AN: Here is another installment. I keep getting caught, and I'm just enjoying writing this a bit too much. So, it's still not the final chapter. Thank you for your reviews. This chapter again has an "M" rated piece in the middle, clearly marked. Hope you guys enjoy the update. As usual, I own nothing related to One Tree Hill.

Chapter 6

"Julian? What are you doing here?"

"I'm trying to talk to you. I couldn't find your address, but the press had the church where your wedding was happening, so I came here."

"Are you going to behave?"

"Ok. I promise."

"Where is your luggage?"

"A black Renault sedan, parked three blocks that way."

"Go to your car, follow this man's instructions to get to La Jolie Fille. You can crash our reception, I guess."

"Just go with him,ok? Keep him away from them," pointing at the paparazzi.

Lucas takes in Brooke's grim demeanor. "What's up, wife?" And him calling her that is just enough to take some of the edge off.

"Julian showed up, husband."

"What does he want?"

"I don't know. He promised to behave, so I told him he could crash our reception. I think I'm going to put him in Peyton's bed."

"She was looking pretty fine today."

Brooke slaps him in the chest. "Ouch. Nothing like the bride, though. The bride looked breathtaking."

"Getting better, Broody. Keep it up, and maybe you might even get to see what's under the bridal dress."

When they got back to the house, the guests were already there, and Julian was standing in a corner, talking in a low voice with his sons. They came to Brooke as a group. "So, can I talk to you? "

"Bear in mind, this is my wedding reception. So, you may have five minutes."

Julian looks at Lucas. "Alone?"

Lucas looks at Brooke and she shrugs. "Follow me," said Brooke, heading to the dining room. As Julian passes near Lucas, Lucas grabs his arm and whispers in his ear. "This is a woman with an early, high risk pregnancy. Upset her, and I'll bury you in the woods, so deep, that even the worms wont ever find you, capisce?"

Brooke continues heading towards the dining room, a pleased little smile in her lips. She finds menacing Lucas sexy as hell, specially after she had a taste of him.

She closes the door and looks at Julian. "All right, baby. You have your five minutes. Go."

He goes straight to the point. "You disinherited our sons?"

"No. They are getting a two hundred million trust fund now. Each. All I said is that they wouldn't get anything else."

"That's chump change."

"Can you hear yourself, buster?"

"I told them to sue. They told me they would only get the new funds if they signed a document abstaining from suing. I told them not to sign."

"Not very good advice."

"Why are you doing this, Brooke? Those boys were your life."

"I love them very much, Julian. I think I'm doing them a favor."

"By denying them what's rightfully theirs?"

"Again, can you hear yourself? I think I'm doing them a favor by not making them wait in the wings for a huge windfall that might never come. They're going to have ample resources to do whatever they want now, or very soon. The rest is up to them. Besides, they still inherit your fortune, which, if memory doesn't fail, is pretty sizable too."

Julian looks at the floor. "What? Are you in trouble?"

"The studio overextended itself. We've had a couple of bad years, and we are a bit strapped."

"What's the size of the hole?"

"Three quarters."

"Shit."

He speaks in a low tone. "I was hoping to leverage the boy's future expectations to borrow enough to get the studio off the hole. Your move quashes that."

"And that explains your impromptu visit." Does he think he's going to drag their sons with him down a financial black hole? A younger Julian would never do that, but the current version seems selfish and desperate enough to do just that. She decides to sic her accountants on Julian, and get a more precise notion of the situation he is facing. "I'm sorry baby, You're gonna have to get your chestnuts off the fire yourself."

He begins to get worked up. "You mean you have no intention of helping me? The father of your children?"

"Julian, I wouldn't help you even if we were still married. I'm a businesswoman. I don't throw good money after bad. Show me a good investment and we can talk."

Julian loses it, and starts screaming. "You bitch! You throw yourself at him the first chance you get! And you impregnate yourself with his spawn!" He keeps screaming and fifteen seconds later the door comes open with a crash. Lucas and Nathan walk in, looking grim.

"I'm not upset boys. He is. Just have the detail toss him out. No need to bury the father of my sons out in the woods. Yet."

