So you might be wondering why haven't i updated? Well... one word... school. The parcials in school are very short so i'm doing my best so i don't have to stay for summer school and school has obtained my attention lately. I wouldn't be updating until weekend but i have vacatino tomorrow cuz of a important day in my country :) One more chapter until it's over! I mean the next one is kind of an epilogue... and i hope you will like it :) So enjoy and review! I will update this sunday i guess. OH BY THE WAY

Thanks for the reviews! =) I'm sorry i havent replied personally to each one of them... but it says that the page isnt available and bla bla bla and i haven't got any time so i'm sorry but thank you so much for reviewing :) Let's try to make it to 200 before this is over! :D

By the way, i havent updated my other stories for the same reason... so i'm trying to finish this story first before continuing with the others, please undersatnd :)

Disclaimer: I don't own swac

Chapter 24

"Love is the bridge between two hearts"

Unknown

. . . .

Sonny's eyes fluttered open. Her body felt stiff and her eyelids were heavy. The first thing she saw was Grace asleep on the chair, her head against the wall. The table clock said it was 5 o'clock in the afternoon, which meant that Sonny had one hour before going where Chad was so until then she might go to Marine's.

She sat with difficulty since her whole body ached and was stiff.

"Where do you think you are going?" Grace asked with her eyes still closed. Sonny's eyes widened and she scratched her arm in nervousness.

"I'm going to see Marine and how is she doing" Sonny replied, slipping her shoes on and brushing her hair with her fingers.

Grace opened her eyes and sat straight "Alright go and visit your friends" She smirked. Sonny smiled and nodded. She put on a sweater and got out of the room heading to Marine's. The hall was deserted except for a few nurses that passed by and the lights were blinding.

"Hello?" Sonny knocked on the room's opened door. She came in and Marine was lying on the bed reading a book, her long blonde hair sprawled on the pillow and her brow narrowing at the book. "Marine?" Sonny spoke louder. The blonde looked at Sonny and half-smiled.

"Hey Sonny" She said softly. Marine put the book away and sat straight. "How are you?"

Sonny sat at the end of the bed and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm okay" In the outside but in the inside Sonny was aching and hurting so badly, so painfully. Marine nodded understandingly however she didn't look at Sonny in the eyes.

"Sonny" She looked at her eyes "I'm so sorry for everything" Marine's eyes shone with tears and her face was paler than usual. "I could have prevented this but I was too selfish" Her voice broke and tears were running down her cheeks "And maybe is now too late for forgiveness" Her lips trembled. Sonny smiled and grabbed Marine's hand.

"Its okay, what is done is done and I forgive you, it's alright Marine because you were scared" Sonny rubbed the palm "It's okay to be scared" Marine wiped her tears and hugged Sonny closely as her body shook with uncontrollable sobs. After some time the sobs had finally subsided and Sonny was soothing Marine.

"What about Chad?" Marine asked, rubbing her eyes. Sonny felt her own eyes watering a bit.

"I'm sure he will forgive you Marine" Her throat hurt just to talk about him. She needed to see him so badly, hold his hand and feel his warmth. "I have to go now, I'll see you later" Marine nodded and Sonny left.

. . . .

It was 6:15 and Sonny was standing right outside the door. She didn't know what should she do, what if what she so was heartbreaking? What if she broke into tears before saying anything?

Sonny took a deep breath and opened the door quietly. The room was empty except for a big bed. Sonny's eyes travelled to the bed as she closed the door. Chad lay on the bed peacefully, his body was pale and he had several scars and cuts on his arms. There were some tubes and wires connecting him to the machine and his stomach was covered well. His blonde hair fell on his eyes which were closed. His breath was even and he had a hand over his chest.

Sonny took a sharp intake of breath when he stirred slightly. He looked so vulnerable but at least he was alive and that's all she ever wanted. She slowly walked to him and sat on the nearest chair. She was afraid of touching him fearing he would be injured or a machine would start beeping.

His lips were slightly parted in an 'o' shape and there were huge bags under his eyes. Sonny looked at his free hand that only had a little cut. She slowly grabbed it with her own and it was warm at least and soft unlike what she had thought at first. It was bigger than her own hand and she compared the sizes, careful she would not do something irresponsible. The fingers were separated from each other so Sonny took the opportunity to intertwine her hand with his but before she withdrew it back the hand closer around hers.

