A/N:Hey everyone, thanks for being so patient since my last update!The last week of uni has been particularly insane (I really hate online subjects). I love all the reviews I have been getting, they are awesome. I plan to update in the next couple of days, so please read and review!
Chapter 22-Even When I'm Sleeping
The parents of Ella Penelope Davis had hardly moved in the week she had remained in the NICU. She had become stable over the passing days, much to the delight to her parents and extended family. Once again she had been moved out of the NICU and had finally been told by Dr Reynolds, the neurosurgeon that operated on Ella that she could go home in the coming weeks.
"Hey girly girl, how is my beautiful goddaughter today?" Haley said softly to the sleeping infant.
"Can I tell you a little secret?" she said, feeling the small digits on the baby's finger
Haley waited for response for a moment before continuing
"I'm going to have a baby girl, just like you. And I hope she is going to be as beautiful and strong as her cousin is"
Haley softly kissed Ella on the forehead before quickly leaving the nursery.
Lucas and Brooke were currently in the offices of Dr Reynolds, who was explaining the ramifications of Ella's condition
"Now, as you both know, I installed a shunt in Ella's brain the drains fluid from her brain to the abdomen" Both nodded in understanding
"Over the next couple of months, I want you to keep a careful eye on her, along with the monthly checkups; the size of Ella's brain will be monitored for the next year"
"So Ella will be fine?"
"From what I can tell now, yes. But I will see you all next month for her check up"
"Thankyou doctor" Lucas said shaking the older gentleman's hand
"It's my pleasure"
"Can you believe it Luke, we are taking Ella home"
"We?" he asked his eyes raised
"Well you know what I mean, back to the apartment" she said quietly
"But I thought since…."
Brooke looked questionably into his eyes before motioning them to sit in the waiting room outside the NICU.
She sighed heavily before continuing
"Luke I think we should go back to our own apartments" Brooke said
"But what about Ella? I thought when we kissed…"
"That we could start things up again? I just don't think I am ready for that yet Luke. Ella is only just starting to get better, and I don't need to be distractions" she said shaking her head slightly
"Oh ok" he said in a defeated manner
"But Lucas, it doesn't mean you aren't apart of Ella's life. Our lives. You can see her as much as you like"
Lucas smiled at Brooke as she got up from her seated position.
"Now let's see our little girl" she said patting him reassuringly on the shoulder
Brooke breathed a sigh of relief as Ella's eyes fluttered shut. It had been a long day, with everyone giving Brooke their 2 cents worth. It had been a week since Ella was discharged from the hospital and although she had been petrified to be alone with the baby at first, she enjoyed the quiet moments when it had been just her and her daughter. The last month had made Brooke realise that she was stronger than she had thought, and that she was able to look after a child by herself.
Brooke crept out of the nursery, and flopped onto the couch. She hadn't washed her hair in days, had spit up all over her tank top, but she didn't care. Motherhood had certainly changed the reformed party girl. Brooke savoured the time when Ella slept, so she could sleep also. Brooke turned on the baby monitor, placed it on the table next to the couch and succumbed to a sleepy slumber.
A wail through the air woke Brooke with a start. She rushed into the nursery, where Ella was wide awake, and her arms flailing about. Brooke quickly picked her daughter up, and looked over at the nearby clock. 2:40 am.
"Dear Ella, what's wrong, honey?" Brooke muttered rubbing circles on the neonates back. This did nothing to soothe her.
Brooke lifted Ella to the nearby change tale to check her nappy. Clean. Brooke scratched her head in frustration, what was wrong with her? She wasn't hungry, or had indigestion. Brooke didn't know what to do. Tears rapidly started to fall, as she rocked Ella back and forth. How could I not know what is wrong with my own daughter? She thought. Ella's wails seemed to intensify, sensing her mother's distress.
Finally, after frantically looking through every baby book she had, she reached for the phone, with one hand while rocking Ella in the other.
"Hello?" a weary voice answered the phone
"Ella wont stop crying" Brooke sobbed into the phone
"Brooke?"
"Yes, Luke, Ella won't stop crying" she repeated with more urgency in her voice.
"I'll be right over" he said before hanging up
Lucas hastily reached for a pair of pants and a t-shirt before racing out the door
13 minutes later Lucas rushed into Brooke's apartment, using the key she had given him for emergencies, to find Brooke, her hair up in a messy bun, wearing only boy leg shorts and his Keith's body shop sweat shirt, singing a little off key to a distressed baby. He had wondered where that particular sweat shirt had gone. He always thought it got lost over the years. But Brooke, gorgeous Brooke, who never looked sexier in that moment, and probably didn't even realise it, had had it all these years.
"Smile like you heart though your heart is breaking, smile even though it's breaking" she was singing softly to her child
"Brooke?"
"Luke thank god. I've tried everything, but she
wont stop crying" Brooke wailed, almost as distraught as the child
in her arms
"Its ok, Brooke, let me see my beautiful daughter" he said, reaching out to Brooke.
Ella nestled into the arms of her father, but remained to cry
"What's wrong, Elle" he said softly to her
Brooke remained pacing and starting ranting
"I didn't know what to do Luke, she doesn't need changing, and she isn't hungry, or have indigestion, I tired everything that stupid book said and I don't know I didn't know what to do-
"Cheery!"
"What Luke?" she said stopping dead in her tracks
"Look.."
Ella was reaching for Lucas' apartment keys, a smile adorning her minute face.
"How did you do that?"
"I remembered Jenny used to love playing with keys"
"Thanks Luke" Brooke said softly as he placed the set of keys on the mobile above Ella's cot.
The pair watched their child for a few moments as she drifted off to sleep once more, leaving her parents to walk slowly back into the lounge
"Thanks Luke, I really mean it"
"That's ok Cheery, I'll always be here for you" he said softly kissing her on the cheek.
Brooke blushed slightly, knowing the way she must have looked and smelt at that moment.
"Well I better get going…" Lucas said awkwardly
"No its ok Luke, its..'Brooke reached out to look at Lucas' watch ' 4.00 in the morning, just stay here"
"Well if it is ok with you" he said uncertainly
"It is, I'm offering"
"I guess I can take the couch then" Lucas said motioning towards the lumpy two seater.
"Don't be silly, the couch willl give you scoliosis the rest of your life. You know the deal. You take the left side, I take the right" she said, walking into the bedroom
"Are you sure?"
"Positive" Brooke said smiling back, and heading towards the bathroom
Lucas reluctantly climbed into the left side of the bed, although he remained fully clothed. He lay back onto the pillow, briefly inhaling the scent of the fabric. Lavender. Brooke was always insistent on using lavender laundry powder. God how he had missed that smell. He closed his eyes before Brooke walked back into the room.
Brooke walked in, now fresh from the shower, her hair dripping slightly onto the floor. She smiled as she saw the seemingly sleeping form of her ex inhabit her bed. She walked around to the right side of the bed, moving slowly under the covers.
Lucas was now on his side facing her. He could smell as she walked into the room the shampoo she always used. It was this citrus smell that drove Lucas crazy. As Brooke climbed further into the bed, she shuffled until her body nestled into the curve of his, almost like she had been doing it everyday of their lives. This was always her favourite place, her slender body fitting perfectly with his. He draped his hand protectively around her waist, as they slowly drifted off to sleep.