This is short chapter that has to do with Ryan's dynamic in the family. Hope you guys like it.
Read Chapter 1 for all the technical stuff
Ryan and the Cohens were sitting in the waiting room. They were all worried. Seth had been in surgery for four hours and still no word from the doctor. A weary looking doctor suddenly stepped out of the doors and the three people shot out of their seats.
"Doctor, how is my son?" Sandy asked the man worriedly.
The doctor held up a hand and looked at the assembled family. "You might want to sit down."
Sobs racked Kirsten's body and Ryan muttered a quiet 'shit' under his breath. Sandy pulled together his last ounce of composure, "Is he dead?"
The doctor quickly shook his head, "Oh no, I'm sorry that's not what I mean at all. Seth is fine and he will recover fully."
Kirsten breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh thank god, when can we see him?"
"In about an hour. He is still recovering from the surgery and needs his rest. Let me tell you about his injuries. The gunshot wound was in the chest. Luckily, it missed the heart. If it was a inch lower then…." The doctor let the statement hang knowing that all present knew the implied meaning. "I just wanted to let you know that your son is doing fine and let me say that he is an exemplary young man. From what I heard, he is quite the hero."
Sandy nodded at the doctor, "Thank you doctor."
Kirsten sat down heavily on the chair while Sandy placed himself in the chair next to her. She brought her hand up to her forehead and shook her head. "I just don't understand how all this happened."
Ryan stood in front of the pair, "It's my fault." The Cohens looked up at the sound of the normally quiet boy. "Donnie was my friend…or I was the one who knew him and I should have been more careful and protested more when Seth invited him to that party. I'm sorry. I'll pack my stuff and leave as soon as I say goodbye to Seth."
Kirsten immediately stood up and hugged the normally stoic boy. "Ryan it's not your fault." Ryan still hung his head. "Ryan, look at me." He slowly raised his head to look Kirsten in the eye. "It's that boy Donnie's fault. You are not to blame." Ryan opened his mouth to protest but Kirsten spoke before he could, "No. If you weren't there then I don't know if Seth would have been ok. Seth's life has drastically improved since you came into our lives. We don't blame you and I know that Seth wouldn't blame you either."
Ryan nodded slowly glad for the luck that he had to ever meet a family as wonderful as the Cohens.
TBC