"Chad?" Sonny whispered looking intently at Chad. He smiled and breathed heavily.

"Sonny" His voice was a little raspy.

"Are you thirsty?" Chad nodded and Sonny just grabbed water as fast as possible and fed him. After Chad gulped half bottle of water, he smiled softly at Sonny.

"Sonny" He tried to sit but Sonny pushed him back down.

"Don't, you just got out of surgery and you don't want the wound open, besides you have wires connected to your body and they can cause you pain" Sonny sat next to Chad as he laid down on the bed again, breathing heavily.

"How… how did you got in? I thought I wasn't allowed any visitors" Chad turned his head to look at Sonny. He looked terribly pale.

"Well, I just sneaked in but I just have half an hour though" She looked at their intertwined hands with sadness. Chad squeezed her hand.

"I'm glad to see you… I thought I wouldn't anymore" Chad gulped loudly and his breathing became more even but the machine kept beeping every once in a while.

Sonny leaned closer to him quickly "How dare you to almost do that to me Chad? To die! Did you ever imagine how I felt?" Her eyes stung with hidden tears that she fought back. "You said I had to continue with my life if you died! But how Chad? You are my life you… you asshole!" Sonny refrained herself from shouting since nobody had to know she was inside "And then you just… leave me!"

Chad cleared a strand of hair that was on her cheek "I'm sorry… I… just didn't want to be a burden even if I was dead… besides" He looked at his lap and then back at Sonny again "I'm going to jail Sonshine, I don't know how long but I'm going and I don't want to keep you from doing what you want"

Sonny stood up and paced in front of him "What if what I want is you? You in my life Chad" Her arms fell limp next to her "I don't care if I have to wait 6, 12 or even 20 years Chad, I will wait for you" She sat next to him again and took his hands between hers.

The room was deadly quiet for a few seconds. Chad sighed and slightly smiled "I just don't want you to make anything you might regret later"

"Chad" She said sternly "You are the best thing that ever happened to me" She said softly.

Chad caressed her cheek softly "I love you so much" And their lips found their way. The kissed softly for fear Chad might get hurt but it was a tender kiss. It was as if they would never kiss each other ever again.

The door flew open and Lockhart came in alone "I'm sorry to interrupt" Sonny gasped and pulled away. "Mr. Cooper" He sighed "The court has already solved your jail sentence" Chad's and Sonny's breath hitched "I'm sorry to announce that it will be 5 years" Sonny's hand grip tightened.

"Well… at least it isn't 12" Chad joked to lighten the mood.

"But—"Sonny was interrupted.

"Miss Munroe, it was all we could do. Mr. Cooper was destined to 10 or 12 years but we finally agreed to 5 years"

"What is he accused of?" She asked

"Attempting to one's life, pretending to be death and involved in an attempt of murder" Lockhart concluded.

"But he didn't do that on purpose!"

"Sonny" Chad spoke for the first time since Lockhart came in "Calm down, I think is a fair sentence, it could have been worse"

Sonny sighed "Miss Munroe" Lockhart looked at Sonny "I think you have to go now"

"I will but can you please let me speak a minute with Chad please?" Lockhart nodded and got out of the room in a matter of seconds.

The tears she had tried to fight back finally exploded from her eyes and she just fell on the chair sobbing "Sonny… love please" Chad didn't know what to do. He hated himself right now, for hurting Sonny this way.

She wiped her tears and looked at Chad "Chad…" She whispered as he stroked her hand.

"Sonny… can you do me a favor?" She nodded. "Can… can you look after Clare please? I don't think Marine will be able to… and she doesn't have any family left… I understand if you can't after all you have to go university and—"Sonny placed her fingers on his lips to shut him.

"I will, don't worry"

Chad sighed in relief but his face became serious "Sonny… please consider what I said before… I'm just an obstacle in your life"

"Don't you dare to say that Chad Dylan Cooper!" Sonny hissed "I love you and…" She smiled softly "And I'll wait for you"

Chad smiled and both leaned in for one last kiss.

I personally think my writing is getting... bad... i don't know *Sigh* Anyway, hope you enjoyed it and liked :) Please REVIEW! :D If we reach to 195 reviews i might update sooner :DL

Love, Emily