Chapter 36

The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice playing.

Nathan's minds still raced. It was six in the morning. We've been through so much, Haley and I. And all of this is going to end because we just give up? No. It won't happen. I won't let it happen. Haley's my wife. I need to step up and be a man and get her back. How the hell did I ever like Rachel? How could she determine my marriage. Why should I let her have control over that? She shouldn't, and there's no way in hell I'm gonna let her.

And so it is.

"Haley!"

Brooke finally got the strength to get up in her clothes that had been worn the day before. She had been sitting at that kitchen table the entire night. She hadn't gotten any sleep, she had been crying the nonstop, the entire time. Now Brooke was just in complete shock.

Just like you said it would be.

She walked into the bedroom to find Chase out like a rock. He hadn't gone to bed until five when Brooke said she was going to bed. She had just tricked him so he could get some sleep. There was no way she was ever going to go to bed.

Not now. She thought as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Life goes easy on me.

"Brooke." Chase said, running to her, where she sat down on the hospital bed.

"Chase," She said weakly. Chase kissed her on the forehead and looked into her eyes, but then realized that she would see those eyes and he quickly turned away.

Brooke noticed it and had confused look was on her face. She knew now that something was wrong and she turned her head.

"What's wrong?" She said, dreading the answer.

"..."

"Is it the baby?" Brooke said, panicky.

Chase nodded. "You.. you lost it babe" He said sadly.

Brooke's eyes fill with so many tears, but she would not let them fall.

Most of the time.

They just stared into each other's eyes. Brooke closed her's and let the tears come down. She couldn't handle it anymore and let herself break down as she started sobbing. He took her hand and the tears started forming in his own.

And so it is.

She had never felt so much pain. Her heart hurt so much, and when she heard that sentence that he told her, that heart broke into a million pieces. She wanted to pick them up, and put them back together so she could feel happy again. But, she couldn't, as much as she wanted to. She just felt so lost. Even though Chase was there with her through it all, she never had felt more alone in her life.

The shorter story.

Brooke stopped in the hallway, and looked at the door that was closed. It never was, and that made her curious.

She stepped once and then put her hand on the knob as she slowly turned it. She stood there, looking at the beautifully painted yellow room with a rocking chair and a crib, and it felt like someone had stabbed her in the gut over and over again.

No love, No glory.

She stared at it, her hands started shaking and she turned around to see Chase, a sad face appearing.

"What.. What is this?" Brooke asked, her voice sounding uneasy.

No hero in her skies.

His head looked down at the carpet, and she could tell that he looked about as hurt as she did.

I can't take my eyes off of you.

"The night. before the wedding. The guys and I set it up, Brooke, I'm sorry, I completely forgot about it until now."

She wiped a tear and licked her lips, turning around to the nursery. "Go." She said weakly, sitting down on the rocking chair set up and staring at the crib.

"Brooke.. I don't think it's a-"

"Please." She said.

And so it is.

"Okay." He said, walking down the hallway, feeling like a zombie, closing his eyes for a second before opening them once more.

Brooke put her hands on her thighs, exhaling, her voice shaky. She held them tightly, as if they were the only thing holding her up. She felt so weak, and she was shaking so much that she felt like she was going to faint. She closed her eyes so tightly, and her mouth was shaking and she felt that horrible feeling in her throat when she tried not to cry. But, she sobbed and she fell to the ground, cradling her stomach. She wasn't sure how she was able to go on. Not like this.

Like you said it should be.

-

Lucas ran, looking for the number, hoping it would be there. 12... 12.. No, not 8. He searched quickly, looking around. He stopped when we reached the door, the number 12 on it.

Luke knocked on it, hoping for an answer. He waited nervously, playing around with his hands.

We'll both forget the breeze.

He saw a blonde appear when the door opened, and he smiled but then it faded when he saw the look on her face.

She was about to close the door, but he put his hand on it.

"Peyton! Please."

Peyton looked sad, and also angry with a firm look on her face.

"I'm sorry.. I'm so sorry." Luke said sadly, out of breath.

Most of the time.

Her face softened, but she still didn't look convinced.

"I forgive you." He said quickly. "I know you probably don't believe-"

And so it is.

Peyton quickly kissed Lucas and he touched her face, kissing her again.

"I missed that." He said, them both smiling, and Luke kissed her quickly again.

The colder water.

Brooke walked slowly into the kitchen of their apartment, where she found Chase sitting down.

She wiped her tears and cleared her throat, her face sad.

"I'm leaving." She said weakly and sadly, picking up her suitcase.

The blower's daughter.

Chase looked shocked and acted quickly as she headed towards the door.

"Brooke!" He said, grabbing her arm that was on the knob.

The pupil in denial.

She looked at him from the corner of her eyes, as she started tearing up.

"Don't go. Please. I.. I need you Brooke." He said sadly. "I can't do this without you.. I need you." He said again, looking straight into her eyes.

I can't take my eyes off you.

She burst into tears, and he held her in her arms, as his eyes watered as well.

Haley walked towards the door, ignoring Nathan when he called her name again.

Did I say I loathe you?

Why are you running from your problems? You need to talk to him. You love him. What are you doing?

He wanted her to turn around, and tell him that she didn't want a divorce, and wanted to be with him again.

But she didn't, and that broke his heart.

Did I say I want to?

As he watched her go, he missed her already.

Leave it all behind?

I can't take my mind off of you.

My mind..

'Til I find somebody new.