To Be Loved

24 - Lawrence

Anna called Haven.

I don't know what is wrong with Brookes, I just know that he is not ok, which is obvious to anyone with eyes.

His skin is so pale and his eyes have bags under them from not getting enough sleep. Probably because of the endless hours spent on coughing. I can't believe I haven't realized how sickly he looks the past few days... maybe weeks.

Mom and Dad called in one of the highly rated doctors in the city. He hasn't come in yet, but should be in here soon.

I was currently waiting for Haven by the entrance to the palace. I heard a car door slam from all the way down to where the garage is. Five minutes later, Haven is sprinting towards me with panic clear on her face.

"What's wrong? What is it?" She asked between breaths.

I grabbed her shoulders, "Calm down. The doctor should be here in a while-"

"No, Rory, tell me what happened!" She demanded.

I walked in the palace with her following close behind. As I was making my way to Brookes' room, I told her what happened:

"Everything was fine. We were all having breakfast together when Brookes started... Like- I don't know. Choking I guess? I don't know how to explain it.

Anyways, all the sudden, he starts spitting up blood and almost gives Mom and Dad a heart attack."

"Oh my gosh..." Haven said after listening intently to what I said, "What do you think is wrong with him?"

"I don't know, Havey. Maybe he had something happen to his throat similar to nose bleeds? Like when your nose gets to dry and it bleeds?"

"Yeah, maybe, but is that even possible?"

I shrugged, "I have no clue, but I'm hoping for his sake that that's what happened."

"Me too."

We soon made it to Brookes' room where Anna was sitting by his side and holding his hand. Brookes was fast asleep and Annalise was staring at him with a look of guilt written all over her face.

She looked up and greeted us, "H-hey."

Anna quietly got up and came over to us. She gave me a small cheek kiss and hugged Haven.

"How is he?" Haven asked.

"He's ok. He fell asleep thirty minutes ago and has only coughed a few times since then." Anna whispered back.

Haven nodded and took a seat on the bed besides Brookes and took his hand in her small one.

After a while the silence became thick and overwhelming, so when Annalise spoke again I was relieved but what she said surprised me, "I have to confess something."

We both looked at her.

"I knew Brookes was sick," She looked like she was about to cry, "I'm sorry I didn't tell- I knew I should have, but Brookes made me promise not to. He was worried about you-" She looked to Haven, "He didn't want to stress you out more. He thought it was just a cough!"

Haven looked at her with evil eyes, "Just. A. Cough?"

Anna visibly gulped and I walked away to a chair in the corner to get away from the war about to happen.

"He was coughing up blood! And you didn't think to tell one of us?"

"He made me pr-"

"I don't care! He was sick! You should have told, either way!"

"I'm sorry, Hav! I just wanted to respect his wishes!"

"By putting him in danger?!" Haven practically screamed in her face and I knew I had to break this up before one of them started throwing hands.

"Alright! That's enough, both of you. Brookes isn't going to get better with you two screaming at each other, so both of you shut up!

Anna you should have told us, and I can't lie and say I'm not disappointed-" Haven wore a smug look at my words but I cut it off by saying, "And Haven- you have no right to yell at my girlfriend like that. And don't even get me started on the messed up stuff you've done in the past few weeks."

Haven's smug face was turned into one of shame and embarrassment and Anna looked relieved that the fight didn't go any further.

Brookes audible groaned and we all turned to face him. Haven sat beside him and took his hand again.

"Hey," He weakly spoke.

"Hey," She said and kissed his hand, "Sorry if we woke you."

"It's ok. I'm glad to see you."

"Me too. How are you feeling, Brookie?" He rolled his eyes at the nickname.

"Never been better, Havey."

"What do you think is the matter?"

His face drooped down like he already knew, "I'm not sure. But I have a feeling I won't be here mu-"

Another voice interrupted their exchange, "Move out the way please! The doctor is here."

Our father had spoken and he was walking into the room with Mother and the doctor trailing behind.

The doctor pulled up a chair and took out his doctor things I didn't know the name of, "First I will check his vitals and then I will take multiple samples to take back and get tested, sound good, Your Majestys'?"

"Yes, do what you have to do," Haven spoke for my parents.

"Ok, my team and I will try our absolute best to try and figure out what Mr. Brookes has before the end of the week."

After almost an hour of taking samples and checking basic stuff like heart rate and blood pressure, the doctor was finally done and on his way out.

One of the maids escorted him out so that Mom and Dad could stay with Brookes.

"I don't know what we're going to do, Nick." Mother tried to whisper to the king, but it came out rather loudly.

"Me neither, Kare."

"I mean, If Brookes dies, we can't just let Rory be king."

Haven tensed at our mother's words and I held her arm tightly making sure she wouldn't do anything stupid.

Mother continued, "Haven can't be queen either because she'll already be queen of James' country. We'll have to start Lawrence's "king" lessons soon, won't we?" she laughed at her un-funny joke. Wow that hurt...

The king didn't say a word, just slightly laughed.

"It will be a shame if Brookes dies. He's the only child of our's who has some sense. Lawrence will never be cut out for it."

Haven was fuming. She jerked her arm away and walked quickly over to our mother, "How dare you! How dare you talk about Brookes and Lawrence like that!"

And she slapped Mom. Haven Isabella Collins actually slapped her mother- the queen!

"How can you live with yourself?"

And then Haven called her a name I rather not repeat. Everyone looked at her in shock. Nobody knew what to do, not even my dad, who spent most of my life slapping me.

Brookes looked like he was about to burst into a laughing fit and Anna looked like she was about to fall over in shock. But, I just stood there, surprisingly proud of my sister and how someone finally stood up to our distasteful mother.

I don't think anyone will forget this day