Chapter 18

Brooke and Lucas were awoken the following morning by the doctor. He told Lucas that he would have to wait outside the room for a little while he ran some more tests and then talked to Brooke about her options again.

"It's okay Doctor. If you don't mind, I would like him to say." Brooke pleaded, she was finally allowing someone in her life.

"Okay" the doctor agreed and Lucas sat back down.

The doctor performed the tests and then left the room.

"Thanks" Brooke said

"I told you I would be here for you and I meant it. Whatever you want I'm here." He leaned over and gave her another kiss.

The doctor came back in.

"Well Ms. Davis, I'm afraid the news is not good. Like I told you before, the cancer is continuing to spread."

She looked down at her lap and Lucas grabbed her hand for support.

"I would like to take this time again to urge you to take Chemotherapy. It may be your only chance of surviving."

She looked at Lucas and he stared back. All that was going through his head was why she hadn't taken it in the first place.

"How long do I have without the Chemo?" he couldn't believe she was actually even asking this question

"About 9 months."

She let a tear slide down her face. She squeezed Lucas' hand as hard as she could. She was falling and needed someone to catch her.

"Can I have a little time to think." She asked the doctor

"Of course. Just let me know when you have reached a decision." And he left the room

"Brooke, why do you even need to think about it. Of course, you're taking the Chemo."

"Lucas I don't know"

"How don't you know?" he was so confused why she was giving up when the solution was in reach.

"I know it's a good thing and all but it would change me Luke, and then everyone would know, and…" she saw her world slipping between her grasp

"Brooke, it's the only way for you survive. That's way more important than people knowing Brooke. I cant believe we're even discussing this."

"Luke, this is a big decision I must make"

"But what happens when you're not here Brooke. What about your family? What about your friends? What about me? What about our child?" he began to cry and she was already crying "Brooke we need you. I need you. I need you to be here with me"

She didn't know what to say. Yeah Chemo would change her. And yeah it would probably get worse before it started getting better. But she couldn't give up. Not when the love of her life was pouring his soul onto hers in hopes of her agreeing to fight for her life. How could she have been so selfish. She had other people in her life that would be affected by the decision she made.

She looked up at him, tears falling from both of their eyes. She leaned over and kissed him. He wrapped her in his arms.

"I'll do it Luke. I'll do it for you" he kissed the top of her head

"Thank you"

"Anything for you" she said and closed her eyes and let him hold her forever.

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Haley was getting ready to leave when Nathan woke up.

"Where are you going?" he asked

"I told you, I need to go see her"

"Do you want me to drive you?"

"No I got it." She said and left the apartment.

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There was a knock at the door and Haley walked into the hospital room. Brooke was sitting up in bed and Lucas was sitting next to her.

"Hey" Haley said faintly.

"Hey Hales" Lucas responded.

Brooke looked at her and began to form tears. Lucas knew the two needed to talk so he decided to leave.

"I'm just gonna go get some coffee" and he walked out the door, winking at Haley as he left.

"I'm so sorry Brooke. I never meant to betray you. All I wanted was what was best for you honestly."

"Haley I understand. I needed to tell him, but I was just scared."

"So you're not mad at me anymore?"

"No Hales."

"Thank God. I don't think I could stand not to talk to you."

They both laughed. Haley sat on the chair next to the bed and they shared a moment of silence.

"So how was prom?" Brooke finally asked

"It was awesome, but it would have been a lot better if you guys would have been there. Oh that reminds me, you guys won king and queen."

"Really?"

"Yeah"

"That's awesome" and then she began to form more tears.

"What is it?" Haley asked "I thought that would be good news"

"No it is…it's just we weren't there and I'm sure Lucas would have wanted to be there and…"

"Brooke, he was here with you. I think that's the only place he would have wanted to be" she smiled at her friend

"Yeah I guess you're right."

After another pause, Haley finally asked the question: "So Brooke, how bad is it really?"

"It's not good." She fought back all the tears she wanted to cry. She still wanted to look as strong as possible, but she realized it was time to tell Haley the truth. "The cancer is spreading rather quickly through my body and the doctor gave me 9 months to live."

"Oh God" Haley gasped as she put her hands to her mouth.

"But, that was before I accepted Chemo. I mean even with that there's no 100 guarantee, but it's a better chance." She waited for Haley to say something. Then Lucas walked back into the room.

"Is it safe to enter?" he asked as he peeked his head inside the door.

"Yes it is my king" Brooke responded

"What?"

Haley moved toward the door to leave. She smiled at Brooke and then turned toward Luke and whispered in his ear. "Your queen is waiting" and she patted him of the shoulder and left.

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Peyton sat by her computer when Haley walked in.

"Hey there" she said

"Hey Haley" Peyton replied as she turned around "What can I do for you?"

"Well I was hoping we could talk about Brooke"

"Is she okay?" Peyton asked with worry

"For now. She's stronger than she'll ever know. She has Leukemia Peyton, and the signs arent looking good."

"How long does she have?"

"Without the Chemo, the doctor gave her 9 months" Peyton's eyes grew wide. "But I'm sure the coaxing of someone special, she agreed to take Chemo."

"Thank God for that" Peyton replied.

"She really needs her friends right now Peyton, but I'm sure she'll never admit that."

"That's true. Brooke Davis has always been stubborn." They both smiled at that. In that moment, they both made a pact to be there for their friend, to support her, and to give her love, tough or not, even when she didn't want it. They realized they needed Brooke Davis in their lives, and they vowed not to let her leave them anytime soon.

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