Chapter 17

A little Note. Just a little warning this chapter is a tear jerker. I even cried when I was writing this.

Background info.
It's been 2 weeks since Brooke went into a coma. And hasn't come out of it. Nathan hasn't Left her side in all that time. He only leaves so the doctor or nurses come into check her vitals. Deb and Dan are growing more concerned about their son. He hasn't eaten or slept. He refuses to leave her for anything. Lucas decided to end his relationship with Peyton. But didn't tell her why. Him and Haley haven't told anyone. That they have feelings for each other. But they both know they are making the right choice. They are slowly falling in love with each other. Peyton and Jake have gotten close in the past few weeks. Brooke's parents along with Nathan haven't left Brooke. They only went home for a change of clothes. And come back to the hospital. So Nathan could do the same.

Setting Brooke's hospital room.
Nathan is sitting by Brooke's bed holding her hand. And fiddling with the wedding ring on her finger. And smiled that she was his wife.
N-"Hey baby I know you might be tired of my voice. But you have to find your way back to me honey. I can't function anymore. I'm holding on. But if I lose you I'm going to lose it. Now I know the saying. The love you have been waiting for. Look no further than your own best friend. But I have fallen head over heels in love with you Brooke. And you happen to be my best friend. Please I'm begging you. Please don't leave me here all alone. IF I don't have you. My life is nothing without you in it. Baby you have brought me so much. More than I deserve. I consider myself a lucky man. For having you in my life."

Nathan turned when he heard the door open. And Brooke's parents walked in.
E-"Hey Nathan how is she doing?"
N-"About the same Mrs. Davis. I look at her and she is so frail and pale looking. It scares me she isn't going to come out of this. No matter how much I want her to."
D-"Nathan we have to think positive now. But she is a fighter. She will make it threw this. She has a lot of things to stay for."
N-"I feel so helpless. That I can't help her more. And I don't like it."

Then doctor Johnson walks in.
DR. J-" Hey everyone. How's everyone feeling?" They all shrugged.
Dr. J-"Well I need to examine her. So if you all will wait in the waiting area. And then you can come back in." Nathan stepped off the stool. But didn't let go of her hand.
N-"Ok baby I'll be right in the hallway. But I'll be right back. I promise I love you." And he kissed her on the forehead. And left the room with her parents.

Nathan walked out to see Lucas and Haley walking into the waiting room holing hands. Nathan looked at this. But thinking the lack of sleep. That his mind was playing tricks on him.
N-"Hey guys. What are you doing here?"
L-"Wanted to check on you. And to see how Brooke is doing." Nathan started pacing back and forth. Sighing and running his hands threw his hair.
N-"She is still the same. Just lying there doing nothing." Lucas moved so that he was standing behind Haley. Putting his hands on her shoulders.
H-"Well we are here to help. Why don't you go home and get some rest. Lucas and I can stay here. You need to sleep."

Nathan turned to face them.
N-"I'm not leaving my wife. And I'm fine."
L-"Nathan you are anything but fine. You haven't slept in god know how long. You are making yourself sick. You aren't going to help to Brooke or anyone else."
N-"I'm not leaving here without Brooke."
H-"Nathan she wouldn't want you pushing yourself the way you are."
N-"I know that. But I can't leave her Haley. She is my life."
H-"Nathan everyone can see that you love her. But no one is going to think less of you. If you go home and rest." Nathan sighed again.
N-"And I can't go home. Everything there is Brooke. She is everywhere in our apartment. She's got make-up in the bathroom. That is all over the sink. Hair care products and female products all over the bathroom. Her clothes are everywhere. On the floor of our room and in the closet. And when I try to lie in our bed. I can still smell her perfume on her side of the bed. The smell of her shampoo on her pillow. You see Haley if I go home. I will still be surrounded by Brooke. And I am at more ease when I am near her."

