Lucas stood in the doorway, making sure he was out of sight as he watched Lynn, the physiotherapist, with Peyton.

'Right, now I want to see if you can close your fingers around the ball.' Supporting Peyton's wrist, the woman placed the ball into the blonde's hand. 'Now can you close you're fingers around it?' She urged. Peyton's brow furrowed with concentration, her fingers twitching slightly. A long minute past before she let out an exasperated breath.

'I can't, I can-t'

'It's alright sweetie. You did good. We're just working you're muscles up' Lynn praised, setting the small ball back on the ground and laying Peyton's arm back on the floor. 'I think that's enough for today' She said gently, catching Lucas' eye. 'You've got a vistor.' She winked. Peyton's gaze drifted to the doorway.

'Hey Peyton' Lucas smiled, entering the specialised room. She offered him an awkward smile. 'How're you feeling today?'

'O-kay than-k you'

'She's doing really well' Lynn informed him positively. 'I'm really pleased. You moved your leg today, huh Peyton?'

Lucas resisted the urge to snap at the women. He hated the way everyone had taken to addressing her in a patronising tone, like she was five.

'That's great Peyt' He smiled sincerely. Since awaking she'd been put through thousands of tests each day to see what level her brain was responding. At the moment Doctors seemed to be pleased with her progression. Although her vowels tended to be prolonged and mispronounced at times, her speech had improved a great deal in such a short period. She was still easily upset, liable to getting confused and unable to remember anything of her life before she fell into a coma. However, she could now remember details of the previous day and recall what year it was. Lucas couldn't believe how good it felt not having to introduce himself each day and go through explaining that they were married. The main concern was with her thinking problems; it was not yet evident how severe and long term she'd been affected.

'Do you want to take her back to her room or would you like me to go get one of the nurses to help you?'

'I can manage' He forced a polite smile.

'Ok then. I'll see you tomorrow Peyton' Lynn waved a goodbye.

Lucas waited until the woman was out of sight before he crouched down beside the gym mat she was currently laying on and kissed her forehead. As always she smiled awkwardly at the display of affection. 'You want to go back to your room?' She nodded wearily, these sessions really did take it out of her. 'Ok' He delicately scooped her up, revelling in having her so close, even if it were for only a few brief seconds. He reluctantly parted with her thin body, carefully sitting her in the wheel chair a few yards away. 'There we go'

'Luu-cus?'

He looked down at her affectionately. 'Yes?'

'We're mar-ieed' she stated, gesturing to the gold band around her wedding finger.

'That's right'

'How loo-ng have we been mar-ieed?'

'Ten years' He answered looking into her green eyes.

'That's a loo-ng tii-me'

'Yeah' He agreed, standing and moving behind her to wheel her out into the hospital corridor. 'Well we were together for a few years before we got married too.' He added. 'So I guess you could say thirteen years'

She nodded with a pensive expression, trying to fathom how she'd been married to a man for so long and yet couldn't seem to retain any information about him or their life together.

They were soon back in her room, Lucas regarding her nervously. He needed to tell her something. He'd been avoiding it for the most part of a week but he really didn't have a choice any longer.

'Peyton there's something I wanted to talk to you about' Her eyes met his, waiting for him to continue. 'Do you know who all these photos are of?' Peyton tilted her head to one side, looking up at the drawings and photo's displayed around the top of the bed's headboard.

Lucas swallowed apprehensively, tugging a particular photo off the wall and setting it down onto her legs so she could get a closer look. 'These are our two girls Peyton'

'Our girl-s?' She repeated.

'Yeah. Our children'

'Chil-dreen?' She had no idea who she was right now but the idea that she had children seemed more than absurd, even impossible, so much so that she refused to believe him. 'Chil-dreen' Her brow furrowed and she screwed her eyes up. 'I don-t, don-t have chil-dren'

'Yes' He stroked her hand. 'Yes you do.'

She looked at him blankly.

He sighed, sitting down beside her and linking their hands. 'Peyton I know this is hard for you to get your head round'

'Ch-children' She shook her head. 'I..I can-t'

He bought her hand to his lips. She just stared at him disbelievingly for a long minute before her gaze fell back to the photo.

'This is Elodie Rae Scott and this is Sephy Ann Scott' He announced softly, pointing out each child. He gazed at her hopefully, looking for any recognition.

