Disclaimer: Don't own. Still.

A/N: Here is chapter three! I hope that it's okay because I really struggled through it.

It's true what they say: the darkest hour is just before the dawn. When you think you've lost all hope, when you think you can't possibly go on, you remember – things will get better. You have to believe in the strength and immensity of love. You have to remember in the good and believe that everything will be okay.

Lucas was at his darkest hour as he sat in Brooke's hospital room beside her. Throughout all the years he'd known Brooke Davis, he'd never have thought that it'd get to this. He'd never thought that he'd feel like he couldn't go on without seeing her smile. Without seeing her get all perky and start throwing out made-up nicknames when she got really excited. Lucas remembered when he'd realized that he couldn't live without Brooke in his life - it had been after Keith's failed wedding to Jules and she told him that her parents were moving to California.

Since then, he'd always made sure to do whatever it took to make sure that Brooke would never walk out of his life. Of course, he hadn't took Peyton randomly kissing him in the library on the day of the shooting into consideration as a situation that he should try to avoid. It'd happened and he'd hated himself for it – he hated himself for being so weak that he couldn't tell Brooke, just because he was scared that she'd leave him.

The door creaked open and Lucas turned to see his mom greet him with a soft smile.

"How's she doing?"

"The doctor's did everything they could. Now, she just has to wake up."

"And she will, Lucas. I brought you some food because I figured you haven't eaten in awhile – oh, and I also brought you your phone. You forgot it in the car."

Lucas nodded his thanks to his mother and dug into the food ravenously while Karen paused to touch Brooke on the arm.

"Come back to us Brooke."

*

As Haley walked back into the hospital, she decided she'd seen enough of the hospital in Tree Hill to last her a lifetime. This wasn't the honeymoon she had dreamed of but as long as everyone was okay, she would chalk it up as the best honeymoon ever. Nathan was at their apartment sleeping and truthfully, Haley was at a loss on what to do. She was scared for her best girl friend – Brooke – and she was scared of what Brooke's accident might mean for the two of them. She remembered the night before the wedding when Brooke had stopped by looking panicked.

"Tutor-wife, this is bad. This is bad bad. Like really bad."

Haley laughed at Brooke's dramatics, it was impossible not to. "Slow down, Tigger, what's wrong?"

"I'm late."

Haley's eyes widened in shock at Brooke's words and she pulled her over to the bed. "Have you taken a pregnancy test yet?"

"No. I'm too scared to take one. What am I going to do?" Brooke whimpered pitifully into Haley's shoulder.

"It'll be okay Brooke. Can I tell you something also?"

"Is it worse then me being late?" Brooke asked hopefully.

"That depends. I'm late also."

Brooke looked at Haley in shock and flung herself back on the bed. "God, look at us. We've got to take those tests."

"Tomorrow, we'll go to the doctor's office and take a pregnancy test so we'll know for sure."

"It's a deal. It's all going to be okay, isn't it Haley?"

"I hope so, Brooke, I hope so."

But they'd never gotten the chance to go to the doctors and take the test. Brooke had shown up too late and they'd agreed to put it off for another week – at least until Haley got back from her honeymoon.

*

It wasn't until later that Lucas thought to look at his cell phone and he nearly dropped his phone in shock when he saw that there was a voice mail message from Brooke on it.

He excused himself from his mom, kissed the unconscious Brooke gently on the cheek and walked out into the hospital lobby to hear the message that his pretty girl had left him. Except in his haste, he ran straight into Haley who shielded herself upon impact.

"Hey Hales, how's Nate doing?"

"He's at home sleeping right now. How are Brooke and Rachel doing now?"

"A nurse came in with word that Rachel had woken up a bit ago so I guess all we have to do is wait for Brooke now. What are you doing here?"

"Oh just checking on Brooke, you know-" Haley said awkwardly as a nurse interrupted their conversation.

"Mrs. Scott? Doctor West is ready to see you now." The nurse smiled at her kindly while Haley's face turned beet red.

"Err – sorry Luke, got to go. I'll be by to visit Brooke in a bit."

Lucas could only raise an eyebrow at her. Since when did Haley start lying to him? He shook those thoughts off though as he dialed his voice mail and heard Brooke's voice again.

*

As Lucas walked happily back towards Brooke's hospital room, Karen met him outside the door with a beaming smile.

"Brooke's awake."