They grab him by the arms and haul him away. Jules and Davis watch their father being forcibly escorted out, looking scared and ashamed.

"I'm going to sue you, bitch! You'll see..."

Brooke turns to her sons, and asks in a soft tone. "Do either one of you want to go with him?"

"No mom.". When he sees that, and takes in his sons demeanor, he breaks down, and starts crying. "Boys, I'm sorry. Please forgive me..." Lucas looks at Brooke for instructions. "Just take him away, Broody. Sorry for the inconvenience."

"It's all good, Pretty Girl. Everybody has baggage."

.

After the Julian incident, everyone relaxes, and the party gets going. They have a band doing it live, and the staff serving drinks and appetizers. Some of Lucas students came down from Paris for the wedding and the reception, and pretty soon Brooke sees her boys deep in conversation with Charlie and one of her friends. Even college freshmen Anna, Nathan and Haley's youngest, finds a Sorbonne student to keep her company. Lydia invited her winemaker as a date, and they seem to be getting along nicely too.

"Tutormom?"

"Brookie Bride?"

"Some songs, please? Halo?"

"Sure. Let them drink some more." Haley had a successful, slow burning music career, four albums, two of them gold, and a faithful group of fans that will fill up fairly large venues whenever she decides to do a concert. She still does it, three or four times a year, just for the love of the spotlight.

The host calls for the bride and groom to do their dance. "So, husband. What did you pick?"

"You will see." He had chosen a recording of "When you believe" with Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Brooke recognizes it after the first few chords.

Brooke smiles. "Cheesy much, Broody?"

"You like cheesy."

"You're damn right I do. It's perfect."

After a few measures, other couples join them in the slow dance. Once their song ends, the band goes back playing, and Lucas and Brooke go sit at a table, still wrapped in their little bubble. Peyton comes and sits across from them, her eyes full of tears. "Damn you two. Perfect choice."

"Credit to Broody here. He picked the song."

"I try to stay upset at you guys, but you make it so hard. You're so cute together that I feel twenty years younger just looking at you."

Brooke smiles at her. "Thanks? You need to get laid, bitch. Sorry we kicked my ex out. You might have gotten lucky there."

"He seemed in bad shape. What's up with him?"

"Business troubles, spilling into the personal side of things. He is under some strain. I hope it doesn't spoil the boy's party."

Their eyes look around, and see Jude doing a very close dance with Charlie. Lucas and Brooke laugh. "No, no problem with at least one of them."

"Who's the girl?" Peyton asks.

"She's Charlie. One of Luke's students from Paris. She is very nice, but Jude may be in over his head."

They cast about the party, looking for Davis, and they spot him, in a corner, deep in conversation with Anna Scott. Lucas is the first to comment. "Now, that's an interesting development."

"Isn't she too young?" Peyton asks.

"She's eighteen, and he's twenty-three. I don't think it's a problem. She is an amazing girl, great basketball player, a little on the shy side, very sweet. Davis would be lucky. What do you think, wife?"

"Davis is the laid back one. He is smart, and has a great heart, but he's not a big one for initiative. He's a bit of a player, though. You know Hollywood. Rich son of the big studio mogul. He's been making the tabloids happy for a while. He's better watch it, or Nate will set him straight, painfully. I agree with you husband. It's a match that would make my mother's heart leap with joy. Hey! Was that a kiss?"

Lucas laughs. "She kissed him."

"What a slut!"

"Control yourself, Mommy Brooke. All those hormones..."

Peyton points out. "We are not the only ones watching." At another end of the room, Nathan and Haley were also keeping an eye on the couple.

"We'd better find something else to distract us, before mommy Brooke or daddy Nathan do something rash."

"Well, while little Anna was kissing Davis, look what happened." Jude and Charlie had moved to a couch and were happily making out.

Brooke looks wistfully at her sons. "Well, at least Julian's meltdown didn't spoil their party, I guess."

