Chapter 13

"We have decided based on the evidence presented, that Michael and Rachel Humphrey, because it seems their father is not able to care for properly, will return to the custody of not only their mother, Marley Rose but also Ryder Lynn will become a guardian as well." A Juror says as I grip Ryder's hand until my knuckles turn white. As we are given the news, he squeezes my hand. The judge stands up.

"I have also made a decision on my own; Andrew Humphrey will have weekly visitation rights." I tighten my grip on Ryder's hand once more. "These visits must be public and must have either of the guardians present, because of the evidence of Mr. Humphrey's abusive past." I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. "Do all parties agree to the presented decision?" The judge asks. Ryder and I nod and I see Andy do the same. "Well then, court dismissed." The judge says then walks to his office. I turn and look at Ryder.

"I know it's not nice to say I told you so but…" He says laughing, pulling me closer to hug me.

"Shut up…" I tell him. He just laughs and kisses my hair.

"Why don't we go home?" He mumbles into my hair.

"Sure." I say. He wraps his arm around my waist and leads me out of the courthouse. During the ride home, I can't stop smiling, that is until I realize something.

"So, I guess the restraining order is a no go now." I say frowning at him.

"Can you just be happy for once without worrying about everything else?" He asks laughing once more.

"I'm serious Ryder."

"I know. I guess it is out of the question. We'll figure something out, Marls don't worry. Next week is when the visits start, we'll lay down ground rules, and I'll make sure to be completely clear on them."

"Ryder… Be careful. We don't know what he's capable of."

"I know baby, but for tonight just focus on the positive. The kids are ours." He says, his smile growing larger, if that was even possible.

"Oh my god… Ours… the kids are ours… Can you believe that?" I ask him, utterly shocked that that dream had become a reality.

"You know, I don't think I did until you said it, it made it real." He says, squeezing my hand.

"I feel like I'm one step closer to putting my life back together, to feeling complete again." I say, sighing at the end.

"I'm glad that's how you feel. How about we tell the kids the good- the great news and then we all go out to dinner?" He suggests, I nod and kiss his cheek.

"That's so amazing! I told you everything would be okay." Rachel tells me as we sit in the Lima Bean. Ryder went to the tire shop to tell Finn while I met up with Rachel.

"I know, it's just a relief to have it all over. I feel like I can breathe again."

"How do the kids feel about everything?" She asks me.

"I don't think they really understand what has happened, you know?"

"I wouldn't expect them to, they're too young. I think they just know that someone is here to stay and take care of you all." She explains. She has a real point.

"It' a good thing too, I don't know how much longer I would have lasted alone." I admit, she gives me a scolding look.

"You weren't alone, we had you all covered."

"You know what I mean; it's nice to have someone whose main priority in being in my life is to take care of me, and keep me safe… my kids too."

"How amazing does it feel to call them Ryder's kids? He seemed pretty excited about it when he called Finn."

"God, Rach I never thought I'd have the life I'd dreamed of in high school. The ones he and I had imagine and made up during our good times."

"You know, after all Finn and I have been through since we met, I can relate to you and Ryder."

"I know, but I'm pretty sure we beat you out on dramatic and tragic love story… no offence."

"None taken, every couple has their own trials."

RyderPOV

"So, everything is okay now? You guys got that happy ending you wanted." Finn told me after I tell him the news.

"I guess you could say that, everything should back to normal… hopefully. I'm just glad school will be starting again, Marley needs the distraction. Being with the Glee Club gives her that sense of comfort… you know?"

"It did that for anyone who walked through the door of the choir room. I'm glad to have her helping me again; the last few years have been rough because she could never find someone to watch the kids."

"Well, that's going to change, and so are a lot of other things… I'll make sure of that." I assure him. He smiles and looks at his copy of the picture I have in my truck.

"Just… be careful okay? She's been through a lot, you know that, but you didn't sit with her after that bastard left and watched as she cried… I did and I don't know if I can do it again." Finn says looking up at me, a completely serious look on his face.

"I know, man, trust me. I'm not going anywhere again, and I'm not going to hurt her if I can help it."

