The Other James ~~ One Tree Hill FanFiction

Part 23

A/N:

So.... we have almost 1500 reads! That is so AWESOME!!!

Still waiting for some people to reach out to me in a message or comment though! I have had a few but the more the merrier!

S6E6

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"Now, Tobin, now that you are getting released I want you to start testing things out... but be smart about it. We ran all kinds of tests, and your heart is solid now... we even got rid of that murmur of yours." The doctor smiled as Brooke tightened her grip on my hand, "I hear you were a basketball player back in the day... try that out. There is so reason you can't live a normal life now. All you have left from this is that scar on your chest."

"And the heart of someone I don't know... are you allowed to tell me?" I asked, not knowing where the donor came from.

He sighed, "Unfortunately the donor wanted to be anonymous, however, if you write a letter I can be sure that the family gets it." He smiled, heading out the door.

Brooke took a breath and rubbed my arm, "Lets get you home." she smiled.

***

"Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything?" Brooke questioned as we entered the house.

"Brooke, I love you, but I am okay! I promise! You heard the doc, gotta get into things again... which means you have to go do something with that clothing store! Milly is there already, waiting for you." I smirked, knowing what Milly was there for.

"And how does Milly know I will show?" She said, raising an eyebrow, "And what are you gonna do?"

"Hm, I guess you will just have to go and see!" I teased, "And I am gonna write this letter to the family of my donor... but I don't even know what to say."

Brooke sighed and had a sad look in her eyes. "Don't! Go on, get that fine ass to work." I said sending her a wink.

She rolled her eyes and left, while I starred at a blank piece of paper.

***

"How ya holdin' up, Tobes?" Haley chirped as she walked inside.

"Since the last time you called, which was 20 minutes ago?" I joked, "I am still good!"

She laughed, "Well... great! I actually have something I wanted to run by you. There's this girl, a teen, who I found sleeping in a car at school." she said.

"Okay..." I said, crunching my eyebrows, "What does that have to do with me?"

"You and Brooke did amazing with Angie, so I was thinking that you and Brooke might want to foster her... I know she's 15 and rebellious but so was someone else I know..." She said, referring to Brooke, "And maybe someone to care for her is exactly what she needs.

"I mean, I would love to help but... Brooke is really the one you need to ask. She's been really cut off and has built all these walls that I can't even get through, especially now that I am back home after the surgery... I mean, she's at the store right now if you want to go talk to her."

Haley nodded and then smiled, "I'm glad you're better."

"Me too," I said, brushing my fingers through my hair, "I just wish I knew how they suddenly had a donor for me."

***

I stepped hesitantly onto the River Court, not knowing how hard to go at first or if I should just start like I used to. I took a deep breath and just took random shots, then started running around and dunked it or made a lay up.

"Are we all just making a comeback or what?" A voice teased, Nathan.

"Easy for you to say, you've got a head start!" I smiled, tossing him the ball.

He scoffed, "Oh, come on... it's still inside you somewhere you just gotta get comfortable again."

He took another shot and I shrugged, "I don't know... I have been thinking a lot about the future and everything."

"Yeah? What did you have in mind?"

"Well," I sighed, "Now that I am functioning normal... I could do something with basketball, maybe. Or, I was thinking... back in high school I wanted to join the military, but now that I am with Brooke I was thinking maybe I could be a cop. That's the next best thing, right?"

Nathan nodded, "Yeah, I guess. I still think you should suit up with me! How about this, one on one... right now, and just go hard... think as though we are in high school again."

"What's the catch?" I smirked, knowing he had something up his sleeve.

"I win, you have to at least TRY and play again... with me. You win, then you can pick what you do." He said, sending me 'a look', "What do you say?"

I nodded, "Alright, check the ball."

He laughed and we took our spots. Playing with Nathan again made me smile the most I ever have since the surgery, not counting when I woke up and saw Brooke wearing the ring again. I played hard, just like I used to, and had no side effects. Obviously, I was out of shape so I got tired... which caused me to lose, but only by one shot.

"Well, well," Nathan said between breaths, "Looks like you're joining me in a comeback."

My mouth gaped open, "How am I gonna get there?"

He smiled and ran to the hoop and dunked it. "Like that!"

***

"I brought cookies!" Brooke smiled as we entered the store, "They're a little burnt but... it's the thought that counts anyways."

I shook my head as Milly took the cookies and headed to the door. She turned to us just as she opened it, "I added a few more things to that list... for the both of you." Milly winked, heading out.

"Be a mom..." Brooke breathed, wrapping her arms around my waist.

"...and a dad." I finished, squeezing my arms around her and placing a kiss on her head.

"But, what about you? You just got released to do normal things... the stress of a teen would be too much." She said, shaking her head.

"Hey," I said, getting her attention, "We'll figure it out, okay? Together... all three of us." I smiled.

She just sighed and hugged me tighter. "Go get her." I whispered, heading back home.

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No A/N

till next time!

*kelsey*