An hour or so later, Nathan gets up and takes the mike. Ladies and gents, as tradition dictates, I must say some words. A long time ago, I asked my brother who he wanted by his side when all his dreams came true. His answer surprised me in two ways. First, he didn't have to think about it at all. Second, I was expecting, like almost everyone who knew him at the time, that he would name Peyton. Instead, he just said "Brooke." They had broken up the second time, and it would be more than three decades until they would finally reconnect. Both Lucas and Brooke have known their hearts throughout this time, and they have both waited, and hoped, and did the best they could with what life threw at them. Today is a celebration of true love, as it reaches through time. It connects these two people, which have, for a long time, shared one heart. To the bride and groom!

Next, Peyton comes to the microphone. Hi, guys. How often do you think an ex-wife gets to be maid of honor in her former husband's wedding? Not often, I bet. And why did Brooke ask me to be her maid of honor? There is one simple reason, the same reason I accepted it. A reason who is standing right in front of me. Our beautiful daughter Sawyer. Brooke and I know it's important for her to hear this, so here it goes. I give my wholehearted blessing to this union. I sincerely hope, like all of us here today, that Lucas and Brooke have many years of love and joy together. Having said what I came here to say, let me add a couple of words. I have been, for a long time, a reluctant witness to the bond these two share. I know, probably as well as they do, that they belong together. I love both of them, I love seeing them together at last, and I'm very proud to be able to fulfill an old promise to my bff and stand here today to congratulate her and her husband. To Lucas, Brooke and their family!

Sawyer comes to Peyton after she returns the mike for a tight hug. "Thanks mom. It was nice to hear you say it." Next Brooke approaches both of them.

"Thanks PSawyer. It means a lot."

"You're welcome, BDavis. Why don't you go entertain our husband, while I take our daughter here for a drink or three? Or maybe the other way around?"

Brooke laughs. "No, skank. That way is just fine. Just keep your paws off our husband and we'll get along just fine. Besides, I can't drink, and neither can you."

"But I can, moms. And I certainly need those three drinks after this."

Brooke approaches Lucas, who was having an animated conversation with Jeff and Nathan. "Hey, husband. Our favorite rock star is about to put on a little concert." She turns to Jeff. "Have you heard of Haley James Scott?"

"I can't say I have."

"Well, buster. You're in for a treat. And in this company, you better enjoy it."

"God, Pretty Girl, she's still got it, doesn't she?"

"I think she is better now than in high school. And Halo makes me cry every single time I hear it."

"So, did you like it Jeff?"

"She is amazing. I had no idea. This was one high school class, right? Top fashion designer, celebrated best-selling author, former NBA star, star singer and composer. It must be something in Tree Hill's water."

"Not to say a former top model turned TV host, a US senator and a famous sports telecaster."

"Who's the senator?" Jeff asks.

"Erica Marsh, second term republican from North Carolina."

"That broad? I'm afraid of her."

Lucas looks around and whispers. "Well, she is a bit scary. But Brooke can take her."

"Who? Vivica?" Jeff looks confused, as the Scott brothers laugh.

Lucas decides to tease his wife and his brother. "So, Anna and Davis?"

Nathan rises to his full six two and glares. "Sorry, Brooke. She can do better."

Brooke gives him a sly smile. "Oh, I agree, bil. Davis is not to be trusted. He will corrupt your little girl for sure. The only problem is that she might enjoy it."

Nathan opens his mouth and then closes it. "I think Haley is calling me." Little brother knows when he is outgunned. Brooke and Lucas just watch, as Nathan approaches Haley, they talk and both of them approach Anna. There is a brief, but angry exchange, and Anna stomps away, grabs Davis by his arm, kisses him again and pulls him out of the room.

"Wow! That was fun."

"You're saying that because she is not your daughter."

"Ah, Pretty Wife, I knew better. Once Sawyer turned fifteen, telling her what to do would just end with my own head handed back to me. It was just advise and gently coax, and even that was dangerous. On the other hand, she could take care of herself just fine."

"I have the impression that little Anna just taught her parents that same lesson. She seems to know what she wants and how to get it. I'm afraid my Davis might actually be in trouble."

"He will be so lucky."

"With that I agree. It's getting late. I want to get out of this outfit. Would you care for a peek of what's under it?"

"Yup."

"Let's say our goodbyes then."

Back in their room. "You have to help me opening this dress in the back."

"Brooke."

"Yes, husband?"

