Chapter 11.
Karen and Brooke spent the following night by Lucas' bedside. The doctor came in and out to check on him but there had been no improvement. Lucas still looked pale and unwell. Brooke couldn't wait to talk to him again. Once she could hear him talk again she knew everything would be okay. She had spent the whole day crying at the thought of losing him. Her eyes were red and puffy. Karen tried to be strong but she had excused herself to go to the bathroom a few too many times. Brooke knew she'd been crying too. Just when they thought Lucas was going to be okay. Brooke was already scared of hospitals, but this happening to Lucas just increased her fear and reduced her trust in doctors in general.
The next morning, Brooke woke up when Peyton, Haley and Nathan entered the room. Haley looked as if she had had no sleep whatsoever. Nathan had a comforting arm around her, holding her tight. Peyton stood in silence. Brooke saw this and wished she was able to do that with Lucas.
"How is he?" Haley asked, her voice hoarse from tiredness.
"There has been no change" Brooke replied
"They are keeping him sedated until he can breathe on his own again" Karen said quietly, never taking her eyes off Lucas.
"Oh" Haley whispered. She had been hoping for better news. She thought she would arrive in this morning to see Lucas sitting up in bed chatting with a cheeky grin on his face. It would be an understatment to say she was disappointed. Seeing the look on her face, Brooke got up and hugged her tightly.
"He is going to be fine" Brooke said, tears forming in her eyes again.
"I know, Brooke" Haley replied "It's just you can't help but..." Haley didn't finish her sentence, not wanting to tempt fate.
"He's tough" Nathan said out of the blue, he had been staring at Lucas since he entered the room. He was still in a state of disbelief.
Brooke took her seat beside Lucas' bed again. She took his hand and squeezed it lightly. She felt his fingers move in her hand.
"Lucas?" Brooke looked desperatley to see if he was wakening.
"Brooke what is it?" Karen asked
"He just moved his hand. I felt it" Brooke said tears running freely down her face. She saw Lucas' eyes begin to flutter.
"I'll go get a doctor" Nathan exited the room quickly.
"Lucas?" Brooke repeated "Lucas can you hear me"
Lucas' eyes opened slowly. He felt so drowsy. Why was everything taking so long to come into focus. Thirty seconds later he realised there was something very uncomfortable in his throat. He began gagging. It hurt like hell. Luckily the doctor had just entered the room.
"Lucas, good to see you're awake. Stop trying to cough. We are going to take the tube out now." Lucas eyes shot from side to side. He was completely disoriented. Nothing was entirely in focus yet and he felt so uncomfortable. He could feel his hands shaking with nerves. Brooke took his hand and rubbed it soothingly helping him came down.
"Okay Lucas, when I count to three I want you to breathe out, it will be uncomfortable at first. Ready?" Lucas nodded "Okay, One Two Three...Breathe out, that's it" The doctor encouraged as he pulled the tube out. Lucas coughed hard. A pained expression on his face. He was still shaking over the whole ordeal.
"Brooke?" He croaked. She hugged him slowly not wanting to hurt him, "I'm so glad...you're here" He got out breathlessly "Mom?" He turned around to hug his mom tightly. "I'm so glad you're okay Luke." She hugged him back.
Nurses came in to make Lucas more comfortable. He was more weak now than he had been three days ago. Karen was still worried about her boy. Lucas spent the morning drifting in and out, still exhausted from the sedatives. Brooke stayed with him every minute. At about 7 O'Clock Lucas stirred.
"Brooke?" He said, his voice still hoarse from the tube.
"Hey you" She said quietly kissing his hand, "How are you feeling"
"I've been better" He smiled, "But all the better for seeing you"
"I missed you, I was so worried about you"
"I'll be okay... I'm tough you know that" She leaned in to kiss him lightly.
She pulled back "I love you, you know that, right"
"I love you too Brooke." He squeezed her hand
"I don't know what I would have done if..." her voice became thick with emotion. "if"
"I'm okay now, don't worry." He slowly put his arm around her. She nestled her head in his chest. He felt his eyelids grow heavy as they fell asleep in each others arms.
AN: Thanks for all the reviews! Still thinking about what to write next so I guess you'll have to just wait and see or else make some suggestions.