't think we can…" Lucas sighed seeing Brooke's face drop again. He expected her to start crying again but she didn't. Brooke paused for a second, looked at the girls and then at Lucas giving him her 'Get ready' look.

"You don't look as sneezy today!"

"I'm not"

"Ok then… work your magic and get your cute ass in there… along with mine" Brooke smiled not really giving him a choice in the matter. He couldn't say no to that… and she was right he wasn't coughing today and he REALLY wanted to see them

"Brooke…"

"Lucas…" Brooke pouted a little more poking her lip out and taking his other hand. By this point he was done for… there was no getting out of it now.

"I'll go talk to the nurse…" Lucas laughed caving into her pressure and kissing her on her forehead. The same pressure which had caused him to sleep with her at 16… not that he minded. She knew what to push and how hard to push it so she never asked him to do anything he couldn't do

"You're the greatest!"

Karen was waiting in the waiting room when Nathan and Haley rushed in. At first she didn't even recognize Haley, having not seen her since she gained the weight. But then came Nathan… looking basically the same as ever. Just sleep deprived, probably from driving all night. It still amazed her what a good brother he had been to Lucas over the past 7 years. He had changed so much from the brother who had made it his life goal to ruin her son's life in all ways possible. Now to see him happily married to Haley who she had loved like a daughter forever almost made him like a son in law to her now. These four definitely proved her theory on Tree Hill, sometimes people DO end up with their high school sweet heart… and she wasn't sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing yet.

"Karen!" Haley yelled making her way to Karen as fast as she could and hugging her. Nathan was lagging behind talking on his cell phone and carrying what looked like presents.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"What do you mean what are we doing here? I'm an aunt… twice!" Haley laughed excitedly almost bouncing up and down. Karen loved how Haley was so sure of everything. She was an aunt, she was supposed to be there, no questions asked… where as most people would go back and forth about coming, Haley was just there.

"Haley stop jumping up and down before you become a mother even faster"

"Sorry… so details! Karen details! Don't make me beg here"

"She's lying… she has no problem begging" Nathan laughed giving Karen a quick hug before basically forcing Haley to sit down. He seemed annoyed… but in a good way.

"Shut up Nathan…"

"Things are good… Everyone is stable. The girls are doing ok… their out of the woods."

"And Brooke?" Haley asked nervously. The look on Karen's face told her everything… so much so she wished Karen just hadn't responded. But that's why she and Nathan were there… to help Brooke and Lucas. Haley knew better than anyone what a handful Karen could be in a situation like this so anything they could do to get her away from Brooke and Lucas was worth the whole trip.

"She's… up and down. I haven't seen her yet this morning so I don't know what today's story is but yesterday was rough obviously"

"Does she have a big scar? And if she does has she seen it yet?"

"No… This proves to you what kind of husband my son is going to be. He had a plastic surgeon come in and close her up" Karen laughed rolling her eyes. When Lucas had told her that her jaw dropped. All she could muster was "Why… every other woman who had a C-section has a scar" Lucas's response had been "Brooke's not every other woman… she's my woman". At that point Karen had found it pointless to argue and changed the subject. She didn't even want to think about how much that was going to set Lucas back.

"Those 2 are sickening! But I'm so happy for them… but sad at the same time"

"Haley… don't cry… she is emotional" Nathan whispered trying to keep Haley from hearing, but failed miserably.

"Well! I have the right to be Nathan! I can't imagine what Brooke went through yesterday! Lucas either, can we see them?"

"Yea… I know Brooke would love the company. I'm sure miss 'I've got to be doing something every minute' is going stir crazy by now. But keep it happy"

"Thanks Karen… oh and congrats grandma" Haley laughed sticking her tongue out. She seemed just as up and down as Brooke to Karen, and she was still pregnant.

"Don't remind me… they are going to have to come up with something better than grandma to call me, because that one isn't happening"

"Someone is having some hard feelings…" Nathan laughed. He understood where she was coming from. Deb was the same way… the words 'grandma' were not uttered around her. She wanted the baby to call her Deb. Which pissed Haley off royally, to the point they barely spoke.

"No… I just don't want to be called grandma when I am still young enough to have my own children… I don't know though, I might change my mind if someone would actually let me see them"

"You haven't seen them?"