"There's a hundred tiny buttons down the back of this dress."

"You'd better start unbuttoning then. By the way, I have a little surprise for you."

"Shit, princess, this is going to take a while."

"Broody. I have no intention of using this dress again."

"So I can..."

"Go ahead."

Lucas grabs the neckline of the dress and pulls. A hundred tiny buttons pop out, with a satisfying noise.

"That was easier than I expected."

Brooke giggles. "The dress was designed with precisely that in mind, husband."

"You're a genius, wife."

Brooke was using tiny white lace thongs, a strapless half-cup and white nylons under the dress.

She looks at him with hungry eyes. "Undress, husband."

AN: M Rated bit below

Brooke watches Lucas undressing, with the tip of her tongue between her lips, and a hand inside her panties, slowly caressing her own nub. Lucas makes a slow production of it, doing a soundless dance for her benefit. Lucas still has a strong tight body, with defined muscles and a nice six pack.

Once he is done, he extends a hand and unclasps her brassiere, letting it fall to the floor. "Don't stop, pretty girl." He caresses her breasts, delicately pinching her engorged nipples between his fingers. "They've grown bigger."

"Yes."

He kneels in front of her, unbuckling and removing her shoes and her nylons. Brooke is beginning to pant, as Lucas slowly pulls her thong down. "Ah. You shaved."

"Do you like it?"

"Looks pretty. And yummy."

"Then have a taste, husband."

Lucas begins a little dance on her nub with his tongue, while placing two of his long fingers inside her very wet hole, and working them slowly. Brooke moans loudly and puts both her hands at the back of Lucas head, pushing his face against herself.

Brooke grinds her nub against Lucas face and tongue, with more and more urgency. "Faster, husband. Oh God! Faster!" Lucas works his tongue and fingers as fast as he can, until she comes.

"Hmm. Well done. It's your turn now. Stand up." Lucas stands up, his erection in prominent display. Brooke slides a finger along it, doing a delicate, and excruciating caress at his tip with her fingernail. She kneels in front of him, holding her hands behind her back. "I want you looking into my eyes now."

Lucas stares at her hazel eyes, as she takes him into her mouth, first the head, then sliding it down her throat. He can feel the tightness as she takes him all the way to the root and stops there, just staring at his eyes, watching avidly for his reaction. Lucas can feel her heartbeat as a faint pulsation at his tip. She starts a steady rhythm, in and out, without breaking eye contact. Lucas looses himself in the sensation coming from his swallowed member and sight of her eyes. It takes less than a minute for him to come right down her throat.

"Very nice. Well done you too."

They lie in bed, and start making out, their tongues intertwining, as they caress each others body. He kisses her neck, using his tongue on a special spot that drives her crazy. Then he gives her breasts careful attention, sucking and gently biting her nipples, while beginning to stimulate her nub with his fingers. Very soon he is getting hard again, and Brooke impales herself on him. She slowly moves her hips, in an undulating back and forth motion, while caressing her own nipples with her fingers and capturing again his blue eyes with hers. After a while he sits up, while staying inside her and gives her a deep kiss. Then he holds her, one hand in her lower back, and another near her neck and lifts her, turning her around and switching positions, with her now lying below him. She starts moaning softly, muttering his name. Maintaining eye contact, he speeds up, while echoing her soft moans. Very soon he feels her coming around him and lets loose, crashing together with her.

End of M Rated bit .

They lie naked next to each other, and Lucas places his hand softly on Brooke's still flat abdomen. He whispers. "I love you babies, and I love your mommy. Can't wait to meet you."

"Thank you, husband."

"For what?"

"For being you."

They fall asleep naked, still holding each other.

Next morning, the first surprise comes as they walk down the stairs for breakfast, when Jude and Charlie come by hand in hand, to talk to Brooke.

"Mom, I'm not going back to New York right away. I'm going to spend a few days visiting Paris."

"That's fine, peanut. Can you give us a moment to talk to Charlie?"

"Sure mom, uncle Lucas."

As he walks away, Brooke turns to Charlie. "Just a fling, sweetie?"

Charlie smiles. "Just a fling. He is fun, but just a boy." She gives me a saucy stare. "I prefer grown men."

