Author's Note: While reading this chapter, I'd suggest listening to 'Anabel' by Midlake. That's what I was listening to during a lot of the writing. Now, first, I know this chapter is a lot shorter than most of the others, and I know it's not the best, but I just couldn't get it to come out the way I wanted.

Second, this is our 40th chapter! Can you believe that? I can't. It's been a long journey, and there's only about eight chapters left. Eight! Isn't that weird?

Third, I'd like to thank Tamarindo for leaving… pretty much a novel. I mean, I've gotten good reviews before (from all of you, of course. Heh) but this was an amazing review. Thanks to every reader of this story for just reading. I know it's hard on a lot of you who don't agree with the choices I make, but those of you that stick with me… I hope you're finding the journey is worth it.

Movie Script Ending

Chapter Forty: You're All We've Got

Her eyelids felt like cinderblocks as she attempted to pull them open. Her first feeling was tired, so, so tired, and the room was very bright.

Allowing her eyes to slowly adjust to the light of the hospital room, she frowned trying to remember how she'd even ended up here. A dull pain down below reminded her, and she placed her right hand on her stomach.

Her heart dropped. Her stomach felt so much flatter than she remembered. In fact, it was almost as if she'd never been pregnant to begin with. The only reminder was a small bump, small enough to be confused with a simply chubby stomach.

Brooke groaned, reaching for the small button she knew to be the nurse call button. She'd been in a hospital room exactly like this before; she had woken up confused and scared, and had later received some of the worst news of her life. She knew what was coming.

How had she not expected this? Did she really think fate or karma would let her keep this baby? Still, she felt a wave of sorrow wrench through her. This was not fair. She had been a good person once, she was trying, still, to be a good person.

The door opened, and a nurse stepped in, smiling brightly. Behind her was her husband, holding a small bundle in his arms and grinning like he'd just won the lottery.

Brooke sat up. "What happened?"

"Well, Mrs. Scott," the nurse chirped, pulling open the blinds and flooding more light into the room. Brooke suddenly felt wide awake. "You had yourself a little baby girl. Did a fantastic job in the delivery room. Hardly shouted any obscenities."

Lucas chuckled, carefully seating himself in the chair beside Brooke. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. I went to get her."

Tears filled Brooke's eyes as she was suddenly reminded of the birth; painful, emotional, and beautiful. She remembered holding the baby in her arms for just a few seconds before exhaustion took over and she could no longer force her eyes open.

The baby cooed gorgeously in Lucas's arms. She was swaddled tightly in a pink blanket, her button nose already looking similar to Brooke's.

"Do you want to hold her?" He had tears in his own eyes.

Brooke did want to hold her. But more than that, she felt that if she touched this baby, she'd contaminate it. All her life, Brooke Davis had been fucking up, and she did not want to let this child catch her disease. She did not want to love this baby just to end up hurting it.

"I," she shook her head, "I'm really tired."

Lucas looked disappointed for a moment. His eyes searched hers, knowing for the first time in months that she was lying, that she was not happy. He covered it up instantaneously, nodding and placing a light kiss on their child's forehead.

Brooke looked away, and then, unable to help herself, looked back.

The baby girl was beautiful. Her skin was a shade of ivory, dusted with a random placement of freckles. Her hair was very dark, and her eyes, gleaming up at Brooke so innocently, were the bluest she'd ever seen. They were Nathan's eyes, and it was so apparent, she could not help but allow her gaze to flicker up at Lucas, to see if he'd noticed, like her. He had not.

This baby was unlike all the wrinkly newborns she had seen before. She was different, special. She would be smart and feisty, and Brooke was sure she'd have dimples, too.

"Is Nathan here?" She could not help herself.

"Yeah," he nodded. "He just got here a few minutes ago. I was going to take him to see the baby in a few minutes."

"Oh," she allowed her hand to venture off the bed, her fingers gliding over her baby's soft cheek. "God, she is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen."

"She definitely has my good looks." Lucas joked, and Brooke laughed a hollow laugh. How often would she hear jokes like this from him, or would she hear him utter the words 'my daughter'? For how long would this make her wince?

"So, do you have any ideas for her name? I can't believe we didn't discuss this more beforehand.. I was thinking--"

"Gabriella."

He repeated it softly to himself, then said, "I like that. I also kind of like--"

"No, Gabriella. Her name has to be Gabriella." Nathan's words echoed painfully through her head, and she sighed.

