I am so, so sorry about not getting the chapter up by Sunday night! Work went a little too late for me on Sunday and by the time I saw all of my reviews it was late, late in the early AMs on Monday when I realized it. Classes started for me yesterday and I had some complications with that, but I was able to finish this chapter as quickly as I could! Again I am sorry for the delay, but deep down, thank you to all that reviewed!

Just letting you know a few chapters are left and then it will be the end! Enjoy!

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

Invictus, Henley.

I felt the warmth of something soft and tender against my head. My eyes fluttered open and I saw a familiar, kind, and comforting face.

"Brooke, sweetie."

"Karen?" My voice came out as a soft whisper barely audible to myself.

She smiled. Tears came to my eyes and, as a child would after having a nightmare, I reached up to her and pulled her into a hug. I held onto her and I felt incapable of letting go. She didn't in any way try to pry me away. She held me like a mother held their child; she wasn't going to let me go until I wanted her too.

"I'm so sorry, Karen." I began to shake and she knew I wanted to let her go; I just physically wasn't able to.

She started to pull away never letting her hands fall from me. I finally came face to face with her. Her son was lying in a coma right beside us and her entire focus is on me.

"Brooke, you have nothing to be sorry for. You are a daughter to me as Lucas is my son. How are you?"

I couldn't help but let fresh tears run down my face.

Karen smiled and then turned away from me and looked down at Lucas. His chest rose up and down as if he were just sleeping not trapped in a nightmare.

"My baby boy." She reached down and touched his hand and then his face.

I started to back away but she called out to me and asked me to stay.

"I just can't believe this is happening to him. He was always so healthy and active. He had a decent diet; he did his best to stay out of known trouble." She placed her hand over her face as I'm sure numerous occasions when he was acting wild that went undetected crossed her mind.

"He was having such a wonderful time. He was never unhappy or stressed. We were all happy...together." I wrapped my arms around my body.

"I know. He called me everyday." Karen looked over her shoulder at me.

I didn't know this. I didn't realize that Luke had been calling Karen this whole time. It was a beautiful gesture. Lucas loved his mother and would do anything for her.

Karen released her hand from Lucas and placed it over her face as she began to cry silently. I bent down and reached out to her. I couldn't stand to see her cry or be sad. I held her as we both cried at Luke's bedside.

"I want him back here with us so badly."

I felt cold. This cold felt strange to me. Cold weather I could deal with but this...this was different. It left me feeling empty. As if something was missing. Then I felt it.

"My baby boy."

Mom? I wanted to reach out to her, touch her, and hold her. I could barely feel her touch, but I could hear her clearly. Where am I? I tried to move my arms and legs but nothing happened.

"I just can't believe this is happening to him. He was always so healthy and active. He had a decent diet; he did his best to stay out of known trouble."

Who was she talking to? Where am I?

"He was having such a wonderful time. He was never unhappy or stressed. We were all happy...together."

Brooke? Brooke and my mom were here and they sounded so sad. Then, like a flash of lightning striking me, I remembered what happened. I remembered the sharp pain shooting through my whole body as my heart started to slow down. It was like some of the murmurs I would have. It hit you like a ton of bricks. My legs gave out on me and the last thing I remember was seeing Brooke run towards me and I finally told her I loved her.

"I know. He called me everyday."

Oh mom. I am lying in a hospital bed incapable of reaching out to the people I love most in this world. All I wanted to do was hold them both and tell them that I was going to be alright but I didn't know this. For all I know I could already be dead but obviously not if I am coherent of them talking around me. Then I realized that I did notice I was breathing. I could feel my chest rise and fall with normal breaths.

"I want him back here with us so badly."

I heard movement and then the sounds of crying. I tried with everything I had in me to move. I wanted to reach out to both of them and bring them in my arms and tell them that everything was going to be okay. The sad and scary part about it is I do not know if everything is going to be alright. I am what I assume in a coma. I wish there was something I could do, some way to communicate with them that I am here, I am aware of them, their presence.

"Is Lily here?" Brooke asked and her voice, it was so broken.

Oh Brooke. I love you, I love you, I...love…you!

"Yes, I didn't want her to see Luke this way, but I had to think of all outcomes, and I know she would want to say goodbye if it comes to it." My mother sounded so sad.

The silence that filled the room gave me shivers that felt like needles going down my spine. To say goodbye? Will I have a chance to say goodbye if I do die?

"She's with Rachel. She loves Rachel; it's almost a little funny to me."

I could feel my mother's smile. It was like sunshine, just like Brooke's.

"I'll leave you alone with him. He's your son, you deserve all the time in the world with him."

"As do you Brooke."

If it were even possible, my heart was breaking even more. To see two of the most precious people in the world to me sound so shattered and alone scared me. I couldn't and did not want to leave them.

"I'm not going anywhere." Brooke left the room.

Mom! MOM! I kept shouting but no sound came out. For once, I wanted to be like a child, treated like a child. I wanted her to hold me and tell me everything was going to be alright. Something deep down inside me told me I may not get that chance. I may not get the chance to ever tell mom, Lily, and Brooke, most of all Brooke, that I love them and will always be with them.