'Where's Ja-ne?'

He blinked, confused by the sudden change of subject. He exhaled heavily. 'She's seeing to other patients right now. Peyton were you listening to me?' He clutched the photo, holding it in front of her face. 'Elodie and Sephy are coming to see you today'

'El-o-die an-d Se-phy'

'Yes. They're you're children, our children and they're coming to see you later this afternoon. They're really excited to see you.'

'Where's Ja-ne' Again she asked for the nurse.

'I don't know'

'I don-t wan-t to tal-k'

'Ok. It's ok. We won't talk anymore' He promised, only praying that come later this afternoon, she'd have a better reaction to her two children.

'Elodie, come here' Brooke sighed. Despite her great efforts, the three year old had been walking around in nothing but a pair of white tights for the last half hour.

'No' She shook her head, curls of blonde falling over her eyes. 'I'm playing' She announced, continuing the important task of filling the dolls pram with plastic zoo animals.

'We're going to see Mummy in a while. I think she'd like it if you'd put on your dress and let me brush your hair?' She urged, only to be answered with a raaaa as a tiger was added to the collection of animals. 'Ellie please sweetie' She crouched down before her. 'Elodie' Brooke stopped her from pushing the pram of animals away, gripping her arm with every intention of quickly slipping the blue dress over her head.

'Nooo'

Brooke huffed as the child squirmed out of her hold.

'El why is all the animals in my push chair?' Sephy asked quietly as she entered the bedroom, un-amused that her younger sibling had turned her doll's pram into a wildlife park.

'They's going for a ride' She replied busily.

Sephy rolled her eyes. 'You're so annoying'

Brooke sat down on the floor, leaning against the wall in defeat. 'What you got there Sephy?' She eyed the bright collection of crepe paper flowers in her grasp.

'They're for Mummy. I made them like she showed me'

'They're beautiful honey. I'm sure she'll like them.'

'Are we going soon Aunt Brooke?'

'As soon as I manage to get this little sprog into some clothes'

'I'll help' Sephy smiled knowingly up at her god mother. 'Ellie you want me to read you Green eggs and ham?' She retrieved the doctor Seuss book from the shelf and sat herself on the floor. Zebra in hand, the three year old was at her side in a second.

'I am Sam
I am Sam
Sam I am

Brooke smiled as she watched Elodie entranced with the story, so much so that she didn't notice or complain when Brooke gently slid her dress over her golden hair, and guided her arms through the right holes. By the time Sephy had finished the book, Elodie was dressed, her hair was clipped back neatly on one side and her black patent shoes buckled.

'Thanks pretty girl. You're a star' Brooke pecked her cheek. 'You wanna go see that beautiful mum of yours now?'

'Daddy' Elodie chanted, racing up the corridor as fast as her small legs would carry her.

'Hey little girl' Lucas greeted with open arms, bending over and kissing her head. 'Took your time' He looked at Brooke.

'Yeah, we had some issues with getting this little tyke dressed'

'Elodie' Lucas raised his brow. 'Were you being a monster for your aunt Brooke?'

'I am not no monster daddy. I just don'ts like cloves' She said seriously, holding her hands out.

He laughed at her. 'Well if you don't wear clothes you get cold, silly girl' He turned his attention to Sephy. 'You ok baby?' He took her hand. She nodded quietly, her eyes glued on her mother's door. 'What do you say we go see you're mum?' Her gaze darted to him and her head bobbed up and down.

'I'll wait out here, let you guys have some time alone' Brooke muttered. She'd not been here since her best friend had awoken. No one had apart from Lucas. The doctor's had suggested they keep visitors to an absolute minimum until she progressed a bit further. That wasn't the reason that Brooke Davis had stayed away. Everyone new she broke the rules, she would've forced her way in there if she'd wanted to. To be truthful, she'd been thankful for the girls, it had been a perfect excuse to keep her distance. She looked after them while Lucas' visited everyday, she was the strong one that comforted him when he came home. The truth was she was terrified of seeing her best friend.

'Brooke' Lucas shook his head. 'You're part of this family too. I need you in there' He pleaded. 'Please'

She forced a smile, taking Elodie's small hand. 'Ok' She swallowed thickly before following him through the door.