"My son king of fairness wont let me until Brooke sees them" Karen sighed. She understand but it still made her mad. It wasn't like she was asking to take them home with her, she just wanted a quick glance at her grandbabies.

"Understandable"

"I see where he learned his need for fairness from"

"Don't worry Karen… we brought you something to keep you entertained" Haley squealed hitting a button on Nathan's cell phone. They had this all planned out…so much that Brooke and Lucas had better name their next child after them.

"Andy"

After a lot of talking Lucas finally convinced one of the nurses into letting him and Brooke in. After 3 older women nurses turned him down he finally found a guy nurse who was a bobcats fan and was more than happy to pull some strings to get them in. Lucas was slowly starting to realize being a local celebrity had its perks. He had even had people come up to him on the street before… mostly girls. Wanna be super model girls who Brooke would have to scare off with her glare, so having a guy recognize him here was definitely a first. Finally after scrubbing their hands raw, putting on the hilarious gowns that Brooke declared the newest fashion statement, and of course grabbing the camera they finally got in. It was a lot louder than Lucas had expected. Monitors beeping and buzzing and babies whining and crying. The second he walked in there with Brooke his heart dropped worrying that all of this was going to be too much for her. But surprisingly enough she didn't seem effected. In fact she seemed a lot better than earlier that morning. That was the last time he listened to what a nurse had to say when it came to Brooke. She wasn't your average patient.

"Ok… here they are. They're doing well this morning… eyes open and everything" Kerry (The nurse) smiled leading Brooke and Lucas to the incubators. Being inside made Brooke feel so much better. It was like a weight was lifted off her chest. Just being that close to them made everything better.

"Hey babies… Look they move!" Brooke gasped as little Chloë kicked her leg

"Babies tend to do that…"

"Right… They look even more beautiful in person, I told you we did good Luke"

"I know we did" Lucas smiled kissing Brooke. This was the Brooke he liked to see. Happy go lucky, silly, nothing upsets her, Brooke. Broody Brooke just didn't cut it… as she once put it to him '2 broods don't make a right… but a Cheery and a Broody do!"

"Your daddy's brooding… ignore him"

"Your teaching them to ignore me at a young age… this cant be good, and I'm not brooding" Lucas sighed sitting back in the rocking chair. He really wasn't brooding… or at least he didn't think he was… he was just tired. He hadn't had any real sleep in almost 48 hours.

"Yes you are! But it's your good brooding… not your bad brooding"

"I didn't know there was a difference"

"Now you do… my god these 2 are going to be spoiled, possible worse than me having you as a dad" Brooke giggle waving at the little babies. This was so much fun. She could corrupt these 2 as much as she wanted… and there was no one to get mad at her for it! Except maybe Lucas, and over the years he had become almost as bad as she was.

"They wont be spoiled by me"

"Yes they will Lucas Scott and you know it… could you say no to those faces? I didn't think so… See Allie and Chloë, that's what we call denial… now usually when your daddy is in denial that's the best time to get things out of him…"

"She's…" Kerry started but Lucas interrupted laughing

"Cheery?"

"I was going to say upbeat"

"I'm guessing you don't get too many like that in here?" Lucas yawned watching Brooke interact with the babies. She didn't seem to care that they couldn't talk back… or do anything really. She was perfectly content talking to them about her day, giggling about how they were 'theirs'. Unlike all the other mothers in the NICU cooing at their babies Brooke talked to them like they were real people, not dogs… with this sweetness in her voice he had never heard… never like that anyway.

"Not usually… You wanna touch them?"

"We can do that?" Lucas asked as Brooke spun around so fast Lucas thought she was going to get whiplash.

"They're your babies…"

"That's what I have been saying all along! I like this guy"

"We'll do Miss Allie first since she is the oldest" Kerry smiled opening the plastic for them.

"The feel even tinier inside there"

"Hey Allie… you have your daddy's fingers" Brooke smiled taking the babies tiny hand into her own. It was definitely the most awesome feeling in the world. It made her feel bad for people like Nikki and Dan who didn't want their own children. She couldn't for the life of her see how someone could not love that… and from the look in Lucas's eyes he was thinking the same thing.

