Chapter 11

Brooke lay in Peyton's bed, restlessly trying to sleep. It was the first night she had been away from her friend and also the first night she had spent completely alone. She didn't like it, she didn't like being away from Peyton and she certainly didn't like how she had basically just told the whole world her friend was lying in a hospital bed.

'Enough' a pissed of Brooke said. If she couldn't get to sleep she may as well go back to the hospital so at least she's there for Peyton. She knew she needed the rest, this whole thing had really taken it's tole on Brooke but she just got on with it. Peyton would be better soon. That's what she kept telling herself.

She dragged herself out of bed and got herself dressed. On the drive over she found herself stopped at the very same junction Peyton had her accident. She shuddered at the thought of it and drove quickly on. Brooke arrived at the hospital and headed up to Peyton's room, she wasn't surprised to find her friend asleep and she soon snuggled into her usual chair and fell quickly asleep.

Meanwhile, Lucas Scott was down at the river court. Sure it was past midnight but the court was where he did his best thinking and right now he really needed to think. His best friend, his Peyton, was in hospital seriously hurt and had been for quite some time now and he hadn't even known about it. This was completely screwed up he thought, he should have been there for her, he should of been at her bedside when she woke up. He was supposed to saver her. Brooke was so selfish to have kept this from him, she would have known he would want to be there, he just didn't understand all the secrecy. Luke was just confused.

After a lot more missed shots, Lucas was becoming more and more worked up, why hadn't he been told about this? He understood the whole him, Peyton and Brooke love triangle thing was awkward but when something as huge as this happens he would of thought it would all be kind of temporarily forgotten but apparently not. His worry was rapidly turning into anger and he just couldn't help it. He needed to see the two of them, he wanted answers and even though he was angry he desperately longed to see Peyton, he missed her and he needed to make sure she was really okay.

He got into his car and drove like a mad man in the direction of the hospital. He wanted to see Peyton NOW, why should he wait? He didn't mind if she was asleep, he wouldn't wake her, he just wanted to see her, where was the harm in that? He would go back in the morning with the others to see her properly, no one need ever know.

He entered the hospital lobby, he and the receptionist were the only people there, it was 2 a.m after all.

'Can I help you son?' the lady spoke softly

'Erm... yeah please, I'm looking for Peyton Sawyer, what room is she in please?'

'Young man have you seen what time it is?!'

'Yes I'm sorry but if I could just see her please? I've only just found out about her accident, please ma'am you'd be really helping me out'

'I'm sorry but Miss Sawyer hasn't been well enough for visitors, only a few people are aloud in I'm sorry, try again in the morning'

'But I'm her boyfriend, please, I won't wake her' Lucas resorted to lying

'Oh, your the boyfriend? We've been wondering when you would come, go on up son but don't be long'

The ladies in reception had seen Peyton come in and frequently asked Brooke and Karen how she and the babies were but were always confused by the fact they had never seen a man come to see her, surely the father would want to check on her and his children? The receptionist just presumed that Lucas was this man.

Lucas thanked her but was confused about how the receptionist thought Peyton had a boyfriend. Peyton didn't have a boyfriend. Did she? She was supposed to be with him. He headed up to the intensive care floor where Peyton still was and gently opened the door to her room.

He gasped as he looked at her, the first thing that registered with him was the large bump under the blankets where Peyton lay. Peyton usually had such a slim, slender figure but now it was all out of proportion. Lucas' mind was working overtime then it hit him like a ton of bricks, this wasn't a weight gain, this was baby weight. Peyton was pregnant.

He just gawked at her and stood in the doorway for about 10 minutes. Millions of questions flowing through his mind. Was the baby okay? How far along was she? Why didn't she tell her? Was it HIS?

Luke stepped through the door and pulled it shut behind him. He made sure he was quiet because he didn't want to wake Peyton but more importantly he didn't want to wake Brooke who was sleeping in the corner, he thought it best to avoid confrontation. He looked at Peyton's face now rather than her protruding stomach, boy was she a mess. He now understood why she was being kept in the intensive care unit, she had gashes all over her face and her eyes were still dark with bruising, if this is her improved after a week he was kind of glad he hadn't seen her straight after the accident.

He walked straight up to her bed and just looked at her sleeping, it was not a peaceful sleep, she looked troubled and in pain. All Lucas wanted to do was hold her, just try and make her feel better. He gently outstretched his hand and gently brushed against Peyton's bump.

He whispered, his voice breaking a bit 'This isn't happening to you Peyton...'

He should have stayed quiet, his whisper was enough to wake up Brooke who awoke with a start and when she came to just glared at Lucas. Her eyes told Lucas to comply and she ushered him out of the room, she walked him down the corridor and into a relatives room where they wouldn't disturb anyone. Brooke pushed the door to then erupted

'WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING HERE LUCAS SCOTT?!'

Luke was lost for words, dumbfounded 'I...I...I came to see Peyton'

'I said in the morning Luke, I was gonna tell her, explain, make sure she was okay with it but now... Now you KNOW' Brooke began to cry 'She's gonna kill me Lucas, she doesn't even know that you know she's in the hospital, I told her to tell you all but then the accident and... and I just can't do this anymore'

Lucas pulled her into a hug but Brooke soon fought her way out of it

'No Luke, you shouldn't be here, she didn't want anyone to know she was pregnant yet, she can't handle it and this is just going to get her stressed, she can't leave me again Lucas she can't'

'Brooke it's okay, Peyton is strong. Why didn't you tell me about this I would of been here! For the accident... and the pregnancy'

Brooke tried to avoid Luke's gaze but he looked her right in the eyes

'She's pregnant Brooke, is it mine?'

'Lucas this isn't a conversation to be having with me, it's not my place. Don't ask my to do this'

'Okay Brooke we will talk some other time, maybe in the morning? Can I just go in and say goodnight to her? Please?'

'Don't wake her Lucas, it's not the right time'

With that Lucas walked back down the corridor and reentered Peyton's room. He softly stroked her hair and whispered in her ear

'It's good to see you Peyton, I'll be back in the morning' He rubbed her bump once more and added 'I'm not going anywhere' gently he kissed her forehead and left the room.

He hugged Brooke and left the hospital, saying another quick thanks to the receptionist. But when he finally got home his mother was waiting up for him

'WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?'

'The hospital mom, to see Peyton'

Karen looked shocked 'You've seen Peyton?'

'Yeah, she was in a terrible accident mom, wait, you knew she was in there?' Karen nodded 'Why didn't you tell me?'

Lucas looked so very hurt but Karen just told the truth 'Because I was asked not to and at the time it was the best thing to do to keep Brooke calm'

'But Peyton's pregnant mom, I needed to know that!'

'I didn't think you did, it's not your child Luke, well children, she is expecting twins but they are not your responsibility Lucas'

Lucas stuttered 'Twins?... Not Mine?' Then all of a sudden he broke down 'She's hurt real bad mom'

'I know son I know but she's getting stronger everyday now, don't you worry'

He sobbed some more then headed to bed where he continued to cry until he drifted off to sleep, crying mainly over the mess Peyton was in but a small part of him was crying over how those babies inside of her weren't his.

'I wish they were mine' he whispered.