Chapter #20

Summary
It's been two more weeks that Brooke has been in the hospital. She has gotten a lot more weaker. With each day that had passed on. But she is trying to be optimistic about the odds she will make a full recovery. Everyone comes and sees her. But doesn't stay long. because of how tired she gets so easily. Nathan puts up a front when he is around Brooke. Being the strong and loyal husband. But when he found time to be alone. Or talk to the others. He was just as scared as Brooke was. But keeps saying to himself and to Brooke. That she will pull threw. They will have the transplant in a few days.

Setting
Brooke's hospital room.
Brooke is sitting up in bed. When she heard the door open. To see Jake, Peyton, Lucas and Haley walk in.
B-"Hey guys." She said weakly.
P-"Hey Brooke.. How you feeling today?"
B-"You know me can't bring me down. "
P-"Same old Brooke. Always cherry."
B-"Where's Nathan?"
L-"He went to shower. We told him to get some rest."
B-"Good he needs it."
P-"He just loves you Brooke."
B-"I know and I love him too. But I know it is taking it's toll on him. I know he puts up a front with me. But I can see right threw that. But there is something I need you all to promise me."
L-"What is it?"
B-"I need you all to promise me. If the transplant doesn't work. And I die. I want you to take care of Nathan for me."
P-"Brooke?"
B-"No Peyton I know what you are going to say. But I need to say this. I need you all to help take care of him. Make sure he is eating, sleeping, going to school. I won't be able to rest in peace. If I know Nathan isn't taking care of himself."

Peyton looked sadly around the room. But smiled at Brooke.
P-"You have our word. We will look after Nathan."
B-"Thanks." She yawned.
H-"We should go. And let you rest."
B-"You don't have to."
H-"No you need your rest. I'm sure Nathan will be back soon."

They all walked to the door.
B-"Lucas." Lucas turned around.
L-"Yeah?"
B-"Can I talk to you alone for a minute?"
L-"Sure." He softly kissed Haley on the cheek. And the rest of them left.

Lucas was scared as to what Brooke was going to say to him. He put her threw a lot of hurt and pain. And he is starting to feel even more guiltier. Then he already does. If she dies with him never really apologizing to her. He will never forgive himself. Brooke looked at him. And saw the hesitation look in his eyes. And could tell what was on his mind.
B-"I forgave you that night in the hotel."
L-"What?'
B-"I have forgiven you. For the whole Peyton thing. I won't lie to you. And say it didn't or angry. Because it hurt more then you could know. I trusted you like I have no other guy but Nathan. But I can see now. That I didn't know then. I just wish you had been honest with me. Lucas for the longest time. I thought our whole relationship was a lie. Now I see what real love is. Because I have it with Nathan. He looks at me. Besides a pretty face. He looks beyond that. and I love him the same way."

Lucas walked over to her bed.
L-"Brooke I'm not proud of how I treated you. And you are right. I should have been honest with you. But at the time. You were someone I cared for. I saw deep down there was a person. With a heart and feelings. With most people I see you put up a front. That you let no one in. But I saw there is one person. That can get threw to you. When no one else has done before. And that is Nathan."

Brooke smiled.
B-"There hasn't been a day since we were 4. That he hasn't been a constant person in my life."
L-"He feels the same way about you."
B-"The reason I asked you to stay. Is because I need to ask you for a favor."
L-"I can't kiss you. Nathan would kill me. For that matter so would Haley." He chuckled a bit.
B-"Not that you dumbass."
L-"What's with the name calling."
B-"I'm trying to be serious here."
L-"Then please what is it. You can tell me."
B-"Lucas I know I asked all of you to look after Nathan. If I don't make it threw this. And I am grateful for all of you. But there is something I need to tell you alone."
L-"Ok now you are starting to freak me out. Brooke whatever it is just me."

