Author's Note: Wow, this story has surpassed 400 reviews! That is so cool! Thank you all so much for all your support throughout this story, I really appreciate it! This was a really fun chapter to write so I really hope you enjoy it.

Also here comes a shameless plug: I posted a video tribute to the Outsiders – more specifically Sodapop – on YouTube the other day and if anyone would like to see it I'd love your feedback. It's the first time I've done anything like this so it may or may not be any good haha. But due to copyright with the song I used in the video I know that it can't be viewed on mobile devices, so keep that in mind. Anyway if you'd like to see it just let me know and I'll direct you to it! :)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Sunday, December 4th

Sodapop was in the hospital for three days recovering from everything his body had gone through. After the surgery fixed the damage done to his lungs and rib cage they started to see huge improvements in his pneumonia. He was still sleeping a lot, which made Darry feel a little less guilty when he was forced to leave his bedside to return to work the next day. It took some convincing but he also got Pony to go back to school the next day as well, consenting to allowing Pony to stay at the hospital with Soda on Saturday and Sunday along with Two-Bit.

On Sunday Darry worked a morning shift and took the afternoon off in order to spend some time with Soda. He felt bad that he hadn't seen him much in the three days since his surgery. He made it to the hospital just after lunchtime. When he walked into the room he expected to see Soda dozing in bed with Pony and Two-Bit at his bedside like usual. However he found a very unexpected sight. At first glance the room seemed empty He felt his heart drop as his gaze took in the empty hospital bed in front of him. Had something happened while he had been gone?

"Hey Darry."

Darry turned at the sound of Ponyboy's voice. Not only did he see Pony and Two-Bit standing at the other end of the room, but next to them stood Soda. He was still dressed in the hospital gown and stood there in his bare feet, one hand on the stand that held his IV – which was the only piece of hospital equipment he was on as of last night – and a tired grin on his face.

"Look, I can walk!" Soda laughed.

"Soda, are you supposed to be out of bed?" Darry asked as he approached them. He still looked awful pale.

"Yeah, the nurse said I should try gettin' up and movin' around," Soda said. He looked slightly annoyed. "C'mon, ain't you a least a little proud to see me up and about?"

Darry sighed as he smiled. "Yeah, of course I am," he said. "I just don't want you to push yourself too much, little buddy."

"I'm fine, Darry," Soda practically groaned, but even as he said so he swayed unsteadily on his feet. Two-Bit grabbed his arm to steady him.

"Easy there," Two-Bit said. "Maybe it's time to sit back down."

"Yeah, okay," Soda sighed. He coughed lightly, a remnant of the infection he was still fighting off.

Two-Bit helped Soda shuffled back to bed with Soda still dragging the IV stand along. He carefully climbed back into bed, looking a bit worn from the effort.

"So I take it you're feelin' better today?" Darry asked as they all took their usual seats around Soda's hospital bed.

"Yeah," Soda said with a light smile. "They even said that they think I'll be able to go home tonight."

Darry smiled at this. "Well, let's hope so." It was hard that despite everything that happened he still didn't have both his brothers back under his roof. If they could just get Soda home he felt like they could all start moving on from this horrible ordeal.

"Yeah," Soda agreed. He was already blinking sleepily again. Clearly the walk around the room had taken a lot out of him. "I can't wait to sleep in my own bed again."

"We can't wait to have you home again, little buddy," Darry said as Soda drifted off to sleep. He leaned back in his chair and looked between Pony and Two-Bit. "So he's been doin' better today?"

"Yeah, he seems a lot better today," Pony assured him with a grin. "You think he'll really get to come home tonight?"

"Only if the doctor says he can," Darry cautioned.

"I hope he does," Pony said. "It's not the same not havin' Soda home."

Darry reached over and gave Pony's shoulder a light squeeze for comfort. "I know, kiddo."

"Well, I think he'll be home tonight," Two-Bit announced matter-of-factly.

Darry rolled his eyes at Two-Bit. "And why do you think that?"

"Because I have faith!" he declared with a grin.

Darry shook his head but he was still smiling. "Keep it down, would you?"

Two-Bit waved him off unconcernedly as he checked his watch. "I gotta get goin' anyway. Things to do, places to see you know."

Darry laughed. "When do you ever have things to do?"

"Hey, I take offense to that!" Two-Bit shot back as he stood, pretending to be hurt. "I'll catch up with you guys later." And with that he left.