"That's fine, but please, be gentle with him. He is my baby."

"You can trust me, Brooke dear, I'll send him back to New York happy, and with his heart more or less intact. I promise." She gives Brooke a soft kiss on the cheek. My offer is still valid, you know, just give me a call."

"She is good, Broody. Sweet and tart. I'm half tempted to accept it after all."

"I don't think you would regret it. Just let me know."

"Let's see how she does with Jude."

Next it's Lydia. "Uncle Lucas, aunt Brooke. Could I stay here for a while? I want to learn a little about winemaking."

"What about your job in England, sweetie?" Lucas asks.

"I'm going to quit. That place is stifling and the work is boring. I'd like to try a change of pace."

"Did you talk to your parents?"

"Not yet. I'm a grown woman anyways."

"I know, but I'm sure they would be interested."

"That's fine. I'll tell them before they leave."

"What about you and Michel?" Michel is the oenologist.

"I'm putting the brakes on that. I want him to teach me about wine. Mixing that with a relationship would probably be counterproductive."

"Very well, little niece. I'll put you on the payroll as a field hand for a month. If you're still interested in wine after that, we will talk about you going to school. Do you think you really have the nose for it?"

"I think so, but I'm not sure. That's one of the things I'm hoping to find out."

"It's going to be nice to have her around, Broody."

"I agree."

The last surprise is not exactly surprising. As everybody is getting into the bus, Davis and Anna come, his arm around her shoulders and her arm on his waist. "Hi, uncle Lucas. Mom. I think I'm going to go spend some time in Chapel Hill. Anna and I want to make a go at it."

"Are you moving together, bug?"

"No. We want to do it one step at a time. Anna will stay in her dorm, and we will date a while. We'll see where it goes from there."

"Stepson and niece. I wish you the best of luck. I think I speak for the whole family when I say that nothing would please us more than you two making it as a couple. But I should say. You are not just a boy and a girl who just met. You are family. This complicates things. I want to ask you both, please, be specially careful with each others hearts."

"We know, uncle. We talked about it last night. That's why we're taking it slow."

"What are you going to do in North Carolina, bug?"

"I was thinking of starting a little company specializing in producing scientific or educational online content, specially videos."

"Sounds like a good idea. Would you send me a copy of your business plan?"

"Sure. I'd love to hear your thoughts about it, mom."

"I'll certainly get back to you, after I read it. Have a nice trip bug, niece. Be safe."

Anna gives a shy, utterly charming smile. "Oh, we will be, auntie. Don't worry."

Lucas notes Davis expression as he helps Anna enter the bus. "That one is gone, Pretty Girl."

"I'm under the same impression. I hope she feels the same."

"She is a good girl. I think his heart is safe with her."

The goodbyes weren't very sad, because we were planning on seeing everyone in a little over a month, celebrating Christmas in Tree Hill.

Over the winter months, Lucas and Brooke had a broad terrain on the side of the house leveled and dug, building a nice swimming pool, a sports court and a lounge, all under a large glass walled metallic structure that could be heated in the winter, and retracted in the summer. In mid March, it is still cold, so the structure is in place to keep the wind away, and temperature inside is kept pleasant by the heating of the pool itself. Lucas walks in with a basketball in his hand, with the intention of shooting some hoops. He is surprised by finding three very pregnant women, in tiny bikinis, sunbathing in lounge chairs by the pool. Brooke is twenty-five weeks along and Lily and Chris are twenty three.

He starts the girls when he speaks. "The three of you are a wonder to behold. He kneels between Brooke and Lily a hand in each ot her bumps. Lily's baby is awake and kicking, but the twins appear to be asleep. He kisses them, "Hi little son and daughter, hi little niece. Sorry, Chris, I would go there kiss my little nephew too, but you might think I'm taking liberties..."

Chris giggles. "You're welcome to kiss my bump anytime you want, Luke. As long as Brooke allows it, of course."

"Oh, He has my permission. But if I catch him kissing any other bumps..."