"Oh Lucas, sometimes I feel like I've done something wrong in my life to see you like this."

No, you could never have done anything wrong. You're my mother; you've only ever done good! Don't think that way at all!

"I want to blame Dan sometimes; actually I do blame him everyday for your heart condition. He passed it to you, but in the end, it's not his fault. Is it?"

I hated hearing her sound so unsure, so doubtful. Of course, I blamed Dan too…but I also had to blame myself. I didn't take my medication and that is my fault. I was just hoping, hoping, that a small part of me believed in the act of love. Doesn't love heal? Love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love? Right?

"My boy. My sweet baby boy."

She began to cry and it made me gasp, even within my own head, I gasped. It took the air right of my lungs. She took my hand and held it in between her own. She placed gentle kisses on my hand and I wanted to cry with her. Mom, I don't want to leave you.

"Parents aren't supposed to outlive their children."

Just as she spoke the words, I thought them as well. I was supposed to watch her passing on to the next life, not the other way around. Mom, I make a promise to you forever and now. I will outlive you! You will not see me die! I will get through this; I will fight to come back to you, Lily, Nathan, Haley, and most importantly Brooke. I will not leave you, any of you. I am going to fight and fight and fight! I am the master of my fate! I am the captain of my soul!

Why did it have to be so cold? I mean, a relaxing, soothing cold is always nice, but this cold…this cold was on the verge of death. I was shaking so bad and Nathan had to give me his jacket and he was cold as well. I tried to offer it back, but he just shook his head at me. He was always so kind to me even though I did try to steal him away from Haley at one point.

Karen and Lily had shown up not even thirty minutes ago and it was finally beginning to hit me that something was seriously wrong with Lucas. Karen was here, and with the look of horror on her face at the realization that her son may not make it through this was horrifying. Lily looked tired, she knew Lucas was sick but that was it. She was sleeping in Karen's arms and Nathan gently took her from Karen.

Karen hugged Nate with Lily in his arms. She went to Haley next and she surprised me as she pulled me into a tight hug and squeezed me as a mother does when she is concerned. It shocked me because I didn't realize she felt this motherly to me. I was friends with Brooke and Lucas, so I was occasionally over at Karen's house. She was always kind to me but she felt at first I was bad news, hell, I was but she was always nice to me, so I felt obligated and wanted to always be on good behavior with her.

She was the image of mother, a caregiver, a compassionate woman. She pulled back from me and looked at me in the eyes and then looked towards Nathan and Haley.

"How are you all holding up?" She asked as calmly as she could.

The shock was evident on all of our faces.

"How are you doing Karen? Lucas is your son?" Haley asked as she rushed to Karen and took her hand.

"Yes, Haley, he is my son, but I care for you all if you were my own, even this young gentleman." She pointed towards Clay.

I don't think they have ever met.

"Clay, I presume?" She held out her hand towards him.

He was shocked and confused and placed his hand in hers. She smiled at him and nodded.

"Yes mam, I,I" He stuttered.

I don't think I've ever heard Clay stutter like that before. Then again, Karen did have this effect on people.

"Brooke has talked about you a couple of times and Rachel talks about you frequently." She smiled at me and I blushed.

This almost wasn't fair because Luke was in the other room hanging in the balance. Clay slid his arm around me and pulled me to him.

"We're doing as well as we can." I said speaking for all of us.

It seemed appropriate. We were all just now playing the waiting game, it was all we could do.

"Rachel?"

I looked up and Lily was rubbing her eye and she reached out for me. I smiled and took her in my arms. Me and Lily were quite good friends. I loved her as if she were my own. I didn't think I ever wanted children until I met Lily. She's absolutely amazing and having Karen raise her has taught me even more than ever that I want kids of my own. I wanted a spunky redheaded daughter with Clay's kindness when shown. I wanted boys with Clay's athletic ability and my stubbornness.

"Is Brooke with him?" Karen asked.

"Yes." Nathan spoke.

She smiled at all of us and kissed Lily on her forehead and went inside.

"I'm hungry." Lily said into my shoulder and leaned back to look at me.

"You want to get something to eat?" I asked her trying to remain calm. I felt that out of Nathan, Haley, and myself, that I could convince Lily that nothing is too seriously bad with Lucas.

She nodded.

"Does anybody else want anything?" I asked and nobody said anything.

"I'll come with you." Clay said.

"Who are you?" Lily asked looking at Clay curiously.

"This is Clay, he's very important to me, he's my boyfriend." I said and I looked at Clay and he smiled. I wanted our kids to have his smile.

"I'm Lily." She held her tiny, beautiful hand out to Clay.

He took it and kissed it lightly, she giggled.

"Lily, has anyone ever told you just how absolutely beautiful you are?" He asked her.

"My brother."

I walked out into the hallway and Nathan and Haley were there sitting down talking amongst themselves.

"Hey." Haley said as she got up and pulled me into a hug.