Brooke looked Lucas right in the eye.
B-"Lucas if I don't make it threw this. I need you to look after Nathan and Peyton."
L-"Brooke please don't talk like that."
B-"Lucas I have so say this." She coughed a little bit.
B-"Lucas if I don't make it. Nathan and Peyton are the ones that will take it hard the most. I just need someone who I trust. To look after them. And that person is you. They are going to want to give up. Don't let them. Especially Nathan. He is going to want to shut everyone out. He's going to want to destroy his life. Don't let me Lucas underneath it all. He has an amazing heart. You just have to see it."
L-"Brooke just focus on getting better. But you have my word. I'll look after them."
B-"Thanks Lucas. You are the best brother-in-law I could ask for."
L-"Were family now Brooke. And families take care of each other."
B-"For the first time. I really know what it's like to have a family."
L-"I'm going to go. And let you get some sleep."
B-"Alright." Lucas leaned down and kissed her forehead.
L-"Get some sleep Brooke." Lucas turned and walked to the door. He looked back to already see she was sleeping. Then walked out the door.

After he left Brooke's room. He headed down to the chapel. To find Peyton, Jake and Haley sitting in the front pew. Doing nothing but sit there in silence. Lucas walked up to them. And sat down next to Haley. And put an arm around her. Haley looked over at Lucas. And put a hand on his leg.
H-"Baby are you ok?"
L-"Yeah I am fine."
P-"What did Brooke want to talk to you about."
L-"First she said she forgave me for what I did to her. Then she asked me if anything happened to her. If I would look after Nathan and Peyton for her. If she didn't make it. And I said I would. She said Nathan and Peyton would take her death the worst."
P-"That little witch. She is thinking about what is going to happen to me. If she doesn't make it. It's true though. I would take her death the worst. I've known her all of my life. She's like a sister to me. But even though I would miss her terribly. I have someone in my life that will keep me together. But I wouldn't be lost. But guys it wouldn't be me. That would be totally lost without her. It's Nathan's world. That will crumble down if she doesn't make it. His world revolves around her. I've never seen him so devoted to one person. He is so in love with her."
L-"Peyton you forget Brooke feels that same way about Nathan. She is more worried about him and the rest of us. And how we are doing. Then she is about herself."
J-"I never really knew Brooke. And what I did know I didn't really like. But clearly I was wrong about her. And was also wrong about Nathan. I can see how much they love and care for each other. I saw it that night at the hotel. When we thought she was gone. Nathan wouldn't hear it. He kept doing CPR. And to our amazement she came to."
P-"Come on guys let's go see her. Then we should leave and get a good night sleep. And I would like to get back here early tomorrow. Before they do the transplant."
L-"Yeah lets go." And the all stood up and left.

Meanwhile in Brooke's room Nathan is sitting on the edge of her bed. He just sat there watching her sleeping. His angel sleeping peacefully. Brooke can since someone is watching her. And slowly opened her eyes. And saw the blue eyes that she loved. She smiled weakly at him. Nathan put a hand to her cheek. Brooke brought her hand up. And covered her hand with his.
B-"Hey."
N-"Hey baby." He said sweetly to her.
B-"How long have you been staring at me?"
N-"Wasn't staring. Just watching my wife sleeping. How are you feeling?"
B-"about the same."
N-"This will all be over tomorrow."
B-"I just want to get out of here. And go home with you."
N-"I would really love to have you lying next me in our bed."
B-"Can't wait."
N-"Are you ready for tomorrow?"
B-"Yeah and a little scared. But as long as I have you by my side. I'll be fine."
N-"And I don't plan on leaving you."
B-"How did I get so lucky to have you as my husband?"
N-"I should be asking the same question. But I wouldn't change any of it."
B-"Me neither." She yawned.
N-"I should go and let you get some sleep." He stood up. But before he could move away. Brooke reached out and grabbed his hand. Nathan searched her eyes. And could see she was scared.
B-"Don't go. Will you just hold me?"
N-"I can do that." Brooke moved a little. To let Nathan lay down. After he got comfortable. He pulled her into his arms. Brooke rested her head on his chest. And looked up at him.
B-"I love you." Putting a hand on his face.
N-"I love you too baby. Just rest I'll be right here." Leaning down to kiss her. Then pulled back after a few seconds. Brooke once again put her head on his chest. Nathan slowly ran his hand up and down her back. And in no time Brooke was sleeping. Nathan rested his head on hers. he sat there listening to his wife's breathing. Then slowly started falling asleep with her. And they both laid content in the other's arms.

Lucas, Haley, Peyton and Jake stood in the doorway. Looking at the couple laying in the bed. They didn't want to bother them. So they quietly shut the door. And walked out of the hospital. With Lucas's arm around Haley. And Jake's around Peyton.
end of chapter 20

Transplant day.