Darry and Pony passed the next couple hours as best they could. Pony had brought his homework with him, which he worked on with Darry checking his answers over his shoulder. After a few hours a nurse came in to check Soda's vitals. The intrusion managed to wake him, and even after she left he stayed awake looking antsy. This was encouraging and reflected a much more normal Sodapop Curtis. Darry even let him get out of bed and walk around the room again. He did seem steadier for the first couple minutes than he had when Darry had walked in earlier.

Soda had just crawled back into bed when the doctor came in to check his chart. He asked Soda several questions about how he had been feeling that day with Soda insisting that he felt much better. Finally the doctor put down his clipboard and smiled.

"Well, Sodapop, I am very happy with how much you've improved over the past couple days," he said. "I believe that you are ready to be discharged."

Soda grinned at this. "Really?"

"Yes, really," the doctor assured him. He then turned to Darry. "He's still going to need to take it real easy for the next couple of days in order to recuperate. And I wouldn't recommend trying any strenuous activity for at least a week and even then he needs to take it slow. He'll still probably be overly tired for the next week or so, which is to be expected with everything his body has gone through."

Darry nodded, smiling at the news of finally getting to bring Soda home. "I understand."

"We have a few forms for you to fill out but after that we will be able to get you boys on your way," the doctor said.

"Thank you," Darry said.

The doctor left the room as Soda gave a whoop of celebration and Darry playfully scolded him. Darry and Pony went around the room and collected all their odds and ends that had made their way there over the past couple of days. Pony had brought a change of clothes for Soda just in case and Darry helped him change so that when the nurse came back in with the forms for him to fill out they were all ready to go. Soda wasn't the only one that was anxious to get out of that hospital. All this had begun in this very hospital after all. It brought back bad memories for all of them. Darry could only too vividly remember waking up in a room just like this only to have Steve and Two-Bit tell him that his brothers had been taken away. It wasn't likely to be something he'd ever forget.

Soda protested the wheelchair that was brought in for him, but in the end they convinced him that it was hospital policy and he wasn't going to leave the hospital if he didn't cooperate. Soda grudgingly rode in the wheelchair to the doors of the hospital but insisted on leaving it as soon as they were outside. He then crossed the parking lot on his own and Darry was impressed with how well he was starting to move around. He did end up needing help to get up in to the truck though. But after they had all piled in all three of them were finally headed home.

As they drove Darry kept on glancing over at his two younger brothers. They were both grinning as they joked around with each other. It was such a natural sight. It was the polar opposite of the image he had from just days ago of Sodapop laying on a stretcher gasping for breath as he was in excruciating pain and of Ponyboy coming up to him in the emergency room looking pale with tears in his eyes. At that moment it was hard to imagine that just a few days later he would be driving home with his entire family still intact. At least what was left of them.

Darry pulled the truck into the driveway and cut the engine. He made Soda wait for him to help him out of the truck, not wanting to risk him getting hurt again when he was only just barely out of the hospital.

"I may have to run out and pick up somethin' for dinner," Darry said, checking his watch as the three approached the house. "I don't think we have much in the way of food in the house."

Darry led the way into the house, immediately noticing that something was off. Not only were there noises coming from the kitchen but there was the smell of food cooking. Confused, Darry walked forward to investigate, both Pony and Soda in tow as they had obviously noticed as well. As they entered the kitchen they all found a very strange and unexpected sight. Steve and Two-Bit were in the kitchen and they were cooking.

"What the hell are you two doin'?" Darry demanded in shock.

"Well, it's quite clear that we are in here robbin' you blind," Two-Bit said sarcastically. "What's it look like we're doin', Darry?"

"Well it looks like you're cookin'," Darry said slowly, cocking an eyebrow. "But since it's somethin' I've never seen from either of you before you can understand my confusion."

"We're celebratin'!" Two-Bit declared as he lifted a spoon covered in mashed potatoes in the air, sending bits flying in every direction and causing Steve to duck out of the way as he playfully swatted at Two-Bit.

"All this 'cause I'm home from the hospital?" Soda asked as he stepped forward, a look of awe on his face.

"But of course!" Two-Bit said.

"We didn't have Thanksgivin' yet," Steve went on to explain. "We wanted to wait until you were home. So we figured now was a good time."

Soda looked up at Darry for confirmation, looking shocked at this revelation. "You guys really didn't have Thanksgivin'?"

"Nope," Darry confirmed with a smile. "We couldn't have Thanksgivin' with you, little buddy." He looked back at the two in front of them. "How did you guys even know that Soda was comin' home tonight? We didn't even know until about an hour ago."