"Maybe she'll be a basketball player"

"Or a Super Model… Or! They could make a killing as pole dancers! Identical twins, tell me you wouldn't pay to see that" Brooke shrieked in a whisper then giggled. She loved it… those babies were definitely going to be hott… how could they not be? With her AND Lucas's DNA… there was just no ugly there.

"Allie your mother is insane… you don't want to be a pole dancer… She's on some serious drugs right now… Like Deb"

"Hey! Not a good thing to say about the woman who just gave you 2 children… And I haven't had anything but Toradol since last night thank you very much! You see that girls? Your daddy wants to be single again… and he just might be if he doesn't start being nice to mommy… actually I take that back, we need his money… we'll just keep him locked up in whatever those things under houses are called"

"You're terrible…" Lucas laughed shaking his head at her. He could only imagine what things were going to be like when these 2 actually started talking and repeating what they said… that was going to be great, or really bad… either way he couldn't wait.

"I know and that's why you love me so much"

"Exactly…"

"Ok Allie, its Chloë's turn" Kerry said closing the incubator and moving to little Chloë. Brooke was so excited her heart was pounding. She had now at this very moment forgotten why she had never wanted children or played with baby dolls. Being here like this with Lucas was the best feeling she had ever have… suddenly everything she had accomplished in her life seemed stupid and pointless compared to this. The thought of having to go back to school and leaving them sucked… she wanted to stay home and play with them! Better yet… Lucas was home during the day too and as long as they didn't go stir crazy with 2 little babies… this was going to be awesome.

"Hey Chloë… my little trouble maker…" Lucas whispered to the baby.

"You have your daddy's fingers too…"

"I'm telling you babe… basketball"

"Ok… they can play basketball… But! If we ever have a boy, he has to take dance" Brooke giggled shrugging her shoulders at Lucas. The look on his face was so priceless she wished she hadn't used up all the pictures already on the babies.

"That's mean"

"Paybacks hell baby" Brooke giggled kissing his forehead. Lucas needed a boy, he was definitely in for it with 2 girls… but maybe in a few years when the girls might could actually help her with a baby they could have another one… although with her luck she'd be pregnant again in 3 months.

"There you are! We have been looking everywhere for you! You cant just run off like that without telling anyone!" A nurse called from the doorway. Lucas knew they were busted… they had stayed a lot longer than he had thought so he hadn't told anyone they were leaving.

"Busted"

"You didn't tell your nurse where you were going did you?"

"Um… not really" Brooke giggled not bothering to look at the nurse. She reminded her of her 2nd grade teacher who made her sit beside Tim all year and so she automatically hated her.

"Mrs. Davis…"

"Almost Scott"

"Whatever you are… its time we head back now… say your goodbyes" The nurse said firmly glaring at Lucas as she spoke. He didn't really care though… everything he had done for Brooke, and him had been totally worth it.

"Fine… bye Allie, bye Chloë, I'll be back, don't go anywhere"

"Bye girls… we love you… I'll take her back" Lucas smiled giving Brooke his 'yea right' look. But the nurse didn't have to know that.

"Straight back"

"Yes…"

"I'll see you 2 there" The nurse frowned walking out… leaving Brooke and Lucas alone.

"Are we really going straight back?"

"Hell no… gift shop first, their beds are too sad looking" Lucas laughed helping her into the wheelchair. There was no reason she had to stay cooped up in a hospital bed all day… why not let her shop and make her happy.

"And the spoiling begins"

Haley waited with Nathan, Karen and Andy for Brooke and Lucas to come back to the room. Sitting there while Karen slept and Andy and Nathan talked sports and work wasn't the most fun. She had to hear about this all the time at home and was starting to wish she had brought her laptop so she could get some work done. She was trying to get as much done as possible before their baby came. Unlike Brooke she didn't have the luxury of postponing School to be a mommy. After little James was born it was 8 weeks and then back to work and school. But that didn't bother her too much. She liked work and school… being a full time stay at home mom just wasn't in the cards for her. Thinking back though in high school that had been all she wanted. It had been what everyone had expected of her. Out of the 3 friends they all had their place according to their school consular. She had done a study with the 3 of them at the end of their senior year, pinning how their life would go.