"Okay. Gabriella Scott," he looked down at their baby. "Yeah, I like that. What about a middle name?"

"Anna," Brooke spoke, not truly sure where the words were coming from. "After Peyton's mom."

"Gabriella Anna Scott," Lucas spoke thoughtfully, "it's perfect."

"I can't believe she's finally here." Both of them looked up towards the doorway, where Nathan Scott stood, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes went from the baby to Brooke, then back again.

Lucas laughed. "Come and hold your niece, man."

Brooke winced, but Nathan didn't make any movement. He had accepted his role in Gabriella's life, it seemed.

Nathan took a step into the room. "I think Peyton and Jake are here. I saw crazy blonde curls and then I heard her asking if anyone knew where Brooke's room was."

"Oh, I'll go get her." Lucas nodded, standing to place the baby in his brother's arms.

Nathan gulped as he held her, slowly moving to take Lucas's seat in the chair beside Brooke. His large fingers stroked at her hair, and then over her arm. Giggling, Gabriella reached upwards to grab his finger in her hand, squeezing as tightly as she could.

"What's her name?" He looked up to meet Brooke's eyes, and she smiled a tired smile at him.

"Gabriella."

His jaw clenched and he nodded. "Thanks," he managed.

"She looks exactly like you." Brooke told him in a whisper.

"Well," he joked softly, "there's some of you in there. I definitely see a dimple. And her nose… so not me."

They shared a quiet laugh. Brooke reached over to squeeze his hand. "I miss you so much sometimes."

Nathan nodded, lowering his eyes once more to Gabriella. "It's actually kind of better this way. I can be her cool uncle. I won't have to," he looked back up at Brooke, "you know, drive her to school. Or punish her when she's bad. Or scare her boyfriends away when she's older.." his voice cracked, and he looked back down at the baby, kissing her forehead, then her nose, and cheeks. Inhaling her, mesmerizing her.

"Maybe," she began, "maybe I should tell Lucas. I mean--"

Nathan shook his head. "You're not going to tell Lucas. Especially not after he just… became a dad. He's wanted this for a lot longer than me, and after everything I've done to him, it doesn't really seem fair taking that away."

"Okay, mommy," the nurse was re-entering the room, "time to feed."

Nathan stood, handing the nurse the baby. As he began to leave, she turned back to him. "You're welcome to stay if mommy's okay with it."

"I'm fine with it."

He nodded and leaned himself against the doorway. She guessed it was so he could leave the second she was done.

The nurse approached her with a smile, pressing Gabriella carefully into her arms. As Brooke's arms folded underneath her child's weight, she felt a great sense of relief wash through her. She really was a mother, she was this baby's mother. She had made Gabriella and carried her and delivered her, and here she was, the most beautiful baby in the universe.

Even if all else would fail, she'd always have her little baby.

"So," she looked up at the nurse hesitantly, and then looked over at Nathan quickly, embarrassed. "I don't… I don't know what to do."

"Let me help you, sweetie." Nathan watched with a blush as the nurse pulled down Brooke's hospital gown, laughing and talking to Brooke casually as she did. He swallowed hard, trying not to look at the place the baby was eyeing hungrily.

Brooke made a face he could not decipher and then let out a small gasp. "This is so strange. This is the weirdest… wow."

She laughed lightly, looking up to meet his gaze. She looked so beautiful then. With her hair messily splayed around her shoulders, still somehow straight, her face filled with color, with some form of true happiness.

From down the hallway, Nathan could hear Peyton's voice. "…and then the stupid car crashed into me! Can you believe that? I was like, um, hey asshole, you're really lucky my best friend is in labor, otherwise I'd be kicking your.. Oh my god!"

She pushed past Nathan, squealing excitedly in an un-Peyton-like fashion, cooing over Gabriella and Brooke feeding Gabriella. Jake followed shortly with Lucas, shaking his head and saying something along the lines of, "She completely crashed into him."

As the two men entered, Nathan felt more uncomfortable than he had before. Like he was intruding with his secrets. "I have to get back to work, I think." He said.

Lucas frowned. "Why? Keith's on his way here with my mom, so I doubt he'll be mad if you're not at work."

"I'm working on something else. But hey man, this was really great. I'm so happy for you guys." He looked over to the bed. Brooke's gaze was now on his, and he waved a small wave at her as he left.

Gabriella Anna Scott was born and everything changed and everything stayed the same.