Luke makes a little production of going to kiss Chris baby bump. As he places his hand on her belly, it pushes right back. "Hey! Feisty little guy. I don't think you want a kiss from your old uncle." The three women laugh at Lucas pretend consternation. "I'll give your mom a kiss instead." He gives Chris a peck in the forehead, a soft kiss in Brooke's lips and heads to the court with his ball.

A few minutes later, Lydia comes in, looking dirty and tired, but with a happy smile in her face. She had been working part time in La Jolie Fille wine production since December, taking courses at the Ecole du Vin in Lyon, while getting hands on experience at the vineyard. This afternoon, she had spent several hours pruning vines with Maurice and his staff.

"Hi ladies! Damn. One look at you guys, and my uterus starts sending signals: "I want one, I want one! I'd better stay away from you."

Brooke looks at her over the top of her magazine. "Hi sweetheart. Don't worry. It's not catching."

Lydia sees Lucas shooting hoops and approaches him. "Hey, uncle!"

"Oh, hi, cutie. What's up?"

"One-on-one, to ten by ones?"

"Fine, but go easy on your old uncle." In fact, they are pretty well matched, Lucas advantage in height and precision offset by her speed and agility. It's a spirited game, as they get into it, taunting each other and laughing. Brooke and Lily get up from their chairs, to watch their game.

"You know, auntie, sometimes I feel like a fake Scott. I never managed to enjoy playing this game."

"Your father liked it, but he wasn't any good. Also, maybe, you're mostly Roe. You were cheer captain, weren't you?"

"Yup. I still enjoy watching it. Can you imagine us three doing cheer routines with these bellies?"

"Oh yeah." Brooke jumps up, legs apart, arms in the air. "One, two, lets go!" She tries a fake high kick, but a sudden pain in her back makes her scream, as she falls sitting down on the ground."

Lucas stops mid motion and turns to her, his body suddenly tense. "Pretty girl?"

"There's something wrong, Lucas. Call Susan."

Lucas turns to Lydia. "She should be in the kitchen. Can you run there?"

Lucas sits on the ground and places Brooke' head in his lap. Brooke continues to whimper softly, occasionally letting go a sharp yelp. About three minutes later Lydia returns with Susan, who has a little doctor's bag with her.

"Lyd, can you run again to the kitchen, and ask Carole to call for the helicopter, just in case?" They'd been keeping a medevac helicopter with a crew on standby at a field outside town. Susan examines Brooke, checks her blood pressure and her cervix.. "Ms. Scott. You're in premature labor. I'm administering a medication to stop the contractions, but you need to go to the hospital immediately."

Susan and the paramedic load Brooke into the helicopter, and Lucas accompanies them to the hospital.

Before they leave, he talks to Lydia. "Lyd, call Sawyer, tell her Brooke is in premature labor, and tell her to call me. You can come to the hospital later with Lily and Chris. It's a private maternity facility outside Lyon, and Maurice can tell you how to get there. I'll see you later."

"Good luck, uncle. We'll be praying."

"Thanks."

"I hold Brooke's hand, while tears run down her face. "It's too soon, Luke. They can't make it yet."

"I know, Pretty Girl. Susan has managed to stop the contractions. We are headed to the hospital in Lyon for further exams. Everything will be fine, you'll see."

The ride is a bumpy one, about twenty minutes from our front door to the heliport outside the hospital. I keep hold of Brooke's hand as the orderlies wheel us into the place, through double doors and an elevator, into an examination room that feels like a scenario for a sci-fi movie. In one screen, Our doctor from New York is already in conference with the local specialists, and they wait and nod, as Susan makes her report. After that they get into a technical discussion in clipped tones, which seems to end with a proposed course of action. An older gentleman comes and directs himself at us. "Mr and Ms. Scott. I am Doctor Coutand, and I am the director of obstetrics at this facility. At this time, we are going to run a series of tests on Ms. Scott, which will determine our course of action. Let me stress our objective here. We intend to do everything possible to keep your babies where they are now. It is not impossible that infants this premature survive and thrive, but it is highly unlikely, Each week, no, each day they stay in Ms. Scott's womb improves immeasurably their prospects. We will be back when we have a clearer picture of the next steps. In the meantime, we are giving Ms. Scott a mild sedative, to help reduce her stress levels and decrease the chance of renewed contractions. "

Lucas stays by Brooke's bed, holding her hand, while she falls into a light sleep. Some time later his phone rings. "Hi Sawyer. So far, everything is fine. The babies are still inside. Apparently they've managed to stop the contractions."