"I know, I know man, I just don't want to see those kids hurt again, and Marley is stronger inside than she looks on the outside but they aren't." He says, looking at me and then the picture again before continuing. "On a happier note though, I know you guys are pretty serious, but you've been waiting for the case to be over… have you thought any more about… you know?"

"Trust me Finn, I've been thinking about it more than you could imagine… I want to be with her for the rest of our lives, I just… what if she's not ready? What if it scares her off?" I panic, getting nervous. Every time I think about taking that next big step with Marley, I worry that nothing will turn out the way I want it to.

"Dude, she's been ready since you were seniors at McKinley. She's totally ready now. Just have faith in yourself and in her. If she wasn't ready for that commitment, she would have kicked you to the curb a long time ago Ryder." Finn assures me laughing.

"Well, I just want to be sure." I tell him, I try to convince myself that this was the right decision. I loved Marley more than life itself, and I loved her, I mean our kids more than anything too.

"I get that, man but you know how Marley gets… if you wait too long, she's going to spazz out, thinking you don't want the commitment." I look at the ground.

"I'm pretty sure I've made my intentions on being serious completely clear." I tell him seriously, slightly pissed that he would ever think I was just there to mess with Marley's life and her heart again. "Whatever… we should get home." He looks at me and nods, clocking out and grabbing his jacket. We walk to my truck and I'm getting my keys out when he tries to grab them from me.

"Ry, you're pissed, you shouldn't drive. You know how you drive when you're angry." He tells me, his older brother mentality coming out.

"I'm fine man, just let me drive."

"No. And if you don't give me the keys, I'll smash you into your own truck." He says, I know he's kidding but give him the keys anyway, knowing it's not worth the fight. He takes them, we get in and he starts the engine. I open the glove box and pull out the little black box that I'd had for some time.

"Man, if you think it's time and you're both completely clear about each other's intentions… do it, but make sure you're both cut and dry about everything." Finn tells me, interrupting my thoughts. We're sitting at a stoplight that has no other cars, being that it's almost eleven o'clock and he's facing me, trying to assure me of his seriousness.

"I get it Finn! I don't need you to treat me like a child anymore! I know what I'm doing… you got to stop this over-protective brother thing before I kill you." I say snapping at him.

"I just don't think you get the effect you and your decisions have on Marley."

"Trust me, I do… I'm not in high school anymore Finn, I can make my own decisions." I say trying to get the argument to end, not succeeding. As Finn continues his argument, the light turns green and that's all he noticed, not the giant delivery truck that is rushing toward us. "FINN!" I yell at him, but I'm too late, my truck is being slammed across the street and onto the sidewalk and the delivery truck in sliding all over the place. Before I blacked out, all I could think about was how I wished I was home, with Marley and the kids, how I wished I hadn't yelled at Finn… all regrets.

MarleyPOV

"Mommy! Your phone woke me up!" Mike yells down the hall as I stand in the kitchen digging through my purse, trying to find my phone. Rachel comes out of her room, teddy bear and blanket in tow, Mike following behind her.

"Go back to sleep guys, I'll tuck you back in when I'm finished, go get in mommy and Ry's bed if you want." I tell them. They turn around and head back down the hall heading you Ryder and I's room. "Hello?" I answer the phone.

"Is this Marley Rose?" An unfamiliar voice asks from the other end.

"Yes, it is. Can I ask who this is?"

"I'm a secretary from Lima Memorial Hospital. You are the emergency contact for Ryder Lynn, right?"

"Yes, I am. Why?" I start to internally panic. I rush down the hall grabbing the kids' coats and going to my room. I mouth to them to put the on and follow me.

"Could you come down here? It seems Mr. Lynn has been in a car accident." The lady on the other end of the phone says, calmly might I add… how can you be calm in a situation like this.

"I'll be there in twenty minutes. Do you know what happened?" I ask as I put the kids in the car.

"I am not liable to say, all I know is the other person in the car was a close friend."

"Was it Finn Hudson? Did you call his wife?" I ask, panicking even more. Rachel is crying from being woken up and Mike is trying to get my attention.