Before anyone could answer the doctor came out.
N-"Dr. Johnson please tell me you have good news for me?"
That is when Brooke's parents, Keith and Karen, Deb and Dan and Peyton and Jake walked up to them.
The doctor looked at everyone.
Dr. J-"Maybe we should talk in private."
N-"No it's ok we are all family here."
Dr. J-"Ok but it's not what you want to hear Mr. Scott." Nathan's face just dropped. And stepped back. He has a feeling he was about to be sick. And stumbled back. Lucas stepped in and steady Nathan.
L-"You ok man?"
N-"Yeah thanks for the save."
H-"You sure you are ok?"
N-"Yeah please continue doctor."
Dr. J-"Mr. Scott we have to be realistic here. Your wife has been in a coma for two weeks now. And I hate to break it to you all. But I think it's time that we come to some hard decisions."
N-"What are you trying to say doctor?"
Dr. J-" I don't mean to should insensitive but. She is not responding to any of the treatment so far that we have given her. SO you have to make some really hard decisions about your wife's care. Maybe it's time we let her go. So she isn't going to be in anymore pain. And having to die the most painful way. Maybe it's time we let her go on to a better place."

Nathan couldn't take it anymore. Everyone stood in complete shock. Nathan stopped pacing and turned to the doctor.
N-"No I will not except that. You doctor maybe willing to give up on her. But I will not give up on her. So you can forget about that." Nathan turned abruptly and left the room. And went to be with his wife.
All-"Nathan." They all yelled. But what good it did. He didn't even hear them. Haley turned to Lucas.
H-"Lucas I'm scared for him." Lucas wrapped his arms around her. And pulled her close.
L-"I know baby me too." They held onto each other. Knowing the pain Nathan must be going threw. Because they feel the same way about each other. Than Nathan feels for Brooke

The others looked at them strangely after hearing Lucas call Haley baby. Peyton walked up to them.
P-"What is going on between you two. You both have been really secretive lately?" Lucas and Haley looked at each other.
L-"Peyton we are in love." Peyton looked at them. And a smile broke across her face.
P-"When did this happen?"
H-"A couple a of weeks ago."
L-"You aren't mad?"
P-"No just a little shocked that is all." Lucas and Haley looked at each other.
H-"We feel about each other the way. Brooke and Nathan feel about each other."
P-"Speaking of Nathan where did he go?"
L-"Probably went to see Brooke."
J-"I'm really worried about him. It looks like he has lost weight."

Deb-"I feel the same way you guys do. He is not himself."
Dave-"And why should he be ok. He just had to hear news. That no husband should have to hear regarding his wife. I know I would be acting the same way if it were my Elizabeth in Brooke's place. But we also had to hear what no parent should ever have to hear about their child. That our daughter our baby that should could possibly die. So I hope you parents hold your children close. Because you will never know the pain we are going threw. Except for maybe you Karen. Life is to short to be arguing and fighting. Take it from us. Elizabeth and I know how much me screwed up at raising Brooke. Not being there for her when she needed us most. But we can't change the past. If god gives us a second chance. We are going to be better parents."

Deb-"Yeah Dave we don't know how you feel. But we have always considered Brooke and daughter that we never had. We thought she and Nathan would get married some day. But we are worried about Nathan."
E-"I know and so are we."
Dan-"HE really needs to go home and rest and eat something."
L-"Dan we already have tried that. Haley and I offered to stay with her while he went home. He said he wasn't going to leave his wife here alone by herself."
H-"Guys Nathan is headed for a major downfall. IF she doesn't make it. And it looks not really good at the moment."
P-"Come on let's go and see Brooke." And they all walked out of the waiting room.

Back in Brooke's room Nathan rushed into the door. And closing the door behind him. He walked over to the bed. Sat on it and took her hands into his. The other's quietly walked into the room. And watched the scene unfold before their very eyes. Nathan let got of one of her hands. And brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
N-"Hey baby it's me again. Please you can't leave me. You can't make me make this kind of a decision. And I don't think I can. My life wouldn't be the same without you in my life You are my reason to wake up every morning. And roll out of bed. You have made the place that I live into a home. You are everywhere. And I look down at my left ring finger. And I promise you it will never come off. I love you Brooke Annabelle Scott. " Nathan leaned down and put his head on her stomach. And he let himself cry. Still holding onto her left hand.
N-"Come on baby please come back to me. I love you so much." Everyone watched the encounter but no one said anything.