"Ok you 3… I must say this whole experience has been fun. Learning about you and studying how 3 do very different girls become friends" The counselor said pulling the papers off her desk.

"That's all you wanted to know? Haley was best friends with my ex and she married Peyton's ex…" Brooke giggled rolling her eyes at the old woman. This whole experiment was bogus in her opinion… but it paid and she really needed the cash for a dress to wear to graduation

"Thank you for… that Brooke"

"We're getting paid for this right?"

"As soon as I give you the results" The counselor said with a forced smile. Brooke knew she didn't like her, she hadn't liked her since Brooke had kissed her son Jacob in the 7th grade and then told everyone he was a terrible kisser. Ever since then she had been out to get Brooke.

"Lets get it over with"

"Haley… from your written exam, the way you acted when we took you to the preschool and the fact you are already married I foresee you going to college, then grad school and maybe even getting a PHd. Afterwards having your typical family with Nathan… 3 kids. From the way you acted with the children I predict you will become a successful stay at home mom raising your children and filling your house with love"

"Haley really is a step ford wife!" Brooke shrieked. She couldn't understand why the woman was getting paid to do this… Brooke could have told everyone Haley was going to be a successful family momish person… it wasn't rocket science.

"Brooke!"

"Now on to Peyton…Your written exam showed you aren't going to give up everything you work for just for a family. Family is important to you but so is what you do for you. You answered questions that lead me to business. From the way you acted with kids I see you not having any children… but marrying into a family." The counselor smiled handing Peyton her paper. Peyton didn't look amused at her results.

"Home wrecker…" Brooke whispered rolling her eyes at Peyton

"What?"

"Nothing… my turn!"

"Brooke… Your written exam was interesting to me. Before this I made a guess what each of yours would show. I was right about Haley and Peyton… but totally wrong about yours. As it turns out you don't care about work or family… you wrote and I will quote you 'I just want to be happy in whatever I do'. You added that in a man with money wouldn't hurt and he had to be good looking" The counselor said not really showing any emotion. Brooke thought about what she had just said… it sounded about right, just how she had wanted it to sound… it was sick that this woman was getting paid for this.

"Hey… they didn't get quoted"

"You also wrote that you had no interest in children. Which I agree with… I don't see you as the motherly type… and yet at the preschool you looked as if you were having more fun than the children were"

"They had cool toys?" Brooke asked getting nervous. She didn't like it when people doubted her… what was wrong with this woman? Why couldn't she have just stuck with her 1st answer and been done with it… no she just had to pick on Brooke to get her revenge.

"Well even with your results I predict you marry a rich good looking man… You will be the typical rich mans wife happily shopping and not working… no children. Possibly someone like Felix"

"And this shocked you because?"

"Because I had already made that prediction about you when I read something that changed everything. You wrote 'I will not be like my mother' from this I concluded everything you told me above was what you wanted me to believe. Your fear of having children because you don't want to do to them what your mother did to you. Don't get me wrong Brooke…I feel very confident that you could marry a rich good-looking businessman twice your age, but I see you getting bored. You'll learn to find someone who challenges you as a person… someone who sees and understands you for you?" The counselor asked leaning down to Brooke's level. She could see the fear in her eyes. Someone had finally figured her out and Brooke didn't seem to like it.

"And let my life become a life time movie? Hell no… I liked the rich, hott older business man better"

"Your saying you would choose someone like Felix over lets say… someone like Lucas?"

This response caused more of a reaction from everyone than Haley thought. Brooke sat dumbfounded… looking as if someone had finally figured her out for the first time… someone other than Lucas was seeing the real Brooke and from what Haley could tell Brooke didn't like it. Peyton looked as if she had gone into a deep denial. She and Lucas had broken up almost 8 months ago and Lucas had already been back with Anna who was back from boarding school with a newfound love for guys… again. But everyone except for maybe Brooke knew Peyton was still I into Lucas. And Haley wasn't shocked at all. When she had first heard about Lucas and Brooke she hadn't thought anything of it. In fact she had told Peyton not to worry… she didn't see them as anything special. Now she was sure she was wrong. The only time Lucas really smiled was when he was with Brooke, and the only time Brooke was herself was when she was with Lucas.