"I told you, I had faith!" Two-Bit laughed.

"Where did you even get all this food?" Pony asked curiously as he stepped more fully in to the room to investigate the delicious smells. "We've never had this much food, even for Thanksgivin'!"

"I have my ways," Two-Bit said mysteriously.

Darry narrowed his eyes at him. "There's no way you could have lifted an entire Thanksgivin' dinner… is there?" He paused and then shook his head. "You know what? I don't even wanna know."

"No you do not," Two-Bit agreed with a devious grin.

Darry led Soda over to the table and helped him get settled. "You guys need any help?" Darry offered.

"No, we got it," Steve said.

Just a few minutes later they had moved all the food to the table. Even though they only have four chairs all five of them squeezed around the table with Two-Bit crouched awkwardly on a step stool he pulled out of the closet. The mood was very light as they joked around just like they used to. Darry couldn't help but notice that Soda didn't eat as much as usual but he knew that despite his assurances Soda wasn't quite all better yet and the infection was still in his system so he did his best not to worry too much. In any case Soda seemed to be in good spirits as he flicked peas across the table at Two-Bit and that's what mattered at the moment.

They all ate until they couldn't possibly eat any more and still managed to have leftovers, which was quite a feat for this particular crowd. Darry leaned back in his chair as he smiled at the sight in front of him. It was so good to have everyone together again. It was definitely something to be thankful for.

"Desert time!" Two-Bit announced as he jumped up from the table.

"You've got to be kiddin' me," Darry laughed. "How can you still eat?"

"I'm a growing boy," Two-Bit said.

Darry only rolled his eyes at that. He watched as Two-Bit rummaged around in the ice box and came up with a chocolate cake. He supposed he shouldn't be surprised. Chocolate cake was a staple in this house. Two-Bit brought the cake over to the table and plopped it down right in front of Sodapop. Soda stared down at the cake for a moment before a grin slowly spread across his face. Darry stood up to get a better look, wondering what Soda was looking at. Then he saw it. Sloppily written on the cake with green frosting were the words 'Happy 17th Birtday Soda.'

"You spelled birthday wrong," Pony laughed as he pointed it out.

"Hey, did I ask you to proof read my frosting?" Two-Bit demanded with a playful glare. "You got any candles, Darry?"

"Check the drawer," Darry said pointing. He was grinning. With everything else that had happened he had almost forgotten the promise to celebrate Soda's birthday when he got home. He was glad that Two-Bit and Steve were there to help pick up the slack.

"Better late than never, right buddy?" Steve said, reaching over and clapping Soda lightly on the shoulder.

"Can't argue with you there," Soda said with a grin. He was sitting straight up in his chair looking more lively than he had since he had come back to them with his broken ribs from the juvenile detention center.

"Well, I found three used candles," Two-Bit said as he returned. "Darry I am very disappointed with your lack of birthday candles."

Darry only laugh at this. They never had an abundance of birthday candles in the house so this was a common complaint from Two-Bit, even when it was no one's birthday. Two-Bit stuck the half burned candles into the cake and Pony was ready with his lighter. Two-Bit led them in a very poor rendition of the happy birthday song, with Two-Bit himself being the most enthusiastic as usual. Soda was grinning ear to ear. After they finished Soda considered for a minute before he took in a shallow breath and only managed to blow out two of the candles, quickly blowing out the third with his next breath.

"No wish for you buddy," Two-Bit laughed.

Soda glared at him but everyone only laughed. Darry cut the cake and passed out the pieces. By the time they had finished Darry noticed that Soda was looking drained from all of the excitement. He had to remind himself that he was still recovering.

"C'mon, Soda," Darry said gently. "The doctor said you need to get plenty of rest still."

Soda had some mumbled protests but he didn't put up too much of a fight, which showed how tired he really was. Soda managed on his own getting to his bedroom and changing for bed. Darry went in to check on him one more time as he was crawling in to bed. Even though he didn't need to Darry pulled the covers securely up over his little brother, like he used to when they were young their mother would work late and Darry would tuck in his younger brothers.

"Thanks, Darry," Soda sighed.

"Anytime, little buddy," Darry said with a smile.

He stood up and started to leave but then Soda spoke again. "I wished that we would never be separated again. Too bad I didn't get all the candles."

Darry crouched back down next to the bed. "You didn't need to use your wish for that, Soda. I'm gonna make sure that never happens ever again. I promise you."