Brooke is slowly coming into consciousness. When she heard a vice. When she felt something heavy resting on her stomach. And immediately knew it was Nathan. She could hear him crying softly. And knew he was hurting and wanted to comfort him. She slowly brought her right hand up and rested it on his head. And slowly ran her fingers threw his hair. And in a horse voice she said.
B-"It's ok Nathan I'm right here." And slowly her hand down. And ran it up and down his back.

Nathan froze when he felt a hand on his head. And someone that sounded like Brooke. Then he felt a hand running up and down his back. He slowly looked up to see that Brooke was awake. he lifted his head and looked at her. Not believing this. Nathan sat up and looked into her eyes.
N-"Brooke?" She reached up and put a hand to his cheek.
B-"Yeah baby."
N-"You came back."
B-"What happened? Al I remember is being in the gym and feeling sick. And everything after that is blank."
N-"Well you passed out in the gym. We were going to go home because you were feeling sick. And then you told me you love me and then you passed out in my arms. And you have been in a coma for two weeks now."
B-"Am I ok?"
N-"You are going to be."
B-"Yeah but Nathan I'm still sick."
N-"But you are going to be ok."
B-"Nathan we haven't found a match. And I can feel myself getting weaker. I only wanted to wake up so I could feel your arms around me. Making me feel safe, loved and protected. And to tell you that I love you more than I thought it was possible to love someone so much."

Nathan looked her in the eyes. Put a hand to her cheek. Brooke leaned into his touch. And bringing her hand up to cover his. Nathan looked her in the eyes and smiled.
N-"And I love you too. So much that I don't think I could go on without you." Brooke smile back at him.
B-"Nathan you are strong. You can survive anything."
N-"Not losing you Brooke. I don't I think I could survive that."
B-"Yeah but I'm still dying Nathan you have to except that."
N-"No you aren't going to die. While you were in the coma we found a couple matches for you."

Brooke couldn't believe what she was hearing.
B-"What?"
N-"We found three matches. 1 is a 100% percent match and the other two are also matches. But weren't at a high percentage."
B-"Really who?"
N-"Well Lucas and my dad are the two matched but weren't that close of a match." Brooke looked up at Nathan.
B-"Nathan who is the perfect match." Nathan smiled at her.
N-"That would be me."

Brooke couldn't believe this was happening.
B-"What?" She started crying. Nathan brushed the tears away from her eyes.
N-"Hey it's ok honey. I know this must be really to much to take in right now. But the doctor said once you were strong enough they were going to go ahead. But once you had the transplant you can make a full recovery. But we have to take it one step at a time."
B-"So I'm going to be ok."
N-"Yeah you will be. And I'm going to be there every step of the way." Brooke smiled threw her tears.
B-"Can I get a hug please?"
N-"Baby you didn't even need to ask that." Nathan helped her sit up a little bit. And wrapped his arms around her. Brooke brought hers and wrapped them around Nathan. Nathan gently brought her closer to him. They both sat there holding each other. And they couldn't be happier.
B-"How can I ever thank you." Nathan pulled back and looked into her eyes. Taking his face into his hands and wiping her tears away.
N-"You don't have to thank me sweetheart. Don't you know I would do anything for you. You are everything to me Brooke. I love you heart, body and soul. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Making you happy and all your dreams come true."

Brooke brought her hands to his face.
N-"Nathan you already have made my dreams come true. You have given me your love. And you love me in return. I never thought we would fall in love with each other. But now that I know what real love is. I never want to let it go. You are also giving me a second chance at life. Words can't describe the way I feel about you. And I love you heart, body, and soul."

Nathan and Brooke leaned in for a kiss. Nathan has been dreaming about this moment for two long whole weeks. When their lips met. It started off slowly but after getting use to it again. It grew into more passionate. They kiss for a few minutes when they pulled back. And then falling into each other's arms. And held onto each other. And they both whispered to each other.
B-"I love you."
N-"I love you too." And went back to holding each other.

The others watched the whole encounter between Brooke and Nathan. But didn't let them know that they were there. Elizabeth. Karen, Deb, Haley and Peyton were all in tears. While Dave, Keith, Dan, Lucas and Jake pulled them into their arms and held them. Also touched by Nathan and Brooke. Everyone was happy and in love.

End of Chapter 17

Next chapter
Brooke starts her chemo to get rid of her old bone marrow.
Haley and Lucas tell everyone else that they are together.
Brooke and Haley have a talk.