Events That Follow
Karen walked into the hospital not really sure what to expect. She had gotten a call from Lucas saying he was at the hospital and she needed to get down here as soon as possible. She breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted Lucas sitting on a bench with his head in his hands. But the relief didn't last long. She could tell he had been crying. She couldn't think of what might have happened that had her son in such a state. She walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Lucas?" She said quietly so as not to startle him. Lucas looked up to see who it was and jumped to his feet embracing his mom in a hug. "Lucas what's going on? You had me so worried."
"Its Brooke mom. Some idiot attacked her. She's pretty bad mom." HE said as tear started rolling down his cheeks again.
"Oh my God. IS she going to be alright?"
"She needs surgery. I can't get a hold of her dad. They won't do anything until they have consent from a legal guardian. I didn't know who else to call." He said as he looked at his mom with pleading eyes.
"I'll se what I can do. Wait here. Try to calm down sweetie. It'll be ok." She walked off while Luke once again took a set with his head buried in his hands. He couldn't shake the image of her lifeless body lying on the bed. Just then Haley came running up to him. He looked up at her. Neither of them said a word. He just collapsed into her arms and cried.
"What am I going to do Hales? You should have seen her. My Brooke. How could this happen?" Lucas said barely loud enough for her to hear.
"Shhh. It'll be ok. Everything's going to be ok." She soothed as best as she could. Truth was she didn't really know what to say.
"How do you know? What if she doesn't make it Haley? This is my fault."
"No. Lucas...This isn't your fault. No one could have known what was going to happen."
"But the guy did it to get back at me. IT should have been me."
"None of this is your fault Luke. You saved her life."
"I should have known when she didn't show up at the Cafe. I should have gone strait to her house. I was so stupid."
"You can't beat yourself up like this. You need to be strong for Brooke right now. She's going to really need you. Lucas it's because of you she's going to be ok." That's when Karen came back over to where the two were standing.
"They are taking her in for surgery now. They'll let us know when she's in recovery." Lucas pulled his mom in for a huge hug. He was so grateful to her for whatever it was she had done.
"How?" Was all he could manage to say.
"I told them that I was her aunt and that while her father was out of town I was her legal guardian." Before she could say anymore she was over taken by Lucas once again.
"Thank you mom."
"Your welcome son. Now I want you to try and get some rest. They told me there was a few reclining chairs in the waiting room. We can go sit in there and you can try to get some sleep. Haley you should head home. I will wait for the doctors."
"Ok Karen. I just have to go wait for Nathan." She gave Lucas one last hug before walking away.
"I don't think I could sleep right now. I'm too worried about Brooke."
"Lucas I am your mother and what I say goes. Now go get some rest." She said pushing her son towards the door.
Haley walked out of the hospital in a complete daze. How could someone in the world hurt someone so much. How could something like this happen? She heard stories of people in the world going through these kinds of things but she never dream it would happen to someone she was close to. Sure she and Brooke were never fond of each other. But in the last few weeks they really became good friends. Just then Haley was pulled from her thought by a voice yelling her name. She looked up to see Nathan running her way. Once he was standing in front of her Haley wasted no time to wrap her arms around him. She smashed her lips against his. He wasted no time to return the favor. It felt wrong to feel this good while their friend was in surgery. But at that moment they both realized just how much the other one meant to them.
"Nathan, promise me something."
"Anything."
"Promise me that we will always be together."
"Haley I swear on my life I will never leave you."
"Then let's get married now. Right now."
"What? Can we?"
"I don't know and I don't care. I just...I need you. I need to be your wife. I need to know that I will always have you."
"Haley, Haley. Slow down. You know I'm not going anywhere. But if this is what you want we'll find a way. I was going to wait and do this when I could take you on a nice date but..." He reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring he had planned on giving her tonight. "I know I already asked you to marry me. But I want you to have this." HE slipped it on her finger and again asked. "Will you marry me Haley James?"
"Yes Nathan. I will marry you." Sure this wasn't the most romantic way to do this. Sure they were standing in front of a hospital. But at least it was one of a kind. Haley thought to herself. After kissing for what seemed like forever. The happy couple drove back to Haley's house. Nathan decided it best if he stayed with her tonight.
Meanwhile back at the hospital Karen and Lucas were waiting to hear any news on Brooke's condition. When Lucas noticed a doctor walk in the room he jumped to his feet and rushed over to him.
"Are you here for Brooke Davis?" The doctor asked.
"Yes. Is she ok?" Lucas asked. Karen walked up beside him.
"I'm doctor Fern. Brooke suffered a rupture spleen. We managed to repair it nicely. She had two broken ribs that we reset so they could heal a little quicker. Other then that as far as injuries go she's lucky. Her face it pretty bruised up. We had to stick a few bite marks we found up. We did take some pictures for the police to use as evidence. Now the only problem remain is she has slipped into a coma. I'm sorry."
"A coma? Wha...when will she wake up?" Lucas questioned the Doctor.
"It's hard telling. Could be anywhere between a few hours to a few weeks. These things a tricky. But don't worry. We are watching her very closely and we thing she will make a quick recovery." At this the doctor walked away. But before he goes to far away Lucas ran back up to him.
"When can we see her?"
"She's in Recovery right now. But as soon as she's taken to her room you'll be able to see her." Lucas turned to his mom. He wasn't sure what to feel. A coma? Life couldn't get worse.
"Maybe you should call everyone. Let them know what's going on." Karen said bring Lucas back from his thoughts.
"Yeah I guess." He pulled his cell phone out and walked out of the building. He decided to call Payton first. He was surprised he didn't see her here.
"Hello?"
"Payton? Hey it…Lucas."
"Luke? What's up?"
"Ahh I just thought Id call and let you know Brooke is out of surgery and…."
"Wait what? What happened to Brooke?"
"Didn't Haley call you?"
"Yeah but her message cut in and out I couldn't understand a word. What happened?"
"She was attacked."
"WHAT? What do you mean attacked?"
Lucas told Payton the whole story. But before he could tell her about Brooke's coma she hung up the phone saying she was on her way. So that was why she hadn't come yet. She didn't know. Next she called Haley. The phone just rang and rang. No one seemed to be home.
"I knew I should have gotten Nathan's cell number before she left." He figured they must be over at Nathan's. Just then his mom came out to get him.
"Lucas. They said we could go see her now." He didn't waist any time he ran as fast as he could to her room. But he stopped in front of her door. He didn't know if he could bare to see her in the state she was in. But he took a deep breath and walked in. He stopped dead in his tracks. Right away tear came to his eyes.
"Oh baby. I'm so so sorry. God I wish I could have saved you from all of it." He picked up her hand and brought it to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss on her fingers then spoke at a whisper. "I promise I will take care of you. I love you Brooke." For the rest of the night Lucas never left her side. Part of him was too afraid to let her out of his sight. Could he ever forgive himself? More importantly would she?