Soda smiled lightly as his eyelids blinked sleepily. "Okay." And with that he drifted off to sleep.

After he was fast asleep Darry stood up and walked out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him. He started to head back toward the kitchen but was stopped by Steve in the hallway.

"How is he?" Steve asked.

"He's gonna be fine," Darry told him. "He just needs rest."

Steve nodded. "Good." He paused and Darry waited, sensing that he had something more to say. He pulled a small, folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Darry. "Here."

"What's this?" Darry asked as he took the paper. He unfolded it and recognized Steve's paycheck. "Steve…" he said reluctantly.

"Don't you dare try to tell me you don't need it," Steve cut in before Darry could even try and argue. "You're not the only one who was affected by all this you know. So you take that damn paycheck and any others I give you and you pay off your medical bills so you can have permanent custody of Soda and the kid again."

Darry ran a hand through his hair. He took a deep breath. "Thank you," he said steadily.

Steve looked a little surprised at this. "That's it? No arguing?"

"Do you want me to argue?" Darry asked.

"No," Steve said.

"Well then don't push your luck," he said.

"Okay," Steve agreed.

"This is just a loan though," Darry said. "As soon as we get these bills paid off, I'm gonna pay you back."

Steve rolled his eyes. "Yeah, whatever you need to tell yourself, Superman."

Darry sighed. "I ain't Superman."

Steve looked up at him and raised an eyebrow. "Really? You practically came back from the dead and then went to hell and back and overcame a boatload of odds to get your brothers back. Seems like a pretty Superman thing to do to me."

Darry stared at him uncomprehending for a moment. "Uh," he stuttered. "Thank you?" He really wasn't used to this side of Steve.

But Steve simply shrugged as he turned and walked away. Darry was left there staring after him in shock. Was he right? He did suppose he overcame some pretty daunting obstacles in order to put his family back together. It hardly seemed like something heroic to him though. It was just what he had to do in order to get his brothers back.

The truth of the matter was that there wasn't anything he wouldn't do for his brothers. If that made him Superman so be it. But really all he wanted to be was a good big brother to Soda and Pony who had both already seen too much pain in their short lives. All he aspired to do was to do right by this family. And that was enough for him.

As the weeks passed Soda continued with his improvement. Darry made him stay home from work for three weeks after he was released from the hospital and even then he made him work part time for a while. Soda's body needed a lot of time to really get over what he had been through.

To fill in the gaps in their usual income Darry continued to accept money from Steve and even allowed Pony to take some odd jobs around the neighborhood after school and on the weekends to help out. Also every so often Two-Bit would show up with some money to donate to their cause. Darry never asked where this money came from and simply took it gratefully. He was chipping away at both his and Soda's medical bills much slower than he had hoped.

When their three-month deadline came upon them Darry had paid off all of his medical bills, but still had some of Soda's left. It was a tense time as no one knew how social services was going to take this since they technically hadn't met the ultimatum they had been given. None of them could sleep the night before they were to hear from the state. Thankfully Ms. Daniels had come by and informed them that since he made so much progress her boss had agreed to give them a two month extension to pay off the rest of Soda's medical bills. That was all they needed. A month and a half later all their debt was paid off and Darry officially was granted permanent custody of his brothers.

By this point everyone had healed physically from the ordeal following Darry's accident this past September. Soda was back to normal and returned to working full time. Pony no longer needed a brace on his arm and had full use of his previously broken limb. It had been months since Darry's last migraine that had been bad enough to force him to stay home from work.

But despite all that they all held the internal scars from the events that occurred all those months ago. They could all see that in each other in small changes they each made in their every day lives. Each of them made the extra effort to be home for dinner most nights so that they could eat as a family. They spent more downtime together playing football in the backyard or even going to a movie. They made more of an effort to say goodnight to each other before bed and to not gripe at each other in the mornings before leaving for work and school.

It was the scars from what had happened that made them appreciate being together as a family more than ever. They were more aware than ever that they were all they had left now. And that wasn't something they'd ever take for granted ever again.

THE END

Author's Note: I wanted to thank you all for your continued support throughout this story! It turned out to be much longer and involved than I originally thought it would be. I had planned on around 15 chapters in the beginning… 37 chapters later and I've found that this was a much more in-depth topic than I originally thought! But I've really enjoyed this story line especially since it's so different from the types of stories that I usually do and turned out to be a great exercise in forcing me out of my comfort zone. So I hope you enjoyed it as well! Please let me know any final thoughts you have on how this all wrapped up!

Stay gold!

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