"That's good daddy. Do they have a course of action in place?"

"I think that, for now, they are still running tests. Brooke is asleep, they've given her a sedative."

"I wish I was there with you. Depending on developments, I'll take a break here and come to you. Can you get me her attending's phone? I want to ask him or her a few questions."

I go outside and ask the nurse for Dr. Coutand's contact, which I pass to Sawyer. "I can send the jet to New York, just in case you want to rush here."

"Very well, daddy. Send it. I'll keep Uncle Nathan and the twins updated, so just focus on mom and the babies, ok? I'll be in touch. Bye, daddy."

"Bye, sweetheart. And thank you."

A couple of minutes after he hangs up, Lydia comes in, still covered in dirt from the vineyard and sweaty from our game. She gives me a very welcome hug anyways."Lily and Chris are here, but they are not allowed in the ICU." She looks at sleeping Brooke. "How are auntie and the little cousins?"

"They are fine for now. The contractions stopped, but the doctors are still running tests. It will be a while until we know more." I give her a credit card. "Why don't you check yourselves into the hotel across the street, buy a change of clothes for yourself and one for me, take a shower, and let the Lily and Chris rest. I'm sure all this stress is not good for them, or for the babies. After you're done, come back to stay with your aunt a bit, so that I can take a shower myself."

Later the phone rings, and it's Sawyer again. "Hi dad!"

"Hi sweetheart. What's up?"

"I just finished a conference call with your doctors in Lyon and New York. They asked me to talk to you first. The news are actually very good. Normally, labor is like a boulder coming down a mountain Once it gets going, it's damn near impossible to stop. It seems that her getting the uterine relaxant early actually managed to freeze the process. Usually, we could, at best, hold off labor with drugs for a couple of weeks. We would use this time to introduce other drugs, that would speed up fetal development, specially the lungs and intestines, in such a way to improve their chances of survival outside the womb. However, it seems that the boulder has reached some kind of equilibrium, and we will remove the uterine relaxant altogether, with the hope that labor has halted indefinitely. That is the good part. We will also avoid the extreme premie protocol, which can create its own problems. The bad part is that this equilibrium may be very delicate. Mom will have to be in absolute bed rest, with very little stimulus of any kind. She will be transferred to a regular room, but she will remain at the hospital for at least four weeks. If she becomes restless, she will need to be sedated."

"You know Brooke. This is going to be extremely hard on her."

"I know. As soon as I'm done with my boards I'll go straight there. In the meantime, you should ask Aunt Haley and Uncle Nathan to come. I think you'll both need them."

"You're right about that. Right now I have two other very pregnant women, who are probably going up the walls, and Lydia, who has been an absolute godsend. Did you talk to the twins?"

"Not yet. They should get back to me soon. I'll suggest that they might want go by also."

"All right, Dr. Crabcakes, thank you for everything. You totally rock."

"You rock too, dad. Good luck."

About an hour later he hears a moan coming from Brooke's direction. Her eyes flutter open, and Lucas approaches, entering her field of vision. "Luke? Where...what..."

"The babies are fine, Pretty Girl, and so are you." She visibly relaxes, placing a protective hand on her bump."

"Where an I?"

"The Maternity facility at Lyon. Do you remember what happened?"

"It's a bit of a blur. I went into labor, didn't I?"

"Yes you did. But Susan reacted fast, and it now stopped. According to the doctors, this was very lucky."

"It's too soon, Broody. They can't survive. Jude and Davis were born at twenty-eight weeks, and it was such a struggle."

"Well, medicine moved forward since then, but you're right. They have to stay inside. The bad news is that, until this pregnancy is over, you are in complete bed rest. They say any big movement or excitement can bring labor back. If you start getting worked up or upset, you're supposed to get a sedative."

"Shit, Husband. I'm not going to enjoy that."

"You can take it out on me, Pretty Wife. Just without getting excited."

She smiles and holds my hand. "Now, that's going to be even harder."