BROOKE'S POINT-OF-VIEW
"I knew getting her involved with that cheerleading crap was a bad idea!" Lucas growled, as he paced the hospital room. I eyed him from my spot on the couch, seeing him so distressed over our daughter would usually make me swoon, but tonight all I felt was annoyance.
"If I remember correctly, you didn't seem to mind cheerleaders too much, back in the day." I quipped, reaching over to take Gemma's hand. She was still out cold, and every hour was starting to ware on me.
"She should be focusing on school, and soccer, she's an athlete!" He continued, still pacing. "We have to pull her out as soon as she gets better, cheerleading could hurt her soccer career."
"Do you hear yourself?" I laughed, "She was hit with a ball, it's probably just a minor concussion, calm down." I would have continued, if I hadn't spotted a familiar blonde walking down the corridor, towards Gemma's room.
"Is she alright?" Peyton asked, rushing to the other side of Gemma's bed. I had to choke back my momentary flash of annoyance. Why was she even here?
"Thanks for coming," Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. His face flooded with relief, and it made me even angrier.
"You called her?" I whispered, trying to keep calm.
He gave a quick nod. "She's still an emergency contact on Gemma's records."
"Well," I forced a smile, "how convenient."
Peyton stroked Gemma's hair, her face pinched with genuine concern, and I started to feel bad about my anger. Why else would Peyton come if it weren't for Gemma? Lucas had ended things… hadn't he? The doctor walked in and immediately fixed me with a smile, while I tried to hide my mortification.
"Brooke Davis!" He grinned, "Haven't seen you since I took you out that one time."
"Oh Chip," I laughed nervously, Lucas glared at me from beside Peyton. "I'd think you would have forgotten about that, it was so long ago."
"It was last month." He replied, dead pan.
I bit my lip, "right…you have a great memory."
"Got me through med school," He smiled. Lucas cleared his throat, and thankfully didn't give me anymore nasty looks. "Can we get back to Gemma, thanks," He said.
"Oh of course," Chip answered, "now where are her parents?" Oh shit. Lucas glanced back over at me, "you didn't tell him we had a daughter?"
"It…slipped my mind." I squeaked. I mean it had, the date with Chip was a last resort to get over Lucas, there wasn't much talking involved. Lucas snorted, and suddenly I couldn't stand being in the same room with him. A hospital room, nonetheless. Hazy memories of the night Gemma was born clouded my mind, and I felt my breath quicken.
I could barely make out the words the nurse was saying, as I clutched my baby in my arms. Everything about her was beautiful, her olive colored skin, thick dark hair, but those eyes. An artistic mixture of deep blues swirled together. I was suddenly reminded of the Blue Saphire gem that hung from my neck. A gift my mother gave me years ago.
"Brooke?" I looked up, and there was Rachel. Her auburn hair was pulled up in a bun, and she was dressed in a white dress-suit. Standing before me, I was aware that she seemed more of a mother than I did. Then I remembered, she was a mother, not me. I reluctantly handed my daughter to her, Rachel took her in her arms and smiled. It was that moment that I knew I made the right choice, Rachel loved her, she loved her before she even met her. That was really all I could ask for when looking for a mother for my baby, and despite Rachel's past, in this moment, she's the only person I'd trust enough to give my child to.
"She's beautiful," Rachel breathed, tearing up. "Do you…do you have a name in mind?" I looked back at my daughters face, she was calm in Rachel's arms, she was blinking and glancing around the room with those navy blue eyes. I reached up and unclasped my necklace, handing it to Rachel. She looked from me to the necklace, then back to me. "Her eyes," I croaked, "they look like gems."
Rachel's face brightened, "Gemma!" she said triumphantly, "you want to name her Gemma?"
The name hadn't even entered my mind, but the moment it left Rachel's mouth I knew it was right. She was a Gemma. "Yeah," I whispered, I reached over and took her little hand in my fingers. "I love you, Gemma."
"Brooke!" Lucas's voice broke through my thoughts, "Brooke are you ok?" His hand was on my arm, and I noticed that we were no longer in Gemma's room but in the hospital waiting room.
"Yeah, sorry, I must have zoned out," I breathed. Lucas put his arm around me, and I leaned into his embrace. "Sorry, I got angry in there," he said, "guess I was a bit jealous."
"It's ok," I tried to smile, "How's Gemma?"
"She woke up not too long ago," He laughed, "the doctor confirmed it was just a minor concussion."
I laughed as well, "told you!" Standing up I headed for the door, but Lucas grabbed my arm and spun me around. "Just so you know," he smiled, "I think we get a redo on this date."
I cocked an eyebrow, and gave him my best Brooke Davis smirk. "I'll think about it," I whispered, then spun around and waltzed into Gemma's room.