"Ma'am, I know you're worried, but my priority is to ensure that you are filled in on the basics, a doctor ill discuss things with you further when you arrive." The secretary tells me, I can tell she's getting impatient.

"Fine, I'll be there in twenty minutes." I tell her hanging up.

"Mommy... what's wrong?" Rachel asks, sniffing.

"We have to go to the hospital to see RyRy." I say simply, backing out of the driveway.

"Is he okay?" Mike asks, his 'I'm the older sibling' senses kicking in, asking what Rachel wouldn't.

"I don't know."

The first person I see when I run into the emergency room is Carol. She spots me, and rushes over, handing a sobbing Rachel over to Kurt.

"What happened?" I ask her, she takes Rachel from me, and Mike runs over to Burt.

"They were coming home from the tire shop, according to Ryder, who is awake but not stable yet, they had been fighting about something before leaving and Ryder was angry so Finn wouldn't let him drive. They came to a stoplight and continued the argument and when they light turned green Finn rushed to go and a delivery truck slammed right into them." She explains to me.

"Are they okay? When can I see him?" I ask rapidly. She shrugs.

"They won't tell us anything about Finn, Ryder was conscious when they came in, he'd been unconscious at the scene to the accident. He's not stable right now though Marley, they won't let you in. "

"He's awake though?" I ask softly, not looking at Rachel.

"Yes. You should ask the secretary if you can speak to a doctor… maybe he'll let you seem him." Carol suggests. I nod and walk to the front desk.

"Excuse me; I'm here for Ryder Lynn. He was just brought in for a car accident. Could I speak to his doctor?" I ask the lady at the desk.

"Yes, take a seat. I'll send him over." She says nodding before picking the phone up. I turn around and walk over to where the others are. I sit down next to Rachel and not saying anything, pull her into a hug. She sobs into my shoulder and that's when I lose it too. We sit and sob for about ten minutes before a doctor comes over.

"Marley Rose?"

"That's me." I say standing up. "Is Ryder okay?"

"He's finally gotten stable and is also conscious, but barley. He's got a broken arm and a sprained ankle. He also has a concussion but all in all he should be fine." The doctor tells me. I nod.

"Can I see him?" I ask eagerly.

"Yes you may, he also mentioned something about children, they may go in also," He tells me, then points me in the direction of Ry's room, and then I wave the kids over.

"You guys want to see RyRy?" I ask them. They both nod sleepily but I know they want to see him. We walk down to his room, each one of the kids on either of my sides, holding my hands. When we get to his room, I take a deep breath and knock.

"Come in." Ryder's voice comes from the inside of the room. I open the door slowly.

"Hey, RyRy." I say softly.

"Man, am I glad to see you three. You have no idea how many times that door has opened and it's been a nurse, its crazy baby." He says, smiling at the sight of me, and then as I walk further in the room, the kids.

"RYDER!" They both scream and run toward him, jumping on to the bed. He winces slightly, but smiles as they hug him.

"Guys, be careful…" I warn them as I lean against the doorframe. Ryder smiles at me.

"Calm down Marls, their fine." He says, and then frowns slightly. "You know you can come closer if you want…"

"Kids, why don't you go see how Auntie Rachel and everyone are doing?" I ask them, still standing in the doorway. They nod, hug Ryder once more and walk out.

"Mar-Stars, I'm fine… It's all okay." Ryder whispers, using my knick-name from high school that he only uses when he is upset. I finally look into his eyes, and can't help but tear up.

"I just… oh, thank god you're okay…." I panic, crying and run toward him. He wraps his arms around me and mumbles "it's okay's" and "I'll be fine's" over and over to me. "I thought I lost you Ryder… I was so scared."

"I'm right here, I'm fine, and I'm not going anywhere." He assures me.

"I just… when I got that phone call, I was so scared… I didn't know what I was going to do. If I had lost you… I just can't even imagine how Rachel feels…" I start blabbering, Ryder's eyes go wide.

"How is Finn?"

"No one will tell us anything… I don't think it's going to end well RyRy…"

"That's what I thought you were going to say, Mar-Stars…"