The rhythmical beeps of machines no longer occupied the room. The window was open and the calming sound of the street below drifted through.

Peyton was laying in bed, her eyes wide as she watched Lucas enter, followed by three new visitors.

Sephy's arm soon found it's way around Lucas' leg, clutching on to his trousers as she stared at her alert mother.

'Peyton' Lucas looked at her nervously. 'This is Brooke and Elodie' he motioned to the brunette and the suddenly timid three year old. 'And this' He put his hands on Sephy's shoulder. 'Is Sephy'

Silence filled the room for a long minute.

'Mumma's waked up' Elodie felt the need to announce, her innocent voice successfully breaking the tension filled room.

'Yeah baby. Here, come and give your mum a kiss' Lucas cooed. The little girl looked up shyly, wrapping her small hands in the material of her dress nervously.

'Don't do that' Brooke gently pulled her arms away, allowing the cotton to fall back over her tights. 'Come here' Brooke lifted her, carrying her to the bed. 'Kiss Mummy' Elodie screwed her eyes and nose up and puckered her lips, kissing Peyton's cheek as instructed.

'Seph' Lucas nodded toward Peyton, urging her to go do the same.

'Hi Mummy' The eight year old bravely walked forward, a small smile playing on her lips as she scrambled up onto the bed. 'I'm glad you woke up.' She looked down 'I made these for you' She presented the crepe paper flowers. 'El did that one though' She made sure to let her know that the crumpled orange one was made by her younger sister.

'I did orange one' Elodie nodded proudly, her thumb in her mouth. Peyton's eyes temporarily left Sephy to look at the smaller child.

'But I did the rest. The purple one, the blue one, the pink one, the yellow one and the green one. Just like you taught me.' She rambled. Peyton stared at her dazedly, green eyes scanning the child curiously. Sephy's face fell when Peyton made no move to accept them.

'Here' Lucas cleared his throat, taking the flowers and opening his wife's trembling hand for her. 'There we go' He ruffled Sephy's hair.

'Do you like them Mummy?'

Peyton was silent.

'Mummy?'

'I-I'm ti-eerd'

Sephy's eyes widened considerably at the unfamiliar sound of her mother's voice and her drawn out pronunciation.

'Why are you speaking like that?' She frowned.

'Seph' Lucas took her hand. 'Why don't we go for a little walk.'

'Why is she speaking like that?' She whimpered fretfully, tears welling in her large green eyes.

'Come on'

'No. Mummy-'

'Baby' Lucas forcefully took her wrist, dragging her little form out of the room.

'I…I'm sor-ry' Peyton mumbled as the door closed.

'It's ok' Brooke shook her head. 'You did nothing wrong sweetie'

'She-she wa-s cry-ing'

'She'll be ok in a minute' Brooke promised.

'Luu-cus says I'm th-their mu-m'

'That's right' Brooke sat down on the side of the bed, with Elodie on her lap.

'And you arre my frieen-d'

'Yes, your best friend' Brooke corrected with a small smile.

'I...I can-t re-memem-ber' She sighed agitatedly.

'You will soon. Elodie's missed you. Haven't you baby girl?' Brooke ran her hand over her god daughter's curls. The truth was the three year old seemed a little un-phased by her mother's conscious state. Five months ago Brooke knew she would have been delighted to see her mother, she'd been so attached but that bond between toddler and mother had been broken. Elodie fiddled with the cotton material of Brooke's sleeve, looking up at the brunette for reassurance every few seconds. If a stranger were to look in, she was positive it would look like she was the mother of the beautiful infant. Guilt rushed through her. She felt as though she was slowly steeling Peyton's place. She closed her eyes. She could clearly remember the choked up phone call she'd received from Lucas five months ago, she could remember getting an immediate flight out to New York, she could remember like it were yesterday. She could remember being the one to go look after Sephy and Elodie and frantically trying to comfort the two scared children that desperately wanted their mother. She couldn't forget bringing them to the hospital with Lucas and watching Elodie glue herself to her mother's comatose form, only when the toddler had fallen asleep, had he managed to pry her small hands away and take her home to her crib. Brooke was sure she'd have no trouble in getting Elodie to leave now though.

'When you come home, I'm sure everything will start to come back to you' Brooke mustered, hoping for everyone's sake that, that would indeed be the case.