After buying out the gift shop Brooke and Lucas finally started to head back to the room. She really didn't want to go. The fact that they were going to probably give her those damn anti depressants again made her want to stall as long as possible. She wasn't depressed… at least not anymore. Seeing her girls and getting out of that room with Lucas gave her much needed perspective on the situation and whatever that medicine was, was just going to screw all of this up. Down the hall she caught a glimpse of Haley's big belly and then looked down at her own. It was still puffy and swollen from surgery and being pregnant but it was a lot smaller than it had been yesterday at this time. Which meant hopefully she could be back into her clothes soon. Nathan was sitting beside Haley patting her stomach the way Lucas use to do hers. She assumed this was some kind of brother thing. Seeing Haley made her sad that she wasn't pregnant anymore, she felt empty and kind of lonely not having two little babies squirming around. But it also got rid of that gross 'Ew something is inside me moving' feeling she used to get when she really thought about what was happening to her body.

"Tutormom!" Brooke shrieked seeing Haley. She was so glad she was here. Haley knew about medicine so Brooke could ask her a gazillion questions without feeling stupid. Not to mention the fact that this was just another person she could show pictures of Allie and Chloë too.

"Brooke! You look a lot better than I thought you would"

"Babies tend to have that affect on me apparently"

"I saw pictures! Brooke, Lucas their beautiful!" Haley grinned hugging Lucas while Nathan hugged Brooke. She was shocked to see that Brooke wasn't anything like Karen had said… she didn't seem depressed or too cheery, she seemed like Brooke, normal crazy Brooke.

"Thanks Hales"

"Congrats man"

"You 2 go have your guy talk… I know you want too, Brooke, Karen and I will go back to the room" Haley smiled taking control of Brooke's wheelchair. Brooke couldn't wait to tell her all about the past couple of days events… Although she didn't want to scare her too bad considering Haley was still pregnant.

"You sure you don't want me to come with you?" Lucas whispered kissing her dimple. He wasn't really in the mood to leave her quite yet but he did need to get out, if only to eat and change clothes.

"I'm ok… go brag about our baby girls to your brother…"

"K, call me if you need me?"

"Hey Gorgeous… You wanna bring me some Bojangles?" Brooke giggled pulling him back before he was out of reach. All of this drama had her totally forgetting that she did need to eat… and there was no way she was eating that disgusting hospital food.

"Anything else?"

"Um, cute pajamas, and some magazines, and we need more film"

"Pink Pajamas?" Lucas laughed. Her and her pajamas… she had to get a new pair every 2 weeks because she claimed they lost their Sexiness after a while. Not that he minded… Brooke in her kind of pajamas definitely didn't bother him… even though he did figure he would try and find something a little less Brookeish and more Haleyish since she was in the hospital.

"How did you know?"

"Just a guess… I'll be back, love you"

"Love you too"

Peyton walked through Tric having total Da Ja Vu. She had forgotten what this place had meant to her. All the long nights here working and getting everything together. It's where she and Lucas had gotten together, where they had broken up, and so many other life changing events had happened here. Here had been the last time she had seen Jake. Such a big part of her life and just slipped away from here that night all because she had wanted Lucas so badly. She wasn't sure how after everything she and Jake had been through she had let him and Jenny slip through her fingers like that, his friendship though high school, and all the risks he had taken for her, had meant more to her than anything else. He was the one person she could trust no matter what and she had almost ruined him and Jenny's life with her selfishness of wanting both him and Lucas. It was no wonder she had turned to drugs and this place was probably part of the reason. Now here she was… in the same place she had been 7 years ago. Alone. Mary had had to go home and work… but left Peyton there so she could help out with the café and Tric. She felt like a hypocrite being here. Helping so Brooke and Lucas would have it easier but really plotting their downfall. She wasn't sure of anything anymore. 7 months ago she had been so sure she wanted to be with Lucas… and now everyday it seemed like she was loosing that.

"Your not planning on drinking that alone are you?" A voice asked from the door way. This was the final straw… didn't people understand closed meant closed? And what kind of loser can to an all ages club at lunchtime anyway?

"We're closed" Peyton snapped looking over at the door

"Wasn't that our favorite time to come here?"

"Jake…"