"Where's Lily?"

"With Rachel, she wanted something to eat." She said and we all just stared at each other.

"How does he look?" Nathan asked.

"Dead." I said coldy, but I didn't mean to say that out loud. Haley gasped; she was appalled that I would even say such a thing and Nathan just stared.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that, he's breathing normally, so that's good. He really does look like he's sleeping, lost in a nightmare, or possibly a dream." I said.

What are we to do now? I know I didn't want to leave, but there was absolutely nothing I could do. We were just supposed to stay here and wait? Or go back to the house and wait? I know I wasn't leaving him, I was not going to leave his side.

"You should go and see him, he's your brother." I said and he smiled.

"I'll give Karen a little more time."

We sat outside in the hall, just waiting. How long were we going to wait until something happened?

About ten minutes went by and Nathan went inside to see Luke, and Rachel, Clay, and Lily were now back.

"BROOKE!" Lily yelled down the hall, running towards me.

I picked her up and held her tightly to me. I smiled at Rachel as she sat down next to Haley.

"Did you eat something?" I asked her as we sat down, Lily in my lap.

"Yeah, I had a fruit cup; I didn't really see anything else I would want to eat." She spoke so gracefully for a young child.

"That's good." I said trying my best to keep my composure.

"Brookie?" She looked up at me with bright, pleading eyes.

"Yes, Lily?"

"Is Lucas going to be okay?"

How was I to answer this precious little girl? I couldn't lie to her; I could never lie to her.

"Lucas is really sick, Lily. We don't know how much longer it is going to take him to get better." It was the truth, but sugar coated for her to believe.

"I want to see him." She sounded so sad.

"Yeah, but your mom and Nate are in their right now. We'll go in, in a little bit okay pumpkin?" I poked her nose and she smiled brokenly.

I really wish I could give her great news, but not just for her, but for myself as well.

Karen walked out and came and sat down with us. We waited a little longer and Nate came out and I could tell he had been crying.

"I want to see Lucas." Lily said more urgently this time.

"Do you want me to go with you?" Karen asked and Lily squeezed my hand.

"Mommy, can Brooke come with me? I think Lucas would like it if she was with me."

I did my best to keep my tears back from slipping down my face.

"Of course sweetheart." Karen looked up at me and smiled.

I took Lily by the hand and we walked in together. I had to do my best not to cry, I couldn't cry. I didn't want to upset Lily.

"Lukie?" Lily ran towards the bed, but stopped when she got to it.

It was as if the bed scared her. She reached for Luke's hand and held it.

"Luke, can you hear me?"

Lily was only greeted with silence. I stepped back so Lily couldn't see my face. I wasn't going to break, I couldn't break.

"I believe you can hear me. You're sleeping, so I know deep down you can hear me." She took in a breath and let out a sigh.

"I love you Lucas, and I know when you wake up, you'll get better. You're the strongest person I know. You're my big brother." She said and I couldn't help it any longer, I cried.

I went into the bathroom that was in Lucas's room and closed the door behind me and cried. That sweet, sweet little girl was braver than I was, but I tried to blame it on the fact, that she didn't know Luke's heart wasn't strong enough for him anymore. She just believed he was sick and would be better soon.

A memory from high school came rushing back to me and I let myself get lost in it.

"LUCAS!"I screamed as he fell to the ground in the middle of the court.

I went to rush to him but Whitey and others were pushing everyone away. Number 64 on the opposing team hit Lucas in the face and tripped him. He fell like a rag doll to the ground.

I was waiting impatiently as he didn't move. Lucas finally came alert and his face winced in pain as he reached for his knee.

Lucas had broken his leg and had a bloody lip. He was taken to the ER and Haley and I followed closely behind. Luke assured Nathan that he was fine and to stay and finish playing the game. Nathan did as Luke requested.

Haley and I had to sit in the waiting room for quite some time before they let us go in and see him. My concern for him grew deeper within me than I realized. I knew I had always a major crush on Lucas but this, this was deeper. I began to realize that I was in love with him.

We were finally able to go and see him. After some point, Haley went to get something to eat and I was sitting next to Lucas on the bed as he examined the cast on his leg.

"Well this sucks."

I smacked him in the shoulder.

"What the fuck, Brooke?" He reached towards his shoulder and rubbed it.

"You scared me!" I shouted at him.

I didn't mean for it to sound as harsh as it came out, but it was how I felt.

"I'm fine, Brooke." He looked at me as if I was crazy for hitting him.

"I'm sorry that I hit you, but Luke, I, I care about you, and when you went down and you didn't move, that, that really scared me." I started twiddling my thumbs.

"Hey."

And the next thing he did, I don't think he's ever touched me like this, but he reached up to my face and caressed my cheek. At fifteen years old, I knew I had never felt this sensation just from a single touch before.

"I am never going to leave you, ever, I promise."

He promised me he would never leave me so he would make it through this. I had to believe it. I just had to.

Whew! Okay so the next chapter does a time jump, just letting you know!

Review!

X