Caught Up

Chapter 24

Tell them I was happy. And my heart is broken. All my scars are open. Tell them what I hoped would be. Impossible,

"So should we rush her to the hospital or not?" Rachel asked.

She knew nothing about children. Child birth or labor and delivery. On the outside she was calm and reserved but on the inside she was stressed.

"Brooke you are going to do this. You're body is already prepared to bring the baby into the world. You just need to try and relax. Focus on breathing and the impending first meeting between you and you're daughter. Haley advised.

"I say eat what's there. And get ready because everything is going to change very soon." Haley added in.

She then brought Rachel over to the side.

"Considering this doesnt involve partying or hot guys. I don't see how i can help." Rachel said. Looking to Haley.

"I think Brooke's been feeling these symptoms for a few days. Given how all over the place she's been it wouldn't surprise me if she thought it was just stress."

"Pregnancy isn't comfortable especially when you're reaching the end of it. I've had a baby. It wasn't that long ago. I remember the birth and of course before that."

"The thing is the baby isn't full term yet. Which means she's still growing and developing." Haley explained.

"I really don't like the how this sounds. I mean the baby is on the way. She isn't ready yet. How is Brooke going to react to that.?" Rachel asked.

"Neither of you need to worry about Brooke or our baby."

"I've got it from here." Lucas said.

The sound of his voice caused them both to turn around.

Rachel glared at him. Yes she had reached out to him.

But that didn't erase how she felt on Brooke's behalf.

"Lucas. I think you should go to the hospital and wait for us there." Haley suggested.

"I'm not going anywhere. Brooke shouldn't even be here."

"She should be at home. " Lucas replied.

"Everyone stop talking like i'm not here!" Brooke exclaimed.

Everyone's eyes then focused on her.

"I don't want you here. I don't want you in that room." Brooke exclaimed. As she clutched her belly wincing in pain.

"Can you get up and walk Brooke?" Haley asked.

"Do you think you'll be able to hold off on giving birth until we get to the hospital.?" Haley questioned.

Brooke shook her head from side to side.

"No. She doesn't want to wait. This isn't supposed to happen like this. I need Karen. I should of called her days ago. But i didn't want her involved. With everything else happening." Brooke confessed.

"Let's meet my granddaughter." Karen said. As she entered the living room.

Brooke breathed a sigh of relief. At her un official mother figure.

Karen hugged her lightly. She then ran down the list of items they would need.

Which Rachel went to get. While Haley started feeding Brooke ice chips. Trying to distract her from the consuming pain of contractions.

"I brought the purple monkey for you to focus on." Lucas announced.

Awhile Later

Brooke fell back on the couch. Lucas was right beside her.

Haley was keeping track of contractions and time.

Rachel was keeping Brooke cool a wet wash cloth on her face.

Karen fed her ice chips.

Brooke's physical pain tolerance was low. Which is why back in high school. She took a handful of pills to deal with her hurt ankle and didn't question it.

She cried out as she tried to breath through the contractions. Bare down and push.

Her skin was hot. Her face flushed. Her hair sweated out.

She didn't just wanted to meet her daughter.

The labor went only slowly. Until Haley announced she was could see and feel the baby's head.

Brooke got this needed boost of energy and pushed as hard as she could.

Feeling as if she had no more strength left.

"She's here!" Haley announced.

Brooke breathed a sigh of relief. Her eyes quickly landing on Lucas.

Who was in tears.

Haley cleaned her off then slowly handed her to Brooke.

Brooke burst into tears. She had never experienced so much emotion at once.

She soon composed herself to realize their daughter wasn't crying or moving.